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Elias Theodorou AMIDST AN OPIOID CRISIS, THIS FREEDOM FIGHTER CLAIMED HIS BIGGEST VICTORY, BECOMING THE FIRST ATHLETE IN HISTORY TO RECEIVE A SPORT MEDICAL CANNABIS LICENCE.
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A L I G H T AT T H E END OF THE TUNNEL J E N T H E
N E W T O N M A K E S S E N S E ( W I T H C A N N A B I S ) A B O U T N O V E L C O R O N AV I R U S N E W W O R L D W E C A L L H O M E
Well, shit. This season of change ain't playin’, beating down upon the people in a way that feels faster and more furious with each turn of current events.
about ourselves, and our connection to mother nature. The power of the flower. That perhaps a female’s tendency to heal would be more highly regarded. That maybe the masses might start to see the capacity for alchemy and magic we are each capable of. That we’d return to nature again. And today we’re all in quarantine. Only weeks ago we were shaking hands with strangers and hugging loved ones hello; these connections suddenly became a past version of our realities, at least for now. The shared joint—one of the most sincere moments of human connection that remains in mainstream culture; where strangers become friends, experiencing the If we'd talked last month, I would have said ritual of smoke, sharing mouth to mouth I believe that the wave of weed’s legalization like they would no other way, revealing was the force majeure, kicking up the change insight and thoughtful conversation as the the world was in desperate need of. That Mary spirit of the spiritual experience takes them Jane going mainstream was delivering us a somewhere new—also a thing of the past. At kind of collective message—opportunities for least for now. us to heal and awaken with every sesh. In a time where it’s tough not to mourn It was an aha! moment when I learned what our lives were just a moment ago, it’s that as the growing community cultivates the critical to try and find the light in things. cannabis crop, they sometimes refer to the What’s the lesson, the truth illuminated process as "elevating the female"—changing for us to go and grow towards, as both the conditions of the growing environment so plants and humans tend to do? that the female plant can survive and thrive. “While the problems of the world are To me, this felt like a lesson the world should increasingly complex, the solutions remain heed: that the conditions we are currently embarrassingly simple.” growing in must evolve, carefully changed. (Bill Mollison, co-originator of Honestly? I’d sort of expected that the Permaculture) gifts the plant was delivering the world might I can’t drop the idea of nature’s start to hold a larger symbolism for people. resiliency—how hard we’d (weed) push That the plant would show us a higher lesson to continue to grow, up toward the light,
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regardless of the state of things. The natural will and fight, survive and thrive. I believe this is the lesson we can take from the plant: the reminder to adapt. To find new ways forward. Transforming within our conditions in order to grow. And to bloom where we are planted, revealing our own impressions, gifts, flavours and intensities to the world around us. There’s no denying that (now more than ever) we must collectively pause and ponder how the hell we’ve gotten here, re-examining our choices, re-considering our points of view. Otherwise, how will we ever rebuild better? The return to plants—the gifts our natural world brings us, the secrets and truths Mother Nature has held all along—feels like the only rational way forward. Maybe nature is what saves us after all. I hope that the next time I write to you the world feels like a safer and more peaceful place. Until then, please write to me with your questions, thoughts or just a word up. holla@hightea.life
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POSTCARD FROM THE 60'S Inside Yorkville Village’s Period of Peak Arts, Culture and (Really, Really Good) Weed
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Bernie Finkelstein dropped out of high school in 1964 to move to Yorkville and dedicate his life to music. Whether promoting shows by Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead or moving in the same circles as local heroes like Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, Finkelstein launched True North Records and, from Yorkville, helped Canada’s music scene take on global acclaim. All the while, he smoked hash and joints, dropped acid and hobnobbed with musical icons who he saw as talented, idiosyncratic friends. Ben Kaplan caught up with Finkelstein, who still manages Bruce Cockburn, from his home in the country.
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It’s 1964 and I’m stoned walking around Yorkville. What do I see? Transformation before your eyes. Places moving from coffee shops where people played chess to rock ‘n’ roll clubs. I got a job working at a place called El Patio.
What was it like? Totally crazy.
How so? There were at least 30 clubs in an area no bigger than about four miles. And playing in those clubs were some of the world’s most amazing bands. Not only Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and David Clayton Thomas, the singer of Blood, Sweat and Tears, but other people who didn’t make it, but maybe were just as good.
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walking—there was a tremendous amount of there’s sex. Nothing’s changed. local talent in the streets, say that.
Talk about the streets in those days.
The drugs have changed. Certainly the cannabis we smoke today is now federally licensed, which is good.
I was just living there. It wasn’t like, ‘holy shit, that’s Joni Mitchell!’ She worked at a club that my partner owned, the Riverboat, and she did everything from washing dishes to making coffee. Everyone was young.
The big drug in the Yorkville period was MDA, which was kind of invented in Toronto and known as the “the love drug.” It was a form of speed and later it turned into a lot of terrible things, like speed, meth and amphetamines, but during this period, the What were the big influences around town? marijuana period, I remember MDA quite fondly. The Beatles on one hand, Bob Dylan on the other and of course, permeating all of that, was the proliferation of marijuana. It must have been incredible to be alive at a time when the Beatles are releasing albums, and Bob Dylan. It must have felt Sounds like heaven on earth. like a magical time to be in the industry. There were a lot of psychedelic drugs around. Everybody did it. Like, everybody. There was no question a feeling of revolution was in the air, but it was very positive. After all, it was the Summer of Love.
Just as good as Joni Mitchell? The Canadian way is to acknowledge Joni Mitchell and forget Bonnie Dobson. Is one better than the other? I wouldn’t know, but we can only chew so much gum while we’re
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Are you telling me all these young rock ‘n’ rollers on acid were having sex? If you’re in a band and you’re good looking,
People would line up at record stores to get the new Rolling Stones, the new Beatles album, Dylan records. Music was so important, but Yorkville was more than just music—there were poets, artists. June Callwood was down there, and it felt like it was a moment when everything was possible. Things were changing: women’s rights, equal rights. It didn’t start in Yorkville but we were certainly the tip of the spear.
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looking at me, I was stoned. And people were also working in the area. Tell me about True North Records.
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decade. Though it does sort of remind me of right now.
Seems like in the 60's… I opened my first office for True North on Scollard Street and there were also two big major recording studios: Eastern Sound and Thunder Sound. Neil Young opened Thunder Sound, but by the time it opened, he was no longer there.
Can we talk about Neil Young for a moment? He seems like a persnickety dude.
How’s that? Everybody was stoned. It was just part of the culture. But there was definitely an “us vs. them” kind of feeling. There were us— who smoked pot and thought something important was happening and wanted to change the world—and them, who didn’t.
The squares.
What with Drake and The Weeknd, and even Justin Bieber, Carly Rae, Shawn Mendes; certainly a lot of international talent is being recognized around the world that comes from Canada right now. But we have to rewind for a minute because we can’t talk about Yorkville without mentioning Gordon Lightfoot.
Something like that. I promoted Neil’s shows for a while when he became big. Joni and Neil, and we also did Harry Chapin and James Taylor—they were all just really nice talented people (with the idiosyncrasies, perhaps, that all talented people have).
How good is Gordon Lightfoot? How big were his shoes? Was Yorkville recognized internationally?
There was a communal feeling with Greenwich Village, Haight-Ashbury, for sure. Bill Graham used to bring his bands in, Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead. I Tell me again about the marijuana. was slowly getting a reputation in the music business, but I would say Greenwich Village The marijuana was really strong. I got a place definitely knew about Yorkville. Zal Yanofksy, a little north of Yorkville after a while and before he joined The Lovin' Spoonful, he was used to keep my marijuana in a pot and in here and yeah, Neil Young, Joni, Steppenwolf, my stove. I used to roll a few joints, put them certainly before they did "Born to Be Wild", in my pocket and walk down to Yorkville they were here, performing. All of this music every day. I would smoke a joint all the way was being created that 50 years later people on my walk and I don’t know if people were still listen to. That doesn’t happen every
Gordon? There’s no comparison. One of the world's greatest singer-songwriters of all time. Yorkville was such an important place for singer-songwriters: James Taylor, Gordon, Buffy St. Marie, everyone played the Riverboat. Kris Kristofferson. I promoted most of their shows. They’d come to Toronto and they’d play our club, then Massey Hall.
I also know there wasn’t liquor allowed in your clubs back in the day. Which would have been hard for Kris Kristofferson and his friends.
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Maybe they were fans of your groups. Before my career in music became more significant, I was working in a club on a laneway that connected Yorkville and Cumberland, the Kiki Rouge, which was an early disco. What people used to do was tip the waitress and the waitress would come back into the kitchen and hand me, let’s say, a mickey of rum. So when she would ask me for a coffee, I’d spike it. It was really kind of fun and one waitress I worked with ended up being married to John Kay, who ended up having hits like "Magic Carpet Ride" and "Born to Be Wild."
No way. They were in a band called Sparrow in Yorkville then moved to L.A. and came back to Yorkville, a year later as Steppenwolf— only now they were big stars.
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One thing we haven’t discussed yet is the cops. I know before weed was made legal, it was a serious criminal offence.
Perhaps.
The police were around and smoking marijuana was a serious criminal offence. Lots of people I know ended up in jail for months or sometimes even worse for marijuana, so it was no joke, but, on the other hand, I never felt threatened one way or the other.
Well, sir. You lived the times and have greatly contributed to the Canadian music scene and helped shape our culture and launch lots and lots of great bands.
You could smoke in the streets?
Bernie Finkelstein is the founder of True North Records, a label that’s earned more than 40 gold & platinum albums and 40 separate JUNO Awards. Awarded the Order of Canada and a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Finkelstein released his memoir True North (A Life In The Music Business) in 2012.
I used to smoke joints and hash from a hash pipe quite openly and, sure, if I saw a policeman coming I’d throw it away, but the police never really bothered me.
It was really very cool and let me tell you, sincerely: I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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1 “ Reaching this state of elevation and evolution into our higher selves is possible—but only when we stop to reflect on the journey we have taken so far. The ego is the soul in its infancy, and the ancestral landscapes that sustain our existence are our teachers.”
Room + Plains. Photo property of The Lindis.
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2 “ Our technology-dependent, whirlwind lifestyles have created a culture of being so far removed from each other, from our natural guidance systems and from the inner knowing that we are never alone, that we allow it to distract us from the raw, uninhibited beauty that envelops us.” It is only once we return to our breath and to nature that we allow for essential moments of reflection—a time to slow down and reconnect with ourselves; the loving, life-sustaining oxygen continuously supplied to us by our mother earth; and in turn to each other.
Room + Mountain. Photo property of HOSHINOYA Fuji.
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3 “ Climbing a mountain is humbling. It shows you how much time it takes for an unshakeable landmass to form and how patience is essential when learning, growing and creating.” Compared to the age of the earth, humans have only existed for an instant. We have a lot to learn from the wisdom of nature. The act of rising to an improved vantage point or elevated state through adversary, struggle or hits to the ego is only possible once we’ve taken the time to internalize what we would like to improve upon and acknowledge that we are inspired by something greater than ourselves. Room + Mountain. Photo property of Hotel Villa Honegg.
