EVERCANNABIS, Friday, June 7, 2019

EVERCANNABIS JUNE 2019

BEHIND THE LENS Cannabis photographers have an eye for art

OPEN WIDE!

Dentists probe oral health concerns

MORE THAN OK WA retailers perform quality tests

BECOMING CANNA-FLUENT Learn the lingo

www.evercannabis.com

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

There can be no excusing,

driving after cannabis using.

cts b is a f f e Canna e h in d a t io n b in d r o o c e e l. the wh

s abi d ann pene c o p n Kee nal, u g. i n g i r agi in o pack h wit t of e u iv Dr bis o in a ike n l n ca ch— unk. re a e t r th

se o u g as t l a in leg le rid l i s i It’ s wh e r. bi eng a s n s a can ap

It’s a crime, a bad decision,

you could cause harm or a collision.

10 5 tr af fic de at hs in 20 17 in vo lv ed a dr iv er w ho te st ed po si tiv e fo r ca nn ab is .

Mixin g alc ohol and c anna bis ca i n c re n ase t he ris of cra k shes.

When it comes to cannabis, safety is essential. Driving under the influence is illegal—and it’s also dangerous. Cannabis can impair judgment, alertness, and reaction time. And driving while under the influence could lead to harmful— possibly deadly—collisions. Which could mean significant legal penalties for you.

By choosing a safer ride, you can keep yourself—and others on the road—out of harm’s way.

For more on safe driving, visit KnowThisAboutCannabis.org

* Source information for statements can be found at KnowThisAboutCannabis.org/Sources

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

From the

VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 6 DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Editor’s Desk

Kathleen Coleman

DIRECTOR OF SALES Dan Fritts

MANAGING EDITOR Joe Butler

HEALTH & CULTURE EDITOR Theresa Tanner

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Anne Potter

EVERCANNAFEST moved to 2020

I @EvercannaNews on social media www.evercannabis.com Evercannabis@spokesman.com 509.459.5095 Proud member of

EVERCANNABIS

is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review

Cover photo by Devin Stein

Interested in being a

FREE EVERCANNABIS® distribution location?

Please contact 509.459.5095 or evercannabis@spokesman.com

once worked for a company that was difficult on purpose. When they considered working with a new vendor, they ordered something from them and then changed their mind, sent the product back and asked for a full refund. This was not only a chance to see how well the company performed on routine transactions, but also learn what kind of extra customer service was made available when things didn’t go perfectly.

This approach taught us that the best way to see a company’s values in action is when and how their staff tried to always go above and beyond to make things better, or fell short. It’s been a philosophy that I’ve brought to other employers, and also ties in nicely with the philosophy of The Spokesman-Review and EVERCANNABIS that “good enough” is never good enough.

So with both of these approaches in mind, we recently felt it was crucial to postpone EVERCANNAFEST, a two-day event we were planning for later this month in Spokane Valley.

Although we had a great speaker line-up and fun events in the works, our fears were that the rest of EVERCANNAFEST would remain in the “just okay” range. That wasn’t going to work for us, especially with a first-ever event.

We wanted to wow everyone, but if we didn’t appear to be at the “wow” point a month out, then the smart alternative was to find extra time to get us there, even if it’s another year from now!

Although we haven’t inked in our 2020 date, EVERCANNABIS will definitely keep you posted about how things are proceeding and progressing.

In the meantime, we’ll plan on putting more effort info making this monthly product even more appealing in terms of story mix and appearance.

Each month, we present a great blend of information and entertainment, but we’re always open to other suggestions from readers.

What else is happening in the industry you’d like to learn more about? Do you know some cool people who you think deserve a profile? Does your company want new ways to get the word out? Reach out! Our contact information is to your left.

Thanks for reading!

Joe Butler Managing Editor

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

JUNE CONTENT

5

INSIDE NEWS & BUSINESS

6 BUDZ BATTLE

Yakima County vs. growers

8 MAKE THE GRADE

Voluntary testing unites retailers

9 B’HAM BUDFEST

Community event July 14

HEALTH & SCIENCE

10 SUN’S OUT

Add CBD to your SPF

12 THE TOOTH HURTS

Can cannabis cause cavities?

13 CBD FREE FOR ALL

Farm Bill opens up access

25

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

14 SHOOTING SHATTER

Photogs see cannabis clearly

16 GRAPHIC NON-FICTION Artist illustrates history

18 RAINBOW CONNECTION June is Pride Month

LEARN & GROW

21 KIDS WANNA KNOW

Parents field tricky questions

6

8

14

22 Q&A: VOCAB

Words and terms for newbies

25 SUMMER JAM

Strawberries make life sweet

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.

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

NEWS & BUSINESS

Yakima-area grower perseveres despite county pushback

By LINDA BALL EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

T

alking to Jamie Muffett, it’s not hard to conclude that Yakima County officials never got the memo that cannabis became legal in Washington state five years ago.

Muffett is the owner of Sticky Budz, a producer/ processer that received a state license in 2015 to begin growing cannabis.

Since then, he and his staff have been operating at an outdoor farm in an unincorporated area of the county, right outside of Zillah, and selling pre-rolls, topicals and other items statewide.

Now, he’s fighting for his right to continue to conduct business here, as are several other cannabis producers that have been told to shut down this year by the county.

Muffett said there is nothing near his agricultural location that breaks state rules, such as schools,

playgrounds, parks, or other areas where youth might congregate.

County commissioners say it isn’t really them but county voters.

While Initiative 502 passed statewide in 2014 legalizing recreational cannabis, Yakima voters didn’t approve it. This led commissioners to quickly place a ban on recreational retail and production licenses in unincorporated areas.

Existing medical growers and dispensaries were allowed to continue, but all were declared illegal when the state’s medical and recreational systems merged in 2016.

An advisory vote in 2017 affirmed that 58 percent of voters wanted the ban to continue, which triggered the current shut-down actions. In 2018, the county sent cease-and-desist letters to more than 25 state-licensed cannabis businesses in unincorporated Yakima County.

Muffett felt that the wording on the advisory ballot

All Sticky Budz flower is grown with the expertise of fourth-generation farmers and is always pesticide free. It also sells a quality selection of cannabis products, including the 2017 Dope Cup winner for Best Wax, Honeycomb, which can be dabbed, vaped or rolled. Its menu also includes a line of lotions “invented by the ladies of Sticky Budz,” made with organic essential oils and bases, and a 1:1 ratio of THC/CBD with over 600 mg total cannabinoids in a jar. It also makes cartridges and pre-rolled joints. was confusing to the point where voters he knew told him they weren’t sure if voting ‘yes’ meant continuing the ban, or voting to approve marijuana. Also, it was on the ballot in an off year, with low voter turnout.

Though some growers have already relocated, closed their doors or been shut down by county action, Muffett is not ready for any of these options, partly because of the huge investment he’s made in infrastructure.

