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30 Chatty Kathy Television and comedy star Kathy Griffin earns an A+
departments 6 Letter from the Editor I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store. 8 News Nuggets Cannabis makes headlines here, there, everywhere—and we give you the scoop—PLUS our latest By the Numbers 18 Destination Unknown Exotic locales and colorful (literally) adventures can be had in Northwest India.
features
20 Profiles in Courage Our latest feature provides insight into the life—and struggle—of a medical marijuana patient near you.
12 The Next Step Portions of Amendment 64 are about to kick in—what does that mean for MMJ?
22 Legal Corner Getting Amendment 64 up and running could be a long, bumpy ride, attorney Ann Toney explains.
14 A Changing Landscape Charting the bright green future of the compassionate (and legalization) movement.
26 Strain & Edible Reviews Our ever-popular sampling of amazing strains and edibles currently provided by your friendly neighborhood dispensary.
On the cover: Photo courtesy of Bravo
16 Motor Heads Hard rock act Clutch busts out the riffs for The Fillmore!
50 Cool Stuff From the Carbon Black Wheelchair to CoolJarz Flipz storage containers, if it’s a cutting-edge product or cool lifestyle gear, we’re all over it. 52 Recipes Get out your best china, it’s time to serve something extra special for the holidays. 56 Shooting Gallery Here are the green-friendly things we saw you doing around town.
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58 Entertainment Reviews The latest films, books, music and more that define our culture.
V IV S IITS IUT SU SATATi R e i RaedaCduCl tuul tr u e r. e c .ocm om
DECEMBER 2012 • CULTURE 5
letter from the editor
Vol 4 IssUE 6
Publisher
Jeremy Zachary
GET YOUR CLICK HERE
www.iReadCulture.com
Roberto C. Hernandez Editor-In-Chief
Editor-in-Chief
Roberto C. Hernandez
Managing Editor Jake Browne
Calendar Editor Lynn Lieu
Editorial Contributors
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, Assia Mortensen, Damian Nassiri, Keller O’Malley, Tommy Purvis, Paul Rogers, Jeff Schwartz, Lanny Swerdlow, Arrissia Owen
Photographers
Steve Baker, Gregory Cannon, Kristopher Christensen, Michael Gifford, John Gilhooley, Khai Le, Michael Seto, Kim Sidwell
Interns
Joe Martone, Gabriela Mungarro, Derek Obregon
Art Director
Steven Myrdahl
The Future’s So Bright
Graphic Designers
Vidal Diaz, Tommy LaFleur
Director of Sales & Marketing Jim Saunders
I had the pleasure of attending the National Marijuana Business Conference last month. I came away very inspired and very optimistic. Inspired because I had the opportunity— no, the privilege—to speak to some of the medical cannabis industry’s luminaries. You might call them movers and shakers, but I simply call them part of the family. I was inspired because I had a chance to (literally) shake the hands and see the faces of our community’s most talented professionals. I chatted with doctors whose knowledge of medical cannabis and its vast implications for health was truly impressive. I spoke with edibles manufacturers who were already prepared to meet tough FDA standards and advocating for best-business practices. I talked to chemists and scientists about the new frontiers in cannabidiol (CBD) research. I listened to consultants eager to share their views on the future of Massachusetts—our newest MMJ state—and Colorado and Washington, where voters approved state-level legalization. I heard from lawyers talking about Arizona and what people were doing there to ready
this state’s baby steps into full-fledged compassionate mode. I grew optimistic as I realized that I was facing a bright future for our community and our needs and issues. For many of us, this past election was exciting in some respects, frustrating in others. Had Mitt Romney captured the White House, we would have had four years of a President who swore he would fight medical cannabis “tooth and nail.” At least Obama paid it lip service to the idea of letting MMJ states handle their own business. The lesser of two evils, I guess. With our compassionate family growing and with the good people of Colorado and Washington shifting the prohibition paradigm, we’re changing hearts and minds, folks. Just as they did in the now-18 states that allow the medicinal use of cannabis, the voters of this country made change happen. Massachusetts, glad to have you on board! Colorado and Washington, thanks for advancing marijuana rights. Prohibition, you’re on your way out. I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store. c
Regional Manager Kim Slocum
Office Manager Iris Norsworthy
Office Assistant Chelsea Hults
Online Marketing Jackie Moe
Account Executives
Joe Amador, Jon Bookatz, Gene Gorelik, John Parker, Dave Ruiz, April Tygart, Nick Villejo
IT Manager
Serg Muratov
Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla
Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes 40,000 papers at over 1,000 locations throughout Colorado. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark of Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. 300 Center Drive #220 Superior | Colorado | 80027 Phone 888.694.2046 | Fax 303.305.4373 www.iReadCulture.com
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THE STATE Amendment 64: Colorado ushers in state-level legalization
With the passage of Amendment 64, possession of cannabis for non-medical purposes in Colorado is legal, officially starting Dec. 6. The new law will allow adults 21 years or older to possess up to an ounce—or six plants. The sale and taxation of cannabis will be regulated by the state, and starting as early as next year four different types of licenses will be made available to applicants: wholesale cultivation, retail sale, edibles manufacturing and testing facilities. Amendment 64 will give local governments the option of banning such cannabisrelated businesses. A similar legalization measure also passed in Washington. Some observers have speculated whether Amendment 64 could usher in cannabis tourism. Immediately after Election Day, the headline in the Aspen Times asked, “Aspendam?”
Colorado Springs cops return 60 pounds of meds to leukemia patient
Colorado Springs police recently returned 60 pounds of medical cannabis—estimated to be worth about $300,000—to a leukemia patient who was previously acquitted of drug charges, the Denver Post reports. In May 2011, officers confiscated 55 plants and 6 pounds of cannabis belonging to Bob Crouse, who had struggled with police and the 4th Judicial District attorney’s office to get his meds returned. “We want all patients to have access to their medicine.” 8 CULTURE • DECEMBER 2012
Crouse told the Post last month. “That’s what this is all about.” The newspaper reports that Crouse and his attorney were in the process of having the cannabis tested to see how much was still usable. The attorney, Clifton Black, said any potential damage to the plant “sets up the possibility that there may be some civil liability for the city.”
Kimbrough told the Denver Post. Boulder prosecutors are also dismissing possession cases on similar grounds.
to purchase the plant and will be allowed to possess a 60-day supply. They also may appoint a caregiver to obtain cannabis on their behalf.
THE NATION
Reason Blogger: UN official wrong to challenge Washington’s legalization
Denver prosecutors to dismiss cannabis possession cases involving an ounce or less
If you were recently caught by Denver police for carrying an ounce or less of cannabis, your chances are looking good. Denver prosecutors last month said they would no longer charge adults 21 and older with possession, in light of the passage of Amendment 64, which legalized cannabis for those of drinking age or older. Technically, the amendment’s possession provisions don’t kick in until Dec. 6. Denver officials say there are about 70 cases that fall under the purview of the amendment, according to district attorney spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough. Prosecutors will not dismiss cases that involve other charges or when the person charged is under 21. But those that think their case will be dismissed should still appear at their court date,
Massachusetts becomes the 18th state to go compassionate
Welcome, Massachusetts! The Bay State last month became the 18th state in the country to pass a medical cannabis law. Massachusetts’ law passed with 63 percent of the electorate in favor of Question 3, and 37 percent against it, according to The Boston Globe. The new law will allow up to 35 dispensaries across the state. Starting next year, patients with serious medical conditions and an approval from a physician will be authorized to purchase medicinal cannabis from state-sanctioned centers. Patients with HIV, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C or other conditions can obtain a card from the state permitting them
A United Nations official’s argument that Washington’s Initiative 502 violates a United States anti-drug treaty is wrong, according to Jacob Sullum, a blogger for Reason.com. Raymond Yans, the head of the UN’s International Narcotics Control Boards, last month urged Attorney General Eric Holder to challenge Washington and Colorado’s legalization, saying it sends “a wrong message to the rest of the nation and it sends a wrong message abroad.” Yans cited the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs treaty, whose language says participating countries must “adopt such
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measures as may be necessary to prevent the misuse of, and illicit traffic in, the leaves of the cannabis plant.” Sullum, however, concluded that using such a treaty to override I-502 (or Colorado’s Amendment 64) or force local law enforcement to uphold federal law was unconstitutional.
