Roots and Reefer

Roots & Reefer is an industry-shifiting cannabis podcast, magazine, & lifestyle brand. Our mission is to educate the public about the benefits & joys of cannabis, ultimately destigmatizing medical marijuana use & making it less taboo & easier for people to talk about. We aren't afraid to say: "We love weed!"

This magazine is meant to be collected. It is an artifact, filled with stories of cannabis patients and producers that have largely been left untold for nearly five years now.

Dear Arkansan,

You deserve to know the story behind your cannabis and to learn about the science that’s constantly refining and redefining what’s available in your local dispensary. By sharing these stories, we want to increase transparency between producers and patients. Thanks to the careful attention of our regulators and the shape of the MMJ law here in Arkansas, we have a special opportunity to pursue and uphold quality, while giving back to our local communities.

My name is Mandi, and I am a cannabis patient, a storyteller, and CEO of The Source. My team and I are not only here to run a sustainable business and provide badass jobs, but we are here to shape the cannabis patient experience on a regional—maybe even national—level.

At The Source, we are committed to staying true to craft and community, earning our place as Arkansas’s most unique craft cannabis company. We are purposely growing our business like a tree: growing our roots deeper rather than wider, providing a canopy for our team of over 60 employees—and thus providing an unparalleled cannabis experience for the Northwest Arkansas community.

The first edition of Roots and Reefer magazine is shaped around the stories of the three people who have most impacted the Arkansas patient base and my own personal professional development. Those folks are Annie Iselin from BOLD Team, Ryan Kenaga from River Valley Relief, and Robert DeBin from Natural State Medicinals.

Be sure to check out the 2024 Patient Access Amendment, expected to be on your ballot Fall of 2024! The new initiative increases patient access by extending the validity of your medical card from one to three years and allowing for home grow and much more!

Like Annie says in “A Bold Approach” on page 23, Cannabis is about people. The people who grow, extract, and formulate. The people who package, transport, and dispense. The people who buy, consume, and share. That’s the cycle of cannabis community creation, and Roots and Reefer is here to empower those people through storytelling.

Thanks for reading and thanks for shopping at The Source. We promise to always go the extra mile and bring you products that have a story.

Stay spark’d,

Amanda Strickland Chief Executive Officer The Source

Photo by Evan Alvarado

14 / It’s Always Summer at the Source

A look Inside the Boutique Grow

By Griffin Coop / Photography by Allie Jordan

15 / Behind Double Doors

A look Inside the Lab and Kitchen By Griffin Coop / Photography by Allie Jordan

18 / The Natural State of Excellence

Meet Arkansas Native Robert DeBin By Amanda Strickland / Photography by Matt White

22 / A Bold Approach

Meet the Fearless Annie Iselin

By Amanda Strickland / Photography by Ebony Blevins

26 / The Bass Line of the Arkansas Cannabis Market

Meet Creator of ArkanRAW, Ryan Kenaga By Amanda Strickland / Photography by Kat Wilson

Columns

6 / Weedstrology: Your Celestial Weed Wisdom By Wendy Love Edge / Illustrations by Toro & Hare Design Studios

10 / 11 Sizzlin’ Hot Cannabis Strains for Summer 2024 By Jaymie Cavaretti

12 / Canna Cooking with Zach By Zach Hager / Photography by Amanda Strickland

30 / Ganja Glossary

By Jaymie Cavaretti / Design by Kevin Waltermire

34 / What’s So Funny about Cannabis? By CC Flowers / Illustration by Layet Johnson

36 / Tales from an OG By Jeremy Hodges / Photography by Amanda Strickland

38 / Making Waves in the Ozarks By Amanda Strickland / Photography by Allie Jordan

Disclaimer: This magazine was produced by Flower Marketing, LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the respective views and opinions of Flower Marketing, LLC, Ms. Amanda Strickland or any other producers and contributors of the magazine, including but not limited to The Source Craft Cannabis Company and Flower Marketing. Please note that state and local laws vary, and cultivation, manufacturing, and sale of cannabis, even where permitted under state and local laws and regulations, remains illegal under federal law. For more information, please consult with a local attorney in your area.

Marijuana is for use by qualified patients only. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana use during pregnancy or breastfeeding poses potential harms. Marijuana is not approved by the FDA to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of marijuana.

Mandi’s Favorite Products

RVR’s

Live Rosin Disposable Vape

My everyday vape. I don’t know how I survived before this product dropped! In The Flow’s Lemon Skunk Flower Strain

If I had to choose one strain to take to a deserted island, it would be Lemon Skunk by In The Flow.

One of my favorite products of 2023, RVR’s Soft Chews are an instant classic!

Team figured out how to put the weekend in a can!

This strain is more than a feeling - it’s a vibe!

The new line of French-named strains by NSM have me going, "Ooh la la!" River Valley Relief’s Soft Chews

I love all Little Barks flavors, but I cannot get enough of this flavor created exclusively for The Source! NSM’s Soleil Couchant

Patches

Your Celestial Weed Wisdom

by WENDY LOVE EDGE AND JOY STRONG

Many people use cannabis as a tool for spiritual awakening, seeking deeper introspection or connection with the universe. Astrology, based on astronomy and planetary movements, is similarly used by many as a spiritual tool to gain insight into one's place in the cosmos. When under the influence of cannabis, due to the altered states it can provide, one can gain deeper meaning from the subtle states of planetary movement. Choosing the right strain, route of administration, and plant elements, along with aligning those elements with astrology trends, is a powerful way of marrying the plant and the planets. We call this marriage: Weedstrology.

FORECAST APRIL 20TH THROUGH JULY 20TH 2024

OVERVIEW

Everyone, regardless of sun sign, will be feeling the aftershock of the potent solar eclipse that occurs at the beginning of April 2024 in Aries. These circumstances affect how we may feel about taking brave action on our most bold ideas and desires. This effect lingers for months, so let’s get into the weeds for each sun, moon, and rising sign!

Take it easy in April as you sort out family or financial shake-ups from the eclipse. Independence and courage are at issue. Your bold, passionate nature can shine. Consider cannabis strains like Durban Poison which is known for its mood-enhancing and confidence-boosting properties. Danky Kong could be useful for a relaxed state at night. Sleep gummies cannabinoidrich with CBD, CBN, and CBG will support sleep.

With your ruler Mars joining in May, expect rapid progress on goals. Physical activities will

strengthen your body and mind, helping you to manage your temper. Strains with mood-calming terpenes like linalool and myrcene with lower amounts of THC will also be supportive. By June, Jupiter brings a lucky prosperity mindset. Strains like Banana Loaf are good for mental clarity and mental stimulation. For July, prioritize your wellbeing and nurture relationships. A CBD tincture for ongoing nurturing may be a good choice. Add some bath bombs and topicals to nurture your whole body holistically, inside and out.

In April, your steady nature can help you handle spiritual and financial challenges. Sleep may be disrupted. For sleep or dream disruptions during this time, try some indica-heavy concentrates such as hash or crumble. To get to sleep quickly, try some fast asleep gummies rich in cannabinoids including CBN. By May, the sun shines on you. Prosperity and windfalls are forecasted. Be patient in love. Support yourself with a strain like Lilac Diesel to create calm.

ARIES TAURUS

Come June, Mercury heightens communications, while Mars in your sign increases energy. Impulsivity must be avoided now. Curb it with a balanced 1:1 THC/CBD 24-hour patch. July brings more intensity as Mars causes chaos. Cannabis strains such as Donny Burger can help create calm and uplift the mind simultaneously. Communication and learning are favored during this period. A strain like Green Crack can improve your ability to study, energizing your brain.