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H EI G H T EN ED S ENSAT I O NS J A C Q U I C H I L D S U N W R A P S A N E D I B L I N T H E B E D R O O M A N D F I N D S L O V M O V E S S L O W LY O N C A N N A B I S, A N I N D E L I C I O U S W AY
Truth or dare? "I'll take the dare." And so it began—my love for cannabis and coitus. (Love using that word in a sentence: C A N N A B I S . . .) It's been awhile since my first experience with sex and cannabis, but I remember it like yesterday. We had just come out to the world as a couple (we made it Facebook official), and it was the start of the Christmas holidays. Not loving the cold winter nights, we opted to stay in, light a fire and play a very adult game of truth or dare. "I'll take the dare," I said, in a very brave, big-shot tone. "Let's try some edibles,” he said. “They're low-dose and we've got nowhere to go tomorrow."
“I felt much like Alice in Wonderland as I picked the smallest piece from the box.”
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I felt much like Alice in Wonderland as I picked the smallest piece from the box. I ate the tiny, unassuming piece of chocolate (that was actually really delicious), and as the last bit melted its way down the back of my throat, I remember thinking: what have I done….? We play Scrabble and put some vinyl on, just two consenting adults having a nice night in. And we wait, and wait some more. I was about to ask for another piece (which I wouldn't recommend for first timers), when things changed. "Are you seeing sparkles?" I asked. It wasn't his response that stuck with me, it was the way his voice sounded, it was like he had become my favourite late-night DJ. I felt every word. The fire was crackling almost to the beat of the music; it was warm in the room and I was definitely comfortable. "So I guess we're done with truth or dare?" His manner was almost taunting. "Umm no,” I said. “We're just getting started. I'll take truth!" "Have you ever had sex while high?" I'm pretty sure those were the very last
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words we spoke that night. I was about to understand why cannabis and sex was such a taboo subject. It didn't matter how close we were to each other, it wasn't close enough. The sound of our movements, our breath, seemed orchestrated. I was so relaxed, there were moments I slipped from awake to asleep, in what felt like the blink of an eye. We looked at each other, he looked different, but great. We held it for each other—it felt different, but mesmerizing. His breathing and the warmth from his body slowly became mine, as he melted into me. On my best days, I'd describe myself as a lazy lover. Think of a starfish—just laying there all boring, but looking good, LOL. Not the case on this magical night. I was the lead in Cirque du Soleil and he was my stage. My trampoline. My pole. We are now about three hours in since sharing the forbidden fruit (roughly 10mg of a dark chocolate almond square) and we're just getting started. In public, I'm a big
“ As women, we are busy, mind and body, lots going on— multitasking and full of guilt.” mouth; in bed, I'm pretty quiet. Do starfish make any noise? Tonight, I'm very vocal. I'm not only asking for what I want, I'm demanding it! Or am I? I remember thinking: did I say that out loud? As we became one hot mess of sweat and flesh, we smoked a little and drank lots of water (yes, the rumors are true, dry mouth is a thing), and we laughed and laid still for what seemed like hours. We had been intimate before, but never like this. I've had my share of what I thought were great lover's but, again, nothing like this (maybe Two Second Tim and Poor Plain Paul just needed to add some cannabis to their game). As women, we are busy, mind and body, lots going on—multitasking and full of guilt. We question everything, thanks to our mothers and their mothers, society and the opposite sex. Tonight the only question I had was,
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"Was it as good for you?" And his reply is something I'll never forget. He told me I not only looked beautiful, relaxed and calm, but I felt free and comfortable. He told me the pauses he took were just to look at me, and take it all in. I never felt more beautiful and seen than that night in front of the fireplace, high AF. I can't believe I had never infused my sexcapades before. I'm not sure what I was afraid of. Perhaps the fear of being honest, open and unapologetic. The thought of being out of control. Maybe I just hadn't found the right partner. Now that edibles are legal and safely available, I talk about using
them to get out of your own head and into the moment, with lots of my friends. I'm surprised by some of the stories I hear. I'm also pleasantly surprised when Bran Muffin Betty and Vanilla Vince share their intimate stories of sex and cannabis. It really is quite a time to be alive. While so many things seem to be separating us, cannabis is bringing us together, even just for one unforgettable night. And to his question: "Have you ever had sex while high?" Well, things have changed. The answer was no when he first asked me, but now I've become what some might say is a bit of an expert. You always remember your first time.
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MIKE TYSON “ I A M M A R I J U A N A .” Iron Mike Tyson on cannabis, the novel coronavirus, keeping his demons at bay, entrepreneurship and how to stay kind in a world in flux Mike Tyson answers the phone during the second week of the novel coronavirus lockdown and immediately puts his interlocutor at ease. “Hey man, how you doin’? What’s up?” asks the 53-year-old from Brooklyn, New York. Tyson, the youngest fighter to ever win the heavyweight title at 20 years old, has emerged post–cannabis legalization as one of the weed world’s biggest entrepreneurs. Tyson
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Ranch is his cannabis licensing and branding company and his insanely popular podcast, Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson, serves almost as a de facto marketing wing for the Iron Mike lifestyle, which is heavily augmented by copious amounts of weed. Joshua Nagel, the publisher of kind, caught up with the Champ while they were both quarantined.
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“2Pac used to smoke around me, but I could never smoke with him. I was on probation and it’s one of my biggest regrets.” JN: For kind’s first front cover feature we interviewed legendary Canadian comedian Russell Peters. He was kind enough to have us over to his house in Toronto and share some epic stories for our readers and do a hilarious photoshoot. He and his brother Clayton suggested we give you a call as you are so heavily involved in cannabis and would be an incredible cover for our second edition. We couldn’t have agreed more and wanted to thank you for taking the time to talk with us—to start, how do you and Russell know each other? MT: I actually talked to Russell last night. We’ve been friends since so many years ago I can’t even tell you. It’s been a friendship for more than 15 years. He is one of the all time greats!
doing whatever he does and we're living life on life’s terms.
letters. I have books that pull love letters from all over the world and I read them.
JN: Are you practicing social distancing?
JN: That’s nice, man. Like old historical stuff or new stuff?
MT: I’m at my house and I go from my house to my business partner’s house, and we drive around and go outside every now and then. We’re not imprisoning ourselves, but at the same time we’re also being respectful and safe. I’m trying to help people as much as I can working alongside Standing United who are helping the homeless, people losing their jobs, moms with kids. It’s so difficult right now. I just love everyone and I know we can get through this tough time together.
JN: I just saw your most recent Instagram post, where you are playing with your dog Mars. How are you holding up right now Champ, in terms of all the craziness with the novel coronavirus?
JN: It’s an incredibly tough time for so many—that’s really kind of you. Above and beyond your charitable efforts, I think everyone would be interested to learn what you are getting up to with all this extra down time. With no sports, events, restaurants or even social gatherings, how are you spending your free time?
MT: Man, I love Mars. I think this is just God
MT: I’m reading love stories. I read love
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MT: Love letters before Christ until now. I have one of the Roman senators over there, complaining about money that someone owes him, and I have Napoleon begging Joséphine to come visit him and he’s crying in the letter—oh, man.
JN: We love your podcast, is Hotboxin’ going to continue after this pandemic recedes? MT: Absolutely. Once we’re open again, we’ll be able to do this even better than before, we’ll be able to do this full steam ahead.
JN: What’s stood out so far? MT: Tony Robbins was awesome, and Jimmy Kimmel was awesome. There’s so many great guests. Terry Crews was really
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awesome—he’s really intelligent.
JN: Any dream guests? Who does Mike Tyson want to interview the most? MT: Donald Trump. The Pope. I like stuff like that.
JN: Tell us about Tyson Ranch. MT: It’s me and my partner, Rob. We started to put together a state of the art, never seen before, once in a lifetime, one-of-a-kind cannabis resort called Tyson Ranch.
JN: A lot of entrepreneurs are looking to you, and wondering how you maintain consistency in your life. Can you walk us through a typical day? MT: Let me explain it to you. I’m starting to go to bed later than usual, but normally I go to bed at 8 p.m., or 7:30 p.m., and wake up at two in the morning. I go downstairs and ride my bike for an hour, then come upstairs and do my treadmill for an hour, then 300 rips on the weight set; next, I grab my 35-pound dumbbell and then do 200 reps on those, and then I do a rep on my pull-down bar and then I do some twists for my abs—about 200 of those, and that’s what I do.
JN: That’s some Mark Wahlberg shit. Did you teach him that workout? MT: I just believe in reaching my highest heights at being the best I can possibly be. Physically, spiritually, emotionally, intellectually.
F R I E N D S I N H I G H P L A C E S : T Y S O N , M U G G I N G W I T H H I S G O D Z I L L A V I D E O C O S TA R , E M I N E M
my love tells me that I’m everything. So you tell me where that takes me.
JN: A higher level, no doubt. You get interviewed so much man—is there a question that you have yet to be asked that you wish someone would ask you? MT: I don’t want anybody to ever ask me anything. I want to learn from them. I’m curious who they think I am. It's not my perception of myself, it's the perception of what I'm giving to the people. I don't know what impression I'm giving to everybody. Does that make any sense? How do you think people perceive me?
JN: I think it’s fucked up that weed was deemed an essential service in California, and yet people are still in jail for cannabis in the States. MT: I think it's ridiculous. Cannabis is medicine. And I think at this stage of intellect in the world, at this stage in life, it should be known that cannabis is not a drug, it's a medicine. And I think the impact of cannabis proves it's a medicine and it's a part of us and no matter what punishment they give us, we can’t stop using it, we won't stop.
JN: Talk to us about it medicinally, for you. What does it help you with?
MT: It helps me with my highest form of JN: I think a lot of people are drawn towards thinking. the light that you are shining these days.
JN: Me too, man. MT: I try to make it as positive as possible. MT: In all aspects of my life, I want to become the best individual I can be. JN: I want to talk about weed, of course. JN: Where are you spiritually right now? MT: My wisdom tells me that I’m nothing. But
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MT: Absolutely.
JN: When did you first start smoking weed? MT: When I was about 10 years old. My mother’s friends used to give it to me, and I was even younger than that, they gave it to me to try and make me go to bed, to stop crying, stuff like that. I was 10 years old when I was really wanting to do it every day—since 10.
I have to focus and say, no weed today. But JN: Did you ever get high before a fight? every time I perform on stage I have to smoke. MT: Only once in my career. JN: It chills your nerves?
MT: Hey listen, I don’t know about all that. I just know I pay the bill, okay? Maybe someone padded that shit, I don’t know. I just know I pay the bill.
JN: What kind of weed are you smoking in quarantine? MT: I’m smoking on the Tyson Toad. It’s the highest selling weed on the market now. The Toad. Tyson Ranch, look it up. At Planet 13 in Vegas—the biggest weed, cannabis dispensary in the world. Highest selling weed brand is The Toad, from Tyson Ranch.
JN: Why do you smoke weed?
