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departments
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Chin-Win Situation Jay Leno reveals what’s made him the Titan of Tonight all these years
On the cover: Photo courtesy of NBCUniversal
features 14 A Very Good Morning Pay a visit to Mendocino County’s one and only “bud & breakfast.” 16 Puzzling Percentages When strains are tested for potency, what exactly does that mean? 22 Idyll–Wild! Post-American Idol, Casey Abrams is charting his own course. 24 Say Uncle Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy says pill-popping is the real drug menace.
8 Letter from the Editor It takes time and hard work to get to the promised land—but we’re getting there. 10 News Nuggets Cannabis makes headlines here, there, everywhere—and we give you the scoop—PLUS our latest By the Numbers 26 Strain & Edible Reviews Our ever-popular sampling of amazing strains and edibles currently provided by your friendly neighborhood dispensary. 34 Destination Unknown Explore end-of-the-world parties—the way our Mayan ancestors predicted. 36 Profiles in Courage Our latest feature provides insight into the life—and struggle—of a medical marijuana patient near you. 38 Cool Stuff From Scrips CBD Capsules to Cloud Vapez, if it’s a cuttingedge product or cool lifestyle gear, we’re all over it. 40 Recipes Feel patriotic with this Veterans Day-Thanskgiving menu mashup. 44 Shooting Gallery Here are the green-friendly things we saw you doing around town. 46 Entertainment Reviews The latest films, books, music and more that define our culture. 48 Event Listings Our wrap-up of some of Bay Area’s coolest events.
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letter from the editor
Vol 4 IssUE 5
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Roberto C. Hernandez Editor-In-Chief
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Dennis Argenzia, Omar Aziz, Sarah Bennett, Jacob Browne, David Burton, Michael Carlos, Grace Cayosa, Jasen T. Davis, Stacy Davies, Rev. Dr. Kymron de Cesare, Alex Distefano, David Downs, James P. Gray, Lillian Isley, David Jenison, Liquid Todd, Kevin Longrie, Meital Manzuri, Jane Mast, Sandra Moriarty, Damian Nassiri, Keller O’Malley, Paul Rogers, Jeff Schwartz, Lanny Swerdlow, Arrissia Owen
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A news items caught my eye the other day. I heard that opening arguments had just been made before the U.S. Court of Appeal in an effort to convince the federal government— unfortunately, MMJ’s staunchest foe—to re-schedule marijuana. Americans for Safe Access, a national patients-rights advocacy group that has been leading various pro-MMJ campaigns since its formation 10 years ago, is leading this charge. So why is re-scheduling marijuana a big deal? Marijuana, in the eyes of the government, is a Schedule I drug, which is another way for the feds (via the Controlled Substances Act—thanks, Nixon) to judge cannabis as dangerous as cocaine and heroin and with no medical use whatsoever. Schedule III drugs include Vicodin, Schedule IV drugs include Valium and Xanax, Schedule V drugs include cough medicine. This is the basic reason why the feds say they can trump a state’s MMJ laws any day of the week; they say federal law (marijuana is illegal for any purposes) overrides state law (marijuana is legal to use as medicine). So if ASA is successful in getting marijuana rescheduled, then that could open the door, the argument goes, to ushering in a whole new
era for reform across the country. Imagine that—marijuana treated the same way as Robitussin (Schedule V). Or maybe considered a legal alternative to Temazepam (Schedule IV). Gone is the federal government’s ace in the whole. Gone is the whole “no medical use” propaganda. No more raids. No more abuse. No more nonsense. It’s what they call a “game changer.” Will this happen tomorrow? Of course not. These things take time. Months. Sometimes years. And this isn’t the first time we’ve tried this. Meanwhile, at the state and local levels, activists and advocates are pushing for similar goals: to get our government officials and law enforcement officers to open their eyes and free their minds; to view cannabis on the basis of science and research, not stigma and politics. And every victory we score for cannabis rights and access is a victory won because of the backbreaking labor and energy of millions of activists (like ASA), patients, caregivers, lobbyists, professionals, doctors, lawyers and advocates. And these people need support. So, support your medical marijuana community. Support your local dispensary. Support your caregiver. Support elected leaders with common sense. Most of all, let’s support one another. As we inch towards sanity, we’re going to need all the help we can get. c
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operate in the Bay Area city. Measure C would permit the dispensaries to set up shop in any of the city’s commercial and industrial areas—provided they’re not near schools, parks, libraries or drug-treatment facilities. Cannabis sold at the venues would be taxed at 4 percent. The initiative is opposed by the Palo Alto City Council and Downtown Business Association
U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag
THE STATE
Residents of Palo Alto will vote Nov. 6 on whether to green-light a measure allowing up to three medical cannabis dispensaries to 10 CULTURE • NOVEMBER 2012
THE NATION
Access, accused the DEA of ignoring 200 scientific studies when it refused to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I narcotic with no medical benefits to a less stringent category. Americans for Safe Access and other pro-medical cannabis groups want the court to reconsider its classification of marijuana.
Connecticut MMJ law takes effect
Coming to a cannabis field near you: drones
Alameda County Sheriff’s officials have tested and are now exploring ways to employ Oakland sues feds to keep unmanned aerial drones— Harborside open Attorneys for the city of Oakland similar to those used by the military overseas—to locate have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Justice Department to block cannabis growing operations. The drones, which cost the federal government’s efforts between $50,000 and $100,000, to shut down model medical marijuana dispensary Harborside would use infrared technology, video cameras and other Health Center. high-tech equipment to locate The lawsuit was filed in marijuana grows both on public October in U.S. District Court land and in private homes, and specifically names as Alameda County Sheriff Greg defendants U.S. Attorney Gen. Ahern told the San Francisco Eric Holder and U.S. Attorney Chronicle. Other uses would Melinda Haag—one of the four include search-and-rescue federal attorneys who last year launched the crackdown on the missions and tracking highspeed chases, he said. compassionate-use industry. The plan was sharply Oakland is now the first U.S. city criticized by the American Civil to sue the federal government Liberties Union, which warns over the ongoing assault, that drone manufacturers “are according to the San Francisco considering” offering lawChronicle. enforcement agencies the Oakland City Attorney option of arming the crafts with Barbara Parker told reporters the action was necessary to keep medical marijuana patients from having to look to the black market for their medicine.
Palo Alto to vote on allowing dispensaries
rubber bullets, Tasers and tear gas, according to the Chronicle.
U.S. appeals court considers reclassifying marijuana
In a case with enormous potential ramifications for the nation’s cannabis community, the U.S. appellate court in Washington, DC, is considering a major challenge to the federal government’s claim that marijuana is a dangerous drug with no redeeming medical value. Evidence in the challenge, stemming from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s denial of a cannabis rescheduling petition a decade ago, was presented in October to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Joe Elford, chief counsel for Americans for Safe
With a tick of the clock, Connecticut became the 17th star in the union allowing residents to legally use marijuana for medicinal purposes. The Palliative Use of Marijuana Act, which the state’s Democratic governor signed into law five months ago, took effect on Oct. 1. Physicians can now recommend cannabis is a therapeutic treatment for patients with certain serious
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illnesses, and patients can obtain a medical cannabis ID card by registering with the state. The state Department of Consumer Protection must submit a set of regulations by July 1 to the General Assembly for state-licensed dispensaries. Until then, qualified patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis at any one time for their medicinal needs.
regulating cannabis gardens or allow patients to grow them anywhere in the city’s borders. The City Council delayed action on the requirement for 18 months, but has at last scheduled a workshop on the proposed ordinance for Nov. 19. If approved, the ordinance would allow patients to group as many as 45 marijuana plants for medicinal use.
THE WORLD Vancouver inches closer to cannabis gardens
Qualified medical cannabis patients would be allowed to grow cannabis for up to 10 people, under a proposed ordinance to be considered this month by the City Council of Vancouver, BC. A state law passed last year directed Vancouver officials to either come up with a plan for
by the numbers Average price (in dollars) of one pound of Mendocino County-grown cannabis in October: 2,000 (Source: San Francisco Chronicle).
Number of scientific studies to conclude cannabis has medical benefits: 200-plus (Source: Americans for Safe Access).
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Number of registered Montana medical marijuana patients in September 2009: 3,921 (Source: Great Falls Tribune).
Number of federally accepted medical uses for cannabis: 0 (Source: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration).
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Maximum number of medical cannabis dispensaries allowed in San Jose under current zoning regulations: 10 (Source: San Jose City Hall).
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Number of registered Montana medical marijuana patients in January 2011: 28,000plus (Source: Great Falls Tribune).
