APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE
COVER
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get blazed.
BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021
www.justmarydelivery.app 2
APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE
104 Corvain
pg
Cooper: Life After Death
Plus BLACK OWNERSHIP, ADVOCACY, AND JUSTICE
pg108
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Contents BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE / LOS ANGELES, CA
BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021
96
84
pg
pg
cultivator spotlight
Cannabis Demonized (Slavery Rebranded)
08
pg
A Beginner’s Guide to Cannabinoids
66
pg
meet BLAQSTAR founder and CEO Bryant Mitchell
26
pg PLUS
114
pg
Jay-Z Once Again Expanding His Empire With a New Company
The therapeautic effects of the most common cannabinoids
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cannabis
pg
the best weed themed songs
Marathon OG
COME VIBE WITH US
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APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE
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pg
Terpenes 101 class is in session!
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pg
Cover Story
Driven By Necessity
Whoopi Goldberg talks with Black Cannabis Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Haze to discuss why she decided to start a cannabis brand.
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pg
The Rise of Black Athletes in Cannabis
pg
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How to Crossover to a career in Legal Cannabis 5
92 Spotlight: pg
Litco
WWW.BLACKCANNABISMAGAZINE.COM
BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021
editor. letter from the
in chief >>>>>>>>>>>>>> et’s face it, 2020 sucked big time.
Floyd and Breonna Taylor stand out. And there are L George my bros Kobe and Chadwick. But that’s a different type of
tragedy. 47 million acres burned in Australia. California burned a lot too. The then-President of the United States proved beyond a shadow of doubt there’s a strong voice for racism and social inequity that jerks can stand behind. Then, COVID about messed up everything about being able to just hang. Planes crashed and so did the stock market. And the world keeps on spinning… The summer was hot for all the wrong reasons, including a series of mass protests that often turned into hysterics and looting no matter how hard folks tried to keep it civil. Racial and sexual injustice became hot button topics as the police and politicians behaved badly. We dealt with leadership that managed to get away with crap the previous administration would have been politically lynched for, And the world keeps on spinning… Let’s be real, 2020 is going in the history books as one of the worst on record. Still, I want to believe there’s a silver lining up in here. I want to believe because of how unexpectedly hard 2020 pushed, many of us want to get on the good foot and use 2021 to turn it all around. We as a nation want nothing more than to wipe that cursed year from the record and our memory. Here’s the deal. Yeah, it was a crazy tough year, but it also forced us as a society to take a long look at ourselves in the mirror. (At least the smart ones did.) We had to ask do we like who we’ve become? 2020 showed sides of us that have been in the shadows a good time long. But now it’s glaring at us and we need to know what we’re gonna do about it!
I think it’s damned time we walk with the cannabis plant, head high (pun intended), and ensure that everyone, regardless of skin color, has representation in the cannabis industry and culture.
If you hit the streets in the name of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, or any of the other innumerable losses the Black community continues to suffer. If you’re determined to change things for the women who suffer racial inequity, if you want to make the world a new haven of sanity, then you know what you gotta do.
Let’s build on the monumental work the industry accomplished last year by taking it into the next with open eyes. Our staff of writers will see to it that Black Cannabis Magazine leads the way with topshelf stories, reporting, trends, and activism that shines a light on what makes us great!
Thankfully. Here at Black Cannabis, we’re ready to light a fire to social inequity in the cannabis industry. We think it’s the future that’s going to strengthen and tie our communities. After all, it’s an industry we know best. It’s the one in which our community desperately needs to find its voice and footing. We’re in a position to take something that governing bodies have used to destroy us and flip it, use it to affect change.
- Hazey
As plant medicine, cannabis brings positivity to people’s lives and has the power to be a tremendous equalizer. Legal recreational will alleviate the pain the laws cruelly inflict on our communities. 6
APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE
The 420 Issue ssue! April 2021
Never miss an issue! All articles are available online!
Issue Credits EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PRINT/ONLINE
HAZEY TAUGHTME @HAZEYTAUGHTME
Tap in!