Your communication is being tested in April. Dealing with upheaval within your home or family may also be on the agenda. Friends may not be ready to hear what you have to say. Stay calm and get enough sleep with indica strains like Danky Kong at night. Daytime use of a tincture blend of CBD and CBG, or a cartridge like Blue Widow rich in CBG, will keep you balanced. May will be a happy and lucky month ahead. Your social life is starred. Jupiter augments love, fertility, pleasure, and prosperity. Try some support

Shake-ups from the solar eclipse in April may be forcing important changes financially and spiritually. Career and family life might also be affected. Stay close to home. A 50/50 hybrid, such as Member Berry, can help.

As May arrives, your energy and health are good. Your career life is active and progressing fast now. Jupiter is bringing opportunities for your spiritual growth through the rest of the year. Strains such as Concord Cream can complement the happiness you are experiencing with some relaxation

with personal lubricating CBD products for more blissful sexual interactions. This is also a strong spiritual phase for you. Enhance meditation experiences with indica strains like Crescendo #11 or Glitter Bomb, which have a hypnotic effect. As Bob Marley once said, “When you smoke the herb, it reveals you to yourself.”

In July, the new moon on the 14th boosts your favorable financial aspects and brings clarity. Enhance focus with a sativa hybrid like Chemmy Jones to stay uplifted.

for spiritual pursuits. As we come into June, more happiness will be stressed. Financial windfalls are possible. You are magnetic now. Your love life is starred. Support your body by choosing healthy cannabis products low in sugar or those blended with vitamins or superfoods. A strain like Chiesel can help you remain energetic and uplifted as you try new things. July is a great time to enhance physical fitness. Outdoor fitness can be supported with a strain like Mountain Goat. Splurge on yourself this month for encouragement.

LEO

In April, many areas of your life may be affected after the total solar eclipse. Take time to recuperate and then figure out any financial or health shake-ups. While your finances are key, recuperation for your health is most important now. Try a high THC indica-dominant concentrate such as a hash-infused chocolate bar. The Lion spends 21 hours a day resting and sleeping to conserve energy. Live into your lion self.

By May, your career is emphasized. Face challenges head-on and turn them into successes now. It’s time to inspire others with your strength. Ward off anxieties and keep a focused

In April, the eclipse may have you facing serious concerns. Think about how you can make personal improvements. Release whatever you cannot control. Embrace financial or career change as needed. Strains that can assist you in weathering change include balanced indica/sativa strains such as OG Kush. Consider increasing your CBD intake to relieve stress. In May, more success comes within reach. Finances are good. Mid-month may bring more abundance. Home life feels supportive. Your spiritual life is featured. Add a sativa-dominant mind-expanding strain like Ecto Cooler to your meditation practice.

LIBRA

Ienergized presence in the day with a strain like Desert Lime. Later, socialize with friends and a happy, uplifting strain such as Pineapple Express. In June, your health, prosperity, and happiness increase. Medicate with something both stimulating and relaxing, such as Peanut Butter Biscuit. In July, happiness and health are increasing but family may seem more stressful. Patience is key. Mercury joining Venus and the Sun in your sign gives you a boost of energy. Skip reviewing past family issues for now. Get through family gatherings with strains that enhance both happiness and relaxation, such as Cookies.

In June, your career and family life are strong and complementary. Work responsibilities may increase. Socializing can bring networking possibilities. To decrease overthinking, try strains that are lower in THC, such as Runtz Muffin. Add some strains to elevate your energy, such as Super Lemon Haze.

In July, love may be on the back burner, but work responsibilities continue to grow. Be sure to tend to any health matters. A strain such as Purple Milk could be helpful to stay balanced, happy, and relaxed. Continue with CBD products for balance.

In April, relationships may be strained under this month's eclipse energy. Friends can also be affected. Be compassionate. Encourage balance by adding cannabis strains that promote stress reduction, like Alien OG. Try a high CBD patch that you can place on the body for a regular daily dose and ongoing stress relief.

In May, stay on top of finances and doublecheck details. Have patience with money due, as delays are likely. Sexual liberation may be featured this month. Try the strain AK-47 to relax, reduce pain, create euphoria, and enhance sex drive and arousal. In June, you are attracting opportunities. Personal success in career

n April, the solar eclipse shakes up your sixth house of health and work and may usher in job changes early in the month. Relationships may also be tested now. Look for cannabis strains to amp up the happiness factor, like Cookies. Computers, phones, and other tech stuff might act up, so back up devices.

In May, career is the focus. You may obtain a bonus or promotion. Don’t leave your personal life behind. Be agreeable and spend more effort on your partner when you can. Admit when you are wrong. Consider sativa hybrid strains such as Blue Dream and Glass Slipper to calm and uplift any time of day. Finances should be stable, so consider gifting CBD-rich luxury

and romance is featured now. You have star quality. Just don’t neglect your physical health. Consider supporting your energy with CBGrich cannabis products.

As July approaches, both career and love life continue to be starred and the new moon enhances that trend. Maintain healthy habits now. Spiritual healing may be beneficial during this period. Support that with strains like Strawberry Shortcake to relax the body into meditation while keeping the mind open. Topicals and cannabis products blended with CBD and vitamins such as vitamin C or elderberry will be effective to maintain balance and support immunity.

products like bath bombs for your partner.

In June, love may feel complicated. Try to adopt healthier habits with your partner and the people you spend time with; everyone can benefit now. Experiment with the plant through different routes of administration. This is also a good month to handle taxes, credit issues, and estate planning. Stay focused with sativa-heavy hybrids such as Durban Poison.

As July comes in, your career is on a roll. Focus on fitness to improve your mood. Preload fitness activities with sativa strains like Super Lemon Haze. Choose an indica strain such as Dosidos for post-workout cooldown and happy relaxation.

SAGITTARIUS

IIn April, your family members and partners may strongly feel the effects of the solar eclipse. Your creativity or career may also feel disrupted. To enhance creativity, choose a strain such as Banjo.

In May, health and work life are featured. Be sure to consider other people as you work to reach your goals. Stay balanced now, so that you are ready for any sudden opportunities that arise in work or travel. Create homeostasis with a blend of strains, cannabinoids, and terpenes for best results. In June, your social life and romance can increase,

n April, the eclipse affects your home and family life, so it’s time to pause the relentless push to success that is usually your go-to. Relax a bit. Your career or education may also be shaken up and changes may be happening. Cannabis strains like Boo Berry Cookies may help. In May, changes from last month are showing promise and results. Health and energy are showing improvements. Be sure to take time for leisure activities. With things on an upswing, stay balanced with the daily use of CBD. You may consider investing in your appearance with a healthy plant-based line of skin care products that include CBD, as well.

AQUARIUS

Ithough health and personal energy may also need attention. Moderation is key. The new moon brings love opportunities either in a ramp-up of intimacy in your current relationship, or something new. To increase sensitivity to touch and feelings of intimacy, Bacio Gelato is an excellent aphrodisiac. As July approaches, estate planning and taxes need attention. You’re in a positive financial situation generally, so stay focused on long-term planning. Sex and love affairs are also in the spotlight now. Check out flavored CBD sensual products.

You may be working hard in June, but it’s your social and love life that’s really starred. Cultivate graciousness. Stay grounded and completely relaxed with a strain like Kush Mints. Promote sleep with CBN gummies or fruit chews.

In July, partnerships may be your focus now. Stay mindful of self-care. Your health and energy will be boosted at the end of the month. Start a daily practice with your cannabis use to include cooking, exercise, and good sleep. Ingest hemp products such as hemp seeds. Be sure to have fun in the partnerships you are creating. A strain such as Super Boof can keep you giggly and happy.

In April, meditation and pausing to go inward can help you overcome the stress of the solar eclipse which falls in your house of communications and connections.

Family may be affected. Analyze yourself at this time. The perfect weed companion would be something to pair with meditation like the hypnotic Grease Monkey.

Health may feel tested early in May. Pace yourself. Home, family, and emotional life continue to be emphasized.

