A group of Petaluma neighbors is suing a nearby cannabis grower in what may be the first case in California using a federal racketeering and corruption law to seek to bar cultivation of marijuana since it was legalized for recreational use.

Four families living on Herrerias Way east of Petaluma filed the suit this week in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. They claim the growers, including Carlos Zambrano and his partners in Green Earth Coffee, are raising cannabis without local permits or state licenses and have prevented residents from enjoying their homes because of noxious odors and noise.

Stefan Bokaie, who with his wife, Carol Bokaie, are plaintiffs in the case, said the group took legal action because they are frustrated that Sonoma County’s code enforcement process has so far failed to stop cultivation from occurring in about 40 greenhouses erected this spring on the 15-acre property on Adobe Road near his home.

“If there’s an illegal cannabis grow, it should be shut down; it’s very simple,” said Bokaie, who has lived on Herrerias Way for about three years.

They’re using a little-known civil statue of the federal Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act to sue Zambrano and Green Earth, following a tactic used in Colorado, Oregon and Massachusetts by businesses and residents trying to rid their neighborhoods of cannabis activity in states that have legalized pot.

Zambrano was out of the country and unavailable for an interview this week, according to his attorney, Joe Rogoway.

Rogoway said Zambrano and his partners have been trying to conform their operations to local and state law and believed they were following guidelines provided to them by county officials for moving an existing cannabis-growing operation from a different Petaluma area property to the Adobe Road site.

“That cultivation was occurring only because the county told them they could do it there,” Rogoway said. “It’s fundamentally unfair.”

Public records show Sonoma County has taken steps to halt cannabis production at the Adobe Road site since late May when a code enforcement officer inspected the property. Zambrano is appealing the county’s May 29 notice ordering the company to cease all cannabis activities on the land. A hearing on the issue is scheduled for this morning.

“The county’s position is it is an illegal operation,” said Tim Ricard, the county’s cannabis program manager.

The other plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Surinder and Marie Uppal and their son, Gurjiwan Uppal; Brenda and Patrick Ward; and Neera and Sandeep Bhandari. All are residents of Herrerias Way, a short dead-end road on Petaluma’s eastern outskirts surrounded by vineyards. They are seeking unspecified punitive damages and an injunction to halt any cannabis production taking place.

In addition to Green Earth, the lawsuit also names the property owner, a company called Flying Rooster, as well as Exchange Bank, which recorded a deed of trust for the property in 2015. Gary Hartwick, president and CEO of Exchange Bank, said the bank no longer has any ties to the property, after a severance process begun several months ago when he learned there was marijuana cultivation occurring on the site. Hartwick said the claims against his bank have no merit.

“The unfortunate thing is a group of residents — who instead of searching for the actual information — are making very false statements with respect to Exchange Bank,” Hartwick said. “They have never asked us the question, ‘Do you finance growing operations?’ We do not.”

Zambrano and Green Earth began cultivating cannabis on the Adobe Road property sometime around April in about 40 hoop houses set up in the center of a vineyard, according to the lawsuit.

The neighbors claim in their lawsuit that the strong skunky smell of cannabis cloaked the neighborhood starting around that time. The stench created or exacerbated health problems, worsening Brenda Ward’s asthma and making Carol Bokaie nauseous, among other reactions, according to the suit. The neighbors claim they must keep their windows closed and homes sealed up to avoid the stench, and they and their children have stopped spending time outside.

Most significantly, the Uppals claim the stench of cannabis has caused significant breathing problems for their son, Gurjiwan, who is a paraplegic and relies on a breathing tube.

“Family members must remain near Gurjiwan at all times to guard against the risk of suffocation,” according to the complaint.

Their Napa-based attorney, Kevin Block, said they are not against marijuana’s legalization but they do wish to be protected from the impacts of illegal cultivation. Block said Sonoma County has failed to do that.

“They’re seeking an injunction shutting down the operation and they’re seeking damages to compensate for what they’ve lived with over these past few months and potentially for the diminished property value,” Block said.

The federal lawsuit has the potential to put a further chill on Sonoma County’s cannabis industry, which has struggled to take hold under what many in the industry have described as overly burdensome regulations that favor well-financed businesses over smaller local operators.

Alexa Wall, board chairwoman of the Sonoma County Growers Alliance, said Zambrano and Green Earth are not members of the local cannabis industry advocacy group, primarily made up of local growers. County records filed by Green Earth stated the group first began cultivation in March 2017 at a property on Moro Street outside Petaluma.

Local cannabis industry attorney Omar Figureoa, who has no connection to Zambrano or his businesses, said that it appears the growers were not following county rules, but he said it was troublesome that the lawsuit was going forward even as the county was taking measures to shut their farm down.

“It’s not like this is a good actor who is being targeted unfairly,” Figureoa said. “My take on it is the neighbors got exasperated because they don’t think the county is doing anything. But the county is just following due process.”

Rogoway said his clients have been transparent with the county in their attempt to legitimize operations, submitting permits for the Moro Street location, then moving to Adobe Road after learning it was too close to an existing drug rehabilitation facility.

Rogoway called Sonoma County’s marijuana regulations “illusory” and said the county’s rules are entrapping cultivators “into a sphere of illegality” by giving false promises to clients like his “who are trying to do nothing other than be a lawful cultivator.” Green Earth has spent more than $400,000 on permitting fees and consultants to get its paperwork in order, he said.

Sonoma County agricultural officials have approved 18 cultivators to operate small-scale, outdoor farms since it began accepting applications for cannabis businesses in July 2017, according to Ricard. Larger projects, such as Green Earth’s, must go through the planning department, which has not approved any outdoor cultivation projects.

“The county has failed to meet their end of this agreement,” Rogoway said.

Peter Henning, an expert in civil RICO cases and a professor of law at Wayne State University in Michigan, said civil RICO cases are difficult to prove and many are dismissed early on. Among several hurdles, the plaintiffs must prove the illegal conduct has been continuing over time, and a general rule of thumb is it must have been taking place for at least one year, he said. They will also have to prove the farm has diminished the value of their properties.

