Sensi Magazine - Denver/Boulder (February 2019)

DENVER / BOULDER

THE NEW NORMAL

2.2019

Beat It Cassady’s Last Stand

I Smell Sex and Cannabis Let’s Get Real

Hemp:

The Most Misunderstood Vegetable

FOR THE LOVE OF

FOOD An Ode to Colorado

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ISSUE 2 // VOLUME 4 // 2.2019

FEATURES 62 Cannabis in the Bedroom

Proceed this way for all things cannabis, sex, and cannasexuality.

70 For the Love of Food

Sensi Editor in Chief Stephanie Wilson has been researching this essay-form ode to Denver her entire adult life.

FEBRUARY MUST The Mac & Cheese Fest

46

80 Cannaphobia

The author of a new book claims that cannabis is causing mental illness, mayhem and murder. Is he right?

90 The Last Beat Story

Neal Cassady: Celebrating the man over the myth.

S P EC I A L R E P O R T

100 A Cannabis Plant by

Any Other Name

Hemp and “marijuana” come from the same plant. So, if hemp is now legal, shouldn’t “marijuana” be, too?

every issue

38

17 Editor’s Note 22 The Buzz 30 NewsFeed

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

SPACE CAKES Hilarious edible tales

38 TasteBuds

EDIBLES COMPLEX

46 AroundTown

CULTURAL CALENDAR

56 HighProfile

THE REGIONAL CHEF FINDS HIS REGION

128 HereWeGo

MAKE IT

Sensi magazine is published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC. © 2019 SENSI MEDIA GROUP LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 13

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sensi magazine ISSUE 2 / VOLUME 4 / 2.2019

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

Leland Rucker leland.rucker@sensimag.com SENIOR EDITOR

John Lehndorff edible.critic@sensimag.com DINING EDITOR

Robyn Griggs Lawrence CONTRIBUTING EDITOR sensimagazine

Ricardo Baca Dr. Angie McCartney askangie@sensimag.com COLUMNISTS

Dan McCarthy CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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

sensimag

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BUSINESS & A D M I N I S T R AT I V E Liana Cameris liana.cameris@sensimag.com PUBLISHER

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M E D I A PA RT N E R S Marijuana Business Daily Minority Cannabis Business Association National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy 16 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

FOR THE LOVE

OF FOOD My editorial career

editor’s

NOTE

began at a dining magazine—

one of those dream-job roles that involved a lot of research/eating at top-rated restaurants manned by some of the world’s best chefs. So I learned early on that the stories of a community, of a culture, of a time and place—those stories can be told through the stories of food, through tales of dining experiences and traditions. Which is why February is our annual food and dining issue.

Truth time: I look forward to this edition each year with anticipatory glee. Magazine-making tradition says that February issues should be dedicated to romance and love affairs and pulsate with sexual innuendos, and at first glance, it may seem like having an all-things-edible issue flies in the face of that tradition.

But it’s quite the opposite.

This issue is dedicated to our universal love for food. (Just please don’t call yourself a foodie. We all like food, we’re humans, we’re all “foodies.” Using that descriptor is redundant.)

The lineup ranges from stories of first-time encounters with THC-infused concoctions to a feature essay about some of the current hot spots in town. And because it is February, and we do live in the birthplace of legal adult-use cannabis, elsewhere in the issue, you’ll find a high-minded feature on having sex while high minded, written by Sensi Boston editor, Dan McCarthy.

He’s one of a team of local editors Sensi has manning the editorial side of our now eight monthly publications, published in cities from coast to coast. Look for us in Massachusetts, Colorado, Nevada, and California. This month, we welcome Sensi Emerald Triangle to the lineup—the most O of the OG markets and one we are particularly proud to serve. The area’s long complicated history as the epicenter of the country’s cannabis industry is detailed in the new Murder Mountain series on Netflix, and if you haven’t yet streamed it, queue it up. It’s a binge-worthy, enlightening, and emotional showcase of some passionate people who laid it all on the line for this plant that we love.

And that’s what February is all about: love. And we love eating. So let’s get to it. Bon appétit.

Stephanie Wilson ED I TOR I N CHI EF SENSI MAGAZINE

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 17

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A Porsche Racecar After Your Own Heart Hemp + Super-Performance Street-Illegal Porsche = This Sexy Beast

bile and thought, “Some day”?

hemp-enhanced Porsche is gorgeous, ridiculously unnecessary (but when has owning a super race car been

Have you ever looked at a high-performance race

anything else, really?), and totally awesome even if it’s

car made by Porsche, maybe something with monster

just a pipe dream. If it’s not so much pipe dream and a

wheels, an 80-liter fuel cell, handheld fire extinguishers,

doable reality with some details, observe the following:

rescue roof hatch, jet cockpit six-point harness able to

“The power of the engine has increased considerably”

withstand the hard breaking of the 380mm discs, and

in the new hemp built Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Club-

said, “I can actually buy that”?

sport, Fritz Enzinger, Porsche’s head of motorsport, told

Finally, have you ever been through both of those options? Have you thought, “You know, if Porsche would just

car-enthusiast blog VWVortex, and he says this guy has “more racing genes than its successful predecessor.”

get off its ass and create the 718 Cayman GT4 with panels

Swell. If you got the cash, the want to fuse your love

made of natural fiber composites comprised of hemp and/

for high-performance supercars with your love of hemp

or flax—making the material weaker than carbon fiber but

and what it’s doing for the planet—and don’t mind a car

in the end creating a super insane race car that will bring

that isn’t even road legal—then hey, they begin shipping

Paul Walker back from the Fast and the Furious beyond?

in February.

Well, that car would be so badass—made from the glorious gift to the world that multi-use hemp should be, is slowly becoming, or in some cases now is the best choice for a climate-change wary car culture, as much as a thing exists”?

Then damn, just sit back and check out the combination of all three of those things. Because this new 22 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

–Dan McCarthy

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PORSCHE AG

Have you ever looked at a high-performance automo-

Feast Your Eyes

A collection of our favorite notable quotes and phrases about our ongoing love affair with devour-able sustenance.

“Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park.

Enjoy the ride.”

“Great food is like great sex. The more you have the more you want.”

—Anthony Bourdain

“Barbecue sauce is like a beautiful woman. If it’s too sweet, it’s bound to be hiding something.”

“My doctor told me I had to stop throwing intimate dinners for four unless there are three other people.”

—Orson Welles

“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” —George Bernard Shaw “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

—Virginia Wolfe

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.”

—Harriet van Horne

—Gael Green

—Lyle Lovett

“People who love to eat are the best people.” —Julia Child

“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.”

—Alan D. Wolfelt

“I have made a lot of mistakes falling in love, and regretted most of them, but never the potatoes that went with them.”

—Nora Ephron

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 23

RIPPLE

It’s like a Stevia packet that elevates whatever you’re currently craving.

Soluble cannabinoids. More specifically, water-soluble cannabinoid distillates. That’s the official terminology for the wondrous little Ripple packets you may have seen displayed in round little jars at your favorite dispensary. It’s

by Stillwater brands, and it’s the item you’re most likely to find kicking around in the bottom of my bag these days.

The brand calls it a functional product for “high-functioning adults.” I’m totally one of those.

Within those jars are individual packets of an odorless, tasteless, powdered mix of THC or THC + CBD that can be added to whatever suits you. In the last month, I’ve sprinkled some on a whole array of items: ice cream, pasta, cake, water, wine, and more. The instant effect: whatever I’m ingesting goes from merely edible to a quote-unquote “edible” as the word’s been commandeered by the cannabis market to mean.

There are three different “servings” available: Pure 10, a 10 milligrams THC packet; Relief 20:1, with 10 milligrams CBD and 0.5 milligrams THC; and Balanced 5, with 5 milligrams THC and 5 milligrams CBD. The delivery system leads to a 24 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

fast uptake, and the effects can be felt in as little as 15 minutes. Personally, I prefer the balanced 1:1 sprinkled in a glass of cabernet before bed; I’m typically out before the glass is gone, which is saying a lot given my passion for caffeine’s upper effects. It may not have the same effect on you; in fact, the company doesn’t recommend combining it with alcohol, but experimentation is the name of the game in this newly legal market.

Happy sprinkling.

–Stephanie Wilson

“My weaknesses have always been food & men.” —Dolly Parton “Sharing food with another human is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly.” —MFK Fisher

PHOTO BY CHAD CHISHOLM/COURTESY OF STILLWATER

Editor’s Edible Choice:

“Don’t wreck a sublime chocolate experience by feeling guilty.

Chocolate isn’t like premaritial sex.

It will not make you pregnant. And it always feels good.” —Lora Brody

“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him…

The people who give you their food give you their heart.” —Cesar Chavez

High-Society Baubles

Walking through Zeppelin Station in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood last

month heading out the door, I spied from the corner of my little eye a table display full of gold jewelry that seemed to be a wink-wink, nod-nod to the cannabis plant. A deconstructed starburst that when seen through the right mindset was a deconstructed fan leaf hung upside down. I made it almost to the exit of the it-should-be-up-and-coming-but-it’s-not-quite-there-yet food collective before spinning on my heels and heading back to the display to inquire about the jewelry line. Turns out, the earrings that caught my eye were one of the few pieces in the entire line that don’t double as a roach clip.

The high-minded jewelry line is by a company called High Society Collection out of the Pacific Northwest. The line is centered around smoker-friendly pieces that serve dual purpose: compliment-garnering statement accessories (I’ve gotten more comments and praise for my starburst pair than any other pair of dangling statement-makers in my growing collection of earrings) and eye-catching tools with a purpose. Like these Mary Jane’s Stoned Earrings ($45 without abalone accent; $68 with), which incorporate glides along the pinchers with serrated tips, making it easy to grasp that joint and puff with style.

Along with the earrings, the multifaceted collection includes necklaces, straight luxe roach clips, fancy joint holders and tampers, and more—plus a whole line of non-smoking accessories. Like an abalone ring holder and whatnot.

You can check out the line at Zeppelin Station, or head to the website for the whole delicious lineup.

–SW

HIGHSOCIETYCOLLECTION.COM sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 25

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®

TM

FERTILIZERS sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 29

{newsfeed }

by L E L A N D R U C K E R

LEGISLATIVE Changes to cannabis laws are afoot.

The Colorado General Assembly began its four-month

rewritten, that they reflect what the term “open and pub-

term January 4. With both the state House and Senate

lic” really means. There’s a lot of confusion over the termi-

now held by Democrats and a governor who has been a

nology, and without that distinction, he says, it’s going to

champion for sensible legislation all the way back to the

be difficult to move forward.

beginning, cannabis issues are expected to play a role.

And it’s important because public consumption/social

At this writing, two bills have already been introduced,

use still needs to be dealt with. Adults can buy cannabis

and they are expected to pass this time without any snags.

legally but have virtually nowhere to go to use like they

Both are medical applications similar to bills passed in the

have with alcohol. The city of Colorado Springs banned

legislature by wide margins last year but vetoed by former

all social use clubs but is allowing existing businesses to

Governor John Hickenlooper. One would add the autism

phase out their operations. Some private clubs exist in

spectrum to the list of conditions physicians would be al-

the Denver shadows, and private parties can allow limit-

lowed to recommend cannabis as medicine, the other will

ed consumption. But after Denver voters passed a bill to

add acute pain and opioid addiction to the list, which would

allow licenses for public consumption, only one has been

give doctors more treatment options for those conditions.

approved, with a second expected to open early this year.

Probably the most important thing legislators face is

“We’re grown-ass adults, and we still have to hide,” says

that the codes that govern how cannabis is grown, pro-

longtime lobbyist Cindy Sovine, whose request to turn a his-

cessed, and sold are, after five years, sunsetting in Sep-

toric mansion near downtown Denver into a cannabis spa was

tember. The Colorado Office of Policy, Research, and Reg-

rejected last year because of zoning restrictions. “Denver has

ulatory Reform has been looking at the Colorado Medical

had the chance to take the lead in social consumption, but it

Marijuana Code and the Colorado Retail Marijuana Code,

hasn’t. We need to start thinking about how we do this right.”

and legislators will see its suggestions and have the

A proposal last year to allow “tasting rooms” inside

chance to evaluate what has worked, what hasn’t, and

dispensaries was a tentative first step vetoed by the for-

what changes need to be made.

mer governor. There is talk of submitting one similar to

A group of entrepreneurs, lobbyists, and advocates call-

the one Hickenlooper rejected, along with a way to permit

ing themselves the Social Use Avengers are giving a voice

independent venues and music halls to allow consump-

to consumer groups and seeking workable social-use reg-

tion and limited sales. The general idea is to build off the

ulations. The first step, says Michael Eymer of Colorado

tasting rooms bill, says Peter Marcus of Terrapin Station,

Cannabis Tours, is to make sure that when the codes are

which backed last year’s limited measure. “It was an in-

30 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

PRIORITIES

“Denver has had the chance to take the lead in social consumption, but it hasn’t. We need to start thinking about how we do this right.”

—Lobbyist Cindy Sovine sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 31

Times they are a-changin' -Bob Dylan

#dontgetcomfortable This is an advertisement not a threat

32 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

“You would be able to consume on sight what you purchase. Just exactly like a bar or tavern.”

