Issuu

SIP THE CENTURY

Roaring ’20s–inspired cocktails

ART OF CONSUMPTION The sensual side of smoke

N E VA DA JULY 2021

MAKE WAVES Inside the Kassi Beach House grand opening

WEED MAN

The activist’s origin story

Eva Littman, MD, F.A.C.O.G.

Amity Hererra, PA-C

Voted “Top Doc” in Fertility Trained at Duke & Stanford Universities

15 Years in Reproductive Endocrinology Trained at UCSD & Western Universities

redrockfertility.com • 702.262.0079 • 9120 W Russell Rd, Ste 200, Las Vegas, NV 89148

NEVADA SENSI MAGAZINE JULY 2021

sensimediagroup @sensimagazine @sensimag

FEATURES

Consumed by Desire

The discerning content creators at Bingham X capture the seductive side of consumption.

The Weed Man

The story of how cannabis superhero Landon Bartley found his power.

DEPARTMENTS

11 EDITOR’S NOTE 18 THE LIFE Contributing to your health and happiness 12 THE BUZZ CHILL NOSTALGIC Cool News, tips, and tidbits to keep you in the loop CANNA COLLEGE A new platform for professionals in the cannabis industry BACK POCKET Check out this smart new wallet design.

of˜ with cocktails inspired by the Roaring Twenties HOROSCOPE What the stars hold for you.

50 THE SCENE Hot happenings and hip

LIBATION INSPIRATION

hangouts around town

Follow the hashtags.

INDIGENOUS IMPACT

NOUVEAU THRIFT

Shopping for old threads gets an upgrade. NO SOLVENT Products that makes you feel better about yourself and the planet. SWAN SONG We lost these musicians too soon.

Storytelling and art raise awareness for Native people. HIGH SOCIETY The beach comes to Vegas.

ON THE COVER

The Kassi Beach House opens for business. PHOTO BY PATRICK GRAY

56 THE END See the wild, wildlife on a lit safari tour.

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ADVISORY BOARD

NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD NCRMA Risk Management COLORADO Agricor Laboratories Testing Lab Aspen Cannabis Insurance Insurance Services Canyon Cultivation Microdosing Cartology Corporation Cartridge Filling Equipment + Hardware Colorado Cannabis Company THC Coffee Concentrate Supply Co. Recreational Concentrates Emerald Construction Construction Green Edge Trimmers Trimmers Higher Grade Boutique Cannabis Hybrid Payroll Staffing & HR Benefits Jupiter Research Inhalation Hardware Lab Society Extraction Expert + Lab Supplies marQaha Sublinguals + Beverages Monte Fiore Farms Recreational Cultivation Northern Standard History of Cannabis PotGuide Cannabis Culture Source CO Wholesale Consulting Terrapin Care Station Recreational Dispensary Toast Mindful Consumption Uleva Hemp Products Wana Brands Edibles Witlon Inc. Payroll Processing SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Accucanna LLC Desert Hot Springs: Dispensary EventHI Events Flourish Software Distribution Management Helmand Valley Growers Company Medical Infrastructure Specialist HUB International Insurance Hybrid Payroll / Ms. Mary Staffing Staffing & HR Benefits Ikänik Farms Cannabis Distribution Red Rock Fertility Fertility Doctor Wana Brands Edible Gummies Witlon Payroll

NEVADA Eden Water Technologies Water System Technologies Green Leaf Money Canna Business Finanacing GreenHouse Payment Solutions Payment Processing Ideal Business Partners Corporate Law & Finance Jupiter Research Inhalatation Hardware Matrix NV Premium Live Resin Red Rock Fertility Fertility Doctor Rokin Vapes Vape Technology This Stuff Is Good For You CBD Bath and Body NEW ENGLAND Corners Packaging Packaging Curaleaf Veterans Cannabis Project Flourish Software Seed to Sale Green Goddess Supply Personal Homegrown Biochamber GreenHouse Payment Solutions Payment Processing The Holistic Center Medical Marijuana Evaluations PotGuide Travel & Tourism Revolutionary Clinics Medical Dispensary Royal Gold Soil Tess Woods Public Relations Public Relations

MICHIGAN Aronoff Law (Craig Aronoff) Licensing Law Firm Cannabis Counsel Cannabis Law Firm Etz Chaim Attestations Grapp Lerash Michigan PLLC Accounting/CPA Services Great Lakes Natural Remedies Lakeshore: Provisioning Center Kush Design Studio Cannabis Facility Design & Build MRB Solutions Human Resources Northern Specialty Health Upper Peninsula: Provisioning Center Oh, Hello Branding Promotional Marketing Perry & Drummy Inc. Commercial Insurance Pure West Compassion Club Caregiver Connection & Network Rair Medical Flower Solutions by Dr. Dave West Michigan: Hemp CBD Helping Friendly Hemp Company Hemp Topicals NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 365 Recreational Cannabis Dispensary: Recreational, Santa Rosa Green Unicorn Farms CBD Hemp Flower Humboldt CCTV Smart Ag Tech Humboldt Patient Resource Center Dispensary: Humboldt Kushla Life Sciences Cannabis Formulation and Products Red Door Remedies Dispensary: Cloverdale Southern Humboldt Royal Cannabis Company Mixed Light Farming Sonoma Patient Group Dispensary: Santa Rosa Strictly Topical Inc./Sweet ReLeaf Pain Relief Topicals Superbad inc. Premium California Cannabis Uleva Hemp Products Vaper Tip Vape Supply & Consulting Wana Brands Edible Gummies

