Cannabis & Consciousness
Written By Guy Borgford
“Cannabis and I have been an item for a very long time, yet it was only a few years ago, when I began combining her loving glow with the introspection and consciousness expansion of meditation. I kind of stumbled into meditation, with cannabis as my lovely wing, and began with just trying different things - different breathing techniques, music, sounds, mantras, focal points, positions, and different amounts of cannabis to go along with it.
From the beginning, the idea of just sitting completely still or laying flat out, corpse pose, and applying a thin, sticky smear of cannabis consciousness to hold the phone, seemed to be just about the best idea I had ever come up with, and so I practiced. As I practiced and read up a bit, I began applying some yogic meditation techniques and my life began to shift in some pretty profound ways. “
“STONED-OVER, FOREVER”
Written By Alex Montalban
“My first encounter with ‘marihuana’ was at the very ripe age of 13, growing up in Los Angeles, CA; or, ‘The Valley’ (for all you other CLUELESS fans like me out there).
Yep - believe it or not, my first ‘toke’ occurred approximately 3 miles from where CLAIRE was mugged under that infamous, hugely-fluorescent clown that still overlooks the Circus Liquor on Vineland Blvd. in North Hollywood.
My best friend at the time (we’ll call him “Luke”) held a glass, phallic-looking apparatus, filled to the brim with what appeared to be one of the many spices I had only seen in my mother’s kitchen cabinet, and handed it over to me; this pipe in one hand, and a Bic lighter in the other. “
Why Dispensaries Should Invest in Their Sales Staff
Written By Ashleen Aguilar
“My career started in marketing, and I budtended as a second job because I really wanted to be part of the cannabis industry.
I had gained a ton of knowledge on my own as a casual cannabis user and social media warrior. I followed cannabis accounts and soaked up their content. I watched videos on Youtube. I took myself to free classes and seminars to learn more. I asked questions to the growers and vendors who passed through my store. I also talked to my peers and we educated each other.
Do you know where I did not get much training?
From my dispensary. “
“Burmese Mimosa” Strain Review
Written By Shelley Peebles
“I’ve been hearing a lot lately about Sol Spirit Farms, and I was wondering what all the talk was about. When I had the chance to review their cannabis, I decided I had to meet the people behind the weed. This review begins with a story, set in idyllic Trinity County, California, in a little town called Willow Creek.
The cannabis scene was much different then, and legalization had not happened yet. Judi attended college and graduated with a degree in physical therapy. Walter was more of a free spirit, but they both followed the Grateful Dead all over the US. When they met, it was at a Jerry Garcia memorial in LA in 1995.
Judi and Walter have set up a beautiful regenerative farm tucked into the mountains, where they work with the terroir of the area to produce some of the county’s finest sun-grown cannabis.”
Feeling the Fear: Battling Cancer with Cannabis
Written By Casey Renteria
“The day after Christmas Mike had left for the hospital, assuming he’d quickly be in a room and getting ready for tests. However, the next 10 hours were full of errors and being brought in/out of tests, all of which were supposed to be done after admission. “I had no doctor,” Mike remembers. “nothing was coordinated, I was in pain, afraid, and alone.”
Mike didn't get a room until 5 pm that day, with nothing to eat or drink “due to the orders for testing.” My heart (and probably yours) aches hearing about a patient going through something this intense being left unattended. Was his health assessed? Yes, but what about him as a person, with a life and family at home?”
Your Doctor Probably Tokes, But You Would Never Know
Written By Dr. Olivia Green
“Walking into my job’s occupational health office sends my stomach into more twists than a pretzel. In my profession, an employee physical is standard. Also like many professions, a drug test is utilized for screening. When I got the job offer several years ago, I made sure that my urine was pristine.
The reason I walked into occupational health last week with an armpit full of piss was for a “lateral” promotion. You see, I’m a medical prescriber working in an outpatient clinic located in a non-legal state. I carry a little bottle of synthetic urine with me during work hours, wherever I go. Call it anxiety, call it overkill, call it smart, call it whatever you want. I call it insurance.”
A Rainy Afternoon at the National Cannabis Festival
Written By Jessica Reilly-Chevalier
“It was a rainy Saturday afternoon when the National Cannabis Festival came to Washington DC.
Before 2 pm a thunderstorm rolled in and parked itself over the festival. What was a cool breeze turned into gusts of wind delivering fat raindrops and devolved into utter chaos.
By 2:05 pm, festival organizers issued an evacuation and rushed people out.
I missed all of this excitement as I rode the metro in, and when I arrived, the thunderstorm was still raging.
