Vegas
February 2015
CANNABIS
Magazine FREE
MEDICAL MARIJUANA Patient Support Local Resources Music & Entertainment
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Contents Editor:
Stephanie Shehan editor@vegascannabismag.com
Contributing Writers:
Cover Art:
Mindi Griffiths Christine Mitchell Jessica Parks Shay V. Michele Ralph Bill Shehan Kathleen D. Smith, M.D. Martina Jaccarino Raymond Fletcher Chris Egan The Grow Boss Karen Canton Trinidad M. Roman III Vincent Daemon Josue Rivas JosueRivasFoto.com
Vegas Cannabis Magazine features content about marijuana, hemp, and marijuana-related products and information. In addition, we feature articles, legal information and medical news relevant to the cannabis industry. All content within our publication and on our website is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered personalized legal or medical advice. Both the printed publication and the website are intended for those over the age of 18. Vegas Cannabis Magazine assumes no responsibility for the advertisements within this publication.
Vegas Cannabis Magazine P.O. Box 400701 Las Vegas, NV 89140 Editorial: (702) 622-8001 Advertising: (702) 589-1282
www.VegasCannabisMag.com
Editor’s Note
4
Nevada Medical Program
6
Resources
8
The True Story of Marijuana
10
Opioids vs. Medical Marijuana
11
Events
12
High End Advice
14
T’s Canna Butter
16
Legislature Convenes
18
The Insurance Corner
18
Marketplace
20
HIRIE in Sin City
28
Smokin’ With the Stars Terpene or Not to Terpene
29 30
No One Belongs in Jail for a Plant
32
The East Coast Connection
34
Product Reviews
36
Don’t Lose Sleep, Get Your Script
38
Double the Light, Double the Yield
42
Controlling Common Pests
43
Worker’s Comp & Medical Marijuana 44
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 3
Email to the Editor: Support Legal Dispensaries: Go All In We are at a crossroads as a Nevada patient community that has been without access to medicine, since getting our medical cannabis cards over ten years ago. Some of us have had to purchase cannabis on the black market; illegal collectives, dispensaries, and delivery services in the past. The patients are appreciative to the people who risked their freedom and livelihood to provide medicine to the community over the years. However, it is time that all patients need to get behind legal dispensaries that provide safe, regulated, and tested medicine. You can go on Weedmaps, Craigslist, and Leafly and find multiple illegal dispensaries. Recently flipping through Vegas Cannabis Magazine, I saw illegal dispensaries advertising their services, which deeply angered me. When I attended Hempfest in Las Vegas in fall, I saw illegal collectives and delivery services advertising and selling medicine at the event. As Nevada cannabis patients and Medical
Editor’s Note Marijuana Establishments (MMEs), we must vote with our dollars and support our local regulated dispensaries. These illegal dispensaries and delivery services are not paying taxes to support our education system and battle born state. The medicine that these unregulated dispensaries provide is untested and can be contaminated with bugs, mold, bacteria, and heavy metals – risking your health. Cannabis events and magazines must be socially responsible Nevadan citizens that support progress in Nevada with regulated and tested medication provided by Medical Marijuana Establishments (MMEs). Jason Sturtsman Wellness Education Cannabis Advocates of Nevada (WECAN) Board of Directors
Response:
Thank you for voicing your concerns In a perfect world, cannabis would be legal and accessible to all. Medical patients would have options with an array of dispensaries, collectives, co-ops and delivery services to choose from. We would have the
freedom to grow our own medicine and extract, infuse and prepare it as we see fit. The reality however, is that local medical marijuana patients are stuck. We are currently stuck without dispensaries, without testing facilities and very soon, possibly without our right to grow. There are members of our medical community that depend on cannabis daily to stay alive. There are senior citizens and diseasestricken individuals that are unable to leave their homes and certainly in no condition to grow their own medicine. Let’s not forget, in the past and currently, it is local patient-to-patient delivery services and collectives that consistently look after those medicating with marijuana. Locally, we are seeing an influx of physicians, politicians and investors jumping on the cannabis bandwagon. Those with personal wealth have banded together to head up the “Nevada Green Rush” and hopefully, they will pay close attention to the needs of the patients. We can only hope that they will educate themselves, hire knowledgeable staff, and keep their dispensaries stocked with medicinal options for Nevada patients. Vegas Cannabis Magazine is dedicated to the support of local, medical marijuana patients. All patients deserve safe access to their medicine. We are looking forward to the opening and regulation of medical marijuana establishments. Hopefully soon, we as patients will be provided affordable options for medicine by educated and aware dispensary owners. Until then, we must stand together and look out for one another.
Stephanie Shehan Editor
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN FUTURE ISSUES OF VEGAS CANNABIS MAGAZINE. WE WELCOME YOUR THOUGHTS, SUGGESTIONS AND INPUT! PLEASE EMAIL EDITOR@VEGASCANNABISMAG.COM
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 4
The Nevada Medical Marijuana Cardholders/Caregivers Program is a state registry program within the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.
Medical Program
If you are interested in obtaining an application for the Medical Marijuana Program, you can send a written request, along with a check or money order in the amount of $25 made payable to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH). Mail your request to:
•
•
• AIDS • Cancer • Glaucoma • Cachexia • Persistent Muscle Spasms (including
PROGRAM FACTS:
•
•
The cost to request an application for the Medical Marijuana Program is $25. The cost to register or renew registration in the Medical Marijuana Program is $75.00. Your caregiver can be anyone as long as they are over the age of 18 and your physician approves of that person as a caregiver. Please be aware that pursuant to NRS 453A.250 and NAC 453A.150: A cardholder may have only one caregiver; A caregiver can only be a caregiver to one cardholder; and a cardholder cannot be a caregiver to another cardholder. A person under 18 must have permission from their custodial parent or their guardian who is in charge of their medical
•
•
QUALIFYING CONDITIONS
Nevada Division of Public & Behavioral Health ATTN: Medical Marijuana Division 4150 Technology Way, Ste 104 Carson City, Nevada 89706
•
decisions. And that person MUST act as the minor’s primary caregiver. Only a physician who is licensed under NRS 630 or NRS 633 can sign a “Physician’s Statement”. That means only a medical doctor or osteopathic doctor licensed in the State of Nevada. The specific reasons a person can be denied participation in the Medical Marijuana Program are available on the DPBH website.
•
Multiple Sclerosis)
• Seizures (including Epilepsy)
• Severe Nausea • Severe Pain • PTSD •
•
A card is good for one year only. It must be renewed annually, one year from the date your application was stamped. The same procedure used in the original registration process must be followed. The DPBH cannot advise you on where to buy marijuana seeds or how to grow the plants, nor can we refer you
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRuary 2015 • 6
•
to a doctor.• NRS 453A.200 allows the holder of a valid card to possess: (Effective April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2016) Two and one half ounces of usable marijuana in any one 14 day period and Twelve marijuana plants, irrespective of whether the marijuana plants are mature or immature. “Marijuana” includes, without limitations edible and infused products as defined in NRS 453A.101 and 112. “Usable marijuana,” as defined in NRS 453A.160, means the seeds, dried leaves and flowers of a plant of the genus Cannabis, and any mixture or preparation thereof that is appropriate for the medical use of marijuana. The term does not include the stalks and roots of the plant. Issuance of a Nevada Medical Marijuana Registry card does not exempt the holder from prosecution under the state or federal laws that apply to marijuana and is not recognized by the federal government. NRS 453A is a state law; it does not address federal laws. It is recommended you discuss the limitations and liabilities that are associated with existing federal laws with your personal attorney. The registry card is issued for use in Nevada, and may not be recognized in other states.
For more information about the Nevada Medical Marijuana Program, visit www.health.nv.gov/ medicalmarijuana or call (775) 687-7594.
