Hydrolife Magazine April/May 2016 (USA Edition)

grow. heal. live. enjoy. 

THE 

420 

ISSUE 

FINDING THE 

PERFECT STRAIN 

ENDOCANNABINOID 

RECEPTORS 

CULTIVATING WITH 

KYLE KUSHMAN 

FREE! 

APRIL/MAY 2016

inside 

10 our crew / 12 from the editor / 14 own it / 16 ask kyle / 50 ask a nurse / 84 chill list / 90 savage love 

grow. 

20 Send in the Clones 

28 Cut & Dried: Strain Report 

30 Creating the Environment 

Your Cannabis Plants Crave 

34 It's (Probably) Not pH Lockout 

42 What's in Your Growroom? 

44 Growing Cannabis Naturally with Neem 

heal. 

52 The Plant That Saved My Life 

56 Cannabis Juicing 101 

58 Finding the Perfect Strain 

60 Soaking in a Little Sunshine 

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live. 

62 Is Electronic Cannabis 

the Future for Medical Pot? 

64 Medicinal Marijuana & the 

Endocannabinoid Receptors 

68 Cultivating with Kushman 

enjoy. 

74 Baking a Fool of Myself 

76 Ganja Goddess 

78 Best. Summer. Ever. 

86 Highest Comic Standing 

myhydrolife.com grow. heal. live. enjoy. 9

our crew 

Augustus Dunning 

Jessica Ferneyhough 

Toby Gorman 

Grubbycup 

Colleen Graham 

Cory Hughes 

James Kostrava 

Kyle Kushman 

Gibson Lannister 

Sharon Letts 

Lacey Macri 

Ryan Martinage 

Alex Rea 

Dan Savage 

Brett Strauss 

Travis Turner 

Watermelon 

apr/may 2016 

volume 5 - number 5 

Published by 

Hydrolife Magazine 

3773 Howard Hughes Parkway 

South Tower, Suite 500 

Las Vegas, Nevada 89169 

Inquiries to 

info@myhydrolife.com 

No part of this magazine 

may be reproduced 

without permission from 

the publisher. The views 

expressed by columnists are 

personal opinions and do not 

necessarily reflect those of 

Hydrolife or the editor. 

Printed in the USA 

Distribution 

P.A.I.N. Distribution | 310.488.1911 

magazinedistribution.org 

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GROW. HEAL. LIVE. ENJOY. 

Welcome to the inaugural 420 edition 

of Hydrolife! Our vision with this 

publication is to connect growers, 

medical practitioners, patients and health 

enthusiasts by offering the information they need 

to enhance their lives with medicinal cannabis. 

With more and more states legalizing the use of 

this life-saving plant, this is an exciting time in 

the industry. In our Grow, Heal, Live and Enjoy 

sections, you’ll find inspiring stories, lifestyle tips, 

straightforward how-to growing advice and the 

latest, cutting-edge medical information. 

For those of you who are growing your own, 

we dish up grow advice straight from the 

experts, including world-renowned cannabis 

cultivator Kyle Kushman, who answers your 

most pressing questions in his regular Ask Kyle 

column. Email editor@myhydrolife.com to get 

your question answered! Our resident Ask a 

Nurse columnist, Jessica Ferneyhough, also answers 

people’s questions, this time on the medical side of 

things, to help people on their journeys to wellness 

through cannabis. Alex Rea examines the future 

of electronic cannabis consumption, and Augustus 

Dunning examines the endocannabinoid receptors in 

human bodies that allow us to respond the way we do 

to plant-based cannabinoid compounds. 

We round things out with a feature on Kyle Kushman 

and his latest collaboration with Oaksterdam 

University, an online course that will teach people how 

to grow high-quality, organic, medicinal cannabis. 

We also show you how to get the dosage right in your 

favorite edibles and explain how juicing can bring the 

health benefits you are looking for. 

Hydrolife will be out and about at Maximum Yield’s 

upcoming Indoor Gardening Expo in Novi, Michigan, 

taking place May 21-22 at the Suburban Collection 

Showplace. Hope to see you there! 

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1 

2 

3 4 

own it 

1. The Misty by Smokies 

Toke Couture is a large, 

hand-wired, beaded 

chain necklace with 

faceted, smoky-green 

iridescent glass beads 

fastened into a gunmetalwire 

chain. The beads, 

which are called Aurora 

Borealis, reflect the light 

and subtly pick up the 

colors around them. This 

vintage-style, steampunkinspired 

necklace features 

a large, antique-silvertone 

cannabis leaf with 

embossed detail. It is 

named after the Misty 

marijuana strain and is 

made to order. 

— etsy.com 

2. Classy Stash from 

Walnut Studiolo is a 

throwback to the days of 

meticulously crafted liquor 

cabinets and cigar boxes. 

This hand-crafted stash box 

organizes your herbs into 

three amber-glass stash jars 

(included), protecting them 

from the light, preserving 

them from drying out and 

confining odors. The Classy 

Stash is made of handdyed, 

vegetable-tanned 

leather, making it worthy of 

a display case, yet strong 

enough to get knocked 

around. Class up your stash! 

— walnutstudiolo.com 

3. Dixie Elixirs Bath Soak 

is perfect after a long 

workout or a long day. It is 

infused with pure, CO 2- 

extracted THC to relieve 

muscle soreness and 

tension. It also contains 

rosemary, lavender and 

cedarwood to help you find 

deep relaxation. For best 

results, pour 2-5 ounces of 

this product into your hot 

bath and soak for at least 

15 minutes. Dixie Topicals 

are triple-lab-tested for 

consistency and quality. 

— dixieelixirs.com 

4. iBamboo Speakers, 

made out of pieces of 

bamboo, are machined in a 

way that allows you to place 

them on a flat surface and 

insert your iPhone at the top. 

The natural resonance of 

the hollow bamboo speaker 

body amplifies sound. This 

unique property makes 

bamboo an ideal material 

for making an all-natural, 

no-power-needed iPhone 

amplifier. Since iBamboo 

speakers are crafted from 

a natural material, no two 

speakers are identical. 

— ibamboospeaker.com 

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5 6 

7 

8 

5. The Dr. Dabber 

Percolator Attachment 

is a fully functional, 

handblown-glass, percolating 

filtration system that fits 

on any battery with a 510 

threading. It is the latest 

development in vapor 

technology. To use, simply 

fill the unit with water, then 

attach the adapter to your Dr. 

Dabber Ghost battery for the 

smoothest, cleanest vapor 

possible. Delivering large yet 

surprisingly manageable hits, 

this is one of the absolute 

best ways to enjoy your oils 

and waxes. 

— drdabber.com 

6. The Greendea is an 

indoor hydroponic garden 

that allows you to grow 

year-round without any 

prior hydro knowledge. 

Greendea is programmed 

to automatically grow from 

seed to harvest. To begin 

your cultivation journey, 

simply add tap water to 

the hydroponic pot, sow 

your seeds, fire up the 

Greendea and then sit back 

and admire your seedlings 

growing. Greendea allows 

you to enjoy fresh herbs, 

veggies and flowers that 

have been self-produced 

in a simple, clean way. 

— green-dea.com 

7. Hollow Leg is the debris 

and harvesting bag you 

wear. It’s a fabric sack that 

attaches to a belt so you can 

wear it while you work in the 

garden. Use it while doing 

light pruning, dead-heading 

and spot-weeding. It’s 

handy for fruit and produce 

harvesting, too. There’s even 

a Velcro-closed pocket for 

your phone or iPod! No 

more buckets that smash 

your groundcover or other 

plants. When your Hollow 

Leg is full, it is easy to empty 

using the fabric handle at the 

bottom of the bag. 

— thegardenershollowleg.com 

8. Custom O.penVAPEs 

are one-of-a-kind, laseretched 

vaping pens that 

allow you to select a color, 

pattern and add up to 16 

characters of text. Get your 

name, favorite strain or 

dominance etched on the 

O.penVAPE to keep track 

of your supply, or order in 

bulk for your next bachelor/ 

bachelorette party, 

wedding and other special 

events. Available in seven 

colors and five patterns, 

Custom O.penVAPEs are 

delivered to you in two 

weeks or less. 

— openvape.com 


ask kyle 

QI’ve heard that some growers like to 

flush their systems during the final week 

before harvest. Is this something you 

recommend doing? If so, why, and how 

do I know when to start this process? 

Thanks, 

David 

aFlushing your plants before harvesting them, 

regardless of what you’re feeding them, is always a 

good idea. Healthy, rapidly growing plants will store 

excess nutrients over time. Much like humans store 

fat, plants store excess nutrients within their leaves that 

they can use if nutrient levels run low. 

I recommend a gradual reduction of nutrients, much 

the same way we gradually increase nutrients as plants 

mature. Three weeks out from harvest, I cut the levels of all 

N-P-K products in half and discontinue all micronutrient inputs. 

Reducing nutrient applications before completely discontinuing all 

inputs helps plants transition to the ripening stage. 

Two weeks from harvest, feed your plants plain water and an 

enzymatic formula. For plants grown in soil or soilless media, there’s no 

need for any pH adjusting during ripening. One week before harvest, only 

feed your plants plain water. All growers, regardless of the methodology or 

grow media being used, should use this flushing method. 

Knowing when to begin this process can be as simple as looking at the 

calendar. You should be recording all factors concerning your crop cycle, 

and you can use the recommended flowering time your strain is known 

for. However, growth rates, overall health and other factors can reduce or 

increase the ideal harvest date by as much as 10%. But you’re in luck, there is 

a way to judge when that perfect harvest time has arrived. 

Using a 30X, lighted magnifying glass, look over a few areas on several plants. 

Inspect the flowers to get a good view of the trichomes. Under magnification, 

trichomes look like little mushrooms. Early, immature trichomes are clear as 

glass and the heads are small. As they mature, these heads will swell to 2-4 times 

the thickness of the stalk. As the trichomes get closer to maturity, the stalks turn 

opaque. Within a week, trichome heads will turn milky or opaque as well. Once 

they begin to turn dark amber, you are nearing peak ripeness. When 5-10% of all 

the trichomes have turned amber, you have reached peak ripeness. 

Kyle Kushman is an internationally renowned marijuana 

cultivator whose collaborations have earned 13 Medical 

Cannabis Cup awards, including three US Cannabis Cups for 

Best Flowers. As the creator of Vegamatrix, the only line of 

vegan and organic nutrients designed for growing cannabis, 

Kyle continues to make advances for people who want to 

cultivate the purest, cleanest medicine possible. 

Do you have a question for Kyle? 

Email editor@myhydrolife.com to get an answer. 

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grow 

Send 

in the 

Clones 

With a bit of work, some patience and a little trial 

and error, cannabis plants are reasonably simple 

plants to root cuttings from. Follow these tips to 

create your own little army of clones. 

by Grubbycup 

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Cloning is a popular way of asexually reproducing 

your favorite cannabis plants. Clones are possible 

because of a particular type of plant cell known as a meristem 

cell—building-block cells that haven’t decided what 

they are going to be when they grow up. There are high 

concentrations of meristem cells in growth tips, but there 

are also meristem cells spread along the stalk. Normally, 

the meristem cells in the growth tips become shoots and 

foliage, and the ones in roots mature into root cells, and 

the ones along the stem develop into more trunk, but since 

all meristem cells start out the same, environmental conditions 

dictate what sorts of cells they turn into. 

Clones are taken while the mother plants are in the vegetative 

growth stage, as much of the plant’s energy shifts to 

flower production once flowering starts. One way to think 

of clones is as parts of the mother plant. With cannabis 

plants, this comes in handy for gender determination and 

similar growth requirements. 

“Clones are taken 

while the mother 

plants are in 

the vegetative 

growth stage, 

as much of the 

plant’s energy 

shifts to flower 

production once 

flowering starts." 

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Gender Determination 

Since they share the same DNA, the gender of both the mother 

plant and the clone is the same. A cutting from a female 

will be female, and a cutting from a male will be male. This 

knowledge can be used to sex plants: you can take a cutting 

and expose it to a flowering light schedule while the parent 

is left under growth lighting, and whatever gender the cutting 

displays will be the same as the plant it was cut from. 

Since it is the female cannabis plants that develop buds, 

males can be eliminated from the growroom. This removes 

the need to cull males later, as the gender will have already 

been established. Once identified, superior females can be 

propagated by the garden-ful, if desired. By keeping at least 

one of a group of clones under a vegetative growth lighting 

schedule, more can be produced on demand. 

Similar Growth Habits 

A garden of clones should all have the same growth requirements 

as the mother, meaning less work customizing environmental 

conditions and nutrient schedules for different 

plant varieties. 

Taking Cuttings 

When taking cuttings for clones, make sure each cutting 

includes at least one growth tip and a section of stem. The 

growth tip is important because the meristem cells there 

will lay the foundation for the upper portion of the mature 

plant. The root meristem cells will be missing, since the 

cutting initially will have no root system. Instead, the 

meristem cells in the stem are encouraged to develop into 

root cells as they age. 

“If the cutting 

is exposed to 

conditions that 

roots like, the 

meristem cells 

in the stem make 

root cells." 

Each cut should be clean and handled with care, as it is an 

open wound. Since the cutting will no longer have access to 

the parent’s root system, if not used immediately, the cut end 

should be placed in water until planting. Although they may 

recover from a light wilt, cuttings are susceptible to terminal 

wilt. Once too many of the internal chains of water are 

broken, the cutting is no longer viable. 

Fortunately, the meristem cells in a cannabis plant’s stems 

aren’t hard to coax into forming root cells. If the cutting is 

exposed to conditions that roots like, the meristem cells 

in the stem make root cells. The ends of the cuttings can 

be exposed to a plant hormone auxin such as idolebutyric 

acid (IBA) or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to encourage 

root development, which is a key ingredient in many rooting 

powders, gels or liquids. 

If the stem end of a cutting is placed in potting soil, a 

stonewool cube, rooting cube, mist or oxygenated water, put 

under moderate lighting in a warm environment and kept 

moist, in about 1-2 weeks, the cutting will form visible roots. 

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grow 

The rooting medium should be pre-moistened before adding 

the cuttings, as if it is too dry, it can draw moisture out and 

encourage wilting. A large part of the art of cloning is keeping 

the stem and tip of the cutting alive and healthy long enough 

for the cutting to develop roots. 

While cuttings need to be kept moist, overwatering is a more 

common problem than allowing them to dry out. Overwatering 

drowns sensitive cuttings and leads to fungal infections such 

as damping-off and root rot. Moderation is the key—the growing 

medium for cuttings should be kept moist, but not soggy. 

