Green Eugene | Fall 2023 by Emerald Media Group

greeneugene.com

October 2023

edition

harvest

pg. 8 Terpene Station

pg. 12 Utokia Farm

pg. 18 Aspergillus

Dear readers, Happy harvest season from Green Eugene! For cannabis enthusiasts and all players in the industry, harvest season is a juncture when our efforts are rewarded with the sweet satisfaction of reaping the fruits of our labor. Whether you’re a seasoned cultivator or an admirer of the plant’s many virtues, this season holds a special place in our hearts beyond the pretty shades of purple and orange. It’s about the connections we grow within the cannabis community, signifying a moment of reflection, where friends come together to share the joy of growing, trimming and curing, and passing on knowledge from one generation of growers to the next. As we gather to celebrate another season of cultivation, let’s also take time to slow down and reflect on the progress we’ve made, both socially and legislatively. The bulk of this labor is evergreen. As you consume our content — with or without a lit joint — we invite you to explore the origins of your cannabis, including considerations for the dedicated growers, trimmers and collaborators who made your bud come to fruition. In this edition, you will find us interrogating the recent OLCC lawsuit pertaining to this year’s attempted required testing for Aspergillus, what it means and who it impacts. You’ll hear from woman-owned Utokia Farm which helped drive the lawsuit, and peer into their gamer-inspired world of cannabis grown with love and organics. Inspired by their priority for quality, we investigated what it takes for products to get a stamp of organic certification, as we see in other agriculture industries. I personally invite you to soak up the joy of the shifting seasons and witness the intricate details in the fallen leaves coating our sidewalks. When the weight of the world tries to tear us down, may we remember the faces that make ours smile and the little things that make us lighter. We wish you all a very happy fall,

Kayl Wohl

STAFF

Editor

Kayl Wohl Cover Photo

Alex Hernandez Cover Model

Holly Hillyer Lead Designer

Abigail Raike

Green Eugene Editor

Writers

Dominic Adams Javay Frye-Nekrasova Alex Hernandez Kayla Krueger Armando Ramirez Stevie Schauer Lizzy Solorzano Kayl Wohl Photographers

Javay Frye-Nekrasova Alex Hernandez

Megan McEntee Kayl Wohl Designers and Illustrators

Liz Blodgett Ryan Ehrhart Spencer So Max Winer

Account Executives

Taylor Baumgardner Cori Caplinger Cooper Gast Lola Tagwerker

Thank you for reading Green Eugene. Please note that our publication and site spotlights content about substances that are illegal under federal and state laws in certain places. We do not promote, advocate, or condone illicit drug use. All content produced by Green Eugene is for educational and entertainment purposes only for readers 21+.

05 Strains of the Month

12 Utokia Farm

06 The Organic Cannabis Standard 17 High Recommendation 07 Spot the Difference

18 Aspergillus

08 Featured Business

21 Q/A with Natalie Fertig

10 Budtender Spotlight

22 Munchies Recommendation

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Strains of the Month... Written and Photographed by Alex Hernandez | Designed by Max Winer

I don’t smoke. You might think that this makes me unqualified to suggest particular strains of cannabis, and you would be right. That’s why I went to the experts. After a one-word Google search of “dispensary,” I traversed Eugene dispensaries on a mission to get personal recommendations from local budtenders.

Alex Johnson Flowr of Lyfe budtender STRAIN: ICE CREAM CAKE Rating: 10/10

Lexi Hernandez Peach Cannabis budtender STRAIN: GRAPE HEAD Rating: 8.72/10 After working as a medical receptionist, Lexi Hernandez made the move to budtending to “help people without big pharma, insurance and money Cody Cady standing in the way.” Now at Peach Apothca budtender Cannabis with 6 months’ experience STRAIN: ROLL UPS under her belt, she made the Rating: 7.5-8/10 recommendation of Grape Head — Roll Ups, a strain that I can only assume a more recently acquired product. is named after the fruit-flavored snack of the same name, was suggested “It’s one that we got more recently,” by Apothca budtender Cody Cady, she said. “It was great. It was so much fun, and it’s so easy to be yourself with who has two to three years’ worth of it — without inhibitions, no anxiety. It’s experience in budtending. lovely.” Grape Head is a top-shelf strain, at $14 per gram. A sativa-dominant hybrid, with a THC level testing at 30%, the fruity, uplifting strain had her “smiling for no reason.” However, the most notable thing was the smell.

“It’s a good strain. I’ve had it from different farms and even bad versions of it tend to be pretty solid,” he said.