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Total amount of cash (in dollars) seized in California’s agricultural belt in this summer’s cannabis-eradication campaign by law enforcement: 4,869 (Source: NBCBayArea.com). Average price (in dollars) of one pound of Mendocino County-grown cannabis in the mid-1990s: 5,000 (Source: San Francisco Chronicle).
Number of these studies that the U.S. Justice Department admits meets federal criteria for valid studies: 15 (Source: Bloomberg Businessweek).
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Percentage of gross marijuana dispensary sales that would be taxed in Palo Alto under a Nov. 6 ballot measure: 4 (Source: Associated Press).
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Number of authorized Montana medical marijuana caregivers in September 2009: 1,403 (Montana Department of Public Health). Number of authorized Montana medical marijuana caregivers in September 2011: 4,833 (Montana Department of Public Health).
Number of ex-DEA chiefs who held a conference call in October demanding President Obama denounce pot legalization measures in three states: 9 (Source: Seattle Times).
Bobby D’s Cocktail Comedy Hour
Are you’re looking for a good time or—better yet—an evening of laughs? Or do you want other people to do the laughing . . . at you? Your standup dreams can come true in downtown Redwood City with this new open mic comedy night recently kicked off at Bobby D’s Cocktail Lounge and Sports Bar. It’s free—just work on polishing your best batch of gut-busting quips, jokes and bits. Are you an observational comic à la Jerry Seinfeld? Or maybe you’re a “prop” comedian (no Carrot Top jokes, please!). Whatever your flavor of yucks is, you’ll get a chance at tickling funny bones belonging to some of the Bay Area’s finest humor appreciators. But is this place green-friendly? You bet—this place has even got a comic that runs a show out of a dispensary in San Jose, and making jokes about meds is par for the course here. A few weeks ago, gifted voice impressionist Paul Vlahos (“the man of 1,000 voices”) simply killed it. But why let these guys have all the fun? Screw up your courage, write a few bits and test them out on stage. No nets. No over-dubs. No joke. Wait—I mean, “yes” jokes. Sorry. (Matt Tapia)
IF YOU GO
What: Bobby D’s Cocktail Comedy Show. When/Where: Every Wednesday, 8pm-10pm at Bobby D’s Cocktail Lounge and Sports Bar, 700 Winslow St., Redwood City. Info: Sign-up is at 7:30pm. Go to www.facebook.com/ BobbyDsSportsBar. NOVEMBER 2012 • CULTURE 13
Photo courtesy of Medocino County Tourism
FLASH
Among the Redwoods Explore primal forests and the bounty of the Emerald Triangle from Mendocino County’s lone “Bed, Bud & Breakfast” {STORY AND PHOTOS By David Downs}
“Cannabis Always Welcome” reads the sign above the doorway to the cottage in the woods. Chickens cluck, a bluebird sings, the slightest breeze rustles through 300-year-old redwood sentinels, and we know we are home. Qualifying patients should feel morally obligated to make a pilgrimage to Northern California’s Mendocino County at least once in their lifetime. Just a three hour-drive north of San Francisco, “Mendo” is a global Mecca of cannabis culture, with an estimated two-thirds of the local economy based on the herb’s cultivation. Its Proposition 215-friendly “Bed, Bud & Breakfast” and the city of Mendo’s well-stocked dispen14 CULTURE • NOVEMBER 2012
sary, Love In It, would be enough to write home about, but rugged nature makes herb here a mere accessory. We could spend weeks hiking, fishing, kayaking and scuba diving, and more treasures would still remain. Leave Highway 101 for the coast, and Mendocino’s enchantment begins with a blurred race to the beach through towering, lush redwood forest cathedrals right out of the speeder bike chases in Return of the Jedi. Lucas filmed the moon of Endor scenes in the redwoods north of here. In a blast of sunlight and salty air, we see the coast, and begin a sickening climb to the blufftops of Highway 1, a paved goat trail cut from the primeval cliffs. This mountainous, moist intersec-
tion of three tectonic plates was settled by Pomo Indians. Later, the Spanish gave Mendocino its name, and the county became part of the California’s founding in 1850. The timber industry cut through swaths of the region before conservationists stepped in. Pot growing took over in the ’60s. As the War on Drugs began strangling international supplies, local growers turned the northern wilderness into a clandestine, “Emerald Triangle”—the capital of domestic marijuana production. The liberal county has a high tolerance for the quasi-legal revenue generator, and in 2011, the county’s lone “Bed, Bud & Breakfast” popped up. The quiet, private cottage is
set off a country road, four miles from the beach. Very affordable compared to other spots, the cottage sits on the front of property surrounded by forest, and the silence is therapeutic. We often found fresh, locally grown organic dahlias, freshly picked organic apples, strawberries, veggies and even fresh eggs waiting for us in the clean, well-furnished, two-bedroom rental. Grateful Dead posters and cannabis plant illustrations where hung in frames on the walls. Upstairs, a master bedroom with queen-sized bed fronted a balcony amidst the trees. The owners proudly respect state medical marijuana law, and provide listings for tons of local activities as well as the county’s lone dispensary, Love In It, located 15 minutes north up Highway 1 in downtown Mendocino (population: 894). The relaxed, professional, family-owned collective carries dozens of strains, concentrates and edibles. We saw superb Chemdog, Pineapple and Sour Flower, not to mention fine cuts of Girl Scout Cookies, outdoor Lavender-Blueberry and top-shelf Pure Kush. We settled on some of The Truth—an exclusive, heady, chocolaty mix of Amherst and Skunk #1 grown by a local pro. Prices were insanely good—topping out at $40 for premium indoor eighths, and half-grams starting at $4. While in town, try whalewatching from the rugged headlands, sample fine local wines and microbrews like Scrimshaw pilsner and book a kayaking tour of the local sea caves. Better yet, come to the county prepared for day trips into the 200 square-mile Mendocino National Forest, or fishing for rainbow trout in the county’s dozen rivers. From undersea preserves, to towering waterfalls, Mendocino County’s primeval wonders rival Kauai’s North Shore. The scenery can make anyone consider a permanent retreat from modern life. For now, we’ll settle for occasional tastes of the place where cannabis is “Always Welcome.” c
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BUZZ
What’s Your Number? What potency and percentages mean for patients {By Rev. Dr. Kymron deCesare} Potency applies to all cannabinoids and terpenoids in the plant, yet for most folks, potency means the concentration of marijuana’s main active ingredient, THC. Potency is most commonly reported as a percentage of the total weight of cannabis. In edible forms of cannabis therapy, potency is measured in either milligrams/gram (solids), or milligrams/milliliter (liquids). A flower with 10 percent THC would contain 100 milligrams (or mg) of THC per gram of flower. Cannabis naturally produces THCa (THC acid), which when heated is converted into THC. Even under ideal heating conditions, at most only 62 percent of the THCa is converted to THC, and under poor conditions, less than 50 percent. Most high quality flowers analyzed have a potency range
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of 18 to 25 percent THCa, which yields between 11 to 16 percent THC. However plants measuring as high as 32 to 33 percent THCa (20 percent THC) are reported. This means the maximum potency of THC available in flowers is about 20 percent, with the average being between 10 and 15 percent. This also means that claims of THC potency at or above 20 percent are questionable, even if reported by laboratory testing: either what’s
Method to the Gladness
being reported is in fact THCa or the testing method is in error. Back in the late 1960s the potency range was only 1 to 3 percent. Like many medicinal remedies and pharmaceuticals, different amounts of THC have different effects on the body. As an example, low dosages of THC improve appetite, whereas high doses do not. As a result, when a patient begins getting high, they feel hungry, with appetite decreasing with increased Potency also depends on the method of consumption. Depending on whether the cannabis is inhaled or eaten, it’s absorbed and used by the body in different ways. This is why people sometimes become sick with nausea and vomiting from eating cannabis, but only very rarely from smoking it.
psycho activity, and again later as the high decreases, they feel hungry again. In another words, if a patient wants to improve appetite, they need to maintain a low dosage of THC. The amount of THC needed depends on frequency of usage and the amount of tolerance built up by the patient’s body. Inhaling cannabis brings on rapid, obvious effects, allowing the patient to easily and quickly self titrate their needed dosage. Ingested cannabis has an initial delay of onset of about 35 to 45 minutes, with full effects noted within 2 hours. This means selecting initial dosages requires more careful planning to avoid over dosing. For the average patient eating cannabis, 15mg (10mg to 25mg) is considered an average single dose. For a patient new to cannabis therapy, 2.5mg to 5mg is a more appropriate dose, whereas for intensive therapy (cancer or AIDS, for example), 35 to 60mg may be needed. Eventually the cannabinoid (CB) receptors in the brain get worn out from overload, tolerance in the body builds up and more THC is required to get the same psychoactive effect. To reduce tolerance, the body must be purged of THC. The half-life of THC in the body is about 11 hours, which is why it takes days to excrete all the THC in the body. Potency is most often determined using either liquid chromatography or gas chromatography (lc-ms, gc-ms). The chromagraphic column of the instrument first separates the individual cannabinoids in the sample. Different cannabinoids are either more or less attracted to the column, allowing them to travel through the column at different rates, thereby separating them. After being separated, each compound is passed before a detector to determine what it is and how much is present in the sample. c Rev. Dr. Kymron deCesare manages and operates the general chemistry laboratory courses at UC Davis and is the lab manager at Halent Laboratories in Sacramento. You can find out more at www. halent.com. Halent safety tests all samples it receives.
