Jan. 2023 - Northwest Leaf

WES ABNEY CEO & FOUNDER wes@leafmagazines.com

ABOUT THE COVER

This month’s cover shoot for our 2nd-annual Weed and Wellness Issue embodies the heart of our edition: practicing self-care through the artful use of Cannabis consumption.

On set in Seattle, a dream team of photographer Keti Chikhladze, longtime Leaf Nation stylist Malina Lopez, Creative Director Daniel Berman, and Cannabis and yoga enthusiast Kate Higby, collaborated to showcase how Cannabis can help us to become our very best. In this special issue, our contributors bring us heartfelt articles on women’s health, alternative Cannabinoids, thebestterpenes,andhowCannabiscanenhance yourcreativity.Sparkup,enjoy,andbewell!

Cover Photo by Keti Chikhladze @immigrantstoner

Props, Wardrobe & Set by Malina Lopez @malinalopez Cannabis & Yoga Modeling by Kate Higby @mediiikate

Art Direction by Daniel Berman @bermanphotos

CONTRIBUTORS

TOM BOWERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER tom@leafmagazines.com

DANIEL BERMAN CREATIVE DIRECTOR daniel@leafmagazines.com

KATHERINE WOLF CONTENT DIRECTOR kat@leafmagazines.com

MEGHAN RIDLEY COPY EDITOR meghan@leafmagazines.com

ASHLEY HIRCHERT SOCIAL MEDIA LEAD ashley@leafmagazines.com

O’HARA SHIPE ONLINE EDITOR ohara@leafmagazines.com We

ABNEY

Editor’s Note WES

Thanks for picking up the Weed & Wellness Issue of the Leaf!

The classic saying that health is wealth is more poignant than ever as we find ourselves in a new year of uncertainty following a global pandemic – which is why we chose to focus our first issue of 2023 on all the ways that Cannabis can help add to a healthy lifestyle.

As a child of the DARE era I was told that Cannabis was bad for you, could cause cancer, and tons of other drug war propagandized lies. But from my first toke, I’ve known that Cannabis made me and others around me feel better! This is now evident with stories told in the Leaf from people all over the world whose lives have been improved by access to our favorite plant. And now we are finding new and interesting ways to integrate Cannabis into our lives…

From pre and post workout routines to our sexual lives, Cannabis can make fun activities even more enjoyable! And those struggling with addiction to substances like alcohol, pharmaceuticals or other drugs, can find relief in Cannabis and remove the negative input by replacing it with plant powered medicine. It’s truly amazing what the right dose of terpenes and cannabinoids can do, and I hope that this issue inspires you to think about Cannabis beyond getting high – and to explore how it can help your life or those of your loved ones.

Just as a joint should be shared to be fully enjoyed, so must be the information about how Cannabis helps improve lives. By now most of America knows that smoking weed isn’t really dangerous, and a lot of people have experienced the joy of picking out a strain at a dispensary and trying it legally. But what America and our global community need to wake up to is how many pills Cannabis can replace, and how many diseases, health issues and addiction problems can be solved with the plant that was once considered the most dangerous drug of all.

But after all, the most dangerous part of Cannabis is the fact that it disrupts the pharmaceutical industry agenda, is safer than alcohol, and opens minds instead of clouding them. The scariest thing about the pay-for-play healthcare system in America is the idea that a plant grown in the backyard can replace half the medicine cabinet. Growing your own medicine and having access to it from trusted sources in medicinally oriented products is the epitome of health autonomy, and we are all blessed to live in a time where Cannabis is once again leading the pharmacological movement towards natural, safer medicines.

So the next time you smoke weed for a headache, use a topical for back pain or have a friend complaining about sleep issues, suggest a specialized Cannabis product or a strain that has helped you. That’s how we plant seeds of change and help the people we love to embrace the plant we can all benefit from!

“JUST AS A JOINT SHOULD BE SHARED TO BE FULLY ENJOYED, SO MUST BE THE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW CANNABIS HELPS IMPROVE LIVES.”

ADULT-USE SALES ENJOY BRISK FIRST WEEK IN RHODE ISLAND

RHODE ISLAND’S Cannabis shops saw brisk business during their first week of operation under adult-use legalization allowing retail sales, according to a state agency.

The state’s six licensed Cannabis dispensaries collectively sold more than $1.63 million worth of marijuana from Dec. 1 to Dec. 7, according to the Department of Business Regulation. About half of those sales were for adult-use marijuana, for an estimated $786,000, reports the Washington Examiner. The remaining $845,400 consisted of sales to medical Cannabis patients, the agency said. The busy sales bode well for the state. Rhode Island will take in an estimated $133,600 in taxes – about $23,500 of which will go to towns and cities where the weed stores are located.

The Rhode Island Office of Management and Budget is projecting $5.9 million in marijuana tax revenue in the current fiscal year, ending June 30, 2023.

4

3states – Arkansas, North Dakota and South Dakota – rejected adult-use Cannabis in the November 2022 elections.

jan. 2023

homes on one single block in Portland, Ore., were involved in untaxed marijuana cultivation.

quick hits

KANSAS LAWMAKERS WILL INTRODUCE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

IT’S BEEN a long (and so far at least, fruitless) journey for medical marijuana advocates in Kansas. Now, state lawmakers say they’re ready to take yet another shot at legalizing medicinal Cannabis, reports KCUR. Republican Sen. Rob Olson chairs the 2022 Special Committee on Medical Marijuana. Olson said he plans to introduce a bill at the beginning of the January legislative session.

He said passing legislation out of committee would be too difficult – so he plans to introduce it in the Senate as an alternative approach.

He encouraged lawmakers in the House to introduce similar legislation. “I think that’s probably the best way forward,” said Olson.

22

debilitating medical conditions qualify patients in Mississippi for medical marijuana.

40

percent is the amount that Cannabis arrests decrease after legalization in states which have already decriminalized.

VIRAL TIKTOKER “DOGGFACE” ARRESTED IN IDAHO

NATHAN APODACA, a TikToker who went viral for skateboarding videos that were set to iconic Fleetwood Mac tracks, was arrested by Idaho State Police in December on charges of possessing marijuana.

Apodaca was driving with an expired registration tag when the police pulled him over. Officers ended up finding THC gummies in the vehicle and took Apodaca into custody. He was released on a $600 bond.

318

of Missouri’s 322 licensed medical marijuana dispensaries applied for adult-use sales permits.

$14m

in fines were forgiven as part of Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s pardons of 45,000 marijuana convictions.

WNBA STAR GRINER

RELEASED BY RUSSIA IN PRISONER SWAP

Russia has finally released Brittney Griner, the WNBA player held for months on marijuana charges. Russian authorities released Griner in December in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout.

President Joe Biden approved the one-forone exchange agreement with Moscow, according to sources familiar with the deal. The swap took place in the United Arab Emirates.

Griner was convicted by Russian courts of possession of a small amount of hash oil in a medical marijuana vape cartridge she carried with her during a trip for a basketball game in Russia.

To secure Griner’s release, the president ordered Bout freed and returned to Russia. Biden signed the commutation order cutting short Bout’s 25-year federal prison sentence.