JN: How'd that go? MT: It inspires me. MT: It was like a lot of fights. I won. I knocked him out. JN: Some rapid-fire questions. I know you’re a student of fighting. What books could you suggest to young fighters? MT: I look at the story of Muhammad Ali. I’m talking about fighters who had to deal with adversity. That’s what fighting exemplifies, overcoming adversity. It has nothing to do with a physical aspect. It’s all spiritual. We turn it into physical for sport, for money, but fighting is all spiritual. Overcoming adversity is all spiritual. It may transform into physical, but it’s all spiritual. It’s a spiritual release once it’s over.
JN: Speaking of Knock Out, did you ever play Mike Tyson’s Punch Out? MT: I wasn’t a fan back then. I just did the commercial and got the money.
JN: How about your favourite charity event? MT: Standing United I like. I did one with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the Special Olympics. And I’ve done quite a few with kids who need our help.
MT: It helps with everything, but sometimes
JN: Any dream guests? Who does Mike Tyson want to interview the most? MT: Donald Trump. The Pope. I like stuff like that.
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JN: Let’s set the record straight—are you really burning through $40,000 worth of cannabis a month at the ranch?
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MIKE TYSON
COVER STORY
JN: If you could go back in time and change the results of one fight, which would it be: Buster Douglas or Evander Holyfield II? MT: I change nothing. Because they’re not meant to be changed. They’re meant to happen so I could become the person I am today that you’re taking to.
JN: That’s the best answer. MT: If they don’t happen, I'm not this person. You don't know who you might have been talking to at this moment.
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Canada? JN: How about your three favourite stand-up comedians? MT: Eddie Murphy.
JN: Anyone else?
JN: What’s your favourite music to listen to when you’re high? MT: No doubt about it, all the old school— 2Pac and Biggie, Jay-Z, all that stuff.
MT: I think Canadians are awesome people. They’re the most loving people I’ve met so far. Any time anything happens, they always apologize. “Oh, I'm sorry.” You stepped on my toe. They apologize for everything.
JN: Did you ever blaze with them back in the day? JN: You think the US will follow Canada’s MT: A bunch of them—Eddie Murphy, Mike lead, in terms of legalization? Epps, and Chappelle, Russell Peters, Kevin MT: No. I wish I did. I was on probation and Hart. The Wayans brothers. But Eddie 2Pac used to smoke around me, but I could MT: I think the US is so far behind. We’re Murphy reigns supreme. Eddie Griffin is great. never smoke with him. It was one of my working on coming up, but I don’t understand But Eddie Murphy reigns supreme. biggest regrets, but I was on probation. how we can’t understand that weed is so much better than opiates and cocaine and all that liquor, all that stuff I used to drink. When JN: When you did The Hangover movie, did JN: Does Mike Tyson get the munchies? I grew up in life and I learned how to really you smoke weed on set? get high and really party, I was younger. It was MT: No. When Mike Tyson smokes weed, I liquor and cocaine. But that’s not where it’s at. MT: No. I was getting high in my trailer. I lose my appetite. When I was younger, I used I had to see the light to find out. didn’t get high with the guys. to smoke weed and eat everything. But as I get older, I smoke weed and I don’t eat anything. JN: Talk about this moment we’re in with JN: Where’s your favourite place to get high? the coronavirus. When are we going to see JN: I’m a huge fight fan, a couple of the light? MT: I smoke weed because weed is who I am. questions: Fury or Joshua? Cannabis is who I am. I think I’m made out MT: We’ll get there. We just have to stick of cannabis. I am marijuana. I think it’s part MT: I like Fury. But Joshua. I don’t know. together—everybody. We can’t be afraid. We’ll of my DNA. Because I know who I am when I make it through in the end. use it and who I am when I’m not. And when I don’t use it, I don’t like that person, because JN: Khabib or Tony? that person doesn't make my life consistent. When I don't smoke marijuana, that guy MT: I gotta go with Khabib. is looking for trouble, the guy who doesn’t smoke. Weed was made for me. Something was wrong with me when I was born and I JN: This is coming out in Canada. What do think weed solved the problem. you think about when you think about
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MIKE TYSON
“ I'm smoking on the Tyson Toad.”
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LEMON, PINE AND EVERYTHING’S FINE. STAYING ENERGIZED WITH RIO BRAVO? THAT’S GENIUS. Woodsy. Spicy. Sweet. The proprietary, Sativa-dominant Rio Bravo has 17%-21% THC. Bright crimson pistils, lemon-pine notes and smooth, herbal flavour. Dual boost humidity pack for maximum freshness. Because dry herb belongs in the kitchen.
FIND OUT MORE WAYS WE’RE CULTIVATING GENIUS AT EDISONCANNABIS.CO
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FREEDOM FIGHTER B Y K A E L I S W E I G A R D P H O T O G R A P H S B Y T Y L E R A N D E R S O N
This spring, we celebrate the people advocating for cannabis re-education. People like MMA fighter Elias Theodorou, the first professional athlete—across any sport—to receive a medical cannabis license to do his job. It’s January 31, 2020, and the British Columbia Athletic Commission has just made a firstof-its-kind ruling: they have approved Elias Theodorou’s application for a Therapeutic Use Exemption for medical cannabis. If you are wondering why you hadn’t heard of this until now, you wouldn't be alone. At the time of this writing, it is legal to use cannabis either recreationally or medicinally in 33 states (plus the District of Columbia) and legal recreationally throughout Canada. But not so much in the sports world, and
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“ With medical equality, I don’t have to be forced to use opiods with side effects that would put me at a competitive disadvantage.”
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especially not combat sports. “It’s starting to get there. It’s been an ongoing thing. I have no problem putting in the work,” Theodorou tells me. With his track record, I have no reason not to believe him. Theodorou is 17–3 in professional MMA. When he was cut by the UFC in 2019, reactions ranged from shock and disappointment to relief and disinterest. Those in the "relieved" category were arguably made up of armchair keyboard warriors who are more comfortable writing a snarky YouTube comment about a “boring” fight than learning the proper mechanics of a rear naked choke. Considering how infrequently he has lost a fight, Theodorou has had to weather a surprising amount of criticism, whether for his unorthodox fighting style or his duties as "ring boy" for Invicta Fighting Championships, an all-female MMA promotion. When asked how he stays so confident with so much criticism hurled his way, he says, “I think that comes from accepting that losing is a part of what I do in life. I do it on a very public stage. Other people, on a bad day at work, they get to go home and eat. I've got a bad day at work, I can get my ass kicked on national TV. Everyone's a critic.” He then goes on to reference the famous Teddy Roosevelt “Man in the Arena” quote from 1910. Those in the "disappointed" category when Theodorou was released from the UFC included most fight media, including MMA commentator Robin Black, who has described Theodorou’s fighting style as “misunderstood” and “hard to read.” Known to be media-friendly, Theodorou knows what he wants to say and how he wants to say it. He’s got an agenda, but in a good way. On being a free agent with a newly minted Therapeutic Use Exemption, he recites, almost word for word, the same response he gives everyone: “Ironically, now being a free
agent, I can be an agent of change in medical cannabis.” You can’t blame him for having canned responses; he’s got a lot going on. Professional athlete, businessman, activist, model, actor... Cliché as it may seem, you can’t help but wonder if part of the hate he receives is out of sheer jealousy. Unarguably ambitious, charming and—yes—good looking, you get the distinct sense that professional MMA is just a pit stop for Theodorou along a long path of successful pursuits. In his earlier years, Theodorou played baseball and was competitive in skateboarding. “I travelled all over North America competing and doing stuff for my sponsors.” After a bar fight in university that didn’t go his way, his father suggested he start training to make sure it never happened again. “I just kind of showed up at the gym at age 20, 21, and just never left.” Less than five years later, Theodorou became the first Canadian to win The Ultimate Fighter. That's where bilateral neuropathy comes in. Being a professional athlete comes at a price—physical degradation and injury being one of them. Theodorou was diagnosed with bilateral neuropathy, which can cause numbness, tingling and pain during activities that shouldn't cause pain. While the medicinal use of cannabis
was determined by his doctor to be the best option for Theodorou’s case, he couldn’t make use of the herb because in the UFC, cannabis is a banned substance during competition. Theodorou explored a myriad of pain relief options with his doctor, including opioids and eventually antidepressants, the idea being that, even though he was not depressed, the antidepressant medication would simply numb everything. With Canada being in the midst of an opioid crisis—where in some cities, regular Canadians are being asked to carry Naloxone in case they witness an overdose—it feels irresponsible for someone to be cornered into using a highrisk medication when a medically proven, lower-risk option is available. “Not being allowed to medicate with cannabis, my ability to compete was affected. Obviously, I tried to find ways around it and it evolved into the style that I had.” Suddenly, Theodorou’s awkward and unorthodox style during his UFC career makes sense. “My last fight in the UFC, I wasn't able to be me.” In the UFC, cannabis is prohibited during competition. The UFC follows the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) guidelines, with the concern being that if an athlete were to fight after using marijuana, they could potentially
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S TA N D I N G S T R O N G : T H E O D O R O U, N O W C L E A R T O M E D I C A L LY C A N N A B I S, L O O K S F O R W A R D T O H I S R E T U R N T O T H E R I N G
take more damage, thus conferring an unfair advantage in the match. Theodorou explains, “In Ontario, cannabis isn't a banned substance unless a larger company like the UFC comes here, because they have the United States Anti-Doping Agency that's third party testing, and they test for cannabis because it's part of their prohibited list.” “Other sports have anti-doping programs that are generally collectively bargained,” says Erik Magraken, licensed judge in British Columbia for the sports of Muay Thai, Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts—and Theodorou’s lawyer. “The regulation of combat sports is unique in that the government is the regulator. The government actually hands-on regulates professional combat sports,” says Magraken. Though he frequently won his fights in the UFC, Theodorou developed a reputation for not finishing those fights by submission. A win by decision is not inherently bad, but the crowds certainly have their opinion on it. Fast forward to Theodorou’s fight in Windsor with Prospect Fighting
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“ This is less to do about cannabis and more to do with medical equality.” Championships on December 6, 2019— his first professional fight after being cut by the UFC. Theodorou was able to medicate with cannabis all the way through because Ontario doesn’t have cannabis as a prohibited substance. Fighting against Hernani Perpetuo, Theodorou pulled off an exciting, dominant performance and a win by TKO. He calls this latest fight a “case study,” finally being able to compete on what he calls a level playing field now that he can medicate appropriately. Being his first finish in the last four years, it is promising. Theodorou feels he can now be his best with the proper medicine. “With medical equality, I don't have to be forced to take opioids with side effects that would put me at a competitive disadvantage. This is less to do about cannabis and more to do with medical equality, which is afforded to me as a fundamental right.” “It is precedent-setting,” says his lawyer.