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BUZZ
Medical cannabis patients have some tough choices to make in the ballot booth this month. Should they cast their vote for a presidential candidate who best represents their views on marijuana or for one who has a hope in hell of winning? Nevertheless, your vote does matter. Regardless of whether it’s not enough to push pro-MMJ candidates over the top, every ballot cast in favor of a candidate with enlightened views on cannabis sends a message to the political powers that be, and, believe it or not, they really do pay attention to these things. So let’s take a look at the records and statements of the 2012 candidates begging for your vote. For the congressional races, we’ll focus only on the ones that are both of particular interest to the MMJ community and remain toss-ups as of press time.
Flip-flopper. But you already knew that, right?
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“I’m sorry, I don’t support medical marijuana being legal,” he once said. The prosecution rests.
Few can say former Republican governor of New Mexico-turned-Libertarian Party standard-bearer Gary Johnson doesn’t speak the language of the medical cannabis community. Not only has he declared the War on Drugs a colossal failure and promised to end it by lifting prohibition on all drugs and industrial hemp, but he chose retired Orange County judge Jim Gray as his running mate—and no one can honestly say Gray is anything but a champion and hero to the MMJ community. In an interview with CULTURE, Gray promises his boss would repeal the Controlled Substances Act, regulate cannabis like alcohol, withdraw from its anti-drug treaty obligations and even institute a commission to review the sentences of federal inmates convicted of nonviolent drug crimes. “If anyone is interested in having medical marijuana dispensaries in our country, their only hope for survival is to elect Gov. Johnson,” Gray says. Then again, Libertarian Johnson also promises to cut Medicare and Social Security by 40 percent and “scale back” U.S. involvement in the United Nations. So there’s that.
The Greens have long called for an end to the prohibition on cannabis, and their 2012 presidential candidate, Jill Stein, is as green as they come. Stein reiterated her fiercely anti-prohibition views in an interview with CULTURE, promising—if elected—to fully legalize pot; instruct the DEA to base its drug scheduling policies on science, rather than, well, whatever they currently base it on; withdraw from the anti-pot Single Convention on Narcotics; and end the Obama-era raids on dispensaries, which as a practice she described as “unfortunate and inhumane.” Her views on industrial hemp are particularly revealing: She would not only legalize it, but do so with an eye toward small hemp growers and operations, ensuring “it not be legalized in a way that makes it subject to monopolization by large growers.” In other words, drug reform done smart—how refreshing. That said, Stein is polling in the low, low single digits. No matter how much we love her, she’s no election-spoiling Ralph Nader à la 2000.
Attempts to reach the longtime incumbent senator were met by blankfaced stone-walling, and, over the years, that’s exactly what the MMJ community has come to expect from Dianne Feinstein. Raise your hand if you, too, have received one of her patented form letters expressing compassion for the plight of medical cannabis patients and her continued unwillingness to address that plight because “marijuana remains illegal under federal law.” Compassionate detachment—that’s the good senator’s policy when it comes to her patient constituents’ need for safe access to their cannabis medicine. It’s also why a vote for Feinstein is a vote contrary to the interests of the medical cannabis community.
The Republican Party’s 2012 sacrificial lamb, I mean California Senate candidate has much to say about gay marriage being bad and abortion being worse and Obama being the worst of all possible worseness, but she apparently has nothing to say—zip, zero, a big empty nada—about medical cannabis issues. When submitted lists of questions on the subject by the Drug Policy Forum of California, Project Vote Smart and Vote CA, Emken responded with the political equivalent of “A dog ate my homework.” Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe it’s bad: Why knows? But one thing we do know is Emken ain’t gonna win on the 6th, so it’s kind of a moot point, anyway.
Ami Bera (Democrat) and Dan Lungren (Republican) are locked in a deathstruggle for this seat, so close in the polls that a barbershop quartet could put one or the other over the top. So, Sacramento medical marijuana fans, now’s the time to get some sweet payback for Lungren busting Dennis Peron’s pot club back when he was attorney general. Bera has been kind of iffy on the question of MMJ, but he’s not Lungren. Go, Ami!
Let’s get serious, folks—Rep. Pete Stark, a longtime ally of medical cannabis patients, is in the fight of his political life against challenger and fellow Democrat Eric Swalwell due to redistricting. No disrespect to Swalwell, who says he also supports medical marijuana, but let’s dance with the one who brung us: Stark has an impressive record of pushing forward and supporting legislation of great importance to the MMJ community. Swalwell, meanwhile, is an ex-prosecutor beloved of law enforcement. With fellow stalwarts Barney Frank and Ron Paul retiring from Congress, we can’t afford to lose Pete or take a chance on an unknown. c NOVEMBER 2012 • CULTURE 21
TUNES
Idol Thoughts American Idol finalist Casey Abrams embraces the simple life {By David Jenison} “Dude, that actually never came up once,” says American Idol finalist Casey Abrams when asked about a drug-referencing song choice on the show. The 21-year-old singer performed “With a Little Help from My Friends,” a Beatles-penned tune that lists getting high as BFF help. “They think about the stage setup before they even start to think about any of the lyrics,” he continues. “I obviously had to change the ‘F-word’ once in a song, but that was small. Maybe they let
it slip, but I thought it was cool that I got to sing ‘I get high’ on American Idol.” Abrams, who appeared on the transformational tenth season (hola J.Lo and Steve Tyler, adios Mr. Cowell), auditioned in his Texas hometown of Austin, but he has long been a California resident. With roots in two political polar opposites, the affable star seems a bit uncomfortable talking about medical marijuana, though he eventually opens up. “I don’t want to get in trouble, but I think it can help people,” he
remarks. “It seems like it helps a lot with cancer patients. I think people can abuse that power and take advantage of it, but why not have it around? That is my stance on things. There are more things to worry about than that, especially in L.A.. It should be the least of our worries.” For Abrams, life is certainly more excitement than worries after finishing in the Top 6 in the 2011 season. He notably survived an earlier round with a rare judges’ save, which should attest to his pure talent. He then hit the road with his unabashed passion for jazz, blues and old-time R&B on that summer’s 2011 American Idols Live Tour. As far as joining the competition, Abrams admits, “There was some cattiness and I did not trust a lot of people during the show, but all of that cleared up as soon as we all went on tour. I still hang out with all the contestants all the time— Haley [Reinhart], Jacob [Lusk], all of
Home is Where the Music Is
Overall, debut album Casey Abrams’ diversity and influences reflect the musician/multi-instrumentalist’s upbringing in a home that featured a vintage playlist and extremely creative parents. Abrams’ screenwriting mother plays piano and sings, and his father teaches film production at the Idyllwild Arts Academy in the San Bernardino National Forest. The son would attend the arts school himself and learn enough instruments to make George Harrison jealous.
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them. Stefano [Langone] and I are two completely different personalities, but it is actually really fun to hang out with him.” Though he didn’t claim the gold, Abrams recently released his self-titled debut on Concord Music Group, the record company Paul McCartney calls home. The album features dual singles, “Simple Life” and “Get Out,” that highlight the singer’s range. He also recorded a “Hit the Road Jack” cover that would make for excellent American Idol exit music. Though the show exposed him to a wide audience, Abrams wanted to stay true to his ’50s- and ‘60s-era influences on the album. Abrams headed to London to record with a trio of top producers, and he co-wrote and played several different instruments, including the bass, acoustic guitar, drums and Wurlitzer. “You have to go with what your gut tells you,” he says of the album. “We tried to put catchy melodies over music that a jazz musician would play. I think that is interesting for a person who does not necessary like pop but who does like cool changes and catchy melodies. It is basically a vibe thing.” c www.iamcaseyabrams.com
IN CONCERT
Appearing Nov. 2 at The Uptown Theatre in Napa.
