Culture Magazine NorCal April 2016

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contents04.16 Vol 7 IssUE 10

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A GRATEFUL

LEGEND An inside look at Grateful Dead vocalist, guitarist, father and all out amazing performer, Jerry Garcia, and his influence on the cannabis scene.

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ON THE COVER: Photo Š Jay Blakesberg Photography


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contents

inside 04.16

30 The Most Wonderful Day of the Year

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420 Entertainment Forecast Hollywood has been playing with cannabis for years, but soon, it will take center stage in film and in television!

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The Ultimate Party Playlist Check out the cannabis-inspired party playlist we’ve created just for you and your 420 holiday gathering. You can even scan the QR code and download it straight to your mobile device!

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Canna-Honey Bees Take a look at the innovative use of bee pollination and cannabis flowers that a French bee keeper has come up with, in our exclusive interview.

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Four Trends for Cannabis in 2016 2016 is going to be a banner year for cannabis—from elevated pre-rolls to innovative new tech, we’ve got the lowdown on what you should keep an eye out for.

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From Hollywood to Humboldt The Cannabis Film Festival hopes to help shape a high-end event for this niche genre in film.

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420 Festivities We’ve got the tips on how to make your 420 party one for the books, as well as trends to look forward to in the industry and so much more!

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contents

inside

04.16

90

150 features

176 142

182

178 departments news

22 News Nuggets 24 By the Numbers 26 Political Push

138 Advocate Highlight Reviews

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184 NorCal Now!

reviews

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Industry Insider CEO Doug Francis has worked to make sure that Weedmaps is an active part of the cannabis community.

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Saving Gwen The story of young Gwenevere and how using cannabis has saved her from suffering from epileptic seizures.

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Good Vibes The Cali Roots Music and Art Festival is back in town, and is putting on one hell of a show.

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Rambunctious Ruckus Rob Ruckus has used his notoriety on Bad Ink to spread the word about cannabis.

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Help Is On The Way Young Silas may have Leukemia, but cannabis has helped him greatly in lessening his seizures.

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California Cannabis Policy Reform We’ve got your cannabis ballot measure rundown.

d Rocky Mountain High:

136 Collective Highlight

150 Strain, Edible & Concentrate

176 Growing Culture 178 Destination Unknown 186 News of the Weird

Goodbye Torch, Hello E-Nail Discover why e-nails are a safer future for vaporizing.

online Exclusive!

142 Cool Stuff 148 Entertainment Reviews

in every issue

182 Recipes

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180 Profile in Courage

X Games' Tanner Hall Always Skis with Cannabis d U.S. Supreme Court

Tosses Anti-Cannabis Lawsuit Against Colorado

Vol 7 IssUE 10


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CULTURE M

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Publisher Jeremy Zachary Editor-In-Chief Evan Senn associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Victoria Banegas Editorial Contributors Benjamin Adams, Sheryll Alexander, Marguerite Arnold, Jake Browne, Cole Garrison, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, David Downs, Natasha Guimond, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Anthony Herrold, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Joe Jatcko, David Jenison, Kevin Longrie, Emily Manke, Tyler Markwart, Meital Manzuri, Sandy Moriarty, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Joy Shannon, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Zara Zhi Photographers Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Duncan Rolfson Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Tommy LaFleur Graphic Designers Tanya Delgadillo, Jonathan Ibarra Regional Manager Gene Gorelik Account Executives Jon Bookatz, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Cole Garrison, Emily Musser, Beau Odom, Justin Olson, Jim Saunders, Chris Thatcher, April Tygart general Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson director of digital media Brian Gingrich digital media Editor David Edmundson Ctv Contributors Quinn Marie Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla

Culture速 Magazine is published every month and distributes 30,000 magazines at over 600 locations throughout the Bay area. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture速 Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 2175 Sampson Ave. | Suite 118 Corona | California | 92879 Phone 888.694.2046 | Fax 888.694.2046 www.iReadCulture.com

CULTURE速 Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.

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/freeculturemag

/iReadCulture

/iReadCulture


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NEWS

nuggets San Jose Discusses Changes to MMJ Program On March 16, a public hearing was held at the San Jose City Hall to discuss possible changes to the city’s medical cannabis laws, according to FOX 2. So far, the city’s 16 collectives have been operating in accordance with a 2014 ordinance passed by the City Council, stating that they must cultivate outside of San Jose County and have 1,000foot buffer zones between schools, churches and other “safety zones.” However in December, council members got together to discuss creating a Division of Medical Marijuana Control among other things. The March 16 meeting was intended to hear what the public had to say about proposed changes to the city’s medical cannabis program. The feedback submitted by the public was scheduled to be presented to City Council on March 29, as this publication went to press.

Vermont May be First State to Legalize Recreational Through Legislature Vermont could be the first state to legalize recreational cannabis through legislation rather than voter initiative, according to The National Memo. A bill that was passed by the Senate after a year of review will allow adults 21-and-over to enjoy recreational cannabis by 2018. During its year-long review, Senate determined limits on recreational cannabis use and determined that it would not permit personal cultivation or edible consumption. Aside from the restrictions set forth by the Senate, the bill will also impose a 25 percent tax on recreational cannabis that will go towards drug enforcement and drug education programs. While the bill has been approved by Senate, state representatives are expected to review it before the legislative session ends in May. Cannabis advocates in the state believe that this will encourage other states to pass recreational laws through legislation as well.

Switzerland Hopes to Fight Cannabis Black Market with Legal Clubs With cannabis reform in Europe slowly taking shape, Switzerland has revealed a plan to open four cannabis clubs in Geneva, Zurich, Bern and Basel. The clubs are pilot programs intended to help people with existing drug problems and are planned to allow 2,000 people to use cannabis therapy legally, according to RT. Although this seems like a legitimate approach on minimizing the cannabis black market in Switzerland, this topic has been under debate since 2014, with the Swiss People’s Party in Geneva opposing the movement because to them, cannabis is a “hard drug.” Currently, an estimated 500,000 people illegally use cannabis in Switzerland. In 2013, the federal government decided to remove possession of 10 grams or less of cannabis from its list of criminal offenses and only fine 100 francs for those convicted of possession. 22

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World-Famous Humboldt Cannabis Growers Apply for First-Ever County Permits Although California legalized medical cannabis in 1996, medical cannabis growers in Humboldt County have been rather low-key about their businesses. On February 26, this changed as generations of growers were ecstatic as they were able to apply to legally grow cannabis without fear of prosecution. Up until now, Humboldt County’s laws on growing medical cannabis were rather restrictive: “It’s kind of validating things we’ve been chastised for years and years and years,” stated Brandy Siebuhr, who’s been a grower in Humboldt County for 20 years. Under a recently approved ordinance that allows the commercial cultivation, distribution and manufacturing of cannabis, the county set up land use regulations and permitting guidelines for growers. This is the result of a year-long effort between county officials and cannabis advocates, according to Times Standard.


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NEWS

The number of medical cannabis patients who had medical cannabis cards in Marin County in 2015: (Source: Mercury News)

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The planned percentage of tax on medical cannabis sales in California, as proposed by CA Senator Mike McGuire of Marin County: (Source: Mercury News)

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The number of San Jose collectives that have registered in the city and meet the necessary regulations passed by the City Council in 2014: (Source: KTVU)

16 The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that former Facebook president Sean Parker donated to legalizing recreational cannabis in California: (Source: USA Today)

The number of vouchers, exchangeable for a total of one gram of cannabis, that was given out to San Jose patients who provided their contact information to Weed4Votes.com, which promotes cannabis legalization awareness: (Source: Market Wired)

2,000

1

The number of signatures required to get the Arkansas medical cannabis initiative on the ballot this fall:

85,000

(Source: Arkansas Times)

The percentage of Texans who support expanding medical cannabis access to include more qualifying conditions: (Source: Extract Suntimes)

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“Altered State: Marijuana in California”

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(Source: Forbes)

WHAT: “Altered State: Marijuana in California.” WHEN/WHERE: Opens Sat, April 16. Oakland Museum of California, 100 Oak St., Oakland. INFO: For more details, visit www.museumca.org.

California was the first state to establish a medical cannabis program and all though we’re a bit behind on the recreational front, we have another first under our belt in the world of cannabis culture. The Oakland Museum of California will be exhibiting “Altered States: Marijuana in California,” an informative show highlighting the history of cannabis in the Golden State. It may be hard to believe, but this is the first-ever museum

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The increased percentage of one cannabis delivery service’s orders during Super Bowl 50 weekend:

exhibit to highlight cannabis and it is bound to be exciting. The exhibit is divided into ten sections covering the social, political, scientific and spiritual elements of cannabis. Other highlights of the exhibit include a “Cannabis Confessional” where visitors can anonymously share their cannabis experiences and views, and the 420 discount for locals who only have to pay an entrance fee of $4.20 on the cannabis holiday.


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NEWS

POLITICAL PUSH by Sean Donahoe

The Taxman Cometh (For the Cannabis Industry) The month of April is famous for both the cannabis holiday of April 20 as well as the tax deadline of April 15 and it seems that we should look a bit more at the significance behind the latter. Cannabis is certainly a curious industry when it comes to the levying of taxes. On the one hand it is seen as a goldmine by some local cities and counties, who may believe that it could solve empty budgets and economic blight. But there’s a fundamental problem—if taxes are set too high on regulated sales of a substance still widely available on the illicit market, then consumers will avoid regulated channels and revert to buying off of the street. So it’s a curious relationship that many cannabis policy reform activists often find themselves in, supporting permissive social policies while also pushing for low government intervention and extremely low limits on taxes set on regulated cannabis sales. Social progressives often find themselves morphing 26

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into libertarians, while fiscal conservatives find themselves forming common cause with hippie farmers. Strange bedfellows sharing the same (taxable) joint. In California, retail sales of medical cannabis sold by collectives were determined by the Board of Equalization to be a taxable activity and there has been a variety of city- and county-specific additional local taxes on retail sales adopted by voters, from Sacramento to Palm Springs. Due to a quirk added to California’s constitution adopted 20 years ago, governments are not allowed to collect any funds from businesses beyond what it actually costs to regulate and administrate the business activity. According to Proposition 218’s provisions, any funds collected above this level would be defined as a tax and not just a fee. Taxes in California must be approved by the voters in a ballot measure, which is the path taken by these several cities with local taxes. Expect to see more cities place cannabis

tax ballot measures on this November’s ballot. However, if these localities are seeking to eliminate criminal, illicit sales and encourage good, licensed operators in their communities then any taxes must be set as low as possible. It’s a fine line that must be set and hopefully voters will be smart enough to vote down counterproductive ballot measures with excessive tax rates. Like so many other problems, the biggest tax problem for the cannabis industry comes back to the federal government and a 33-year-old law which is now screaming for deletion. Section 280-E of the Internal Revenue Code disallows standard business operations for any federal taxes filed by businesses engaged in the trafficking of controlled substances. Even though these commercial activities may be legal under state law, these are still federally illegal substances and law-abiding businesses are therefore effectively liable for 70 to 80 percent taxation rates. Ironically, the cost of goods sold (i.e. the production costs of the medical cannabis) may be deducted but not items related to the sales of the federally illegal drug: Storefront facilities, staff wages, security investments and other typical tax deductions that any other businesses would be allowed to deduct. Solving Section 280-E must be done by Congress but less than 10 percent of our House Representatives and none of our Senators have authored or joined as co-authors on 280E reform bills. In addition to tracking cannabis policy at our state capitol in Sacramento, California’s cannabis industry needs to look to its representation in our nation’s Capitol and send champions like Garden Grove Mayor Bao Nguyen and other progressive, tax-savvy fresh voices to Washington DC. c

Berner Presents: Hippie Hill Not only do Berner’s hip-hop tracks revolve around cannabis, he has been in the cannabis business for 14 years, and is responsible for some of the best products out there. Coming into the hiphop scene in the late 2000s, Berner has been as successful in making music as he’s been in producing cannabis products. In 2008, his album Drought Season reached Billboard’s Top HipHop/R&B Charts and from there his career continued to move up. Currently, Berner is signed on Wiz Kahlifa’s label with whom he recently released his album 20 lights in 2015. Expanding his repertoire of achievements, Berner presents his first annual 420 celebration Hippie Hill, with artists like Cypress Hill and Juicy J on the line-up. Can’t get anymore 420 than this! WHAT: Berner Presents: Hippie Hill. WHEN/WHERE: Weds, April 20. Bill Graham Auditorium, 99 Grove St., San Francisco. INFO: Go to www. ticketmaster. com for ticket purchases.


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The Most Wonderful Day of the Year

CU LT U R E 420

We love cannabis because it enhances our senses and heals us mentally, emotionally and naturally. It’s better when we share a delicious joint together, relaxing, having fun and getting out of our heads. Cannabis helps us relieve anxiety and leaves us with increased creativity and concentration. -Darcy Thompson & Stacy Eaton

Our cannabis culture is expanding to new heights every day. It is crossing borders and boundaries, and shaping into a global cannabis community and thriving industry. Our nation is changing the way cannabis is viewed all over the world, as we explore all that cannabis has to offer us. The growing cannabis culture is helping local and national economies, families, and people suffering. Our cannacommunity is vast, and our diversity is great. On this, the most wonderful day of the year, let us celebrate our culture, our community, our cannabis. Have a safe and happy 420!

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Hollywood Goes Green Your 2016 Cannabis Entertainment Forecast

Get a Job comedy

FILM The big screen has always been a big supporter of cannabis. Every generation has their cannabis films. The ’70s brought us Cheech and Chong. The ’80s saw younger kids achieve a whole new high with films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Revenge of the Nerds. The ’90s made it cool in films like Friday, Dazed and Confused and Clerks. The new millennium brought with it broader acceptance and an influx of films like Harold and Kumar, Pineapple Express and Ted. So what does the near future hold?

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Meet the Blacks comedy

A coming-ofage tale starring Anna Kendrick and Miles Teller. March

A spoof of The Purge films starring Michael Epps. April

Super Troopers 2

Welcome to Sparkeyville

comedy

The hilarious Vermont state troopers from the 2001 film are back in this sequel. 2016

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comedy

An anti-cannabis Senator wakes up in an alternate universe where everyone smokes cannabis. 2016

Everybody Wants Some comedy

The spiritual successor to Dazed and Confused about college kids dealing with the freedoms and responsibilities of adulthood. April

Midnight Delight comedy

A group of characters in a smoking lounge get into hilarious antics over conversations with total strangers. 2016

CU LT U R E 420

by David Edmundson

C

annabis has always been a popular trope to mine for comedy gold and tragic woes in film and television. While “stoner” films have thrived as part of a counter culture, where the illegality of cannabis made it more appealing, nowadays the cannabis landscape is significantly different. With a growing number of states legalizing cannabis, it is becoming more acceptable, and thus more lucrative. There’s an old adage in Hollywood, if there is money to be made, there are producers looking to cash in. Here is what can we expect of cannabis in pop culture this year.

Sausage Party comedy

Bad Santa 2 comedy

Seth Rogen stars as an animated sausage on a quest to discover the truth about his existence. August

A new adventure with Santa impersonator Willie Stokes. November

Strain Wise

Boulder Budzz

thriller

Shawn Phillips struggles to survive the dangers of becoming the kingpin of America’s legalized cannabis market, at least long enough to save his family, his fortune and his own life. 2016

comedy

A burnt out cannabis dealer struggles with medical cannabis, the lady of his dreams and long arm of the law. 2016


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CU LT U R E 420

420 Edition

TV If the big screen has embraced cannabis for comedic fodder, the small screen typically used it as a cautionary tale. Many episodes of Law and Order began or ended with an anticannabis message. But in 2016, new cannabis acceptance may bring new opportunities. It looks like networks are stepping over each other to have their share of the proverbial pie.

Here are the top 10 cannabis films to watch this 420 on Netflix.

10 Kid Cannabis

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Highland dramedy

Margaret Cho is forced to move in with her dysfunctional family who now runs a cannabis dispensary. Amazon

Super High Me

8 Trailer Park Boys: The Movie

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Buds comedy

Parks & Recreation’s Adam Scott stars in a show about the day-to-day operations of a dispensary. NBC

Wet Hot American Summer

6 Scary Movie

High Maintenance

5

comedy

Follow a cannabis deliveryman called “The Guy” as he delivers cannabis to clients in New York City. HBO

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

4 Dude, Where’s My Car?

Kevin Smith’s Hollyweed comedy

3

Two cannabis users do battle with a cookie magnate in a Los Angeles dispensary. TBD

Half Baked

2 Untitled Chuck Lorre’s Cannabis Comedy

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

comedy

The Big Bang Theory creator is developing a comedy that takes place in a Colorado dispensary. TBD

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1 Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke


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come celebrate

the holidays all month long with

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Open Daily | 9am–9pm 2366 San Pablo Ave. | Berkeley, CA 94702 510.540.6013 | www.myBPG.com 36

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Only patients with legally recognized medical cannabis ID cards may obtain cannabis from medical cannabis collectives/dispensaries/In strict compliance with Prop/ 215 and SB420 HS11362/5/ HS11367/7/


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CU LT U R E 420

Aboriginal Native Americans have always depended on Mother Earth . . . cannabis is one of the plants that has helped, generations before it was a popular drug. -Victor

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p h o t o b y V ictori a B a ne g a s


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CU LT U R E 420

Your Ultimate 420 Party Playlist Let the Good Times Roll

A

p arty just isn’t a party without good tunes, so we’ve set up the best arrangement of upbeat cannabis-related music to act as the soundtrack for your ultimate 420 bash. With an awesome selection of musicians hailing from multiple genres (not to discredit the songs that didn’t make the cut), this list is bound to keep your party bouncing from start to finish. Get down with Snoop Dogg, kick it old school with Bob Marley and sway to the mood of every cannabis-inspired song in between. >>

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Scan this QR code to get our Spotify playlist


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CU LT U R E 420 “Young, Wild and Free”

“Legalize It”

“I Am the Walrus”

by Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Bruno Mars

by Peter Tosh

by The Beatles

“Can’t Feel My Face”

“Because I Got High”

“Doses & Mimosas”

by The Weeknd

by Afroman

by Cherub

“You Don’t Know How it Feels”

“Joke”

“Sail”

by Tom Petty

by Chastity Belt

by AWOLNATION

“New Americana”

“Kaya”

“Rainy Day Women #12 & 35”

by Halsey

by Bob Marley

by Bob Dylan

“How High”

“How to Roll a Blunt”

“Light My Fire”

by Method Man, Redman

by Redman

by The Doors

“Blow Dumb”

“Don’t Step on the Grass”

“One Toke Over the Line”

by NoBunny

by Steppenwolf

by Brewer and Shipley

“We Be Burnin”

“High By The Beach”

“I Like Marijuana”

by Sean Paul

by Lana Del Rey

by David Pee l

“The Next Episode”

“Marijuana”

“Summer Mood”

by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg

by Kid Cudi

by Best Coast

“Goodbye”

“Hits from the Bong”

“Nip Slip”

by Best Coast

by Cypress Hill

by Chastity Belt

“Sweet Leaf”

“Smoke Two Joints”

“Pass the Koutchie”

by Black Sabbath

by Sublime

by Might Diamonds

“Habits (Stay High)” by Tove Lo

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CU LT U R E 420

BEE-LIEVE Honey Bees Create Special Honey Using Pollinated Cannabis Plants by Addison Herron-Wheeler

W

hat do you get when you cross bees and cannabis? Honey made from pollinated cannabis plants. This cannabis-infused

honey doesn’t harm the bees at all to produce, and in addition to tasting delicious, the canna-honey has some interesting medical benefits. CULTURE spoke

exclusively with Nicolas “Trainerbees,” the French man behind this winning honey-cannabis combination, to find out the secrets of his bees. >> 48

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CU LT U R E 420

have felt less anxious. What makes it special is its taste, as if we munched directly in the plant with the taste of sweet flowers behind it.

