52 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 THESECONDACT April 2024 // Volume #579 / / B - S I D E O N T H E B A C K C O V E R 6 6 6 0 5 4 Cannabis Culture This month, we examine cannabis sauce and snack infusions, a cannabis-fueled self-defense class, and the inspiring memoir written by musician Black Thought. The Gift of Flavor Chef Maverick dives into her origin as a chef, caterer, and medical cannabis consumer, all of which led her to create her own line of infused sauces and snacks. Black Thought Gets Back to His Roots Black Thought of The Roots discusses his first memoir, The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are. Bud Belts Women in the cannabis industry share the benefits of cannabis when paired with athletic activity. ILLUSTRATION: ANTHEA TAN, @RATKING PHOTOS: JOSHUA KISSI, COURTESY CHEF MAVERICK D E P A R T M E N T S HIGHWITNESS NEWS Research on the Munchies and High Five DOPE RIDER GEAR 72 79 80
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HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 55 Like any majestic city, you never know what’s happening behind a door in Barcelona, Spain. Someone walking by any given space has no idea what kind of wonderland is on the other side. During Women in Cannabis Presents Self Defense— taught by Gina Contel, Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and black belt, and held during Spannabis 2023—a group of about 30 scrappy women defied stoner stereotypes by learning how to kick ass. After training, they gathered around a Puffco Peak Pro, the “pinnacle of hash technology” for aftercare (the use of topicals is also encouraged) and shared personal pieces of inspiration or, to sound less corny, ways to not only survive in this world as a woman but how to take over. “The hardest self-defense class you’ll ever take is the first one,” says Chelsea Kossower, vice president of global expansion at Puffco, an acclaimed dab rig company. Kossower’s job is to travel the world and accelerate hash culture. She also has a side project called Rolladek, a jiu-jitsu content and education platform. Both Rolladek and Women in Cannabis hosted the self-defense event. Women in Cannabis, organized by Giuliana Roldán, is an invite-only movement aimed at fostering a safe and collaborative environment (for all genders) currently operating in nine countries. The Women in Cannabis event comprises two parts: a panel of women from the cannabis industry sharing insights and opportunities for newcomers. The second part is dedicated to a women’s self-defense class, underlining the importance of self-protection skills alongside professional networking and relationship building. The Barcelona event was located at Atos Jiu-Jitsu Barcelona, one of the best jiu-jitsu academies in Europe. For Kossower, jiu-jitsu is the first activity that matched her passion for cannabis because of the community. Her resume is intimidating, although she doesn’t like to assign the word “intimidating” to the sport. She explains at first, that when the self-defense class was announced, she received feedback that folks were scared of what they imagined to be intense combat. But she convinced them to attend. “They had us lined up against a wall, and then one by one we had to go up against [world champion Contel],” describes workout aficionado and hash maker The Dank Duchess, who attended the event last spring. “At first, it’s kind of intimidating. But I gotta say, cannabis always brings us together. Fighting overthe course of an hour and learning and being open-minded and open-hearted, it felt really good. It was a good way to end the cannabis trip.” Duchess was new to self-defense but very familiar with combining cannabis and working out, two topics which, to the uninformed, are strangers, perhaps even characters who shouldn’t meet. “It’s generally men that give you some shit about it,” Duchess says. But thanks to science, even that is changing. In a groundbreaking study from January 2024 by the University of Colorado Boulder (CU), researchers found that legal, commercial cannabis positively influences exercise, making it more enjoyable. Focusing on 42 runners, the research delved into participants’ cannabis consumption and its effects on their physical activities. This study, featured in the Sports Medicine journal, suggests an increasing normalization of cannabis use in fitness despite ongoing debates in the sports sector. Laurel Gibson, the study’s lead author and a research fellow at CU’s Center for Health & Neuroscience, Genes & Environment (CUChange), sums up the findings: “Using cannabis before exercising seems to heighten the mood and enjoyment during the workout, regardless of whether THC or CBD is used.” While the women in last year’s cannabis class aimed at general self-defense, the influence of jiu-jitsu, which emphasizes technique over brute strength, is undeniable. Jiu-jitsu is a martial art that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. While it originated in Japan, jiu-jitsu was later adapted and popularized in Brazil, known as Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). Jiujitsu teaches how smaller people can successfully defend themselves against a larger assailant through technique. Brazilian jiu-jitsu has achieved significant global popularity in the sporting realm and is frequently regarded as a crucial element in mixed martial arts (MMA) training. “The point of the seminars is to create distance from your attacker. God forbid, you’re past that point; we teach you how to fall properly so you’re not breaking your neck and hitting your head,” Kossower says. The self-defense class covered what to do if someone grabs your wrist and (God have mercy on them) what to do if someone tries to put their hands around your waist in a club. “Never are we encouraging people to fight or hurt people,” Kossower says. “We’re simply giving them the tools they need to create distance and get to safety.” While the self-defense and dabs seminar was a unique, one day class, if attendants decided that they liked the class and would like to explore jiu-jitsu further on their own, it’s a win-win situation. “It’s mainly to give them a few skills that could potentially save their lives one day,” Kossower says. ** Meet the women of self-defense and dabs. By Sophie Saint Thomas
