The Chronic Magazine (June 2020 Issue)

THE BEST MEDICAL MARIJUANA RESOURCEÂ IN OKLAHOMA

MAGAZINE

WWW.THEOKLAHOMACHRONIC.COM

CHRONIC

JUNE 2020

KING OF JOINTS TONY GREENHAND

Micro-Dosing:

What it Means And How To Do It

THC VS CBD

Which is Best For You?

Cannabis Vacations Explore the East Coast

Cannabis Testing Why it Matters?

NEW MONTHLY COLUMN

Where to Smoke

Highlighting Cannabis Friendly Places to Medicate HIDEAWAY FARMS - SLURRICANE COVER PHOTO CREDIT: CARLY BOSTON

The Oklahoma Chronic Magazine

Dusty Hayes || VP of Sales Instagram: @OklahomaChronicKing

STAFF

Therin Miller || Chief Editor Instagram: @oklahomachronicmagazine

Veronica Castillo || Writer Instagram: @v2_traveling_veg_canna_writer

Melissa Hall || Canna Critic Kayla Johnson || Writer

Instagram: @okcannacritic

Instagram: @ladyofhousej

Dr. Pepper Hernandez || Writer Instagram: @dr.pepperhernandez

Rachel Klubeck || Cannabis Attorney / Writer

Chef Buz Deliere || Canna Chef Instagram: @medibles_ok

Chynna Pearson || Writer Instagram: @chynnathewriter

Instagram: @roklubeck

Terrisha Harris || Graphic Designer Instagram: @smoke_tree_cannabis

Philip Rodriguez || Writer Instagram: @wheretosmokeokc

CONTENTS OKLAHOMA

CHRONIC

|

JUNE

2020

MICRO-DOSING:

0 6 What It Means And How To Do It

09

KING OF JOINTS

Highlighting Tony Greenhand

THC OR CBD:

1 6 Which is Best For You?

FEDERAL LEGALIZATION

2 1 Where Do We Stand?

MONTHLY RECIPE - CHEF BUZ

2 5 Canna-Lotion

29

EAST COAST CANNABIS VACATIONS

Cannabis Vacations and Things To Do

FROM THE CHRONIC TEAM Wow! I think we speak for everyone when we say 2020 will be a year none of us will forget. We are breaking records through the worst pandemic of our time. We have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to our industry. All the experts are looking at us and we are really leaving our mark. Most believe that there is no end in sight and that we are only going to continue to grow through the next few years.

XEN XTRACTS

3 3 A Peek Behind the Concentrate Curtain

42

As Cannabis in Oklahoma is now deemed essential we must not lose sight of 4 8 the fact that we have a voice and we need to fight for the things that will continue to move our great industry forward. Remember there are laws that are being proposed that hurt our industry and there are still people sitting in the criminal justice system here in Oklahoma for the same plant is helping so many of us in our daily lives.

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If you'd like to keep up with us throughout the month you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram

If you Puke, Faint, or Die... It Wasn't Weed -Anonymous

OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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CANNABIS TESTING Why it Matters?

WORLD OF CANNABINOIDS AND TERPENES Exploring Valencene

WHERE TO SMOKE IN OKLAHOMA

Highlighting Cannabis Friendly Places to Medicate

CANNABIS REVIEW

5 6 Robot Pharmer - Kickflip #7

MICRO-DOSING: WHAT IT MEANS AND HOW TO DO IT

BY VERONICA CASTILLO For those like me: the lover of being high on a potent strain/ dose, microdosing may not be of interest. For those that want all the benefits and little to no high, micro-dosing could be for you. Micro-dosing looks a little different for everyone- there isn’t a scientific method.

Generally, micro-dosing is ssociated with psychedelics like LSD and Psilocybin; however, CBD and THC micro-dosing have become popular topics. Overall, micro-dosing is consuming small amounts of Cannabis for the benefits of THC/CBD, while avoiding potential psychoactive effects that can interfere the duties of the day.

WHO/WHAT IS MICRO-DOSING GOOD FOR? For those that have zero experience with Cannabis, and interested in edibles and tinctures, micro-dosing may be good for you. Cannabis impacts us differently; I can wake and bake with a potent gram of flower and still work all morning. If I dab in the morning- I’m out in la la land the whole day. I know plenty of people that dab in the morning and work just fine.

So, body type, the day, mood, appetite, tolerance, and sleep habits are all considerations for the way Cannabis consumption will impact each of us. According to Dustin Sulak, an osteopathic physician, licensed in Maine, patients are now turning to micro-dosing in order to treat conditions like: depression, stress, anxiety, pain, and to help improve focus and promote sleep.

MICRO-DOSING 101 Smoking and Vaping: when dosing flower and/or vape cart, using the “1 puff at a time” logic is best. One puff/inhale every 4-6 minutes to see how you feel before consuming more is recommended. Smoking Cannabis means the impact is felt very close to immediately.

My experience with vaping- it’s a little delayed in impact so- 1 inhale every 10-12 minutes is recommended. It may take 1 inhale, it may take 4 inhales, but dosing in this way allows you to see how much is actually needed for the reason you are consuming.

OKLAHOMACHRONIC

“MICRODOSING IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY PERSONAL. THERE IS NO MAGIC BULLET FOR ALL PATIENTS; IT IS DIFFERENT FOR EACH ONE.” - MICHELLE ROSS

Tinctures: this gets a little tricky because depending on the body, oil can take up to 2 hours to feel. Using a 1000 MG tincture as the examplemeans that each full serving is 33.33 mg of Cannabis oil. When microdosing a tincture serving, start with a 3-4 drops under the tongue. Because oil generally has a longer waiting period to feel the impact, 3-4 drops every hour- hour and half is recommended.

Edibles: like tinctures, edibles are a bit tricky because of the impact time.

Generally, the impact starts to release into the body between 30 minutes to an hour. However, an edible can take up to 2 hours to feel. Generally, when buying an edible from a dispensary, the maximum milligrams allowed by law is 100 mg. That one edible will be divided into pieces and/or marked by sections in 10 mg dosages. For someone that is micro-dosing, 5 mg is a good place to start. Then increasing by 2.5 mg each hour.

In Closing Micro-dosing isn’t for everyone. Cannabis micro-dosing t’s not for me, but could be for you. If the goal isn’t to get high but to relax, relieve pain, or simply for the medicinal properties- then micro-dosing is great. It isn’t a good idea to start the process on a work day so, it’s recommended that you start on a- Netflix and chill day.

It’s ok to go slow because though Cannabis isn’t a plant that harms you- too much Cannabis in one dose can potentially create an unpleasant experience.

OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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King of Joints: Tony Greenhand

Photo Credits: Tony Greenhand

WRITTEN BY CHYNNA PEARSON The most popular way to use marijuana is probably

Now, how long has it been since you've rolled a

the joint; it’s easy, portable, fast, and great for

joint? Okay, cool. How long has it been since the

haring at parties! (Not right now though!) The term

joint you rolled was perfect? Not bad. How long has

“puff puff pass” comes from the common knowledge

it been since you've rolled a joint meant to look like

fact that you should not hit the joint too many times

a gold link chain or a squid? Never? Not even

when in a circle and you must keep puffing to keep

something like a slice of pizza or a hotdog? What

the joint properly lit. Popular weed culture movies

about the cross joint like the one they really rolled on

feature joints about as commonly as they feature

the set of Pineapple Express? No? Well, for weed

bongs. Joint rolling has been a part of the marijuana

artist Tony Greenhand, it wasn’t all that long ago.

culture since it began. Usually when one is rolling a joint, they do it the simple way because, if it smokes, it smokes! Other than the regular paper joints, there are many ways to roll up your weed such as in blunts and cones. (It’s not cheating, don’t worry!)