—Cindy Sovine

cremental approach at the time. We’re also looking at the

Cannabis Consumer Coalition, says she originally was con-

new legislative landscape.”

cerned about allowing bars and restaurants to sell canna-

A plan by the Social Use Avengers will create different

bis. But, she says, people are going to do it, anyway. “Most

license options. One would be for businesses that want to

people are responsible. This gives us the chance to educate

allow consumption onsite but not to sell cannabis prod-

people we otherwise can’t reach, which could make it safer,”

ucts, like hotels, coffee shops, yoga studios, and wellness

she says. “We have to look out for the consumer.”

centers. The second license would allow micro sales at the

Expect a battle again over delivery. A bill last year pro-

venue. “You would be able to consume on sight what you

posed by Rep. Jonathan Singer would have created a two-

purchase,” says Sovine. “Just exactly like a bar or tavern.”

year pilot program for marijuana delivery for recreational

The group is also asking to allow the alcohol industry

and medical cannabis in willing cities. Republicans killed

to participate. Licenses could be temporary or permanent.

it on a party-line Senate committee vote after criticism

And, of course, local jurisdictions could opt in or out of the

from law enforcement, which fears that couriers might

program. The decision to ban the alcohol industry was

become targets for thieves. This is in spite of the fact that

done by the Department of Revenue, not voters, Sovine

Canada has been using the postal service to deliver med-

says, and forced the industry to oppose cannabis. But al-

ical cannabis for years, it helps keep possibly intoxicated

cohol businesses have expertise in handling intoxication,

drivers off the road, and allows those in rural areas better

which could be a benefit for everbody. “Bring them back

access to medicine.

to the table, and allow everyone to participate,” Sovine ar-

It’s still early, but Eymer says that 2019 is a great op-

gues. “It makes it a more equitable playing field. It creates

portunity for the industry to finally get some things right.

licenses but leaves it up to local control.”

“As long as people can play together, this will work,” he

Letting the alcohol industry participate will no doubt face some serious opposition. Larisa Bolivar, who heads the

says. “It’s a good opportunity to get regs through for the right reason.” sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 33

34 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 35

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{tastebuds }

by J O H N L E H N D O R F F

EDIBLES COMPLEX Edibles users tell tales— hilarious, healing, and horrifying— of their first time.

38 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

Ask folks about their experiences with cannabis edibles

became legal. Despite these experiences, most say they

and somehow the stories always involve the inability to

continue to use edibles in a comfortable way. Because of

stand up. Others remember calls to 911, near-death feel-

sensitive employment situations or simple embarrass-

ings, and bouts of uproarious laughter.

ment, the writers are not identified. The stories are all real

There’s something about consuming edibles that sparks

… or, at least as real as remembered.

wild experiences among a cross section of people including some veteran, longtime cannabis smokers who are not unacquainted with the effects of THC. In the annals of edibles, one name stands out in boldfaced letters: Maureen Dowd. Shortly after recreational cannabis was launched in Colorado, the New York Times columnist flew into Denver, bought some chocolate edibles, asked few questions, and tried them alone in her hotel room.

“I barely made it from the desk to the bed, where I lay curled up in a hallucinatory state for the next eight hours. … I strained to remember where I was or even what I was wearing, touching my green corduroy jeans and staring at the exposed-brick wall. As my paranoia deepened, I became convinced that I had died and no one was telling me,” Dowd wrote in 2014.

One Denver psychologist was not surprised when he heard Dowd’s story.

“On the whole, edibles are a very different beast from smoking bud or a vape pen. It’s THC, but it’s a different quality of high. Because of the way it is absorbed, it affects people very differently,” says Dr. Bill Costas, a clinical psychologist who has worked in the metro area for more than 30 years.

His experience with edibles took place in the early years after cannabis was legalized. “It was both a body and a

“So, I took 20 mg more to get in the groove.”

A reader who had stopped smoking cannabis years earlier decided to give edibles a try when she had a chance to see Furthur, a reformation of the Grateful Dead (sans Jerry Garcia).

“I bought a 100 milligram edible. Everyone I talked to said try 10 milligrams at first and see how you feel. Well, I took it at the beginning of the show and by “Black Throated Wind,” I felt almost nothing. So, I took 20 milligrams more, wanting to get in the groove for the second set. Move the clock forward about 30 minutes, I could barely stand up. By “China Doll,” I thought someone had slipped me a dose of LSD 25.

It took everything for me to stand up, let alone dance. With about four songs to go, I asked my husband if we could go home. He looked at me like I asked him to commit murder. He told me to sit down, and we could leave prior to the encore. Well, the “Help on the Way”/”Slipknot”/“Franklin’s Tower” trifecta was barely over, and I had my coat on. I couldn’t stand up without help, and I almost dragged my husband into the bathroom to help me. The end result? No one was injured or hospitalized and a lesson was learned: edibles take longer to show effects, so be patient.”

head high, and I was really messed up on both levels to the point of feeling very uncomfortable. I couldn’t manage to stand up and go outside. I couldn’t do it 30 or 45 minutes later. You are along for the ride, and it’s a much longer ride than you expect,” he shares.

Part of the problem is what Costas calls the “hysteria” surrounding edibles (and cannabis in general), including a lot of alarmist headlines that prime novice users of edibles to be anxious.

Sensi recently asked readers to share their memories, and they responded with tales of edibles experiences that are funny, scary, healing, and hilarious. Some had come of age during the age of pot brownies, others when edibles sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 39

“The cops came, the paramedics came”

A reader related a story about a friend who visited Col-

orado soon after legalization: “She hadn’t smoked in four decades but picked up some chocolate. We split like 10 milligrams, she freaked out and thought she was having a heart attack, and called 911.

The cops came, the paramedics came. I had the giggles while the officer explained to her that she was going to be fine, and that she wasn’t the first person this happened to.

In fact, she wasn’t even the first person that week. The officer noted that the worst case he had seen was a woman who ate some edibles and was picked up running down the side of the road ‘butt naked.’”

“I became that year’s ‘brownie casualty’”

“When I was about 13 I was just learning about pot and

had never smoked. I heard you could eat it, too. My friend passed me a bag of pot under the stall in the bathroom and I took a handful and tried to eat it. Yuck!

“My first real experience was pot brownies at a Mall Crawl

“The only thing that got my brain to shut off”

Halloween party in Boulder. I became that year’s ‘brownie

Edibles came to the rescue in the case of a Denver mother.

casualty.’ I couldn’t walk or talk, and my friends put me to bed

“I got pregnant after fertility treatments. It ended up being

before heading out. When legal edibles were finally available,

ectopic, I nearly died and had emergency surgery. Afterwards,

a friend and I each took a quarter of a brownie-like thing

I had a lot of grief and anxiety. I always thought if something

while we were staying at Indian Hot Springs. We laughed so

really bad happened to me, I’d sleep and never eat but it was

hard into the night we were afraid we’d get kicked out. We

just the opposite. I couldn’t get my anxiety to calm down so

decided the edibles were too intense and gave the rest to

it was about eight months trying everything to sleep. So I

the poolside bartender as a tip the next night.”

finally decided to try a small amount of edible gummies. It

Recipe: “Two Pieces Are Quite Sufficient” In The Alice B. Toklas Cookbook published in 1954, the iconoclastic, pioneering writer shared the most famous cannabis edibles recipe in history, Hashish Fudge. She once told a reporter that her Hashish Fudge “might provide an entertaining refreshment for a Ladies’ Bridge Club or a chapter meeting of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).”

“Take one teaspoon black peppercorns, one whole nutmeg, four average sticks of cinnamon, one teaspoon coriander. These should all be pulverized in a mortar. About a handful each of stoned dates, dried figs, shelled almonds, and peanuts: chop these and mix them together. A bunch of Cannabis sativa can be pulverized. This along with the spices should be dusted over the mixed fruit and nuts, kneaded together. About a cup of sugar dissolved in a big pat of butter. Rolled into a cake and cut into pieces or made into balls about the size of a walnut, it should be eaten with care. Two pieces are quite sufficient.”

40 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

worked immediately, and it was the only thing that got my brain to shut off so I could sleep. I rarely use them now, only once in a while in very small doses. It takes a while to metabolize, so it allows me to fall asleep as well as stay asleep. I have been very grateful for this medicinal aspect of it.”

“‘Beware the demons within.’”

“R,” a longtime Colorado radio personality, has been en-

countering edibles since the pot brownies he ate at Berkeley in 1971 “that felt almost like I was tripping,” he says.

“In 1977, my wife and I got married. As a wedding gift, we got a recipe booklet for majoun, a Moroccan cannabis candy. We really had no way of judging the dosage so we threw some weed in and hoped for the best. I remember the booklet saying that if you ate too much then ‘beware the demons within.’ We ate some, and went to see a band in Denver and got seats in the front row. The opening act was just horren-

MICRO DOSE, MACRO UPTAKE

dous, and my wife started laughing hysterically, so we had to leave. We sat in the lobby for a long time, and then we went outside. When the show was over, we were invited up to the band’s hotel room. I remember pinning my wife against the wall with one arm while I used the other to punch the button for the elevator. I guess she eventually came down but it was a long time before she ever ate any weed again.”

“How edibles education happens” A Colorado Sensi reader wonders if we ever really learn, especially when it comes to edibles. “When it’s the late 1960s, and you’re a good girl who doesn’t believe in smoking anything, all you get is a contact high from sitting in a room with

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42 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

friends getting stoned. Then someone says: ‘Did you know

ter start off slow.’ So I had a nibble of the most delicious

you can eat pot?’

mint chocolate and felt great. It was fun, like “having-a-

“I ate some brownies and went to a rock concert at the

second-glass-of-wine” fun. Fast forward a month and I

Colorado College chapel and ended up walking on the backs

found my nibbled-on chocolate sample and an extra piece.

of the church pews with style and grace. That should have

I ate one and it tasted so good I munched down the next.

been a lesson about me and edibles.

What could it hurt? That’s how I discovered the difference

“Flash forward 40 years and a friend said, ‘Hey, do you want some chocolate?’ A big discussion about dosage ensued. My potophile friend said, ‘Eat the whole thing, I always do.’ My occasional-user friend said, ‘Nah, she bet-

Down the Rabbit Hole

(Or, tips from a psychologist on coping with an edibles misadventure) Drinking coffee, walking outside, lying down, and drinking Gatorade may seem to help, but when you’ve overdone the edibles, time is the best prescription for the unpleasant effects of consuming too much THC in edibles.

Eating a bunch of food just slows down the absorption of the THC that is still in your stomach. Taking a dose of non-psychoactive CBD can help some users regain a sense of calm.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything to alleviate the anxiety, according to Dr. Bill Costas, a Denver-based clinical psychologist.

“First, you have to remind yourself that you are along for the ride however long it lasts. If you are focusing your attention on time, you will spiral down the rabbit hole,” he said. “Next, remember that you can’t overdose on THC. It has never happened. Nobody has ever died simply from a high dose of THC.”

Accentuate the Positive

If you take edibles and experience that anxious, uncomfortable, out-ofcontrol feeling, there are effective mental strategies to deal with it.

between a fun dose and a ‘now I can only crawl from my bed to the bathroom’ dose. Live and learn.”

JOHN LEHNDORFF writes the Nibbles column for the Boulder Weekly and hosts Radio Nibbles on KGNU.

“The best way to manage it is to detour your thinking from fear, anxiety, paranoia. Any time your thoughts go to a negative place, intentionally redirect them,” Costas says.

“It sounds too simple, but turn the experience into having a good time.

Think of something fun—the music, something you’re looking at or tasting.

Keep it in a place that’s comfy. Get lost in a pleasant dreamy moment instead of, ‘When will this end?’” he says, noting that his suggestions come from firsthand experience.

“I know that if I can direct my thoughts, I can affect my emotional state. It changes my awareness, my breathing, and my brain chemistry. It means that I do have control. I may not be able to become less stoned, but I can make myself less anxious.”

Practical Precautions

To have a better experience, consider some practical precautions before you swallow the THC-infused goodies.

These include starting with a small, 1 to 5 milligram piece and working your way up, especially if you are a novice, Costas says. Just be aware that everyone is different and some users consume 40 milligrams or more before feeling any effects.

Next, choose your set, setting, and company carefully, he suggests. Where you will you be when the full effect of the edibles happens? Who will be with

you? What sort of sensory environment will you be in? Make sure you have scheduled enough time, given the slow onset and lingering effects of edibles.

Be sure to eat edibles before the big meal, not after, or the effects will linger much longer.

“For me, I’m not going to have an edibles experience at Denny’s with strangers. I might go into the mountains. It’s good to have the right music. If you watch TV, you may not want to turn on Criminal Minds,” Costas suggests.

Cannabis edibles taste much better.

There are advances in microdosing, rapid absorption and targeted cannabinoids for specific therapeutic effects. Better dose control, packaging, and instructions make it more likely that the first time is a good time for edibles novices.

However, in the end they are still edibles and subject to the variables that make eating different from smoking and vaping. It will still be up to each users’ self-awareness and learning over time.

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 43

44 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 45

{aroundtown }

by S T E P H A N I E W I L S O N

All the delicious ways you can fill your calendar and your stomach this month.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT DENVER

CULTURAL CALENDAR

Fine dining and a fun atmosphere— in an old mortuary? That’s LINGER. 46 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

Let me paint a picture for you: it’s the third week in February. The temperatures in Colorado are precarious, jumping between the teens and the fifties on any given day. The rest of the country is in the midst of a polar vortex. Temps are so low, to even get a car key into the lock requires a bottle of hot water squirted at the hole. Even then, you’ve got to move fast or that water will freeze before you can get the key to turn.

