Sensi Magazine - Emerald Triangle (April 2019)

EMERALD TRIANGLE

THE NEW NORMAL

BETWEEN HEAVEN EARTH

&

History & Hiking in Klamath

Comida in Ferndale Tacos & Sangria at Tuyas

Elegant Edibles A Cookbook for the Modern Kitchen

{plus}

THE MENDOCINO CENTER FOR LIVING WELL A HEALTHY GETAWAY

4.2019

sensimag.com APRIL 2019 3

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ISSUE 3 // VOLUME 1 // 4.2019

FEATURES 36

SP EC IAL R EP OR T

CBDo or CBDon’t?

When it comes to cannabidiol, confusion reigns supreme. We’re going back to basics to clear it up for you.

42 Pot In Pans

Why the history of eating cannabis matters.

22 AMERICANA GETS CLASSY The Diver Bar & Grill puts down roots

every issue WHERE THE RIVER MEETS THE SEA A unique getaway at The Historic Requa Inn

30

9 Editor’s Note 10 The Buzz 14 NewsFeed

EMERALD IN THE ROUGH

18 CrossRoads

YOUR RIGHT TO PARTY

22 TasteBuds

THE DIVER HOLDS IT DOWN

26 AroundTown

COMIDA Y CANTINA

30 TravelWell

A NIGHT BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH

50 HereWeGo

MIND, BODY, AND SOUL

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

sensimag.com APRIL 2019 7

sensi magazine ISSUE 3 / VOLUME 1 / 4.2019

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

sensimediagroup

EDITORIAL Stephanie Wilson stephanie@sensimag.com EDITOR IN CHIEF

Nora Mounce nora.mounce@sensimag.com MANAGING EDITOR, SENSI EMERALD TRIANGLE

Leland Rucker leland.rucker@sensimag.com SENIOR EDITOR

Robyn Griggs Lawrence CONTRIBUTING EDITOR sensimagazine

Dr. Angie McCartney COLUMNIST

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

Rheya Tanner, Wendy Mak, Josh Clark em@sensimag.com sensimag

DESIGN & LAYOUT

BUSINESS & A D M I N I S T R AT I V E Lelehnia DuBois lelehnia.dubois@sensimag.com PUBLISHER

Tad Sarvinski tad.sarvinski@sensimag.com Shannon Golightly shannon.golightly@sensimag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Amber Orvik amber.orvik@sensimag.com

Protecting Our Watershed Know Your Farmer

CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR

Andre Velez andre.velez@sensimag.com MARKETING DIRECTOR

Hector Irizarry distribution@sensimag.com DISTRIBUTION

M E D I A PA RT N E R S

humboldtredwoodhealing.com

Humboldt Redwood Healing

@humboldtredwoodhealing

Lic. TML17-0000760 TML18-0003630 TML18-0004388 TML18-0004388

8 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

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

CELEBRATING

NOTE

FOG & FLOWERS

ADVISORY BOARD Coldwell Banker Sellers, Sandi DeLuca // REAL ESTATE

Canna-Envy //

editor’s

DIY CANNABIS

April will likely bring more showers to the rain-

soaked Emerald Triangle, but with the 4/20 holiday around the

corner, it will definitely be a celebration of flowers. In Humboldt,

Forever Found //

EMERALD TRIANGLE CULTURAL EXPERT

be sure to stop by the Emerald Triangle’s first Sensi Night on

Hendrx Farms // CANNABIS NURSERY

April 19 at Forever Found Humboldt (109 5th St, Eureka). On

Humboldt Patient Resource Center // DISPENSARY

Humboldt Redwood Healing // Humboldt SWAG //

COMMUNITY

BRAND MANAGEMENT

Kathleen Bryson, Attorney // KC Financial Services //

LAW OFFICE

ACCOUNTING

The Kingdom Group, Inc. // SECURITY

April 20, the celebration continues with Forever Found’s ‘Prohibition is Over’ party, featuring the legendary Don Carlos, Object Heavy and Woven Root. Doors open at 3 p.m., $25.

For good daytime vibes, pop into the grand re-opening of Arcata’s oldest headshop at Pacific Paradise (1087 H Street, Arcata).

And don’t miss the friendly competition during The Run-Up where “Runners” play along by following #therunnerup on IG to score swag and giveaways from participating businesses. Throughout the weekend, jump on a tour with Humboldt Cannabis Tour-

Magna Wealth Business Services //

sand on Saturday, board The Good Bus for VIP shuttle service

Mountainwise Farms //

DJs, The Good Bus is always ready to celebrate!

BUSINESS MANAGMENT

Redwood Roots //

TOPICALS

DISTRIBUTION

SoHum Royal // MIXED LIGHT FARMING Southern Humboldt Business & Visitors Bureau // TOURISM Sunnabis //

SUN GROWN CANNABIS

Talismans Analytics // ULEVA //

LAB TESTING

HEMP PRODUCTS

Wildseed, LLC. //

CO2 EXTRACTION

between Eureka and Arcata. With its rooftop party deck and live The last weekend of April, Eureka offers family-friendly fun during the inaugural Salt + Fog Fish Fest. On April 26, festivities kick off with the Fish Out of Water Pub Crawl, a self-guided tour of Old Town Eureka’s best watering holes. Wrap up with a nightcap at the historic Eureka Theater (612 F Street) with a screening of Jaws—didn’t we warn you about the sharks up north?

On April 27, get a taste of the Queen City of Salt + Fog with a chowder cookoff or jump on The Madaket, Humboldt’s own “cruise ship,” for a tour of the bay. On April 28, the Fish Out of Water 5K starts at 10 a.m. along Eureka’s newly developed waterfront trail. In addition to the nautical festivities, the historic Tall Ships, The Lady Washington and The Hawaiian Chieftain, will be docked in the bay. The magnificent vessels visit Eureka each April, inviting spectators to watch their battle sail and even step aboard for historic tours.

What a month to celebrate!

Nora Mounce

M ANAG I NG E D I TO R

SENSI EMERALD TRIANGLE

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EDIBLES: Small Bites for the Modern Cannabis Kitchen A professionally trained chef with a background in

Strawberry Shortcake, and Black Sesame—is designed to

food writing and photography, Stephanie Hua found a

bring a small dose of pleasure and style into everyday life.

tasty niche in the cannabis industry with Mellows, her

“With the influx of potential first-timers who are new

whimsical line of gourmet, cannabis-infused marshmal-

to edibles, a low-dose option is so important,” says

lows. Stylishly packaged Mellows are a labor of love, with

Hua. “We’re here to provide the information and means

each batch whipped, cut, and decorated by hand in San

for people who are canna-curious to dabble, enjoy re-

Francisco. Each infused marshmallow contains a mild 5

sponsibly, and have a great experience,” she adds.

milligrams of THC, an “approachable” potency for both

Hua’s most recent creative project incorporates the

the canna-curious and seasoned consumers. (Mellows

savory side of cannabis cuisine with the publication of

go down easy, so those who can handle it can eat a few!)