For comfort, take some time at home to infuse some old family recipes with cannabis strains that promote relaxation like Afghan Kush.

n April, you may be dealing with financial or tax matters that are illuminated by the intense solar eclipse. Adjustments may be needed. Relationships, home, and family may also be tested. Sometimes home repairs are required under this influence. Choose cannabis strains wisely, making sure not to use strains that create floatiness or paranoia. A strain like Blue Dream can keep you happy and focused. Keep some sativa mints or gummies with you to ensure that you stay present and focused. Relationships may be tested. Learn to rest your mind with a 50/50 hybrid strain such as Grape Diamonds.

CAPRICORN

June is a buoyant time for you. Your love life and pleasure are starred. Creativity is also strong. Your health seems excellent. You can find a balance between work and play now. Share a happy uplifting strain like Chemmy Jones with your partner and enjoy!

In July, work and job opportunities are the focus. The new moon brings more career possibilities. Your health is solid, but be especially careful mid-month to avoid accidents or angry outbursts that cause lasting damage. Stay even-tempered, relaxed and focused day to day with a strain like Soleil De Minuit.

In May, home and family life are starred. Real estate transactions and working from home are prosperous possibilities. Health is good. You can make positive changes in both your physical and mental health with lifestyle changes. A strain such as Black Jack could promote focus.

In June, home, love, and family life continue to be powerful and happy. Keep the balance going and enjoy your life to its fullest. Explore new cannabis products and strains at this time. Have you ever dabbed or infused food? Try something new.

Contact Wendy Love Edge or Joy Strong at edgecoachingandconsulting.com Wendy is the co-host of Roots and Reefer podcast. Listen today!

PISCES

Disclaimer: Marijuana is for use by qualified patients only. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana use during pregnancy or breastfeeding poses potential harms. Marijuana is not approved by the FDA to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of marijuana.

S12 Sizzlin' Hot Weed Strains for Summer 2024

by JAYMIE CAVARETTI

Rise and Shine

creativity and focus among consumers. This hybrid strain by Natural State Medicinals has the best properties of sativa genetics and is making waves amidst Arkansans with its in vigorating effects and enticing citrus aroma. It is potentially beneficial in treating ADD/ ADHD, depression, and fatigue.

Lemon Skunk

tart this summer on a high note with the hottest cannabis strains in the state of Arkansas! We’ve compiled a list of the best cannabis strains from cultivators like BOLD Team, Carpenter Farms, River Valley Relief, and a few strains from our own craft grow facility at The Source by In The Flow.

Lemon Skunk by In The Flow is a highly potent strain known for intense cerebral effects that uplift and focus the mind and create a soothing body high. It is the perfect pick for those seeking relief from symptoms of chronic pain, depression, fatigue, and nausea. Known for a high THC percentage and a strong terpene profile, this loud, pungent sativa is one of The Source grow’s best performers.

Lilac Diesel

Pineapple Express

Osage Creek’s Pineapple Express is a sativa-dominant strain that produces a chill, enjoyable high that sparks creativity and laughter in its users, while relaxing them with a mellow body-buzz. This tropical strain is the perfect summer strain with its sweet notes of pineapple and citrus. A great pick for social gatherings, Pineapple Express may help relieve symptoms of anxiety, chronic pain, depression, fatigue, and nausea.

With a slight sativa dominance, Lilac Diesel is a fragrant strain that induces a powerful cerebral high. An intense focus overcomes the mind, while a warm tingle spreads throughout the body, inducing hunger. Produced by ITF and NSM, Lilac Diesel may help treat chronic pain, depression, insomnia, migraines, and nausea.

Disclaimer: Marijuana is for use by qualified patients only. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana use during pregnancy or breastfeeding poses potential harms. Marijuana is not approved by the FDA to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of marijuana.

Jaymie's Fav

Bask Under the Summer Sun with These Chill Hybrids

Grubbs Approved

Interspecies Erotica

Another CF favorite, Interspecies Erotica is a hybrid strain with all the best parts of indica and sativa genetics. Users report feeling an increase in appetite and tingly euphoria that hits both mind and body. This potent hybrid may help patients with chronic pain, depression, fatigue, and nausea find relief from their symptoms.

duces a calm high that uplifts the mind into a tingly euphoria before traveling down the spine and settling in the limbs for a stoney body high that doesn’t leave you sedated. This sativa hybrid may help treat anxiety, depression, chronic pain, headaches or migraines, insomnia, and stress.

relaxation in the body, users of Desert Lime report feeling giggly, social, and energized, making it an excellent option for patients with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

Super Boof

Brought to Arkansas by RVR, Super Boof is perfect for daytime use as it energizes the body and uplifts the mind, sparking creativity and focus. A physical relaxation can be felt in the body, though motivation and productivity are not affected. With its inspiring yet relaxing effects, Super Boof may be beneficial in treating chronic pain, depression, fibromyalgia, GI disorders, and stress.

Satisfying Indicas for Hot Summer Nights

Blackwater

Beloved for its fruity dankness, NSM’s Blackwater creeps up on its users before melting down the entire body for a classic head-to-toe euphoric high. It has been found to benefit those suffering from appetite loss, chronic pain, insomnia, and multiple sclerosis. With its heavily sedating effects, Blackwater is recommended

Glitter Bomb

A delicious strain that has quickly gained a following, Glitter Bomb by BOLD and RVR produces an uplifting high that relieves the mind of racing thoughts before settling in the body, making its users completely sedated. Perfect for a late night smoke sesh, Glitter Bomb may help relieve symptoms of anxiety, chronic pain, depression, and insomnia.

Donny Burger

A mood-boosting indica hybrid, Royal Wedding by Revolution Cannabis is a popular strain of weed amongst budtenders for its euphoric and couch-locking effects. Best for use in the evening or at night, Royal Wedding may help medical marijuana patients suffering from chronic pain, depression, insomnia, and lack of appetite.

Donny Burger is an In The Flow bombshell that produces an uplifted, giggly effect in its users, with mild sedation. It is an excellent companion in the evening with friends while sitting on the patio watching fireflies light the night. Medical patients may enjoy Donny Burger for its help with anxiety, appetite stimulation, chronic pain, depression, and inflammation.

with

When he’s not cooking,

Ingredients

4 cups mini marshmallows

1 package Leafology Infused Marshmallows

1 jar of Infused Ghee Butter by River Valley Relief

4 cups crispy rice cereal

1 large infused chocolate bar of your choice by Natural State Medicinals

Directions

1.

Slowly melt ghee butter in a saucepan over low heat.

2.

Add mini marshmallows and stir until melted. Be mindful during this step, slowly incorporating the marshmallows into the butter.

3.

After your non-medicated marshmallows have melted and blended with the butter, add the infused marshmallows by Leafology.

4.

Remove the smooth butter and marshmallow mixture from heat and gently incorporate crisped rice cereal, taking care not to crush the cereal.

5.

Spray pan with nonstick spray, then line your desired serving pan with leftover mini marshmallows.

6.

Transfer cereal mixture to pan. Press gently until flat and allow to set while chocolate is prepped.

7.

Use your preferred method to melt down the NSM infused chocolate until a creamy consistency is achieved. A double boiler is my method of choice, as it is the most consistent way to melt chocolate without burning.

8.

Dip a fork into the warm chocolate and drizzle it over the pan of marshmallow treats.

It’s Always Summer at The Source

A look Inside the Boutique Grow

by GRIFFIN COOP

Photos by ALLIE JORDAN

No matter the time of year, there’s one room at The Source where the days are always long. At 10 am every day, the LED lights in the flower room lazily yawn on. “The lights start slow, mimicking daybreak,” says grower Rob Garcia, one of three Lead Growers at The Source. “Then they stay on for a full 12 hours, letting the plants know that it’s the time of year to bloom.”

In the first part of their life, the vegetative stage, the plants get 18 hours of light a day. When the team is ready for the plants to flower, they’ll get 12 hours of light, which mimics what they would receive during late summer, leading into the fall harvest as the Earth naturally moves on its axis.