But you? You’re on the sand in Miami Beach, where the temperatures are a balmy 75. The light this time of year is golden; everything around you seems to glow. The faces of the people surrounding you are glowing, that’s for certain.

They’re there for the same reason you are: the Grand Tasting during the annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival, brought to the world by the Food Network and the Cooking Channel.

The educational tradition has been running every February for almost two decades, bringing the best restaurants and the best wine and spirit companies and food-loving travelers from across the country together to toast to the good life during a lineup of SOUTH BEACH WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL

events taking place over the course of five days. That lineup began in the early 2000s with a dozen or so happenings; it’s grown to encompass hundreds of brunches, tastings, seminars, and parties that bring thousands of people to town for an epic celebration that should be on any wine-and-food-loving human’s bucket list.

There’s the Rosé Pool Party hosted

by Geoffrey Zakarian. Sunset Stone Crab by Emeril Lagasse. Taste of Puerto Rico hosted by José Andrés.

Wine & Cheese Happy Hour with Martha Stewart. Barilla Bites on the Beach with Giada De Laurentiis. Heineken Light Burger Bash hosted by David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris. Beachside BBQ hosted by Guy Fieri. Southern Kitchen Brunch hosted by Trisha Yearwood. Brunch by Jean-George Vongerichten. And so. much. more.

The festival, benefitting Florida International University’s culinary program, takes place this year from FEBRUARY 21–24. If you can make it, go. If you can’t, don’t fret too much: there’s plenty of delicious ways to keep yourself busy in and around the Mile High all month long.

The centerpiece of the offerings is, of course, the 14th annual Denver Restaurant Week. It runs this year from February 22 to March 3. The 10-day celebration of the Mile High dining scene features multi-course meals at some of the area’s must-taste establishments for a highly reduced rate of $25, $35, or $45 per person, depending on the spot. sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 47

As of press time, this year’s partic-

Denver Restaurant Week website

5) PAY IT FORWARD. Tip well. Just

ipants haven’t been announced yet,

(DENVERRESTAURANTWEEK.COM ) be-

because the dinner is cheap doesn’t

but if tradition holds true, we’re look-

comes your one-stop-shop for all

mean you should be.

ing at hundreds of those restaurants

the delicious menus you can get a

you’ve been dying to get into on the

taste of for the promotional prices.

lineup. It’s brought to the world by Visit

Throughout the month, there’s a whole lot more for your tastebuds to

Denver, the area tourism board that’s

2) MAKE RESERVATIONS. Tables fill

do—although most of those happen-

really on top of its game, promoting

up fast during the 10-day limited run.

ings happen during the first few weeks.

the bejesus out of all the things there are to love in the Mile High.

The team offers these five tips to

Then comes Valentine’s Day, which 3) DINE EARLY AND OFTEN. That’s

keeps kitchens pumping out flurries of

self-explanatory.

food to love-struck tables, then by the

help you make the most of the offer-

time the waitstaff recovers, it’s time 4) SPLURGE. Lots of restaurants offer

for the Restaurant Week rush. So get

affordable wines, add-ons, and special

out there early and take advantage of

1) BROWSE THE MENUS. Once the

desserts. Take advantage of the once-

the well-rested staff. Here are some of

list of participants is released, the

a-year offering and go to town.

the highlights to get you started:

ings. To paraphrase:

48 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

Live performance at NOCTURNE JAZZ & SUPPER CLUB

FEBRUARY 6

musical surprises from the Artists in

Sip & Sing

Residence. If you’re not hungry for

Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:

For the third

year running, Opera Colorado is taking over the “beloved hotspot” for a French-themed evening featuring a four-course dinner, wine pairings,

dinner, tickets to just the Nightcap are available for just $25 per person. Dinner and Nightcap runs for $100—but move quickly. These are expected to sell out. They do every year.

More details: OPERACOLORADO.ORG

and the Artists in Residence performing favorites from musical theater, cabaret, and opera.

New for this season: stay after dinner for the Nightcap of mingling and complimentary dessert, accompanied by live Parisian-style jazz from

FEBRUARY 7

Ales, Apps, and Barrels of Fun

Children’s Museum of Denver at Marisco Campus Release your

accordion-and-bass duo Alicia Baker

OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:

and Alex Heffron. Plus a few more

inner child at the Children’s Museum sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 49

during the adults-only extravaganza. Taste beers from local breweries, snack on light bites, listen to great tunes, and—best of all—enjoy an evening of play in the world-class exhibits. Come be a kid again…without the kids.

Tickets are just $40 and they will sell out. The craft beer samples alone are worth the ticket price.

Some of the local hotspots pouring that evening include: Briar Common, Prost Brewing, Renegade Brewing Company, Wynkoop Brewing Company, and more, with light bites provided by a host of local catering companies.

More details: MYCHILDSMUSEUM.ORG

FEBRUARY 8

Denver Mac & Cheese Fest Number 38

OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:

From the cre-

ators of BrunchFest, Mile High Grilled Cheese Festival, Whiskey & Doughnuts, and many more events comes the most delicious of basic food group festivals yet: The Mac & Cheese Fest.

Thought this dish was just for kids? Think again. This is about gourmet, chef-inspired twists on your childhood favorite. Local chefs and restaurants are cooking up a big variety of mac & cheese while competing for the title of the best mac in town.

Sample everything for yourself and cast a vote.

Tickets run from $55 to $105.

Get yours at DENVERMACANDCHEESE.COM .

50 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

FEBRUARY 20

Den Corner’s Progressive Dinner Series Sushi Den, Izakaya Den, Ototo Den

OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION: The Kizaki

brothers, owners and operators of nationally applauded Sushi Den, Izakaya Den, and Ototo, offer the first dates of the 2019 Den Corner’s Progressive Dinner series. Guests will travel through the intricacies of Japanese cuisine and traditions, all on historic S. Pearl Street.

Beginning at Sushi Den, Yasu Kizaki will be the evening’s master of ceremonies. Dinner guests join master chef Toshi Kizaki as he elevates the palate with two courses of sashimi and

Edomae-Zushi,

paired

with Toshi’s personal selections of sake. Walking next door to Ototo, guests will enjoy sizzling robata fare and ramen prepared by head chef Kenta Kamo and his team, while sipping on craft beer. Sweet stop number three is next door at Izakaya Den where the guests will complete the meal with desserts prepared by pastry chef Michiko Kizaki, finishing with a dessert wine. It’s a fancy evening, and it’s pricey but worth it if you’re having major South Beach Wine and Food Fest FOMO. Limited to 10 guests with two seatings, and two seats are $350. For more details, head to VISITDENVER.COM .

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 51

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{highprofile }

by L E L A N D R U C K E R

The Regional

130 S. Mason St. // Fort Collins, CO // (970) 689-3508 // THEREGIONALFOOD.COM

THE REGIONAL CHEF FINDS HIS REGION IN FT. COLLINS For Kevin Grossi, simplicity and a welcoming ambience are everything.

The Regional, a locally sourced American restaurant,

couple days after it opened—is pretty darned excited.

opened its doors in Ft. Collins in December. It’s in an old

During a recent visit, Grossi shared his approach to

two-story brick building that once housed a bank—the

cooking and talked about his new place. The first thing

vault door is still there, now the entrance to the kitchen—

that caught my eye on the menu was a small plate called

and chef Kevin Grossi, whose daughter was born just a

Native Hill Carrots Cooked in Soil. I just had to try that.

56 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

“I like to cook things inside things.” gional, while retaining the feel of the counter, including a board with specials, seats about 50 people in two pleasant adjoining rooms. Grossi was also chosen recently to be this year’s chef for Mason Jar Event Group’s seasonal cannabis-pairing dinners.

Grossi explains that what he has learned over the years informs the Regional, which is along Mason Street near Mountain Avenue. Grossi grew up in Rochester, Michigan, north of Detroit. He says he wasn’t particularly good in Grossi obliges while explaining the concept.

school, or that enamored with it, for that matter. “Have

“I like to cook things inside things,” he says, and for this

you ever done anything the way other people tell you to

one he gets the best potting soil he can find, puts it in a

do things? I had a hard time with that,” he admits, as a

clay pot, sticks fresh, raw carrots into the soil and shoves

freight train rumbles by outside.

it in the oven. Timing is key, since the veggies can go from

He worked at restaurants, starting as a dishwasher. It

hard to soft very quickly. Served warm, the carrots are de-

wasn’t until he was accepted at Schoolcraft Culinary Col-

cidedly not dirty—and simply delicious.

lege in Livonia, MI, that things began to fall in place for

Grossi says he’s known he wanted to be a chef from an

Grossi. “I go to culinary school, and all of a sudden I’m on

early age, and though he’s been in the business for about

the dean’s list, you know, because it was hands on, and it

two decades, the Regional is his first real sit-down restau-

was different thinking,” he explains. “And that’s why the

rant. Some in Denver might remember the first Regional,

restaurant industry, to me, was a welcoming area—be-

a counter inside Avanti Food and Beverage. The new Re-

cause it was like, ‘I am smart, and here I am.’” sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 57

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58 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

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away and wondering, ‘What am I doing wrong?’ It was just five basic ingredients.” He returned with a simpler recipe, which didn’t get bashed. “What I learned from that was just the simplicity and the soul of it.”

The Regional isn’t a Mexican restaurant, but that same simplicity applies to the carrots in soil, appetizers like lightly breaded, fried oyster mushrooms you pull apart by hand, as well as full-plate dishes featuring beef, chicken, lamb, and fish. “I’ve learned all these different kinds of cuisines,” he admits. “But at the end of the day what makes me feel comfortable is cooking food that strikes memories and warm, fuzzy feelings and comfort.”

Grossi grew up eating fried fish and chicken with cornmeal, something reflected once a week at the Regional: Wednesday-night fried chicken made with non-GMO flour. He says he puts a high price on local sourcing for his recipes, personally selecting produce and meat and getting to know the farmers. “People get a little more comfortable knowing that the products are from the farmers they know are not that far down the road,” he says.

He spent time as a pastry chef, ran an online truffle

He talks about an experience he had in a restaurant

company called the Chocolate Nation. And he spent sev-

when he mispronounced a word on the menu and was

en years working for and studying with Dave Query’s Big

rudely corrected. “I remember that feeling of being made

F Restaurant Group, the popular Front Range chain that

to feel like I’m less of a person, you know, and a restaurant

includes the popular Zolo Grill, Lola Coastal Mexican, and

experience should be a true Midwestern American feeling

Jax Fish houses—including a stint as chef at the Ft. Col-

of just feeling welcome and easy. We’re not trying to im-

lins outlet—for seven years, where he learned a lot about

press people with fancy words or things.”

what he wanted, and what he didn’t want, to do.

He has worked with Mason Jar owner Kendal Norris in the

He’s a big fan of Query and the Big F operation. “They are

past, and he’s looking forward to coming up with menus for the

the masters of ‘The Concept,’” says Grossi. “They have the

popular dinners, yoga/brunch pairing classes, and events this

Mexican seafood and Jax. You know exactly what you’re

year. He relishes the challenge of preparing savory food out-

gonna get when you’re at the Post. There’s a lot of good

side the kitchen using unsophisticated gear and equipment.

there, but I don’t want to be like that. I want to be ourselves.”

“The chefs have been able to come into these environments

Another thing he learned over the years was that, when

and pull out food that people would never dream of,” he says.

it comes to making good food, simplicity rules. Every time.

He’s also eager to work with Norris on how different

As he studied in different places, he never found a cuisine he

foods interact with cannabis for pairing purposes. “Are

didn’t like. But he was really fascinated with Mexican food

there certain spices or is it a certain fattiness or a fruit

and its basic simplicity. “There was just something about

that we can put on the forefront to really make that guest

the soul of that food, because there was an array of differ-

experience memorable?”

ent ingredients, but nothing was complicated,” he says.

He says his staff is settling in, and the Regional has be-

He said that once at Big F, trying to impress Query and

come what he envisioned. “It’s what we put on the walls.

Lola Coastal Chef Jamey Fader, he started adding ingredi-

It’s the lighting, the music, the food, and the combination of

ents to salsa, trying to be creative. “I just got bashed by

everything,” Grossi says. “But knowing that we’re smaller,

Dave and Jamey—they love bashing—but I’m walking

it’s just that I have the ability to be different, you know?” sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 59

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62 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

In the first decade OF THE 20TH

CENTURY, WHEN PSYCHOANALYSIS WAS BRISTLING WITH LIFE AND BIRTHING GREAT THINKERS OF THE AGE, A BRILLIANT FRIENDSHIP STRUCK UP WITH TWO CONTEMPORARIES FOND OF EXPLORING THE HUMAN PSYCHE AND ALL THE ROT FOUND WITHIN: CARL JUNG AND SIGMUND FREUD. It’s a famed friendship and was a true-blue bromance

while it lasted. The two once travelled to the United States to lecture on psychoanalysis at Clark University, and during the long boat ride, they regularly analyzed each other’s intimate dreams (naturally).

