I DENVER/BOULDER M A R C H 2020
WHO, WHAT, WEAR
A High Style fusion of fashion and cannabis ›››
WEEDED BLISS
Start your marriage on a high note
HANGING WITH OPRAH
In the Mile High
Live Wholeheartedly
Boulder’s finest cannabis experience. 21+ Recreational only. TheFarmCo.com
2801 iris ave. Boulder, CO.
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Taking the guesswork out of cannabis.
www.pax.com NOT FOR SALE TO MINORS. PAX DOES NOT PRODUCE, MANUFACTURE OR DISTRIBUTE CANNABIS. © 2019 PAX Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. PAX LABS, PAX, PAX 2, PAX 3, PAX Logo, X (Stylized), ERA, ERA PRO, and PAXsmart are all trademarks of PAX Labs, Inc. US and International Patents Pending. Patents: pax.com/intellectual-property-list
DENVER / BOULDER SENSI MAGAZINE MARCH 2020
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F E AT U R E S
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Who, What, Wear
Cannabis meets fashion at High Style, an evening of style, substance, and sustainability.
66 A Timeline of Trivia
Trade powder days for palm trees this month and take a quick trip to the West Coast.
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Size Matters
Tiny homes are an obvious solution to housing and climate issues. Why isnʼt it easier to find space for them?
ON THE COVER A model wears designer Korto Momoluʼs capsule collection for Women Grow, which the Fashion Runway favorite is showing in Denver at Westwordʼs High Style on March 5. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH CLARK WITH ORIGINAL PHOTO COURTESY OF WOMEN GROW
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Environmentally Conscious Child Safe Champions for Cannabis
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15 EDITOR’S NOTE 18 THE BUZZ
News, tips, and tidbits to keep you in the loop SMALL WORLD NASA remasters the farthest photo of Earth. SOCIAL SMOKES A new cannabis tasting room in Glendale. GREEN GAS Beer brewers donate CO2 to growers.
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SPRING SCRUB Products to refresh your skin THE BIG ONE America’s largest hemp processing plant SPEAK UP Join Denver’s Marijuana License Work Group.
30 THE LIFE
Contributing to your health and happiness THE BEAUTY OF CBD Does it really make you hot? MENTAL HEALTH Treatment is least available in the very communities that need it most. EDUCATION Colorado’s first cannabis degree program WELLNESS The future of medicine is plant-based. OUTDOORS Will we reintroduce the gray wolf to Colorado? HOROSCOPE Here’s what the stars hold for you.
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Hot happenings and hip hangouts around town TASTE BUDS The problem with calling food “ethnic” SELF IMPROVEMENT Why you need a personal brand HIGH PROFILE Oprah shares her vision with Denver. NEED TO KNOW The ins and outs of cannabis weddings HIGH SOCIETY Recapping Sensi Night in Denver and Viola’s All-Star weekend in a newly legalized Chicago. CALENDAR Spring into action with these events.
138 THE END
A pop-up apothecary from Charlotte’s Web CBD hits the Dairy Block.
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Magazine published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC. © 2020 Sensi Media Group. All rights reserved.
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Stephanie Wilson Co-Founder + Editor in Chief stephanie.wilson@sensimag.com Doug Schnitzspahn Executive Editor doug.schnitzspahn@sensimag.com
Robyn Griggs Lawrence Editor at Large Leland Rucker Senior Editor John Lehndorff Dining Editor Helen Olsson Copy Chief Melissa Howsam Senior Copy Editor Bevin Wallace Copy Editor
Dawn Garcia, Erving Jean-Jaques, Caitlin Moakley, Julie Raque, Mona Van Joseph, Lynne Woodward Contributing Writers M A N AG I N G E D I TO R S Sat Panesar Coachella Valley, California Dawn Garcia Southern California Debbie Hall Las Vegas, Nevada Nora Mounce Northern California Eric Hoppes Tampa Bay, Florida Aaron Bible Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jenny Willden Philadelphia, Pennsylvania DESIGN Jamie Ezra Mark Creative Director jamie@emagency.com Rheya Tanner Art Director Wendy Mak Designer Josh Clark Designer Kiara Lopez Designer Jason Jones Designer VIDEO Jeremy Pape Head of Production John Gray Production Videographer PRODUCTION Amber Orvik Administrative Director amber.orvik@sensimag.com Neil Willis Production Manager
EDITOR’S NOTE
Back in 2017, when
I was active on Bumble, my bio read as follows: “Small car, tiny dog, micro apartment, big career, huge dreams.” (I go on and off it now; online dating requires the kind of witty texting banter I just don’t have the energy to attempt after writing all day and reading all night, but that’s a story for another issue.) Right now, we’re focusing on the list, which referenced my Fiat 500, my three-pound Chihuahua, and my 239-square-foot apartment. Minimalist living, maximalist personality; it worked. It wasn’t a tiny home, per se, but it was tiny and it was my home. And I loved it. It was cozy, it was bright and inviting, and it made impulse purchases impossible. Every item I brought into the space had to be carefully considered because space was valuable. If I was on the fence about a shirt or a toaster or a throw pillow, I asked myself what I was willing to part with in order to create room for it on the shelves or in the closet. Living in such a small space as a full-grown adult forced me to use what I already had and to read the books on my shelves. Living in that mini studio taught me to be content. In Robyn Griggs Lawrence’s feature on tiny homes, you’ll see similar sentiments expressed by people living in such spaces. A celebration of minimalism in a maximalist world, small-space living is a trend that’s still on the rise years after it first came to our collective attention. The article gives you a good sense of why. It may inspire you to seek out your own small spot in which to live. Culling down the arbitrary things you’ve amassed over the last few decades is a cathartic experience that results in a feeling of freedom. As Jack Kerouac pointed out, “If you own a rug, you own too much.” Enjoy the magazine, however many rugs you may own.
“Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry.” —Jack Kerouac, who would have been 98 this month. Read something epic in his honor.
Best,
Hector Irizarry Head of Distribution
Stephanie Wilson @stephwilll
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“LOOK AGAIN AT THAT DOT. THAT’S HERE. THAT’S HOME. THAT’S US.” —Carl Sagan
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It’s been 30 years since NASA’s Voyager mission snapped its last photo, just before it soared into interstellar space. NASA called it “a family portrait of the solar system,” and it showed Earth as a vague, lonely spot occupying about a 10th of a single pixel. The image would become forever entwined with Voyager imaging scientist Carl Sagan’s book Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space, published four years later, in which Sagan called Earth “a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.” To celebrate the photo’s anniversary— and remind us again how small we really are—NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory released a new version of the pale-bluedot image remastered with color-balancing technology that didn’t exist in 1990. Now—perhaps even more so than in 1990, when most of the world was blissfully unaware of the dangers of climate change—Sagan’s words in Pale Blue Dot ring true. “There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world,” he wrote. “To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF NASA JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
Small World
CONTRIBUTORS
Aaron H. Bible, Dawn Garcia, Debbie Hall, Nora Mounce, Robyn Griggs Lawrence
BY THE NUMBERS
30% BETTER IN BED Promescent promises longerlasting sex. Although PE, or premature ejaculation, doesn’t have quite the same stigma as ED (erectile dysfunction), it can definitely become a barrier to intimate and meaningful lovemaking. It’s also a common problem for couples. In fact, Psychology Today recently reported on the “orgasm gap.” In case you hadn’t noticed, men tend to reach an orgasm during heterosexual lovemaking about three times faster than women—5.5 minutes vs. 18 minutes. According to the new brand and product Promescent, up to two billion women go without orgasms each year as a result of this issue. Makers of Promescent, a climax-delay spray, claim it prolongs lovemaking. So, will it become the next Viagra? Check it out for yourself and see if it improves your sex life. promescent.com
Increase in adultuse cannabis businesses in Colorado from 2016–19 SOURCE: New Frontier Data
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Round Numbers Every March 14, math nerds and bakers rejoice in celebrating the most unlikely of shared holidays: Pi Day. Celebrated on 3/14, the day recognizes two of humankindʼs most miraculous discoveries: the sweet combination of baked fruit, custard, and crust and the infinite numeric constant of 3.14159. A respite from the emotion and expectation of traditional holidays, partaking in Pi Day is a lighthearted break in the action. Seriously, easy as pie.
PERCENT Gen Zʼs share of the adult-use cannabis market in 2019 SOURCE: Headset
198 MILES Span of roads sponsored by cannabis companies in the Clean Colorado program, accounting for two-thirds of all roads actively sponsored SOURCE: Adopt a Highway Maintenance Corporation
“The fact that we’re here is a signal to the rest of the country—nay the world—that we’re ready for this conversation.” —Advocate Kevin Matthews in opening remarks for the first meeting of the Denver Psilocybin Mushroom Policy Review Panel
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THE BUZZ
LOCAL COMPANY
Social Smokes
A cannabis tasting room is set to open in Glendale. It’s been a long time coming, and it ain’t over till it’s over, but you could be able to do cannabis flights in Glendale starting next month. Glendale’s Smokin Gun Apothecary announced it will open The Joint, a small tasting room where customers can enjoy flower,
concentrates, and edibles they buy at the dispensary, on April 20.“Our goal with this tasting room is to help customers see that high-quality cannabis is very similar to fine wine—every strain has a different smell, taste, and effect,” says Smokin Gun co-owner Lindsey Mintz.
The Colorado legislature paved the way for social consumption last spring, when it approved a bill allowing cannabis stores to provide a place for customers to use the products they purchase.
“Colorado is doing a great job of taxing [cannabis] to fund schools.” —Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York during a town hall in Iowa
SHARING IS CARING When brewers give their CO2 byproducts to cannabis growers, the climate wins. Itʼs a solution so elegant, you wonder why it hasnʼt been this way for years—but, fortunately, itʼs launching now. The State of Colorado, Earthly Labs, Denver Beer Co., and The Clinic have started a pilot program that captures and stores excess carbon dioxide produced during beer fermentation and gives it to cannabis growers who use it to stimulate plant growth. Earthly Labs will capture about 2,000 pounds of CO2 produced by Denver Beer Co. per month and transfer it via holding tanks to The Clinic, which will use it to increase yields. “These pilot programs combine a few of the things that Colorado is known for: environmental responsibility, craft beer, and cannabis,” Governor Jared Polis said in a statement. “I applaud our state agencies and private partners for working together on these innovative programs to help protect the Colorado way of life.” CO2 helps cannabis plants translate light into the energy they need to grow. Right now, cannabis growers purchase it from power plants and have it shipped across the state. The exchange program will meaningfully reduce the transportation portion of the industryʼs carbon footprint, according to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. M ARCH 2020
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THE BUZZ
BILITIES
BY STEPHANIE WILSON, EDITOR IN CHIEF
1 READING ROOM The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel (Knopf, $27). Showcasing her signature literary prowess, Mandel explores the infinite ways we search for meaning in this much-hyped new release, expected March 24. Also out this month: It’s Not All Downhill from Here by How Stella Got Her Groove Back author Terry McMillan.
2 STREAM THIS Freeform’s The Bold Type. Now in its third season, this sleeper hit could be your new favorite series. It’s mine, in no small part because it centers on three young women working for a New York mag. But also because it’s witty AF, aspirational, and depicts successful women who are defined not by their relationships but by their careers. It’s empowering, and you should watch it. (It’s on Hulu).
3 LISTEN UP NPR’s Life Kit podcast—tools to help you get it together. And by you, I mean me; I need all the help I can get. Picking out a lightbulb last fall had me staring mouth agape in a store aisle for a half-hour trying to make sense of all the options. After listening to “Picking Out a Lightbulb, Made Easy,” I know which one’s for me. Life Kit’s episodes are short and to the point, offering tips on how to do things like begin therapy; start a book club; master your budget; remove stains; and juggle paperwork, appointments, and repairs–basically how to adult. 4 GROWING TREND Pot in Pots. The Swiss-cheese-leafed Monstera is last year’s “It” plant. Cannabis is the hashtagable houseplant of 2020. Get in on the trend. Depending where you live, you can find clones or seeds at select dispensaries with an easy google—while you’re at it, look up local laws regarding home grows. Cannabis cuttings (a.k.a. clones) are pretty easy to root—check Leafly.com for tips—and you should definitely bring some to your next plant swap. Spread the word, spread the love.
PRODUCT ROUNDUP
SPRING CLEANSING
Sensual herbal products will help you forget winter ever happened.
BROAD SPECTRUM CBD OIL
The Healing Roseʼs hemp-derived CBD oil is the perfect addition to your morning routine or a great way to end the day. The Healing Rose provides transparency through third-party testing on every batch. $80 for 1,200 mg /thehealingroseco.com
SISAL BATH BRUSH
Use Baudelaireʼs sisal bath brush on dry skin before a shower to promote healthier circulation and stimulate new skin cells while brushing away the old ones. $10 / baudelairesoaps.com
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE OIL
Badgerʼs deep tissue massage oil has warming, enlivening ingredients such as ginger and cayenne. $18 / badgerbalm.com
JAVA JOLT BODY SCRUB
Showering with the scent of coffee and mint from Boston-based Organic Bath Co.ʼs Java Jolt is enough to wake you up. Who needs coffee in a cup? $10–$27 / organicbath.co
“I have concluded that it would pose an increased risk.” —Mayor Michael B. Hancock on his decision to veto city council legislation to end the ban on pit bulls in Denver
CLEANSE + FORTIFY BOTANICAL TONIC
Maine Medicinalsʼ gentle yet powerful tonic includes a little detox love from dandelion and nettle along with strengthening Reishi mushrooms and lemon balm. $26 / mainemedicinals.com
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THE BUZZ
GOOD READS Meryl Streep on the Couch by doctor Alma H. Bond is a look at the inner workings of actress and activist Meryl Streep. Bond, a clinical psychoanalyst, is known for her couch sessions with famous women in history like Barbra Streisand, Hillary Clinton, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and Michelle Obama. Streep approached her when researching the role of psychoanalyst for her film The Psychotherapist and what follows are stories, insights, and a deeper appreciation for Streep as a woman, mother, activist, and actress. Bond was married to the late Streetcar Named Desire actor Rudy Bond.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM
Available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and bancroftpress.com.