“It’s a sweet coincidence that the flower room is in the center of our building. Our entire operation orbits around that sun. It’s a sacred place for everyone on our team,” says The Source CEO Mandi Strickland, who oversees the 23,000 square-foot craft cannabis company.

While the lead growers take the reins in the grow room, cultivation is a team sport at The Source with everyone—including budtenders—chipping in to help. Budtenders help harvest and trim the plants, a process that gives them a closer relationship to the products they share with patients.

The Source serves flower deli-style, in which the buds are displayed in large glass jars and are pulled out carefully for each patient. It’s a bit like picking out the perfect cookie while looking through the display case at a bakery. “Our team has a reverence for every bud,” Strickland says.

Outfitted with cutting-edge technology, the boutique cultivation facility at The Source grows high-quality genetics by In The Flow. The Source had its first harvest in Spring 2023 and currently has 18 strains in the works,

Budtenders, growers, and the lab team participate in harvests at The Source every 55 days. Cross-training is a big part of the educational philosophy at The Source.

including some that are scheduled to hit the market in summer of 2024, like Truffle Hound and Kept Secret.

Grower Jonathan Thomspon knows THC isn’t the only component of a good plant, but still believes that crossing the 30% benchmark with multiple strains per harvest is a testament to the team’s ability to grow. “We are getting better each round. We have a commitment to quality, and we want to grow the best flower in the state.”

While Arkansas law allows the state’s eight cultivation facilities to grow as many plants as they like, dispensaries are only allowed to grow 50 mature plants at a time. It’s a condition that the team at The Source found limiting at first, but now sees as an opportunity. The smaller number of plants allows the team to give special care and attention to each of them.

“We have an opportunity to create something completely craft and unique in its quality,” Strickland explains. “It’s no joke when we say that some of the primary ingredients in our process are love and attention to detail.”

The growers agree. “Whether we’re mixing nutrients, watering, trimming, propagating, or up-potting, our energy and demeanor are ingredients absorbed by the plants in the process,” comments Ari Pascoe, one of the team’s lead growers. “Everything we do, we do intentionally.”

Scan the QR code and listen to the Roots & Reefer podcast Happy Harvest! Love, The Source

Disclaimer: Marijuana is for use by qualified patients only. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana use during pregnancy or breastfeeding poses potential harms. Marijuana is not approved by the FDA to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of marijuana.

Behind Double Doors

A look Inside the Lab and Kitchen

by GRIFFIN

COOP

/ Photos by ALLIE JORDAN

When you spend some time at the lab at The Source, it’s clear that the team is interested in reinvesting to create a state-of-the-art facility, taking advantage of the way that the Arkansas market was designed to create something unique.

“Arkansas dispensaries are only permitted to house up to 50 plants, but we're less limited when it comes to our lab and kitchen,” explains Mandi Strickland, CEO of The Source. “So we have really invested in an incredibly talented lab team and equipment so that we can create the small-batch, craft products that our patients want to see available here in Rogers.”

Under the leadership of Lab Manager, Trevor Sharpe, The Source successfully launched their own line of craft edibles in the fall of 2023, called “The Source Apothecary.” From the packaging to the process, the Apothecary products embody a craft mentality. Each batch of gummies is produced in a manual, physical way. “We hand pour and scrape our gummies after cooking them, which is something that we constantly strive to elevate about our process. It’s a part of our commitment to craft quality,” says Sharpe.

The team's passion is evident. “It’s an honor to get to work for the cannabis industry,” says Sharpe, who leads a powerful but small team that also includes Montana Perkins and Yeci Desantiago Salgado.

“I’m especially proud of the revisions that the lab team has made to our gummy recipe. We are committed to constant improvement,” says Strickland. Since the start of 2024, Sharpe and his team have been researching and developing a new gummy recipe, which incorporates more natural ingredients, like beet root sugar, agave syrup, and real fruit concentrates. “We are currently working to eliminate all artificial coloring in our gummies,” says Sharpe, “because this is a medicinal product, and we want it to facilitate good health in a complete way.”

The new recipes have created a variety of naturally-colored, patient-approved flavors, including Peach Cobbler, Blueberry Pancakes, Passionfruit Re-Pear, Key Lime Cake, Strawberry Colada, Blue Razz Lemonade, and Super Cinnamon Haze. The new offerings come with a variety of formulations with psychoactive THC, as well as non-psychoactive CBD, CBN, and CBG. The team at The Source knows that many of the healing properties of the cannabis plant can be found in alternative cannabinoids. “We are excited to get feedback from patients on our alternative gummy line,” says Sharpe. “We hope to produce the same entourage effect in a gummy that we get from flower or full plant extracts.”

Beyond the kitchen, the lab team also formulates the distillate vape cartridges known as “Wavelength Extracts.” Wavelength has been The Source’s top-selling distillate vape cartridge brand since a couple of months after launching in Spring of 2023, evidence of the lab team’s consistent commitment to excellence.

The team at The Source launches new Wavelength flavors seasonally, including the popular strains of Cantaloupe Crush, Strawberry Cough, and Pineapple Express. The team relies on budtender and patient feedback as well as sales data to creatively and nimbly resupply the strains that work best for patients.

“Just last week, I formulated a small batch of Tiger’s Blood for a patient who really came to rely on that strain,” Sharpe says. While Sharpe can’t do that for each patient, those are the types of patient-focused achievements that drive his lab and the entire team at The Source.

Between the creative lab formulations and the closeness to the state’s medical marijuana patients, Sharpe and his team are in an ideal position to spearhead innovations and create some of the highestquality products in Arkansas.

As Sharpe explains, “Having the lab in the same building as the dispensary gives me an opportunity to truly respond to patient needs.”

Scan the QR code and listen to the Roots & Reefer podcast Sentimentality in Cannabis Cultivation with Arianna Pascoe.

When he’s not working, Robert enjoys exploring Arkansas, in particular the quartz mines in the Ouachita mountain range. He prioritizes local collaborations rather than bringing in national brands, growing his roots deeper in the Natural State.

The Natural State of Excellence

by AMANDA STRICKLAND

Photos by MATT WHITE

It’s no surprise that the laser-focused vision and steady leadership of one outstanding person was at the center of Natural State this entire time, and that’s Robert DeBin — the company’s Co-founder and CEO. Composed, yet distinctly passionate, Robert is a very young man to have so much experience.

Blackwater

It’s a regular Thursday at The Source, and I’m on the sales floor when I hear, “Blackwater’s on the floor.” Like a buzz, the news sweeps around. I heard Montana, then May, then Hannah say something about it. By the time I get back to my computer to check the sales, we’ve already sold about 95 grams.

It makes a buzz. Blackwater, cultivated by Natural State Medicinals, is a flower strain that the budtenders at The Source taught me to go crazy over. Completely unique on the nose, Blackwater doesn’t smell like weed. It’s complex like a winter garden or a fruit you’ve never tasted. There’s art in the flavor profile. It’s not always available, so when we have it, you should buy it.

Blackwater, Dogtown, Commerce City Kush, Pixy Drip, Mac Daddy, Grandpa's Cookies, and Sour Tangie are all strains that

take the spotlight when they hit the floor, and they are grown exclusively by Natural State for the Arkansas patient base.

That night at home, I popped open my deli jar to fill a cone, and the unique terpene profile of Blackwater filled the kitchen as I ground it up. There’s no better way to wind down after a long day than with this strain.

The story of Blackwater grows out of White Hall, Arkansas, home to the elite Arkansas cannabis cultivation business, Natural State Medicinals. Natural State stood apart from its competitors over the last five years, due to the simple fact that they have grown and produced some of the best cannabis products on the market.

It’s no surprise that the laser-focused vision and steady leadership of one outstanding person was at the center of Natural State this entire time, and that’s Robert DeBin – the company’s Co-founder and CEO.