Wellness Education Cannabis Advocates of Nevada (W.E.C.A.N): W.E.C.A.N is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit that first started as a Meetup group. With nearly 600 members, this is the 6th year that they have been in existence in Nevada. Meetup.com/WeCan702/ is free to join and provides a platform for people to post and discuss ideas in a controlled environment. W.E.C.A.N has a yearly calendar with events that are regular and consistent features. For more information, contact W.E.C.A.N. via their website at www.WeCan702.org or on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook. com/wecan702. W.E.C.A.N. also hosts a weekly radio show called Nevada’s Cannabis News, on KLAV1230 AM radio every Tuesday from 4pm to 5pm.
GettingLegal.com: Call the staff at GettingLegal.com today and schedule an appointment to obtain your medical marijuana card. No medical records required, 99%approval rate. Pay just one low price and they take care of the process for you. Affordable and easy. GettingLegal.com is located at 2619 W. Charleston Blvd, #100, Las Vegas, NV 89102. The office can be reached at (702) 979-9999. Visit www.GettingLegal.com for more information.
Medical Cannalyst Consulting Group: Medical Cannalyst Consulting Group provides consulting, public relations and educational services for clients on emerging issues surrounding SB 374 by ensuring compliance and business continuity efforts. For more information, visit www. medicalcannalyst.com or call (406) 748-6224.
Resources The Human Solution Las Vegas Chapter:
Grassroots network of people that support each other through the trials faced as cannabis consumers. Working to educate the public and end prohibition. For more information about the Las Vegas chapter, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/ The-Human-Solution-Las-VegasChapter.
Compassion Awareness Project: Offering • Discounted Medical Marijuana License Program • Monthly Meetings • Workshops (HIPPA Compliance, CPR, Cultivation) • Information on Accessing Medicine. Visit www. CompassionAwarenessProject. org or call (702) 335-0020 for more information.
Karma Holistic Health Foundation: Karma Holistic Health Foundation is a non-profit organization that believes in the ethical right to grow your own medicine. Karma Holistic Health Foundation is located at 9111 W. Russell Road, Suite 120, Las Vegas, NV 89148. For more information, contact them at (702) 388-1119 or visit them online at www. khhf.org.
Cannabis Training Institute: The leading provider of online education & certification for the cannabis industry. All courses are available online. In-person training and group discounts are also available. For more information, visit www.cannabistraininginstitute.com or call (206) 293-8112.
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRuary 2015 • 8
Medicated Vegas: Offering alternative medicine, education and consultation. For more information, call (586) 295-4365 or visit them online at www.MedicatedVegas.com. Information may also be obtained by sending an email to gethealthy@ medicatedvegas.com.
Las Vegas Cannabis Info Center: Las Vegas Cannabis Info Center (LVCIC) provides referrals for all your cannabis needs including doctors, lawyers, legal dispensaries and classes. LVCIC also provides onsite classrooms and studio where the patient’s privacy is their priority. New state of the art studio opening January 2015! For more information, call (702) 761-6770 or visit LVCIC online at www.lvcic.com. For current cannabis related news and information, visit www.CannabisCafeTV.com.
Ultimate “U” Medical: Ultimate “U” Medical provides the necessary medical evaluations by a licensed doctor for patients seeking a medical marijuana card. Ultimate “U” Medical educates patients on how to medically use and the effects of use of cannabis and various cannabinoids. Ultimate”U” Medical is located at 8660 Spring Mountain Road, Suite 101, Las Vegas, NV 89117. For more information, please call (702) 353-9777 or visit www. ultimateumedical.com.
Las Vegas Medical Marijuana Consultants: Visit any Diversity location or call (702) 313-7273, For more information visit www.LVMMC.com
Resources
Emerald Avenue: Medical marijuana delivery service, patient to patient, medical card needed. For more information, call (702) 375-3443. Follow Emerald Avenue on Instagram: @EMERALD_ AVENUE.
Leafly: The world’s largest cannabis information resource. Find the right strains and products for your particular medical needs. Visit www.leafly.com for more information.
Las Vegas Care Group:
Cali Meds Las Vegas:
Medical marijuana delivery service, patient to patient, medical card needed.
Serving the Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson areas, All medical recs accepted, Safe, discreet and reliable, (702) 907-6420.
If in the South Vegas, Strip or Henderson areas, call (702) 666-1843. If in the North West or North East areas, call (702) 470-6107. For more information, visit www. VegasLovesWeed.com
Nevada Medical Marijuana Program: For information about obtaining your Nevada Medical Marijuana card visit http://health.nv.gov/medicalmarijuana. htm.
Oak Tree Compassions: Medical marijuana delivery service, patient to patient, medical card needed. For more information, call (702) 561-0888.
Allbud: Online directory which includes marijuana dispensary and store information, state by state marijuana doctor directory, nationwide information on strains, useful articles, and specific ailment information. Visit www.allbud.com for more information.
Klutch: Medical recommendation required, patient to patient, (702) 578-8822
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Dispensaries, Labs & Cultivation Facilities We Can Assist You in Preparing a Print Ad for Submission to the State! Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 9
The True Story of Marijuana Is it a Medicine? By: Dr. Kathleen Smith
In my previous article I reviewed much of the history of marijuana. In this article I want to review what our medical knowledge of marijuana tells us about its true medicinal properties. First, let’s discuss adverse effects which are primarily seen in new cannabis users such as paranoia, transient short term memory impairment, balance and incoordination. These are reversible, and short lived effects lasting only three to four hours. Serious adverse effects have not been found to be present in chronic users. The cannabinoids in cannabis are present in your body naturally and are generally referred to as endocannabinoids. The most common is Anandamide and it is commonly released during time of stress. The stress is also present on a cellular level and the endocannabinoids restore cellular homeostasis (meaning balance for normal function.) They also provide the sense of wellbeing that prevents stressful events from further psychological dysphoria and microcellular destruction. These endocannabinoids also affect the following physiologic processes: feeding behavior, energy balance, metabolism , gastrointestinal function, pain perception, motor control and balance, learning
Medical
and memory, emotions, immune and inflammatory response, cardiovascular function, reproduction and bone formation. The body will naturally release these endocannabinoids for their positive benefits when needed. The body has over 100 different cannabinoids but for simplification the ones that we will discuss are CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptors are primarily in the central nervous system, GI tract, liver fat tissue, muscle, and the pancreas. CB2 receptors are found on immune cells and tissue. The benefit to allowing research and clinical trials using these cannabinoid compounds is thus obvious in its vast array of possible healing potential from diseases that occur in sites. In my over 25-years of Emergency Medicine, I have witnessed far too many patients die from the overuse of narcotics for their chronic pain. Without the risk of severe adverse effects, we know that cannabis effectively treats: neuropathic pain which is sharp burning stabbing pain, mechanical pain which is dull aching pain and inflammatory pain. Cannabis works via a different mechanism than opiates and has no effect on respirations. This makes it far safer than narcotics for pain relief. It is also known that cannabis helps patients with many other forms of chronic pain such as Diabetic Neuropathy, Spinal Cord Injury, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Discogenic Back Pain, HIV Neuropathy and Malignant Pain.
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 10
One of the most exciting areas of research again comes from animal studies that show an “antitumor” effect. Other countries are providing research in anti-tumor effects in humans that are very promising. What are the risk/benefit profiles for cannabis? Tolerance may develop: long term users may need higher doses; however, cannabis has such a wide safety margin that a lethal dose level has not yet been established. It provides good analgesia but it is very expensive for a medication needed on a chronic basis and it is not covered by insurance. There is minimal risk for physical dependence although there is a risk for psychological dependence. There is little drug to drug interactions. I recommend that educated physicians and pharmacists who are well organized come together and present a united front to politicians and law makers. I would like to see every dispensary have a pharmacist who runs quality control measures as well as compounds that provide the patient with the right cannabinoid for their problem. This is where physicians, pharmacists and researchers need to work together to formulate these compounds. I believe this can only happen when the federal government, state and DEA decide to look honestly at this medicine. Ultimate “U” Medical is located at 8660 Spring Mountain Road, Suite 101, Las Vegas, NV 89117. The office can be reached by calling (702) 353-9777. They can also be reached online at www.ultimateumedical.com.
