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inside
contents 5.2018
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Melodious and Meaningful Famed musician Ziggy Marley expresses his love of music in his newest album, Rebellion Rises, which is dedicated to preserving humanity across the globe. O n the C O V E R :
P h o t o b y Tim C a d ie n t e
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features 26
Spirit and Soul Grammy award-winning artist Stephen Marley took a moment to share about his musical career and his appreciation for cannabis.
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Industry Insider Supernova Women is creating educational events and networking opportunities for people of color in the cannabis industry, while ensuring equity in local cannabis programs across the nation.
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Miracle in the Making Kara and her family have overcome many hurdles in their journey to legally consume medical cannabis.
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Pet Pain Relief In honor of National Pet Month, CULTURE takes a closer look at how cannabis can improve your pet’s health.
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departments 08 Letter from the Editor news 10 News Nuggets 11 By the Numbers 12 Local News reviews 14 Strain Reviews 16 Cool Stuff 36 Growing Culture 38 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! d Study Reveals Surprising Data on Cannabis Consumers’ Driving Habits d How To Spoil Mom on Mother’s Day with Cannabis Gifts
Vol 9 IssUE 11
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Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Hilary Bricken, Devon Alexander Brown, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Caroline Hayes, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Carl Kozlowski, Emily Manke, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly R. Simms, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf Photographers Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner, Bruce Wolf Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Michelle Aguirre Graphic DesignerS Payden Cobern, John Venegas Account Executives Rebecca Bermudez, Alex Brizicky, Angie Callahan, Molly Clark, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Rocki Davidson, Matt Knuth, Casey Roel, Rick Schwartz, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza office manager Mikayla Aguilar Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla INTERNS Cecilia Juarez, Ryan Leuteritz Publisher David Comden
Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 500 locations throughout Michigan. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 36500 Ford Rd #348 Westland, MI 48185 Phone 888.694.2046 Fax 888.694.2046 www.CultureMagazine.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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LETTER
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EDITOR
Feminine and Fearless Celebrating in Unity
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e’re more than halfway through spring, and the welcomed signals of this season ring loud and clear. The flowers are in full bloom, the bright sun is finally beginning to provide warmth across the country, and pleasant, cool breezes hint that warmer weather is on the way. Many mothers look forward to May because it’s the month when they are celebrated the most. They relish in the Sunday celebration of Mother’s Day, where they’re often spoiled with tasty brunch foods and creative gifts, such as CBDinfused bath bombs and classy cannabis-inspired jewelry. It’s also an extraordinarily special time of year, because we have a special opportunity to give thanks to the women in our lives, both mothers and mother-like figures, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that we’ve felt safe, loved and cared for all these years. This month is the perfect opportunity to recognize all the wonderful fruits of femininity that are reminiscent of spring. For those of us who appreciate the most beautifully resinous flowers that come from cannabis, you
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can thank female plants. It’s clear that the themes of May, women and cannabis are all intrinsically connected. Women are also some of the most passionate cannabis advocates. Whether it’s fighting for their child’s access to safe and effective medicine or fighting for cannabis legislation at the city, state and federal levels, our cannabis community is not short of powerful, vocal and inspirational women. And while the cannabis industry can be proud to have a higher percentage of women in power than other industries by comparison, the fight for female representation is far from over. Within this month’s issue, CULTURE is honoring women everywhere who are making waves in the industry. We embarked on a special interview with the the co-founders of Supernova Women, a duo of successful female entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry who have decided to stand up in support of the women and people of color in this industry, and who are fighting to make the cannabis industry more racially inclusive through policy, education and empowerment. We tell the
exciting story of 18-year-old Kara, who has been diagnosed with autism, and how her mother and father have fought to allow her the right to consume cannabis and improve her quality of life. Not to mention a few extra recommendations of gifts to buy for your cannabis-loving mom who definitely deserves some love. Use this month to appreciate and focus on the countless mothers and women who elevate our industry and our world into a more balanced state. Reach out to the women in your life, and in the industry, who you find to be inspirational. Share their stories. Support their endeavors. Allow the balance of the feminine perspective bring our industry to greater heights than we ever thought imaginable. c
Cheers!
Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief
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NEWS
nuggetS
Kalamazoo Allows Five Cannabis Facility Types The Kalamazoo City Commission unanimously voted on April 2 to approve five types of medical cannabis facilities. License types will include Grower, Processor, Secure Transporter, Safety Compliance Facility and Provisioning Center. “By adopting these ordinances, the City would update the Home Occupation provisions of the Zoning Code to bring them in line with the current provisions of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act addressing the rights and responsibilities of registered caregivers; authorize the five
types of medical marihuana facilities to operate within the City; and define the zoning districts and separation requirements impacting where medical marihuana commercial operations may be located with the City,” reads the city commission report. While the ordinance places no cap on facilities, zoning restrictions will function as a market cap. Some Kalamazoo residents hope that medical cannabis will help deter the city’s opioid problem and create competition for the local illicit market.
Ann Arbor Enacts Moratorium on New Dispensaries Ann Arbor residents were alarmed by the sheer number of recent dispensary requests, which compelled city officials to consider a temporary moratorium on new facilities. On April 16, the Ann Arbor City Council voted unanimously in favor of imposing a 60-day moratorium on new permits in the city. Dispensaries that already have a zoning approval may be exempt. “City Council would like to consider limiting the number of medical marijuana provisioning centers and other medical marijuana facilities in
Israel-based Company to Provide Cannabis to Canada Israel-based company, Together, has entered into an agreement to sell 50 metric tons of dried cannabis to an unnamed Canadian company. The Canadian company is expected to purchase 50 metric tons of dried cannabis tops from Together’s subsidiary, Globus Pharma, each year. After processing, these tops will amount to approximately five metric tons of cannabis oil. “We are continuing to work towards setting up an infrastructure of our business
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order to determine the effect over time of having medical marijuana facilities in the community, given the significant amount of interest in opening these facilities within the city,” the city council’s resolution read. The moratorium was sponsored by Mayor Christopher Taylor and Council Members Zachary Ackerman, Graydon Krapohl, Julie Grand and Jane Lumm. An ordinance amendment, which would limit the number of permits available, will be presented to the city council on May 7, if the resolution is approved as worded.
activities in order to realize the major knowhow and experience that we have in growing medical cannabis,” stated Nissim Bracha, founding partner of Globus Pharma. “This is through producing and selling agricultural produce and its products in Israel and overseas, and with the intention of supplying medical cannabis products to the rapidly growing world market that is worth tens of billions of dollars annually.” A company expert estimates that sales will translate to $3.17 to $4.70 per gram of cannabis tops.
