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the TECH issue

#196

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OCT. 2026

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A B O U T T H E C OV E R Cannabis is at the intersection of tech and popular culture more and more with each passing year. In this special edition, the Leaf crew reviewed some of the industry's top new gadgets — from a hash cooler to the latest and greatest in vaporizers! And we didn't just review the expensive stuff, either ... (Yes, we're looking at you, popular magazines). You'll find Leaf reviews on things you'll actually want to use, like the newest Pelican case to keep your trusted daily driver safe and an air purifier kit! Read the full guide pages on 36-44 inside. On the cover is hand-drawn art made just for the Leaf by Heymoonly Dale, represented worldwide by @weareillustrationx. ILLUSTRATION BY HEYMOONLY DALE @HEYMOONLY_

WES ABNEY C E O & F O U N D E R wes@leafmagazines.com

CONTRIBUTORS WES ABNEY, FEATURES

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Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up The Tech Issue of Northwest Leaf! In my fourth-grade year of elementary school, I was selected for a pilot program that integrated technology into the classroom. Our group of 12 students selected from fourth, fifth and sixth grades shared a classroom where every desk had a computer, optional homework was self-reported and there was very little traditional teaching. This was the late ‘90s, when having a computer lab in the school was a big deal, and our classroom of kiddos learned how to write HTML, build websites and repair and maintain servers and the computer lab, all without structure or the regular rules of an elementary classroom.

ANGELA-JORDAN AGUILAR, FEATURES

MIKE RICKER O P E R AT I N G PA R T N E R ricker@leafmagazines.com | advertising sales

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Our teams built websites for a competition; mine was on sharks, and I’ll never forget the excitement of joining a livestream (before that term existed) to watch the awards. The amount of hope for technology, for education, for the future of humanity was so high at the end of the millennium. That single pivotal year taught me to embrace tech, although I probably would be much wealthier if I’d chosen to pursue ways to write code instead of ways to make gravity bongs in my later educational days.

We don’t realize it, because Waymo is only on a few streets right now, but the tech-surveilled robotic revolution has already come. Imagine Flock cameras and goat drones enforcing the coronavirus lockdowns? This is the reality in China, where a social credit score integrated into phones determines whether someone can take a train or plane. Or in Britain, where 60,000 people have been arrested in five years for social media posts — tracked down and thrown in jail while recorded rape and sexual offense cases in the UK have reached historic highs.

Imagine a world where weed wasn’t legal yet, or the current day where psychedelics are still illegal, and how these tools might be used against the gifts God gave us to enhance consciousness, "THERE’S ONLY spirituality and community. ONE PLACE We must unite as a species WHERE TECH IS who share one planet, and REALLY MAKING resist the techno-takeover LIVES BETTER, before it’s too late.

AND THAT’S

IN THE WEED There’s only one place where WORLD." tech is really making lives better, and that’s in the weed world. We don’t have robots serving us dabs (yet), but the newest e-rigs are pretty sweet.

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Today I read headlines about Ukraine winning the world's first naval drone battle or see the demonic goat drone by Satyress that will be armed with an array of weapons, and I can’t help but feel like we have failed technology. Or perhaps, it has failed us.

Maybe someone can serve Peter Thiel a face melter, then instead of trying to bring about the end of the world, he and the rest of our billionaire overlords can get to work making the world a better place.

The pursuit of better has built Western society, capitalism has lifted the entire world's living standards, and generally, life on Earth is safer and easier than it has ever been, from the First World to developing nations.

The same plant that I believed could change the world in 2010 still can, but we’re running out of time. After all, you can’t smoke or eat an AI-generated image, but an AI data center will consume the equivalent to a small town or a big city in water every single day. This water is contaminated with chemical additives, high mineral concentrations, thermal pollution and PFAS (forever chemicals), and is pumped right back into our ecosystem. In the end, future generations will surely lament that we could have watered a lot of plants instead.

But that’s not what the media zeitgeist says. The captured mainstream propaganda wants us living in fear, dividing ourselves and giving the government more control over our lives. We’re building our own AI cages, our own “Matrix,” and we’re voluntarily ushering in an era of complete control.

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-Wes Abney OCt. 2026

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Ellen Holland is a San Francisco Bay Area-based freelance writer, the former editor of High Times

perspective

and the author of multiple books, including "Weed: Smoke It, Eat It, Grow It, Love It" (2024).

“Engage in regular dialogue with the psychedelic, Cannabis, and harm reduction communities to better understand our work and co-create equitable guidelines for content moderation.” “In our modern society, individuals around the world rely upon Facebook, Instagram, and similar platforms for information,” Kat Murti, SSDP executive director, said. “Meta’s decision to limit the ability of nonprofits and legal businesses to use these tools to discuss Cannabis, psychedelics, and harm reduction is not made in a vacuum. By censoring our voices—and encouraging self-censorship among those who work in these spaces—Meta is making a political choice to support drug war policies that have torn apart communities, disenfranchised and imprisoned thousands, and resulted in millions of deaths.” ALGOSPEAK

SELF-CENSORSHIP IN THE MODERN AGE 12

There are many scientific, slang and legal terms for Cannabis. The wide range of terminology for our favorite flower comes from the plant’s illegality and its global reach. Hemp, Cannabis, ganja, hashish, grass, reefer,

the devil’s lettuce — social stigmas often shape how we talk about the words that refer to one plant. And these days, with social media deciding that companies get to control the conversation even in places where Cannabis is legalized, there are more

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and more new expressions to avoid prohibited words like “Cannabis” and “marijuana.” “OUID,” spelled like the French “oiu,” is a newer one I’ve seen pop up. Another that’s become popular recently is “gardening.” A 2024 article on Parents.com says: “If you’re like most parents, you’d probably be thrilled to hear that your teen has taken up the wholesome hobby of gardening. But if they’re spending more time discussing gardening on TikTok than digging in the dirt, you may find that their new green thumb relates to something else entirely: smoking weed.” When it comes to words used to work around algorithmic censorship, there are all kinds of coded substitutes, and there are also ways to break down words by using symbols, like typing “c@nnabis” to trick text scanners. Switching to bureaucratized forms of speaking about Cannabis is also happening within our own community in phrases like “plant touching” and “intoxicating hemp.”

ocT. 2026

SHADOWBANNING AND CENSORSHIP

In 2025, a letter led by the Students for Sensible Drug Policy and signed by organizations around the world called for Meta to stop the censorship of Cannabis, psychedelic and harm-related content. “This suppression is not merely an inconvenience; it is a form of digital marginalization,” the letter reads. “At a time when overdose deaths are a continued concern and mental health crises are accelerating, it is vital that evidence-based, life-saving information is not censored. Harm reduction and drug education save lives. Cannabis and psychedelic therapies are supported by rigorous scientific research and show promise for conditions ranging from PTSD to depression to addiction. These are not fringe topics, but crucial conversations impacting the health and wellbeing of our community.” The letter goes on to state that “Meta’s platforms are among the most powerful communication tools in human history” and outlines four goals: “End discriminatory bans and shadowbans on accounts related to Cannabis, psychedelics, and harm reduction when they operate within legal guidelines. “Establish clear, transparent, and consistent content policies that distinguish between promotion of the sale of illegal substances and legitimate drug education and advocacy. “Create a dedicated appeals and accountability process specific to drug-related content that includes community stakeholders and subject-matter experts.

The new language to get around the algorithm used to circumvent censorship online goes beyond the Cannabis community into other topics and is called “algospeak.” In his 2025 book “Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language,” Adam Alkesic explains how internet algorithms are transforming the way people communicate both online and otherwise. “We have all these algorithms shaping in-groups and echo chambers and where words come "It's a shame from, how that censorship words spread, how trends is controlling the get popuconversation, but it larized, how some words also drives creativity." are censored, and we have to find ways around that,” Alkesic told NPR in a 2025 interview. “So one example I start the book with is the word unalive. The word kill is suppressed on TikTok, so many creators have turned to say unalive instead. And now we have kids in middle schools writing essays about Hamlet unaliving himself, and that's an example of social media algorithmic speak bleeding into the mainstream.” A D A P TAT I O N D R I V E S C R E AT I V I T Y, BUT DILUTES THE MESSAGE

It's a shame that censorship is controlling the conversation, but it also drives creativity. Some newer words for weed that I think are pretty fun are “penjamin” and “zaza.” Still, self-censorship shouldn't become the norm. Shadowbanning and account deactivation dispel our reach online, but I think part of what will work in pushing for change is continuing to say — and post — what we really mean.