Edibles: Small Bites for the Modern Cannabis Kitchen,

After founding the company in 2015, Hua voluntarily

published by Chronicle Books in November 2018. With

catered to low-dose consumers years before California

support from Coreen Carroll of the Cannasseur Series

state regulations capped THC at 10 milligrams per serv-

and photos by Linda Xiao, the cookbook offers 30 unique,

ing. Every Mellow—flavors include Brown Butter Sage,

low-dose recipes designed for a wide range of skills and

10 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

(Continued on p.12)

sensimag.com APRIL 2019 11

preferences. Opening with a step-by-step guide, Edibles instructs readers on how to make infused coconut oil, butter, and maple syrup, while also explaining the benefits of cannabinoids and how to decarboxylate your bud (a must!). Hua also details the many benefits of ingesting cannabis as a preferred delivery system and gives readers basic tips on calculating dosage.

Flipping through the beautifully styled recipes, the underlying message is inspirational, encouraging, and just a touch sassy: “Let’s make some tasty edibles, and let’s not f#$* up our friends,” and “Think of cannabis as a spice and season with intention,” are a few of Hua’s memorable takeaways.

Focusing on sweet and savory bites, the cookbook is

flavor of homemade canna coconut oil. Dressed-up ver-

comprised mainly of snacks and appetizers, sprinkled

sions of DIY Nutella and Green Eggs & Ham eggy bites

with nostalgic numbers like the mini Cherry Cheese-

will send you running to your kitchen, while more ad-

cakes and a sturdy recipe for Duck Meatball Sliders. A

venturous dishes like Hua’s Black Sesame & Raspberry

stunning Roasted Beet Hummus is the ruby-colored

Cupcakes and Gruyère & Green Garlic Gougères are best

star of beautiful plate of crudités, showcasing the earthy

saved for special occasions.

As a home cook who has most certainly f#&8’ed up a few friends (more often, myself), I found Hua’s straightforward and stylish cookbook perfect for anyone curious about going green in the kitchen. Take her advice—and mine— to “start low, and go slow” as you learn to mix and match various potencies of THC and CBD. And until you’re ready to put on an apron, flipping through Edibles makes for an inspiring evening of armchair cooking from the comfort of your living room.

Bon appetit!

12 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

–Nora Mounce

BooneyAcres@gmail.com www.BooneyAcres.com LCA18-0002181

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{newsfeed }

by O C E A N M A L A N D R A

EMERALD IN THE ROUGH Welcoming cannabis tourists to Humboldt.

14 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM ARMANINO, COURTESY OF ELEVATE THE MAGIC

Cannabis has also driven some of the most creative elements of America’s counterculture movement in terms of PHOTO COURTESY OF HUMBOLDT CANNABIS TOURS

art, music, progressive politics, sustainable agriculture and

2018 was a prodigious year for the Emerald Triangle.

Not only did California officially legalize recreational cannabis, the backbone of the area’s economy and cornerstone of its culture, but travel titan Lonely Planet named the Redwood Coast the number one destination in the United States.

holistic health—all are on full display in Humboldt County. Add the pristine ancient forests, wilderness, coastlines, historic small towns, and the living jewels we call rivers, and what emerges is a cannabis tourism destination simply without compare.

Recognizing the rare and special qualities of life in the Emerald Triangle, the Southern Humboldt Business & Visitors Bureau (SHBVB) has kicked off its Elevate the Magic campaign, branding the region as America’s Cannabis Heartland. On its website, the SHBVB produces high-quality video profiles of local Southern Humboldt (known colloquially as SoHum) farms, such as Alpenglow, Huckleberry Hill, and Lady Sativa. The footage showcases

The two events equal a potential so huge that comparisons of cannabis tourism to Napa Valley’s famous wine country are now the talk of the town. Like wine, cannabis is a pleasantly intoxicating substance with millions of aficionados. But unlike alcohol, cannabis is also highly medicinal and at the heart of countless miracle stories.

For anyone who has personally experienced or watched a relative or friend overcome epilepsy or MS, get off opioid painkillers, or beat cancer with the help of ganja, it’s a plant to be revered. sensimag.com APRIL 2019 15

“ON-SITE CONSUMPTION PERMITS WILL ALLOW CANNABIS-FRIENDLY GUESTS AND VISITORS TO GET ELEVATED WITH PREMIUM HUMBOLDT COUNTY PRODUCTS IN LEGALLY DESIGNATED SPACES.”

the region as a stunning backdrop for a cannabis-fueled adventure. The SHBVB also plans to welcome guests to America’s Cannabis Heartland through a Meet Your Farmer dinner series to be launched this spring, says Laura Lasseter, SHBVB director of operations.

While the historic farms of SoHum will undoubtedly draw visitors with their sun-grown ganja flowers and heritage, Northern Humboldt County is also positioned to become a cannabis mecca. In Humboldt County’s capital seat of Eureka, Matt Kurth runs Humboldt Cannabis Tours out of an office on 2nd and C streets in Old Town. In Kurth’s perspective, cannabis tourism is not in competition with other area attractions like the mighty sequoia sempervirens or the local art scene, but rather enhances them. For example, in Eureka, visitors can enjoy oysters, wine, Victorians, and local art in the waterfront district, while trails and beaches are only minutes away. At Eureka’s Sequoia Park Zoo, the world’s first old-growth redwood canopy walk is under construction. Such attractions add to the intrigue and excitement for cannabis tourists, visitors who crave the “real” Emerald Triangle experience.

Across the street from Humboldt Cannabis Tours, the Inn at Second & C is already welcoming cannabis tourists at their stylish hotel located in the historic Eagle House. “Eventually, we plan on applying to become an on-site consumption space for topical and edibles,” says co-owner Timothy Metz, who explains 16 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

that the City of Eureka is working on approving the first batch of on-site consumption licenses by May. On-site consumption permits will allow cannabis-friendly guests and visitors to get elevated with premium Humboldt County products in legally designated spaces.

Over at the brand-new Proper Wellness Center on 5th Street in Eureka, the new dispensary celebrated its grand opening in March, offering a wide range of edibles and topicals. The women-owned dispensary is proud to partner with 12 unique Emerald Triangle farms, many of which are female-owned and -operated. The story behind each farm is on display at Proper Wellness so that customers can engage with the legacy behind the products they are purchasing.

While it’s exciting to see new facilities, events, and activities created around cannabis tourism, it’s important to recognize that the experience is about more than collecting tourist dollars. Cannabis tourism is a platform to share the culture and legacy of Humboldt County’s small, sustainable, and family-run farms with the public. In an industry threatened by corporate investment, mom-andpop farmers are major players in the cultural shift around mainstream cannabis acceptance and education.

“For branding Humboldt, tourism can and will be invaluable,” says Kurth. “If someone visits your farm and then sees your product next to another product on the shelf, they’re going to choose your product.” Kurth explains that while Humboldt cannot compete with other potential growing regions pound for pound, the region should dominate the craft cannabis market—tourism is key to making that happen. “You don’t need huge numbers to have a big impact,” says Kurth.

Despite its humble reputation, Humboldt is already synonymous with topshelf quality when it comes to the nation’s fastest-growing industry. It’s time to put the Emerald Triangle legacy to good use.

sensimag.com APRIL 2019 17

{crossroads }

by R I C A R D O B A C A

YOUR RIGHT TO PARTY The complicated artform of the cannabis event.