“They are basically forcing us out of the farming country into incorporated areas, the cities,” he said.

He and other growers have tried to work with the commissioners to keep growing, but said they never were able to reach any resolution. In past interviews, county officials defended their actions, saying they’re following the will of the voters and also complying with language in Initiative 502 that allows counties to opt out of licensing.

But Muffett is putting up a fight. He hoped he

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

7

Happy Fathers Day Dad, thanks for being my best bud.

OPEN 8am-11pm DAILY 10309 E. TRENT AVE. SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99206 Check Out Our Website! could take on the shut-down in a civil trial, but the commissioners requested a summary judgment.

Muffett appealed earlier this year, a process that could drag out another nine to 12 months.

“These guys (commissioners) band together, put the vote together with no input from industry,” Muffett said.

“There hasn’t been one public complaint and they are taking action against all of us. We employ 23 people at this facility – they don’t care about jobs.”

Muffett’s theory is that commissioners are more interested in the potential of hemp as a cash crop instead of cannabis.

The U.S. Farm Bill that passed in 2018 legalized hemp cultivation.

The Yakima Valley is already known for hops production and controlled by 25 farming families, most of whom already have received state hemp cultivation licenses. The hops plant is a member of the cannabaceae family, which includes about 170 species including hemp and its cousin cannabis.

The Washington Department of Agriculture also requires that hemp not be planted within 4 miles of cannabis plants to avoid possible cross-contamination to

either plant.

“Big money wants hemp as opposed to cannabis,” he said.

Muffett has already spent upward of $100,000 to defend his case. Moving to a new location like a city that has available state licenses would likely require paying an inflated price to lease a new facility. But he said he has a strong company that won’t give up.

“We have chemical plants here that burn up, blow up or leak, that are horrible for our environment, and those are planted right in the middle of a community,” he said. “We’re an indoor/outdoor farmer in an agricultural area.”

Photos courtesy Sticky Budz

EST. 2014

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.

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

OK Cannabis, retailers put products to the test

By JOE BUTLER EVERCANNABIS Writer

W

hile newcomers to legal cannabis may assume that all the stuff on store shelves is safe, this isn’t always the case.

The State of Washington Department of Health requires that cannabis grown for medical use be tested for illegal pesticides, heavy metal, bacteria, or other contaminants prior to sale. But recreationalgrade products are only tested if there’s a specific complaint or a grower pays for voluntary testing.

This isn’t good enough for many retailers who want to make sure their customers always have safe products. Not only could the businesses be potentially liable if anyone gets sick, but providing safe, clean items is just good customer service.

“As far as many consumers know, weed is weed, but we’ve put together a way to celebrate the producers/processors doing things right, as well as pull items that aren’t safe,” said Tobias Coughlin-Bogue, a former cannabis writer for Seattle’s alternative newspaper The Stranger. “Plus, the state already had a 40 percent failure rate for illegal pesticides for the items it was testing.”

Last fall, Ian Eisenberg, owner of Uncle Ike’s shops in the Seattle area, invited Coughlin-Bogue and Jim MacRae, an expert in testing methods and owner of Straight Line Analytics, to create a product evaluation program for his locations.

The “Ike’s OK” testing program began with randomly selecting five inventory items

each month and sending them to Confidence Analytics, a testing lab in Redmond. Coughlin-Bogue said this independent lab has a good reputation for being reliable, accurate and consistent.

If levels of certain pesticides, microbes or metals were found to be above the state’s acceptable thresholds, that particular product is pulled and refunds are offered to recent customers.

This is followed up by testing of another product by that same producer/processor. If it also fails, all of that company’s products are taken off the shelves. If that company ever wants to return, it must provide testing results for all products over the next six months.

The program has since expanded to more than 10 other stores.

Now called OK Cannabis, it also brought in the expertise of Rachael Brower, a former Seattle budtender and now a cannabis industry consultant and budtender trainer.

The process is similar to Ike’s OK: Each month, someone from each participating store will randomly choose at least five products that Brower will deliver to Confidence Analytics. Test results are shared with all participating stores, including a request to pull items that have failed and offer refunds. Follow-up failures could lead to removing everything from a brand. Testing history is also shared with the public online at okcannabis.com.

“We’ve come up with a pretty fair procedure,” Brower said. “The stores are receptive and excited about this.”

“If a business fails, it gives them an opportunity to get better.”

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

She and others are inviting more stores around the state to participate, which would mean more products could be tested each month Brower said the program is designed to be more educational rather than something punitive.

“If a business fails, it gives them an opportunity to get better,” she said.

For instance, an early failure led one grower to examine their processes and vendor partners. Some processors may combine cannabis from several growers in their oils and extracts and sell them under one brand, making it difficult to know which one may have introduced a restricted pesticide.

Another loophole that OK Cannabis could address is when a batch of product from a company passes an initial quality test, but then the company adds other items to increase potency or terpenes.

Brower said the participation of unified multiple retailers in testing and pulling efforts makes it more difficult for ‘failed’ companies to find a store to carry their products.

She said OK Cannabis will also welcome involvement from producers/processors, not just retailers. Being marked as OK by OK Cannabis could be a great selling point in distinguishing one brand of cannabis over another in the very competitive marketplace.

For more information, visit okcannabis.com.

Other retailers are also moving to create their own independent testing programs.

Origins Recreational, which has shops in the Seattle area, requires all new producer/ processors that want to get on their shelves to pledge that they follow state rules, as well as show test results that they don’t use restricted pesticides.

Cinder, which includes three shops in Spokane, recently began Cinder Cares.

Each month, the store purchases samples and sends them for independent testing for pesticides and other contaminants. If the testing matches what’s on the product label, this will be indicated. If things don’t match up, the grower will be contacted.

An easy fix could be creating a new label.

If it’s more complicated or can’t be solved, the product is taken off the shelves. Passes and failures can be found at cindersmoke. com/cinder-cares/.

ORGANIZERS HOPE NEW EVENT WILL BLOOM

By KAY JAMES EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

W

hen Amanda Mac moved to Bellingham from Arizona four years ago, she had an idea: to organize a community cannabis festival that would be accessible to everyone. So, she bought the web domain bellinghambudfest.com.

Mac is the marketing manager at Confidence Analytics, an independent lab that tests cannabis products, and hosts a radio show on KZAX-LP 94.9 FM with Stacy Bloch, called Bloch Off!, that covers cannabis, politics, music, and more.

One day, Bloch mentioned the need for a cannabis festival in the community. Mac already owned the web domain, so Bellingham Budfest was born.

“Bellingham is the right place, and it’s the right time,” Mac said. “It is a unique community. It’s eclectic and eccentric.”

Bellingham Budfest will be held on Sunday, July 14, at Bellingham’s Zuanich Point Park, from noon to 9 p.m. The event will include live music, food, and vendors, and feature up to 100 booths for Whatcom County cannabis and non-cannabis businesses and nonprofit organizations.

