Blzd augsept15 lowres by Blazed420

VOL.1 / NO. 2 / www.BLAZED420.com

PLUS /

IN THE BEGINNING PART 2.

ALSO INSIDE

Pot Culture The Organic Side of Life Gear Guide Ask the OG More Recipes AUG / SEPTMMJ 2015 BLAZED420 1

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VOL1

NO2

WWW.BLAZED420.COM

ON THE

INSIDE

/ FEATURES /

In the beginning part 2: PHYSICIANS, ASSASSINS, TRAVELERS AND HASHISH BY HENRY SCHUTT

28 34

THE DEAD SHALL PREVAIL BY JOHN OLIVER

THE MUSCOVITE SMOKING CULTURE

BY BILL BROTHERS

/ DEPARTMENTS /

8 10 16 18 22 38 44 46 48 50 54 56

BLAZED Was There News Shatter Wax Gear Guide Edibles Strains Music Art Bud of the Month Recipes Dispensary Listings Money

/ COLUMNS /

40 Meet the Growers 42 Ask the OG

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FROM THE

PUBLISHER

COCAINE, CIGARETTES, ALCOHOL OR WEED …? At 43, I still have to ask myself this question on occasion. I still enjoy the occasional cigarette and cannabis defiantly calms me. Cocaine … as much as it was a drug of choice in the 80s for many, we have all moved onto more mature endeavors in the new millennium. I have always known that I wanted to be in media since I had a bicycle paper route as a kid. I thought it would be cool to be like “Fletch” and do investigative journalism. But alas, I ended up on the other side: publishing the news instead of investigating it. Not that there is anything wrong with that; I love my job and what I do, but how did I get here? When I began my publishing career, launching a magazine like BLAZED 420 was the furthest thing on my mind. But as times have changed and as I’m thinking about this now, I can’t think of any other type of magazine that I would enjoy producing more. I am a firm believer in the MMJ movement and what it has to offer us all as a society. Drugs are drugs; they will always be here, but drugs that help us should be here to stay. As many in the community are aware, MMJ is not just beneficial for its medical benefits, it can be a saving grace for those that were addicted to opiates for years. If you were, or are a recovering addict, I hope that you would agree that medical marijuana is a medicine for an ailment and not a crutch or gateway drug. It’s a necessity to help those in need from serious trauma, PTSD, injuries, cancer and more.

Medical marijuana is no longer the forbidden fruit, so why treat it as such? We all have seen the amazing studies and know that this has been a cure for centuries. So why all the bad hype: ignorance or fear? I know is this: marijuana has never killed ANYONE … fact! Every other drug has. So why do we still question this? My philosophy is that we fear what the government can’t control! News flash: we have come up with the solution that government can control, so why all the roadblocks still? Why do you think that we can’t push a countrywide legalization policy on medical marijuana? I want to hear what the readers are thinking. Please flood my inbox with your opinions and story ideas. We have many in the works based on your suggestions and we need bright minds to help us continue. Be a part of a new revolution. If not for you … do it for the country’s future. On a side note, I don’t often take the time to thank the people who have helped me achieve my career goals and this is one time I can. A very special person in my life told me more than a year ago that I have to believe in myself and chase my dreams, no matter what the cost. Take this very same advice and guide your daily life toward your beliefs. Don’t wait until tomorrow, start today. You may mistakes along the road, but you’re still making your dreams a reality. Never forget that … and I never will either. She may never know the impact that she had believing in me and telling me to go for it. But if she’s reading this: Thank you, K. Cain! You helped me believe in me more than I did myself at the time … and I want to thank you. Enjoy the issue and your life Blazed readers! Share with us your dreams: we want to hear about them all. Regards,

John Oliver Publisher joliver@blazed420.com

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WWW.BLAZED420.COM John Oliver Publisher Charles Hudson Editor Jessica Morrison Copy Editor Dara Fowler Design Bryan Castle Web

Executives W. Grant Willy Williams John Riccio Angela Richards

CEO CFO CBO Controller

Contributors Dhirubhai Ambani Kailey Blazing Kevin Gassman Hunter Green Henry Schutt THE OG Jessica Pirtle S.A.G.E

Photography Tony Alfiere Grant Brothers Android Apple Sony

Guest Buds Green Crack Durbin Poison Dog Shit Sugar Cookie Purple Pantera Hippy Chicken Shatter

Copyright 2015 Sandborn Media, LLC. BLAZED420 Is a Sandborn Media Production. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. Publisher is not responsible for return of unsolicited material.

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/ BLAZED / WAS THERE

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/ NEWS /

First Church of Cannabis Sues Over Marijuana Laws A pot-smoking church sued the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana on Wednesday, claiming laws against possession and use of marijuana infringe on its religious beliefs. The First Church of Cannabis, formed as a test of Indiana’s new religious objections law, filed its lawsuit in Marion Circuit Court in Indianapolis, naming multiple defendants including Gov. Mike Pence and state and local law enforcement officers. The lawsuit claims church members believe marijuana is a sacrament that “brings us closer to ourselves and others. It is our fountain of health, our love, curing us from illness and depression. We embrace it with our whole heart and spirit, individually and as a group.” The lawsuit says Indiana laws that make possession of marijuana or visiting a place where it is used a punishable offense place a burden on the church’s exercise of religion, violating the state and U.S. constitutions.

MOST ARIZONANS FAVOR LEGALIZING MARIJUANA FOR PERSONAL USE Most Arizonans support permitting adults to legally possess marijuana for personal consumption, according to statewide polling data commissioned by the Behavioral Research Center. Fifty-three percent of respondents favor legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. That is an increase of two percent compared to when pollsters asked a similar question last year. Only 39 percent of respondents disapproved of the notion of legalizing cannabis. Legalization supporters were more likely to be under the age of 35 (71 percent) and to identify as a Democrat (64 percent). Respondents age 55 or older (45 percent) and Republicans (33 percent) were least likely to support legalizing the plant for adult use. Arizona voters will likely decide on a statewide ballot measure in 2016 to regulate the possession, use, production, and sale of cannabis. For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director, at (202) 483-5500 or Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director, at: paul@norml.org.

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/ NEWS /

ALASKA ESTIMATES $5M TO $19M TAX HAUL FROM RECREATIONAL CANNABIS A report by the Alaska Department of Revenue estimates that the state will collect anywhere between $5 million and $19 million in taxes from recreational cannabis sales to locals, indicating the huge amount of uncertainty over the potential size of the market. The state will levy a $50 tax per ounce of recreational cannabis sold, and there will likely be local taxes assessed as well. Regardless of the exact sales and tax figures, Alaska’s market will be much smaller than other states that have legalized recreational cannabis, in part due to its low population and geographic isolation.

New Businesses Connect CA Wholesale Cannabis Growers to Patients, Cut Out Dispensaries A new medical marijuana business trend has sprung up in northern California: “farm-to-table” delivery. At least three startup companies — Potbox, Flow Kana and Loud Cannabis — are specializing in helping wholesale MMJ cultivators sell directly to patients. Scores of delivery services exist in the state, some operated by dispensaries and others by small-scale home growers. Several companies have also cropped up in recent times to facilitate the delivery of cannabis from dispensaries to patients’ homes. But these new services offer wholesale cultivators the chance to bypass dispensaries completely, giving them a pipeline straight to the end user. This allows them to utilize low-cost marketing, access technological platforms they likely otherwise wouldn’t have the resources to pay for, and offer patients a wider choice of premium cannabis.

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www.tdmints.com

T.D. Mints products are made by hand and in small batches. Our production method ensures consistency and quality in our product. Patients can expect the same effectiveness every time they experience a T.D. Mints confection. T.D. Mints medicinal edibles are made using only the highest quality allnatural, gluten-free, and non-GMO ingredients. T.D. Mints medicated edibles utilize a full-spectrum cannabis extract provided by our partner dispensaries. Every T.D. Mints product is infused with beneficial cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids that help combat a range of ailments and diseases. T.D. Mints products utilize a proprietary blend of delivery agents and potentiators to consistently and reliably deliver medicinal marijuana to our patients. T.D. Mints unique blend of absorption enhancers increases the bioavailability of cannabinoids, making them easier to digest, and enhances the overall effect of the active ingredients, providing patients with fast-acting and long-lasting relief.

customerservice@tdmints.com

/ NEWS /

24 Companies Apply for Florida CBD Licenses Two dozen companies’ submitted applications by the Wednesday deadline for the five licenses up for grabs to cultivate process and sell high-CBD, low-THC medicine, according to state health department officials. Some observers worried that the state would be lucky to get even five applications since the barriers to entry are extremely high. The industry is restricted to horticultural growers that have been in business for at least 30 years and have the capacity for a minimum of 400,000 plants. License winners are expected to be announced on Aug. 8, and those selected will then be responsible for growing and selling highCBD medicine.