STORY by ELLEN HOLLAND @HOLLANDBUDS for LEAF NATION | ART by ADOBE STOCK

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FIRE FOLLOWER

GROUNDED GENETICS BRINGS BACK SPIRIT OF AMSTERDAM A M S T E R D A M G E N E T I C S S C E N E H E AT S U P

THE GLOBE’S amateur and pro growers of exotic pot need to put Amsterdam breeding back on their radar this winter. A shift in the legal winds is favoring some longtime European breeders with California sensibilities. They’ve absorbed everything their American counterparts have worked on and are now improving it — much like how Americans once wrestled the seed crown from the Old World. Coming straight from the underground Amsterdam coffeeshop and Barcelona hash scenes, Grounded Genetics now clearly sits in the premium tier of modern Cannabis breeders, and there aren't any tired Hazes or Northern Lights or White Widow in their tool kit. Grounded’s work on Zunami, Z Road, Ozark, Peach Guava, Pink Yuzu and Pink Zoda fits right into the elite genetics conversation worldwide. Their Bluzzi took Highest THC at Spannabis 2025. With a focus on fruit candy, Z terps, tropical fruit, gassy richness Sherb and Gelato, Grounded is clearly one of the best breeders of 2026. The work is loud, pretty and dual-use for flower and washing.

BIG IN AMSTERDAM

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Award-winning journalist/author and former Leafly Senior Editor David Downs’ monthly genetics intelligence dispatch.

PITAYA PINK HONEY

Amsterdam used to be the main focus of global Cannabis genetics from the ‘70s to the ‘90s, owing to the best legal climate for making and selling seeds. Seeds were legal under the Dutch coffeeshop model and European seed laws. They were treated legally as a novelty until you germinated SOUR PEACHEZ OGZ GUAVA them. It works that way in England to this day. Washington and Colorado leIn June, in Berlin, Ramone from galized recreational Cannabis in Grounded told Leaf Magazines that they 2012. California voters followed are able to do more than 2,500 lights, in 2016. Seeds became federally and he’s using 125 lights just for research legal under hemp law and development. Coming straight from PEACH in 2018. Our legal Karma Genetics has the underground LIMEADE climate became way another one of those Dutch Amsterdam coffeeshop commercial grow licenses, more competitive, and Barcelona hash and the U.S. yanked the title of supreme seedand the guys are tight. scenes, Grounded maker away from Amsterdam. “We go way back. He’s Now things might be tacking back a bit. Genetics now clearly like a mentor,” said RaSeeds that come from a THC plant are set to sits in the premium tier mone, whose full name is go back to being illegal in the U.S. on Dec. 11. not disclosed for security of modern Cannabis Meanwhile, European countries like Germany reasons. “He’s 10 years breeders and Czechia are legalizing, and the Dutch older than me.” have gone ahead and licensed 10 commercial facilities, as opposed to merely tolerating them. GETTING GROUNDED Suddenly European breeders are back in the game. Let’s look at Grounded’s new all-femiThey’ve come out of dank, squat basements and into nized, photoperiod seeds: proper greenhouses and indoor facilities — literally above Grounded came in hard at Mary Jane ground now. Berlin and followed it up in September Grounded Genetics originally came out of the U.K., with another vibrant drop. The first two to spent years operating in Amsterdam and has been based sell out were Pink Zoda (Z Face x Ultravioout of Spain since 2014. let Sherb) and Zuminati (Zunami x Ozark).

ocT. 2026

Pink Zoda has Z, Face Off OG, Sherbert and RS-11 in the parentage. Zuminati’s parentage includes OZK. Grounded is right over the hot zone, chasing Z terps, layers of flavor from Sherb, potency and rock-hard bud structure. There are still several left worth adding to your bean collection: OZ Guava, Sour Peachez and Blue Bacio. I’m partial to the OZ Guava, which unites Ozark’s OZK foundation with all this Peach Guava work from Peach Limeade and Key Lime Guava. Yum. Sour Peachez crosses Karma Genetics’ mythical Zowahh with Grounded’s Peach Guava. Double yum. Blue Bacio is this rerun of the 2021 Grounded classic Blue Sherb x Bacio Gelato. BLUE It sold out in an hour back BACIO then, and now it’s returned. The website states: “This one is pure 2018 Cali nostalgia, back when the batches of Sherbs and Gelatos were performing immaculately.” Coming up this fall and winter: PowrHouse in Sacramento, California, is running all of Karma and Grounded Genetics’ gear. Sergio Picazo at the R&D facility shared with the Leaf that the founders of both Karma and Grounded are coming out to look at phenos. Grounded also has a deal with Segra International to distribute its genetics as tissue-culture mother plants and plantlets. The best way to keep up with Grounded’s drops is to join the newsletter. GROUNDEDGENETICS.COM @GROUNDED_GENETICS_2.0

STORY by DAVID DOWNS @DAVIDDOWNS for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by GROUNDED GENETICS

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Former San Diego Magazine Managing Editor Jackie Bryant joins Leaf Nation to imagine the future of the Cannabis industry.

THE KIDS WHO KICKED IN THE DOOR ROBBY BENAVIDES IS A REMINDER THAT PEDIATRIC CANNABIS PATIENTS ARE STILL GROWING UP — AND STILL FIGHTING FOR SAFE ACCESS

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“The portrait of the sick child is becoming the story of a young man approaching adulthood.”

LATE SEPTEMBER 2026, Robby Benavides is 17 years old. That sentence may sound ordinary, but for him and his family, ordinary life was never guaranteed. Before Benavides turned 10, he sometimes experienced dozens of tonic-clonic seizures in a single day. His epilepsy was dangerous, debilitating and resistant to conventional treatment. Cannabis, particularly CBD oil used alongside certain pharmaceuticals, which they accessed through an underground caregiving network at the time, helped bring those seizures under control. It gave Benavides access to something most children receive without a political fight: the chance to grow up. I first learned about Benavides through his father, Rob, a legendary San Diego tattoo artist turned medical Cannabis activist. He introduced me to his then-wife, Alison, who was their son’s main caregiver. The Benavides family was later photographed by Colorado photojournalist Nichole Montanez for “Face of Cannabis,” her portrait series documenting children who relied on cannabinoid medicine and the families forced into activism on their behalf.

OCt. 2026

When the exhibit came to San Diego’s Barrio Logan in 2019, it included 284 portraits. The children looked directly into the camera, refusing the abstraction that so often defines debates about pediatric Cannabis. They were not talking points. They were patients, siblings, students and kids whose parents had watched medications fail while seizures continued. Montanez began the project as a skeptic. Her perspective changed after meeting Charlotte Figi, the young Colorado patient whose dramatic response to CBD helped make pediatric Cannabis a national issue. Charlotte became the most recognizable child in the movement, but she was never the only one. Families across the country moved, lobbied lawmakers, risked arrest and submitted themselves to public scrutiny because waiting quietly was not keeping their children alive. The activism surrounding Charlotte unfolded alongside years of scientific research into cannabidiol. In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved Epidiolex, a purified form of CBD, for certain severe seizure disorders. That milestone mattered, but it did not erase the divide between a federally approved pharmaceutical and the Cannabis preparations many families were already using — or the stigma and access problems that followed them.

Now, Benavides is 17, and for the last 14 years, his mom confirmed to me, he has been seizure-free, thanks to medical Cannabis. The portrait of the sick child is becoming the story of a young man approaching adulthood. That transition raises another set of questions: What happens when pediatric Cannabis patients age out of children’s hospitals, school accommodations and systems their parents spent years learning to navigate? Who manages their medicine, insurance, legal protections and care when childhood ends but the condition does not? Cannabis culture loves novelty. The industry races toward new cannabinoids, products, markets and branding opportunities. Pediatric patients do not fit comfortably into that glossy picture. Their stories are complicated, medically specific and frequently heartbreaking. They also require us to talk about Cannabis as medicine without pretending it is a miracle cure or that every patient responds the same way. But these families are foundational to legal Cannabis. As Montanez once told me, “These kids kicked in the door and made sweeping changes.” Adult-use markets walked through that door afterward. To me, Benavides’ 17th year is worth marking because growing older is the outcome his family fought for. His story is also a reminder that legalization did not finish the work. The children who changed Cannabis policy are becoming adults now. They deserve more than our gratitude. They deserve safe products, serious research, knowledgeable physicians and laws that recognize their right to continue the care that helped them get here.

STORY by JACKIE BRYANT @JACQBRY | PHOTOS courtesy Benavides Family

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TARYN JAMES Taryn James is one of those people who just brings a good vibe to the room. Her passion for art is present in everything she does, whether it’s designing marketing assets for the store, handpainting the specials board or curating an outstanding inventory for the clients at Bud Commander. James focuses on positivity and creativity. If you are on your way to U.S. Highway 101 or just an Olympia local, we highly recommend you stop by and visit our friend at Bud Commander.

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How long have you worked at Bud Commander, and what sets your store apart from others in the area? I’ve been at Bud Commander for five years, and our store really focuses on community, giving back and carrying products that aren’t seen everywhere else. What’s in your stash right now, and how do you prefer to consume? I prefer bong all the way, and in my stash right now, I have Astronaut Status from Royal Tree Gardens and White Gummy from Method!

