Mar. 2021 - Oregon Leaf

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

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#81 | MAR. 2021

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Tripping out at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore.

Trilli-Yums Psychedelic Mushroom-Infused Dark Chocolates

Leaf Nation’s Barron Wolfe interviews Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research PhD David Bryce Yaden, on the lasting power of psychedelics.

budtender of the month

shop review

[

FLETCHER WOLD

30 Shey Carter

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

Eden Craft Cannabis

56

34 The Bake Shop, Salem

feature

50 Cannabis as a Psychedelic

Ketamine Therapy and You

Dr. Radu Kramer shares his wealth of experience and knowledge on the emerging field of Ketamine therapy, and reveals how the psychedelic treatment can help with depression and creating new paths.

////////// story by barron wolfe photo by scott semler

mar. 2021

profile

MR. MELTY

54

ERIC KAYNE

feature

FLETCHER WOLD

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11 13 14 18 22 26 30 34 38 44 48 49 50 51 52 54 56 58 59 62 66 68 70 72 76 78 80 82 86

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EDITOR’S NOTE N AT I O N A L N E W S H I G H LY L I K E LY BUDTENDER Q&A STONER OWNERS LUVLI WOMEN IN WEED: DOUBLEBLIND PAT I E N T B R E N D O N W I L D E R THE BAKE SHOP REVIEW GNOME GROWN GROW TOUR STRAIN OF THE MONTH THE PSYCHEDELIA ISSUE PSYCHEDELIA 101 PSYCHEDELIC CANNABIS MICRODOSING JOURNEY E D D I E F U N X TA P R O F I L E JOHNS HOPKINS RESEARCHER K E TA M I N E T H E R A P E U T I C S READING ENERGY F U T U R E L E G I S L AT I O N P S Y C H E D E L I C C H O C O L AT E S EDIBLE OF THE MONTH C O N C E N T R AT E O F T H E M O N T H OFF THE SHELF REVIEWS TA N N I N S & T E R P E N E S COOKING WITH CANNABIS GLASS ART LEAFSHOTS CANNTHROPOLOGY STONEY BALONEY

DANIEL BERMAN

THE psychedelia ISSUE

#81

[

MARCH 2021

issue

FULL LINE OF SINGLE-SOURCE CANNABIS PRODUCTS

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THE psychedelia ISSUE LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

10

mar. 2021

GLASS ART

78 STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST | PHOTO by SAMUEL FARLEY @THC_SAMUEL

Learn more about the inspiration behind this incredible glass piece

by Eusheen x Darby

E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0

T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E

N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F /

A B O U T T H E C OV E R

Editor’s Note

ILLUSTRATIONS by MR. MELTY MRMELTY.COM / @MR.MELTY

I’d finally decided to indulge in magic mushrooms, and unknowingly ate about three grams of blue-tinged caps (this was before identification of mushrooms or weed strains was common) and proceeded to have an epic melt at a house party. I don’t remember much, except for walking around a house with a container of Quaker Oatmeal, repeatedly asking people, “Why is the Quaker Oats man so happy?” I also reportedly ate a lot of raw oats.

CONTRIBUTORS

WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES TYLER CAMERON, PHOTOS AMANDA DAY, FEATURES ALEX DUBS, PHOTOS + FEATURES STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS SAMUEL FARLEY, PHOTOS ERIC KAYNE, PHOTOS GEORGIA LOVE, PHOTOS JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING ZACK RUSKIN, FEATURES MR. MELTY, ILLUSTRATIONS SCOTT SEMLER, PHOTOS O’HARA SHIPE, FEATURES PACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURES JAMIE VICTOR, ILLUSTRATION DAN VINKOVETSKY, FEATURES NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES BARRON WOLFE, FEATURES

CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN

DANIEL@BERMANPHOTOS.COM

STATE DIRECTOR MAX EARLY | AD SALES

MAX@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM 303-746-9067

SALES DIRECTOR MAKANI NELSON | AD SALES

MAKANI@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM 808-754-4182

We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in the next issue of Oregon Leaf Magazine. We do not sell stories or coverage. We can offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s medicinal, recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis business within our magazine and on our website, oregonleaf.com. Email max@leafmagazines.com or makani@leafmagazines.com for more info on supporting Oregon Leaf!

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Thanks for picking up The Psychedelia Issue of the Leaf!

WHILE I DIDN’T listen to my DARE instructors about Cannabis, or a few other fun substances in college, one warning I always believed in through my college years was to beware of psychedelics. We had all heard the stories of the friend who took 10 hits of acid and wasn’t the same, or the horror stories of eating the wrong mushroom and dying. To be fair, these are true warnings – and I took them seriously until one fateful winter night.

Needless to say, this wasn’t my idea of a typical college party night and I went back to my weed smoking ways for nearly a decade, with the memory of eating too many mushrooms burned into my brain as a powerful warning against psychedelics.

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“I FELT CONNECTED TO THE PAST AND PRESENT IN A WHOLE NEW WAY.”

Fast forward to my 29th birthday and I had tickets to see the Terracotta Warriors Exhibit at the Seattle Science Center on Friday, and chose to indulge in a little LSD at the suggestion of close friends. Standing in the immersive Augmented Reality exhibit with amazing color-changing, motion-triggered exhibits while in the presence of the 2,250-plus-yearold warriors gave me a feeling of connection unlike anything I’d ever felt. It was transcendental, and I knew in that moment I would have a new relationship with psychedelics. I felt connected to the past and present in a whole new way, which was heightened by the presence of ancient talismans meant to protect the Chinese Emperor in the afterlife. The experience changed my frame of reference in many ways, especially in regards to opening my mind and consciousness to new experiences.

Since that fateful trip I’ve had the pleasure of unlearning the DARE propaganda, and also ignoring the wooks at festivals offering drugs – instead finding a happy medium between research and controlled experiences, with much intention into the set, setting and those around me as I opened my mind with psilocybin, LSD and DMT in ceremonies that have had major benefit in my life. I went from scared to take a substance (for many good reasons) to being scared not to challenge my own frame of reference while confronting the issue of consciousness and my place in the universe. Today, that fear is what drives me to explore the final frontier of psychedelic therapies and substances.

Over 2,000 years ago, Socrates famously said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I believe that wholeheartedly, and that the use of entheogenic plants is a way to explore one’s life in a way that should be part of everyone’s life experience. We have but a short time on this planet, and finding peace and meaning within the journey will help us to find peace when we reach the destination. While I don’t plan to go out like Aldous Huxley, I have learned from his writings and plan to be in a happy place when my brain releases DMT for the final time, as I pass into the great beyond.

I hope my words can inspire those with fear about psychedelics (or life itself) to explore, learn and live in the moment – and that this amazing Psychedelia Issue put together by our amazing Leaf team can be an inspiration and guide to your future experiences.

*THE CONTENT IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY*

-Wes Abney MAR. 2021

oregonlEAF.COM

CONNECT WITH OREGON LEAF! @OREGONLEAF

ABNEY

This month’s intensely euphoric artwork comes to us from the highly tuned mind of New Mexico-based psychedelic artist Kevin Vigil, better known as Mr. Melty, whose illustrations appear throughout the magazine’s special section. The work is as colorful as it is explosive, and as beautiful as it is daring. In our 2nd annual Psychedelia Issue, we wanted to explore how these powerful experiences can help body and soul to reach their full potential.

Who better to lead us on our psychedelic journey than Mr. Melty, an artist “inspired by the beauty and powerful grace of our natural surroundings paired with the metaphysical elements of our inner being.”

PUBLISHER WES@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

WES

N O RT H E AS T L E A F

ELEVATE

YOUR

SENSES [

]

WARNINGS: For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

Do not drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana.

california

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER VOICES SUPPORT FOR CANNABIS REFORM, POT STOCKS BOOM!

S

enate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s commitment to reform federal marijuana laws sent Cannabis stocks surging in February, thrilling advocates – but experts warn high hurdles remain for legislation to pass Congress, reports Marijuana Business Daily. With 60 votes likely required for passage in the Senate, today’s hyper-partisan atmosphere on Capitol Hill could make that a real challenge. Banking reform, however, is a more achievable short-term goal, as it enjoys strong bipartisan support.

The South

ADVOCATES BACK SOCIAL EQUITY IN VIRGINIA MARIJUANA BILLS

D

15

percent THC would have been the potency limit for Cannabis flowers under a now-abandoned Colorado plan.

MAR. 2021

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debilitating conditions are covered under Mississippi’s medical marijuana law.

| For nearly two decades, the Emerald Cup has been the go-to festival and competition for people from all over the world who want to immerse themselves in California sungrown Cannabis culture.

Historically focused on flower and products from the Emerald Triangle, the Cup packs out increasingly larger venues year after year, drawing huge crowds, legendary cultivators and killer mainstage entertainment.

BY TOM BOWERS

FOR THE 2021 EVENT, founder Tim Blake, his daughter Taylor Blake, and their team were excited to try something new by moving the competition to Los Angeles, and expanding the contest categories to include indoor cultivators for the first time in the event’s history.

But, as with everything in this post-COVID world, the Emerald Cup has had “I’M REALLY GOING TO MISS THE IN-PERSON to reinvent itself in order to fit the new temporary pandemic paradigm. “I’m EVENT THIS YEAR,” really going to miss the in-person event this year,” founder Tim Blake said FOUNDER TIM BLAKE over a Zoom call in February. “Crisis is an opportunity. We have a crisis, and SAID OVER A ZOOM now we have an opportunity.” Blake sees this as a chance to develop new CALL IN FEBRUARY. judging procedures and categories, while also welcoming a broader, more geographically widespread audience with an online format. In order to make the event work, the Emerald Cup has partnered with Social Club TV for a digital broadcast of the awards.

The Cup still plans to continue its tradition of complementing the awards ceremony with killer entertainment on the livestream, featuring a to-be-announced lineup of comic and musical entertainers on board to liven up the proceedings. Judging, much of which has involved in-person analysis and deliberation in the past, has moved to Zoom for everything but the initial flower assessments and a final assessment, which will happen in-person in a safe, socially-distanced fashion in Petaluma. Nearly 100 judges will weigh in on more than 40 categories, before the Cup selects winners in each contest.

Aside from the temporary changes to the format, Blake says the Cup is making a significant alteration to the way it handles flower categorization. This year, flower entries will be grouped by their primary terpenes, with the best in each class heading to the awards. This change, coupled with the fact that this is the first year in history that the Cup will entertain an indoor flower category, means everyone’s favorite consumer-facing California Cannabis competition is only getting more interesting in the wake of 2020.

Stay tuned for more updates, as we’ll follow the Emerald Cup as the team works to put together a celebration of harvest for the fall, and preps for the real live and in-person Los Angeles debut in 2022.

In the meantime, we’ll catch you online. THEEMERALDCUP.COM

13

HEALTH & SCIENCE

NEW STUDY OFFERS EVIDENCE THAT LEGAL CANNABIS LEADS TO FEWER DEATHS FROM OPIOIDS

C

ounties with more Cannabis dispensaries saw fewer opioid-related deaths, according to a new study recently published by the University of California, Davis, reports The THE STUDY’S RESULTS Sacramento Bee. While study co-author Greta Hsu cautioned that correlation is not SUGGEST A POTENTIAL causality, she said the results suggest a potential relationship between greater prevalence of RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN dispensaries and fewer recorded opioid fatalities. “Given the alarming rise in the United States’ GREATER PREVALENCE OF fentanyl-based market and in deaths involving fentanyl and its analogs in recent years, the CANNABIS DISPENSARIES AND question of how legal Cannabis availability relates to opioid-related deaths can be regarded as FEWER RECORDED a particularly pressing one,” researchers said in a statement released by UC Davis.

OPIOID FATALITIES.

73

percent of North Carolina voters favor medical Cannabis according to a new poll.

67

percent more Cannabis was bought

by Americans in 2020 than in 2019.

$300m $831m dollars in annual revenue is the estimated amount that would be added to Virginia’s coffers if adultuse Cannabis were legalized.

dollars in revenue was reported by Oklahoma medical Cannabis dispensaries in their first year (2020).

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

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

emocrats in the Virginia General Assembly say that social equity is important when ending the criminalization of Cannabis, and that includes ending the disparate criminalization of people of color.

Separate bills approved by the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates in February would legalize possession of up to an ounce of weed for adults 21 and older. Both bills would also begin automatically AUTOMATICALLY expunging misdemeanor EXPUNGING marijuana offenses from criminal MISDEMEANOR records on July 1.

MARIJUANA Reparations to people of OFFENSES FROM CRIMINAL color and communities hurt by RECORDS ON disparate Cannabis enforcement JULY 1. would include a program giving those who have been harmed preference for licenses to get into the marijuana business as cultivators, wholesalers, processors and retailers.

Virginia’s new Democratic majority already decriminalized Cannabis last year, making simple possession of up to an ounce punishable by a $25 civil fine.

EMERALD CUP ADDS INDOOR AND GOES ONLINE FOR 2021

NATIONAL NEWS

politics

highly likely

Highly Likely highlights Cannabis pioneers who paved the way to greater herbal acceptance.

rOBERT aLTMAN

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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

As one of the greatest filmmakers of American cinema, director Robert Altman is responsible for the creation of such films as “M*A*S*H,” “Nashville,” “Short Cuts,” and “The Player.” In many ways, he was a sort of ‘outside artist’ in Hollywood – working with his trademark large ensemble casts and often utilizing unconventional methods for the direction of films. All of this contributed to Altman being beloved by many in the film business, making him a sort of ‘director’s director.’

