Since their humble beginnings in a Northern California kitchen, Kiva founders Kristi Knoblich and Scott Palmer have been redefining the cannabis-infused edible as we know it. After noticing how unpredictable edibles were, Knoblich and Palmer wanted to create an edible people could rely on. Kiva products offer reliable dosages every time, so you always know what you are signing up for. They’ve also created products specifically for microdosing to take the edge off while maintaining clarity to get stuff done.

Kiva’s commitment to food safety and business integrity has garnered the trust of their loyal customers in California, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois, Hawaii and beyond. Their chocolate, mints, and gummies have earned them top spots in competitions, including 8 “Best Edible” wins. But don’t take our word for it–we talked to founder Kristi Knoblich to learn more about the award-winning brand.

Q

What sets Kiva apart from other edibles out there?

A

I created KIVA in 2010 with a single goal to create a premium edible that redefined what a cannabis confection ought to be. By adhering to the highest standards of product quality, certified production methods, efficacy testing, and innovation, KIVA Confections is now renowned industry-wide for producing and delivering the safest, most convenient, and delicious tasting cannabis products to a discerning and deserving community. We uphold this through an unwavering commitment to efficacy, food safety, and steadfast business integrity. The brand is also extremely forward thinking, and constantly draws inspiration for current and future brand offerings from unexpected sources like art, history, travel, pop culture, and more.

Q

Kiva is all about reliability. How do you guys ensure precise dosing every time?

A

Our stringent efficacy testing and production methods ensure precise dosing every time, so consumers can expect a consistent and reliable experience when they enjoy our products. All KIVA products are scored into 5mg THC pieces or less, so it’s easy to properly and accurately dose out the right amount for you.

Q

What changes in the cannabis industry do you hope to inspire through your brand?

A

Here at KIVA, we are very passionate about doing the right thing for the consumer and hope other brands follow suit, especially with cannabis regulation and reform becoming more mainstream. Whether it’s our quality control procedures, our product innovation pipeline or our excellent customer service, we are always thinking of our consumers and how we can best serve them, and want other brands to see themselves this way, rather than just being a revenue stream.

Q

What are the pitfalls or challenges for women in cannabis?

A

I think quite the opposite, actually. Since the industry is so male-dominated right now, myself and other female founders are able to stand out amongst the crowd. As a woman in cannabis, I’m able to offer a unique perspective which gives me a leg up on the competition.

Q

Can you tell us about your new line, Camino?

A

With our latest product, Camino Gummies, we tailored terpene blends to achieve a certain effect with each of our gummy formulations. For example, our Wild Berry flavor offers a chill, relaxing effect, so it’s the perfect way to unwind at the end of a long, hectic day. Contrastly, our Pineapple Habanero flavor offers uplifting effects, so consumers love it for more social activities, like before a concert or event.

Q

What’s next for Kiva?

A

We are exploring all kinds of new product categories and mediums to infuse with cannabis — innovation is truly at the core of our brand identity. Markets outside of California provide great opportunity to expand the brand to canna-curious people on the other coasts, and being from Oakland, we are also passionate about expanding our California distribution reach and fortify our pre-existing relationships with our dispensary buyers.

The post Brand spotlight with Kiva’s Kristi Knoblich appeared first on Flowertown.

The first great example of infusion was when seventeenth-century Portuguese sailors added brandy to their red wine so it lasted longer on long trips across the Atlantic to the New World, henceforth inventing sangria.

Since then, mixing products to improve on originals has seemingly become hardwired in our DNA. How else to explain rose-added facial toner, garlic olive oil, mint tea and fruit-infused everything?

It seems inevitable that products of all stripes are now eyeing cannabis as the next big infusion; however, not as a flavor, scent, or taste additive but as a wellness enhancer.

Cannabis has long been added to various foodstuffs to ease ingestion, and nearly five thousand years ago cannabis tea was promoted for its benefits in China. Today’s entrepreneurs, though, are using cannabis in creative—and unexpected—new ways.

Relief by Foria – CC BY

Cannabis tampons

True, the branding is a bit of a misnomer. But these vaginal suppositories—designed to be used with traditional tampons—are proving to be a miracle cure for women looking for relief from menstrual cramps and related back pain. Manufactured by Foria, the suppository—made of cocoa butter, distilled THC oil, and CBD isolate grown from organic hemp—takes away pain without giving women a psychotropic high, so they are suitable for work or anywhere else.