Making Cannabis Clones 

Armed with the tips above, here’s a step-by-step guide to 

making your own cannabis clones: 

1. Locate and prepare a space for the cuttings. It should have 

moderate light and be on the warm end of comfortable 

room temperature. A heating mat with a temperature 

sensor can help in cooler rooms. Make sure the area 

is spill-tolerant, so don’t place clones above electrical 

equipment or carpets. 

2. Prepare the growing medium and any containers. 

Make sure you moisten the medium appropriately. 

3. Using a sharp, clean instrument, cut a growing tip 

and section of stem off the mother plant. 

4. Place the cut ends into a container of water 

to keep them hydrated. 

5. Remove each cutting from the water in turn, apply a 

rooting hormone product and plant the end into the 

growing media or place into a propagator. 

“the growing 

medium for 

cuttings should 

be kept moist, 

but not soggy." 

6. If humidity levels are low, use a dome or small tented 

plastic to minimize moisture loss due to evaporation, 

but ensure the moisture level doesn’t get so high it 

encourages fungal rots. 

7. Monitor and correct any moisture issues that arise until 

roots have formed. This may take 1-2 weeks. 

8. Once the roots have become established, treat new 

clones as you would similar-sized seedlings, and enjoy 

the benefits of making your own clones from cuttings. 

Grubbycup has been an avid indoor gardener for more than 20 

years. His articles were first published in the United Kingdom, and 

since then his gardening advice has been published in French, 

Spanish, Italian, Polish, Czech and German. He is also considered 

one of the world’s leading authorities on crochet hydroponics. 

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by Lacey Macri 

Cut and Dried: 

A Monthly Look at Different MMJ Strains 

Lacey Macri caught up with CJ of California, a long-time 

medicinal cannabis cultivator, who shares some expertise 

on two of his most recommended strains. Here’s the lowdown 

on Maui Waui and Blue Ribbon, which are both wellknown 

for their positive effects on users. 

MAUI WAUI 

Origin & Genetics 

This sativa-dominant strain originated 

in Maui and has been grown for close 

to 20 years on the mainland in Hawaii. 

Since then, Maui Waui has been in the 

hands of a select few throughout the 

state of California. Although there are 

several variations out there, the effects 

of this specific phenotype feel as pure 

as its genetics have been maintained. 

Unlike many other sativa-dominant 

strains, Maui Waui is incredibly light 

and clear, without the common side 

effects associated with other sativas, 

such as an increased heart rate or 

decreased attention span. CJ’s Maui 

tests between 13 and 14% THC and he 

recommends it for beginners who want 

to remain sharp and in touch with all of 

their senses throughout the day. 

Physical Description 

The buds of Maui Waui are light-green 

with bright-orange pistils covering 

its large colas of moderate density. 

The aroma is a strong, lemony-citrus 

scent with hints of pine. CJ says the 

smell reminds him of sitting on a porch 

overlooking the ocean, with the crisp 

sea breeze blowing its tropical scents 

gently across his face. 

Medicinal Uses 

Maui Waui is a great daytime medicine 

that doesn’t bog down your senses. 

The effects are great for those who 

suffer from depression, anxiety, 

stress and listlessness. Because it is 

considered a light sativa, patients can 

be confident they won’t experience any 

uncomfortable side effects during use. 

Maui Waui may also help relieve minor 

to moderate pain associated with 

spontaneous headaches and nausea. 

Growing Patterns 

If you’re thinking about growing this 

strain, make sure you plan ahead! Maui 

Waui is known for its massive stature and 

height, so it is commonly grown outdoors, 

where there is no limit to how tall it 

can grow. CJ describes it as “a vigorous 

grower in the vegetative stage that takes 

off like she’s on a mission during her 

stretch in flower.” If grown indoors, when 

possible it may be best to cut Maui’s vegetative 

stage short and force it to flower 

long before it has reached its full height. 

Maui does best in somewhat tropical 

climates, similar to its original home in 

Hawaii. It is an amazingly resilient plant, 

resistant to a lot of the pests and diseases 

that commonly take out other varieties. 

Because the colas tend to get large, bud 

rot can occur, so it is important to keep 

airflow constant. Some growers will even 

top their Maui plants to help produce 

multiple smaller colas, as opposed to one 

large chute that may be more susceptible 

to developing bud rot. 

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BLUE RIBBON 

Origin & Genetics 

This indica-dominant strain packs a 

serious punch. A cross between a true 

blueberry male and OG Kush in the 

Sierra foothills, CJ’s specific phenotype 

tests between 24 and 26% THC on 

average. There are several different 

phenotypes out there that were bred 

with the same parents, but the THC 

concentration is not as strong. These 

alternative phenotypes are specifically 

bred for high concentrations of 

cannabidiol, or CBD, to help patients 

suffering from severe pain. 

Physical Description 

The buds of CJ’s Blue Ribbon are a lush, 

dark-green color and covered in sticky, 

sparkling trichomes. CJ describes them 

as reminiscent of the snowy peaks of the 

Sierras. The rock-hard density of Blue 

CH 3 

Ribbon’s flowers carries that classic 

aroma of blueberry sweetness up-front, 

following through with earthy undertones 

and leading to an ultimately spicy finish. 

If this strain is exposed to unusually 

cold temperatures during cultivation, a 

blue-violet ribbon may appear to be spun 

around the buds of this medicine. 

Medicinal Uses 

Similar to other powerful indicas, Blue 

Ribbon excels in the areas of pain 

reduction, sleep aid and stress relief. For 

those suffering from anxiety and depression, 

Blue Ribbon may help alleviate 

these negative symptoms by producing 

a calm sense of euphoria. Keep in mind 

this strain is considered a heavy indica, 

so it is best used in moderation, especially 

for newer patients. 

Growing Patterns 

This strain has an average-sized stature 

and is suitable to grow both indoors 

and out. CJ prefers to grow Blue Ribbon 

indoors in a controlled environment to 

take advantage of all of its finest attributes, 

including bud density, trichome 

production and strong, fruity flavors 

and aromas. This strain is not known for 

producing heavy yields, but when grown 

correctly, Blue Ribbon may weigh more 

than your average, indica-dominant strain 

and most definitely makes up for any lost 

weight with its uniquely superior quality. 

For those interested in trying out 

these strains, they are popular in 

collectives around the Laguna 

Beach, California area. 

Lacey Macri works as head of sales at 

CleanGrow, focusing her time on business 

development within the company. 

She received a bachelor’s degree in 

communications and psychology from the 

University of California, Davis, where she 

worked at the California Aggie student 

newspaper on campus. 

CH 3 

H 3 

C 

CH 3 

O 

CH 3 


grow 

Creating the 

Environment 

Your Cannabis 

Plants Crave 

by Cory Hughes 

Environmental control in 

the growroom can drive 

you crazy if you let it. It 

is simple in theory, yet it 

can be difficult in practice. 

Balancing the factors 

that create a formidable 

environment can, at times, 

make you want to give up, 

but hang in there. Examining 

your environment and taking 

a simple, analytical approach 

to solving problems is 

the most effective way 

to provide high-quality 

cannabis indoors. 

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grow 

“A growroom’s 

environment 

includes more 

factors than 

just dialing 

in your 

temperature 

and humidity 

levels, but 

this is where 

growers 

should start.” 

So, the time has come. You’ve waited for this your 

whole life, and now it’s finally here. Cannabis is 

legal and you want to get to work setting up your 

own indoor grow. While anyone can drop a clone 

into some grow media and hope for the best, to 

grow the best-quality plants and maximize your 

yields, you really need to focus on the basics. 

This includes figuring out how to maintain 

a proper indoor environment. Achieving and 

maintaining the optimal growing environment is, 

in my opinion, the single most important factor in 

producing quality cannabis. 

Maintaining the optimal growroom environment 

simply means putting processes in place to deal 

with all the outside factors that interact with 

your plants and have the potential to shape 

their growth, or lack thereof. A growroom’s 

environment includes more factors than just 

dialing in your temperature and humidity levels, 

but this is where growers should start. If you 

can maintain proper temperatures and moisture 

levels, you will save yourself a slew of problems 

with pests and diseases. 

the Right Temperatures 

Cannabis plants thrive in temperatures around 

67-78°F. Sounds easy enough, right? Just set the 

AC and forget it? Not so fast! The temperatures 

and humidity levels in your grow are affected 

by numerous factors, which can, at times, make 

you feel like you are constantly juggling things 

that are out of your control. 

Your light system is a major player when it 

comes to affecting the heat in your room. For 

years, cannabis growers have been using grow 

lights with built-in ducting for HVAC, which 

was required to cool the bulbs. Large HVAC 

units blowing through your lights is a great 

idea in theory, but depending on where the air 

is coming from, you could be contaminating 

your entire grow with pests. If the HVAC pulls 

air from outside, you will not only be sucking in 

the outside air, you’ll also be sucking in mites, 

mildews and more. 

The alternative to complex, HVAC-vented 

lighting systems is to go with a cool-running 

LED, or plasma system, or a double-ended, 

compact system that uses HPS bulbs. The 

majority of double-ended lighting systems are 

designed around the concept of no direct cooling 

through venting. They typically have a smaller 

frame, and removing the cooling system from 

the equation allows the lights to be hung higher, 

which provides more space between the light 

and the plant canopy. The great thing about 

raising the lights is that you get more plant 

coverage per light than you do with a vented 

system. The downside is that your room’s AC 

needs will increase dramatically, which will 

cost you. Luckily, to better manage everything, 

there are a ton of plug-and-play tools to help 

you monitor everything from your phone while 

you are on the go. 

the Right Humidity Levels 

Humidity refers to the amount of water in the air 

and can be tricky to master. You want to maintain 

a humidity level of around 40-50% during the 

flowering stage, while your clones and veg 

plants should start at around 70% humidity and 

drop over time. The biggest factor affecting your 

growroom’s humidity levels is where you live. 

While indoor grows are supposed to be 

isolated from the outside, there is no escaping 

the effect varying outdoor temperatures have 

on the indoor environment. Whether it’s due to 

leaky doors or windows, a drip in the roof or a 

myriad of other factors, outside air can always 

creep its way indoors. 

If you live in a desert-like climate, you are 

going to need a swamp cooler. Of course, there 

are other cheap ways to increase humidity 

levels if you stay diligent. Leaving one or 

more buckets of water around is probably the 

easiest and cheapest method. If you are more 

into the mechanical stuff, a swamp cooler is 

probably your best bet. 

If your humidity levels are too high, you 

are—beyond a shadow of a doubt—going to 

run into pest and mold problems. In higher 

humidity grows, powdery mildew becomes 

prevalent if you’re not careful, as do spider 

mites, which flourish in hot, wet environments. 

If you are having a hard time maintaining 

your growroom’s humidity levels, it’s worth 

it to invest in a high-end maintenance and 

monitoring system. 

No matter what it takes, you need to shield your 

indoor environment from the outside as best 

you can. If this means fixing that leak in the 

roof, it means fixing that leak in the roof. And 

if it all leads to healthy plants at the end of the 

day, it will all have been worth it. 

Cory Hughes is a former police officer turned fulltime 

commercial grower in Denver, Colorado. 

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IT’S (PROBABLY) NOT 

pH LOCKOUT: 

TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON 

PROBLEMS IN THE GROWROOM 

BY RYAN MARTINAGE 

Are you encountering some problems in the 

growroom that you don’t know how to correct? 

Ryan Martinage offers solutions to the most 

common problems he sees in indoor gardens. 

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grow 

Iremember walking into a hydro 

shop for the first time years ago and 

feeling overwhelmed at the amount 

of equipment and products involved 

in indoor gardening. Then, after I 

encountered my first real problems, I 

started asking questions. I was almost 

always told that pH lockout was the 

culprit. Fast forward a number of years, 

after being a hydro store worker and 

manager, and now a product specialist 

for a leading nutrient company, I’m here 

to detail for you the most common realworld 

problems you’ll face. And I can 

tell you: it’s rarely pH lockout. 

pH LOCKOUT 

OK, sometimes it is actually pH lockout. 

In the realm of indoor gardening, 

pH works as a sort of sliding scale of 

nutrient availability. The scale runs from 

0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline). In 

hydroponic gardening, a pH in the 5-6 

range is optimal for most plants. In this 

range, the minerals plants need are 

in the best compromise of availability 

while also being in an acceptable environment 

for the plants to flourish. 

NUTRIENT LOCKOUT 

OCCURS WHEN A 

SUBSTANTIAL, PROLONGED 

CHANGE IN pH OCCURS. 

Nutrient lockout occurs when a substantial, 

prolonged change in pH occurs. As the 

conditions slide too far towards the acidic or 

alkaline sides of the pH scale, plants are no 

longer able to uptake adequate amounts of the 

13 minerals they need from fertilizers. Due to this 

inability to uptake specific minerals, depending 

on the degree of the pH swing, plants will show 

signs of deficiency for the various minerals 

they are unable to absorb. Typically, if you’re 

experiencing true pH lockout, you are in one of 

the following situations: 

• You’re watering in nutrients on top of a potting 

mix and complications develop. Contact your 

soil and nutrient manufacturers to ensure the 

products you’re using are compatible. Sometimes 

modifications are needed. 

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grow 

YOU WANT THE MEDIUM TO 

BE SATURATED, BUT NOT 

OVERLY SO. GRASP BOTH 

SIDES OF THE POT AND 

PICK IT UP. YOU’LL BE ABLE 

TO FEEL IF THE MEDIUM IS 

EVENLY SATURATED. 

• You are using a homemade potting 

mix with ingredients that influence the 

nutrient solution in a substantial way. 

A typical source of this is compost that 

has not finished decomposing. If the 

compost is still decomposing, it can 

make the soil unstable. A lack of lime 

or similar buffering ingredients, or an 

imbalance of added amendments, can 

also be causes. 

• You’re using a recirculating hydroponic 

system. In recirculating systems, 

everything moves faster, and constant 

pH fluctuations may be attributed to 

contamination in the form of light getting 

into the system, enabling bacterial 

growths. Organic-based products 

containing particulate matter can be 

forced into crevices by the movement 

of the solution. These organic deposits 

can also give off compounds as the 

conditions break the solution down. 

Such secretions, if unchecked, can 

cause prolonged periods of extreme 

pH fluctuation. 

In the scenarios mentioned above, 

regular maintenance and habitual pH 

monitoring can prevent unfavorable 

conditions from lasting long enough to 

cause pH lockout. With that out of the 

way, let’s move on to the things that can 

go wrong in the growroom that pH lockout 

commonly gets blamed for. 

OVERWATERING 

Overwatering is the most commonly 

overlooked 

problem in 

the growroom. 