The product, according to Cady, is considered top-shelf bud. At eight dollars per gram — compared to the lower shelf flower at four dollars per gram — you pay for the quality you “I think the smell is what hits you first. If that doesn’t draw you in, I don’t know get. With fruity, sweeter flavors, this what will,” she said. “The flavor is very bud is on the more mellow side. fruity, floral, a little bit piney. It’s really “It’s definitely good for if you’re nice.” anxious, or you just want to chill at the end of your day,” Cady said. The flower, which Hernandez said had more orange hairs than usual, got a rating of 8.72 out of 10. “It’s just visibly beautiful, it smells amazing,” she said. “I would say it’s almost a perfect hybrid strain.”

Cady gave Roll Ups a rating of 7.5-8 out of 10. “It’s definitely my favorite that’s currently out there.”

Alex Johnson, a budtender at Flowr of Lyfe in downtown Eugene, suggested Ice Cream Cake: a strain with a sweet, creamy flavor and a name to match. After asking around and searching for not just any Ice Cream Cake, but specifically the flower by Herbal Dynamics. “As far as I’m concerned, this is the one,” he said. “I’ve gone out looking and I haven’t found one that competes with it. Ice Cream Cake, an indica-dominant hybrid, stuck out to Johnson over the years for many reasons. “It’s the look, the taste, the feel, breaking it up in my hand, all of that, it just brings joy. It makes me happy,” he said. “Normally it’s a lot more purple. It’s always been thick, beautiful nugs that crumble really nicely. Johnson chose Ice Cream Cake not only for its own capabilities but because of how well it pairs with other strains as well. “It’s a fantastic flower,” he said. “It pairs really well with most other flowers that I’ve tried it with because that’s really what I do, is I mix and match,” he said. “It’s my favorite. It’s got to be a ten out of ten.”

S T R A I N S O F T H E M O N T H

THE ORGANIC STANDARD FOR CANNABIS FARMING Written by Stevie Schauer | Designed by Ryan Ehrhart

The concept of “organic” can be as divisive as it is intriguing. While some swear by the virtues of organic products, others see it as nothing more than “greenwashing.” But what about when it comes to cannabis? What does it mean for cannabis to be labeled “organic”? Is it a genuine benefit for consumers, or just another marketing ploy to appear environmentally conscious? I spoke with Chris Van Hook, co-founder of Clean Green Certified, a leading cannabis organic certification company, to get some answers about what the certification is and how it benefits producers, processors and customers of cannabis products. Van Hook earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and worked in agriculture and mariculture for many years before getting his law degree. After law school, he was recommended to look into the newly emerging United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic program. While working with the USDA, he got a call from a cannabis company. They asked if their crop could be certified organic since “California said yes but the USDA said no because it was not a federally recognized agricultural crop,” according to Van Hook. He recognized this gap in the field, so in 2004, he developed an organic certification for cannabis modeled closely on USDA organic certification standards. The certification process, reminiscent of the USDA’s rigorous standards, begins with an online application, followed by detailed forms. Questions revolve around topics such as chemical usage, packaging sources, and erosion prevention. After this initial stage, a representative visits the farms to collect soil samples. These samples are then sent to a federally accredited agricultural lab for testing. “We use the same federally accredited agricultural lab that the USDA uses for all of our organic testing,” Van Hook said. “That’s why we are restricted to soil samples.” While they can’t directly test cannabis samples, analyzing the soil indirectly detects any pesticides that may have made their way into the plants. Once companies gain certification, they have an annual inspection and pay an annual fee. The fee goes to operating expenses, website maintenance, labor costs and lab testing. Van Hook emphasized, “There’s not a lot of profit margin at the end of it.” However, many people have asked if this fee favors big businesses over small cannabis farms. To Van Hook, this certification was “built for small farms.” By getting certified, these farms receive support and the benefits of being able to post the Clean Green Certified logo on their products and websites. This raises the question of what the benefit is of having the certification for farms and consumers of Clean Green Certified products. Van Hook said having the certification reduces a