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Women working in cannabis deserve better, so

WE BUILT BETTER

JoIN Us

womenempoweredincannabis.com/join

EDITORIAL

Stephanie Wilson Co-Founder + Editor in Chief stephanie.wilson@sensimag.com Doug Schnitzspahn Executive Editor Tracy Ross Managing Editor, Michigan Emilie-Noelle Provost Managing Editor, New England Debbie Hall Managing Editor, Nevada Jenny Willden Managing Editor, NorCal Dawn Garcia Managing Editor, Southern California Robyn Griggs Lawrence Editor at Large Mona Van Joseph Contributor, Horoscopes Radha Marcum Copy Editor Bevin Wallace Copy Editor DESIGN

Jamie Ezra Mark Creative Director jamie@emagency.com Rheya Tanner Art Director Wendy Mak Designer Josh Clark Designer

EXECUTIVE

Ron Kolb Founder ron@sensimag.com Stephanie Graziano CEO stephanie.graziano@sensimag.com Lou Ferris Vice President of Global Revenue Chris Foltz Vice President of Global Reach Jade Kolb Director of Project Management ADVERTISING

Nancy Reid Director, Team Building, Sensi East PUBLISHING

Jamie Cooper Market Director, Michigan Abi Wright Market Director, Nevada Richard Guerra Market Director, New England Nancy Birnbaum Market Director, NorCal Diana Ramos Market Director, Oklahoma Rob Ball Market Director, S. California Angelique Kiss Market Director, S. California

BRAND DEVELOPMENT

Richard Guerra Director of Global Reach Amanda Patrizi Deputy Director of Global Reach Neil Willis Production Director MEDIA PARTNERS

Marijuana Business Daily Minority Cannabis Business Association National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy

MEDIA SALES

COLORADO Liana Cameris Media Sales Executive Amanda Patrizi Media Sales Executive Tyler Tarr Media Sales Executive NEVADA Pam Hewitt Media Sales Executive NEW ENGLAND Jake Boynton Media Sales Executive Peter Dunlap Media Sales Executive Bryant Mahony Media Sales Executive MICHIGAN Kyle Miller Media Sales Executive Leah Stephens Media Sales Executive

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Magazine published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC.

It’s rumored that one

of the original influencers,

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

FAC E B O O K Like Sensi Media Group to infuse your newsfeed with more of our great cannabis lifestyle content.

TWITTER Follow @sensimag for need-to-know news and views from Sensi headquarters.

I N S TAG R A M Pretty things, pretty places, pretty awesome people: find it all on @sensimagazine

Paris Hilton, tried to trademark the tagline “That’s Hot.” But what actually makes something hot? What does “hot” even mean? The word “hot” can indicate something spicy (as in food). It can refer to a person’s skill level, to outdoor heat, to enthusiasm, or even to a significant difficulty. But most often when we say “hot” we mean the things, people, or events that are “popular, fashionable, and in demand.” Social media and platforms such as YouTube fuel “hot” trends. Certainly, the events of the past year have greatly influenced what people desire as “hot.” According to Womanly*Live, the hot trends for wedding ceremonies this year include industrial design, dried flowers, shorter dresses, and virtual weddings. Reunion shows, including the original cast of the reality show The Real World and the ‘90s sitcom Friends are hot right now, particularly among people who remember the original shows. No doubt, cannabis is hot. New cannabis legislation, AB341, was signed by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, legalizing consumption lounges, creating a hot new way to socialize. In other health arenas, the Food and Drug Administration has approved aducanumab, the first Alzheimer’s treatment intended to slow cognitive decline, making Alzheimer’s awareness a hot topic. Conversations about the experiences of African Americans, Asian-Pacific Islanders, and the LGTBQIA+ communities are at the forefront of social consciousness this summer. Food’s hottest trends include pantry meals, mental-health cooking, veganism and vegetarianism, flexitarian diets, carb alternatives, takeout, low-waste foods, and elevated desserts. Alcohol-free spirits are trendy this summer, as are low-calorie alcoholic beverages, healthy beverages infused with spirits, hard kombucha, hard seltzers, and homemade craft cocktails. While embracing a progressive stance, Sensi magazine brings you the trends—from cannabis to local culture. Thank you for selecting and reading Sensi. We love finding and showcasing the hottest trends for you, our passionate readers.

Alcohol-free spirits are trendy this summer, as are lowcalorie alcoholic beverages, healthy beverages infused with spirits, hard kombucha, hard seltzers, and homemade craft cocktails.

Yours in the new normal,

Debbie Hall debbie.hall@sensimag.com

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Connect, Learn, Launch According to the January 2021 Leafly Jobs Report, the legal cannabis industry supports over 321,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, including plants and ancillary positions. Christi McAdams, CEO of Highlite Staffing, discovered the need for an education platform for industry professionals, those who wanted to enter the field, and enthusiasts to collaborate. Having worked in the cannabis industry since 2013, she developed the Cannabis Community College and currently serves as chairman of the board of directors. Initially, the platform provided education for state compliance, regulations, and standard operating procedures—a valuable resource for those beginning careers in the cannabis industry, working entry-level jobs in cultivation facilities, production labs, and dispensaries. It has since expanded to include net12

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working groups, webinars, and events to help unite the industry nationally and globally. “We added community to our platform,” explains McAdams. “Our members can create profiles, participate in free classes and workshops, and network with other members.” She, along with Rebecca Perrick, co-founded the Global Cannabis Industry Networking Group recruiting diplomats and ambassadors from all countries with legal (or close to legal) cannabis industries. Panels update members on how the industry is changing and, for fun, the panel will be presented in comic book form. Cannabis Community College is offering readers of Sensi magazine a free membership by applying online. Cannabis Community College / community.cannabiscommunitycollege.com Highlite Staffing / highlitestaffing.com

PHOTO BY ANNIE SPRATT

A new platform provides education for professionals in the cannabis industry.