If they prevail, the plaintiffs can be awarded triple the amount they prove in damages in addition to attorney’s fees.

“RICO is designed to be punitive — that’s the allure of RICO,” Henning said. “They’re looking for a big judgment, essentially to force the marijuana farmer out of business.”

Today, Rogoway will argue his client’s case at a code enforcement hearing at Sonoma County’s planning department. He said he believes they can show they followed the advice of Sonoma County staff, and that any missteps can be attributed to county failings.

Bokaie, one of the Herrerias Way plaintiffs, said he believes it is just a matter of time before Sonoma County itself is sued if it fails to more strongly enforce laws protecting residents and the environment from illegal actors in the newly legalized industry.

“I know cannabis is here to stay,” Bokaie said. “But we went through hell for three months.”

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 707-521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.

The post Neighbors file federal lawsuit to shut down Sonoma County cannabis grower appeared first on The Emerald Report.

A Petaluma-area cannabis cultivation company whose neighbors filed a lawsuit alleging noxious odors and noise will cease operations after harvest, following a deal with Sonoma County’s code enforcement unit.

The tentative agreement includes a provision that the owner of the property who leased land to marijuana grower Carlos Zambrano and his company, Green Earth Co., will amend the deed to bar commercial cannabis cultivation from taking place on the 15-acre Adobe Road parcel in perpetuity. The prohibition will continue regardless of ownership changes, according to Maggie Fleming, spokeswoman with Sonoma County’s permit department.

The outcome is a boon for the neighbors living on Herrerias Way east of Petaluma who banded together to sue Green Earth using a little-known civil portion of the federal Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organization, or RICO, Act to stop cannabis cultivation on the vineyard property. They argued the plants, grown on the property starting about April, were too close to residents and the smell caused health problems for the neighborhood.

“Ultimately, we got a good result, but it wasn’t fast enough for my clients,” said Kevin Block, a Napa-based attorney representing the four Herrerias Way families suing Zambrano and Green Earth.

Zambrano and Green Earth did not have a state cultivation license and had applied to receive a county cultivation permit. In May, county code enforcement officers ordered they halt all marijuana farming, which the company appealed. Zambrano and Green Earth were facing more than $1 million in penalties for violations of the cannabis ordinance and building codes.

Friday’s draft agreement was announced at a morning hearing in Sonoma County’s permitting department to address Green Earth’s appeal. Instead, lawyers for the county and Green Earth notified the hearing officer the company will halt all cultivation by Nov. 1 and all cannabis-related activities from the property by Nov. 15, according to Fleming. A final draft of the agreement will be submitted within seven days, and it will include how much of the $1 million in fines the company must pay.

“They are going to have to move, however they are able to complete their current cultivation operation that’s happening now, and that’s significant for them,” said Joe Rogoway, an attorney for Zambrano and Green Earth.

Zambrano was out of the country and unavailable for comment, according to Rogoway.

Rogoway defended his client’s intentions and the company’s attempt to lawfully operate a cannabis cultivation project in Sonoma County. A county tax collection official said Green Earth paid $53,696.28 in taxes for the 2017-2018 tax year.

Rogoway said Zambrano “is just a regular guy” who took a risk by trying to cultivate cannabis in the county. He called Sonoma County’s cannabis ordinance “a systemic failure” that has created a system in which “everyone loses.”

“Probably 95 percent of the cultivators in Sonoma County are not able to avail themselves of the (county’s cannabis) program, and are not able to stay here,” Rogoway said. “Regardless of this particular settlement, the county’s program is a failure; it’s a debacle.”

Tyra Harrington, Sonoma County’s code enforcement manager, said Green Earth was growing more than 5,000 plants on about 1 acre of land, and had failed to acquire the needed permits for the 40 greenhouse structures, a cargo container and electrical infrastructure. She said the company also didn’t complete paperwork needed to acquire county permission to grow marijuana.

“The county has spent almost two years trying to educate cannabis operators how to come into compliance with county codes,” Harrington said. “In this particular case, (Green Earth) didn’t, and they opened up operations anyway.”

The Herrerias Way plaintiffs — Stefan and Carol Bokaie, Surinder and Marie Uppal and their son, Gurjiwan Uppal; Brenda and Patrick Ward; and Neera and Sandeep Bhandari — decided to file the federal lawsuit, unprecedented in California, after feeling the county was taking to long to shut down the farm.

But Harrington defended the county’s process for addressing unregulated cannabis cultivation and code violations, and said they must give each entity due process required by state and local laws. The county’s code enforcement division has received about 680 complaints related to cannabis activities since January 2017, and they have addressed more than 600 of those complaints either through getting people to comply with the rules or shutting them down.

The 15-acre vineyard property is zoned for what’s called “diverse agriculture” and is an eligible site for cannabis cultivation until the deed is changed.

The property is owned by a limited liability company, Flying Rooster, which already was in discussions with the county to add a deed restriction barring commercial cannabis cultivation on the land when the neighbors Monday filed their lawsuit, which also named Flying Rooster, according to the company’s Healdsburg-based attorney Bert Terreri.

“It all came as quite a surprise to the landowner,” Terreri said.

The Adobe Road property runs along the backyards of four estates on Herrerias Way, and the families that live there alleged in their lawsuit that the strong smell of marijuana created significant health concerns, such as worsened asthma, and led them to stop spending time outside of their homes.

Block, their attorney, said that once Green Earth’s settlement with the county is finalized and they see the terms in writing, they will discuss whether to continue pursuing the racketeering lawsuit. Block said that they are interested to see how much the county has discounted their penalty fees.

“Doesn’t this say to the illegal guys, you can go in and get your harvest fast before the county does anything and then move on?” Block said. “The legitimate growers should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these neighbors because we all lose by these fly-by-night operators.”

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 707-521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.

The post Petaluma-area cannabis farm whose neighbors sued agrees to shut down appeared first on The Emerald Report.

