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CONTENTS >>> WHAT'S INSIDE 14 Sean Dietrich Interview 20 Mark Henson: Psychedelic Beauty Manifested
24 Sacred Smoking 26 The Souvenairs Interview
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28 Mixing Mediums 30 Local Art & Music Spotlights 34 The Endocannabinoid System 38 Cool Products Hemp to the Musical 40 Bringing Mainstream
42 Ryan Clemens Interview
40
Cover Art By
SEAN DIETRICH seandietrich.com // IG @seandietrich
46 The Harvest Foundation LV 48 What's Good in Nevada 52 Tokin' with the Infamous 54 Exploring with Sarah Jane 56 Time for the Economy to Shift 58 Daily Dose 60 Cooking with Cannabis
54 CHECK OUT WHAT'S GOOD WITH WILD BILL ON PAGE 48! 62 Resources
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>>> Dispensary Guide CARSON CITY
Rise Dispensaries 135 Clearview Dr, #119 (775) 461-3909 risedispensaries.com Sierra Wellness 2765 US Hwy 50, Ste. A (775) 800-WELL sierrawell.com
ELY
Curaleaf 940 E. Aultman Street
FALLON
Green Cross Farmacy 510 W. Williams Ave.
FERNLEY
INCLINE VILLAGE
MMJ America 4660 S. Decatur Blvd.
LAS VEGAS
Apothecary Shoppe 4240 W. Flamingo Rd, #100
Nevada Made Marijuana 310 E. Warm Springs (702) 298-4830 nevadamademarijuana.com
Acres Cannabis 2320 Western Ave.
Nevada Wellness Center 3200 S. Valley View Blvd.
Blum 1130 E. Desert Inn Rd.
NuLeaf 430 E. Twain Ave.
Cultivate 3615 Spring Mountain Rd.
Oasis Cannabis 1800 Industrial Road, #180 (702) 420-2405 oasiscannabis.com
NuLeaf 877 Tahoe Blvd.
Curaleaf 1736 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Euphoria Wellness 7780 S. Jones Blvd.
Silver State Relief 1301 Financial Way
Exhale 4310 W. Flamingo Rd.
HENDERSON
Essence 5765 W. Tropicana 2307 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 7260 S. Rainbow, #104 6410 S. Durango, #115
Essence 4300 E. Sunset Rd Ste. A-2 & A-3
Jenny’s Dispensary 10420 S. Eastern Ave, #100
Nevada Made Marijuana 3195 St. Rose Pkwy, #212 (702) 298-4820 nevadamademarijuana.com The Dispensary 50 N. Gibson Rd, #170 The Source 9480 S. Eastern Ave, #185
Green 3650 S. Decatur Blvd, #6
Inyo Fine Cannabis 2520 S. Maryland Pkwy, #2 (702) 707-8888 inyolasvegas.com Jardin Premium Cannabis 2900 E. Desert Inn Rd, #102 Las Vegas Releaf 2242 Paradise Rd.
OPEN EVERYDAY 9AM TO MIDNIGHT
Planet 13 2548 W. Desert Inn Rd.
Reef Dispensaries 3400 Western Ave. (702) 475-6520 reefdispensaries.com Sahara Wellness 420 E. Sahara Ave. Shango 4380 Boulder Hwy. ShowGrow 4850 S. Fort Apache Rd, #100
Silver Sage Wellness 4626 W. Charleston (702) 802-3757 sswlv.com The Apothecarium 7885 W. Sahara Ave, #111 The Dispensary 5347 S. Decatur Blvd.
702.227.3021
2605 S. Decatur, #107, Las Vegas, NV 89102
The Grove 4647 Swenson St.
Thrive Cannabis Marketplace 2755 W. Cheyenne Ave.
Silver State Relief 175 E. Greg St.
The Sanctuary 1324 S. 3rd Street
RENO
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
The Source 6877 W. Sahara, #8 Thrive 3500 W. Sahara Ave. 1112 S. Commerce St. 3698 W. Cactus Ave. Top Notch 5630 Stephanie St. Wallflower 6540 Blue Diamond Rd. Zen Leaf 9120 W. Post Road, #103
LAUGHLIN
(California)
Jade Reno 1085 S. Virginia St. Mynt Dispensary 340 Lemmon Dr, Ste. A 132 E. 2nd St, #103
Sierra Wellness 1605 E. 2nd St, #103 (775) 800-WELL sierrawell.com SoL Cannabis 275 US-395 ALT, New Washoe City The Dispensary 100 W. Plumb Lane
Embarc Cannabis Goods 4035 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Tahoe Wellness Center 3445 Lake Tahoe Blvd Tahoe Green 3930 Lake Tahoe Blvd Cannablue 2179 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
SUN VALLEY
Kanna 5398 Sun Valley Blvd.
Reef Dispensaries 5105 Sun Valley Blvd, B (775) 238-3145 reefdispensaries.com
Nevada Made Marijuana 1975 S. Casino Dr. (702) 737-7777 nevadamademarijuana.com
The Source 5270 Longley Lane, Ste. 103
MESQUITE
SPARKS
NORTH LAS VEGAS
Reef Dispensaries 195 E. Glendale, Ste. 3 (775) 293-4643 reefdispensaries.com
WASHOE VALLEY
Rise Dispensaries 9650 Pyramid Way (775) 461-3909 risedispensaries.com
Deep Roots Harvest 395 Industrial Way
Deep Roots Harvest 195 Willis Carrier Canyon Jennys Dispensary 5530 N. Decatur Blvd, #115
Reef Dispensaries 1370 W. Cheyenne Ave, #1 (702) 410-8032 reefdispensaries.com The Sanctuary 2113 Las Vegas Blvd. North
Thrive Cannabis 7300 S. Virginia St.
TRUCKEE
(California) Winter Greens Delivery (530) 562-7017
Greenleaf Wellness 1730 Glendale Ave.
QUARTZ BANGERS PUFFCO PEAK PAX 3 DAB RIGS & TOOLS OIL TANKS & BATTERIES WATER/HAND PIPES
Washoe Dispensary 275 Highway 395 South
WEST WENDOVER
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THE ART AND MUSIC ISSUE
PUBLISHER
Bill Shehan // bill@vegascannabismag.com // 702 589 1282
CO-PUBLISHER - TAHOE CANNABIS MAGAZINE
Justin Beckelman // justin@tahoecannabismag.com // 702 672 2772
EDITOR
Stephanie Shehan // editor@vegascannabismag.com // 702 622 8001
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Jennifer Walker // jenn@vegascannabismag.com // 775 375 0415
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alixandra Laub Chef Garrick Umland Curt Robbins Deborah Costella Ed Note Hopper Stone Janelle Johngrass Jennifer Walker Linda Johansen Mary Jane Dubee
Maxine Fensom Mitchell S. Bisson, Esq Modest Jones Pamela Jayne Peter Jay Rob Ruckus Sharon Letts Shwa Laytart Veronica Castillo
ART Creative Director // Victoria Hart, Chronic Infusion Graphic Design // Victoria Hart, Pink Kitty Creative Photographer // Talbot Snow
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#VEGASCANNABIS #TAHOECANNABIS Vegas Cannabis Magazine and Tahoe Cannabis Magazine feature content about cannabis, hemp, and cannabis-related products and information. In addition, we feature articles, legal information and medical news relevant to the cannabis industry. All content within our publications and on our website is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered personalized legal or medical advice. Both the printed publication and the website are intended for those over the age of 21. In the state of Nevada, cannabis is intended for use by those 21 and older. If consuming, please keep out of the reach of children. Vegas Cannabis Magazine LLC assumes no responsibility for the advertisements within this publication. We strive to ensure the accuracy of the information published. Vegas Cannabis Magazine LLC cannot be held responsible for any consequences which arise due to error or omissions. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved. VEGAS CANNABIS MAGAZINE and TAHOE CANNABIS MAGAZINE READERS ARE PERMITTED ONE FREE COPY PER ISSUE. ADDITIONAL COPIES AND BACK COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT OUR OFFICE.
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>>> Getting Creative
with Sean Dietrich >>>By: Stephanie Shehan
This month, we had the amazing opportunity to feature a cover created by Sean Dietrich. Those familiar with cannabis culture may recognize Sean’s art from a collaboration he did with rolling paper company OCB. I had the chance to chat with Sean about his art, his family and why he does what he does. Stephanie Shehan: Thank you for creating this amazing cover for us. To start, please tell us about yourself - who is Sean Dietrich? Sean Dietrich: So in a nutshell, I'm a 44 year old artist, father of 2, let's say 'energetic' kids, husband to a gorgeous wife who has an incredibly creative mine as well, and I've been soaked in art from the day I was born. I have a home and studio on an island in the Pacific Northwest where I hideout to create when I'm not on tour. I love old movies, industrial music, and books from Hunter Thompson, Kafka, Hemingway, and Thomas Pynchon. I think Trent Reznor is just as much of an important musical genius as Frank Sinatra was. I grew up in the '90s, a typical Gen-X'er with a healthy dose of Ren n' Stimpy, Grunge music, and going to raves. I love sippin' Jameson and going down some weird YouTube rabbit holes at 3 am, as well as absorbing as much knowledge as possible in my downtime. I think creatives are the true reason that civilization moves forward, and I'll fight for any artist trying to make their living as such until the day I die. As long as what I'm doing through my art, or what I pass on to my children, or how I interact with the world is productive, I'm a happy guy. It doesn't always work out that way, but hey, I'm putting my all into creating the best art I can and using it as a teaching tool as well as a visual stimulus. I enjoy traveling to music festivals, here and in Australia, where I meet some of the most interesting people on the planet, and I enjoy the fact that I can do so in person and not on a screen. Stephanie: What's your background? And, what led you to art? Sean: I grew up just outside Baltimore and went to high school in Northern Virginia before taking off and hitting the road to see what the world had to offer. Up until I was 18, I lived in a suburban middle-class neighborhood. My father had a nice, stable job and my mom was always home for me, so I didn't do any partying or skipping school, or general mayhem during my school years - I was pretty boring. I hung with the comic book, Dungeons & Dragons set but loved to play sports and be active. It was a pretty smooth life. I didn't have some messed up life or lost parents or
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shitty neighborhood experience that molded my choices of what subject matter I paint. After high school, I decided to hit the road, which eventually landed me in New Orleans—a city and a time and a place that defined who I was to become. I was 20 years old running around the Big Easy, working as a cook, and just being a functional degenerate in the most romantic perception of the concept. It was there though, that I learned about Jazz and great food and met people who were much older and wiser than me, that were happy to share their knowledge. I've always enjoyed the company of my elders and to have an entire city full of people with colorful stories to tell and experiences from me to learn from, was incredible! It was a stark contrast to the suburban life I lived for almost two decades—I had found the soul of this country. Three years later I had enough of the intensity of New Orleans and decided to look west to California. My grandma swore I'd end up there anyway, just because I was an artist I assume, and so my buddy Silas and I jumped on a Greyhound and headed to San Diego. I could go on for hours about the culture shock of a kid running around New Orleans and then showing up in San Diego watching people with artificial white teeth gleefully jogging in the brightest damn sunlight you'd ever seen at 6 am, but let's just say there was some adjustment to Cali life. Over the next 15 years, I honed my skills as an artist and got deep into building the art culture in San Diego, which there was very little of past paintings of boats and oceans and whales. My buddies and I cultivated the underground live painting events coupled with some amazing promoters who were running different music nights out of places like Landlord Jim's and The Honey Bee Hive. I got introduced to San Diego Comic-Con and found out just how lucky I was to live in the city that hosted that event. I landed a gig with Sony creating a backstory for 'Sweet Tooth' as part of the 'Twisted Metal' game series, and did some art for movies, released a graphic novel, and 3 one-shot comics. I also met my wife Rachel, who became the catalyst for most of the great things that have happened in my career simply due to her pushing me and being a good sport, let's say when I took some risks in my career. After some time in San Diego, we decided to get out of Southern California because it's just not a great place to raise a family and a business. I need fresh air, trees, and land a place that wasn't just a cesspool of humanity and offered me a quiet place to create. I still have amazing friends down in SoCal, and I do have a blast when I go there, so it's not all doom and gloom, but for where I was in my life and career, it was time to go. Now, we are established in Washington and my new studio has been built, so
Stairway, Sean Dietrich // seandietrichart.com // IG @seandietrich
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now I crank out art and produce products for the cannabis industry that push the envelope creatively.
them out of most of their cash to make my dreams work. Mine is just fine.
Stephanie: What type of artist are you?
Stephanie: Readers may recognize your art from your work with OCB how did that come about?