THE WORLD
An Evening with The Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Mexico lawmaker proposes legalized cannabis
Mexico, long seen by wrongheaded drug warriors as the root of all evil when it comes to narcotics trafficking, might have a few more progressive minds than its neighbor to the north. A leftist lawmaker recently introduced a bill that would legalize the production, sale and use of cannabis, according to Reuters. While it’s unlikely that the bill would pass—polls show that two-thirds of Mexicans would oppose the move—it is significant
to note the rising number of Latin American political leaders who have proposed legalizing cannabis and adopting a common-sense approach to drug policy. “The prohibitionist paradigm is a complete failure,” said Mexican lawmaker Fernando Belaunzaran, the author of the proposed legalization bill.
by the numbers
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The approximate population of Israel: 8 million (Source: The Associated Press)
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Percentage of voters who cast their ballots against Massachusetts’ medical marijuana law: 37 (Source: Reuters)
1
The fine in dollars for using or cultivating cannabis in 1917 in Colorado: 10 to 100 (Source: Westword)
The percentage of the vote by which Amendment 64 passed in Denver: 66 (Source: Denver Post)
3 4
The total number of votes cast in support of Amendment 64: 1,382,306 (Source: Secretary of State unofficial results)
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The total number of votes cast against Amendment 64: 1,116,354 (Source: Secretary of State unofficial results)
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Percentage of voters who cast their ballots in favor of Massachusetts’ medical marijuana law: 63 (Source: Reuters) 10 CULTURE • DECEMBER 2012
The approximate number of registered medical marijuana patients in Israel: 10,000 (Source: The Associated Press).
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The number of nanograms of THC per milliliter that constitute driving under the influence of drugs in Ohio and Nevada: 2 (Source: Detroit Free Press)
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The percentage of the vote by which Amendment 64 passed statewide: 55 (Source: Denver Post)
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The maximum number of days the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has to issue dispensary regulations, registration cards for patients, etc., starting Jan. 1, 2013: 120 (Source: golocalworcester.com)
The number of nanograms of THC per milliliter that constitute driving under the influence of drugs in Washington, as dictated by Initiative 502: 5 (Source: Detroit Free Press)
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The number of years that cannabis has been illegal on the federal level: 75 (Source: Marihuana Tax Act of 1937)
There’s nothing like the blues to get us ready for winter, and The Chris Robinson Brotherhood is there to fill that void. It’s nice to know that someone is still playing original music in the midst of a season oversaturated with covers of carols that have been playing ever since your parents were kids. That is the band’s agenda, regardless of the time of year—the air waves are oversaturated with teens and twentysomethings playing some high-pitched Auto-Tuned love songs that it’s simply astounding that iPods across the world haven’t exploded in protest. But we digress, for the opportunity to satiate your ear buds is right around the corner. The group promises three full sets at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom (as opposed to hours of opening acts and a half-hour of playing) and you should get tickets before they evaporate. It’s either that or your radio blaring some diva’s take on “Carol of the Bells.” All on you. (Joe Martone)
IF YOU GO
What: An Evening with The Chris Robinson Brotherhood. When/Where: Dec. 31 at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St., Denver. Info: $35-$45. 8pm to 2am. Go to www.cervantesmasterpiece.com or call (303) 297-1772.
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FLASH
The Saga
Continues . . . As Amendment 64 unfolds, the taste of victory comes with questions about the future {ByJake Browne} “We did it!” The cries came from all directions as Amendment 64 supporters gathered at the official election watch party. The news declared the race over and like that, Colorado was the first state to approve the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana for adults over 21. Later that night, measures passed in Washington and failed in Oregon, but there was a sense in the room that Colorado was leading the way in all things cannabis. The more pressing question for patients, medical marijuana centers and everyone else in the state became: What’s next? For patients, it was an overwhelming victory. The amendment was careful to craft language that removed all sales tax for medical marijuana sales— an issue that patients’ rights advocates had been pushing the legislature for years. When the campaign had touted the immense amount of tax revenue that would be generated, it’s important to remember that tithe would be coming from the pockets of cannabis users. This took medical patients out of that equation. The second boon came for those who wanted to dabble in growing their own plants. Colorado law now allows for the cultivation of up to six plants— with three in a mature “flowering” 12 CULTURE • DECEMBER 2012
state—for adults 21 and over as long as they cultivate them in a private area of their home or on private land that isn’t viewable by the public. For many, designating a primary center or caregiver took away their ability to start their own garden in exchange for discounts on medicine and other perks in the case of dispensaries. Decriminalizing grows for personal use won’t kick in to effect until Governor Hickenlooper certifies the election results, which many predict won’t occur until the new
Dismissed!
With the passage of Amendment 64, local prosecutors are opting to dismiss cases involving possession of small amounts of cannabis by adults 21 or older. “You’ve seen an end to mere possession cases in Boulder County under my office,” DA Stan Garnett told the Daily Camera. “It was an ethical decision.” Denver City Attorney Doug Friednash essentially said the same thing. The University of Colorado and Longmont have also said they won’t prosecute simple possession cases.
year. At that point it becomes the law of land. Dispensaries, for the most part, were supportive of Amendment 64, volunteering time or serving as hubs where people could pick up yard signs. They had good reason to: When licensing for recreational stores begins October 2013, those who operate medical marijuana centers will be given preference during the application process. This has created some division in the industry. Some don’t feel it’s right to leave
patients for those who don’t need cannabis for its medicinal properties. Others want to stay medical because they feel that will help stave off federal interference—the fear is the Obama administration, whose record isn’t sterling when it comes to medical cannabis, will seek to close down any new recreational shops that open under A64. What many didn’t expect was the flood of calls and walkins from people who wanted to buy marijuana the day after A64 passed—and for weeks afterwards. Since retail outlets aren’t scheduled to open until 2014 at the earliest, many may be searching for ways to get their hands on the legally approved plant. While personal growing and consumption will be approved shortly, there isn’t a model for distribution built in. Now more than ever patients are hearing from friends and family asking if they can “make a trip” for them. Keep in mind: The redistribution of medical cannabis remains a crime that can lead to serious consequences, such as the revocation of an MMJ business’s license. While Colorado made history in 2012, it may seem like forever for some before they can enjoy the hard-won rights and liberties that medical patients secured for themselves so many years ago. The new chapter has begun— time to fill in the details. c
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BUZZ
A Greener
Tomorrow Update: The Marijuana Policy Project dissects the next step for MMJ and legalization victories in 2014 and beyond {By Jasen T. Davis}
Last month, Colorado and Washington made history when voters showed their support for this country’s first two examples of state-level legalization of cannabis for adults 21 and over. More than 50 percent of each state’s populations went to the polls to cast their ballot in support of a common-sense approach to the plant. However, as much as Amendment 64 and Initiative 502 stand poised to reshape the way our country’s leaders shape cannabis policy, the plant remains illegal at the federal level. What does this all mean for the future of the cannabis legalization? Rob Kampia, executive director and co-founder of the Washington D.C.based, Marijuana Policy Project, spoke with CULTURE about these recent positive developments and what we can look forward to in the coming years. So, how were Washington and Colorado able to pass legalization measures? Kampia believes the laws got changed because the alternatives had failed. “The voters felt that cannabis prohibition has not worked,” he says. Advocates of cannabis legalization did their best to show voters there were other cheaper and safer options. “Our Washington campaign
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The Ultimate
Bill
was called ‘A New Approach,’” Kampia adds. Other states could soon end up following in Colorado and Washington’s legalization footsteps, he says. Plus, with Massachusetts being the latest state to approve medical cannabis laws, the compassionate family is expected to grow. “The MPP and other organizations are going to try to pass similar medical marijuana initiatives in Idaho in 2014,” Kampia says. “California is also at the top of the [legalization] list in 2016 along with Oregon, Maine and Massachusetts.” Will these initiatives succeed? It’s a matter of financing, he says. “It really depends on how much money the four campaigns have to throw around,” Kampia explains. Two other bills rolling around Congress could also change the way the laws treat cannabis. One bill, the States’ Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act (HR 1983) is simple. “That law would allow states to determine their own medical marijuana policies without federal interference,” Kampia says. At that point, the DEA and the FBI would be kicked out of the process to let growers, dispensary operators and distributors operate in peace.
