Hydrolife Magazine February/March 2017 (USA Edition)

grow. heal. live. enjoy. 

FEB/MAR 2017 // USA 

ROSS’ GOLD 

HOW ROSS REBAGLIATI’S GOLD MEDAL CHANGED 

THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE FOREVER

inside 

12 our crew / 14 from the publisher / 16 own it / 18 ask kyle / 46 ask a nurse / 80 consultant's corner / 94 the chill list 

grow. 

heal. 

38 Mastering CO 2 

20 Translating Your Personal Cannabis 

Growing into Resume Format 

26 Jacked Up Cannabis 

28 Go Organic or Go Home 

34 Lock Up the Biosecurity 

of Your Grow Op 

36 Real Science, Real Relief 

48 Dispensary Etiquette 

52 Cut and Dried 

56 The Best Strains for Aches and Pains 

60 Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome 

64 7 Tips Toward Improving Sleep 

8 


myhydrolife.com

live. 

66 Baking a Fool of Myself 

70 Ross' Gold Feature 

82 Keeping the Cannabis Industry Safe 

enjoy. 

88 Comprehending Your 

Cannabis Test Results 

90 The Herbal Chef 

94 Let Them Eat Cannabis Cake 

84 A History of Cannabis Part I 

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

our crew 

Dan Banks 

Chris Bond 

Michael Caffrey 

August Dunning 

Jessica Ferneyhough 

Kent Gruetzmacher 

Cory Hughes 

Kyle Kushman 

Gibson Lannister 

Lee G. Lyzit 

Lacey Macri 

Jodi McDonald 

Jessica Skelton 

Watermelon 

February/March 2017 

volume 6 - number 4 

Published by 

Hydrolife Magazine 

3773 Howard Hughes Parkway 

South Tower, Suite 500 

Las Vegas, Nevada 89169 

Inquiries to 

editor@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 

12 


myhydrolife.com

from the publisher 

It is amazing how an event from almost 20 years ago 

can remain fresh in the mind. It certainly doesn’t seem 

that long ago that Canadian Ross Rebagliati rocketed 

down Nagano’s Olympic giant slalom snowboard 

course, ripping through the finish line to claim the 

first-ever Olympic men’s snowboarding gold medal 

despite starting the final run in eighth position. We 

all know what happened after that. The image that I 

remember most wasn’t the fresh-faced, blond, blueeyed 

26-year old carving a beautiful turn around a 

gate, or Rebagliati’s giant smile on the top tier of the 

Olympic podium. It was a photo of rattled-looking 

Rebagliati emerging from a rental car, surrounded by 

police, International Olympic Committee members, 

and a crush of global media after testing positive for 

THC. The gold medal earned him some attention, but 

not nearly as much attention as having it taken away 

for testing positive for THC, or, more significantly, 

having it returned by the IOC because THC wasn’t 

on the list of banned substances (of course, the IOC 

moved swiftly to amend its doping laws to include 

marijuana, though they have since been relaxed). The 

drama earned Rebagliati international recognition, 

but it was also a key pivot in how society viewed 

marijuana. If an Olympic golden boy could be affirmed, 

couldn’t everybody? Since then, Rebagliati has become 

a cultural phenomenon and advocate of marijuana 

use, and it is no coincidence that since that foggy day 

on Mount Yakebitai near Nagano, how we perceive the 

use of marijuana in society has changed for the better. 

Hydrolife recently caught up with Rebagliati (on page 

68) to talk about Nagano, his thoughts on marijuana, 

and the launch of Ross’ Gold. 

14 


myhydrolife.com

own it 

3 

2 

1 

4 

own it 

1. Even the most hapless 

gardener can successfully 

harvest their own plants with 

Grobo, a compact, lowmaintenance, 

and easy-touse 

hydro growing system. 

Simply add your favorite 

seeds or cuttings, tell the 

app what you planted, and 

let the machine do its thing. 

Each kit comes complete 

with a carbon filter, one coco 

pod, and all the nutrients 

you’ll need to grow one plant 

to its maximum potential. 

Just top up the nutrients and 

water, and clean the filter, 

when the app tells you. 

– grobo.io 

2. The Genius Pipe is 

sleek, simple, and discreet— 

but what makes it so, well, 

genius? The 2,000 little 

dimples lining the inside 

of the anodized aluminum 

device. When you inhale 

through the pipe, these 

dimples create thousands 

of tiny vortices that cool 

the smoke to room 

temperature and catch a 

lot of impurities before 

it enters your lungs. This 

leads to a more pleasant, 

tasty, and guaranteed 

cough-free experience. 

– geniuspipe.com 

3. Need to restore some 

some balance in your life? 

Evoxe Labs’ Balance 

CBD self-contained vape 

pen is loaded with 99.6 per 

cent pure hemp-derived 

CBD isolate and hemp 

stalk extracts to act as a 

natural pain reliever, antiinflammatory, 

sleep aid, and 

relaxant. Also, frankincense, 

ylang ylang, geranium, and 

tangerine essential oils give 

this non-psychoactive device 

a flavorful boost, as well 

as refresh and cleanse the 

body, awaken the senses, 

and lift mood. 

– evoxelabs.com 

4. Need a new project to 

get you through the 

last part of winter? Why 

not learn how to knit or 

crochet with one of Loopy 

Mango’s DIY Kits? Each 

kit comes with needles, 

cotton or merino wool 

yarn, and easy-to-follow 

instructions. There’s 

patterns for cardigans, 

sweaters, vests, coats, 

summer tops, shawls, 

scarves, blankets, throws, 

pet rugs, or beanies for 

the whole family. 

– loopymango.com 

16 


myhydrolife.com

5 

7 

6 

8 

5. While cannabis and 

creativity go hand-inhand, 

forgetfulness 

sometimes likes to thirdwheel—especially 

if you 

overindulge. You know 

how it goes: you come 

up with an amazing idea 

only to completely forget 

it a few minutes later. 

Thankfully, you’ll never 

have that issue again if you 

keep the pocket-sized, 

32-page Brilliant Ideas 

I had While Stoned 

Notebook handy. Just 

remember to use it. 

– coolmaterial.com 

6. Legal sparkling tonics 

aren’t your normal sodas. The 

ready-to-drink concoctions 

are made of simple, allnatural 

ingredients: just 

water, fruit, agave, and 

cannabis extract. Choose 

from Pomegranate Power 

Tonic for an uplifting sativa 

high, Lemon Ginger Dream 

Tonic for a super-chill indica 

high, Rainier Cherry Joy Tonic 

for a blissed-out hybrid high, 

and Cranberry Peace Tonic 

for a well-rounded TCH/CBD 

combo high. Each bottle 

contains two full servings, 

so it’s perfect for sharing or 

spreading out over two days. 

7. Streamline your cannabis 

experience with the Nuggy, 

a ten-in-one gadget designed 

specifically for smokers. It has 

everything you need for rolling, 

grinding, packing, scooping, 

shredding, dabbing, vaping, 

scraping, and poking: a knife, 

roach clip, tamper, mini-spoon, 

glass-safe bowl scraper, 

bottle opener, pick/poker, 

and scissors. There’s even a 

LED flashlight and flathead 

screwdriver because, hey, you 

never know when you’ll need 

them. As an added safety 

bonus, all the stainless-steel 

tools in this slick everyday carry 

item are spring-locked. 

8. The secret to success for 

Skunk Guard’s Smellproof 

Bags lies in their 

patented, top-of-the line 

activated carbon technology 

and silver antibacterial 

lining. The activated carbon 

absorbs molecules in its 

proximity, much like how 

a sponge absorbs water 

on contact. This not only 

neutralizes odors but also 

traps harmful chemicals and 

gases in its pores. 

– skunkbags.com 

– mirthprovisions.com 

– nugtools.com 


ask kyle 

Q 

I’ve always thought using an 18/6 (18 hours on, six hours off) light schedule while plants 

were in veg stage was the way to go, but recently I’ve been hearing a 6/2 (six hours on, two 

hours off) schedule is better because pot plants only flower when exposed to long periods 

of darkness. Is this true? Are there benefits or drawbacks to changing my light schedule? 

a 

abandoned using 

I the traditional 18/6 

schedule long ago due 

to the following facts: 

First, you can veg a 

plant under 24 hours 

of light, growing more 

biomass in less time and getting you to 

the point of flowering quicker. However, 

after a few weeks, this benefit lessens 

due to plants needing a break. 

When the plants are photosynthesizing, 

all the movements of water, nutrients, 

and pressure go upward. At night, 

the motor—so to speak—is turned off. 

This allows for the pressure to reverse, 

root exudates to be fully discharged, 

and plants to rest. 

Secondly, most of today’s strains are so 

hybridized that they sometimes begin 

flowering under an 18/6 photoperiod. 

They require less darkness to begin to 

flower. So, I adopted a 20/4 (20 hours on, 

4 hours off) vegging schedule after two 

to three weeks of continuous light. I find 

this to be the best combination between 

nature and production. 

As with almost any subject regarding 

cannabis cultivation, there are many 

different schools of thought when suggesting 

photoperiods. Are you most concerned 

with maximum production and 

yield? Is finding the most efficient input 

of energy in return for yield what you’re 

after? Does closely mimicking nature 

make your heart sing? All the above are 

valid intentions and widely practiced 

throughout the home and commercial 

agricultural communities. 

I tend to fall into the category of those 

trying to closely imitate nature whenever 

possible. The second lighting schedule 

you suggested above reminds me of 

a cloudy day. The lights or sun come out 

for six hours, then go behind the clouds 

for two hours. I don’t see any gain by 

denying your plants full sunny days. I’m 

sure my vegetable garden grows bigger 

when there are more sunny days. 

However, there are noticeable gains to 

be made regarding light intensity during 

flowering. That’s the science behind the 

new lights coming onto the market that 

sequence short periods of lower wattage, 

thus mimicking cloudier days and 

giving plants a chance to recover from 

direct, intense light. 

Outdoors, in addition to clouds, the sun 

moves across the sky, lighting different 

parts of the plant. Indoors, the most intense 

projection of your light hits the exact 

same spot for the entire lit portion of 

the photoperiod. This is one reason why 

it is extremely important to have lots of 

circulation, most importantly across the 

space between your lights and plant 

canopy. Plants should gently sway from 

an intermittent breeze. 

Late season sun is far less intense. 

Having the same light intensity on 

your buds at the end of the growing 

cycle, as in the beginning, is less than 

optimal. I always leave room for raising 

the lights to double their distance 

from the plant, or have the ability to 

lower the wattage on digital lamps just 

in case I don’t have the vertical space, 

near the end. Growers may want to 

consider 10-K finishing lamps, which 

give off higher UV levels, mimicking 

the late fall sun. 

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. 

18 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

EXPERIENCED 

GROWERS NEED 

by Kent Gruetzmacher 

ONLY APPLY: 

Translating Your 

Personal Cannabis 

Growing into 

Resume Format 

In decades past, the 

prospect of including 

your home growing 

experience on a 

resume was a fantasy, 

afterthought, or simple 

impossibility. However, 

times are a-changing. 

Here’s a guide on how to 

interpret your personal 

cannabis cultivations and 

previous work experience 

into language you can 

use to land a job. 

THE ERA OF THE MODERN 

PROFESSIONAL GROWER 

HAS ARRIVED 

Instead of remaining a secretive 

enterprise, cannabis cultivation 

is rapidly transforming into a 

legitimate and respected profession. 

Knowledgeable, disciplined, and 

versatile cannabis growers are highly 

pursued assets in the contemporary 

business world. Of course, cultivators 

ready to make the transition into 

hydroponic and cannabis industries 

require a solid resume to gain these 

employment opportunities. 

COMPETENCY-BASED 

HIRING AND RECRUITING 

When crafting a resume for a legitimate 

cannabis business, applicants can 

use the competency-based model of 

hiring and recruiting to generate an 

informative and up-to-date document. 

Instead of focusing on previous 

employment, this model highlights 

skills and knowledge obtained through 

practical experience—even if that 

experience was underground cannabis 

growing. For example, a familiarity 

with regulating climactic fluctuations 

in a greenhouse environment would be 

considered an occupational competency. 

This model also allows applicants 

to highlight behaviors that would 

contribute to success in the workplace. 

HOME GROWING 

IN RESUME FORMAT 

Constructing an informative resume 

for the hydroponic and cannabis 

industry is a different process than 

building a traditional resume. After 

all, this is a novel job market and 

most candidates do not have formal, 

commercial, cannabis growing 

work experience. As a result, hiring 

companies are most attracted 

to candidates who explain their 

cultivation talents effectively. 

Cannabis growers should be 

as specific as possible in their 

resumes to highlight applicable 

skill sets for any given position. 

This is because, according to the 

competency-based model, potential 

employers are most interested in 

specific previous actions that are 

applicable to future occupations 

and endeavors. For example, an 

experienced greenhouse cultivator 

interested in acquiring a head 

grower position in a commercial 

greenhouse setting should show that 

he or she has competent, in-depth 

knowledge concerning pest control. 

To elaborate, that he or she knows 

pest control in a cannabis garden 

involves both the foresight to avoid 

potential problems in the operation 

with sanitation, as well as the ability 

to effectively solve issues as they 

arise with effective spraying. 

20 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

cannabis resume example 

To effectively express how specific 

actions are used to solve problems 

in the workplace, descriptions of 

abilities on a resume should always 

begin with verbs. To illustrate, see 

the cannabis resume example above. 

Here, phrases like “Advanced a 

deep appreciation for sterilization 

in a greenhouse environment” and 

“Eradicated or avoided harmful pests, 

mildews, and molds with organic 

sprays” help market a grower’s pest 

management competency. 

IMPORTANT SECTIONS 

TO INCLUDE 

There are three sections that 

should be included on all cannabis 

cultivators’ resumes. (The following 

examples are again drawn from the 

above cannabis resume example) 

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES 

The competency-based model markets 

a candidate’s cannabis cultivation 

knowledge as his or her primary 

asset. That’s why the ‘Skills and 

Capabilities’ section should be at 

the top of an artisanal, homebased 

cannabis grower’s resume 

instead of a traditional inverse 

employment history. 

Individual skill sets should then 

be described under subheadings 

like the following: 

Artisanal Greenhouse 

Management presents 

the various gardening 

competencies involved with 

atmospheric and operational 

control in a greenhouse. 

These skills should be further 

explained with descriptions 

like, “Developed expertise 

with industrial fans, inline 

fans, atmospheric controllers, 

cooling walls, heating 

devices, and dehumidifiers”. 

Cannabis Cultivation 

exhibits a cannabis 

grower’s specific 

familiarities with the 

actual cultivation process. 

The phrase “Gained 

intimate understanding 

of a variety of cannabis 

genetics and phenotypes, 

including NY Diesel, 

Gorilla Glue #4, Tahoe 

Kush, Blue Dream, 

Chem Dog, and Cherry 

Pie” depicts this 

competency nicely. 

Time Management and 

Planning illuminates 

the organizational 

competencies and 

foresight necessary 

for a bountiful 

cannabis harvest. 

For example, use 

descriptions like 

“Mastered the 

time schedule for 

the successful 

greenhouse 

flowering of cannabis 

year-round using blackout tarps and 

supplemental lighting”. 

EDUCATION/TRAINING 

The job market in the cannabis industry 

is competitive, so college degrees 

of any form will help candidates 

stand out in a prospect pool. Again, 

growers should look to their skill 

sets to decide what elements of their 

education are applicable in obtaining 

a specific position. For example, the 

phrase “Practiced using Word, Excel, 

PowerPoint, and MS Office” shows that a 

candidate is fluent in modern computer 

technology, an asset necessary in almost 

any professional capacity today. 

22 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

“ 

A resume is the beginning of a relationship with an 

employer, and maintaining honesty and integrity with this 

document will lay the cornerstone of a successful career.” 

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY 

If a person’s professional history 

has nothing to do with the cannabis 

industry, he or she can still utilize 

the competency-based model to 

isolate transferable skills. This 

process often requires some 

creativity, but it can be rewarding. 