Freud, savant of “it’s all sex, baby” thinking, was reportedly seeking an acolyte of his theories who would accept his views sans argument; a perennial father figure to whomever resided under his authority. That wasn’t Jung’s cup, and soon a chasm grew between them. Among other deviations from accepted theory on the human condition, Jung didn’t believe it was all about sex. Freud, in Jung’s eyes, had stretched his theory that all psychic life from birth to maturity is driven by sex drive too far to explain and account for too much.

For Jung, the prince of the psychoanalytic community by 1909, it was about looking at the wider picture of the human mind, beyond his old pal’s thoughts on sexuality, and he aimed to redefine psychoanalysis along the way.

Whether he did or not is of no concern here, because if you’re reading this, your brain, loins, and thoughts are likely oiled up and fully engorged. Because we’re here to talk about sex, cannabis, and how the two are coming together today.

Cannabis is often championed as the cure to all bedroom ailments. At the same time, it’s often misunderstood, or simply (if cautiously) introduced as an acceptable commonplace component to one’s love tacklebox, much like a bottle of wine and 1970s R+B is for some or a Tinder match on a Tuesday night and fistful of Viagra is for others.

Speaking of viagra, if you’re wondering: Yes, weed viagra does exist. It’s called CannaMojo (CANNAMOJO710.COM ), and it claims to do just what you’d want a weed-fueled erection pill to do.

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 63

64 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

Seth Prosterman, a San Fransisco-based certified sex therapist, told Vice in 2017 that weed isn’t a one-way ticket to pleasure town, but it can help you get there.

or engaging with either on any platform in the modern, phone-slave epoch we are living in.

Sure, a lot of it can be a bunch of fluffy prose or some-

“While pot can help bring out our most sexy selves, dis-

times blatantly obvious diatribes on how consuming 200

inhibit us, or relax us during sex, I would highly recom-

milligrams of a cannabis edible, in fact, doesn’t do much

mend that people learn to be in the moment and deeply feel

for one’s ability to pleasure another (doesn’t help when

and connect with their partners without using enhancing

you fall asleep in your romantic couple’s dinner, either).

drugs,” Prosterman said. “Pot can give us a glimpse of our

But the fact remains that with very little searching, it’s

sexual potential. Working towards our sexual potential,

becoming easier to locate the mavens, mavericks, and

with our partners, is part of developing a higher capacity

manufactured goods, experiences, and bold claims or-

for intimacy, passion, and deep connection.”

biting the star Stoned Sex. A good example of that is the

Depending on what social media feeds you’re at-

sex coach, relationship educator, and proud “cannasex-

tuned to, it’s not hard these days to get at least one story

ual” (those concerned with mindfully combining weed

fanned your way in a month about something to do with

and sex for desired positive results) Ashley Manta.

weed and sex. Particularly if you’re looking for it, at it,

Speaking to the men’s culture digital publication MEL

“The idea of being cannasexual isn’t limited to one specific sex act, or even just partnered sex. I speak of it in terms of one’s overall relationship with their body.”

—Ashley Manta

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 65

Magazine in 2017, Manta made it clear she’s not a blanket proselytizer out to turn every client into a cannabis-forward sex enthusiast. “I’m not out to convert people,” she said. “If people are happy not having cannabis in their sex lives, I’m not going to tell them they’re wrong for not wanting to consider including it. My approach is more like, if you already consume cannabis or you’re open to the idea of it, here are the best practices for mixing it with sex. The idea of being cannasexual isn’t limited to one specific sex act either, or even just partnered sex.

I speak of it in terms of one’s overall relationship with their body, sexuality, and self-care.” If you want to see her theory in action, her Instagram (@ASHLEYMANTA ) is rife with content to back it up.

Additionally, Manta is known for her cannabinoid-enhanced “play parties” which, if you’re imagining a swinging group of couples gathering under the banner of self-exploration, relationship tonic, or just consenting group sex-fests with weed lube, that sounds about right.

On her website, she posted feedback from a satisfied customer, presumably still reeling in coital bliss given the tenor of what could be called one hell of a Yelp review: “Throughout the evening I had the opportunity to witness my friend in an element that was so clearly her own. Over the course of the night I watched from my spot at the vape bar as Ashley shifted seamlessly from teacher, to participant, to confidant, to chaperone. She was a listener, a cheerleader, a connoisseur, a lover, and a comfort. Even when the beautiful debauchery had built in momentum, it was kept from a state of complete entropy by her drifting gentle presence as she made her way around the crowd.

Nobody and no body was neglected by her. She guided the under informed on the mindful marriage of cannabis and sex. She allowed the calming rituals of medicating with cannabis to bring those who indulged in it to that place of body-peace which only the right combination of carefully selected strains can induce.”

It’s clear someone got plenty of bang for their buck (sorry), and that’s great. But there’s often a lot of anecdotal crisscrossing and conflicting messages about that last part, the use of specific strains as particular keys for unlocking sexytime happiness in a universal sense.

Alcohol, on the other hand, has no shortage of both anecdote and hard facts about the good, bad, and ugly regarding drunk sex. Depending on body factors, two or more alcoholic beverages will depress the central nervous system. You know where that goes when bad–limp noodles for men, reduced clitoral sensitivity in women, and often both people don’t have the prefect romp in the rickshaw. (It’s also not all bad, either, but facts are facts).

66 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

Oh, and now speaking of weed lube, there are loads of companies out there doing versions of that, too.

California- and Colorado-based Foria Pleasure (FORIAPLEASURE.COM ) manufactures a range of cannabis-infused THC arousal lube and even THC/CBD Explore rectal suppositories.

There are plenty of positive studies coming out about

its weight in dildos. (Tishler was once asked to advise

general findings on cannabis and sex interacting. In Au-

for a company trying to invent a dildo that squirted out

gust 2018, Psychology Today ran a column discussing

weed lube during use.)

recent academic work exploring the topic:

“I could make jokes, but I believe it’s a good thing,” he

“Stanford researchers conducted the largest study to

says. “That we are comfortable even mentioning sex with

date. They extracted information about sex and marijua-

cannabis is part of the breakdown of generational stigma.”

na from three installments of the large, ongoing National

Unlike Manta, Tishler thinks strain specifics regarding

Survey of Family Growth—data from 2002, 2006–10, and

bedroom activities isn’t really an issue. Additionally, sex-

2011–15. Their total data set included 28,176 women and 22,943 men, average age 30, who formed a reasonably representative sample of the US population. Compared with cannabis abstainers, men who used it weekly reported 22 percent more sex, women 34 percent more. Among those

“I could make jokes, but I believe it’s a good thing.That we are comfortable even mentioning sex with cannabis is part of the breakdown of generational stigma.”

who used marijuana more than weekly, sexual frequency increased even more. This study did not ask if participants found cannabis sex-enhancing, but to an extent, that can be inferred.”

No study exists to confirm that cannabis can totally impair sexual function the way alcohol can, but that doesn’t mean all green is all go when combining weed and sex.

All too familiar with this is Dr. Jordan Tishler, founder of the Cambridge-based Inhale MD, which specializes in cannabis therapeutics, including the intersection of cannabis and human sexuality.

A Harvard Medical School graduate and practicing emergency physician, Tishler says people read things

—Dr. Jordan Tishler

on the internet or dive into discussions about different strains and cannabis topicals (see: weed lube) or cooking romantic-dosed dinners for loved ones, and that’s fine. “Those things certainly play a factor,” he says, “but generally it’s not my recommended approach regarding cannabis altering sexuality.”

It comes down to a lack of a standard of research and understanding. If you were to ask 20 casual (or, nay, nu-expert) CBD preachers about its positive effect during sex, you’ll get 20 answers. To those who claim it’s

ual lubricants, toys, and so on are fun, but its about body

the golden ticket to humping happiness, Tishler says

type, effect, and all interested parties being in synch with

“keep it in your pants.”

each other. Or, if on a solo mission, in synch with one’s self.

“CBD for sexuality is a non-starter,” he says. “It doesn’t

It’s about how cannabis introduced into sexual set-

provoke libido. … It may help with anxiety or pain if that’s

tings or relationships is a means to stimulate the big

an issue, but what we’re really looking at in treatment

sexy organ everyone has on their shoulders, and that,

of sexual dysfunction or enhancement with cannabis is

of course, is where the Infinity Stone of getting it on

how it’s used to create healthier relationships.”

rests for everyone.

Which isn’t to say the new canna-sex experts popping

“Cannabis can help facilitate situations and discus-

up, creating new businesses and products or hawking

sions and different levels of honesty and intimacy in

themselves as self-described anything-experts is nec-

relationships that need it,” he says. “But what we know

essarily a bad thing in these early days of legal weed.

about humans is that over 90 percent of what’s going on

That there are people doing this, and finding an audi-

[to enhance/improve] sex is going on between your ears.”

ence, suggests bringing such topics and experimentation to light is meaningful to people. And that is worth

Don’t let that stop your next pre- and post-sex joint, though. sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 67

68 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 69

F 70 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

FOR THE LOVE OF

FOOD An ode to Denver in essay form that I’ve been researching all my adult life.

by S T E P H A N I E W I L S O N

IN AN AGE OF SOYLENT GREEN—YES, IT REALLY EXISTS NOW—REAL FOOD MATTERS. IN THE OPENING PAGES OF ANTHONY BOURDAIN’S KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL, HE REVEALS

the moment of his

culinary awakening . IT HAPPENED IN THE CABIN-CLASS DINING ROOM ABOARD THE QUEEN

MARY DURING A TRANSATLANTIC VOYAGE FROM NEW YORK TO EUROPE. HE DESCRIBES THE MOMENT IN GREAT DETAIL IN THE OPENING SENTENCES OF THE “FIRST COURSE” CHAPTER OF HIS BEST-SELLING MEMOIR, WHERE HE WROTE:

“MY FIRST INDICATION THAT FOOD WAS SOMETHING OTHER THAN A SUBSTANCE ONE STUFFED IN ONE’S FACE WHEN HUNGRY—LIKE FILLING UP AT A GAS STATION—CAME AFTER FOURTH-GRADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. …

IT WAS THE SOUP. IT WAS COLD.” sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 71

72 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

Before that fateful summer vacation with his family, the young Bourdain had eaten in restaurants, sure, but this

sliced, with a side of béarnaise—I planned to take a bite to appease her and leave it at that.

magical liquid dish he later learned was called vichyssoise

That bite changed my life. Changed my perspective.

was the first food he noticed, the first he enjoyed and re-

Woke up a fire inside me to taste the good life, to taste all

membered enjoying. It resonated. His tastebuds were woke.

the lives, to experience the world through all the foods.

I recall with vivid detail the moment my tastebuds were

Because it turns out I didn’t like steak cooked the way my

awakened. Like Bourdain, there were cruise ships involved,

mother did: charred.

although I wasn’t on one; I was at Smith & Wollensky’s in

As we stood on the corner of the outdoor bar, glasses of

Miami Beach, a wonderful haven at the southern-most tip

wine in hand, watching the pretty people jogging and roll-

of South Pointe Park, bordered on one side by the channel

erblading by (because rollerblading will always be a thing

to the Port of Miami. It was happy hour, and the cruise ships

in Miami Beach), chatting and laughing and squealing at

were casting off for week-long island-hopping adventures,

the dolphins cresting in the water leading the ships out

because it was Friday and that’s what cruise ships do on

to sea, I fell in love with the full spectrum of life. With the

Fridays. That’s when the big ones sail out.

feelings that fine dining, that dining in general, can deliver

I had been invited to join my boss for this end-of-week wind down; as a new editorial assistant at DiningOut Miami, I knew it was important to expand my culinary horizons on

straight to your soul via your belly.

If the way to a man’s heart is through the stomach, the way to mine is washed down with a glass of wine.

her dime whenever possible. (Editorial careers are hardly

That was in 2003. When DiningOut asked me to move to

ever lucrative and they tend to start out on the “fake it ’til you

Denver and join the team at their Johnson & Wales-based

make it” side of the livin’-large equation.) That much I knew.

headquarters in 2005, I wasn’t ready yet to leave the palm

Most of the rest of the things that make an adult a function-

trees. I was still tasting all of the Caribbean- and Latin

ing member of society were still lessons to be learned.

American-influenced cuisine permeating the local dining

I had arrived in Miami Beach straight from Amherst,

scene. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get my fill, or that Denver’s cu-

Massachusetts, where I had earned my journalism degree

linary landscape could ever live up to what was happening

(from the state university, not the Ivy League one). Born

in the southeastern tip of the country, which was in the

and raised on a dirt road in New Hampshire, I brought with

midst of a transformation from a spring break hotspot to

me little knowledge of the ways of the world—or as much

a world-class destination, calling in renowned chefs and

knowledge as one could attain in the early days of the

delivering some of the most exciting dining experiences

world wide web. To put it succinctly, I didn’t know much.

in the country.

But I thought I had a handle on the basics.

When I arrived in Denver in 2015, I saw another city in

For example, I “knew” I didn’t like steak.

the midst of transformation into a world-class cultural

So when my boss, the publisher of the dining magazine,

destination. A few eating experiences later, I saw, smelled,

ordered us a snack to share—filet mignon, medium rare,

tasted, and relished just how wrong I had been about the dining scene in the Mile High.

