May 2019 — Alaska Leaf

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

# 3 7 | M AY 2 0 1 9

SPECIAL ISSUE PG. 36-48

BLACK MAMBA

BEHIND THE SCENES KARMA GROWN GARDENS

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This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with con consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

MAY 2019

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11 Editor’S Note 14 NATIONAL cannabis news 16 carl’s jr. cbd burgers 18 alaskan cannabis expo 20 JERRY WHITING - HEMP 2019 22 BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH 24 women in weed 28 shop review 32 strain of the month THE BEHIND THE SCENES ISSUE 36 JKD DESIGN 38 FRONTIER FARMERS 40 PHYLOS BIOSCIENCE 42 DABSTARS Q&A 44 THE DAILY LEAF 46 NECTAR FOR THE GODS 48 WET VS DRY TRIM GUIDE 52 Cannabis recipes 56 EDIBLE REVIEW 58 concentrate REVIEW 62 stoney baloney

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PHYLOS BIOSCIENCE HAS BUILT THE LARGEST CATALOG OF CANNABIS DNA FROM THEIR OFFICES IN PORTLAND, OR.

BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

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MAY 2019

PHOTO by BOOM MEDIA

BEHIND THE SCENES ISSUE

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

ABNEY

Editor’s Note Alaska Leaf is going Behind the Scenes in this Issue!

ON THE COVER Black Mamba grown by the team at Karma Grown Gardens positively shines with tasty trichome-coated goodness.

Strain of the Month, pg. 36 photo by BOOM MEDIA

CONTRIBUTORS Boom Media Photos Steve Elliott National News

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

Will Ferguson Features Simone Fischer Profiles Danielle Halle Features Jeff Porterfield Design

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

Eshom Reed Reviews Meghan Ridley Editing Pacer Stacktrain Features Nate Williams Features Laurie & Bruce Wolf Recipes

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

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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.

My favorite part of the Cannabis industry is the connection between people and our beloved plant. It all starts with a seed rooted in soil, which is a wonderful metaphor for a relationship that has existed for thousands of years. I find so much of my life is rooted in Cannabis, and partake of the plant for medicinal and pleasurable reasons daily.

11 A behavior once deemed illegal, now widely accepted but still largely misunderstood. Which is exactly why we share our behind the scenes issue of the Leaf!

Today’s Cannabis marketplace is booming with I BELIEVE THAT patients and recreational users alike, benefiting EVERY TIME WE from a plant and industry the average American still misunderstands. Our theme this month takes a look TELL SOMEONE at a few of the many people and companies that ABOUT THE are changing how Cannabis is perceived, produced, BENEFITS OF processed and sold. There are endless stories to tell, which is how we’ve filled magazines for nearly nine CANNABIS, WE years - and I hope you enjoy this issue. I recommend ARE PLANTING hopping onto our website for a glimpse into the other A SEED FOR A issues of the Leaf for some unique local content.

All that said, I’d like to take a moment to offer a BETTER FUTURE. glimpse behind the scenes of Leaf Nation. When I began working on the first magazine (Northwest Leaf) in early 2010, Cannabis legalization was a distant hope at best, and a fanciful pipe dream we puffed at constantly.

I consider myself extremely lucky and blessed to have been surrounded by a team of people passionate about the plant, and a consumer base that is so hungry for information, leading us to print over three million free copies in the last decade.

As Cannabis has emerged from prohibition, the drive for knowledge and social reparations has only grown stronger! It warms my heart to see so many lives changed for the better, and for enlightenment to be spreading with each new mind changed about Cannabis.

While our magazines have a large footprint across four states, we are fueled by a relatively small team of people who really care about Cannabis. And so I want to thank every member of the Leaf team who has worked through deadlines and piles of Cannabis to bring the best magazines possible to our readers. Without their massive efforts made to build fresh magazines each month, you wouldn’t be reading my words today. I’d also like to thank all our advertisers, and especially you, our readers. I hope that you enjoy reading and learning about Cannabis as much as we do sharing the Leaf, and that it has a positive impact on your life.

-Wes Abney

MAY 2019

national news

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justice system

weird

TRENDS

LAWMAKERS APPROVE BILL EXPUNGING 69,000 CANNABIS CONVICTIONS

POT SMOKERS WEIGH LESS THAN NONSMOKERS ACCORDING TO NEW STUDY

CBS NEWS POLL FINDS 65 PERCENT OF AMERICANS WANT LEGAL MARIJUANA

On April 16th, the Washington State House of Representatives approved a bill expunging nearly 69,000 misdemeanor Cannabis convictions. The bill, which originated in the Senate, passed the House on a 69-29 vote.

It returns to the Senate for reconciliation of an amendment added

by House representatives.

The amendment specifies that the bill applies to misdemeanor Cannabis convictions under municipal ordinances, in addition to charges brought under state law, reports The Tacoma News Tribune.

The bill will head to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk after being re-approved by the Senate. According to the Washington State Patrol, 58,864 individuals with 68,543 misdemeanor Cannabis convictions would be eligible for expungements under the proposal.

Those with cleared convictions will be able to legally write on job and housing applications that they were never convicted of marijuana related “crimes.”

Recent research findings from Michigan State University suggest that adult pot smokers actually weigh less than non-smokers. The findings showed that, contrary to the popular belief that marijuana will lead to weight gain, those who don’t smoke it are actually out-weighing pot users.

“Even [pot users] who just started were more likely to be at a normal, healthier weight, and stay at that weight,” said lead study author Okayama Alshaaraway.

Researchers used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions to compare the body mass indexes (BMIs) of 33,000 participants 18 and older. Even though the difference is small — about two pounds — it was consistent.

“Over a three-year period, all participants showed a weight increase, but interestingly, those who used marijuana had less of an increase compared to those that never used.”

JOB MARKET

Cannabis legalization in Washington state doesn’t appear to have influenced teens to use it, according to a new study from Washington State University. According to the study, marijuana use dropped significantly amongst 8th and 10th graders after legalization in 2012, and remained level for 12th graders, for those who work less than 11 hours a week at a job.

One striking feature of the study was the element of work and marijuana. No matter what grade — 8th, 10th, and 12th — teens who had worked more than 11 hours a week tended to use Cannabis more often than their jobless peers. Presumably, they can afford the stuff. This also further debunks the already discredited “amotivational syndrome.”

After legalization in “TEENS WHO HAD Washington, 4.8 percent WORKED MORE of non-working 8th graders THAN 11 HOURS A WEEK TENDED admitted to using pot in TO USE CANNABIS the past month, contrasted MORE OFTEN with 20.8 percent of their THAN THEIR employed peers. Among JOBLESS PEERS” 10th graders, the difference was 13.9 percent versus 33.2 percent.

Twelfth graders saw the highest levels of Cannabis use, with 20.5 percent of nonworking teens using Cannabis in the past 30 days, and 36.7 percent of those working.

The study was led by WSU College of Nursing Assistant Professor Janessa Graves.

The study used data from the state’s biennial Healthy Youth Survey from 2010 and 2016.

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NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL BARS COMPANIES FROM TESTING JOB APPLICANTS FOR CANNABIS In a groundbreaking measure, the New York City Council has passed a bill banning most companies from testing job applicants for Cannabis use.

The bill, approved by the council April 9th, is also supported by Mayor Bill de Blasio. The change will take effect one year after the mayor signs it into law.

The legislation was sponsored by New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. According to Williams, testing for Cannabis has meant the loss of job opportunities for far too many New Yorkers already.

“Testing isn’t a deterrent to using marijuana, it’s an impediment to opportunity that dates back to the Reagan era — a War On Drugs measure that’s now a war on workers,” Williams said. “Prospective employers don’t test for alcohol, so marijuana should be no different.”

MAY 2019

TRENDS

FEWER WASHINGTON TEENS USING CANNABIS AFTER LEGALIZATION

Sixty-five percent of Americans now think Cannabis should be legal, a record high in CBS News polling.

Most people view marijuana as safer than alcohol, and believe it is less dangerous than other drugs, according to the poll. Support for legalization has grown among some groups long opposed to the idea, with 56 percent of Republicans thinking marijuana use should be legal.

That’s the first time a majority of GOP respondents have supported legalization in a CBS News poll.

As they have for years, Americans (51 percent) say Cannabis is safer than alcohol, with just 6 percent saying weed is more harmful.

legalization

CORPORATE GIANTS BATTLE WITH MMJ CAREGIVERS FOR CONTROL IN MICHIGAN Big business interests, lured by new regulations and the promise of a profitable recreational market, are clashing with medical marijuana caregivers and patient needs in Michigan.

