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departments
Top Notch
Slightly Stoopid is on top of the world! ON THE COVER: Photo by Jeff Farsai
features
10 Twice as Nice
Americans For Safe Access takes on the U.S. Supreme Court. Again.
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Letter from the Editor The Greeks were right about a lot of things.
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Cool Stuff From The Body Shop Hemp Hand Oil Treatment to California’s Finest Premium Grade Marijuana Cigarettes, if it’s a cutting-edge product or cool lifestyle gear, we’re all over it.
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Recipes Time to celebrate Kate Middleton’s new poppet! Who’s hungry for some traditional Brit vittles?
News Nuggets Cannabis makes headlines here, there, everywhere— and we give you the scoop—PLUS our latest By the Numbers.
Destination Unknown Siquijor in the Philippines offers visitors a taste of magical moments.
12 Legal Corner
22 Profiles in Courage
Prescription or recommendation? San Diego attorney Kimberly R. Simms clears things up.
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Strain, Edible & Concentrates Reviews Our ever-popular sampling of amazing strains, edibles & concentrates currently provided by your friendly neighborhood dispensary.
Our latest feature provides insight into the life—and struggle—of a medical cannabis patient near you.
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Entertainment Reviews The latest films, books, music and more that define our culture.
Photo by MichaelL Wientrob
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AUGUST 2013 • CULTURE 5
letter from the editor
Vol 5 IssUE 2
rnandez e H . C o t r Rob e Ch i e f Editor-In-
GET YOUR CLICK HERE
CULTURE Publisher
Jeremy Zachary
Editor-in-Chief
Roberto C. Hernandez
Managing Editor
www.iReadCulture.com
RJ Villa
Arts & Entertainment Editor Evan Senn
Editorial Contributors
Dennis Argenzia, Omar Aziz, Ashley Bennett, Jake Browne, David Burton, Michael Carlos, Grace Cayosa, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, David Downs, Carolina Duque, Charmie Gholson, Michael Gifford, James P. Gray, Lillian Isley, David Jenison, Liquid Todd, Kevin Longrie, Meital Manzuri, Sandra Moriarty, Damian Nassiri, Keller O’Malley, Denise Pollicella, Paul Rogers, Joy Shannon, Lanny Swerdlow, Arrissia Owen, Simon Weedn
State of
Flux
Photographers
Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, Eric Fowler, John Gilhooley, Amanda Holguin, Seneca Knight, Khai Le, David Elliot Lewis, Kim Sidwell
Interns
Dulce Balandran, Kim Johnson, Derek Obregon
Art Director
E
veryone talks about change and how much it’s part of life. Bob Dylan sang about how “the times they are a-changin‘” back in 1964. In 1972, Black Sabbath proclaimed, “I’m going through changes” in the (appropriately titled) track “Changes.” And that same year, the chameleonic David Bowie drove the point home when he crooned, “Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.” The idea of change is hardly new. But before these icons of music proclaimed the nature of constant transformation, Greek philosophers led the earliest call-to-arms about the inevitability of change. If you’ve ever heard anyone say, “The only constant in the universe is change,” you can thank Greek philosopher Heraclitus for inspiring that gem. Famous for the saying, “No man ever stands in the same river twice,” Heraclitus of Ephesus (530-470BCE) challenged us with the notion that everything in nature is in a state of constant flux. Everything is shifting, changing and turning into something new. So, the only constant is change . . . and CULTURE is no different. Every publication must change from time to time if it wants to be successful. We’re all about change and new things—have been since Day 1. This magazine started out as a modest publication covering one MMJ state. Currently, we circulate in four different states, six major metro markets. Change. In the early days, we cut our editorial teeth interviewing the usual suspects for our cover
Steven Myrdahl
Graphic Designers
Vidal Diaz, Tommy LaFleur
Director of Sales & Marketing Jim Saunders
Regional Manager Beau Odom
Office Manager Iris Norsworthy
Office Assistant Jamie Solis
stories (Cheech & Chong, Kottonmouth Kings, Cypress Hill, et al.). Now these were great stories, but nowadays more mainstream legends and icons like Melissa Etheridge, Lily Tomlin, Roseanne Barr, Tegan & Sara and Henry Rollins show us love. Change. Four years ago, our publisher founded CULTURE on the basic idea of better informing (and entertaining) patients. Now, we’re the No. 1 (!) medical cannabis lifestyle publication in the world. Change. For those of you who have been following CULTURE for years, your favorite magazine is on the cusp of many great changes. Now, I’ve gotta keep the details under wraps . . . but those of you who read your favorite magazines on your tablet or keep up with the latest MMJ trends on your smartphone, CULTURE’s got some amazing stuff in store. The times they are definitely a-changin‘. Enjoy this issue! c
Social Media Manager Evan Senn
Account Executives
Jon Bookatz, Gene Gorelik, Justin Marsh, John Parker, Dave Ruiz, Paulina Porter-Tapia, Kim Cook, April Tygart
IT Manager
Serg Muratov
Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla
Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes 20,000 papers at over 500 locations throughout San Diego. 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. 3047 University Ave | #202 San Diego | California | 92014 Phone 888.694.2046 | Fax 951.284.2596 www.iREADCULTURE.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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THE STATE SAM group is targeting San Diego as “ground zero” San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has reconvened his information medical cannabis advisory committee, and the City Council is set to move forward with MMJ regulations in the coming months, the San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access reports. The chapter also warns patients about anti-MMJ forces ramping up, especially a group called Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), which held a summit in San Diego recently. SAM says it is pushing for a “smart” approach to cannabis policy, but opponents cite the group’s opposition to legalization and the idea that MMJ should be tightly regulated and administered by an agency such as the FDA . SAM “also proclaimed San Diego as their ground zero in the fight to eradicate medical cannabis in its current form,” the chapter states on its website.