A wrong turn took me the long way around RFK stadium, where I passed bridge after bridge of people. They sat in camp chairs, chatting and smoking, clearly waiting for the storm to pass. After the third bridge, I began to wonder if there was something I was missing.”
Cubicle ‘Stiff’ Finds ‘Self’ Again With Radical Healing
Written By DG Brosky
“Like most modern folks, I wasn’t given much time to loaf and lean against ragged fences brooding about art and existence. I was schooled and disciplined and told to focus! I did, and in my early thirties I found myself sitting in a sterilized cubicle on the 3rd floor of an office building in San Francisco.
What I was doing there doesn’t matter. Be it paying down debt or climbing up the ladder to building a career; burning away whatever sat at the back of ambition, no longer desired. Whatever that was, it was making me fucking miserable.
I’d started taking antidepressants with the hope that they’d flip the switch that seemed stuck in my head. I was advised by the Doctor to stay away from alcohol due to adverse effects. He recommended therapy. “Why would I need therapy if I have pills?” I thought. But I didn’t say anything because I was desperate to show the Doctor that whatever was going on with me was easily curable. Nothing serious. Just a superficial crisis. “
Cancer Again?! A Cannabinoid Researcher Speaks Out: Heartbreak & The Return to Oncology
Written By Casey Renteria
“I recently had the privilege of sitting down with the Man… Mike Robinson, whose story hits close to home for me. When I was too young to understand, my own grandfather started his battle with cancer. Like many so often do, he chose standard treatments and procedures. I watched, ignorant of what was going on as he became a shell of a human, and I’d be lying to say it didn’t affect me. The changes were permanent and stayed with him until his death.
With the chance to not only talk with Mike about his first-hand experience in an interview, but also to learn how cannabis came along for the ride, I knew it was a chance worth taking.”
The Flower Mill Grinder: A Ganjier Review
Written By Rob Sanchez
“As we all know, the grinder is an essential piece of the cannabis consumer’s toolkit. From plastic to wood to steel with varying designs and complexity, a grinder does what it has always done, breaking down delicious trichome covered buds for consumption. As the cannabis industry has evolved, every aspect of the toolkit has as well, but what about the grinder? The only real innovation over the years has been the kief-catching screen and different shaped teeth or materials.
This is where the Flower Mill comes in. I've been using the Premium Stainless Steel Flower Mill along with the milling plate kit since Emerald Cup last year, and it has found a way into my regular kit these days. Aptly named with a cool flower/mandala logo and crispy clean packaging it “mills” instead of “grinds”, creating a very even product ready for rolling up. “
Smells like Skunk: The Science Behind Our Favorite Weed Aromas
Written By Bart Dluhy
“You know it when you smell it, but then again, you can’t just describe one cultivar and have it accurately represent all buds. Some are sweet, some are pungent, there are even unpleasant smelling cultivars with horrific sounding names like “Halitosis.” But what determines the aromas of cannabis buds?
Most cannabis consumers in medical or adult-use legal states have heard of terpenes by now. They are the fragrant, essential oils found in the same resinous material that contains THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids we value so much. But what about Thiols, Esters, Aldehydes, and other chemicals found in your weed that contribute to the complex smells?
Currently, science has identified approximately 550 chemical compounds that may be present in cannabis. Over 100 of those are cannabinoids (many are currently undefined) and more than 200 are terpenes. But what about the other 250 plus chemicals? What are they and how do they contribute to the smell and effects?”
Spannabis 2023: Through the Eyes of Captain Hooter
Written By Captain Hooter
This year was the most successful ever with attendance figures over the 3 day event, hosting 25,000 people from 50 different nationalities, over 500 companies, 5000 accredited professionals and 2400 workers, to mostly make it all work!
This year is no different. Spannabis is now the equivalent of… the World Series of Weed,… the best of the Concentrates, and the Cannabis TOP CHEF of Edibles. There can be no doubt that this was the most successful Spannabis ever, and I bet they could have added a whole another day and another 100 exhibitors if they wanted.
The actual Spannabis event is now just the entree to a multi-course, Barcelona Cannabis Buffet of Bad Ass.
This year it opened on Monday with The Dab-a-Doo, followed by The Spanish Champions Cup, The Squash Off, The Masters of Rosin, The Organic Cup, The Crunch N Roll Cup and of course ending the week Friday, Sat and Sunday with Spannabis.
High at Any Cost: Weed Needs Ethical Laboratories and Official Testing Standards
Written By Daniel Crawford
State laws differ drastically when it comes to the variance of cannabis’ active ingredient, THC, as well as product sampling and testing methods. I know because I have worked in the Quality and Compliance realm for most of my professional career including Nevada, Virginia and Arizona’s Adult Use Cannabis markets. I have been the person responsible for compliance in each of those states.