“People who eat this honey have felt less anxious. What makes it special is its taste, as if we munched directly in the plant with the taste of sweet flowers behind it.” How did you get involved with beekeeping? I have loved honey since childhood. My first encounters with beekeeping date back to my childhood, with beekeepers in my area. I had wild colonies I was watching and I was collecting honey. Later, I helped beekeepers from time to time and it was seven years ago that I decided to take care of bees in order to collect bee products (honey, pollen, propolis). It was four years ago that I became a professional beekeeper. How did you get involved with cannabis, and are you a smoker yourself? Yes I am cannabis user,

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and have been for almost 30 years. I’m hyperactive and suffering from restless legs syndrome. I started to cultivate and educate myself on cannabis nearly 25 years ago. As the years passed, I have evolved techniques while remaining focused on organic cultivation. In the 2000s, I began to educate and help my friends with medical cannabis. How did you come up with this idea, and what made you sure it would work? The idea of ​​using the resin came a little over six years ago, after several friends (cannabis users who knew my ability to understand the nature and behavior of bees),

april 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

said “you’re gonna do well to take the resin from bees to make honey!” It took me four years to get the surprise and joy of seeing the resin inside the hive. What is your process like for having the bees use cannabis to make honey? The bees do not use the resin as honey directly; they use it as propolis in the hive. Tips for how the bees take the resin and then use it will clearly remain secret, because they are still in development. What are the benefits of the honey—what is special about it? People who eat this honey

Does pollinating the cannabis have any positive or negative effects on the bees? The bees are not affected by cannabinoids, unlike alcohol, for example. The colony that produces honey has done so for two years without any particular problems. How do you feel about cannabis legalization so far? What could be done differently, or better? I hope for rapid legalization for all countries of the world. But I also see the slow countries like mine, France, where having a printed cannabis leaf on a t-shirt can take you to jail. Speaking well of cannabis also makes you go to jail. People still need to be educated to understand that cannabis is not as dangerous as they believe. Is there anything else you would like to add? Producing bee products (honey propolis) with trained bees is still not currently profitable because the bees lose a lot during the process and after that, the plants are unusable. I have already finished moving (for more security because of the laws of my country) in order to perfect the technique, before thinking about marketing the honey. c


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CU LT U R E 420

Cannabis is like my cup of coffee in the morning and my shot of whiskey at night. It keeps me groovin throughout the day. -Malia

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p h o t o b y E ric F owler


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CU LT U R E 420

A

by David Downs

mericans have entered a historic, golden age for medical cannabis formulations and modalities. Medical laws and recreational legalization have accelerated innovation to seemingly light speed, and dispensary shelves are filled with products unrecognizable from past years. Lowly cannabis cigarettes now rival the fashionable

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Cohiba cigars, medical cannabis topicals are ready to take on the billion-dollar mainstream body products market. New batches of healthy, high-design, low-dose edibles are attracting a different, Whole Foods-caliber shopper. And a controversial medical cannabis modality—suppositories— has escaped from the lab to help women with their most personal health issues. >>


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CU LT U R E 420

Elevating Pre-Rolls

1 Just say, “no, thank you” to dry, trim-filled, flat-smelling prerolls! Say “yes” to glass tips, gold-leaf, functional dosages and celebrity blends. Industry data show pre-rolls are among the fastest growing part of dispensary sales. You just can’t beat the form factor, versatility, flavor and big effects of a pre-rolled cannabis cone. Pre-roll sales grew 68 percent in 2015 in Washington, BDS Analytics reports. Just in time for this new gilded age, The Green Solution in Denver has 24K Gold Caviar Cones—gold-leafed pre-rolls with flower, or an optional hashfortified flower, called Caviar. Over in Michigan, Ann Arbor Wellness Collective joins the mini-pre-roll market this April with Slow Rollers—a pack of pre-rolls custom-sized for more functional dosing. Spotted in California, Hepburn’s Jumbo pre-roll is turning heads this year with its chic, glass tips, mega-size and high-quality flower bud—not trim—fortified with bubble hash. Cannabinoid-specific, strain-specific and custom blends like Medi-Cone’s Ed Rosenthal Selects Sativa or Indica Blends are also on the rise this year, said George Bianchini, co-founder of leading pre-roll brand Medi-Cone. “We see the acceptance and quality of pre-rolls going up.” >>

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Advancing Topicals 2 Last year, Foria Pleasure blew the lid off the best-kept secret in cannabis— it works through the skin without getting you stoned. This Spring, the small Los Angeles company seeks a $1.6 million investment to expand from Colorado and California to Washington and beyond. In its wake, a whole slew of skin treatments have come out of the cannabis closet to seek mainstream fans. California’s all-organic, boutique, high-end Herbabuena line of topicals are clicking with a whole new cannabis customer this year. Their “Quiver” Sensual Cannabis Lubricant is made from organic, whole-flower, strain-specific source material, plus cold water hash, and micro extract of cinnamon and clove. “It’s not warming lube,” Herbabuena Co-Founder Alicia Rose said. “I hate warming lubes. You are not feeling that hot sensation. It’s all about increasing the blood flow, which in turn sends signals to the brain that you’re getting turned on.” Longtime topicals brand Xternal announced this March that it is now in six states, just in time for MMA fighter and Xternal user Nick Diaz to defeat Conor McGregor, this summer. Xternal solidifies its national offerings with its line of Rub/Spray, Cream, Balm, Mud and Soak products, plus animal line K9 Relief Dog Wash and Lame Away Equine Therapy. >>

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High-End Edibles 3 Like New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, San Francisco surfer Nick Lanza tripped out on toostrong of an edible, and saw a problem: He took a 100 milligram bar and was groggy the next day. “I think everyone has had that experience and it’s turned them off to edibles.” So he’s hit on the future with Outset—a Northern California line of low-dose, organic, veganic, THC-infused dried fruit that pairs with a hike or yoga, as opposed to watching Deadpool or playing The Division on PlayStation 4. “We wanted to create something extremely low-dose, healthy and organic, where you would feel comfortable eating one and not having a fear of eating too much,” Lanza said. Outset is aiming not for the high-tolerance patient that’s the traditional core of the cannabis business, but the vast throngs of

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newcomers from the mainstream with far lower tolerances. “People like me are coming in and creating a whole new market,” he said. Outset’s organic, vegan dried Apple Crisps or Pineapple Crisps evoke Whole Foods-level quality— with 10mg per pineapple crisp and 5mg per apple crisp, for 100mg per bag. Lab testing reduces crisp potency variance to 5 percent or less, he said. Cannabinoids come from a hand-picked blend of sativa hybrids washed in ethyl alcohol to capture full spectrum cannabinoids and terpenes, and purged to 0 ppm. Other Whole Foodsready lineups include Dixie’s California affiliate Altai and their line of Ducle de Leche and Sea Salt Caramel Bon Bons. They come in either 10mg or 25mg THC doses. Also, their 25mg Chocolate Coins are on the money. >>


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Suppositories’ Day In The Sun 4

Suppository Makers: California PPH OrganiCanna, Deep Healers, Endoca CBD Washington CPC Suppositories Oregon Genesis Farms

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Little known fact—the U.S. government awarded a patent on cannabis up the pooper. It’s held by the country’s only federally licensed cannabis farmer, who works out of University of Mississippi. UMiss’ Dr. Mahmoud ElSohly will tell you— suppositories are the most efficient route of administering cannabinoids for vomiting, pain relief, muscle spasms and appetite, as well as depression and anxiety. But while federal prohibition stymies profiting from his patent—the suppository concept is out of the bag. Celebrity entertainer Tommy Chong reportedly treated his colon cancer with cannabis suppositories. Internal formulations have been spotted at outlets in Washington, Oregon and Colorado this Spring. California-based Foria rolls out Foria Relief vaginal suppositories in California and Colorado. Developed with a Los Angeles urologist and Foria volunteers, the 60mg THC/10mg CBD suppository treats PMS pain and cramping like no other 21st century product, said Foria cofounder Matthew Gerson. “Women with pelvic pain

were reporting the ability to have pleasurable sex again,” he said. Patient reviews support the medical history, as well cell, animal trials and patient selfreports on cannabinoids for menstrual issues. “Not only did my cramps ease up, but I felt good. Really good. There was no heady effect, but I felt serene. It was like if Ativan made a baby with Tylenol,” stated one reviewer. The local-acting THC and CBD does not cause euphoria, Gerson said, so doctors are vetting Foria Relief for use in double-blind placebo-controlled trials. If you can get past the taboo, taking Foria Relief rectally can help manage intractable lower back pain and spasms, and be an effective way to administer cannabinoids for anticancer regimens. Plus, rectal application can relax the sphincter, making anal sex more pleasurable, Gerson reports. “A lot of women have a G-spot that’s more posterior-oriented, but often there’s a discomfort that gets in the way of that pleasure.” Just a head’s up—both Foria products are made with coconut oil—which is not compatible with condoms. c


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I love smoking herb because it heightens my vibration and soothes my body/mind like a wave of tranquil, warm energy. -Lauren

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p h o t o b y V ictori a B a ne g a s


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Hollywood Meets Humboldt The Cannabis Film Festival by Jasen T. Davis

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ellie Butterfield Dodds is the proud CEO and founder of the 2nd annual Cannabis Film Festival, an event being held in Garberville, California on April 23 and 24 that presents movies featuring cannabis, whether it is a

documentary, comedy, drama, short film or anything in between. “This is my baby. I am very grateful that I am able to present a ‘Hollywood meets Humboldt’ festival that presents cannabis with a level of professionalism that is a different face than the usual weed events,” says Dodds. >>

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. . . an event that shows films which present cannabis in a sophisticated manner that draws respect as opposed to the usual cartoonish events that present cannabis as a punch line to a joke. When Dodds moved from the Los Angeles corporate world to Humboldt County, deep in the nexus of the Emerald Triangle, she was already an accomplished businesswoman with a few successful multimillion dollar enterprises on her resume. “I relocated with my partner and spent 25 years enjoying the culture out here,” she says. “I wanted to bring a different perspective.” That means presenting an event that shows films which present cannabis in a sophisticated manner that draws respect as opposed to the usual cartoonish events that present cannabis as a punch line to a joke. “Last year we presented a film called Midnight Delight, set in an afterhours party at a lounge in some metropolis. People meet, smoke joints and just communicate.” Set in the verdant evergreen that is the forested Eden of Northern California, the 2nd Annual Cannabis Film Festival invites participants, vendors, attendees and celebrities to enjoy an event that is as close to nature as it is far from the city. “The event is

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still very Humboldt, very casual. We’re not black tie yet, but there is an open invitation to anyone in the industry” Dodds says. “I am modeling this after the Sundance Film Festival, but set in an open air town that is very natural, very beautiful. You get to walk around in the fresh air, eat great food and hang out with fun people next to a redwood forest.” The Cannabis Film Festival is a way for filmmakers to present their art with both the people who enjoy their art and the people who present it. Dodds has worked to go beyond the normal cartoonish cannabis movies to show films that present cannabis in a positive light that will serve to entertain as well as inform. “It is an opportunity for local film makers. We are a festival for independent film makers that want to attract distributors and supporters. One of our judges is also a producer in Hollywood that helps in the event. We have very professional criteria for how we judge films,” she says. “We offer an award for the best film based on what the judges pick, and then there

is a viewer’s choice award where the audience votes. Afterwards, everyone hangs out with the creators and provides feedback.” Dodds is assisted by a group of people known as “Team Awesome,” including her partner Cheryl Voutour, who has spent a decade farming organic cannabis in the Humboldt area after moving from Orange County, where she was successful in the mortgage industry. Also included is Bobby Black, former Senior Editor of High Times Magazine, and presenter during the awards ceremony. What makes the event unique in comparison to other Hollywood awards ceremony is that it will be 420 friendly. “We have a huge smoking area and even a doctor on site who will qualify you.” Existing to woo industry executives with the big bucks to fund films and mentor young creators, Dodds is proud of the event’s incredible VIP lounge. “We only have room for one hundred people in the lounge, and we offer lavish accommodations, luxury catering and a professional dining experience.” Her dream is to expand the two day event into a weeklong affair that could someday be presented internationally. “We learned a lot in our first year. We built a commodity that is now valuable. Next we are going to turn it into a global event,” Dodds says. c www.cannabisfilmfestival.com


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420

4/20 is no longer just a day about smoking cannabis, it’s about community, camaraderie and a modern culture surrounding the herb. We here at CULTURE have got your back, and have handpicked a variety of different events for you to really make this year’s 4/20 the best you’ve ever experienced. From enjoying live music put on by fellow cannabis lovers to attending cannabis seminars and conventions, cannabis is our culture—embrace it!

Holistic Cannabis Summit, April 4-7 Unlike other 420 events that tend to gather in legal states, the Holistic Cannabis Summit is an awesome opportunity to connect with the cannabis community from anywhere in the world! Check out seminars, explore new information, and get everything you need from cannabis professionals. Free, Online holisticcannabissummit.com Mendocino Cannabis Resource Conference, April 8-9 420 is a special day, but you can celebrate it on every day of the year! Resource Conferences though, can be both special and educational. Learn the compliance process for cannabis in California and network with local business men and women. Little Lake Grange, Willits medocinocannabisresource.com San Francisco Bay Area Cannabis Career & Job Fair, April 10 The cannabis industry is a lucrative niche market that has seen major job growth. With 4/20 right around the corner, this Cannabis job fair is the perfect place to get your foot in the door if you seek employment. City Nights, San Francisco www.facebook.com/City. Nights.SF HempCon, April 15-17 HempCon is one of California’s 74

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legalization. Everything from panels about the current bills being considered to an evening of networking, it’s the place to be. Doubletree by Hilton, Rohnert Park elevatedccc.com

biggest 420 events, bringing countless vendors, on-site evaluations and seminars by cannabis industry professionals. The competition is what brings the crowd, and this 420 is bound to yield some great cannabis products in all categories. Cow Palace, San Francisco cowpalace.com Kottonmouth Kings, April 16 This rap group has been turning out tunes about cannabis for years, and its decided to celebrate 420 with the NorCal gang. Cow Palace, Daly City cowpalace.com Cannifest, April 16-17 Humboldt is well-known for its lush mountain areas and healthy agricultural crops, which makes it the perfect location for Cannifest. This event will feature entertainment like none other, including the “Cannifest Bowl,” Cannabis Community Choice Awards, Humboldt Grow Games, live music, a job fair, and so much more! Redwood Acres fairgrounds, Eureka www.rewoodacres.com ELEVATED Cannabis Compliance Conference, April 16-17 This two-day conference is inviting all cultivators, growers, dispensary owners, extract and edible manufacturers as well as consumers to prepare for California’s impending

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Doug Benson Countdown to 420, April 19 Few comedians fully embrace the celebration of 420, but Doug Benson brings the “Countdown to 420” on an annual basis! Doug Benson is clearly a fan of cannabis, and he’ll make sure your 420 holiday is one to behold. Cobb’s Comedy Club, San Francisco cobbscomedy.com 420 Eve with Steve Hager and Friends, April 19 Apparently, Steve Hager has some news to announce on 420, and this night before 420 party is a great prelude. Join other attendees in enjoying musical performers singing about cannabis and prepare for the best day of the year! Terrapin Crossroads, San Rafael terrapincrossroads.net Unofficial 420 in the Park, April 20 Every year cannabis users head to Hippie Hill, so be ready to have fun and leave a good impression about cannabis! This means be courteous to any police officers who show up, avoid bringing glass bottles, coolers, don’t play music too loud—and clean up your trash afterwards! Hippie Hill, San Francisco Berner Presents Hippie Hill, April 20 4/20 is all about cannabis, but it’s fate has always been intertwined with music as well. Join famous musical artists and cannabis users Berner, Cypress

CU LT U R E 420 Hill, Juicy J, J Boog, Chronixx, Kool John and Dizzy Wright in ringing in a new year of cannabis. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco billgrahamcivicauditorium.com The Class Reunion, April 23 Nothing is more OG than a classic live music performance by E-40, DMX, DJ Quik, Bone Thugs-NHarmony and Dru Down for 420. It’s the epitome of 420 bashes! Oracle Arena, Oakland oraclearena.com 2nd Annual Cannabis Film Festival, April 23-24 Last year’s Cannabis Film Festival was a great hit, so thanks be to the herb that it’s returning for its second year. Watch countless amazing films revolving around cannabis as a niche topic. Redwood Playhouse, Garberville cannabisfilmfestival.com Wiz Khalifa, April 23 American hip-hop artist Wiz Khalifa has had a ton of great hits, and he’s bringing all of them straight to you for 420. Catch him while you can though, as may be celebrating 420 in NorCal, and the rest of his future shows take place in Europe! Pozo Saloon, Santa Margarita pozosaloon.com 420 Blackout: The Expendables, April 24 The Expendables is made up of Santa Cruz-natives who have been jamming together since 1997. Along with the culture of their home, including surfing, skating, partying and playing music, there’s no better place to celebrate your 420 weekend. El Rey Theatre, Chico elreytheatrechico.com Berkeley City Council Meeting, May 10 This night will be an evening of a great decisions being made for Berkeley, as the Berkeley City Council will be meeting at Amoeba Music in order to decide the winning applicant of the city’s fourth collective permit. If you want to witness history in the making, this event begins at 7pm. 1900 Addison St., Berkeley www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil

*Events subject to change without notice


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The Shift to Electronic Nails by Addison Herron-Wheeler Any cannabis enthusiast or entrepreneur will tell you that dabbing and the use of concentrates is one of the biggest rising trends in the cannabis world. Vaping purely concentrated product has a ton of great benefits and not a lot of drawbacks. You avoid harmful smoke inhalation and get all the flavor and punch of your product with none of the ash, mess or bad

tasting hits from a bowl or bong. Patients are able to imbibe cannabis without the smoke, and recreational users can puff on the go without being a public nuisance. However, there is a dark lining around this happy vape cloud—the blowtorch. In order to dab—to vape by dropping your concentrate on a piece called the nail and then inhale the vapor—it’s necessary to get the nail

extremely hot for the vaping to be effective, and to date, the best way to do so is to heat the nail directly with a blowtorch. Obviously, there are many downsides and drawbacks to this method. Dabbers must carry around cumbersome blowtorches and buy harmful butane, burns are common, and having to use a torch carries the connotation of being a drug user. >>

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“Trying a dab for the first time can be intimidating. I believe advances in the application of technology towards the field will help to improve these issues.”