“There's nothing unique about getting a TUE. That's a process that does exist. What was unique here is that one has never been granted for cannabis.” “In the combat sports setting, when one regulator makes this decision, I think others are more comfortable making a similar decision in the future. So I think there are broader implications beyond simply Elias's Therapeutic Use Exemption. In many jurisdictions, I think regulators are going to be more comfortable making this decision so long as they're presented with the adequate evidence to substantiate the decision,” says Magraken. Theodorou realizes his victory in having the TUE approved is just the first step. He plans to put his Therapeutic Use Exemption to use in British Columbia later this year in an upcoming fight. Considering himself an activist, Theodorou also wants to shine a light and #FightTheStigma, as he says, for others who may have limited access to medical cannabis, especially veterans and first responders. “I'm going to keep fighting the good fight, both inside the cage and out.”
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U P S C A L E D I N N E R S T H AT M I X G R E AT F O O D W I T H G R E AT C A N N A B I S A R E T H E N E W E S T T R E N D I N T H E W E E D W O R L D. W E H O S T E D O N E W I T H T R A N G T R I N H , C E O O F T R E C B R A N D S
The group at the end of the meal, huddled up on the couches like bed bugs and laughing like old friends, had a level of shared intimacy unlike the mood at the start of the night. Eleven strangers, all working in cannabis and down for a good time, had come together for a gourmet infused meal by Trang Trinh and Peter Machalek, the brass at TREC Brands which include WINK Cannabis, Blissed and Thumbs Up Brand. Now we were all soaking in our warm fuzzies—tingling, not drunk; sober, but with a twist.
“Feels good, right?” said Trinh, who had orchestrated the evening like a divine composer, crafting THC:CBD ratios with Blissed cannabis oil to ensure that everyone stayed on the right side of pleasantly buzzed. “It’s not the kind of thing that will leave you hurting the next day or—when dosed correctly—leave you embarrassed by your behavior, but it’s a vibe that’s perfect for sharing an intimate evening with adult friends.” Elevated infused dining is a nationwide trend and celebrity chefs from Jordan Wagman to Ted Corrado to Craig Harding have gotten involved with mixing cannabis and otherwise delectable meals. With minimal alcohol and a distinct level of trust, infused dining takes the ritual of sharing a joint between friends and elevates it to a
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“I feel ‘high,’ but not ‘stoned,’ and there’s a difference.” four-hour happening, with a body buzz that’s slowly dispersed over time as opposed to a quick joint hit that might cause nervousness or anxiety. Infused dining feels good. “Eating is actually my favourite form of consuming,” said Naomi Miller, president of Agripharm, who sources the cannabis in her indoor growing facilities for TREC Brands. “I think the buzz is subtler, smoother and almost makes me feel slightly giddy. I feel ‘high,’ but not ‘stoned,’ and there’s a difference, I think.” I once heard eating edibles described by a friend in the industry as that feeling you got when you were a kid and came home from school and dropped off your heavy backpack. When the edibles kick in, the backpack has been released onto the living room floor. At Trang’s epic evening, hosted at the home of Natasha Koifman, president of NKPR, we started with mushroom soup laced with either 5mg of THC or 13mg of CBD; then snacked on a kale salad with a CBD-infused vinaigrette. I had steak, with an infused
squirt of chimichurri sauce and cauliflower, and a spritz of CBD. None of the doses were particularly heavy and the buzz came on slowly, like a character actor in a movie you love that you can’t get out of your mind. Both Trang and Pete are enthusiastic, frequent amateur chefs and the quality of the food— and their tangy infusions—were superb. “This is the dish that turned into the dinner party,” said Trang, upon introducing her tuna tartare. I had the great good fortune of standing beside Zamina Walji, who’s the VP of consumer and retail strategy for Aurora, when Trang said those fateful words. Walji was packing Aurora gummies, and I gratefully took a hit. The evening began to feel really good.
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At this point, it’s worth mentioning that I’m no stranger to weed. I like to smoke in the evenings and have two children and run marathons, but I also love the way that cannabis makes me feel. I find it a shortcut to my empathy, and also, I like being buzzed. Always have. And I think that’s something I share with lots of cannabis consumers and also industry colleagues.
Khabouth is a legendary nightlife impresario around Toronto who’s made his name over the past thirty years. Khabouth thinks the next step for cannabis is consumption lounges. “We know that adults like to come together in social situations and consume
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We ended our infused adventure with chocolate mud pies from a cookbook that the TREC team has been working on with
“The group, former strangers, was now huddled up on the couches like third graders...”
People at the dinner party, like Jeremy Stepak, the CFO of Greentank Tech, which makes vape hardware, and Greg Pantelic, CEO of Ahlot, which packages cannabis variety packs, vibed with me like old friends. Sure, the 5mg of THC-infused balsamic vinegar I drizzled on my Brussels sprouts was helping, but also, like so often happens in the weed biz, I found myself pleasantly buzzing in a room full of products that help them feel good,” says cool people. Khabouth, who already has designs in place for what a cannabis lounge might look like. Roxy Earle is a partner with Blissed, the In the early 2000s, Khabouth used to run TREC line of female-focused products, and smoking lounges, where cigarette smokers she was having such fun at the dinner that could enjoy their products, and he’s made she was thinking of incorporating infused ventilation systems that would ensure that cooking into her upcoming birthday bash. the venues wouldn’t stink. For Khabouth, however, cannabis lounges, like those that “I feel amazing and it’s healthy. I don’t exist in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, would do have to drink a bottle of wine,” said Earle, more than provide adults with a place for mentioning that she drinks 60% less when their entertainment—it would help fulfill there’s cannabis involved in her nights on a public need. “I think if we had venues the town. where cannabis consumers could use their products, it would help decrease the stigma Charles Khabouth knows everything there is that unfortunately still exists,” he said. “Great to know about nights on the town. A guest dinners like this tonight shouldn’t only be at the dinner and board director at TREC, enjoyed by a select few. Infused dinners
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famed chef and cookbook author Rose Reisman. It was 10:30 p.m. and the snow was falling and we’d entered the music-playing portion of our infused night. The group, former strangers, was now huddled up on the couches like third graders at a sleepover watching Frozen, smiling equally big—sipping red wine slowly, grinning from ear to ear. Brittany Trumper is a leader at Deloitte in their mergers and acquisitions cannabis practice, and the cool kind of suit who bridges the gap between cannabis consumers and companies and understands the 2.0 legal cannabis vibe. She told me she was feeling no pain. “Look at us, lounging and hanging out.
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Having fun, with a mellow, delicious infused meal,” she said, smiling beside TREC’s Peter Machalek, who, as the night went on, began appearing to me more and more like the actor Stephen Dorff. Trumper said: “I think with leaders like Trang Trinh and Pete and their team at TREC Brands, there’s going to be a lot more amazing creations coming out of Canada’s legal cannabis scene. It’s been great so far, but look at this evening. I think the best is yet to come.”
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CHEF M E R C H’ S C A NNA B IS K I T C HE N B Y
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After touring the world as Drake’s private chef, Merch came home to Toronto to spread his love of cooking
D E C A R B OX Y L AT E D HERB
Being a chef is so much more than just cooking. It’s about bringing people together to share in something all cultures understand, and that’s food. My own journey with food has been unique. From struggling with my own weight and diet, to now creating fusion dishes that represent the many cultures of my home city of Toronto, my relationship with food has always been crucial to my life. With my training not being traditional, I’ve always felt like I had something to prove. I bypassed culinary school and threw myself into the fire. What has risen from those flames is a raw understanding of what it truly means to serve. Whether inside of homes, or cooking in commercial kitchens in a different city every other day, my dedication has been tested and my skills have been pushed to the brink. Each time, I have found a way to produce memorable plates that have left an impression on the taste buds of anyone who has ever taken a bite from one of my dishes. No matter what type of dish I’m creating, my inspiration as a chef has always been people—everyday people who enjoy trying new dishes, who recognize flavours, and who have a genuine appreciation for a fine meal. That is why I am here and why I take so much pride in what I do.
All herb contains the compound THCA; the process of turning this compound into THC, which helps your herb become psychoactive, involves exposing it to heat, which loses the C02 molecule (the A).
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To reap the herb's full benefits when making herb-infused oils, butter and dry spice blends, you must prep it first using this cool technique called “decarboxylation.”
You start by grinding (1/4 ounce or seven grams) in a multi-chamber hand grinder, then toasting the herb in an oven at 250°F for 20 minutes. Stir every five minutes to ensure full distribution of heat to all parts of the herb. When complete, the herb will look toasted and a bit darker in colour. Remove from the oven and cool down completely before proceeding with infusion recipes. If you're not going to use the decarbed herb right away, you can store it in an airtight container for later.
CANNAOIL RECIPE
Makes 1 1/2 cups (1 serving = 1/2 teaspoon = 5 MG THC) 1/4 ounce (7g) cannabis flowers 4 sticks (1 pound) unsalted butter
Makes 2 cups (1 serving = 1/2 teaspoon = 5 MG THC) 2 cups coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, or grapeseed oil 1/4 ounce (7g) cannabis flower (dose based on 15% THC herb)
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Preheat your oven 250°F. Grind the herb with a three-chamber hand grinder until it is the consistency of dried oregano. Place the herb on a parchment-lined tray; place in oven for 20 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes. When complete, the herb will look toasted and a bit darker in colour. Remove from the oven and cool down completely. Combine the butter and 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a low simmer over medium heat. Once the butter begins to melt add your herb. Reduce the heat to low and cook the butter very gently, stirring occasionally and maintaining a temperature of between 200°F and 250°F, until the top layer of the infusion turns glossy and thick: 2 to 3 hours. You may need to add water if the temperature gets close to the 250°F mark so that the butter doesn't scorch. Set a sieve over a medium bowl (preferably glass) and line the sieve with cheesecloth. Pour the infusion into the sieve and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until all of the butter has filtered out. Wrap the edges of the cheesecloth over the herb and use a rubber spatula to press on the solids to extract all of the butter. Discard the solids. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate the strained butter for at least 3 hours, or overnight. The next day, lift out the solid block of butter and discard any liquids remaining in the bowl. Use a paper towel to pat the surface of the butter on all sides to absorb any droplets of moisture. Wrap the butter in two layers of plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
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Preheat your oven 250°F. Grind the herb with a three-chamber hand grinder until it is the consistency of dried oregano. Place the herb on a parchment-lined tray place in oven for 20 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes. When complete, the herb will look toasted and a bit darker in colour. Remove from the oven and cool down completely. Combine the herb and oil in a medium saucepan and bring to a low simmer over medium heat. Make sure the oil is hot, but not boiling. Reduce the heat to low and slowly cook the infusion. Stir occasionally (approximately every 10 minutes) and try to maintain a temperature between 200ºF and 250ºF until the top layer of the infusion turns glossy and thick. This step should take about 2 hours, then remove from heat. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and place over a medium bowl. Pour the mixture into the sieve and let it sit for 5 minutes, until all the oil has filtered. Fold the ends of the cheesecloth over the reefer. Using a rubber spatula, press down on the solids firmly until more oil has filtered out. Repeat this step if necessary, then discard the solids. Transfer the oil to a jar and seal. Store at room temperature for up to 3 months. If you use coconut oil for your infusion, it will solidify over time. Warm until it liquifies before use.