company’s liability, allowing them to prove the absence of harmful pesticides in their products should any health-related claims arise. This is especially crucial for smaller companies without the same legal resources as larger ones. Moreover, the certification helps with brand recognition. “Most of us will pick Sunkist Lemon versus an unknown lemon or a Diamond Almond versus an unknown almond, and I’m not sure why,” Van Hook said. “That’s what we’re trying to do… We’re not allowed to call it ‘organic cannabis’, but we’re at least allowed to say that it was grown or managed organically. It really goes a long way to support known farmers that are trying to stay in the farming industry.” This benefits both consumers and certified producers with the seal by allowing consumers to go to the website to see if a farm they see is current. “Then they know that cannabis has been tracked from the retail package all the way back to cedar cutting,” allowing for peace of mind when buying their products, said Van Hook. Besides the “organic” certification, Clean Green has started to offer other certifications as well. The first of which is the vegan program, which follows the accepted vegan protocol. “The obvious is no bone meal. No blood meal, no feathered meal,” he said. Less obviously, they also check the soil for “manure and chicken litter.” The company also recently introduced a regenerative program that requires companies to be “organically managed, but they have to go over and above for habitat protection” with locally sourced soil. These two newer programs aim to help farmers prove that the efforts they’ve made to be sustainable or environmentally conscious through the well-recognized Clean Green name. Van Hook stressed that the company is “always changing and adapting” to fit modern standards and adopt better practices. “The program will continually be relevant to our members and help [the consumer] know about sustainably oriented farms and processors exist in an ever increasingly more difficult industry,” Van Hook said. “Consumers can look for that logo and help support with their consumer dollars the farmers that are doing the right thing.” Van Hook’s perspective underscores the broader implications of consumer choices. When you make a purchase, you are not solely purchasing a product; you are also indirectly endorsing the farmers and practices that contribute to the cannabis community. As you navigate the diverse array of cannabis products, it is worthwhile to contemplate the influence your purchasing decisions carry, both in terms of the product itself and the broader environmental impact. If the values of sustainability and organic cultivation align with your preferences, you may wish to explore Clean Green Certified products as an option.

Spot the Difference Illustrated by Palmer Krais

How many differences do you see?

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Cultivating Relationships at Terpene Station Written by Kayla Krueger | Photographed by Alex Hernandez | Designed by Abigail Raike “Terrapin Station,” to many Eugenians, strikes a familiar chord. Local dispensary Terpene Station offers an experience akin to the Grateful Dead. Outside of its general groove, Terpene Station’s quality product and charming ambiance allow customers a comfortable and easy dispo-stop.

“We communicate with farms and the groups that we work with, and we form a relationship. That way, when we carry multiple products of theirs, we are able to actively represent each farm. We can take our manufactured material, like cartridges, and direct the customer to the flower that it came from.”

Terpene Station is nestled in a nook off River Road, nearby Happy Hour Tavern in this stoner-friendly neighborhood. Through the door is a welcoming environment of thoughtfully curated cannabis. Each customer is greeted by a friendly sales associate fit to address all levels of cannabis experience.

That customer experience differentiates Terpene Station from other dispensaries. The staff at the Station is fit to address any and all cannabis needs, from medical to recreational. Not to mention the varying price points to ensure that cannabis lovers of all budgets will be satisfied with their experience.

Adam Coble, the owner of Terpene Station, is a modern Renaissance man: a retired commercial fisherman, keyboardist, biology teacher, retail sales manager and now a dispensary owner in Eugene, Oregon, ranked number four in highest dispensaries per capita.

The warm wooden display cases present each product like a piece of art. There are couches, plants and decor to make it a comfortable experience for each customer. The product is presented in a way that gives the customer autonomy to make decisions, and the sales associates are friendly and knowledgeable. Guests can be greeted at the door by Jon, a friendly sales associate who walks out from behind the counter and provides a personable and warm welcome. Each visit is unique to each customer; Terpene Station is well-equipped to address each customer’s needs through open conversation and kindness.

“I was an advocate and supporter previously, but I didn’t get deep into [cannabis] advocacy until about five years ago,” Coble said. “This industry was a full-on grassroots process – for a product that we know has positive applications.” Although the industry was enticing, Coble viewed this opportunity as a way to be a positive mentor for his retail team. Per his previous experience in education, leading a team and giving them the skills they need to succeed came naturally to Coble. “There’s a really fabulous opportunity for mentorship. The staff has an opportunity to apply themselves in a way they are going to be successful. And, if I view my job from the standpoint of a leader, I know my successes are only based on the successes of the people I employ. So I encourage that comfortable working environment,” Coble said. Coble’s personal business model is built on fostering relationships within the cannabis industry.

Outside of the Terpene Station doors, Coble and his team are active in the Eugene and Springfield communities. Terpene Station even sponsors a local hip-hop group called DStew and The Higher Council (THC). “DStew and The Higher Council encourage the hip-hop community to give back to the greater community, making a positive impact,” said Coble. “There is a lot of potential for cannabis businesses to support the community, and by doing so, we are working to destigmatize cannabis.” As dispensaries grow in the Eugene area and beyond, Coble is setting Terpene Station’s sights on the community.

