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RISE OF THE
CANNABIS CAUCUS H
ell must have frozen over, because a Bipartisan group of politicians finally found something to agree upon, and it was not surprising that it was cannabis. Led by Representatives Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.),Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.), and Don Young (R-Alaska) the Congressional Cannabis Caucus will be devoted to creating and pushing legislation that will align federal drug policy on matters such as legalization and decriminalization with that of the 29 states that have already made strides in normalizing marijuana policy.
taxpayers’ dollars been wasted, but countless lives have been unnecessarily disrupted and even ruined by misguided law enforcement.” As can be expected, the group of politicians hail from states that currently have legalized cannabis, and Representative Robrabacher has previously admitted to medical marijuana use. While the group was short on details of their first step, they did emphasize that they believed marijuana should be a states rights issue and that they would not shy away from a fight if either President Trump or Attorney General Sessions appeared ready to institute a new “War On Drugs.”
“The federal government’s decades-long approach to marijuana is a colossal, cruel joke, and most Americans know it,” Rohrabacher said in a press release introducing the caucus. “Not only have incalculable amounts of
3
TABLE OF
CONTENTS MISSION STATEMENT Marijuana is winning the culture war! Cannamerica’s mission is to reach out to not only the experienced user, but also to be a source of information for new users looking for education on this life changing product.
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Is Cannabis Flying Too High? Does The White House Really Intend On Shutting Down Cannabis?
Warning: Three easy mistakes that can kill your cannabis business license
El Gallo Rides Again
2017 PUBLICATION DATES: January • March • April - 4/20 Special Edition • May • July • September • November
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Why Cannamerica?
06
The Drive Behind H.R. 975
12
Shedding Light On Common Misconceptions Regarding Drug Testing
Myth Busters:
22
What Can The Cannabis Industry Learn From California Wine?
28
Peering Into The Crystal Ball
41 44
Product Review:
Extract Solutions Co. Ready Mix Kit
TPE Highlights
46
Cannabis Vape Reviews
52
Convention Calendar
56
Cannabis Advocacy Groups
60 5
WHY T
here are people who have been advocating for this industry for so long that its rise to prominence is a richly deserved reward for their hard work. It comes as no surprise that with increased acceptance there would be a rush of newcomers looking to learn about cannabis. These newcomers are patients, enthusiasts and entrepreneurs drawn to the power of what we affectionately refer to as ‘The Plant’
CannAmerica Magazine is designed to bridge the gap between cannabis’ rich history, those currently helping to spread the word through advocacy or business, and newcomers looking for a way to join the revolution. CannAmerica Magazine’s core mission is to be action oriented, providing competent quality understanding, through clarity with clear objectives in mind with freedom from ambiguity, maintaining a free-thinking perspective, providing quality information and content that is objective, professional, and involved.
THE TEAM Publisher Austin Hopper is well known in the e-cigarette community as “The Face Of Vape.” He was instrumental in building the brands that defined the rapid growth of that industry, including Space Jam, Cuttwood, and more. In addition to being an advocate for the vape industry, Austin is also the owner of The Vaping Advocate, The American Vapor Convention, and BAM Holding Company. Editor-In-Chief Gabriel Benson transitioned to publishing from the film industry about fifteen years ago. In that time, he has developed and launched numerous successful magazines including one of the first vape magazines. Along with Austin, Gabriel is the owner of The Vaping Advocate, BAM Holding Company, and The American Vapor Convention.
EDITORIAL STAFF Clayton Jones brings his entrepreneurial spirit to the CannAmerica staff where he is often developing strategies to expand our distribution and offering unique opportunities for our advertising family. Andrew Hamilton brings his background in engineering to the magazine, where his analytical mind brings a unique perspective to our technical and advocacy columns. CannAmerica is always looking for the industries best voices. If you would like to contribute, please email us at gabe@ cannamericamag.com.
(Left To Right: Gabriel Benson, Clayton Jones, Austin Hopper) 6
IS CANNABIS FLYING TOO HIGH?
DOES THE WHITE HOUSE REALLY INTEND ON SHUTTING DOWN CANNABIS? By The Editors
I
n the last week as the CannAmerica editorial team were sending this to print, an innocent question posed by a reporter from Arkansas took the cannabis industry by storm.
I would just say, it does remain a violation of federal law to distribute marijuana throughout any place in the United States, whether a state legalizes it or not.”
The question was simple; where did the administration stand on cannabis? White House communications director Sean Spicer, a rather blunt individual, gave a rambling and uninformed answer that compared Opiod use to marijuana but finished with the ominous statement that the White House expects “greater enforcement” of federal laws prohibiting marijuana.
Sessions also made a dubious statement that increased cannabis legalization has led to an uptick in violence. What followed was a series of shots fired across the bow from both sides. First in the cross-hairs was the Cannabis Cup, Presented By High Times Magazine.
“The president understands the pain and suffering that many people go through who are facing, especially terminal diseases, and the comfort that some of these drugs, including medical marijuana, can bring to them,” Spicer stated during his daily brief. Several days later, there was a statement from Attorney General Jeff Session regarding Cannabis.
As first reported in The Reno Gazette-Journal, U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden sent a letter to the Moapa Paiute chairman reminding the tribe that the “transport, possession, use and distribution of controlled substances, including marijuana” is prohibited by federal law.
“I am definitely not a fan of expanded use of marijuana,” Sessions said. “But states, they can pass the laws they choose.
Bogden’s letter continued: “I am informed that the tribal council is moving forward with the planned marijuana event referred 8
millions of dollars in taxes. This frees up significant law enforcement resources to protect our communities in other, more pressing ways.” “I urge you and your administration to work in partnership with California and the other eight states that have legalized recreational marijuana for adult use in a way that will let us enforce our state laws that protects the public and our children while targeting the bad actors,” California Lt Governor Gavin Newsom was quoted as saying. “We have a shared goal of reducing crime, and the best way we can achieve that is through a tightly regulated market.”
to as the 2017 High Times Cannabis Cup because it is under the impression that the so-called ‘Cole Memorandum’ and subsequent memoranda from the Department of Justice permit marijuana use, possession and distribution on tribal lands when the state law also permits it. Unfortunately, this is an incorrect interpretation of the Department’s position on this issue.”
“Any action by the Trump administration would be an insult to Nevada voters and would pick the pockets of Nevada’s students,” Nevada State Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford said in a public statement.
“Moreover, both the Guidance Memorandum and the Cole Memorandum to which it refers explicitly state that even where none of the listed factors are present, federal investigation and prosecution may still be appropriate. Nothing in either the Policy Statement or the Cole Memorandum alters the authority or jurisdiction of the United States to enforce federal law in Indian Country.”
On the second day of March, 11 Senators from the states of Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington sent a letter to the Department Of Justice and Jeff Sessions demanding that his department respect the Cole Memorandum because “The truth is that the nation needs cannabis now more than ever.”
The High Times Cannabis Cup team immediately contacted all the appropriate entities and released the following statement:
And the truth is - the 11 Senators are 100% correct.
“We’ve been informed that our upcoming Cannabis Cup event in Nevada on March 4-5 can proceed as planned, but vendors, guests, performers and attendees are advised to comply with applicable law concerning the distribution of cannabis in any amount at the event. In order for the cannabis industry to continue to earn legitimacy and social acceptance, we understand that rules and laws need to be abided.” (Source: CannabisCup.com)
And I am not even talking about hundreds of thousands of innocent people inflicted with cancer, epilepsy, seizures, PTSD and dozens of other illnesses that are counting on continued access to cannabis for their health.
