Sensi Magazine-Denver/Boulder (March 2017)

SPECIAL H E M P ISSUE

D E N V E R // B O UL D E R

Ce

n’est pas un Nederland!

A C E L E B R AT I O N OF S T R A NG E

BOULDER! THE GREAT FO O DI E T R A I L

Susannah Grossman Gets Her Goat On + Colorado Bucket List

THE NEW NORMAL

03.2017

6

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M ARC H 2017

contents.

ISSUE 3 // VOLUME 2 // 03.2017

FEATURES 33

Hemp, the Future and Everything in Between

40

Moving Mountains

22

The industrial uses of hemp certainly have a lot of promise and potential.

44

S PEC I A L R E P O R T

COURTESY OF SETTEMBRE CELLARS WINERY

Susannah Grossman steps out of her comfort zone and into a new role

leading the herd at elevated edible company Mountain Medicine.

Hemp is NOT Marijuana

Are federal restrictions and a dearth of education keeping

the hemp industry from reaching its potential?

KEEPING

20

IT

dead in

Ned

SPECIAL

HEMP

ISSUE

EVERY ISSUE 9 Editor’s Note 1 0 SensiBuzz 16 NewsFeed

CANNABIS AND THE BRAIN

2 0 TravelWell

64 Sensi Magazine is published monthly in Denver, CO, by Sensi Media Group LLC.

BETTER HEAD TO NED

22 EdibleCritic

ALL ABOUT BOULDER

62 SensiScene

JANUARY SENSI NIGHT

64 BuzzWorthy

HEMP MUST-HAVES

© 2017 SENSI MEDIA GROUP LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

MARCH 2017

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7

mast sensi magazine

EXECUTIVE

FOLLOW US

Ron Kolb, CEO,

SENSI MEDIA GROUP

RON.KOLB @ SENSIMAG.COM

Tae Darnell, PRESIDENT,

SENSI MEDIA GROUP

TAE.DARNELL @ SENSIMAG.COM

Rob Feeman, CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER ROB.FEEMAN @ SENSIMAG.COM

Ananth Ganesan, VICE PRESIDENT, SALES ANANTH.GANESAN @ SENSIMAG.COM

sensimediagroup

Alex Martinez, GENERAL MANAGER

ALEX.MARTINEZ @ SENSIMAG.COM

EDITORIAL Stephanie Wilson, EDITOR IN CHIEF

STEPHANIE.WILSON @ SENSIMAG.COM

Leland Rucker, SENIOR

EDITOR

LELAND.RUCKER @ SENSIMAG.COM

John Lehndorff, FOOD

EDITOR

sensimagazine

EDIBLE.CRITIC @ SENSIMAG.COM

Randy Robinson CONTRIBUTING EDITOR /PHOTOGRAPHER RANDY.ROBINSON @ SENSIMAG.COM

ART & DESIGN Jennifer Tyson, DESIGN

DIRECTOR

JENNIFER.TYSON @ SENSIMAG.COM

sensimag

Stacey Jacobs, DESIGNER

STACEY.JACOBS @ SENSIMAG.COM

#JACOBSSTRONG

Danielle Webster, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER John Gray, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEO

BU S I N E S S & A DM I N I S T R AT I V E Tyler Tarr, PUBLISHER

TYLER @ SENSIMAG.COM

Mark Basser, ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER MARK @ SENSIMAG.COM

Amber Orvik, CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR AMBER.ORVIK @ SENSIMAG.COM

Hector Irizarry, DISTRIBUTION HECTOR @ SENSIMAG.COM

8

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M ARC H 2017

head.

editor’s

NOTE

ISSUE 3 VOLUME 2 03.2017

A DV I SORY B OA R D 5700 Consulting // CONSULTING

THIS IS NOT A JOINT.

BiologicCBD // CBD OIL Canna Security America // SECURITY

Welcome to our Hemp Issue. The almost-THC-free plant relative

Cannabis Clean // CLEANING

of marijuana has a decidedly unsexy rep. And we want to change that.

Cannabis Insurance Services // INSURANCE

We started with our front cover.

Concentrate Supply Co. //

I don’t claim to know much about art history, but our amazingly creative

RECREATIONAL CONCENTRATES

design director, Jennifer Tyson, does. She brainstormed our front cover out

Contact High Communications //

of thin air, and sent the first concept over with this note:

PUBLIC RELATIONS

“There was a famous Belgian artist named Rene Magritte, and I’m sure

Cohen Medical Centers // MEDICAL CENTERS

you’ve seen a lot of his work already—bowler hats, green apples, and

Denver Custom Packaging // PACKAGING

cloudy blue skies in the background. During his surrealism phase in the

EndoCanna // MEDICAL CONCENTRATES

late ’40s, he created a very famous series called “The Treachery of Imag-

ExtractCraft // AT-HOME EXTRACTION

es,” where he painted common items from every day (for example, a pipe)

GreenHouse Payment Solutions //

with a play on language and meaning. Essentially, it wasn’t a pipe, it was

PAYMENT PROCESSING

a painting of a pipe.”

Grofax 5 // HEMP

It was a concept she ran with, and the striking image on our cover is the

Jett Cannabis // CO2 EXTRACTION

result. The hemp twine coming out of the model’s joint-holding grasp may

Lab Society // L AB EQUIPMENT

be derived from Cannabis sativa but it isn’t marijuana. This is not a joint.

Loopr // LUXURY MOBILE CONSUMPTION

Throughout the issue, you’ll find articles dedicated to the differences

LucidMood // TERPENES

between hemp and marijuana, and in-depth reports about the current

marQaha // SUBLINGUALS/SPRAYS

state of the industrial hemp industry. We’ve even put together a roundup

Mountain High Suckers // CBD EDIBLES

of mainstream items, from Gucci hats to Body Shop lotions, derived from the wonder plant that’s been demonized along with its elevating cousin

Neos // BHO VAPE PENS

since the Reefer Madness days.

Purple Monkey // TEAS

The best way to change the stigma surrounding hemp and cannabis is

Rx CBD // CBD PET TREATS

education, so please do share any informative tidbits you learn from this

Simply Pure // MEDICAL DISPENSARY

issue far and wide. Sharing is caring, after all, and as the cannabis indus-

Steepfuze // CBD COFFEE

try faces attacks from our new White House administration, we all need

Terrapin Care Station //

to care a whole lot more than we already do.

RECREATIONAL DISPENSARY

Have a great March. And save the date for the next Sensi Night on April

The Clinic: The Bank Genetics // GENETICS

14, when we’ll be taking over City Hall for a special High Holiday Kickoff

TinctureBelle // TOPICALS

bash. I hope to see you there.

M E DI A PA RT N E RS National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy Women Grow

KIM SIDWELL © CANNABIS CAMERA

Wana Brands // EDIBLES

Stephanie Wilson EDITOR IN CHIEF @ STEPHWILLL

MARCH 2017

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THE NE W N O R M A L

buzz

SHARING IS

CARING

’Tis the season for home improvement. And in the modern sharing economy, collaborative consumption is the name of the game. There’s no need to go purchase a power saw that will just sit in your garage once your project is done. Instead, visit DENVER TOOL LIBRARY, a local lending library at 555 Santa Fe Drive. For just $80 a year, you’ll gain access to thousands of tools— sanders, saws, caulk guns, rakes, hedge trimmers, ladders, bolt cutters, safety glasses, you name it—that you can check out for days at a time. The non-profit’s mission is simple: to put the tools in the hands of the makers and doers in Denver “so that everyone becomes more inspired, productive, and empowered.” No more excuses: –STEPHANIE WILSON time to get it done.

on hold

A CUDDLE PARTY IS A REAL THING, AND THERE’S ONE HAPPENING IN BOULDER ON MARCH 10. IT’S LED

BY A CERTIFIED CUDDLE PARTY FACILITATOR. YEP, THAT’S ALSO A REAL THING. CURIOUS? US TOO. CUDDLEPARTY.COM

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sensi

& Merry

Eat, Drink

Be

SATIATE YOUR CRAVINGS FOR F IN E FOOD AND GOOD COMPANY DAY OF DORKS

March 4 // Wynkoop Brewing Company // $40 For a “most righteous beerfest celebration of all things dork,” Wynkoop pairs up with over 30 breweries and pours some of what they are calling the geekiest craft brews in all the land. Nerd attire is suggested, and bring an extra pencil or two: they are collecting supplies to benefit local schools.

GREAT CHEFS OF THE WEST GALA March 16 // Denver Marriott City // $200 When Denver’s top toques compete, your taste buds win. At this annual fundraiser for the National Kidney Foundation, more than 20 area chefs from restaurants like Highland Tap, root down, Work & Class, the Populist, and other Denver hotspots serve signature dishes to a well-heeled crowd.

COCHON555 March 19 // Curtis Hotel // $125 Centered on 1,500 pounds of heritage breed pork, this stand-up gourmet feast treats diners to dozens of chef-crafted tastings­—plus 40 types of boutique wines, paired cocktails, and artisanal brews. There are also popup ramen and Tomahawk ribeye bars, a La Brea Bakery booth, even a luxe butter station. Whatever that is, you’ll want to try it.

COLLABORATION FEST March 25 // National Western Complex // $60 The premise: Colorado-based breweries team up with brewing partners from near and far, combining forces, expertise, and techniques to make some exciting, palate-pleasing tappings for the crowd to enjoy. The result: over 100 one-time-only beers created specifically for this event. You’ll want to take advantage of the unlimited tastings the ticket affords you.

–SW

MARCH 2017

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THE NE W N O R M A L

© PHOTOGRAPHY BY ED MAC KERROW

sensi

buzz

superfood

S Q UA R E D Coconut oil, hailed for its antioxidants and its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, doubles as a beauty-routine staple that makes skin smooth, hair shine, and makeup disappear. Hemp seed oil is also quickly gaining ground in the superfood realm. It has high levels of vitamins A, C, and E, it’s rich in amino acids, and it’s a powerful antioxidant to boot. OJAI ORGANICS CBD COCONUT OIL combines the two into one powerful product. Use it in place of butter in your favorite recipe, add it to your juices or smoothies for a burst of natural energy, or put it on your skin and reap the moisturizing benefits. Tip: Scoop some out into a compact to-go container (a contact case works wonders!) and carry it with you throughout the day. Use it to keep chapped lips at bay or rub it into your cuticles. Bonus: you’ll smell like summer.