MICHIGAN LAWMAKERS CONSIDERING MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES, FULL LEGALIZATION A recent bill to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan could also provide a regulatory framework for full legalization of the drug, according to the sponsor. State Rep. Mike Callton, a Republican, has been working on medical marijuana dispensary legislation for several years — a version passed the Michigan House by a wide margin in late 2013 before stalling in the Senate — but recent discussions have led to major changes in the bill. Callton wants to allow larger-scale marijuana growing operations and medical sales through “provisioning centers.” The system would run parallel to — rather than replace — Michigan’s voter-approved medical law that allows certified patients and caregivers to grow a limited number of plants. The 2008 law did not address dispensaries, and a 2013 state Supreme Court ruling empowered county prosecutors to shut them down as a public nuisance. Some facilities continue to operate at the discretion of local law enforcement authorities. Callton called the original medical marijuana law “insane” and is pushing for a dispensary system that includes product testing, packaging rules, signage restrictions and restrictions on felon participation in the trade.

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Home of the $10 gram!

New patients get a FREE edible! Just our way of saying thanks. 2620 W Encanto Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85009

(888) 633-7411 Mon – Sun 8am – 10pm

http://encantogreencross.com/

/ SHATTER WAX OF THE MONTH /

Tangerine Power CO2 The two most common misconceptions about CO2 extract are that it isn’t able to achieve a stable shatter and that it is lacking terpene preservation. Health for Life is one of the first dispensaries in the nation to shatter those expectations! By utilizing Carbon Dioxide’s Subcritical and Supercritical phases, we are able to precisely hone in on the best fractionation parameters, which results in the best extract. All H4L CO2 concentrates naturally test solvent free: 0ppm! With no additives, H4L cartridges are never cut — pure cannabis oil. Tangerine Power CO2 shatter is vibrantly bright orange with a glass-like stability and clarity. The Tangerine Power, when vaporized, releases a sweet, yet citrusy aroma. These terpenes provide for an uplifting euphoria. Tangerine Power OIL is the perfect strain for your 7.10 Vape Cartridge.

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AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT /

7343 South 89th Place, Mesa, AZ (480) 888-0247

Maricopaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ONLY Medical Marijuana Dispensary A Medical Marijuana dispensary located in Maricopa, Arizona on Papago Rd. 49237 W Papago Rd, Suite #3, Maricopa, Arizona 85139

500 GIFT CARD Limit one per patient.

Active: 06/01/15 - Expiration: 09/30/15 Must have active MMJ patient card

(520)-568-7505 MONDAY-SATURDAY 10am - 7pm SUNDAY 10am - 4pm AUG / SEPT 2015

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/ GEAR /

ARIZER SOLO PORTABLE VAPORIZER This is the latest Arizer Solo model which allows you to use your vaporizer while it is charging. Arizer Solo Vaporizer comes with full accessories and aromatherapy attachments. Package includes battery charger, 1 potpourri dish, 2 diffusing tubes (straight & curved), 1 aromatherapy sample and Instruction Manual.

CANARY HOME SECURITY DEVICE Keeping your home secure used to require an assortment of sensors, wires, and a nonsensical box with an unintuitive interface. Now all you need is a Canary and the internet. This all-in-one home security system packs in a number of features that help you keep tabs on your home, including a 1080p camera with a 147-degree wide-angle lens, automatic night vision, motion detection, a high-quality microphone, a speaker, and a 90+ dB siren to ward off intruders. It also keeps track of the temperature, humidity, and air quality, offers free cloud storage of recent events, sends notifications to your phone when somethingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amiss, and, unlike most security systems, is easy to pack up and take with you when you move, making it ideal for renters.

CANNABOX The ultimate 420 monthly service that ships you amazing themed mystery boxes full of smoking essentials + stoney gear for less than $20! www.cannabox.com

CANNADOR As it turns out, tobacco isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only thing you can smoke that benefits from being kept in a controlled environment. The Cannador promises to keep your best bud in peak condition, using a unique system that can absorb or release humidity as needed into the solid mahogany interior. As a result, your pot stays fresh longer and tastes better, is protected from damaging UV light, and unlike in a traditional cigar humidor, is safe from potential mold growth caused by too much humidity. Available in a variety of different sizes and configurations, with your choice of a solid walnut or cherry exterior. 18

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CANNASTICK “SLUG” GLASS VAPE PEN BUBBLER The smallest vape pen bubbler we have ever seen! Experience the benefits of H20. Operation is extremely simple. Just fill with water, then fill the coil up with your favorite extract and light away.

SHOWERHEAD OIL RIG

WICKED WEED GOLDEN ANGEL BEER

This dab rig features two dynamic percolators located in each of its chambers. Once water is added, smoke is inhaled from the mouthpiece, first entering the tire-shaped percolator, before entering the bell shaped percolator in the top chamber, and then finishing its path at the mouthpiece. Compatible with 14mm sized glass dab nails that can be replaced with ceramic, quartz, and titanium domeless nails of equal size, these dab rigs have been built to last with highly durable borosilicate glass, and can take your user experience to new heights.

They’ve only been around since late 2012, but Wicked Weed Brewing in Asheville, North Carolina has already placed itself among the best sour beer producers in the US thanks to releases like Golden Angel. The latest American sour is blended with one pound per gallon of apricots and aged in red wine barrels for 8 months. Another pound and a half per gallon of apricots are then added and blended for two more months in stainless steel. It’s dry, tart, and brimming with fruity, funky goodness.

PAX 2 VAPORIZER The Pax 2 is the new, updated version of the bestselling Pax vaporizer. Its ultra slim design is 25% smaller than its predecessor and 10% lighter. Like the original model, The Pax 2 has a top quality aluminum shell, and is equipped with a 25% larger heating chamber or oven, allowing you to embark on extended vaping sessions. The chamber is located at the bottom of the unit, and is accessed by flipping a magnetic chamber cover. Power is provided by the Pax’s 2 integrated lithiumion battery. The improved battery charges from flat in around an hour, with a full charge giving you well over an hour’s worth of vaping power — a definite improvement from the original model. AUG / SEPT 2015

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/ GEAR /

CONTINUED

SOTO POCKET TORCH Anyone whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ever played around with a cheap, translucent, disposable lighter knows that you can crank the thing up to deliver ridiculously large flames by simply removing the metal cap and going to town on the adjustment dial. The Soto Pocket Torch takes this idea to a whole new level, transforming the cheap fire sources into a full-on, wind-resistant miniblowtorch capable of reaching temperatures of up to 2,300ÂşF. Just drop the lighter in, attach the top, and go.

BURMA TEAK VAPORIZER BY HOT BOX The Hot Box is a revolutionary vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser. Through its innovative design, the Hot Box will enhance your vaporizing experience because it is a simple, effective and healthier alternative to conventional methods.

GREEN FORMULA 420 Formula 420 provides a 1 minute solution to the time consuming hassle of soaking and scrubbing. Formula 420 is the fastest, easiest & most effective cleaner on the market. Formulated for Glass/ Pyrex/ Metal/ Ceramic Pieces Biodegradable Earth Friendly. No Soaking, No Scrubbing, No Waiting! Non-Toxic.

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Green is a Field Guide to Marijuana. Penned by the founder of a cannabis research group, this informative tome is split into two sections. Primer examines the culture of weed and explains the botany behind it, while Buds describes in detail the lineage, flavor, and mental or physical effects of over 170 strains, all accompanied by detailed photography of individual buds shot by the founder of marijuana photo blog nugshots.com.

MILWAUKEE CARRYING CASE This vintage-looking metal tool box is perfect for your girl-size collection of hand tools, pipes, bud, grinders and more. Made of heavy duty steel and emblazoned with some awesome lettering, the Milwaukee General Purpose Carrying case that you can even put your weed in.

TOMMY CHONG EXCLUSIVE KING SIZE CONE ROLLER This one-of-a-kind Tommy Chong Exclusive King Size Cone Roller, designed and patented by Futurola Amsterdam, rolls perfectly cone shaped cigarettes quickly and effortlessly, like the master himself. Unit includes Tommy Chong Exclusive King Size Cone Roller, King Size Replacement Mat, and Futurola Carrying Pouch.

DOS VAPES EXECUTIVE BATTERY The Executive Battery provides all day power in a sleek, discrete package. Designed to resemble nothing more than a common pen, this beautiful device can deliver over 650mAh of battery power for long lasting vaping for even the most discerning of patients.

ATMOS 510 BULLET MAX VAPORIZER PEN Compact and completely portable, the Bullet Max is easily slim enough to be slipped into a pocket or handbag and taken on your travels. The Bullet Max can be used with dried herbal blends or waxy oils and honeys. It has a ceramic heating chamber which ensures a great full flavor, but wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t burn your herbal blends. A great little pen vape from a great brand at a great low price. Each kit includes lithium ion battery, Bullet Max cartridge, wireless USB charger, packing tool and user manual.