So what is the alternative to the nasty torch problem? There are a few new ideas in the works, and if the success of the cannabis industry so far is any indication, those who are heading up these new discoveries are posed to do some great things. One of the ways people are trying to defeat the torch is the development of the electronic nail, a nail that gets plugged in and heated electrically instead of getting blasted by a torch. CULTURE caught up with George Melcer, who is currently launching an electronic nail product of his own, to get the scoop behind the new technology. “Cube is a smart e-nail,” he told CULTURE regarding his new product. “It heats up to the exact temperature you choose, cools down, and shuts off when you forget. The iOS and Android app visualizes your usage and blocks restricted users. Because Cube is smart, 80

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it’s always being updated with new features. Cube is currently in development, but we will be taking orders in the near future.” This nail links directly to smart phones, so that users can check their apps to see if the nail is the correct temperature and if everything is working. It allows control over the vaping experience while also eliminating the unsavory look, cumbersome nature, and danger of the blowtorch. “One of the cool things we are able to do is detect how big of a hit you take and visualize it—think ‘Fitbit for vaporizing,’” Melcer added. “We have some pretty cool LED effects that inform you throughout the heating process and a beautiful app that brings the whole system together. After talking to friends we realized there was a need for a sophisticated, reliable and beautifully designed e-nail that people are proud to have in their home. Since then we’ve been

hard at working, designing and engineering Cube.” This sentiment seems to be pretty common— most people involved with dabbing seem to think that concentrates are the future, but that the torch will soon be phased out. “I think more convenient and professional nail solutions are on the horizon,” stated Josh Hindi of Dabble Extracts. “Overall this is still a very new and growing segment of the market but I have seen several nice electronic nail solutions, both portable and stationary, start to come to market. I do believe this will continue to improve as more technology is applied to this sector.” “Traditional nails and torches have a ‘hard drug’ feel even for the adept marijuana user,” he added.

Trying a dab for the first time can be intimidating. I believe advances in the application of technology towards the field will help to improve these issues. As much as the stigma around nails and torches currently exists it’s still one hundred times better than ten years ago when the most convenient way to vaporize hash for most was to heat knives on a stove burner and inhale through a cut off two-liter top or paper towel roll. In some circles, lighters are even being phased out of the smoking process. Humans are amazingly innovative creatures and concentrates are a cleaner, purer and more efficient alternative to marijuana smoking. Where there is an opportunity young entrepreneurs will come flocking.” c


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I ndustrynsider I

Doug Francis of Weedmaps by R. Scott Rappold

There was a time not long ago—or call it the present if you’re unfortunate enough to live in a cannabis prohibition state—when posting the location of a cannabis dealer online would probably lead to a visit by Johnny Law. And if your guy was all out of smoke or only had flattened Mexican ditch cannabis to sell,

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forget about it. Where else could you turn? Yes, the Dark Ages. Those days are gone in many states, thanks to the activists and voters who saw what politicians didn’t and legalized the herb. And at WeedMaps.com, co-founder Doug Francis has been working for eight years to make sure medical and recreational users can find dispensaries, strains and reviews. It’s the Yellow Pages and Yelp for cannabis, and it’s changing the way people shop for cannabis. “We really feel it’s our job to teach the user how to be sophisticated,” said Francis, who at 38 is CEO of the world’s largest cannabis technology company. “Before you could say, ‘I like indica’ or ‘I like sativa’ or ‘I like Blue Dream,’ but that doesn’t mean anything empirically.” “When we give you the tools that show what Blue Dream typically looks like, what you’re buying is this and what the outcome of it should be, that’s the next step and it’s going to be an incredible one and it’s going to be done this year.” >>

“Everything we do at WeedMaps has been done before. It’s just applying those same philosophies to the cannabis industry, at a time when that was extremely taboo, extremely risky and way ahead of the game.”


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“Eventually this will be a normal industry. Weed will be so ubiquitous it will no longer be taboo or cool, but for now, those of us who are fighting prohibition, we’ve done this together.”

Financial Collapse to Riches Francis was working as a mortgageindustry executive in 2007. The financial crash was not kind to those in that line of work. At the same time, medical cannabis clubs and dispensaries were popping up all over California. He went to a doctor for a medical referral. “When the financial crash came, 2007, it kind of sent everyone who was in that field into a tizzy. For me, my legacy background was marijuana. It was in my DNA,” he said. “So I went to the doctor’s office to get my recommendation . . . and saw how busy they were in the doctor’s office so I figured that would be a safer way to enter the industry as opposed to growing or dispensing.” With the help of pioneering physician Dr. Bonni Goldstein, he co-founded Medical Marijuana Evaluation Centers, which eventually had more than a dozen clinics in California where patients could get referrals. Then he met Justin Hartfield. A techy and struggling writer, Hartfield had dreamed up a website and map showing the hundreds of new dispensaries opening in California, many of which did no advertising and hid behind nondescript storefronts. He had gone door-to-door signing them up to be listed and advertise on his new website, WeedMaps.com. At some point in 2009, Francis showed Hartfield a spreadsheet and told him the website would make 86

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$300,000 in short order if the former could become chief operating officer. They wouldn’t be reinventing the wheel, as far as listing and review websites, but turning it in a new direction. Said Francis, “Everything we do at WeedMaps has been done before. It’s just applying those same philosophies to the cannabis industry, at a time when that was extremely taboo, extremely risky, and way ahead of the game.” When they began charging dispensaries and doctors to be listed, the $300,000 came in so fast it made their heads spin.

From Map to Yelp The money came in so fast the bank suspected it was stolen and temporarily froze it, causing employees of the fledgling company to miss two paychecks. “Being the only player in the States, the only (dispensary) finder site, the only vertical integration portal, obviously we had a huge lead on everyone else and we took advantage of that,” said Francis. “The success of WeedMaps was instant only because it was filling a void in the marketplace that was absolutely needed.” Francis and Hartfield knew the dispensaries. They knew the doctors. They knew the strains. As other states like Colorado and Washington got in on medical marijuana, site revenues and visitors skyrocketed. The company has grown to 180 employees, with some 4,000 listings on

the site. It bought the domain Marijuana. com, a clearinghouse of cannabis news, reviews and discussion. The company’s “seed to sale” tracking software could play a role in legalization in France and Spain; Francis was reached by phone from the latter for this interview. “Each country and each state is its own story and I think we’re unique in the sense that we have policy writers here and abroad working with local activists to make sure that WeedMaps is right there helping them with all the structured resources of policy writing, attorneys, all the things these guys can’t afford but we can, we provide that to the industry,” Francis said.

Data is the Cornerstone Francis acknowledges there will be a time when Google and Facebook get over their fear of cannabis and seriously try to compete with WeedMaps. Yelp already does. But he says they can only try to compete. And they won’t win. That’s because at WeedMaps they go deeper than their competitors. Thanks to relationships with cannabis testing laboratories, Francis hopes to soon allow people to choose their buds by terpene profiles, the tastes and aromas that can accurately depict a strain in an industry when strains are often mislabeled. Connoisseurs will also be able to search not just by strains, but by cannabis brands. While he expects some people will always shop at their favorite dispensary, the evolution of WeedMaps is to also cater to the discriminating consumer willing to get into the minutiae like terpenes to find the perfect medicine or high. Francis also attributes the success of WeedMaps to the fact they are part of this industry, supporting cannabis back when the federal response to medical cannabis was uncertain, and continuing to assist legalization efforts today. “Eventually this will be a normal industry. Weed will be so ubiquitous it will no longer be taboo or cool, but for now, those of us who are fighting prohibition, we’ve done this together,” said Francis. “A lot of my friends have risked life and limb to do that and that creates a bond, a fraternity of those who are fighting the power, so to speak.” “It won’t always be the case but right now WeedMaps is the main company spending the most amount of money to help all our friends make this wonderful plant legal.” c


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Gwenevere’s Miracle

A young child’s life is a miraculous story of a family’s hope, courage and progress by Jamie Solis

The first three months of baby Gwenevere’s life were smooth sailing until she had her first seizure in September 2012. Gwenevere’s seizures continued to get worse, causing her parents, Alexander and ReaganLeigh Repetski, to make frequent trips to the doctor every week. Gwenevere was put on heavy medication right away, and her initial diagnosis of infantile spasms was eventually determined as intractable epilepsy. While certain pharmaceutical treatments Gwenevere received lowered the amount of observable seizures she had, she was still experiencing constant subclinical seizures. Alexander explained, “[Pharmaceutical medications were] a small step in the right direction, but it would remain that every time we took her for an EEG, where they read her brain waves, she was having constant epileptic activity, whether she was having a visible seizure or not.” >>

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The constant interruption of Gwenevere’s brain waves meant that at barely four months old, she stopped developing entirely, keeping her from hitting milestones like crawling, walking or talking. Over the next two years, Gwenevere’s doctors would prescribe her nine different medications to try and stop her seizures. However the medications were still failing to improve Gwenevere’s condition, and Alexander took it upon himself to find other options to improve his daughter’s quality of life. He shared, “I started researching

neuroscience, and along the away I came across all of these powerful neuroprotective elements of cannabis and some other stories about adults as well as children using it for seizure activity. And I said, ‘This has got to be looked at here.’” Alexander continued his research and even considered moving to the U.S. many times before realizing he could soon gain legal access to cannabis through Canada’s federal medical cannabis program. It was during this time Gwenevere’s doctors recommended putting her on other medications as well as a Ketogenic

diet, which would require her to eat a restrictive diet using a G-tube. Alexander knew eating was the only thing his daughter truly enjoyed, and he found himself at a crossroads. “So I literally felt I had two options,” Alex said, “The first being breakdown, go completely crazy, just turn into a bubbling crying lunatic, or I could spend some time and do as much research as I could find time to do.” Alexander would put in about 5,000 hours of reading through data to learn everything he could about making oil, titration, dosages, safety and more. >>

Left: EEG PreCannabis Right: EEG PostCannabis

“The only thing I can say is I’ve seen [cannabis oil] literally transform Gwenevere from a two-year-old who was almost in a vegetative state most of her life to a three-and-a-half-year-old who is off almost all pharmaceuticals at this point and pretty happy.”

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With the support of his wife and family, Alexander decided to start Gwenevere’s cannabis oil treatment. He was able to convince one of his daughter’s doctors to write her a script by presenting logical arguments and scholarly articles. The family moved forward, and Gwenevere started the oil. Miraculously, she did not experience a seizure for two days following. And although she had a seizure on the third day, she has not had a seizure since then. Five weeks into her cannabis oil treatment, Gwenevere went in for another EEG reading. Doctors were blown away by what they saw—her reading showed no epileptic activity. A few months earlier Gwenevere’s EEG showed constant subclinical

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seizure activity, and now it was gone. Doctors even admitted they never thought they would see Gwenevere do so well and continue on to hit her milestones. Alexander shared, “The only thing I can say is I’ve seen [cannabis oil] literally transform Gwenevere from a two-year-old who was almost in a vegetative state most of her life to a threeand-a-half-year-old who is off almost all pharmaceuticals at this point and pretty happy. While she has a lot of hurdles to cross and jump over still, she’s developing, she’s having fun, she’s walking around. She’s doing kid stuff that we feared for very long that we’d never see her do.” At this point, many of Gwenevere’s neurologists have verbally admitted cannabis

must be what is working in her treatment. Cannabis oil has also been added to Gwenevere’s medical charts, which felt like a win to Alexander, “. . . I felt like it was a substantiated step to legitimize it and recognize this is working and to put it in writing. And as before they would not want to talk about it.” Grateful for his ability to find out what was best for his daughter, Alexander shared his hope for the forward path, “There are many “The family moved humans in the world, forward, and both health care professionals and Gwenevere started the private citizens who oil. Miraculously, she are as educated did not experience as myself (many a seizure for two considerably more days following. And so) on the topic of cannabis science. although she had a We need to open seizure on the third the discussions day, she has not had a about the science seizure since then.” and remove the interests of politics and business greed. This will provide a platform for all humans to move forward into the further discovery of the potential of cannabis as a therapeutic and healing agent. “ c


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IF YOU GO WHAT: California Roots Music and Arts Festival. WHEN/WHERE: Fri, May 27-Sun, May 29. Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairgrounds Rd., Monterey, 93940. INFO:

Bringing Music and Art to Monterey California Roots Music Festival If there’s one festival to look forward to attending this year, it’s the California Roots Music and Art Festival 2016 (Cali Roots). Whether you’re a cannabis lover or just in love with great music, this festival has been all about positive vibes, music and fun since its inaugural year in 2013. Since then, the festival has continued to grow in size, even adding a live stream for Cali Roots lovers around the world who can’t attend in person. This year, the festival will be just as spectacular, giving festivalgoers tons of entertaining activities to engage in as it works with nonprofit organizations to spread the positive energy and oneness inspired by music. Since its first year, Cali Roots has done its best to provide fans with some of the best up and coming and headlining musical acts. This year’s festival will include a stellar line-up with performers like Pepper,

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Damien Marley, Atmosphere, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Tribal Seeds and so many more hitting the stage over the weekend. Although music is the main reason fans come to Cali Roots each year, the festival also offers a ton of accommodations that add to its welcoming vibe. Working with the non-profit environment and social awareness organization, REVERB, Cali Roots will be offering free water refill stations to help fans stay hydrated throughout the day (fans can bring their own refillable water bottle or donate $15 for one that will go towards environmental and social organizations associated with the festival). Cali Roots has also teamed up with Sierra Nevada Brewing to give festivalgoers access to Hoppy Roots IPA. Not only is this beer exclusive to Cali Roots, it contains less alcohol by content, creating a tasty

Photos by Josue Rivas

Tickets are $85+, for more information visit californiarootsfestival.com.

and responsible drinking experience for beer lovers. In between the countless awesome musical performances, fans are invited to enjoy live painting sessions and scope out secret performances, accessible only with the help of the Cali Roots mobile app. Not to mention that when the festival is done for the day, attendees can enjoy after-parties and the fest’s “After Dark Lounge” to keep the party going. It’s a comfy spot for festivalgoers to relax in after a long day in the sun and will include comfy pillows, tea service, LED/Fire dancers and more! Cali Roots is a pretty big deal, and it’s well-known for going above and beyond to create a positive, warm and exciting experience for fans. Because of this, Cali Root’s popularity continues to double each year, with tickets selling out many weeks in advance. This is that “what are you waiting for?” moment where you should immediately order tickets to this year’s hottest festival! c


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Raising A Ruckus Reality Star Uses Fame To Spread Cannabis Awareness

by Pamela Jayne

Rob Ruckus, of A&E reality show Bad Ink has parlayed the notoriety he gained on the small screen, to star in the ultimate reality show—a life of spreading awareness of the benefits of cannabis. Whereas Bad Ink ’s premise was to cover regrettable tattoos with beautiful, meaningful artwork, Ruckus’ new calling aims to replace deadly, addictive pharmaceutical drugs with healing cannabis oil. With a deep, rumbling voice, inked exterior and punk rock personality, Ruckus isn’t the stereotypical cannabis advocate, which may be exactly what the movement needs. That low register laugh quickly changes to an introspective, sensitive tone as the subject shifts from music, his passion, to cannabis and his life’s calling. >>

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“Seeing the changes in people’s lives makes me know that this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”


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Did A&E know you were a cannabis advocate? Were you able to medicate while filming? I medicated daily, but I was under a morality contract with A&E, so I wasn’t allowed to advocate in any way, shape or form. But, I’ve always stood up for what is right. While I was doing the show, I was still making Rick Simpson Oil. I started doing it because I lost a couple of very close friends to stage 4 lymphoma. I come from the punk rock world; they don’t call me Ruckus for nothing. A friend’s daughter was born with bladder cancer. Her mother chose cannabis oil. She’s nine years old now, and cancer-free. She never had chemo or radiation, just the oil and a good healthy diet. Seeing an entire family change because of something you gave to one child, is the most rewarding thing I have ever had in my entire life. That’s when I decided that this is my life’s calling.

With the show, I got to go into the homes of 12 million people. Being on TV, people trust you. When my contract ended, that’s when I started posting about cannabis again, and going to every medical event I could. I’d love to do a show explaining cannabis to people. Seeing the changes in people’s lives makes me know that this is what I’m supposed to be doing.

How has your notoriety from Bad Ink helped you to spread the word about the benefits of cannabis? Would you consider doing another reality style show?

