Evercannabis, October, 2017

EVERCANNABIS OCTOBER 2017

evercannabis.com

2

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

Editor’s Note Industry continues to impress

4

What’s Inside

6

Super service Should you tip your budtender?

I’ve been told that, as a card-carrying member of the mainstream media, I’m supposed to have carte blanche to deliberately stir the pot, seek disharmony, poke various bears, tip sacred cows and generally be part of the problem.

Honestly, I haven’t been doing much bear-poking or any of those other things lately – I’ve been too busy learning the finer points of pesticides and best practices for oil extraction. But outside of this industry, I still run into plenty of people who heartily enjoy disagreeing with others, rather than seeking common ground. If anything, this trend has allowed me to cultivate a nice sense of neutrality.

But after more than a year of getting to know many growers, retailers, extractors and general cannabis consumers, I continue to be pleasantly surprised how consistently polite, respectful and downright friendly just about everyone has been, especially with normally touchy and divisive issues.

Some tell me this is because so many people got into this business to help others first, and the money is secondary. Others tell me the money came first for them but being able to help others is a bonus. I’ve been told that “being friendly” is still part of the business model from Prohibition days, when you distrusted strangers until you looked them in the eye and shook their hand, then everyone was friends. Maybe a side effect of prolonged marijuana use simply makes it easier to smile vs. frown. And that’s OK too.

Not to say that it will always be this way, especially, as some fear, the industry becomes more mainstream, cold and corporate in the next decade.

But it’s nice to enjoy it while it lasts.

Enjoy autumn, and please continue to share your thoughts!

Joe Butler, Managing Editor

Marijuana and marijuana-infused products are legal for Washington residents 21 years and older. It has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. It can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. There may be health risks associated with consumption.

3

10

Hempfest Celebration attracts revelers, activists

Natural fiber Why hemp can work wonders in many products

12

Happy plants Virginia Company focuses on unique aeroponic approach

21

Safe shipments Businesses providing secure cash, product transportation

Interested in being a FREE EVERCANNABIS distribution location?

Please contact 509.459.5095 or evercannabis@spokesman.com

4

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

To tip ... or not tip

By TERRY BAIN EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

Let’s say you’re a cannabis novice. Your budtender just spent 10 minutes recommending the best flower for your personal taste. They seem engaged and really seem to want to help you out. You are satisfied, happy even, with the recommendation and attention, and are about to head out with your purchase when you notice the tip jar on the counter.

Do you leave something behind?

Before March 16, 2016, the answer was supposed to be “no,” since the practice of tipping wasn’t technically legal. Taxing entities were initially concerned that product prices might be manipulated so retailers could avoid paying excise tax, with the understanding that a little extra coin would find its way into the tip jar.

But changes to the tax structure reduced concerns of this practice taking place, so the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board released a clarification stating that “customer tipping is now an allowable practice in licensed retail marijuana stores. However, tipping cannot be required or a condition of sale, nor can it be linked to the price of the product to avoid tax obligations.”

If your favorite retailer didn’t have a tip jar before this clarification, chances are good that they have one now for all the budtenders to divvy up.

(Washington’s LCB also reminds licensees that business or employee taxes may be associated with tipping) .

Tipping in general, of course, has long been a part of the American service culture. Restaurant servers probably couldn’t make ends meet without the extra cash-flow provided by gratuities. Many of us routinely leave a little extra at the espresso stand. But some budtenders say working in the cannabis industry is a little different.

“You don’t rely on tips as you would as a barista,” said Brooke Crone, who was a barista for five years before going to work at The Vault. “If someone tips, it’s more like a bonus for us.”

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

She said tipping is less regular, or expected.

Every budtender interviewed for this story shared similar stories, including James Wendt at Greenhand.

indicates, depending on the retailer, anywhere between 25 and 50 percent of customers tip, while every retailer contacted had some form of tip jar.

Though there is evidence of a small no-tip movement elsewhere in the industry, the environment seems to be leaning toward tipping for exceptional service, when you’ve got spare cash, or because you feel like it’s the right thing to do.

“We don’t expect people to tip. If you have a lot of questions, and you want to tip, we appreciate it,” he said.

He said some people come in and say they don’t have anything extra to tip, but he doesn’t mind.

With all of this in mind, and you decide a tip is in order at your next cannabis shopping trip, how much do you give? The consensus seems to be “that depends.”

“If you walk out of here happy, that’s all that matters,” Wendt said.

Mia Gover, medical marijuana consultant and budtender at Satori, said it’s not as common to tip budtenders as it is to tip your server in a restaurant, for instance.

All budtenders interviewed said a suggested number doesn’t seem to be attached to any formula like a percentage of the total sale or a minimum quality of service. In fact, some said even establishing a recommended price range may create an expectation that tipping is required, something budtenders said they want to avoid. But many say standard tips they’ve received seem to be around $3-$5.

“I’d estimate around half of our customers will leave a tip, usually under $5,” she said. “Some of our customers come every day, so I know they will tip later even if they don’t do it on every visit.

Personally, I’m not offended if a customer chooses not to tip, but if I’ve spent a long time discussing options and discovering the customer’s preferences, receiving a tip does give me a sense of satisfaction.”

At Satori on Spokane’s South Hill, tips are greatly appreciated by the budtending staff.

An unscientific survey of Spokane-area budtenders

Savory Sensations

5

Photo by Trish Merryman, EVERCANNABIS

Thanks For Making Our Birthday Great!

by YIELD FARMS

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!

Firecrackers:

Crunchy baked cheese crackers mixed with a proprietary blend of seasonings.

OUNCES

Ask for YIELD FARMS Available at Spokane Green Leaf, The Green Nugget, Smokane and APEX.

YIELD FARMS Spokane Valley

509.241.3577

WARNING: This product has intoxicating affects and may be habit forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be used by women that are pregnant or breast feeding. For use only by adults 21 and older. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.