The number of medical cannabis dispensaries that have applied to operate in Ann Arbor between January and March: (Source: Mlive.com)
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The number of arrests made at the 47th Annual Ann Arbor Hash Bash: (Source: Mlive.com)
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The percentage of seniors between ages 50 and 80 who stated that they have used cannabis for medical purposes, as seen in a University of Michigan study: (Source: University of Michigan)
The number of dispensaries in Michigan that have been ordered to close due to failure to apply for a state license: (Source: The Washington Times)
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The estimated number of hours that it takes for the effects of medical cannabis to diminish in adolescents and young adults after consumption, according to a new study published in the journal, JAMA Psychiatry: (Source: CNN)
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The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that lawn and garden company Scotts Miracle-Gro paid to purchase the country’s largest hydroponic distributor: (Source: Scotts Miracle-Gro)
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that MedMen invested in a cannabis facility built near Reno, Nevada: (Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal)
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The number of medical cannabis dispensaries that were open and operating in Maryland one month after the medical cannabis program began: (Source: San Francisco Chronicle)
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CannaCon Detroit WHEN: Fri, June 1-Sat, June 2 WHERE: Cobo Center, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit WEBSITE: www.cannacon.org If you’re interested or involved in the cannabis industry, look no further than CannaCon Detroit. Attendees will meet and mingle with entrepreneurs and companies that aim to innovate and succeed in the cannabis industry. With over 150 exhibits, this expo will feature many opportunities to network and expand attendees’ contacts, not to mention all of the cutting-edge cannabis
products that you’ll be invited to explore! There will also be educational cannabis seminars offered on topics like business and legality, financing, investing, science and genetics, to help you navigate the industry smoothly. CannaCon is one of the biggest cannabis business expos in the nation, so don’t miss its first ever seminar in Detroit! (Ryan Leuteritz) CultureMagazine.com
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NEWS
LOCAL
Devin the Dude Concert
Turbulence at Town Hall
C a n n a b i s - r e l at e d c i t y council meeting in Lansing leads to conflict By Benjamin M. Adams
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he citizens of Lansing cannot come to a consensus regarding the city’s existing medical cannabis ordinance, which some say would wipe out nearly all existing dispensaries and instead favor dispensaries that are loaded with cash. On April 9, police removed several members of Let Lansing Vote, a pro-cannabis group, from a Lansing City Council meeting for “violating rules of order” after speaking out about their petition to challenge the ordinance. Since no laws were broken and no arrests were made, the group said they were unjustly silenced and that their petition wasn’t properly vetted. Police officers personally escorted Let Lansing Vote organizer and legal liaison Jarren Osmar from city council chambers. Let Lansing Vote’s petition to repeal the city’s medical cannabis ordinance or put the issue to the vote was thrown out, and city officials cited an unspecified circulator error as the reason. “I was unjustly silenced,” Osmar told CULTURE. “But the real travesty is that the city government remains unjustly silent. They refuse to disclose their reason for throwing out voter petitions—6,500 signatures in all. All I’m asking is for the city to publicly state their reason.” Police also removed Let Lansing Vote members Stephen Monti, Emily Kaye Walkowski and Rebecca DeJaegher from the premises. Ordinance No. 1217, Lansing’s current medical cannabis law, has been criticized for its restrictive language, and opponents claim it would put most of Lansing’s dispensaries in jeopardy. “The referendum process can impact
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any future ordinance and appears to be broken,” Osmar added. “It was disingenuous for the chairman to state that my comments did not pertain to ‘legislative matters.’ That is why I refused to comply.” Let Lansing Vote is now suing the city of Lansing, because Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope allegedly incorrectly rejected a petition that would challenge Lansing’s current medical cannabis ordinance. “We have filed to depose City Clerk Chris Swope,” Osmar explained. “He will be legally required to answer for the petitions he rejected, and if his reasons are unlawful, or inadequate, then a referendum on the city ordinance will go to the voters.” Councilmember Jody Washington posted on Facebook about the “ruckus,” suggesting that the group’s actions were orchestrated, because of the impromptu chant, “Let him speak!” But Let Lansing Vote members say that neither side favored the current medical cannabis ordinance. “Our issue isn’t primarily a cannabis issue, it’s a democracy issue,” Osmar said. As a matter of fact, both procannabis and anti-cannabis groups were against the ordinance. “While it destroys nearly all of Lansing’s existing dispensaries, it also gives nearly unlimited latitude to those with the most money,” Osmar said. “It is unfair to both sides of the community.” Others disagree and believe that a flawed medical cannabis ordinance is better than no ordinance. The climate in Lansing is a reflection of the disruption that is happening across Michigan, with new regulations already being imposed and cease-and-desist letters being delivered to facilities without new licenses. At least eight were delivered in Lansing. “Lansing’s dispensary environment is definitely in flux. A lot of places that couldn’t out-bid the big money institutions or jump through the other hoops are becoming private clubs or patient/caregiver networking spaces. We will see what the future brings” Osmar said. “One thing is certain—the culture is alive and well.” Let Lansing Vote submitted its own ordinance to Lansing City Council earlier this month. Lansing’s next election is scheduled for Aug. 7, 2018. c
Rap legend and noted cannabis enthusiast Devin the Dude is making his way to Detroit this month. Devin the Dude is known for his lively shows and is one of the highest-regarded underground hip-hop artists of this generation. He has quietly released six solo albums throughout his career and boasts a long list of star-studded collaborations with artists like Snoop Dogg, Andre 3000, Jay Z and Gucci Mane. But Devin is more than just a rapper. In 2012, he starred and curated the soundtrack for his own movie, a cannabis-themed comedy called Highway, in which he and co-star Lil Duval embark on a mission to find the supernatural Route 420 Highway in search of “marijuana nirvana.” Catch this multitalented hip-hop veteran perform his hits at The Shelter. (Ryan Leuteritz) WHEN: Fri, May 11 WHERE: The Shelter, 431 E Congress St., Detroit WEBSITE: saintandrewsdetroit. com
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REVIEWs
strain Available at: Herbal Solutions in Ypsilanti. Available at: Motor City Kush in Detroit.