On a much more trivial note, you must have seen a lot of awful tattoos while filming Bad Ink. What was the worst? The ones that didn’t make it onto the show. The prison tattoos, the gang

Why do you personally use cannabis as medicine? I used to jump off stages. I worked construction; I was run over by a limo . . . my body has been through a lot. I was addicted to painkillers. For goingon seven years, I’ve done nothing but cannabis oil. I haven’t touched so much as an aspirin. I wake up hurting a bit, but a couple squirts of cannabis oil, and I’m good to go!

tattoos on people whose lives have completely changed. The guy who had a huge swastika on his back, but now has two beautiful little black daughters. Are you content with how the Las Vegas medical cannabis scene is going? Is there anything you’d like to change? It’s just getting started, it’s nowhere near where it needs to be. Not one dispensary in the state has Rick Simpson Oil, which is the most helpful use of the plant for some patients. A lot of people do care, but a lot of people don’t. If they did, RSO would be in the dispensaries. You also host a radio show—what should listeners expect when they tune into Ruckus on the Radio? I’m a vinyl addict, a record junkie. I play everything from ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll, to punk rock, jazz, country, bluegrass . . . I love finding forgotten records. I love music so much; I don’t want it to die. Any last words for CULTURE readers? Keep up the good fight. We’re nowhere close to being done. c robruckus.com

“Whereas Bad Ink’s premise was to cover regrettable tattoos with beautiful, meaningful artwork, [Rob] Ruckus’ new calling aims to replace deadly, addictive pharmaceutical drugs with healing cannabis oil.”

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Tell us a little bit about Silas. What are his favorite things? His favorite is the Cars movie. Mater is his favorite. He’s really into Jack Skellington too, that’s his second favorite. He knows all the songs from The Nightmare Before Christmas. He loves all the boy toys—cars, planes, trains and trucks. He’s rough-and-tumble, but he’s a big lover too. He loves hugs and kisses.

Strength

f r Silas A Family’s Journey to Wellness through Cannabis

by Pamela Jayne

The life of the Tedesco family is typical of most Northern Californian’s. They enjoy the outdoors. They eat organic, healthy food and have a centered, spiritual approach to life. They also have a child with cancer. Ash and Mike are the proud parents of two perfect children, Silas who has cancer and Gia who does not. A beautiful and empathic girl, Gia intuitively tends to her brother’s needs with maturity well beyond her years. Her baby brother has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Silas loves cars. Toy

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cars, real cars and especially the Cars movie. He recently, along with his family, enjoyed an experience of a lifetime at Disneyland, being treated like royalty by the cast and characters of the Cars series. This well deserved experience was provided by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. CULTURE recently chatted with Silas’ mother, Ash. The exhaustion was evident in her strong voice, as was the hope. Ash Tedesco is a woman on a mission, not only to heal her own child, but also to aid families affected by this devastating, yet treatable, disease.

What is Silas’ diagnosis? When did you receive the news? May 2013. On Sunday morning, Mother’s Day, we took him to the ER for the second time, and they did blood work. His white blood cell count was through the roof and his hemoglobin was super low, so much that he needed a transfusion right that moment. They put us on a Flight for Life from Eureka to San Francisco. They found he had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, which is cancer of the blood. Over the course of his treatment, he developed epilepsy from the chemotherapy.

The epilepsy is a direct result of the chemotherapy? Right. He has more seizures around his chemo days. Chemotherapy for leukemia is about two and a half years, but for boys, it’s six months to a year longer, because leukemia cells hide in the testicles. We’re looking at about three-and-a-half years of chemo, because his leukemia is so aggressive that if they don’t conduct this length of chemotherapy, it’s highly likely to come >>


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back, and if it does, it will be much more aggressive. We’re trying to avoid that at all costs. It’s looking like September 2016 will be the end of treatment, and that’s when he’s scheduled to start kindergarten. Hopefully he’ll be clear and able to start being a normal kid.

How does cannabis help Silas? Cannabis helps him eat, and stay active. Different strains help him sleep. We’ve done a lot of research, and believe that cannabis kills cancer cells. Combining chemotherapy with cannabis treatment, I feel will give him the best possible outcome.

How does Silas medicate? We use full extract cannabis oil. We don’t use the Rick Simpson Oil method because we don’t use isopropyl alcohol we only use organic, food grade alcohol for Silas’ medicine. He can have an edible, but we try to limit his sugar as much as possible. We feed him the best possible diet we can.

What other medications does he take? It’s about three pages long. He takes an oral chemotherapy every day and a more aggressive chemotherapy every Tuesday. He gets chemo through his port once a month. He has a lumbar puncture with intrathecal chemo every three months. He takes a steroid pulse, twice a day, every day for five days, every month. He also has other daily medications and rescue meds we give him when he has a seizure. His medication profile is very extensive.

What do you want people to know about being a CannaMom? People think that we just sit

“We’re basically doing our own clinical trials. If it weren’t for social media, we wouldn’t be able to do that. I don’t care about the negativity that comes to me; it’s all about Silas and doing what’s best for him.”

around on Facebook, but the reality is you’re making connections and doing research for your child. We’re basically doing our own clinical trials. If it weren’t for social media, we wouldn’t be able to do that. I don’t care about the negativity that comes to me; it’s all about Silas and doing what’s best for him.

How is Silas feeling today? He’s having a rough day, he had chemo through his port this afternoon, and that’s aggressive. He had two smaller seizures this morning so I’ve been on high alert with that. Every day is different. We try to track it and find the patterns, but you’re always on your toes. c

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California Cannabis Policy Reform The Ballot Measure Rundown by Sean Donahoe

Twenty years after medical cannabis was approved by voters with the passage of Proposition 215, Californians are going to be asked (again) to take the next big leap, to legalize the adult use of cannabis. The stage was indisputably set by the ground-breaking Proposition 19 six years ago, which earned more votes than the Republican candidate for Governor but came up short at the ballot

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box due to a spooked political class, low youth turnout and an unconvinced cannabis industry. After moving the ball forward, four states and D.C. have since legalized, with four to seven states currently slated for legalizing recreational this year, and two or more slated to pass medical cannabis ballot measures. With the strong promise of legalization of cannabis in California over the past few years, a total of 19 state ballot initiatives were created, all with

the intent of giving California its best chance at fairly legalizing cannabis. As time passed, initiatives slowly dropped from the race to legalize—currently leaving us with only four more initiatives fighting for your vote. 2016 will be a very, very big year for cannabis policy reform, and the remaining initiatives are California’s last hope in creating a better future for cannabis. Here’s a breakdown of the remaining initiatives and what they’re bringing to the table. >>


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Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) (15-0103) This is the “consensus” ballot measure, also known as the Control Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Initiative, drafted and funded by Sean Parker and Weedmaps’ Justin Hartfield, and promoted by the Drug Policy Alliance and the Marijuana Policy Project, which can now claim a broad coalition has backed it (after amendments were accepted). This ballot measure is 62 pages long and funded by national organizations, high net worth individuals and also supported by the California Cannabis Industry Association.

Pro: Professionally managed, this measure gives the best-funded chance for allowing businesses to receive adult use licenses. It allows for private use for adults over 21, and claims it is “the toughest regulations of any adult-use marijuana proposal submitted to date—in the interests of protecting children and preventing diversion to the illegal market.”

Con: Creates the potential for different standards throughout California, allows cities and counties to set local bans without a vote of the people, and transporting or gifting more than an ounce would remain a criminal offense. Allows for single corporate entities to hold all license types and be fully vertically integrated. Taxation at multiple levels may discourage consumers from leaving the illicit market.

Find out more at: www.letsgetitrightca.org

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Marijuana Control Legalization Revenue Act (MCLR) (15-0120) The MCLR, aka California Marijuana Control, Legalization and Revenue Initiative, was initially crafted in an “open source” manner as an editable-byanyone Google Doc which went through revision after revision for three years, as various policy concepts were studied by grassroots activists, reformers and small business supporters. The ultimate work product of these efforts, however, resulted in Version 7.0 being a streamlined legalization language with a one-page signature form to print at home, collect five signatures, and then mail back to the campaign.

Pro: Would legalize for adults over 21 and create a statewide set of standards for adult use cannabis and its cultivation, manufacture, sales and usage. Would not allow local governments to ban cannabis activities without a local vote of the people. Implementation would be left to the legislature.

Con: Run by political outsiders, it is still unclear where funding to gather signatures and pay for the campaign will come from, unclear whether this generally more permissive language will encourage increased opposition spending. Implementation would be left to the legislature.

Find out more at: MCLR.us

ReformCA (15-0075) This is a ballot measure developed by the board, staff and hired consultants of the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform after two years of town hall meetings, stakeholder outreach and public opinion polling. Oaksterdam University Chancellor Dale Sky Jones and NAACP chair Alice Huffman, among other notable supporters, are proponents for this initiative. In late 2015, a majority of the board members split from ReformCA and individually endorsed AUMA. However, despite that fact, this initiative is technically still in the running. No documentation confirms that ReformCA has given up hope just yet.

Pro: Would legalize for adults over 21 and create a statewide set of standards for adult use cannabis and its cultivation, manufacture, sales and usage. Would not allow local governments to ban cannabis activities without a local vote of the people. More reasonable taxation policies to encourage small businesses.

Con: This organization did not gain support from national reform organizations or their significant donors. It was unable to implement its small donor fundraising strategy, and did not receive significant backing from grassroots activists or cannabis industry leaders. It may or may not continue its journey to November ballot.

Find out more at: ReformCA.com

California Cannabis Hemp Initiative (15-0050) Roughly speaking, this is the “free the weed” measure supported by purists, some grassroots activists, and a loose coalition of decadeslong supporters. This measure is affectionately known as The Jack Herer Initiative, the Marijuana and Hemp Legalization Initiative, or simply CCHI, and is inspired by Jack Herer and other vanguard activists. Although it has received much less favor by potential voters in comparison to competing initiatives, it is still in the running, and is currently working on collecting signatures up until April 20.

Pro: Would create the least restrictions regarding cannabis and would liberate those incarcerated for cannabis offenses. The initiative’s longevity and legacy of activism is impressive, and it should be applauded for the honesty and truth of its vision.

Con: CCHI has not presented its passion for cannabis legalization in a way that allowed it to gain notable followers of the general public, unlike its competitors. Was unable to successfully promote previous older versions of the initiative, and failed to reach the ballot multiple times in the past. It may or may not continue its journey to November ballot.

Find out more information: cchi2016.org


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Photos Š Jay Blakesberg Photography


erome John “Jerry” Garcia was a larger than life figure, the musical and spiritual leader of the Grateful Dead—a band so beloved that many fans devoted their lives to following them from show to show. And when he died, millions mourned as if they had lost a family member. Originating as the house band of the mid-‘60s San Francisco acid freak-out, the Grateful Dead built a cult following of stoners and vagabonds, flower children and closet

deadheads with day jobs. By the late 1980s, the travelling circus was so huge it could stop a city in its tracks. And Garcia was the driver, “Uncle Jerry” or “Captain Trips,” whose wildly improvisational guitar style melted the minds of generations of fans. He also shared his fans’ love of cannabis; when the house lights at a Dead show went down, the whole audience lit up. But it was heroin Garcia was battling when he checked himself into rehab after a summer 1995 tour. He died there of a heart attack at the age of 53. More than 20 years later, the music is as popular as ever, kept alive by a voluminous

online archive of concert recordings; surviving band members who have continued to tour in various incarnations; and dedicated fans who refuse to let go. Some 70,000 of them turned out in the summer of 2015 when the band played what was billed as their last show together, ever. CULTURE recently caught up with two of Garcia’s four children, Trixie, 40, who represents the Garcia family in the Grateful Dead organization; and Annabelle Garcia, 44, an artist and painter. They talked about the man behind the songs and why his music will never go away. >>

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What is your earliest memory of the Grateful Dead? Trixie: I suppose it was probably being surrounded by people dancing and spinning and hugging and stuff like that. I just remember a general air of festivity, just being in the crowd, seeing everybody you know, that kind of thing. Annabelle: It’s probably my very first memory period. I have a memory of being held in my mom’s arms and looking out over an audience and my dad on stage, so probably like one year old. What was it like to go to the concerts, to see the way people revered your father and his music? Trixie: It made Jerry uncomfortable, the way some people fixated on him. To me, I was always fascinated . . . I used to just sit on the side of the stage and watch the peoples’ faces, watch them go through the motions of a song or I’d find that one person who is really dancing their heart out and just be amazed by how free they were, how expressive they were, and how enraptured they were. How did Jerry balance the constant touring and spending time with his family? Trixie: I don’t know that he did a great job of balancing

From left to right: Mountain Girl AKA Carolyn Adams, Trixie Garcia, Sunshine Kesey and Annabelle Garcia

those things. It was kind of a given that music was his life. That is his purpose. That is his thing and I never really held it against him, for being on the road, because I didn’t really know any different. He wasn’t a perfect person. He was very human and I think he was so exhausted when he got off the road he had to rest for a while. Annabelle, at his funeral you called him “a great American but a shitty father.” Annabelle: He was a shitty father but he was also my best friend. He never made me brush my teeth or do

Uncle Jerry’s Story 1942 August 1 – Jerome John Garcia is born in San Francisco, CA to Jose Ramon “Joe” Garcia and Ruth Marie “Bobbie” Garcia, joining older brother Clifford “Tiff” Ramon.

1947 Spring – A wood chopping accident with his older brother at the Garcia family cabin causes Jerry

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to lose much of the middle finger on his right hand at the age of five.

Winter Jerry’s father drowns while on a fishing trip. 1950 Jerry and Tiff

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move to live with their maternal grandparents for five years. It is during this time that he explores his creativity and begins playing the five-string banjo.

He sacrificed pretty much everything to keep playing, because that’s what he understood best. my homework, none of that. He was like the most killer friend you could have as a kid growing up. He never wanted to sell himself as a great father, like, “Who am I to tell you what

to do, kid?” He just could not be a parent in that way. Jerry has been called a workaholic when it came to music. Do you agree? Annabelle: Completely dedicated to the task. He sacrificed pretty much everything to keep playing because that’s what he understood best. He wasn’t really cut out to be anything else other than this creative exultation of music and spirit. It’s pretty awesome on that level. He’s my dad but he’s also this positive force for so many other people that you kind of separate the two in your head a bit. >>

to his disappointment. He exchanges it for an electric guitar and amplifier, and his stepfather soon introduces him to an open-tuning style.

over his hobby of painting and drawing.

1962

1960 April – Jerry enlists in the U.S. Army at age 17.

1957 August 1 – On his 15th birthday, Jerry receives an accordion,

December – Jerry is discharged from the Army on the basis of “lack of suitability to the military lifestyle.”

1961 February 20 – Jerry narrowly survives a major car accident, which he cites as a “slingshot for the rest of [his] life.” This revelation causes him to choose the guitar

Spring – Jerry and Phil Lesh meet during a party in Menlo Park. Phil later suggests recording one of Jerry’s performances to broadcast on local radio station KPFA. The recording lead to a 90-minute special broadcast, “The Long Black Veil and Other Ballads: An Evening with Jerry Garcia.”


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It’s no secret that cannabis was everywhere at Dead shows. Did your parents try to shelter you from it? Trixie: No, not at all . . . I was sheltered from hard drugs, cocaine and heroin and stuff like that, but not from cannabis. And drunk people were definitely not welcome around the scene. Annabelle: We were rolling weed when we were kids because little tiny fingers could clean up stems and seeds better. Every kid I grew up with, we all have the skill of digging the seeds out, which is a lost skill nowadays. I have very fond memories of the smell of weed, everything about marijuana. My mom wrote the first book about how to grow at home, called The Primo Plant, and we were part of her experimental garden, so it was totally 100 percent with us our whole lives.

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How do you think he’d feel about it being sold legally in stores? Trixie: He’d be amazed. It’s such a huge deal for everybody who watched their friends spend their lives in prison for an ounce or whatever . . . There are so many things Jerry would be delighted about these days and weed for the people is definitely one of them. Annabelle: He was a firm believer in using cannabis and our culture to kind of further his own ability to explore the guitar. It was a huge part of how they got to where they were . . . It was one of the reasons he decided to have fun instead of becoming a really square, normal person. He got turned on early and realized there was a more positive way to get things done than the grind. I think weed in general was kind of the seed for all of that. >>

There are so many things Jerry would be delighted about these days and weed for the people is definitely one of them.


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1963 Spring – Jerry and Sara Ruppenthal form Jerry & Sara. They marry later that same year.

perform their first show as the house band at a Ken Kesey Acid Test in San Jose, CA.

1966 Jerry joins the Zodiacs formed by Bill Kreutzmann, with Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and Troy Weidenheimer.

Annabelle Garcia and Jerry Garcia

How do you explain the Dead’s popularity more than 20 years after Jerry’s death? Trixie: I think there’s just something timeless about the music they composed and played. Hopefully going forward, like a fine wine, it’s just going to become more and more special as time goes on. The whole Baby Boomer generation, this is the music of their lives and everyone is trying to reconnect with that time when they felt connected with something, a bigger picture, and that’s why the Grateful Dead has such an enduring legacy. Annabelle: I met so many amazing 18-year-old kids last year at shows . . . and I ask them, “How did you come across the Grateful Dead? You’ve got tattoos? You’re only 18.” And they say it’s the one thing that made them feel like they belong somewhere. The fact that it still has that value is really humbling to be a part of on our end. How did it feel to see so many people come together to celebrate the legacy of Jerry and the Dead (at last year’s concert?) Annabelle: I had a great time. It was amazing, incredibly sentimental and overwhelming on too many levels I can’t even put into words. I was sad at first, and by the end of it I was so happy with this incredible spirit 126

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that was going on with the crowd . . . Here’s 70,000 people having this incredible moment together and it’s hard not to tear up talking about it. Jerry’s guitar style has been credited with helping to create an entire genre of music, jam rock. Do you see that as his greatest musical legacy? Trixie: That’s definitely a thing. But he was composing. His playing style was amazing and he wrote that music. We have (The Jerry Garcia Symphony Tour) and we’ve orchestrated a lot of the music Jerry and (lyricist Robert) Hunter composed and it’s fabulous with an orchestra and it really makes me appreciate Jerry as a composer and to think about what he might have accomplished had he lived longer and branched out, done more jazzy stuff, symphonic stuff. Annabelle: That’s the kind of stuff that will get you shot on some corners of HaightAshbury (Laughs). On one hand, he was a great improvisational guy. He was out there. On the other hand he wrote some of the most amazing guitar riffs, perfect power pop songs. He’s part of this gigantic cultural movement . . . I don’t think we’re going to know for a few hundred years his true impact, or this band’s impact. >>

Fall – Jerry forms The Black Mountain Boys with friends David Nelson and Eric Thompson.

