Oct. 2015 — Issue #64

The Joint Recreational 1510 N Wenatchee Ave. Wenatchee, WA 98801This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one

and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

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NATIONAL..............................12DISPATCH..........................16FELONIES..............................18VAPE LOUNGE.............................26ACCESS REVIEW...........................30TASTY RECIPES............................44MEDIBLE REVIEW.........................50BOOK REVIEWS............................5440K GLASS ART...............................56BREATHING........................70GROWTECH.........................74BEHIND THE STRAIN.......................78

20 Legal pot newsLandmark deal for tribe

34 Grow FeatureT-town’s Royal Tree Gardens

62 Health & ScienceHow strains affect appetite

contents OCT. 2015

COVER ART by DAVID THESENVITZCONTENTS PHOTOS by CONTRIBUTORSMEMORIAL PHOTO by SLY VEGAS

SEE THE BACK ISSUES:WWW.ISSUU.COM/NWLEAF

IN MEMORY BERNARDO FUMO MARTINEZ

Known for his 5-foot-long streamroller pipes and even bigger heart, Fumo was a longtime activist and friendly, generous face in the Cannabis community. Our thoughts go out to his friends & family.

L A F U M O F O U N D A T I O N . O R G # F U C K C A N C E R

Legal pot news

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the best recreational

flower in washington

@sonicgreen420This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the

influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING SELECT RETAIL OUTLETS

VISIT WWW.SONICGREEN.NET

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contents

Photo by Daniel Berman

REHASHED Zero is a new vaporizer lounge in the SoDo area of Seattle, where anyone over 21 can now bring their own Cannabis to use while socializing & relaxing.

26

Department of CorrectionsThe price of Afghani AC/DC CO2 oil is $45 per half gram atWest Coast Wellness in Deming, not $90 per gram as writtenin our review last month. A 4-pk of Crescendo Chocolates at the recreational store is $36 not $45. Additionally, a printing error omitted the left-half of Dr. Scanderson’s Growtech piece last month. It appears again this month. We regret the errors.

Wes and Kori Marie

NORTHWEST LEAF

oct. 2015 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF /11

the truth about the plant you thought you knew, IN every issue.

Contact editor Wes Abney to place an advertisement or become a drop-off location to display our magazine. You can also feel free to just share feedback, send pitches, articles, story ideas and hot news tips. This is all our plant.

[email protected] // (206) 235-6721

How spooky: LCB allows more applications for medical/retail in 502, lifts production caps on producer/processors

editor’s note OCT. 2015ISSUE #64

Please email or call us to discuss print and online advertising opportunities in an upcoming issue. We do not sell stories or coverage. We are happy to offer design services with Kush Creative Group and can provide guidance on the best approaches for promoting any medical, recreational, commercial or industrial product and pursuit. We are targeted.

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FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEFWes Abney

Daniel BermanPHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER

ISSUE CONTRIBUTORSSTEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONALWILL FERGUSON, REVIEWSSIMONE FISCHER, GROWTECHPAUL GRZELAK, EDITINGKORI MARIE, PRODUCTIONTYLER J. MARKWART, FEATURESBOB MONTOYA, MICROSTRAINSSEAN O’NEILL, ILLUSTRATIONDR. SCOTT D. ROSE DR. SCANDERSON, GROWTECHERIC SKELTON, DESIGNPACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURESKENNETH ULSTAD, PHOTOGRAPHYLAURIE & BRUCE WOLF, RECIPES

halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year, and I am honored to have artist David Thesenvitz produce another epic cover for us! This piece is actually a companion piece to Thesenvitz’s October 2014 Oregon Leaf cover. Thesenvitz is a passionate artist, patient and father, and I expect more cool art from this motivated and cool dude soon.

Once you get past the cover, we have some great information packed into this issue. Starting in the news section, we have three different stories really worth a slow read. The first is about the new youth felony possession law pushed by the Cannabis Patient Protection Act. The bill’s author wants teens to be scared of pot, but supports writing and signing a bill to make what would have been a misdemeanor (simple possession) a felony. That’s a goose-bump giving Halloween story and it is sadly not made up at all.

In other news, the LCB has opened new applications for medical/retail in 502, and lifted production caps on producer/processors. Learn about that and a new tribal marijuana deal inside. I opine later on the state of the Vancouver, Wash. pot market and the looming crash that the Portland weed bubble has created. While I hate to predict any small business taking a major hit, I hope Portland’s tax-free and open model compel the LCB to rethink Washington’s ridiculously overtaxed and over-regulated system at hand.

We explore a recreational store doing things right and a killer medical strain of the month from HypeHerbally in Everett. We also have great new stories from Dr. Rose and Simone Fischer, coverage of Oregon Leaf’s Tannins and Terpenes event and more.

Thanks for reading, and be safe this Halloween. Keep your adult treats out of kids’ reach, but in immediate reach for yourself as we celebrate another fall harvest.

national STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion

12/ oct. 2015 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

U.K.

Make sure to stop for a nug after filling up

advent of recreational marijuana in Colorado has led to some interesting business models. Now,

a hybrid that combines a traditional filling station with a Cannabis dispensary is set to open two locations in Colorado Springs.

Gas and Grass, operated by Denver-based Native Roots, will open its first two locations in Colorado Springs next month, one at West Uintah and 17th Street, the other at Academy and

Galley, reports Andy Koen at KOAA.“It’s really just kind of pairing the

convenience in one specific stop,” said spokesperson Tia Mattson. The dispensary will have its own separate entrance and must follow all the same rules that apply to other medical marijuana stores in Colorado, Mattson said.

The gas station will be open to the public. “I believe we’ll have lottery tickets, beverages, cigarettes and similar things that you would pick up in a convenience store,” Mattson said.

Native Roots’ 11 dispensaries and retail marijuana stores operate all over Colorado. The stores have a uniform look with merchandise and pricing structures in common, like almost any other retail chain. The stores also sell marijuana-themed shirts, hats and souvenirs. The gas station idea simply expands the other-than-Cannabis business concept, Mattson said.

Gas and Grass Opens in Colorado

In addition to Cannabis products, the stores will sell marijuana-themed shirts, hats and souveniers.

national argument between the Veterans Administration and groups protecting veterans’ rights emerged Sept. 8 in Kansas.

The issue — whether veterans should be denied prescription medications because they use marijuana for physical or emotional pain, even in states that allow marijuana use — arose when a Vietnam veteran was denied his pain pills because he tested positive for pot, according to KSNT News.

“I went in to get a refill on my pain medication and they refused to let me have it because I have marijuana in my blood,” said disabled Vietnam veteran Gary Dixon, 65. While in Vietnam, Dixon was exposed to Agent Orange.

“I hurt, and I hurt from something I got fighting for my country,” Dixon said. He now has stage four lung cancer, doesn’t have much time left to live and readily admits to smoking marijuana.

Dixon and his wife Debbie on Sept. 8 drove to Topeka from Fort Scott like they customarily do for Dixon’s stroke group therapy and to pick up his pain medicine. But this time, he had to take a urine test and sign an opiate consent form.

“I said, if she was wanting to see if I still smoke marijuana, I said I do,” said Dixon, who added that he has used Cannabis since 1972.

He takes 10 to 15 presription pills per day, but on the afternoon of Sept. 8, he walked out of the VA hospital empty-handed.

A

A successful petition leads to a debate at Westminster

what looks to be a first for the United Kingdom, Parliament will debate the legalization of Cannabis this month,

House of Commons authorities announced. Members of Parliament (MP) on Oct. 12 will consider a proposal to make the “production, sale and use of Cannabis legal,” reports Jon Stone at The Independent.

The debate will be held in response to an official petition on Parliament’s website, which received more than 213,000 signatures by Sept. 9.

The debate will take place in Westminster Hall and led by Labour MP Paul Flynn of the Parliament’s petitions committee.

Flynn previously called for the legalization of marijuana for medical use, introducing a bill to do so in 1999 and supporting

another along with Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake in 2008. The debate is unlikely to lead to any change in the law, according to political observers, but it could put additional pressure on the government to act on what is clearly changing public opinion.

The government’s official response to the petition was quite negative. “Substantial scientific evidence shows Cannabis is a harmful drug that can damage human health,” the response reads. “There are no plans to legalise Cannabis as it would not address the harm to individuals and communities. employment, housing and parental rights.”

In

In October, members of Parliament will consider a proposal to make the production, sale and use of Cannabis legal

PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE CANNABIS LEGALIZATION

Kansas Veteran Denied Pain Pills After Testing Positive For Marijuana

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Gary Dixon, 65, has used Cannabis since the 1970s

“I went in to get a refill on my pain medication and they refused to let me have it because I have

marijuana in my blood.”


QuotedTHE CANNABIS COMMUNITY HAS BROUGHT SO MUCH MONEY TO THE STATE OF COLORADO, THIS IS ONLY FAIR.-Chad Drew, sales manager at Colorado Harvest Co., after a one-day tax suspension created what many called a “Marijuana Holiday” in the state Sept 16. ABC reports that the quirk in state tax law allowed growers to transfer a month or more of inventory without paying 15 percent excise taxes, or $300 a pound. ‘‘

Quick Hits!

A group of four men robbed a Denver dispensary last month, firing two shots in the air as they left the build-ing with an undisclosed amount of cash and Cannabis.2

The only Cannabis “compassion club” in Alberta is back in court after a raid in July attempted to shut down their operation last month according to news reports. Sad, eh?1

The Suquamish Tribe and the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board signed the first ever marijuana tax agreement, which will enforce a 37

percent tax for at least the next 10 years.10

Tourists Can Now Buy Medical Marijuana in Las VegasFifteen years after Nevada voters approved the legalization of medical marijua-na, the first dispensary opened its doors on Aug. 24 in Clark County.

The southwest Las Vegas shop is allowed under state law to serve tourists who are registered medical marijuana patients in their home states, as well as Nevada residents. “We’ve been so busy, there are lines around the corner at some times of the day,” said Darlene Purdy, managing director at Eupho-ria Wellness, reports Sarah Feldberg at Travel Weekly.

Purdy said the dispensary has seen more than 100 patients a day. “Patients are so happy,” she said. “Some people have been waiting 15 years for this.”

As long as out-of-state visitors are registered medical marijuana patients at home with a valid autho-rization and government-issued ID, they are welcome to buy medical marijuana during their Vegas vacation.

Nevada has set up the “gold standard” of medical marijuana programs, according to state Sen. Tick Segerblom, who sponsored the bill that led to legalization of dispensaries. He said the reaction has been overwhelm-ingly positive. “I haven’t heard of anything

Out-of-state visitors with valid authorization and government-issued ID are welcome to buy

MMJ on their nextVegas vacation.

Minnesota patients have turned to the black market for medicine due to high prices, especially for concentrates, where a vial can cost up to $130.

Synthetic marijuana led to the hospitaliza-tion of 2,300 people in just two months this summer, prompting Federal crackdown.

A group of Bigfoot hunters reportedly disrupted a Texas official’s drug hunt for a massive outdoor grow with 6,500 plants.