A City in Tasty Transition My Denver culinary awakenings keep coming as I explore this ever-evolving city and its surroundings. It’s a delicious game of seek-and-ye-shall-find that may drain my bank account but fills my stomach with goodness and heart with love for this city.

My exploration of Denver/Boulder’s thriving, expansive dining scene showed me its tastebuds are on fire: top chefs from around the country are moving to the Mile High to open outposts, the city hosts the annual Slow Food Conference every summer, it’s got a ton of James Beard winners (including the reining Best Chef—Southwest title holder), season 15 of Top Chef was filmed here and aired in 2018.

We’ve got food festivals galore. Hell, even former Bachelor star Ben Higgins is about to open a restaurant in town—and sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 73

he’s partnered with some top local chefs for the Middle

LoDo intersects RiNo, when I wandered in and ordered a

Eastern concept. Denver is also the birthplace of leading

rabbit and rattlesnake sausage during my first week in

brands like Chipotle, Pizzeria Locale, even Quiznos.

town. My thought after just one bite: Denver’s wild.

Why the growth of the fine dining scene? Few reasons:

As I’ve eaten my way through town, here are some of my

1) population has exploded and people need to eat; 2) rents

favorite encounters/discoveries—some you’ve heard of,

in coastal cities are much higher for restaurants, so chefs

some you’ve been to, some I saw you at last week. In no

are flocking to the Mile High; 3) there’s a general laid-back

particular order (except the first one):

creative spirit in Colorado that leads to innovative cuisine

Break Fast: Go to Rosenberg’s Bagels. Get the salt bagel

served without pretense; 4) Coloradans are among the most

with dill cream cheese. Add tomato and onion slices. Eat

active in the country, and all those activities cause us to

it slowly and let the cream cheese cover your face with no

work up quite the appetites. I’m sure the legal pot doesn’t

shame. Just don’t go on a Sunday morning like I tried to

hurt either. Munchies are a real thing. (Although during my

do today; the line was two-dozen people long. I’ve waited

first meal with Sensi Senior Editor Leland Rucker, when I

in that line in a hungover haze more than once, and on

told him I get the munchies, he told me to get over them.)

those days, it was worth every second. Bonus points to

While I’ve navigated the city’s offerings over the last three

proprietor Josh Pollack’s vocal support of the cannabis

years on my limited budget (startup life is real), I’ve com-

scene. He even shared a recipe for his infused Pot-sah

piled a list of some of my favorite spots that have called me

Balls with Sensi, which we ran alongside a profile of the

to their bars so far, and I’m more than ecstatic to share it

establishment when it was preparing to reopen after a

with you. Dining out is my favorite thing to do, followed by

murder/fire in the apartment above the Five Points bagel

CycleBar classes as a close second to allow me to continue

shop a few years back. You can find that in the archives on

to dine out on the reg.

Because first thing’s first: if you want the best dining ex-

SENSIMAG.COM . And you can find a second outpost of this

hot spot in Stanley Marketplace.

perience, grab a seat at the bar, not a table in the corner.

Obsession of the Now: Udon noodle ramen from Bao

This is my hard, fast rule whether I’m dining alone (a favor-

Chica Bao in Milk Market. Sure, you could go for another

ite pastime) or on a meet-and-greet with a swiped-right-

option like white rice or straight ramen, but the chewy

er or meeting two friends for a bite. (Three people: aim for

thickness of the udon noodles does double duty as a base

seats at the corner of the bar; more than three: go ahead

and a sponge, soaking up the intense flavors of the protein

and get a table.) You get immediate service from the bar-

of your choosing. For that, have your pick: hoisin braised

tender, your drinks stay constantly refreshed, you can ask

chicken, char sui pork, wild mushroom, tofu, pork bel-

more detailed questions, you can chat with other patrons.

ly—I’ve had them all and they are all wondrous. Choose

You can get a better feel for the place than you ever could

your broth (I suggest the spicy curry), add your extras (soft

tucked away in a booth.

egg is a must, fresh jalapeños pack a punch) and carry your

Second thing’s second: if you’re going to take a page

tray back to the Moo Bar to slurp away. Be prepared to have

from Bourdain’s worthy book and let the local food land-

multiple people stop to ask where you got the dish. Point

scape and dining traditions reveal the true nature of a city

them to the Asian counter in the corner and tell them Sen-

or town, you’ve got to be open to all of it.

si sent you. Bonus points if you’re there during the weekly

I used to have a rule that if there was something on a

Bingo Brunch on Sundays, emceed by a standup comedi-

menu I haven’t tried yet, that was what I was going to order.

an. It’s free, it’s festive, it’s fun. And you can show all your

It only served me wrong once or twice (don’t let anyone tell

followers just how much fun you’re having when you snap

you monkfish is the poor man’s lobster), and it’s introduced

a selfie at the dedicated “stand here, take selfie” station in

me to some incredible dishes that now are a staple part of

the hallway downstairs by the restrooms, where the light-

my dining out diet (let me tell you lamb vindaloo is deli-

ing is staged to show off your natural glow.

cious, if you can handle the heat.) That said, I’ve yet to order

Sweet Spot: High Point Creamery, which has a few out-

any Rocky Mountain Oysters. In my defense, I’ve only seen

posts around town, including one in Central Market. Opt

them on the menu at one place I’ve frequented, Buckhorn

for the raspberry basil blend: it’s almost like a margarita

Exchange. And I was slightly relieved to see many things

pizza in ice cream form but way better than that sounds.

on that menu I had yet to try, so I gave myself a pass on the testicles.

Old-School Digs: Gaetano’s Italian on 38th Street. It wins accolades from all the local publications every year,

The first palate-opening order I made in Denver came

with good reason: it’s good. Every time. It’s lively but inti-

at the now-defunct Wursthuche Sausage Bar, near where

mate, it’s reasonably priced, it’s authentic, and it’s got a lot

74 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

It is a place that fills your heart with joy, if you’re the type of person who wants to have a place to go where everybody knows your name.

of history tied to the mob. And stereotypical mob joints al-

and my drink order, and it wasn’t long before he introduced

ways have the best bolognese. This place is no exception.

me to everyone sitting at the bar. He knew their names, their

Where Time Stands Still: Queen of Sheba Ethiopian.

stories, what brought them in that day. He facilitated con-

It’s way east on Colfax, and there’s no sign for this small,

nections, never letting conversations lag too long or drinks

authentic restaurant. It’s worth finding; Google Maps can

get too low. He made it feel like home, while simultaneously

help you. When you get there, be prepared to be there for

making it feel like my favorite bar. A place where good peo-

awhile while Zewditu Aboye takes your order and then

ple are welcome. The food menu isn’t worth noting; some

makes your meal. You’re on her time now. What the venue

days he doesn’t serve much of anything. But this is a place

lacks in promptness, it makes up in flavor, with a range of

that fills your heart with joy, if you’re the type of person who

traditional dishes served with the fluffy injera you eat with

wants to have a place where everybody knows your name.

your hands.

And as Cheers taught us all, that’s something to aspire to.

Instagram Winner: Chicken-fried eggs at Sassafras. I

Worth the Wait? Uncle Ramen, so I’ve heard, is that

prefer the Colfax outpost, even though I live mere blocks

place. There’s always a wait. Even on a cold, snowy Monday

from the Jefferson Park establishment. Why? a) there’s a

evening in the middle of February, there’s a wait all night

bar, and we know how I feel about dining at the bar; b) when

long. It’s a bit of a scene in there, to be honest. Buzzing with

you wait—and there will be a wait for any table, at any time

the energy of hungry diners eager to chow down on some

on any day of the week because Denverites are more than

slippery ’noods. I’ve tried my damnedest to get in there. But

slightly obsessed with all things brunch—there’s a second

without fail, I always end up next door at BarDough order-

floor with comfy chairs and trivia cards to help you pass

ing a nine-ounce pour of the house red on tap and pairing it

the time. There’s also drink service up there. Try the Queen

with a half order of some of the Italian ‘noods, which are Top

Mary, with pickled peppered vodka, green tomato, pineap-

Chef-worthy good as well.

ple, green peppers, and Piquante Verte.

What it all comes down to: we all love to eat. There’s so

Where Everyone Knows Your Name: MacKenzie’s

much to explore in this city, it’s all but impossible to keep up.

Cocktails and Wine tucked away on Clay Street across from

But if you want to plan a night at Uncle, hit me up, @stephwilll

Jefferson Park had a chalkboard sign out front declaring

on Instagram. There’s a good chance I’ll be down.

“Dogs Drink Free.” That brought me in there the first time.

When I sat down at the bar, the owner Chad got my name

For more tasty tidbits of Denver/Boulder dining information, head to SENSIMAG.COM and check out our archives.

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The author of a new book claims that cannabis is causing mental illness, mayhem and murder.

Is he right?

by L E L A N D R U C K E R

80 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 81

82 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

What’s a cannabis user to believe? A NEW BOOK, TELL YOUR CHILDREN: THE TRUTH ABOUT MARIJUANA, MENTAL ILLNESS, AND VIOLENCE, WARNS THAT THC, THE PSYCHOACTIVE COMPOUND IN CANNABIS, IS CONTRIBUTING TO MENTAL-HEALTH ISSUES, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUNGER USERS, AND THAT PARANOIA, DEPRESSION, VIOLENCE, SUICIDE, AND MURDER ARE THE REAL BYPRODUCTS OF LEGALIZATION. I have never advocated for teenage cannabis use

case that the country is moving too quickly to legalize

(while knowing it does and will occur), and the concept

cannabis while ignoring the downsides. “The evidence

that something that’s been such a positive in my life

that cannabis causes mental illness and violence is be-

causes others to commit heinous criminal acts was dis-

coming stronger,” he writes. If you don’t believe that, he

turbing enough to make me read the book. On the oth-

says, you won’t like the book.

er hand, while I’m an advocate for responsible use, I’m

What follows is a mostly one-sided diatribe. I expect-

skeptical that cannabis is the answer to all our problems

ed more. Berenson is seriously contemptuous of the

or that it’s for everybody. We are still learning about this

“pro-cannabis lobby,” which he characterizes, for the

plant, and perhaps the only thing the author and I agree

most part, as greedy capitalists trying to take advan-

on is that we need to continue to do that.

tage of consumers in the push to legalize. He accus-

Written by Alex Berenson, a novelist and former New

es them—lobbyists, business owners, and groups like

York Times reporter, Tell Your Children makes a gloomy

the Marijuana Policy Project—of ignoring the piles of sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 83

84 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

evidence he presents. But by showing his own bias while bashing the other side, he falls into the same trap. Are there people in the cannabis industry who are unprincipled? Of course, but to cast all advocates as materialistic people trying to cover up the truth is equally unscrupulous.

“The

government

should

drop all barriers to researching

cannabis

for

medical

purposes,” he states. So far, so good. “The reason is not that marijuana is likely to prove a miracle cure for cancer—or anything else. It’s precisely the opposite. Let’s put unfounded

claims

to

rest

permanently.”

In his argument, all people who use cannabis for pain, sleep, anxiety or whatever, are deceiving themselves. They’re just doing it to get stoned, man.

It’s the familiar “everybody smokes marijuana just to get high” meme, which is just nonsense. In this argument, all people who use cannabis, whether for pain, sleep, anxiety, or whatever, are deceiving themselves. They’re just doing it to get stoned, man.

Berenson emphasizes examples that he believes prove cannabis has been associated with mayhem and violence throughout

history,

but

he

doesn’t mention that there’s also a long history of it being used for medical and spiritual purposes, no matter their efficacy, for centuries.

He makes a substantial case that cannabis causes people to

Hey, I’m all for that, but when

commit horrifying crimes, and

you begin with the supposi-

he includes plenty of referenc-

tion that cannabis-as-medi-

es to his sources, but there’s

cine is bullshit, I get queasy.

neither a bibliography nor an

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 85

86 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

index. It felt a lot like the day I spent at Colorado Chris-

He brings up the gateway-drug argument—the one

tian College listening to eight hours of invective about

that says cannabis leads people to try other drugs. I have

the horrors inflicted by legalization in late 2017.

certainly read studies that suggest that, and others that

It’s not that Berenson is a bad reporter. Some chapters,

disagree. Are there people who use cannabis and go on

particularly the one on Ethan Nadelman, a weed advo-

to other drugs? Of course. But I would argue that Beren-

cate he admits he likes, and Nadelman’s relationship with

son’s “truths” are more correlation than actual causation.

philanthropist George Soros, are fascinating and instruc-

I know this fear comes from a legitimate concern for

tive. But his insistence that his is the only “truth” seriously

safety. Should we be apprehensive about what we don’t

undermines his entire tirade. He leaves out anything that

know? Of course. But if cannabis were decriminalized, as

doesn’t adhere to his point of view.

Berenson suggests as a “reasonable compromise,” would

He’s concerned about the higher concentrations of

the dangers go away? Would it be better that the millions

THC in today’s products. Yet instead of reminding us

of people who use it responsibly—or the underaged he’s

the FDA has restricted research on cannabis’ possible

concerned about—continue to buy it on the black market?

health benefits for decades, Berenson ridicules a Uni-

Berenson states, accurately, that five years after legal-

versity of Colorado scientist for studying the effects of

ization began in the US, the black market still exists, but

cigarettes rather than cannabis on mental illness, and

nobody I know in the cannabis industry promised or ex-

he seems oblivious to the fact that other CU researchers

pected it to disappear right away. If what he writes about

have been actively seeking funding and product to study

its dangers are true, this information needs to be out in the

the use of concentrates on young users for years.

open, not hidden somewhere on the far edges of legality.