OKLAHOMACHRONIC Tony Greenhand is an Oregon born artist based in California who is a professional joint roller, or, as he likes to be called, a joint specialist who creates “smokeable art” both just for fun and, more often, for high-end clients like celebrities: YG, Tommy Chong, Rihanna, 2 Chainz, and Juice Wrld (Rest in Peace). When he first began rolling joints in his younger years, he was just like the rest of us, unskilled and rolling things that looked like bananas and toothpicks. Over one weekend and an ounce of marijuana, Greenhand was able to perfect his joint rolling skills. His creative joints were just for his friends who were utterly impressed by what he could do. Slowly, over a number of years, Greenhand has collected two World Records and has dipped his toe in all the weed related businesses and ventures that he could. It’s clear that not only

He uses all different types of smokeable papers,

does this hobby of his pay some bills, but it is also

cigar glue or some other adhesive, skewers or

something that he is incredibly passionate about.

toothpicks, Exacto knives, concentrates for

The average price of one of his pieces, and it

decoration, and anything else that would make

depends on the amount of weed, time, and other

each item as accurate and as unique as possible.

components, can go for up to $10,000. He definitely

The skewers he uses are so that each joint is

understands what his unique work is worth!

perfectly smokeable; each skewer leaves a channel of airflow so that there are no obstructions that

Greenhand’s smokeable art is painstakingly intricate.

could make the joint begin to burn at an angle and

He takes pride in his work, so he must get it right

ruin the flow. He also has to consider the thickness

no matter how many tries it takes. He definitely will

and clarity of each different type of paper he uses

be satisfied with the final project. Each piece that

to make sure the finished product smokes smoothly.

he has made takes anywhere from 3 days to 3

Greenhand has crafted a multitude of joints with a

weeks to, at most, 3 months; one of his smokeable

multitude of different materials. For example,

guns took three tries to get it right and ended up

Greenhand’s Pink Panther joint consisted of pink

taking about 3 weeks! When Greenhand works on

hand-dyed papers, as well as dark black papers for

these masterpieces, he uses many tools, so he is

the accents, and it was filled with an ounce of

able to craft each piece perfectly.

marijuana. The Pink Panther joint was set to be on display in the Crown OG pop-up museum in Los Angeles, California, in the summer of 2019. Another more wild example is the joint necklace that he made for rapper YG; the necklace joint was encrusted in 24 karat gold and even had real diamonds on it (yes, real diamonds)! When you smoke it, the diamonds would just fall in the ash like the way the gold does. That golden necklace joint cost well over $7,000 since that was the price of just the diamonds. One of the other golden necklaces that Greenhand created was a 24 karat shine paper covered joint necklace that was featured on 2 Chainz’ Viceland TV show Most Expensivest. 2 Chainz was so impressed, he almost didn’t want to smoke it.

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If you think diamonds on the joint was insane, Tommy Chong’s joint was a mini Tommy Chong with a moveable arm, so he could smoke a mini joint! Not only did the arm move, but the piece still smoked really well. It was Tommy Chong smoking a Tommy Chong joint smoking a joint; it was like Joint-ception or some kind of Black Mirror joint episode.

Greenhand’s ability to make small yet amazing joints is a true testimony of talent. His creation the DNA strand, double helix joint is rounded perfectly with no sharp bends even though he usually has them set straight with skewers. Greenhand’s ability to make all these pieces smokeable means that, sometimes, the joints must come apart to achieve maximum smokeability. One of his pieces that came apart was his ancient Samurai warrior joint which, in order to smoke it, you needed to remove the swords and the head; both of which are smokeable on their own. Some amount of his pieces needed something removed to be able to smoke out of it properly; a few of those works that required disassembly were his whole pizza joint, each piece was its own joint, and the Mike Tyson eating an avocado joint. The Mike Tyson mini figure joint could be smoked on its own, however Greenhand left a hole at the top of its head for easy pulling once you lit the feet.

Some more of Tony Greenhand’s coolest creations are the golden roses, an ice cream cone dusted in keif to give it depth, a tyrannosaurs rex with a joint in his hand, Shenron from Dragon Ball Z, Sonic the Hedgehog, Rick, Morty, Mr. Poopybutthole, and Mr. Meseeks from Rick and Morty. Additionally, he’s made the Statue of Liberty including the greenish blue tint, an entire turkey dinner complete with sides and a drink, a gingerbread man, a grenade, Spiderman, and the devil playing a fiddle with visible strings. Greenhand has even made a moving Ferris wheel, a Hi-C box you can smoke out of the straw, a turtle covered in keif so he looks more like a turtle, and a Fortnite Scar gun joint. Greenhand even made a beautiful flower joint for his girlfriend that she documented over Snapchat. Their relationship is a match made in heaven as she is a photographer, and he makes photograph worthy art. However, Greenhand has said before that he isn’t much of a person to take photos of his work. He thinks that a picture doesn’t capture exactly what the joint looks like and even kind of “steals their souls” like in some mythologies. Greenhand would much rather just gift the joint to its rightful owner instead of posting each of his works. It would be safe to say that we have only seen a small piece of his full portfolio.

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OKLAHOMACHRONIC Greenhand’s awesome intricate designs are cool,

He realized as he got older that not all of his options

but some of his giant pieces can truly take your

felt fulfilling or even possible. Greenhand’s younger

breath away. As time went on and he created wilder

self was faced with life, and, just like many people,

and more uniquely designed joints, they also seemed

was discouraged by what he was presented with.

to get bigger and bigger. He has made a one

Growing up, we all wanted a career path that we

pound, two pound, and a three pound joint. But, his

actually enjoyed. After feeling kind of hopeless for

biggest and his crowning achievement for big,

his future career path, Greenhand began to get into

fat joints is his world record breaking 4.2 pound

the medical marijuana growing business, something

watermelon joint. The behemoth of a joint lasted

he actually wanted to try. He started in the bottom

four whole hours once it was lit! To be able to

and dedicated himself to learning everything

smoke it, Greenhand constructed it with a hose

possible about marijuana because to him, it felt like

coming out of the bottom that he filled with ice to

his last and only option. Greenhand reminisces from

give it a smoother hit. His other world record is the

this story on his Instagram saying now that he is

fastest joint ever rolled. Greenhand can move fast

older, he realized it was a missed opportunity not to

and work with huge amounts of weed but has been

have believed in himself. He tells his followers that

quoted saying that he could use cones everyday

now he has started a list of things that are

rather than physically rolling a joint. (See? Not

impossible, and there is nothing on it (his list is

cheating! Even the King of Joints gets tired of

complete). Greenhand is correct, too, nothing is

rolling.) I guess when you can roll a joint in under

impossible, and he proves it with every piece he

thirty seconds, you’d probably want to use cones

makes.

too! These world records, I think, are what qualify him to be the best joint roller in the world.

Even though there are long lists of Greenhand’s accomplishments, his favorite part of what he does

Along with rolling golden necklace joints,

is sharing the experience with his clients; the

Greenhand his own company called Greenhand

look on their faces when they are presented with a

Genetics. Greenhand Genetics is where he markets

ridiculously big and intricate joint is like nothing else

his own seeds like Peanutbutter Jealous, Peachnana,

because what he does is so unlike anything most

Fruit Cup, Berry Poppins, and Bibleberry Kush. He

people have ever seen. Greenhand believes that

also dabbles in growing as well as making some

sharing in that unique of an experience is something

concentrates. Unfortunately for all of us not in

to behold. (Plus, smoking like a whole ounce at once

California or Oregon, we won’t be able to try his

is a feat.)

strains just yet. Greenhand Genetics also sells merchandise like phone cases and coffee mugs that come with photos of his work or his strains on them.

Close up photos of marijuana, especially highquality strains, are beautiful, so you don’t just have to buy something with a sculpted joint on the front (although, why not get both?). Greenhand is, unfortunately, not as well known for his genetics work, and he seems to keep this part of his life quieter than this joint rolling.

Greenhand has been doing this work for over five years. He used to get the same question all the time: “Did you see yourself doing this?” It’s not surprising that people would be interested in just how exactly someone grows up and gets paid to roll joints.

(A dream job!) From the beginning, Greenhand was a very ambitious person, and like most young people, he had a list of possible jobs he wanted to do in the future: lawyer, musician, doctor, or author.

Greenhand’s most recent marijuana venture is his Quibi series that debuted on 420 this year entitled Let’s Roll.

This series is where he will be going deep into what he does as a joint specialist along with the celebrities he rolls for. Greenhand is constantly making new achievements and creating beautiful works of functionally smokeable art. It’s amazing to see the amount of work that goes into each and every one of his joints. His undeniable talent is noteworthy, and it’s wonderful that he can be recognized globally through world records and his ever-growing stardom. He’s made so many mind blowing thins that the only question left with anticipation is...what will he make next?

