Sensi Magazine - Los Angeles (October 2018)

LOS ANGELES

LADIES OF THE LEAF WOMEN IN CANNABIS ARE TAKING CHARGE

GET IT TOGETHER

PACK IT UP FOR A NIGHT

OFF THE RECORD

LEGISLATION BE DAMNED

HIGH BROW

GROWN UP ENTERTAINMENT

{plus}

SMOKE THE VOTE

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

THE NEW NORMAL

10.2018

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 3

4 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 5

6 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 7

i am

VITALITY

( n .) T h e s t a t e o f b eing.

8 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

t: 1.833.ARTEMIS www.iamARTEMIS.com ig: @iamARTEMISca

ISSUE 10 // VOLUME 1 // 10.2018

36

FEATURES

SMOKE THE VOTE Midterm elections

46 Changing Minds the Hollywood Way

A grown-up’s guide to cannabis entertainment.

50

S P EC I A L RE P O RT

High On Hops

STAY SANE Get away for a night

Once considered a threat to the alcohol industry, cannabis is the new darling of the beer industry.

40

58 Gut Feelings

Cannabis could be one part of a holistic depression treatment that starts with the gastrointestinal tract instead of the brain.

46

OH, HOLLYWEED TV and Film grown-ups guide

every issue 11 Editor’s Note 12 The Buzz 18 AroundTown

REIMAGINING SAN PEDRO

22 TasteBuds

4 SPOTS CHANGING THE WAY WE EAT

27 HomeMade

A BEAUTIFUL CHANGE OF SEASONS

30 HighProfile

LADIES OF THE LEAF

36 LifeStyle

AN OFF-THE-RECORD CONVERSATION

40 TravelWell

STAYCATION MEAN SANITY

66 HereWeGo

THE MARIJUANA FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

Sensi magazine is published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC. © 2018 SENSI MEDIA GROUP LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 9

sensi magazine ISSUE 10 / VOLUME 1 / 10.2018

EXECUTIVE FOLLOW US

Ron Kolb ron@sensimag.com CEO, SENSI MEDIA GROUP

Tae Darnell tae@sensimag.com PRESIDENT, SENSI MEDIA GROUP

Alex Martinez alex@sensimag.com CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

EDITORIAL sensimediagroup

Stephanie Wilson stephanie@sensimag.com EDITOR IN CHIEF

Dawn Garcia dawn.garcia@sensimag.com

MANAGING EDITOR, SENSI SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Leland Rucker leland.rucker@sensimag.com SENIOR EDITOR

Robyn Griggs Lawrence CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ricardo Baca COLUMNIST sensimagazine

Chef Tony Esnault CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A RT & D E S I G N Jamie Ezra Mark jamie@akersmediagroup.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Rheya Tanner, Wendy Mak, Josh Clark, Deb Matlock akers@sensimag.com sensimag

DESIGN & LAYOUT

Arthur Yang CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

BUSINESS & A D M I N I S T R AT I V E Mark Basser mark@sensimag.com PUBLISHER, LOS ANGELES

Eva Silva eva.silva@sensimag.com PUBLISHER, SAN DIEGO

Karen Petersen karen.petersen@sensimag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, ORANGE COUNTY

Vanessa Fleur vanessa.fleur@sensimag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, SAN DIEGO

Amber Orvik amber.orvik@sensimag.com CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR

Andre Velez andre.velez@sensimag.com MARKETING DIRECTOR

Hector Irizarry hector@sensimag.com DISTRIBUTION

10 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

ADVISORY BOARD 3C Farms // CULTIVATION 4Blooms Cannabis Business Services // BRAND CONSULTING SERVICES

CHANGE

editor’s

NOTE

IS THE ONLY NORMAL

55 Hydroponics // HYDROPONICS Bailey’s CBD // PET CBD TINCTURE/PET TREATS Bird Law Group // ATTORNEY, CANNABIS LAW Chameleon // CANNABIS APP DEVELOPMENT CHX & BLNZ // CANNABIS ACCOUNTING Emerald Harvest // NUTRIENTS

I think it’s safe to say the word “change” makes you feel one of two things: excited or mortified. I’m more of a “bring it on” kind of gal when it comes to change, so as we enter into fall with our bodies exhausted from the blistering heat and the staggering political reality show that isn’t a TV drama (wait,

Fiddler’s Greens // CBD TINCTURES

you sure?), a seasonal shift to rainy days and foggy mornings is a

Flourish Software // DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT

welcome change I think we’re all ready for. This month marks

FlowerKist by Steph // CBD COSMETICS

imminent shifts in more than the weather. Midterm elections

Granny B Goods // EDIBLES

are right around the corner (here’s where I remind all of you to

Grass Roots Brands // BRAND DEVELOPMENT

register to vote and to actually go vote), cannabis is making

Grow Generation // HYDROPONICS

headway, fresh strains are back on the shelves in California, old

Hemp Love // NANO-ENHANCED HEMP OIL Hybrid Payroll (Ms. Mary Staffing) // STAFFING AND HR BENEFITS

Illuminent // CBD VAPE OIL

hotels are new again, restaurants are tempting us with heartier cuisine, and the world of art seems to be adamant about creating exhibitions of unity—and I’m happy about that.

As I put this issue together, I thought about a growing num-

Inclusive Cannabis // MARKETING

ber of things: legislation being presented on a national and

Jason Momenthy //

state level, women taking on bigger roles in all facets of busi-

MEDIA AND ADVERTISING TECHNOLOGY

LINX Card // MERCHANT SERVICES Mighty Meds Vape // VAPE Mountain High Suckers // CBD EDIBLES My Bud Vase // ACCESSORIES

ness, the deep desire to travel somewhere new, and how to maintain sanity when every single day the news stories spill out like an untamed river, leaving all of us in a state of bewilderment. Okay, maybe that last one is just me. Point is, October means change, and while we find ourselves blissfully admiring

NLVO // LAS VEGAS LUXURY CANNABIS

the yellows, golds, and ambers of the leaves or slowly sipping on

Outco // CULTIVATION AND DELIVERY

that hot cup of whatever pumpkin-spiced seasonal concoction

The Right Dosage // PACKAGING

Starbucks is serving, may we not forget that change is indeed

SIVA // BUSINESS CONSULTING

here. How we respond to that change is entirely up to us, so if I

Success Nutrients // CULTIVATION CONSULTING

might make a suggestion (assuming you all answered with a

Therapy Tonics & Provisions // INFUSED DRINKS

hearty and emphatic yes), take time to pontificate, but don’t get

Treez // SEED-TO-SALE Undoo // OVERCONSUMPTION RELIEF VapeXhale // LUXURY VAPORIZER

so deep in thought you ignore spontaneity. This month, make a change. Make it count.

Here’s to living life with a little extra fervor.

Vriptech // GLASS VAPE Webjoint // POINT OF SALE SOFTWARE WillPower // SPORTS NUTRITION Witlon, Inc. // PAYROLL

MEDIA PARTNERS

Marijuana Business Daily Minority Cannabis Business Association National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Dawn Garcia

M ANAG I NG E D I TO R

SENSI SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 11

THE NEW NORMAL

sensi

buzz

C E L E B R AT E

DAY of the DEAD

San Diego / Oct. 19–Nov. 2

October brings one of the most intriguing celebrations of the dead, Día de los Muertos, and San Diego has all sorts of worthy culturally immersive celebrations going on, so have at it. Tap into your inner Mexicano and find the best place to enjoy the festivities:

Sherman Heights Día de los Muertos WHEN: Oct. 19–Nov. 2

Embrace Mexican culture at this traditional celebration complete with official altar blessing, live performances, an array of food vendors, and more.

WHAT:

La Vista Memorial Park Día de los Muertos

WHEN: Oct. 21 What: La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary’s Día de los Muertos program is a world-renowned showcase of music, folk dancing, entertainment, cuisine, and handcrafted items.

12 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

Old Town San Diego’s Day of the Dead WHEN: Oct. 28–Nov. 2

WHAT: This is a celebration of the history, culture, and heritage of the region in honor of one of its most important holidays.

Encinitas Día de los Muertos WHEN: Oct. 28

WHAT: Celebrate life with live performances, art workshops,

a student art exhibit, artist demos, food trucks, and more.

Día de los Muertos, Oceanside

Oct. 29 This all-day community event showcases diverse cultural traditions while remembering and honoring deceased loved ones.

WHEN: WHAT:

Carrera de los Muertos, San Diego WHEN: Oct. 29

Enjoy a festive and scenic 5k run along downtown’s San Diego Bay, then stay to celebrate in Embarcadero Park South with mariachi, dancers, and delicious cuisine. –Dawn

WHAT:

O Y S T E R P L AY

Off the Hook Seafood Festival

G B O D G R O U P. C O M

For the fourth year in a row, lovers of seafood, the environment, live music, sustainability, and a straight-up good time are coming together at the historic Santa Monica Pier for an off-the-hook celebration in honor of National Seafood Month. Showcasing the area’s finest restaurants and chefs, Off the Hook is more than just a reason to play by the Pacific; while you feast, drink, dance,

GASLAMP

345 Sixth Ave San Diego, CA 92101 | 619.550.1600 gaslampmeze.com @gaslampmeze Greek Cuisine with a SoCal Twist

socialize, and participate in activities like the oyster-shucking contest, you also are supporting a great cause: the Surfrider Foundation of West LA and Malibu.

This foodie fundraiser not only satiates hunger but also helps protect our beaches, oceans, and sea life by raising awareness and funds for the Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants program, which helps identify eateries that serve sustainably sourced seafood and keeps culinary purveyors honest.

The Saturday event begins at 4 p.m. and goes until right around sunset at 7 p.m. If you spring for VIP tickets, you’ll not only gain entry at 3 p.m. and get a jump on the samples, drinks, and goodies passed out throughout the festival, but you’ll also gain access to an exclusive lounge where even more sips and bites await.

As for the oyster-shucking competition, if you’re a competitor and can shuck like a beast—all while keeping those succulent oysters intact—enter!

Sensi’s Southern California editor Dawn Garcia is the event’s emcee and oyster-shucking judge for the third year running, so send her an email to

560 Fifth Ave San Diego, CA 92101 | 619.501.1919 elchingon.com @elchingonsd Bad Ass Mexican Restaurant & Bar

become a participant. There’s a trophy and some prizes that are well worth the effort. Tickets start at $50 for General Admission, $80 for VIP. Parking at the pier will run you $12, but given the curated cocktail selection that’s in store, consider Lyft or Uber.

–DG

See our masthead on page 10 for Dawn’s contact information / OFFTHEHOOKSEAFOODFEST.COM

548 Fifth Ave San Diego, CA 92101 havana1920.com @havana1920 Traditional Cuban Cuisine & Rum Cocktails

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sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 13

sensi

buzz READ

Bong Appétit by the Editors of MUNCHIES

Mastering the Art of Cooking with Weed This new tome is a culmination of food, recipes, science, a little sophistication, and—the most impactful ingredient of all—weed. Inspired by the Viceland and MUNCHIES series of the same name, Bong Appétit: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Weed is a cannabis and culinary lover’s wet dream (almost), full of mouth-watering recipes, tips, anecdotes, and funny stories from the authors, their friends, and leading cooking-with-cannabis culinary experts, including Bong Appétit series stars Ry Prichard and Vanessa Lavorato.