CONTRIBUTOR

Debbie Hall

REIMAGINE THE WALLET

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) COURTESY OF EKSTER; BY MARIAN WEYO, SHUTTERSTOCK

New design safely holds essential information.

Fun fact: Wallets were developed after paper currency was introduced in the US in the 1600s. Today, people still carry wallets to hold their essentials, including driver’s licenses, credit cards, and cash. Ekster reimagined the traditional wallet, creating one that is easier to use and harder to lose. The Parliament Wallet was designed around the principle of efficiency, sustainability, and durability. Innovative materials—including vegan recycled leather (made from car windshields) and ECCO DriTan leather—offer a good feel for the wearer while helping the planet. The wallet is perfect for slim storage and quick card access. The built-in aluminum cardholder fans out cards at the click of a button and protects them against skimming. Customers can add a tracker card to make it unlosable. The new Metallic Edition Aluminum Cardholder, slim and durable, is crafted from space-grade aluminum with three metallic finishes, including rose, gold, and silver. Parliament Wallet and Metallic Edition Aluminum Cardholder / ekster.com

BY THE NUMBERS

BILLION The number of people who speak English, making it the most widely spoken tongue in the world

Hottest Cocktail Hashtags reveal libation inspiration.

According to brewsmartly.com, the most popular cocktail on TikTok is the margarita with 395.5 million hashtags. The classic favorite made with tequila surpassed the second most popular cocktail, the mojito, which garnered 252.5 million hashtags. The sweet and delightful mimosa ranks third with 232.8 million hashtags. Stirred, not shaken, martinis tip in at fourth with 147.5 million hashtags. Piña coladas, sangria, the tequila sunrise, Moscow mules, daiquiris, and mai tais round out the top of traditional drinks that never go out of flavor.

END POINTS Number in the hashtag symbol, an octothorpe with the prefix octomeaning eight

1.1

MILLION POUNDS Weight of the average cumulus cloud

A WOMAN IS LIKE A TEA BAG— YOU CAN’T TELL HOW STRONG SHE IS UNTIL YOU PUT HER IN HOT WATER.” —Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady (1933-1945), political figure, activist

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Shop and Sip at Khoury’s Fine Wine & Spirits! Big enough to serve, small enough to care. Here at Khoury’s we have a wide variety of hand-selected beers, a unique array of spirits, and a specially curated wine selection! With 20 rotating beer taps and wines by the glass, as well as any wine or beer from our shelves, you’re sure to find your newest obsession.

9915 S Eastern Ave #110, Las Vegas, NV 89183 (702) 435-9463 | Khourysfinewine.com

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THE BUZZ

Luxury Resales

This is not your mama’s thrifting. Wearing a luxury item defines that feeling of extravagance that makes it—hot. But the cost can be prohibitive for anyone on a budget. According to saveonenergy.com/uk, reselling and thrifting luxury fashion brands has grown 21 times faster than purchasing apparel new from retail outlets. Excellent quality and sophisticated designs keep the biggest luxury brands dominating the fashion world. Five of the most popular platforms for resales—Depop, eBay, ASOS Marketplace, Etsy, and Vestiaire Collective—ranked fashion brands that changed closets. Buyers love classic Louis Vuitton, the most resold luxury brand with 387,098 online resale listings. Just slightly behind, in second with 345,109 items, Gucci. Off-White comes in third, followed by Prada and Chanel.

NO CHEMICALS

PHOTOS (FROM TOP) BY NASSIM BOUGHAZI; COURTESY OF CAMP

Find your happy place with solventless products. CAMP produces Nevada’s first solventless products, a collection of live rosin cartridges using handpicked, hand-trimmed, and terpene-rich products. Strains including LA Kush Cake, First Class Funk, Animal Face were selected based on their terpene content, resin production, and the overall experience each one of these cuts provided. “CAMP is a quality-driven brand that believes in getting you to your happy place,” explains Aaron Nino, CAMP’s director of production. “The negative connotations associated with vaping caused us to look for a healthier, cleaner alternative to what already existed in the market. We extract using only ice, water, heat, and pressure, allowing our customers to consume a 100-percent natural cannabis cartridge with no additives.” According to Nino, solventless extraction is the future of cannabis; ironically, it has been around for centuries. “We’re starting to see more solventless concentrates, and even solventless edibles, which we believe is a direct result of consumers becoming more educated about what they are putting into their bodies.” CAMP aims to use methods of the past to serve as many people as possible in a health-conscious manner. “We will continue to innovate, creating quality connoisseur products that are a game-changer for solventless beginner consumers as well,” says Nino. The Source+ / thesourcenv.com/camp

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Q: Which U.S. President Asked Congress To Decriminalize Cannabis?