Wedding Cake Tahoe Rebel Lineage declares Tahoe Rebel as a phenotype of OG Kush, a ubiquitous strain responsible for many genetic variations of popular favorites such as Bubba Kush, SFV OG and Ghost OG. The refreshing earthy, OG, lemony-citrus of Tahoe Rebel rises up, offering strong euphoric relaxing effects, making this strain great for nighttime consumption. Even patients experiencing the most stubborn insomnia reported a heavy body sensation that was just what they needed for a good night’s sleep. Other patients noted positive effects relating to chronic pain and appetite stimulation, before tucking themselves in for the rest of the night. Test results show no foreign matter present. Additionally, 21.31 percent total THC, and 1.49 percent total CBD was noted by the lab that tested this beneficial strain.
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Parent strains Cherry Pie and Girl Scout Cookies were crossbred to serve up this decadent slice of heaven. Wedding Cake, also known as Pink Cookies, is quite a treat! This fruity and floral hybrid (60/40) has a broad “cookie” undertone. This particular phenotype was cultivated by @superior_flowers and tested high in the ranks for this strain, at 26.9 percent THC. Patients looking for appetite stimulation, or who have a desire to alleviate symptoms associated to arthritis, cancer, chronic pain, glaucoma, insomnia, nausea and PMS, are likely to enjoy this strain’s balanced cerebral and body effects. Though with its heavy potency, it’s recommended that novice consumers ease their way into consumption until they understand how this strain may affect them.
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REVIEWs
1. ASCHE Industries Locket Grinder Let’s face it—you never know when you might need a grinder. Now, you don’t have to sweat it, because with this trendy Locket Grinder by ASCHE Industries, you can always keep your grinder hanging from your neck! This beautiful necklace, available in 18K Gold Vermeil or Black Rhodium, really takes the hassle out of rolling on-the-go. Simply pop the locket open and you have a readyto-use grinder. This locket makes a great gift for anyone, and with Mother’s Day around the corner, you can make sure the lovely medicated mothers in your life are never without a grinder. Price: $195 Website: ascheindustries.com 2. The SilverStick One-Hitter We know you are most likely familiar with one-hitters made with glass or plastic, but SilverStick has changed the game, bringing forth the latest innovation in one-hitter technology. Made in the USA, the SilverStick is crafted with an aircraft-grade alloy pipe and employs natural cotton filters to provide a smooth hit while filtering out tar and resin. Its small size and smell-resistant end cap make it perfect for discrete cannabis consumption on-thego. The SilverStick now comes in two sizes, large, which features a deeper bowl, and slim, which is its newly-released compact alternative. Price: $25 Website: thesilverstick.com 16
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For More Products Go To CultureMagazine.com
3. Black Walnut Bubbler Are you in the market for a beautiful new piece that is sure to impress your friends? Check out Marley Natural, the official cannabis brand of the Bob Marley family estate, and its recently released, one-of-a-kind Black Walnut Bubbler. The piece has a well-apportioned base, allowing for a large volume of water, and a globe-shaped percolator to provide filtration. This bubbler is made with Black Walnut wood, making it look more like an elegant statement piece, rather than an average glass bubbler. Not to mention, Marley Natural is not your run-of-themill cannabis company. Not only does the company provide us with top-notch cannabis products, but also, through its Rise Up program, the company has given back to communities that have been harmed by cannabis prohibition through a number of projects taking place in the U.S. and Jamaica. Price: $162 Website: dopeboo.com
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4. Unicorn Pipe by Wonder Pipes Feeling pink, giggly and glittery? Then the Unicorn Pipe is for you. These woman-made pipes take nearly a month to meticulously create by hand and are crafted out of high quality porcelain, which won’t easily break. The Unicorn Pipe features a holographic and iridescent bedazzled lavender bowl design that almost seems to scream “I’m here. Get over it!” It will complement your other unicorn-themed products. The 2018 collection features eight signature designs with four color choices each, some coated in 22K gold. Your money will be well spent— every pipe sold supports female entrepreneurs! Price: $95-195 Website: shopwonderpipes.com
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Photos by Tim Cadiente
ziggy marley’s new album rebellion rises and new tours are bound to make this a banner year
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By Benjamin M. Adams othing could have prepared Ziggy Marley to become the man of the house at the tender age of 12, when his father passed away—a loss that was felt in all quadrants of the world. While Ziggy has two older sisters, he is the eldest Marley brother, and he quickly accepted his birthright as a lead vocalist and songwriter. Bob Marley’s final words to Ziggy were “money can’t buy life,” and his words have sunken in and altered the course of Ziggy’s life, as he has always practiced restraint from the over-commercialization of music, products and cannabis. Ziggy picked up right where his father left off, leading a band called the Melody Makers with his siblings Sharon, Cedella and Stephen Marley. Eight Grammys and an Emmy Award later, he remains a permanent fixture in the world of reggae with his new seventh solo album, Rebellion Rises. Cannabis, inevitably, is a part of the Marley family lifestyle. Ziggy’s analogy compares cannabis to tomatoes. Which would you prefer? A fresh, homegrown tomato or a massproduced tomato purchased from the store? The same can be said about cannabis. Ziggy Marley Organics provides GMO-free hemp seed snacks. In addition, he’s behind the U.R.G.E. Foundation (Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment), which provides children in Jamaica, Africa and other parts of the world with musical instruments and other needed supplies. CULTURE had the opportunity to talk with Ziggy about music, cannabis and how important it is to preserve our humanity during times of division and uncertainty.