For example, if an applicant worked 

as a line cook in a restaurant, they 

could exhibit his or her transferable 

aptitudes with phrases like 

“Perfected multi-tasking abilities” 

or “Expanded a sense of urgency 

in the workplace through highpressure 

work scenarios”. 

Candidates should also include 

any artisanal/home-based cannabis 

growing work on a resume. For 

example, a proper description 

of this professional experience 

would be “Medicinal Cannabis 

Cultivator: Entrepreneurial/Non- 

Profit (2011-Current)” and a tasteful 

description of this experience 

would be “Produced exceptional 

organic cannabis for medical 

dispensaries in California”. 

One final tip: don’t exaggerate. A resume 

is the beginning of a relationship with 

an employer and maintaining honesty 

and integrity with this document will lay 

the cornerstone of a successful career. 

Kent Gruetzmacher is a California-based freelance writer and the west coast director 

of business development at Mac & Fulton Executive Search and Consulting, an employment 

recruiting firm dedicated to the indoor gardening and hydroponic industries. He 

is interested in utilizing his Master of Arts in humanities to explore the many cultural and 

business facets of this emerging industry by way of his entrepreneurial projects. 

24 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

BY LEE G. LYZIT 

JACKING UP YOUR PLANTS’ POTENCY CAN INCREASE THEIR MEDICINAL PROPERTIES AND 

MARKETABILITY. WHILE GENETICS PLAY A PART IN THE ABILITY TO RAMP UP CANNABINOID 

LEVELS, THERE ARE A FEW OTHER WAYS TO ENHANCE TRICHOME PRODUCTION. 

Cannabis growers are always on the lookout for products 

or techniques that will enhance the potency of their 

crop. After all, the potency of cured cannabis affects both the 

product’s effectiveness as a medicine and its marketability. 

When discussing potency, we are actually talking about 

the levels of cannabinoids found in a finished product. The 

two most sought-after cannabinoids by cannabis growers 

are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol 

(CBD). These cannabinoids are found throughout the 

cannabis plant but are most concentrated in the essential 

oils found in and on the trichomes. Trichomes are the small, 

glandular, almost mushroom-like structures found on the 

leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. 

The easiest way to get a potent cannabis crop is to 

choose plant varieties that naturally create an abundance 

of trichomes, a genetic trait that can give the flowers or 

leaves a whitish color. 

Breeders can also use these plants and other varieties 

that naturally produce more THC and/or CBD to create potent 

hybrids. However, aside from picking the right genetic 

profile, there are a couple of ways growers can enhance 

the essential oil production and, in turn, ramp up the THC 

and/or CBD production of their cannabis plants. 

ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT 

To understand why ultraviolet (UV) light enhances the 

production of trichomes, you must first understand the 

main purpose of trichomes. Contrary to popular myth, 

the cannabis plant does not create trichomes, or THC, 

specifically for human consumption. Truth is that 

trichomes serve as a form of protection for the cannabis 

plant. In particular, they protect the plant from 

insects, molds, and UV light. 

Like just about everything else on the planet, cannabis 

plants are damaged by too much UV light. 

That’s why a cannabis plant will create more 

trichomes to protect itself if there is an increase in 

harmful UV-B rays. As such, supplementing this 

light using UV-B fluorescents (commonly sold at 

pet stores for reptiles) in a flowering room can help 

boost trichome production. This trick is particularly 

useful to growers who exclusively use high pressure 

sodium (HPS) bulbs for flowering as that technology 

doesn’t produce much UV-B light. However, 

it is important to remember that the supplementary 

UV-B light is just that: a supplement. You don’t need 

a lot of it and too much can be counterproductive. 

One to two watts of UV-B light per square foot of 

garden space is efficient. Also, note that other commonly 

used lighting technologies, such as metal 

halide, already contain a good amount of UV-B 

light and do not need additional supplementation. 

NUTRIENT ADDITIVES 

Another way cannabis growers can enhance their 

plants’ trichome production is with nutrient additives. 

Terpenoid enhancers trigger the plant’s 

natural defense system and cause the plant to 

create more essential oils. As there are many of 

these on the market, the best way to figure out 

which product works best for your plant variety is 

to experiment and test the results. 

Another additive used by cannabis growers to 

enhance trichome production is silica (potassium 

silicate). Plants that receive silica have a stronger 

resistance to pathogens, and it is believed 

that silica boosts the physical hardiness and 

resilience of the cannabis flowers and trichomes. 

This makes the finished product more potent and 

less susceptible (even after harvest) to damage 

that could diminish its overall quality. In other 

words, some growers believe that cannabis flowers 

harvested from plants supplied with silica 

have a longer shelf life. 

More and more, growers are striving for bountiful 

crops of high-quality buds as opposed to high 

quantities of mediocre cannabis—which is good 

news for both the medical and recreational 

cannabis industries. By using terpenoid 

enhancement products and/or supplementing 

UV-B light during the flowering stage of growth, 

cannabis growers can boost the trichome 

production of their plants and maximize the 

potency of their particular cannabis strain. 

Using potassium silicate can also offer their 

plants a unique defense against pathogens and 

the possibility of higher potency for a longer 

period of time. It can take some trial and error to 

determine the exact products and techniques that 

will ramp up a strain’s trichome production, but 

it is worth the effort. After all, experimentation is 

how we discovered these tricks to boost cannabis 

potency in the first place; just imagine what 

practices we could develop if we keep trying. 

Lee G. Lyzit has been involved in the medical cannabis 

industry for nearly 15 years. His passion for 

natural healing drives him to learn as much as he 

can about the cannabis plant. Lee breeds his own 

strains of cannabis to create concentrated glycerine 

and coconut oil extracts. Aside from cannabis education 

and consumption, Lee enjoys playing music, 

gardening, hiking, and cross-country skiing. 

26 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

ORGANIC 

GO ORGANIC 

HUGHES 

OR G O H O M E ? 

3 

by Cory Hughes 

Organic certification has never been more popular, and it has moved 

beyond just food and drink to other products we ingest or put on 

our bodies. But is it better? And as a cannabis cultivator, what are the 

benefits to going the organic route? Cory Hughes lays out what needs to 

be considered and weighed when it comes to this method of growing. 

28 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

With more and more people interested 

in growing cannabis at home, the 

question arises: Is organic better? There is 

no easy answer as there are no one-size-fitsall 

solutions to growing quality cannabis. 

Many times, your purpose will determine if 

organic is the best solution for you. 

There are many misconceptions about organic 

cannabis production. Some think that 

organic is automatically better, and that 

isn’t always the case. The questions to ask 

before undertaking an organic cultivation 

regimen are, “Why am I interested in organic 

production? Do I want the best quality? 

The best flavor? Do I just want to pump out 

as much a possible? Am I concerned about 

pesticides?” Understanding the benefits of 

organic cannabis cultivation will help you 

answer these questions and determine if it 

is the right production method for you. 

Fertilizers and Pesticides 

In food production, organic holds a very 

different meaning than in cannabis 

cultivation. In agriculture, "certified 

organic" not only indicates the seed was 

not genetically modified but was raised 

using an organic method of cultivation. 

Products throughout the grocery store say 

they are “organically produced,” however, 

only infers that the process of growing the 

seeds was organic. 

Genetically modified cannabis seeds haven’t 

made their way onto the market yet, so when 

you talk about organic cannabis, you are 

only talking about the cultivation method— 

specifically about the types of fertilizer and 

pesticides used. What differentiates organic 

fertilizers from non-organic? Non-organic 

fertilizers are typically made from combining 

raw elemental salts whereas organic fertilizers 

are made from plant and animal waste. 

With the large number of commercial 

cultivation facilities popping up and vast 

quantities of marijuana being pumped 

out, many are asking how the big facilities 

are doing it. Due to the sheer volume of 

required nutrients, it is by far more costeffective 

to use elemental salts, as large 

scale production with organic nutrients cuts 

into profits big time. Just because that’s how 

they do it, doesn’t mean you should. Organic 

cultivation techniques are much more suited 

to home grows and boutique-type strains 

than for mass production. 

Pesticides are another area that usually 

confuses people when it comes to organic 

cultivation. Organic doesn’t mean you can’t 

use pesticides. There are a range of organic 

pesticides that are non-toxic and leave no 

residues behind that affect smell or taste. 

Organic pesticides are generally safe 

and have a very short re-entry time. The 

“interval of entry” refers to the amount of 

time needed after an application before 

humans can re-enter the area safely. Nonorganic 

pesticides can have a re-entry 

interval of days, if not weeks, compared to 

organic pesticides, which have a relatively 

short re-entry time of hours. Organic 

pesticides can also be applied up to the 

day of harvest in most cases, whereas with 

non-organics, your pre-harvest interval can 

be weeks or months. The reality is, organic 

pesticides are effective and all but gone 

from the plant by the time of consumption. 

The biggest question to ask is, “Why is organic 

better?” The single biggest reason is increased 

nutrient bio-availability. Organic nutrients are 

closer to the forms of nutrients plants would be 

exposed to in the wild and are more readily absorbed 

by the plant, which by definition, results 

in higher bio-availability. 

“ Non-organic fertilizers are 

typically made from combining 

raw elemental salts whereas 

organic fertilizers are made 

from plant and animal waste.” 

30 grow. heal. live. enjoy. 

myhydrolife.com

grow 

Bio-availability is the measure of 

nutrients that can be absorbed by the 

plant. When dealing with nutrient 

salts, the electrical conductivity has 

to be pumped up to much higher 

levels to make up for the lack of bioavailability. 

When using nutrient 

salts, on average, you are only getting 

around 25 per cent nutrient bioavailability. 

With organic cultivation, 

your bio-availability doubles. 

The reason for that is when a plant 

is growing in natural surroundings, 

the raw elements and animal matter 

that breakdown to provide sustenance 

are transformed by beneficial fungi 

and microbes in the soil. Nutrient salts 

are not friendly to this environment 

and will result in soil that contains no 

beneficial microbes or fungi. Organic 

cultivation fosters the growth of these 

microbes and beneficial fungi, which, 

in turn, metabolize the raw elements 

into a form more easily absorbed by 

the plant. People will try to supplement 

non-organic grows with microbes, 

however, the pH of the nutrient salts is 

typically enough to kill them, leaving 

you with no added benefit. 

To maximize nutrient bio-availability, 

veganic cultivation is an option. As growers 

search for the most natural methods 

of growing cannabis, veganic cultivation 

has become the talk of the town.Veganic 

cultivation redefines simplicity and, as 

you could have guessed, involves no 

animal products. This isn’t necessarily a 

statement about animals per se, it’s about 

maximizing nutrient uptake through fostering 

an environment in which beneficial 

fungi and microbes are free to thrive. 

Veganic cultivation revolves around 

the use of compost and compost teas 

to enrich the soil. Grass cuttings, 

vegetables, cannabis leaves, and any 

other greens will break down over 

time, which allows a compost heap to 

form a black sludge at the bottom. As 

it decomposes, the compost becomes 

home to a world of insects, larvae, 

and fungi. One big shovel of compost 

placed into a five-gallon bucket of 

water, then strained, creates one of 

the single best nutrient and microbe 

cocktails on the planet. Advocates 

of veganic cultivation claim that the 

nutrient bio-availability is as close 

to 100 per cent as it can get. Thanks 

to beneficial microbes and fungi, this 

massive increase in nutrient uptake 

results in greener fan leaves, fuller 

buds, and a flavor free of residues left 

behind by animal waste in typical 

organic cultivation. 

So is organic better? The short 

answer is yes. Understanding 

your need, however, is paramount. 

Nutrient salts are cheaper and 

they work. However, they are not 

nearly as effective as organic 

supplementation. The increase in 

nutrient uptake alone makes 

organic cultivation worth 

exploring. If you are 

looking to produce 

commercial quantities of 

cannabis, organic will 

be pricey and harder to 

implement: however, for 

a home grower, organic 

is by far the way to go. 

“ 

One big shovel of 

compost placed into 

a five-gallon bucket of 

water then strained, 

creates one of the single 

best nutrient and microbe 

cocktails on the planet.” 

Cory Hughes is a former police officer turned full-time 

commercial grower in Denver, Colorado. 

32 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

By Michael Caffrey | The importance 

of physically securing your facility 

is established knowledge among 

growers, but failing to secure your 

high-grade crop against an infestation 

of pests or contaminants can be 

financially devastating as well. Surna’s 

Michael Caffrey looks at biosecurity 

and how to take preventative 

measures against these issues. 

The biological security of a 

cultivation facility is just as 

important as the physical security. 

The physical security includes 

measures such as locks, cameras, 

fences, and lighting, and is often, 

at least in part, required by law. 

Biosecurity includes measures such as 

air sanitation, dehumidification, and 

cleaning procedures, and is often not 

directly required, though it can become 

an indirect requirement due to product 

testing and purity requirements. 

While less familiar than physical 

security, biosecurity is no less 

important, especially when growing 

for a medical market. Creating and 

maintaining a clean cultivation 

Lock Up the 

BIOSECURITY 

of your 

GROW OP 

“Prevention is easier 

and cheaper than 

dealing with a 

contamination.” 

environment results in reduced 

pesticide and fungicide needs, a 

reduced risk of crop failure due to 

contamination, and increased chances 

of passing any required lab tests. 

Implementing an effective biosecurity 

system within in a cultivation facility 

comes down to being thorough and 

regularly assessing the effectiveness 

of both the procedures and equipment 

used in the quest for a biologically 

secure facility. 

Routine assessments should be performed 

often—at least once a week but 

daily if possible—to catch any problems 

before they become critical. 

Routine checks also ensure the measures 

in place are working to prevent 

contamination within the facility. 

Prevention is easier and cheaper than 

dealing with a contamination. A bleach 

wipe-down of all surfaces costs less 

than six cents per wipe, whereas a crop 

failure or recall can cost tens of thousands 

of dollars and potentially create 

irreparable damage to your brand. 

Once a contaminant such as powdery 

mildew gets into a facility, it can be 

nearly impossible to remove. 

Once biosecurity standard operating 

procedures have been established in a 

facility, routine checks both ensure they 

are working and are actually being followed. 

A large part of biosecurity comes 

down to relying on employees to follow 

proper procedure, and routine checks 

ensure they will do so. 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR 

During your routine biosecurity checks, 

it is important to know what to look for. 

Here are the top things that are typically 

seen, but be sure to incorporate 

your own factors into this list: 

Are employees following standard 

operating procedures? 

Are equipment and tools being 

cleaned before use on a new plant? 

Is humidity at the correct levels? 

Are there any spikes throughout 

the day? 

Is water draining properly? Are 

there any standing pools of water? 

Are there any visible signs of pests 

or pathogens? 

Is the air quality at proper levels? 

Routine checks will help establish a 

baseline for biosecurity and allow holes 

in the current system to be revealed 

before a bigger problem occurs. If at 

any point your biosecurity is found to 

be lacking, call an expert to perform an 

analysis and help create a safer environment 

for your plants. 

Michael Caffrey serves as a biological engineer for Surna Inc., whose mission is to provide efficient, reliable, and intelligent climate 

control solutions designed exclusively for cannabis cultivation. With a degree in molecular cell and development biology from University of 

Colorado, Michael understands what makes plants tick. His past research experience includes studying microbiology and plant genetics. 

34 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

REAL SCIENCE, REAL RELIEF 

When it comes to 

cannabis, there can 

be too much of a 

good thing. That’s 

why CannaSafety has 

developed a fast-acting, 

patent-pending antidote 

for the nausea, anxiety, 

and paranoia that can 

come with consuming 

too much marijuana. 

CannaRelief, CannaSafety’s flagship 

product, started as a personal project. 

The company’s founder, a former Microsoft 

employee who uses medicinal marijuana 

to treat fibromyalgia, needed something 

to combat what he calls “the red zone”: the 

nauseating, anxiety-ridden state that stems 

from the accidental overconsumption of THC. 