Jury Nullification: Jury deadlocks, case dropped against Tim O’Shea
Touche said she wanted to re-file charges against O’Shea, Judge Charles Rogers ended up having the case dismissed entirely. “Rogers stated that he felt another trial would of course be burdensome to the defendant,” the OB Rag reports. “He then analyzed the purposes that a new trial would serve, with one being the resulting punishment— which did not seem appropriate, and with two, the preservation of public safety—and he did not find that applicable either.”The judge said he did not feel O’Shea had broken the spirit of the Compassionate Use Act or the Medical Marijuana Program Act. The case is cited as an example of jury nullification, which happens when juries refuse to convict someone to protest existing laws they feel are unjust. O’Shea was arrested in 2001, after Sheriff’s deputies discovered and confiscated 17 cannabis plants, according to The Human Solution.
THE NATION
newspaper reported. In New Jersey, children with serious conditions and diseases can legally use cannabis, but current regulations make it very difficult for them to obtain it. A proposed bill that would address these regulatory issues passed the legislature last month and is currently awaiting Christie’s signature. He has until this month to act on it. In the past, The Inquirer reported, the governor has said he is “not inclined” to allow children to utilize cannabis. Two Scotch Plains parents, Meghan and Brian Wilson, have a toddler-age daughter named Vivian who was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a rare type of epilepsy often characterized by very violent, long-lasting seizures. The couple, who had been using prescribed pharmaceuticals such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines to stop the seizures, ended up turning to cannabis to treat their girl. Parents from other states, such
as California and Colorado, have reported using medical cannabis for young children in similar predicaments, often in the form of an edible or non-psychoactive tincture or extract. The Wilsons’ daughter has an MMJ card, but there is only one dispensary in the state, and it is not allowed to offer edibles, a form that could have been used to treat the girl. The Wilsons started a campaign, Letters for Vivian, and a website that generates a fax for each person that supports their cause.
Arizona Supreme Court: Cops must return patients’ confiscated meds If you’re an MMJ patient in Arizona and your meds were taken by police—you are entitled to get your meds back, according to a recent state Supreme Court ruling, the Arizona Daily Sun reports. The case stems from the arrest two years ago of a medical cannabis patient from California, Valerie Okun, who was arrested near Yuma by Border Patrol. Although charges were dropped and Okun was never prosecuted (Arizona MMJ law recognizes medical cannabis patients from other states), officers refused to return her medicine, citing its federal status as an illegal drug. An earlier Court of Appeals ruling concluded that Okun had the legal right under Arizona law to possess cannabis
New Jersey parents urge NJ Gov. Chris Christie to ease up safe access Proponents of medical cannabis are flooding New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s fax machine, urging him to sign a bill that would make it easier for children to access MMJ, The Inquirer reports. Over a threeweek period, the governor’s office received about 1,500 faxes, the
The case against medical cannabis patient Tim O’Shea ended with good news recently after jurors found themselves deadlocked and a judge ruled a mistrial, OB Rag reports. In the case, three jurors felt the patient was guilty, nine opted for not guilty. The jury had deliberated for nearly 16 hours. While prosecutor Deborah La 8 CULTURE • AUGUST 2013
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Justices for the Arizona Supreme Court rejected prosecutors’ claims that cannabis is strictly regulated by Washington. But Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot told reporters that he’s still not ready to hand over the cannabis and wants to make a Supreme Court case out of it.
THE WORLD
Yael German announced that the government would be increasing the number of doctors who are certified to prescribe cannabis. The plan is used to treat, among other conditions, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Tourette syndrome and PTSD. Some patients have also turned to cannabis to treat the PTSD-like symptoms of Holocaust survival and losing loved ones. “What saved me here was the cannabis,” Moshe Rute told Tablet, when describing how hiding from the Nazis in his native France—and the death of his wife—haunted him.
Israel $40-million medicinal cannabis industry is thriving Medical cannabis is flourishing in the Holy Land. Despite the fact that in the U.S. cannabis has been approved for medical use in 18 states (plus Washington, D.C.), federal opposition and obstruction remain a factor. Not so in Israel, according to Tablet Magazine, a Jewish online publication. In this country, a $40-million-per-year industry is prosperous. Although it is illegal for recreational use, medical cannabis is provided to roughly 11,000 Israeli patients, according to the country’s Health Ministry. In May, Health Minister
“Approximately Infinite Universe”
by the numbers
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The number of views garnered by a YouTube video showing an attorney discussing his client’s (Ronnie Chang) case: 500 (Source: NBC San Diego).
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The estimated annual value (in millions of dollars) of Israel’s medical cannabis industry: 40 (Source: Tablet Magazine).
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The number of Israelis who were prescribed MMJ in 2009: 1,800 (Source: Israeli Health Ministry).
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In American dollars, the equivalent amount to 370 shekels: 103 (Source: CoinMill. com).
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The amount of cannabis, in pounds, that Israel distributes per month: 880 (Source: Israeli Health Ministry).
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The amount of cannabis, in pounds, that The Netherlands distributes per month: 330 (Source: Israeli Health Ministry).
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The amount of time (in hours) that the Tim O’Shea jury spent deliberating on a verdict: 16 (San Diego Free Press).
The percentage of respondents (many were parents) who support medical cannabis legalization: 70 (Source: The Partnership at Drugfree.org).
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In the resulting deadlock, how many jurors felt Tim O’Shea, a medical cannabis patient whose plants were confiscated, was not guilty: 9 (Source: OB Rag).
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The number of plants belonging to Tim O’Shea that were confiscated by Sheriff’s deputies: 17 (Source: The Human Solution).
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Of those plants, the number that hadn’t taken root yet: 5 (Source: The Human Solution).