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What occupies your spare time? In my spare time, I sell my art at art markets. I have a website where I offer numerology readings and offer energy-healing sessions. I also love to hike, take pictures of wildlife and smoke with friends. Are there any exciting upcoming events or new products you want to mention? We just started carrying a brand called Moondoggie, and we are the first store to carry them. They got flowers like Georgia Pie and Stoned Fox, and will potentially have joint packs coming soon. If the Leaf gave you keys to a time machine, when and where would you go? I’d travel back to being a kid in California and spend time with family elders that passed away too soon, and maybe take a side quest to ancient times to visit dinosaurs!

“IN MY SPARE TIME, I SELL MY ART AT ART MARKETS. I HAVE A WEBSITE WHERE I OFFER NUMEROLOGY READINGS AND OFFER ENERGY-HEALING SESSIONS.” STORY & PHOTOS by REX HILSINGER @BOROPHOTO

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If you’ve ever been to the beautiful Pacific coast of our state, you have most likely traveled through Aberdeen. It is a relaxed town along the Chehalis River that is known for its longtime logging history and being the childhood home of musical legend Kurt Cobain. Community is more than just a word here; you can see it in every local business and every local’s smile.

CUTIE JUDY’S

5613 OLYMPIC HWY, ABERDEEN, WA CUTIEJUDYS.COM @CUTIE_JUDYS (360) 495-5938 MON.-SAT. 8:30 A.M.-10 P.M. SUN. 8:30 A.M.-8 P.M.

CUTIE JUDY’S is named for one of the founders’ matriarchs; it is a perfect example of a local business built for their community’s needs. The vibe here is high; the budtenders are more like well-seasoned connoisseurs. This team goes to a lot of lengths to make certain that the inventory here is nothing but the best curated Cannabis from Washington, and that they are educated on each SKU. They consistently carry both the top-known names and the best of craft Cannabis brands. These are just a few of the reasons they celebrated their 10-year anniversary this September. The immediate friendly demeanor of the team, as well as the open lighting in the interior, made the space feel very welcoming. They also have respectable daily discounts that include every segment of the market. Team member Jon Berg quickly checked us in and swept us away to explore all the offerings. Displays were extremely well lit and on point, utilizing the space but never feeling crowded or overwhelming. There was a very wide selection of edibles, including ready-to-go frozen and refrigerated options. Fresh rosin fridge? Check. All the latest in vapes? Check.

shop faves FLOWER Zen Permanent Chimera C O N C E N T R AT E Trichome Extracts Moroccan Peaches VA P E Kool-Faid Smerf Berries

“WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY. ALTHOUGH WE SELL CANNABIS, WE ARE IN THE PEOPLE BUSINESS. OUR FOCUS IS ON THE CUSTOMER, NOT THE COMPETITION.”

PREROLL Ooowee Sour Gum EDIBLE Hot Sugar! Green Apple Gummies

And they also had a great selection of awardwinning flower. We were educated on one of their favorites: Kool-Faid and its Nitro Diamond concentrates. This vape product uses a proprietary blend that doesn’t darken or get harsher with age and retains an extremely high THC content. The flavors don’t disrupt the experience or quality of the concentrate; they simply make it a little more casual when you are consuming in a public-type setting. We asked co-founder David Anderson for his thoughts on their impact in the community. “Working daily alongside my wife Tracylee is a blessing,” he said. “We are proud to be part of this community. Although we sell Cannabis, we are in the people business. Our focus is on the customer, not the competition.” So next time you are headed to the coast, before you enjoy the local museums, beaches and artwork, stock up for your trip at Cutie Judy’s. Their staff will make certain you find exactly what you desire; they also have a great selection of accessories to make your vacation seamless.

STORY & PHOTOS by REX HILSINGER @BOROPHOTO for NORTHWEST LEAF @NWLEAF See more photos at LeafMagazines.com

LOWEST PRICES GUARANTEED!

RENTON

14300 SE Petrovitsky Rd. (Old Shakey’s Pizza location)

Renton, WA (425) 572-6333

Tacoma

2632 S. 38th St. Tacoma, WA (253) 625-7628

dankswarehouse.com | @dankswarehouse.co Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 and older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

edmonds

7207 212th St. SW Edmonds, WA (425) 670-0690

garden tour

“Freya is the most renowned of the Norse goddesses, who has many powers and attributes.”

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FREYA FARM Welcome to Freya Farm! This family farm is based in the agricultural center of Skagit Valley. World-renowned tulips are grown here, as well as many staple crops for the western side of the state, including Cannabis. Planting their initial crop in September 2016, this team just celebrated their 10th anniversary in the Washington medical and recreational markets.

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HANDTRIMMED

THE FLOCK

DRYING ROOM

PROPAGATION ROOM

THE CREW

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS we would like to convey is this farm’s dedication to the medical community. If you are a registered patient and need access to proper clones for your personal use, please contact this team, as they are certified by the Department of Health. The Freya team keeps a plethora of strains on hand to assist with a variety of ailments. The medical tax exemption for patients also applies to their products at retail stores. Onward to the garden, the Freya team really impressed the Leaf with their ability to convert a traditional early 1900s barn into an extremely clean and organized Cannabis farm. Stemming from a background in construction, the founders made certain this buildout was efficient and functional. The details are not missed; every seam and every room is finished in spectacular fashion. The use of a custom coconut coir and perlite mixture combined with proper high-pressure sodium lights induces an amazing environment for their chosen strains to flourish, and boy, do they.

FLOWER ROOM

We were really impressed with the flavors and yields. Their Super Boof, Purple Punch and Blueberry Muffin were some of the strains that really stood out. Each one had amazing jar appeal, deep aromatics and the high to match. The Leaf asked the team where the name “Freya Farm” came from, and they educated us on some history from the Viking Age. “Freya is the most renowned of the Norse goddesses, who has many powers and attributes,” co-owner Britt Shellenberger said. “She is the goddess of love, fertility, magic, war and death, and she represents the various aspects of life and nature. She is a goddess who can inspire us SCENIC to be passionate, creative and couVIEWS rageous, but also to be respectful, compassionate and wise. Due to her fondness of love, fertility, beauty and fine things in life, she’s considered to be something of the party girl. Her transformative power remains an inspiration for our farm’s journey.” Two things seemed overtly obvious at Freya Farm. One is the family environment; everyone on the team flowed together effortlessly and with a smile. Secondly, you can tell that the driving force behind this team is love. Love for the plant and its abundance of resources, love for the strength in our community and most importantly, love for every human being out there. “We see love as the key ingredient necessary to grow the Cannabis that we all prefer,” Shellenberger said. “Our mission is nothing short of world peace and good weed! We believe in infinite love.”

The Leaf team invites you to give Freya Farm a chance if you haven’t already done so. Ask your favorite budtender for some of their delicious flowers or their latest release, which is a new ice-hash-infused preroll. It’s made with 100% Freya flower and 100% Freya ice hash. FREYAFARM.COM @FREYAFARM2.0

LEMON CHERRY GELATO

STORY & PHOTOS by REX HILSINGER @BOROPHOTO for NORTHWEST LEAF @NWLEAF See more photos at LeafMagazines.com

Gummies

edibles of the month

AGRO COUTURE

CHERRY MELONADE SPARKLING PEAR

leafmagazines.com

LEAVES ARE changing color, the air is cooling off and it’s time to gorge on candy as we prepare for another long PNW winter. Whether your personal favorite is a Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkin or a sweet and sour Airheads Xtreme, we should all agree that candy corn doesn’t belong in the bowl. Before the sugar high hits, it’s time to make sure our heads are prepared for giggles and ghouls aplenty, which Agro Couture has covered with their 300-milligram combined cannabinoid gummy packs that are ready for adult tricks and treats. We start with the Cherry Melonade, which is loaded with 10mg of THC, CBD and CBG in each delicious bite. The gummies have a delightfully soft mouthfeel, with a shiny sugar layer that tingles the palate as the edible melts. Bright cherries give way to a gentle melon kick that’s refreshing, like a sip of fresh juice, with a perfect hint of earthy resin that reminds you that this treat is yummy for the tummy and mind. With THC, CBD and CBG going to work instantly with nano-emulsification, these vegan-friendly gummies get the mind and body into party mode quickly with heavy effects. As the munchies build, we turn to the Sparkling Pear, which has a gentle, fresh-squeezed flavor that’s all creamy and ripe pears, with a gentle, fizzy, sparkly finish that’s sweet and mellow. Each bite is packed with 10mg of THC, CBD and CBC, which provide a multilayered baked effect that’s ready to relax the mind, body and soul. This is the entourage effect of cannabinoids all working together to deliver sensational effects with each juicy, fruity bite. With new flavors en route from the mad scientists at Agro Couture, these heavy-hitting gummies are ready to transform a fall day into a spooky adventure. “... A DELIGHTFULLY