5 oz // $27.95 // OJAIENERGETICS.COM –SW

Colorado

BUCKET LIST

Monte Vista Crane Festival In early March, a wildlife phenomenon akin to Antarctica’s march of the penguins takes place in southern Colorado’s scenic San Luis Valley, where more than 20,000 migrating sandhill cranes descend upon the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge to rest and to roost. The silver-feathered birds stand four feet tall, with a wingspan of six feet. When they take flight en masse, it’s an impressive spectacle that has captured the attention of locals for thousands of years. There’s even a six-foot-long petroglyph on a nearby rocky cliff face to prove it.

These days, photographs are the medium of choice for the birdwatchers and nature lovers who flock to the area from far and wide each spring.

EDITOR ’S

Since 1984, the birds’ annual return has been cel-

CHOICE

ebrated during the Monte Vista Crane Festival (MVCRANEFEST.ORG). The free, donation-based festival, which takes place March 10-12, hosts educational seminars featuring wildlife experts, local nat-

BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB Finding the perfect book is half the battle. You can spend hours scrolling Amazon, browsing the library, or scouring Good Reads. Or you can trust the experts at this members-only club. The dedicated BOTM

uralists, and biologists. There are also sunrise and sunset tours, photography workshops, craft fairs, trips to the nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park, and other compelling happenings.

bibliophiles read through hundreds of books each month and whittle

And the most compelling of all is the show put

down the options to the top five titles. Recent picks include books by

on by mother nature. With the impressive snow-

Zadie Smith, Jonathan Lethem, Brené Brown, Elizabeth Strout, and

capped mountain range as a backdrop, a field full

other lauded authors. New selections are revealed to members on the

of cranes perform ritual courtship dances for each

first of the month, and the selected hardback beauties ship out for free a few days later. New members can take advantage of a special deal: three months for just $9.99 a month. The only place you’ll find lower prices is at the library. BOOKOFTHEMONTH.COM

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–SW

other, leaping and bowing, flapping and croaking —a call that’s something like a cross between a tiger’s soft roar and a pigeon’s coo. It must be infectious, because when a sandhill crane chooses a mate, it’s for life. For those who get to witness it, –SW it’s a memory that lasts a lifetime.

MARCH 2017

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{newsfeed}

by LELAND RUCKER

WHERE IS MY MIND? Worldwide sensational headlines claim marijuana leads to lower IQs. Sensi Senior Editor Leland Rucker, a longtime cannabis lover himself, hasn’t found that to be the case.

And now there’s even a study to prove it.

I read a lot about the relationship between cannabis and the brain, and it doesn’t take long for things to get confusing. Countless studies and articles warn that marijuana, and specifically the cannabinoid compound THC, is harmful to brains, especially developing ones, even suggesting that the negative effects might not show up until years or decades later.

That sounds horrible. But something else keeps nagging at me. It’s a comment made recently by Dr. Kent Hutchison, head of University of Colorado Boulder’s Cannabis Observational Study on Mood, Inflammation, and Cognition (COSMIC). “The problem is that all the evidence over so many years was suggesting it was bad for your brain. But everybody sees what’s happening, which is that some forms are actually good for your brain, at least for children with seizure disorders, right?”

Hutchison was talking specifically about families, frustrated with traditional medicine, relocating to Colorado or some other medical marijuana state for the relief of seizure disorders in their children. But his observation poses some fascinating—and troubling—questions: Is cannabis good or bad for your brain?

Can it be good for some brains and bad for others? Might it be good for one part of the brain and harmful to another?

There are stories still circulating online about how adolescent use of cannabis has been shown to lower IQs of adults by up to eight points as they age.

It’s a horrifying suggestion, but as it turns out, all the stories refer to a single 2012 study. Though the study’s researchers, who urged caution in interpreting their results, found only a tiny sample of 38 people, representing 3.7 percent of the total study, who “might” have lost IQ points, news stories and alarming headlines claimed that cannabis “destroys brain power” (whatever “brain power” is) and that it permanently lowers IQ. A year after that original study, other researchers trying to duplicate the same experiment found that the original study hadn’t taken a lot of other factors, like 16

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M ARCH 2017

Stories still circulate about adolescent use of cannabis lowering adult IQs by up to eight points as they age. It’s a horrifying suggestion, but as it turns out, all the stories refer to a single 2012 study.

MARCH 2017

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17

alcohol and cigarette use, into account. Guess which study pops up more often in online search engines? Of course.

In another Harvard/Northwestern study published a couple of years ago in The Journal of Neuroscience, researchers scanned the brains of 40 students, half who used cannabis and half who didn’t, and found volume, shape, and density changes in two brain areas involved with emotion and motivation in those who used marijuana.

A study with that few subjects should immediately set off alarm bells, but many media outlets greeted it with scarethe-crap-out-of-you clickbait headlines. USA Today came up with “Casual Marijuana Use Linked to Brain Changes,” while Time upped the ante with “Recreational Pot Use Harmful to Young People’s Brains.”

A group that included University of Colorado’s Hutchison tried to replicate that study. They found no statistically significant differences between daily users and nonusers in the volume or shape in the brain regions of interest.

And in fact, as it turns out, brains are malleable. They do

I’ve been using cannabis most of my adult life.

IF THC IS

SO BAD,

WHY

HASN’T MY BRAIN TURNED TO MUSH

BY NOW? 18

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change, in response to many things. Stress can alter regions of the brain. So can depression, or meditation, or learning to play a musical instrument. And no two brains are the same.

It’s not that big a surprise for researchers to find out marijuana causes changes in the brain. The real question is whether those changes are good or bad or even perhaps insignificant.

I’ve been using cannabis most of my adult life. If THC is so bad, why hasn’t my brain turned to mush by now? Why does the American Medical Association promote THC as a compound that can fight cancer cells without harming the healthy ones around them? Why are the people in the industry I interact with these days, many of whom have been users since they were teenagers and are now in their 20s and 30s, not showing the warning signals? Why did a recent study find that executives who use cannabis show no decline in working skills and displayed improvement in certain ones, especially in the time taken to complete tests? Where is the research on how marijuana affects brains over the long run?

That’s one of the reasons I’m really excited about being a subject for the Marijuana and Cognition Study, underway now at the University of Colorado Boulder. Under Rachel Thayer, a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology & Neuroscience, researchers are looking at the brains of longtime users to try and find answers to some of these questions.

Thayer had been studying how substance use impacts brain development and cognitive function in adolescents, where most studies have concentrated, when she began thinking about how marijuana use might impact health over the complete life cycle. She didn’t find much on this important aspect of cannabis use. “I’m really compelled by the lack of research on aging adults,” she says.

To be eligible for the study, you have to be at least 60 years old and have been using marijuana regularly for at least a year, though she is seeking longtime users. I went through the process in January, and the whole experience takes about three hours, with a few cognitive tests and an MRI brain scan. “We’re collecting both structural and functional data,” says Thayer, “with the aim of examining how some measures of marijuana use relate both to cognitive function and brain structure and function.”

To see if you qualify for the study email MJCOGNITION STUDY@ GMAIL.COM

or call the lab at 720-514-9804.

And stay tuned for more on what happened to my brain.

MARCH 2017

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{ travelwell }

by R ANDY R O B IN S ON

BET TER HEAD TO NEDERLAND Up here, it’s clear: Colorado’s still weird.

It’s one of Colorado’s most cherished secrets. Just a half hour drive west from Boulder, along Highway 119, sits the sleepy little mountain town of Nederland.

Frozen Dead Guy Days BECAUSE LIFE GOES ON, EVEN IN DEATH

Perhaps Nederland’s most eminent claim to fame is a yearly

Its residents know it better as “Ned.”

festival known as Frozen Dead Guy Days ( FROZENDE ADGUY

It’s a town that annually celebrates a cryogenic danse ma-

DAYS.ORG ), an emphatic nod to the story of Bauge, Aud, and

cabre near a frigid lake. A town that once served as a desti-

Morstøl. Spanning three days in March (10 to 12 this year),

nation for the legends of rock-and-roll. A town with its own

the festival utterly engulfs the small town, with live music

unique character, a Golden Age throwback untouched by the

from over 30 acts, a brain freeze contest, an ice sculpting

urbane ravages of chain stores and tollways.

contest, a frozen salmon toss game, a hearse parade, a coffin

To get some idea of Nederland’s eccentricity, take the case

race, a silent disco, a viewing of a documentary about the

of one Trygve Bauge, a Norwegian who dearly loved his grand-

frozen dead guy, and a slew of other odd-yet-perky events.

father, Bredo Morstøl. In 1989, Bauge preserved his deceased

“It’s a celebration of life, but with the reflection of death—

grandfather’s memory—and body—by placing it into a cryo-

in a humorous way,” says Amanda MacDonald, the organiz-

genic state with dry ice and liquid nitrogen.

er of Frozen Dead Guy Days.

Convinced technology could eventually advance far enough

MacDonald adds this year’s festival will include some new

to reanimate his frozen grandfather, he transported the body

items. A never-before-seen brew will be unveiled. Festival go-

from Norway to a laboratory in California. After traipsing the

ers are encouraged to dress up as David Bowie, Prince, Leon-

frozen corpse around the US, Bauge finally settled in Neder-

ard Cohen, George Michael, or any other musician who passed

land, where his mother resided.

away in the ill-fated year of 2016. Despite the addition of the

After a series of mishaps and trip-ups, Bauge was deported. His mother, Aud, was evicted shortly thereafter. Fearing

deceased-musicians theme, the traditional Ice Queen and Grandpa costume contest is still on, too.

the frozen body may thaw and decay, Aud pleaded with city officials to protect Morstøl’s icy memento mori. After a me-

The Train Cars Coffee and Yogurt

dia uproar, the city made concessions. Morstøl’s corpse then

LITERAL TRAIN CARS FOR SIPPING LITERAL COFFEE

passed through other caretakers in Nederland, where he

This quaint treat shop is composed of three decommis-

rests to this day.

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sioned train cars, each with an intriguing history. The longest

M ARCH 2017

IS WEIRD

A crowd of people gather in heavy snow to watch the Coffin Races near 1st Street at the Celebration of the Frozen Dead Guy Days Festival in Nederland, Colorado.

car, called the Pullman Car, once hosted a beehive that thwarted a gang of thieves from stealing the car’s antique stained glass windows. (There are no bees in the Pullman Car today.) The Caboose was once an accident magnet, suffering a collision in 1920 then surviving a flood in 1965. (There have been no accidents with the Caboose in over half a century.) And the Circus Car used to advertise for the Sells-Floto Circus around the turn of the 20th century. (There’s no more circus, but it still features those ads.)