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“I think the demoralization of human beings is a part of the way that they keep the world in a state of fear, in a state of hate, in a state of division and in a state of hopelessness in order to let us feel as if no matter what we do, we can’t be similar.”
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Rebellion Rises, your seventh solo full-length album, comes out on May 18. While your music may contain some elements of dancehall or pop, you’ve always kept one foot planted firmly in the classic roots style of reggae. Is that how you’d describe your new album? I don’t really describe my album. I create it. When you’re creating, it’s really not a technical thing, it’s a feeling thing, and through my experiences I’ve learned how to be true to my feelings and how to incorporate my feelings into my music. People can describe it how they want, but I don’t really describe it, I just create it. I really enjoyed putting together this album.
other and treat each other with respect no matter what really generates class, ethnicity or origins. So, I think the negativity says a lot. It happens a lot on commercials, on news broadcasts, TV, the paper and websites. There’s a lot of incentive to create this view of the world in that negative light. […] We represent the voice of humanity and of human beings—not the voice of one particular group or one particular objective. We represent the main objective of all of humanity.
Do you feel that people need to rebel against the constant negativity that we’re bombarded with from leaders on social media and TV? In general, I think the demoralization of human beings is a part of the way that they keep the world in a state of fear, in a state of hate, in a state of division and in a state of hopelessness in order to let us feel as if no matter what we do, we can’t be similar. They want us to think that no matter what we do, we can’t live in the world, because the state of things is so bad. [They want us to think that] we might as well think of only ourselves and give up the whole concept of humanity as a species that can come together and love each
You just performed at Kaya Fest, and you are kicking off a North American tour, then a European tour. What is the best part about touring? Well, the best part about touring, really, is that I like playing music. I really enjoy it. So I guess playing music is the best part. And then the traveling, and seeing different parts of the world and seeing different human beings all over the world. That’s another good part of it, and the next part of it is getting feedback from the people who we play music in front of and the effect that the message we are carrying has on them. All of those together are what make touring a pleasure for me.
Who is the child you’re holding hands with on the cover art of Rebellion Rises? Ah yes. That’s my son Isaiah, and if you look close, you can also see my other son in the picture.
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“if we’re not careful, we are bound to over-commercialize [cannabis], over-industrialize it, and it just ends up becoming another product. that is the [blueprint] for profits. and profits come before anything else in this world of businesses, corporations and industrialization. we have to be real careful. i recommend people grow their own herb.”
I heard that one of the songs on the new album is about Stephen surviving the hurricane season in Miami. Is that true? That hurricane that was coming last year, it was somewhat hyped, and not as bad as it originally seemed. But I had to call him while it was happening to see what was going on down there. I said, “What’s the plan? What are you guys going to do?” And he told me that he’d gotten supplies and a little dinghy, in case the place flooded. It was one of those songs that was written after our conversation. The times have changed, and cannabis is quite a bit more socially acceptable nowadays. You even created a comic book Marijuanaman about it. What is cannabis to you? A sacrament, a vitamin or just an herb? I view it as nature. Everything that is in nature can be used for the benefit of mankind, for the benefit of our health, for the benefit of our mental state, whatever. It is a part of nature that we are now getting more rights to use in a way that does not break the law of the states in this country. It’s just a part of nature. We always use it. And it’s not just for one thing. We use it for teas. We use it for ointments. I’m used to using nature as a part of my whole lifestyle. When I was growing up in Jamaica, and when I got sick, we didn’t go to the doctor. We went to the herbs. We went to the trees. We went to the plants for medicine. Not the pharmacy. The pharmacy was the last straw, basically. 24
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Jamaica opened its first medical cannabis dispensary Kaya Herbhouse in St. Ann in March. Is this a milestone for your family, as well as a milestone for Jamaica? Yes, I heard about that too. Yes, it’s a milestone, but it’s just like anything else. If we’re not careful, we are bound to overcommercialize it, overindustrialize it, and it just ends up becoming another product. That is the [blueprint] for profits. And profits come before anything else in this world of businesses, corporations and industrialization. We have to be real careful. I recommend people grow their own herb. In Jamaica, people mostly grow their own herb and [supplement] the other products out there. Just grow. Grow your own. Grow your own tomatoes, too; and your own potatoes, and everything else. I think that’s the best way to articulate it. This is an herb that’s supposed to be in an herb garden. It’s not an herb that you shopping around and buying. You have to grow
your own. Otherwise, we’ll let these industries take over and corporations take it over, and it loses the whole aura of what it’s really supposed to be, because everything affects us. If it’s coming from a place of profit, then what you’re being sold and what you’re using, the energy of that idea lives in that product. It’s fine to [supplement] other products, but let it grow in your own backyard, where it’s legal. As the eldest Marley brother, do you ever feel pressure to set an example for your younger siblings? Well, I don’t consciously think about that. I don’t think about setting an example, but I do set an example. My life is an example, by the way I live, by the way people see me go about my business. But it’s not something that I say, “Let me do this to set an example.” I just do it, because this is who I am. So people can look at my actions and use it as an example or not. I am what I am. c
ziggymarley.com
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rhythm and revelations
“it is always a blessing to share the stage with my brothers, paying tribute to our father and his music that continues to inspire us all.”
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stephen marley shares about his career and his plans for the future
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By Benjamin M. Adams t’s almost too perfect to be true. On April 20, 1972 Stephen Robert Nesta “Raggamuffin” Marley was born, eventually earning his nickname from the reggae subgenre that’s based on electronic urban beats. Winning eight Grammys either as a producer, soloist or as a member of the Melody Makers along with his brother Ziggy and two sisters, Stephen has come a long way. Not long ago, Stephen found a niche producing two critically-acclaimed albums for his younger half-brother Damian Marley. Shortly after, his solo albums Mind Control and Revelation Part I and II received similar acclaim. Stephen has produced music for Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Busta Rhymes, Chuck D, The Roots and the Fugees. CULTURE caught up with Stephen to chat about producing, Kaya Fest and cannabis.