Different growing 

mediums require 

different amounts 

of nutrient 

solution to be 

adequately 

saturated, and 

spacing those 

feedings properly 

is a key skill you 

must learn to 

be a successful 

grower. Providing 

the right amount 

of oxygen to the 

roots is essential 

to achieving 

maximum 

yields. Here’s a 

breakdown of 

overwatering 

situations by 

growing medium: 

• In hydroponics, 

plants sit 

in water, but 

the water must 

be aerated 

properly. If the 

solution goes 

stagnant, your 

plants could 

drown. Check your system’s water and 

air pumps to make sure all is well. 

• Potting soil contains compost, which 

is quite dense and can easily turn into 

a brick sitting on your plants’ roots. If 

this occurs, water less often. 

• Soilless mediums are often mixtures 

of peat, coco, perlite and other inert 

ingredients, and different mixes have 

varying water-holding capacities. In an 

indoor setting, you may not need a mix 

with the maximum water-holding capacity 

level. Like certain potting soils, 

soilless mediums can get heavy when 

over-saturated. Providing plants with 

less feed more often may be the trick. 

• A final tip for growing in potting 

soils or soilless mediums is that you 

want the medium to be saturated, 

but not overly so. Grasp both sides 

of the pot and pick it up. You’ll be 

able to feel if the medium is evenly 

saturated. You don’t need additional 

feed after this point. 

OVERFEEDING 

When it comes to nutrients, people 

often think the more gas, the bigger 

the bang. But more is not better when 

it comes to nutrients, and careful 

management of your feeding schedule 

is crucial. Here are some common 

overfeeding situations: 

• You’re feeding nutrients to a plant 

you’ve just put into potting soil. 

Hold the nutes! Potting soils most 

often contain their own source of 

fertilizer in the form of compost and 

amendments. The food present in 

the medium is usually adequate to 

feed the plant for up to 4-6 weeks, 

depending on the size of the plant 

and its container. As the plant 

signals the start of deficiencies, 

start feeding at 25-50% of the 

recommended feeding strength listed 

by the nutrient manufacturer. You 

can always go up in strength. 

• You are running high temperatures. If 

your growroom is on the warm side, 

your plants take in more fluids and 

can actually take in too much food, 

causing discoloration. 

• You are using water with lots of 

minerals. Depending on where you 

live, your water may already be 

saturated with undesirable solids, 

which makes it harder for plants to 

take in nutrients. If you do not correct 

for these levels, plants may be stunted 

in growth or show signs of deficiencies. 

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grow 

IF YOU’RE USING A FULL LINE AS WELL AS 

ADDITIVES, ESPECIALLY FLOWER-BULKING 

ADDITIVES, YOU MAY NEED TO CUT OUT THE 

REDUNDANT PRODUCT. 

This is why many manufacturers sell hard-water formulas or 

offer charts to modify feeding schedules for 

these conditions. 

• You are using additives on top of a full nutrient line. Nutrient 

manufacturers put a lot of work into making feeding schedules. 

They must be stable, work in a majority of situations 

and have a largely known outcome with popular growing 

methods. If you’re using a full line as well as additives, 

especially flower-bulking additives, you may need to cut out 

the redundant product. Contact the manufacturer to ensure 

your products are compatible. 

Before you immediately diagnose a complex issue or change 

up your entire method of growing to fix an issue, start with 

the basics. Analyze your feeding practices, watering methods, 

medium type and environmental conditions. More often than 

not, modifying a few basic principles will fix problems that at 

the start seemed much more exotic. 

Ryan Martinage has a bachelor’s degree in environmental 

science and an established career in the indoor gardening 

industry. First learning the ropes as a hydro store employee 

and then moving into management roles, Ryan is now a 

representative for SJ Enterprises, which manufactures the 

Cyco Platinum Series brand of products. 

40 


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grow 

what’s in 

your growroom? 

Behind the scenes with MR. BUD GREEN 

Jerry Glasscock, 

a.k.a. Mr. Bud 

Green, is a product 

consultant with 

Neptune’s Harvest 

who recently 

opened a used 

grow equipment store in Michigan 

called Growing Again, where he offers 

cannabis grow classes and hosts several 

support group meetings. We caught up 

with him to find out what he uses in his 

growroom to achieve the green buds 

he is named after. 

How did you get into growing? 

Prior to medical marijuana being legal here in Michigan, my focus was 

on farming organic vegetables. I specialized in growing unique tomato 

strains from around the world. Much of what I learned from researching 

the genetic characteristics of tomatoes gave me a head start when it came 

to understanding the character traits of cannabis strains from different 

hemispheres. While it’s important to know a strain’s name, and whether it is 

an indica or sativa, knowing the plant’s geographic origins is key. 

What led you to working with Neptune’s Harvest? 

I contacted Neptune’s Harvest in 2009 to share with them a few pictures of 

how well their products grew cannabis. Co-owner Ann Molloy replied and 

asked if I would help represent Neptune’s Harvest at the 2010 KushCon event 

held in Denver. Since then, I have been representing Neptune’s Harvest 

at Maximum Yield’s Indoor Gardening Expos across the country. I’ve also 

been working with another Neptune’s Harvest owner, Sandy Parco, who is 

in charge of research and development. Just recently, the company released 

two nutrient formulas geared for cannabis growing—Tomato & Veg and Rose 

& Flowering—and we are currently working on a special soil blend that 

incorporates many Neptune’s Harvest ocean supplements. 

What products do you use in your growroom? 

I’ve been using Neptune’s Harvest products for more than 10 years. It’s 

exciting to see how well they keep up with the latest discoveries in the 

cannabis field. Other products that boost my harvest include Smart Pots. 

These remarkable containers offer several advantages over conventional 

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myhydrolife.com

plastic pots. The main benefits are due to what happens to the 

root tips as they reach the side of the container. Once the root 

tips hit the edge of the pot, they are exposed to air and die off. 

In doing so, additional shoots grow. Smart Pots are made of a 

breathable material that helps cut down on excessive moisture 

retention, which in return assists in eliminating molds and 

water-logged roots. 

In terms of water quality, I always start with water that has 

gone through a reverse osmosis system. It is also important 

to have a way to monitor pH and ppm levels as nutrients are 

added to the system. I’ve tried equipment from several companies 

and have found Autogrow Systems to be the most reliable 

in keeping up with my needs. 

Tell us a bit about your additional industry experience. 

Along with growing cannabis over the last several years, I have 

been actively supporting cannabis reforms. When the Michigan 

Medical Marijuana Act was passed, I realized there was an 

additional need to get information out about the act. To me, 

cannabis activism goes hand-in-hand with the farming. As a 

cannabis farmer, much of the time it feels like we are walking a 

tightrope, constantly coming across individuals who regard the 

medicinal laws with disdain and who want to make safe access 

as difficult as possible. 

“ 

While it’s important to know a 

strain’s name, and whether it is 

an indica or sativa, knowing the 

plant’s geographic origins is key.” 

I feel obligated to continue to protect what we have, as well 

as end the criminalization of cannabis. Together with my 

team, I’ve helped create patient support groups across the 

Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Another unique opportunity 

I had was doing volunteer work at several THC-qualifying 

clinics. This is where, working alongside Ricky G, I learned 

just how medicinal cannabis truly is. Medicinal marijuana 

means many things to those who have found relief through it. 

I have found it helps people cut down on, and in many cases 

eliminate, opiate pain medications. 

What are you growing right now? 

I have worked with several different strains over the last 

few years. I am always on the lookout for the perfect strain. 

Pineapple Express, Red Purps and Trainwreck are some of 

the current strains I’m growing, but I believe a strain called 

Lavender is above the rest in terms of medicinal qualities. The 

feedback we’ve gotten on this strain, which is being used by 

patients suffering from PTSD and chronic pain, has put it at 

the forefront. 

What advice you can offer other growers? 

I try and invite in as much fresh air as possible to flow 

throughout the cannabis fields in my greenhouses. But while 

fresh air is critical for a variety of reasons, it offers an avenue 

for unwanted pests like spider mites to enter. To combat spider 

mites, Arbico Organic products can be found in my greenhouse 

every season. The best product I have found from Arbico 

is beneficial preying mantises. I order some of these critters 

in early spring, and once the cocoons arrive at my doorstep, I 

let them sit in a glass jar with a lid screwed on—something I 

learned the hard way—and in May, more than 1,000 tiny mantises 

hatch. Nothing else handles a spider mite infestation as 

good as those guys! 

Autogrow IntelliDose Controller 

The IntelliDose Controller 

from Autogrow is an 

intelligent hydroponic 

doser that works 

tirelessly to keep 

your nutrient 

tank perfectly 

balanced. It does 

so by automatically 

adding nutrients 

and correcting pH 

as your plants feed. 

IntelliDose can 

dose up to a ninepart 

recipe, can be 

accessed remotely, 

SYSTEMS 

and can be set up to send you text alerts along the way. 

Data logging and scheduling, along with expert tech 

support, put Autogrow Controllers above the rest! 

Neptune’s Harvest Tomato & Veg 

and Rose & Flowering Formulas 

Neptune’s Harvest 

recently released two 

new products designed 

for the veg and bloom 

cycles of plant growth. 

Made from fresh fish, 

seaweed, molasses, 

yucca extracts and humic 

acids, Tomato & Veg 

(2-4-2) Formula is ideal 

for plants with intense 

vegetative stages, and 

Rose & Flowering (2-6-4) 

Formula increases the 

volume and density of 

buds to produce healthy, 

vibrant flowers. 

ARBICO Organics 

Whether your pests are in 

the soil or above ground, 

ARBICO Organics has 

a wide selection of 

beneficial insects, 

beneficial nematodes 

and predatory insects 

to help you control 

pest infestations 

and protect your 

crop. Choose from 

Fly Eliminators, 

ladybugs, green 

lacewings 

and more! 


grow 

by James E. Kostrava 

Naturally 

Discover how growers have captured the essence of robust plants from 

sub-Saharan Africa and transferred that biotechnology to their cannabis plants. 

44 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

Medicinal cannabis patients often 

say they love the effects of the 

medicine, but they don’t like how it 

burns their lungs when they smoke 

it. But it is not the pot that is burning 

their lungs, it is the heavy metals in 

the synthetic pesticides used to grow 

it. To combat this, organic growers 

look for fertilizer and pesticide 

products that are approved for use 

in organic gardens by the Organic 

Materials Review Institute, such as 

neem products. Fruits, vegetables 

and medicines grown with the 

pure essence of neem contain no 

pesticide residues, and there is no 

need to flush plants before harvest 

because there is nothing to flush. 

WHAT IS SO MAGICAL ABOUT NEEM? 

Neem trees are loaded with bioactive 

nutrients. Over the centuries, they 

have evolved to survive in the harshest 

climates on Earth, such as sub-Saharan 

Africa. You see these trees whenever 

you see an African lion safari on TV. 

You see the dry, desolate landscape 

of Africa, and then, in the middle of 

nowhere, a giant, lush, green neem 

tree. Not only are they loaded with rich, 

bioactive nutrients, but when locusts 

come through and eat everything in 

sight, the only plants left are the neem 

trees because they contain a substance 

called azadirachtin that tastes bitter 

and smells awful. Azadirachtin does 

“ AZADIRACHTIN 

DOES NOT 

POISON INSECTS 

LIKE A SYNTHETIC 

PESTICIDE MIGHT. 

INSTEAD, IT TRIGGERS A 

STOP-EATING RESPONSE 

SO BUGS STARVE TO DEATH.” 

not poison insects like a synthetic 

pesticide might. Instead, it triggers a 

stop-eating response so bugs starve 

to death. Neem is effective against 

many pests, including aphids, beetles, 

cockroaches, flies, fruit flies, fungal 

infections, grasshoppers, leaf miners, 

mosquitoes, moths, nematodes, snails, 

spider mites and thrips. 

BRINGING NEEM TO THE MASSES 

In 2006, a PhD research scientist who 

spent his entire career at a global chemical 

company, and who literally wrote 

the book on chemical extraction, found 

a way to extract the pure essence of 

African neem trees. He was also able to 

make this concentrated liquid emulsifiable 

so it could mix well with regular 

water instead of oil. He sprayed this 

pure essence of neem on plants and saw 

instant results. Weak plants became 

healthy, and healthy plants became 

even healthier. Stress from pests and 

diseases was greatly reduced, while 

yields increased like crazy. Crops grown 

with neem extract also stayed healthy 

longer after being picked. 

Field trials on plants grown with 

the pure essence of neem have been 

conducted by several universities. At 

Saginaw Valley State University, tomato 

growers saw a 70% increase in cumulative 

yield mass, compared to untreated 

control, and on cherry tomatoes there 

was a 17% increase in fruit count, compared 

to untreated plants. At Michigan 

State University, blueberries grown with 

neem outperformed the ones grown with 

chemical inputs in total percentage of 

marketable fruit, and organic apples 

were healthier and happier than those 

grown without neem. Finally, at Hillsdale 

College, greenhouse-grown strawberries 

saw a nine-fold increase in fruit 

count, compared to the untreated control. 

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grow 

The Leaf Doctor 

Doc Deadhead 

NEEM FOR MEDICINAL CANNABIS PLANTS 

With more people using medicinal cannabis, 

there is a greater need to grow plants organically, 

which is where neem products come 

in. World-renowned scientific experts such 

as Dr. Sanja Gupta and Dr. Mehmet Oz have 

boldly changed their positions on the use of 

medicinal cannabis and its many benefits. 

In Dr. Gupta’s two CNN specials, Weed and 

Weed 2, he provides solid research to make 

the case for cannabis as medicine. More to the 

topic at hand, in Weed 2, Dr. Gupta quoted the 

Journal of Toxicology, whose authors stated 

that they found levels of pesticide residue in 

medicinal cannabis as high as 69.5%. Novice 

growers may give their plants a good flushing 

to remove any toxic pesticides, but while flushing 

may remove what is on the surface of the 

plant, it cannot remove what is in the fabric of 

the plant. This is why pesticide residue numbers 

can creep so high. 

Since 2010, field trials on medicinal cannabis 

treated with pure essence of neem have been 

conducted in Michigan, Colorado, California, 

Oregon, New Mexico, Washington and 

Arizona, all with positive results. In Michigan, 

specific strain trials were conducted by a 

chemical technician at one of the state’s 

largest dispensaries. The trial groups showed 

improved plant health and increased yields 

at an average of 55.6%, and as much as 82.7%. 

Here’s the yield increase on six strains of 

medicinal plants that were sprayed with the 

pure essence of neem: 

Green Crack (DWC): 29.7% 

Purple Afghani (DWC): 64.9% 

Fire Bubba Kush (DWC): 47.5% 

Master Kush (Soil): 61.4% 

Critical Mass (Soil): 82.7% 

Burmese Kush (Soil): 50.2% 

When foliar feeding with pure neem 

essence, remember that less is more. You 

want to use the finest mist possible. This 

allows plants to breathe in the nutrients 

through their pores, creating a protective 

shield against environmental stresses. 