56 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 According to UN Women, about 736 million women, which is nearly one out of every three, have faced physical and/or sexual violence. Women who have experienced such violence are at a higher risk of suffering from depression and anxiety disorders, not to mention post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a plethora of other health consequences. The majority of such violence comes from former husbands or intimate partners. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, Black women in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by such violence. “I would like to say, yes, I’m Wonder Woman, but sometimes the world is scary,” says Roldán. Roldán also works with Puffco. Born in Colombia, Roldán has an intimate relationship with cannabis, which she describes as vital in treating her anxiety. “I’m very into indigenous culture, and I truly love all the ancient plants and all the real medicine that comes from nature,” Roldán says. For her, such medicine helps with stress by reinforcing her own strength. “Self-defense makes you feel empowered like, ‘OK, I’m strong, I can do it. I’m not afraid of this situation.’ We empower the women, create a safe space, create networking [opportunities]. We come together because togetherwe are better,” she says, adding how important that is for women in a male-dominant industry. While Roldán is talking about cannabis, that industry could just as well be combat sports. According to MMA Facts, the audience is predominantly male. For instance, studies have found that MMA audiences are roughly between 75-90% men and 10-25% women. But combat sports are embracing at least one female: the psychoactive cannabis plant. In January 2021, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced a significant update on its stance on cannabis use among fighters. The leading MMA organization announced a major amendment to its anti-doping policy, indicating that fighters would largely not face penalties for cannabis use. This decision stated that the UFC would no longer concern itself with positive tests for THC, unless there is evidence that a fighter used marijuana deliberately to improve performance. What most people, both amateur and professionals alike, have come to realize is that cannabis can be immensely beneficial when performing athletic activities. “Because your brain is relaxing, your emotional state changes,” Roldán describes. At first, jiu-jitsu was very difficult for Roldán due to mental blockage manifesting as anxiety. There’s overthinking, overthinking, and more overthinking. But as Duchess details, anything that has to do with body movement and getting your mind right and getting your body right is always going to be a good step because those two components work hand in hand. But when the participants add cannabis to self-defense (while it was only officially sanctioned after class, most consumed before and during), in the words of Roldán: “Everything just flows. I believe in myself more. I feel more confident. I also feel more happy.” At the end of the session, seated together, engaged in the millennia-old tradition of puff, puff, pass, the primary emotion described was pride. The event organizers are currently making plans to bring it to as many other locations and communities as possible. Learning self-defense, paired with dabs, can help you settle into your body. It makes grappling with black belts less intimidating. It teaches women how to physically protect themselves from an attacker. Women like Kossower describe cannabis and jiujitsu as the loves of their lives, their two favorite communities, only improved when brought together through community. But there’s one more desperately important reason for adding dabs to self-defense, whether through your own local community or a Women in Cannabis event: It’s fun. And not just silly fun, but spiritual, transformative, stepping into a secret wonderland kind of fun. “Jiu-jitsu kills your ego. It allows you to get comfortable being uncomfortable, and it teaches you to be proactive and not reactive. And I think those were the biggest things I was able to take away from the mats and apply in my everyday life,” Kossower says. “And one of the biggest ego killers in the world is also cannabis, right?” 56 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024
60 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 PHOTO: JOSHUA KISSI
HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 61 Black Thought was midway through another episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with his band The Roots, a typical Tuesday—at least for him. This time, Fallon was having him freestyle about various audience members for a segment called “Freestylin’ with The Roots.” He rapped off the cuff about a guywho was convinced artificial intelligence is going to ruin the world, an 18-year-old from Tampa, Florida who swore he was an “adult,” and Mark Miller from Indianapolis whose family is competitive about losing weight. Black Thought cracked a few smiles behind his tinted sunglasses and black fedora as the audience roared with laughter, likely unaware of what he’s endured over the last 50 years. Born Tariq Trotter in Philadelphia, Black Thought suffered a series of tragedies before he even finished high school. His father was murdered before he was a year old, forcing him to grow up with a single motherwho battled a crack-cocaine addiction. When he was 6, he accidentally lit his family’s apartment on fire, prompting a visit from the local fire department. His older brother accused the firefighters of pocketing jewelry and destroying some family photos, and a fight ensued. His brotherwound up getting arrested, sparking a series of subsequent jail visits. By the time Black Thought got to high school, he was selling crack-cocaine as a means to make money. Once his uncles found out, they shipped him off to Detroit for a new start. When he returned, his mother—still hooked on drugs—went missing. She ultimately turned up at the morgue, having been stabbed to death by a 22-year-old Philly man who lived just a few blocks away from her. Through all of this, Black Thought found music, more specifically hip-hop. He poured all of his pain, grief, sorrow, love, and every other possible human emotion into his extensive catalog with The Roots as well as his solo work. More recently, he put pen to paper for his first memoir, The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are, which was released in November 2023 and quickly became a New York Times Best Seller. It was a way for him to honor a very conscious decision to be more honest and candid about himself and his journey. “It was the idea of just getting it out there, which is always a trust fall,” he says. “If there is any transaction, any energy energetic exchange in that fall, right, I feel like it’s still taking place. Even though the story is in the book and the information is there, it focuses on such a specific part of my life and specific relationship dynamics that I know there’s so much more of a story to tell.” ** BY KYLE EUSTICE
62 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 As cathartic as purging negative emotions can be, it’s still no easy task. At one point in the book, Black Thought reflects on finding his mother in a crack den and unsuccessfully trying to pull her out. It was only later he realized he’d developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the entire experience. Somehow, he still managed to carve out a beautiful, fruitful life for himself, the very definition of the “upcycled self.” “So much happened to me and around me in such a short period of time, and that remains the case,” he admits. “So much so that I can’t even tell you the point at which I became as numb as I am now to loss, which isn’t always healthy… a few years ago, that time still represented the beginning of a self-discovery. I think the pandemic worked in my favor in that way because it gave me time for introspection and to continue to work, but in a different way.” The world stopped for nearly everyone in 2020 as the COVID19 pandemic made its rampage. Artists were suddenly grounded, unable to tour. The concert industry fell to its knees, at the mercy of an invisible monster. But during that period of downtime, Black Thought found therapy and discovered how to become “wise as “I’VE ALWAYS BEEN AND PUT OUT THERE. ” –BLACK THOUGHT opposed to wounded.” As he dissects in the book, the arts proved to be his saving grace and helped him digest the horrific events that ultimately shaped him. “I’ve always talked about how I’ve seen that as my salvation because it presented me with that avenue, that outlet,” he says. “There’s a certain amount of aggression, anger, beef, and all the things associated with it. But I think the biggest jewel for me that I’ve walked away from this process with is the knowledge of the significance of working through the shit. ** 62 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 PHOTO: COURTESY PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE
64 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 “As someone who’s always been fiercely private, I don’t know that is always the best policy. You have to talk to someone, right? If you’re not going to go to therapy, and if you don’t have that shoulder to lean on, that person to listen from the right perspective and offer you the right advice, the arts—or any hobby—are great. Mastery of a thing is a great way to work through it. Because I’m able to be selective in the projects that I accept, I try to accept the projects that are going to help me rise to that same challenge. Whether it’s music or a book, it’s all the same sort of thing. It’s using different muscles to serve the same greater good.” Still, Black Thought had to work through a lot of anger to get to a place of peace, not uncommon when it comes to grief. Again, it was music that provided a lifeline. “I was definitely angry,” he says. “Because I was so young—I lost my mother between 15 and 16 years old in 11th grade—I believe, even in that, I was mentally mature. But I was young in my years. I discovered Bob Marley, Nina Simone, and got into James Brown really heavily, three artists who had such extensive discographies and who were so dynamically different but all outspoken, profoundly political in their own ways, and that was huge. It helped me get over some of the grief and anger that I felt at that time.” Even Black Thought was surprised at how well he handled it. After all, he’d made up his mind that if another catastrophic event happened in his life, he’d “go batshit crazy” and “be all the things that people are when they fly off the hinge in dealing with loss.” Fortunately for him, he wasn’t compelled to act out and, instead, focused on the blossoming career of The Roots. “I’m definitely thankful for the mentorship that I had,” he adds. “I didn’t have a live-in role model, like a father figure in the home, but in the extended community, I had many examples that I’m super thankful for.” Black Thought turned 50 last year, a number he didn’t necessarily expect to see: “Who at 50 isn’t imprisoned or dead? I feel like there were a couple generations that because of Jim Crow and the Civil Rights movement, drugs, the War on Drugs, and crack epidemic—there were a couple of generations that were just lost to that. That was my representation. That’s the era that I come from. That’s the place in time that I’m from. So my peers, my classmates, my neighbors, my family members, they all met the same end.” Despite his mother’s plight, Black Thought hasn’t wrestled with substance abuse and lives by the rule “all things in moderation.” He also believes education is key when addressing drugs and alcohol with the younger generation, but he’s not naive to their pitfalls. “Everything isn’t for everyone and everybody isn’t going to be able to function under the influence,” he says. “I take long periods of my life where I fast from all things addictive—social media, drugs, alcohol, whatever. Sometimes I go for a year, two years, three years at a time. “There’s something to be said about having a drink or smoke and then going into the booth or to the drawing board. But when I’m on a cleanse or fasting, I’m productive, just in a different way, and I appreciate the difference. I’m able to with both extremes. But that’s me. And that’s a tolerance that I’ve discovered over 50 years.” While a lavish “rap lifestyle” often comes with copious amounts of weed, seemingly endless bottles of Moët & Chandon champagne, and more illicit drugs than one can dream of, Black Thought takes a more modest stance. “I’m never gonna promote drugs or alcohol in that way through my art,” he says. “I’ve never been about impressing that upon the beholder. I think what you do behind closed doors, that’s your business, but I think a greater responsibility comes into play when what you represent in public. It’s been a conscious decision for both Quest[love] and me. I’ve never been big on virtuous profanity. It’s not like I’m not going to curse, right? But I’ve never been big on cursing for no reason where it doesn’t drive a point home. I’ve always been careful what imagery I project and put out there.” PHOTO: JOSHUA KISSI
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66 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 GANJA GOURMET 66 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024
HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 67 By Ashley Kern (-*+ 2&;*7.(0 .8 &8 2:19.Ƌ9&1*39*) &8 9-*> come, and the titles of chef, caterer, product developer, Chopped 420 competitor, author, businessperson, brand designer, and more are all just a glimpse of explaining her skillset. From catering small- and large-scale dining events (both with cannabis-infused dishes and non-infused meals) to creating her line of infused sauces and snacks, she’s highly ambitious and strives to craft flavor-packed foods using only the best ingredients. Maverick is a Los Angeles native who discovered her passion forfood at 5 years old and has spent herlife cooking for her friends and family. Instead of pursuing a culinary education in college, she attended school in Georgia and Tennessee and earned her bachelor’s degree in computer science and software engineering. During her college education, she also worked at numerous restaurants, from Red Lobster to Applebee’s and IHOP, and would experiment with cooking and recreating menu items from those businesses at home. “I would go home and recreate certain things that I liked, that worked, or put my little twist on certain things is basically how I developed my culinary skill set,” Maverick explains. After graduation, she spent nearly five years as a corporate sales rep. Her culinary career took off in 2015 when she moved back to Los Angeles and began building herreputation as a private chef and caterer. Her introduction to cannabis came a few years later when she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis, in addition to learning that she was allergic to gluten and soy. Edibles helped her manage the symptoms of her conditions. Still, she found that the selection was limited—the cannabis industry was oversaturated with sweets, but somehow, none of them catered to her new dietary restrictions. ** THE GIFT OF FLAVOR PHOTOS: COURTESY CHEF MAVERICK Chef Maverick creates feelgood sauces and snacks that cater to dietary restrictions.