Though it would be rendered moot if HR 1983 passes, another proposed bill, States’ Medical Marijuana Property Right Protection Act (HR 6335), would prevent the DEA and Department of Justice from seizing property when they raid medical cannabis dispensaries and facilities. “HR 1983 sounds promising, but it’s going to be a while,” Kampia says. “There’s a lot of support for it in the House, but it hasn’t been heard in a committee so there has been no vote for it.” To Kampia, the real problem is that elected officials have always been slow to adapt to the changing needs and beliefs of the people they govern (just check out Obama’s “evolving” stance on same-sex marriage). “Politicians are always behind when it comes to social issues,” he says. “They also tend to be more conservative, because they are older and nervous about casting votes for controversial bills in public.” Until HR 2306 becomes law, the real key is to get more congressional support by legalizing cannabis (medical or adult-use) in more states. “It’s only a matter of time.” c
While some would argue there’s no silver bullet to ending cannabis prohibition with one decisive blow . . . there is one bill that seeks to do just that. It’s called the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act (HR 2306), but it’s not up for vote until 2016. Is that a reason to hope? Marijuana Policy Project executive director and co-founder Matt Kampia says that the outlook should be positive. “HR 2306 would just treat cannabis like alcohol throughout the country,” he explains. “It’s the ultimate bill . . . If that bill passes, states would just decriminalize everything and our work would be essentially over.”
www.mpp.org
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TUNES
League of
Extraordinary Gentlemen Nearly a quarter-century into it, Clutch’s motor keeps on humming
{By Jasen T. Davis} “Too many bands want to sign on to a big label before they go on tour,” he explains. “They don’t want to go out on the road without a major label to sponsor them.” Clutch spent years playing anywhere it could. “You have to play a lot of live shows to build up a good fan base.” Currently on tour, Clutch has the opportunity to show off a few of the new songs from its latest album, Earth Rocker. The new release is slated to drop on March 13, 2013. “It was a long time coming,.” Sult reveals. “We spent a lot of hours working in the studio, so I’m glad we’re done.” Good thing, too, because the axe-man admits he prefers playing on the road to being locked up inside a studio. The hard labor paid off, though. “The recording is perfect,” Sult says. “It just sounds like a very sharp production.” As far as the guitarist is concerned, Earth Rocker is the best, heaviest collection of rock and metal compositions the band has ever created. “Honestly, it feels like a cross between our first LP and the Robot Hive/Exodus album
[from 2005].” Fans can also expect a less vintage-y sound from the new release. “Our old albums can sound more like classic rock, but this certainly sounds like an album from the ’90s and 2000s,” Sult says. The hard-edged band even included an acoustic track on Earth Rocker—hold the “Kumbaya” jokes, please. “We decided to take a chance with this one,” Sult says. “Sometimes a heavy metal band will write an acoustic song. It either works or it doesn’t.”
Say What?
Clutch released its first album, Transnational Speedway League, in 1993. Since then, the band has made many albums full of hard rock, heavy metal, blues, funk and punk, and toured the world playing honest, highoctane music when the group isn’t hanging out back at home in Germantown, Maryland. After so many years—and with so many other genres (electronica, hip-hop, et. al.) to compete with— why do fans all across the globe continue to demand rock ’n‘ roll? Tim Sult, Clutch’s lead guitarist since Day one, has an answer. “I think it’s because rock is a form of music that people enjoy seeing performed live,” he says. After roughly 23 years playing in front of audiences with Clutch, Sult should know. “For rock bands it’s very important to put on a good live performance, but I think it’s also a necessary trait for any group, whether they play EBM or hip-hop.” A band can make a lot of mistakes over the course of a career, but to Sult the worst error is simply quitting.
And with the band slated to perform in Colorado—an MMJ state that just legalized cannabis for adults 21 and over—Sult shared his compassionate views. “I’m totally fine with medical marijuana,” he says. “There seems to be plenty of evidence of its medicinal properties.” c www.pro-rock.com
Live in Concert
Performing Dec. 21 at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver.
“My mother is from Amsterdam, so marijuana is definitely something my brother and I were exposed to growing up.” —Neve Campbell
Still Rockin‘
The last album Clutch released, 2009’s Strange Cousins from the West, didn’t do to shabby considering it wasn’t produced by Kanye or written by Lady Gaga. It debuted at a not-too-shabby No. 38 on the Billboard 200. But why the four-year wait between albums? “We all felt like it had been too long,” Clutch guitarist Tim Sult says. “We had spent a lot of time compiling ideas for songs without recording any . . . Our motivation was to write the best record we possibly could. The ploy worded as “the songs came out heavier and faster than anything we’ve done before,” he says. Fans of Clutch, rest assured the band hasn’t gotten soft with age.
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destination unknown
Story and photos by Dennis Argenzia and grace Cayosa
Color and Chaos Rejoice in the pigment-themed cities of Rajasthan and their exotic stimulants Director: I need an exotic location—think forts, temples, palaces with hidden women, the occasional painted elephant, etc.— that’s popular in visually stimulating films with mixed reviews. Location Scout: Yep, got it: Northwest India. When India isn’t stripping down to Eastern European glory in Goa, ripping hamstrings in yoga-saturated Mysore or shaking its thing in Bollywood, it’s starring in foreign films. Outside of the mega-soundstage called Mumbai, the most popular locations are in the northwestern state of Rajasthan, where wistfully romantic filmmakers can choose a colorful and chaotic backdrop from one of the state’s pigment-themed cities: the Pink City (Jaipur), the Blue City (Jodhpur) and the White City (Udaipur). Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and the largest city in the entire state. Nicknamed the “Pink City” for its salmoncolored walls, Jaipur is famous for its textile and gem bazaars. More intriguing to location scouts are Jaipur’s various architectural sights: two palaces (Jal Mahal, anchored in the middle of Man Sagar lake, and City Palace, near city center); one palace attachment (the Hawa Mahal, a five-story screened structure where the lovely-butsequestered royal ladies could view “regular” city life without catcalls); three fortresses (of which the Amber/Amer fort, with its painted pachyderm transports, is hands-down the most impressive); temples (including a cheeky Monkey Temple); and the Jantar Mantar observatory (a UNESCO World Heritage site). The entire city has been featured in films, most recently in John Madden’s The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel where a group of mature British folks attempt to make
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the best out of a situation clearly born from the “health and medical tourism” movement. Much less recently, but more breathtaking, were the scenes in Tarsem Singh’s The Fall, especially one where a distraught wife takes a perfect 10 leap off one of the Jantar Mantar’s giant sundial observation decks. Also featured in The Fall was the second, decidedly more recognizable city of Jodhpur, or the “Blue City,” a name derived from the bright blue paint on many of its structures. In addition to a bustling handicrafts market and restaurants selling the local dessert makhaniya lassi (a delectably creamy lemon lassi that requires a spoon and self-control), Jodhpur is home to the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, the largest fortress in the state and the most deserving of the word “awesome” without the Valley Girl accent. So impressive is Mehrangarh that it was featured in Christopher Nolan’s Batman: The Dark Knight Rises as a warning:
if you dare to piss off a man who wears a metal tarantula on his face, you will end up HERE. This massive hilltop fort literally towers over the city. It houses several [party] halls—the Moti (Pearl), Sheesha (Mirror) and Phool (Flower) Mahals—plus a hide-your-women zone (the Zenana Deodi, guarded by trusty eunuchs), a museum and opium paraphernalia displays with staff members smoking, yes, real opium. Here would be a good place to mention that, in addition to opium, green is also available all over Rajasthan. Technically, the leaves of the marijuana plant are legal in the state of Rajasthan; there are even licensed shops that sell bhang lassi, the medicated form of India’s yogurtbased drink. Discretion is still advised, as the potent flowers are illegal. Also, just like in the rest of India, locals don’t usually smoke marijuana straight: it is normally mixed with tobacco. Lastly, hookah (water pipe) shops are aplenty in this region, but travelers debate the merits of mixing marijuana with shisha. We end our cinema color tour in Udaipur, the “White City” or more aptly, the “City of Lakes.” As indicated in the name, Udaipur sits atop what can only be called giant puddles: outside of monsoon season, Udaipur’s three lakes—Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake and Swaroop Sagar Lake—are muddy beds. Once the rains hit, however, Udaipur is transformed into a waterside city, awash in twinkle lights, white paint and romance, giving it its third moniker, “Venice of the East.” It is in Udaipur that James Bond (Roger, not Sean) was held captive in the hilltop Monsoon Palace, and it is where, inside the heritage Lake Palace Hotel on Lake Pichola, Bond meets the woman for whom the film is named, and whose name can now be seen on every one of the city’s “special movie night” posters: Octopussy. c
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profiles in courage Patient:
Stephanie Annis
AGE: 34
Condition/ Illness: Crohn’s Disease
Using medical cannabis since: 2008
Photo by Lance Farrell
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Are you an MMJ patient from Colorado 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.
WHY DID YOU START USING MEDICAL cannabis? In November 2008, I returned home from a 45-day stay in the hospital, weighing only 98 pounds. With the first joint, I started to eat again; I had struggled to eat while in the hospital, without medicine to help. DID YOU TRY OTHER METHODS OR TREATMENTS BEFORE cannabis? Yes, I was fed through an IV at one point and at another point was prescribed Marinol [a synthetic marijuana compound]. The IV feeding caused me to gain too much weight and had side effects. The Marinol had the side effect of making me feel as if I had a pit in the bottom of my stomach, and I would actually overeat which created a different type of problem. Marinol was far too strong for me in its lowest dose. Neither of these medical options worked as well as medicalgrade cannabis. WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE OR PROBLEM FACING MEDICAL cannabis PATIENTS? Finding medicine which is safe and pure and finding a caregiver who knows how to truly produce quality medicine . . . Quality medicine which is free from these harmful substances can only be found in dispensaries which test medicine. WHAT DO YOU SAY TO FOLKS WHO ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT cannabis AS MEDICINE? Until I [saw] it myself in my own life, I, too, was a skeptic . . . Seeing [cannabis] work in my life changed [my mother’s] lifelong held beliefs. c
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legal corner
By Ann Toney, P.C.