Marijuana is truly something that brings people together, even people you may never have assumed would enjoy each other’s company. I’m sure that in sharing a giant 4.2 pound watermelon joint, you’d end up making at least two new friends, the amount of people needed to smoke all that would be pretty much a small party. That day of smoking that joint was an experience of a lifetime that those who took part in, I’m sure, will never forget. A good comparison, to how amazing Greenhand’s work is to see and partake in, is with extravagant cakes. Wedding cakes can be over 100 pounds and covered in realistic edible flowers; then they are enjoyed by huge groups of people that all share in the same wonderful experience. It has also been said that adding more sensory information to an event like eating cake or smoking marijuana will contribute to how well you remember it, even if you just remember how crazy stoned you got.

Greenhand is one of the most unique marijuana artists I’ve ever come across. His work is not only beautiful but functional and so much fun. I remember the first Greenhand piece I came across was the custom blue kraken he made in 2017. It consisted of an ounce of flower with concentrate suction cups, to smoke it you lit the biggest tentacles first and smoked from the head. I was so amazed! I showed that joint to all my friends. His work is astounding, and it has only grown since.

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OKLAHOMACHRONIC

THC or CBD: Which is Best For You?

By Chynna Pearson

As the country grows and time goes on, more and more medications have been FDA approved and marketed by big companies who may or may not even care if their medicines really help their customers. Additionally, many medications can cause more harm than good, some even cause other illnesses that you need more medication for! Have you ever had to take a pain pill then had to take stomach medicine because the pain pill sent you on too many bathroom trips?

It doesn’t sound like too much fun! For those of you that are looking for an alternative to ingesting chemicals to combat your pains and illnesses, cannabis may be perfect for you!

While there may be many other remedies that you can try to ease physical and mental problems, one of the most natural and effective ways to do this is through cannabis. For many, cannabis has become an all-natural remedy for their internal and external issues. As scientists have been able to look deeper into cannabis in recent years, they have made many discoveries on how the little green plant affects us. The most essential discovery was that of the endocannabinoid system and how it works within us!

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OKLAHOMACHRONIC This means our bodies have always been able to process marijuana without outright harm to our organs. The endocannabinoid system is simply just another system within our body, similar in concept to the circulatory system. The system interacts with each part of our body through multiple receptors in our organs, tissues, glands, brain, and cells that deal with immunity though the cannabinoid receptors.

Our endocannabinoid system is how we use cannabis to our advantage with no need of enhancement.

Once ingested, the cannabinoid receptors function as a communicator between different systems in the body to help processes go faster, or in instances of injury, help calm receptors from firing excessively and slow down the release of pro-inflammatory substances. To put it in the most basic terms, cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system help keep our body in steady and civil communication with each connecting system. Both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are processed through and around this system but they behave quite differently. These compounds are cannabis’ pride and joy.

The cannabis plant’s primary active and most commonly known compound is THC, and when THC is prevalent the plant is usually classified as marijuana. THC is what gives the user the “high” sensation as it is a psychoactive component of using marijuana. While, yes, there are people who simply use THC as a recreational activity, there are medical benefits to its usage. A common example of prescribed marijuana is for cancer patients who use it to deal with the pain and nausea that come with chemotherapy. Medical professionals recommend using THC for pain, anxiety, low appetite, nausea, insomnia, and glaucoma. For many people, using regular marijuana is just fine for their aches and pains with the added benefit of euphoric feelings stemming from its psychoactive properties. If these benefits and uses sound good but not quite what you’re looking for, CBD may be your go-to alternative medicine.

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Cannabis’s other primary compound is CBD. Unlike THC, the CBD that you will find nearly everywhere

While both THC and CBD are extremely beneficial

has been extracted from hemp plants rather than

and safer alternatives to potentially harmful

from the same cannabis plants where we get THC.

medications, there are side effects. You’ve heard

Through this extraction process, they can virtually

those commercials where at the end they list all the

guarantee that there is less that 0.3% THC, the legal

different side effects that may come from taking

limit for CBD products, inside the final edible or

their medicine, right? The lists are long and half the

topical being sold on the market. CBD reacts with

time they’ve been sped up, so they don’t sound as

receptors throughout the body as well as working

bad. Cannabis’s side effects are mild for both CBD

indirectly in order to act where they need to. For

and THC. CBD may actually dampen the side effects

example, CBD can add extra “lubrication”

of THC if you begin to feel a little too “high.” THC

throughout the body’s natural systems to get them

may cause dry mouth, red eyes, increased appetite,

flowing more healthily. CBD’s main medical uses are

and, if too much THC has been ingested, mild

to relieve pain, seizures, inflammation, nausea,

paranoia. All of the aforementioned effects also will

migraines, mental disorders, depression, and

dissipate fairly quickly. While some of these side

anxiety. Although THC is helpful for most of these

effects may sound a little worrying, a good tip is that

illnesses as well, it all comes down to how you would

there are natural ways to bring down whatever you

personally like to feel while being pain free. There

are feeling too much of. Smelling a little bit of black

are some people who don’t like the feeling THC

pepper (not too much or you may sneeze) or

gives them; it might make them paranoid every time,

drinking some cranberry juice may calm you down

and they’ve decided it’s not for them. CBD gives

faster than adding more CBD into your system to

users the chance to be relived from pain without

counteract the THC.

having to sacrifice their want to use something natural as an alternative to traditional medications.

The cannabis plant is extremely versatile; THC products are readily available in most states and

If both THC and CBD sound beneficial to you and

CBD is legal all over the nation, so finding some near

your issues, there are many ways to use both

you shouldn’t be too hard to manage. Choosing to

simultaneously! Some products like topical creams

try cannabis can be a big choice, so make sure to do

and concentrates come as 1:1 combinations to

some research before diving in head first. Be sure to

stimulate all effects of cannabis though the body.

dose yourself in small increments as well; you don’t

There are even a few strains of flower that have been

want to feel overwhelmed on your first try! When

bred to have larger CBD percentages than we used

deciding which component of cannabis will work

to get in order to give people more options on how

best for you, be sure to ask your bud-tender or

to take their medicine. Flower that is higher in CBD

retailer every question you have about what you’re

and lower in THC than the average strain is a good

buying. It’s more important to be informed than to

way to test how you feel about the “high” sensation

be embarrassed. No question is a dumb question

as well. Personally, using both CBD and THC is my

when it comes to knowing more for your health!

most beneficial way to stay healthy! CBD for when

THC or CBD (or both) is a natural alternative to lab

you need to stay grounded and focused, THC if you’d

created medicine which sounds like a breakthrough

rather not focus on anything. Using 1:1 topical

to me.

creams are good for post workout soreness or just regular muscle soreness too. It’s all up to what you feel is best for your body!

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FEDERAL CANNABIS LEGALIZATION Where do we stand?

Additionally, because of the calming benefits of Cannabis- it’s easy to see why Cannabis is saving the day. The government

Maybe we are closer than we were 10 years ago. Maybe Coronavirus showed the powers that be how essential Cannabis is. Maybe we are seeing more support for Cannabis. But the truth remains, the federal government still sees Cannabis as the enemy.

won’t tell us that Cannabis may help with Covid-19 symptoms but, those of us that love and know the plant- know that it’s the best medicine.carries.

CNBC reports: Cannabis CEO’s say federal legalization of Cannabis would provide economic

On April 30, 2020, Cory Booker said “We need to end this federal

stimulus through tax revenue and job

prohibition. It’s something I’m going to fight for. This hypocrisy—

creation during the Coronavirus recovery.

these drug laws that we have that are archaic and cruel—they must end” and I couldn’t agree more. It is beyond time for Cannabis to be

8 states deemed recreational cannabis

freed from prejudice and war. We are making strides but big brother

essential during Covid-19 shutdowns.

government is still hiding the key to total freedom.

Weekly sales in March topped $134

Cannabis Deemed Essential

million in California, Washington, Nevada and Colorado, a 17% increase from the weekly average in 2019.

Cannabis sales have spiked during this pandemic. There have been no proven reports/studies about Cannabis treating/healing Covid-19

In the second half of March, the average

but, there are some underway. People have been turning to Cannabis

purchase also increased by 47%.

and I can only assume that this is because of the reported antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties that Cannabis

All things point to CANNABIS IS ESSENTIAL-

carries.

the people have spoken!