A

LTMAN WAS UNAPOLOGETICALLY OUTSPOKEN about his

political views and various social causes. He was an anti-war activist (both about Vietnam and the invasion of Iraq in 2003), and he was an atheist who saw no issue in speaking out about his beliefs.

Pertinent to this column, he was also a Cannabis enthusiast.

Altman was one of the most high-ranking members of the NORML (National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws) board. During his storied career he discovered what most of us have learned already: Cannabis is safer than alcohol and better for creativity, saying, “I was a heavy drinker, but the alcohol affected my heart rather than my liver. So I stopped. I smoke grass now. I say that to everybody, because marijuana should be legalized. It’s ridiculous that it isn’t. If at the end of the day I feel like smoking a joint, I do it. It changes the perception of what I’ve been through all day.”

mar. 2021

Indeed, Altman never shied away from his love for the herb. One of his first short films was “Pot Au Feu” (named for a French dinner of boiled meats and vegetables), which shows everyday French people doing everyday things – all while enjoying a joint. He produced the film in 1966 for less than $1,000, and today, you can watch it on YouTube.

Then there’s the screenwriter Michael Tolkin who described working with Altman on the set of the 1992 film “The Player,” as a studio setting with a lot of Cannabis consumption happening.

Altman was Not to mention the actor unapologetically Donald Sutherland thought that outspoken about the amount of smoke on the set of the film “M*A*S*H” was his political actually for special effects – the views and cause, it turned out, was the various social copious amounts of weed that causes.

Altman was smoking on set. This list of stories goes on and on…

Robert Altman was in many ways an outsider in Hollywood, as he often preferred to allow actors to improvise their roles, giving a looseness to his directorial style.

He also created new ways to develop a certain sort of overt satire in his movies, provoking their staying power upon multiple viewings.

While his films don’t necessarily follow the Hollywood ‘blockbuster’ style or script, he is often held in the same regard as directors like Martin Scorsese, David Lynch and Woody Allen.

But it’s Altman’s success and his activism for Cannabis that truly paved the way for our current, more tolerant culture of consumption in the United States. And for that, we all owe Robert Altman a debt of gratitude.

STORY by PACER STACKTRAIN for LEAF NATION

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interview

Shey Carter OREGON LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH

TE L L O R EG O N LEA F WH Y! E M A I L Y O U R N O M I N AT I O N S T O M A X @ L E A F M AG A Z I N E S . CO M

HOW HAS LEARNING ASL CHANGED YOUR LIFE? It all started with my younger sister who is autistic. For a good bit of time, she was deemed non-verbal, so we used sign language to communicate with her much easier. We knew simple signs and phrases to make things simple, but as I got older, I found that knowing ASL could help me not only in situations with the deaf, but also with other roadblocks that people may have that cause them to be non-verbal. And going through my medical training, it opened my eyes to just how real that type of thing is. Knowing sign language has changed my whole perspective on language and how people go about their daily lives, and has encouraged me to be a much more understanding and patient person myself.

WHAT DRIVES YOUR PASSION FOR CANNABIS? I have a passion for helping people. There are many ways to help people through the right Cannabis products.

Of course, Cannabis is no cure-all, but to help even a little is my goal. I love it when customers come back to me looking and feeling better than they did before. It’s amazing and it makes me love my job all the more.

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF LIVING IN SALEM? I love the beauty that surrounds Salem. I’m right in the middle of so many beautiful places for photography and hiking, and I really get to enjoy what the Great Northwest has to offer. Salem has so many beautiful parks and hiking areas – for someone who enjoys camping and the outdoors as much as I do – it is a fantastic place to be.

Spring is my favorite time to go out in Salem, when all of the flowers are in bloom, during the night when the lights illuminate the small city and capitol we’ve built here.

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“I’M RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF SO MANY BEAUTIFUL PLACES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND HIKING, AND I REALLY GET TO ENJOY WHAT THE GREAT NORTHWEST HAS TO OFFER.”

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G O T A FAVO R I T E B U D T E N D E R ?

SHEY CARTER has a passion for helping people. Throughout her life she’s dedicated time to assisting others, most notably through her knowledge of ASL (American Sign Language) and her ability to comminate with those who are non-verbal or hearing impaired. With stigmas coming to end around Cannabis consumption, the industry needs to be available to anyone who wants to educate themselves more about the benefits the plant has to offer. By making Cannabis even more inclusive, Shey brings a lot to the table at Eden Craft Cannabis in Salem. EDENCRAFTCANNABIS.COM @EDENCRAFTCANNABIS 4618 PORTLAND RD NE UNIT 110 SALEM, OR (503) 990-7664 | OPEN 9AM-9PM

mar. 2021

HOW HAS EDEN CRAFT CANNABIS HELPED YOUR INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE? I personally have gained a lot of knowledge with the help of my manager, Nik. He always encourages us to do research on different topics and products on our own, encouraging our self-driven successes. In light of the knowledge I have gained, I wrote a ‘book’ (it’s actually a binder of information) in the shop for other people to read and gain the knowledge for themselves. It’s called ‘The Handy Dandy Book of Weed’ and it mostly goes over the basics of weed, while some parts go further in depth on certain topics. We are always adding to it as we find more information. I take a lot of pride in the fact that it has been helpful for those who have decided to read it.

HOW HAS ASL IMPROVED YOUR ABILITY TO SERVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? Learning ASL has served me well in many ways for the deaf community. As a minority, it is difficult enough for them to always get the help they are looking for, from things as simple as directions to issues as serious as proper health care. I wanted to be able to help them as much as possible in any position I can. I’m proud to be someone who can help my neighbor who is deaf get the relief he is looking for, without being concerned he was steered wrong by any lack of communication. As someone who has medical training and a desire to help others, I picked up learning fluent ASL to follow through with my abilities.

INTERVIEW by ALEX DUBS @WORKDUBS for OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

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mar. 2021

L-R, LUVLI Co-owners Rob Coleman, Sam Lasiter and Tim Zimmerman in Portland.

LUVLI is a Portland-area indoor cultivation company operated by co-owners Tim Zimmerman, Rob Coleman and Sam Lasiter. Long before the legalities of large warehouses and looming recreational regulators, the three friends grew herb in basements throughout the early 2000s. Since then, they’ve expanded significantly but find stability in keeping a small staff and sticking together as they push through the growing pains of Oregon’s industry.

We spoke with Zimmerman about the history of the company, their captivating cultivars, and LUVLI’s anti-corporate Cannabis stance.

HOW DID THE BRAND GET STARTED? In 2009, we decided to get out of our basements and move into our first warehouse. We were doing the medical thing at the time and we didn’t even think about branding! We came out of that era where you didn’t really talk about what you were doing. We didn’t even like going to grow stores back in the day! Branding was kind of new to us.

Once we got our Portland spot, we realized we needed a brand, but I think it really came last.

LUVLI came about because we were just trying to create a vibe. The company we hired to help us with branding ended up being dipshits, coming up with really corporate/stereotypical names for us and they hated the name LUVLI when we tossed it at them. We figured if they didn’t like it, it was probably good. We wanted something short and fun!

“Garlissimo (GMO x Gushers) from Cannarado. … It’s definitely my personal favorite and what I’ve been smoking on for a couple of months – low tester, but it’s a killer balance and checks all the boxes.”

WHAT CULTIVARS EXCITE YOU THESE DAYS?

We’re in this perpetual state of pheno-hunting, which is like a curse … but we’re super stoked on Leftovers right now! That’s a GMO cross with Biscotti Sundae – it’s a Cannarado strain.

We’ve been running some Gusher crosses and I really like Garlissimo (GMO x Gushers) from Cannarado. It’s definitely my personal favorite and what I’ve been smoking on for a couple of months – low tester, but it’s a killer balance and checks all the boxes.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN SELECTING A PHENOTYPE? We did our first pheno-hunt

of Garlicane and there was this one particular pheno with this amazing color and killer smell

– it even translated all the way through to the cure. It was like that kind of peppery, spicy, shitty smell of GMO with like a fruit, (Purple) Punch background to it. We all smoked it and came back together a couple of days later to talk about which ones we liked as a group. All of the employees – almost every single one of us – picked this one certain sample, so we sent them out for R&D testing and it came back with the lowest THC. But this happens all of the time!

The ones that we pick while blind testing, always come back with the lowest THC. We own part of a dispensary and it’s really hard when we have these new strains … even when you pull the THC off of the jars, people still come in and ask, ‘Oh, what’s the highest THC that you have?’

AS A COMPANY WITH A STRONG, ANTI-CORPORATE CANNABIS STANCE, WHAT DO YOU THINK LOCALLY-OWNED BRANDS LIKE YOURS BRING TO THE TABLE THAT CORPORATE CANNABIS MAY LACK? We’re not

perfect. We have plenty of failures ourselves, it’s kind of part of the game. But seeing these people from a tech background (or whatever) coming in, not really respecting the game, and dropping a bunch of money on t-shirts, sweatshirts and stupid shit, while they can’t grow any weed – that’s kind of where the anticorporate Cannabis thing began for us. It’s just based on hype … I mean, I’m friends with people in certain large businesses. I think there’s that honest understanding that they know how I feel about exploiting the local market, but I can also respect that they’re people with jobs to do.

A Stoner Owner is a Cannabis business owner who has a relationship with the plant. We want to buy and smoke Cannabis from companies that care about their products, employees and the plant. You wouldn’t buy food from a restaurant where the cooks don’t eat in the kitchen, so why buy corporate weed grown by a company only concerned with profits? Stoner Owner approval means a company cares, and we love weed grown with care. Let’s retake our culture and reshape a stigma by honoring those who grow, process and sell the best Cannabis possible.

INTERVIEW by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA | PHOTO by ALEX DUBS @WORKDUBS | LUVLI.COM @LUVLIPDX

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.

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feature

women in weed

DOUBLEBLIND MAGAZINE

MADISON MARGOLIN & SHELBY HARTMAN

DoubleBlind is a magazine, but it’s also a vision. Co-founded by friends and journalists Madison Margolin and Shelby Hartman in 2018, the project was the culmination of a mutual admiration the two shared going back to their days as classmates at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Following stints in which both worked as Cannabis columnists for LA Weekly, Hartman approached Margolin with a wild idea: a biannual print publication slash digital media company inspired by and in service to psychedelic medicine. Now at work on the magazine’s fifth issue (out in June), the pair spoke with California Leaf about their goals for DoubleBlind, the challenges of offering virtual mushroom growing courses, and what it means to have two women at the helm.

MADISON: ‘Set and setting’ should be as essential to the conversation about psychedelics as ‘don’t drink and drive’ is to alcohol.

SHELBY: Obviously, the number one thing that everyone wants to know is where they can get the drugs. Unfortunately, we can pretty much tell them just about everything but that. And that’s a very real barrier for people, which is something that I often forget. We’re living in Los Angeles – the center of ayahuasca globalization and true underground shroom chocolates – so we forget that there are people all across America who literally don’t even know where to get shrooms or how much to take if they do get hold of some. At DoubleBlind, we’re very devoted to harm reduction. We’re also very clear in saying that psychedelics are not for everyone and they’re not going to solve all your problems. However, if you do choose to do a psychedelic, here’s some information on how to make sure that you are doing it in a way that is safe and that you feel supported.

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WHAT’S THE ORIGIN OF DOUBLEBLIND? SHELBY: Madison and I were both very passionate about psychedelics and we were both reporting on psychedelics for a bunch of different outlets like Rolling Stone and Vice. I had the idea when I was meditating in my apartment, in November of 2018, that I wanted to start a psychedelic magazine – and then I just called Madison and asked her if she wanted to do it with me.

HOW DID YOU SHAPE WHAT THE FOCUS OF DOUBLEBLIND WAS GOING TO BE? MADISON: Psychedelics are the centerpiece of what we write about but I always like to say that psychedelics – and Cannabis, for that matter – are just ways of talking about everything else in the world. Whether it’s social equity, environmental justice policy, science, spirituality, queer culture, feminism, indigenous culture – whatever it is, psychedelics are our launching point to talk about all of these other things. DoubleBlind is not the first psychedelic publication, but the psychedelic publications that were already out there were catering to deep-state psychonauts – the ‘stoners of psychedelics’ or whatever. But there are, of course, people who read psychedelic content on Vice or Rolling Stone, and maybe they want to go deeper. We’re trying to exist at an intersection between Rolling Stone-style psychedelic content and the more esoteric stuff. We range in what we offer, from beginner content like ‘How to Take Mushrooms’ to other stories that expose readers to issues prescient in this time in psychedelic culture.

COLLECTIVELY, WHERE WOULD YOU SAY WE’RE AT IN TERMS OF OUR UNDERSTANDING AND EDUCATIONAL LEVEL CONCERNING PSYCHEDELIC MEDICINE? SHELBY: I would say that there are still a lot of people who don’t understand what we might think of as the fundamentals of psychedelic therapy and psychedelic medicine.

Madison has this saying...

mar. 2021

IN TERMS OF HOSTING VIRTUAL “Set and setting COURSES ON MUSHROOM GROWING, should be as WHAT WAS THE VIBE LIKE? essential to SHELBY: We’ve had over 1,000 people around the world grow mushrooms the conversation with us and they’ve just fallen in love about psychedelics with the process. It’s been so amazing as don’t drink and to see this beautiful community of people go from not knowing how to drive is to alcohol.” grow mushrooms, to now being totally -MADISON MARGOLIN hooked on it and wanting to take their mushroom growing to the next level.