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W AT E R M E L O N SALAD W I T H
H O M E M A D E
VINAIGRETTE RECIPE 2 teaspoons cannaoil (20mg THC) 1/4 cups extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons blueberry jam 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar 1 teaspoon soya sauce 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar Salt to taste
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* SALAD RECIPE 4 cups mixed greens 2 cups watermelon, cubed 1/2 cup crispy fried plantains 2 carrots, julliened or sliced 1/4 cup goat cheese
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In a small mixing bowl or a food processor, combine all of the vinaigrette ingredients and whisk or blend until everything has come together. Another way of doing it is to add all the ingredients to a mason jar and close the lid and shake well. Combine all of the salad ingredients except the goat cheese into a wood bowl. Drizzle vinaigrette over ingredients and use your hands to help distribute evenly. Crumble goat cheese on top once you plated it. Enjoy. The easiest way to make a vinaigrette is to use a ratio of 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. Season with salt and herbs after for taste.
“My own journey with food has been unique.�
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O X TA I L P I Z Z A DOUGH RECIPE 4 cups Italian Tipo "00" flour + plus extra for dusting dough 2 teaspoons Kosher salt 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1 1/2 cups water
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Makes 4 pizzas | 16 servings | 2.25 MG THC/serving
Combine flour, salt, and yeast in a standing mixer with a dough hook attached, whisk until mixed thoroughly (approximately 2 minutes). Add water and incorporate into flour. Knead dough on low speed for 10 minutes. The mixture will come together and should barely stick the bottom of the bowl as it kneads. If the dough begins to stick, add some more flour, approximately one teaspoon at a time while mixer is running. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place in fridge for at least 8 hours. When you're ready to make pizza, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into four even sections.
FOR THE SAUCE 1 (14oz) can whole peeled Italian San Marzano tomatoes, pureed
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Gently roll each section into a ball. Pull the top of the ball down gently around the rest of the ball until the outer layer wraps around the other side. Pinching the two ends together to help form a ball with a tight outer “skin.” Set your ball seam-side down and rest. Repeat step for all dough sections. Dust your balls with flour and store in a proofing tray topped a damp towel or under plastic wrap. This step will help keep the dough hydrated and easier to work with later. Let your dough balls rest for about one
TOPPINGS 12 ounces fresh buffalo mozzarella (or fresh cow's milk mozzarella (Fior di latte), torn into 1/4 inch chunks) 1 cup of cooked pulled oxtail or beef cheek, sliced thin (see recipe) 4 teaspoons olive oil 4 teaspoons of cannaoil (for drizzling after) (1 teaspoon per pizza)
hour before use. You can refrigerate if you are not ready to use immediately.
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pizza stone to reach optimal temperature. Place each ball of dough on to a well-floured surface and stretch into 10-inch circles. Using the tips of your fingers, press down around the edges to form a crust. You can lift the dough onto your knuckles and shake until dough begins to stretch more. You can use a floured rolling pin for this step. Circles don't have to be perfect for this style of pizza.
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YOU'LL NEED Stand mixer Pizza stone Medium bowl Rolling pin
Place your pizza stone in oven and heat to 500°F. It will take about 20-25 minutes for the
Place one of the rolled out doughs onto a lightly floured pizza peel and shake to make sure dough is not sticking to surface. Using a wood spoon, spread 1/3 of a cup of tomato sauce into the centre of the dough and spread out leaving 1/2 inch of edge without sauce. Top with Fior di latte and pieces of oxtail and drizzle with olive oil.
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M E D I C AT E D VA N I L L A CUPCAKES W I T H
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S T R A W B E R R Y
CUPCAKE RECIPE 1 1/4 cup cake flour 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 eggs, room temperature 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup canna butter, room temperature 1/2 cup buttermilk
BUTTERCREAM RECIPE 4 cups icing sugar 1 cup canna butter, room temperature 1 tablespoon strawberry extract 3 tablespoons 35% creamer
YOU'LL NEED Stand mixer Cupcake pan Cupcake liners
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INSTRUCTIONS
350°F | 12–14 minutes | 13–15 cupcakes
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Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
2
Beat eggs; add sugar, vanilla and canna butter.
3
Alternating buttermilk and dry ingredients, add to the mixer and combine.
4
Layer cupcake pan with liners and fill 2/3 full of batter. Bake 12–14 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the middle of the cupcake.
5
When done baking, place baked cupcakes on cooling rack and make remainder of cupcakes.
6
While cupcakes are baking/cooling, make your buttercream.
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Add canna butter to mixer with whisk attachment.
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Add icing sugar, extract and cream.
3
On low-med, mix ingredients until slightly combined.
4
On med-high, whisk buttercream until fluffy.
5
Once the cupcakes cool, add buttercream icing to icing bags and decorate.
WELL SMOKED , NEVER BURNT.
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GOOD FOOD
MINDFUL M U N C HIE S B Y
M A D I S O N
M A K E P E A C E
Certified Nutritional Practitioner at Lemon Water Wellness Clinic and On-Set Nutritionist @holistic_hints
Creative and nutritious solutions for indulging in guilt-free munchies April 20th marks a special day for many of us—a day of indulgence and celebration of our newly legally enjoyed cannabis! With indulgence often comes the munchies, and I’m here to help you make them healthy and mindful :). As many of you know, cannabis consumption has been known to influence and increase appetite. It triggers the release of a hormone called Ghrelin, which is also known as the “hunger hormone.” Ghrelin is released by the stomach and in turn sends a signal to our brains that it is time to eat. As a Holistic Nutritionist who loves to snack, I thought it would be a great time to share some of my healthier snack substitutions so that you, too, can have them as a staple in your munchie repertoire when hunger hits. Having healthy snacking options is a simple shift that is not only good for your body, but a sustainable move in the right direction! Whether you're at your desk experiencing a 4 p.m. energy slump, at home vegging out in front of Netflix (which is where many of us find ourselves at the moment) or you're under the *influence* and craving something fulfilling but also sneaky healthy, here are some simple new recipes and substitutions for the age-old munchies that are packed with nutritional benefits.
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MINDFUL MUNCHIES
ZUCCHINI RECIPE 2–3 zucchinis (sliced thinly or with a mandoline, if you have one) 1 cup almond flour or finely grated almonds 2 tbsp coconut flour sea salt & black pepper
T Z AT Z I K I R E C I P E 1 cup coconut yogurt (I used Good Goddess Coconut Cloud) 1/2 cucumber grated, strained with cloth to remove moisture 1 clove grated garlic juice of 1 lemon zest of 1/2 lemon 1 tbsp olive oil sea salt & pepper
Bowl Non-stick baking sheet Zester
G O O D
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS Zucchini is a nutrient-dense vegetable that makes a great potato chip substitute. Zucchini is high in fibre, which helps regulate blood sugar, and it contains manganese, which is a trace mineral that aids in the breakdown of protein and carbohydrates. I’m always looking for dairy substitutes and coconut yogurt is one of my favourites. It's filling, probiotic-rich and provides the body with a good clean source of fat that our bodies use for fuel instead of storing.
INSTRUCTIONS 1 2
3
YOU'LL NEED
F O O D
BAKED ZUCCHINI CRISPS WITH COCONUT T Z AT Z I K I
4
Slice zucchini into rounds and use a cloth to pat off excess moisture and set aside. In a separate bowl, incorporate almond flour, coconut flour, salt and pepper. Coat each zucchini round in the flour mixture and space out on a non-stick baking sheet or pan covered in parchment paper. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes (checking on them halfway through and flipping crisps if they're browning too quickly.) While the crisps are in the oven you can mix together the tzatziki. Mix together coconut yogurt, grated garlic, grated and strained cucumber, lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper until fully incorporated and set aside in the fridge. If you have extra, this is a great dip to use later with crackers, pita, or veggies or even spread on a sandwich. Will keep in the fridge for 5–7 days.
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GOOD FOOD
GRAIN-FREE SUPERFOOD NACHOS RECIPE
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
1 bag of Siete cassava flour tortilla chips 1.5 cups of dairy-free cheese 1 green onion, chopped 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 grated eggplant 1-2 of your favourite hot peppers (I used Anaheim and Thai chillies) 1/2 cup seed mixture (I used a mix of pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds) 1 lime 1 avocado
I fell in love with Siete grain-free tortilla chips because they are crispy like corn chips but are grain grain-free and less inflammatory. They contain ground chia, which has brain-healthy fats, avocado oil, coconut flour and cassava flour. Cassava contains resistant starches that feed good gut bacteria, aid in reducing inflammation and promote healthy digestion. Cassava is also high in dietary fibre. Adding colourful vegetables and seeds amps up the nutrient-dense love to an otherwise cheesy and carb-loaded munchie snack. I love the addition of pumpkin seeds especially because they are rich in antioxidants and a good source of magnesium—a natural muscle relaxant and stress reducer—and they are incredibly high in zinc! We all need more zinc in our lives right now.
INSTRUCTIONS YOU'LL NEED Shallow baking dish Favourite store-bought salsa
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2 3
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In a shallow baking dish, pour a layer of tortilla chips and then sprinkle with cheese or dairy-free cheese of your choosing over top and add some sliced hot peppers. Add a second layer of chips, sprinkle with cheese and then spread out your remaining toppings (minus the avocado and lime), followed by your seed mix. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 375°F until cheese is melted and veggies are cooked through and top with sliced avocado and lime. Eat nachos dip-free or grab your favourite strore-bought salsa and enjoy!
G O O D
F O O D
MINDFUL MUNCHIES
ROSEMARY POPCORN RECIPE 1 bag of popped sea salt popcorn (I used Boom Chicka Pop, which is non-GMO— Corn is one of the most genetically modified crops in Canada, so it's important to look for non-GMO when reaching for popcorn) 2 sprigs of rosemary 1 tbsp olive oil juice and zest of 1 lemon 3 tbsp vegan butter (I used soy-free Earths Own vegan butter) 1/2 tsp black pepper
YOU'LL NEED Cast iron pan Zester Bowl
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS Why not find a way to enjoy your popcorn with a healthy, immune-boosting twist? Everyone could benefit from a comforting munchie staple and, during this uncertain time, let's boost those immune systems! Lemons are very high in vitamin C, which is alkalinizing and has anti-viral properties. Rosemary is also a great source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help to improve blood circulation and boost your immune system.
INSTRUCTIONS 1
In a cast iron pan, add all ingredients except popcorn. Cook down butter and oil and bring ingredients to a simmer. It makes your house smell amazing.
2
Simmer for 5 minutes to incorporate and intensify the lemon zest and rosemary flavours. Let it cool for a minute or two.
3
Grab your favourite big bowl and, once it’s cooled slightly, pour mixture into bowl. Add your popped popcorn to the bowl and toss to coat all the kernels. I find this keeps them from losing their popcorn crunch. Top with black pepper and enjoy!