The number of dispensaries currently in operation in New Jersey: 1 (Source: The Inquirer).
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The number of Israelis who are prescribed MMJ today: 11,000 (Source: Israeli Health Ministry).
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The amount (in shekels) that Israeli MMJ patients pay each month for a monthly allowance of medical cannabis: 370 (Source: Tablet Magazine).
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The number of pro-MMJ faxes received recently by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s office: 1,500 (Source: The Inquirer).
The seventeen artists featured in the “Approximately Infinite Universe” exhibition understand art as a vehicle for time travel, employing an array of mediums as means to move backward and forward through time. Their work re-visions fraught histories and en-visions utopian futures, with the effect of gaining insight into the complexities of the present. Recently, allusions to space travel and depictions of the cosmos have appeared with increasing frequency in the art world, occasioned, perhaps, by the dissolution of the American space program and the privatization of space travel. A great exhibition for the inner geek in all of us.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “Approximately Infinite Universe” art exhibition. WHERE/WHEN: On view at Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego-La Jolla, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. On view through Sept. 1. INFO: Admission is $10. www.mcasd.org.
AUGUST 2013 • CULTURE 9
FLASH
The Fight Continues . . . Americans for Safe Access files a new appeal to get cannabis reclassified
“Harmful Policy” In 2002, the Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis—which included Americans for Safe Access—filed a petition to get cannabis reclassified for medical use. In July 2011—the wheels of government move slowly, eh?—the DEA denied the petition. The appeal to the D.C. Circuit court, ASA says, is significant because it marks the first time in nearly 20 years that a federal court has reviewed the issue of whether or not there is adequate scientific evidence to reclassify cannabis. “It’s long past time for the federal government to change our country’s harmful policy on medical marijuana, and if it must be compelled to do so by the courts then so be it,” ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford says.
By Jasen T. Davis
A
mericans for Safe Access (ASA), a national medical cannabis patient advocacy organization, has filed an Appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court in order to reverse a decision last January with a D.C. Circuit Court which reaffirmed the plant’s status—in the eyes of the federal government—is a Schedule I drug with no medicinal value. Last January the D.C. Circuit Court made it possible for plaintiffs to sue the federal government in order to reclassify cannabis. Although patients had hoped that ASA v. Drug Enforcement Administration would be successful, the Circuit Court ended denying the appeal, claiming that the evidence that cannabis did have medicinal value was insufficient. “To deny that sufficient evidence is lacking on the medical efficacy of marijuana is to ignore a mountain of well-documented studies that conclude otherwise,” says ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford, who argued the appeal before the D.C. Circuit in October of last year. “The Court has unreasonably raised the bar for what qualifies as an ‘adequate and well-controlled’ study, thereby continuing the government’s game of ‘Gotcha.’” Kris Hermes, media liaison for ASA, points out that if the D.C. Court has its way, big corporations
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will win and patients will lose. “We’re filing the appeal because our ultimate goal is to reclassify cannabis for medicinal use. We didn’t get that when it was denied in 2011 [by the DEA], but now the stakes are higher. The court has set an unreasonable standard for proving the efficacy of medical marijuana,” he says. The big problems is that the D.C. Circuit court is insisting on very expensive, extremely unnecessary phase II and III clinical trials to prove the medical efficacy of cannabis. Since those trials are usually reserved only for the largest pharmaceutical companies, anyone else is out of luck. “They said that only studies normally conducted for achieving a patent can prove the medical efficacy of cannabis, and that’s a dangerous precedent because those drugs that are not conducive to being patented or manufactured by drug companies and may never reach that precedent,” Hermes says. “That’s why we are trying to overturn the decision. We believe that more than 200 peer-reviewed studies proving efficacy are more than sufficient,” he says. Why is the federal govern-
ment so afraid of seeing cannabis reclassified? Hermes explains: “I’ll just say it’s extremely difficult to understand the motivations of the federal government. They are not forthright on why they have held this classification for four decades. It can be speculated that keeping marijuana as a federal I substance to carry out a War on Drugs . . . is really just a war on people,” he says. “We lock more people up for marijuana offences than anyone else in the world. So while it hurts the American taxpayer, there are economic benefits for the prison industry and the corporations that exist to sustain it,” says Hermes. As long as something that
is so obviously a medicine to the rest of us is still considered as bad as heroin the eyes of the federal government, cannabis will remain illegal. But if the plant finally becomes legal, some bad guys will be out of business. Without a bogeyman to scare the country with, monolithic, outdated law enforcement agencies will lose funding, especially with austerity measures threatening everything from the U.S. Postal Service to food stamps. c
www.safeaccessnow.org 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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legal corner
By Kimberly R. Simms
Just the Facts Clearing up misconceptions about prescriptions, recommendations and ID cards
A
t the Law Office of Kimberly R. Simms, we are often asked to explain the difference between a medical cannabis prescription, recommendation and ID card. The overwhelming amount of information available adds to the confusion regarding what protections are truly offered by each document. Here, we unravel the misconceptions and set the facts straight.
The Rx: At this time, a patient cannot have a prescription for medical cannabis. Some states have legalized cannabis for medical use but the U.S. government still considers the plant to be a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance. As a result of this classification, even a doctor cannot write a prescription for legal medical cannabis.
The Recommendation: A doctor can write a recommendation for medical cannabis, if a patient has an illness or condition for which cannabis provides relief. In California, a doctor’s recommendation will allow a patient to possess and cultivate cannabis for personal medical use in an amount necessary for their personal medical needs. A recommendation is also required to join a collective. A common misconception is that a recommendation provides immunity from arrest or seizure of your medicine. The reality is that law enforcement is not required to validate the authenticity of your recommendation, and you can still be arrested. The MMJ recommenda-
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tion becomes the basis for your defense in court. However, there are further protections a patient can take such as obtaining the state-authorized Medical Marijuana Identification Card.