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“There is a lot of possibility and potential in the cannabis market to have outreach-oriented events,” said Coble. “This allows for normalization to occur, and it allows people to get more comfortable with the consumption, use, advocacy and value that the product actually has.” With value and quality at the epicenter, Terpene Station offers daily special deals ranging from Community Wellness Sunday, where customers can get 15% off topicals, tinctures and CBD, to Flower Friday with $40 ounces. “We are not here to make money. If I wanted to make money, I would be doing different things. This is much more of a family-oriented scenario… I want to make sure that my staff and customers are comfortable no matter their cannabis experience,” Coble said. Terpene Station is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The wide range of hours is convenient for all. On top of their accessible schedule, the variety of products is alluring. It carries everything from flower to pre-rolls, edibles, tinctures, topicals, accessories and even some Terpene Station shirts and mugs for customers to show their dispensary pride around the community. There is a certain level of cohesivity that is unique to this dispensary with its clear farm-todispensary feel supported by nurturing relationships with all cannabis community members. “It is a reciprocal process. We curate very strongly. What we do is cultivate relationships. That’s the only way I know how to do business,” said Coble. To its core, Terpene Station is a well-oiled machine, with great people and strong customer values. “We have a proof of concept. Terpene Station is really about maintaining a level of quality accessible to all cost levels. From soil to genetics, there is no one around that can compete against us. We just gotta run a good local store, and support our community first,” Coble said. Terpene Station is special; it’s rare that community-oriented values, outstanding products and a friendly sales team come together to create the ultimate safe space for cannabis lovers. Turn on and tune into Terpene Station, where cultivating relationships in the cannabis industry comes with a harmony of rhythm and greens.

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Tiff Smith from Electric Lettuce Written by Lizzy Solorzano Photographed by Kayl Wohl Designed by Abigail Raike

How long have you been a budtender? I actually got my OLCC workers permit two weeks after I turned 21. It’s been five years. When I was getting close to 21, I wasn’t going to be in college anymore. I moved back here and started working at a dispensary in Springfield, got a manager’s position and I never left the industry since.

When was the first time you got high? I actually didn’t start using cannabis until I was in college. I never smoked in high school or anything. I used to take a ton of prescriptions growing up. I have fibromyalgia, arthritis and alopecia, an autoimmune disease, so I have chronic pain. I used to be on pain and sleeping pills. I ended up getting off those by turning to cannabis. I had my best friend in college and we ended up smoking a joint without my sleeping pills. I slept better than I had since I was a child. And honestly, I never turned back.

What do you gain from being a budtender?

What do you feel your responsibilities are as a budtender?

I get a lot of knowledge. I think knowledge is what’s going to push our industry forward. What I love about being in the industry is how I am educating myself, I am educating others, and honestly I hope I’m destigmatizing cannabis as a whole. I feel like every single person has to do their part to see the industry progress. The more I know, the more I can educate others and the more I can help people. I want to make the world a better place, and I’m going to do that with cannabis.

As a budtender, maintaining compliance means we can be trusted. It’s so stigmatized so we want to follow the laws and want people to know that --- it’s one level of distrust that we do not surpass. There are many dispensaries still not following regulations and people are scared. Being compliant, trustworthy and consistent makes people feel comfortable and confident to destigmatize this industry.

What’s the most rewarding part of the job? As cheesy as it sounds, it is the lasting effect I have on people. It’s knowing that my little hippie heart wants to change the world, it’s putting more good stuff into the world. It’s helping people be educated, helping people feel better, and helping people live their lives in a better way. Seeing that lasting effect… it’s really cool.

How have you seen differences between CBD and THC products and their potential benefits for fibromyalgia and/or alopecia? I much prefer marijuana-based plants than hemp products. Hemp is mostly CBD, but CBD alone isn’t going to be as efficient as you’d want it to be. I have specifically found a good combination of CBD, CBG and THC that has helped me, specifically because CBG interacts with the receptors in your cannabinoid system that helps with inflammation.

Side Quest:

a Journey to Utokia Written by Kayl Wohl | Photographed by Alex Hernandez | Designed by Liz Blodgett

In a fantastical adventure where dragons soar and dungeons beckon, two characters conspire against traditional paths of mundane conquest to pursue growing herbal remedies amidst the Oregon cannabis rush. Their love story tucks them away in Canby, Oregon, where they cultivate a utopia safeguarded by tricks-for-treat goats who are shuffled into the apple orchard by herding dogs. Much like the mystic realms of “Baldur’s Gate,” the land of Utokia seems to harbor secrets only the worthy would unveil. Utokia Farm is one of Oregon’s few suppliers that attract the cool kids and the geeks to the same smoke circle. From fighting a successful lawsuit protecting Oregon growers to saving shelter cats, Utokia is standalone for its success in creating a mystical cannabis world of escape. Utokia’s elegant and illustrative branding is a unique and thoughtful pairing that exists nowhere else in the industry.