Pleasure by Foria – CC BY

Personal lubricant

We, just as much as anyone else, are curious about the future of sex and cannabis. Potentially an aphrodisiac, THC-infused lubricants won’t make you raid the refrigerator or go for the Funyuns, but they will induce a warm, relaxed sensation in the area where used, along with reported heightened sensations.

CanChew by Axim Biotech – CC BY

Chewing gum

AXIM Biotechnologies has developed the Canchew Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Gum, specifically created for dental issues and infused with CBG. The cannabinoids’ anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties can help people with tooth pain, swollen gums, or other dental problems. Since CBG is a known bone stimulant, it could theoretically help reverse the damage caused by cavities.

Hemp Infused Ink by S8 – CC BY

Tattoo ink and balms

There are numerous cannabis-infused lotions and balms designed to minimize post-tattoo inflammation and discomfort. The applications also help protect new ink from the sun’s UV light. There is also a hemp-infused ink sold by S8, which says its product is safe for all skin types, vegan, and was never tested on animals. Win-win-win.

While these may be some of the more bizarre cannabis infusions, they are some timeless classics, most notably great edibles. Take a look at some of our favorites, which could be a new addition to your healthy diet.

The post Crazy cannabis products appeared first on Flowertown.

Amongst all the news surrounding the proposed border wall, one recent story made cannabis headlines: a proposal that the wall should be made of hemp.

Of course, its not the first time hemp has been used for function. Hemp ropes were used for hundreds of years. Hemp clothes and sacks are still used to this day. In fact, canvas is derived from the word cannabis. The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper. George Washington grew it on his farm and now Congress has finally legalized its cultivation.

Non-consumable hemp has been a gateway for general cannabis acceptance. In fact, as the stigma lifts off this useful plant, we’re starting to find more and more uses for it then ever before.

Enter Hempcrete.

This building material is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials and could actually change the way we approach construction in a more efficient way.

What is hempcrete?

Hempcrete is a biocomposite, which means it combines resin with natural fibers. In this case, the biocomposite is made up of hemp, lime (the construction material, not the accent to your margarita), and water.

Though this material is commonly referred to as hempcrete, much like Kleenex or Band-Aids, there’s an actual Hempcrete company with several competing brands.

Hempcrete has all the trademarks of a trendy, eco-friendly construction alternative. It is naturally non-toxic and energy efficient. Hempcrete creates incredible insulation when compared to their counterparts and lasts 100s of years. The carbon negative material actively reduces the carbon footprint of whatever the hempcrete creates. It is also flame, water, and pest resistant.

Though ancient Romans used hemp to build bridges, modern day usage is mostly prevalent in France while American builders require a special permit.

As laws around hemp relax in the States, farmers are excited about this potential revenue stream since the hemp plants are highly-sustainable and fast growers.

How is it used in buildings?

Hempcrete is often used to build single-story structures since it’s not a great load-bearing material. It is, however, quite shockproof, so areas prone to earthquakes can benefit from its use.

It can fill unique molds or create standard cinder blocks, but it tends to require additional support, functioning more like drywall than concrete.

The most popular and practical use for this hemp-based wonder is as thermal insulation. In addition to maintaining internal temperatures, hempcrete also stores moisture and releases it in certain conditions.

For humid climates where buildings are susceptible to mold, this ability can create better living and breathing conditions. If that weren’t enough, the air in these structures are further benefited by hempcrete’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide (a nice little party trick for plant-based insulation).

How does it compare to other building materials?

When it comes to other plant-based materials, hempcrete is pretty similar; the true differences can be seen with traditional materials.

Concrete is much more brittle, but it’s a more reliable component of a foundation. The final damping steps of creating hempcrete can result in a slightly different density, so builders have a tough time using it as a base.

For insulation, hempcrete often comes out on top when pitted against typical batting. With the exception of foam insulation, hempcrete is often more expensive.

When compared to all insulation types, however, you get what you pay for; it’s the thickest insulator, creates excellent acoustics, and boasts all the additional features mentioned above.

Furthermore, legalization and development may help lower the cost of hempcrete as it becomes more widely available to consumers.

That being said, with the farm bill passing and the benefits of hempcrete outweighing its cons (and the cons of its competitors), this may be the next big thing in the way we consider construction and insulating our buildings.

Hemp has had a long and quiet history of being an integral ingredient to the products that make our country run. But, recently, it’s also been attributed to more glamorous or sensational combinations such as beer, or dozens of other products on the market such as CBD topicals.