We partnered with these three really incredible mycologists – Dr. Kay Mandrake of “The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible,” Darren Springer and Caine Barlow – and the three of them are basically going to be teaching people stuff like how to create their own library of mushroom genetics, which completely cuts the spore syringe uncertainty out of the equation.

BUT THE IDEA IS TO OFFER THE INFORMATION, NOT CONVINCE PEOPLE TO GET ON BOARD? Madison: Right. Our goal is never to proselytize, but we’re also not trying to speak to people like we’re on the message boards of Erowid – we’re not going that deep. It’s not about trying to get square people to be into psychedelics, but if you’re the type of person who maybe took MDMA once at Coachella and now you’re hearing that MDMA is also really good for PTSD, and you want to know what that’s about? Then come to DoubleBlind!

DOUBLEBLINDMAG.COM @DOUBLEBLINDMAG

STORY by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by GEORGIA LOVE @GEORGIALOVVE

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148TH & POWELL

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Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults twenty-one years of age and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

Check out our new varieties for 2021: OG Kush Hemp and Kush Hemp E1 3.0 See all the best hemp genetics in our 2021 Seeds, Starts and Clones Catalog!

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PATIENT OF THE MONTH

CANNABIS FOR MENTAL PEACE

BRENDONWILDER @ THEPUFFPASTOR Before Cannabis and making his new life in Bend, Brendon Wilder was a minister at a Christian megachurch in Texas. But a change of heart brought him to the Pacific Northwest – where he’s now spreading ‘the good news of weed” with his wife Anna and their creation, Wilder Culture – a company dedicated to bringing “authentic Cannabis culture to other areas of our country and the world.”

How do you incorporate Cannabis in your daily/regular life? I began smoking

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at a time in my life when I was healing from past religious trauma and literally relearning how to think about life itself. Cannabis helped me look at things in a way I hadn’t before, with ‘love yourself’ as its main commandment. It’s helped me to be more mindful and gentle with myself. It’s given me a perspective that inspires empathy.

What are some of your favorite products to consume? Most days, you can find me smoking four to five blunts, filled with two-and-a-half grams each of something indica-dominant from Tao Gardens, Eugreen, Evan’s Creek, Focus North and more. I also smoke solventless hash like Bo’s Nose Knows, Tao Bubble or Happy Cabbage, and when I do smoke BHO products, it’s always Echo Electuary. They’re excellent at what they do!

“I can say that psilocybin has allowed me to work on parts of myself that I couldn’t really get past with traditional therapy.”

What brought you from Texas? It was the Cannabis industry and culture that

drew my wife and me to the PNW. Upon moving to Oregon, I took a position as the Director of Brand Development with a patent-holding wellness company that had been gaining success in the California medical market. From there, my wife and I moved on to creating, distributing and marketing brands in the Washington recreational market.

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

What made you decide to call Oregon home? Three months after visiting

Bend for the first time, we found ourselves living here. We were looking for a change and immediately fell in love with the area, the people and the weed.

Until recently, we didn’t see ourselves leaving. But we are excited to be making a move to Oklahoma City soon, so we can dive head-first into a younger, developing medical Cannabis market.

What are your thoughts on the future of psilocybin use in Oregon and beyond? I think that a lot of people are hesitant to try psilocybin because of

their lack of knowledge. But I believe Oregon will continue to lead the way.

Decriminalizing psilocybin means that those who want to try it can, without fear of losing their freedom. It won’t be long until we are comparing potency tests on our favorite strains of psilocybin products, just like Cannabis!

What role has psilocybin played in your life? There’s something positive

taken from every experience, even if it’s as simple as increased empathy and understanding. I can say that psilocybin has allowed me to work on parts of myself that I couldn’t really get past with traditional therapy. It’s such a unique tool that allows me to increase self-awareness and self-love while focusing on the shit that actually matters each day.

mar. 2021

“I believe Oregon will continue to lead the way. Decriminalizing psilocybin means that those who want to try it can, without fear of losing their freedom.”

STORY & PHOTOS by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA for OREGON LEAF

All Things Cannabis For All People PODCAST leaflifepodcast AVAILABLE NOW:

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LEAFLIFEPODCAST.COM THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 or older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment.

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

SHOP REVIEW

ENVIRONMENT & VIBE With a spacious and open floor plan, customers have the freedom and space to roam throughout the store without feeling any pressure to make an immediate purchase. While scanning through their staggering selection of products and smoking accessories, I couldn’t help but bop my head as I heard my favorite hip hop songs playing on the sound system. Unlike many dispensaries that only display product menus on their TVs, The Bake Shop regularly has music videos and other excellent content running on flatscreen TVs for customers to enjoy while shopping. Don’t forget to read their educational charts on terpene profiles as well!

THE BAKE

HISTORY & VALUES

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Originating in Washington state, The Bake Shop opened its first dispensary in 2015. After building two more locations, their team knew they had to bring their vibes down to Oregon and show everyone what they have to offer. As we experienced during our visit, those vibes are quite unparalleled. We felt warm, inviting and positive energy, accompanied by a strong sense of passion as soon as we got there. Manager/Owner Kory Frank and his crew find it extremely important to make a deep connection with each person that walks through The Bake Shop’s door, whether they be a customer or vendor.

PRODUCT SELECTION

SALEM

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

Where do we get started? From flower to FECO, concentrates to cookies, bubblers to bongs, The Bake Shop has literally everything that any stoner’s heart could ever crave. Neatly organized display cases offer cartridges, extracts/concentrates, and more healthconscious options like tinctures and salves. With brands like Rolen Stone, Kleen Karma, RE-UP Farms and Rosebud Growers, customers can find high-grade Cannabis anywhere from seven to 15 bucks a gram.

If dabs are your preferred method of consumption, anticipate finding companies such as Dr. Jolly’s, Monkland and White Label Extracts ranging from 22 to 64 dollars. Additionally, The Bake Shop has a ton of killer attire and merchandise with their branding for sale. Keep an eye out for their new clothing line dropping sometime this year.

BUDTENDERS & SPECIALS There is no hiding that their staff is positively in the industry for all of the right reasons, and their love for the plant and the community couldn’t be more abundant. The Bake Shop offers daily discounts of 10% from 12:00-3:00 p.m. and 8:00-10:00 p.m., an Early Bird Special of 15% off storewide from 8:00 a.m.12:00 p.m., and a Happy Hour with 15% off from 3:00-8:00 p.m. Last but not least, this ambitious shop will price match with detailed proof.

THE BAKE SHOP 3125 PORTLAND RD NE B, SALEM, OR THEBAKESHOPCANNABIS.COM @OFFICIALBAKESHOP_SALEM OPEN 9AM-10PM DAILY | (971) 332-5433

mar. 2021

LOCATED IN Oregon’s capital, Salem, The Bake Shop has been a dispensary that all walks of life can count on for high quality Cannabis, genuine assistance and much more. Stop by to grab some of the hottest products in the industry!

E SHOP

FROM FLOWER TO FECO, CONCENTRATES TO COOKIES, BUBBLERS TO BONGS, THE BAKE SHOP HAS LITERALLY EVERYTHING THAT ANY STONER’S HEART COULD EVER CRAVE.

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ROSE B U D G ROW E R S

P D X DAB S

rosebudkush

grapeoctanekashrosin

BRED BY Solfire Genetics, Rosebud Kush is a phenotype of Don Mega (GMO x Black Banana) that Rosebud Growers carefully hunted and selected. This bud shines bright like a chandelier with an endless amount of trichomes. Robust notes of funky garlic permeated my nose as soon as I popped the top. This heavy-hitter will knock your socks off and surely put you right to sleep. $15/g, 29.03% THC, @rosebudgrowers

GRAPE OCTANE is a legendary cross of Grape Pie and High Octane OG, bred by Cannarado Genetics. This full-spectrum hash rosin is derived utilizing whole plant fresh frozen material. After taking a lowtemp dab, my mouth had flavors of pine trees and waffle cones dancing throughout it. The effect was very balancing and stress relieving, making it an ideal end of the day smoke. $64/g, 68.9% THC @pdx_dabs

REVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

What’s the story behind your cannabis?

www.dutchvf.com | @dutchvalleyfarms | www.psoregon.com | @permasolventlessoregon

CERTIFIED KIND FLOWER AND SOLVENTLESS CONCENTRATES THEVERDANTLEAF

grow tour LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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Positioned in the cozy countryside of Oregon City, a cherished company known as Gnome Grown Organics sits snug.

With intentions to conduct a ‘closed-loop’ operation, this earth-friendly garden takes pride in reusing soil and trellis netting, as well as having a compost system set in place.

Another unique trait about this company is that they make nutrients by fermenting fruits and plants found on their property...

mar. 2021

Ice Cream Cake looking frosty frost.

OREGON CITY

gnome

>> grown STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by ALEX DUBS @WORKDUBS

grow tour

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gnome grown Continued from pg. 39

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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ith a hot line-up of genetics, living water sourced from virgin and untouched Parrot Creek, and a distinguished approach to feeding their soil with self-made inputs and locally made products, Gnome Grown is the pinnacle of highquality Cannabis. Co-founder Dan McAllister is continually thinking outside of the box by introducing new inputs into their garden, pushing himself out of his comfort zone time and time again in hopes of increasing results each round.

Dan’s wife and co-founder, Lynn McAllister, plays a quintessential role in supporting farm operations and administration. Co-owner Brent Stewart covers company expansion, planning, and retail oversight. Altogether, they work collectively as a team to help bring Oregon some of the most quality products possible.

Partners & Gnome Grown Co-owners Dan and Lynn McAllister, stand alongside Ice Cream Cake and Redneck Wedding.

mar. 2021

While walking through their well-kept processing building, our team glimpsed into the clone tent only to see some of the most sought-after genetics in the industry. We are talking Runtz, Gushers, Horchata … the list goes on and on.

@gnomegrownorganics gnomegrownorganics.com

strains 80+

plants 3,500

employees 22

pounds harvested annually 1,600

Primary grow style No-till living soil

Lighting P.L. Double Ended HPS

Nutrients Organics Alive, Roots Organics

Canopy size (Indoors) 7,000 sq. ft.

(Hoop Houses) 3,500 sq. ft.

Beneath the beaming bright lights, our eyes widened as we observed rails of resin coating each leaf of Ice Cream Cake.

We also got to take a look at their delectable and super loud Ice Cream Cake and GMO flower on the drying racks a few rooms over.

Next, we wandered over to a newer greenhouse that housed the vegetative and mother plants. As soon as the door opened, our eyes witnessed a room full of lush and luminous gems.

Their mother and smaller vegetative plants had a vigorous shine to them, looking remarkably healthy.

Dan then led us over to one of their two Next G3N greenhouses, which contained strains like Redneck Wedding by Surfr Seeds and Montana Blueberry in week four of the flowering stage. While walking down a few rows of headhigh plants, we witnessed the love and connection that their team has for Cannabis. We could tell that everyone working loved their job, and were happy people growing happy plants.

These positive vibrations ensure that Gnome Grown’s plants receive the most love they could ever possibly experience throughout their life cycle.

After feeling the vibes of their staff, we ventured into the second Next G3N. In week eight of the flowering stage,

we encountered a handful of luxuriant strains including Jiffy Cake by Staefli Farms, Sour Sage and Durban Poison. Crossing Wedding Cake and Peanut Butter Breath, Staeflie’s Jiffy Cake glistened and gleamed with trichomes on top of dark purple buds looking like they were grown on a different planet.

Lastly, we were led into their extravagant indoor grow, which had a total of four different rows of strains: Nookies, Muel Fuel, GMO and Ice Cream Cake. They were currently doing some R&D with LED lights, in which the results were astonishing. Beneath the beaming bright lights, our eyes widened as we observed rails of resin coating each leaf of Ice Cream Cake.

In this unpredictable industry, Dan, Lynn, and Brent look for the silver linings that make all of their hard work worthwhile and are always finding new ways to make their employees smile. Notably, they give their employees honest wages, 401k matching, quarterly bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Be on the hunt for Gnome Grown’s Jaybird pre-roll line and gummies soon to come. You can expect to see strains like Burnie MAC, Wintergreen OG and Forza Sour coming from their garden later in the year as well!

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by ALEX DUBS @WORKDUBS

STRAIN OF THE MONTH

Based in Eugene, Kings Cannabis is a cultivator dedicated to growing indoor in no-till living soil. Their focus is to build an environment and ecosystem that best helps each plant express itself as fully and naturally as possible.

@KINGS.CANNABIS

CULTIVATED by KINGS CANNABIS

Papaya Cake

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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mar. 2021

It almost felt like I was killing a unicorn while placing the flower in the grinder, not wanting the beautiful sight to come to an end.

After rolling up a few buds, I was thoroughly impressed with the overall smoothness. Like eating an Everlasting Gobstopper, I continued to experience various flavor profiles throughout the smoking experience. Nuances of ripe tropical fruit and gasoline had my mouth watering with each puff.

These tastes lasted all the way down until the very end of the joint, assuring how strong these genetics really are and how well they were grown.

The effects are euphoric and blissful, making this strain ideal to enjoy during psychedelic explorations – unwinding

30.44% THC | EUPHORIC & FRUITY

into the deep layers of your mind and unlocking doors you never knew existed. We can all find unknown parts of ourselves by opening up in different ways and changing the way we view life, and treating yourself to some Papaya Cake unquestionably aids in this experience.