“Bong Appétit is the Joy of Cooking for a new generation interested in making serious, sophisticated food––with weed,” according to the book’s publisher. Be prepared to touch on cannabis politics, dosage, pairing strains, and flavors because that’s kinda this crew’s thing. From a French bread pizza dosed with pot to a sativa-saturated spinach artichoke dip risotto, the range of recipes makes it easy to make mind-altering magic in your kitchen. The tips sprinkled throughout offering insight on topics like how to navigate a dispensary are just the icing on the weed-laced cake.

According to the Munchies Team,

the

book

“breaks

down the science of infusing (oils, butters, milks, alcohol,

and

more)

with

cannabis, and offers recipes ranging from weed butter-basted chicken to weed

chimichurri

to

weed brownie sundaes.”

Available Oct. 2 from Ten Speed Press; $30 on AMAZON.COM. Sensibility Tip: For more cannabis cooking insight from Ry Prichard, head to our website and check out Sensi’s Southern California archives.

14 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

PHOTO BY © 2018 MICHAEL BRETON, COURTESY OF COUNTRYMAN PRESS

CBD Oil: Everyday Secrets

Chx & Blnz is a full-service accounting and business consulting group focused on assisting cannabis companies with bookkeeping/accounting, tax services, audits, compliance, first-time business setup for start-ups, product/service consulting and financial analysis software to give business operators the information they need to make decisions with confidence, and manage with success.

by Gretchen Lidicker

A Lifestyle Guide to Hemp-Derived Health and Wellness MindBodyGreen’s

Our staff include licensed CPAs, professionals with advanced degrees in Masters of Business Taxation from USC, Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Project Management.

health

editor Gretchen Lidicker documents her journey from being a cannabis-averse health expert who had never smoked pot to an advocate for the untold medicinal potentials of the cannabis-derived cannabinoid known as CBD. This book is a firsthand look at how Lidicker stripped away her own misconceptions while offering playful new ways to implement CBD into our everyday lives. With beautiful visuals and poignant application and explanation of what CBD is, she delves into how to use it and why it’s a positive component for health and well-being.

“My own bias against CBD came from the strict laws that were in place when I was growing up as an ’80s baby in the Midwest, adopting my parents’ views around marijuana and seeing members of my community jailed for illegal possession,” says Lidicker. This book maps how she changed her mind about CBD—and cannabis on the whole.

Featuring info and insight about the oh-so-many health benefits of CBD, which run the gamut from basic (it’s high in fiber) to miraculous (it’s been shown to stop seizures in their tracks), Lidicker explores medical studies, research and testing, political reform, and regulation. She shares findings about how CBD derivatives have even shown potential to help things like mental illness. It’s a look at the wonder and intrigue of why CDB is essential to the betterment of our bodies and lives.

For readers looking for the fountain of youth, Lidicker touches on CBD’s beauty benefits, including reducing acne, invigorating elasticity, treating inflammation, and even recipes to make an anti-aging face mask, a CBD/ coffee body scrub, and more. For you-are-what-you-eat health-conscious savvy cooks, she created an onslaught of recipes including the CBD Oil London Fog (a yummy frothy tea), Nausea Kicking Ginger Tonic, Immune-Boosting Elderberry Shrub (a tea/tonic), Mint Chip Afternoon Smoothie, and Bullet Proof Latte Pops.

–DG

Available Oct. 9 from Countryman Press; $14.95 on AMAZON.COM.

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 15

sensi

buzz

DRINK UP

Glenfiddich’s Latest Whisky Release Scotch-whisky is a spirit connoisseur’s delight, and the brand-new release from Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single-malt scotch whisky brand, is one to celebrate. The aptly named Fire & Cane, a smoky and sweet blend that debuted this summer, is the fourth release in Glenfiddich’s celebrated Experimental Series—and it’s making quite the impression on some refined palates.

“I think my favorite element is that this whisky is truly a sneaky little chameleon,” says Glenfiddich brand ambassador Jennifer Wren. “We’ve really hit it on the nose with our campaign: Smoky or Sweet. Every single time I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy Glenfiddich Fire & Cane, the experience has been completely different. Sometimes it shows me its bright, fruity side, and sometimes it’s just peat all the way down. When you pair it with food, it changes from bite to bite.

Part of the recognizable William Grant & Sons portfolio (Hendricks Gin, Balvenie Whisky, Flor de Caña Rum, etc.), this Glenfiddich release invites you to pause, breathe it in, appreciate the process, and enjoy every last sip. –DG

Tasting Notes Fire

Cane

like distant smoke carried on

with some zesty fresh fruit notes

the wind.

and a lively spiciness.

Taste: An explosion of smoke, like

Taste: A core of classic green fruit

a campfire built with Highland

character, with the deep sweet-

peat (but no medicinal Island

ness of baked apple and toasted

notes). Overlaid with oak notes

marshmallow. Overlaid with soft

and deep toffee.

smoke and wood spice.

Finish: Lingering smokiness.

Finish: Long-lasting sweetness.

Key Notes: Campfire smoke.

Key Notes: Sweet toffee.

Nose: Billowing soft peat notes,

Retails for $49.99; more info at GLENFIDDICH.COM. 16 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

Nose: Lots of rich sweet toffee

WHO IS AMERICA?

WAT C H

A SHOWTIME Political Satire Series with Sacha Baron Cohen.

Not everyone is on the Sacha Baron Cohen bandwagon, but it’s hard not to appreciate his latest project/political satire Who Is America?

Season 1 is now streaming on Showtime, with half-hour episodes that teeter on the border of defamation and political entanglement. It’s hard not to imagine the iron-clad release Cohen’s “victims” must have to sign to ward off retaliation.

What he’s done is categorically ballsy and incredibly eye-opening to the glaring fact that America needs to up its education ante. The gullibility and horrific viewpoints of everyone from Dick Cheney to various members of the House of Representatives, reality TV stars, and even art gallery owners will have your jaw dropping at the sheer shit that comes out of their mouths. It goes far beyond taking political sides and is rather a brilliant glimpse into our broken system of government, so desperately in need of fixing.

The series is like The Daily Show or The Colbert Report on steroids with a mix of Ali G meets Rush Limbaugh. It’s pissing off a lot of politicians— which means it’s working.

–DG

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 17

{aroundtown}

by D AW N G A R C I A

REIMAGINING SAN PEDRO

of charm. With quaint storefronts reminiscent of times like

Where the past meets a new future.

Pedro has a lot to be proud of (including new multimil-

the heyday of LA—the roaring ‘20s, the hailing ‘30s, the nifty ‘50s and the free-loving-’60s—with pet stores, boutique art galleries, coffee shops, bakeries, and old industrial buildings turned into restaurants and storefronts, San lion-dollar plans to revitalize the area).

“We are thrilled to be a part of the

In the heart of Los Angeles exists a port city rich in his-

San Pedro Public Market project—the

tory, yet I admit almost missing its significance until the

exciting next step in the port’s reintro-

San Pedro Business Improvement District reached out to

duction into San Pedro’s civic identity

invite me and a group of other journalists to come out on a

and a true extension of the city onto

Sunday afternoon and experience what this port city had

its waterfront,” says Richard Kennedy,

to offer. Beginning with a coffee and light breakfast at Siren’s Java and Tea in Historic San Pedro, this little city is full

18 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

RENDERINGS BY JAMES CORNER FIELD OPERATIONS

senior principal, James Corner Field Operations. “We have

“Our concept is to create a genuine sense of place and a

reimagined the nearly three-quarter mile waterfront as a

one-of-a-kind experience for SPP visitors and retailers

vibrant collection of markets, shops, restaurants, plazas,

alike,” says David Galullo, CEO and chief creative officer

promenades, play spaces, and social destinations that ex-

with Rapt Studio. “In celebrating the rich, real-time the-

emplify the vitality of San Pedro life and culture.”

ater of the working Port of Los Angeles and the diverse

With a recent commitment to invest millions of dollars

population and cultural fabric of the San Pedro region, we

into renovating the San Pedro Harbor and LA Waterfront,

set out to design a series of architectural moments that

the reimagining of this untold Los Angeles story will be

were simple and powerful.”

one for the books. After downing our coffees, we hopped

The Fish Market is a pivotal part of San Pedro, and ex-

on the local red trolley and went to the harbor for a jaunt

periencing it with Tommy had us smiling ear to ear. While

through the San Pedro Fish Market (SANPEDROFISH.COM) .

showing us the selections, Tommy picked up a lobster the

Listed as one of the most Instagrammable locations, it’s

size with a human-sized wingspan and placed its grasping

where Tommy Amalfitano, a fisherman and founder of the

claws within reach. Somehow, his calm demeanor and

market, has been watching hungry seafood lovers, chefs,

knowledge replaced my startlement with curiosity to

and the like come through at record numbers. Even on a

learn as much about this place as I possibly could.

Sunday, the line to buy lobsters at basement prices flows out the door and around the corner.

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 19

Thankfully, this market is a fixture that won’t be going away.

Whether Tommy is there pulling out the best catch, or Tommy Junior is grilling them, this is a pivotal part of the Los Angeles story. The Fish Market has a selection of some gorgeous crustaceans all snapping their claws, a huge array of freshly caught fish, from sea bass to Hamachi, along with oysters, clams, and

MUST-SEE in San Pedro

mussels. You can purchase your fish, have it cooked up six different ways, go to one of the three restaurant concepts on site, or take your catch home and tap into your inner Gordon Ramsay. The biggest draw is that it has some of the best prices around—that’s what it’s known for.

The Korean Friendship Bell, restored by one of the original

“Our mission is to produce an economically sustaining de-

TAO masters from the 1940s during the Korean War, was

velopment that improves the quality of life for the Los Angeles

given to the US in 1976 during the bicentennial anniversary of American independence. This bell, made of nickel, gold, silver, and copper, was given as thanks for the US victory in WWII that restored independence to Korean people in 1945. Akin to the Statue of Liberty, there is an identical sister bell in Bushong, Korea.

waterfront communities,” says Wayne Ratkovich, developer and owner of the Los Angeles-based Ratkovich Company.

Next up is a walk on the San Pedro pier to the LA Waterfront Cruises for a water tour of the harbor and all of its points of interest. The two-level boat is packed with cold

Two talismans made of hand-carved wood (taken from

water, snacks, beer, and soda. The air is thick with humid-

Asian and Alaskan culture) flank the entryway as guardians

ity (something we all hope fall will alleviate). Once we are

and as good luck. When the bell tolls, there is metaphysical symbolism tied into the building that houses it. The bell is struck 33 times, resonating at six different frequencies, circulating like a pulsing sound and synchronization.

Crafted a is huge, creative, co-op space curated with local artisans, farmers, and designers who make almost everything on site. Everything is for sale, including jewelry, furniture, coffee, candles, dream catchers, books, and more.

Brouwerij West Brewery occupies 8,000 square feet of tasting space and another 15,000 square feet of courtyard space.

Its cans and bottles are designed by local artists, and its tasting menu has more than a dozen handcrafted brews. You are welcome to bring your picnic or outside food, listen to live music, bring your dogs, and enjoy.

greeted by our captain, we shove off.

As we glide along the harbor waters, we see the Saint Vincent Bridge, the container yard, the white collar prison, CRAFTED Market

(CRAFTEDPORTLA.COM) ,

Brouwerij West

Brewery (BROUWERIJWEST.COM) , and then one major part of the multimillion-dollar expansion and reinvigoration project, AltaSea. According to its website,

ALTASEA.ORG ,

“AltaSea is developing a new model for ocean-related science, business, and education–a place where innovators

collaborate to develop solutions critical to the survival of the earth and its inhabitants. AltaSea is positioned to make an innovative mark on the future of Los Angeles and the planet.”