The editorial team at CannAmerica applaud the crew at Cannabis Cup and High Times Magazine for managing a difficult situation.
No, the reason that our country needs cannabis right now is, of course, money.
I’m not even talking about the need to toke up every once in awhile to just get through these ridiculous and false statements about legalization.
At the same time, the war of words escalated from the West Coast. “We will resist any efforts to thwart the will of the voters in Washington,” Bob Ferguson, Washington State’s Attorney General, told the Seattle Times. “Our state’s efforts to regulate the sale of marijuana are succeeding,” Ferguson and Washington State’s Governor Jay Inslee declared in a joint statement. “A few years ago, the illegal trafficking of marijuana lined the pockets of criminals everywhere. Now, in our state, illegal trafficking activity is being displaced by a closely regulated marijuana industry that pays hundreds of 9
If the administration does make the mistake of going after marijuana users, it will not have the support of the country behind it. A recent poll released from Quinnipiac College showed that 59% believe that marijuana should be federally legalized. Additionally, 93% of respondents believe that cannabis should be legalized for medical purposes. And perhaps most importantly for the administration 71% of voters believe that the government should stay out of states that have already voted on the issue. And our government needs cash now more than ever before.
The only negative in the polling data as far as cannabis is concerned, and it may explain Spicer’s stock answer, is that it shows Republicans oppose legalization by 61%. So, while it may be too optimistic an answer at this point it is extremely possible that Spicer was just answering with the so-called party line.
Wall Street 24/7 recently did a study on the best and worst run states in the Union, and you know what states were part of the bottom five California, Nevada, and New Mexico. Each state is relying on the continued revenue from cannabis to keep them afloat.
What does the future hold? Is it time to panic?
And the timing for marijuana legislation couldn’t be better. Lottery revenue and revenue from Indian Casinos have already been maxed out and spent in most states.
While there is no denying that Jeff Sessions is a strong opponent of marijuana legalization and could conceivably start a War On Drugs unlike anything we have ever experienced, it is also undeniable that we are fast approaching a tipping point in public perception that will be hard for the government to push back.
However, another reason many states are so cash poor is that The Tobacco Master Settlement that is paying out $256 million dollars over 25 years is closing in on expiration. All that money was supposed to go to infrastructure and anti-smoking initiatives but were in fact spent on pork barrel spending and entitlement programs that are soon going to be underfunded.
As we have seen in other social issues, once the population has crossed 50% approval, it is extremely unlikely for the movement to be stopped. As the polls above show, and the fact that we have 28 states with almost 200 million people where marijuana is legal on some level.
So, yes. Marijuana is needed now more than ever. Yes, it is the miracle crop. Just not for the reasons that most people reading this magazine believe. It is the surprise revenue generator that cash starved states so desperately need.
With that in mind, the Politico reported on March 2nd that Sessions has stated that he had no current plans for a major policy shift against marijuana. In the same report, Senator Rand Paul (R) was quoted as saying: “He told me he would have some respect for states’ right on these things. And so I’ll be very unhappy if the federal government decides to go into Colorado and Washington and all of these places. And that’s not the my interpretation of my conversation with him was. That this wasn’t his intention”
What Is Behind The White House’s Statement? So, if cannabis tax revenue is so desperately needed why would the administration be coming down on Cannabis now? Ironically, during the same press conference in regards to another social issue, Spicer stated the administration’s strong belief that individual state’s rights. State’s rights are a traditional pillar of Republican thinking, and if used accordingly that should also translate to cannabis.
What does the future hold. It is impossible to say. But for right now, the best thing to do is keep marching forward. 10
THE DRIVE BEHIND H.R. 975 By Andrew Hamilton
I
magine for a second, a world where people got along. A world where Democrats and Republicans saw eye to eye, and agreed on certain issues. I know this sounds like storybook material, but evidently, all it takes is the issue of Cannabis to unite us in a common good. But who could have ever predicted that?
While efforts to introduce similar bills have happened before, it just may be this time that the fed’s remember that this country was founded on a split of state and federal power, and it’s not just a one lane road. In the last issue, we had an article on the gradual acceptance of Cannabis in the American culture, and that seems to be aiding the process for any new legislation introduced today.
In this case, the latest bill to be introduced from Congressman Dana Rohrabachor (R-CA) (co-founder of the Cannabis Caucus), has gotten people talking. H.R. 975, or the “Respect State Marijuana Laws Act”, was introduced by Congressman Rohrabachor, and co-sponsored by a coalition of six Democrats and seven Republicans. Yes, you read that correctly… Almost an even split in support of an issue that is simmering on the back-burner of American society. With a new president comes many questions about the future of Cannabis legalization, and how that will play out on the federal and state level, so it is only natural that this be given another shot at this time.
So let’s get to the heart of the issue. What does this bill say? While it’s easy to get lost in the details and minutia, the bottom line is that Congressman Rohrabachor is demanding that we amend the Federal Controlled Substance Act, and place the state jurisdiction above the federal law, when it comes to Cannabis, and it’s use medically or recreationally. This may seem like a no-brainer… This country was founded on the idea that states could dictate laws for themselves, especially when it comes to outdated and pointless laws regarding something as simple as Cannabis consumption. This bill aims to establish 12
a solid ground that statelegal businesses can rely upon, and gives some relief to all those businesses that operate in fear of being shut down and prosecuted by the federal government. This bill would firmly establish state law as the highest level of authority when it comes to Cannabis, and would stop the federal government from interfering, or over-stepping its bounds. To put this into perspective, a report from 2013, from an advocacy group called Americans for Safe Access, released estimates of what the cost of federal interference with Cannabis was for that year – The Obama Administration spent nearly 80 million dollars a year targeting Cannabis businesses, and shutting them down. Those are our tax dollars, hard at work shutting down something that is not a danger or threat to society, and yet the same law-makers are sticking to their guns when it comes to Cannabis Legislature. The time is quickly approaching where the American people will be fed up, and rise up against pointless laws that cost us greatly while supplying us with no benefit, and a decrease in honest business opportunities.
to see if cooler heads will prevail in this uncertain time. We wait to hear if we’ll get a resounding victory for the Cannabis industry. As of right now, it’s good practice to remember how far we’ve come with state legislation that has given us many freedoms that we didn’t previously have, with the majority of the states having access to medical or recreational use of Cannabis, and more will come shortly. Most of the country has changed its perception of the plant, and Cannabis is no longer thought to be “taboo”. Our movement has come a long way in the last several years, and I don’t feel that it’s out of line to think that with our current momentum, we will see the state laws being protected very soon. Will H.R 975 be the golden parchment that brings this change about? It’s anyone’s guess at this point, but as usual, I like to stay on the positive side of things, so my gut is telling me that the pieces are in place, and the momentum is building.
So what’s next? Now that H.R. 975 has been introduced, it must pass through the House, then the Senate, and ultimately arrive on the President’s desk before it becomes a law. So now we wait… We wait to hear if there will be a hearing, or if the bill passes the house and makes its way on up the chain. We wait 13
HOW TO KILL YOUR CANNABIS BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION IN THREE EASY STEPS! By Bethany Niebauer
M
y job is preparing license applications for clients in emerging cannabis markets. I have prepared narratives and materials for applications in Maryland, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, California, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. Typically speaking, when a state decides to legalize medical marijuana they publish an application that will call for a few dozen narratives of varying length, as well as a business plan, diagrams and layouts, Standard Operating Procedures, and a lot of financial data. I work on behalf of my company, or on behalf of a third party to create a license application. This process can take weeks or
months, and frequently requires me to give up evenings and weekends. License applications are enormous projects. Here’s what I’ve learned about writing winning applications and what you can do to prepare your own application.
