Nothing says “summer” like picnics, barbecues and beach trips, all fueled by ice-cold beers and spiked seltzers.
However, alcohol is downright terrible for your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long-term effects of alcohol include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, digestive problems, multiple kinds of cancer and mental health problems. A two-year pandemic hasn’t helped, either — one study shows that binge drinking has increased 21 percent since the onset of COVID-19.
Cannabis use is on the rise as well, with 38 states with medical marijuana programs and 18 states legalizing it recreationally. According to a 2019 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 43.5 million people reported using cannabis.
Studies suggest that cannabis may carry less of a risk compared to alcohol. Some low-dose infused beverages even include magnesium, L-theanine and other functionals and terpenes for specific applications, like sleeping or working out.
“We’re learning that alcohol is toxic at lower doses than we realized, so even a drink a day is definitely worse than a 5-milligram edible for (the) liver and probably worse for brain shrinkage long-term,” says Mitch Earleywine, professor of psychology at the University at Albany, SUNY, and author of Understanding Marijuana.
Low-dose THC beverages are a crisp, cool, non-alcoholic alternative that help you avoid feeling like you’re the only one not drinking at the barbecue.
Go “low and slow,” says Austin Stevenson, chief innovation officer at Vertosa, a cannabis chemistry company which produces active ingredients for infused product makers like Artet, Cann and Wunder. “People will start between 2 and 5 milligrams, then they’ll want to graduate to 10 milligrams” — the single-serving limit of cannabis beverages.
These beverages come in multiple dosing levels — starting at 2 milligrams all the way to 10 milligrams — and resemble popular sippables like seltzers, beers and cocktails, minus the hangover.
The Best Cannabis Beverages of 2022
Klaus
The three varieties of cannabis-infused beverages, mixed by Warren Bobrow, are for classic cock- tail lovers with a penchant for cannabis. Each can packs 10 milligrams of THC and high-quality ingredients found in restaurants and hotels, like extra hot and spicy ginger syrup from Pickett Brothers.
What a pitch. How could I say no? I was and am stunned by the depth of this interview. It digs so deeply that my words are trite in reply. There is really nothing for me to say other than thank you for your service, sir.
Warren,
A true pleasure! We are thankful for your support, and I look forward to speaking with you.
As a new Veteran owned and operated cannabis brand with a non-profit, distribution network, and outdoor/light dep grow, we have developed an incredible mission plan to offer premium cannabis products to Veterans at a discounted price, and proceeds from every sale go directly towards our mission:
Our Mission:
“We support the use of medical cannabis to treat the symptoms of combat-related Post Traumatic Stress, PTSD, and other military service-connected disabilities.”
The use of medical cannabis is known to address profound symptoms of mental and physical health issues that are difficult to treat otherwise. There is currently an epidemic of opioid overdose and veteran suicide in America that we hope to prevent by easing pain and anguish with medical cannabis use.
Support Group
Access donated cannabis for local veterans and other veteran advocate groups
Discuss the medicinal uses of cannabis
Promote and support other veteran advocates
Resource Center
Help veterans file VA disability claims
Provide a list of other veteran advocacy groups
Help navigate VA benefits/services
Disseminate Information via Conference Calls
Educate
Cannabis use and methodology
Dosing and getting started
Talk about VA Mental/Health services
Networking
Create a Strong Veteran Coalition
Veterans doing business with Veterans
Veterans supporting Veterans
Veterans hiring Veterans
Job Placement
Help veterans find employment in the cannabis industry.
I have a personal story to share that led to joining Brothers Mark Cannabis (BMC). I first wrote and self-published my book in 2015 while trying to drink myself to death after coming home from war/s it was my therapy that blossomed into a small bio I felt was important to publish for several reasons…. ‘The Strains of War.’
The Strains of War: a True Story and Still Growing – Kindle edition by Amsler, R.Gage. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phone, or tablet. Use features like bookmarks, note taking, and highlighting while reading The Strains of War: a True Story and Still Growing: www.amazon.com
After 18 months of talks, Jeremy Freitas (Veteran owner of BMC and the Veterans Cannabis Group 501(c)(3)) and I have agreed to build this brand together, so I left my other professional career and my life, packed my things, and drove from Michigan to Cali.
I would not have taken this job if we could not produce excellent medicine. It is obvious with the products we are just now releasing through distribution how incredible this brand is already starting out. We pride ourselves on growing only premium flower and working with the finest extraction/production companies to deliver these products.
Letter w/menu to retailers:
MILITARY VETERAN BRAND
BROTHERS MARK CANNABIS IS A MILITARY VETERAN BRAND.
OUR FARM IN SONOMA COUNTY, ‘PATRIOT VALLEY FARMS’, IS WHERE WE GROW PREMIUM CANNABIS FOR THE BROTHERS MARK BRAND.
WHAT WE FOUND IN RETAIL STORES 10% – 20% OF YOUR PATIENTS ARE MILITARY VETERANS. IN FACT, MOST RETAILERS OFFER A VETERAN DISCOUNT AND HAVE IDENTIFIED THEM IN THEIR POS SYSTEM.
WE HAVE WORKED WITH MANY OF THE RETAILERS TO DO MARKETING EFFORTS IN REACHING OUT TO YOUR 10% – 20% VETERAN COMMUNITY. OUR BRAND OFFERS FLOWER, PRE-ROLLS, CONCENTRATE PRE-ROLLS, AND MORE
Please tell me about yourself. Where are you from? How did you discover the plant? When was the first time you discovered it? Where?
I grew up mostly in southern California but moved often. My father abandoned us when I was eight years old, and my mother married six more alcoholics after. While most kids were growing up and discovering the world and their purpose, I was just trying to survive in a severely abusive household. My PTSD started quite early. My mother abandoned me in my senior year in high school, so I dropped out to work. Through unfortunate events, I ended up homeless at 18yo in Orange County. My best option was the military, so I achieved my GED and went to the recruiting office. All four doors/branches in one location…whoever talked to me first was my calling, I had no idea where I wanted to go. I entered the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in 1990. Kuwait was just gearing up, and the Marines needed combat field medics, so I went to the green side as an 8404 FMF Combat Field Medic with 1st Recon LAV, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, San Diego. I went to support the Kuwait Liberation in 1991-2 for six months.