CANNABIS CUPCAKES Cannabis Cupcakes: 35 Mini Marijuana Cakes to Bake and Decorate ($12) is pretty much what it says on the cover, giving you recipes like Snickers Muffins and Toxic Red Velvet Cupcakes to bake your bake-fuel into. Lest you question the credibility of the author, just know heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responsible for titles such as Spliffs, Spliffs 2, Spliffigami, Bongology, Baked, and Seed to Weed.

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/ EDIBLE REVIEW /

Eating edibles isn’t an exact science, yet. How much should you have? How long will it take to kick-in? Or, how long will it last? Everyone is different. How will it affect you? Well, the only way to find out is to try them. So in this issue, we explore two edibles, both from Yilo.com, and acquired from PARC Dispensary, located at 4201 E. University Drive in Phoenix.

I’ve always approached eating edibles with my own style. Meaning I don’t smoke any flower before eating one, and I won’t smoke any flower until well after the effects start to work. I also like to measure the time it takes from the moment I eat one to when I start to feel the effects. And I won’t let any smoke cloud those feelings.

Yilo Tootsy Cherries

240G SATIVA DOMINANT SUPER SILVER HAZE This pack has three cherry tootsies loaded with 80g of THC each. I was given the recommendation to cut the rolls into 4 equal parts to make a 20g dose. Well, given by the results of the cookies, I decided to eat a half of one for my first try. It was 3:45pm when I tried one. I kept these in the fridge, so when I tried to cut it with a knife, it didn’t break right away. In fact, the roll became very pliable and soft, really fast. So as soon as I popped it in my mouth, it started to soften and spread over my gums. It was extremely chewy. There was a cherry flavor, but it wasn’t that strong. You could, however, taste the medicine. But I kind of like that taste. It lets me know it’s in there. I didn’t eat the other half until the next morning. I have to say, my energy was up the whole day. I wasn’t body high, but my back pain wasn’t flaring up either. I also wasn’t head high. It was just a steady stream of energy, not too much, but just enough to be functional and alert the rest of the day. As always, when eating edibles, make sure you know the amount of THC in each serving. Ask for the makers or dispensaries to give you a recommended dosage. And when at home, do a little science project to figure out your edible tolerance.

Yilo Oatmeal White Chocolate Cookies

30G SATIVA DOMINANT PURPLE HAZE This pack of three cookies has a small amount of THC (10g) in each cookie. The taste though? It was blasting with blueberries! It was like eating a blueberry muffin cookie. To date, one of the best tasting cookies I’ve had. The sativa dominant Purple Haze brings a mild body buzz, so light it was hardly recognizable. But I knew that going in. My tolerance is pretty high with edibles. Usually, the effects I feel would be a nice body high and bit of a head high. I normally get soggy eyes on edibles. But with these cookies, there was none of that. I started out with one cookie at 8:30am. Now normally I wouldn’t be eating cookies for breakfast, but since this is a sativa, I thought the earlier the better. By 11:30am I didn’t really feel much in the way of a body high. However, my energy was steady and I didn’t feel the need to smoke any flower. So that’s good! About a halfhour later, I ate another cookie. Again, since my tolerance is a bit higher than normal, I thought that one 10g cookie wouldn’t be enough. However, I felt fine throughout the day and wasn’t foggy-headed or did I feel the need to sleep. Something edibles usually end up making me so. 22

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  “True down home Louisiana style cooking at its best! My wife and I have been searching for a place in the Valley that was like home for seafood, and the Angry Crab Shack is it hand down! Their peel and eat shrimp is amazing. The crab legs with trifecta sauce complete the wonderful taste and aromas of true down south New Orleans cooking. Recently added was the new cornbread

2740 S Alma School Rd, Mesa, AZ 85210 (480) 730-2722

and lets just say it’s so traditional that we can’t think of anywhere else that we would want to go for seafood ever again here in Phoenix. Oh, and don’t forget to order the calamari strips for an appetizer - they are the best I’ve ever had; even our kids loved them. 5 Stars for sure when it comes to the Angry Crab Shack.” Yelp Review - John C.

2808 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 956-3088

www.angrycrabshack.com Hours: Su-Th 11am–10pm F-Sa 11am–11pm AUG / SEPT 2015

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Physicians, ASSASSINS,

TRAVELERS & Hashish TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO, marijuana traveled across most of Asia, from China, across the Russian Steppes, the Middle East and then arrived in Europe. Numerous religions, including Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Mythology and Judaism have implemented its use in ceremony. The Roman Empire ruled across most of the known world during this time, and included the Emperors Caligula, Claudius and Nero from 37 A.D. to 68 A.D. Pliny the Elder, a physician and the Roman Army physician Dioscorides serve in Nero’s administration traveling to Greece, Egypt and parts of the known Roman Empire. Although no wide scale evidence is available, both physicians note marijuana’s effects. Could this really be the beginning of the toga party? If so, I’m in.

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THE HISTORY OF CANNABIS —

The Middle Years: 23 A.D. to 1758 A.D. BY HENRY SCHUTT

23-79 A.D.

“The Natural History” by Pliny the Elder mentions hemp rope and marijuana’s analgesic effects.

70 A.D.

Dioscorides, a Roman physician in Nero’s army, lists medical marijuana in his Pharmacopoeia.

50-100 A.D.

Construction of Samaritan gold and glass paste “stash box” for storing hashish, coriander or salt buried in Siberian tomb.

47-127 A.D.

Plutarch mentions Thracians cannabis as an intoxicant.

using

170-200 A.D.

Greek physician Galen prescribes medical marijuana to a patient. His report alludes to the psychoactivity of cannabis seed confections.

200 A.D.

The first pharmacopoeia of the East lists medical marijuana. Chinese surgeon Hua T’o uses marijuana as an anesthetic.

300 A.D.

A young woman in Jerusalem receives medical marijuana during childbirth.

500-600 A.D.

The Jewish Talmud mentions the euphoric properties of cannabis.

900-1000

Scholars debate the pros and cons of eating hashish. cannabis’ use continues its spread throughout Arabia.

1000-1100

Arabic physician Ibn Wahshiyah’s “On Poisons” warns of marijuana’s potential dangers.

1090-1124

In Khorasan, Persia, Hasan ibn alSabbah recruits followers to commit assassinations. Legends develop around the assassins’ supposed use of hashish. These legends are some of the earliest written tales of the discovery of the inebriating powers of cannabis and the use of hashish by a paramilitary organization as a hypnotic.

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1200

During this century, hashish smoking becomes very popular throughout the Middle East. | 1,001 Nights, an Arabian collection of tales, describes hashish’s intoxicating and aphrodisiac properties.

1155-1221

The Persian legend of the Sufi master Sheik Haydar’s personal discovery of cannabis and his own alleged invention of hashish becomes known, with hashish’s subsequent spread to Iraq, Bahrain, Egypt and Syria. This was another of the earliest written narratives of the use of cannabis as an inebriant.

1231

Hashish introduced to Iraq in the reign of Caliph Mustansir.

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1271-1295

Journeys of Marco Polo begin, during which he gives second-hand reports of the story of Hasan ibn al-Sabbah and his assassins using hashish. This is the first time reports of cannabis have been brought to the attention of Europe.

1300-1400

The oldest monograph on hashish, “Zahr al-’arish fi tahrim al-hashish,” was written. It has since been lost. | Ibn alBaytar of Spain provides a description of psychoactive cannabis. | Arab traders bring cannabis to the Mozambique coast of Africa.

1378

Ottoman Emir Soudoun Scheikhouni issues one of the first edicts against the eating of hashish.

1526

Babur Nama, first emperor and founder of Mughal Empire, a Persianate empire, learned of hashish in Afghanistan.

1532

French physician Rabelais’s “The Life of Gargantua and Pantagruel” mentions marijuana’s medicinal effects.

1533

King Henry VIII fines farmers if they do not raise hemp for industrial uses such as clothing, sails and ropes for shipping.

1549

Angolan slaves brought cannabis with them to the sugar plantations of northeastern Brazil. They were permitted to plant their cannabis between rows of cane, and to smoke it between harvests.

1550

1606-1632

1563

1619

The epic poem, “Benk u Bode,” by the poet Mohammed Ebn Soleiman Foruli of Baghdad, deals allegorically with a dialectical battle between wine and hashish.

Portuguese physician Garcia da Orta reports on marijuana’s medicinal effects.

1578

China’s Li Shih-Chen writes of the antibiotic and antiemetic effects of marijuana.

1600-1700

England begins to import hemp from Russia.

French and British cultivate cannabis for hemp at their colonies in Port Royal (1606), Virginia (1611) and Plymouth (1632).