OKLAHOMACHRONIC

Federal Legalization- H.R. 1227 and Forecasts

Forbes reports that these United States Senators support federal Cannabis legalization:

In 2017, The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017, HR 1227 was introduced to the house. This is

Senator Cory Booker

bipartisan legislation which eliminates federal criminal

Cory Gardener

penalties for possessing and growing Cannabis.

Elizabeth Warren

Researchers at the University of Colorado and The Santa

Jeff Merkley

Fe Institute, forecasted federal legalization based on data

Rand Paul

from states that have already legalized Cannabis. The

Bernie Sanders

outcome linked to the data was a strong likelihood of

Kirsten Gillibrand

federal legalization by the end of 2022.

Chuck Schumer Patrick Leahy

Coronavirus has other plans for 2020. Due to the

Steve Daines

pandemic, “what was supposed to be a banner year for marijuana legalization is becoming a bust”, as stated by

In Closing

Politico. “Social distancing has put ballot drives on pause and state lawmakers are overwhelmed with addressing the

We are seeing more support of Cannabis within

crisis at hand.”

communities, in state governments, and even see lawmakers speaking out in support of Cannabis

State Governments Want Legalization

legalization at the federal level. We have Senators and members of Congress that have been vocal about their

Our government called a plant- public enemy number 1.

support for legalization. We have legislation that has

Not rapists, not serial killers, not opioids- but a plant.

been introduced, passed, and work being done daily to

Many people believed the lies and did everything they

remove the plant from schedule I.

could to support the government in their efforts to lock us all up and throw away the key.

I urge our government to find a new something to hate.

A government in support of their people and their well-

There is a shift happening through. Here are a few

being would never place a plant, an herb- on the same

examples:

schedule as Heroin. Coronavirus shouldn’t be used as

an excuse to slow down legalization but instead- to

Pennsylvania’s top two elected officials held a joint

rush it because regardless of the powers that be- we

news conference advising Pennsylvanians that they now

the people have deemed it essential.

support recreational adult use of Cannabis.

Again, during the pandemic, weekly sales topped $134

Lawmakers press Trump officials to change federal

million in California, Washington, Nevada and Colorado

marijuana rules.

in one month. There was a 17% increase from the

New York health officials recommend marijuana

weekly average in 2019. In the second half of March, the

legalization in report to governor.

average purchase also increased by 47%.

City officials in Las Cruces have voted to support a bill legalizing recreational marijuana throughout New Mexico.

Like Jay-Z says: “men lie, women lie, numbers don’t”.

CANNA LOTION

"TWIST ONE UP AND LET’S GET COOKING"

By Chef Buz @medibles_ok

G

Good day and welcome back to all my canna chefs out there! This month's recipe is one for your skin, to help with the dryness and irritation from all the washing and sanitizing we are doing.

This homemade cannabis lotion will help restore the moisture to your skin and keep away the cracking and irritation. We all have our preferences so when it comes to the essential oils in this recipe, find the blend that best suits you. I personally enjoy the smell of lavender, it's relaxing, and that's one of the reasons I like to use it. Lavender oil is also great for calming skin irritation, another good reason I like to use it in my lotion. So, grab a bag of your favorite herb, twist one up and let’s get cooking with a Buz!

INGREDIENTS ¼ C organic cocoa butter ¼ C organic shea butter ¼ C organic infused coconut oil ¼ C organic infused olive oil 10-20 drops organic essential oils of your choice I like to use about 10 drops of roman chamomile, 7 drops of lavender and 3 of rose oil

DIRECTIONS First, you’ll want to heat a pot of water to a simmer, add the butters and infused oils to a glass mason jar and place into the simmering water to melt. Once melted pour into a mixing bowl and add the essential oils and whisk well. Now put the bowl in the refrigerator for a few minutes, then remove from the refrigerator and with a hand mixer, mix on high for about 3 minutes. After you mix it up place it into the container of your liking and refrigerate once more to achieve the right consistency.

OKLAHOMACHRONIC

CHRONIC EVENTS

HIGHTIMES CANNABIS CUP: PEOPLE'S CHOICE

JUNE 27, 2020

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GGX OKC - CELEBRATING OK’S 2ND CANNAVERSARY

JUNE 27 - 28, 2020

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EAST COAST CANNABIS VACATIONS

BY VERONICA CASTILLO

and/or the Atlantic seaboard. The east coast is

EAST COAST STATES- CANNABIS VACATIONS AND THINGS TO DO

technically Florida and along the Atlantic Ocean- up to

Florida

The east coast, also known as: the eastern seaboard

Maine. Along that coast you’ll find that: Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Washington D.C

Medicinal state and what is there not to love? The state is

are legal for recreational consumption. Every other

surrounding by the Atlantic and the Gulf. Miami- what I call

state is legal for medicinal consumption and/or has

the United Caribbean has everything: beaches, coconut

been decriminalized. But it’s a good idea to check each

trees, aloe growing wild, parties, sports, South Beach, and so

state because some decriminalization is only for CBD.

much ethnic food that you will feel like you took a tour around the islands in the Caribbean.

Recently, I wrote about Cannabis vacations out west and so, this piece is all about an east coast Cannabis

Visiting Florida outside the pandemic means a vacation that

vacation. My experience out east is always amazing. I

looks like: CBD coffee and meditation, CBD and hemp

haven’t visited every state so, the information provided

shows, and if you’re lucky- a Bud and Breakfast rental on

is from personal experience and research.

Miami Beach- perfect for the A.M. wake and bake.

Another mention; Cannabis out west, along the coast, is

Washington D.C

fully legal. The Cannabis scene in this form is very different than a medical only and/or a decriminalized

Our nations legal-recreational Cannabis capital. Here you

state. A recreational legal state has more freedom for

can see the infamous white house. Here you can book

things like: social lounges, dispensary/farm tours, and

accommodations at Elevation Deco House for $420 a night

infused foods. For this type of full action- visiting a

through Bud and Breakfast.

legal recreational state could enhance the Cannabis vacation experience.

It’s also the place where you can rent the basement or a bedroom at Ayana Everett’s place. Ayana runs a 420friendly Airbnb out of her home, to out-of-state folks who just want to legally light up in peace. For an upgrade, she will include a gift – Cannabis.

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Vermont I love Vermont because they legalized through

New York

legislative powers. So- this means that Cannabis is legal to possess, which is different than full

A decriminalized state, the “concrete jungle where

legalization of recreational Cannabis- which is

dreams are made of”. New York City- the city that

generally done through ballots/votes. This changed

never sleeps. Midtown, upper east, lower east, Wall

in 2018 though and now- dispensaries and lounges

Street, Central Park, Broadway- what a place! I love it

will begin to open up.

so much. There is always an eyeful to see just in NYC alone- and then there are the boroughs.

In Vermont, visitors can relax in nature because Vermont is primarily forests. Visitors can hike, ski,

In NYC, you can walk 35 blocks and not even know it.

and boat. Trip Advisor says that in the winter, there’s

This is great place to get high and get the munchies-

plenty of skiing and snowboarding. During the

the food is phenomenal! The tours of the city and

warmer months, Vermont offers plenty of

boroughs are amazing! Grab the “jump on and off”

opportunities for swimming and fishing. A vacation

option on those tours and get dropped off and picked

rental on Lake Champlain would be perfect.

up in/from places like Harlem, Queens, and The Bronx. All have such rich culture and ties to our

Maine

current day society.

A recreational state and it sounds like Portland,

In Closing

Maine and Portland, Oregon have something in common. The "420 Old Fat Lesbians" have this to say

Bud and Breakfast and Kush Tourism are great

about Portland, Maine- and it’s exactly how I feel

resources for Cannabis lodging and things to do on

about Portland, Oregon: “Portland is a great place to

your Cannabis vacation. Keep in mind that legal

wander around when you’re high.” They recommend

Cannabis doesn’t mean total freedom. In most states-

visiting The Old Port which is full of shops and

Cannabis consumption is only allowed behind closed

restaurants, the bluff of the historic Western

doors on private property. I point that out because

Promenade for Victorian architecture, and Acadia

even though legal/decriminalized, lighting up in

National Park because of the rocky beaches and

public can come with consequences and

mountain peaks.

penalties.