AS LOW AS

$75

EST. 2014

509.309.3193

GreenLightSpokane.com

DAILY SPECIALS

Hours: Mon - TThurs: 8AM to 10PM | Fri & Sat: 8AM to 11PM | Sun: 9AM tto 9PM

10309 E. Trent Ave. | Spokane Valley, WA 99206 "WARNING: This product has intoxicating affects and may be habit forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be used by women that are pregnant or breast feeding. For use only by adults 21 and older. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug."

6

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

EVERCANNABIS VOLUME 2

ISSUE 5

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review

Proud member of

hempfest 2017

www.evercannabis.com Free Digital Archives Online evercannabis@spokesman.com 509.459.5095

DIRECTOR, SALES & MARKETING Kathleen Coleman PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Dan Fritts MANAGING EDITOR Joe Butler CREATIVE DIRECTOR Anne Potter GRAPHIC DESIGNER Trish Merryman SALES LEAD Wes Ward

LOCAL CONTRIBUTORS SARAH BAIN TERRY BAIN LINDA BALL S. MICHAL BENNETT LIZZI MOSS

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

EDITORIAL TEAM JIM CAMDEN KIP HILL JESSE TINSLEY

www.spokesman.com news@spokesman.com 509.459.5400

By LINDA BALL EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

Even though plenty of progress has been made in Washington’s acceptance of medical and recreational cannabis, there’s still work that needs to be accomplished, including larger social justice issues.

That was one theme of Hempfest, the world’s largest cannabis reform event and celebration, which marked its 26th year in Seattle late last month.

Half party, half political rally, Hempfest brought in more than 150,000 people from around the country to downtown Seattle for three days of speakers, food, discussions, music and other activities.

Atop the event’s platform/

wish list this year is removing cannabis from the federal schedule of controlled substances, followed by releasing all non-violent cannabis offenders, legalizing marijuana home-growing and reforming taxes and banking regulations.

Allison Bigelow, activist and owner of Team Plum, a Seattle growing collective, said state regulations still need to be better defined for collectives.

She said she has been helping patients since the 1990s. Washington allows her to grow a maximum of 15 plants for herself and three other patients, but she said a higher number is needed, along with better attention to quality.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

7

drugs, with some strains assisting veterans with PTSD, and some CBD products managing pain or helping children control seizures.

Crystal Oliver, a Spokane activist and co-founder of Washington’s Finest Cannabis, is becoming concerned about less genetic diversity of plants, especially if more larger-scale growers or retailers start entering the marketplace.

7

was taken from him just because of a few plants.

Sherry and Kristen Flor encouraged audience members to ‘adopt’ a cannabis prisoner by putting money into their commissary funds.

“Nobody should die or go to jail over a plant,” said Kristen Flor.

She said Initiative 502 was originally written to help small farmers and growers. Now, retailers can own up to five stores, up from three.

Danielle Rosellison, owner and operator of Trail Blazin’ Productions, a Bellingham recreational cannabis producer and processor, encouraged people to support independent farmers when they visit shops.

....“I know what our patients are getting,” Bigelow said. “But there is a lot of tainted cannabis on the market.”

Mold remains her biggest concern, and she’s concerned that some growers have their plants clean enough to pass basic testing, but still have some contaminants.

She is also frustrated that growers lack much freedom to legally experiment with plant genetics.

Kevin Oliver, Washington’s director of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML,) and the co-founder of Washington’s Finest Cannabis, said there really is no standardization of testing.

Prior to I-502, there was more incentive for growers to enter the medical market, but more growers are focusing on recreational due to higher prices, less regulation and a larger market.

Bigelow said cannabis has a better track record of helping people compared to most pharmaceutical

“The little guy is getting squeezed out by the billionaires,” Rosellison said.

She also encourages open dialogue, because cannabis crosses political party lines. Independent farmers can also work together to fight consolidation efforts.

Another Hempfest presentation, “Cannabis POWs,” focused on people imprisoned for cannabis-related crimes.

Sherry Flor and her husband used to run a dispensary in Montana that served 300 patients until it was raided in 2011. Both were arrested.

“We had 36 plants for six patients,” she said.

Her husband was sent to a private prison in Montana, then moved to a Las Vegas jail, where he died after suffering two heart attacks plus renal and kidney failure. Sherry couldn’t attend his funeral because she was also in custody.

During her incarceration, she was able to talk to her daughter, Kristen, regularly, which gave her strength, but still believes that her husband’s life

1002 E. Wellesley, Spokane (Corner of Nevada & Wellesley)

Photos by Marilyn Jones/Hempfest

Time for your fall

ROAD TRIP

EVERCANNABIS

the colors are changing up here at Pend Oreille Cannabis And so are our

Buy any combo meal or burrito and get a second combo meal or burrito at equal or lesser value FREE. (one per coupon)

More than 150,000 people visited Seattle for the 26th annual Hempfest, a combination celebration of cannabis and political rally.

FALL SPECIALS and enjoy all the colors on a beautiful drive.

509 487-6093

Must mention coupon at time of order. Not valid with other offers. Coupon required. Only at participating Taco John’s. Expires October 31, 2017.

124 E Riverside Ave | Ione, WA 509-442-3420

Open Mon-Sat 9-8, Sun 10-7 *Hours subject to change. Please check our Facebook page for updates

This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

8

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

CANNABIS NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

NEVADA TO CONTINUE OFFERING LICENSES

MONTANA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS ON THE RISE

STATE DOESN’T WANT KING CANNABIS EXPO TO SHARE TAX REVENUE RETURNS SEPT. 29-30 WITH ANTI-POT COUNTIES

BILLINGS – The number of patients registered to Montana’s medical marijuana program has nearly doubled since January.

There were 17,819 people enrolled in the program as of July, according to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. That’s up from 9,666 in January and 7,558 in November 2016, when voters approved a ballot initiative that served as the basis for the current program.

The number of patients fell by more than 6,000 in early 2016, when a more restrictive law forced medical marijuana providers to drop all but three patients.

More than 30,000 were registered in June 2011, just as state legislators passed a restrictive bill intended to curb abuses of the system.