Opioids vs. Medical Marijuana By: Michele Ralph
With each passing year more and more evidence is coming forward regarding the benefits of medical marijuana in the use of pain management. As we receive scientific proof of the benefits of this plant we also learn more and more about the harmful short and long term effects of prescription narcotics. In the simplest of terms here are the statistics in a nutshell: •
•
•
•
In 2009, the abuse of prescription painkiller drugs accounted for more than 475,000 emergency room visits. Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths from pain medication has increased by 300% Medicaid enrollees receive pain prescriptions at twice the rate of non-Medicaid patients. Medicaid enrollees accounted for 45% of overdose fatalities in the state of Washington alone. As of 2010, opiate addiction statistics show over 12 million Americans reported using prescription pain medication for non-medical purposes.
In the recently published book “A World of Hurt: Fixing Pain Medicine’s Biggest Mistake,” Barry Meier makes the case that painkillers not only run the risk for addiction but powerful psychological dependency, depression of hormone production, lethargy, listlessness and sleep apnea, among others. So why are doctors continually writing these drugs in the use of pain
Medical
management? According to Barry Meier, these drugs are cheaper than talk therapy. Painkillers are cheaper than a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain. Doctors get reimbursed to treat people quickly, so funding for alternative approaches is cut out. Insurers and worker’s comp agencies are discovering that when these patients are treated with opioid drugs in high doses, soon after these injuries, it’s the leading predictor for them not coming back to work for longer periods of time, if ever. So what is a person who has chronic pain supposed to do? Research shows very promising evidence in the use of cannabis as an alternative therapy to painkillers. What do we know medically about the benefits of cannabis? Cannabis has been used medicinally, spiritually, and recreationally for thousands of years. Until 1937 it was actually legal and on the US Pharmacopia until 1942. In an NABP 2009 Symposium, Dr. Gregory T. Carter talks about cannabis in the treatment of chronic pain. Endocannabinoids affect a large number of physiologic processes including: • • • • •
Feeding behavior Energy balance (metabolism, and GI function) Pain perception Motor control and posture Immune and inflammatory responses
To date, there are no statistical studies showing any emergency room deaths directly related to medical marijuana. In high doses,
adverse effects can include euphoria and paranoia, short term memory impairment, balance and incoordination, but these effects are typically short lived and last only three to four hours. According to Dr. Carter, no serious adverse effects were seen in chronic users. Clinical trials are impressive in supporting and proving that medical marijuana works for neuropathic pain, anorexia, and seizure disorder but as further studies enfold we see very promising evidence of additional benefits this drug can provide for depression, anxiety, and even more controversially morning sickness in pregnant women. Donald Abrams, MD, stated in a recent cannabis study that “pain is a big problem in America and chronic pain is the reason many people utilize the healthcare system. Chronic pain is unfortunately one of the problems we’re least capable of managing effectively.” Unfortunately, with crowded waiting rooms and backed up schedules it is often difficult for patients to voice their opinions on how they would like to take part in their health issues. As times change, we can only hope that traditional medicine will evolve to the point that cannabis will be recognized for the benefits it has always provided. Michele Ralph is the owner of LV Universal Wellness located at 8660 Spring Mountain Road, #101, Las Vegas, NV 89117. For more information, please call (702) 742-1080.
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 11
W.E.C.A.N. 702 RADIO HOUR: Tuesdays, 4pm5pm, KLAV AM 1230, listen live at www.klav1230am. com, www.wecan702.org for more info. FRESH 52 FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays 9am2pm at Tivoli Village, 302 S. Rampart, Las Vegas, NV 89145 and Sundays 8:30am-1pm at Sansone Park Place, 9480 S. Eastern, Las Vegas, NV 89123. LAS VEGAS CANNABIS INFO CENTER - A Weekend of Cannabis Knowledge: LVCIC & CCI Seminars & Mixer
Events
3/7/15-3/8/15, , Seminar will include Law, Cooking, Delivery, Dispensary Management, Marketing, Advertising & Marijuana Cultivation. Also offering Hands-On Trainings on 3/7/15 Prior to Mixer, Free book bag with preregistration, 702-761-6770, www.lvcic.com
W.E.C.A.N. 702 PATIENT SUPPORT GROUP: Every 2nd Saturday of the month at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, 4550 S Maryland Pkwy Ste A, Las Vegas, NV 89119, this group focuses on the patient questions and needs and announces any new projects in the community.
W.E.C.A.N. AT FIRST FRIDAY: Every first Friday of the month, W.E.C.A.N. educates the public and sells retail products that are cannabis related. Their booth is located in between The Bar Bistro and the Artiface on Boulder Avenue.
W.E.C.A.N. PAHRUMP PATIENT MEETING: Every 3rd Saturday of the month, 1440 E Highway 372, Pahrump, NV, for patients, caregivers and those that are curious about becoming a patient. W.E.C.A.N. PARTIES AND POTLUCKS: Monthly fellowship, activism & volunteering, W.E.C.A.N. will also be hosting grow classes and nutrition for health classes, dates and times vary, check dates, details and join for free at www.meetup.com/ wecan702 CHAMPS TRADE SHOW: 2/3-2/5, Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109, www. champstradeshows.com for more info. BROOKLYN BOWL: The LINQ, 3545 S. Las Vegas
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 12
Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, (702) 862-2695, www. vegas.brooklynbowl.com, The Wailers, 2/2-2/3, 9pm, $21.45-$27.50. Hell Yeah, 2/6, 8pm, $27.50-$33. Tribal Seeds 2015 Winter Chillin Tour with HIRIE and Leilani Wolfgramm, 2/7, 9pm, $22. The Sin City Incident Bowling Tournament, 2/14, 12pm, $65. Lotus, 2/14-2/15, 11:59pm, $16.50. Iration - Tales from the Sea with Stick Figure and Hours Eastly, 2/16, 8pm, $25.85-$27.50. The Dread & Terrible West Coast Tour Featuring Chronixx and Protoje, 2/20, 9pm, $16.50+. An Evening with Gov’t Mule with Special Guest John Scofield, 2/22, 8pm, $24.75-$27.50+. Phantogram, 2/23, 8pm, $27.50+. Flight Facilities, 2/28, 9pm, $22+. 4th ANNUAL SOCAL MEDICAL CANNABIS CUP: 02/07/15-02/08/15, NOS Events Center, 689 South “E” Street, San Bernardino, CA 92408, $5 event parking fee, www. cannabiscup.com/southerncalifornia for more info and
ticket information, Saturday night concert headliner, Rick Ross HEMPCON: Mar. 20-22, 2015 - National Orange Show - San Bernardino, CA Apr. 17-19, 2015 - San Francisco Cow Palace - San Francisco, CA May 15-17, 2015 - Cashman Center Las Vegas, NV Visit www.hempcon.com for more information. LV CANNABIS CHAMPIONSHIP: 4/18 – 4/19, 420 Weekend, Las Vegas, NV, For booth, sponsor, or competitor information call (702) 913-2921 or email hhclives@gmail.com U.S. CANNABIS CUP DENVER: 4/18-4/20, 3 days of 700+ vendors, three levels of VIP experiences and
Events
travel experiences provided by CID Entertainment, world-class musical entertainment, awards show and the biggest 4/20 party on the planet! Visit www.cannabiscup.com/denver for more info and ticket information. CULTIVATION MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM: 3/16-3/18, Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121, (206) 441-6666, Visit www. cannabisbusinesssummit.com for more information. CANNACON: 2/19-2/21, Seminars and Expo, Seattle’s Pier 91 Bell Harbor Convention Center, visit www. cannacon.org for more information. BENEFIT CONCERT FOR DR. BOB DILLINGHAM: Champs Afterparty:
2/3, 9:30pm, The Bunkhouse Saloon, 124 S 11th St, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101, $10 cover charge at the door, must be 21, benefit concert to raise money for Bob Dillingham/TeamBob for his medical expenses to help him with his long road to recovery from a brain tumor operation, live music by N.E. last words, Crossfire Vegas, Los Marijuanos, Highdro & DJ Pappageorge & Creeps. CANNABIS BUSINESS CONFERENCE: 2/15-2/16, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, (888) 920-6076, Visit www.internationalcbc. com for more information.