From the AltaSea campus renderings to the impending expansion of the port—including a Boardwalk that will draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors on the regular—to things like maintaining Fleet Week, the city is getting a facelift but a facelift that honors its past.

The Ratkovich Company and San Pedro-based Jerico Development have unveiled new renderings, timelines, and updates for the San Pedro Public Market on the LA Waterfront. The plans showcase a world-class urban waterfront destination for locals and tourists that re-energizes and connects downtown San Pedro and the surrounding local community.

As the expansion gets underway, it’s been a sign that the growth happening in this part of the city is well-deserved. This new port will provide more things to do including keeping the tours of USS Iowa and the Korean Friendship Bell across town, as well as revitalize the entire scope of the harbor while preserving the dignity of days of old. It also protects our wildlife, sea life, and environment here in Los Angeles through community involvement, outreach, and education.

Flocking this way is one area of industry Los Angeles once had in spades: blue tech. To further technological and digital advances regarding government and defense, SpaceX (SPACEX.COM) and BlueTech are also coming to San Pedro.

There will be several changes to the region with plans to incorporate the education center, expand the Maritime Museum, build a boardwalk worthy of the people here, bring in an influx of art and cultural events, centers, galleries, distilleries, restaurants, and more. The buildout is set to be completed in 2021 but if you happen to stop at the port to visit the Fish Market, take a look all around you. What you’ll find are ties to times we often forget with visual cues of magic, struggle, heritage, culturally significant triumphs, and a reminder that this city is made of one essential thing: diversity.

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 21

{tastebuds}

by D AW N G A R C I A

4 SPOTS CHANGING THE WAY WE EAT From kaiseki to Spanish-inspired cuisine, Angelenos have options galore.

Of the many things California has to brag about, being

still moment, you let out a sigh of sheer pleasure. Some

among the most prolific agricultural producers in the na-

restaurants and culinary brands utilize that magic—that

tion is significant. With over $20 billion in agricultural pro-

possibility—to create experiences you’ll want to revisit

duction, we have an incredible selection of fruits, vegeta-

over and over again. This handful of places is genuinely

bles, nuts, and grains growing right here in rich soil and

changing the way we dine, embodying the very essence of

temperate environments. Proud of our state, Californians

life in southern California. From this list, ideas come to

are keenly aware of what kind of food is cultivated here,

flourish, nothing seems too outlandish, and culture gets to

and we have higher expectations as a result. We care

dance around the room naked and exposed—and we love

about how our food is grown, presented, and prepared,

it all the more for it. With unique spaces and chefs giving

and that gives us a healthy advantage. We take time to

us their stories through each bite, below is your invitation

educate ourselves on the benefits of healthy living from

to try something you haven’t.

our social circles to our local and state government.

We demand quality ingredients sourced responsibly.

The more we eat, the more sophisticated our tastes, the more expansive our palates, the greater our desire to do right by our bodies. Finding places that continue to advance that mindset requires a bit of research. I took on a mission to explore brands and restaurants that may not necessarily be new—though some are—and discover the spots that open our eyes to a new way of enjoying food, forcing us to ease the gorilla-glue-ninja grip we have on our devices and just be.

What I found is that we are a state full of beautiful components, chefs and food cultivators who dare to see a spectrum of color, flavors, and spices, asking you to extend your hand and let them take you on a journey. Sometimes you’ll come across culinary poetry, a cyclone of creativity dancing on your tongue like a ballerina, and in that 22 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

1. N/Naka | Los Angeles 3455 S. Overland Ave. / Los Angeles / N-NAK A.COM

If you’re addicted to Netflix’s Chef’s Table, you saw chef Niki Nakayama of n/naka on Season 1. The episode was an introduction to a woman whose devotion to her heritage and unfaltering commitment to modernizing tradition awakened something inside me. Chef Nakayama shows her vulnerability, her truth, and her unique approach to cuisine. A Los Angeles native, she is devoted to Japanese tradition and the raw beauty of ingredients. Her story will inspire you and make you tear up (for real, have a tissue on hand). While it took her 10 years to bring n/ naka to life, her cuisine follows her interpretation of kaiseki and is unlike anything you’ve tasted. When you watch the episode, you feel as if you’ll always be remembered once you’re her guest. She creates Japanese kaiseki-in-

to sit and eat or drink in addition to a floral shop, California Petals, and while it isn’t fine dining, that’s sort of the point. They may offer up gourmet fixings like top-notch ramen or waffles, but it’s the idea that when you’re here, strangers, friends, and families can get together, have fun, and stay as long as they’d like. It’s added something authentic and new to Long Beach.

“SteelCraft goes beyond placing a few shipping containers on a plot of land. Through live music, fundraisers, and events, engaging the community is of utmost importance to SteelCraft and its vendors. We take the guesswork out of finding a place to eat. Here, we’ve curated only the best craft food and drink vendors based on the unique community we’ve become a part of.” — FOUNDER, KIM GROS N/NAKA

spired dishes alongside her sous chef, Carole Iida-Nakayama, and when the cuisine is presented, one dish at a time, it’s like a symphony of art unveiling itself one note at a time. N/naka is changing the way we dine in LA because at n/naka, you matter, and quality, service, heart, and presentation come before anything else.

“The whole of a meal is as important as the sum of its parts,” says Chef Nakayama. At n/naka, we are devoted to providing a unique and satisfying dining experience through our interpretation of kaiseki. This traditional Japanese culinary art form reflects the ever-changing rhythms of the earth by taking the freshest seasonal ingredients and presenting them in their most natural states.” — CHEF NAKAYAMA

2. SteelCraft | Long Beach

STEELCRAFT

3768 Long Beach Blvd. / Long Beach / STEELCRAF TLB.COM

If you had the pleasure of going to Austin when it was in its early stages of staying “weird,” you got to see the now obsolete South Congress food truck lot. It was a phenom-

3. Thrive Market | Online + Mobile App THRIVEMARKET.COM

enon, but as design and eco-friendly conscious business

I’m allergic to wheat, and I often envy people who can

and eateries sprout up, food trucks have now evolved into

scarf down hearty portions of freshly baked bread, home-

a culture of containers. In the sentiment of how cool the

made pasta, and wood-fired pizza. If I were to indulge in

food truck lot was, Long Beach has its own bragging rights

the same, I’d be in the hospital with severe pain for days.

with SteelCraft, an outdoor urban eatery bringing sustain-

To make it more of a gut-wrenching reality, finding grocery

able and high-quality craft food and drinks to Long Beach.

stores that carry a wide variety of gluten-free options that

SteelCraft is a communal dining space made up of shipping

taste good is nearly impossible. It’s like looking for one

containers offering food, beer, coffee, vendors, and people that

tiny strand of hair in the sand. That’s melodramatic, but it

makes socializing something inclusive. There are seven places

isn’t easy. Until now. Founded by Nick Green, Gunnar sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 23

Dope Hair Studio

Be:

KIND GENUINE HUMBLE

Dope (714) 747-8378

2 0 0 5 2 B R O O K H U R S T S T. # 1 1 6 HUNTINGTON BEACH CA 92646 DOPEHAIRSTUDIO.COM @DOPEHAIRSTUDIOHB

WOMEN'S • MEN'S & KID'S CUTS • COLOR OMBRÉ • BALAYAGE • PASTEL & VIVID COLORS MOBILE SERVICES & SPECIAL EVENTS

THRIVE MARKET

Lovelace, Kate Mulling, and Sasha Siddhartha, Thrive Market is an online grocery store that carries significant selections of healthy, gluten-free, and vegan cuisine at half the price. Thrive is also an active part of the regenerative agriculture movement, which you can learn more about in their book, Kiss The Ground, which you receive for free when you place your first order.

“We started Thrive Market because we knew what food could be: made of real ingredients, kind to the environment, reasonably priced, catered to your needs, and delicious. Thrive Market is what food used to be, the food we’d been looking for all along. Picked by values, priced without unnecessary layers, and delivered to you for free.” – THRIVE MARKET FOUNDERS Those of us confined to turning down bread at restaurants finally have something to celebrate. Plus, healthy options and brands that are good for your body and the environment mean you’ll feel better from the inside out.

24 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

4. Otoño | Highland Park 5715 N Figueroa St. / Los Angeles / OTONORESTAURANT.COM

Southern Californians aren’t kidding when they say they could eat at a new restaurant three times a day, every day, for the rest of their lives and not likely eat at the same place twice. We’ve got a lot of choices, so when an eatery comes along that taps into the cultural range, artistic expression, and locally sourced seafood and produce to create something that speaks to the region? You have to applaud it. Otoño is opening minds, expanding palates, and is steeped in expressions of the city invoking a welcomed addition to our food scene.

“Otoño is a progressive Spanish-inspired restaurant concept exploring tapas and paella beyond tradition and through a modern, urban lens. Otoño will be a place where innovation and creativity do not stop at the kitchen but spreads through the dining room, creating a holistic approach to service and the guest’s experience. In that regard, the belief that the dining room starts in the kitchen will be deeply rooted in the team philosophy and mission statement, delivering a dining experience unlike any other in the city.” – OTOÑO RESTAURANT As you sift through the endless sea of choices and bask in the range of fare that will take you to every edge of the world, remember to do so with an open mind, an appreciation for the chefs behind the creations, and the cultures and heritages that inspire them.

OTOÑO

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 25

760-632-9674

26 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

{homemade} recipes by C H E F T O N Y E S N A U LT

A BE AUTIFUL CHANGE OF

SE ASONS

As fall sweeps in to give pause to the sweltering heat of summer, Michelin-starred chef Tony Esnault of Los Angeles’ Church & State Bistro created a dish and cocktail you can prepare at home. With ingredients sourced locally, he takes a fall favorite and creates something buzz-worthy in every way. Infused with CBD elixir and hemp protein powder, these two recipes will have you smiling before you can say yum!

Cali Beach Dream CBD Infused Cocktail // serves 1 INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 oz Aperol • 1/2 oz orange Juice • 1 dropper Super CBD • 1 1/2 oz Johnny Walker Black whisky • 2 oz club soda • Ice cubes • 1 slice of orange garnish DIRECTIONS

PHOTOS BY ART YANG

STEP 1: In a Collin’s glass, combine and mix Aperol, orange

juice, CBD, and whisky.

STEP 2: Add club soda and lightly stir the glass.

STEP 3: Fill with ice until beverage reaches the brim.

STEP 4: Garnish with orange slice.

STEP 5: Enjoy immediately.

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 27

Butternut Squash Salad with Quinoa, Mixed Greens and CBD Elixir // serves 4 INGREDIENTS

For the Roasted Butternut Squash • 1 Butternut squash, around 2 1/2 lbs.

• 2 sprigs Thyme • 1 sprig Sage • 4 cloves Garlic • 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper 28 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

For the Organic Quinoa Salad: • 1 cup Organic Quinoa Medley • 2 cups Water or Vegetable Broth • 3 tbsp Sunflower Seeds • Small bunch of Chives (Sliced) • 1 Granny Smith Apple (Small Dice) • 1 stalk of Celery (Small Dice) • Lemon juice, E.V.O, and salt to taste

For the Mixed Greens • 2 tbsp Hemp Oil • 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice • 5 oz Organic Mixed Greens • Salt and pepper to taste Other Ingredients: • 4 tsp CBD Hemp Protein Powder

“Herb is a plant.