Fall into new flavors packed with heady hits of cannabinoids that are ready to transform us into candy-fueled creatures.

oct. 2026

SOFT MOUTHFEEL, WITH A SHINY SUGAR LAYER THAT TINGLES THE PALATE AS THE EDIBLE MELTS.” AGROCOUTURE.COM @AGROCOUTURE

REVIEW by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/NORTHWEST LEAF @NWLEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

PLAID JACKET

concentrate of the month

LIVE RESIN ROUNDUP

leafmagazines.com

The weather is changing, and so is our wardrobe. So, it’s time to unpack our favorite Plaid Jacket strains and prepare our minds to be as baked as a fresh pumpkin pie from a delicious live resin roundup. THERE ARE two types of people in the PNW: those who look forward to hoodie and blanket season, and those who cry when the flip-flops and tank tops get put away for the year. Luckily, everyone can benefit from getting seriously ripped on resin, whether to fight the oncoming seasonal depression or get ready for the first pumpkin spice latte of the year. We kick off our trio of cartridges with the now classic hotness of the Green Crack. Once a somewhat controversial name, today it’s known as a euphoric sativa with a bright, unique flavor profile. Shimmering light golden oil oozes with terpenes on each inhale, sending a cloud of syrupy-sweet green apple peels, limey jet fuel and a hazy, hashy, citrusy finish that ignites the mind in an energetic burst of heavily baked happiness worthy of the intense moniker.

oct. 2026

With our minds swirling with creative energy, it’s time to slow down and return to the moment, so we reached for the Poison Peaches, which is a cross of Durban Poison and Peach Rings. This new-school, old-school cut shines in live resin, delivering a rush of golden honey peach with a sharp Durban, hazy, fuel-like finish that’s all sweet with a kiss of gas. Uplifting but delightfully stoney, the Poison Peaches is the perfect midday sweets strain, keeping us right on track for a productively stoned afternoon.

By the time 5 o’clock rolls around, we’re ready for a heavy hit of Hash Burger, a cross of Han Solo Hash Plant and Double Burger, which promises to delight the mind and completely melt it into oblivion at the same time. The first inhales of this gorgeous live resin are all burger, with complex notes of earthy, hashy skunk that melt into a garlicky, icy dough, with a kick of pickle-like, diesel-esque cheese to finish this double whammy of weed-patty goodness. Fully and completely stoned after each sesh, this trio of resin is ready to serve hits from breakfast to dinner, wrapping the mind and body in a warm and fuzzy Plaid Jacket buzz.

HASH BURGER GREEN CRACK POISON PEACHES “UPLIFTING BUT DELIGHTFULLY STONEY, THE POISON PEACHES IS THE PERFECT MIDDAY SWEETS STRAIN, KEEPING US RIGHT ON TRACK FOR A PRODUCTIVELY STONED AFTERNOON.” PLAIDJACKET.COM @PLAIDJACKETBRAND

REVIEW by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/NORTHWEST LEAF @NWLEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

LIQUID LIVE RESIN 510 VAPE CARTRIDGE

LIMITED EDITION ELEVATED TERPENE PROFILES AWARD WINNING Discover our Ultra+Pure vape cartridge, made with 100% liquid live resin diamonds, a true full-spectrum extract, and elevated terpene formulation. Ultra+Pure delivers a clean, strain-forward experience from start to finish. Distillate-free. Top tier. Crafted for those who want the best of Bodhi. Elevate. Enhance. Amplify.

bodhibrands.com LIVE RESIN

LIQUID DIAMONDS

FULL SPECTRUM

DOH COMPLIANT

strainTHE of the month tech ISSUE leafmagazines.com

Break out the Harry Potter box set, and prepare to conjure a wizard’s concoction in the kitchen after hitting the heady Black Patronus by Mayfield Flower Company. RARELY DOES a book-turned-movie series have such an impact on culture as the world of Hogwarts did, which is where the strain name for the Black Patronus comes from. A “patronus” is a protective guardian spell that defends against evil entities, and it takes the shape of the thing that the spell caster loves most. Our patronus would surely be a pot leaf shape, shimmering with heady defense against bad vibes. In this way, craft Cannabis is truly magical, as it has the power to make us feel good without causing harm. Bred by Exotic Genetix, this cross of Rainbow Sherbet #11 (RS-11) and Falcon 9 stuns from the glass jar with deep purple colors that shine with tons of frosty trichomes. Fluffy and lighter in density, with a perfect snap and gentle stickiness, these buds are carefully trimmed and cured to deliver a top-shelf flower experience. The first notes that Our patronus ooze from the jar are would surely be funky, marker-like a pot leaf shape, rubber meets rainbow shimmering with sherbert, teasing the heady defense mind with heady gas against bad vibes. and a sharp, candied citrus, Z finish that smells like a powerful potion from professor Snape’s class. His grumpy class would have been way more fun if he’d ripped bong hits of this superbly clean flower, which sends a mild, melting rush of sherb that smacks into the frontal lobes, slowing thoughts and time as a whimsically baked buzz takes hold. Smooth and gently sweet and sour, this strain ignites the palate while delightfully dulling senses in a heavily baked manner that will get you ready for movies and kitchen concoctions. Look for the Black Patronus and more unique cuts from Mayfield Flower Company to power your tricks and treats this fall. MAYFIELDFLOWERCO.COM @MAYFIELDFLOWERCOMPANY

oct. 2026

BLACKPATRONUS

GROWN BY

MAYFIELD FLOWE R COMPANY RAINBOW SHERB ET #11 (RS-11) AND FALCON 9 B RED BY

EXOTIC GENETIX

REVIEW by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX @NWLEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

THE tech ISSUE

HIGH-TECH RECS Higher Innovation Air Purifier Kit Tired of those skunk smell complaints? The Air Purifier Kit by Higher Innovation is a medical-grade, three-stage filtration system made portable. A carbon foam prefilter catches large particles and is paired with a HEPA filter to capture fine dust and allergens, while activated carbon pellets help neutralize smoke and heavy odors. The kit includes the purifying unit, a filter, a charging cable and Smell Away Spray, conveniently packed in a smell-proof, lockable bag. Whether you don’t want the smell of smoke lingering in your living space or need some discretion while traveling, this compact setup makes it easy to keep things fresh wherever you sesh. $219 | higherinnovation.com | @higherinnovation

LIVTAB LT90 FreezerX Smart Coffee Table with Fridge & Freezer If your ideal sesh includes cold drinks, good music and zero trips to the kitchen, the LIVTAB LT90 FreezerX Smart Coffee Table is right up your alley. Dual cooling and freezing zones give you 65 liters of refrigeration space and 28 liters of deep freeze storage. That’s plenty of room for infused drinks, munchies or a serious collection of persy hash jars. Additional features like wireless charging and smart touch controls have transformed an everyday piece of furniture into a sleek and elevated device. There are even built-in 20-watt speakers that connect with Bluetooth to deliver epic audio for music, movies or gaming and dynamic RGB lighting that syncs with your music sets the mood for any session. $999 | livtab.com | @livtab.us

PAX Mini

leafmagazines.com

Clean Torch Starter Kit There are few things worse than reaching for your lighter only to find it empty — or realizing you’re out of butane at 11 p.m. when the smoke shop is already closed. Enter the Clean Torch. Butane-free, flame-free and rechargeable, it’s the kind of lighter that takes the mess, guesswork and last-minute supply runs out of lighting up. Turn it on, let it heat, then hover it over your bowl and let the coil do the work. Unlike previous iterations of this type of device, the Clean Torch doesn’t require direct contact. Different dual modules included in the starter kit attach to the battery (also included) to accommodate various bowl sizes, and there are even add-on banger options designed for a cold-start dab. If you’re having a hard time getting a visual of how this device works, head to the Clean Torch Instagram page for plenty of tutorial videos — and clouds. $125 cleantorch.com | @cleantorchofficial

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PAX is an OG in the portable vaporizer game, and the brandnew Mini is the most compact device in its lineup at just 89 grams. It comes loaded with everything you need: Standard and Half Pack Oven Lids to swap out depending on the size of your sesh, a magnetic charging table, three oven screens, flat and THE NEW PAX raised mouthOXBLOOD pieces, a cleaning COLORWAY COLLECTION brush and a multitool keychain for packing. Cycle through four intelligent heat modes to dial in your temperature, then simply give the device a shake to confirm your selection. The Mini is available in three colorways: Onyx, Greenstone and the newest, Oxblood — just in time for Halloween. If you really want to customize your setup, you can even add a custom engraving. $150 | pax.com | @pax_official

REVIEWS by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy

The All-In-One eRig. No atomizer. Completely customizable heat modes.