Oh yeah, and they serve up some yummy burritos, chili, loaded brats, donuts, soups, sandwiches, smoothies, shakes, ice cream, and malts along with the coffee and yogurt.

If you happen to be in Nederland during the Frozen Dead Guy Days, stop by The Train Cars to check out the reggae/ dub band Iron Roots, who’ll be throwing a free show there on Saturday, March 11, 3pm–6pm. 101 HIGHWAY 119 // 303258-2455 // THETRAINCARSCOFFEE.COM

The Carousel of Happiness THE WHEEL OF FATE GOES ROUND AND ROUND

Originally a Coney Island ride introduced in 1910, the Carousel of Happiness was much like The Caboose at The Train Cars Coffee & Yogurt—prone to accidents but ultimately remaining intact. Over the years, it endured fires, windstorms, and somehow survived a roller coaster falling on top of it.

Then, in 1986, a Vietnam War vet and Marine named Scott Harrison purchased the wrecked carousel and brought it to his town, Nederland. For the next 26 years, he hand-carved wooden animals to replace the ones the carousel lost to time. He also installed an old Wurlitzer band organ to play Chopin’s “Tristesse,” the only tune that could soothe away the anguish he carried from the war.

For one whole whopping dollar, you and the kids can take a spin around this hand-crafted carousel. It’s not only one of the world’s last remaining wooden carousels, it’s also one of the few with a wheelchair accessible ramp. 20 LAKEVIEW DR. // 303-258-3457 // CAROUSELOFHAPPINESS.ORG

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Pioneer Inn TAVERN - STYLED BAR WITH A TWINGE OF ROCK -AND -ROLL

From the outside, it looks like any ol’ cabin next to any lake in Colorado. Head inside, and you’ll find a tavern with walls decked in rock-and-roll memorabilia. The burgers are insanely well-made, too.

But what gives with all the rock stuff?

Back in the 1970s, record producer James Guercio converted an old barn into a studio. It sat right outside of Nederland on a road that led to the abandoned town of Caribou. Because of its proximity to the ghost town, it was called Caribou Ranch.

From that period between the early 1970s to 1980s, Boulder and Nederland became a hip hangout for rock-and-rollers, a way for them to escape the cluttered hum-drum of Los Angeles and San Francisco. A journey to Caribou Ranch was also a testament to one’s established success: with California saturated with up-and-coming talent, it was easy for musicians to get studio time in the Golden State. But the real rock-and-rollers, the ones who made it, could afford a jaunt to Nederland, often living in the area for weeks if not months at a time.

Many of those big names included Elton John (remember his album Caribou?), Michael Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Billy Joel, The Beach Boys, Tom Petty, Frank Zappa, Rod Stewart, U2, Phil Collins, Stephen Stills, Steely Dan, Peter Frampton, John Denver, John Lennon, and Chicago (who recorded five albums at Caribou Ranch).

The Pioneer Inn, during these days of rock-and-roll yore, became one of the most hopping spots on the planet. The artists who visited Nederland for recording would stop into the bar to play gigs. These were no tame affairs, either, and often the parties got incredibly rowdy, with wild ruckuses and knuckle-sandwich throw-downs. Nederland, then a town of miners and cowboys, would clash with the hippies and rocksters who toured through just to see the talent. This cozy bar, in many ways, represented a cultural microcosm of America at that time.

Today, the Pioneer Inn is much quieter. They still invite musicians to play, but they stick to lesser-knowns for more intimate experiences. And their burgers are some of the best you’ll find in Colorado.

15 E. 1ST ST. // 303-258-7733 //

PIONEERINNNEDERLAND.NET

MARCH 2017

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{ ediblecritic }

by JOHN LEHNDORFF

THE GREAT BOULDER FOODIE TRAIL An insider ’s culinary tour of the People’s Republic of Boulder In the beginning—let’s call it 1977—Boulder was on nobody’s list of great places for food, dining, or beer, except some college students. There were zero breweries in the city, foodies hadn’t been invented yet, and food writers were ignoring the entire state of Colorado when making their best-of lists. But even back then, it was clear that something tasty was brewing in the People’s Republic of Boulder.

Flash-forward to 2017, and Boulder is on everyone’s kombucha-moistened lips. Boulder is one of America’s “Foodiest” towns with a roster of hot eateries. A February New York Times feature noted that “among foodies, it is also known as the place where new companies are challenging the old guard in the food business.”

Boulder remains the epicenter of the American craft beer renaissance and the best place in the state to dine if you are of the vegetarian, vegan, or Paleo persuasion. Boulder has a constant supply of freshly opened eateries, first-class natural foods stores, farm dinners, a meadery, food tours, coffee roasters, hipster bars, cooking schools, and, well, blah, blah, blah …

It is so tiresome. You don’t need another visitor’s bureau list of places already on everybody else’s lists. I should know because I have written many of those lists touting Boulder’s charms.

You don’t need me to guide you to the Dark Horse, The Sink, Celestial Seasonings, most eateries near the Pearl Street Mall, and the nationally acclaimed Boulder County Farmers Market. If you can’t find a place to sip a famous craft brew, you just aren’t thirsty.

Rather than make you find all those lists, I’m passing along my roster of Boulder’s top 10 (or so) culinary attractions.

See Page 29. {CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 }

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25

What you need is a list of the foodie finds off the Yelp grid,

SHINE RESTAURANT

the lesser-known and quirkier spots in unexpected corners

& GATHERING PLACE

of the city. The following restaurants counter the prevailing

You will see a lot of shiny, happy yoga people in the bar and

paradigm that Boulder is a hipper-than-thou, tri-athletic, lily

a menu showcasing fresh, sustainable comfort food, from a

white, and incredibly expensive eating environment. You just

local slaw sampler to a juicy, grass-fed ribeye steak with

have to poke around, and you’ll stumble across the ones I

greens and mashers. MUST TASTE : Shine Ahimsa Gluten Free

frequent and recommend to friends.

Ale.

// SHINEBOULDER.COM

Under-the-radar bistros have a tendency to get discovered and this list won’t help. I can’t guarantee that these

ARABESQUE

places won’t be overrun by Instagramming hipsters soon, so

Palestinian cook Manal Jarrar pours her heart into the fresh

you better hurry.

hummus, parsley tabbouleh, dolmas, and fresh pita loaves

{ DOWNTOWN

BOULDER }

she crafts in this tiny café. MUST TASTE : Walnut baklava with Arabic coffee. // ARABESQUEBOULDER.COM

SEEDS LIBRARY CAFÉ

26

In a quiet café on the bridge over Boulder Creek between

BITTER BAR

the two halves of the Boulder Public Library, chef Matt Col-

It looks like it might be a hipster hangout, but James Lee’s

lier uses Boulder County ingredients for breakfast and lunch.

comfortable, welcoming grownup bar is a showcase for un-

MUST TASTE : Butternut squash, goat cheese, and sautéed

pretentious cocktail chemistry. MUST TASTE : Charcuterie and

onion focaccia sandwich. // SEEDSBOULDER.COM

cheese board. // THEBITTERBAR.COM

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{ 28TH

& 30TH STREETS CORRIDOR } RINCON ARGENTINO

Just down the hill from Folsom Field, tango music, authentic empanadas, steak sandwiches, and alfajores (dulce de leche cookies) rule. MUST TASTE : Hongos empanada filled with crimini, shitake, and oyster mushrooms and garlic, served with chimichurri sauce. // RINCONARGENTINOBOULDER.COM

COURTESY OF TANGERINE

Tangerine’s Blueberry, lemon, and ricotta pancakes. Yummmmmm.

TANGERINE The first-class brunch fare is made with sustainably sourced ingredients at a location with plenty of free parking. MUST TASTE : Blueberry, lemon, and ricotta pancakes. // TANGERINE BOULDER.COM

TIFFINS INDIA CAFE I love the homemade fare from iddlis (rice cakes) to vada (savory doughnuts) and chicken vindaloo. MUST TASTE : Masala dosa crepe filled with spicy mashed potatoes, cheese, and onions. // TIFFINSINDIACAFE.COM TIBET KITCHEN A humble family café offers the best momos (chicken, beef, or vegetable steamed dumplings­) I’ve ever tasted. MUST TASTE : Jhasa shaptak (chicken cooked with chilies) and ting-

mo (steamed bread). // TIBETKITCHEN.COM BIJU’S LIT TLE CURRY SHOP It’s worth stopping in the busy Whole Foods Market on Pearl Street to sample these memorable bowls. MUST TASTE : Extra hot vindaloo chicken bowl with herb yogurt and pepper slaw. // LIT TLECURRYSHOP.COM

MARCH 2017

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27

INTERSECTION }

{ TO THE FAR NORTH }

Boulder can’t match the ethnic restaurant and shopping

AVERY BREWING COMPANY TAPROOM

wealth of Denver and Aurora, but the intersection of 28th

In a city chockablock with craft brewery brewpubs and tast-

Street and Valmont Road brings together some authenti-

ing rooms, the coolest one is in Boulder’s far northeast

cally great world plates. On one corner is the strip mall home

neighborhood, Gunbarrel. This new facility pours dark, seri-

of Panaderia Sabor a Mexico Bakery, the source of orejas, the

ous Avery stouts unavailable elsewhere and serves up fine

sweet crispy pastries. Next door is the merchandise-crammed

pub fare. MUS T TA S TE : Friday special Lobster Pot Pie. //

Asian Food Market and the scallion pancake specialists, Jin

AVERYBREWING.COM/TAPROOM

Chan Zhang Restaurant.