Itʼs Not How Good You Are, Itʼs How Good You Want to Be by Paul Arden may possibly be the most encouraging book anyone in the marketing, publishing, or advertising worlds can read. Pages and pages of honest, inspiring anecdotes, quotes, personal stories, and failures and successes make this book a must-read. Answering everyday questions with logical responses, Arden has written a cohesive handbook for navigating through the terrain of
life by altering your conditioned mindset. The message: it doesnʼt matter what job you have or where you are in your journey. His positivity and intellect will make it near impossible not to accomplish something epic in your life. Available on amazon.com.
Hemp Palace
Hemp field acreage has quadrupled since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the crop. As the industry explodes, all those plants need to be stored and processed. A lot of them will end up in Colorado City. Paragon Processing’s 250,000-square-foot facility— the nation’s largest hemp-processing plant—offers total seed-to-shelf solutions for industrial-scale processing, manufacturing, and white labeling (pretty much everything you could do with the plant once you get it out of the ground). The facility can store up to 50 million pounds of hemp in a climate-controlled environment, and it has an on-site third-party laboratory that can verify whether mold exists (among other tests). The facility turns one to two million pounds of hemp per month into winterized crude using cryo-ethanol extraction and three-stage molecular distillation, and produces THC-free CBD, CBG, and CBN distillate, which is then sent to a 45,000-square-foot white-label distribution center in Colorado Springs that churns out gummies and other products such as lip balm and sunscreen. paragonprocessors.com
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THE BUZZ
Speak Up
Here’s your chance to have a say in how—and if—Denver implements new cannabis licenses for social consumption and delivery.
Perfect Touch
Cannabis regulation in Denver has been something of a two-steps-forward-onestep-back (or one-forward-two-back?) situation. It can be frustrating to sit by and watch, helplessly, as an industry gets built— or doesnʼt—based on seemingly random decisions made by officials who may or may not understand it. Itʼs time to make your voice heard. The Denver Department of Excise and Licenses is seeking a diverse group of stakeholders in the cannabis industry, including representatives from the community, business sector, and social justice groups, to form the Marijuana Licensing Work Group (MLWG), which will gather feedback about whether—and how—the city should implement two new state laws allowing marijuana licenses for home delivery and social consumption, and review the application and lottery process to provide for more equitable access. The MLWG will meet on April 7 and 22, and May 6 from 1 to 5 p.m. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on March 20. For more information or to apply, email marijuanainfo@denvergov.org.
Sangria enhances the flavor of any brunch. Spice up any brunch with a red or white sangria infused with favorite fruits. A favorite drink in Spain, sangria is a blend of red wine, fruit, and spices, served in a chilled pitcher. Over time, everyone around the world adopted the drink and added their own touches to invigorate the concoction, including such nuances as using white wine and seasonal fruits. M ARCH 2020
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how to play: 1. Buy 5 grams of Premium Lazercat & keep receipts 2. Make Lazercat inspired art in art box 3. Follow all fine print submission instructions 4. Check email for Raffle + Party ticket & details
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Full Name __________________ Email ______________________ Phone # ____________________
21+ only • Lazercat past & present employees excluded • Qualifying products: Premium Live Rosin &/or Premium Rosin Lava purchased between 3.1.20 & 5.31.20. Original receipts only (NO COPIES OR PRINTOUTS) • We’ll use our favorite art squares in a collab piece & throw you an extra raffle + party ticket if your art makes it • Fill out contact info - can’t give you L tickets without it! • No limit on # of submissions. Must shop within legal Retail Marijuana Sales Limit set by MED. Steps 1-4 required for each submission. Extra art pages available at www.lazercatcannabis.com • Photograph your art+receipts (mail can be lost), then send (post-marked by 6.7.20) art+receipts to Lazercat PO Box 3154 Idaho Springs, CO 80452 • Await confirmation email (& check spam). If no confirmation 4 weeks after mailing, email WJCxAG@lazercat.com & attach art+receipts photo • Follow @lazercatcannabis for party & contest updates • Players not required to attend party to win. Winner must collect piece in Denver metro area
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WJC is a collaborator & friend of Lazercat. We want to show you love for making Lazercat possible so we commissioned a WJC x Adam G 2020 Heartifact to give away. The price of contest grams is the same as always. We are grateful for your support & can’t wait to party with you!
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CBD The Beauty of
The “it” cannabinoid is the hottest ingredient in skincare, but will it make you hot?
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAINT JANE
TEXT STEPHANIE WILSON
The CBD beauty market is on track to reach $25 billion globally in the next 10 years—a mind-blowing figure when you consider that five years ago, most of us hadn’t even heard of CBD. I hadn’t. Then I had, and soon it was everywhere, being sold as a potential cure for everything, hawked by everyone—the gas station attendant pushing CBD gummies. The elderly neighbor talking about the CBD tincture that got him back on the pickleball court. The girl from
high school who stumbled into my DMs reciting practiced MLM scripts and urging everyone in her orbit to join her marketing mission, to get in on the ground level of the cannabinoid craze. I think about that girl often, especially as I click through my inbox, which received an average 11 unsolicited emails related to CBD every day of 2019, many of those pitching stories on the latest and greatest and most innovative, game-changing CBD product to hit
the (already saturated) marketplace. She’s got a whole lot of competition. And it grows by the day. The “it” cannabinoid roared onto everybody and their grandmother’s radar in 2018, and today’s infused offerings run the gamut from awesome to abhorrent. Sometimes it’s not easy to tell the difference between the two, but fret not: we’re here to help. CBD is a beautiful thing with beautiful potential in the beauty industry. So many readers have asked me about CBD beauty products,
so I put together this tutorial for you all. If you like it or if you’re new here, don’t forget to click “like” and subscribe and let me know in the comments. Appreciate you! First, the Legalities Late 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration amended federal law, changing the definition of “marijuana” to exclude hemp—a type of cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. Any CBD derived from hemp is A-OK with DEA.
Saint Jane Luxury CBD Beauty Serum With 500 mg of fullspectrum CBD, plus 20 potent botanicals, this antioxidant-packed superblend promises to hydrate, calm redness, detoxify pores, and restore your natural glow.
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$125 / saintjanebeauty.com
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THE LIFE
DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME
CBD pillows exist. The science behind the makerʼs claims that sleeping on one delivers any cannabinoids to your system, however, does not. Buyer beware.
Oversight of the popular cannabinoid now falls under the purview of the Food and Drug Administration, which retains authority to regulate products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds (hemp included). That said, the FDA doesn’t do much regulating of the cosmetics industry in general, only stepping in to prevent
products from maiming or killing consumers. The FDA defines cosmetics as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced to, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, and articles intended for use as a component of any such articles.”
Basically, anything you’d find at Sephora. So to recap: cannabis + cosmetics = legal. But are cannabis cosmetics beneficial, or are companies just capitalizing on the hype, snake-oilsalesman-style? Ingesting cannabis is known to have benefits, but does it do anything when it’s just slathered on your skin? Does it have any beauty benefit? That’s subjective, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all. The science behind these cannabinoid-laden skincare and beauty products is definitely not full coverage. To use another makeup analogy, it’s more Alicia Keys than Ariana Grande. But you can find worthy products that fit your needs: do some research, ask friends for recommendations, and read up on the products and the companies you’re considering. And do as any Sephora VIB (Very Important Beauty, of course) would: check the customer reviews, which more often than not offer more insight about whether a product is right for you than any marketing campaign ever could. Talking Shop Most department and specialty stores have a growing number of cannabis-related prod-
ucts in their portfolio of offerings. But to find the high-end products worthy of your attention and your dollars, start with the high-end stores employing discerning buyers whose job it is to vet products before agreeing to sell them to their customers. You’ll find top-quality lines with price tags to match at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and so on. At Sephora, you’re likely to find the most robust number of cannabis-derived beauty boosters for your perusal. Sephora’s lineup includes items such as Herbivore’s Emerald CBD + adaptogens deep moisture glow oil ($58), made with full-spectrum CBD oil, plus hemp seed oil. Farmacy makes the Better Daze Ahead CBD moisturizer ($68); Kiehl’s has a cannabis sativa seed oil herbal concentrate ($50); and Milk Makeup has KUSH mascaras and lip glosses made with hemp-derived cannabis seed oil. It’s worth noting here that cannabis sativa seed oil, cannabis seed oil, and hemp seed oil are the same thing, and that thing is very different than CBD oil. You’ve likely used hemp seed oil before—it’s been around for centuries, and it’s often used as a base in-
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The increase in online searches for “CBD beauty” after the US legalized hemp-derived CBD in 2018 SOURCE: Allure
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THE LIFE
Check This List
Thinking of adding some CBD to your skincare routine? Look for quality products that mention these components or practices on the label: • Full- or broad-spectrum CBD, with the quantity clearly listed. Some companies are adding trace amounts to justify jacking up the prices. No official dosage recommendations exist, but if itʼs more than a single serving, expect triple digits. • Organic cultivation practices, free of pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful materials. • USA-grown hemp: imported hemp may have been exposed to chemicals banned by the US. • Third-party lab testing, with results available online.
gredient. It’s inexpensive; it’s a good moisturizer; and it doesn’t clog pores (so it’s unlikely to cause breakouts).
CBD oil, on the other hand, comes not from hemp seeds, but from the plant’s stalks and stems. Because it comes
from the whole plant, it contains the same valuable vitamins, minerals, and nutrients found in hemp, as well as the cannabinoids. This magical combo is thought to be why CBD oil may calm irritated skin and combat acne. CBD has antioxidant properties more powerful than vitamins C and E. It’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and it has conditioning/lipid-producing properties that makes it a great moisturizer. Dr. Cheryl Bugailiskis, a board-certified pediatrician and cannabis specialist with HelloMD, spoke with online magazine Bustle about why our skin can potentially respond very well to CBD. Turns out, the skin has the highest concentration of cannabinoid receptors, to which cannabinoids like CBD bind upon application, working with our endo-
cannabinoid system to help the body reach a state of balance. Bugailiskis says when CBD is used for therapeutic purposes tied to the skin, it’s believed to work by impacting our skin’s cannabinoid receptors “to better regulate pain, inflammation, bacteria, lipid production (which can lead to acne), the release of histamine, as well as skincell proliferation (which causes psoriasis). While more research is needed, some studies indicate CBD could be effective in calming irritated skin and reducing redness, helping to lessen visible signs of aging, and as a potentially powerful way to combat acne.” Clearly, there’s a lot of goodness packed into one plant. And our bodies are basically designed to reap its benefits, so slather on a liberal application and
Clean wellness and beauty brand Prima uses hemp-based CBD in its award-winning line, which will soon be available at Sephora stores nationwide. $16–$96 / prima.co
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THE LIFE M E N TA L H E A LT H
Struggling in Silence People in disaffected communities are more likely to experience serious mental health issues and less likely to seek help for them. TEXT ERVING JEAN-JACQUES
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THE LIFE M E N TA L H E A LT H
The stark reality of America’s mental health crisis never hits home quite so hard as when illness affects someone close to us. We may read mountains of books on the subject, talk to mental health professionals, even work in the field of medicine—but nothing can truly prepare us for the emotional toll of seeing a loved one suffer. My mother was active, healthy, and independent before she was found on a flight of stairs, exposed to the elements, after suffering a stroke on a frigid February night. She broke her vertebrate and ended up paralyzed. I was traumatized. It is frustrating and heartbreaking to witness the abuse my mother goes through because of her illness, the lack of professionalism or basic human empathy she receives, even in her deteriorated state. My own struggles with my mind became intensified with my mother’s illness, but I neglected to check in with a mental health professional as her condition became apparent. Minor things seemed to be inflated. I was walking a tightrope over a volcano. Despair and anger became my
two closest companions, and they reared their heads at the most inopportune moments. I became isolated and plunged into an abyss of self-loathing and rage. In our culture, if you fall ill, you must be lucky enough to have a support network in place or you face near-certain emotional and fi nancial ruin. Fortunately, I had two important people in my life who didn’t give up on me. With a lot of reading, support, and hard work, I am proud to say I’m fi nally doing better. I was blessed, but many like me are not as fortunate. Sadly, mental health is simply not a priority at any level—local, state, or national. In this country, the communities most in need of mental health services are denied care because of systemic bias and indifference. Black and brown people are disproportionately affected by the woeful underfunding of vital mental health resources and dearth of services, rooted in the sordid legacy of white supremacy. It is then no surprise that people from disaffected communities are the least likely to seek or retain mental health
Sadly, mental health is simply not a priority at any level— local, state, or national. In this country, the communities most in need of mental health services are denied care because of systemic bias and indifference.
services, even though African Americans are 20 percent more likely than the general population to experience serious mental health problems and more likely to be exposed to factors such as homelessness and violence that increase the risk for developing mental health conditions, according to the US Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. One in four Black Americans will experience a mental disorder at some point. If people from the Black community would seek out treatment, they would learn that the human mind fundamentally rewires itself to cope after prolonged periods of stress. This can damage the brain, causing disturbing flashbacks, insomnia, emotional numbness, angry outbursts, and feelings of guilt or responsibility. These symptoms, when experienced without context or understanding, can leave us confused, angry, or withdrawn. Only by understanding the root cause of these symptoms can we begin the healing process. Dealing with these symptoms head on can be overwhelming, and many people choose to ignore the problem at M ARCH 2020
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THE LIFE
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M E N TA L H E A LT H
Unmet Needs Adult blacks are more likely to experience serious psychological distress and feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness than adult whites. Yet only 30 percent of these adults receive treatment, far less than the US average of 43 percent. In 2018, a Boston University School of Public Health study found that half of white college students with mental health problems had received treatment compared with only onequarter of black students. “There is enormous unmet need for mental health services in college student populations writ large, and students of color represent a disparities population based on even greater unmet mental health needs,” states Sarah Lipson, the studyʼs lead author.
all costs. I experienced the utter uselessness of the options presented to me while pursuing care within the American system, in which bureaucratic inefficiency and systemic bias appear to be the norm for my demographic (a plethora of studies affirm this fact). Is it any wonder people are not fully invested in their recovery? The reality on the ground is that talking about mental health in the black and brown community is still ta-
boo. That’s a shame. As black and brown people, we should embrace mental health. We need to check in with each other (friends, family, neighbors) because depression can materialize while incognito. The mental health care system needs more resources, and aggressive studies should be done to target weak points and correct systemic bias. This issue deserves to be front and center as we head into the 2020 election cycle.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Erving Jean-Jacques is a Boston native and cannabis advocate. He disseminates information he hopes will lead to a new righteous reality.