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TUNES
Yankee Pride {By Paul Rogers} From a distance, alt-country kingpin Wilco members could look like freewheeling minstrels criss-crossing the country to bring their rootsy fare to the masses. Yet while the hard-touring sextet—which Rolling Stone has declared ”America’s foremost rock impressionists”—puts music front and center, a chat with founding frontman Jeff Tweedy reveals a pragmatic business head at the heart of creative collective that’s actually much more than just a band. “I just don’t believe in selling out—I think it’s a very elite concept,” says Tweedy, speaking from his Chicago home. “Where I come from— where my family comes from; where my dad comes from—that notion is almost incomprehensible.” Tweedy, who says his father worked on the railways for 46 years, is referring to the hearty backlash to his band’s licensing of several songs from its 2007 album, Sky Blue Sky, for use in a Volkswagen advertising campaign. Even over five years later, Chicago’s Beachwood Reporter echoed the sentiments of many fans and bloggers when writer Don Jacobson asked “Was the VW payday really worth sacrificing their integrity?” in an article earlier this month. “Well, it was good for our career,” Tweedy deadpans. “It was a way for us to be heard in a business and a world where we had very few avenues for that to happen.”
Real Pain
The band’s VW deal not only brought Wilco, which has never enjoyed substantial mainstream airplay, oodles of welcome exposure for its songs and a considerable injection of funds, but its critics also inadvertently gifted the band endless paragraphs of profile-raising press and blog publicity. “If [critics of the VW deal] want
Say What?
Wilco combines a business head with a creative heart
“I think [marijuana] should certainly be made readily available to folks for whom there is a legitimate medicinal need.” —Ben Affleck
to stay in this sort of altruistic fantasy world, they can, but Wilco helps a lot of people stay alive. We are a big band with a lot of our friends working for us and a lot of people depend upon us as their livelihood—and I feel much more satisfaction from that than from the idea that some song that I’m not even precious about to begin with has become I guess somehow sullied in someone’s eyes.” Wilco was formed by the remaining members of revered alt-country act Uncle Tupelo when singer Jay Farrar quit the band in 1994. Only singer/guitarist/songwriter Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt remain from Wilco’s original line-up, which is currently completed by guitarist Nels Cline, percussionist Glenn Kotche, multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone and keyboard player Mikael Jorgensen. Over the course of nine albums (including 2011’s The Whole Love), Wilco has earned a reputation for experimentation within the broad parameters of the alternative country and alternative rock genres. The band’s progressive, eclectic approach had web commentators dubbing it “the American Radiohead” by the turn of the Millennium. In 2008, Wilco enthusiastically supported Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, appearing on The Colbert Report to that end. Speaking of Obama, Tweedy shared with CULTURE his views on medical marijuana. “I think that [cannabis has] obviously been proven to help people, and I think that it probably will be legal in my lifetime across the board,” he says. c www.wilcoworld.net
Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy thinks pills are the real problem—not pot. “I’m much more concerned about the pharmaceutical industry and the epidemic of painkiller abuse,” he says. “That’s a lot closer to my heart and I know that kind of suffering, and it seems like it’s obviously a situation that, compared to the ‘War on Drugs’ which is really a ridiculous endeavor, that’s actually one area where the government could probably make significant changes overnight.”
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Patients come from all walks of life—and suffer from all kinds of ailments. But we all come together at our local dispensary or access point to get our relief-providing meds. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to act. Here are some pointers about what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes time to secure medical cannabis from a caregiver.
Be prepared. Have your doctor’s recommendation, paperwork, ID, cash, etc. ready. Don’t be that guy.
Be discreet and respectful in the waiting room as well as the medicine room. Remember, this is a place where patients secure their medicine—not a club house or kick-it spot.
Never consume medicine on-site. Never. Ever.
Don’t open your container or bag of medicine (or edibles) in the parking lot or on the property. Put your medicine in your trunk and drive straight to your destination.
Illustration by Vidal Diaz
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strain & edible reviews
Wonderland Edibles Chocolate Truffles Well, this is decadent. The Leaf Lab in San Jose carries Wonderland Edibles’ Chocolate Truffles—a dainty, rich confection packing a double dose of THC. Descended from 19th century French sweets, the American truffle is a half-egg shaped mixture of chocolates and butterfat, reportedly invented by Joseph Schmidt, a San Francisco chocolatier in the mid-1980s. Wonderland’s truffles come in a box of four, little, paper-wrapped balls in four flavors: Reese’s, S’mores, Ghirardelli and Heath. Firm to the touch, the dense little treats melt on the fingers and in the mouth to create a choco-butter overload, spiked by ample doses of kief and cannabutter. SC Labs tests these confections at 40mg of THC per truffle, or about two doses. Patients use them to dull chronic pain, lift mood and ease muscle spasticity. How divine.
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A2 Cookies A2C2 of San Jose has a knock-out cut of Girl Scout Cookies on its hands. Bred by The Hemp Center in San Francisco and popularized by the rapper Berner, the Bay Area sensation GSC mixes OG Kush, Durban Poison and Cherry Kush for a powerful hybrid effect. Girl Scout Cookies at A2C2 look smaller, whiter and more potent than usual, though the smell of minty, baked goods is dead-on. These nugs are really, really dense and magnification reveals packed fields of potent, clear trichomes. A2C2’s green boulders nearly broke our grinder, and A2 cookies’ smoke was thick, flavorful, complex and incredibly sedative. Patients report heavy head pressure and eyelid pressure within minutes, and a deep sedation that’ll squash insomnia.
Superman OG Dying for some super OG Kush? Superman OG from San Jose’s Holistic Health Care Co-Operative comes to the rescue. This piney, lemony, sour all-star crosses Tahoe OG and Bubba Kush. Now, Tahoe OG is OG Kush and San Fernando Valley OG, while Bubba Kush is OG Kush crossed with West Coast Dog (Chemdog) and . . . you get it. It’s OG Kushes all the way down, and it shows. This girl is spiny, big and green with rust hairs and a sharp, classic OG smell. Tightly manicured, it’s dense and sticky in the hand. Under the microscope, trichomes explode from the surface. Superman OG tastes like it smells: piney, lemony and strong. It tests extremely high in THC, and though it’s indica-dominant, this spacey hybrid is non-drowsy. Patients report using hybrids like Superman OG to effectively treat stress, tension and anxiety.
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Black Platinum You’ll want to stockpile this precious metal. Green Acres of Santa Cruz is taking it to another level with Black Platinum, a stunning cross of Platinum Jack Herer and the strange, rare Black Congolese. Jack Herer itself has been a cannabis cup champ more times than we can count. Herer is a professionally bred mix of Haze, Northern Lights #5 and Shiva Skunk with a trademark candysweet pine that’s beloved by all. This Jack is cut with mysterious, oily, sweet pepper notes from an exotic African sativa, and it’s turned Jack’s lime-green tusks a regal purple. Black Platinum’s smoke is smooth, medium-bodied, sweet-pepper smoke. This really strong, one-hitter-quitter dissolves neuropathic pain in the back and legs, patients report. Stock up.
Father’s Cookies QR Cookies Remember when cookies were just cookies? Now it’s Girl Scout Cookies this and Animal Cookies that, and even a regular sugar cookie is somehow cyberpunk. Father Cookies’ QR Cookies, available at San Jose’s Theraleaf, is a tasty sugar cookie with a QR code, a square barcode-looking image that—when scanned by a cell phone— allows the eater/user to win prizes. It comes in a plastic case, and we recommend scanning the QR code before you accidentally tear or devour it. QR Cookies smell of flour, sugar and vanilla, and feel smooth and hard as a biscuit. They taste super-sweet, with nary a hint of the cannabutter packed into this powerful, 11-dose edible. Prizes include $20 donation credits, shirts, edibles and ounces. With 225mg of THC, patients use these edibles to treat serious chemotherapy pain and AIDS-related wasting.
Sugar Cookies We’re crazy stoked on this mysterious strain from La Vie MMX of San Jose. Sugar Cookies has no relation to Girl Scout Cookies or the cookies craze; instead it’s a three-way cross of Crystal Gayle, Blue Hawaiian and Sensi Star. Crystal Gayle seems to come from lemony indica Northern Lights #1. Blue Hawaiian mixes the sweet indica Blueberry and a secret Hawaiian sativa. Sensi Star is a legendary workhorse indica with a lemony scent. Together the three make big, powdery, pale green nugs with tan hairs. It smells a bit like a tangy Blue Dream. Well-cured, they ground into a powder that smelled of Wild Berry Skittles. The smoke was smooth and very light, with an aftertaste like that aforementioned Wild Berry Skittle smell. Sugar Cookies created an instant head change. Very indica-dominant, patients report an introspective, quiet couchlock of an experience, then sleep.