The first law in the American colonies regarding marijuana was a 1619 law that actually required farmers to grow the hemp plant. Once harvested, hemp was useful for clothing, sails and rope.

1753

The cannabis genus was first classified using the “modern” system of taxonomic nomenclature by Carolus Linnaeus. He considered the species to be monotypic, containing the single species that he named cannabis sativa.

1758

Evolutionary biologist Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck published a description of a second species of cannabis, which he named cannabis indica, based upon his description of the newly named species of the cannabis specimens collected in India. He described cannabis indica as having poorer fiber quality than cannabis sativa, while noting that cannabis indica was more effective as an inebriant than cannabis sativa.

To be continued … The History of Cannabis: The Modern Era

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Founding fathers of a drug culture revolution, the Grateful Dead were one of the biggest influences moving “pot culture” in the direction that we see today. The Grateful Dead were the most important band of the psychedelic era and among the most groundbreaking acts in rock and roll history. They broke all the rules while slowly and steadily building a career that carried them from the ballrooms of San Francisco in the Sixties to arenas and stadiums all over the country in the decades that followed. A leaderless democracy, they were fronted by guitarist Jerry Garcia, whose improvisational tangents made him the pied piper to the largest and most devoted cult following in popular music: a massive network of fans known as “Deadheads.” The Dead and their followers did much to keep the spirit of the Sixties alive in modern times. The Grateful Dead and their peers on the San Francisco scene — notably Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Country Joe and the Fish — raised the consciousness of the rock audience, leading them to an enhanced vision of music in which albums were more important than singles, and concerts became marathon exercises in risk-taking. Heavily steeped in Americana, the group had its roots in blues and bluegrass. From the jazz world, the Grateful Dead learned to approach music from an improvisational perspective. From the culture of psychedelia — specifically Ken Kesey’s Acid Tests, of which they were a part — the Dead became aware of the infinite possibilities for expression when imagination

was given free reign. Led by Garcia’s guitar, the Dead delved into blues, folk, jazz, R&B and avant-garde realms for hours on end. The group’s signature composition was “Dark Star,” which served as a foundation for their most extended and experimental jamming. They performed this epic more than 200 times and never the same way twice, with Garcia’s modal guitar spearheading their explorations into uncharted territory. “They’ll follow me down any dark alley,” Garcia noted in 1987. “Sometimes there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and sometimes there’s a dark hole. The point is, you don’t get adventure in music unless you’re willing to take chances.” The Dead’s career can be viewed in several stages. During the latter half of the Sixties, they were a psychedelic rock band whose music and lifestyle were synonymous with the San Francisco scene. In the Seventies, they moved toward a rootsier sound and style of songwriting, while maintaining the lengthy jamming tangents that remained high points at their concerts. In the Eighties, they became a touring juggernaut, attracting a nomadic following of Deadheads who followed them from show to show. An anomalous commercial peak came in 1987 when “Touch of Grey”became a Top 10 hit,further accelerating the influx of younger fans to the band’s increasingly prosperous touring scene. They appeared on Forbes’ list of top-grossing entertainers and, for a few years in the early Nineties, were the highest-grossing concert attraction in the U.S. The 1995 death of Jerry Garcia abruptly put an end to the Grateful Dead, though various members subsequently regrouped as the Other Ones, The Dead and Furthur.

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The roots of the Grateful Dead harken back to the early sixties and a small community of literature and music-minded proto-hippies in Palo Alto, California, to whom Garcia gravitated. It was in this milieu that he befriended Robert Hunter, who would become his lifelong songwriting partner, and Ron McKernan (a.k.a. “Pigpen”), a serious disciple of blues and soul who played keyboards and harmonica. A budding young guitarist named Bob Weir fell in with Garcia’s crew, which gathered at Dana Morgan’s Music Store in Palo Alto (where Garcia gave guitar lessons). In 1964 Garcia, Weir and McKernan formed Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions, a string band that played blues, folk and good-time music. Much of the Grateful Dead’s early repertoire of borrowed tunes, including “Good Morning Little School Girl” and “Viola Lee Blues,” was learned during this time. It was Pigpen’s suggestion — inspired by a newly popular band from England, the Rolling Stones — that they plug in and amplify their sound. They recruited a rhythm section including drummer Bill Kreutzmann (who Garcia knew from the music store, where both taught) and Phil Lesh, a musical prodigy who’d studied jazz, classical and the avant-garde. Though he’d never played bass before, Lesh jumped at the chance to join the band and mastered the instrument quickly. “I knew something great was happening, something bigger than everybody,” he recalled. By May 1965, the classic five-man lineup of Garcia, Weir, Lesh, McKernan and Kreutzmann was in place. Renaming themselves the Warlocks, they took a decidedly more electric approach. Half a year later, after realizing there was another group called the Warlocks, they became the Grateful Dead. The name suggested itself when Garcia opened up a dictionary and his eyes fell upon those words. “It was a truly weird moment,” he later noted. Implicit in that name was the promise of adventure and risk — qualities that would

become hallmarks of the Grateful Dead’s approach to music. The Dead provided a kind of cultural glue, serving to link the literary and philosophical leanings of 1950s beatniks with the musical awakening of the 1960s counterculture. Both movements flourished in the enlightened environs of the Bay Area. The Grateful Dead were retained to provide musical settings for novelist Ken Kesey’s legendary Acid Tests. From there, they began honing their concert alchemy at San Francisco’s venues, notably the Fillmore and the Avalon Ballroom. They were signed to Warner Bros. Records by Joe Smith, the company’s president, after he caught a show at the Avalon in August 1966. During their lifespan, the Grateful Dead ranged between five and seven members. In 1967, they expanded to a sextet with the addition of a second drummer, Mickey Hart. In 1968, they added keyboardist Tom Constanten, expanding to a septet. In terms of personnel, the keyboard role was always the band’s most unstable. Somewhat eerily, four of the Grateful Dead’s keyboardists — Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, Keith Godchaux, Brent Mydland and Vince Welnick — died prematurely. The Grateful Dead fused rock and roll energy with psychedelic experience to fashion an endlessly fascinating labyrinth of sound. Their self-titled first album, recorded in just three days, sprinted through their blues and bluegrass repertoire with speed and energy. Anthem of the Sun (1968) was their transcendently psychedelic, quasisymphonic magnum opus. Aoxomomoxoa was another highly experimental piece of work. As good as these early albums were, they could not match the Grateful Dead when they were at their best in concert, and the group would frequently turn to live albums as the truest representation of their experience. (A popular bumper sticker read: “There Is Nothing Like a Grateful Dead Concert.”) Live/Dead, compiled from shows performed in San Francisco between January 26 and March 2, 1969, remains a career highlight. It documented the fairly regimented, yet highly improvisational program they performed at that time. The lineup included “Dark Star” (the ultimate

Grateful Dead performance piece), “St. Stephen” and “The Eleven” (performed in 11/4 time). After exploring the outer reaches of psychedelic consciousness, the Dead would return to earth with an energetic rendition of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Turn On Your Lovelight” (a showcase for Pigpen’s soulful vocals), followed by the bluesy, mournful “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” (from the repertoire of Rev. Gary Davis) and a gospel-style finale (“And We Bid You Goodnight”). The programming mirrored the stages of an acid trip — ascendancy, peaking and return to reality — and it’s been noted that this logic became embedded in the two-set structure of the Grateful Dead’s concerts for the duration of their career. As drummer Mickey Hart famously noted, “We’re in the transportation business — we move minds.” In the wake of the 1960s and the slow demise of the San Francisco scene, the Grateful Dead took a turn toward a more acoustic, back-to-basics style on Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty (both from 1970). Both were more thoughtful, folk-oriented albums that revealed the band members’ improved songwriting ability and sage-like overview of America’s past, present and future. Much of the material was written by Garcia and lyricist Robert Hunter, and they included some of their best-loved songs: “Truckin’,” “Uncle John’s Band,” “Casey Jones” and “Sugar Magnolia.” These albums were influenced by the often acoustic, harmony-laden music of Crosby, Stills and Nash (who taught the Dead how to harmonize) and the Band (whose highly influential first two albums had a rustic, rootsy tone). The Dead followed those studio albums with the consecutive live releases Grateful Dead (a.k.a. “Skull and Roses”) and Europe ’72. At this point they felt so strongly that their work was best captured in concert that a number of new songs were unveiled on live, rather than studio, recordings. These included such staples as Grateful Dead’s “Wharf Rat” and “Bertha” and Europe ’72’s “Jack Straw,” “He’s Gone” and “Tennessee Jed.” Both albums also contained a raft of covers that revealed the Dead’s growing