The magic begins in an indoor forested ecosystem that’s tended to by Holly Hillyer. Every day, she steps into fullbody protective coveralls like a scientist ready for beaker wizardry. While the humans sleep at night, the plants thrive under beaming, full UV-spectrum lights atop rolling irrigation benches she designed and welded. Every detail of the plants’ lives is curated by Hillyer’s years of experience and passed-down knowledge from her parents. She wasn’t always pruning cannabis leaves or introducing safe predator bugs to indoor spaces as a sustainable agricultural practice. Cannabis consumption wasn’t even present in her life until she obtained a medical card after a horseback riding accident, two broken wrists and subsequent prescription painkiller withdrawals. Holly’s husband, Adam Teuscher, the Master of Coin of Utokia, once found himself in frequent daydreams

13 of a life more like that of his “Breath of the Wild” screensaver. The two were lying on the office carpet when their “brainchild” was inspired by their shared lives of loving and playing video games together since they were 18. “We were envisioning being in this world of escape,” Hillyer said. “We get to play games, like ‘Frosthaven’ and ‘Dungeons and Dragons’, watch movies, get inspired and then bring that into a job that we enjoy doing.” Growing cannabis turned into a long-time passion for Hillyer, and she knew she wanted to focus on making high-quality flower and have fun along the way. The couple hand-rolls every pre-roll and inserts in each a collectible trading card featuring Oregon locals’ artwork, aiming to make the consumer experience a collective adventure. Teuscher creates creative fiction stories for their quests with a passion for forwarding the funds to nonprofit initiatives. The recent “Crazy Cat Lady Adventure Quest” raised $1,000 for Cat Adoption Team, a Portland cat shelter, in just a couple of months. The quest allows consumers of their product to solve a mystery while collecting cards as part of the quest reward system. “The cards are all from the viewpoint of the ‘Master Herbalist’ — essentially me since it’s a grower — who’s going around and this different world of ‘Utokia,’ and stumbling upon different creatures and plants and writing her observations,” Hillyer said. The master herbalist’s observations pave paths in Utokia as Hillyer and Teuscher provide new strains to the market or

experience different industry players impacting the universe of “the game,” or the experience of consuming their cannabis. Just as every game has its governing rules, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) became the rule-setter in the real-life game of cannabis cultivation for Utokia. This entity approves packaging, advertising and branding-related paraphernalia, and a concern is how these trading cards could

appeal to children. Every card must be sent in for review. Oftentimes, Hillyer and Teuscher have to make alterations, such as adding a third eye to the “Spidermite” card, to make it less representative of real-life creatures. These industry nuances impact everyday Utokia. The limited-release card “The Conservators” plays into this vision: the secret group “collects and preserves cultural relics and creatures from different worlds.” This mysterious presence raises questions for occupants of Utokia, but with other cards in the deck, such as the “Sunset Seeker,” we are reminded of our “boundless wisdom” as we continue our adventures. Coupling gamers with cannabis is a longtime pairing as many gamer communities throughout decades have seen table-top worlds and boss battles featuring clouds of smoke. In tandem, both cannabis and gaming spaces have been historically male-dominated. At Utokia, anyone and everyone is invited to partake. Utokia works to expand this subculture of stoner gamers by redefining who is part of this niche and its implications within the cannabis industry. While not all cannabis users play games, anyone of all ages can find joy in adventure or retreating to mythical worlds safe from our real-world beasts and villains.

The farm owners are making headway on their slew of complex side quests to remove friction from business processes. Practicing organics felt attacked, but the master herbalist is wise and headstrong with her operation. A mold pathogen, named Aspergillus, is being heavily debated in the Oregon Court of Appeals. In March, the OLCC mandated testing for the fungus, which is found in most natural environments due to its presence in soil, decaying plants and in the air. Hillyer saw the faulty justifications and an overall lack of science linking Aspergillus to cannabis and began to organize. Utokia set off with the support of many other Oregon growers to sue the OLCC — and won. A temporary stay has allowed Utokia and other farms, even those once failing tests, to continue on this harvest season. With their sound research to defend their crops, the farmers won a small victory as the future of testing regulations is determined (Editor’s note: please see more about Aspergillus in later pages of this edition.) Utokia is escaping the madness by diving into their quests, cards and adventures while simultaneously preparing for and undergoing harvest. Their two-person operation grows from seed to sale in small batches, usually four to five strains at a time. According to Hillyer, the amount they’re able to produce in a season is far smaller than what most produce in a week, and

15 quality is never compromised for quantity. Their theme will always stay intact despite the ongoing commitment or momentary doubts of wanting to pivot from solely providing flowers and pre-rolls.

trimmed off of the full branch directly into the same curing jars that are supplied to about 60 dispensaries in Oregon. Currently, they can be found at Next Level Wellness and SpaceBuds in Eugene.

“We’re so small that [the cards] take up a lot of our time and we could just be pumping out double our size and grow more weed,” Hillyer said. “It would probably be more profitable to stop making them, but we wouldn’t be passionate about it.”