Be on the lookout for brand new genetic offerings to come later this year, including Melted Strawberries and Grape Cream Cake from Harry Palms Genetics, as well as their current collection featuring strains like Strawberry Shortcake Cookies, Tropicanna Uppercut and Sour Banana Cookies!

REVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

With a focal point on soil biology, their genetics flourish, reaching their highest level of potential. Above all, this tightknit company grows with a sole purpose in mind: to cultivate a quality of Cannabis that lives up to their own high personal standards.

Papaya Cake is a cross of Papaya and Wedding Cake, crafted by the wizards at Oni Seed Co. Based on the smell, I would say that overall this selected pheno leans more towards the Wedding Cake lineage, offering luscious and fuel-like tones and aromas.

Each bud resembles a Lisa Frank unicorn, as there are vibrant streaks of bright purple throughout each bud, backed with neon green leaves and brilliant cantaloupe-toned pistils.

“NUANCES OF RIPE TROPICAL FRUIT AND GASOLINE HAD MY MOUTH WATERING WITH EACH PUFF.”

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the PSYCHEDELIA issue

HAVE A SEAT AND STEP INTO * THE *

leafmagazines.com

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In 2010, my inspiration for publishing a Cannabis magazine was the esoteric nature of a hidden medicine that had the power to heal and change the world, and it is that same drive that has led the Leaf to publishing this second annual special issue.

What more noble a cause is there than freeing the truth? Especially when it brings healing for our minds, consciousness and spirits – which have been completely ignored by Western medicine for the last 50 years. In 2010, I asked a simple question that the Founding Fathers of our great country would have resonated with: If a law governing a plant is unjust, should I be willing to break it? My answer was yes – to bring freedom and knowledge to people suffering, and most of all, to provide hope that a plant could deliver revolutionary medicine that a laboratory-made pill could not.

Just as Cannabis’ path to legalization came from decriminalization and activism, so is the march towards the legalization of psychedelics via entheogenic plants and synthesized therapeutics like Ketamine and LSD. The field of psychedelic research is exploding as laws loosen, allowing scientists, therapists and psychonauts alike to explore how these substances can provide huge medicinal benefits – including alleviating depression and PTSD, helping confront death in end-of-life therapy, and even regrowing neural pathways that can help unlock the true potential of human consciousness and the brain’s ability to heal.

Mar. 2021

PSYCHE*DELIA *

ISSUE * *

So, here I am in 2021 asking the same question I asked in 2009 as I was being arrested for Cannabis. Should we criminalize nature? Should we deny substances that heal, both clinically and in personal use? I believe the answer is a resounding, NO! The time is now to explore, learn and heal our species as we grapple with the realities of a digital society on a warming planet, spinning at 1,000 miles per hour in a huge cosmic expanse.

As we continue to progress this movement, knowledge and empathy will be our most powerful tools in undoing the Drug War and the misconceptions of anti-drug propaganda. Showing the lives that are helped through education will lead to enlightenment, at which point our society will be unable to ethically condone criminalizing any type of drug use, especially when it is beneficial and brought to us by Mother Earth.

I hope that you enjoy this Issue, and learn and share the knowledge you find with those you love – for it’s only by circulating seeds of knowledge that we grow into better people, communities, and together as a species.

Story by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX | Illustrations by MR. MELTY @MR.MELTY for LEAF NATION

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Story by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST

COMMON PSYCHEDELICS cannabis Cannabis Sativa is a plant that contains the psychoactive compound of THC, as well as 500 other compounds, including 113 cannabinoids.

Effects are traditionally euphoric, mood-enhancing, and known to reduce pain and nausea. It is the combination of these various chemical compositions that produce different reactions in humans consuming Cannabis. When consumed in higher doses, Cannabis is known to have psychoactive effects.

Where is it produced? Indoor, outdoor and greenhouses Common amounts consumed: 1g joint 25mg edible serving 10mg of concentrate/maximum .1g Therapeutic usages: Anxiety reduction, mood elevation, depression, chronic pain, neurological conditions

LSD LSD is an indispensably powerful synthesized psychoactive compound. When consuming even the smallest amount, the effect on humans distorts all sensory perceptions. Visual and auditory hallucinations are known to provide sights of fractals, visualized sounds and changing colors.

Where is it produced? Synthesized in laboratories.

Common amounts consumed: Micro-dose = 1 ug (1/100 tab) Therapeutically = 100 ug (1 tab) Therapeutic usages: PTSD, repressed psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, psychosomatic diseases, addiction

psilocybin Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in many different species of mushrooms. Many patients have noted that psilocybin has helped to provide a deeper connection with the self and inner peace in therapeutic settings. Reports have shown that many patients of therapeutic psilocybin experience visions of patterns or faces that may appear warped.

Where is it produced? Naturally occurring and grown in laboratories.

Common amounts consumed: Micro-dose = .1-.25g Therapeutically = 2g Therapeutic usages: Depression, anxiety, addiction, OCD, end of life therapy

Ayahuasca Ayahuasca is a psychoactive plant-based brew or tea, containing MAOI and dimethyltryptamine. In recent decades, researchers have been discovering usages of

ayahuasca for treating substance abuse and other disorders. This mind-altering psychedelic helps individuals deal with past traumatic events, providing a sense of clarity. Typical dosages are still unknown, as this substance remains illegal within the U.S. Where is it produced? In South America by tribes. Dimethyltryptamine is extracted from Mimosa tree bark and other plants.

Common amounts consumed: Unknown

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Therapeutic usages: Aids with overall psychological wellbeing and substance dependence.

TURN ON, TUNE IN, VIBE OUT EXPLORING PSYCHEDELIC MEDIA...

Thinking about prying open your third eye by experimenting with some psychedelics?

Or perhaps you just want to be better educated about entheogens? Whatever your trip, here are a few mind-expanding media recommendations to help get you in the right headspace for your journey toward enlightenment.

Fantastic Fungi

(2019)

fantasticfungi.com

Filmed in glorious 4K by the filmmakers behind “Moving Art,” “Fantastic Fungi” seamlessly switches between mind-blowing time lapses, stunning CGI graphics, and in-depth interviews with mycological mavens like Paul Stamets, Michael Pollen and Dr. Andrew Weil. This comprehensive documentary explores every aspect of mushrooms and their unique role in the cycle and evolution of life, including how their underground mycelium networks enable trees to communicate, how their psychedelic properties may have kickstarted human consciousness, and how their enormous medicinal and psychiatric potential is finally being studied after decades of demonization via the Drug War. A must-see for mycophiles. –Bobby Black

Entangled Life / Merlin Sheldrake

(2020)

merlinsheldrake.com/entangled-life

Written by tropical biologist and fungal researcher Merlin Sheldrake, “Entangled Life” is an incredible book dedicated to providing a further understanding of mycology and how fungal networks operate. For those of you yearning to learn more about mushrooms, their unique relationship with the environment around us and how they could potentially help save the world, this book is for you. Pick up a copy today and grow your knowledge on mycelium, microbiology and much more! –Max Early

Lonerism / Tame Impala (2012) official.tameimpala.com

If the Beatles were to make Sgt. Pepper today, this is what it would sound like. With Lennon-esque vocals and fuzzy riffs pounding along with sweeping synth star sails, your musical soulmate awaits through the mind of Perth, Australia’s Kevin Parker.

Released in 2012, this is no new news for longtime fans who’ve seen the band headline festivals worldwide, but nothing has rivaled the impact on guitar-driven music since. The psychedelic highlight is Endors Toi, where the anxious mind is reassured that the safety of dreamland is only one long blink away. Yes, this was their commercial breakthrough, but for good reason: The ‘60s splendor matched with third eye imagination leaves something hidden in every note for the intrepid tripper. – Mike Ricker

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ommonly associated as an intoxicant or a depressant, Cannabis has a long history of being wrongly allied with laziness, procrastination and “burning you out.” More importantly, many have disregarded the fact that this sacred herb is much closer to being an entheogen and a psychedelic more than anything else. In our March Psychedelia Issue, we seek to expand your minds to the use of Cannabis as a tool to help with mood balance, increased creativity levels, and show you how to utilize the plant as a perspective-changing medium.

Like other plant-based psychedelics, Cannabis is an excellent way to help us view the world through a different lens, giving us an appreciation for all of the little pieces that influence our scope of life. Smoking a bowl can help you smell and view the flowers in an entirely new way than you have ever encountered them before, or maybe make your favorite meal taste that much better.

Both Cannabis and psychedelics can help us identify new instrumentals on a track that we’ve heard a million times, or provide a deeper connection to the lyrics in a song.

Unlike inhaling Cannabis, when you orally ingest it, your body breaks it down in an entirely different way, creating a longer duration of effects. Once you have eaten an edible, the Delta-9-THC enters the liver and undergoes first-pass metabolism. This process removes some Delta-9-THC and metabolizes a huge percentage into 11-Hydroxy-THC. Once this has happened, the remaining Delta-9-THC and 11-Hydroxy-THC flood our bloodstream and penetrate vascular tissues like the brain and other muscles. Due to the increased 11-Hydroxy-THC, the effects are far more profound than any other way of consuming Cannabis, providing a more psychedelic experience overall.

We are all familiar with the look on a baby’s face seeing something or experiencing a new sense for the first time. Plant-based entheogens like Cannabis and psilocybin can inspire that feeling of being a kid again – helping us further take in our surroundings, seeing them in a new way, and appreciating them for everything they have to offer in more depth.

It is easy to go throughout life and not take a second to slow down to appreciate all that our short experience here has to offer.

Plant-based medicines are a way to realize the beauty within every day, and feel the interconnectedness with Mother Nature and our fellow human beings.

Like other plant-based psychedelics, Cannabis is an excellent way to help us view the world through a different lens.

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CANNABIS IS A REAL PSYCHEDELIC

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/LEAF NATION | ILLUSTRATION by MR. MELTY @MR.MELTY

A JOURNEY OF MICRODOSING MUSHROOMS

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am beyond grateful for having discovered the healing power of earth derived medicines at a young age. It’s entirely possible I wouldn’t be here today if the universe had led me in a different direction.

Growing up in California’s Bay Area in the ‘90s, Cannabis was available in abundance and if you knew where to look or who to ask, other substances weren’t hard to obtain either. I first tried Cannabis around 16 and instantly recognized its ability to make me feel more comfortable in my pubescent and rapidly changing skin. Like many during this challenging period of life, I struggled with a feeling of extreme discomfort living in my own body, which manifested itself as depression.

At that age, I wanted to be a professional skateboarder and was pushing myself to my limits on the regular, sustaining frequent injuries as a result. I realized that I would heal much faster when I used Cannabis as part of my recovery regimen, and I became a believer in the plant’s healing ways – knowing deep down that what I had been led to believe about Cannabis was false.

I had only ever taken a very small amount of mushrooms a couple of times while partying as a teenager – very much for recreational use – before meeting a now ex-girlfriend at the age of 21 who opened my eyes to the power of the fungus. After splitting three-and-a-half grams made into tea, I felt “better” in a way that is hard to describe – like taking a weight vest off that you had forgotten you had on. I knew somewhere deep within me this was medicine and another substance I had been misled to believe wasn’t good for me.

We would brew tea a couple times a year, always using between two and five grams of Cubensis mushrooms. Because we were taking larger doses, these experiences were certainly what I would classify as “trips,”meaning they were intense, emotional, moving and certainly at times psychedelic. The resulting post-trip effects would last for months and felt like a mental breath of fresh air, leaving me feeling rejuvenated and thoroughly happy with a renewed lust for life.

I maintained my same source and relative frequency of consumption for several years, until I made a significant discovery.

Over the last five years, the culture around and mainstream acceptability of psychedelics and plant medicine had changed fairly drastically. More and more, I began to see articles

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It was like that little gray cloud that always put a damper on things dissipated and I could feel the sun begin to shine brightly once again. and hear stories about techies at some of the largest companies in Silicon Valley microdosing psilocybin and LSD to operate at their fullest potential.

This intrigued me. Then, one day, I happened upon one of these editorials and something clicked. I realized that much like my evolution in understanding of Cannabis and how to use it, my approach with mushrooms was not wrong per se, but I could consume them differently to take better advantage of their benefits. So, at 29-yearsold, I bought a new coffee grinder, a basic capsule-making machine and empty vegetable glycerin caps, and began teaching myself how to microdose psilocybin.

My goal was to harness the positive effects of the mushrooms without dealing with the somewhat negative side effects of having to go through a mildly hallucinogenic and moderately intense experience to do so.

It took some dialing in to find my titrated dose, but what I discovered through the process was miraculous and freeing.

In less than a year, that depression that had never really gone away and had been with me for the last 14-plus years simply fell away.

It was like that little gray cloud that always put a damper on things dissipated, and I could feel the sun begin to shine brightly once again.

Altering my delivery method and frequency ended up being a life-altering decision and has made all the difference for me — with knowledge, comes power.

STORY & PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415/LEAF NATION | ILLUSTRATION by MR. MELTY @MR.MELTY

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INTERVIEW WITH A MEDICINE MA

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42-year-old Cannabis cultivator and cactus collector, Funxta has tripped out hundreds of times on everything from psilocybin, peyote and ayahuasca, to MDMA, LSD and DMT. He’s authored numerous articles on psychedelics and helped lead the 2016 effort to legalize mushrooms in California. He’s studied under legendary Cannabis activists like Jack Herer, Ed Rosenthal and Rick Simpson, as well as renowned Sonoran toad expert Dr. Gerry Sandoval Isaac.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, though, he’s helped thousands of patients with Cannabis oil and mushrooms – making him one of the most experienced alternative healers in Southern California. But whatever you do, don’t call him a shaman.