ART DIRECTOR
DEANDRÉ SMITH FASHION STYLIST
ELLE JEFFREY STYLZ CONTRIBUTORS & HOSTS
HAZEY TAUGHTME
Cannabis Demonized: Slavery Rebranded, Driven by Necessity: an Interview with Whoopi Goldberg
Join the session on Clubhouse, Twitter, Facebook, & IG!
K. MICHAEL WILLIAMS
Driven by Necessity: an Interview with Whoopi Goldberg, Cultivator Spotlight: Bryant Mitchell of Blaqstar Farms
RACHEL EDWARDS
Best Weed-themed Songs, The Rise of black Atheletes in Cannabis
CHARLES BIAS
Retail Store Spotlight: Litco
LILLI MCINTOSH
The Marathon Continues: Marathon OG
MICHELLE HARRIS
Corvain Cooper: Life After Death
JAY MILLS
How To Crossover To a Career in Legal Cannabis
TAMMY PETTIGREW HAWA EL FAYED SHAGGY BROWN
@blackcannamag
Our aim is to provide a clear understanding of the legal cannabis industry that’s 100% fact-based with the indelible goal of creating generational wealth for people of color, the world over by arming them with vital marijuana information along with associated lifestyle attractions. Our mission is to destroy the negative connotation commonly associated with the legal cannabis industry by providing… The truth.
Become a Black Cannabis Insider! Sign up online at www.blackcannabismagazine to recieve our newletter and stay up-to-date-on the latest developments
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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
URSULA PHILLIPS MASCKO PHOTOGRAPHY
MIKAELA GARVIN RJ JOHNSON 420 MEDIA CO @fourtwentymediaco
EMILY EIZEN
COVER DESIGNED BY
blackcannabismagazine.com
Cannabis, Excellence, News, Education, Interviews
THC CONFIDENTIAL
A Beginner’s Guide to Cannabinoids, Terpenes 101 @blackcannabismagazine
First I
CASIMIR SPAULDING 7
2021 BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE - All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography, or illustration only with written permission of the publisher, HAZE ENT., its officers, staff members or writers do not warrant the accuracy of or assume responsibility for any of the material contained herein. Freelance photographers are responsible for their copyrights. Editorials or editorial submissions do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Publisher and/or magazine leadership. All letters, text and photo material received become property of Black Cannabis Magazine.
BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021
Brought to you by THC Confidential
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO CANNABINOIDS As you browse cannabis dispensaries and online menus — you’ll be confronted by countless products containing a myriad of cannabinoids. However, what are cannabinoids, and how can they affect your overall cannabis experience? Read along to learn everything you need to know about the compounds that make cannabis unique — cannabinoids.
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APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE
WHAT ARE CANNABINOIDS?
FIRST & FOREMOST, WHAT ARE CANNABINOIDS? Cannabinoids, also known as phytocannabinoids, are compounds found in cannabis. Specifically, cannabinoids are produced within trichomes — the sticky resin glands that coat cannabis buds and leaves.
THERE ARE OVER 150 DISTINCT CANNABINOIDS NATURALLYOCCURRING IN CANNABIS. Although it’s safe to say that each cannabinoid plays a crucial role, there are a handful of cannabinoids that are renowned for their effects. From medical to recreational use cases, cannabinoids are the underlying reason why cannabis enthusiasts can’t get enough of weed. That said, let’s take a look at each notable cannabinoid — and what makes them so unique.
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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021
terpenes
101 Brought to you by THC Confidential
Loud. Fire. Dank. These are only a few descriptive terms that chronicle the aroma and flavor of weed. From pungent scents that quickly overtake a room to candy-like tastes and everything in between, terpenes are a primary factor in your overall cannabis experience. Join us as we narrate everything you need to know about terpenes. Discover what terpenes are, their effects, therapeutic potential, and sensory impact. Once you’re done reading, you’ll never smell or taste weed the same ever again. 18
APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE
First and foremost,
what are
terpenes? In some cases, terpenes prevent predators from eating a plant through bitter and unappealing flavors. In other instances, terpenes attract pollinators and beneficial insects that prey on predators.
