High_Times__December_2017

How To Build A Micro Grow

December 503

TOP Guide To

10 Legal
Weed
STRAINS
OF THE Joss
YEAR
Stone
Finding Interview

Perfect Purple
Punch
Pot
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8 Contents High Times December 2017

DECEMBER

Extremely potent with high levels of THC, the earthy Remo Chemo
delivers hints of black pepper among the overarching diesel-fuel aroma.

Top 10 Strains of 2017—page 68

10 Internet 44 How To Select Perfect Pot Products 83 Space Buckets
12 Editor’s Letter Our handy guide will help you become an Check out the latest cultivation trend: grow-
14 Letters educated consumer by teaching you what to ing lush pot plants in tiny grow chambers.
16 Contact High look for prior to purchasing pot and hash. Learn step-by-step instructions to make your
23 Highwitness News By Sean Black own space bucket. By Jon Christian

The marijuana stock market 95 Controlling Marijuana: A Brief History
The Controlled Substances Act has trans-
and High Five formed federal pot laws. Find out how the
CSA came about, why it has failed and what
30 Lifestyle 59 Magic Mushrooms in Oaxaca should be done about it. By Jon Gettman
32 Entertainment
101 The High Times Interview: Joss Stone
Twin Peaks’s David Patrick Kelly, The indigenous wisdom of magic mush- Soul singer Joss Stone gained her freedom COURTESY OF DINAFEM; COVER & CENTERFOLD: MURRAY_TC
Gaytheist and Reviews rooms has brought economic prosperity to from her record company. Now, she opens up
a Mexican town, accompanied by some seri- to High Times about her love of weed, how it
38 Cannabusiness ous problems. By Nathaniel Janowitz influences her music and why she’ll never let
40 THMQ anyone tell her what to do. By Chris Parker

Trans-High Market

Quotations

109 Dear Danko 68 Top 10 Strains of 2017
116 Gear

120 Edibles Feast your eyes upon the award-winning

122 Dr. Mitch cannabis varieties that wowed the weed
126 NORMLizer/ FFOTM world in the past year. We reveal our illus-
134 Dope Rider

136 Pix of the Crop trious list of the best currently available
140 Next Month strains. By Danny Danko and T.H.Caeczar



10 Internet i es Decem er 2017

.com

Find all this and more at hightimes.com.

Z ZWe Want To
Hear From You!
If you’re an astrology
aficionado who’s been Tweet your best
looking for some high observations and
cannabis-centric advice, comments our way
look no further. Check @HIGH_TIMES_Mag for
out High Times High a chance to be featured
Horoscopes! Each month on this page! And be sure
our own Aelie Câlin to follow us on Facebook
provides impeccable (Facebook/HIGHTIMES-
horoscopes for stoners Mag) and Instagram
of all signs. Plus, Câlin (@hightimesmagazine) for
includes a unique strain all the latest news as
recommendation that fits it’s happening!
your future.
@BuddLyfe: I was so high on
Since High Horoscopes debuted on the High Times website, readers have consistently commented on the road, I found myself waiting
the accuracy of the advice. Don’t miss out! Head to hightimes.com and check out your High Horoscope (and for a stop sign to turn green @
strain recommendation) today! Visit hightimes.com for more. HIGH_TIMES_Mag

Z @jrh_renaud: @HIGH_TIMES_Mag
I dropped opioids, bentos, stom-
While HT has fully embraced the concentrates craze, we sometimes ach meds, antidepressants, sta-
get nostalgic for the days when flowers reigned supreme. Good bilizers, and anti-inflammatories.
thing we follow @naturesfinest420. This beauty is Critical Mass CBD Only use cannabis now. Substitu-
from Dinafem Seeds, boasting a 2:1 CBD to THC ratio. According to tion can work
@naturesfinest420, it started off as an “ugly duckling.” Boy, did she
mature well! @Philmoeslim: @HIGH_TIMES_
Mag Whatever president that gets
Readers who prefer the flower power should definitely give weed legal is going down as a
@naturesfinest420 a follow. Particularly since they promise we’ll legend......
“slowly start seeing more photos like this filtering into the feed.”
@BigBlake10: @HIGH_TIMES_Mag
Z My joint was spot on, I smoke and
it’s go time I cleaned my whole
This month, we’re revealing our picks for the 10 best strains apartment then I got high again
of the year (see “Top 10 Strains of 2017,” page 68). While
our annual list contains some mouth-watering cannabis @djhendoe: I truly believe God
varieties, we wanted to get back to basics for this month’s loves the budsmokers @HIGH_
poll, asking simply, which type of cannabis do you prefer? TIME_Mag

Most smokers decided long ago whether they prefer @BiggSean66: @psychofrs @
the soaring effect of a sativa, or the deep body buzz of HIGH_TIMES_Mag Weed’s not a
an indica. But we wanted to check in with our readers to drug, it’s an herb.
see if they most like a pure sativa or indica, or if a hybrid
was more their speed. Of course, CBD strains are gaining @MastuhC: @HIGH_TIMES_Mag
popularity, so we included that option as well. Sativa seems to raise my blood
pressure makes me feel weird.
The sativa-dominant hybrid garnered the greatest Indica makes me feel awesome.
support, with 28 percent of the vote, followed by pure However it’s not labeled in my
sativa, which took 25 percent of the total. Pure indica state. #LegalizeIt
came in third with 23 percent, followed closely by indica-
dominant hybrid. CBD came in last with just 3 percent @atheistischen: @HIGH_TIMES_
reader approval. Take our latest poll online! Mag Facts don’t matter to those
whose mind is already made up.
88,000 people die from alcohol-
related causes annually, Cannabis,
0 deaths.

@BigStank420: @HIGH_TIMES_
Mag It’s not ok for cops to do most
of the things they do… But it will
continue, because the only thing
the system protects is itself

@mosesGonzalez10: @HIGH_
TIMES_Mag Nothing says Love
Like Your Girlfriend rolling one up
and smoking you out this is what I
call a bonding experience



12 Editor’s Letter High Times December 2017

PUBLISHER & CEO

Adam Levin

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER
Mike Gianakos Matt Stang

ART DIRECTOR CONSULTING PUBLISHER
Frank Max Mary C. McEvoy

SENIOR CULTIVATION EDITOR VICE PRESIDENT
Danny Danko OF FINANCE

David Newberg

CULTURE EDITOR CHIEF CANNABIS OFFICER
Mary Jane Gibson Nico Escondido

Business is DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA VICE PRESIDENT OF EVENTS
blooming for Emily Cegielski Sameen Ahmad
ganja growers
worldwide. COPY EDITORS PROGRAM MANAGER
Matthew Grace Jackee Stang
Budding Entrepreneurs
Mike DiPaola SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
As cannabis becomes big business, worry rises in our community Leo Rechetniak
about large corporations taking over the marijuana market. It’s a RESEARCH ADVISOR
legitimate concern, yet the only way these fears will be realized is Dr. Mitch Earleywine DIRECTOR OF SALES
if we give up our ability to grow our own plants. There’s no need to Christian Ramirez
smoke bland pre-rolls from Monsanto or Marlboro when you possess
a variety of connoisseur-quality flowers, free of pesticides and grown FOUNDING
with love. PUBLISHER/EDITOR
Thomas King Forçade
And what a variety there is! There’s a veritable cornucopia of pot
strains, with many flavors, scents, potency levels and cannabinoid 1945–1978
profiles to choose from. Cannabis cultivars have come a long way.  
CONTRIBUTORS
It’s important to remember that we are not confined to the strains
we already know and love. Advancements in lab technology and test- Mike Adams, Erik Altieri,
ing have improved and refined breeding techniques and introduced Paul Armentano, Erik Biksa, Sean Black,
new cultivars to the marijuana gene pool. Each year in our Decem-
ber issue, we feature these new varieties in our “Top 10 Strains of the MelFrank, AndreGrossmann,
Year” feature, and we’re excited to share our picks for 2017 with you. Brian Jahn, K of Trichome Tech,
Lochfoot, Kevin Mahmalji, Maureen Meehan,
Along with that valuable information and beautiful photography, Mark Miller, HarryResin,ChrisRoberts,
we shine a light on selecting the best pot and hash, how to build
your own micro-growing space buckets, a conflict going on in the Michael Simmons
world of psychedelic mushrooms and an engaging interview with
singer Joss Stone. As the tumultuous year of 2017 comes to a close, HIGH TIMES December 2017 No. 503 (ISSN #0362-630X), published monthly by Trans-High Corporation, BRIAN JAHN
we look to 2018 as a huge year in marijuana-law reform. As Canada 250 West 57th Street, Suite 920, New York, NY 10107 • HIGH TIMES and Trans-High Corporation do not
and California legalize, the whole world will be watching, and High recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered by companies advertising in the
Times will be there every step of the way, representing the growing magazine or website. Nor do HIGH TIMES and Trans-High Corporation evaluate the advertiser’s claims in
cannabis community. any way. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before
deciding to purchase. • Mail subscriptions (payable in US funds) and changes of address (please include
Danny Danko most recent mailing label) to PO Box 422560 Palm Coast, FL 32142-2560 • Offices at 250 West 57th Street,
New York, NY 10107 • Periodical postage paid at New York, NY, and at additional mailing offices •
Senior Cultivation Editor Manuscripts must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope • All contributions will be
carefully considered, but the publishers and editors assume no responsibility for loss or injury to
unsolicited material • Copyright © 2013 by Trans-High Corporation. Nothing in this publication may be
reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without specific written permission of the publisher.
All rights reserved. “HIGH TIMES,” “CANNABIS CUP,” “MEDICAL CANNABIS CUP,” “MISS HIGH TIMES,” “PIX
OF THE CROP,” “POTCAST” and “BONGHITTERS” are trademarks and registered trademarks of Trans-High
Corporation. All advertising and advertised products void where prohibited. POSTMASTER: Please send
address changes to HIGH TIMES, PO Box 422560 Palm Coast, FL 32142-2560