“You don’t have to suffer, call 911, and go 

to the emergency room, where they can 

do nothing except give you a bed to ride 

it out in and hand you a $3,000 bill,” says 

CEO William Brouillet, who helped start 

CannaSafety after trying CannaRelief. 

“I tried it and wow,” Brouillet says. 

“I said, ‘This is a great product; there 

is a great business here’.” 

Each bottle of CannaRelief contains 20 

milligrams of CO 2-extracted cannabidiol 

(CBD), which has been found to counteract 

the negative effects of THC. It also contains 

a semi-secret blend of vitamins, herbs, and 

additional anti-anxiety ingredients like 

citicoline and alpha-pinene. Most consumers 

keep CannaRelief on hand in case they 

accidently consume too much cannabis. 

It can also be given to pets and children 

who confuse THC-infused edibles with a 

regular treat. Brouillet says the all-natural 

concoction reduces THC-induced nausea, 

anxiety, and paranoia in as little as five to 

15 minutes, even if someone is “vomiting 

sick”. It also has no known side effects. 

“People get excited when they try it; they 

can’t believe how well it works,” he says. 

“People can now place aside their worries 

about using cannabis.” 

Some clients also use CannaRelief to 

manage the effects of medicinal marijuana 

by ingesting it before they use cannabis. 

Brouillet distinctly recalls receiving a 

phone call from a woman who bought the 

product for her bed-ridden husband to 

use along with Rick Simpson Oil. She had 

ordered it online as a last resort when he 

wanted to stop taking the oil, which he uses 

as cancer treatment, because of the major 

negative side effects. Three days after 

trying CannaRelief, he was out of bed and 

feeling like his old self. 

“They were even going to go away for the 

weekend; she thanked me for giving her their 

lives back,” says Brouillet, who remembers 

that call as his best day on the job. “She was 

so happy; she called me an angel.” 

It’s customer testimonials like this that keep 

the CannaSafety team going. “I can’t explain 

the feeling; you get to be responsible for 

changing a person’s life for the better,” says 

Brouillet. “Money is not the driving force; sure, 

we make money, but we care.” 

“We work with people to make sure they can 

get our products, whether they can afford it 

or not,” he adds. “CannaSafety products are 

affordable to most, but that word is ambiguous 

if you have nothing. We are a company 

dedicated to helping people and will let our 

actions in the industry speak for themselves.” 

Ironically, though, the main struggle 

CannaSafety still faces is public education 

and making people aware that there is a 

product that allows for the safe consumption 

of cannabis. The issue is slowly improving 

as more states pass pro-marijuana laws, 

more people become curious about cannabis, 

and the media catches wind of CannaRelief; 

however, the company still mostly relies 

on the overwhelmingly positive word-ofmouth 

recommendations from its clients and 

supportive members of the cannabis industry. 

“Word of mouth in the industry is key … 

People try it, talk about it, and our phone 

rings,” Brouillet says. “Like I said, when you 

have a product that works, it sells itself.” 

CannaSafety is also trying to bring 

CannaRelief onto the shelves of major 

retailers. Until negotiations are complete, 

however, it will continue to sell via 

Amazon and major distributors in Europe, 

Canada, and the US. CannaSaftey also 

recently partnered with Blackline Land 

Management Group to manage the 

emerging Australasian markets. 

Building and maintaining a strong team 

has also helped bring the company success. 

CannaSafety now employs seven people, 

all of whom truly believe in the company’s 

product and its effect on clients’ lives. “All 

companies say such things as a standard 

operating statement, but I tell you, it’s true; 

they care,” says Brouillet. “When we talk 

and have our company meetings to discuss 

products sales and marketing, it is always 

about how well the product is working for 

people, how can we get the word out faster … 

customer stories on how much they love our 

products. The enthusiasm they bring every 

day is over the top.” 

Recently, the team focused its energy on 

expanding CannaSafety’s line. First, CannaRelief 

AM, which is designed to quickly 

remove the foggy, my-head-is-in-the-clouds 

feeling some people have the morning after 

cannabis use, will debut in the first quarter 

of 2017. A second new product, CannaRelief 

Extra Strength, will hit the market in the 

second quarter of 2017. 

“I have put up everything I own because 

I believe in this company and the people I 

work with every day,” he adds. “From the 

very start, it has been truly amazing, and 

gets more amazing every day.” 

36 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

Mastering 

CO 2 

BY DAN BANKS 

THE BENEFITS OF CO 2 enrichment on cannabis growth 

and productivity are widely recognized, but growers often 

debate how to best apply this technique. Daniel Banks 

sheds some light on the phenomenon of CO2 fertilization 

by investigating what aspects of cannabis plants, and their 

environment, can influence its effectiveness. 

38 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

There are several variations on how 

plants like cannabis fix carbon. 

The most common of these is termed 

C3 photosynthesis. Cannabis, and all 

other crops that benefit from CO 2 fertilization, 

use this pathway. Structurally, 

think of the inside of a cannabis 

plant's leaves as composed of tiny 

reaction sites stacked on top of one another, 

with empty space and plumbing 

in between. These sites harness light 

and turn raw materials into energyrich 

building blocks to fuel plant 

growth. The building blocks generated 

by these reaction sites are simple sugars, 

and CO 2 is a key ingredient. 

CO 2 molecules present within the leaf 

need to be channeled to provide a constant 

supply of fuel for photosynthesis. 

The answer to this need is the enzyme 

RuBisCO, which binds to CO 2 molecules 

and transfers them to the photosynthetic 

machinery. Under ambient CO 2 concentrations 

(about 400 ppm) and otherwise 

favorable conditions, the activity 

of RuBisCO is the limiting factor on 

photosynthetic productivity. This means 

that when temperature or light intensity 

rises above the cannabis plant's tolerance 

level, RuBisCO is unable to keep 

up with the CO 2 demands of the reaction 

sites and the excess energy becomes 

stressful. By adding additional CO 2 to 

the equation, we boost the activity of 

RuBisCO. It encounters CO 2 molecules 

more often and can transfer them more 

efficiently, allowing the plant to extend 

productivity beyond normal limits. 

AIR CIRCULATION AND 

CO 2 UPTAKE 

As RuBisCO uses up CO 2 inside the leaf, 

more is drawn in through diffusion— 

the natural movement of molecules 

from higher to lower concentrations. 

To enter the leaf, additional CO 2 must 

pass through tiny pores called stomata. 

Since this is a passive process, only CO 2 

contained in the air that immediately 

surrounds the leaf, (known as the 

boundary layer) is available. Poor air 

circulation leads to stagnant boundary 

layers that are rapidly depleted of CO 2. 

This concept is critical to maximizing 

CO 2 enrichment. Without fans actively 

mixing and replenishing the air in 

contact with your plants, they will run 

low on CO 2, no matter how much is 

available in the surrounding room. 

In addition to facilitating the passage 

of CO 2, stomata also regulate water 

“WITHOUT FANS 

ACTIVELY mixing and 

replenishing the air 

in contact with your 

plants, they will run low 

on CO 2 , no matter how 

much is available in the 

surrounding room.” 

40 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

loss through transpiration. Leaves close 

stomata to reduce water loss, but doing 

so reduces CO 2 uptake. It's a dry world 

out there, and C3 plants constantly regulate 

stomatal openings to balance CO 2 

uptake against water loss. Due to the 

large moisture gradient between leaves 

and the surrounding air, taking in CO 2 is 

costly in terms of water. 

Dr. Suman Chandra, lead author in 

several federally sanctioned studies on 

cannabis physiology, found that when 

CO 2 concentrations are raised well 

above ambient, cannabis responds by 

partially closing its stomata. Without 

the need for CO 2 driving them to open, 

the stomata naturally close to conserve 

water. This is important for several 

reasons. It means that cannabis water 

use, per unit area, may decrease with 

CO 2 fertilization. It also makes air mixing 

even more important, since partially 

closed stomata will slow CO 2 uptake. 

Finally, this can lead to higher leaf temperatures 

by restricting transpiration. 

TEMPERATURE AND 

LIGHT INTENSITY 

CO 2 fertilization allows cannabis to 

thrive at higher temperatures and 

utilize higher light intensities, but 

these two factors need to be considered 

together. Light comes with more 

heat, especially in HID illuminated 

environments. Both parameters shift 

the photosynthetic machinery into 

higher gear and CO 2 enrichment allows 

it to run faster and cleaner. However, 

even with CO 2, pushing too hard with 

light and/or temperature can send your 

plants into stressful conditions. 

The general recommendation for maximizing 

CO 2 fertilization in greenhouse 

crops is to raise the growth temperature 

by five to 10 degrees Fahrenheit above 

the ideal temperature in the absence 

of CO 2 enrichment. For cannabis, this 

means that the ideal bloom temperature 

is shifted into the mid to high 80s. It is 

important to note that ambient grow 

temperature does not usually represent 

the temperature that the plant canopy 

is experiencing. A room temperature 

in the low 80s will translate to canopy 

temperatures closer to the ideal for 

growth with CO 2 enhancement. Some 

strains may enjoy an even higher temperature, 

but I don't recommend running 

your space above 83oF unless you know 

your strains will respond favorably and 

you have tight control of other environmental 

parameters. Be cautious when 

pushing the temperature envelope, the 

difference between ideal and harmful 

can be a few degrees. 

IDEAL CO 2 LEVELS 

One of the most hotly debated aspects 

of CO 2 fertilization in cannabis 

cultivation is the proper concentration 

of CO 2. The only cannabis-specific 

research done is this area is presented 

in Dr. Chandra's publications. He found 

that raising CO 2 concentration to 700 

ppm resulted in an instantaneous 

increase in photosynthetic productivity 

of 38-48 per cent, depending on strain. 

Unfortunately, his work doesn't discuss 

the effects of CO 2 fertilization at 

concentrations higher than 750 ppm. 

As CO 2 concentrations are increased 

well above ambient, the law of 

diminishing returns applies to the 

benefits. This means that the degree 

to which additional CO 2 increases 

productivity drops as ppms increase, 

ultimately reaching the point at 

which plant stress occurs. As with 

most things, too much CO 2 can have 

negative effects, leading to lower yields 

and leaf death at extremely high levels. 

The concentration at which CO 2 becomes 

detrimental to plant health varies 

widely between species. Tomatoes, 

for example, have an upper threshold 

of about 2,000 ppm, while chrysanthemums 

experience stress at concentrations 

greater than 1,200 ppm. In the 

absence of research to clarify the issue, 

“CO 2 FERTILIZATION 

ALLOWS cannabis 

to thrive at higher 

temperatures and 

utilize higher light 

intensities, but these 

two factors need to be 

considered together.” 

42 


myhydrolife.com

grow 

my view is that our favorite plant likely 

falls on the higher side of the continuum, 

as cannabis is a highly productive annual 

capable of explosive growth. 

Another consideration is that, over time, 

many C3 plants fail to maintain the 

productivity gains that they initially 

experience with CO 2 fertilization. 

Understanding this goes back to 

RuBisCO activity. 

Scientists studying the phenomena 

have found RuBisCO levels in many 

plant species lowers over time in 

response to elevated CO 2. This occurs because 

the environmental cues that drive 

RuBisCO production are suppressed 

under enhanced CO 2 conditions. The 

degree to which acclimation to enhanced 

CO 2 occurs is species-specific, and few 

studies have evaluated this response 

at CO 2 levels higher than 700-800 ppm. 

In cannabis, it may be more effective to 

gradually increase CO 2 concentrations 

over the crop cycle, as opposed to raising 

them to the highest level immediately. 

As cannabis legalization continues to 

progress and the markets in legal states 

mature, the physiology of cannabis will 

hopefully be studied to the same degree 

as other crops. With these efforts will 

come a better understanding of how to 

best use CO 2 fertilization in cannabis 

cultivation. Until that time, my advice 

is to enhance bloom in the 1,200-1,600 

ppm range, with 1,400 ppm as a good 

rule of thumb. If you are running CO 2 

in the vegetative phase, I don't recommend 

exceeding 800 ppm. This level 

provides your vegetative plants with 

a good boost and ensures that they 

see a significant benefit as they move 

into higher CO 2 in flower. If able, I also 

recommend experimenting with different 

levels of CO 2 fertilization and with 

gradually increasing CO 2 concentrations 

across the bloom cycle. 

Daniel Banks is a consultant and 

passionate cannabis enthusiast based 

in Denver, Colorado. He completed 

a bachelor's degree in Horticultural 

Science and a minor in Entomology at 

Colorado State University in 2012. His 

company, Next Generation IPM LLC, 

provides Integrated Pest Management 

focused consulting to licensed 

cannabis cultivators. 

“AS WITH MOST things, 

too much CO 2 can 

have negative effects, 

leading to lower yields 

and leaf death at 

extremely high levels.” 

44 


myhydrolife.com

heal 

Herbal 

ASK A NURSE: TIPS FOR THE GAME 

Dear Nurse Jessica, 

Q 

I’m a 35-year-old woman in good health. I haven’t 

really used cannabis all that much, but with so 

many dispensaries popping up all around me, 

I admit I’m tempted to see what all the fuss is 

about. It’s possible I’ve been missing out my 

whole life! What’s my best approach here? Walk in and fake 

an illness, be upfront, have someone “boot” for me? How much 

information will a dispensary want from me, how honest do I 

have to be, and what do they do with the information? 

Well, hello there, 35-year-old woman in good 

health. Of course you’re curious; who isn’t? 

A 

Especially these days with a plethora of 

cannabis-friendly establishments to choose from. 

Stress less about lost time with this divine plant 

and embrace her with your arms wide open. 

I would never recommend someone fake an illness. Lying 

is toxic and it’s a waste of precious time. Always be up front. 

Just walk in and tell them that you’re a novice. If a dispensary 

can’t help, try another one, or try a local hydro shop, cannabis 

clinic, or vape lounge. The truth is more people than you know 

have been incorporating this plant into their lives for years. My 

experience is that folks in the cannabis industry want to help. 

We like new people; it gives professionals an opportunity to 

pass on some of the knowledge it’s taken us years to acquire. 

The more relevant the information they have from you, the 

better. This is often used to implement precision towards 

products that would be best suited for you. All establishments 

have their own client tracking systems, so just feel it out. 

Since you’re in the recreational zone, it’s different all over. I’m 

writing to you from Canada, so our laws are currently rooted 

in the ACMPR (Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes 

Regulations). I strongly advise you become well-acquainted 

with marijuana laws where you live. 

If I want something, I go out and get it. Don’t have someone 

“boot” for you. You can “boot” for yourself by putting them 

on your feet and walking into a cannabis establishment to 

ask a few questions. The marijuana vibe has called you, 

so have some fun with this and start hunting. You may end 

up wanting to work in the industry and consume very little 

cannabis, or even none at all. 

Enjoy your introduction to cannabis like the cosmic 

explosion of a divine lover. Take your time with it and 

allow yourself to test this plant with a clear self. To truly 

feel the effects of different intake methods and specific 

strains, it’s important to do it without alcohol or cigarettes. 

Ganja has white light angel wings, in my opinion, so why 

not enjoy her true? The other two have ulterior motives. Get 

a journal, start recording. Be present to what comes up for 

you and allow this plant to be your guide. 

Infused creams and Epsom salts for baths are two of my 

favorite intake methods. 

These intakes deal with pain from arthritis, inflammation, 

muscle tension, menstrual cramps, stress, anxiety, spasms, 

insomnia, and just plain healthy people getting healthier. Use 

an infused topical with essential oils on your temples, chest, 

feet, or neck to stay balanced in Babylon. The absorption 

through your skin is processed through your liver differently 

than combustion or edibles, so the effects are not comparable. 

These are the safest cannabis infused starters, in my opinion. 

Once you rock these, I highly recommend you find what 

I call a “yoni plug” (aka vaginal suppository). The ones 

I get have cannabis infused coco butter, vitamin E oil, 

frankincense, clary sage, and lavender. These are the best 

things I have ever incorporated into my day. If you enjoy 

multiples, this will get you out of your head and back into 

your body like nothing else. Great for cramps and a perfect 

way to start the day before coffee. 