“I don’t consider myself a shaman – I prefer to call myself a neo-medicine man,” Funxta clarifies. “Shamans do some hard, heavy work – they can draw deep demons out of people. I’m not comfortable doing that … I’m still fighting those demons myself.”

For Eddie, those personal demons arose from a difficult childhood.

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For millennia, indigenous healers known as medicine men or shamans have utilized psychoactive plants to treat ailments and cultivate a deeper understanding of the universes both inside us and around us. In recent years, a movement has been building to rediscover the therapeutic potential of these ancient plant medicines, led in part by modern-day medicine men like Eddie Funxta.

Growing up in the projects of East LA, he was denied knowledge of his Native American/Mexican heritage by his family over fears they would be ostracized. When he was seven, his parents divorced and he lost touch with his father’s Yavapai side, leaving him to be raised by his mother’s “hardcore Catholic” side of the family. Living in the ghetto, disconnected from his Native heritage, under an intense Christian dogma that he rejected, he was in his words, a “very bad kid.”

But Eddie’s angry trajectory started shifting at age 15, thanks to the influence of a history teacher who assigned his class a research project on a controversial topic of their choosing.

“Everybody was picking Hitler and other crazy shit,” he recalls. “Since I grew up listening to psychedelic rock like The Doors and Jimi Hendrix, I picked magic mushrooms and shamanism.”

Eddie headed to the library, looked up psychedelics and found three books: Aldous Huxley’s “Doors of Perception,” an installment of Carlos Castaneda’s “Don Juan” series, and a cultural book about Mesoamerica that recounted tales of ancient shamanic mushroom ceremonies.

“The stuff I was reading was amazing to my young mind,” he says. “I was blown away – I felt like a curtain had been pulled back on my reality.”

A week after his class presentation, his friend Johnny showed up at school with a sheet of acid.

Eddie and his friends threw a party, tripped out for the first time and had a life-changing night filled with “dancing, laughter, colors, compassion and connection.”

In the following months, Funxta immersed himself in the new world that had opened to him – tripping on acid or mushrooms two to three times

a month and even selling them at school. After dropping out in 1996, he began growing weed and selling it to celebrities and dispensaries around Hollywood.

It was at one such dispensary that he met a woman named Sister Somalia, who first opened his eyes to marijuana’s medicinal value – instigating Eddie’s transformation from a thuggish drug dealer to a compassionate caregiver.

Funxta began visiting homes, hospitals, hospices and clinics, offering Cannabis to cancer and AIDS patients, as well as addicts trying to kick methadone, meth and heroin.

BEFORE LONG, he realized that many patients were unable or unwilling to smoke joints, and recognized a huge gap in the medical market.

“We had flowers, dabs, topicals … but Phoenix Tears – or Rick Simpson Oil as most people know it – wasn’t being produced on an adequate scale in SoCal.” So in 2010, he set out to fill that need. Through mutual friends, he connected with Rick Simpson himself, learned how to properly produce the potent full-plant oil, and started to distribute large quantities of the product under the name Native Healing Oil. “I know Rick Simpson was upset with people calling it RSO,” Funxta explains. “I’m not Rick Simpson, so it’s not RSO – it’s NHO.” While his NHO was effective in treating many patients’ physical ailments, Funxta knew that emotional/psychological wounds required a deeper

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eddie funxta “Jack was microdosing a gram or two of kind of medicine. He recalls one particular patient Amanita muscaria a day,” he says. “Within six to that he helped transition from physical to meneight months, he’d regained his speech.” tal healing: A 57-year-old former beauty queen Of all the substances he’s taken, Funxta says who’d used NHO while battling breast cancer, but his most healing trip came from a combination was left with scars inside as well as out. of ayahuasca and yopo – a powder made from “She’d had a double mastectomy, lost her hair the dried seeds of a South American tree that’s and teeth … she didn’t recognize herself in the traditionally blown up into one’s nostrils. Taken mirror anymore.” Suffering from depression and together, these two substances panic attacks, she asked Eddie for produce a prolonged, profound help and he recommended mushshamanic experience. rooms. Though initially resistant, “For 12 hours I was in the deepshe eventually gave it a try. est, heaviest psychedelic space I’d “The very first dose I gave her ever been in,” he recounts. “I was shook her out of her depression carried away by the spirit world, I instantaneously,” he remembers died and was reborn, and gained proudly. “She called me the next a deep understanding and peace day with a completely different with myself and the universe.” outlook, saying she felt great. She Over the past decade, Funxta ended up starting a breast cancer has used Cannabis and other support group and becoming an entheogens to assist over 2,600 advocate for plant medicines.” sick and dying patients to recover Fungi aren’t just capable of or transition. In 2019, his career altering one’s state of consciousThe inspiring 2019 documentary of compassion drew the attenness – they can actually alter the on Eddie by Jeremie Norrie tion of filmmaker Jeremy Norrie, brain’s structure itself by rebuilding is available on Amazon Prime. who featured Eddie and several cognitive connections. of his patients in the film “About Cannabis and The late activist icon Jack Herer (whose family Cancer” – one in a trilogy of medical marijuana Eddie has worked with) medicated with mushdocumentaries produced for Amazon Prime. rooms after suffering a debilitating stroke in 2000.

“The stuff I was reading was amazing to my young mind,” he says. “I was blown away – I felt like a curtain had been pulled back on my reality.”

Another film about psychedelics is already in the works.

“The last American witchhunt is plants,” he testifies. “Cannabis, mushrooms, holy cactus … any plant that alters your state of consciousness has been made illegal or portrayed as detrimental to society, when in reality they are what first brought people together to create societies and build civilizations.”

Unfortunately, due to a bitter divorce that placed him in potential legal jeopardy, Funxta was forced to abandon his NHO brand indefinitely as of 2017.

Nevertheless, after spending some time backpacking through Yosemite (hiking, vision questing and dancing under the stars), he’s rededicated himself to his spiritual mission – only this time, without the drugs.

“I’m creating a natural healing space in the California desert … sound bath and singing bowl ceremonies, yoga, meditation – but zero illegal plant medicines,” he explains. “You don’t always need a hit of acid – you can find that healing space without it … it’s already inside you.” @FUNXTAZ_VISIONARY_COLLECTION

STORY & PHOTOS by BOBBY BLACK @BOBBYBLACK420/LEAF NATION | ILLUSTRATION by MR. MELTY @MR.MELTY

the PSYCHEDELIA issue

JOHNS HOPKINS CENTER FOR PSYCHEDELIC AND CONSCIOUSNESS RESEARCH david bryce yaden, PhD

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The psychedelic experience is one that many people have pondered, but is still beyond full scientific understanding. That lack of understanding by our culture has been a key factor in impeding these fascinating substances from going mainstream for therapeutic use – until now. As the landscape around psychedelic research continues to evolve, Leaf Magazines caught up with Dr. David B. Yaden – a postdoctoral psychedelic researcher at Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, and, full disclosure, this writer’s cousin, for a behind the scenes look at the latest developments in the emerging field – and how he found himself immersed in the world of psychedelic science. Follow him on Twitter, @ExistWell.

I know it has been a long journey to attaining the position you hold today – could you give us some background info and a breakdown of your education?

Where did the motivation come from to make it this far in your field?

My journey to becoming a scientist studying psychedelic drugs started with an experience I had in college, that actually had nothing to do with drugs. It was an experience that seemed to come completely out of nowhere – of total unity and feelings of love for everyone and everything. I learned later that people call this kind of moment a ‘peak experience’ or ‘mystical experience,’ and I was lucky enough for it to happen to me spontaneously while lying on my dorm room bed. It left me wondering, ‘What the hell just happened to me?!’ That experience was so important and so positive in its effects, but it only

Mar. 2021

lasted for a few minutes at most.

Afterwards, I became fascinated with how brief experiences can have a long-lasting positive impact. For a while, I studied comparative religions, philosophy, neuroscience and psychology, just to see if I could find something to help me understand my experience. The most important book that I found with all of this reading was one by William James called “The Varieties of Religious Experience.”

By the way, if you’ve had one of these kinds of experiences, you can help our research by describing it at www.varietiescorpus.com.

I got my PhD in psychology, which trained me in how to measure and conduct studies on these

kinds of experiences.

You can ask people to think back to their experiences and describe them, but to do good scientific work, you really need to be able to cause these experiences in a controlled setting. That’s where psychedelics come in – they provide a tool that researchers can use to trigger these positively transformative experiences in the laboratory.

Researchers are currently finding all kinds of benefits (as well as a few risks) associated with using psychedelics to treat disorders like depression and addiction.

I know Johns Hopkins is a global leader in the field – can you give some insight into the program itself? What drugs have your team been researching?

“We have an opportunity as a society to treat psychedelics with more respect this time around.”

findings, describing a new theory or summarizing previous research findings. In the afternoon, I analyze data from studies that we’ve already run or work on launching new studies, which involves a huge amount of paperwork and thinking through safety issues. I try to schedule meetings later in the day, after I’m fried from writing and analyzing data. In the evenings, I usually go for a walk by the river to decompress. I work pretty much every day. I should say that this is how life looks for me during the pandemic – once it’s safe for the lab to return to normal, I will be administering psilocybin to study participants and helping to guide psychedelic sessions.

What are some of the greatest challenges to progress you and your colleagues have faced in your field?

Yaden stands outside of the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore.

The Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins is currently the world’s largest lab studying psychedelics. Researchers like Roland Griffiths and his colleagues have been studying psychedelics since around 2000, but this new center (funded by Tim Ferris and a group of philanthropists) will allow a lot more psychedelic research to happen. We have studied many psychedelics like DMT, 5-MeODMT, and especially psilocybin. Psilocybin has shown a great deal of potential as a treatment for mental illnesses while also being pretty safe when administered in clinical settings.

There are so many open scientific questions about psychedelics. First, how does this substance change the brain to produce such a substantially altered state of consciousness?

Second, how do set and setting influence this altered state of consciousness? Third, how does

the experience (and associated brain changes) from psychedelics tend to result in such positive psychological changes for so many people? Last but not least, what are some of the risks of taking psilocybin and when should some people avoid taking it for safety reasons? These are just a few of the kinds of questions that we’re conducting research to address.

Walk us through the average day of a psychedelic scientist?

I love being a scientist and I feel incredibly grateful that I can spend my time trying to understand psychedelics and other questions about how the mind works … but it’s not very glamorous! I start my morning by making coffee and practicing meditation for about 20 minutes.

I make sure that I write every day, so I usually spend the rest of the morning writing about new

I wrote an article with my advisor (Roland Griffiths, PhD) and my wife (Mary ‘Bit’ Yaden, MD) that describes a bunch of my worries about psychedelic research and use. Basically, I’m worried that there will be a lack of the necessary amount of care with psychedelics.

These are really powerful psychological experiences that we’re talking about. The biggest challenge that I see is getting people to slow down and think carefully and realistically by paying attention to what the scientific evidence has to say. In general, we’ve already seen during the 1960s how psychedelic research and recreational use can go wrong and lead us to a dead end. We have an opportunity as a society to treat psychedelics with more respect this time around. My recommendation is to stick to what the science says.

The full article is available at by visiting JamaNetwork.com and searching for “Psychedelics in Psychiatry—Keeping the Renaissance From Going Off the Rails”.

What has been your most shocking or unexpected finding in your work at Johns Hopkins?

One of the early findings from psychedelic research at Johns Hopkins continues to blow my mind. Roland Griffiths and his colleagues found that in a sample of people who were given psilocybin in a supportive setting, twothirds of them reported that the experience was among the top five most meaningful experiences of their entire lives. In other words, people who took psilocybin and laid down on a couch with eyeshades for a few hours said that the experience was almost as meaningful as events like graduating, getting married, or the birth of a child. That, to me, is an absolutely amazing fact and the findings have been replicated in many studies since.

STORY by BARRON WOLFE @BARRON.WOLFE/LEAF NATION | PHOTO by ERIC KAYNE @PHOTOKAYNE | ILLUSTRATION by MR. MELTY @MR.MELTY

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INTEGRATIVE AND HEALING KETAMINE THERAPY dr. radu kramer

onsidered a wonder-drug since its origins as the most common anesthetic used by our soldiers on the battlefields of Vietnam, Ketamine has been utilized to save the lives of people and animals for decades – but has also received criticism for its illicit recreational use. As mentioned in The Harvard Health Blog, when it comes to modern day psychiatric therapy, intravenous Ketamine treatment is the proverbial “new kid on the block” for depression management, and even suicide prevention.

Dr. Radu Kramer is a nephrologist and internist who began incorporating Ketamine into his practice in 2019, and has practiced integrative medicine as a medical doctor for more than 25 years. Integrative medicine, or in Radu’s mind, “just medicine,” is considered to be a broader approach to evaluating and treating a person. As he explains, “Physical, genetic, immunologic and psychological elements must be diligently evaluated in order to identify a correct diagnosis. The treatment will focus on the cause of the disease whenever available, and will expand to involve the whole person. Mental health disorders alter the balance of the immune system. A less competent immune system does not resist or fight infectious diseases as well, generates inflammation, allows autoimmune conditions to develop and increases the risk of malignancies.”

Many patients, close family members, and even Dr. Kramer himself suffer from depression and anxiety at times - which makes these exciting developments crucially important in more ways than one.