RAYBACK COLLECTIVE : Across the street from all that tastiness is Boulder’s only food truck gathering spot —well, besides every tasting room— along with a 30-plus tap bar pouring local ales, mead, hard cider, kombucha, and wine. // THERAYBACK.COM

SANCHO’S AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RESTAURANT: One block

SET TEMBRE CELLARS WINERY

away are great platos of chicharron tacos, al pastor tortas

Yes, Virginia, there really is world-class Colorado wine being

sandwiches and chile rellenos conveniently served across

crafted in an industrial strip mall at the far northwest edge of

the hallway from Boulder’s DMV office. MUST TASTE: Ceviche

Boulder. Luckily, the location is also home to a brewery, Ups-

de Camarón. // SANCHOSMEXICAN.COM

lope, and a tasting room for Bookcliff Vineyards. // SECURE. SETTEMBRECELLARS.COM

Also nearby are a Middle Eastern favorite (ALI BABA GRILL), a good ramen joint (MY RAMEN & IZAKAYA), my spinach pie

FLOWER PEPPER CHINESE RESTAURANT

and zataar source (MEDITERRANEAN MARKET AND DELI)

You just don’t expect to find amazing, authentic Taiwanese

and the pho and bahn mi specialist (CHEZ THUY).

stewed pork belly being served in a sliver of an eatery shoe-

{ FAR EAST BOULDER }

horned into a former hospital parking structure. MUST TASTE : Soup dumplings! // FLOWERPEPPEREATS.COM

ROWDY MERMAID KOMBUCHA I don’t always drink kombucha, but when I do, it’s at this tap-

LUCKY’S BAKE SHOP

room, where they pour their tasty, probiotic Wild Sour Dry

Pastry wizard Jennifer Bush produces a butter-drenched

Hopped Kombucha Beer.

array of sweets, but many customers commute miles just

// ROWDYMERMAID.COM

for her “paleo” honey walnut coffee cake and vegan/gluDEVIANT SPIRITS TASTING ROOM The smoothness of the craft vodka handmade from rice at the Boulder distillery is quite remarkable. MUST TASTE : The Deviant Russian cocktail. // DEVIANTSPIRITS.COM

ten-free tahini brownies. MUST TASTE : Lemon Meringue Tart. // LUCKYSMARKET.COM

{ UP ON THE HILL } CAFÉ AION: Chef Dakota Soifer dishes inspired, wine-friend-

HEIFER AND THE HEN

ly Spanish-influenced eats in a classic building in a neighbor-

Ian Clark, the talented chef behind BRU handbuilt ales &

hood packed with sororities. MUST TASTE : Four varieties of

eats, opened an ice cream shop next door because he makes

paella. // CAFE AION.COM

the best damn ice cream sandwiches ever. MUST TASTE : Nitro cold brew espresso affogato. // HEIFERANDTHEHEN.COM 28

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M ARCH 2017

JOHN LEHNDORFF is the former food editor of the Boulder Daily Camera. He writes the Nibbles column for the Boulder Weekly and hosts Radio Nibbles on KGNU.

COURTESY OF SETTEMBRE CELLARS WINERY

{ ETHNIC

BOULDER’S TOP FOOD AT TRACTIONS These are the restaurants recommended by critics and included on all those national foodie lists.

These are the places you need to visit to taste cuisine from Boulder’s growing crew of notable chefs.

BASTA : Chef Kelly Whitaker’s tiny, tucked-away eatery in East Boulder specializes in fare cooked in a wood-fired oven. // BASTABOULDER.COM BLACKBERRY MARKET: This is Top Chef-winner Hosea Rosenberg’s bastion of sustainable meat and earthy cuisine. Must taste: Butcher’s Breakfast Burrito filled with smoked meats. // BLACKBELLY.COM FRASCA FOOD & WINE : The top-rated restaurant in Colorado with exceptional service. Next door is Boulder’s top artisan pizza joint, Pizzeria Locale. // FRASCAFOODANDWINE.COM OAK AT FOURTEENTH : Chef Steven Redzikowski produces New American fare—including fantastic house doughnuts. // OAKATFOURTEENTH.COM THE KITCHEN : The original location of Kimbal Musk’s sustainable cuisine concept now spreading across the country is next door to his less-pricey Next Door Eatery and the cocktail-centric The Kitchen Upstairs. // THEKITCHENBISTROS.COM BLACK CAT BISTRO : Farmer and chef Eric Skokan serves innovative, earthy dishes showcasing ingredients from his farm. Skokan’s bar, Bramble & Hare, is next door. // BLACKCATBOULDER.COM SALT : Boulder-born chef Bradford Heap, a warrior for organic, sustainable, GMO-free food, serves classically prepared dishes with big flavors. // SALTTHEBISTRO.COM JAX FISH HOUSE : The best and noisiest fish and oyster bar is still Dave Query’s original Jax. Nearby are its sister eateries, Centro Mexican Kitchen and the West End Tavern (with a fine rooftop patio). // JAXFISHHOUSE.COM/BOULDER

My list for visitors also always includes the cheese shop CURED, CHAUTAUQUA DINING HALL, BOULDER DUSHANBE TEA HOUSE, FL AGSTAFF HOUSE RESTAURANT, WALNUT CAFÉ, ZOE MA MA, LUCILE’S CREOLE C AFÉ, THE PEPPERCORN (for cookware and cookbooks), and the state’s best selection of cool kitchen implements at McGUCKIN HARDWARE.

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M ARCH 2017

Can the THC - FREE VERSION of the CANNABIS SATIVA PLANT SAVE THE WORLD? PROBABLY NOT. But the INDUSTRIAL USES OF HEMP certainly have a lot of PROMISE AND POTENTIAL.

by RANDY ROBINSON

THE FUTURE EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN Hemp HAS B E E N A R O U N D FOR A LO N G T I M E. A RE A L LY, R E A L LY LO N G T I M E. T HE

F I R S T H E M P F I BE R S W E R E WO V E N O V E R 10 ,00 0 YE A R S A G O , A N D I T ’S B E E N A S TA P L E

OF I N D US T RY E V E R S I N C E .

T H R O U G H O U T H I S T O RY, C RAF T Y P E O PL E T UR N E D H E M P F I B E R S I N TO R O P E , S A I L S , CLOTHING, AND PAPER. ITS SEEDS ARE NUTRITIOUS. LEF TOVER PORTIONS OF THE PL ANT C AN B E CO N V E R T E D I N TO CO M P O S T OR B U R N E D FO R F U E L .

For much of American history, hemp wasn’t con-

Canada, China, and Europe, even though the US has

sidered a plant of vice. Hardly. The colonists grew it,

plenty of arable land available for new hemp farms.

and a post-revolutionary United States grew it, too, all the way up until the 20th century. In fact, in 1937,

WHAT HAPPENED?

Popular Mechanics published an article dubbing

Hemp became subject to federal laws in the 1930s

hemp the “New Billion Dollar Crop” filled with prom-

during the so-called Reefer Madness era. That’s when

ise and potential.

politicians, the media, and legislators demonized

Then, by the 1950s, the last hemp farms in Amer-

cannabis as a plant that turned brown people into

ica fizzled out. Today, we get most of our hemp from

murderous psychopaths and lured white women to MARCH 2017

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33

their dooms. As laws clamped down on the “scourge

WHY IS IT MAKING A COMEBACK?

of marijuana,” hemp got caught up in the insanity. Be-

Now, hemp holds more industrial promise than

cause hemp and marijuana look exactly alike (they

ever. It’s not about rope, or sails, or even textiles any-

are, after all, the same plant), the federal government

more. With gargantuan strides in technological ad-

argued that in order to stop marijuana, they had to

vancement since Reefer Madness, which is nearly a

put the kibosh on hemp, too.

century behind us now, hemp can offer some solu-

That’s the Cliff Notes version. In reality, hemp

tions to the problems plaguing us today.

wasn’t a terribly popular crop by the 1930s. Cotton

For one, hemp requires relatively smaller amounts

farms overtook hemp farms in the 19th century, es-

of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers than most ag-

pecially after the introduction of the cotton gin.That,

ricultural crops. Within just a few acres, it can produce

and hemp clothing wasn’t comfortable back then,

massive quantities of fibers, seeds, bark, pulp, or hurd.

either. It was stiff and itchy. Cotton was much softer,

Realistically, it can’t replace the trees we cut down for

much more flexible, and with the cotton gin, much

paper or the crops we grow for food, but it can certain-

easier to harvest and process.

Then came nylon in the 1930s. Nylon, a synthetic

ly supplement them and take some of the environmental load off the rest of the planet.

fabric, felt and looked much like silk but took a fraction of the cost to produce and transport. First with cotton’s successes, then with nylon’s, hemp lost its pull on American agriculture—and fashion. So out it went with marijuana.

HEMP vs. MARIJUANA: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Hemp and marijuana are two varieties of the same plant, Cannabis sativa. From a legal standpoint, “hemp” is any cannabis plant with flowers containing less than 0.3 percent THC by weight. Marijuana, in contrast, is any cannabis plant with more than 0.3 percent THC by weight. With such tiny amounts of THC present in hemp, it’s virtually impossible to get high from smoking, eating, or vaporizing it.

From a practical standpoint, there are some differences, too. Because hemp contains lower amounts of THC, it usually contains less resin, too. This makes nonpsychoactive hemp more ideal for industrial use. High resin plants will gunk up combines, which harvest the crops on a large-scale, agricultural manner.

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BUILDING MATERIALS AND INSULTATION: HEMPCRETE

SUPERCAPACITORS FOR ENERGY STORAGE: HEMPHYNE

Hemp hurd can be ground into a powder and mixed

A number of supercapacitors, which are electronic

in with the traditional ingredients of concrete: lime,

devices for storing energy, rely on graphene. Graphene

sand, and water. This material, called hempcrete, func-

comes from graphite (the “lead” in today’s pencils), ex-

tions just like any typical brick for building construc-

cept it’s run through chemical processing to strip lay-

tion. Except it comes with a few advantages.

ers of carbon from the graphite. Graphene is great for

For one, hempcrete is much lighter than traditional concrete. The lower density makes it more flexible, so it’s less prone to cracks when the building moves, such as from heavy winds or during an earthquake.

Second, as with most plant-based construction materials, hempcrete can absorb carbon dioxide from

supercapacitors because it’s more flexible than rubber, stronger than steel, and just as conductive as copper.

Graphene production comes with two downsides.

Graphite must be mined from the earth through an environmentally destructive process, and processing graphene requires toxic chemicals.

Because hemp and marijuana look exactly alike (they are, after all, the same plant), the federal government argued that in order to stop marijuana, they had to put the kibosh on hemp, too.

Enter hemphyne, a material made from hemp’s bast

OUR FIRST CANNABIS LAW America’s first cannabis law didn’t outlaw the plant. In fact, it did quite the opposite: it required colonial farmers to grow hemp and produce hemp seed. This happened in 1619 under an act by the First General Assembly of Virginia. The assembly renewed the rule in 1633.

fibers. Bast fibers, by and large, are considered waste product from most industrial hemp harvests. Which means hemphyne is cheaper to produce than graphene and less environmentally damaging. And get this: it’s better at storing energy than graphene.

At the moment, hemphyne resides in the research phase. David Mitlin, a materials scientist at Clarkson University in New York, believes in his invention so much that he created a company, Alta Supercaps, to mass produce hemphyne commercially.