Griner told fans she will play in the upcoming WBNA season with her team, the Phoenix Mercury.

“Your letters helped me to not lose hope during a time where I was full of regret and vulnerable in ways I could have never imagined,” said Griner, who wrote a heartfelt note on her Instagram Dec. 21, 2022.

“Because of you I never lost hope,” she said.

”My family is whole and now... we are fortunate to get to spend the holidays together.”

LEGALIZATION

COMING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE?

Teast coast wo New Hampshire lawmakers, one Republican and the other Democrat, share a common interest: legalizing marijuana.

House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R) and Minority Leader Matt Wilhelm (D) joined forces to file a bill to legalize adult-use Cannabis for the 2023 session.

The bipartisan measure would allow adults 21 and up to possess or give away up to four ounces of Cannabis, and also clear records of past weed possession offenses.

In addition, it taxes marijuana sales at 8.5%. The bill would set up a new market with stateapproved retailers to sell pot, reports Benzinga.

The new legislation allows cultivation of up to six plants, including three of which may be mature, and possession of marijuana produced at home.

olice in India claim rats ate more than a half ton of seized Cannabis stored as evidence, reports CNN. The local cops admitted to a judge they can’t come up with the confiscated weed.

Police claimed the rampaging rodents ate 581 kilograms of marijuana stored at the Shergarh and Highway stations, reports India Today.

Cops were responding to a court order asking them to cough up the marijuana they recovered in a case.

The prosecution said more than 700 kilograms of Cannabis stored in stations across Mathura could have been devoured by the stoned rodents.

This was (allegedly) not the first time the marauding party-rats had struck. The judge hearing the case noted Mathura police had already blamed the libertine rodents for destroying a total of more than 500 kilos of marijuana.

STORIES by STEVE ELLIOTT | THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA

“The bipartisan measure would allow adults 21 and up to possess or give away up to four ounces of Cannabis...”

THE REEF GEORGETOWN

“It’s all about togetherness at this company, as 5% of profits go directly to charity.”

4:20 24/7

STAFF PICKS

FLOWERS

Washington

Dose

CARTS

SUCCESS IS CONTAGIOUS

Don’t let the name fool you, everything this shop does is above water. While the first one opened in Bremerton in 2015, it wasn’t long before the tides flowed across Puget Sound to settle their next effort in Capitol Hill. And after building a reputation as the finest shop in town, they reached south to Georgetown for their third amazing store – where they just celebrated their first birthday in December. Congratulations to owners Adam Simon and Aaron Bennett!

A PART OF THE SOLUTION

The original aesthetic for The Reef came from the camera lens of a diver hired to take underwater photos at Alki Beach. And it was those images that were used to design the eye-catching panels which draw your attention outside the original Bremerton shop. It’s all about togetherness at this company, as 5% of profits go directly to charity – proving that being a part of the community is more important than just selling beautiful Cannabis to people, but also about helping to make actual change. If you’ve been to the Cap Hill location, you’ve seen the park across the street featuring Pac Man painted on the asphalt and weather resistant ping pong tables – and yes, that renovation was The Reef’s doing. There’s an energy with The Reef, which is why planting roots in Georgetown, Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, made sense a year ago.

AQUARIUM OF COLORS

Creativity is a huge foundation for The Reef’s unmistakable identity. Supporting local artists has been integral to their ascent because they firmly believe that nothing pairs better than Cannabis culture and art culture. Here’s something cool: This location was previously a bank built in 1967 – an unusual piece of architecture that sticks out like a fresh, oval nug. So, when the digital temperature/clock sign outside hit 4:20 on opening day, they simply hit the stop button – allowing it to stay a constant reminder of our favorite time, where the temperature is always fire. Make no mistake, these people are all about a positive atmosphere and making weed fun!

DABS

EDIBLES

STORY by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ/NORTHWEST LEAF | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

If you’re looking for the freshest flower on the shelf or a rosin recommendation tailored to your ideal terp profile, head on over to Fweedom in Seattle to see Forbes Holroyd. We recently stopped by to chat about what’s in his personal smoke stash, when to pick up the most sought-after solventless drops, and of course, weed and wellness.

YOU OFFER GREAT RECOMMENDATIONS AND ALWAYS SEEM TO KNOW WHAT’S FRESH IN THE SHOP. HOW DID YOU LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT ALL THESE BRANDS AND PRODUCTS?

I remember when I was first 21 – I would go to dispensaries but had convinced myself that I could never work there because you had to have so much knowledge of the product. One day I came to Fweedom to shop and saw they needed a security guard immediately, so I got hired doing that. I ended up just naturally learning about all of the products from hanging around the shop doing security. When a spot opened up to be a budtender, I got brought on and have been here doing that for almost two years now.

SO YOU’VE BEEN AT THIS SPOT FOR YOUR WHOLE CANNABIS CAREER – WHAT MADE YOU STAY HERE? It’s the people and my coworkers. Everybody’s dope. I have no complaints. Everybody is so nice and helps each other out.

FWEEDOM GETS A LOT OF THE LATEST ROSIN DROPS AND EXCLUSIVE COLLABORATIONS. DO PEOPLE TRAVEL HERE FOR THOSE? Oh yeah, we get people from all over the state coming in for our solventless collection especially. We have a lot of PNW Roots strains that most shops just don’t get, or when Bacon’s Grease comes out, a lot of people will come far for that stuff.

WHAT’S THE DROP SCHEDULE FOR OUR READERS INTERESTED IN SCOOPING SOME NEW SOLVENTLESS? We put new rosin drops out on the shelves for our Solventless Saturday deal. We do 30% off all concentrates on Saturdays, so that’s definitely our busiest day and people go crazy for it!

WHATCHA GOT IN YOUR PERSONAL STASH? The Candy Milk from Oz Gardens. I just had to get a half-ounce because I tried some and it was so good. I always have some Hyphy from Torus, and also just got some of the Peanut Butter Gelato from Backpack Boyz. That stuff was smoking.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO CHILL OUT AND RELAX ON YOUR DAYS OFF FROM THE SHOP? I like to take a 1:1, either a Mobius drink or a pack of Wyld edibles. That’s usually how I chill out because I like the way the 1:1 ratios hit.

DO YOU HAVE A WEED AND WELLNESS ROUTINE? Absolutely, yeah. I play basketball a lot, and I usually smoke before I play or work out. I never really thought about it like that as part of my wellness routine, but yeah, it totally is!

INTERVIEW by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC |

PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

Blue Roots Mimosa

Clementine x Purple Punch

Talks Terps

Mimosa terpene profile

B-Caryophyllene

Analgesic : Pain Relief.

Antibacterial : Slows and combats Bacterical Growth.

Antidepressant: Relieves Symptoms of depression.

Anxiolytic: Helps relieve anxity.

Anti-inflammatory: Reduces systemic inflammation.

Anti-prolifeative: Inhibits cancer cell growth.

Antioxidant: Prevent oxidation damage to molecules and cells in the human body.

Neuroprotective: Slows damage to the nervous system & brain.