The future of Utokia is looking fruitful with a new quest underway. By accessing the utokia. farm website, thrill-seekers and storytellers can gather around to follow the tale as they smoke cannabis and make new discoveries in their own worlds and in our Utokian society.

At the time of harvest, Hillyer and Teuscher cut and dry full branches, being careful to minimize hand and surface contact in the process to preserve the trichomes. After 10-15 days in the dry room, the flowers are

“Even if only 10 people decide to partake in this weird crazy thing that we thought of, that’s totally worth it for us,” Hillyer said.

Toki and Marley pose with their parents.

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ENJOY EARTH’S SECOND BEST LEAVES THIS FALL

Written by Javay Frye-Nekrasova | Designed and Illustrated by Ryan Ehrhart Can you feel it in the air? The leaves are changing, the air is getting crisper, the rain chillier – fall is upon us, and with the turn of the season we have a tendency to stay indoors during our smoke sessions, but that doesn’t have to be the case. You can still connect with nature while enjoying the green goodness. It just takes a little creativity and preparation, especially with the Eugene rain. A great way to connect with nature is by enjoying the leaves by smoking in a leaf pile.

CREATE THE SPACE Before you can just enjoy the hum of nature you have to prep your space, so head to your shed or the nearest store and get yourself a rake, unless you are into the manual labor of picking up each leaf individually. You are going to rake together a leaf pile as big as your heart desires, or as large as you have enough leaves. We would recommend doing this when the leaves are dry as they are easier to rake than when they are damp or freshly rained on.

FIRE SAFETY Though the goal is to smoke some greenery you have to be mindful that autumn leaves, especially when dry, can and do burn. To minimize chances of starting a fire you are going to want to think about the mode of consumption you are going to use. I would recommend avoiding pre-rolls, blunts, or spliffs. If you accidentally ash into the leaves the fire might catch on the leaves. Bongs, pipes or even just enjoying an edible are probably the best way to go.

MAXIMIZE COMFORT Hanging in a leaf pile probably hasn’t interested you since you were young, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be an amazing experience now. You can add some warmth to your leaf pile with a blanket. If the thought of climbing up and down from the ground has you weary, try building your leaf pile around an outdoor chair like a camping or an Adirondack chair. Grab a warm beverage like an apple cider or a Pumpkin Spice Latte to add to the fall feels.

SAVOR THE EXPERIENCE Now that you have the green, a luscious leaf pile and are in the headspace to commune with nature just enjoy it. Really take in the colors of the changing leaves, let the wind whisper in your ear, listen to the crinkle of the leaves under your body. Fall is a time of change and death before rebirth, so contemplate the things that you want to part with as we prepare to hibernate. Make your outdoor high everything you want it to be. Hanging in a pile of leaves might not have been where you mind went for communing with nature, but if you are a fan of all things fall it is a logical choice. Be sure to make sure you are being conscious of fire when in your leaf pile, the last you want is a disapproving look from Smokey the bear for starting a fire from something the good green.

ASPERGILLUS: THE OREGON CANNABIS INDUSTRY’S MOLDY DRAMA Written by Dominic Adams | Designed and Illustrated by Abigail Raike Cannabis growers across Oregon have been fighting tooth and nail with regulatory authorities over the presence of mold in their crops. On March 1, The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) announced new rules regarding Aspergillus (pronounced: a·spr·gi·luhs), a common mold genus with more than 250 strains that exists indoors and out, and has been known to cause infections in immunocompromised people. Oregon growers were given almost no time to adapt their methods to fit the new regulations. In some cases, the OLCC even recalled cannabis harvested and tested before the new mandate was announced, as was the case for Rebel Spirit Cannabis Co. whose products were recalled even though they had been tested in January, two months before the mandate. The sheer magnitude of this problem seems unsettling on its face. But to fully understand these new rules, it is paramount that we understand the real danger posed by Aspergillus molds. These new policies were consistent with 19 of the 20 other states that require Aspergillus testing of their cannabis products. If tests revealed any Aspergillus in a 1 gram sample then the whole batch was considered a failure. According to the OLCC, this crackdown caused the recall of 10 separate batches of cannabis in late June sold by about 75 retailers Oregon-wide between January and June of 2023. Aspergillus is so common that it’s more than likely that an individual will breathe in at least some Aspergillus spores every single day, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). So what’s the big deal? Well, some strains of Aspergillus are categorized as pathogenic, meaning that they are the most likely to cause an infection in humans known as Aspergillosis. According to the American Lung Association, Aspergillosis is an infection that “commonly includes coughing up blood, fever and chills, headaches, chest pain and shortness of breath.” The OLCC tested crops for four different strains of pathogenic Aspergillus. Those at the greatest risk of developing Aspergillosis are immunocompromised individuals whose bodies cannot fight off the pathogen. This risk, unfortunately, is a constant one, given the ubiquitous nature of Aspergillus, and is in no way constrained to the handling or consumption of cannabis. The National Institute of Health (NIH) published a study in 2011 claiming that “Invasive aspergillosis has been described in association with marijuana smoking in two cancer patients on chemotherapy, two leukemia patients, a renal transplant recipient, and a few patients with AIDS.” The study concludes that they don’t recommend that people with compromised immunity smoke cannabis. But also that “the risk is not possible to quantify.” More research must be done in order to fully understand the significance of Aspergillus contamination in our cannabis.