The ID Card: After patients have obtained a recommendation, they can also obtain a Medical Marijuana Identification Card through the state-mandated voluntary ID card program that is processed by local county health departments. The voluntary ID Card program, run by the State Department of Public Health, provides a confidential identification system to help protect patients from law enforcement interference and aid law enforcement in the implementation of medical cannabis laws. Sometimes, the term “ID Card” and “Recommendation”
are used interchangeably. However, an ID Card is obtained after a patient gets a recommendation through their county health department. Many patients ask why they need the ID card in addition to their recommendation. The state-issued ID cards provide near-guaranteed protection from arrest by state and local law enforcement for patients with limited personal amounts of cannabis. It is highly recommended that all patients have as much legal protection as possible when it comes to medical cannabis. Even with the added immunity from arrest provided by the ID Card, some voice concerns about releasing private information to local government. While this is certainly an understandable concern, all patient information is covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and cannot be released without the patient’s signature or a court subpoena. The Medical Marijuana Application System does not contain any personal information such as name, address or Social Security number. It only contains a unique user ID number and the only information provided is whether the card is valid or invalid. For more questions about the Medical Marijuana ID Card visit the California Department of Public Health website. c
Kimberly R. Simms is an attorney license to practice in California and federal courts. The Law Office of Kimberly R. Simms is a full-service law firm in San Diego with expertise in medical marijuana law. Go to www.simmslaw.com.
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strain & edible reviews GET YOUR CLICK HERE
www.iReadCulture.com
Bubba Band Nature’s Alternative Care in San Diego hits a power chord with its Bubba Band strain hitting all the right notes. Bubba Band takes indica favorite Bubba Kush, and crosses it with a sativadominant Chemdawg and Headband hybrid. The buds have a uniformed indica structure, predominantly light green, with a few orange hairs pushing beyond the green leaves and clusters of trichomes. Bubba Band smokes with a flavorful taste that coats the tongue. Its sweet taste makes it a perfect choice to end your medication session with. You can feel a slight sensation behind the eyes thanks to its Headband traits. This strain’s immediate cerebral effect slowly dissolve into a calming sensation throughout the body. Even though this strain is indicadominant it does not incapacitate, and actually creates a rather functional, yet well rounded effect. Double your intake, and be prepared to slow down and feel sedated.
The Venice Cookie Company Strawberry Cannabis Lemonade/ Cannabis Lemonade Give it up for the 3rd place winner in the edibles category of the 2013 High Times Medical Cannabis Cup Los Angeles this past February. The Venice Cookie Company has done the unimaginable and managed to infuse 16 fluid ounces of sweet lemonade drink with 72 milligrams of THC per bottle. Drinking a whole bottle (shake well first) would be like eating a half-eighth of sativa medicine—incapacitating without being lifethreatening. Makers recommend drinking half the bottle and waiting at least an hour to judge effects. Made with cane sugar, lemon juice concentrate—and, in the case of the strawberry version, strawberry flavor concentrate—this drink tastes like old-school strawberry hard candy from grandma’s house—the red ones with the little green, plastic twisty top. The lemonadeonly version tastes like sweet carnival lemonade. A ghost of the taste of cannabis lingers, but it’s in there. Edibles made with sativa-based medicine such as this can be to treat some forms of ADD and depression, as well as anorexia and PMS.
Jupiter OG If the king of the gods, sky and thunder had a nug jar, you can guarantee he will have Jupiter OG in his arsenal. The Jupiter OG strain found at Point Loma Patients Association in San Diego is a great representation of the famous Planetary OGs. It has the sweet lemony aroma you look for in an OG. The orange hairs pop over a backdrop of dark green buds that are caked with fully developed trichomes. Jupiter OG has the true lung expansion sought after in a strong OG, without a heavy of a choke. Its smoke is very flavorful and lemony. Named after the largest planet in our solar system due to the large yield this strain typically produces, this OG’s testing levels offer a glimpse of its effects. This 100-percent indica was tested at 25.88 percent THC, 1.07 percent CBD and 0.10 percent CBN. This indica produces super smooth, psychotropic cerebral and body effects.
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Photo by Stephen Lashbrook
Few other independent acts have had nearly the same amount of success or made the same level of musical transition than reggae-rock fusion act Slightly Stoopid has had in its nearly two decades as a band. Formed in 1995 and signed to Bradley Nowell’s record label, Skunk Records, shortly before the frontman’s death, Slightly Stoopid has moved on from walking the ska/punk trail—blazed by bands like Operation Ivy and Sublime— to cutting its own path into musical territory. Throughout its journey, the band has found time to record and release five studio albums, two live records (one of which is acoustic), a compilation of rarities and studio outtakes, and the group has garnered legions of fans all over the world. Most recently, the band released fifth studio album Top of the World (plus a live DVD, Slightly Stoopid & Friends: Live at Roberto’s TRI Studios), which continues Slightly Stoopid’s journey of expanding its style and exploring more musical ground. Most notably, the record includes a number of collaborations with everyone from raucous Fishbone frontman Angelo Moore, to legendary reggae and dancehall singer Barrington Levy. Never one to rest on its laurels, Slightly Stoopid hit the road this summer to headline its very own Kickin‘ Up Dust Summer Tour. The cross-country trek will see the band being supported by the likes of Minneapolis hip-hop legend Atmosphere, New York classic funk/soul master The Budos Band, roots rock /reggae group Tribal Seeds and former Living Legends members Eligh & The Grouch. CULTURE recently caught with Slightly Stoopid—right after a blistering set at the Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas—and spoke with band co-founder and guitarist/bassist/vocalist Kyle McDonald for some insight into the life of this legendary band.
