A LETTER TO OUR READERS Recently we lost one of the great American heroes. Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, died August 25. In the aftermath I was reminded of the massive undertaking we, as a country, embarked on with the race to the moon. The quote from our 35th President seems just as poignant today when you take into account the enormous challenges our country is facing on a variety of fronts. There are so many issues that, by and large are being ignored by the powers that be because to solve them is just too hard of a task. Climate change, the federal deficit, future water shortages and an antiquated infrastructure to name a few, these are large problems that take long term plans to solve. Yet no one is moving quickly on them with any aggressive solutions. Why face today what we can shove off to someone else’s desk tomorrow? This is why we chose to do a hear no - see no – speak no cannabis themed cover. It seemed fitting to emphasize the fact that neither political party wants to talk about any benefit of the cannabis plant even though the people do. In the past few months I have heard a lot of opposition to measure 64. One of the common concerns regarding the possible passing of 64 is that it will bring down the wrath of the federal government on Colorado, which is something some industry professionals are afraid of. I’m not saying this fear is unwarranted but I caution that if we let fear overcome the need for progress than we will never get to the proverbial cannabis moon. With three states looking to fully legalize both hemp and marijuana and seven more states looking to legitimize medical cannabis, we are almost at the tipping point where legal states can become the majority. There are jurors who are refusing to find defendants guilty on marijuana possession charges even though within that state’s laws they should be. The people are speaking and hopefully, with enough success this election, the feds are going to have to listen.
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade, not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.” -President John F. Kennedy, September 12, 1962, at Rice University, Houston, Texas.
So if we do have a fight on our hands here in Colorado, I say let’s lace up the gloves. We have more people in our corner than ever before. The time is now for a reemergence of cannabis into our mainstream culture and economy.
Retractions: In the last issue we inadvertently included articles with the following errors and misspellings: Pg 35. Dr. Bob Melamede quotes are from his blog and not from personal interview; Amanda is Tina Cross’ wife and not sister; Give photo credit to Paul Tokin in the extract article on page 30. The Hemp Connoisseur apologizes for these errors.
4 October/November
David Maddalena Editor-in-Chief David@thcmag.com
TODAY:! 1. Start 5 conversations with family members and
friends who might be undecided about the initiative. Explain why you support regulating marijuana like alcohol, and encourage them to vote YES on 64!
2. Plan to vote. Visit vote4marijuana.org for all the election and voting information you might need.
3. Visit the URLs below to join the campaign and find out more ways you can get involved. We need help! The election is just days away, and it is coming down to the wire! Amendment 64 would make Colorado the first place in the world to make marijuana legal for adults and begin treating it similarly to alcohol. Polls show that victory is within reach, but we need your help to get there. There is not much time left before the election, so if you were ever going to get involved and take part in this effort, NOW is the time to do it. With your support, we can make history!
The Online Action Center for the 2012 Colorado Marijuana Initiative
facebook.com/ColoradoMJinitiative2012
YES on
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64
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ado 20
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Talk It Up Colorado.org
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Learn more about Amendment 64 and join the campaign at:!
12
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CONTRIBUTORS
Editor in Chief
Hazy Cakes is a medical marijuana enthusiast who believes life with perscription drugs is no way to live. A native midwesterner, she is an advocate of medical cannabis taking hold nationwide; she sees all the positives that can come from the medical cannabis industry from working first-hand at a local dispensary. She enjoys sativa blends, beach vacations and Phish shows.
Director of Editorial
Josh Davis is a professional actor, singer and voice-over artist.
David Maddalena david@thcmag.com
Artie Bergeron artie@thcmag.com
Managing Editor/Layout Design Caroline Hayes caroline@thcmag.com
He has appeared in: Law and Order, One Life to Live, As the World Turns, Les Miserables and produced and acted in the feature film The Graduates. He first learned about hemp when he was given the book The Emperor Wears No Clothes and became a hemp enthusiast ever since. He lives in New York City.
Binger Hashman is an American advertising professional who has
Director of Sales and Marketing Christianna Lewis christianna@thcmag.com
lived in the Netherlands for over a decade. Binger is passionate about American Football, the UFC and anything cannabis related. Binger hopes to entertain, educate and enlighten all THC readers with his columns, interviews and articles.
Sales and Marketing Assistant/Graphic Design
Caroline Hayes graduated from Ball State University with a
Stacey Ross stacey@thcmag.com
Contributing Partners Jason Robillard Dennis Bergeron
Contributing Writers Hazy Cakes Joshua Davis Binger Hashman Caroline Hayes Liz Mund Steven Naples Matthew Snyders Christopher Tucker
Cover Art
Christianna Lewis
Contributing Photographers Scott Lentz Hamilton/Reichert
Printer
American Web 4040 Dahlia Street Denver, CO 80216 ph 303.321.2422 fax 303.321.6636 The Hemp Connoisseur magazines are presented by SOOP Media Group. All contents are copyrighted 2012 by SOOP Media Group. For advertising or subscription info, please email ads@hempconmag.com.
6 October/November
Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a focus in Magazine Design and Writing. She moved to Colorado after college to pursue a career and enjoy the scenery. Caroline started as a freelance writer for The Hemp Connoisseur and has furthered her position there designing page layout and editing. While writing is her passion, spending time with her friends and family, live music and traveling don’t fall far behind. Caroline is enthusiastic about her newfound position at THC and looks forward to a bright future with the magazine.
Liz Mund is a freelance writer living and working in Denver, CO.
Initially commissioned for a small piece in the second issue of The Hemp Connoisseur; Liz has stayed on as a contributing writer, and her enthusiasm for the hemp industry continues to grow with each assignment. Her style is playful and poignant, hoping to connect with readers on a personal level. Liz has been published in various trade magazines and art journals and is currently working on publishing a fiction novel.
Steve Naples Upon attending Montclair University in NJ as a
speech and history major, Steve interned for NBC News in NYC and later was an Associate Producer for Good Morning America on ABC. After 5 years with ABC, he moved to work in affiliate relations before moving to Denver to work for KUSA TV as an Account Executive. He later left TV in 1994 to found the Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli chain and later Sushi Hai in the Highlands neighborhood of Denver. Steve has two daughters, one grandchild and they all live in Denver CO.
Matt Snyders is an award-winning journalist whose work has
appeared in Minneapolis City Pages, LA Weekly, Westword, and The Village Voice, among other publications. A graduate from the University of Iowa, he’s been a featured guest on The Ed Show on MSNBC, Fox News Live, and The Rachel Maddow Show on Air America.
Chris Tucker is a contributor for the LocalMC as a member of
their review board. He does content writing/copywriting for various websites and his first novel, an action/adventure novel, is due out within the next few months.
Call us now for a FREE estimate. (888)929-4272 Or visit www.cannasecurity.com
VIDEO • ALARM • DOORS thcmag.com 7
Contents 4
A Letter to Our Readers
10
The Green Scene
18
Hemp events, hemp and your garden and a documentary review
14 15 16 18 24 25
In the Spotlight Hemp inspired products
Eco-Artist
Artist Lynne Hull practices eco-atonement through art
Good Eats
Hemp infused recipes to shock and persuade your tastebuds to ignite!
Cirque de Cannabis
Photos! Winners of the THCC!
Amendment 64 What is it and how will it affect you?
Tasty Meds Hazy Cakes reviews medicated treats
27 28
Alternative Health
Cannabis and rheumatoid arthritis
Cannabis & Politics
31
Politics of Hemp
35
A Tribute
Should American farmers be allowed to grow hemp? Why?
The late David Madera
36
Life With the Hash Queen
39
Agricultural Apocalypse
Q & A with Mila Jansen
The Dust Bowl revisited
40
The American Way
43
Baby Boomers and Cannabis
44
Dispensary Guide
What really is The American Way?
How one generation is creating a new market
56 Index
6 myths proven wrong
31
28 8 October/November
Dispensary Guide BOULDER
45 Soma Wellness Lounge
Denver
45 Physican Preferred Products 46 Altitude Wellness Center 48 Good Meds Network 49 Greenwerkz 50 Higher Expectations 52 Northern Lights 53 River Rock 55 Standing Akimbo
COLORADO SPRINGS/MOUNTAINS 47 Amendment 20 48 Good Meds Network 49 Greenwerkz 51 Nature’s Own Wellness Center 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles
thcmag.com 9
The GREEN Scene Beginner’s Luck: A Successful Grow Guide by Caroline Hayes
At a young age, Mediman was diagnosed with Wilson’s disease, which doesn’t allow the body to do the necessary task of flushing out copper levels. His liver was failing; he felt disorganized and confused all the time. At age 18, the doctors declared him terminally ill due to copper poisoning. Refusing to give up, he sought medical cannabis as treatment. His health soon moved to a “non-life-threatening” status as he continued to use and grow his own medicine.
After realizing that he was onto something not only as a patient but also as a grower, Marijuana Made Simple: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Like a Pro was born. It’s not rocket science folks and this grow guide proves it. Mediman uses the simplest of terms and thorough explanations. He doesn’t leave you wondering what “super cropping” or flowering cycles” are, as every term is clearly explained with words and pictures. Mediman’s book is a meticulous “how to” on all the basic and important concepts. Even if you aren’t a beginner, maybe your operation has gotten too complicated; Marijuana Made Simple is a great back to the basics book. The chapters are split into useful categories. From building your own room to choosing nutrients to harvesting and how to use your medical cannabis, Mediman covers it all. Mediman’s goal is “to improve your medical marijuana experience by showing you how to grow and use clean, high grade marijuana.” He hopes proper medicine will get to all who are in need. From room set up to pest control to harvesting to proper medicating tips, Mediman covers all the bases. Two green thumbs up on the clarity and knowledge this author provides. THC introduces to its readers the first book review of a series to follow from Green Candy Press publishing company. GCP is bringing a variety of books to readers’ shelves. From sex to art to horticulture, GCP “actively scours the cultural fringe for new writers, illustrators, photographers and other deviants.” Jack Lloyd of GCP explained his personal goal, which is to create the most comprehensive books on cannabis plants possible. “We hold our titles to a level of editorial excellence that is incomparable in this market,” he added. Jack works diligently to make sure the books are meticulously edited, organized and designed as any popular connoisseur “how-to” book out there. For more information on this colorful publishing company visit www.greencandypress.com. To purchase, visit Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com
10 October/November
HEMP EVENTS Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance
Alberta, Canada November 4-7th A three-day event featuring Textiles, BioBuilding, Research, Agronomy, Food and Beverage offers a slate of new speakers, ideas and products. (http://www.hemptrade.ca/news_events)
Election Day
Nationwide November 6th The American people will find out the political future for the next four years and the possibility of US farmers growing industrial hemp once again.
National Cannabis Industry Association’s 2nd Anniversary Gala
Denver, CO November 8th Join NCIA and fellow cannabis industry leaders from across the country to celebrate two years of industry advocacy and share in their vision for the bright future ahead for responsible cannabis commerce. (http://cannabisindustrygala.org)
The 22nd Humbolt Hemp Fest
Redway, CA November 9-11th Fall is here and that means Hemp Fest, a three-day celebration filled with excitement and fun with music, dance, vendors, speakers, comedy and more. (http://www.mateel.org/hempfest.html)
HEMP EVENTS
Hemp and Your Garden by Liz Mund
The fight for industrial hemp farming in the U.S. continues and fingers are crossed for legalization. So what exactly would it mean if it were to pass? Could farmers start planting hemp right away? Could I grow it in my garden and do something useful with it? And if so; would either of us need to worry about illicit wayward marijuana plants spreading their seed, leading to uncomfortable conversations with the fuzz about why there is a hybrid crop of baby THC producing plants on our land? Given the two plants are so close genetically, with the right timing, conditions and proximity; the two plants could pollinate each other. Sure, it’s possible. But not only is that potential undesirable for all parties, it is easily prevented using precautions farmers currently implement to protect the integrity of their crops. A sweet corn farmer, concerned their crop might be pollinated by an undesirable source, say seed corn, could use pollen cones—kind of like plant prophylactics. In fact either grower (hemp or marijuana) could use protection (cones) or abstinence (strategic placement at safe distance) to avoid cross breeding. But why grow marijuana outdoors when indoor growing allows complete control over the environment, including protection from pollination? Legal medical marijuana growers, in many states (17, and 7 pending) are focused on retaining the quality of their plants and prefer to begin each harvest with new certified seed or a clone. No hybrids. Anyone who grew hemp would need to be aware of the cross pollination potential, but they wouldn’t need to be worried about it. The idea is not complex and the systems currently in place in other countries regarding hemp farming have proven to work. No increase in drug use, no additional load on police forces, no surge in marijuana growing or hiding. As far as farmers making the switch, the truth is that growing hemp is not difficult. Any farmer with a field capable of sustaining corn, wheat, soy…or has one that has been infested with weeds could trade for hemp with very little effort. Hemp has a 3-4 month growing cycle, is less demanding on the soil than wheat or corn and requires about the same amount of water. It can also be planted and harvested using the seeding, mowing and bailing equipment currently used for hay. Moreover, hemp is an excellent phytoremediator, meaning it is capable of pulling toxins from the soil (even nuclear ones—look up
Hemp Industries Association
San Francisco, CA November 11th HIA members will engage with some of today’s top industry leaders and speakers in hemp research, farming,processing, product development, manufacturing, distribution, marketing and education, as well as take place in fine dining and a silent auction (http://thehia. org/2012conference.html)
SusCon 2012
what is going on at Chernobyl) leaving the soil better than it found it. An admirable quality. On top of the mass of potential products that can be made from hemp; the plant has intrinsic value even without actually harvesting it—rotating it with other crops, even in between growing seasons would enrich soil, reduces certain parasites, eliminate weeds....It’s pretty hard to find any reason not to plant it. Okay, so what about my backyard? I could plant seeds and have stalks in about 110 days. I don’t have enough room to go crazy, but with a few plants; I could make hemp rope, or extract oil from the seed (nut) for body products or omegarich cooking oil. Hemp would benefit my garden too—removing any toxins in the soil and leaving the area in better condition than it was found. The plants wouldn’t require much attention, and as an added perk: would attract birds. Turns out, according to scientific studies on avian diets, any birds visiting my garden and nibbling on hemp seeds would actually live longer, have nicer feathers and produce more babies. I will point out my handsome birds to the cops while they snack. Now if I had some real land to plant hemp…I could actually make a profit: $500 to $1300+ per acre depending. There are people out there right now trying to corner the market on ‘How To Grow Your Own Hemp.’ You could be one of them. Maybe next spring (when and if a few laws finally pass); I’ll buy an old farm forced out of the running by Monsanto, toss the pesticides and grow my own hemp for a living. Come on, do it! Just be sure to take regular walks through the fields and maybe do some weeding.