The tension played out in Lansing on April 18th as medical marijuana patients, caregivers and business owners filled a courtroom at the Hall of Justice, reports mLive. Court of Claims Judge Stephen Burrell heard eight cases, all regarding medical marijuana regulation.

Though most of the cases regarded a licensure compliance deadline, which state officials have been trying to impose since June 2018, a bigger conflict was evident. One case before Judge Burrell, The Curing Corner v. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, specifically asks THE TENSION for medical caregiver products PLAYED OUT to supply the licensed industry IN LANSING through the end of the year.

ON APRIL 18TH The state’s two largest licensed AS MEDICAL growers, VB Chesaning and MARIJUANA Green Peak Industries, had tried to PATIENTS, become parties to that lawsuit, but CAREGIVERS Burrell denied their motion. Their AND BUSINESS representatives were still in the OWNERS FILLED courtroom, observing.

A COURTROOM For the past year, state AT THE HALL OF regulators have allowed untested JUSTICE medical Cannabis grown by caregivers to be sold to patients at provisioning centers.

As fully regulated growers have entered the picture, they’re not producing the specialty medicinal products that medical Cannabis patients need.

“A lot of the medicinal products that our patients are used to using, and have been used to using for years, I have not been shown from licensed growers or processors,” Amy McKinnon-Glue, manager of licensed provisioning center Curint Corner in River Rouge, testified in court.

With patients facing the prospect of losing needed medical products, licensed growers in Michigan worry they won’t be able to sell their products to dispensaries due to competition from medical caregivers.

“Our licenses are worthless in this market,” read a letter signed by High Life Farms’ CFO James LaPorte.

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

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national news

Carl’s Jr. unveiled the Rocky Mountain High Cheese Burger Delight on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at the Carl’s Jr. in Denver, CO. The cheeseburger, a double cheeseburger with jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, waffle fries and sauce infused with CBD oil, was sold for $4.20.

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HIGH DINING

CARL’S JR. COOKS UP A CBD BURGER STUNT

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IN CELEBRATION OF 4/20, Carl’s Jr. decided to join the craze by unveiling the Rocky Mountain Cheeseburger Delight - a double cheeseburger with jalapeños, waffle fries, pepper jack cheese and Carl’s Jr. Santa Fe sauce infused with CBD oil. The exclusive release was only available at one Carl’s Jr. location in Denver, for one day only. But for dedicated celebrators of 4/20, the burger AVAILABLE AT was a perfect cure for the ONE CARL’S JR. munchies. The waffle fries, LOCATION IN DENVER, FOR jalapeños, and two beef patties ONE DAY ONLY. made it satisfying for everyone partaking in the day, and the CBD made sure everyone who ate it felt good afterward.

The store began selling the burger at 6:00 AM, and a steady stream of people filtered through the store to spend the $4.20 for the burger and a free t-shirt. As the tee appropriately read…“I was there and I inhaled it.”

Restaurants, bars, ice cream and coffee shops around the state offer CBD products, so it was only a matter of time before a major chain decided to jump in with products of their own.

It remains to be seen if a larger rollout will follow, but for now, if you weren’t there on 4/20, a regular burger will have to do.

MAY 2019

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHET STRANGE @STRANGEVISUALS FOR OREGON LEAF

NOW AVAILABLE IN ALASKA!

Born in the foothills where glacial runoff forms crystal clear rivers, century old trees hug the landscape, and good clean living is inspired; Northwest Concentrates evokes these principals and used them to craft a concentrate just for you. instagram.com/nw_concentrates instagram.com/x_tracted

WARNING: Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive. Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgment.

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under its influence. There are health risks associated with consumption of marijuana. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children. Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

APRIL 13, 2019 | EGAN CENTER, ANCHORAGE

rehashed

ACE! Inside the alaskaN cannabis expo’s inaugural launch

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by ALASKA LEAF EDITOR WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX

The first annual Alaskan Cannabis Expo landed last month in Anchorage with over 1,500 attendees at the free educational event.

Presented by Alaska Leaf, the event was focused on bringing the industry, consumers and greater Cannabis community together for a day of networking and enlightenment. Built on the concept that trade shows should be free to attend, ACE is planning to continue the model this Fall in Fairbanks, and to return to Anchorage May 2019. The first event was held at the beautiful Egan Center, where attendees had 25 different companies and booths to experience.

Vendors at the event ranged from producers of products like Lady Gray or Catalyst Cannabis, to CBD companies like Renew CBD and Hempire, and event companies like Triche Productions. Retailer Green Jar was the gold sponsor of the event, with JKD Brands as silver sponsor, featuring a full display of packaging options for the Cannabis industry. Cannabis products were allowed to be on display for smelling, but no consumption was allowed on premise.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE Highlights of the event included CBD infused EVENT INCLUDED coffee, free massages, a marijuana handlers CBD INFUSED COFFEE, card course, and a full lineup of speakers.

FREE MASSAGES, A Speakers included Cody Coman on the subject MARIJUANA HANDLERS of industry and community, Cary Carrigan on CARD COURSE, AND how the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association A FULL LINEUP OF works, and Rachael Brower from Washington SPEAKERS. who did a budtender and purchasing manager educational series. Chef Bombshell, Michelle Larissa, had an infused cooking class and CBD samples, and Renew CBD brought education and products to close out the day’s speakers.

As the Alaskan Cannabis industry continues to develop, it is extremely important that the community comes together in the form of positive events. Whether trade shows or Cannabis cups, the best way to strengthen a community is to bring it together!

ACE is dedicated to helping facilitate that process in an always free format, and to help show the general public that the Cannabis industry is a fun, friendly and positive force for the state of Alaska.

Special thanks to gold sponsors Green Jar and silver sponsors JKD! Upcoming events and information at AlaskanCannabisExpo.com

MAY 2019

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As the Alaskan Cannabis industry continues to develop, it is extremely important that the community comes together in the form of positive events.

PHOTOS BY BOOM MEDIA FOR ALASKA LEAF

OPINION

BY JERRY WHITING LeBlancCNE.com/podcast

HARVEST ‘19 READY, SET, GO. . .

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The Farm Bill is old news. Everyone wants in on hempderived CBD and farmers can’t wait to plant acres upon acres. Marijuana’s non-intoxicating cousin has gone mainstream and there seems to be no end in sight. But not all is as it seems.

As I’m writing this mid-April, multiple states are quickly passing new or revised hemp legislation to allow farmers to grow industrial hemp this summer. If approximately 78,000 acres of hemp was grown in 2018 - in just 24 states by 3,000 farmers - this year will see these numbers escalate. My guess is there will be close to 15,000 licenses issued, and as much as 400,000 acres grown nationwide.

With a pound of seeds, planted five feet on center and covering ten acres, it will take 40,000 pounds of seeds if my prediction is true. That’s right, 20 tons of hemp seeds. I honestly don’t think there are enough hemp seeds available to meet the demand. Worst case scenario, new hemp farmers will have nothing to plant. Low quality seeds will be sold to newbies, some destined to go hot (>0.3% THC), resulting in bad (and illegal) pot, not legal hemp. Imagine unscrupulous vendors passing off bulk marijuana seeds as hemp. Don’t laugh. With CBD industrial hemp seeds selling for $5,000 to $10,000 a pound, some will be tempted to lie, cheat and steal to make a quick buck.

There are lots of conventional farmers who are looking at hemp to help get them out of debt, and weather uncertain market conditions due to politically motivated trade and tariff wars. Yes, hemp is more profitable than corn, wheat or soybeans. But unless you’ve grown hemp or Cannabis before, you’ll find challenges at every turn. Many can grow it successfully, but stumble when it comes to drying, curing and storing it. There’s a learning curve with any new crop, but this is one your county extension agent can’t help with.

Yes, growing hemp for CBD extraction can be profitable.

People do make $30,000/acre and up. There’s no telling what the market price will be when thousands of farms flood the market this fall. Colorado and Oregon hemp farmers have several years of experience by now. Meanwhile, new farmers will grow good hemp, bad hemp and everything in between.

MAY 2019

The quality will be all over the map, as will the prices. Speaking of which, now that it’s a legal agricultural crop, every hemp farmer will be competing with every other hemp farmer in the country. Price differences across state lines will even out as buyers shop nationally in search of the best deal.

But not everything that will be grown can be sold. While the individual state laws, rules and regulations don’t mandate organic and sustainable farming practices, the market expects it. Why? Because the hemp movement was founded by hippies.