the way around, you know? . . . It’s So you guys just started up the Kickin‘ all just definitely nice to, you know . . . have different styles of music in the Up Dust Summer Tour. How did the concert. A lot of people don’t first couple shows go? Are you hoping same really do that. that with Atmosphere in tow that you guys are going to attract an even wider You guys reference cannabis a lot in array of people out to your shows? both your music and your imagery. They went good; it was a packed house, killer crowds—it’s just nice to How do you feel about the medical be back out with the boys. We were cannabis movement that’s going on talking to them about it and that’s exactly what we were saying; we’re obthese days? viously two different types of music but it’s kind of like, just a big melting pot at the show because everyone is there to have a good time, and that’s what everyone’s main objective is to come out and have a good time; you know. It’s just definitely a wider variety of people. Atmosphere fans get a taste of the Slightly Stoopid, and the Slightly Stoopid fans get a taste of Atmosphere, so it’s just good
It’s going in a good direction, I mean, there’s a kind of just singling out all of the people that are living in the past, you know? I mean, it’s 2013 if anyone didn’t get the f*#kin‘ memo already! It’s 2013, you know what I mean?! It’s like, anyone that’s anti “herb” is either, just has a stick up their butt or they’re just old. Or, I can’t really say old but . . . they’ll eventually get singled out AUGUST 2013 • CULTURE 17
Photo by Doug Hac
through time because the next generation is coming up and I don’t think too many in this day and age—too many people, don’t think of it as a bad thing or even think of it as a drug. And it helps so many people these days with so many different ailments, no matter how big or small. Whether you have an illness or diseases or just even if it’s asthma or stress or you can’t sleep or you’ve had a bad day . . . it’s there for the
of recession first of all and it’s like, there’s so many ways the herb can help society in all ways. But then when it comes down to it, people rely on it, you know? And it’s like I was saying; if you have some trouble sleeping, if you want to get some sleep, puff it before you go to bed. There are so many things that doctors prescribe that kill people, you know? I’ve had friends that have passed away from prescription drugs, and friends that have just gone off the deep end or turned into a totally different person because of prescription pills that these doctors are prescribing. But now-a-days we’re in a time where, a day in age where, doctors will actually [recommend] marijuana as the last straw
we’ll just skate, play Xbox, and hang out with the boys and get some, you know, grinds, eat and hang out and play music. So it’s not like a thing where we set out—I don’t ever try to set out and make a record or make a song because it seems when we try to do anything these days it just doesn’t work. But, when you’re having a good time and you’re surrounded by good people and your friends and people you love, just having fun, that’s where all the good stuff comes from and people can definitely hear it in the music.
Just to round things off, do you see the band heading any place in particular in the next five years? Do you guys have any type of long-term goals? I don’t think too far into the future
Whether you have an il ness or diseases or just even if it’s asthma or stress or you can’t sleep or you’ve had a bad day . . . [cannabis is] there for the people . . . people and it’s really, you know, good. It’s a really good thing to have, you know? I don’t know, it’s not necessarily for everyone but I know when I’m having a tough day it definitely helps me relax.
because they’re like well “You know we’ve tried this, that, and the other thing, A, B, C and D and now we’re just going to [recommend] you marijuana when actually that’s what they should have [recommended] them in the first place.”
Do you think that legalization is near or So to kind of tie back around to the right around the corner? There are some states that it probband again, On Top Of The World is ably will be a while or it might not obviously your most recent release, even happen for a long time just because they’re kind of stuck in the did you have any specific goals for the ’80s and they’re just, I don’t know, record when you guys set out for it? I don’t want to say nothing bad, I don’t want to be negative but I will say there are people that are kind of stuck in the past in certain zerotolerance states, but I think those will probably be the last states to legalize it. But every other one seems to be kind of in a mutual agreement where, it’s like, it can help us get out 18 CULTURE • AUGUST 2013
When we do records, we kind of just are in the studio and we record two to three albums’ worth of songs and then we just kind of pick and choose. So it’s more of like a just kind of like a “hanging with the homies,” “hanging with the boys” process, and sometimes we’ll go in there and
about things, I kind of just live in the now and take it as it comes, but, you know, it’s definitely nice to do stuff for different causes and we’re doing stuff for different things. Music is an outlet that gives you the opportunity to help people and, you know, uplift them through music as well as, you know, do certain things for different people that need help. So it’s, you know, it’s an opportunity that you have to take, that you have to use, and it’s there to help people so we feel like we’re, like, almost—I don’t want to say “obligated”—but you are kind of obligated to, you know, when you have an opportunity to help people, to do that—so that’s my favorite reason to play music; is to be able to do it for different causes and help, you know? It’s always nice to play music but when you’re doing it to make a difference for something it is definitely the best feeling. c
Going the Right Way “We’re going to do the United States for this run with Atmosphere, Tribal Seeds and Eli & The Grouch and then I think we’re gonna go to Hawaii and do some island hopping in October with Danny Way, the skateboarder,” Slightly Stoopid guitarist/bassist/vocalist Kyle McDonald tells CULTURE about the band’s future plans. “He’s putting together skate parks in Kauai and he’s doing all these cool skate parks because they don’t really have many skate parks . . . and maybe do a show to help raise money for the skate parks, and then do some island hopping throughout Maui, Kona, Oahu and Kauai.” Way is a professional skateboarder and skateboarding company Plan B co-owner, who has been awarded Thrasher magazine’s Skater of the Year award twice, has won numerous X Games gold medals, multiple world record holder and he was the first person to jump the Great Wall of China (non-motorized jump). Way was also featured in a documentary film about his life, released in 2012 called Waiting for Lightning. 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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destination unknown
Story & photos by Dennis Argenzia and Edengrace Cayosa
Black &
White Head to Siquijor in the Phillipines for a magical mystery tour
The business card read:
W