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Photo courtesy of NBCUniversal
by Liquid Todd
Jay Leno has had a long history with late night television. Beginning in 1987, Leno was only substitute hosting for Johnny Carson on the show that would become synonymous with Leno’s name. Five years later, Leno began his reign over The Tonight Show sparking up controversy with David Letterman, then host of Late Night with David Letterman. This story would then forever be embedded in television history through a book and movie. In 2009, Leno’s contract with NBC for The Tonight Show expired and he was succeeded by Conan O’Brien, former host of Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Leno went on to host a new show The Jay Leno Show, which debuted later that year.
Then when ratings weren’t as expected for both shows NBC began changing timeslots, which prompt O’Brien to issue a press release stating, “I believe that delaying The Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting.” In January 2010, O’Brien left The Tonight Show and Leno once again took the throne. Despite this long—sometimes convoluted—relationship with late night television . . . it was always his love of the stage that kept him going. In 2008, Leno was quoted saying that he was living solely off of his income as a stand-up comic. Now, he’s hitting the road once again and, just kicked off a series of standup gigs in Las Vegas, part of The Mirage Hotel Casino’s “Aces of Comedy” events through November 2013. CULTURE got a chance to talk to Jay about performing live, his love of standup and how it all relates to rebuilding automobile engines . . .
How are you? Tell a few jokes. Try to make a living. You spend a lot of time on the road and I noticed that most of your gigs are in casinos. I’m on the road about 160 dates a year and probably about 100 of them are in casinos. Well, that’s where the shows are; that’s where the theaters are. Are there any special challenges to doing casino shows? Are the crowds any different? Actually the great things usually about casinos is they have the best sound, the best lights. You
“You know, when I started out I was never dirty enough to be a ‘dirty comic.’”
know a lot of times when you do—you know—the function room at the local Holiday Inn you walk out there and say “Hi [feedback noise] my name is [feedback noise]. Hey, can we fix this mic? [feedback noise]. They have terrible sound. You know when you play theaters—that’s what they do. They’re usually union guys. They know what they’re doing. They got sound. They got lights. That’s the best. The nightmares are the outdoor shows. You know you’re in the half shell someplace and it’s windy and some people can’t hear . . . so you look forward to casinos. They’re the best. Considering you also host The Tonight Show, doing 160 dates a year isn’t exactly a light schedule . . . It’s not hard. I mean . . . when you’re trying to carry a couple hours of material in your head you have to do it, like you can’t just run a marathon once a year. If you’re going to run a marathon you gotta run every week. Sure, but isn’t being the host of The Tonight Show and doing NOVEMBER 2012 • CULTURE 31
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that famous monologue every weeknight to an audience of millions of people practice enough? The stage is not a normal place to be. The more you’re on stage and the more you’re in front of people the more normal it seems. Like I always read these studies that say most people would rather swim in shark-infested waters than stand in front of a crowd or whatever . . . you always hear those things. And that always sounds so bizarre to me because it seems like the easiest thing in the world. But if you’re not on stage for two to three weeks at a time and suddenly you walk out there it seems very foreign. You get thrown by someone coughing or someone heckling . . . but when you do it every day it becomes second nature. That’s why you do it every day. So do you think you’ll ever hang it up and stop doing standup or are you gonna keep going out there right up until the end? No, that’s what I’ve always done. You can stop doing TV, you can stop being in movies—you can stop doing all those things—but you really don’t stop doing . . . I mean I started out as a standup and that’s what I’m going to end up as. Do you feel like you have a responsibility to keep it clean and family-friendly when you do stand-up because of your position? I’m sort of a big-tent performer. My attitude has always been I try to appeal to the most people possible. And sometimes it works to your benefit, sometimes it doesn’t. You know, when I started out I was never dirty enough to be a “dirty comic.” So why have “f@#k” and “sh*&” in your act when it doesn’t add that much to it. Because if you just take it out you’ll appeal to another whole side of the audience. Do you have anything special planned for your live shows coming up? Dancing girls? Pyrotechnics? Jungle cats?
“The stage is not a normal place to be. The more you’re on stage and the more you’re in front of people the more normal it seems.” Or are you going to do it old school—just you and a microphone? Me and a microphone. Yeah that’s pretty much what it is. You know it’s just sort of pure standup. That’s what I like. When I go see performers that’s what I like: one-man shows . . . you know, there’s so much gimmickry in movies and stuff. I know all these big action films are exciting, but to me they’re not as good as a tight little movie where it’s two people just . . . just acting. And when I see a comedian I like to see . . . you know we very rarely use our human one-on-one skills anymore. Everything now seems to be involving the Internet or texting or whatever it might be. And the idea of having one-onone communication with people in a room where it’s very intimate . . . I like that. There’s definitely something magical about seeing someone perform live—like seeing a band create music out of thin air. Yes, that’s right. You know looking in the window of a nightclub and seeing a band and hearing it through the window is totally different that being on the other side of the window and being in the room and absorbing it. In both instances you’re hearing the music—you’re just hearing more when you’re on the other side of the glass because you’re sharing it with other people. And that’s basically, hopefully, what comedy is. You’re a legendary car and motorcycle collector. Do you have any favorites? Well if I had a favorite I wouldn’t
have so many cars. I like restoring cars—fixing them up—and I enjoy the mechanical process. You know, when you’re a comedian somebody thinks you’re funny, and somebody doesn’t. And they’re both right because it’s subjective. But when something’s broken . . . when an engine is apart and you put it together and you make it run people can’t say it’s not running. ’Cause, look it’s right there. It’s running. It’s a clear-cut, yes-or-no answer. ’Cause there are people who say, “Oh, I love Jay Leno,” and there are other people who say, “Oh, I can’t stand that guy, he sucks.” Well okay, I can’t argue with either one of them. You both have your own opinion and you’re both correct. But the guy who says I suck can’t say the car isn’t running, you know? Let me ask you a few current events questions. What do you think the biggest news story of the year has been so far for comedians? Hmm. There’s not just one, you know. The story changes every day. The gay rights thing is pretty good. You can [get] a lot out of that. Obviously conservative vs. liberal is really funny. There’s a lot of material there with Romney and Obama. It’s hard to pick one because yesterday’s jokes are just gone. They’re not funny at all because you did them yesterday. But anything involving men behaving badly. Everybody knows a brilliant, yet fatally flawed progressive congressman? Most people don’t know anyone who has nuclear weapons in their backyard or anything like that, but everybody knows a guy who behaves badly. The guy’s in a position of authority—it’s even better. c IN CONCERT Appearing at The Mirage Hotel Casino Nov. 23, and Feb, 8, April 12-13, June 14, Aug. 13 and Sept. 20, all 2013 dates.
Lighting Up A
Jay
In this interview, Jay Leno seemed pretty noncommittal to the medical cannabis cause (When pressed on the issue, he said, “Ah, I don’t care one way or the other. I mean anybody who wants marijuana can get it, so it’s not an issue I have any interest in.”), but that hasn’t always been the case. Just two years ago, with pro-pot pundit Bill Maher (the cover boy for our January 2012 issue, by the way) as a guest, Leno did opine about efforts to legalize marijuana “Here’s my thing on the issue,” Leno told Maher in March 2010. “I’ve nothing against legalization.” Leno went on to say, “I say decriminalize it,” he told Maher. “But once you bring in Philip Morris, once it become a business, and advertising and all that nonsense starts . . . If you want to grow it in your backyard and you want to smoke it, you get it from your friend, that’s fine. I just don’t want to see it in stores and don’t want to see the guy saying [mimicking a television commercial pitchman], ‘This is the best high you’ll ever have.’”
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destination unknown
By David Jenison
Final Countdown? Over 3,000 years before cannabis probably helped inspire the Book of Revelation, the Mayan calendar began its long count to the 21st of December 2012. On that day, the calendar ends . . . some say so does the world. If you enjoyed partying like it’s 1999, imagine the Mundo Maya parties as the 5,125year calendar counts down its final hours. Sure, anthropologists say the local governments are whoring out their sacred sites to irreverent tourists, but if the Mayans didn’t want a party, why did they schedule doomsday for a Friday night? If you’re prime to act like a Mayaniac, here are the five best places to do it. Palenque, Mexico
Do you save your old Phish ticket stubs or remember when Burning Man was free? If so, Palenque should be your new second home. This jungle-clad town boasts magic mushrooms in the fields and locals who smoke scorpion tails. Early birds can board the Space Mother Ship: Popul Vuh party (Dec. 14-16), but everyone else can turn on, tune out and drop fungi at the Mayan temples.