Have some fun with this, you 35-year-old healthy goddess. 

This is a great opportunity for you to redefine your personal 

bliss with cannabis. 

Nurse Jessica 

Jessica Ferneyhough, a registered practical nurse, brings a 

unique approach to care, empowering patients as a medicinal 

cannabis nurse and horses for healing advocate. 

46 


myhydrolife.com

heal 

Dispensary 

Etiquette 

by Kent Gruetzmacher 

For many cannabis users and patients, the notion of walking 

into a storefront and legally purchasing marijuana products is 

still quite intimidating. If that’s how you feel, Hydrolife’s Kent 

Gruetzmacher has a few tips on how to make your first trip to the 

dispensary smooth as cannabutter. 

While many US states have legalized 

cannabis in one form or other, the 

negative stigma surrounding its use 

remains deeply embedded in the 

American consciousness. As a result, 

the thought of going to a dispensary 

for the first time can make even a 

veteran cannabis enthusiast a bit 

uncomfortable. To help quell these 

uneasy feelings, here is a little 

advice on what one can expect— 

and how one should behave— 

during that initial visit. 

Know the Local Laws 

Perhaps the most effective way to ensure 

a smooth visit to a dispensary is 

to research local laws before making 

a visit. As cannabis legislation is in a 

constant flux, taking a few minutes of 

investigative reading will get one up 

to speed on state and county laws concerning 

medical and recreational use. 

Once educated on local policy, cannabis 

consumers can feel prepared and 

confident on how to safely fulfill their 

cannabis needs at a local dispensary. 

Security Guards 

Novice shoppers are often 

intimidated by the presence of 

armed guards in the parking 

lots and entrances of dispensaries. 

After all, it is easy to mistake 

these guards for police officers. 

Don’t fear, though; armed 

guards at cannabis dispensaries 

work for private security 

firms that are subcontracted by the 

businesses. These guards are simply 

on site to keep the premises secure and 

customers safe. They’ll often want to 

look through a patron’s backpack or a 

purse to ensure there are no weapons 

inside. So, to ensure a smooth entrance 

to the dispensary, cannabis patrons 

should not have anything threatening or 

embarrassing in their baggage. 

Check-In and Sharing 

Personal Information 

Every time cannabis users visit a dispensary, 

they must wait in a check-in area 

located outside of the shopping space. 

This area exists so dispensary employees 

can ensure the clients have the 

proper paperwork before entering and 

accessing any product. Furthermore, the 

waiting area ensures that the purchasing 

space doesn’t become overcrowded, 

allowing budtenders to give customers 

their full attention. 

Doing the proper research on state 

and county laws mentioned above will 

pay off when it comes time to check-in. 

If living in a medical state, patients will 

at least need to provide a state-issued ID 

and a doctor’s recommendation to enter 

the premises. The dispensary receptionist 

will need to verify your doctor’s recommendation 

with your provider via the 

Internet or telephone. On a similar note, 

don’t be intimidated by the prospect of 

sharing your personal information with a 

dispensary. This data is protected by law. 

Other Patients and Consumers 

At this point in time, remember that 

just because people can legally access 

cannabis at dispensaries does not mean 

that its use is condoned in their professional 

and personal lives. Therefore, 

small talk between patrons in dispensaries 

is acceptable, but anonymity should 

be respected. That way there’s less of 

a chance that a person’s life could be 

negatively impacted by gossip or hearsay 

concerning his or her responsible 

cannabis consumption. 

Know Your Product 

When shopping for cannabis products, 

utilize the staff’s knowledge. A wellinformed 

budtender should be able to 

inform customers about the specific 

effects of each strain, as well as recommend 

products based on clients’ needs 

and tolerance levels. This care and 

attention is particularly important when 

it comes to edibles and concentrates as 

a little bit often goes a long way with 

these potent THC products. Still, the final 

decision is placed on the consumer. 

48 


myhydrolife.com


heal 

That’s why it’s a good idea for patrons 

to do some cannabis research ahead of 

time, have an idea of the effect they’re 

seeking, and take note of how cannabis 

affected them in the past. The more information 

someone has before purchasing 

product, the better. 

Parking Lots and Exits 

At the conclusion of a dispensary shopping 

experience, patrons should aim for 

a quick departure from both the building 

and the parking lot. Again, this practice is 

in the best interest of customer safety; depending 

on the locale of the dispensary, 

crowds in cannabis dispensary parking 

lots can easily attract unsavory attention. 

Also, remember that a dispensary can 

lose its licence if cannabis consumption 

or sharing occurs on its property. 

Clients must never consume cannabis 

products in the parking lot or within a 

vehicle on the premises. Furthermore, 

they must not share cannabis with any 

friends or family that were in the car. 

There are many legalities surrounding 

this type of “distribution”. 

Finally, cannabis patrons must respect 

the parking areas and properties of other 

businesses near the dispensary. The 

taboos surrounding cannabis culture 

already present the industry with 

enough challenges; irresponsible actions 

like vagrancy, loitering, and illegal 

parking just make things more difficult 

for everyone as they give the public a 

negative view of cannabis consumers. 

Visiting a dispensary for the first time can 

be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have 

to be a negative experience. Prepare 

yourself with knowledge and follow some 

basic etiquette, and everyone will feel 

the positive benefits. 

“Prepare yourself with 

knowledge and follow some basic 

etiquette, and everyone will feel 

the positive benefits.” 

50 


myhydrolife.com

heal 

CUT AND DRIED: 

A MONTHLY LOOK AT DIFFERENT MMJ STRAINS 

BY LACEY MACRI 

Earthy and fruity, Hashberry is a high-quality, indicadominant 

strain. From its origins to appearance, medical 

use, effects, and cultivation habits, Lacey Macri reviews 

this award-winning cannabis for Hydrolife. 

Hashberry 

Origin and Genetics 

Originally from a territory in India 

called Kashmir, Hashberry got its name 

from the region’s reputation for producing 

high-quality hashish products. Like 

many other popular strains, Hashberry 

has undergone several variations in its 

lineage along the way. Some of the best 

Hashberry you will find in California 

is spawned from a cross between two 

powerful indica strains—Kryptonite 

and Kashmir Kush—and she certainly 

lives up to her parents’ expectations. 

The uniquely high THC content of its 

parent strain Kryptonite has remained 

one of the most notable features of the 

Hashberry plant. This quality helps 

to produce a non-drowsy body sensation 

that is very relaxing. Hashberry 

has won awards over the years and 

consistently delivers across a span of 

different parameters. 

Physical Description 

The poster child for high-quality cannabis, 

Hashberry is known for its super 

dense, perfectly formed buds. On a scale 

from one to 10, with one representing the 

lightest-colored cannabis you’ve ever 

seen and 10 being the darkest, the cured 

flowers of a Hashberry plant are around 

a seven. This color is primarily made 

up of two different shades of green and 

dark, rust-colored stoma. The aroma of 

these buds is equally as stellar, with 

pungent whiffs of spicy, earthy, and 

fruity berries rampant. 

Medical Uses 

Medicating with Hashberry has been 

reported to relieve migraine headaches, 

body pains, and insomnia. Surprisingly, 

however, if you are well-rested, it is 

also suitable to be used during the day 

without inhibiting your ability to interact 

with others or be productive. In other 

words, although it is recomm ended for 

sleep disorders, it is not your typical 

couch-lock nighttime-only medicine. The 

effects set in quickly and the user starts 

to feel an intense body high. While 

partaking, you will feel uplifted, both 

physically and mentally, in the most 

comfortable of ways. It’s kind of like a 

magic carpet ride. 

Growing Patterns 

For an indica-dominant strain, Hashberry 

can be a moderately heavy yielder, 

assuming all environmental conditions 

are optimized. Its indica roots are 

manifested in its stature, as it typically 

grows to be more squat and stout, with 

dark green foliage and wider fan leaves 

at the base, narrowing toward the tip. 

Hashberry is a good strain to grow 

indoors as it is unlikely to stretch much 

taller than most standard grow tents. It 

is important to space them generously, 

though, to allow for their maximum 

reach potential. This strain feeds relatively 

heavy and may require additional 

supplements such as cal-mag to accommodate 

its unique nutritional demands. 

Flowering Hashberry follows typical 

indica traits, averaging right around a 

60-day flowering period. As the buds approach 

the final ripening phase, they really 

start to dense up and harden pretty 

consistently from the top cola all the way 

down the chutes to the center zone of the 

plant. Purple hues will be more apparent 

when grown indoors, as temperatures 

are more easily controlled compared 

to an outdoor growing environment. 

This strain is very manageable to grow, 

even for beginners. 

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. 

52 


myhydrolife.com


54 


myhydrolife.com


heal 

SEEK OUT THE 

BEST STRAINS FOR 

Aches 

and 

Pains 

BY CORY HUGHES 

MORE AND MORE, CANNABIS IS 

ACCEPTED AS A MEDICINAL ALTERNATIVE 

to more conventional, yet controversial, treatments. 

Cannabis legalization has opened doors for 

millions of patients who seek to move away from 

pharmaceutical treatments for pain to embrace 

more natural alternatives with less side effects. 

With specific cannabis strains that work best to 

treat specific ailments, Cory Hughes explores which 

strains have been found to alleviate pain in particular. 

Cannabis is effective for pain 

management due to the balance 

of THC, CBD, and a slew of other 

cannabinoids contained within it. It is these 

varying ratios of cannabinoids, to some 

degree, that define the strain and determine 

many of its individual qualities. Typically, 

high-CBD strains are associated with painrelieving 

properties, although this is not 

always the case. Understanding the ratios 

of THC to CBD and the other cannabinoids 

will help you pick the strain that's right 

for you. Here is my list of the best medical 

cannabis strains for pain management. 

56 


myhydrolife.com

CHARLOTTE'S WEB 

This strain made headlines when the 

battle for the right to use cannabis 

as medicine first entered the public 

consciousness. Having virtually no THC 

and high amounts of CBD, Charlotte's 

Web is the perfect strain for those who 

want soothing relief without the buzz. 

Having no psychoactive effect, it has 

even been used to treat the symptoms 

of epilepsy in children, including a girl 

named Charlotte, for whom the strain is 

named. It is a safe and effective choice 

for pain management that won't induce 

the intoxicating effects generally associated 

with cannabis use. Charlotte's Web 

has earned its place among the best 

strains for not only pain relief, but stress, 

depression, and myriad other ailments. 

HARLEQUIN 

An uplifting and euphoric strain that is 

often hailed for its medical properties, 

Harlequin has relatively low THC, high 

CBD, and makes for a smooth and focused 

high with incredible pain relief. 

Its flavor can be described as earthy 

with a touch of spice. Harlequin is one 

of those strains that throws a wrench 

into what we think we know about 

indicas versus sativas. A 75/25 sativadominant, 

Harlequin delivers the buzz 

you'd expect from its Colombian Gold 

and Thai lineage but has an unusually 

high amount of CBD for a sativa. 

There are a handful of sativas known to 

rival their indica counterparts for their 

medicinal properties and Harlequin is 

one of them. It gives the perfect combination 

of head and body high that will 

let your mind wander while your aches 

and pains wash away. 

PURPLE OG KUSH 

Ever smoked purple weed? I mean really 

purple? Purple OG Kush isn't just a 

fancy name; it's the real deal. A heavy 

indica with high THC and moderate 

amounts of CBD, Purple OG Kush is a 

favorite among those who enjoy solid 

pain relief packed in a heavily floral 

and enticing cannabis experience. Often 

called Twisted Purple OG, you can tell 

it's a kush strain from the first hit. Earthy 

and subtle fruit flavors make smoking 

Purple OG Kush one of the most transcendental 

cannabis experiences you 

can have. Purple OG Kush is a relatively 

low yielder, which makes it more of 

a boutique strain, if it's grown right. 

The color is a deep purple, making it 

unmistakable in your garden and in your 

bowl. Few strains live up to the experience 

of smoking Purple OG Kush, not 

just for pain relief but for the incredible 

flavors and essence. 

WHITE WIDOW 

White Widow is one of the more 

famous strains in the world of 

cannabis and pain relief. The white 

in White Widow refers to the thick 

coating of crystals you are likely to 

see encasing its pale green buds. As 

a 60/40 hybrid, White Widow seems 

to have inherited the best traits of 

both worlds. With relatively low CBD 

but high levels of THC, the buzz is 

focused if not slightly dissociative. 

“ 

T y pica lly, high 

CBD strains are associated 

with pain-relieving 

properties, although this 

is not always the case.” 


heal 

It's this dissociative effect that 

disconnects you from your pain. When 

smoked, the buzz will start in your head 

but will soon radiate downward and 

out through your arms and legs, leaving 

every inch of you tingling. The buzz is 

uplifting and thought-provoking; so 

much so, you won't even remember what 

aches and pains were troubling you. 

AFGHAN KUSH 

It is believed that some of the earliest 

strains of cannabis were found deep in 

the mountains of Afghanistan. There, 

the first landrace Afghani indicas were 

cultivated. Generations of breeding 

have resulted in a powerful yet sedating 

strain we have all come to know 

as Afghan Kush. Afghan Kush has a 

distinctly earthy yet floral flavor; a true 

oasis in the desert. It is often turned to 

for pain relief, particularly migraine 

headaches, as well as to help with loss 

of appetite. As a resin-heavy plant, it is 

often a first choice for hash production. 

The buzz is mostly concentrated in the 

head, however, many have reported a 

numbing sensation to the body, which 

is great for easing the discomfort associated 

with nausea or muscle cramps. 

If you are growing Afghan Kush you can 

expect heavy yields of large, hash-green 

nuggets. Great for relaxing and taking 

the edge off at the end of the day, Afghan 

Kush makes the perfect nightcap. 

CANNATONIC 

Cannatonic was bred specifically to be 

high CBD and low THC to treat a wide 

variety of pain-related ailments and 

other conditions like depression and 

anxiety. First bred in Spain, it quickly 

caught the attention of the medicinal 

cannabis community where it is now 

embraced as one of the best strains for 

pain. The high is laid-back and relaxed, 

to say the least. You won't get sucked into 

the couch, but you won't be out running 

any marathons, either. Cannatonic tastes 

mildly sweet with a slight bit of citrus. 

The flavor is not overwhelming, but it fits 

the calming atmosphere that is sure to 

set in. Cannatonic has been associated 

with reducing inflammation in muscles 

and joints, which makes it a great choice 

for that post-workout cool-down. 

“ It is believed that some 

of the earliest strains of 

cannabis were found 

deep in the mountains 

of Afghanistan..” 

58 


GIRL SCOUT COOKIES 

Did you buy your Girl Scout Cookies this season? 

Fortunately for us, this kind of Girl Scout Cookie 

is available all year long. GSC, as it is commonly 

called, is another boutique strain that produces 

small clusters of tightly packed buds covered in 

trichomes. Another hybrid, GSC has a unique 

quality. It is high in CBG, or cannabigerol, which 

has a profound impact on your experience. Many 

times, patients seeking pain relief are put off by 

the intoxicating effects of marijuana. CBG helps 

balance the way cannabinoids interact with your 

body, making for a more well-balanced experience, 

reducing the chances of anxiety rearing 

its ugly head. GSC's balance of cannabinoids 

makes for a truly unique buzz. As an indicadominant 

hybrid, the effects are as soothing as 

the taste is sweet. 

NORTHERN LIGHTS 

Northern Lights is probably the best-known strain on 

the list. It is a pure indica whose genetics are a mix 

of Afghani and Thai landrace strains. No one is quite 

sure where it originated, however, as rumor has it it 

came out of the Pacific Northwest just outside of Seattle. 

Northern Lights is a heavily euphoric strain that draws 

the user into a trance-like state. It has a moderate 

amount of CBD and with THC levels approaching 18 per 

cent, the buzz is evenly split between your mind and 

body. Some strains are energetic and will keep you up 

at night. Northern Lights has a sweet, piney flavor that 

will ease you into bed and carry you into a deep slumber. 