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allegiance to roots music. There were songs by country singers Marty Robbins (“El Paso”), Merle Haggard (“Mama Tried”) and Hank Williams (“You Win Again”), as well as the Wild West tall tale, “Me and My Uncle,” penned by John Phillips (of The Mamas and the Papas). Various group members also launched solo albums during this time frame. Jerry Garcia was first with his self-titled solo album Garcia, which appeared in January 1972. Bob Weir’s Ace, released in June 1972, was a Grateful Dead album in all but name, as Weir’s band mates contributed liberally to what was the most Dead-like of all their solo projects. In 1973, the group released Wake of the Flood, their first studio album in three years and first release following the expiration of their contract with Warner Bros. It was issued on the group’s own Grateful Dead Records. They also created an affiliated label, Round Records, for solo projects. Both were distributed by United Artists. In March 1974, the group debuted a massive, stateof-the-art sound system, dubbed the Wall of Sound. It was both a sonic breakthrough and practical albatross, whose setup time and cost of transport made it almost prohibitively expensive. The group released From the Mars Hotel in June, but that October — exhausted from constant touring and rethinking the costly boondoggle of their sound system — they went on an extended hiatus, exiting with five nights of “farewell” shows at San Francisco’s Winterland. Among other things, Jerry Garcia spent the next two years editing The Grateful Dead Movie, a 90-minute concert documentary assembled from the Winterland stand. The group performed only four times in 1975, though they did release one of their more inspired studio albums, Blues for Allah, that year. The Grateful Dead returned to the touring life in June 1976, though Deadheads consider 1977 to be the band’s standout year as a live band. Having folded their own labels, the Dead signed to Clive Davis’ Arista Records toward the end of 1976. Over the next several years, they issued the studio albums Terrapin Station (1977), Shakedown Street (1978) and Go to Heaven (1980).

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Terrapin Station contained the seven-part sidelong epic “Terrapin Station.” Shakedown Street was notable for its choice of producer: Lowell George, guitarist and front man for Little Feat. Following Go to Heaven, there would not be another album of new music from the Grateful Dead for seven years. Over the latter half of their career, Garcia was periodically beset with substanceabuse problems, a state of affairs that came to a head with his arrest on drug possession charges in 1985 and his collapse into a diabetic coma in 1986. His recovery included having to re-learn how to play the guitar. His health improved in the wake of those crises, and a revitalized Grateful Dead entered a period of heightened activity that included the 1987 album In the Dark and the Top 10 single, “Touch of Grey.” The group issued its final studio album, Built to Last, in 1989. Drugs continued to haunt the Grateful Dead, who lost keyboardist Brent Mydland to a fatal overdose in 1990. Mydland was succeeded, temporarily, by Bruce Hornsby and replaced by Vince Welnick. Garcia died on August 9, 1995, at a drug-treatment facility in Forest Knolls, California. The Grateful Dead’s final concert had taken place a month earlier, at Chicago’s Soldier Field on July 9, 1995. The Dead could not survive the loss of Garcia, but the music lives on. Three dozen vintage concerts were released as part of the “Dick’s Picks” series, named for Dick Latvala, the group’s longtime tape archivist. Various other concerts have seen commercial release, including performances at Fillmore East, Fillmore West, across Europe and at the base of the Egyptian pyramids. Between 1991 and 2007, 53 live Grateful Dead concerts were released. Inspired by the Dead’s example, other artists — from Neil Young and Bob Dylan to Pearl Jam and Phish — have followed suit to varying degrees, opening their own concert vaults with fanoriented releases. Individually, the surviving members have continued to make music. Mickey Hart has pursued a highly successful career as a rhythmatist and ethnomusicologist,

recording and compiling numerous volumes of world music. Bob Weir formed Ratdog. Phil Lesh toured with a revolving cast of musicians known as Phil and Friends. Bill Kreutzmann’s other projects have included BK3 and 7 Walkers. Beginning in 1996, several “Furthur Festivals” — involving Dead-related ensembles and kindred spirits — kept the spirit alive. Weir, Lesh, Hart and Bruce Hornsby toured as the Other Ones in 1998. They were joined by Bill Kreutzmann for tours in 2000 and 2002. Calling themselves The Dead, the four surviving members — Weir, Lesh, Hart and Bill Kreutzmann — again regrouped with supporting musicians in 2003, 2004 and 2009. Lesh and Weir have soldiered on with the group Furthur. Ultimately, the Grateful Dead’s triumph was in creating an alternative form of music and alternatives to music-business conventions that succeeded on their own, uncompromising terms. Much about the Grateful Dead was improvised or left to chance. Theirs was a laissez-faire anarchy that assumed things would work out as the cosmos intended. This faith in a universal order, gleaned from the start at Kesey’s Acid Tests, freed them to pursue music without the usual constraints. The Grateful Dead illuminated the world with their music, while transforming culture and consciousness, as well. In so doing, they became an improbably durable and influential institution. As Phil Lesh said at the Grateful Dead’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994: “Sometimes you don’t merely have to endure. You can prevail.”

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THE

Muscovite

Smoking Culture

When most people think of Russia, they think of sprawling, grey industrial buildings hidden behind the smog of an oppressive government. But our recent journey into the Moscow marijuana culture has revealed a side of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mother Russiaâ&#x20AC;? not normally depicted in Western media.

BY BILL BROTHERS

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With a population of over 15 million people, Moscow is a monumental metropolis. It is over twice the size of New York City and even more chaotic. Since the fall of communism in 1991, Muscovites have had a unique viewpoint on freedom and the growing drug culture within the country. Our guide below can tell you everything you need to know about smoking in the ‘Third Rome.’ Any attempt to smoke within Moscow should, of course, first come with a warning: marijuana is completely illegal there. Although it is formally not a crime to have less than five grams on you, possession of any amount of drugs can still lead to several years in a cold Siberian prison. You should always be careful when carrying marijuana. The Moscow metro has random police patrols with drug dogs, so it is always safer to take a taxi. Unlike other European capitals, Moscow has no street dealers, which means you have to be careful who you talk to. We were quite lucky to have found a tour guide who was willing to introduce us to several different dealers. Our marijuana was delivered safely to us by a local taxi driver — arriving in an envelope wrapped heavily in duct tape. The marijuana smelled fresh and had no seeds or stems, which was surprising. The smoke was smooth, and the high was both cerebral and energetic, from what was most likely a Sativa strand.

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Aside from finding a trustworthy tour guide, the best method for trying to buy weed in Moscow is to become friends with Russian locals at clubs. The most popular clubs for smokers are any places with House or Techno music, like Gypsy, Strelka, or PPL. A large portion of the younger population of Moscow speaks some English, and an even larger number of them smoke! When walking along the various parks in Moscow, you will likely come across different deaf and mute people who are well known for their involvement in the street trade for marijuana and hash. To show that you want to buy weed, simply give them the local Moscow hand signal. First, you close your hand in a fist, and then extend your thumb and pinky outwards, away from each other. Then touch your mouth with your thumb. This is the underground Russian sign that you want to smoke. Marijuana prices are quite standard in Moscow. One gram is typically worth 1000 rubles or about $20. If you are lucky enough to find a dealer, you can even get weed delivered to your apartment or hotel at any time for a delivery fee of 500 rubles or $10. There are several different marijuana types in Moscow. These range from the cheap stuff to premium quality product, imported directly from Amsterdam. Typically, the majority of weed in Moscow is imported from Russia’s

To smoke you should remember these

useful Russian phrases: o “ Vui s’nyet gdye mozhna kupit anasha,” which means, “Do you know where I can buy marijuana?”

o “ Davai dunem

nakurimsja,” which means, “Let’s smoke!”

o “ Ja hochu nakuritsa,”

which means, “I would like to smoke.”

o T he preferred local and subtle phrase, “Yest’ ch’yo?” meaning, “Got something?”

neighboring countries of Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan. However, natural marijuana plants can still be found in Russia in Siberia, around the Caspian Sea, in central and southern Russia, and within the Caucasus Mountains. In terms of smoke spots, nothing is better than the comfort and secrecy of your own apartment or hotel room. However, if you are intent on smoking outside, then we recommend smoking in a secluded area in one of the many beautiful parks within the city. Our tour guide brought us to the park of Vorobyovy Gory. The park boasts the highest elevated location in Moscow and is a wonderful place to smoke a peaceful joint while watching the sun set over the city. The best location is directly next to the abandoned ski slope on a hill, as seen in the picture above. Marijuana culture is not nearly as popular in Moscow, as it is in the United States. Usage amongst the population remains low, with only 3.5 percent of Russia’s population aged 16 – 65 having tried marijuana in the past year. These statistics fall far

”

behind America’s growing legalization process. With these trends and government attitudes, legalization is not likely to happen in the Motherland any time soon. Claiming that marijuana is a gateway drug, Viktor Ivanov, the head of the Federal Drug Control Service, told Interfax that drugs would never be made legal in Russia. In fact, the last time the Marijuana Legalization League attempted to stage a Hemp March in Moscow in 2007, over 40 people were arrested, charged with attempting to promote the use of an illegal drug. This was the fifth and last major attempt to stage a marijuana rally in Moscow. The Hemp Legalization League remains a fringe movement, with far more people in Russia continuing to oppose legalization. Blazed420 gives our smoking experience in Moscow a 7 out of 10 rating. The high and the journey all depend on who you know within the city. We enjoyed our beautiful and peaceful smoke spots, and the weed delivered to us was better than expected. All in all, it was a journey well worth the risk.