Implementing Amendment 64 is Next: Hang on for the Ride The voters of the great state of Colorado spoke and said that it is not illegal in this state to possess up to one ounce of cannabis and grow six plants for personal use. So, the question on everyone’s lips is: what’s next? Our state legislature will hammer out details, but unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it is going to be as simple as that. Cannabis remains illegal to possess, cultivate, and distribute under federal and much of state law. In the case of Gonzales v Raich, 545 U.S. 1 (2005), the U.S. Supreme Court held that Congress’ Commerce Clause authority includes the power to prohibit local cultivation and use of the plant even when in compliance with state law. Colorado’s new constitutional amendment appears contrary to the Controlled Substances Act, 84 Stat. 1242, 21 U.S.C. Sec. 801, and therefore, under Raich, federal law should prevail. Cannabis continues to be a Schedule I drug, illegal in all of its shapes and forms. Some members of Colorado’s congressional delegation is moving to introduce a bill in Congress which will “exempt” Colorado, in part, from the Controlled Substances Act, therefore quelling the state-federal conflict and allowing the usage of cannabis under certain circumstances. So, you ask, if the federal government did not
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try and prosecute Colorado’s medical cannabis use since 2009, why would we be threatened now with regulated marijuana? With MMJ, we could articulate that cannabis could provide many health benefits. Amendment 64 simply says everyone 21 or older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and cultivate up to six plants for personal use not based at all on the need of the adult. Governor Hickenlooper has “reached out” to U.S. Attorney General Holder to see how the Justice Department will respond to Amendment 64. Hickenlooper just announced the formation of a task force “to identify the policy, legal and procedural issues that need to be resolved related to Amendment 64.” Now is the time to contact your state legislators and let them know your thoughts. The passage of Amendment 64 is historic and its implementation will be groundbreaking. We get to go along for the ride. c Ann Toney, P.C. is a Denver-based law firm that focuses on medical marijuana business law and marijuana defense; and defending people charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs (DUI/DUID). Ann Toney can be contacted via phone or web at (303) 399-5556 and www.medicalcannabislaw.com.
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strain & edible reviews GET YOUR CLICK HERE
www.iReadCulture.com
Death Star The old stereotype that the cannabis community is composed of “a bunch of hippies” is being continually disproved as nerd culture firmly takes its roots in the MMJ world. As news broke in November that George Lucas would be selling the Star Wars franchise to Disney, we had to pick up some Death Star from the Good Meds Network in Denver. The name would fit on the strength of its genetics alone (Biodiesel crossed with Sensi Star), but the wide, round, almostuniform-in-color nugs resemble space stations that could decimate a planet. Out of the jar, the smell is much like the inside of a novelty Dark Vader mask, with notes of rubber and cranberry bog. Crushing a nug up reveals a mixed herbaceousness, like a meal at the local cantina. The initial rush from the Diesel is much more “Who’s your daddy?” than “Luke, I am your father,” but calms down noticeably during the second hour, helping to shed deep muscle and tissue pain from multiple back surgeries for one reviewer. With medical properties like this, we’ll classify the Death Star as “the light side” of the Force for once.
Blue Kudu Chocolate The kudu is a proud relative of the antelope, which boasts antlers that can be turned into a version of the vuvuzela, or the instrument that drove everyone insane during the World Cup. Want to tune out? Try a Blue Kudu Chocolate bar, one of the smallest, most potent edibles on the market. Think Mighty Mouse if he spent most of the day napping. The 100mg dosage would be one thing, but the fact that it’s packed into what is essentially a fun-sized candy bar is where it really hits you. Notches on the side do help divide it up into five 20mg-doses, which is where we recommend starting. Instead of a traditional chocolateonly snack, each Kudu bar is infused with a tangerine oil that gives it a touch of brightness that pairs well with the ganja flavor. We tried the indica bar (also available in sativa and hybrid) and were noticeably slowed within a half-hour of ingestion. This is not recommended for patients intending to do anything other than sleep. Several patients with high tolerances have noted that Blue Kudu Chocolate was an edible that “finally worked for them.” Kudos to them!
Snoop Dogg OG When Snoop Dogg returned from Jamaica as Snoop Lion, many wondered the same thing: “What was he smoking?” The fact is it’s hard to believe any strain can faze Mr. Calvin Broadus after all these years, but the Snoop Dogg OG from Native Roots in Denver could stand a chance. This 70/30 indica-dominant hybrid makes a lot of sense on paper: Take a couple of old school players like Lemon OG and Sour Diesel, remix them and hope you get a hit single out of it. The lemon, however, comes out very faint in the finished product, leaving a much more tour bus-like aroma in the air. The OG heritage is much more pronounced in the thick buds. Some reviewers felt this strain would be ideal if you were looking to pen some more Bone Thugs-ish lyrics, as the Sour D is racy to begin with and only slightly tapers off to “alert.” Avoid the gin and juice and look for someone to throw you a bone, as appetite stimulation was high—even chewing gum was nice as we needed something to do with our mouths. Hey, we can’t all be rap superstars.
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Razzle Dazzle A good “razzle dazzle” move is a staple of magicians, running backs and one of the most purple strains we’ve come across in Colorado. Yes, Colorado Springs’ Briargate Wellness Center brings the serious eye candy with its Razzle Dazzle, rumored to be a cross of Blueberry and White Russian. Judging from the coloration of the stem, this isn’t cold induced purps, either, with calyxes that would make The Artist Formerly Known as Prince jealous. Or is he just Prince again? An almost sugary sweetness makes this strain intoxicating; as if each nug was spritzed with perfume made from Beaujolais. Being an indica-dominant hybrid (70/30), we found Razzle Dazzle to be similar to a glass of wine after a long day of work: relaxing, not too sleepy, but also not enough to keep us up when we were ready to crash. Use a bowl of Razzle Dazzle to deal with nagging pain without being relegated to a night on the couch, or for a little dessert before dinner. Just be careful medicating during the day if discretion is important: this strain will trigger severe bloodshot eyes.
Sweet Grass Kitchen Peanut Butter Jelly Cup It doesn’t take a dancing cartoon banana to know when “It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time” (Google it. Trust us). Sweet Grass Kitchen, known for its baked goods line featuring a truffle brownie and an impressive variety of cookies, has come up with a truly unique PB&J cup, available at The Herbal Cure in Denver. We’re not sure how they manage to inject the strawberry jam into a small cavern in the center of the pastry, but all we wanted was more of it. The peanut butter crumble does just that, yet we found it moist and not at all soggy. Sweet Grass uses a triple-filtered, 72-hour extraction process that yields some of the best cannabutter we’ve tried in a while, with a “green” taste that’s notably balanced by the peanut butter. Each cup weighs in with 75mg of active THC, so a third (or roughly one big bite) serves as a great dose for the average patient. Most reviewers found the medicating effects strong, yet social, with very little of the discomfort that typically sets in when taking too large a dose. Reviewers who ate a full cup started off in the same boat . . . then quickly fell overboard, looking for a good couch to lay their heads while everyone else around them danced like a certain cartoon banana.
Lemon Skunk There are very few situations in life where buying a “lemon” is advised. In fact, if you’re not making a pie, an Italian chicken dish or an -ade, we’d discourage it altogether. The Lemon Skunk at Frosted Leaf’s two Denver locations definitely bucks the trend. Just like a burst of citrus zest, this strain definitely woke us up, as if it had been accompanied by a fresh shot of espresso. Moods were elevated up to the top branches, and doing anything physical was extremely pleasant. An 80-percent sativa hybrid, Lemon Skunk functions best as a mood enhancer than a pain reliever—but patients should find its cerebral effects to be just the thing to get their morning started right. This strain’s hallmarks are mellow notes of said yellow fruit peeking out behind a more noticeable funk that is slightly peppery at times. The lightly colored, barely orange hairs reminded us of Island Sweet Skunk. The tremendous density and bud structure are beyond compare, and we were also very pleased with the trichome development. Who are we kidding? We were very pleased with everything that morning.
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Kathy Griffin has been taking her clothes off lately. A lot. On Late Night with David Letterman. On the cover of her new video. On New Year’s Eve in Times Square with Anderson Cooper— then she texted him naked photos of herself from his summer home while he was hosting the news on CNN. A “D-lister” no more, the 51-year-old comedian has a prodigious work ethic. She cranked out four cable specials last year, performs her stand-up show around 100 times a year, hosts her own daytime television talk show—called Kathy, of course—and now it looks like she’s got a club hit on her hands as the remixes of the Kathy theme song (which she sings herself, naturally) are moving up the Billboard dance chart. Fast. She’s performing around the country between now and February 2013, but she doesn’t need me to tell you about it because Griffin can promote herself just fine, thank you very much. She’s become a role model for aspiring comedians of the female persuasion by almost single-handedly convincing America that, yes, chicks can be funny too. And when you talk to her you get the feeling that after all she’s done, this redhead is just getting started. So who’s pissing you off right now? Well you know I never met a Kardashian that I don’t like as a comedian. I’m worried that we kind of demean ourselves by even mentioning them. Shouldn’t we be ignoring them? Maybe they’ll go away. I’m sorry but they’re multiplying! I’m looking at basically an old-fashioned metronome or some sort of sands of time to see how long it’s gonna be until Kim gets pregnant. But I’m assuming she’ll at least have one pregnancy by the time I’m at Pechanga and one on the way. I mean if Snooki can be wheeled out of the hospital with her little meatball then Kim can’t be far behind. Your current status with The View is difficult to nail down. So tell me: are you banned or unbanned at the moment? Banned . . . I would say I’ve been banned and unbanned about a half a dozen times. Now are you really banned or do you just like to say that to kick up a little controversy?