This is the perfect strain for unwinding and leaving 

the pains and troubles of the day behind you. 

myhydrolife.com


heal 

by August Dunning 

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: 

It Might be Time for a Detox 

Several states have reported 

seeing chronic marijuana 

users walking into emergency 

rooms with abdominal pain 

and intense vomiting, though 

medical professionals are 

mystified as to why. August 

Dunning examines the 

factors contributing to this 

phenomenon and what can 

be done about it. 

Let’s be honest, unless you are growing 

your own weed, there is a high risk that 

toxic chemicals have contaminated your 

medical or recreational marijuana. High 

demand, little oversight, toxic fungicides, 

and greed have created a situation that 

immediately needs to be addressed. 

Several states have seen chronic marijuana 

users coming into emergency rooms 

complaining of abdominal pain and cyclic 

vomiting, a condition that has been labeled 

as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome 

(CHS). Hyperemesis means “prolonged vomiting”, 

while syndrome means “a condition 

characterized by a set of associated symptoms.” 

One study in Colorado reported that 

emergency room diagnoses for CHS have 

doubled since 2009, when the government 

allowed medical marijuana. 

Doctors have a theory that CHS occurs 

due to regular, long-term use of marijuana. 

But is it? The clue may be in the vomiting. 

“Vomiting is a natural reflex that often 

occurs as a form of protection,” says Dr. Joe 

Mercola in an article on his website. “In 

the event you consume something that is 

contaminated or poisonous, vomiting is your 

body’s way of getting rid of it.” 

When we compare the doctors’ theories 

about chronic cannabis users and what 

vomiting indicates, it sounds like CHS is the 

body’s attempt to try and rid itself of something 

contaminated or poisonous. So, are 

cannabinoids in the marijuana (which are 

noted for being non-toxic) the problem, or is 

it something else tagging along for the ride? 

60 


myhydrolife.com

heal 

“The most likely cause is that people 

using marijuana frequently and in 

high doses have changes in the receptors 

in their body, and those receptors 

become dysregulated in some way, 

and it starts causing pain,” says Dr. 

Kennon Heard, co-author of the study 

and a physician at the University of 

Colorado Hospital. In other words, 

doctors have no idea why this is occurring. 

The condition is treated with hot 

showers and baths, but most medical 

professionals also suggest reducing or 

eliminating the intake of marijuana. 

However, I disagree with this theory. 

Missing from these scenarios is a trend 

that has seen a dramatic increase in liver 

disease in the human population. Broken 

agricultural methods have led to a decrease 

in calcium and sulfur in the food 

supply. With this, comes a subsequent 

inability to conjugate toxins in the phase 

one and phase two detox pathways. The 

liver is designed to bind toxins to compounds, 

to neutralize them for elimination 

in the bowel. It can only do this if it has 

the necessary ingredients to perform this 

function. Over the years, calcium—one of 

the most important parts of the phase one 

detox functionality—has been drastically 

reduced in the world’s vegetable supply, 

and along with the advent of processed 

food, it has been almost eliminated from 

the modern human diet. This depletion 

of calcium coincides with an increase 

in liver disease. 

With this insight in mind, CHS may be 

exacerbated by both the condition of an 

increased toxic load in commercially 

grown cannabis, with all its pesticide 

residue, and toxins in the food supply 

as well. Unable to be removed by a 

non-functioning liver, toxins overload 

the body and lead to vomiting. There 

are two problems occurring here. The 

first is that the liver is unable to detox 

due to mineral malnutrition, creating 

the inability of the liver to perform 

glucuronidation. Glucuronidation is the 

body’s major phase two detoxification 

pathway in which hormones, foreign 

substances, and toxic chemicals— 

especially pesticides—are made 

harmless and eliminated. Many of these 

chemicals are potential carcinogens. 

The second problem is that some gut 

bacteria produce an enzyme called 

ß-glucuronidase that destroys the bond 

of toxins conjugated out of a functioning 

liver while in the bowel, which 

allows the toxin to be re-absorbed 

through the intestinal wall back into 

the blood stream. This means that 

even if the liver was working, ß-glucuronidase 

prevents toxins from being 

eliminated. In a non-functioning liver, 

some toxins never get eliminated, 

which leads to toxic overload, which 

leads to vomiting. My theory is that it’s 

not the cannabis itself that causes a 

person to vomit; it’s the toxic chemicals 

used to grow weed, the chronic toxicity 

of the modern world, and the depleted 

nutritional content of our food supply. 

In the late 1990s, Dr. Walazek, a Polish 

doctor working on cancer treatments 

with calcium salts, found that a derivative 

of broccoli and apples can suppress 

the enzyme ß-glucuronidase: 

calcium d-glucarate. This is a 

critical part of a larger solution 

to CHS. The first step is to get 

the liver working again, which 

requires calcium and sulfur to get 

toxins in a molecularly bonded, 

neutralized form for elimination. 

Growing plants with gypsum or 

added minerals, such as a multi-mineral 

complex from ocean water raises the calcium 

and sulfur levels in the food. Eating 

this high-sulfur and high-calcium food 

is then the fastest and easiest way to get 

the liver detox pathways working. 

Organically grown yellow onions (the 

ones that make you tear when you cut 

them) provide sulfur, and kale and spinach 

can provide calcium. The second 

step is to use the calcium d-glucarate 

to suppress the enzyme so you can start 

getting rid of stored toxins. The suggested 

solution by the doctors show that they 

do not know these parts of the puzzle. 

They say to reduce or eliminate marijuana. 

This may not be possible if you 

are using cannabis for medical reasons, 

but it will tend to reduce some levels of 

toxic accumulation. Experts also suggest 

taking hot baths, which may cause an 

increase in blood flow and elimination of 

toxins by the kidneys to bypass the liver 

to reduce toxic levels. 

CHS is an important condition 

to resolve. While I can’t prescribe 

anything specific, I have never 

“ 

In the event you 

consume something 

that is contaminated 

or poisonous, vomiting 

is your body’s way of 

getting rid of it.” 

personally experienced this 

problem, even with years 

of chronic cannabis use, 

because I go on a course of 

calcium d-glucarate once 

a year—60 capsules of 200 

milligrams each evening 

at bedtime and in the morning for 30 

days. Calcium d-glucarate is proven 

to get rid of pesticides, aromatic 

hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and 

agricultural chemicals. It also reduces 

reactive oxygen species because it 

prevents gut bacteria from producing 

the bond-cutting enzyme, allowing 

toxins sent out of the liver the leave 

the body. Calcium d-glucarate breaks 

down to glucaric acid. 

Apples are one of the best sources of 

glucaric acid. Here’s another way to 

look at it—an apple a day keeps the 

oncologist away. 

August Dunning is the CEO of Eco 

Organics and is a physicist, chemist and 

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 for Pratt and Whitney space 

propulsion, Edwards AFB, NAWC, and JPL. 

62 


myhydrolife.com

7By Lacey Macri 

heal 

A lack of sleep can negatively affect your mental and physical 

health. Making a few easy adjustments to your activity prior to 

turning out the lights can go a long way in helping you wake up 

feeling refreshed and ready to tackle anything the day throws at 

you. Lacey Macri has some tips to help you get to dreamland. 

If you’re one of the hundreds of thousands of Americans struggling to get 

sufficient sleep, you may be just a few steps away from hitting the hay a 

little harder. Every day, we are inundated with chores, tasks, obligations, 

and struggles on the physical, mental, and emotional level. At the end of the 

day, unwinding can be yet another chore in and of itself! 

Getting adequate sleep is important for a number of reasons, including 

stabilizing mood, heart health, mental health, energy level, immunity, and 

both physical and cognitive performance. Recent studies even suggest 

that a lack of sleep may increase your likelihood of gaining 

unhealthy weight. From time to time, we may be forced to 

pull all-nighters to keep up with life’s insatiable demands, 

however, habitually getting seven to nine hours of sleep 

per night will best prepare us to tackle these demands 

optimally while maintaining good overall health. 

Tips 

Toward 

Improving 

Sleep 

READ MORE 

If you’re reading this article, you’re already on your 

way toward improved sleep. Picking up a book or 

magazine before bed is a great way to relieve your 

mind of all the residual thoughts leftover from the 

day that are interfering with your ability to rest 

peacefully. That, combined with the slight boost 

in concentration and eye muscle movements 

required to read, pretty much seals the deal on 

coaxing you to sleep. Let it go for now; there will 

be more time for problem-solving tomorrow. 

AVOID ALCOHOL 

Despite alcohol’s ability to knock you out flat for 

extended periods of time, the quality of alcoholinduced 

sleep is far from rejuvenating. Studies show 

that alcohol consumption interferes with a person’s 

ability to engage in REM sleep. REM, or rapid eye 

movement sleep, typically begins within 90 minutes of 

officially falling asleep. During this stage, the muscles 

are totally relaxed, and the brain and body participate 

in a regenerative stage that contributes to a more productive 

following day. People who lack REM sleep 

may struggle with concentration, memory 

loss, grogginess, and learning. If 

you do partake, do it earlier in 

the day so your body has a 

chance to digest the alcohol 

before lying down to sleep. 

MMJ 

For those of you who like 

to calm your nerves with 

a nightcap, it may be 

a good idea to consider 

other options. Medicalgrade 

cannabis can have 

very positive effects on the ability 

to fall asleep, stay asleep, and quality 

64 


myhydrolife.com

of sleep. Currently, there is mixed research on the effects 

of cannabis on sleep, some suggesting that cannabis, like 

alcohol, may interfere with REM sleep, others suggesting just 

the opposite. However, qualified medical marijuana patients 

consistently report waking up feeling refreshed after a fullnight’s 

rest while using cannabis as a natural sleep aid. The 

same reports are unavailable for alcohol users, most likely 

due to a little thing we’ve all come to fear called hangovers. 

When using medical marijuana as a sleep aid, be careful not 

to overdo it or consume sativa-dominant strains, as doing 

so may increase heart rate and alertness, furthering your 

inability to sleep. 

EXERCISE EARLY 

If you spend most of your day relatively immobile, odds are 

your body isn’t going to feel the need to sleep quite as early 

as your mind might. Desk jobs are notorious for causing this 

discrepancy between body and mind. It’s important to regain 

that equilibrium for the sake of your sleeping habits. Unfortunately, 

busy schedules don’t exactly make time for a trip to the 

gym before or after work, so if you are bound to a desk all day 

long, get outside and go for a walk on one of your breaks. If 

you do feel like going the extra mile, so to speak, make sure to 

get your exercise in at least an hour before going to bed so you 

aren’t overly energized when it comes time to rest. 

STAY CLEAN AND COMFORTABLE 

Maintaining good hygiene and comfortable surroundings 

helps create a more suitable environment for sound sleep. 

Throughout the day we encounter bacteria, viruses, allergens, 

dust, molds, and more, which can all contribute to sneezing, 

coughing, itching, congestion, labored breathing, and a 

general feeling of discomfort. Keeping your garments, 

linens, and overall environment free 

of contaminants will help prevent 

additional distractions that keep you 

from a better night’s sleep. Wearing 

breathable clothing and keeping the 

room temperature cool will also help 

lull you into deep sleep, as your body 

temperature naturally decreases during 

this process. Even better, save some 

time for a hot shower before sleep to 

cleanse your body as well as help relax 

your muscles. 

This is why reading a book is generally preferred over 

watching a show within the last hour or two before bed, 

so we can attempt to prime ourselves for sleep rather than 

activity. Listening to upbeat music is also not recommended, 

as it may inspire an adrenaline rush to the bloodstream. 

On that same note, playing high intensity video games or 

watching a thriller right before bed might cause your body 

to tense up, delaying your ability to relax and sleep even 

more. 

MEDITATION 

For some, meditation may bring to mind a calling of the 

spirits and singing Kumbaya. And for some, this may 

work, but for the sake of this article, having a full-fledged 

seance is not necessary to improving sleep. Basically, the 

point here is to decompress and allow yourself to let go 

of all the frets you’ve encountered over the course of the 

day, bringing both your mind and body into a tranquil 

state. Ancient breathing exercises have long been favored 

by yoga enthusiasts as a means of achieving deep 

relaxation and meditation. Voice coaches also teach 

their students these techniques to improve lung capacity. 

While there are hundreds of different strategies, one 

of the most simple and effective methods is the 16-16-16. 

While lying flat (preferably on a yoga mat or something 

similar), relax your shoulders and waist, allowing all 

of your weight to sink down into the earth. Inhale fully 

within a 16 second count, hold for 16 seconds, and then 

distribute a full exhale within another 16 seconds. After 

repeating this cycle three or more times, you will begin to 

feel fully relaxed and refreshed. Preceding these breathing 

exercises with some stretching will also lend itself 

toward a deeper sense of relaxation upon completion. 

ABANDON TECHNOLOGY 

Recent studies have pointed to a 

possibility that the high intensity 

light emitted by technology such as 

smartphones, televisions, tablets, and 

computers may in fact delay a person’s 

ability to fall asleep or become tired. 

Some researchers believe this happens 

as an involuntary reaction to bright 

light that imitates the sun. They believe 

that this artificial light emission may 

signal our brains to prepare for being 

awake, since sunlight is typically 

associated with hours spent awake. 


live 

by Watermelon 

A FOOL OF MYSELF 

A Cannabis Culinary Column 

Famous for selling watermelon slices and pot 

cookies on Wreck Beach, marijuana pin-up 

girl and advocate Watermelon is also a chef 

and business owner with a popular cannabis 

cooking show on YouTube. This month, she 

shares one of the gluten- and dairy-free recipes 

that has helped her pursue healthier habits. 

For many years now, I have been attempting to quit one 

thing for a year, to see what happens. It’s an excellent dietary 

exercise as well as one in self-control. At the end of the 

year, I take it back up again. To date I have quit coffee, dairy, 

corn/products, white flour, overeating, and alcohol. 

The key is to pick one thing. Make your goal achievable, 

and don’t beat yourself up about the other things. For 

instance, the year I quit coffee, I did not quit caffeine. Totally 

achievable. Focus on what you are quitting and not what 

else you should quit. 

The only thing I wasn’t successful quitting for a whole year 

was swearing. I even tried two years in a row. No luck. Swears 

just come out of your body. Things coming out of you are harder 

to control than things going into you. 

This year I planned to quit gluten. Very fashionable, don’t you 

agree? I have always avoided shoddy, white, baked goods and 

focused more on whole grains, but now I will attempt an all-out 

assault against gluten entering my body for 2017. 

Everybody who eats kale and avocados knows that quinoa 

is the queen of gluten free. Quinoa is versatile and a great 

source of protein. We make an amazing quinoa, amaranth, and 

cashew milk waffle at my store (the Commercial Drive Licorice 

Parlour). They sell as fast as we make them. 

Let’s ring in a new year and get ready for spring with medicated 

chocolate quinoa cupcakes. I use coconut oil in place 

of butter and cashew milk in place of dairy milk. Gluten- and 

dairy-free. Oh yeah! 

To see Watermelon in action, check her out on YouTube. Baked: 

Cooking with Mary Jean is a special show that features one special 

ingredient: cannabis! Follow Watermelon, a.k.a. Mary Jean 

Dunsdon, on Twitter @weeddiva to never miss an episode, or 

sign up for updates at potent.media. 

Photo by Tom Davidson 

66 


myhydrolife.com

grow. heal. live. enjoy. 67

live 

Chocolate Quinoa Cupcakes 

Makes 12 servings 

STEP 1 

Start with: 

• 3/4 C coconut oil 

• 12 g shake flour 

I like to put this in a crock pot on medium/low and walk 

away for an hour, maybe two, but you can simply put in 

a sauce pan on low heat for 25 minutes. Longer cooking, 

without burning, equals stronger cupcakes. Let cool. 

STEP 2 

Pre-heat oven to 350°. Place into the food processor or blender: 

• 1/3 C cashew milk (sprouted cashews and water blended) 

• 2 C cooked quinoa * 

• 4 eggs 

Mix thoroughly then carefully add the cooled coconut oil and 

cannabis mixture. Mix thorough again. 