Composed, yet distinctly passionate, Robert is a very young man to have so much experience. Now 34, Robert’s classic look is still boyish, and he has a disarming patience for listening. It’s hard to deny his sincerity once you get to know him.

Robert’s journey with Natural State began before the company ever even had a name. He was a disciplined student of the Arkansas medical marijuana amendment movement. He attended every single planning meeting and became known for taking tedious notes. He gathered a group of investors and penned the perfect application. By 28 years old, he had spearheaded a successful application campaign and The Natural State app was graded first place in a stack of nearly 100 applications.

Robert celebrated by doubling down on his work ethic during the construction and opening of the company. In 2019, Natural State products launched in Arkansas dispensaries like a fireball and led the market early on, with patientfavorite flower strains like Crescendo #11 and Strawberry Cough. They mastered extraction, and in the kitchen, they created premium chocolates, micro-dose mints, and a topical that smells great and really works.

They do it all well. Robert is interested in being the best, in all ways.

“Our commitment remains staunchly medicinal-focused, guiding us to make choices that prioritize patient well-being over business interests,” Robert says and his vision is clear. “Products like topicals and suppositories, while not always the most commercially advantageous, represent our dedication to doing what's right for those we serve.”

He is supported by a board of investors who have a common mission: prioritize patient well-being over business interests.

Robert just got back from vacation, where he spent time in a hammock sipping a piña colada and reading Murtagh, the latest book in the Eragon series, which he began reading in high school. “An actual novel,” he laughed, and admitted that this was his first vacation in 58 months.

NATURAL STATE HAS OVER 80 STRAINS IN ITS LIBRARY, AND THEY HAVE DEVELOPED AND RELEASED MORE THAN 300 EXTRACTION PRODUCTS — FROM FULL SPECTRUM VAPES TO EDIBLES IN SIX DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

Our commitment remains staunchly medicinal-focused, guiding us to make choices that prioritize patient wellbeing over business interests.

He checked the date on the phone; it’s March 8, 2024. “It’s been exactly five years since we got plants in the building,” meaning he hasn’t taken a weeklong vacation since Natural State began operating five years ago.

The perseverance is astounding, and I’m also not surprised when I hear that he’s been accused of micromanaging. He laughs when he says it, and that’s when I feel again like he’s wise beyond his years, “I understand how everything in the system works as a whole, so when we go to create a new product or something, I always insist that I review the steps with our team before they do it – because I’ve done each part of it so many times.” Robert has solved so many problems already, that I can’t help but wonder what he might achieve by the time he reaches middle age.

NSM 3:1 TOPICAL LOTION

Not only is this a miracle in topical lotion form, we love the way it smells. Used for aches, pains, stiffness, and soreness. It’s one of the most effective products on the market!

MICRO FRUITS

Love these because they’re small, potent, and convenient for carrying. AND you don’t have to worry about them melting in your hot car!

PRODUCTS WE LOVE

NSM FULL SPECTRUM ADVANTAGE

The masters of “Whole Plant Extract and Reconstruction," the goal of full spec is to bring the natural state of the plant into a form factor that’s portable.

AMNESIA FAST

Cerebral effects found here! This gem of a strain offers a zesty and uplifting high. This strain is perfect for those looking for a pick-me-up during the day. Top Terps: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene.

LITTLE BARKS SEASONAL FLAVORS

These flavors follow Loblolly’s tribute to Arkansas’ Seasons. We selected the best of the best from their seasonal menu and infused our chocolates with the cone and all!

DOGTOWN

This classic strain unleashes our inner adventurer! Dogtown brings a sense of energy and creativity, making it the perfect companion for outdoor activities or artistic pursuits. Top terps: Pinene, Terpinolene, Caryophyllene.

CHOCO MOJITO

This top shelf strain is on our new favorites list! Top Terps: Limonene: Citrus; Myrcene: Herbal, Earthy; Caryophyllene: Spicy, Peppery

COMMERCE CITY KUSH

We think this just might be Arkansas's most legendary strain, with NSM’s cut taking the cake! Top Terps: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Humulene.

Annie Iselin is on a mission to remove the taboo around medical cannabis in Arkansas. How? Ask Ethel. Ask Ethel is real talk on reefer for ya mama and them! Ask Ethel is an event series that invites all who are canna-curious to gather and ask questions to a panel of ARMMJ patients and industry workers, sans judgment. Check out www. askethel.com for more information.

A BOLD APPROACH

by AMANDA STRICKLAND / Photos by EBONY BLEVINS

In the world of cannabis industry people, Annie Iselin is famous. She's famous for speaking up and getting things done. She's also famous for writing dozens of winning license applications in multiple states and making big returns for investors.

With more than 14 years of industry experience beginning in Colorado and spanning across eight states, Annie is the cream of this country's cannabis talent. She's the type of person that talent recruiters and headhunters reach out to.

From 2015 to 2017, she was a part of the team that wrote two of the first five cultivator licenses awarded in Arkansas, making her two for two in a very difficult competition.

It was this exceptional talent and drive that caught the attention of BOLD Team, a cannabis company in Arkansas. After Annie helped them win their license in 2017, they got down on one knee and proposed to her, offering her the opportunity to be the only woman at the helm of an Arkansas cannabis cultivation license as their Senior Director of Operations.

Annie accepted and moved from Denver to the Arkansas Delta. “All over rural America, we see towns suffering. Why build your company in a city when you could change a community?”

In 2018, BOLD Team built one of the nation's largest cannabis cultivation and processing facili-

ties in the out-of-the-way Arkansas Delta community of Cotton Plant, which has a population of less than 1,000 people. They overcame obstacles like running their own water line, installing septic, and putting out the wildfire of small town gossip about “weed.”

But the stress of those issues quickly diminished when the job opportunities cascaded through the community, and Annie got to work teaching her team how to cultivate, process and cook with cannabis. She'd like for businesses in other industries to think like she and her fellow cannabis cultivators think. “I like to think big, Mandi!” Annie laughs. “If we are really looking to impact humans, we can best impact them in rural communities.”

“It's about the people,” she says, ”Cannabis is people. Artificial intelligence is never going to grow weed. And if your people are happy, your products are happy.”

Annie says that she hires “by design.” She built a team of majority female, Black, and older employees. Cotton Plant is a town with a complex racial and social history, and the opportunities at BOLD facilitate new community dynamics.

"ALL OVER RURAL AMERICA, WE SEE TOWNS SUFFERING.

WHY BUILD YOUR COMPANY IN A CITY WHEN YOU COULD CHANGE A COMMUNITY?"

You can see this same design in the products created by BOLD. Annie leads her team to think differently, “When a great product comes to market, we see competing cultivators try to replicate it rather than think of something different. At BOLD, we fight some of those fights, but we also ask ourselves the question, ‘What are we not offering the market?’”

This is the mindset that brought the first infused beverage to market in Arkansas, the Wynk Seltzers (and later the Countdown drinks). Next, Annie and her team were the first to market with transdermal patches by Synergy, which is also a business owned and operated by women. “These two products will never be revenue generators for our company, but they are products that satisfy patient needs.”

Wynk Seltzers are technically “micro-dosing,” with only 5 mg THC per serving, which Annie remembers as being nerve-wracking from a company standpoint, “Because we live in a market where the first thing that patients ask are, ‘What’s the highest THC?’ This was a hard sell to the partners.” Today, Wynk drinks are in the “top 5 products” lists of the majority of budtenders at The Source.

Annie is now known locally for her grit and for being a trailblazer in the cannabis industry. She's carved out a space for herself as a role model and mentor for other women working in weed, like me. Known for being a tough negotiator, she tells me, “You have to emote masculine energy in a boardroom because you're in a room full of sharks.”

She's done it for a while now, so it comes second nature, but she's at a point in her life where she's looking for what she calls “softness.”

“I find softness with my team and other women in the industry. I can hug them and check in with them. I seek softness within the facility. What I've seen in Arkansas is that I can be a leader to women throughout the state.”

