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#12 | DEC. 2019
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THE culture ISSUE
Coffee Shop Culture
leafnationmd.com
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7 Editor’S Note 9 NATIONAL news 11 highly likely 12 legal column 14 budtender q&a 16 front row travels 18 pure life wellness 20 kind therapeutics 23 patient profile 24 strain of the month 28 leaf goes to amsterdam 32 yoga + cannabis 35 keystoned plus, llc 38 holiday recipes 40 concentrates 42 on the road 44 DYSCO’S CORNER 46 stoney baloney
DEC. 2019
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Enjoying lunch at Prix D’Ami, a three-story Cannabis coffeshop in Amsterdam.
PHOTO by EARLY/LEAF NATION
*Must be 18 years or older to view content. Medical cannabis is for qualifying patient use only.
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
WES ON THE COVER The Culture Issue Our favorite cover artist Brandon Palma created this fun take on the science and art behind Cannabis culture, showing the way humanity interacts and engages with this beautiful, miracle plant. Explore this issue to see more ways we are defining culture. Art by brandon palma 8th day create for md leaf
CONTRIBUTORS
FOUNDER & EDITOR
Alaina Dorsey, writing
WES ABNEY Wes@nwleaf.com 206-235-6721
Ally Dull, writing Wyatt Early, photography
PUBLISHER
Steve Elliott, writing
EARLY Early@LeafNationMD.com
Lizzy Layne, design
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Taylor Martin, writing
Daniel bermaN | photography & design daniel@bermanphotos.com
Matthew Newton, writing Jeff Porterfield, design Mike Ricker, writing Mike Rothman, writing Pacer Stacktrain, writing Laurie Wolf, writing Bruce Wolf, photography
PRODUCER/PROCESSOR/RETAILERS AD SALES
wyatt early Wyatt@LeafNationMD.com 410-961-8779 We do not sell stories or coverage. We are happy to offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis product or upcoming event. We are targeted and independent Cannabis journalism. Email or call to discuss advertising.
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ABNEY
Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up The Culture Issue of The Leaf!
I AM A STONER. I want to start this by making that statement as a father, business owner, creative professional and overall happy person. I was a stoner as a college athlete, when I worked my first newspaper job, and when I had my first daughter. Cannabis helped her mother through the birth, and to celebrate our new life. But that wasn’t something I could always say with pride. I remember being arrested for pot, being called a drug user by the criminal justice system, and having to fight for freedom over a few grams of flower. I’ve had church members tell me that they pray for my THERE ARE family to escape the clutches of sin for using a plant that AMAZING I believe is a gift from God. I’ve seen cancer patients called fakes and stoners when testifying before legislature PEOPLE WHO for the right to treat their condition with a plant. GROW, SELL AND Over the last 10 years of publishing Leaf magazines, USE CANNABIS the narrative of Cannabis has evolved from the shadows to the mainstream as the healing and recreational EVERY DAY, FROM benefits are becoming undeniably accepted. But even as CELEBRITIES TO Cannabis generates billions in taxes, provides jobs and TEACHERS TO heals our people, the stigma of using it still exists. And that has got to change. POLITICIANS. Cannabis culture has come a long way since Cheech WE NEED TO and Chong and Pineapple Express, though those cultural BRING THE icons paved the way. Today, being a stoner is almost like being the wrong ethnicity or orientation in a culture. It’s CULTURE OUT OF okay to be you, just don’t show it or acknowledge it. But THE SHADOWS why should we have to hide our culture, our identity, and AND BE PROUD TO our medicine of choice? The simple answer is that we shouldn’t. Cannabis has PROCLAIM THAT long influenced culture, while developing its own lingo, WE TOO ARE attitude and vibe that touches many sub cultures and STONERS. genres. I’m here to proclaim loud and proud that it’s high time we celebrate our own culture! There are amazing people who grow, sell and use Cannabis every day, from celebrities to teachers to politicians. We need to bring the culture out of the shadows and be proud to proclaim that we too are stoners. Nobody should be afraid to share or use a healing plant, or have to hide their identity that is rightfully shaped by the plant we all know and love. That’s why we celebrate with our Culture Issue, to protect and share what is perhaps our greatest asset. The love for a plant that connects us through healing and recreation, art and music, and is fast becoming a mainstream influence on the entire world. That is why I’m proud to claim my title as stoner, and seek to share the truth about the most misjudged plant in history. Thank you for reading, sharing in our culture, and not being afraid to stand up for your right to be accepted.
-Wes Abney
DEC. 2019
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STEP INTO OUR WORLD Visit one of our Medical Cannabis Dispensaries for your free consultation, to shop our curated selection of products. Or, simply come in to learn more about the healing properties of this amazing plant.
Visit us Today 7175 SECURITY BLVD, BALTIMORE, MD ShopBotanist.com
*Medical cannabis products are for use by qualifying patients only.
national news
legalization
MICHIGAN LAUNCHING MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR RECREATIONAL CANNABIS MARKET
After approving an adult use program in early November, Michigan is gearing up to open about a dozen recreational Cannabis stores on December 1, 2019. According to Marijuana Business Daily, around eight municipalities in the state have initially opted out of having recreational marijuana in their cities. The market is expected to generate between $1.4 billion and $1.7 billion dollars in sales annually. In a time when medical Cannabis is in short supply, the black market in Michigan is thriving. There are about 20,000 less patients in the Michigan MMJ system as there were at this time last year. It will be interesting to see which medical dispensaries transfer to recreational once they receive their retail licenses.
WEST COAST
ANCHORAGE ASSEMBLY PUTS THE BALL IN THE VOTER’S COURT FOR ON-SITE SMOKING OF CANNABIS
EAST COAST
NYPD arrests man with 106 pounds of what they thought was marijuana NBC New York has reported the supposed marijuana shipment turned out to be hemp, and now it looks like all charges against Ronen Levy will be dropped. The NYPD was tipped off by a suspicious FedEx worker who suspected drugs in a package coming from Vermont. After seizing the package and conducting field tests, the NYPD determined this was Cannabis. Levy says that industrial hemp contains trace amounts of AFTER SEIZING THC, which the field tests are not sophisticated enough to THE PACKAGE AND distinguish between. CONDUCTING FIELD TESTS, Levy’s brother and fellow shop owner Oren said, “He THE NYPD DETERMINED was a hungry cop. He thought he had the bust of the day.” THIS WAS CANNABIS. This case highlights the similarities between hemp and marijuana plants, and opens a door for discussion.
Quoted
“This is a truly historic moment in our nation’s political history. For the first time, a Congressional committee has approved far-reaching legislation to not just put an end to federal marijuana prohibition, but to address the countless harms our prohibitionist policies have wrought, notable on communities of color and other already marginalized groups.” —NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri STORIES by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT
DEC. 2019
leafnationmd.com
According to a report on CannabisNews.com, pro and anti-marijuana groups have five months to convince voters on whether or not to move forward with allowing consumption of Cannabis in retail stores. The Anchorage Assembly voted 7-4 to send the question to voters, and now it’s up to the advocates to develop campaigns for approval. THIS BILL WOULD CHANGE This bill would change the THE CITY’S WORKPLACE city’s workplace safety code, SAFETY CODE, WHICH which currently prohibits smokCURRENTLY PROHIBITS ing indoors. SMOKING INDOORS. Christopher Schutte, Economic and Community Development Director for Anchorage, said they looked around at states like California, Colorado, and Oregon to see how they are handling on-site smoking. Opponents of this bill have argued that it presents a risk in people catching a second hand high, and people driving while high. Proponents argue back that tourists can’t smoke in public or in their hotel rooms, so they need a place to legally use Cannabis without fear of prosecution.
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highly likely
H i g h l y L i ke l y h i g h l i g h t s Ca n n a b i s p i o n e e rs w h o p a ve d t h e wa y t o g re a t e r h e r b a l a c c e p ta n ce .