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No, you can call them tomorrow and ask them if they’d like to have me as a guest. You really became a household name—in a stroke of delicious irony—when your Bravo comedy special The D-list became a huge hit. So I suppose you really can’t say claim to be a D-lister anymore, can you? No, I have a talk show. I have Emmys. I have Grammy nominations. You have a lot of Emmys. I have a dance hit! I was going to ask you about that next. This is where it gets fun. So—never to be bored—I thought, “What can I do between Season 1 and Season 2 of the Kathy show?” Because taking some time off would be unthinkable for you, right? Because I like to build a bridge and I don’t like to not work for even one second. So one: I sing the theme to my talk show—which is really corny. And two: I’ve got Emilio Estefan and the Cuban mafia behind it to do a dance mix. And then their daughter Emily did another dance mix. And I now have a dance mix hit called “I Say It.”
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Didn’t you have four comedy specials on the TV this year? Last year I did four in one year which has never been done. Do you worry about maybe being a little greedy with the four comedy specials in one year? Can’t you leave some for the other comics? No, I think it’s because I’m a female comic. I have to jump higher and work harder. I still think it’s pretty damn impressive what you’ve done. You’ve changed a lot of minds about the viability of women in stand-up comedy. When you have a landscape that is so saturated with everything from social media to a million cable channels, you can get comedy or drama from so many different sources. I find what I do is the one thing you really can’t change [and that’s] who you are. My comedy comes from my own embarrassing life first, and then my own take on celebrities and I make it very personal. I don’t just talk about
Speaking of politics. Is it just me or the Republican Party just getting more and more regressive, retarded and plain ol‘ batshit crazy? We are pretty much rolling back the clock. I think that’s been happening . . . a little bit with Regan but definitely with Dubya, even more than his father. And now people are refighting the separation of church and state and they’re trying to rewrite the constitution and teach creationism and all this stuff which is completely antithetical to what I grew up with. My mom and dad worked hard to send me to a school where education was paramount. I tease the nuns because they tried to make me a Catholic but it didn’t stick, but certainly not for one minute . . . did those nuns try to teach me about creationism. They never tried to convince you that Darwinism is just a “theory,” and Jesus was riding dinosaurs 5,000 years ago when the Earth had just been created. No! I would have gotten in trouble
It’s just a little hypocritical that people can go and get as drunk as they want. —on those who criticize cannabis use
Well there’s a whole lot of people in jail right now—casualties of our expensive, never ending Drug War, I guess I’d call them. Roughly half of our ridiculously high per-capita prison population is there because of drugrelated offenses. So people getting arrested for smoking a plant or for just possessing a baggie of dried leaves seems to be a pretty big problem to me. I’m much more interested in
Flying the Multicolored Flag
Besides her notoriety in entertainment circles, Kathy Griffin is also a bona fide LGBT activist who often uses her television soapbox to stump for gay rights, such as same-sex marriage. Two years ago, she helped organize a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rally in Washington, D.C., and has supported the nonprofit Aid for AIDS (AFA) annual fundraiser. She won a Vanguard Award during the GLAAD Media Awards in 2009. But considering Griffin’s candid, usually brazen style, it should be no surprise that the comedienne described her advocacy in this way, in an interview with the Washington, D.C.-based Metro Weekly: “I’m building bridges between hot guys, the LGBT community and women everywhere. And isn’t that what’s important?”
random celebrities. I talk about celebrities I have had a personal run-in with. I find that people really like having that mask ripped off. I think it’s great. And it’s proved to be very entertaining. Doing live standup is my favorite thing ever. I really love it. I’m on the road pretty much every weekend. There’s nothing like live entertainment. It is completely no-holds-barred. It is the last bastion of a censorship-free comedic environment. In the live shows I really can and do say things that I can’t even do in my specials. 32 CULTURE • DECEMBER 2012
for that because it’s factually incorrect! Let me ask you about medical marijuana. I don’t even know if it should be just medical. I guess there are issues about it—you don’t want to do it around kids, and I’m not sure I want to be driving behind someone who’s really high. It’s just a little hypocritical that people can go and get as drunk as they want . . . And it’s typical of the conservatives [who] would want to distract you with that conversation.
the lady umpire from the U.S. Open who allegedly killed her husband with a coffee cup. That’s a story I can wrap an act around. Do you partake of the medicine yourself? The last thing I need is something to help me loosen up. Good point. What would happen to you if you did smoke some herb? Spontaneous combustion? What goes on? That’s the thing . . . you know, I’ve never had a drink in my life.
I’ve heard this, yes. Everyone I know who drinks or smokes pot—they do it to loosen up in some way or relax or feel more confident or whatever . . . “Liquid courage,” I think they call it. I’m actually trying to get less courage. Liquid or solid. I’m a little too heavy on the courage side of the scale. What do you do to relax? How do you chill out? What do you do in your spare time—if you ever actually allow yourself some spare time? I actually work out a lot. I hang out with my friends a lot. Shoot the breeze. I love a dinner party. I love smart conversation. And then I love really ridiculous television beyond control. I mean I can watch TV 12 hours a day, no problem. What are your favorites right now? Everything from The Newsroom and Political Animals to Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and everything in-between. I watch all the news cycles and then I’ll watch everything from 24/7 Mayweather [vs. Cotto] to every single one of the Housewives franchises to Bridezillas to Boardwalk Empire. How much time do you spend on the show? Is it a full-time job when it’s on? Well the whole thing is full-time. It’s either the Kathy show or it’s prepping for one of the specials or it’s going on the road or its doing something crazy like a dance mix of the theme song from Kathy. Do you spend time working on ideas that never happen? Not with me. I’m not really in movies so I’m not somebody who auditions for movies or TV shows. It’s my own show or nothing! So you’re not spending a lot of time pitching ideas to studios and stuff like that? No. They come to me! That’s what I’d call an “A-List” attitude, Ms. Griffin! [Laughs] Thanks, Todd! c kathygriffin.net V I S I T U S AT i R e a d C u l t u r e . c o m
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Gorilla Grow Tent
This durable tent can expand from 7 feet to 10 feet—King Kong ain’t got nothing on this! $220 www.dealzer.com
Autopilot Desktop CO2 Monitor
Just set it and forget it—this monitor calculates and displays ventilation rates so you and your plants can breathe easy. $144.95 www.ecogrow.com
Holiday Gift Guide!
Hydroponics/ Grow Gear For those who are serious about setting down roots . . .
Advanced Nutrients Nirvana
A favorite among hydro growers, this product’s algae extract and hydrolyzed soy proteins will help your plants reach nirvana. www.advancednutrients.com
Growing Elite Marijuana by Ryan Riley
There’s 18 years worth of knowledge and technical know-how here so make sure you have a bookmark, too. www.growingelitemarijuana.com
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Happy Frog Potting Soil
Bat guano, forest humus and earthworm casings might sound weird—but your plants will eat it up. $11.99 59 lbs. www.groworganic.com
Super Grow LED
God said, “Let there be light.” You said, “Let there be LED light.” And Super Grow was good. $249 www.supergrowled. com
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Eclipse Vape
It’s the original, it’s efficient and it’s one of the best plug-in-andplay items around. $98.99 www.vapornation.com
Dab Essentials Domeless Titanium Nail
If smoothness, flavor and minimum heat transfer are important to you, put Dab Essentials’ nifty nail (comes with a built-in diffuser) on your “nice” list. $179.97 www.dabessentials.com
Vector Nitro Butane Torch
Holiday Gift Guide! Shade Glass DabSaber
Strong enough for a Jedi . . . but made for that special patient (and Star Wars fan) on your wish list. $50 store.kultureva.com
CONCENTRATE UTENSILS
When you need to crank it up to 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit, let this chromed out little number from Heady Glass heat things up. $64.99 www.headyglass.com
For those who are serious about their meds . . .