I N S TA G R A M : @ H O L I S T I C_ H I N T S K I N D
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CANNABIS
>>>
FROM POT BROWNIES, WITH LOVE The edibles market in legal cannabis has come a long way since the 60's. We look back on the legacy of cannabis baked goods, and celebrate the great tastes to come
A moment, then, to sing the praises of edibles—that counterculture relic, the pot brownie, that made its way through the 60's like a Jimi Hendrix riff. Edibles didn’t come to the legal market until Christmas, dropping their slow-release magic across the country like a rainbow after a storm, and we’re still making our way through exciting new monthly product skus this spring.
“ Who knows how much THC was actually in those groovy little illegal weed cookies from the 60's?”
Today, any hungry shopper perusing their favourite retailer will find treats— the cookie, the mint, the chocolate, the gels—but it’s just the tip of the iceberg of improved edible products that recreate the magic of the pot brownie, Woodstock and original cannabis baked goods, all in one bite. For the curious edible cannabis consumers, it’s often the first taste of love.
significance of the products from the 60's, but I also think we’re doing really good things with edibles in the legal cannabis market today,” says Ray Gracewood, a senior vice president with the New Brunswick–based licensed producer, Organigram. “I love the history of cannabis and think most people do who work in our industry, but the question posed to us at Organigram and all the licensed producers is: how do we take something people love, make it comply with the legal system, and still make it great?”
“Pot brownies are an important part of cannabis folklore and legacy and we certainly pay homage to the cultural
Great edible products begin and end with proper dosage and conscientious packaging. No one wants to make a gummy bear
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product or any sort of edible that would appeal to kids. On the legacy market, consumers had grown accustomed to purchasing a package of brownies labelled at 250mg of THC. However, on the legal market, the highest dose is capped at 10mg. Where the discrepancy has been found, however, is in the public appetite and accuracy of the dosage labels. Who knows how much THC was actually in those illegal weed cookies? When Organigram surveyed consumers, they found that the ideal portion, as voted upon by adults, was 5mg of THC per dose. According to David Brott, CEO of the Cannabis Cooking Company, edibles aren’t designed to leave consumers obliviated
C A N N A B I S
REDISCOVERING EDIBLES
“ It’s often the first taste of love.” (although, if that’s the desired effect, no one will police how many you take), but rather to give adults an earthy buzz. “If you’re looking to be healthy in these times of the pandemic, I think infusing cannabis isn’t only the most healthy way to consume your cannabis, but also the most interesting,” says Brott, who’s moved his cannabis cooking school online during this time of social distancing and offers up free recipes and instructional videos at cannabiscookingcompany.ca. “Eating your cannabis, whether by infusing your meals and oils or taking a legal product, makes the cannabis react differently in your endocannabinoid system, and less THC, as opposed to more, often creates a better end
consumer result. Everyone is different and practice makes perfect, of course.” It’s big business bringing edibles out in he world, and the cannabis companies have responded to stock our shelves with new tastes. Aurora has a world-class facility making gummies, chocolates, baked goods and mints, and Canopy Growth, owned by Constellations Brands, the beverage producer of Corona and Negra Modelo, has spent millions of dollars on their line of beverages, which premiered in shops this March.
any chocolate producer in the world. He doesn’t want to just make good weed chocolates. He wants to make chocolate so good that you’d want it even if you had no intention of getting stoned. After all, the pot brownie has an important legacy to cannabis consumers. There are things we cherish: Bob Marley, pot brownies, Haight-Ashbury, Neil Young. Edibles are an important, mind-melting part of our world. “Edibles are awesome, they’ve always been popular and have a great legacy and they’re also an opportunity for cannabis to get in front of a whole new group of consumers,” Gracewood says. “We take edibles seriously and are in this for the long run—we want that first experience that someone has with our products to be the best chocolate experience they ever had in their life.”
At Organigram, $15 million was invested on a world-class chocolate manufacturing facility to rival, in Ray Gracewood’s words,
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CANNABIS
TA L E OF THE VA P E Last issue, Nicolas Araya tested every pre-roll he could find. Today, he sets his lungs on the vapes. There is a time and place for cannabis. Personally, I would say all the time— although sometimes smoking a joint, bowl or bong isn’t possible or socially acceptable. I really don’t like smoking in front of my kids. Through the marvel of technology, I can now consume cannabis discreetly and with zero rolling, packing or lighting. I just reach into my pocket, pull out my vape, take a little hoot and then just keep on keeping on. Yes, folks—vaping!
SAN RAFAEL '71: PINK KUSH DISPOSABLE PEN This indica-dominant, terpene-rich cannabisderived concentrate is designed for portability. Each disposable vape contains 0.15 g (net weight) of indica-dominant, terpene-rich Pink Kush–derived concentrate. It includes a onetime-use non-rechargeable battery.
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The exclusive, rechargeable FIGR Master Vapourizer is custom-designed and temperature-controlled to deliver the best of FIGR. It conveniently pairs with high-THC FIGR Master Pods, available in four all-natural flavours: Mixed Berry, Melon, Citrus and Terpene. Just click and go with this simple-to-use device.
CARTRIDGE: $35.95 LICENSED PRODUCER: MEDRELEAF
M A S T E R VA P O U R I Z E R : $ 3 5 . 0 0
POTENCY: VERY STRONG
M A S T E R V A P E P O D : $ 3 9. 9 5
T H C : 7 0 . 0 0 – 76 . 0 0 % / C B D : 0 . 0 0 – 0 . 1 0 %
LICENSED PRODUCER: FIGR
PLANT TYPE: INDICA DOMINANT
POTENCY: VERY STRONG
E X T R A C T I O N
THC: 78.00–82.00% / CBD: 0.00–1.00%
G R O W I N G
P R O C E S S :
R E G I O N :
C O 2
O N TA R I O
PLANT TYPE: HYBRID EXTRACTION PROCESS: CO2
PERSONAL NOTES:
• Small, quaint device • Citrus sweetness • Requires several consistent pulls for those with higher tolerances • The exhaled smoke is light and discreet • Manageable high • Buzz of 20 to 30 minutes When Canadians begin to isolate, my wife and I decide to go to Costco to fill up our pantry. I am prepared for everything: gloves, spray bottle of Isopranol (Alcohol 1:10) and a San Rafael Pink Kush Disposable Pen. It could be the Pink Kush concentrate, but I am now super excited to shop at Costco. I pass a guy with the same kind of blue gloves that I have and we have a nod and we keep rolling. I head to the cash out— there is no line. Again, it’s either the Pink Kush making me smile or Costco is just this great.
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FIGR: MASTER VA P O U R I Z E R
GROWING REGION: CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI
PERSONAL NOTES:
• Four all-natural flavours: Citrus, Melon, Mixed Berry and Terpene • Pairs exclusively with high-THC FIGR Master Pods • Sleek design, discreet and simple to use • Buttonless inhale, draw-activated • Dual heat settings • Rechargeable, long lasting battery (350 MaH) • Prefer your own device? Try four all-natural flavours available in craft 510 cartridges Creeping around my house with the FIGR Master Vapourizer makes me more amenable to Team Titans marathons. FIGR offers all-natural flavours and has dual temperature controls, so you can hit it as hard as you want. The Sentri Track and Trace technology means each product can be traced back to where it was packaged, key in the time of COVID-19. The last thing I want is lots of hands touching my vape. Easy to use, discreet, sublime.
C A N N A B I S
VA P E S
EDISON: LOL A MONTES FEATHER DISPOSABLE PEN This Edison + Feather vape pen combines sophisticated design, cannabis distillate and the indica-dominant Lola Montes’ aroma profile. A blend of dominant terpenes limonene, caryophyllene, myrcene and linalool, this formulation captures the flavour profile of currant and dark cherry. LICENSED PRODUCER: ORGANIGRAM
M A R L E Y N AT U R A L : B L A C K 510 THREAD CARTRIDGE The Marley Black indica extract is all natural with nothing added. The Marley Black vape cartridge is filled with 0.5 g of natural, winterized hybrid cannabis oil. The gentle CO2 extraction method allows for the cannabis's natural aroma and flavour, only milder. No flavours. No fillers. Just the plant, in vape form. Made with CCELL technology and a 510 thread that will fit on most batteries.
POTENCY: VERY STRONG
RIFF: GRAND DADDY PURPS X SOUR KUSH DISPOSABLE The distillate in this disposable vape pen from RIFF is a hybrid of Grand Daddy Purps indica and Sour Kush indica-sativa. This product’s earthy berry and grape flavour comes from its terpene profile, which contains linalool, pinene, caryophyllene and humulene. CARTRIDGE: $54.95 LICENSED PRODUCER: APHRIA POTENCY: VERY STRONG
T H C : 74 . 0 0 – 8 0 . 0 0 % / C B D : 0 . 0 0 – 1 . 0 0 %
CARTRIDGE: $52.95
THC: 73.00–80.50% / CBD: 0.00–0.10%
PLANT TYPE: INDICA DOMINANT
L I C E N S E D P R O D U C E R : H I G H PA R K
PLANT TYPE: INDICA DOMINANT
POTENCY: VERY STRONG PERSONAL NOTES:
T H C : 7 7. 0 0 – 8 3 . 0 0 % / C B D : 0 . 0 0 – 2 . 0 0 %
PERSONAL NOTES:
• Very sleek, discreet device • Herbal berry flavour is very pleasant • Requires several consistent pulls for those with higher tolerances • The smoke has an incense scent that is quite nice • Manageable high • Buzz of 20 to 30 minutes
PLANT TYPE: INDICA DOMINANT
• Small, quaint device • Light berry flavour • Requires one or two long pulls for a good dose • The exhaled smoke is light and discreet • Relaxed, mellow high • Buzz of 30 minutes
Day 4 of lockdown and I’m taking two of my three kids outside. I figure we could all use the refreshing air and exercise. I have the portable speaker playing the Beatles and I’ve got the Edison Lola Montes Feather Disposable Pen. I take a few hauls of this puppy, staying positive and enjoying the rest of the afternoon with the kids in the sun.
EXTRACTION PROCESS: CO2 G R O W I N G R E G I O N : O N TA R I O
PERSONAL NOTES:
• Standard reliable cartridge • Easy to draw on • It’s smooth, natural and can be potent • The smoke: subtle hint of cannabis • Good vibes, very chill • Buzz of 30 minutes
Day 2 of Daddy Daycare. Like most parents, it’s an effort keeping your kids engaged while we are all in lockdown. Nap/quiet time is my recess, although it’s my only time to catch up I am super positive that everyone on this on work. Regardless, I go out for some fresh air planet is uncertain. Too much news, very little with a coffee and RIFF’s Grand Daddy Purps personal space. Like a lot of people, the wife x Sour Kush Disposable pen. It’s potent, but and I caught up with friends over FaceTime and super clean. It totally relaxes me and gives we agreed to have a call in the garage so I can me a chance to just think. I decide that a tour hit the Marley Natural Black 510. The wife is in through daddy’s archives should be a blast. her zone with a glass of wine and I’ve got a nice “Son, we are learning physics today.” Later, we mellow high from the indica extract. As we all travel to the spookiest part of the basement have serious and stressful weeks ahead of us, where I pull out my old comics and baseball consider the way you like to unwind and reach cards. Later, we go outside to play baseball, out to friends and loved ones to make time for where my kid can hit some zingers and I’ll catch some shits, vapes and giggles. the taste of some Grand Daddy Purps.