Now the program appears to be on another upswing with about 1,300 new cardholders signed up each month. The program is designed to pay for itself through various fees and a new tax on sales by providers.

Montana legislators passed a regulatory bill this spring, establishing rules that will take effect by next April.

Last month, the state health department issued temporary rules for possession limits, which take effect until full implementation of the new law, and a temporary, voluntary license for testing laboratories and chemical manufacturers.

Licensing for marijuana quality testing becomes permanent in 2018.

Providers with more than 10 patients will be required to submit to testing.

CHEHALIS – The Board of Lewis County Commissioners recently was informed that Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board does not intend to give the county $92,000 in marijuana tax revenue.

David Fine, with the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office, said the county was informed it could not prohibit the sale and manufacture of cannabis in the county and then seek to receive marijuana tax money.

“Their rationale is you can’t have our cake and eat it, too,” Fine said.

Commissioners were under the impression that they could receive their share of marijuana tax revenue because the county’s ordinance does not outright ban the sale and manufacturing of marijuana, but instead requires those interested to obtain a federal permit, something that currently does not exist.

Since the ordinance doesn’t outright ban marijuana, Glenn Carter, also with the prosecutor’s office, explained that’s how the county received those funds in the past.

Fine said the county could choose to litigate against the state if the commissioners wanted to be a test case, but that those discussions would have to take place at a later date in executive session.

“If we do nothing, the state has said you won’t get the $92,000 a year,” he said.

Commissioner Gary Stamper said there would be further discussion on how to proceed.

SPOKANE – The King Cannabis Expo is

Source: The Daily World

Source: EVERCANNABIS

CARSON CITY, Nev. – A Nevada

judge has cleared the way for the state’s marijuana regulators to start issuing pot distribution licenses to businesses other than existing alcohol wholesalers.

Carson City District Judge James Russell lifted a temporary restraining order in late August that had forced the state to adhere to a provision of the ballot measure voters approved in November providing liquor wholesalers exclusive rights to marijuana distribution for 18 months unless they couldn’t keep up with market demand.

Russell said after an hour-long hearing there’s overwhelming evidence that alcohol wholesalers don’t have the capability to meet the needs of dozens of recreational pot dispensaries from Las Vegas to Reno.

He says a group of alcohol distributors that filed suit over the matter is free to appeal their case to the Nevada Tax Commission, as required by law. But he says he has no power to supersede the authority of the state agency that recently determined there’s an insufficient number of alcohol businesses to handle the job.

Legal sales started with a bang July 1. But Tax Director Deonne Contine says the tiny distribution network’s inability to keep pace with demand is forcing up prices and sending buyers back to the black market.

She says it’s also jeopardizing worker safety at dispensaries forced to stockpile supplies and huge amounts of cash to accommodate erratic deliveries.

Source: The Associated Press

Source: Billings Gazette

back for a second year, and organizers promise even more opportunities to learn about the lucrative possibilities of this new industry. The trade show takes place Sept. 29-30 at the Spokane Convention Center.

Guy Bordeaux, executive director/ founder, hopes to connect growers, retailers, processors, investors, and anyone interested in learning more to come and meet others in the business.

There will be about 40 vendors, plus a variety of seminars and live acoustic music both days.

The Expo is designed as a Businessto-Business format, but the public is also welcome.

“We’re even having a small job fair, if people want to learn about different companies,” Bordeaux said. “It’s also a good time to be looking for work since it’s right before many growers will be starting their harvests.”

Seminars cover everything from pest management to how retailers can improve technology. There’s also an industry after-party event each night.

He said the event has been attracting interest from across the country, including investors trying to learn about opportunities before cannabis is legal in their states.

It’s also a chance for people already in the industry to get to know some area businesses, including printers, designers, and transportation providers.

Bordeaux is already making plans for King Cannabis Expo next fall, along with a new business-to-consumer show in April. For more info visit kingcannabisexpo.com.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

To learn more go to www.rncenterprises.com

Ask for us by name at your favorite retail store!

AT MEAN THE GREEN WE VALUE PARTNERSHIPS. AFTER ALL:

GOOD BUDS STICK TOGETHER IN THIS BUSINESS! For more information, call 509-496-2111 This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

THINGS TO DO

SEPT 29-30 OCT 10 OCT 13 OCT 28

KING CANANBIS EXPO, SPOKANE The second event promises to bring together producers and retailers, and let the public see the interesting things taking place locally. There are also a variety of workshops plus entertainment. kingcannabisexpo.com CBECONNECTION, SEATTLE Industry professionals in the Cannabis Business Executive Convention will enjoy education, networking, advocacy information and discussions about policies and market share. www.cbec2018.com “MARIJUANA IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY: IT’S LEGAL, NOW WHAT?”, SPOKANE Good Morning Greater Spokane hosts speakers including Crystal Oliver from Washington’s Finest Cannabis, attorney Michael Church and Lynn Ciani from Numerica Credit Union. events@greaterspokane.org TOKER’S BOWL AND MASQUERADE GALA, SEATTLE The fifth-annual Halloween bash includes a costume contest, raffles and info about reform movements, legislation and activism. Proceeds aid people jailed for cannabis-related crimes. www.hempfest.org

9

10

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

By S. MICHAL BENNETT EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

Among all the discussions about recreational versus medical marijuana there’s a third option that’s intriguing growers and even consumers: hemp.

Marijuana’s parent plant is naturally low in THC, one of the active compounds that causes the ‘high’ and other physical and mental reactions associated with ingesting pot in various forms.

Hemp also has a large amount of industrial uses and can be legally grown in several states and countries, even those with tight controls on marijuana cultivation and sales.

Industrial hemp in the U.S. must contain 0.3 percent or less of THC. The plant thrives outdoors and grows tall and spindly like bamboo.

One product in hemp that has plenty of commercial potential is CBD, a related compound found in both marijuana and in hemp plants.

While THC can increase feelings of relaxation, many users say CBD provides natural pain relief.