I experienced the utter uselessness of the options presented to me while pursuing care within the American system, in which bureaucratic inefficiency and systemic bias appear to be the norm for my demographic (a plethora of studies affirm this fact). Is it any wonder people are not fully invested in their recovery?
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THE LIFE E D U C AT I O N
lo proposal for the program states, adding that officials believe 15 new freshman students could be enrolled this fall and 60 more will be enrolled within four years. “We believe that the demand for this new major is strong,” the proposal states. “We are interested in trying to make sure that as this industry grows and expands in Colorado and across the nation, the products people are using—be it marijuana or industrial hemp—are safe and we know what the effects are, and we know what is going on,” says David Lempuhl, dean of the College of SciCSU-Pueblo is launching the state’s first cannabis degree ence and Mathematics at CSU-Pueblo. “We came up program, one of only a handful in the nation. with this degree program TEXT ROBYN GRIGGS LAWRENCE to address that need.” CSU-Pueblo is certainly ahead of the game, but In yet another sign that The state’s first canCSU-Pueblo’s stateit’s not the first to offer a the cannabis industry is nabis degree program, funded Institute of Cancannabis degree. Northmainstreaming—and that which will be part of nabis Research on the ern Michigan University southern Colorado is inCSU-Pueblo’s chemistry Belmont Campus, which is offering a bachelor’s prodeed the Silicon Valley of department, will consist has been growing and regram in medicinal plant cannabis—Colorado State of two tracks. There will searching hemp since last chemistry, and the UniUniversity-Pueblo will be be an analytical track May, regularly receives versity of Maryland-Baltiamong the first in the nafocused on chemistry, inquiries from industry more’s School of Phartion to offer a bachelor of and a natural products leaders requesting that the macy offers a master of science in cannabis biolo- track focused on biolouniversity provide indusscience degree in medical gy and chemistry startgy will prepare students try-related curriculum. cannabis. Minot State ing this fall. CSU-Pueblo to formulate salves, skin School officials hope to in North Dakota offers a officials say the program treatments, and supplepartner with some of these four-year degree prowill emphasize the science ments. Students in the businesses to provide men- gram, and courses are of cannabis as it prepares program will work only toring and internships. being offered at colleges students to work in the with industrial hemp, “The new major is a and universities across the rapidly expanding canwhich CSU-Pueblo has a proactive response to a country, including Clark nabis industry—making federal license to grow, rapidly changing national College in Worcester, MasCSU-Pueblo the Stanford but no flower or products scene regarding the cansachusetts, and the Uniof cannabis (naturally). containing THC. nabis plant,” a CSU-Pueb- versity of Las Vegas.
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BY DEGREES CSU-Pueblo already offers a minor in cannabis studies, with courses focused on the social, legal, historical, political, and health-related impacts on society.
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THE LIFE WELLNESS
Only Natural Medicine’s future is plant-based. TEXT JULIE RAQUE
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has changed and shifted drastically over the past 5,000 years. With the mass availability of information, humans have become educated in the world of medicine and empowered to choose the practices to which
they wish to subscribe. We’ve relied primarily on Western medicine and pharmaceuticals, but we can expect plant-based remedies to play a role in health trends in the year to come as people incorporate holistic healing
practices into their daily regimens as preventative and retroactive measures. People will look to the root cause of disease, not just symptoms. Often when people fall ill, they look to treat
THE LIFE WELLNESS
what they consider the worst part of their illness—the symptoms they’re experiencing—as quickly as possible. People are starting to understand that they need to solve the root cause of a disease rather than superficial symptoms. With information readily accessible, people can understand why they may be feeling a certain way and what they can do to prevent an illness moving forward. More than ever, people are looking toward how active they are, vitamins and minerals, nutrients, and diet to uncover what’s causing their symptoms. They will, in turn, be invested in learning about how different plant-based
remedies address both symptoms and root causes, and how these can lead them on a path to better health and wellness overall. People will look to natural remedies before pharmaceuticals. Botanic remedies have been providing relief for thousands of years. While the pharmaceutical industry has focused on isolating, synthesizing, and patenting specific chemicals and molecular compounds, alternative remedies employ natural treatments stemming from the plant kingdom. People now understand the harm an antibiotic can do to your gut flora, digestive
system, and kidneys, especially if it is interacting with another antibiotic in your system. Many will look to herbs, spices, fruits, and vegetables to ease symptoms and issues such as anxiety, sleeplessness, mood swings, and adrenal fatigue before reaching for the medicine cabinet.
interact adversely with your kidneys and liver, a difficult trade-off for someone looking to alleviate a headache. Topicals allow you to target a certain area and reapply as necessary, making them a more appropriate treatment for acute pain.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Raque is vice president of marketing for The Root of It All, which makes cannabis-based remedies, and Cannabistry, a leading cannabis research and development organization. She has helped launch highly valued pharmaceutical products, including Harvoni.
People will look toward other cultures. Consumers will More people are looking experiment with to ancient Eastern and different methods. Ayurvedic principles to There are less invasive figure out why they may ways to treat things like be feeling the way they pain and sore muscles are and how to treat it. than popping IbuproBoth ancient Chinese fen or acetaminophen, and Ayurvedic medicine including cannabipractices utilize plants noid-based topicals, in their healing stratlotions, tinctures, and egies and emphasize inhalants. Over-thebalance between mind, counter pain relievers can body, and spirit.
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THE LIFE WILDLIFE
Welcome, Wolves?
Colorado voters will decide whether to reintroduce the gray wolf in the state— if state legislation doesn’t preempt and prevent their efforts first.
Gray wolves once had the greatest natural range of all terrestrial mammals, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo.
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PHOTO BY JOSHUA FREAKE
TEXT ROBYN GRIGGS LAWRENCE
THE LIFE
PHOTO BY YANNICK MENARD
WILDLIFE
In prehistoric times, about two million canis lupus (gray wolves) roamed and hunted throughout North America, part of a robust ecosystem. As large predators at the top of the food chain, they kept the bison, elk, deer, and coyote populations in check and on the move. The wolves culled herds, and their prey grew stronger as they fled before they could overgraze areas near rivers and streams, their hooves aerating the soil as they ran. Wolves were a key piece of an ecological balance that was severely tilted when white hunters and the US Army nearly eradicated bison, the wolves’ primary food source, in the late 1800s. When wolves turned to eating livestock out of desperation, the government moved to protect
Wildlife announced that three females and a male (all siblings) are living in the northwest corner of Colorado, the missing link that would restore their historic range between the Arctic and central Mexico. Retired animal rights attorney Larry Wiess doesn’t think this presence constitutes repopulation. He wants Colorado to step up the game, and he’s gathered more than 215,000 signatures (111 ranchers by setting boun- percent more than he needed) for a ballot initiaties on gray wolves and hiring field agents to kill tive that would force the state to “develop a plan to them in atrocious ways (shooting was humane). restore and manage gray wolves in Colorado using By the 1940s, only a few the best scientific data hundred wolves were left, huddled in the deep available” and begin reinwoods of Michigan and troducing about 10 wolves Minnesota. In Colorado, per year on the Western gray wolves were hunted Slope by 2023. The initiato extinction. tive also calls for the govGray wolves were kept ernment to pay fair comfrom dying out complete- pensation to ranchers for ly in the US in the 1970s, any livestock they kill. when they were put unThis is the first time der the protection of the voters in the US have connewly signed Endangered sidered reintroducing a Species Act, requiring species, and the initiative state wildlife managers to is getting a lot of attenreintroduce and protect tion. It has also picked them. In 1995, they were up a lot of support from reintroduced to YellowDenver/Boulder, as well as stone National Park. out of state, and that isn’t There are now about sitting well with ranchers 6,000 gray wolves roamand rural voters. “It harding the northern Rockies ly seems fair,” the Grand from Washington to Wyo- Junction Daily Sentinel edming and down in Arizo- itorial board wrote, “that na and New Mexico. This urban dwellers in the Inyear, Colorado Parks and terstate 25 corridor get a
say in whether wolves are good for western Colorado, which is where they would be released.” State Senator Kerry Donovan, a Democrat who represents seven Western Slope counties, has introduced legislation to postpone reintroduction efforts until the last day of 2025 while state agriculture and wildlife officials determine how and how much to reimburse ranchers. Her bill would cancel reintroduction altogether if the state determines the gray wolf population is already self-sustaining— and nothing’s stopping officials from declaring four rogue siblings to be just that. Colorado’s stance on wolves is pretty clear—in 2016, the Colorado Wildlife Commission rejected a proposal to reestablish wolves, citing conflict with the livestock industry and big game management—as is the US government’s. US Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, who is from Rifle, is pushing to have the gray wolf removed from the endangered species list because it “no longer meets the definition” of a threatened species. For wolves in Colorado, getting out the vote along the Front Range appears to be the best shot.
TAKE ACTION The Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund is leading the campaign to reintroduce gray wolves in Colorado. wolfactionfund.com
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Elevating flavor.
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THE LIFE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mona Van Joseph has been an intuitive since 2002. She is an author, columnist, and host of Psychic View Radio. She created dicewisdom.com, which also has a smartphone app. mona.vegas
HOROSCOPE
MARCH HOROSCOPE What do the stars hold for you? TEXT MONA VAN JOSEPH
you are—and totally step JULY 23–AUG. 22 back from the people Listen to the compliwho are taking advanPeople are about to ment that presents ittage of your good nature. prove to you how much self to you as a critithey love you. March is cism; energies will make MAY 21–JUNE 20 when your gratitude toyou better through jealward people who are ousy and roadblocks. It It’s time to apologize for supporting you will make could be that you realize the things you have done all the difference. it’s time for a change. to hurt people. If your ego won’t let you actual- AUG. 23–SEPT. 22 MAR. 21–APR. 19 ly call them to apologize, write them a “spiritual” There are angels surThere is something to letter telling them you rounding you. Pennies celebrate that presents were unfair to them and and feathers in your path itself to you. To thank the that you are sorry. are likely. This is a month universe for this opporof being aware of how tunity or inspiration, do- JUNE 21–JULY 22 things are lining up for nate to an organization a you. Accept all invitations. few times this month. “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” SEPT. 23–OCT. 22 APR. 20–MAY 20 The door to your future couldn’t open any wider. Coincidence will be your Do not try to impress If you want the job, you best friend this month. anyone who isn’t treating can have it. If you want It’s time to drop (old) you well. Please agree that relationship to go ideas that you can’t have with the vibration that to the next level, you what you want…you toyou are perfect the way can have it. tally can. Pay attention! FEB. 19–MAR. 20
PISCES
LEO
GEMINI
VIRGO
ARIES
CANCER
TAURUS
LIBRA
OCT. 23–NOV. 21
DEC. 22–JAN. 19
Practice saying nice things about people. Do not take on the bad karma right now of backstabbing those who truly do not deserve it. Ask yourself: “Am I basing my opinion on someone else’s agenda?”
When you focus on one thing at a time, you are a genius. Avoid multitasking this month. Better to spend the time to make sure it’s done right the first time.
SCORPIO
PISCES, ENERGIES WILL USE JEALOUSY AND ROADBLOCKS TO MAKE YOU BETTER THIS MONTH. IT COULD BE THAT IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE.
CAPRICORN
JAN. 20–FEB. 18
AQUARIUS
Embrace the high energy of spinning lots of You are the owner of this plates right now. You are lifetime and acting as the chef who has many though you do have the pots simmering, and it’s power to change things time to admit that you will make all the differlike it this way. Thrive by ence this month. You will making the magic hapget a sign that you are on pen with all the resourcthe right track. es available to you. NOV. 22–DEC. 21
SAGITTARIUS
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Cannabis meets fashion at High Style, an evening of style, substance, and sustainability in Denver. TEXT LYNNE WOODWARD
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enver native Jenny Baker-Strasburg’s eyes were opened to cannabis’s healing potential after she moved back to Colorado from New York and was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. When the treatment she was prescribed turned out to be more debilitating than the disease itself, Strasburg’s husband suggested giving cannabis a try. She figured it couldn’t hurt,
and through trial and error, she discovered CBD. It felt like a miracle. Strasburg made it her mission to learn everything she could about the plant, including how to ensure the cannabis products she was using were free of toxic chemicals and were produced sustainably. And she’s using her platform as co-founder of JAM Productions, which creates experiential fashion events, to spread the word. On Thursday, March 5, JAM
Productions is partnering with Westword—the first mainstream media outlet to hire a cannabis critic—to create High Style, a carefully curated fusion of cannabis-infused fashion, education, and wellness focused on style, substance, and sustainability. She and her partner, Mary Spicer, have pulled together an amazing crew of cannabis-industry experts and pioneers from Denver and beyond to help pull it off.