Have events you would like to see listed? Email to editor@vegascannabismag.com
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 13
High End Advice from the Medicated Madame
Medicated Madame, I started dabbing a few months back and I love it! Sadly I am alone in my new love because dabbing makes my wife cough uncontrollably so she went back to smoking flower. Lately she’s been getting upset with me because I’m getting a great buzz and she is stuck with her usual high. Is there a way to get a dabbing high by smoking flower or will my wife have to suffer with a plain weed buzz forever?
Dear Lonely Dabber, The good news is that you are not alone in your love. It seems that wax has stolen the spotlight from our once beloved green nugs of joy. Smoking wax produces an almost instant buzz but that cough can definitely become a hassle. I have not come across another smokeable concentrate as strong as wax but don’t fret, there may still be help for your wife. She could try to take smaller hits until her lungs adapt to the change or she can mix it up and use edibles and flower simultaneously. I find that when I smoke a heavy Indica and pair it with a strong brownie, I can be on couch lock all day without a care. There are edibles and
High End Advice tinctures on the market that can cause a day-long haze so be sure to check the THC content and choose wisely. If your wife combines the right concentrate with a strong flower she could find herself with great all day high while you struggle with a hot torch to catch up. My best advice is to do some field research. Try some different combinations until you find the perfect buzz. Then you can be jealous of your wife’s buzz, as it should be.
Medicated Madame, I went to California last month on vacation and visited a few dispensaries. I noticed a big difference in the potency of the concentrates I bought there. I tried something called Caviar which helped with my pain better than expected but then I slept for 13 hours. Now that I am back home, none of my usual meds seem to be working as well. I am going through twice the amount to get the same pain relief I used to get off one joint. Did I wreck my system? Will I become a heavy smoker now? Will I ever be able to
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 14
go back to one joint relief or will I keep needing more?
Dear Wrecked System, Let me start by praising your decision to manage pain the natural way! Next, I would like to hate on you for a minute for being able to do so with one joint. Most smokers find themselves reaching their THC limits pretty quickly these days. This can be attributed to the strong cross strains of weed that those crafty growers are breeding, and other concentrates like Cannabis Oil and Caviar. One of the top complaints of Cannabis Oil patients is that they can no longer grab a weed buzz by smoking dry herb due to the potency of the oil. While none of us really feel sorry for those perma-high people, it has to be heartbreaking to smoke a bunch of potent weed and feel nothing. If you are really dead set on remaining a one joint wonder, try switching strains to see if that kick starts your buzz back into full gear. You can also try alternative smoking methods like smoking a bowl or taking a few rips off a water bong. If that doesn’t work then embrace your new tolerance and feed it. Hop over the proverbial fence, the grass really is greener over here. Need some High End advice? Email the Medicated Madame at MedicatedMadame@gmail. com.
T’s Canna-Butter Ingredients: • • • • •
1 Cup Butter (2 Sticks) 1/2 Ounce Cannabis (Ground or Raw) 2 Cups Water Metal Strainer Medium Pan
Directions: 1. Add water and butter to pan over medium heat. Make sure there is enough water to create a layer between the butter and the bottom of the pan. Use extra water if necessary.
Edibles
2. Add cannabis to pan and mix thoroughly. 3. Simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. If mixture starts to boil, reduce heat. 4. Allow pan to cool and then strain the mixture into a bowl or container. 5. Place mixture in fridge overnight. The butter will separate from the water and rise to the top. Once the butter has risen to top, remove from the fridge. Peel off the chunks with a fork or knife and place in a separate container.
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 16
Congratulations, you are now ready to make edibles! When it comes to dosing, it is best to start with small amounts and move up gradually. Any extra canna-butter can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 months and even longer in the freezer. Remember, the effects of edibles last much longer than smoking or vaporizing. While usually delayed by 30-60 minutes, the effects can last for 8 hours or more. T is a local baker and patient consultant. He can be contacted via email at tsedibles@gmail.com or by telephone at (702) 501-1395.
Legislature Convenes
By: Raymond Fletcher The 78th session of the Nevada Legislature begins on February 2, 2015 and already there are several related bill draft resolutions (BDR) available. From making changes to the current marijuana laws, revising provisions governing the issuance of medical marijuana identification cards and the implementation of taxes, there are many topics to be addressed this legislative session. The marijuana D.U.I. law is on tap for discussion, as is denial of medical benefits to a state or local employee who hold a valid medical marijuana card. Citizens need not necessarily go to Carson City to participate in the legislative process. The Nevada Legislature website (http://www. leg.state.nv.us/) provides citizens with a breadth of information to help them follow the issues most close to them. Citizens have the opportunity to go to the Grant Sawyer Building and provide testimony on topics that are of interest to them. The Nevada Electronic Legislative Information System (NELIS) tracks bills from their beginnings as BDR’s through the final passage.
Business
Through the NELIS website, citizens can view the most recent actions, both upcoming and previous hearings, who voted which way, and the text of each bill. By utilizing this system, citizens are fully informed throughout the process of bills being passed. Through the NELIS site citizens may also register for Personalized Legislative Tracking (PLT). This service allows citizens to receive immediate notifications of hearings, daily status notifications, and have tailored exportable reports for the legislation they have chosen to track. Whether you are a quiet observer or a vocal advocate the legislature only goes into session every two years. It is the responsibility of the citizenry to shine a light on the issues they hold dear and speak up about what is or isn’t working, ideas they have that could possibly improve the quality of life of Nevadans, or even weigh in on budgetary priorities. When the legislature convenes, make your voice heard! The Grant Sawyer Building is located at 555 E. Washington Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101 Nevada Legislature: http://www. leg.state.nv.us
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 18
The Insurance Corner By: Karen Canton
When seeking insurance coverage for your business, if you hear the term “Non-Admitted Insurance Company,” don’t be alarmed. This only means: “An insurance company that is eligible, but not licensed in the State. This sounds scary, but this is just a status granted by the state enabling insurance companies the benefit of arranging special programs or rating schedules that benefit you as the insured. These companies pay taxes and fees to the State in order to maintain this status. What is more important is a company’s financials rating. This is used to determine the financial strength and management standing – what you will often find is that these insurance companies are large, financially sound, and a national brand name everyone would recognize. Karen Canton has been in the insurance business for 33 years with the last 4 years as a Commercial Lines Broker with Kaercher Insurance. Prior to joining Kaercher Insurance she worked for one of the worlds’ leading insurance brokerage’s. Her consultative approach with her clients has allowed her to be very successful as a broker with Kaercher Insurance and expand her area of expertise and responsibility to include Surety Bonds specializing in MME Bonds, Environmental, Large Commercial, and many other types of Bonds.
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Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 20
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HIRIE In Sin City By: Stephanie Shehan
This month, in anticipation of her upcoming performance at the Brooklyn Bowl here in Las Vegas, we had the chance to sit down with HIRIE. Here is what she had to say: VCM: Give us a little bit about your background. Where are you originally from? Where do you reside now? HIRIE: I have a Filipino mother and British father! I was born in the Philippines, raised in Italy and for most of my adolescence I grew up in Oahu, Hawaii. I have lived for the past four years or so in San Diego and really feel integrated into the culture while of course always missing home. VCM: How did the name HIRIE come about and what does it mean?
Music
HIRIE: HIRIE is a word I came up with randomly in my room. I thought it was fun because of the word Irie, and the meaning and feeling behind it. The “H” is for the state of Hawai’i (HI) which is why I capitalize the whole word: HIRIE. My meaning behind HIRIE, is to feel uplifted and above negative influence. Doing whatever it is you do with passion and love for people. VCM: How does it feel to be touring with a band like Tribal Seeds? HIRIE: I feel completely honored! I love the band, their music and the vibes of the people around them. They have taught me so much, they were the first band I was privileged to open for on their 2013 nationwide fall tour. VCM: Give us your thoughts on cannabis.