Herbs are good for everything.”

– Bob Marley

Part II: The Quinoa Salad STEP 1: Put quinoa in a pot with cold water. Bring to a boil.

STEP 2: Decrease heat to medium and let cook for 15 min-

utes. Cooking is complete when quinoa is open with a ring.

STEP 3: As quinoa is cooking, place sunflower seeds onto a

baking tray and toast in your 450º F oven for around 2 minutes until slightly brown. Season with salt and set aside.

STEP 4: Once quinoa is cooked, remove from heat, strain,

rinse, and cool in the refrigerator.

STEP 5: In a mixing bowl, mix all ingredients and season

with lemon juice, E.V.O., and salt to desired taste.

Part III: The Mixed Greens STEP 1: Whisk together lemon juice and hemp oil to form a

simple vinaigrette. Season to taste and set aside.

STEP 2: In a mixing bowl, lightly season mixed greens with

salt and black pepper. Gently toss with vinaigrette.

DIRECTIONS

Part I: The Squash STEP 1: Preheat oven to 450º F and line a baking sheet with

parchment paper.

STEP 2: With a long, sharp knife, half the butternut squash.

With a spoon, remove seeds and fibers.

STEP 3: Generously rub the interior and exterior with olive oil.

Season liberally with salt and pepper.

STEP 4: Place the squash flesh-side down with herbs and garlic onto baking sheet. Let roast in oven, uncovered, for 1 hour. When fully cooked, the flesh should be tender with no give when poked with a fork.

STEP 5: Once removed from oven, remove and discard aromatics. Let squash cool to room temperature and refrigerate until it is ready to be eaten.

Part IV: The Finishing Touches STEP 1: Cut both butternut squash pieces in half and serve

quarters onto 4 serving plates. Divide quinoa salad and serve on top of each piece of squash. Add mixed greens on the side. Serve with a generous sprinkle of hemp protein powder and enjoy.

CHEF TONY ESNAULT grew up in the south of France and has worked with the best chefs in the world including Alain Ducasse, where he garnered a total of three Michelin stars, and then went on to earn another two stars (a total of five in the span of his career so far). He continues to create cuisine that exceeds culinary expectation alongside his partner and wife, Yassmin Sarmadi at Church and State Bistro.

CHURCHANDSTATEBISTRO.COM

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 29

{highprofile}

by D AW N G A R C I A

L ADIES OF THE LE AF Women in Cannabis are taking charge in the new normal.

30 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

It’s high time we see positive changes in all facets of business, in particular the conversation in cannabis. As women find their voices in the modern business climate, they’re also finding their footing.

2010, Edwards has made leaps and bounds regarding community outreach and market penetration.

“In 2010, I opened a medical dispensary called Treecity Health Collective

(ANNARBORPROVISIONINGCENTER.COM)

According to the Harvard Business Review, women con-

named after our city of trees, and I became known as Gan-

trol about $20 trillion in annual consumer spending, and

jamama because at that time I was the only woman in the

that number could reach $28 trillion within the next five

industry who owned a cannabis shop surrounded by a sea of

years. We have an insatiable appetite to live better, lon-

men. I was coined as having ‘big balls,' but I’d like to say I had

ger, healthier lives. We’re willing to try new brands, prod-

ambitious goals. I wanted to redefine the stigmatization

ucts, including alternatives to traditional medicine and

that marijuana was making people dumb and lazy and caus-

health care. That means more and more women are turn-

ing them to wear tie-dyed shirts. I wanted to lift the industry

ing to cannabis instead of harmful alternatives, and be-

into a first-class space, so I created a shop where profes-

cause we make a significant contribution to the economy,

sionals felt very comfortable walking in my doors and leav-

women are now taking that contribution into the world of

ing them armed with one more bit of information they could

cannabis. Men have predominantly run the industry, but

use to defend their choice to use cannabis for their families

that is changing, according to the Denver Post and, be-

in an educated way.”

cause women are green consumers, it is befitting they’re

Educating the public about cannabis is the plight of ev-

instrumental in how business is done. In honor of rewrit-

eryone who supports its use and integration into our ev-

ing the rules of the cannabis playground, I interviewed a

eryday lives. Cannabis has had to climb out from under the

group of women who are not merely making a mark but

rock that labeled it a less-than-acceptable form of relax-

are an active part of the industry’s growth and innovation.

ation and face of health and prove skeptics wrong, one

Each woman represents a different region, and what they

study and “normal” person at a time. Ann Arbor, however,

do varies but one thing is for sure: there is a dialogue hap-

can boast that it decriminalized cannabis-related crimes

pening that is reinvigorating the ideology of the new nor-

back in 1972. Forward thinking and progressive, this small

mal—for everyone.

town in Michigan paved the way for other states to follow.

Now Edwards takes that mindset one step further.

“I educated people on the idea that cannabis was a wellness tool that needed to be coupled with a holistic lifestyle and wasn’t a cure-all. And I was the only shop in an unregulated market that required mandatory lab testing when that was basically unheard of,” Edwards says. “In 2012 I opened my EDUCATE

EMPOWER

EVOLVE

Dori Edwards

CITY: Ann Arbor, Michigan OCCUPATION: Business Owner, Cannabis Activist PREFERRED STRAIN: Blue Dream

second store in the town of Ypsilanti and then transferred the boards of both companies on July 4, 2013, walking away from the industry altogether—or so I thought. I was a single mom, and this was pre-Cole Memo. The stress of enduring obsta-

With a population of 350,000, including the neighboring

cles was getting the best of me, and I was tired of being treat-

regions of Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor is a community

ed like a second-class citizen. In late 2014, I jumped back in as

driven by innovation, adaptation, openness, and reinvigora-

a caregiver and grew organic plants from high-quality strains.

tion. While it is part of the Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint populace

In 2015 I founded a company named Ayurvanna Inc., a whole-

of 5.8 million, Ann Arbor is a rural area outside of Michigan’s

plant, full-spectrum edible and topical company with a holistic

hustle and bustle. It’s also where Dori Edwards, the Women

approach because I could never understand why people

Grow (WOMENGROW.COM) chapter rep for Ann Arbor, is cul-

would want to eat sugar when they were ill. Under Ayurvan-

tivating cannabis. Known as the woman who has “big balls”

na, some of my favorite products are a life-changing sex lube

for having the courage to open a medical dispensary in

we call Sundara, a menstrual cramp-relieving oil to put on sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 31

tampons called Cramp-Ease, and my most favorite, an anal-

qualifying conditions for our medical program. Our laws, when

gesic, heal-all topical called Dori Balm that works on a multi-

it comes to caregivers, are not patient-friendly, and I don't feel

tude of skin issues, muscle, and nerve pains. In 2015, I found-

a vertical platform is conducive to entrepreneurship. As a New

ed Bloom City Club (BLOOMCITYCLUB.COM) in Ann Arbor—my

Yorker, I have seen a few changes here, especially around the

third and best dispensary that imbibes my entire life’s philos-

policing of cannabis-related offenses. Our medical program

ophy and brand.”

leaves much to be desired, and our criminal justice system is

In addition to being instrumental in the progression of the

still, in my opinion, stuck in stigma. The cannabis advocates in

industry and providing optimum patient care, Edwards also

New York are working hard, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed

created Blue Sage. “This organization was formed to bridge

that we will champion for patients and people before profits.”

the gap between doctors who are willing to take the risk by

When asked if she would change anything about the in-

recommending cannabis to patients, but don’t have much

dustry, Osbourne had one suggestion. “It would be creating a

information beyond that, and budtenders. Patients weren’t

licensing process that included small businesses. I think this

really getting the kind of care they needed when first choos-

should be a fair and equal opportunity economy. Michigan

ing to use cannabis. They didn’t know how cannabis would

already has cottage laws, and I would like to see those ex-

interact with the pharmaceuticals they were taking. Blue

tended to cannabis. I am not of a competitive mindset, and I

Sage employs nurses and therapists to help them with dos-

want everyone to experience the gifts this plant has to offer.

ing, administration options, terpene awareness, and basi-

“That's our focus at Women Grow. In addition to provid-

cally just holds their hand through the entire process.”

ing information, resources, and quality events, we are creating a community of women who support one another. I feel my duty as a part of this cannabis community, and as a woman of color, is to fight for a seat at the table—and make sure I keep seats open for others.”

Like those trying to change the stigma associated with can-

Tanya Osbourne

CITY: The Bronx, New York OCCUPATION: Business Owner, Cannabis Activist PREFERRED STRAIN: 1:1

nabis as a bunch of juvenile delinquents incapable of functioning in the real world, the cannabis community, including Osborne, is strong and woven together with those who are highly intelligent, passionate about what they do, and professional.

On the East Coast in the heart of New York is Tanya Osborne, who handles Women Grow in the Bronx. New York is home to 8.5 million people, but it’s behind in its cannabis legislation, and that’s frustrating for a growing number of adult users, cultivators, and educators, including Osborne.

Falling in love after becoming a volunteer for the organization, Women Grow, she did a tremendous amount of re-

Elyse M. Phoenix

search and experimenting. That led her to create CannaDiva (FACEBOOK.COM @CANNADIVABOX),

CITY: Las Vegas OCCUPATION: Producer, Director PREFERRED STRAIN: No-sugar, low-carb edibles

a subscription box that

includes hand-picked, lifestyle items and cannabis accessories delivering a unique, enlightened experience for women.

In Las Vegas, where life moves at a flashy marquee pace

As a result of having her own company and being active in

full of fascinating contradictions, is Elyse M. Phoenix, Founder

Women Grow, Osbourne knows that every day new regula-

of WIN Media (Women Into Normality), and the producer be-

tions and bill amendments are created to help—and some-

hind the documentary Women of Cannabis (@WOMENOFCAN-

times hinder—cannabis evolution.

NABIS) .

Phoenix films and shares the stories of women in

“New York is a hard nut to crack regarding cannabis. Most of

the industry, Elyse has a unique voice and story of her own.

the legislation in New York surprises me. We have only 12

As an avid user of cannabis to manage pain rather than sub-

32 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

scribing to opiates or alcohol, Phoenix and her husband were

turned into so much more. We’ve created a platform for

preparing to adopt children children but were having a diffi-

women’s voices, and a movement from within. We want

cult time adopting because she and her husband were med-

those who are uneducated, afraid, or are in the ‘cannabis

ical marijuana patients. Phoenix, heartbroken, asked why

closet’ to see how ladies just like them have had their lives

alcohol and painkillers would have been more acceptable.

changed forever. We aim to normalize.” says Phoenix.

That’s been a difficult obstacle to overcome, but it inspired a

While we talked about legislation, sexism, and shifts in the

career advocating for women in cannabis to be heard, em-

industry, I was struck by Phoenix’s patience and grace, but it

powered, and armed with as much knowledge as possible.

was one statement from Phoenix that spoke volumes. She

“My Clark Kent job has been in promotional products. I

stated, “I want to show no matter who you are, where you’re

have had the opportunity to help several local nonprofits

from, what you look like, how old you are, or what you do for a

and cannabis companies acquire branded merchandise or

living, it doesn’t matter. We are all ladies of the leaf.”