In addition to weekly foliar feeding 

with pure neem extract, hydro growers 

like to add a small amount of it to 

their reservoirs to help build up the root 

system, and soil growers add a granular 

soil adjuvant made from the shucks of 

neem seeds after the essence has been 

extracted. Since it is granular, it needs to 

be applied just twice during the growing 

season: once at the beginning and once 

halfway through. 

AWARD-WINNING RESULTS 

Commercial growers who grow with 

the pure essence of neem have gone on 

to win awards at various High Times 

Cannabis Cups. The Strongest Strain on 

Earth winner, Ghost Train Haze #1, was 

grown by Michigan’s King of Cannabis, 

the Leaf Doctor, who swears by neem 

products. His award-winning strain 

tested at 27.5% THC. 

Doc Deadhead, a winner of four cannabis 

awards, says the pure essence of 

neem helps leaves communicate with 

roots, allowing for the full genetic potential 

of the strain. He also believes it to 

be a genetic booster. “Pure neem extract 

increased my yields by 30-50%,” he says. 

“It completely controls all pest issues 

while preventing powdery mildew. At the 

same time, it increases potency—26.4% 

THC speaks for itself.” Doc Deadhead 

won the Second Place Medallion for his 

hash at the High Times Cannabis Cup in 

Flint, Michigan. 

Professional growers often have to suit 

up with special protective gear before 

they apply synthetic plant nutrients and 

pesticides, and then they need to vacate 

the treated area for a period of time so 

they don’t poison themselves. Luckily, 

they don’t have these same concerns 

when using pure, neem-based products 

because they are made from plants and 

nothing else. What could be better than 

using all-natural, organic products on 

anything you plan on ingesting? 

James E. Kostrava is the founder and 

CEO of Organibliss. Organibliss is an 

all-natural, organic, OMRI-listed plant 

growth enhancer that is primarily made 

from the pure essence of neem. For more 

information, visit organibliss.com. 

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ask a nurse 

Herbal 

ASK A NURSE: JOINT PAIN RELIEF 

I have aches and pains from my diagnosed 

Q 

rheumatoid arthritis and I’ve been hearing a lot 

about medicinal marijuana lately. I don’t want to 

keep taking my prescribed pills, and although I don’t 

like the thought of getting high, I long for relief from 

my joint pain and a good night’s sleep. Smoking up is not 

appealing to me because of the smell, and I’m worried about my 

neighbors. I smoked grass a few times about 40 years ago and 

had nothing but positive experiences with it. Any suggestions? 

Sincerely, 

Grandma Looking for Answers 

Oh, mystery Grandma, I’m glad to hear you were 

A 

toking 40 years ago. It warms my heart. First and 

foremost, transitioning from any pharmaceutical 

should be monitored and discussed thoroughly 

with a doctor. The good news is, you don’t have 

to get high to get joint relief with medicinal cannabis. 

Cannabis without the high can be found in strains with less 

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and higher CBD (cannabidiol) 

ratios. It is the CBD’s non-psychoactive component of cannabis 

that provides you with your physiological relief. Some strains 

commonly used for arthritis include Sensi Star, Pennywise 

and White Lavender. You can check out leafly.com to research 

strains and get a better understanding of strain specifics. 

If smoking joints isn’t in the cards for you, you can always use 

a vaporizer for quick relief and your neighbors won’t smell a 

thing. An infused cream or salve is also a nice topical option to 

massage into your hands. If you don’t have access to pre-made 

lotions, you can make one yourself. Cannabis-infused coconut 

oil is an easy way to get the most out of your dried cannabis 

and provide you with some intake diversity. To make cannabisinfused 

coconut oil: 

1. Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. 

2. Bust up your dried cannabis and spread it out on the tray. 

Bake in your oven at 220°F for 20 minutes. 

3. Grab your slow cooker and put in one cup of cannabis 

to two cups of coconut oil. Leave it on low and slow 

cook for 4-6 hours. 

4. After the oil has been infused, strain it and discard the 

cannabis in the compost. 

A jar of cannabis-infused medicine will go a long way. For 

example, if you pour it into ice cube trays, you can run the 

frozen cubes over hot or inflamed areas like the back of your 

neck, your feet, your hands or any area that is causing you 

discomfort. This oil can also be used to make raw chocolate or 

healthy edibles if you’re feeling inspired. The most important 

rule of thumb, Grandma, is low and slow. Try a small amount, 

wait 30 minutes or so, and check in with yourself. A little is 

a lot, and impatience can be your worst enemy with edibles, 

so take little bites and savor. Keep a water bottle with you as 

well—hydration and cannabis go hand in hand. 

I hope this response has answered your questions, and I wish 

you all the best on your cannabis journey. 

Shine on, 

Jessica Ferneyhough, RPN 

Do you have a question for Jessica? 

Email editor@myhydrolife.com to get an answer. 

Jessica Ferneyhough, a registered practical 

nurse, brings a unique approach to care, 

empowering patients as a medicinal cannabis 

nurse and horses for healing advocate. 

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heal 

by Brett Strauss 

THE PLANT THAT 

Saved My Life 

... and How It Happened 

After two-time cancer survivor Brett Strauss experienced the medicinal benefits of cannabis 

firsthand, he immediately sprang into action, spearheading policy change in Colorado. 

My name is 

Brett Strauss. I 

am a two-time 

cancer survivor 

and the CEO of 

Pure Nutrients, 

a company that 

manufactures and 

develops pesticides 

and washes that 

are safe for both 

plants and the 

patients who medicate with them. 

I was first diagnosed with cancer in 

May 2007. Three months later, I had surgery 

on six tumors that were imbedded 

in my thyroid. I had a 100% thyroidectomy 

at that time. Fast forward to January 

2010, when I had a routine ultrasound 

that showed five masses in the lymph 

nodes in the soft tissues of my neck. 

The medical staff instantly took a 

fine-needle biopsy of all five masses, 

including one that was tucked behind 

my carotid artery. A week later, I was told 

that all five tumors were malignant. 

I received the news while working in 

Pueblo, Colorado, in my greenhouse. I 

was in the middle of unloading a semitruck 

full of Sunshine No. 4 Potting Soil. I 

was not only severely devastated by the 

news, I also ended up severely damaging 

a muscle in my back that day. The following 

day, crippled by the news and the 

severe back pain, I hobbled into my office 

at LAKK Investments in Colorado. LAKK 

invests in marijuana businesses, and 

owns and controls the grow operations for 

Garden of the Gods Wellness, an upscale 

dispensary in Colorado Springs. 

When I limped into my office, I was met 

by Olympic gold-medalist wrestler Jeff 

Cervone, who operated the dispensary. 

After hearing the news of my wrecked 

back and cancer diagnosis, Jeff suggested 

I try a high-CBD cream on my neck that he 

had just received from a lady at Elsie’s Edibles 

in Grand Junction. I said, “No thanks. 

I have severe back pain and cancer. I need 

heavy-duty painkillers, not some voodoo 

marijuana cream.” 

Jeff urged me to reconsider, so I gave the 

cream a try. Within 30 minutes of applying 

it to my back, the pain was completely 

gone. Later that day, I met a lady named 

Kathy who came to me to help her open a 

local MMJ center. Kathy suffered from crippling 

arthritis and wore soft casts on her 

hands. She could barely move her fingers 

or hands. As I was newly won over by the 

MMJ balm Jeff gave me, I gave her some 

to try. Within minutes, Kathy was able to 

move her hands again. 

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myhydrolife.com

heal 

As a result of what happened to me, I became more involved 

than ever in the cannabis plant, in alternative methods of 

healing, in other patients and in the development of safe 

pesticides that would not add cancer-causing agents to what I 

now believed was a medical cure for a terminal illness.” 

At that point, I had seen all I needed 

to see, and started to apply the balm to 

my neck as well as my back. My next 

surgery was scheduled on the Ides of 

March—March 15, 2010—three months 

after my second cancer diagnosis. I was 

so nervous for my surgery that I named 

my new Rottweiler Caesar, in honor of 

the Ides of March and the day Julius 

Caesar died. I was thinking that if I died 

in surgery, I could live on through my 

new puppy. It sounds crazy now, but this 

is what fear and cancer does to the mind. 

I remember my friend Nate Vasquez being 

there as I went under, the same man 

who was there the first time I came out of 

surgery in 2007. 

I was in surgery for approximately 

four hours. When I came out of surgery 

and read the results of the post-surgery 

biopsy report, it was incredible. Four 

of the tumors in the lymph nodes of 

my neck were completely benign, but 

the one behind my carotid artery was 

still malignant. The report basically 

said to me that every tumor the CBD 

balm came into contact with was cured, 

and the one it couldn’t reach, behind 

my carotid artery where it couldn’t be 

touched, was still cancerous. I had been 

90% cured. I continued to use the cream 

and took radioactive iodine treatment 

as a counter measure. As I write this 

story in early 2016, I am still, to this day, 

cancer-free. 

The news of what happened to me 

became a high-profile story in the 

media—so much so that I was asked to 

be the keynote speaker at the Capital in 

Washington, DC, on 4:20 that year. Doctors 

validated my medical results in the 

newspaper and on TV. For many, it was 

the first credible report of its kind. 

As a result of what happened to me, I 

became more involved than ever with 

the cannabis plant, in alternative methods 

of healing, in other patients and in 

the development of safe pesticides that 

would not add cancer-causing agents 

to what I now believe is a medical cure 

for a terminal illness. I started my own 

study, and partnered up with two doctors 

who were members of the alreadyestablished 

Colorado Compassionate 

Physicians, a local office dedicated to 

helping those in the community find 

alternative methods of pain relief. We 

set out to arrange free doctor visits for 

anybody dealing with a possibly terminal 

illness. Our goal was to get these 

people recommendations for medical 

marijuana, and either cover the cost of 

their medication or provide it at cost. 

I also got heavily involved with the 

State of Colorado and even took over 

a group looking to get House Bill 1284 

passed. House Bill 1284 was a dead bill 

at the time and had zero support from 

law enforcement or the growing community. 

It was a gray-area bill that allowed 

patients to use and grow of marijuana, 

but did not allow for the sale of pot. So, a 

person could grow pot and provide it for 

patients, but selling it to others was still 

considered illegal. Not only were people 

not able to get the medicine they needed, 

they were losing their freedom under a 

law that was subjective and ambiguous. 

I took over this task force after meeting 

with Senator Chris Romer’s office at 

the state capital. They informed me that 

they trusted this task to others, but they 

never got behind it and the bill had little 

support. I quickly got to work organizing 

the Colorado Grown Community. This 

rag-tag group of growers, business owners, 

law-enforcement officials, doctors, 

patients and lawyers started a dialog 

and began taking the bill apart to make 

it work the best we could for all parties 

concerned. I wanted to be part of the 

solution, so I financed and paid for the 

endeavor myself, including covering all 

the legal fees. 

We worked day and night, disseminating 

our information to the House and 

Senate members across party lines. 

Subsequently, the once-dead bill passed 

(with some revisions) and the boom of 

medicinal cannabis—and now recreational 

marijuana—began in Colorado, 

once it was legalized and legitimized. 

Colorado became the first state to legalize 

the sale of pot as we know it, and 

now, thousands of patients of all ages 

continue to move to Colorado every year 

to get the lifesaving medicines they 

need, without the fear of legal repercussions 

or any negative stigma. 

Along with my crusade to legitimize 

Colorado’s cannabis industry, in 2012 I 

founded Pure Nutrients to help develop 

safe pesticides and fungicides that not 

only protect the plants, but protect the 

patients, while providing growers with 

a safe alternative to chemical pesticides 

that works better. I was tired of manufacturers 

not telling growers what they 

were putting in the products that were 

being used on plants. It made me suspicious 

that hazardous, cancer-causing 

chemicals were being used on cannabis 

and our food crops with little or no care 

or disclosure to the end user. 

This is a fight we are still fighting at 

Pure, and one we intend on winning. The 

cannabis plant, in my opinion, saved 

my life, and in return, I have and will 

continue to do the same for it. 

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heal 

Get out the juicer! It’s time to 

make a cannabis smoothie. 

CANNABIS 

56 


JUICING 

101 

by Colleen Graham 

One of the latest—and some say greatest—ways to ingest medicinal 

cannabis is juicing. There are many reported health benefits to juicing 

cannabis and it appeals to many patients because it does not get you 

high. Heat is required to trigger the psychoactive properties of THC and 

juicing bypasses that completely. It is easy to create a completely innocent, 

healthy cannabis juice. Here are a few things you should know first. 

myhydrolife.com

BLENDER VS. JUICER 

The biggest decision in juicing is which 

machine to choose. It is possible to juice 

cannabis in a blender and this is a good 

place to begin if you want to experiment. 

For those who really want to get into 

juicing, a masticating juicer is your best 

bet. These can range from $100 to several 

thousand and are designed to juice the 

driest vegetables and leafy greens. If kale 

and wheatgrass smoothies are on your 

wish list as well, a decent juicer is a good 

investment. Follow the juicer’s instructions 

for leafy greens and you are done! 

BLENDING CANNABIS JUICE 

If you decide to stick with your trusty 

blender over a juicer, a decent one will 

be able to create cannabis juice: 

• Remove the stems from 4-5 fresh 

cannabis fan leaves. 

• Rinse well and add them 

to the blender. 

• Add 1 cup of distilled water. 

• Cap the blender and give it a few 

good rounds on the pulse setting. 

• Switch to liquefy and watch your 

fresh cannabis juice form. 

• Strain out the big pieces of pulp 

and enjoy! 

PULP OR NO PULP 

Many medicinal cannabis juicers prefer 

to leave some pulp in the juice, as the 

pulp has extra fiber and nutrients that 

are beneficial. It does make the juice 

thicker and can be harder to drink if 

you are not used to it. Strain the juice as 

many times as you like. One trip through 

the strainer will remove most of the pulp. 

CHOOSING & PREPPING 

THE CANNABIS 

Juicing cannabis for its medicinal 

benefits requires a few decisions. Most 

importantly, begin with a type that is 

preferred for medical use, such as high- 

CBD cannabis. The cannabis also needs 

to be fresh. Dried leaves are a waste of 

time. Fresh from the plant is best and if 

you must store the leaves, place them in 

the refrigerator in a loose plastic bag. 

Don’t expose them to any heat. 

Some people will add fresh buds to their 

mix as well, but this is not necessary. 

Besides, juicing is a great way to use up 

leaves that may be discarded. If plants 

have been sprayed with anything, be 

sure to rinse the leaves thoroughly. 