Crunchy, eco, vegetarian, Earth-worshiping hippies. I’m a hemp broker and I won’t even look at bulk hemp, a.k.a. biomass that doesn’t come “WHILE THE INDIVIDUAL with pesticide and heavy STATE LAWS, RULES AND metal lab test results. I REGULATIONS DON’T don’t have to; there’s plenty of organic hemp in the MANDATE ORGANIC AND market. I feel bad for new SUSTAINABLE FARMING hemp farmers who’ve used PRACTICES, THE MARKET pesticides like RoundUp, EXPECTS IT.” and don’t know that their hemp crop will bring lower prices - if they can sell it at all. The good news is that those that stick with hemp will transition to organic farming practices for hemp, and hopefully their whole farm. It may take two or three years to transition from conventional to certified organic, but organic hemp will command a higher price in the end.

Contrarian by nature, my murky crystal ball tells me that CBD-rich industrial hemp is a two or three year window. After that, production will shift to larger farms planting fewer, stable (predictable) cultivars. My advice? CBD can be a profitable learning curve to hemp for food, fiber, plastic alternatives, and uses yet to be discovered. Diversification will help small family farms keep up with Big Ag, and believe you me, Big Ag is coming. They can’t afford not to.

Many will try to enter the hemp market. Some will make it, others won’t - all of us will learn something along the way.

PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

Budtender of the month

@BADGRAMM3R

TARASTANLEY When did Cannabis first come into your life?

In my high school days. I did quit for several years, but am from Southern California and was put on medicinal Cannabis ten or twelve years ago now. I have some issues with migraines, and I have Crohn’s. It changed my life at that point. My entire world changed.

My migraines went away and my anxiety attacks stopped almost completely. I fell in love with Cannabis all over again. Then I moved up here in June of 2017 when stores were just beginning to open up, and I decided this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to share the experience and help others.

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“MY ENTIRE WORLD CHANGED.

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MY MIGRAINES WENT AWAY AND MY ANXIETY ATTACKS STOPPED ALMOST COMPLETELY. I FELL IN LOVE WITH CANNABIS ALL OVER AGAIN.” Tara Stanley has been a budtender at Bad Gramm3r for over a year. She brings a very intimate knowledge of what Cannabis is capable of doing for people to her job, as she has experienced its benefits firsthand. Always found with a smile on her face, she is definitely a person to stop by Bad Gramm3r and speak with!

What are your favorite strains and producers?

I Northern Lights is one of my all-time favorite strains. I am also a huge White Widow fan. It is a nice 50/50 strain, and it works so well for me in the daytime. I do not do a lot of sativas, but I do enjoy Boswer and Orange Cream Soda from Snowcapped every now and then. Hawaii 5-0 is another all-time favorite of mine.

How do you find the right Cannabis for a customer?

I ask them a series of questions about what they are looking for. Do you want to go up, or down? Are you looking to get some things done or relax on the couch? However, your nose often knows what’s best for you, so I always try to get them to really smell what they are looking at. Everyone has a different palate, and getting their response from smells is often quite telling.

How did you become a budtender?

I came up here, and found out Why do you like working that I could get my handlers card at Bad Gramm3r? by just taking a couple courses. I The staff here is amazing. We are went and picked up my card, then all like family here. My bosses, Teri hit the pavement running. I went and Peter, treat us all to several stores and like family. It is a very handed out my resume, laid back environment. saying hello to store We can joke around. management. It was BAD GRAMM3R We do take our jobs a fresh and welcomed 1150 N Helen Lane very seriously, but we change. I come from the Wasilla, Alaska also believe that the corporate world, where (907) 357-0420 casual atmosphere I was a brand ambassaBadGramm3r.com can make the experidor in the alcohol indus@BadGramm3r ence for customers a try. It was a welcomed much better one. My change of scenery. days just fly by. I get here and next thing you know, we are closing What is your favorite part of the job? up shop. I truly love my job, and I love my job for the first time since consider myself very lucky to have I started working. However, the had this opportunity. customers are what makes this job amazing. Everyone is always What are your hobbies when you aren’t smiling for the most part. I love the working at the dispensary? feedback they give on what they I am a little video game nerd. I have tried. You get people who have been playing a little Apex, are coming into a store for the first some Red Dead Redemption 2, time and the opportunity to help and my friends are trying to get them out is so fulfilling. me back into Division. I was a published author for a little while What’s your favorite way to consume?

- that was my side thing, I wrote I am a flower person mostly. I am books. I did sci-fi, fantasy and an indica queen. I love my indicas paranormal romance books for at night. Flavors, effects - I feel I young adults. Also a couple chilget the most out of flower persondren’s books - but most of it was ally. I do like to use a vaporizer geared towards young adults. every now and then though.

KNOW A GREAT BUDTENDER? NOMINATE THEM FOR BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH: JOSH@AKLEAF.COM

MAY 2019

INTERVIEW by JOSHUA STAHLE/ALASKA LEAF | PHOTO by BOOM MEDIA FOR ALASKA LEAF

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KIERYNWANG

MAY 2019

WOMEN IN WEEd

In the hospitality industry, we have the terms “front of the house” and “back of the house” when segmenting employees into different categories. Front of the house members of the Cannabis industry would be your budtenders, brand representatives, managers, sales people, influencers, and even sometimes the customers themselves.

Those of us in the back of the house, such as the growers, extractors, packaging team, marketing team, inventory and delivery crews, and so on – we don’t get as much spotlight as the front of the house. However, our duty to keep the gears running in the industry machine are just as important, if not more.

more normalized market via the women making household purchases.

An issue that Kieryn has identified in the industry lies within the larger companies and their ability to see the picture beyond the dollar value. She warned against “catering to investors, not necessarily consumers” and noted that “it’s disappointing to see companies not listening to their consumers and employees” - instead pleasing shareholders. This is why she has urged Cannabis brands to slow down on their higher-level marketing efforts.

While it is true that award-winning design and packaging is necessary to stand out among the over-saturated recreational market, as Kieryn summarized, “All this nice, beautiful higher-level stuff doesn’t benefit anyone until they can learn the basics about your product from you.” There are countless products coming online daily in every state, including Washington.

Industry members like Kieryn Wang play an important role in keeping the Consumers and budtenders alike are bound to be overwhelmed by the vast Cannabis industry honest and educational. Her company, Almost Conamount of options and information regarding these products. It is importsulting, provides marketing expertise within the Cannabis industry to help ant for these brands to connect with their consumers on the ground level, companies reach their customers - specifically women. She got started providing education and addressing specific consumer needs. Kieryn adds in the industry after its transition from medical to recreational, but has a that companies “can’t know what consumers want, need, or know until you deep respect and appreciation for the pioneers who founded the industry talk to them to find out.” and allowed it to grow into what it is today.

Kieryn believes in our collective responsibility to not spread misinformaIn early 2016, Kieryn assisted in the launch of Van der Pop as their tion and pseudoscience, especially for the sake of SEO hits and growing marketing manager, helping to grow their women-centric business your site. The early history of Cannabis is stained in propaganda, so we through experiential and social media marketing techniques. As Kieryn owe it to ourselves and our industry to double check all information being explained, “Van der Pop is a lifestyle brand focused on creating opporused to educate consumers on Cannabis products. Marketers are just as tunities and accessories, as well as spaces for women, whether they are responsible as budtenders for knowing the basic science online or in-person at events. To learn about Cannabis behind the Cannabis plant and how it affects our bodies. and make women feel comfortable asking questions about “DON’T BE AFRAID I asked Kieryn to give me some examples of how she weed.” She noted that this was the magnet that drew her in reaches the consumer. Once a company has solidified their to working with the company, and working in the Cannabis TO USE YOUR VOICE, BECAUSE WE NEED talking points on how to inform consumers about Cannabis industry in general. and their specific products, she recommends hosting events Many of the women that Kieryn has encountered credit MORE CONNECTORS to engage the community. Events are important tools that Cannabis as a support and resource for their daily lives.

BETWEEN THE provide not only socialization and networking, but also a While she recognizes that some consume recreationally, CANNABIS INDUSTRY physical place to meet where people can collectively learn many need Cannabis to get through the day for serious together. Kieryn emphasizes marketing to the everyday AND THE EVERYDAY medical needs. Once the women began to confide in consumer, and continuing to talk about topics that more Kieryn that weed was helping them, she realized how necPERSON. I THINK IT’S educated consumers may consider to be basic. She underessary it was to begin to educate non-users that Cannabis IMPORTANT FOR LOTS stands that events cost money, but argues that it doesn’t was an option for them as well.