‘swag.’ My Superman job is with WIN Media and producing Women of Cannabis. I have partnered with Morning Coffee

When it’s all said and done and the worries of the day

Productions to produce a feature documentary showcasing

rest on our shoulders, I’d be remiss to mention we don’t all

the benefits of cannabis from a woman’s point of view. We

turn to something. It may be meditation, coffee, wine, a

have filmed 40 amazing, diverse stories since January of

cocktail, a bag of salty chips, cookies, sleep aids, or canna-

this year. Our goal is to raise the funds necessary to finish

bis, but regardless of what it is, women are mothers, run-

the production of the film. We are also about to start our

ning businesses, educating, nurturing, and coming out of

crowdfunding campaign. We believe this is a story worth

the shadows. These women have created a new dialogue

telling and we hope your readers will agree. What started

in the hopes that cannabis really does become more than

with an idea to tell the stories of a few inspiring women

a campaign slogan for the new normal.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Interviews and photo shoots with more than 40 unique women for Women of Cannabis.

“No matter who you are, where you’re from, what you look like, how old you are, or what you do for a living, we are all ladies of the leaf.”

—Elyse M. Phoenix

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 33

WE HAVE THE

DEALS x OUNCES | SHATTER | EDIBLES 1/8THS | AND MUCH MORE!

34 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 35

{lifestyle}

by D AW N G A R C I A

AN OFF-THE-RECORD CONVERSATION Taxes and legislation: Take a deep breath, it’s a sucker punch.

36 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

“I love overpaying in taxes,” said no one ever. Yet in California, we’re not only the second most expensive state to

“A REALITY OF COMMERCE” As we navigate our way through the paradigm we know

live in (making up for 5 of the 10 most expensive cities in

as cannabis tax laws, getting used to the world of dispen-

the United States), but our taxes leave something to be de-

saries, shopping for green, educating ourselves on cultiva-

sired (especially when we aren’t always sure where they’re

tion, it pays to be as in-the-know as possible. And as we

going). That is undeniably true for consumers, especially

all learn about the changes, the legislation, the growth,

when it comes to cannabis taxes. Anyone who’s visited a

the regulations, and the overall cannabis climate, staying

dispensary knows it’s like being sucker punched in the gut

up to date on what’s happening will be our greatest ally.

when you hear the tax rate ranging anywhere from 35-50

That’s why I set up an “off the record” tour with MedMen’s

percent (the state tax increase for cannabis is plus 15 per-

Daniel Yi, senior vice president of corporate communica-

cent). It’s astounding and more than a bit of a deterrent.

tions and investor relations at one of the leaf’s most

How much is the state making from these taxes? Accord-

prominent faces: MedMen (MEDMEN.COM) .

ing to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administra-

With red as their distinctive color and entries that read

tion (CDTFA), since the cultivation tax on all harvested canna-

more like an Apple Store experience than a stoner’s hav-

bis entering the commercial market and a 15 percent excise

“Taxes are the reality of any legal, regulated commerce. If we want cannabis to be a legal product, tax is a fact of life.”

—Daniel Yi, MedMen

tax on the purchase of cannabis and cannabis products (on

en, MedMen dispensaries offer a user-friendly shopping

top of sales tax) were implemented, California started seeing

experience with educated staff who can help you discov-

steady increases in cannabis tax-generated revenue. From

er your ideal strain. I visited the WeHo MedMen dispen-

April 1, 2018, through June 30, 2018, tax revenue totaled

sary and found the way the products are displayed to be

$74.2 million ($60.9 million in the first quarter), including

an immersive and educational experience, completely re-

state cultivation, excise and sales taxes. California’s excise

moving the stigma and any apprehension to be curious. It

tax on cannabis generated $43.5 million in revenue during

was eye-opening.

the second quarter ($32 million in the first quarter). The cul-

So yes, the taxes are high, but the experience makes it

tivation tax generated $4.4 million ($1.6 million in the first

something stoners and CEOs can do without shame, a

quarter), and the sales tax generated $26.2 million ($27.3

disguise, or long, drawn-out monologue about why they’re

million in the first quarter) which shows a steady stream of

there in the first place. I chatted it up with Yi, and here’s

additional cannabis tax revenue generated for the state—

what I found out:

while presenting some challenges for taxpayers.

To make things less strenuous on taxpayers and businesses, CDTFA is actively working on ways to ease the financial sucker punch, but its Statewide Compliance and Outreach

Why the color red?

Daniel Yi (DY): Red is vibrant and stimulates the mind and evokes passion. We wanted to grab people’s attention, be

Program (SCOP) still has a long way to go. The one silver lining

impactful, to change deeply ingrained misconceptions

is that if you hold a medical cannabis license, you’re exempt

about “pot.” It draws attention to details, which invites

from sales tax. Wait…what? It’s true, but if you don’t know it,

customers to explore all the products. It leaves them open

it’s unlikely the dispensary will impart that knowledge.

to challenge previously held concepts. sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 37

How did you decide which strains to carry?

SAN DIEGO'S FAVORITE STOREFRONT

DY: All the products we carry at our stores, including the strains of flower, are based on careful consideration of consumer preferences based on our point-ofsales data and the years of accumulated knowledge of our purchasing team.

How have the recent tax issues impacted retail?

DY: Taxes are the reality of any legal, regulated commerce. If we want cannabis to be a legal product, tax is just a fact of life. Our stores continue to see sales growth, and we do not expect taxes to slow down the advancement of this industry.

Are there any new pieces of legislation that will help you grow?

DY: More and more states are coming online with legalization measures. In November, four states will consider legalization, including adult use in Michigan and North Dakota. State level legalization continues to grow our market. At the federal level, the STATES Act (H.R.6043) if passed, would eliminate the specter of federal prosecution in states with legalized marijuana.

What are some challenges you’re facing as the cannabis industry continues to normalize?

DY: These challenges are common to any nascent industry. This is unchartered territory, and we are paving new roads. We do not believe there are any unique or insurmountable challenges.

What’s on the docket for MedMen?

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38 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

DY: We currently operate 19 licensed facilities in California, Nevada, and New York. We expect to open 30 stores in Florida in the next 18 months, and a stateof-the-art cultivation and manufacturing facility in Orlando. We are also close to obtaining licenses in Massachusetts as the state kicks off its adult use program, and we have a joint venture with Cronos Group (THECRONOSGROUP.COM) in Canada to open MedMen stores there. We will continue to explore opportunities in this burgeoning industry.

MORE POWER IN UNITY

The California Growers Association and Southern California Coalition announced a new collaboration designed to combine Northern and Southern California’s cannabis industries to “close existing educational gaps amidst regulators and decision makers at the state, county and city level,” according to (CALGROWERSASSOCIATION.ORG) .

“While we’re winning on several fronts, our memberships still face a glaring lack of licensing opportunities and protection,” says Adam Spiker, executive director of Southern California Coalition. “There is much more we must accomplish, including addressing over-taxation and shifting regulations. Constituents both locally and at the state level have demanded at the ballot box a regulated cannabis industry be implemented. Our collaboration will double down on holding policymakers to that commitment in a timely manner.”

As next month’s midterm elections tackle a number of local, state, and federal issues, it seems the industry is on the front line and ready to continue advocating for more fair and promising practices. (VOTE.ORG)

Proposed Legislation in the 2018 Midterm Elections AB 2641:

Temporary Events: Producer Sales: Allows cultivators and manufacturers to sell their own products at permitted cannabis events. Currently, only licensed retailers can sell at cannabis events.

AB 1741:

Permitting licensed commercial cannabis businesses: Permitting licensed commercial cannabis businesses, until January 1, 2022, to remit their tax payments to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) in cash without being charged the automatic 10 percent penalty levied on most other California businesses.

AB 3157:

Tax reduction: Decreases the state cannabis excise tax from 15 percent to 11 percent, and waives the cultivation tax entirely. Both tax reductions would be effective until June 1, 2021.

AB 1793:

Cannabis convictions resentencing: Creates a process that would expunge or resentence prior cannabis convictions that have been reclassified by Prop 64.

G B O D G R O U P. C O M

ASIAN FUSION

AB 1863:

Tax deductions: 280E: Allows cannabis businesses to deduct expenses on state taxes that would otherwise be prohibited by IRS Section 280E.

AB 2255:

Distribution: deliveries: violations: Clarifies law enforcement procedures when interacting with cannabis distributors.

AB 2377:

Agriculture: Technical Assistance Grant Program: Provides technical grants for climate mitigation to farmers and ranchers, with priority for small and moderate-sized farms/ranches and farms/ranches owned by people from socially disadvantaged groups.

AJR 27:

Relative to Cannabis: Encourages the federal government to respect California state law on cannabis.

SB 829:

Cannabis: compassion care license (Amended 7/3/18): This bill establishes a cannabis "compassion care license," which is a medical (M)-type license that allows for the donation, for no consideration, of medicinal cannabis, or medicinal cannabis products, to compassion care patients for their personal use, and contains numerous related implementing changes.

SB 930:

Cannabis Banking: Creates a limited-charter state bank that would accept cannabis-related cash and allow businesses to pay rent, other cannabis businesses, and state fees and taxes. The bank would not be able to provide full banking services and would work more like a depository institution.

RESOURCES CACANNABISINDUSTRY.ORG CALGROWERSASSOCIATION.ORG SOUTHERNCALIFORNIACOALITION.COM HOODINCUBATOR.COM C O N G R E S S . G O V/ B I L L / 1 1 5 T H - C O N G R E S S / HOUSE-BILL/6043

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{travelwell}

by D AW N G A R C I A

40 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

STAYCATION MEANS SANITY 3 Reasons for a Change of Pace.

Life changes at the drop of a hat, so it’s crucial for our mental, physical, and emotional well-being to take time to pause every now and again. That is the primary reason behind staycations—which are what, exactly? Literally, a staycation is a vacation spent in one’s home country rather than abroad or at home doing day trips to local attractions. Living in Los Angeles, planning a staycation once in a while (once a month usually) is what keeps me sane and functioning. Where is a good place to get away? Personally, I like anywhere in Southern California I can get to within two hours—with or without traffic. The traffic alone spurs an unladylike bout of cursing, so keeping it under two hours helps me keep my wits and patience intact.

Reason No.1 Casa Laguna | Escape To Paradise

and beautifully maintained florals and

2510 S Coast Hwy. / Laguna Beach / CASALAGUNA.COM

greens lining the walkways, wooden doors

Going to Laguna Beach is like going to a secret hideout that happens to be well populated. While it is in the heart of Orange County and, sure, they made a reality show about it, Laguna isn’t like any other part of OC. For starters, the beach has heavier grains of sand, so surfers love to catch a morning wave; art is everywhere; the food is culturally diverse; and life here is inspiring, welcoming, and easy. Hotels and resorts are plentiful but one boutique hotel has stolen my heart: Casa Laguna.

Casa Laguna feels like a step back in time, with all the makings of a perfect movie scene. Imagine a newly remodeled early 1900s Spanish-style home snuggled up along the Pacific Coast Highway, waves crashing in the distance, serenity dancing around you, and pristine Tom Ford-esque décor, thanks to the style renderings of Martyn Lawrence Bullard. With Moorish and Spanish ceramic accents, a pool, fresh

leading to secret places (or so it seems), and tufted round accent pieces in the lobby exemplifying the era, you feel love and a sense of calm here. The lobby is filled with small, intimate details, deep shades of cobalt blue, mustard, and gold. It feels more like a dear friend’s abode than at a posh hotel. (But it is posh!)

My room of choice is the Laguna Suite.

The moment my tassel key turns the lock and the door opens, I am ready to slip into something more comfortable—like nothing or a robe—and melt into the plush king bed or take a soak in the clawfoot bathtub.