Illadelph Hot Hit Slide
A cunningly designed slide with three small holes instead of the usual central hole—innovative! $60 14.5mm and 18.8mm) www.illadelphglass.com
Skilletools
From the Scoop Dogg to the Flexy, Skilletools’ line of dental-grade stainless steel utensils are made to last all year. $12.99 each www.skilletools.com
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Octopus Pipe
This hand-blown pipe will cost you, but consider this—friends come over, everyone wants to medicate and you get to say, “Release the Kraken.” $1,000 etsy.com/shop/LoudActions
Cyclops Pipe
This Arizona-based company has one of the coolest collections of glass pipes, especially the Cyclops, which is perfect for cannabis masters who want a new pupil. $56 chameleonglass.com
EZ Pipe Black
Featuring a cap for smokeless use, this discreet pipe is a self-contained unit that can hold most Bic-style lighters. $20 afrosmoke.com
Holiday Gift Guide!
Pipes
The Fumo Pipe
For those who like to spark up a conversation . . .
Made right here in Colorado, The Fumo is a pipe and steam roller hybrid with a sleek design and innovative functionality. $75 1percent.com
Dragon Pipe
Exit the dragon, enter the patient. $20 gorillaglass.com
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Bul-It Pipe
Leave it to the Brits to design an 88mm pipe for the Ron Paul-supporting Republican in your life. Approx. $38 to $44 red-eye.co.uk
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Atmos Nuke Dual Cartridge Vaporizer
A small, innocuous vape pen, the Atmos Nuke Dual Cartridge takes herbs, oils and waxes and can switch between double or single cartridge use. $123.49 www.atmosthermo.com
Elite V3 Portable Vaporizer
Capable of delivering more than 400 hits between charges, VaporPenz’ elegant Elite V3 will vaporize everything your heart desires—flowers, concentrates, fluids—to help get you through the holidays. $79.95 www.vaporpenz.com
VaporCone
In need of a perfect stocking stuffer? Try VaporCones’ Discreet—a buttonless vape pen with a ceramic skillet and mouthpiece—or its big brother, the Elite. Each one handles herbs, concentrates or e-liquids. $50 Discreet, $90 Elite themedstick.com
Cloud Vape
Holiday Gift Guide!
Vaporizers For those who like to clear the air . . .
You can refill this travel-friendly little number with your own medicine, and it’ll only take 10 seconds flat to start feeling the vapors. $69.99 cloudvapes.com
Iolite Wispr Vaporizer
An industrial redesign of the standard pocket vape. Load the stylishly colorful box, wait a few seconds for Wispr to heat to 374 degrees and puff. Tres chic. $249 www.iolite.com
Storz & Bickel Volcano
A stone-cold classic, this medical-grade device uses precision-heated air to eliminate the vast majority of nastiness associated with smoking the plant. $539 www.storz-bickel.com 42 CULTURE • DECEMBER 2012
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Sheldon Black SixShooter Bubbler (Black Tree)
Pulse Glass Double to Double Showerhead
This High Times Medical Cannabis Cup first-place winner for Best Glass, Pulse offers this 20-inch tall, 5mm-thick Double to Double stemless with percolator, ice pinch and slide. $550 www.pulseglass.com
Pure Glass Zero XM Swiss
For the chilliest, sickest hit out there, pre-chill the glycerinfilled coil, plop it on top and enjoy the Swiss percolating, water filtration. $669 pureglass420.com/zero-xm
One of the biggest names in boutique scientific glass offers this super diffusion bubbler with a six-branch, black diffusion tree and ultra sleek and smooth hitting. $250 www.sheldonblack.com
Holiday Gift Guide!
Glassware
For those who like to keep things transparent . . .
Snic Mobius Bubbler
Texas-based Snic Barnes ranks among the best heady glass pipe designers in the world thanks to his stunning, steampunkesque electroplating work. Prices vary www.snicbarnes.com
Salt and Snic Custom Heady Bubblers
Heady heavyweights team up on these hyper-ornate, smallish bubblers featuring Snic’s electroplating and Salt’s characteristic biomorphic creature styles. Prices vary www.saltglass.com
Toro Glass Diffusion Bubbler
Toro—a master in the scientific glass domain, with its clean lines and emphasis on functionality— shows off its heady side. MSRP $400 www.everyonedoesit.com 44 CULTURE • DECEMBER 2012
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CaliJars South Park Glass Jar
Doob Tubes
These hard plastic tubes are the perfect, water- and odor-proof way to carry pre-rolls, and they double as storage for those halfsmoked joints. $5.99 five-pack doobtubin.com
Get your nugs out of that natty baggy and into this South Park-inspired line of jars—small enough to hold an eighth, large enough to hold an oz. $9.99 www.calijars.com
Holiday Gift Guide!
Containers & Jars For those who always have something in store . . .
Tightvac Vitavac Pocketvac
Vacuum-sealed food container-maker Tightvac offers these opaque, BPA-free airtight cases, which prevent your nugs from oxidizing. $6.50 tightvac.com
Santa Cruz Shredder
With a new tooth design, this computer-designed anodized shredder is built to last and won’t slice or smash your precious herbs. $22 Mini 2-Piece, $79.99 Large 4-Piece www.santacruzshredder.com 48 CULTURE • DECEMBER 2012
CVault Containers
CVault containers are airtight, made of stainless steel and perfect for curing and storage (with space for a humidity control pack from Boveda). $19.95 Small CVault, $205.95 Connoisseur Combo 4 www.thecvault.com
CannaFresh Jimi jar
This company’s Collectors Edition Cheech & Chong Series includes this trippy, Jimi Hendrixinspired 22-oz. jar. $32 cannafresh.com
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cool stuff Carbon Black Wheelchair Patients with mobility issues, take note. The Carbon Black Wheelchair is positioned as the next revolution in personal transportation. It is easily adjustable, comes with built-in LED lights and—because its made of carbon fiber—its ridiculously lightweight and portable. This is how you should roll. (MSRP TBA) iimaginedesign.com
Tarantino XX: 8-Film Collection Get your Flock of Seagulls haircut ready, cuz this must-have collection of Quentin Tarantino flicks will deserve a high place of honor in your DVD collection. Next to Street Fighter. ($119.99) www.miramax.com/on-disc/tarantino-xx
CoolJarz Flipz For storage that’s a literal snap, CoolJarz’s new Flipz’ offer flip-top convenience while at the same time providing peace of mind with a tamper- and child-proof design. And they’re recyclable! ($10 Sample Pak) www.cooljarz.com
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By Aunt Sandy
Winter is typically a time when families gather to share a special—and delicious—meal together. This holiday-themed menu is sure to get your loved ones rushing to the dinner table.
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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Menu:
Crown Roast of Pork Pan Gravy Cannabis Apple & Onion Stuffing Mashed Sweet Potatoes Cauliflower in Cheese Sauce Cannabis Infused Brandy
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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Crown Roast of Pork 1 crown roast of pork (8 to 9 lbs.) Pan Gravy (see recipe on pg. 54) Cannabis Apple & Onion Stuffing (see recipe below) Remove meat from the refrigerator about 1 hour before cooking. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wipe moisture from the roast. Protect the ends of the rib bones by covering with aluminum foil. Immediately after putting the roast in the oven reduce heat to 325 degrees, roasting 30 minutes per pound. Remove roast one hour before it’s done to stuff the center of the crown with Cannabis Apple and Onion stuffing. Return roast to the oven to complete cooking for the additional hour. Carve between each rib and serve with Pan Gravy.
Cannabis Apple & Onion Stuffing 1 cup of raisins 1 chopped garlic clove 3 cups of diced tart apples 1 cup of chopped celery 1/4 cup of finely chopped parsley 3 cups of diced tart apples 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt 1/4 cup of finely chopped parsley 7 cups of soft bread crumbs 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt 1 cup Canna Butter* 1/4 teaspoon of paprika 1 cup of chopped onion Place raisins in boiling water for five minutes. Blend diced apples, chopped parsley, salt and paprika with the bread crumbs. Drain water from cooked raisins and add the bread crumbs mixture. Sauté with melted Canna Butter and mix all ingredients together.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Cauliflower in Cheese Sauce Makes 6 servings 1 cauliflower 3 tablespoons of Canna Butter* 2 tablespoons of flour
1 cup of milk 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
Cut off the tough end of the cauliflower’s stem. Remove the leaves and soak in cold salted water head down for 10 minutes. Drain and break up the cauliflower into florets. Cut deep slashes into the stalk. Steam the florets (head up) and stalk in 1 inch of water. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook partially covered until the stalk is barely tender, about another 10 minutes. Drain well and place in serving dish. Melt the Canna Butter with the head in a skillet. Add and blend flour over medium heat. Stir slowly in milk with a whisk until thickened and smooth. Add cheese. When the cheese is melted, pour the sauce over the cauliflower. Serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings 6 sweet potatoes 2 tablespoons of Canna Butter* 1/2 teaspoon of salt Hot milk Drop the sweet potatoes into boiling water and cover. Cook until tender, about 25 minutes. Mash with a potato masher and add Canna Butter. Add salt and a little hot milk, slowly and gradually. Beat the mixture with a fork or whisk until it’s very light and smooth. Serve with Pan Gravy DECEMBER 2012 • CULTURE 53
Pan Gravy Pan drippings 3 tablespoons of flour 1 cup of water Optional salt and pepper ¼ cup of Canna Butter* Blend pan drippings from the Crown Roast with flour. Whisk the mixture until the flour has thickened and all the ingredients are well combined and smooth. Continue to cook slowly and stir constantly while adding water slowly to reach the perfect gravy consistency. Add salt and pepper for taste. Finish this by adding Canna Butter to make it creamy.