In Annie’s office, there is a huge poster of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a gospel singer with a broad smile who was born in Cotton Plant in 1915. She mastered the guitar by age six, and now she is widely considered by musicians as the “Godmother of Rock and Roll.”

“BOLD isn’t the only thing about Cotton Plant that’s historic,” Annie says. With the image of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, she wants to remind her team that although they come from a small town, they come from a town that makes history.

Scan the QR code and listen to the Roots & Reefer podcast Be BOLD with Annie Islelin.

BOLDERS (MOON ROCKS)

This cannabis concoction takes you straight to the moon! Bolders Moon Rocks are strain specific, full flower buds dipped in strain specific extracted oil and rolled in strain specific kief. Blast off!

24 KARAT BOLD FULL SPECTRUM CARTS

Experience the entourage effect at full force with BOLD’s 24K vapes that test at 90% THC or higher.

SOLVENTLESS HASH

BOLD Team pays homage to a classic form of cannabis concentrate – hash, sans the solvent, and made in strain specific batches. It’s the perfect topper for joints and bowls!

PRODUCTS WE LOVE

SYNERGY ENTOURAGE PATCH

Give your lungs a breather and your liver a break with 2:1 THC/CBD transdermal patches for 24-hour relief.

GRAPE BOLD LIQUID GOLD (CANNACOUGH)

Feel relief fast with the adult version of traditional cough syrups. Available in Blue Raspberry, Cherry, & Grape.

WYNK DRINKS (THE MICRO-DOSE ONES)

Unwind with a WYNK, a CBD & THCinfused seltzer that delivers a dose of relaxation in just 10-15 minutes!

TICAL HEAVY C.R.E.A.M.

Lift the mind and body to a sublime, euphoric state with this heavy indica. Newbies beware – this strain is powerful.

ECTO COOLER

This radioactive strain allows users to maintain focus on any task, providing clarity to the mind and energizing its users into a satisfying euphoria.

SOUR BERRY BLUE

This pungent flower induces an instant high, hitting the mind first with an intense, focused euphoria before flowing gently down the body, and soothing it into a calm,

With its intense effects, this citrusy strain leaves users in a focused haze, with an energizing body high that is perfect for helping with productivity.

Ryan Kenaga was thrilled to bring ArkanRAW to Arkansas through River Valley Relief after developing the formula several years back in a different market.

by AMANDA STRICKLAND

Photos by KAT WILSON

If the last five years of the Arkansas cannabis market were a single track, the Fort Smith-based cultivator, River Valley Relief, would come in low and slow, like the bass line of a tropical reggae song—a rhythm that punches through the melody, making constant impact.

Unlike its competitors, who boast vast catalogs of hundreds of products, River Valley Relief is boutique in scale, with only 25,000 square feet of canopy space. RVR got off to a slow but purposeful start in 2020. The company’s founders made the wise decision to bring on two-time Cannabis Cup Winner Ryan Kenaga as a consultant in 2019. Ryan then moved into the role of VP of Extraction before quickly being promoted to the role of President in 2021. Slowly, RVR’s products elevated in quality.

Patients and dispensaries first began to note Ryan’s impact in the cultivation department, as the company began launching one of Ryan’s proprietary flower strains after another: Ryleigh’s Reserve, Banjo, Ben’s Buffalo, and discontinued strains like Lee Creek Kush.

These strains rattled the market, because they didn’t feel like Colorado or California strains. And that’s because they’re not – these genetics are local, and have been curated by Ryan in a tackle box for more than two decades. Legend has it that these are strains that might have once dominated the traditional market, originally growing along the banks of the Buffalo River. These are strains with Arkansas roots.

Today, RVR is in its “we-only-drop-bangers era,” hitting the market with products that become hits from the moment they drop: Soft Chews, Ghee Butter, live rosin infused Wana gummies and the new all-glass live rosin disposable vapes.

If all of the products on the market today were one single track, ArkanRAW would play the electric guitar.

If all of the products on the market today were one single track, ArkanRAW would play the electric guitar.

ArkanRAW is a highly potent version of the all too famous “RSO” or Rick Simpson Oil, which is created with whole plant extracts and renders a plethora of beneficial major and minor cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. A full-size serving is about the size of a single grain of rice, which is dispensed from a syringe for precise dosing. It is the culmination of cannabis science—a natural solution intended to be used in tandem with traditional medicine.

Lauded by patients, doctors, budtenders, and your grandmother, ArkanRAW is Arkansas’s best-selling cannabis product—and for good reason. It carries the stories of smiles, laughter, and the ability to eat while on chemotherapy. Because of ArkanRAW, an eight-year-old patient ordered waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream from her hospital bed after not being able to eat for three weeks while undergoing chemotherapy. She was able to gain the weight that she needed to recover successfully, easing her symptoms throughout her battle with cancer. ArkanRAW tells the story of this young girl’s recovery.

ArkanRAW holds a full library of stories, which we hear each day on the sales floor at The Source.

When you look closely at the label of ArkanRAW, you’ll see the loopy signature of one man. While he represents a company—River Valley Relief—let it be understood: Ryan Kenaga is an individual.

These strains

rattled the market, because they didn’t feel like Colorado or California...

A hat and tennis shoes kind of guy, Ryan does not play the intimidation game; he’s approachable. He listens and freely gives away the kind of cannabis production advice that other people would charge big money for: “Consider raising the humidity by 5 degrees.” He believes that we make better products together. That’s why my team and I look up to him as a role model.

“I owe my success to having such solid, like-minded teammates and community members who never lose sight of the mission.” Ryan loves giving credit where it’s due, and he also never fails to give credit to the “cannabis warriors” who came before us.

Although compliance testing ensures that we all know the terpene and cannabinoid content of the product, no one knows exactly how it’s made or what sets it apart from all of the other RSOs on the market, other than the fact that it’s just better.

Still to this day, Ryan secretly formulates every batch of ArkanRAW that hits the shelves. “I make sure the music and the lighting is right and set the mood to do my own thing. The lab jacket goes on, and I get to work.” He sets the bass line, then adds good vibes to every batch.

Scan the QR code and listen to the Roots & Reefer podcast Nothin' Like a Little RVR with Ryan Kenaga.

In 2019 Ryan received

two High Times Cannabis Cups: Sativa Concentrates and Hemp-derived CBD Product.

ArkanRAW

Our favorite way to medicate, we swear by the healing powers of ArkanRAW.

LIVE ROSIN VAPE

The freshest and most organic way to vape, live rosin offers a potent, full-spectrum experience.

BANANA ZOAP

LIVE DIAMONDS

The fancy way to dab. Pure, solid chunks of THC concentrate.

E85

We love this strain for its balanced effects: stimulating the mind while keeping the body at ease.

KUSH MINTS

Sit back and relax with this hungerinducing, indicadominant hybrid.

WANA SLEEP

Take a ticket to dreamland with these nighttime gummies that deliver a custom blend of cannabinoids, terpenes, and melatonin.

GLITTER BOMB

This flower lives up to its name with its big buds covered thickly in sparkly trichomes.

CARAMEL SOFT CHEWS

A delicious way to partake! These tasty and therapeutic chews make it difficult to eat just one

WANA BLUEBERRY

Evoke feelings of relaxation with these not-too-sweet, not-too-tart classic gummies.

ORANGE 43

Bask in the Arkansas sun with this citrus flower that produces a calming effect perfect for a lazy day.

Scan the QR code to shop River Valley Relief products online at thesource-mj.com

Cannabis 101: Properties of Cannabis GA NJA GLO SSA RY

by JAYMIE CAVARETTI

Design by KEVIN WALTERMIRE

Cannabinoids

Cannabis consists of more than 120 compounds known as cannabinoids. These chemical compounds found in the plant are naturally occurring and provide the many different effects that consumers of weed experience. The most common and understood cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC (psychoactive), and cannabidiol, or CBD (non-psychoactive).