Copán Ruinas, Honduras
As early as last year, the Honduran government promoted Copán as the place to be in 2012. At present, the tourist-hungry locals are unhappy with the lack of largescale events, but that certainly makes the city more appealing to culture seekers. The so-called “Athens of the Maya world” is rich in architectural splendor, and local attractions include the Mayan-themed Luna Jaguar Spa Resort.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
The tourist mobs invading Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum will probably make the locals hope this really is the end. Spring break is about to look tame on the Yucatán
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A Mayan Party 5,125 Years in the Making
Peninsula! With beautiful beachfront ruins, Tulum will host the Mayan Holidaze party and the 48-hour Time and Space Festival, while Cancún can expect frat-house beer bonging by dudes in Quetzalcoatl tees. In Playa del Carmen, the UK’s Crosstown Rebels will host the Day Zero party with 24 straight hours of dance music at a lakeside Mayan temple. Break out the glow sticks!
San Ignacio, Belize
The Cayo District in Western Belize offers a celebration amidst vast forest, canoeready rivers, thunderous waterfalls and stunning caves. A special event is planned at the Xunantunich ruins, and jungle lodges like duPlooy’s offer Apocalypto specials. San Ignacio is also the reason why Guatemala didn’t make our list. Tourists visit the country’s breathtaking Tikal temples on daytrips from Flores, but San Ignacio also offers daytrips, and the Cayo is a more beautiful place to stay. In fact, the area has been called “a slice of Eden,” so why not end it all in a place reminiscent of where it all began.
Chichén Itzá, Mexico
In 2007, the towering El Castillo temple was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and it is the birthplace of the Mayan calendar. Make no mistake, this place is going to be NYE-in-NYC packed. Guatemalans and Salvadorans might complain that Mexico landed
Photos courtesy of the Mexico Tourism Board
three spots on this list while their countries got none, but Mexico simply produces better tourist-fleecing events. Speaking of which, the Synthesis 2012 party is a hippie-yuppie mashup with DJs, folk music, drum circles, a yoga village and a Friday night party at the temple. The event costs $500 a pop, but don’t be jealous if you can’t go. Chichén Itzá should be ground zero for a Mayan apocalypse, so take comfort in knowing these partiers will get lit up first. c
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profiles in courage
WHY DID YOU START USING MEDICAL MARIJUANA? I started using MMJ because it minimizes the amount of pain killers and muscle relaxers that I’m usually supposed to take. My doctor’s prescribed daily dose is four hydrocodone/Norco, four tizanidine, one Norflex and one omeperazole, along with on Xanax and other psych meds.
Patient:
Majli Escobar
AGE: 29
Condition/ Illness:
DID YOU TRY OTHER METHODS OR TREATMENTS BEFORE MARIJUANA? I have tried treating my extreme anxiety with relaxation therapy upon request from my psychiatrist. I was also given numerous physical therapy and chiropractic sessions, which only took the edge off for the time being.
2009
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Photo by Kristopher Christensen
Sprained neck and lower back, gastrointestinal problems, herniated discs, anxiety and depression
Using medical cannabis since:
Are you an MMJ patient from NorCal with a compelling story to tell? If so, we want to hear from you. Email your name, contact information and details about your experiences with medical cannabis to courage@ireadculture.com.
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE OR PROBLEM FACING MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS? The biggest issue we can face as MMJ patients is that somehow, even in the 21st century, we are still frowned upon for choosing to medicate naturally. WHAT DO YOU SAY TO FOLKS WHO ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT MARIJUANA AS MEDICINE? All I can say to those that are skeptical about using MMJ as a form of medication is, “Don’t knock it till you try it!” c
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cool stuff Irie Nation T-Shirts Ever since Irie Nation Radio launched with a mission to expose any and all people to conscious reggae music, the positive vibrations have been echoing in the dancehall ever since. Show your pride by wearing one of these beefy Irie Nation T-shirts. They’re colorful, comfy and ital to your fashion sense. ($14.20-$20) www.irie.fm/shop
Scrips Concentrated Hemp CBD Extract Capsules Call it medical marijuana . . . like you’ve never seen it before. Made from CBD oil extracted naturally from the hemp plant, Scrips CBD capsules deliver powerful relief from anxiety, spasms, nausea and other ailments—but without any psychoactive effects (they’re THC-free). New and older patients, as well as those that want to skip the head change, have a new groundbreaking choice. ($22 for 2-pack, $230 for 30-pack, $420 for 60-pack) dixieelixirs.com
Cloud Vapez With all the vape pens flooding the market, Cloud made sure to design a vaporizer that stands head and shoulders above the rest. It’s advantages—besides being discrete and travel-friendly—include its ease of use (you’ll be medicating in 10 seconds flat) and—this is the dealmaker—you can refill it with your own medicine. Vape technology just underwent a major paradigm shift. ($75) cloudvapez.com
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By Aunt Sandy
With Veterans Day and Thanksgiving nearly upon us, CULTURE decided to give these holidays a special twist this month. Inspired by classic military grub (“chipped beef” or “shizzle on a shingle”) and opting for a creative use of Turkey Day leftovers, Aunt Sandy has come up with this innovative menu to share with our loved ones as the holidays approach.
Menu:
Beef Bourguignon Stew Sweet Pear Tamales Beer Nuts à la Cannabis Waldorf Salad Apple Cider Beer
Sandy Moriarty is the author of Aunt’ Sandy’s Medical Marijuana Cookbook: Comfort Food for Body & Mind and a Professor of Culinary Arts at Oaksterdam University. She is also the co-founder of Oaksterdam’s Bakery.
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Beef Bourguignon Stew MAKES 6 servings Families love to cook together for the holidays. Here is a yummy recipe they can make together and also give as an appetizing gift for Christmas! 3 cups Canna Butter* 12 small onions 2 lbs. of lean boneless stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 1/2 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon salt 4 pepper corns 1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon thyme Red wine 1/2 cup water 1 cup sliced carrots 1 cup cubed potatoes 1 cup sliced mushrooms Chopped parsley
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Add 2 cups of Canna Butter to sauté pan. Peel and add onions. Remove onions and set aside. Add the stewing beef and sauté until light brown. Sprinkle meat with flour. Place all ingredients, including onions, in an ovenproof baking dish. Add salt, pepper corns, the bay leaf, garlic and thyme. Add enough liquid to cover the meat, using a 3:4 ratio of red wine to water. Cover and simmer for about two hours. To make the stew liquid, add water, 1 cup of Canna Butter, carrots, potatoes and mushrooms during the last hour of cooking.
Sweet Pear Tamales Makes 8 servings 8 large dried corn husks 1/2 cup Canna Butter* softened 2 cups masa flour 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon allspice 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 2 cups pear nectar 2 firm but ripe pears, peeled, pitted and diced Place corn husks in a large bowl of hot water. Place a plate on top to keep them submerged. Let stand for at least 15 minutes. Beat all remaining ingredients, except pear nectar and pears, in a large mixer bowl. Slowly beat in pear nectar, adding enough to make a fluffy masa dough, stir in pears. Drain husks and pat dry. Spread equal amounts of the masa dough down the center of each. Fold in the sides, then the pointed end of each husk. Place open side up in a large pot fitted with a steamer basket. Cover and steam for 1 hour. Best served immediately. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of brown sugar.
Waldorf Salad Makes 6 servings 1 cup diced celery 1 cup diced apples 1 cup grapes, halved and seeded
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans 3/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup Cannabis-Infused Olive Oil**
Combine all ingredients together in a bowl. Mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve NOVEMBER 2012 • CULTURE 41
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Apple Cider Beer
1 ounce of Cannabis Infused Simple Syrup***, chilled 2 ounces of apple cider, chilled 5 ounces of your favorite beer, chilled In an 8-ounce glass, pour and mix all ingredients. Thirst quenching!
Beer Nuts à la Cannabis 1 can beer nuts 1/2 cup Canna Butter* Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour beer nuts onto a cookie sheet. Using a pastry brush, brush Canna Butter all over nuts. Place in the oven for 4 minutes. Remove and repeat process a second time. Cool and serve as an appetizer.