Hemp was one of the earliest plants to be used in fiber for textiles, rope, building material, mulch, animal bedding and more.

Over time, hemp was selectively bred and cultivated into varieties with higher THC levels, which led to the varieties of marijuana flowers and flavors.

Despite the fact that hemp and marijuana are not identical, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration still considers general cultivation and possession of both equally illegal.

However, 18 states have legalized hemp CBD oil for supplemental consumption, and 38 states plus Puerto Rico are considering hemp and CBD oil legislation as of press time.

In 2014, the FDA approved limited growing exemptions for only the species Cannabis Sativa L for industrial hemp research purposes. The rule was amended two years later to allow states to oversee agricultural pilot programs for hemp cultivation.

According to The Hemp Business Journal, the CBD market is the fastest growing sector of the cannabis market in the U.S. Of the $2.1 billion in cannabis sales projected by 2021, $450 million is expected to come from hemp sources.

Washington has approved its program and issued the first growing licenses to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

But before we get too far into the potential for CBD, it’s important to learn more about hemp’s history.

Though the legal hemp industry in the U.S. is currently small, other countries are more active in producing the plant and products from it, especially China, France, Chile, South Korea, and the Netherlands.

Hemp and marijuana are actually biologically similar: both plants are in the cannabis genus, and are varieties of the same sativa species.

Imported hemp products include clothing and textiles, foods like nuts and oils, and cosmetics

like pastes and creams.

Hemp-based clothing and other textiles are readily accessible through companies like Patagonia and REI, as well as smaller suppliers.

In Idaho, hemp isn’t grown commercially, but hemp-based nutritional supplements are available, such as at Pilgrim’s Natural Market in Coeur d’Alene, where owner Joe Hamilton recently added a few products to the vitamin section.

“In my 25 years working in the nutrition industry, I have rarely come across a supplement that works for so many people for so many different reasons,” he said. “These products have no psychoactive effects and contain basically no THC, so I have felt comfortable selling them in the absence of any clear mandate to the contrary.”

Hamilton feels that hemp products can provide health benefits and be a good alternative to people who can’t or won’t seek THC products.

All forms of marijuana are currently illegal in Idaho, with the exception of use by about 50 children who are part of a nationwide study for examining the effectiveness of CBD oil to treat a certain form of epilepsy.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

Apart from being “less illegal,” why do some growers prefer to extract CBD oil from hemp plants instead of marijuana plants?

By S. MICHAL BENNETT EVERCANNABIS Correspondent Stuart Tomc, vice president of human nutrition at CV Sciences, one of the country’s largest hempderived CBD oil and product companies, said it’s partly about perception.

“The genetics are different, but the cannabinoids are exactly the same. And that can be confusing,” said Tomc, whose San Diego-based company has been focusing on discovering the properties and benefits of hemp-based CBD. Cannabinoids are the hundred or so molecular compounds in hemp and marijuana. Some are more potent, like CBD and THC, while others do less.

“People have this perception that the CBD in marijuana is going to be somehow more efficacious.

There is truly an appropriate medical place for THC, and there is an appropriate medical place for CBD. It wasn’t until we were able to separate the two, that we were able to see the difference.”

Tomc said that in 1992, scientists found that mammals, including humans, have cannabinoid receptors throughout our bodies.

These receptors can perform vital

tasks to maintain a stable internal environment, regardless of our external environment.

So he and his company began developing minerals, nutrients and vitamins to address deficiencies in our diet which can stimulate this system.

Hemp-based CBD has been shown to be therapeutic and helpful for the nervous system health, metabolic health, stress resilience, immune health support, and proven CEDC symptoms.

Possible dietary deficiencies can also contribute to fibromyalgia, migraines, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, seizures, and microglia diseases that can cover certain neurological diseases, like depression or Alzheimer’s.

Tomc said he hopes his products also appeal to customers who want the benefits but not the risk or stigma of marijuana.

“There are people who are afraid or scared or very sick or old or religious, or who are interested in the pain relief alternative to fentanyl but not the psychedelic effects of marijuana,” he said.

11

12

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

e g a e Spac y g o l o techn

Grower focuse

By JOE BUTLER EVERCANNABIS Writer

Chris Lane was in law school when recreational marijuana was becoming legal in Washington.

“When I said I wanted to work in this industry, most people were caught offguard, but people who knew me well weren’t surprised to hear that I was going to start a marijuana business,” he said.

This interest led to the founding of Virginia Company, an indoor producer/processor operation in Spokane Valley. Chris, CEO, and his wife Rebecca Lane, QA Manager, began performing detailed research into a wide variety of growing methods.

Chris said a post deep within an online agricultural forum caught his eye, describing aeroponics, an interesting growing method which requires little water and no soil.

“It was actually for a NASA study that was looking for ways to grow plants in space,” he said. “But no one had figured out how to do it on a large scale.”

He was intrigued, and after successfully trying this method and comparing the results to other traditional indoor cannabis growing methods, the choice was clear: aeroponics was the way to go.

“Aeroponics wa tested that was ab results, even after three weeks,” he s can automate the consistency, it wa

Virginia Compa spent the last few infrastructure and producing and pro Virginia Company available statewid

The high-pressu they’ve created pr mixture of water a calibrated atomize a specific nutrient on years of R&D c mixture is sent to a centralized mixi mixing and dispen

“The whole bui plumbing project,”

Since there’s no worry about bugs bugs away. This a and other potentia minimum, while u and 60 percent les growing methods

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

13

es on clean, controlled and consistent conditions

as the only system we ble to yield consistent r being left alone for said. “So we figured if we process and control the s a no-brainer.”

ny employees have w years developing the d processes for the Tier 3 ocessing facility. Today, y strains and products are de at about 80 retailers.

ure aeroponic grow system rovides plants with a special and nutrient via a precisely ed mist. Each strain receives t schedule developed based conducted by the Lanes. The specific grow rooms from ng room via a proprietary nsing system.

lding is pretty much one big ,” said Rebecca.

o soil, there’s no need to s – or pesticides to keep pproach also keeps dirt al contaminants to a using 90 percent less water ss nutrients than traditional s.