“When it comes to normalizing cannabis, we need to break out of the normal circle we hang out with, and we need to invite and host others so we can start integrating ourselves into society more,” Mac said.

Hammerhead Coffee will be selling a special Bellingham Budfest blend, and Whatcom glass artists will showcase and sell their pieces.

The festival also will prohibit the sale or promotion of alcohol, tobacco, or imported glass.

Five educational panels inside the Squalicum Boathouse will be moderated by Dr. Dominic Corva, with topics covering differences in CBD products, cannabis and seniors, and therapies for anxiety and depression.

Budfest is working with Sustainable Connections to be a “Toward Zero Waste” festival with water refill stations, restriction of selling single use plastic, and requiring compostable utensils.

A silent disco with several DJs will be operating throughout the day. In a silent disco, listeners wear special wireless headsets and can tune to different music channels for a customizable experience.

Admission will be free and open to all ages; however, IDs will be checked. The organizers are working with local law enforcement and will have a team on staff to ensure public safety and discourage underage consumption.

The main goal of the event is to promote tourism.

“We want this to grow, the event itself to be a hub of tourism. We’re staring with this 1-day event, but we have hopes to expand it to a Sundance-type festival where there are many events going all over town,” Mac said.

Event sponsors include Confidence Analytics, Ganjapreneur, and Stickers for Dave, among others.

“Cannabis transcends social boundaries. There should be something for everyone that comes to Bellingham Budfest,” Mac said.

For more information, visit bellinghambudfest.com.

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

HEALTH & SCIENCE JUNE 7-30

CBD Sunscreen is Summer’s Hottest Accessory

By MARY SCHUMACHER The Fresh Toast Contributor

As stated in the 1997 Baz Luhrmann’s spoken-word sensation “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” it’s highly important not to forget such cream.

Strong sun rays on unprotected skin can be as dangerous as a pack of cigarettes.

Now, in what seems like an unending slew of usefulness, CBD is being incorporated into sunscreens for more than just the buzzword.

Aside from being a skinfriendly carrier oil, CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties, which keeps skin from becoming inflamed by the sun. When CBD works in conjunction with zinc oxide, they seem to make a mighty team.

NeuCana (neucana.com) has developed a whole flower CBD potion intended for one’s delicate facial tissue. With 360 milligrams of CBD in every bottle, the cannabinoids work with non-nano zinc oxide to provide protection. The only rub of it is that it need be reapplied every 45 minutes – an inconvenience that may not suit the flow of everyone’s day.

“We create products for the sun loving, tree hugging festival fairies,” boasts Felix & Ambrosia (felixandambrosia.com), the creators of Sunny Daze Sun Cream,

a CBD-infused 30 SPF sunscreen with eco-friendly glitter. Meant for millennials and festival-goers in particular, this CBD sunblock is a fashion statement physically, politically and botanically.

In every good life, there’s bound to be a time when some sunny day activities arise and you don’t have time to grab the sunscreen. Rather than scolding yourself after a good time, treat yourself to the ultimate relief with the CBD-infused, aloe vera based Lost Remedy Burn Formula (lostremedy.com). With tea tree and olive oil enhancing the experience, your reddened epidermis will thank you on contact.

Just remember the sage opening words of Baz Luhrmann’s “Sunscreen” speech this summer, and yes, year round, “If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proven by scientists…” As have the many benefits of CBD. Together, they’re a soup and a sandwich.

“We create products for the sun loving, tree hugging festival fairies.”

Adapted from an article originally published at thefreshtoast.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

JUNE 7

The Green Nugget Summer Movie Series, Spokane. Stand-up

“Reefer Madness,” Redmond. Second

comedy, followed by a screening of “Half Baked” at The Garland Theater. Hosted by Chris Armi of Prestige Comedy. www. prestigecomedy.com/ shows.html

Story Repertory presents a tonguein-cheek musical comedy version of the Prohibition-era anti-drug film. www. secondstoryrep.org

JUNE 10

JUNE 13

learn about cannabis products to benefit your brain and body. Starts at 10 a.m. with coffee, followed by guided tour of shop. Space limited, so reservations encouraged, www. seattlehashtag.com/ seniors

retailers and other supporters of Washington’s cannabis system.

Live feeds available in Bellingham, Arlington, Tri-Cities and Olympia. www. thecannabisalliance. us/

JUNE 28-29

JUNE 30

innovations in CBD, especially on the technology and medical sides, and connect with professionals, investors, growers, retailers and purchasers.

up comedy under the influence” from rotating comedians at the Spokane Comedy Club. whosmokesweed.me/ TheDopeShow

Hashtag Cannabis, Guided The Cannabis Alliance, Shopping for Seniors, Seattle. Monthly meeting of growers, Seattle. Free event to

The Dope Show, Spokane. Enjoy “stand-

CBD Expo Northwest, Seattle. Learn about

JUNE 8

NORML Women of WA, Seattle. Meet with

cannabis activists and drug policy progressives to connect, learn and take action. facebook.com/ NORMLWomenWa

JUNE 19

Learn and Grow with Washington Marijuantrepreneurs, Spokane. Networking

happy hour followed by industry presentation, Luigi’s. meetup.com/ Spokane-Eastern-WAMarijuana-BusinessNetworking/

Planning a cannabis-themed event for the public?

Send details to evercannabis@ spokesman.com.

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

EVERCANNABIS CONTRIBUTORS TERRY BAIN is a writer and teacher from Spokane. He is the author of “You Are a Dog and We Are the Cat.” Find him on Twitter at @TerryBain.

LINDA BALL is a freelance journalist based in Washington State. In her 18 years as a journalist she has covered a wide variety of topics including environmental issues, city hall, arts and entertainment, education, human interest stories and now the rapidly-changing cannabis industry.

JOE BUTLER is a longtime marketing writer and editor at The Spokesman-Review. He’s an enthusiast of Star Wars, commemorative spoon collecting, and the Oxford comma.

TRACY DAMON is a Spokane-based freelancer who has been writing professionally for 20 years. She has covered i502 issues since recreational cannabis became legal in Washington.

KAY JAMES is a Spokane-based freelance writer.

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STEPHANIE LAMB began her career in the cannabis industry as the Marijuana Infused Edibles Department Manager at Blue Roots Cannabis. Since then she has brought cannabis-infused salt and Cannachips to the i502 market as well as a Bitchcraft topicals that includes bubble baths, balms, and soaks.

ROB MEJIA is president of Our Community Harvest: A Cannabis Education Company (ourcommunityharvest.com); he tweets at @OurComHarvest. Rob lives in New Jersey and spends his free time cooking, playing tennis, and repairing an old house.

DANIELLE ROSELLISON is a mother, advocate and entrepreneur. She owns Trail Blazin’, a Whatcom County cannabis farm, and is president of The Cannabis Alliance.

THERESA TANNER is the Health & Culture editor of EVERCANNABIS. Born and raised in Spokane, she enjoys good food and drink, pop culture podcasts, and relaxing at the lake.