1302,3006,500

After watching a boat unload bales of Cannabis, a citizen’s hot phone tip led to a mind-boggling $1 million-bust in South Texas last month.1mil

Las Vegas’ first dispensary finally opens its doors

negative,” Segerblom said. “It took 15 years to get here, but there hasn’t been one peep of ‘the sky is falling.’ Everybody is on board with this thing.”

Well, with a couple of exceptions. In May 2014, the Gaming Control Board sent a note to its licensees saying, “unless the federal law is changed, the Board does not believe investment or any other involvement in a medical marijuana facility or establishment by a person who has received a gaming approval

or has applied for a gaming approval is consistent with the effective regulation of gaming.”

Despite the Gaming Board’s advice for casinos to steer clear of medical Canna-bis, Segerblom has high hopes for the Cannabis industry in Nevada, including the legaliza-tion of recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older, which

will appear on the ballot next year.“It’s going to be great for our industry,

which is tourism,” Segerblom said. “We have 40 million people a year. If 10 percent of those people went to a dispensary, watch out. Let’s regulate it, tax it. We’re known as the place you go to do things that you can’t do elsewhere, so why not smoke a little pot, too?”


national STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion

5626 134th Pl SE, Suite B Everett, WA 98208 | 425-337-5145 | [email protected]

STUDY SHOWS Patients Replace Pharmaceuticals with MarijuanaThey typically said Cannabis provides “a lot

of relief ” or “almost complete relief ” of their symptoms, and that it is more effective than conventional pharmaceuticals. Patients also understandably reported reducing their use of pharmaceuticals.

More than 70 percent of those responding said they used other medications “a little less

frequently” or “much less frequently” for 24 of the 42 conditions specified.

More than 90 percent of those who used marijuana for

nausea, headache, muscle spasms, fibromyalgia, bowel discomfort and chronic pain said they used pharmaceuticals less frequently once they started Cannabis therapy.

Patients with legal access to medical marijuana use fewer conventional pharmaceuticals, according to a demographic review of patient characteristics published online in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.

Investigators with the Medical Marijuana Research Institute in Mesa, Ariz. looked at responses from 367 state-qualified medicinal Cannabis patients recruited from four dispensaries in Arizona, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

Respondents were most likely to be male, in their mid-40s, and daily users of Cannabis. Respondents most often reported using marijuana for pain, muscle spasms, nausea, anxiety, depression, arthritis, headaches, insomnia and stress.

More than 90 percent of marijuana users said they used pharmaceuticals less frequently once beginning on Cannabis.


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Drug Head calls pot ‘dangerous’ in interview

New federal Drug Enforcement Administration head Chuck Rosenberg in a TV interview last month called marijuana “dangerous” and added, “if we come up with a medical use for it, that would be wonderful. But we haven’t.”

The woefully misinformed DEA chief also said that federal drug agents in the field won’t be discouraged from working on big marijuana

NEW DEA chief SAYS MARIJUANA SHOULD STAY ON SCHEDULE I

cases, despite directives from the Obama administration to not waste resources pursuing state-compliant providers, reports James Rosen at Fox News.

“I’ve been very clear to my agents in charge,” Rosenberg said. “If you have a big marijuana case, if that in your jurisdiction is one of your biggest problems, then bring it.”

That, of course, leaves the door open for pot-hating federal prosecutors to continue their war on marijuana, same as it ever was.

Fox News asked Rosenberg about the continued inclusion of Cannabis in Schedule I, the federal government’s harshest and most dangerous category of narcotics. “Marijuana is dangerous,” Rosenberg replied. “It’s certainly not as dangerous as other Schedule I controlled substances; it’s not as dangerous as heroin, clearly, but it’s still dangerous,” Rosenberg claimed. “It’s not good for you. I wouldn’t want my children smoking it. I wouldn’t recommend that anyone do it. So, I frankly don’t see a reason to remove it.”

Marijuana is dangerous. It’s not as dangerous as other Schedule I controlled substances... but it’s still dangerous,” Rosenberg claimed.

[OCT. 2015 PRISONER UPDATE

offenses. Strike three in Alabama came when Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Robert Smith had no choice but to give Harrison a life sentence for an amount of marijuana we’re now seeing sold in state-run stores.

Please take a minute and write a POW. It means the world to them that the world doesn’t want to see them there. Write: Jerry Harrison Jr. #209619, Fountain/Jo Davis Cor-rectional Facility, Fountain 3800, Atmore, AL 36503-3800. Age: 35. Release date: NEVER.

Portland hempstalk>>

On Aug. 27, Paul Stan-ford, owner of The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation Medical Clinics, filled the chambers of Portland’s City Hall along with more than 50 supporters.

For the second straight year, the Parks & Recreation Department denied Port-land Hempstalk a permit to hold the city’s beloved hemp festival. One may wonder

how this can happen in a city where more than 70 percent of voters approved of adult recre-ational Cannabis use. Support-ers who came from California, Washington and Oregon were perplexed. The parks depart-ment and the Portland Police Bureau claimed Hempstalk staff displayed blatant disregard for the rules and that the gen-eral community was at risk.

Testimony by volunteers, at-

16/ OCt. 2015 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

marijuana activism can be an emotional roller coaster. Some days, the world is awakening and ac-cepting common sense; other days it feels the world is against you because of the more than 80 years of propaganda and misinformation. The ride rang-es from the recent release of Jeff Mizanskey after more than 20 years in prison, to the recent two-year sentence for family man, chef and caregiver Chris Martin of Hempful Farms Cafe in Arizona.

It’s troubling when justice is corrected for one person but then another person is served an injus-tice. People still are being arrested and incarcerated — even in legal medical states, as in the case of Martin — while other states are flourishing with marijuana tour-ism and spa retreats.

At the time of this article’s writing, Martin’s family report-ed he had been in custody for 10 days without health care, medi-cine or the nutritional necessities he requires to treat his advanced Crohn’s disease. In addition, Mar-tin has been on lockdown 23 1/2 hours a day. Something isn’t right.The law is flawed, not the plant.

As we celebrate the release of one of our oldest POWs and mourn the recent sentence of the newest, let’s not forget those who have served time because they took a chance. They took a chance at being a re-spectable entrepreneur, took a chance to feed their families, took a chance to help others. Please take the time to keep Martin and his family in your thoughts. When an address is available, we hope you will send a letter of encouragement.

This month, we would like you to write to Jerry Harrison Jr., convict number 209619. He’s living out a life sentence the same way Mizanskey did. Strikes one and two were from nonviolent drug

dispatch By KRISTIN FLOR, MINDI GRIFFITHS, MIGGY 420 AND DANIELLE VITALE – O’ BRIEN for NORTHWEST LEAF

torneys and Stanford, along with supporting vid-eo of the event, showed quite the opposite. Jessie Sponberg compared the denial of the permit to “shutting down a movie theater because someone snuck in a soda.” It was also pointed out that Port-land allows for beer and wine festivals in the parks, even though drinking is not normally allowed.

In the end, three out of four council members agreed that Hempstalk was unfairly denied the per-mit. They expressed a desire to find a way to make the event a positive experience for all involved. Portland Hempstalk will be held all-day Oct. 17 and 18 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Kristin Flor and Mindi Griffiths will speak both days on behalf of victims of the drug war.

Jason endicott: The case of the State of Texas v. Jason Endicott drags on. Endicott’s attorney is working to get the case dropped entirely. A pretri-al hearing has been set for Oct. 19. Because of his health, Endicott, an Oregon resident, is unable to attend the court date and is confident it will con-tinue again or, better yet, be dropped. With the changes in attitude regarding Cannabis cases even in Texas, along with his medical conditions, Endi-cott’s chances of a dismissal increase daily.

Kettle falls family: We are saddened that Larry Harvey died Sept. 20 of pancreatic cancer. Harvey, the patriarch of the Kettle Falls family and a hero to our movement, was a federal defendant who, until the feds dropped charges because of his

terminal cancer diagnosis, was fac-ing 10 years for our plant. Instead of backing down, Harvey fought for all of our rights, helping to pass the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment. Harvey will be missed and remem-bered for the sacrifices he made to make the future of our world a bet-ter place. While the rest of the fam-ily mourns Harvey’s death, Rolland

PORTLAND HEMPSTALKOctober 17-18 // Free

Tom McCall Waterfront Parkwww.Hempstalk.org

NEWS FROM THE FRONT LINES

OREGON

WASHINGTON

PRISON OUTREACH

NO ONE SHOULD GO TO JAIL FOR

A PLANt!

Richard Flor

OCt. 2015 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF /17

NO VICTIM = NO CRIME = NOT GUILTYAll jurors have the power to vote not guilty.

and Michelle Gregg, and Rhonda Firestack-Har-vey still face sentencing at 9 a.m. on Oct. 2 in the federal courthouse in Spokane. The prosecutor is recommending 14 to 26 years. However, this case carries no mandatory minimums and letters have been requested to persuade the judge to be lenient and give them no jail time. Go to facebook.com/KettleFallsFive or go to kettlefallsfive.com to find out what you can do to help.

MARTIN NICKERSON: Martin Nickerson and his two co-defendants are scheduled for court at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 7. If the tide doesn’t turn soon, the group will head to trial, where they face up to 30 years in prison.

Stand in solidarity at their next scheduled court date at the Whatcom County Courthouse in Bell-ingham. Nickerson is also fighting the government on a $10 million tax assessment charge. The federal government is trying to tax the very Cannabis the state is charging him criminally for. The results of this case could be far-reaching. Stay tuned to hear more about Nickerson’s fight. Until then, Nicker-son is waiting to find out his next court date for the tax issue. We will update you on how you can show up to support his case.

Jury Rights Day: “Voices of the Cannabis War” hosted Jury Rights Day events in September in Seattle and Portland. The message that jurors have the freedom to nullify bad laws by ruling “not guilty” was shouted far and wide across the nation, thanks to tireless efforts by the Fully Informed Jury Association. If you missed your local Jury Rights Day, go to to fija.org to find out more about your responsibilities as a juror and how you can help educate others.

cALIFORNIA: Melanie Brinegar was found not guilty of impaired driving solely based off a THC-nanogram blood limit in Colorado, and in Nevada, Stephen Ficano was found not guilty for cultivation and possessing 2-4 pounds of marijua-na.We are slowly winning this fight and you alone can make a difference, as no one should go to jail for a plant! Join us Sunday mornings for the Voices of the Cannabis War radio show on the CCHI2016 Radio Network. Learn more about how to help drug war prisoners at facebook.com/voicesofwar1.

kANSAS: Much has transpired since the world learned that the Kansas Department of Children and Families and the Garden City Police Depart-

NATIONAL NEWS ment seized medical marijuana activist Shona Ban-da’s 11-year-old son for speaking out during a drug prevention presentation at school. Her story has spread to Australia, France, Spain and the U.K., appearing everywhere from the crime blotter of a small local newspaper to internation-al headlines in publications such as The Guardian, The Huffington Post, Reason and The Atlantic. Banda’s GoFundMe account has raised almost $50,000 thanks to contributions from people such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and vocal sup-port from ABC daytime talk show “The View.” In spite of such overwhelming outrage regarding this case, on June 5, Finney County District Attor-ney Susan Richmeier filed charges against Shona Banda that could lead to more than 30 years in pris-on. Banda’s pretrial hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 16. Come and show your support for Banda at 425 N. 8th St. in Garden City. Dress well.