A: Jimmy Carter

Within ﬁrst six months of taking oﬃce, President Jimmy Carter was candid about cannabis. During a 1977 address to Congress, he asked they abolish federal penalties for possession. If we know this much about cannabis, imagine what we know to Lift Your Business.

all wom g n i all o love cannab

CONNECT WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS IN CITIES AROUND THE GLOBE

TOKEATIVITY.COM/CONNECT

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THE BUZZ

BILITIES BY STEPHANIE WILSON, EDITOR IN CHIEF

1 GETAWAY CAR: Parking space is the new personal space. Pinterest Predicts, the brand’s “not-yet-trending report” prognosticates that in 2021, cars will become the new “third space” for everything from date nights to man caves—which I can totally see happening ... for people who drive something larger than a Fiat.

2 FIFI THE FIAT: My car didn’t come with an owner’s manual; she came with an app. And the first time I opened it up, it greeted me with this statement/question combo: 85% of Fiat owners name their cars. What’s your Fiat’s name? 3 FIFI. Her name is Fifi. 4 I BROUGHT HER HOME ONE DAY IN AUGUST ALMOST EIGHT YEARS AGO, and she still makes me smile when I see her. She’s just cute, and her name fits her.

5 NOT MUCH ELSE FITS IN HER THOUGH, WHICH BRINGS ME BACK TO THE ORIGINAL POINT: Fifi doesn’t offer much space inside, but she can get me to places where space abounds. I am forever grateful for her tiny little engine that struggles a whole helluva lot trying to get up Colorado’s mountains. (Fifi’s more of a Florida girl at heart—#same. And also #soon!

6 AS IN: As soon as cannabis becomes legal for recreational use in

PHOTO BY KELLI HAYDEN

the Sunshine State, expect to see Fifi cruising back to the tropics. If you tag or send us an Insta of your and your (named) car (@stephwilll), we’ll be sure to wave if we see you when we’re out there on the road again.

“Hotness is uniqueness and just being yourself —that’s hot.” —Ryan Cabrera, musician

MUSIC IS FOREVER

A new production celebrates artists who left too soon. Some music infuses the soul and becomes the soundtrack of our lives. Six musicians who changed the musical landscape for eternity before leaving too soon are celebrated in 27—A Musical Adventure. The show pays homage to Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Robert Johnson, Jim Morrison, and Amy Winehouse. The all-new residency performs at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part of Curio Collection by Hilton (virginhotels.com/las-vegas). The audience travels on a retrospective journey through sight and sound as each artist is showcased playing respective contributions starting with Robert Johnson, the blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter who recorded landmark songs in 1936 and 1937. “Being in the music industry, I knew about Robert [Johnson] and wanted to honor his legacy,” explains Ramy El-Batrawi of Hen Entertainment, the show’s co-writer and co-producer. “Our show covers generations, and it is important to include those who really changed music for future artists.” Erik Himel, music director and lead guitar, brings his vast experience as an acclaimed session and touring guitarist. The tribute artists create the eras, including the ’70s with Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison, the ’90s with Cobain, and the 2000s with Winehouse. The show culminates with the artists performing together—a heavenly rock concert. 27—A Musical Adventure / Virgin Hotels Las Vegas / 4455 Paradise Road, Las Vegas / ticketbat.com

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Chill Nostalgic Cool off with cocktails inspired by the Roaring Twenties.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MOB MUSEUM

TEXT DEBBIE HALL

Summertime is here, with temperatures spiking into triple digits in southern Nevada and well into the ’90s to the north. A cool cocktail cuts the heat of our super-hot days and warm nights, especially when infused with flavor and history. Try out these contemporary beverages bringing the Roaring Twenties to the new ’20s. The Mob Museum (the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement) invites you to step back into the Prohibition era. Its new Prohibition Virtual Tour features a themed cocktail demonstration. The Underground Speakeasy, located in the basement of The Mob Museum, offers a well-stocked bar and a stage for lively environment inspired by that bygone era. The Underground Distillery celebrates the bootleggers, the rumrunners, and even the government agents who tried to take them down. Its centerpiece is a working still that produces moonshine sold at the museum. The Underground Speakeasy and Distillery / The Mob Museum / 300 Stewart Avenue / Las Vegas / themobmuseum.org

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Growin g the Industr y.

Upcoming shows are: Detroit, MI June 25-26 Chicago, IL August 6-7 New York, NY January 7-8 2022 Oklahoma City, OK March 31-April 1 2022

Shop, Learn, and Network at the Nations Leading Cannabis Conference and Expo. Tickets at CannaCon.org

THE LIFE

Moonshine Mayhem

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces house-infused moonshine ½ ounce pineapple juice

¼ ounce brown-sugar simple syrup Dehydrated pineapple wheel

INSTRUCTIONS

PHOTOS (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF THE MOB MUSEUM; BY JEN THEODORE

Combine all ingredients except pineapple wheel in a cocktail shaker and shake. Strain into a goblet glass and garnish with a dehydrated pineapple wheel.