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INTERVIEWS
TO THE BUDTENDERS, WE SALUTE YOU! There’s no one on the frontlines like our budtenders and retail shop owners, the people putting cannabis in the hands of the newbies, the connoisseurs and the OGs. Herewith, a look across our great cannabis landscapes—who are the people helping you pick your weed? (And, importantly, what do they smoke?) A kind salute to the 4/20 queens and kings.
76-year-old daughter and I served her myself (and checked her ID after she insisted that I verify her age). It just goes to show that there’s no boundaries on who uses ganjika. There’s one prerequisite for the job in my store as budtender: you must consume weed. My budtenders are all able to provide first-hand knowledge about the products we sell.”
E R I K S N O W, C A N N A CABANA, SUDBURY
“I fell in love with cannabis because of the versatility. Almost every user experiences something different strain-to-strain, and I love the way we use it for all kinds of things, from enjoyment to something way more powerful like helping people who are sick or in pain. I also love the ever-expanding industry, which seems to be adding new things everyday. Working at Canna Cabana, CORBIN GREENWALD, CLINT SEUKERAN, I was surprised by the wide range of the ONE PLANT GANJIKA HOUSE customer base: it is as stereotypical as a “When I first entered the industry, I long haired skateboarder to a full-suited, “Ganjika is an ancient sanskrit word for really grabbed ahold of Broken Coast and BMW-driving doctor. Some of my favourcannabis. I’m of Indian descent and born CannaFarms—I call CannaFarms the Kobe ite brands right now are Qwest, Gage, and in Trinidad, where it’s called 'Ganja,' not Bryant of LPs (RIP KOBE) because right out Redecan. I’m also a huge fan of Top Leaf's marijuana. If I was going to open up a store, the gate they had great quality buds and cartridges and think people should be most I wanted to be true to myself. I never even excited for the almost weekly new products smoked cannabis before I came to Canada. I strains that everyone loves. Although their getting introduced—whether it's new strains, got here when I was 17 and I went to Queen’s prices are up there, they're worth it. As of late, I've been smoking a lot of Pure SunFarms cartridges, edibles or even concentrates. I for my undergrad, intending to get into and Gage: Strawberry Fire OG and Headband can not wait for concentrates. As for 4/20, medicine. Living in residence, some guys are my 1–2 punch. What got me into cannabis most definitely I will be working, but most were like, ‘He’s from Trinidad. Maybe he was curiosity and Wiz Khalifa (lol)— he's my importantly we will be celebrating our first can roll our weed up for us.’ Well, obviously generation's Snoop Dogg, so I learned pretty year open on that day, so I'm sure it's going I couldn’t. But I did smoke it and it was just, much everything from him, including how to to be a blast. You guys might laugh at me, ‘Wow.’ Then it was: ‘Why is this illegal? I’m roll, what strains to try and different smoke because most of the staff does, but I'm a never going to drink again.’ It was a real huge country music fan.” connection I felt. We’re seeing everyone from tricks. Plus, I was listening to his album non19 years old to 98-year-olds in the store. The stop, so the vibe was, roll one up and let the ribbons fly!” 98-year-old came in to buy weed with her
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COMPACT
& DISCREET
FIGR MASTER VAPOURIZER DUAL HEAT SETTINGS RECHARGEABLE LONG-LASTING BATTERY DRAW ACTIVATED, BUTTONLESS INHALE PAIRS EXCLUSIVELY WITH FIGR MASTER PODS 4 ALL-NATURAL FLAVOURS
CITRUS
MELON
MIXED BERRY
TERPENE
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INTERVIEWS
FRANCESCO CARUSO, CHOOM, NIAGARA “A plant that can make you feel different? It was love after first puff. The feeling rushing through your body. The way your eyes feel after a good smoke. The intense laughter that’s brought on by the smallest instance. The smell of the plant is infatuation, growing it is a craft, a passion, an outlet. I think that’s why I love cannabis so much. It’s adaptable, it’s resilient, it’s versatile. The capabilities are almost infinite, and it is just getting started. All I have ever wanted to do is work with this plant, and I am very excited to have the opportunity to educate the consumer everyday. The cannabis industry is so new and exciting, you can imagine everyone has had their fair share of surprises. My staff hears me say this over and over: 'I HAVE NEVER SOLD THIS MUCH WEED IN MY LIFE!' I pinch myself everyday when I am out on that sales floor. The amount of people, I mean all walks of life, coming through the door is what’s awesome. I know it shouldn’t be that surprising, but it really is, encountering so many different people a day—I really don’t think you get this kind of experience working anywhere else! A lot of new products have dropped since January, but I think the newest innovations my staff are excited about are the drinks. I’m definitely interested in giving this new product category a try! I AM CELEBRATING 4/20 ALL MONTH. We are going hard all month long, in remembrance of the forefathers that fought to see a legitimate industry. Think I'm going to upgrade the rig on April 1 as a perfect way to celebrate 4/20 all month long!”
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J A D E N , C A N N A C A B A N A , J O H N L I O T TA , T H E N I A G A R A H E R B A L I S T, TORONTO NIAGARA “What made me fall in love with Mary Jane? Her natural beauty and charming looks, of course. But to be completely honest, I tried an indica for my first time smoking and the relaxation I felt through my entire body was just such a blissful feeling, I couldn’t help but want to smoke more. I joined the cannabis industry because it was a great entry into retail, but also a great way to learn more about cannabis and further my knowledge, because every day is a continuous learning experience. What has surprised me the most since I’ve become a budtender is that the consumers are really open to trying new things and they are always willing to dive deeper into something they haven’t heard or learned about. It’s really cool to see that people have a strong passion for cannabis and that they are willing to trust budtenders' knowledge and wisdom when making decisions. I know when I go to an LCBO, it’s not the same hospitality—I feel like I’m on my own in there. I’ll be spending my 4/20 smoking as much as I can and making some edibles of my very own with my girlfriend. Our favourite edibles to make have to be… chocolate-infused Belgian waffles with strawberries!”
“I think that people should be more excited about the development of the greenhouse industry. I can’t name a product coming out that our customers haven’t heard about, but I know how much room there is for growth on the cultivation side. Improved growing environments and automated systems will lead to higher quality products for less money, and I think that’s what our customers should be excited for. My love of Mary Jane came from my love of learning. A licensed producer hired me after completing university and I was amazed by how little I knew about the industry. There’s so much to learn from seed to sale, not only for me, but for the industry leaders themselves. It’s hard to lose interest in an ever-changing industry like this, and I’ll continue to learn throughout my career. If I’m going to mention a licensed producer, it’s going to be TGOD (The Green Organic Dutchman)."
>>>
“There's so much to learn from seed to sale, not only for me, but for the industry leaders themselves.”
K AY L A B A P T I S T E , TOKYO SMOKE, QUEEN S T R E E T, T O R O N T O
JUSTIN BEAULIEU, TOKYO SMOKE, STONEY CREEK “Mary Jane and I have gotten along great for about 20 years, and I have learned a lot in that time span. I find it very rewarding to share my knowledge and experience with others, especially with 'new nugs,' both young and old. I’m very excited to be involved at this early stage where we are barely even scratching the surface of possibilities! I love how excited and adventurous the older generations of new users are—people that may have never considered it in the past. It puts a big smile on my face every time. And I think right now everyone should be getting excited about beverages! Everyone I talk to about it in the store is excited! Same with concentrates like shatter and hash. Mmmmmmm…hash…And I would say that on 4/20 I know better than to subject my peers to my Phish obsession, so I usually vote for a reggae playlist of some kind.”
"I love that, through and through, cannabis has always had a sense of community behind it. It brings people together from all walks of life—some of the greatest people I've met have been through cannabis. There are so many possibilities that are now able to be explored and we're continuously breaking stigmas. I work in this industry for the chance to meet people and help them create better relationships with cannabis. This year for 4/20, I will probably be at Tokyo Smoke Queen during the day then I'll be DJing some events in the evening. Music is one of the highest forms of vibrations—it can alter a mood or room in an instant. Being able to create a vibe that connects everyone is such a humbling and great experience. I love getting the chance to introduce people to new sounds from around the world. I would definitely have to say some products that have caught my eye are 7Acres Jean Guy and Jack Haze, Bhang Dark Chocolate, Bakerstreet and Tokyo Smoke’s Pause Bar. As for some of my favourite brands Tweed, 7Acres and DNA Genetics.”
FINALLY chillin’. So since then, I have been self-medicating, but I also just love to get high. What made me really want to get into cannabis was the fact that this industry is brand new and I like to think I have lots of knowledge to share. I think people are really going to like when the extracts hit stores! MAINLY for those shatter heads that BERN it down. I’m also excited to see how the THC drinks play out in the future—I know a lot of people are really looking forward to trying them!”
MARA CONNACHER, RELM, BURLINGTON
L I A M D AV I D S O N , T O K Y O SMOKE, YONGE & DUNDAS, TORONTO "When I was about 13 I was diagnosed with having ADHD. Because of my age, I wasn’t smoking weed at the time and I had been taking a ton of medication for it. Finally, a few years later, I tried my first joint and I was
“If you're not creating a culture, people can't identify with you and where you stand. Customers need to know who they’re purchasing from and how invested they are with the product they are selling. Culture doesn’t have to encompass tons of frills and pretty displays, but I think it speaks to how your employees are treated and how they treat customers. We strive to create genuine connections because that’s how you build loyalty and trust. In the beginning, no one knew what to expect, in terms of what customer-facing retail would entail regarding customer service. However, when the initial 'Beatles-craze' calmed down, we had a better understanding of the LPs and quality of product and the ins and outs of what we could do for our customers. Once we took a step back, we became more efficient. We’re now able to meet the needs of a wide range of customers, from the seasoned user to the first-time consumer. The important thing is we’re learning as we go. But buying weed shouldn’t be stressful. It’s supposed to relieve stress!” K I N D
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C A N N A B I S
INTERVIEWS
INTERVIEWS
M AT T H E W T H O M P S O N , J. LONDON, LONDON
MARCUS RICKET TS, TOKYO SMOKE, BLOOR S T R E E T, T O R O N T O “Cannabis has healing properties, and in times like this you need something that makes you feel good. Helping people find something that works for them can be life-changing, and I enjoy being part of that process. I think weed can be life-changing for some people—including myself—and I’m good at connecting with people. This industry has given me the opportunity to explore that part of myself and grow. One thing that has surprised me is the depth and versatility that this flower has, with many hidden capabilities people are not aware of, and that’s something I learned becoming a budtender. It’s also surprising and exciting to see the diversity of consumers this flower has—all walks of life come through the door. My favourite brand as of right now is Broken Coast–I love the BC craft cannabis, it is very high quality. I have three favourite strains right now: Girl Scout Cookies, Grandaddy Purp and Quadra. I tend to be drawn to indica more than sativa and strains that relax and inspire me—it’s important to have different strains available for different desired outcomes. On 4/20, I’m going to roll one, most likely Grandaddy Purp, get inspired and make music. I’ll be listening to Lil Uzi, Don Toliver and Travis Scott.”