Richard Flor: Aug. 30 marked the three-year anniversary of Richard Flor’s death. Flor was a medical marijuana caregiver in Montana who died a miserable death in federal custody because our plant is federally illegal. Archives of the “Voices of the Cannabis War” memorial show can be found at Tinyurl.com/VOTCWmemorial.

To find out how you can help end prohibition, please join hosts Kristin Flor and Eugene Fischer, and all the volunteers who helped with this article for the “Voices of the Cannabis War” radio show airing Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. Pacific time. ach week, we discuss the latest news from the front lines of the drug war regarding marijuana prohibition, the prison system, the prisoners with-in and so much more. You can also find us on our sponsor’s network CCHI 2016 Blog Talk Radio and iTunes! Spread the word and make change!(Visit Facebook.com/VoicesofWar1 to tune in.)


By WES ABNEY | PHOTO by FLICKR/HDDODOpinion

Are harsh pot laws making alcohol less legally risky for teens than pot?For decades, the socially accepted version of a college experience involved weekend party-ing and binge drinking. But mainstream America didn’t label the experimental use of one of the most dangerous drugs on Earth in a way befitting of the deadly effects. Our society makes excuses for stu-dents while ignoring the true effects of the party culture: Alcoholism and alcohol poisoning, sexual assault, rampant violence, arrests and even death. The social impact of binge drinking begins in the teenage and college years or earlier and is often felt for a lifetime.

Where does this play into the twisted version of legalization that Washington has produced? What was once a misdemeanor or cause for a diversion class has become a felony. That’s right, it’s a felo-ny now for any adult or minor under the age of 21 to possess any amount of Cannabis, courtesy of the sinisterly named Cannabis Patient Protection Act piloted by Republican Representative Ann Rivers.

Rep. Rivers wants the youth and families of Wash-ington to know just how dangerous reefer madness is, stating, “we have to send a message to our kids: This will hurt you in more ways than one if you decide to participate.” To be clear, she means the punitive effects of the law should hurt youth more than the actual drug ever could.

On the scale for how dangerous a drug actually is, alcohol may be legal but it is far more deadly and addictive than tobacco, ecstasy, acid, mush-rooms and a huge list of prescription drugs.

In contrast, Cannabis in most of the world is highly illegal. Yet through science and much per-sonal experience we know it is considered one of the safest drugs, medicinally or for pleasure, in the entire world. And yet, teens literally drinking themselves to death is part of the expected fun of the adult world – people call it the “college experi-ence” or laugh it off as “kids will be kids.”

Why should a college student lose their federal

scholarship for smoking weed and playing video games instead of partying or using other tru-ly dangerous drugs? The only dangerous thing about an 18- to 20.99-year-old smoking Canna-bis are the laws created by Rep. Rivers’ bill.

A felony conviction for Cannabis can lead to five years in jail and $10,000 in fines, whereas underage drinking draw a fine of up to $500 and up to 60 days jail.

What this boils down to is lies about a safe plant (one that Rep. Rivers also thinks adults shouldn’t be allowed to grow) and the laws that politicians twist to hurt the future generations of Americans. We must reject the term “adult use” unless it applies to those over the age of 18, and allow logic and science to dictate our laws, not unjust laws and rhetoric.

At 18, a young man or woman can die for this country in war, be sentenced to death for a felony offense, own a rifle or shotgun, take prescription opiates or smoke cigarettes. All of these options are more dangerous than this plant.

Concerned parents and community mem-bers came out in droves when several teenagers were charged with felonies for pot in Eastern Washington, sharing the story online to a viral status and pressuring the prosecutor to even-tually drop the charges. Ironically, Rep. Riv-ers applauded dropping those charges but still defended her actions in headlining the bill. The only things Washingtonians should fear about Cannabis are the arbitrary and severe laws that dictate the plant.

Instead of demonizing alcohol, which gen-erates millions in tax revenue, politicians have twisted the truth so that the average American believes Cannabis is unsafe for teens. These same Americans trust the federal government when it says it needs to spend millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the laughable efforts of the war on drugs.

Why does Rep. Rivers think that adults or youth choosing the safest recreational drug available is more dangerous than drinking?

IT’S A FELONY FOR ANY ADULT OR MINOR UNDER THE AGE OF 21 TO POSSESS ANY AMOUNT OF CANNABIS, COURTESY OF THE SINISTERLY NAMED CANNABIS PATIENT PROTECTION ACT PILOTED BY REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE ANN RIVERS.

WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR YOUTH FROM DRUG LAWS.


By WES ABNEY | TRIBE PHOTO by STORYLINE STUDIOS | FLOWER PHOTO by DANIEL BERMANNORTHWEST

Washington Legalization UpdateNew Emergency Rules Released by washington state liquor & cannabis control Board

Read the new rules atTinyurl.com/liquorboardrules In November, the public may comment in person on the draft rules at six evening public hear-ings scheduled throughout Washington state.Nov. 3 SpokaneNov. 4 EllensburgNov. 9 VancouverNov. 12 TacomaNov. 16 SeattleNov. 19 Everett(More info at www.Liq.WA.Gov

The Washington State Liquor Control Board (LCB) released new draft and emergency rules on a wide range of topics including a second round of applications for 502 medical retail or endorsement opening Oct. 12.

The LCB isn’t capping the number of licenses issued and is ending the lottery system, opting instead for a merit-based selection process. First priority goes to those who applied for 502 in the first round and were part of a collective garden before Jan. 1, 2013 with a business li-cense and tax payment history. Second priority goes to those who didn’t apply to 502 but meet the previous require-ments. Third priority goes to new applicants and those who opened a col-lective after Jan. 2013.

The LCB also raised production restrictions on producers that had previ-ously limited grows to 70 percent capacity. Produc-ers are now able to fill 100 percent of their can-opy. Other new changes include allowing current recreational retailers to apply for medical marijuana endorsements.

Other changes affecting medical Cannabis patients include a new definition of “medical marijuana” from the Department of Health, as well as the patient registry and authorization system being put in place. Changes to MMJ include further adapting the previously open market to that of 502.

The LCB isn’t capping the number of licenses issued and is ending the lottery system, opting instead for a merit-based selection process. First priority goes to those who applied for 502 in the first round and were part of a collective garden before Jan. 1, 2013 with a business license and tax payment history.

The historic deal comes following the federal governments’ policy shift in 2014 to allow tribes to take their own stance on Cannabis, provided they maintain a “robust and effective regulatory system.” The compact will allow the tribe to sell pot with an equivalent 37 percent tribal use tax applied to purchases by non-tribal customers. The Suquamish plan to produce and process their Cannabis in Poulsbo, Wash., and have a separate retail location within half a mile of the Suquamish-owned Clearwater Casino.

While many are touting this legal move, a larger question remains for the remaining tribes in Washington. The terms of the Suquamish deal require the taxation to last for 10 years, though nothing specific in the federal memo requires taxation. Will other tribes fall in line with the current overtaxed model? If the other tribes offer Cannabis tax-free or at lower rates than the current 37 percent, the entire LCB system could face a serious threat.

Regardless, the deal marks a turning point for the sovereign nations in Washington state, and offers a glimpse into the future of Cannabis access in states without tribal legalization.

Suquamish Tribe signs landmark deal to sell potThe Suquamish Tribe and the Liquor and Cannabis Board signed a compact last month to begin regulating, taxing and selling Cannabis on tribal lands.

SEATTLE DOESN’T WANT MEDICAL COLLECTIVES TO GIVE AWAY POTThe days of the free gram for new patients are over in Seattle. Seattle’s Cannabis ordinance bans collective garden access points from giving away any amount of Cannabis.

As the city moves to reconcile the medical system to be more in line with the provisions set in Initiative 502, more arbitrary rules are limiting patient rights.

Under the new rules, collectives may also not give away or sell any items that are branded with store info.

Love your local collective and want to wear a shirt or slap a sticker with their brand on it? Not in new weed PC Seattle.

While the city’s plans to enforce restrictions on giving away pot remain unclear, one thing is becoming very clear to medical providers: The landscape is shifting, and businesses need to be wary.

Some areas of enforcement in the ordinance include positive changes, like required testing of medical products inside city limits, and compliance checks for collectives selling Cannabis without verifying patient authorizations.

The full language of the legal changes can be found at www.Tinyurl.com/seattlepotlaws.


rehashed By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by KENNETH ULSTAD for NORTHWEST LEAF Sept. 12, 2015 | Portland

an unusually hot September 12, live jazz music drifted out of the AudioCinema building in SE Portland as nearly 600 Leaf

Nation members celebrated Cannabis freedom. This was Oregon Leaf ’s first-annual Tannins & Terpenes event. Sharing and tasting locally grown Cannabis and alcohol was the agenda, with members mingling as they moved from station to station.

The warm and earthy smell of Cannabis filled the venue for hours as the fans battled the heat, with attendees oc-casionally stepping on the outside deck to visit the food truck parked out front or grab a fresh shirt pressed on-site by Evergreen Industries.

The inside of AudioCinema was transformed with hardwood board tables on antique wine barrels support-ing beautiful piles of Cannabis ready to be vaped. Tea lights were strung above with live plants and tables and couches spread throughout the building. The intimate lighting and feeling allowed for pockets of conversations and big laughing groups.

Live jazz music gave the evening a special feeling, with a local duet fea-

turing guitar and a saxophone that added to the audience’s experience. Later on in the evening, West Coast DJ Jai Soleil brought a more energetic beat to usher in the flight switch and made the after-party a major hit.

The room was set up with pairing stations throughout the building. Ten different medical Cannabis companies gave away samples of delicious flowers and oils, with 15 vaporizers running courtesy of Cannabis Concierge and nine dabbing nails provided by Dab Land.

There were two medible tasting stations featuring a Blaze Bars chocolate fountain and delicious treats and medicated hummus from Laurie & MaryJane medibles. Right next to the food was a lounge set up by PDX Super Chronics, with groups of adjustable cushions and a phone charging station. People relaxed, talked and enjoyed the vibe of the cafe.

Tannins and Terpenes brought together a grouping of the biggest and best Cannabis products in Oregon and shared them with the mem-bers of Leaf Nation. The interaction between growers and consumers helped educate users about the products they love, and learn about the people doing all the hard work to bring Cannabis to market.

On

The warm & earthy smell of Cannabis

filled the venue for hours...


TANNINS &TERPENESOregon Leaf event paired Cannabis strains with alcohol for a sudsy, smoky good time


rehashed PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN Sept. 9, 2015 | Seattle


ZeroSeattle.com1950 1st Ave. S.Seattle, WA 98134(206) 566-6182

Marijuana enthusiasts enjoy vaporizers during an Industry Night celebration at the opening of Zero, a Cannabis vapor lounge in the SoDo area of Seattle. Anyone over 21 can bring in their recreational or medical Cannabis and hang out and relax in the lounge (entry $5). Rent a bag for a Volcano vapor-izer or wander over to the bar where high-end coffee and sodas are served. Don’t miss the library with grow guides and plenty of vintage magazine archives.