NürembergMesse, Germany November 27-28th For the third time SusCon – the International Conference on Sustainable Business and Consumption – will bring together decisionmakers from businesses, NGOs, governments and UN organizations that strive for the concrete implementation of an “inclusive green economy.” It will consider which economic model we should adopt for the future and what, in practice, constitutes a “green economy?” (http://www.suscon.net)
MFA Harvest Explosion
Northern California, CA December 1st It’s time for the farmers to medicate, relax, listen to music and show off their best crop. MFA is having their 6th annual harvest party. They will have hash bars, live music, bud, hash and edible competition, vendors, door prizes, rolling contest, laughs and wonderful old farmers to learn some new tricks. This is a 215 celebration, so as always no alcohol. (http://www.hempevents. com/find-an-event/ california)
Special thanks to Tom Hoffman (consulting agronomist and soil specialist) and Kerrie Badertscher (certified Horticulturist).
thcmag.com 11
GOOD VIEWS
Bringing it Home, a documentary by Liz Mund
For years, countless advocates, politicians and green business owners have tried to find a way to convince the public and the policy makers of this country to legalize industrial hemp, a plant whose virtues could fill the rest of this publication and would include things like: carbon negative, base of non-toxic building materials, healthier source of omega fatty acids, potential solution to the dwindling rain forests…and so on. Attempts on hemp’s behalf have ranged from formal pleas to protests, but despite all efforts; the general public still seems to be mostly ignorant about this virtual wonder plant. The continuing lack of consumer interest in hemp has kept our government complacent, with no real pressure to legalize growing this plant on US soil. How can we impress upon this nation that industrial hemp is crucial to our future and an issue of global importance? Ladies and gentleman, enter Linda Booker and Blaire Johnson, co-producers and directors of the documentary “Bringing it Home.” They’re all over it. I had the honor of speaking with Linda at length about the project and was granted a sneak preview of the film (slated for completion this fall). Forget everything you think you know about hemp. You WILL be moved by this film. The documentary orbits around Anthony Brenner, (founder of Push Designs, a sustainable building company in Asheville, NC) and his quest to build a safe, non toxic environment for his daughter. Interspersed with commentary from noted researchers, American hemp industry leaders, legislative advocates and green builders around the world. The film moves along with a growing sense of urgency, punctuated by fervent claims regarding the unparalleled potential of a plant that remains incorrectly classified as a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Have you thought about the fact that the walls in your bedroom were likely constructed with formaldehyde and polyurethane? Or the high probability that various mold spores are multiplying beneath the floor you just carefully vacuumed, or that hundreds of years after you leave this earth, the cement of your home’s foundation will be stubbornly and very slowly crumbling, or else taking up valuable space in our overcrowded landfills? Well if you hadn’t; you are now. Traditional construction methods and materials contribute to almost half of all carbon emissions globally, and the waste generated occupies around sixty percent of our landfills. Moreover, tradional construction methods and materials, are cumbersome, riddled with chemicals, heavy, loud, and overall: kind of inferior.
“The main message that I like to get across with hemp is that it is such an easy, positive way to make change on the planet.... The reality is that hemp—is hope.” -Tony Budden of Hemporium, Cape Town, South Africa from the movie
Linda and Blaire, both with successful films already under their belts, embarked on this project unaware of the momentum it would take on. “I had no idea how big this was going to get” Linda laughs. Funding the movie has been a challenge, but both filmmakers are passionate about their film, motivated by the hemp movement and determined to deliver a movie that is both educational and entertaining. “It encompasses so much...but we truly believe in the potential of hemp. It’s a health issue—all of it.” Health is on the brain these days. Organic produce is mainstream, vegetarians are no longer pariahs, yoga is reaching epic levels of popularity, and smoking bans exist in over half of the continental fifty. America’s ecoconsciousness is rising too—more companies utilize renewable energy, most cities recycle, and hey—it’s cool to drive a Prius. We care about our bodies, our planet, the air we breath and yet…there is one area that has a huge impact on our quality of health that has managed to avoid major scrutiny: our homes. We spend three quarters of our lives indoors, touching, breathing and absorbing whatever is in our environment.
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Brenner and his company completed construction on the nation’s first hemp house in 2010, and the result was a toxin free, energy efficient home with breathable Hemcrete© walls. The house is also stunning and as Discovery.com declared, “is so far from a hippie haven that it could have been ripped from the pages of Dwell.” Push continues to design sustainable buildings that provide its inhabitants with a comfortable, beautiful, and most importantly, healthy environment.
Imagine homes, office buildings and schools that regulate moisture on their own, were incapable of growing mold, pulled CO2 from the atmosphere, were biodegradable when demolished, and kept a nice moderate temperature without much effort. You don’t have to imagine that future—it’s here, it’s called Hemp. Go. Watch Bringing it Home, jump on the bandwagon.
NEW LOOK. SAME AWARD WINNING EDIBLES.
3801 North Jason Street Denver, CO 80211 303-997-4526 www.standingakimbo.org
2011 & 2012 MmEeDdIi覺CcAaLl CcAaNnNnAaBbIi覺Ss CcUuPp WwIi覺NnNnEeRrSs
thcmag.com 13
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Spice up your daily routine with these hemptastic products.
Toothsoap. Like many traditional toothpastes found on grocery store shelves, Toothsoap’s Peppermint & Hemp Whip can easily stand alone and compete as a toothpaste with other non toxic, fluoride free products. Combined with Tooth Swish and Tooth Brighter, this organic oral care line will leave your mouth and teeth sparkling “after just one brushing and you will not be able to go back to your normal cleanser again,” touts Founder and CEO Karen Adler. With the airless and BPA free pump, you can be assured that you don’t waste one drop of this super concentrated tooth soap. Check out their website for a large variety of terrific flavors and other natural oral care products, www.toothsoap.com.
Beecology. What do honey and hemp have in common? For starters they make a fantastic combination for a natural line of body wash. With honey and beeswax harvested on the family farm, the handcrafted body care products by Beecology are combined with pure oils and other cleansing, moisturizing ingredients that will leave your skin tingling for more. Founder David Rzepka wanted “to make natural skincare and hair products using honey, beeswax and other ingredients that are good for us and our world.” He nailed it with invigorating scents, no artificial color or chemical preservatives for a sulfate-free and guilt-free indulgence in every bottle. For more information about “beecentric” products, visit their website to buy online or for a list of retail locations across the country, www.beecology.com.
Maison de Chanvre. Returning female elegance, comfort and sensuality to the bedroom is what Maison de Chanvre had in mind when they brought forth a refined and quality clothing line of loungewear and sleepwear crafted from a blend of 60 percent hemp and 40 percent silk. Using the French word for hemp within their name, Maison de Chanvre’s loungewear not only looks and feels great. Its natural fibers of hemp and silk allow your skin to breathe and lowers the risk of allergic reactions andskin conditions. Made for women of all shapes and sizes, Maison de Chanvre loungewear can easily be found on their website. Order yours early for the holidays and get prepared for those cold winter evenings soon to come, www. maisondechanvre.com.
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ECO-ART From the HeART article written Caroline Hayes captions provided by www.ecoart.org
Colorado-based artist Lynne Hull might be the Mother Theresa of sculpture and installations. Her unique approach of creating works that provide shelter, food and water for specific animals in their habitats is turning heads all over the world.
Floating Island sculptures intended for waterfowl, islands have become biodiversity “Life Rafts” hosting a range of aquatic species: invertebrates, amphibians, turtles, water birds, wading birds and songbirds, setting up feedback food webs. When water is warm, invertebrates colonize the islands within 24 hours, with each species in the food web following soon. Planting parts of the island with the right native plants results in cleaning the water, roots of plants create nurseries for fish, and the green plants on the island create nesting cover.
Desert Hydroglyphs are water capture basins for desert wildlife, holding from one to 5 gallons of rain or snowmelt. Many natural water sources have been taken over by humans, leaving wildlife to struggle to find water. Water is the most valuable element in the desert, and determines the extent of biodiversity in an area.
From Canada to South America, Hull takes 3D art to a whole new level. Her sculptures and installations aren’t only for viewing pleasure but also accomplish overall goal of functionality. Hull calls her practice eco-atonement. Atonement means to make right for a wrongdoing. Hull believes that humans negatively impact wildlife’s natural habitat. Her artwork is a way to battle this. Hull works with the forces of nature to assist in functionality of each sculpture or installation. She uses only natural materials of which each species are already accustomed to. Often times she will go into an endangered species’ habitat and recreate what has been harmed. In an earlier project, she built nesting sites for birds who would otherwise prefer to land on power lines thus resulting in their death. In addition to building new homes, Hull’s mission is to make people aware of the dangers wildlife experience. Hull’s soulful work is a true example of perfectly combining form with function.
Eco-Atonement “Participating in habitat restoration as atonement for the damage we have done to the environment, the habitat lost to human use which as brought so many species to the brink.” -Lynne Hull
Safe roosting and nesting sculptures for hawks, owls and eagles, in areas where taking off and landing on older power poles may result in electrocution, or areas where human disturbance may make nesting difficult.
For more on Lynne Hull’s works, biography and missions visit: www.ecoart.org www.greenmuseum.org www.artsheals.org www.ecoartnetwork.org
thcmag.com 15
GOOD EATS
Spice up holiday meals with these seasonal, hemp-inspired recipes from The Hemp Cookbook: From Seed to Shining Seed
Winter Squash-Shiitake Soup
Any soup can be hempified simply by adding a tablespoon of hempseed oil to each bowl before serving. Because heat will accelerate fatty acid degeneration, it would be unwise to cook hempseed oil with the rest of the soup. Serves 6-8.
Hempy Pie Crust
Makes two 8-inch bottoms and two tops-or three bottoms and no tops. 1 cup hulled hempseed 1 cup Brazil nuts, ground into a meal 1 cup walnuts, ground into a meal 1/3 cup flaxseed meal 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup rolled oats 1 tsp. Sea salt 1 1/4 cups safflower oil 1 cup hempseed oil 1/2 cup water Preatheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Combine all ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir well. Four double-crust pies, press half of the mixture into the bottoms of two 8-inch-round pie tins, making the crust about 1/4 inch thick. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until crust has browned slightly. Fill with your favorite filling. To make the top crust, roll out remaining mixture to 1/4 inch thick and lay on top of filling in whatever pattern you wish. Bake again for 20 to 25 minutes, until crust browns. If you prefer singlecrust pies, divide the mixture evenly among three 8-inch pie tins. Allow to cool before serving.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are not potatoes, but a tuber in the morning-glory(Convolvulaceae) family. Although they are often called yams, the two plants are unrelated. Sweet potatoes are native to Central America; yams are native to Africa and make up the genus Dioscorea of the family Dioscoreaceae. Sweet potatoes are nutritionally superior to yams and blend very well with hempseed oil. Serves 4. 4 large sweet potatoes Olive oil 1 teaspoon ground Jamaican allspice 2 pinches sea salt 1/2 cup coconut milk 1/2 cup hempseed oil Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Wash, scrub and dry the sweet potatoes, then rub all over will olive oil. Pop them into the oven on a cookie sheet, uncovered. Bake about 45 minutes, until inserting a knife shows that they’re all soft all the way through. Place them in a sturdy mixing bowl and mash, removing large pieces of skin if they are bothersome. Mash in the remaining ingredients. Serve as a side dish; try topping with yogurt sauce.