BEAUTY AND BRILLIANCE From left: Jenny Baker-Strasburg and Mary Spicer, co-founders of JAM Productions and the brains behind High Style
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“We’re starting a conversation about mindful alternatives,” Strasburg says. “High Style is featuring companies that are growing, creating, and packaging items that help you look good, feel good, have fun—and save the world.” The show will fill three floors of the McNichols Civic Center Building in Civic Center Park with two fashion shows, presentations, panels, and a marketplace where high-end hemp and cannabis brands will show off their wares. There will be passed hors d’oeuvres and samplings of CBD and sprits throughout the event, but— sorry—no cannabis consumption allowed on-site (because, laws). Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook and Pot in Pans author and Cannabis Kitchen Events CEO Robyn Griggs Lawrence (who is also editor-at-large for Sensi) will show how to make cannabis-infused food, followed by a lively Q&A with Jane West of eponymous global cannabis lifestyle brand Jane West and co-founder of Women Grow (who wrote the foreword to the Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook). Later, a panel of industry leaders will riff on “Trends in Fashion, Beauty & Cannabis.” The first fashion show will include the winter collection from Boulder-based Pact, which bills itself as “the world’s first guilt-free fashion brand” because its Fair Trade Certified clothes are made from 100 percent organic cotton, and the company offers ways to recycle or reuse old clothing, towels, and linens. Portland, Oregon-based designer Erin Colvin will showcase her High Society Collection of handmade jewelry with a subtle cannabis theme
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Los Angeles-based vōx (which means “voice” and sounds like “wokes”)—who is also performing at New York, London, and Paris fashion weeks—will entertain with her seductive vocals and hang around to meet VIPs. “We are lucky to grab her right after Paris Fashion Week to bring her to High Style to perform new songs on our runway,” says High Style co-producer Mary Spicer, who introduced vox to Becca McCharen-Tran, founding designer of Chromat (creator of Beyoncéʼs dancersʼ cage-inspired costumes during the 2014 VMAs), during New York Fashion Week. “It was a match made in heaven,” she says. “I am going to tease out the look that vōx will wear during her performance at High Style,” McCharen-Tran says. “But if you want to see it, you will have to come.”
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Westword High Style March 5, 6:30–10 p.m. McNichols Civic Center Building westwordhighstyle.com #wwhighstyle
and will be selling that jewelry and more at a pop-up shop on the third floor. And, finally, Simple Shoes will represent with basic, comfortable footwear. Korto Momolu, the Liberian-born designer who was a Project Runway All Stars favorite, will rule the second fashion show of the night with the ready-to-wear collection she created in collaboration with cannabis networking group Women Grow to spotlight the natural intersection of fashion and cannabis, two of the world’s most cutting-edge industries. The size-inclusive collection, made from sustainable materials such as hemp, jute, and cork, with some pieces sporting cannabis leaves and Women Grow logos, will also be available for sale at an on-site pop-up store, and Momolu will be on hand for a meet-and-greet. “It’s all about inclusion and changing the conversation,” Momolu told Sensi in an interview about the collection last fall after it debuted with a runway show at Pier59 Studios during New York’s biannual Fashion Week. “We wanted to say, this is what cannabis looks like, what Women Grow looks like, and what Korto Momolu looks like all mixed up in there.” The Alpine Hemp Company, a hemp apparel and CBD company founded by snowboarder Bryan DeHaven, will provide sustainable gift bags, and a team of stylists from Matthew Morris Salon & Skincare will create hair and makeup looks for the models. Strasburg, who produced fashion shows and in-store marketing programs for Liz Claiborne, DKNY Jeans, Kenneth Cole, and
Laundry, worked with Westword before to produce Whiteout, a fashion show with live music, specialty vendors, and classic cocktails that was also held at McNichols. She says many of the best sustainable fashion companies are based in Denver.
“High Style will feature fascinating companies tackling social justice and leading the way toward sustainability with transparency and best practices,” Strasburg says. “This will be a fun evening and a safe environment for people to explore this powerful plant.”
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os Angeles officially became an American city on April 4, 1850, named El Pueblo de la Reyna de los Angeles, meaning “The Town of the Queen of Angels.” While this is still contested by historians, it is now universally referred to as the “City of Angels.” It was established as a settlement in 1781 by a Spanish governor named Felipe de Neve. Originally part of Mexico, LA became a municipality of the US after the Mexican War of Independence. It was purchased as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo prior to California getting its official statehood in the union. The city dwells in a basin that is surrounded by mountains as high as 10,000 feet and a sprawling sea by way of the Pacific Ocean. Its first riches came when oil was struck in the 1890s, which led to a surge of settlers claiming Los Angeles as their new home. Fast-forward a few decades and Los Angeles became (and still is) the busiest container port of all the Americas. With growth came progress, including engineering, technology, design, and eventually film and television. Home to more than 88 cities and 4 million residents within the county limits, Los Angeles is the source of some truly fascinating tales. Below is a look at some of the interesting things you may not know about the City of Angels. Venice Canal Historic District | 1905 Los Angeles has so many extraordinary features, but this historic
district tucked away in photogenic Venice Beach feels more like you’ve been transported to Venice, Italy. Cute waterfront cottages and bridges line this European-like district that’s a mecca for creatives. It’s the vision of developer Abbot Kinney (yes, the man the eponymous district is named for). While the area has changed considerably with the inclusion of modern homes amid classic originals, the district was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Where permitted, residents can take kayaks and rowboats onto the canals that lead through the sea gates of Marina del Rey. Birth of Hollywood | 1907-1915 Hollywood was once an agriculture mecca before banker and real estate mogul H.J. Whitley purchased property and opened the Hollywood Hotel (now the Dolby Theatre). The first film to be completed in Hollywood, The Count of Monte Cristo, was released in 1908, after ties with Chicago-based studios led by Thomas Edison forced filmmakers to move out West. In 1910, Prospect Avenue was born, which inevitably became the famed Hollywood Boulevard. By 1915, more than 15 studios were in production around town. Today there are more than 100 movie and television shows filmed every day in Los Angeles. LACMA | 1913 The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum are two of the city’s first known museums. Originally called the Los Angeles Coun-
ty Museum of History, Science, and Art, the museum opened to the public in 1913 in Exposition Park. It wasn’t until 1961 that the museum split to become what we now know as LACMA and the Natural History Museum. Black Dahlia | 1947 Downtown Los Angeles is the last place the Black Dahlia, a.k.a. Elizabeth Short, was seen alive. Rumor has it that on January 9, 1947, she was dropped off by Robert “Red” Manley at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Guests claim to have seen her in the cocktail lounge, but the staff at the hotel claims she slipped out one of the many secret exits in the ballrooms (the exits still exist today). An aspiring actress, Short never made it in the film industry. Her body was discovered on the morning of January 15, 1947, by Betty Bersinger, who was out walking with her threeyear-old daughter. Her body had been severed into two pieces, completely drained of blood, and she was left on the west side of South Norton Avenue near Coliseum Street in Leimert Park. There were more than 150 suspects, but no one was ever charged. To date, the murder is arguably one of the most notorious cold cases in America, and certainly the most prominent unsolved case in Los Angeles history. The name Black Dahlia is linked to the 1946 noir film The Blue Dahlia, and Short was known for adorning her hair with dahlia blooms. A fun tidbit is that underneath the Biltmore hotel, there are rooms, tunnels, walkways, and inM ARCH 2020
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Historic Places to Visit in LA Olvera Street, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument (1781) Charles Lummis Home and Gardens (1894) Hollywood Forever Cemetery (1899) Venice Canals Historic District (1905) Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a. American Horror Story house (1908) Beverly Hills Hotel (1912) Barnsdall Art Park (1919) Griffith Park Observatory (1933)
(TOP) PHOTO BY ERIC URQUHART (RIGHT) PHOTO COURTESY OF ASSOCIATED PRESS
teresting fixtures, many of which have been featured in films. One of the more recognizable is the black and white tiled bathroom used in a prominent scene in Fight Club. Beverly Hills | 1910-Present Beverly Hills may be known as the land of the wealthy, Rodeo Drive, and films and shows like Pretty Woman, Beverly Hills Hillbillies, 90210, and Beverly Hills Cop (I-III), but it also happens to be where oil was struck in 1910. In fact, Beverly Hills High once produced 400 barrels of oil a day on its property, earning the school a whopping $300,000 annually in revenue. However, due to concerns about cancer-causing toxic fumes (lawsuits ensued), oil production ceased in 2017. Clearly there was much more than meets
the eye at this famously pristine public high school! Hollywood Sign | 1923 A number of modern films have made the Hollywood sign infinitely epic, like Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, Superman, and Independence Day, but LA’s iconic signage began construction years prior in 1923. Constructed with 3,700 20-watt light bulbs, spaced eight inches apart, the Hollywood sign was initially a nod to a new housing development called Hollywoodland, which real estate developers Eli Clark, General Moses Sherman, Tracy Shoults, Sydney Woodruff and the Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler invested in. The letters weigh a cumulative total of 480,000 pounds and are each 45 feet tall. According to
Chinatown Central Plaza (1938) Sheats-Goldstein House by John Lautner (1963)
hollywoodsign.org, after years of neglect, the “land” was removed permanently from the sign in 1973 by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. At one time, visitors could hike all the way to the Hollywood sign, but it has since been closed off due to the number of suicides and accidents reported. You can still hike on trails in Griffith Park, with views of the sign and the Griffith Park Observatory, but direct access is prohibited. M ARCH 2020
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Size Matters
Tiny homes are an obvious solution to housing and climate issues. Why isn’t it easier to find places for them? TEXT ROBYN GRIGGS LAWRENCE
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PHOTOS BY POVY KENDAL ATCHISON
W
hen I visited Jay Shafer’s meticulous American Gothic– style house in a sun-dappled Iowa City backyard in 1999—shortly after we launhed Natural Home magazine—the Dow had just surpassed 10,000, mortgage credit requirements were melting into oblivion, and America had a bad case of McMansion Mania. Shafer’s 130-square-foot home (yes, you read that right), built for $40,000, was a hard “no” to all that. It was also cozy and inviting, and Shafer described himself as a claustrophile (someone who loves closed-in spaces). Shafer won the Philosophy and Innovation Award in our Natural Home of the Year contest because his adorable house embodied everything the magazine stood for,
and he wasn’t afraid to say things. He said that we Americans like our homes like we like our food—big and cheap—and he was the first to figure out that putting a tiny house on wheels makes it an RV and therefore not subject to city and county minimum-size standards and codes. He wasn’t shy about his intention to make tiny homes a revolutionary alternative in a housing market headed for disaster. “I am certainly not proposing that everyone should live in a house as small as mine,” Shafer wrote in the letter accompanying his contest entry. “Such minimalism would be excessive for most people. What I am saying is that the scale of our homes should be as varied as the spatial needs of their inhabitants, and that it is those needs rather than government regulations and conspicuous consumption that should determine house size.” Shafer’s message was radical, and largely ignored, in the frenzy leading up to the 2008 crash. But his company, Tumbleweed Tiny Homes, built a following, and he built a name for himself as the godfather of a fledgling tiny house movement (one blogger called him “the George Washington of simple and sustainable living”). He wrote The Small House Book and was on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Then he lost the company in a business dispute and his house in a divorce, and he was homeless for a while, living in a pigpen inside a shed. Determined never to live that way again, Shafer designed a 50-square-foot home that cost $5,000 in Sebastopol, California. He gives master class workshops at tiny house festivals around the world (including the
Tiny House Festival Australia in Bendigo, Victoria, March 21–22). “The evolution of tiny houses has paralleled the digital revolution, since this whole tiny thing started at the turn of the century,” Shafer told foxnews.com in 2014. “Once it became possible to have a remote little phone instead of a landline and a wall-mounted flat screen instead of a 2-foot-by-1-foot chunk on the dresser, folks started seeing the potential for living in what basically amounts to a laptop with a roof.”
A Status Symbol for Humble Braggers Though 82 percent of renters say they would like to buy a home someday, according to Fannie LIVE TINY AND FREE Mae, homeownership is at its lowest point since 1965. Ordinary More than twice as many tiny homeowners—68 people can’t afford the Ameripercent compared with can Dream (median listing price: 29 percent of all US $310,000). In the Bay Area, home- homeowners—have no buyers paid twice their annual in- mortgage, and 78 percent their own home. come for a house in the 1960s; to- own SOURCE: thetinylife.com day, they shell out nine times their yearly salary. Only 13 percent of millennial renters in the United States will have enough cash to put 20 percent down on a house in the next five years, according to an Apartment List survey. Tiny homes are much cheaper, with prices ranging from $10,000 to more than $200,000 (averaging about $65,000), and operating and maintaining them costs a lot less. When the International Code Commission made changes to its residential code to facilitate tiny house construction in 2018, it reported lifetime conditioning costs as low as LEFT: The dining table in 7 percent of conventional homes. Jay Shaferʼs 130-squareThat reality is driving the spike foot home can be taken in interest in tiny homes, which down and stored in a closare getting a lot of attention as a et when not in use. M ARCH 2020
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Interior and exterior of the Land Arkʼs Drake model from Rocky Mountain Tiny Homes.
solution to the affordable housing and homeless crises, with the added bonus of being kinder to the planet than a traditional three-bedroom/two-bath. Whether they live in tiny homes for financial reasons or not, climate-aware homebuyers get a status symbol that flaunts their honorable choice to reduce their footprint and live with less—no easy thing to do, even in this post-Kondo age. It doesn’t hurt that tiny homes—generally defined as homes with less than 400 square feet—are now readily available in every style, from your basic shed to sleek Dwell-worthy models. You can buy plans and build a tiny house yourself or pick out one online and have it shipped to you.