Zero lounge owners Sara andMike McKenney spent seven months on the buildout.

21+ recreational vaporizer lounge opens in Seattle ZERO PRESSURE

Ettalew’s Alison Draisin and Hempstalk’s Paul Stanford pass around a Volcano bag.



By TYLER J. MARKWART for NORTHWEST LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMANfEATURE

BORN ON DATE Washington state law requires that all Cannabis flowers be labeled from the date they were harvested to comply with its seed-to-sale program. Ask the budtender if you can take a look at the package to see how long the product has been on the shelf because most of the production facilities are not properly drying and curing their product. This will lead to the flowers drying out very quickly, especially when pack-aged in those plastic/metallic bags.

Due to the way the law was written, products have to be individually bagged at the source of production/processing. This creates an issue for the customer and the producer because final bagged weights will fluctuate due to loss or gain of moisture content. So, until this issue is resolved with the legislature allowing for retailers to buy in bulk and distribute and package on site, you will have to do the squeeze test and see how much moisture content the flower has. If it crunches, crumbles and turns to powder in the package, it’s too dry and will need to be rehydrated after purchasing, which means you won’t be able to smoke it right away unless you are looking for a harsher smoke.

STONED VS HIGH There used to be two different lines of thought when it came to classifying Cannabis plants and their effects when consumed. Many people would associate the sensations of lethargy and “couch lock” with indicas, while pairing the effects of a sativa to more uplifting and energetic feelings. While this is partially true, the scientific community has worked hard to understand what the underlying biological and chemical differences between sativa and indica are. Researchers and scientists have found that the differences in psychological effects are actually all part of what is known as the “entourage effect.”

A variety of chemicals called terpenes are what make Cannabis smell the way it does. Terpenes are abundant in nature and are also the reason why Cannabis sometimes smells like a lemon, melon or skunk. The concentration of terpenes in combination with the cannabinoid profile/concentration and the environmental stimuli all add up to create what we perceive the effects of Cannabis on our consciousness to be. The best way to

find the right cultivar for you is to do a little bit of research on websites like Leafly or Eu.Seedfinder and look at reports that others have posted. Just like trying different wines or beers to find the one that you may like the best, Cannabis sampling is a trial-and-error process.

Remember that everyone is wired differently, so the effects will have a slight variation depending on who you are and how it’s grown and harvested, but for the most part, the effects from, say, Grand Daddy Purple are going to be pretty uniform across sam-ples as long as they are consistent in their labeling practices.

TALKING WITH BUDTENDERS Don’t be bashful. Bud-tenders will generally have a pretty decent idea of what product can meet your price point and expertise level if you converse with them. They should also be taken with a grain of salt because some producer/processor companies promote better than others and budtenders may be trained to be more knowledgable in these companies’ products and will promote them more than the others.

Not all budtenders are created equal. Some take their job seri-ously and are very knowledgable, while others are just there for the discount and just want to shovel off grams. Let the budtender know if you are a first-time consumer or new to Cannabis so they don’t send you home with something that may be way too potent for your experience level. Remember, it’s always easier to consume more, take it slowly and learn where your line is.

Yes, you can take too much Cannabis, but overdoses won’t kill you. They may very well make you feel extremely uncomfortable and can alter your plans very quickly, possibly making you look rather foolish when you are laying on the floor. The point to take

home here is that the budtender should have a de-cent idea of what the product is like and the effects, but do your homework; no one knows you better than you do.

POTENCY Many consumers believe that high THC content means that product will get them the most “fucked up.” While THC does promote the majority of the psychoactive responses that one receives when they consume Cannabis, it is the entourage effect mentioned above that really has the most influence on how potent and how long the effects last after consumption.

With all the hybridizing of plants, we are now starting to see cultivars that grow like sativas but

can carry a heavy sedative effect like an indica characteristically would do and vice versa. Just because a plant is 20-some odd percent THC doesn’t mean you will be on a space rocket ride for four hours. The combination of other cannabinoids and terpenes along with environmental stimuli will all play a role in how the effects are felt and their longevity.

Learning more about the major terpenes in Cannabis and how they interact with your body chemistry can really help reduce any anxiety attack or negative effects associated with Cannabis use.

When you’rein the store,take a moment to look overthe test resultson the backof the package.Don’t be afraidto ask opinionsof budtenders.

A Guide to Navigating Washington’s recreational pot storesHOW TO BUY CANNABIS


access

Concentrates 4/5

THERE IS PLENTY of top-shelf oil here. You won’t find bargain $30 grams of oil, but if you want the best, it’s the place to stop. X-tracted Laboratories and Refine Seattle hold down the top shelf, with half grams ranging from $35-50 depending on quality and strain correctness. Options like Banana Cream and Blueberry Cheesecake are definitely worth the top-shelf price. We also saw more affordable options like Blue Champagne by Agro Couture at $30 per ½ gram, and options from Green Valley at $35 per ½ gram. There is also a solid selection of Clear Concentrate vapor pens with flavors like pear and lime sorbet.

Strains 5/5

THE STRAINS at Clear Choice are easily ordered using the large rotating menus at the front of the budtending stations. We found the budtenders happy to help and share knowledge about different farms and strains, blending their own experiences with those of other customers to give a good representation of what is on the shelf. Strains start at $10 a gram and range up to $18, with eighths starting at $35 for price-conscious shoppers. We saw a tasty looking Lavender Sungrown strain at $10 per gram, and a killer SV OG by Tahoma for $15 that definitely looked worth a premium price. They also have a large selection of pre-rolls and even a Cannabis cigar!

Edibles 5/5

CLEAR CHOICE sells a wide range of edibles, including CBD options! We loved seeing 100mg CBD pebbles or CBD caps both at $40, a price that is comparable to medical products. Their high THC edibles range from single 10mg servings at $9 to 100mg options like Chili Cinnamon Rocks for only $40, one of the fairest edible prices we have seen in a recreational store. We also saw 100mg Zoot Drops for only $40, which allow people to use Cannabis discretely and freely.

clear choice cannabis By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN

Reviewed


Environment 5/5

THE ENVIRONMENT at Clear Choice is clean and professional, with hardwood floors and beautiful display cases. It’s also a glass lover’s dream! Walking inside feels like a hybrid glass museum with a solid weed store included. It is easy to spend 20+ minutes simply appreciating the glass before even looking at the menu. You won’t have to wait long to make a purchase. The staff is friendly and helpful, and keep the multiple lines moving through quickly.

Overall 19/20

THIS IS ONE of the nicest thought-out retail stores in Washington right now. With easy access off the I-5 freeway in a covert strip mall area, it is a great stopping-off point for those inside Tacoma or commuting either north or south. The glass alone makes this worthwhile, but the solid selection of Cannabis is a welcome bonus, for sure.

CLEAR CHOICE CANNABIS(RECREATIONAL)

8001 S Hosmer St, Tacoma, WA 98408(253) 444-5444 // Menu on Leafly

It’s easy to spend 20+ minutes simply appreciating the glass before even looking at the menu.

BY SIRIUS BUDS > The DTF is an extremely tasty and potent strain that delivers an amazing cerebral high. The taste and flavor are out of control, with strong notes of sweet pine with a citrus finish. Grown on Vashon Island and packaged on June 27, this strain has not been on shelves long and likely won’t be as it sells out. Moisture content was still great, and the initial snap of a nug was satisfying and released a pungent odor in the air. This flower and Sirius Buds are definitely worth the tokes.

27/30

THE SCORE

a r om a :d en s i t y :

c u r e :l o o k s :

f l av o r :e f f e c t:

T O TA L :

DUTCH THUNDERFUCK Hybrid Sativa Dank, $20/g & $60 1/8th

I love the Prohibition Brands name and their 1.5-gram La Cubana cigar blends a sense of mystery with a really cool product. Inside a custom box is one of the most beautiful Canna-gars I have ever seen. To be clear, a Canna-gar is a pot-filled cigar that is wrapped in cured sugar leaves on the outside instead of tobacco or paper wraps. The presentation on this product is out of this world, and it makes you feel like a true boss when smoking. Forget a Havana tobacco cigar and reach for a Caviar Cigar the next time you want to celebrate in true style!

18/20

THE SCORE

a r om a :l o o k s :ta s t e :

e f f e c t:T O TA L :

LA CUBANA CAVIAR PRE-ROLL $30


Feature By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN

Sales/Marketing Spencer Schrote, Biz Dev. Ryan Strand, Lead Growers Charlie and Max Young, brothers. Charlie handles veg side, Max manages flowering side.

The crew cultivating these beautiful flowers have been testing a bunch and are preparing to release several new strains into the recreational marketplace. A nimble operation manages to oversee 15 strains, which rotate based on demand and an attention to market-needs.

recreational growers

ROYAL TREE GARDENS


two main environmental factors in making a diamond are heat and pressure, and the crew at Royal Tree

Gardens have had a lot of both this summer.With the oldest team member a fresh 30 years old,

it is safe to say that this team is hungry to make a mark on the Washington pot market. Coming from medical production, co-founder and owner Spencer Schrote and master gardener Max Young both hold their recreational plants to the same high standards. The mission isn’t to grow as much weed for cash as possible. They want to grow the best strains at the highest level, and share their connoisseur-grade flower with the most consumers.

“The transition from medical to 502 is a complete different busi-ness experience. Luckily, we have a very open-minded approach, said Schote. “Our mission is to grow the highest quality product, not mass produce or jack up prices. We come from the medical side, with patient-driven quality from a holistic perspective. It is a new frontier, a new world.”

Their Tacoma tier two production facility houses 640 plants in flower, with a dozen strains growing at any given time. The farm crops twice a month, with plants constantly in various stages of growth. Over 70 strains are available through the garden and are in the process of being tested for commercial viabil-ity. The constantly rotating model offers enhanced quality control and a constant supply of flower com-ing from the gardens.

“All our experience comes from smaller rooms at previous grows, and we didn’t want to change our model. So, we built several smaller flowering rooms into our larger warehouse, and continued using our same soilless coco base system,” Young explained. “It’s a really great system that can be replicated in a warehouse on a larger scale.”

Although things are running smoothly now, the team has faced its share of growing pains getting up to speed since getting licensed in Dec. 2014.

“We have had every issue you can have, mainly because of our rush to bring in genetics during the fifteen-day window. We’ve had our A/C fail, we’ve had plants that had male flowers... basically Mur-phy’s law. It was tough, but we always try to learn from a mistake and not make the mistake again,” Schrote said.

“Whenever you think you’re done running into obstacles as a producer, something pops up that you

don’t anticipate. Now we are having a lot of suc-cess, but it came from adversity.”

The strains grown by Royal Tree show a focus on presentation and attention to detail that is refresh-ing in the 502 marketplace. All flowers are sold in glass jars, no bags, and the strains are easily identi-fiable as quality and specific to genetics.

“The middle fork was Max’s flagship medical strain, with roots in PNW. That was our heavy-hit-ter coming into 502. We’ve also been growing a lot of landrace strains like Cherry Thai, Durban

Poison, Blue Galaxy (Hash Plant/Afghani) and Papaya,” Schrote said by phone.