PLASTIC FILAMENT: 3-D PRINTING 3-D printing is all the rage these days. It can craft something as small as a molecule or as large as a

the air. Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas contributing to rising global temperatures, gets sucked into the

3-D printing works by utilizing a plastic filament, a

hempcrete and stays there until it decomposes. If

spool of “stuff” used to create the layers of a 3-D printed

hempcrete were employed in urban and industrial

object. Recently, a filament’s been introduced contain-

areas on a mass scale, it could reduce the planet’s

ing powdered hemp hurd. This hemp filament is bio-

carbon footprint.

degradable, which is good at a time when our landfills

Third, hempcrete works well as an insulator. It can

36

house. There are even 3-D printed bongs.

are filling up with non-biodegradable plastics.

maintain a building’s temperature, further reducing

One company, Green Spring Technologies, 3-D prints

carbon footprint by cutting AC usage. As a versatile

an assortment of items with hemp filament. Mark

material, it could be implemented in most climates,

Linday, the owner of Green Spring, notes hemp fila-

and its fire resistance makes it a good choice for areas

ment is not a plastic made from hemp, but a plastic

suffering from drought, where wildfires run rampant.

composite containing hemp.

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M ARCH 2017

“It’s considered an exotic material, and it’s more of

not see fields of hemp being

a novelty with 3-D printing applications,” Linday says.

planted near Fukushima or Hercula-

“I’m trying to put hemp into the hands of as many

neum, Missouri, any time soon, we may

people as possible and break down the stigma.”

see it used in a rather unusual place.

One of Linday’s most popular 3-D printed products

We may see hemp in oil and gas wells.

is a pen made with hemp filament. He says he espe-

According to Zev Paiss, the founder of

cially enjoys giving these pens to politicians, an act

the National Hemp Association and an

that most certainly isn’t a novelty. Last year, Rep. Russ

industrial hemp consultant based in Col-

Diamond of Pennsylvania signed the state’s agricul-

orado, energy companies are already studying hemp

tural hemp bill on hemp paper using one of Linday’s

as a way to protect equipment and the natural re-

trademark hemp pens.

sources contained in the wells.

How could oil and gas drillers utilize hemp?

CLEANING POLLUTANTS: PHYTOREMEDIATION Hemp possesses the power of phytoremediation,

When an energy company establishes a well, they need to drill a hole deep into the earth. The deeper the drill bit goes into the earth, the more pressure

a biotechnology technique. It’s pretty simple, actually:

and heat it has to withstand. Drilling fluid (aka drill-

you just plant some crops in an area with pollution in

ing mud) gets added to the well to keep the drill bit

the soil. The plants soak up the pollutants, such as

cool. Drilling fluid also suspends the drilled-away

heavy metals, and store the toxins in their leaves. The

portions of earth, which removes the broken rock and

leaves can be incinerated afterward, leaving cleaner

makes the drilling procedure much smoother.

soil behind.

The earth’s surface is layered, and as deeper levels

Hemp, however, isn’t the most effective phytore-

get penetrated by the drill, the earth’s composition

mediator. But it gets the job done. Although we may

changes. Some of these layers are “leakier” than others.

MARCH 2017

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37

AN AMERICAN TRADITION US Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Pierce, Andrew Jackson, James Monroe, Zachary Taylor, and James Madison grew hemp for industrial purposes.

OKAY, SO WHERE IS ALL OF THIS AWESOME TECHNOLOGY? There are literally thousands upon thousands of uses for hemp, only a fraction of them mentioned here because we’d need a lot more space to go into them all. Why isn’t it already revolutionizing our modern world?

Over 30 countries grow hemp for industrial and agricultural use. Canada, China, and Europe are the

Drilling fluid can seep into these leaky parts of the

leaders in this market, and until recently, most Amer-

earth, leading to something called lost circulation

ican enterprises relied on foreign hemp for techno-

material.

logical development.

“If they lose that liquid,” Paiss explains, “then the

“The vast majority of these countries are growing

drill bit gets hot and it causes all sorts of problems.”

for their own domestic needs, and they’re low-value

A hot drill bit dulls much faster than a cooler one.

products,” says Paiss. “It’s only been in the last cou-

Lost circulation material also translates to lost mate-

ple of years, as the industry has grown, that there’s

rial costs for drillers—which means higher produc-

been momentum to grow a lot more. There really

tion costs and higher prices on the consumer end.

hasn’t been enough supply.”

But if hemp hurd is added to the drill site, it can pre-

38

Paiss, however, remarks that things are looking up.

vent the drilling fluid from soaking into the ground.

“Now, that is beginning to change, and we’re coming

With the drilling fluid in place, the drill bit remains

back to those companies and telling them, ‘Hey, we

cool, and less fluid is required in the long run.

have enough supply.’”

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39

M O U N TA I N S SUSANNAH GROSSMAN steps out of her comfort zone and into a new role leading the herd at elevated edible company MOUNTAIN MEDICINE.

by LEL AND RUCKER photography by DANIELLE WEBSTER

FINDING YOUR PLACE IN THE COLORADO CANNABIS INDUSTRY CAN BE A LONG AND WINDING ROAD. IN A DYNAMIC ATMOSPHERE, WITH REALITY SHIFTING ALMOST DAILY, IT HELPS TO BE SELF-MOTIVATED AND READY TO DON A FEW HATS YOU NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IN ORDER TO MAKE IT WORK.

40

It ’s probably not for everybody.

Susannah Grossman is the chief operating officer

composer’s work. “I don’t take well to too much instruc-

of Mountain Medicine, the Denver-based edibles

tion,” she says. “It’s hard to think of the possibilities

company that makes delectable handmade canna-

when you’re hung up on the last note you missed.”

bis-infused treats for both the recreational and med-

She developed a love for English while attending the

ical markets. Think: s’mores, pie bars, caramel pret-

nationally acclaimed Carnegie Vanguard High School

zel bites, fudge, cheese nibbles, pie bars, fruit leather,

in Houston, with thoughts of becoming a writer, even

honey sticks, and other such elevating goodies that

considering food journalism before she says she “had

encourage you to “Get Your Goat On,” the company’s

some realizations about whether that was a viable ca-

catchy tagline. A Marijuana-Infused Product COO

reer for me.” She ultimately wound up with a liberal

might sound like a stretch for a young woman from

arts degree from Skidmore College in Upstate New

Texas whose original obsession was the violin, but

York. And about the same time, she took up the sitar, a

then again, that’s what happens in this industry.

stringed instrument used mostly in Indian classical

Grossman grew up with music. Her parents were

music. She found the droning quality of the music more

both classical players, and Grossman took up violin

suited to her temperament. Playing it was relaxating,

at an early age. “Great choice, I had tiny hands and

something she hadn’t experienced with the violin.

couldn’t play the other instruments,” she says. Though

“I had been using cannabis to supplement my ap-

she loved much about it, including the highly compet-

preciation of music and my performance,” Grossman

itive atmosphere, as she moved up the classical-music

says. “But taking up the sitar and getting high and

ladder, she ultimately tired of trying to perfect another

being able to get into the ragas and their repeated

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41

launched her own company, VERDANT COMMUNICATIONS, doing STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS for INDUSTRY CLIENTS. GROSSMAN

motifs really changed my perspective about music

launched her own company, Verdant Communica-

and helped me fall in love with it all over again.”

tions, in June of 2016, doing strategic communications

While in school, she worked in restaurants, loving

for industry clients in a rapidly changing industry. “I’m

the eccentric people she met there. She began con-

a big believer in traditional PR,” she says. “But it’s spe-

sidering the public relations field and moved to New

cifically not a great fit for the kind of work we’re doing.”

York as an intern for a Manhattan PR firm. It wasn’t

Grossman believes that branding and advertising

a good fit. “Social media was becoming a larger part

needn’t be at cross purposes. “There are many ways

of the conversation around promotions, but it was

to do it, and what happens in traditional media rela-

siloed at the company I worked for,” she explains. “So

tions is you’re competing with a branding and adver-

I moved to Boston and started my own company.”

tising agency for a share of a marketing project.”

PR2.0 was designed to integrate social media with

She was surprised to find that most Colorado can-

PR strategy. “Because I had worked with chefs, wine-

nabis businesses, in their haste to get their doors open

makers, bartenders, and general rogues in the hospi-

and offer products to customers, hadn’t thought much

tality industry, I understood that having the conver-

about PR. “It was amazing to me just how many peo-

sation with the client is half the equation,” she says.

ple hadn’t really had the luxury of the time to step

“If you can appreciate where their passion comes

back from this madness and say, ‘Well, what are we

from and tell their story faithfully, it goes a long way.”

doing? What are our goals and objectives? Who is our

While in New York, Grossman experienced her first seizure. “I always had a sense that cannabis could be

One of the businesses she began working with was

part of my treatment, but what I hadn’t done is con-

Mountain Medicine. Grossman and owner Jaime Lew-

sciously incorporate stress reduction into my regime.

is, a former chef, instantly bonded, at least in part

So I was working a lot of hours and not giving myself

because of their restaurant backgrounds. As they be-

time to breathe.”

gan to work together, Grossman found herself doing

After cannabis was legalized in Colorado, Gross-

42

customer?’”

a lot more than just public relations, and in October

man took note, especially since her sister was living

Lewis offered her the COO position. “It came to a point

in Denver. She finally decided to move here and use

where I was doing sales work, helping in R&D, and

her PR expertise to find a place in the nascent legal

being in the kitchen doing sundry things I was total-

cannabis industry. After she relocated to Denver in 2015, she began using a daily tincture with a 1: 1 CBD/

ly inspired by.”

THC ratio. “It’s helped me manage and also helped

ing it. “Clearly, this is not my skill set,” she says. “All

my mental health. I haven’t had seizures in a long

my life I was focused on a few specialized skills, but

time. Part of that is living here.”

now I’m learning to do a lot of things very effectively

She says she’s far outside her comfort zone but lov-

It didn’t take long before she met Jane West, an

quickly. I love working with people, so it’s been great.

industry powerhouse who offered Grossman the PR

I’m doing deliveries, I’m putting labels on packages.

directorship position at Women Grow. Grossman

It’s helped my brain, it’s fun, and I feel lucky.”

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PARSLEY

not CILANTRO

HEMP not WEED

Are FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS and a dearth of EDUCATION keeping the HEMP INDUSTRY from reaching its potential?