OF DIFFERENT TYPES have to be an elaborate event. “Just provide a space for She explained to me that not only is it imperative to inpeople to be able to learn with no judgement.” form the general public about the benefits of Cannabis, but OF PEOPLE TO BE A final option Kieryn suggests for marketers is to provide it is also crucial to make sure we are covering the basics REPRESENTED IN THE informational resources both in-person and online, and and giving consumers the facts and education necessary to CANNABIS INDUSTRY.” being candid when speaking publicly about Cannabis. make informed choices about how, when, why, and where Allow people to ask you questions and have a conversation to consume - if they choose to do so. together. Maybe it’s via a platform on your website, social media, or even Why focus marketing efforts on women, if men consume Cannabis your LinkedIn profile. Kieryn said once she “claimed Cannabis” on her too? Kieryn explained that although men do, indeed, make purchases, in LinkedIn profile, she felt free to begin to encourage others to come out of “the majority of households in America, women are the ones making the the so-called Cannabis closet as well. “Don’t be afraid to use your voice, purchasing decisions. What happens in the home, and what is purchased, because we need more connectors between the Cannabis industry and the is coming across womens’ eyes.” If women have the highest buying everyday person. I think it’s important for lots of different types of people power in the U.S., and potentially the world, Kieryn warned, “It would to be represented in the Cannabis industry. It helps shed that uncertainty, be a missed opportunity if the Cannabis industry didn’t pay attention to to realize how many different types of people consume. Not just the stoner women. They will buy your products if you can convince them to.” She stereotype we’ve seen in the media.” AlmostConsulting.com/about rationalized the potential for the industry to grow if it is able to reach a

founder & owner | almostconsulting cannabis marketing

STORY & PHOTOS by DANIELLE HALLE @SWEET.DEEZY

highly likely #45 aklEAF.COM

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Highlighting Cannabis pioneers who paved the way to greater herbal acceptance.

JEFFDOWDA.K.A“THEDUDE” ORIGINALLY, this month’s edition of Highly Likely was supposed to be an article about Jeff Bridges. However, while researching Bridges, the backstory of his most famous character - the Dude from The Big Lebowski - was too fascinating to pass up.

You see, the Dude abides. He still does. His real name is Jeff Dowd, which school friends made a play on to nickname him “dude” as early as sixth grade.

Dowd grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and was an original member of the Seattle Seven protest group that was jailed for protesting the Vietnam War in the late 60s - which is referenced in The Big Lebowski. He served six months in a federal prison for contempt of court. Dowd continues his activism to this day with work for racial equality, economic justice and environmental causes.

We all know that the Dude in The Big Lebowski is a true slacker in every sense of the word, but the real dude is a legitimate movie mogul, someone who has produced, marketed and worked on the inside of Hollywood for a lengthy career. He’s even a founding member of the Sundance Film Festival, where he apparently caused a scene that resulted in a food fight in 2009. The idea for The Big Lebowski actually came from Dowd’s friendship with the Cohen brothers - since the 1980s - who were so enamored with his character that they decided to write a movie around him.

And while Jeff Bridges doesn’t really smoke Cannabis anymore, Dowd certainly does. And apparently a lot. There are many tales of Dowd post-Lebowski rolling about Hollywood or elsewhere, casually smoking Cannabis with folks from all walks of life - but especially Lebowski fans

DOWD WITH THE BIG LEBOWSKI ACTOR, JEFF BRIDGES.

Perhaps the best of these accounts was written rather recently by Josiah Hesse of Colorado’s The Cannabist, about a daylong, weed-fueled press junket with Dowd, where he smoked freely and openly with everyone he came in contact with.

A few years back, Dowd helped produce Mary Jane: A Musical Potumentary – a musical film that focused on a families’ trials and tribulations growing Cannabis on the black market in Northern California.

It may be true that all of us have known a

dude-like character in our lives, you maybe even see a little (or a lot) of that character in yourself. What is it that’s so special about someone like Jeff Dowd? In this author’s opinion, it’s authenticity.

Genuineness, if you will. And genuineness is something that is so very lacking in our digital age. We crave these connections with individuals who are able to be themselves with all the flaws and imperfections.

For that, we can all thank Jeff Dowd for continuing to be the Dude.

THERE ARE MANY TALES OF DOWD POST-LEBOWSKI ROLLING ABOUT HOLLYWOOD OR ELSEWHERE, CASUALLY SMOKING CANNABIS WITH FOLKS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE - ESPECIALLY LEBOWSKI FANS. MAY 2019

By PACER STACKTRAIN FOR ALASKA LEAF

Golden Lemons CBD flower cultivated by Stoned Salmon Farms, expertly manufactured by Cold Creek Extracts. Ingest the best.

SHOP REVIEW

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THE GREEN

aklEAF.COM

ROOM AK CA R RY I NG A G O O D BAL AN C E O F I N DICA / H Y B R I D / SAT IVA S T R AI N S , T H E Y HAV E A F LOW E R SE L EC T IO N T HAT WI L L F I T J US T AB OU T EV E RY PAL AT E OU T T H E R E .

610 C STREET SUITE A7, ANCHORAGE, AK | @THEGREENROOMAK | (907) 258-2837 | 10AM-10PM MON-THURS, 10AM-11PM FRI-SAT, 10AM-8PM SUN

MAY 2019

REVIEW BY JOSHUA STAHLE/ALASKA LEAF | PHOTOS BY BOOM MEDIA FOR ALASKA LEAF

PRODUCTS 5/5 The Green Room AK checks off all the boxes

for products. Carrying a good balance of indica/hybrid/sativa strains, they have a flower selection that will fit just about every palate out there. At the time of writing, they carried multiple cultivators, including Arctic Earth - which I would highly recommend giving a shot. For concentrates, they carry products from Glacier Extracts, Good AK, Lady Gray, Babylon, and Top Hat. Carts, crumble, wax, and a small rosin selection - they have just about every style on the market at the moment. For the edible side, they carry Lady Gray, Good AK, and Wakin’ Bakery. Not to mention the good selection of CBD edibles available.

ENVIRONMENT

5/5 This store is wide open, which is rather

fantastic. Upon walking in the door, you realize immediately that you will not feel crowded in here. Straight ahead from the entrance is a selection of merchandise, as well as coffee! Over towards the bud bar, products are displayed very nicely on the wall behind the counter, adding to the presentation aspect of the store. This is also a deli style store, adding va lue given that you see the bud you are getting when you purchase.

HISTORY

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3/5 Being a new store to Anchorage, the store

itself is still in the process of writing its story. Although, I will say that I have had nothing but positive interactions with the owners and management of the store thus far, and expect great things from this location.

BUDTENDERS 5/5 I picked at the brains of these budtenders

over several stops in the shop. Overall, they are very well educated about the world of Cannabis, and were not afraid to lean on one another when they did not know the answer directly. They were willing to accommodate every need that you have, and give you the time of day to help you find what you are looking for. Also, the staff always seems to have a smiles on their faces, which tells me that they really enjoy what they do. You can feel the passion they have when they talk about the products.

The passion, combined with the information at their disposal, leads to a great experience - and subsequent return trips!

18/20 The Green Room AK is the newest

addition to the downtown Anchorage Cannabis market. Nestled on C Street next to the 5th Avenue Mall, this store is a place that is unbelievably convenient for those who are in the downtown area. A beautiful store with plenty of space, you will not leave disappointed!

AKLEAF.COM

QUICK HIT

STRAIN OF THE MONTH may 2019

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KARMA GROWN GARDENS The team behind Karma Grown Gardens hit it out of the park with their first recreational crop, and specifically with the strain Black Mamba (27.54% THC). This flower is a dense, multi-colored haze of trichomes complete with purples, greens, and even some light blue hues - not to mention with a fragrance of funky earth and rubber tree. The black mamba snake is a venomous snake in Africa, a dark silhouette of a snake with a bite that can render most people motionless in the first ten minutes - also a spot on descriptor of this herb and one’s first experience smoking this fantastic cultivar. The first inhale is met with a sweet sticky flavor, with just enough of a hint of earthy funk on the exhale to complete the profile you smell opening the jar. After a good bowl or two, you find yourself extremely relaxed with a slight euphoric feeling, ready to take on whatever the day may bring. That’s usually when the venom kicks in, as this strain is a creeper. The longer you sit and admire it, the higher you get - and as every moment passes the feeling of euphoria grows more intense. Available from Green Jar, you better go pick some up before this elusive reptile is gone from the shelves. Quite frankly, it has probably already slithered away.

A DENSE, MULTICOLORED HAZE OF TRICHOMES COMPLETE WITH PURPLES, GREENS, AND EVEN SOME LIGHT BLUE HUES.

AKLEAF.COM

BLACKMAMBA REVIEW by ESHOM REED | PHOTO by BOOM MEDIA

behind the scenes issue

It is not often that you will find something from one company in almost every single retail shop in the state. You can only grow so much flower, produce so much concentrate, bake so many cookies. It is almost never enough to get them in every store. But one company is, and you may not even know it. They are the packaging specialists here in Alaska. A sizable amount of Cannabis in this state goes out the retail door in their packaging. That company is JKD Brands.