“We’re really excited about new genetics that are still waiting to go into production too! We are also returning to our Strawberry Cough, which has been our high-est testing strain so far at 29.4

percent THC.”Another standout strain is their Sherbet, which

leads with a deep sour blast that fades into creamy and sweet earthy tones. Notes of fresh fruit and citrus finish off this treat of a strain that delivers powerhouse effects. The high hits immediately, starting in the forehead and quickly spreading throughout the body, filling the mind and body with a fun, euphoric energy.

They also produce a unique and pungent Dutch Treat, with bright floral and citrus notes that tick-le the nose. Out of all the strains grown at Roy-al Tree, the best has to be the Gasmask. Bursting with orange notes, this purple-tinged bud is an absolute gem to smoke.

What makes the team at Royal Tree special is that they’ve built a brand with a positive attitude, using the pressure of a new industry to become better growers and deliver high-quality product.

“I feel very privileged to be doing this with good friends. Going through this with good people and sharing experiences, success and failures, that’s been the most meaningful thing to me,” Schrote said. “I know not a lot of people get to do that in life, and we are fortunate to do this for our careers, and that’s one of the biggest things of value to me from this whole process.”

The

Whenever you think you’re done running into obstacles as a producer, something pops up that

you don’t anticipate. Now we are having a lot of success, but it came

from adversity.

Royal Tree GardensRoyalTreeGardens.com/retailers@RoyalTreeGardensPAPAYAorange kush

SHER BERT


Feature By WES ABNEY

BORDER WARWith cheaper, better pot available across the way in Oregon,pricey recreational stores in Vancouver are officially in trouble.

The newest billboard greeting I-5 drivers en-tering Oregon this month offers $79 ounces at Portland’s Left Coast Connection.

The impact of that promise will resonate throughout the entire world, but nowhere more soundly than in the Vancouver, Wash. recreation-al pot market. Since the first pot store opened in Vancouver, the city has had carte blanche on the recreational market, with an estimated 45 percent of purchases made by Ore-gonians. That market control brought in massive sales to 502 retailers and taxes to the state, with individual stores reporting millions in monthly revenue.

That ended Oct. 1.Today, anyone over the age of 21

can enter a medical dispensary any-where in Oregon and purchase up to seven grams of laboratory tested flower and four clones. With no limit on visits to multiple locations, adults from anywhere in the world may purchase up to eight ounces, seven grams at a time.

The average top-shelf gram sells for $11 in Port-

land’s busy pot market, with over 100 dispensaries in the metro area alone. Neighboring Vancouver has a handful of stores where a top-shelf gram costs $20, an eighth $60-70, and a quarter-ounce is more than $100.

For that same $100, a Vancouver resident could easily purchase 14-28 grams of pot in Portland by making two to four stops on a weed sightseeing

trip across the border. All Oregon’s recreational Cannabis sold until Jan. 1, 2016 will be tax-free; after that date it will have a 25 percent tax applied. It sounds high (and it is) but compared to the Washington 37 percent excise tax plus an average 9 percent sales tax, it’s a 20 percent tax break on already cheaper products to

cross the border. Cheaper prices plus overall better product will kill the Vancouver pot market.

The number one economic factor driving pot sales is price. After that comes quality and avail-ability, with either factor being substituted in im-portance. Now that dispensaries are in both states,

the biggest drivers of sales will be price and overall quality. Oregon’s free market production model has allowed for more genetic diversity and better growing practices, especially since growers aren’t burdened with excessive licensing or taxation.

Oregon’s medicine is still tested at stricter levels than Washington’s, leaving the fear-based rhetoric pushed by I-502 of “untested pot” mute.

Though it will be the first city to suffer, the economic damage caused by the pot migration will extend far beyond Vancouver. Any consumer within 60 miles of the border will be better served by Oregon than the Washington market.

But the truly scary thing for Washington is that this impact will be felt while sales are limited to flower and clones.

What happens when adults can head south and buy up to eight ounces of flower, plus more potent edibles and concentrates? The limited dosing, in-explicable taxes and obscene over-regulation that lawmakers thought would protect the 502 system will likely prove to be its downfall.

That, and greed.

ANY CONSUMER WITHIN 60 MILES OF THE BORDER WILL BE BETTER SERVED BY OREGON THAN THE

WASHINGTON MARKET.

T38/ OCt. 2015 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

highly likely By PACER STACKTRAIN for NORTHWEST LEAF

[email protected] Instagram: @ThePacerStackTrain

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States and one of our nation’s Founding Fathers. He was also an inventor, philosopher, educator and farmer. One of the crops he chose to farm in large quantities at Montecello happened to be hemp.

Hemp was an important crop to our founding fathers and to our young nation. George Washington famously wrote about separating male from female plants in his letters and journals, and grew large swaths of hemp on his farm. The first American flag (the one sewn by Betsy Ross) was made out of hemp. The Constitution was written on hemp fiber. Even the Declaration of Independence that Jefferson authored was written on hemp fiber. Truly, hemp is woven through the early part of our nation’s history.

Thomas Jefferson was perhaps the most complex and forward-thinking of the leaders of the American revolution. He coined the term “marketplace of ideas,” which really could be seen as a preamble to what the Internet is now to our daily life. But he had his faults, too; Jefferson owned slaves, a glaring dichotomy to many of his philosophical ideas about liberty and freedom. Such was the case for many of our Founding Fathers.

But was Jefferson a consumer of Cannabis? That is quite the point of contention, mostly because of this quote that has floated around the Internet for a decade: “Some of my finest moments have been spent on my back veranda, smoking hemp and observing as far as my eye can see.”

The quote is often attributed to Jefferson, and while it seems plausible that he’d write something to this effect, the actual source of the quote has never been discovered. Thus,

2003, oxford university press “Thomas Jefferson” by R.B. Bernstein

we still don’t have any confirmation that Thomas Jefferson actually smoked or consumed Cannabis. However, in Jefferson’s farm book (a collection of notes on farming practices at Monticello), he talks of storing Cannabis in his base-ment along with other vegetables and food for preservation. Just what was he preserving it for? He even invented a tool specifically designed to process hemp. It is also highly likely he hired smugglers to bring higher-grade hemp seeds from China to America, which was illegal to do at the time under Chinese proprietary law.

Jefferson and Ben Franklin were ambassadors to France during the initial surge in popularity of hashish in the early 1800s — as someone who con-cerned himself with “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” it sure seems like Jefferson, if offered the chance, would have probably partaken.

True, it’s impossible to know for sure if Jefferson really enjoyed Cannabis in a recreational or medi-cal sense. But we do know he grew it, and that his love and passion for the plant was tied directly to the good he saw it creating in our budding nation.

Pain

ting

by

rem

bran

dt

Jefferson invented a tool designed for processing hemp and was an ambassador to France during the initial surge in popularity of hashish in the early 1800s with Benjamin Franklin.

In this burgeoning, amazing age of Cannabis legalization in America, it can be easy to forget just how taboo it was to admit to being a consumer of this plant even a few years ago.That’s why we want to highlight amazingCannabis pioneers throughout history.

THOMAS JEFFERSON

Column #3

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TO THINK that being called a Deadhead was once an insult is laughable, especially when med-icating with a bowl of the killer Deadhead OG.

This hybrid strain with epic parents Chem-dawg 91 and SFV OG Kush redefines the term OG, just as the Grateful Dead revolution has re-defined counterculture with tours continuing to this day! The smell is pure OG, with a pungent and sour smell that can fill a room with a simple snap of a nug. Deep and intense smells of lemon and diesel loudly command the initial taste, with earthy and mineral-rich tones lingering in the background long after a bag is closed.

The buds are small to medium sized and dense, and make for a sticky yet satisfying smoke whether rolled or packed in a pipe. The first hit of a bowl brings a thick and sour smoke that fills the lungs quickly and smoothly, expanding into a heavy fog that lingers on the palate and the lungs. A heady buzz quickly sets in, leaving the mouth tingly and ready for another hit.

Effects-wise, this sativa smacks the frontal lobes with love and energy. It is perfect for the daytime, or even that first toke of the morning. Patients will find this strain beneficial for anxiety, pain and depression, or for general daytime use. As the days grow shorter in the coming months and Washingtonians begin losing vitamin D, a solid sativa hybrid like the Deadhead OG is great for lifting mood and stress even as we lose our beloved sunshine.

Check out the Deadhead OG flower and a spe-cial rosin press by Raw Zen at HH this month!

By WES ABNEY | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN

STRAINOF THE MONTH

DEADHEAD OG

By LAURIE WOLF for NORTHWEST LEAF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF for NORTHWEST LEAFrecipes

44/ OCT. 2015 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF > more medicated recipes pg. 46

1. In a large saucepan heat the oils. Add the beef and sausage, breaking up any chunks with the back of

a wooden spoon for 4-5 minutes. 2. Season with salt and pepper, then add the chili powder, cumin and

chipotle chili powder. Cook and stir for 4-5 minutes. 3. Add the broth, beer, kidney beans and the toma-

toes. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 25-30 minutes to blend flavors. 4. Stir

in lime juice and season with salt & pepper to taste. Top with optional garnishes.

SMOKY CHILI BEAN SOUP 1 tablespoon canola oil1 tablespoon canna-canola oil1 pound ground beef½ pound sausage meat3 tablespoons chili powder1 tablespoon ground cumin1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder4 cups beef broth1x 12oz bottle dark beer2x 15oz cans kidney beans2x 10oz cans diced tomatoes w/ chilis3 tablespoons fresh limejuiceSalt and pepper to taste

INGREDIENTS *Try topping the soup with chunky-style salsa, cubed avocado and fresh cilantro leaves

Makes 4-6 servings

The weather is getting cooler and life is moving

inside. For many of us this time of year, food

gets cozier and we start to hunker down. These recipes, infused with Cannabis, make the

hunkering that much more delightful.

All

Meds are Tested fo

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Heat oven to 340

1. In a large saucepan, melt down the butters. Stir in flour and make a roux. Cook for several minutes, stirring until light golden brown.

2. Slowly add the milk, stirring frequently until thick and simmering.

3. Season sauce with the spices and add cheeses. Stir everything well and add in your cooked and drained pasta to the mix.

4. Butter 9 x 13 inch baking pan and fold mixture into the pan. Sprinkle with the breadcrumbs.

5. Bake ‘til golden and bubbly, about 35 to 40 drooling minutes.

recipes

46/ OCT. 2015 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

By LAURIE WOLF for NORTHWEST LEAF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF for NORTHWEST LEAF Continued from pg. 44

Serves 8-10

1. In a large bowl combine the carrot, zucchini, potato and onion and mix.

2. In another bowl, combine the eggs, flour, cumin and baking powder.

3. Combine two mixtures and set aside. In a small bowl mix the yogurt, lemon juice, scallion, mint, dill and salt and pepper. Chill.

4. Heat the canola oil and Canna oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place the vegetable mixture in the hot oil by heaping tablespoons.

5. Flatten a bit with the back of the spoon. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side and flip them once.