CARA WIETSTOCK has worked in cannabis retail and gardens across three states since 2011. She has settled in Bellingham, where she spends her free time gardening, practicing yoga, reading heady fiction, and hanging with her cats.

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

Can cannabis cause cavities?

And other questions to ask your dentist

By TRACY DAMON EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

I

t turns out that cannabis can negatively affect your mouth, in addition to your waistline.

While eating lots of junk food – otherwise known as ‘the munchies’ – is one well-known side effect of getting high, the potential damage that pot can do to teeth and gums is less known and less amusing.

“Cannabis causes dry mouth, and dry mouth will cause a patient to get cavities,” said Dr. Barry Taylor DMD; Dentist, Assistant Professor at Oregon Health & Science University, and a member of the American Dental Association.

Saliva helps to wash away food debris and reduce plaque on teeth. Dry mouth – clinically known as xerostomia, and colloquially known as cotton mouth by seasoned smokers – often accompanies marijuana use. If you experience dry mouth on a regular basis, dental studies show that it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease over time.

Another side effect of pot use can compound those oral health problems.

“On top of it, there is the craving for food,” Taylor said. “Marijuana increases dopamine, which makes sweet foods sweeter.”

The pleasure from this food also keeps you eating them.

Then there are edibles, which can come in the form of cookies, candies, brownies or other sweet treats, so they’re a major sugar source themselves.

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

Despite this, Taylor says it is still less harmful on your mouth to eat marijuana than to smoke it.

“If you smoke it, it still has carcinogens in it similar to cigarettes,” he said.

As for whether cannabis use causes mouth cancer, Taylor says there is no conclusive evidence at this time to link the two. Some forms of oral cancer are fairly rare so there have not been enough studies to definitively link them to marijuana use.

There is evidence to support is that heavy users of marijuana experience more oral health issues than those who don’t use, or who only use occasionally or weekends only.

“There are some studies that show that heavy users of marijuana tend to visit the dentist less often,” he said.

Taylor says this could be for a number of reasons.

He says the heaviest cannabis users tend to be males between the age of 18 and 25, although he has observed lately that the gender gap appears to be closing. Men in that age range tend to practice less preventative health practices and regular home dental care than people in other age demographics.

In his work at Oregon Health & Science University, Taylor encourages dentists he works with to start the conversation with their patients about marijuana use and oral health.

Much like doctors ask patients about their eating, drinking and drug habits, he wants dentists to ask if their patients use cannabis, and how much.

“It’s like alcohol or anything else, it’s being conscious of your home care,” he said.

“Without talking to them about it, they’re not going to know that dry mouth causes cavities.”

Dentists who know their patients use pot regularly or occasionally can warn them about potential impacts to their teeth and mouth, that edibles can cause less harm than smoking, and that they need to watch their diet, particularly when it comes to eating sweets while high.

Additionally, Taylor would like patients to tell their dentists if they are cannabis users, even if the dentist doesn’t ask, so they receive the best care.

In particular, he asks that patients say something if they come inactively under the influence of cannabis – not just because certain sedatives can work differently on people under the influence, but also because the unexpected could happen.

“Particularly if they’ve done an edible,” he said. “Because edibles are less predictable than smoking. Smoking hits you right away, but you don’t always know what to expect from edibles.”

“There are some studies that show that heavy users of marijuana tend to visit the dentist less often.”

THE RISE OF CBD Health experts advise caution on unregulated products

By TERRY BAIN EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

D

oes it seem to you as if cannabidiol products, better known as CBD, are suddenly everywhere?

You might be right: the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the production of hemp, which is any species of cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3 percent THC, the compound that causes the mental and physical ‘highs’ associated with cannabis.

So hemp lacks significant psychoactive qualities but has high amounts of CBD, which is known for its potential healing properties. With its newly legal status, hemp-derived products are now available to consumers outside of the legal cannabis shops.

One note about CBD, though: the FDA does not permit CBD to be sold as a dietary supplement, and it is not allowed in food that crosses state lines. But this hasn’t prevented some CBD products from advertising healthy supplement claims, and there are certainly foods and other products being transported to retailers around the country.

If market forces hold sway, expect some changes to these rules, or else the FDA is going to have some enforcement issues. Research firm Brightfield Group says the market for hempderived CBD products was approximately $591 million in 2018, and may swell to a whopping $22 billion by 2022.

That’s a heck of a lot of chill.

The market has become so normalized that even Walgreens and CVS stores have recently announced they’re selling CBD sprays, creams, and patches at hundreds of their stores around the country.

Though there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that CBD could provide relief for a huge range of conditions, such as anxiety, inflammation, insomnia, chronic pain, and arthritis, there’s not a lot of actual research or randomized clinical trials to show if CBD actually does what the products claim.

If you see a product saying that it cures cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, autoimmune diseases, or opioid-use disorder, you might consider those red flags regarding whether the product can be trusted – and know that the FDA may be sending the producers a warning letter as soon as they catch wind.

But since CBD is considered relatively safe,

people with conditions for which CBD may provide some relief may not think there’s much to risk. The World Health Organization has said that CBD doesn’t “appear to have abuse potential or cause harm,” which is one reason the recent legalization of hemp is long overdue, according to some.

However, since hemp-derived CBD has very little oversight, proceed with caution: Hucksters and grifters may try to jump in on the market, and who knows what they’re selling you.

If you are in the market for CBD products, consider following a few guidelines to prevent purchases that are erroneously labeled or simply snake oil in a new bottle.

• If you visit a licensed cannabis retailer, talk to a budtender. Washington shops remain a highly-regulated outlet for both CBD and THC purchases, so their products tend to be under more scrutiny. Budtenders are trained know where products come from and their effects.

If you’re buying CBD products from a coffee shop, antique store, mini-market or other outlet, ask questions of the people who work there. If they don’t know the answers to your questions, consider making your purchase elsewhere.

• Read up on the company that makes the product you might purchase. Check out their website, if they have one, and look for “About” pages that give information about farms and where the plant itself is grown.

• Products containing CBD should list the exact amount of CBD contained, as well as a complete breakdown of any other ingredients.

Look for companies that verify the purity of their products through an independent lab. If they also provide a certificate of analysis breaking down the results, that’s a good sign.

There are a ton of CBD products out there right now – vapes, joints, chewables, chocolate, tinctures, mints, face masks, bath bombs, popcorn, coffee … and this, honestly, is just scratching the surface of what could be coming.

If you’re interested in the benefits of CBD, you’re probably best-served with some mindful experimentation with an eye toward what works for you rather than what seems en vogue.