STORING CANNABIS JUICE 

Fresh cannabis juice can be stored for 

up to three days in the refrigerator. To 

extend its shelf life, freeze the juice in 

an ice cube tray and pop out cubes as 

needed. With this method, the juice can 

be used for up to three weeks. 

MASKING THE TASTE 

Let’s face it, the taste of raw cannabis is 

not for everyone. If you love a straight 

shot of wheatgrass juice, you may not 

have a problem with it. For everyone 

else, it is an acquired taste you may or 

may not get used to. 

To make cannabis juice easier to drink, 

mix it with other juices. Carrot is a 

favorite and some people recommend 

a blend of one part cannabis to 10 parts 

carrot. That’s great, but let’s make it 

more interesting! Choose light, sweet 

fruits that will offset that bitter cannabis 

flavor. Banana, mango and peach 

are great places to start. Add a little 

sweetener and milk or yogurt and you 

have the foundation for a great-tasting 

cannabis smoothie. 

Peachy Green 

Smoothie 

• ½ large peach, chopped 

• ½ banana, sliced 

• 3 cannabis juice ice cubes 

• 1 tbsp agave nectar or honey 

• 3 ounces milk or ½-cup yogurt 

Place the ingredients in a blender. 

Pulse to chop everything up, then 

liquefy until smooth. 

Adapt this recipe however you 

want. That’s the best part about 

juicing…there are no rules! Try 

soy, almond or coconut milk or a 

flavored yogurt (blueberry with 

peach is delicious). If the mix is 

too thick, add more milk or two 

plain ice cubes and blend again. 

You can also begin with just 4 or 

5 large cannabis fans and skip the 

cubed juice completely. 

Colleen Graham is a writer and freelance photographer from the Midwest who 

specializes in mixed drinks and covering the liquor industry. She is the cocktails 

expert for about.com and author of the book ¡Hola Tequila! Gardening and 

kayaking with her husband are two of her favorite pastimes. 

myhydrolife.com 

grow. heal. live. enjoy. 57

heal 

Sour Diesel 

Girl Scout 

Green Crack 

OG Kush 

finding the 

perfect 

White Rhino 

Chocolope 

Blue Dream 

LA Confidential 

White Rhino 

Jack Herer 

S 

Bubba Kush 

AK-47 

Trainwreck 

T 

Pineapple Express 

by Jessica Ferneyhough 

Northern Lights 

Identifying the perfect strain of 

cannabis is like brushing up against 

the perfect set of lips. Moments can 

Headband pass in complete bliss and elevate 

you from whatever ails the spirit. Time 

Blue becomes Cheese irrelevant as this boundless 

bliss encompasses you and the worries 

Purple you had, Kush just moments before, seem less 

urgent. The healing hits its highest point 

Durban when you Poison begin to let go and have less 

fear around exploring intake methods. 

Deciding which intake method is right 

Gorilla Glue #4 

for you takes a warrior’s spirit. You 

must be willing to explore strains for 

Chemdawg 

specificity. Open up and have a little fun 

as you balance your CBD with your THC. 

Lemon Notice Haze as your vibe becomes your guide 

to healing. Do you mist your medicine 

Super on your Silver tongue as Haze you feel the tension 

creeping up? Or is it the softness of a 

Alaskan CO 2 pen that Thunder 

you prefer? Has it been 

rubbed on your arthritic hands, only to 

feel the continuous throbbing dissipate 

Strawberry Cough 

moments after application? Or are you 

a parent with an epileptic child who you 

Grape administer ApeCBD oil to? 

Lives are being transformed with 

Blackberry this incredible plant Kush as she finally 

showcases her healing capabilities to 

Blueberry 

the world. Regardless of whether you are 

pro-cannabis or ignorant of its medicinal 

Cheese capabilities at this point, it’s helping 

with an expanding list of ailments and 

diseases daily. Cannabis assists with 

Master Kush 

epilepsy, pediatrics, PTSD patients, 

animals, elderly, the sick, the lonely 

Super and Lemon the believers Haze of better days to come 

and brighter ways to be. Embracing 

Cherry Pie 

R 

Jessica Ferneyhough leads 

us through the journey 

of finding the right strain 

for what ails you. 

A 

I 

Lemon Kush 

God's Gift 

NSkywalker 

Purple Urkle 

Tahoe OG Kush 

G13 

Death Star 

cannabis is 

about bouncing back from Agent Orange 

days of heavy sickness and 

pharmaceutical haze. The Hindu Kush 

dark shadows that chemical 

pharmaceuticals are trying Purple Haze 

to cast upon its victims are 

coming to an end. More people are rising 

up to take control of their healing path. 

Mango Kush 

They want legal access to it. My hope is 

Granddaddy Purple 

that they are working with someone who 

is not only well-informed of its many 

benefits, but also its accessibility. If this 

is not the case, head to a cannabis clinic. 

In my opinion, dignified access to 

medicinal cannabis is a human right. 

It has become my personal mission 

as a nurse and as a medicine woman 

to destigmatize marijuana and uplift 

the downtrodden with her influence. 

Empowering patients to work with their 

own medicine has boundless rewards. 

Science is dancing to her magic 

and the vibrations are producing 

precise medicines. CBD eye drops for 

glaucoma are coming, there is CBD oil 

available for patients and there are 

cannabis creams for joints and edema. 

My inner child beams with delight as 

I find more of these forms of treatment 

for such common ailments. 

There is no judgement from cannabis. 

Your endocannabinoid system is 

begging for it. It takes the heart of 

an adventurer to really enjoy this 

medicine, one who seeks truth and 

understands that our greatest healing 

comes from within. 

Master Kush 

Cherry Pie 

Maui Waui 

Afghan Kush 

Amnesia Haze 

White Rhino 

Chocolope 

LA Confidential 

Lemon Kush 

Skywalker 

Tahoe OG Kush 

Purple Haze 

Bubba Kush 

Jessica Ferneyhough, a registered 

practical nurse, brings a unique approach 

to care, empowering patients both as a 

medicinal cannabis nurse and horses for 

AK-47 

Trainwreck 

healing advocate. 

Pineapple Express 

58 


Northern Lights 

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heal 

Soaking in a Little Sunshine: 

by Sharon Letts 

Sunboldt Grown Cooperative 

Why is the Emerald Triangle a leader in growing quality cannabis? Sunshine 

Johnston takes Hydrolife writer Sharon Letts on a tour of Sunboldt Grown 

Cooperative in southern Humboldt County to help answer that question. 

unshine Johnston came to southern 

SHumboldt County when she was just 

seven years old. She graduated from 

Humboldt State University with a bachelor’s 

of science in geology, and did her 

senior thesis on the structural geology 

south of Punta Gorda in the Mendocino 

Triple Junction region. The degree led her 

to work on road inventories for Humboldt 

Redwoods State Park and a gig with Pacific 

Watershed Associates, but today her 

day job, for the time being, is brokering 

wine for local vineyards. 

A recreational marijuana user, Johnston 

discovered medicinal cannabis 

after a wrist injury. “I had made a topical 

salve for my wrist, and the 215 card 

came later when I realized I was medicating 

for chronic pain,” she explains. 

Since making that first jar of salve, 

Sunshine has expanded her apothecary 

cupboard, adding infusions with many 

bases, including raw hemp milk, nettles, 

hydrosol and other healing herbs from 

the garden. “I grow flowers mostly for 

the connoisseur,” she adds. 

Her Loopy Fruit strain, which this 

writer partook of at the end of the 

interview and before the photo shoot, 

reminded me of the quip, “Cannabis 

forces us to be more creative than we 

really are.” Sunshine’s extracts are all 

made from fresh bud infusions. “I use 

many different bases,” she explains. 

“The salve is used primarily on 

acupressure points; the infused honey 

I love because it tastes good; the 

infused coconut oil is used for baking. 

I also make a probiotic nettle 

brew used in the garden.” 

Aside from the salve that quells 

the pain in her wrist, Sunshine 

juices fresh bud and leaves to 

prevent illness and give her a 

general sense of well-being. 

Her garden is tucked away in a 

southern Humboldt backwoods kind 

of way, surrounded by redwoods. 

Her home is colorful, warm and filled 

with friendly faces busily working on 

projects surrounding plants. The garden 

is a mix of flowers, vegetables and 

places to hang herbs. 

Today, she is a farmer, joining the ranks 

of others within the Emerald Triangle 

of Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity 

counties. “With the new regulations, I will 

expand from an experimental, researchbased 

garden and go into production,” 

she informs me. “I’ll be competing for topshelf 

placement in a high-end market, 

and have a farm-to-table-like model.” 

Being a part of the cannabis community 

in Northern California is important to 

Sunshine, and she’s planning outreach 

to help others in the mix. “Education is 

important in this industry, as the stigma 

was created based on misinformation,” 

she says. “I’ll be building community 

by offering workshops and other 

services as needed.” 

Watershed stewardship is a big deal 

in California and cannabis farmers 

are garnering more criticism in recent 

months than almond farmers, who are 

purported to use nearly one gallon 

of water to produce one almond. As 

farmers in Humboldt install rain 

catchment systems, invite inspectors 

onto their properties and get permitted 

in a historically covert region, change 

is coming for good medicine and the 

healing that follows. 

“During our recent series of townhall 

meetings, we brought in experts 

on water conservation, and were told 

that even in a drought we could gather 

enough water to care for our crops,” 

she said. “Cannabis farmers will take 

the lead in responsible water use for 

agriculture in the state.” 

Sunshine waxes poetic on Humboldt’s 

role in the development of cannabis 

strains and improved efficacy of the 

plant in general. A plethora of cannabis 

strains, including cannabinoid 

(CBD)-only strains, were developed in 

southern Humboldt. “One of the reasons 

the Emerald Triangle is a leader in producing 

and growing quality cannabis, 

and has the highest concentration of 

farmers, is that we have always willingly 

shared information,” she says. “It’s 

not like that in places like Colorado and 

Washington. As we enter a competitive 

marketplace, it’s important not to lose 

this part of our cultural heritage that 

sets us apart from other places.” 

For more information on Sunboldt 

Grown, visit sunboldt.org. 

Sharon Letts was raised in Southern California 

then moved to Humboldt, where she 

learned about cannabis as medicine. Her 

work can be found in several international 

magazines, advocating for the right to grow 

every seed-bearing plant. 

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Is Electronic Cannabis 

by Alex Rea 

To vaporize, or not to vaporize? 

A growing number of medicinal cannabis 

patients are turning to this method 

of consumption. Here’s why. 

Cannabis has grown up quite a bit in 

recent years, ever since entrepreneurs 

in the United States set their minds to 

creating products that appeal to adults 

who need to medicate discreetly. 

Vaporization is the new craze taking 

over the cannabis industry, as it uses 

less cannabis, is better for your health 

and doesn’t leave that lingering, 

unmistakable odor of burnt cannabis. 

Vaporization of medicinal cannabis is 

nothing new, but there are a few new 

developments set to make profound 

changes to how people consume 

cannabis as medicine. 

for Medical Pot? 

“ 

VAPORIZATION 

USES LESS cannabis, 

is better for your 

health and doesn’t 

leave that lingering, 

unmistakable odor of 

burnt cannabis.” 

The Herbal Vape 

The herbal cannabis vaporizer 

has been around for at 

least 30 years and works by 

gently heating cannabis to 

around 200˚F, until the active 

ingredients become vapors 

without the harmful compounds 

that are created by burning cannabis. 

Vaporization is more efficient because 

in smoked cannabis, a lot of the active 

ingredients are burnt before your body 

can use them. Vaporizer users need less 

than half the medicine than those who 

smoke it. As well, more of the pleasantsmelling 

terpenes and other compounds 

in cannabis can be tasted. 

The Portable Vaporizer 

Thanks to improvements to battery 

technology and manufacturing, portable 

vaporizers let you take the high-quality 

vapor of the large desktop versions on 

the go. The only downfall is having to 

charge the batteries, load new cannabis 

and get rid of spent cannabis, which can 

be a real hassle when away from home. 

The Oil Pen 

The next breakthrough in cannabis 

consumption is the oil pen. Patients, care 

providers and compassion clubs have 

been developing methods of extracting 

high-quality cannabis oil from their 

resinous plants. The oil can then be loaded 

into an electronic device with a coil that 

heats up to vaporize the oil. 

The issue with this method is that often 

the oil is created using solvents such as 

butane, hexane, alcohol or other organic 

solvents. The liquid solution of solvent and 

plant extract is then heated or subjected to 

a vacuum to remove the solvents, leaving 

a sticky, clear, sometimes solid plant 

extract that can be as high as 90% THC. 

These solvents are great at removing 

the oils from the plant, but the product 

is often left with trace amounts of the 

solvent, which can be hazardous to human 

health over time, not to mention the 

process can be dangerous when done 

at home. The other issue is that it can 

be a messy, sticky business trying to get 

the oil into the pen, which can be nearly 

solid at room temperature. Pre-filled oil 

pen cartridges have had a big impact on 

cannabis distribution and consumption. 

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E-cigs 

Some thoughtful patients have adapted e-cigarette technology 

to be used as a cannabis delivery device with a bit of at-home 

ingenuity. Simply soaking a mixture of heated cannabis, 

propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin in a crockpot can 

produce a tincture that can be used in a standard, refillable 

e-pen. It does not make the most potent tincture, unless you 

ingest a few milliliters of it, and the medicating experience is 

discreet, easy and enjoyable. 

Oil Cartridges 

New products are now on the market that use e-cigarette 

technology with only high-quality, CO 2-extracted oils. Known 

as oil cartridges, these somewhat disposable cartridges with 

rechargeable battery units come with strain and potency 

labels. Made from solvent-free CO 2 oil, all the negative points 

of current smoking and vaping methods go away. 

The Future 

The biggest development in vaping technology is that the 

active ingredients in cannabis can now be extracted in the 

form of an oil that can then be loaded into vape pens. New 

industrial methods of extracting plant ingredients, such as 

supercritical CO 2 extraction, are revolutionizing the extraction 

process. Supercritical CO 2 extraction uses huge machinery and 

is expensive, but is the most efficient and safest way 

to produce the potent extracts the medicinal 

community needs. 

The emergence of CO 2 extraction has created highly potent, 

safe and consistent oils that can then be loaded into vape 

cartridges and sold to the public. The pens are sensitive 

to the pressure change when the user inhales and turn on 

automatically, so there is no button to press. You don’t have 

to know how to roll a joint, or how to program a vaporizer, just 

inhale from this device to get your medicine. 

I believe the portable, pre-filled oil pen has the most potential 

to reach the cannabis-naïve masses and help those who suffer 

from the stigma associated with its use to avoid scrutiny from 

others. People who would never have considered cannabis as 

medication may think twice about conventional forms of treatment 

such as opiates and choose cannabis instead. 