We accidentally created an eRig that has no atomizer to replace every few months. Our apologies to companies before us that rely on their customers continuing to spend money on their devices based off a failing part.

No Atomizer Ever Completely Customizable Heat Modes Quartz Insert Out of the Box Drop Heated Loading Tool Included Built to Last

THE tech ISSUE

HIGH-TECH RECS Craighill Swingtop Lighter We stoners have been fidgeting with lighters basically since the flame was discovered. Craighill has turned that familiar habit into a deliberate design with its new Swingtop Lighter. Made to strike a balance between “comfort and delight,” we can confirm it is as satisfying to use as it is to look at. Simply press down on the swingarm to open it. Release your thumb, and the arm sends that stored force back into the mechanism, striking the flint and sparking the flame. When you’re ready to snuff it out, the top swings neatly shut. Mindlessly fun and endlessly tactile, this is the kind of lighter you’ll find yourself reaching for even when you don’t actually need a light. $78 | craighill.co | @craighillcompany

leafmagazines.com

Disqolodean Hash Cooler Your jars deserve better than rolling around the bottom of a warm bag. DisQolodeon’s 3D-printed hash coolers keep your stash cool and your setup looking fresh. Shaped to hold jars upright and secure, each comes with a removable center and freezer pack — plus a digital temperature reader to easily keep tabs on the chill. The vibes are pure nostalgia, inspired by the colorful and playful world of Nickelodeon, featuring fan-favorite characters and trippy designs. Equal parts practical and personality, these coolers give your concentrates a proper place to sit before they're smoked.Starting at $15 disqolodeon.com | @disqosmodernlife

Puffco Proxy Core Puffco’s Proxy Core was one of the sesh essentials we saw everywhere this summer — and for good reason. The ergonomic Proxy Core represents the company’s best unit for combining fat dabs and a low profile. There’s no glass, no water and no bulky setup. Just Puffco’s classic 3D Chamber in a compact, durable package. Choose the classic Onyx color or the brand-new Pine, then customize your setup with add-ons like the Wizard dry pipe or Bub water attachment. Small but mighty, the Proxy Core is built for clouds without the extra baggage. $250 | puffco.com | @puffco

Pelican RE-SET Anyone with a collection of heady glass knows the struggle: You get a Pelican case for your new piece, only to be pulling chunks of foam. The RE-SET line says no more jerry-rigging a custom fit. Super adaptable and flexible, it redefines storage and transport with a matrix of high-density foam pegs. You simply push and pull the pegs to change the configuration. Using a different banger shape? Swapping out your rig? The system is totally resettable anytime your setup changes, with no cutting or waste required. There are various sizes available, and the optional storage cutout panel is so clutch for storing additional sesh accessories — like your Q-tips, dab tools or your new Proxy Core. Priced by size | pelican.com | @pelican

710 Print Shop Bluetooth Speaker Proxy Based out of Long Beach, California, 710 Print Shop is another maker that 3D-prints different attachments and bases for the Puffco Proxy, including a version that donates half the profit to the American Cancer Society. We really feel like this shop took things to the next level when it dropped this base, which disguises your Proxy unit as a portable, rechargeable Bluetooth speaker. It’s made in small batches, available in four colors and perfect for keeping anyone from noticing. Sure, someone at the family vacation might ask why your speaker is smoking, but we’ll leave the explaining to you. $50 | 710printshop.com/s/shop | @710printshop

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REVIEWS by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy

Ichiban TOAD VENOM X OISHII

THE tech ISSUE

HIGH-TECH RECS Ario Vape Dopeamine Dual

Carta Focus V CARTA 3

Finally, a vape battery that comes loaded with games and is built for major clouds. The Leaf team has seen Ario’s newest release around, and we were impressed with the specs. The Dopeamine Dual can hold two 2-gram cartridges, which you can switch between or combine. The voltage regulator automatically tests the resistance of the cartridge you plug in and adjusts the power to your setting. Ario includes a 14-millimeter adapter with this unit so that you can plug it into your favorite water pipe. Available in four colors, this vape features a preheat mode, a child lock and, most importantly, five games: Paper Planes, Brick Stacks, Dab Man, Tank and Race Car. $50 | ariovape.com | @ariovape

Review coming 10/15

leafmagazines.com

Stay tuned Focus V CARTA 3

Myster Puff Muffs

Focus V is back with the highly anticipated CARTA 3, bringing a fresh round of upgrades to its popular e-rig. The most noticeable change is a redesigned glass top, while the base remains compatible with all previous CARTA glass iterations. One of this device’s standout features has always been its screen, and the new OLED display takes it up a notch to clearly show your battery life, temperature setting and heat time at a glance. There’s even a built-in speaker that provides audible alerts when you power on or reach your desired temp. An improved Intelli-Core 3 atomizer comes with a 30% larger chamber and a rounded bottom, and a higher-voltage battery delivers more dabs per charge. The addition of the removable and swappable C3 Connect airpath, first seen on the SPORT model, makes cleaning a breeze and keeps the session going. Five built-in temperature and LED presets offer plenty of customization, with a 365-635 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range and 20-120-second heat times. With smarter controls and easier maintenance, the CARTA 3 feels like a familiar favorite with plenty of fun new features. Price TBD | focusv.com | @focus.v

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This is the ultimate gaming accessory for the 710 crowd. These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature a foldaway microphone that also has a 510 threaded input. Now, you can hook up your vape right to the mic arm and puff, even when the headphones are off. The headset can pair via the included adapter or Bluetooth, giving you the option to switch back and forth between your gaming device and your phone. Go old school with the tethered connection via the audio jack, which doesn’t require power. The battery boasts an impressive 83 hours of Bluetooth connection, but it also has pass-through charging. For dabbers, Myster has an oil chamber accessory that you can use to load your rosin as well. $128 | getmyster.com | @mysterhighend

REVIEWS by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy

CAPITOL HILL | GEORGETOWN | BREMERTON This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and

judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health ris s associated consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

ith

THE tech ISSUE

HIGH-TECH RECS Dr. Dabber Switch GO

Which bucket is best? Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

Anyone looking to quickly transform their new Switch GO can swap out the quartz bucket with one made from medical-grade titanium or one created from a lab-grown crystal of pure sapphire. But what is the difference? The biggest thing that sets them apart is heat retention. Sapphire and titanium both build heat faster and retain heat longer than traditional quartz.

Review by Katherine Wolf @katadellic

QUARTZ ($29.95)

leafmagazines.com

The Switch GO is the latest evolution of Dr. Dabber’s cult-favorite Switch, packing the flagship experience into a smaller, travel-ready design. Perfectly palm-sized, it offers a 250-650 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range, five dynamic heat modes and up to 20 heating cycles on a single charge.

PP ($ HIR 10 E 9. PL 95 U ) S

TITANIUM ($19.95)

Operation is refreshingly simple: Hold the power button for two seconds to turn on, use the arrows to alternate between temperature modes and then click once to heat. We’re suckers for a single-click dab. Wondering about the atomizer power? Well, there actually isn’t one. Instead, the GO comes loaded with Dr. Dabber’s signature real quartz and uses an interchangeable insert system. The Sapphire Plus Insert upgrades flavor and heat retention while making cleanup easier. The titanium insert heats exceptionally fast and is compatible with dry materials, too.

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An illuminated water chamber adds some visual flair while showing when the device is heating and ready to go, with a companion app that lets you customize ambient lighting themes as well as temperature and heat-up time. We’re also big fans of the magnetic silicone-sealed carb cap, which is made to stay securely in place during on-the-go dabs. Compact, customizable and capable, the Switch GO is truly ready to roam. $329.95 | drdabber.com | @drdabber

For those who want something that is harder to break or crack and can withstand heavy temperatures for smoking and cleaning, the titanium option is a natural choice. The Sapphire Plus is something geared more for flavor chasers who prefer taking dabs at low temperatures or burning full melt. It also has a pattern that creates micro zones where oil can be heated more uniformly and with less waste left behind.

The biggest thing that sets them apart is heat retention. Sapphire and titanium both build heat faster and retain heat longer than traditional quartz.