44

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M ARCH 2017

hemp is

NOT marijuana

by LEL AND RUCKER

R I C K T R OJ A N III I S A B U SY G U Y. B E S I D E S CO-O W N I N G CO LO RA D O’S L A R G E S T H E M P FA R M AND RUNNING AN EDIBLES COMPANY, HE ADVOCATES FOR THE POSSIBILITIES OF HEMP AS A N AG R I C U LTURA L C R O P T H R O U G H H E M P R OA D T R I P, A N O R G A N I Z AT I O N H E C R E AT E D I N 2 015 TO R A I S E AWA R E N E S S O F H E M P N AT I O N W I D E . L A S T Y E A R , H E H I T T HE R O A D I N A CONVERTED SCHOOL BUS, TRAVELING TO SIX STATES TRYING TO ENLIGHTEN ANYONE WHO WOULD LISTEN — INCLUDING A GROUP OF 30 ANTIPATHETIC IOWA FARMERS. “THESE FARMERS STARTED OFF VERY CONSERVATIVE, VERY MUCH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE,” TROJAN TOLD ME RECENTLY. “BUT ONCE WE EXPL AINED WHAT HEMP WAS, THE C O N V E R S AT I O N WAS ALL ABOUT ECONOMICS.”

REPEAT AFTER ME : HEMP IS NOT MARIJUANA. IT WILL NOT GET YOU HIGH. REPEAT AFTER ME. It’s true that industrial hemp and marijuana are the

state and federal definition, industrial hemp is no more

same plant species: Cannabis sativa L. While the two

than 0.3 percent THC. For comparison, most legal mar-

plant types resemble each other visually, they have

ijuana strains in Colorado are at least 15 percent THC.

been bred and evolved for significantly different pur-

Nobody can get high smoking hemp. Nobody would

poses. The hemp plant is harvested for its fibers, seed,

even want to.

and oil and used in everything from body oils to build-

A staple of American agriculture since the colonial

ing materials. The marijuana variety is cultivated for

days, industrial hemp all but stopped being grown in the

high concentrations of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol-

US following World War II. There were many reasons

THC, the chemical compound that gets users high. By

for its demise: the 1930s Reefer Madness campaign to MARCH 2017

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45

eradicate marijuana, the influence of industries com-

there about hemp for a long time. That bullshit they’ve

peting with hemp, the rise of synthetic fibers. Then,

been feeding us has to stop.”

in 1971, the federal government listed hemp along-

It’s happening, but slowly. The Farm Bill is a start, but

side cannabis as a Schedule I drug under the Con-

the more serious problem is that hemp is still classified

trolled Substances Act. Growing hemp in the US was

as a Schedule I drug and under the umbrella of the Drug

outlawed except by permit, and, until recently, good

Enforcement Agency. It should be classified the same

luck getting one.

as any other non-psychoactive plant in America. “This

The 2014 Farm Bill changed that. The legislation

is an agricultural crop that holds value for our rural

established a permitting system for industrial hemp

communities,” Walsh says, adding that she’s found

farming and research in states with laws that allow it.

great support for hemp in the Colorado Legislature and

The purpose of the legislation was to determine wheth-

Department of Agriculture, which crafted state rules for

er hemp might benefit American farmers and busi-

hemp growers. “They are always thoughtful about try-

nesses. ( Hint: it would.)

ing to create an environment to succeed. We’re the first

Today, Colorado is smack dab in the middle of the

state to create a certified seed program.”

hemp industry revival. Colorado farmers harvested

That seed program is especially critical. Farmers

more hemp than any other state in 2016. A Loveland-

three years ago planted hemp crops from foreign seeds

based company, Tree Free Hemp, is creating its own

and often didn’t really know what they were putting

paper products from state-grown crops. Research is ramping up to discover even more ways this durable crop can be utilized.

“Colorado is leading the way in hemp,” says Samantha Walsh, vice-chair of the National Hemp Association and a hemp lobbyist at the state legislature. “We plant far more acres than most other states combined.”

Morris Beegle, owner of the Tree Free Hemp paper company, produces the NoCo Hemp Expo, a growing annual event coming to Loveland March 31 and April 1.

He is enthusiastic about the possibilities of the country’s hemp industry, especially after the 2016 election.

“Colorado is the epicenter of the cannabis universe, and we are at the head of the domestic hemp industry.”

Beegle, a veteran of the music industry, is a big hemp

TODAY, COLORADO IS SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HEMP INDUSTRY REVIVAL .

COLORADO FARMERS HARV ESTED MORE HEMP THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN 2016 .

advocate. And he sees an opportunity. Almost a century of unfortunate, inaccurate information allowed other countries to take over the industrial hemp market.

The new administration is pushing for a return of commerce to America. Most of the hemp used in the coun-

in the ground. In spite of that, farmers are responsible

try today is imported, largely from China. What better

if their crops test above the 0.3 percent THC level. In

place to start returning commerce to the country than

2016, three years into the program, a number of crops

to bring hemp farming back to the US? A petition

came up “hot,” though still far below levels that might

titled “Let American Farmers Grow Hemp Once Again

get anyone elevated, and farmers lost those crops.

to Create Jobs and Rebuild the Rural Economy” began

Beegle thinks that the current seed dilemma is part

gathering signatures on the whitehouse.gov website

of industry growing pains. Once cultivars, or plant va-

days after President Trump’s inauguration. It states

rieties that have been produced by selective breeding,

that over $600 million in imported hemp products

are created specifically for Colorado’s altitude, latitude,

were sold in the US in 2016.

and climate, the hot crops will end. For its part, the state

“Trump gave us a gift: take it back to the people,” Beegle explains. “There have been alternative facts out

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has already certified certain seeds for farmers and will continue to test for better seed varieties.

MARCH 2017

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The Cannabis Genomic Research Initiative at University of Colorado Boulder will help accelerate that process. Ben Holmes, who collects and develops high-quality hemp seeds through his company, Centennial Seeds, provided seed for the project. Holmes says that once the plant’s genome is mapped and distributed, growers will be able to scan for specific traits and characteristics like we do with most other agricultural crops. “That is going to change everything for us—seed research, pest management, all sorts of things.”

Though hemp is a drought-resistant crop, not everybody thinks that Colorado will continue to lead the nation as a growing state.

“If you’re talking about an agricultural crop, which is what we’re talking about for industrial hemp, you need good soil, good acreage, and good water. Colorado doesn’t have much of any of that,” says Zev Paiss, founder and former director of the National Hemp Association and now a private consultant. “Now a place like Kentucky, where you’ve grown tobacco or other big crops, will be growing a lot more hemp.”

But from a research perspective, everybody I talked with says that Colorado is leading the way in finding new ways that industrial hemp can be developed beyond the thousands of products it’s being used in today. “We may be doing more of the innovation here, the product development. We have some really good labs, and once it’s legalized, we’ll be able to ship it across state lines without an issue,” says Paiss, who is investigating with the oil and gas industry the possibility of using a hemp product in some fracking operations to lower the use of less environmentally friendly chemicals.

Moving forward is an uncertain, step-by-step process. In December 2016, a DEA update to the Federal Register established a new category for cannabis extracts and concentrates. The feds argue that it makes it easier for them to track research into extracts, but the industry saw it as an attempt to crack down on them, or at least muddy the waters. A lawsuit filed in January awaits answers, especially about whether CBD products made from hemp are considered Schedule I drugs.

Besides the federal/state quandary, hemp businesses face a lot of the same problems as medical/recreational marijuana: lack of access to banking, no tax write-offs for business expenses. But when it comes down to it, the biggest problem is getting over decades of reefer madness.

“From people sitting in tables around us to our federal representatives, a lot of people simply don’t know that there’s a difference between hemp and marijuana,” Paiss says. “Some of them feel that if you pass anything around hemp, it’s just a slow road to full legalization. Education is critical. If you can run through the differences for 15 or 20 minutes, then you find this is a different animal.”

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P R O MOT ION A L F E AT URE

C ONTACT H IGH

Catching a Contact High THE CANNABIS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY IS BUILDING RECOGNITION AND LOYALTY FOR ITS CLIENTS. Retail cannabis brands in Colorado face a blizzard of

require payment in order to receive coverage) revolves

challenges every day, ranging from securing spots on

around the power of the curator. Savvy consumers em-

dispensary shelves to navigating regulatory thickets to

brace news organizations with reputations for editorial

hunting for excellent employees. One major challenge:

independence and fierce commitment to truth-telling.

Building brand recognition and loyalty. Consumers in-

Unlike much of the messaging that confronts canna-

creasingly enjoy broader offerings, with shiny new choc-

bis consumers every day, the stories people encounter

olate bars, packs of gummies, boxes of tea, and more

in legitimate print, online, and broadcasts sink in—when

landing on dispensary shelves every month. This poses

they hear the CEO of a gummies manufacturer being

hurdles for the newbies in the display case—the brands

quoted every other week in a variety of media, or keep

behind them are desperate for sales—as well as the

coming across references to a brand of vape pens, they

veteran products, which flirt with losing market share

remember the brand. This matters.

to the newbies every month.

Commercial triumph for both the newbies and the

sometimes, but the let’s-cross-our-fingers approach

veterans hinges on several things, with quality claiming

is not an effective strategy. The best brands identify

the top spot of the cannabis mountain. But quality

the media and reporters, editors, and producers do-

alone isn’t enough. Brands need to tell their stories.

ing the finest work. They absorb the well-done stories,

Advertising, social media, and events are vital, but

promote them on social media because they are worth

of at least equal importance is engaging with report-

broadcasting, and get in touch with the reporters do-

ers, editors, producers, bloggers, broadcasters, and

ing so much heavy lifting for the sake of their read-

anybody else involved with professional storytelling.

ers—and for exposing truths. And when brands that

Doug Brown, founder of Contact High Communica-

engage with media determine ways they might con-

tions, knows about the media. With 23 years of journal-

tribute to the ongoing and far-ranging cannabis con-

ism experience, he has acted as the Washington Bureau

versation, they offer their voices.

Chief for magazines while covering topics in D.C., and he wrote for the Denver Post for a decade. This Eppy Award-winning writer knows exactly what the press is looking for when creating a story.

Strong hits in press, ranging from excellent cannabis media to the Wall Street Journal to NPR, cut through the noise better than any other storytelling investment. And emerging from the loud jungle of sales pitches with a clear, attractive message introduces brands not only to prospective consumers but also to budtend­ ers and investors.