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JKD BRANDS

JKD BRANDS OPERATES OUT OF A WAREHOUSE IN SOUTH ANCHORAGE, WHERE THEIR ENTIRE OPERATION IS BASED. WE RECENTLY HAD THE FUN OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR THE WAREHOUSE WITH PAIGE PEREZ, THE MEDIA LEAD AT JKD, AND ASK HER SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO!

What are the services that JKD is providing to the industry?

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Well, we try to be the one stop shop for everyone in the industry. We mainly do our packaging, but have been expanding to provide some other items as well. Interestingly enough, we actually started providing accessories and then expanded to packaging, where that quickly became a good amount of our business. But aside from packaging, we also supply glass, cones, wraps, lighters and more. We do our best to make sure we have the items that everyone needs to supply their customers, and if we don’t have it, we do our best to figure out how to get it!

How long does a typical order take to fill for a Cannabis client?

Right now, we can fulfil an order in 2-3 days. It used to be a little bit longer, but we have recently automated some of our systems. We used to have to put all of these stickers that we make on by hand, which is very time consuming. Bringing in some of this machinery has made things a lot easier on our end.

MAY 2019

FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE TRY TO GUIDE OUR CUSTOMERS THROUGH THE REGULATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO PACKAGING. Do you make the stickers here as well?

We do! We are able to print numerous amounts of different styles of stickers with the printers we have in the warehouse. We have some printers that have printed over a million stickers and they are still going strong. We have a printer that has printed over 4 million stickers so far! We have also begun with UV printing, and the results have been fantastic. It allows us to offer a better quality of packaging all around, and with this printer, we can fully customize all kinds of materials.

When it comes to packaging, what consultation services do you guys offer your clients?

First and foremost, we try to guide our customers through the regulations when it comes to packaging.

Some of the regs are extremely specific, for instance where THC percentages are located on the labels, and we try to make sure all of our customers are aware of that aspect. Jim and Kelly, the owners, try to be at as many meetings as possible, and are very active at participating within the industry.

So we are always on top of regulations and keep up with what is happening, what the current discussions are. People come to us with their ideas, and we do our best to make those ideas a reality. Some packaging in the state is becoming much more elaborate, with clients trying to make their brand stick out - we offer our services to assist them in that process.

CAMERON KUHLE, PAIGE PEREZ, AND JOSEPHINE DYER

How do you deal with the environmental factors

The elephant in the room for this industry has always been the amount of plastic that is being used. JKD has taken a very active role in providing a method to properly dispose of all of this plastic.

What can you tell me about your recycling program?

We have always had a personal interest in the environment from the very beginning. We have always dealt with a lot of plastic, and the industry itself goes through a lot of it as well, as you said. For some consumers, it builds up very quickly in their homes.

We wanted to ensure that we helped out as much as we could to reclaim this plastic after it serves its purpose, and take it to the recycling facility out in Palmer. They are able to break down the #5 plastic that is most common within the industry and properly dispose of it. It helps keep a lot of it out of our landfills, and hopefully off of the streets.

We have tried to partner with all of our customers to offer collection points at retail stores for the public to properly dispose of all of this plastic. Then they drop off what they have collected when they come to pick up an order at the warehouse.

If your favorite store has a collection point, we definitely encourage the public to drop off their used containers. We do have eco-friendly packaging options available, but will have much more on the way soon as well! We are very excited about this aspect and hope we can cut down a bit on how much plastic is being used here in Alaska. JKDBrands.com

HELPING INNOVATIVE BRANDS TO SHOWCASE THEIR PRODUCTS IN INNOVATIVE WAYS

STORY by JOSHUA STAHLE/ALASKA LEAF | PHOTOS by BOOM MEDIA

behind the scenes issue

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FROM GARAGE

TOGROW

UNDER THE CANOPY AND INSPECTING NEW GROWTH

FRONTIER FARMERS’ JOURNEY TO THE LEGAL RECREATIONAL MARKET

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JOSH HUNTER and JASON LITTLE have always aspired

to leave their mark on the Cannabis world. Cutting their teeth around a decade ago in a simple garage grow, they have developed their talents in the garden enough that they have been able to gain a following in the Alaska recreational market.

Their grow, Frontier Farmers, is nestled in Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna Valley and has been churning out quality buds for approximately two years.

“We started growing together right around 2009, and have learned quite a bit from each other over the whole ten years,” said Hunter. “We had this notso-little garage that we started in. Then finally, when the legalization movement started to gain steam, we knew immediately we wanted to participate in this industry. The structure of it all still needs to be fine tuned a bit, but having that structure is really nice.”

With the vote to pass the legalization of Cannabis

MAY 2019

in Alaska finally in the rearview mirror, these two wasted little time trying to figure out where they wanted to set up shop.

“Almost as soon as the regulations were released, we began looking for a place to build out a garden,” recalls Hunter. “We drove all over the place checking out listings before one jumped out at us.

There were these three lots that were going through a bankruptcy. We had a conversation with our realtor and decided to put in a bid. A few days later we got the call back saying they were ours. It was an exciting feeling knowing we had taken the first steps in this dream we had.”

A couple of years and hundreds of thousands of dollars later, they could finally get down to what they had set out to do - run a limited cultivation. Moving plants in during February of 2017, some Kat-Su to be exact, a few months would pass before they were

looking at their first harvest.

As Hunter said, “We brought in some of our Kat-Su Kush. I think we moved in 11 of them on that first day. We wanted to start with this strain. It may not have the best numbers out on the market, but it is incredibly good and it will hit you like a ton of bricks. We pulled those down, and a few weeks later had our first sale lined up with Kerby and his guys over there at Green Degree.”

“It was an incredibly nervous time,” Little added.

“Then when we finally met with Kerby, things just began to line up and fall into place. He really did us a solid and helped us get our name out there.”

“After that, things just began to build,” recalls Hunter. “We put a lot of footwork into getting our products in stores across the area. I have always believed in the value of face to face interaction, so we focused on going to stores instead of emails. A

TRIMMING BUDS UNDER THE CANOPY

BUDS IN THE DRYING ROOM handshake always beats an email. You build much healthier relationships with other businesses by being present. We wouldn’t have the relationships we have now in the industry if it wasn’t for that.”

However, going straight doesn’t come without its own set of unique hurdles and challenges. Aside from complying with regulations, some things you have to learn the hard way - trial and error, from your own mistakes.

“I think one of the biggest surprises we had was the amount that retailers were buying at a time,” said Hunter. “We thought we could come in and sell pounds to retail shops. We didn’t realize that stores were only buying a pound, sometimes half a pound of product at a time. That took some adjustment, but I think also benefited us in a huge way. Now we could open up the garden and run multiple strains, play around with some genetics, and find that next strain that meets our quality expectations. I don’t want to sell anything that I wouldn’t smoke myself.”

And Little couldn’t agree more. “That was definitely one of the hurdles. We thought we would move 5-10 pounds a sale, but that was not the case. But I think our biggest hurdle was the size increase of the grow. We went from a 120 square foot grow, to the limited 500 square foot grow. We went from 4 to 6 lights, to our current 24. Managing 120 gallons of water a day, humidifiers and AC to control the plants, all in a space that more than tripled what we were used to. I think that was our biggest challenge, and possibly our biggest accomplishment when we figured out we were more than capable.”

Frontier Farmers has now been putting out quality Cannabis for close to two years.

You can find some of their products at Matanuska Cannabis Company in Butte, Uncle Herbs and Enlighten in Anchorage, Green Degree in Wasilla, Uncle Herbs in Homer, and Green Life Supply in Fairbanks.

WITH THE VOTE TO PASS THE LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS IN ALASKA FINALLY IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR, THESE TWO WASTED LITTLE TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY WANTED TO SET UP SHOP.

HEALTHY, NEW INDICA

HYBRID BEAUTY

STORY by JOSHUA STAHLE/ALASKA LEAF | PHOTOS by BOOM MEDIA

behind the scenes issue

PHYLOS BIOSCIENCE

WE CAUGHT UP WITH BRIAN CAMPBELL, A PLANT BREEDER AND GENETICIST WITH A PH.D. IN CANNABIS GENETICS FROM COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY, AND MOWGLI HOLMES, THE COMPANY’S COFOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TO STEP INSIDE THEIR WORLD OF CANNABIS SCIENCE AND DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF PHYLOS.

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GENETICIST BRIAN CAMPBELL ALONGSIDE CEO MOWGLI HOLMES AT PHYLOS’ OFFICE IN PORTLAND.

How does Phylos help support ongoing Cannabis breeding projects? And how has this support evolved since legalization in 2015? / Essentially pre-2018 Phylos was a testing company, testing for plant genotypes and plant sex tests. That’s how we mainly supported people in the industry - the sex test was to help figure out males versus females and save growers money by removing males from production as soon as possible.