DR. DABBER TOUR BAG ($24.95)

REVIEWS by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC & MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy

MOUNT VERNON

17929 WA-536, Suite B, Mount Vernon, WA 98409

PORT ANGELES

PULLMAN

1403 East 1st Street Port Angeles, WA (360) 477-4724

5952 Airport Road Pullman, WA (509) 872-3080

EVERETT

(360) 899-4428

4218 Rucker Avenue Everett, WA (425) 258-3054 floyds.everett

floyds.mountvernon

Sedro-Woolley

Burlington

410 W. State Street Sedro Woolley, W (360) 588-4473

735 S Burlington Blvd Burlington, WA (360) 899-4697

THE tech ISSUE

HIGH-TECH RECS Dab Rite BTI platform lets manufacturers recommend the perfect dab temperature Story by Tom Bowers @megabombtom2.0

Rosin, resin, budder, badder, diamonds, sauce, full-melt, bubble. The world of hash has never been more flavorfully diverse. But it’s also never been more confusing. From the start, Dab Rite has sought to set a standard for how hash is consumed. And it all started with building a device to dial in the perfect temperature for your dab. But there’s always been a missing component — input from the source. Dab Rite’s new BTI platform seeks to revolutionize that, by serving as a resource where hash makers can offer their own insights for each consistency and flavor they produce. Each retail product will have a scannable QR code that will lead consumers to Dab Rite’s online world, where the makers will have profiles for their products, including consumption recommendations, brand information, cultivation and production methodology, and more. “We wanted the hash makers to have extreme involvement with their consumers,” said Samuel Morris, who co-owns Dab Rite parent company IV Thought with his wife, Alexandra. Aside from the hash makerSAMUEL & to-consumer communication ALEXANDRA pipeline, there’s also a RedditMORRIS style social component, where heads can gather to share their own experiences, their own recommended temperatures, and their thoughts about products and hash in general. It’s still in the early phase, but it's quickly being adopted by hash brands listed in the BTI online database. As this community-focused project grows, Morris and the Dab Rite team hope to set a new global standard for how hash is consumed. dabritebti.com

Dab Rite GO

leafmagazines.com

Review by Katherine Wolf @katadellic

Tired of guessing when to drop in when you're dabbing on the go? While The Dab Rite has been a staple on sesh tables for years, the GO is a travel-ready upgrade to the OG temp-reader, packed with some long-awaited features we’re stoked to see.

HIGH-TECH TEMPERATURE READINGS

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One of the biggest updates is its next-gen multipoint array sensor, which pulls temperature readings from multiple points on the banger instead of relying on a single spot. A more accurate read means smoother, more consistent dabs and a much lower chance of accidentally taking a scorcher. The arm-free design is another major upgrade, built specifically for smaller rigs and travel setups, with no awkward readjusting needed when you switch pieces.

The ultimate flexibility to dab your way continues with three built-in presets right out of the box, or you can open the app and pick your sweet spot with a 200800 degrees Fahrenheit range. We’re also way into the little details: a magnetic charging base (USB-C direct charging is also available), compact carrying case and attachable carabiner. It’s a smart upgrade to a familiar essential that’s genuinely built to GO. $299 | dabrite.com | @thedabrite

FREE GUIDES ON HELPFUL TOPICS IN THE DAB RITE BTI COMMUNITY

Visit LeafMagazines.com for an expanded interview!

REVIEWS by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC & TOM BOWERS @MEGABOMBTOM2.0/ LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy

FALL FIRE POWDERHOUND

Lazy Bee gardens

WINNERS OF

-10WWW.LAZYBEEGARDENS.COM

LEAF BOWL AWARDS!

WARNING: Cannabis products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 and older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

THE tech ISSUE

Cannabis Tools for Every Body and Brain Tech moves like a tidal wave in any industry. In the still-developing sector of Cannabis, it can feel like a part-time job keeping up with the latest doohickeys and devices. But you know what else changes as often as trends? Our bodies. For the neurodivergent or disabled consumer, this is a daily battle that’s best fought with the right tools — not (necessarily) what’s hot in the headiest circles.

BEYOND THE BUZZ

To be clear: This isn’t a buyer's guide. It’s a permission slip to stop chasing what your favorite influencer is flashing and start asking what actually works — especially when your body and mind aren’t cooperating. Truthfully, adaptive tools aren’t talked about much, and many live in harder-to-find corners of the market. Those are big barriers with no quick fix. But the more the Cannabis industry is pushed to design with disabled and neurodivergent consumers in mind, the faster we can break down the wall for all.

Different by Design NECESSITY NAVIGATES

DABS DIALED-IN

From post-stroke shaky hands to ADHD sensory overload and endometriosis pain that pauses normal function, this writer has learned to toss what’s trendy and tackle tech from a necessity angle. Because sometimes, making it to the sesh means simplifying the setup. These days, when I’m tallying my terp tools, I ask a few questions of my selections: Does it cut down consumption steps? Is it usable with limited mobility? Does it simplify dosing?

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CONCENTRATE CONSIDERATIONS

Concentrates are an excellent way to simplify intake if you're into combustibles. Higher potencies let you pack more medication into fewer puffs, and a wide range of e-rigs and pens offers different styles for different needs. I often find myself reaching for cartridges and disposables when battling a disability, due to the simplified format. Minimal handling, no measuring, no assembly. I've even adapted a special technique for weathering the worst pain days: I call it “snorkeling.” Snag an inhale-activated cart or all-in-one, pop it in your mouth hands-free, float on a fluffy bed and let the high tide take you away. For bigger, more flexible doses, e-rigs deserve their own moment here. No torch means no singed fingertips or burnt carpet when your grip clocks out early. For anyone managing tremors, limited strength or fine motor challenges, that safety factor is more than a bonus feature — it’s the whole point. Customizable temperature settings, plus added safety, mean consistent, repeatable, stress-free sessions when you're running out of “spoons.”

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Lately, a lot of us at the Leaf have been reaching for Dr. Dabber’s new Switch GO. But brands from Puffco to Focus V offer equally accessible electronic devices. Find what fits your body and budget. If glass is still your game, don’t count it out yet. The community is starting to catch on to accessibility as a real design consideration (check out our April 2026 story on Mothership Glass’ custom piece for Dustin Brandon). And in the meantime, there are trade-ins for traditional setups, like the Disorderly Conduction Cobra Coil. It cuts out several steps in the dabbing process without compromising the experience. Need to dial in a consistent dose? The Stache DigiTUL Scale dab tool measures repeatable dabs so your medicine behaves the same way every single session.

RITUAL AND REALITY

Flower has a familiarity and a sensory quality that nothing else fully replicates, and for a lot of folks, that consistency is part of the medicine. The ritual matters, and I mean that literally: The predictability of a familiar routine has measurable calming value when your body's already fighting itself. But you have to run a gauntlet to get there: packaging engineered to humble anyone without a fully functioning grip, grinders that grab your whole arm, lighters hinged for The Hulk. A standard letter opener deals with packaging that child-proofing laws have turned into a puzzle for patients. The Cloudious9 Tectonic9 grinder brings better ergonomics and smoother action for hurting hands. The Vector "Mystique" lighter swaps the standard struggle for a flare-friendly grip.

PREPACKED PRACTICALITY

An entirely different category of consumption, edibles are, off the shelf, one of the most accessible formats in the game. They are prescored, have standardized dosing and come in all kinds of formulations and flavors. Granted: A heat-sealed Mylar bag on a sketchy motor skill day is still a legitimate accessibility barrier. But that handy letter opener should handle that!

STORY by TERPODACTYL MEDIA @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA/LEAF NATION | ART by ADOBE STOCK

THE HEART OF HOQUIAM

now medically endorsed!

The Coast is Calling!

@zia_recreational

Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 and older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

patient of the month

ASHELEY KRUTSINGER

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Hashy Ashey For Asheley Krutsinger, known by many as Hashy Ashey, Cannabis is medicine. The content creator got a medical Cannabis card when her Ehlers-Danlos syndrome symptoms began to worsen at 18. She has long opted for Cannabis over prescribed opioids or gabapentin, which made her feel “like a zombie.” But her longtime Cannabis patient status has not spared her from stigmatization in a medical setting. This experience, plus a lack of representation in the community, drives her content.

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IN 2021, Krutsinger developed severe gastrointestinal discomfort. Unable to keep food down, she sought answers and treatment from her doctor. Cannabis was the only thing that helped her eat as she continued losing weight at an unhealthy rate. “I did bring this up to my GI doctors that I was using Cannabis to treat the nausea and lack of appetite, and unfortunately, that caused my GI doctor to do almost 180 in my case and pretty much claim that I had Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome,” Krutsinger shared in an interview with Leaf Magazines.