After my four years, I decided to move on with my GI Bill. I was accepted to the University of Michigan for a medical student program and moved there in 1994. After growing up mostly on the beach, then the military and war, I found out I could not stand to be indoors, so I quit that program and decided to become a paramedic in 1996. I advanced in trauma, cardiac, and pediatric emergency medicine. In 2000 I then became a professional Firefighter in Dearborn, Michigan (the largest Arabic population per capita outside of the Middle East) for the next five years. I was at Station #4 the morning of 9/11. I wanted to support our country again, but I could not go back into the military; this is when private contracting really took off like Blackwater, Triple Canopy, and SOC. A military buddy contacted me who was recruiting for these contracting companies. They are paying big money for medics with my type of military background. It took almost a year to the day, and I received my secret security clearance. I trained in Reston, VA, and became WPPS (World-Wide Private Professional Securities) certified by the Dept. of State. I dropped boots on the ground in Basra, Iraq October 2005.
I spent the next four years all over Iraq.
I decided to take a break and took some time at home. My PTSD was full throttle at this time. It was 2008-9, and Michigan had just gone legal for medicinal cannabis. A friend introduced me to growing and the possibilities of financial gain. I was intrigued by the holistic patient care side, and the idea of making a living doing this seemed like a great plan. I dove headfirst into everything cannabis. Read Jorge Cervantes’s Marijuana Bible three times, and I finally had that AHA moment! When you realize the absolute truth about this plant, the government’s sick intentions and the abuse of so many were gut-wrenching. Changed my entire perspective…… and my life. I obtained a caregiver license and began growing medicine I believed would support my patients’ symptoms. It went well for a little while; unfortunately, it was not enough, and there were many learning curves. So, I ended up going back, but to Afghanistan this time in 2010.
I was handpicked for a 4-man SpecOps Team to directly support security operations for USACE (Army Corps of Engineers) as we were tasked to build small FOBs (Forward Operating Bases) along the mouth of the Taliban Trail near the border of Pakistan in the Paktika Province. Including other extreme operations, we were tasked with, I did this for another four years.
In the second week of November 2013, we were in search of a new area for building a new FOB. We were a bit off grid and accidentally came across the plants growing almost out of rock at 8000′ with a little bit of snow coverage on the ground. With the cannabis knowledge I had and the medic in me, I had some sort of epiphany on top of that Kush mountain. Some of the plants were dropping seeds, so I grabbed what I could.
Over the course of the next year, I made the realization these seeds were worth risking my life for. I found a way to bring them home. It was a harrowing experience I did not put in my book. In 2015 I began researching these genetics and started phenohunting. My complex PTSD was on a different level, and it was a bad time in my life, locking myself away on thirty-four acres and pushing everyone away in my life. I began to drink myself almost to death. At this same time, as I was also growing, I began to write my story, first, just for therapy. As I continued to write, I realized maybe this story was worth telling others, maybe to help them in some way through my pain and suffering. Since I was only growing and could not use cannabis if I wanted to visit my local VA due to my mental health, I was drinking… heavily. In fact, at one time, I tried to drink myself to death until I began bleeding from my eyes, and I woke the fuck up. Moving forward, I began to mix other favorite strains with my Afghani, and I started MERAKII Genetics. Giving away the medicine I grew to Veterans and others with mental health concerns was also therapy for me.
Almost eight years later and California calls me back.
I contacted Aaron Augustus with the Veterans Cannabis Group when I found out about the wonderful resources they were offering for Veterans. I was then introduced to Jeremy Freitas, and their BROTHERS MARK CANNABIS brand. After much discussion, I made a visit to the farm to see for myself what this brand has to offer. Absolutely incredible medicine sun grown/light-dep flower from the terroir of Sonoma!!
Toda I have left my career and my family (for now) to live on the farm in Sonoma County as the Director of Sales and Marketing & Brand Ambassador for BROTHERS MARK to help build an owned and operated Veteran cannabis brand with a 501c3 that is a beacon for all Veterans to find support with.
Please tell me about your company, what do you do? What makes your work different? What are your six and twelve-month goals?
The Brothers Mark team believes in safe access to medicinal cannabis to all those who seek it. We aim to provide clean, quality, and affordable products to our military veterans and those who support them. Today the scientific community is finding that cannabis has many medicinal properties, and that’s how we view it as a medicine.
We support the use of medical cannabis to treat the symptoms of combat-related Post Traumatic Stress, PTSD, and other military service-connected disabilities.
The use of medical cannabis is known to address profound symptoms of mental and physical health issues that are difficult to treat otherwise. There is currently an epidemic of opioid overdose and veteran suicide in America that we hope to prevent by easing pain and anguish with medical cannabis use.
The Veterans Cannabis Group offers:
Support Group
Access donated cannabis for local veterans and other veteran advocate groups
Discuss the medicinal uses of cannabis
Promote and support other veteran advocates
Resource Center
Help veterans file VA disability claims
Provide a list of other veteran advocacy groups
Help navigate VA benefits/services
Disseminate Information via Conference Calls
Educate
Cannabis use and methodology
Dosing and getting started
Talk about VA Mental/Health services
Networking
Create a Strong Veteran Coalition
Veterans doing business with Veterans
Veterans supporting Veterans
Veterans hiring Veterans
Job Placement
Help veterans find employment in the cannabis industry
What kind of obstacles do you face? How do you anticipate removing them? Who is your mentor? What are you smoking right now that is just brilliant?
As a newer brand in the great “green brand rush” there is of course, competition from all angles to be recognized and accepted as a brand you can trust that will consistently bring premium medicine to the market. Currently, we have a fully legal 172-acre farm offering full-sun and light-deprivation cannabis along with two greenhouses. We procure the finest northern California genetics that offers, in our research and opinions, incredible opportunities for those with PTSD and related conditions. The continuing drought has a lot of farms desperate for water, and many may fall victim, including to other issues like over regulations and taxes. We have been lucky to have the knowledge, dedication, and support to make this brand sustainable. We just tapped a well on our tallest hill that shows incredible return, so we will be in Cloverdale for a while as we develop this brand and grow incredible flower. The best way to remove obstacles to building this brand is to network, and let everyone know who we are and that we bring the same integrity, passion, and dedication to this medicine and brand as we did in the military and our previous successful careers. I have been introducing myself all over NorCal, and as the events begin this year, we will find many opportunities to find Veterans and others who could benefit from our flower and products. We have wonderful distribution for the entire state, and so far, Brothers Mark is in many retail stores already.