“The scale of our homes should be as varied as the spatial needs of their inhabitants, and that it is those needs rather than government regulations and conspicuous consumption that should determine house size.” —Jay Shafer
You can even order one on Amazon. Used tiny homes, along with inspirational stories and information, can be found at sites like tinyhousefor.us, tinyhousetalk.com, and tinyhouselistings.com.
Tiny Home Nation: 10K Strong More than half of Americans would consider a tiny home, according to a National Association of Home Builders survey. Potential buyers and just-dreamers flock to check out micro-houses, “schoolies” (converted school buses), and vans at tiny home festivals like the Florida Suncoast Tiny Home Festival in St. Petersburg (March 28–29) and the People’s Tiny House Festival in Golden, Colorado (June 6–7). But the reality is that only about 10,000 people in North America—the lucky ones who have managed to find parking spots—actually live in tiny homes. Like anything that disrupts the norm in a conformist capitalist culture, building a tiny home in a world of ticky-tacky boxes is not easy. The good news is that times are changing, as municipalities
WORRIED ABOUT RESALE VALUE? Homes under 1,200 square feet appreciate at 7.5 percent annually, about twice the 3.8 percent appreciation average for 2,400-square-foot houses
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SOURCE: realtor.com
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN TINY HOMES
Interior and exterior of the Letʼs Get Stoked model from Rocky Mountain Tiny Homes
consider tiny home villages as a way to house the homeless and marginalized communities. Still, most states only allow tiny homes to be parked in rural areas (Massachusetts, California, Florida, and Oregon are somewhat more lenient). Because most zoning laws in the United States don’t have a classification for tiny houses, most owners have to follow Shafer’s lead and register them as RVs, trailers, or mobile homes. In most places, zoning ordinances won’t allow you to buy land, park your tiny home/RV, and live happily ever after. You either have to rely on the kindness of family and friends with backyards or pay a monthly park fee to rent a space in one of the tiny home villages cropping up across the country. Park Delta Bay, an RV resort in Isleton, California, now has a row reserved for tiny homes. At Village Farm, an RV resort that’s turning into a tiny-home community in Austin, Texas, residents pay about $600 to $700 a month to park and use the services.
Slowly, city and state governments are responding to homebuyers’ demands for tiny home opportunities beyond RV resorts. Portland, Oregon, (but of course) has relaxed its ordinances to allow for everything from tiny house communities to tiny house hotels. In Rockledge, Florida, citizens demanded zoning changes allowing for a pocket neighborhood with homes ranging from 150 to 700 square feet. A tiny home community for low-income residents is under way on Detroit’s west side, and Vail, Arizona, built two dozen 300- to 400-square-foot houses for schoolteachers. Advocacy groups have been paving the way for tiny homes since Shafer and a few friends founded the Small Home Society in 2002, and they’re seeing a resurgence. In 2017, a group of University of California-Berkeley students launched the Tiny House in My Backyard (THIMBY) project to promote research and development and raise awareness of tiny house communities. Operation
Tiny Home is a national nonprofit that helps people “maintain a life of dignity” through high-quality tiny housing and empowerment training programs. TRY TINY In Canada, activists calling them- Think you might love a selves Tiny House Warriors are tak- tiny house? airbnb.com, vrbo.com, glampinghub. ing the revolution to the next level, com, and getaway.com all placing “resistance-homes-onhave tiny home listings to sample the lifestyle. wheels” along the pathway of the proposed Trans Mountain Pipeline. “We are asserting our inherent, God-given right to our lands,” says Kanahus Manuel, a leader of Tiny House Warrior. “We’re defending what’s ours, and tiny homes are how we’re doing it.” M ARCH 2020
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An icon of Denverʼs dining scene, Linger is known for putting a farm-to-street spin on ethnic eats.
Taking out Ethnic Food Critics say “othering” food makes cultures feel perpetually foreign. TEXT JOHN LEHNDORFF
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PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT DENVER
It’s hard to take any culture’s claim to culinary purity seriously because invasion, intermarriage, and migration have brought new flavors and ingredients from around the world. But it wasn’t
always easy: imagine the consternation the day the first cook in Italy served a tomato sauce made with a foreign vegetable widely considered poisonous. Whether labelled “international” or “global”
or “multicultural,” the implication is that “ethnic” food is not exactly all-American cuisine—it’s made by ethnic minorities and typically expected to be inexpensive. The issue is being debated in the food world, as some suggest that the word “ethnic” is inherently racist. A few newspapers have discontinued italicizing non-English words in food stories because doing so highlights foods and peoples as “foreign.” And it’s a fair point: why do we italicize chicharron, but not spaghetti? Controversy also arises because some chefs don’t want to be hyphenated. They are “American,” not “Italian-American” or “Ethiopian-American.” Other critics see the ethnic food aisle at supermarkets as the last fortress of “us” vs. “them.” The buzz around labels indicates we are still just a little touchy and confused about the whole subject of ethnicity—especially in Colorado, with its large immigrant community. According to state statistics, more than 600,000 (about 10 percent) of current Coloradans were born in other countries. Fully half of the population (including me) was born in other states, so
there are many “others” living here, and it has done wonders for the food in this state. Denver’s Ethnic Mixed Message If you look on Yelp for “best ethnic restaurants” in Denver, the algorithm delivers you menus for Ethiopian (Queen of Sheba), Uzbek (Samarkand), Burmese (Urban Burma), Turkish (Bosphorus), Indian (Spice Room), Cuban (Cuba Cuba), and Syrian (Jasmine), among others. Denver’s many Mexican eateries barely register on the Yelp list. The Mile High City’s tourism bureau put out a recent restaurant guide labeled variously as “ethnic” and “international.” The roster featured Asian fusion, Chinese, Cuban, Ethiopian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, and Middle Eastern dining spots. Mexican is lumped under Latin and South American. Curiously, French food is considered ethnic, but Italian, Spanish, and German fare is not. Hawaiian food is included on the list, even though it’s all-American. Meanwhile, in Boulder, Yelp’s “best ethnic food” search suffers from some confusion. The results recommend
Back in the 1960s, the first Taco Bell opened in Boulder with a tiny menu featuring tips on pronouncing the exotic “taco” and “burrito.” Some of the globeʼs oldest written recipes were recently translated from the Babylonian. One of the two dishes labeled “foreign” is an early version of chicken potpie.
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El Five serves Spanish and Eastern Mediterranean small plates and drinks in its funky, buzzy LoHi penthouse.
Ras Kassa’s Ethiopian restaurant, Tibet Kitchen; Flower Pepper Chinese Restaurant; and Ali Baba Grill, along with The Med, which dishes “ethnic” fare like pizza, ravioli and paella.
with Asian and Mexican ingredients. King Soopers labels its ethnic section “International Foods,” and this is where you’ll also find Jewish foods. As at many supermarkets, there is a separate “Kosher” shelf—much like Who Gets Put in the the gluten-free section. Ethnic Aisle? Costco doesn’t count If you order groceries because foods there get on Amazon, ethnic food placed randomly, making pops up under the Inter- shoppers wander through national Food Market the store looking for cobanner ranked by the conut milk and bargains. most popular cuisines: Safeway boasts an aisle Asian, Indian, and Latin. labeled “Hispanic Foods In visiting many of the and Asian Foods,” plus metro area’s supermara “Pasta” section for all ket chains and smaller things Italian. Howevstores recently, worlds er, the rice mixes—like of differences exist in Rice-A-Roni; Cajun rice; how culinary ethnicity is and Near East couscous, handled. pilaf, and risotto—minAt Walmart, ethnic is gle like the United Nacalled “International,” tions of carbohydrates. but is mainly stocked At Whole Foods Market,
the items are separated as much by dietary religion—GF, dairy-free, keto—as ethnicity, but an “International” aisle shelves everything from Thai noodles to organic chipotle chiles. Trader Joe’s has a looser organizational vibe. There’s a comingling of
the world’s great oils and vinegars, aged cheeses, and coffees. However, in the freezers, the Mexican vegetable entrees are segregated from the Asian vegetables, with Beijing-style soy sauce and Trader Joe’s No. 1 favorite item: Mandarin orange chicken. M ARCH 2020
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what ethnic means. My dad was born in Austria, and my mother’s parents emigrated from Sicily. I used to say I was half Sicilian and half Austrian, but now that doesn’t tell half the story of my roots all the way back to the old country: Africa. Like America, I’m a chunky stew, not a smooth fondue. Stews are satisfying entrees that meld ingredients that still retain some individual identity. EthWith locations in RiNo and LoHi, Cart-Driver is inspired by the carrettiera, or cart-driver, who brought nic traditions and foods goods from Southern Italyʼs farms to its villages via horse-drawn cart, stopping along the way to serve aren’t ditched at the dishes to the people he met. door, even as newcomers Critics suggest that Savory Spice—which and is stocked with a assimilate into the US. this “us” vs. “them” carry some ethnic foods. peculiar smorgasbord This makes America approach to shopping To gain a different of Italian pizza, Middle rich—and absolutely a subtly reinforces racism perspective on ethnicEastern beverages, barbe- much better place to eat. and that Asian ingrediity, take a trip to Asian cue sauce, Skippy peanut Dining out has proven ents should be spread superstore H Mart (in butter, Slavic jams, Nutel- to be the surest way to throughout the store. Aurora or Westminster) la, and waffle mix. overcome cultural barriWould putting the hoisin or Arash International ers over time. Once you sauce next to the ketch- Market (in Aurora) on How Ethnic Are You? meet the maker of the up make shopping easier a Thursday afternoon. Wikipedia’s big-tent ap- pupusa or baklava you or more complicated? You will be surrounded proach to cuisine catego- love, it’s harder to stick And for whom? by a bustling world of ries lists all of us under their family and culture If you are looking for Americans from several Ethnic and Religious in the “other” category. an authentic ethnic mar- continents spread across Cuisines from Albanian In the end, it’s all Amerket, Yelp’s Denver search whole aisles devoted to all the way to Zambian. ican food made by Amerioffers a wealth of choic- rice noodles, tea, kimchi, But DNA tests such as cans for Americans. es: M & I International and flatbreads. 23andMe have changed Let’s eat! Market for Russian and At H Mart, food gets European goods, the unsentimentally subdiclassic Pacific Mercanvided mainly by nationtile Company, and the ality: Korean, Chinese, Middle Eastern-oriented Japanese, Filipino, and Diyar International Mar- Indian. Mexican food ket. Only one Mexican gets its own aisle, with supermarket cracks a Puerto Rican shelf the ranking, along with tucked into one corner. two gourmet markets— Only part of one aisle is Marczyk Fine Foods and labelled “Euro Grocery” M ARCH 2020
At Zeppelin Station, Vinh Xuongʼs traditional banh mi sandwiches are served on fresh baguettes with pickled veggies, herbs and house-made sauces.
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THE BASICS
S E L F - I M P R OV E M E N T
Robyn Graham Personal Branding Strategist robyngrahamphotography.com
A Brand New You
Expert Robyn Graham shares why everyone needs a personal brand.
TEXT JENNY WILLDEN
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but how do you stand out? Show why you’re the expert, why you’re the goto, why you do that work What makes up a better than anybody else. personal brand? People are also finding A personal brand intheir next employee cludes a logo, mission through LinkedIn and sostatement, branded cial media sites. Recruitphotography, and your ers won’t stop on a person content. You have to who has a gray head prioritize those based and no profile pic. Just on what your audience having that professional values. A logo is very headshot shows you care important because it about quality and want makes you instantly to represent yourself for recognizable, but the logo is not going to build advancement—not just the like, know, and trust the day-to-day grind. If you can’t afford a factor. If you have a set budget and are looking to professional headshot, I offer a free e-book build a personal brand, start with visual content that helps you use your smartphone to take betthrough professional photography. People will ter headshots at home. get to see your personality first-hand and how you How do you start building your brand? work in your business. Even if you can’t afford Identify your niche first. You need to know who a full-blown photoyou’re serving. Combine shoot, you should get a professional headshot. Your eyes and smile are gateways to your soul. As for your mission statement, it lets people know What is personal who you are and why you branding? It’s that infusion of your do what you do. This will inspire them to want to personality into your business so people online work with you. can immediately get to Who needs personal know you, like you, and trust you. Before, people branding? would decide in person if Everyone needs a personal brand. I say this they liked you, but since Instagram and LinkedIn because even if you’re corporate, you have a hit the scene, business personal brand. You may people now meet online work for someone else, for the first time, and
PHOTOS BY ROBYN GRAHAM PHOTOGRPAHY
Personal branding expert and photographer Robyn Graham didn’t always help people craft their public personas. But after growing tired of her job in pharmaceuticals, her husband suggested she pursue her love of photography, and she jumped at the chance. After launching her photography business (robyngrahamphotography.com) Graham quickly honed in on personal branding and now works exclusively in this space. She calls the career her “second phase” and uses lessons learned along the way to help others through her podcast, The Second Phase. “I’ve learned from so many mistakes,” Graham says, “and I can help people not make those same mistakes and brand their business from the getgo.” We asked Graham all about personal branding.
how you’re perceived in that space matters.
your values, vision, and passion to help identify your niche. Once you’ve done that, you can start identifying your ideal client. Then use your mission statement to connect with your audience and get them to trust you. Branded photography is used to get your personality out there. People don’t buy products and services; they buy personality. That’s why big brands use people in their ads to represent their brands. It helps you connect with the products, which converts to sales. How do you find your audience? Once you’ve identified your niche and audience, find out where they hang out. For me, LinkedIn is an incredible tool because I want to work with
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SATISFIED CLIENT This area life coachʼs personal brand looks friendly and open to fresh conversations.