18 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

Ideating, producing and hosting events is a legitimate art-

and New Orleans, at the last few New West Summits in

form. Throw cannabis into the mix—a newly legalized sub-

Oakland, at O’Cannabiz in Toronto and we even hosted a

stance with ultra-restrictive rules governing all aspects of

renegade cannabis event at SXSW 2018. Outside of these

dissemination and consumption—and the artform requires

piggy-backed events, we’ve also produced thoughtful

an even higher level of skill, forethought, and refinement.

stand-alone events for clients—including a cannabis-in-

So how does one throw the perfect cannabis event?

fused farmers market that celebrated mainstream exhib-

Truth is, perfection doesn’t exist in the event production

itors alongside educational and experiential opportunities

space. Events are living, breathing, multi-tentacled beasts

for our client, a leading marijuana-infused topicals brand.

that rely on a team of collaborators, and while we event

Of course the proof is always in the pudding, and so

producers strive for perfection, it’s more of a lofty goal

here are a some tips to consider before starting to plan

than it is a concrete possibility.

your next cannabis-infused dinner, 420 event, industry

That’s why the best event producers plan ahead for the missed deadlines, the sick staff, the wayward subcontractors, and the venue limitations that are inevitable.

networking gathering, or renegade party.

PENCHANT FOR PREPAREDNESS

But how does one throw the best possible cannabis

There is no such thing as being too prepared for a can-

event—the kind of outing that celebrates an important

nabis event. Be it a simple happy hour at the office or a

milestone, subtly communicates a brand’s messaging,

large-scale activation at a conference, your guests’ expe-

pampers its attendees while also leaving a memorable

riences—as well as the quality of your sleep in the nights

impression? Here are some tips to consider—but first,

leading up to the event—will directly relate to how pre-

a bit about my background with creating meaningful

pared you and your team are.

events and activations.

So whether you’re self-producing or hiring an events part-

You see, long before I was lucky enough to stumble

ner, do yourself a favor and nail down your vision and ob-

upon the cannabis industry, I was embedded in the music

jectives a few months out; secure your vendors one month

industry as the longtime pop music critic for the Denver

out; have a functional run-of-show document at least two

Post. I got into the event production game early by creat-

weeks out; and check in with all hired staff, vendors, and

ing a multi-venue music festival, The Underground Music

subcontractors in the days leading up to the event.

Showcase, which continues to pack Denver bars, clubs and parking lot stages every summer. My work (and curiosity)

STAYING LEGAL AND RESPECTFUL

also took me coast to coast in those years, from the CMJ

Because we’re specifically talking about producing can-

Music Marathon in Manhattan to the Coachella Valley Mu-

nabis events, you need to fully comprehend the local rules,

sic & Arts Festival in California—but my annual highlight

regs, and laws surrounding the distribution and consump-

was regularly South by Southwest, the behemoth music

tion of marijuana. In these early days, event producers

festival taking over Austin, Texas, each Spring Break.

don’t have a lot of leeway in most localities—but there

I learned the art of the renegade party at SXSW. While

are generally options in each market, and if you’re not 100

the big event brings the masses together, the renegade

percent confident on local laws, call a local attorney to

parties add to the vibe. And as I would board my flight

protect yourself and your clients.

back to Denver each March, exhausted and likely hungov-

At Grasslands, we’re also careful to communicate clear-

er, I would think back to the festival’s most memorable

ly with the venue owner, ensuring that we’re on the same

moments—and oftentimes those experiences were pro-

page for which spaces are friendly for consumption and

duced by NPR, Pitchfork, IFC, or even Taco Bell.

which aren’t.

I’ve since produced a number of renegade music parties at SXSW, but my team at my marketing agency Grasslands

RESPONSIBLE DISTRIBUTION

and I have also produced our signature networking event

I’ve discussed the need for responsible distribution of

The Grasslands Party at multiple MJBizCons in Las Vegas

cannabis before in this column, but it’s worth repeating, sensimag.com APRIL 2019 19

Business Law (Contracts & Compliance) ■ Intellectual Property ■ Cannabis Defense ■ DUIs/DMV Hearings ■ All Felonies & Misdemeanors ■

FREE CONSULTATION FOR DEFENSE WORK ONLY

Kathleen Bryson Attorney

Former Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Member of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) Member California DUI Lawyers Association Voted North Coast Journal’s Best of Humboldt - Attorney & Law Office (2015-2018) 20 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

732 5th Street, Suite C Eureka, CA 95501 info@humboldtjustice.com www.humboldtjustice.com

707.268.8600 Working in Association with

Shay Aaron Gilmore Business Law

www.shaygilmorelaw.com Phone/Text: 415.846.6397

given this subject matter. But let’s say you’ve checked with the attorneys and are confident your infused appetizers or THC-packed gift bag are legal, now it’s time to distribute the marijuana products responsibly.

This is simple communication, and it will set all of your guests up for a better experience. For your servers passing the appetizers infused with 5 milligrams of activated THC apiece, they need to communicate that to guests before the platter is offered to them. For the door staff handing out gift bags at the end of the night, they need to communicate the presence of THC to exiting guests, as that will change the handling and storage of the bag once

WHETHER YOU’RE SELFPRODUCING OR HIRING AN EVENTS PARTNER, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND NAIL DOWN YOUR VISION AND OBJECTIVES A FEW MONTHS OUT.

they get back to their car or home.

You never want your event to be the cause of someone’s bad experience with cannabis, so an informed, communicative staff is a necessity.

SUBTLE BRAND ACTIVATION It’s rare a company throws an event without intention. If you’re footing the bill or joining a party as a sponsor, you’re going to want to measure your return on investment (or ROI) after the fact—and that includes an idea of how many people encountered your brand and its messaging throughout the event.

Brand activation is a tricky one at cannabis events. It’s easy to go overboard, thinking that more is more and branding anything and everything. But my events team and I at Grasslands are of the belief that simple, subtle brand activation is a more meaningful method of connecting to your target audience.

An easy example: A thoughtfully assembled deck projected on a prominent wall is more powerful than a hard copy of that same deck (or brochure) in the gift bag. With the projected deck, your branding and messaging becomes a part of the decor and experience, something that embeds itself into guests’ psyches as they continue to see it throughout the event—whereas the hard copy brochure is a likely unwanted piece of marketing collateral that may or may not make it back to the office.

RICARDO BACA is a veteran journalist and thought leader in the legal cannabis space and founder of Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency, which handles public relations, content marketing, social media, events and thought leadership for brands and executives in legal cannabis, hemp and other highly regulated industries.

sensimag.com APRIL 2019 21

{tastebuds }

by N O R A M O U N C E

THE DIVER HOLDS IT DOWN Gourmet Americana takes root.

Eureka’s Henderson Center neighborhood is as unpre-

past its two-year anniversary this winter, the community

tentious as they come. A collection of practical business-

has eaten its weight in approval, charmed by the blend of

es, including the local Ace Hardware, a toy shop, and a

traditional tastes and modern style.

bike store, straddle F Street. By day, the friendly, historic

“We want to deliver a higher standard for Humboldt

neighborhood is bustling and hosts a popular North Coast

County,” explains Diver owner Shawn Stoops. An effusive

Grower’s Market each Thursday (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) every

entrepreneur, Stoops worked as a general contractor be-

summer. But come nightfall, Henderson Center gets al-

fore diving headfirst into the restaurant biz. The mark of

most too quiet; restaurants have always struggled in this

his hand can be seen throughout The Diver; Stoops built

pocket of town. So when The Diver Bar & Grill opened at

the custom wood trim adorning the wine-colored walls

2834 F Street, everything about the upscale pizza and

and oversaw the expansive build-out required to trans-

burger eatery felt like a keeper. As the restaurant sailed

form the former retail space into a restaurant. “We want-

22 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

“We want to serve real people who are out busting their ass every day.”