68 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 GANJA GOURMET “I realized at the time that edibles were very popular, but a majority of the edibles that were available were mostly gummies, cookies, brownies, you know, things like that,” Maverick says. “I also didn’t see any specific gluten-free, vegan, soy-free options. And because I found out I had allergies to gluten and soy, I couldn’t really eat any of the edibles that were available at the time.” This prompted her to develop a line of infused sauces, dubbed Mav Sauce, in 2018. At first, she developed cannabis pesto, ketchup, mustard, maple syrup, honey, and BBQ sauces, and her rise in popularity on social media prompted her to expand her sauce lineup to include new flavors including jerk BBQ sauce, Memphis sweet BBQ sauce, vegan chipotle aioli, organic maple syrup and honey, balsamic vinaigrette, sriracha ketchup, and sweet chili sauce. Herinfused sauces became so popular that she wrote a cookbook incorporating them, released in May 2023. Sauced Up! 420 Recipes Featuring Mav Sauce includes 14 recipes that offer creativeways to use her various Mav Sauces, such as adding her infused Memphis sweet BBQ sauce to smoked BBQ jackfruit enchiladas or using infused pesto in a Caprese stuffed mushrooms recipe. Maverick later developed dietaryfriendly infused sweets called Mav Snacks after her savory successes. These include a variety of options from rice cereal-based treats to cookies, brownies, gummies, and more that are gluten-free, soy-free, and some of which are also vegan. According to Maverick, her fruit juice gummies are some of her bestsellers. “Certain gummies may have two flavors; some of them have three,” Maverick says. “So it may be pineapple, watermelon, and strawberry or something like that, you know, so people love them for that, and they’re very good.” ** “The thing about Mav Sauce and Mav Snacks is that they’re exclusively glutenfree, soy-free, and non-GMO. I don’t use crappy ingredients.” -Chef Maverick
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70 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 GANJA GOURMET Her vegan strawberry lemonade cookies, including a lemon-flavored cookie with strawberry jam in the center and a drizzle of strawberry lemonade icing, are also a bestseller and one of her favorites. Not only are Maverick’s sauces and snacks packed with flavor, but she also maintains high standards when using quality ingredients. “The thing about Mav Sauce and Mav Snacks is that they’re exclusively gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO. I don’t use crappy ingredients. I use mostly organic ingredients: organic butter, organic this and that, as much as I can. All my herbs “I really, really love helping people and getting that feedback that what I’m creating, it’s not just gonna get someone high, it’s changing people’s lives.” -Chef Maverick are all organic because I feel like cannabis is supposed to be something used to help you feel better,” Maverick says. “But if you’re smoking trash, it’s not going to help you. If you’re ingesting stuff that is trash, it’s just gonna get you high; it’s not going to be helpful. You know? So it’s really important that the ingredients are quality for me, and when I put out a quality product, people can actually benefit from it versus like most companies, especially these edible brands, are probably in it just because it’s profitable.” Many of Maverick’s long-standing customers are medical patients suffering from a variety of conditions, such as endometriosis, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. She recounts heartwarming messages that she has received from fans explaining how Mav Sauce and Mav Snacks have helped them manage their symptoms and improved their quality of life. “I’m just glad that I’m able to help people, you know, through their stuff,” Maverick says. “And that’s really like, for me, the best part of what I do. I really, really love helping people and getting that feedback that what I’m creating, it’s not just gonna get someone high, it’s changing people’s lives.” Maverick moved to Georgia toward the end of 2023, citing being “over L.A.,” but the decision to swap the West Coast for the east won’t hinder her plans for growth. A new chapter is beginning, and Chef Maverick is cooking up even more ambitious plans for the near future.
HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 71 INGREDIENTS: SERVINGS: 4 | PREP TIME: 20 MINS COOKING TIME: 25 MINS | THC MG/SERVING: 12.5 MG RECIPE: COOKING INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the shredded coconut, gluten-free flour, breadcrumbs, and all the seasonings. 2. A second shallow bowl should have your vegan egg. Dip the shrimp into the beaten eggs, then coat with the coconut and breadcrumb mixture. 3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the shrimp in batches and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. 4. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. 5. In a bowl, toss the coconut shrimp with the Mav Sauce Sweet Chili Sauce, and enjoy! NOTES: Tablespoon of Mav Sauce Sweet Chili Sauce = 6.25 mg THC or CBD. Suggested serving per person = 2 tablespoons. To make a non-infused version of this, simply swap out my Mav Sauce Sweet Chili Sauce for any store-bought sweet chili sauce you desire. To make a vegan version, simply substitute vegan konjac shrimp instead of real shrimp. Excerpted from Chef Maverick’s cookbook Sauced Up! 420 Recipes Featuring Mav Sauce. 1 lb jumbo shrimp 1 cup shredded coconut 1 cup breadcrumbs ½ cup gluten-free flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour) 6 tbsp vegan eggs (I use JUST Egg) 1 ½ tsp sea salt ¾ tsp black pepper ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp onion powder ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ cup Mav Sauce Sweet Chili Sauce Oil (for frying) Sriracha (for garnish) SWEET CHILI COCONUT SHRIMP Recipe by Chef Maverick
72 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK WIZ KHALIFA ON PARENTING p. 76 NFL CBD STUDY p. 78 NEWS NEWS H I G H W I T N E S S N E WS A new study from Washington State University identifies the biological mechanisms behind cannabis and appetite stimulation. by Benjamin M. Adams A TEAM OF RESEARCHERS AT WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY (WSU) set out to better understand the power of cannabis in stimulating appetite—the phenomenon we all know as “the munchies.” While the overall consensus has been that cannabis stimulates appetite in most, but not all individuals, little is known about the biological mechanisms behind how it works. Through both cutting-edge technology to observe neuronal activity and legal permission to get potent cannabis, researchers were able to learn more about the munchies than previously known, namely which neurons are firing off and where this activity is taking place in the brain. “The motivation behind it was really to understand how recreational cannabis promoted appetite [through inhalation], as opposed to what had been done for a couple decades, injecting THC,” study author Jon F. Davis told High Times in a phone call. Davis works at the Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience at WSU, and his team wanted to see what’s actually happening when consumers smoke or vape cannabis. They observed male Long-Evans rats, standard lab rodents, in a controlled vivarium on a 12:12 light cycle. They essentially decided to hotbox the rodents with cannabis vapor in a clear chamber, using high-quality flower sourced from Uruguay. They conducted this test via a series of hard-to-obtain DEA licenses. The weed they used contained 7.8% THC and 0.5% CBD, and because it was more potent than industrial hemp, they had to obtain a DEA drug license from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) via Research Triangle, as well as an import-export license. Once they had cannabis with THC, they figured out a way to deliver cannabis vapor to rats, by filling a chamber. “We built a vapor chamber for plant matter, and tested it out in rodents, and did all the things we’re supposed to do and make sure that they were safe and, you know, nothing bad would happen to the animals,” Davis said. “And so we tested it and evaluated how much cannabinoids were in their blood and that sort of thing. And there was a good amount.” They then used calcium imaging which he described as “a mouse MRI” to see where neurons fired up. This technique had been used for other things before, but had never been used with cannabis. There are multiple types of neurons associated with eating. Davis explained how they saw certain neurons that turn on when the rats anticipate the food, and other neurons turn on when the rats savored food. The research team repeated the process after the rats were exposed to cannabis vapor. He explained how impressed he was by the sheer power of cannabis in terms of inducing appetite. ** THE MUNCHIES EXPLAINED
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74 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 There are many different ways to grow the devil’s lettuce. by Benjamin M. Adams 1 AEROPONICS Using aeroponics, cannabis roots are suspended in the air and are fed water and nutrients via a fine mist. Aeroponics doesn’t require any type of medium or substrate, and the growing style is commonly used to develop clones. This is done through the use of cloners, or mini aeroponic systems that blow a mist over clones to allow growth. The lack of a medium usually ends up meaning less space per plant, and the roots don’t have to fight for space. One of the cons to aeroponic growing is that when the pumps break down, the roots die quickly without an alarm and a fast response. Since growers are dependent on timers, valves, and pumps working properly, there are plenty of ways to mess up the system if you don’t know what you’re doing. 2 AQUAPONICS This relatively rare method combines aquaculture—small fish, crayfish, prawns, or snails— with hydroponics, feeding the plants with natural nutrients produced by aquatic animals instead of synthetic nutrients. The main reason growers experiment with aquaponics is for sustainability and eco-friendly purposes. It abandons any reliance on fertilizers that are mined and manufactured, so you can be sure no synthetic fertilizers end up in the final, chemical-free product. Online, some people say aquaponics is a complicated, overhyped process with few rewards, while others praise the benefits. 3 HYDROPONICS Hydroponic cultivation is the process of growing plants in a water-based nutrient solution that doesn’t use soil. Roots are grown in substrates like vermiculite or perlite (porous minerals), as well as coco coir (coconut husk fiber). They absorb water and nutrients like a sponge and roots grow around them. Hydroponics ideally provides a more controlled grow site, promoting faster growth, potentially higher yields, and higher nutrient uptake. Growers often take drastic measures to ensure their hydro setup is sterile, and they have to deal with pesticides less often. 4 SEA OF GREEN The Sea of Green (SOG) growing technique is designed to maximize the yield per square foot of a grow operation by growing lots of small cannabis plants rather than fewer larger ones. It creates a dense canopy that can be harvested earlier with the plants growing a single large bud instead of branching out. A variation, the Screen of Green (SCROG) method, utilizes horizontal netting to create uniformity. SOG and SCROG setups are typically created by commercial operations that deal with larger-scale grows. These ways can be maximized through super cropping and other pruning and suspension techniques. 5 SOIL-GROWN Keep it natural, the way nature intended, by growing plants in soil. Generally speaking, it’s easier to maintain a plant grown in soil than in most growing methods and it’s a great medium for beginners. Soil is also an abundant source found everywhere, while quality varies. Living soil, a variation of this technique, is when the soil contains organic matter, minerals, water, air, and microorganisms that work together synergistically. Cultivating in living soil is believed to maximize the terpene and flavor profiles of plants. 