Each grow room is computer-controlled to ensure the optimal amount of humidity, light, temperature, carbon dioxide and other factors for consistent growth are present.

He said the company continues to look for improvements, including encouraging the staff to propose and conduct their own controlled R&D experiments.

“Everything is repeatable – you can set exactly what they need and walk away,” Rebecca said. Sensors in each room alert managers if any environmental factors change.

“Many of the improvements we have implemented stem from employee-driven projects and ideas,” Chris said.

The Lanes utilized everything from Rebecca’s chemistry background and agricultural experience to Chris’ business management skills and legal training. Other family members and colleagues contributed expertise in security, computer engineering, HVAC, and systems management.

The Lanes are quick to credit not just an impressive growing system and the controlled environment grow rooms, but employees who keep everything running well, from rigorous sanitation procedures to precise nutrient mixing.

One especially valuable employee is co-founder and General Manager Josh Ruhlman, whose role ranges from establishing growing procedures to building the sales program.

“We have some great managers and supervisors, and lots of layers of quality control,” Chris said.

“We’ve been approached by groups from other states, including some places that haven’t legalized marijuana yet,” Chris said.

“Whatever way we go, our biggest fear is losing quality -- the hardest thing hasn’t been creating our system but maintaining it.”

Rebecca said the facility can be thought of as “one big laboratory.”

“As long as experiments are controlled, we want to empower employees to try new things and test different growing techniques,” she said.

Virginia Company recently opened a separate processing building, and is currently installing extraction equipment to begin developing concentrated products, extracts and edibles.

Now that Virginia Company’s strains and products are available in Washington, the company is entering its next phase. Some details are still under wraps, but the goal is to use aeroponics and the automated process in other states.

How this would work is still under discussion, such as if the Lanes will be actively involved or license their technology to approved growers.

Tier 3 * Spokane Valley 40 Employees www.thevirginia.co Virginia Company has developed an aeroponic growing system where growing plants are fed by a high-pressure mist of water and nutrients, which is piped in to the various growing rooms at its Spokane Valley facility.

Photos courtesy Virginia Company

14

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

M r a o f r i j n u o a i s na s a P

By SARAH BAIN

EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

In 2002, Tracy Sirrine was returning to Spokane from Seattle when she was pulled over. The officer found drug paraphernalia and cannabis during a search.

Sirrine was bringing medical cannabis for her sister from Green Cross Dispensary, at the time, one of the state’s only medical marijuana providers. And she had a valid designated provider card, which allowed her to purchase and transport it.

“Back then, the officer didn’t care that I had a card, and I was terrified I was going to get arrested,” she said.

Today, Sirrine is the founder and CEO of Patients for Patients Medical,

a Spokane Valley-based advocacy organization for individuals seeking help navigating the oftenconfusing and complex medical cannabis system.

“It’s not really my job; it’s my passion,” Sirrine said.

Patients for Patients focuses on educating clients about the different types of cannabinoids (natural compounds that create different mental or physical effects); helping them understand their rights as consumers; and reviewing the legality of their medical authorization to use cannabis.

The services can be valuable

especially since Sirrine said many Washington doctors don’t want to write authorizations for medical marijuana, often due to fear of losing funding. Most preferred providers receive federal funds, which could be jeopardized by providing marijuana access, something currently illegal at the federal level.

Here’s how Washington’s authorization system works: • Patients and their doctors determine that medical cannabis could help with specific medical conditions.

• The providers refer their patient to Patients for Patients or other similar authorization entities in the area. (Other Spokane-area options include Green Wellness Naturopathic Clinics and Green Star Cannabis) • The patient calls or emails to schedule an appointment.

• This authorization must be performed each year, unless the patient was diagnosed with PTSD, which may require more frequent visits. The annual visit lasts an hour and costs $150.

Patients for Patients Medical has locations in Spokane and Yakima and is open two days a month in each city.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

Sirrine employs a naturopath who reviews the patient’s medical records, and advises him or her on the best course of medical marijuana treatment.

“We discuss the number of plants that a patient can grow; I educate them on the different types of cannabinoids including salves and tinctures we sell,” Sirrine said.

She and the staff also share strategies for other activities that can include cannabis including travel. Advocacy services are also available if a patient needs extra help resolving a specific situation.

This fall, Patients for Patients Medical will start a series of classes designed to empower people to better understand their rights, plus practical tips on growing their own supply.

“My ultimate goal is to teach patients how to grow and produce the medicine they need to keep

themselves healthy, and to continue to be an advocate for them,” Sirrine said. “I have given every patient my personal cell phone number. I do it because it’s important.”

For more information, visit patientsforpatientsmedical.com.

CBD vs THC According to Tracy Sirrine, founder and CEO of Patients for Patients Medical, most medical patients prefer products high in CBD, a natural compound believed to relieve pain and inflammation.

She explained that CBD has been shown in some studies to be 40 percent more effective than ibuprofen, with zero side effects.

In comparison, recreational users often seek higher THC products, another compound that causes the more familiar sensations associated with marijuana products.

CBD products require tiny levels of THC to be activated, and levels on packaging aren’t always accurate.

Sirrine would like to see changes to the Patient Protection Act, which merged recreational and medical systems in 2016.

REVENUE AUGUST 2017 SPOKANE COUNTY

Sirrine was out of work for more than five years due to a back injury, and when she returned to the workforce, she found that the paraphernalia charge hindered her ability to apply for work in healthcare. “It was difficult to get a job back then,” she said.

Then again, this situation may have pushed her toward realizing that patients needed an advocate.

Through her advocacy for her sister, Sirrine saw how patients were using cannabis as medicine, and the kind of relief provided.

502

“Their quality of life improved,” Sirrine said. “I’m part of that now.”

As for that 2002 traffic stop?

The possession charges were dropped, but she was still charged with a misdemeanor for drug paraphernalia.

15

34

RETAILERS Tracy Sirrine, founder and CEO of Patients for Patients Medical, assists people trying to understand the state medical marijuana system.