PHOTO CREDITS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) NORA MOUNCE / THE DIVER / THE DIVER / NORA MOUNCE / RYAN JOHNSON

—Shawn Stoops, Owner

sensimag.com APRIL 2019 23

PHOTO CREDITS (LEFT COLUMN) NORA MOUNCE / RYAN JOHNSON / NORA MOUNCE / RYAN JOHNSON // (RIGHT COLUMN) PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIVER

Stepping inside The Diver on a busy Friday night, smoky aromas waft across the dining room from the wood-fired oven where the chef expertly fires thin-crust pizzas to blistered perfection.

24 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

ed to create a place for the community but still offer a unique experience for our area,” explains Stoops.

Stepping inside The Diver on a busy Friday night, smoky aromas waft across the dining room from the wood-fired oven where the chef expertly fires thin-crust pizzas to blistered perfection. Though designed with an open-con-

LOVE, LOYALTY AND EXCELLENCE IN CANNABIS

cept layout, The Diver is still large enough for privacy between tables; locals wave across the room at friends. The metal-stamped ceiling and Tungsten light bulbs create an edgy, even urban, atmosphere, accented by large, colorful canvases of seafaring gangsters, mermaids, and dragons painted by local artist Sonny Wong.

“I like to call us ‘coastal industrial,’” explains Stoops, who branded his restaurant The Diver in honor of family members who served in the armed forces. Along with his partner, Dawn Watkins, Stoops feels strongly about paying respects, particularly in Eureka, a Coast Guard town. The Diver’s logo is the US diver insignia, a prestigious award given to sailors and Marines who earn their scuba diving certification. During the recent federal government shutdown, The Diver invited local Coasties to enjoy all pizzas at half price until payday. “We want to serve real people who are out busting their asses every day,” says Stoops.

The craftsmanship and community are matching bookends framing the heart of The Diver experience: the food.

Leaning on a “less is more” mantra and quality ingredients, Stoops depended on Watkins’ years of restaurant experi-

Our Prerolls come in a variety of strains.

Extra Potent, Full Spectrum Salve, with our Proprietary Blend of Essential Oils.

Serene Green Body Oil, heals as it enriches your senses.

Full Product Line soon to be in Dispensaries Everywhere

ence to help fine tune a menu that lands between upscale Americana and funky NorCal. For pizza options, classics like the Margarita, $12, compete with the Donald, topped with sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, smoked duck, brie, smoked mozzarella, green onions, and hoisin sauce, $18, or the Sh*!load of Clams and Garlic with tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh garlic, whole baby clams, and parsley, $15.

On the burger side of things, the Calico Cowboy, $16, is a

Eighths in FIVE flavors

favorite heavy hitter, featuring smoked mozzarella, pork belly, spiced apple BBQ sauce, candied jalapeño, and fried onions, while the Ahi Burger, $17, satisfies lighter appetites with a fresh seared ahi tuna steak, sriracha coleslaw, and beer-battered fries (my go-to order).

The Diver Bar & Grill serves dinner Tues–Sat, 5 to 9 p.m. Follow them on Facebook @THEDIVERBARANDGRILLHUMBOLDT and Instagram @THEDIVERBARANDGRILL for news, announcements, and specials.

sohumroyal.com

@sohumroyal #sohumroyal LCA18-0001962

sensimag.com APRIL 2019 25

{aroundtown }

by N O R A M O U N C E

Tuyas

Serves Lunch daily and dinner Mon–Sat 533 Main St., Ferndale (707) 786-5921 // @TUYASFERNDALE

COMIDA Y CANTINA Tuyas is yours to enjoy.

Famous for its storybook charm and turn-of-the-cen-

and the Humboldt County Fair, Ferndale is decidedly a

tury architecture, Ferndale’s Victorian Village is a major

farm town, but in recent years, the community has be-

hub for Emerald Triangle tourism. Located just north of

come known for its artistic flair as well. Several art gal-

the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt, Ferndale annu-

leries line Main Street, and each Memorial Day Weekend,

ally attracts thousands to its bucolic pasturelands and

the legendary Kinetic Sculpture Parade (the Burning Man

old-timey downtown. The home of Humboldt Creamery

of Northern California) culminates its raucous three-day

26 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

“At first people were intimidated

by Spanish wines, but they’re learning to like them.”

—Glory Lagielski, Co-Owner

journey with a celebration in downtown Ferndale. To catch

Pairing Californian-style Mexican cuisine with beer and

the show over a glass of sangria and order of tacos, snag a

wines from Spain, Lagielski explains that she likes offering

table at Tuyas, a Mexican restaurant where food, art, and

people something different. “At first people were intimidated

community come together.

by Spanish wines, but they’re learning to like them,” she says.

Tuyas owners Glory Lagielski and Jennifer Bice both call

While the Emerald Triangle gears up for a busy tour-

Ferndale home; between the women, the pair has decades

ist season this summer, Tuyas will continue offering fun

of restaurant management experience. When conceptual-

events for the local community. Trivia Night on Tuesday is

izing a new eatery for Ferndale, Lagielski imagined a col-

popular with local business owners, and the restaurant

orful place with enough style to attract tourists without

regularly partners with local cider and winemakers for

losing the authentic flavors that curry favor with locals.

tasting menus and events. “The community is loving it,”

After waiting years for prime real estate to open up, op-

says Lagielski.

portunity knocked on Main Street, and Lagielski answered.

Since 2017, Tuyas has been serving tacos, sopes, tamales, beer, wine, and sangria in her turquoise-and-siren-red comida—you can’t miss it. Named for the Spanish word for yours, Tuyas strives to serve all kinds of folks, feeding the desire for farm-town hospitality with bold creativity.

“The atmosphere we bring is very unique and appealing,” explains Lagielski. Out front, wrought iron tables welcome guests to dine outside—a rarity this far north—on sunny days. Inside the restaurant, the high Victorian ceilings and redwood rafters are warmed by large, colorful paintings PHOTOS BY LAYLA ANN LUGO

and smiling sugar skulls.

After bringing in Bice for her expertise in the kitchen shortly after opening, the female ownership team is hitting its stride. Aiming to serve clean, vibrant flavors, Tuyas makes everything in house, including salsas, tortillas, sauces, soups, and desserts. “The quality of the food is phenomenal,” says Bice. sensimag.com APRIL 2019 27

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{travelwell }

by N O R A M O U N C E

The Historic Requa Inn

451 Requa Rd., Klamath, CA // (707) 482-1425 REQUAINN.COM // INNKEEPER@REQUAINN.COM FB @REQUAINN // IG @REQUA_INN_OFFICAL

A convergence of heritage and history at The Historic Requa Inn.

A NIGHT BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH

30 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

On a wintery night at The Historic Requa Inn, an orange glow flickers across the lobby from the fireplace. Just past the expansive bay windows, a light rain falls on the Klamath River, each drop merging with the powerful water flowing west to the ocean. Sitting on a well-loved leather sofa, innkeeper Janet Wortman talks about the land, the river, and the people who “tie this place to the universe.”

“My husband always says that the space between heaven and earth is thinnest at Requa. We take that as truth,” she explains.