All recipes provided by The Hemp Cookbook: From Seed to Shining Seed by Todd Dalotto © 2000 Healing Arts Press. Recipe reprinted with permission from the publisher Inner Traditions International, www.InnerTraditions.com.
16 October/November
5 pounds winter squash of your choice, seeded and cut into chunks 1 heaping tablespoon kudzu root starch dissolved into 1 cup of water 2 heaping tablespoons minced fresh ginger 1/4 cup hempseed butter 1 garlic bulb, peeled and minced 1 yellow onion, chopped into chunks 1/4 cup olive oil 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, cut into bite-sized chunks 1 carrot, grated 1 turnip, grated I teaspoon kelp powder 1 teaspoon celery seeds Hempseed oil Natto miso In a large pot, boil 8 cups of water. Add the squash chunks, reduce the heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until soft. If the squash skin is not edible, then remove squash chunks, skin them and return to pot (be carefulthey’re hot!). Add 9 cups of water and return to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the dissolved kudzu, ginger and hempseed butter. In an iron skillet, sauté the garlic and onion in the olive oil. When they begin to brown, throw in the shiitakes and sauté until onions caramelize, then add to the soup. Add the grated carrot, turnip, kelp powder and celery seed. Continue stirring and cooking until the squash has fully dissolved and has thickened the soup. Serve with a tablespoon each of hempseed oil and natto miso in each bowl.
A Grand Cause and the Birth of the 100% Hemptini by Josh Davis
It was good eats, deep beats and a new hemp treat at Brooklyn’s 6th annual Eat, Drink and Be Healthy Tasting Event. The Hemp Connoisseur was on hand to partake in a festive evening on June 14th. The event “was devoted to raising awareness for stomach cancer while contributing to The American Cancer Society,” said the producer for the event, Nefertiti Strong, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer in August of 2011. A film producer, actor and rapper, Strong jumped at the chance to produce the evening’s festivities, “stomach cancer doesn’t get as much attention as breast or prostate cancer, so it seemed like the perfect event to bring everything together – the idea that food could have a direct connection to stomach cancer,” she said. Attending the event was DJ Guest of Honor and Nefertiti’s longtime friend, Grammy Award winner Macy Gray, whose 6’4” in heels frame towered over the thin Strong. “I was on chemo at the event,” Strong admitted, “so it was physically and mentally challenging for me to be myself and try to raise awareness.” But awareness was raised and unbeknownst to her, was also the facilitator of the first ever 100% Hemptini. Alaska Distillery’s Purgatory Hemp Vodka, which is the first ever American made hemp-distilled vodka and Hempnotic’s Mixers, were some of the first products donated to the event. “I met Nefertiti at a dinner in Los Angeles,” says Hempnotic creator and owner Jim Saunders, “she has an enormous spirit and a passion for life. We just hit it off.” The two companies had tables situated next to each other so shakers were filled, glasses were poured and the first ever 100% Hemptini was created. Though Nefertiti did not partake in the hemp alcohol drinks she was enthusiastic about its creation and added, “Hemp’s cool. There could be so much good that comes from it. It’s a shame this plant isn’t allowed to be grown in the U.S.” We think so too Ms. Strong and we wish you continued success on your road back to health! To learn more about Purgatory Hemp Vodka visit http://www.alaskadistillery.com To learn more about Hempnotic visit http://www.hempnotic.com For more information about the American Cancer Society and how you can donate please visit http://www.cancer.org To donate directly to Nefertiti’s Stomach Cancer Fund please visit http://www.eatdrinkandbhopeful.com and click the donate button at the top of the page.
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Cirque DE
cannabis Music, Circus Arts and The Emerald Tower On the first Friday of October The Hemp Connoisseur hosted the Cirque de Cannabis party at Casselman’s Bar and Venue. Celebrating just how far the Colorado cannabis industry has come with a fun “circus” themed event, Cirque de Cannabis featured great music from local bands Dragondeer, Varlet, Demon Funkies and Cobraconda as well as gravity defying aerialists, fire dancers and a stilt walker handing out cotton candy. But the fantastic entertainment was not the only reason so many patients and industry pros gathered. The party was also highlighted by the awards announcements for winners of The Hemp Connoisseur Championship (THCC). THCC was a two month long competition allowing Colorado MMCs and infused product companies to showcase their best medicine for the judges. Each entry went through an in-depth rating process consisting of clinical testing by CannLabs as well as votes by patient judges and industry pros. The electric crowd, fueled by the hemp-based Cannabis Energy drink and Purgatory hempdistilled vodka by Alaska Distillery eagerly anticipated the announcements of who would win the emerald tower. While this was an incredibly close competition, in the end there were three companies who took the most accolades in multiple categories, Denver Relief, The Clinic and River Rock Wellness. The surprise of the evening was the winner of the best overall award going to an edible company. The Growing Kitchen not only got first place edible but also had the highest overall rating with their Fantastic Brownie. All in all, the entire evening was a success bringing together the MMJ community and setting high standards for an industry competition. With so many supporters already talking about next year’s championship this is sure to get bigger and bigger. Maybe next year we’ll need three tents.
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and the winners are... Best Overall
The Growing Kitchen - Fantastic Brownie Sativa
CBD Flower
2nd Denver Relief - Outer Space 3rd River Rock Wellness - Jack Frost Patient’s Choice The Clinic - Stardawg Guava Connoisseur’s Choice New Age Medical - White Widow Best Tested Greenwerkz - Tuffalo Durban
2nd Northern Lights – Cannatonic 3rd Flower of Life Healing Arts – Harlequin Hope
1st The Clinic Alternative Medicine - Stardawg Guava
1st Greenwerkz - R4 CBD
CBD Oil
1st Greenwerkz R4 - CBD Oil
2nd River Rock Sour - Tsuanami CBD Oil
Indica
1st Denver Relief - Reserva Privada
2nd The Clinic Alternative Medicine - Kosher Kush 3rd Physician’s Preferred Product - Rocky Mt. Fire Patient’s Choice River Rock Wellness - OG18 Connoisseur’s Choice The Clinic - Kosher Kush Best Tested Physicians Preferred Product - WS1
CBD Edible
Special
1st Dixie Elixirs – Dixie X Dew Drops
2nd Mountain High Suckers – Carmel Apple
Hybrid
1st Denver Relief - Ultimate ‘91 ChemDawg
2nd River Rock Wellness South - OGiesel 3rd The Clinic Alternative Medicine - Ghost OG Patient’s Choice The Clinic - Ghost OG Connoisseur’s Choice Good Meds Georgetown - Pure Power Plant Best Tested Denver Relief – Ultimate ‘91 ChemDawgltim
Concentrate
1st The Clinic Alternative Medicine - Earth OG Nectar
2nd River Rock Wellness - Black Out Budder 3rd Top Shelf Extracts - Sour Diesel Shatter Patient’s Choice River Rock - Black Out Budder Connoisseur’s Choice TIE The Clinic - Earth OG Nectar Connoisseur’s Choice TIE Top Shelf Extracts - Sour Diesel Shatter Best Tested Colorado Grow Corporation Phenom
Edibles
1st The Growing Kitchen - Fantastic Brownie
2nd Incredibles - Strawberry Cough 3rd River Rock Wellness/Healthy Creation Edibles - Puppy Chow Patients’s Choice The Growing Kitchen - Fantastic Brownie Connoisseur’s Choice TIE Colorado Grow Company - Zero Gravity PB Cup Connoisseur’s Choice TIE The Growing Kitchen - Fantastic Brownie Best Tested The Growing Kitchen - Fantastic Brownie
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The Hemp Connoisseur would like to extend thanks to all of our patient and connoisseur judges, Casselman’s Bar and Venue, Hamilton/Reichert photography and photographer Scott Lentz.Thank you to everyone who came out, we had a great time putting the event together and we really appreciate the support!
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Amendment 64: Now or No?
by Chris Tucker
This coming November, Colorado voters could make their home state the first in the nation to re-legalize marijuana by passing Amendment 64. The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol would essentially remove all legal penalties for adults 21 years of age and older who possess up to one ounce of marijuana and would allow them to grow up to six marijuana plants in their homes. With the approval of this measure, an established system would be put in place in which marijuana would be regulated and taxed in a similar manner to alcohol, allowing for the cultivation, processing and sale of industrial hemp. What is as equally important is that Colorado farmers would once again be allowed to grow industrial hemp which can be used in everything from the food that we eat, plastics, fuels and even the paper that this is printed on. While creating legal marijuana establishments such as retail stores and manufacturing facilities, medical marijuana will also be exempt from excise taxes mentioned in the initiative. This initiative will not change existing laws for MMJ businesses, patients and caregivers, and since only proof of age will be required from individuals to purchase marijuana, consumer privacy will be enhanced. There is however, opposition that does not support or agree with legalizing the use of marijuana and hemp products. This opposition believes that this initiative will only allow easier access of marijuana to teenagers and that all monies will not go where is intended. Laura Chapin, a spokeswoman for Smart Colorado and strong opponent of Amendment 64 says that parents have enough problems trying to keep the increased temptations of alcohol and drugs away from their children and Amendment 64 would only accelerate that increase. Co-campaign director for Amendment 64, Mason Tvert, says this is absolutely not true, and that Colorado University researchers have proven this assertion to be completely false. Add in the strong opinions of those that oppose who believe that law enforcement needs to come down more heavily on individuals in possession of marijuana, and this only furthers the debate as to which side has the better argument for their cause. Brian Vicente, Co-director of Amendment 64 and the lawyer who helped write the initiative says, “despite the fact that more than one-third of American citizens now live in states that permit medical pot, the number of marijuana arrests continues to rise each year. With the strong support of MMJ businesses and regular citizens alike, Colorado is poised to stop this madness with a statewide legalization vote in 2012.� The debate over Amendment 64 is far from over. Just say now or just say no. The choice is in Colorado voters’ hands and come November this will be the hot topic on the ballot.
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TASTY MEDICINE An alternative to smoking reviewed by Hazy Cakes
CBD Capsules by Flower of Life
At first I was wary of the idea of a capsule since the dosage is harder to control. I once had a terrible experience with a 100mg capsule that put me down for the entire day. Flower of Life has mastered the problem of over medicating by allowing the patient to choose a bottle of 10 or 25mg capsules. Considering my previous experience with capsules, I first opted for the 10mg and loved it. The effects were euphoric and functional. The next day, I one-upped myself and ate the 25mg, which was still quite functional. Rich in CBDs, which aren’t psychoactive, I still experienced a little head high but the pain was gone! I even felt a little extra chatty. The convenience of these CBD capsules are great for on the go medicating. As with any edible, consuming with a fatty snack helps metabolize the medicine faster, providing the most effective results.
Baklava by 14er Infusions
Beautifully packaged and looking like the baklava that my grandmother makes, I was a very excited patient to try this tasty treat. Weighing in at 180mg, I could tell from the first few bites that I wouldn’t need to eat both triangular pieces. I’m not going to tell you that it doesn’t taste like meds because it definitely does but is completely bearable and hey, some of you folks like that taste so dig on in! A warning to those who may have food allergies, this treat contains nuts. The effect was very stony, much like that of an indica high. Body and eyes felt heavy. This is a great fix for the sweet tooth and those aches and pains.
Vegetable Mini Pie by Better Baked
Soul food. It speaks to everybody. Regardless if you are on a diet, health conscious or prefer carrot sticks, there is something about baked goods that soothe the soul. With all that said, what’s better than a pot pie? How about medicated vegetable pot pie?! Better Baked’s 175mg Vegetable Mini Pie contains even a medicated crust. Smart! The taste and smell of cannabutter is overwhelming. If you have read previous Hazy Cakes reviews, you know that I don’t prefer the “weedy” taste but my lucky friend who I shared the pie with loved it. The effectiveness is there. I experienced an all around relaxing feeling, which led right into to sleepiness. I recommend baking the pie longer than the directions say, as the center was still a little frozen after 15 minutes. Composed of simple and delicious ingredients, such as vegetables and herbs, this could be the perfect medicated side dish to accompany your holiday meals.
CBD Tincture Dew Drops by Dixie
I am a huge fan of tincture. Love the stuff. So when I heard of Dixie’s CBD Dew Drops I was stoked to try the product. Upon receiving, I examined the label only to find out that this tincture was hemp infused. Bonus! This is a CBD extracted tincture containing only trace amounts of THC, which provides the most functional medicated high possible as CBDs are not psychoactive. I was able to slice right through life without feeling out of it in the slightest. Furthermore, it eased the beginning stages of a migraine before the onset was too much to handle. While cinnamon flavor isn’t my favorite, I was told once before that adding a spice to tincture allows it to work more effectively because the spice opens up the pores in your mouth. Good thinking Dixie! This is a product worth having in your medicine cabinet at all times.
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UP IN SMOKE reviewed by Hazy Cakes
Kosher Kush Nectar by The Clinic
Fabulous products come out of The Clinic and their Kosher Kush wax isn’t any exception. The Kosher Nectar (another term for wax) has the perfect consistency for handling. The color is light, which is what I look for in a good wax. The medicine comes in a convenient, flip top, plastic container. As for application, it is crumbly enough to sprinkle on a bowl but easily dabbable. The taste was extremely “kushy” and didn’t choke me out. The high was smooth and not overwhelming or panicky, which I find with some kinds of wax. With such a high THC content, it’s hard find a reason that this won’t work for pain management or as a sleep inducer.