Pain is a consistent part of life for more than 1 in 10 adults in the United States. A 2012 study from the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health found that 40 million U.S. adults (nearly 18 percent of the population) experience high pain levels. Some struggle with adverse side effects related to pharmaceutical pain medications, such as nausea, dizziness, headaches and constipation.

One alternative that has gained popularity in recent years is cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive derivative of cannabis. CBD can be smoked, vaped or ingested in food, capsule or tincture form. Some analysts predict that the CBD market, estimated to be worth nearly $1 billion in 2017, will grow rapidly in the next two years.

Still, some chronic pain sufferers are uncertain or opposed to using CBD to relieve pain. Research into how CBD interacts with the nervous system has been limited by the federal classification of cannabis as a controlled substance. A 2016 study on rats found that transdermal—or topical—cannabis creams, oils and salves were effective in reducing pain with few side effects.

Research conducted by the European Journal of Pain found that “topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviors and inflammation without evident side effects.”

In Sonoma County, cannabis dispensaries carry an array of topicals to address painful joints, sore muscles, chronic inflammation and related ailments (including this author’s chronic shoulder tendonitis, eased by OrganiCann’s CannaBalm Warm Relief).

Luckily for budget-minded consumers who want to use their fall harvests to make products for personal use, creating a salve for those sore muscles consists of just a few steps. For this topical recipe, cannabis oil can be store-bought or made at home.

First, make cannabis-infused oil:

1. Similar to preparing cannabis for making a tincture, the plant matter should be decarboxylated by spreading it across a baking sheet or glass cake pan and heating in the oven at 200 degrees for about one hour and 15 minutes.
2. Once cooled, fill a large mason jar about 3/4 full with cannabis and cover (to about 1 inch higher than plant matter) with oil. Virgin olive oil (see photo) is a nice oil to use, or a combination of 2/3 olive oil and 1/3 coconut oil.
3. After the mixture has infused for up to six weeks, strain oil with cheesecloth, bottle and label.
4. Optional: Add vitamin E oil to preserve (you can simply prick a few gel caps and squeeze into cannabis infusion).

Once the oil is ready, the next few steps are quick and easy (1/4 cup grated beeswax for every cup of oil):

1. On very low heat, stir beeswax into oil until melted and thoroughly mixed (you can also add any extra ingredients, like 1/8 cocoa butter or shea butter).
2. Once the melted oils and wax are smooth, test consistency by using a cold spoon that has been in the freezer to see how the salve cools. Adjust thickness by adding more wax or oil.
3. While cooling (before bottling), add any optional essential oils.
4. Fill small jars or tins, label, store in a cool dry place.

As long as they are not exposed to high temperatures (which can spoil the oil), salves can be stored and used for months or even years. Simply massage into sore muscles when you feel an ache coming on.

Optional added oils:

Replace 1/8 cup of cannabis infused oil with: arnica oil or St. John’s Wort oil.

Add 10-20 drops of essential oils per batch before bottling:

Cooling: peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender

Warming: cinnamon, clove, myrrh, ginger

Disclaimer: The cannabis plant produces more than 80 different cannabinoids, or cannabis compounds. These compounds can have unexpected effects. Always check the math, measure carefully and be especially sure to not overdo it.

The post Save money by making this DIY cannabis salve at home appeared first on The Emerald Report.

Tears streamed down Jana Adams’ face Friday when her attorney delivered the news by phone that her 5-year-old daughter, Brooke, can continue attending public elementary school — and bring with her the cannabis-based medication she needs.

The move came after state administrative law Judge Charles Marson ruled Brooke, who suffers frequent seizures because of a rare form of epilepsy, may continue to attend Village Elementary School in Santa Rosa with her emergency medicine. Marson’s decision overruled the Rincon Valley Union School District’s stance that allowing her on campus and the school bus violated state and federal laws barring medical marijuana on school grounds.

“I was so overwhelmed with emotion and joy that we don’t have to fight anymore after a battle of over two years,” said Jana Adams. “I’m grateful that we had this ruling so she can just go to school like any other child and we don’t have to keep pushing to get what she needs.”

Under prior temporary order from Marson, Brooke has been attending kindergarten at Village Elementary since August, accompanied by a nurse who administers the THC oil that helps with her seizures. In that time, Brooke has had at least three seizures on school grounds according to her mother, but the cannabis treatment prevented prolonged convulsions and averted calls for an ambulance for emergency help.

Brooke Adams during her first day of kindergarten at Village Elementary School in Santa Rosa on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. (Courtesy of Jana Adams)

“She has them at different times of the day, and you don’t know when it comes,” said Adams. “To be able to see the marijuana working and not have to call 911 because it stops the seizure is amazing.”

Joe Rogoway, the Santa Rosa-based cannabis attorney representing the Adams family, argued that Brooke’s genetic condition, known as Dravet Syndrome, clearly qualified her to attend school under federal law. He also believed the school district misapplied state statutes that prohibit medical marijuana on campus in its rationale for denying her access, namely given Brooke’s diagnosed need for the drug.

The district’s prior proposal — to make an educational accommodation for Brooke that would have had an instructor at the Adams’ home for up to an hour per school day — was inadequate, Rogoway said. That alternative granted no chance, he said, for her to socialize daily with kids her age, which neurologists have told the family Brooke needs to continue developing cognitively.

Rogoway was unfamiliar with any other case of its kind in California, though other districts around the state, including the Bay Area, have proactively created policies to make exceptions for students with disorders requiring medical marijuana.

He praised Judge Marson’s ruling and felt it could pave the way toward access to public education for other children facing similar administrative hurdles.

“It’s always an uphill battle to convince the government to allow for medical marijuana use in sensitive areas,” said Rogoway. “The ruling is profound and the judge found it so incredibly important for children like Brooke. Hopefully it provides opportunities for not just her, but other families in the same situation who desperately want to be able to go to school and socialize with children in their peer group.”