Who is my mentor? Anyone who shares the same passion (or more) than I do about this plant certainly has the knowledge and a perspective I am always curious about. I would say my mentors are those who have always viewed this plant as medicine and non-harmful and have fought the law in some way or another to use or provide this to others. The laws on this plant are unnatural, and natural law is my first law. The underground breeders that have developed so many of these amazing strains.
If I had to name a few; Jack Herer, Mila Jansen, Dennis Peron, Cheech & Chong, Willie Nelson, Steve DeAngelo, Terrence McKenna, Jorge Cervantes, Al Byrne, Mary-Lynn Mather, Nurse Heather, the list of canna-warriors goes on like this.
What am I smoking now that I am loving? There are a few, and of course, it looks like I am biased, but I am truly loving Brothers Mark Apricot Papaya for my daytime smoke. (Papaya x Green Crack x Papaya) is a very uplifting and creative smoke that offers a real focus. Another daytime is Gold Seals ‘Congolese’ cultivar. It’s a 13-week sativa that offers incredible energy and focus, and the taste is absolutely unique. While in LA recently, I picked up some Apples & Bananas by Blaze Mota, a beautiful hybrid and absolutely craft flower. I am really liking this for later in the day.
Right now, we are harvesting the second run of my own hybrid I have developed from my Afghani genetics…. Trigger Hippie Hindu Kush. Over the last 7 years, I have developed several hybrids with my Afghani, and this one pheno has proven herself. This cultivar offers me the perfect daytime smoke that gives me true energy, no jitters, and attention to detail as I enjoy laser-sharp focus on whatever I am doing, then relaxes me without knocking me out. I am very proud of this and am working to release this soon.
What kind of food do you enjoy? Favorite restaurant? Do you cook? Is there anything that you go to when you’re imbibing cannabis?
I went plant-based about three years ago, so I find the most enjoyment in a veggie pizza or Mediterranean food; all that garlic and hummus is my favorite!
I love to cook. In fact, I learned to be a pretty decent cook when I was in the fire department. It was not easy at first, cooking for a bunch of demanding, judgmental guys, but I learned fast. I then learned to enjoy cooking and have always ever since. In fact, I do 90% of the cooking in my house. When I am stoned, I go for anything I can eat with my hands I don’t have to cook. Old pizza, trail mix, ice cream cone, and of course, anything chocolate.
What is your passion?
What inspires me? After so many years learning about myself and what drives me, I have found that I truly love and support Mother Nature and the Earth that offers us everything we could ever need. As a bridge or ambassador of some sort to connect people to what Mother Nature has provided to a better life through health and wellness is an honor and a path. I have found myself continuously on from a Recon medic, paramedic, firefighter, security, and now breeder and grower of natural medicine. My passion IS this journey.
Ah, Palm Springs. A desert oasis filled with snowbirds, golf fanatics, and weekend warriors alike all yearning to enjoy the abundant sunshine and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
It’s also the home of Hall of Flowers’ Southern California trade show, a two-day cannabis extravaganza featuring a bevy of brands, ancillary providers, and a plethora of product samples meant to intrigue and impress the retail buyers, journalists, and influencers in attendance. While considered by some to be aggressively boujee (standard industry tickets will set you back close to a bill), the B2B expo still attracts a good blend of old-school fam interspersed with the typical corporate Chads often seen flexing.
I stepped off the plane at the Palm Springs International Airport and was immediately struck by the not-quite-oppressive heat, the airline gate opening to a courtyard filled with lush fountains and swaying palm trees.
It wasn’t long before another familiar heat entered my nostrils.
The irresistible aroma of cannabis wafted past almost immediately upon arrival, refreshing and light like the desert breeze that provides occasional respite from the sun’s power.
I knew then and there that it was going to be a great week.
Summer Camp at the Saguaro
I rode to the Saguaro Hotel, the chic and eclectic boutique property known for its retro vibes and lassez-faire attitude. Stepping into the foyer, I was immediately greeted by David Tran, co-founder of Farechild Events, and unofficial host of the week’s after-hours festivities.
David was overseeing the transformation of the Saguaro for the following evening’s High on Life soiree, a Hall of Flowers after-party that would see the entire property taken over by the cannabis industry elite. He ran over, offering a giant hug and a warm welcome as we approached the check-in counter.
“It’s awesome to see everyone arriving,” he beamed. “This is like cannabis summer camp!”
We soon parted ways, as I needed to change into more weather-appropriate attire and he had plenty of work to do preparing for the event. I also needed to connect with Warren Bobrow, master mixologist, former cannabis writer at Forbes and the creator of the tasty Klaus cannabis-infused beverage.
Warren and I had been communicating via social media and wanted to be sure to meet up for a sesh at Hall of Flowers, having missed each other at the previous show in December. I also wanted an introduction to his companion and brand namesake Klaus, a fantastically friendly gnome with a penchant for good pot.
Right from the jump, Warren and Klaus offered humble and gracious energy, presenting two Talking Trees pre-rolls. The serendipity was almost unreal, as I just happened to be wearing the brand’s hat that day. My mind was blown by the coincidence, and we were quickly chatting and smoking as if we all had been friends for decades.
Compound Genetics Shows Up Big
After a delicious dinner of tacos in the hotel’s on-site restaurant, I stepped outside for another joint. Soon after, a man in a Team Elite Genetics shirt walked by.
It turned out to be award-winning brand’s founder, Steve Castillo. I excitedly told him the brand’s Pearadise sativa-dominant flower was among my favorites from the last HOF. He reached into his bag and gifted me with his demo jar, a truly high honor (no pun intended).
Still riding high (again, no pun intended) from Steve’s kindness, I rolled over to Curator’s Connect, a gathering presented by Compound Genetics, We Grow, and Cltvd Genetics. As speakers debated in the main room, guests were treated to tours of Compound’s finest flowers.
In the backroom, the results of the company’s recent pheno hunt were on full display. A group of certified Ganjiers (think sommeliers for weed) walked captivated spectators through the unique terpene profiles of each cultivar, encouraging us to smell the jars and truly absorb the rich aromas of the bud.
Nearly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of amazing pot in front of me, I decided to pick up the jar of Pineapple Faanta. I took a whiff, instantly taken aback by the fragrant, tropical essence.