STEPHENJAYGOULD SCIENTIFIC AUTHOR, PALEONTOLOGIST & CANNABIS ADVOCATE
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In fact, Gould is regarded as one of the most widely read scientific authors of his generation. He spent most of his career teaching at Harvard, and the Library of Congress called him a living legend in his field. His crowning achievement was a sort of revolutionary theory regarding evolutionary biology. Called the theory of punctuated equilibrium, Gould hypothesized that most biological evolution is punctuated by long periods of stagnation or stability, and that real changes in evolution,
By PACER STACKTRAIN for LEAF NATION
DEC. 2019
leafnationmd.com
IT’S A FUNNY THING HOW WRITING A COLUMN LIKE THIS CAN TRULY DEMONSTRATE HOW CANNABIS CROSSES ALL OF OUR IMPOSED RACIAL, CULTURAL, AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC BOUNDARIES AS HUMANS. CASE-IN-POINT, OUR SUBJECT FOR THIS MONTH. UNLESS YOU’RE A SCIENCE BUFF, YOU PROBABLY HAVEN’T HEARD THE NAME STEPHEN JAY GOULD - BUT HE WAS A RATHER FAMOUS PALEONTOLOGIST, EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGIST, AND HISTORIAN OF SCIENCE.
“Marijuana worked like a charm. The sheer bliss of not experiencing nausea - and then not having to fear it for all the days intervening between treatments - was the greatest when they happen, occur in swift periods. boost I received in all my years of treatment, This theory changed the way we look at and surely had a most important effect upon evolution, since it was normally thought to my eventual cure.” be a sort of long, drawn-out, almost unnoAs he recovered, Gould paid it forward by ticeable phenomenon. becoming an advocate for medical CannaObviously, this is a bis until his death in high-minded scientific 2002. He frequently “IT IS BEYOND MY concept, but Gould untestified on behalf of COMPREHENSION THAT derstood the importance medical Cannabis of interpreting science to prosecutions in the ANY HUMANE PERSON the general public. He United States and WOULD WITHHOLD SUCH wrote some 300 essays Canada, saying, “It in the popular magazine is beyond my comA BENEFICIAL SUBSTANCE Natural History on a prehension that any FROM PEOPLE IN SUCH wide range of subjects, humane person would campaigned against crewithhold such a benGREAT NEED, SIMPLY ationism, and was even eficial substance from BECAUSE OTHERS USE IT featured once on the people in such great Simpsons as a character. need, simply because FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES,” In 1982, Gould was others use it for differ—STEPHEN JAY GOULD. diagnosed with a form ent purposes.” of mesothelioma cancer. In our age of the In order to cope with the greater acceptance radiation treatments, he started smoking of Cannabis, it can be easy to forget just Cannabis after researching the herb’s effect how demonized this herb was just a few on those suffering from the side effects of short years ago. For this progress, we have chemotherapy. Of his experience, he said, pioneers like Stephen Jay Gould to thank!
PHOTO BY ULF ANDERSEN/ GETTY IMAGES
Gould on a 1991 visit to Paris to lecture, gracing the cover of Newsweek in 1982, and making a cameo on The Simpsons episode “Lisa The Skeptic,” in 1997.
CANNABIS LAW leafnationmd.com
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Purple Hindu Kush growing at the stunning property of High Valley Organics in Southern Oregon.
the legal status of Cannabis in the United States has corresponded with a rapid rise in the social acceptance of Cannabis and change in social opinions and values. For example, in the U.S., 11 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the possession and use of Cannabis, along with 33 states that have legalized its medical use. This has opened the doors to the possibility of eliminating the largest social consequence of being a Cannabis consumer: the threat of arrest and conviction for a crime of possession. A recent analysis of the FBI’s National IncidentBased Reporting System demonstrates that despite the larger societal-wide acceptance of Cannabis, arrests continue to go up and racial disparities persist in those arrest rates. According to FBI crime statistics in September 2018, there were 1.6 million arrests for drug possession, sale, or manufacture - a number that has increased every year since 2015, after declining over the previous decade. The FBI gathers crime statistics from thousands of law enforcement programs around the country that voluntarily report their numbers to keep track of larger trends. Here, drug arrests are classified into four categories: heroin or cocaine and their derivatives, marijuana, synthetic or manufactured drugs like fentanyl, and other dangerous nonnarcotic drugs like barbiturates. In 2018, 71% of these arrests were for marijuana. Given that a majority of adult Americans now favor legalization at a national rate of nearly 67%, and given that a majority of the states have Before we begin to complain that these numbers enacted some form of Cannabis regulation, are either high or low, please observe these survey it is clear that the United States is about to responses with more than a bit of skepticism. Given enter a period where Cannabis support is at the current prohibition of marijuana under federal super-majority levels. This raises any number of law, it is quite reasonable that not every respondent possibilities for a new legal structure for the plant. was entirely forthcoming with their responses. For instance, the states may call a Diving deeper into the numbers, you can see a Constitutional Convention to enshrine access to number of important trends that emerge. Cannabis as a right under the Constitution - with Amongst the Americans who currently use two thirds of the states enacting it, much like the marijuana, a majority are parents (54%) and Prohibition of Alcohol in the 1920s. nearly one-third have children under 18. There Congress may pass laws permitting the states are generally more males than females that use the freedom to decide for themselves (like the marijuana (55% to 45%); a majority are millennials STATES Act now introduced in both Houses). The (52%); a majority earn less than $50K per year president, by executive order, can order the Food (54%); and nearly 7 of 10 self-admitted marijuana and Drug Administration (FDA) to de-schedule consumers do not have a college degree, and do or reschedule Cannabis under the not practice a religion at all. They are Controlled Substances Act, based more likely to describe themselves upon new discoveries about the as democrats (43%) or independents medical benefits of the plant. (42%), than republicans (14%). Regardless, Cannabis culture According to a recent 2019 has driven powerful change. And survey by the Pew Research Center, as public opinion surveys clearly two-thirds of Americans say the indicate, American Cannabis use of marijuana should be legal, consumers are young - and reflecting a steady increase over “The United States is opposition to general acceptance the past decade. The share of U.S. about to enter a period is rapidly dying away as the states adults who oppose legalization has where Cannabis support is continue to chip away at the last fallen from 52% in 2010 to 32% at super-majority levels.” remaining barriers to access. today. The relatively recent change in
THE UNITED STATES OF CANNABIS Acco rd i n g t o t h e re cent Yahoo News/Marist Poll entitled “Weed & The American Family,” \ nearly 52% of American adults have tried marijuana. This works out to roughly 129 million adult Americans who have used marijuana at some point in their lives, with more than 44% of these individuals currently continuing to use it. Fifty-five million of them (or 22%) would describe themselves as current consumers, with the survey defining “current use” as having used marijuana at least once or twice in the past year. Of those 55 million current users, more than 35 million would describe themselves as “regular users” - those who use marijuana at least once or twice a month.\
Since 2008, Mike Rothman has counseled clients regarding Cannabis laws and regulations as the founder and principal of the Medical Cannabis Law Group and the Law Office of Mike Rothman in Rockville, Maryland. Mr. Rothman has testified on Cannabis laws and regulations before the Maryland House of Delegates, taught classes, and lobbied the federal government on behalf of patients and businesses. Mr. Rothman’s Law Office focuses on criminal defense, including use of the medical Cannabis defense.
DEC. 2019
COLUMN by MIKE ROTHMAN, ATTORNEY & PRINCIPAL | MEDICAL CANNABIS LAW GROUP | PHOTO by @BERMANPHOTOS
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G OT A FAVO R I TE B U D TE N DE R ? TE L L US WH Y ! WYAT T @ LEA F NAT IO N M D . CO M
interview
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB?
“THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO USE CANNABIS AND I REALLY ENJOY EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE PRODUCTS TO PATIENTS.”
Definitely the people - I’m a talker and most of my jobs have been focused around talking to people. I appreciate that people love talking to me and being open! We could be talking about anything and I just appreciate it. I get a lot of therapy through helping people and talking with them. There are so many ways to use Cannabis and I really enjoy explaining the difference between these products to patients.
HOW DO YOU PREFER TO USE CANNABIS?
I do prefer smoking blunts and joints - it’s a leisure thing where you can lay back and chill while rolling and smoking. But recently my coworker Kelly and I visited Las Vegas, and had a Puffco Peak with us for concentrates. Since then, I am spreading my horizons into concentrates. FAVORITE STRAINS AND COMPANIES?