14 Letters Send your letters to High Times December 2017
Feedback c/o
Alive Again against. Standing
I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease High Times, 250 West up against bigots
12 years ago and my quality of life went 57th St., Suite 920,
straight to hell. New York, NY 10107
Email: hteditor@
Four years ago, a neighbor heard me hightimes.com
scream from the pain. She slipped me 2-3
grams of weed and I made a tincture in should come just as
rum. That was my introduction to can-
nabis as medicine. naturally as standing

Cannabis gave me my life back. In up against prohibitionists.
2017, I have had only two flares. Twelve Angelica S.
years ago I had that many flares a week.
New York
Two Bears
Arizona Being Tested

Marijuana’s Cousin After losing my job in January, I
High Times recently reported on Ten-
nessee senators being scared to pass a fell on hard times financially and
medicinal marijuana bill. When it comes
to political views on the cannabis plant, had to give up the luxuries I enjoy,
Tennessee has a unique one. A few of the
state’s major cities (Nashville and Mem- one by one. The final luxury I let
phis) decriminalized marijuana. It didn’t
take long for the Tennessee legislature go of was my use of cannabis. The
to pass a bill that would bar cities in the
state from decriminalizing possession of first week was the hardest, but
small amounts of marijuana.
day by day, it became easier. Hell,
At the same time, the state was
accepting a third year of applications for I figured, if I’m giving it up for
industrial-hemp growing licenses, leav-
ing room in the guidelines for marijuana good, I might as well wait it out a
to be included.
month or so and try to find a good
Politicians could be waiting on more
research to make a decision for passing a paying (see: urinalysis required)
pro-marijuana bill based on demand for
hemp. Tennesseans have an opportunity job, which I had avoided in years
to be actively influential in their repre-
sentative’s decisions on hemp laws and past. I read articles and forums
legalizing marijuana. Now is the time for
Tennesseans to create a demand for hemp “Because I used THC for online telling me that most users
products. This will show the representa- years and stopped two were clean in a couple weeks, and
tives that they don’t have anything to fear. months ago, rogue fat cells the heaviest of users were usually
If the state is making money on hemp, the within my large frame have clean by the end of a month—but
government is more likely to expand the been plotting against me.” depending on your biochemistry
laws surrounding the cannabis plant. and other factors, it may take six
or eight weeks.
Anonymous
Tennessee So, at four weeks I began apply-

Don’t Give Up the Fight as attorney general. The idea was hor- ing for better jobs. A week later I was
When Donald Trump was elected last
November, the cannabis community rifying, and everyone in the legal weed interviewed for a position at the local
waited with bated breath. The president-
elect had campaigned on a platform that industry panicked. The same man who newspaper. They asked me to submit a
pledged to honor states’ rights in regard
to marijuana legalization, but his irratio- once said, “Good people don’t smoke drug screen. Two days later, I got a call
nal decisions (and tweets) had everyone
on edge. Would he remain true to his marijuana,” would now be leading the telling me I tested positive for THC, and
promises? Wasn’t marijuana too big of
a money-maker for this businessman to Department of Justice. A cannabis crack- that the levels “weren’t low.”
intercede?
down seemed imminent. Now, I am patiently awaiting a call
But then, he appointed Jeff Sessions
Now, here’s where I call bullshit. I’ve back from the people at Qwest for a

spent most of my life covering politics job driving cabs and buses at our local

for different news sources, and while transit authority. As I anxiously await

I understand the fear that Trump and the results, so many things are racing

Sessions have sent spiraling through the through my mind. Crack, cocaine, her-

marijuana industry is not unfounded, I oin, meth—they all leave the system in a

do think it’s mostly smoke and mirrors. matter of days for just about everyone.

For these two men, the War on Drugs I could’ve done them all a week ago and

is just a tool they can use to bring back passed with flying colors. But because

the racist days of yore. It has become I used THC for years and stopped two

increasingly clearer as more and more months ago, rogue fat cells within my

days go by under this president. He large frame have been plotting against

doesn’t want to take away anyone’s weed. me.

He just wants to take away anyone who Time will tell if I am considered a

doesn’t look like him or his flock of lower risk to society than the person who

brainwashed, MAGA-hat-wearing white put down their meth pipe last week, but

supremacists. I learned several things from my current

It’s horrible, but true. Trump isn’t predicament: All urinalysis screens are

attacking the legal pot industry. Instead, not created equal, it takes much longer

he’s using the legal pot industry to attack than a month for someone like me to

minorities, immigrants and everyone else pass without worry, and perhaps we

he chooses to discriminate against. The should reconsider the current methods

logic (if you can call it that) is appall- of selecting candidates for employment.
ing, and it’s something everyone in A Fat, Former Toker
the cannabis sector should be fighting Missouri



16 High Times December 2017

THE TOP 10 STRAINS OF 2017 Breeders are developing
new and improved marijuana varieties with an eye on
increasing scents, flavors, potency and medicinal benefits.
Check out our list of the year’s top ten new strains, like this
Remo Chemo, on page 68. Photo courtesy of Dinafem.





December 2017 High Times 19

MUSHROOMS IN OAXACA The small Mexican town of Huautla de Jiménez has
for decades attracted tourists seeking enlightenment through its indigenous
magic mushrooms. Residents of the town have struggled with the idea of sharing
the niños santos (their term for magic mushrooms, which translates to “holy chil-
dren”) with foreign seekers. Read more on page 59. Photo by Nathaniel Janowitz



December 2017 High Times 21

QUEST FOR THE BEST If you strive to select perfect
pot products, you’re in luck. Learn the tips and tricks
necessary to procure the very best pot and hash avail-
able. Become an educated consumer by following our
guidelines on page 44. Photo by Justin Cannabis



December 2017 High Times Highwitness News 23

Cory Booker Style Entertainment
has a plan
to free the INDA Pipe Gaytheist
weed!
The INDA pipe necklace Noise-punk trio Gaytheist
is a sleek and stylish way are on the road again and
to stealthily smoke. Just they’ve got plenty of weed
pack the pendant. p.30 for the trip. p.34

Invest in your future.