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 28
HIRIE: Go Green! Cannabis is a great alternative to today’s harsh and chemically induced “pill for every ailment” pharmaceutical industry. Depression, anxiety, physical body pain; a lot of it can be reduced or cured with marijuana. I truly believe in its benefits. However, on the downside is the ever-growing youth population who is burning and abusing. I think recreationally it’s great and obviously anything in high concentration will have negative effects. So just use it wisely, and don’t let it over-define you. You are your own person and weed will always help reveal that. VCM: How would you like to see the pro-cannabis movement progress? HIRIE: I think it’s currently moving towards legalization which should have happened years ago. The real work involves education for the youth and their ability to abuse this privilege of smoking legally. Don’t smoke all day, lock yourself in a room and play video games forgetting about your plans, goals and dreams in life. Marijuana is like a nice glass of port wine at the end of a meal. Savor it, enjoy it, but don’t overdo it and become an alcoholic! I hope more research is done on the effects of THC, CBD, CBN, etc., in the body, especially for curing chronic disease. After hearing so many success stories, I believe in the power it has. Environmentally speaking, I think we need to start replacing plastic and other environmentally-toxic material with HEMP. Boom!
Bring awareness to that! I’m very ashamed of the amount of water bottles we go through on tour, and personally I’d like to see that change. VCM: How would you describe your music? Musical inspirations? HIRIE: Fun, inspiring, raw and real. I follow tons of artists, mostly from my childhood but I’m always open to new music. My inspiration include Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Tanya Stephens, Damian Marley, (all the Marley musicians, really), Gregory, Groundation, Rebelution, Tribal Seeds, SOJA, and more. My list is continuous and will literally never end. VCM: What is in store for HIRIE in 2015? HIRIE: I’m currently writing our next album, and that’s going to take up most of 2015 for me. I’m extremely excited and anxious to get this going but will not put anything out that isn’t better than the first. I want to show my growth and experience on the road reflected in this one. VCM: Any last words? HIRIE: I just want to say that I’m so humbled for everyone who has been a part of this journey with us, the band, the management team, our families and friends and all of the fans who have believed in us and hopefully continue to do so as we grow in this beautiful reggae industry. Photo: Josue Rivas
Music Smokin’ With the Stars ... This month, Vegas Cannabis Magazine is smokin’ with the one and only Pony Boy from Los Marijuanos. Check out what he had to say ... VCM: How did you come up with the name Los Marijuanos? PONY BOY: Family nicknamed us Los Marijuanos. They would always say “Your eyes are red, we know what you guys have been doing, you are los marijuanos.” Los Marijuanos means “pot heads” in Spanish. VCM: Where did the name “Pony Boy” come from? PONY BOY: When I was a ladies man, I had a long blonde pony tail and wore Pony kicks. VCM: Do you think cannabis should be legalized for both medical and recreational use? PONY BOY: Yes, my nugget! Cannabis should be completely legalized. Every state should grow fields of hemp. Hemp is the future for our children and
grandchildren. Hemp will be used for clothing, houses, fuel, textiles and more. Cannabis is great for medicine but hemp is the cash crop. VCM: What are your top 3 favorite strains? PONY BOY: Zkittlez by High Calibur Extracts – has the fruitiest flavor, taste the strain bro. Mafia OG18 by Red Dragon Brotherz – fat, flavorful nugs. And, Platinum Huckleberry Cookies by Dynasty Genetics – flavorful terpenes. VCM: Any last words? PONY BOY: 420 is coming and I am looking forward to playing at local events around Vegas. I am a big supporter of all things cannabis and anything to do with legalization of the plant in Nevada and around the country.
“Puff Tuff Original Dab Dynasty Dab Money Brothers” -Pony Boy
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Terpene or Not to Terpene? That is the Question By Shay V
The effectiveness of cannabis often relates to the type of strain and what type of condition is being treated. Just like it would be inappropriate to treat diabetes with a cholesterol medication not every strain of cannabis is particularly suited for a certain condition. A patient must not only be educated in their own condition but be able to continuously educate themselves on the correct treatment option that best suits their particular need. In recent years, thanks to advancements in law making to protect patients’ rights and a surge of healthcare professionals interested in the treatment options of cannabis in different disease states, many studies have been published indicating different nutritional, chemical and therapeutic properties of cannabis that go beyond THC content. One of those topics include the use of terpenes and how to utilize them to achieve maximum disease state management through cannabis. Human beings have a number of senses to help interpret and adapt to the world around them. Whether it is taste, smell, touch, sight, or sound, each one of the five principle senses allow for the transfer of information to the brain. The medical marijuana patient will most likely encounter the sensation of smell and taste
The Plant before any of the other senses are present. The evaluation of the smell and taste of cannabis were preludes for determining a good strain long before testing of THC and CBD was even thought of. The sensation of smell when dealing with cannabis is directly related to a component of plants called terpenes. The presence of terpenes is recognized with the initial breaking up of flower and the wafting aroma that emanates to the nostrils. They are also present in the unique smell of
marijuana smoke. Each strain holds its own unique character of smell that brings a recognition of the type of therapeutic effect the sample will present to the patient using it. Terpenes make up the largest percentage of aromatic essential oils in plants and play a major part in marijuana resin. They are produced by all plants for three primary reasons: the attraction of pollinators, as a repellent or poison to herbivores, and the attraction of predators of herbivores. The
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production of odor molecules is a costly expenditure for the plant to make but serves as an effective defense against outside elements and an aid in reproduction. Marijuana is a wind pollinated plant so the need to attract pollinators does not exist. Marijuana produces its aromas as a defense against being preyed upon by insects and animals. As the stakes are raised by the plants maturation and its own investment into further reproduction, the aromas become more prominent. Before the flowering stage, odors of the marijuana plant are subtle and as the flowering progresses the odor grows because the plant is more invested in protecting its reproduction. As the bud ripens the odor becomes exponentially more prominent. Aside from being able to smell and taste terpene compounds, there are other ways human beings are affected via aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the practice of inhaling essential oils to achieve a temporary effect on the brain. Aromatherapy has been used for centuries to regulate sleep/wake patterns, moods, acuity, alertness, and to speed up healing processes. Results are achieved from a combination of terpenes and other chemicals that temporarily effect the brain. In terms of cannabis, these components also alter the effect of THC within the brain, adding subtle variances in the high. Some bind weakly to CB1 receptors in the brain and modify chemical output, while others allow more or less THC by altering the permeability
The Plant
of cell membranes. There are also others that will affect the dopamine and serotonin levels of the brain which are two of the main regulators of attitude and mood.
There are over 120 known terpenes identified in marijuana, and when consideration is brought into light for the multiple variances of each terpene, many more can be added to the list. Each “recipe” of terpenes that varies from strain to strain will produce its own effect on moods and feelings, pain perception, balance and more. The most prevalent terpenes found in marijuana include but are not limited to: Myrcene, Limonene, Pinene and Terpineol. Myrcene is the most prevalent terpene found in the majority of high potency marijuana strains and is absent in hemp. Myrcene is a potent antibiotic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Myrcene and THC are most likely synergistic to each other creating a stronger experience than either one can achieve independently. Although more research needs to be done, it is believed that Myrcene also may affect the permeability of the cell membrane thus allowing more THC to reach the brain cells. Over ripened mango has a high quantity of myrcene. To increase the effects of marijuana a mango or papaya can be ingested 20 to 30 minutes prior to ingesting cannabis and this creates a stronger effect in a faster amount of time. The odor associated with Myrcene can be variously described as earthy, nutty, clove-like, citrus, or green and vegetative. All of which most commonly describe cannabis.
