This is it. On July 1, rec-reational marijuana be-comes a part of Nevada’s menu of grown-up indul-gences, alongside table gaming and celebrity restaurants. It’s difficult to remember something whose arrival in this town has been more hotly an-ticipated. Some dispen-saries are even opening their doors to the public at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, like a movie studio de-buting a blockbuster the night before opening day. (If you’d like to get in line at one of those dispen-saries right now, like you once queued up for new iPhones and Harry Potter, the map on Page 72 will make your life easier.)

But simply having legal marijuana in your town isn’t the same as running out and getting some. If you’re nervous about going to a dispensary—or if you’ve never even tried cannabis before—read on. We’ll tell you where to get it, where to enjoy it and even which strain pairs best with weekend hikes.

Strain: Bedtime StoryAvailable at Essence Cannabis DispensaryGrown by Desert Grown Farms

(Jon Estrada/Special to Weekly)

COVER STORY13

WEEKLY | 06.29.17

12WEEKLY | 06.29.17COVER STORY

Items available at Essence Cannabis DispensarySources: Desert Grown Farms; The Facility; Evergreen Organix; Green Life Productions; Highly Edible; AMA X DGF

You might endanger Your job. Not to be a party pooper, but the feds still consider weed to be as bad as heroin. So even though it’s legal in Nevada, don’t be surprised if your employer defers to federal laws. The Gaming Control Board has taken a firm stance against marijuana, and casinos have more to lose than gain from bucking convention. There are no job protections for employ-ees who consume, and some fields, such as law enforcement, flat-out prohibit consumption.

So how can you exercise your freedom and remain gainfully employed? If you already have a job, don’t give your boss reason to suspect anything. Don’t show up to work reeking of weed, and do show up sober. Also, keep your giant bong off social media.

If you’re on the job hunt, chill on consuming until you know the rules of your new gig. It would be a shame to apply for your dream job, interview and get chosen … only to have the offer rescinded when you fail the new hire drug test. MGM Resorts, one of Nevada’s largest employers, isn’t changing its current employee drug testing procedures—and yes, it tests for marijuana. Keep out of reach of children. Being a responsible cannabis user means being mindful of those around you. Edibles, in particular, can be inviting to youngsters (or unsuspecting adults). And even though a regulation prevents cannabis products from being “modeled after a brand of products primarily consumed by or marketed to children,” we’ve spotted edibles on the market that look a whole lot like candy. So keep your goodies in their wrap-pers—and where visitors can’t accidentally find them. taKe extra care with edibles. Unless you’re a weed ninja, you’ll need to be cautious with doses. Edibles can trick you. A tiny sliver of chocolate can pack a wallop, and it can take several hours to kick in. In the meantime, resist the temptation to consume more because you “don’t feel anything.” Horror stories of freak-outs and overwhelming paranoia abound. If you didn’t know the differ-ence between a bottle of light beer and a bottle of whiskey, would you down the latter to find out? Know the rules of the road. How long do you have to wait before you’re safe to drive? Can you consume the equivalent of “one beer” and then drive? How much is too much? Nobody really knows, and the answer varies with a bunch of factors, such as weight and tolerance. We’re delving into uncharted territory when it comes to the effects of marijuana. Here’s what we can tell you: Urine tests are out, blood tests are in and, as of July 1, officers will only be testing for the active substances in your bloodstream. The inac-tive stuff that can linger in your system for weeks or months will no longer cause a conviction, a Metro spokesman explained. Police will only pull you over if you give them probable cause. If you feel in any way weird, even if it’s the next day, don’t drive.

By Geoff Carter

So, you’ve decided to buy some of the marijuana products you voted to legalize last November. What will it be like? According to Armen Yemenidjian, CEO of Essence Can-nabis Dispensaries—whose branches at 5765 W. Tropicana Ave. and 2307 Las Vegas Blvd. S. will begin recreational sales at 12:01 a.m. on July 1—it should be a very relaxed and person-alized experience.

“When you come through the door, you’ll be greeted by staff, who will ask if you’re a recreational cus-tomer or medical patient,” Yemenidjian says. (Other dispensaries do things somewhat differently: “We have separate lines for rec and med,” says Medizin’s VP of sales and marketing, Tanya Lupien.) You’ll be asked to provide proof that you’re at least 21 years old, but that information won’t be recorded. (Essence and other dispensaries do run customer loyalty programs that require personal information, but that’s voluntary.)

Once your age has been verified, you’ll be admitted to a secure consultation/waiting area, where you can draw cash (a necessity; see “Weed 101” on Page 16) from an ATM, then proceed to one of the sale stations, where you’ll talk with a consultant.

“The consultant’s first question will be, ‘Have you ever tried cannabis before?’” Yemenidjian says. “Then they’ll ask in what form you’d like to consume it. The consultant will only ask pre-qualifying questions to better gauge what to recommend to you, and

they’ll point you in the right direction.” And, of course, you’re encouraged to ask questions in return—What do you rec-ommend as a sleep aid? What’s the most discreet way to consume? Which strain is best for that Twin Peaks reboot?

Both Yemenidjian and Lupien explain that most dispensaries are staffed with “budtenders” whose mission is to help cus-tomers from the start of the process to the

finish. If you need further clarifica-tion, you’ll be invited to look at the

array of products in the cases—edibles, concentrates, vape

pens and the like. You won’t find Whole Foods-style bulk bins full of flower, but Essence’s Yemenidjian says that you’ll be able check out

any flower you like before you com-mit to purchase. “We have sniff jars,” he says. “You’ll be able to look at it, smell it and make a determination.”