Marijuana culture

IS NOT NEARLY AS POPULAR IN MOSCOW, AS IT IS IN THE UNITED STATES.” AUG / SEPT 2015

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/ STRAINS /

AIN STR E OF TH H MONT

GREEN CRACK / a Hybrid Energy Happy Euphoric Creative Juices

99% 98% 75% 70%

Green Crack is pure cannabis. It has sharp energy and focus as it induces an invigorating mental buzz that keeps you going throughout the day. With a tangy, fruity flavor redolent of mango, Green Crack is the perfect daytime medication for patients treating fatigue, stress, and depression. Green Crack has branched into two genetic lineages, the most common of which is its sativa line descended from Skunk #1. The 75% indica variety of Green Crack is said to have come from an Afghani strain, and is marked by a tighter bud structure. Green Crack is available at Encanto Green Cross! 38

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ASK YOUR LOCAL DISPENSARY

STRAINS NEARBY

if they have this strain

DOG SHIT / Dog Shit is a sativa-dominant hybrid strain named for its aroma, which bears a striking resemblance to its namesake. For the novelty-seekers not turned off by its name and smell, Dog Shit provides uplifting euphoria that elevates the mood while crushing stress. This strain has an elaborate genetic background that is said to stem from Purple Zacatecas, Colombian Gold, Cambodian, and Hippie Trail Afghani.

SUGAR COOKIE / Sugar Cookie is a relaxing indica-dominant hybrid with an aromatic sweetness that is likely to have influenced this strainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name. You might think this hybrid belongs in the same family as the famed Girl Scout Cookies, but its genetics say otherwise. Sugar Cookie is a three-way cross between Crystal Gayle, Blue Hawaiian, and Sensi Star, together passing on the resinous qualities of a Northern Lights ancestor along with tropical fruit and berry flavors. Your new favorite midnight snack may just be this indica Sugar Cookie, as it delivers a deep, full-body calm before lulling you into deep sleep. Sugar Cookie can be found at Encanto Green Cross

PURPLE PANTERA / Purple Pantera is an indica-dominant hybrid bred by Snowhigh Seeds. The mix of Pink Panther and Grape Krush genetics produces dark purple hues and a piney OG Kush aroma that is highlighted by sweet grape notes with subtle berry undertones. A fast-acting strain effective has bursts of euphoria and deep relaxation that is best saved for the end of the day.

HIPPY CHICKEN

Hippie Chicken is a hybrid sativa strain with strongly euphoric effects that border on psychedelic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hence the name. A cross between Blueberry and Alaskan Thunder Fuck, Hippie Chicken takes after its sativa parent in its giggly, energetic effects which are accented only slightly by the tingly, relaxing effects passed down by Blueberry. AUG / SEPT 2015

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/ MEET / THE GROWERS / THE OG & S.A.G.E.

THE ORGANIC SIDE OF LIFE / As the science of growing marijuana has become more detailed over the past few years, more medical cannabis patients have been searching for locally and organically produced medicine. Not only does marijuana grown organically taste significantly better, but it also provides a stronger high and exceptional healing effects. Not like your average cannabis that is grown with harmful chemical nutrients, (plant growth regulators) PGRs and many other sprays for fungicide and or insects. Organically grown cannabis is produced by using only biologically available resources, thus growing marijuana without use of these harsh chemicals. WHY IT’S BEST TO GROW ORGANIC MARIJUANA Looking at the obvious statements made that organic cannabis has a stronger effect; organically grown cannabis may be a much easier method to cultivate then hydroponics despite the added cost that is needed to amend large quantities of soil. These soils can be delivered any in the United States, so there is no need to depend on a laboratory in order to fertilize and cultivate high quality marijuana. Through composting and cooking your soil, you can cultivate all your own organic products that will naturally break down to growth process. New school AKA hydroponic chemical nutrients that are manufactured in laboratories will have a higher concentrate of salts. These salts may cause various lock-outs of mobile nutrients such as nitrogen and cause various deviances in plants. The same salts can even find its way into our city’s sewers and aquifers, contaminating our natural drinking water or ending up in our natural environment, causing pollution with their inorganic properties. Growing organic marijuana, there is no need for the use of these fertilizers, chemical products or pesticides to make amazing medicine. Furthermore, when you feed the soil instead of the plant, the pH will be automatically self-corrected so that you will never have to adjust it while growing.

VARIATIONS OF ORGANIC GROWING STYLES There are a few ways and styles of organic growing. Our first favorite is to grow “fully organic” only using plant life and vegan nutrients. We also will use the method of growing “semi-organic.” This is one of our favorite and simplest methods for growing organically you just need a good mix to create a super soil in a container allowing the plants root system to harvest the naturally occurring nutrients that are readable available. Another simple method for growing marijuana organically is to buy organic soil such as fox farm ocean forest at your local hydroponic store and pair it with organic nutrients. Remember feed the roots and the soil … not the plants (roots=fruits). IS IT TEA TIME YET 4:20? Once your super soil is mixed, check your run-off to make sure it isn’t too hot (PPM&EC) for your cuttings. The right way to maintain the super soil is to use compost teas that will continue adding good nutrients to the soil in an organic method. The microbes in the compost teas will help manage the ecosystem you cultivated and will ensure it continues to thrive and inoculates all the beneficial fungi within the soil. Just remember that during the final two to three weeks of the bud cycle, make sure that absolutely no additives other than pure R/O water with a hint of ca. mg. are added to flush them clean of impurities. While growing organically the most important step is to make sure that no harsh chemicals are involved in the process. When you make the eco-friendly decision to start growing your marijuana organically for medicinal purposes, you will notice that the final product is more flavorful, robust and more fragrant, happy growing and medicating.

A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: TGA GENETICS SUPER SOIL (courtesy of SubCool)

° 8 large bags of a high-quality organic potting soil

with coco fiber and mycorrhizae (i.e., your base soil) ° 25 to 50 lbs. of organic worm castings ° 5 lbs. steamed bone meal ° 5 lbs. Bloom bat guano ° 5 lbs. blood meal ° 3 lbs. rock phosphate ° ¾ cup Epson salts ° ½ cup sweet lime (dolomite) ° ½ cup azomite (trace elements) ° 2 tbsp. powdered humic acid 40

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ARTHUR

BENJAMINS artist

www.saatchiart.com/account/profile/115334

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/ ASK / THE O.G.

Q / I screwed up and ordered auto-flowering seeds. Is it a waste of time? This is my first serious grow ... and I ordered northern lights auto-flower and short rider, which seems like it’s an auto-flower. A: The cool thing about auto-flowering strains is you just give them 18 hours light and 6 hours dark the whole grow, instead of changing the lights to 12-12 halfway through the life cycle to induce flowering like with regular marijuana plants. The auto-flowering strains will stay pretty small, which could be good depending on what you’re looking for. If these seeds are all you’ve got, it can’t hurt to grow them and get a feel for growing. The plants should be ready for harvest in 2-3 months from seed. You can always order more seeds if things don’t work out.

Q / My plants leaves are starting to curl up and I don’t know why? A: Looks like heat stress to me, but check your runoff when in doubt. Flush it out, and also check your five senses in your room: temp, humidity, air, light and water.

Q / How much taller will your cannabis plant grow after being put into the flowering stage? A: Cannabis will generally double its height after the lights are changed over to 12-12 (12 hours light, 12 hours darkness), which signals the beginning of the flowering stage. Some cannabis strains, especially sativa-dominant strains, can triple in height or more during the flowering stage. Some indica cannabis strains may not get much taller at all during the flowering stage, and may instead just get bushier. Just be careful your grow space doesn’t turn into a bad scene from the movie “Jumanji.”

Q / What’s your opinion on legalization and taxation of cannabis for recreational use for everyone over the age of 21 nationally and here in Arizona A: I am all for it and if I was in charge it would already be done! Give the power to the people, lets tax it and regulate it just like alcohol, tobacco and firearms.