The post Hempcrete: the future of construction appeared first on Flowertown.

Drive about 15 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and you’ll find El Monte: an unsuspecting seven-mile stretch of town that has played captain to San Gabriel Valley’s shifting cultural tides for decades. In the 1950s, El Monte was one of the only cities in the LA area to initially welcome Rock n’ Roll shows. This prompted Frank Zappa to write “Memories of El Monte” for The Penguins—an ode to those mythical nights at Legion Stadium. On a recent Saturday, we took that drive east to talk with Andre Quintero, the mayor who hopes cannabis will renew El Monte’s claim to fame as the “cultural beachhead” of the San Gabriel Valley.

A city’s history, a city’s struggle

Like many cities in the country, El Monte is defined by its economic fluctuations. In the early 20th century, the core of their economy was made up of fruit orchards, walnut groves, hay and vegetable fields. When farm profits plummeted during the Great Depression, the community transformed from an agricultural haven into a sleepy residential town with a robust industrial sector. Expansive buildings housed big brand distribution centers or manufacturing facilities in place of those famed walnut groves.

Those industries came and went. Now, it’s a city comprised of hard-working families and first-generation immigrants. For a long period, El Monte received most of its tax revenue from the famous dealership “Longo Toyota,” the largest Toyota dealer in the U.S.A. Then, 2008 hit. The city lost 12 million in expected revenue from the Toyota dealership that year because “when people lose money, they don’t buy cars.” This economic hit made it clear that the city needed to diversify its industry profile if El Monte were to thrive again.

Facility by Longo Toyota – CC BY

A mayor evolving

At least, this was obvious to the incoming mayor Andre Quintero. At the time of his first election in 2009, he never thought improving El Monte would mean including cannabis. Raised by Colombian parents, he quickly absorbed the stigmas and stereotypes surrounding the plant. A criminal prosecutor for over 11 years, Quintero saw cannabis users as criminals and sought to put them away. As mayor, he remained a staunch opponent to cannabis legalization. When we spoke to Quintero, he laughed recalling one conversation he had with the mayor of Coachella in early 2016: “I remember we were on completely opposite sides of the fence when it came to cannabis in our community. I couldn’t imagine being as open as he was.”

It wasn’t until the November 2016 elections that Andre Quintero reconsidered his position on cannabis. Proposition 64 had not only passed in California but was supported by 54.49% of El Monte’s residents. When Quintero looked at the numbers, his first thought was, “if my community supports legalization, I need to reevaluate my decision on it.”

“If my community supports legalization, I need to reevaluate my decision on it.”

To be an adequate representative to the people who elected him, Quintero decided to re-educate himself about cannabis quick.

Welcoming cannabis (with a few conditions)

Fast forward to this year: on January 1, 2019, El Monte officially began accepting applications for medical marijuana cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution facilities. Even with his dramatic shift in opinion in recent years, Quintero says he’s taken a conservative approach to introducing the cannabis industry into the city. He’ll be the first to admit, “there’s a big brother aspect to it all.” For instance, the El Monte Police Department will have 24/7 access to security cameras in and outside of every manufacturing facility.

A cash business, cannabis-related facilities will be allowed to have a maximum of 200 dollars on site to curb any possibility of crime. They also must provide a 24/7 contact number for nearby residents and business owners. Of course, each property must adhere to all the strict regulations outlined by California (particularly when it comes to odor control and ventilation) on top of the regulations outlined by the city council. Recreational manufacturing, retail stores, or any customer-facing cannabis facilities are still not permitted in the city. In other words, dispensaries are still outlawed.

One property at a time

When we met up with Quintero, he was eager to show us his number one reason for taking the leap of faith with cannabis: 4350 Temple Boulevard. The lot used to be a silver and gold plating facility in its heyday but has since been in and out of bankruptcy for over a decade. According to Quintero, “they did some serious damage to the environment and contaminated the soil.” One step onto the property and you see eroded pavement, holes in ceilings, and graffiti everywhere. The dilapidated building sits next to another dilapidated building: two giant eyesores hiding behind a Home Depot.

For this property alone Quintero thought, “what industry can I get here that would be willing to spend money to fix up the property, clean it up, and improve the area? I needed an industry that was willing to take the high-risk, high-reward strategy. Sure enough, it was cannabis.”