STEP 3 

Put into a medium bowl: 

• 1.5 C white sugar 

• 1 C cocoa powder 

• 1/2 tsp baking soda 

• 1.5 tsp baking powder 

• 1/2 tsp salt 

Add to wet ingredients in blender and mix thoroughly. 

STEP 4 

Place in pre-heated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. There 

are two ways to test that they are done: Lightly press your 

finger into the top of a cupcake—if it springs back ,up it’s 

cooked; if the impression stays, it is not cooked. Poke a 

toothpick directly down the center of a cupcake. If it comes 

out clean, they are cooked; if there is wet dough stuck to 

it, then they are not cooked. Once cooked, let cool; then 

decorate your cupcake any way you like. 

*quinoa cooks a lot like rice, 1 cup grain to 2 cups water 

68 


myhydrolife.com


feature 

At the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic Games, 

Canadian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati became 

the first ever to win a gold medal in men’s 

snowboarding. He was then disqualified for having 

THC in his bloodstream, a decision that was soon 

overturned because marijuana was not banned by 

the International Olympic Committee. Nineteen years 

later, the events remain clear in his mind. Rebagliati 

spoke with Hydrolife to discuss the events that 

changed his life, how they changed society’s views of 

marijuana, and how it all remains relevant today. 

ROSS’GOLD 

HOW AN OLYMPIC 

SCANDAL CHANGED 

CANNABIS PERCEPTIONS 

HYDROLIFE: Looking back at your win, then your 

disqualification, then having your medal returned, does 

it still amaze you how all of that went down? 

ROSS: (Laughing) Yes, it was incredible. First of all, it was 

a huge shock that it happened in the first place. It took me 

forever to recover from having my dreams slip between my 

fingers like that right at the end of my career. We prepared 

for it for four years and as snowboarders, we had never 

prepared for anything for four years before because all of our 

races were every year, so that was a departure from what we 

were used to. So, yeah, it made it extra dramatic but, at the 

same time, very revealing about, you know, the support I got 

from Canadians and from people around the world. Not only 

for the athletic performance but for my cannabis views and 

in spite of my cannabis use. So, I think a lot of people really 

have a hard time wrapping their head around the whole 

thing, but in general, you know, the majority decided at that 

time 20 years ago that, ‘Ah, we’ll just forget about the weed 

thing for now, it was a killer race,’ you know? 

HL: Yeah. 

R: But, that was definitely a tricky situation at the time. Even 

afterwards, dealing with different pressures that I wasn’t 

used to, like being recognized outside of the snowboard 

world and just extra attention on me and pressure to succeed 

and to be successful and just things that you think about 

in your 20s that aren’t quite, you know, 100 per cent. As I 

get older now and I look back on it, I see how I was putting 

too much emphasis on some things that I thought were 

important at the time, but now when I look back on it in 

retrospect, it’s all easy, right? 

HL: Do you ever wonder how things might have turned 

out if the events in Nagano didn’t happen? 

R: Yeah, from time to time I run a couple scenarios of that. 

I don’t really dwell too much on shoulda, coulda, woulda 

scenarios. But yeah, I didn’t get the average amount of 

attention and my 15 minutes of fame has lasted for a lot 

longer. There are a lot of things to be thankful for and I think 

that the support that I got from Canada, and in general, is 

basically the foundation of when I was sort of reborn then 

and had to kind of relearn my life. Having that support was 

the foundation of me being able to move forward. 


myhydrolife.com


feature 

HL: Do you feel smoking pot gave you a competitive 

advantage in your racing days? 

R: I do, but I wasn’t using it during competition or anything 

like that. A lot of these events were international. For one, 

it was kind of hard to find at the time; you had to know 

a few people or whatever. In the off-season when I was 

training, that was the beginning of me learning about how 

I could use cannabis to improve my performance during 

the winter. While I was doing my dry land training during 

the summer, for me, it was about my motivation at first. 

Like when I first started competing on the World Cup Tour 

in ’91, it was just pure adrenaline. I couldn’t believe I was 

on the tour, you know? When I first got accepted into it, 

I couldn’t believe we were 

going to live in Austria and I 

was going to do the tour that 

all my idols that I followed 

in all the snowboard mags 

in those days [did]. I was 

going to do the same thing; 

I was going to be competing 

against them. So, for the first 

couple of years, it was all 

good and fine, and then after 

a while, it turned into, ‘Holy 

crap, I’m never home.’ It’s 

hard to keep the motivation 

up when you have to work out 

two and a half hours a day 

at the gym, five days a week. 

So, over time, I found that if 

I smoked some cannabis in 

the morning before I would 

go to the gym, I would feel 

so much more enthusiastic 

about it. Yeah, the motivation 

that you need to go and 

pound out the workout and go and do the 100-km bike 

ride—cannabis really got me out on a regular basis. By 

the time the winter came, I really had a good foundation 

of training and cardio and power under my belt. So, that’s 

how I first started using, and, of course, it was introduced 

to me through other people, older people, that were on my 

team who came from a different era, when snowboarding 

was more edgy. But these guys were smoking dope on 

the trip! I couldn’t believe it! That was astounding to me, 

that they would smoke dope on the chair and then rip 

a cord, and it just never even occurred to me to ever do 

that. I tried it a couple times during training and it totally 

put me through a different level of feeling my equipment 

working underneath me and how my feet were positioned 

on the board and whether or not my board was running 

fast. Before it was more like, ‘Ahh! Get to the finish line; 

I’m just going to power through the whole thing,’ and my 

equipment just kind of followed me. But after I started 

using cannabis and riding, it gave me much more interest 

in where I wanted my gear to be, how I wanted my boots 

set up. All kinds of different things like how sharp my 

edges were or if they were too sharp or not sharp enough. So, 

that kind of gave me more insight to set up my equipment in 

a different way; I was more comfortable. So, basically that’s 

how it started and that was early on in the ‘90s. I never did 

compete and use cannabis the same time. 

HL: Do you feel that for you or many athletes today—like NFL 

players, ultra marathoners, even current medalists—pot is a 

performance enhancer? 

R: Like I said, it has a lot to do with your training. If you smoke 

a joint, you’re not going to necessarily sprint 100 meters faster. 

I don’t think it would slow you down from your normal speed. 

But I think what it does is when you’re doing your training, [it 

helps] the motivation that you get to do your training in the first 

place. Here’s the thing: you end up 

being stronger, faster, and higher, 

maybe. But, that’s basically where 

you get the performance enhancement 

from: being healthy on that 

regular day-to-day basis, having 

the motivation to go to the gym 

and do your workouts. I would do 

a bike ride that was 150-km long 

and I would stop every two hours 

basically to smoke a joint. At first, 

it [the ride] was kinda nice, like 

‘Oh, beautiful.’ But after 100 km or 

120 km, it’s like, ‘What am I even 

doing out here? This is ridiculous!’ 

And then, you smoke a joint and 

you’re like, ‘This is kinda fun actually,’ 

and you get back on your 

bike and keep going. So, you know 

the exercise that you get from 

your workout, due to the motivation 

that you’re getting from using 

cannabis, at the end of the day is 

performance enhancing. 

HL: How do you feel the public perception around using pot 

has changed, from the time you won your medal to today? 

R: It’s changed a lot. I think it’s going to change a little bit 

more, but I think that everybody is starting to realize that 

the science is backing up the industry; it’s backing up the 

cannabis plant. I felt like it was my responsibility after 

Japan to not turn my back on it, but to make people realize 

that it wasn’t a mistake that I was using cannabis before 

the Olympics. It was a mistake that I tested positive for 

it because I didn’t know I was failing my drug test before 

I went there; as it turned out, I had tested positive three 

times for cannabis before I went and I didn’t know. They 

didn’t tell me about it, so I could have made sure I wasn’t 

going to test positive for it. It’s kind of weird—they wouldn’t 

tell you, but then they took your medal away after you get 

there. Anyways, perception has changed a lot. At the time, 

people were really, I don’t want to say brainwashed, but the 

propaganda that was put out there in the ’80s especially 

about the dangers of cannabis and that it was a gateway 

drug. That was the beginning of a new idea about it. 

72 


myhydrolife.com


feature 

“I FOUND THAT if I smoked some 

cannabis in the morning before I 

would go to the gym, I would feel 

so much more enthusiastic about it.” 

HL: You haven’t exactly faded from the limelight. You 

have multi-million dollar real estate developments, you 

participate in several charities, you’re working through 

licensing with a medical marijuana company. How do you 

stay so focused on so many things? 

R: I am pretty busy, compared to some people. I think 

that I’m just accustomed to it. [I] focused on my racing 

and all that it entails, and throughout the ’90s, I was 

flipping real estate in Whistler and that basically paid 

my way to the World Cup Tour and to the Olympics. I 

had some European sponsors, but I was on a shoestring 

budget. I've been paying a mortgage since I was 19. I’m 

used to having these pressures on me and at first, they’re 

like these huge pressures, then the feeling just becomes 

normal; the new normal. Having kids helped me focus a 

lot. I’ve worked in the construction industry for roughly 

10 years in Whistler, building houses there. That gave 

me a different perspective on life and what a dollar is 

worth and that sort of thing. 

And so I always kind of felt I had more to do and I was 

waiting and waiting for cannabis to sort of catch up to 

where I was or where British Columbia was so that I could 

launch Ross’ Gold and have it be successful and looked up to 

instead of, ‘Oh, now look what he’s doing!’, you know? I feel 

like when we finally came out four or five years ago with the 

company that it was still ahead of the curve, it was still an 

edgy idea. But now after five years of growing the company, 

our store is about to open. Not only that, but the federal 

government is finally being proactive about legalization, so 

now it’s the perfect storm. But it took me a lot of years to get 

here, for everyone to catch up and in the meantime, I sort 

of had to make do. You know, I did walk on to job sites in 

Whistler looking for work. I did go through a period where I 

was basically broke and had to kind of build up from zero. I 

went through some unfortunate relationships that not only 

emotionally but financially drained me. And so, I think it’s just 

life. Going through life and realizing that the bad feelings 

do go away and that the sun does shine. There’s been some 

tough years, but it’s made me realize that you just keep doing 

what you want to do and what you love. And just never give up 

about it and you can accomplish it. I did it once already! 

HL: You started [cannabis company] Ross’ Gold in 2013. 

What opportunities do you see in Canada for treating people 

with medical marijuana? 

R: The number one reason why I want to do this is so that 

we can help as many people as possible. I know through 

my own experiences that it helps me get out of a lot of, you 

know, not depressions, but depressants, disappointments. 

And how I had different expectations of what it would mean 

to go to the Olympics, I had different goals. Life is never how 

you think it’s going to be and I think that from my experience 

using it and being able to be positive throughout everything, 

I think that is something that people struggle with on a 

regular basis. Like normal day-to-day life; like give me 

74 


myhydrolife.com

feature 

a break already, you know?! And I think that cannabis is 

a healthy alternative to alcohol. For a lot of those same 

reasons, you can easily categorize things in your head like 

what your priorities are. They come flying at you at 100 miles 

an hour and you know what you need to do. Where as with 

alcohol, you’re like, ‘Well, I’m drunk now, I can’t do anything.’ 

And then you wake up in the morning, you feel like crap, you 

don’t sleep, and you don’t eat right, and that just leads to 

more and more unhealthy things. 

HL: Even on a pharmaceutical level, you know? Everyone is 

always so quick to go to the doctor and get pharmaceuticals. 

R: Absolutely, and being able to tell people like, ‘Look, it’s not 

only healthy to use cannabis, but its family-oriented.’ You can 

have a family and use cannabis. The idea might be shocking 

to people that you would use cannabis and raise a family but, 

I’m telling you, you totally can do it and it helps tremendously 

in a million ways. But you know, if you’re having a couple 

of beers on the patio, okay, fine, whatever. But you know, 

you can’t treat yourself with beer when you’re stressed out 

because your kids are driving you nuts. But you can go and 

have a little quick puff somewhere and, you know, deal with 

the situation and be totally capable and be yourself. Also, 

the specific aliments that are out there in regards to medical 

cannabis like cancer treatments, arthritis, and epilepsy. There 

is new research on brain trauma that I think is especially 

promising, with regenerating certain damage with brain cells 

from a concussion and the plasma that protects itself around 

your brain from a future concussion. I think it’s just amazing 

stuff. For all this science to be done and to prove these things 

is beyond, I think, anyone’s expectations. 

“I FELT LIKE it was my responsibility 

after Japan to not turn my back on 

it, but to make people realize that 

it wasn’t a mistake that I was using 

cannabis before the Olympics.” 

76 


HL: How many joints do you smoke a day? 

R: Uh, I would say… (laughing). Let me count. I probably have 

one in the morning before I go to work and I probably have, 

like, three to four, maybe up to five joints at work throughout 

the day and at the end of the day, it depends if my neighbor 

comes over. But, it could be anywhere from three to 20 joints a 

day, depending on what I have to do in the day. 

HL: So, it’s more recreational for you. It’s not medicinal. 

R: I’d say there is no such thing as recreational pot smoking. 

It helps you whether you want it to or not and for me, it gets 

me through my day in a really positive way. 

HL: You sell a $24,000 gold plated water pipe. Obviously, 

you are kind of confident that pot isn’t just for your 

stereotypical stoner anymore. 

R: You’re right. Yeah, it’s gotta fit into the Maserati somewhere. 

myhydrolife.com


feature 

HL: So, you’re pretty confident that there’s no such thing as 

the stereotypical stoner? 

R: There is a stereotype of a stoner, but weed smoking comes 

from all walks of society —from the billionaires right on down 

to the guy begging for money on the side of the street. 

HL: What other projects besides Ross’ Gold do you have 

going on? 

R: We have a bunch of stuff going on with the store and the 

products that we are licensing out. So, we are in in touch with 

the 420 Games to be involved. I’m not allowed down to the US, 

I haven’t been since Nagano, basically. So, we are waiting 

for them to come here, like Kelowna or Vancouver. That’s on 

the back burner. We’ve got TV shows. Trying to figure out how 

to do a show; there might be a movie that is being produced 

right now by some producers that you would be familiar with. 

I don’t know if I can say very much about it right now. We have 

a bunch of cool stuff coming out. I’m just trying to get ready 

for ski season right now, cross country skiing and downhill 

skiing. I went back to downhill skiing. I used to ski race, right? 

I kind of got addicted to it all over again. Taking it one step at 

a time. We got the store, it’s the number one thing; it’s about to 

open and there has been some delays with construction and 

stuff, so it’s driving everyone nuts. 

HL: That’s ok. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Everything in 

moderation and time, right? 

R: I tell the guys, ‘Don’t worry, it’s only going to open one 

time and then it’s always going to be open after that.’ We’re 

planning for 99 more stores across Canada, so a lot on the go! 


myhydrolife.com

consultant's corner 

Finally, 

Florida: 

The Passing of 

Amendment 2 

During last year’s American election, 

access to medical marijuana expanded 

into Florida with the passing of 

Amendment 2. The team at Medicine 

Man Technologies explains what this 

means for people living in the state. 

brought to you by 

During the recent election cycle, 

Florida residents voted to expand 

medical marijuana access in their 

state, with more than 71 per cent of 

voters in favor of Amendment 2, even 

though the initiative only needed a 60 

per cent “yes” vote to pass. 

In 2014, a similar amendment failed 

when it received just 58 per cent of the 

vote. While the state’s legislature authorized 

non-smoked medical marijuana 

later that year, there were a few issues. 

The law only gave patients access to 

low-THC (0.8 per cent or less) cannabis 

with a greater concentration of CBD, and 

it was limited to patients with cancer and 

epilepsy, chronic seizures, or spasms. 

With Amendment 2, the law expanded 

medical marijuana access to patients in 

Florida with a physician’s certification 

if they suffer from glaucoma, HIV/ 

AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder, 

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 

Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, 

as well as Parkinson’s disease, cancer, 

and epilepsy. Licensed physicians can 

now also recommend cannabis for 

patients suffering from ailments similar 

to the ones officially listed. Physician 

certification can be issued to a qualified 

minor patient with written consent 

from their legal guardian or parent. 