TOUR GUIDE MASSAGE COLOR WIZARD
e looked up, and the man who had pressed the card into Dennis’ palm smiled a toothy grin. “Welcome to Siquijor!” As one of 7000+ islands in the sweeping archipelago of the Philippines, tiny Siquijor is easily overshadowed by its larger, swankier siblings in the central Visayan region. But Siquijor’s wee size— just 163 square miles of land that can be circumnavigated in four hours—belies its heavy reputation as a seat of black magic inside a devoutly Catholic country. The Spaniards who first laid eyes on Siquijor named it the “Island of Fire.” Although non-Siquijodnon Filipinos love to tell tourists that this catchy moniker was based on the residents’ devil magic, the truth is more science than occult: the Spaniards had simply witnessed the strange nighttime glow cast by Siquijor’s massive firefly colonies. So why does this island get such a bad rap? More on that later. Siquijor can be accessed by puddle-
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jumper airplane or, more commonly, by fast ferry boat. Once you’ve landed, there’s a wide range of lodgings to choose from: on one end are the increasingly popular backpacker dorms, while the other end gets you full-service, luxury resorts. You can opt to rent a car or motorbike for transport, or just grab a passing “trike” (tuktuk-like vehicle powered by a motorcycle) or a “jeepney” (an open-back minibus that you can hop on/off of, like a giddy lemur). Time for a bit of sightseeing! Despite its reputation (yes, we’ll get back to that), Siquijor holds religious festivals throughout the year. You can also visit Catholic landmarks, including the San Isidro Labrador Convent, possibly the country’s oldest and largest convent. If you like your tourism more natural than religious, Siquijor has falls and caves. Cambugahay Falls is a threetiered waterfall with large pools that are popular swimming holes. For spelunking, Cantabon Cave is a must. You are required to pay an entry fee as well as hire guides and rent hardhats plus torches, but the stalactites, stalagmites and other gorgeous mineral formations are worth the cost of entry. Be warned: there are several passages with waist-deep water, so avoid wearing anything you don’t want soaked. For those who prefer white sand and
blue water, Siquijor and nearby environs do not disappoint. Here’s just a sampling of activities: jumping off old concrete waterslides into the turquoise waters of Saladoong beach; snorkeling in the protected marine sanctuary near Coco Grove Resort; scuba dive at adjacent Apo Island. You could also just point your beach towel at the nearest empty stretch of coast, and happily roast your skin in privacy…. …or you could watch a cockfight in a creaky wooden arena. Cockfighting has a long, bloody history in the Philippines, but despite animal activist efforts, it is still a huge draw on Sundays. Each match is preceded by a loud, mostly unintelligible betting phase, where the crowd itself determines the odds. Then the birds, sporting 5-inch long blades on their left claw, are set upon each other. There can only be one winner; the loser is chopped into quarters and distributed to the winner’s human owner. Now, let’s get to the heart of Siquijor’s infamy. Is there magic? Absolutely! To this day, there are two kinds of practitioners: mambabarangs, or black magic shamans/ witches/sorcerers who claim to provide love potions, poisonous spells and accidental deaths for a fee; and then there are mananambals, faith/folk healers/wizards who offer healing through herbal remedies, massage or white magic rituals (like blowing bubbles in “magic” water). Once a year—ironically, during Catholic Lent—mambabarangs and mananambals from all over the Visayan region gather in Siquijor to collect the herbs, roots, cemetery dirt and coconut oil that will become their year’s supply of pampahid, or magical oil. This annual gathering contributes to Siquijor’s dark mystique, although in light of the popularity of this event, Siquijor’s tourism board is pushing a new name: “Island of Healing.” In addition to the shamans’ magical herbs, you can definitely find cannabis or “smokes” on Siquijor. It’s easily grown in the island’s tropical climate, and is casually offered up. However, care should be taken to be subtle, as the Philippines’ Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 promises anything from rehab to jail for nabbed buyers. c 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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profiles in courage
Are you an MMJ patient from San Diego 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?
Patient: Bennett Davison AGE: 48 Condition/ Illness:
Paraplegic, arthritis, carpal tunnel
Using medical cannabis since:
Photo by Kristopher Christensen
1984
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I started using cannabis to help ease the nerve pain that I have after suffering a gunshot wound in my spine due to a hunting accident.
Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? I have tried almost every kind of pain medication that my doctors have prescribed, and I still rely on medical cannabis.
What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? I think the cost is still too high, and insurance companies should consider covering some of the expense.
What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? Everybody who suffers from pain should at least consider trying it once to see if it helps. From my experience, I really do believe people would get positive results c Our “Profiles in Courage” features are intended to highlight the problems—and solutions—that medical marijuana patients face every day.
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cool stuff The Body Shop Hemp Hand Oil Treatment As one of the oldest medicinal plants on earth, it’s no wonder all the best beauty products use hemp in their recipes. The Body Shop Hemp Hand Oil Treatment (with hemp seed oil) provides targeted, long-lasting hydration for all kinds of areas of very dry skin—up to 24 hours of hydration. ($12 for 15ml dropper) www.thebodyshop-usa.com
California Finest Premium Grade Marijuana Cigarettes Remember when we used to dream about the day when cannabis was legalized in this country, and how we imagined being able to purchase a box of joints from the corner store as easily as a pack of Marlboros? That daydream is reality. California Finest has achieved greatness on the strength of its “finest hand rolled California bud.” Each box comes with five 1-gram cigarettes in indica (OG Kush, Grand Daddy Purple), hybrid (Blue Dream) and sativa (Train Wreck) varieties. Talk about California dreamin‘ . . . www.californiafinest420.com
T.U.K. Shoes T.U.K. is a well known shoe company for the punks, goths and creeper-loving fashionistas. Though their hey day may have been in the ’80s and ’90s, T.U.K. has stepped up their game a bit to keep up with the modern day hipster nation. Check out these amazing “Galaxy Sublimation Print Anti-Pop Heels” by T.U.K.—they are bright, feminine and truly out of this world. ($65) www.tukshoes.com
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By Aunt Sandy
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 cofounder of Oaksterdam’s Bakery.