Wortman, her husband Marty, and their two children, Geneva and Thomas, purchased The Historic Requa Inn in 2010. After leaving careers in Oregon, the couple returned to Janet’s ancestral homeland, where the Yurok Tribe has lived “since the beginning of time,” explains Wortman. The last existing Yurok plank house—an efficient, unique redwood structure built by tribes throughout the North Coast—used to sit just up the road. As a child visiting her grandparents, Wortman remembers driving past the Requa Inn and seeing it in various states of disrepair or celebration—there were good years and bad. When the family fulfilled a dream and became the innkeepers at Requa, Janet and her children became the first Yurok to own the rural hotel since it was built in 1914. Today, the red carpet-lined hallways and lobby are elegantly decorated with a mix of antique furniture, crafts, and paintings of Yurok elders.

The inn’s original iteration dates back even further to when the town of Klamath became a hub of commerce between San Francisco and Portland in the late 19th century. It was initially called the Requa House and later the Pioneer Hotel, and the first owners once oversaw two saloons, a dance hall, and a stable. After the Pioneer burned to ground—along with the entire town—in 1913, the hotel that stands toBELOW: The sacred white deerskin dance of the Yurok people, ca. 1900. RIGHT: Yurok women at a ceremony celebrating the Klamath River dam removal decision.

day was rebuilt for $4,000. Arriving from the east with their sights on redwood and gold, newcomers discovered a third precious resource in Klamath—salmon.

After fattening up in salt water, thousands of salmon, steelhead, and trout (*should) return to the Klamath to migrate upriver and spawn each fall. Historically, salmon have been the beating heart of life and culture for the Yurok, Karuk, and Hoopa tribes, who have peacefully fished the North Coast rivers for centuries. The first commercial cannery was established on the mouth of the Klamath in 1868.

Today, salmon returns to this river are at all-time historic lows, though many hopes are pinned on big changes in conservation management ahead. In 2020, the Klamsensimag.com APRIL 2019 31

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INTERIOR PHOTOS BY NORA MOUNCE

ath River dam is slated to become the largest dam removal project in United States history. For now, salmon continue to be so intertwined with the Yurok—the largest federally recognized tribe in the US—that it is impossible to respect one without the other.

At The Historic Requa Inn, Janet and Marty’s son, Thomas, serves as the executive chef, designing seasonal menus that depend on organic produce from local farms as well as traditional Yurok cuisine. The inn offers a prix fixe communal dinner Wednesday through Sunday from April through October for $38 per person. Guests, locals, and passing travelers are welcome to dine at the long communal tables that parallels the river in the redwood dining room (seating assignments are “self-selected”). Typical menus start with Yurok fry bread followed by over-

Though high-speed internet only became available to local

flowing bowls of green salad with fresh-picked herbs, smoked

Klamath residents in recent years, visitors from all over the

Steelhead trout, Oregon-raised grass-fed beef, and homemade

world have been lodging at The Historic Requa Inn for decades.

desserts. “We don’t do your typical prime rib and mashed pota-

Located just off Highway 101, the Inn is only six miles north of

toes,” explains Janet, who passed on her appreciation for quality

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, home to the tallest tree in

to her son. “The best part of the dishes is the vegetables.”

the world (park officials keep the exact location a state secret)

The inn sources its produce from Ocean Air Farms in Fort

and Fern Canyon, the jungle-lush backdrop in The Lost World:

Dick, a 30-minute drive north, and supplements its kitchen

Jurassic Park. Straddling Humboldt and Del Norte counties, the

pantry with organic herbs, eggs, and flowers from Seabreeze

combined Redwood State and National Parks are a UNESCO

Farm just up the road. “We wanted to make dinner part of

World Heritage Site, a designation that denotes the most cul-

the experience,” says Wortman.

turally and environmentally precious resources in the world. sensimag.com APRIL 2019 33

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Despite the thousands of tourists who visit the red-

As we crested Requa Road, the curves suddenly opened

woods annually, the distance between conveniences is

into an expanse of ocean and we parked at the signs marking

worth considering before working up an appetite in the

the Coastal Trail. From the overlook, the Pacific Ocean stretch-

forest. If visiting off-season, The Historic Requa Inn recom-

es endlessly west, a pale blue saucer of infinity. Opposite of

mends traveling 25 miles north to the Seaquake Brewery

the horizon, the Klamath River charges across the sand at

in Crescent City; closer options include the casino and fuel

the mouth; Father River meets Mother Ocean, heaven meets

station. Visiting on a Sunday night in January, we found an

earth. During our visit, a rare winter snow—an anomaly on

easy workaround by bringing deli sandwiches and a bottle

California’s coastline—had just fallen. Paralleling the beach for

of wine, a perfect pairing for a game of cribbage in front of

eight miles, the Coastal Trail connects the frothy waves of the

the fire and the inn’s homemade chocolate chip cookies.

river mouth to the Lagoon Creek picnic area in the Del Norte

Regardless of the season, The Historic Requa Inn is an

Coast Redwoods State Park. Starting at the Klamath overlook,

ideal starting point for any number of redwood or coast-

we hiked across melting snow through redwoods and ferns,

al adventures. Each morning a hearty breakfast is served

mixed with occasional panoramic views of the Pacific. Only a

in the redwood dining room, and the friendly front desk

handful of other hikers crossed our path, magnifying the qui-

staff are full of knowledge about local trails, beach access,

etude and solemnity of this special and powerful place.

and safety. Tucking into a generous plate of scrambled

The experience of spending a night between heaven and

eggs topped with green onions, country-style bacon, and

earth is characterized by polarity: A rushing river and an

homemade bread with blackberry jam, we watched the

endless ocean, unplugging and connecting, and the heart-

sun rise across the river and planned for a day of hiking.

ache and heritage the Yurok Tribe and The Historic Requa

After living in Humboldt County for many years, I’ve checked

Inn. Go see for yourself.

most of region’s legendary trails off my list: Fern Canyon, Tall Trees Grove, Redwood Creek, and Lady Bird Johnson Grove (to name a few) all have trailheads within reasonable proxim-

The Inn’s dining room was used as a classroom during the 100-years flood of 1964.

ity of The Historic Requa Inn. But to see something new and different, my boyfriend and I kept driving west past the inn, hoping to truly experience requa, or rek-woi, the Yurok word

PHOTO BY NORA MOUNCE

for “where the river meets the ocean.”

35

CBDo or SPEC IAL REPORT

36 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

CBDon’t?

When it comes to cannabidiol, confusion reigns supreme.

We’re going back to the basics to clear it up for you.

by L E L A N D R U C K E R and S T E P H A N I E W I L S O N

Disclaimer: The following conversation didn’t happen—NOT EXACTLY, NOT WORD FOR WORD AS IT APPEARS HERE. BUT IT’S ROOTED IN REALITY. CBD IS ON EVERYONE’S MINDS, BUT INFO ABOUT IT IS ON NO ONE’S RADAR. IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS ALONE, WE’VE FIELDED CALLS AND QUERIES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AS FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY REACH OUT FOR ADVICE. The questions below are on the lips of curious consumers who have heard they need to be taking CBDs but

Yes, it’s confusing. Here’s a handy cheat sheet: Cannabis sativa: plant species.

they don’t quite know what this means. We’re here to

cannabis: a subspecies of Cannabis sativa containing

help. First thing’s first: it’s CBD, not CBDs.

more than trace amounts of THC. It remains federal-

Jane Doe: What is CBD? CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive chemical compound found in the cannabis plant.