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ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
Can Marijuana help people suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis? by Binger Hashman
What is RA? Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a long-term disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs. RA usually requires lifelong treatment, including medications, physical therapy, exercise, education, and possibly surgery. Early, aggressive treatment for RA can delay joint destruction. Can Cannabis make a difference? Cannabis can potentially help suffering RA patients because it alleviates pain, reduces inflammation, and promotes sleep. However, because RA is associated with a higher risk of lung problems and heart attacks it’s still debatable whether it’s safer to take it as a pill or mouth spray or in edible form rather than smoking it, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. How marijuana helps pain There are hundreds of chemicals in marijuana, but the best known is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. THC may reduce anxiety experienced by some people dealing with chronic pain such as RA. There are also drugs such as Marinol (dronabinol) and Cesamet (nabilone), which are synthetic versions of THC in pill form, and a newer product called Sativex, a mouth spray with THC and cannabidiol. * (* The Hemp Connoisseur advises to consult your physician to receive professional consultation about these mentioned drug forms of THC)
Limited Research on Cannabis’ effects on RA. A 2006 study in Rheumatology looked at 58 RA patients over a fiveweek period. They were split into two groups—one taking Sativex and the other a placebo. The group on Sativex had improvements in “morning pain on movement” and sleep quality compared to placebo users. * (* Study funded by GW Pharmaceuticals, which makes Sativex.) Doctors at the University of Toronto and Dalhousie University in Halifax reviewed 18 clinical trials that included 766 people between 2003 and 2010. The trials studied the use of cannabis as a medical therapy for non-cancer-related pain, most often neuropathic pain (chronic pain that is usually due to nerve damage). Fifteen of the trials found that it worked better than a placebo for pain relief and four trials found that it improved patients’ sleep. However, the analysis included only one study of RA patients— the same 2006 Sativex study—so it could not determine if the long-term use of smoked marijuana was associated with a higher risk of heart or lung complications. Conclusion: Marijuana can only help with RA pain management. Unfortunately, while studies have shown that marijuana may help with managing pain symptoms, it cannot halt RA disease progression or organ damage.
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CANNABIS & POLITICS
Six myths That Just Won’t Die
by Matt Snyders
CALL THEM POLITRICKS--CANNAMYTHS IF YOU PREFER. Up until 75 years ago, cannabis and politics had as much to do with one another as parsley does with racketeering. But since the advent of marijuana prohibition in 1937, the dark art and the green herb have been inextricably linked— much to the detriment to truth and common sense. With the 2012 election season reaching its disinformation-cascading climax, we figured it was a good time to take a hard close look at the most commonly repeated falsehoods pertaining to cannabis and politics. Some originate from drug warriors, others from activists. Some you hear stated in explicit terms, others are unstated assumptions. About the only thing these myths have in common is their relentless ubiquity. By no means an exhaustive list, here are six of the most common. 28 October/November
Myth #1: Politicians typically don’t support MMJ or legalization out of fear of alienating voters A whopping 74 percent of Americans support medical marijuana rights and believe the feds should as well, according to a Marijuana Policy Project-conducted poll released May 11. Rasmussen Reports did some pulse-taking of its own the very next day, reporting on May 12 that a “solid majority” of Americans—56 percent—favor outright legalization of marijuana. In a genuine majority-rule democracy, satisfying popluar opinion is a safe strategy, not a risky one. (To transform this myth to maxim, simply scratch the word “voters” and replace with “campaign donors.”)
Myth #3: The federal government remains willfully ignorant of cannabis’s medical legitimacy. You can dispense with this myth by going to the U.S. Patent website and typing “6630507” in the search field. Since 2003 the United States Department of Health and Human Services has held a patent claim on cannabinoids “in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s” among other neurological disorders [see last issue of THC]. The patent title alone—“Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants”—touts cannabis’s medicinal value in explicit terms that no attorney could argue around. The federal government violently opposes medical marijuana as a grassroots industry to be sure—and keeping cannabis a Schedule I drug is an obvious means to that end— but federal officials are quite aware of cannabinoids’ medicinal properties, as the language of this patent makes unequivocally clear.
Myth #5: The MMJ industry is politically united in its push for cannabis legalization Politics makes for strange bedfellows, but it makes for even stranger adversaries, as the debate over Proposition 19 demonstrated in 2010. As Californians grappled an initiative that would have legalized cannabis for all adults, many growers— accurately perceiving that their profits would plummet in the wake of legalization—joined ranks with anti-pot drug warriors in advocating and voting against a bill that would have decriminalized their crop. A bumper sticker that gained modest popularity in the Emerald Triangle at the time summed it up: “Save Humboldt County—keep pot illegal.” Californians did just that the following November, voting the bill down 53.5 percent to 46.5.
Myth #2: Cannabis-related arrests are trending down Looking at the last two decades, the opposite is true. In 1991, American law enforcement authorities caged 287,000 Americans for cannabis possession, cultivation and/or sales, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports. That figure increased every year hence; 2002 saw 697,100 Americans apprehended for cannabisrelated crime. Last year’s total reached 850,000. Long story short, the arrest rate has nearly tripled in just 20 years.
Myth #4: Democrats are more pot-friendly than Republicans Not if actual policies are any indication. Not in the land’s highest office. It’s been just over three years, and the Obama administration has already raided more dispensaries than did the Bush administration during its entire eight-year span. Looking at the same arrest statistics referenced in Myth #2, we see that cannabis arrests more than doubled during Bill Clinton’s two terms, from 342,300 in 1992 to 704,800 in 1999. Indeed, cannabis arrests were at their low point during the latter Reagan/Bush I years, a fact we’re still trying to wrap our heads around.
Myth#6: Taxing and regulating cannabis would generate more revenue for the state than outlawing it General rule of thumb: institutions never resist a reform that will bring them more money. The current rules of prohibition allow the state to confiscate not only narcotics during the course of a drug raid but also any crimerelated property and cash— big emphasis on cash, deemphasis on crime-related. There is such a boom that an increasing number of police departments throughout the country fund their operations almost exclusively with cash and cars seized in drug busts. The state would have to be out of its disembodied mind to trade such awesome seizure powers for a little bit piece of sales tax.
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National Cannabis Industry Association’s 2nd Anniversary Gala at The National Marijuana Business Conference
Sherman Street Event Center • 1770 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203 Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:00-10:00 p.m. Industry happy hour from 6 to 7, Gala immediately follows.
Get your tickets today!
Advance tickets are available at CannabisIndustryGala.com Price: $75 advance; $100 at door Join NCIA and cannabis industry leaders from across the country to celebrate the progress made over the last year and to share in our vision for the bright future ahead for responsible cannabis commerce. Each ticket includes appetizers, one drink ticket, and a unique gift. All proceeds support NCIA’s work to defend and advance the cannabis industry at the national level.
(202) 379-4861 Info@TheCannabisIndustry.org
NationalMarijuanaBusinessConference.com Sponsored by:
The Politics of Hemp
by Josh Davis
The tall man in the cage sat down for breakfast
on June 11, 2012. It was 8:15 in the morning and he was hungry. He bent down and harvested seeds from the twelve industrial hemp plants that stood next to him. Gathering them up, he used a hand press to extract the nutritional oil within. As the sunlight crested over the tops of buildings, he spread the hemp oil across the organic sprouted whole-wheat toast, topped it with a slice of organic tomato, a dash of salt and pepper and began to eat. Gazing out through the bars of his cell, he looked past the sidewalk and across the lawn to the big white house in the center of the yard. From his homemade prison he wondered if President Obama was eating breakfast too. David Bronner’s self-imprisonment in front of the White House (pictured above) on that warm summer morning was a bold statement of civil disobedience in the face of a frustrating federal regulation prohibiting U.S. farmers the right to grow industrial hemp. Last year, his company, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap’s, had no choice but to import over $100,000 worth of hemp oil, a key ingredient utilized in their popular soaps, from Canada because American farmers are forbidden by federal law from growing this multi-purpose, environmentally friendly crop. A large picture of President Obama smiling in front of a sea of industrial hemp plants topped Bronner’s homemade cage, which had been driven to the front of the White House and parked on the back of a trailer. The sign read: Dear Mr. President Let U.S. Farmers Grow Hemp. While the DC Fire Department sawed away at the cage’s reinforced bars, David touted hemp and its myriad uses through a loudspeaker and asked the question, “Why is hemp still illegal?”
Politics President Obama, who according to his official schedule was home that morning, did not come out to greet David or answer his questions. However, in a way, he already had. In April of this year the White House responded to a petition about industrial hemp that had been created on their “We The People” website which allows a petition to get an “official response” if it receives at least 25,000 signatures. The petition, which was penned by Tom Murphy who is the
national outreach coordinator for the advocacy group Vote Hemp, garnered 28,856 signatures. Like its title, “Allow Industrial Hemp to be Grown in the U.S. Once Again,” it was short, sweet and to the point. Sadly, so was the reply: no way. The White House’s official response, which was penned by current Obama drug czar and former Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske, came seven full months later. It was four sentences long and was titled, “What We Have to Say About Marijuana and Hemp Production.” In it, Kerlikowske blames hemp’s illegality on its THC content, “While most of the THC in cannabis plants is concentrated in the marijuana, all parts of the plant including hemp, can contain THC, a Schedule 1 controlled substance.” He goes on to warn the public of hemp’s harmful potential. “The Administration,” Kerlikowske writes, “will continue looking for innovative ways to support farmers across the country while balancing the need to protect public health and safety.” Tom Murphy felt dazed and confused after reading the response. “I was stunned and stunned in not a good way,” he remarked. “The Obama administration said before they were elected and early on in the administration they were going to be basing policy decisions on science and this was based on emotion and rhetoric.” Though the White House’s response to the petition was not what Murphy and the thousands of signers had hoped for, it certainly wasn’t unexpected in light of the federal government’s turbulent relationship with hemp.
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A Brief History Lesson Currently, the United States is the only industrialized country in the world that does not allow its farmers to grow industrial hemp. Ironically, the U.S. imports more hemp and hemp-related products than any other country in the world. According to the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) domestic retail sales of hemp products surpassed $419 million in 2010 and have continued to grow each year. Industrial hemp contains a minute infamous molecule THC (delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol) about 0.3 percent worth. Marijuana, a different variety of cannabis, contains roughly 5-30 percent THC. Hemp’s THC content is not nearly enough to have psychoactive effects, but certainly enough to be considered illegal by the federal government. After heavy lobbying from chemical giant Dupont, The Marijuana Tax Act passed in 1937 and required farmers to obtain a tax stamp for the production of all cannabis. This effectively ended hemp agriculture in the United States and paved the way for the synthetic chemical and lumber industries to gain market share, where hemp products had been previously used. However, it wasn’t illegal to grow hemp until the passage of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. This act nailed the coffin shut on a farmer’s right to plant industrial hemp by classifying THC as a Schedule 1 drug, which Kerlikowske pointed out in his response to Murphy’s hemp petition.
amount
of
the
Where Are We Now? The Obama Administration has shown no signs of considering an open dialog on industrial hemp, and it remains noticeably absent from the party’s platform heading into the 2012 election. Interestingly, while he was an Illinois State Senator, Obama voted in favor of SB 1397, The Industrial Hemp Act that “Requires the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University to study the feasibility and desirability of industrial hemp production in this State.” Go figure. At least Obama knows what hemp is. Earlier this year at a New Hampshire town hall meeting republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney was asked what his stance on industrial hemp was. “Industrial Hemp? I’m not quite sure what industrial hemp is,” he said quickly changing topics.
“Hemp is an agricultural crop grown on tens of thousands of acres in Canada, China and Europe whose law enforcement have no problem whatsoever and whose farmers are laughing all the way to the bank as we continue to hand them the U.S. hemp market.” -David Bronner
Though American hemp farming was severely regulated after 1937, hemp fiber and seed oil was still a necessity for many industries, particularly the U.S. Army and Navy. To satiate America’s demand, hemp was imported from the Philippines and East India. During World War II Japan took control of these sources of hemp. In 1942, needing a replacement source for the military’s increasing demand, the U.S. requested farmers grow 32,000 acres of industrial hemp. That same year, the Department of Agriculture actively encouraged American farmers to grow even more hemp for the war effort with the film “Hemp for Victory,” which expounded hemp’s usefulness throughout human history. The film highlighted the importance of hemp’s role in America’s fight against its enemies. The patriotic voice of the film’s narrator declares, “The goal for 1943 is 50,000 acres of seed hemp.” Against the backdrop of images of proud American warships, the voice campaigns on, “Hemp for mooring ships; hemp for tow lines; hemp for tackle and gear; hemp for countless naval uses both on ship
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and shore…Hemp for victory!” After the war was won with the help of hemp, the U.S. Government ceased its support of hemp farming, subsequently the American hemp industry faded into extinction.