Canna Butter* 1 cup unsalted butter 1 ounce low to average quality dried leaf marijuana or 1/2 ounce average dried bud 4 cups water Bring water and butter to boil in a small pot, lower heat to simmer. Simmer gently for about 1 1/2 hours. Mash and stir frequently to extract all THC from the plant material. After cooking, use cheesecloth to strain the butter/water mixture. Pour about 2 cups clean boiling water over the leaves in the strainer to extract every last drop of butter. Squeeze plant material well to remove as much liquid as possible. Chill the butter/water mixture in the refrigerator until the butter has solidified (1 to 2 hours). Separate butter from water and keep butter in the refrigerator (or freezer for longer storage) until needed.
Cannabis Simple Syrup*** 1/2 oz cannabis buds 1 cup sugar 1 cup water In a saucepan, sauté the buds in sugar and water over medium heat for 20 minutes. Strain the buds. Pour the remaining green-colored syrup into a glass container. Let it cool and refrigerate. Pour over fruit or fruit salad and let the syrup fully absorb.
Cannabis-Infused Olive Oil** 1 cup olive oil 1 1/4 ounces low to average quality dried leaf marijuana or 3/4 ounce average dried bud Place cannabis in a slow cooker. Add oil. If necessary, add a little extra oil in order to just cover the cannabis. Cook on low for six to eight hours, stirring often. Strain through cheesecloth to remove plant material. For further purity, strain through a coffee filter. Store in the refrigerator for up to three months.
Legal Disclaimer
Publishers of this publication are not making any representations with respect to the safety or legality of the use of medical marijuana. The recipes listed here are for general entertainment purposes only, and are intended for use only where medical marijuana is not a violation of state law. Edibles can vary in potency while a consumers’ weight, metabolism and eating habits may affect effectiveness and safety. Ingredient management is important when cooking with cannabis for proper dosage. Please consume responsibly and check with your doctor before consumption to make sure that it is safe to do so.
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Shooting Gallery Obama Protest in San Francisco (Photos by David Elliot Lewis)
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entertainment reviews Until the Quiet Comes Flying Lotus Warp Records Until the Quiet Comes is an electronic jazz journey that confirms the literal Coltrane DNA running through FlyLo’s veins. On his followup to 2010’s Cosmogramma, the artist-producer imagines musical dreamscapes with cascades of irregular drumbeats, fuzzy basslines and atmospheric tones. The album paints an ethereal setting yet embraces motion, tension and texture. Psychedelic touches move the music between a dream and a trip, but the shifts are smooth and emotive. Guest vocalists—Erykah Badu and Thom Yorke— add fragile nuance to tracks without overpowering them or trying to create a radio single. More jazz than hip-hop, Until the Quiet Comes could be the score to Inception if it were a silent film. Critics, hipsters and yoga gurus gush over FlyLo like tween girlies at a One Direction concert, but don’t hold it against him. His freeform expressions are more urban-Paris chic than Starbucks-barista crusty. (David Jenison)
Cannabis Indica Vol. 2: The Essential Guide to the World’s Finest Marijuana Strains S.T. Oner Green Candy Press Once again, the bud brainiacs behind Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa have ushered in a whole new reference work that’s worth its weight in Acapulco Gold (sorry, couldn’t resist the pun). Cannabis Indica Vol. 2 comes jam-packed with detailed descriptions of some of the most lung-expanding, visually stunning examples of God’s perfect plant. Offering tidbits of advice for growers (Cherry Hemingway can explode with 10 feet of growth if cultivated outside), but also providing helpful suggestions to the medically infirm (Cripit is excellent for strong pain relief and fighting nausea), this is a well-rounded book whose cumulative info is only surpassed by its stunning full-page photography. Whether you’re patient or just a cannasseur, let’s hope this witty reference book lands on your coffee table soon Highly recommended. (Matt Tapia).
Clearing the Smoke: The Science of Cannabis Montana PBS Dir. Anna Rau Governor Romney put the bull’s eye on Sesame Street, but Big Bird wouldn’t be the only casualty of a defunded Public Broadcasting Service. Last year, PBS Montana produced Clearing the Smoke, arguably one of the best modern documentaries on cannabis science. Many people roll their eyes when longhaired hippies talk about medicinal benefits, but this documentary looks to the doctors, researchers and scientists doing the actual lab tests on how cannabis’s unique chemical compounds affect the brain and body. The latest studies show potential to treat some of the worst diseases, including cancer, yet the government inexplicably goes out of its way to hinder further research. The documentary also shares personal stories of cannabis-related relief, which reminds viewers of all the suffering that takes place while Capitol Hill plays political games. This is the perfect DVD for that skeptic in your life. (David Jenison)
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Red Bull Flugtag
The Wright Brothers this ain’t. But that won’t keep a total of 35 teams from competing in one of the most ridiculous—and aweinspiring—feats of flying folly and aerodynamic awesomeness. Ten years ago, the first Red Bull Flugtag (that’s German for “There’s no way in hell this homemade flying thingamajig is gonna fly”) was held in San Francisco, and a decade later it has returned to recapture that feeling of plummeting off a 30-foot-high ramp into the chilly waters of McCovey Cove. I’m feeling the goose pimples (and hypothermia) already. Embrace flights of fancy as the aeronauts of tomorrow test their mettle, creativity and showmanship as they demonstrate the finest examples of stratospheric engineering in the form of airborne toilets, Santa sleds or maybe— gosh—someone will get it into their heads to try and build an actual plane? This Bay Area Flugtag is the last of four similar events (the three others were held in Chicago, Philadelphia and Miami), so be sure to catch history in the making. Humanpowered flight was never more glorious. Floaties not required. (Matt Tapia)
IF YOU GO
What: Red Bull Flugtag. When/Where: Nov. 10 at McCovey Cove (near AT&T Park), San Francisco. Info: Hangars open at 11am. First flight at 1pm. Free to the public. Go to www.redbullflugtagusa.com.
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event listings
Our picks for the coolest things to see and do around town. Scary Cow Independent Film Festival, Nov. 3
Get in with the one-of-a-kind film community. Every four months, Scary Cow extends cinemaphiles the opportunity to vote on the best indie flicks. Local filmmakers win prize money towards their future projects. The afterparty is your chance to rub elbows with the winners—you may score a part in their upcoming masterpiece. Castro Theatre, San Francisco www.castrotheatre.com
Cat Power in concert, Nov.6
Cat Power is the powerful iconic female artist that has surpassed musical trends since the mid ’90s. Always true to her eclectic personal style, Cat Power is bringing her fresh and sometimes controversial electronica rap for your listening pleasure. The Fox Oakland, Oakland www.thefoxoakland.com
Steve-O, Nov. 8-11
Although he did graduate from clown college, you won’t catch Steve-O in with a rainbow afro and a silly red nose. This household name since 2000 has been bringing us raunchy comedy and dangerous stunts since his debut on TV show Jackass. Now witness him all-grownup in his stand up comedy— as grown-up as you can get with occasional potty humor. Improv, San Jose www.sanjose.improv.com
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Hot For Teacher, the Van Halen Experience, Nov. 9 Channeling the earliest years of Van Halen, classic hits will be delivered in signature Diamond Dave fashion—with sparkling sequined costumes and high energy performances. Hot For Teacher assures you’ll have “ . . . one hell of a good time.” Club Fox, Redwood City www.clubfoxrwc.com
Woody Guthrie’s American Song, Nov. 9-Nov. 18 Woody Guthrie is America’s original country boy, his lyrics explaining the struggles and the beauty of America’s fruited plain. The experiences that led Guthrie to write these classic songs are brought to life on stage— the good, the bad and the country. Durham Studio Theater, Berkeley www.tdps.berkeley.edu
“Calling on the Spirits to Face the Future: Dia De Los Muertos Exhibition 2012,” Thru Nov. 10 As expected in traditional Dia De Los Muertos celebrations, artists pay tribute to deceased ancestors through beautifully decorated altars and costumes. While this exhibit incorporates these ancient traditions, they are taken a step further by also incorporating contemporary
issues and stories of personal loss to the designs. Somarts Cultural Center, San Francisco www.somarts.org
Green Festival, Nov. 10-11