My favorite concentrates are from Culta and MPX, and my favorite strain of flower is Golden Strawberries by Curio Wellness. It’s the perfect strain for me at any time of the day, and I often recommend it to people with anxiety and depression. It has quickly become a favorite of patients I recommend it to. HOW DO YOU FIND THE RIGHT MEDICINE FOR THE PATIENTS?
I am a very in-depth type of person, so the first thing I am asking you is “Do you have any experience with Cannabis, and if so, to what extent?” I tell people to start slow if they are inexperienced. One of the advantages I have is being a deli style dispensary, so people don’t have to make a big purchase to try multiple products. Instead of having to commit to an eighth of one strain, you can do a sample tray of multiple strains. I also like to teach patients about terpenes and cannabinoids so they can make choices in the future. For example, a patient comes in saying they loved the Bruce Banner. Maybe we won’t have the Bruce Banner on their next visit, so I like to prepare them for that.
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leafnationmd.com
maryland leaf budtender of the month
Tera Garland The Botanist | 7175 Security Blvd Suite 102, Baltimore, MD | (443) 200-2242 | ShopBotanist.com
HOW DI D CAN NAB I S F I R ST CO M E I N TO YOU R L I F E ? I think the traditional way.
I was always around it in high school and was the person who would want to roll. I didn’t actually desire to smoke too much in high school, but I enjoyed rolling it because it was around my friends and family. I got way more into Cannabis in the last five years or so, as I am a very “sciencey” person. I have always been curious, and from watching documentaries I learned the science and saw the evolution from black market Cannabis to where we are today.
dec. 2019
HOW DID YOU BECOME A BUDTENDER? I used to work at Walgreens
in the pharmacy, before bartending for two years. I was ready to find a job that supported me and what I wanted in terms of going back to school. I literally had my resume out in so many places, when I got a call and we scheduled a phone interview. I didn’t even know Maryland had any medical dispensaries at the time. This job made sense due to my love for science, along with my passion for Cannabis and people.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING AT THE BOTANIST? So I grew up right down
the street from the shop, less than a mile away. I still live close by, but getting this job brought me back to a place where I run into old teachers and people I grew up with. It makes me feel good and comfortable, knowing I may change some people’s perspective on Cannabis after seeing where I work. I love all of the people I work with, and I am actually one of the original employees from when The Botanist first opened. This company makes me feel welcome to put my ideas out there about the Cannabis community with no restrictions.
WHAT AR E S O M E O F YOU R HO B B I E S ?
I have always been into science outreach, so I am in the midst of starting a non-profit where we do Cannabis outreach. Many people are uneducated on how to get Cannabis or the benefits of it at all. My goal is to step out as far as I can in doing outreach and activism for acceptance of Cannabis. Follow @TGzee
STORY & PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF
stoner owner
AYANNALAWSON FOUNDER | FRONT ROW TRAVELS
leafnationmd.com
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dec. 2019
AYANNA LAWSON merged her passion with her career in order to create one of the first Cannabis travel agencies in the area. From domestic to international flights, Ayanna can plan your canna-cation for you, and your friends and family. Whether you want to hit the best dispensaries around the country, or tour grows in Jamaica, she can design your trip. WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR CREATING A CANNABIS TRAVEL AGENCY? I have been traveling all over the country with my family since I was eight years old. I went on my first cruise in 2007, and it gave me the travel bug. Front Row Travels came about in April of 2019 after a friend recommended I include Cannabis in my travel packages. Just like many other people in the Cannabis industry, I saw an immediate need to merge Cannabis with what I was already doing. I have been doing traditional travel booking for about four or five years now under a host agency, Absolute Dream Vacations. They helped me to vet and work with a lot of the vendors I do now. EXPLAIN WHAT FRONT ROW TRAVELS DOES FOR CANNABIS ENTHUSIASTS? We take you to Cannabis-friendly destinations all over the world, and I handle the travel aspect from start to finish. You can pick a location, even if it’s somewhere you are not familiar with. “Hey, I heard Amsterdam is fun!” is about all you need. My job is to get a feel for what you like, in terms of climate, activity level, hobbies, and a few other factors. I set up your travel arrangements, may it be air, train, car or cruise, as well as hotel and transfers. The special part is everything has a Cannabis element to it. WHAT ARE YOUR TRIPS LIKE? The majority of the trips I have booked have been domestic flights, but we are ready for an international trip. My group trips will have an educational part, where we may visit an indoor grow or outdoor farm, and have even had a Rastafarian shaman come and talk to the group. There are different levels of how deep you can immerse into the culture. Some people just want to go on vacation, relax, and try some bud they heard about from friends. A group and I just went to Jamaica in July and we stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay.
We spent time visiting beaches, touring private Cannabis farms in the mountains - admiring plants over six feet tall. We stopped by a few dispensaries, as well as had multiple outdoor excursions.
“MY JOB IS TO GET A FEEL FOR WHAT YOU LIKE, IN TERMS OF CLIMATE, ACTIVITY LEVEL, HOBBIES, AND A FEW OTHER FACTORS. I SET UP YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS, MAY IT BE AIR, TRAIN, CAR OR CRUISE, AS WELL AS HOTEL AND TRANSFERS. THE SPECIAL PART IS EVERYTHING HAS A CANNABIS ELEMENT TO IT.”
WHAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS BUSINESS? When people want to have Cannabis-friendly vacations in not so Cannabis-friendly destinations, things can get tricky. Also, some clients want to have Cannabis be a part of things that create risks for them. For example, I can’t knowingly send clients with Cannabis on an ATV trip or any excursion operating heavy machinery. Another challenge is finding resorts that are going to look the other way in terms of Cannabis use. I strongly endorse clients to only smoke Cannabis in the smoking section of the resort. I also try to stay with adults-only resorts, to avoid having Cannabis around children.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS YOU ASK CLIENTS DURING THE INTAKE PROCESS? My first question is always whether they are a medical patient or using Cannabis recreationally. Next, I like to ask them if there is a specific ailment they will need help to accommodate during the trip. Then I ask them what their price point is for dispensaries, to determine if they want connoisseur quality Cannabis. A very important question is to find out how immersed people want to be in the Cannabis experience. Not everyone is as comfortable smoking Cannabis, so making sure my clients feel safe is very important. DO YOU ATTEND A LOT OF CANNABIS INDUSTRY EVENTS? I like to do local events to bring people together and educate them about Cannabis. We actually raffled off a trip to Las Vegas at the last Cannagather event. I figure a lot of people still have a taboo look on Cannabis, so they wouldn’t be ready for a trip to Amsterdam. These events are a chance to connect with people in a meaningful way. Once you meet people where they are in terms of Cannabis, you can introduce them to the plant in ways that are approachable to them.
F RO N T ROW T RAV E LS . CO M @ FRONTROWTRAVELSLLC
A Stoner Owner is a Cannabis business owner who has a relationship with the plant. We want to buy and smoke Cannabis from companies that care about their products, employees and the plant. You wouldn’t buy food from a restaurant where the cooks don’t eat in the kitchen, so why buy corporate weed grown by a company only concerned with profits? Stoner Owner approval means a company cares, and we love weed grown with care. Look for the Stoner Owner stamp when purchasing fine Cannabis, and let’s retake our culture and reshape a stigma by honoring those who grow, process and appreciate the best Cannabis possible.
STORY & PHOTOS by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF
SHOP REVIEW
STRAINS 4/5 They offer great pricing
and a hand-selected flower menu. While it doesn’t seem like you have many options to choose from, every option is top quality. They have a few very heavy-hitters for more experienced patients.
EDIBLES
5/5 The store was well-
stocked with edibles by brands such as Curio Wellness, Dixie, Evermore, Verano and more. You name it, they carry it. Here you can get all of your favorite yummy treats.