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)

The principal psychoactive compound found in cannabis.

THC-V (tetrahydrocannabivarin)

Although close in relation to THC, THC-V is non-intoxicating and is popular for its appetite suppressing effects.

CBD (cannabidiol)

Found abundantly in hemp, CBD produces a mellow effect and can combat the effects of feeling “too high” from THC.

CBG (cannabigerol)

A non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis that is known as “the mother of all cannabinoids,” as it is the cannabinoid from which other cannabinoids are derived.

CBN (cannabinol)

A sedating cannabinoid that promotes drowsiness and aids in sleep.

Terpenes

Cannabis isn’t what it used to be back when it became popular in the 60s and 70s. People who grew up in that era often reminisce in blanket terms about the herb they consumed.

As we’ve evolved culturally and began breaking the stigma of cannabis and learning more about it, we’ve gained a whole new world of knowledge about this magical plant. Whether you are new to cannabis or have been consuming it for years, the wealth of information out there regarding it can be a tad overwhelming. So let us guide you.

We’ve compiled a list of popular terms in the cannabis industry that you may come across when shopping for weed.

Terpenes are the aromatic oils found in cannabis that give each plant (strain) its distinct flavors and aromas. Some of the most common terpenes are myrcene (herbal), caryophyllene (pepper), limonene (citrus), pinene (pine), plus many more. Terpenes are not unique to cannabis, however. These fragrant oils are found in everyday items such as other plants, fruit, medicines, and even perfumes! Besides their aromatic qualities, terpenes also provide medical patients with many medicinal and healing benefits.

Trichome

A tiny, but crucial part of a cannabis plant’s anatomy, trichomes produce the active compounds found in weed, like cannabinoids and terpenes. They can be seen along the surface of the plant’s leaves and flowers and give it its sticky texture. The presence of trichomes, which microscopically look like tightly packed crystal dewdrops, give the plant a frosty look that cannabis lovers have come to associate with high-quality weed.

The Entourage Effect

The entourage effect is the theory that all of the cannabis plant’s cannabinoids, terpenes, and other chemical compounds work synergistically to produce and enhance the different effects and medicinal benefits of the plant for a more optimal experience.

Cannabis Extract: Vapes, Dabs & More

Dab

In the world of weed, the word dab is used interchangeably. For example, a person may say, “I’m going to take a dab,” which means to inhale the vapors of a heated cannabis concentrate, OR they might say, “I’m wanting to buy some dabs,” which means cannabis concentrate. Dabs come in varying forms of texture from smooth consistencies, like badders and budders to crystalline-structures, like sugar and diamonds. The different kinds of dabs does not mean one is superior to the other; it is all a matter of preference. Dabs can be made using different extraction methods; some are made using solvents like CO2 or butane, while others are made using a solventless extraction method.

Rosin

Rosin is considered by many to be one of the purest forms of cannabis concentrate, as it is produced using a solventless extraction method through the combination of heat and pressure. It has a cleaner flavor profile and offers the highest levels of potency. Rosin is a full-spectrum cannabis extract, as it retains its terpene profile and other natural cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, during extraction, allowing its consumers to experience the entourage effect.

RSO

RSO, aka Rick Simpson Oil, is a versatile cannabis oil that is used most often as an edible, but can also be used as a topical and sometimes concentrate. It is produced using solvents, typically grain alcohol, but can also be made using CO2 or butane. Created by a Canadian man named Rick Simpson when he was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, RSO is a full spectrum extract that Simpson used as a topical on his skin cancer. Today, Simpson claims RSO cured him of his cancer. However, this theory has not been independently verified.

24K — BOLD

24K is a designation by BOLD Team for cannabis extracts that have reached a specific potency level. Concentrates, including budder, oil, sugar, wax, etc., are considered 24k at a potency of 80% total THC or higher. Cartridges are considered 24k at a 90% total THC or higher potency.

Distillate

Distillate is a form of concentrate where one specific cannabinoid is extracted from the cannabis plant to yield a higher potency of that active compound. Distillate oil is not strain-specific and offers a more consistent high, meaning users can expect to feel the same effects every time. Oftentimes, botanically-derived and hemp-derived terpenes are added to distillate cartridges for a more flavorful and discreet vaping experience.

Full Spectrum

Full spectrum, or full spectrum raw oil, is a form of cannabis concentrate made from raw cannabis plant material that has undergone a traditional cure process before extraction. Full spectrum extract provides users with the whole-plant flavor as all of the natural cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other native compounds of the plant remain in the oil giving users all of the benefits of smoking flower without the smoke.

Bellos by NSM

Natural State Medicinals’ Bellos pods are a luxury vaping experience with a stylish battery designed for the palm of your hand. Powered by CCell, the bellos battery provides gentle haptic feedback with each inhale and holds 0.5g or 1g of cannabis oil. Just insert the bellos pod into the battery, inhale to activate, and you’re good to go. NSM Bellos batteries sold separately.

Cured vs. Live Conentrate

Cured

Cured concentrate is made from cannabis plant material that has undergone the traditional curing process in its flower form. The traditional process of curing consists of drying the cannabis by hanging the harvested plant upside down in a controlled environment to reduce the natural moisture from it. This cure process results in a concentrate with a more distinct flavor and aroma profile upon extraction.

Live Concentrate

Live concentrate is produced from flower that has been flashfrozen upon harvest and remains at freezing temperatures during extraction. This process allows the cannabis to better retain its natural cannabinoid and terpene profile. Retaining these natural elements result in a higher potential to experience the entourage effect when the concentrate is consumed.

Full Spectrum Raw Cannabis Oil

. . . After being diagnosed with cancer Ryan Kenaga introduced me to ArkanRAW and I used it like a tincture. I would drop the syringe in a cup of hot water for a minute or two then take 25% of a gram under my tongue. That’s a gram every 4 to 5 days.

I would do more whenever possible. It wasn’t a recreational experience but after 2 months I was told the cancer wasn’t visible in my scans. I would recommend this to anyone fighting cancer.”

-RF

“I LOVE ArkanRAW. I shattered my lower jaw about 7 years ago and on my really bad pain days I use 0.25ml of ArkanRAW... Takes every single ounce of my pain and inflammation away. Thank you for an incredible product that I can depend on. You're a wizard, Ryan.”

-AH

“It has changed the lives of so many patients. I hear it daily... My best friend’s dad, suffering from cancer, can eat; a vet (with) extreme ptsd was able to watch the 4th of July fireworks without an episode; and my favorite patient report, a lady with Parkinson’s (and a qualifying condition) was recently able to dance at her daughter’s wedding because it completely stopped her tremors.”

-CB

“This formula is pure medicine. So Terpene rich and delicious it balances my system, and soothes the pain and inflammation while creating a calm inside of me that is unmatched by any other cannabis medicines.”

-WLE

by CC FLOWERS

llustration by LAYET JOHNSON

Irecently learned that one of my greatest joys in life is enhanced by another wonderful event in life: comedy and cannabis. Attending my favorite Northwest Arkansas comedy show, I was mesmerized by watching the audience laugh. It was the kind of group laughter that has power, so much so that it has a legitimate name: social laughter. Social laughter has a unique way of bringing people together through a positive, shared experience.

The exuberance and energy of social laughter reminds me of cannabis-infused moments of free laughter…that indescribable ability to be in the NOW while sharing a joint with friends – the kind of pure happiness that fills the air with optimism. This led me to the great existential question: Can the connection between comedy and cannabis change the world?!

The study of laughter is called “gelotology,” and it is becoming increasingly popular the more we learn about the benefits of laughter. When we laugh, our brain releases endorphins and the feel good hormones, dopamine and serotonin, making you literally feel good. Laughing is exhilarating for the brain because it causes the neurons to fire rapidly, while also exercising your core and lungs. It’s almost like a full workout where Saturday Night Live is the gym. Add the right cannabis strain, and it’s a double whammy of a FEEL GOOD explosion!