The cannabis industry is booming, even as federal law continues to regard it as a
criminal enterprise. What’s an investor to do? By Mike DiPaola

RICHARD5VUP It’s been a year since the New York Stock exceed $22.6 billion in revenue in 2021, Cannabusinesses have difficulty utiliz-
Exchange listed Innovative Industrial up from $6.7 billion in 2016, according to ing normal banking institutions, for
Properties, a real-estate investment trust the Arcview Group, a cannabis invest- example, because of federal laws in the
with an interest in medical-marijuana ment and research firm. United States. They must jump through
entities. Investors—and the NYSE itself— many regulatory hoops, and they have
are wary of weed-related firms because Assuming that the retrograde dino- more restrictive tax burdens than other
the plant remains illegal under federal saurs currently running the government businesses.
law, but times are changing. Our own do not impose new prohibitions, the fast-
parent company, High Times Holding est-growing industry in the United States Fortunately, there is a wealth of weed-
Corp., will soon become a publicly traded is a ripe environment for savvy investors. specific investment guidance available
company. But investing in anything requires due from experts in the financial pages.
diligence and an acceptance of some Headlines like “Top 4 Marijuana Stocks
Although the feds continue to keep risk, and investing in the marijuana to Watch… ” are increasingly common.
weed under Controlled Substances Act world—which is rapidly changing and is That one comes via Investopedia, in an
restrictions, the green industry is young precariously at the mercy of a (currently) article which both inspires optimism
and vibrant, with a 27 percent annual unsympathetic government—requires and advises caution: “As people sober up
growth rate. The market is expected to extra attention and care. about the marijuana craze, the reality

24 Highwitness News High Times December 2017

of using it in medicines and other The pot market, like all youngsters,
products will set in. Like any other will likely be a volatile and unpredict-
source for drugs, cannabis has positive able force until it matures.
prospects and some failures… It is best
not to invest based on enthusiasm over straightforward primer by MarketWatch listings on the TSX Venture and Canada
marijuana, and keep a level head about analyst Michael Kahn. Later in the Securities Exchanges. Still, investors
actual results from drug trials.” year, the journal noted how financial are wary. The Globe and Mail recently
advisers were both optimistic about the reported on some bearish behavior in
A good launch point for would-be future—“87% believe cannabis will grow the market, noting that green producer
investors is Marijuana Stocks (mari- into a mature, legitimate industry with MedReleaf Corp. had tumbled by 28
juanastocks.com), which, among other broad investor appeal”—and wary about percent in “the worst debut for a Cana-
things, maintains a list of the “Best Mari- the present: A scant 15 percent of the dian IPO in 16 years amid concern pot
juana Stocks to keep focused on.” Here advisers had actually encouraged their stocks are overvalued.” Similarly, shares
you’ll also find politics-heavy inquiries clients to invest in the green. of Canada’s first billion-dollar marijuana
propelled by headlines such as “Will start-up, Canopy Growth Corp., slid 21 per-
Marijuana Stocks Be an Issue for Jeff Some financial reportage gets right cent over a three-month period. In fact, the
Sessions?” to the point. CNBC, in its 4/20 report, whole North American Medical Marijuana
provided tips for picking pot stocks: Seek Index—tracking pot stocks in both Canada
The Motley Fool (fool.com) is system- companies with solid management teams and the United States—also plunged 21
atic in its analyses, looking at every pot (duh); look for ancillary businesses, as percent over roughly the same period. (The
stock with a market cap above $200 opposed to companies engaged directly in index has rebounded somewhat since.)
million, while sometimes reviewing the growing or delivering weed, to mitigate
week’s best and worst picks. The Fool, risk; and be hyper-aware of state-by-state The pot market, like all youngsters,
with its informative and thorough look at laws and regulations before investing— will likely be a volatile and unpredictable
individual companies, is a good starting there’s a lot of variance among the 29 force until it matures. Investors should
place for investors looking to research states where weed is legal or legal-ish. do their homework, research potential
potential buys or, more generally, for investments meticulously, and keep a
what to look for in sound investments. It The Great White North is also getting watchful eye on legislation and regula-
also offers a diverse range of views. in on the action. With less than a year tions that can influence performance.
before Canada goes rec-legal nationwide, Buy low, but never sell high. m
Some long-established finance at least 10 cannabis companies have new
publications are also getting in on the
act. Earlier this year, Barron’s (barrons.
com) schooled its readers on “How to
Score the Best Marijuana Stocks,” a

HIGH FIVE By Mark Miller

Yes, We Cannabis

Folks from all walks of life are embracing marijuana. Here are five positive pot quotes from influential people.

Adam Silver Neil deGrasse Tyson Roger Stone Mo Brooks Jerry Jones
The NBA commissioner During a Facebook Live The malevolent political During a press conference, During an NFL meeting last
recently demonstrated interview this summer, the strategist who played a the Alabama congressman spring, the Dallas Cowboys
a progressive attitude celebrity astrophysicist key role in the ascension of and US Senate hopeful owner reportedly told his
toward pot: “I’m very declared, “There’s no rea- Donald Trump to the White explained, “Medical can- fellow team owners that he
interested in the science son for [cannabis] to ever House publicly admitted nabis should be treated wants the league to “drop
when it comes to medical have been made illegal.” he’s attempting to get the like any other medical its prohibition on marijuana
marijuana… To the extent Tyson obviously supports president to change federal treatment that saves lives or use.” Jones is going further
that science demonstrates pot over a certain socially law and legalize cannabis. eases pains and symptoms… than the players’ union,
that there are effective uses acceptable substance, Appearing at Politicon in That is how I will vote in the which views cannabis
for medical reasons, we’re opining that “Alcohol is Pasadena, CA in July, Stone Senate.” One opponent of testing as a positive tool.
open to it.” Silver stated legal and it can mess you told a symposium audi- Representative Brooks, Sen- Jones is also motivated to
that medical pot should be up way more than smoking ence, “Medical marijuana ate candidate Dom Gentile, offer a liberal pot policy as a
“regulated in the same way a few jays.” As to his past is now a consensus issue responded by dropping out negotiating chip to arrive at
that other medications are personal use, Tyson only in the United States. And of the race to care for his a new players’ agreement
if the plan is to use it for said, “The last time I was, recreational marijuana is cancer-stricken wife and and avoid a 2021 work
pain management.” like, in a cloud of it.” headed that way.” officially endorsing Brooks. stoppage.



26 Highwitness News Inside the
Wide World

of Weed

BEER WITH US

Netflix and Chillum Barley-and-hops And justice for all
maestro Lagunitas
Netflix viewers in the Los Angeles has come out with Booker’s Bold Plan
area were treated to a special week- a new brew that
end when the home-entertainment contains a little While individual US states go for the green—eight states plus the
giant launched “The Netflix Collec- sumpin’ extra: can- District of Columbia so far—there is a quieter, but bigger, move-
tion,” 12 strains of weed for pairing nabis terpenes. The ment to flip the whole shebang. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker
with their favorite programs. Since ale, called SuperCriti- has introduced legislation to remove cannabis from the Controlled
the US mail could not be used to cal (“California-only Substances Act’s list of naughty drugs, thereby legalizing it nation-
deliver the goods, Netflix teamed release, for now…,” wide and reversing decades of prohibition lunacy. Booker’s bill, the
up with West Hollywood dispensary according to the Marijuana Justice Act, is so named because it’s framed as a means
Alternative Herbal Health Services, brewer’s blog), does to address the gross inequities in the number of arrests of people
where viewers could pick up select not include THC, but of color, the poor and the mentally ill. “We in this country have
nugs to enhance shows like Orange Is it’s nice and grassy prosecuted the War on Drugs not on everyone, but have focused
the New Black, Bojack Horseman and, on the palate. The it on the most vulnerable people in our communities,” Booker said
especially, the newly released Dis- brewer teamed up in introducing the legislation. The bill would not only legalize weed
jointed. Netflix explained in a state- with vape-cartridge at the federal level, it would withhold federal money from states in
ment: “Each strain was cultivated company Absolu- which minorities are disproportionately incarcerated. It’s unlikely
with the specific shows in mind, teXtracts to produce to pass in the current political climate, but if voted on in Congress,
designed to complement each title this unique adult it can show the public which of our politicians stand for justice, and
based on their tone. For example, sil- beverage. “These which of them shill for an unjust status quo.
lier shows may be more indica domi- are created using a
nant, while dramedies will be more combination of doz- Not the Bunker
sativa dominant to help the more ens of terpenes that end of the Busted
powerful scenes resonate.” Netflix did we isolate and refine world
not technically sell the weed, nor did during cannabis The operators of “the
it profit from the 27 pounds of it sold extraction, and they
over the weekend. are what give our biggest cannabis fac-
strains their unique
Let’s Study This flavor and sensory tory ever seen in the
profiles,” Kial Long,
The National Institutes of Health marketing veep for south of England” were
(NIH) has announced it is backing AbsoluteXtracts, told
the first long-term study to see if the Chicago Tribune. busted and sentenced
medical cannabis can reduce opioid Boasting terps from
use among adults with chronic pain, both Girl Scout in Wiltshire, according
including those with HIV. The NIH Cookies and Blue
doled out $3.8 million to researchers Dream, and combin- to a BBC report. For
at Albert Einstein College of Medicine ing no less than six
and Montefiore Health System to different kinds of three years, the men
embark on this unprecedented five- hops, SuperCritical
year study. “There is a lack of infor- is a limited-edition grew weed around the
mation about the impact of medical ale—there’s only one
marijuana on opioid use in those batch of 60 barrels— clock in an under-
with chronic pain,” says Chinazo Cun- but Lagunitas may
ningham, associate chief of general come out with more ground 20-room complex they’d built in an old bunker originally intended
internal medicine at Einstein and in the future. Stay
Montefiore and principal investigator thirsty and dank, my to shelter 150 officials in the event of nuclear war. The three underground
on the grant. “We hope this study will friends.
fill in the gaps and provide doctors entrepreneurs—who employed a group of four “gardeners” to reside in the
and patients with some much-needed
guidance.” Interestingly, the study bunker in order to tend the crops 24/7—received sentences of between five
will be using the good stuff: medical-
grade cannabis from New York State and eight years for conspiracy to produce cannabis, money laundering and
dispensaries, not the shitweed grown
by federal contractors in Mississippi, “abstracting electricity.” That last charge reflected the £650,000 worth of
the usual suppliers for research.
juice the men had managed to syphon off a nearby power line. Police raided