CONCENTRATES
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PURE LIFE WELLNESS
leafnationmd.com
There’s nothing I love more than visiting downtown Baltimore and all of its beauty, art, and community. So there’s no surprise that in the eclectic crossroads of Federal Hill lies Pure Life Wellness, a hidden gem mirroring all the city vibes we know and love. The building's simple and modern look couldn’t possibly prepare me for the stunning decor inside. After ringing the doorbell, I entered a two-step entryway leading to a small reception area, which provided me with a little extra comfort, safety, and mystery. Checking in was smooth and easy. The calm, inviting atmosphere of the staff, plus the sun coating the room and all the beauty and information to take in, it hardly felt like I waited at all. As I toured the decadence of the dispensary, I couldn’t help but feel like I was strolling through an art gallery. There’s mood music to help set the tone, yummy essential oils rippling through the air, wooden floors, and bold portraits painted by local artists hanging from old-fashioned brick walls.
DEC. 2019
As if the art wasn’t already With their loyalty rewards program, mind-blowing, I was led down a scestocked shelves, daily deals and welnic hallway into the showroom, where coming atmosphere, it’s impossible the wide open space leaves room to to leave here without a stellar deal on wander through the many Cannabis quality Cannabis. products they offer. All of which is what mom, store Every product in the shop is handowner, and city native Jaclyn Dolaway picked to perfection by the staff and envisioned for her patients. She got aesthetically sectioned off for ease of her start running her own real estate access. There’s a long table topped business, but after forming a bond with all things flower, cases filled with with Cannabis for her own personal edible delectables and topicals, and needs, she decided to shift gears and spread throughout are all the tools offer a better quality of life for the you need to partake safely. people in her community. As I toured the Although every shopping Dolaway bought and decadence of experience is treated as a remodeled a three-story the dispensary, building, part of which was consultation, if you need a I couldn’t help little extra privacy or a place once Charm City Yoga, and but feel like I to sit, there’s a lovely lounge has now beautifully transwas strolling area placed perfectly in front formed into a yoga studio through an of a huge glass window for of their own - with a private art gallery. a more intimate feel. There’s entrance for patients and always friendly staff roaming the sales non-patients to attend for free on floor to assist you and a virtual menu Saturdays. to help you peruse the selection solo. You can expect to see essential oils, Pure Life Wellness also gives you a aromatherapy, and reiki utilized in the few payment options to use at your yoga repertoire as well. convenience during checkout. At the end of the day, they're all You can opt for cash at the ATM or about curating wellness through feeluse Canpay to purchase your gooding and intent, encouraging patients ies in-store, or online for pick up. to live a full, pure life.
4/5 Pure Life Wellness has a large selection of extracts from companies like MPX, Evermore, Grassroots, gLeaf and more.
ENVIRONMENT 5/5 I love the open space,
hallways, and tall ceilings. It really gives off an artsy feel that would make any creative want to return.
OVERALL 18/20 This dispensary is
one-of-a-kind. The artwork, calm vibe, and handpicked products makes you want to bring some friends just to hang out. It’s the epitome of Baltimore, which to me feels like home.
PURE LIFE WELLNESS E CROSS STREET FEDERAL HILL BALTIMORE, MARYLAND PURELIFEBALTIMORE.COM @PURELIFE_WELLNESS_BMORE (443) 708-5683 TUES.-FRI. 11-7 SATURDAY 11-5 SUNDAY 12-4
SNOWBALL Curio Wellness SNOWBALL from Curio Wellness is just as potent
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as it is tasty and beautiful. Bred by Ethos Genetics, this hybrid strain is a cross of The White x Chem 4 OG. Snowball provided a mostly euphoric head high, and the terpene profile is perfect for true OG lovers. 20%+ THC | CurioWellness.com | EthosGenetics.com
A CALM, INVITING ATMOSPHERE
STORY by BRIA PRICE @BRIACPRICE | PHOTOS by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF
garden of the month leafnationmd.com
20
KIND THERAPEUTICS Famous in Maryland for hits like Bubblegum Diesel, Oro Blanco, and some of the finest RSO on the market, Kind Therapeutics are the owners of the Nature’s Heritage brand and home to one of the most unconventional grows in Maryland.
M
OST MARYLAND GROWS have found themselves in some kind of warehouse space or another, but what makes Kind Therapeutics’ location fun is that it is located in the heart of cattle country. And by the heart, I mean it is located across the street from one of the smelliest livestock markets I’ve ever had to park next to. Which is not to say that I am complaining, as I have seen a wide variety of methods to deal with odor control of large scale grows. And while I don’t think they specifically chose this location to hide in plain sight, it is nevertheless an effective means of preventing your small town community from constantly smelling like Cannabis. What really makes this grow stand out is its management structure and its commitment to being one of the most eco-friendly and patient-forward grows in the state! Here I was greeted by the their president, who in turn introduced me to their lead growing team - all in charge of their own segments, all responsible for the end products overall - and none of them claiming centralized control! Sarah Sines, Jordan Lavender, Darren Kelly, Michael Goulding, and Kyle Perrell are the team that delicately balances the workflow of the whole grow operation, doing so in one of the most progressive management structures I have ever seen. And having seen it, I am going to say that I want to see more grow teams and less centralized head growers becoming an industry standard! Everyone on this team has a different background and level of Cannabis experience, everyone was brought up from within the company, and every single one of them is truly dedicated and passionate about their work - specifically the quality of their work as it relates to the patient.
DEC. 2019
Flower room
Potent flowers
H Veg room
AVING DONE around a one post-harvest stage, arguably the most imthousand plant pheno-hunts, portant time in a Cannabis plant’s life cycle. complete with profile testing, you Here we see the hard work and attention might say Kind Therapeutics had to detail that was put into the process up more than enough data to start producing until this point come to fruition under Jorthe “good good” medicine, but they further dan’s careful eye. Jordan makes sure that opened up their products to customer these flowers achieve their optimum size, feedback, taking the time to continuously potency, and profile before the plants gets update their program. passed one more time to Kyle! This information is relayed to the team The next step is harvesting. Responsible who then discusses it together to tweak for drying and curing the harvest, some aspects of the whole system to continuously people might say Kyle’s job is even more optimize their process in response to patient boring than watching the grass grow, betrends. Now, every grow is segmented into cause to the layman, watching the grass dry sections to optimize workflow, but at Kind, and sit in a bucket for a few weeks doesn’t each team lead is technically responsible seem like much work. Wrong. This is where for one of those segments - allowing for you’re most prone to getting molds and milsmall teams to specialize on key steps in the dews, and if conditions are neglected even grow cycle. slightly, a whole crop could be ruined for Darren Kelly is the man starting this any number of reasons - ultimately wasting process by nurturing these months of hard work. mothers into robust clone And well, after a What really makes producing trees to then meticulous hand trim and be cloned out and moved beautiful glass packagthis grow stand out down the proverbial ing, you know the rest assembly line! Darren has because you see it every is its management a history of working with a day in the dispensary! structure and its variety of plants that clearly shows in the quality of commitment to his mother plants and their being one of the subsequent clone babies. IF YOU HAVEN’T Kind’s mother room has seen their products, then most eco-friendly fat, tall, very green and please take the time to healthy looking mothers, and patient-forward try some of their cultivars which I confirmed by that touch so many loving grows in the state! checking the quality of the and passionate hands, cuts in the clone room. and you will understand After clones have demonexactly what this team strated their ability to survive, the plants has achieved from a quality standpoint. are then transferred into a small veg room This management structure and the people where Sarah Sines takes the responsibility of that make up the team have really started topping and bottoming plants, and starting an innovative new trend that revolutionizes to shape the future canopy. Topping and a typical grow structure into one with more bottoming refer to trimming the plant in checks and balances. such a way as to produce a larger canopy, Beyond the aforementioned incredible more potent flowers, and consistent plant team, you simply can’t talk about Kind size for an even canopy distribution. Therapeutics without mentioning their That uniformity then gets transplanted eco-friendly practices. into a larger veg room to bulk out growth While large-scale commercial grows are and move into early flowering, and thus not known for using no-till, live soil, poly the buck is passed on to Michael Gouldculture beds for their flowers, this team is up ing. The larger veg rooms and early flower to the challenge. This practice, when done rooms were conspicuously green, indicating well, eliminates a tremendous amount of a very aggressive defoliation process. waste, nutrient use and pesticide use, which By aggressively defoliating, Goulding is already highly regulated in Cannabis, but ensures that light penetrates deeper into the less so in the general agricultural space. canopy, allowing buds lower on the plant to Kind Therapeutics has implemented grow larger and with higher potency. this very green and organic practice early Jordan Lavender is the man with the on, and because they are one of the early flowering plan, responsible for the end of medical Cannabis companies on the East the flowering process up until the harvest/ Coast, they are very well-positioned to start trends that could rival the hydroponic <<< Sarah Sines, Jordan Lavender, revolution - leading not just the Cannabis Darren Kelly, Michael Goulding, industry, but the agricultural industry as a whole towards a greener planet. and Kyle Perrel on the KT crew.