“I needed an industry that was willing to take the high-risk, high-reward strategy. Sure enough, it was cannabis.”

One property at a time, Quintero hopes welcoming medical marijuana facilities will help “activate the industrial sector again and build thriving local businesses that will pay taxes and clean up the neglected properties.” When he showed us the neighboring property that had recently been taken over by canna-business, Quintero was pleasantly surprised: “it already looks better than the last time I was here.”

Cannabis and the community

Currently, there are about nine applicants in line to be considered for various properties in the newly designated “Green Zone” of El Monte. In the application, Quintero has incorporated ordinances to ensure the community benefits most from the deal. For example, “part of [the] city ordinance is that applicants should sign a Labor Peace Agreement–so if employees want to unionize, they’ll be able to.” While the city cannot force applicants to agree to terms like these, it does mean a better application score. Since the application acceptance is based on a point-system, agreeing to these terms give your application a better chance of acceptance.

Applicants must also promise to hire residents of the San Gabriel Valley to populate the jobs at their new facility. Since Andre Quintero became mayor, the town has seen 15.5% unemployment drop to 5%, but as he says, “there’s still more work to do.” Quintero is excited about the new employers because “it could mean a lot of new jobs that will pay above minimum wage.” These new jobs will likely look mighty appealing compared to existing opportunities in the area. When we visited 4350 Temple City Boulevard, the property was operating as extra parking space for a nearby Amazon fulfillment warehouse. The starting wage there? 12 dollars an hour.

Quintero is excited about the new employers because “it could mean a lot of new jobs that will pay above minimum wage.”

Another unique aspect of El Monte’s requirements for medical marijuana facilities is a “Community Benefit Fund.” Quintero says applicants must pledge to donate a minimum of $50,000 for community benefit, the funds of which will be allocated by the city council in conjunction with a committee comprised of residents who can push back on the council’s decisions. According to Quintero, “the money could fund drug education awareness programs in the city or help clean up our public parks.” If it were up to him, Quintero would use that money to educate El Monte’s youth on the dangers of consuming any substances underage. If all goes as planned, Quintero says the Community Benefit Fund should result in over $100,000 annually for community benefits.

Misinformation and miseducation

The city council decision to legalize medical marijuana cultivation and manufacturing facilities in El Monte faced staggering backlash and protests. Surprisingly, most of these opponents are not residents of El Monte, but neighboring towns like Temple City. Opponents of the change said they are most worried about endangering children and declining property values. However, Quintero and local pro-cannabis advocates believe the real reasons for opposition are based on outdated stigmas and stereotypes, which are especially strong amongst the conservative Chinese-immigrant community that makes up much of the San Gabriel Valley. According to Quintero, “there is still a lot of ignorance related to marijuana in general. It’s not a chemical; it is a plant with so many incredible properties.”

“there is still a lot of ignorance related to marijuana in general. It’s not a chemical; it is a plant with so many incredible properties.”

To quell safety concerns, Quintero plans to use a portion of the revenue from the new medical marijuana facilities to help fund law enforcement against any black market operations that would result in more crime. According to Quintero, the city of El Monte “seized about 16,000 plants in the last few years, so we’re very conscientious about making sure that for the legal market to function, you have to clamp down on the illegal market.” He is hoping part of the new revenue will go to El Monte’s police force to continue squashing the black market.

While many are concerned about declining property values, Quintero says this claim is unfounded when you look at the studies on how cannabis affects real estate. In fact, a study conducted for Economic Inquiry in Colorado found the opposite to be true: when cities legalized cannabis businesses, property values went up (in this particular study, the increase was 6%). While there are currently no studies about how the legalization of industrial medical marijuana facilities affect property values, the study on retail stores demonstrates that nearby cannabis is considered a local amenity (not a drawback) for house buyers and real estate agents alike. Regardless, everyone can agree that a functioning facility is better than a bankrupt and decrepit building. The question is if cannabis is not allowed to revive these properties, who will?

Another factor Quintero’s critics refer to is that Quintero himself and other city council members have received numerous political donations from some of the same companies applying for a space in El Monte’s new “Green Zone.” Fitting to his personality, Quintero had a straight-forward response to this: “when you are one of the only officials openly discussing cannabis in the San Gabriel Valley, yeah. You are going to get contributions from cannabis companies who want to be here.” For Quintero, the donations he’s received by developers are inevitable and have no impact on his decision making.