Your purchase could be 20 percent higher or lower than the label claim in Arizona, 15 percent in Michigan and 10 percent in California. You don’t need a vivid imagination to be able to draw the line between inaccurate testing claims and the unpredictable-ness when it comes to dosing of patients. This is especially important for infrequent or new cannabis consumers who rely on accurate label claims for a consistent experience with their cannabis.
Editor’s Sample Hot Box: 420 Edition
Written By Melanie Rizzo & Lindsey Gunter
One of the many perks of being editors here at FNM is that we regularly receive samples. Samples, you say? Yes, LOTS of them. From candles, to prerolls, edibles, and flower, these samples provide us with first-hand knowledge of the latest products on the market, and by staying on top of the trends, we can share the scoop with our readers.
By receiving samples in a myriad of ways, we possess a lens into the product landscape, and as a publication, we are the voices here to spread the word!
But as you know, we at FNM are pretty discerning when it comes to what we smoke and what we support. So, for this 420 guide, we welcome you to the first of our Editor’s Sample Hotbox. An on-going series where we’ll gush about our favorite inhalable, edible and accessory products!
4:20 to 4/20
Written By OG Razor
The legends and myths of cannabis are still being unraveled as we speak, but the origin of what was a daily meeting time to smoke eventually led to an almost sacred day of recognition for the benefits of using cannabis. It all began with the Waldos in Marin County, Northern California during the start of the 1970s.
Whether celebrated to invite new consumers to experience the plant’s benefits, or to simply partake in a yearly tradition, this day has evolved into a grand advocacy and marketing platform which often eschews the cannabis culture itself.
The Legend of Rusty: Part 2
Written By Jonothon I. Wild
Now it was time to select music to weed by; head for Three Tree Bed and The Battle of Extraction. Appearing in concert today would be ZMayor & Z5GallonBuckets, Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks, with special guests Creeping Charlie and ZDandyLions.
As ZMayor approached, he noticed debris scattered at the base of the Hickory. No problem, HizBucketNess would make short work of it while weeding and gathering. He did not notice however the newly minted dreyless kid on the block, clinging to a branch and staring down at him.
Florida’s Proposed Hemp Bill Impacts Us All
Written By Jenny Ball
The last several weeks we’ve seen Senate bill 1676 and House bill 1475 panic the hemp industry. These bills as written would effectively put tens of thousands of small business owners out of business.
We believe we can work with legislators to upgrade these bills to protect children and keep small businesses open. Most Hemp companies in the state of Florida are start-ups.The federal passing of the 2018 Farm Bill Act enabled small businesses, farmers, and companies like our own Siesta G to make a livelihood serving the community with this plant.
Simply Put - The Legend of Rusty: Part 1
Written By Jonothon I. Wild / ZMayor
If Rusty were telling this story, he would swear he could fly.
Could he fly? No.
Did he fly through the air moments earlier? Yes - approximately eight feet.
It was a Grey flight with accents of brown and white and a fly-by-night operator--The Barred Owl Express. Rusty had been wingtip-flipped by the Owl, who only had room for two on this twilight hunt. As runts go, Rusty was lucky to be one at that moment. Mom and his big brother, not so much.
Hash Helped Me Heal
Written By Shelley Peebles
I remember the day I was sitting in my therapist’s office when I said, “I feel like he’s emotionally abusive. I don’t know if that’s a thing, but that’s what it feels like.” My therapist stopped and looked at me, eyes wide open. The next words out of her mouth hit me in the gut. “That’s because he is. And he will never change.”
I was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of a domestic violence incident. I knew I had to make a decision. Something needed to change. I needed my children to know that this was not a normal or healthy relationship, and I also needed to be in a better place. Mentally, I was not prepared for what unfolded.
Hasta Luego: From Barcelona With Love -Snowbirdstoner in España for Spannabis 2023
Written By Grant Mitchell
Barcelona as a city, functions as Europe’s beacon for trade shows. Despite weed being completely illegal in Spain, Spannabis shines as the largest European cannabis fair - now running 20 years strong.
Conglomerating 4 events, The International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC), Spannabis Fair, a symposium titled The World Cannabis Conference: International Cannabis Forum, and The Professional Growers Cup aka “Spannabis Champions Cup” all make up the juggernaut known collectively as SPANNABIS. Events are held in Fira de Cornellà from March 9-12th, with a plethora of afterparties, mixers, and networking gatherings usually in El Centro.
If you are thinking of visiting next year, it is definitely worth the trip. An article such as this, can never fully capture the magnitude of the breadth of the experience. Still, Spain should be on everyone's bucket list! Beyond just the convention, the culture in this part of the old world is magnificent.