Photo by Nick Biemans / Shutterstock.com
You’ve won Grammys not only as a solo artist and band member, but as a producer too. Do you feel more comfortable behind the mic or mixing in the studio? It depends on the song. Whether I am singing, playing an instrument, writing or producing, I feel blessed to be able to create. You’ve collaborated with quite a variety of artists like Lauryn Hill, Krazy Bone, Bizzy Bone and Pitbull. How do your musical interests go beyond reggae? I respect all genres of music and often integrate elements of soul, hip-hop, electronic and more into my own sound and production for others. How did it feel to unite five Marley brothers together
in California for this year’s Kaya Fest? It is always a blessing to share the stage with my brothers, paying tribute to our father and his music that continues to inspire us all. Why did you decide to move Kaya Fest from Florida to California? The Kaya Fest will [eventually] visit many other countries, states and towns. Now, the third generation of Marley grandchildren is joining the music industry. Would you say music is in your blood? Music is in our spirit and soul. We give thanks that our children share the same passion. How do you view the cannabis plant? Is it a sacrament, an herb or a vitamin? Cannabis is an herb just like mint or sage that can heal many medical ailments, as well as offer spiritual enlightenment. You have a ton of upcoming shows on your tour booked through September, with three happening this month. Which shows are you most excited to perform at this month? What about the rest of the year? I enjoy playing music for the people, no matter where I am. c
stephenmarleymusic.com
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Spark of Justice
Industry Insider
S u p e r n o va W o m e n empowers people of color in the cannabis industry By Jamie Solis When successful cannabis industry professionals Amber Senter and Tsion “Sunshine” Lencho joined forces with other women of color back in 2015, they ignited a spark of justice and equity by creating the Northern California-based organization, Supernova Women. That spark has continued to grow into a firestorm of representation for people of color in the cannabis industry, as it’s one of the core values of Supernova Women’s mission. CULTURE was given the opportunity to learn more about the co-founders of Supernova Women, as well as the ways that industry professionals and consumers can support the vital mission of this pivotal organization.
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“I met Sunshine sometime in the summer of 2015. We met at a Women Grow event,” Senter told CULTURE. “There were three women of color there.” Lencho informed Senter that she was looking for a job, and the very next day Senter got Lencho a job working with her at a consulting firm. There, they helped people in other states obtain cannabis licenses. “We were writing and winning applications for basically very wealthy, very rich, very white groups and helping them get licensed,” Senter explained. “And we were definitely conflicted by that, because we were essentially helping to gentrify our industry.”
Left: Amber Senter Right: Tsion “Sunshine” Lencho
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Kindling the Fire
Photos by Steve Terrebonne
a lot of people together, people who didn’t really have a community prior to this, as far as a place to have these conversations in,” Senter explained. “So, people have been able to meet each other, form partnerships, alliances and things like that, because that’s what we’re going to have to do to survive.”
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It was clear to Senter and Lencho that the legal cannabis industry was becoming predominantly white, with the licensing process happening quickly, and a high level of entry was shutting out many people of color and small business. The women partnered up with Nina Parks and sat down at Lencho’s house one evening to come up with an action plan on how they could make a difference for their community. Knowing there was not a fair representation of people of color at events, both as attendees and speakers or panelists, Supernova Women’s first goal was to get information out to their community and by their community, free of charge. It was on that night in November of 2015 that Supernova Women was formed, and by January of 2016, the group produced its first event. “So, we put together [our first] event, it was a two-panel discussion. The first panel was about laws and cannabis in California as it was at that time,” Senter said. “The second panel was a panel of entrepreneurs, basically sharing their experiences and what it was like to be a person of color operating in the cannabis space.” Supernova Women’s first event was sold out with over 100 people in attendance, proving indeed that there was a huge demand for people of color to attain the information that Supernova Women was offering, so the co-founders
continued forward with even more fervor than before.
i.
I n va l u a b l e I n f o r m at i o n
Supernova Women has since grown to empower people of color through its key programs. The organization’s Shades of Green series helps strengthen the involvement of communities of color in the industry through education. Supernova Women’s Cannabis Business Workshops give attendees free cannabis business bootcamps that cover everything from business formation and licensing to basic employment and insurance considerations. Supernova Women also hosts “expungement” clinics in partnership with legal service providers and law firms. “We don’t charge people to come to these things, and we don’t do anything for profit in our organization. We use all of the funds and everything that people donate to us, and it goes directly to our programming,” Senter said. Not only has Supernova Women created an information hub for people of color, but the group has formed a networking community as well. “We have been able to really hone in on certain subjects and bring
Empowering the Community A t- L a r g e
Each woman who is a part of Supernova Women brings her own professional experience in the cannabis industry. Lencho is an attorney, and she was involved in the creation of the equity permit programs in both Oakland and San Francisco first-hand, and her expertise is requested in many other areas as well. Lencho’s essential involvement as an attorney and woman of color has ensured that communities affected by the “War on Drugs” were not left behind in the rapidly evolving world of legal cannabis in the areas that she has been involved in. While Lencho is proud of the work she has done in these communities, she has made an effort to empower the communities in which she has been involved, with the goal that these individuals become self-sufficient and gain the ability to continue advocating for themselves. “I know that for people who are currently operating, I’ve interacted with a lot of current equity business owners there, the expectation is that we’ll come back and continue to do programming . . . But frankly, from my view, Supernova is that we just start the spark,” Lencho said. “And I don’t want to be the person who is speaking on behalf of equity people; I am not an equity applicant. I personally have not been impacted directly by the ‘War on Drugs.’ I’m still a black woman in America. I still face some of the discrimination that my fellow black women face, but I don’t want to be the figurehead for equity, because that’s not what I am.” CultureMagazine.com
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Lencho continued to share that she is proud to see how many people of color have been forming organizations since 2015, all with the goal to implement policy and demand that equity be first. “That’s a slogan that has been inducted by Supernova, by the California Minority Alliance,” Lencho said. “It’s that if you’re going to legalize, if you’re going to liberalize, if you’re going to decriminalize, you need to prioritize the people who have been impacted, the people who are discriminated against because of their race.” Lencho has made it a priority to ensure that equity in the industry does not start and end with the permitting process. Instead, equity is a lens in which we should view all legislation that applies to the cannabis industry. Supernova Women views equity as not just helping
an applicant obtain licensing, but instead, ensuring an applicant obtains licensing and then is able to maintain it continuously, despite developments in laws and legislation at all levels.
a.