Moonshine Infusion

Makes 2 jars

INGREDIENTS

750 ml of 100-proof Underground moonshine 1 whole pineapple, peeled and sliced

6 whole cardamom pods Zest of 2 lemons 1 bag of Earl Grey tea

INSTRUCTIONS

Add pineapple, cardamom, and lemon zest to moonshine. Let sit for seven days, stirring occasionally. Add tea bag and let sit for two hours (maximum). Remove tea bag and lemon peels. Puree in a Vitamix or blender and double strain into mason jars. J U LY 2021

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THE LIFE

Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar pairs house-made fares crafted from carefully sourced ingredients with specialty cocktails or wine from its impressive list. At its heart are two rustic wood-burning ovens where menu items are roasted daily. The menu reflects a simple and unfussy approach to refined cuisine, including artisanal salads, shared plates, and charcuterie selections.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HEARTHSTONE KITCHEN & CELLAR

Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar / Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa / 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas / hearthstonelv.com

Aviation Serves 1

ING REDIENTS

2 ounces Botanist dry gin 1 ounce creme de violette ¾ cup fresh lemon juice

Crushed ice Dehydrated orange slice Luxardo cherry

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine all ingredients except orange slice and cherry into a cocktail shaker. Add crushed ice and shake vigorously. Pour contents into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with dehydrated orange slice and a Luxardo cherry.

Sidecar Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces Remy Martin cognac 1 ounces Cointreau orange liqueur

¾ cup fresh lemon juice Crushed ice Orange peel

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine all ingredients except orange peel into cocktail shaker. Add crushed ice and shake vigorously. Sugar rim a martini or coupe glass and pour contents into the glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

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simply helping and friendly!

thehelpingfriendlysalve.com wholesale information email cs@thehelpingfriendlysalve.com or call 800.656.3534

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THE LIFE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mona Van Joseph is a professionally licensed intuitive reader in Las Vegas since 2002. Author, radio host, and columnist, she created the Dice Wisdom app and is available for phone and in-person sessions. mona.vegas

HOROSCOPE

JULY HOROSCOPE What do the stars hold for you? TEXT MONA VAN JOSEPH

very aware of coincidence. Ac- NOV. 22-DEC. 21 CANCER cept all random invitations, es- SAGITTARIUS The truth is that you cannot pecially if you’re placed in the Not all decisions have to be sustain toxic relationships. spotlight to help in some way. yours, and you don’t have It’s time to step back from to have all the answers. You people who are so self-abare not responsible for the SEPT. 23-OCT. 22 sorbed that they will sacri- LIBRA world, only your world. Defice their relationship with It’s time to claim expertise fer choice to the person it you to succeed. most affects, and enjoy the in your craft this month. A deep dive into your creativ- release and peace. JULY 23-AUG. 22 ity is the path to personLEO al happiness. The mantel of DEC. 22-JAN. 19 Move away from emotionthis new identity leads you CAPRICORN al investment in people who to important relationships. You will be set free this month but not necessarily in the way have deserted you. Instead, you want. You’ll want to stay focus on what you know you OCT. 23-NOV. 21 where you are with “the devils do well. Allow the people SCORPIO who really care about you to You don’t want to be where you know.” Please consider the devils you have yet to meet— step forward. you are anymore—bored, it’s a better arrangement. stressed, out-of-sorts. The AUG. 23-SEPT. 22 challenge is that you’re goVIRGO ing to have to be willing to JAN. 20-FEB. 18 Stay centered this month, con- move if you want something AQUARIUS Take care of the people who trol impulsiveness, and be better or different. JUNE 21-JULY 22

CANCER, IT’S TIME TO STEP BACK FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE SO SELFABSORBED THAT THEY WILL SACRIFICE THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU TO SUCCEED.

have taken care of you. Express gratitude to those who have encouraged you and kept you focused. It’s pragmatic and appropriate to reward to those who’ve helped you shine.

parisons of others (their jealous energy) will undermine your efforts, especially those that don’t serve them. Enjoy your secrets.

FEB. 19-MAR. 20

Watch out for the cheap people this month. A man in your circle has the nerve to think you’re supposed to keep serving him. Just stop and see what (if anything) comes back to you.

PISCES

APR. 20-MAY 20

TAURUS

Now that you’ve realized your potential, it’s time to act on situations you’ve earned. List five things that you want in your life and relax into vibrational attraction. You now have the ener- MAY 21-JUNE 20 gy and the credentials: act GEMINI on your wants. Your talents are more diverse than you typically adMAR. 21-APR. 19 mit. Invest in those talents ARIES for yourself this month. ReBe quiet about your success- start a project that should es. The small-minded comhave been yours all along. J U LY 2021

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CONSUMED BY

DES

The discerning content creators at Bingham X capture the seductive side of consumption. PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING BINGHAM X

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Once upon a time, Landon Bartley worked as the city planner for Grand Rapids, Michigan. When the cannabis industry came to town, he tried to help working within the system. But he learned that to really make a difference, he had to go out on his own. This is the story of how a cannabis superhero found his power. TEXT TRACY ROSS

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PHOTO CREDIT

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n the days before he became Weed Man, Landon Bartley’s job was policy researcher for the state of Michigan. In that role, he focused on creating innovative ways for cities to better their economies in order to keep people from leaving. That was pre-2008, when Michigan legalized medical marijuana and the opportunity for Michigan residents to become caregivers for those in need. When it did, Bartley recognized an opportunity. At the City of Grand Rapids Planning Department, he told his bosses, “Hey, we should allow this in some form or at least make sure the caregivers can grow at home without getting nailed,” he says. The 2008 legislation—the

Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, which was passed by voters statewide through a ballot initiative— legalized caregivers and patients, but not commercial growers (or processors or retailers or safety testing labs or transporters). The commercial industry didn’t become legal in the Wolverine State until 2016 with the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act, which was passed by the legislature and not voters. Medical grows were now legal in the state and in cities, but the language of the bill did not address zoning. An amendment allowing caregiving to be a home occupation was in the ordinance for several years, and Bartley wanted to get zoning off the ground. But a series of court challenges determined that a city couldn’t regulate such a thing.