BAD WRITING The writing style needs to be cohesive, eloquent, and fast-paced. The single hardest part of my job is presenting the information. This information is dry, it’s not sexy. I do not 16
have the luxury of writing a beach read. But if my reader is bored then the client won’t win a license. I have to find a way to marry dull information with a style that keeps the reader engaged. It’s not easy. Whenever I can, I tell things in the format of a story.
yoga classes and tai-chi classes on site. Something I haven’t seen yet but would love to see is a dispensary that partners with a local community garden. Charitable contributions are another good way to set your business apart. There are so many ways to create a “niche” for your business, but it is difficult and it does take a lot of time.
Trial lawyers prepare what’s called a “theory of the case.” It’s a single, unifying statement about why your client deserves to win the suit. Good trial lawyers will boil an entire case into a single sentence that summarizes the entire case. When I write a competitive application, I do the very same thing; I work with the client to come up with one comprehensive statement about why MY client deserves to win a license, then I incorporate that statement into every narrative. It helps tie the whole application together, and it helps the reader remember this applicant.
I also want to know who is going to read the application. It’s usually impossible to know the exact individuals, but I try to find out what I can. I’ll research the community. I will write a different application for a business that’s in a large, urban center than I will for a small municipality that has few local businesses. Generally, it’s a good idea to assume that the government officials who read these applications already like their communities; they don’t want to see a lot of change. They are always very concerned about how a dispensary, or a cultivation facility will “fit into” the community that already exists. An application needs to show a lot of respect for the businesses that are already there as well as the people who will be patients, or customers, or employees. I usually research the community to find out demographics. I want to know about the predominant culture, and religion as well as the average education level and income. Sometimes I’ll stream local TV or radio to find out what appeals to people in these communities.
This process is hard and can take days, and when I’m crunched for time, I’m tempted to skip this step, but I’m always glad that I didn’t. Creating one unifying statement about why your team should win forces my clients to explore why they’re interested in getting into this industry. If they want to stand out on an application, they need to deliver something more unique than “top quality products with excellent customer service.” No client has ever come to me and said “I want to sell products that make the customer turn up his nose with a theory of customer service that’s inspired by Wal-Mart.” That’s too easy and it’s not competitive.
UNIMPRESSIVE TEAM Like a lot of businesses, you need to plan on having a team of people to help with the day-to-day management. The team needs to encompass a breadth of knowledge and experience. Doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, accountants, security professionals are all good people to have on an application. A majority of people should be from the applying state, or locality. The goal here is to impress the reader. It’s okay if the team
Good ways to personalize your business include serving a specific segment of the community. I have worked with clients that wanted to cater to the needs of the elderly, or home-bound. My very favorite client ever wanted to serve the needs of disabled veterans. Another client wanted to offer 17
WARNING: USING THIS PRODUCT WILL EXPOSE THE USER TO CHEMICALS KNOWN TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER OR BIRTH DEFECTS OR OTHER REPRODUCTIVE HARM.
members don’t know much about the cannabis industry, but they need to have other relevant experience, or their resume needs to be so impressive that it makes the reader say “Wow! What can’t this person handle?!”
to. The Americans with Disabilities Act is a relevant piece of legislation, as well.
The part of the application that asks for past business experience, or relevant knowledge is usually my favorite part. I get to write about individuals and their personal triumphs and challenges, and it’s very easy to turn this part into a narrative with a beginning, a middle and an end. If a client has a great team with people who have done amazing things in their career, then this step gets really easy for me.
I have worked with clients who didn’t fully understand how complex this process can be. First, they thought that they could do the application on their own. Then the application came out and they realized they were in WAY over their heads. Then they thought they could hire a consultant who would just “handle” it. That’s not really the case because at the moment, you’re a client, but you’re preparing to be a small business owner, so I always look at clients as partners in the process who should be willing to work long hours in order to get the job done.
ONE LAST THING
Diversity is becoming more and more important in applications. The Maryland application requested that applicants provide information about the diversity status of their principals. I’m currently writing a Pennsylvania application that goes so far as to request a diversity plan. Pennsylvania wants to see not just how diverse marijuana businesses are, but what they will do to foster diversity once their open.
My advice is to plan ahead – if you don’t know anything about this industry, then you’re probably going to need help. Come up with a plan before the application is released!
Bethany Niebauer is the
NON-COMPLIANCE
Vice President of Regulatory Compliance and Licensing at Strainwise Consulting. Bethany is a passionate advocate for legal cannabis and enjoys the challenge created by the state-specific model. She lives in Denver, Colorado where she enjoys reading, knitting, and snowboarding.
Before the application is released, the state or municipality will publish regulations. The application needs to rigorously comply with all of the state and local regulations. This requires a careful study of the regulations, which most people hate doing. Regulations are never fun to read but I will read them many, many times over the course of writing an application. There are also federal regulations that play a part in any application. The business must comply with HIPAA as well as all OSHA standards. Federal labor laws must be adhered 20
MYTH BUSTERS: SHEDDING LIGHT ON COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS REGARDING DRUG TESTING By Dusty Nabon
A
fter a scathing report in 1971 by Congressmen Robert Steele (R-CT) and Morgan Murphy (D-IL) highlighting a heroin epidemic among servicemen in Vietnam, the U.S. military announced that it would begin urinalysis testing of all returning servicemen (known as Operation Golden Flow). During this program, 4.5 percent of the returning servicemen tested positive for heroin. That is what many consider to be the beginning of the workplace drug testing industry in America. The industry was poised to explode when President Ronald Reagan signed Executive Order 12564 stating a goal of achieving a Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 required contractors of the federal government to maintain a drug-free workplace.
industry experience with urine, oral fluid and hair testing, and in turn, will help users better understand the testing options and why they are used.
Myth: Random testing isn’t necessary if a preemployment testing policy is in place. Fact: This is a common misconception among employers. What they don’t realize is that according to the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 10 percent of fulltime workers are substance abusers. Said another way, 68.9 percent of the estimated 15.4 million drug users in the United States are employed either full or part time. Certainly some of these individuals are working in areas where pre-employment testing doesn’t take place. It is also safe to assume that some of these individuals have been able to manipulate their usage patterns to avoid detection or to adulterate the specimen that they give during the pre-employment test. Random drug testing programs offer a deterrent that causes employees to
Since 1988, the “Myth Machine” has churned out some pretty interesting lines that are heard on a regular basis. These rumors are generally based on a misunderstanding of technology, or are just the repetition of bad information. This article hopes to dispel some popular myths, based on 22
On appeal, the judge determined that federal law takes precedence over state law regarding marijuana, and Colorado’s Supreme Court followed suit. The Court referenced Gonzales v. Raich (545 U.S. 1(2005)), which stated that “the Supremacy Clause unambiguously provides that if there is a conflict between federal and state law, federal law shall prevail.” Because marijuana consumption was not “lawful” under federal law, Colorado’s Supreme Court sided with DISH Network and upheld Coats’ termination.