Pushing forward

Despite what his opponents’ claim are significant contributions from cannabis companies, Quintero spent less money on his last campaign than ever before and was still elected to serve El Monte. For this reason alone, he feels confident about moving forward. The facilities are still several months out; once accepted by City Council, applicants still need to obtain state licenses and renovate the building before they begin operations. For Quintero’s opponents, the “war” is far from over.

As we finished our conversation with Quintero, he chuckled at how this new industry parallels the history of El Monte: “funny enough, the two sectors that made El Monte thrive (agriculture and industry) are coming back in the form of cannabis.” His vision of revitalization is likely just a seed of what is to come for cannabis in struggling communities. As federal legalization looms, it’s possible that Quintero’s vision could multiply to thousands of cities across the nation, rejuvenating areas abandoned by old industries. After all, if a criminal prosecutor with no affinity for cannabis can change his mind and welcome the new industry, can’t anyone?

The post Growth in El Monte: the unexpected story appeared first on Flowertown.

Can you picture a CEO of a Fortune 500 company using cannabis as their primary method to push the long work days? What about your favorite celebrity before a big show?

Because of the stigma, it seems like an oxymoron for someone highly successful to use cannabis. But many high-achieving individuals use cannabis to help push the bounds of their creativity and productivity.

There are multiple CEOs, business owners, and even entertainers who boast about how cannabis helps them work at optimal levels (or to merely manage the stress of their work). A study conducted back in 2016 suggests that cannabis actually improves brain function and can lead to improved performance depending on how it’s used.

Let’s explore some of the influencers who are changing the conversation on cannabis and who’s using it.

Richard Branson by Youtube – CC BY

1.   Richard Branson

Richard Bronson is worth $5.1 billion dollars. You may have already heard of him from flying Virgin America or listening to one of the artists under his record label Virgin Records.

Branson has spoken openly in disagreement with policies that do not support the legalization of cannabis. He’s an advocate for decriminalization and regulation. Back in 2016, he even openly proposed that parents should use cannabis with their young adult children to reduce the stigma.

George Zimmer by Facebook – CC BY

2. George Zimmer

“You’re going to love the way you look. I guarantee it,” is the famous line from the Men’s Warehouse commercials featuring founder, George Zimmer. As the former CEO of a company with thousands of employees and $30 million in revenue, he advocates long-term cannabis use.

Zimmer considers himself a cannabis activist. He’s shared that he used cannabis to help wean him off of an alcohol addiction that plagued him during his first years as a CEO. As a result, he hasn’t used alcohol in 35 years and successfully ran his company before stepping down as CEO.

Elon Musk by The CEO Magazine – CC BY

3. Elon Musk

Tesla, Space X, and Paypal… these are huge companies with one thing in common. They were all either founded or co-founded by the South-African born and quite controversial entrepreneur, Elon Musk.

Early in September 2018, Elon made waves throughout social media when he smoked cannabis in an interview with Joe Rogan, which was live-streamed on YouTube. The decision to participate caused quite a stir, but he’s expressed that his work is very stressful and requires a lot of brain power to shoot Teslas into orbit or make hyperspeed trains. Cannabis might be what helps him push through his tougher days.

John Sperling by NY Times – CC BY

4. John Sperling

You may not know his name, but you know the name of the for-profit college he founded: The University of Phoenix. As the founder of this college, Sperling created a multi-billion dollar endeavor.

He was known to always be an advocate for the use of cannabis after using it to help with the side effects that plagued him years after surviving prostate cancer. His work to push for the decriminalization of cannabis is focused around his belief that it has multiple benefits.

Whoopi Goldberg by Fandom – CC BY

5. Whoopi Goldberg

Actress Whoopi Goldberg is known for movies like The Color Purple, Ghost, and her role as a talk show host on The View. Her long-standing career has afforded her numerous accolades and respect in the entertainment industry.

In 2014, she published a piece expressing her love for cannabis because it helps her with physical pain and everyday emotional stresses. It also helped her following her addiction to using cigarettes. Today she’s founded a line of cannabis products meant to help women combat premenstrual syndrome side effects.

While these celebrities may have been able to find the benefits of cannabis use not only inspiring in their own lives, but elevating of their professional ones, so too can you. It’s no secret that cannabis has the ability to curb arthritis pain, eliminate migraines, and can even help you be so productive as to get your family out of a hurricane’s way.

The post Five successful people who use cannabis appeared first on Flowertown.