161

Photo by Sarah Bain/EVERCANNABIS

Debating Washington’s database When a doctor and his/her patient decide that becoming a medical marijuana patient is in the patient’s best interest, there are certain decisions that have to made.

• If they want to seek a medical marijuana authorization from a healthcare practitioner.

This allows them to grow up to four plants legally.

• If they want to register with the state medical marijuana database and receive a medical marijuana card. This allows them to grow up to six plants, or even 15 with proper medical authorization; provides a small discount on cannabis and cannabis-related products from a licensed retailer; and allows them to purchase plants, seeds, or clones from licensed producers.

However, some users are concerned about people in the government having access to their personal and medical information provided in the database, since as many as five state agencies potentially can access it.

PRODUCERS / PROCESSORS

$

12,031,572

CONSUMER PURCHASED

$

6,882,110 PRODUCER/ PROCESSOR SALES

$

3,249,403 EXCISE TAX SOURCE:502DATA.COM

16

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

Local Glass WIG WAG MINI Piece of Mind $30

MOU MOUTHBREATHER UTHBRE Piece of Mind $35

WIG WAG Piece of Mind $130

apexcannabis.com

Conveniently located near Stateline & in the Columbia Basin.

Spokane County Location 3 Miles from WA / ID border I-90 Liberty Lake Exit #276

Grant County Location 955 W Broadway Moses Lake I-90 Moses Lake Exit #176

Warning: This product has intoxicating effects & may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, & judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 years & older. Keep out of reach of children.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

THC-shredded Pork Tostadas

17

By LIZZI MOSS EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

What I love most about a tostada is all the layers of flavor in every bite. Plus you can add any kind of meat you want: chicken, beef, pork, or even keep it vegetarian. There are even dessert tostadas!

When I was a kid my dad used to make crab tostadas -- I didn’t include this meat option because we are so far from the ocean for the real good stuff, but this is still my all-time favorite combo.

You can find cannabis infused coconut oil at Green Star Cannabis and Locals Canna House. Or if you’re on a budget, try a 10 mg packet of Swift’s Honey Packets at Lucky Leaf.

No matter what meat you include or remove, it’s easy to enjoy a crunchy tostada anytime. No need to skimp on toppings either; go ahead and make it as tall and loaded as you want. So start creating your tostada tower!

Ingredients Pork shoulder or pork roast 1 can refried beans 2 avocados Sour cream Medium size yellow corn tortillas OR pre-made tostada shells Cortija cheese 1 red onion Cilantro Shredded lettuce Chicken stock (1 can) Canola or vegetable oil for frying

Pork Rub

Green Salsa Verde

1 lb dark brown sugar ¼ cup kosher salt 2 tablespoon chili powder 2 tablespoon cumin 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon granulated onion 1 tablespoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon ground cayenne 2 teaspoon ground dry mustard 2 limes, zested Mix and rub pork. Smoke for 5 hours at 250 degrees or until internal temp reaches 195-200 degrees. (Or use slow cooker: 6 - 8 hours on low, until ready to shred. If you go this route, add water or stock to fully submerge meat.}

1 lb of tomatillos 1 bunch cilantro 1 small yellow onion 1 tablespoon minced garlic 2 serrano chilis 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon dried oregano 10 mg (1 dropper full) cannabis coconut oil Salt & pepper to taste Dice tomatillos. Mince cilantro and chilis.

Blend all ingredients in a food processer until smooth.

Once verde and meat are done, fry tortillas in oil until crunchy. Mash avocados. Heat refried beans on low.

Layer beans, avocado, sour cream, lettuce, onion, pork, verde, cilantro and cotija, and serve.

18

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

is lega session s o p t le po Whi

B

l in Washington state, having it in

your sy s

t em i s tric

H T E D W N H I EE H E

By JOHN M. BRANGWIN EVERCANNABIS Guest Columnist

The combination of marijuana and driving can be exceedingly dangerous, especially for frequent users.

I’m not talking about statistics about cannabis’ presence in crashes, which seems debatable and likely overstated. I’m speaking of the high risk of arrest for Driving Under the Influence and how easy it is to be stopped, arrested and convicted.

to drive. She doesn’t hear the word “voluntarily.”

Her heart is racing and her legs are tired from snowboarding. She doesn’t listen carefully and stumbles on the tests. The trooper says she failed and will be arrested. Mary starts crying.

Let me use a hypothetical, based on a real case.

He tells her she should volunteer to give blood, because otherwise he will get a search warrant.

Wanting to be cooperative she agrees and is driven to the nearest hospital. Her blood is then sent to the Washington State Patrol Toxicology Laboratory to be tested for marijuana, alcohol and other legal and illegal substances.

“Mary” is an avid snowboarder and also a frequent recreational marijuana smoker, who purchases her cannabis product legally from Washington’s retailers.

A month later Mary’s results come back: 5.3 ng of “active” Delta-9 THC, which exceeds Washington legal limit of 5 ng.

One winter morning she smokes a small bowl, grabs her board and drives up to the ski resort. She plays hard, smokes another bowl at lunch and then hits more challenging terrain.

Mary didn’t feel impaired. Her driving wasn’t affected. But she’s charged with DUI, which could include jail time, fines, license loss, ignition interlock requirements and substance abuse treatment.

On her way home, a Washington state trooper clocks her exceeding the speed limit and pulls her over. She responds appropriately by stopping safely, greeting him politely and presenting her paperwork.

Then the trooper sticks his head in Mary’s open window and inhales. “I smell marijuana, ma’am.”

Mary admits she has marijuana in her car -- it’s legal after all. She also tells him she smoked today, “but it’s been hours.”

The trooper asks Mary to step out of the car in order to perform tests to make sure she’s OK

In hindsight, Mary made several mistakes.

She could have said “I’ll do anything you order me to do; but if it’s voluntary, no thanks.” But human nature encourages us to not be difficult, especially with authority figures. But it is OK to politely challenge authority and only comply with law enforcement orders, which can include refusing field tests.