She did not meet the diagnostic criteria for CHS, but doctors saw Cannabis use and stomach discomfort and made a quick assumption. For many, a CHS diagnosis changes their life for the better, providing relief from a somewhat new syndrome. Unfortunately for Krutsinger, it was detrimental to her case. Krutsinger quit consuming Cannabis for three months to see if it would provide relief since cessation generally quells CHS symptoms. It didn’t. Instead, she dealt with increasing pain and weight loss before ultimately fighting for more tests. It wasn’t CHS; a ligament had completely cut off an artery, effectively ceasing blood flow to her liver and stomach. The diagnosis required surgery, and she believes that CHS being brought into her case was to the detriment of her mental and physical health. This experience was a spark that inspired her to advocate not only for Cannabis consumers with GI issues but for those with disabilities, too. Krutsinger still wasn’t open with all family and friends about her medicine, and she set out to show that people using Cannabis can be productive. She began by educating people on Instagram about things that budtenders may not have time to cover in a quick transaction. Over time, her disability progressed, and in the last year or so, the push has been toward more representation in the Cannabis culture for people with disabilities. This means featuring disabled people in advertisements and considering disabilities when planning events and even store layouts. “I’ve been in the industry and talked to people and been to events and been to dispensaries; it’s just such a huge lack of accessibility in an industry that is so medical focused, that has so many people with medical conditions and disabilities that use this medicine, that it’s just crazy how much we’re, you know, left out of advertising,” Krutsinger said. The creator advocates for disability representation with “wheels and weed,” often featuring both her customized pink and purple wheelchair and the plant. In the last few months, the page has taken off, likely because of a cheeky PowerPoint created specifically for Puffco. Disabled Cannabis consumers praise Puffco, and most e-rigs, for multiple accessible features. And when she saw that the new Plasma colorway matched her wheelchair, she had to have it and published a presentation complete with subliminal Plasma messaging. Puffco sent one her way. Krutsinger then brought fellow disabled creators together to film a thank-you video for the company, and a Proxy arrived in the mail. But she has her sights on something higher: seeing people with disabilities featured in a Puffco commercial — specifically, her. Hashy Ashey has big goals, and they all center on building a world where disabled people have the same access to the culture built around their medicine as everyone else. And honestly, it just makes sense. @HASHYASHEY

STORY by CARA WIETSTOCK @CARA_JUANA for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by @DERRALLPEACHPHOTOGRAPHY

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glass art spotlight

PATRICK MCDOUGALL

SUBLIMINAL THIS MIX OF INERT GAS, when energized, fills the tubes with ambient light. Plasma follows a seemingly random path in the enclosed spaces but also reacts to touch, like a plasma globe. The aesthetic opens up many doors, and being in the presence of one of these pieces provides a truly unique experience. You can literally feel the energy. Patrick McDougall cut his teeth in the industry in Portland, Oregon. Getting started, his gig was making hundreds of production chillums every day, a common practice in the glassblowing industry.

Each one has intricate details that contain both active plasma elements and UV-reactive glass. Functional elements are also hidden in these works. The display case has dichroic glass on the sides, creating a stunning visual by muting certain colors and changing others. The jellyfish, spider and mosquito sculptures McDougall created with Scoz Glass of Seattle show how many visual effects can be produced by incorporating plasma.

Before attempting complicated high-end pieces, an artist evolves their skill set by making simple functional pieces like spoons and chillums, which then leads to bubblers and so on. Eventually, he built his own shed shop and started exploring glass on his own terms. This led to years of working on hollow vessels and color application, as well as building relationships throughout the industry. You can see a couple of recent pieces created by McDougall and friends here. The aquarium scene, created with Joe P Glass of Colorado, is absolutely stunning. A vivid mixture of lifelike colors and sculptures really brings the pieces to life. COURTESY

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Subliminal Glass has taken his decadeplus experience with borosilicate glass and introduced plasma-filled vessels into his work.

S U BLIM INA L X SC O Z G LA S S

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COURTESY

PHOTO BY REX HILSINGER @BOROPHOTO

S U B L I MI N A L X J O E P E T E RS PHOTO BY REX HILSINGER @BOROPHOTO

SUBLI M I N A L X SC O Z GL A S S COURTESY

“The plasma COURTESY

You wouldn’t know when they are powered up, but these pieces are made from completely clear borosilicate glass. While hard to show on the page, you can envision the sensation when you see the electrified gases create a current in response to your touch. Imagine interacting with that while you're taking your next dab. While plasma has been utilized in glass for visual effect before, one of the unique things we noticed was McDougall's original design for powering up his pieces so that they can be removed from their displays for transportation, as you would want with any of your collection. When he’s not on the torch or hiking with his dogs, he is high — I mean, really high, like jumping out of planes high. A hobby he’s had for years, McDougall has even been able to barter some of his pieces for trips up to jump. Today, you will find him creating art in his home studio in a serene spot along the East Fork Lewis River outside Vancouver, Washington. Coming up next for McDougall: A huge installation of plasma art will be going up in Seattle for a month-long opening. The event details are currently under wraps, but when word gets out, you will definitely hear about it.

project started as a dream. Seeing the

possibilities of largescale assembly and sculpture work mixed with the wonder of

POWER UP YOUR SESSION.

plasma effects just seemed too amazing not to pursue.” -Patrick McDougall

@SUBLIMINALGLASS

STORY by REX HILSINGER @BOROPHOTO for LEAF NATION

This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

i’m scared, mommy

OUT OF STOCK

book reviews

Page Burner the unknown by Riley Sager

Bestselling author Riley Sager’s milestone 10th novel published in 10 years couldn’t have arrived at a better time. This paranormal thriller is tailor-made for spooky season, complete with cold cases, conjured spirits and missing Hollywood starlets. IN 1926, five women mysteriously vanished from New Avalon, an isolated Vermont island home to a commune of spiritual mediums. According to local legend, a séance gone wrong summoned something supernatural, causing the women to disappear one by one. The only trace left behind was five dresses hanging from an old oak tree — one for each missing woman. Nearly a century later, struggling actress Marin Keane is surprised to land a role in a movie about the unsolved case, starring alongside legendary actress Violet Wright. She’s even more surprised when the eccentric director announces he’s taking the cast back to the remote island for an ambitious week of method-acting training. Quickly after arriving, Keane and her castmates start to sense that something is still not quite right on New Avalon. Keane plays off the strange noises coming from her cabin and mysterious symbols carved in the woods as an elaborate production prank. But when a sudden change of plans leaves the actors stranded, things take a more sinister turn. One by one, the five women begin to disappear, eerily mirroring the events that made the island infamous nearly a century ago. Sager is known for the kind of plot twists you won't see coming, and “The Unknown” is no exception. When Keane uncovers a diary belonging to one of the original women, the past and present begin to braid together. One question hangs over New Avalon: Is history repeating itself? Light up, light a few candles and get reading.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL LIVIO

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Sager is known for the kind of plot twists you won't see coming, and “The Unknown” is no exception. RILEYSAGERBOOKS.COM @RILEY.SAGER

If you enjoyed this read and want to continue the spooky theme, we suggest picking another one of Sager’s 10 thrillers off of the shelf. "Final Girls," "The House Across the Lake" and "Lock Every Door" are a few of our favorite selections!

oct. 2026

STORY by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC

cooking with Cannabis

POTENT POT PIE Serves 4 3 tablespoons butter 4 teaspoons canna-butter 1 celery stalk, sliced 1 carrot, peeled and sliced 1 teaspoon thyme 1/3 cup flour 2 cups chicken stock 1/3 cup light cream or half-and-half 1 cup peas 3 cups cooked chicken, cut into pieces Salt and black pepper, to taste 1 sheet puff pastry or 1 refrigerated pie crust 1 egg, beaten, optional

1. Heat the oven to 340 F. 2. In a large saute pan over low heat, melt the butter and canna-butter.

A simple package of ramen needs little instruction, but a few fresh ingredients can

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Cannabis

comfort SUPER SPECIAL RAMEN Makes 1 bowl 1 package ramen noodles with flavor packet 2 cups water or stock 1/4 cup packed raw watercress 1 scallion, sliced 6 snap peas, halved 1/4 cup shredded carrots 1 soft-boiled egg, peeled and halved 1/4 cup sprouts Cilantro leaves, to taste 2 teaspoons sesame oil 1 teaspoon canna-oil

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1. Open the ramen package, and set the flavor packet aside. Bring the water or stock to a boil in a medium saucepan. 2. Add the watercress, scallion and noodles. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. 3. Add the snap peas, carrots and flavor packet. Cook for 1 additional minute. 4. Pour the soup into a bowl and top with the egg, sprouts and cilantro. 5. Drizzle with the sesame oil and canna-oil before serving.

turn it into a nourishing bowl of comfort. Check the fridge for vegetables, herbs or a soft-boiled egg to make it your own. Pot pie is classic comfort food, while tofu happily takes on the flavors around it for a satisfying meat-free meal. These recipes use Pruf Cultivar’s Gassed Out, a hybrid with peppery, pineforward flavor. Use infused ingredients with a known potency, and choose a serving that works for you.

laurie@laurieandmaryjane.com

3. Add the celery, carrot and thyme. Saute for 10 minutes. 4. Stir in the flour, and cook for 2 minutes. 5. Add the chicken stock, cream and peas, stirring until the vegetables are coated and the mixture begins to thicken. 6. Stir in the chicken, and season with salt and black pepper. 7. Divide the filling among 4 ramekins. Cut the pastry to fit the tops, then place it over the filling. 8. Brush with the beaten egg, if desired, and cut small slits in the pastry to vent steam. 9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

SEARED SESAME TOFU

1. Heat the oven to 400 F.

Serves 4 1/2 block extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger 1 teaspoon honey 1 bok choy, halved lengthwise 1 teaspoon canola oil 2 tablespoons peanut butter 1 teaspoon canna-infused canola oil 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce 1 scallion, chopped Zest of 1/2 orange

2. In a medium bowl, combine the tofu, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger and honey. Let marinate for 30 minutes. 3. Place the tofu and bok choy on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the bok choy with canola oil. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning the tofu a few times, until browned and tender. 4. In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, canna-infused canola oil and remaining soy sauce. 5. Toss the roasted tofu with the sauce, and finish with the scallion and orange zest. Serve with the bok choy.