December 8 – Daughter, Heather, is born to Jerry and Sara.

1964 Spring – Jerry joins Bob Weir, Pigpen McKernan, Dave Parker, Tom Stone and Dave Garbett as Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions.

October – Jerry and the rest of the band move into a communal house on Ashbury Street in San Francisco, CA. It becomes a fixture on the local music scene, and provides free concerts throughout the year and a half they all lived there. This leads to the Grateful Dead performing more free concerts than any other band in history.

December Jerry starts dating Carolyn Adams, also known as Mountain Girl, after she breaks off her marriage to George Walker, a member of the Merry Pranksters.

1969

1965 May 5 – Jerry joins Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Pigpen McKernan and Bob Weir to perform first gig as The Warlocks at Magoo’s Pizza in Menlo Park, CA.

December 4 – The Warlocks change their name to Grateful Dead, and

May – Jerry enters his “pedal steel flirtation period,” which continues through to 1974. During this time he records one of the best known steel solos on Crosby, Stills & Nash’s “Teach Your Children.”

August 7 – Jerry joins New Riders of the Purple Sage, and continues to be a member of the band until November 1971.

August 23 – Jerry appears on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine for the first of 12 total covers.

1970 January 20 – Jerry records his only solo electric guitar performance at MGM Studios in Los Angeles, CA, for the movie Zabriskie Point.

February 2 – Mountain Girl gives birth to Garcia’s second daughter, Annabelle Walker Garcia.

September 7 – The band Jerry Garcia & Merl Saunders is formed.

1973 March 2 - Jerry performs with John Kahn, David Grisman, Peter Rowan and Richard Green as Old & in the Way, for the first time, at the Record Plant in Sausalito, CA.

1974 April 20 – Jerry joins Richard Green, David Grisman, Taj Mahal and David Nichtern as The Great American String Band, and make their debut performance at the Pilgrimage Theater in Hollywood, CA.


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thing. Just a hilarious person. He could’ve been a great stand-up comedian. Trixie: He had this way of kind of not giving a f*ck and also being like really happy and amused about it. He was always finding the joke, finding the way to make it not heavy. It was just nice to be around him. He was also a great artist. He also innovated all these business models for the music industry, with free shows, and (audience) recording. It’s a large impact he’s had in our culture.

Lauren Parish, Trixie Garcia, Jerry Garcia and Steve Parish

How do you remember him best, as the father, the guitar player, the friend? Annabelle: The father, for sure, the giggler, the sly chuckler. He could crack a joke in under point-zero seconds and devastate anyone with the most hilarious joke you ever heard, yet with a benevolent smile. The smile is the first

September 21 Mountain Girl gives birth to Garcia’s third daughter, Theresa Adams “Trixie” Garcia. 1975 January 23 – Legion of Mary, consisting of Jerry, Merl Saunders, John Kahn, Martin Fierro and Ron Tutt, hold their first public performance at Sophie’s in Palo Alto.

August 5 – Jerry performs under the name Jerry Garcia Band for the first time, alongside John Kahn, Nicky Hopkins and Ron Tutt at Keystone in Berkeley, CA.

1977

Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

a near-fatal diabetic coma for five days, after which he has to relearn the guitar.

1979 January 30 – Reconstruction, featuring Jerry, John Kahn, Merl Saunders, Ed Neumeister, Ron Stallings and Gaylord Birch, make their first public appearance at The Keystone in Berkeley, CA.

1980 December 31 – Jerry and Mountain Girl marry.

1982 April 13 – Jerry and Bob Weir appear for the first time on Late Night with David Letterman.

April 21 – Jerry Garcia & John Kahn is formed.

December 15 – The Grateful Dead return to performing five months after Jerry emerges from his coma.

1987 Named in tribute to Jerry, ice cream-makers Ben & Jerry’s release Cherry Garcia.

March – Jerry records a number of radio commercials for Levi’s 501 jeans.

November 5 – Jerry appears in the movie

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Were you worried about his declining health in his last years? Trixie: We were all worried and I’d hear stories from the road about how bad he looked and it was progressing, but what do you do? . . . Drugs are bad. Heroin and coke are bad news. Stick with your psychedelics and weed. Annabelle: We would have interventions and he would promise to be better and he would try. He just wasn’t into accepting how bad he felt or how sick he was. I certainly witnessed a whole lot of pain out there on the road because those years were his declining health years. Then he got the reprieve after his coma (in 1986) and had this amazing rebirth. Then I think he kind of gave

1986 July 10 – Jerry lapses into

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March 17 – The Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band

up after that. He’d been through a lot, health-wise. He really wasn’t as strong as everyone seemed to think. He was kind of a frail guy. After Jerry’s death, there was a great outpouring of grief, public gatherings in cities around the country and world. What does that say about how Jerry and his music impacted people? Trixie: People still come up to me and cry about how much they miss Jerry, 20 years later. He meant more to many people then their own families, for whatever reason, for that experience they had with him in the audience that one time, or whatever it was, these deep emotional connections. It’s overwhelming how deeply connected the fans are. Do you find yourself comforting fans or do you cry together? Trixie: We cry together . . . I’m helping to help manage Jerry’s legacy so I’m trying to desensitize myself with exposure, so I can enjoy a concert without crying, which is very difficult for me. But I went to see Prince last night and I cried there too, so maybe it’s just not a Grateful Dead thing. c

makes their first public appearance at The Fillmore during a benefit concert for Artists Rights Today.

February 14 – Jerry and Deborah Koons marry on Valentine’s Day in Sausalito, CA.

December 20 – Jerry’s partner, Manasha, gives birth to his youngest daughter, Keelin Noel Garcia.

1990 December 17 – Jerry and David Grisman perform together for the first time publicly at Sweetwater in Mill Valley, CA.

1994 January 19 – The Grateful Dead is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1995 August 9 – Jerry passes away at Serenity Knolls Treatment Center in Forest Knolls, CA, at age 53.

August 13 – Jerry is celebrated by 25,000 friends and family at a public memorial in Golden Gate Park. Memorial spans the nation as people all over mourn his passing.


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People still come up to me and cry about how much they miss Jerry, 20 years later. He meant more to many people then their own families, for whatever reason, for that experience they had with him in the audience that one time, or whatever it was, these deep emotional connections. It’s overwhelming how deeply connected the fans are. 130

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When Dennis McNally was hired by his idol—Jerry Garcia—the on-the-job training was brief.

“First, we don’t suck up to the press.” “That about covers it—here, smoke this.”

Dennis McNally and Jerry Garcia at a United Nations Press Conference for a benefit for the Rainforest, 1988.

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True story, says McNally, who ran the Grateful Dead’s publicity machine— such as it was—from 1980 until the band’s demise after Garcia’s death. He has written multiple books on music history and authored a book called A Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead. He also wrote the definitive work on the history of the band and last fall published Jerry on Jerry: The Unpublished Jerry Garcia Interviews. McNally gave CULTURE a few minutes recently to reminisce about the legend. >>


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Joining the Dead organization, what was Jerry like, compared to how you saw him from the audience? The impression we got in the audience was who he was. He had his dark side and he had his demons but he kept them to himself. When it came to associating with people he was almost always a gentleman. (Rock promoter) Bill Graham once said that the only two people that he knew of in the rock and roll business who were the same versus in later years, after which time they became famous and quite rich were Pete Townshend (from The Who) and Jerry Garcia. Jerry was curious about the rest of the world, interested in other people from when he was an impoverished banjo picker to the day he died. How did the travelling audience build up? 134

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The idea of running off to join the circus—it was the last circus, the last opportunity to run off and join the circus. In reaction to the Reagan era, lots of people did, which began the era of the deadhead. It was a cultural phenomenon. There had been fans in the ‘60s and ‘70s but the stereotype of hordes of people in tie-dye following the band from city to city, that’s a product of the ‘80s. How did Jerry handle becoming an icon for all these legions of fans? People would say, “These kids, they’re devoting their entire lives to the Grateful Dead.” He said, “Well so am I.” As it went on, it became something of a burden, where there were 50 employees and their families and they all needed work and a paycheck. There was a part of him that wanted to permanently be Huck Finn,

with a guitar in his hands and joint in his mouth, not terribly responsible. And he became responsible not only to his employees but to a million deadheads who demanded he give them a musical fix 80 nights a year and that wore on him and is one of the reasons why he self-medicated. Why do you think the music remains so popular? He was genuinely charismatic. He was a truly great musician. The Grateful Dead brought two things. They brought this interesting mix of rock and roll musical modes with jazz-style improvisation that nobody else has really ever quite done . . . Along with an enjoying sense of community that lasts to this day. That community, that connection with the audience, really developed when the Grateful Dead, all of them, went to the (mid-’60s San Francisco) Acid Tests and experienced

this thing where they weren’t the show. Everybody in the room was the show. They were simply the soundtrack and they related to their audience as equals and partners and there was at least a pinch of that with the Grateful Dead for the next 30 years. And that’s powerful. That’s what created the community and nurtured the community. You recently published a volume of interviews with Jerry. What might surprise deadheads in those interviews? His conversation about what’s going on in his brain when he’s improvising is an articulation of things that I didn’t even know can be articulated and certainly that only he could ever articulate and I found it absolutely fascinating . . . I never dreamed he would take my question and run with it for four or five minutes. c


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REVIEWs

collective highlight

Cookie Co 415 3139 Mission St., San Francisco, 94110 www.thecookieco415.com

How and when did your collective start up? We have been open three years this month. We started up when we realized San Francisco patients didn’t have any “cookies” options. We wanted to bring top quality medicine at a lower price.

How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? The industry has shifted more toward medical CBD rather than THC-dominant strains. We would love to see the industry continue on its path toward legalization and medical relief for all who need it. What are the biggest challenges

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you face in this industry as a collective? Biggest joys? The biggest challenge we face in the industry is dealing with patients who come in with out of state recommendations. So many states are going towards legalization and it would be nice to have all rules and regulations under one umbrella. What is the one thing you want patients to know about your collective? We’ve got the Fire!

Top Selling Strain: Gorilla Glue #9 Top Selling Concentrate: Yoda Shatter Top Selling Edible: Koala T Edibles 110mg $5 cookies

We have all sorts of CBD and THC medicines that are perfect for all levels of all patients. If someone wanted to open a collective and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? Some advice for new people in the industry would be to make sure you have a great team behind you before you start, farmers, budtenders, packaging teams and marketing groups. All these tools help you thrive. c


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REVIEWs

advocate highlight

Sean Major Occupation: I am an active duty Wounded Warrior at the Wounded Warrior Battalion. It is my responsibility to attend various medical appointments associated with my 33 medical conditions. It is also my responsibility to enroll in adaptive sports and focus on my future.

When and how did you become an advocate for cannabis? A part of the requirements here at the Wounded Warrior Battalion is to complete an internship, but I want to work in the cannabis industry, so that creates a huge grey area. I attended THC University and gained a number of certificates for the cannabis industry. After a detailed assessment of my character, I became the first and only active duty service member given permission to work in the cannabis industry.

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How has cannabis benefited your life? My father is an Army vet and I unknowingly witnessed a huge change in him as he medicated with cannabis in the ‘90s. I lived with my grandparents in 2005 and found out they both medicated as well. While living with my grandparents I utilized horticulture as a form of therapy before I even knew what horticulture was. I created a garden for myself and I absolutely fell in love with the art of gardening. Being at the Wounded

Warrior Battalion, I see other Wounded Warriors completely zombified on some of these drugs. It really digs deep to see all these pills being consumed by those I wish to deploy with. Waking up every morning with a routine to take 12-plus pills is disgusting. You can’t even eat a full breakfast because you drank so much water just to get the pills down. Cannabis saved my life by giving me hope in a time where there are an average of 23 veteran suicides daily. Cannabis gives me a sense of purpose. I’m blessed with >>


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“Cannabis saved my life by giving me hope in a time where there are an average of 23 veteran suicides daily. Cannabis gives me a sense of purpose.”

the knowledge and passion that can create medicine for those who need it most. I can be a liberator for those who liberate our beautiful country. My guys often remind me to take care of myself. I know I’m a recovering service member, but doing things for others makes me feel more capable. I may have a hard time with a lot of daily activities, but I can grow some amazing relief and teach those in need how to do

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it for themselves. I’m giving a man a fish to eat for a day while also teaching him how to be self sustainable for life. What’s your greatest achievement for the cannabis cause? Simply put, I’m the first and only active duty service member given permission to work in the cannabis industry and I’ve submitted my state physician’s recommendation

for medical marijuana into the navy medical files. Who do you look up to or admire? I admire a lot of people. I would feel disrespectful to just name a few and leave someone out. I have this philosophy to take things I like about people and introduce those qualities into personality. If we are talking about cannabis, there are so many marijuana idols I

have, it will blow your mind. I have items that influenced my actions today that had nothing to do with cannabis. My grandmother is an amazing woman and she has been supportive this entire time with everything I’ve done. She supported me in my choice to defend the constitution and she supports my choice to provide herb for heroes. If you could change one thing about the way cannabis is viewed and/ or treated right now, what would it be? I’m going to make a few people upset but I really want our image with cannabis. And when I say “our,” I’m talking about the cannabis community itself. We advocate for change and fight for the right to be true Americans and enjoy our lives, yet we sometimes create a negative image that makes it take longer to progress. Cannabis is a beneficial herb with life-saving and lifechanging medicinal properties . . . but if we name a strain “Alaskan Donkey Poop,” we aren’t making things any easier on the cause. Cannabis saves lives. Cannabis is a safe alternative to alcohol. These two statements are completely different conversations. Separate the two for the benefit of the patient. c


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REVIEWs

For More Products Go To www.iReadCulture.com

3. RYOT® Utility Tool

1. Dabsolute Concentrate Pen

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Hand crafted in America, the Dabsolute Concentrate Pen is guaranteed not to disappoint users. Its patented airflow and coil design is guaranteed to prevent the pen from clogging so you won’t have to get a replacement. Other features include its stainless steel body with high heat ceramic components that guarantee its lifetime warranty. Easy to use, the Dabsolute Concentrate Pen is attractive in design and will vaporize any wax, oil or shatter if battery wattage is adjusted accordingly. All one has to do to ensure the pen lasts a lifetime is clean the unit every so often and enjoy! PRICE: $150.00 MORE INFORMATION: thedabsolutepen.com

2. Mighty Fast Herbal Infuser Making cannabis-infused edibles doesn’t get any easier than using the Mighty Fast Herbal Infuser. In three easy steps, this convenient machine takes the guess work out of making cannabis extracts for all cooking needs. The Mighty Fast Herbal Infuser has three settings that allow users to determine how long they would like to infuse their base of choice, giving an accurate dosage each time. To make things easier, the infuser has a “Mighty Clean” setting, which does a pre-cleaning of the machine after each usage (some hand cleaning is required). Small and convenient, the Might Herbal Infuser is great for cannabis cooks at all levels of expertise. PRICE: $159.95 MORE INFORMATION: theherbalinfuser.com

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4

RYOT® has just released what many are calling the Swiss army knife of the 420 market—but technically it’s called the RYOT® Utility Tool. This new tool has everything a dabber or smoker needs. Whether it be poking, scraping, dabbing, scooping, cutting, grinding, drinking or anything where having the right tool makes all the difference. The hardened stainless steel lightweight construction can easily be carried around in your pocket and has a variety of useful essential tools for everyone. As an additional bonus, the tool comes with a slick silicone case with a built in wax storage jar. The RYOT® guys really thought this one through and there is no mistake this will soon be a cannasseur’s household item! MORE INFORMATION: www.volotrading.com

4. O.penVAPE 2.0 Variable Voltage Pen

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The innovative product development team at O.penVAPE is poised to shake up the market with the launch of their latest dynamic device. The new 2.0 Variable Voltage Battery allows consumers to suit their preferred taste and intensity of experience by changing voltage settings. The new multi-function battery enables selection from four different settings. They range from 2.5V-4.0V, and have a wax mode to use with your favorite concentrates, the variable voltage settings are designed for optimal performance with the original O.penVAPE cartridge, O.penVAPE Reserve and the newest Craft Reserve (debuting this month). The O.penVAPE 2.0 Variable Voltage battery pairs perfectly with each cartridge to provide the finest experience in vaping today. PRICE: $30.00 MORE INFORMATION: www.openvape.com


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REVIEWs

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7. GLÓ™ Portable Dab Nail

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The Gló™ wireless electronic dab nail was designed by cannabis minded engineers to deliver a better concentrates experience. The compact fireless e-torch can heat to 600 degrees in mere seconds, so concentrates get vaporized with no direct flames or harmful petro-chemical residues. If you love concentrates, you should get to know Gló™. PRICE: $165.00 MORE INFORMATION: gloproduct.com

5. Delta 9 Vape Pen For all natural products made without butane or chemical extractions Delta 9 is the way to go. With a sleek design Delta 9 vape pens are small enough to fit in your pocket and come in a variety of 10 different flavors. Easily refillable, Delta 9 vape pen cartridges are disposable and each new cartridge comes with a new atomizer head, to ensure a smooth and consistent vape each time. FDA approved, Delta 9 offers an effective vaping experience with a variety of delicious flavors to choose from with each cartridge containing 400mg of THC with approximately 3.2mg of THC per puff. MORE INFORMATION: delta9.com

6. Haze Dual Vape 3 Allowing users to customize their vaping experience, Haze Dual Vape 3 has a variety of settings to choose from. With interchangeable mouthpieces, two different heat settings and impressive compatibility with dry herb, oils and concentrates, this vape pen is remarkable. An upgrade from the Haze Dual Vape 2.5, the Haze Dual Vape 3 has a more precise temperature regulation system, and dry herb canister with a stainless steel perforated lid that allows a better air flow and heat distribution. With its added features and upgrades from past designs, the Haze Dual Vape 3 is a great tool for beginners and experienced vapers. PRICE: $249.99 MORE INFORMATION: hazevaporizors.com