19 In response to the new rules put in place by the OLCC, the Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon (CIAO) launched a lawsuit on July 28, 2023 against the OLCC and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), petitioning the Oregon Court of Appeals to immediately intervene in the enforcement of these mandates on the grounds of substantial harm to the cannabis industry. The court has yet to make an official decision on the matter. However, on August 25, the Oregon Court of Appeals issued an emergency stay on the new OLCC rules while the court decides what should be done. As a result, the Oregon Secretary of State filed a temporary administrative order rolling back the new OLCC rules. This means that growers whose crops were recalled on or before August 25 will need to have them retested. The statement of need portion of this filing states that: “Remediated items are not required to be tested for Aspergillus.” Any crops recalled just for Aspergillus and no other contaminants, such as heavy metals and mycotoxins, should be approved for sale. Such a rule change even temporarily is a massive victory for small and organic growers across Oregon. Despite the low risk, removing Aspergillus from Oregon cannabis could still be a reasonable measure taken in the interest of public safety. However, this removal is not a simple process. Actions that must be taken to ensure Aspergillus is not found in a grower’s batch of cannabis are incredibly costly and not always effective. For example, in most states where testing for Aspergillus is mandated, growers are forced to irradiate all of their products. This process removes the chance of testing positive for Aspergillus, but it also has an incredibly negative effect on the quality of the cannabis. According to the lawsuit filed by the Oregon growers, the “CIAO is unaware of any remediation option that both (1) guarantees that remediated cannabis will be 100% free of aspergillus or its spores, and (2) does not affect the terpenes, THC content, or otherwise degrade the cannabis.” The lawsuit also states, “a substantial segment of Oregon’s cannabis market, have built their business reputations on providing organic, ethical and sustainable cultivation techniques. The Aspergillus Testing Rule and its pressure on all producers to minimize or eliminate microbiological populations will have a disproportionate impact on these producers and will likely decimate their market presence.” Growers like Holly Hillyer at Utokia Farm see the rules as a likely death knell in the ever-evolving industry, especially for many “legacy growers” and mom-and-pop couples growing on the side who threw the towel in. According to Hillyer, many farmers, especially those using organic methods, turned to extreme measures such as using chemicals, like chlorine dioxide, or purchasing expensive radiation machinery. “When they started implementing the testing, there was no time to really prepare,” Hillyer said. “None of the labs had the equipment to do R&D tests to see if this was even a problem” The emergency stay granted by the Oregon Court of Appeals allows Oregon growers a fall harvest free of Aspergillus testing. This is a temporary victory for the growers, but a final decision has yet to be made. The court will have to weigh the cost of harm to the cannabis industry against the potential harm to health and safety posed by Aspergillus. The nuance of the arguments presented to the court and the lack of substantive scientific evidence about the harms of Aspergillus on either side make this a difficult decision. Until that decision is made, cannabis growers across Oregon will be allowed to sell cannabis contaminated with Aspergillus, but they will be faced with the looming threat of another crackdown in the coming months if the court rules in favor of Aspergillus testing. For now, the future of the Oregon cannabis industry remains uncertain.

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Q/A with Federal Cannabis Reporter

Natalie

Fertig Written by Armando Ramirez Designed and Illustrated by Spencer So Since 2019, Natalie Fertig has been a federal cannabis policy reporter at Politico. During her time reporting on cannabis at the federal level, Fertig has discussed issues such as Chinese investment in illegal cannabis and access to medicinal marijuana. Prior to working for Politico, Fertig did freelance work for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Leafly, and Marijuana Moment. Fertig discusses her experiences, as well as her perspective on a few of the issues facing the cannabis industry on the federal level.

01.

What is a day in the life of a federal cannabis policy reporter like? It’s different every day. Cannabis is a very broad subject. Today, Capitol Hill is mired in a vote for the new speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. While there are some cannabis angles I could be pursuing up there, I have to choose how best to use my time. I just finalized a story that I spent the last two weeks reporting on Congress. I’m also wrapping up edits on a longer story about the cannabis industry in Spain, and how it is similar to what’s going on in a couple of American states. Since cannabis is such a broad subject, I began dipping into subjects that are completely unrelated to cannabis. I did a story a while back on how Native American tribes are left out of the loop by federal cannabis law.