the former bunker, which was built in 1985 and later sold by the Ministry of

Defence, after receiving a tip that it stank of the dank.



28 Highwitness News DEPUTIES DODGE

FBI: Pot Reduces A pair of former
Violent Crime
Kern County,
US Attorney General Jeff “Buzzkill”
Sessions has said he’s worried about California, sheriff’s
a “potentially long-term uptick in
violent crime,” and so his Justice deputies managed
Department should therefore drop
the hammer on pot-legal states. to avoid prison
Sorry, Jeff—crime statistics, even
those gathered by the feds, do not time for stealing
justify your worries. According to
FBI data, violent crime in Wash- from drug-bust
ington has decreased by about 10
percent since 2011, the year before stashes and selling
Evergreen State voters legalized
recreational cannabis. “As far as the confiscated
I’m aware there is no credible study
linking violent crime and mari- goods to a confi-
juana,” Washington State Represen-
tative David Sawyer, who chairs the dential informant.
House committee that deals with
cannabis, told the News Tribune. Logan August and
“I think what more people are realiz-
ing is violent crime is linked to keep- Derrick Penney
ing marijuana illegal.” Elsewhere,
Colorado saw a 6 percent decrease were sentenced to Every dog
in the violent-crime rate statewide three years’ proba- has his daze.
from 2009 to 2014, according to the
state’s Department of Public Safety. tion and a boatload
Portland, OR, has experienced a
similar drop. of community- Dogs With an Obsolete Skill Set
service time. They
Ghost Town also have to pay What happens when a police dog sniffs out a drug in your possession,
Goes Green back the cash they let’s say meth, and you’re busted and convicted? If you have a clever
made in the deals. defense, as Kevin McKnight did in Moffat County, Colorado, you appeal
How weed-friendly is your “The defendants in the conviction and inform the court that, while the narc dog was trained
town? Not, we bet, as verdant this case caused a to detect cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, methamphetamine and marijuana,
as what’s planned for Nipton, significant breach it can’t indicate which of these it has found. Since one of these items
California, a small desert hamlet on of the public’s trust happens to be legal in the Rocky Mountain State, the search, according
the Nevada border. American Green, when they commit- to McKnight’s argument, is therefore illegal under the law. The appel-
an Arizona-based cannabusiness, ted these crimes,” late panel hearing McKnight agreed and overturned the conviction.
is purchasing the 80-acre Nipton US Attorney The state’s attorney general’s office is mulling whether to go up the
(population six) and another 40 Phillip A. Talbert food chain to the Colorado Supreme Court to have at McKnight again,
acres nearby for a reported $5 said in a state- according to U.S. News & World Report, but meanwhile police depart-
million. The company plans to “cre- ment. “Not only ments from Loveland to Greeley to Denver are starting to phase out the
ate a community that is accepting did they betray use of cheeba-sniffing canines. That’s a good boy.
and understanding” of the herb,
Stephen Shearin, a consultant on the the community
development project, told Business
Insider. “The [idea] here isn’t to cre- they were sworn
ate ‘Woodstock 2017,’” Shearin said.
“It’s about creating an environment to serve, but also
where people come to work and
share in a community.” One of the their fellow, hard-
first offerings in Nipton will be CBD-
infused bottled water drawn from a working officers Fly the friendly
nearby aquifer; eventually, visitors skies.
will be able to enjoy mineral baths, who protect the Mile-High
bud-happy lodging and, of course, an Kern County com- Cannabis Club
apothecary. The company also plans
to continue developing solar-energy munity every day.” Weed companies have had a hard
arrays that are already underway, One hard-working time deploying traditional outlets
making this town green indeed. officer who was for their advertising, partly

in on the scheme, because the FCC still frowns
Bakersfield detec- upon the use of the airwaves

tive Patrick Mara, for touting dank products. Now
wasn’t as lucky as Wikileaf, an app for finding weed

the jail-dodging and comparing prices, has figured out a way to air a 90-second ad it hopes will
deputies: He is reach 8 million viewers: on a commercial airline. The app company teamed up
now serving five with Virgin America to broadcast its spot in-flight on seatback screens. The ad

years on separate features a young woman packing for a trip who must leave her cheeba behind
charges of stealing to avoid getting busted at airport security. The cure for her smuggler’s blues

meth from drug is the app, which will help her find what she needs legally, after landing. “We
dealers during traf- wanted to get somewhere more mainstream,” Wikileaf CEO Dan Nelson told

fic stops. Frigging Advertising Age. “We had ads in various magazines and online places where it’s

cops! cannabis-focused, but we wanted some out-of-the-box ideas.”



30 High Style High Times December 2017

SPOTLIGHT A LUXURIOUS SOAK & SMOKE
Cannabis Cup award winner Kush Queen
INDA PIPE NECKLACE has created a delightful all-in-one package
The INDA pipe necklace is a fashion-forward tool for inconspicuous self-healing and cleverly dubbed the Lit Kit. It contains a 25-
enjoying your medicine on the go. Designed by company founder Caroline Mauro, this mg THC plus 25-mg CBD Relax Bath Bomb, a
beautifully weighted pendant hangs on a vintage brass snake chain and easily transforms 0.5-gram pre-roll of Skywalker OG and a 25-
into a working pipe. Simply unscrew the end caps, pack the bowl and puff away. mg THC piece of milk chocolate, so you can
soak, smoke and satisfy your sweet tooth for
The perfect accessory for everything from on-the-go adventures to soul searching in sinsemilla on the ultimate chill night in.
the woods, this piece will spark you up on your creative inner journey. INDA Creations also
offers a line of legal hemp and floral smoking blends to enjoy alongside your head stash. If you’re planning a romantic evening—
indacreations.com for you or for two!—choose the Lit Kit for
Love, created in collaboration with cannabis
matchmaking service Highly Devoted. It
pairs a Kush Queen 25-mg THC plus 25-mg
CBD Love Bath Bomb with a 0.5-gram pre-roll
of Private Reserve GDP and 25 mg of Ignite
water-based lube for safe, sexy fun. Keep
one of each kit on hand for those special
nights when you need to give yourself a
little extra lovin’. Available in California.
kushqueencannabis.com

GETTING BACK IN THE GAME AMY COOPER
Floyd Landis found himself at the center of professional cycling’s greatest scandal when he tested positive
for steroids after winning the Tour de France in 2006. Landis was stripped of the title, despite maintaining his
innocence at the time. After almost four years of contesting the doping allegations, Landis finally admitted to a
longtime use of steroids, implicating Lance Armstrong and other top riders in the massive controversy as well.