As I stuck my nose deeper, one of the Ganjiers instructed me to open my mouth. He said by doing so, I would get a more accurate representation of the terps, mimicking a dry hit off a freshly rolled joint. The difference in experience was indeed noticeable, and I shared my newfound knowledge with anyone who would listen over the course of the next couple of days.
It was almost impossible to choose a favorite from Compound’s pheno hunt, but I ended up grabbing a few nugs of the Pineapple Faanta, as well as Rainbow Cheddar (I have always been a huge Cheese fan), and Red Bullz — a White Runtz x Grape Gas cross that Compound was particularly thrilled about.
All three strains were remarkable in their own right, but the Rainbow Cheddar truly stood out. Funky yet sweet, the bud offered a heady yet balanced high perfect for any occasion.
Back at the Saguaro, I bumped into Boveda Norcal sales rep Ryan Harner, who had brought with him some of his homegrown Canna Country #26. The iconic ocimene-heavy strain is one for the ages, and after sharing a joint with Ryan and some vacationers from New Zealand, it was time to rest up for the main event.
This was the pitch. I’ve included it here because it offers the framework for a topic that I used to write about but stopped. Why? And what was it? It was CBD derived from hemp.
Photo Credit: Leafreport
The reason is pretty simple. Most CBD sold around the globe is no more than snake oil; quack medicine sold in gas stations as a cure-all. This topic is really not worthy of my time. Thus, I stopped writing about health products and got rich, quick CBD multi-level marketing scam products that may or may not do anything.
I turned down pitch after pitch because there really are no rules in CBD.
Why are rules important?
Well, look at the alcohol industry for an example. There are no rules in rum, for instance. You can do almost anything to it, from adding a hundred grams of sugar to caramel coloring that fools the drinker into thinking that dark rum is old rum. It’s not old, only colored and sweetened.
When was the last time that you saw an ingredient label on a bottle of rum or any spirits for that matter?
Wait, that sounds like the CBD business! No transparency.
Where was it grown, and what kind of nutrients were used? Is it toxic when smoked? All unknowns.
Here’s to transparency in CBD testing. Cheers!
Photo Credit: Leafreport
Hi Warren,
After reading a few of your CBD-related articles, I think you’ll find this research interesting. Could you believe that 1 out of 4 CBD products was NOT tested for microbial content, pesticides, or heavy metals?
Leafreport.com reviewed 2946 CBD products from 136 CBD brands in terms of purity and potency testing. It turns out that what is advertised and what CBD products actually contain are completely different.
Only 13% of brands tested almost all of their products for purity testing, checking for microbial content, pesticides, or heavy metals
25% of brands reviewed didn’t carry out any purity testing at all.
84% of potency-tested products didn’t measure within the acceptable variance of up to 10%.
Only 42% of brands test almost all of their products for potency (90%-100%) and share their third-party lab results with consumers.
Spokesperson Gal Shapira, Product Manager at Leafreport, says, “Lack of transparency in CBD industry is a real issue for consumers. They are being fooled on a daily basis by brands and advertisers. This is the reason we invested $25,000 in this market research to bring more clarity to the CBD industry and protect consumers from false CBD products.”
Is this something you would be interested in covering?
If you need more information, feel free to get in touch.
How could I say no? Knowledge in CBD? Good luck with that until recently.
Photo Credit: Leafreport
Please tell me about yourself? Where are you from? What brought you to the cannabis (CBD) space? Curiosity? Health?
I was born in Russia and moved to Vancouver, Canada, when I was 12. I’ve always been interested in writing and started doing small online freelance writing gigs in 2010. I have an Associate of Arts degree in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Geography.
After finishing university in 2015, I decided to go into freelance writing full-time. I got an ongoing gig writing articles about dietary supplements based on published research studies. It was a good fit because I’ve always been interested in health and have tried many supplements.
That’s how I discovered CBD in 2017. It was a new supplement that had a lot of hype around it but not a lot of good information. I tried it out and was impressed by its anxiety, sleep, workout recovery, and overall health effects.
I started reading studies about CBD, writing articles, trying products and decided to specialize in writing about CBD. I’ve written dozens of evidence-based CBD articles for Leafreport.
Please tell me about your philosophy on clarity and transparency in the CBD industry. What are the best practices? Why is CBD sold in gas stations?
Although the FDA has sent warning letters to CBD companies that make unsubstantiated health claims or sell substandard products, by and large, the CBD industry is unregulated.
Photo Credit: Leafreport
That’s why third-party testing done by independent, accredited laboratories is so important in the CBD industry. It’s essentially a form of self-regulation that assures consumers that CBD products actually contain what’s advertised and are free of potential contaminants.
The first thing I always check when reviewing CBD products and brands is third-party testing. Are the tests publicly available? Are they up to date? Are they done by a reputable lab? Are both potency (levels of cannabinoids) and contaminant (pesticides, residual solvents, etc.) test results present?
This gives you a pretty good idea of whether the CBD brand is reputable and trustworthy. Of course, there are many other best practices as well. For example, it’s always best when brands are vertically integrated, meaning they grow the hemp, extract it, and make the finished CBD products themselves.
CBD is sold in gas stations because it’s a popular health and wellness product. But these products tend to be of low quality because they’re often made by shady companies that don’t provide third-party test results or even have a website.
Who is responsible for policing the labeling of CBD products in the United States? What is permitted on the labeling?
The FDA is responsible for regulating the labeling and packaging of cannabis products. But technically speaking, the FDA doesn’t currently consider CBD products as dietary supplements and doesn’t allow them to be sold as such. That’s because CBD is used as an ingredient in a pharmaceutical drug approved by the FDA (Epidiolex). So, this creates a strange situation where CBD products are obviously being sold as dietary supplements even though the FDA is technically against that.
As far as I’m aware, the FDA has not released any specific labeling requirements for CBD products. Instead, CBD product manufacturers are following the established labeling rules for dietary supplements, which include showing the amount of the active ingredient, ingredients list, name and location of the manufacturer, supplement facts panel, and so on. Another rule is that they cannot make any health claims that their product can treat any disease or related symptom.
I hear it all the time that CBD is a cure-all, yet there is very little in the way of regulation on what can and cannot be stated on the label; who is the governing body?
CBD is not a cure-all. But the reason it gets that reputation is that over 9,000 studies of CBD have been published to date, suggesting a myriad of potential benefits for everything from inflammation and pain to neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s. But most of CBD’s potential benefits need higher-quality evidence (placebo-controlled clinical trials) before we know for certain.