STORY by TAYLOR MARTIN @MDCANNAINSIDER | PHOTOS by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF
KINDTHERAPEUTICSUSA.COM
21
how using cannabis helped her see the world of glass
PATIENT OF THE MONTH
Kelly LoGiudice
23
SOME OF KELLY’S COLLECTION
Armed with Grapefruit Sour Dream from Culta and an arsenal of heady glass to choose from sounds like a dream, right? For Kelly LoGiudice, though, this dream is a reality. LoGiudice has been in love with Cannabis since her early high school days, and started collecting glass soon after. “I started smoking at 14, I tried it once and fell in love with it. It really helped me out when I was younger to deal with some anxiety and depression I had,” LoGiudice explained. A few years later she moved to Oakland and that’s where she truly began her journey with Cannabis, and sparked her passion for glass art. “I moved to Oakland in 2013. I did the whole move to California to trim and couch surf experience. I got into dabbing when I moved out there and got introduced to a lot of people with glass collections, and that’s when I started to really see the art side of glass, instead of just seeing it as a pipe.” After living in California for a handful of months and returning to Maryland, Kelly really started collecting glass heavily. “I got my first piece in Berkley when I lived in California. After that I started collecting more glass along the way, you could say I just fell in love with all the detail and work that goes into making a heady piece. I really started to appreciate it,” she explained. Present day her collection is immaculate to say the least - filled with countless gems that are both functional and non-functional, from a plethora of artists both well-known and not so well-known. “I love a lot of artists, but I’d have to say Natey (@nateylove on Instagram) is my favorite. My first pipe I ever fully paid for was a Natey, and I’ve gotten several other pieces from him including a custom piece for my birthday. He’s not just an amazing artist though, he’s really down to earth and humble. He’ll do custom
orders for his supporters and he really takes what the “I JUST FELL customer wants into consideration. It feels good to IN LOVE WITH support him and his family because he’s a really great overall guy,” LoGiudice said. ALL THE Collecting glass is more than just a hobby, it’s a DETAIL AND lifestyle. Kelly has been to countless art shows, studios WORK THAT and galleries all across the country to see all the latest and greatest borosilicate glass art that’s being created. GOES INTO “Ive been to the American Glass Expo (AGE) in MAKING A Vegas, and in Baltimore. I’ve been to lots of local shows like the ones at Crushmore in Philadelphia or HEADY PIECE.” Boro Brothers shows. I’ve also been to Burn Galley, the Pipe Classic, and the Degenerate Flame Off in Oregon,” she explained. After seeing the best that the glass game had to offer, she said that nothing can touch the studio in Colorado called Ever Dream. Ever Dream’s somewhat of a mecca for glass blowers - a handful of the most talented artists on the scene collaborate there under a single roof in one of the most stunning studios to ever be created. “When I was driving across the country to California we had to stop in Colorado and see Ever Dream. I got to see the WJC Glass molecule and that was the first piece that ever really took my breath away, the studio has cases full of pendants, marbles and other glass. It’s unreal, I literally got lost gazing into all the cases when I visited,” LoGiudice exclaimed. Glass art was somewhat taboo for a long time, and it’s great to see these amazing artists finally get recognized as artists and not merely pipe makers. Through the support of art lovers like Kelly, the industry has been booming over the past several years and the artists are constantly collaborating and pushing themselves to create like never before. With the continued appreciation from Cannabis consumers everywhere, the future of glass art is looking brighter and brighter every day - and collectors everywhere are constantly looking forward to the latest masterpieces to come. Follow @TheRealHashwife
STORY by MATTHEW NEWTON @JIMMYNEWTRONNN for MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTOS by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT
STRAIN OF THE MONTH leafnationmd.com
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I THINK YOU WILL AGREE THAT GARLIC IS NOT REALLY A TRADITIONAL SCENT PROFILE YOU GET FROM CANNABIS, AND PROBABLY NOT ONE YOU EVER THOUGHT YOU WANTED IN YOUR BUDS - BUT I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH ROLLING UP! Lo and
behold, I opened my first dram of Garlic Cookies from Grassroots and didn’t get even a whiff of my expected traditional Cannabis aromas. Instead, I had to do a double-take and confirm that there was indeed Cannabis in my dram and not cloves of garlic, because the spicy garlic fragrance was almost overpowering! The potent aroma was a delicate balance of garlic, onion, pepper, clove, and just a hint of citrus that, while robust and distinct, was quite pleasant and enticing. The 31% THCa makes Garlic Cookies a top potency tier flower and so one can expect to be quite stoned, but nothing overly couch-locking. The profile is a common favorite on the market, containing myrcene, limonene, and caryophyllene in a relatively low dosage, which typically translates to a balanced good mood with a slight foggy high that doesn’t overpower your cognition. The flavor of the smoke took me by surprise, as I was so primed with a garlic scent that my expectation was that I would be getting a rich garlic flavor. Instead, I got a spicy diesel flavor on the inhale with mild hints of the garlic spice in the aroma on the exhale - quite pleasant and almost savory. It smoked just like a chem or a diesel, but the subtle element of garlic on the exhale added an element that is unique to this cultivar and really opened my mind to the potential of savory scents. Grassroots’ Garlic Cookies is just such a rare flavor and aroma experience, offering robust medical relief alongside its unique terpene profile. I hope such outliers become more prominent in the market, and a big kudos to Grassroots for taking a risk and stepping outside the traditional Cannabis hits to test the market with new and avant-garde aromas.
GARLIC C
dec. 2019
grown by
GRASSROOTS CANNABIS The Garlic Cookies profile is a common favorite on the market, containing myrcene, limonene, and caryophyllene in a relatively low dosage, which typically translates to a balanced good mood with a slight foggy high that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t overpower your cognition.
COOKIES REVIEW by TAYLOR MARTIN @MDCANNAINSIDER | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF
GRASSROOTSCANNABIS.COM
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Coffee Sho
the culture ISSUE leafnationmd.com
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THE DOLPHINS
dec. 2019
THE BULLDOG
op Culture The Leaf goes to Amsterdam STORY by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ | PHOTOS by EARLY/LEAF NATION
Continues next page >>
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the culture ISSUE leafnationmd.com
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The first thing they tell you when you get to Amsterdam is to watch out for the silent killers. Because where cars have little authority in a city bound by canals, bikes dominate the passageways and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no engine noise to forewarn you when stepping into the crosshairs of a bustling society.