Sean: I don't know that I would have a certain type of art or artistry associated with me. I've def fit more into pop culture art being in comics and all, but I also do live art at clubs and festivals, more 'corporate' style art where a client has a very specific idea in mind, art for movies, and games, and am always looking for different projects to work on no matter the industry. I've found my style, and I'm starting to see other peoples' art compared to mine as opposed to mine being compared to say, Tim Burton or Ralph Steadman, so that's a fun bonus. As far as an artist on a personal level, not stylistically, I'm an artist that is out to change how the art world treats artists. I'm learning all I can about the business side of things and will work to educate other artists on how to navigate through that shit storm. Most artists are sensitive little bunnies that usually get chewed up by the galleries and buyers, and the others are just those who have put all of their time into creating amazing art, but none into learning how to protect themselves in the business sense. I'd like to change that and create a company whose sole purpose is to take artists in and say, 'What do you want to do?” and then take care of the business side for them— but do it from a perspective that I AM a creator myself, so I don't need to screw
16
Sean: Yes, I worked with OCB to bring this 100-year-old company into the modern age through my art for about 6 years. I was initially contacted by Cody Payne, who was pretty much running OCB in the U.S. single-handedly, about creating some artwork that would harken back to the old JOB rolling paper posters of the late 19th century. They wanted to get back into the poster culture that was so much of their brand for years. I thought it was a great concept, and jumped on board. Little did I know how much this relationship would affect my course through this industry. The rolling trays came about as just a marketing piece. I was a guest artist at the OCB ASD booth where they opened some boxes and out popped the Stag Head Girl on a rolling tray which blew me away. I had no idea that they were producing them, and they had no idea what impact it would have on the industry from an artistic standpoint. Up until that point, rolling tray art was pretty bad, just cliché images and rip off art. I didn't even know how big these trays were going to get until I started showing up at the CHAMPS Trade Shows, where OCB would give trays away to people at the booth, and I would sign them. The first time we did it there was a line of people waiting and people running from the other side of the convention hall to make sure they didn't miss out. It was flattering. Word spread and to this day, those trays redefined what art on accessories in this industry could be, and it's fun to watch all of these massive distributors and other accessory companies follow suit with their lines of art-based products. Not saying I was the first because art and psychedelic imagery has been a mainstay in this industry for years, but I think I was the first to give a shit about how to move forward into the new industry landscape. After 6 years it was time to move on and start my line of products. The industry has embraced elevated art and I've found my place in all of this to make sure it keeps going in that
Fear And Bourbon, Sean Dietrich // seandietrichart.com // IG @seandietrich
direction. Stephanie: You have a new book out, tell us about that. Sean: I have an art book out called 'Confidence Pig' - a cheeky title that means someone who can't get enough of their self-confidence. It's one part art book and one part business book for aspiring artists. There are over 50 paintings inside, including behind the scenes progress photos and shots from out and about at festivals, etc. The writing leans towards helping aspiring artists navigate the basics of an art career including how to sell your art, how to price your art, touring, what it means to be an artist in this day and age, and a special section about 'Walmartists'--a term I coined in Australia while trying to think up a term for those artists at the comic conventions who just copy other people's characters and don't produce any of their own creations. The section talks heavily about the importance of creativity and original creation. I am working on another book that I would like to release in the next year or so-called 'The First 30 Years' which chronicles my career from when I published my first comic book at 15 years old until when I turn 45 next year. I also have several art business books I'm working on and there's always the occasional comic or graphic novel that pops in my head to say “Hey when are we up?” Stephanie: Tell us about your line of merchandise. Sean: I've always procured and marketed my merch—mainly t-shirts at rock shows, but now moving into the cannabis accessory market. I left OCB in Nov 2019 after I had done the research and got the samples and art together to launch my product line. It was my time to strike out and do things my way —which usually works out better in the long run. I started with a small product line: grinders, dab mats, stickers, patches, bottle openers, and tapestries, limiting them to 5 designs for most of the products and 10 for each sticker series so as not to overwhelm the
shops and distributors, and to not look desperate with a “Hey, look I have 10,000 different grinder designs,” which never looks good. I'm making sure to curate the best of what I have to offer and to pay attention to how it's released so it gives me and the shops time to promote to the customer. So far they've been doing well, with AFG Distribution being one of our best supporters on the distro end of things. They've been amazing at helping to walk me through some of the finer points of releasing my products, and have been great at promoting them. Stephanie: Who/what inspires you? Sean: My inspirations come from all over, no matter what inspires the painting it'll be heavy with story. I began in comic books back when I was 15 years old, when I self-published my first book 'Tribal Scream', and have always loved the combination of art and story that comics allows. Now that I'm mainly a painter, the way I incorporate story is to make sure all of my pieces have a solid backstory. I don't paint anymore just to become more technically proficient at it, meaning to paint just for the sake of painting and to get better. I now paint
with the intent of producing a piece that has intelligence built-in, as well as a healthy dose of insanity, humor and of course visual pleasure. Much of what I paint if it's a commission comes from looking way beyond what I think most artists would paint or the public would think of. I love to twist situations and concepts into something that looks nothing like what it may be trying to portray initially, but once you dive into the story and look at how I got there, it all makes sense. Art that doesn't make itself known easily is my wheelhouse. The cannabis industry has been a playground for that sort of thing in that the industry is in such a rush to grab that cash, that most companies have horrible branding and concepts. They steal from the next guy thinking that if they change their pot leaf to gold instead of green on their logo it'll look so much better! There's very little thought into much of what you see in an industry whose culture is steeped in art and music and amazingly wild shit, so it goes to show who cares to take the time and remember the culture behind their wallets, no matter if they have an MBA and massive amounts of funding. This culture will band together and ignore you just as quickly as you arrived, so I make sure that when I'm creating art for this industry, it
takes into account that the cliché image of the 'stoner' is not what you think. Some of the smartest and most productive people I know use cannabis—heck, I married one and am business partners with another. I like the fact that the industry is so easy to stand out right now—makes the business a breeze, and because it's legalizing now, it opens up this wonderful culture to those who may have shunned it in the past, and that allows me to create for a much broader crowd. I'll always paint what I want first and foremost, or there's no point in creating, but I pay attention to the people around me, and I pay attention to what will help to keep this industry special and it's a rich history to not get stomped on by oil magnates and liquor barons who want to make a quick buck off of cannabis. Stephanie: How can readers view your work, order, and follow you on social media? Sean: SeanDietrichArt.com is where you can find all of my art, merch, and more, and @seandietrich is my Instagram where I post works in progress and other little bits of life in the studio, or maybe just some obnoxious but funny stuff.
Caterpillar, Sean Dietrich // seandietrichart.com // IG @seandietrich
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MARK HENSON: Psychedelic Beauty Manifested His work is described as visionary, cosmic, futuristic and sensual, with a depth and intelligence seen in only a handful of psychedelic artists. Mark Henson may very well be the most important artist of the 21st Century, and if we stop and listen to what his art has to say, we just might make it to the 22nd Century. Born in the 1950s Golden Age of Capitalism in Northern California, Mark Henson was your typical suburban teenager of the 60s. There were places to ride bikes, catch frogs, and build treehouses. Henson was always seeking out “weird stuff” to get into. After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Fine Arts, he packed up his van and made his way to a rent-free garage in Isla Vista, a little college town near Santa Barbara, California where he lived, painted and began showing his work in a couple of cooperative art galleries. His work now hangs alongside other contemporary artists like Alex Grey. Shwa Laytart: There are so many complex topics that you cover in your paintings, but the one that stands out for so many people is sex. I guess you paint one orgy scene and everyone thinks you’re Pornhub. But your paintings go beyond sex and reflect a deeper sense of intimacy, not just with each other, but with the planet. Am I on the right path here? Mark Henson: Well, think psychedelic sex or cosmic sex. Pornhub sex, while fun and interesting… There are other levels. Once you’ve experienced some of those other levels, the other stuff isn’t quite so thrilling. I like to have sexuality in my pictures, but I don’t want to be crude or crass. I want it to be graceful and beautiful in some way. That’s why I usually have my figures in nature, and nobody is tied up or anything like that. I think more of the natural pleasure, the gift of the Divine. Rather than stuff we make up because we’re not quite satisfied. If you look closely, you rarely see any kind of what you might call “hard core” parts to my images. It’s actually interesting, I’ve had people get really mad at certain pieces they consider nasty, when actually nothing was showing. When you disguise your lovemaking as trees or the sky, it helps a little. SL: Now you once said- “My sincere wish is to tap into the Divine Source of Being, to Consciousness, to Spirit, or whatever you may call it, that place where existence comes from, and to bring into visual reality images manifesting the knowledge revealed while in this presence.” So my question is, what’s your favorite psychedelic to use? MH: Well, the one that has probably worked the best for me over time is good old LSD. I’ve tried a lot of the other ones and they’re nice. Mushrooms are probably my second favorite. I’ve had some experience with some very fine high quality 2CB from Sasha
20
BY Shwa Laytart
Shulgin that was very nice. When I was in my teens and twenties, I tripped a lot. So the early stages of my psychedelic experience, where you might go to a rave or Grateful Dead show or something, that was familiar territory to me. Then later I discovered what bigger doses were all about. Somebody gave me some really good [LSD] my last year of college and I took a good amount and I got to a whole other level. So then, if I was going to have a psychedelic experience, I wanted to go to that extent for the most part. It’s been a lot rarer since those days. I mean, I don’t do it very often. I did take enough of those more intense trips to see what that world was all about as well. Nowadays, everyone is all into DMT, it’s kind of a similar place. You don’t know if your eyes are open or shut or if you’re alive or dead, really. That kind of stuff. You just have to kick back and see what comes to you. SL: Yoga has been a big part of your life too. You can get to certain psychedelic levels through yoga and meditation. I was wondering how that has carried out throughout your life? MH: Kind of in the reverse. When I was a teenager, I found out about yoga, what a swami was, and a guru. I probably got intrigued by George Harrison and the song Norwegian Wood, where he had this weird sounding instrument. So I went out and bought a Ravi Shankar record and I loved it. I thought I might as well learn a little bit more about India; and there was a Borgata Center not too far away that I could ride my bicycle over there and go peruse their library. They had books on, Do It Yourself Yoga and stuff so I would borrow a couple of those. Or go to a bookstore once I knew what to look for. A friend of mine from L.A. told me about the Autobiography Of A Yogi by Yogananda. I read that. Some of the do-it-yourself yoga books intrigued me. I read in the San Francisco Oracle one time by Swami Satchidananda that started the San Francisco Yoga Center, about how to open your chakras and some very simple basic meditations. So being visually orientated, I thought I would open my third eye chakra, so I tried out his plan and yeah, it kind of worked. This is before I had any weed or LSD or any other stuff. But trying to get to that space of mind once again became impossible because it would become so exciting that as you’re approaching the zone, as you’re approaching light speed, your ship falls apart. [laughing] And then you’re back to square one and got to start over. Which, any well-practiced zen person or yogi is going to tell you, ‘Of course, you idiot, it’s going to take you a lifetime to master this.’ I realized that then, and I was willing to do that, but then I discovered weed and LSD. Those got me there in a really thorough way, where I didn’t have to work quite so hard, I guess. That didn’t mean that I would abandon yoga or yogi principles, or meditation at all. I continued to study these things. I’m not a practitioner of any sect or anything, but understanding how they work and putting them to use when needed is very helpful.
SL: That’s similar to Robert Anton Wilson’s story. He got into meditation, then found cannabis and said it was an instant meditation. MH: Well kinda. LSD is what really got me there more than weed. But it’s also good too. Weed is good for letting your ideas and your mind just drift and seeing what comes up. You can put those ideas to use, artistically. LSD was better, once I figured out how to use it, to see how the universe works. SL: You’re a believer in the eternal party for peace and that people need to come together in physical spaces, to make eye contact and hug, and to celebrate everyone’s creativity. In these times of quarantine, what are some of the best ways for us to continue the eternal party of peace? MH: Well, we do have at the moment Amanda Sage, one of my compadres artists, who has organized a thing called “The NonStop Vision Train Art Jam”. This is going on 24/7. She started up right as the lockdown thing started kicking in. She got it organized. You can go to their Facebook page and join their group. Once you’re approved, you can scroll down on their page, find their schedule and Zoom meeting codes so you can join in their meetings. They’ve had two to three hundred people logging on at a time. At any given moment around the world, someone is painting somewhere. So you can log on and see who is doing what and have a chat with them. Show them what you are doing or talk about techniques or any old thing. Sometimes there are 30 or 40 people painting at once where it’s a rolling conversation, or maybe somebody is a guest musical performer or DJ who will come on and entertain people for an hour or so while they’re painting. Some people give little lectures or workshops, which I’ve done a little bit of, as a guest artist. Or give an interview like we are doing now, but live for around the world with other people watching. That’s one of the ways that we got on right away. It isn’t of course as good as a real festival, but on the other hand, it’s kind of an instrument in its own way because you’re seeing everybody in their work space. And I’m always intrigued at seeing artists in their work space, at home, what their studio looks like, what kind of mess they live in, what kind of weird things they have hanging around their shelves, all that kind of stuff. You can also get a little more one-on-one, unlike many of the festivals where the next band is coming up and they gotta go or the stage is too loud and I can’t hear you anyway so let’s just smile at each other. Or you go to the festival and you see that person once a year...it’s different though. We all want to get the festival world back together, of course. I don’t think the disease will be around forever. We’ll see. Being an old guy, I have to be careful.
Laytart and Henson, Psychedelic Science Conference, 2017 SL: The one piece that you did that pretty much sums it all up for me was a painting of yours I fell in love with back in the 1990s, The March of Progress. MH: Well, you know, they haven’t gone out of style… The subject matter has stayed pretty true. So my theory of not getting too topical has worked out, mostly. Right at the moment, what I think is the biggest challenge to humanity, the survival of our species is all the ecological damage that we are doing, and how to reverse that. In my heart of hearts I’m like, let’s give the trees and animals a break. Maybe the oceans will come alive again. Part of me is very concerned about how seriously we are going to damage our world and how well humanity is going to survive from whatever mess we make out of it. We don’t seem to be smart enough, to get together quick enough, to solve our problems. When art historians look back on our era, Mark Henson’s body of work will let future generations know how Social Darwinism brought on mass destruction. However, there were also progressive movements happening and there were people who were visualizing and consciously striving to create a better world. People like artist Mark Henson.
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>>> Sacred Smoking
>>> By Alixandra Laub
Used as a healing technique, inhalation is one of the many ways to benefit from medicinal herbs. To naturalists, inhalation brings to mind the use of essential oils added to steam and diffusers, but in this case, I am talking about smoke inhalation. Due to recreational tobacco abuse, I think we can all agree that most people view smoking in an entirely negative light. However, smoking plants has been used as a healing modality with cultural and spiritual importance since the beginning of recorded history. Until we explore the past and present influence of smoke from the world’s cultures, religions, and regions, how can we understand and appreciate smoke as a healing modality? This is not an article to address whether smoking is good or bad, just insight into different cultures, beliefs, and uses for plant smoke.
Tobacco
In ancient Egyptian religious ceremonies, smoke was used for prayer. In Israel, smoke was used as a religious offering. In Catholicism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, smoke is significant during rituals and festivals. From the Mayan civilizations to Native American culture, scriptures from Ancient Greece to Maori practices, entire books can be written on each culture’s traditional uses of smoke from plants. This is not a book, so let’s explore smoking on our home turf. In the U.S., tobacco and other smokable plants have been used by Natives for healing and spiritual purposes for centuries. According to the CDC (2020), there is a massive and fundamental difference between commercial and traditional tobacco use. In fact, tobacco is recognized as a plant of importance when used for traditional, ceremonial, religious, or medicinal purposes. In the Native American culture where they are deeply connected to the natural environment, growing, harvesting, and preparing tobacco varies by tribe, group, or region, but also the way it is produced depends on the purpose or intention behind its use. Used as a medicine, tobacco smoke is thought to heal and protect by offering its user spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical guidance. However, abused through industrialization and commercialization, it has the power to harm and hurt. Then consider additives, chemicals, and carcinogens added by the tobacco industry versus tobacco grown and harvested in an unadulterated, ritualistic way, and the full story of tobacco danger unravels.