In terms of health claims, those are regulated by the FDA and FTC. The FDA mostly regulates claims on product labels, while the FTC regulates claims in advertising. Dietary supplement manufacturers are not allowed to make claims that their products can help with any health condition or disease (with the exception of approved health claims, which require high-quality research and official authorization from the FDA).
Even though the FDA does not currently consider CBD products to be dietary supplements, it still treats them as such in terms of health claims. That’s why the FDA regularly sends out warning letters to CBD companies that sell misleading products or make unauthorized claims that their products can treat symptoms of related conditions, like saying that their CBD oil can help with cancer or treat insomnia.
What is your passion?
I’m passionate about improving my health and helping others do the same through safe, natural, time-tested methods. That’s why I was immediately drawn to CBD — it’s natural, non-intoxicating, has little to no side effects even with daily use, and has been used for its health benefits for thousands of years as a component of cannabis.
I exercise and practice meditation and intermittent fasting daily, in addition to taking herbal supplements like CBD and ashwagandha. I’ve read thousands of studies about CBD and other supplements and enjoy breaking down what I learn into simple language that helps others improve their health naturally.
As a New Jersey medical cannabis program patient, I can tell you that low THC cannabis is what my particular affliction requires. But good luck going into a dispensary and asking for strains that test lower than 10 or 12 percent THC. The consensus is pretty clear. The chasing of (high) THC levels is something that is not going away. You’re going to get blank stares, or worse, should you ask the budtender for anything that actually alleviates your ills. With the marketing behind cannabis driving up THC levels, it’s truly refreshing to find people like Joshua Steensland, who studies low THC level cannabis
Warren Bobrow: Please tell me where you’re from and where you live now? What do you do? Please tell me about your company.
Joshua Steensland: I was born in Northern California and grew up in SE Washington state. After serving in the Marines and going through
Photo Credit: Steve Raisner
my roaming gypsy phase, I set roots back in the area I grew up to raise my family. I currently work with our family business, Regenerative Ecoworks LLC, to help cannabis cultivators develop living soil cultivation systems around the world. I also own and operate a premium living soil, low THC, flower facility with two of my Marine veteran brothers, Ohio Fire Factory. The barrier to entry in the high THC space in Ohio is steep and nearly impenetrable in its current state. We decided to leverage the emerging low THC flower market and build out an indoor facility to the same spec one would build a high THC facility with the intention of switching to high THC as soon as the state will allow or recreational gets voted in. Our flower is cold cured, hand-trimmed, and grown in living soil beds under LED lights. Our attention to detail and commitment to treating the flower with the same care and consideration one would with high-value THC flower produces a quality not seen very often in the smokeable hemp flower game. We actually don’t really like calling it hemp because of the negative associations of hemp flower being low quality. Our product is indistinguishable from top shelf, high THC flower. We prefer to call it what it is; ultra-premium, low THC, cannabis.
WB: What obstacles do you face? How do you anticipate removing them? What are your six and twelve-month goals?
JS: These are great questions! I’ve really found over the years, nearly all of the obstacles to my success have been self-imposed in some way. What I mean by that is in the past, I wasn’t open to the deep self-analysis that is necessary to make course corrections on the fly and be a more effective communicator.
Balancing being self-critical with giving myself grace and allowing for forgiveness when I’ve been a less than an effective communicator. Yes, it still happens. This has been a critical thought exercise that helps me retain my sanity when the juggle starts to feel chaotic or if things start to feel unstable. It gives me the time to analyze objectively and not make important decisions based on emotions only which tend to be a very temporary and limiting headspace.
Photo Credit: Joshua Steensland
In 6 months, I would like to see Ohio Fire Factory’s three-phase build-out complete, and in a years’ time, I would like to see our product changing the low THC flower game nationwide while inspiring veterans and cultivators alike to cultivate with living soil systems.
WB: Who is your mentor? Who taught you your craft?
JS: I have several mentors, and they are, either directly or indirectly, my teachers also.
Firstly, Masanobu Fukuoka. He is the author of “The one-straw revolution .”His book really opened my eyes to the possibility of simplifying farming and cultivation by paying attention to the forces of nature and learning to work with mother nature’s design as opposed to against it and hammering it to our will. It’s a very easy and inspiring read. His story of how he transformed his property is nothing short of amazing.
I need to include Dr. Elaine Ingham in this list. Her decades of work studying the important role biology plays in plant growth, and nutrient cycling deserves more attention than it receives. Her body of work, “Foundation Course” classes and microscopy training were fundamental in helping me connect the dots as to what I was observing in my living soil cultivation journey and strengthened my resolve when it comes to my Fukuoka style of minimal input, hands-off cultivation.
I think some honorable mentions would be Rudolf Steiner, John Kempf, Dr. Tom Dykstra, and Dr. Arden Andersen. I highly suggest checking out the body of work these gentlemen have produced regarding regenerative cultivation practices and finding ways to incorporate them into your systems.
WB: What is your favorite food? Restaurant? Why?
JS: Favorite food!!! That’s a tough one. We love food in our house. My daughter and I actually have spent hours watching street food videos
Photo Credit: Joshua Steensland
and already have our dream Japanese street food vacation planned! We don’t eat at many restaurants because we like to cook and prepare food at home as much as possible. We try to eat healthy, vibrant, and nutritionally dense foods but recognize the need for flexibility and balance and enjoy a slice of cake or cookies from time to time, probably a little more than we should, but what’s life if you aren’t living it right?! My absolute favorite foods are any authentic Mexican food or a pan-seared rib eye, bloody rare, with sweet potatoes and broccoli. Pretty simple guy to please here.
WB: What is your passion?
JS: My passions are pretty simple. Family. Cannabis and simple living. The real joy has been finding a way to put all of those things together and create revenue streams that put a roof over our head, food on the table, and explore and deepen my relationship with cultivation in general. This also affords my wife the ability to explore her passions and set the example to our children that one can quite literally forage their own path in this world if you lead with integrity and courage.