The subtle nuances of the design blend with bright colors, understated refinement, and a real sense of class. Lining the walls are photographs from the 1950s: a stream of female surfers in black and white; two women looking ever so cool while wading in crystal clear waters; a woman whose head peeks out of the sand. sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 41

A FEW MORE REASONS Each of the three hotels include a lot of little perks: • • • • • • • • •

Pool/Hot Tub Bicycles (Free to Use) Restaurant + Bar Day Spas or Massage Therapists Available Bath/Shower Options Local Artisan Goodies High-Quality Products Impeccable Service Average Room Price $150-$200

This is the perfect place for a staycation that takes you

towards the glass opening. There’s a collection of books to

out of the chaos and into the sensuality you crave. There’s

read, art to survey, and lounging areas, and you’ll be drawn

even a beautifully designed spa where you can do a mas-

to the smells sneaking out of the SALT Restaurant kitchen.

sage solo or a couples massage in the cavernous escape or

Then you get to your room—for me, one with a pool-facing

on the private outdoor patio overlooking the sea. There’s a

patio because really, that’s all it takes to feel like you’ve left

soaking bath up there as well, and with a glass of bubbly,

the world behind—and it’s spacious, updated, cozy, and airy.

all I can say is, what the heck is stress?! (You might forget

But it’s the patio leading out to the green opening, the pool,

for a while). While you’re here, be sure to check out the pre-

and the fleet of boats lining the marina—so many beautiful

mier Bungalow Suite, the second building that was added

vessels—that seals the deal.

to the property circa 1931.

Reason No.2 Marina del Rey Hotel | Escape To Tranquility 13534 Bali Way / Marina del Rey / MARINADELRE YHOTEL .COM

There may be a reason for pretension, but the beauty of this property is its humble makings. With winter coming, in

You’ll make the effortless decision to lounge by the pool with ample, oversized rattan love nooks (only way to describe them) and larger-than-life table lamps (like 7 feet tall). The contrast makes you feel as if you’re in a wonderland of sorts. Accompany that feeling with excellent drinks, succulent seafood, and a vibrant environment, and before

Southern California, we’re still kissed by the sun, and the call

you know it, serenity is swarming all around you.

of the water is only a short drive away. That’s where Marina

Reason No.3

del Rey comes in. The largest man-made marina in the United States with over 4,600 small boat slips, this sailors’ haven

The Garland | Escape In Style 4222 Vineland Ave. / North Hollywood / THEGARL AND.COM

is anything but sleepy. Seagulls are your wakeup call, and

When you live and work in LA, sometimes the sea of red

when you stay at the MDR Hotel? You may not want to leave.

lights, impatient drivers, horrid street parking, and hustle

When you check in, it looks much like a seafarers’ para-

and bustle get to you, and the only thing that can take you

dise. Shades of white, turquoise and aqua are trickled

away is quite literally going somewhere that feels nothing

throughout, along with a sculpture of seabirds ascending

like the present. That would lead you to The Garland.

42 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

Built in 1970 as a gift for Beverly Garland from her husband, Fillmore Crank, The Garland is now run by their son James. The gorgeous 1960s-and-’70s inspired hotel has a sense of nostalgia that echoes in every corner. Bright bursts of tangerine are mirrored throughout the property, with nature and Hollywood as the backdrop. The stage is set with campy fun, local artisans, touches of life, reminders of old spy movies (Beverly Garland was known for that), a fantastic restaurant that has happy hour twice a day, a pool and pool bar, and paths that make wandering a must. When you’re here, regardless of which room you decide to play in (not just stay in), you’ll understand how the thoughtful retro touches of color and midcentury modern pieces, cultural and pop art sprinkled into every pocket make The Garland a special place.

As for dining and drinking on the property, one of the valley’s most darling little restaurants is The Front Yard

(THEFRONTYARDLA.COM) . Curated with furni-

ture and colors that act as art, you’ll find cute benches, fresh flowers, little nooks with an array of textured pillows, bright colors, cool art sculptures, and a menu that won’t disappoint with a cocktail program you’ll indulge in more than you should. It’s worth it!

Staycations may seem like a glamorous escape reserved for people with expendable income, but they’re not. With mobile apps like HotelTonight, you can book four-star hotels at a fraction of the price if you’re willing to be a bit spontaneous. The app works with hotels whenever they’re undersold. It’s a fun way to explore whatever city you live in and keeps things exciting. Remember that a little change in our daily routine can make all the difference in keeping us sane. sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 43

44 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 45

CHANGING MINDS the HOLLYWOOD Way

A grown-up’s guide to cannabis entertainment.

by DAW N G A R CI A

OK, so now that cannabis is legal, Hollywood is stepping up its game. Now there are movies, documentaries, TV series, and an open platform to stop seeing pot as a gateway drug to vegging out on the

The entertainment industry has come a long way since

sofa while eating insane amounts of Cheetos and

movies like Friday or Cheech & Chong’s Up In Smoke re-

brownies. Now, thanks to the sprawling number of re-

garding how it confronts the world of weed. Shows like

sources out there, we know cannabis has some seri-

WEEDS by Jenji Kohan and Deadbeat became a new voice

ous clout. Even amidst the ever-brow-furrowing debu-

in a fully open-minded marketplace with one caveat: pot

tantes and socialites, it seems sensimilla isn’t so

was still illegal when they were released. Those of you

taboo. Mary Jane has found a place to be seen, smoked,

who haven’t lit up and watched these fine series, get on it.

eaten, inhaled, and accepted. Thanks, Hollywood

They are the ideal accompaniment to a good strain.

(snarky voiceover here).

46 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

This year has been pivotal. We’ve had #MeToo, #March-

save their children from childhood cancers. Weed the Peo-

ForOurLives, #WomensMarch, and #FamiliesBelongTo-

ple follows these families through uncharted waters as they

gether, a continuous bizarre political climate, and now,

take their children’s survival into their own hands. Some of

thanks to the good folks in government—and the as-

their miraculous outcomes beget the unsettling question at

tounding amount of citizens who fought for it—we have

the heart of the film: If weed is truly saving lives, why doesn’t

legal weed to soften the blow. I set out to discover how the

the government want people to access it?”

entertainment industry made light of the shift from a

This film is not only crucial to educating the public

war on drugs to, “Wait, just kidding. Pot isn’t actually

and opening minds; it is a call-to-action to our govern-

bad.” I found everything ranging from comedy series to

ment to recognize the importance of investing in more

hardcore documentaries; we have a diverse array of ways

research, treatments, and health and wellness alterna-

to learn and consume all things related to cannabis.

tives that derive directly from utilizing cannabis and

HOLLYWEED

all of its healing properties.

RIVIT T V.COM

Anyone who has ever watched Clerks or Jay and Silent

Bob has observed Kevin Smith catapult to one of Hollywood’s most clever writers and directors. He’s also very outspoken about smoking weed. After the Hollywood sign was replaced for a brief while with a new sign reading Hollyweed last year, Smith took that one step further by creating a show named precisely that: HOLLYWEED. The series stars Smith and a diverse cast including Hina Abdullah, Adam Brody, Donnell Rawlings, and Chloe Dworkin. It may take a while to warm up to the episodes, and the series may have mixed reviews, but if you’ve been on the Smith fan train for a while, this show is all him. After he announced being hospitalized for a heart attack, he’s taken significant measures to stay healthy, and for him, that includes marijuana and continuing to make a TV show all about it.

WEED THE PEOPLE WEEDTHEPEOPLEMOVIE.COM

As we all navigate our way through the differentiation between medicinal and adult-use cannabis, it’s staggering how many hurdles parents are going through to be able to help their children with a variety of illnesses, from pediatric cancers to anxiety. Weed the People is a beautiful film exploring children diagnosed with cancer whose parents have become fed up with their children being prescribed opiates, going through painful chemo treatments, and not having other alternatives.

Thankfully, their doctors and diligent research led them to explore cannabis as treatment, and what they found was miraculous.

According to a press release: “Cannabis has been off-limits to doctors and researchers in the US for the past 80 years, but recently scientists have discovered its anti-cancer properties. Armed with only these laboratory studies, desperate parents obtain cannabis oil from underground sources to

Weed the People Screenings Mill Valley Film Festival San Rafael, California

Saturday, Oct. 13: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

MVFF.COM

Ahrya Fine Arts Movie Theater, Beverly Hills

Tuesday, Oct. 30: 5 and 7 p.m.

L AEMMLE.COM/THEATERS/25

Laemmle NoHo North Hollywood

Friday, Nov. 2: 11 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 8: Noon L AEMMLE.COM/THEATERS/23

may sound like the perfect film—and oh, how I wanted it to be—this was entertaining but not as exciting as it could have been. Still, it’s funny, clever, and worth a watch.

Cooking on High, Netflix

Hosted by Josh Leyva, Cooking on High is the first ever

competitive cannabis cooking show. The premise is guest chefs have 30 minutes to make one dish with one secret ingredient: weed. In the pilot episode, chefs Luke Reyes and Andrea Drummer create a menu based on a theme, which in this case is “Afternoon Delight,” using the Girl Scout Cookies strain delivered on a platter by writer, publisher, and educator Ngaio Bealum. Comedian Ramon Rivas II and rapper Mod Sun are the test tasters and judges, and they keep the conversation flowing as the chefs prep their dishes. Once the chefs are ready, they present each dish to the judges, who eat during the “grub and judge” segment. Then, they take a THC timeout to let the properties of the cannabis kick in. In the final segment of the show, the judges reveal their scores, displayed on the back of a metal spatula engraved with a cannabis leaf. The winning chef receives the coveted golden pot.

While it’s not as catchy or energetic as Top Chef or

Hell’s Kitchen, a few adjustments and adaptations could bring in more energy. A highlight of the 15-minute show is the “Weed 101” segment, which shares insightful, engaging, and practical text-based tips with the audience such as: “If feeling too high, eat some lemon. The terpene limonene found in citrus fruit can modulate THC effects.”

While more and more documentaries, docuseries, films, and TV shows about cannabis emerge, the industry realizes that high-minded con-

GRINGO, Amazon Prime

This film, starring Charlize Theron, Joel Edgerton, Da-

vid Oyelowo, Anthony Tambakis, Melonie Diaz, and Amanda Seyfried is a dramedy that begins with the shady sale of a pharmaceutical company run by Richard and Elaine (Edgerton and Theron) who are getting in bed with Cannabiz, a medical cannabis-driven company. And, yes, the cartel is involved. In a struggle to sell the idea to the executives and investors, while the sale is going on, somewhere in Mexico is Harold Soyinka, played by Oyelowo, blurring the lines between law-abiding citizen and wanted criminal. While in Mexico, there are a series of kidnappings, storylines that intersect and introduce you to an array of characters you want to care about (including Sunny, played by Seyfried), sprinkled with some violence and betrayal. While this 48 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

tent no longer has to hide in the shadows but instead deserves a seat at the table to be celebrated and shared with the masses. Audiences are hopeful something as good as WEEDS or Dead-

beat is released soon. Those shows had it all and managed to be smartly written, well-acted, and highly entertaining.

sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 49

SP ECIAL R EP OR T

Once considered a threat to the alcohol industry, cannabis is the new darling of the beer industry.