Other Plants
Beyond tobacco, Natives also smoked plants like sweetgrass (H. odorata), white
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sage (S. apiana), and cedar (Cedrus ssp.) and many other plants depending on the availability in the region. Plants were not only smoked, but the smoke itself was used as a tool for energy clearing and purification, as a smudge. The belief is that as the smoke rises, negative thoughts and emotions would rise and fade along with it. Interestingly, plants like sage and cedar have been shown clinically to have strong antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, and during an age where diseases were rampant, those microscopic “negative energies” were possibly being cleared via smoke. A ritualistic belief with some interesting scientific backing. There are many companies popping up in the alternative medicine field, herbal cigarettes, which contain herbs like lavender (L. angustifolia), mullein (V. thapsus), and even rose petals (Rosa ssp.). Unfortunately, there just is not a ton of scientific research about smoking these plants.
Cannabis
The first historical references of cannabis cultivation and consumption originated in China. It is believed that cannabis was used as a fiber but also recreationally, medicially, and for ritualistic purposes. How do they know? They tested a 2500 year old wooden burner in Western China (Pamir mountains) as well as hemp seeds found in ancient burial sites. In fact, wild cannabis grows across some of the cooler mountain foothills of China and Central Asia. It is believed that the Chinese started selecting the seeds for stronger plants and through domestication and hybridization between both wild and cultivated plants may have led to stronger THC content over time. The levels back then were still incredibly low especially compared to today where science, technology, and smart stoners have skyrocketed the THC content to the beloved levels we know today. In some regions people would sit in a small tent and the plants were burned in a bowl with hot stones. The Greeks used hemp seeds in bathing rituals, and sweat lodges often included some form of cannabis.
Create your Own Smoking Ceremony
While you might be ritualistic or automatic when you smoke, i.e. pack a bowl, roll a j, or regularly use the same means to get high.. What if you can deepen the healing powers of cannabis if you use it in more of a ceremonial way rather than recreationally? Here are some ideas on how to expand your connection to cannabis. • Set the intention - Whether you use cannabis for pain or for anxiety, even just
having a pure and focused intention while performing your own smoking ceremony can do wonders for opening up your mind to the healing effects of cannabis on the body… manifesting in a way. • Create a mood - Open the windows, turn on some instrumentals, adjust the lights, ignite some candles or herbs, do whatever you need to do to set up a clean, uplifting, and easy environment. • Gratitude - For thousands of years people have been asking plants to heal the conditions that ail them by thanking the plant medicine for doing so. Appreciating all the work the plant did to grow full and healthy for consumption, the work of the people producing the plant to the budtenders, and yourself for being able to roll out the big bucks for a top quality bag. • Mindfulness - Forget anything else going on outside, at work, or with your life and keep your attention focused on the moment, your smoke, and your intentions. • Other things to try - Watch the natural flow and movements of the smoke or move the smoke all around you. If it is pain that ails you, focus on healing that area, if it is anxiety focus on calming your mind. Try drawing smoke to those areas or do nothing and instead take deep breaths and just be. Alixandra Laub M.S. is on a mission to connect people to plant medicine as an herbalist, wellness coach, essential oil distiller, and manufacturer of topical herbal remedies.To learn more about healing hacks, natural wellness, and healing plants like cannabis, visit TahoePetrichor.com. References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). American Indians/Alaska Natives and Tobacco Use. Retrieved from cdc.gov/tobacco/disparities/american-indians/index.htm, Keep it Sacred. (2020). Traditional Tobacco. Retrieved from keepitsacred. itcmi.org/tobacco-and-tradition/traditional-tobacco-use/, All Nations Breath of Life. (2020). Traditional Tobacco. Retrieved from anbl. org/?q=node/13#/, Ascension. (2020). The Art of Smoke Ceremony. Retrieved from ascensionlifestyle.org/the-art-of-smoke-ceremony-apurifying-cleansing-ritual/, Ren, M., Tang, Z., Wu, X., Spengler, R., Jiang, H., Yang, Y., & Boivin, N. (2019). The origins of cannabis smoking: Chemical residue evidence from the first millennium BCE in the Pamirs. Sciences Advances, 5(6). Retrieved from advances.sciencemag.org/
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THE SOUVENAIRS
BY JENNIFER WALKER
Be You, Be True and You’ll Never Be Sorry
JW: Let’s talk about your band name, The Souvenairs... P: Well we kicked around names for a few weeks..naming your band is the silliest thing because there’s so many options. You come up with 200 great ideas, some are ridiculous, some just don’t fit, and then you whittle it down and then it becomes 10, then 5, and then you finally have it. R: Ya know, we’re from Vegas. Souvenirs are everywhere, you see signs posted all over the Strip advertising, and you think of Elvis and The Jordanaires...we’re the “Souvenairs”... that same kind of flair. P: I’ve had a lot of band names over the years, and for the same reason, I’ve always wanted one with “airs” on the end. Truly, it’s not Vegas-specific, but it kind of is in a way, if you know what you’re talking about.
about 15 or so of these types of videos, I thought it would be a good idea to get outside and start enjoying some of the amazing backgrounds that the city has to offer and start to make movies of a higher quality. The whole band has been wonderful in terms of contributing and trying artistic ideas. R: It was all done with iPhones and iMovie…we would just film ourselves and then we’d pass it along to Mike who’d piece it all together. M: We’ve gotten a great response from people around the world who have watched our films and enjoyed our music. It’s given us an opportunity to artistically grow in a way that had this COVID shutdown thing not happened, we might not have taken this opportunity. Now we exist here in this audiovisual realm as well as (eventually) performing live in front of audiences again.
JW: As the Souvenairs, how long have you all been performing together? R: Me and Pablo have been playing together in bands for 20 years. Me, Brahim and Mike had played together in a few other bands for years and years, as well. Paul moved back to Vegas after living in Utah for a while, and while he was living out there, he was listening to a lot of old jazz music. He would sit there and learn those chords and he learned all of this great old music that nobody else is doing, and once he got back to Vegas, it took about a year for him to teach me how to properly play this stuff. This was all new to me, we’re from the hardcore Punk Rock scene, so this was something different. We practiced for a whole year to get ready to go out and perform this music. We performed our first gig at The Golden Tiki as The Souvenairs, and then COVID happened the next day.
JW: As far as everyone’s outlook during these uncertain times, how has COVID personally affected you? R: I’ve actually had it the easiest since my job (at a dispensary) is considered essential. Unfortunately, everybody else was put out of work. Especially the full time working musicians of the band, I mean, it’s been rough. One thing that’s bad about our state right now is that they are screwing the people who make this town special- it’s the entertainers and the musicians and the dancers and the stagehands who make this town what it is, that’s why people come here. The state has turned their back on these folks, gig workers, and it’s horrible. But the one good thing that’s happened is it’s given people time to look inward and find the good, find inspiration in the things around them. M: Creativity speaking, with these guys, has been a renaissance. I’ve seen them do great things, grow as musicians. I think about all the spotlights of things and people, opportunities that have lept to the surface and shown themselves to be very helpful during this time. B: A lot of true colors coming to light this year. No fakin’ the funk!
JW: You guys were one of the first Facebook Live stream full band performances that I recall from the beginning of the COVID-19 statewide shutdown. You were really quick to act and get onboard with the online livestreaming thing… M: Yes, we did a few live streams as a full band and they were great. Once we had done
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JW: There are artists out there who are
mentally, physically and emotionally struggling right now due to the forced isolation… R: When you show up here for band practice, there’s usually a sandwich waiting for you, there’s some honey water or a vanilla soda, a good joint (of course)...we’ll listen to some other music that I found during the week, some old timey Jazz or something, or someone will bring it in…it’s like a community that’s established even before we start playing music. A comradery exists. JW: You guys are the four core members of the band, but I know from time to time you have guests who sit in and add their musical talents, as well... R: We just happen to know a lot of really talented people. Vegas is like that. P: We know a lot of great players, friends… and there’s not a lot going on for folks right now so when they participate in what we’re doing, it’s a cool thing to do. I love having friends guesting on songs and hopefully we’ll have live gigs when that will happen, too. JW: Your throwback musical style is unique. What is it about the Jazzy, Swingin’, Big Band style that appeals to you guys? P: I grew up with a lot of that stuff. It’s the music that a lot of our folks listened to when they were growing up. Coming up in the Punk Rock scene, anything deemed old and cool we were looking at like, old cool Country (not the new stuff). I started listening to a lot of that. Underground cats, they know all about Louis Jordan and cats like that. R: Sure, I mean, Louis Jordan...that was the Punk Rock of its time! It was wild music that your parents wouldn’t have wanted you to listen to... B: Yeah you couldn’t listen to that stuff, it was too wild!
>THE SOUVENAIRS: Pablo Schwartz-guitar & vocals • Rob Ruckus-bass & vocals • Brahim Rouas-drums & vocals • Mike Powers-guitar, keys, & vocals JW: Alcohol, “loose women”, carousing, I can totally see that being controversial... P: A lot of it is very “blue”... about weed, or cocaine, or sex. Some of the stuff we’re doing too, there’s substance there, there’s things to learn. It’s interesting and fun, different, challenging to learn. R: But you had a good teacher. Pablo’s father was a music teacher here in town… P: Yes, my dad was a band teacher here in Vegas and a musician. R: There’s some Vegas history here too, we used to get drunk after Punk shows and go watch Sam Butera perform down at Sam’s Town… P: That’s right! We once went to a Punk gig and then saw Billy Eckstine downtown afterwards. There’s a history here with Jazz and Punk and old Vegas stories...we come from all of that. JW: Cannabis is a big part of your life Rob as a regular consumer, cannabis advocate, contributor to this magazine and working in a dispensary. Does cannabis influence The Souvenairs sound and aesthetic? B: I mean, historically, a lot of these old Jazz type songs were written under the influence of cannabis. I love weed! R: We’re not necessarily a “cannabis band”, not everybody in the band consumes all of the time. I personally do, though (laughs)... so since I do, we maybe get booked at some cannabis-friendly events or our videos get shared representing a cannabis-friendly community or event. P: We cover the genre or the combination of genres that we’re doing and some of the songs happen to be about weed. Some are about love, or alcohol, so there are a lot of varying topics covered with this type of music. JW: If The Souvenairs had a cannabis strain, what would it be called and what would it consist of? R: I’m going to have to say it would be a hybrid, it would be something nice and fruity crossed with an O.G. We’re playing organic music, why shouldn’t we have our
own organic Souvenairs strain? JW: Are there any songs that you’d like to perform that reference the “Jazz cigarette”... R: Well there’s some we already do...Cab Calloway (we’re huge fans), and a lot of his songs have cannabis references. We play a lot of those songs… P: The material is there. A lot of the folks back then smoked pot and wrote songs about it B: Fats Waller talked about it in “If You’re A Viper”... R: “The Reefer Man”... M: “When I Get Low, I Get High”... P: “Minnie the Moocher”... M: A lot of these songs, the references are implied without the lyrics coming right out and saying what they’re about. P: Our setlist usually contains a few songs about weed… R: But one thing’s for sure- if you ever go hear us play, you can guarantee that I will be high! JW: What plans do The Souvenairs have on the horizon? R: We’re going to continue doing everything we can as things allow. If things open up and they’re safe for us to go play, then we’re ready for that. If not, we’re just going to keep learning more great songs, we’re going to keep making more videos, I’m gonna keep printing t-shirts and masks and kazoos...all kinds of fun things! M: We have a whole schedule of films and songs and things that are going to go into the
new year. P: All those great things that happen when you’re forced into this situation (pandemic/ quarantine) what we’ve been doing, getting our merch straight, all these great videos, recording, coming up with new ideasthese are all great. But the no-gig thing is devastating. It’s difficult. Gigs are what it’s all about. But if there’s a will, there’s a way! B: It’s not that we need the attention, but, we need the attention! (laughs) When you play to the audience, the energy level drives you. JW: Famous last words? R: Just keep holdin’ on, everything is gonna be just fine. We always get through things, we’re humans, we’re musicians, we’re artistswe always find a way. We will find a way. P: If you are a club owner that has a stage with a back entrance I will get my screw gun and some clear silicone, and we’ll get some plexiglass, and we’ll make it so that you can have live music again. Call me! B: Be you, be true, you’ll never be sorry. If anything has been shown to me this year, it’s how vital honesty is. It’s the simple interactions, just like this, that matter the most. M: I have three words: life goes on. To learn more about The Souvenairs, you can follow them on Facebook @TheSouvenairs IG @mpsightandsound, @rob_ruckus_vegas mpsightandsound.com/souvenairs
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MIXING MEDIUMS >>> BY JORDAN LAMS
Where Art and Cannabis Collide
Close your eyes and envision art. What do you see? From oil paintings to sculptures to music and dance, humans love to create. That’s why Moxie thought it would be excellent to meet cannabis and art right at their intersection: the heart of community.