Ocimene

Antiviral: Used specifically for treating viral infections rather than bacterial ones.

Antifungal: Used to treat and prevent mycoses such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, candidiasis, serious systemic infections such as cryptococcal meningitis.

Antiseptic: Prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.

Decongestant: Used to relieve nasal congestion in the upper respiratory tract.

Antibacterial: Treatment and prevention of bacterial infections.

Limonene

Antibacterial: Slows bacterial growth.

Antimicrobial: Destroying or Inhibits the growth of microorganisms.

Antifungal: Inhibits the growth of fungus.

Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces inflammation.

Anti-Proliferative: Inhibits cancer cell growth. Anxiolytic: Relieves anxiety.

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux: Reduces acid reflux.

Immunostimulant: Stimulates the immune system.

B-Pinene

Analgesic: Pain relief

Antibacterial: Slows and combats bacterial growth. Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces systemic inflammation in the body. Anti-Proliferative: Inhibits cancer cell growth.

Antioxidant: Prevents oxidation damage to molecules and cells in the human body.

Neurodegenerative: Promotes the health of neurological and healthy brain function.

Bronchodilator: Increases airflow to the lungs.

What are terpenes?

Cannabis terpenes are compounds that occur naturally in the trichomes of the cannabis plant. They provide the aroma and flavor in cannabis. Terpenes play an integral role in the cannabis plant’s growth and survival. Terpenes help to enhance the plant’s attractiveness to various creatures, while deterring others that can do harm to the plant. Terpenes have also been indentified as a new frontier in cannabis medicine. As our understanding of terpenes increases, its becoming apparent that these aromatic compounds are medicinal powerhouses. More research needs to be done to fully solidify our understanding of these compounds, however research thus far indicates these different compounds to be antiviral, anticancer, antidepressant, antimicrobial and they can help with pain relief. Here at we find the terpene profile just as imporant as the cannabinoids testing. Thats why we list the terpene profile on our flower and joint lables: that way consumers may have as much information as possible when choosing their cannabis strains.

Blue Roots Cannabis

This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Cannabis 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 the consumption of this product. For use only by adults over the age of 21. Keep out of reach of children. We are a legal recreational dispensary in Washington State.

Pheno

WANDERING DOWN rows of numbered clones in the flower room that seem to stretch on for miles, we finally stop in front of an especially sweet-smelling patch of plants, where Partner and Operator at SKöRD Joshua Andersen begins explaining the differences between two phenos of Zazul – a cross of Zkittlez x Planet Purple originally bred by Archive Seed Bank out of Oregon – with a gleam in his eye.

“ZAZUL #4 leans really heavy towards the Zkittlez with straight candy terps,” he tells us.“The #8 pheno brought some of that tart lime and citrus with kushy notes, making for a more unique and well-rounded flavor profile as opposed to leaning towards just one flavor.”

Pheno hunting is a core component of the SKöRD brand, which translates to “harvest” in Swedish – a spot-on name for the Scandinavian family-owned-and-operated business.

Andersen and his dad bought the plot of land in Vancouver, Washington back in 2012, building the facility from the ground up and putting out their first batch of flower in early 2015.

“I was born here in town and grew up right down the road. I actually drove past this property every day for years, not knowing what it would be one day,” Andersen reminisces.

Speaking of reminiscing, let’s back up a bit. What is pheno hunting, exactly? And how did it help SKöRD carve out a competitive advantage that still exists in today’s overly-saturated market?

When two Cannabis plants are bred, the female will produce seeds, which are all phenotypes. Even though they are the same strain, each individual phenotype will express a unique combination of traits – such as aroma, taste, potency, resin production and more – from its parents. This is why breeders will grow several different ones, essentially “hunting” for the “pheno” with the most ideal expression.

Believe us when we say that SKöRD takes their pheno hunting very seriously. In fact, it can take up to a year of hunting and testing for a strain to make it into their “core lineup” alongside beloved flavors like Dirty Donut, Breathmints and Chocolatina.

JOSHUA ANDERSEN

As we continue moving through the sprawling 2,800-squarefoot flower room, Andersen gives us a breakdown of how each batch works.

There are 30-60 different phenos to choose from in batch one, all grown from seed. At this point, all flower testing is done by the team as they look at a variety of traits, from the plant’s bud structure and resin development in the grow room, to its flavor and terpene profile, aroma out of the jar, and more.

Customers will likely see the first appearance of this new strain as a multi-pheno blend of “Phö” –SKöRD’s in-house solvent extraction method.

After meticulously searching through all those 30+ seedlings, the team narrows it down to four or less phenos for the second batch. These “final four” are all cloned from their original seed, harvested, and now released as flower to the market for feedback. You may also see a strain at this stage washed into solventless hash in a limited-time drop – a way the SKöRD team starts to test how well each pheno will yield.

Sometimes there’s a clear winner, but other times, there’s a final and third batch if a keeper still hasn’t been selected. In this case, the final two contenders are re-released to the market in extremely limited quantities of flower for consumer feedback.

If a pheno makes it to the core lineup, it means it “washes, blasts, and produces all-around beautiful products,” and will remain in the garden for up to a year and a half – or until a better alternative is found.

“The way we operate as a company allows us to be pheno hunters in the garden while guaranteeing there will always be really fresh, really well-cured weed for our customers,” explains Steve Schechterle, Director of Sales and Marketing for the brand.

“We have this bi-weekly drop process where fresh product goes out the door, then two weeks later, we’re back with something new. We can always be testing new products while still having a core lineup of strains we’re rotating consistently, so people don’t get burned out too fast on anything.”

We’ve now made our way out of the garden and into the trimming and packaging area, where there’s absolutely no machinery to be found. Everything is done in small batches with care: All flower is slow cured, hand trimmed and hand packaged, and even the labels for pheno hunting batches are hand drawn by Monica Hernandez, a trimmer on the team. This level of quality control and attention to detail has enabled SKöRD to stand out from a product perspective, while offering up a behindthe-scenes look into pheno hunting on the farm has engaged their loyal following in a personable, exciting way.

“We have a customer-facing newsletter you can sign up for on our website that talks about flavor profiles and terpenes, walking customers through what stage in the pheno hunt particular strains are in,” Steve tells us. “I think people have really come to follow that, and are pretty on board with our whole timeline. It’s something that has been fun, where people are really interested in how we take a strain from the garden to the market and definitely watch out for new batch drops.”

Well, we’re certainly watching out for that batch of Zazul #8.

ISKORD.COM

“The way we operate as a company allows us to be pheno hunters in the garden while guaranteeing there will always be really fresh, really well-cured weed for our customers.”

- Steve Schechterle, Director of Sales & Marketing

ACDC & CBGEEZUS

CBD/CBG CARTRIDGES

For those about to rock in this new year, it’s time to feel like a rockstar with the terpene and cannabinoid-rich infusion of ACDC from Heylo.

While many rockstars are associated with hard drugs, the true secret to being a success is feeling good – and that’s exactly what the CBD and CBG cartridges from Heylo are here for. And with the new year officially upon us, with it comes a fresh opportunity to try alternative cannabinoid blends which provide more than just a buzz … delivering wellness with each tasty puff of CO2 vapor.