6. Serve pancakes w/ the sauce.

INGREDIENTS2 carrots, peeled and grated1 zucchini, grated1 russet potato, grated1 medium onion, grated2 large eggs, lightly beaten4 tablespoons all-purpose flour1 tablespoon cumin½ teaspoon baking powderSalt and pepper1 cup plain yogurt2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice1 scallion, chopped1 tablespoon chopped mint1 tablespoon chopped fresh dillSalt & pepper to taste2-3 tablespoons canola oil1-2 tablespoons canna-canola oil

*

Makes about 4 servings

ZUCCHINI & CARROT PancakesA medicated savory lunch or weekend breakfast treat!

1 lb. macaroni, cooked, drained3 tablespoons canna-butter1 tablespoon butter1/3 cup flour1 quart whole milk1 teaspoon salt½ teaspoon pepper½ teaspoon smoked paprika½ pound cheddar, shredded½ pound Gruyere, shredded1 cup Parmesan, grated2 cups breadcrumbs

INGREDIENTS *

MAC &Cheese

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By medi brothers, $20Tested by MRX Labs 200mg THC medicated with Elephant Extracts

The Banana Cream Pie Bar by Medi Brothers is one of the more popular edibles currently on the Northwest market. The bar boasts a whop-ping 50+ grams of protein and 200mg of THC. The dehydrated bananas used are visible in the bar and add a nice natural banana taste. We in-gested the whole bar in one sitting. We became

incredibly giggly and happy after about 45 minutes. The high is predominantly cerebral, setting in be-hind the eyes and forehead. We were heavily med-icated for a good five hours, making this one of the stronger treats we have tried recently. We recommend this edible to patients looking for a long-lasting cerebral high to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, nausea and pain. It would be nice to see a wider selection of savory medicated options in access points, as many avail-able edibles have absurd amounts of sugar in them.

THE BAR BOASTS A WHOPPING 50+

GRAMS OF PROTEIN AND 200MG OF THC.

BANANA CREAM PIE

By STEVE ELLIOTT Editor, Tokesignals.com


Reviews

HERB

ould you like to learn the secrets of Cannabis cooking from a classically trained chef? Melissa Parks offers that with “HERB: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Cannabis,” a volume written along with recipe developer and writer Laurie Wolf. This decidedly high-end cookbook is timed for the holidays with a No-vember 2015 release, and features gourmet recipes that use Cannabis like any

other herb — for taste as much as for effect, rather than just trying to mask the marijuana flavor.This intersection of haute cuisine, culinary science and pot-induced pleasure produces not only a

fascinating cultural phenomenon, it also results in over-the-top recipes such as marijuana-infused black pepper biscuits, butternut squash soup and sausage marinara. Don’t you want that rib eye steak topped with garlic-herb canna-compound butter? Of course you do.

Not only can you raise eyebrows and consciousness all at once with these recipes, you can gain a new level of understanding when it comes to the science behind dosing levels. No special equipment is needed to prepare the extractions needed for these recipes, just an infusion of Cannabis into a medium such as oil or butter. Then, you can proceed as normal with the preparation of the dish.

The authors get major credit for recognizing the healing role of terpenes when it comes to the effects of Cannabis. These powerfully pungent mole-cules are responsible for the distinct smell and taste of marijuana, and they help potentiate the effects of the cannabinoids in a way believed to be relat-ed to the “aromatherapy” effect.

Over 200 pages of sharply photographed, delicious-appearing dishes are featured, and this covers the gamut from appetizers and entrees to desserts.

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Mastering the Art of Cooking with CannabisBy LAURIE WOLF & MELISSA PARKS | 2015 | 234 PAGES | $40

Facebook.com/CaliChronicComixSuperstonersOrder the comics online at MileHighComics.com

CALIChronic Comix

By JEFFREY PETERSON

The history of underground commix cele-brating the Cannabis counterculture goes back to at least the late 1960s, when Zap, the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and other shots across the bow of mainstream American culture first made their mark on the national consciousness. Carrying on that proud tradition are Jeffrey Peterson’s Cali Chronic Comix, a new wave of marijuana-themed comic books.

Cali Chronic Comix were created in 2013 by artist/writer Peterson — who is also known as standup comedian The 420 Comic — inspired by the success of the counterculture lifestyle independent magazine Cali Chronic X. Peter-son and his brother Dan released Superstoners and then in the summer of 2014, Peterson was cast on “The Marijuana Show,” considered the “Shark Tank” of the Cannabis industry.

Out of 10 contestants, Peterson alone was chosen to receive an investment. Since that an-nouncement, Cali Chronic Comix has gotten press in Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal. With a $25,000 investment from King of Quality, five issues have now been printed.

Current titles include Superstoners, The Achiev-ers and Rainy Day Women, with five more titles in the works. A comic strip version of Superstoners is also being placed in Cannabis-themed magazines!


device of the month

Intergalactic TacticalBy ROBERT MICKELSEN X DARBY HOLM

photo by Daniel Berman

$40,000 Clear Choice Cannabis, Tacoma


health & science

APPETITE MANAGEMENTBy

SIMONE FISCHERfor

NORTHWEST LEAF

Munchies? Weight LOSS? Both qualities can finally be harnessed through Cannabis. As more and more studies are conducted on Cannabis, it turns out this magical plant might potentially hold the key to maintaining a healthy weight. Despite the usual complaints of munchy-inducing strains, it is important to understand which cannabinoids increase or decrease appetite — depending on what type of health issue(s) a patient faces. Understanding the fundamentals of cannabinoids is essential when looking to treat weight issues with Cannabis. Ultimately, it comes down to cannabinoid and terpene content, and more specifically, the way these molecules interface within our own endocannabinoid system. Read on to find out more...

Weight-Loss Alternative: THC-V

Say it with me: THC-V, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, is the sole cannabinoid responsible for appetite suppression in weed. Basi-cally, finding strains high in THC-V is key. THC-V is a psycho-active cannabinoid, revered for its psychedelic properties. When

dealing with obesity, diabetes and weight-related issues, Cannabis high in THC-V can potentially mitigate the habit of overeating.

After I stumbled across this gem of information, I set out to find what current strains contain THC-V to help patients struggling with weight loss. At this point in time, only a few prized genetics contain this rare can-nabinoid. THC-V is considered “The Sports Car of Cannabis” as coined by Steep Hill, because psychoactively, it is stronger than THC, but shorter in

PHOTO BY FLICKR/JEFFREYWW

Understandingthe influences of

Cannabinoidsand Terpenes


APPETITE MANAGEMENT

duration. THC-V is noted as an anorectic cannabinoid to due the power of ap-petite suppression. If you are suffering from an eating disorder, or have trouble conjuring an appetite, look to avoid strains high in THC-V.

APPETITE-REDUCING STRAINSDurban Poison (African Sativa)

DP is one of the most highly regarded sativas in the world. DP is impossible to miss and leaves you with an incredibly floral nose. It’s one of the few strains that contain THC-V at this point in time. I encourage using DP for daytime uses. Make sure to eat your breakfast before a wake n’ bake, or say goodbye to your appetite!

DP makes incredible concentrates due to its enlarged oil glands, and the terpene profile is out of this world. By far one of the tastiest THC-V strains.

Blue Dream (Sativa-Dominant Hybrid)

A cross between Blueberry (Indica) and Haze (Sativa), this well-balanced strain is a favorite within the OMMP commu-nity. When looking for stronger pain relief without sacri-ficing your mental state, reach for BD. Out of any of the strains containing THC-V, BD is one of the heaviest. I highly recommend for evening use, but seasoned tokers can easily handle BD in the daytime.

Jack the Ripper (Sativa)

A legendary and highly sought-after sativa, JtR is not recommended for the faint of heart. This heavy-hitting sativa has been known to ag-gravate anxiety and paranoia, so please medicate with caution. JtR contains THC-V; remember to eat before medicating! This strain is ideal for day-time or mid-day use for a jolt of energy when you need it. JtR is highly cerebral and euphoric, making it a great option for creativity.

Cherry Pie (Hybrid)

CP is a beloved strain containing THC-V and has Durban Poison lineage. This is another go-to strain when looking to curb late-night munchies, while obtaining a solid night of rest. It’s a Grand Daddy Purp cross, providing nec-essary pain relief. When someone is looking to manage pain, reach for CP. Unwind with CP guilt-free. CP is one of the best-balanced strains available.

WEIGHT GAIN: THC & BETA MYRCENEIn cases of HIV/AIDS, cachexia and eating dis-

orders, we must understand what strains to use to encourage weight gain. THC (or tetrahydrocannab-inol) is the psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for the notorious “munchies,” all Cannabis users have

come to terms with at some point in their smoking career. When talking about underweight patients, look for strains high in THC and no THC-V.

I also found the terpene ß-myrcene is key to enhancing the “munchy” ef-fect. Myrcene is a monoterpene responsible for delivering the psychoactive effect of THC faster. Meaning: the more myrcene found in a strain, the fast-er you will get high. After reviewing Steep Hill’s Cannabinoid & Terpene Reference Sheet, I was struck by the fact that terpenes “…lower resistance to the blood brain barrier, allowing itself and many other chemicals to cross the barrier easier and more quickly.” I point this detail out purposefully because the faster you feel the effects of THC, the faster the munchies will ensue. Eat a mango to further increase the effects, as suggested by Steep Hill.

WEIGHT-GAIN STRAINSMango Kush (Hybrid)

MK is a celebrated go-to strain when looking to encourage a healthy ap-petite. This citrusy hybrid works wonders for patients; many enjoy the initial

headiness that settles into a mellow body high. Works wonders at any point in the day. MK is recognized for higher levels of myrcene

found within this strain. Fruit and spice linger off the pal-ate. Warning: never grocery shop after using this strain;

you’ll come back with the entire store!

<< Bubba Kush (Indica)

If you’re looking for beefy indica to mitigate pain while encouraging a healthy appetite, look no further. Bubba Kush is a classic indica, known for its full, earthy flavor and sedative high. I would advise reserving BK primarily for night-time use. BK has a reputation of not being the

most ambitious strain; “couch-lock” is a common side effect. A strain staple, use BK when looking

to unwind and center yourself. Do yourself a favor and pre-order a pizza before smoking or dabbing (in

concentrate form). Thank me later.

Gorilla Glue #4 (Hybrid)

In 2014, GG#4 took first in the Los Angeles High Times Cannabis Cup, and it isn’t hard to figure out why. Expertly balanced with a soothing and lasting high, GG#4 is ideal for day or nighttime use. GG#4 is also an effec-tive pain reliever with a connoisseur’s mouth-feel. Arouse your appetite with some of the best-tasting Cannabis to be released yet — you won’t regret it.

Simone Fischer is a Portland OMMP patient and Cannabis advocate. She is a contributing editor at Ladybud Magazine and a graduate of women’s and gender studies from Portland State University.

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STORY & PHOTOS by BOB MONTOYA for NORTHWEST LEAF

Feature

harvest time is upon us, , if you are growing outdoors. Using sun, water and Alpaca ma-nure, the results are good for Vashon Kush 13 and Shazam. This month’s choices are grown by a disabled veteran in need of pain and anx-iety control. Strains that are mostly indica fit that bill. This year’s summer went all the way with plenty of sunshine, something we usu-ally have in short supply. Sativa strains can’t usually finish in our summer without some augmentation.