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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to 7KH 6SRNHVPDQ 5HYLHZ f Friday, June 7, 2019

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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to 7KH 6SRNHVPDQ 5HYLHZ f Friday, June 7, 2019

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PICTURE PERFECT Photographers specialize in cannabis macros

y CARA WIETSTOCK VERCANNABIS Correspondent

T

here was a point in time, not all that long ago, where photos of beautiful cannabis flowers could only be found in the centerfolds of specialty magazines that arrived wrapped in a tawdry opaque plastic, not unlike the similarly-illicit “skin mags.”

Macro photos of milky trichomes were something unheard of, other than perhaps cientific photos sequestered away in research laboratories that were brave enough to tudy the inner workings of the plant.

Now, with the click of one hashtag on social media, we all have access to a cascade f cannabis-centric photos capturing various stages of the plant’s growth cycle, finite macros of THC crystals and trich heads, and even editorial shots of stunning models artaking in fat joints and bong rips.

As you scrolled through these photos, have you wondered about what it takes to become cannabis photographer?

Just like many creative fields, it’s really a ombination of practice, photo ability, and selfromotion.

Just ask Devin Stein and Oleg Zharsky. Both eattle-based gentlemen have been working in the 502 industry as photographers, sometimes as a obby, sometimes hired to make a grower look good.

Using their cannabis photos as a foundation, ach has built an impressive following on Instagram. ach of the photographers has always been intrigued y taking pictures.

Zharsky (@oleg.photos) began by taking hotography as an elective in high school. Though e attended the Seattle Art Institute, it wasn’t until he past few years that photography became anything more than a hobby.

Stein (@steinfarm) always remembers taking hotos and eventually began shooting product macros or a jewelry company that worked with stones and eads. He soon found that his interest wasn’t in ewelry, but the young photographer was inspired by he relationship with light and these stones.

This inspiration sparked a fire within him.

Zharsky first began taking cannabis photos out f necessity. He and a friend went into business elivering medical cannabis and they needed menu photos. As a hobby photographer, e took on the task and began tailoring equipment to capture the best photos of their roduct.

The industry has evolved from the days of medical delivery, and now the market is pe with sticky new phenos and crystalline THC extracts. With the introduction of ‘THC iamonds,’ Stein has found a niche. His exceptional photos of extracts are complemented y his experience shooting stones and jewelry.

Both Stein and Zharsky picked up skills that turned out to be relevant to their work

with the cannabis plant by getting out into the world and just taking photos.

Working with weed has created its own set of challenges since every grow is a little different in terms of light or set-up.

Zharsky spent time rigging “nug stands,” or ways to best put the plants in a good light, before finding the right instruments to cater to his needs.

Both men recall a time that macro images absolutely changed the game in cannabis photography. It allowed cannabis photographers – and viewers – to get up close and personal with the plant, something Zharsky highly recommends for anyone interested in working with weed.

Once Zharsky began growing his own medical plants from seed to flower, he was able to gain more understanding into exactly what he should be capturing and how it might be best presented.

Macro photography was first documented in 1880 by pioneer Percy Smith. The technique was used to capture images of living organisms, such as flowers and bugs, from a very close range. These photographs are taken using a long barrel lens that is ideal for maintaining a finite focus from a very close range.

One of the very first cannabis photographers to bring macro into the industry was the iconic Erik Christiansen, who goes by the handle @erik. nugshots on Instagram.

Stein and Zharsky both commended him for being a pioneer in the industry.

Taking macro photos also allows both Stein and Zharsky to ‘stack’ multiple macro images on top of one another for a crisper shot that pops off of the page, screen, or canvas.

Cannabis photographers hoping to find work in the industry are encouraged to use Instagram. The social network platform sometimes cracks down on cannabis photos (internet sales of cannabis are a big no-no, and sometimes accounts are erroneously flagged as selling product rather than pictures), but both men say it has been a good way to get more people viewing their work.

It also helps them see and appreciate the work of their peers, and to discuss various techniques and equipment that may be helpful in capturing just the right image.

Stein said this type of networking with fellow cannabis photographers is useful.

“Having peers that are trying to do the same thing but not step on each others’ toes is what the industry needs,” he said. “It’s really awesome to not only admire the work (of others) and be inspired by it but also have them respect me as a peer as we learn from each other.”

Photos by Devin Stein

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE BOOK REVIEW

By THERESA TANNER EVERCANNABIS Writer

T

he thought of reading a history book may give you yawn-inducing flashbacks of falling asleep over textbooks in high school. But illustrator and cartoonist Box Brown found an inventive way to present a subject you definitely didn’t study in school – the history of cannabis – in a new graphic novel.

Published by First Second Books in April 2019, “Cannabis: The Illegalization of Weed in America” follows humanity’s interaction with cannabis, starting with its significance in Hindu mythology and religious practices, and the introduction of industrial hemp in North America by Spanish colonizers, leading to its eventual cultivation for consumption throughout Mexico.

In both instances, the story is similar: government officials of European origins were suspicious of indigenous people who consumed cannabis and attempted to outlaw its use by connecting it to instances of violence, mental illness, or immorality.

While cannabis could be found in some early 20th century patent medicines, cannabis culture truly arrived in the U.S. with increased immigration during the Mexican Revolution. Immigrants shared their cannabis with the black laborers they worked and lived with, leading to its association with jazz music in urban areas.

The first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, Harry J. Anslinger, led the charge to regulate drugs (and collect tax revenue from pharmaceutical

companies) in the 1930s. Newspapers helped by exaggerating the association of cannabis use with violence and moral degradation – especially as its use by white Americans grew.

Throughout Brown’s book, an undercurrent of racism and greed fuel the story of cannabis in America.

Sensationalized stories about crimes committed by cannabis users (whether or not they had been using at the time of the crime) sold more newspapers. Although usage rates by both whites and people of color are similar, white people were less likely to be arrested and convicted for use. Drug companies had more to gain financially if cannabis remained illegal.

Those issues are relevant today as states reverse laws outlawing cannabis use, and people of color remain incarcerated for drug-related offenses. Millions of dollars are collected in revenue and taxes, but the communities that have been negatively impacted by the criminalization of cannabis aren’t the primary beneficiaries of the newly-legal industry.

While Brown’s point of view about cannabis is evident, he provides a literary bibliography to cite his sources and further the spread of factual information about cannabis. As a writer for the publication with the same intent, I found his book an engaging and approachable way to begin further in-depth study of a history that remains misunderstood by many.

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

D

id you know that some of the early advocates in the cannabis rights movement were also people working for gay rights?

This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which many recognize as the first major gay rights demonstration in America.

The fight for LGBTQ rights joined other progressive movements of the era, like civil rights, women’s rights, free love and anti-war.

Improved cannabis access fit right into these ideologies and lifestyles of many activists.

OutSpokane celebrates its annual Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival in Spokane on Saturday, June 8. As we look back and move forward, we’re highlighting some individuals who have worked for rights on a variety of fronts in the cannabis movement.

Laganja Estranja

Dennis Peron

In some ways, Carol Ehrhart and Alissa Taylor started their Spokane County cannabis business “as a joke.”