Jane: So it’ll get me high?

ly illegal, classified by the DEA as a Schedule I drug, in the same category as LSD and heroin. The government claims cannabis has no medicinal purposes and a high potential of abuse. hemp: a subspecies of Cannabis sativa with no more

No, that’s what non-psychoactive means. You’re think-

than 0.3 percent THC by weight. When the federal gov-

ing of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. That’s the com-

ernment outlawed “marihuana” in the 1930s, it did so us-

pound associated with feelings of euphoria.

ing broad language that banned all Cannabis sativa—in-

Jane: But you said CBD comes from cannabis.

Isn’t that what weed is called nowadays?

cluding hemp. The prohibition of hemp just came to an end last December, with the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill.

You are correct. Cannabis is how people refer to what

Jane: What does this have to do with CBD?

used to be called “marijuana,” a word with racist under-

CBD is found in Cannabis sativa varieties, so it can be

tones best removed from the modern lexicon. Cannabis

derived from both cannabis and hemp. But not all types

is short for Cannabis sativa, the scientific name of the

(or strains) of either necessarily have any CBD content at

plant species that includes both cannabis—the kind that

all. Some have a high percentage of CBD. Growers breed

gets you high—and hemp, the kind that doesn’t.

plants to maximize or minimize the cannabinoid content.

sensimag.com APRIL 2019 37

38 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

Because cannabis remains federally illegal, CBD de-

Jane: So what are the effects of CBD?

rived from a plant with more than trace amounts of THC

There are all sorts of claims out there. But are any of those

is illegal as well. This doesn’t apply in the 10 states where

claims backed by science or data? Not really. A highly infor-

recreational cannabis is legal. However, it is illegal to

mative deep-dive into CBD published by Vox sums it up per-

take it across state lines—but don’t let that stop you.

fectly: “Anyone who tells you anything definitive about what

As hemp broke free from prohibition late last year, the

CBD—or THC for that matter—does to your body is lying.”

DEA reclassified hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.1 per-

Cannabis prohibition, ongoing since 1937, outlawed more

cent THC from a Schedule I to a Schedule V drug—one with

than personal use; it blocked scientific studies of the plant’s

a low potential of abuse, similar to low doses of codeine.

medicinal properties and potential. Today, there’s a huge

Jane: Are you saying the effects of eating a CBD cookie or two are the same as taking a dose of prescription cough syrup? That’s intense.

void where research should be. That void has to be filled

No. Keep in mind, this classification is from the same agency that still claims cannabis is as dangerous as heroin—that highly addictive drug responsible for a growing number of overdose deaths each year as its popularity grows in the wake of the opioid epidemic. The DEA claims cannabis is just as bad. As heroin. This despite the fact that you are as likely to die from a cannabis overdose as you are from a unicorn attack.

But I digress. No, eating CBD cookies won’t have the same effect as taking a codeine-laced prescription med, despite what the DEA would have you believe.

(The DEA rescheduling allowed for the first cannabis-derived medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of a rare seizure disorder to enter the marketplace through typical pharmaceutical channels last fall. There are now two cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals on the market.)

with the very basics that can be built upon. There’s not even an official cannabis seed bank or strain database in existence from which scientists can pull reliable information needed to conduct the studies from which we are so desperate to learn the results. The process is basically just getting started, and it’s going to take awhile. Decades even.

That said, there is strong anecdotal evidence as well as some small studies that point to medicinal properties and health benefits. Secretions from the flower of the cannabis plant contain more than 100 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids—CBD and THC among them—that interact and bind to receptors within our body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates basic functions like sleep, cognition, and stress. Cannabinoids such as CBC, CBG, CBN, THCa, THCv, and so on are said to provide relief to an array of symptoms and ailments—migraines, insomnia, stress, Crohn’s, PTSD, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, cramps, cancer, and more.

Like magic. Until science tells us otherwise.

CBD is a miracle compound, said to fix whatever ails you.

Or not. Depends on which you trust— science or marketing.

sensimag.com APRIL 2019 39

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Jane: Me too! I think I read the same article.

So, what’s the best kind of CBD? Oh my. There’s only one kind of CBD. But there are all sorts of factors that affect its quality and your experience. Some factors to keep in mind: 1) Is it derived from hemp or cannabis?

2) If it’s derived from hemp, where is the hemp from? The US imports a lot of hemp from China, where the list of approved pesticides is far from safe. You don’t want to be ingesting that.

Jane: So what does taking CBD do?

3) Is it a CBD isolate? Was the CBD isolated from the other plant compounds during the extraction process?

Again, studies are limited, but the ones out there show

This is an important factor for anyone who’s sensitive

that CBD is anti-inflammatory. It also can provide relief

to THC or who may be subject to drug testing

from anxiety and stress, induce calmness, and may even

4) Or is it full spectrum? The opposite of an isolate,

counterbalance anxiety brought on by THC in some can-

full spectrum refers to an extraction method that’s

nabis users. That’s part of something known as the en-

sometimes called “whole plant extract.” These include

tourage effect, but we’ll save that for another day.

all of the cannabinoids found in the plant.

Jane: That’s it? All this hype for something that may reduce anxiety and inflammation?

Yep. There’s a whole lot of anecdotal evidence about it being an effective treatment for other ailments, but there’s not a whole lot of science. Yet.

5) How will you ingest it, or get it into your body? Are you smoking it, putting some drops of a tincture under your tongue, drinking a beverage infused with it?

6) How much are you supposed to take?

There are millions and millions of CBD products being sold

We can thank the prohibition for getting us here—to

today, with more coming out every day. The market is large-

a place where a plant byproduct, federally illegal for all

ly unregulated, although the FDA does prohibit marketing

but the final 10 days of 2018, was a $350 million industry

CBD as a dietary supplement. New York State officials re-

in 2018. And that’s by conservative estimates. The Hemp

cently imposed rules blocking restaurants from serving

Business Journal puts that number closer to $1 billion.

CBD-laced menu items and drinks. Other than that, CBD is

I blame savvy marketing and risk-taking entrepreneurs eager to capitalize on the post-prohibition “green rush.”

regulated a lot like the vitamin and supplement industries, which is to say not at all. Companies can’t make claims

CBD is everywhere right now—even in the gift bags at

about health benefits, but can make claims about what’s in

the Oscars in the form of infused chocolate and luxe lo-

the product without any data to back it up. Last month, NBC

tions. You can smoke it, you can ingest it, you can drink

Miami collected an array of CBD products and sent them

it, you can vape it. You can spray it on your face, rub it on

to a third-party lab for testing. The majority had much less

your body, or pay a massage therapist to do that for you.

CBD than the labels claimed. Some had none at all.

You can drop a bomb and soak in a bath of it, you can

Jane: How much CBD should I be taking?

chew gum made with it, you can give it to Fido as a treat.

What you can’t do is ignore it. CBD dominates headlines, piques interest, generates anecdotal testimonies to its healing powers, and is marketed to you hard by a growing range of companies introducing new infused products and new brands in hopes of capitalizing on the buzz. They don’t all have your best interest at heart. Be skeptical.

Jane: But…I should be taking it, right? I’ve heard I should be taking it.

No one knows. This whole CBD thing is an experiment, and we are all the subjects. If you use or are just curious about CBD today, you are at the consumer end of a great trial that includes users, growers, producers, sellers, and now government. Until more extensive research is done— which will take awhile—you’re pretty much on your own to find the right products and dosages that work for you.