We all know that there is magic in cannabis flowers, but did you know there are small leaves surrounding the flower called sugar leaves? Trichomes live on those sugar leaves, which produce a plethora of cannabinoids and terpenes. Terpenes, found in

many plants, are an oil-like substance that carry other chemical compounds. They are also what give a plant its aroma, taste, and unique healing properties.

There are over 100 different terpenes in cannabis, but if you are looking for that laughing terpene, start with limonene. Limonene is found in many plants, especially citrus, and its uplifting lemony smell and taste are used to help manage depression, anxiety, and boost overall mood and health. One of my favorite strains with high limonene is Super Lemon Haze. After you try that one, may I also recommend Jack Herer and OG Kush?

Another terpene to aid in that euphoric laughing experience is beta-caryophyllene. This one is well known to provide energy, focus and reduce stress. B-caryophyllene has a spicy, woodsy aroma and flavor, and is also found in black pepper and cloves. Some favorite cannabis strains featuring this distinctive and zesty terpene include Donny Burger, Sour Diesel, Gelato, Zookies, and Stardawg.

My final assessment is this: YES, comedy and cannabis CAN change the world. Social Laughter is the next big thing, friends. So, the next time you are on your way to a comedy club or want to hang out with your friends and laugh til the cows come home, grab some cannabis laced with your favorite terpene, and you might just help create world peace through laughter. Don’t bogart, pass it on!

CC Flowers writes about the cannaBLISS lifestyle. She can be found happy at home in Fayetteville, Arkansas with her cats and her cannabis.

by JEREMY HODGES

The term “OG” is commonly used in two different spheres within American popular culture. Within the cannabis cultivation community, OG originally meant “oceangrown,” i.e., it was grown on the ocean-facing side of the California mountains. Within the hip hop world, OG has generally been understood to stand for “original gangster,” one who's been around the block, seen a thing or two, and lived to tell about it. With five decades of life experience and over 30 years of cannabis use, I’ve unintentionally acquired the moniker of “OG” at The Source. My name is

Scan the QR code and listen to the Roots & Reefer podcast The First Patient with Jeremy Hodges.

Jeremy M. Hodges and I’m a budtender at The Source, the best custom boutique cannabis dispensary/growhouse/lab/ kitchen. Yes, we do all that here. Whether you recently got an Arkansas Medical Marijuana (sic) card or you’re a salty old pro who can smoke me under the table, you’ve come to the right spot for some seasoned wisdom from a weathered cannabis professional.

I spent much of my youth trying to avoid drugs and alcohol because that’s what Nancy Reagan told me to do (even though I saw my parents and their friends getting crunk on

photo by AMANDA STRICKLAND

"My life’s calling is to help you, either in-person or filling your online order, or, perhaps, in this media. I exist to help others."

I’m now into my fifth decade of existence and my professional livelihood is in the medical cannabis industry

the regular). Once I went away to college, that all changed. I still remember smoking that first joint (rolled in graph paper) in a distant parking lot in Danville, Kentucky. Since then, I’ve been a regular user of L. cannabis sativa. Smoking a fat bowl has saved my life on more than one occasion. Its therapeutic effects have soothed my anxiety, depression, and anger. I’ve even managed to stop taking addictive prescription benzodiazepines.

Before joining The Source (patient numero uno here), I was a financial aid counselor with the University of Arkansas, and prior to that, a project manager with the Walmart Foundation. Then the pandemic struck, I hit the big 5-0, and I decided it was time for a major career shift. I earned a certificate in Cannabis Science and Operations from Saint Louis University and I’m a Master Gardener. (My spouse is my Rock of Gibraltar for keeping us afloat.) I’ve made a successful, albeit unconventional career out of helping people. Now, two and a half years into the flow, there’s no looking back. It still boggles my mind that I get paid to talk about and “play” with weed all day.

The medical cannabis experience is a subjective one. The industry installs mental signposts along the way to help translate “facts” about a certain cultivar (strain) such as indica or sativa, but there are still many nuances to the experience. Don’t worry, I’m not going to get you amped up on a high-

flying sativa like Lilac Diesel when you seek pain relief and sedation, like a good chill Donny Burger. But what puts one person to sleep may actually be stimulative to another person. Budtenders know about these nuances. We try everything we can and we listen to feedback from our patients. Because of its subjective nature, this can be a trial and error process. It can be frustrating, but with the right mindset, it can also be fun. Before you leave, we’re going to go back over things to make sure you understand what we’ve discussed. We know how to save you money, too. Personally, I consider myself to be beholden to the patient, not the profit line.

When you shop at a dispensary, I implore you to take advantage of what your budtender can offer. Come pick our brains; we love to talk about weed. Hold us responsible. If you find a budtender you hit it off with, feel free to ask for that person again when you check in at the door. We’re all professionally trained and should be able to help anyone, but sometimes, things just click. This world can be a nasty one at times, but if I can do anything to alleviate pain, suffering, or discomfort, I feel called to do so. If I can be of service to you, reach out to me in the somewhat antiquated method of electronic mail at jeremy.hodges@ thesource-mj.com.

One Love & Jah Guide, Jeremy

by A MANDA STRICKLAND

JORDAN

It takes an expert to bring reggae to a land-locked state, and Rochelle Bradshaw is nothing short of a professional.

Born and raised in Portland, Jamaica, Rochelle grew up on a mountainous island peppered with coffee plants, surrounded by crystal blue water and Rastafarian culture. She began performing at age 13 in a reggae band. By age 19, she was touring continents – Africa, Europe, and North America.

Her career has taken her to perform on hundreds of iconic stages – from cruise boats to coliseums – including Red Rocks, The Gorge, and The Jimmy Kimmel Show. She has performed with Ziggy, Stephen, Damian, Julian, and Kymani Marley, as well as Rebelution and Slightly Stoopid – just to name a few. She has participated on two Grammy-winning albums: Damian Marley’s Stony Hill and Burning Spear’s Calling Rastafari. Her voice is legendary.

When she’s not on tour with the Marleys, Rochelle performs on stages throughout the Ozarks with her band Hypnotion. She produces elaborate shows which showcase the best reggae talent in the Ozarks, intentionally crafting setlists that eloquently weave original songs into a set of covers. “I like to create a wave when I perform, and I want everyone riding that wave. It’s all a balance of originals and covers, with an element of visual art. That’s why we’re called Hypnotion.”

Photo by ALLIE

Not only setlist, but ambiance is also a curated specialty of Rochelle’s. Some of her looks include rasta roots or rockstar, but sometimes she takes it to a more creative level by becoming a jellyfish or involving lights. “I'm an artist. I love art, and I am moving art. I want to be not only heard, but felt and seen. And my outfit is an important part of that.”

The original songs created by Hypnotion evoke the landscape of the Ozarks. The volatile nature of the mountains and the natural shifts in the river all appear in the music. “One of the reasons that I chose Arkansas is because it’s the Natural State. I traded the Caribbean Sea for the Buffalo River.” Rochelle acts as a lifeline between previously disconnected cultures. “I brought a seed with me. I’m growing the reggae seed here in the Ozarks.”

Reggae is my tool for teaching love. How to be understanding and accepting of each other.

Now that they know each other, the Ozarks and reggae are forever fused. That’s why it’s so important for Hypnotion to make original music, because this is Ozark reggae. But the lesson behind reggae music remains the same no matter where it’s played: the universal message of love. “Reggae is my tool for teaching love. How to be understanding and accepting of each other.”

When Rochelle is not making music, she works as a Cannabis Patient Consultant and Brand Ambassador for The Source. She is the co-host of the industry-shifting cannabis podcast, Roots and Reefer. Learn more at rootsandreefer.com

Scan the QR code and listen to the Roots & Reefer podcast Reggae Music is Reefer Music with Rochelle Bradshaw.