While the weed world is dominated by high-THC options that will melt your face off, Cannabis provides a ton of benefits as a health additive – especially with alternative cannabinoids like CBD and CBG. Check out “Beyond THC” for our alternative cannabinoids roundup in this issue for more info on these wonderful compounds.

The ACDC oil is rich and full of terpenes and relaxing CBD that’s dialed in for the end of the day, or a fun way to start off in the morning without getting too stoned. The thick vapor tastes like kushy cherries with a hint of earthy dankness, which goes great with a latte to get the mind in a happy place. The entourage effect of CBD with low THC and a kiss of CBC makes the mind feel lighter – reducing anxiety and stressful thoughts, putting consciousness in the moment with a perfect buzz for any situation.

Puffing on the CBGeezus might sound scary to our religious friends, but there’s no sacrilege with this concentrate. The deep orange CO2 oil has a wonderful blend of cannabinoids, with enough THC for a buzz, and a ton of CBG to elevate the mood and provide a host of benefits.

Hitting the cartridge delivers a gooey vapor that coats the palate with a tasty blend of lemons and berries, finishing with a kushy-pine exhale.

Each toke fills the body like a hot air balloon slowly inflating, sending the mind and body off on a floaty and giggly adventure that’s great during the day. With just the right amount of THC to keep you stoned, look to the alternative cannabinoid options from Heylo as you explore health and wellness with your vapor choices in 2023!

HEYLO

PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN

ROYAL TREE GARDENS RS11 FLOWER X CAFÉ HAGEN POMANDER CAPPUCINO

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ‘HYPE’ CULTIVARS that have grown far beyond their originating region’s reach, and RS11 is no doubt one of those strains. Originally bred by DEO Farms out of California, RS11 crosses Pink Guava and OZKush. Today, this infamous cut has floated around the nation, sometimes with Sunset Sherbet in the mix – like this version (Sunset Sherbet x OZKush) bred by Doja Pak and cultivated by Royal Tree Gardens out of Tacoma.

For January’s Coffee and Cannabis pairing, we decided to roll up some 21% THC Royal Tree RS11 and head to another local latte slinger: the Queen Anne location of Café Hagen. Shop owner Maria Beck settled in Seattle from Scandinavia, bringing the charm (and coffee) of Copenhagen to the Emerald City. The warm and cozy cafe outfitted with rich marble and rustic wood was a welcome break from a wet winter day in the PNW. We grabbed a Pomander Cappuccino, a seasonal special with house-made orange and spice syrup, and headed back up the road to Leaf HQ to drink our java and roll our joint.

Opening the jar and breaking up the buds, the nugs are a rich, deep purple in the center with long, frosty orange hairs poking out in every direction – creating a color palette reminiscent of a fiery sunset. Ground up, the bud is fluffy and that purple hue is even more prominent.

We take a sip of our latte and start to spark up…

First flavor impressions are fruit-forward with notes of skunky citrus from the Sunset Sherbet. On the exhale, that gas becomes even more prevalent as the summery sweetness slightly fades into a foresty funk, thanks to the OG heritage in the OZKush. All these unique notes came together to create a tart, tropical taste on the tongue.

Since the RS11 flower has such a complex flavor profile, this mild and herbaceous cappuccino was the perfect pairing. The gentle floral aromas when tipping back the coffee cup and a slightly bitter aftertaste of orange peel and espresso toned down the sugary sweetness of the flower. Between the spiced citrus in our caffeine fix and the taste of the tropics in our joint, this pairing gave us a wonderfully weedy escape from January in the PNW. royaltreegardens.com|cafehagen.com

STORY by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC/NORTHWEST LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

“SINCE THE RS11 FLOWER HAS SUCH A COMPLEX FLAVOR PROFILE, THIS MILD AND HERBACEOUS CAPPUCCINO WAS THE PERFECT PAIRING.”

“Blending stoney euphoria with just enough energy for any activity.”

Get higher than

the International Space Station with the smooth and tasty, lighter-than-air Space Weed from Skagit Organics.

Space and stoners have always gone well together, especially when aspiring hashtronauts get so blazed that they can safely be called ‘space cadets.’ But all joking aside, the same technology that allows our intrepid explorers to enjoy ice cream and spaghetti in space is now being used to cure fire strains of weed. In a process known as flash frozen cured, the weed is taken straight from being harvested into a flash-frozen dehydration process that removes the moisture from the buds, drying them under vacuum pressure, and curing the flower in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. You can even store it for months and come back to a fresh-picked bud!

If you’ve ever tried astronaut ice cream, you know that an ice cream sandwich that’s been freeze dried weighs a lot less than a normal ice cream bar, but packs all the taste and flavor with each unique bite. That’s similar to space weed, which feels curiously lighter than air when holding a frosty bud. The flower looks perfect, as the process maintains the bag appearance well, with individual trichomes visible – especially on the super heady cuts like the White Star. Skagit Organics works in collaboration with Jefferson’s Own and Mt Baker Gardens to produce the flower that becomes Space Weed, and they’re growing delicious strains like Gary Payton Runtz that bring flavor and beautiful purple buds with each harvest.

Diving into a big jar of the White Star releases a syrupy, lemon meringue tang with notes of earthy-piney-musk that tease the senses as a bowl is prepared. The flower breaks up easily, crumbling into a lovely finely-ground consistency with minimal effort required for rolling or loading as a bowl. Each bud is beautiful with a light-green body and red hairs that dance with trichomes in a perfect embodiment of a sativa flower, promising a euphoric buzz worthy of the Space Weed name.

FIrst tokes are sweet and incredibly smooth, delivering fat hits with zero cough and a ton of sweet earthy flavor. It’s amazing how the lack of moisture changes the dynamic of the smoke, especially in a blunt or rolled joint, where it burns smooth and without any harshness. The effects hit quickly via a heady, happy buzz rushing into the mind – kicking the senses into a rocket-boosted sativa high that had us orbiting in a productive circuit at the gym before smashing into the kitchen.

Find Your Flow

When it comes to Yoga and Cannabis, inhale the future and exhale the past.

you’re someone who wants to stay fit and focused without having to leave the comfort of your home, then yoga may be the option for you. Practicing yoga regularly not only increases flexibility and builds strength – it also helps manage stress by quieting the chatter of the mind, allowing us to be more present, and deepening our mind-body connection, which can improve sleep and overall mental health. Yoga can also help reduce chronic pain, which is what initially got me onto the mat and, eventually, into becoming a teacher: I have slight scoliosis and two herniated discs in my spine, and yoga has definitely helped ease that pain and strengthen my body.

Over the years, I’ve seen an array of funky yoga trends: goat, nude, aerial, underwater, and even paddleboard yoga. One trend that’s not so funky, though, is Cannabis-infused yoga. Now, I’ve been a certified yoga instructor since 2004, but I’ve been a certified stoner my entire life, so you can believe me when I tell you that Cannabis and yoga are a very complimentary combination. In the past several years, tons of online and in-person classes, teacher trainings and wellness retreats offering Cannabis-enhanced yoga have popped up – including a few of my own (I provide yoga at all of my Higher Way Travel retreats and events, and often offer my yoga clients a Cannabis option before classes).