The couple had worked to pass Washington Referendum 74 to establish marriage equality in 2012, which passed with over 53 percent of the vote. Also on the ballot in Washington that year was cannabis legalization in Initiative 502, passing with approximately 56 percent approval.

They could legally marry … why couldn’t they also sell cannabis?

They’ve accomplished both, marrying in August 2014 and opening their cannabis retailer in late December of the same year.

Although some people might not know that 4:20 Friendly at 1515 S. Lewis St. is owned by

Dennis Peron first sold cannabis at his Big Top Café in San Francisco after returning from Vietnam with 2 pounds of the contraband plant in the 1970s. When he later saw the suffering of AIDS patients in his community, especially his partner Jonathan West, he worked to ensure that other people who derived medicinal benefits from cannabis had access.

Peron helped pass Proposition P, a medical marijuana initiative in San Francisco in 1991, and opened the first public marijuana dispensary in the United States the next year. He later co-authored California Proposition 215, legalizing medical cannabis throughout the state.

A contestant on the sixth season of the competition reality show “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Laganja Estranja – the stage name of dancer and choreographer Jay Jackson – felt so passionate about cannabis that she put a nickname for the plant right in her drag name. As she performs around the world, she advocates for the decriminalization of cannabis.

Her lifestyle brand includes a collaboration pre-roll with The Hepburns, called LAhepburns. She was the first LGBTQ entertainer to appear on the cover of DOPE magazine, and also hosted a web series, “Puff Puff Sessions,” where she discussed the benefits of marijuana use with guests.

4:20 Friendly

PRIDE MONTH celebrates history, activists

a gay couple (and they prefer it that way; they want people of all beliefs and walks of life to feel comfortable in their shop), 4:20 Friendly feels like many other familyowned establishments.

The store was built right next door to their house, so the owners will often visit with customers on their front porch. It’s located in a mixedused, rural area on the edge of West Spokane, so it feels like a neighborhood store with a rustic wooden frame and hanging flower basket in front.

Like any couple who own a business together, Ehrhart and Taylor work hard to balance their personal relationship with work. They have clearly defined responsibilities, and keep offices on opposites sides of their home to maintain professional space.

They employ a small staff of eight, and the relationship between the bosses and employees feels like family.

If there are issues or concerns, Ehrhart and Taylor make sure they are on the same page before addressing anything with the staff.

In a highly regulated industry like cannabis, they have to trust that employees can adapt to rule changes and new products, and most importantly provide customers with accurate information and friendly service … I mean, it’s right there in the name.

4:20 Friendly is basically a neighborhood “mom and pop” store. But it’s “mom and mom” and they’re selling weed. In 2019, that’s business as usual.

By THERESA TANNER EVERCANNABIS Writer

Photo by Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

ZIGGY MARLEY CHAMPIONS CLEANER CANNABIS

NATIONAL BRIEFS

NEVADA CREDITS SUCCESS TO BETTER RULES CARSON CITY – REVENUE FROM NEVADA’S recreational cannabis program has exceeded the state’s initial expectations, and participants credit its strict regulations.

Armen Yemenidjian, founder of Essence Cannabis, a Las Vegas dispensary and producer, said the state was able to build upon a history of tight regulations for gambling, liquor and medical marijuana.

During the state’s first year of recreational sales, sales tax revenue exceeded $70 million, which was 140 percent higher than anticipated.

Official adult-use sales also started six months earlier than expected by issuing temporary licenses to medical dispensaries.

There are now more than 20 dispensaries in Clark County and 60 statewide. Data for 2018 show it was responsible for 80 percent of all state sales. Washoe County was responsible for 16 percent.

“Las Vegas was a town that was built on regulation and compliance,” Yemenidjian said. “Nevada was able to take that model of understanding how to roll out programs, regulate and enforce them and translate this directly to cannabis.”

License applications not only have to undergo criminal background checks but high license and permitting fees.

Although public consumption of cannabis is illegal, including along the Las Vegas Strip, the Legislature recently approved cannabis lounges, which will allow for people to consume in places outside of private homes.

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Carl’s Jr. tests CBD burgers in Colorado

DENVER – FAST FOOD CHAIN CARL’S JR. announced April 17 that it was testing a CBD burger at a single location on April 20.

The promotion in Denver, Colo., attracted approximately 30 people in line and 10 cars in the drive-thru upon opening at 6 a.m.

The restaurant was equipped with ingredients to sell 1,000 Rocky Mountain High: CheeseBurger Delights, which featured two charbroiled beef patties, Carl’s Jr. signature “Santa Fe Sauce” infused with locally-sourced hemp-based CBD oil, pickled jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and Crisscut Source: Forbes fries on a premium bun.

Priced at $4.20 with a limit of two per customer, the burger received positive reviews from a few tasters. One patron complimented the “nice big chunks” of juicy jalapenos.

Another noted that the CBD sauce had “a very subtle hint of earth,” declaring it “a decent, solid burger.’’

Carl’s Jr. has not announced if the CBD burger will be sold beyond the single-day promotion or in other markets.

A company’s executive told Bloomberg that other franchises have expressed interest in testing out the CBD burger at their locations.

Source: Leafly

WASHINGTON D.C. – ZIGGY MARLEY RECENTLY shared that consumers must drive a shift in the cannabis industry to make products “cleaner” and free of chemicals.

The son of Bob Marley, a musician and advocate for cannabis, wrote an essay in Rolling Stone that consumers must take the lead role in pushing growers, stores and brands to make sure all health and safety concerns are addressed.

“As marijuana becomes industrialized we need to stay vigilant about the way companies use harmful pesticides to maximize and safeguard their financial investments,” Marley wrote.

“We must be careful both as consumers and businesses to not allow the industry to put profits above the health and well-being of the people.”

Marley pointed out that other growing industries have put aside customer safety in the rush for profits, and doesn’t want this to happen to cannabis. He personally doesn’t use products or brands unless he knows that no harmful pesticides or artificial enhancements were used.

He encourages customers to either demand honesty and transparency about pesticides and the growing process or grow their own using safe conditions.

“We cannot wait until it becomes more established, because by that time, it will be too late,” he said. “It is up to us, the people, to make sure the people’s plant doesn’t actually cause people pain.”

Source: Rolling Stone

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

STRAIN OF THE MONTH Grams $5 Eighths $15 Quarters $30

Peacemaker

Half Ounce $45 Ounces $100 1G Oil $10

(aka Great White Shark)

Sativa-dominant hybrid Grown by Cedar Creek Cannabis, Vancouver 13.49% THC | 7.92% CBD | 5.57% THCA Notes: No pesticides

Munchie Monday - 20% OFF Edibles Tanker Tuesday - $15 .5g Cartridges Waxy Wednesday - 20% OFF Concentrates Thirsty Thursday - 20% OFF Beverages Fire Friday - 20% OFF Select Farms Super Dope Saturday - 25% OFF Concentrates Double Dip Sunday - 2x Baker Points

Vendor Days Every Friday!