Alex Rea is the vice-president of Homegrown Hydroponics in 

Toronto, Ontario, and the co-founder of Phytomedical, a cannabis 

consulting clinic. As a patient, advocate and business person 

in the cannabis industry, Alex has a keen understanding of the 

political, economic and social hurdles that underpin cannabis as 

medicine in North America. 


live 

Medicinal Marijuana 

& the Endocannabinoid 

Receptors: What We Know So Far 

by Augustus Dunning 

The human body contains 

naturally occurring receptor 

sites for endocannabinoid 

compounds, which is what causes 

our minds and bodies to react 

to plant-based cannabinoid 

compounds. These receptors 

are what make cannabis so 

effective in terms of its medicinal 

applications, and the truth is 

it’s always been this way, as 

archaeology has confirmed. 

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Cannabis has been used as a natural, 

effective, plant-based medicine for at 

least 7,000 years, which is as far as back 

as we can determine using historical 

dating. Use of the plant likely goes back 

even further than this, but it’s nearly 

impossible to gauge how far given that 

researchers are dealing with rapidly 

decaying archeological records. 

Chemical analysis of Egyptian and 

Peruvian mummy bones and tissues 

has revealed cannabinoid compounds 

dating as far back as 2,900 BC. 

Hieroglyphic evidence of therapeutic 

administration is consistent with this 

time-dated analysis. In 1993, a team of 

German anthropologists published the 

results of an analysis of various tissues 

from 72 Peruvian mummies circa 

1,800-500 BC. The bones from 20 of them 

contained cannabinoids. In addition, 

an MRI analysis of a 2,500-year-old 

Mongolian princess mummy revealed 

she died from breast cancer and was 

buried with cannabis in her tomb. 

The cannabis was recovered and its 

psychoactive compounds were still 

active. In fact, the secretory reservoir 

on the trichomes had fossilized and 

turned bright red. 

Following the Cannabis Trail 

Many people believe the cultivation of 

naturally occurring landrace varieties 

of cannabis began in the Hindu Kush 

mountain range in Asia, and moved 

out via trade routes—southwest into 

Egypt, east into Mongolia, west into 

the Mediterranean, and as far north 

as England and Scandinavia—all by 

the time of the Roman Empire. A substrain 

called C. Ruderalis, which is 

self-pollinating and is not photoperiodsensitive, 

evolved in southern Russia. 

Today, cannabis use is global, and 

its application in spiritual ceremonies 

and applications by shaman healers 

are well-documented. My work focuses 

on the chemical analysis of landrace 

varieties from Afghanistan (Hindu Kush), 

Morocco (Atlas Mountains) and South 

Africa (Kwanza Zulu). These are all pure, 

ancient, isolated, unadulterated strains 

of indicas and sativas. I am using 

these strains to develop a baseline 

cannabinoid distribution analysis. I will 

use my analysis to compare modern 

hybrids as they relate to the distribution 

of different compounds in the landraces, 

and how they are expressed in modern 

cross-pollinations to create such 

varieties as Blue Sky Cotton Candy 

or Orange Bud. For instance, there 

may be a way to associate their 

therapeutic effects with their 

terpene compounds. 

Understanding Receptors CB1 and CB2 

As the human race has grown up, 

cannabis use has grown along with 

it. Cannabis plants and humans are 

genetically and biologically compatible 

due to the receptor sites in the human 

body. One might make the case that 

the cannabis plant is genetically one of 

many ancestors of the human genome. 

There are two types of cannabinoid 

receptors in the human body— 

cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) 

and cannabinoid receptor type 2 

(CB2)—that sense molecules outside 

the cell and activate inside signal 

transduction pathways and cellular 

responses. As they are coupled with G 

proteins (guanine nucleotide-binding 

proteins), they fall into the category 

of seven-transmembrane receptors, 

meaning they pass through the cell 

membrane seven times. 

“ 

It is the stimulation of the CB1 

receptor that gets people 

high and leads to things like 

increased appetite, mood 

elevation, stimulation of 

thought and creativity, and 

enhanced sensory sensitivity 

and perception.” 

The CB1 receptors are approximately 

473 amino acids in size and are 

located primarily in the central and 

peripheral nervous systems. They are 

activated by the endocannabinoid 

neurotransmitters anandamide and 

2-arachidonoylglycerol, and by plant 

cannabinoids. CB2 is a cannabinoid 

receptor, approximately 360 amino 

acids in size, from the cannabinoid 

receptor family that, in humans, is 

encoded by the CNR2 gene. 

CB1 receptors are primarily 

located on nerve cells in the brain 

and spinal cord, but they are also 

found in some peripheral organs 

and tissues such as the spleen, 

white blood cells, endocrine gland 

and parts of the reproductive, 

gastrointestinal and urinary 

tracts. In the brain, CB1 receptors 

are abundant in the cerebellum, 

basal ganglia, hippocampus and 

dorsal-primary afferent spinal cord 

regions, which is why cannabinoids 

influence functions such as memory 

processing, pain regulation and 

motor control. In the brain stem, the 

concentration of cannabinoids is low, 

which may be why cannabis use is 

not associated with sudden death 

due to depressed respiration, as is 

the case with heroin overdoses. 

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WORDS TO KNOW 

Trichomes - Fine outgrowths or appendages on plants with 

diverse structure and function. Including hairs, glandular hairs, 

scales and papillae, they are the primary source of cannabinoid 

and terpine development of the cannabis plant. 

Landrace - A local and often isolated variety of a domesticated 

plant species that has developed over time, through adaptation 

to the natural environment in which it lives. 

Indica - One of the two main subspecies of cannabis, indica 

tends toward shorter, wider plants with a deeply relaxing and 

calming effect helpful for treating anxiety, pain and sleeping 

disorders. Best suited for night use. 

Sativa - One of the two main subspecies of cannabis, sativa 

plants are tall and thin with an energetic and uplifting effect 

helpful for treating emotional imbalance and depression. Best 

suited for day use. 

Cannabinoid - Diverse chemical compounds that act on 

cannabinoid receptors and repress neurotransmitter release 

in the brain. The active constituents of cannabis, at least 85 

variations have been isolated, including THC and CBD. 

THC - The cannabinoid called tetrahydrocannabinol is the 

primary psychoactive compound of cannabis. 

CBD - The cannabinoid called cannabidiol is the secondary 

constituent compound within cannabis. 

“ 

Selective CB2 receptor agonists have 

become increasingly popular subjects 

of research for their potential antiinflammatory 

and anti-cancer effects.” 

CB2 receptors are mainly found on white blood cells, in 

the tonsils and in the spleen, which allows for the bloodborne 

distribution of compounds to various parts of the 

body. In the immune system, one important function of the 

cannabinoid receptors is the regulation of cytokine release. 

It is the stimulation of the CB1 receptor that gets people 

high and leads to things like increased appetite, mood 

elevation, stimulation of thought and creativity, and 

enhanced sensory sensitivity and perception. In contrast, 

these effects are not seen when the CB2 receptor is 

activated. Therefore, selective CB2 receptor agonists have 

become increasingly popular subjects of research for 

their potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. 

The fact that the CB2 receptor is found on macrophage 

cells indicates the immune system cells can bring the 

cannabinoid compound to the site to assist in the fight to 

kill diseases, reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. 

Cannabis…it does a body good! 

Terpine - A large and diverse class of organic compounds 

produced by a variety of plants that provide aromatic and 

flavor diversity. 

Receptor - A protein molecule that receives chemical signals 

from outside a cell. 

CB1, CB2 - Human body cannabinoid receptor types. 

G proteins - Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. 

Guanine - One of the four main nucleobases found in the nucleic 

acids DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). 

Nucleotide - Organic molecules that serve as sub-units of 

nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. 

Cell Membrane - The semi-permeable membrane 

surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell. 

Amino Acids - Biologically important organic compounds 

containing an amine (-NH2) and a carboxylic acid (-COOH). 

Endocannabinoid - Substances produced naturally within 

human and animal bodies that activate cannabinoid receptors. 

Neurotransmitter - Endogenous chemicals that enable 

neurotransmission (communication) by transmitting signals across a 

chemical synapse, such as a neuromuscular junction, from one neuron 

(nerve cell) to another target neuron, muscle cell or gland cell. 

Cytokine - Intercellular messengers that play key roles in the 

regulation of the immune response as the source of soluble 

regulatory signals that initiate and constrain inflammatory 

responses to pathogens and injury. 

— Wikipedia.com 

Augustus Dunning is the 

CEO of Eco Organics and is 

a physicist, chemist and an 

inventor. He is the former 

systems ops designer for the 

International Space Station 

and a former regional 

manager of liquid, 

solid and electric 

propulsion systems. 

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CULTIVATING WITH 

BY TOBY 

KUSHMAN 

GORMAN 

OAKSTERDAM UNIVERSITY AND KYLE KUSHMAN 

OFFER CANNABIS CLASSES FOR THE MASSES 

Want to go from seed to weed in the most 

natural way possible? Well-known marijuana 

cultivator Kyle Kushman and Oaksterdam 

University have a unique course offering for you. 

Oaksterdam University and an internationally 

renowned marijuana cultivator are teaming up 

to offer an unprecedented online course that 

will teach people how to grow high-quality, 

organic medicinal cannabis. 

Designed for home growers looking to cultivate 

healthy yields, the course, titled Kushman Veganics, 

features legendary marijuana cultivator Kyle 

Kushman as its instructor. Kushman’s cultivation 

efforts have earned him 13 Medical Cannabis 

Cup awards, which include three US Cannabis 

Cups for best flowers, and his proprietary Vegamatrix 

nutrients line was awarded the coveted 

STASH Award in 2014. He has been practicing 

organic cannabis cultivation for almost 30 years 

and is considered one of the industry’s top growers. 

He previously taught horticulture at Oaksterdam 

University in 2009. 

Dale Sky Jones, executive chancellor at Oakland, 

California’s Oaksterdam University, says the time 

is right to introduce the groundbreaking online 

course as medicinal cannabis use, as well as 

recreational use, gains wider acceptance throughout 

the United States. “I had a planned strategy for 

online courses a few years ago, but the raid on 

the university in 2012 really set us back in what 

we were trying to do,” says Dale. “It has taken 

us all this time to get past the effects of that.” On 

April 2, 2012, Oaksterdam University, along with 

an affiliated coffee shop and museum, were raided 

by the IRS, DEA and US Marshals. A number of the 

university’s assets were seized, including plants, 

records, computers and bank accounts. 

Left: Kyle Kushman Above: Dale Sky Jones 


live 

Oaksterdam University is recognized as 

America’s first cannabis college. Founded in 2007 

by Richard Lee, a medical marijuana activist, 

Oaksterdam’s mission is to offer quality training 

for people with a desire to work in the medical 

cannabis industry and to work toward changing 

laws to make cannabis legal. Lee was inspired 

to create Oaksterdam University after visiting 

Cannabis College in Amsterdam in 2006, citing 

the need for more well-informed professionals to 

work in the budding cannabis industry. 

When OU was founded, few states legally 

recognized cannabis either for recreational or 

medicinal use (California recognized medicinal 

cannabis in 1996, but had limited framework 

to support it). Today, there are 23 states, as 

Oaksterdam University is recognized as America's first cannabis 

college. Pictured here are students at work in various seminars. 

WHAT I REALLY HOPE 

PEOPLE GET FROM THIS 

IS TO GROW QUALITY 

OVER QUANTITY.” 

well as the District of Columbia, that 

have legalized medical marijuana in 

some form while four states—Alaska, 

Colorado, Washington State and Oregon—have 

legally approved restricted 

recreational use. 

While OU is currently a non-accredited 

academic institution, as opposition to 

the cannabis industry wanes and more 

education is required to build a framework 

surrounding the industry, OU is 

working towards becoming fully accredited. 

Kushman Veganics is scheduled to 

be introduced as early as spring 2016 

as an elective before being rolled out 

as a full-length course later this year. 

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live 

Filming and post-production has taken 

place—it was filmed in 4K—and the 

format will be similar to a cooking show, 

with interactive quizzes and tests for 

students to take to obtain a certificate. 

“What I really hope people get from this 

is to grow quality over quantity,” says 

Kyle. “People who use cannabis tend to 

lean more towards healthier lifestyles and 

be more conscious of what goes into their 

bodies. If they are using cannabis instead 

of prescription drugs, I want that product 

to be as pure and healthy as possible.” 

The course will benefit both beginner 

and experienced growers looking to 

improve their techniques and results 

through veganics. “I believe veganic 

horticulture is the evolution of organic 

horticulture,” adds Kyle. “Outdoors, 

organic farming is fantastic…but if you 

till animal waste into the soil, now you 

have this hazardous waste that has to 

be removed from the property and who 

wants to get into that business? Growing 

healthy plants without using animal 

products is really the future of growing 

for home growers.” 

For Oaksterdam University, the future 

is online tutorials. While it has already 

graduated thousands of people through 

its brick-and-mortar location in Oakland, 

being able to provide certificates 

and diplomas to students in far-away 

locales will extend its reach and ability 

to educate. “One of the most frustrating 

restrictions the school faces is finding 

a way to gather enough people to come 

take a subject in Oakland at a certain 

time and a certain place. It can be limiting 

in how much can be explored,” says 

Dale. “To be able to take this information 

and put it online, beginning with Kyle’s 

course, for people who don’t have the 

time or money to come to Oakland, is a 

big step forward.” 

GROWING HEALTHY PLANTS WITHOUT USING 

ANIMAL PRODUCTS IS REALLY THE FUTURE 

OF GROWING FOR HOME GROWERS.” 

Because of so many different nuances in 

legislation from state to state pertaining 

to marijuana, Dale says pre-requisites 

will be required to protect students from 

breaking the law in their respective home 

states. Though accessible to students in 

jurisdictions that have not yet legalized 

marijuana, the information the university 

puts online is protected by freedom 

of speech. “We will teach you how to 

mitigate your risks,” says Dale. “I will 

highlight that we do have pre-requisites. 

You have to take legal, you have to take 

civics, and we require courses like politics 

and history to make sure you know what 

not to do. That is a responsibility we take 

seriously here at Oaksterdam.” 

As states like California and others 

inch closer to creating a framework 

for the legalization of medicinal and 

recreational marijuana and the revenue 

it can generate—in 2014, legal cannabis 

sales amounted to $2.7 billion in the 

US and sales are expected to reach 

$35 billion annually by 2020—it’s not 

just small-time home growers who are 

enrolling in OU programs. “People 

taking our courses include regulators 

and researchers, political staffers, 

doctors and nurses, lawyers, legal 

professionals and others who have a 

responsibility to educate themselves on 

the industry,” says Dale. 