Marson is a judge in the state office of Administrative Hearings’ Special Education Division, which handles disagreements between school districts and parents of children with disabilities.

District officials were still reviewing the decision Friday, but said in an initial statement they were glad to have some legal clarity brought to the issue and were not planning a legal challenge, though they still have a chance to appeal the ruling.

As Brooke Adams, 5, comes back from a seizure, her mother Jana calms her after administering a cannabis-based medication (CBD) and oxygen, Monday, July 23, 2018 at their home in Santa Rosa. Brooke has Dravet syndrome, a rare genetic dysfunction of the brain. The CBD cuts the seizing to just minutes. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat) 2018

“We are pleased with the decision and guidance,” Cathy Myhers, the district’s assistant superintendent for student services, said by email. “We are happy to have a decision that supports our ability to educate and serve this student in our public schools.”

Jana Adams is relieved she doesn’t need to have a conversation with her daughter that she can no longer attend school, where she said teachers tell her Brooke is progressing every day, especially with her speech. She had previously prepped Brooke for such an outcome.

“I kind of explained … but I’m not sure she understands not being able to go to school,” said Adams. “If she had to stay home, I’m sure she would have felt the difference there. Now she’ll be able to stay where she’s at and continue going with her cannabis at public school, where she should be.”

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin Fixler at 707-521-5336 or at kevin.fixler@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @kfixler.

The post Judge rules Santa Rosa girl taking medical cannabis for seizures can attend public school appeared first on The Emerald Report.

Interest in cannabis-infused drinks continues to fizz in the wake of the Coca-Cola Company’s announcement that it may consider adding cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive chemical found in cannabis plants, to drinks.

CBD, which may be 2018’s trendiest ingredient, is already used in dozens of wellness products, including beverages. But when a multinational corporation expresses interest in spreading CBD drinks to the masses, the reverberations can rock investment groups, stock prices and other beverage companies, even weeks later.

Happy Apple is a cannabis-infused apple cider made by Tarukino. (Courtesy photo)

“When you see the big CBG (finance and business) companies getting involved, their vision is that laws are going to continue to evolve and change in a manner favorable to cannabis products,” said Scott Riefler, vice president of science at Tarukino, a Seattle-based beverages and edibles company. “It brings a lot of energy to the space and validation of shifts in social norms and social standards.”

Tarukino makes products infused with both THC, the well-known psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis plants, and CBD. It’s just one of nearly a dozen cannabis companies already serving up specialty drinks. The company has a partner in California that will launch their drinks in the Golden State by early 2019. In Washington State, Oleo makes a CBD powder that can be dissolved into water.

California, the world’s largest cannabis market, has seen rapid expansion in the cannabis-infused drinks market.

Sprig sells THC and CBD infused sparkling drinks; Kikoko blends organic teas with CBD; Cannawine infused CBD into wine; CBD Living Water uses tech to enhance its water; and Kickback cold brews CBD teas and coffees. Humboldt Distillery recently announced its holiday drinks lineup includes a vodka infused with locally grown cannabis sativa.

Lagunitas Hi-Fi Hops brand, launched in June 2018, is a joint product by Petaluma-based Lagunitas Brewing and Santa Rosa-based CannaCraft. (Lagunitas Brewing)

In June, Lagunitas Brewing Co. announced the release of Hi-Fi Hops, a cannabis-infused hoppy beverage. The drink, which comes in CBD and THC varieties, is sold only at licensed dispensaries.

Perhaps the noisiest entry into the cannabis-infused drinks market came from Colorado-based New Age Beverages, which is reportedly set to launch a national rollout of cannabis infused drinks.

Even in the era of legalization, questions about the legality of adding cannabis compounds to edible products persists. In July, a memo released by California lawmakers made it clear that CBD oil derived from hemp could not legally be added to food for humans or pets. Cannabis proponents say this type of regulation is misguided and based on a poor understanding of CBD’s effects.

“It has been misunderstood and shouldn’t be classified as it is. It is 100 percent safe,” Saul Kaye, chief executive of iCAN Israel-Cannabis, a pharmaceutical company that invests in cannabis products and solutions, told Emerald Report over the summer. “CBD is more like a wellness product today than a pharmaceutical. It’s going to be the next additive in everything. Just like Omega 3 or Vitamin D. It’s going to be in everything.”

In September, the DEA moved some CBD medicines off Schedule 1, the most restrictive category for controlled substances. It was the first time the agency has acknowledged the medicinal benefit of a cannabis compound.

“CBD is growing faster than cannabis in the U.S. and will soon be a $22 billion industry. It’s been flying under the radar but is set to explode, having profound impacts on consumer packaged goods and pharma,” said Brightfield Group.

This file photo shows GW Pharmaceuticals’ Epidiolex, a medicine made from the cannabis plant but without THC. (AP Photo/Kathy Young, File)

The FDA hasn’t approved any CBD products beyond epilepsy drug Epidiolex. But some cannabis and financial experts believe that with state laws shifting, CBD will further impact the markets.

“It is no secret that we view the infused-beverage vertical as a major disruptor within the cannabis sector,” Danny Brody, VP of Investor Relations of The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings told Money Morning. “Soda sales are on the decline; beverage giants will be looking to diversify, de-risk, and enter this key market segment at an accelerated pace.”

Moreover, the social tide around CBD changed rapidly and cannabis-infused drinks are entering the mainstream spotlight. When these drinks hit supermarket or liquor store shelves, they will truly become part of the culture.

Riefler at Tarukino says he sees a day – not too far from now – when folks will pass over a cold beer and grab a CBD or THC drink instead.

“Think about the BBQ culture or an afternoon where people traditionally drink alcohol – beer or wine or wine coolers. Cannabis drinks offer an interesting alternative particularly in the low-dose platform. You can have a beverage that has essentially the same effect as a beer does but without the baggage that alcohol brings,” says Riefler. “Cannabis drinks are something you can drink all afternoon.”