EAST COAST

X e n

A Peek Behind the Concentrate Curtain Over the course of the last five years or so, cannabis has seen a nearly unprecedented rise, and as the number of people consuming the plant openly continues to increase, the ways that they’re choosing to consume it are changing rapidly. Flower has been, and will likely always remain, Old Faithful, the standby that can be consumed in a variety of ways. However, as we’ve all noticed, things have dramatically changed, and for the last decade, cannabis extracts and concentrates have seen an equally meteoric rise within the industry and community.

Whether they’re solvent-based extracts like shatter, wax, and distillate in cartridges for vaping, or solventless extracts such as rosin or bubble hash, concentrates have seen their steady rise in popularity thanks to notoriously high THC levels, and a taste profile that is often cleaner than what most experience from smoking or even vaping their flower. With the convenience of cartridges and other portable dab devices now available, it’s clear that concentrates are here to stay.

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In our own cannabis industry in Oklahoma, they have become big business; while most dispensaries still focus heavily on the sale of cannabis flower, many also have entire displays dedicated to the growing variety of extracts and concentrates available to patients.

Businesses across the state have taken up the task of creating these potent and powerful doses of medicine, and even though extracts are rapidly rising in popularity, for many patients, the process remains a mystery. Just what kind of effort goes into making those amberfilled cartridges we love? How do they get that potent shatter from a mass of flower and plant matter? And just why does one gram of an extract cost anywhere from $30-$75 or more?

In order to help enlighten the patients here in Oklahoma about how their medicine is made, I reached out to the folks at Xen Xtracts, a processing company located in Oklahoma City, to get a behind-the-scenes look at just how they make one of their main products, their distillate cartridges. As more and more people turn to cannabis for their health, they’ve also started asking the critical questions about where their medicine comes from, and in order to help answer that, we’ve put together a brief walkthrough of the process. I’ve been writing about cannabis in Oklahoma since the bill passed in 2018, and this is the first opportunity I’ve had to step inside one of the extract companies that have opened up shop. As a big fan of cartridges and dabs personally, this is an exciting topic for me to cover, and I greatly appreciate the crew at Xen for helping to educate their fellow tokelahomans.

As you might expect, extracts begin, of course, with flower.

Nathan Burleson, the owner as well as a passionate, handson employee of Xen Xtracts, took it from the top, explaining how they process the material they use for the distillate oil that they put inside their cartridges. Right away, he led me over to the largest bag of flower and plant matter, much of it already broken up in some way, that I’ve ever seen (so far, anyway). It smelled as skunky as you’d expect an oversized Santa-esque bag of cannabis to smell, and according to Burleson, that’s the first key to quality extracts.

“There are several different growers across the state that we work with, they’re ones that we’ve really built up a good working relationship with, and we know that they’ve got a great product for us to work with,” he said,” What you end up with depends a lot on what you start with.”

OKLAHOMACHRONIC

While he’s been able to build up a network of trusted growers for Xen to work with, he stressed the importance of being a bit choosy,” You never want to work with ‘just anybody’, because you need to be able to trust the plant matter that’s coming in If you use crappy materials, you’ll probably end up with a product that reflects that.”

Once they receive the flower and plant matter from their growers, Burleson said the giant bag gets divided up into smaller bags, portioned out evenly, and bag by bag, every bit of green goes into an alcohol wash, where every bit of THC and valuable terpenes are stripped from the plant matter into the solvent. It’s the same kind of concept of using rubbing alcohol to clean your bong; once you’ve sloshed it around for a while, you end up with a brownish liquid. In this case, these ‘tea bags’ are sloshed and soaked until the resulting liquid is extremely dark, like syrup for a soda fountain. Burleson described this alcohol-wash step as the preparation for the all-important filtration process,” Once we’ve pulled everything we can, all of the THC, terpenes and lipids (which are fatty acids within cannabis) from the plant, it goes into our deep freeze.”

Part of what makes extracts so potent is that the ‘extras’ that cannabis has (like those lipids we mentioned) are often filtered out, and taking the solvent down to subzero temperatures in the company’s megachiller is part of a step that Burleson tends to repeat, multiple times,” Once that solvent gets cold enough, those lipids separate out, leaving the THC and terpenes in the solvent. We then take that solvent and run it through a filter, again and again, usually at least three times, until we’ve gotten it as clean and pure as possible.”

Even with the repeated filtration step, Burleson said that Xen takes an additional step, to ensure that their distillate is as pure as possible. “We actually do a saline wash once we’ve taken it out of the freezer and it’s been filtered to our liking. This helps purify it, even more, reducing any additional acids, and once it’s been decarbed, it’s ready for the short path.”

Without getting too technical and risking information-overload, a short-path distillation apparatus is, as you might expect, a distiller that uses a vacuum and low heat to evaporate the solvent and pull it into a separate, colder chamber, leaving behind an incredibly pure and potent cannabis distillate. Once the solvent enters that colder section, it condenses to a liquid again, and Burleson stated that this allows Xen Extracts to be an extremely low waste business. “All of the alcohol or solvent that we get back doing it this way, we’re able to continue using to process more plant material, meaning we’re really limited on how much waste we’re creating because we’re not just using it once and tossing it,” he said. “We go through anywhere from 300-400 pounds of flower and plant material each month, and we really work to make sure we get everything we can from that, so it’s important to make sure you’re not disposing of anything you can use.”

Since they first opened for business in January 2019, Burleson said Xen has worked to set itself apart in the state’s industry by providing high-quality extracts. “It’s something that I enjoy doing, I know the others that work here care about what they do, and the products we make, and that’s something we try to reflect in what we put out for patients and businesses.”

Like others, Burleson has also noticed the rise in popularity that concentrates and extracts are seeing, and he has his own theories on why, based on his own personal experience with them.

“Convenience is a big reason for the vape cartridge. I use a cartridge personally for the smell, it doesn’t smell like I’m smoking flower and stink up the place,” he said. “Potency has to be a player as well. You can get a stronger product when it’s concentrated, takes less to medicate. People that don’t want to smoke at all, they can use a form of concentrates (like RSO) to get it into edibles. Concentrates are just going to continue to grow in popularity.”

As the owner, Burleson also recognized the importance of ensuring what comes out of his facility is not only potent but clean. “That’s one of the biggest steps, is getting it tested.

This helps determine how strong it is, obviously, but also if we need to make adjustments to our process to get a cleaner batch, or if there were ever a problem, we’d rather know before it gets into patient hands” he said.

“When you’re working with solvents and this kind of technique, it’s just really important to be absolutely sure that what you’re putting out there is safe for people to consume, that’s why Oklahoma really needs to get on top of testing and make sure companies are staying compliant.”

The Sooner State’s cannabis industry has shown no sign of slowing down from its explosive growth just yet, and for companies like Xen Xtracts, the continued boom that brings advancements to cannabis processing is a golden opportunity to create powerful medicine from a plant that has changed lives across the world. It’s a time-consuming process, perhaps even ever-so-slightly tedious, and with the use of highly flammable solvents like ethanol or butane, it can even be dangerous without the proper lab equipment and safety precautions. For Burleson and the other employees of Xen, however, the time-heavy process is well worth it, to create something potent out of a mass of sticky green goodness, and considering their fairly well-known status across the state, what they’re doing works for them.

Part of what makes our cannabis industry so vibrant is that the industry members still have a serious passion for cannabis, and the products that can be created from it, and the group working at Xen Xtracts fall into that category. I’m appreciative of the fact that my first visit to a processing facility was with a thorough and focused company that not only emphasizes its product, but encourages patients to ask about the testing behind it, something that hasn’t been in the forefront of the many conversations about cannabis in Oklahoma.

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Extracts and concentrates are, like methods of growing cannabis, always evolving; we went from having simple shatter and oil to being able to create things like diamonds and even solventless. Companies like Xen are always striving to provide patients with newer, better, and more convenient cannabis products, ensuring that Oklahoma continues to brush shoulders with the longer-established industries in other states. Extracts are here to stay, and as time goes by, they’ll only become more refined; while they are extremely potent and you should be cautious about overdoing it as you start, that powerful punch they pack is what gives you such a bang for your buck. Many patients find serious pain or nausea relief, and others also prefer vaping or dabbing extracts for a quick-hitting and powerful tool against anxiety or severe depression. If you’ve never branched out into the world of extracts, I hope you take this brief look into the lengthy process of creating one of the most common types as an invitation to stick your foot in the door.