5 CULTIVATION STYLES HIGH FIVE “What was cool about it was, there was a whole different set of neurons that came on in the brain that weren’t on under just normal conditions, even when an animal is motivated to eat, but they’re just like, above and beyond what we normally would see,” he said. He explained how they observed cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors, and how they’re related to appetite. “We did a study where we looked at the main cannabis receptor that’s known to promote appetite,” Davis said. “It’s called the cannabinoid 1 receptor. And we found that when we manipulate that receptor, we change the activity of this certain type of neuron in the brain that’s a traditionally known hunger neuron. It’s called AgRP [Agouti-related protein] neuron. And those neurons have been studied for many years.” They were ultimately able to map out exactly where cannabis stimulates the neurons associated with appetite and savoring food. The study showed that the activation of CB1 receptors was linked to the hunger-promoting AgRP neurons within the MBH, or the mediobasal hypothalamus in the brain. The MBH is involved in the control of energy balance through modulation of appetite. “Based on these results, we conclude that MBH neurons contribute to the appetite stimulatory properties of inhaled cannabis,” the authors wrote. This shows both the precise regions of the brain and the types of neurons that were activated. The study was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as some funding from alcohol-related state revenue. Davis explained that under Schedule I, sourcing cannabis as a researcher is extremely hard, just as hard as if they were trying to source heroin. The DEA permissions were not easy to get. “Our lab was fortunate to get one—and then we were even more lucky to get an import-export license,” he says. “So we could get cannabis that has really high THC content from Uruguay actually, like a facility thatwas growing medical cannabis. And we’re really the only group in the world that have access to that, as far as I know, but it took a long time.” Davis also noted the potential for cannabis to be lowered to anything from Schedule II through V at the federal level, would open doors for research. “THE MOTIVATION BEHIND IT WAS REALLY TO UNDERSTAND HOW RECREATIONAL CANNABIS PROMOTED APPETITE [THROUGH INHALATION], AS OPPOSED TO WHAT HAD BEEN DONE FOR A COUPLE DECADES, INJECTING THC.” - JON F. DAVIS
76 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 POT & PARENTING On an episode of the podcast Call Her Daddy in January, host Alex Cooper spoke with Wiz Khalifa about cannabis use as a parent, as well as how it’s a core part of his identity. Wiz Khalifa confirmed that he often attends his 10-year-old son’s parent-teacher conferences while high. “They know what’s up. It’s not like back in the day [when] you’re considered a bad parent if you smoke weed,” Wiz Khalifa explained. “I’m pretty sure my son smells like weed. I don’t know because I can’t smell it but I’m pretty sure he smells like pot.” He continued to explain that it’s important that he remains as authentic as possible to himself. “It’s because it’s really what I believe in and why not get the real me? Why would I have to change who I am or act like I’m not that just for these places that I’m going to go?” he added. “That’s not how I’m going to be living my life ever. Hell no.” HIGHWITNESS NEWS JUST LIKE PARADISE Musician David Lee Roth, most commonly known for his decades-long musical career with Van Halen and The David Lee Roth Band, recently shared interesting claims about his exorbitant cannabis purchases. One particular video that Roth published on his YouTube channel on Jan. 18 included a glimpse into his cannabis consumption habits. “I smoke my body weight,” Roth claimed. “‘More than the gross national product of most emerging young African nations,’ I think is what my business manager Jerry Leonard said.” He cut to a phone call recording he had with Leonard on the air: “Jerry, would you please share with the folks, my recent bill for pot coming from the Silver Lake dispensary.” Leonard laughed and replied, “Are you sure you want to hear this?” After Roth confirmed, Leonard revealed that the bill amounted to $92,000. “The $92,000 pot bill,” he repeated. “That’s got to be a record. That’s got to be special. That’s got to be a world record special.” Roth clarified that the bill was high because the Silver Lake dispensary that he’s been buying from for more than seven years kept a running tab of his purchases recorded on a Post-it note that was temporarily lost. “Who becomes a fireman? A kid whose dad is a fireman. Who becomes a doctor? A daughter whose dad’s a doctor,” Roth quipped. “And who loses Post-it notes for seven and a half years? Somebody who grows pot.” PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK “THEY KNOW WHAT’S UP.”
HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 77 CANNABIS FOR CHRONIC PAIN Canadian researchers recently published study results in the journal BMJ Open, which covered a systematic review of numerous randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of medical cannabis and opioids on patients with non-cancer pain. The research initiative is said to be one of the largest Canadian-based studies so far, spanning the data of 90 randomized controlled trials and analyzing 22,028 participants in total. “Our findings suggest that both opioids and cannabis for medical use may provide benefits for a minority of chronic pain patients,”researchers explained. “Furthermore, cannabis does not cause respiratory depression which can result from opioid consumption and lead to non-fatal or fatal overdose.” According to the study, chronic, non-cancer related pain affects an estimated 20% of people across the world. Ultimately, researchers concluded that “low to moderate certainty evidence suggests that cannabis for medical use may provide similarly small improvements in pain, physical function and sleep compared with opioids, and fewer discontinuations due to adverse events.” EVERYBODY WANTS TO CULTIVATE Public poll results published in early January showed that 50% of Australians (which includes a compiled average percentage of answers from adults from the Australian Labor Party, Liberal/National Coalition, and the Australian Greens) support cannabis cultivation for personal use. In opposition, only 31% said they do not approve, and 19% said they didn’t know what to think. YouGov’s Director of Polling, Amir Daftari, explained the significance of these results as cannabis legalization looms on the horizon. “This survey experiment shows that the majority of Australian voters support both propositions; decriminalization of cannabis for personal use at 54%, and legalizing cannabis for personal use at 50%. This support is consistent across states and age groups,” Daftari said. “Overall, this is good news for advocates of the cannabis legalization bill in [New South Wales] with the public being more in favor, than against, the proposed bill.”In a breakdown of age groups, 63% of Australian participants between 18-24 years old said they supported home cultivation of up to six plants, while 54% of 25-34 year olds, 53% of 25-49 year olds, 46% of 50-65 year olds, and 44% of adults over 65 said that they support the idea. HIGHER EDUCATION A recent study published in the journal Contemporary Economic Policy shared findings related to U.S. colleges located in states that have legalized cannabis. During the same year that a state legalized recreational cannabis, state college applications temporarily increased by 5.5% more than application number in non-legal states. Researchers believe that with this increase in applications, the largest colleges received the most benefits. For example, large colleges in legal states received a 54% increase in applications in comparison to schools of similar sizes in non-legal states, and the benefit was observed mainly in public colleges and universities versus private institutions. “We found that, similar to how schools see a spike in applications and SAT scores when those schools have winning sports teams, schools see spikes when they are located in states that legalize marijuana,”researchers wrote in editorial published on the website The Conversation. “While our data cannot prove it explicitly, this suggests that students do factor local policies into their college choice, a key result of interest for scholars and policymakers alike.” Additionally, those schools benefited because they received a larger, more diverse pool of applicants.