(509) 244-8728 1515 S Lyons Rd Airway Heights, WA Mon-Sat: 8:30-12:00 | Sun: 10:00-11:00 Tokerfriendlyspokane.com

Warning:This product has intoxicating effects 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 twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.

The sun is finally shining again, so it’s time for us to dry out after a wet winter. So now I need a strain that’s going to help with long hikes, and help me forget that I slept on the ground in a tent the night before during my recent “vacation.”

SMELL: When you pop open the jar you’re not immediately hit with anything. Instead, Peacemaker lures you in with a slightly sweet secondary scent that beckons you to shove your schnozz in a little more.

upon exhale I could feel the tension in my shoulders and neck start to dissipate.

The feeling is euphoric; you feel slightly spacey after your first initial inhales, but will end up feeling full of energy and ready to experience new things.

APPEARANCE: Nicely manicured nuggets with a light dusting of trichomes. There are a couple of beautiful long nugs along with an entourage of smaller nugs you won’t feel sad about breaking up.

OVERALL: Peacemaker will be getting a solid rotation in my lineup due to its excellent body relief high. It leaves your head in the clouds waiting to embrace the outdoors, or at least feel like you could. My only real complaint is that the bud felt slightly drier than I prefer. I used my grinder, but I could’ve saved time and ripped it apart almost as quickly.

TASTE: It offers a nice and smooth inhale with slightly sweet airy taste. An exhale brings out a skunky flavor.

EXPERIENCE: Peacemaker is a perfect post-gym smoke and can be your new favorite walk-about strain. My first deep inhale went down incredibly smooth and

Review by Keegan McClung, Marketing Manager for Cinder Photo courtesy Cedar Creek Cannabis

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

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LEARN & GROW

Talking to kids about cannabis

By DANIELLE ROSELLISON EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

M

y daughter Radler was probably 5 years old, coloring in front of the fireplace. Nonchalantly, she asked “Mama, that plant you grow.

Does it save people’s lives?”

I was totally taken aback. We had grown adult-use cannabis in the 502 market for about a year, but we had rarely, if ever, talked about the medicinal benefits.

“Ummm … some people think so,” seemed like the most appropriate answer at the time. She stopped for a minute and then went back to coloring. And that was that.

So, it began ... how we talk to our kids about cannabis. I am of a unique position; cannabis has literally put food on the table as long as my kids can remember.

My kids know a lot about cannabis. They know it’s a plant. They know that there are different strains that make you feel differently.

They know that growers like us are heavily taxed by the state with rules

that make their mama cry often. They know it’s federally illegal. They know that different government agencies have lied to the people about the benefits of cannabis. Cannabis is bound to come up as topic in elementary schools; it’s just under a very different pretext than when you or I was a kid.

I was a “bathroom consumer” for a while, but now it seems silly to hide cannabis consumption.

The real “A-ha!” moment was when I realized I had edibles in my purse one day. “Kids! Pay attention to me for a minute. If you find candies in my purse that you need scissors to open, don’t eat them. They have cannabis in them.”

“What will happen?” Coolidge, then 5, asked.

“You’re going to feel real funny. You’re not going to die, but you’re going to feel like it. And then it’ll pass.”

“OK,” they said and went back to playing.

I think the big thing is that it’s about age-appropriate answers and we, the adults, feel much more uncomfortable than the kids do. In their world, they are just asking a normal question like, “Mama, what’s for breakfast?”

Adults must push that uncontrollable “OMG, here we go” feeling down and answer calmly, honestly and without judgment. Children rarely ask follow-up questions, which means it is time to drop it and move on. When the child is ready, they will ask more questions and our job is to continue to answer honestly.

Recently, I was bringing my kids home from school with a friend.

Radler offered, “My parents grow cannabis. Do you know what that is?”

OMG, here we go. What are they going to say?

“Cannabis is a plant that can help people with cancer […] And you want to make sure it doesn’t have pesticides. Pesticides on your cannabis isn’t good.”

If that is what they pick up from conversations, I’m alright with that.

That was the easy part, though; I knew I needed to call the friend’s mom and let her know the conversation happened.

Can’t you see it? “Mom, guess what I learned at the Rosellison’s house?!”

While it feels uncomfortable in the moment, honesty about those awkward questions has served our household well.

Our kids know that we will always tell them the truth. If I lied about it, I would have to fess up sometime and then what have I done to our relationship? Telling the truth, and letting the child lead the conversation hasn’t led us astray yet.

I will let you know how the teenage years treat us when we get there.

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

Q& A

What’s in a (Cannabis) Name?

BY ROB MEJIA EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

Question:

What is the difference between marijuana, cannabis, hemp, and CBD? Do they mean the same thing? -- Signed Questioning CannaGirl

Answer:

I certainly understand your confusion and you are not alone. Let’s start with a few basic facts and common cannabis vocabulary. You’ll be cannabis-fluent in no time!

First, regarding the differences between cannabis and marijuana: There are none! Cannabis is the name of a group of plants. Marijuana is the slang term that was associated with cannabis use in minority populations (mostly Mexican workers and African-American jazz musicians) during Prohibition.

Cannabis plants are divided into four categories: • Sativa plants are tall and thin with

slim leaves. They are known to provide energy and focus.

• Indica plants grow short and bushy with broad leaves. They are used to tamp down anxiety and promote sleep.

• Ruderalis is a recently discovered, small plant found in Eastern Europe and Russia. It flowers after a set time and is often used to create hybrid plants.

• Hybrids are by far the most popular cannabis plants. They are grown specifically to produce varying results through the combination of sativa, indica, and ruderalis plants.

Cannabis plants are loaded with more than 100 cannabinoids, chemical compounds that create different reactions in the human body. The two most popular and prominent are THC and CBD. THC, tetrahydrocannabinol (tet-rahydro-ca-nab-in-all) causes euphoric effects. Some say that it mimics the

effect of a “runner’s high” and can sometimes cause a case of “the giggles.”

THC can be used for both medical and recreational purposes. Many CBD users find a small amount of THC helps the performance of CBD-based medicine.

THC is the compound that makes recreational cannabis illegal in many states.

CBD, cannabidiol (or can-na-bide-all) is the non-intoxicating element that is believed to naturally reduce inflammation. It is primarily consumed as drops or tincture or used in topical forms like lotions and salves. CBD doesn’t cause any psychotropic effects.

With the passage of the U.S. Farm Bill of 2018, allowing for the production of commercial hemp (more on that in a minute), CBD is technically legal in all 50 states.

All of these cannabinoids go to work in the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors present in vertebrates. When one consumes cannabis, cannabinoids like THC adhere to receptors in the brain and neck,

causing euphoria. Other cannabinoids like CBD adhere to receptors in the rest of the body like the immune, nervous and digestive systems, which help reduce inflammation and pain.