Menu:
Traditional English Style Roast Beef Groovy Gravy Best Mince Pie
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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In lieu of the beautiful new Brit-mom Kate Middleton, we thought it would only be appropriate to celebrate the birth of the new Mountbatten-Windsor. Helping to perpetuate the royal blood line, Middleton has been a busy bee in the last stages of her pregnancy, shuttling between London and her family’s Berkshire home to escape the awful hot weather. The Duchess of Cambridge got to feast in her last stage of pregnancy—but then it was over! Back to lean meals and no more decadent treats, for this pretty Brit. So this month, we’re feasting for her—and her new baby. Enjoy the traditional British grub, with flavors that will take you back to The Big Smoke and make you miss the sounds of that beautiful Big Ben. V I S I T U S AT i R e a d C u l t u r e . c o m
Traditional English Style Roast Beef 4 lbs sirloin tip roast 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 cup Canna Butter Salt to taste Preheat oven to 350° Trim the fat from the meat and score remaining fat. Rub the surface of the meat with the mixed spices. Heat the Canna Butter to a liquid. Place meat fat side down in melted Canna Butter, and brown all sides. Place meat in baking dish fat side up and pour drippings over the top. Insert meat thermometer and bake 20 minutes per pound until thermometer reads 140° for rare or 170° for well-done
Groovy Gravy 3/4 cup beef stock 3/4 cup water 1 tablespoon cornstarch, stirred together with 1 tablespoon water 1/2 cup Canna Butter Salt and pepper to taste
*Canna Butter Pastry Dough 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 2 teaspoons sugar 3/4 teaspoons salt 1/2 pound of cold Canna Butter cut into cubes 1/2 cup plus 1-4 tablespoon cold water Whisk together flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. Blend in Canna Butter with a pastry blender just until most of the mixture resembles coarse meal with small lumps. Drizzle 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon ice water evenly over mixture and gently stir with a fork until mixed, Squeeze a small handful of dough, if it doesn’t hold together add more ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring until just incorporated, then test again. Do not overwork mixture or dough will be tuff. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 8 portions. With the heel of your hand smear each portion once or twice in a forward motion to help distribute the fat. Gather the dough together with a pastry scraper if you have one and press into a ball. Divide in half and shape into 2 disks to make a pie. Wrap in plastic and place in a refrigerator until firm—at least one hour.
Best Mince Pie Canna Butter Pastry Dough* Mincemeat: 100g seedless raisins 100g dried cherries 100g dried blueberries 100g dried cranberries 65g citrus peel (1/2 orange and lemon peel) 250g cooking apples peeled and finely chopped 125g softened Canna Butter** Grated zest of half of a lemon Grated zest of half an orange 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of nutmeg Pinch of all spice 250g dark brown sugar 250 ml tincture (cannabis infused dark rum)
Make sure all of the dried fruits are finely chopped to around the same size. In a large bowl mix all the fruit, apples, Canna Butter, zest and spices together till well combined Dissolve the sugar in the brandy and pour over the mixture. Cover and let stand overnight. The next day stir mixture again then place in a sterile dry jar for 4 weeks before using in your favorite recipe. Preheat oven to 350°
Take filling out of the refrigerator and let come to room temperature. Prepare pastry and cut out circles to line a pastry tin. Stir filling well and pour into base. Top with pastry and make slits or make a star shape on top. Crimp edges. Bake in a preheated oven on low shelf for 40 minutes or until golden brown AUGUST 2013 • CULTURE 27
For our complete recipes go to ireadculture.com.
Transfer the juices from the baking pan to a sauce pan. Put baking pan on a burner over medium heat, add Canna Butter, stock and water and deglaze the pan by boiling over moderate heat, stirring and scraping up the brown bits for 1 minute. Add stock mixture to pan juices and bring to a boil. Stir in cornstarch mixture and whisk into pan mixture, then boil while whisking until slightly thickened, about 1minute. Remove from heat and salt and pepper to taste. Serve over the roast and yorkshire pudding.