78 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK PANAMA PAVES THE WAY On Jan. 15, the National Directorate of Pharmacy and Drugs of the Ministry of Health of Panama announced that it had chosen the first seven companies that will be granted medical cannabis manufacturing licenses. Now those companies will be allowed to import and export cannabis, as well as cultivate medical cannabis for research. Each company was required to undergo a strict review, and were awarded based on how many points they received out of 60. Two companies received 60/60 (Pan-American Cannabis Consortium and Green Med Consortium), while one received 55/60 (Tilray Panama Consortium), and the remaining four received 50/60 points (Farma Verde Corp., CannaMed Panama, Adeiwa Pharma Consortium, and Ecovid Consortium). Panama legalized medical cannabis in 2021, but it wasn’t until 2022 that Panama President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen initially signed two decrees to establish a regulatory framework for medical cannabis, which will eventually allow patients suffering from conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, HIV, and arthritis to have access to cannabis medicine. RESEARCH TOUCHDOWN In 2022, the National Football League (NFL) announced that it would be providing $1 million in research funding to both the University of San Diego and the University of Regina (UR) in Saskatchewan, Canada to study CBD as an alternative for pain management. In mid-January, the UR announced that it has finalized the details of its Phase I clinical trial, which will “investigate anti-inflammatory and neuroprotection of the CBD formulation to determine whether it can be used on a daily basis safely during the periods of intensive exercise (resistance) training during the off-season prior to competition.” The first trial will only include 35 participants (limited to male participants between the ages of 18-35) who will receive either a CBD extract or a placebo, which will help determine what the “‘optimal’ formulation for daily administration for neuroprotection from concussion” would be. The study will take place over the next two years with an estimated ending time frame of December 2026. CARS, DOGS & DRIVES Researchers from the U.K.-based Waltham Petcare Science Institute recently found that providing a daily dose of CBD to dogs helped them reduce stress and anxiety during vehicle travels. “The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether multiple doses of a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-free cannabidiol (CBD) distillate over a period of six months could positively influence measures of stress in dogs,”researchers wrote in their study, which was published in the Journal of Animal Science. They examined 20 dogs during the course of the study, all of which experienced distress when undergoing short car rides (defined by behaviors such as increased heart rate, whining, lip licking, and yawning). Over the course of 24 weeks, the dogs were either given CBD or a placebo, and those that were given CBD two hours before the car ride saw significant improvements over the course of the study. “These results suggest that while CBD may be beneficial for reducing stress in dogs, it is likely best used in combination with other interventions in order to have long-term benefits,” researchers concluded. “Additional research is warranted to better understand the effect of CBD at other dosages on improving dog emotional wellbeing.” HIGHWITNESS NEWS
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80 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 HOT GEAR // WHAT’S NEW FOR CANNABIS CULTIVATORS AND CONNOISSEURS WEED LEAF BUNTING BANNER FLAGS etsy.com/shop/BelowBlink Ready, set, go! Let the games begin! Pennants or bunting banner flags are triangular in shape and they are typically used to show support in competitive games and celebrations. In the sense of 4/20 celebrations, it’s about competing for who gets the highest. This decoration is approximately 5 inches wide by 8 inches tall and contains 10 bunting banner flags, measuring 5 feet long with an additional 15 inches of ribbon on each side, so you can tie it up and mount it anywhere with ease. It’s “handmade with love” from 100% cotton. Show how much you support your favorite plant indoors or outdoors. $32 HOMEGROWN HEMP, ROSEMARY & SHEA CANDLE onedna.earth OneDNA is a women-owned small business that makes genderinclusive gifts that are crafted with care. This slow-burning candle has terpy natural notes of aromatic plants like hemp and rosemary (which also contains α-pinene, camphene, and limonene), as well as shea butter for a great combined scent that especially smokers will love. The candles are handmade in Indiana and made from vegan and cruelty-free ingredients, such as 100% soy wax and hemp. It’s also made using phthalate-free and lead-free cotton wicks. Do your part both in honor of 4/20 as well as Earth Day! Consumers are encouraged to follow through and recycle the glass packaging to be more eco-friendly and earth conscious. $28
HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 81 CANNABIS LEAF WRAPPING PAPER etsy.com/shop/SoChroma Elevate your gifts this 4/20 with classy gift wrap paper fit for a fellow stoner. Made of 18 by 24-inch sturdy paper stock, this botanical cannabis fan leaf paper slaps! Its design on hefty matte paper shows anatomically correct male and female traits on cannabis plants, providing a conversation starter for anyone who doesn’t know that cannabis is a dioecious plant. It’s available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 18 inches by 6 feet all the way up to 36 inches by 10 feet if you have a lot of friends on your 4/20 gift list this year. Ditch the boring wrapping paper in favor of quality gift wrap design. Starting at $12.98 DOPE STONER 420 CANNABIS POTHEAD CUPCAKE TOPPERS etsy.com/shop/MermeeCreations Got the munchies? Make your next batch of infused or non-infused cupcakes stand out with a little boost. These cannabisthemed cartoon hand cupcake toppers are eye-catching to say the least. Andree Nguyen is owner of Mermee Creations, and there are all sorts of cartoonish cupcake topper designs at the store. These particular gloved hands are inspired by Mickey Mouse and feature various gloves smoking joints, lighting up, and doing other cannabis-related activities. If you’re making some special 4/20 cupcakes, cakes, or other holiday treats, these decorative toppers are bound to be a big hit. $9
82 HIGH TIMES // APRIL 2024 To advertise in this section, contact: [email protected] LEGAL DIRECTORY LEADING NATIONAL CANNABIS LAW PRACTICES BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC bipc.com CULTIVA LAW PC cultivalaw.com DUANE MORRIS LLP duanemorris.com FOX ROTHSCHILD LLP foxrothschild.com HARRIS BRICKEN harrisbricken.com JD SUPRA LLC jdsupra.com POT BROTHERS AT LAW® potbrothersatlaw.com VICENTE SEDERBERG LLP vicentellp.com LOCAL REPRESENTATION ARIZONA TOM DEAN ATTORNEY FOR CANNABIS 14040 N. Cave Creek Rd., Office Suite 307 Phoenix, AZ 85022 (602) 635-4990 attorneyforcannabis.com CALIFORNIA MANZURI LAW/LAW OFFICES OF MEITAL MANZURI 8961 Sunset Blvd Penthouse West Hollywood, CA 90069 (310) 912-2960 manzurilaw.com COLORADO DAVID RODMAN/THE RODMAN GROUP LLC 600 S. Cherry St., Suite 835 Denver, CO 80246 (720) 663-0558 therodmanlawgroup.com CONNECTICUT NICHOLAS PAINDIRIS 2252 Main St Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860) 659-0700 bpslawyers.com FLORIDA THE LAW OFFICES OF ROGER P. FOLEY, PA 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., #1555 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 746-7076 rpfoley.com KANSAS THE LAW OFFICES OF CHRISTOPHER A. ROHR, PA 195 N Franklin Ave. Colby, KS 67701 (785) 460-0555 rohr-law.com MARYLAND THE LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL ROTHMAN 226 North Adams St. Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 251-9660 mikerothman.com MASSACHUSETTS JOSEPH J. GOLDBERG-GIULIANO 1 Constitution Rd., 1 Constitution Wharf, Ste. 320 Boston, MA 02129 (617) 858-1529 massdefenselaw.com MICHIGAN DENISE POLLICELLA/ POLLICELLA, PLLC Howell Location 4312 E. Grand River Ave. Howell, MI 48843 (517) 456-1181 cannabisattorneysofmichigan.com CANNABIS COUNSEL/ MATTHEW ABEL 2930 E Jefferson Ave. Detroit, MI 48207 (313) 446-2235 cannabiscounsel.com MISSOURI DODSON & WATERS LAW OFFICES 212 Lafayette St. Jefferson City, MO 65101 (573) 636-9200 dodsonwaters.com NEW JERSEY FRANK T. LUCIANO, PC 147 Main St., Suite 5 Lodi, New Jersey 07644 (973) 471-0004 ftluciano.com NEW YORK HILLER, PC 641 Lexington Ave. New York, NY 10022 (212) 319-4000 hillerpc.com OHIO ICKES HOLT 4301 Darrow Rd., Suite 1100 Stow, OH 44224 (330) 673-9500 ickesholt.com OKLAHOMA SLFP LAW/SARAH LEE GOSSETT PARRISH PLLC 526 NW 30th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73118 (405) 815-3434 sarahleegossettparrish.com PENNSYLVANIA CICCARELLI LAW OFFICES 304 N High St. West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 692-8700 ciccarelli.com RHODE ISLAND THE LAW OFFICES OF STEFANIE MURPHY, LLC 6 Wanton Shippee Rd. East Greenwich, RI 02818 (401) 316-9423 samurphylaw.com SOUTH CAROLINA PRUETT & COOK LAW FIRM, PC 202 North Petty St. Gaffney, SC 29340 (864) 488-0120 pruettcooklaw.com TEXAS RICHARD Y. CHENG/WEAVER JOHNSTON NELSON 10440 N Central Expressway, Suite 1400 Dallas, TX 75231 (214) 705-3515 weaverjohnston.com WASHINGTON D.C. KINNER & MCGOWAN PLLC 434 1/2 6th St. NE Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 838-7033 kinnermcgowan.com WISCONSIN KAEHNE & BARRETTE CRIMINAL DEFENSE FIRM 2808 Kohler Memorial Dr., Suite 7 Sheboygan, WA 53081 (920) 694-4150 kaehnebarrette.com CANADA SHIMMY POSEN, GARFINKLE BIDERMAN LLP Partner (416) 869-7612 [email protected]