Terpenes are organic compounds that occur in all plants including cannabis. The role of terpenes is two-fold — to defend against predators and attract beneficial insects.
TYPICALLY, THE SMELL AND TASTE ARE THE TWO SENSES THAT WE SATISFY RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING WEED.
According to botanists, there are over 20,000 terpenes in the plant kingdom. The good news? Over 200 distinct terpenes occur naturally in marijuana plants. In other words, you’ll be hard-pressed to find the same terpene profile in two different weed strains.
Primary Terpenes Found in Cannabis
Overall, terpenes are an invaluable evolutionary trait that benefits plants.
As we can see, humans are utterly attracted to the scent and flavor of cannabis flowers.
Now, let’s discuss the primary terpenes found in cannabis.
AS YOU STICK YOUR NOSE IN A JAR FILLED WITH GLISTENING BUDS, YOUR FIRST THOUGHTS ARE — THAT’S DANK! Therefore, the terpenes within the buds are responsible for the dankness. However, not all terpenes are created equal.
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As we previously mentioned, there are over 200 terpenes found in cannabis. Although we could spend all day discussing each, it’s best to get the show on the road. Here are the major terpenes found in cannabis, along with their associated aroma, flavor, and effects, without further ado.
CONTINUED ON
NEXT PAGE >>>>>>
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APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE
The Rise of Black Athletes in Cannabis [ R AC H E L E D WA R D S ]
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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021
HOW TO CROSSOVER TO A CAREER IN LEGAL CANNABIS WRITTEN BY JAY MILLS
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APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE
WORKING TOWARD INCLUSION People of color have been in the black market cannabis industry since the war on drugs. Many went to prison for the same plant that is generating billions of dollars of revenue for the country. Some are still serving time. Entrepreneurs of the black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) community need to fight for inclusion in the legal cannabis industry. They paid the price for a seat at that table. If you are going to stand up against resistance to BIPOC inclusion in the legal cannabis arena, be sure you understand how terminology is used in these discussions, the history of cannabis, how far we’ve come and what is getting in the way of where we should be. Also, look toward the people that inspire you. It starts with language because of legal implications as well as perception.
TERMINOLOGY Some people refer to marijuana, cannabis, and hemp as though they’e all the same. Using these terms interchangeably causes confusion and misunderstanding. Cannabis is the overarching term. It refers to all products produced from a flowering plant named Cannabis sativa. In this plant, you would find substances known as cannabinoids. There are over 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. The primary ones are: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is intoxicating. Cannabidiol (CBD), which is not intoxicating.
Marijuana refers to the components of or the products derived from cannabis plants that have significant amounts of THC. Under current law, significant is more than 0.3%. Not all cannabis plants have a high THC level. The plants with insignificant amounts of THC, 0.3% or less, are the ones we know as “hemp”. “Weed” typically refers to marijuana. Cannabis is the term most often used today because of the stigma around the term marijuana, dating back to discrimination against Mexican immigrants in the early 1900s. Though the effort to change perception is admirable, referring to marijuana as cannabis may add to the confusion because hemp is part of the same family. In any case, that’s where we are today. Now that we’ve covered the chemical side of cannabis, let’s look at the legalimplications.
REGULATIONS Marijuana remains illegal on the federal level. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) includes marijuana in Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The Schedule 1 designation refers to, “drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Marijuana is in strange company as Schedule 1 also includes heroin, LSD, ecstasy, meth and peyote.
Epidiolex is prescribed for seizures associated with specific ypes of epilepsy. Marinol and Syndros is used to treat nausea and vomiting brought on by cancer chemotherapy. Dronabinol can help with weight loss and reduced appetite that occurs with HIV/AIDS.