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8. Brothership Glass 5

Founded by the creators of Mothership Glass, Brothership brings some of the most popular scientific designs in the world to the glass-loving masses. The Fabergé Egg (pictured on the top left), Straight Fab, Torus, and Brothership x Hive Honeypot can all be found at The Cave Smoke Shop in San Mateo. PRICE: $980 MORE INFORMATION: thecavesmokeshop.com

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REVIEWs

entertainment

BOOK

Getting High: Marijuana through the Ages John Charles Chasteen Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Working his way backward in time, author John Charles Chasteen takes an engaging look at cannabis’ global history, over the past 2,000 years. What feels like forbidden knowledge, Chasteen’s scholarly account of cannabis history is insightful and thorough, and dispels myths and misunderstandings about this controversial plant. He is able to place cannabis within larger historical patterns such as migration, colonialism and religion, and helps us understand a larger picture of how people have used cannabis most often as a spiritual, mind-expanding drug throughout our recorded human history. Regardless of your stance on cannabis, Getting High will give you a panoramic perspective on the history of this plant. (Alex Bradley)

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Release Date: April 5 Available on: Xbox One

MUSIC

GAME

Quantum Break Dev. Remedy Entertainment Pub. Microsoft Studios Quantum Break is a beautifully rendered third-person shooter that features a widely talented cast of actors. It boasts both a unique action-adventure plot, as well as a digital live-action series tie-in that coincides with the events of the story. After a time traveling experiment fails, time begins to break down at an alarming rate and during the chaos, the player must explore their newfound abilities that allow them to manipulate time in order to survive. Players can create a time shield that deflects bullets or instantly spawn at an enemy’s location for a melee takedown—the world is your timealtering oyster! (Nicole Potter)

MOVIE

The Hateful Eight Double Feature Films Dir. Quentin Tarantino Quentin Tarantino’s films have always been shocking, challenging, controversial and have reintroduced many long forgotten film styles and genres of the past. It should come as no surprise that his latest film, The Hateful Eight, would continue the director’s love affair with popular genres of the past and showcase his affinity for vintage Westerns. The Hateful Eight tells the story of eight strangers taking refuge from a winter storm in a rural inn, and how their situation intensifies and unravels throughout the course of the blizzard. Including an all-star cast, The Hateful Eight is certainly not one to be missed. (Simon Weedn)

Post Pop Depression Iggy Pop Loma Vista Recordings What Iggy Pop and Josh Homme deliver with Post Pop Depression is an album of tunes that seem more influenced and pointed at Pop’s early, Bowie produced, solo material, which was artsy and a bit avantgarde while still having its feet firmly planted in pop and "motor city" rock and roll. The result is a record that seems to recall the past, yet still sounds fresh and contemporary, and doesn’t find itself basking in any type of nostalgia trip. If this is to be Pop’s final album, it is as solid, bold and different as anything we might expect. (Simon Weedn)


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REVIEWs

strain, edible & concentrate Butter OG

Available at: Bay Area Safe Alternatives in San Francisco.

One of the best parts about living in the Bay Area is the guarantee of phenomenal examples of iconic cannabis strains. We’ve had great strains in Colorado, but give us Bay Area Safe Alternatives (BASA) Butter OG any day of the week, and we’ll be happy. This is indoor-grown, highly potent, hybrid cannabis flower that patients smoke or vape to instantly adjust stress levels and pain. OG Kush stands amongst the most popular, most diluted strains on the West Coast, but BASA’s Butter OG is the cream of the crop. Butter OG has the strain’s trademark lemony fuel aroma. It’s been perfectly harvested, dried, cured and stored. Grinding released thick waves of piney gas and syrupy lemon—so indulgent. These high-potency OGs have a strong, instant physical painrelieving, tension-releasing effects that bring on hunger, patients report.

Available wherever: MediZen products are carried.

Green Tea Lemonade Break out of traditional cannabis formulations and into your summer fun mode with this ultra-portable and discrete Green Tea Lemonade mix from MediZen. It packs 100 milligrams of THC, equal to ten, standard (10mg) doses. So you can mix a little in with your traditional tea, and save the rest for later thanks to the re-sealable foil pouch. MediZen uses organic kush and sour diesel cannabis oil extracted via CO2, which is very clean. MediZen also uses ServSafe-certified staff to prepare the mix—which looks like a lightly green-tinged drink mixer. It has a really enticing, zesty lemon flavor with tea undernotes and no cannabis medicine flavor. Patients ingest hybrid cannabis to get non-smoked management of anxiety, depression and body pain.

Available at: Barbary Coast in San Francisco.

Cherry Donuts Get ready for that new-new this 420: Cherry Donuts from San Francisco’s classiest dispensary, Barbary Coast. Cherry Donuts from Libra Seeds placed second in sativas in the Chalice Festival and crosses the super-rare TMK (Terrence McKenna) with Black Cherry Pie. Grown indoors, hydroponically—we were struck by the sample’s soul-meltingly divine cherry cream aroma. The bud was gigantic, and seemingly one giant, fused calyx of medium-green leaf, rusty pistils and perfectly ripe, gleaming capitate-stalked trichomes. Cherry Donuts smelled like cherry ground up, and smoked with a fuel finish and a cerebral creative effect, patients report. You’ll want a baker’s dozen.

Lemon Fuel OG San Francisco’s SFFOGG outlet serves fire with their Lemon Fuel OG top-shelf flower—a super-select cut of the popular strain. The high-potency sativa hybrid’s roots go back to Colorado’s Chemdawg, which is also a sativa. Chemdawg lends its biting, fuel smell to this bud’s near-light-bending waves of lemon aroma. This old-school cut of lemony OG had been exchanged through a small group of farmers in Mendocino for years, and was grown indoors with sustainable practices. Highly appealing, light-green, and crystalline—the buds were harvested at the perfect time, and properly dried and cured to preserve their explosive terpene-load. Grinding sent the lemon-fuel aroma off the charts, and lab testing by CW Analytical confirms Lemon Fuel OG is as maximally potent as it looks, with stress-relieving and hunger-inspiring effects.

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Available at: SFFOGG in San Francisco.


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REVIEWs

Lemon Head OG One of those flavors that patients never want to run out of—Lemon Head OG from Northstar Holistic Collective is a pristine cut of phenomenal phenotype of OG Kush. The flavor comes from a deep line-up of lemon-zapped OG Kushes—all chasing maximum lemon zest mixed with notes of pine and fuel. Lemon Head OG was grown indoors by the expert Bickey420 and crosses Goji OG to OG Kush. Our review buds lived up to their title with a terped-out, fiery, Lemon Pledge zest, undercut with nutty pepper. The buds were elegant, angular and immaculately manicured with nicely handled trichomes and zero bag smashing. Good luck keeping this stuff around—it’s such a versatile hybrid, generally dampening stress, lifting depression, providing pain relief and appetite support.

Available at: Various collectives throughout California.

Available at: Northstar Holistic Collective in Sacramento.

Bubster Shatter This high-THC shatter from Emerald Family Farms is now available throughout the Golden State. Bubster Shatter from Emerald Family Farms starts with flower from Dragon and Matches, who grew sativa-dominant hybrid of Super Silver Haze and Bubba Kush. Bubster is grown outdoors, 100 percent organic, salmon-safe, and herbicide and pesticide-free. The resulting extract is 0ppm, with a really solid, deep, gold color and very brittle viscosity at room temperature—a true shatter. The extract had little aroma and the hyper-potent vapor was munchie-free and great for neurological support. Patients are vaping high-THC hybrids for tons of ailments—particularly chronic pain, Multiple Sclerosis, chronic stress, and more rarely, glioblastoma, Hepatitis C and hypertension.

Super Sour Diesel Shatter High-tolerance daytime sativa lovers will enjoy this Super Sour Diesel shatter-type extract from Citadel Alternative Care. A product of Minds Eye extracts, the shatter came from a cross of the sativa Super Silver Haze and sativa hybrid Sour Diesel. Minds Eye subjected Super Sour Diesel flowers to solvent extraction, followed by purging— resulting in this glassine resin. This extract had great residual terpenes, and a semi-solid consistency, with really good clarity and consistency. The extract’s vapor smell and taste matched the strain—with hyper-strong sativa effects. Perfect for dabbing, vape pens and elsewhere, patients are using high-THC sativa extracts to irritable bowel diseases, ADHD and symptoms of alcoholism withdrawal.

Available at: Citadel Alternative Care in Sacramento.

Insomnia Relief Tincture

Available at: A Therapeutic Alternative in Sacramento.

A Therapeutic Alternative in Sacramento is taking on insomnia with the assistance of Alta California Botanicals and their Insomnia Relief Tincture for patients who are experiencing insomnia or having difficulty sleeping. This liquid extract of medical cannabis is high in the molecule Cannabinol CBN—which can act as a sedative which is why it is such a valuable medicine. Insomnia Relief Tincture has a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBN, with about 5mg of each in a dropper-full. It is used for Alzheimer’s agitation, dementia, insomnia, PTSD or even jet lag—this medical product is made from certified SafeCannabis, and also contain natural grape spirits, honey, botanicals and spring water. It has a sweet, spirit smell, and a green, cloudy consistency, and tastes sweet, with a toasted herbal medicine quality. Held in the mouth, the tincture can start working in minutes.

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REVIEWs

Purple Urkle Vallejo insomnia sufferers are rolling on through California Collective Care for cuts of the Northern California classic, Purple Urkle. Patients love indicas from the purple family for their sedative and analgesic qualities. Over decades, state breeders hybridized and adapted resinous, sleepy indicas from Afghanistan to the Golden State’s climate—selecting for potency, sweet, grape, skunk aroma and beauty. California Collective Care’s indoor cut of Purple Urkle is perfect for winding down 420, or any other night. Grinding unlocked these deeply grape, sweet and minty aromas. Purple Urkle smoked thick-bodied and flavorful, with instant and relaxing indica hybrid effects. Patients use purples to treat muscle and back pain, stress, depression and spasms.

Available at: Vallejo Relief Center in Vallejo.

Available at: California Collective Care in Vallejo

Dab Face Super Skunk Vallejo Relief Center in Vallejo is kicking it old-school on 420 with this Dab Face Super Skunk shatter—derived from a global cannabis classic. Now available throughout California, Dab Face has a huge line-up of extracts— from shatters to experimental CBD distillates. This Dab Face Super Skunk shatter looks really high-quality—transparent, amber-gold, with a brittleat-room-temp consistency. The extraction process, which involves solvent rinsing and vacuum-oven purging, vastly reduces the loud smell of iconic Super Skunk. However, the extract is extremely high-potency with hints of the skunky, earthy pungency of Super Skunk. Patients are dabbing or using shatter in vape pens to instantly manage chronic pain, stress and depression, among other conditions.

AbsoluteXtracts Gorilla Glue Vape Cartridge Strong, additive-free and supporting a good cause, AbsoluteXtracts of California continues to re-set the bar for pure, medical-grade cannabis products with this Gorilla Glue Vape Cartridge. Here AbsoluteXtracts takes a triple backcross of Diesel and some chocolate—Gorilla Glue—and grows it outdoors, locally and sustainably. A C02 extraction process yields this oil—which contains no additive and comes pre-packaged in a sleek cartridge for use with an AbsoluteXtracts re-chargeable battery, or another standard vape pen battery. Using it is as simple as drawing on the end for miro-dosed puffs of hybrid cannabis flower to manage pain, stress, insomnia and anxiety. Two dollars from every cartridge sold goes to the non-profit organization Grow for Vets.

Available wherever: AbsoluteXtracts products are carried.

Blue Dream Stoney Stick

Available wherever: Stoney Mountain Farms products are carried.

Perfect for weekend picnics when you don’t have time to roll, Blue Dream Stoney Sticks from Stoney Mountain Farms are the future of cannabis branding. A pre-roll is the perfect, simple, no-fuss format with excellent titration. Just one or more puffs, and within seconds patients can judge the effects. Branding pre-rolls is a perfect way to overcome their stigma. Stony Sticks are made from all-natural, sungrown outdoor as well as greenhouse and light-deprivation bud. The premium pre-roll is 100 percent flower, with no shake or bottom. The flip-top case is great for holding the rich Blue Dream terpenes in, and re-use. The cone had a nice, uniform look and the right, medium density. It smoked flavorful, mediumbodied and smooth, with medium strength. Blue Dream is a perfect daytime mix of Haze and Blueberry, great for daytime anxiety and stress. Comes in multiple strain varieties.

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REVIEWs

Y-Life Live Resin Shatter Forget the high life, give us that Y-Life. Vallejo Holistic Health Center is carrying some Y-Life Live Resin Shatter—a high-quality, shatter-type extract of Y-Life, which is directly sourced from the strain “The Y” from the Cookie Fam, the creators of the blockbuster strain Girl Scout Cookies, Sherbet and Gelato. This extract has a high terpene profile. Even sitting out at room temperature for a while, this shatter-type extract gives off the core notes of a hybrid indica kush. It’s very clear, pure and consistent, with a sap-like texture when warm, and brittle when cold. The extract dabs really smooth, and flavorful, with sweet berry fuel notes and instant effects. Patients dab high-THC indica hybrid extracts to treat muscle spasms, insomnia and nausea, among other ailments.

Available at: Vallejo Holistic Health Center in Vallejo.

Gold Coast Whitewalker OG Butter HTP Group’s supplies of Gold Coast Whitewalker OG Butter aren’t going to last long. Rarely do we come across such next-level smelling hash, with such perfect consistency and quality. Gold Coast took some extremely high-potency Whitewalker OG flowers—an indica phenotype of SFV OG that manages to be even more resinous—and must have done a nug run for only the finest, fresh trichomes, and then purged it perfectly. The OG terpenes knocked us down to the ground. The Butter dabbed out perfectly, and the ensuing vapor was like dabbing the essence of the OG bud—an apocalypse of flavorful and expert-only levels of THC.

Available at: HTP Group in Vallejo.

Gorilla Glue #4 Such a great mix of diesel and chocolate—Gorilla Glue #4 from Highway 29 Health Care is why this strain is heating up. Named for the way its resin locks up a grinder, our review cut of Gorilla Glue #4—which was a second place winner at Hempcon SF—offered a blizzard’s-worth of resin. The tiny Diesel-bred nugs (a mix of Sour Dubb, Chem Sis and Chocolate Diesel) didn’t need to be big—the terpenes and resin were larger than life. Perfectly dried and cured, Gorilla Glue #4 went great as an after-work and weekend-long strain with strong effects on chronic pain, insomnia and appetite.

Available at: Highway 29 Health Care in Vallejo.

Available wherever: Golden State Extracts are carried.

Golden State Extracts With the upsurge in the use of vapor pens, a veritable litany of products has flooded the market. Project CBD has warned that many of them contain solvents and other contaminants. Seeking to provide a potent and safe product, Golden State Extracts has produced a 100 percent pure CO2 oil. The natural flavors and benefits of cannabis are preserved through a low temperature supercritical CO2 extraction process to preserve the natural terpene profile. What Golden State Extracts doesn’t have is also important—no additives, flavorings and residual solvents. Available in a variety of sativas, indicas and hybrids, we sampled their flat top purple indica. A deep amber oil with a mild lemon flavor tingles the palette. With a lab tested 60 percent THC, the rapid action produces a clear-headed but intense elation. Golden State extracts will get you where you want to go effectively and discretely.

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Strawberry Banana San Francisco dispensary Medithrive returns to life as a brick and mortar business with the ideal party favorite—the aptly named, highly potent Strawberry Banana. It’s a DNA Genetics cross of Banana Kush and a strawberry phenotype of Bubblegum—yum! Though it’s a reported 70 percent indica—we loved the light, refreshing aroma during a weekend day. When ground, the medium-density, perfectly dried and cured bud turned to fruity white-green powder, and smoked light-bodied, and smooth with immediate head effects. Patients use hybrid flowers for a wide range of conditions including agitation from PTSD.

Available at: Medithrive in San Francisco.

Alchemy by Dark Heart - Awaken

Available wherever: Dark Heart products are carried.

Bay Area company Dark Heart sets the pace for product innovation with their experience-based line of pre-filled, blended cannabis oil cartridges. Their “Awaken” blend is a functional mix of C02 cannabis oil and lemon grass, cinnamon, rosemary, lemon, peppermint and black pepper. Handcrafted in Oakland, it’s Steep Hill Lab-tested for safety and consistency. The cannabis comes from Dark Heart’s community of farmers, and they test for terpene levels, cannabinoids and residual solvent to meet the highest standards for consumption. Served in a discreet and stylish pen, all you do is draw on the tip for a 30 percent THC functional effect. Alchemy has 750mg of oil, more than most 1/2 gram options on the market. Equivalent to a very potent joint. Sativa extract blends help some patients relieve stress and anxiety as well as improve cognitive performance and mood, while mint can act as a stimulant. For locations to purchase Alchemy, visit www.darkheartalchemy.com.

Ingrid Honor the strains that got us here this 420 with Ingrid from the Grass Roots collective in San Francisco. Ingrid is UK Cheese and Hash Plant, and UK Cheese is an old-school, first-generation indoor high-THC strain with an iconic cheese smell while Hash Plant was bred for its resin production. Grown indoors organically, Ingrid totally looks like a mix of the two: Big, resinous, light-green with orange pistils, medium-density and a real green, vegetal, mineral, tea smell underwritten by hints of cheese and incense. Grinding released much more sweet, cheesy skunk notes, which carry through to the mediumbodied hybrid smoke. This indica hybrid support appetite and can zap migraine, as well as treat dozens of other ailments, patients report.

Available at: Grass Roots in San Francisco.

Bombay Extracts Premium OG Kush Sugar Wax Available at: The Green Door in San Francisco.

Bomb’s away! Bombay Extracts Premium OG Kush Sugar Wax is a hyperpotent and elite formulation that comes from The Green Door—one of San Francisco’s premier outlets for medical cannabis flower and extracts. The artisans at Bombay Extracts clearly know their stuff. This is pristine Sugar Wax—granular, translucent and semi-solid with jewel-like clarity and consistency. Sugar wax is one of many textures and viscosities a cannabis extract can take, and results from the source strain and processing. The material is semi-dabbable and works great as a topper on flowers or in joints, wax pens and elsewhere. The extract vapes with pleasant OG Kush terpenes and hyper-potent THC effects. This premium sugar wax tests to 74.2 percent THC, and patients use high-THC vape extracts like this one to manage conditions like Crohn’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis without inhaling lots of flower smoke.