Fast-forward to 2017: Landis has moved far beyond those dark times with the help of family, friends and
the healing power of cannabis. His company, Floyd’s of Leadville, offers a line of medical-cannabis products
available in Colorado. It recently launched a line of CBD hemp-oil daily-supplement softgel capsules,
which are available nationwide. The 20-mg capsules are made with all-natural hemp oil and contain no
preservatives or additives. Landis says he takes a capsule every morning and every night to treat chronic
pain from old cycling injuries and a hip replacement. The relaxing effects of CBD also help his anxiety. The
healing herb works its magic in many ways.

For more on the natural relief that CBD hemp-oil supplements can offer, visit Floyd’s of Leadville at
floydsofleadville.com.



32 Entertainment High Times December 2017

Getting High in ‘The Lodge’

An interview with Twin Peaks’s David Patrick Kelly. By Tommy Smith

DAVID PATRICK KELLY HAS The consummate changes in artists like Bob
STARRED AS THE BAD GUY IN character actor Dylan and the Beatles that
ALL YOUR FAVORITE GENRE reprises a role. happened that were chemi-
FLICKS—T-BIRD IN THE CROW, cally induced—who is to say?
CHARLIE THE CLEANER IN We all know the things that
JOHN WICK, GANG LEADER we like and we don’t like
LUTHER IN THE WARRIORS about different substances,
AND THE ILL-FATED SULLY IN and things which induce
COMMANDO. BUT WITH A PRO- altered states. But who is to
LIFIC CAREER SPANNING FIVE say if that’s not something you
DECADES, KELLY IS THE POLAR can achieve by yourself ?
OPPOSITE OF THE MOTOR-
MOUTHED ANTAGONISTS HE Did you do any “research”
OFTEN PORTRAYS. GENIAL AND to prepare for Jerry’s pot-
HYPNOTIC, HE SPEAKS WITH A brownie monologues?
WIZENED DRAWL ABOUT THE
FLICKERING HUMANITY BEHIND Personally, for many years
HIS MOST RECENT ROLE, THE now, since the ’70s, I’m high
NEWLY-ADDICTED-TO-POT-EDI- on existential epiphanies.
BLES JERRY HORNE IN SHOW- That’s what gets me going.
TIME’S MASTERFUL REVIVAL OF And that alone has helped
DAVID LYNCH’S TWIN PEAKS. me create all the characters
I’ve been blessed to be able
to play.

It’s been 25 years since you “We all know the things that Do you know how this
last played Jerry Horne. How we like and we don't like about season ends? Or are you
did you prepare to jump different substances, and things up-to-date with the rest of the
back into Lynch’s world? which induce altered states.” viewership?

When I first did Wild at They only gave us little
Heart for David, I sensed this pieces of the script. I think
that’s a blessing, because I
kind of bifurcation in his get to enjoy it just like you
do. [Laughs] And I was just
works. This kind of striaght- stunned by episode eight.
But every single one of them.
laced-’50s-then-goes-to-hell- From the very first one.

in-the-’60s vibe. So I wanted It’s a pretty damn great
season.
to fold that into Jerry. While
It’s because David is in
I was first working on the charge of the whole thing.
role, I was studying Atlas Every scene is curated. Every-
Shrugged. I thought that Jerry thing is taken care of. All the
details. Because he’s a painter,
Horne and the Horne broth- he gets to recycle his materi-
als. And he has that intense
ers were fully imbued with timing. I think the directors
would be way too nervous to
Ayn Rand’s “Greed Is Good” keep nothing but a door in the
frame for as long as he does.
philosophy. He’s just going for broke. And
it’s stunningly good, in my
So, does Jerry Horne read Ayn That’s interesting because it Do you think the catalyst for own opinion. m
Rand? connects back to your previous this is the weed? He was not a
question. Because now in his weed smoker in the first two The 18-episode third season
Jerry probably reads How to sort of chemically induced seasons, and since he’s found of Twin Peaks is available on
Succeed in Business and things enlightenment, he’s achieved psychologically a way to let Showtime.
like that. He’s not on the intel- a certain kind of enlighten- go, do you think the involve-
lectual tip, or looking for any ment for himself. There’s a ment of this substance has
kind of philosophical justifica- kind of humility now. There’s changed his psyche?
tion for what he does. It’s just something really evolving.
about success in the world, in Shakespeare talked about “the Well, I’m not suggesting
business deals, in his romantic whirligig of time,” and how
conquests. time can play on you. And I that he couldn’t have gotten
think that’s causing a break-
What’s Jerry’s imperative now, through for Jerry. there in a different way. But I
more than two decades later?
am also a person who’s come

through the history of the

’60s, and firsthand seeing the



34 Entertainment High Times December 2017

Rivera (center) As the only mem-
insists that a bong ber of Gaytheist
is the key part of who is both gay
any art class. and an atheist,
Rivera is also the
band's heaviest
smoker.

t’s just too easy to go, ‘Oh, I’ll

try again tomorrow.’”

Luckily, scoring weed

n Rivera’s hometown has

become a whole lot easier

ince Washington Initiative

02 passed in 2012, fully legal-

zing marijuana throughout

the state. “For the last few

years, there’s been no level of

waiting on someone or having

to know somebody or hoping

that the 10 people you know

aren’t all out or aren’t going to

be super-inconvenient,” Rivera

enthuses. “Now we have stores

that are open from 8 a.m.

o 11 p.m. Monday through

Let’s Bong Again Soon unday that offer thousands
of different varieties for way

cheaper than street price. It’s
Gaytheist frontman Jason Rivera holds forth on the pleasures just gotten completely crazy,
and I love it.”
of legalization. By J. Bennett Of course, the rest of the

country isn’t so progressive

Ask Gaytheist vocalist/guitarist happens, I feel like I had a lot time with his older brother, or forgiving when it comes to

Jason Rivera how important of willpower.” did the trick. getting high. Touring bands

weed is to the band’s creative Rivera, whose sartorial These days, Rivera loads like Gaytheist often find
process, and he’ll probably choices wouldn’t look out of his trusty bong with sativa themselves in the position of

just start laughing. “Well, I’m place in the 1940s, also has or hybrid strains. His cur- carrying at their own risk or

usually high when I write old-school tendencies when it rent favorites include Alaska going without. “We’re kinda

music and I’m usually high comes to his preferred intake Thunder Fuck and Green fuckin’ dumbasses about it,”

when I write lyrics,” Rivera method. “I have this huge, Crack. “I always have a guilt Rivera concedes. “I get mad

explains. “It’s not integral, but dumb bong that I bought complex about not doing any- at us because we’ll be driving

it tends to be a part of it.” because it’s cheap,” he says. thing if I’m just too out of it, through [someplace]—where
The Vancouver, Wash- “But it’s kind of a piece of shit so I tend to stick with sativa they can just throw you in

ington-based noise-punk because it can hold a bunch because I find it’s almost like jail instantly—and we’ll have

trio—rounded out by bassist of ice but it doesn’t have there’s caffeine in your weed,” two pipes going around in the

Tim Hoff and drummer Nick enough room for it to melt, so he says. “I like that, because van. I tend to dress very old-

Parks (who recently moved to I’m constantly dealing with a even though it puts me in fashioned, like in a suit and

Florida)—are getting ready to puddle of bongwater, which a somewhat dysfunctional tie, so that tends to fend off

roll out on tour in support of is the worst thing to wake mental state, I’m still able to problems, but otherwise it’s

their fourth and latest album, up to.” create and I’m motivated to just pure luck and not being
get things done. Otherwise, too stupid about it.” m
Let’s Jam Again Soon, when Rivera’s first bong experi-

we speak with Rivera. As ence—at age 14—was unsuc-

the only member of Gaythe- cessful. “I was at a friend’s

ist who is both gay and an house and did not put my Pretty in Pink GARY NORMAN
atheist, he’s also the band’s finger over the carb,” he In 2013, Gaytheist teamed up with the Portland
heaviest smoker. “I’m at the explains. “That was my first U-Brew & Pub to make Pink Pentagram Pale Ale.
level where I’m having a good time smoking weed, and I “We chopped up Red Vines and dropped them into
day if I don’t wake and bake,” didn’t even get a contact the beer as it was brewing,” Rivera explains. “It sold
Rivera laughs. “When that high.” A second attempt, this out instantly because it was so good.”