After that, you make your selections—keep in mind, different strains and products can have dramatically different strengths and ef-fects—and select all the cannabis your green heart desires, up to the one-ounce legal limit. (A conversion table is provided for concentrates, edibles, vapes and other products that can’t simply be weighed like flower can.) Then you put your cash down, gather up your purchases and walk out into the new world. And seriously, if your favorite dispensary has a loyalty pro-gram, look into joining it. You’ll likely be back.

(Jon

Est

rada

/Spe

cial

to W

eekl

y)

By C. Moon reed

COVER STORY15

WEEKLY | 06.29.17

14WEEKLY | 06.29.17COVER STORY

The righT sTrain for every endeavor

Whether for medical purposes, recreational fun or a little of both,

more people across the country are embracing the delicious highs

of cannabis, and now Nevada can, too. But which strains should you

try first, and which activities do they best pair with? Seattle Weekly

cannabis writer Meagan Angus recommends these five strains to

get you started down the Emerald Path, and these activities to get

the most enjoyment out of each.

This sativa dominant strain features the refreshing taste of mangoes. Rich in CBDs, the element in weed that deals with physical pain, and a bit lower in THC, the element in weed that gets you high, Harlequin is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This com-bination provides an alert and focused high, with diminished pain. I can’t think of a better strain to smoke before hik-ing the Valley of Fire or other trippy Nevada landscapes.

Let’s face it, even when we want to get high, we still have to get stuff done. This extremely popular pure sativa strain comes to us all the way from South Africa, and is the perfect companion for your busy days. Providing an energetic, posi-vibe high, just a couple puffs of sweet, earthy Durban Poison can feel like a strong cup of coffee, and leaves people with a nice pep in their step.

This blissed-out sativa dominant hybrid is the perfect combination of smiles, body highs and energy to compliment a night out dancing or seeing a concert. The herbal sage flavor will sit well with your gin and tonics. Uplifting and sexy, this is my No. 1 pick for hitting the clubs and dancing until the sun comes up.

There are plenty of reasons why this hybrid strain is so famous. For start-ers, it’s pretty strong, so it doesn’t take much to get stoned. Its proven ability to combat pain, loss of appe-tite and nausea makes it a favorite for cancer patients, but it can also provide a euphoric, visionary high perfect for stimulating the muse in you. Try this the next time you’re feeling creative and inspired.

This 20-year-old strain of indica from New Orleans is notorious for inducing an expe-rience called “couch lock”—as in, you’re so high that you’re locked to the couch. Deeply tranquilizing, Bubba Kush mellows tensions and muscles with a dreamy, re-laxing high. With a luscious flavor profile of coffee and chocolate, this is a perfect strain for staying in bed all day, binge-watching Netflix and eating takeout.

Editor’s note: Brian Greenspun, the CEO, publisher and editor of Greenspun Media Group, the parent company of Las Vegas Weekly, has an ownership interest in Essence Cannabis Dispensary.

(indica) Relaxed effects; peppery, earthy flavors.

(sativa) Relaxed, creative effects; sweet, blueberry flavors.

(indica) Happy, sleepy effects; earthy,berry flavors.

(indica) Uplifted, happy effects; sweet, spicy, citrus-y flavors.

(indica) Euphoric effects; lemony, earthy flavors.

(indica) Relaxed, happy effect; earthy flavors.

1. Nevada dispensaries can’t accept checks or credit cards. The DEA still considers marijuana a Schedule I Controlled Substance, which makes it illegal at the federal level—and any bank with which a dispensary could do business is subject to federal regulation. The dispensaries aren’t wild about the situation, either. “We would love noth-ing more than to be able to take credit cards,” says Essence’s Armen Yemenidjian. “No one in cannabis wants to be an all-cash business; it’s more time-consuming.” Luckily, most dispensa-ries—including Essence—have on-site ATMs.

2. Don’t go to Henderson to buy … yet.Last February, the Hender-son City Council adopted a wait-and-see approach to recreational marijuana, with a six-month moratorium on sales. Henderson’s dis-pensaries are expected to come on board by August.

4. Expect to pay a bit more than medicinal marijuana customers. A 10 percent retail tax, tacked onto all recreational sales during Nevada’s recent legisla-tive session, will be applied at checkout. But it’s okay: Those monies will be used to shore up Nevada’s “rainy day fund,” 40 percent of which will be used to replenish the state’s education coffers.

6. Brace for dry mouth. Marijuana contains THC, a can-nabinoid—the chemical com-pounds in cannabis that influence the receptors in your brain and body. And aside from interacting with the cannabinoid receptors in your brain and nervous system to produce euphoria, THC causes your submandibular glands to temporarily quit producing saliva. Combat the shutdown by drinking lots of water ... like you should be doing anyway. –Geoff Carter

3. Ignore those rumors that medical weed is stronger. “At the current time, anything that’s medical is also recreational; we’ve merged the two systems,” State Senator Tick Segerblom says. The Snoop Dogg OG you buy will be identical to the stuff your medi-cal card-carrying friend buys—with one caveat …

5. Keep it at home. One of the strict conditions of legalization is that you can only partake on your own property, or on the property of a friend who has given you permission. That means you can’t smoke on the streets, at concerts, in casinos, at bars or anywhere else where non-consenting parties might be present. (That includes in private cars on public roads.)

Essence Cannabis Dispensary (Wade Vandervort/ Special to Weekly) COVER STORY

17WEEKLY | 06.29.17

16WEEKLY | 06.29.17COVER STORY