Smart drivers also don’t admit to consuming any substances – we all have a legal right to remain silent.

k i er

L

In my opinion, Washington’s cannabis legal limit of 5 ng isn’t based on science. It’s equivalent to about .08 g, about one or two beers, depending on the person. A more realistic marijuana legal limit for impairment should be 13 ng, closer to alcohol’s limit for impairment. Driving ability with active THC can also vary widely.

Marijuana DUI cases can be as simple as an officer smelling marijuana, asking about use, making an arrest and getting blood. Even minimal recent consumption will likely be higher than 5 ng. If alcohol’s DUI standard was the same, any whiff of booze would be suspicious, and the blood-alcohol content would only be .03 g.

Had Mary asked to talk to a lawyer and declined a blood sample, the trooper may not have received his warrant. But even the time to get the warrant would likely have allowed Mary’s blood to get below 5 ng.

In the end Mary hired a seasoned DUI attorney knowledgeable in marijuana laws. The attorney negotiated a plea deal to a lesser charge with no jail time. But Mary was still convicted, paid a fine, and was placed on probation where, sadly, she was ordered not to smoke pot.

John M. Brangwin is an attorney in north central Washington who focuses on DUI defense. He is only licensed to practice law in Washington; his advice is limited to those boundaries.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

19

20

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

A Fed Ex fo r pot ?

Two Spokane firms carving out niche in marijuana transportation

By KIP HILL The Spokesman-Review

behind the wheel, which includes up to four trips weekly across the state, has been dull.

Jon Sahlberg’s mind was on his van full of weed when the Washington State Patrol pulled him over for a busted taillight near Ritzville.

“Most of the deliveries are from Spokane to Seattle, and Seattle to Spokane, because no one wants to make that drive,” Sahlberg said.

“I was like, ‘Oh God, I don’t know how this is going to go,’ ” the former FedEx delivery manturned-marijuana transporter said.

His rigs are inconspicuous vans, with thermal insulation to keep temperatures from rising above 75 degrees. High temperatures could melt edibles containing chocolate or waxes, he said.

The back of his late-model Dodge van held several pounds of pot, its presence unavoidable thanks to the drug’s signature skunky scent.

Sahlberg hoped the manifest from a statelicensed cannabis farm, and his credentials as one of the state’s first marijuana transporters, would absolve him.

Moving marijuana is the newest wrinkle in Washington’s billion-dollar pot industry. Only nine licenses to legally transport marijuana have been issued statewide; two are in Spokane, including the state’s first transport licensee, Go Green Enterprises, and Sahlberg’s firm, Cannavan.

Sahlberg handed the trooper his paperwork and was sent on his way. Most of the rest of his time

“It smells, but you get used to the smell,” he said.

His insurance, which costs $10,000 for each van per year and was difficult to find, covers the loss of product. Video cameras are trained on the cargo throughout the transport.

Brian Smith, a spokesman for the Liquor and Cannabis Board, said state law prohibits the transport of marijuana from a retailer to individual customers. For now, transporters may only ferry the drug from one state-licensed business to another or to a laboratory for testing. Transporting marijuana over state lines is grounds for an immediate cancellation of a business license.

Kevin Lynch, an information technology specialist who started Go Green Enterprises, said problems are more mundane than robberies or run-ins with law enforcement. Traffic. Paperwork.

Early mornings. When he first started and drove the trucks himself, Lynch would drive to and from Seattle, returning to Spokane for a few hours of sleep before starting all over again.

“The worst part of our job is the amount of windshield time,” he said. Sahlberg said he was driving 1,000 miles a day at one point.

The clock is also ticking: If deliveries aren’t completed within 48 hours of pickup, transporters risk fines and further costs to start the shipment process all over again.

“I didn’t think it was going to be easy, but there are times when I sit and scratch my head and say, I didn’t think necessarily it was going to be this hard,” Lynch said.

Sahlberg said he’d already petitioned the state to extend the 48-hour window. He envisions a future where he could take one big shipment over Snoqualmie Pass and distribute to smaller rigs making local deliveries. Current laws prevent

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

everything in order with the LCB to start driving, including a criminal background check.

In late summer, Sahlberg hauled a routine 5-pound shipment between two of his childhood buddies. Nick Burger, a former sheet metal worker, owns Firehouse Productions in Hillyard, an indoor grower that sells a handful of strains throughout the state. Steve Burks operates Treehouse Club, which has led the county in marijuana sales for the past several months. The trio has known each other since elementary school.

Jon Sahlberg, owner of Cannavan, loads a tote with marijuana products, which he delivered from Firehouse Productions to Treehouse Club.

Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

Sahlberg made the trip solo, as state laws prevent non-employees from being in the vehicle.

The whole process took a little less than an hour, including answering questions and completing paperwork.

Burger said Sahlberg’s service allows him to keep his employees focused on production.

seamlessly establishing a base of operations on the West Side, as Lynch found out when he tried to move out of a basement office in his current Spokane location.

“I had to refile my entire license, and go through all the steps again,” Lynch said. Sahlberg estimated it took him about eight months to get

“Insurance is better, security is better with Jon’s vans. It’s cheaper and puts us more at ease,” Burger said.

For the shops, it’s the assurance that a product from the other side of the state will be in stock.

“Last winter, we had a lot of deliveries, but we had a lot of farms that were like, ‘We don’t have anyone that can drive because the weather’s too bad,’ ” Burks said.

Sahlberg said he’s starting to make a profit, despite all the overhead, and hopes to have 10 vans by the end of the year. His parents, who aren’t fans of the industry, have started to appreciate his new business despite the lingering stigma of marijuana.

“The idea of it sounds a lot riskier, but it’s just a delivery service,” Sahlberg said.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board began issuing marijuana transportation licenses last October. A license allows companies to transport, under certain security requirements, marijuana between licensed businesses, but not to individual customers. There are two marijuana transporters currently licensed in Spokane County and nine statewide. Drivers must be older than 21 and deliveries must be made within 48 hours of receipt, regardless of destination.