Recently, cannabis brand Moxie set out on a mission to give back to the community. The team realized that art is at the heart of the community and often, art blends incredibly well with cannabis. With all of the twists and turns of this year, the team was looking introspectively at how important local voices are to communities everywhere. Art brings communities together, by enriching communities aesthetically, but also by contributing to the local economy, stimulating tourism and bringing in revenue. Art brings power to communities, often playing a key role in their success. It also gives fluidity to culture, blending distinct aspects of the community together to create unity. Las Vegas knows the value of art, as it exists in nearly every aspect of the city emboldening and empowering people, pushing everyone to perform their mediums to the best of their ability. Moxie’s team decided to weave cannabis directly with art, as it already beautifully does on its own, through their most accessible cannabis line, MX. Each quarter, Moxie will spotlight a new local artist to highlight variation between different artistic flows and how each artist uniquely incorporates cannabis into their art. The local artists will explain, through their medium, where art and cannabis meet and merge their relationship to bring about a synergistic flow to the culture and how cannabis diffuses within. The campaign’s first artist is LA-based Upendo. Upendo, who is local to LA’s Watts neighborhood, uses cannabis to unleash his mind and quiet all the noise to focus on his creations. A self-described abstract expression artist, Upendo believes that it's important for him to create art that’s unique to himself, with organic creative flows and a pop art twist. He utilizes multiple types of paints to create his projects including spray paint, pencil, marker, and acrylic. With Upendo’s fast paced style, he quickly creates pieces and
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then moves onto the next one calling his name. Upendo describes his relationship with cannabis as “necessary as a creative.” Like many other artists, he’s constantly dreaming up new things to do and create, and finds cannabis a beautiful medium, helping to get things out of his head and onto paper. In his experience, cannabis allows him to relax and participate in a ritualistic experience, generating a spiritual connection to “tap into outer space” and release his art. In accordance with the collaboration, Moxie will be presenting the artist's merchandise and create a feature video depicting the artist’s background to breathe life into the campaign and pass along the artist’s creativity on a national scope, since Moxie’s products are unfortunately not available everywhere. The collaboration will also feature the artist’s works directly on Moxie’s MX line packaging. Since the artists have such a powerful relationship with cannabis, the packaging and merchandise will directly reflect the artist’s relationship with cannabis and its lasting impacts on their creations. Sense of community is incredibly valuable, and art’s convergence with cannabis is a perfect means of expression. It’s vital to keep up a local presence, to the community at large to have one of their own highlighted including their own positive relationship with cannabis. In fact, the first artists of the campaign were recommended and community sourced. The team wanted to highlight diverse creative styles and the selected artists’ designs work magnificently for cannabis packaging. Art lives in each of us and in the heart of each of our communities, which is a huge reason why it’s so important to support and uplift those who are talented in local communities. Moxie found artists by word
of mouth and by following people they hear about who are cannabis users with diverse talents and abilities. All in all, the team wants to continue to shed light on the art that exists within communities and lift the voices of the local artists that power them. As they say, they try not to take themselves too seriously and want to have fun by bringing light to the intersection between art and cannabis and get the community involved and engaged. Cannabis may be legal in places like California and Nevada, but there’s still work to do in other states across the country. The power of art has driven abundant social issues to the forefront, and this local movement can help give inspiration to others, artist or not, to create and achieve big things. Though Moxie’s artists are only local to California, the ability to empower artists in individual communities is available everywhere. Talk to your local cannabis loving artists about how cannabis enriches their lives and its influences on their art. You might be surprised by what you learn. If you know of any fabulous artists working at the intersection of cannabis and art in California, give moxie a shout via email at info@enjoymoxie.com or by reaching out to them via Instagram @enjoymoxie! Jordan Lams is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of MOXIE. Mr. Lams oversees market expansion, operations, compliance and brand development. In under four years, Mr. Lams has expanded the Moxie brand from a selffinanced startup to multiple domestic markets and product distribution in over 40 different countries. As one of the leading manufacturing advocates in the cannabis industry, he has advised California, Pennsylvania, and Michigan legislators and regulators to develop responsible regulations for the entire industry. Lams has been recognized by High Times as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Cannabis and recently received recognition from Entrepreneur Magazine as a leader in the cannabis space.
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Raven Rodriguez Raven Bird Art
Raven Rodriguez’ journey as an artist began at seven years old. Art provided her a coping mechanism as she made her way through a rough childhood. She never imagined how much it would end up being a part of her life twenty years later.
Jordan Rosenthal
As a mixed media artist who specializes in custom commissions her art includes portraits, landscapes and conceptual art such as music, media, and movie inspired pieces. Her artistic inspiration comes from real life experiences, deep emotion, transition, and culture: both her own and others. As an Indigenous and Latina woman, Raven cherishes her hardships just as much as the success that comes after.
Jordan Rosenthal is originally from Philadelphia but moved to Las Vegas when he was 11. He is a 4th generation drummer - his dad, grandfather and great grandfather were also drummers.
Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Raven now calls Northern Nevada home. She felt, artistically, it would be a great experience for her to reside in Nevada. Lake Tahoe provides something magical for her soul that keeps her here.
As a professional drummer, producer and sound engineer, Jordan typically focuses on Reggae, Dub, Psychedelic and Groove music. And, he was the drummer for the well known band Fortunate Youth until a tragedy brought him home. He loves playing anywhere and everywhere and you can see this on his face when he is drumming.
Raven rotates her artwork in various galleries, locally and nationally. She currently has pieces showcasing in Cle’Elum, WA.
Dub Drums
Cannabis does play a part in his creativity and allows him to see things in a different perspective. His favorite strain lately is Garlic Cookies. The release of Plant a Seed from Dub Drums debuted at #1 on the iTunes Reggae charts. The album is available for download on all digital media outlets. Check out Jordan on his Dub Drums YouTube channel. You can also follow Dub Drums on FB @Dub Drums!
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Check out her art at ravenbirdart.com and follow her on social media: IG @ravenbirdart and FB @RavenBirdArt
V/T/A
Vincenzo Thomas Amato Vincenzo Thomas Amato was born in Los Angeles and moved to the Reno/Tahoe area when he was 3. After moving back to Los Angeles for a while to pursue music, he now resides in Reno and loves the active lifestyle of the area. He appreciates the sense of community that Reno and Tahoe has always had.
John Benko BENKO ART GALLERY
John Benko is a contemporary artist who lives and works in South Lake Tahoe. His work can be identified by his use of colorful backgrounds overlaid with highly stylized tight line work. John was classically trained in art school at Kent State University in Ohio and then went on to start his own graphic design / T-shirt printing business before moving to San Francisco to paint full time. Benko’s style quickly developed along with his reputation as a “Live Painter” in the San Francisco music scene. Inspired by all things psychedelic, Benko specializes in colorful, stylized, art with a tie to nature. His training in many mediums makes him a versatile artist with the capability of accepting commissions of a wide variety. As the owner of the Benko Art Gallery which opened in 2016, John is on the lookout for up and coming local artists who, “in his eye”, are the new trendsetters of today’s Art World.
Musically, Vincenzo tried to touch base with all genres of music including Rock, Reggae, Folk, Punk, and Funk. Growing up in a musical family, he was lucky enough to grow up with music all around him. His father, Tommy Amato managed Wayne Newton for 20 years and he also played bass and trumpet for Wayne. Vincenzo’s grandmother was a piano player and that was the first instrument heI learned to play. Growing up in Reno, being a long haired rocker, his sister eventually turned him on to The Grateful Dead & Bob Marley. In 1996, Amato attended the Musicians Institute in Hollywood and founded the band Super J. Then, in 2003 he branched out to embark on his solo project: V/T/A. He has been blessed to share the stage with prominent bands such as Scott Page of Pink Floyd, Fredo Ortiz of the Beastie Boys, Rashawn Ross of the Dave Matthews Band, and Robby Krieger of The Doors, just to name a few. Cannabis plays a major part in your Vincenzo’s creativity. He enjoys cannabis every hour on the hour and believes that it helps him focus and be creative. Check out Vincenzo online at VTA420.com where you can download and stream all his videos and music for free. You can also follow him on IG @VTA420
The Benko Art Gallery showcases modern/contemporary art with a tie to nature. They showcase mainly local artists and currently feature nearly 50 different artists which lends to great diversity and inspiration of styles and mediums, including ceramics, paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry and much more. Benko and his gallery team are open to view any artists' body of work for future art shows and will provide feedback and help with pricing and all other things related to exhibiting art at the gallery. The Benko Art Gallery often hosts Live Music and Live Art events on weekends. Check them out online at BenkoArtGallery. com and follow them on social media: FB @BenkoArtGallery and IG @benkoartgalleryofficial
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BY curt robbins
>>>>>>> Learning the Endocannabinoid System Sunil Pai, MD Interview
This article is the second in a series of interviews with a licensed clinical practitioner regarding the central role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in human health. This installment covers the wellness benefits of less common varin phytomolecules, such as CBDV and THCV, introduces the theory of endocannabinoid deficiency, and explores the efficacy of cannabinoids like CBD for dogs and cats. Sunil Pai, MD is an internationally recognized expert in integrative medicine based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and author of the critically acclaimed 2016 book An Inflammation Nation. He is a lecturer and a contributing author to medical textbooks and scientific journals. Pai is a practicing doctor who combines an evidence-based approach with 20 years of clinical experience. Each year, he educates thousands of physicians and medical professionals about the nuanced biochemistry involved in the administration of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes for the treatment of a variety of disease states and conditions. Curt Robbins: Thanks for taking time from your clinical schedule, Dr. Pai. In this installment, let’s cover the relationship between the ECS and the immune system, with a focus on how a healthy ECS affects immune function and disease states. Sunil Pai, MD: The ECS is one of the self regulatory systems of the immune system. The goal is to demonstrate a healthy ECS response. However, with the rise of chronic diseases due to a variety of dietary, lifestyle, and environmental factors, many have a dysfunctional ECS. This leads to a decreased ability to self-regulate certain aspects of their immune system that are involved in bodily systems such as the regulation of inflammation and digestion, mood and memory, and direct physiological responses such as repairing tissue mechanisms and defense against infections. The goal of establishing and maintaining a healthy ECS, via a healthy lifestyle, is key. Those who enjoy a relatively balanced ECS experience something called homeostasis. The majority, who lack homeostasis, often benefit significantly from the use of cannabis or hemp. I want to emphasize that, although use of plant medicines such as hemp is important, it is only a part of the overall actions that one can take to balance their immune system. In fact, when one leads a healthier lifestyle, the need for cannabis and hemp medicine is actually decreased. Also, homeostasis involves maximum benefit from relatively small maintenance doses (which also involve the least expense, an important issue for many patients, especially those on a fixed income).
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CR: Several phytomolecules other than cannabidiol (CBD) and
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have been revealed, via a wealth of peer-reviewed research studies, to provide wellness benefits. Among these are varin cannabinoids like CBDV, CBGV, and THCV. Why are the varin analogs of cannabinoids appealing to clinical practitioners like yourself? SP: The volume of new research regarding the other cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp provides information about use of different cannabinoid analogs for targeting specific physiological responses or particular mechanisms of relief. This allows clinical practitioners, over time, to utilize these plant medicines to treat specific health conditions—as opposed to an inferior broad-based support approach. Most research today remains limited to petri dishes or animals, unfortunately, but it provides us with solid guidance and direction for future research efforts. CBDV, or cannabidivarin, is non-psychoactive. Early data suggests that CBDV may be useful in the treatment of epilepsy, nausea, Rett Syndrome, Fragile X, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Unfortunately, a recent placebo-controlled human trial conducted by a pharmaceutical company failed to demonstrate benefits. However, this might be due to the use of high-dose CBDV and the lack of other balancing cannabinoids that some believe are involved in an ‘entourage effect’ involving enhanced efficacy. CBGV, or cannabigerovarin, is also non-psychoactive and has demonstrated promise for use with inflammation-based conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia, including skin conditions. Research suggests that CBGV might enhance the effects of THC because it may help the infamous cannabinoid to bind more effectively to cellular ECS receptors found throughout the body, including in the brain and bones. Additionally, CBGV may help improve the bioavailability of CBD and, thus, provide a physiological boost for this cannabinoid (and perhaps others). Products that feature more CBGV may help improve the THC response from cannabis and the CBD response from hemp. Unlike most varin cannabinoids, THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, is mildly psychoactive at low doses and sometimes more psychoactive than its cousin THC at potent doses. It has demonstrated benefits for improving alertness and alleviating depression. This special cannabinoid may also reduce pain through analgesia, regulate blood glucose, suppress appetite—of value with eating disorders and diabetes—reduce panic attacks from social anxiety and PTSD, and contribute to bone health...both slowing degeneration and stimulating regeneration. THCV has also been shown to help in treatment of the neurological, cognitive, and motor control symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
After clinicians and patients better understand the roles of these analogs, they can choose cannabis strains, blends, and products that achieve better targeted results for particular health conditions and needs. I recommend that clinicians and patients carefully review the cannabinoid profile from cannabis or hemp products for which they are considering consumption by checking the Certificate of Analysis, or COA. A COA should be provided by either the legal retail dispensary or the licensed manufacturer, depending on the jurisdiction. If a dispensary or manufacturer cannot provide a COA, I recommend avoiding their products. In cases lacking a COA, consumers and patients must rely on marketing and sales tactics versus actual ingredient lists and relative ratios. Because there is no overarching federal regulation governing how these products are formulated and manufactured, a great deal of variance exists in the market with respect to their potency, purity, and safety. CR: The theory of endocannabinoid deficiency suggests that an ECS that is deficient in cannabinoids loses balance, a state called homeostasis, and that a lack of homeostasis often results in a variety of disease states or other health vulnerabilities. What is your opinion of the relationship between ECS health and potential disease states resulting from a lack of homeostasis? SP: Probably most people have an endocannabinoid deficiency at some level. Disease is the loss of homeostasis within the overall body, on different levels, due to physiological, anatomical, immunological, biochemical, and even spiritual causes. Most modern humans are not as healthy as in times past, in my opinion. I cover this topic in detail in my book An Inflammation Nation. Avenues of improvement for the average North American include the Standard American Diet (SAD) and lifestyle, avoidance or removal of environmental toxins, avoidance or removal of infections resulting from bacteria, virus, or parasites, and decreased stress—to name only a few. When humans develop deficiency-related conditions, this state often leads to additional inflammation-based conditions or symptoms. This, in turn, creates a downward spiral. Put simply, immune dysfunction leads to the body’s inability to fight, fix, and repair. The ECS plays a major role in the healing process. When the body is healthy, ECS receptors do not need to be as active and exist in more of a resting state. When the body is diseased and seeking homeostasis, CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS are in an active state. However, the overall health of the body is what most influences the effectiveness of any ECS response. CR: Dozens of companies offer hemp-based products for pets such as dogs and cats. How do these mammals benefit from cannabinoids like CBD and THC? SP: All mammals have an ECS. This means that cannabinoids such as CBD may play an important role in the treatment of certain ailments in dogs and cats. For example, benefits may be pronounced in breeds of dogs that are prone to diseases such as hip arthritis. The available research on CBD for pets has demonstrated benefits for asthma, arthritis, anxiety, seizures, and cancer. In my practice, I have many patients who have used
CBD from hemp, a broad spectrum featuring zero THC, for their pets who have reported great results. One must remember that animals are more sensitive to CBD due to differences in number of receptors and lower weight and size compared to humans. I tend to recommend starting with the lowest possible amount based on a particular pet’s weight. As in pediatrics, pet owners should employ very low doses of cannabinoids such as CBD based on the pet’s weight. Products that allow pet owners to calculate and dose according to body weight, such as tinctures, are of obvious value. I don’t recommend the use of THC products for animals unless given under direction of a veterinarian. Dogs and cats feature different metabolic processes and are, in some cases, extremely sensitive, both via the consumption avenues of inhalation and ingestion. THC can actually be dangerous for many pet breeds. Sadly, pet deaths have resulted from ingestion of medical-grade, high-potency THC products. Again, THC may be helpful in certain use case scenarios, but proper veterinarian guidance should always be obtained. There’s just as much interest in the marketplace for cannabis and hemp products for pets as there is for humans. Many pet products, like human nutritional supplements, are relatively unregulated. Often, brands employ lower quality cannabis or hemp and other herbal ingredients, including fillers, flavors, and animal by-products, especially in snack treats. I recommend extreme caution and thorough investigation when it comes to pet products. Again, I tell my patients and colleagues to always seek a COA from a certified laboratory prior to using a product for pets or humans.