Some politicians at the federal level, however, do know what industrial hemp is. They listened to their constituents and proposed hemp legislation to both the House and the Senate. Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) is undertaking his fourth attempt at hemp legislation. H.R.1831: The Industrial Hemp Farming Act is making its way through Congress at molasses speed, but on a bright note, as of August 2012 there were 33 bi-partisan co-sponsors, the most the bill has ever received. “It is unfortunate,” said Paul in a speech on the House floor, “that the federal government has stood in the way of American farmers, including many who are struggling to make ends meet, from competing in the global industrial hemp market.”
On the other side of the Capitol, history was made on August 2, 2012 when U. S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced the first ever hemp bill (S.3501) to the Senate along with co-Sponsors Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Speaking on the Senate floor Wyden said, “Introducing this bill is the first step toward a common sense policy on hemp that helps create American jobs.” He continued, “It is vital that all advocates for industrial hemp redouble their efforts to win support in Congress if we are going to re-establish this economically important crop.” While this is promising news for hemp farming in America, it still is a delicate political game. The home page of Wyden’s website has a news section that covers his latest work in the Senate. Oddly, there is no mention of him introducing this historical bill. In fact, when contacted by the author for this article, Wyden’s media representative refused to comment on the bill because The Hemp Connoisseur looked “to be
mostly about consumables.” A curt “good-bye” and the click of the telephone came shortly after. Thou shall not mention marijuana in the same magazine as hemp. Ahhh, politics. Nevertheless, the fact that there has never been a hemp bill in both the Senate and the House is historical. Whether any substantive progress occurs remains to be seen. At the state level, however, legislative support has been quietly gathering momentum. To date, 31 states have introduced hemp legislation and seventeen have passed legislation; ten, including Wyden’s Oregon, have removed barriers to production and research. While this is all boding well for the future of hemp farming, you would be hard pressed to find any farmer willing to sacrifice their property and possessions for the sake of planting hemp. “The Federal Government can seek forfeiture of personal property and possessions if farmers are found planting industrial hemp whether or not the states have passed legislation,” says Tom Murphy. In Kentucky, where “ditch weed” (wild hemp plants left over from the WWII hemp effort) can still be found growing alongside cornfields, plans are under way to bring the once “imperative crop” back to life. Kentucky’s new Agriculture Commissioner, James R. Comer, is leading the charge. “The thing about industrial hemp is not only would it help farmers in Kentucky, but I believe it would lead to a manufacturing revolution in Kentucky because you would purchase the industrial hemp in Kentucky and manufacture it in Kentucky so it would create jobs in rural communities.” Comer has the right idea. “Legislators don’t like to talk about it because it can be considered controversial but it’s not. It’s not controversial,” he argues. “There’s been a lot of misconception and false stereo-types about this product, that it was like marijuana and it’s not. It’s totally different… it’s not a drug.”
Tell That To The Law On October 9, 2001, the DEA, disregarding “the required public notice and comment period,” ruled quietly through the Federal Register that effective immediately all hemp food and beverages were considered illegal and, “any person who currently possesses illegal THC-containing “hemp” products will have 120 days (until February 6, 2002) to dispose of such products or remove them from the United States.” The HIA along with several business owners who sold hemp products jumped into action by filing an “Urgent Motion for Stay” with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. During the subsequent hearing the DEA argued that food-containing
hemp should be outlawed citing the presence of the THC molecule. Fortunately, the court of appeals disagreed. Judge Betty Fletcher wrote, “[T]hey (DEA) cannot regulate naturally-occurring THC not contained within or derived from marijuana-i.e. non-psychoactive hemp is not included in Schedule I.” It was a huge victory for hemp businesses and hemp food enthusiasts alike, however the ruling did not legalize hemp farming nor did it change law enforcement’s perception of hemp as a drug. “This agency (the DEA) is a deeply entrenched ideological agency,” says Eric Steenstra, President of the HIA, “and they see hemp and marijuana as all synonymous for cannabis, they don’t want to give one inch on anything. They don’t care whether it makes sense or not.” This past spring, a hearing was held by the Kentucky House Agriculture & Small Business Committee to weigh arguments for and against hemp farming in the Bluegrass State. Ed Shemelya, a former Kentucky State Police Commander and current regional marijuana coordinator in the Appalachian High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area was asked to give his opinion on whether hemp farming in Kentucky was a good idea. “Hemp is not the product that we need to look at for diversification,” declared Shemelya whose ignorant enthusiasm for hemp’s continued prohibition seemed almost boundless. “It brings in numerous issues with enforcement, not only to (sic) the cost that would be associated with trying to regulate this. With doing laboratory analysis on virtually every plant to determine what the THC content is. It just sends a horrible message to our kids in this commonwealth, that (sic) we are going to sanction what the federal government classifies as a Schedule 1 drug for industrial purposes where we don’t really understand if there is a viable market that would sustain any agricultural production in the common wealth, uh, that would (sic) even be a (sic) any benefit to our farmers.” David Bronner begs to differ, “Hemp is an agricultural crop grown on tens of thousands of acres in Canada, China and Europe,” he counters, “whose law enforcement have no problem whatsoever, and whose farmers are laughing at us all the way to the bank as we continue to hand them the U.S. (hemp) market.”
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Let Them Grow The endless disagreements between law enforcement and common sense could disappear overnight if the law were to change; incredibly it wouldn’t even take an act of Congress or the Senate to do it. “The Obama DEA and Dept. of Justice” says Steenstra, “could choose tomorrow to recognize that industrial hemp is distinct from marijuana and publish a regulation that would define it as distinct and allow states to regulate it.” But that seems highly unlikely given the current administration’s “hemp paranoid” attitude. It may never be known whether President Obama was aware of David Bronner’s civil disobedience in front of the White House. What President Obama is very well aware of, however, is the current state of the economy. As if to add insult to injury the Obama re-election campaign is selling a beautiful circle scarf on its fund-raising online store. The scarf designed by Monique Péan is made with 45 percent organic cotton and 55 percent hemp sourced from communist China, but as the website says it is “Made in the USA” so, that’s good…right?
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Bronner, now safely back at his California home, sums it up. “In this recession, it’s time for unfounded hysteria and ignorance to take a back seat and let reason and economics guide policy.” Only time will tell if the Senate, House or the President will take the lead in opening the doors to a fully operational American hemp industry. What if farmers were allowed to grow hemp in America? What if the federal government, per Obama’s stated mission, did put science above rhetoric? What if in the future, looking back at history, the federal governing body that made it possible for farmers to grow hemp was hailed as the brave hero that was willing to take a stand when no other would? Now, THAT would be something. It is time to join the global movement. It is time to grant American farmers the right to grow hemp.
A Tribute
THC says good-bye to David Ray Madera Earlier this year I had the opportunity to interview David Madera, co-founder of Hemp Technologies in Asheville, North Carolina, for an article in The Hemp Connoisseur. I contacted him to discuss his experience with Hemcrete© and sustainable building in general. We spoke on the phone for forty-five minutes; I was smitten in under two. He was delightfully passionate—about his company and the potential hemp could offer to our society. We talked about yoga, environmental policy and agronomy. By the end of the conversation I had promised to call him when I was ready to build my own greenhouse. He also invited me to Asheville. I did not have the chance to speak with David again beyond email and we were all deeply saddened to hear of his passing. On July 22nd 2012, the sustainable building community and the world lost a wonderful man. Peace David. -On behalf of Liz Mund and the entire THC Staff A page has been set up for donations to be made to Vote Hemp in honor of David Ray Madera. On this page there are also links to download David’s full bigraphy, which is excerpted above, and a copy of “David’s Life Story, a celebration,” which was put together by Hemp Technologies. You may email Tom Murphy at tom@thehia.org, or call 207-542-4998 for more information.
Clockwise from top left: David Ray Madera, hempcrete, house built with hemp materials
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Life with the Hash Queen by Binger Hashman
Mila Jansen is your average grandmother who lives for her kids and grandchildren and is a successful entrepreneurial businesswoman in Holland. She also happens to live an amazing life. Mila has won numerous prizes for entrepreneurship, small business achievement and has been crowned High Times Queen of Marijuana three times. But she is known around the world as “The Hash Queen” for her tremendous influence on the hash movement. THC’s man in Amsterdam, Binger Hashman, sat down and talked to Mila about the things she knows best. THC: How is hash different now then when you started smoking in the 1960s? How much stronger is it now? MJ: Probably then it was less strong… but we were very happy with it. The first time I had Afghanistan hash it was very good. THC: When did you first try cannabis? MJ: The first thing I tried was hash in 1965 or 64. In those days it came from Lebanon. My husband was a psychology medical student and you could buy a matchbox of hash for 25 gilders (12 euros, 15 USD). He wanted to observe how I behaved when I smoked. I can’t remember much of what happened after I smoked the first time, but I remember my legs were cycling in the air… and then I ended up passed out on my bed. THC: If you had your choice between flower and hash what would you take? MJ: Always hash! It is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. THC: In the documentary movie, Mila’s Journey (http://www. milasjourney.com) you were suffering from a severe heart condition, has that improved? MJ: Yes. I had that taken care of and now it is fine. THC: During that time were there any health modifications you experienced in your smoking? MJ: No. I stopped drinking coffee. No hash changes. I told the doctors I smoked and they told me that this condition was hereditary and had nothing to do with smoking. The only thing that I thought I had problems with was stress. Smoking hash was preventative medicine. It kept away my stress. THC: What is the big difference between enjoying hash and flower? MJ: I always feel that there are people who like wine and people like beer. Beer drinkers drink beer, wine drinkers will drink wine. If you are a hash smoker you will smoke hash. I respect everyone’s opinion. I prefer hash. Especially for medical patients I think is it important that they get what it is about and not just smoke plant matter. I was in Denver where they produced everything from oils, edibles and tinctures. They did all their own extractions and each product mentioned how much was in each product. It is not like that here (In Holland) I think we are missing the boat. They even have medicated
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pizza (In Denver)! THC: Do you like to ingest cannabis/edibles? MJ: No. If I am smoking it I can put down my joint if I have had enough. But with edibles, you never know what you are getting until you are already in it. THC: Ever inhaled with a vaporizer? MJ: Yes. I didn’t like that so much. First I don’t notice anything then it is like getting hit with a hammer. It is too much for me. THC: What do you like and hate about hash? MJ: I don’t like solvents. I asked my son who is a pharmacy student about it. He said there are many bad residues and many people do not know how to properly remove them. I attended a panel discussion recently, which I thought was going to be about hash, but was instead about solvents… which solvent to use, etc. But in the end they had to admit they really didn’t know that much about solvents they were using. I don’t trust that. I like hash because it is natural. It is the crystals. THC: What is your take on medicinal marijuana? MJ: I know many people who claim otherwise but I don’t think marijuana is not a medicine. It makes things better. It can raise your appetite and make things more bearable. I don’t think it is a “medicine.” In America there are lots of reasons to get a medical permit for marijuana. In Holland they wont give it to you. I went to my doctor and he would not give me a RX for it! In America, if you have a one-time motorcycle accident they will give you a permit, headaches, back-pains, etc. Not in Holland. THC: What is the biggest cultural difference between Dutch and American smokers? MJ: Dutch people just like to be high but we like to do something. I want to be able to do my work and enjoy the day. It’s funny when the High Times Cup is here, I run a hotel (Hemp Hotel), we always hear stories about people who come back and talk about someone judging the contest who smoked some marijuana and it was so strong that they immediately pass out. And everyone around perks up immediately and asks, “Where? I have to try it!” At one point there were so many people passing out at our bar from judging the High Times
people passing out at our bar from judging the High Times Contest that I wanted to take pictures of all the people passed out so I could make a postcard that says, “Come visit the bar at Hemp Hotel, Amsterdam.” THC: What do you think about the new proposed restrictions for the Netherlands MJ Laws? (Allowing only residents to purchase at coffee shops) MJ: If Holland does pass the anti-marijuana laws we are going to have serious hard drug problems that they never even considered. At least 25% of people come to Holland to smoke. Hotel rooms will be empty. Restaurants will be hurting. I think these anti-MMJ proposals will encourage organized crime and street dealers. The whole purpose of MMJ laws was to separate hard drugs from soft drugs and it worked very well. Why ruin it? THC: Give us some hash insights. MJ: So much depends on how you make your hash. Say you don’t use water in making hash. You will have much more fragrance or aroma. Say you have 2 pounds of plant material. Do you want it for flavor or aroma or to just be strong? If you use a Pollinator you can put 150grams at a time. If you freeze the material that really helps. The crystals will come out and snap easier. Always freeze your material first. If you use the frozen material you will have everything you need in the first 5 minutes of the hash making process.
THC: How has time changed for owners of hemp and cannabis businesses in the Netherlands? MJ: Twenty years ago they had coffee shop football tournaments. Now they have so many regulations and it is not fun anymore. THC: What are you proud of as an entrepreneur? MJ: I was very happy with the hash quality that the Isolator and Bubbletor have produced. It keeps on going, That surprises me. I enjoy having people thank me for the products we make and how they have positively affected their lives. THC: Give me some facts about hemp. MJ: In Holland there’s one word for MMJ and hemp. Even if there is no THC it is called the same, which is very stupid. You should eat hempseeds. They are the most easily digestible seeds for the body that contains amino acids. They have Omega 3-6-9 and are excellent as a food source. I like the whole hempseeds. They are soft and like soft sunflower seeds, you can sprinkle them on salads or put them in smoothies. Hemp is super durable. Canvas was originally made of hemp. In the 1600’s our boats were so successful because we used hemp, which was more durable and lighter than what the Spanish were using. In other countries they use it as a building material. I think that Mao made his little blue suits out of hemp.