There are several ways to incorporate Cannabis into your yoga practice. A great place to start is to apply a topical to areas on your body that might need some extra love before starting your session. You can try one with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD or even a CBD-only topical if you prefer. You can always take a few hits from a joint before you hit the mat as well. Or you could enjoy an edible or infused beverage beforehand … that way, the high will kick in gradually as

your practice progresses – making your savasana (the meditative relaxation time at the end of the session) extra sweet.

And if you’re feeling the burn after your practice, an infused bath bomb is always a great way to soothe sore muscles.

Does some stoney yoga sound like an enjoyable experience to you? Consider the following for getting comfortable and further enhancing your time on the mat:

– If you want to see how you feel first, try an online ganja yoga class in the comfort of your own home before attending one in person.

– You may want to adjust the type and amount of Cannabis product you use, depending on what kind of yoga you choose to do. For beginners, I recommend sticking to basic classes like Hatha or Yin yoga –two styles where you move slowly and deliberately. Think lots of floor asanas (poses), hip openers, twists and stretches. A more vigorous vinyasa (flow) style class while high could result in dizziness, a racy heart, or feeling lightheaded (so dabs and Sun Salutations may not be the best combo!).

– Remember: It all depends on the person and their individual tolerance and fitness level – everyone is different. But regardless of what/how you choose to imbibe, always follow the classic rule of thumb to go low and slow. You can always add more, but you can’t add less.

While not for everyone, a regular regimen of Cannabis and yoga can help us deal with life’s problems, make better choices in what we consume (such as news, food, negativity, mids, etc.), and lead to a better relationship with yourself, your loved ones, and the Earth. Most importantly, though, combining yoga and Cannabis should be fun – so don’t take yourself too seriously and just go with your flow.

STORY by APRIL BLACK @HIGHERWAYTRAVEL for LEAF NATION | PHOTO by KETI CHIKHLADZE

Seattle, WA-based model and Cannabis yoga enthusiast Kate Higby @mediiikate demonstrates the lotus pose. Props, Wardrobe and Set Design by Malina Lopez @artbymalina. | Art direction by Daniel Berman @bermanphotos

“There are several ways to incorporate Cannabis into your yoga practice. A great place to start is to apply a topical to areas on your body that might need some extra love before starting your session.”

Talkin’Terps

ASresearch advances and the Cannabis market matures, more brands are ditching broad decades-old classification terms like “indica vs. sativa.” Instead, today’s packaging comes with two more important words: dominant terpenes.

While more seasoned smokers may understand these scientific terms and their meaning, talking terpenes isn’t always an easy language to become fluent in. This type of higher education takes expert help and can quickly overwhelm rookie rollers or the newly canna-curious.

To get advice on how consumers can conquer these complexities, we linked up with Jamila Owens-Todd – a Naturopathic Doctor, Adjunct Professor of Cannabis Pharmacology, and Chief Science Officer of a medical Cannabis manufacturer.

The answer involves using aromatherapy to experience the wellness benefits of terpenes, and you only need one tool: your nose.

Aromatherapy is the practice of using chemical compounds called aromatics for therapeutic benefit. This link between scent and mood explains why a fresh pot of coffee brewing can wake you up in the morning or how the soothing smell

MYRCENE

Aroma: musky and earthy

Feels: soothing and sedative Found in: Granddaddy Purple, Grape Ape, OG Kush

LIMONENE

Aroma: citrusy and clean

Feels: uplifting and euphoric Found in: Do-Si-Dos, MAC, Sundae Driver

of lavender before bed makes you sleepy.

In the Cannabis plant, terpenes are one of the elements that impact not only a strain’s fragrance and flavor, but also the way it makes you feel.

“Terpenes are essential oils. They’re aromatic, volatile molecules, and the way we receive many of their benefits is through inhalation,” explains Jamila. “So I would just start there and let the nose lead you. The fact that you’re able to inhale, ignite those nasal passageways, and get the nervous system engaged simply from smelling the flower is really all you need. If you have five different types of strains in front of you, smell each one. The one that resonates with you the most, that is your flower.”

But what if you live in a state or shop at a dispensary that doesn’t allow you to smell the product before purchasing it? Jamila went on to explain how you can take the power of scent a step further to elevate your smoking experience once you’ve taken your haul home. By understanding the connection between scent and terpenes, you can actually guide your Cannabis consumption throughout the day based on mood, environment and desired effects.

Let’s say you wake up with a long list of tasks looming over

your head. You may want to start the day with a strain that immediately makes you feel uplifted and euphoric after taking a big whiff – this likely tingles the nostrils and is high in limonene. After powering through a few productive hours of work, you take another smoke break, this time with a cultivar high in pinene such as OG Kush. It smells fresh and crisp, and in turn helps you feel focused, cerebral and ready to crush the afternoon – much like a mental walk through the woods. After you finally look up from the laptop, the day has already turned to dusk and it’s time to unwind with a high-linalool strain like Lavender Diesel that is soothing, herbaceous and gentle on the exhale before hitting the hay.

Listening to our nose is a huge part of connecting your mind, body and spirit through Cannabis. This approach gives us a deeper relationship with the plant, allowing us to welcome all the wellness benefits it can provide. As Jamila put it, “Before you even start to spark up your flower, just take a good whiff. … Let the nose lead you … is the plant selecting you, or are you selecting the plant? If you allow yourself to be vulnerable in that way and just take that smell in, you’ve already engaged in terpene medicine. And then, once you ignite the flower, you get even more benefits of that aroma and those terpenes.”

LINALOOL

Aroma: floral and fresh Feels: relaxing and restful Found in: Lavender Kush, Amnesia Haze, Tropicanna Punch

CARYOPHYLLENE

Aroma: black pepper, cinnamon

Feels: calming and tranquil Found in: GG#4, Sour Diesel, Slurricane

PINENE

Aroma: sharp and woodsy

Feels: energizing and focused Found in: Critical Mass, Dutch Treat, Larry OG

STORY by KATHERINE WOLF

OCIMENE

Aroma: minty and zesty

Feels: refreshing and creative Found in: Green Crack, Golden Goat, Strawberry Cough

“In the Cannabis plant, terpenes are one of the elements that impact not only a strain’s fragrance and flavor, but also the way it makes you feel.”

Unlocking the Wellness Benefits of Terpenes Through Aromatherapy

Warning-May be habit forming. Unlawful outside Washington State and illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. Smoking is hazardous to your health.

On Your Grind

The unique terpenoids, terpenes and cannabinoids in Cannabis genetics impact how they will taste, smell and make us feel. Strains with bright, uplifting aromas such as lemon or mint have energizing effects that can help refresh the brain in between tasks on your to-do list. On the flip side, smoking a strain that is heavy and gassy on the nose will likely have you dozing off during your next meeting.