VK13 is all Indica. Its lineage reaches back to the Kush Mountains and the James Bean Seed Company has perpetuated it for more than two decades. It has a dank, sour smell that turns earthy when cured. It comes on quickly, making pain fade and limbs feel heavy. This is a potent stay-at-home medicine best used when all else is complete. It is a big warm, fuzzy hug that eases mind and body.

Shazam is a 70-30 Indica dominant strain.and the product of Ghost and Schrom from Secret Seeds Garden in Seattle. It is sweet smelling with a hint of pine and a spicy finish. It smokes smooth, but is best taken in vapor. It has enough of a lift with its Sativa genes to keep you off the couch, and lift the mood.

These flowers were grown outdoors from seed starting in March, and fin-ishing at the end of September this year. Long haul indeed, but well worth the rock-solid genetics with resistance to pests and Powdery Mildew.

I grew these flowers.

Micro strains

Every issue, we’ll explore how growers are crafting strains with the goal of helping specific needs, not necessarily obtaining the highest yields.

VashonKush 13


Bob Montoya is a Cannabis photographer, veteran & well-seasoned grower hailing from Olympia.

Shazam a smooth smoker, Shazam has enough of a lift with its Sativa genes to keep you off the couch and lift the mood.

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How to reduce stress, live longer and feel better with steady deep, full breaths.


health & science

BY NORTHWEST LEAF SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

DR. SCOTT D. ROSE

Pain, particularly chronic pain, is rampant in America. One in 10 adults experiences “a lot” of pain. Nearly 56 percent of individuals reported some pain in the preceding three months, and more than 25 million adults — 11 percent — suffer from pain on a daily basis. These estimates are based on the responses of nearly 9,000 adults who took part in the 2012 National Health Inter-view Survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and reported in Aug. 2015. The survey also asked about alternatives in place of prescription painkillers and found many people are turning to yoga, massage, exercise, acupuncture and mindful practices including breathing meditation to relieve pain.

It seems that deep, slow breathing — techniques used in Zen meditation and other mindful pursuits (such as yoga, and qi gong) might help ease pain. Being mindful of pain can make it better, it appears. Take a deep breath.

A basic definition of mindfulness is to accept who we are and what we are experiencing in any given moment. When in pain, we just

want the pain to go away! Right away. And that’s understandable. Chronic pain is frustrating, debilitating and affects so many in-dividuals on so many levels that it may seem counterintuitive to pay more attention to our pain.

Instead of focusing on how badly we want the pain to stop, in being mindful, one pays attention to their pain with curiosity

and without judgment. This is why mindfulness is so helpful. This approach is very different from what the brain ordinarily does when

experiencing the sensation of pain. The mind typically forms judgments and negative thoughts, and these judgments and negative thoughts fuel the emotions of anxiety and depression. (Take another deep breath and this time exhale more slowly.)

INHALE & EXHALE YOUR PAIN AWAY

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Dr. Scott D. Rose has written about Cannabis and health for years in the Northwest Leaf. He is an acupuncturist with a pain resolution clinic in the Crown Hill area of Seattle.

Pain affecting the mood is a classic example of the pain cycle. Pain, especially chronic pain, typically leads to feelings of depression, an-ger and anxiety. These feelings often come due to the limitations that chronic pain creates. These feelings also make coping with pain all the more difficult. Limitations, coupled with a lack of energy due to the taxing nature of coping with chronic pain, lead to decreased activity levels. A lack of exercise and ability to stay in shape worsens the pain.

Pain and anxiety make sleeping difficult, and this lack of sleep in-creases pain and decreases energy. For you see, this is a vicious cycle. Pain, anxiety and lack of sleep are all stress-inducing and drive the sympathetic branch of the nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response. Part of the pain cycle is linked to breathing. The stress-induced state causes very rapid and shallow breathing. A per-son having a panic attack or high anxiety, for instance, breathes very shallowly and rapidly. Shallow, rapid breathing sends signals to the brain that there are problems going on in the body, whereas (now take this next breath) a long, slow, deep breath sends signals to the brain that everything is going to be alright.

A rapidly expanding body of research is showing that practicing mindful breathing can be immensely helpful for people stuck in the pain cycle. Actually, your very next breath may bring you relief; just take that breatth slower and more deeply and with the intention of just being. (In through the nose for a four count, and out the mouth for eight.) People report less distress and can tolerate more acute pain in the research laboratory when they are practicing mindfulness, com-pared to people who are not. Scientists have also used brain imag-ing to show that we process the emotional aspects of pain differently during mindfulness so that it is less distressing.

In the foreword of “The Mindfulness Solution to Pain” by Dr. J. Gardner-Nix, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., writes, “from the perspective of mindfulness, nothing needs fixing. Nothing needs to be forced to stop, or change, or go away.” Kabat-Zinn actually founded an effective program called mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in 1979. While today it helps individuals with all sorts of concerns, it was orig-inally created to help chronic pain patients.

Mindful breathing practices are steeped in the ancient traditions of Zen meditation, yoga, qi gong and more. The benefits of mindful breathing and concentration have long been realized. Modern science is only catching up, confirming and validating these health benefits.

There seem to be a few necessary ingredients in the recipe of a mindful practice, the first of which is relaxation. Relaxation is very helpful in calming down the nervous system, which often becomes overactive when pain persists for a long time. Relaxation also boosts your body’s natural pain modifiers, such as endogenous endorphins — the feel-good hormones.

The second ingredient is acceptance. Acceptance of the here and now, as best we can, including pain. Rather than being engaged in a fierce battle with pain and just wanting to get rid of it, there is a shift in mindset of acceptance. This helps to increase receptivity to what may come next, positive or negative, and help to solidify the shift in mindset away from one resigned to live the rest of one’s life in pain to a mindset that is more positive and hopeful.

The third ingredient is mental flexibility. Thinking very negatively about pain is one of the strongest predictors that short-term acute pain will become longer-term persistent pain. Through the mindful practice, mental flexibil-ity is gained, where one starts to see thoughts as just mental events rather than facts, which lessens their impact. This is especially important in treating the emotional impacts of disability and pain such as depression and anxiety. (Take another deep breath.)

Getting started is quite easy as there is no special equipment to buy or

costly membership fees. All that is needed is a comfortable place in your home or garden where you can sit, stand or lie comfortably for five to 45 minutes. (Maybe you start with 30 seconds — it is a prac-tice!) Mindfulness practice is generally an individual practice that any-one can do. The best way to get started is to choose a place and time to practice where you will be undisturbed for your desired amount of time. The goal is to practice daily for a few weeks — two to four is good, with eight being ideal — before asking objectively what it may be doing for you.

Mindfulness is also continued throughout the day, always coming back to the senses. Observing the way the belly moves in and out with each breath, mindful of the way the weight shifts from one foot to the other with each step, taking note of pain. Moving in to, instead of out of, to curiously explore the pain in a nonjudgmental way. Moving to-ward the pain instead of away, with acceptance and maybe consciously turning the pain up a little in a controlled fashion. Then turning it back down. Having the ability to reframe the pain through this new per-spective of mindful practice and turning the mindset around the pain pattern is helpful to experience the pain in a different way.

Just by starting with five min-utes a day, you will find that your ability to focus your attention for longer periods of time im-proves. Lay on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the floor; support your head with a pillow if needed. Rest your hands on your stomach and notice your breath. Imagine that you have a balloon in your stomach. Con-centrate on your stomach rising/inflating with each inhale and falling/deflating with each exhale. All the while, keep your awareness present with each breath.

As your mind wanders, keep bringing your thoughts back to your breath, then refocus your attention to the present moment. Concen-trate on how this creates a feeling of calmness. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by thoughts, feelings or sounds. After two weeks, you can expect to see improvements in your overall pain level, well-being and stress levels.

Mindfulness is an effective practice for approaching chronic pain. It teaches individuals to observe their pain and be curious about it. And, while counterintuitive, it’s this very act of paying attention that can help with pain. Deaths from prescription painkillers have also qua-drupled since 1999, killing more than 16,000 people in the U.S. in 2013, and deaths from nonprescription over-the-counter nonsteroidal

anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are many more than that annually. It stands to reason that people are looking for alterna-tive measures to help them live a better life dealing with chronic pain. People in search of a pain plan may need to mix it up a bit and try different things. Mindful practices, like mindful breathing, may be one piece to the puzzle of making pain more bearable, or even mitigating it entirely.

Mindful breathing works on many levels, from increasing oxygenation of the blood and the tissues to rerouting and reprogramming the brain’s experience of pain. The latter is key to mindful breathing’s effectiveness. So, go ahead and take another deep breath and your mindfulness will clear your “mind fullness.”

Adults at rest breathe an

average of 12-16x/minute and live to be 70-80+ years old. There does seem to be a correlation

between slower respiration and

an increased lifespan.

TORTOISE 100+ yrs.

4x

WHALE 30-60 yrs.

4x

HORSE 25-30 yrs.

8-15x

CHIMPS 40 yrs.

14x

DOGS 10-20 yrs.

20-30x

SHREW 1 year140x

A long, slow, deep breath sends signals to the brain that everything is going to be alright.

GIV

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NOVEMBER 14

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DanksgivingOREGON LEAF’S

growtech

microbes without adversely affecting — and in some cases, adding benefit to — the plants’ root systems. One of the benefits of running

a sterile system is in its simplicity. Keep your rooms and practic-es strictly clean and reset the amount of microbiologicals in your system back to zero with regularity using one or a combination of the products mentioned and you can have a successful and re-

warding garden. A healthy, strong plant will have its own integrated systemic autoimmune response mechanisms to assist in warding off

pathogens and disease.Where sterile systems can fail is over a longer time period. Keeping your

systems, plants and tool in a sterile state at all times can be a challenge. While sterilizing agents will ward off and control the vast majority of harm-ful pathogens and bacteria that can have a damaging impact on a Cannabis garden, it’s not a perfect solution. By stripping away ALL the bacteria in your system, sure, you eradicate the harmful stuff, but you also destroy all the helpful bacteria. In nature vs. nurture, nature always wins, and we can point to yet another example here. There are many forms of bacteria that H2O2 will not kill. For instance, cyanobacteria is not affected by the majority of sterilizing agents and can thrive in many a sterile hydro system creating brown root slime that can re-duce yield, decrease aromas and resin content or even be terminal if not effectively treated and controlled. In addition, many pests are able to thrive in and populate a sterile root system with greater ease, achieving massive infestation pressure in very short periods of time without the natural controls that a pop-ulation of bacteria and fungi provide.

Before jumping to actively inoculating a hydroponic system, many gardeners decide

When it comes to indoor hydro gardening, most have to decide at some point what type of reservoir system to maintain: a sterile one, in which an anti-micro-bial, anti-bacterial solution is administered with

regularity; or an alive system, in which beneficial bacteria and other microbes are regularly applied. Both methods have their benefits as well as drawbacks. In this month’s Grow Tech, we will examine the various pros and cons of each method, providing tips and tricks along the way in the hopes that you will be able to identify your own gardening needs, and help in choosing the method that is most suitable for you.