Perhaps someday we will get a book that seriously examines all sides of cannabis’ potential and limitations.

Unfortunately, Tell Your Children isn’t it.

Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness and Violence Alex Berenson (Free Press 2019)

If what Berenson writes about cannabis is true, it needs to be out in the open, not hidden somewhere on the far edges of legality.

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 87

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90 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

NEAL CASSADY: CELEBRATING THE MAN OVER THE MYTH.

by L E L A N D R U C K E R

NEAL LEON CASSADY WOULD HAVE BEEN 93 YEARS OLD ON FEBRUARY 8. THE MAN WHO WOULD BECOME

the inspiration for the Dean Moriarity character

IN JACK KEROUAC’S ON THE ROAD, FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE OF ALLEN GINSBERG AND THE GRATEFUL DEAD, WHO WOULD DRIVE THE FURTHUR BUS ON KEN KESEY’S MERRY PRANKSTER JOURNEY, GREW UP IN DENVER’S CURTIS PARK/FIVE POINTS NEIGHBORHOOD. More than 50 years past his death, and almost 70 since

Mayor Michael Hancock has declared February 8 “Neal

he met Kerouac and Ginsberg, Cassady is a figure both

Cassady Day,” and musician David Amram, who knew

larger than life but becoming less recognized, especially

Cassady, and Jello Biafra will headline Friday’s Mercury

in his hometown, as the years pass. Which is what helped

Bash, along with poetry and reminiscences. On Saturday,

inspire the Neal Cassady Birthday Bash, celebrating its

there will be speakers and panel discussions in the af-

10th year on February 8 at the Mercury Café and February

ternoon and a screening of the documentary Neal Cas-

9 at the Alamo Drafthouse.

sady: The Denver Years that night, followed by a discussensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 91

92 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

sion with the film’s director, Heather Dalton, at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

Mark Bliesener has been part of the Bash since the beginning. Part of the reason for having it, he says, was that when traveling abroad, people would hear he was from Denver and ask about Neal Cassady or Larimer Street or

On the Road. “Then I would come home, and people here were kind of oblivious to a lot of it,” he says. “I thought that Denver should honor and acknowledge the fact that the most important pop-culture figure of the 20th century to ever come out of Colorado was Neal Cassady.”

That’s a bold statement, but made for a guy who has become so many things to so many people for so long, certainly not out of line. The images of Dean Moriarity in

On the Road or Cassady wildly gesticulating and talking nonstop while ferrying Kesey’s Pranksters across the country, memorialized in Tom Wolfe’s The Electric Kool-

Neal Cassady Birthday Bash The 10th Annual Neal Cassady Birthday Bash begins Friday, Feb. 8, with music, poetry and reminiscences celebrating Cassady’s life, and the David Amram Quartet and Jello Biafra headlining, 8 p.m., Mercury Café, 2199 California St. Tickets $25 at the door or from BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM .

Aid Acid Test and Alex Gibney’s Magic Trip documentary, are at least part of the filter we use when thinking of and interpreting the 1950s and the 1960s. More than anyone else save perhaps Ginsberg, Cassady bridged those two generations, and in the process became larger than life, misunderstood, and perhaps forever an enigma.

Neal Cassady was charming, intelligent enough to keep up with intellectuals like Ginsberg and Kerouac. He was also a con man who spent years as a child running the

The bash continues with a free event Sat., Feb. 9, 4 p.m.–6 p.m., featuring speakers, including Amram and Biafra, as well as poetry and panel discussions celebrating Cassady, at the Alamo Drafthouse/ Sloan’s Lake, 4255 W. Colfax Ave. At 7 p.m., the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will screen the documentary Neal Cassady: The Denver Years, followed by a discussion with director Heather Dalton. Tickets are $15 at the door or from DRAFTHOUSE.COM .

streets of Denver, had a family and worked on the railroad for a decade, did two years in prison, joined the Merry Pranksters, and died just before his 42nd birthday on February 4, 1968. Talk about outsized. He was portrayed twice by Nick Nolte in films. “Everything he did became a fictional character in someone else’s book,” says David Amram, a classical composer who worked with Dizzy Gillespie back in the 1950s, knew Cassady and the Beats well, and has appeared at earlier Bashes.

Ginsberg, Kerouac, and Cassady were among those who came of age in a period when media were changing dramatically, and they were tagged as “the Beat Generation,” after an early Kerouac work. The cultural period of history we remember today as “the sixties” didn’t start and end with the decade.

What happened in the 1950s and 1960s in American culture is part of a continuum, with Cassady as one of the uniting figures.

The reality, says Amram, is that “Jack was the person pulling the train. Neal was Jack’s hero. Everybody jumped on the bandwagon, and then it became Beat. The merchandizing and branding had nothing to do with what these guys are like.”

“He was a big kid himself” Cassady was born in Salt Lake City in 1926, but lived in Denver for much of his youth. After his parents sepa-

“Denver should honor and acknowledge the fact that the most important pop-culture figure of the 20th century to ever come out of Colorado was Neal Cassady.”

—Mark Bliesener, Mercury Bash sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 93

94 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

Cassady’s Denver: HOLY GHOST CHURCH, 1900 California St., where Cassady went to church and was baptized.

EBERT ELEMENTARY, 410 Park Ave. West, where he went to grade school.

LAWSON PARK, WELTON ST. AND PARK AVE. WEST, Cassady played ball here and Kerouac wrote a passage about it in On the Road.

2558 CHAMPA APARTMENT. Weird cramped apt. where he lived as a kid from 1930–32.

PURITAN PIES, 2601 Champa St. Cassady would get pies from the Puritan Pie Company when he lived on Champa.

ROSSONIAN HOTEL, 2650 Welton St. on Five Points intersection. Famous hotel that housed jazz musicians and where the Beats went to hear music.

MY BROTHER’S BAR, 2376 15th St. There’s a letter from Kerouac from the Colorado Reformatory asking a friend to pay a bill he owed at this beloved watering hole.

EXTRA CREDIT: Kerouac’s home, 6100 W. Center Ave. in Arvada where he lived for a short while.

rated when he was 10, he wound up with his alcoholic father, a truant and con-kid from the start. We know a lot about this period of history through Cassady’s only (posthumously) published work, The

First Third memoir.

His descriptions of Denver in the early 1940s are so foreign to someone today, he might be writing about a different place.

The long-gone fleabag Metropolitan Hotel at 227 16th St. is now in the shadow of soaring skyscrapers. And yet there are still places standing that represent some parts of Cassady’s life, “the skidrows, the hobo jungles, barbershops, and back streets…a

“Cassady’s description of that world has the quality of old silent movies—so quintessentially the somehow lonely Western experience of that vanished time.”

—Lawrence Ferlinghetti, The First Third

was clumsily erected in a tight space between two other buildings. There was room for two barber chairs in front—his father’s legal occupation—and the family huddled in the rear of the dwelling.

Clumsily so.

“In this sad little shop so filled with contention, Neal and Maude shared the last years of their pitiful marriage,” Cassady wrote. That little structure—I hesitate to call it a house—is perhaps emblematic of Cassady’s life: he was squeezed between differing realities, never realized his potential, and left this world young.

Cassady showed both sides of his

1930s America that exists today only in

character in high school. He was men-

forlorn bus stations in small, lost towns,”

tored by Denver educator Justin Brierly,

writes editor Lawrence Ferlinghetti in the

and encouraged to study and write. He

introduction to The First Third. “Cassady’s

showed promise, but Cassady continued

description of that world has the quality

his life of crime, and grew into a char-

of old silent movies—so quintessentially

ismatic figure, ruggedly handsome with

the somehow lonely Western experience

a serious gift for gab. Restless, he began

of that vanished time—Chaplin’s Tramp

traveling.

walking into the future,”.

He met Kerouac and Ginsberg in New

One of those places still looks much

York, both already known as writers,

as it did when his father rented it in late

and their friendship matured. They were

1930 near the southwest corner of 26th

as intrigued with Cassady as he was with

and Champa streets. The building itself

them, and when Kerouac began writing sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 95

96 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

an autobiographical novel about his travels, one of the key

got out, things were never quite the same. On parole, he

characters in his original scroll manuscript in 1951 was

couldn’t get his job back at the railroad. “When he came

Neal Cassady. The name was changed to Dean Moriarity

home in 1960, nobody would hire him, and he felt amazing

when the book was finally published in 1957. Both men

guilt and shame and he hated himself because he messed

grew up in the church, and Kerouac once described On

everything up.” Jami says. “He never recovered from that.”

the Road as “a story about two Catholic buddies roaming

Amram says there was even more going on at that time.

the country in search of God.”

“The thing that devastated him—even more than jail—is that

Meanwhile, Cassady married Carolyn in 1948 and

he did have writings that he put in a truck, and all of those

spent the next decade working on the railroad and rais-

things were stolen or lost,” he says. “When he was settled

ing his family. He was irresponsible and on the road

down with his kids, he tried to be a good family man, living

much of the time, but Carolyn and the family gave him

the life he never had as a kid chasing his father.”

some kind of base that still allowed him to keep in touch with his literary friends on the East Coast.

Carolyn divorced him in 1963, about the time he met Ken Kesey, who gave him a place in his lively band of wander-

“When you’re a child, there’s no way to really know

ers and, ultimately, a prime part in his psychedelic adven-

what my father and mother were doing,” says Jami Cas-

ture, the man at the helm of the Furthur school bus who

sady, Neal’s daughter, who lives near Santa Cruz, Cali-

drove all over the road and never stopped jabbering.

fornia. “He was home, and he worked on the Southern

Both Jami Cassady and Amram feel that once he joined

Pacific Railroad for 10 years.” Jami remembers her father

the Pranksters, he became little more than an entertainer, a sideshow, a methamphetamine-stoked clown, the fictional character some believed he was. “He had nothing to hold him accountable for his actions,” says Jami. “People housed him, and he did drugs, and they egged him on.”

back then as conscientious, proud of his work ethic, and that he had been selected as the conductor for President Eisenhower’s railroad campaign. “When he was gone, he always came back and took off again. He was a big kid himself,” she says. “He would just enjoy us so much. He could never discipline us. Mom was the bad girl.”

He drove the bus from California to the East Coast but

One thing Jami says people don’t know about her father

left after that. He began traveling even more, confiding

is that he was very spiritual. Brought up in the Catholic

to friends his remorse about messing up his life. He was

Church, baptized at Holy Ghost Church, he felt the signifi-

found unconscious on a railroad track in Mexico and died

cant pull and tug of sin, guilt, and redemption. ”Growing up

a few days later, four days shy of his 42nd birthday.

Catholic, if you do something wrong, you tell the guy and

The point of the Bash, says Amram, is to celebrate an ex-

you can do it again,” she says. “He had tremendous guilt.

traordinary man rather than the legend. “Sometimes the

His was a sad life, but inspirational. He had books written

reality is more interesting than the myth,” says Amram.

about him—what a character. He hated violence, anything

“Part of the job of those who knew anybody is to show the

like that around him. And such personality and wit.”

banality of the reality. It isn’t glamorous, but it is much

When her father was busted and imprisoned for two

more real and can inspire people to try to do something—

years for sharing marijuana with an undercover agent in

not for self glorification but to create something built to

1958, Carolyn told her children he was on a trip. When he

last. I feel good that I can do something for Neal.” sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 97

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SPEC IAL REPORT

A CANNABIS PLANT BY ANY OTHER NAME

100 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

Industrial hemp and psychoactive “marijuana” are the same plant, Cannabis sativa, bred and cultivated in very different ways. So, if hemp is now legal, shouldn’t “marijuana” be, too?

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

Perhaps the most remarkable thing ABOUT THE US CONGRESS LEGALIZING HEMP LATE LAST YEAR WAS HOW UNREMARKABLE IT WAS. LEGALIZATION OF HEMP AND ITS NON-PSYCHOACTIVE CANNABINOID CBD SAILED THROUGH THE HOUSE AND SENATE WITH RARE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AS PART OF THE 2018 FARM BILL, WHICH PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED INTO LAW WHILE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BORDER WALL. (TRUMP TURNED DOWN SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL’S OFFER TO LOAN HIM HIS HEMP PEN FOR THE OCCASION.) For hemp farmers and entrepreneurs in the Unit-

hemp foods and demand for CBD surged, more and more

ed States, it was a watershed moment. Already, 77,000

states established hemp programs, and production

acres of hemp are being cultivated under state protec-

soared in the United States.

tions (half of them in Colorado, which legalized hemp

For all that, the Farm Bill opened up a tangled and con-

in 2014), and 750 hemp-derived foods and supplements

fusing conversation when it put the US Agriculture De-

have flooded the $2 billion CBD market. Now, this na-

partment in charge of industrial hemp, which it defined

scent industry can operate under the full protection of

as cannabis with less than 0.3 percent THC; removed the

federal law, with access to critical infrastructure such

non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD from inclusion in

as insurance, banking, and tax write-offs it had been de-

the Controlled Substances Act; and continued the Food

nied under prohibition.

and Drug Administration’s oversight of products con-

“It’s time to figure it out and see where this market will

taining cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds.

take us,” McConnell, a Republican who hopes hemp will

Hemp cultivation had been illegal largely because au-

replace tobacco as a revenue source in his home state of

thorities in the United States couldn’t tell it apart from

Kentucky, told CNBC. “I think it’s an important new devel-

psychoactive “marijuana.” Before the bill passed, all

opment in American agriculture. There’s plenty of hemp

cannabis plants—even those that could not get anybody

around; it’s just coming from other countries. Why in the

high—had effectively been outlawed by the 1937 Marijua-

world would we want a lot of it to not come from here?”

na Tax Act, which was rammed through the House Ways

In 1999, the United States began allowing imports of

and Means Committee before members understood

hemp products with less than 0.3 percent of the psycho-

what they were doing. Most had not been informed that

active cannabinoid THC, and in the 2010s it began al-

marijuana, the scary “new” drug they’d been fed so much

lowing limited domestic cultivation of industrial hemp,

propaganda about, was in fact hemp, which people all

which was used to make everything from food and body

over the world had used as food and fiber for centuries.

care products to insulation. As consumers embraced

“That knowledge,” Robert Deitch wrote in Hemp: Amersensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 101

ican History Revisited, “would have killed the Marijuana Tax Act dead in its tracks.”