Myth: Oral fluid provides a similar window of detection to urine Fact: It is widely known in the drug testing industry that oral fluid provides a shorter window of detection when compared with urine. However, some clients see oral fluid as much simpler and less intrusive. It is important that clients are properly informed about using the right tool for the desired outcome. In 2007, Dr. Marilyn Huestis and Dr. Edward Cone published a study, in which they found that “urine testing characteristically provided relatively high detection rates for up to 3 days following drug cessation. In contrast, oral fluid testing typically provided moderate detection rates for 24 hours. Detection at lower concentrations generally extended detection times for both oral fluid and urine. In general, it was observed that the use of oral fluid as a specimen for methamphetamine testing provided a shorter ‘window of detection.’”
pause when faced with the choice to make a bad decision. While random testing might not always deter addicts, it offers organizations a means to detect use. The deterrent value is the most obvious benefit of a random test because the employee doesn’t know when it’s coming. This can prevent dishonest employees from avoiding, diluting or substituting their specimens.
Myth: An employer cannot prohibit the use of medical marijuana at the workplace. Fact: This is certainly a hot topic in our current environment of relaxed state laws pertaining to marijuana use. Fortunately, for employers who want to keep marijuana users out of the workplace, federal law still classifies marijuana as an illegal substance under the federal Controlled Substance Act and, as such, protects employer rights to terminate employment due to marijuana usage—whether it’s medical OR recreational.
In deciding whether to use urine or oral fluid, the employer should consider the purpose of the testing, e.g., reasonable suspicion or post-accident testing, and which detection period best meets that purpose, as well as the logistics of collection.
The preeminent case occurred in Colorado, and involved a quadriplegic employee who used medical marijuana to control seizures, and who was terminated by DISH Network for failing a random workplace drug test. In 2011, the county court dismissed the employee’s claim that he was wrongfully terminated and should have been protected under Colorado’s Lawful Activities Statute (section 24-34-402.5). That statute protects employees from being terminated for lawful use of marijuana outside the job, where the use does not affect job performance. The county court, however, sided with the employer, stating that Colorado’s Medical Marijuana Amendment only protects an individual from prosecution under state statute but does not make the act “lawful activity.”
Myth: My instant test was positive but the lab confirmation was negative. Who’s wrong? Fact: They could BOTH be right! Instant/point of care test results depend on combined activity in a given drug class. The instant test is designed to simply indicate if further testing is needed, and is not a definitive test. It’s like asking someone to let you know when the temperature is 87.3 degrees. He can reach out the car window and tell you “Well, I think it’s close, but 23
Myth: Confirmed levels of metabolite concentrations in urine are directly proportionate to usage (i.e. the more drug you take, the more you have in your system)
I can only confirm using the thermometer.” Similarly, when the instant urine or saliva result is “positive,” it is indicating that an illegal substance may have been found. The sample is then sent to a lab for confirmation—the thermometer is analogous to the mass spectrometer. The gas and liquid chromatography massspectrometers are highly specialized instruments that are able to identify individual drug metabolites based on their molecular “fingerprints,” and check the accuracy of the instant test with a high level of specificity. The mass spectrometry analysis will tell you whether, for example, a substance is present as indicated by the instant test, but is not an illegal substance. Conversely, mass spectrometry can tell you that not only was an opiate found, but it was oxymorphone. The mass spectrometry result is the final result.
Fact: There are several studies discussing how drug metabolite disposition varies among individuals and dosage levels. In the previously referenced manuscript by Dr. Marilyn Huestis and Dr. Edward Cone, the purpose of the study was to “review the disposition of methamphetamine in oral fluid, plasma and urine.”2 In the study, they administered single and multiple doses of methamphetamine to 5 non-drug users. The multiple dose study included Subject BB receiving sequential doses of 20 mg methamphetamine (given at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours), as well as Subject S receiving non-sequential doses of 10 mg methamphetamine (given at roughly 0, 48, 72 and 144 hours). Although Subject BB ingested twice as much drug during the study, Subject S demonstrated considerably higher levels of methamphetamine in urine. While this study focuses on the different detection times in oral fluid, plasma, and urine, it also shows that the disposition of drugs in bodily fluid is NOT necessarily directly proportionate to dosage or ingestion. Besides individual variations, concentrations of drugs in these liquid matrices are completely dependent on the time lapsed between ingestion and sampling, and therefore results can never be used to indicate the magnitude of the dose.
Myth: Hair testing is ‘new science’ and is not ready for primetime. Fact: Hair testing was brought to the commercial marketplace in 1987 after ten years of extensive research and development. With millions of hair tests already conducted for employers, child protection agencies, and police forces all over the world, the scientific validity has been proven over the last twenty-five years in numerous federal, state, and military courts, as well as in private arbitrations. Hair testing is most commonly used to identify lifestyle drug users at the preemployment stage - thereby preventing them from entering the workplace and bringing associated risks - and use of random hair testing is also growing. The allure of hair testing is that for each half inch of head hair, the lab is able to identify approximately 30 days of drug use. The ideal sample length is 1 ½”, thereby generating the 90-day test we hear so much about. There are important things to look for when selecting a hair testing lab, including FDA clearance of screening tests and accreditation for hair testing by the College of American Pathologists (“CAP”), which requires compliance with rigorous forensic testing standards. Finally, the lab needs to effectively address external contamination through extensive and validated wash procedures, in order to distinguish between drug ingestion and exposure.
In Summary When constructing a program that ensures a drug-free workplace, it is always important to understand facts versus myths. Highlighted above are just some of the common myths in the industry. There is a fine balance between protecting the workplace and it’s employees from drug use on the job and protecting the rights of the employees who live in states where marijuana is legal. Take a look at our follow up article next month in the special 4/20 Edition of CannAmerica. We will be looking at marijuana usage in the workplace in states where recreational marijuana is legal. Disclaimer: This article is the point of view of the author and CannAmerica can not confirm all the statements in this article. 24
WHAT CAN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY LEARN FROM CALIFORNIA WINE? By Bethany Niebauer
R
obert Mondavi pioneered American winemaking. He was born in 1913 to Italian immigrants. He earned a degree in Economics from Stanford University. In 1943, his family acquired the Charles Krug Winery in California, but he often disagreed with his father and brother on the best way to run the business. In 1965, Robert got into an argument with his younger brother Peter that quickly turned into a fistfight. Robert was ousted from the family business and so set out on his own.
His genius was unusual. He was a talented vintner; able to grow and produce high quality wines which hadn’t been done before in that region, as well as a talented marketer, (in an era before marketing was really understood). His passion was proving to the world that the Napa valley in California could produce wines that were of equal, or greater quality than their cousins in France, Italy, and Spain. And he was right! The Napa valley is now known as one of the greatest wine regions 28
in the world. In addition to being a gifted operator, he understood marketing. Mondavi didn’t like “budget wines.” In a time when Americans didn’t know much about wine, he convinced them that a good bottle was worth a great deal of money, and that if you chose to spend that money, society would view you as elegant and sophisticated. He made wine accessible to the American public, without making it affordable. To some extent this was very selfish, he made wine for the elite rather than opening it up anyone who might benefit from the experience he so cleverly created. Part of his marketing strategy was education. Most Americans at the time didn’t know much about wine. They didn’t know about different varietals. They didn’t know how to pair it with food. Wine was something for the elite classes, not because of the price, but because most people didn’t know how to serve it or even incorporate it into their lives. Serving wine to guests would have been as untenable a risk as preparing an elaborate meal from untested recipes. Mondavi used America’s lack of education to his advantage; rather than just teaching them about wine, he simultaneously taught people that wine was classy, elevated, and chic. For the most part, this message has stuck with American culture. When most people think about wine, they think about refinement.