02.

During your work, have you ever received any pushback, such as a lack of people taking you seriously, as a result of reporting on cannabis? I have completely experienced that. I would say that in my journalism world, especially in D.C., the vibe has really shifted in the last five years. When I first started walking around Capitol Hill asking about weed, I was like the funny party trick. Now, people are like, “Criminal justice reform? That’s Natalie’s beat,” and “Banking issues, financial services, economics? That’s Natalie’s beat.” For me, it shifted when Majority Leader Schumer came out and introduced a decriminalization bill –– his office would call me all the time. It made everyone realize that this is a real issue. It’s something that isn’t seen as silly; it’s something that’s being looped into larger discussions on Capitol Hill about states’ rights and criminal justice reform. Cannabis is one of the biggest discrepancies between state and federal law in the United States since the Civil War.

03.

In October 2022, President Biden announced a pardon for people incarcerated with cannabis-related convictions. However, few people have actually received those pardons. What is your take on this situation? When pardons are not automatic pardons, they take a long time to happen. States that require people to apply for pardons put emphasis on people to find out if they qualify. It usually costs them money to apply. Many times they need legal counsel. States that have executed pardons or expungements that get it done quickly are states that just did it automatically, like Illinois. There are pros and cons to every system. I talked to lawmakers who are in favor of pardons, but there are a lot of situations where a much more complex or worse crime may be bartered down to just a marijuana conviction. I know that there are a number of former Republican prosecutors who are in favor of pardons, but they’re not in favor of automatic pardons. There are criticisms for every version that you can do.

For the rest of this interview with Natalie Fertig, please visit greeneugene.com.

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Scooby and Shaggy may be fictional TV show characters, but they understand the munchies and know a thing or two about good snacks. If you have ever been jealous of the different things they munched on throughout the show, we have a few recipes for munchies snacks that would make even those two jealous.

C h i l i C h e e s e Co r n d o gs These corn dogs take a carnival classic and raise it to a new level. The combination of chili and corn dogs might not sound like a match when you first hear it, but consider this –-- cornbread is typically paired with chili and chili cheese dogs are a timeless classic, so all you’re doing is making it an easier form of consumption. If you are vegan or vegetarian, don’t worry, you can substitute the ingredients for alternatives that meet your taste buds!

Ingredients • Frozen corn dogs • Homemade or pre-made chili • Shredded cheese • Sour cream (optional) • Chives / onions (optional)

Directions • Remove the stick from the corndog and prepare it as instructed by the packaging • As the corn dog is cooking, warm your chili (stovetop does more for the taste than the microwave, but do whatever’s clever for you) • Once the corn dog is cooked, cut it down the middle (“hot dog style”) • Top your corn dog with the warmed up chili and then add shredded cheese and the optional toppings as your heart and stomach desire • Smoke a fat one and enjoy your chili cheese corn dog

T r i p le m eat b b q s l i de rs Scooby and Shaggy were big fans of sandwiches, to say the least, and a nice post-hit sandwich never misses. Lean into your carnivorous desires with some triple meat sliders that would have Scooby saying “ruh-roh” with worry about his eyes being too big for his stomach. Ingredients • Refrigerated pulled pork • Deli-sliced chicken • Bacon (pre-made or uncooked) • Sliders rolls • Barbeque sauce • Butter Directions • Prep your slider rolls by buttering them and toasting them in the oven • As the rolls are warming heat up the pulled pork, sliced chicken and bacon • Once all the meat and rolls are warmed, assemble the sliders by layering the chicken, pulled pork and bacon with barbeque sauce between each meat

Co o k i e B i te s th at m a ke you s ay “ r u h - roh ! ”

Dog treats probably don’t wet your whistle, but if you are craving something sweet there is a way to still enjoy “scooby snacks:” make your own! Now, if the thought of making cookies sounds treacherous to you, have no fear, we would never recommend making homemade cookies, especially while high. Ingredients • Pre-made cookie dough of your choice Directions • Roll four pieces of dough into small balls • Form a piece of dough into a rectangular log-like shape • Put the four balls on each corner of the rectangular log • Bake the cookies as directed by the packaging • Let the cookies cool and enjoy your scooby snacks

Though we wish we could share these munchies with Scooby and Shaggy, this is at least a close second. The great thing about these options is that you can make them with pre-made, store-bought items to cut down the time it takes to satiate your munchies. Plus, we already know you’re ending up at the store for craving solutions. So happy munching!