The majority of hydroponic gardeners choose a synthetic or synthetically based nutrient program. The reason is simple; microbes don’t generally thrive in some of the most widely used hydroponic mediums of today. With the exception of coco coir, microbes have a difficult time colonizing and thriving in the various inert hydroponic mediums. Expanded clay pellets, growstones, water cultures and even rockwool can be problematic in supporting robust populations of microbes. Furthermore, hydroponic gardening methods were first invented (and consequently excel in the space of ) in order to provide large amounts of food in arid environments and where access to water was limited. Combining the unique, highly oxygenated rooting mediums with mineral-based synthetic nutrients allows uncommonly large production with very little water. Someone looking to employ organic farming tech-niques is likely to note the far superior mediums available for the microbes that will be responsible for feeding the plants using organic soil mixes and steer clear of hydroponic growing mediums as a result.

Why then EVER choose to run an alive system? Well, some don’t. This is where the sterile nutrient application method comes from. One can asses the information and choose to rely on the mineral-based nutrient system to feed the plants and a sterilization agent to protect the plants from pathogen-ic infestation. In these gardens, products ranging from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to fungicides like Hydro Sparkle, to bleach and hydrochloric acid are used to battle harmful bacteria that would otherwise attack the plants. All of these products have the function of killing a very large spectrum of


DR. SCANDERSON

By stripping away all the bacteria in your system, you eradicate the harmfull stuff, but you also destroy all the helpful bacteria.

STERILEKEEPIN’ IT

OR ?> > G R O W T E C H G R OW G U I D E

indoor hydro gardening: sterile vs. ‘alive’ reservoir systemsBACTERIAFULL OF

PHOT

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GRO

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74/ o ct. 2015 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

EDITOR NOTE:A printing error lost the left side of this story last month, so it appears in full below again. Thank you for reading! Our smokiest apologies.

to support a mildly thriving population of microbes by simply excluding a sterilizing agent from their regular application schedule. In these systems, a small population of naturally occurring microbes will slowly develop. Provided the gardener takes simple steps such as balancing the nutrient system properly so that limited to no pH up or down is needed throughout the week’s nutrient application schedule, these microbes will assist in protecting the plants before being wiped out during scheduled maintenance, cleanings and nutrient changes.

Lastly, one can choose to maintain an alive hydro system. While the drawbacks can be intimidating and the learning curve is steep, the benefits pro-vide perhaps some of the most dependable, lowest maintenance, long-term results of all the methods described. Maintaining a bacterial population in a hydroponic system dense with synthetic nutrients is not an easy task. Essentially, you are playing a con-stant game of inoculating and then re-inoculating your plants to make up for the fact that the nutri-ents and medium provide little opportunity for the microbes to colonize on their own. Inside that effort however is ensuring that you don’t add inoculates in such high concentration that the abundance of excessive bacteria and subsequent enzymes then becomes fodder for harmful bacteria, which can quickly take over a system. In a well-balanced sys-tem, the gardener provides only enough inoculate to fend off any harmful pathogens and pests, allowing excess to breakdown into beneficial enzymes for use by the plant’s rhizosphere, and after that process is completed, re-inoculate.

Through trial and error that will vary based on your system, feeding style, cultivar and the like, a balance will begin to appear. I find the most suc-cessful way to establish this baseline is the same as with any nutrient or supplement. Start on the light-est end of the range and slowly increase the dos-age until you no longer see improvement from the increased dosage or worse yet problems arise. The latter is usually a good indication that the mark was overstepped and slowing the increments of increase would like be an order.

Most healthy systems benefit from weekly in-

oculations with a possible boost at the halfway point in the week, especially as the plants ma-ture and reach later into their term. A properly administered inoculation program in a hydro-ponic system ensures that harmful bacteria are kept at bay, preventing root rot and slime that can be so detrimental and difficult to eradicate. The microbes will also protect the root system from a wide variety of soft-tissue pests that can be difficult to impossible to detect until infesta-tion pressure has reached levels that the plant is manifesting physical expression of the damage. Spores and other dangerous fungi are neutral-ized with an appropriate amount of microbes protecting the plant from powdery and downy mildew, grey mold and bud rot. Perhaps best of all, microbial teas are extremely inexpensive to make, have long shelf lives when properly stored and are easy to apply.

The various methods for raising healthy, safe and clean Cannabis span across a wide spectrum of methods and technologies. Finding the one that will be best for you largely depends on the type of interaction you are looking to cultivate with this plant in your garden. Working each method can have its ups and downs, but will al-ways leave you with a larger breadth of knowl-edge about what works and what doesn’t work for you in the garden.

Happy gardening!

H Y D R O T E A R E C I P EHeisenberg’s INSTRUCTIONS 1. Prepare the “tea bag” by filling the nylon with the castings, insect frass and Ancient Forest humus if you choose to use it and tie off the top of the nylon with a loose knot.2. Pour the gallon of distilled or RO water into the bucket.3. Add in the molasses and mix well so none lumps on the bottom of the solution.4. Add in inoculate.5. Connect air stones to pump and place them inside the bucket on opposing sides.6. Hang the nylon over the side of the bucket so that it’s completely submerged in the solution. You can usually slip the tied-off end underneath the bucket handle where it attaches to the bucket and it will hold the tea bag at the desired height se-curely against the bucket. 7. Place one of the air stones directly un-derneath the tea bag so the air bubbles pass right through the bag.

One Gallon distilled or

RO water (NO EXCEPTIONS)

1-2 teaspoons of your favorite

inoculate1 tbl organic blackstrap molasses

1-1.5 cup earthworm

castings/vermicompost

½ cup Ancient Forest (optional)

1 tsp insect frass

1-2 ml Sea Green

f2-3 air stones

1 air pump1 bucket (5 gallon preferred)

1 stocking or sheer nylon

8. Allow the mixture to bubble for about 2 minutes.9. Apply Sea Green. Be sure to start at the lower amount or your tea will grow a head that froths over the bucket.10. Allow the tea to brew for 24-48 hours. Different brewing times will create various microbial population dominance as certain microbes culture and colonize very quickly while others take longer.11. After brewing, you may remove the air stones.12. Allow the mixture to settle and begin pouring the mixture from the bucket into a smaller container appropriate for applying to your plants. You may strain the tea to remove any particulate matter. Alternative-ly, most of that matter will sit at the bottom of the bucket, so it’s quite easy to just pour off only the liquid and leave and heavier sediment at the bottom of the bucket and dispose of it. Large amounts of particulate matter are not good for most hydro systems.

Application Use ½-1 cup of tea per gallon of nutrient solution for a healthy system. Apply the tea 24-48 hours af-ter a nutrient change has completed, as it ’s during that period that the system will show the greatest changes. After the system shows balance, apply the tea in even parts directly to the root crown or simply into the nutrient reservoir im-mediately before a feeding.

storage Store excess tea in the re-frigerator or place at room tempera-ture and put the active air stones back into the mixture. Tea wil l usually last 3-5 days. I t should maintain an earthy, mossy, mushroomy smell. When it starts to go bad (anaerobic), i t wil l start to smell l ike sulfur, cheese and shit. Dis-pose of i t immediately if you detect any of those smells.

What you will need:

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BUDSHOT PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN

Got a sweet garden/bud photo? Share it with us and it might just appear here next month! Email your best two high-resolution images to [email protected] along with details on what you’re growing and who gets the credit.

BREAKDOWN/ Indica-dominantCROSS/ Mad Scientist x TimewreckGROWER/ Geek Farms OrganicsBREEDER/ Homegrown Natural WondersLOCATION/ Somewhere in Oregon EFFECTS/ Balanced head and body highBEST FOR/ Relaxing and relieving painDR. WHO


BEHIND THE STRAIN Drop me a [email protected]

Watch a videoYoutube.com/DrScandersonGt

PIERCINGLY FRESH SCENTS OF LEMON HEAD CANDY SET OVER A BACKGROUND OF LEMONGRASS AND EUCALYPTUS INFUSION STIRS SENTIMENTS OF BLISSFUL TRANQUILITY.

GENETICS: Las Vegas Lemon Skunk X Likely Skunk #1 Lemon Pheno (Indica-Dom.)

BREEDER: DNA Genetics

LINEAGE: The Las Vegas Lemon Skunk is a clone of the only Skunk known for fast finishing times and heavy resinous yields of lemon funkin’ flowers. When this was crossed with a lemon selection (believed to be) Skunk #1, the Lemon Skunk was born and immediately decorated with top finishes at the Cannabis Cup.

Flowers in 56-60 days

PHOT

O BY

SEED

FINDE

R

EFFECTSWith just enough of the hybrid characteristics to resist becoming jittery, Lemon Skunk is a variety that can be enjoyed over multiple sessions throughout the day — without any of the lethargy that can so often be the result of all-day indulgence. Much like the bright and refreshing flavors that the terpene profile creates, Lemon Skunk provides an eye-opening kick start of an effect. Perfect for daytime activities or middle-of-the-night marathons, this smoke keeps the creative juices flowing and the energy levels on high.

HOW IT GROWSLemon Skunk produces heavy yields and super lemony buds high in calyx to leaf ratios, making her easy to trim. This is a hearty and tolerant choice for the private cultivator who is just getting started as well as the commercial cultivator looking for a fast, reliable and resistant plant that patients absolutely love. Lemon Skunk has an average growing pace in veg, and responds very well to topping. With minimal manipulation, she will grow into an evenly structured bush in a scarce two to three weeks and be ready to produce ample amounts of high-quality medication.

She’s very tolerant to various levels and styles of nutrient application and will thrive with heavy or moderate amounts of pruning and thinning. Abundant flower sites and very tight internodal spacing lends benefit to a heavier branch selection, which can result in baseball bat-sized colas ripened to peak in 60 days or fewer in some phenos.

The tightly spaced nodes and very high calyx to leaf ratio results in finished flowers with the classic skunky-looking blooms. Its dark green background is almost completely encompassed by bright orange and red hairs with a light dusting of trichomes. Terpenes are where this plant concentrates its energy however, and opening its jar reveals its efforts. Acrid, piercingly fresh scents of sweet Lemonhead candy set over a background of lemongrass and eucalyptus infusion stirs sentiments of blissful tranquility. This is one of the varieties that richly translates its aromas seamlessly to the palate bringing bright, crisp notes of sweet lemon that dominate the inhale. The more tart and tongue-tangling lemon/lime menthol notes later favorably coat the mouth as smoke reemerges from lung bathing.

BAG APPEAL & SMOKE REPORT

LEMON SKUNK


DR. SCANDERSON

ALTHOUGH LEMON SKUNK may sound commonplace, properly grown and well-selected blooms from this variety are anything but. Selection plays a large role in the outcome of the blooms but when you find the one, there is no mistaking it. That piercing, tart, Lemonhead candy funk of top-quality Lemon Skunk paired with the feels-so-good effect that she reliably imparts makes this cultivar a rare and treasured gem.

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Oct. 2015 — Issue #64