Rather than using billboards or magazine articles to educate his clientele, Robert Mondavi invited guests to his winery for tastings. There was no one else to educate his market demographic; so he did it himself. He had outdoor summer concerts. Guests were encouraged to bring picnics; the wine was provided. He held harvest seminars. He hosted comparative tastings. He blended wine with art, and music, and food. To enjoy wine was to enjoy high culture. He made wine synonymous with “gracious living.” His work led to wine tourism in the United States. If you’ve ever toured a winery, or impulsively pulled over to visit a tasting room you can thank Robert Mondavi. 29
What does this have to do with marijuana?
eager to be told what they should consider important. The cannabis industry faces a clientele that has been fed years of misinformation and is in no way a blank slate. Nevertheless, there are ways to combat this. The cannabis industry needs successful and unashamed advocates to announce to their peers that they use cannabis and find it helpful. To some extent, this is already happening. Montel Williams was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999 and has been using cannabis to treat the associated pain and tremors. George Zimmer is the founder and former CEO of Men’s Wearhouse and a notable marijuana activist. He credits marijuana with saving him from alcoholism and says that his sobriety would not have been possible without the medicine offered by the plant. Rick Steves is a famous travel writer, and a former board member of NORML who strongly advocates for the reform of our marijuana laws. Other celebrities who have been open about their marijuana use include Whoopi Goldberg, Kirsten Dunst, Kristen Stewart, Bill Maher, and Morgan Freeman.
There are few industries more in need of a marketingmakeover than the cannabis industry. Thanks in part to Reefer Madness and Nancy Reagan, marijuana consumers are constantly stereotyped as lazy, self-indulgent, pajama-wearing, childish adults who are wholly without ambition. These qualities are not merely unflattering, they are particularly damaging because they go against red-blooded American values. Americans pride themselves on being driven, hard-working, and responsible. Americans are constantly alert, either looking for the next opportunity to better themselves, or for anything that might be perceived as a threat to themselves or their family. Society would have us believe that in order to be fully American, one must never feel tired or in need of a break. One of the reasons coffee is so easily marketed in America is because coffee helps a person get things done. Coffee will help you achieve your goals, while marijuana will only help you to lose sight of them. If you’re reading this magazine then you probably already know that the above stereotypes are untrue. Cannabis consumers are business people, devoted parents, entrepreneurs, artists, lawyers, and doctors. Due to the black market, most people are introduced to cannabis by a trusted friend. Although it’s quickly changing, most marijuana businesses do not have the luxury of using mass-marketing to reach their targeted demographic.
Women Grow is a remarkable organization that provides a safe place for female networking within the cannabis industry. This group frequently gives a platform to mothers of very sick children. Loving, fiercely devoted women who trust cannabis enough to give it to their children are slowly but surely shifting the image of the stereotypical cannabis user. This is good, but it’s not enough. There is plenty of opportunity for dispensaries to offer classes. These could range from food and cannabis pairings, to cooking with cannabis, to a “Puff and Paint” event where attendees create a work of art while indulging.
The cannabis industry desperately needs its own Robert Mondavi. We face a different, and more challenging set of circumstances. Mondavi’s clientele were a tabula rasa, 30
34
EL GALLO
RIDES AGAIN El Gallo Translated from Spanish to English is technically The Rooster. However, for those who have a love of cannabis probably already know it is also slang for marijuana. Now as California prepares for the high times of recreational use in California, El Gallo is rising again from just a little north of the Mexican border. Dan Cascino and Jimmy Raymond took the e-cigarette world by storm several years ago by following the most most basic rule of business. Deliver a high-quality product at a reasonable price.
35
Their plan is take that same customer first philosophy to the cannabis business.
Of course, while there are similarities there are also big differences between marijuana and e-liquid. However, the expertise derived from years of making amazing e-liquid has translated to an innovative production process on El Gallo.
“We don’t penny pinch on ingredients and we pride ourselves on our customer service. In conjunction with our customer focus we have a full time social media team that has brought our customers directly into the fold of our company by means of our Ambassador program,” Dan Cascino recently told CannAmerica Magazine. “We provide a platform for our customers to use their own creativity. They provide us with photos, videos, and help promote our brand worldwide, as well as help us at events. We provide monetary compensation to our most active customers.”
“We have several different types of processes depending on what we are trying to achieve. For example, our medicinal THC concentrates are derived from a special alcohol extraction process that leverages the whole cannabis plant. It yields a smooth product that is easier for your body to absorb,” partner Jimmy Raymond filled us in on our tour of their lab. “The gist of it is, we remove the chlorophyll and lipids while preserving the natural cannabinoids, terpenes and other healthy compounds that are found in the whole cannabis plant. Try to imagine it as if the whole cannabis plant contains all the colors of the rainbow. The colors are various cannaboids and terpenes. We found that some extraction methods lose a lot or at least some percentage of colors that have medicinal value. This also has an effect on shaping the type of psycho activity you have when consumed. Our unique proprietary production method crafts an extremely safe, consistent and highly effective product.”
Now, with their home state opening the gates to cannabis, Dan and Jimmy have decided that now is the time to enter the market with high-quality THC infused e-liquid. “We knew there was tremendous opportunity in this market. For years while developing products for You Got E-Juice, we would come across something and think that it was the perfect combination for cannabis. But we wanted to wait as we believe in conducting Business in a legal and professional manner,” Dan continued. “The recent passage of prop 64 will allow us to form our business model within the recent regulation keeping us legal.”
“Our El Gallo THC infused ejuice comes in two flavors.One is a Cherry Blast while the other is called Toffee Dream. Both taste amazing. Each flavor can contain either 250mg, 500mg, 36
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or up to a 1000mg of extract into each 15ml bottle. All our products are tested at SC Labs and published on there site for full disclosure. SC labs is a well respected and highly rated lab specifically geared and equipped for cannabis.”
and personal interaction. Our Brand creation and on going development will continue to grow our Brand awareness.” As everyone reading this magazine knows, the cannabis business is a small community even as it continues to grow rapidly. Where does El Gallo fit into the market?
One thing that is also consistent between the Cannabis and vaping business is that there are rules and regulations governing their business.
“We see our Brand going straight to the top. Currently there are only a handful of companies that offer flavored Cannabis E-Liquids. Our product line when completed will contain E-liquids, Concentrates, as well as an edible line. The major growth will come from the recreational side in the form of micro dosing. We feel the majority of users will be looking to just take the edge off and what better way to do that then through a great tasting E-liquid Vape.”
“Our experience in meeting market requirements due to the recent vape regulations gives us an advantage and has forced us to think out of the box. Much of the cannabis industry is still tied to the psychedelic past of the sixties themes, and we believe that it is likely that future regulations will demand more adult-themed marketing, Dan continued. “With that in mind, we know that branding out of the gate is key. We have a full time Social Media team that understanding target marketing
“Get El Gallo and see for yourself.” 39
PEERING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL By Norm Bour
T
hink back to the Good Old Days. No matter what your age, you will have some of those. The older you are, the more you’ll have, but the reality is not always as we remember.
shops. There is still a difference in the products we sell, but we are kindred spirits, like it or not. Smoke shops have been around for a long time. Most have added other products, including vape supplies, pipes, glassware, and a host of alternative products.