A
couple times of casually meandering into the designated travel lanes, only to be narrowly whiffed by an upright cyclist or two, and you realize that when you step foot into this brick dominion, hearing is a vital sense to keeping you out of the impact zone and safely in the fun zone. It is this that attracts most of the 20 million visitors to this rare air annually. And that air is scented with the perfume of the Red Light District and the incense of Cannabis wafting over the bent streets and raised bridges. Prostitution is more legal than weed here, and far more regulated. In fact, much to many peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surprise, Cannabis is not legal at all, only tolerated. Meaning you can still be arrested and prosecuted. Some will say that it was the counter culture rebellion, led by the hippies in the 1960s, that got the Cannabis conversation of tolerance started - when it appeared that the propaganda of the first half of the century began to show a figurative crack in the leaking dike of Cannabis misinformation. And like the lore of the Dutch boy who saved his country by putting his finger into the
dec. 2019
hole, it could be argued that a guy named Henk de Vries - and his risky endeavor of selling marijuana over the counter - had the same effect, unknowingly creating an epicenter of Cannabis tourism in this unlikely city. But why not Amsterdam? It would make sense that a smaller country with less conflicting politics would be the ripe place for the ruling governance to look the other way for the benefit of leading its population into a new realm of global attention, not to mention benefit from the taxation of a growing number of visitors. However, since the early days of 1975 when de Vries opted to call his weed dealing hub a coffee shop, rather than the standard tea shop, the city has made very few changes to keep pace with the international legal Cannabis movement. And this befuddles those in the Amsterdam Cannabis industry. In fact, many would tell you it has gone backwards in some ways, as the number of shops has dwindled from its peak of over 300, to the current number of around 170. And legalization is no closer than six years away, as the government has elected to undertake an experimental trial. You see, currently under Dutch law, although it is legal to sell Cannabis over the counter in licensed coffee
Henk de Vries founded The Bulldog, Amsterdamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Cannabis coffeeshop, way back in 1975.
Canal Life
Prix D’Ami
Taking a seat at Prix D’Ami, a three-story Cannabis coffeeshop in the heart of Amsterdam. shops, it is illegal to produce and supply the drug. Which makes getting the product grown and delivered a tenuous problem. Any one coffeeshop is allowed a maximum of 500 grams of any form of Cannabis on the premises (concentrates are still illegal in Holland), which leads to a quagmire, because in a busy establishment like the Bulldog Café, the bins have to constantly be refilled. How do they do it? Illegally, through a system of black market growers and runners who make the pick-ups and deliveries. As for the “weed trials” starting in 2021, cafés in 10 cities will get a legal supply of “quality” Cannabis as part of a four-year experiment. In this experiment, Cannabis will
be cultivated by growers who are approved by the government, and the coffee shops in these cities will be obliged to participate, unallowed to procure their flower from illegal growers. The culture, however, is as thriving as ever. One visit to the three-story Prix D’Ami - with a countenance of 450 people at any given time - will tell you everything you need to know about Cannabis’ popularity. Seeing enthusiasts basking in the hazy glow of modern lighting and vintage furniture proves to any bystander that by the look of relaxed comfort on the patron’s faces,
they are fully confident of facing no reprimand for their pleasures. And it is this languid body language that tells the story of how when Cannabis is enjoyed in the comforts of a non-threatening, communal situation, everyone benefits. The government makes money that people are happy to spend. Crime goes down, health improves, and the world becomes a better place. And what you’ll find in these holy places of Cannabis immunity is a plethora of delicious treats like homebaked cakes and muffins, tropical smoothies and crafted milkshakes. The parched tongue will revel in a tall glass of fresh squeezed orange, or pear juice. Also, the décor is carefully curated to attract the fancy of those in an altered state of friendliness with smooth liquid, soft electronic music, afro jazz, or dancehall reggae. Meanwhile, the craft of rolling joints or vaporizing flower from attractive pieces designed specifically for this eagerly accepted art, is employed through the many available devices strewn about the rooms. Here, it’s easy to see that the future of Cannabis is in good hands, as
Seeing enthusiasts basking in the hazy glow of modern lighting and vintage furniture proves to any bystander that by the look of relaxed comfort on the patron’s faces, they are fully confident of facing no reprimand for their pleasures.
Edibles at The Dolphins millennials make up the majority of those who frequent these establishments - therefore ensconcing the fact that the demand is growing and hugely viable. And although the vibe is conscious and consistent from shop to shop, aesthetics vary. Pop over to the Green House and you’ll see pictures on the wall of celebrities like George Clooney and Mike Tyson who’ve partaken in the local fare. At a shop called The Dolphins, you’ll find a scheme that imitates a world through the perspective of the respective finned mammal. There’s a finely crafted coral reef that persists throughout the place along the walls and bar, designed by an imaginative Australian artist who has been adding to his creation over the years with each brief residency. These shops are proud of the heritage and unique signature they leave, and this shines through the veil of dangers they’ve faced over the years and, as it appears at present, will continue to face for at least six more. But then, nothing seems to be a safe endeavor in the city of Amsterdam - especially crossing the street on foot.
STORY by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ | PHOTOS by EARLY/LEAF NATION
31
the culture ISSUE
Cannabis + yoga to calm the mind
leafnationmd.com
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Self discovery is often referred to as a series of events that allow an individual to explore spirituality based on their own beliefs and experiences, rather than getting lost in the opinions of family, peers, or a larger global outlook. This discovery of self cannot be taught in school, from our parents, or our community. While social support is imperative, there is no shortcut to the self-work required for this revelation. Rather, it is the work of a lifetime and depends on intention, hard work, and a strong commitment to navigating the complexities of being a human. It requires pushing through boundaries, questioning the paradigm, and admitting that maybe we don’t have all (or even most) of the answers. Lucky for us, there are many tools that can help guide our attention inward, allowing us to begin a journey down the path of self discovery. Each of us must develop our own toolkit. Meaning to unionize or yolk, yoga is an ancient practice and science designed for the healing of humanity. In a world where we are focused on quick results and productivity, yoga invites the outer world to melt away as attention is directed inward. According to Hindu sage and yogic scholar, Pantanjali, there are eight limbs of yoga which offer guidance for the practice. Traditionally, postures (asanas) are used to work toward sustaining a seated position for extended periods of time in meditation (dhyana) and for breathwork (pranayama). However, in the Western world, the asana practice has been given the utmost attention, reflecting a culture that celebrates quick, visible results. It’s important to recognize that, while vitality is important, the movement and postural component of yoga is just the tip of the iceberg. Cannabis is a sacred herb which also helps us to attain inner peace and tranquility while actively reducing pain, anxiety, and depression.
As medicine for the physical, emotional, and spirituWe may even begin to sense messages from the al bodies, weed encourages doors and windows of depths of our body and mind, allowing for a deep deeper realms to open within ourselves. It nudges us connection between the two. After setting your intento think about the things we have been conditioned tion, ask yourself how you feel in the moment. Begin to believe. It propels us to question ourselves and the to notice your breath, which acts as a mirror from world - why do I do what I do? Why do I like what I the body to the mind. Breathwork, or pranayama, is like? What is my life purpose? Who am I? All of these the technique of conservation and distribution of life questions begin to light the way towards self discovery. force energy, our breath. Just by noticing the breath As a practitioner of both Cannabis and yoga, I have moving in and out of the body, we are actively keeping had profound experiences of the benefits of uniting the the physical body in good working order and gaining two traditions. I understand yoga as the long, winding control, regulation of, and the ability to channel the walk of life and weed as the really nice aesthetic - the mental-emotional-spiritual beings of self. smell of wildflowers or mystical sounds of the natural The goal of these practices is to befriend who we world. It allows me to put already are, which can be a on my even rosier colored really difficult thing to request Just by noticing the breath moving in and glasses in order to experience of ourselves. After all, we’ve out of the body, we are actively keeping the bliss of living. Cannabis been conditioned to look the physical body in good working order makes joy in life more acoutside ourselves for happicessible. Yoga offers purpose ness and live according to and gaining control, regulation of, and meaning to our life. Why the rules of mundanity. and the ability to channel the mentalnot weave them together to Using Cannabis and yoga emotional-spiritual beings of self. create something powerful? as tools can catalyze huge A beautiful way to integrate paradigm shifts - breaking yoga into your Cannabis routine is to set an intention, down old thought patterns, releasing stale and stagor a sankalpa as it’s called in yoga. This can also be nant energy, and simply understanding ourselves on a understood as a ritual, a routine you implement that deeper, more connected level. So, start where you are. creates a deep connection to spirit, your higher power, Roll up your favorite herb or prepare your best dedivinity, and the earth. vice. Sit down and create some space for yourself. BeCreating a sankalpa invites a single pointed focus gin to notice how you feel in your body, in your mind, on one thing, one goal. With this intention, you might and in the space you are taking up. Greet yourself. start to question your use of Cannabis. What’s the Notice your breath - the depth, the texture, the sound. goal? Does it make you feel better? Does it make Ask yourself about your intention, contemplate it, and being a human a little less challenging? Does it help then set it. Commit to it. Once you’ve done that, begin you manage symptoms? to let go of the illusion of control, and proceed to Taking into consideration my own personal expemedicate. Use your breath as a guide into the depths riences with Cannabis, and those of others that I’ve of yourself as you continue to self inquire. heard as a budtender, I believe that Cannabis breaks Afterwards, record what comes up. Jot a few down the paradigm of duality. thoughts or notes. And then next time you’re back at With this magical plant, we can more easily conthis intention, you’ll be a bit more well-informed about template the ways of the world and the existence of your relationship to it. Cannabis and yoga are cataeverything with less confinement. lysts for self discovery - the actions are up to you.