“I enjoy having people thank me for the products we make and how they have positively affected their lives.”
THC: Where did your passion for hash come from? MJ: I didn’t like the hash available in the old days, so we started sifting and making our own. Because it was such a slow process we made machines like the Pollinator to improve the process. THC: What do you look for in cannabis for making hash? MJ: It depends on the age of the leaf material. If you are using fresh material, the crystals that come out are translucent, you will get a rush and it will last a short time. Older leafs will take longer but last a longer time. THC: Have you ever been too stoned? MJ: Never. Sometimes I have had to sit down… but never too much. THC: Is the Cannabis Cup all about marketing? MJ: Yes. It is easier to remember for an average American a name like Greenhouse as opposed to Twede de Kamer. THC: How has hash changed? MJ: Everyone is using extracts. THC: Do you use ever use extracts? MJ: No. Always pure. THC: Did you have the first coffee shop here? MJ: Actually, it was a teahouse. We traded, but we never actually sold anything.
THC: Why should I stay in the Hemp Hotel? (http://www. hemp-hotel.com) MJ: All breakfasts are made with hemp seeds. We are right in the center of town. All rooms are themed based on my experiences and travels. Our busiest month is summertime. THC: What do you hope the future holds? MJ: I hope that the world gets to be a better place and I am so lucky to have gotten to know and enjoy my kids. THC: How has having a non-traditional career been good for you? MJ: It gave me the opportunity to continue to live life as I did. I like having my own business. THC: What is the difference in getting high with Indian and Dutch people? MJ: With some Indian people, smoking is a religious sacrament, which is a totally different attitude. At home we just smoke. THC: What bums you out when you are high? MJ: Loud music with too much speed and rhythm. THC: Could you ever live without smoking hash? MJ: There have been several times when I had to not smoke due to traveling and I was fine. THC: And last life advice for our readers? MJ: Love life and enjoy it while you can because it is short enough.
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AGRICULTURAL APOCALYPSE Preventing Another Dust Bowl
by Jason Lauve
Imagine wearing a mask just to get through your day, just to breathe. Dirt and
grit are perpetually in your teeth and you have to cover your windows with sheets and blankets in a futile attempt to stop dirt from sifting into your home. Food at the supermarket becomes scarce; breathing, eating a meal, and walking the dog, are no longer simple, but moment to moment challenges of survival. This has happened, for eight years during the 1930s, after decades of extensive farming without crop rotation and other mitigation techniques, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska were ground zero for The Dust Bowl. It came in a brown cloud from the South and in a black blizzard from the North, causing major economic, ecological and agricultural damage to American and Canadian farmlands. There is an urgent need to reintroduce industrial hemp, a low-input, high-value crop, now. The prohibition of hemp simply cannot be tolerated any longer as it is an option that can revive America’s health, industry and economy today. Hemp must be removed from the DEA’s overbearing control and regulated under the USDA. Farming of industrial hemp in the U.S. is not something new; it was a major crop in the U.S., but prior to making it illegal, with the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937, it was slowly forced out The lack of mitigation techniques such as the use of fallow fields, cover crops or other techniques to prevent wind erosion and the degradation of the soil, combined with a severe drought, created The Dust Bowl which decimated land, animals and peoples lives. Many farmers left fields bare over winter months, when the winds in the High Plains are highest. They also burned the stubble left after a harvest, which deprives the soil of organic nutrients from composting back into the soil. Plants play a vital role in the functioning of the Earth’s weather systems. They regulate local and global weather through their absorption and creation of rainfall and their exchange of atmospheric gases, like carbon dioxide and oxygen. Vegetation covers a considerable portion of our Earth and has a significant effect on local weather and climate, playing a role in the water cycle, local weather, as well as the amount of water vapor in the air. Plants affect the “albedo” or reflectivity of the surface of the Earth by absorbing more heat than bare soil. In turn, this warmth carries moisture from plants into the atmosphere, where it condenses as rain. As rain falls, reaching roots through the soil below, the plants will use about 5 percent of that moisture and the rest is released back into the atmosphere through transpiration and evaporation. In other words, plants actually cool the local climate and help generate rainfall. As hemp grows, it increases the shade canopy, creates a wind buffer, captures and retains local moisture, as well as reduces wind erosion of the soil. In combination, these factors will increase the overall moisture content of the local soil, as well as improve the
local weather precipitation. The rapid growth of a shade canopy can eliminate the need for herbicides, as it shades out the weeds. Hemp also acts as an air buffer, reducing the amount of soil erosion, and increasing local moisture levels in the soil and humidity in the air. The more hemp that is grown, the more carbon dioxide is sequestered (absorbed), due to its very high radiation utilization efficiency in sequestering carbon in the plant itself, reducing “Greenhouse” gases. Forest fires have an effect of reducing rainfall, compounding the issue by leaving burned areas more prone to dryness and future fires. The heat at the ground level can reach 600°C, which vaporizes tree tars and plant materials releasing tiny particles (aerosols), into the ground and atmosphere. By creating high concentrations of aerosols the local climate is affected by increasing cloud formation and decreasing rainfall. Researchers with NASA have found that cloud droplets form around the particles, but may never grow large enough to fall as rain. Most of the old growth forests in the U.S. and around the world have been harvested, never to return, and have not been left to do their job, and if we can make such a drastic change, we can also make an extraordinary change planting hemp to help alleviate these issues. Many of our representatives are deeply concerned for the future of Colorado. If we can’t introduce a less water-dependent crop, and soon, the reality of “Dust Bowl II” is imminent. We must become active stewards of our environment or global weather patterns may become more unstable and extreme. Some states have over 60 percent of the land area used for cropland. This translates into a substantial part of the U.S. having the potential to alleviate many of our environmental issues when hemp is integrated into Americas farming practices. As a society, there are many concerns, real and perceptions, including global warming, access to clean water, weather changes, access to quality food, adequate shelter and many other human concerns we are all responsible for. Together, we can improve these areas by accepting the responsibility of stewardship with our land, water and air.
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The American Way by Steve Naples
True to form, my way is to procrastinate. During my procrastination period I wondered, is my procrastination part of The American Way? Better yet, what does The American Way mean for people today? What cascading sense or meaning or pathos does it conjure up in a time when freedom is under fire from all sides? Such as the freedom for U.S. farmers to freely grow industrial hemp to further support and benefit their business and families without fear of prosecution. Hemp was everywhere in the 1700s when The American Way was commonly thought to “refer to a nationalist ethos that purports to adhere to principles of ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’” In 1955, after the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, at almost the same time the television series Superman opened its famous show with, “Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive.” Included in this opening was, “Truth, Justice and The American Way.” One commentator in that decade tried to describe The American Way as such, “The American Way of life is individualistic, dynamic, pragmatic. It affirms the supreme value of the individual to ‘get ahead.’” His long statement is scattered with words like, self-reliance, merit, character, deeds, not creeds, humanitarian, forward looking. All great attributes you would agree. However, in the end of his statement he throws in “…Americans cannot go on making money or achieving worldly success simply
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on its own merits; such ‘materialistic’ things must, in the American mind, be justified in higher terms of service or stewardship or general welfare and because they are so idealistic, Americans tend to be moralistic; they are inclined to see all issues as plain and simple black and white issues of morality.” The question I’ve spent a good deal of my procrastination asking was, I get what people of the past thought about the subject and freedoms, but what about my fellow Americans today? Well I should start with a big shot politician or a school teacher or maybe that guy who talks to himself on the bus. Not me, procrastinators like me, we ask our girlfriends. She is after all a red blooded American, so I can trust she will tell me her real feelings. She came right out of the gate with this: “The American Way used to mean one for all and all for one. Now it’s ‘every man for himself.” So of course I have to continue to ask others. Same thing, some said, selfishness or take what you can. Alright, but what about my hero, Superman, and the ‘Truth, Justice and The American Way’ thing? Obviously they would not put that on daytime television in the 50s, 60s,70s and Nick At Night if it was not real, right? Wouldn’t hemp that you could cook with, make clothes, rope, shoes, fuel and much more from be part of The American Way? Remember those words like merit and pragmatic and all from the 1700s. Hemp, a crop everyone grew during our
revolution and a plant our forefathers encouraged, is now imported from other countries. Now is that The American Way? So now, it seems we elect politicians who think The American Way is to rip each other’s heads off and to treat each other like they need to be pushed to a place where there is absolutely zero compromise. Our American Way seems to be no music in schools, but really large subsidized stadiums with really expensive displays of fireworks to help us all feel we are living The American Way. Many religious and secular organizations in all states are helping people who can’t pay for groceries due to a lack of employment opportunities. Many laborers can’t drive to work because they can’t afford the gas and they are sold no alternatives. Big box stores offer at low prices poor synthetic clothing made in a foreign country or treated with who-knows-what kind of chemical but, let’s not allow U.S. farmers to grow pesticide free, naturally mold and UV resistant, lightweight and absorbent industrial hemp for clothing, food and fuel in our country. George Washington, the father of our country, grew hemp. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, all of those amazing guys, grew it, used it and got it. What went wrong, not just with hemp, but also with this great, great place? I do believe there are many regular folks that get it, good people that do not ask for or want the spotlight. They love this country and
try to live The American Way as they see it. All around, it seems that big media, small minded government, or big corporations, are killing The American Way, through apathy, uncaring narcissism and, dare I say down right laziness. It’s amazing to watch the public demand for hemp products increase while the conversation about it being legalized seems to keep being pushed aside or muted. Hemp was part of The American Way since the founding of our country and earlier. In many ways the production of hemp for making clothing, food and a plethora of other products would clearly put more Americans to work, properly use our natural resources, and make our lands work better as crops are rotated properly by farmers who now would love to grow hemp but cannot. As demand for hemp products continues to increase, it seems funny our politicians and a few big businesses cannot see the tax benefits, the profitability and the honest good use of a great crop, the same way many in the public can. Truth, Justice and The American Way, all good qualities espoused by a television show in the 50s. Are these qualities going to bode well for the United States of America going into the future? My money is on yes, but I am an optimist. The real truth and justice will be seen next month come Election Day. After all, that is The American Way, right?
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42 October/November
Baby Boomers Create a New Market by Matt Snyders
It’s a cruel irony that less than one-inthree Americans over the age of 65 favor the legalization of cannabis, according to Gallup— and yet it’s precisely these individuals whom studies suggest stand to benefit the most from cannabis. That’s the somewhat bad news. The good news is that things are changing. Dispensary owners and caregivers are seeing elderly patients line up for their services in numbers that would have elicited a double-take two years ago. “We’ve been seeing many more people past retirement age coming in the past year or so, not just fresh retirees, but folks in their 80s and 90s,” says JoAnna LaForce, Co-owner and Clinical Director of the Farmacy in Santa Barbara, CA. “The medical benefits are becoming more and more well-known and accepted. And some who ‘recreationally’ used cannabis in the 60s are now realizing the medicinal sense of the plant.” Chalk some of it up to demographics. Baby Boomers are getting older. This is a generation significantly more herb-tolerant than the previous one, so a general increase in acceptance should perhaps be expected. More importantly, the underlying science has become more clear-cut and accepted in recent years. Researchers have discovered one cannabinoid in particular shows great prom-
ise in the fight against age-related diseases. “I think CBD [cannabidiol] will go down as the Compound of the Decade,” LaForce says of THC’s non-psychoactive counterpart, a molecule showing great promise in treating everything from insomnia to cancer. “What we’re finding is that CBD is basically involved in almost every metabolic system in the human body.” A Certified Geriatric Pharmacist with two decades worth of hands-on hospice experience, LaForce isn’t talking off the cuff. She believes cannabis represents a safer, cheaper, more effective, and less addictive alternative to the narcotic analgesics currently in vogue. Peer-reviewed studies back this up and point to even wider uses. Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2008, for instance, found CBD effective in slowing Alzheimer ’s disease. A 2010 study published in “Molecular Cancer Therapeutics” showed cannabidiol effective in fighting brain cancer. Last year the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem a patent for “the use of a cannabidiol for the manufacture of a medicament identified for the treatment or prevention of diabetes.” Taken together, virtually every illness that cannabadiol shows promise in alleviating is an age-related dis-
ease: Alzheimer’s, arthritis, most types of cancer, dementia, diabetes, dystonia, and hypertension to name just a few examples. But all the data in the world can’t drive this point home better than real world experience. LaForce remembers vividly a patient she cared for during her time at a southern California hospice a decade ago: a 92-yearold man with terminal prostate cancer. His prescription painkillers had left him too outof-it to communicate with family and friends. Feeling almost too depressed to visit much and desperate to try anything, his family decided to resort to cannabis. They approached LaForce with the idea. It was agreed that a hash-infused brownie would be the best route. Forty minutes after eating the treat, the patient evidently began to feel the effects. He opened his eyes, clearly recognizing those gathered around him and addressed his onlookers. “Where’s the pizza?” he asked. His weren’t the only eyes that opened that day. “That incident is what kicked started this whole journey for me,” says LaForce. “We know it lowers the amounts of medication patients need, it allows them to better function, to think clearly, to converse with loved ones, and ultimately increase their quality of life. But that’s what gave me passion, seeing that first patient’s eyes open up.”