Advocacy in Action
Racial inequality and institutionalized racism has been a horrific reality in the United States for centuries, but we have an opportunity to create racial equity as we build the quickly emerging cannabis industry. No person should feel powerless when it comes to the larger than life mission of Supernova Women. Instead, there are ways that both 30
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“ I t h i n k t h at when we’re asking for policy i m p l e m e n tat i o n and we’re using t h e w o r d ‘ e q u i t y, ’ we need to be very m i n d f u l o f t h at f a c t t h at i t i s about race, because the impact has been about race.”
industry professionals and everyday consumers can help support the work of Supernova Women. First, it starts with recognizing and learning to talk about the problem we’re facing. “I think that when we’re asking for policy implementation and we’re using the word ‘equity,’ we need to be very mindful of that fact that it is about race, because the impact has been about race,” Lencho explained. “And so I think that figuring out ways to learn to talk about race is something that Americans are still working through, and I think that the more people who try to understand it from that lens, the better we may become at not creating systematic disadvantage in this new marketplace we’re creating.”
The co-founders of Supernova Women have found some powerful support in the cannabis industry already, and they hope to see more cannabis companies jump on board in supporting their mission. “Some of our cannabis sponsors have been extremely helpful in [supporting Supernova’s mission]. Kiva has sponsored quite a few of our events, and that’s been awesome,” Senter said. “Our events are pretty expensive. Helping to support and sponsor our programming is the best way that organizations within the industry can help us.” “In terms of business owners, one thing that I appreciate in my current role [as Corporate Counsel] at Privateer is the fact that they do view policy implementation through the lens that I was talking about, through the impact on of small business, through the effect on the communities impacted by the ‘War on Drugs,’ and I don’t have to wear my politics on my sleeve at work, because it’s part of the fabric of the conversations I’m having,” Lencho said. “And I think that if more workplaces do that, we may get further along.” Cannabis industry folks are not the only people who can make a difference. Consumers and everyday citizens can also be a supporter of this cause. Lencho explained, “Be present. Consumers can come to our programming. They can even help support black and brown businesses in the cannabis community, buying their products and supporting them, that’s also a way to help them be successful.” Ultimately, Lencho, Senter and the other women who make up Supernova Women are working every day to better an industry, one of which has the opportunity to make a dent in the irreversible damage that the “War on Drugs” has had on communities of color for so long. “We need to level that playing field; it’s not fair,” Senter said. “We need to do everything we can, in every avenue that we can, to make sure that people no longer go to jail for weed. Cannabis is basically a human right, and people should have access to it.” c
+ supernovawomen.wordpress.com
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Compassion for Kara O n e f a m i ly ’ s s u cc e ss i n a d v oc a t i n g fo r m e d i c a l c a n n a b i s By Benjamin M. Adams
M
ark and Christy Zartler had once assumed that nothing would stop their daughter Kara from injuring herself. Kara, 18, weighs only 98 pounds, and due to living with severe autism and cerebral palsy, hits herself in the head during uncontrollable fits. Fortunately, this family from Richardson, Texas discovered that medical cannabis miraculously has the ability to calm Kara down, causing her self-inflicted injuries to stop. Before turning to cannabis, the medications Kara was taking forced her into a catatonic state, however she still continued to hit herself. Christy, Kara’s mom, is a pediatric nurse practitioner and knows about the limitations of autism treatment better than anyone else. “I have watched my daughter’s condition stump many physicians, therapists and teachers, and nobody has been able to come up with an idea to help stop my
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daughter’s self-injurious behavior,” Christy told CULTURE. “My daughter spent 10 years on heavy pharmaceutical drugs that caused horrific side effects, including brain damage. The first cannabis she got was a brownie our neighbor gave us when she was 11 years old.” That single brownie would change the course of the family’s mission—a calling to be medical cannabis warriors. Kara’s fits caused her to break her nose, breaking the fine bones of her eye sockets and cheek bones and leaving her with severe brain damage. Videos that prove medical cannabis works on Kara went viral on YouTube last year. Kara is unable to speak because of the level of her autism, but her twin sister Keeley has not be diagnosed with autism. While Texas law forbids most forms of medical cannabis, Kara’s health took priority. “I myself started advocating for medical cannabis at the state Capitol during the 2015 session,” Christy said. “Now that we shared our story on Facebook last year when she was 17 years old, my husband and I both went to the Capitol this past 2017 session. Mark spoke at four hearings regarding the legalization of cannabis. It is disheartening that Texas lawmakers do not ‘hear’ our needs.” Even though medical cannabis is not legal in Texas, the laws have not stopped Kara’s parents from providing their daughter with the medicine she needs to keep her safe from severe physical self-injury.