Cannabis Infused Brandy
2 cups of brandy ½ ounce of cannabis buds Pour the brandy into a sauce pan. Cook over a medium heat for three minutes. Add the cannabis buds and simmer them for 20 minutes. Strain the buds from the brandy. Keep warm. Add this to your favorite warm drink (we prefer eggnog), and add a lemon twist for a soothing and delicious beverage.
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. 54 CULTURE • DECEMBER 2012
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Shooting Gallery National Marijuana Business Conference (Photos by Michael Gifford)
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entertainment reviews Boys Noize Out of the Black Boys Noize Records While the name sounds like the opening act on a One Direction tour, Boys Noize gets huge cool points for making a Monster Magnet “Space Lord” dance remix one of his first releases in 2004. Alex Ridha, the German-born DJ making all the Noize, is now an international star with a new full-length album, Out of the Black. Sounds range from digitized guitar and live drum sounds (“Rocky 2”) to new wave-disco hybrids with a native percussion breakdown (“Conchord”), all driven by pounding electro-synth grooves. Tracks like “Circus Full of Clowns” come across as album filler, but EDM fans can cherry pick the standouts like the euphoric “XTC,” the bouncy “Ich R U” and the dynamic, energy-building opener, “What You Want.” Hopefully rap radio will embrace the album closer, “Got It,” which has Snoop Dogg throwing down like he’s trying to bring ’93 back. (David Jenison)
Cannabis Sativa: The Essential Guide to the World’s Finest Marijuana Strains Vol. 2 S.T. Oner Green Candy Press Not content to let the world continue with only one authoritative guide to sativa strains, the ganja geniuses over at Green Candy Press cultivated yet another voluminous volume dedicated to providing a comprehensive overview of the best of the best. If you’re a connoisseur, Cannabis Sativa Vol. 2 should prove to be instructive reading for those with a deep interest in the heaviest and bushiest of marijuana strains (Krane Damage, Nebula, etc.). Genetics-minded patients will find rock-solid lineage descriptions of popular phenos such as Cannatonic and Sour OG. Coming straight from the minds of breeders and growers, Vol. 2’s information is unsurpassed . . . but at the same time not overly technical—often the weakness of some marijuana books. The photos are drool-worthy, but the information—and adroit wit—will keep you coming back. A great stocking stuffer for the patient hungry for colorful and accurate information. (Matt Tapia)
Twisted Sister A Twisted X-mas – Live in Las Vegas Eagle Rock Entertainment A Twisted Christmas, a 2006 collection of metalized holiday standards, became Twisted Sister’s bestselling album since the Reagan years. The band released a live Christmas DVD the next year, but unlike Ghost Rider, this bad boy deserved a sequel. A Twisted Xmas - Live in Las Vegas features Sin City theatrics, Steel Panther-like nostalgia and Radio City Christmas Spectacular production with holiday-adorned strippers replacing the Rockettes. The concert took place at the Vegas Hilton, a.k.a. the house Elvis built in the theater Barry Manilow ruled. Sure, Manilow covered many of the same classics on his Christmas albums, but he didn’t dress like a tranny or radically reimagine songs like Twister Sister’s “12 Days of Christmas” (spoiler alert: they don’t ask for turtle doves). Complete with colorful costumes, fake snow and amped-up arrangements, A Twisted Xmas is a sick holiday treat! (David Jenison)
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Chuck D
Public Enemy in concert
Classic hip-hop is making a comeback as legendary acts “Bring the Noise” to Colorado. While we respect the catchy songs produced by rappers of today, let us not forget that many up-and-coming spitters owe a significant debt to inyour-face, socially conscious acts from yesteryear like Public Enemy. With lots of modern rap flooding airwaves with messages about bling and Bentleys, Public Enemy said screw all that and proceeded to criticize everything that was wrong with American society and put it in (literally) black and white terms. Public Enemy—fronted by rap icons Chuck D and Flavor Flav (if you kids though Flavor of Love was old school, man, have you got something comin‘!)—will be part of the Hip Hop Gods tour, which comes to Denver this month. With 16 albums over the course of 25 years under its collective belt, Public Enemy isn’t about backing down anytime soon or lying fallow—the group released two albums this year alone: The Evil Empire of Everything and Most of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear On No Stamp. Taking the power back never gets old. (Jamie Solis)
IF YOU GO
What: Public Enemy in concert. When/Where: Dec. 8 at the Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. Info: Go to www.ogdentheatre. net or call (303) 832-1874.
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event listings Our picks for the coolest Mayaninspired end-of-the-world parties taking place on Dec. 21 Bursting the Bubble: End of the World Party
If you’re still living a disillusioned life believing the world will go on forever—then it’s time to burst that bubble! The first 100 guests at this End of the World Party receive bubble machines to get the bubbles—and bottles—poppin‘. City Hall Amphitheater, Denver www.facebook.com/CityHallEvents
Shock Top End of the World Party: Three Levels of Armageddon
Three Levels of Armageddon will live up to its epic name—three floors, each set up with a different apocalyptic survival challenge. Help destroy the impeding meteor in one level. See if the ancient Mayan warriors on the main level were right, while experiencing their culture through dance, sound and lights. You can also make your way down to the fallout bunker—it may be your only chance to survive the nukes. McNichols Event Center, Denver www.endoftheworldcolorado.com
End of the World Party!
To usher in the apocalypse in style, DJ Uplifter will be cooking up the best reggae dance party this side of Kingston. Enter the dancehall and sway to the riddim—strictly roots! Funky Buddha Lounge, Denver www.coclubs.com/funky-buddha
The End of the World featuring Madlib
With Madlib still blunted in the bomb shelter, Denver never had an apocalypse that sounded quite like this. With Del the Funky Homosapien, Shigeto, Joe Nice, The Widdler and Bukue One providing the necessary beats and rhymes, expect nothing but a serious head-bobbin‘ time. Cervantes’ Masterpiece, Denver www.cervantesmasterpiece.com
Mayan Millennia Masquerade Ball
This fantastic masquerade ball will ensure your life’s end is satisfactory—twirling dancers and primal beats will grant a sensual, visual, musical experience, with appearances from Kan’Nal’s “Shamanic Rock” and others. The Avalon Ballroom, Boulder www.coloradosolstice.com
End of the World Weekend!
Forget holiday shopping—save that energy for the ultimate Friday night rocking out with The Martini Shot and this band’s patented arsenal of pop-rock hits. The Ritz Bar & Grill, Colorado Springs www.martinishotband.net 60 CULTURE • DECEMBER 2012
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Chuck Shepherd
News of the
Weird LEAD STORY—FINE POINTS OF FLORIDA GAMBLING LAW
; In October, state alcohol agents, assisted by local police in full riot gear, pointing their weapons, raided a bar in Largo, Fla., to shut down the latest gathering of the venerable Nutz Poker League, even though its players do not wager. (They meet at bars and restaurants, where management gives winners token gifts in exchange for the increased business.) A prosecutor told the Tampa Bay Times that Florida law defines illegal “gambling” as any game
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that permits players to win something—even if they don’t have to “ante up.” The raid (during which players were ordered to keep their hands where the officers could see them) came after a months-long undercover investigation.
DID I SAY THAT OUT LOUD?
; No Do-Overs: By 2009, James Washington believed he had gotten away with a 1995 murder, but then he had a heart attack, and on his deathbed, in a fit of remorse, he confessed to a confidant. (“I have to get some-
thing off my conscience,” he told a guard in the jailhouse where he was serving time for a lesser, unrelated offense.) However, Washington miraculously recovered from the heart attack and tried to take back his confession, but prosecutors in Nashville, Tenn., were unfazed. They used it to augment the sparse evidence from 1995, and in October 2012 the now-healthier Washington was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 51 more years in prison.