Warren Bobrow | Photo illustration by Ashley Epping
Warren Bobrow, known as the Cocktail Whisperer, is an Emerson grad who became a TV engineer in New York City, worked at Danceteria—a famous NYC nightclub—in their video lounge, a dishwasher in York Harbor, Maine, and a certified chef/saucier. After the loss of his fresh pasta business in Hurricane Hugo, he worked in banking for 20 years before reinventing himself—becoming a six-time author, bar back to bartender and master mixologist. He is also a former rum judge for both the Ministry of Rum and the Rum XP.
Warren now works in the cannabis industry full-time as a journalist for Skunk Magazine, Different Leaf Magazine and Cannabis Cactus Magazine. He is the co-founder and master mixologist for Klaus, a Terpene-Forward/THC infused craft cocktail for the California regulated market. No liquor! Warren has enjoyed the bemusing qualities of cannabis since 1972.
We spoke with Warren for our Higher Calling series, where we chat with leaders in the cannabis space.
Warren, tell us …
Where you grew up, and where you live now.
I grew up on my family’s biodynamic/organic horse farm in Morris Township, New Jersey. After college and working as a cook around the country, owning and losing my first business during Hurricane Hugo and an ill-fated trip to Arizona to cook at the Scottsdale Princess Hotel, I found myself back in Morristown in 1992. I embarked on an inappropriate but necessary career in banking. Fortunately, I lost that job after almost two decades of pain. I didn’t belong there even for one day! Morristown is where I live today.
Your current role in the cannabis industry, and where you’re based.
I wear many hats in the cannabis industry. I’m a deep-dive canna-journalist for Skunk Magazine, Cannabis Cactus Magazine and Different Leaf Magazine, drawing deeply from my own experiences of smoking cannabis for the first time at age 12 at a Grateful Dead concert in New Jersey in 1972. I co-founded my second company, Klaus, named for my 1800s German drinking gnome that I’ve traveled much of the world with during my former career working in on/off premise liquor. Klaus is a good little guy, liked by most and he loves cannabis drinks, certainly more than getting drunk. No hangovers now!
A story about the positive impact cannabis has had on your life.
I am the poster child for medical cannabis. The only thing that I inherited from my late father was his glaucoma. Before I discovered medical cannabis, my eye pressure was so high that I literally was eating 50 Advil per month to lessen the headaches that centered behind my eyes. Since I got into the New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program, my eye pressure has reduced to below normal, without drugs! Medical cannabis restored my vision! My ophthalmologist uses my success with cannabis in his discussions regarding the viability of medical cannabis in treating glaucoma. Win/win!
A favorite flower, edible, product, or brand.
Favorite flowers are always sun-grown, biodynamic/organic and dry farmed. This is not always available to me on the East Coast with our shorter growing season, but the outdoor grown cannabis that I’ve enjoyed from Oregon, Maine, Northern California and Massachusetts certainly has opened my mind to the concept of terroir. Why should viticulturists have all the fun? Genetics and strains, most exciting!
My favorite indoor grown flowers are probably from Green Bodhi in Oregon. Consistently charming and intellectual, these mindfully grown herbs have opened my mind and allowed me to write what flows. Of course I’d be remiss not to mention Wonderbrett,Swami Select, the former Brotherly Love (dammit, I loved their flower), Sunrise Mountain Farms,Aster Farms and Hopper.
I’m really a hash head, but good luck finding Middle Eastern style temple ball hash in the U.S. The market is expanding in this regard. Unfortunately, the untimely death of Frenchy Cannoli has left a void in this regard, but the quality hash from Sitka has filled the need that I have for craft hash over science lab hash. Writing about cannabis for my pleasure has opened many doors in the genre of cannabis. It’s really exciting!
The biggest challenge cannabis marketers face today.
There are many challenges in marketing for any vice level product. We have the stigmas. I have myself to thank for knowing this one, inside and out. Growing up in New Jersey, surrounded by ultra affluence and heavy drinking, I took a job at a local wine store in my teens, which opened my eyes to the concept of appellation. Of course my upbringing, traveling all over Europe, the Ivory Coast, and Brazil for my cultural education made me into the well-rounded person I am today. Cannabis, although important to me, was still a forbidden topic and still is today, no matter what the law says in New Jersey. Several of my peers in prep school were expelled for smoking weed. Ruined their young lives, no matter how wealthy and influential their parents were at the time in the ’70s.
Stigmas exist through the grassroots support of liquor companies that are none too happy about the proliferation of “legal” cannabis, taking away their right (since prohibition) to print money and deeply profit from selling watered-down spirits to the masses. Your favorite vodka? 80 proof, 40 percent alcohol. The remainder? Water. Expensive water.
Several years ago, I attended a seminar at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Convention called “What About Cannabis?” It was standing room only. I had just written my fourth book, Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails and Tonics. I was working for a Russian liquor company, Marussia Beverages. Mention cannabis to the Russians—or to any professional drinker—and there is a certain curiosity that melts into outright disgust. In 2018, I quit the liquor business completely and haven’t suffered an occupational hazard.
One thing you’re excited about right now in cannabis branding, partnerships or marketing.
Cannabis-fueled beverages. It stands to reason that I would choose a career based on my passion for the plant and my deep understanding of cannabis as more than just a metaphor. That authenticity is what drives me. When you do what you love and obviously are passionate about it, you’re driven. As a trained restaurant and bar professional, I’m in a unique position to do what I love. After all, I’m certainly only one of the few individuals in the world who started as a bar back on my climb towards authenticity.
Having written six books didn’t hurt either. Nor did a rum-fueled experience that took me around the globe seeking authentic craft spirits. Why would I want to do anything else? I have a natural affinity for that tangle of flavors that pour down your gullet and make you happy. That’s called hospitality and it’s something that I do well in life.
A cannabis trade/social justice organization that you support.
It’s an ongoing project. The conception in 2015 that I would write my fourth book—Cannabis Cocktails—then develop the scientific technology to allow for the commercialization of a craft cannabis beverage. Not just another sparkling water with fruit flavors added, but a craft mocktail that is based on real ingredients. My drink has only three ingredients plus the Terpene-Forward THC emulsion. What makes my drink better than my competition is the simple fact that Klaus tastes like and smells like the strain from which it emanates.
Please name a cannabis beverage on the market today that tastes like cannabis. That’s why Klaus is unlike anything that has ever been manufactured prior. This is gastro-molecular canna-mixology that’s light years ahead of the cannabis beverage industry.
Someone else’s project you admired recently.