THE WORLD’S MOST MISUNDERSTOOD VEGETABLE “Surely no member of the vegetable kingdom has ever been more misunderstood than hemp,” David P. West wrote in a special report for the North American Industrial Hemp Council in 1998. “And nowhere have emotions run hotter than the debate over the distinction between industrial hemp and marijuana.”

Though they serve vastly different functions, don’t look alike, and are often referred to as “cousins,” industrial hemp and psychoactive “marijuana” are actually the same plant, Cannabis sativa, bred and cultivated in very different ways. For centuries, cannabis farmers have understood that when cannabis plants grow close together, they get less sunlight and produce longer fiber-producing stems and no psychoactive resin. To produce plants full of sticky flowers, farmers sow seeds farther apart to give each plant more sunlight and force them to secrete more resin to protect themselves from drying out.

When distinguishing between the two types of cannabis plants became important as stricter drug laws were enacted worldwide in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Canadian researcher Ernest Small somewhat randomly tossed out a formula—hemp has less than 0.3 percent THC—that, for no real reason other than his authority as a renowned ethnobotanist became the internationally accepted standard written into most legislation outlawing marijuana.

Small was merely continuing a taxonomical conversation that dates back to Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus, who in 1753 introduced Cannabis sativa, a resilient, prolific plant species he named after the Greek word kannabis, meaning “hemp,” and sativa, meaning “cultivated.” When Linnaeus recorded the plant, he documented one species with five variants, launching a debate that rages to this day.

Thirty years after Linnaeus recorded C. sativa, French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck introduced what he described as a second “very distinct” species, C. indica, based on plant samples from India. Unlike the tall, lanky

C. sativa (hemp) common in Europe, Lamarck described C. indica as smaller and more densely branched, with consistently alternating leaves and a woodier stem that made the plant unsuitable for making fiber. Lamarck believed there were two separate species of cannabis,

Chanvre cultive (“cultivated hemp”) and Chanvre des Indes (“Indian cannabis”), which he believed was valued more for its psychoactive effects than its fiber.

102 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

A Nutritional Powerhouse Through the Ages Traditionally eaten as a staple food by people in the lower classes, nutritious hemp seeds carried Chinese peasants through times of famine and were the foundation for a gritty peanut butter-type preparation that carried Europeans through long winters. Every Russian and Polish household kept a store of hemp seeds and hemp seed oil in the pantry. Russians commonly bruised and roasted the seeds, mixed them with salt, and spread them onto slabs of crusty bread. When major famines under the Soviets made beef and pork nearly impossible to come by, people survived on hemp seed oil as a major source of edible protein. In Poland, stewed hemp seed porridge was subsistence food in monasteries, military barracks, and among poor people.

The soft, white kernels inside cannabis seeds’ hard shells produce high-protein oil high in essential fatty acids (EFAs), phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, zinc, carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), tocopherols (major antioxidants that include the vitamin E group), 30 thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin B6, chlorophyll, sulfur, phosphorus, phosphosolipids, and phytosterols.

Cannabis is the only current natural food source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which affects vital metabolic roles ranging from control of inflammation and vascular tone to hormone balancing.

Cannabis seeds have extremely low THC content and taste creamy and nutty, without the bitterness of the plant material. They can be shelled and eaten like sunflower seeds or ground into a powder for snacking and cooking.

They’re high in roughage and easily digestible edestin protein, which is likely why they became a staple for healing digestive issues in Traditional Chinese Medicine and other healing modalities.

The seeds’ ideal 1:3 ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs provides more of these compounds—which are called “essential” because they must come from a source outside the body—than fish.

Cannabis seeds are high in linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, which are difficult to come by in Western diets and act as raw materials for cell structure and as biosynthesis precursors for many of the body’s regulatory biochemicals.

“The principal effect of this plant consists of going to the head, disrupting the brain, where it produces a sort of drunkenness that makes one forget one’s sorrows, and produces a strong gaiety,” Lamarck wrote, making him the first to suggest a distinction between two separate cannabis species based on C. indica’s psychoactive effects.

In a Cannabinoids 2014 article, Jacob L. Erkelens and Arno Hazenkamp explained that Lamarck’s purpose in classifying C. indica as a separate species was to provide a more generally acceptable description of cannabis. “Unfortunately, the long-term effects of his publication would turn out to do the exact opposite,” they wrote, “and well over two hundred years later we are still left in confusion.”

ONE SPECIES OR TWO? In 1893, the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission conducted one of the most thoroughly investigated, comprehensive studies of cannabis use and culture ever, and commissioners spent considerable time and energy investigating the long-burning question of whether the narcotic-yielding plant (later known as “marijuana”) was identical to the non-narcotic fiber-yielding plant (later known as “hemp’). They surmised, quite presciently, that inquiring into the longstanding argument about wheth-

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 103

er C. indica and C. sativa were one species or two would

ernment has bestowed its blessings upon C. sativa and

be important in the future because of the possibility that

suggest that the plant is legal, regardless of how it grows

“the restriction of the production of the narcotic by lim-

and what it’s grown for? I’m pretty sure we could find a

iting the cultivation may affect a product and an indus-

few botanists who would stand behind that.

try which are above suspicion.”

The commission based its findings on studies by botanical researcher Dr. J.M. Watt, who concluded, “With

Cannabis indica differing in so marked a degree accord-

It’s time to revive this debate.

ROBYN GRIGGS LAWRENCE’S new book, Pot in Pans: A History of Eating Cannabis, will be published by Rowman & Littlefield in May.

ing to the climate, soil, and mode of cultivation, it was rightly concluded that its separation from the hemp plant of Europe could not be maintained.” Watt compared the hemp plant to potatoes, tobacco, and poppies, all of which “seem to have the power of growing with equal luxuriance under almost any climatic condition, changing or modifying some important function as if to adapt themselves to the altered circumstances.”

His opinions were replicated by Dr. D. Prain, who observed: “There are no botanical characters to separate the Indian plant from Cannabis sativa, and they do not differ as regard the structure of stem, leaves, flowers, or fruit. … Hemp, therefore, as a fibre-yielding plant in no way differs from hemp as a narcotic-producing one.”

Well, hello. Couldn’t we—shouldn’t we—take this debate to its next logical conclusion now that the US gov-

www.mountainhighsuckers.com | (303) 733-3957 | info@mountainhighsuckers.com 104 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 105

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sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 107

THE ADJUSTATORIUM

Reviving Alternative Ways of Healing MEDICAL CANNABIS ACCESS HAS BROADENED INTEREST IN WHAT OTHER ESTABLISHED WELLNESS METHODS CAN OFFER.

There’s been a subtle change in the pursuit of wellness over the last 10 years.

Maybe it’s the fact that more people are taking a more proactive interest in their health. Maybe it’s the use of

is creating billions of chemical reactions per second. All of those chemical reactions, every function of the body, has to be coordinated by a master system, and that is the nervous system.

medicinal cannabis as an alternative medicine helping

“The nervous system is surrounded by the spinal col-

people understand and tune in to their body. But they

umn,” he says. “If your spinal cord is not functioning prop-

are seeking better health, wherever it can be found.

erly—if it is being impinged by spinal bones or muscles—

Another alternative health option being explored by

then your body simply cannot function properly. And so

people seeking clarity in mind, body, and soul is chiro-

that is the purpose of chiropractic—freeing you up from

practic. And sure, cannabis can create a relaxing mind-

that source of interference so you function better.”

set for a chiropractic experience. They work together well, but with a caveat.

Marchman says that he will be expanding his practice “quite a bit,” and now has hundreds of people un-

Dr. Ryan Marchman, a chiropractor who founded

der care. He is growing the animal practice side more

and operates The Adjustatorium in Boulder for both

quickly and is doing the same type of manual chiro-

humans and animals, is a master of both Eastern and

practic adjustments for horses, dogs, and cats that he

Western techniques and philosophies, including qi-

does for humans. “The dog has a spine just like yours, all

gong, reiki, Polarity technique, Tibetan Shamanic heal-

the same bones, same nervous system, but shaped a

ing, and metaphysics.

little differently,” he says.

He cautions that THC may not be the best thing to

Animals are a lot easier to work with than people,

consume before an adjustment. “I actually don’t en-

he says, because they don’t have the “mental chatter”

courage people to use THC before an adjustment,” he

that people have. “People get sick and start telling the

says. “Psychoactive chemicals have their medicinal ben-

story of how they have had a sickness or symptom for

efit for sure, but they interfere with the function of the

15 years and nothing can be done about it,” Marchman

nervous system,” he says. “I want the nervous system

says. “They are much harder to heal than animals be-

clear when they are in the office.”

cause they hold onto their stories.”

Instead, he says, CBD is better, and he recommends

You should think of the body as a functional system,

it with animals he treats because it helps calm them

he says. “We want to measure your health based on

down and reduces their pain.

how well you function day to day. We want to make

Chiropractic has been dismissed by the medical community for years, he says, but is now finding greater

sure that you can get on the mountain and ski or do whatever fulfills you.”

acceptance because there is more interest in all-body wellness, and because it is based on simple truths about how the body functions. “Your body is made of trillions of cells, and each one of those cells is a little chemical factory,” Marchman explained. “Each one of those cells 108 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

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FRANKLIN GROUP

One Size Doesn’t Fit All DEVELOPING MORE PRODUCTS WITH DIFFERENT CBD/THC RATIOS IS FRANKLIN GROUP’S KEY TO SUCCESS.

Franklin Group is one of the companies in the can-

of THC and variable ratio levels of THC and CBD, in both

nabis industry that has been evolving to better serve

gummies and tablets, all to meet the individual needs

customers at a faster rate than most, with more choices

of consumers.

that consumers are beginning to demand.

Altus has a 7,000-square-foot research-and-manufac-

The company has expertise in multiple areas of the

turing facility in Colorado, and another 5,000-square-

cannabis business, including cultivation, manufactur-

foot manufacturing and 2,500-square-foot grow in

ing, retail, license applications, joint ventures, and more,

Nevada, which features a triple-stack cultivation setup,

as well as a number of medically affiliated partnerships.

where cultivators are able to move upwards of 200–250

The founder and chairman of Franklin Group, Andy

dry pounds of harvest in a relatively small space.

Weiss, a former dispensary owner, began the company

The company began by doing its own extraction,

at the advent of medical cannabis in Colorado in the

Richman says, but now has a partnership with one

early 2000s. Franklin Group began operations manufac-

of the premium distillate manufacturers in Colorado.

turing a series of recreational cannabis mints under the

Franklin also has just developed a partnership with

Lucky Edibles brand.

Double Bear Concentrates under their Lucky Brands

But they began noticing something else. “There was

recreational product, which will be producing a full line

an underserved population in the wellness side of the

of concentrates, including waxes and shatter products.

business, the therapeutic users and those who used dif-

Richman says that seniors are an untapped market—

ferent combinations of CBD and THC,” says Josh Rich-

in Pennsylvania, 28 percent of their clientele is over

man, chief marketing officer for Franklin Group, which

50—but that group is still a bit reluctant to get involved.

includes another brand manufacturer, Altus. They also

“People are believers in the potential of CBD or a CBD/

launched Beyond Hello, a national retail brand and

THC product, but they don’t trust the source and re-

consumer experience, Altus Cx, new, direct-to-con-

ally don’t trust the dispensary models,” he says. “We

sumer CBD brand, and Cquell, a specialty skincare line

have work to do as an industry to reach out to this ba-

(Cquell). “What we did when we launched Altus, a can-

by-boomer community.”

nabis wellness brand, was to focus on keeping variances well below allowable levels, below 10 percent.”

They discovered that people wanted that variety.

“We looked at how people used this wellness product in multiple ways,” Richman says. “You can use it for a lower-back problem during the day, and maybe later at night for an entirely different purpose, and have two entirely different products. A lot of the industry does not think like this.”