You’ve got to separate the hype from the reality. You’ve got to be willing to experiment, which can get pricey. If you

According to articles on the internet, you definitely should.

spend $50 on a bottle of CBD pain cream and it provides no

It’s a miracle compound, said to fix whatever ails you. Or

relief, will you be eager to try a different brand? It’s up to

not. Depends on which you trust more: science or market-

you. And your wallet. If the whole thing stresses you out,

ing. Personally, I’m a sucker for marketing.

try taking some CBD. It’s supposed to be good for stress. sensimag.com APRIL 2019 41

42 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

POT Why the History of Eating Cannabis Matters

IN PANS

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

From ancient India and Persia

TO TODAY’S EXPLOSIVE NEW MARKET, CANNABIS,

THE HOTTEST NEW GLOBAL FOOD TREND, HAS BEEN PROVIDING HUMANS WITH NUTRITION, MEDICINE, AND SOLACE – AGAINST ALL ODDS–SINCE THE EARLIEST CAVEPEOPLE DISCOVERED ITS POWERS. This is an excerpt from my book, Pot in Pans: A Histo-

alized they could control the commoners by prohibiting

ry of Eating Cannabis Food, which will be released this

a plant that they relied on for food, fiber, medicine, and

month as part of publisher Rowman & Littlefield’s Stud-

mind and mood alteration. For the hard-working class-

ies in Food and Gastronomy series, featuring “the best

es, who often lived in hopeless poverty, cannabis was

in food scholarship, harnessing the energy, ideas, and

magical for its ability to act as both stimulant and sop-

creativity of a wide array of food writers today.”

orific and its promise of gentle relief from the drudgery and humiliations of daily life—a far cry from the sinister

We write history books, in part, so we don’t repeat our

reputation foisted upon it by centuries of propaganda.

mistakes. The history of cannabis food, rich and deep, is

We are reaching the end of a centuries-long story, born in

marred with the stains of prohibition, propaganda, and

the Mazanderan mountains in ancient Persia in the 12th cen-

persecution—abysmal mistakes we’ve only just begun to

tury and used throughout history in racist campaigns to prove

rectify. This history is a long way from being written—

that cannabis makes people violent, insane, and uncontrol-

though many like to say we’re now on the right side of

lably horny (parents, hold onto your white daughters!). The

it as centuries of fear mongering finally start to unravel.

legend of Hassan-ibn-Sabbah, the Old Man of the Mountain

Finally, but still painfully slowly, cannabis is taking its

who plied his disciples with splendid food, fine women, and a

rightful place as a unique culinary ingredient that has

hashish confection so they would assassinate his enemies—

proven through the centuries that food is medicine.

popularized in the West by explorer Marco Polo—would forev-

Locally, nationally, and globally, we’ve reached a pivot-

er associate hashish with assassins and sinister business.

al moment in the history of a plant that has been beloved

In the 1930s, during his successful drive toward canna-

by the masses, reviled by the elite, and shrouded in con-

bis prohibition, US Federal Bureau of Narcotics chairman

flict and secrecy for centuries. Cannabis has been out-

Harry J. Anslinger masterfully fomented Americans’ rac-

lawed and demonized since the powers-that-be first re-

ist and increasingly moralistic national mentality with a sensimag.com APRIL 2019 43

44 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

propaganda blitzkrieg that included a book and motion

remained readily available to those who wanted them. In

picture titled Marihuana: Assassin of Youth—based upon

the early and mid-1970s, several countries and US states

his discovery of the Old Man of the Mountain legend. In

decriminalized cannabis, but this attitude change was

testimony before Congress and in newspaper interviews,

short-lived, squelched by marijuana’s association with dirty

Anslinger said marijuana, a frightening “new” drug used

hippies and the counterculture. The Nixon administration

primarily by Mexicans and African Americans, could

doubled down, sending military helicopters to scorch can-

turn upstanding, middle-class kids into helpless victims

nabis farms from Orange Hill, Jamaica to the mountains of

and raging monsters. His campaign resulted in cannabis

Colombia’s Cauca region and declaring cannabis a Schedule

being effectively outlawed through draconian taxes and

I drug with no medicinal value, alongside heroin and LSD.

regulations in the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937.

Down through the ages—through multiple prohibitions on every continent, imposed by sultans, colonialists, and a pope—cannabis had managed to somehow

You Can’t Keep a Good Plant Down For a century now, cannabis has

survive, and even thrive. But never had it faced an en-

existed in most parts of the world

emy so formidable or iron-fisted as the United States in

only because humans’ love for it

the mid-20th century. When US Treasury Secretary An-

is so great that they’re willing

drew W. Mellon appointed Anslinger and tasked him, for

to sacrifice being persecuted,

whatever reason—and speculation is rampant—to wipe

imprisoned, having their teeth

out cannabis, he intended the war to be global. Through-

pulled out, and even being put

out the rest of the 20th century and into the 21st, the

to death for cultivating and

United States used its considerable influence to force

nurturing it. The irony of prohi-

cannabis prohibition around the world, leaving people

bition, of course, is that the lucra-

in countries where it had been used and enjoyed for cen-

tive black market made it worth

turies scratching their heads in confusion—and finding

the risk and only drove breeders to

ways around the laws.

develop ever-mightier plants delivering

In Canada in the 1930s, when Royal Mounted Po-

whopping amounts of psychoactive tetrahy-

lice officers told an elderly woman they had to eradi-

drocannabinol, or THC. In the face of adversity, cannabis

cate the hemp plants she grew to

was no shrinking violet. The plant grew stronger, better,

feed her canaries, she chased

faster, and more potent—unstoppable, no matter how

them away with a broom.

much paraquat the DEA threw at it.

cannabis

If the history of cannabis proves anything, it is that you

continued to be a key

can’t keep a good plant down. A cabal of global elites is no

ingredient in the tra-

match for this one, which in its cunning evolved to provide

ditional “happy” soup

humans with nutrition, fiber, medicine, and, if you believe

served at weddings

many ethnobotanists, the ability to make huge mental and

and celebrations, just

spiritual leaps as a species. Had it not been for the latter—

In

Indonesia,

as it always had. In-

all due to the presence of that THC molecule—this would

dia managed to keep

be a boring book about a multifaceted, utilitarian plant that

on the right side of the

served humans in many different capacities for centuries.