36 Entertainment High Times December 2017

Prolific MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS
trombon-
ist Steve › “Came inside of Satan’s drummer Ben Koller and
Davis daughter / Not much later, bassist Nick Cageao. A glori-
who’s the father?” So sings ous math-metal rollercoaster
Mutoid Man vocalist-guitarist Steve Brod- of insane riffs, inhuman
War Moans sky on “Date With the Devil” drumming and death-defying
from War Moans. That’s just bass lines, War Moans fea-
(Sargent House) one of many tongue-in-cheek tures guest appearances by
lyrical turns Brodsky takes ex-Megadeth guitarist Marty
on his second album with Friedman and goth song-
Mutoid Man, the virtuoso stress Chelsea Wolfe. Satan
supergroup completed by would approve. J. Bennett

Think Sublime Dizzee Rascal › Dizzee Rascal’s latest blow-off-your-car-doors track
Raskit finds the grandfather of “Space,” the music simply
The company Steve Davis keeps grime spitting verbal bullets stops while Rascal loops his
is legendary. (Island Records) over a 16-track assault. This brutal poetry over hissing
gloriously cacophonous silence. But after every three
News that jazz trombonist Steve Davis had cut album is best ingested songs of Raskit, I needed a
in small doses. Rascal’s breather—the dark, paranoid
lyrics speed across the mind states painted by this
bass-heavy songs, rhymes brilliant wordsmith’s music
so complex the beats can’t hold your fascinated ears
even keep up—on the hostage. Tommy Smith

his 19th album came as a shock. Nineteen? That’s › As Carlos Santana noted, get us all a little peace—it’s
“What’s the point of been scarce lately. They cover
a prodigious output for a relatively young man songs by Stevie Wonder, Bil-
lie Holiday, Curtis Mayfield
(just 50) who has already piled up a well-stocked dreaming if you don’t dream and Marvin Gaye, among
others, and create an ambi-
résumé as a sideman (over 130 recordings) with big?” Half a century ago, tious hybrid of R&B, epic
guitartistry and idealistic
some big-time legends. Davis has recorded or John and Yoko conceived the pursuit. We recommend you
give the music—and peace—a
performed with Art Blakey, Jackie McLean, Chick idea of using creativity and chance. Michael Simmons

Corea and Wynton Marsalis at myriad venues The Isley
Brothers/Santana celebrity to end war. Santana
ranging from Carnegie Hall to the White House.
Power of Peace and wife/drummer Cindy
The big gigs are all well and good, but when we
(Legacy) Blackman Santana conspire

think of Davis and his ax, we think of him pouring here with soul legends

it out at Smoke, a tightly rolled joint on Manhat- Ronald and Ernie Isley to

tan’s Upper West Side, cozy

and sublime. ›While the 20th-anniversary kinetic assembly of essential
Think Ahead gallops out of OK Computer reissue late-’90s nostalgia. From the
boasts a sonic re-haul of one rocking “Palo Alto” to the trip-
the gate with primal urgency of rock’s most influential hop “Meeting in the Aisle,”
albums, the second LP is the the album is a legitimate
in its opening track, “War- main attraction—remastered counterpart to its legendary
OK B-sides assembled in predecessor, chronicling a
rior,” before settling into a thematic order by the band time when Thom Yorke could
itself. Recorded when Radio- still sing about California’s
Think Ahead more romantic, candle-lit Radiohead head still played recognizable blue skies without a hint of
Steve Davis groove on “Polka Dots and OKNOTOK instruments, OKNOTOK is a doom. Tommy Smith
Moonbeams.” By the title
(Smoke Sessions) (XL Recordings)

track, even jazz newbs will

have learned that a slide

trombone in the right hands

is an instrument of complex subtlety. Its lush and

poignant interplay with sax, piano and skins on BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

“Think Ahead” is testament to this improviser’s › The Yippies gave name a stockbroker. And yet it’s
to a preexisting phenom- this transition that makes
skill and to the spectrum of possibilities within his life intriguing. In this
beautifully designed coffee-
his instrument’s voice. Davis once stated that he enon: dope-smoking left- table scrapbook, Thomas has
stitched together one of the
was drawn to “music which challenges the listener wing hippie troublemakers. most exciting countercultural
chronicles. High Times and
(as well as the musicians playing it) to think, to Co-founder Jerry Rubin has founder Tom Forçade make
crucial cameos throughout.
imagine, to feel.” Yup. been somewhat overlooked,
Michael Simmons
A great jazzman wants deep talent next to him Did It! From until now. Many argue Rubin
Yippie To Yuppie:
on the stage, and to that end Davis tapped saxo- sold out when he went from
Jerry Rubin,
phonists Steve Wilson (tenor) and Jimmy Greene
An American throwing money onto the

(alto and soprano), the legendary Lewis Nash on Revolutionary stock-exchange floor as a

drums, bassist Peter Washington and Larry Willis Pat Thomas lesson in greed to becoming

on piano. These cats got this. Mike DiPaola (Fantagraphics)



38 Cannabusiness by J.J. McCoy High Times December 2017

Is This Finally Hemp’s Moment?

America has been slow to embrace hemp’s revolutionary, space-age
applications—not to mention the billions of dollars that hemp
production and processing could bring the nation.

J.J. McCoy is Senior Managing Editor for New Frontier Data

THE EXTREME VERSATILITY and useful- more than 25,000 product applications. hemp-seed certification program, featur-
ness of hemp has seen an overdue Industrial hemp is used to manufacture ing a “one-stop shop” website to provide
resurgence in interest lately, which everything from rope and cloth to oil hemp producers and processors with
is rather remarkable considering that and soap. information about pertinent state and
humans first began cultivating it about federal regulations.
10 millennia ago. Hemp is a variety of the Nationwide, hemp products account
Cannabis sativa L plant species, but— for about $688 million in annual On the federal level, Senator Jeff
unlike the plant harvested for its flowers domestic sales; yet while hemp has the Merkley (D-OR) introduced an amend-
and high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol— potential to become a multibillion-dollar ment to an appropriations bill to allow
it contains only trace levels of THC. domestic crop, American manufactur- farmers to grow industrial hemp in any
ers instead have had to rely entirely on of the 32 states where it is legal. The
Traditionally used since the Stone Age imports of hemp from other nations— intention was to prohibit unnecessary
as a source of food, fiber, medicine and primarily Canada and China—because interference by the federal government
building materials, hemp’s high tensile here it has been listed as a controlled with any state’s implementation of laws
strength and natural water resistance led substance under federal law. authorizing the cultivation, growth, pro-
to its widespread maritime use in rope cessing, manufacturing, use, possession,
and canvas sails during the Age of Explo- Nevertheless, some sense is follow- marketing, distribution or transportation
ration. George Washington famously ing the dollars. The Agricultural Act of of industrial hemp.
grew hemp at Mount Vernon, both as a 2014 signed into law by President Barack
cash crop and for use on the plantation Obama allowed states to implement laws As attorney Bob Hoban, founder of the
itself. It is extremely versatile, and is for their departments of agriculture and Denver-based cannabis-industry-focused
grown and used worldwide in the devel- universities to grow hemp for research Hoban Law Group, told New Frontier
opment of numerous commercial appli- or pilot programs. Last July, New York Data (for whom he is an adviser), “I do
cations including cannabidiol (CBD) oil, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legisla- see the hemp industry taking huge, huge,
textiles, construction materials, nutra- tion intended to carve out the Empire huge steps forward. I’ve always seen and
ceuticals, body-care products, applied State’s primacy in hemp production. His still maintain that the hemp industry is
materials and industrial products. signature amended an existing statute to going to dwarf the marijuana industry by
categorize it as an agricultural product a long, long, long shot. The hemp indus-
University of Manchester researchers deserving the same status as other crops. try worldwide is a $1 trillion industry,
Andre Geim and Konstantin Novosel- It also encouraged research on hemp as a whereas marijuana is certainly going to
ov’s cutting-edge work with graphene commercial commodity and established be very profitable, but we’re going to see
(a material 200 times stronger than an industrial working group to advise large strides in hemp in the near term.”
steel, lighter than aluminum and more the state on hemp research and policies.
conductive than copper, and capable of New York is establishing an industrial Hoban Law Group patent attorney
being shaped into any form and used in Kevin Fortin found that a Google patent
batteries for “green” photovoltaic solar- search for “hemp and graphene” yields
energy systems) earned the pair their more than 600 independent search
2010 Nobel Prize in Physics. Following results as research scientists from China
this, Dr. David Mitlin of the University and Europe are being granted patents for
of Alberta was awarded a patent for an manufacturing methods and products for
economical method of manufacturing things like supercapacitors, integrated
hemp into a material that shares many of circuits, batteries, water filters and some-
the high-tech properties of graphene. thing called “atmospheric ion harvesting,”
in which electron streams are drawn from
Now, since around the time Jay Leno thin air to deliver electrical currents.
posted an online video of himself test-
driving a 2017 Renew sports car (with “The uses are all across the board, and
a chassis fashioned from 100 pounds of we can develop more,” Governor Cuomo
woven hemp), hemp is enjoying a bit of said during a signing event at Cornell. “I
the limelight. After all, it’s more sustain- really believe this is going to be not just
able and 60 times faster to market than an agricultural boon if we do it right,
lumber (a hemp harvest equivalent to but it will also be a manufacturing boon
a 20-year lumber forest’s yield can be because the processors are all on the
grown in four months). The environmen- manufacturing side, and they were really
tally friendly crop has proven to have looking for someone in this country to
step up and take the lead.” m