One of the principal attractions of working closely with legitimate media (that is, media that does not

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Leaving media engagement up to chance works

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P R O MOT ION A L F E AT URE

M IGH T Y FA S T

Mighty Fast Food T HE M I G H T Y FA ST H E R B A L I N F U S E R IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE. If you can eat it, you can probably infuse it with

any ordinary cooking oil or butter and convert it into

cannabis. Cakes, creams, cookies, gummies, choco-

a medicated ingredient. For the cost of materials, you

lates, meats, or veggies. Edibles are one of the most

can create dozens upon dozens of cookies, cakes,

efficient ways to introduce medicine to the body,

or chocolates, all dosed precisely to your needs and

because, besides the brain, the digestive system

limits.

contains more cannabinoid receptors than any other part of the body.

The brains behind the Mighty Fast Herbal Infuser designed the device specifically for medical can-

Edibles create an elevated effect that’s complete-

nabis patients. One of the founders is a licensed

ly unique from smoking or vaporizing, too. They’re

pediatric physical therapist; the other is a certified

sold in practically every dispensary, but maintaining a

organic holistic nutritionist. The settings for each

steady diet of edibles can hit the wallet pretty hard.

type of cooking oil or butter were scientifically de-

And that’s where the Mighty Fast Herbal Infuser

rived, so you know with each batch, you’re getting

comes in. It was scientifically designed to infuse cook-

the most of your flower or concentrates.

ing oils and butters of all sorts. There are even set-

“Anybody can do this, even if you don’t have cook-

tings for alcohol if you’re making Phoenix Tears, a

ing skills. If you can boil water, you can use the Mighty

raw form of pure cannabis oil.

Fast Herbal Infuser,” says J.P.

“It can get pretty expensive to buy your own med-

In addition to the infuser, Mighty Fast also offers

icine,” says J.P., a representative of

two cookbooks with recipes tailored to the infuser.

the company.“With the Mighty

These foodie tomes can be navigated by a novice

Fast Herbal Infuser, you can

chef or a seasoned culinary artist. Recipes for using

THE MIGHT Y FAST HERBAL INFUSER LOOKS MUCH LIKE A SELF -CONTAINED COFFEE POT. IN JUST 45 MINUTES, IT CAN TAKE ANY ORDINARY COOKING OIL OR BUT TER AND CONVERT IT INTO A MEDICATED INGREDIENT.

make your own medicine.”

the Mighty Fast Herbal Infuser to craft infused gra-

The Mighty Fast Herbal

nola, cookies, puddings, pumpkin spice latte, gar-

Infuser looks like a self-contained

lic sautéed veggies, and much more can be found

coffee pot. In just 45 minutes, it can take

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at their website, THEHERBALINFUSER.COM.

P R O MOT ION A L F E AT URE

SIMPLY PURE

Leading the Way S I M P LY P UR E , A N E L E VAT E D M E D I C A L A ND R EC R E AT I O N A L M A R I J UA N A

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SIMPLY PURE

D I S P E N SA RY IN D E NV E R , W E L L B E I NG I S AT T HE C E N T E R OF T HE E X P E R I E N C E .

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Wanda James and Scott Durrah are two of the best-

we found out was how cannabis helped people get

known people in the Colorado cannabis industry. They

their appetite back or be able to go to sleep without

are the forces behind Simply Pure, a medical and recre-

pain. We worked with veterans, people with fibromyal-

ational dispensary in the Highland neighborhood. When

gia and epilepsy. It was amazing some of the things that

the power couple first established Simply Pure as an in-

came out as we talked to people and found what can-

fused edibles company in 2010, they became the first

nabis can do for you.”

black entrepreneurs in Colorado’s cannabis industry.

That need to help led to the Simply Pure edibles line

They continue to blaze new trails and push the industry

and Durrah’s cooking classes. Durrah’s culinary prow-

forward today.

ess was also on display at Jezebel’s Southern Bistro, a

When talking with James, it is clear she is all passion.

Highland hotspot they owned and operated. In 2015,

Before formally getting into the industry, she was no

they opened Simply Pure Medical and Recreational

stranger to cannabis—especially during her time as a

dispensary just a few blocks away. They shuttered Je-

student at the University of Colorado. Then her brother

zebel’s last year to focus on their cannabis ventures,

was arrested for possession of 4.5 ounces of marijuana

and now there’s talk about an infused catering busi-

and sentenced to 10 years in a privatized Texas prison.

ness in the works. They are also doing research and

Something in her shifted. The injustice and folly of that

development to bring back their edibles line as well.

sentence pushed her and her husband into an activism

As a dispensary, Simply Pure takes great pride in its

that has only gotten stronger with time. “When I heard

customer service and expertise in getting the right med-

[about my brother’s sentence], we knew we had to

icine to the right person at a reasonable price. “We want

put a face on it, and we wanted to put a black face on

customers who come to Simply Pure to feel like they do

it. You can’t make people criminals that way.”

when they walk into Whole Foods,” says James. “We

That passion for activism led Durrah, a professional

want them to know that everything on our shelves is

chef, to begin preparing meals for end-of-life and hos-

of the highest quality and that we only work with out-

pice patients. “He was cooking for people who just want-

standing companies and partners. That’s what Simply

ed to have dinner without pain,” James says. “And what

Pure is all about.”

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S P E C I A L A D V I S O R Y B OA R D S E C T I O N

Hemp vs . Marijuana : Highly Different

by Rachel Anderson, Grofax 5 Hydroponic Supply Center

HEMP AND MARIJUANA ARE NOT THE SAME THING. Yes, both are cannabis plants, just like both peanuts and black beans are legumes. Yet you’ll never hear anyone trying to claim peanuts and black beans are the same thing.

So why does that happen with cannabis? Because one kind of cannabis can get you high. That kind is known as marijuana, the type of Cannabis sativa with more than 0.3 percent THC. It’s that THC that can cause a type of intoxication. To our governmental agencies, intoxicated citizens are a public risk. So even though hemp by definition contains less than 0.3 percent THC, it has been grouped with its elevating cousin by the US government.

When the hemp plant is harvested for its essential oil, the amount of THC it contains is too minute to be intoxicating to most people. When harvested as a sustainable resource for fuel, fiber, paper products, textiles, plastics, construction materials, and livestock feed and bedding, the minute amounts of THC it contains isn’t of any consequence.

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 established the Cannabis sativa plant as a Schedule I drug, effectively blocking both marijuana and hemp from academic and medical research and study. Since then, it has been a political challenge to prove that these two types of plants are erroneously grouped into the same restrictive category.

So, what does this mean for hemp? It means hemp plants and hemp Hemp IS NOT an intoxicating drug. businesses are in trouble. Congress says it’s perfectly legal and permitted Hemp IS NOT a criminal enterprise. to import hemp from other countries. That’s why you’ll see hemp-derived Hemp IS a sustainable natural resource. products such as clothing, health and beauty items, and food ingredients Hemp IS a health supplement. like hemp hearts being sold by major companies and retailers in the US. Hemp IS a superfood.

The Farm Bill of 2014 allows for states to enact their own individualized Hemp IS a worldwide hemp laws and regulations. Since its passage, several states have enactagricultural commodity. ed local laws, and now more and more agricultural farms and subsequent Hemp IS NOT a product that one businesses are operating successfully within those states. However, legal needs to be 21 years old to buy. issues continue to arise surrounding hemp plants, putting hemp at repeated risk of being regulated like marijuana—which is over-regulation for hemp plants.

Because the wording of the Controlled Substances Act and of laws pertaining to illegal substances use the broad category term “cannabis”, the hemp laws newly enacted by various states are incongruent with the current federal laws surrounding cannabis. In the US, federal laws trump state laws. Hence the continuing legal issues surrounding this plant.

High on Facts

What can we do?

We must support efforts that aim to protect hemp as an agricultural and industrial crop. Individually, you can write politicians, attend informational meetings, educational seminars, support organizations that work toward appropriate wording for hemp plants—distinguishing them from marijuana plants—and most importantly, spread factual information.

As a group, we can vote for smart policy, help create smart policy, let our voices be heard collectively by signing petitions, and diligently follow all local guidelines currently set forth for hemp farms and businesses.

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S P E C I A L A D V I S O R Y B OA R D S E C T I O N

AS THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY GROWS, SO DO T H E N U M B E R OF NICHE EXPERTS WITHIN IT. FROM TOP-TIER DISPENSARIES AND EXTRACTION BRANDS TO EDIBLE MAKERS AND MARKETING SPECIALISTS, T H E S E CO M PA N I E S A R E I N C R E D I B L E S O U R C E S O F I N S I D E R I N FO ABOUT THE TRENDS AND ISSUES DRIVING THIS THRIVING MARKETPLACE FO RWARD. T H E S E NS I ADVIS O RY BOARD IS COMPRISED OF LEADERS FROM A VARIETY OF FIELDS WITHIN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY. EACH ISSUE, ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS SHARE SOME OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE WITH OUR READERS IN THIS DEDICATED S E C T I O N . THIS MONTH, WE HEAR FROM THE EXPERTS AT Lucid Mood AND Growfax 5 .

For a full list of our Advisory Board Members, turn to the masthead on page 9.

CBD for Side-Effect-Free THC

by Tristan J. Watkins, PhD, LucidMood T HC I S N ’ T T H E O N LY C A N N A B I N O I D F O U N D I N C A N N A B I S. C A N N A B I N O I D S A R E T H E C H E M I C A L C O M P O U N D S S ECRETED FROM T H E CA N N A B I S F LO WER, A ND TH E Y A L L H AV E D I FFE RE N T E FFEC TS O N TH E B RA I N A N D B O DY. T E T R A H Y D R O C A N N A B I N O L , OR T H C , I S T H E M O S T P R E VA L E N T C A N N A B I N O I D P R E S E N T I N C A N N A B I S . T H C , B E S T K N O W N F O R I N D U C I N G T H E H I G H T H AT M O S T P EO P L E AS S O C I AT E W I T H C A N N A B I S , A L S O H AS S E V E RA L MEDICAL BENEFITS (REDUCED INFLAMMATION, DECREASED SPASTICITY ) AND CANCER FIGHTING PROPERTIES. HOWEVER, THC DOES HAVE A FEW NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS SUCH AS REDUCED MOTIVATION, INCREASED SOCIAL ANXIET Y, AND MEMORY DEFICITS. EMERGING RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THESE NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS MAY BE ELIMINATED WH EN T H C I S PA I R ED WI T H A N OTH E R C A N N A B I N O I D: C A N N A B I D I O L, OR CBD.