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professionals. I do get business from Instagram, but LinkedIn is where my ideal clients are. From the real world to online, find where your best potential clients are and connect with them there. In the age of social media, do people still need personal websites? If you have a business, even if it’s a service industry, you need a website. People need to be able to find you, they want to see you, and they want to know what your “why” is before they call or email you. Even one page of who you are and what you do is critical. A website adds credibility to your brand. Often people just have an Instagram and Facebook
page, but to me, that’s not representing you as professionally as a website. What else do people need to build their personal brand? An email list. This allows you to touch base with your audience anytime you want. Whether you’re running a special or have an update to your business, having that touch point is powerful for a personal brand. Social media may not work or a company could fold, prior to our call and but your subscriber list is give them, in a nutshell, always yours. an idea of what I think would benefit them. How do people work with I also offer a one-hour you on brand building? strategy session where I do a free 15-minute I tell you how you can strategy call. I ask them do the least to grow the to send me their website most. You get a recordand social media links ing of that session, and
SATISFIED CLIENT The personal brand of this client, a fashion stylist for Worth New York, is sleek and inviting.
then I type up recommendations. My brand insider program is a customized package that includes a website, photography, copy, and a logo. I have a studio just outside Philly, but I also come into the city and I have clients all over.
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A Mile High with Oprah Gayle King joins the media queen onstage at the Pepsi Center this month. TEXT STEPHANIE WILSON
If only we had listened to Oprah, we could be living our best lives this month, watching her onstage in front of a soldout arena talking about the things they know for sure. Oprah all but told us not to procrastinate on buying tickets when she announced the cross-country arena tour last year. Back then, tickets to Oprah’s 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus event in Denver on Saturday, March 7, started at $40 and maxed out at $300. Now, a few weeks before the show, two off-center front-row tickets are available for verified resale via Live Nation priced at an inconceivable $9,900 each, plus applicable fees. Total cost for the pair: $23,762.95. You’d need Oprah money to afford that, and it wouldn’t even come with a oneon-one with the media
mogul herself. You’d just be an attendee with a good seat for the daylong event designed to help you and those around you make 2020 the year of transformation—in mind, body, and spirit (according to official announcements). By spending the day listening to her and her lineup of celebrity guests, powerhouse leaders in wellness, and people from all walks of life who took charge and created lasting change, Oprah hopes that attendees are able to “say goodbye to procrastination, denial, feeling stuck, and wishing for a better life.” I know what you’re thinking because I’m thinking it too. “It would have been great to be able to say goodbye to procrastination back when the tickets went on sale so these scalper prices weren’t an issue, but Oprah hasn’t told
me how to do so yet!” But, actually, she has— many times over the years, she’s been in the spotlight of our collective conscious, and on many platforms: first on her eponymous Oprah Winfrey show, and later via a variety of programs on the network she owns, OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network. Not to mention in O, the Oprah Magazine; Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations podcast; in tweets from @Oprah on Twitter; and more. This tour is a bit of a remix of all those outlets, the “yes you can!” vibe and the “live your best life” messages comingled together during one-day events in cities from coast to coast. The tour kicked off in January with a series of sold-out shows, attendees lured by promises of a day spent with Oprah as she “shares the per-
sonal ups and downs of her wellness journey and guides you to develop your own 2020 action plan through motivating conversations, the latest in wellness research, and insightful interactive workbook exercises…” Each tour stop also features a signature Oprah interview as she sits down for an intimate one-on-one conversation with some of the “biggest celebrities, headline-makers, and game-changers—people like Lady Gaga, who brought her star power to Ft. Lauderdale for the premiere event on January 4. At other events, Oprah was joined by Dwayne Johnson, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, and Tracee Ellis Ross all opened up in front of eager crowds as 2020 Vision snaked across the country. On February 8 in Brooklyn, former first lady Michelle Obama M ARCH 2020
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got candid about empty nesting and marriage, sharing that her husband had a “loud, ugly cry” at Malia’s graduation. Oprah’s signature interview style is more conversational than confrontational, and by sharing stories from her own journey, she gets her subjects to open up and connect on a more intimate level. During the stop in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the marquis interview was Tina Fey, Oprah explained the formula that makes her relationship with Gayle work: “The reason why Gayle is the best friend is because she always actually loved her life, and so she never wanted any part of mine,” Oprah said. “You can only have friends who are not jealous of you, who only want what they have, and are happy for you what you have.” Both media moguls
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in their own right, Oprah and Gayle have forged a bond that is straight #bff goals. In the September 2019 edition of O, the Oprah Magazine, Lisa Kogan wrote, “During their 43 years of friendship, Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King have seen each other through births and deaths, marriage and divorce, fame and fortune, ill-conceived haircuts, more than a few great dogs, and approximately 17 bazillion phone conversations. They’ve shared holidays, secrets, and clothes. They’ve been side by side on every continent but Antarctica. The one thing they’ve never done together? Appear on this magazine’s cover.” They checked that off the to-do list that month, appearing together on the cover of the 2019 edition. During the tour this year, Oprah
slipping Gayle an edible, then documenting what happens for everyone on Instagram before seriously imploring Gayle to “at least try some CBD.” You can hear the entire exchange on the “Oprah and Amy Schumer: Your Life in Focus” episode of the Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations podcast. The pot part begins around minute 31. There’s an episode on every stop of the tour—a revealed another thing that remains for the duo tour, we should recall, that is dedicated to to experience together—something Gayle has helping people achieve balanced wellness, yet to experience at all, Schumer mentioned, by and something she let examining key areas of the world know Oprah their well-being, then has definitely done before, revealing during creating action plans. Which begs the quesa 2018 appearance on tion: does Oprah have an Ellen DeGeneres’ show that while she had never action plan? She is saving her “smoked a marijuana cigarette,” the Almighty bestie for last, after all. Gayle is the guest of Oprah, in fact, has. Today, Oprah has her honor for Vision 2020’s event in Denver. The vision set on changing Mile High City is the the first part of that last stop of the tour, equation. In an interview with Amy Schumer after which we like to envision the two media during her tour’s North mogul besties jetting off Carolina event, Oprah to Oprah’s $14 million shared with the crowd that she and the comedi- home in Telluride, where enne “both have a dream they will get Rocky in life, and that is to get Mountain high and collapse in a fit of giggles Gayle to smoke weed.” Schumer points to the like all the bffs before them have done. tour’s purpose: “We’re talking about wellness Friendship #goals today, right?” on another level. We The hostess jokes should all put that on with her guest about our vision boards.
This tour is a bit of a remix of all those outlets, the “yes you can!” vibe and the “live your best life” messages comingled together during one-day events in cities from coast to coast.
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Full disclosure: I put in for a press pass when Vision 2020 was announced in September, at which time I learned, “If the tour is able to accommodate your request, a tour rep will be in touch three to five days before your requested date.” And if the request is accommodated, weʼll document what happens for everyone on Instagram.
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Weeded Bliss
Brides and grooms are traveling from all over the country to express their shared love for cannabis with their friends and family in the hottest new destination wedding: legal states.
PHOTO BY BANTERSNAPS ON UNSPLASH
TEXT ROBYN GRIGGS LAWRENCE
Heather and Bryan* were married on a skyblue Colorado day on the expansive porch of a log mansion high above Breckenridge, Colorado, with the freshly whitecapped Rockies as their backdrop. Friends and family—from Texas, Mississippi, New Mexico—gathered around as they exchanged vows, then everyone went inside to toast the bride and groom with THCand CBD-infused sparkling lavender lemonade. This is the new normal in Colorado and other legal states, and I have the privilege of helping couples like Heather and Bryan toast their nuptials with the bubbly of their choice. My company, Cannabis Kitchen Events (CK Events), works with clients to create meals gently infused with cannabis based on experience and tolerance. For all the guests at Heather and Bryan’s wedding
(except for a woman from Austin), tolerance was low, calling for 2.5 milligrams of THC or CBD in each of the four courses, for a grand total of 10 milligrams. This wedding meal was the first time Heather, Bryan, and their guests experienced cannabis cuisine as a meal, and I felt that responsibility deeply. We had this one shot to show Heather and Bryan’s guests how delightful a thoughtfully and carefully dosed cannabis-infused meal can be. The day before the wedding, I met Heather at one of several cannabis stores on the edge of Breckenridge and helped her pick out flower and concentrates for her wedding meal. (CK Events never provides THC or CBD to anyone.) Heather and Bryan had been experimenting with edibles since they’d arrived in Colorado several days earlier, and they
This scenario wouldn’t have happened just five years ago. Minds across America hadn’t been opened to the healing and helping benefits of cannabis— unlike today, when twothirds of Americans say they want it legalized.
already knew that 10 milligrams of THC—the recommended serving for one person—was just right. Heather bought Stillwater’s Ripple, a water-soluble CBD and THC powder, and earthy Lilac Diesel flower. After the toast, Heather, Bryan, and their guests took their seats at a long table, and our servers gave each person a notecard to indicate whether or not they wanted to ingest THC. Nearly everyone did. Diners could choose croutes brushed with 2.5 milligrams of Lilac Diesel–infused extra-virgin olive oil in their french onion soup and blistered cherry tomatoes with 2.5 milligrams of infused oil to accompany the pan-seared trout. By dessert, about half the table went for coulis infused with Ripple THC while the other half went for CBD on top of buttermilk panna cotta with fresh berries. M ARCH 2020
*When they wed, Heather took Bryanʼs last name, but the couple asked us not to publish it. Bryan is the CEO of an international company, and the couple lives in Texas, where cannabis remains illegal and its stigma is still very real. A so-called “compassionate use” act allows people suffering from epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsonʼs, and ALS to access cannabis oil with less than 0.5% THC—two-tenths of a percentage more THC than is allowed in hemp, which is federally legal.
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Chef Sean Cosby and I have systems in place to make sure these orders never get mixed up. Giving a guest THC when they are expecting CBD isn’t like giving them French dressing instead of Italian. Proper serving is imperative when it comes to cannabis-infused food. No one wants to accidentally dose Grandma. From a Trend into a Tradition At the wedding dinner, there was a sense of history being made— and dining on the right side of it. This scenario
wouldn’t have happened just five years ago. Minds across America hadn’t been opened to the healing and helping benefits of cannabis—unlike today, when two-thirds of Americans say they want it legalized. Weedings, incorporating weed and weddings, are becoming more and more popular. “It’s changed from a trend into a tradition,” says Bec Koop, who founded Denver’s Irie Weddings & Events in 2015 and is considered the queen of cannabis weddings. Irie was one of the first, if not the first, of what is now many ser-
vices that will walk brides and grooms through options for cannabis-friendly weddings, varying from ice bongs to boutonnieres and bouquets made with smokable flowers (watch them disappear). Koop says business is growing exponentially. “In the beginning, it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what are my parents or my aunt going to think?’” Koop says. “Now, even when our clients have conservative guests, they don’t care about them. They say, ‘It’s my day, not theirs; it is part of my celebration, and I’m going to
do it.’ That’s the biggest change we’ve seen.” Philip Wolf believes that in 10 years, cannabis will be as important to weddings as alcohol is today (pretty important, given its $2,500 average tab for wedding booze, according to The Knot)—and he should know. Wolf co-founded the Cannabis Wedding Expo with Koop in 2016. From its humble beginnings in a Denver art gallery, the Expo—offering everything from CBD products to calm wedding jitters to budtending services to floral displays—has become an
KEEP CALM AND MARRY ON A study by wedding registry Zola found that 71 percent of people find planning a wedding more stressful than other major life events like finding a new job.
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international phenomenon, with shows this year in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Denver, Boston, and Toronto. In a sign of how mainstream cannabis weddings are becoming, The Knot, the first digital wedding-planning brand, was at the Expo in San Francisco in February. Imaginal, a marketing firm that counts Willie’s Reserve and Flow Kana among its clients, was the presenting sponsor at that show for its New Moon Saloon, a pop-up lounge with a customizable bar featuring boutique sun-grown cannabis. Growers from Huckleberry Hill Farms and Moon Made Farms were also on the show floor to answer questions about cannabis and regenerative agriculture. Laughter, Tears, Appreciation A wedding where guests are ingesting cannabis is a lovely thing to behold. Instead of getting loud and aggressive, as many do after drinking too much champagne, guests become relaxed and engaged. As the peaceful effects of just the right dose of THC or CBD settle in, they share laughter, joyful tears, and moments of appreciation for one other. We keep a close watch
IRIE ADVICE Bec Koop, founder of Irie Weddings & Events and the Cannabis Wedding Expo, shares tips based on years of making weeding dreams come true.