If we go back just four years, to 2013, the vaping industry was at the beginning of a meteoric rise. There were an estimated 1500 vape shops in the entire country. And e-liquids? No one knew for sure, but many thought there were about 500 brands nationwide.
The tobacco industry is a giant that generated $35B in 2010 according to the World Lung Foundation, while vaping is estimated at about $4.5B in 2017, per Bonnie Herzog, Managing Director, Equity Research, at Wells Fargo Securities.
Anyone, yes anyone, could open a “vape shop” and that had no real definition. There were some good ones and some very, very poor ones.
Tobacco stores radically changed in the 1960’s as some of them transitioned into “head shops” by adding cannabis products and paraphernalia.
Nationwide there were just a handful of events and they were usually “fests,” which are parties looking for a place and an excuse to happen. Noisy, smoky, and full of free shit, just for the asking. E-liquid companies were proliferating like crazy and they would market and hype and give stuff away like it cost them nothing. Which it almost did.
Over the last 50 years the lines between tobacco shops, smoke shops and head shops blurred as they all tried to capitalize on a changing market and aging demographics.
Vape Shops Emerge From 1500 or so vape shops in 2013, we have 7,000 to 9,000 today. No one knows for sure, but all indicators show that the numbers are dropping. We may never hit our peak numbers again.
Government regulations? Back then the cities were the biggest problem, with their “not in my back yard” attitude. They thought vape shops were tobacco shops (as did YELP) and either said no or required special use permits. Few states had taxes or regulations and there was nothing from the feds. No one knew much about coming storm called deeming regulations.
In the eyes of the public, the lines between vape shops and smoke shops are blurry. Some smoke shops sell vaping products, but few vape shops sell any tobacco products.
That Was Then; This is Now
Whereas smoke shops (we’ll stick with that name) typically had no issues with vape shops, many vape owners and patrons
Thank you, FDA, for classifying vape shops as tobacco 41
you high, but does bring about relaxation. The marijuana plant has at least 113 active cannabinoids. Hemp is produced by the male marijuana plant and has a history even longer than tobacco! Sailing ships crossing the Atlantic in the 1700’s used hemp for ropes, sails and clothing. It was not usually smoked since it lacked the psychotropic qualities of the female plant. Many vape shops now carry CBD, and there are more manufacturers cropping up at every new event.
What the Future May Hold No one knows for sure, but here is one scenario. In five years, you will to walk into a “super store,” probably the size of today’s drug store. You can buy your vice of choice: alcohol, tobacco in every form, vape, CBD, and cannabis. Cannabis will probably be legal nationwide, and become a significant revenue generator for everyone. Currently it is the largest cash crop in the United States. A legal bank account will be available (not so now) and taxes will be hefty. These stores will be heavily regulated, monitored, and run by pros. It will take lots of money and probably political connections to get licensed. Most will not be approved.
want nothing to do with tobacco. There are more vape shops that carry CBD products than tobacco and that market will continue to grow.
But there will be opportunities for entrepreneurs!
Many vape shops are now looking for added profit centers. Some are getting alcohol or food licenses and some are getting into the “paraphernalia” market, too, which is usually glassware. That includes bongs, water pipes and multi-purpose vaporizers.
The Cannabis Market
This new industry is surprisingly professional and very complex. The machinery to create extracts is like a science lab for business and there are many new products coming out every month catering to the “alternative” market. CBD will be one of those products. There are also opportunities in the supply chain and distribution market.
Cannabis is now legal in over half the country, and that includes giant bellwether states like Florida and California.
What does all this mean to you? Over the years as a writer in this industry I have referenced Charles Darwin and his evolutionary theories. Today, more than ever, those concepts are not just theories, but a rule book for survival.
The “New Pot Economy” is on everyone’s radar and the state of Colorado has generated billions of dollars in profit and created new pot millionaires. Some say that if you walk down the streets of Denver, two out of three people are getting high! I just returned from Washington, DC, and the smell of cannabis on the street was noticeable.
If you are not willing- not able- to change or adapt, you will not survive.
Senior citizen compounds, ie, planned living enclaves, are magnets for pot growth and in California, home of the original “Leisure World,” the smell of pot is an everyday event, as is the sight of six-foot-tall plants creeping over backyard fences.
What do you think? Do you agree? Send me a note and we’ll discuss!
Norm Bour is the founder of VapeMentors and creator of the VAPE U online programs. They offer services & resources for anyone in the vape space, including vape shops, online stores and e-liquid brands. He’s also the host of Vape Radio, the largest vaping radio show in the world with more than 1.3 M downloads. Norm interviews the masters of vape and thought leaders in the vape space. He is also co-founder of Vape Industry Business Exchange (VIBE), which supports the vaping industry. Contact him at norm@ VapeMentors.com.
The new deeming regulations and definitions provide the “crossover” between vape shops and tobacco/smoke shops. They are now (legally) one and the same. But is there a crossover event or product that could integrate cannabis into that coupling? The answer could be “Yes,” and that product could be CBD.
Expansion Opportunities Tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, is the principal psychoactive component of the female marijuana plant, whereas cannabidiol, or CBD, from the male plant, does not get 42
PRODUCT REVIEW: EXTRACT SOLUTIONS CO. READY MIX KIT By Rick Hougland
D
o you love the dab life and want to bring your mod into the mix? Extract Solutions Co. could have just what you’re looking for. Their Ready Mix Kit has everything you need to turn your herbal extraction into an e-liquid, vape pen included.
a blunt tipped syringe, a 1 ml. cartridge, a battery with charger, a logo shot glass to do the mixing in, and an instruction manual to take you through the steps of making your own cannabis infused e-liquid.
As someone who vapes and is in possession of a mild collection of mods, tanks, and atties (all standard issue vaping gear), I jumped at the opportunity to review this product. Matthew Searles from Extract Solutions Co. sent over a couple of his Ready Mix Kits and samples of all six flavors for our critique. The box itself has a classy look, and boasts “Made and Bottled in the USA” across the front of the box for all us patriots. The kit includes a 30ml. bottle of flavored Ready Mix, a dab tool,
With the contents of the box laid out in front of me, it quickly becomes apparent that this is going to be way easier than I thought. I must admit that I am a little fearful of losing this golden extraction to some fatal error, but as they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So, here we go. There are six flavors to choose from; blueberry, strawberry, tropical, grape, watermelon, and original. I decide on strawberry 44
and use the syringe to fill the shot glass with the recommended 3ml. of Ready Mix solution per gram of extract, and get ready to pop it in the microwave. The manual states that you can also use a double boiler to bring the solution to 150 degrees, if that’s your thing. Me, I’m a microwave guy, so in it goes for ten seconds. Next, using the dab tool, I slowly stir the gram of crumble into the heated liquid until it is completely dissolved. The instructions say to reheat if necessary, but it wasn’t this time. I take the syringe back up, fill it to the 1ml. marker, and proceed to fill the atomizer cartridge. I screw the cartridge on the battery provided, and am ready to vape.
The Extract Solutions Co. prides itself as being polyethylene glycol (PEG) free, and Matthew says that’s what separates the Ready Mix Kit from it’s competition. PEG, which is used in making antifreeze, is toxic to humans in large quantities and reportedly has a chemical taste much like plastic when vaped. Extract Solutions uses a natural emulsifier and propylene glycol (PG) to suspend the herbal extract. Matthew claims to have stable samples that have not separated for six months and counting sitting on a shelf. Could be, but there is no way a bottle this would last six months in my house. I’ll be surprised if the 4mls. made here sees tomorrow.