Like THC, CBD is a cannabinoid that acts on your endocannabinoid system. Among other benefits, CBD helps fight some types of cancer, reduces inflammation, relieves pain, eases anxiety, stimulates bone growth, protects brain cells, and decreases convulsions. Unfortunately, the vast majority of cannabis strains have high concentrations of THC and very low concentrations of CBD, which may be the cause of the negative side effects commonly associated with cannabis. Fortunately, some cannabis companies are dedicated to eliminating these side effects by producing cannabis oils that contain a 1:1 ratio of THC : CBD. Everyone has heard of the “lazy stoner” stereotype— the idea that pot smokers can’t possibly accomplish much more in a weekend than rolling a joint, ordering pizza, and watching cartoons. (Come to think of it, this sounds like quite the relaxing weekend.) While this stereotype is a gross exaggeration of reality, there is evidence that many cannabis strains do in fact reduce motivation.

Researchers can test motivation in an eloquently simple

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way. Give the participant the choice to complete one of two tasks. One task requires low effort and gives an equally low reward. The other task requires high effort and gives an equally high reward. Choosing the high effort and highly rewarding task is indicative of having more motivation. So how do THC and CBD fit into all of this? It turns out that the participants given equal parts THC and CBD were more likely to choose the harder task in exchange for a better reward while those given only THC were content choosing the easier task and receiving a smaller reward. In other words, CBD may actually protect users from contributing to the “lazy stoner” stereotype.

“The Fear” is a social phenomenon where you get just a bit too high and feel the need to remove yourself from a social situation—like, right now. Most of us have experienced this at least once. Maybe you got over it by stepping outside for a moment to get some fresh air. Maybe you got over it by sneaking out the back door, calling an Uber, and texting your friends that you’ll see them tomorrow. Regardless of

your solution, wouldn’t it be best to avoid the problem altogether?

This is really just an extreme example of what scientists call social anxiety. Unsurprisingly, scientists have several ways to research and quantify social anxiety. One unique way is to show participants pictures of strangers. Strangers tend to elicit some amount of anxiety in everyone, and this is typically made worse when the stranger has a concerned or scared expression. Research shows that participants who are given THC experience more anxiety than participants given a placebo, a behavioral response that is consistent with The Fear. Interestingly, participants given THC with CBD do not experience any more anxiety than those participants given a placebo. Once again, CBD seems to protect users from negative side effects that THC alone can cause.

The results of a separate study show that CBD alone actually significantly reduces the anxiety caused by public speaking. Participants who take CBD up to 90 minutes before giving a speech have significantly less anxiety, less discomfort, lower blood pressure, and lower heart rates than those who take a placebo. If you have a big speech coming up, maybe try a few practice rounds with some CBD to settle your nerves.

Head cocked slightly to the side, staring blankly into the open cupboard, you ask yourself, “Why did I come to the kitchen?” We’ve all experienced this moment. Memory isn’t exactly a cannabis user’s strongpoint—but maybe CBD can help.

By now you know where this is headed. Participants who consume THC with CBD perform better on various memory tasks than those who consume THC alone. Additionally, those who consume THC with CBD have similar scores as participants who are given a placebo. So CBD may completely prevent the memory loss that is common in cannabis users.

With CBD’s help, maybe you’ll remember to grab your favorite snack next time you find yourself in the kitchen.

Although THC is still the primary cannabinoid that produces the psychotropic effects and medicinal benefits often associated with cannabis, pairing it with CBD adds multiple medicinal benefits and reduces some unwanted side effects. Products that contain a 1:1 ratio of THC : CBD are less likely to reduce motivation, cause social withdrawal, or impair memory than those products with minimal amounts of CBD. These products come in oils, edibles, and topicals and are probably already available in your local dispensary.

Just look around or ask your budtender. Try them out yourself and let us know what you think.

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CANNABIS COMMUNITY

sensi

SCENE

What: January Sensi Night Where: City Hall, Downtown Denver When: January 20, 2017

Happy guests got a free raffle ticket if they arrived before 9:30.

Š PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIELLE WEBSTER

With more than 80 Colorado companies and close to 2,000 friends taking over all three floors of City Hall on a Friday night in January, this was the best Sensi Night to date.

SENSI

The alwaysawesome Weed Stream and other consumption buses put some party-goers in especially festive moods.

NIGHT Representatives from some of the best-known names in the industry handed out swag and insider information throughout the night.

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{ buzzworthy}

by STEPHANIE WIL SON

THIS IS HEMP?

1

High style and sustainability coexist in these made-with-hemp must-haves.

Moving beyond the hemp-clad-hippies stereotype of yore, hemp has come into the mainstream. As conscious consumers place a growing focus on responsibly produced fashions and goods, more and more companies are incorporating the wonder plant’s byproducts into their offerings.

The ecologically attuned and durable material has been embraced by ethical fashion designers and health and beauty brands alike. The versatile plant offers an exotic, earth-friendly update to tried-and-true style staples—plus a number of added benefits.

The natural hemp fiber acts very much like cotton, and it’s used to make fabrics, linens, canvases, textiles, ropes, and other products. Hemp seeds— and hemp seed oil—is rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants: omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A, E, B-12, folic acid, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Here are some modern ways to incorporate the plant power into your style.

1 TOP THAT GUCCI STRIPED WOVEN HEMP AND COTTON-BLEND BERET // $350

The iconic fashion house made sustainability as chic as can be when this hat was sent down the runway in 2016. To make the nautical-chic style part of

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your summer wardrobe this year, head to NET-A-PORTER.COM, they’ve got you covered … and they’ll get your head covered.

2 WRAP IT UP MANDUKA ARDHA WRAP // $88

Embrace yourself in ultra-soft fabric made from a blend of recycled polyester and hemp. It has extra-long arms and an attached scarf, which add style, comfort, and warmth that’s so needed when you leave a hot yoga class and step out

APP

into the fresh Rocky Mountain air. Manduka, a company built by and for yoga teachers and students, uses hemp because it’s a naturally cool, dry fabric that requires less water and fewer pesticides to grow than conventional cotton.

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3 COLD COMFORT

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HOODLAMB LADIES’ PARKA // $378

For the last two decades, this hemp garment brand has been making stylish, sustainable outerwear—way longer than eco-conscious fashion has been a thing. HoodLamb hemp is organic, hand-sown, and hand-harvested, which leads to some of the best hemp fiber—and ultimately hemp fabrics—on the market.

This style has a water-resistant outer shell made from an organic cotton twill combined with hemp. The liner is a super comfy faux fur that’s made of hemp and recycled plastic bottles. The shell is 55 percent hemp, lining is 20 percent. Even the environmentally friendly water-resistant coating is made from a natural cellulose derived from the inner core of the hemp stalk.

LOCAL CONNECTION: HoodLamb co-founder Adam Dunn moved to Colorado

from Amsterdam in 2010. You may know him as the host of the Adam Dunn Show, a broadcast about “news, rumors, culture, and science at the crossroads of cannabis culture.” Or you may know him from Hoodlab, a creative agency and creator of custom merchandise.

4 GET IN GEAR PRANA LIANA SWEATER // $79

Super feminine and super soft, this fashion-forward top is a lightweight blend of hemp and organic cotton. Bonus: its moisture-wicking fabric makes it the perfect piece for any outdoor activity this summer. All of prAna’s hemp comes from industrial hemp plants grown in China as organically as possible.

4

5 Y ES, WAY ROSÉ VANS HEMP LINEN SLIP - ON // $60

The casual shoemaker has a bunch of styles made with hemp, and this one in Windsome Orchid is the latest arrival. A quick search on the Vans site turned up 267 styles made with hemp—part of the company’s progressive commitment to sustainability.

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AREL

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6 GET LIT WAREHOUSE OF TIFFANY HAILEY 1- LIGHT HEMP ROPE // $67

With 100 inches of hemp rope that can be strung and styled as you see fit,

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this adjustable lighting fixture is sure to elevate any home’s decor.

7 NATURAL SELECTION RALPH L AUREN HOME KENYA RUG // STARTING AT $700

The iconic designer’s home line features a number of hand-knotted rugs made with hemp and jute, a natural plant fiber. This style, available at Neiman Mar-

HO ME

cus, incorporates natural tones and textures in a motif inspired by the spirit of adventure embodied in the safari.

7

8 SAVE FACE

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K ATE SOMERVILLE DEEP TISSUE REPAIR CREAM WITH PEPTIDE K8 // $150

Hemp Seed Oil is one of the key ingredients in this skin-drenching facial moisturizer, designed to hydrate, increase the look of firmness, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The hemp seed is part of the “increased firmness” outcome.

9 PUMP UP THE VOLUME ARDENCY INN MODSTER BIG MASC ARA // $25

The first-of-its-kind mascara is formulated with hemp protein to instantly add major volume to the lashes. That protein also enables keratin creation, which is said to strengthen the lash from within. Even Allure mag declared that this will “give you the best lashes ever.”

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BEAU TY

10

PUCKER UP

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OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE COSMETICS LIP TAR LIQUID LIPSTICK // $16

Made with hemp oil and vitamin E, this full-coverage, long-lasting lip gloss is

super moisturizing and smooth. It is also gluten, silicone, and synthetic-preservative free, thanks to the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of

peppermint oil. It comes in more than two dozen shades, shown here in MEMENTO Pink. Hydrating hemp oil is the second ingredient listed.

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LIQUID GOLD

DR. BRONNER’S PURE CASTILE SOAP // $18

This 18-in-1 cleanser is up for just about any cleaning task: face, body, hair,

laundry, floor, pets, you name it. Organic hemp oil combines forces with the

organic oils of coconut, palm kernel, and olives plus other certified fair trade ingredients. It comes in a bunch of varieties. Tea Tree (shown here) is especially good for acne-prone skin and dandruff.

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CREAM OF THE CROP

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THE BODY SHOP HEMP HAND PROTECTOR // $20

Your hands may be the first part of your body to show signs of aging. But not if you keep them super hydrated. This moisturizing lotion, made with Community Fair Trade hemp seed oil, is the leading item in the Body Shop’s collection of products made with hemp, an ingredient the major international retailer began using in 1992. The Hemp Hand Protector debuted in 1998, quickly earning a cult following before becoming an international sensation.

The company even claims one is sold every nine seconds globally.

“Hemp seeds contain a high level of fatty acids, perfect for keeping your

skin conditioned. And with cold-pressed oil of 950 hemp seeds crammed into

every 100 ml tube, the ultra-effacious formula helps soften and nourish the

hardiest of hands,” Jennifer Hirsch, Beauty Botanist for the Body Shop, says.

“The balance of essential fatty acid in hemp seed oil works with the skin’s

own oils to provide intense hydration on the body’s largest organ.”

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