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Cool Stuff for Stoners Ganja Goddess Boutique Resin Coaster Set Verano Barrett Keithley Collab Batteries Verano is working with local Chicago medical cannabis patient and street artist Barrett Keithley to produce an artist series of custom painted vape batteries. This is the first of Verano's bi-monthly artist partnerships. Ask your local dispensary if they carry these cool vape batteries.
Made with love and resin, this unique coaster set is custom made by Ganja Goddess Boutique. Visit the store on Instagram and check out the other resinbased products offered such as rolling trays, joint holders and more. $45.00 Instagram: @ganjagoddessboutique
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23Vitals Ultimate Immune Solution Appalachian Standard Pre-Roll Flights These super sleek and sexy slider tins are packed with a flight of four, 1/2 gram hemp pre-rolls. Tins are filled with either indica dominant or sativa dominant strains. Check out the website for available strains. $25.00 apphemp.com
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By Stephanie Shehan Photos By Backstage Flash
>>>
Bringing Hemp TO THE MUSICAL MAINSTREAM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Morris Beegle & Silver Mountain Hemp aised on a farm in Colorado, Morris Beegle tried cannabis recreationally as a teen. Fast forward to 2001 when Beegle endured back surgery to correct a herniated disk in his back and was given a multitude of prescriptions for pain pills. Quickly, he found himself ingesting the pharmaceuticals along with alcohol. The self medicating would continue for several years, until Beegle transitioned to utilizing only cannabis to treat his pain. With more relief being provided by the plant than he ever experienced with pharmaceuticals, Beegle now uses various CBD products daily and smokes cannabis as needed. Morris Beegle is a pioneer in the hemp industry and has been developing brands within the hemp space since 2012. His work includes co-founding a handful of brands under his We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA) company. WAFBA includes NoCo Hemp Expo which has been deemed the largest annual hemp expo in the world. In addition to the expo, WAFBA also includes the Colorado Hemp Company which handles event production, Let’s Talk Hemp which is an education and media platform, Tree Free Hemp which handles hemp
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paper and printing and now, Silver Mountain Hemp Guitars. Prior to working within the hemp space, Beegle worked in entertainment and also owned a record company. As an avid music enthusiast, hemp guitars was a natural next venture for him. After locating a Canadian company which had supplied a few hemp guitar prototypes, Beegle decided to partner with them and establish Silver Mountain Hemp. With manufacturing in both the United States and Canada, Silver Mountain Hemp is a boutique musical instrument company that specializes in custom hemp guitars, combo amps and speaker cabinets. The company also produces hemp ukuleles, guitar straps made with 100% hemp webbing, picks and accessories. And, the custom cabinets are formed using hemp-pressed CannaGrove particle board and contain hemp cone speakers from Tone Tubby, a California company that has been making these speakers for over 20 years. For more information about Morris Beegle, visit morrisbeegle.com. For more information about Silver Mountain Hemp, visit silvermountainhemp.com.
Art & Cannabis >>>>> with Ryan Clemens By Justin Beckelman
This reconnection is special, especially in the cannabis world. A few years back, I followed Ryan Clemens and the birth of Different Strokes Design. It was 2015 and I was curious what he was doing at the ribbon cutting of Thrive Cannabis Marketplace in Las Vegas. To go further back, his brother and I were in the same 3rd grade class at an elementary school called Marion B Earl. What a small world.. I knew that Ryan's talents and art would someday be seen across the West Coast but I never thought I would see it inside of a cannabis dispensary. That's when my attention was focused straight towards him, his vision and dedication towards the cannabis industry. Justin Beckelman: Ryan my brother, it's been a long time, over 20 years to be exact, what is new? Ryan Clemens: JBizzle! Good to hear from you old friend, alot is happening, besides having two beautiful twins last month, my life has been full of diapers, laughter and crying. My wife and I have been busy learning how to be parents and trying our best to provide our children with the healthiest life possible. It certainly has given me motivation to grow and succeed in the cannabis industry. I own a business
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called Different Strokes Design that specializes in hand painted signs and murals for businesses and store fronts. I also do custom canvas paintings upon request. Much of my work can be found in Downtown Las Vegas and at many notable businesses such as schools, bars, restaurants and dispensaries. Justin: How did you get into mural and sign work? Ryan: I started painting signs and murals about 15 years ago when I started a job at Larger Than Life where we did sign work and murals and focused mainly on MME mats, for companies such as the UFC. We painted brand logos on the mats. Prior to working at LTL, I had no experience with painting, but I caught on fast and became one of their best employees, quickly making my way into management after a few years. Justin: When did you start Different Strokes Design? Ryan: I started Different Strokes Designs in the beginning of 2013. I left LTL to pursue my passion in art and try to grow my own business. I still talk to the owner of LTL today and whenever I get a job that may be too much for me to handle on my own, I refer the customer to LTL.
Justin: How did you get into the cannabis industry? Ryan: I began working in the cannabis industry when Nevada went medical back in 2015. I worked for Thrive Dispensary as a budtender while the cultivation was being built. I was referred to Thrive who was looking to get their logo painted in the two stores they were opening. During that time I got to know the owner and operators pretty well and told them about my passion for cannabis and how I wanted to get into growing and soon enough they offered me a job at the soon to be cultivation. Justin: When were you transferred to the cultivation? Ryan: I was transferred to the cultivation in December 2015. I started as a Cultivation Associate and advanced much like I did in the dispensary and quickly became Garden Manager. I worked there until
December 2018 when I left to take a job with another company. Justin: When did you start the mural logo art for Thrive Cannabis Marketplace? Ryan: I started hand painting one of the Thrive murals in January of 2015 and since it was for two locations, I finished both stores shortly after I started. I currently just finished the new Cactus Avenue location on the corner of Valley View Boulevard in September, they are planning their grand opening this month. It didn't take long for them to see my passion and work ethic before hiring me to hand paint the dispensary. Justin: Where are you working now? Ryan: I am currently the Inventory and Operations Manager for Franklin Bioscience NV. We are a multi
level 100% LED cultivation with a production and manufacturing license as well. We were just purchased by Jushi who is a multi-state operator with licensing in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, and Nevada. We are a fast growing company with great potential and even greater plans for this booming industry. We are launching two new brands called The Bank Flower for genetics and The Lab for all of our concentrates and edibles. We expect them to launch in Nevada and in our other four partnering states by the beginning of 2021. Justin: What is your favorite cannabis strain? Ryan: I appreciate all different types of strains. They all have their unique qualities that I enjoy. It's hard for me to choose just one as a favorite. I like to enjoy an uplifting sativa while I'm out on a hike or enjoying frisbee golf. Other times, a heavy indica at home while relaxing after a long day at work. I mainly look for a nice terpene profile paired with a strong scent when choosing flower to purchase. I always say “the nose knows.� Justin: Do you still do murals and sign work? Ryan: I still run DSD in my free time. I'm very blessed to have two jobs that I'm very passionate about. Cannabis and art are two things that have always made sense and I'm very lucky to have the opportunity to be able to do them both legally for a living. This is a very exciting time in cannabis and I believe that it is only going to get better for local artists and entrepreneurs like myself.
Original Thrive logo and designs created by Victoria Hart of Pink Kitty Creative
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The Harvest Foundation Las Vegas Cannabis, Music, Activism >>>
ur entire staff is made up of black people and other minorities, and not that we wish to segregate ourselves, we just hope to provide an example and business model as well as dispel any stereotypes about the ability of black people to operate and thrive in a legal cannabis industry.” It’s no secret that the war on drugs was a war on black and brown people. American history can’t hide it because like Jay-Z says: “men lie, women lie, numbers don’t”: >>> The American criminal justice system holds almost 2.3 million people in prison. >>> Cannabis arrests across America make up 43% of all drug arrests, that’s more than any other drug. >>> 5% of illicit drug users are African American, yet African Americans represent 29% of those arrested and 33% of those incarcerated for drug offenses.
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By Veronica Castillo educate, and elevate the culture of black people in Cannabis by providing a blueprint of branding, execution, professionalism, and profitability that others can replicate and create more ownership opportunities”. As I toured their facility, which just celebrated a 6-month milestone: revamping of the facility, staff, practices, and genetics; I was able to experience their passion to inspire, educate, and build. The Vegas Botany grow team, led by Director of Cultivation, Dyran Stalling and Assistant Director of Cultivation, Eddie Petro are so full of insight, information, and passion. It felt like I stepped into the grow rooms with them and saw all the plants turn to them to say hi. Like, they stood up, faced their growers, and sent their terpenes into the air as their way to say hello. When Dyran and Eddie talked about the plants, when they discussed genetics, when they provided insight on the nutrients used- it was like listening to the plants themselves. These guys love those plants and those plants love them back; that energy and love is felt in the inhales.
>>> The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a report that says black people are 3 times more likely than white people to get arrested for Cannabis possession in Nevada.
It wasn’t just the grow team though- everyone in the facility had an energy and a passion that jumped out of their hearts and into the conversation.
With figures like these and a clear agenda to keep black people down and out, it was amazing for me to visit and chat with the grow team at Harvest Foundation Las Vegas- Vegas Botany. While I travel the country exploring cannabis, it’s extremely important for me to meet with black and brown people in the industry.
The Harvest Foundation Team:
About the Harvest Foundation Las Vegas The Harvest Foundation is one of three black owned and operated cultivation facilities in the state of Nevada, and has been operating since 2015 in both medical and retail cannabis markets. The Harvest Foundation is a small staff, boutique craft cannabis producer, that prides themselves on the ethical practices used in producing cannabis:
Compliance Coordinator: Asia Duncan
“We believe in providing an experience for the consumers of our products. Each batch is crafted with love and care to ensure that every bag or jar embodies the 4 elements of the cannabis experience: smell, bag appeal, break down, and most importantly- taste. Our aspirations are to inspire,
Post Production Specialist: Shan Diaz
License holders: Donnie Burton and Larry Lemons Director and Assistant Director of Cultivation: Dyran Stalling and Eddie Petro
Propagation Manager: Darneisha Siggers Inventory/Post Production Manager: Kevin Flower Sales/Brand Ambassador: Arielle Jackson
Exclusive Genetics The cultivation facility has five flowering rooms, and though they grow traditional strains, I am told that the Harvest
Photo @nextgreenwave Foundation likes to create their own splashes and waves by cultivating their genetics, bred in house by the Vegas Botany grow team: Golden Nectar: An overload of orange and tangerine flavors and aromas backed with honey sweet OG undertones. DosiFire: Sweet and sour with some fruity gas. It’s a resinous hybrid with a complex and nuanced flavor-profile to match its well-rounded mind and body effect. Fukka OG: “All Gas No Brakes” experience. A potent crossing of Diesel Fire and Face Off OG. A must have for OG fanatics looking for a next level experience with fuel flavors. These strains can be found under their brand, Area 51. A brand created and launched by The Harvest Foundation Las Vegas which offers flower and pre rolls, with plans to add more products: “We are looking to do some collabs in the near future with a few productions to release concentrated Harvest Foundation brand products. Our genetic library is vast and some of the things we will be releasing soon consist of strains like: Fucka OG, Chem OG, DosiFire, Golden Nectar, Shirley, Headband hashplant, Black Sunshine, and White Runtz to name a few.” The Harvest Foundation Activism and The Arts The Vegas Botany Grow team is very active in the cannabis community. Their social media shows them at community meetings, being a voice, and pushing for better legislation. “We have and will continue to support groups like Norml because it’s extremely important to us to push for legislative change. As personal victims of the war on drugs, we love to see the legalization but make no
mistake, we believe in decriminalization of cannabis and that no one should ever be jailed for this plant.” Full of magic transferred to the plants, Director of Cultivation, Dyran, is also connected to the art of music. He is the cofounder of Money City Management Group, a black owned and established music management company: “Money City Management Group is here to provide creative, artist friendly management strategies, to help empower artists. We believe everyone is their own brand and only you should own you. We collaborate and work with various artists covering all genres of music.” There are two artists signed to Money City. Ire Williams is a talented wordsmith from Chicago with a witty play on words, baritone with a bit of raspiness, and lyrics on subject matters that make him a must listen. And Big Dahl, this man is a born performer. He has a soulful sound and heartfelt melodies that give chills. Final Thoughts When I asked the team of growers at Vegas Botany, what it feels like to be one of only a few black owned businesses in cannabis, their response was: “It is a gift and curse. Cannabis, like many other industries in America, has a race disparity when it comes to ownership and operation. On one hand you feel blessed that you are a rarity but on the other, there’s disappointment. This happens when we meet and encounter other black people who are equally talented, but will never get the opportunity. Things like lack of capital and/or various qualifications are created with the intent of marginalizing the ownership pool.” When I am able to sit with black and brown people in this industry, I look at bravery, representation of beating the odds, the sight of hard work, and the hope that one day, the industry won’t be so muddy, allowing fairness the opportunity to shine. REFERENCES: reviewjournal.com/crime/aclu-report-highlights-racedisparity-in-nevada-pot-related-arrests-2010818/, naacp.org/criminaljustice-fact-sheet/, pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/01/22/four-in-ten-u-sdrug-arrests-in-2018-were-for-marijuana-offenses-mostly-possession
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WHAT’S GOOD IN
NEVADA
BILL
CURATED BY Bill Shehan with assistance from
SHWA
Shwa Laytart
JENN
Jenn Zenn
JBIZ
Justin Beckelman
Dispensaries KABUNKY #9 Shatter
BILL
When I opened Kabunky’s black plastic shatter sleeve expecting to see a firm, stable shatter, I was pleased to unveil an upgrade in the form of sugar. At first glance, you might be disappointed and unhappy that it's not the same consistent Kabunky shatter you're used to. You might even feel frustrated to see precious oil soaking all into the paper. Don't trip, just get an empty glass or silicone container and transfer it over using a dab tool. Make sure to scrape it all up, and prepare yourself a generous saucy dab. After you take that hit, your anxiety and stress should split. Credit the immense amount of caryophyllene for the chill feeling you get. #9 Sugar Shatter is the shit.