Limonene is found primarily in the rind of citrus fruits. Depending on the strain, Limonene can be the second, third or fourth most prevalent terpene in the resin of cannabis. It has anti-cancer, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Like Myrcene, synergistic properties exist and promote the absorption of other terpenes by penetrating the cell membrane. By quickly going through the blood brain barrier, a direct result is an increase in systolic blood pressure and feeling of increased alertness and focused attention. Pinene is typically found in the resin of pine trees and is attributed to giving the skunk varieties their odor. Medically, Pinene has been used as a topical antiseptic and expectorant. It crosses the bloodbrain barrier easily where it inhibits acetylcholinesterase, thus resulting in better memory, increased focus and energy. It is also a bronchodilator, and expands the pathways to the lungs to allow for a rapid onset of the effects of cannabis. Typically found in combination with Pinene is another terpene called Terpineol. The effects of the two together are an antidote to one another since Terpineol is often attributed to reducing motility and the capability
for movement, thus creating that couch locking effect that a majority of the skunk varieties offer. The aromas of Pinene often over power the smell of Terpineol, which is flowery and can have a brain association to the smell of lilacs. By utilizing the distinction between prominent terpenes in cannabis, one can achieve different types of therapeutic effects. For example, in the instance of pain management, acute onsets of pain can be relieved quicker with Myrcene rich strains and those rich in Limonene would be a suitable preparation for Rick Simpson Oil, used for cancer treatment. Terpenes should also be considered in topical preparations as anti-inflammatory properties, as topical pain anesthetics help to relieve arthritis, gout and other aches and pains.
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No One Belongs In Jail For a Plant By Mindi Griffiths
The Human Solution International (THIS) is a grassroots network of people that began in Southern California. Over the years the organization has grown to include over 50 chapters scattered nationally and internationally and is a federally recognized 501c3 nonprofit organization. The purpose of The Human Solution International is to support each other through the struggles people face as cannabis consumers. Members believe standing in solidarity against the unfair treatment of human rights will keep people out of prison. Science has proven cannabis to have medicinal and health benefits yet citizen tax dollars are wasted on arresting and incarcerating people despite the growing number of laws passed. Preserving prohibition destroys families, limits people’s health choices, costs money and results in the incarceration of nonviolent citizens at no benefit to society. The Human Solution International believes change begins with education. Members teach fellow citizens about Jury Nullification, their right to acquit a defendant because the juror disagrees with the law the defendant has been charged with breaking. Teaching the public about their rights as a juror can save countless people from unnecessary prison time.
Community If there is no victim, there is no crime. Making sure jurors know they can determine the law is unjust and can acquit without concern of repercussion from the court will help to end prohibition.
The Court Support program is a powerful avenue THSI uses to accomplish their goals. “I enjoy my freedom today in no small part because of all the court supporters that attended the 18 day nightmare of my trial,” says Joe Grumbine, CEO of THSI. He like many members know firsthand the benefits of community support in the courtroom. “Court support means that you are not alone on what is probably one of the scariest journeys in your life. My husband Gerry Krash Campbell and I, Marilyn Greene will be forever grateful to those who took time out of their busy lives and made not one but many trips to Nashville to show their support. I am sure it made a difference in our judge’s heart and is the reason we got the sentence we did at our sentencing hearing.” Another vital aspect to the THSI is the Prison Outreach and AdoptA-Prisoner Program. Prisoners receive letters, emotional support, and money on their books. Many prisoners have been helped through the Adopt-A-Prisoner Program. Business and individuals adopting a prisoner provide regular assistance to the prisoners various needs. Many adoptees assist the prisoner’s family and provide extra support during the holidays. Kristin Flor, Vice President of THSI is passionate about the program due, in part, to her personal experience
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as the daughter of a medical marijuana caregiver who went to prison because marijuana is still a schedule one drug. Richard Flor died a miserable and tormenting death chained to his bed after exposure to abuse by the less than adequate medical care in the prison system. Kristin says, “too many people are shackled daily, forced to live in tiny cells, denied medical attention, and have to work for less than 20 cents an hour for a plant that has helps people, not hurt them.” Locally, THSI has a Las Vegas Chapter. Fredrica Ballard, Vanessa Nelson and Lori Murphy are the coordinators and have exciting plans for the Prisoner Outreach and Court Support programs. Visit them at their office space in the Medical Cannabis Caregivers Institute (MCI) resource center located at 2923 W Charleston, Las Vegas Nevada or go to http:// www.thsintl.org/ for volunteer opportunities and information about cases in your area. It is important to point out that many people who find themselves facing a judge believed they were following the cannabis laws. They did not think it would happen to them. No one is safe from being victimized for cannabis. Please join the fight for freedom with The Human Solution International before it happens to you.
The East Coast Connection:
The Strange Case Of Philadelphia And Cannabis Decriminalization By: Vincent Daemon As I’m sure a great deal of you reading this may already know, cannabis culture and the East Coast have so far made very few positive strides towards any form of a conciliation with each other. This, of course, being due to the usual (and then some) bureaucracy, red-tape, and general lack of any form of willingness by our “fearless leaders” to properly inform themselves with the ever-growing science-based, genuinely unbiased information. And why, in my humble opinion, would that be? So much for “fearless,” I guess. East Coast politicians are absolutely entrenched in the stuff. Sure, New Jersey has “legalized” medical marijuana, but also has the strictest, most passive-aggressive laws in the country for one to be eligible for it. No joke, you actually have to be on your deathbed with AIDS or some horrendous cancer (yes, they are even picky about what kinds of cancer are eligible). Let us begin with the state of things in my aforementioned home-town of Philadelphia. I may live in New Jersey now, but I’ll always be a Philly boy. I still spend a lot of time there, and in fact usually go there to acquire my sweet greens. And it’s truly one of the smokingest cities in the country. Philly loves it weed. I’ve done my fair share of travelling and seeing what’s what, wherever, whenever, over the years; a good bit of travelling has been done, and experience had, between bands, writing events, and general restlessness on my part.
National Focus But about Philly, a BIG surprise came almost from out of nowhere for the red-brick wasteland of a city. As of Monday, October 20th, 2014, a form of actual decriminalization went into effect, along with a nifty little law to back it up: that approximately an ounce (30 grams) or less would result in a measly $25 citation (merely a fine, not even a ticket, or something to lay upon your permanent record, like a leaden paperweight, for the rest of your Godforsaken life, making acquiring a job, or anything of a genuinely important nature, actively work against you until the End of Days.) For not only the East Coast, but in particular this ancient “City of Brotherly Love” (HA!), rooted so firmly in its unwavering, iron-clad stubbornness, keeping a firm grasp on to the “old ways” with a white-knuckle grip, this is an immense leap forward. But Philly is a violent, dangerous, hard-drug infested city. The police in Philly have supposedly been taking “compassion” courses on dealing with the drug addicted, mentally ill, etc., and how to properly handle those issues. Even they themselves realize the foolishness of arresting someone for the essential non-crime of smoking a plant bud, especially when required medicinally, when the real problem in this city is guns, the violence, the gangs that run blocks, entire neighborhoods, with sales of crack, heroin, PCP, pills, and terror. Even our own ridiculously inept mayor Michael Nutter, who was initially quite reluctant to pass the new and progressive law, is well aware that most people in Philly like to, and do, smoke a little weed here and there, for reasons varying from medicinal to recreational use. Police have become less threatening, relaxed a little (as mentioned, their real concern is the chronic illegal gun use that forever pops away in the late night hours in
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 34
certain parts of town, especially in Southwest and North Philly, in the hatefully humid oppressive heat of the summer months, in those desperate neighborhoods of dire poverty). In fact, since this law has passed, even crime has dropped in severity, if not altogether in some areas, and with police being a little less threatening, a little more empathetic, getting along a little better with the corner-boys and hoodrats, comes the the easing of some racial the tension. As long as there is no crack and no killingchrome, everyone is a little more relaxed. Since it’s not yet out-right legal here, medicinally or otherwise, I can go get what I need from my person and walk back to the train without serious concern of law enforcement. Hell, they don’t even notice more than half the time. I’ll often say hello. They know what the real problems are, and what to look for. It is certainly not the small amount of healing medicinal cannabis (which is the only thing I really trust, and that genuinely works) for personal and legitimate medicinal use, that’s tucked deeply away inside my coat. “Slowly but surely” is the best we can hope for at present, and this is one gigantic positive step down that path of necessity. Remember: “Fear is the Mind Killer” -Frank Herbert, DUNE
Vincent Daemon has published over 30 short stories of the macabre/weird/ dystopian scifi/horror fiction and poems that have appeared in a multitiude of magazines and anthologies since 2009, as well as his 2010 novella “WAITING FOR THE END.” He has been pro-pot for twenty-plus years, and sees it for the healing natural medicine it is, finding its prohibition ridiculous (and then some). Vincent can be contacted at vdaemon13@gmail.com.