thcmag.com 43
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3435 S. Yosemite St. Suite 200 Denver, CO 80231 303-751-7888 Monday-Sunday 10am-7pm
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Armageddon Skunk Blue Diesel Bordello Boulder Kush Bubba Kush Flo G-13 Ice Widow Island Sweet Skunk Jacks Cleaner Jilly Bean L.A Confidential
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Altitude Wellness Center is the Denver Tech- Centers best kept little secret. Don't judge this dispensary by its cover. They have a private little setting right off of South Yosemite Street and East Hampden Avenue, once you know its there they will keep you coming back for more. Once you walk through the doors of this dispensary you are greeted by their kind, caring and knowledgeable staff. The store carries 25 different strains in the case and has a large variety of edibles drinks and concentrates to suit your needs. Locally owned and operated they pride themselves on making you, the patient their priority, but don't think that all the focus is just on the individual, its also on the medicine they provide their patients! They have 100% organically grown medicine and take pride in their private growing operation. They also offer an Ambrosia Station for patients that really need a strong and long lasting high. The ambrosia or also known as "Caviar" is Altitude Wellness's own way of reaching to people with a need for higher THC concentrates.The Ambrosia or Caviar is created by taking a strain of your choice from our case, drizzling it with hash oil (testing at 80-90% THC) and is topped off with a sprinkling of keef (Sativa, Indica or Mix) creating a very strong potent high. If you are wanting to smoke less, need longer effects or have medical needs that are suited better by large amounts of THC make sure to check out our large variety of concentrates, Edibles and drinks. Additionally, specials are offered daily, coupons are available in the Ganja Gazette publication and an incentive member program that rewards you for every purchase.
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Topicals Pain Relief Rub Massage Oils Bath Salts
46 October/November
* V S V www.amendment20cos.com Y H K Amendment 20 Caregivers is a family-owned and operated ColoradoMMJ center dedicated to quality medicine and a satisfying patient V experience. The friendly staff works tirelessly to ensure every patient has an enjoyable visit and that they are receiving the best medicine available for their condition. The medicine is only top-shelf but is available at reasonable prices that everyone can afford (and most cannot believe). Member patients enjoy even lower pricing, daily specials, and patient appreciation events. Bud-tenders are friendly, knowledgeable, and enjoy helping patients feel better. Amendment 20 Caregivers is conveniently located in central Colorado Springs with plenty of free parking and with safe, private, and easy access for every patient. The wide variety of edibles and high-quality meds make this the perfect stop. Come visit them today to learn about and sign up for member pricing and other daily discounts blasts.
Staff Favorites
New York Power Diesel sativa dominant 70/30
The New York Power Diesel (NYPD) is an indoor power strain with a radical mix of Sativa Mexicana father and Afghan/Dutch indica mother. The Nirvana addition to the diesel family stays close to the New York variant. NYPD is an F1 hybrid that is balanced but sativa-dominant, with potential for gardeners and home breeders. Its mother plant, the Aurora Indica, is a combination of Northern Lights and an Afghan strain that was stabilized especially for use in this cross. The heavy, greasy narcotic effects of the Aurora Indica beautifully cut the edge of the crispy, speedy Oaxacan sativa father known as Eldorado. The resulting terpenoids have a powerful diesel aroma with a lemon-edged fuel flavor.
Aurora Indica indica dominant 90/10
Aurora Indica's leaves are dark and impressively wide and its smell is dense and spicy, leading gardeners to anticipate the cosmic indica experience its name suggests. The buds are thick and greasy to the touch, with a deep Afghani flavor that is more apparent when grown in soil. A great stone before bed, this heavy buzz comes on quickly and can be quite sedative. People have reported hot ears as a common side effect when vaporizing. This strain has medicinal potential for treating hyperactivity and insomnia.
Concentrates Scissor Hash-Rainbow Bubble Hash-Rainbow Style Moonrocks Kief
2727 Palmer Park Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80909 719-375-5610 Monday-Saturday 11am-6:30pm Sunday 12pm-4pm
: W Y P U N Z
Top Strains Aurora Indica Grapefruit Blue Dream Hong Kong Star Chem Dogg Matanuska Tundra (aka Mountain Thunder) Cindy 99 Jilly Bean Skunk #6 Headband Sage 'n' Sour Cream Cheeze Roadblock-15 Thai Blueberry 2 LA Confidential Lemon Skunk NYPD White Widow Sour Diesel Pez Kt Kush Blue City Diesel NYPD
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www.goodmedsnetwork.com
3431 S. Federal Blvd, Unit G Englewood, CO 80110 303-238-1253 10AM - 6:55PM Daily 1402 Argentine St. Georgetown, CO 80444 303-569-0444 11AM - 6:55PM Daily 1391 Carr St. #303 Lakewood, CO 80214 303-238-1253 10AM - 6:55PM Daily
.VVK 4LKZ 5L[^VYR TLKPJHS THYPQ\HUH JLU[LYZ VMMLY°HMMVYKHISL°HJJLZZ [V OPNO X\HSP[` JHUUHIPZ ;OL JHYLM\SS` J\YH[LK NLUL[PJZ HYL NYV^U ^P[OV\[ JOLTPJHS HKKP[P]LZ HUK HKKYLZZ H M\SS ZWLJ[Y\T VM TLKPJHS HPSTLU[Z >OPSL `V\ YL JOLJRPUN V\[ [OL WYVK\J[ ZHTWSL .VVK 4LKPISLZ [OL OV\ZL SPUL VM PUM\ZLK Z^LL[ HUK ZH]VY` LKPISLZ HUK [PUJ[\YLZ THKL PU ZTHSS IH[JOLZ [V LUZ\YL [OL MYLZOLZ[ TLKPJH[LK WYVK\J[Z ° .VVK 4LKZ Z[HMM PZ MYPLUKS` WYVMLZZPVUHS PUMVYTLK HUK KPZJYLL[ Patients may purchase their medicine in a private consultation upon YLX\LZ[ °.VVK 4LKZ HSZV VMMLYZ \W [V TV PU Z[VYL JYLKP[ [OYV\NO [OLPY WH[PLU[ WYVNYHT HUK TPSP[HY` KPZJV\U[Z °.VVK 4LKZ Z\WWVY[Z [OL NYV^[O VM [OL JHUUHIPZ PUK\Z[Y` HUK HIPKLZ I` YLZWVUZPISL I\ZPULZZ WYHJ[PJLZ ^OPJO PZ ^O` [OL` WYV\KS` HMMPSPH[L ^P[O [OL (ZZVJPH[PVU VM *HUUHIPZ ;YHKLZ MVY *VSVYHKV (*; *6 HUK *HUUHIPZ )\ZPULZZ (SSPHUJL *)( °
Featured Strains
Death Star Good Meds' signature strain is a direct genetic clone from Team Death Star's Cannabis Cup winner, and is not available anywhere else in the state. Â This trichome-encrusted plant is a cross of Sour Diesel and Sensi Star, delivering diesel notes with a hint of skunk. Â The indica-dominant strain consistently tests between 22% and 24% THC, and offers extreme relief for chronic pain and insomnia.
Boston OG CannaCritiques opined that "the fine golden THC bulbs of [our Boston OG] form a sea of sparkling sugar the color of wheat beer" with a "sticky, lemony grind." Â The subtle citrus notes yield an immediate sativa mental elevation partnered with gradual body relaxation, as well as appetite stimulation. Â This super sativa offers 24.74% total cannabinoids.
Edibles
Good Medibles Carrot Cake & Baby Carrot Cakes Good Medibles Brownies & Baby Cake Brownies Good Medibles Cereal Mix & Oyster Crackers Good Medibles Cheesecakes Canna Punch Dixie Elixers Cheeba Chews
Concentrates
OrganaLabs Oils & Pills Atmos & Stratus Cartridges Assorted Strain-Specific BHO Hash
Staff Favorites Northern Lights (H/S) Peyton Manning (S) Eli Manning (S) Black Domina (I) Banana Kush (I) Crimson Tide (S) Bordello (I) Pure Power Plant (I) Sensi Star (I)
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www.greenwerkz.com Established in 2009, Greenwerkz has become known as one of Colorado’s premium medical marijuana service providers. Our founders come from a wide variety of backgrounds, from finance to retail to private caregiving, and healthcare, and we believe this is demonstrated in the way we operate our company. Greenwerkz’ smaller, boutique dispensaries offer customers a private, one-on-one interaction with patients. The pride we take in our customer service is paralleled only by our quality medicine. With over 25 years of agricultural experience, our growers' promise is to put nothing but the highest quality cannabis on our shelves. Our low-impact, organic grow method provides the cleanest-smoking, best-tasting product in the market. On top of that, we lab-test all of our medicine to ensure the potency is up to medical standards. If you haven’t been to Greenwerkz yet, visit one of our three locations to see what you’ve been missing!
Strains Sativa
(House Only in Italics)
Alaskan Ice Blaze Blue Dream Cush AKA Green Crack Denver Nugget Durban Poison Geisha Kepler 22B Kush Lemon G Lime Green Skunk Maui Waui Pineapple Express Skywalker OG Tuffalo Durban
Hybird
Aphrodite Casey Jones Connie Chung Deathstar Denver Purple Diesel Granny Derkle MTF OG Cheese Purple Mazar Sage x Orange Bud Silver Shaq Sneaker Sour Kush Sour Maui True Blue Wiesel AKA W.E.E.D. Willie Diesel
Indica
Afghani Afghani Kush Blowfish Bubba Kush Bubblegum Cap City Crush Cripple Creek Kush Dieselrella Dumpster Grape Skunk Headband Hidden Valley Kush LSD Mango Afghani MK-Ultra Mother Goose OG Ghandi Phnom Penh Purple Urkle R4 – Cannabis Cub Winner RMX Sugar Shack Tickle Kush
1131 W. Custer Pl. Unit A Denver, CO 80223 303-647-5156 2922 S Glen Ave. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 970-366-4600
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5840 W. 25th Place Edgewater, CO 80214 303-647-5209 Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm Sunday 12pm-5pm
Edibles Mountain High CBD Suckers Edipure Karma Candies Cheeba Chews Dixie Elixir Dabba
Concentrates R4 – High CBD Oil Vape pens with R4 oil cartridges Bubble Hash BHO
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HIgher Expectations “It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it!”-Jimmy Smith (aka Mr.Nice Guy)
1332 Cherokee St. Denver, CO 80223 303-955-4060 Monday-Friday 10am--6pm
Strains Ice Sativa
Pink Pez Indica Head Band Hybrid Grand Daddy Purple Indica Durban Poison Sativa New York Diesel Sativa Banana Kush Indica Hash Plant Indica Diesel Kryptonite Sativa
Concentrates
Higher Expectations recently opened their doors! You may see some familiar faces as Higher Expectations is a sister company to Mr. Nice Guys. We are excited to meet new patients, but always welcome returning patients as well. We’re looking forward to having personable, individual relationships with each of our patients! We have a comfortable waiting area with knowledgeable Bud-tenders on site for your specific medicinal needs. The whole magnificent staff is dedicated to providing quality medication to all! Please stop by and check us out, the same quaility you have grown to know with a whole new look.
AK-47 Hybrid Alien Hybrid Maui Wowie Sativa Sweet Tooth Sativa Jack Herer Sativa Chem Dawg Hybrid Afghan Bubblegum Indica Blueberry Indica
Hash Oil -Lab grade BHO-extracted; always above 600mg activated per gram Pressed Kief-Silk screen-extracted, high-grade blond kief Earwax-Golden, high-grade extracted THC Caviar-As amazing as it sounds; our high-quality buds, dipped in extracted hash oil, sprinkled with pressed kief
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PhatDaddyz Edibles
Coo Coo Ca Chews-These 150mg chocolate/cherry chews pack a punch! Super Baked Pops-A delicious spin on a frosted cake, these pops will provide relief for patients who prefer to ingest their meds Blue Balls-These sweet-and-sour candies will delight you with 75mg of active THC Tipsy Stix-Strawberry powder at 100mg active cannabinoids; one full Tipsy Stix contains a solid dosage
Staff Favorites
Ice-This sativa/indica mix will give you relief from pain and anxiety while giving you energy Durban Poison-A highly sought-after sativa, Durban Poison has a long-lasting effect with a non burn-out finish Banana Kush-Indica-dominant hybrid; eases pain almost instantly; gives a euphoric feeling Hash Plant-It’s in the name; this indica hybrid’s effects will be felt almost immediately; great for pain and insomnia Purple Kush-A very strong indica; this purplekissed bud not only tastes great, it also packs a punch!