The kit comes with a buttonless battery that engages as you draw in, and provides a very tasty mouthful of my newly crafted concoction. The liquid in the cartridge is honey colored and has a distinct cannabis undertone in the flavor profile, but nothing overwhelming, and I’m surprised at how smooth and sweet it is. So far, my only complaint is the hit I’m limited to with this device. In all fairness, I’m a regular vaper that has a tendency to get a little carried away with his clouds sometimes. I yielded a total of 4mls. of e-liquid, with three left, out comes the heavy artillery.
Overall, this is a fun product that places you in the production line. With costs of vape cartridges reaching $50 and beyond, the Ready Mix Kit from Extract Solutions is a cost effective way of producing some High quality e-liquid. Pun intended. MSRP $49.99
I can’t hardly wait to drip this e-liquid on my freshly cottoned RDA. I grab my mod and refill the syringe once more. The flavor of the cannabis is way more present, but still not overpowering the strawberry, and I am once again surprised at how smooth this e-liquid is. Any doubts as to the potency of the final product, or if I had made any catastrophic blunders, were immediately quieted as I quickly found myself medicated. 45
TPE HIGHLIGHTS
46
C
Other Winners Included:
annAmerica Magazine was proud to debut our first issue at the TPE 2017 in January of 2017. The event was packed with exhibitors and buyers from all across the spectrum, including tobacco, vape and cannabis products.
• Best New Tobacco Product- Archetype Cigars by Ventura Cigar Company • Best New Accessory- Lighter Bro • Best New Vapor Product- Solace Vapor Nicotine Salts • Best New Alternative Product- TC3 by Chong’s Choice • Best Product Innovation- Cue Vapor System by E-Alternative Solutions
In addition to introducing our magazine and our excellent advertisers to the shows attendees, Founder Austin Hopper moderated the Boosting Your Bottom Line With Vapor Products, Accessories And The Alternative Market. The panel included Tyler Goldman of PAX, Tracy Villegas of Phillips & King and Tim Greene of Smoker Friendly.
To Sign Learn More About the 2018 TPE Event Please Visit TobaccoPluExpo.com
Every year at the event, the TPE awards new and innovative products. This year, the Best New Alternative Product Award went to the TC3 by Chong’s Choice.
47
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Curavape
S
leek, discrete, and inevitably subtle W!NK‘s new line of vape pens and flavored cannabis oils are an elegant alternative to other products in the vape market. Created for women, by women, W!NK attempts to fill a void in the cannabis industry by looking to meet specific needs and preferences for women looking for premium products.
Having just launched this past December we were eager to get our hands on some of their new products including the W!NK Signature Pen, the disposable W!NK Go Pen, and one of their trademarked Terpessence flavor cartridges. Each and every one of their products is created with women in mind, from its lipstick-like size and stark white color, to the easy flow and consistency of each pull.
What’s Included
Design & Features
Wink Signature Pen
Signature Pen
The W!NK Signature Pen includes an intuitive, stainless steel magnetic cap and maintains the sophisticated aesthetics of the rest of their product line.
The W!NK Signature Pen is light-weight and closely resembles the size of a mascara wand, yet despite it’s dainty exterior offers a notably consistent pull at every use – the first hit you take is exactly the same as the last. The pen’s neat magnetic cap is an elegant feature, but what’s most impressive is that it effortlessly fits in any small handbag or jacket pocket, and ultimately does not look like a vaporizer with the cap on. The stainless steel mouthpiece and vape cartridge, which has a clear window, are beautifully designed; you can remove the mouthpiece by simply unscrewing it.
The Signature Pen includes: • 1x Signature Pen • 1x 0.5 g empty cartridge • 1x USB charger
Wink Cartridges
The W!NK cannabis oil refills are sold separately and offer smooth and refined drags with every hit. We tried the Grapephoria flavor and were pleasantly surprised by its mild flavor. We’ve tried other flavored cannabis oils and have found the flavor to be too overbearing, however W!NK’s flavor cartridge was light and smooth.
The Signature Pen offers a consistent 8-second pull every time, and will fully recharge within an hour of plugging it into its USB charger output, thanks to its quick recharge feature. The Signature Pen also comes with a 0.5g empty cartridge in case you’d like to mix your own essential oils. 52
The Grapephoria cartridge is one of seven different flavor cartridges, which all go through W!NK’s proprietary threestep process that reproduces the naturally occurring terpene molecules in cannabis to deliver superior flavor and aroma with every vape. W!NK starts with the highest quality flower and plant material provided by its family of small farmers, then further refines and purifies the original extract which results in fine, high purity, cannabinoid extract which can effectively be standardized into final products. The process ensures that no solvent residues are left.
• Size: 9.2 x 49.5 mm • Resistance: 2.0 ohm
How to Use Both the Signature Pen and Go Pen are unbelievable simple to use, and call for the user to simply inhale as to activate the heating coil. You’ll know you’re hitting it when the purple/pink light illuminates around the bottom of the pen. In order to put the cartridge on the Signature Pen, insert the threaded end of the cartridge into the pen.
Go Pen
The W!NK Go Pen is the brand’s disposable vaporizing pen that’s meant to be used and then tossed out. Like the Signature Pen, it offers a consistent 8-second pull every time and has a modern and chic exterior, and a ceramic atomizer with Swissmade kanthal heating coil. The Go Pen is hands down our favorite product that we tried from the W!NK product line; it’s about the size of a cigarette, fits in the palm of your hand, and is incredibly convenient.
Our Experience At first we were skeptical about a product that was specifically marketed to women. In what ways would this cannabis product cater to the needs and preferences of a woman, more so than any other vape on the market?
Terpessence Flavors
However, after carrying the small Go Pen around all day while running errands and taking it with us to a friend’s engagement party, we realized a few different features that we were particularly fond up. The size is unbeatable; it fits in the palm of your hand, can easily slip into the pocket of your jeans or jacket, and doesn’t take up any space in a purse or handbag. It’s unbelievably discrete because it’s white like a cigarette and almost exactly the same size and diameter. The Go Pen lasted two days, with us regularly taking two or three drags at a time throughout the day, which gave us a smooth, mild, but noticeable high. We were able to easily go about our day, run errands, and not have a completely clouded head. The Chocominted flavor was incredible, with subtle but refreshing taste and aroma.
W!NK cannabis oils are available in the following proprietary Terpessence flavors: • Appledream • Berryelevante • Bubblewish • Chocominted • Grapephoria • Pineapplift • Tangibright
Lab Facts All W!NK cannabis oil is CO2 extracted. The Go Pen contains 250 mg of pure cannabis oil and the Terpessence cartridges contains 0.5 g of pure cannabis oil. The first batch of the Grapephoria flavor oil sold in Washington tested at THC 52% / CBD 2.6%. The cannabinoid content is consistent across all W!NK oils.
The Signature Pen’s thin and pen-size design is easy to slip into any purse or bag, and like the Go Pen gives a consistent and seriously smooth pull every single time. Upon inhale the hit is manageable, pleasant, and fluid. The device heats up instantly producing nice vapors.