Now through collaborative projects we have amassed the largest collection in the world of Cannabis DNA. We have all this genotype info, but to put that into action you need phenotypic (physical) information too. When you have both you can use statistics, so you can figure out what genes are controlling the traits. But it takes a long time and you need a lot of data in order to develop molecular markers.

BRIAN CAMPBELL

/ We are trying to drive and do serious plant breeding ourselves. Phylos currently has customers from 30 differents states and 8 different countries.

When we wanted to start getting more phenotype info, and we wanted to work with cultivators and breeders for more information. We wanted to crowdsource, so we can make the next generation of tools. We created the breeder innovation network, with individual projects with different goals.

It stays private to the public, but we use the data in aggregate so we can look for bigger trends. We never share anyone’s data with another party, but we can start to see a range and begin to make molecular markers.

aklEAF.COM

MOWGLI HOLMES

MAY 2019

Phylos Bioscience was founded in 2014 by Mowgli Holmes, Ph.D. and Nishan Karassik, and has been steadily evolving with the Cannabis industry since legalization. Five years ago, Phylos primarily supported growers and breeders through accurate sex testing as the company began to map existing Cannabis strains within the emerging legal market.

Today, Phylos is working with breeders, and collecting data to further understand the process of Cannabis breeding.

LAB TECHNOLOGIST DAVID GRABER USES A MULTICHANNEL ELECTRONIC PIPETTE TO PERFORM A PLANT SEX TEST

How has the Phylos Galaxy helped navigate the huge spectrum of phenotypes within Cannabis, and can it map market predictions and potential Cannabis trends of the future?

The best part of the galaxy is that it’s not static - it’s constantly evolving and growing. As we start to add all this phenotypic information (THC content, aroma, taste) it’s gonna be an evolution, where the information from your reports becomes more detailed and accurate. There is the breeding side with molecular markers, but there is also the user side. As we inform the model it becomes more explanatory of products on the shelf. DNA fingerprinting will become valuable market trust.

Over time we can keep adding pieces of information.

BC

Are you primarily interested in working with Cannabis breeders or Cannabis growers?

It seems like a lot of growers are beginning to breed their own genetics to give them more exclusivity over popular strains and cuts.

Does it matter at this point?

We want to provide new strains for producers by developing high performance plants. Growers have been the life-blood of this company and we don’t want to push them away. Our breeding information is just as valuable to growers. But we can start with a foundation of breeders and open up that transparency from the foundation.

BC

WE HAVE AMASSED THE LARGEST COLLECTION IN THE WORLD OF CANNABIS DNA.

How do you track different varieties or support cannabinoid-specific research? Are Cannabis (THC-dominant) and hemp (CBD-dominant) varieties mapped in the same galaxy?

Are these genetically distinct backgrounds because they came from different places, or is it an artifact of artificial selection because they were bred for specific purposes?

It’s an interesting question and it’s still up for academic debate. Is hemp a phenotype or is there an evolutionary distinction? In my opinion, it doesn’t matter because these things can inter-mate, we have mixed them. What about the historical hemp now that the regulation of less than three percent of the market? You have arbitrary controls that will affect the outcomes of the future of hemp. To me, despite the bottlenecks, there is still an amazing amount of diversity.

BC

It’s all Cannabis. “Hemp” is a regulatory concept, not a scientific one. Everything exists within the same galaxy, but we will be able to pinpoint traits as we continue to move forward and collect more data. Hemp was originally used for fiber, but now it’s gonna look like fields of stickyass weed because it’s all AC-DC. As canopy sizes go up, it’s going to be harder for small farms to complete. The hemp world is an excuse to have a massive canopy, and the mechanization of hemp farming will look a lot like big agriculture. Unlike the smaller canopy sizes of THC-dominant Cannabis, where the craft and quality of the plant can play a bigger role. Phylos.bio MH

STORY by SIMONE FISCHER @SIMONEFISCHERR | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

behind the scenes issue

What is a Dabstar, and how does highlighting the rock stars of Cannabis inspire you to share stories?

I think you nailed it, to me Dabstars were always the rock stars of Cannabis. These were the people I looked up to and respected in the community, and I wanted to shine a light on what was going on in the culture. I never considered myself a Dabstar, I was a small-time basement grower with an idea to be something more. It was the stories of the people around me that inspired me, and continue to inspire me today.

What does Dabstars do as a company, and how do you help companies in the Cannabis industry?

A lot of these brands are essentially operating in the dark, cut off from banks and traditional media, fighting an uphill battle from the start.

I think as Dabstars, we have been granted a giant flashlight that we try to wield responsibly, highlighting people, products, and brands that are standing out in their niche of Cannabis.

Why is social media important for the Cannabis industry and legalization movement?

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Bringing an entire industry into the light has been a painful process. Most Cannabis business owners found themselves engaging with their base via social media, and I think that is even more prevalent today as we network our community together all over the world. For all its faults, the internet has essentially democratized media. If you have a strong message and it rings out with the people, you can find yourself with an audience, and I think that has in a sense radicalized a new generation of stoners. No one gave us legal weed - we took it back - and that message has resonated across the planet via social media.

What is a day in the life like for you as a Dabstar, and what is your favorite part of leading your company?

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We work our asses off like every other startup.

We installed a new CEO this year (Jeremy Jacola) and my partner (Jair Vellmen) is based out of Amsterdam, so between us we hit the clock pretty hard 24/7. I grew up in the tiny town of Ouray, CO - population 2,500. My mom passed away from a hunting accident when I was four years old, and my dad raised me the best he could working full time. I never even dreamed I would have a passport, let alone be traveling the world celebrating Cannabis.

For me, that’s the fuel that keeps it all going.

DABSTARS Q&A | JONAH TACOMA, FOUNDER, CANNABIS PROMO COMPANY

MAY 2019

How have your traveling experiences influenced your views on Cannabis?

Traveling opens your eyes in so many ways, but one thing that hit me right away was how accepting the Cannabis community is. Cannabis is a common denominator for so many people, and that holds true all over the world. I’ve had breakfast in buildings older than our country, smoked weed at world heritage sites. It is crazy what Cannabis has done for me and my family, witnessing firsthand the impact Cannabis has all over the world.

How is Dabstars growing & adapting for the future?

I think there is a lot of momentum towards national federal legalization, and we have always positioned Dabstars around that - building the brand and prioritizing market share over profits in the beginning.

These days we are opening up new states each month, expanding the brand.

You now have branded Dabstars products sold in seven different markets. How is your brand transcending social media into product licensing, and what are your goals in that area?

We were nominated for best Washington oil company in 2013, so I think this was always a natural evolution for us. Federal laws have forced companies like ours to work with different partners in each state, and we have adapted to that model with Dabstar products being sold around the country. We recently partnered up with Yeti Extracts in Colorado and I’m excited to see products launching in my home state this year. We have six new states in the works and are in talks with Canada about moving the brand out of the United States.

How do you view the current direction of the Cannabis industry in the US, and worldwide?

Cannabis will be central in the next election, and politicians are going to have to take a stance one way or the other. As Cannabis users we are no longer the minority, we are the vocal majority wielding real political clout. The clock is ticking and the big guys are lining up. Cannabis belongs to the people and we need all the head start we can get with federal legalization. Canada exported $48 million in Cannabis last year, other countries are watching what’s going on and reshaping their own policies across the globe.

What is your craziest Dabstars moment?

I came off the stage at the Seattle High Times after a big giveaway, when a red headed stranger approached me arms out with a giant bottle of what I assumed was tincture. I took the five inch dropper, squeezing it full and squirted it under my tongue, holding it for the sublingual effect. Red stood staring at me with a gaped expression. Finally he tells me like a line straight out of Cheech n Chong “You just took the most acid I’ve ever seen man!” I spit it out but it was too late. Long story short, it was a long crazy trip and I ended up drinking Patron with David Arquette and Senior Fumo in a shitty hotel room. So many wild nights in this industry. Facebook.com/dabstars

STORY by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX | PORTRAITS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS & PHOTOS COURTESY DABSTARS

behind the scenes issue

COFOUNDER STEPHEN GOLD, ACCOUNT MANAGER ALEX SARASOHN, COFOUNDER ANDY YASHAR AND CONTENT WRITER CARLEN WASHINGTON.