A TOUGH PROCESS Fast forward to 2018 when Michigan legalized adult recreational use. Legalization passed by a wide margin on a ballot initiative, and state government began to create a framework within which the cannabis industry could operate. Individual cities had the opportunity to opt in or out. By then, Bartley had been planner for the city of Grand Rapids for over a decade. “Among staff we raised the question,” he says. “Should we be introducing land uses for the commercial cannabis industry? At the time, the city council said, ‘no thanks.’” There are approximately 1,773 municipalities in Michigan, and currently, only about 150 have opted to allow the medical industry, and about 80–90 allow the adult use (recreational) industry. In 2018, Grand Rapids opted

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in for medical marijuana and, in 2020, for adult use. But, similar to other cities, Bartley says, it created its own rules for zoning. The West Michigan Cannabis Guild, a lobbying group for cannabis-interested individuals, approached the City looking to coordinate. The city was concerned that the ballot language would be overly permissive and wanted to have some reasonable land-use controls—like keeping retail stores in commercial areas and grows in industrial areas. Some at the city seemed to take it as a threat, but Bartley says the staff thought a zoning amendment would be a good compromise position. “In retrospect, I think that was probably true, but I think the rules are pretty onerous,” he says. Bartley remembers hearing conversations about what was in the guild’s proposal, and his sense was that they thought it was too open. Zoning is meant to protect public health, safety, and welfare, so Bartley understood the council’s reaction. The city drafted its own language after a few months of community engagement and discussions with Commissioners. The outcome was opting in for medical. Ultimately, the city opted in to allow adult use in 2020. “I wouldn’t say I was an advocate when I started working with marijuana operators, but I became one as I began to understand the industry better,” Bartley says. “We did what we thought was best for everyone—including operators, customers, and the general public—when we wrote the zoning language allowing the medical cannabis industry. When we went 46

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through the application process, we identified some items that seemed to be problematic, at least for applicants. Although the adult use zoning language was adopted after I left, I think staff did a similarly good job trying to balance things for everyone involved. Some later changes to the code, though, made it harder on the industry and I think worked against some of the City’s social equity goals.” Bartley went to work getting to know many of the players who

“I WOULD REMIND MUNICIPALITIES, THOUGH, THAT

CANNABIS ISIT’S BEEN HERE; HERE; AND IT’S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE HERE.” —Landon Bartley

wished to be part of the local industry; there were no people of color or locals. However, outsiders were flocking to town. Grand Rapids is a big-market city in a big-market state. Michigan has the second-biggest cannabis market in the U.S., so people were watching it closely and announcing, “I want to be there.” Bartley’s issue with the ordinance was that it was quite restrictive, and resulted in 25 to 30 stores being approved across the

whole city. There was very high demand for property but very limited supply because of the ordinance, which resulted in significant increases in land costs. That shut out a lot of locals—regardless of skin color—because they simply weren’t as well capitalized as some of the other players. Certain properties increased in value tenfold overnight. For some enterprises, bringing a local on provided incentives, by giving application priority to groups that

had a higher percentage of ownership by city residents. The entrepreneurs would involve them through various means, and make them part owner, and the city “had to be very careful—is this actually meeting the intent of the law?” Bartley says. That was a tough process. He and some other staffers privately wondered why regulators were making cannabis business development so hard on themselves. “What it usually came down to

was fear,” says Bartley. Government officials are elected, of course, and there’s a lot of misinformation about cannabis in the world. But the industry wanted to keep coming in, and, it turned out, Bartley became the man to help it. SUPERHERO ON THE SCENE Then something unexpected happened: Bartley became known around town as the “Weed Man.” He’d walk down the street and get two kinds of reactions: People

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who supported his work would say he was looking out for them, and that they didn’t feel that too much from government. Those who didn’t would make passive-aggressive quips, like the man he passed on the street who pulled his mask down to say, “You were supposed to protect us.” Bartley says he was still a planner, though, still covering all aspects of land use, still looking at the best ways to “make a city work from a systems approach.” But he found cannabis industry planning so interesting that in July of 2020, he stepped out from his 14-yearlong role as city planner and became a planning consultant—working with, among others, cannabis operators, most of which are based in Grand Rapids. Since he made that move, Bartley says his career has been in constant flux. He’s now a board member for the West Michigan Cannabis Guild and is trying to help bridge the gaps between the local industry, the government, and the general public. “There are groups in the City who have fought against the cannabis industry, but there are also a lot of people who are open and willing to consider that the cannabis industry is just like any other,” he says. “I’m very excited about some conversations that we’re just getting started between myself, a couple of cannabis operators, and some members of the local religious community, facilitated by some elected officials.” One silver lining when it comes to tough cannabis regulations is that cannabis operators have to be really good neighbors if they’re going to succeed. The ones in Grand Rapids are motivated to