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www.nlnaturalrx.com.com
2045 Sheridan Blvd. Edgewater, CO 80214 Suite B 303-274-6495 Monday-Sunday 11pm-7pm
- are in full bloom at Northern Lights Professional care and personal attention Natural Rx. Husband-and-wife team Mitch and Eva Woolhiser use their healthcare and business acumen to provide patients a unique and comfortable experience. A true mom-and-pop dispensary with a knowledgeable and engaging staff, Northern Lights works intimately with patients to help them decide which strains and products suit their specific needs. The Woolhisers are passionate about the plant and their raw product is patiently soilgrown from hand-picked plants offering the best genetic profiles, then cured slowly to ensure that quality shines through. Along with a robust selection of strains, Northern Lights features 10 different lines of edible products that are tested in-house to ensure potency and effectiveness. A flexible exchange policy ensures that patients are fully satisfied, making it easy to see why Northern Lights is also a favorite with people in the industry. Their convenient Edgewater location makes Northern Lights a favorite citywide.
Top Strains
Northern Lights Indica 100
Flavor: Tastes smooth, sweet, pungent, and spicy Effects: Happy, lazy body high, heavy feeling, with an unusually clear head and slightly delayed effect; this strain brings on a feeling of euphoria and relaxation Uses: Stress, insomnia, anxiety, pain, and loss of appetite
Sour Diesel Sativa 90/10
Flavor: Strong diesel flavors, pungent, leaving an oily taste on the tongue Effects: Sour Diesel taste combined with its effects may be considered an "extreme sport" version of cannabis; the stone pulls smokers into the sky fast with a viscerally uplifting pleasure and lots of consciousness expansion in the direction of spirituality. Uses: ADD, Alzheimer’s disease, psychosis, bi-polar disorder, depression, Lou Gehrig’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stress.
Chernobyl Sativa 60/40
Flavor: With a lime slurpee or sherbert flavor, this bud is an extremely potent smoke--just a few bowls is an adventure to your brain waves. Effects: This bud provides a calming and relaxing effect. Uses: Strong and pleasant very good for pain relief without paranoia
Purple Indica Indica 100
Flavor: Very smooth smoke, citrus, earthy flavor; this is organic, dirt-grown medicine and is very easy on the throat. Effects: Promotes extreme relaxation while enhancing ones jovial mood; may induce couch lock. Uses: Inflammation, anxiety, arthritis, chronic pain, glaucoma, insomnia, menstrual cramps, muscle tension, nausea, and stress
Kaboom Sativa 80/20
Flavor: It develops deliciously and displays a variety of scents and flavors including tart lemon, spicy hash, sweet berries, sour pineapples, and good ol' skunk. Effects: Speedy, trippy, intense, motivating, pain relief. Uses: The high that results from smoking Kaboom medicinal cannabis is intense and fast-paced, almost paranoid, but overall motivating; Kaboom marijuana also has enough indica in it to make it very effective pain relief
Hawaiian Banana Sativa 80/20
Flavor: Hawaiian sativa's citrus flavor and menthol tingle will go to your head. Effects: Because the high leaves your brain wide-awake and functional, she's a good candidate for those who can freely toke all day Uses: Hawaiian sativa possesses analgesic properties that have increased its popularity among medical patients seeking pain relief; anecdotal evidence suggests that Hawaiian sativa provides good visual ocular release, making it a preferred variety for glaucoma patients
Ace of Spades Indica 70/30
Flavor: Skunk, Berry, Sandelwood, Lemon Effects: strong and hard hitting with a fast onset of laughter ending in a strong body high. Uses: very powerful medicince for pain and depression.
Jack the Ripper Sativa 70/30
Flavor: Lemon Effects: the duration and intensity is strong and thought provoking, described as "trippy," "visual" and "phase shifting." Uses: known worldwide for its strong pain relief and analgesic properties.
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www.riverrockcolorado.com RiverRock's proprietary organic growing techniques deliver award winning medical cannabis - free of harsh chemicals - that is safer for our patients and the environment. Artisan growing methods combined with cutting edge technology ensure the consistency, value, and potency of all RiverRock products. We oversee the production of our cannabis, edibles, concentrates, extracts, and supplements allowing us to offer more affordable prices to our patients across-the-board. RiverRock's professional staff is dedicated to developing effective cannabis treatments that address the particular needs of our patients. We offer daily incentives to our patients with discounts of 15%-25%, loyalty points, complimentary wellness services, weekly patient appreciation parties with monthly giveaways including glass, concert venues, restaurant deals, and merchandise. We sponsor a range of patients including; SSDI, SSI, Veterans, and patients with terminal illnesses to ensure the most affordable access to all of our medical cannabis products.
Strains
We offer our patients over 100 organically grown strains in rotation between both our centers. We provide one of the largest selections of the highest tested THC & CBD based genetics found world wide. We provide patients with only the highest quality lab tested edibles, extracts, topicals, supplements, and concentrates. Awards Include: Jack Frost, OGiesel, OG18, Cataract Kush, Moonshine Haze, Ghost Train Haze
Sativa
Jack Frost Tangerine Haze (RD) Ghost TrainHaze (RD) Moonshine Haze (RD) ChemDawg4 Golden Goat Cheese UK Jilly Bean Durbon Poison Super Lemon Haze Bubble Gum (T.H.Seeds)
Hybrid
OGiesel Sour Tsunami #3 (CBD) Diesel Wreck (RD) Facewreck (RD) Sour Diesel (RD) Bruce Banner #3 CindyDom MauiDieselDog Grapetrain Wreck
Indica
Cataract Kush OG18 Scott's OG (RD) Scott's Blue (RD) Lee Roy (RD) 501OG (RD) Tokin OG Larry OG Master OG Tahoe OG Abusive OG Blackberry Kush Pre98 Bubba Kush Black Domina Goo
4395 York St. Denver, CO 80216 303-474-4136 Monday-Friday 9am-7pm Saturday-Sunday 10am-7pm
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990 W. 6th Ave. Denver, CO 80204 303-825-331 Monday-Friday 8am-7pm Saturday-Sunday 10am-7pm
Edibles We offer all infused strain specific activated cannabis oil to ensure constancy, potency, and taste. Awards Include: Puppy Chow
Healthy Creations Puppy Chow,Granola Bars, Cranberry Bars, Blondie, Brownie, Peanut Butter Cups, Smores, Fruity Rice Crispy, Baklava Incredibles Chebba Chews Canna Punch Dixie Pain Relief Pills Dixie Drinks CBD & THC Tea CBD & THC Tinctures
Topicals CBD & THC Salves CBD & THC Lotion CBD & THC Bath Bags
Concentrates Awards Include: Sour Tsunami CBD Oil, RockBudder Blackout, RockBudderBubbleBerry Sour Tsunami CBD Oil Strain Specific Activated Oil RockBudder Powder & Shatter Solventless Wax, Hash, CBD Wax by Essential Extracts
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54 October/November
Conveniently located in northwest Denver, Standing Akimbo brings patients more than just potent strains and high-grade hash. Standing Akimbo is also one of the state's premier producers of eminently delicious edibles like the award-winning PeCanna Bar and the hard-to-put-down Bubble Brownie. Located in an old bar on 38th Avenue, this dispensary uses an onsite kitchen to craft these grandma-caliber treats. The knowledgeable, friendly staff is always happy to guide patients toward the proper product for their medical needs and Standing Akimbo keeps ample varieties of indica, sativa, and blends on-hand so you're sure to find a cure for whatever ails you. The doors stay open until 7pm six nights a week and until 5pm on Sundays, making it easy to pop in after work, which is always a good idea, because you never know what they'll be cooking up next!
Strains
Sour Diesel Bruce Banner #3 Maui-99 Banana Kush Sister Bling Casey Jones A-Train Toob-Wreck The Cough Akimbo's Snow Grape Emperor Kush Blue Jack City Alien Dawg White Dawg
Fire Grapes Durban Poison Agent Orange Sour Berry Grape Ape S.A.G.E. Grape Stomper Grand Doggy Purps NL#5 Purple Urkle Cantolope Haze Recon Blue Apollo Ortega
3801 N. Jason St. Denver, CO 80211 303--997-4526
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Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm Sunday 11am-5pm
(hours may differ until November, please call center for details)
Signature Edibles
Pecanna Bar 2011 High Times Award winner Bubble Brownie 2012 High Times Award winner Chronic Crispies Buddy Mix Comfey Crackers Party Mix Rock n Rollz New* Pecanna Bites New* Brownie Bites
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DISPENSARY INDEX Resource Index by amenity All Natural 13 Catnips 03 Dr. J’s Hash Infusion 09 Medimints 23 The Growing Kitchen ATM On Site 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 River Rock 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles Award Winning 46 Altitude Wellness 48 Good Meds Network 49 Greenwerkz 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 45 Physician Preferred Products 53 River Rock 55 Standing Akimbo 23 The Growing Kitchen Books & Education 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx Cash Only 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 River Rock 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles Charity/Community Outreach 53 River Rock Clone Bar 50 Higher Expectations Clothing Items 49 Greenwerkz 50 Higher Expectations 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 River Rock 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles Credit Cards 48 Good Meds Network 49 Greenwerkz 45 Physician Preferred Products
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Daily Specials 46 Altitude Wellness 48 Good Meds Network 50 Higher Expectations 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 45 Physician Preferred Products 53 River Rock 55 Standing Akimbo Educational Classes 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx Free Parking 46 Altitude Wellness 47 Amendment 20 48 Good Meds Network 49 Greenwerkz 50 Higher Expectations 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 45 Physician Preferred Products 53 River Rock 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles 45 SOMA 55 Standing Akimbo Gift Certificates 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx Gluten Free 13 Catnips 09 Medimints Happy Hour 46 Altitude Wellness 50 Higher Expectations 55 Standing Akimbo Healthy Options 13 Catnips 09 Medimints 23 The Growing Kitchen Holistic Health 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles
Infused Products 13 Catnips 03 Dr. J’s Hash Infusion 09 Medimints 23 The Growing Kitchen Internet Wi-Fi 49 Greenwerkz 53 River Rock 55 Standing Akimbo 45 SOMA Kosher 13 Catnips 09 Medimints Labeled Nutritional Information 13 Catnips 03 Dr. J’s Hash Infusion 09 Medimints 23 The Growing Kitchen Live Music 53 River Rock Local Artist Program 53 River Rock Massage Therapy 53 River Rock Member Discounts 48 Good Meds Network 49 Greenwerkz 50 Higher Expectations 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 45 Physician Preferred Products 53 River Rock 45 SOMA 55 Standing Akimbo Member Loyalty Program 46 Altitude Wellness 53 River Rock Money Back Guarantee 46 Altitude Wellness
Organic 13 Catnips 09 Medimints 23 The Growing Kitchen Pain Management Consulting 53 River Rock Pre-Order Medication 46 Altitude Wellness 47 Amendment 20 48 Good Meds Network 50 Higher Expectations 45 Physician Preferred Products 53 River Rock 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles 45 SOMA 55 Standing Akimbo Private Dispensing Rooms 49 Greenwerkz 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 River Rock 45 SOMA Senior Discounts 46 Altitude Wellness 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx Signature Edibles 46 Altitude Wellness 48 Good Meds Network 50 Higher Expectations 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 45 Physician Preferred Products 53 River Rock 55 Standing Akimbo Signature Strains 46 Altitude Wellness 47 Amendment 20 48 Good Meds Network 50 Higher Expectations 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 45 Physician Preferred Products 53 River Rock 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles 45 SOMA 55 Standing Akimbo
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DISPENSARY INDEX Resource Index by amenity Specialty Glass 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 River Rock 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles 55 Standing Akimbo Specialized Treatment Programs 53 River Rock
Boulder 45 SOMA Colorado Springs 47 Amendment 20 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles
Sub-Lingual 13 Catnips 09 Medimints
Denver Central 49 Greenwerkz 53 River Rock
Sugar Free 13 Catnips 09 Medimints
Denver North 45 Physician Preferred Products 54 River Rock 55 Standing Akimbo
Topicals 49 Greenwerkz 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 45 Physician Preferred Products 53 River Rock Vegan 13 Catnips 09 Medimints Vegetarian 13 Catnips 03 Dr. J’s Hash Infusion 09 Medimints 23 The Growing Kitchen Vendor Merchandise 46 Altitude Wellness 47 Amendment 20 50 Higher Expectations 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 45 Physician Preferred Products 53 River Rock 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles 45 SOMA Veteran Discounts 46 Altitude Wellness 49 Greenwerkz 50 Higher Expectations 52 Northern Lights Natural Rx 45 Physician Preferred Products 53 River Rock 54 Rocky Mountain Miracles 45 SOMA
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Denver South 46 Altitude Wellness 49 Greenwerkz 53 River Rock Denver Southwest 49 Greenwerkz Durango 51 Nature’s Own Wellness Edgewater 49 Greenwerkz Englewood 48 Good Meds Network Georgetown 48 Good Meds Network Lakewood 48 Good Meds Network 49 Greenwerkz Mountain 48 Good Meds Network 51 Nature’s Own Wellness Northglenn 45 Physician Preferred Products