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Product Reviews
CLONE SHIPPER Traveling with clones has always been risky. There are many elements that could possibly harm your investment. Just exposing your plants to a new, open environment could potentially introduce mites, thrips or various types of mold spores.
I received a live clone that travelled from Washington State all the way to Las Vegas, Nevada. That was quite impressive. It arrived in perfect condition, and looked brand spankin’ new. To this day, it sits in its incubation chamber in an isolated utopia.
Clone Shipper has your solution. The company has developed an incubation chamber for shipping live clones. Simply transplant a live clone with your favorite soil in to the base and tightly secure it with “the puck”, which is a foam pad that holds the plant stem and soil in place. Next, twist on the clear top which is equipped with LED lights, lock it up with a zip tie, and you are now ready to ship your live clone.
Soon, the live clone will be transplanted into a larger pot and the Clone Shipper will be reused. The Clone Shipper is a unique product. We, at Vegas Cannabis Magazine are extremely impressed with its Americanmade craftsmanship, durability and usefulness. The Clone Shipper can be used multiple times and if any parts get worn or broken, they can all be individually replaced through their website. Look for a multi-clone shipper coming soon. For more information: www.CloneShipper.com
ASSUAGE SALVE
One of the best salves we have tried so far. As with other salves, this topical is absorbed effectively through the skin and can be used on a variety of ailments including but not limited to muscle pain, migraines, menstrual cramps, arthritis and eczema.
are also salves for strong to extra strong pain which are indicated by a pink, grey or red label.
Made with 100%, all-natural herbs and oils, this cannabis salve comes in a variety of different formulations and strengths. The jars are color coded, blue, yellow and green labels indicate the salve is meant for mild to medium pain while the purple and brown labels are for medium to strong pain. There
For more information: Visit the Assuage Facebook page: www. Facebook.com/pages/Assuage. Orders and questions may be submitted to assuagesalve@ gmail.com.
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 36
If you are looking for a natural way to treat your mild to severe pain, give Assuage Salve a try - you will be glad you did.
Don’t Lose Sleep, Get Your Script By: Bill Shehan
I recently received my medical marijuana recommendation in Nevada by Dr. Kathleen Smith. I now have to wait for the state to approve my recommendation. Once approved, I will then need to visit a Nevada DMV to finalize the process and issue my Medical Marijuana card. Nevada is currently a reciprocity state, meaning that all out of state recommendations are valid in Nevada. A patient with a current medical marijuana recommendation from any state, may legally hold up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana in their possession, and grow up to 12 plants. My wife Stephanie, who is also the editor of this magazine has had her card for some time now. She uses cannabis in the form of a concentrated oil, also known as Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) to prevent asthma attacks and strengthen her immune system. She combines her RSO with coconut oil, puts it into empty water-soluble capsules, and swallows one nightly before bed. This procedure has alleviated her need for traditional medical prescriptions (mainly Albuterol), as well as overthe-counter allergy medicines and sleeping pills.
Patient Concerns found cannabis as a natural remedy, she had an extremely hard time breathing and sleeping. Her allergies were constantly acting up with the change of seasons, and we learned to accept that things would always be this way. She was using an Albuterol inhaler multiple times per day most days, which would keep her awake and restless at night. Meanwhile, I had my routine, and had absolutely no problem falling asleep at night. As I would zonk out in a hot second, she would lie there frustrated all night, and I would hear about it the next day. I would feel guilty and even resent sleeping so well, because I wanted her to be able to rest. Obviously, she couldn’t smoke or vape with her lungs being weakened by asthma, so I was of no help to her with my flowers. Inhaling wasn’t even an option for her lungs. After watching YouTube videos and reading a plethora of internet files, my wife found many relevant cannabinoid facts pertaining to asthma, allergies, and the immune system. “The Emperor Wears No
I have watched my wife suffer for 18 years with asthma, and until she
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 38
Clothes” by Jack Herer has helpful information regarding asthma and cannabis, and he wrote that book in 1973, over 40 years ago. After one hands-on lesson with another card holder, Stephanie learned the basics for her natural cannabis treatment. She has refined her cannacap craft into a protocol that works for her, casually increasing her THC content. The proof is in the pudding, or at least in the water-soluble cannacaps that help my wife breathe and sleep. It has been over 150 days now, since implementing her cannacap regimen, and she has used Albuterol just one time compared to multiple times per day. More importantly, she now has a superior natural alternative for asthma that actually strengthens her lungs and immune system, compared to the inferior man-made option that only helped her symptoms. My wife, Stephanie is now able to rest because she found cannabis to be a successful medical remedy. Without her Nevada Medical Marijuana Card, her cannacap remedy is illegal and her cannabis would be considered illegal contraband. We, at Vegas Cannabis Magazine are a licensed, Medical Marijuana Support Business and we care about your health and safety. Don’t possess cannabis illegally! Use the resources that we provide, and inquire about your eligibility for a medical marijuana recommendation.
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 40
Double the Light to Double Your Yield
The Garden
The GrowBoss Perfect Watts & PPM Predictor
By: The Grow Boss
I’m going to let you in on a little secret… yield is based on light not nutrients. That’s why, on average, you should expect 8-flowers from a 400w light, 16-flowers from a 600w light and 24-flowers from a 1000w light. And, that is also why I always tell you… Double the light and you will double your yield but double the nutrients and kill your crop! If it helps think of light like exercise and nutrients like food caloriesyou’re not going to get buff by eating more. The only purpose
nutrients (food calories) serve is to support the amount of light (exercise) your plants are getting. That’s not to say nutrients aren’t important, they are. My point is thar the correct amount of nutrients is the correct amount of nutrients and anything other than that amount will only negatively affect the yield and taste of the final product. Until now, there hasn’t been a way to predict that number. Everyone just sort of did
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • FEBRUARY 2015 • 42
whatever… whatever a friend told you, whatever the guy at your store told you or whatever you read on the internet. But now there is something to help you predict both light and PPM. The GrowBoss Perfect Watts & PPM Predictor (also found online at ThePerfectPPM.com). Just answer 3-questions; do some math and you will know exactly how many watts & PPM you should be giving your plants week by week, for any garden situation. Then, you can use that information in several ways. You can use it to fill in the blank ‘Watts & PPM’ spots in the Weekly Chores section of the Garden Tracker or you can use it to predict how big your garden should be, how much light you really need and what plant shape would be optimal based on the situation and the timing of your rotations.