“It’s a pleasure talking with you about Ketamine, as it has gained reputation in the management of treatment-resistant mental health disorders,” Dr. Kramer told The Leaf. “The intense pain associated with these conditions cannot be appropriately understood by those who have not experienced it. Unfortunately, the current conventional psychiatric therapies, while initially effective, tend to have limited and inconsistent long-term benefits and come with side effects, sometimes difficult to tolerate.”

HERE TO HELP HEAL

To better respond to those asking for his help, Dr. Kramer has taken several courses in psychopharmacology, participated in numerous meetings on newer therapeutic modalities in psychiatric disorders, and has attempted to remain current with any significant advances in this field. “When the studies on the effect of Ketamine performed in major universities and hospitals were released, it became clear that its new mechanism of action comes with an advantage in the outcome of those suffering from treatment-resistant depression (TRD), chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), addictions and chronic migraines,” he said.

For over 20 years, he and his team have been providing intravenous infusions with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and glutathione to decrease inflammation and enhance the function of the immune system. Plugging Ketamine into the equation was a turn-key process, but as Dr. Kramer explained, it needed slight modifications.

“We prepared the office for Ketamine infusions by creating an environment where patients have additional privacy, and at the same time, can be monitored.”

Potentially there could be serious side effects with anesthesia inducing drugs that’s why it is important to have such infusions performed in the presence of a medical doctor, other trained professionals, and in an appropriate environment.” The therapy also may not cure everyone’s depression and anxiety, as Dr. Kramer discovered through his own personal trials. In his case, his unpleasant feelings actually increased – but he admits he didn’t follow through with the same protocol he gives to his patients.

“My personal experience is a constant reminder that everyone needs an objective guide through the therapy,” he said.

REDEFINING KETAMINE

For the past two years, Dr. Kramer and his team have conducted hundreds of Ketamine infusions for all the conditions previously mentioned.

As he explained, “Ketamine is an anesthetic, but when used in subanesthetic doses, works more like a psychedelic substance

and has been proven beneficial in several mental health disorders, where conventional treatments were not nearly as effective. The fact that this represents over 50% of patients treated for depression, in the 21st century, is scary.”

While there can be confusion over what to call Ketamine, it is officially classified as a dissociative – still, the inner workings of the substance remain elusive.

“The precise mechanisms of action for “I believe that the reintroduction of Ketamine remain the other psychedelics, under the unknown,” Dr. Kramer explained. “We undersupervision of well-trained therapists stand that it stimulates and physicians, will forever transform glutamate, which is a the rudimentary modalities still in use neurotransmitter, meaning that it contributes today to manage mental illness.” to the transmission of a nerve impulse – like serotonin, dopamine, GABA and acetylcholine. The most common side effects are drowsiness, nausea, muscle spasms, blurred vision, hallucinations and confusion. Generally these effects resolve spontaneously over a few hours following an infusion.”

At a time when we are being faced with increasing suicide rates, Dr. Kramer specifically noted the Harvard study that showed Ketamine’s ability to treat suicidal levels of depression, highlighting the instantaneous effect of the substance on the patient. “The impact on depression is practically instant, unlike any other treatment, and that is the reason it can change the desire to leave this world due to the enormous pain and hopelessness that often is associated with depression,” he said. “The fact that one can experience painlessness within minutes, gives those desiring an end of their sufferance by ending their lives a sense of hope, and their perception actually changes. The initial effect may last from a few hours to a few days. That is why we recommend building up a more predictable response, which requires six infusions over a period of two to three weeks. If the response is positive, we transfer the patients to Esketamine, which is a nasal spray and has essentially the same effect as intravenously-infused Ketamine.”

A MATTER OF ACCESS

Due to the fact that so few doctors are offering this treatment to their patients, medical Ketamine therapy can be difficult to gain access to – yet its availability on the black market makes it common at festivals and in clubs around the globe. When asked about recreational Ketamine use, Dr. Kramer said, “As a physician who pays a lot of attention to the Ketamine dosing, tolerability and benefits to patients with mental health disorders, it is difficult to endorse unsupervised use of Ketamine – as the risk of more profound anesthesia exists and the availability of life support mechanisms does not.” In other words, if you took too much, it could lead to needing medical attention that might not be available.

“It is unfortunate that not enough physicians are open-minded enough … I believe that the reintroduction of the other psychedelics under the supervision of well-trained therapists and physicians will forever transform the rudimentary modalities still in use today to manage mental illness,” he concluded.

“I have to point out how important it is to put an end to the primitive stigma associated with mental health that is quite alive in society and in families. The shame of being judged or ridiculed has prevented too many from getting help, and pushed them to suicide as the only solution to end the unbearable pain associated with major depression.”

ComprehensiveHealingMD.com

STORY by BARRON WOLFE @BARRON.WOLFE/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by SCOTT SEMLER @SWEATER.BOY | ILLUSTRATION by MR. MELTY @MR.MELTY

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READING ENERGY

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he world has spent the last year on house arrest.

But instead of wearing a tracking collar, your ball and chain is a face mask.

And if we’ve learned anything from watching horror movies for the past several generations, concealing one’s identity is a practice utilized by bank robbers, guerrilla taggers and Marvel villains.

Some heroes wear masks, but at least you can see their mouths.

And you can learn a lot from a person’s mouth.

BUT WE ARE currently at a social disadvantage, unable to access the cues that facial gestures afford us in public interaction. Having become accustomed our entire lives to relying on our eyes as code sensors, determining true meaning through language is a vital nuance for accurate interpretation. So, hearing only a person’s voice offers limited perspective, and therefore, without the telltale crease in the corner of a mouth, the slight flare of the nostrils or the brightness of teeth, it is difficult to harmonize the limited data for an authentic read.

What we are missing is subtle punctuation that relays intent. Because we lean heavily on the subconscious to guide our judgement, whether we are aware of it or not, these are the clues that lend comprehension to the charge of people’s words, be it negative or positive – which is paramount to our success as a species. And although there is a range of tactics we employ (albeit many dysfunctional), the one common goal we share is to procure love. Love directs everything we do – the way we dress, the way we work, the way we communicate. Love is as vital to our existence as food and water. It is what drives people to thrive.

Without it, life is pointless.

From the moment we enter the world, conditioning is imparted, marginalizing the spirit with borders and barriers, rules and institutions. Boys wear blue, girls wear pink. Go to school to learn the system, worship a higher power, work, provide, pay, repeat – until you get your Social Security and an RV to see the country roads of president carved

BY MIKE RICKER

These are the Soaring ‘20s, where open minds will save the planet.”

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mountainsides and other national monuments that reinforce your indoctrination. Die and pass along your savings in hopes that your legacy will one day jump socioeconomic classes. We are born on the farm and the fences are high.

There are some, however, who insist upon knowing their personal truth. That with which they were born – to rediscover the genuine soul inside the skin suit that needs a deeper meaning to reality prior to being manipulated into a societal role. And the more perceptive we become to the natural world, the more the answers to living a happy, fulfilling life will be revealed. And what connects everything we know is magnetism.

Reading energy is the attempt to understand magnetism, or to harness the flow.

Flow is being in the zone, fully conscious and optimal, and this is where your potential shines. Psychedelics (Cannabis arguably being a light one) can heighten our ability to observe this magnetism from a place of humility, allowing the mind to break free of the perpetual static and oblige the instinct to interpret the language of the universe from the conscious level. This can relinquish the tension of the subconscious, which is what we all want – for this to get easier, lighter, less stressful.

This is the reason we call Cannabis medicine. In the Amazon, ayahuasca is referred to with the same respect.

And we know that much of the world’s sail is catching the wind of this plant-based decriminalization movement, as the galvanizing of fresh thoughts returns us to the origin from which we were originally derived – that being the soil.

So, don’t worry too much about the mask. Because this is the beginning of a change. These are the Soaring ‘20s, where open minds will save the planet. And the more adept you get at letting go of your preconceptions – the dogma you’ve been saddled with since birth – the more the intuition will supersede the bad habits of applying useless labels and definitions to your world.

Everything you need is here. You are provided for, just as a mollusk attached to a rock in the surf is brought the sustenance it needs. Your perception is what is holding you back and natural medicine can be a valuable tool to assist in breaking down walls that are blocking the view to the double rainbow.

And when you see it, you will cry with joy.

ILLUSTRATION by MR. MELTY @MR.MELTY

PSYCHEDELIC LEGISLATION

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ike mycelium branching out beneath the damp forest floor, the movement to legalize entheogens and psychedelic compounds continues to propagate across the country.

Sparked, no doubt, by the fact that Cannabis ended up being a zero-downside game for the public health and for the states’ tax revenue streams in legalized markets, the concept of plant and mushroom based recreation and therapy continues to lose its stigma. The movement has thrived beneath the surface for decades. Spiritual seekers and merry pranksters have fought this fight ever since the U.S. Government sought to criminalize and weaponize psychedelics in the 20th century.

IN RECENT YEARS, those underground tendrils started popping up above the surface, bearing fruit and spreading spores on the winds. In 2019, Oakland, Calif. and Denver, Colo. became the first cities in the country to decriminalize psilocybin-producing mushrooms, scoring a huge victory for myco-nauts and practitioners of entheogenic therapy.

Then, in 2020, Washington, D.C. – the heartbeat of the country – voted to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms, meaning a person could arguably trip out while wandering around the Washington Monument without worrying about being arrested. On the other side of the country, Oregon decriminalized all drugs, and – even more importantly for entheogenic therapy – voted to legalize psilocybin for use in a therapeutic setting.

That’s the big word here: LEGALIZE. In decriminalized areas, psychedelics remain illegal but law enforcement is directed to not pursue arrests or convictions. Legalization means that not only will you not be arrested for psychedelics, but you can’t even get a “no tripping” ticket. That wedge in the door means the legalization movements for psilocybin and other psychedelic compounds are ripe for huge gains in the coming years.

In the wake of those pioneering states and municipalities, other regions are starting to look at decriminalization as a first step toward building acceptance of entheogenic compounds. California State Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, told the SF Chronicle that he plans to introduce legislation in 2021 that will effectively decriminalize psychedelics throughout the state.

On the East Coast, lawmakers in New York are fighting to decriminalize psychedelics, as Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal introduced legislation in 2020 to remove psilocybin from Schedule I of New York’s list of controlled substances. On a hyper-local level, the City Council of Somerville, Mass. voted to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi in January of this year.

While the fight for legalized Cannabis continues to rage on, it’s becoming clear that psychedelics are the next thing.

Larger and larger companies within and without the Cannabis industry are starting to move beyond the exploratory phase, and into the non-psychedelic mycological therapy space – no doubt in a move to set up standards, build out supply chains and begin to gauge consumer interest in mycological products.

A Bloomberg report in December 2020 showed that the psychedelic market has been gaining traction with the venture capital sector, attracting many of the same investment firms that seeded the Cannabis industry.

And powerhouse Cannabis companies are starting to enter the mycology space, such as Cookies in California, which recently released its Caps by Cookies line – which blends terpenes and cannabinoids with non-psychedelic, organic mushrooms.

When looked at on the whole, all of these pieces add up to give us a view of where the entheogenic movement is going, and where it’s taking us. And that looks to be a bright, shimmery, trippily beautiful future.

While the fight for legalized Cannabis continues to rage on, it’s becoming clear that psychedelics are the next thing.

STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/LEAF NATION | ILLUSTRATION by MR. MELTY @MR.MELTY

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www.reupfarms.com

@reupfarms

Runtz

Soil Grown Limited Batch Craft Cannabis

Runtz | Oreoz | Bacio | Mint Chocolate Gelato | White Runtz | Wedding Cake | Frosted Zkittles | Rainbow Cake | Peanut Butter Breath | Melonaid | Apple Fritter | Kush Mintz | Horchata

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults twenty-one years of age and older. Keep out reach of children.

product review

Psychedelic Mushroom-Infused Dark Chocolates Delicious, effective and ethically sourced, these are one of the best psychedelic products I’ve been introduced to as of yet.

Each chocolate is packed with a Psilocybe cubensis variety and handdipped in white chocolate.

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rilli-Yums offer consumers a psychedelic experience in the familiar form of chocolate, dosed with half a gram of psychedelic mushrooms per piece. Each chocolate is packed with a Psilocybe cubensis variety, molded in dark chocolate, then hand-dipped in white chocolate, then lovingly hugged in metallic gold wrapping before being placed in their gold and matte black packaging.

Creating a product that feels comfortable to consumers makes all the difference when battling the stigma surrounding mushroom imagery and reputation, and can have a direct effect on individual experience.

Trilli-Yums works closely with a local grower to ensure only organic, high quality ingredients are used in each and every dose. This further ensures control over the final product, leaving no room to question the sourcing or legitimacy of the mushrooms themselves. Soon, Trilli-Yums plans to have the exact variety and percentage labeled on each package, so consumers will know exactly which mushrooms are in each chocolate – further building that trust between the product and the consumer.

By using finely ground mushrooms instead of eating them whole, the chocolates mitigate the typical stomach aches and general unwellness produced by the natural chitin that turn some people away from the magic mushroom experience altogether. The people at Trilli-Yums know the negative effects that can impair any psychedelic experience, so they go above and beyond to make sure each chocolate is safe and comfortable.

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Paired with high quality chocolate, these psychedelic treats are tasty and calm on the stomach, so you can happily enjoy the full effects of each dose without worrying about bodily problems.

Another issue surrounding mushrooms is ingesting the appropriate dose. What’s mild for one person may be too much for another. The normal rule of thumb is that you can always eat more, but not less. The conscientious people at Trilli-Yums dose the chocolates at a half gram of mushrooms per piece, which in my experience is the perfect medium between a microdose and a full trip.