Finally, for terminally ill patients, a 

new addition to the 2014 law allowing 

for the use of full-strength medical 

marijuana will remain in place. However, 

accommodations for medical marijuana 

use will not extend to any correctional 

institution or detention facility. 

Amendment 2 also laid out a few 

other regulations for the state’s new 

expanded access to medical marijuana. 

First, all forms of marijuana, 

including flower, concentrates, 

edibles, and tinctures are allowed. 

However, it’s still illegal to operate 

any vehicle, aircraft, train, or boat 

while under the influence. Marijuana 

smoking is also not permitted 

in public areas, schools, or places of 

employment. In addition, recreational 

marijuana and growing marijuana at 

home remains illegal. 

“While there are some kinks, Amendment 

2 will give an estimated 500,000 or more 

patients access to medical cannabis.” 

The state’s Department of Health will 

oversee the regulation of marijuana 

cultivation and treatment centers, 

including registration matters and 

standards for security, record keeping, 

testing, labeling, inspection, and 

safety. The Department will also be 

responsible for qualifying, registering, 

and issuing ID cards to patients 

and their caregivers, who can buy 

marijuana on the behalf of a patient. 

While the new medical marijuana 

law officially came into effect on 

January 3, there will be a bit of delay 

for patients seeking to gain access 

while all the details are worked out. 

The Department of Health’s deadline to 

decide and implement its regulations 

isn’t until June 2017. The required patient 

ID cards are to be issued no later than 

September 3. If the Department doesn’t 

begin issuing ID cards by this point, the 

amendment’s text states that “a valid 

physician certification will serve as a 

patient identification card in order to 

allow a person to become a ‘qualifying 

patient’ until the Department begins 

issuing identification cards.” 

While there are some kinks, Amendment 

2 will give an estimated 500,000 or more 

patients access to medical cannabis. 

80 


myhydrolife.com

live 

Keeping the Cannabis Industry Safe 

3SI Security Systems 

Malvern, Pennsylvania 

1-800-523-1430 

3sisecurity.com 

45 years in business 

"Innovation that Protects" 

3SI Security Systems is the world leader in asset protection systems. The 

company seeks to create a safer world by protecting and recovering stolen cash 

and high-value assets and apprehending criminals. With 45 years’ experience 

and protecting more than 250,000 locations worldwide, 3SI’s innovative 

solutions combat crime and protect thousands of institutions and organizations 

in the financial, retail, courier/cash in transit, and law enforcement markets. 

We’ve all seen the action movie 

where the bad guys rob a bank 

and make a daring escape. Just when 

they think they are home free, they 

open their money bags and … poof! 

Their hands, faces, clothing, and all the 

bills they just risked their lives for are 

instantly dyed an unmistakable red. 

Soon after, the police close in and it is 

game over for the crooks. 

For the 270 people who work in 

offices around the world for 3SI 

Security Systems, watching bad 

guys get caught isn’t just in the 

movies—it’s their job. 

“The best part of working at 3SI is 

receiving our Robbery Report emails,” 

says Lisa Moughan, 3SI’s global 

marketing communication manager. 

“What that means is that every time 

a 3SI tracking device is deployed by 

one of our customers in a robbery, 

we receive an email update telling 

us about the crime, the pursuit, the 

capture, and the recovery. It is so 

rewarding coming to work every 

day knowing that we are helping 

to make the world a safer place by 

catching criminals.” 

3SI, founded 45 years ago in 

Pennsylvania, started out by 

supplying its trademarked 

SecurityPac dye pack products 

to financial institutions. From 

there, the company expanded to 

include GPS tracking and now 

serves retail markets and law 

enforcement agencies in addition 

to banks and credit unions. 

With the rise of legal cannabis-based 

businesses in 

the US and around the world, 

especially for retailers and 

commercial growers, 3SI’s 

products are the perfect fit to 

help protect what is still a 

largely cash-based industry. 

“We are spending a lot of time talking 

to people in the industry to better 

understand their security challenges 

and to understand the business processes 

they follow,” says Moughan. “It has 

been interesting to learn that they have 

many of the same concerns that our other 

retail customers have. One differentiator, 

though, is that this is a cash-based 

business. While the model for a lot of retailers 

is to use less cash and more card 

transactions, the cannabis industry is 

still limited in those capabilities, so they 

still use a lot of cash. Storing and moving 

large amounts of cash makes them an 

attractive target for criminals.” 

Moughan adds that 3SI continues to 

keep a dialogue open with retailers 

and growers to learn how to best 

prevent robberies. 

“We’ve learned that there are a lot of 

times when the product is vulnerable to 

robbery and we’ve been excited to learn 

that we have existing products that 

are perfect to protect product in these 

circumstances,” she says. 

With direct distribution throughout 

North America and Europe, and 

indirectly in 40 other countries, 3SI is 

considered the global leader in providing 

innovative solutions, professional 

service, and customer satisfaction. 

With a long list of employees who 

have chosen to stay for 20-plus years, 

the company has an internal saying 

of ‘3SI – ONE team,’ one that Moughan 

says the team takes to heart. 

“We take pride in knowing that our 

devices helped capture a criminal, 

especially ones that have been implicated 

in numerous other crimes,” says Moughan. 

“Taking serial and sometimes violent 

offenders off the street makes all of 

the hard work very worthwhile and we 

are looking forward to partnering with 

cannabis customers to find solutions to 

help them with security concerns.” 


myhydrolife.com


live 

A 

by Chris 

Bond 

HISTORY 

OF 

CANNABIS 

PART 1 

Just a few generations ago, cannabis was widely used as medicine in North America to treat 

numerous ailments. By the early 1930s, a tax on cannabis made its use prohibitive, after which 

it became outright vilified. Now, of course, it’s making a comeback. In Part I of a two-part series, 

Hydrolife’s Chris Bond explains cannabis’s wild ride through history. 

84 


myhydrolife.com

Though cannabis has been used 

for millennia for medicinal and 

recreational uses, it was not widely used 

by European settlers in North America, 

however, until the early to mid-19th 

century. In 1839, Dr. W.B. O’Shaughnessy 

published a paper on the successful 

treatments of arthritis and various 

muscle spasms through cannabis 

therapies. For another hundred years, 

the North American medical community 

experimented with various concoctions 

and tinctures of cannabis for treating 

numerous physical and psychological 

maladies without opposition. By the 

middle of the 20th century though, 

marijuana became vilified and 

outlawed. Today, we are seeing a 

resurgence of the use of cannabis for 

medicinal purposes and a greater 

level of acceptance by the public 

and some local, state, and provincial 

governments for its recreational use. 

which was also mixed in and associated 

with marijuana. Stoked by the unrest 

of the Great Depression, governmentsponsored 

research fanned the flames of 

resentment and sought to link marijuana 

with violence and crime. By the early 

1930s, 29 states had outlawed its use. 

A national propaganda campaign was 

launched, and by 1937, US Congress 

passed the Marihuana Tax Act, which 

essentially brought an end to its legitimate 

usage in the medicinal world and 

restricted its possession. In that same 

year, the American Medical Association, 

in its annual report, suggested there was 

still no evidence that cannabis was an 

addictive substance and for that reason 

should still be prescribed to patients. 

Medicinal Use of Cannabis in 

the 19th and 20th Centuries 

Prior to the advent of giant pharmaceutical 

companies and the development 

of the syringe, cannabis was widely 

prescribed to sufferers of myriad symptoms. 

It gained such quick acceptance 

after O’Shaughnessy’s report that by 

1860, the Ohio State Medical Society 

listed it in its annual report as the 

remedy of choice for stomach pains, 

childbirth psychosis, coughs, and gonorrhea. 

Noting its lack of side effects, 

many medical professionals preferred 

to prescribe cannabis, as opioid usage 

was not only associated with interference 

of gastrointestinal functions but 

also had a high rate of toxicity. The 

medical literature of the day is rife 

with praise for cannabis due to users 

showing no appreciable physical 

dependence to it and because higher 

doses were not needed over time for 

the same pain-relieving effects. 

A drawback to medicinal cannabis, 

discovered at the same time, is its 

insolubility. Opiates can be easily 

converted to an injectable form, 

allowing a sufferer to achieve quick 

reprieve; cannabis takes considerably 

longer for its properties to take their 

full effect on the patient. With the 

advent of the hypodermic syringe and 

mass production of pills by the end of 

the 19th century, cannabis fell out of 

favor as the pain killer, sleep inducer, 

and relaxant of choice. 

With the influx of Mexican immigrants 

into the US in the early 1900s, 

a more recreational approach towards 

cannabis was introduced and with 

it, the use of the term marihuana or 

marijuana. Anti-drug campaigners 

were quick to seize upon the fear 

and prejudice around immigration, 


live 

As significant as the report was, it fell 

onto deaf ears. Just four years later, all 

cannabis products were removed from 

the listing of the National Formulary 

and Pharmacopoeia. 

Recreational Use of Cannabis 

and its Subsequent Illegal Status 

The recreational use of cannabis 

was hardly unknown in 19th-century 

America. It was, however, widely used 

in Mexico. Its casual use (in smokeable 

form) is not attributed in the United 

States until about 1910 in New Orleans. 

From there, it had no problem spreading 

rapidly throughout the rest of the 

country. Its use was mostly employed 

by the poor and those of Mexican 

descent. This made it easy to target 

the drug and marginalize its users. By 

the time the Marihuana Tax Act was 

passed, the well-known anti-cannabis 

propaganda film Reefer Madness had 

debuted. Federal and state governments 

began a campaign of misinformation 

on the use of cannabis. 

“UNDER PRESIDENT NIXON’S 

administration in 1970, 

US Congress passed the 

Comprehensive Drug Abuse 

Prevention and Control Act.” 

Reports of marijuana users going mad 

and engaging in murderous rampages 

abounded. Schools began to include antimarijuana 

rhetoric in curriculums across 

the country. The stance of most authorities 

was to keep America’s youth ill-informed 

of the facts surrounding cannabis use 

and exaggerate the effects of consuming 

it. Amidst this concern around the severe 

danger that marijuana represented to the 

safety of America’s children, the laws on 

possession continued to tighten. By the 

1950s, harsher federal sentences were beginning 

to be imposed upon individuals 

convicted of possessing marijuana. 

The 1960s ushered in a whole new 

era of marijuana users and those who 

sought to keep its use criminal. Many 

college students and other young adults 

rediscovered the benefits of smoking 

marijuana. Many could not reconcile their 

own first-hand experience with cannabis 

against the propaganda and stern antimarijuana 

messages they had received 

growing up. This, combined with their 

government engaging in an unpopular 

war, as well as numerous other socioeconomic 

reasons, led to a historic level 

of friction between the nation’s young 

adults and their elders. The government 

responded by increasing police presence 

and enforcement of 

existing drug laws. 

Arrests for possession of 

marijuana increased by a 

factor of 10 between 1965 and 

1970. This division began to tear 

at the country’s cultural fabric. 

Under a banner of restoring law 

and order, and during a time of great 

national unrest, Richard Nixon campaigned 

and was easily elected to the 

White House in November of 1968. Under 

President Nixon’s administration in 1970, 

US Congress passed the Comprehensive 

Drug Abuse Prevention and Control 

Act. This act led to the classification of 

marijuana as a Schedule I substance, 

meaning the government recognized no 

legitimate use for its production, sale, 

possession, or use. This put marijuana 

on par with substances such as cocaine 

and heroin. Law enforcement was to 

draw no distinction among their pursuit 

and subsequent prosecution of users of 

marijuana and all other narcotics. 

This was not the last strike against 

marijuana use. Despite interest from 

President Jimmy Carter to decriminalize 

the casual use of marijuana in the late 

‘70s, its vilification continued into the 

1980s. The Reagan administration took 

a hard stance against drugs, including 

marijuana. Initiatives such as the Drug 

Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) 

and First Lady Nancy Reagan’s Just Say 

No programs flooded the airwaves and 

became commonplace in America’s 

schools. Under Reagan, penalties 

continued to stiffen for drug-related 

offences. The advent of controversial 

“three strikes” laws and mandatory 

sentencing regimes meant that anyone 

convicted of nonviolent offences 

like marijuana possession could be 

sentenced to life without parole. 

This era marked the deepest 

opposition to marijuana as America’s 

war on drugs raged. Then, slowly, 

attitudes began to change. 

In Part II, we take a look at the renewed 

interest in cannabis as a viable solution 

to many medical issues, as well as the 

states that approved the recreational use 

of cannabis, or decriminalized its use. 

Chris Bond is the manager of the 

McKay Farm and Research Station at 

Unity College in Maine. His research 

interests are with sustainable agriculture, 

biological pest control, as well as 

alternative growing methods. He is a 

certified permaculture designer and 

certified nursery technician in Ohio and 

a certified nursery professional in New 

York, where he got his start in growing. 


myhydrolife.com


enjoy 

COMPREHENDING YOUR 

CANNABIS TEST RESULTS 

BY JODI MCDONALD 

No matter the reason 

you tested your 

cannabis plants, the 

lab results are useless 

if you don’t know how 

to read the report. 

Jodi McDonald gives 

us the lowdown on 

cannabinoid potency 

reports and how to get 

the most out of them. 

People who send cannabis products to 

the lab for testing typically fall into 

one of three categories. The first type of 

tester wants clinical confirmation of the 

cannabinoids their expertise tells them 

should be in the product. The second 

type of tester is usually someone who 

likes to experiment with the growing 

conditions and wants to see how their 

changes affected the potency of the product. 

The final group of testers are worried 

about dosage safety. They may have a 

product of questionable provenance or 

simply do not have enough information 

on their cannabis to make decisions 

about appropriate dosage. 

While the lab results will provide 

answers to all the above inquiries, what 

most people don’t know is that there 

are hidden gems of information in the 

graphs and charts of a test report that 

give added insight about their product. 

Let’s take a closer look at a sample 

cannabinoid potency report (Fig. 1). The 

first thing you see at the top of the report 

is the identification information about 

the testing method. Immediately below 

that, you will notice a picture (Fig. 2). 

This is a chromatogram from a highperformance 

liquid chromatography 

(HPLC) instrument and it is essentially a 

fingerprint of the product. This graph is 

particularly useful for ongoing testing; 

one can simply compare the graphs to see if 

the peaks and valleys change—and thus, the 

product itself changes—over time. 

Below the HPLC chromatograph are two 

charts that highlight the cannabinoid 

potencies of your product. The first chart 

identifies cannabinoid concentrations 

(Fig. 3). As you can see, the delta-9- 

tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level is 24.64 

per cent (the product sample analyzed in 

this example is a cannabinoid extract, so 

the concentrations are much higher than 

what would occur in dried flowers). The 

graph also shows the concentrations many 

other important cannabinoids, such as 

cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG). 

The carboxylated, or acid, forms of these 

cannabinoids are also listed (for a more 

detailed explanation of these compounds, 

read “Trust the Facts, Not Gut Feelings” in 

the Dec/Jan 2017 issue of Hydrolife). 

As you can see in this example, the levels 

of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)— 

the carboxylated form of THC—is at 56.26 

per cent. This result tells us that the tested 

extract has not been decarboxylated 

very efficiently; ideally, the THC level 

should be higher than that of the THCA. 

In fact, if any carboxylated cannabinoid 

concentration is higher than that of its 

corresponding the decarboxylated form, 

we know that the decarboxylation process 

is not as efficient as it could be. 

88 


myhydrolife.com

FIG.2 

FIG.3 

FIG.4 

FIG.1 

In the final section of the report, there 

is a chart to show the potency totals of 

each cannabinoid family (Fig. 4). These 

values represent typical concentrations 

if an efficient decarboxylation process 

is used. While the carboxylated and 

decarboxylated cannabinoids are 

grouped together for this section, the 

family totals are not calculated with 

straightforward addition. Labs first use 

a conversion factor, which is specific 

to each cannabinoid to account for 

the weight of the carboxyl group, to 

calculate a new total percentage for 

the acid form. These conversion factors 

are listed in small print below the 

totals chart (Fig. 5). In this example, a 

conversion factor of 0.877 is used for the 

THC family group. 