entertainment reviews Franz Ferdinand Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action Domino Records It’s been nearly four years since Scotland’s indie rock princes in Franz Ferdinand have given the world a new record to appreciate. However, the band’s forthcoming fourth record Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, scheduled to release on Aug. 26 shows that these Scots haven’t missed a beat in the intervening years. Drawing on the hard driving rhythms and dynamic guitar riffs that the band built its solid reputation on, Right Thoughts is loaded with an assortment of footstompers that’ll make cutting some rug with a beautiful stranger or lovely date easy. Although the record—production wise—continues in the more polished, poppy trajectory of the band’s previous releases, Right Thoughts contains a bit of the fuzzier, garage-y-er elements of the band’s beginnings as well. The band has kept a low profile while recording this record over the last few years as it felt that the hype and misinformation surrounding their last effort injured its release. The secrecy seems to have paid off as what you get seems to be the perfect marriage of the band’s past and its future that will over joy old fans of the band as well as be the perfect introduction to the band’s sound for new listeners. (Simon Weedn)
Baked Italian: Over 50 Mediterranean Marijuana Meals By Yzabaetta Sativa Green Candy Press “When the moon hits your eye/Like a big pizza pie, that’s amore . . . When the stars make you drool/Just like pasta fazool, that’s amore.” Ah, the praises of Italian cuisine has always plucked the heart strings, eh? Why should patients go without the gourmet, traditional recipes that have made the boot-shaped country famous the world over? Enter Baked Italian. Described as “a high-end marijuana cookbook for the Jamie Oliver generation,” this softcover volume is indispensable for providing proven extraction techniques and tasteful, rich recipes that will make Giada De Laurentiis green (pun, definitely intended) with envy. Sure, there’s a recipe for infused butter here, but you also get the how-to for ‘Oregano’ Oil, Cannabis Campari and Vector Vodka. And with the rich photography highlighting such medicated versions of classics such as Eggplant Parmesan, Capellini with Anchovies and Lemon Sauce and the sinfully sweet Genoise Cake, Jamie Oliver will be just a faded memory. Grab an apron, get the cucina ready and cook—that’s amore. (Matt Tapia)
Arrested Development Season 4 Netflix, Inc. Dir. Mitchell Hurwitz Seven years after its cancellation, a great many of us were thrilled to watch Arrested Development rise from its ashes like a mythical phoenix and soar in the air for an amazing Season 4, thanks to the awesome folks at Netflix. While there has been some criticism that the newest season is not the “same” as the previous three, the only answer to that could be how—after so much time had passed—anybody could have expected it to not have changed some. However, although the feel of the show might be a little different, the returning writers, directors and cast did an amazing job of recreating the humor and atmosphere of the original series while moving it forward to its ultimate goal, the upcoming movie. Diehard fans will enjoy the working in of almost all previous reoccurring guest characters, including Liza Minelli as “Lucille 2,” Henry Winkler as family attorney Barry Zuckercorn and, of course, Scott Baio as lawyer Bob Loblaw, as well as the effortless working in of all repeating sight gags and sound effects. Most of all, Arrested Development Season 4 succeeds where many in the past have failed, they revived an old and beloved franchise, added amazing new twists, turns and characters, and still kept the original spirit of the show which made it addictive and endearing in the first place. (Simon Weedn) 28 CULTURE • AUGUST 2013
Mac Miller in concert Hip-hop heads nationwide checking in on Billboard’s Top 200 album sells a few weeks ago had a juicy dish to digest. No surprise from top spot holder Kanye West, with his eagerly awaited album Yeezus. There was also triumphant applause for runner-up J. Cole and his second release Born Sinner. But heads are turning in the direction of a presumed underdog on the hip-hop agenda—the one and only, incredibly dope Mac Miller. The emcee’s latest release, Watching Movies With the Sound Off, debuted at No. 3 this past week, selling over 100,000 units. Such accomplishments from this 21-year-old rapper have made him well deserving of a celebratory shindig—not unlike the ones he’s known for throwing that bring in the likes of Miley Cyrus or Tyler the Creator. But the Pittsburg powerhouse, beginning his career in 2007 on independent label Rostrum Records, has more than album sells to be stoked on. When branching out on his first tour at the age of 18, Miller managed to sell out every last one of his tour dates. Kudos, Miller. Hopefully we will see an inkling of this success on your current endeavor, The Space Migration Tour, going nationwide now.
IF YOU GO
What: Mac Miller in concert. When/Where: Aug. 10 at Soma San Diego, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. Info: With Action Bronson, Chance the Rapper and Vince Staples. Visit www.somasandiego.com.
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Chuck Shepherd's
Newsof the
Weird LEAD STORY—PRIORITIES
THE LITIGIOUS SOCIETY
; At a June hearing, a Philadelphia judge became so exasperated at defendant Robert Williams’ seeming cluelessness about his need to keep his probation appointments that she ordered him to take “etiquette” classes before returning to court. Williams, a rap singer and budding music mogul still under court supervision on gun and drug charges from 2008, cavalierly defended his inability to find time for his probation officer by explaining that he was a busy man, working with seven “artists,” with a demanding travel schedule, and uninhibitedly using social media (creating posts that, allegedly, led to threats against the probation officer). (Williams, of course, was accompanied to court by a several-man entourage.)
; Shower rooms in health clubs are slippery enough, but Marc Moskowitz, 66, cited the one at the Bally Total Fitness gym on E. 55th St. in New York City as especially dangerous, according to his recent lawsuit to recover expenses for a broken shoulder suffered in a fall. Moskowitz claimed that so much gay male sex was occurring in the shower and locker-room area (unsupervised by Bally) that he had probably slipped on semen.
IRONIES ; War Endangers War Relics: In June, fighting in the Syrian civil war spread to its west, threatening archaeological digs and already recovered artifacts near the ancient city of Hamoukar— which is the site of history’s earliest known urban warfare (about 5,500 years ago). ; The business website Quartz reported in June that a popular consumer item in North Korea’s perhaps-improving economy is the refrigerator, made in China and increasingly available as a reward to stellar performers among civil servants and other elites. The appliances, however, cannot reliably store food because the country’s electric grid is so frequently offline and are mostly just status symbols. One item Quartz says often gets displayed in the refrigerator: books.
COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS ; Lame: (1) Rodger Kelly was arrested in St. George, Utah, in June for rape of a female neighbor, but he told police that he committed the act only to “save” her, since he had discovered her “cold” and unconscious. He had violated her body only “to try and get her temperature up,” according to the police report. (2) The low-price air carrier GoAir of New Delhi announced in June that in the future it would hire only females for the cabin crew—because they weigh less than men (and expects eventually to save the equivalent of $4 million annually in fuel based on average weights). ; In May, former schoolteacher Kathleen Cawthorne, 33, of Rustburg, Va., successfully negotiated a reduction in her 11-year sentence for having sex with an underage student. Cawthorne’s punishment was set at only four months in prison when she presented the judge with a clinical diagnosis of “hypersexuality,” supposedly showing that she had little ability to control her desire to seduce the boy. AUGUST 2013 • CULTURE 29
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