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/ MUSIC /

BY JOHN OLIVER

IN THE

HOT SEAT

/ TEN QUESTIONS FOR DJ KEN MOOSO OF SCOTTSDALE

/ SEEING THAT ALL GREAT THINGS COME FROM HARD WORK, I’M EXCITED TO HAVE EARNED MY STRIPES AND CREDENTIALS. /

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BLAZE: What’s your favorite part about deejaying? MOOSO: My favorite part of deejaying is being in the booth. After putting in the many hours of practicing, promoting the event, working on my set, music selection, meetings and the list goes on and on … all that to rock out and kill the crowd makes it all worth the time and effort. BLAZE: What got you into deejaying? MOOSO: I’ve read a ton on major DJs from Kaskade to Tiesto, to even local DJs who I still look up to. I wish I had an immaculate answer for this one as many of the others do … but I don’t. I grew up listening to music all the time. I took piano lesson for 5 years at an early age. I’ve had a passion for music and realized within myself that I was different. I can remember when I was a teenager listening to trance, techno and house; where most laughed and thought I was weird. It was then when I wanted to learn to DJ. However, I had no idea where to learn or where to start. By the age of 20, I went on a

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Q&A

mission trip for more than 2 years. Being focused on the work and the restrictions from my mission didn’t permit me to listen to music at all! After my two years were up and I had completed my mission, the house and electronic music industry exploded to my shock. I was fortunate enough to have a good friend who owned his own business for deejaying. He invited me to learn; however, the type of deejaying he did was for weddings and corporate events. I took the initiative to learn on my own and really like to mix. I had such a passion and drive to learn that eventually led me to my success at a lot of different clubs in the Valley. BLAZE: Where do you currently play? MOOSO: Currently I play every Saturday at The Mint in Scottsdale. I also play every Thursday at HiFi in Scottsdale. Given the summer months, things are a bit slower but those are my two current residencies right now. However, I also play events with Eventvibe, as well as many one-offs over at International Night Club and Wasted Grain, which are also both in Scottsdale. BLAZE: What’s your favorite genre? MOOSO: My favorite genres to play are electro and progressive house. I do like little twerk remixes with some older hip hop, which I grew up on. But, definitely my heart lies with electro-type music. BLAZE: What has been your most memorable DJ moment? MOOSO: 5. My most memorable DJ moment was in San Jose, CA when I did one of the Rave Runs right before all these other running events exploded and popped up all over the place. The Rave Run flew me out to DJ their event in San Jose in front of a crowd of 20,000. As you can imagine, a young DJ like me would be more than thrilled. I can remember being nervous and even shaking at times. At one point of the night my headphones cord or something bumped the play button on one of the CDs, which caused the music of course to stop. I looked over at the sound crew and they began panicking thinking we blew a fuse. I looked at the crowd and I don’t know what overcame me, but I just screamed in excitement and the crowd went wild. I then realized the music was just on pause and as soon as I hit play it had looked as if I had planned it the whole time and the crowd went even more nuts! I will never forget the crowd’s reaction that night! BLAZE: Who has been your biggest inspiration? MOOSO: Inspirations come from many different people who I still, and will always, look up to no matter what. From local acts — I’m

kind of too embarrassed to admit publicly — to major acts. As I read of their struggles, I saw that they were once like me. And seeing that all great things come from hard work, I’m excited to have earned my stripes and credentials. BLAZE: Are you a proponent of medical marijuana? How about the recreational use? MOOSO: I’m not a proponent of medical marijuana nor am I against it. I’m neither a doctor nor an expert of any kind to know what’s best for people. I would hope for the best and if the pros far outweigh the cons, then of course I would be for it. As far as recreational use, I personally don’t use it, but I do know several people who do. BLAZE: Be honest — do you smoke before you hit the stage? Mooso: Honestly I don’t. That’s a funny question, because people think I would being in the industry that I’m in. I don’t! I know a lot of other DJs who do as well as other things to party with. BLAZE: If you could change the course of history in deejaying, what would you change? MOOSO: It would probably be the current transition that we’re going through right now. Electronic music dominated the clubs before, but now it’s gone to more of an urban style hip hop. Don’t get me wrong, I do like a lot of hip hop. However, I like music that is energetic and makes people dance. I’m not about the bumpin’ and grindin’ and sure as hell not about music where the dudes are just bobbin their heads looking for some meat. When I DJ, I want people to jump, dance and move! I have a few theories as to why this course of music has changed, but nonetheless, I’m sad to see there are becoming fewer and fewer places where house is acceptable to play. BLAZE: If you could choose any other career, what would you do instead of being a spin master? MOOSO: It would be the current job I’m in right now. What I mean by that is very few friends know that I do something else besides deejaying. I keep them separate and I’m extremely fortunate to be successful in both. I love both jobs with my heart. I make enough from both to do one or the other and make a sufficient amount of income. The only reason I keep doing both is because emotionally it’s hard to figure out which one to give up at this time.

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/ ART /

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

/ ARTHUR BENJAMINS

Arthur was born in Rotterdam. He is a Dutch artist who specializes in depicting motor racing, Land-and-Water speed record breaking scenes, Abstract, Surreal and Science-Fantasy paintings. He resides outside of London, England. Benjamins comes from a lineage of artists. His great grand uncle Jacob J. Arend’s work can be found in the museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam. His grandfather created a new style of advertising that formed the bedrock of modern illustrative adverts. From an early age he was fascinated by motorcar racing and in the 70s he started painting Formula 1 cars in his own photo realism style. In the early 80s, he received much publicity through many articles in motor racing magazines and has been featured on TV several times. Benjamins’ technique is different from other artists due to his preference for the far more tricky enamel paints over “traditional” paints. His interest in Land-and-Water Speed record breakers led him to the first of many book jacket covers. In his book Pilote Che Gente Enzo Ferrari included one of Arthur’s paintings. Arthur exhibited his work in many countries until 2003 when he withdrew from exhibiting to concentrate on painting “Abstract” and “Surrealism” and to experiment with, what can only be described as a new genre, called “Abstract Iconography.” Most of Arthur’s work has been transported to the United States and he has been exhibiting his work in art shows and galleries since Jan. 2013. Arthur Benjamins accepts commission work.

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BLAZED420 49

/ RECIPES /

Marijuana Pizza

Marijuana Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE DOUGH: ° 3½ cups flour ° 1 oz. yeast ° 1 tsp yeast ° 8 fl. oz. water ° 1 tbsp granulated sugar ° 2 tbsp melted marijuana Butter (potency depends on dosage of your butter) TOPPINGS: ° 2 cups grated cheese of your choice ° 1 large can of chopped tomatoes ° 2 tsp freshly ground oregano ° Any other desired toppings ° 5 tbsp melted weed Butter

° 1¼ cups flour °½ -¾ cup sugar (depending upon

DIRECTIONS: 1. Add the flour, yeast and sugar in a large mixing bowl. 2. Add water and steadily mix it into dough. 3. Cover the bowl with a towel or cloth and set aside in a somewhat warm area for 30 minutes. 4. Adding the salt and 2 tbsp of melted wee Butter, and mix into a dough ball. 5. Coat this ball in a layer of flour. 6. On a low temperature, simmer any toppings you want in your 5 tbsp of wee Butter*. 7. Add the tomatoes and oregano and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally, until it is similar to sauce. 8. Now, roll your dough into two separate but even balls. Flatten these and spread your sauce over the dough, subsequently adding the cheese and any more toppings you want. 9. Bake in the oven for 13 to 18 minutes at 375 degrees. * NOTE: The butter is where all the THC is. While simmering the toppings in the butter they will suck up the THC.

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sweetness desired) ° 1¾ teaspoons baking powder ° ¼ teaspoon salt ° ¹/³ cup weed butter ° 1 egg, beaten ° ¾ cup milk ° ½ teaspoon vanilla ° ²/³ cup blueberries (or whatever you wish to use) ° ¹/³ cup chopped unblanched almonds, toasted

DIRECTIONS: 1. Sift dry ingredients together to mix well. 2. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 3. Whisk egg vigorously to incorporate air and make the eggs light. 4. Stir in egg, milk and vanilla and combine thoroughly. 5. Add to dry mixture and stir together (some lumps should remain) and add the blueberries. 6. Fill well greased muffin tins with batter until two thirds full. 7. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 minutes or until done. Makes around 18 large muffins.