“I DON’T BLAME ANYONE FOR BEING WORRIED ABOUT CANNABIS…THE PROBLEM IS WHEN

GOOD OPERATORS ARE VILIFIED SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH THEY’RE TRYING TO OPERATE.” —Landon Bartley

work with neighborhoods, keep their buildings and properties looking good, and do what they can to support the surrounding community. “Many of them are moving to the city, and they’re certainly hiring from the surrounding neighborhoods. Many of them have also made significant commitments in regards to social equity, whether it’s paying a living wage or supporting their employees with education, good benefits, et cetera,” Bartley says. Over his years in the industry, Bartley has seen a “sea change” from where it was just a few years ago. “Heck, the Governor of Alabama just signed a medical cannabis bill into law today, with overwhelming support,” he says. “I didn’t see that coming for a while. But, change is incremental, and this is really uncharted territory for a lot of governments. I don’t blame anyone for being worried about cannabis. There’s been so much disinformation, and so little research, and there’s so far to go. The problem is more when good operators are vilified simply because of the industry in which they’re trying to operate.” “There’s nothing inherently evil about this plant; I think we just need to respect it. It’s a legitimate medicine that can be good for some people and bad for others. I would remind municipalities, though, that cannabis is here; it’s been here; and it’s going to continue to be here,” Bartley says. “The question we’re really dealing with is, do we want to allow a legal industry to produce, process, test, and sell it? And do we want our laws to make it harder for that industry to succeed, or easier?” J U LY 2021

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Indigenous Impact Storytelling and art raise awareness for Native people. TEXT DEBBIE HALL

The Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum opened on Jan. 13, 2020, to interpret the history of Stewart Indian School. The federal government operated 50

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Stewart Indian School for 90 years before it was closed in 1980. Boarding schools such as Stewart were set up to forcefully assimilate Native American children beginning in

the late 1800s. This policy impacted thousands of Native students from the Great Basin tribal nations and over 200 Tribal Nations over the school’s long history.

The museum, now open, celebrates the region’s artists while playing an important role in continuing the difficult conversation about the treatment of Native

MORE INFO

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEWART INDIAN SCHOOL CULTURAL CENTER & MUSEUM

The Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum 1 Jacobsen Way, Carson City stewartindianschool.com

peoples in the United States. The permanent exhibition “Our Home, Our Relations” depicts indigenous students’ boarding-school experiences at Stewart. The museum also has classroom space for lectures, educational activities, and public programs, and it provides resources for relatives and others to research people who attended Stewart boarding school. The museum also features the Wa-Pai-Shone Gallery of contemporary Great Basin Native art. The Storytelling Room offers storytelling and craft making. The latest exhibit, BEADS: Indigenous Beadwork of the Great Basin, features contemporary Indigenous artists from Nevada’s Northern and Southern Paiute, Washoe, and Western Shoshone tribal nations. The exceptional col-

lection of beadworks, including beaded goblets and cradleboards, will be displayed through Oct. 23. The Great Basin Native Artists includes the collective of indigenous artists from the Great Basin—Nevada, Southern Oregon, California, Southern Idaho, and Utah. Exhibits promote public knowledge about the art and peoples of the Great Basin, according to the collective’s founder and curator Melissa Melero-Moose, Northern Paiute, enrolled in Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe. “Great Basin Native Artists is so honored to have this beautiful space to exhibit our artwork and share with our community these American artists unique to this area of Nevada,” she says. Items are showcased from the cultural center’s permanent collection, donated pieces from

the Native community, and print examples of Indigenous Great Basin artists featured in top fashion magazines and art exhibits. This exhibition features a beaded landscape of Pyramid Lake by Burton Pete, Northern Paiute from Schurz. Pete attended Stewart Indian School and graduated in 1961, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and moving to Reno, creating unique art over four decades. His art included wood-carved dolls, traditional weaponry, headdresses, and unique beaded portraits. His landscape on display was beaded one bead at a time in tight single rows, using up to 75,000 beads. Guests attending the museum can use the self-guided cellphone audio tour to explore the historic campus. This walking tour allows attendees to view the spec-

tacular stone buildings flanked by the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains and learn from alumni about their boarding school experiences. Guests can purchase merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, water bottles, cups, lanyards, tote bags, and ornaments to support the center. The Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum is part of the Nevada Indian Commission, a Nevada state agency. The center and museum documents and shares first-hand accounts of the Native American students and how these national policies still reverberate in Native communities.

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B THE SCENE

HIGH SOCIETY

Bringing the Beach to Vegas Restaurateur Nick Mathers (Wish You Were Here Group) debuted the Kassi Beach House at the all-new Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (Curio Collection by Hilton) with a private, invite-only grand opening event. The evening came alive as celebrities and VIPs graced the black carpet, including Brandi Cyrus, Josh Murray, Jessica Serfaty, Lindsey Pelas, Emily Sears, and Jonboy. DJ Brandi kept heads bobbing and drinks flowing with her creatively eclectic vibes. Everyone raised their signature Kassi cocktails for a toast while delighting over Executive Chef Josh Stockton’s veal Milanese and spaghetti cacio e pepe entrées, the overwhelming favorites of the night.

