From The Editor
Bill Cromwell , Publisher , Editor-in-Chief
Celebrating Veterans and Native Americans
This issue features a likeness of a Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chief in celebration of National Native American Heritage Month . The fantastic artwork is by a Native American artist who also works within the cannabis industry . Be sure to read more about her inspiration for the cover art , her cannabis business career , and her tribe on page 28 . Like her artwork , she is amazing .
As we approach Veterans Day , November 11 , we celebrate , thank , and honor veterans with this issue . Lieutenant Colonel U . S . Army retired Todd Scattini , a 27-year veteran , has written about the importance of legalization for veterans and the deep roots cannabis has in military history , dating back centuries ( see page 10 ). Writer Rocco Scarcello features an enlightening article about eight veterans discussing cannabis use and working in the industry on page 40 . Both articles offer insight about veterans and how cannabis has or could help them in one form or another .
As we celebrate Native Americans this month , I wondered if cannabis was used within the culture . Our cover artist eloquently says this , “ It is a plant provided to us by our Great Spirit , our sacred Mother Earth , and has been kept from our communities in an unjust way by the Federal Government … an alternative medicine [ cannabis ], that can help the people of Tribal communities with numerous opportunities …” ( see more on page 28 ).
Reportedly , more than 100 marijuana dispensaries are operating on Native land . But what , if any , role did indigenous cultures have in the plant ’ s history ? Well , no solid documented evidence exists that indigenous cultures used cannabis for anything other than medicinal and spiritual significance . However , there is knowledge of indigenous cultures using it for pain management , anxiety , and the euphoric ( spiritual ) feeling . While it ’ s not something they smoked often or at all , it was known to be ingested , though the methods of ingestion certainly weren ’ t by the variety of gummy offerings we have today .
Native Americans did grow cannabis , but not the same strains we grow today . Different tribes had different dealings with cannabis . Not all tribes considered it some type of sacred herb , but it often found its way into tribal spiritual and ritual uses .
Various Native American tribes made a liquid by crushing cannabis leaves and used it as a topical ointment to help with skin issues . It was also used for eye irritations and headaches , among other health-related issues . It was also known as an aid to help one ’ s psychological health , used in daily meditation practices or more elaborate rituals . Native Americans found the plant fibers to be quite strong , so it was also used in many different ways , including making rope , netting , and textiles , proving to be a durable material for making clothing . Their cannabis more closely resembled modern-day hemp plants . Some believe their cannabis came to North America via travelers crossing the Bering Strait from Asia , but there are differing theories on how it actually arrived on the continent .
Native Americans have a legend that tells the story of cannabis being brought to Earth by beings they call the “ Star People ,” who populated our world with humanity . It ’ s believed that cannabis was absolutely necessary for humans to survive as a species — according to the legend . Nonetheless , its history of various uses among Native American tribes is fascinating .
6 November 2023
Missouri ’ s First Educational Medical Cannabis Magazine Published Monthly by Native Kansas City , MO , Advocates , Publishers and Writers . A True Missouri Born Grassroots Effort to Educate and Inform Patients , and to Provide Businesses within The Missouri Cannabis Industry an Economical Forum to Share Their Story . We hope you join and enjoy “ The EVOLUTION .”
PUBLISHER , EDITOR-IN-CHIEF : Bill Cromwell News , Articles , Advertisement , & All Requests Should Email to : Bill . C @ TheEvolutionMag . com Corporate Office ( New 2023 ) 816.886.9017 Kansas City , MO Mail to : P . O . Box 485 , Grain Valley , MO 64029
MANAGING EDITOR , VP OF OPERATIONS : Victoria Cromwell DIRECTOR MARKETING and EDITORIAL DEVELOPMENT : Clayton Stallings CREATIVE DESIGNER , GRAPHIC ARTS and EDITORIAL : Bill Cromwell PHOTOGRAPHY : Clayton Stallings , and guests photographers
Our Team of Expert Writers and Cannabis Industry Leaders
● Danielle Buntyon ― Elevated Learning
● Kassie Ferrero ― Dispensary Product Reviews and News
● Dana Cunningham — Cooking with CBD and THC
● Dolores Halbin , RN — Patient Advocate and Awareness
● Peter Kershaw — Health and Safety Columnist
● Leah Maurer — Health , Awareness , Ask Leah Columnist
● Dr . Poppa , D . O ., M . B . A . ― Medical Health News
● Jay Richardson ― Patient Features
● Rocco Scarcello ― Educational
● Todd Scattini ― Veterans News
● Monthly Guest Writers — Cannabis News & Feature Stories
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