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/ RECIPES /

Marijuana Coffee INGREDIENTS: FOR THE DOUGH: ° ½ gram (or more) of your favorite indica, sativa or any combination of both marijuana. ° 3 Cups of Water ° 2 Tablespoons of butter ° 1 Instant coffee pack or blend of your preference

DIRECTIONS: 1. First you will need to get around ½ gram of your favorite marijuana and grind it up as fine as you can. (Recommendations: Barneys Farm G13 Haze, Green House Seeds Cheese, or LA Confidential) 2. Get small pot and put 3 cups of water in. 3. Turn the stove onto the highest setting possible and bring the water to a boil. 4. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter. 5. Add the ½ gram of ground up marijuana. 6. While leaving the stove on the highest heat setting and having the water violently boiling, stir every few minutes making sure that any of the marijuana on the side of the put is pushed back into the water. *Note: The point of making Marijuana coffee is to extract the THC from the plant. Since THC is not soluble in water alone it requires a fatty substance to cling onto under high heat. With the combination of the high heat from the boiling water, then the butter that was added to the mixture, the THC can be removed from the marijuana for drinking purposes. 7. All for the marijuana, water and butter to boil on high heat for at LEAST 30 minutes. The longer you are willing to wait the more THC that will

be extracted. From my experience 30-40 minutes is usually an ideal time. *Note: While the water is boiling on high heat, the water will begin to evaporate fairly quickly. Do NOT turn it on and walk away for a half an hour or the water may be gone when you return. Watch and stir every few minutes and as extra water as needed to maintain that the water level is the same as when you started. 8. After at least 30 minutes, you can run the water through a strainer into a cup large enough to hold all the liquid. Now that the THC is removed from the marijuana and now clinging to the butter you no longer need the green. 9. The marijuana water will be VERY hot so be VERY careful and let it cool for 5 minutes. 10. Add the instant pack or bag of coffee of your choice into the hot water.

Marijuana Spaghetti INGREDIENTS:

° ¹/³ cup cannabis-infused olive oil ° 1 package spaghetti ° 1 entire bulb garlic, chopped ° 2 tbsp vegetable oil ° 1 tbsp soy sauce ° Parmesan cheese ° Salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large pot bring water to a boil. 2. Cook the pasta to desired tenderness. 3. In the meantime, dice the garlic and sauté it in the vegetable oil and soy sauce over medium heat until tender. 4. Turn the heat to low and add the cannabis olive oil. Heat for about five minutes and then set aside. 5. Toss the noodles into the oil and mix in salt, pepper and parmesan cheese to taste. Serves about four. 52

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In addition to our wonderful crab in bag boil style of food, we also offer an array of other specialty items. Looking to venture a little more into the Bayou? Hop on over and give our fried frog legs a shot, or slither on in for some delicious alligator nuggets. Need to satisfy your Po’ Boy craving? We have those too, and don’t forget to try our freshly shucked raw oysters, sluuurp! We are privately owned “Mom and Pop Shop!” We proudly support local businesses and try our best to use Arizona craft beers!

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www.angrycrabshack.com Hours: Su-Th 11am–10pm F-Sa 11am–11pm AUG / SEPT 2015

BLAZED420 53

/ DISPENSARIES / CATALINA HILLS CARE

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ARIZONA CANNABIS SOCIETY LLC

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DESERT MEDICAL CAMPUS INC

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HERBAL ASSIST INC DBA: MOHAVE GREEN

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HERBAL WELLNESS CENTER INC

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JAMESTOWN CENTER

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MEDICAL PAIN RELIEF INC

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MMJ APOTHECARY

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8729 E MANZANITA DR / SCOTTSDALE AZ 85258 / (480) 991-3752 DBA: AZ GRASS ROOT 10580 S STATE ROUTE 69 / MAYER AZ 86333 / (928) 227-2658

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NATURAL HERBAL REMEDIES INC

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THE DESERT VALLEY PHARMACY INC

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THE GREENHOUSE

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RAINBOW COLLECTIVE INC

DBA: BLOOM DISPENSARY TUCSON 4695 N ORACLE RD, STE #117 / TUCSON AZ 85705 / (520) 293-3315 DBA: THE PRIME LEAF 4120 E SPEEDWAY BLVD / TUCSON AZ 85712 / (520) 207-2753

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ZONACARE

465 JORDAN RD / SEDONA AZ 86336 / (928) 282-8122

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AUG / SEPT 2015

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/ MONEY /

BY DHIRUBHAI AMBANI

THE BASICS ON FINANCING YOUR CANNABIS BUSINESS /

Are you dreaming of starting your business in the Cannabis industry? Have you heard or discovered firsthand that banks are not lending to Cannapreneurs at this time? Would you like to keep the equity in your company instead of giving it to strangers as collateral, in exchange for their private investment in YOUR business? If this is you, how do you acquire financing? For regular businesses, getting a loan from a bank or financial institution is the most straightforward answer. Prepare your business plan, your projections for the next 3-plus years, your tax returns and personal financial statement with your resume, as well as a list of all your assets, and head on down to the local big bank to apply. Right ... and let’s not forget that you now are placed into a holding pattern of questions and answers for the next couple of months. But hey, traditionally that has been the process. In the Cannabis industry, that’s not even an option. Most banks won’t even open bank accounts for marijuana businesses; much less provide a loan to one. Such actions are unthinkable because the feds have yet to make marijuana legal. So how do you start the second most sought after dream in America, entrepreneurship? Those in the marijuana industry looking for financing, more often than not, have to get creative when it comes capital, and it is exactly those kinds of people that Simplified Capital (www.simplifiedcapital.com) is looking to help. The Simplified Capital team has more than 20 years of experience in financing all kinds of businesses from startups and nationally recognized

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franchisees to smaller homegrown “mom and pop” operations. The fact that Cannabis is frowned on by the big banks only fuels Simplified Capital’s desire to help people grow their dream. Simplified Capital specializes in assisting clients who need to obtain financing or capital, even through nontraditional means. Drawing upon a list of hundreds of lending partners, Simplified Capital provides the best fit available for each client’s specific lending needs in exchange for a reasonable consultation fee. Notably, in most cases, Simplified Capital gets paid after they provide a certain level of success instead of requiring payment upfront. Founder Phillip L. Stuart says that their 98% success rate enables them to “Put their money where their mouth is,” as long as the qualifying customer is willing and able to make a dedicated commitment to their own success. “We cannot do everything for the customer. The customer has to want to be successful. Once we provide the capital or financing, the rest is up to the customer,” Stuart says. “We provide multiple financial solutions to answer the needs of our valued clients seeking to establish or grow their company,” Stuart says. “Whether a client is a startup with no actual operating time in business as of yet or is well established, we have the tools to get them heading in the right direction.” Some of those financial solutions include: secured and unsecured lines of credit for application to virtually any business need, equity investors, private lenders, commercial real estate, equipment lease

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BLAZED420 57

/ MONEY /

CONTINUED

financing and working capital finance programs with same as cash options for customers or MFG’s selling equipment and supplies. The initial idea for Simplified Capital originally came to Stuart in 2002 while working at an equipment lease finance company. “I came to the realization that there needs to be more of a ‘one stop shop’ for business owners to contact to resolve their financial needs. ‘Big banks’ are often unhelpful during this process. Why should entrepreneurs and business professionals have to look so hard to find the right solution? How many times are their dreams left unlived when they do not find that solution?” Stuart asks. Stuart’s first company, Simplified Leasing, was born out of this idea. After nearly a decade of adding more services and financing options to the company, Simplified Capital naturally evolved out of its corporate sister. Unlike some private investments, Simplified Capital doesn’t require that entrepreneurs have already completed the R&D (research and development) or proof of concept (proof of profitability in the form of previous earnings) stages of development in order to acquire financing. All potential clients need to work with Simplified Capital are an idea, someone with good credit and the dedication to make their business work. According to Stuart, the company’s most popular program is their “UBF” (unsecured business funding). “In short, we work with the client, and obtain with them $50,000 to $160,000 (per person) or more in unsecured credit lines,” Stuart explains. “Most lines provide the huge benefit of an introductory promotional term to the customer, starting as low as 0% interest for up to 24 months.”

/ WHETHER A CLIENT IS A STARTUP WITH NO ACTUAL OPERATING TIME IN BUSINESS AS OF YET OR IS WELL ESTABLISHED, WE HAVE THE TOOLS TO GET THEM HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. /

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No, the lines do not have to be paid off prior to the introductory terms expiring. No, no one is sneakily placing interest back on the line, if it has not been paid off before the promotion expires. Stuart contends that “most in the Cannabis industry make enough to pay off the lines of credit within the promotional terms.” Although the marijuana banking crisis has severely limited many businesses financially, Stuart said that the crisis has actually helped his business more than it has hurt it. “People are still looking to live their dreams, regardless of what banks may or may not do. They simply need to know we are here to assist them in living that dream.” “At the risk of upsetting someone, we love the marijuana banking crisis. It has introduced us to so many awesome entrepreneurs seeking funding,” Stuart says. “Of course, there are business owners looking to process credit cards and deposit capital into bank accounts, and we anticipate soon, banking will start accepting the billions being exchanged. But hey…there are worse things in business than paying off all your debts and having a safe full of cash.” Although Simplified Capital’s business model may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to business financing, it does represent a viable option for those who need capital to finally start or grow their businesses. For every good idea, there is a person out there trying to get funding for it. When most traditional sources of financing fall short, Simplified Capital is here to locate and offer the helping hand that those entrepreneurs desperately need. “If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs”!

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