RECURRING THEMES
; Among the most creative illegal behaviors are those of clever smugglers—or immigrants trying to enter a country illegally. In September, two Moroccans tried to smuggle a Guinean man into Spain at the Melilla border in north Morocco by disguising him as a Renault car seat. One Moroccan drove, with the passenger perched on a seat in which the foam had been removed to make room for the Guinean. A police spokes-
man called the attempt “novel.” ; India’s notorious bureaucracy records deaths particularly ineptly, to the advantage of men seeking an alternative to divorce. They find it easier merely to swear out a death certificate on one wife so they can marry another, but that means the first wife will face years, and maybe decades, of campaigning to convince officials that she is not dead. BBC News chronicled the plight of Ms. Asharfi Devi, now 64, in September as she was finally declared “alive” after being deserted by her husband at age 23 and ruled dead at age 40. After Devi finally earned a hearing and brought relatives and evidence to the village council, deliberations took eight more months. Notwithstanding the ruling, the husband stuck to his story. ; Puzzingly, adults continue to accidentally ingest improbable objects, often seemingly unaware of what they did. Lee Gardner, 40, of Barnsley, England, swallowed a plastic fork 10
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years ago, but said he “forgot” about it until violent stomach pains forced him to the hospital in August. And British student Georgie Smith, 19, became the latest person to accidentally swallow a regular-sized toothbrush (though the first doctor she consulted told her he couldn’t spot any “toothbrush” on an X-ray). (With kids, the phenomenon is more understandable. Sinus-suffering Isaak Lasson, 6, of Salt Lake City was finally diagnosed in August to have accidentally stuck a Lego piece up his nose three years ago, and Hector Flores Jr., 7, of New York City, was found in October to have swallowed the whistle mechanism of a plastic duck, causing him to tweet when he laughed.) ; Again this year, a serial drowning made the news (where one jumps in to rescue another, and a third is needed to rescue the first two, and a fourth, and none survives.) In Ulster, Northern Ireland, in September, rugby player Nevin
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Spence, along with his brother and father, died in a slurry tank on the family’s farm, and their sister, who also attempted a rescue, was hospitalized. Officials said they could not determine the order in which the men entered the pit until the sister was well enough to talk. ; Darren Hieber, 33, became the most recent person to choose drastic means to reconcile with an ex. Twice Hieber, of Onawa, Iowa, arranged to have himself shot in order to win his ex-wife’s sympathy. The first hit man shot Hieber in the leg, but the wife still ignored him, and a second job was arranged in March, with two different shooters, but that failed, also. Adding to his frustration, Hieber was sentenced to 10 years in prison in August because it is illegal in Iowa to have yourself shot.
UPDATES
; Former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho, who made the “wide stance” famous when he explained his alleged, notorious
restroom encounter with another man in June 2007, has been sued by the Federal Election Commission because he used $217,000 in campaign donations to fund his legal defense to the resulting indecent exposure charges. Craig pointed out that visiting the restroom (irrespective of any alleged activities there) occurred during the ordinary course of Senate travel and thus that he was entitled to spend campaign funds. ; Two FBI agents, providing a backstory to “underwear bomber” Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s Christmas-time 2009 attempt to bring down an airliner in Detroit, said they believe the man accustomed himself to the tricked-out scivvies beforehand by wearing them full-time for the three weeks leading up to his flight (except for bathing). The agents, speaking to Detroit’s WXYZ-TV in September, suggested that the excessive wearing might have ruined the detonation mechanism.
; Oops, My Bad: Hattiesburg, Miss., dentist Michael West has for years been a well-compensated, prosecution-friendly “expert” witness who claimed he could match bite marks on victims’ bodies to bite patterns of whichever defendant the prosecutor wanted convicted. In “dozens” of cases, according to an Associated Press report, he helped persuade judges and jurors that his analysis was just as solid as fingerprint identification. (Other forensic experts regularly ridiculed West’s “science.”) In August, the Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Miss., uncovered a 2011 deposition in which West finally admitted that his bite-mark analysis should not have been used in court cases. It is not yet known how many defendants’ trials were tainted by West’s testimony.
PEOPLE DIFFERENT FROM US ; Update: Briton Stephen Gough’s rap sheet includes 18 convictions for failure to wear clothes in public. He has spent
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the last six years almost continuously in prison because, usually, each time he is released, he immediately shucks his clothes as he walks out the gate (and whenever arrested, he strips during court appearances). He was released in October from his most recent incarceration, in Edinburgh, Scotland, and authorities were puzzled how to proceed since Gough (aka “the naked rambler”) appears maniacally committed to the clothes-free lifestyle. A BBC News profile suggests that Scotland may simply send him back to England and hope he stays.
LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS
; Recurring Themes: (1) Jamel Wilson, 18, in Knoxville, Tenn., became the most recent hapless carjacker forced to abort his gunpoint heist after discovering the car was a stick shift, which he could not drive. He fled on foot but was arrested minutes later. (2) David Weber, 53, was arrested in Miami Beach in September, minutes after allegedly
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stealing items from a locked car, including a credit card. Police were called when Weber tried to use the card at a nearby bar and learned to his dismay that the card belonged to the bartender.
LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS
; Rookie Mistakes: (1) Arthur Bundrage, 28, was arrested in Syracuse, N.Y., in October after he returned to the Alliance Bank—which he had just robbed minutes earlier—because he discovered that the employee had given him less than the $20,000 his demand note ordered. Officers arrived to find Bundrage standing by the front doors, trying to get back in. (2) A September theft from a sofa superstore in Northampton, England, ended badly for two men, who had just loaded a pair of couches (worth the equivalent of about $650 each) into their truck and were about to drive off. However, the store manager rushed out and, noticing the truck’s unfastened back door, reached in and pulled
the sofas out, leaving the men to drive away empty-handed. The sequence was captured on surveillance video, leading store owner Mark Kypta to liken it to “something out of a Benny Hill film.”
READERS’ CHOICE
; (1) Maria Pestrikoff, whose home is on a 60-foot cliff near Kodiak, Alaska, was rescued in September after she accidentally fell off while text-messaging a friend. (2) The remains of a 70-year-old hog farmer were found on his property near Riverton, Ore., in September, and authorities said, based on the condition of his body, that his hogs had gotten to him before he got to them.
GOVERNMENT IN ACTION
; Among the federally funded projects highlighted in the “2012 Waste Book” of U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn were a $325,000 grant to develop a “robosquirrel” (to help study the somehowconfusing interaction between
squirrels and rattlesnakes) and a $700,000 grant by the National Science Foundation for a New York theater company to create a musical about climate change and biodiversity (which actually opened this year, in Kansas City, and included among its concepts, according to one critic, “flying monkey poop”). Abuses of the food stamp program were also detailed, such as by one exotic dancer who, while earning $85,000, drew food stamps in an amount roughly equivalent to the sum she spent on “cosmetic enhancements.” ; While the Department of Veterans Affairs remains under criticism for inadequate funding for personnel disabled in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, it spent in 2010 more than $5 million on training conferences just to teach bureaucrats how to administer parts of its latest collective-bargaining contract, according to an October report in the Washington Examiner. In fact, reported the Examiner, $34 million in payroll goes to
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department officials who work mainly on union-related activities.
GREAT ART!
DEMOCRACY IN ACTION
; Because We Can: The Tate Liverpool museum in England was host on Oct. 19 to artist Kerry Morrison’s Bird Sheet music project in which she laid down a giant blank musical score sheet under a tree and waited for birds to make “deposits” on it, which she took to represent “notes” that composer Jon Her-
; Colleen Lachowicz won her contest for a Maine state senate seat in November despite
; “I wanted to create a selfportrait that was completely stripped of . . . visual prejudice,” said Polish-born New York artist Martynka Wawrzyniak, who thus chose the medium of “smell” for her gallery showing in New York City (running through mid-November). For starters, she “scientifically extracted” her hair oils, armpit perspiration and tears (to protest humans’ cloaking themselves in deodorant soaps and laundry powders), and blasted visitors with whiffs of it as they entered the gallery.
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ing plans to play straight, as the “sound” of the blackbirds.
; Getting Out the Vote: (1) Just before a primary election in June, Albuquerque, N.M., TV station KOB apparently caught, on camera, a poll worker for two county government candidates offering potential voters miniature bottles of whiskey to sip during free rides to early voting centers. (2) Los Angeles’ KCBS-TV reported in October that leaflets sponsored by the Progress and Collaboration Slate for its local candidates in Eagle Rock, Calif., also mentioned an offer of $40 worth of “medical-grade marijuana” as incentive for voting. (3) Carme Cristina Lima, 32, running for town councillor in Itacoatiara, Brazil, was arrested in October for allegedly passing out cocaine packets attached to her campaign leaflets.
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ridicule by opponents for her admitted devotion to the online game World of Warcraft. “Certainly,” said an opposingparty official, “the fact that she spends so much time on a video game says something about her work ethic and . . . immaturity.” Her WoW character is Santiaga, an “orc (Level 85) assassination rogue” with green skin, fangs, a Mohawk and pointy ears. ; In several high-profile races across the country in November, voters rejected candidates
who had been accused of wrongdoing and corruption, but Brian Banks survived. He was elected as a Michigan state representative from Detroit, with 68 percent of the vote, even though his rap sheet includes eight felony convictions for bad checks and credit card fraud. (Campaign slogan: “You Can Bank on Banks.”) Also, Michigan’s 11th Congressional District elected reindeer farmer Kerry Bentivolio, whose brother had described him as “mentally unbalanced.”
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