United States while quiet-

This is not that.

ly allowing people to drink

This is a story with many layers, spanning many conti-

bhang, a traditional holy drink

nents, held together by the thread of an Islamic confection

made from cannabis. By the 1970s,

created to inspire a band of 12th-century fedayeen, which

the Netherlands had adopted a policy of tolerance to-

was ported throughout the Middle East, Central Asia, and

ward retailers and users while making cannabis cul-

beyond, invoking hilarity and hostility wherever it went.

tivation and production illegal, creating a “back door”

Inspired by this legend, Western intellectuals and literati,

problem that no one wanted to replicate.

and then the masses, discovered and enjoyed cannabis,

It was more than clear by the 1970s that the global war

hashish, and majoun (a Moroccan candy mixed with can-

on drugs was a failure. Violent cartels were ravaging South

nabis) for much of the mid-19th century and into the 1930s,

and Central America, and heroin, cocaine, and cannabis

when Anslinger shut that down. sensimag.com APRIL 2019 45

46 APRIL 2019 Emerald Triangle

This is the story of how Brion Gysin, an ex-patriot artist and writer in Tangier, discovered majoun, typed up a recipe, and sent it to Alice B. Toklas, an ex-pat writer in

in legal states. They can buy water-soluble cannabis-infused liquids and powders to stir into beverages or add to any recipe for immediate gratification. With such a wide range

Paris, to include in a cookbook published in New York

of culinary opportunities and resources literally at their

and London, causing a minor scandal in the mid-20th

fingertips, only the laziest or most unimaginative eaters

century and leading to a major mix-up in a major motion

are choosing the brownie.

picture that morphed majoun into the pot brownie, and

We stand on a precipice. Once criminalized, cannabis

turned the pot brownie into a Western icon forevermore.

is now being rapidly commodified, and there’s no putting

It’s the story of the rowdy band of artists, rebels, and intel-

that genie back in the bottle. Analysts predict cannabis

lectuals who partook of majoun’s charms and an activist

will be a global industry worth $57 billion by 2027—in-

who made the pot brownie a symbol of compassion.

vestment firm Cowen and Company suggests that will

Down through the ages, the cannabis plant has gath-

reach $75 billion by 2030—numbers that are respectful

ered about it a charismatic and eclectic assortment of

enough to prevent cannabis haters like US Attorney

protectors and advocates, from the Hindu lord Shiva, who

General Jeff Sessions (the 21st-century’s answer to An-

was said to sustain himself for long periods by eating

slinger) from prosecuting companies working within le-

cannabis, to Brownie Mary, whose insistence on baking

gal state infrastructures. Money talks.

cannabis-laced brownies as medicine for AIDS patients

Money’s talking. Scotts Miracle-Gro and Monsanto are

in San Francisco, despite several arrests, drew huge pub-

circling. Food conglomerates are dipping toes, preparing

lic sympathy in the 1990s and eased the way for Califor-

to jump in when—and everyone now agrees it’s a matter

nia to legalize medical marijuana in 1996.

of when—federal cannabis prohibition ends in the Unit-

And that, really, may have been the beginning of the

ed States. Hemp is legal, and a bill has been submitted to

end of the pot brownie. Several states and countries fol-

Congress to legalize psychoactive cannabis. Cannabis is

lowed California in approving cannabis for medical use,

now the second most valuable crop in the United States

and in 2012, Colorado and Washington voters took the

after corn. Chefs, foodies, and nutritionists are playing

game-changing step of legalizing all adult use. More

with this new functional food ingredient, finding cre-

states followed, then Uruguay, then Canada. Canna-

ative uses for every part of the plant, as the world’s atti-

bis-infused edibles grew into a robust and well-regulat-

tude toward cannabis normalizes.

ed industry with no room for crumbly chocolate cakes

This may sound far-fetched, particularly to peo-

that had miserable shelf lives and were impossible to

ple who live in places where cannabis remains illegal,

imprint with the new THC warning stamp some states

where citizens—inordinately, people of color—are rotting

began requiring.

in jail because of a plant. It will never be okay that (most-

In most cases, pot brownies have evolved into

ly) white men in suits rake in millions of dollars on can-

shelf-stable, easier-to-dose chocolate bars, one skew in

nabis and cannabis products while others go to jail over

a wildly popular category of cannabis-infused products

the very same plant. As we celebrate the strides we’ve

that no one saw coming in the early 2010s. In addition

made toward liberating cannabis, we must never forget

to a range of chocolate products from gourmet truffles

that this progress has been made on the backs of those

to peanut butter cups, today’s cannabis consumers can

willing to pay the price before us.

enjoy infused potato chips, gummies, hard candies, raw cacao butter, soda pop, caramel corn, coffee, tea, cookies, pies, and nuts—all readily available at cannabis stores

ROBYN GRIGGS LAWRENCE (@cannabis_kitchen) is the author of Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook and the upcoming Pot in Pans: A History of Eating Cannabis (Rowman & Littlefield, $34).

sensimag.com APRIL 2019 47

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SHVBV

The Magic of Southern Humboldt AMERICA’S CANNABIS HEARTLAND priority is protecting the region’s ecosystem and sharing the legacy of Southern Humboldt’s famous cannabis farmers. “Holding onto our culture and beliefs by doing what’s right. That’s the story we want to share,” says Lasseter.

In conjunction with the Humboldt Lodging Alliance-South, the SHBVB has launched the ‘Elevate the Magic’ campaign, the first of its kind for Humboldt County. ‘Elevate the Magic’ is also the first destination marketing organization inclusive of the cannabis industry in California. Initial projects have been producing artistic and high-quality videos that showcase the lives and legacy of Southern Humboldt cannabis farmers. Through the ‘Elevate the Magic’ initiative, the SHBVB is working to restore and retain the natural environment, art, culture and history of Southern Humboldt.

“What we have here is so unique and magical that peoA few hours north of San Francisco, the cars start to thin, and the forest grows thick with redwood trees stretching toward the stars. Pushing further, travelers cross the Humboldt County line at the Eel River, entering the fabled cannabis paradise of Southern Humboldt.

Bookended by groves of ancient redwoods and the sandy beaches of the Lost Coast, Southern Humboldt is the birthplace of American cannabis. A heritage first planted by utopian back-to-the-landers in the 1960’s, Southern Humboldt is also beloved for its world-famous reggae festival, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and the historic Avenue of the Giants. Rich in natural beauty like nowhere else in the world, Southern Humboldt is also home to award-winning wineries, world-class music, creative artisans and makers, and beautiful organic farms.

While decades of prohibition have kept the eclectic diversity and resilience of Southern Humboldt a secret, today the region’s legacy has been brought to life. In America’s Cannabis Heartland, all are welcome to share in the magic of Southern Humboldt.

“Our story is about beautiful lands, protecting our watershed, and sustainable practices of all kinds,” explains Laura Lasseter, the Southern Humboldt Business and Visitors Bureau (SHBVB) director of operations. As the gateway to Humboldt County, Lasseter explains that the SHBVB’s top

ple want to see it,” explains Crystal Ortis of High Water Farms. Like other Southern Humboldt farmers, Ortis is passionate about sustainable growing practices and regenerative farming. “Due to our remote location and back-to-theland culture, Southern Humboldt residents are intimately connected to the land and its influences,” writes Ortis.

In today’s legal cannabis industry, Southern Humboldt farmers are setting the highest standards in California for sustainable agriculture and regenerative farming. In order to educate visitors about real life in Southern Humboldt, the SHBVB facilitates educational farm tours to teach guests about sustainability, closed-loop farming, and cannabis. At the SHBVB’s ‘Meet the Farmer’ series this spring, guests will have the opportunity to hear firsthand outlaw stories while immersing themselves in the food, wine, and hospitality of Southern Humboldt.

Once in Southern Humboldt, it’s easy to feel the magic in the towering redwoods, pristine beaches, sustainable farms, and strong community. “This is America’s cannabis heartland,” says Lasseter. “You just have to experience it for yourself.”

For more information, visit:

ELEVATETHEMAGIC.COM or SHBVB.ORG sensimag.com APRIL 2019 49

{HereWeGo }

by N O R A M O U N C E

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Mendocino Center for Living Well (MCLW) has offered yoga

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den, the restaurant also utilizes the ocean’s abundance in

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