The Garden
Controlling Common Pests By Chris Egan
In my years of teaching new patients how to grow here in Vegas, I routinely get questions about some of the most basic pests that can destroy your garden. I respond that the best way to defend your plants from pests is not to let them get infested to begin with. Keeping your plants clean, well-fed, and healthy is the first line of defense against pest infestations. Having said that, knowing how to deal with these pests effectively is essential to becoming a successful gardener and enjoying a bountiful harvest. The majority of pesticides available at the larger garden and home improvement centers are typically made with harsh chemicals and may leave unintended residue in and on your plants. I have always taught my students that if we plan on consuming what we grow safely, then how we deal with plant pests is important. Spider Mites: Spider mites can rapidly infest gardens both indoors and outdoors. They are extremely hard to detect because they are so small. Sadly, by the time you do detect them, their infestation is substantial. This infestation is most common if you’re using soil as a growing medium. Spider mites start laying their tiny white eggs on the underside of leaves at the bottom of plants as they work their way up to the top, feeding on the plant’s chlorophyll. If left untreated, a severe infestation of spider mites will cause the tops of your plants
to be covered in tiny spider webs. These webs are often hard to see under typical lights and especially hard for patients who may have poor eyesight. Luckily, there are a variety of organic options that will be effective in killing off these little bugs. I’ve had the most success with using rosemary oil (available at most hydro shops in a spray bottle) on the leaves (both sides). Other options include hot pepper wax, insecticidal soaps (like Safer), introducing lady bugs (nature’s own exterminators) and even growing a rosemary plant amongst your cannabis. Fungus Gnats: When fungus gnats infest, they lay their eggs in soil and hydroponic mediums attacking the roots and root hairs of your plants. Eggs typically hatch in 4-5 days, and both adults and larvae will attack your plants. The adults are gray with long legs and the almost microscopic larvae have clear bodies and black heads. Infestation is often hard to detect. The first signs are seeing small flies or gnats around the base of your plants. Although they initially feed on fungus in the growing medium, when this is exhausted they will move on to the roots of plants. If left untreated this will eventually impact the growth of your plants, discolor the leaves and cause retardation of both stems and branches, thus making the infected plants susceptible to numerous fatal fungal issues. Many patients try to combat the problem with yellow sticky traps you find at hydro shops. These are only effective in showing you the extent of the infestation. Without targeting and eliminating the larvae, you will
not successfully eradicate them. Luckily, we have many organic options to get rid of both the adults and larvae. Commonly, a Neem oil and soap solution (8 mL Neem oil, 5 mL liquid soap, 1 L warm water) is suggested. Do not use antibacterial soaps, as they can kill beneficial bacteria necessary to the plant’s growth. Combine the Neem oil, soap, and water in a spray bottle and spray all surfaces of the plant, especially under the leaves. Apply every 3 days for 2-3 weeks. However, what I find works best (in soil) is to delay watering, letting the soil dry out a little, then watering with a foodgrade hydrogen peroxide solution (one part 3% hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water). In hydroponics, you can add the peroxide solution directly to your nutrients or apply it with a spray bottle directly to the roots. The hydrogen peroxide will not harm your plants and may even replace some of the depleted oxygen in your soil. Although these pests are very destructive and very different from one another, some of that methods to get rid of them can be somewhat similar. And pairing these methods with basic plant maintenance will help to ensure the success of your crop. Preventive actions like proper feeding, spraying your leaves with insecticidal soaps and not overwatering are some of the best ways to prevent these pests from destroying your hard work. Knowing how to safely eliminate these pests from your garden once they have started to attack will help keep your garden growing strong. For more information visit www. medigrownv.com or call (702) 606-9059.
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Worker’s Compensation and Medical Marijuana By: Martina Jaccarino
Worker’s Compensation insurers are faced with three distinct, yet inter-related issues with medical marijuana. First, whether or not an employee who tests positive for marijuana is eligible for compensation. Second, whether or not insurers have to pay for medical marijuana when an injured employee is recommended for medical marijuana as a result of a workplace injury. Finally, whether or not an employee using medical marijuana can, must or should be accommodated in the workplace. Most commentators in the legal and insurance industry, along with the mainstream media, fail to acknowledge the increasing trend of statutes and legal decisions protecting medical marijuana patients from discrimination and the potential for these statutes to impact insurance coverage for medical marijuana and patient’s workers compensation claims. Statutory Protections Twenty-One (21) states have legalized medical marijuana and ten of those have specific provisions in their statutes that protect medical marijuana patients from discrimination in employment and housing. Many of these statutes contain caveats based on federal funding or penalties and most of them acknowledge that safety-sensitive activities such
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as driving can be limited. As of this writing Nevada is the only state that uses the familiar civil rights language of ‘reasonable accommodation’ balanced against ‘legitimate business purpose’. However, this is an evolving body of law and it is foreseeable that case law will develop that balances a patient’s medical needs against an employers’ legitimate business purpose. Employers and insurers must be familiar with the state statutes and case law in the states where they have employees and/or insured entity employees because workers compensation is governed by the state laws. Employee handbooks need to address this issue with specific language that is derived from a keen understanding of the language of the state’s medical marijuana statute and the worker’s compensation section with regard to the definition of intoxication and the burden of proof for causation. Case Studies in Worker’s Compensation The vast majority of states have statutes that exclude worker’s compensation injuries from coverage if the employee has a positive test for an intoxicating substance and the employee’s injury was more likely than not caused by his or her intoxication. These exclusions apply whether the substance is legal, like alcohol, or illegal, like cocaine. There is a growing body of case law where state courts have found ways to enforce coverage for employees with positive tests
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for marijuana metabolite. The reasoning generally falls into one of two classifications. First, the science behind drug testing for marijuana is questionable and, at best, inferential because the test measures metabolite, not the intoxicating THC. Second, the exclusions are not absolute. Rather, they are rebuttable presumptions that the intoxication was a proximate cause or substantial factor in causation of the injury. This presumption can be overcome with extrinsic evidence such as the employee’s testimony, the circumstances of the accident, or even testimony of a co-worker who states that the employee did not appear impaired. In the relatively new and expanding medical marijuana business there are far fewer cases directly addressing the subject than Courts generally examine and therefore it is very common to see Courts considering cases from other jurisdictions for guidance. Therefore, the employer or worker’s compensation insurer should look to the reasoning applied in these various states for
factors that have been significant in other states addressing coverage for medical marijuana and worker’s compensation injuries when a worker has a positive drug test. Nevada Analysis N.R.S. 453A.800 states that employees with medical marijuana cards must be accommodated unless there is a legitimate business purpose to refuse accommodation. Nevada’s workers compensation statutes create a rebuttable presumption that an employee’s workplace injury was caused by intoxication if the employee fails a drug test. However, recent cases have recognized that the presumption can be rebutted by circumstantial evidence. In 2014 the Nevada Supreme Court addressed both the reliability of marijuana testing and the substantial factor of causation in Desert Valley v. Hurley. The Court ultimately discredited a medical doctor’s testimony that a positive test for marijuana indicated impairment and instead relied upon a coworker’s testimony that the injured employee did not appear impaired to find that the injury was compensable. In Desert Valley an employee was injured when the wheel of a scaffold he was using was caught in a hole, causing the scaffold and the employee to fall. An interesting aspect of this case was that the ‘positive drug test’ was not contested at the hearing or the appeals level. However in dicta the Court acknowledged the unreliability of marijuana drug
testing.
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The Court noted that the Insurer hired an expert to testify that the claimant was more likely than not intoxicated because he had marijuana metabolite levels in excess of 100 ng/ml, indicating that it was more likely than not that the employee had THC in his system when he was injured. The Court stated that the expert’s testimony was ‘inferential’ because the doctor could only infer the presence of the intoxicant THC by the level of metabolite. The Court found this less credible than the eye witness testimony that, in a lay person’s judgment, Hurley was not intoxicated. This opinion from the Court may bode well for the job security of medical marijuana patients, as well as the efforts of marijuana patients to have their medication paid for by insurers. Over The Horizon Colorado’s Supreme Court is now considering an employment discrimination case based on termination of an employee who tested positive for marijuana metabolites in a routine drug test. Both parties acknowledge that the employee did not have any performance issues and did not use marijuana during work hours. The eyes of the country are on this case as it is the strongest challenge to a termination for marijuana use that the courts have seen since medical marijuana became legal in Colorado. The decision is expected to address traditional discrimination principles that may have far-reaching
consequences for both employers and insurers. With cases winding through lower courts in four other states, we can expect developments in this area in 2015. Ms. Jaccarino is Of Counsel with the law firm of Black & LoBello. She has extensive experience representing insurance companies and corporations from risk assessment and loss prevention. Additionally, Ms. Jaccarino has completed more than a dozen jury trials. Her previous emphasis on medical malpractice and professional liability became a natural path to an interest in medical marijuana and related liability. Ms. Jaccarino is licensed to practice law in three states and earned her degree from the Villanova School of Law in 1995.
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