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GRAND OPENING AND VIP PARTY WHERE: KASSI BEACH HOUSE, VIRGIN HOTELS LAS VEGAS WHEN: MAY 28, 2021 PHOTOS: PATRICK GRAY/KABIK PHOTO GROUP AND CARLOS MACIAS

THE SCENE HIGH SOCIETY

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Fighting for freedom is Join the revolution at norml.org

P R O M OT I O N A L F E AT U R E N AT I O N A L C A N N A B I S R I S K M A N AG E M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N

Risk Management What you don’t know can hurt you.

very business owner knows about risk; it is a constant presence in their lives. The specter of risk drives critical business decisions, from funding and hiring to liability coverage. Nowhere is this more evident than in the fast-changing and continually evolving cannabis industry. Cannabis is one of the most highly scrutinized industries in the country, so operators owe it to themselves to ensure that they have properly protected their investment. That’s where the National Cannabis Risk Management Association (NCRMA) comes in. As the nation’s only dedicated risk management association focused solely on cannabis, NCRMA brings a level of expertise to its members that enables long-term sustainability and success. It provides the education, support, and ex-

pertise necessary to mitigate potential threats and help cannabis industry professionals keep their businesses safe, compliant, and thriving. NCRMA lives its mission statement: Making our members better through education, support, and expertise. “Our level of expertise spans from seed to the consumer with a team of consultants bringing a combined 75 years of experience in property and liability, risk, cannabis operations, occupational safety, compliance, and agriculture,” says NCRMA Chief Risk Management Officer Alex Hearding. “This culmination of experience and expertise allows us to offer one-ofa-kind tools and cannabis-specific solutions designed to improve overall business results, optimize daily operational efficiencies, decrease unnecessary expenses, and increase

the bottom line.” Through the use of the NCRMA’s proprietary cloud-based platform, CRP2TM (Cannabis Risk Prevention PlatformTM), its consultants are equipped to quickly identify potential threats through a scorecard and detailed report. These results allow the NCRMA to address risks in a holistic manner and create customized solutions that minimize the potential for business interruptions. Recognizing the explosive growth in the cannabis industry, NCRMA has regional offices and vetted service partners across the country, which work directly with NCRMA members to provide knowledge, proficiency, and “A common support—and much more. NCRMA’s Chronic Risk podcast cannabis offers detailed insights from cannabis industry industry leaders. Through its innovamyth is that tive association-owned captive model, by having NCRMA has a network of Appointed Brokers who offer insurance products insurance, you are and coverages. Then, there is NCRM Academy—an online learning platform properly that provides members access to over managing 30 different courses on all aspects your risks, of cannabis operations. All of this when in combined ensures that your business reality, is prepared and your risks addressed. “A common cannabis industry myth insurance is only a is that by having insurance, you are properly managing your risks, when small part in reality, insurance is only a small of the risk part of the risk management framemanagement work,” says NCRMA Chairman Rocco framework.” Petrilli. “Having a firm grasp over risk management is vital to the success of —NCRMA Chairman any business.” Rocco Petrilli

National Cannabis Risk Management Association The nation’s only cannabis risk management association ncrma.net J U LY 2021

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THE END

MORE INFO

Canna-Camels Camel Safari desertranchexperience.com/activities

Desert Sanctuary Get in touch with the wild on a lit safari tour.

In the Mojave Desert along the Virgin River, 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, wide-open desert skies, rising mountains, and desert terrain surround 176 acres of the Camel Safari desert ranch—home to over 30 camels, a two-toed sloth, African crested porcupine, six-banded armadillo, two sand cats, two New Guinea singing dogs, camel calves, Bactrian camels, and Dromedary camels. Along with other tours, Camel Safari offers Canna-Camels for cannabis enthusiasts. Upon arriving at the ranch, the adventure starts with meeting some of the gentle camels. Be prepared; while 56

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trying to focus a screen on capturing a pic to post on social media, a camel might just plant a kiss on the cheek or blow in the ear! The safari tram circles the property and guests can engage with the animals, snapping photos, and learning valuable facts, such as what is stored in the hump of a camel (it’s not water). Doug the camel is known to follow the tram, asking (maybe demanding) all of the attention. Whether enjoying the sunshine through the trees (for shade) or witnessing a breathtaking desert sunset along with rare nocturnal animal encounters under the brilliant stars, guests can sit and relax

at the property’s picnic tables with refreshing treats. Guests are encouraged to pre-order cannabis products in advance online, specifying “curbside pickup” and entering code “cannacamel” in the notes, good for 20 percent off their entire purchase or an edible for a penny (minimum purchase required). The sanctuary is an accredited Zoological Association of America operation, a member of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, and a Disney-approved vendor. Camel Safari also supports conservation efforts for animals in danger of becoming extinct.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMEL SAFARI

TEXT DEBBIE HALL

POT IN PANS

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WEED MAN

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NORCAL

NEW ENGLAND

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

JULY 2021

THE ART OF CONSUMPTION

A sensual photo experience from Bingham X

POT IN PANS

A history of eating cannabis

ART OF CONSUMPTION The sensual side of smoke

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MLB fans and cannabis

Roaring ’20s–inspired cocktails

ART OF CONSUMPTION The sensual side of smoke

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A history of eating cannabis

MICHIGAN

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C O LO R A D O

JULY 2021

WEED MAN

The activist’s origin story

WEED MAN The origin story of hometown hero Landon Bartley

MAKE WAVES Inside the Kassi Beach House grand opening

THE ART OF CONSUMPTION A sensual photo experience from Bingham X

SEE ALL THE JULY EDITIONS NOW AVAILABLE!

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MLB fans and cannabis

ROLL A BUNT

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