We sat down with the “Beerded Krakin,” co-founder of Krakin Seeds and partner at the legendary Washington brand PNW Roots, to get more insight into how particular Cannabis genetics can be used throughout the workday to give your brain a boost. “I smoke morning, noon and night,” he tells us. “On the farm, we work for about two or three hours, then will take a smoke break. That’s definitely part of my regimen.”

When asked if there are any particular genetic profiles or traits of certain Cannabis strains that lend themselves to creativity, he had this to say:

Using Cannabis to Infuse Your Workday With Creativity

MARY JANE HAS BEEN A MUSE

to a whole slew of creative geniuses –from Paul McCartney admitting “Got to Get You Into My Life” was written about weed rather than a woman, to Seth Rogen saying he smokes during script writing, to Steve Jobs claiming that hashish made him feel more “relaxed and creative” in the ’70s.

While Cannabis has had a reputation for being a creative juicer amongst musicians, artists and inventors since basically the beginning of time, modern professionals in a variety of roles and industries are now using weed to get through the everyday workday.

Move on over, software platforms and high-tech devices – ganja is the latest gadget to hit the workplace. This mainstream movement of working with weed can be attributed to changes in both how we work and how Cannabis is perceived. The physical office went digital and this shift to remote work

also shifted our mindsets about work/life balance, giving us more flexibility and freedom throughout our workdays. Paired with the fact that nearly half of Americans now live in a state where Cannabis is legal in some capacity, more people than ever are exploring its relationship to their careers.

Whether you’re trying to bust through a case of writer’s block, come up with an attention-grabbing marketing campaign, or find an out-of-the-box solution to an old problem, getting a little stoned has been known to help get the ideas flowing.

So, can Cannabis actually boost your creativity? Well, research shows that employees who take frequent breaks are consistently more productive than those who don’t. This is because the human brain works in bursts of high activity before switching to low activity to rest and recoup for a while.

This is when it’s the best time to take a break and toke up … but it’s important to be strategic about which strain you’re choosing.

“You don’t want anything too heavy, so something on the fruit side, say with a tangerine, lemon or blueberry flavor profile. That has always helped me with my creative juices, whether it’s work or play. Our Tangelo Sno (Tangerine Power x Sno Cap) is my go-to strain in the morning. It’s got this great haziness and strong citrus flavor, which really wakes me up and is perfect for getting the workday going.”

There’s another hazy hitter in the Beerded Krakin’s creative lineup that their team has been smoking a lot of lately: Ghost Train Haze.

“It really keeps everyone awake and not burned out at all,” he explains.“

So I would say that’s my number one pick right now for getting the creative juices flowing versus a more couchlock effect. I would definitely go for anything on the Haze route if I was looking for motivation or creativity.”

“Ganja is the latest gadget to hit the workplace.”

ADOBE STOCK

Mary Jane, Medicine Woman

Exploring the ancient relationship between weed and women’s health with Dr. Celeste Saenz.

What inspired you to specialize in holistic women’s health care? My great grandmother was a midwife and a healer from Mexico City. She got her gynecology medical degree, but in Mexican culture it’s all about what I would call ‘kitchen medicine,’ because there’s not very much money or access. She would babysit me until I was about 10 or 12, and I was exposed to her way. She did the kind of midwifery thing: birthing children and stuff in her home, which is really cool. I know it was just a blessing to be exposed there. She would see her patients and always had food going … After seeing to their needs, she would sit her patients down and they would have a meal. She would take a couple of notes, and so it would almost just look like a traditional visit.

What gaps in women’s healthcare do you see in conventional or mainstream medicine? I think the most fundamental gap is the time that we spend with our patients. In women’s health especially, it is kind of detective work and very individualized care … every woman’s body is uniquely experiencing her hormonal shifts, or things like sleep and diet.

Have you had experience with pregnant patients using Cannabis? Most of my pregnant patients – I would say those that are Cannabis users – continue to use throughout their pregnancy in different ways and forms, especially CBD topicals. When I prescribe something to my pregnant patients, it’s mostly CBD topicals used on their hips, knees or back, or something to help them sleep. I have a lot of colleagues that are CBD advocates or marijuana advocates – and have been pregnant – and they use marijuana all the time throughout pregnancy.

WOMEN’S HEALTH holds a host of wonder and woe. You can wash these words down with a glass of confidence, knowing they’ve been penned by a person of the uterus-possessing persuasion – one writer that (ripening into her 30s and the pressures of modern society) is increasingly surrounded by the mysteries of Mary Jane and the female body. So, we sat down with Dr. Celeste Saenz of Vitalis Naturopathic Centre in Seattle – a primary care physician and naturopath with a doctorate from Seattle’s renowned Bastyr University and 15 years of experience – for a little perspective.

For the last five years, Dr. Saenz has seen 20-40 patients per week at her clinic Vitalis. While she welcomes all clients, her specialty is in women’s health with a focus on “foundational medicine like food, sleep, nutrition and counseling.” Her day-to-day practice involves bloodwork, functional analysis, homeopathic and energetic medicine, but as we learned quickly, Dr. Saenz draws from a rich history of holistic and matriarchal medicine.

VITALIS NATUROPATHIC CENTRE, INC. 5020 MERIDIAN AVE N SEATTLE, WA VITALISINC.COM | @SHELLESTE

What women’s wellness issue needs more attention? I think the sleep issue is getting pretty bad these days: sleep, detox and stress management. Rounding out stress needs to be addressed on a kind of spiritual and personal level. I think women have, in some ways, lost the artform of de-stressing. I think the rounding out of the stress, or the lack of valuing that, has really made a huge difference in women’s PMS, menstrual cycles, sleep and weight. It changes the rhythm of a woman’s body. Sleep is the first thing that a lot of my new patients are coming in to talk about. They come in like, ‘How do I get to sleep? I’m so stressed out!’ It’s sort of common right now. Biochemically, their cortisol levels are too high.

Do you incorporate Cannabis into any of your practices or treatments? Most people, especially in Seattle, come in and Cannabis is a part of their repertoire, so I’ll sort of help to tweak that or communicate to optimize their experience. And the old school treatments of putting marijuana in some alcohol and using it as muscle rub is something I used to prescribe for many years. But now we’ve got so many amazing local topical products, it’s incredible!

Cannabis use and pregnancy still stir up some controversy, but the plant has been a tool in ‘kitchen medicine’ kits like your great grandmother’s for ages. Why do you think that is? It’s the most ancient medicine. This is an old herb. This is a female ovary plant and we’re using this medicine with lots of oils – it’s almost like a milk (laughs) and we’ve been using it as pain relief and emotional support for so long. It’s old and so is mothering! They’ve been evolving together for a while and go hand in hand. My great grandmother was using that [Cannabis] topically, and I’m pretty sure she would use some of it internally when necessary with nausea or even psychosis. Pregnancy can bring a lot of emotional components out. So a little bit of internal use is valid when necessary. Again, it’s so individualized but I’m not shy about that. It’s a taboo topic for some, so I don’t start there unless the patient is already there. Then I help triage that further.