• Make sure the venue is cannabis-friendly and open to consumption before you do anything else. Not all (in fact, surprisingly few) venues are open to the idea, no matter what state law says. • Do not hire any vendor that doesnʼt have insurance. • Smoke-free edibles, drinks, and vaporizers donʼt smell and are less likely to offend other guests. • Smoking a lot of weed isnʼt a qualification for properly serving it to others, and your dreadhead
from the kitchen, and we’re prepared should anyone consume too much. It’s never happened, and it won’t, but it’s always reassuring to hear that guests are enjoying all aspects of the meal—the food, the effects, the set and setting. After the last spoonful of panna cotta had been scraped from the goblets, everyone around
cousin shouldnʼt budtend. Would you ask your drunk uncle to tend the bar? Hire a certified professional and let your cousin enjoy the party. • Let all guests know cannabis will be part of your wedding. If it makes them angry, itʼs better to find out before the big day. • If you know some guests are opposed to cannabis, have a place for imbibing thatʼs away from the rest of the festivities and not in everyoneʼs face.
the table looked full, peaceful, and happy. I was feeling pretty good about things as the guests got up, some to change into comfortable clothes before joining everyone in the game and theater space downstairs, when Heather came into the kitchen, barefoot after hours spent in sparkling silver stilettos. “I am perfectly
high,” she said. (Phew.) As we were packing up, a gentleman from Santa Fe who had been very curious about the meal told us how much he had enjoyed it. “This was my first cannabis-infused dinner,” he said. “But it won’t be my last.” Mission accomplished. We’ll get this plant legalized, one wedding at a time. M ARCH 2020
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T H E S C I E N C E O F T H E S C I E N C E O F TA S T E E V O LV E D . TA S T E E V O LV E D . THE KEY TO ALCHEMY’S THE KEY TO ALCHEMY’S
EFFECTIVENESS IS FRESHTERPS ™ EFFECTIVENESS IS FRESHTERPS ™
SHOWCASING THE FULL SPECTRUM OF SHOWCASING THE FULL SPECTRUM OF
COMPOUNDS EXTRACTED FROM YOUR COMPOUNDS EXTRACTED FROM YOUR
FAVORITE PLANT. COMBINING ALL OF FAVORITE PLANT. COMBINING ALL OF
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CREATES A SUPERIOR EXPERIENCE. CREATES A SUPERIOR EXPERIENCE. SCIENTISTS CALL THIS THE ENTOURAGE SCIENTISTS CALL THIS THE ENTOURAGE
EFFECT. AND ALCHEMY CAPTURES IT. EFFECT. AND ALCHEMY CAPTURES IT. E V O L A B . C O M /A L C H E M Y E V O L A B . C O M /A L C H E M Y
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Spring Warm-Up This lovely infused dessert combines buttermilk panna canna with warming spices and a refreshing orange sauce. TEXT AND RECIPE ROBYN GRIGGS LAWRENCE
How ready are we for fresh berries and herbs straight from the garden? We’ll get there soon enough (or maybe not soon enough for some of us), but here’s a delicious treat while
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you wait. This gently infused dessert is chill with a little heat (from ginger and cinnamon) and an orange sauce that feels fresh like spring—even if it isn’t quite yet.
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Panna Canna with Orange Sauce Servings: 6
MAT ER I A LS
1 small saucepan 1 double boiler pan 1 filter (cheesecloth or coffee filter) 1 fine mesh strainer 1 whisk 6 serving cups (ramekins, custard cups, cocktail or martini glasses, etc.) I N G R E D I E N TS For the Panna Canna
1 cup organic heavy cream 1⁄3 cup cured and trimmed cannabis flowers, ground 1 fresh vanilla bean 3⁄4 tablespoon ground ginger
1 cinnamon stick 2 tablespoons water 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin or agar 2 cups organic buttermilk 1⁄2 cup sugar For the Orange Sauce
3 oranges 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon butter IN STRUCTION S For the Orange Sauce
• Juice 2 oranges. Cut peel of remaining orange into small strips. Break flesh into 1⁄2-inch-ish pieces. • In saucepan, combine orange
juice, orange, peel, sugar, and • Meanwhile, in saucepan, combine cannabis-infused butter. Simmer over mediumcream, sugar, ginger, and low heat, stirring occasionally, cinnamon stick. Bring to a until thick, about 12 minutes. boil over medium-low heat. • Remove from heat and let cool. • As soon as cream and sugar For the Panna Canna boil, pour into gelatin mixture in double boiler. Heat gently, • Heat oven to 170 F. In double stirring constantly with boiler, combine heavy cream whisk, until gelatin dissolves, and cannabis. Simmer over low about 5 minutes. heat for 1 hour. Let cool while you clean the double boiler pan. • Whisk in remaining cup of buttermilk and vanilla, and • Place filter inside strainer. remove from heat. Remove Strain out solids. cinnamon stick and vanilla • Lightly oil serving cups. In a bean pod. small bowl, split vanilla bean • Divide among cups, drizzle pod and scrape out seeds. with orange sauce, and chill Set aside. until set, about 4 hours. • In the top of the double • Serve cold and enjoy! boiler, sprinkle gelatin over 1 cup buttermilk. Do not heat. M ARCH 2020
MEET THE CHEF Sensi Editor-at-Large Robyn Griggs Lawrence wrote The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook and Pot in Pans: A History of Eating Cannabis. She will be demonstrating how to cook with CBD at Westwordʼs High Style event in Denver on March 5.
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HIGH SOCIETY
Community Mind Sensi Nights are free events that offer you the unique opportunity to meet faceto-face with local like-minded thought leaders and reps from top brands. Sensi Nights take place in cities across the country, and all the events are held in energizing environments where you can learn about the most progressive services and products, expand your network, and create new friends and opportunities. DonĘźt miss out. Follow Sensi on Facebook to learn about all upcoming happenings coast to coast.
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SENSI NIGHT WHERE: EXDO EVENT CENTER WHEN: FEB. 12 PHOTOS: LEE STONEHOUSE
HIGH SOCIETY
sensimediagroup @sensimag @sensimagazine
“Sensi throws some of the most exciting events in the industry!” —The community has spoken. According to reviews posted on Facebook, Sensi events are: “#SUPERLIT,” “spectacular,” and “DOPE.”
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Carmelo Anthony and Viola founder Al Harrington
The Winners Circle Viola celebrates legalization in Illinois with a star-studded celebration. TEXT JULIA KENT
During Chicago’s All Star Weekend, cannabis industry power players joined the city’s top moguls for a star-studded weekend lineup of events, hosted by premium cannabis brand, Viola. Viola partnered up with Jue Lan Club to bring the restaurant’s exclusive cuisine from its native New York home to Chicago for the first time through the weekend. The pop-up, held at a private loft in Chicago was outfitted with exclusive Viola gear as guests were treated to a fine din116 D EN V ER /BOU LDE R
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ing experience. Attendees headed to the rooftop for Chicago’s premier smoke lounge—a full stacked sip and smoke experience under the stars. Saturday, the Jue Lan Club was home to a private bash celebrated Viola founder, Al Harrington’s 40th birthday. The following day, Jue Lan was transformed for Viola’s exclusive Sunday brunch. Inside, guests toasted to the daytime culmination of the NBA All Star Weekend. Festivities carried late into the
evening at the AfterDark celebrations. Chicago native rapper Vic Mensa took the stage Friday night to kick off the weekend with an exclusive performance set to sounds by DJ M.O.S. Saturday, guests were treated to an overflow of beats from DJ Steph Floss. Viola’s AfterDark lineup closed out All Star Weekend with an energetic set from the prolific DJ Clark Kent. Spotted at AfterDark throughout the weekend: 2 Chainz, Don C, Freddy Gibbs, G Herbo, Jadakiss, Dave East, Fabolous.
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VIOLAʼS ALL STAR WEEKEND WHERE: JUE LAN CLUB WHEN: FEB. 14–16 PHOTOS: JAMAL MARTIN FOR VIOLA BRANDS
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RIGHT: DENVER MARCH POWWOW
In the Spotlight Celebrate Bollywood and Motown, attend a powwow, catch a few flicks, and learn how to live without carbs. Oh, and Oprah’s coming to town. TEXT ROBYN GRIGGS LAWRENCE
March can be a cruel month in Colorado. Spring is in the air, but, all too often, so is snow—just to remind us that winter ain’t over yet, bitches. Don’t let it get you down. Get out and take advantage of this month’s incredible opportunities to hear world-class musicians; see fascinating films; and be a part of one-of-a-kind events, from Frozen Dead Guy Days to an anime festival. Or cruise a home and garden show and get a jump on your summer garden. (It will be here before we know it.) There’s even a show for tiny-home lovers.
Boulder Jewish Film Festival
DENVER POWWOW PHOTOS BY BRIAN FRAKER
Mar. 4–15 Locations vary, Boulder jewishfilmfestivals.org
Boulder International Film Festival Mar. 5–8 Locations vary, Boulder biff1.com
Moviemaker magazine called it one of the world’s 25 coolest film festivals.
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OUR FLOWER, OUR QUALITY
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BELOW: 2020 DENVER ST. PATRICKʼS DAY BAR CRAWL
Oprah’s 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus
Iliza: The Forever Tour
Mar. 7 Pepsi Center, Denver oprahmag.com
Mar. 13 Bellco Theatre, Denver iliza.com/tour
Oprah’s touring the country with celebrity guests and wellness leaders.
The comedian is following her popular Elder Millennial Netflix special.
Free Day at the DAM
Post Malone Mar. 12 Pepsi Center, Denver postmalone.com
Mar. 7 Denver Art Museum denverartmuseum.org
The genre-bending rapper and singer plays Denver.
Rocky Mountain STEAM Fest
Low Carb Denver 2020
Mar. 7–8 Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont makerbolder.com/steam
Mar. 12–15 Sheraton, Downtown Denver lowcarbconferences.com
Enjoy a weekend of opportunities to “tinker, hack, build, crumble, drive, taste, DO, dabble.”
This conference highlights the latest approaches to carb-restricted diets for medical professionals, scientists, and consumers.
Worldwide Antique & Vintage Show Mar. 13 Denver Mart in the EXPO Building findyourantique.com
Nearly 100 antique and vintage dealers from around the country gather for this show’s 47th year.
Frozen Dead Guy Days Mar. 13–15 Various locations, Nederland frozendeadguydays.org
This quirky fiesta features over 30 live bands, coffin racing, polar plunging, frozen T-shirt contests, ice turkey bowling, and human foosball.
Bollywood Dance Party
2020 Denver St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl
Celebrate Holi with a nonstop dance party.
Mar. 14 Ball Park and LoDo, Denver
Mar. 14 Summit Music Hall, Denver summitdenver.com
Motown and More
Beat the lines and start the party early.
Mar. 14 Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver axs.com
58th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Denver Gay Men’s Chorus covers everyone from The Temptations to Lizzo.
Mar. 14, 9:30 a.m. LoDo, Denver denverstpatricks dayparade.com
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TOP: FROZEN DEAD GUY DAYS
Celtic Obsession in Denver
Dancing with the Stars Live
Mar. 15 Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Denver denverbrass.org
Mar. 18 Paramount Theatre, Denver dwtstour.com
Experience the sound of brass, bagpipes, hammered dulcimer, and penny whistle, along with Highland dancing.
A crystal gathering featuring holistic, Ayurvedic, and herbal healing.
Colorado Anime Special guest Sailor Fest 2020 Brinkley-Cook joins the show.
Mar. 20 Denver Marriott Tech Center coanimefest.com
Body Mind Spirits Celebration Fair
This show brings all things Japan to the Mile High City.
Mar. 20 Denver Mart bmse.net
Boogie at the Broadmoor
Denver Home Show
Mach 20–22 The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs boogieatthebroadmoor.com
Mar. 20–22 National Western Complex, Denver denverhomeshow.com
Head down south for a three-day party hosted by Leftover Salmon.
Nearly 400 experts will be on hand to help you get your home and garden ready for spring.
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LEFT: COLORADO ANIME FEST 2020
afterparty with live Irish music, snacks, and beer.
while footage from the groundbreaking 1940 film airs on the big screen.
2020 Mile High Beer Festival
Great Bridal Expo
Mar. 21 McNichols Civic Center Building, Denver milehighbeerfestival.com
Mar. 29 Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center greatbridalexpo.com
This beer-swilling event is legendary and always sells out.
The nation’s leading wedding show stops in Denver.
Spag Heddy Mar. 21 Ogden Theatre, Denver spagheddy.com
Denver March Powwow Mar. 20–22 Denver Coliseum denvermarchpowwow.org
Singing, dancing, and celebrating honors the heritage of various tribes.
The Armageddy Tour includes Minesweepa and Moore Kismet.
2020 Lucky Laces 1M/5K/10K & Little Eagles: Hotel Leprechaun California 2020 Fun Run Tour Mar. 21 Denver City Park featonthestreet.com
Mar. 26 Pepsi Center, Denver eagles.com
The annual run is followed by an
The band performs the album in its entirety.
Longmont Spring Home Show Mar. 27–29 Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont longmonthomeshow.com
Check out the latest trends and meet vendors who can help with your next improvement project.
Great American Tiny House Show Mar. 28–29 Denver Mart greatamericantinyhouse.show
See the latest trends in tiny living.