If someone wants to experience a very small effect, half a chocolate will easily do the trick, whereas two to three chocolates will produce the heavier effects some consumers seek out.

A single chocolate is enough to send me right to the edge of a trip without diving completely in, so while it may be light, I would still consider the effects a little heavier than a typical microdose.

I cannot recommend these magic chocolates enough. A perfectly tempered chocolate paired with a psychedelic experience is something the world needs more of, helping break the stigma surrounding magic mushrooms and all of the amazing benefits they have to offer.

With its classy packaging and beautiful crafting, Trilli-Yums are paving the way for legitimacy in unknown territory.

REVIEW by ALEX DUBS @WORKDUBS for OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

jolly tinctures CBD 10:1 • CBD Max • THC • Full Spectrum • CBD 1:1

541-508-2708 • jollyswholesale@gmail.com • @dr.jollys.bend • jollybend.com Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults twenty-one years of age and older. Keep out reach of children.

GROW BUD YOURSELF IS YOUR SOURCE FOR CULTIVATION INFO, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, ACTIVISM AND REVIEWS!

Grow Bud Yourself podcast is available on all streaming platforms and where ever you get your podcasts!

Send your questions to info@growbudyourself.com Danny Danko teaches you everything you need to know to get growing now!

Featuring some of the most important people in the cannabis industry

Jorge Cervantes, Kyle Kushman, Tommy Chong, Aaron from DNA Genetics, Jenn Doe, Milo from Big Buddha Seeds, Swerve from The Cali Connection, Ed Rosenthal, Chemdog, Adam Dunn

Past guests include

and many more!

Growing your own marijuana can be both a liberating and political act.

Former HIGH TIMES Magazine Senior Cultivation Editor and author of the book “Cannabis: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Marijuana” Dan Vinkovetsky (Formerly known as Danny Danko) and co-host former HT Editor-in-Chief Mike Gianakos provide news, activism reports and cannabis cultivation tips for connoisseurs, aficionados and medical patients alike. Bonus: Interviews with expert growers and professional seed breeders, ‘Strain of the Fortnight’ and ganja growing questions & answers.

Follow along! @dannydankoht @mikecheckg @growbudyourself

CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE Advertising starting at $300 per month email makani@orleaf.com for details on marketing your brand & company in the APRIL 2021 GLASS ISSUE of Oregon Leaf!

OREGONLEAF OREGONLEAF MAGAZINE

#OREGONLEAF

EDIBLE OF THE MONTH

CROP CIRCLE @CROP CI RCLE.CHOCOL ATE CROP CI RCLECHOCOL ATE.COM

I had the pleasure of trying their

I’ve heard the rumors about Crop Circle’s chocolate treats, but I wasn’t prepared for how much I would truly love their newest line of single serving 50mg kief chocolates.

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1 SERVINGS / 50MG THC PER CHOCOLATE

Both rich and refreshing, the delectable aftertaste left my sweet tooth craving more.

MINT DARK CHOCOLATE

KIEF TRUFFLE

mar. 2021

Mint Dark Chocolate Kief Truffle – a tiny chocolate no wider than a quarter, neatly packed into its small, green and brown box – that fit inconspicuously in my coat pocket.

Once safely home, I decided that a small portion of truffle wouldn’t do the trick, so I made the choice to eat (more like inhale) the whole thing in one bite … for science, of course.

Normally, edibles produce that weedy flavor no matter how many sugary bits are packed into each bite.

This truffle surprised me in the best way possible, leaving me unable to source that Cannabis taste anywhere, as if the kief was paired perfectly to both complement and conceal itself within the chocolate.

The only ingredients used in these itty bitty powerhouses are organic dark chocolate, coconut oil, kief and mint, so it’s impressive that so few ingredients could provide such bold flavor. Both rich and refreshing, the delectable aftertaste left my sweet tooth craving more. The use of kief marks a noticeable difference between the distillate, heavy weed taste prevalent in most edibles these days.

The most important difference to me, however, was their effect compared to their chocolatey competitors.

Typically, I’m one of those people proud of their tolerance and unable to find a single recreational edible that will satisfy my mental and physical threshold.

And boy was I wrong when I assumed these Crop Circle truffles wouldn’t be any different. Within about 30 minutes I could feel the effects begin to make their way behind my eyes.

Steadily creeping into my body throughout the next hour, I felt myself calmer and more relaxed as time passed on. I could feel the full effects of the Misty Mountain Kush kief, sourced from Green Source Gardens, by the two-hour mark. By this point, my eyes were so heavy that I passed out on the couch with my cat nestled cozily atop my chest – something that rarely happens.

At some point I made the passage from the couch to my bed and slept better than I have in a long time, feeling fully rested when the alarm woke me from my deep slumber.

These full spectrum, bioavailable, single-strain chocolates are nothing to sleep on, unless that’s the effect you’re actually looking for.

They’re packed with both flavor and effect in a market too often saturated with only one or the other. As if it couldn’t get any better, did I mention that they’re vegan and gluten-free?

Confident connoisseurs beware – this one will put your normal tolerance to the test!

REVIEW by ALEX DUBS @WORKDUBS for OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

AVAILABLE AT

@EDENCRAFTCANNABIS

@WYKANUSH_CANNABIS

concentrate OF THE MONTH

Permaculture Solutions’ delightful hash rosin is back and better than ever! They teamed up with Southern Oregon-based Lower Left Organics to bring you a transformational and soothing cultivar, Mike Larry. Bred by Skunk House Genetics, this cross of Gelato 45 x Larry OG f7 is a terpene hunter’s dream.

MIKE LARRY 90u HASH ROSIN 62.76% THC | @PERMASOLVENTLESSOREGON | @LOWERLEFTORGANICS

You will find their hash neatly tucked away in recycled hemp boxes, created with

plant-based ink and designed by Eugene-based Hemp Press. They also earn some bonus points for including a super cool rasta colored sticker in each box.

Popping the top unveils a cake batter-like consistency that instantly makes you want to heat your nail and begin your terpene indulgence.

This rosin Notes of vanilla frosting, funfetti cake and racing fuel dynamically pierced my nostrils. The texture is notably melts as malleable, making this 90u hash rosin a breeze to work clean and with and scoop onto a dabber. pure as Following taking a generously large, cold start dab, I witnessed the rosin melt as clean and pure as water. water, showing that Permaculture Solutions has their process fully dialed in. I instantly encountered a very welcome head change, helping me balance my thoughts and set intentions and goals for the day.

The terpene profile is quite earthy, providing tasting notes of evergreen trees, petrol and pine needles, making this the perfect

pairing for a walk in the woods. The Larry OG f7 truly steals the

show in this enticing cross – offering some old school skunk

and gas nuances that stoners long for and crave.

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PERMACULTURE SOLUTIONS CULTIVATED BY

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R EVI E W by M A X EAR LY @LIFTED_STARDUST

P HOTO by DAN I E L B E R M AN @BERMANPHOTOS

mar. 2021

product reviews

off the shelf

SITKANW

Peach Mimosa Badder

SitkaNW’s Peach Mimosa badder has the same delightful profile as its inspiration, a morning mimosa.

The citrus burst leans more on the sweet side rather than sour, with a light gassy aftertaste.There was extremely minimal lung expansion, perfect for taking large dabs.

While I would normally smoke Tangie related strains during the day, this Peach Mimosa is a perfect blend of head and body stone. Throw on some headphones, take a big dab and kick back.

Named after one of Oregon’s largest trees, the Sitka Spruce, SitkaNW aims to grow and reach a large portion of the market.

Their main mission is to provide quality products for under $20 out-the-door. Aside from an excellent taste, the overall look of their concentrates is beautiful. From shatter to crumble, these guys have you covered. $16 + tax | 64.91% THC

Concentrates Around 20 Bucks Concentrates are in – there is no denying that. While these concentrates may sound inexpensive, there is no sacrifice of quality and care. Most economically priced options are priced due to color, numbers, or a good deal on blasting material. Here are three exceptional grams, and all out-the-door for about $20.

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@sitkanw

SMOKE

Hucklebilly Mimosa

HASHLAND

SMOKE’s Hucklebilly Mimosa is a powerhouse. A few dabs of this had me lost in a heady daze. Perhaps it was part of the Mimosa that kept me awake, but I felt like my mind and body were relaxing on a warm and sandy beach, listening to the shoreline break. SMOKE typically boasts high numbers, as this and many other products that they produce frequently are over 90% total terpenes and cannabinoids. While you will typically find that gram containers come packaged in a separate box, SMOKE take’s a different approach. Being Pangaea Organic’s economical line, having its container in a sealed mylar bag aligns with one of the company’s core beliefs: sustainability. Overall, there is less waste in the packaging that SMOKE uses. This concept of sustainability is again reflected in the price point of the product, as it is feasibly more sustainable for the customers’ wallet. If you want a big bang for your buck and want to do your part in reducing waste, give SMOKE a try.

leafmagazines.com

Durban Poison Batter

Hashland’s Durban Poison Badder immediately perked my ears.

Twisting off the top of the container brought along a lost and very familiar smell. This pure sativa staple reeks of a sweet spice and provides an astoundingly clear and uplifting high. Use this as a gateway to elevate whatever you are working on or enjoying during the day.

If you are looking for the medicinal benefits of THC-V, this is your strain. Based in Medford, Hashland’s namesake is an ode to its neighboring town, Ashland. Hashland is Funk Extract’s economical line of products, and the general consistency of their products are badder, however, occasionally there will be some gems n’ juice (diamonds and sauce) and crumbles. Representing and staying involved with Southern Oregon’s Cannabis scene, most of the material is sourced from local farms in the area. $20 with tax, 63.38% THC, 2.94% terpenes @hashlandoregon

mar. 2021

$12-15 + tax, 74.17% THC, 0.25% CBD, 90.71% terpenes + cannabinoids @pangaeaorganics

REVIEWS by MAKANI NELSON @CHOICENUG/OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

tannins & terpenes

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TANNINS

TERPENES

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KYLA HARD KOMBUCHA & STORM CANNABIS “This flower was cured to such perfection you could hear the terps snapping, crackling and popping with each delicious and flavor-packed pull.”

KYLA HARD KOMBUCHA LAVENDER LEMONADE | $4.78, 6.5% ABV @STORMCANNABIS | @KYLAKOMBUCHA

mar. 2021

STORM CANNABIS BANANA PUNCH $12-13/gram — 19.32% THC, 3.23% Total Terpenes

he first issue of spring is here, and now that flowers are about to bloom and temps are on the rise, we pulled together a Tannins & Terpenes pairing to refresh and rejuvenate the senses – the goal being to satiate the mind, body and spirit so we can confidently embrace the seasonal shift at hand. And we are doing so with good old fashioned Cannabis flower and a two millennium old immortality tea you may have heard of – Kombucha.

This pairing begins with a morning joint of Banana Punch (Banana OG x Purple Punch) from GOAT Cup Champion Storm Cannabis, with a follow-up of a sparkling glass of Hood River’s own hard kombucha brand Kyla – featuring a selection from their Sunbreak Series, Lavender Lemonade.

Banana Punch caught my attention for obvious reasons. Have you ever tried a banana strain you didn’t enjoy? They’re popular for a reason and Storm delivered the goods with flying colors. It smells and tastes like straight bananas, a little lighter in color with sweeter and more uplifting notes than Storm’s coveted Banana Sundae, which lies closer to the heavy, musty, indica end of the spectrum while maintaining that unmistakable aroma of sweet bananas.

Banana Punch is what I consider a daytime strain that can help get you fired up and dialed in before embarking on an adventure or engaging in an outdoor activity. This flower was cured to such perfection you could hear the terps snapping, crackling and popping with each delicious and flavor-packed pull. Zero throat irritation and zero coughing – this is one of the best I have ever smoked.

For being so sweet and light tasting, this strain left me stoned just short of needing a nap – the perfect amount to continue the day with forward momentum, but in a state of peace and relaxation.

Kombucha is something I have been into and drinking daily for almost a decade now, and at 31, it is at least part of the reason I am in the best health of my life.

Science has recently shed light on the brain-gut connection and the importance of healthy bacteria, and maintaining a healthy microbiome in the human gut is something consistent consumption of kombucha can help with! Benefits can be seen across the board from digestion to energy levels, increase in mood and much more.

And now you can get tipsy and get your probiotics at the exact same damn time. Lavender Lemonade is a unique and adventurous flavor combo that is certainly unlike any other kombucha I have tried.

Touting one gram of sugar, 6.5% alcohol and majority organic ingredients, this artfully crafted living beverage will absolutely leave you feeling toasty when combined with Storm’s mellifluous Kush cross.

REVIEW by BARRON WOLFE @BARRON.WOLFE | PHOTOS by TYLER CAMERON @TERPCAM for OREGON LEAF

eastwood

Follow us on Instagram at: @eastwood_gardens_pdx @echo_electuary Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults twenty-one years of age and older. Keep out reach of children.

www.exoticblendzpdx.com Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults twenty-one years of age and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

GOT FLOWER? CONTACT US FOR STATEWIDE DISTRIBUTION

Keep out of reach of children. For use by adults 21 years of age and older. Do not drive a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana.

cooking with Cannabis

R EC I P E S by LAU RIE WOLF | P HOTOS by B RUC E WOLF

comfort foods four servings

CREAMY CARROT AND POTATO SOUP 4 teaspoons canna- oil ½ cup chopped sweet onion 1 ½ cup chopped carrots 2 russet potatoes, cut in chunks 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon ground cumin 3 cups vegetable stock ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper chives

1. In a medium soup pot heat the canna-olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot and sauté for 7-9 minutes. 2. Add the potato, smoked paprika and cumin, and sauté for 3-4 minutes. 3. Add the vegetable stock to the pot and simmer for 35 minutes. Add more stock if needed. 4. Puree the soup in the blender until smooth. Add salt and pepper.