STORY by ALEX DULL/BLAIR WELLNESS CENTER @FLOWERSFORALEXDULL | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
33
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the culture ISSUE
Q&A
TAMMY & SCOTT SAUNDERS
KEYSTONED PLUS, LLC Manufacturers & Wholesale Distributors How did you get into the paraphernalia business?
What has been one of your biggest challenges?
Scott: Tammy got into the business by selling tie-dye t-shirts. She
Tammy: It was going really great, in fact too great, when one day I
started with a 10x10 booth at a weekend Amish market that sold pretzel rolls, chicken, and baked goods in Maryland.
Tammy: So they have the Amish and the English
(markets), and you can rent a booth there for not too much - I thought that would be kinda fun, and I started selling tie-dye clothing and that got crazy. I looked at my closet and started looking at brands. I thought - I could sell those - so I went and got my tax ID number to become a reseller. I went to a market in Dallas and bought clothes from Nepal, and the booth continued to do well. A customer of the booth had a vacant storefront on Highway 50, so I started doing this full time and had to come up with a name. Thus, Tammy’s Cool Things was born. People kept asking why I didn’t sell pipes, as you could only buy them at gas stations at that time. I kept thinking it would be medical here soon, as legalization kept being placed on the ballot year after year. One day a 70-year-old couple came in asking for “one of those things you smoke pot out of that you don’t actually smoke.” I confirmed he wanted a vaporizer, and he said it was for his wife with cancer. I told them to come back in a couple of weeks and I would have one for them. I called the state and told them I wanted to start selling water pipes, to which they replied, “Like at Lowes?” I explained it was the other type of water pipes: bongs.
Where do you source your glass for the shop? Tammy: I went to a CHAMPS show. This was 15 years ago when
there were no glass blowers around or Instagram to look them up and find them. There was only Facebook and it was hard to find glass blowers. Other shops were not going to give you their sources, but I met the owner of Green Glass Clean and he was super helpful and turned me on to a glass blower he knew. I quickly realized I preferred American glass over imported glass. I decided to only sell American made glass and that was really hard 15 years ago. We started off really small. I didn’t know there were left handed and right handed - I thought it was a joke when a guy came in asking for left handed pipe. I called up my glass blower and asked him if he sent me any left handed pipes, and he said yes - this one and that one are different. So, I got a complete education.
got raided by police. Not just local police, but county and state police, immigration, and customs. 14 members of law enforcement came in one morning and took $50,000 worth of glass and held it for two and a half years. I spent $27,000 getting it back, but I did and I won. I didn’t serve time.
Scott: Actually I got the ticket, as my name was on the
business license and it was my name that got splashed all over the news. They took six shots at us, all the way to the Court of Special Appeals in Maryland before they finally gave up. Even the judge yelled at the state’s attorney for making a mockery of his courtroom.
35
Now I see you are producing these beautiful “dugouts” on the eastern shore. Tell me about how you acquire these unique woods and how you choose them? Are they hard to obtain? Scott: Most of the woods come from international distribution, so there are people who bring it into the country. I pick woods that mill easily - there are plenty of beautiful woods out there, but if you can’t make good dugouts out of them, you would be wasting your time. We pick woods that we think are attractive and mostly exotics, however, we have started using some minFrom selling clothing at eral fed poplar that are milled 20 miles from the shop. The roots bring minerals up the Amish and English from the soil and turn the wood into purples, yellows, markets to deciding to blacks and greens. It’s phenomenal looking material. We open up their first pipe are careful that all the woods we use are reasonably and sustainably harvested. shop, Scott and Tammy
Have you seen an increase in your business since Cannabis went medical in Maryland? Scott: It is really across the board as more states have relaxed and more people find out about our business. We feel that we are at the bottom of the growth curve and business will grow. It is a good place to be!
saw a need to provide responsibly sourced pipes and smoking accessories to the people of Maryland. Not only do they work with local glassblowers, they import exotic woods to make unique dugouts and smoking tools.
INTERVIEW by EARLY/MARYLAND LEAF | KEYSTONEDPLUS.COM
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RECIPES
HOPEFULLY you will have a little extra time this holiday to make a couple of these infused treats. But remember that less is more, and don’t operate heavy machinery. The folks at Laurie and MaryJane wish you a happy and healthy holiday. #Indulgeresponsibly #Dontfeartheedible
I make these every year for my friends. They love white chocolate and agree that the hint of Cannabis is a delightful addition. I rarely enjoy the flavor of Cannabis, but for some reason, this combo is fire. And they’re delicious just out of the freezer, too.
WHITE CHOCOLATE POT PATTIES Makes 32 pieces.
2 lbs white chocolate, chopped 2-3 tablespoons canna-butter ½ cup dried cherries 2/3 cup crushed peppermint candy 1. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a microwave safe bowl combine the chocolate and canna-butter and process on high for 30 seconds. Stir and return to microwave for and additional 30 seconds. Continue until the chocolate is just melted, the melting process will continue after cooking.
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3. Using a ¼ cup measure pour the chocolate onto the parchment paper. Sprinkle with the cherries. 4. Heat the remaining chocolate the same way. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cherries and sprinkle with the crushed peppermint. Allow to sit until fully set, at least an hour.
HOLIDAY TREATS
S'MORE ON A STICK
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Makes 30 pieces. Making your own infused caramels is quite the thing. They’re not hard to make, though they do require a candy thermometer and your full attention. Maybe don’t be high when making your first batch. I don’t know about you, but when under the influence I am quite easily distracted. Caramels keep for three weeks in an airtight container, stored in a cool place.
Makes 48 pieces.
SALTY CARAMELS 1 lb ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) canna-butter ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) butter 2 cups packed brown sugar ½ cup dark syrup / 2 cups heavy cream ¼ teaspoon salt / 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons smoked sea salt 1. Line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper. 2. Melt the canna-butter over low heat in a medium saucepan, with a candy thermometer. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, one cup cream and salt. Bring to a boil and stir occasionally for 12 to 15 minutes, until temperature reaches 224 degrees. 3. Slowly add the remaining cream. Cook until it reaches 250 degrees, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle with salt. 4. Cool for a minimum of four hours. With a sharp knife, cut into 48 pieces.
DEC. 2019
2 cups dark chocolate, chopped 2-3 tablespoons canna-butter 30 marshmallows 1½ cups crushed graham crackers
Though these look a bit complicated, they are incredibly easy to make. You can use any type of chocolate, and the dipping can be changed to include chopped nuts, sprinkles, or cookie crumbs.
1. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Using a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate and canna-butter in microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir and return to microwave for an additional 30 seconds. Continue until the chocolate is just melted, the melting process will continue after cooking. 3. Using a fork, dip each marshmallow into the chocolate, completely covering the marshmallow. Immediately dip one side of the covered marshmallow into the crumbs. Place on the parchment on the graham cracker covered side. Place a skewer or popsicle stick in one side of the marshmallow. Allow the marshmallows to set completely, at least an hour. RECIPES by LAURIE WOLF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF
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gLeaf “WAVES OF GASSY CHEESE AROMAS HIT MY OLFACTORY SENSES, TRIGGERING NOSTALGIA AND A SLIGHTLY PAVLOVIAN DROOLING RESPONSE.”