Now, back to hemp. It’s a nonintoxicating cannabis plant that contains trace amounts of THC. It also produces a fiber cultivated by humans for nearly 10,000 years. It grows easily, is droughtand bug-resistant, and has amazing consumer and industrial applications in up to 25,000 products.

Hemp oil (extracted from the buds, stalks, leaves, and seeds) is also a great natural source of CBD. When buying CBD products as part of your wellness routine, get hemp oil – not hemp seed oil, which is less potent.

Now that you know the basics, take these terms for a spin and practice your cannabis fluency. You’ll have it down in no time.

Want to know more? Send questions to evercannabis@spokesman.com.

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

Oregon Convention Center | Portland, OR

• 300 exhibitors with a wide variety of goods and services • Speakers with experience in inventory turns, merchandising, store flow, and customer retention programs Hundreds of Hemp and CBD • Hund products • The latest in merchandising & display cases • Designers and architects of award-winning retail environments • National marijuana brands

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

Strawberry Rhubarb Canna Jam

2 grams decarboxylated Blue Roots Maui Shatter (or comparable potency cannabis concentrate; if using distillate, do not decarb) 3 tablespoons grain alcohol 4 cups diced rhubarb 4 cups sliced strawberries 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon butter (optional) 2 (1.75 oz) packages powdered fruit pectin 9 cups white sugar 11 half pint canning jars with rings and lids Cannabis infusion Preheat oven to 290F degrees. Place shatter (or other cannabis concentrate) into a small oven-proof silicone bowl. Place bowl on baking sheet and into the oven.

Heat at least 15-20 minutes or until the oil is no longer bubbling. Remove from the oven and stir in 3 tablespoons of grain alcohol. Set aside.

Jam

STRAWBERRY

CANNAJAM makes summer complete

Story and photo by STEPHANIE LAMB EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

S

ummer in Spokane brings with it many of my favorite things: long days, warm nights, farmers’ markets, patio brunches, and most importantly, strawberries.

Those sweet heralds of summer have always had a special place in my heart. The first view I remember from my childhood window was fields of Bavariangrown strawberries. Each June, my family takes a day trip to Green Bluff.

We pick flats and flats of berries, and then, keeping with tradition, like my great-grandmother before me, I process them into a variety of jellies and jams to be put up for the next year. Mine just have an extra ingredient!

There is nothing I enjoy more than combining fresh,

locally-grown produce with fresh, locally-grown cannabis.

For this recipe I’ve chosen to pair Green Bluff-grown strawberries and rhubarb with Blue Roots Maui. It’s a sativa strain that originated in Hawaii. The fruity flavor and floral aroma offer a great balance to the sweet strawberries and bitter rhubarb.

At roughly 6-7mg of THC per tablespoon, depending on what concentrate is used, this jam can be used in so many ways: Grown-up PB&J, adults-only shortbread cookies, 21+ ice cream mix. The possibilities are endless!

Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes.

Place rhubarb, strawberries, lemon juice, fruit pectin, and butter into a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. (Butter is optional but helps keep jam from getting too foamy.) Stir mixture to help the juice start to form, and add sugar, about 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved and the juice is starting to simmer. Turn up heat to medium-high, bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, and cook and stir for 1 minute. Skim off any foam that forms. Add cannabis infusion and stir well to combine.

With a jelly funnel and ladle, pack the jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top.

Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel. Top with lids, and screw on rings; the rings should only be finger-tight to prevent breakage.

Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder.

Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the jar tops. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.

Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. To help the jam set, don’t move or touch the jars until cooled. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area (out of reach of children).

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

U.S ATTORNEY NOT FOCUSING ON MARIJUANA CRACKDOWN

STATE BRIEFS

IONIC TO ACQUIRE ZOOTS SEATTLE – IONIC BRANDS, known for concentrates and vaporizer products, recently signed an agreement to acquire Zoots Premium Infused Edibles.

IONIC, a publicly traded company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, paid $855,000 in cash plus 10.7 million common shares of stock to make this purchase and enter the increasingly competitive edibles and infused product market.

Company officials also pledged to buy 5.35 million common shares from current Zoots shareholders over three years at $1.33 Canadian per share.

IONIC Brands owns several companies that offer products in Washington and along the West Coast and Nevada, but this is its first edible brand.

Zoots offers a variety of drops, hard candies, chewable items and energy shots infused with proprietary cannabis oil and other flavors. IONIC officials plan to keep the formulas.

The company was started by brothers Patrick, Michael and Dan Devlin and sells products at stores in Washington, Massachusetts and Illinois.

John Gorst, IONIC Brands CEO and chairman, said the purchase works well for everyone.

“Zoots handcrafted and delicious edible products are extremely popular among consumers and complements our enormously popular vaporizer pens,” he said. “Acquiring Zoots allows us to expand our current distribution network, which is a win-win for our stakeholders.”

Source: New Cannabis Ventures

Seattle becoming canna-tech hub

SEATTLE – The Emerald City is using its reputation as a technology hub to also be known as a place for cannabis commerce and development.

Besides being home to Amazon and Microsoft, Seattle also has a head start on Silicon Valley in terms of greater social acceptance and easier access to legal cannabis retailers and growers. Washington has allowed legal adult sales for five years while California’s began last year.

This has led to an interesting influx of innovators looking for ways to use various methods to automate and improve the efficiency of the process of growing and selling of cannabis. These include startups

such as Headset, which provides retail business data intelligence; and POSaBIT, which offers customers the ability to use cryptocurrency in their retail transactions instead of cash. This company is publicly traded on the Canadian Stock Exchange.

Tim Leslie recently left a leadership role at Amazon to become CEO of Leafly, an online directory. He said the Seattle area is well-positioned to become a strong cannabis tech hub and “the epicenter of cannabis culture in North America.”

Other assets include closeness to British Columbia and Portland, which both have strong cannabis and tech communities.

Source: Geekwire

SEATTLE – BRIAN MORAN, U.S. ATTORNEY for Western Washington, recently said that even if he felt the urge to halt the state’s cannabis industry, he didn’t think he legally could.

An effort like that would take considerable resources that wouldn’t be good use of tax dollars as well as defeating the will of voters.

“The federal government’s prosecution resources in this district are not well spent going after legal marijuana,” he said. “The voters voted for it – I accept that.”

U.S attorneys have been placed in a challenging position. Although several states have created their own cannabis laws and marketplaces, including Washington, it is still considered an illegal substance to own, buy or sell at a federal level. While the Obama administration discouraged enforcement, President Trump and the Department of Justice have left enforcement efforts up to individual regions.

This has led to some U.S attorneys focusing more on larger-scale illegal activity such as interstate black market smuggling or organized crime activity, but less attention on state-regulated cannabis commerce.

Moran did encourage state officials to keep monitoring the legal and black markets.

“I just want to make sure the state doesn’t take an eye off of the marijuana market,” he said.

Source: MyNorthwest.com

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, June 7, 2019