He said that they created 15 different SKUs, or products, with variances ranging from five to 10 milligrams 112 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

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HYBRID PAYROLL

Finding Solutions for Working with Banks HYBRID PAYROLL SERVICES HELP THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY OPERATE LIKE ANY GROWING BUSINESS. Banking in the cannabis industry continues to be a sticking point in every state where medical and recreational have been legalized. There are slow changes underway, but most owners agree that real change can’t happen until federal legislation changes and banks begin working with cannabis companies.

It’s not just the sales transactions in the cannabis business that are affected by banking restrictions—it goes to the core operations of the business itself, such as payroll and insurance.

One company that has jumped into this aspect of the business is Hybrid Payroll, also known as Ms. Mary Staffing. CEO and founder Stephen Sullivan saw and reacted to an evolving need. “When I started Ms. Mary

Sullivan finds banks to work with through a tri-

Staffing in 2014, providing primarily staffing service, I

al-and-error process; some get interested and go for-

noticed that businesses were also looking for help in

ward, and some get interested, then pull out. He says

payroll,” Sullivan says. “The large payroll solutions ser-

that he reaches out to banks that appear to be inter-

vices like ADP and other payroll companies wouldn’t

ested in serving the industry, and works on developing

touch the cannabis industry.”

a state-specific relationship with them. “I just build on

Sullivan then developed a program for the industry

the banks that want to work with us, adding different

about payroll services, and restructured Ms. Mary Staff-

bank accounts in each state, with Colorado banks hav-

ing in 2017, renaming it Hybrid Payroll. The company

ing Colorado clients.”

offers payroll software and helps set up worker’s com-

Hybrid Payroll, headquartered in Denver with a staff

pensation, health, dental, vision, and life-insurance pro-

of 12, offers full payroll solutions to cannabis business-

grams for clients and employees. The company is also

es in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada,

working to develop human-resources offerings as a sort

and Maryland. He is setting up now in Oklahoma. “Okla-

of one-stop-shop for HR solutions.

homa was not quite on my radar,” Sullivan says. “But

“Hybrid” is a popular term in the payroll industry, he

we began getting a lot of leads there, so we went after

says, meaning that there is a combination of in-source

that. And we are looking at other East Coast states that

services (such as self-service features, and improving pay-

have legalized.”

check accuracy with automated solutions) and outsourcing tasks (such as payroll tax filing and garnishments).

The word operates as a sort of double-entendre for the cannabis business as well, Sullivan says. “Hybrid

Sullivan says he is in the process of raising capital to staff up and expand into the East Coast market, plus go to the existing medical markets that are going to expand into recreational sales soon.

Payroll is geared towards non-cannabis and cannabis businesses alike, while Ms. Mary Staffing is strictly for the cannabis business,” he says.

116 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

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SHARP SOLUTIONS

Licensed Cannabis Transit Hits its Stride SHARP SOLUTIONS IS CREATING A SPOKE-AND-WHEEL DISTRIBUTION MODEL FOR MORE EFFICIENT CANNABIS DELIVERY.

Amy Sharp, entrepre-

Sharp was one of the first to apply for and get a se-

neur-on-the-lookout, was

cure transportation license from the state. Her courier

introduced to the can-

business also operates as a wholesale and distribution

nabis business when her

channel, but it’s focused as a transit company, she says.

husband,

Devin

Sharp,

On the distribution avenue, the company is expand-

opened one of the first

ing rapidly to other areas of Colorado. The license allows

cannabis dispensaries in

them to hold and soon store wholesale cannabis prod-

Colorado in 2009. She

uct as a third party for up to seven days. “We are creat-

continues as a strong ad-

ing a spoke-and-wheel model throughout the state—a

vocate for the industry today and is trying her hand at sort-

distribution wheel,” she says. Sharp Solutions will be ac-

ing out the development of a cannabis transit business.

tively rolling out that distribution model in 2019.

In 2013, she decided to enter the cannabis industry as

One of the obstacles she has had to deal with in de-

a provider of digital signage and advertising, then even-

veloping her business is maintaining a solid sales team,

tually ventured into cannabis wholesaling by launch-

she says. “I want to operate independently with stra-

ing Equal Exchange Fair Trade Cannabis, essentially a

tegic partners rather than with internal partners,” she

cannabis courier and wholesale company. For that, the

says. The transit company currently employs five drivers

state of Colorado required her to have a third-party li-

and wholesale consultants, along with a dispatch man-

cense to move and transport the medical and recre-

ager, Georgia Forsee, and logistics manager, Nick Cox.

ational product from the client.

Sharp says that Sharp Solutions is focused on the

The Colorado General Assembly created a retail mari-

East Coast for expansion, with some new platforms. “I

juana transporter license and a medical marijuana trans-

am from Florida, so I got my eye on Florida, watching as

porter license in 2016 (HB16-1211). The license is valid

they develop more regulations there,” she says.

for two years. The state licensing authority began taking

Sharp would like to jump into other East Coast mar-

applications on January 1, 2017. According to the bill, a li-

kets early, such as Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. “I

censed marijuana transporter provides logistics, distribu-

like to go in and scope out the territory to see what is

tion, and storage of marijuana and marijuana products. A

going on,” she says. “So we want to stay on top of regu-

transporter may contract with multiple businesses.

lations as they develop.”

It gives the state licensing authority the ability to cre-

Sharp expects to be in eight or 10 states across the

ate rules for transporter licensed businesses, including

country by the end of 2019, as she continues to develop

requirements for drivers, and details about obtaining

the company’s technology platforms.

and maintaining a valid Colorado driver’s license; insurance requirements; acceptable time frames for transport, storage, and delivery; requirements for transport vehicles; and requirements for licensed premises.

120 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

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As the cannabis industry grows, so does the number of professionals within it, acting as incredible sources of insider info on the trends and issues driving the marketplace forward.

The Sensi Advisory Board is comprised of select industry leaders in a variety of fields, from compliance and education to concentrates and cultivation. They are invited to share specialized insight in this dedicated section. This month, we hear from a member in the CBG Products category.

FOR A FULL LIST OF ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS, SEE THE MASTHEAD ON PAGE 18.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CBD AND CBG

by A M Y G L I M , H E M P I N D U S T RY W R I T E R CBG, one of the many chemical compounds found in cannabis, is the mother cannabinoid, or “stem molecule” of CBD, THC, and CBC. In other words, it transforms into either CBD or THC when environmental enzymatic processes shift the plant’s chemical compounds. Like CBD, CBG is non-psychoactive.

other cannabinoids. Let’s learn about the potential benefits on its own as well as a complement to CBD.

CBG and Research Phytocannabinoids are being researched to learn more about how they interact with and can benefit the human

Why is that important? Your endocannabinoid system

endocannabinoid system. Studies include isolating dif-

helps keep your body in balance and running smoothly,

ferent cannabinoids to see how effective they are on their

but there’s a caveat. It needs to be fed. Consuming Omega-3

own as well as how different cannabinoids work together,

and Omega-6 fatty acids in the correct ratio can give your

known as the entourage effect. In research, isolated CBG is

system what it needs, but our modern diets often don’t give

showing up as a powerful medicine.

us enough to feed the receptors. Which is where phytocannabinoids, which occur in the cannabis plant, come in.

(Endocannabinoids occur naturally in our bodies.)

Cannabis To The Rescue

Pre-Clinical Study Successes Studies in mice have shown that CBG and CBD, along with other cannabinoids, show promise in helping bone-marrow growth, slowing tumor growth, and reduc-

Both hemp and marijuana are cannabis plants. Hemp is

ing ocular pressure in glaucoma patients. CBG “showed

known for producing the non-psychoactive phytocanna-

potent activity” in addressing highly resistant bacteria

binoid CBD, and marijuana is known for its psychoactive

strains, and CBG was found to be the most effective can-

counterpart, delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol, or THC. Both

nabinoid when it comes to aiding bladder control. Canna-

molecules begin with CBG.

binoids can also help reduce pain and inflammation, and

CBG isn’t as well known as CBD and THC, but without it,

studies have shown CBG to be effective in dealing with

CBD and THC wouldn’t exist, and neither would a host of

skin issues, including psoriasis. Other studies suggest

124 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

shows promise in promoting neuron growth, slowing bacteria lifespan, relieving inflammation, reducing seizures and convulsions, promoting bone growth, and increasing appetite.

If you are dealing with chronic issues such as reducing seizures and convulsions, you’ll want to experiment with dose and which cannabinoids work best for your body.

Remember, every body is different. CBG helps some people sleep, while it energizes others, so again, you’ll have to experiment. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. You’re unique, just like everybody else.

Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Full spectrum means the oil contains the entire range of cannabinoids available. This combination can help with depression, sleep, anxiety, and pain. Look into it to help with symptoms of diabetes. We hear stories about life improvements in so many areas.

Now that you know a little bit more about CBD and CBG, you can start to experiment for yourself. There are several ways to supplement your daily routine with cannabinoids.

Some methods work faster than others.

Ingestion Methods It’s easy to add CBD or CBG to your life. You can take it orally, smoke it, vape it, rub it on, or bathe in it. that CBG clears the THC receptors, so if you’ve overin-

CBD oil: Add it to food or smoothies or place it directly

dulged or need to come down quickly, CBG is your friend.

under your tongue and hold there for 60 seconds. It usually

Experiment for Yourself It’s understandable that CBD, CBG, and cannabinoids sound like the latest version of a traveling medicine show.

starts to work within the hour.

CBG oil, 20-to-1 CBD to CBG ratio: The CBG adds additional benefits and makes the CBD last longer. Use it the same way you use CBD oil.

They are touted as the answer to everything. But, there’s

CBD or CBG isolate: This is pure CBD or CBG separated

an easy way to find out the truth, and that is to experiment.

from other cannabinoids in the hemp plant. Make your

If you suffer from pain, anxiety, or any number of more

own products, or if you like, enjoy flavorless dabs.

severe conditions, talk with your doctor and try adding

CBD shatter: Also known as a concentrate, shatter is CBD

CBD, CBG, or both, to your regimen. Depending on what

isolate infused with terpenes. It comes in many forms,

you’re treating, relief may come delightfully quicker than

including Blueberry OG, Watermelon, Pineapple Express,

you expect, or it might take some time. Be patient and see

Girl Scout Cookies, and Terpin Gorilla. Shatter is smoked,

how plants can help you.

either on a rig or added to your favorite smoke mix.

How Do I Find What I Need?

distillate for use in your vape pen.

Deciding which product will work best for you depends on what you’re looking for. You want to be sure you work

CBD vape oil: This is usually made from full-spectrum CBD pain cream: This simply relieves sore muscles, headaches, and joints. Rub some on and feel the relief.

your way up to a high enough dose to feel the benefits. In

CBD bath bombs: Slip into a tub filled with tepid water

other words, start slowly, add more every few days, and

and a 100mg CBD bath bomb, and you’ll feel like you’re on

don’t quit too soon.

vacation. Also, it’s fun to watch it dissolve.

Short-term, CBG can be useful for times when you want

If you’re looking to be more relaxed, less stressed and

to focus and need sustained energy. It’s also been known

want an overall general feeling of calm most of the time,

to lift one’s mood, always a nice bonus. Long-term, CBG

perhaps CBD or CBG could work for you. sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 125

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{HereWeGo } recipe by M I K E D e L AO

128 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder

MAKE IT CHEESECLOTH PHOTO BY POVY KENDAL ATCHISON FOR THE CANNABIS KITCHEN COOKBOOK

Recipe for Cannabis, Hempseed, and Coconut Oil.

Mike DeLao adds nutty hempseed oil to his coconut oil

STEP 3: Place cheesecloth inside strainer and pour coco-

extractions because it’s easily digestible, is full of essen-

nut oil through while still warm to catch cannabis solids.

tial amino acids and essential fatty acids, and has antiox-

Squeeze every last bit of oil out of cheesecloth and com-

idant and anti-inflammatory properties. Mike often eats

post cannabis solids.

a teaspoon of this oil straight or blends it into smoothies.

STEP 4: While coconut oil is still warm, pour in hemp oil

Because hemp oil has a low smoke point, it could burn if

and stir well with wooden spoon to combine.

left to simmer for hours.

STEP 5: Pour into labeled airtight jar and store in refriger-

Mike stirs in the hemp oil after he’s infused the coconut oil with fresh cannabis flowers and sugar leaf trim in the crockpot for eight hours. (You could use one ounce of flowers for more potent oil or two ounces of trim for less potency.) Mike makes this infusion in a crockpot on low

ator for up to six months.

Reprinted with permission from The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook

by Robyn Griggs Lawrence (CANNABISKITCHENCOOKBOOK.COM )

setting. Every crockpot is different, so watch the infusion carefully. You can use a candy thermometer to make sure it doesn’t get hotter than 200° Fahrenheit. This recipe makes about 1 ³⁄₄ cups of oil.

INGREDIENTS

• ½ oz. cannabis flowers, finely ground • ½ oz. cannabis sugar leaf trim, finely ground • 1cup coconut oil • 6 oz. organic cold-pressed hempseed oil UTENSILS

• crockpot • fine mesh strainer • cheesecloth • airtight jar INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: Place coconut oil and cannabis in crockpot. As

coconut oil warms and melts, stir cannabis into oil with a wooden spoon. Set crockpot on low.

STEP 2: Simmer for 8 hours, stirring occasionally. sensimag.com FEBRUARY 2019 129

130 FEBRUARY 2019 Denver // Boulder