Keith Villa is no stranger to beer. THE CREATOR AND FORMER HEAD

BREWMASTER OF THE BLUE MOON CRAFT BEER LABEL TURNED A TINY COMPANY INTO A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR BRAND THAT HE SOLD TO MOLSON COORS BREWING CO. FOR A BOATLOAD OF BUCKS BEFORE RETIRING FROM THE LABEL IN JANUARY 2018, AFTER 32 YEARS. Now he’s creating a line of beer-ish products under

the CERIA label that will be on shelves in the coming

adult sales this month and which has far fewer regulatory hurdles than states in the US where cannabis is legal.

months. Instead of alcohol, these beers will contain

“This is an enormous opportunity to create a full indus-

THC, the psychoactive chemical in cannabis. The goal

try comparable to the beer industry,” says attorney Steve

is to offer a THC high with the predictability of beer, and

Lenn, a partner at the Greenspoon Marder business law

he hopes to have it on the market by fall. “You know

firm, which works largely with mergers and Fortune 500

what happens when you drink one or two or three

companies. He says an investment this large helps legiti-

beers,” he says. “We want you to get that same experi-

mize the industry. “Think of what that means in the ramp

ence every time.”

of opportunity,” he says. “This kind of money is going to

It’s a tall order, but Villa is just one of many entrepreneurs loitering at the growing juncture between craft

draw investment bankers like honey to bees. In terms of the world market, I don’t know how big it could become.”

beer and pot. People love beer, and they love cannabis,

In the States, hemp/hop beers are popping up around the

and who can blame people for trying to find some syner-

country. Colorado beer maker New Belgium sells Hemperor

gy between the two? You can get cannabis in tinctures

HPA—a new style of IPA made from hemp and hops—and

and salves and consume cannabis oil via vaporizers and

Lagunitas Brewing Company, a California brand owned by

dab rigs. Why not inside a carefully crafted beer?

Heineken, last year released a limited run of SuperCritical

The market possibilities are mind-boggling. Legal

Ale, a THC-free brew made with hops and infused with can-

cannabis is now about a $15 billion business, but the il-

nabis terpenes. This spring, the company introduced Hi-Fi

legal market is at least three to four times larger than

Hops, an IPA-inspired sparkling water infused with THC, to

that, making it appetizing for investors. American con-

dispensary shelves in California. As legalization spreads, it

glomerate Constellation Brands, the corporate overlord

seems, the sky’s the limit for beer and pot.

of Corona and Modelo Especial beers, now owns a $3.9 billion stake in Canopy Growth Corporation, the largest

CBD in Hops Plants

Canadian cannabis grower, and there’s speculation that

Family bonds are another reason for the symbiotic

the move might be the beginning of a bid for complete

relationship between the cannabis and the hops plants.

ownership. At the least, it confirms a commitment to

Dr. Bomi Joseph was the first to identify the cannabi-

become seriously involved with Canopy.

noids THC and CBD in a plant that isn’t cannabis when

Molson Coors, Blue Moon’s parent company, is also looking into the Canadian market, which is set to open for legal

he found them in Humulus, or hops, which give beers their distinctive flavors. sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 51

Cannabis and hops both belong to Cannabaceae, a small family of flowering plants that also includes

“And I wanted to get my hands on cannabidiol and couldn’t find it.”

hackberries. Joseph was seeking substances that might

He had to look elsewhere for a CBD source and found

have a positive effect on liver cancer cells when he ran

several strains in Humulus plants. Because all hops

across cannabidiol (CBD), and soon found out that it is

plants in the United States are controlled by beer com-

federally illegal because it comes from the cannabis

panies who find the right combinations of flavors and

plant. “I was restricted from using cannabis,” he says.

compounds, patent them, and reproduce them endlessly, Joseph roamed the Silk Road regions of India and Mongolia to find wild varieties. “We started looking for nothing more than wild hops,” he says. “If you want the wild stuff, you have to go into the wild.”

Joseph spent nearly three quarters of a year collecting the plants he needed. “It took eight months of mucking around to get samples. I was possessed,” he says. “When I think about it now, today I wouldn’t have done it. My friends said, ‘What are you thinking?’”

He came back with plenty of specimens and hired botanists and experts to crossbreed the strains, and they came up with an oil containing 18 percent CBD. He has applied for a patent for Real Scientific Humulus Oil (RHSO-K), the first non-cannabis CBD oil on the market, for sale at the

DEADLY COMBO?

If you’re silly enough to drive…

company’s website, REALSCIENTIFICHEMPOIL.COM. Joseph admits the hops/cannabis connection is more marketing tool than reality. “Everybody uses the word hops for our stuff,” he says. “But if you’re a botanist, you say, ‘What the heck’s going on?’ It is a Humulus, the same species, but not the plant that gives you beer flavor.”

Buds and brew go together, brah, and sometimes they don’t. Mixing beer and pot isn’t generally a good idea, and it’s especially bad if you’re getting on the road. A 2017 Colorado Department of Transportation study found more alcohol-related deaths than any other, but it also found that the number of drivers with cannabis and some other substance in their systems rose dramatically–and that’s scary.

There isn’t a lot of solid science on how cannabis and alcohol interact in the body. I know from personal experience that the effects of both become more profound and dramatic and I should stay the hell away from driving my car.

Big Science Blue Moon’s Villa explains that CERIA Beverages is vying to introduce a line of cannabis-infused nonalcoholic craft beverages containing THC. Basically, he says, they will brew beer, then extract all the alcohol and infuse it instead with special concoctions of cannabinoids and terpenes to produce the desired effect.

His goal is for all consumers to have quantifiable, comparable experiences every time. There’s a lot of science involved, and CERIA partnered with Colorado-based cannabis research company Ebbu to create the infusions for the new brews. Ebbu has been researching terpenes and cannabinoids since 2013 and sells a line of exclusive oil products.

Ebbu president Jon Cooper says the company is working with others beyond CERIA that are interested in cannabis and beer collaborations. There’s a growing market for cannabis-curious people who don’t want to smoke cannabis, he says. “We know how to drink.

Our piece of the technology is to figure out how to control the experience like with a beer in a product that tastes the same and smells the same.”

52 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

Cannabis plants are notably dissimilar and contain

Staying Nimble

dozens of compounds that vary even from plant to plant.

After Lagunitas Brewing Company released Super-

“It’s like chemical chaos,” Cooper says. “How can we

Critical beer made with hops and hemp, the state shut it

create a consistent experience from the chaos of the

down. “We were told we couldn’t do that,” says Laguni-

plant? We tear it down to individual ingredients, so you

tas’ marketing rep Karen Hamilton. “No CBD or THC. It

have what you need to make a consistent product. To

was unexpected. We didn’t realize that.”

deliver that awesome experience, we have to get super geeky. It’s the same way we do in medicine.”

While waiting for things to change, the company did its research and came up with a fun idea in Hi-Fi Hops, which are 12-ounce cans of sparkling water in-

HI-FI HOPS

12 OZ CANS OF SPARKLING WATER INFUSED WITH CBD AND THC

fused with cannabis. There are two varieties or doses: one with 5 milligrams of CBD and THC, and the other with 10 milligrams of THC. Both varieties are now on sale in California.

The company is marketing Hi-Fi with some clever hints that it contains cannabis—“this drink will get you high, just don’t call it beer”—and Hamilton says that sales have been going strong in dispensaries. “It’s sell-

Ebbu scientists separate specific sets of cannabi-

ing like crazy, so we had to limit how much per person

noids to deliver certain experiences and eliminate any

each consumer could buy,” she says. “That’s a good

chemicals in THC that might make people anxious or

problem to have.”

paranoid. “I don’t believe in full spectrum,” Cooper says.

New Belgium Brewing in Ft. Collins, CO is celebrating

“Besides being inconsistent, you have some compounds

the passage of the 2014 Farm bill, which changed the

doing what you want and some doing what you don’t.

way the federal government regulates industrial hemp

This way you’re not limited by what the plant does.”

and could loosen restrictions, with its Hemperor hemp-

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and-hops HPA, which public relations coordinator Jes-

"WE KNOW HOW TO DRINK .

OUR PIECE OF THE TECHNOLOGY IS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONTROL THE EXPERIENCE ."

se Claeys says “showcases the game-changing union of

—Jon Cooper, Ebbu

hop and hemp.”

At first, Hi-Fi was made from hemp flowers. When this ran afoul of the federal ban on hemp, so New Belgium started using de-shelled hemp seeds instead.

New Belgium has partnered with Willie Nelson’s Willie’s Reserve cannabis company for an education campaign about bringing hemp back into the mainstream.

“Right now all efforts are about using beer to have a conversation,” Claeys says. “We really think we have a good shot on the Farm Bill this year. Let’s get the laws changed and updated, and then let’s brew the beer we want to make.”

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sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 57

Cannabis could be one part of a holistic depression treatment that starts with the gastrointestinal tract instead of the brain.

by R O BY N G R I G G S L AW R E N CE

58 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

depressed, OR MAYBE WE’VE BEEN THERE OURSELVES. IT’S A SAD COMMENTARY ON THE WORLD THAT SOME 150 million people

WE ALL KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN

SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION, EXPECTED TO BE THE SECOND CAUSE OF MORBIDITY BY 2020. ONE OUT OF EVERY SEVEN OF US WILL HAVE A DEPRESSIVE EPISODE AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES. If you’ve been there, you know what a debilitating black

definitively, that “dysregulation to the gut microbiota is ca-

hole life becomes. Maybe you join the more than 30 mil-

pable of facilitating the behavioral and physiological symp-

lion Americans (one in seven women) who use antide-

toms of depression and anxiety.”

pressants, which are among the most prescribed, bestsell-

How can this be? Well, it turns out that some 90 to 95 per-

ing drugs in our pharma-soaked country. Maybe the

cent of our serotonin is produced not in the brain but in the

doctor promises, as she scribbles out the script, that

gastrointestinal tract, and production is highly influenced

Prozac will deal with the chemical imbalance in your

by the bacteria that make up our intestinal microbiome.

brain, and you take that and run with it, because who can’t

This, in turn, influences brain functioning and behavior.

see that something’s really, really wrong with your brain?

When we eat bad food that’s high in refined carbohydrates

You take the Prozac (or the Celexa, the Lexapro, the

and sugars and take other toxins such as alcohol into our

Paxil, the Zoloft, the Cymbalta, the Effexor, the Abilify… ),

digestive system, our guts respond with inflammation,

and serotonin—the neurotransmitter that regulates mood,

which eventually spreads to cause havoc in our brains.

appetite, and sleep—starts pumping in your brain. Despite

“Some 40 trillion cells, almost three pounds of your

the bloating, cramping, and gastritis you were told to ex-

body mass, is bacteria,” Dr. Jack Gilbert, a microbial ecol-

pect as side effects, you feel a bit better. Those thoughts of

ogist who directs the Microbiome Center at the Universi-

suicide? An unfortunate side effect. Those brain zaps

ty of Chicago, explained to the Chicago Tribune. “They

when you try to go off the drug? Totally normal.

live mostly in the intestine. It’s like an ecosystem, like a

Or maybe you’re among the 40 percent of people whom the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports

rainforest that lives inside of you—a living, breathing environment—which we can affect by the things we eat.”

can’t find any relief using antidepressants. That’s a lot of people, and that statistic (which many believe is lower than reality) has sent even mainstream medical institutions like the NIH scrambling to seek alternative therapies. They’re finding solutions, but not in the brain. The key to depression, it appears, actually lies in the gut.