“When I prescribe something to my pregnant patients, it’s mostly CBD topicals used on their hips, knees or back, or something to help them sleep.”

Beyond THC

Diving into the wonderful world of alternative compounds in Cannabis.

While this Cannabinoid might be the most famous in health circles, there’s a reason for the positive press that this compound receives. Originally found in THC flower as a minor Cannabinoid, this wonder drug is now extracted from hemp – making it much more accessible to the world, as it’s time consuming to grow CBD-rich Cannabis. But if you have the chance to smoke true CBD-rich weed (not hemp flower), we recommend it for a relaxing feel-good buzz.

Today you can find CBD in almost everything from tinctures to creams to lubes, with varying effects depending on dosage and the product. Generally speaking, CBD is fantastic for anxiety and depression, as well as for minimizing pain and inflammation, and for stopping seizure disorders. It also helps regulate mood and memory, and may be helpful in the fight against Alzheimer’s (which THC has also shown to reduce symptoms of in studies on rats). CBD should be a part of any Cannabis user’s regular diet, and we recommend at least 25mg per serving to get your endocannabinoid system flush with this helpful compound.

CBD CBC

CBC is an often overlooked Cannabinoid that has major potential benefits and no psychoactive effects, which is likely why the weed industry has largely ignored it. CBC is known to work synergistically with other Cannabinoids (the aforementioned Entourage Effect), helping the body as it battles ailments ranging from cancer to inflammation. CBC has shown in mouse studies to slow tumor growth by stopping new cancer cells from generating, and could hold the key to stopping certain types of the disease altogether. CBC is also good for the brain – helping to regulate homeostasis, and

could help to prevent neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s. It’s also great for acne, so look for CBC in a topical form for happy skin.

CBG

CBG is really the wonder Cannabinoid that is helpful and doesn’t get you “high” – although we always find getting a good buzz to be beneficial! CBG binds to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain, which are the gateways to the endocannabinoid system – delivering a wide range of benefits, including fighting cancer cells, combating inflammation, treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease, helping with nausea and even acting as a powerful anti-bacterial. While CBG is known to actually counteract the effects of heavy-THC doses (meaning it can calm a high down), we found a mild euphoria accompanied the wonderful medicinal effects that we now refer to as the CBG giggles.

Delta 8 THC | Over the last few years, Delta 8 THC products have exploded across the country, with edibles and vapes filling head shop shelves. Delta 8 THC can be found naturally in Cannabis, although the extracted version is a hemp-derived isomer of CBD, which converts the CBD into a more playful Cannabinoid. Generally viewed as both safe and delivering a less psychoactive high, many users report happy effects when vaping or eating Delta 8 THC. As with all alternative Cannabinoid products, the brand matters when it comes to product safety and testing – so look to a trusted brand that’s already in the THC game to find your Delta 8 buzz.

THC-O & HHC | With weed still illegal in many places, those with a love for science and pot are working to find new ways to get high that don’t come from traditional Delta 9 THC, and can be questionably sold at gas stations and smoke shops. THC-O is considered three times more potent than normal THC, and is made in a lab by adding Acetic Anhydride (an ingredient in Aspirin) to produce this not-found-in-nature Cannabinoid. Users report heady euphoria and a strong body high.

HHC is a similar lab-created Cannabinoid that adds a hydrogen molecule to hemp-derived THC (which makes it technically legal), and has very similar effects to traditional THC. With questionable testing and no regulation, there’s no replacing good ol’ THC from mother nature.

A Word to the Weed Wise

While we don’t recommend trying gas station synthetic weed, or any gas station energy or sexual potency pills, a world of Cannabis products does exist that you might not find at your regular weed shop. The best advice for finding quality alternative Cannabinoids is to start at your dispensary and ask the staff for a specific Cannabinoid like CBD or CBG, and inquire as to which brands that make THC products might have other options. Many have full online stores with CBD and other infused products that you can mail to your house legally.

So as we head into the unknown of 2023 and beyond, look to Cannabis for new ways to help you and your friends and family. We all have health issues that could benefit from this amazing plant

in

“The best advice for finding quality alternative Cannabinoids is to start at your dispensary and ask the staff for a specific compound like CBD or CBG.”

… and

that sense, it really is a wonderful new world we live in.

THE NEW YEAR/NEW YOU FAD IS IN FULL GEAR, and while major lifestyle changes can be elusive, working alternative Cannabinoids into your wellness protocol can be easier than quitting your favorite vice. Although there are over 100 minor Cannabinoids that researchers have yet to study, we’ve put together a primer on the ones most commonly found in products today. Together with terpenes and THC, these lesser-known chemicals work in concert to achieve what’s known as the Entourage Effect – where the elements of the plant work in harmony to create wellness. While none of this should be read as medical advice, our modern world offers plenty of emerging research on these Cannabinoids and surrounding topics, and we encourage everyone interested in integrating Cannabis into their health and wellness routines to explore the world of alternative Cannabinoids!

Replacing The Ritual

How Cannabis can be a healthier alternative to regularly consuming alcohol.

For many people, Cannabis helps with everyday issues. It can ease social anxiety, spark creativity, fight pain, calm nausea. For others, Cannabis can be a literal life saver. Sean Scott is in the latter camp.

A few years back, the New York-based photographer found himself facing a tough truth about his lifestyle. While working at a tech company, what started with casual drinks after work developed into a self-destructive spiral.

“It was a great social lubricant,” Scott said. “It wasn’t a problem until it was. I always showed up to work, I didn’t drink on the job, I didn’t get into a fistfight. There were all these things that made me actually believe that it isn’t as bad as it actually is.”

He started experiencing blackouts. Still, he continued to tell himself that he was fine, and that he was able to maintain. Then a roommate showed him a video of himself that changed his life.

“I’d gone down to the bar, had about five or six cocktails, cashed out, came home, fell asleep on the couch,” he said. “I remember being really proud of myself [for not drinking that much].”

Later, he found out he’d woken up, blacked out.

“My roommate caught video of me screaming my head off, about what I have no idea, because I had a great week. … Then I take a right turn and try to launch myself out of a 40-story window like an Avenger. No memory of it. … Luckily the windows are hurricane proof.”

Seeing that video woke Scott up to the stark realization that he needed to change his habits. He adopted a lifestyle that an increasingly large number of people are calling “California sober” – utilizing Cannabis and microdoses of psilocybin to help reprogram his mind, leaving alcohol behind.

“It’s not enough to create a psychedelic effect, but what it did do, was that it allowed me to deal with the issues of alcohol addiction in real time, rather than becoming a victim to this state of despair,” he said. “Alcohol really trains the brain to look at all the negatives. … Poor me, poor me, pour me another drink. [Psilocybin] especially allowed me to peel back the onion layers of what was going on with me internally that was driving me to go and drink. I’m talking about the ritual of going down to the bar to have just one.”

For Scott, it wasn’t only about consumption of Cannabis and psilocybin and the physical effects they provided. It was about transference of attention. It was about replacing the ritual.