RECIPES by LAURIE WOLF @LAURIEANDMARYJANE | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF @BRUCE_WOLF #DontFearTheEdible #BeKind #EatYourCannabis | Laurie@Laurieandmaryjane.com

elevate your fate

UP IN SMOKE

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WHEN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OUTRUNS ECOLOGICAL WISDOM Berkeley Lab estimated THE FOOTPRINT OF AI is anything but U.S. data centers directly There is something virtual. Data centers require enormous elecconsumed roughly tricity, cooling and infrastructure. Lawrence human about our 66 billion liters of Berkeley National Laboratory estimates U.S. water in 2023 … hunger to create. We data centers consumed about 176 terbuild, invent, connect awatt-hours of electricity in 2023, or 4.4% and imagine the next frontier before of total U.S. electricity use. Its 2025 update estimates data centers could consume 9.5% to 15.3% of U.S. understanding the last. Now, that frontier electricity by 2030, with a reference case of 11.8%. is artificial intelligence. But somewhere That demand is colliding with a grid that is not between the glowing screens and the designed for a concentrated, rapidly expanding load. A 2026 Harvard Belfer Center analysis describes promises of a smarter future, we need to data-center growth as a challenge for grid reliabilpause, breathe and ask an old Indigenous ity, infrastructure planning and consumer costs. In question: Are we creating in balance with northern Virginia, a 2024 event involving roughly 60 the Earth — or simply taking more from data centers removed 1.5 gigawatts of demand within minutes, requiring emergency grid adjustments. her because we can?

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Then, there is water, the sacred substance every living system on Earth depends upon. Environmental math is complex. Not every data center uses the same cooling technology, and estimates vary widely. Still, Berkeley Lab estimated U.S. data centers directly consumed roughly 66 billion liters of water in 2023, with higher consumption projected under some 2028 scenarios. Water use also occurs indirectly through electricity generation. Meanwhile, the American West is already confronting a climate reality of hotter temperatures, prolonged drought and increasing wildfire risk. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration identifies heat, drought and atmospheric dryness as important drivers of rising wildfire risk across the West. This is where my concern lives. What happens when ambition outruns ecological wisdom? We do not have to look far to understand what is already at stake. Across California, Oregon and Washington, the West has endured wildfire devastation that has made smoke-filled skies, evacuations and burned landscapes increasingly familiar. As forests, watersheds and communities face hotter, drier conditions, the AI boom is eyeing the region for massive new infrastructure. Amazon Web Services has acquired 1,300 acres near Boardman, Oregon, where plans could support a potential 1-gigawatt campus. Google is expanding in Oregon.

In a region where water is becoming an Grandmother Earth does not recogecological currency, asking how much more nize a quarterly report — nor does a we can extract is not a rejection of progress; healthy watershed. it is our responsibility. As AI developers search for land, But questions of water and energy lead us energy and cooling capacity, I propose somewhere deeper. Whose land, water and this question: Is history repeating itself in future are we willing to sacrifice for the next a digital costume? tech gold rush? Progress cannot mean the sacrifice of Across the West, AI expansion is moving Indigenous ancestral grounds. into places that are not simply parcels on a How much is too much? map, but ancestral homelands woven into As a living organism, a species of Indigenous identity, ceremony, Earth, are we approaching But questions of food systems and treaty rights. the point where convenience, water and energy Amazon’s purchase in Boardman, computation and corporate lead us somewhere Oregon, sits within the ancestral deeper. Whose land, competition begin consuming landscape of the Confederated the very systems that sustain us? water and future Tribes of the Umatilla Indian ResCould continued AI infraare we willing to ervation, while proposed energy structure expansion create sacrifice for the infrastructure near Goldendale, impacts that are extraordinarinext tech gold rush? Washington, has drawn opposily difficult to reverse? Is it postion from the Yakama Nation over impacts to sible for innovation to advance without culturally significant lands, salmon and First asking drought-stricken communities to Foods. surrender more water and power? Calling this simply a battle over “developIndigenous teachings have long ment” feels painfully incomplete. reminded us, OGs, that we are not For Indigenous peoples, this is a struggle separate from the natural world; we over sovereignty, the right to determine what are relatives within it. Perhaps the next happens to homelands that have endured technological breakthrough is not simply generations of extraction, displacement and building smarter machines. Maybe it is broken promises. What is being measured an opportunity to innovate with respect in megawatts and dollars is also habitat for to our Grandmother Earth, who has living wildlife, salmon, medicinal plants, always provided so graciously, because insects, fungi, trees and living groundwater intelligence without wisdom is just ansystems. other way to go up in smoke.

STORY by ANGELA-JORDAN AGUILAR @AJ.OG @ELEVATE_YOUR_FATE Photos by Jesse Frome @jessefrome | See more photos at LeafMagazines.com

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studio sessions

DAGO ARTS

“Some days, I'll rip two dabs before I walk into my studio. Other times, I’m working towards a dab as a reward for finishing a piece,” he said. “Or I gotta wait for the paint to dry, and it’s a perfect break time for some weed. It all depends on what the situation and the day calls for.” With such a vibrant style, it’s no surprise that the Cannabis world has discovered his work. While he’s done traditional market projects, a 2025 trip to Art Basel led to conversations with Michigan’s Deep Stroke Solventless that evolved into a whole capsule project.

T H E YO UNGEST O F SIX C O US IN S GRO WING U P IN T H E WILD C IT Y O F N EW O RLEAN S , D AG O S AID H E WAS INT RO DUC ED T O C AN N ABIS E ARLY O N .

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“Cannabis and I have had a relationship since 2008,” Dago Arts told Leaf Magazines.

“When I was a kid, my older cousin came into the room, tossed a bag of weed on the table and told everyone to roll a joint because we were heading into the woods for a cousins’ walk.” He laughed and continued, “We had an incredible time together out in those woods, and ever since, it’s been a beautiful relationship.” Born and raised in Louisiana, he can trace his family’s origins, he said, to when his great-grandparents immigrated to New Orleans from Sicily and opened a fish market. Being a third-generation Sicilian, he said he chose his artist name as a tribute to his grandmother. “My nonna used to call all the kids in the family that growing up, so much so that some of my uncles have it tattooed on them,” he said. “I know people used to use it as a way to shame Sicilians, so people are sometimes shocked when I tell them my name, but I tell them it’s a positive way of carrying on my family's heritage, and I’ve been using it for about 10 years now.”

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Self-taught, Dago said he grew up practicing graffiti and was accepted to art school when he was younger, but his parents wanted him to lock into a more traditional career. Instead, he moved to Los Angeles to find himself as an artist. Since then, he’s returned to his home state and worked as a full-time artist for the last seven years. Acrylic, spray paint and custom stencils are his tools. Like these tools, he sees Cannabis as something with no one set use in the studio.

A G O SA ID they talked about how

looking at a person’s jar of work often opens a lot of conversations or opportunities. “The phrase ‘Jars open doors’ came up through the group, and together, we built this whole thing around it,” he said. For Dago, the studio stays alive with music, movies and YouTube. During our conversation, he said he’s been stuck on Turnstile’s 2025 album “Never Enough.” "It's an album you can bump front to back,” he said. Just as important, though, he said, are the times he’s working while socializing with friends and fellow artists. He finds “the energy of being around other creatives and homies causes ideas to happen naturally,” he said. “A lot of my friends like that are out of state, so we like to keep that vibe up until we can be back in the studio again.” Currently, you can find his original works through Orleans Gallery in New Orleans and Studio 4 in Pittsburgh, where he’ll be hanging work during the Parlay glass art show. You can also find original series and limited prints on dagoarts.com.

DAGOARTS.COM @DAGOARTS

“I know people used to use it as a way to shame Sicilians, so people are sometimes shocked when I tell them my name, but I tell them it’s a positive way of carrying on my family's heritage, and I’ve been using it for about 10 years now.” STORY by MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON for LEAF NATION | ARTWORK by DAGO ARTS See more of their work at LeafMagazines.com

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