The relationship between Kushman and 

OU was re-established when Jones and 

Kushman routinely reconnected at various 

industry events over the past several 

months. “We realized we were sort of 

working against each other because I 

had been planning online courses for my 

own website,” Kyle explains. “Instead of 

competing, we decided to partner up and 

I think it’s going to work out very well.” 

Toby Gorman has been published in several 

newspapers and magazines in Canada and 

the US since 1996. He currently lives on 

Vancouver Island in British Columbia. 

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enjoy 

Baking 

A FOOL OF MYSELF 

A CANNABIS 

CULINARY COLUMN 

by Watermelon 

THREE STEPS TO MAKING EDIBLES 

In her first-ever column for Hydrolife, Watermelon 

reveals the three steps she takes before baking 

the tasty edibles that made her famous. 

Before I dive into my first column, I figure I should introduce 

myself. I was born Mary Jean Dunsdon, youngest 

of four, to a Top Gun fighter pilot and a macramé hut/craft 

storeowner. So I come by my current profession honestly. I 

have been unapologetic about my marijuana use and food 

production since 1993. I sold my first cookies on the worldfamous, 

clothing-optional Wreck Beach that same year. 

Before selling cookies, I sold slices of watermelon and 

T-Shirts to nude people. The T-Shirts had pictures of my best 

friend on them. He was an 80-year-old Irish bootlegger named 

Paddy White. Paddy loved to smoke pot. I sold the watermelon 

for $2 a slice—except to children. It was always free for 

children. This is where I got my name, Watermelon. 

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Since those early days, I have easily 

made and sold more than 1 million 

Ginger Extra Snap Cookies, Rum-Resin 

Balls, Bud-der Tarts, Weedish Meatballs, 

Spinakopita Puff Pastries, Nice Cream 

Cones, Quiche Your Ass Goodnights and 

so much more. I love to host marijuanatasting 

salons in my home a few times 

each year. I cannot stress how important 

it is to know about serving size and 

cannabis conversion when hosting such 

parties. I want everybody to have a great 

time without sleeping over or freaking 

out. I have some great party tricks I will 

share with you in a later column, but for 

starters, I want to break down my rather 

simple process, step by step. When it 

comes to baking edibles, there are three 

steps to nail: 

• Making your shake flour 

• Determining your serving sizes 

• Converting your cannabis 

These processes can be used for 

almost any recipe. I always encourage 

responsible edible creations that 

can be enjoyed by the average person. 

Advanced edible eaters can have two 

servings. For me, the easiest method 

of all for making edibles is by starting 

with some shake flour. 

MAKING SHAKE FLOUR 

Shake flour, quite simply, is finely 

ground, dried cannabis flowers and/or 

leaves. To make your own, pulverize cannabis 

flowers and/or leaves into a fine 

flour using a blender or coffee grinder, 

and then sift off any fibrous material. 

Store in an airtight container in the 

fridge until you're ready to use it on a 

recipe-by-recipe basis. 

CANNABIS CONVERSION 

You need to convert dried cannabis 

to make it active, meaning it gets you 

high when you ingest it. Scientifically 

speaking, you need to knock the carbon 

molecule off the cannabis so it can 

bind with your cannabinoid receptors. 

Cannabis molecules cannot easily 

bind to your receptors with the carbon 

molecule intact. This is similar to a 

key that won’t fit into a lock. After you 

knock the carbon molecule off, the key 

fits perfectly. 

You can knock carbon molecules off 

using heat, alcohols or fats. This is the 

process of cannabis conversion taking 

place. There are many different types of 

fats you can use to convert cannabis for 

edibles, including butter, coconut oil and 

bacon fat. There are also many different 

types of alcohol you can used to convert 

cannabis for edibles, including rum, 

vodka and black sambuca. Another way 

to covert cannabis is using dry-cooking 

techniques done in an oven or a slow 

cooker, and some patience. 

Once you have some understanding 

of these three easy steps to baking 

your own edibles, we can venture 

into the wonderful world of edibles in 

future issues. 

SERVING SIZES & PORTION 

CONTROL 

The most important kitchen tool you 

will need for creating edibles is a 

scale. My serving guidelines, which 

I believe offer the perfect dose for 

the average person, is 0.5-0.75 grams 

per serving. So, if your recipe says 

serves 10, you will weigh up enough 

shake flower for 10 servings only. This 

equates to 5-7.5 grams, depending on 

the quality of your shake/bud. Don’t 

be a hero unless you like sleepovers. 

Less is always more. A little goes a 

long way. As my mama says, “You can 

always go back for seconds.” 

You can then add your weighed shake 

to the fat, oil, alcohol or whatever you 

are using for your cannabis conversion. 

This helps avoids any confusion on how 

much to eat, or how much pre-made 

canna butter to add. 


enjoy 

Ganja 

Goddess 

Meet Jessica Ferneyhough, a registered practical nurse 

who helps medicinal cannabis patients sort through 

what’s what. As Hydrolife’s first featured Ganja Goddess, 

and our resident Ask a Nurse columnist, Jessica reveals 

how she got into the cannabis industry and shares 

where she plans to take what she’s learned so far. 

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How did you get into the cannabis industry? 

A contract was presented to me through a friend, inviting me 

to manage a new cannabis clinic called PhytoMedical and 

work in the sales department of Homegrown Hydroponics in 

Ontario. Since I’m always up for a challenge, I accepted. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your current career. 

I love adventure travel, alternative medicine and diversity 

in all forms. My current career allows me to work as an 

advocate for patients, providing dignified access to cannabis 

while writing and staying open to new opportunities. 

What do you like best about working in this industry? 

The people, hands down. 

Can you share one tip many medicinal 

cannabis users could benefit from? 

Low and slow! Try new strains and intake methods regularly. 

I like to think of Mary Jane as a woman. If you keep 

approaching her the same way and expecting different 

results, you’re going to be disappointed. Mix it up! 

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

Play in the forest with the horses, ride motorcycles, dance, 

read and play Nerf wars with my little man. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

I see myself on a wellness ranch, providing dignified 

access to cannabis at a retreat center and working 

with horses for healing. 

Finally, give us three random facts about yourself. 

1. I can tie a cherry stem with my tongue. 

2. Headstands are my signature move. 

3. I smell like patchouli and sandalwood. 

Jessica Ferneyhough 

Age: 

Residence: 

31 Ontario, Canada 

Occupations: 

Registered practical nurse, medicinal cannabis 

consultant, corporate sales manager, wilderness 

horseback guide, actress, writer, raw chocolatier 

and superfood advocate 

Favorite Feature: 

My eyes 

Inspirations: 

My son, the wilderness, horses and wellness 


enjoy 

THE TOP 14 MUSIC FESTIVALS OF THE WEST 

Festival season is like Marti Gras in 

Rio, 420 in Redwood Park, Arcata 

circa 2009 and Chicago in the 1920s 

all rolled into one big, fat, good time. 

Think hippies dancing all wiggly jiggly, 

visual art bombarding your neurons, 

swimming holes aplenty and sweet 

music pounding out of stacks the size 

of Mt. Everest. Welcome to Hydrolife’s 

Best. Summer. Ever. 

One summer a few years back, 

I spent every week driving 

from music festival to music 

festival and every weekend 

partying like a caterpillar on a 

strict diet of Red Bull. Over the 

course of 16 weeks, my partner 

Alicia and I put thousands of 

miles on my beat-up old Toyota 

pickup, and a few hundred 

miles on our bodies. 

We hit 10 different festivals, 

which felt like a massive accomplishment. 

We learned there is 

nothing like spending the summer 

traipsing around with nothing but 

a tent, some sort of noise cannon 

and a few ounces of my finest. So, 

without further introduction, here 

are 14 festival suggestions in four 

canna-friendly states to ensure 

you have a blast all summer long. 

BY TRAVIS TURNER 

78 grow. heal. live. enjoy. 

myhydrolife.com

May 

Lightning in a Bottle | Photo by Wobzarazzi 

LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE 

Bradley, CA | May 25-30 

lightninginabottle.org 

It would be nearly impossible to sum up 

Lightning in a Bottle in a few raggedy lines of 

prose. The festival is massive in its production 

and overwhelming in its cacophonic capacity 

for sight and sound. The LIB team has 

systemically changed what you can expect from 

a top-tier music festival and this year will be no 

different. From emersion areas like The Village, 

where you can get your hands dirty, to art 

spaces that will elevate your sense of vision, LIB 

triumphantly brings together all that is good 

and beautiful in the industry while maintaining 

a pride and joy that trickles into the hearts and 

minds of the participants. It is a thing to behold. 

California Roots | Photo by James LeDeau 

CALIFORNIA ROOTS 

Monterey, CA | May 27-29 

californiarootsfestival.com 

The summer I spoke of earlier included a trip 

to Cali Roots in Monterey. I was completely 

blown away by the musical talent that blessed 

the stage. This year is no different. Jr. Gong, 

Slightly Stoopid, Atmosphere and JBOOG 

will be crooning some of the sickest reggae 

sounds on the Cali Coast. The weather will 

most likely be amazing and the vibes are 

always high. I don’t go to many festivals that 

don’t come with a camping option, but this 

one is worth the Airbnb. 

Sasquatch Festival 

SASQUATCH FESTIVAL 

George, WA | May 27-May 30 

sasquatchfestival.com 

If you’ve never experienced the sun come up 

on top of the Columbia River Gorge or heard 

The Cure and Florence and The Machine in 

the same weekend, this year you will have your 

chance. When it comes to Sasquatch, it is all 

about location, location, location. Since 2002, 

this festival has created a magical experience in 

one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. It 

is a nine-time winner of Pollstar’s award for Best 

Outdoor Music Venue, and in 2015, it was the 

recipient of the Billboard Touring Award for Best 

Amphitheatre. Sasquatch Festival is perfection 

smothered in epic sauce, friends. 


enjoy 

June 

BLAZE N GLORY 

San Bernardino, CA | June 4 

blazenglory.com 

Only one day, so many happenings. So what makes Blaze N Glory so worthy of 

this list of greats? When someone does an incredible job of putting together 

a day of music that you will not soon forget, you should pay homage. You 

will find me front-row center watching Nas, Atmosphere, Ragga Marley, The 

Growlers and Griz. This is nuanced greatness right here. A hip hop legend, 

a reggae great and the sickest new producer on the planet? Yeah, come get 

some of that. 

LEGEND, A REGGAE 

GREAT AND THE SICKEST NEW 

PRODUCER ON THE PLANET? 

YEAH, COME GET SOME OF THAT.” 

Nas | Photo by Carl Bjorklund/shutterstock.com 

WHAT THE FESTIVAL 

Dufur, OR | June 17-20 

whatthefestival.com 

I firmly believe that festivals are only as good as the team that puts them 

together and WTF must have the patron saint of all things outrageously fun 

running things. Splash pads, hookah lounges, miso bars, banging music with 

some of my personal favorites like G Jones and Dimond Saints, and the largest 

disco ball in the Pacific Northwest—where could you possibly go wrong? The 

Oasis Spa gives you that pampered feeling, while the multiple stages and 

incredible workshops round out the weekend and your chakra. 

HIGH SIERRA 

MUSIC FESTIVAL 

Quincy, CA | June 30-July 3 

highsierramusic.com 

It’s the little details that make a festival stand out and give it personality. It’s 

the silly kickball game that starts up every day at sunrise. It’s the renegade 

stages inside tightly packed rows of tents. It’s the hidden gems you accidentally 

stumble into when you’re least expecting it that make a great festival. High 

Sierra has gems coming out of its wazoo. I’ve seen so many incredibly talented 

musicians from a slew of different genres all packed into this magical, familyfriendly 

meadow in the Sierras. This is not one to miss. 

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enjoy 

July 

The Ride 

THE RIDE FESTIVAL 

Telluride, CO | July 8-10 

ridefestival.com 

If you missed my Hydrolife article on Telluride 

a while back, you may not know how incredible 

this small ski/board town is. Telluride has a few 

of the best dispensaries in Colorado and is 

becoming more and more like the Amsterdam 

of the San Juan Mountains. Toss in The Ride 

Festival and things get just about perfect. This 

year Pearl Jam, Cage the Elephant, Honey 

Honey and Band of Heathens will be pumping 

out some indie-rock love all over town. Six 

different venues are peppered throughout this 

toke-friendly city—all it needs is you and a few 

thousand of your new friends. 

Northwest String Summit | Photo by JP Cuttler Media 

NORTHWEST 

STRING SUMMIT 

North Plains, OR | July 14-17 

stringsummit.com 

About 22 miles outside of Portland is one of 

the headiest string jams in one of the headiest 

locations on the West Coast. Northwest String 

Summit takes place at Horning’s Hideout—the 

Machu Picchu of backwoods festival spots. Its 

quaint charm, lush surroundings and small head 

count make it a social destination. You’re going to 

walk away with a few more friends than you started 

out with for sure. This year, Leftover Salmon, Keller 

Williams and Yonder Mountain String Band will be 

making appearances. Expect some hooting and 

hollering in a family-friendly environment. 

NORTHERN NIGHTS 

Piercy, CA | July 15-17 

northernnights.org 

Northern Nights is considered a hometown hero. 

This three-day camp out on the Eel River in Piercy 

at Cook’s Valley Campground is one of the most 

exquisitely beautiful music festivals on the planet. 

By day, float on the river while listening to the 

boom and shake of the sound system on shore 

spitting out the hottest West Coast bass, trap, 

glitch and reggae while salmon and steelhead 

trout swim by your feet. By night, check out the 

other two stages until the all-night silent disco 

starts up in the giant Redwood grove. It all goes 

down in the heart of the Emerald Triangle, where 

commercial grows the size of football fields are 

just a hop, skip and sniff away. 

CAPITOL HILL 

BLOCK PARTY 

Seattle, WA | July 22-24 

capitolhillblockparty.com 

The Capitol Hill Block Party is an inner-city, 

three-day music and arts festival, celebrating 

Seattle’s iconic arts and music center, Capitol 

Hill. Yes, it’s the same iconic art arena that 

brought you greats like Nirvana. The Party, now 

in its 20 th year, is a caffeinated, curated artisan 

throw-down in the middle of the city. There is no 

camping, but you can find just about anywhere 

to sleep. Pay special attention to Odesza, 

STRFKR, Goldlink and the pasty skin of the sunstarved 

locals of the Pacific Northwest. 

Enchanted Forest | Photo by jazzwall.com 

ENCHANTED FOREST 

Laytonville, CA | July 22-24 

enchantedforestmendo.com 

I’m a regular at Enchanted Forest. I keep going 

back because, like all the festivals listed here, it 

has its own personality and mystique that makes it 

an experience to immerse yourself in. It is an idea, 

and upon closer look, a commentary on society at 

large. It has all the same elements as most music 

festivals, but it captures a little more of the wild, 

sexy sweetness of the unknown. Try it on, see if it 

fits. It’s a growing festival for the festival-savvy and 

is perfect both if you are flying solo or if you are 

with the family. Plus it’s in the middle of Cannabis 

Country, so things stay nice and mellow. 