I love what Luke Anderson has done with the microdosed beverage, CANN. I admire him as a fellow craftsman in beverages, for his education in Boston (me too!) and as a deeply placed visionary in his field. What he has accomplished in a short time is pretty fantastic, especially in a deeply regulated market.
Someone you admire in cannabis who’s doing great things.
I admire the work being done with Intentional Horticulture from my friend and spiritual mentor, John Bayes from Green Bodhi in Oregon. His work in mindful and the deeply spiritual propagation of cannabis has influenced my work at the core level. Smoke some of his cannabis and your mind will be opened. Some of the best writing I’ve done in years was influenced by his carefully tended cultivars.
What you’d be doing if you weren’t in the cannabis industry.
That’s a good question. I’ve failed at least eight times in my life—careers, marriage, bankruptcy, being disowned and ostracized by my own family. They have no idea of my successes or what brought me here to be able to work with the plant. It’s taken me some real time to get here. Much anguish, difficulty and disappointment before finding myself able to follow my dreams and passion. I will say there is no other job or life that I would rather want. It’s taken me 60 years to get here to occupy a small role within the cannabis business. I get to be me. In cannabis! What a dream come true story!
Higher Calling is a weekly series, publishing on Thursdays, where we chat with folks in the cannabis industry about their personal history and taste in cannabis and the future of cannabis marketing. For more about Higher Calling, and our Clio Cannabis program, please get in touch.
Warren Bobrow has been a dishwasher, the owner of the first company to make fresh pasta in South Carolina, a television engineer and has even worked at Danceteria in NYC. Bobrow became a trained chef, leading to a twenty-year career in private banking. Bobrow is cannabis, wine and travel aficionado, Bobrow is a former rum judge and craft spirits national brand ambassador. He works full time in the cannabis business as an alchemist/journalist.
Truly leaving no leaf unturned.
Warren Bobrow, dubbed The Cocktail Whisperer, has 6 published books including Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails & Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks and Buzz-Worthy Libations
From the mind of the Cocktail Whisperer, Warren Bobrow, comes KLAUS™ Cannabis-Infused Beverages, made with the highest quality ingredients and the finest fruit extracts from France.
KLAUS™ – a delicious new cannabis-infused beverage made with the best ingredients for a healthier and euphoric buzz, has set its sights on the growing ‘ California-sober’ market and is ready to take the cannabis beverage culture to a whole new level.
Co-founded by “The Cocktail Whisperer,” Warren Bobrow, the first-of-its-kind premium product in the cannabis space, is here to quench your thirst and transform the way you think about and drink cannabis-infused beverages. Bobrow, a cannabis alchemist and cocktail aficionado, industry journalist and author of six books in the craft cocktail space, including his most recent Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails and Tonics. It’s no wonder he and KLAUS’ team of industry leaders and creatives have created the most unique cannabis-infused craft mocktail in the ready-to-drink space to date.
Named after Bobrow’s 1800s German drinking gnome that he’s traveled much of the world with during his former career working in on/off premise liquor, KLAUS in’t like any other cannabis-infused beverage. First up is the KLAUS Mezzrole™, named after Louis Armstrong’s friend and fellow hep-cat, Mezz Mezzrow. A Mezzrole was slang for a finely crafted cannabis cigarette during the jazz era.
Robust and tangy with bursts of piquant Picketts™ ginger root syrup, gently giving way to palate soothing rice vinegar notes and the finest French lime puree, the refreshing beverage features a terpene-forward 10 mg THC infusion per can, only 16 calories, and less than 1g of sugar per serving.
At first sips, KLAUS fills the nose and mouth with the bold aromatics from the terpene-forward cannabis infusion. Dollops of zesty and zippy, caramelized, spicy ginger cane syrup come into view. Each sniff is framed by the exotic French Lime puree. Rice vinegar carries each sip into a multi-minute finish, ebullient with bursts of heady sea salt splashing over crushed minerals. The high comes on in minutes, leading into a talkative nature, relaxation, and confidence ensues. KLAUS has partnered with Sands Lane Ventures and creative agency MAMUS, with a mutual mission to create the highest quality and best tasting cannabis-infused mocktails. KLAUS aims to make it simple for newcomers to the cannabis space to have an enjoyable and delicious experience. KLAUS’ flavors bring a gentle rise in euphoria followed by a subtle smile, candid appreciation, and bemusement.
KLAUS is available at leading dispensaries in California including, The Vault in Palm Springs and SOLFUL in Sebastopol at the end of February. KLAUS is currently available as single-serve and soon to be in convenient 4-packs. To learn more, head to www.drinkklaus.com
About Klaus
KLAUS™ is a cannabis-infused beverage co-founded by “The Cocktail Whisperer” Warren Bobrow. KLAUS™ is named after Warren’s soused gnome “Klaus” who was born in 1851 in Germany. The KLAUS™ team brings together powerhouses in the field of cocktails, cannabis, branding and marketing. KLAUS™ mission is to create the most delicious, highest quality and best tasting cannabis-infused mocktails in the world and to make it simple for newcomers to the cannabis space to have an enjoyable and delicious experience.
About Sands Lane Ventures
Sands Lane Ventures is a purpose-driven venture studio building brands and enabling the better future we envision today. We believe that purpose-driven storytelling has the power to not only educate, inspire action and ignite change, but to also drive significant value. Sands Lane Ventures is part of the Sands Lane ecosystem, delivering strategic advisory services and value-added brand operations, supply chain management and investment support. We are focused on incubating and accelerating early stage consumer brands, taking a hands-on approach to activating opportunities through a unique and comprehensive lens, de-risking their business models and adding long term value through our ecosystem. Visit sandslane.com/ventures for more details.
About creative agency MAMUS
MAMUS is a creative agency with a Madison Ave. pedigree and deep brand experience including Mercedes-Benz, jetBlue Airways, BMW, Whole Foods and many more. MAMUS specializes in brand development for lifestyle, deep technology, cannabis, and luxury. Visit mamuscreative.com for more information.
Here was my pitch. I included it here because the framework for this intriguing piece is in the pitch, a beautifully written one, I must add. Thank you, my friend, for sending this my way, appreciated deeply.
Hi Warren – Alibi Cannabis is about to announce its first line of premium pre-rolls curated for Oregon’s discerning cannabis consumer.
Made with 100% handcrafted flower, Alibi’s new Mariposa pre-rolls celebrate empowered, fierce females with the sexy NFT, Mariposa Takes Flight, on the packaging. (She is on their homepage!)