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Bickey’s Animal Cookies One of San Francisco’s newest dispensaries, Urban Pharm, charges out of the gate like an animal with these Animal Cookies, from grower Bickey420. A cross of Fire OG and Girl Scout Cookies, this indoor-grown cut is super-loud, colorful, and maximum-potency for taming the savage beast of nausea, PTSD-related insomnia and agitation. Animal Cookies is a foundational cut of the blockbuster strain, and Bickey420 went beast mode on this run. Super-dense patches of trichome heads twinkled in the light. The smoke was thick-bodied, fuel-tinged, and scrumptious, with mega-potent, relaxing indica hybrid effects. Prepare to sit and reflect a bit. High-tolerance patients vape and smoke high-THC Cookies hybrids for chronic stress, appetite and insomnia.

Available at: The Cookie Co 415 in San Francisco.

Available at: Urban Pharm in San Francisco.

Gorilla Glue #9 The rise of Gorilla Glue #4 begs the question, “Are there other numbered Gorillas?” It would seem so, holding this unique cut of Gorilla Glue #9 (GG#9) from The Cookie Co 415 on Mission Street in San Francisco. GG#4 is a trending sequel to one of cannabis’ greatest sellers—Sour Diesel. It’s a cross of Sour Dubb, Chem Sis and Chocolate Diesel—making for a chocolate take on the fuel line. For Diesel lovers, which is many millions, it’s a must-try. GG#9 has lots of the same color, but it’s far beefier than Diesel’s tiny nugs. Opening the bag unleashed this exhilarating, biting, peppery, nasal attack and grinding even more so. Perfectly cured and dried, we got a smooth diesely peppery hit—great for an aficionado’s brunch pre-game, as well chronic stress or a hangover.

Available at: Igzactly 420 in San Francisco.

True OG The longtime downtown San Francisco club, Igzactly 420 steps up to the plate with True OG—a smashingly sticky, pungent cut of the classic strain. True OG is Princess Farms’ 100 percent pure indica mixing perhaps Afghani, Pakistan, North India and Iran. This cut was grown indoors organically, and came out super-resinous and potent. The fresh, earthy and woody notes give way on grinding to pungent piney skunk. It’s lab-tested for potency terpenes and pathogens. Patients are vaping or smoking these indica flowers for chronic body pain, menstrual cramps, insomnia, migraines and other indications.

Gold Drop ACDC Oil Get ready to push the upper bounds of CBD therapy with this Gold Drop ACDC Crystalate from Harborside Health Center. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second-most common active molecule in cannabis. It doesn’t cause euphoria, and can potentially treat anxiety, seizures and many other conditions. GoldDrops sativa-dominant organic CBD-flowers were first ran by the Extractors at BlueRiver to extract and isolate the flowers volatile terpenes, then GoldDrop extracted the cannabinoid rich cannabis oil and refined it. Then added back the original delicate terpenes, crystallizing the extract with temperature and pressure. The resulting solvent-free oil is a futuristic, broad-spectrum cannabinoid crystalized distillate rich in the original strain-specific terpenes. It’s uplifting with strong pain relief effects. It’s also 0 parts per million solvent with 9 percent terpenes, 77 percent CBD and 6 percent THC. Easy to dab, with profound anti-anxiety effects.

Available at: Harborside Health Center in San Jose and Oakland.

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All-Star Jack Frost Prepare to “let it go!” Berkeley’s award-winning Berkeley Patients Group is stocked up for 420 with its heavily sought-after, hybrid flower All-Star Jack Frost. This frozen-looking phenotype of Jack Herer, White Widow, Northern Lights and Rainbow Kashmiri is a long-time favorite at the large, long-running East Bay dispensary. The City of Berkeley has some of the strictest quality assurance regulations in the nation, and it shows—All-Star Jack Frost is worldclass. We got lots of Jack’s luscious, candy-sweet aroma and the beautiful buds were perfectly dried and cured. This flower would be great both in a vape or in a bowl, as All-Star Jack Frost provides the perfect mix of energy and mental sedation, without extreme appetite. Some patients reports that it helps ward off migraines and inspire creativity.

Available at: 7 Stars in Richmond.

Available at: Berkeley Patients Group in Berkeley.

Purple Jaz Goo 7 Stars collective in Richmond has your 420 nightcap all lined up—the indica Purple Jaz Goo. California is in the middle of a Jah Goo/Afgooey/ Purple Goo craze, and for good reason. This Purple Jaz Goo has this bright, candy-sweet grape aroma that evokes Candy Jack—with deep purple coloring and unbeatable trichome density. Potential parent “Jah Goo” is a cross of Purple Jasmine and longtime strain Goo—likely a Thai sativa. Sativa genetics would explain the decreased density of this Purple. It’s perfectly dry and delicate and grinds up to smell, again, like a Candy Jack—indicating potential Northern Lights, Skunk and Haze roots. Purple Jaz Goo smokes medium-bodied with spice and sweet-hazey-purple taste, and instant hybrid effects. Patients are vaping such hybrids to instantly manage a number of conditions including anxiety and back and neck pain.

Old School Extracts GSC Shugga Shugga High-tolerance Girl Scout Cookies extract connoisseurs are going to stockpile this Old School Extracts GSC Shugga Shugga from Green Remedy Collective in Richmond. It’s got way more trademark GSC aroma than most rivals. The hash started with indoor GSC grown by Marin Cannabis Company, and hashed out by Old School Extracts, who used pharmaceutical-grade, pure propane solvent to preserve aroma by allowing for a lower purging temperature and time. The CW Labs-screened results are mouth-watering. We got GSC’s scrumptious, complex indica aroma. The GSC Shugga Shugga had a granular, semi-solid texture that was not sticky—working best in vape pens, or on bowls. The high-THC Shugga Shugga vaped up hyper-potent and rich in Cookies flavor, and can help manage anorexia, and cancer pain, patients report.

Available at: Little Trees Wellness in Arnold.

Available at: Green Remedy Collective in Richmond.

Happy Roots Medicated Caramels Little Trees Wellness of Arnold, out in Calaveras County is far from civilization, but still rocks some awesome infused foods like these Happy Roots Medicated Caramels. Each gluten-free, caramel contains 50mg of THC from hybrid cannabis. That’s five standard state doses, making it easy to titrate by biting off just a bit and waiting. The caramels are really high-quality, fresh and gooey—clearly handmade and artisanal. We loved the butter, sugary taste and the hint of herb oil folded in there. Patients love hybrid food infusions for treating dozens of conditions without smoking, including PTSD nightmares, muscle spasms and neuropathic pain.

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The Kicker Doodle Medical cannabis has advanced a lot in the last 19 years since California’s passed Prop 215 and kicked off a global revolution, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep it simple. Hugs Alternative Care in Sacramento eschews all hype and branding chicanery with The Kicker Doodle—a straight-up, 385 milligram THC snicker doodle cookie. That’s almost 40 state-regulated “doses” of THC— so patients need to use basic caution. There’s nowhere to hide that much THC, as the sweet, cinnamon and sugar cookie is second to the medicine we tasted. The Kicker Doodle is also an incredible bargain for patients on a budget who are eating cannabinoids for severe chronic intractable pain and inflammation.

Available at: Hugs Alternative Care in Sacramento.

Purple Punch Get ready for a knock-out. South Sacramento Care Collective carries Purple Punch from a group of growers called The Village. This team reportedly supplies the famous waterhash-maker Matt Rize with top-grade flowers for his extractions and we know why. This Purple Punch is literally caked in a layer of long, matted trichomes—the resin glands harvested during hash-making. Purple Punch had a super-bomb, floral, talcum powdery sugary grape aroma and is a Supernova Gardens cross of Grand Daddy Purple and Larry’s OG Kush. Grinding released smells of blueberry muffins, gummy worms and very-flavored blue Powerade. The 80 percent indica is perfect for late-night chronic pain, insomnia and PTSD.

Available at: South Sacramento Care Collective in Sacramento.

Mother Humboldt’s Balm Heal sore muscles and skin disorders naturally with Mother Humboldt’s award-winning Mother Humboldt’s Balm—available in Northern California. Mother Humboldt’s, Inc. is a veteran, highly regarded name in the now-surging topicals game. Both the skin and muscles contain nerve receptors stimulated by the active ingredients in cannabis. Mother Humboldt’s patented formula infuses sun-grown cannabis into coconut oil, vitamin E oil, arnica oil, calendula flower, glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. The greentinged, lightly herb-smelling balm is designed for rapid absorption and penetration and works within five to 10 minutes. Patients are using topical cannabinoids on arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, gout, fibromyalgia, neuralgia, shingles, restless leg syndrome, cancer, burns, bruising, menstrual cramps and general muscle aches and spasms.

Available wherever: Mother Humboldt’s products are carried.

Available wherever: O.penVAPE products are carried

O.penVAPE Craft RESERVE There’s a new sheriff in town, and that’s completely unrelated to Peyton Manning retiring. The folks at O.penVAPE have done it again with their transcendent Craft RESERVE line, pairing hand-selected cannabis with 100 percent cannabis-derived terpenes. Combined with their new variable voltage battery, testers were excited about the ability to change from 2.5v to 4.0v, finding new ways to enjoy their top of the line concentrates each time. Clear oil lead to supremely clean, tart apple flavored hits that left reviewers baffled it was actually a pen they were using. Bouncy and lively, we loved how chatty the cartridge left people, making it perfect for social settings.X

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REVIEWs

Blueberry Kush CO2 Crumble Boost your access to clean cannabinoids with this medical-grade extract of the indica hybrid Blueberry Kush cannabis flower. Patients are smoking Blueberry Kush to treat pain like diabetic neuropathy, insulin resistance and insomnia, among dozens of other ailments. Extracts allow for the same dose of cannabinoids without the smoke and irritants of burning. POP Naturals are industry leaders in clean extraction, using additive and co-solvent free methods to get this CO2 crumble. The resulting extract has the consistency of granular wax. It’s perfect for vape pens, atop bowls and in joints, and is dabbable as well. The extract has an ultra-light berry-spice flavor, with effects three times as strong as the strongest flower.

Available at: Canna Culture Collective in San Jose.

Sour Tangie THCA Powder The Guild in San Jose shimmers on the cutting edge of cannabinoid science with its 95.23 percent pure THC-A—the raw, acid form of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. THC-A does not cause psychoactivity—so it’s possible to ingest the therapeutically proven molecule for pain, inflammation, tremors, and insomnia, to name a few. Cannabinoid acids are regularly part of alternative cancer treatments as well. When vaped, this powder is four times as strong as the strongest flower. You can try to dab it, but it behaves like a dry powder and doesn’t dab up. You can vape it in a pen, or put it on a bowl to dramatically fortify the potency of flowers, but be prepared for lift-off. Lab-tested and solvent-free, the powder has a slight sweet sour citrus hash smell to it.

Available at: The Guild in San Jose.

Available at: Airfield Supply Co. in San Jose.

First-Class Cookies Prepare to be upgraded. With vertical integration mandatory in San Jose, the dispensary Airfield Supply Co. has got its in-house line of blueberry phenotype Girl Scout Cookies “GSC Blue Cut” in target-lock. We’re dubbing them First-Class Cookies. Beloved by Girl Scout Cookies lovers in the collective, Airfield tries to keep lots in stock, growing the flowers 100 percent on-site, from mother plant to clones to veg to flowers, then straight to the patients. This Blue Cut is strong, with amazing colors, smell and flavor! Grinding showed how it was perfectly dried and cured. GSC Blue Cut had amazing, thick-bodied, super flavorful Cookies smoke—a complex mix of Kush’s fuel, as well as floral notes from the Blueberry and Purples line, and some spice from the Durban. Patients are using First-Class Cookies to manage pain, induce sleep and help with relaxation.

Liquid Dreams Refill Oil - Indica Oil makers, dare to dream. Bay Area dispensaries are now stocking this new three-in-one product from the award-winning edible makers, Day Dreamers Chocolates. The Liquid Dreams Refill contains one gram of pure CO2 cannabis oil. Designed to refill vape cartridges, it also moonlights as a direct dab dispenser and oral syringe. Hats off to Day Dreamers for updating the traditional syringe refill format. As safe and effective as syringes are—they put people off. By contrast, Liquid Dreams’ child-resistant pill bottle-meetspush-pop functionality is the aesthetic innovation this industry needs. Day Dreamers uses their award-winning, indoor, organic flowers to produce this uncut, full-spectrum oil. The oil has great viscosity for refills and is 52 percent THC—twice the strength of flowers. The Indica Refill vapes up sweet, ultra-light and smooth, with mega-potent analgesic and sedative effects. Also available in sativa and CBD 1:1.

Available at: Lux in San Jose.

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POP Naturals THC Gel Caps Modern medical cannabis doesn’t get much more professional this 4/20 than POP Naturals’ THC Indica and Sativa Gel Caps—which look and function much like mainstream nutraceuticals. Each softgel contains 20mg of cannabis-derived THC extracted from indicas or sativa plants with super-pure CO2 and no co-solvents or additives. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) derived from plants has been shown to reduce pain, nausea, spasms in medical reports, and has many other uses. These softgels don’t have a cannabis odor, and look extremely high quality, pure and consistent. They go down tastelessly and begin to work in up to 90 minutes. The two standard doses of THC (20mg) per gel can result in pain-relief, nausea reduction and other benefits— potentially sedative, or energetic effects depending on indica or sativa blend. THC is also used to manage alcohol withdrawal and autoimmune diseases.

Available wherever: Mellowjello products are carried.

Available wherever: POP Naturals products are carried.

Mellowjello THC shooters Finally, a jello shot we can get behind. Elevate your 420 party this year with some Mellowjello—an infused gelatin mix containing 20 doses of THC. Santa Cruz outfit Mellowjello uses 26-time award winner California Sap in their THC powder, grown organically and tested for potency at SC Labs. It’s a family operation with classically trained chefs, herbalists and growers, so each packet contains 200mg of cannabis that equals (12) two-ounce doses of jello. It’s gluten-free and sugar-free and comes in 11 yummy flavors. To make it, add mix to three cups of boiling water, stir, pour into shooter cups, or leave in bowl, and chill for four hours. Chillin’ is the name of the game on these medium-strength edibles, which patients take for sports injury pain and inflammation or when it’s too hard to swallow other edibles.

Space Oddity Pay homage to the late David Bowie this 420 with Space Oddity—a custom breed of Buddy’s Star Trek Haze and Buddy’s Pink Cookies. Star Trek Haze is classic indica Romulan and elemental sativa Haze, while Pink Cookies is two hybrids—Candyland and Girl Scout Cookies. That’s a mountain of global genetics Buddy’s is playing with at their on-site farm. You can see so many different parents in Space Oddity—which has a light, floral, earthy grape smell. Space Oddity is maximum potency for a flower, with a medium-bodied, really complex aroma. Patients use indica hybrids to manage pain and induce sleep.

Available at: Buddy’s in San Jose.

GoldCaps™ CBD Softgels Available at: various collectives throughout California.

Ultra-pure CBD, with or without THC. CBD is rapidly rising in popularity, and but only the best CBD products are suitable for treating both children’s and adult’s illnesses, because they are offered with or without THC. GoldCaps™ CBD Softgels are one such product that offers only the purest of cannabinoids mixed with grape seed oil—meaning there is no residual molds, pesticides, bacteria or other contaminants. The company uses extra-precise clinical measurements in order to maintain the same dose per gel capsule, allowing each one to give a reliable near-exact dosage for a variety of patients. GoldCaps™ has two differing gel capsules products: a CBD-only pill, and a hybrid capsule with 10mg CBD and 10mg THC. Each bottle comes with five softgels. These tiny oral pills can work miracles, and unlike other cannabis products, patients know exactly what they’re getting with each pill. GoldCaps™ is leading the way in making a product that is dependable from one dose to another, allowing patients of any age to safely take their medicine without worry of over or underdosing. As a bonus, if kept refrigerated in the dark, these pills will last a year with almost no change in potency—a fact that doesn’t hold true with strains or edibles.

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Snicker Doodle Who doesn’t like a little bit of interactivity in their edible? Santa Cruz’s big kahuna of edibles Big Pete keeps the 420 times rolling with his Take-NBake cookies, available across California. Each tub comes with one dozen frozen cookie balls dosed to 20mg per cookie. Just the right amount for veteran cannabis users. Set the oven to 350, put the high-quality cookie balls on a baking sheet, and pop them in for seven minutes. After they cool, you got yourself a tray of serious cannabis patient party favors. Available in Three flavors, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter and Snicker Doodle. The indica Snicker Doodles are so buttery, sugary and cinnamontinged—it’s imperative to stop at one cookie per person and put away the rest for two hours. Patients are eating indica edibles products for stronger, longer-lasting body effects from cannabis—especially for nerve pain.

Available wherever: Big Pete’s products are carried.

Available wherever: Avedica products are carried.

Veda Chews Silver CBD Avedica offers a best-in-class, modern medical cannabis formulation with their Silver CBD Veda Chews, which contain 15mg CBD and 5mg THC per chew—the perfect ratio and amount of cannabinoids for the massive, new market of cannabisnaive patients. One standard dose of THC is 10mg, and each Silver CBD Veda Chew contains half of that—so it’s very unlikely to get a user high. But CBD and THC, especially in combination, have treated chronic arthritis pain, migraine, seizures and many other ailments. The white chocolate caramel chews each come in their own sealed blister pack, and smell and taste mildly sweet with a pleasant note of medicine. Perfect for older patients put off by smoking anything—the chews can be sucked on to potentially manage dozens of ailments.

Pie Face We just melt at the big Gelato-like terpenes oozing out of this Pie Face from Theraleaf in San Jose. Berry, creamy goodness with a fuel bite and a savory peppery note had us coming back again and again for slices of this Pie Face. The look, smell, feel and effect of Pie Face, hint at popular roots like OG Kush, some Purples, perhaps a Cookies or a Cherry Pie. The hand-manicured nugs’ trichome count was off the charts and immaculate-looking. Grinding gave us more dark berry cream-fuel notes and smoking channeled the OG Kush and Cookies-like effects—the body relaxation, the mental dampening, and ultimately, sleep induction. Treat yourself to some Pie.

Available at: Theraleaf in San Jose.

Available at: Various collectives throughout Southern California.