Xen Xtracts

N O M I N A T E

Y O U R

TOP TENDER Do you know a bud tender that deserves to be recognized?

We want to know about them, they may end up in a future issue.

Just email us and tell us why they deserve it.

TheOklahomaChronic@outlook.com

OKLAHOMACHRONIC

Cannabis Testing - Why it matters?

"testing will tell you everything that’s going on in your bud or extracts" One of the top reasons that most people begin to look at cannabis from a medicinal perspective is the undeniable appeal of having medicine that’s more natural than anything from a pharmacy.

Let’s face it, it’s as natural as you can get, really: it’s just a plant, after all. As the rise of the ‘back to basics’ lifestyle continues to bring back all-natural products of all types, cannabis is sitting pretty as a from-the-Earth-for-theEarth medicine that has the potential to heal both us, and this hunk of rock we call home in dramatic ways, despite being fairly simple to grow. Even as natural and powerful as this humble plant can be, the potential remains for cannabis, even from the most experienced growers, to be contaminated in any number of ways.

Rather than roll the dice on what batches or harvests are safe for patients to consume, the testing of cannabis and the products made from it has become an exceedingly important piece of the cannaindustry-puzzle.

From mold or rotted buds of flower to pesticides or heavy metals, cannabis and cannabis products that aren’t quite up to par can be dangerous. Just like with any other medicine produced, ensuring there are no problems or flaws that could potentially harm patients is key, but testing for cannabis also plays another vitally important role:

it helps measure levels of THC and other cannabinoids, and many labs are also able to check for at least thirty or more of the different terpenes that cannabis strains can contain. To put it simply, testing will tell you everything that’s going on in your bud or extracts, whether you grew it yourself or bought it from a dispensary. It’s an important safety factor that, until recent months, many patients (and even a few businesses) hadn’t really considered as a priority. As the industry continues to progress, however, testing has become a hot topic, especially within the last few weeks, and I reached out to Carl Wheeler, the business director over at Highgrade Labs in klahoma City, to talk about testing and why it needs to be a big part of that conversation around cannabis moving forward.

Analytical labs are not exactly new to cannabis. Several testing facilities opened in the state shortly after dispensaries and growers began to have product available, and while testing has been happening since sales began, it was only earlier this year that the OMMA officially handed out licenses to these testing facilities, and began enforcing their requirement that all cannabis products sold must be tested at a lab that has been fully licensed by them, which includes an inspection from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.

OKLAHOMACHRONIC Highgrade, a fully licensed lab that opened in May of 2019, has quickly established itself with a solid reputation thanks to its analytical work.

While testing for cannabis is fairly common sense, Wheeler, a former resident of Enid who lived in New York and returned home after the bill passed, said that it’s something that he believes many patients simply don’t consider, despite the benefits.

“Really, there are kind of two different functions of an analytical lab, and they both help out the patients in the end. One of them, of course, is the fact that as labs, we are somewhat of an arm of the OMMA, on the regulating side, to ensure that the things that are on dispensary shelves are clean, safe, and good for the patients,” he said. “The other side of that is what we kind of consider our mission, to help producers just make better products, which is kind of the more fun part, to be honest.”

Helping processors and growers by testing samples from their harvests or their latest batches is a big part of what Highgrades does, and according to Wheeler, what they’re finding has gradually shifted since they opened their doors last year. “What’s interesting is that most of the people that we work with, they’re kind of past that early stage, like they’ve learned the things that you can’t use, or that you’re not supposed to use because it’s bad for patients. At the same time, while there’s a whole lot of people who know what they’re doing and are producing some amazing product, there’s a whole lot of people who don’t, so for them, it’s still a learning process.”

For many, Wheeler says that the learning process is simply figuring out what you can and can’t use on plants, including pesticides that are seemingly labeled organic. “It’s all about finding the things that you actually can use versus what will cause problems for you. For example, Captain Jack’s is a pesticide that people use that, by some metric, is considered organic, but it has spinosad in it, which one of the thirteen pesticides on the list from the OMMA, so it’s the little things like that that just come from experience and learning about it.”

Despite their important role in ensuring products in stores are safe, Wheeler firmly believes that the two functions are equally important. “While it’s our job to find things like this that are in samples from products on dispensary shelves, we really think it’s also our job to help these businesses and growers determine ‘why’ these bad things are in these samples, and how we can help them prevent it from happening again in the future.”

That learning curve doesn’t just apply to the growers and processors, however. “No matter how you look at it, there’s just a lot of education involved in all of this for everybody, us included,” he said. “We have learned so much over the last year, and we’ve been able to help some of the growers we work with learn some good things to use, some things to avoid using, things like that.”

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OKLAHOMACHRONIC For Highgrade, a big part of protecting cannabis starts from the very beginning, and Wheeler says as often as they run tests on samples of cannabis and cannabis products, they’re usually running tests on various nutrients that their growers are interested in trying. “We try to almost take a preventative approach, so we try to take an extra step with everyone we work with. If someone wants to try something new, like a new nutrient, and there’s not a lot of information about it, we run samples all the time just on nutrients, to see if they have anything in it that could be harmful before they put it on the plant and it’s ruined.”

Additionally, the lab offers soil testing as well, which is an extremely important factor given cannabis’s ability to absorb anything and everything from the dirt that it’s in. “Even if people have been growing outside at their farm already, if they’re considering expanding into a new area of their field or property, they’re able to bring in soil samples and we can check to make sure there aren’t any heavy metals in the area they’re wanting to plant in next. It makes a big difference for them to have a clear picture of exactly what’s in their soil before they invest a lot of time and money into it.”

Despite the multitude of important reasons why cannabis and products made from it should be tested in a lab, Wheeler admits that labs aren’t always loved by their growers and processors, but says they’ve been lucky so far with their customers. “By far, the worst part of it is when we have to give people bad news about what’s in their flower or their product, no one wants to hear that there’s a problem,” he said. “Thankfully, most of the people we work with are just genuinely thankful to have accurate information about the problem, they’d rather find out now than after it hits the shelves. They understand that we’re not trying to cause them problems, we’re actually trying to help them in the long run and by extension we’re trying to help the patients by making sure the stuff they buy is safe for them.”

"By far, the worst part of it is when we have to give people bad news about what’s in their flower or their product, no one wants to hear that there’s a problem"

Even with the issues that have popped up in the products they’ve tested at Highgrade, Wheeler is confident that a vast majority of the growers and processors are trying to create good, clean medicine. “Almost everyone has their heart in the right spot, there are always a few bad eggs of course, but so many just want to be able to improve their product or correct issues if they exist, and to me, that says a lot, that the honest feedback is really appreciated.”

For Wheeler and the others at the lab, seeing what those growers and processors do with that feedback is what’s important. “It’s really exciting because we’ve been doing this long enough now that we’re seeing those huge improvements over time. These businesses that really have patient safety in mind, the ones getting their stuff tested and putting it through the wringer, they’re the ones that are able to really focus on building a business with quality products, rather than stressing about if they’re going to pass testing because they’ve already learned from what they’ve done before. It’s not even so much about making mistakes, it’s often just about trying something different along the way, and it’s encouraging to see so many actually working to improve from ‘good’ to really top quality stuff.”

While many growers and processors follow the same general steps to create their product, Wheeler said that for the most part, there’s no common theme on what they’re finding in their test results.

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OKLAHOMACHRONIC “Every grower or processor is different, they do things their way, try things that others might not, and so most of the time, no two growers or processors have exactly the same things going on. Seeing pesticides is probably the most common thing we see on a regular basis, but it’s not a serious problem that we’ve noticed someone repeatedly trying to do the same thing,” he said. “ Most of the good ones, they take it on the chin if they have a bad test result, and they come back next round and they’ve completely fixed the problem, which nine times out of ten was caused by an honest mistake, anything from the wrong bottle picked up to an inexperienced grow worker accidentally using the wrong spray during the wrong stage of growth.”