The post ‘Set to explode’: Cannabis-infused drinks step into the spotlight appeared first on The Emerald Report.

Chilly nights, towering plants and pungent smells. The signs are all around: it’s cannabis harvest season in Northern California.

Many farms entered the 2018 harvest season with a palpable sense of uncertainty. Last year’s legalization push and destructive wildfires strained some cannabis farms to the breaking point. While some farms hustle to comply with state and local regulations, many more continue to supply the underground market.

The 2018 harvest “is one for the record books” for people who managed to acquire local permits and state licenses to grow, Hezekiah Allen told the Press Democrat. Allen, who founded the California Growers Association, said farmers from all over the region are sending him photographs of towering plants which benefited from a good weather year.

Click through the gallery or scroll down to sample some of the more than 30,000 photos tagged #Croptober on social media, representing cannabis farms from the Bay Area to northern Humboldt County.

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A work in progress yet a masterpiece at the same time . #thesmellisamazing #almostharvest #cantwait #croptoberiscoming #stillchunkinup . . . #honeydewfarms #theoriginal #californialicensed #humboldtpermittedfarm #fourthgenerationhumboldt #humboldtcounty #honeydewOG #sungrown #organiccannabis #emeraldtriangle #mattole #honeydew #highlife #californiagrown #labtested #nuglife #weedstagram #cannabisculture #nugporn #weedporn #weedlife #knowyourfarmer #cannabiscommunity #familyowned #weshouldsmoke

A post shared by Honeydew Farms (@honeydew_farms) on Sep 22, 2018 at 8:00am PDT

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During harvest season, "In the weeds" takes on a whole new meaning! HAPPY HARVEST! #harvestseason #croptober #intheweeds #humpday #FiddlersGreens #sungrown #cleanmedicine #knowyourmedicine #knowyourfarmer #SonomaGrown #sonoma #sonomacounty #sungrown #labtested

A post shared by Fiddler's Greens (@fiddlers.greens) on Oct 3, 2018 at 11:40am PDT

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Nothing like buds the size of your arm to put a smile on your face #humboldtgrown #purplepunch #womenwhogrow #terps #ilikebigbuds #greenhouse #fresh #croptober #womenincannabis #feminine #sticky #grind #growyourown #highgrade #topshelflife #anotherdayanotherdollar #cannabis #707

A post shared by Haley J (@haleyj_extraordinaire) on Oct 10, 2018 at 4:27pm PDT

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#croptober #harvestmoon #organicgardening #seedstart #cannabiscommunity #outdoorcannabis #volunteerplant

A post shared by @ cannabiscolossal on Sep 29, 2018 at 11:02am PDT

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It’s the most wonderful tiiiime of the yeear #humboldtharvest #humboldtlife #mattolevalley #panthergaplove #prideofpanthergap #farmlife #croptober#notchristmas

A post shared by Lost Creek Family Farm (@lostcreekfarms) on Oct 9, 2018 at 2:40pm PDT

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One year ago today the Tubbs fire came from the backside of our property and burnt through our ready to harvest 10,000sq ft crop, took our home and all of our possessions… it left us homeless and penniless all in an instant. Overcoming that kind of devastation brings to light so many beautiful lessons and deep reminders… love, family, community, drive and strength have led us to today when we look out over where our house used to be and it’s a sea of green grown with barely enough funds but a hell of a lot of love and dedication. Watching my partner @ograzorgrown fight to keep the dream alive this year has been nothing short of amazing… I’m so proud of us and how far we’ve come. Mystic Spring Farm rising from the ashes #pheonixrising #nevergiveup #ganjawarrior #croptober

A post shared by ᗰYᔕTIᑕᔕᑭᖇIᑎGᖴᗩᖇᗰᔕ (@mysticspringfarms) on Oct 8, 2018 at 5:03pm PDT

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Happy #croptober from #crockettfamilyfarms ! hope everyone’s harvest is as terpy as ours!! #harvesttime #dowhatyoulove #dnagenetics #growyourown #ourterpsdontlie #hightimes #cannabis #californiacannabis #bigbuds #dontpanicitsorganic #organic #nosalt #nottomatoes #hectares @crockett420 @dna_genetics @707_grows @jerminator710 @gypsytony82 @dingo710 @dreadsmokesweed @mrsdingo710 @ninjahherbalist @herb_man_dan

A post shared by @ crocquito on Oct 16, 2018 at 9:08am PDT

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Welcome to the jungle. . . . #welcome #jungle #funandgames #dontgetlost #theshining #nofilter #fieldofhopes #craftcannabis #fullmoonfarms #girlscoutcookies #beautifulmonsters #asighttosee #trees #humboldt #california #greeeeeen #salad #lifestyle #cannabis #reggaeontheriver @mattr0sen @fullmoonfarms707

A post shared by Indrid Cold (@s1ckqu3d) on Sep 30, 2018 at 11:09am PDT

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What if it was illegal to grow a rose?

A post shared by ebdunn (@ebdunn) on Oct 15, 2018 at 4:14pm PDT

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It’s that time of the year #harvesttime #croptober #familytime #cannabisculture @sixnguyen @sherbinskis #proudlyloud #growntoshare

A post shared by janna (@canna_hit_that) on Oct 16, 2018 at 8:14pm PDT

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#pineapplemuffin bursting with color @8milefamilyfarms !!!

A post shared by Humboldt County (@8milefamilyfarms) on Oct 10, 2018 at 5:54pm PDT

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Buds up #SourDiesel #mendo #norcal #willits #brooktrails #croptober #bayarea #707 #415 #humboldt #sonoma #napa #lakecounty #oaklandcannabis #mendocinocounty #sanfrancisco #sanfranciscocannbais #mendofarms #oakland #oaklandclones #clones #clonesclonesclones #CannabisCommunity #clonesavailable #trinitycounty #cannabiscommunity #PapaJoesNursery

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This time of the year you really gotta get yer hands dirty #croptober #sacredplant #medicineforthepeople #blessedlife #biodynamic #livingsoil #dopedope #ganjafarmer #crushersgottacrush #zachandryan #trimorbetrimmed #onlywayoutisinatote #cannabisculture #harvest2018 #hightimesmagazine @sungrowers @pac_ex @emeraldexchange @highgradedistribution @peakoil #happydreamsfarm

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The post Croptober 2018: Northern California’s cannabis harvest in photos appeared first on The Emerald Report.