Disney’s Fantasia in Concert Mar. 29 Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver coloradosymphony.org
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A DV I S O R Y B OA R D WA N A B R A N D S
Though different forms of cannabis work differently from person to person and under varying circumstances, it’s worth noting some generalities. First, both CBD and THC have been reported as beneficial in enhancing exercise. Cannabis users have attested to THC’s ability to help with strengthening mental focus in activities such as repetitive muscle movement. Noneuphoric cannabidiol has been shown to have a connection with improving sleep and overall general mood, both of which can contribute greatly to the success or failure of any physical undertaking, especially that 5 a.m. workday run in the rain. Consumers use some forms of both THC and CBD more readily during physical activities. The CMG research revealed that consumers consider edibles the healthiest consumption option, over smoking, vaping, and dabbing. Cannabis-infused edibles offer a range of benefits for any workout, whether indoors or outdoors and with practically any activity. First, they can be some of the most long-acting forms of cannabis available, offering consistent results and dosing. Additionally, their small size and flavorful forms The CMG survey even indicated that make them as easy to use discreetly cannabis consumers were more likely to as it is to throw them into a gym bag use wellness services such as personal or backpack. trainers, nutritionists, massage therWhen it comes to exercise, the apists, and chiropractors. And a 2018 findings of the CMG survey are clear: study in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Re- cannabis can be just as important as search found that cannabis users also workout equipment, gym membertend to have lower body-mass indexes, ships, or athletic apparel. And it has, as well as lower risks for obesity, than for many, proven to be an effective aid those who do not consume cannabis. in helping people reach their exercise Other research has found that cangoals on strength gain, weight loss, nabis can be associated with positive, and even mental acuity. motivational feelings linked to our reward-and-pain pathways in the brain, The Sensi Advisory Board comprises select meaning cannabis users are possibly industry leaders in a variety of fields, from more predisposed to maintaining their education to cultivation. They are invited to long-term involvement with any exershare specialized insight in this dedicated section. For a full list of board members, see page 14. cise program they begin.
Category: Edibles Author: Nancy Whiteman, CEO of Wana Brands
Motivational Marijuana
More and more athletes are utilizing cannabis to reach their exercise goals and recover from tough workouts.
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f you’re the kind of person who keeps a gym bag handy for an early morning run or after-work pickup game, then chances are you’re filling it with more than running shoes and sports drinks these days. For a growing number of people who exercise, cannabis is as much a part of their routines as free weights, interval runs, or swim laps. In fact, one recent study conducted by Clear Path Market Research on behalf of The Cannabis Marketing Group (CMG) showed that more than half of cannabis consumers exercise more than three times a week. The study also found that 12 percent of users utilize cannabis for exercise recovery.
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P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E B U S C H E R L AW L L C
The details of the 2018 Farm Bill intrigued him. “The biggest misunderstanding regarding the Farm Bill is the belief that hemp and CBD were legalized nationwide,” he said. “While there is more awareness that CBD is unlawful in food and dietary supplement products because of the publicity that CBD has received, product manufacturers and retailers may be unaware that even under the Farm Bill, some states still consider hemp or hemp products to be marijuana. Helping clients understand which states to enter and the nuances of the laws of each state is a very large portion of the firm’s legal work.” The cannabis business owners that Buscher’s firm worked with wanted to do the right thing and follow the law. The reality is that it can be very difficult because of the tricky interactions between state and federal law, and the varying laws of each state. “In terms of business development, the most important thing we can do is make sure our clients are aware of the costly and potentially business-ending risks and challenges that are unique to operating a business in the current regulatory climate,” Buscher said. On the federal level, Buscher is avigating the tricky wa- interpretation, leasing and licensing also closely watching the MORE Act, ters of a federally illegal agreements, and securities. which would remove marijuana from substance that’s now While working in-house, Buscher the federal Controlled Substances legalized in a majority of completed a law review report of the Act, the STATES Act, and the SAFE states, in some form or another, is not hemp and CBD laws in all 50 states re- Banking Act. “I’m not optimistic about for the fainthearted. quested by Governor Jared Polis, who legalization this year because I do Every lawyer knows about the com- was a congressman at the time, and not believe Senate Majority Leader plicated legal trapdoors—yet some the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 hadn’t Mitch McConnell will bring the bills to dive in anyway. “I was first exposed yet been introduced. “After passing the Senate floor until he has political to the industry working in-house at a the bar, I received my law license one motivation to do so.” cannabis business during law school,” month before hemp was officially said Alex Buscher, founder of the Den- legalized at the federal level,” he said. ver-based Buscher Law LLC, via email. “At the time, very few lawyers or firms Buscher Law helps companies in the were paying attention to what I could Buscher Law LLC hemp and marijuana industry with see would be a massive industry, so I Hemp and CBD Attorneys business formation, state hemp law decided to hang my shingle.” buscherlaw.com
Navigating the Trapdoors of Growing and Selling Hemp
Cannabis business owners should seek legal assistance to mitigate risks in the heavily regulated and evolving hemp industry.
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P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E G R E E N H O U S E PAY M E N T S O L U T I O N S
having cannabis businesses. It’s all nice and dandy that things are getting discussed in Washington and all. But the banks still need direction.” He thinks that medical cannabis will be legalized in all 50 states before banks make any real decisions. “The general business community is pushing their elected representatives, telling them that this is coming and asking them, ‘Do you want to regulate this or not?’” GreenHouse has now opened two new banking solutions for the industry, both designed to avoid the mistakes Mills sees with other banking solutions. It makes it easy for the customer to use, it’s inexpensive for merchants to operate, and it won’t be shut down. “Those are our parameters,” he says. One is styled after a Google Pay app, where a user will be able to pay either online or use a credit card at dispensaries. “Both use bank accounts, but we won’t charge for the bank account, unlike some other “People banks,” he says. “So we will see how want to it goes. People want to pay with their pay with cards or their phones. People don’t their cards carry around cash anymore.” The new products have been a or their long time coming, Mills says, but he phones. believes in staying prudent. “People People come and go in the payment and banking side of this business, and we don’t carry have been here almost 11 years now,” around he lack of banking in the the Senate, so the banking issue is a he says. “We are here for the long cannabis industry is as long way from resolution. cash difficult for a cannabis Chris Mills, CEO of GreenHouse Pay- term and not just to make money. We anymore.” try to stay cutting edge and have solubusiness owner to deal ment Solutions, says that the conun—Chris Mills, CEO of tions that no one else has. Honesty, with as it is easy for everyone to drum continues to confound bankers GreenHouse Payment understand: Businesses need banks. and bank-service providers, especially integrity, and service are at the heart Solutions Nobody wants to tote around garbage with so many CBD companies looking of GreenHouse Payment Solutions.” bags of cash. for guidance now. “The FDIC has not Last fall, Congress passed the put in place any kind of information Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking to the regulators,” he says. “The big Act of 2019 (SAFE), which would give banks that look at it and who have the GreenHouse Payment Solutions cannabusinesses access to banking. formula about percentage of assets Cannabis Business Finance But the bill faces an uncertain future in and bank money on hand can facilitate greenhousepaymentsolutions.com
Getting to the Heart of a Tough Issue
GreenHouse Payment Solutions offers banking aid for cannabis businesses.
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a successful craft cannabis operation is a careful drying and curing process. “When taking care of a plant, we try a preventative approach,” he says. “We address the issues from which problems arise, before problems arise.” The Farm assembled its research and development team working in a program called The Farm Genetics to create new strains. “We first want to see what the market is asking for,” Villacorta says. “And we are always looking at interesting cannabinoids. The goal is to provide consumers what they want before they know they want it.” For example, as part of the Farm’s genetics program, it has created a brand specifically for the Colorado market. Most people enjoy heavy sativa strains like Durban Poison, but not the “raciness” effect that comes with them. “CBG has been reported to decrease the ‘raciness’ in sativa strains,” Villacorta says. “So we have developed Mountain Thunder, which we’ve bred in CBG-producing genetics to the Durban Poison that help foster a more pleasant experience. We are exploring all the various ratios of CBD and THC as well. rooms of about 700 square feet, each We find that this exploration of cannabiwith about 130 plants. There are about noids in the plant is going to be what sets seven growers and 20 post-cultivation us apart in the end.” employees doing everything from harvestThe Farm will bring out a new strain ing and drying to curing and packaging of “about every quarter,” he says. In 2017, the products. about 14 different strains were created; The Farm also has a cannabis-inlast year six new strains it can call its fused-manufacturing facility, where CO2 own were brought on, including Mystical hash oil is extracted and processed for Mule, Battle Star, and American Gothic. Airo Pro vape pen cartridges. The compa- “That is the future of craft cannabis,” he ny works with Root, the medical cannabis says. “What we can do by creating our outlet store, with product produced from a own genetics is develop a consistent separate medical-only cultivation facility. experience for the end user. That’s what Villacorta says the Farm has defined we want to provide.” craft cannabis with three key focal points. First, craft cannabis is grown in small bloom rooms with highly experienced growers who tend to one crop at a time. The Farm Second, there is a focus on bio-controlled Recreational Marijuana Dispensary pest management. The final focal point of thefarmco.com
Perfecting the Craft for the Cannabis Connoisseur Developing better, repeatable strains—and making new ones—drives The Farm.
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ow that the industry has hit its stride, one of the fastest growing product segments is craft cannabis—those carefully tended, small batch, one-of-a-kind strains that have proven to be either incredibly popular over the years (think Durban Poison or Blue Dream) or were created with the cannabis connoisseur in mind. And that’s where Boulder-based The Farm comes in. “It all started with a passion for amazing cannabis, creating the best products we would want to consume,” says Abel Villacorta, director of marketing and branding. “To us, craft cannabis means this blend of art and science of producing the best crop.” The Farm has two 10,000-square-foot facilities, each subdivided into four bloom
“We are always looking at interesting cannabinoids. The goal is to provide consumers what they want before they know they want it.”
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—Abel Villacorta, director of marketing and branding for The Farm
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SOUTHERN COLORADO P U E B LO U N I O N D E P OT P U E B LO, C O M A R 19 , 2020 6 -10 P M
FREE RSVP@ SENSIMAG.COM COMMUNITY / NETWORKING / MUSIC / FOOD & DRINKS / GIVEAWAYS AND MORE!
P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E TRUSOLIS TECHNOLOGIES
Replicating the Sun for Better Cannabis Grows A commercial lighting manufacturer created the right LED recipe for its cannabis grow product line.
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gricultural lighting technology has come a long way over the past few years, in part inspired by the needs of the cannabis industry and the demands of a complicated plant. TruSolis Technologies, a commercial lighting company with products for agriculture spaces, large industrial operations, and gyms, saw the need for better lights for growers in this new industry, and it got to work on engineering a line of LEDs (light-emitting diodes), which is a semiconductor light source. “We had already developed a horticultural line for growing green beans and leafy greens,” says John Johnston, founder and president of TruSolis Technologies. “So, the challenge was to create a light that would go head-to-head with some of the big
The advantages of using LEDs is threefold: light energy savings; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) savings, because less heat is generated; and maintenance. “Maintenance is really big,” Johnston says. “It’s very expensive in any operation and especially in growing. The high-pressure sodium bulbs last maybe two growth cycles, and then they have to be replaced. Our LEDs have a fiveyear life expectancy.” Another advantage is the canopy height that LEDs can work in. “We are able to fit more lights into smaller spaces,” says Ken Sintchak, vice president of business development for TruSolis Technologies. “We can go much lower with our lights, because a lot of people are doing smaller indoor grows. They can actually double-stack tier their grow.” Some of the growers who use the company’s indoor grow LED lights are reporting back that the lights are positively affecting the actual flavor of the finished flower. “The flavor of the plant is so much better than under conventional lights, because the lights are not burning up those flavors,” Johnston says.
sodium vapor lights that the growers are comfortable with. But those use a lot of energy. We wanted to make an LED version of that.” About three years ago, TruSolis Technologies worked with different LED providers and came up with the “right recipe” to match what is currently available for growers. “If you want to create a real solid agriculture product, you have to replicate what the sun provides,” Johnston says. “We found that there were not any LEDs out there that would provide the full spectrum wavelength we needed.” It’s easy to get leafy greens to go through their cycle, he says. But when you get into flowering and budding, that requires more lighting intensity. “There TruSolis Technologies are different [lighting] recipes used for Commercial Lighting each stage of the flower’s growth.” trusolis.com
“To create a real solid agriculture product, you have to replicate what the sun provides. We found that there were not any LEDs out there that would provide the full spectrum wavelength we needed.”
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—John Johnston, founder and president of TruSolis Technologies
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THE END
You Should Pop In A temporary modern apothecary from Charlotte’s Web CBD opens in the Dairy Block this month. TEXT PAMELA HALL
Part retail, part education center, and part cultural space, the first-ever CBD pop-up shop from Charlotte’s Web in Denver is up and popping now through March 31. Don’t know Charlotte’s Web? There’s a good chance you know of CBD because of the company, which bred a cannabis strain with low THC 138 D E N V ER /BOU LDE R
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and high CBD content to help a girl named Charlotte, who suffered from a rare form of epilespy that caused her hundreds of seizures a week. The strain that now bears her name, Charlotte’s Web, was able to drastically reduce that number, ultimately kicking off the CBD craze that has led to the current saturated
marketplace, rife with as many snake-oil products as legitimate ones. At this pop-up shop, CW experts can help you learn how to tell the difference between the two. Of course, you could skip the lesson and just buy from the trusted source. The full line of Charlotte’s Web products is available at the pop-up, from
oils to gummies to balms and creams, as well as the Charlotte’s Web pet line. An artistic bonus: “Trust the Earth” swag featuring artwork by Studio Number One, founded by Shepard Fairey, is also up for grabs. Get there and get some before it’s not popping any more. Free Market / 1801 Blake St. #trusttheearth
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