“Low THC is not very effective for Kara. We know this because we’ve tried. I wish CBD strains were effective, but they a r e n ’ t. I ’ d c h o o s e ditch weed over the best CBD strain on t h e p l a n e t. ”
While cannabis that is high in cannabidiol (CBD) has been gaining popularity for treatment of many individuals, including children, the family discovered that high-THC cannabis is what Kara needs. “It stops self abuse episodes and stabilizes her mood,” Mark Zartler told CULTURE. “Knowing this, it’s more than a personal priority. It’s a moral obligation. We can’t just let her hit herself when we have a medicine that will stop it. I’d rather not be breaking the law, but I really don’t see this as a choice to make or not make.” Parents of children on the autism spectrum deal with varying levels of disability. Although some parents of children with autism have found success with oils or edibles, they’re not the most effective methods to stabilize Kara’s mood. The Zartlers follow a strict regimen, depending on the severity of Kara’s episodes. “Vaporized marijuana stops selfinjury and stabilizes Kara’s mood,” Mark said. “It is very fast. It stops selfinjury and stabilizes Kara’s mood in three to five minutes. At that point, she is no longer punching herself or trying. It’s fast and 100 percent effective. If she is having a really bad fit, we will also give her oils at the same time. This way, once the vapor wears off, the oils will be onboard. This is our recipe for turning a really terrible day into a good one.” Meanwhile, research is being done on strains high in CBD for people with autism, notably in Israel, where there are
few barriers blocking research. “While we are very happy that research is finally happening, we are disappointed that it’s only testing CBD strains,” Mark said. “Low THC is not very effective for Kara. We know this because we’ve tried. I wish CBD strains were effective, but they aren’t. I’d choose ditch weed over the best CBD strain on the planet. One will work and one won’t. Hopefully research will eventually catch up to what parents already know.” Astonishingly, Mark and Christy recently had to fight for guardianship of their own daughter over her treatment regimen. Child Protective Services (CPS) became aware of the Zartler’s viral video, and they were reported. On March 1, Judge Brenda Hull Thompson ruled the Zartlers were qualified to be guardians and awarded them guardianship over Kara. “The guardianship hearing was very important,” explained Mark. “Any other outcome would have forced us to move, to become medical refugees. When a person turns 18, they are in charge of themselves and can make their own medical decisions. This is a fundamental right and automatic at 18. But what if a person is unable to make these decisions? Parents apply to the courts for guardianship and a judge decides it. It’s normally quite routine, but with my CPS history related to Kara and ‘illegal drugs’, it was far from automatic. It is a relief. Dallas County has been very good to us. We owe them.”
“ I t ’ s a m o r a l o b l i g at i o n . W e c a n ’ t j u s t l e t her hit herself when we have a medicine t h at w i l l s t o p i t. I ’ d r at h e r n o t b e b r e a k i n g t h e l a w, b u t I r e a l ly d o n ’ t s e e this as a choice to make or not make.” The legal battles that the Zartler family had to endure are truly humbling. “Our family has survived child services and civil courts, if not completely unscathed. My CPS record means that I cannot ever work or volunteer around kids,” Mark lamented. “It could be worse.” One thing is certain,
and that is that Mark and Christy aren’t backing down. “Maybe [an arrest] has to happen,” Mark concluded. “Maybe we have to get through criminal courts to complete the thing. I am ready and have complete trust in a jury of my peers. We are doing the right thing, and I can prove it.” c
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Pr tecting Pets
Give your pet companions the gift of cannabis for N at i o n a l P e t M o n t h By Lanny Swerdlow
S
ince most people are as solicitous to the health and care of their pets as they are to their own health, it is not surprising to find that those who utilize medical cannabis to benefit their own health would also want to provide medical cannabis to their pets as well. Just like humans and almost all 34
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vertebrates, pets have an endocannabinoid system that can benefit from the use of the supplemental cannabinoids. Since most people will be using cannabis for canine and feline companions (not for the avian varieties), this article focuses on providing cannabis specifically for the 186 million dogs and cats that are comfortably ensconced in American homes. Cannabis can be as safe for pets as it is for people, but there are negative consequences that need to be taken into account. The most common negative effect is the same as it is for humans—overdosing. The average size dog weighs less than a five-year-old child, and the average size cat weighs less than a six-monthold child, so providing your pet with too much cannabis can easily occur.
In the February 2013 journal Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, researchers reported that “The minimum lethal oral dose for dogs for THC is more than 3 g/kg.” That is a high dose of THC, but still caution is the watchword when dosing your pets. Canines are more sensitive to THC than are humans, as they have more CB1 receptors in their brainstem. It is unlikely a dog will die from an overdose with the few reported cases usually resulting from a dog getting into the owners stash and consuming a quantity of edibles that would knockout a sumo wrestler. Although the quantity of cannabis consumed can be dangerous, it is the chocolate, raisins and macadamia nuts found in the edibles which are often the most lethal—especially for dogs. Most likely the overdose experience will be extremely uncomfortable physically for your pet and emotionally for you as you watch your devoted pet enter a state of lethargy, hyper salivation and/or difficulty standing and walking. If your pet’s behavior is unusual, bringing them to a veterinarian for an evaluation would be advisable. Prevention is always best, so keep your cannabis locked up and out of reach of not just your kids, but your pets as well. When administered properly, dogs and cats can benefit from using medical cannabis for the very same ailments used to treat humans— seizures, nausea, stress, anxiety, osteoarthritis, back pain, symptoms of cancer and gastrointestinal issues. Once you’ve decided to treat your pet with cannabis, the next question is, what’s the best way to provide cannabis to a pet? Smoking is obviously not a viable option for dogs and cats. Exhaling directly into a pet’s
nostrils is not at all recommended, as the particles in smoke can be harmful to their airways and correct dosing is impossible to ascertain. The best way to provide a measured dose is to use lab-tested cannabis oils or tinctures with cannabinoid potencies listed on the label, then mix them in with your pet’s food. Use one of the cannabis products made expressly for dogs and cats, which have specific dosing information included. If your dispensary doesn’t stock any, tell them to get with the trend, or find one that does. A variety of factors must be considered such as the cannabinoid ratio and the concentration (mg/ ml) of the product being used, the weight of your pet and the condition being treated. Consultation with a medical professional familiar with pet cannabis therapy is a necessary course of action. Since the American Veterinary Medical Association has taken the position that cannabis needs more study before it is given to pets, it is essential to consult your pet’s veterinarian before starting them on a cannabis regimen. Some veterinarians may be reluctant to discuss this subject as, unlike medical doctors, state law often prohibits veterinarians from even recommending cannabis therapy for animal patients. But that may change soon in the future. In California for instance, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, recently introduced Assembly Bill 2215, instructing the state Veterinary Medical Board to develop guidelines for discussing the use of medical cannabis for pets and to “protect state-licensed veterinarians from disciplinary action for discussing the use of cannabis on animal patient clients.” c