40 Markets THMQ High Times December 2017

TOP 5 TRANS HIGH MARKET QUOTATIONS
STRAINS
STATE CITY STRAIN PRICE
NA
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
BLUE-
BERRY ARIZONA Chino Valley J-1 $269

$244 El Mirage 602 Headband 250

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

CALIFORNIA Los Angeles Walter White 310

Oakland Headband 260

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

COLORADO Colorado Springs Blue Dream 140

1 Lakewood Cypress OG 209

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

FLORIDA Miami Gorilla Glue 350

Tampa Gas 400

KUSH ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

$318 GEORGIA East Point Bubba Kush 400

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

ILLINOIS Oak Park Purple Haze 320

Springfield White Widow 400

NA ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

INDIANA Crawfordsville Blue Dream 450

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

HEAD- IOWA Des Moines Kush 200
BAND
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
$209
LOUISIANA New Orleans OG Kush 280

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

MAINE Belfast Blucifer 200

Biddeford Northern Lights 325

NA ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

DIESEL MARYLAND Cumberland Trainwreck 280

(The Wow) $240 ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
“A superior tasting
product that was NA MASSACHUSETTS Gardner Girl Scout Cookies 450
properly cured.”
–Albuquerque, NM WHITE ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
WIDOW
(J-1) MICHIGAN Lansing Mango Puff 400
$387 “Great flower and a
wonderful medicine.” ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

–Chino Valley, AZ MINNESOTA Minneapolis Purple Diesel 280

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

MISSOURI St. Louis Loud 420

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

MONTANA Bozeman Blue Dream 175

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

NEVADA Henderson Gorilla Glue #4 350

Sparks King Louis XIII 275

MARKET ANALYSIS Prices by the ounce ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

NEW JERSEY Hoboken Skywalker OG 420

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

The price of pot continues to decline nationwide. The Southern Index NEW MEXICO Albuquerque The Wow 280
experienced the biggest drop, down $7 from its previous month’s
average—a result of the region’s extreme pricing, which jumped from ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
considerably above to well below the average. While the Western Index
held steady, the Eastern Index was down from its November average. NEW YORK Middletown Green Crack 450
Overall, the average ounce of cannabis in America for 2017 cost $330.
New York City AK-47 450

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

NORTH CAROLINA Charlotte Cali Kush 280

Winston-Salem Gas 450

US Price Index 305 Eastern Index ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

OHIO Columbus White Widow 450

YTD Average: $330 YTD Average: $352 Greenville Blue City Diesel 336

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

OREGON Bend Blue City Diesel 195

$347 ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
$338
$331 PENNSYLVANIA Pittsburgh Green Crack 250
$329
$324 York Headband 280
$320
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
$358
$360 SOUTH CAROLINA Charleston Kush 280
$350
$353 Lexington Gelato 280
$349
$345 ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

TENNESSEE Chattanooga Girl Scout Cookies 450

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

TEXAS Dallas Headband 400

McAllen Skywalker 420

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec UTAH Lehi Tahoe OG 280

Logan Blue Dream 420

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Southern Index Western Index VIRGINIA Newport News Kush 450
YTD Average: $363 YTD Average: $263
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

WASHINGTON Longview Purple Diesel 150

Seattle Goji OG 300

$358 ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
$370
$370 WISCONSIN Pewaukee Purple Haze 280

$365 ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
$358
INTERNATIONAL
$265
$257 ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
$256

$261
$258
$258

AUSTRALIA Sydney White Widow A$400

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

CANADA Hamilton Bubba OG C$260

Toronto Bruce Banner 280

(Skywalker OG) ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
“Very expensive but
UNITED KINGDOM London Chem Dog £280
excellent quality.”
–Hoboken, NJ Sep Oct Nov Dec Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High Times wants to know what you’re smoking.
Submit your strain information including location and price by the ounce to
[email protected], or tweet us (#THMQ).

(Blucifer)
“Best quality in

the state!”
–Belfast, ME







44 High Times December 2017

In an ever-growing cannabis market, the task of selecting the
best pot and concentrates can be daunting. Join us as we
delve into the optimal ways to track down and choose the
finest cannabis the world has to offer. By Sean Black

Cannabi
T rue enthusiasts of cannabis have Where’s the Weed?
several things in common. First and HIGH TIMES ARCHIVE
foremost, we all foster a love and If you’re one of the lucky Americans with friendly medical or recreational
appreciation for nature’s gracious laws in your state, then dispensaries are a decent place to start sourcing
green gift. This gratitude cultivates a acceptable pot products. Quality and selection vary quite widely from
passion to seek out the greatest strains, breeders, business to business, and will continue to do so until there are rational
growers and extract artists. Whether it’s finding the regulations and standards set in the production and testing of cannabis
best plug in your neighborhood, selecting the ideal products. Finding knowledgeable budtenders who can provide back-
dispensary, going to a Cannabis Cup or traveling ground information on a dispensary’s wares is very helpful. Be sure to ask
the world, true aficionados never stop searching for about a product’s genetics and lineage, who the cultivator is, and what
the ultimate herb. Let’s examine how you can up growing technique or extraction method was applied. Many budtenders
your ganja game by learning how to find, recognize only offer the product’s expected effects based on it being sativa- or
and select the the finest cannabis available. indica-dominant. Asking more detailed questions can lead to more useful
information for selecting the best possible product.

December 2017 High Times 45

is Quest
How to Select Perfect Pot Products
Many cannabis lovers go a step further by following known back for local use while less heady goods are shipped out. The
breeders, growers and extract artists who exhibit consistency, best products are usually found the closer you are to the grower
knowledge of safe cultivation and extraction practices, and or extractor. This presents a major obstacle for those living in
access to dank genetics. Following your favorite grower or prohibition states. The closer to the origin, the better the can-
concentrate maker on social media can definitely give you a leg nabis—with less chance that the product has been mishandled
up as producers often announce drop locations of their prod- and degraded in any way.
ucts so you can easily find an already-proven source of quality
cannabis. The best of the crafters can sell out in mere minutes, Finding people in the industry that treat cannabis with
rewarding only the most motivated admirers. passion and respect is of paramount importance. There are
plenty of people and businesses looking to achieve the greatest
Finding consistently high-quality cannabis in less pot- return on their investment while disregarding safety and qual-
friendly states can prove more challenging. Often, the flowers ity. That’s one reason to hone your cannabis IQ—to avoid the
and concentrates that come from out of state and enter the pitfalls of weekend weed warriors and be able to distinguish
black market are inferior, as the choicest of the crop is held quality cannabis from inferior product.