Mother Nature can’t protect herself, so come to her rescue and join the green movement! This festival features cutting edge eco-friendly technology and progressive speakers on social justice. Your dreams of finding an ecological equilibrium through sustainability may come true. San Francisco Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco www.sfvenues.com/concourse/overview.html
Artisano, Nov. 17
The only way to elevate the perfect pairing of locally crafted wines with delectable chocolates, is through adding fine art surrounded by acres of vineyards. Let the wine warm your soul, while you relish in tasty small plates, enjoy live music and place bids on rare items being auctioned, all otherwise exclusive to this small community. Vintners Inn, Santa Rosa www.vintnersinn.com
“I Come From a Serious Place,” Thru Nov. 18
Taking sculptural objects and combining them with
photographic images, Philadelphia artist James Johnson explores the concepts of ownership and identity and their effects on our society as a whole as part of his “I Come from a Serious Place” exhibition. Oakland University Art Gallery, Oakland www.ouartgallery.org
Nas & Ms. Lauryn Hill in concert, Nov. 19
Fans are pumped to see Nas and Ms. Lauren Hill bring the Life is Good/Black Rage tour. Nas’ No./ 1 album, Life is Good, pairs up with Ms. Hill’s song entitled, Black Rage to serve an important message. Her song highlights the effects of racial inequities. Until these inequalities are addressed, life will not be good. The Fox, Oakland www.thefoxoakland.com
Metalocalypse: Dethklok, Nov. 26
Dethklok, the all-star metal band from animated comedy Metalocalypse, is killing it with the musicians from Black Dahlia Murder—not affiliated with the infamous unsolved slaying. Both bands will deliver hard-hitting blast beats and technical breakdowns to keep you tearing through the mosh pit all night. The Fox, Oakland www.thefoxoakland.com
Compiled by Jamie Solis
NOVEMBER 2012 • CULTURE 49
Word Up
Trichomes
Many of CULTURE’s strain reviewers will wax poetically about milky trichomes or gush about leaves bejeweled with forests of glistening trichomes . . . but did you ever wonder what a trichome exactly is? Trichomes are basically hair-like or bristle-like structures that can be found on marijuana as well as many other plants (plus certain microorganisms). They serve various important functions, such as helping plants with water absorption or as a defense against insects (lots of “hairs” prevent bugs from infesting). Some glandular trichomes, which secrete chemical compounds, can also provide a chemical defense. Here are some more trichome talking points:
The sticky coating of trichomes contains very important cannabinoids such as THC and CBD—some of marijuana’s active ingredients. While a thick layer of trichomes may indicate a potent plant, it’s not a guarantee. Cannabinoids are produced inside the heads of trichomes. Concentrates, such as hash, consist of compressed trichomes harvested from cannabis plants. That’s why it’s called a “concentrate”—it’s concentrated marijuana. There are three types of marijuana trichomes: bulbous, capitate-sessile and capitate-stalked. Bulbous trichomes are the smallest (they’re made up of only a few cells) and consist of a “foot,” a “stalk” and a “head.” Capitate-sessile trichomes are larger, have a globular “head” and a spherical shape. Capitatestalked trichomes are the most abundant and form during flowering. The color of trichomes (white, milky, etc.) can indicate if a plant is ready to be harvested. c
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Guide to Advertisers
CULTURE Magazine 680
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1- A2C2 3131 S Bascom Ave Campbell, CA 95008
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2- A2C2 1082 Stockton Ave San Jose, CA 95110 3- Buddy’s Cannabis 4140 Stevens Creek Blvd San Jose, CA 95129 4- Delta Health Center 3114 Story Road San Jose, CA 95127 5- Elemental Wellness 711 Charcot Ave San Jose, CA 95131 6- Emerald Crossings 560 E. Gish Road San Jose, CA 95112 7- Green Dragon 438 S. Bascom Ave., Suite A San Jose, CA 95128 8- Harborside Health Center 2106 Ringwood Ave San Jose, CA 95131 9- Holistic Health Care Co-Operative 88 W Tully Rd #107 San Jose, CA 95111 10- La Vie MMX 945 S. Bascom Ave., Unit B San Jose, CA 95128 11- Leaf Lab 847 Commercial Street San Jose, CA 95112 12- Magic Health 1999 Monterey Highway, Suite #100 San Jose, CA 13- MW Collective 156 S. Jackson Ave San Jose, CA 95116 14- Natural Herbal Pain Relief 519 Parrott St San Jose, CA 95112 15- Nirvana Wellness Center 1926 O’Toole Ave San Jose, CA 95131 16- Palliative Health Center 1670 Zanker Road, Suite A San Jose, CA 95112 17- Revolution Health Center 1621 Almaden Rd San Jose, CA 95125 18- SJ Patients Group 824 The Alameda San Jose, CA 19- South Bay CRC 90 Great Oaks Blvd Suite 202 San Jose, CA 95119
20- Theraleaf 606 Saratoga Ave San Jose, CA 95129 21- Yerba Buena 1324 N. 10th Street San Jose, CA 95112 22- Yerba Buena Amber Pearl 2129 S. 10th Street San Jose, CA 95112 23- Yerba Buena Union 2630 Union Ave San Jose, CA 95124 24- Yerba Buena Blossom Hill 4464 Pearl Avenue San Jose, CA 95136 25- Yerba Buena Monterey 3894 Monterey Road San Jose, CA 95111 26- Yerba Buena Saratoga 4211 Barrymore Drive San Jose, CA 95117 27- Yerba Buena Valley Fair 325 S. Monroe Street San Jose, CA 95128
SANTA CRUZ 28- Green Acres 3912 Portola Drive, Suite 1 Santa Cruz, CA 95062
SOQUEL
29- California Growers Collective 3711-A Soquel Drive Soquel, CA 95073
EVALUATION CENTER 1- Price Less Evaluations 3490 20th St 3rd Floor San Francisco, CA 94110 2- Stephanie Higgins, MD 858 N. First Street San Jose, CA 95112
SMOKE SHOPS 1- Bulldog Lifestyles 285 S. Capitol Ave San Jose, CA 95116 2- Bulldog Lifestyles 1166 Tully Road San Jose, CA 95121 3- Paramount Imports 455 Meridian Ave San Jose, CA 95126
SAN MATEO
4- The Cave 2499 South El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94403
Chuck Shepherd
News of the
Weird LEAD STORIES
; For September’s Digital Design Weekend at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, artists Michiko Nitta and Michael Burton commissioned soprano Louise Ashcroft to sing, altering pitch and volume while wearing a face mask made of algae. According to the artists, since algae’s growth changes with the amount and quality of carbon dioxide it receives, Ashcroft’s voice, blowing CO2 against the algae, should vary the growth’s “taste” as to bitterness or sweetness. After the performance, the audience sampled the algae at various stages and apparently agreed. The artists said they were demonstrating how biotechnology could transform organisms.
THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT
; Jordan and Bryan Silverman’s start-up venture, Star Toilet Paper, distributes rolls to public restrooms in restaurants, stadiums and other locations absolutely free—because the brothers have sold ads on each sheet. (Company slogan: “Don’t rush. Look before you flush.”) Jordan, with 50 advertisers enlisted so far, told the Detroit Free Press in August that he came up with the idea, of course, while sitting on the can at the University of Michigan library. ; First-World Problems: After an international trade association reported that women bought 548 million pairs of shoes in 2011 (not even counting those used exclusively for sports), the manufacturer Nine West has decided to start its own cable TV channel with programming on “various aspects of footwear,” according to an August New York Times report.
Programs will feature celebrities rhapsodizing about their favorite pair, women who hoard shoes (purchasing many more than they know they’ll ever wear even one time), tips on developing one’s stiletto-walking skills and shoe closet designs. It’s about a “conversation,” said a Nine West executive, “not about a shoe.”
LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS
; Scorpion antivenom made in Mexico sells in Mexico for about $100 a dose, but for a while over the last year, the going rate in the emergency room of the Chandler (Ariz.) Regional Medical Center was $39,652 a dose, charged to Marcie Edmonds, who was stung while opening a box of air-conditioner filters in June. She received two doses by IV and was released after three hours, to later find a co-pay bill of $25,537 awaiting her (with her Humana plan picking up $57,509), according to the Arizona Republic newspaper. The Republic found that Arizona hospitals retailed it for between $7,900 and $12,467 per dose—except for Chandler. Following the newspaper’s report, Chandler decided to re-price the venom at $8,000 a dose, thus eating a $31,652 “loss.” ; Among the least-important effects of last summer’s drought in the Midwest: Officials overseeing the annual Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw said there would be fewer high-quality cow patties. Said chairperson Ellen Paulson: “When it’s hot, the cows don’t eat as much. And what was produced, they just dried up too quick.” A few patties had been saved from the 2011 competition, but, she said, “It’s not like you can go out and buy them.” NOVEMBER 2012 • CULTURE 53
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