As the Oregon Cannabis industry continues to evolve, more and more new businesses (and business ideas) are changing things up. The Daily Leaf is a mobile app and website that aims to educate consumers regarding the retail Cannabis scene. It’s a terrific resource for both consumers and for businesses. We sat down with The Daily Leaf Founders Stephen Gold and Andy Yashar to talk about what makes their unique website so useful. the flower that is grown in our region of the world. We truly believe that once it becomes legal, Oregon’s Cannabis will be sought after around the globe. Now we all know that this is not something that will change with a snap of the fingers, so unfortunately, there will likely be years in between this becoming a reality. Everyone needs to brace themselves to ensure they get to that finish line…or start!

INSIDE THE DAILY LEAF 44

HOW DID THE IDEA FOR THE DAILY LEAF COME ABOUT? The concept of The Daily Leaf came about in 2014. We’re Cannabis consumers ourselves and wanted to find better information on deals. We found that it was extremely difficult to find valid information about products at affordable prices. For example, if we saw an advertisement for a $99 ounce, we would go to the shop carrying that particular special and find that we drove 20 minutes for sticks and stems.

We thought, if only there was a way for someone to see a picture of a product or deal before they drove to a dispensary... Then that person would be more inclined to go to make a purchase, as they’d be more informed on exactly what they’re getting.

HOW DOES THE BUSINESS WORK? The Daily Leaf is a mo-

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bile app that helps educate and guide Cannabis consumers to their next purchase. It’s available for iPhone and Android phones, allows people to easily digest deals, exclusives, vendor days, fresh drops, and anything else in between that dispensaries and brands want to get the word out about. All information advertised on The Daily Leaf is entered by each individual dispensary or brand to ensure that the information provided is legit.

WE TRULY BELIEVE THAT ONCE IT BECOMES LEGAL, OREGON’S CANNABIS WILL BE SOUGHT AFTER AROUND THE GLOBE.

MAY 2019

WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS OCCURED WHILE RUNNING A SITE LIKE THIS? Almost every month we WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED STARTING UP? As with many startups, and especially in the Cannabis industry, we had to pivot quite often in the early stages due to OLCC regulations being implemented, and the constant changing of rules from medical to recreational use.

Early on, the rules for marketing of Cannabis products changed quite frequently and to ensure the dispensaries, producers, and processors that we worked with were staying compliant within our platform was a constant challenge. Further beyond the rules surrounding marketing and advertising, every time a new process was implemented for the companies touching Cannabis, it set our partners back and took their dollars away from the expansion of their business and into the mundane updates needed to stay compliant. Many times a business getting into Cannabis has to wait months for approvals, and that drains the budget they would normally want to invest in the public awareness of what they are doing. Marketing and advertising is typically the first thing that gets cut.

YOU FOLLOW THE INDUSTRY FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAN MOST OF US. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GOOD SIGNS YOU’RE SEEING OUT THERE IN THE OREGON CANNABIS INDUSTRY? BAD SIGNS? The Oregon Cannabis industry is very

close knit, and there are a lot of positives coming out of it even though the market is currently flooded. One could say that it is over licensed and there is too much product being produced, with not enough people in Oregon to fulfill that supply. Another might say that this will eventually allow for Oregon to lead the charge for Cannabis export once this is allowed. In Oregon, we are all extremely lucky to have access to

run a big giveaway through The Daily Leaf where one person will win a huge prize pack of ancillary Cannabis accessories (bongs, pipes, Magical Butter Machines, grow tents, cool new items that are popping on the scene). Sometimes the prize packs will be worth over $1,000 dollars in value with all the brands we get to donate product. It is always a great time to see the faces on the people who end up winning when they come in to pick up their loot. We’ve had people come in our office who were absolutely shocked we were handing them that many products for their prize. People who rode their bike to our office only to realize they need to come back for a second trip, to people actually crying with excitement - it is always fun to see who walks through the door and their expression of joy or sometimes confusion!

WHAT WOULD SURPRISE US MOST ABOUT THE COMPANY? We’re a local company that loves Cannabis, and a lot of our time is spent helping brands establish their presence, regardless of whether the brand is advertising on The Daily Leaf or not. We play a big part in helping companies shape their image and their approach to marketing. Before a producer or processor has the ability and budget to advertise their products, they need to make sure everything that faces the customer is legit. We want the Cannabis industry to succeed, and the only way to push the boundaries and to fight the overall stigma that surrounds the plant is to put our best foot forward as an industry.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? Legalization! Banking reform and new tax laws! Let’s get it Oregon!

INTERVIEW by PACER STACKTRAIN @THEPACERSTACKTRAIN | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

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

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

VISITING ALASKA

Sights seen from the road

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

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

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

behind the scenes issue

A LOOK AT SOME OF THE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FROM ROOTS IN PORTLAND\ AND MOST GROW SUPPLY SHOPS.

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NECTAR FOR THE GODS

aklEAF.COM

EACH COMPONENT of the Nectar for the Gods nutrient

line is geared towards quality, flavor and appearance, rather than maximizing yield.

Through their strong environmental stewardship program, Nectar for the Gods is able to drastically reduce waste and energy consumption.

The nutrient line contains 17 different bottles with directions for use and recommended feeding regimens on the back of each.

Nectar for the Gods has three feeding schedules they recommend listed on their website - the Spartan regimen, the Greek regimen, and the Roman regimen.

Each regimen calls for different combinations and amounts of the 17 bottle nutrient line, allowing growers to find out what’s best for their particular fruit or vegetable.

Nectar for the Gods also offers four different blends of soil - Blend #2, Blend #4, Blend #7, and Blend #8. Blend #2 is the soilless medium, which makes it suitable for hydroponic growers.

Most of the blends are a base potting soil that can sustain daily feedings, except for Blend #4, in which a few feedings a week are recommended.

In the continuing effort to keep things local, Nectar for the Gods is a great resource for Oregon farms and farmers looking to boost the quality and flavor of their plants. OregonsOnly.com

MAY 2019

Nectar for the Gods is an Oregon-based fruit and vegetable nutrient/ soil company based out of Springfield, Oregon.

Originally known as Harvest Moon, owners Frank and Scott scaled up from their garagesized batches into a commercial space.

EACH COMPONENT OF THE NECTAR FOR THE GODS NUTRIENT LINE IS GEARED TOWARDS QUALITY, FLAVOR AND APPEARANCE, RATHER THAN MAXIMIZING YIELD.

REVIEW by WILL FERGUSON | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS & NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

behind the scenes issue

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WET TRIM VERSUS DRY TRIM AFTER EACH HARVEST, GROWERS ARE LEFT WITH THE DECISION TO EITHER WET TRIM THEIR PLANTS, OR WAIT FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS AND DRY TRIM. THERE ARE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES TO BOTH. . .

MAY 2019

THE WET TRIM UTILIZING A WET TRIM METHOD MEANS THAT RIGHT AFTER THE PLANT IS CUT OFF ITS STALK, THE TRIMMING/ DELEAFING PROCESS BEGINS. HERE ARE A FEW ADVANTAGES TO TRIMMING RIGHT AFTER HARVEST:

THE DRY TRIM DRY TRIMMING IS WHEN THE BRANCHES ARE GIVEN AMPLE TIME TO DRY OUT AND BECOME BRITTLE BEFORE THE TRIM PROCESS BEGINS. SOME ADVANTAGES TO DRY TRIMMING ARE:

POSITIVES

POSITIVES

> Easier to manage the process, especially if you are a novice grower.

> The wilted sugar leaves can protect the bud from mishandling and dust/particulates.

> Less of a chance for mold to develop, as there is less surface area. > More aesthetically pleasing buds as they’re given a chance to “puff up” There are also a few disadvantages to the wet trim method. For example, it leaves the buds more susceptible to temperature fluctuation and any potential particles of dust or dirt circulating around the drying room. Trimmers also need to be more careful in the handling of each bud, as there are no sugar leaves protecting the bud from any mishandling.

> Flavor and aroma are preserved, as the buds and leaves are allowed to dry out at their own pace. > The cure time is shortened.

One of the disadvantages to dry trimming is that it’s a more time consuming process, however, letting the branches slowly dry at their own pace will improve the overall quality of the flavor and smoke.

GUIDE by WILL FERGUSON | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

GREAT TASTE

NO FILLERS

100% PURE CANNABIS OIL

MATANUSKA SUSITNA VALLEY, ALASKA AKMIDNIGHTSUN.COM 907.495.0711 MARIJUANA HAS INTOXICATING EFFECTS AND MAY BE HABIT FORMING AND ADDICTIVE. MARIJUANA IMPAIRS CONCENTRATION, COORDINATION, AND JUDGMENT. DO NOT OPERATE A VEHICLE OR MACHINERY UNDER ITS INFLUENCE. THERE ARE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CONSUMPTION OF MARIJUANA. FOR USE ONLY BY ADULTS 21 AND OLDER. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE USED BY WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT OR BREAST FEEDING.

Leaf Life Podcast is an entertaining exploration of All Things Cannabis For All People.