THC- 73.6% Caryophyllene- 20.2mg/g Limonene- 13.1mg/g Myrcene- 9.0mg/g Humulene- 7.3mg/g
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KABUNKY Wedding Cake Shatter FARM DIRECT Blue Dream PreGround Flower & Papers
BILL
How convenient to have a nifty, little packet of ground up flower and some rolling papers to twist up a quick spliff. Nevada Made and Farm Direct makes it simple to roll one up. You can even do it in your car if you're not scared.. Throw this Vegas Cannabis Magazine on your lap as your rolling tray, and handle your business. If you're in the driver’s seat, though, I suggest you stop the car first. Spark it up, and blow dreamy, blue clouds, baby!
THC- 14.28% Caryophyllene- 2.30mg/g Pinene(a+b)- 2.20mg/g Myrcene- 1.31mg/g Humulene- 0.86mg/g
SHWA
If you have friends who are getting married this fall, be an exceptional life-companion and hook them up with Kabunky’s Wedding Cake Shatter. Like peering through a golden looking-glass, they will see all their future dreams come true. Just make sure they dab this shatter after they say I do, otherwise who knows where they might wander off to. Get ‘em to the church on time, then rub this wedding cake in their face. Like a true friend should.
THC- 70.6% Caryophyllene- 16.3mg/g Limonene- 9.8mg/g Linalool- 5.8mg/g Humulene- 5.6mg/g Myrcene- 5.5mg/g Bisabolol- 2.1mg/g
PRODUCTS SHWA SHWA
JENN
SOL Forbidden Fruit
So many things these days seem to be forbidden- human contact, maskless meanderings and hanging out in social venues, to name a few. However, this indica-dominant strain (while bearing the Forbidden Fruit name) offers an accessible relaxation, mental chill and a laidback free fall into bliss for everyone to enjoy! Musky, cherry undertones and an exotic fruit flavor profile meld nicely with a linalool and myrcene rich terpene experience to help you forget the chaotic times we’re living in.
THC- 11.23% Myrcene- 2.8mg/g Caryophyllene- 1.7mg/g Limonene- 1.1mg/g Linalool- 0.7mg/g
SOL Jack Herer
SOL Pineapple Jalapeño w/Jack Herer Strain Specific Gummies
I never had a chance to meet Jack Herer personally, although I was able to be in the same smoke-filled room as him on a number of occasions. Herer is a cannabis legend and we all owe a debt to the work he did to bring awareness to all the uses of the plant, as well as its cousin hemp, and fought endlessly so that we can (for the most part) smoke pot without the constant paranoia of being bashed in the head and arrested. There’s still plenty of work to be done to right all the wrongs the drug war has inflicted, but thanks to Jack Herer, we can push forward; a little more stoned and with a couple kilos of hope in our back pocket. His strain kicks-ass too.
THC- 13.15% Myrcene- 3.3mg/g Caryophyllene- 2.8mg/g Limonene- 1.4mg/g Bisabolol- 0.7mg/g
In the 18th Century, Europeans were so fascinated with the pineapple, it became a symbol of hospitality. A special give brought to hosts, and one deliciously prepared for guests. The jalapeno, also known as the chile gordo (fat pepper), was used by the Aztecs in their foods and drinks. SoL Cannabis, the sun grown in organic soil brand, has combined these two exotic classic flavors into a strain specific (Jack Herer) gummy. These gummies taste like a pool party luau. The BBQ where you end up roasted. Sweet pineapple with a sour and spicy finish, these golden chewy gummy coins are a fantastic flavor combination.
Servings- 10 Total THC- 99mg THC/Serving- 9.9mg
GREEN LIFE PRODUCTIONS Purple Cough SHWA
OMG THC Skywalker Afghani Hash
I’m old enough to be able to say that I saw Star Wars when it first came out, from inside a car at a drive-in movie theater. I’m also old enough to say that I’ve smoked Afghani hash that was smuggled back in a shoe by a college student returning from Amsterdam- when you didn’t have to take off your shoes to get on an airplane. My point here is that I’m old enough to have seen the real-deal and let me tell you OMG THC Afghani Hash is the real deal. And Skywalker has me feeling like I’m at a drive-in theater just looking out my window.
THC- 44.619% CBN- 0.460% cis-Nerolidol- 3.86mg/g Bisabolol- 0.99mg/g
CBG- 0.753% CBD- 0.150% Caryophyllene- 2.58mg/g
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These nugs are as photogenic as they are satisfying. It hurts me to break it up to consume. Look how wild and abundant the stigmata dominates the photo. It reminds me of GLP’s CBD-heavy strain, Fire Angel. Somehow they must be distant relatives. Once you get Purple Cough in your lungs though, there is no comparison. It will get most of you high on the first hit. I need a few more rips before I quit. I love this shit. Thank you Green Life Productions for producing such a glorious specimen of cannabis to brighten our day. This is the good life, the Green Life.
THC- 21.923% Myrcene- 3.796mg/g Limonene- 2.319mg/g Ocimene- 1.854mg/g a-Pinene- 1.666mg/g
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TRYKE Khalifa Kush Live Resin Badder
JENN
OMG THC White Cheddar Afghani Hash
Quiet your mind and ease your body into a relaxed state with this caryophyllene and nerolidol heavy indica-dominant hybrid. A cross of Cheese x Super Skunk x Afghani, White Cheese produces a powerful CBG cannabinoid pain-relieving punch. Stressed? Depressed or feeling drained? Let this peppery strain mollify your mind like so much melted cheese. Mmmm...
THC- 45.940% CBG- 1.038% CBN- 0.977% CBD- 0.569% cis-Nerolidol- 3.12mg/g Caryophyllene- 2.27mg/g Linalool- 0.74mg/g
What a beautiful product. Khalifa Kush Live Resin sauce has a wet, sugary texture, and a sweet seductive fragrance. I fell in love with it at first whiff. And it should last a while because it doesn't take much to satisfy even the largest lungs. Sit back and relax your brain and body. Beam me up Scotty (ghem ghem, I mean Wiz).This sauce is the biz.
This is something special. Khalifa Kush Badder smells, tastes, and feels amazing, but it's extremely medicinal, boasting over 6% of myrcene and nearly 2% of limonene. Proceed with caution, or you'll wake up tomorrow wondering who raided the fridge. This badder put me in zombie-mode, and gave me quite an appetite. It will also numb your body, alleviating your nagging pains. Enjoy this experience. It's fucking splendid. This is one of my favorite concentrates this year.
THC- 72.5% Myrcene- 24.34mg/g Limonene- 10.39mg/g Linalool- 7.49mg/g CBD- 0.84mg
THC- 67.1% Myrcene- 44.60mg/g Limonene- 19.64mg/g Linalool- 5.24mg/g CBD- 0.74mg
TRYKE Khalifa Kush Live Resin Sauce
JBIZ
VERANO Sonny G
Rise n' shine to this uplifting strain. That neon green look of (G6 Jet Fuel x Tangie) is exactly what I need to kickstart my day and stay focused throughout the morning with no sleepy crash! The flavor is a firestarter.. makes me wanna bust a flow like Bill the OG: Son, If I ain't got Sunny D up my sleeve, then I’ll be smokin' the Sonny G. Not Cardi B, or even Master P got anything on me, I'm J to the B from the city that never sleeps.
THC- 21.7% Myrcene- 6mg/g Caryophyllene: 2.7mg/g Pinene: 2.2mg/g
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REMEDY Krusty Burger
I couldn't wait to experience this strain as soon as I saw it on the Silver Sage Wellness Flower Menu. That's such an obnoxious and ballsy name. I knew it had to be delicious. There is absolutely no myrcene in the lab results, so you should not develop an appetite. In fact, since limonene is the top terpene, you should suppress any hungry tendencies. I felt a burst of energy and couldn't sit still. This is the herb that defies the slow, lackadaisical reputation typically exemplified by Mary Jane. It's not what you expect. It's Spongebob’s remedy for the Krabby Patty! Remedy is our daddy. Flip up a Krusty Burger fatty.
THC- 19.75% Limonene- 2.09mg/g Caryophyllene- 1.88mg/g Humulene- 0.57mg/g
SHWA
REMEDY Strawlemon Sorbet Sky Resin Sugar
With its frosty, airy texture and sweet aromatic summer aroma, I can see why they call this, sorbet. Remedy’s Strawlemon Sorbet Sky Resin Sugar crumbles like a delicate meringue and melts in your mouth just the same. The limonene shines brightly and your mouth will continue to water long after you exhale. Let this be your after dinner dessert because nothing tops a delicious dinner like a dab of Remedy’s Strawberry Sorbet.
THC- 77.067% Limonene- 6.82mg/g Caryophyllene- 3.09mg/g Myrcene- 2.56mg/g
PRODUCTS REMEDY NYC Diesel
SHWA
If there was a Nug Of The Month Club I would give my vote to Remedy’s NYC Diesel, I don’t think I would even need to try anything else. Some of the fattest, funkiest buds I’ve had the pleasure to smoke all month long. Crystals cover these bright amberhaired nugs like a snow covered forest fire. NYC Diesel is pure fire! I’m just going to chop off a small piece and add it to everything else I’m smoking, like saffron seasoning- this flower is special.
THC- 23.25% Myrcene- 9.47mg/g Limonene- 5.70mg/g Caryophyllene- 3.01mg/g
Similar in look and texture to Remedy’s Strawberry Sorbet, Gamma Glue Sky Resin Sugar has a peppery, sweet clove flavor due to its high content of the terpene caryophyllene, which also adds to the anti-inflammatory effect this sugar produces. Gamma Glue has that fat, heady feeling- we’ll just call it Gluey. When your day discharges far too early and by sundown, you're a greasy train wreck, a dab of Remedy Gamma Glue Sky Resin Sugar will have you back on track and ready to run the rails another day. Gamma Glue helps you hold it all together. It’s definitely helping me...
THC- 77.873% Caryophyllene- 15.01mg/g Limonene- 11.06mg/g Myrcene- 8.04mg/g
REMEDY Half Baked Cookies Live Resin Diamond Sauce
What a feeling. Whooowee! Shit, I'm twisted and fired up! Having a product with this specific entourage of terpenes leads me to the conclusion that I don't need much, if any, myrcene at all. Half Baked Cookies Live Resin Diamond Sauce will give you a little extra step in your giddy-up, with no coming-down effects. Say buh-bye to your depressing pity party and get some shit done. This energetic, antianxiolytic concentrate will have you smiling and knocking out that honey-do list! What?! Was there something I missed? Why is everyone whistling and twerking while they work? Remedy smirks.
THC- 81.479% Caryophyllene- 18.48mg/g Limonene- 13.87mg/g Linalool- 10.91mg/g
SHWA
REMEDY Gamma Glue Sky Resin Sugar
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By: HOPPER
TWTI: THE DANK DUCHESS
The Dank Duchess is a bona fide cannalebrity who generously uses her clout to teach others how to make their own cannabis concentrates on YouTube and Instagram. We linked up while she was in town teaching a sold out three-day hashmaking clinic, and headed over to the Phresh Harvest facility where we had a great time talking hash as the smoke from her signature bedazzled chillum joined the laughter and music in the air to create a truly epic evening. I’m so stoked to get to share the experience with you. Hopper: Thanks so much for taking time to talk to me. Our readers are gonna be super stoked to hear from you, so let’s jump right in. You studied under Frenchy Cannoli. How did that come about?
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Duchess: Thank you for having me! In June 2014 I came to California to look for an apartment, get my medical card, and to go to a Cup, the 2014 High Times
Cup in Sonoma County. I was really big into dabs, I was dabbing all over the place with no care about what I was dabbing. I saw this booth, and it was so busy I knew there had to be the best dabs over there. So I muscled my way to the front, and was very disappointed to see all these lumps of chocolate, not the golden dabs I was looking for. A little man goes, “This is not chocolate. This is hashish.” I was like, well can you dab it? He said, “But of course!” So I dabbed it and took a picture with the guy. Then the next month I moved from Miami to Oakland, and went to a Hempcon a month after that after looking for a job for weeks. Basically, the lifestyle I had in Florida made people feel like I didn’t want to start off as a budtender, but I felt like that was the best way that I could understand the industry. Even though I’d been growing for ten years in Florida, I didn’t know anything. I wasn’t too arrogant to feel like I shouldn’t start from the beginning, but no one was giving me a chance. So I went to this cup feeling kind of down, but knowing I could network there, and I saw the little French guy. He was fussing at someone with so much passion, and I was like, this is my kinda guy! A couple days later, we went out to coffee and found out that in the 90s we’d both been web designers. He went on to do purse design in Japan, and I went on to do landscape architecture
in Miami. We had a lot in common, it was a good conversation. A couple days later he offered me a position writing for Weed World Magazine about hashish. I totally jumped at it, but I didn’t know a single thing about hash. In order to write about hash with any authenticity, you need to know how to make it. I was not, in any way, overjoyed about that. I had come to California to grow weed and do cannabis media. But on September 10th, 2014, I made hash for the first time. From then on I was like, this is what I do. I’m a hashmaker. Hopper: Who else has influenced you as a hashmaker? Duchess: I’ve been influenced by Brandon Thergen and Nikka T. Bobby Colada in Barcelona has been a very big influence. Blue Ice Tech out of Barcelona and Tony Lazura. Hopper: What is your number one rule for hashmaking? Duchess: Have the right cultivar. The second one would be, be cold. Hopper: Those are the two big ones right there! What’s your favorite micron to work with? Duchess: I don’t isolate my microns... well, I isolate them to a degree, but not really. I plug in the 73 bag, but I do not run a 90 or a 120 in general. So I collect 73 to 159. I don’t add the 45 because it has a funny flavor sometimes, and I don’t add the 150 because it’s too giant. I find that generally for the cultivars that I’m working with, between 73 and 159 is super nice. Of course, sometimes the 120 does not wash as well, so you’ll find yourself maybe topping out at 5 stars. For me, when I find the cultivar that gives me the super, super melty between 73 and 159, I find it has the best flavor overall because it has different types of flavor without the muskiness of the 45.