Our Mood is What We Eat “Prozac was supposed to be a massive cure for depression that would reduce institutionalization. Instead, we’ve seen an increase in institutionalization,” says Dr. Mary Van, clinical director at ThriveX medical spa in Fort Lauderdale, who specializes in both pharmacy and nutrition. “It becomes readily apparent that mainstream medicine missed part of the puzzle.”

In recent years, the microbiome (all the bacteria, fungi and viruses in your body)-gut-brain axis has emerged as a significant player in the development of depression, and medical researchers believe gut microbiota (colonies of organisms) may play a causal role. Regulating microbiota with diet, probiotics, and a new treatment called fecal microbiota transplantation may have important benefits for preventing and treating depression, according to an NIH report. The New York Academy of Sciences reports, more

Eat to Beat the Blues A plant-based, fiber-rich diet devoid of processed foods, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup has been proven to keep depression at bay. Include lots of the following: • Fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, and miso are rich in probiotics.

• Cruciferous vegetables (sulfur-smelling ones like kale, cauliflower, and broccoli) provide roughage that feeds prebiotics in the gut, says Dr. Mary Van. • Legumes, seeds, and nuts are high in zinc and amino acids, which feed serotonin transmitters.

• Black chia seeds are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are being proven effective against major depression.

(Herbalist Brigitte Mars soaks them in water, then adds other super-nutrient foods like blueberries, goji berries, bee pollen, and maca for depression prevention.)

• Leafy green vegetables and lemon water help cleanse the liver, says Mars.

• Organic extra-virgin olive oil should be your staple fat; avoid butter, canola oil, and palm oil. sensimag.com OCTOBER 2018 59

These discoveries have led to an emerging health care practice aimed at preventing and treating depression known as nutritional psychiatry. At its most basic, this “new” field recognizes that what we eat directly affects our brains’ structure and function and, ultimately, our moods, according to a Harvard Medical School report. Diets high in refined sugars promote inflammation and oxidative stress, which impairs brain function and worsens depressive symptoms. Studies have found that Mediterranean and traditional Japanese diets high in vegeta-

Cannabis and Depression: Still an Unknown

bles, fruits, unprocessed grains, and seafood and void of

Depressed people have been self-medicating with

processed and refined foods—those staples of the Amer-

cannabis for as long as cannabis has been available, and

ican diet—lower the risk of depression by 25 to 35 percent.

the modern medical community has been condemning

“We dig our graves with our forks,” says herbalist, author,

them for just as long. Traditional doctors argue that can-

and natural food chef Brigitte Mars. “We really need to stop

nabis use can trigger depressive episodes and make de-

thinking the body is not affecting the brain or that our

pressive symptoms worse over time. But if gut and brain

moods are not affected by our physiology. When treating de-

inflammation truly are major factors in depression, as

pression, a good holistic practitioner will ask if you’re eating

research is showing, it only makes sense that canna-

enough leafy green vegetables to nourish the liver and help

bis—renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties—

the body better utilize oxygen, and will make the diet more

could be good therapy.

rainbow-like with fresh, local fruits and vegetables. The

THC and CBD have been proven beneficial for depres-

American diet has gotten very beige, and that is depressing.”

sion in animal models, and states with robust medical

According to the “evolutionary mismatch” or “paleo-defi-

cannabis programs have seen a 5 percent decrease in to-

cit disorder” theory of depression, the poisons of modern

tal suicide rates and an even greater decrease in suicides

living—processed food, environmental toxins, isolation,

among men in their 20s and 30s, according to Project

constant stress—are pushing people into depression, which

CBD. But as is so often and sadly the case with cannabis,

according to holistic women’s health psychiatrist Dr. Kelly

clinical research is lacking.

Brogan “is simply a message from our bodies trying to protect us from the madness of the modern world.”

Toxic Gut, Toxic Brain

In one of the very few studies that has been done on cannabis and depression, researchers analyzed data from Strainprint, an app used by medical cannabis users to track changes in symptoms as they experiment with different

Van says most of the patients she treats for depres-

doses and strains, and found that 50 percent perceived a

sion also have digestive disorders such as diarrhea or

reduction in depression after two puffs. However, cannabis

constipation. “It’s all intertwined, and it’s all due to tox-

use appears to have exacerbated baseline symptoms of

icity,” she says. “Our bodies work in a biofeedback loop.

depression over time.

You cannot touch one part and not affect another part.

At Washington State University, researchers found

First and foremost, you have to understand that if you’re

that adults reported that their depressive systems were

depressed, it’s not just your brain. It’s every part of you.”

reduced after just one puff of medical cannabis high in

One of the first things Van must determine when

CBD and low in THC. Just like the Strainprint study,

treating a severely depressed patient is whether they’re

however, the researchers found that long-term use of

in crisis, or suicidal. If so, bringing down their anxiety

medical cannabis could aggravate depression.

level and getting them out of physical danger is crucial.

Cannabis is an unpredictable herb, says herbalist

She could prescribe medications like Xanax or Valium,

Brigitte Mars, who sometimes recommends it along

but she finds them too harsh. Instead, Van often recom-

with other herbs such as lemon balm, lavender, and St.

mends a high dose of one-to-one ratio of THC and CBD

John’s wort to patients as part of a holistic approach to

“just to get the edge off so the patient can think clearly.”

treating depression that includes dietary changes, light

“We have to get patients out of the red zone, where they’re freaked out and can’t think, they’re catastrophically indecisive, or maybe they’re shut down emotionally,” Van says. “Cannabis therapy with a high dose of THC 60 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

therapy, aromatherapy, and even feng shui.

“I’m totally a fan of cannabis and every herb,” says Mars. “But don’t just take an herb.”

gives them a calming sensation, helps regulate their

mordial, but often that is the cause,” she says. “They’re not

sleep and helps them deal with anger issues and feelings

sleeping and not utilizing the bathroom properly.”

of not knowing what to do next. CBD also helps with anxiety and sleep, but THC evokes a more rapid response.”

Science Says

While the patient is getting cooled down, Van checks

The link between microbiota and depression is not a

out the inflammation in their brain and digestive tract.

new discovery. German physician Hermann Senator sug-

If it’s bad, and usually it is, she often continues cannabis

gested in the 1860s that mental health disorders could be

therapy with high doses (25 to 50 milligrams) of oral CBD

rooted in intestinal “self-infective” processes, and a new

to control anxiety and bring the immunological and in-

frontier of autointoxication research began exploring the

flammatory response down. She’ll also suggest the pa-

role of harmful intestinal bacteria in mental diseases.

tient change their diet to include more cruciferous vege-

“Oral bacteriotherapy” was a health trend in the 1920s, led

tables and probiotics, live bacteria and yeasts found in

by producers of probiotic-rich acidophilus milk and char-

yogurt and fermented food. She asks about their poop.

acterized by ads like this one for Walker-Gordon: “It’s a

Most patients—particularly older women who were

fact—and your doctor will agree—that your attitude…is

taught not to talk about such things—don’t want to dis-

largely influenced by the condition of your intestinal tract.”

cuss their chronic constipation or diarrhea, Van says,

Drinking acidophilus milk to build good bacteria, another

even though most of them have one or the other. She

ad promised, would bring results “nothing short of amaz-

jokes with them that they need 12 inches in their lives

ing. Not only a banishing of…depression but a flooding of

every day and recommends they add more fiber to their

new vitality throughout the system.”

diets to regulate their bowel movements. Having seen the

Today, we have science to back up these claims—and ev-

exorbitant amount of antidepressants elderly patients

idence is mounting. Earlier this year, Canadian researchers

take when she worked in nursing homes, Van is well

found in a clinical trial that 32 percent of people who

aware of how rampant depression is among that popula-

changed their diets went into remission from depression,

tion. “Sometimes we have to get very primitive, very pri-

while only 8 percent in a control group did. Australian re-

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“You cannot touch one part and not affect another part… If you’re depressed, it’s not just your brain. It’s every part of you.”

—Mary Van, ThriveX Medical Spa

searchers found that one-third of study participants report-

consumed in Western diets, where we have substituted

ed significant improvement in symptoms of major depres-

certain types of beneficial fats—polyunsaturated and

sion after 12 weeks of eating a plant-based, fiber-rich diet.

monounsaturated in nuts, vegetable oils, and fish—for the

In perhaps the largest study to date, European researchers analyzed the diet and lifestyle of more than 12,000 peo-

saturated and trans fats found in meats, butter, and other products such as mass-produced pastries and fast food.”

ple over six years and found that polyunsaturated fats

More human studies and clinical trials are needed,

(fish and vegetable oils) and olive oil were associated with

everyone agrees. Gilbert, for his part, is pushing hard for

a lower risk of depression. The study’s authors wrote that

that to happen sooner than later. He’s driven, he told

they believe the global rise in major depressive disorder

The Scientist, because “there needs to be a revolution in

could be because of “radical changes in the sources of fats

how we deal with mental illness in our society.”

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{HereWeGo}

by D AW N G A R C I A

The Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act Three California Bills. One US Senator’s proposed legislation.

The November elections glare at us with a sense of antic-

Schumer has long advocat-

ipation and uncertainty. Will citizens feel the fire set beneath

ed for states’ rights when it

them and rush to the polls, setting the record for largest mid-

comes to medical marijuana.

term election voter turnout in history? Hopefully. And hey, a

The new legislation takes steps

little optimism never hurt (what will hurt is not voting). That

to help communities that have

said, one of the more significant measures being submitted

been disproportionally affected by our current marijuana

to Congress on a national level comes from from U.S. Senator

laws, which in turn sets a new standard of practice in every

from New York and Minority Democratic Leader Chuck

state. The bill includes authorization of grant programs de-

Schumer, whose Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act

signed to encourage states and local governments to allow

seeks to decriminalize cannabis on a federal level. This may

individuals to seal or expunge marijuana possession convic-

finally encourage the DEA to remove marijuana from a

tion records, and it creates a new funding stream to help en-

Schedule I drug—because it seems every other faction of

sure that women and minority entrepreneurs have access to

medicine, government, and business gets that it heals more

the new marijuana industries in their states. The bill also

than hurts.

makes new investments in research to fully understand the

The bill, if passed, would “remove marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Sub-

effect of THC on both driving and public health—particularly in adolescents,” according to DEMOCRATS.SENATE.GOV .

stances Act, effectively decriminalizing it at the federal

Wow, Chuck, I think you just climbed to the top of the list

level,” according to Schumer’s proposed legislation. This

of legislators who might care about the people you govern.

would allow states to continue to function as laboratories

We need more of that. California may not be voting on this,

of democracy and ultimately decide how they will treat

but it will affect us all by forcing positive cannabis change on

marijuana possession. The legislation, however, does not

a federal level.

change federal authorities’ ability to prevent trafficking

Next month’s midterm election is one of the most contro-

from states where marijuana is legal to states where is

versial and essential midterm elections in a very long time. It

not. The bill also preserves the federal government’s abil-

could potentially tip the balance of power away from Re-

ity to regulate marijuana advertising, just as it does tobac-

publicans and shift Democrats back into the majority in the

co, so advertisers cannot target children.

House of Representatives. I implore you all to get out and

BILLS TO SUPPORT (Read the specifics on p. 36) AB 1793: Cannabis convictions resentencing AJR 27: Relative to cannabis / SB 930: Cannabis banking 66 OCTOBER 2018 Southern California

vote—no matter where you stand in the blurred political lines—on Tuesday, November 6.

We’ll report back on how all of the pending cannabis legislative amendments and bills shape up. Just go vote!

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