Tech Specs
Final Thoughts
Signature Pen
If you’re looking for something that’s unbelievably discrete, fits in almost any pocket, and offers a manageable high with all-day use, then look no further than W!NK’s signature product line. The Go Pen performs surprisingly well for something that’s meant to be tossed after use. If you’re a fan of flavored cannabis oil, then you’ll thoroughly enjoy W!NK’s selection of cartridges.
• Battery capacity: Lithium, 300 mAh • Battery size: 11.2 x 75.6 mm • Tank capacity: 0.5 g • Tank size: 9.2 x 49.5 mm; • Resistance: 2.0 ohm • Closing cap size: 11.2 x 65mm; • USB charger output voltage: 5 v – 500 ma, input voltage: 5 v – 500 ma
Price and Where to Buy
Go Pen
• Size: 9.2*93mm; • liquid capacity: 0.5ml; • battery capacity: 240mAh
The Signature Pen costs $40.00 and is available online via www.wink-wink.com or at select dispensaries in Western States. The Go Pen is $35.00 and all flavor cartridges are $45.00. W!NK products are available in licensed dispensaries (available in over 20 dispensaries in Washington). W!NK is expected to launch in California later this year.
Terpessence Cartridges • Capacity: 0.5 g
53
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CONVENTION CALENDER NAME
PLACE
DATES
WEBSITE
Cannabis Cup
Las Vegas, NV
March 4th-5th
www.cannabiscup.com
MJIC California Cannabis Business Expo
San Diego, CA
March 6th-7th
www.calcanbizexpo.com
Cannabis Cultivation Conference
Oakland, CA
March 20th-22nd
www.cannabiscultivationconference.com
CannaBiz Day
Orlando, FL
March 25th
www.floridacannabiscoalition. com/event/cannabiz-dayorlando-2017/
CannaGrow Expo
Reno, NV
March 25th-26th
www.cannagrowexpo.com
Imperious Grow Expo
Phoenix, AZ
April 12th-13th
www.imperiousexpo.com
CannaCon
Santa Rosa, CA
April 20th-22nd
www.cannacon.org
Southwest Cannabis Conference
Dallas, TX
April 20th-22nd
Cannabis Cup
San Bernadino, CA
April 21st-23rd
www.cannabiscup.com
New England Cannabis Convention
Boston, MA
April 22nd-23rd
www.necann.com/aboutnecann/
Oregon Marijuana Business Conference
Eugene, OR
April 28th
www.oregonmbc.com
Champs
Atlantic City, NJ
May 16th-18th
www.champstradeshows. com
56
NAME
PLACE
DATES
WEBSITE
Spring 2017 Marijuana Business Conference and Expo
Washington, DC
May 16th-19th
www.mjbizconference.com
Cannabis Cup
Santa Rosa, CA
June 3rd-4th
www.cannabiscup.com
Cannabis Business Summit
Oakland, CA
June 12th-14th
www.mjbizconference.com
Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo
New York, NY
June 14th-16th
www.cwcbexpo.com
Dispensary+Next
Denver, CO
July 17th-18th
www.dispensaryexpo.com
Leafly Cannafest
Grand Forks, BC (Canada)
August 10th-12th
www.leafly.com/cannabisevents/cannafest-2017
Seattle Hempfest
Seattle, WA
August 18th-20th
http://www.hempfest.org/ festival/
Cannabis Science Conference
Portland, OR
August 28th-30th
www. cannabisscienceconference. com
Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo
Los Angeles, CA
September 13th-15th
www.cwcbexpo.com
Canada Marijuana Boom
Vancouver, Canada
October 3rd-4th
www. cannabisbusinessexecutive. com/event/canadamarijuana-boomopportunities-indigenousterritory/
Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo
Boston, MA
October 4th-6th
www.cwcbexpo.com
New West Summit
San Francisco, CA
October 14th-15th
www.newwestsummit.com
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Cannabis
Advocacy Groups AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS ASA was founded in 2002, by medical cannabis patient Steph Sherer, as a vehicle for patients to advocate for the acceptance of cannabis as medicine. With over 100,000 active members in all 50 states, ASA is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA works to overcome political, social and legal barriers by creating policies that improve access to medical cannabis for patients and researchers through legislation, education, litigation, research, grassroots empowerment, advocacy and services for patients, governments, medical professionals, and medical cannabis providers. www.SafeAccessNow.org
DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE DPA is the nation’s leading organization promoting drug policies that are grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights. Our supporters are individuals who believe the war on drugs is doing more harm than good. Together we advance policies that reduce the harms of both drug use and drug prohibition, and seek solutions that promote safety while upholding the sovereignty of individuals over their own minds and bodies. We work to ensure that our nation’s drug policies no longer arrest, incarcerate, disenfranchise and otherwise harm millions – particularly young people and people of color who are disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. www.drugpolicy.org
ENCOD In 1993, following the request of the European Commission, 14 organizations working in the field of drugs founded the European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies. During two decades, Encod grew into a platform of 150 members, organizations, companies and citizens who want an end to the war on drugs. With lobby, actions and information we have strengthened their voice at the United Nations, the European Union and on the national and local level. www.encod.org 60
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST LEGALIZATION Founded on March 16, 2002, LEAP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization made up of current and former members of the law enforcement and criminal justice communities who are speaking out about the failures of our existing drug policies. Those policies have failed, and continue to fail, to effectively address the problems of drug abuse, especially the problems of juvenile drug use, the problems of addiction, and the problems of crime created by criminal control of illegal drug sales. Although those who speak publicly for LEAP are people from the law enforcement and criminal justice communities, a large number of our supporting members do not have such experience. You don’t have to have law enforcement experience to join us. www.leap.cc
MARIJUANA POLICY PROJECT MPP, which was founded in January 1995, is the largest organization in the U.S. that’s focused solely on ending marijuana prohibition. MPP’s mission is to change federal law to allow states to determine their own marijuana policies without federal interference, as well as to regulate marijuana like alcohol in all 50 states, D.C., and the five territories. www.mpp.org
MARIJUANA MAJORITY Too many elected officials continue to act as if there’s some political reason to keep supporting marijuana policies that almost everyone knows have failed. And too many people who agree that now is the time for change remain reluctant to speak out. Marijuana Majority exists to help more people understand the simple fact that supporting commonsense solutions like regulating marijuana sales and ending marijuana arrests are mainstream positions and that there’s no reason those who support reform should be afraid to say so. www.marijuanamajority.com
NATIONAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION To promote the growth of a responsible and legitimate cannabis industry and work for a favorable social, economic, and legal environment for that industry in the United States. The National Cannabis Industry Association was founded on the principle of power in numbers. The thousands of American businesses involved in the state-legal cannabis industries represent a tremendous economic force in this country. As the industry’s national trade association, NCIA works every day to ensure our growing business sector is represented in a professional and coordinated way on the national stage. www.thecannabisindustry.org
NORML Since its founding in 1970, NORML has provided a voice in the public policy debate for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition and favor an end to the practice of arresting marijuana smokers. A nonprofit publicinterest advocacy group, NORML represents the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly. www.norml.org
STUDENTS FOR SENSIBLE DRUG POLICY SSDP is the only international network of students dedicated to ending the war on drugs. At its heart, SSDP is a grassroots organization, led by a student-run Board of Directors. We create change by bringing young people together and creating safe spaces for students of all political and ideological stripes to have honest conversations about drugs and drug policy. Founded in 1998, SSDP comprises thousands of members at hundreds of campuses in countries around the globe. www.ssdp.org 61
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