Hopper: That was my next question. What’s your favorite micron to smoke? Duchess: It’s gonna be 73 to 159. That full body flavor! Hopper: I love how you describe your hashmaking as “an artistic endeavor”. I think a lot of hashmakers don’t get that. It’s a lot more than just following steps. Would you like to speak a little bit on that? Duchess: Sure! I maintain that hashmaking is not a difficult process. There’s nothing particularly difficult about it. There are set steps that, if you’re just going one foot after the other, there are definite steps involved. But you’re not washing down walls or something inanimate. You’re washing a plant that presents differently every single time. You have to be willing to pivot slightly. Maybe the humidity in the room is a little high, maybe it was a little colder yesterday. That’s gonna make it a little bit different. You can’t just go by rote movement. You have to put your heart and soul into each batch to get the best potential out of it.
Duchess: It’s funny that you ask… Hopper: You gonna head out here to Oklahoma? Duchess: I’m certainly circling around the idea of coming out here for a little bit. The 405 is now synonymous with 215. Hopper: People here are excited and passionate about cannabis. It’s so refreshing to see. That’s what creates the culture. At events in California people have this too cool for school attitude. I’m sorry, go ahead…we got kinda off track there.
Hopper: Yes! You have to adapt to each wash. So what was it like being on Bong Appetit?
Duchess: I’m looking to grow within my role at Skunk Magazine. It’s really come full circle, being the managing editor. I’m in charge of the style and flow of how the articles go. I really like that. I like editing because I like putting a little polish on the vast amount of information that people have to give, and making it extra presentable to the public because we can’t wait for the mainstream media to look at cannabis and decide it’s worthy. We have to continue to put out our own publications that really exalt this plant, and come from people who know what they’re talking about. Not people who are here for the money grab.
Duchess: I had a great time with it! I did Bong Appetit first in season 1 with Abdullah, and then season 3 with B Real and Vanessa Lavorato and Chef Miguel. Then of course Too $hort.
Hopper: Exactly! Fuck the corporate takeover. I could go on and on about that, but before we wrap it up do you have any shout outs?
Hopper: I’ve gotta talk about YouTube, because you’re such a big presence there and you share so much info. That’s how I first stumbled across you. I applaud you for what you do there.
Duchess: I always wanna shout out my dear Frenchy Cannoli, and I wanna shout out a couple of women who have pushed me in new directions recently. Alice aka @girlsingreen710. Shout out to Dasheeda Dawson, who is the cannabis control chief person in Portland. Shout out to Mila!
Duchess: Oh goodness, I really need to focus a little more on that. I feel like my subscribers must hate me because I’m always like ‘next week I’m gonna have this…’ and it takes like months. I do appreciate YouTube, I’m always learning something new through it. Yes, I’m a hashmaker. Yes, I’m here in Oklahoma consulting, but I’m all about the education for all. Everything that I teach as a consultant, I’ve given away for free. Whether it’s on YouTube or Instagram. I really push the idea of us growing our own cannabis and making our own concentrates because I really abhor the idea of the government having any say about my wellness. Hopper: Amen! Duchess: I am responsible for myself. I can’t run to anybody and say make my body work better, when I have the tools to make myself healthy. I’m super privileged to have access to cannabis and good cannabis products. If I can realize that that’s to my benefit, then somebody else can benefit from it too. I feel it’s my responsibility to humanity to pass that along. I like to use the quote, “A candle loses nothing by lighting another”.
Hopper: Mila is the queen! Duchess: Much love to Mila. Shout out to Fabulous Cannabis Company who brought me out here to Oklahoma. Shout out really to all the hashmakers, producers, and growers who put their heart into this every single day. Thank you! Hopper: Big shout out to you! It was really nice to get to know you a bit. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other in the future! Thedankduchess.com IG & YouTube: @thedankduchess Follow Hopper: @hopper448 Photo at: @phresh_harvest_405 Photo By: Jay Pax
Hopper: You’re always busy, always working. What’s up next for you?
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Exploring
with Sarah Jane
By: Sarah Jane Woodall aka Wonderhussy A Veg as-based adventuress exploring weird shit in the desert...and beyond
Ever have one of those days where you just want to go home, get baked and forget about how shitty the world can be? Well, I was having one of those days. I had just spent 10 hours on my feet working a trade show exhibit alongside a bunch of stereotypical Vegas bimbos, the most offensive of whom was a particularly nasty silicone-breasted she-devil in a bad wig and fake eyelashes. Smarting from one too many verbal slights, I sullenly stalked the three long miles down Sierra Vista Rd. to the only free parking spot I’d been able to find, and headed eastward down Maryland Parkway to the sanctuary of my home…and vape-induced bliss. But just before turning onto my modest pre-gentrified-downtown-Vegas street, I spotted something out of the corner of my eye: a man whaling gleefully on a piano mounted in the back of a pickup truck at the park down the block from my house, a dog panting cheerfully at his side as a gaggle of derelicts looked on. WHAT?? I remember being so disheartened by my bummer of a day that I almost passed him by in my desperate quest for relief – but my indefatigable sense of wonder jolted me from my self-pity, and made me swing a hard left turn into the parking area next to the pickup. This level of jubilance on a Monday evening in January – at a park frequented solely by the poor and ragged – was astonishing, and I had to find out what was going on! There I was, exhausted both physically and spiritually, yet somehow laughing delightedly and dancing (OK, jerking arrhythmically) to a 100-year-old ragtime classic being banged out from the back of a beater pickup truck by a bald man with a slobbering dog watching over him, to an audience of winos, bums and societal castoffs who had wandered over to hear him play. It was one of the most surreal and perfect displays of Vegas magic I’ve ever seen.
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After he finished playing, I just had to strike up a conversation with this mysterious joy-spreading gent – and I found him to be delightfully surly and frankly difficult to compliment. His affinity for street people coupled with a disdain for pretension make him crusty as fuck, and he doesn’t take compliments kindly – you better MEAN what you say, and put your money where your mouth is! Fortunately, I must have passed his personal bullshit test, because he ended up caving and having a cordial conversation with me. And thus, I learned about one of the most astonishing people I’ve ever met on the streets of Las Vegas.
Danny Kean had been traveling around the U.S. in a red pickup with a piano mounted on the back since 2006, when he sold his house in Philly and hit the road full-time. His first stop was post-Katrina Mardi Gras, where he found a place playing music for the people helping clean up and rebuild the city…and from there, he just kept traveling. From Alaska to Miami, from Mexico to Canada – if his truck could get there, he’d go play music! And he always had a dog for company – first his beloved Bo (who passed away in 2010) and now Mo. Even crazier, this whole venture has been funded by donations and supporters of his website, TravelingPiano.com, where he’s kept a daily blog since he first left Philadelphia, along with photos of the people he encounters along the way. And just about every single face in those photos is smiling like I was that day in the park – that is to say, ecstatically! This man has literally spent the last 15-years traveling around making random people happy. How cool is that? But the coolest part of all this is that he actually settled down here in Vegas in 2016. After traveling the country for ten years, he found a place downtown (not too far from the park where I encountered him) right in the thick of things…where he’s needed most. And he’s not just living here, he’s really become a part of the community. You know how some people move to Vegas just to make a quick buck, and then get out? Or end up here because they have no other options, and spend their days bitching about how they can’t wait to leave? Not Danny Kean! He genuinely loves the Vegas community, and spends his days enriching it – by playing music and making people happy, but also materially. Having been here for a few years now, he’s built up a network of friends who funnel donations his way, which he then distributes to the homeless population – stuff like water, food, blankets and supplies. This is a man who has literally devoted his life to the service of others – and remember, all of it is funded by donations to his website. Meeting Danny Kean the Traveling Piano Man not only turned around my gloomy mood, it reinforced my belief in this city. Like I said at the beginning – I’d been having a bad day, and was kinda soured on Vegas. Trade show work can be soul-crushing, I had to park three miles away just to avoid getting gouged by the Convention Authority, and my colleagues were the worst kinds of fake Vegas stereotypes. THANK GOODNESS I ran into Danny, who reminded me that there are plenty of good, caring people in this city, doing their part to make this world a better place for all of us. So as you’re going about your business here in town, keep your eyes and ears out for him! You never know where he’ll be – at a homeless camp, the Arts District, or even out in Red Rock Canyon. The Traveling Piano goes all over the place, and if you’re lucky, Danny and Mo will enrich your day, just like they did mine. To help support Danny’s mission, check out his blog at TravelingPiano. com. You can donate directly, or by buying one of the nature art prints he’s taken on his journey all around this beautiful country. Help keep Vegas happy!
IT’S TIME FOR THE ECONOMY TO SHIFT
Cannabis can Lead the Way >>>
By Quentin Savwoir, CEIC Board
oronavirus has exposed just how vulnerable our economy is, both as a country and as a state. This global pandemic has shuttered small business and upended entire industries, especially right here in Nevada.
The cannabis industry in Nevada maintains its upward trajectory as dozens more licenses have been made available. This move will increase the number of dispensaries to 136 and will nearly double the annual tax revenues the industry generates for the state.
Countless families have been forced to pivot, adapt and develop their own new normal in the face of growing political tensions that have stalled further economic reprieve for the most vulnerable amongst us. Millions of Americans have run out of unemployment benefits and we face an unprecedented housing crisis.
What’s unsettling is that the same employees that generate these revenues for the cannabis industry don’t enjoy any benefits. When illness strikes, they have to call off from work; if it’s severe enough, they incur a cost for their healthcare and in extreme cases they have to resign altogether. This type of economic malfeasance can’t be acceptable anymore.
Meanwhile, multiple corporations have logged record profits during this global downturn. The fundamental inequality in capitalism is that even in dismal and down-trodden times, business can still thrive and make profit gains - typically on the backs of Black, Indigenous and Latinx labor. The same communities that were disproportionately impacted by the failed war on drugs, continue to be negatively impacted by these racist policies.
CEIC is leading the charge in fighting for this shift and challenges new licensees to shift how they value the labor that will power their businesses. We have to demand that the jobs that are inextricably tied to the newly available licenses be high paying jobs with quality, affordable benefits. Black, Indigenous and Latinx individuals should have access to these jobs, 401k and additional benefits that can measurably improve their lives and the lives of their families.
It is individuals and families in these same communities that are most impacted by COVID-19, both physically and economically. They are frontline workers likely to contract the virus and are most likely to have limited or no access to affordable healthcare, paid family leave or even a livable wage. This is no time to persist in the status quo. It isn’t working. It has to change.
We will only ever be as good as our workforce and for too long we’ve undervalued the labor of the most vulnerable amongst us. The time is ripe for a change.
Cannabis, as an emerging industry, has a really unique opportunity to shift how we value Black and Indigenous labor in this country. It can start by providing access to high paying jobs with opportunities for upward mobility at levels of the organization. As well, provide affordable health benefits that won’t bankrupt families when illness strikes and ensure that employees have access to paid family leave so that caring for themselves or a loved one doesn’t threaten their livelihood or the future profits of their employer.
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PHOTO BY @GRAV
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Daily Dose
A Day in the Life of DESIREE CAMPBELL Treating myriad ailments and rare illness with cannabis, kratom and other beneficial plants.
Desiree Campbell had her first panic attack when she was just nine years old. Twenty years ago she lost her brother to a car accident and her mental health worsened.
The single mother of three said her neurologist kept wanting her to take more pharmaceuticals, giving her Botox injections in her neck and head; then ultimately nerve block injections, to no avail.
Since her childhood diagnosis of panic attacks, she’s since been diagnosed with agoraphobia, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), personality disorder, and a laundry list of ailments with multiple symptoms.
“At one point I had three sets of injections, totalling up to 27 painful shots, in my head, back of skull and shoulders. They all made everything worse, not better.”
“Before I became disabled from illness I was always on the go,” Campbell shared. “I cared for 47 reptiles that I rehabilitated and rehomed. I stayed busy to keep from thinking about all the negatives in my life. I don’t like to dwell on how sick I am or have been, but I’ve always struggled with depression and anxiety.” Nearly eight years ago fibromyalgia (FMS) was added to her list of ailments. FMS is a chronic pain disorder affecting multiple pain points on the body. It typically comes with an auto-immune disorder, and in Campbell’s case, chronic fatigue disorder.
Before she switched to plant-based therapies, Campbell said she was on up to 13 prescription pills a day, and several mood stabilizers - three for the migraines, and two for seizures. She was bedridden for three years due to the pain, fatigue, and depression. “Even though I was on pharmaceutical anti-seizure medications, I was still having several seizures a day,” she added. “My oldest child told me it was easier to be at grandma’s, because it hurt him to see me in so much pain. My oldest daughter would sit with me on high pain days and cry with me, asking me, ‘Why aren’t all these pills helping you, mommy?’”
As if things couldn’t get worse, two years ago she was diagnosed with epilepsy.
Trading Pharma for Plants
The ailment of TheIdiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, or IHH, also known as, Psuedotumor Cerebri, caused a secondary rare illness called occipital neuralgia, affecting the main nerve at the base of her skull, affecting all of the small nerves, causing constant migraines and eye strain.
After successfully trying CBD oil for pain, she then began researching and adding other beneficial plants to her daily dosing routine. CBD, or cannabidiol, is just one compound from the cannabis plant with numerous benefits, including antiinflammatory and pain quelling properties.
With IHH, your body thinks you have a brain tumor, when there’s really nothing there. The body then fights itself, attempting to do away with the non-existent tumor, causing a build-up of spinal fluid surrounding the cranium, causing the brain to compress, with severe nerve damage and excruciating pain.
Not much of a cannabis smoker, Campbell said she does take THC activated tincture now, as well, microdosing for effect. “I make my own tincture out of whole plant cannabis,” she said. “I also use medibles for anxiety during the day, and at night to help me sleep.”
“I lost the vision in my left eye and some of the hearing in my left ear,” she added. “This ailment also causes memory issues, so there’s that.
Of all the pharmaceuticals she ended up replacing, she said the Effexor was the most difficult.
The disorder also causes vertigo, leaving her off-balance often.
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BY SHARON lETTS
“It’s hard when you are dealing with so many illnesses and symptoms,” she explained. I’ve been in so much pain I couldn’t sleep, but didn’t have the strength to get out of bed. That was my life until nearly four years ago - after finding the plants.”
“My mood was horrible!” she exclaimed. “I was incredibly mean and was snapping at everyone around me for the smallest stuff. The tincture was a miracle and a huge help in keeping the anger and panic down as I transitioned off the plls.” Slowly, she began adding other herbs, researching all for benefits and effects.
