The next yellow phase around the cover ’ s EYE represents the licenses being awarded , the waiting game of construction , and the one thing we all want to forget –– COVID ! It caused a significant delay with the evolution of this new industry , but in hindsight , it was that same reason that made us one of the only magazines in our nation still printing monthly . Most of our pickup locations stayed open because they were considered “ health and wellness ” businesses like CBD stores or agriculture , with hydroponic / gardening stores , and our readers were still very motivated to find out the news of the birth of this new industry .
Thank GOD for all the CBD stores that played an integral part in not only getting our message / magazine out to the public but also paving the way for the destigmatization of cannabis long before there was a medical marijuana program . Most of their “ health and wellness ” mission has stayed tried and true to this day .
All Seeing EYE … Do you remember those first few years when it was a collaborative front on the “ War on Drugs ”?
Touring the new Clovr Manufacturing Facility ( under construction ) in August 2020 with Bethanie White , Clovr ’ s director of marketing . Clovr has become an industry leader in Missouri , producing a host of the most popular products sold at dispensaries .
At a 2019 MoCann Trade meeting with our September 2019 issue ( which celebrated the women in the cannabis industry ) in hand , I met Lendall Fraker , the former director of the Missouri ’ s cannabis regulation division who has since retired in early 2023 .
As I delivered the news each month through the Zombified COVID Apocalypse of empty Missouri roadways , we also launched The EVOLUTION Magazine ’ s Live Show every Thursday night weekly for over a year and a half . It was important to continue the efforts of destigmatization by having guests like Lt . Col . Todd Scattini , Retired Medic Chris Wolfenbarger , Retired Major General Todd Bunnington , and the only living medal of honor recipient in Missouri , Col . Doc Ballard , come on our show and choke back tears on a live broadcast while reminiscing on their regrets of taking stripes off their soldiers for cannabis offenses . ( Eye Cried , too , Behind the Scenes .)
When Kansas City ’ s own Mayor Lucas came on our live show moments after he successfully passed a cannabis decriminalization bill for Kansas City , and then he surprised me by signing the official document live on our show — well , my dropped jaw was at a loss for words . ( See the photo of Mayor Lucas signing on page 14 .)
Those were the beautiful moments that outweighed the ugliness in the decisions of who got to pay to play in the birth of a new industry where capitalism intertwines with the establishment of a new machine under de-establishment . Building its new rules outside of the federal government ’ s framework together as a state , the goal was to give locals ( Missourians ) the first shot at planting their local business ties into their new industry claim , but five years later , only a handful of the original small local ownerships still exists –– many were sold to larger regional or national-type chain brands .
To continue our goal of promoting health and wellness cannabis education for destigmatization while covering local industry news and providing it “ Free ” to the public , we help market and support the businesses within our industry , enabling us to offer the magazine for free . One doesn ’ t work without the other . We do our best to maintain a neutral stance with opinions regarding content and reporting news . As stated on page 6 , “ Written views , advertisements and information expressed in this publication belong to the writers or advertisers and do not reflect the sentiments or editorial opinion of the publisher or staff .”
Our content , I ’ m proud to say , has always stayed in the hands of journalistic integrity thanks to our publishers , Editor Bill and Victoria Cromwell , managing editor and VP of operations , and that is the biggest lesson they have instilled in me .
But as the green goes to red in the eye on the front cover , the medical aspects tend to get shifted out of focus , as does every state that fades from a medical program to an adult-use one .
The blue of the past medical cannabis to the red of the current adult use on the front cover also represents the current great divide between the two groups who initially helped break the stigma of Missouri cannabis use . The Hemp world versus the Licensed Missouri Cannabis Industry –– and possibly the same political propaganda tactics our Federal Government used on “ All ” of us during the War on Drugs back in the Reagan years is being used today in the newly built state establishments that were supposed to be constructed in opposition of the cornerstones of outdated federal establishments . Is there a new “ War ” against our local CBD Industry and Hemp Farmers ?
We usually avoid political questions like this in a health and wellness magazine , but when it deals with our local health and wellness — well , I guess the question is at least valid .
Nevertheless , I would like to end on a positive note for the “ Eyes ” that taught me those lessons .
The most beautiful thing I ’ ve seen over the last five years is the freedom in the eyes of prisoners fresh out of jail for non-violent and minor cannabis offenses –– that is one thing that Missouri did right .
It ’ s true when they say , “ You only get back what you put in –– in the mirror of your frequencies .”
“ If you vilify , you ’ re going to look like the villain ,” and when you repeat those lessons the same way . It ’ s up to you to decide which frequency frees you the best .
Free The Weed – I Like That Frequency . We couldn ’ t make the “ weed ” free , but at least the magazine is .
Clayton Stallings is the Director of Sales & Marketing for
The EVOLUTION Magazine
June 2024 33