PARADOX BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL LAW State laws and regulations determine what can be sold legally in each state. You may be wondering how marijuana can be illegal under federal law and, in some cases, legal under state law. This is an excelent question with no simple answer. Essentially, this means that you can be compliant with state law and still be prosecuted under federal law. The Department of Justice (DOJ) presides over enforcement, and the DOJ takes direction from the president of the United States. So, technically, federal prosecutors have the authority to pursue cases against people in a state where marijuana is legal. However, the DOJ can choose not to do so. One of the ways you can influence future jobs legal cannabis industry is to pay attention to where political candidates stand with regard to enforcement.
It is illegal to market a product as a dietary supplement if it contains CBD or THC. Additionally, interstate commerce of food with added THC or CBD is illegal. However, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some drugs that contain CBD and synthetic THC. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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MARATHON
OG [ Contributor : Lilli Mcintosh ]
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The
MARATHON Continues
Nipsey Hu$$le may have left this realm, but he continues to “Hussle and Motivate” through his music and his deeds. Hussle’s fellow cannabis connoisseurs can tap in and elevate with his signature strain, Marathon OG.
The Marathon OG strain
is an Indica cultivar inspiration. It’s also a fine tribute to a series of the rapper’s classic mixtapes. The cannabis is a smooth cloud of lemony space and earthen serenity. With each exhale, your senses will get hit heavy.
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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021
the BEST
songs
Contributor: Rachel Edwards
cannabis and music are a match made in heaven. Over the years, some of the greatest musicians have written and belted amazing tunes about marijuana.
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APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE
Redman and Method Man never made secret their love for weed, and in this classic marijuana anthem, they promise to get high, but how high? “Look up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane (It’s the Funk Doctor Spock smokin’ buddah on the train) How high? (So high that I can kiss the sky)…”
Redman / Methodman
How High
The samples of lyrics by Styles P tell it all. Good Times is a classic stoners’ anthem. Styles was showcasing his love for marijuana using his lyrical genius, and it worked magic. The song reached #22 on the Top 100 Chart and was remixed twice. “I get high, I get high, I get high, I get high. I get high on your memory, high on your memory
What’s on your Playlist?
I take a blunt, just to ease the pain that humbled me now (whew)”
Styles P
good Times
@blackcannabismagazine ------ #WEEDTHEMEDSONGS ------
“Smokin’ weed out the container…” “Is it hot in here or is it just me? I’m so high in here, been smokin’ on this weed.”
>>>
>>>
SATIVA JHENE AIKO WHY WE LOVE ‘SATIVA’
Sativa is a banger by the multi-talented Jhene Aiko off the album While We Were Young, released in January 2018. In the song, Aiko proclaims her love for weed, making this one of the most popular modern weed-themed songs. The Fisticuffs-track features Swae Lee and it instantly grew into a stoner’s anthem. While the song is sweet and mellow, it still rocks on many house parties worldwide because of the strong cannabis vibe. It’s an easy song to get high on with friends or just relaxing alone.
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DRIVEN BY NECESSITY An Exclusive At-Home Interview w/
Contributors: Hazey Taughtme & K. Michael Williams Photography: MASCKO Photography
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JAY-Z:
ONCE AGAIN EXPANDING HIS EMPIRE WITH A O NEW C MPANY CONTRIBUTOR: HAZEY TAUGHTME Photo Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 114
APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE
e t p a h C w e N A
R
Rap mogul Jay-Z’s The Parent Company recently landed on the NEO Exchange,a Canadian stock exchange based in Toronto. It’s symbol is $GRAM ! The Parent Company
is a vertically integrated weed enterprise, a consolidation of the cannabis market designed by Jay -Z, Roc Nation, Caliva, Left Coast Ventures and some of California’s top cannabis operators.
change the game 115
Join the Club! find us on Clubhouse App : @blackcannamag
The first cannabis magazine for The Culture. Our aim is to provide a clear understanding of the legal cannabis industry that’s 100% fact based with the indelible goal of creating generational wealth for people of color, the world over by arming them with vital marijuana information along with associated lifestyle attractions. Our mission is to destroy the negative connotation commonly associated with the legal cannabis industry by providing… The truth.
@blackcannamag
@blackcannabismagazine
www.blackcannabismagazine.com
@blackcannamag