“I started trying different herbs at different times of the day, until I found what worked for me,” she said. “I have had only two seizures in nine months, and they didn’t do much more than make me a little shaky, when I had been having mild to silent seizures.” Kratom, she said, was a game-changer in dealing with pain and in combating fatique. “There are several types of kratom,” she explained. “Red, yellow, green, white, gold - each color has different names, typically from the region they were dried. I usually take green strains and blend green with red, white and yellow strains. The white family of kratom are the most energetic, greens give a small energy boost and quell pain, reds are also good for pain, and yellow is nice for relaxing.” Kratom, as defined by Oxford Languages, is a powder made from the leaves of a South Eastern Asian evergreen tree, related to the coffee plant. Used in many of the same ways as cannabis and other healing plants, it’s also shown efficacy in replacing addictive drugs, such as opioids and meth. Some sites warn of dependence from kratom, but those who have used it successfully in replacing damaging and addictive drugs say it also deals with whatever disorder may have caused them to become addicted in the first place, with no negative side effects. ‘I’m picky about my kratom,” she shared. “My kratom is sourced from the Austic Organic Village in Texas, where test results are posted on the website. I get a lot of herbs from this trusted source, actually.” The list of other herbs she’s added to her daily dosing regimen is extensive, with each plant having its own extensive list of benefits and little negative side effects. Campbell sent this writer a list of plants with benefits listed that’s nothing short of a who’s who in healing plants and what they can do. The list of help from each plant is too long to detail, with many overlapping on benefits, as most super foods or super plants will do - namely anti-inflammatory properties and help with pain, with most all aiding in strengthening the immune system. Desiree Campbell’s daily dose of plants, with notes:
Cannabis/activated THC: Homemade tincture: Two droppers full, four times a day; medibles: and 5 milligrams of activated THC during the day, and 20 milligrams at night for sleep. CBD tincture: 1,000 milligrams a day, Kratom (various strains/colors): 1 t. three to five times a day, as needed. Moringa: 1/2 t. to 1 t. powder (or 2 seeds). This is one I don't let myself run out of! Turmeric: 500 mg. once a day. The black pepper helps turmeric absorb into your body better. Kanna: 1 t. of powder, daily.
Wild Lettuce, Valerian root, Gotu Kola, SkullCap tincture(s):. I-1/2 a dropper each, separate times. (Gotu Kola: 3 times a day (half dropper) on "bad" days. Akuamma- 1/2 t., sometimes 3 times a day, as needed. Blue lotus: Add approx. 5 grams loose leaf to 1 c. hot water. (If powder, 1 t.) once a day, as needed. Kava Kava: Ad 1 T. to hot water, steep tea. Two or three times a week, as needed. Shilajit: 1 t. Daily - huge help with nerve pain. Elderberry Syrup: Add elderberries, cloves, cinnamon and strain, then add 1 c. honey. Dosing: 1 t. to 1 T. daily. If symptoms (depending on age of syrup). Note from Campbell on Elderberry Syrup: This remedy cuts sick time in half and drastically reduces how severe colds and/or flus are. I used to get bronchitis one or two times a year, but in the past two years of taking this syrup, I’ve only had one little runny nose.
In summation, Campbell said she’s been able to go about her life as normal day to day, something she just wasn’t able to do prior to finding the plants. “I’m able to walk around our small block with my kids - I can cook dinner without feeling like I’m going to collapse, and I’m able to do many chores, for the most part,” she concluded. “My children have told me they are thankful I have these herbs, because I’m smiling and laughing, instead of laying in bed crying everyday. When I say herbs saved my life, I genuinely mean it! I’m still working at getting my strength back, but with these plants, determination, and the love of my children, family, and best friend, I can only go forward now.”
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COOKING WITH CANNABIS Back to Basics In the last two series, we have explored decarboxylation, why it’s necessary and how, and have also looked at the different forms of infusions, and how to go about making them. This month we go beyond the surface of cannabis dosage and look at how to really get as close as possible in figuring out what is the right amount. If you live in a state where cannabis testing is available, please call the lab, they will most likely work with you to have your sample tested.
1. Start with the THC Percentage of your cannabis strain (if you don’t know, 15% is ok.)
Without an accredited lab available, it will take some due diligence to figure out what is in the edible you have produced. If you can come as close as possible to figuring out what is in your edible, then you can make sure that the people enjoying the edible also enjoy the experience to follow.
5. Take that batch number, and divide it into the amount of butter (in mL).
2. Divide the percentage by 100 to get the total THC per gram. 3. Multiply the THC/g by 1000 to get the number of milligrams of THC per gram. 4. Now, you can multiply that number by the weight of your batch.(1/8th – 3.5g ¼- 7g ½-14 g 1 oz-28 g).
STOP… This is your batch total. Also, depending on whether you make tincture, butter, or coconut oil, the THC concentration will vary slightly. 6. To calculate how much THC is in your edibles, take the amount of butter and divide it by the number of servings you're making. EXAMPLE: Let's take 28g (1 oz) of a 15% THC strain to make cookies. 1. 15% THC 2. 15% THC ÷ 100 = 0.15 g THC/g 3. 0.15 THC / g * 1000 = 150mg THC 4. 150mg THC x 28 g in the batch = 4200 mg THC total 5. 4200 mg THC ÷ 250 mL (1 cup) butter = 16.8 mg / mL 6. 250 mL of butter in recipe *16.8 mg/mL = 4200 mg THC in recipe 7. 4200 mg THC in recipe ÷ 25 cookies = 168 mg THC per cookie Note: Most states legal limit is 100 mg total
Ganja Green Bean Casserole Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 45 mins Servings 4
Ingredients
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>>> BY CHEF GARRICK UMLAND
3 cups fresh green beans tips removed, halved widthwise 2 tablespoon cannabis butter (previous conversion) 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup onion yellow or white, diced 1 cup mushrooms white or cremini, sliced 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 12.8 ounces 1 1/2 cups French-fried onions divided 1 decarboxylated bud for grating over the top Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter an oven-proof casserole dish. Heat a large pot of water to boiling over high heat. Add beans and cook for 3 to 4 minutes – beans should still be semi-crispy. Drain beans and set aside. Melt the canna-butter and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the drained beans, cream of mushroom soup, 3/4 cup of the French-fried onions and salt and pepper. Stir to combine well. Top with remaining fried onions and bake for about 20 minutes or until heated through and beans are tender. Grate decarbed bud as garnish Be sure to start low with the amount of infusion. You never want your edible to be too strong, it is not a competition. Note that the different infusions will have different effects. If you are new to cannabis, take your time, there is no rush. Garrick Umland is a chef, cannabis connoisseur, and hospitality professional specializing in product and brand development. Chef Garrick has worked under the expertise of Wolfgang Puck as well as the renowned Light Group. He brings years of knowledge, research, and innovation to projects throughout the US.
RESOURCES Southern ATTORNEYS
EDUCATION
Mitchell S. Bisson Callister Law Group 330 E. Charleston Blvd, Ste.100, Las Vegas, (702) 333-3334, callcallister.com
Budtender Fight Club budtenderfightclubvegas.com
CBD Smooch's Cure Inside the Meadow Mall, 4300 Meadows Lane, Las Vegas, (702) 530-6185, smoochscure.com Cohen Medicinal Hemp CBD cohenmedicalcenters.com Tahoe Petrichor tahoepetrichor.com
UNLV continuingeducation.unlv.edu/ catalog/cannabis-classes
INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS
PRODUCTION/ CULTIVATION
Las Vegas Medical Marijuana Association - A Chamber of Commerce for Medical Marijuana LVMMA.org
Green Life Productions greenlifeproduction.com
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City Trees citytrees.com Redwood Cultivation redwoodcultivation.com
LABS
Remedy remedyourself.com
Digipath Labs (702) 209-2429, info@digipath.com, digipathlabs.com.
OMG THC omgthc.vegas
One Love CBD onelovecbd.com Enter code VCM420 at checkout & receive $5 off your order
Ace Analytical (702) 749-7429, aceanalytical.com
Crooked Cactus CBD crookedcactuscbd.com
PATIENT SUPPORT
DOCTORS
WECAN: Wellness Education Cannabis Advocates of Nevada WeCan702.org, facebook.com/wecan702, meetup.com/wecan702
Cohen Medical Center 3650 S. Decatur Blvd, #23 (702) 564-6420, cohenmedicalcenters.com
PHOTOGRAPHY Talbot Snow Photography & Video 2970 Galit Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89121 (702) 534-8649 TalbotSnow.com DJSnowmanLV.com
BRANDING & DESIGN Chronic Infusion (702) 521-3113 ChronicInfusion.com
Nevada
HIV/AIDS Health Education Golden Rainbow (702) 384-2899, goldenrainbow.org
Experience Premium Cannabis (EPC) epclasvegas.com MMG Agriculture mmgagriculture.com Reina premiumproducenv.com Bond Road bondroadcannabis.com Solaris solarisfarms.org Highland Brothers mjholdingsinc.com Culture & Cannabis cultureandcannabislv.com
SUPPORT
LOCAL
SMOKE SHOPS Still Smoking 2605 S. Decatur, #107, Las Vegas, (702) 227-3021 Gorilla Radio 4225 S. Eastern, #5, Las Vegas, (702) 818-4400 Cloud Wars 4130 S. Sandhill Rd, #A-9, Las Vegas & 5105 S. Ft. Apache, #D115, Las Vegas
LOCAL BUSINESSES Cannabis Business Den 701 E. Bridger Ave, Ste 400, Las Vegas, (888) 609-6766, cannabisbusinessden.com Tayla Hart, Hairstylist Inside Posare Salon, 3030 W. Ann Rd, North Las Vegas, (702) 580-6971, hairbytayla. com Just Go Suck It justgosuckit.com Nu World Graphics (702) 671-0000 nuworldgraphicslv.com
E
NorthernNevada CBD Tahoe Petrichor tahoepetrichor.com One Love CBD onelovecbd.com Enter code TCM420 at checkout & receive $5 off CannaWix CBD cannawixcbd.com
Lavi Smoke Shop 743 S. Virginia St, Reno Art Dogs & Grace 218 Vassar St, Reno Deja Vu Again & Distracted 108 E. John Street, Carson City Smok' N Ray's Smoke Shop 1207 California Ave, Reno 2975 Vista Blvd, Sparks 319 E. Moana Lane, Reno
CBD by Tia - Hempworx cbdbytia.com
The Buttermuffin Smoke Shop 2540 Lake Tahoe Blvd. #12, Tahoe
Hempenly Health CBD 812 Emerald Bay Rd, Tahoe tahoehemp.com
Tahoe Hemp Company 3564 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Ste B, Tahoe
EDUCATION Budtender Fight Club budtenderfightclub.com Can Care Collective LLC cancarecollective.com
GROW GrowGeneration 5635 Riggins Ct, #21, Reno, The Grow Shop 1030 E. 4th St, Reno High Mountain Greenery 2229 Lake Tahoe Blvd, F, Tahoe
INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS Reno NORML norml.org The Reno Gleaning Project www.renogleaningproject.org
SMOKE/GLASS SHOPS The Glass Shack 1947 N. Carson St, Carson City
RESOURCES
LOCAL BUSINESSES Mandala Apothecary 865 S. Wells Ave, Reno, templeoflifeoils.com Ping Pow Poom Shaved Ice @pingpowpoomshavedice on Facebook or Instagram Under Your Skin Tattoo 2900 Clear Acre Ln. #B1, Reno Shades of Gray Studios 1708 H St, Sparks Distinct Ink Tattoo 934 Corbett St, Carson City
The Spot 2701 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Tahoe
Sugar Pine Bakery 3564 Lake Tahoe Blvd, # G, Tahoe
Puff's Smoke Shop 1208 N. Carson St, Carson City
Mind Muscle Health/Kylie Ross 235 West Pueblo Street, Reno
Getz Smoked S.S. 5365 Sun Valley Blvd, Sun Valley
Lee's Discount Liquor 8165 S. Virginia St, Reno. 2950 Northtowne Ln, Reno
Slushee's Vapor 2005 Sierra Highlands, Reno
Recycled Records 822 S. Virginia St, Reno
Heads-Up 2176 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
South Town Tattoo Collective 7675 S. Virginia St. Ste C, Reno
The Tahoe Vapory 31 US-50 #203 Stateline, NV
Beach Hut Deli @ the "Y" 1072 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake, CA
Lady Luck Skate & Smoke 799 Southwood, #10, Incline 8520 Brooke Ave, Kings Beach, CA Honeycomb Hideout 467 E. Plumb Ln, Reno The Biggest Little Vape Shop 1495 E. Prater Wy, 101, Sparks 1530 S. Stanford Wy, 106, Sparks Pyramid Vapory & Art Studio 2955 N. McCarran Blvd, Ste108 Linger Smoke Shop 1055 S. Rock Blvd, Sparks
Zunuz Shoes zunuzshoes.com The Sleep Shop 7485 Longley Ln, Reno Glazed & Confused Tahoe Donut 3447 Lake Tahoe Blvd. #1, Tahoe Cowboys Liquor Company 444 E. William St, Ste 5, Carson Sierra Nevada Skateboards 1243 Baring Blvd, Sparks Crysi's Cake Scene (775) 790 4088 Caterpillar's Hookah Lounge 314 S Carson St. Carson City Little Philadelphia 2755 Kietzke Lane, Reno Crazy D's Hot Chicken 101 University Terrace, Reno
ART & MUSIC Raven Bird Art (Raven Rodriguez) Ig: @Ravenbirdart , 775 781 4571 John Benko BenkoArtGallery.com Joe Crock Art @joecrock13 Vincenzo Thomas Amato VTA420.com
El Charro Avitia 4389 S. Carson St., Carson City
Rhiannon Wolfe Art rhiannonwolfe.com
SuP 669 S. Virginia St, Reno
PRODUCTION/ CULTIVATION
Will The Screen Guy 775-223-4266 JB Liquor And Smoke 1086 S. Virginia St, Reno Lakeshore Lodge & Spa 930 Bal Bijou Road, So. Tahoe Junkee Clothing Exchange 960 S. Virginia St, Reno Joe Bob's Chicken Joint 670 E. Prater Way, Sparks
MMG Agriculture and Extracts mmgagriculture.com Nevada Botanical Science nevadabotanicalscience.com SoL Cannabis solisbetter.com Cannavative cannavativegroup.com Nuleaf Cultivation nuleafnv.com
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KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. FOR USE ONLY BY ADULTS 21 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER.
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Reno 5270 Longley Ln Suite 103 Reno, NV 89511
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