Bass Center | Photo by aLive 

BASS CENTER 2016 

Commerce City, CO | July 29-30 

bassnectar.net 

We must add a bit of a boom to this list, and 

no one handles big booms like Bassnectar. 

This year he is taking his showmanship and 

production talent to an entirely new level with 

Bass Center 2016, a new, two-day camp-out 

festival curated by the bass slinger himself. 

The lineup is not one for the faint of heart. 

Lupe Fiasco, Flux Pavillion, Wu Tang Clan, 

Minnesota and G Jones, and Thriftworks 

all bring the kind of feverish bass-banging 

capable of making this the festival of the 

summer. Bassnectar is set to play for 2.5 hours 

each night. Smack my face and call me Suzy. 

This is going to be off the heezy for sheezy. 

Aug 

Beloved Festival | Photo by Zipporah Lomax 

BELOVED FESTIVAL 

Tidewater Falls, OR | August 12-15 

belovedfestival.com 

Beloved is probably the smallest music festival 

on this list, but it packs an astonishing punch. The 

festival is “intended to present sacred music to 

help eradicate the illusion of separation from each 

other, the Earth and The Beloved.” What does 

that mean? Get ready for an intimate physical 

and mental look at where you are as a person 

and the connection you have to everything 

around you. It has one stage to keep everyone 

together and tons of opportunities for growth 

and empowerment. The location is beautiful, so 

prepare for a life-changing experience. 

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S ept 

Hydrolife and Travis Turner, along with his good friends at Honey Bear Farms, 

HighZenBear Extracts and Hush Vape Systems, have some swag to motivate you 

to put a full tank in your car and get you out there for as many festivals as possible. 

What kind of swag, you ask? 

Only the finest festival gear on the planet! Yeah, we like you that much. 

Play your festival cards right and you will be entered to win this exclusive 

Prize Pack at the end of Festival Season: 

Symbiosis Gathering | Photo by Julia Wolf/flickr.com 

SYMBIOSIS GATHERING 

Oakdale, CA | September 22-25 

symbiosisgathering.com 

Last year, the family and I headed out to the 

Woodward Reservoir for four days of the most 

incredible art, workshops and music I have 

witnessed to date. Swimming is a key ingredient 

of a next-level festival and the Reservoir was 

the oasis I needed every day and night. From 

floating around on a pirate-ship-like treehouse, to 

watching GRIZ bring down the house or staring in 

awe at the art of Android Jones, it was simply the 

best pound-for-pound production and vibes I have 

experienced. The word majestic comes to mind. 

WIN IT: A FESTIVAL- 

INSPIRED PRIZE PACK 

Hydrolife wants to see you get out there 

and live it up. We want you to do things 

you’ve never done before, stretch your 

legs and get some exploring done. 

Most of all, we want you to tell us about 

it. The real question is, how do we motivate 

you to get off that hill/couch/office 

chair and run amuck? The answer: 

free shit. Look right to find out how 

taking the right picture at just the right 

angle can score you some big-time 

prizes in the Selfie Scavenger Hunt. 

Travis Turner is the president of 

OrgannixAg, an all-organic, 215-compliant 

medicinal cannabis company based in 

Humboldt County, San Francisco and Los 

Angeles, California. He enjoys making 

up songs for his two-year-old daughter, 

Fiametta, and tending to his gardens. 

You can find him moving his feet around 

California at a breakneck pace or on 

Instagram and Twitter as @humboldtphotog. 

► Big Agnes Rocky Peak 4 mtnGLO Tent from REI 

► Limited Edition Grateful Dead 50 th Anniversary 

Klean Kanteen 

► MiniRig Bluetooth Portable Speaker 

► Coleman Steel Double-walled Cooler 

HOW TO PLAY 

Step One: Go to as many festivals as you can, taking selfies in front of telling 

signs to prove you were there. 

Step Two: Complete as many of the photo missions below. Post to Instagram. 

Make sure to tag @hydrolife and @honeybearfarms. Use the hashtag 

#hydrolifesbestsummerever on everything so we can find you later. 

Step Three: At the end of the summer, we will add up all the points and the 

winner gets a huge box of awesomeness! 

Show us your homemade sign or flag // 30 points 

Show us your best festival costume // 25 points 

Go for a swim // 20 points 

Ride the crowd // 60 points 

Get blazed, show us your happy face // 25 points 

Attend an after-hours party // 25 points 

Get a photo on-stage // 75 points 

Get a T-Shirt signed // 60 points 

Make a new friend from Canada // 30 points 

Stop by a dispensary on the way in // 45 points 

Wear an animal costume // 50 points 

Meditate in the forest // 20 points 

Attend a workshop // 50 points 

Smoke some hookah // 20 points 

Practice some yoga // 35 points 

Smoke a fatty // 30 points 

Dab with a new friend in their campsite // 25 points 

Find someone in a bear hood // 35 points 

Get a cup of early-morning joe // 35 points 

Get front-row center // 50 points 

► Two Honey Bear Farms Limited Edition Hat Pins 

► Two Honey Bear Farms T-Shirts 

► One Bag of Goodies from Honey Bear Farms, 

HighZenBearExtracts and Hush Vape 

Estimated Value: $1,000 


enjoy 

by Gibson Lannister 

ANDERSON PAAK 

MALIBU 

Singer, rapper and producer 

Anderson Paak continues 

to impress with his newest 

album, Malibu. This soulful 

songwriter takes from many 

genres like hip-hop and R&B 

and pieces them together into 

something different and contemporary. 

A light shines on 

this man. Expect great things. 

4.5 

EMOTIONAL 

AHH…THE NAME IS 

EMOTIONAL, BABY! 

Emotional, a San Francisco 

band, recently released its 

debut album: Ahh…The Name 

Is Emotional, Baby! This 

sunny pop/rock band is the 

newest manifestation of Brian 

Wakefield, singer/songwriter, 

director and founder of Death 

Records. Slowly strummed, 

reverb-rich guitars and soft 

melodies bring thoughts of 

sun-soaked, lazy days. 

4 

SWAHILI BLONDE 

AND ONLY THE MELODY 

WAS REAL 

Swahili Blonde is the 

solo project of LA-based 

experimental musician Nicole 

Turley. Her latest release, And 

Only The Melody Was Real, 

is incredibly personal and 

takes us deep into her world. 

Synth-pop, rock and afrobeat 

coalesce into something 

strange yet remarkably catchy. 

Spark one up and enjoy! 

4 

Gibson Lannister enjoys 

sharing his research 

and knowledge with the 

international gardening 

community. He is 

excited to share another 

personal passion, music, 

with the readers of 

Hydrolife. Gibson has 

been a musician for 

more than 15 years and 

he continues to expand 

his knowledge of theory 

and technique. 

WONDERNATURE 

PLAY IT LOUD 

Play It Loud is the newest 

release from Parisian duo 

WonderNature. Producers 

and DJs Adrien and Clement, 

a.k.a. WonderNature, lead 

you into their world of techno 

and deep-house beats. This 

album has the perfect backtracks 

to whatever you are 

doing. Just make sure you 

Play It Loud. 

4.5 

YEASAYER 

AMEN & GOODBYE 

Brooklyn-based band 

Yeasayer continues its 

lineage of great music with 

a fourth studio album, Amen 

& Goodbye. It explores the 

world of famous fables, retold 

through the band’s unique 

eyes. Yeasayer’s ability to 

purposefully experiment with 

pop sends them to places 

others dare not tread. 

4.5 

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enjoy 

Highest 

Comic Standing: 

RYAN BOURASSA 

Ryan Bourassa, a 28-year-old stand-up 

comedian currently performing openmic 

nights in Las Vegas, went from being 

a straight-edge most of his life, to cohosting 

a web series he’s dubbed the 

Stoner Friends Simulator. Check out what 

inspires this budding comic’s brand of 

honest, dark and personal comedy. 

When did you discover you were funny? 

My earliest memory of making other people laugh was 

in elementary school. My teacher would say, “Once you 

go to middle school, they’re really going to throw the 

book at you!” Whenever the teacher would say that, I’d 

dive under my desk to avoid the dreaded book throwing, 

only to surface to my classmates laughing. 

Describe your style of comedy. 

Honest, dark and personal. Occasionally someone 

will call me smart or deadpan. I like talking about my 

personal experiences because it is more relatable. I’ve 

always thought that if I can make people laugh and 

think simultaneously, I’ve done my job. 

What else inspires your material? 

Being uncomfortable. Around five years ago, I was 

diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and 

major depressive disorder, which isn’t nearly as fun as 

it sounds. I like to think this gives me a different perspective 

than most people. I take great amounts of joy 

in being the guy who pisses on the parade. 

Do you have a regular gig in Vegas? 

I wish! Aside from the occasional showcase show, 

it’s just open mics for me. I just played The Inspire 

Theater, and Flappers in Burbank, California, has 

been extremely kind to me as well. 

86 grow. heal. live. enjoy. 

myhydrolife.com

You describe yourself as a 

stoner. Do you like to get high 

before performances? 

I love getting high before a show, but I’m 

still on the fence about the whole thing. 

I did two shows back-to-back once, one 

high, one sober. I swear to this day my 

sober performance was better, but it’s 

hard to say. Sometimes weed can make 

me nervous or anxious. 

Would you describe yourself 

as a marijuana activist? 

I was straight-edge most of my life. I 

went to D.A.R.E. after school and thought 

stoners and drinkers were losers. I began 

smoking marijuana on my 24 th birthday 

and haven’t looked back. My girlfriend, 

Rene, and I are even getting married on 

4.20. I’m not in the trenches like many activists, 

but I have no difficulty voicing my 

opinions. Marijuana should be legalized 

across the globe, taxed and kept out of the 

hands of corporations. The last thing we 

need is Wal-Mart or Malboro killing small 

businesses by selling generic garbage. 

How’s your Wake N Bake show 

on Periscope going? 

Rene and I frequently watch Getting 

Doug with High on YouTube and figured 

that since we smoke weed anyways, 

we might as well have people join us. 

To my amazement, it’s been a complete 

blast. Aside from smoking weed with 

people around the world, it’s also 

become a great way to get me out of my 

shell. We smoke around 8 a.m. and chat 

with viewers. I like to call it the Stoner 

Friends Simulator. 

“IF I SMOKE A STRONG 

SATIVA, I THINK I’M THE 

FUNNIEST PERSON 

IN THE WORLD.“ 

When are we gonna see you on 

Last Comic Standing or America’s 

Got Talent? 

I auditioned for AGT in 2014 and have 

emailed LCS three times. Spoiler alert: 

neither worked out. I’m only five years in 

and still have no idea about the business 

side of comedy. Rumor has it that 

people can demand certain comics be 

considered for LCS, wink, wink. 

So who thinks you’re funny? 

The kind people of the Internet. I once 

had a Tweet featured on Funny or Die, if 

that means anything. Audiences seem to 

like me when I can get them. If I smoke 

a strong sativa, I think I’m the funniest 

person in the world. 

Tell us a couple jokes. 

Let me first say this may not go over as 

well in text form… 

“I once dated a girl who asked me to put 

my penis in her ear. When I asked her 

how it felt, she said, ‘What?’” 

& 

“I told my shrink that sometimes people 

don’t laugh at my jokes and she gave me 

Zoloft. I said, ‘Great! How do I get them 

to take it?’” 

Any guilty pleasures? 

Fallout 4, and watching Ghost Adventures 

with Rene. It’s one of the dumbest things 

on television and promotes ignorance, 

but I get so much pleasure from watching 

bros stumble around in the dark yelling 

about ghosts that aren’t ever there. 

Any parting thoughts? 

Remember kids, it’s OK to be gay or transgendered. 

Talk to someone about it. Talk 

to someone if you’re depressed. Stay 

away from religion by any means necessary. 

Don’t eat the whole edible if it’s your 

first time. Quit smoking cigarettes. Don’t 

vote for Donald Trump. I love most of you. 


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savage love 

My new girlfriend blurted out that she had a cuckolding past 

with her ex-husband. She says her ex badgered her into arranging 

“dates” with strangers and that he picked the guys. Her ex 

would then watch her having sex with a guy in a hotel room. The 

ex only watched and didn’t take part. I am really bothered by her 

past. She says she did it only because her ex pressured her into it 

and she wanted to save her marriage, so she agreed. But I suspect 

she may have enjoyed it and may have been testing me to see if I 

want to be a cuck. What should I do? I am really torn by my feelings 

toward her. 

– Confused In NOVA 

You suspect she may have enjoyed fucking those other men? I 

hope she enjoyed fucking those other men—and you should too, 

CINOVA. Because even if cuckolding wasn’t her fantasy, even if 

she fucked those other men only to delight her shitty ex-husband, 

anyone who cares about this woman—and you do care about her, 

right?—should hope the experiences she had with those other 

men weren’t overwhelmingly negative, completely traumatizing 

or utterly joyless. And, yes, people will sometimes broach the 

subject of their own sexual interests and fantasies using the passive 

voice or a negative frame because they’re afraid of rejection, 

or they want an easy out or both: 

“My ex was into this kinda extreme thing, and I did it 

because I felt I had to.” 

“That’s gross.” 

“Yeah, I totally hated it.” 

by Dan Savage 

“ 

Odds are good your 

girlfriend is telling you 

the truth about those 

other men being her 

ex-husband’s idea.” 

But cuckolding is almost always the husband’s fantasy. It’s rare 

for the wife to initiate cuckolding scenes/relationships, so odds 

are good your girlfriend is telling you the truth about those other 

men being her ex-husband’s idea/fantasy and not hers. As for 

whether she’s testing you to see if you’re into it, that’s a pretty easy 

test to fail. If you were to open your mouth and say, “Cuckolding 

isn’t something I would ever want to do. The thought of you with 

another man isn’t a turn-on for me. Not at all,” it’s an easy F. 

What should you do? If you can’t let this go, if you can’t get over 

the sex your girlfriend had with her ex-husband and those other 

men, if you can’t hope she had a good time regardless of whose 

idea it was, if you can’t take “I’m not interested in cuckolding you!” 

for an answer—if you can’t do all of that—then do your girlfriend 

a favor and break up with her. She just got out from under a shitty 

husband who pressured her into “cheating.” The last thing she 

needs now is a shitty boyfriend who shames her for “cheating.” 

Dan Savage can be contacted by email at mail@savagelove.net and on 

Twitter @fakedansavage. 

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Hydrolife Magazine April/May 2016 (USA Edition)

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