“If you’re doing the ritual of going to the bar after work, and you’re drinking, over a period of time the neurons in your brain – that whole pathway – is getting stronger,” he said. “It’s like building a bicep. What will eventually happen is that you will find yourself saying, ‘I don’t want to go to the bar, and I don’t want to drink.’ But then five o’clock on Friday comes around, and now I have the pull of that ritual, because it’s five o’clock on Friday, that’s where everybody is. … Having a ritual to come home to – cleaning out the bowl, washing the bong – that’s a way to interrupt that whole cycle of going out to the bars.”

Because the Alcoholics Anonymous program would not allow for Cannabis consumption – they only allow for sugar, caffeine and nicotine – Scott turned to Instagram, posting his “Days Count” and started building a support network there.

Scott also took his interest in the bar life and poured it into a love for Cannabis photography and cultivation.

“For Scott, it wasn’t only about the consumption of Cannabis and psilocybin, and the physical effects they provided. It was about transference of attention. It was about replacing the ritual. ”

“Growing Cannabis was the thing that kept me sober,” he said. “Hand in soil.”

The act of caring for plants kept him steady. So did the fear of blacking out while caring for Cannabis plants then waking up in a holding cell.

Now, more than three years later, Scott is more than three years sober. He’s rediscovered a profound love for the plant that has only deepened after decades of being a Cannabis consumer. His love for life has been renewed. He’s able to go to bars with his friends without considering a drink. He’s found a Cannabis-assisted sobriety community online.

“There have been hundreds of Cannabis cultivators from around the country who have reached out to me and said, ‘You know what? I had a problem with alcohol, too. Cannabis helped me stay sober, and I’m celebrating 25 years this month,’” he said. “Hundreds. I don’t know what it is about growing the plant. I don’t know. All I know, from my personal experience, is that maybe it’s plant therapy. Maybe it’s keeping something alive. Maybe it’s the routine. Maybe it’s a combination of all of that. All I can say is that it’s made me a better person.”

Sean Scott, left, and one of the detailed bud shots he’s known for, right.

Clear The Chaos

In a University of Chicago study in May of 2022, scientists tested brain function while under the influence of Cannabis and it showed that there was increased activity of alpha and theta waves after consuming THC. So, when you’re meditating on Cannabis, you’re activating both of those brain waves simultaneously, heightening the experience.

Motion. Can you hear it? It’s everywhere. Everything we know is in constant movement … and movement creates noise. This is part of modern living, and without it, you become suspicious.

If you ask just about anyone, their Shangri La is somewhere quiet, devoid of distraction – a place where they can escape the rigors of life’s constant activity. At home, even if you turn off the television, draw the curtains and attempt to remove anything in your immediate vicinity that makes a sound, the HVAC unit will unexpectedly break the moment.

As you stay on point with the daily patterns that equate to your survival and growth, the basic human need for serenity, on some level – a place to center your existence – gets lost in the shuffle.

There is a solution. As much as your activities equate to a lifestyle that is filled with distractions demanding your attention, it’s not as much about relocating to somewhere you can hide from it all. It’s about a change in mindset. It’s about identifying your sanctuary, a place where you can recalibrate and begin again with a fresh outlook.

Because when it’s finally “me” time, you want to maximize the reward you’ve earned that equates to healing and improving your overall mental health. It’s not necessarily about entirely changing your vibration – it’s about tapping into a different frequency.

According to Nina Wasankari – a Certified Meditation Teacher, in addition to being Marketing Director at Canna West Seattle retail shop – the best way of getting to that place where you can clear the chaos starts with improving your ethos. And that begins with finding a way to create balance in your hectic life: balance within yourself and the over stimulation, tapping into a personal sense of calm.

“It’s about achieving stillness,” she says, “we all want it, and we all need it.”

For many it is so difficult to shut out the racing thoughts. So how can Cannabis be a factor in finding your own little sliver of nirvana?

“The word meditation is a Latin word that means ‘to ponder,’” says Wasankari. “And the practice of meditation goes back 6,000 years. The purpose was and still is, to alleviate suffering and to attain spiritual enlightenment. Cannabis has been around for 12,000 years for medicinal and spiritual purposes. The two combined can be a very effective combination.”

Coincidentally, when you’re meditating, alpha and theta brain waves are increased. The alpha waves put you in a mentally and physically relaxed state. Theta waves bring about inner concentration, awareness and focus, like daydreaming.

“There was a point where I didn’t feel like I was achieving the deep meditative state I wanted to get to,” says Wasankari. “After practicing for a while, I found that it was improving my mental and physical health. At the same time, I had been learning about high level meditation, but still, that deeper experience seemed to be eluding me. Then I tried combining the two and experienced something remarkable.”

She certainly wasn’t the first person to attempt this wonderful feat, but like with anything to do with Cannabis, the effects may vary depending on the person.

“It allowed me to achieve stillness,” she gleams, eager to further validate this discovery. “There’s this yoga/meditation called Kaya Sthairyam, which means body stillness. It’s being able to remain still for at least 30 minutes without moving the body. Well, Cannabis helped me achieve just that. After I ate an edible, I ended up in a very deep spiritual meditation for over an hour. I totally lost track of time. Since then, I’ve incorporated it into my practice.”

So, what about the beginner who loves the idea of disappearing into the ether for a quick reboot, but has difficulty even getting started? Begin by sitting still for at least five minutes a day. As you get more comfortable with the routine, you will gradually move forward to higher meditation levels. In fact, there are wonderful, guided meditations online that will direct you through the process, helping you to become the peaceful, calm, enlightened person the world wants to see. And if you need some help getting in the mood, you should begin “to ponder” the perfect strain to usher you into the right headspace.

STORY by MIKE RICKER

Photo by Nina Wasankari @guiltyartmusic

“It’s about achieving stillness. We all want it, we all need it.”

SINCE THE FIRST Caribbean pirate washed down his minnow stew with peppercorn spiced rum, the mouth mane has stood as a solid sign of masculinity. However, as hair trends wane and wax, the last 30 years or so have not been friendly to the man stache. Like, if you donned a thick one and a person caught a glimpse in their periphery, they might do a double-take, curiously considering if they’d just witnessed a caterpillar nesting under a stranger’s nose.

But the moustache is cool again.

Now, this is not to be confused with the molestache. A dude rocking a confident, purposefully maintained lip wig has nothing to hide. But when a dandruff filter protrudes over the orifice like a warning label to hide anything that’s pretty, you wonder if twisted thoughts may be at play.

This also does not include the Saddam Hussein. That’s the abundantly flourishing frown fur that seconds as a push broom.

A good example is the wiry-haired Baby Boomer whose peach fuzz began emerging in the 6th grade, eventually blossoming into a thick black pipe cleaner that is as much a part of his appearance as the brown teeth.

We’re talking about guys who draw attention with intention, celebrating the bro-grow as a statement. Be it in defiance to conformity or absolute ownership of his gender identification, he boldly brandishes his face flag as a male human recognizing gallantry as a virtue. It is proudly presented as part of his personal brand.

It’s different this time. Call it a comeback.

The stigma is ending, and we are entering a new era of acceptance. Kinda like Cannabis.