EAGLE-VAIL Most of the time when

people talk about marijuana, theyre refer-

ring to the sticky green stuf theyve smoked
as a joint during their youth (or yesterday).
But weed doesnt just come in leaf form.
Although recreational marijuana has only
recently been legalized in the state of Colo-
rado, those in the business of growing and
selling the cannabis plant have already begun
to think beyond the bong. Marijuana-infused
products ofer an alternative to smoking, ap-
pealing to those who enjoy the high and heal-
ing efects, but prefer not to light up.
CANNABIS CONTENT IS COMPLEX
The most common types of marijuana-in-
fused products are edibles, tinctures and
topicals. Edibles range from everything from
brownies to carbonated sodas. You might
think making edibles is as easy as mixing
some leaves into the batter then sliding the
pan into the oven in order to get baked, but
its a
bit more com-
plicated than that. Murphy Murri is the
co-owner of Treeline Premiere Dispensa-
ry in Eagle-Vail, which also sells two of its
own lines of edibles. Treeline is currently a
medicinal marijuana shop, but it plans on
opening a separate retail shop for recreation-
al marijuana this spring. Murri said the rst
step in making edibles is creating a cannabis
concentrate that results in a high potency of
THC (tetrahydrocannabinoil, the psychoac-
tive ingredient in marijuana). From there, a
lot of testing is required in order to ensure
that every brownie, cookie or candy contains
the exact same amount of THC as the others.
When youre trying to cater a single prod-
uct to literally thousands and thousands of
consumers, its very difcult to nd that kind
of consistency, Murri said. There are some
food safety and health regulations (that are)
important to consider.
Last month, The Denver Post investigated
the THC content of edibles sold in Colorado,
testing diferent brands and comparing their
actual THC content with what they claimed
to contain on the label. One brand in partic-
ular, Dr. Js, listed two of their chocolate bars
as containing 100 milligrams of THC, but
The Denver Post found they only
contained 0.28 and 0.37 milligrams,
respectively. Other brands tested higher
levels of THC than listed. While Dr. Js had
the highest discrepancy between the claimed
amount and the actual THC content, many
brands had a noticeable diference between
the two.
Treelines products were not a part of the
investigation. Murri said its required for
her products to be tested for potency, and
the results must fall within 15 percent of the
listed amount. Murri said because the state
was not previously allowing testing facili-
ties, certain companies were able to eschew
the rules.
For so long it hasnt been required, Murri
said. People got comfortable and got lazy
with their standards and quality control.
Testing for potency is the only way to truly
be sure youre doing it right and doing it
consistently.
Colorado has now mandated the testing
of all products, and beginning in October
companies that dont meet that 15 percent
requirement will have their business licenses
revoked.
without the leaf
Vail Daily | Monday, April 7, 2014 | Section B
TRAVEL | HOME & GARDEN | WELLNESS | FOOD & WINE | GO & DO | MUSIC | BOOKS | TRAVEL | ART | THEATER | LIFESTYLE
HighLife
A hint of weed
By Rosanna Turner
Daily Correspondent
SPECIAL TO THE DAILY
Marijuana-
infused prod-
ucts ofer an
alternative
to smoking,
appealing to
those who enjoy
the high and
healing efects,
but prefer not to
light up.
SPECIAL TO THE DAILY
Marijuana-infused
products cater
to a new kind of
cannabis customer
EDIBLES, B3
Recreational marijuana has only
been available in Colorado since
Jan. 1, but those selling it have already begun to think
beyond the bong, ofering a range of edibles similar to
the ones sold at medical dispensaries.
SLATHERING ON THE THC
Tinctures and topicals are also
made from cannabis concentrate.
Tinctures tend to be used more
among the medical marijuana com-
munity because its a direct dose of
THC that immediately hits the blood
stream. Murri said tinctures can also
be used for mixed drinks, like creating
your own cannabis cocktail.
Topicals primarily come in the form
of lotions, lip balm, bath oils and salves.
Those who use topicals claim the
non-psychoactive cannabinoids such as
CBD (cannabidiol) found in marijuana
can relieve a variety of medical issues.
Katie Thomas is a manager at New
Hope Wellness Center in Edwards, a
medical marijuana facility thats also
transitioning into recreational sales.
Thomas uses a topical cannabis lotion
to alleviate back spasms she has due
to sciatic nerve damage.
I have very sensitive skin, Thom-
as said. Ive had allergic reactions or
side afects to a lot of (other medicat-
ed products) prescribed in the past.
Its very nourishing. (With cannabis
topicals) I dont have to worry about
the side afects because (theyre) 100
percent natural.
Thomas often recommends that pa-
tients experiencing pain use a product
that is high in CBD and low in THC.
There are also topicals that dont con-
tain any THC.
SELLING A POT-ULAR PRODUCT
Mary Janes Medicinals is one of
the most popular topical brands sold
locally. Dahlia Merten, of Telluride,
started her company in 2010 when
she made her own cannabis-infused
massage oil and tried it on her clients.
I was overwhelmed with how efec-
tive it was, Merten said. The more
feedback (from my clients) I got, the
more I realized I was onto something.
Merten said THC is a powerful
anti-inammatory and claims her
products have helped people heal skin
conditions such as burns and acne.
Some question whether or not can-
nabis-infused products actually work
better than other medicated lotions.
One could argue that cannabis is mere-
ly used as a sales tool, as an attempt
to cash in on the hash hoopla. Merten
said testimonials from her customers is
proof enough that her products work.
There havent been a lot of Ameri-
can studies done (on cannabis-infused
products) because the government
(hasnt allowed them), Merten said.
Topicals are just a non-toxic alterna-
tive to harsh pharmaceuticals. Every-
bodys skin is diferent, (but) 99.9 per-
cent of people who try these products
dont have adverse efects.
Although she primarily sells Mary
Janes Medicinals at medical marijua-
na shops, Merten has seen a dramatic
increase in sales at those shops whove
gone recreational as well.
The stores in Telluride have sold
more products in January than they did
the whole year previous, Merten said.
Those who make and sell marijua-
na-infused products point out that
while the cannabis business is boom-
ing, its not necessarily easy to turn a
prot or start your own operation.
There (are many) regulations,
Merten said. You have to be a resi-
dent of Colorado for two years to even
start the licensing process. You cant
just move to Colorado and open up
shop. It takes a lot of time, a lot of
money and a lot of foresight.
According to these owners, they see
a less hazy future. As more people are
exposed to marijuana-infused prod-
ucts, they ll choose to drink up, eat up
or lather up instead of light up.
Smoking, no matter how you try to
spell it out, is not healthy, Murri said.
Plenty of people smoke, but the peo-
ple who have never tried cannabis
are more likely to try a small candy or
a small tincture in your soda.
Murphy Murri, co-owner of Treeline Premiere Dispensary in Eagle-Vail, said the
frst step in making edibles is creating a cannabis concentrate that has a high po-
tency of THC. From there, a lot of testing is required in order to ensure that each
treat contains an amount of THC consistent with what it says on its packaging.
SPECIAL TO THE DAILY
EDIBLES
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The Vail Daily | Monday, April 7, 2014 | B3