While it’s extremely important to get cannabis and the products we make from it tested, for Wheeler, the other side of that coin is the importance of patients asking for the testing themselves, both for the safety aspect, and to actually learn about the medicine they’re consuming. “Part of the medicine of cannabis, we’re discovering, is terpenes, and at Highgrade, we test for forty-two different terpenes, to help growers and processors create terpene profiles, and flavor profiles, things that are going to help the patients pick something that can offer them more benefit than simply the THC.”

The focus on THC levels is something most of us have experienced, and Wheeler admitted he fell into that category as well. “Even myself, when I first started consuming cannabis, I thought that the high THC was the only thing that mattered, and I think that’s where most people kind of start, but over time, we’ve finally been learning that it’s maybe not the most important thing, and people are starting to develop their own preferences for what terpenes there are, or what additional cannabinoid levels a strain has. We’ve been able to help open that door to a deeper side of medical cannabis for people, and it’s really important that the patients start seeing the testing results for their favorite strains so that they can really begin to learn it for themselves.

The patients who have taken up the habit of asking for test results for their favorite products are becoming some of the most educated dispensary shoppers in the cannabis community, and Wheeler credits some of the knowledge they’re able to learn to quality lab testing, including those allimportant terpene profiles. “We’re seeing people start to buy cannabis-based solely on the terpenes it contains once they are able to see exactly what those terpenes are, and we’re really excited to see how we can help add to the research on this down the road, that’s something we have a lot of interest in. Terpenes are generally just really exciting, and I’m curious to see what Oklahomans are going to be drawn to over time. We’re a group of good, rowdy people who are kind of unlike other parts of the country, so it’s going to be really interesting to see how that kind of research unfolds, and I’m excited that Highgrade is going to be a part of it.”

"We’ve been able to help open that door to a deeper side of medical cannabis for people, and it’s really important that the patients start seeing the testing results for their favorite strains so that they can really begin to learn it for themselves."

OKLAHOMACHRONIC

THE WORLD OF CANNABINOIDS AND TERPENES VALENCENE Let’s talk terpenes, the aromatic compounds found in every plant, including Cannabis. Not only do they give our favorite cultivars their distinctive scent, but they also play a major part in providing therapeutic effects. As we have mentioned before, there are over 20,000 different terpenes that exist. The cannabis plant has more than 100 of these terpenes. Each has its own benefits, and when they come together with proper cannabinoids and other terpenes they form their own unique biological makeup that acts synergistically.

I call this cultivated variety the cannabis plants’ “FingerPrint” which allows us to categorize it for its medical properties.

One of the many terpenes found within a particular cannabis cultivar or horticultural variety is Valencene. When it comes to particular cultivars that have a citrusy scent, the terpene that usually comes to mind is limonene. However, another closely related terpene that boasts a sweet citrus-like scent is Valencene. It is a terpene that produces fantastic aromas of sweetness such as those of orange, grapefruit, tangerine, mangos, nectarines, herbs, and wood. This vibrant terpene gets its name from Valencia oranges. This being one of its main sources, where it’s been found in large amounts.

Written By Dr. Pepper Hernandez Ph.D, NHP, NHC, CNHP, CTC

OKLAHOMACHRONIC Therapeutic Properties of Valencene: Anti-inflammatory Skin Protectant Anti-allergy Skin Damage A 2017 study published in The Journal molecules tested the efficacy of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin in connection with the essential oil of Myrica Rubra, or Chinese bayberry, of which Halencene is a constituent. Other terpenes present in the test oil included Caryophyllene, Humulene, and Nerolidol. Results indicated that Valencene was the most widely effective of the four terpenes tested in improving the therapeutic action of doxorubicin in cancer cells that were partly resistant to the drug.

Cannabis cultivars high in the terpene Valencene: Tangie Agent Orange Forbidden Fruit ACDC Sour Diesel Jack’s Cleaner Orange Skunk Space Queen “Forbidden Fruit: Enchanting and complex notes of cherry, tangerine, and guava with delicious floral undertones. These beautiful lavender and violet flowers are packed with bright cherry sweetness, tropical fruitiness, and a smooth citrus aftertaste. This Indica dominant hybrid is ideal for stress and anxiety relief.” ~Linsey Jones, Willow Creek Aloha Humboldt Farms “Tangie: A Sativa-dominant strain that is derived from parent strains Californian Orange and Skunk. Her medium THC content results in clear and subtle highs that are defined by focused and uplifting feelings. Her citrus and skunk aromas make her a delight to smoke.”~Sources at Leafly “ACDC: Valencene has graced this cultivar with some serious flavor, providing hints of citrus, sweetness, sugar, lemon, and orange. ACDC is high in CBD, with a typical THC content of between 2–6%, culminating in a medicinal and subtle high that is great for daytime use.”~Sources at CannaConnection

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources. Please check with your Cannabis Educated Primary Health Care Physician or Cannabis Therapy Consultant before beginning any new diet or lifestyle change.

Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, CTC, CNHP is a Naturopathic Nutritionist, Cannabis Therapy Consultant, the Founder, and Education Director of the Cannabis Holistic Institute.

To find out more about her private practice, educational programs, videos and other offerings you can and find her on the massive interwebs, social platforms or at drpepperhernandez.com.

Go forth, Go Cannabis...

Bonus tip: If you want to experience a stronger buzz from your cannabis, get yourself a mango and eat it about 45 minutes before edibles. Mango contains a significant amount of Valencene, so eating it before consuming cannabis can strengthen the effects of THC and increase its absorption rate. On the flip side if you have done too much, or feel heavily altered always have an organic, strain-specific whole flower CBD oil on hand to manage an unwanted high.

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Where To Smoke In Oklahoma Highlighting Cannabis Friendly Places to Medicate WORDS BY PHILIP RODRIGUEZ

OKLAHOMACHRONIC

Welcome to “Where to Smoke OK,” my Instagram page turned column.

I’m a life-long Oklahoma City resident, and I’ve been smoking for almost thirteen years now. I created my page so that people could have a resource for recommendations to go out on the town, but still use their medical marijuana, and not have to worry about hiding it. Surprisingly, I found right off the bat that several locations that famously allow thick amounts of tobacco smoke, were very strictly against cannabis smoking. And on the opposite end, some of the places I’ve expected to receive the harshest treatment, have often been quite relaxing and enjoyable experiences.

So while we’re waiting for things to reopen, I thought I’d lay out a few of my favorite places to smoke. Here’s hoping we all have a chance to medicate together at these venues sooner rather than later.

The Other Room Since I’m such a homebody, a lot of the places I go to are new to me. Of course I’d been to The Red Cup before, as well as The Pump and Saints, but some places I haven’t been to in so long that they practically feel new to me. The Other Room is definitely one of those because, as much as I visited before, it’s been a long time since I’ve been back.

Before the infamous sign advising against coke use in the restrooms, before they lowered the ceiling, before the inside was nonsmoking even, I was something of a regular visitor to The Other Room. A couple burned bridges later, though, and I’ve avoided it like the plague. But having heard again and again that they tend to be relaxed about smoking flower, I knew I had to check it out again.

I went a couple of weeks ago and smoked out on the patio, but I felt like it was just too slow of a night to get a proper impression. So I went back on a particularly Thirsty Thursday night in the Paseo, meeting up with a good friend of mine who lives nearby and then walking over. She’s got her card and I’ve been practically begging her to go out and smoke with me, especially since people tend to bother you less if you’re sitting with a beautiful woman.

All kidding aside though, The Other Room is a very cool, if very small, hipstery watering hole. The music is never Top 40 shlock, and the vibes and decorations are always trendy and smart. I love a covered patio, plus the smaller size and high fence around it helps keep out the increasingly colder air.

There weren’t as many people smoking as I saw at The Red Cup or Good Times, but my friend and I weren’t exactly the only ones using our MMJ. Plus there were no odd sideways glances, and when the staff came out to bus dishes, they said nothing as we passed the joint back and forth.

OKLAHOMACHRONIC I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising that one of the Paseo district’s most famously hipster/counterculture bars is fine with cannabis smoking, but it was still nice to find out. It’s a great place to go, especially if you’re looking for something usually more low-key and with a slightly more mature crowd than the other well-known Paseo institution, Sauced. I highly recommend you stop in if you haven’t before and, if you have, bust out that cannabis if you’re a cardholder!

The Pump The first time I visited The Pump for my public smoking blog, it didn’t go super well. If you’d like to read about it, I kept it on my page for integrity’s sake, but I went back after a policy change. I was contacted by one of the owners, who apologized for what happened and asked me to come back.