As the holidays approach and winter looms on the horizon, creating a nourishing, cozy environment with seasonal drinks does not mean compromising health by adding more sugary treats to the list. This year, California residents (of legal age) can enhance the calming and medicinal qualities of the following healthy beverages by adding cannabis to the recipes.

Though high CBD is recommended for these warm fall and winter drinks, several strains of cannabis can be added to help address holiday stress, insomnia and the inflammation that may come from overindulging in sugary treats. However, it is important to note that the effects of cannabis can vary greatly when ingested instead of smoked. Cannabis users should understand their body’s tolerance before adding infused oils or tinctures to food or beverages, and should adjust the recipes accordingly.

Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa

A winter favorite is hot chocolate, of course, which can be easily made sugar-free by using cacao instead of chocolate powder. The benefits of cacao are many; the unprocessed version of cocoa that makes common chocolate bars is considered a superfood.

A recent study on the benefits of cacao and dark chocolate conducted by Loma Linda University concluded that “the flavonoids found in cacao are extremely potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, with known mechanisms beneficial for brain and cardiovascular health,” something that chocolate lovers can celebrate this holiday season with this rich creamy recipe. Although cacao does have some caffeine, the high levels of magnesium offer a soothing effect, particularly when high CBD infused oil is blended into the drink.

Recipe:

2 cups: coconut, almond or cashew milk

1 heaping tbs: Powdered cacao

1 tablespoon: *Cannabis-infused coconut oil

Optional: honey or maple syrup or a dash of cinnamon to taste, dollop of coconut milk cream

Directions: Whisk together nut milk and cacao over low heat in a small saucepan until warm (do not boil or scald). Stir in coconut oil until blended. Remove from heat, add optional sweetener and whisk until a layer of froth forms. Add to cocoa mugs and dollop with coconut cream and a dash of cinnamon or sea salt. Serves 2.

Spiced Apple Cider

Infusing herbs and spices into hot apple cider is a great way to support circulation and keep warm on cold winter nights. Fresh ginger also aids digestion and calms inflammation, is affordable, and can be easily found in the produce section at most grocery stores. Some research suggests that cinnamon can also help regulate blood sugar, and the added citrus in this recipe lends to a boost in Vitamin C intake.

Recipe:

8 cups: unsweetened, unfiltered apple juice

1 each: Lemon and Orange (sliced)

4-6 Cinnamon sticks

1 tablespoon: Fresh ginger, chopped, grated or sliced

1 tablespoon: Cloves

1 tablespoon: Star Anise

Cannabis tincture

Optional: cardamom pods, peppercorns, allspice

Directions: Combine all ingredients except cannabis tincture in a pot and simmer (do not boil) on low heat for 30 minutes or more. Alternately, add all ingredients except tincture to a crock pot, turn on low heat for several hours (bonus: this will make your house smell wonderful). Strain, add a few drops of tincture per cup, sip, enjoy. Serves 8.

Golden Milk

A less traditional but no less popular warm beverage for the holidays is Golden Milk. Known for its healing properties like fighting depression and inflammation, research shows that curcumin, a medicinal compound found in turmeric, is enhanced by adding a pinch of black pepper to this soothing, creamy drink. Curcumin has also been proven to address symptoms of arthritis, which tend to flare up with cold weather and resulting drops in barometric pressure. Golden Milk is a delicious, healthy addition to enhance the coziness of the season.

Recipe:

1 can: coconut milk

1 cup: almond or oat milk

2 tablespoon: powdered turmeric

½ teaspoon: powdered ginger

½ teaspoon: powdered cinnamon

Small Pinch: ground black pepper

1 tablespoon: *Cannabis-infused coconut oil

Optional: dash cardamom powder, honey to taste

Directions: Whisk together milks in a small saucepan over low heat. Slowly add all powdered herbs until blended and stir occasionally for 10 minutes (avoid boiling). Add coconut oil and whisk until oil is melted and the golden milk is frothy. Add honey to taste. Serves 2.

*For recipes calling for cannabis-infused oil, there are many brands available at local dispensaries. Find instructions on making your own cannabis-infused oil here.

Disclaimer: The cannabis plant produces more than 80 different cannabinoids, or cannabis compounds. These compounds can have unexpected effects. Always check the math, measure carefully and be especially sure to not overdo it.

The post ‘Tis the season: 3 cozy cannabis drinks to fight holiday stress appeared first on The Emerald Report.

Memory trouble. Accidents. Risky behavior. Does cannabis use have a lasting effect on young people’s brains? After decades of study, most public health experts agree the answer is yes. But just how smoking, vaping or eating marijuana damages parts of the developing brain, especially those associated with learning and memory, remains a subject of debate.

Daily cannabis use has long been linked to impaired learning, memory, attention and decision-making skills in young people. It’s also been associated with lower academic performance and increased rates of mood symptoms like depression.

Surely it’s not as harmful as alcohol, right? Actually, regular cannabis use appears to be worse for young people’s cognitive functions than alcohol use, according to a 2018 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The lasting effects of cannabis use on cognition “appear to be more pronounced than those observed for alcohol,” write the study’s authors.

Researchers tracked more than 3,800 preteens in Montreal schools from seventh to 11th grades, measuring changes in cognitive function among these students in annual tests. Study result suggest that both cannabis and alcohol use have lasting negative effects on young people’s cognitive functions. Dr. Patricia Conrod, the study’s lead author and professor of psychiatry at the University of Montreal, said her team’s findings should serve as a warning to teenagers.

“Our findings suggest young people should do everything they can to delay the onset of their cannabis use, if not avoid it entirely,” said Dr. Conrod in a Healthline interview.