Join Ricker and The Bearded Lorax for insightful discussions with Cannabis industry influencers.

THis moNTH: Show #12: Cannabis and Social Media Show #13: Jerome Baker Designs Show #14: The Cannabition Museum Las Vegas

LeAFLiFePodCAsT.Com ThankS To our SponSorSis

RECIPES

T H I S I S A N O D E TO T H E S T R AW B E R RY , a s t h i s 52

i s t h e i r se a s o n t o s h i n e .

D u r i n g s t ra w b e r r y se a s o n yo u ca n s me l l t h e m b efo re yo u eve n se e t h e m . I n t h e w i nt e r m o n t h s , yo u ’ re l u c ky i f yo u ca n g et t h e i r fra g ra n ce fro m a s c ra t c h a n d s n i f f a p p ro a c h . R i p e s t raw b e r r i e s a re j u i c y a n d s we et a n d g row n n e a r by , s o i t ’ s b ette r fo r yo u a n d b ett e r fo r t h e p l a n et . T h ey d o n ’ t h a ve t o t ra ve l fa r t o

aklEAF.COM

g et t o yo u r m o u t h - a n d i n t h e se t h re e re c i p e s t h ey a re p a i re d w i t h Ca n n a b i s - s o t h e re ’ s a l o t t o l ove .

S t raw b e r r y F i e l d s fo reve r ! # D o nt Fe a r T h e E d i b l e MAY 2019

Berry Good Idea

by laurie wolf Photos By Bruce wolf

POT PARFAIT 1 1/3 cups vanilla Greek yogurt, plus 2 tablespoons 1-2 tablespoons canna-butter or oil 1 cup sliced strawberries 1 cup Grape Nuts cereal, plus 2 tablespoons 1. Place 1/3 cup yogurt at the bottom of each glass.

Sprinkle 1/4 cup of Grape Nuts on the yogurt. Top with ¼ cup sliced strawberries.

2. Add another 1/3 cup yogurt and follow up with the cereal and the berries. Top each glass with the remaining yogurt and the remaining Grape Nuts.

SWEET BERRY SALAD 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons canna-oil 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 teaspoon dijon mustard ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper 4 cups romaine lettuce, thinly sliced 1 cup strawberries, sliced ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

1. In a small bowl whisk together the vinegar, oils, mustard, salt and pepper.

2. Toss the remaining ingredients together gently so you don’t bruise the berries.

3. Add the dressing and toss again.

Serve immediately.

53

BERRY PAIR OF SMOOTHIES ½ cup dark chocolate, chopped and melted* 12 strawberries, rinsed, stems removed, cut in chunks 1 medium banana, peeled, sliced and frozen 2 cups milk, dairy or nut 2 teaspoons canna-oil 1. Place your two glasses on your work surface. When the chocolate is melted, run the rim of each glass through the melted chocolate. You will probably need to tilt the bowl of chocolate to get the rims covered.

2. Combine the ingredients and blend until smooth.

Pour into the two glasses and enjoy.

*Place the chocolate in a small bowl or microwave safe cup. Microwave for 20 seconds on half power. Check the chocolate. It may not look melted, so stir it. If not melted, microwave in ten second intervals till almost fully melted.

All recipes serve two

EDIBLE OF THE MONTH

ROSEMARY AND SEA SALT CRACKERS NEW TO THE MARKET ARE BAKED ALASKA’S ROSEMARY AND SEA SALT CRACKERS. There are a lot of Cannabis infused products on the market today, and with every day a new one arising to surprise us. Needless to say, I was excited to see crackers.

Honestly, no one probably says that. But when I heard Baked Alaska had made these, I had to try some. As a more artisan cracker, you could almost call this a little biscuit. Certainly, it’s not what you would normally find with a traditional club cracker. Paired well with come cambozola and salami, I blasted through these little crackers in no time.

In my mind, it was the almost perfect balance of spice to salt, finished with a touch of Parmesan. Since they contain 5mg of cannabis a cracker, one is hard to notice. However, I could see myself smashing through a sleeve of these in no time, which could probably cause some issues. Overall, these are a fantastic idea for a midday snack or brunch with friends!

aklEAF.COM

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Created by BAKED ALASKA

25MG THC PER PACK, FIVE SERVINGS

“Paired well with come cambozola and salami, I blasted through these little crackers in no time.”

MAY 2019

REVIEW by ESHOM REED | PHOTOS by BOOM MEDIA

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WATER SOLUBLE POWDERED NUTRIENTS

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 PH balanced

 Accelerated root development

 Dissolves in seconds  No sediment  No plugged feed lines  No mess  No heavy lifting WATER SOLUBLE POWDERED NUTRIENTS  PH balanced  Dissolves in seconds  No sediment  No plugged feed lines  No mess  No heavy lifting

COST EFFECTIVE  Lowest cost per gallon  Sustainable  Less shipping costs

OUTSTANDING RESULTS  Higher yields

COST EFFECTIVE  Higher potency

 Lowest per gallon cost Higher Brix readings  Sustainable

 Healthier plants

 Less shipping costs

 Fewer pests

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CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH

TORA TSU

58

C A R T R I D G E by G L AC I E R E X T R AC TS

G

LACIER EXTRACTS are known for their quality concentrates, and moreover, for their quality carts. I’m happy to say these have hit just as well, if not better, than many devices I’ve sampled. Made from quality material from Third State Cultivations and their strain Tora TSU, the flavor profile of this particular strain is that of a sweet cream fruit bowl - with one of the fruits being expired, resulting in a zesty funk on the exhale. Handy to have in a pinch and providing you with an excellent daytime and functional working high, these Glacier Extract carts are definitely worth a pick up.

HnwAlaska.com/glacier-extracts

aklEAF.COM

“Handy to have in a pinch and providing you with an excellent daytime and functional working high, these Glacier Extract carts are definitely worth a pick up.”

43.68 CBD 22.52 THC

MAY 2019

REVIEW by ESHOM REED | PHOTOS by BOOM MEDIA

(1) "Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive;” (2) "Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under its influence;” (3) "There are health risks associated with consumption of marijuana” (4) "For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children;” and (5) "Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast feeding;”

Marijuanahas intoxicating effects andmaybehabitforming andaddictive.Marijuanaimpairs concentration,coordination,andjudgement.Donotoperate vehicleormachineryunderits influence.Therearehealthrisks associatedwithconsumptionofmarijuana.Foruseonlybyadults 21andolder.Keepoutofreachofchildren.Marijuanashouldnotbeusedbywomenwhoarepregnantorbreastfeeding

/ NWLEAF @NWLEAF

AKLEAF.COM

STONEY BALONEy

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Leaving Las Vegas Leaving Las Vegas is like coming down off cocaine. It sucks. Well, probably because you are coming down off cocaine. After all, there’s nothing fun about returning to your mild-mannered desk job after getting a taste of what it’s like to be a rock star. In fact, no one ever said, “Thank God that’s over, now I get to go back to my accounting firm.” Ok, maybe someone did say that. Like, an accountant who unexpectedly got fast tracked into a frenzied bacchanal - and it scared him. Because no one should paddle into Bonzai Pipeline if they haven’t first learned how to steer a boogie board.

Is there anything more punishing than the reality bite of seeing that skyline shrink in the distance through the small airplane window? It’s as if you’ve just had a chunk of your soul grizzled out by a werewolf, but the exciting myth that you’ll morph into one with the next full moon, to devour fleshy tourists gorged on gargantuan buffets and Yardaritas, is all a farce. In fact, you’re only going to die a slow, excruciating death from the bite. For the next two days, at least, until the liver filters out the poison. Of course, it might be different if you’re headed back to normalcy with bulging pockets after crushing it at the tables, but that’s never happened to me. Or anyone I know.

Well, that’s not exactly accurate. I have friends who have won money in Vegas, but they generally won’t include an Excel spreadsheet detailing the losses incurred leading up to those rare moments of dopamine filled glory. And it is those losses that keep the casino lights on, the air cool, and the carpet confusing. But if gambling is the driving force of Vegas’ success, I wonder what effect Cannabis will have on Sin City now that it’s been legalized.

Because embarking on a strip search for the Great Pyramid, the Eiffel Tower and the Big Apple can be a dangerous lure with a belly full of Redbull and vodka - but a head full of Super Lemon Haze can create a completely different course for a city built on bad decisions. Can Cannabis kill Vegas?

More episodes at stoney-baloney.com

S TA R T

541 West 4th Avenue Located in Downtown Anchorage

O P E N

seven days a week 10am to 11:45pm

NEW RE S ER V E YOUR BUD O NL INE! Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive. Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under its influence. There are health risks associated with consumption of marijuana. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children. Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.