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four servings

PASTA CARBONARA

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2 tablespoons olive oil 4 teaspoons canna-olive oil 2 ounces pancetta, cut in small pieces 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 3 eggs ½ cup grated parmesan 1 pound spaghetti salt / black pepper parmesan, garnish

1. In a large sauté pan heat the oils over medium-low heat. Add the pancetta and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. 2. In a medium bowl whisk the eggs with the parmesan, stirring well to remove any lumps. 3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. The pasta needs to be hot for this dish to be successful.4. Drain the pasta and add to the pan with the pancetta and oil. 5. Remove the pan from the heat and add the egg mixture to the pasta. Whisk fast, as you do not want the eggs to scramble, just coat the strands of spaghetti. 6. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with parmesan and eat immediately.

four servings

ROASTED CUMIN CAULIFLOWER 1 pound cauliflower, ½ inch slices 1/8 cup olive oil 4 teaspoons canna-oil 2 teaspoons ground cumin coarse salt 1. Heat oven to 340. Place the cauliflower on a sheet pan.

2. In a small bowl combine the oils and brush on the slices on both sides.

Sprinkle with the cumin and coarse salt.

This easy to make soup is perfect for March, when there’s still a chill in the air.

The cumin and the caraway seeds flavor this creamy and soothing dish. Carrots and potatoes = perfect together.

As we wait for our vaccines, Cannabis has been a huge help with my mental health management. I’m guessing it’s the same for you. Going for more relaxing strains, Willie’s Kush Cake from Noble Farms is taking care of my anxiety. That is huge, as it’s been rough – so if you are looking for relaxation and minimized stress, seek out Kush strains from your favorite dispensary.

March is kind of an in between food month – the winter bounty is done and the spring offerings are on their way. These three recipes are comfort food, but not crazy heavy.

3. Roast the cauliflower until tender, turning once, for 30-35 minutes.

mar. 2021

#We a rA Ma sk #Dont FearT heEdi ble #EatYourCannabi s #CallYourParents # Comf orting Ca nna b is # WeWillSurvive

Ess The en tia ls!

Sales@QuantumOregon.com

QuantumOregon.com

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of marijuana. For use by adults 21 or older. Keep out of the reach of children.

GLASS ART

EDM(ENERGY DISC MIB When and how did you two first meet?

Darby and I met in 2000 at Studio G, which is the shop that I started glass at. About six months in, in June 2000, I got invited to watch Darby work at his home studio.

He was making a rad bong and a slide. We may have met before that also, because our parents were friends.

What sparked the idea to create this EDM collaboration? Darby and I have made at

least one of almost all of the designs I currently make, and we hadn’t made an EDM until this one. EDM stands for Energy Disc Mib – it’s three of my designs in one.

How have psychedelics helped you achieve a higher level of consciousness? How have they inspired your bodies of work?

I have a special connection with mushrooms because of a life-changing trip I had when I was 17. I would most definitely not be the man I am today without them.

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@eusheen | @darbyholmglass

“I have a special connection with mushrooms because of a life-changing trip I had when I was 17.“ -Eusheen

ART BY EUSHEEN X DARBY mar. 2021

INTERVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by SAMUEL FARLEY @THC_SAMUEL

VIOLA flower is crafted right here in Oregon. Our boutique growing practices ensure small batch premium quality. From the moment you smell the bud to your first smooth exhale, each strain and unique flavor profile is selected with your experience in mind.

UNFILTERED PREMIUM CANNABIS

LEAFSHOTS

APE

Albino Penis Envy, commonly referred to as ‘APE’ in the myco-naut community, is a high potency psilocybin mushroom known for its phallic-shaped fruits, pale white to blue hued stem, and pale blonde cap.

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Stronger and harder to come by than standard cubensis, this special cube strain is known to produce deeply euphoric and introspective experiences.

APEs are more challenging to cultivate due to a relatively slow maturation period and the difficulty in collecting their spores, as the caps rarely show their gills and the spores are transparent.

#LeafShots celebrates the high art of incredible Cannabis photography.

Tag us for your chance to be published.

mar. 2021

STORY & PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415/LEAF NATION

cannthropology

WORLD OF Cannabis PRESENTS

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The Hippie Mafia It’s impossible to overstate the influence and impact of The Brotherhood of Eternal Love when discussing the history of Cannabis or psychedelics in America.

Between 1965 and 1972, the Brotherhood emerged as the largest soft drug syndicate on earth – earning them the notorious nickname “The Hippie Mafia.” They smuggled tons of weed and hashish, then used the profits to produce and distribute tens of millions of doses of LSD – including the infamous Orange Sunshine, for which they’re best known. And it all began with a handful of teenage stoners in Laguna Beach…

THE BROTHERHOOD BEGINS Travis Ashbrook was an enterprising young surfer from Orange County who loved weed so much that by the age of 17, he was smuggling kilos in from Tijuana. In 1964, he met a fellow pot dealer named Johnny Griggs.

Griggs was a well-known boozer, brawler, and heroin user … but after robbing a stash of LSD from the home of a Hollywood producer and taking

mar. 2021

The Brotherhood of Eternal Love was a group of sacred psychedelic warriors on a mission to turn on the world.

his first trip, he had a spiritual epiphany. He returned the stolen acid, gave up his gangbanger ways, and became a psychedelic evangelist. Believing that LSD was the ultimate tool for human enlightenment, Griggs – along with his wife Carol, friends Michael Randall, Ricky and Ron Bevans, Chuck Mundell, Travis and a few others – formed a new religion dedicated to peace, love and turning on the world – which Mundell christened “The Brotherhood of Eternal Love.”

In October 1966, the Brotherhood incorporated as a nonprofit, rented an old stone house in Modjeska Canyon, and began holding psychedelic ceremonies. The following year they opened a huge psychedelic emporium on South Coast Highway called Mystic Arts World, soon dubbed by locals as “Haight Ashbury South.” With the hordes of hippies moving into the area, they took over a small neighborhood off Laguna Canyon Road, which Griggs nicknamed Dodge City. The area became such an LSD hotspot that by winter 1967, even acid guru Timothy Leary came to live there with them.

To achieve their sacred mission of turning on the world, the Brotherhood would need to make a ton of acid – and to do that, they’d need money. The fastest way to fund their psychic revolution, they decided, was by smuggling marijuana and hashish. That’s where Travis came in.

“I was the hash guy,” Ashbrook attests with a smile. “That was my thing.”

ORANGE SUNSHINE In spring 1968, Griggs moved their inner circle (including Leary) to a big ranch he bought near Idyllwild. That August, the Brotherhood handed out dosed juice at the Newport Pop Festival and was visited by counterculture celebrities like Ken Kesey and The Moody Blues. But the most consequential connection they made that summer was with chemists Nick Sand and Tim Scully, who enlisted the Brotherhood to become the exclusive distributors of their ultra-potent new LSD, which Griggs named Orange Sunshine. Within a month, they cranked out over 4 million hits, and demand showed no sign of slowing. Practically overnight, Orange Sunshine became a household name … and the Brotherhood’s new trademark.

DION WRIGHT

THE HASH GUY In winter 1967, Travis and Ricky left on an epic two-month hash quest: flying through New York to Luxembourg, hopping a train to Munich, then driving through Austria, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey and Iran, before finally arriving in Afghanistan. There – at a fruit stand in Kandahar – they met the Tokhi brothers, who offered them the deal of a lifetime: four dollars per kilo for the best hash in the world.

“We’d come there planning to get 10 kilos, but ended up trading them the car for 50 kilos,” Ashbrook says. “We bought a bunch of antique musical instruments and stuffed them with the hash, then packed it all up with some furs in a big crate and shipped it back to California as unaccompanied baggage.”

Once back home, a single pound of the hash sold for four times what they’d paid for the entire 88-pound haul! The deal was so lucrative that Travis started shipping loads back from Kandahar every six months. That went on for years, with loads eventually reaching up to 500 pounds per run.

On August 5, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs executed “Operation BEL” – the largest drug raid in American history – resulting in 57 arrests and the seizure of around $8 million in drugs. The Hippie Mafia was no more.

Timothy & Rosemary Leary with Brotherhood founder John Griggs, 1968.

Brotherhood and friends at Mystic Arts World reunion, 2015.

The Brotherhood’s wanted poster.

JERRY KRECICKI

1,300 pounds of hash in Portland, OrAshbrook was egon – the largest quantity ever seized inducted into in the U.S. A month later, another 729 To achieve their sacred High Times’ pounds were seized in Vancouver.

DECLINE AND FALL Counterculture mission of turning on Then on August 5, the Bureau of NarIn 1969, however, their utopian hippie Hall of Fame cotics and Dangerous Drugs executed dream began to disintegrate. First, the world, the Brotherhood at the 2011 “Operation BEL” – the largest drug raid Travis got busted when Customs agents would need to make a ton of in American history – resulting in 57 Cannabis Cup. discovered 20 pounds of hash inside two acid – and to do that, they’d arrests and the seizure of around $8 hollowed-out surfboards he’d shipped need money. The fastest way to million in drugs. The Hippie Mafia was back from Afghanistan. Then, that no more. summer, Mystic Arts World was mysterifund their psychic revolution, After 11 years on the lam, the law ously burned to the ground. After that, they decided, was by smuggling finally caught up with Travis on October Ricky’s underage girlfriend accidentally marijuana and hashish.

16, 1980, when he was arrested at drowned while tripping – causing Leary to Houston International Airport on a flight be arrested for child endangerment and to the Cayman Islands carrying $270,000 in cash. He was charged the ranch to be raided. Worst of all, though, on August 3, under the RICO “Kingpin” law for 36 counts from Operation BEL Griggs suddenly died of an accidental overdose of synthetic – carrying a penalty of life without parole and confiscation of all psilocybin, calling the future of the Brotherhood into quesproperties. After cutting a deal, he received just 18 years, of which tion. Five months later, Leary was sentenced to 20 years on he served 11 before being released in 1991. pot possession charges. (The following year, the Brotherhood enlisted the help of leftist radicals the Weathermen to bust EPILOGUE him out of prison).

Travis and the surviving Brothers are all free and fine now. In November 2011, they With their two spiritual leaders gone, and a prison term flew to Amsterdam where they were inducted into High Times’ Counterculture Hall of pending, Ashbrook and a few other Brothers skipped town Fame at the Cannabis Cup. A book about their exploits entitled “Orange Sunshine” was and migrated to Maui, where he continued smuggling – sailpublished in 2010, followed by a documentary of the same name in 2018. A dramatic ing 5,000 pounds of weed in from Guadalajara on a schooseries about the Brotherhood by the same director (William Kirkley) is also currently in ner called the Aafje (pronounced “Affie,” like Afghanistan). It the works. Despite all of the trials and tribulations, Ashbrook remains proud of his past. was from this load of primo Mexi weed, crossed with seeds “We wanted to turn the world on, we were dedicated to our cause, and we knew time from an Afghani load, that the legendary Maui Wowie strain would prove us right,” he affirms. “We were true outlaws, and we made our mark.” was later bred. Travis had a second load planned, but was again forced to flee when he learned he’d lost the appeal on his surfboard conviction.

For more on the Brotherhood, listen to Episode #7 of our podcast at worldofCannabis.museum/podcast.

In 1972, the last of the Brotherhood’s entheogenic empire Story and photos originally published on worldofcannabis.museum and reprinted with permission. came crashing down. In January, the Feds busted a load of

STORY & PHOTO ILLUSTRATION by BOBBY BLACK @CANNTHROPOLOGY for LEAF NATION

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byMike Ricker

THE BODIES EXHIBIT

86

ON SHROOMS Y

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ou want to know if I did it. Of course not, are you out of your fucking mind? I understand that the title may have revved your imagination, but no person of sound mind would, or should ever, attempt such a psychotic journey into the darkest recesses of one’s essential nature for any reason. The mental stability of a thrill-seeking individual bent on this ultimate experiment would have to be seriously questioned, save for maybe that deranged whack job from “The Human Centipede.”

I mean, if you have some morbid desire to screw yourself up with self-inflicted behavior modifications that are way beyond normal rationale – so that for the rest of your life when you look at a sandwich what you really see is a bummed-out prisoner’s dissected cerebellum between two slices of bread – be my guest. But this is something not even recommended for sickos like Marylin Manson.

Throughout history, people have purposefully endeavored ridiculous feats – like Evel Knievel attempting to jump the Snake River Canyon on a rocket cycle, Hunter S. Thompson infiltrating a District Attorney’s convention on a full dropper of liquid LSD, and the insurgent QAnon guy in the horned fur cap charging the Capitol to steal the vote back for the Donald. But thankfully, instinct has provided a built-in dipshit button that prevents most of us from doing irreparable damage to mind, body and soul.

So, understand that in the attempt at heightening your misadventures by way of dual integration, realize that there are some things that will never mix: whiskey and ice cream, Jeffrey Lebowski in Malibu, and The Bodies Exhibit on mushrooms.

A sneaky, succulent vape toke of Green Crack before a rip through Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride? You already know.

mar. 2021

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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 CONSUMPTION OF THIS PRODUCT. FOR USE ONLY BY ADULTS TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

THE psychedelia ISSUE

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