For adolescents and teens, cannabis use can have lingering effects on inhibitory control and working memory, and concurrent effects on delayed recall memory and perceptual reasoning.

While studies point to the negative effects of smoking pot as an adolescent or teenager, pot users who start in adulthood generally do not have similar outcomes. Some neuroscientists have suggested that cannabinoid receptors, which are distributed throughout the brain, may increase during adolescence. Cannabis use could disrupt the endocannabinoid system in this period, leading to changes in certain chemical balances and structures within the brain. Those changes can lead to poorer cognitive and emotional processing in adulthood.

Some health experts point to dabs or butter (butane hash oil), super-concentrated doses extracted from the cannabis plant using solvents, as symbolic of a “new wave” of high-powered cannabis products.

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Campaign to delay

In the era of legal cannabis, California public health campaigns aim to debunk popular myths about marijuana use rather than calling for total abstinence. “Truth or Nah?” — a new campaign from the San Francisco Department of Public Health — wants to help young people “make informed decisions about cannabis” by clearing up misinformation.

“We conducted focus groups and worked with local youths,” said Veronica Vien, a spokeswoman for the city’s health department. “We wanted to dispel those myths they hear about cannabis in school, from peers, or wherever they hang out.”

Fewer high school seniors are regularly using cannabis in San Francisco, according to the health department. In the 2015-2016 school year, some 27.1 percent of high school seniors reported having used cannabis within the last 30 days. The following year, that figure had dropped to 20.5 percent. That’s consistent with a broad downtrend in adolescent cannabis use in California.

San Francisco is running a slang-heavy campaign to curb teen cannabis use. (San Francisco Department of Public Health / TruthorNahSF.org)

Marijuana use has long been considered a rite of passage for young people. In the animated Netflix series “Big Mouth,” a hilarious look at the trials of puberty, friends Nick and Jessi take the cannabis plunge together by eating edibles. It’s a wild ride, but the episode doesn’t shy away from the darker side of cannabis. Nick’s experience is hijacked by anxiety, while Jessi sparks a fight between her concerned mom and stoner dad.

“I do feel very good right now,” Jessi says to Nick. “And I can see why my dad is addicted to this.”

Legalization and access

Critics of cannabis legalization, including former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, argued that legal marijuana would give more adolescents and teenagers access to the substance. It’s an argument that some found compelling, but one that is not supported by data. In Colorado and Washington, cannabis use among adolescents and teens has declined since legalization.

In California, teen marijuana use also seems to be on the decline. A state-funded health survey showed a marked drop in cannabis use among middle and high school students in 2016 and 2017. Survey results over the last four years seem to validate the decline.

While teen cannabis use dips, anxiety and depression rates among young people are on the rise. The odds of adolescents suffering from clinical depression grew by 37 percent between 2005 and 2014, according to a study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. A study published this summer found connections between teen cannabis use and disruptions in the brain’s reward circuitry. Data suggests cannabis users have higher rates of mood symptoms like depression in early adulthood.

Much like alcohol, the focus now is on delaying or preventing young people from using cannabis. An occasional toke isn’t likely to cause issues, but habitual cannabis use can damage the brain during important development periods.

The post Rewired: How teenage cannabis use is linked to lasting brain changes appeared first on The Emerald Report.

Cannabis legalization has opened a new realm of possibility for holiday shoppers in California. New strains, edibles, oils and devices line the shelves at more than a dozen dispensaries that sell recreational cannabis to adults in the North Bay.

How do you find the perfect gift for the cannabis enthusiast in your life? A novelty product that’s perfect for the first-time cannabis user won’t necessarily hit the mark with a seasoned pot smoker.

Luckily, local dispensaries are staffed with experienced budtenders and cannabis consultants who are happy to guide you through your holiday shopping list. From popular new strains to CBD-heavy lotions and intimate oils, here’s your cannabis holiday gift guide from expert guides at local dispensaries.

For the Canna-Curious

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Forbidden Fruit (Cherry Pie x Tangerine) Take a bite. Flavors: Tangerine blast , with sweet cherry and tropical fruit undertones. Potency: HIGH Best for: daytime, focused energy, mood lifting. Dropping Soon #elyon #themosthigh #forbiddenfruit #smokegood #clean #sonomacounty #grown #potent #sustainable #sun #powered #cannabis #california #high #cannabiscommunity #licensed #tangerine #cherrypie

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Cannabis flower is the traditional path to an elevated experience. Behind the colorful names and technical-sounding jargon are some basic compounds and varieties that define the smoking experience.

CBD is the non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, commonly used to treat pain, anxiety, inflammation, seizures and other medical conditions. THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, produces the effects most commonly associated with being high. This compound that has also shown promise as a pain reliever, antioxidant and sleep aid.

“I would go with something that has lower THC,” said Scott, a cannabis consultant at Sonoma Patient Group. He recommends the Forbidden Fruit strain from Elyon, a cannabis company based in Sonoma County.

Forbidden Fruit tests at about 14 or 15 percent THC by weight, according to Scott, which is on the lower end of the scale for cannabis flower. High-potency strains can clock in at 30 percent THC by dry weight.

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@papaandbarkley Thank you lol #releafsoak #papaandbarkley #soothing #relaxing #calming #thc #cbd #cbdoil #bodycare #bath #bathsoak #california

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Looking for deep relaxation without the cough? Coral Alcala, assistant manager of Santa Rosa’s Redwood Herbal Alliance, said her favorite gifts for canna-curious loved ones can be applied to the skin or dropped into a hot bath.

“You never know if people really like smoking,” said Alcala. “Something that gets everybody is the lotion, the topical lotion. Papa and Barkley makes a really good lotion. I get everybody — my grandma, my grandpa — everyone who tries it gets hooked.”

She also recommends cannabis bath soaks, which proponents say helps hydrate your skin and reduce inflammation. For a relatively simple DIY version, you can combine Epsom salts with any cannabis-infused oil and toss in relaxing herbs like lavender and sage to set the mood. Read instructions here.