O s ’ e r igin n a k o a p S a n n a b i s S h op l C Start your order at SpokaneGreenLeaf.com/MENU

509.919.3467 • 9107 N. Country Homes Blvd, #13

Mon-Sat 9:00AM - 10:00PM • Sun: 9:00AM - 9:00PM

Dop Best Products. ple o e Pric e P es. Kind Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 years of age or older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

21

22

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

Inslee questions Attorney General’s pot stance

By JIM CAMDEN The Spokesman-Review Two top Washington state officials told the nation’s chief law enforcement officer he doesn’t know what he’s talking about when it comes to the state’s legal marijuana business.

Gov. Jay Inslee and state Attorney General Bob Ferguson responded in mid-August to a letter from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessionsthat suggesting the federal government could, if it chose, enforce federal laws against marijuana even though the state has made its regulated production, sale and use legal.

Sessions cited a series of statistics from a 2016 report on drug trafficking in the Northwest.

By relying on a report that is more than a year old, Sessions ignored important developments in state law regarding medical marijuana, they

said. He also blended information about illegal activity with the state’s legal businesses.

One such example was a statistic from the report that listed 17 explosions in marijuana extraction labs, they said.

“Your letter, however, fails to clearly acknowledge that none of these explosions were at labs operating legally under state license,” their response said. Licensed labs must have engineer-certified equipment and be inspected by the fire marshal.

To date, “no legal extraction lab has ever had an explosion,” they said.

Since 2013, the federal government has stressed that states that have legalized marijuana must ensure it does not get sent to other states.

Sessions quoted a portion of the 2016 report that said Washington marijuana had been diverted to 43 other states. But Inslee and

Ferguson pointed out those figures involve activity that goes back before recreational marijuana became legal and doesn’t say whether the drugs in question were grown legally or illegally.

“If the federal government has information it can share as to the sources of Washington marijuana being found outside our state, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss how we might be able to cooperate in controlling such sources,” they wrote.

They also suggested Sessions read the 2017 version of the report and included a state report on legalized marijuana with their letter.

Sessions also seems to have misread a statistic in the report and suggested the percentage of drivers who don’t believe marijuana makes a difference in their driving ability is almost 10 times higher than the

report said. Statistics for the number of marijuana DUIs are also distorted because the state changed the way it tested when marijuana was legalized, making those blood tests more common. “Consequently, comparable statistics do not exist,” they said.

Inslee and Ferguson said they have twice asked to meet with Sessions in person to talk about marijuana enforcement. What they got back was his letter, which they said had other conclusions with which they disagree.

Rather than go through them in detail, they again suggested a meeting with Sessions and other Justice Department officials.

Top officials from states with legalized marijuana have responded to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, accusing him of using incomplete or outdated information in recent criticism of the industry.

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017

Arcades, Smokane in legal dispute

By KIP HILL The Spokesman-Review

criticism that the first arcade wasn’t legitimate because it was located in an industrial park.

Video arcades continue to cause headaches for Smokane, an East Spokane cannabis retailer, which relocated to at 3811 E. Sprague Ave., in August after delays due to the opening of Old Fashioned Fun Arcade nearby. City law at the time didn’t permit pot retailers within 1,000 feet of child-oriented businesses, including arcades.

City leaders temporarily lowered the arcade buffer zone to 500 feet, specifically to assist Smokane. Now, a second Old Fashioned Fun Arcade has opened within 500 feet of Smokane’s new location.

Both arcades have filed suit against the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board, which approved Smokane’s request to relocate.

Marco Barbanti, representing the arcades’ owners, said the second location was intended to silence

Barbanti refused to identify the owners of the corporations RomeWarsaw Holdings and the East Side Syndicate Recreational Center, citing attorney-client privilege. He also denied that any of the corporation’s officers had any involvement in Washington’s legal marijuana market.

He argued that Smokane had the opportunity to sell at its new location before the first arcade opened in December.

STRAIN OF THE MONTH

LEMON CAKE

HYBRID (80% SATIVA, 20% INDICA) THC 23% | CBD 0%

Smokane co-owner Jay Low said Smokane wanted to move earlier, but paperwork and significant plumbing and sewage concerns at their new building delayed requesting LCB approval.

“We’re just glad that we can proceed through all these distractions and obstacles, to better serve the public, with a better facility,” Low said.

spokesman.com

Fall will bring new stories we'll keep you up to speed

WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY HOME DELIVERY $1.50 A WEEK

To subscribe call 747-4422 and mention code 4017 or go to spokesman.com/subscribe • enter code 4017

23

Heavyweight Seeds, a seed company in Spain known for creating very interesting varieties of cannabis, initially bred Lemon Cake by crossing the popular Lemon Skunk strain with a proprietary phenotype of Cheese, a powerful hybrid from the United Kingdom known for its distinct funky/musky aroma.

The Lemon Cake strain takes on a lot of the characteristics from both of her parent plants but also is uniquely her own regal beast. Upon opening the jar, you are hit with a fresh citrus smell. Flora and fruit are among the most soughtafter terpene profiles, which makes Lemon Cake a lightning-quick seller at retailers that carry it.

My stomach was instantly soothed and any ringing in my ears was quieted in minutes. This strain is what every hybrid lover is searching for. Soothing, social and relaxing, Lemon Cake gets high marks.

AROMA: Along with notes of fruit, Lemon Cake offers a unique sweet floral complement reminiscent of a musky and sweet daffodil.

EFFECT: Lemon Cake is a very social strain: it can be thoughtprovoking and mood-improving, but without causing users to become excessively chatty.

GROWN BY: Fire Line, Arlington

Lemon Cake bud photo by David Morgan, Lucky Leaf.

Reviewed by Rebecca Welch, a budtender at Lucky Leaf. Originally from California, she worked in Colorado’s cannabis industry before moving to Spokane.

She’s a longtime advocate for medical, recreational and agricultural uses of marijuana and hemp.

24

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, September 29, 2017