“When administered p r o p e r ly, d o g s a n d c at s c a n b e n e f i t from using cannabis for the very same ailments used to t r e at h u m a n s . . . ”
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GROWING CULTURE
Ask Ed™
Frequently Asked Questions By Ed Rosenthal
Here are a few questions and answers that address very general and frequently asked questions I receive from readers regularly. If you have more questions about growing cannabis, you can submit them to me at edrosenthal.com. I am looking for tips on how to grow my own. I don’t know anything about it. What should I do? Before you plan a garden or buy any equipment, you should read at least one book on growing cannabis. There are a number of good books out there written by many authors. Although the techniques described in the books differ a bit, all of them will improve your success rate. Rather than attempting to start a garden using trial-and-error techniques, which often results in buying expensive but unnecessary equipment followed by failure, use others’ expertise to create a productive garden the first time. Information is the cheapest, most effective equipment you can buy. Think of it as software for your garden. Even with equipment 36
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worth thousands of dollars, the garden cannot be run well without knowledge of how to do it. In addition, there are lots of videos and video channels online providing demonstrations of different growing techniques and methods. You can also take classes at Oaksterdam University in Oakland, California. Its classes range from weekend seminars to 14-week intensive classes. I also recommend my own book, Marijuana Growers Handbook. It will help you grow a successful garden the first time. What’s the most important factor in growing cannabis? Would it be soil, temperature, nutrients or something else? The most important factor that affects the quality of the cannabis you are growing is the plant’s genetics. No matter how well a plant is grown, it can only reach its genetic potential. The cheapest way to improve your garden is to find better varieties. Environmental conditions enhance the potential of your crop, or rather they can hinder your plants from reaching their full potential if the plants’ basic needs are not met. Light, water nutrients, CO2 and temperature are the limiting factors. Where can I get seeds? It is illegal to possess or sell seeds in most states in the U.S. In states where it is legal to grow medical or recreational cannabis clones, seeds are offered by dispensaries or shops. In some states, seeds and clones are available at cannabis fairs. You can also get genetics from friends and acquaintances. Most marijuana aficionado growers are happy to help up-and-coming cultivators get started. How do you force flowering? Cannabis is called a “short day plant” because it flowers in response to long night cycles. The plant measures the number of hours of uninterrupted darkness each night using a hormone called phytochrome. During the day, the presence of red light keeps phytochrome in its active form, which prevents flowering. In darkness,
phytochrome gradually reverts to its inactive form, allowing flowering. When the hormone builds to a critical level, which occurs when the dark period is long enough, the plant flowers. When the gardener creates this critical period of 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness in each 24-hour cycle it is called “flower forcing.” When the 12-on/off regimen is maintained, the plant soon changes from vegetative growth to flowering. The first flowers appear 5-10 days after forcing. Is it better or easier to grow using the hydro or soil method? Planting mixes are generally more forgiving of mess-ups such as overfertilization and water pH being out of range. If you do follow directions that are sensitive to the plants’ conditions and prefer a system that promotes fast growth, try hydro. The choice is yours. Do what feels comfortable for you. Growing plants should not cause you stress. There is no right or wrong way, as long as the plants are healthy and thriving. How can you tell that plants are ripe? Plants range in how long they take to ripen based on their variety and the conditions provided. Ripeness can be recognized when the ovaries recede and swell to bulging with THC. The white hairs called stigmas dry up and turn color, and the trichome caps, where the cannabinoids are made, fill with resin, which stretches the caps’ membranes taut. Then the clear resin begins to turn milky or amber. At the same time, the odor intensity increases substantially. The plants are ripe, and it’s time to harvest. How can I minimize the telltale smell of my garden? There are several ways to remove odor in the garden. The easiest is to use a carbon filter. You can place it in the garden to clean the air circulating in the space. Negative ion generators and ozone generators precipitate odor molecules, leaving the air smelling fresh. However they also neutralize odors in the plants so they should not be used in the grow room, but in adjacent rooms or in the exhaust system to clean exiting air. c
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News of the
Weird
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LEAD STORY—Public Service Announcement Police in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, appealed to the public for help in late March tracking down a most unusual perpetrator. “Over the past year and a half,” the department posted on its Facebook page, “someone has been clogging the women’s toilet (at the Deland Community Center) with a 20-ounce soda bottle. This is very strange . . . and gross.” The Sheboygan Press reported that the string of more than 25 incidents began in 2016. Joe Kerlin, the city’s parks
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and forestry superintendent, says the suspect is likely an adult male, based on security camera footage from outside the restroom. The city’s resulting plumbing bills have totaled between $2,000 and $3,000. OOPS A man playing with a baseball on the roof of a parking structure in Honolulu on March 23 had to be rescued by firefighters after he fell into the space between two buildings and got stuck, KHON2 TV reported. Security guard Ray Rodrigues was dispatched to the roof to run the 55-year-old off, but found the man had fallen into a 7- to 9-inchwide space between the cement walls. When pulling him out with a rope failed,
firefighters resorted to using drills and saws to cut through the concrete to free him. He was taken to a hospital in serious condition. QUESTIONABLE JUDGMENTS Shoppers at the Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, got more than they bargained for on April 8, 2017, as model Chelsea Guerra, 22, of Indiana Borough and photographer Michael Warnock, 64, of Point Breeze conducted a nude photo shoot around 11 a.m. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, as Warnock took photos and families looked on, Guerra walked around and posed wearing only thighhigh black stockings and high-heeled shoes. In early March of this year, Guerra and Warnock pleaded guilty
to misdemeanor disorderly conduct after other charges were dropped, and paid a $300 fine. “My nude modeling is honest work,” Guerra said, “and I use it mostly to fund my college career.” A dairy truck driver lost his job in early March after being caught on a surveillance camera urinating near dairy cows in a barn at Tremblay Farm in Highgate, Vermont. While no charges were filed, Monica Massey of the Dairy Farmers of America said the driver’s behavior was unacceptable. “We saw the videos. What we saw was deplorable,” Massey said told WCAX TV. Darleen Tremblay said she was “shattered” by what she saw on the video. “I couldn’t move. I froze and I shook,” she added.
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