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Mendo Breathby @korovaediblesca #korovaflower #korova #mendobreath #rolling_groot

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For the Connoisseur

Northern California is home to some of the most sophisticated cannabis consumers. When shopping for a savvy cannabis enthusiast, keep your eyes peeled for interesting strains and higher potency products.

Zack Monday is inventory and e-commerce manager at Mercy Wellness of Cotati. He shared the shop’s recommendations for cannabis connoisseurs this season.

Monday recommends several strains: Mendo Breath, a “heavy-hitting Indica dominant hybrid that brings a sweet vanilla and caramel mixed with funk” flavor; Mojito, a sativa-dominant hybrid concentrate and a “creative monster” that “reeks of citrus and earth,” and Purple Punch, an Indica-dominant flower that’s a blend of Larry OG and Grandaddy Purple.

He also recommends products made by Jetty Extracts, an extraction company that sells cannabis oils, concentrates, vape pens, cartridges and dab applicators. Monday says the company makes “great botanic blends” from sun-grown cannabis with several CBD offerings.

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Tasty, refreshing, and doesn’t send you into outer space! Keeping a couple in the fridge for future hangovers • • • #barefootbeerbabe #lagunitas #abx #absoluteextracts #thc #hops #hoppy #cbd #sparklingwater #water #hifi #hifihops #weed #cannabis #naturalmedicine #sonomacounty #supportlocal #buylocal #drinklocal #sonomastrong

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Looking for a cannabis product with novelty appeal? Monday points to AbsoluteXtracts‘ collaboration with Lagunitas on Hi-Fi Hops, an IPA-inspired and cannabis-infused sparkling beverage. AbsoluteXtracts also makes cannabis vape cartridges, gel capsules, edibles, tinctures and lotion.

Lord Jones is a high-end cannabis retailer specializing in CBD-infused products, like this box of infused sugarplum candies. (Lord Jones / courtesy photo)

For the Significant Other

Cold winter weather means more time indoors with your special person. You can set the mood for romance or share an escape from the winter blues with gifts from local dispensaries.

With everything from cannabis-infused chocolate strawberries to sensation-boosting sativa strains and massage oils, the holidays can be a perfect time to experiment with your partner.

Have an eye for quality and presentation? Lord Jones is a high-end cannabis retailer specializing in CBD-infused products. The company’s infused holiday gumdrops would make a sophisticated stocking stuffer.

Sounds better than socks, right?

The post Holiday shopping guide: 10 gift ideas for cannabis lovers on your list appeared first on The Emerald Report.

Cannabis has been legal in California for more than a year now, and the results have been underwhelming, as legit growers struggle to compete with the entrenched black market.

As the state’s legal cannabis market finds its footing, seismic political shifts are happening across the United States when it comes to hemp, a cannabis sativa that is 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or less by dry weight.

In December, the United States Congress approved the 2018 Farm Bill, which was signed into law by President Trump. The Farm Bill legalizes hemp production and sales, changing the plant’s classification from a controlled substance to an agricultural commodity.

Hemp is a mild-mannered member of the cannabis sativa family, but has countless uses from dietary supplements and cosmetics to clothing and construction materials.

Hemp can also be used to make cannabidiol (CBD) products, which seem to be everywhere and in everything these days. A growing body of research suggests that CBD is an effective treatment for treating pain, anxiety, depression and movement disorders, among other health issues.

The U.S. market for hemp-derived CBD could break $20 billion in 2022, according to industry analysts at the Brightfield Group.

California’s cannabis industry is unmatched, but its hemp production is rather modest, trailing states like Kentucky and North Carolina. The Golden State’s industrial hemp cultivation has been limited to approved growers and research institutions.

In September 2018, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation easing some restrictions on the hemp industry. Coupled with the Farm Bill, this legislation seems designed to make hemp farming more appealing in California.

Legit cannabis growers, those with state permits and licenses, have struggled to compete with the entrenched black market. State tax revenue from cannabis was projected to be about 40 percent lower than expected in 2018. Why? Because illicit grow operations can sell cheaper product.

As the state’s legal cannabis market finds its footing, seismic political shifts are happening across the United States.

Thanks to KCRA 3 for covering my bill, AB 228, which would allow Californians to have better access to hemp-derived products, including those that contain cannabidiol (CBD), that help many treat pain, inflammation, anxiety, and other health issues. https://t.co/fsLMVuwmur

— Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (@AsmAguiarCurry) January 24, 2019

Would a bumper crop of hemp hurt the cannabis industry? Probably not. Industry analysts say demand for hemp-derived CBD will soon eclipse the entire cannabis market. But CBD and THC products don’t serve the same needs for consumers.

It’s also unclear when hemp growers will be allowed to sell cannabidiol (CBD) products in California. A July memo from the state’s public health market makes it clear that while growing hemp is legal, the sale of hemp-derived CBD is not.

Will the state’s position on hemp CBD products change in 2019? Not unless the Food and Drug Administration decides these products can be treated as a food, or California determines they are safe for human and animal consumption.

A bill introduced introduced in the California Senate by Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) would open the door for hemp-derived CBD to be added to food, beverages and cosmetics.

If the bill were to pass, California’s industrial hemp producers could tap into a major market for consumable CBD products. In the Central Valley, hemp could be grown on a massive scale for domestic use or exports.

What may limit the growth of industrial hemp in California are market pressures from the cannabis industry. While the appetite for CBD and other hemp products is rising, the profit margins on hemp are lower. To have a profitable operation, hemp growers need to operate at a much larger scale than cannabis growers.

While an acre of hemp might produce $60,000 in product, the same acre of cannabis flower could sell for four or five times more.

How the cannabis and hemp markets interact remains to be seen. But the decision to legalize industrial hemp is widely seen as a win for farmers in California and across the U.S.

The post How the Farm Bill affects hemp, cannabis industries in California appeared first on The Emerald Report.