Here’s how one would use that factor 

in calculating the total potency for that 

cannabinoid family: 

THC: 24.64 PER CENT 

THC-A: 56.26 PER CENT X 0.877 

= 49.34 PER CENT 

TOTAL: THC (24.64) + THC-A (49.34) 

= 73.98 per cent 

Quantitation: A conversion factor of 0.877 is used for adjustment of the molar mass 

of THC-A and CBD-A; a conversion factor of 0.878 is used for CBG-A; both after 

decarboxylation. These conversion factors were not applied to other cannabinoids. 

BQL = Below Quantitation Limit, 

for information purposes only. 

THC: CBD RATIO: 19.8 : 1 

ACTIVATED TOTAL: 36.08 

Activated Total: Cannabinoids that have been activated through decarboxylation 

(curing/storage of flowers, or heating/cooking of edibles and concentrates). 

9-THC + CBN + CBD + CBG + CBC 

Near the bottom of the report are 

two key numbers (Fig. 5). One is the 

activated total, and the other is the THC 

to CDB ratio. The activated total, which 

is calculated with a straightforward 

1+2+3 = 6 formula, represents the sum 

of all the decarboxylated cannabinoids 

that were measured. The THC to 

CBD ratio is included here as a 

quick reference for individuals who 

are targeting a specific ratio for its 

therapeutic benefits. 

While a single test can provide anyone 

with a wealth of information, testing 

over time can be particularly useful 

to cannabis producers. Each change 

made in the growroom or to the postharvest 

process can have an impact 

on cannabinoid potency, and ongoing 

FIG.5 

tests can provide producers with a richer 

understanding of how their processes 

affect their product. Growers quickly 

begin to recognize the unique fingerprint 

of their products, and thus know at 

a glance when things are working 

perfectly or when production requires 

some attention. 

Jodi McDonald is the president and 

founder of Keystone Labs and is a 

medical microbiologist, inventor, and 

super science-geek. She has 20 years 

of experience in the quality control, 

regulatory, and quality assurance 

environment for the pharmaceutical 

industry. Jodi believes testing is essential 

for taking control of your personal health. 


enjoy 

Herbal 

The 

Chef 

COOKING WITH CANNABIS 

From his home base in Los Angeles, 

California, The Herbal Chef, a.k.a. Chris 

Savegh, does it all. As The Herbal Chef, 

Chris offers a gourmet edible line of 

condiments and baked goods, ships 

frozen THC/CBD entrees intended for 

specific ailments, provides meals for 

corporate and public catering events, 

and even hosts private, fine-dining 

experiences. Here’s how The Herbal 

Chef came to be, and how he’s pushing 

hard to become a household name. 

WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BE A CHEF? 

When I was away from home and realized what a necessity it was to eat 

well. I get a rush when people experience my food. To see someone thoroughly 

enjoying what you have made is intoxicating. 

HOW DID YOUR SPECIALTY—INFUSED DISHES—COME ABOUT? 

It was a brainchild of mine for a long while. When I had the opportunity 

to cook for a friend’s anniversary, things really took off from there. I had 

always practiced with making infused dishes, and I knew a ton of info about 

cannabis, so it was a really easy transition until I started to understand how 

THC and CBD reacted to heat in cooking. 

WHO IS YOUR AVERAGE DINNER PARTY CUSTOMER? 

I get quite the interesting mix of clients who attend my dinners. I’ve had 

everyone from business executives at large Fortune 500 companies to the 

most hardcore cannabis users you can imagine. It’s just as fun for me to 

produce and observe these experiences as it is for the guests to enjoy them. 

90 


myhydrolife.com

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO GETTING THE DOSAGE 

JUST RIGHT SO EVERYONE HAS FUN? 

It really comes down to getting to know your clientele. I send out a 

questionnaire to my guests to fill out before the dinner so I can individually 

dose everyone without guessing or making someone uncomfortable. 

I believe if we are to take this mainstream, as an industry, 

we have to take dosing seriously. For first-timers, I dose out about 

10 mg between a 10-course tasting menu, which means guests will 

feel the effects ever so slightly over the course of the dinner (roughly 

two hours) rather than a traditional edible where it comes in all at 

once. Anybody can get the guests stoned out of their mind, but this is 

more about the finesse, getting a guest just high enough to experience 

the beauty of the whole experience. I am literally changing my 

guest’s brain chemistry as they are eating, changing their whole 

perception of the meal as time passes. To me, that is beautiful. 

“If my company plays any 

role in helping people achieve 

a happier, healthier life, then 

that is all I could ask for.” 

WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL WITH THE FROZEN DISHES? 

The ultimate goal there is to be able to distribute my medicated 

frozen meals to those who truly need them around the world. They 

take out the stress out of planning for a lot of people who are have 

specific ailments so they can focus on healing themselves mentally 

and physically. If my company plays any role in helping people 

achieve a happier, healthier life, then that is all I could ask for. 

TELL US ABOUT THE TV SHOWS YOU’RE WORKING ON. 

We are filming two TV shows with The Herbal Chef at the center of 

things. Pot Pie, which was released on Apple TV through my amazing 

content partners PROHBTD, is a fun cooking show with different celebrity 

guests. There is also Braized & Confused, which is an Anthony 

Bourdain meets Bear Grylls meets Chef's Table type of show where 

I’ll travel around the globe foraging for the freshest ingredients while 

covering the social stigma of cannabis in every area we explore. 


enjoy 

“The legalization of 

cannabis is just the 

beginning of a much broader 

consciousness shift to a more 

aware society.” 

YOU WERE RECENTLY FEATURED ON SNOOP DOGG’S 

WEBSITE, MERRYJANE.COM. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? 

That was incredibly dope! They made me feel right at 

home. It was fun to be myself and not have to speak as 

The Herbal Chef. I could relax and smoke a joint and not 

have to worry. This was especially cool for me because 

as a leader in the industry you have to kind of put on a 

persona so you are marketable to mainstream society. 

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? 

You mean besides the cannabis? The people! 

Building an industry from scratch is truly 

exhilarating. We have the chance to change the 

way business is done on a large scale. 

INDICA OR SATIVA? 

Sativa is usually my favorite, but it depends on what I am 

doing. If I am coming up with new concepts for a menu, 

I’ll definitely smoke a sativa. If I am trying to relax and 

unwind, I enjoy a good indica. 

HOW DO YOU UNWIND ON DAYS OFF? 

Life is all about a balance for me, so it is important to have 

some downtime for all the craziness my career entails. I 

enjoy being active: hiking, foraging, gardening, playing 

sports, general frolicking, going to festivals, and being on 

the beach. I also enjoy my down time where I am able to 

read, study, play video games, listen to music, and watch 

movies. 

WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF 

AS A CANNABIS ACTIVIST? 

I really consider myself more than just a cannabis 

activist. Cannabis and food are my vessels to connect 

to the world, and I believe the cannabis industry can 

really have much more of an impact than what people 

are led to believe. For example, the hemp plant can be 

used in so many different ways it essentially creates 

a new mini economy. From that mini economy, we 

have the choice to think sustainably, organically, and 

mindfully from the very beginning. The legalization 

of cannabis is just the beginning of a much broader 

consciousness shift to a more aware society. The 

overall mission of The Herbal Chef is to make a 

positive impact on the world before I leave it. Period. 

This is not just about smoking some weed; this is 

about our planet as a whole. 

92 


myhydrolife.com

enjoy 

The cannabis edibles market 

is in a state of revolution. It’s 

expanding throughout the country 

as more states decriminalize/ 

legalize marijuana use, but there 

isn’t a set of universal, federal 

regulations to guide it. So, instead 

of venturing into this tumultuous 

territory blind, here’s an insight as to 

where the market stands now, and 

what we could see in the future. 

94 


myhydrolife.com

As more states legalize (or decriminalize) 

the use of marijuana, the 

variety and sheer number of edible 

cannabis options increases, too. This is 

relatively new territory, however, and 

there is little regulation or oversight in 

the production of edible products containing 

cannabis. None of these products 

are eligible for FDA approval since 

the federal government still considers 

marijuana a controlled substance. This 

means that manufacturers and consumers 

of edible cannabis products must 

cover this murky, untrodden ground 

with some degree of caution. 

Edible marijuana products are used by 

different people for different reasons. In 

some cases, they are produced for the 

casual user to consume recreationally. In 

other cases, these products are produced 

solely for medicinal purposes by patients 

seeking pain remediation. Since there 

is no smoke, medicinal edibles are 

especially useful for individuals with 

respiratory issues. They also allow 

patients to access their medication in 

places where a smokable form would 

not be permitted either by policy or by 

law. Moreover, edible forms of cannabis 

deliver a more consistent medical effect 

than smokable forms. This can mean that 

dosing throughout the day is not required 

for many sufferers. 

Whether medicinal or recreational, 

cannabis must be infused into fats or 

alcohols for the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol 

(THC) to be released and easily 

used by the consumer of edible marijuana. 

Most often, this is done by adding 

it to butters or oils. These are then used 

to create any number of edible products, 

including candies, gummies, lozenges, 

chocolate bars, baked goods, and beverages. 

Many manufacturers also add 

flavors such as lemon, chocolate, mint, 

cinnamon, or butterscotch to make their 

offering more enjoyable. 

As for the type of cannabis used, manufacturers 

draw on different strains for different 

desired outcomes. Often, sativas 

are used in products intended to aid in 

pain relief, and indicas are often used in 

products intended to help fight insomnia. 

Marijuana strains can be employed separately 

or in concert; there are numerous 

combinations used by different manufacturers 

for myriad intended results. 

In the US, edible products containing 

cannabis can currently be legally—by 

state laws, not federal—purchased 

in Colorado, the state of Washington, 

Alaska, and Oregon. Those products 

must only be sold, though, within the 

state that they were manufactured in. 

If a manufacturer of cannabis edibles 

was to cross state lines, they would be 

in violation of the federal Interstate 

Commerce Act and thus potentially 

subject to prosecution and penalty. 

As more states begin to allow the production, sale, 

possession, etc. of these types of products, it will 

likely lead to more edible cannabis items in the 

marketplace, as well as additional legislation and 

oversight by health officials to enforce them.” 

Those four states were joined by 

California, Maine, Massachusetts, and 

Nevada on Nov. 8, 2016. As more states 

begin to allow the production, sale, possession, 

etc. of these types of products, it 

will likely lead to more edible cannabis 

items in the marketplace, as well as 

additional legislation and oversight by 

health officials to enforce them. While 

some may question the need for government 

to be involved in personal choice 

issues, few would argue that it is a 

legitimate role of government to protect 

children and minors from making uninformed 

decisions. 

In all states allowing the purchase of 

products containing THC for medicinal 

use or otherwise, it is unlawful for 

persons under the age of 21 to do so. 

However, only the states of Washington 

and Colorado have laws relating to the 

marketing of edible cannabis products 

towards minors. In these two states, 

manufacturers may not target their 

advertising towards young people (think 

along the lines of Joe Camel), and any 

product containing cannabis needs to be 

packaged in child-resistant containers. 

Some manufacturers have already 

faced penalties for packaging their 

products to appear like popular noncannabis 

products (the Hershey Corporation 

recently won a lawsuit against 

such a manufacturer that packaged 

their THC-containing chocolate bar to 

appear like the quintessential, eponymous 

candy bar). Trademark issues 

aside, this poses a risk to children— 

and adults—with the over-consumption 

of edible cannabis products. A single 

serving of cannabis chocolate may be 

the same size and contain the same 

calories as a single serving of non-cannabis 

chocolate, but that does not mean 

it necessarily contains a single “serving” 

of THC. It’s easy to eat too much, 

which can lead to over-intoxication. 

This is especially relevant because 

THC is more extensively metabolized 

when ingested orally. In other words, 

users absorb a much larger amount of 

THC when they eat cannabis than if 

they smoked the same amount. 

Of course, at this early stage, there is 

no official standard when it comes to 

THC serving size. The state of Colorado 

determined 10 milligrams of THC should 

be considered a serving, regardless of 

the amount of non-cannabinoid ingredients 

in an edible product. A 2004 journal 

article, however, cites 16.3 milligrams 

as the maximum amount of THC per 

serving for medicinal cannabis. Back in 

1997, a study proposed that the maximum 

dosage of THC when used to treat pain 

and nausea symptoms is five milligrams 

per square meter of body surface area. 

The same study suggested that patients 

needing appetite stimulation should 

consume 2.5 milligrams twice daily. 

Regardless of where one stands on the 

issue of edible marijuana products, 

there are sure to be more: more products, 

more opportunities, more studies, 

and probably many more lawsuits 

and prosecutions before the market 

eradicates these variables and decides 

on a set of regulations to rule the postprohibition 

era of marijuana. 

Chris Bond is the horticulturist at Case 

Western Reserve University in Cleveland, 

Ohio, and host of the Keeping It Green 

radio program. His primary role is coordinating 

the university’s Farm Food 

Program, but Chris also teaches classes 

about growing food. His research 

interests are sustainable agriculture and 

alternative growing methods. 


GROW WITH US. 

Grow. Heal. Live. Enjoy. 

MODERN GROWING

EXPERIENCE 

THE FUTURE 

OF GROWING 

SAN JOSE, CA 

June 3-4, 2017 

San Jose McEnery 

Convention Center 

DETROIT, MI 

Sep 30-Oct 1, 2017 

Cobo Center 

mygrowx.com | #growx2017

y Gibson Lannister 

JULES LARSON 

PARALLELS 

Jules Larson is a Los 

Angles-based indie singer/ 

songwriter. Her self-released 

EP, Parallels, is powerful pop 

flecked with rock, folk, and 

R&B. A solid EP all around, 

Parallels offers us a glimpse 

of what Jules Larson is 

capable of. I am anxiously 

waiting for more. 

4.5 

NATHANIEL RATELIFF 

& THE NIGHT SWEATS 

A LITTLE SOMETHING 

MORE FROM 

Nathaniel Rateliff & The 

Night Sweats return with A 

Little Something More From, 

a perfect follow-up to their 

celebrated debut. It’s just 

more of that wonderful, swig 

your whiskey, spin your 

partner, foot stomping, good 

time music. Don’t expect to 

stay seated for this one! 

4 

NO NETS 

BRIGHT LIGHT 

Brooklyn-based band No 

Nets is proving that less is 

more with its newest release, 

Bright Light. The strippeddown, 

post-grunge rock 

transports you back in time 

when you and your friends 

bared your souls, jamming 

late into the night in damp, 

smoke-filled garages. 

4 

Gibson Lannister has 

been a musician for 

more than 15 years and 

continues to expand his 

knowledge of theory 

and technique. 

SAM ROBERTS BAND 

TERRAFORM 

Terraform is the sixth fulllength 

album by legendary 

Canadian indie rocker Sam 

Roberts. His music is deeply 

personal and distinctly 

his own. Each time I listen 

to Terraform, I discover 

something new that just 

makes me love it even more. 

I’m going to put it on again 

and see what I can find. 

5 

SHARON JONES 

& THE DAP KINGS 

MISS SHARON JONES 

Sharon Jones recently passed 

away after a prolonged battle 

with cancer. I was lucky 

enough to meet her once after 

a show. She signed my record, 

gave me a hug and a kiss, and 

sent me on my way. I’ll never 

forget the energy she brought 

to her live performances. 

Miss Sharon Jones tells her 

story the way she would have 

wanted it told. 

5 

TOR MILLER 

AMERICAN ENGLISH 

Indie pop singer Tor Miller 

is a man in love with New 

York City. His debut album, 

American English, is a pianodriven 

tribute to this love. For 

a young man, Tor Miller has 

the power and depth of an 

artist that has resided in our 

hearts for years. 

5 

98 


myhydrolife.com

Hydrolife Magazine February/March 2017 (USA Edition)

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?