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BLUE CHEESE BLACK LABEL SAUCE Blue Cheese Black Label by gLeaf is one of the most complex, invigorating diamond sauce profiles I have had the pleasure of dabbing in quite some time, a definite standout amongst the diamond sauces on the market. A diamond sauce blend refers to crystallized “diamonds” of THCa, mixed with a terpene rich resin sauce, providing the highest level of potency and some of the most robust terpene profiles on the dab market. Opening the jar is a blast from the past for me as waves of gassy cheese aromas hit my olfactory senses, triggering nostalgia and a slightly pavlovian drooling response. And with over 8% terpenes - a caryophyllene/terpinolene dominance and just a dollop of myrcene - this is truly a dab to drool over. Maybe it’s the generally anxiolytic nature of caryophyllene, or perhaps it’s the fact that it binds to your CB2 receptors, but for many patients in Maryland,
Dec. 2019
caryophyllene dominant profiles are simply the most effective for a broad spectrum of needs. Whenever we see this amazing little terpene driving the profile, we know that it will touch all of our needs and provide a very even and stable headspace to float around in. Tempered almost in a 1:1 ratio with terpinolene, followed by over 1% of ocimene, b-pinene, and limonene, gLeaf’s Blue Cheese Black Label Sauce reveals its true complexity as a top tier product with this dazzling entourage. The ocimene really adds an element of depth to the aroma and flavor, and helps tie the cheese profile together. Additionally, such an even distribution of high terpene percentages automatically makes this one of the most flavorful extracts out there, as well as one of the rarest flavors available.
REVIEW by TAYLOR MARTIN @MDCANNAINSIDER | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT | GLEAF.COM
dec. 2019
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Amsterdam
T H E C U LT U R E I S S U E E D I T I O N STORY by JONAH TACOMA @DABSTARS2.0 for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JESS LARUE @JESSICALARUE_420
I
adjusted my Oakleys and pulled my headphones down over my ears in preparation for the long flight from Philly to Amsterdam, a few more minutes and the half a Xanax I popped in the ticket line would be kicking in. Home to the original Cannabis Cup, Amsterdam had been a mecca for Cannabis enthusiasts since before I was born, many traveling thousands of miles to openly partake at the coffee shops that dotted the
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Red Light District. We were here for something equally ambitious. If things went well this voyage would mark the beginning of an important endeavour, one that could change our lives foreverâ&#x20AC;Ś I had been angling to do proper business in Holland for almost a decade, but in spite of all the freedom in Holland, dabs were scheduled like heroin. RSO and even
“WE WERE HERE TO L AUNCH T H E A M ST E R DA M L E A F A N D IF WE WERE SUCCESSFUL, IT WOUL D BE THE FIRST BIG C A N N A B I S M AGA Z I N E TO M AKE IT OVER FROM THE S TA T E S S I N C E H I G H T I M E S H AD L AUNCHED OVER 40 YE A RS AG O . ”
tinctures were strictly prohibited across the board. That said, you could still find some decent dabs if you knew where to look. Walk into the right coffee shop and ask for some dabable “isolator” with a wink, and you’re likely to see a small selection of budders and waxes being sold by the gram for a 100 euros plus. As the giant passenger jet lumbered down the runway I drifted off to sleep, still daydreaming of the events to come. We were here to launch the Amsterdam Leaf and if we were successful, it would be the first big Cannabis magazine to make it over from the states since High Times had launched over 40 years ago. This was a passion project paying homage to our city of birth and I was excited to be a partner in such an undertaking. The Dutch had always acknowledged that certain vices were always going to exist and had agreed that an ever shrinking part of town, affectionately named after the red lights glowing in the windows of the sex workers, would house them all. From mushrooms to
MDMA, anything could be found in the twisting and turning alleys of the Red Light. As long as you stayed in the boundaries and didn’t affect anyone else’s good time, it was anything goes and the tourists were lapping it up in spades. As the capital city of Holland, Amsterdam itself was a miracle of old world engineering. Built five feet below sea level, the city had grown from a small group of houses built up along the mouth of the river Amstel. Eventually, the Amstel Dam was created to manage the water, and Amsterdam as we know it was born. A smiling customs agent greeted me at Schiphol Airport. “Business or pleasure?” he said politely with one eyebrow raised. “Well it’s Amsterdam, so always a bit of both,” I replied, laughing in spite of myself at his good nature as he waved me in without further question. “Welcome to Holland!” he shouted as I passed through the gates.
DYSCO’S CORNER
musings from a parent & cannabis consumer
S
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ince becoming a medical Cannabis patient last year, I’ve often found myself feeling stupid because I just don’t know the new vocabulary that runs through the Cannabis lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong - I’m not stupid. Adding insult to injury is that I have always prided myself on having a varied, broad vocabulary. My understanding of words has always enabled me to make connections with different types of people. Now, however, it seems like my lack of knowing the insider vocabulary used in seshes and dispensaries is actually helping me connect with others in a new way. Usually, I have said something so stupid that anyone within eavesdropping distance can’t help but make a comment. I’m all for spreading joy, so if my bad stoner slang makes other people laugh, I’m okay with it. But, most people aren’t as comfortable in their own embarrassment as I am, and it got me thinking - I can’t be the only Cannabis patient feeling dumb out there. When I was growing up in the 80s, there were a few stoner phrases and everyone knew them. They included words like joint, bud, bowl and bong, but there really wasn’t much else to talk about. Even my parents knew what a bong was. Although my friend’s mom definitely didn’t, proving so when she mistook the one she found stashed in the attic and hung it as a bird feeder outside her kitchen window. But nowadays, Cannabis culture has created an entire wealth of new tools and lingo to go along with its ever widening populization and acceptance in mainstream culture. A lot of us in the over-40 crowd who were exposed to pot culture in our youth lost touch with it after college, but apparently while we were living in mainstream America, the Cannabis subculture developed an entirely new colloquial language, baffling many of us who never expected to be Cannabis users. Which brings me to my question. . . How can I truly feel comfortable in a culture if I can’t speak or understand its lan“HUH?” My 18-year-old daughter looked at me, raised “I searched online for guage? Time to study up. her eyebrows and cocked her head. “Why are you askstoner vocabulary, I searched online for stoner vocabulary, ing?” I could already tell from her tone of voice that I was and to my surprise, Google produced scores about to feel stupid. and to my surprise, of dictionaries and thesauruses devoted to “Well, I’m thinking of writing some articles for a magaGoogle produced scores getting the rest of us caught up. So, it’s defizine, and the editor wants to meet me,” I explained. nitely not just me (or you) who needs help. “He sent me a message suggesting we get together for of dictionaries and The sources range from serious to ridica sesh and a chat. Chatting I can do. I have no idea how thesauruses devoted to ulous, but most of them provide a definite to sesh.” education. I learned the meanings of terms getting the rest of us Hannah’s expression immediately changed from casual like resin, dab rig, shatter, and vaporizer. interest into one of intense scrutiny, sprinkled with disbelief. caught up.” Those terms may be common amongst the She made no effort to conceal her laughter. under 40 crowd, but those words were new “What kind of magazine is it?” to me when I became a Cannabis patient. While my kids laugh “Ummm… It’s a lifestyle magazine. But, you know, I’ve been out of the at me whenever I try to use my new Cannabis word of the day workforce for so long. I guess it’s some new interview lingo.” in conversation, it has been empowering to educate myself on Hannah exploded. “Some lifestyle!” she chortled. what is becoming mainstream culture. “Mom, a sesh is when you sit around and get high with your friends. I found The Colorado Pot Guide to be especially helpful. I’m Sounds like the guy interviewing you is pretty laid back. You’ll be okay.” not fluent, but at the very least, I now understand most of Stoney She was right. I’m not sure if the subsequent sesh was considered an Baloney’s references. interview, but I’m here writing, so it must have gone okay.
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WHAT’S A SESH?
dec. 2019
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Karate Kids
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I’ll tell you something, in about 10 years, you bullies better watch your asses. That’s because you do not want to mess with a dude who has been well-trained in martial arts. And these days, it’s awfully popular with the youngins who aren’t too down with team sports. Some of them are nomads, riding solo, hanging in the shadows - maybe a little anti-social. At face value, they can appear to be easy prey. And 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 has 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 trained to box 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.
DEC. 2019
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