During that second visit, it became evident that this is one of the best spots in the city to visit if you’re a medical marijuana patient. Along with Good Times, I’d say The Pump might be my favorite nightlife spot to smoke.

We all know the drinks are good, we all know it’s a popular place, and we all know about the Harry Potter in the bathrooms. But did you know you can smoke your MMJ on a covered patio in one of Oklahoma City’s most popular neighborhoods?

After a thoroughly medicated visit to “Mixtape” by Factory Obscura, and a delicious Taco Bell dinner (The triple-layer nachos are the best bang-for-buck veg option in fast food, come at me bro), I headed to The Pump for a nightcap and a couple of J’s. After grabbing the cheapest beer possible, I headed outside and realized to my excitement that they had added a giant heated fent over the smokers’ area.

Music is always an important facet for us stoners and the playlist here keeps things fresh. An eclectic mix of hip-hop, modern alt-rock, classic rock (Neil Young, The Cars, David Bowie, none of that standard radio fare), and so on, it keeps the vibes as warm as god dang Christmas cheer in the tent, even if it’s cold. If they were just allowed to have space heaters (I feel like it might be a no-no), it would be even better.

Did I mention the tent? I really feel that this is important. It keeps you just warm enough that you don’t freeze too fast, and secondhand tobacco smoke is easy to avoid due to a high ceiling and good ventilation. Maybe I just don’t get out enough, but I don’t know of any other local establishments that tent in their patios to protect their smokers. The Pump, I salute you for that. Considering I don’t know of any other spots in the metro that allow cannabis smoking indoors (without a membership fee, like we’re all wealthy with money to blow or something), inside of the tent is about as close as you can get.

Good Times I’m not much for drinking, but when I feel like some communal alcohol imbibing, Good Times is definitely one of my favorites to visit. I live a good 20 minutes away, so I enlisted the help of my good friend Alaura to act as my driver for the evening.

The adult Capri-Suns are definitely the way to go, and I’d say the rum punch is probably my favorite. But I’m here for the patio, which I’d been to before I obtained my medical card. Word around town is these folks are pretty lenient when it comes to cannabis being smoked on their patio, and I can happily attest that this is true. While my friend sipped her beer, I smoked two joints of Jack Herer from Planet Hollyweed’s grow (Full disclosure: I work there). The radio station was playing excellent music from some of my garagerock favorites like Meatbodies and Thee Oh Sees, and we all know how important it is to have music you like when you smoke.

You guys, I dig this place. The patio is gorgeous, and the secondhand tobacco smoke is plentiful, but doesn’t surround you in a fog. Seating is plentiful, the music fits the mood, bathrooms are non-gendered—I don’t know if there’s anything bad about this place. I was gonna give it four broccoli emojis, but writing this has changed my mind; there’s really nothing bad about the place. Good Times is a cannabis-friendly bar, I dig it, and I think y’all will too.

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The Oklahoma Chronic Magazine Never Miss an Issue

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MONTHLY CANNABIS REVIEW

by Melissa Hall, M.Ed.

“I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO BE EDUCATED TO THE FACT THAT MARIJUANA IS NOT A DRUG. MARIJUANA IS AN HERB AND A FLOWER. GOD PUT IT HERE. IF HE PUT IT HERE AND HE WANTS IT TO GROW, WHAT GIVES THE GOVERNMENT THE RIGHT TO SAY THAT GOD IS WRONG?” – WILLIE NELSON

OKLAHOMACHRONIC

ROBOT PHARMER

Kickflip Phenotype #7

BY Melissa Hall, M.Ed.

Back on the hunt again and flower it is. I always

B

look forward to every harvest of a Growers, anxiously waiting to see how much better every run gets. In the Cannabis industry, most will agree that if your not improving, your going to get left behind. As Oklahoma’s very essential Cannabis Industry booms on, quality across the board gets better and better. Recently, I had the pleasure of trying the newest flower from one of my personal faves, and it blew me away. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an every now and then visitor to the Oklahoma dispensary scene, I would bet you have heard or seen the name Robot Pharmer somewhere. With their super recognizable Robot Pete logo, trendy designs and high quality Cannabis products, Robot Pharmer has transcended Cannabis Culture. “From seed to sale, we take pride in our cannabis to ensure a smooth experience with attention to detail and quality. All strains are hand selected from specific breeders to give the full effect from growth to sale we strive for.

Our team has established itself along various points in the cannabis space, and with the combined experience we aim to become leaders within the Oklahoma medical marijuana community.” The great folks at Robot Pharmer state. This experience combined with superior knowledge of the Cannabis plant and their “good guy” demeanor make Robot Pharmer one of the Crowd favorites in Oklahoma for sure.

Back to that new player in the Robot lineup.

Square One Genetics threw down the Supernova cut of Purple Punch together (Larry OG x Grandaddy Purple) with Peanut Butter and Jealous (Do si Do x Mendo Breath) to give us the Kickflip.

Kickflip phenotype #7 is actually a cut from Natures KISS Oklahoma, Tulsa. This cut is popping up across the state being grown by some amazing growers. “It’s a genetic with a fantastic pedigree— Super Nova’s Purple Punch x Our award winning Peanut Butter and Jelly—then it gets loved on in Robot Pharmer’s garden. You know it’s gotta be fire!”

Nature’s Kiss said of their beloved Kickflip.

Nature’s Kiss is doing big things in OK Cannabis and Robot Pharmer seized the opportunity to bring Kickflip #7 to the patients only the way that Robot can do, spectacularly. One of my favorite things about Robot is their superior consistency and as a wise man once told me, “With Cannabis, consistency is absolutely everything.” Robot Pharmer never disappoints with the end product. The Kickflip #7 is made up of dense, symmetrical buds with dark purple and deep forest green tint. It’s flickered with burnt orange pistils giving it just the right balance of light. It’s deep, dank exterior is coated with a thick layer of trichomes giving the flower the ultimate finishing glaze. The bag appeal on the Kick Flip is automatic top shelf in anyone’s book.

Kickflip has a savory flavor that you will not forget. The aroma and flavor mimic each other

The aroma is quite unique and will definitely suck you in. Pungent and savory, The Peanut Butter and Jealous (Do is Do x Mendo Breath) is quite prevalent in the profile. Earthy, deep notes give break to a lighter fruity Purple Punch scent and shadows a creamy vanilla undertone. When you come across the Kickflip and get that first whiff, your tastebuds will love you. The terpene profile on this little beauty is amazing, with that dank Peanut Butter and Jealous colliding with the Superbad Purple Punch to give a creamy and light first wave,

and give you a supreme terpene experience.

The Kickflip lives up to its sporty name in effects. The first inhale takes your mind way out of the equation, with a light headed buzz that is like a Kickflip of a switch that is turned on, then the body effects carry through. Being an Indica leaning Hybrid, the Kickflip is surprisingly balanced and gives the smoker a nice breezy repose with medical benefits of muscle relaxation being prevalent. That Kickflip’s cognitive buzz is what calms the mind, and melts away anxiety. It’s like a little stress and tension vacation. Although it is Indica leaning, many people find this is a great strain for daytime or nighttime use.

I want to thank the good people over at Robot Pharmer for going out of their way to let me try this awesome flower. If you come across the Kickflip #7 definitely grab it before it’s gone.

This is not a strain or grow that sits on any shelf very long.

followed by a nutty, earthy backdrop with a Always remember to medicate responsibly and Stay Lit Oklahoma.

vanilla splash to smooth it all out.

Kickflip #7 by Robot Pharmer: 5

= Highest Rating

Appearance:

Flavor:

Aroma:

Effects:

Cure:

OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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OKLAHOMACHRONIC

BY THE NUMBERS AS OF MAY 2020 TAKING NAMES AND BREAKING RECORDS

Growers

As of May 1st there are 6,346 growers within our state

Processors Dispensaries

We have 1,611 licensed processors in the state We currently have 2,428 dispensary licenses with this great state

Transport Laboratory Waste Disposal

We now have 18 Transportaion licenses We have 18 licensed labs We have 7 licensed waste disposal faclities

Approved Licenses: 295,132 Patients & 2193 Caregivers Received Licenses: 314,900 Patient & 2936 Caregivers OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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