“The most surprising thing I have seen in my time thus far working with cannabis would be the sheer amount of diversification the licensed producers have been making with their recreational brands. One cultivar of cannabis may be grown in one facility but sold under many different brand names. The other surprising thing would be the sheer amount of different "Shishkaberry" cultivars available on the recreational market. It is truly remarkable how every player has their own take on the same genetics, and observing the differences shows deep insight into their growing practices. San Rafael '71 and their line of CO2-extracted 510 vape carts are just incredible, and we should see more products at that level of quality as producers get more on board and start to make HTFSE vape carts. The new edibles with nanoemulsion will really surprise some people too. As we learn how to utilize this technology more, I expect to see even more amazing and efficient uses of it.”
SOPHIE MITCHELL, SESSIONS, BEACHES, TORONTO “I love everything that comes with being a budtender, but above all else I love helping people. For someone who consumes cannabis daily to someone who hasn’t consumed cannabis in 30 years, I get to be part of a revolution in the cannabis community—who wouldn’t fall in love with that? One thing I love about our store is we offer in-store recycling for people who are passionate about our environment. I absolutely love anything San Rafael '71 or Broken Coast produces;
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these products are good quality and have an amazing taste! My favourite at the moment would have to be Pink Kush or Tangerine Dream by San Rafael. I’m also really excited for all the smokeless possibilities we have to offer, from edibles to drinks infused with cannabis that just hit the market. We are one of the first stores to be offering the cannabis-infused beverage. It’s an exciting time in the cannabis world.”
TESSA, PIONEER CANNABIS, BURLINGTON “It wasn’t until college that I really started to appreciate cannabis in all its beauty. I had a good friend who lived down the hall from me in residence, he was taking Horticultural and Greenhouse Tech and grew exceptional bud. We would listen to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and talk about the universe. During my last few months of my Baking and Pastry Arts Management program at Niagara College, I thought that one day I would love to make and sell edibles. Combining two of my passions made so much sense for me. I’ve taught myself how to make edibles over the last four years. The job listing at Pioneer came through my searches in July of 2019, the rest is history. Recently I’ve had the pleasure of trying a couple strains from Gage Cannabis, a brand based out of Hamilton, where I’m from, so of course I have to support them. It helps that they are slaying the flower game—their Strawberry Fire OG is hands down the most delicious strain I have smoked on the legal market to date. Broken Coast’s Ruxton (Sour OG), and RIFF’s DT81 (Super Lemon Haze) also hold very special spots in my heart. And if I’m not budtending on 4/20—which I think would actually be a very fun and busy day—I would love to spend the day outside. My ideal day would be having an edible by the Hamilton Bayfront with a couple friends, relaxing under the sun and smoking as many joints as our lungs could handle. I would play Hope Tala, Led Zeppelin and Ms. Lauryn Hill all day long.”
QUALITY WEED. TOTALLY LEGIT. Original Stash gives cannabis consumers exactly what they want, quality weed that crushes black market prices. Not real fancy, just real. A good reason to go legal.
ORIGINALSTASH.COM
FASHION
LI F TE D, AC C O U T R E M E N T S B Y
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U P -T O - D AT E A N D O N -T H E - G O W I T H T H E C A N N A B I S W O R L D ’ S L AT E S T, G R E AT E S T A C C E S S O R I E S
This is it. We are witnessing weed culture’s cultural renaissance; the long-awaited elevation of the cannabis experience, in full bloom before our eyes.
HIGH STYLE is an ongoing exploration of an ever-elevating cannabis culture—and our mainstream culture embracing cannabis, curated by the voice of HIGHTEA.life.
As the wave of legalization continues to bud across the globe, we are quickly seeing the effects the power of this flower can and will have across a multifaceted industry: food, beauty, fashion, music and more. Legalization has birthed a new crop of creative culture-makers and brand-building entrepreneurs alongside the grow, and we are here for it.
HIGH STYLE ACCESSORIZE As the smoke starts to clear around the idea of the old-school stoner (the heady haze of the head shop finally beginning to pass), what’s being revealed in the light of the aftermath is that the art and magic of the plant has inspired a whole new wave of the weed experience. The elegance of our
These new ideas and their makers are elevating the notion of cannabis culture through their consumption wares—an organic intersection of weed with design and style finally worthy of being out of the proverbial closet, and displayed proudly atop the coffee table. Is the hottest new accessory this spring the cannabis accessory? We’d venture to say yes. Here are some of HIGHTEA.life’s latest HIGH STYLE favourites.
V E R D E V I E ’ S S TA S H BAGS
L A U N D R Y D AY ’ S HUDSON PIPE
F8 LIV GRIND BY 48NORTH
Another homegrown cannabis concept, VerdeVie offers a one-stop shop for any ganja-lover's kit requirements, an online offering that invites buyers to fill a stash bag of their own personalized weed needs with papers, chic lighters, rolling trays and more. With consistent artist collabs coming at us quarterly, there’s always something fresh, and a recent move into apparel lets us wear our love for the flower loud and proud.
Laundry Day’s glass-blown pieces are as elegant as the smoke itself, designed to highlight the visual beauty of the smoking experience as you watch the smoke billow through colour-saturated chambers, straight into your soul. All of their milk glass pipes offer refined and elegant shapes we haven’t seen elsewhere, each a worthy conversation starter.
F8, the accessories line designed by 48North, has another true objet d’art worthy of being displayed in the home. This solid-brass grinder is a stately expression of one’s cannabis appreciation. Weighing a grand 2 lbs. and featuring an air of future-vintage, the Liv Grind feels sure of its place as an inevitable stoner heirloom.
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cannabis rituals, now finally embodied in our accoutrements.
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SACKVILLE & CO’S GRINDERS
E D I E PA R K E R F L O W E R ’ S GLASS TIPS
KRUSH CANNABIS SETS
This lineup of Toronto-born luxury cannabis smoking accessories has had the industry buzzing, first for their stellar lineup of sultry Gilded Grinders (appropriately nicknamed "the Bougie series"), and then for their quick parlay into products like pre-rolls and CBD, expanding their easy offerings for the connoisseurs and the curious alike. Our favourite of the grind series is the oversized Gilded Grinder: three tiers of smooth, diamond-shaped teeth and oversized deep chambers allowing you to break up more bud than you’d ever thought possible, all with a piece of design worthy of the mantle.
Handbag maker Edie Parker has gone all "high-end head shop" with their cannabis accessories line Flower. After failing to find cannabis consumption accessories aligned with her aesthetic, founder and designer Brett Heyman just created her own: a line of ashtrays, lighters, bongs, rolling trays, even acrylic carrying bags made for taking one’s Mary Jane out on the go. But in the age of social distancing, our favourite accessories are certainly Edie Parker Flower’s glass smoking tips. These hand-blown, coloured glass smoking tips protect the end of the joint from germs and juicy lips.
One of the OG’s of weed, Krush has been the grinder of choice for many stoners, offering their signature grind in a rainbowed array of colours. But we’re straight-up in love with their cannabis sets—see: the all-you-need modern Carrera marble-style rolling station (made to be displayed). But their piece de resistance is the Krush A’Dore: a biometricbased storage case that keeps your stash locked tight. This $420 black walnut case is fingerprint-encrypted, and offers four sizes of weed-storage containers carved into moisture-controlled docking stations. A place for everything, and everything in its place.
H A R O L D ’ S N AT U R A L W O O D F I LT E R S We’re always careful about the papers we smoke—making sure they’re never bleached, and organic as we can—but we hadn’t considered how to get greener with our filters until we came across these beautiful, natural wooden tips. Hand-carved from maple wood, they conjure a whole new level of respect for the plant; with about 35 tips per box, they are a thoughtful addition to the ritual of smoke.
“As the wave of legalization continues to bud across the globe, we are quickly seeing the effects the power of this flower can and will have across a multifaceted industry...” K I N D
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HIP HOP COLOURING BOOK
HIP HOP COLOURING BOOK B Y
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Kagan McLeod is one of Canada’s preeminent illustrators and, as practitioners of Toronto’s hip hop karaoke scene know, he’s also got one of the country’s meanest impersonations of Busta Rhymes. This is McLeod’s famous Know the Ledge illustration, repurposed during the time of the novel coronavirus as a colouring book, to help you get through your days. For a complete legend of who’s who, go to kindmagazine.ca. How many can you get? Here’s one for free: the icon at the uppermost right-hand corner is the legendary Biz Markie. For more of McLeod’s art, see kaganmcleod.com.
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HIP HOP COLOURING BOOK
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CROSSWORD PUZZLE
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ACROSS 1 With 71-Across, stoners' brains? 6 Equally distant 11 Subway's "Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest" choice 14 Forearm bones 15 Pre-chorus lines 16 Place to go in Britain? 17 "Riders on the ___" (The Doors song) 18 Expanse with a marijuana crop? 20 Blather on and on and on 22 Tuck in for the night 23 "___ set my mind to something ..." 25 Boots from office 26 Fund for buying marijuana? 31 Cost for a classified, say 32 Progesses in a sack race 33 "...way to run ___ needle pulling thread..." 37 Meme file, maybe 38 Scooby-___ 40 Matter for a minister: Abbr. 42 Ingredient lacking in CBD oil 43 Couple who wrote "Curious George" 45 Anti-fur org. 47 Unlikely lint-collector 49 Marijuana crop harvesters?
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Have as ___ course (dine on primarily) Canadian jazz legend Peterson Letterless grading system Apply hastily, as paint The one with the marijuana What Glenn Gould played Three, for a start "Hasta ___! ("See you later," in Lima) Remove a nametag, perhaps Title for John A. Macdonald Kid's resort to a skeptic See 1-Across DOWN With places to go, people to see Jason Kenney's prov. Door part avoided by germaphobes Hammer, say, to an otologist Completely crazy The A of G.P.A.: Abbr. Title cop in an Al Pacino film, 1973 Lady of the "haus" Bus. conference go-along Sit atop Is loose-lipped "The Water Lilies" painter Claude Hockey's Bertuzzi and others
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Loud-mouthed brutes JVC competitor Said "what he said" JaromĂr ___, NHL player until age 45 Davis's drooly dog Not to be relied on Belonging to the Queen of Talk Don't just leave on the shelf Major finale? Sound from a fan Dual-value cards in blackjack Lift the lid, poetically "The usual" place Nothing-but-net sound What a biped walks on Kiev's country Wrap in a warm embrace They make cars cooler, briefly Dates with doctors: Abbr. Native New Zealander Cause ___ (be disruptive) Owned by that "homme" Asked for proof of age "Come to ___!" (gambler's phrase) "Come ___!" ("It's open!") Turndowns in Trois-Pistoles Kanga's kid in kid's lit 8-foot statue in Vegreville, Alta.
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To the budtenders, In a world of uncertainty, There’s one thing for certain: We’re lucky to have you. Thank you. For your unwavering commitment To serving your communities Safely and responsibly. We see you. We appreciate you. And we’re so grateful. ~ From Edison and Kind Magazine