THE HARVEST ISSUE Ocean Grown Cannabis McMinville, OR Photos by @resinated_lens The term “Cannabis refugee” applies to no man better than Martin Nickerson, who left Washington’s bad laws for Oregon in a move reminiscent of the Oregon Trail. Marty, as he’s known to friends and customers alike, once faced 14 felonies in Washington state for operating a patient collective, and endured multiple raids and court decisions over a 4-year period. After years of living with the felonies hanging over his head, the case was dropped, and he was left a free man without a place to do what he loved: growing and sharing Cannabis. Luckily, he has found solace in McMinnville, Ore., where his dispensary, medical and rec grows are all coming together in a beautiful vertical integration model. This season he was able to use the patient grower status to have outdoor plants on the property of his dispensary, and we took a trip out to see how the plants did. “We have great sunlight with a long period of direct light and the plants have loved it,” Nickerson said, watering plants while three dogs circled and barked while running around him. “It has been amazing to grow outdoors here for patients and provide the Cannabis for Ocean Grown Cannabis Company.” Through his moving process, the team at Skunk Train Farms was able to grow strains in Oregon they had once produced in Washington, and the results have been amazing. With nearly a dozen strains testing at 20 percent THC — like our Strain of the Month, Candyland — it’s easy to see that both the team and the plants have liked the Oregon growing climate. “I couldn’t be happier with the results,” he said. “We are ready for a break. It’s been a long and hard growing season.” Marty and his longterm girlfriend Sara Sutton have worked seven days a week to get the dispensary and garden running smoothly, and lived on-site through the season to protect the plants and maximize efficiency. If anyone deserves a break from the harvest, it’s these two. “I couldn’t have done this without her help, or the rest of the team,” Nickerson said humbly. “The only breaks we have taken have been to fish or hunt, and then it’s right back to the harvest.” Top-producing strains this year included Sinarious, a high-CBD strain with killer flavor and looks. The Canna-Tsu also did well, along with high-THC options like Bruce Banner #3, Candyland, GDP and Snoop’s Dream. The Black did extremely well, with beautiful light green leaves that center around dark purple buds that were swollen with trichomes and terps. “What a difference a state makes,” he said with a laugh. “I am extremely thankful to be here in Oregon, getting the opportunity to do what I once faced felonies for.”
48/nov. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
sirious black
Sweet roots