Alibi Cannabis is a woman-owned craft cannabis farm founded in 2017 by Marianne Cursetjee.
With an MBA and a high-powered tech career, Marianne did not expect to become a cannabis entrepreneur. Then she got cancer. Her career changed when a cannabis product eliminated the need for over ten drugs to combat side effects from chemo prescriptions. Marianne bought property in Oregon, started a cannabis farm, and became a cannabis expert. Alibi has earned recognition for growing some of the best flower in Oregon.
Can I interest you in speaking with Marianne about Alibi, the new pre-rolls, and her journey?
*YES*
Photo courtesy of Marianne Cursetjee
Warren Bobrow: Please tell me about your inspiration for the brand? Where did the name come from? Is this your first cannabis venture?
Marianne Cursetjee, MBA, CEO and Cofounder of Alibi Cannabis: At Alibi, we imagine a beautiful place where you can be the best version of you. The joy that comes from cannabis enhances our relationships, our bodies, and our spirits. The word “Alibi” is simple, but the idea can be whatever you dream. We hope people take a moment, enjoy the smoke, and look for the beauty around them.
We bought the land for our cannabis farm when I was just finishing up treatment for breast cancer. I had a vision of building a fabulous weed farm. Now, here we are seven years later, thriving in a tough market and looking forward to continued growth. The business has grown from an idea to a commercial-scale craft farm with a compelling story and beautiful imagery.
WB: Who is your mentor? When did you discover cannabis? How old were you? What are your six and twelve-month goals?
MC: I was raised in a very conservative Christian environment, so cannabis was not part of the culture. I was 45 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Going through chemotherapy and radiation, managing side effects is a whole cascade of pharmaceuticals. A friend gave me some cannabis and said that it might help with nausea and pain. It was amazing! I was able to eliminate a whole host of pharmaceuticals and replace them with just cannabis. My dad is currently battling brain cancer, and I’m giving him cannabis to help with that. He tells me his head is all whirly, and some nice 1:1 chocolates make him feel better. Love that the industry is now better able to support those in medical need and also those who just love how cannabis makes them feel.
Our goals for the business are continued growth, more unique cultivars, and delivering amazing quality cannabis products. Having grown in Oregon since 2017, we’ve learned that Oregonians are weed connoisseurs constantly looking for new and unique products and flavors.
Our signature branding, “Mariposa Takes Flight,” is based
Photo courtesy of Marianne Cursetjee
on an NFT we purchased. Figuring out how to utilize blockchain, NFT’s and the metaverse in cannabis is an exciting new frontier.
We just launched Mariposa pre-rolls to celebrate empowered, edgy females with the sexy NFT on the packaging. Made with 100% handcrafted indoor flower, the pre-rolls have received rave reviews. We are in discussions to launch this brand into other states and plan to introduce a line of gummies soon in Oregon. I’m pleased that we have found some fabulous companies to collaborate with. Also, this year, we are launching a merch shop featuring Mariposa. Look for amazing merchandise over the coming few months at Alibi.shop
WB: What kind of obstacles do you face? How do you anticipate removing these obstacles?
MC: We face the challenges common to all cannabis companies, such as restrictions on marketing and advertising, limited tax deductions, and the high cost of regulatory compliance. The challenges specific to us are a flourishing unregulated market and an oversupply of product in the regulated market. It has been said that if you can survive Oregon, you can survive anywhere!
We are known for our top-shelf handcrafted flower. We will continue with new genetics and improved quality while also looking at more products and new states. There are so many opportunities available across the US; finding the right partners is key to long-term success.
WB: What is your favorite food to savor when you have smoked Alibi minis? Do you have a favorite restaurant? What is the name? Where? Indoor or outdoor-grown cannabis? Why?
MC: Portland is such a food haven! So many good things to eat! If I’m trolling for munchies at home, I love Bordeaux Cherry Balsamic vinegar on vanilla ice cream. Sweet and sour, oh my! Seriously, it’s totally the bomb! Our Lava Cake cultivar is really a heavy munchie strain, so stock up before you toke. For restaurants, I love Thai and Indian, but my favorite restaurant in Portland is a Lebanese restaurant called Nicholas. Their baba ghanoush, cauliflower, caramelized onions, yum! Spicy food really goes well with our GMO Glue cultivar — it’s a totally old-school hitter with garlic notes.
For cannabis, I like the consistency and freshness of indoor flower. I’m a little bit spoiled since we grow such amazing weed at our farm. I like knowing that what I’m smoking is fresh and clean. When you buy your bud at dispensaries, look at the harvest date. I’m surprised how much old stuff is on the shelf. Look for something harvested within the last 2 or 3 months. Older than that, and it just isn’t quite as nice. Get to know the farms and their growing practices and ethics.
Photos courtesy of Marianne Cursetjee
WB: What is your passion?
MC: So many things! I love training Krav Maga. I started training when I was going through chemotherapy. It’s great physical exercise, and the “never give up” mentality is huge. Feeling and being strong physically is wonderful. Of course, Covid took a toll on my training, but I’m back in the gym now and kicking ass! I also love scuba diving. Diving is an activity my daughter and I do together. We just got back from diving in Mexico. The world under the sea is so amazing! We have seen strange creatures in the water, but my favorite is the mantis shrimp. It’s a bizarre creature with some freaky traits. You can read more about this underwater nightmare at https://theoatmeal.com/comics/mantis_shrimp.
What brings me real joy is knowing that my efforts at work and in the community are improving lives. Alibi is founded on the philosophy of doing the right thing. We treat our customers, vendors, and employees right.
The last couple of years have been really rough, and it’s important to find the little things that can change the day from gloomy to bright. This is the essence of Alibi’s Mariposa line — find the beauty, take a moment, appreciate life. What’s your Alibi?
WB: I love your flowers, as they are smiles in every pull. The GMO Glue is true to the name with aromatics of freshly raked loam, orange oil, dried morel mushrooms, and shavings of bitter chocolate. The high comes into view, right in front of my forehead, offering pain relief and optimism; a talkative conversation ensues into deeply relaxing metaphors for sleep and renewal. Lucky is the person who will enjoy such evocative experiences. Oregon offers that in their wines and their cannabis. The taste of the place, the terroir- it sets Oregon into a realm of conscious cannabis.
BY