46 Cannabis Quest High Times December 2017 HIGH TIMES ARCHIVE (2), JUSTIN CANNABIS

Judging a Book by Its Cover Take notice of the bud structure. Are
the flowers dense and of decent size,
Sourcing a reliable connection is just the or are they wispy and small? Structure
first step in finding your Holy Grail of can depend on how well the plant was
cannabis. Visual inspection can unearth fed, how much light was introduced, the
some information that a connection may amount of oxygen that was available and
not share. Something as simple as the whether the proper temperatures were
way the product is packaged or displayed maintained. Indicas tend to produce
is a good initial indicator as to how much larger, denser buds, while sativas can
respect and consideration it has received. yield smaller, lighter nugs. Failure to pro-
What is it packaged in? Flowers encased vide optimum environments can produce
in turkey bags, plastic zip bags or plastic inferior flowers with less bag appeal.
containers can lead to lower-quality
results. Even the best cannabis source Is the bud compressed unnaturally
can result in a deteriorated, inferior end like a brick? Imported weed coming
product if the goods are not handled from Mexico for the black market can
properly. Plastic bags can be harsh to the sometimes retain the circular shape of a
buds’ exterior, crushing pistils, compress- tire after having been packed tightly to
ing structure and knocking off precious smuggle across the boarder. This exposes
trichomes. Glass jars are the preferred the herb to harmful conditions like heat
container for cannabis, as they protect and pressure, which degrade the material
structural integrity, retain terpenes and significantly.
keep flowers from drying out. The can-
nabis should also fill the jar in order to Focus a bit closer on the flowers. Are
reduce the amount of air within. Putting there seeds or little yellow/white objects
a little bit of flower in a very large jar is resembling bananas in the foliage? This
almost the same as just leaving it out in can be a sign that the plant was stressed
the open. This can result in overly dry and forced to produce hermaphrodite
flowers with less smell and taste. sites, allowing the plant to fertilize itself.
Seeds can also indicate that a male plant
Containers of concentrates need to be was present in the growroom, impregnat-
airtight. Having a gasket seal built into ing the females and forcing seed growth.
the lid helps retain terpenes and keeps An ounce of seeded flowers can contain a
aqueous, runny oil from leaking. Using third of its weight in seeds. This diverts
miniature paper key envelopes can prove valuable energy that could otherwise
to be unreliable packaging as your mate- be used for cannabinoid and terpene
rial will degrade quickly over time and production.
“sweat out.” Terpenes can separate from
THC and slowly seep through parchment, Signs of stress like burnt leaf tips or
saturating the envelope. If something as browning tips of colas and buds can mean
simple as the packaging was neglected, nutrient burn or deficiency, exposure to
how else could this product have been high temperatures or placement too close
mistreated? to lights. These can result in low terpe-
noid counts and lack of flavor, which is so
A Keen Cannabis Eye important to the full effect of cannabis.

Next, take the time to visually inspect the Inspect for insects, mold, mildew, cat
cannabis itself. The color of the buds can hair and other foreign contaminants.
provide hints about how old the product Dead bugs—or their feces—are signs of
is. A bright green color can mean a large an infestation, and are unacceptable for
amount of chlorophyll is still present, consumption.
revealing freshly dried material still
needing a cure. The main purpose of cur- Do you see white spiderweb-like
ing flowers is to allow the chlorophyll to strands of fungus and mildew? Don’t
break down, creating a cleaner, smoother confuse a blanket of white powder on
smoke. Curing will also darken the buds the surface of your flowers for shiny tri-
slightly and slowly provide shades of chomes, as powdery mildew is a common
gold and brown. sight on lower-grade cannabis. Mold, mil-
dew or fungus can mean the plants were
What do the bud’s leaves look like? exposed to too much humidity or that
Browned or burnt leaf tips mean that the the buds weren’t allowed to dry properly
plant was stressed at some point and not before being stored. This can not only
allowed to flourish. Whether it encoun- ruin the flavor of even the best genetics,
tered a nutrient problem or was exposed but also be hazardous to consumers.
to high temperatures, the plant was not
given the proper environment to achieve Top: Glass jars are ideal for storing cannabis.
its maximum potential. Middle: Male plants in the growroom mean
trouble.
Bottom: Seeds divert energy from cannabinoid
and terpene production.



48 Cannabis Quest High Times December 2017

Closely A Closer Look at Concentrates HIGH TIMES ARCHIVE (2)
examine pot
products for Visual inspection of concentrates
any signs of starts with looking for contaminants
contaminants. like animal hairs, plant material that
escaped filtration when extracted,
Check concen- and even microfibers from low-
trates for signs quality filters and equipment used
in the process. Maintaining clean,
of an incom- controlled extraction conditions
plete purge. allows for consistent and exceptional
results. Far too often, pet hair finds it
way into dabs, indicating extractions
performed in home labs or unsanitary
conditions.

Are there lots of bubbles present
in uniformity? Bubbles in shatter, oil,
or snap and pull can be the result of
repeated flipping during purging, but
a sea of bubbles throughout could be
a sign of an incomplete purge that left
residual solvents.

The consistency of concentrates has
less to do with quality and more to do
with someone’s preference. Shatters
and dry waxes tend to contain smaller
ratios of terpenes, resulting in less
flavor than sauces, wet sugars and wet
budders. Dry crumble can also prove
to be harder to load onto a dabber.

Concentrate shapes, much like
flowers smuggled in tires, can also
tell the story of its transport. Slabs
of imported hashish can sometimes
be found in the shape of a shoe
from being packed inside a sole and
smuggled. Amsterdam’s hash queen
Milla used to smuggle hash through
airport security rolled into balls and
laced onto a chain hung on her neck,
disguised as jewelry! (Do not try this;
Milla is a genuine badass.)

Lighter-color extracts can reveal
several things. Material that has
been kept cool and sealed will retain
lighter colors and darken as it ages
and is exposed to heat above 60 to 70
degrees. Less-mature trichomes will
also yield lighter colors and result in
stronger scents, but they’ll provide
a more mellow high that can last
a significantly shorter period than
fully-mature starting material. Some
strains will yield darker shades than
others. Be wary of very dark brown
or black extracts as they can signify
poor processing practices or older,
less heady starting material. While
extreme colors can prove to be helpful
indicators for quality, the truth is that
concentrate colors are less important
than smell, taste and effect, which
remain the strongest measures of
high-grade extracts.



50 Cannabis Quest High Times December 2017
Simply smelling
cannabis can The Nose Knows
reveal a great
deal. When you have the opportunity to
inspect product, open up a jar of can-
Expect a more nabis and immediately smell the flowers
intense aroma or concentrates. Terpenes have been
in concentrates slowly building up within the jar. Note
due to the how “loud” the scent is. A light scent
higher terpe- can mean overly dried, badly grown
noid ratio. or improperly purged material. Older
cannabis can smell like ammonia, which
can mean there’s mold present. A wet-
rain smell can mean too much moisture
remains in the buds. Any hint of hay
means the material is old and has been
sitting around, losing valuable terpenes.

If possible, squeeze or break open a
bud to further release the flower’s bou-
quet. Stir the saucy concentrate or rub
the shatter sandwiched between parch-
ment to slightly warm it and release its

Strong citrusy and
fruity smells, like
oranges or strawber-
ries, generally indi-
cate an energizing,
sativa-like effect,
while scents of gas,
pine or musk can
mean more of an
indica body high.

aroma. What smells are present? Strong
citrusy and fruity smells, like oranges or
strawberries, generally indicate an ener-
gizing, sativa-like effect, while scents of
gas, pine or musk can mean more of an
indica body high.

Concentrate smells should represent
the flowers in the best of ways. They
should present strong aromas that
smell just like the flowers that were
extracted—but more intensely as there’s
a higher ratio of terpenoids present. Any
egg-like or rotten smell can indicate that
the extractors used inferior canned gas
that contains mercaptans—odor markers
added to odorless butane to indicate dan-
gerous gas leaks. Alcohol or other solvent
smells in concentrates can mean incom-
plete purges. Quite often, concentrates
that have been winterized in alcohol or
ethanol (a process utilizing cold tem-
peratures to separate the fats, waxes and
lipids from the rest of the material) can
retain the smell and flavor of the solvent,
lowering the quality of oil.