Yummi Karma Potato Chips The Yummi Karma company’s mission is “to provide high quality, consistent products that appeal to the growing segment of women, professionals and patients who are seeking alternative ways to medicate.” That pretty much includes everybody except men, but just because they are men they shouldn’t be denied the opportunity to enjoyably medicate with Yummi Karma Potato Chips and their entire chip line. The potato chips are light and crisp–as good as any of the premium chips on the market. Each bag contains 50mg THC. Like normal chips, the chips are irregular so you don’t know the exact amount of calories in each chip, but it’s easy enough to estimate what half a package is. It’s okay for beginners to eat more than just one chip, but they would be advised not to consume more than half a pack.

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Testing The Varieties: Part 3 The plants have been flowering since February 18, but they have another three to five weeks before they ripen. There are several reasons why ripening has been delayed by a few weeks. First, this area has had multiple weeks of mostly cloudy or rainy weather, limiting the amount of light the plants received as compared with what they receive on sunny days. Even in the low light months of February or March. Secondly, about three weeks into flowering the lighting schedule failed due to a mal-functioning timer. The plants received two to four extra hours of light each day for five days. This probably delayed ripening for 10 to 12 days. The plants were started in a tent with a four-by-four-foot canopy but were moved into the greenhouse four weeks ago because they were outgrowing their quarters. The move doubled the canopy size to four-by-eight-feet. They have filled that space too, but they have stopped growing larger and are concentrating their energy on flowering. The greenhouse receives light only from the top and the front. The other sides are building walls. To supplement the natural light two 1000-Watt HPS lamps switch on from 10a.m. to 4p.m. One is on a light

TIP OF THE MONTH FROM ASK ED®

When the buds are near ripening there are a few advantages to keeping the temperature high day and night. With CO2 enrichment the plants grow fastest and yield the most when the top leaves have a surface temperature of about 85 degrees. During the dark period lower the temperature by 10 degrees. The high temperatures are above the preferred range for both powdery mildew and botrytis so an attack is much less likely to occur.

Copyright by Ed Rosenthal. All rights are reserved. First North American Magazine rights only are assigned to culture Magazine. No other reproduction of this material is permitted without the specific written permission of the author/ copyright holder.

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mover and the other is attached to the back wall to light the darker back part of the greenhouse. There are 35 plants in the garden. Each is a different variety. All were purchased as clones from local dispensaries. Each plant has just less than two square feet of space, a square measuring almost 18 inches per side. The purpose of the experiment is to get an idea in miniature of how each variety would perform if it had more space and time to develop into a larger plant. To do this, I forced the plants to flower when they were still small, only 10 days after they had been transplanted into six-inch containers. The lighting was switched from being on continuously to a split cycle of 12 hours on and 12 hours of darkness. Almost all varieties start to flower when they receive a minimum of 10 to 11 hours of uninterrupted darkness daily. Since the plants are close to one another, the sides of the plants and the understory leaves and branches don’t get much light. Since light powers both the plant’s growth and its metabolism, these parts don’t contribute to the plant’s growth. Instead they use energy produced by the canopy to fuel their metabolism, and they hinder the free flow of air between the plants. Removing them, which I did for this article, helps the plants by easing crowding, facilitating airflow and lessening the energy load nonproductive parts use. Save all the leaves from the pruning process and run them through the juicer to make a healthy drink. Some people use the fresh leaves as medicine for debilitating chronic medical conditions. At the end of this experiment I will have an idea of each variety’s morphology, the amount of space it requires, its yield, the quality of the bud and its cannabinoids and terpenes. c

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The greenhouse. Besides the 35 experimental plants, six plants that were living outdoors to get an early start on the summer have taken up temporary residence to stay out of the rain. april 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

The plants in the garden before pruning away the lower branches.

After pruning the air flows freely and the plants have a bit more space.

Five of the varieties being tested; THC Bomb, Sour Diesel, Kosher Kush, Sunset Sherbet and Purple Urkle.

Young bud of Sour Diesel close-up.


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How to Plan for a Spring Trip to Australia’s Nimbin

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A trip to Nimbin during Australia’s tropical version of autumn (our spring months) is still filled with '60s hippie culture gone wild as well as some of Australia's most relaxing and breathtaking natural adventures. Plus, now is the time when cannabis enthusiasts all over the world gear up for Nimbin’s annual MardiGrass Festival, which will be held this year from April 30-May 1. The two-day festival is replete with events like the Nimbin Cannabis Cup, the Hemp Olympix, a protest rally complete with

“ganja faeries” and nightly musical entertainment. While the days of drinking a flat white with a slice of cake and openly smoking at Nimbin’s Hemp Bar may be over for now (after an infamous police raid several years back), the toking continues in private. Still, the ability to stock up on vacay stash in Nimbin any time of year is rather simple these days (quietly ask around town or enlist aide at the Nimbin Hemp Embassy). Day trippers and vacationers flock to Nimbin and the surrounding countryside for easy-to-score

cannabis, the village’s eclectic hippie-frontier vibe and the natural beauty of this place, which is ringed by mountain forests and lush valleys while nearly empty, pristine shoreline is but an hour’s drive away. Don’t just think Nimbin is some New Age Nirvana. The central village has attracted a nefarious drug culture in the past decade or two so visitors must be on their toes. Truly, Nimbin is a fun, cheap and mostly safe way for cannabis-seeking travelers to explore all of the delights of New South Wales’ northernmost country lifestyle. c

Fun-Filled Facts Nimbin has few accommodations, so planning ahead is essential during festival time especially. More and more visitors are opting for private rooms or entire mountain forest or beachside cottages via Airbnb rather than B&Bs near town. 1

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Hiking upstream to a fresh water river’s deep pond and then spending time swimming and sunning is a favorite pastime of outbackers in Australia. Nimbin is surrounded by some of the country’s best “holes” such as Dalwood Falls, Marom Falls, Tosha Falls and Killen Falls. 2

Time to Go: Spring Weather: Warm with high humidity and nearly constant rainfall. Budget: $$$$$

if you go: Australia’s Parliament finally made an amendment to its Narcotic Drugs Act on February 24 to allow for legally growing of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes. Pro-cannabis proponents called it a “historic day,” however, what happens next for MMJ patients is rather murky. So, buying, growing and consuming cannabis are still illegal as of today. Nimbin is quite the exception as this faraway tropical town was literally built as a pot paradise. Ever since a crackdown in 2008, the good ol’ days of lighting up inside cafes and outside on the frontier-style sidewalks are gone. In addition, a very unfortunate fire in 2014 took out the city’s priceless cultural artifacts at the Nimbin Museum. Fortunately, the free-wheeling spirit of the original hippie village remains and is resparked every year during the city’s high-flying MardiGrass Festival.


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Douglas Szklarski

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Age: 51

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Condition/Illness: Disease in the spine, arthritis, carpal tunnel, chronic migraines, cholesterol issues, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, and other issues. Using Medical Cannabis Since: 2007

Why did you start using cannabis? The pills weren’t working and someone brought me a joint in 2007—and afterwards, I realized I wasn’t in any pain. I was using cannabis as a subsidy because of cost and didn’t use it full-time until the VA threw me in the psych ward for three days, claiming that I said I wanted to commit suicide, which was a result of all of the pills I was taking. Cannabis has restored me—you can take care of anything by smoking the herb, but the true healing power comes from the oils. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Pills like vicodin, methadone, shock therapy, creams, lotions— my skin was so sensitive. The balance in my body was totally off because of the medical treatments, and my body is finally

getting back some kind of balance now—it feels pretty good. What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? The most important issue is that cannabis should be legalized across the country. No more of this hiding and telling lies. So, the big thing is having people being taught how to properly use cannabis, grow cannabis and be able to heal from cannabis, because it’s going to take the medical field about five to 10 years to catch up. The high CBD plants just do a wonderful job. I think that when people complain about plant counts in people’s homes—I look at them as heroes, especially for our veterans. What do you say to folks that are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? Look at the research— what they are doing with research now is phenomenal. The truth is finally coming out, but there is still a lot of negativity. There are too many toxicities out there for us—that’s why a variety of cannabis works, because our body builds up an immunity to it. I need 16-20 different strains of cannabis to help my various ailments. c

Are you an MMJ patient 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.


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culture

Savoring the Season of Spring

Seared Salmon with Pea Puree Brown CannaButter Asparagus Arugula Bruschetta

recipes by Laurie Wolf photography by Bruce Wolf

April is a lovely time of year for eating seasonally. Asparagus, peas, baby arugula and wonderful wild salmon—no heavy sauces required. Let’s let the freshness and flavor of these natural ingredients shine through this spring. We suggest a teaspoon of canna-butter or canna-oil per person, going for a dose of about 10 percent THC. The CBD percent is your call. There seems to be no question that those two cannabinoids, along with lots of others, can work wonders on what ails you. Less is more, and have fun.

RECIPES

growing

Menu:

Seared Salmon with Pea Puree

UNKNOWN

Ingredients 4 teaspoons canna-olive oil t 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 3 sprigs of thyme 8 scallions, trimmed, halved and cut in thin strips

DESTINATION

2 cups fresh peas (or 10-ounce package frozen) 2 tablespoons plain yogurt 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon canola oil 4 6-ounce pieces of salmon Salt Pepper

Serves

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t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com

Instructions In a large skillet, heat the canna-olive oil. Add the garlic, thyme, scallions and peas. Sauté for 7-9 minutes, until the peas are tender and the scallions have softened. In a food processor, process 3/4 of the pea/scallion mixture. (You just want to have enough left in the pan to garnish the salmon pieces). Add the yogurt and lemon juice to the pureed mixture and process until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. In a skillet, heat the canola oil. When hot, place the salmon, skin side up in the skillet. Cook over medium high heat, for 4-5 minutes. Turn and cook an additional 3-4 minutes. Spread the green sauce over the bottom of four plates. Place a piece of salmon in the center of each. Top with a sprinkling of peas, scallion and thyme. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired.


Allegro Romano 1701 Jones St., San Francisco (415) 928-4002 www.allegroromano.com Ristorante Fratello 1712 Meridian Ave., San Jose (408) 269-3801 www.fratello-ristorante.com

Brown CannaButter Asparagus

Ducroix 690 Sacramento St., San Francisco (415) 240-0773 www.restaurantducroix.com

Ingredients

culture

4

growing

Local eateries with similar dishes

Serves

2 tablespoons butter

4 teaspoons canna-butter t 1 teaspoon lemon zest Sage for garnish

Instructions

Arugula Bruschetta Serves

4

Ingredients 8 slices bread, toasted 2 garlic cloves, peeled 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups baby arugula 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion 10 cherry tomatoes, halved 4 tablespoons goat cheese, crumbled 4 teaspoons canna-oil t

Instructions Place the toasted bread on your work surface. Take the garlic cloves and rub the cloves on one side of the bread. Drizzle with the olive oil. In a large bowl, combine the arugula, onion, tomatoes and goat cheese. Place the lettuce mixture on the bread slices. Drizzle with the infused oil.

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.

iReadCULTURE.com april 2016

COURAGE

Salt and coarse black pepper

IN

Laurie Wolf is a regular recipe developer and edibles contributor to The Cannabist, High Times, Oregon Leaf, and Cannabis Now. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and worked as a chef, caterer, and food stylist in New York before relocating to Portland. She is a published author—recent works include A Food Lover’s Guide to Portland and The Portland, Oregon Chef’s Table. She is currently co-authoring two cannabis cookbooks including HERB, a crowdfunded cookbook from the folks behind The Stoner’s Cookbook. Laurie has been a trained chef, food stylist, food editor, recipe developer and cookbook author for over thirty years. Her company, Laurie and MaryJane, is dedicated to producing high-quality medicated food. Laurie’s passion for cannabis as treatment stems from her exposure to her father’s endof-life care as well as her own successful management of a seizure disorder.

PROFILE

In a large skillet, heat the butter. Add the asparagus and sauté over medium heat, shaking the pan gently to cook evenly, 5-7 minutes. Place the canna-butter in the pan, sprinkle with the lemon zest and cook an additional minute or two. Garnish with the sage.

DESTINATION

1 pound asparagus, trimmed

UNKNOWN

RECIPES

6 sage leaves, chopped

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NORCAL NOW! event listings

Yeti: A Comedy Show, April 8

“The best things in life are free,” which is why you should check out Yeti, a comedy show featuring some of the biggest up and coming stand-up acts. Not only will you get a free stand-up show, pizza, espresso and beer will also be available for your enjoyment. Haddon Hill Café, Oakland haddonhillcafe.com

Golden Gate Theater, San Francisco shnsf.com

featured event

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, April 9-10 In its 49th year, the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates Japanese American culture. With 200,000 attendees every year, this is one of California’s biggest festivals honoring Japanese American traditions in the U.S. Japan Town, San Francisco sfcherryblossom.org

Deerhunter, April 18

Deerhunter is one of those bands that challenges itself to progressively get better. According to Pitchfork, its latest album Final Frontier, may be its “first that could conceivably blend into real-deal classic rock radio.” The Fillmore, San Francisco www.thefillmore.com

RuPaul’s Drag Race, April 21

“Luke Butler,” Through April 16

Our obsession with pop culture is what drives the paintings of Luke Butler. In this exhibit he displays a series of paintings with the word “End” as the highlighted figure, adding substance to a phrase often seen at a movies conclusion. Jessica Silverman Gallery, San Francisco jessicasilvermangallery.com

An Act of God, Through April 17

Selling out on Broadway, An Act of God comes exclusively to Los Angeles for a six-week run. This is a 90-minute stage production, starring Sean Hayes (Will and Grace) based off of the book The Last Testament: A Memoir by God.

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Featuring some of the best drag queens to grace the RuPaul’s Drag Race stage, this comedy, cabaret is the biggest Battle of the Seasons Tour yet. Hosted by Michelle Visage this event is sure to be packed with sass and fierceness. Regency Ballroom, San Francisco theregencyballroom.com

The 1975, April 22

Last year panic ensued on Twitter as The 1975 showed sign of a breakup. Luckily, that was just a front as they’ve comeback with its much embraced album, I Like it When You Sleep, For You are So Beautiful Yet so Unaware of It. The Greek Theater, Berkeley www.thegreektheatreberkeley.com

The Most Happy Fella, April 27- May 15 From the great mind of Frank Loesser (Guys and Gals, Where’s Charley?) comes The Most Happy Fella, an

Carrie Underwood, April 10

American Idol sensation Carrie Underwood has been releasing a variety of hits since her debut as a country singer. Recently, the singer has celebrated her 22nd number one single for her song “Smoke Break.”

Oracle Arena, Oakland www.coliseum.com unconventional romance about finding love in unexpected places. The 42nd Street Moon, San Francisco 42ndstmoon.org

“Artists in Residence: San Jose’s 20th-Century Vanguard,” Through September 18

As San Jose transitioned from being an agricultural town to a bustling metropolis in the ‘60s, with this change came pioneering artists. This exhibit displays the work of artist recruited by the local college to bring vitality to the budding city. San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose sjmusart.com


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Chuck Shepherd's

News of the

Weird

LEAD STORY—CHANNELING GEORGE CARLIN u “Military Intelligence”: The head of U.S. Navy intelligence has for more than two years been prohibited from accessing classified information (as the Pentagon disclosed to The Washington Post in January). Vice Admiral Ted Branch came under investigation in 2013 in a corruption scandal involving a foreign defense contractor and various Navy personnel and might have been suspended from all duties—except that, given the political gridlock in Washington, no consensus candidate has emerged. No charges have been filed against Branch, but before he enters any room at the Pentagon, classified material must be stowed away. RECURRING THEMES u New World Order: (1) Yet another woman gave birth to her own granddaughter in January. Tracey Thompson, 54, offered to be the surrogate mother for her fertility-challenged daughter, Kelley, and delivered a 6-pound, 11-ounce girl at The Medical Center in Plano, Texas. (2) After notable successes in the United States, Latin America claimed in December its first transgender pregnancy after Ecuadorean Fernando Machado announced he was expecting a child with his partner Diane Rodriguez. Fernando used to be “Maria”; Diane used to be “Luis”; and though both undergo hormone therapy, they have retained their birth organs. u Perspective: On the heels of a similar program

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in Richmond, California, Washington, D.C.’s D.C. Council authorized funding in January to pay stipends to notorious criminals if they stop committing crimes. Police would identify up to 50 residents likely to violently offend again in 2016 and offer them periodic cash payments plus special training and educational benefits—as long as they stay out of trouble. Officials in Richmond (once overwhelmed by gun deaths) say their program, commenced almost 10 years ago, has produced a 76 percent drop in gun-related crime. u In January, 15-year-old Anthony Ruelas, trying to rescue a classmate gasping from an asthma attack, became the latest casualty in public schools’ relentless insistence on “zero tolerance” of any deviation from rules. Gateway Middle School in Killeen, Texas, suspended Ruelas for two days for what others called his “heroic” assistance in gathering the girl in his arms and taking her to the nurse’s office—while the teacher, following “procedure,” waited passively for a nurse to email instructions. (Ruelas had defied the teacher, declaring, “(F-word) that—we ain’t got time to wait for no email from the nurse.”) The school district’s superintendent later cited a federal law that he interpreted as justifying the procedure. UPDATE u News of the Weird’s long-time super-creative serial litigant Jonathan Lee Riches filed yet another claim in January—against the Tennessee couple identified as winners in the recent $1.6 billion Powerball lottery. John and Lisa Robinson, Riches says, “owe” him half their winnings because he says he sent their daughter (and his pen pal), Tiffany, $20 to buy Powerball tickets. Riches’s lawsuit, written in longhand,


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claims that he and Tiffany were to be married and move to “a remote island full of milk and honey.” Riches had been serving a federal prison term for parole violation, but his current situation was unreported (except that he now claims an alias, “Jihadi Schitz,” and wrote from a Philadelphia mosque). It is expected that this lawsuit will suffer the same fate as his against, among others, George W. Bush, Britney Spears, Steve Jobs, Nostrodamus, Plato and the various Kardashians. A NEWS OF THE WEIRD CLASSIC (OCTOBER 2011) u A judge in Nice, France, ruled in September (2011) that Article 215 of the French civil code (defining marriage as a “shared communal life”) in fact requires that husband and wife have sex. A husband identified only as Jean-Louis B. had evidently lost interest years earlier, and his wife was granted a divorce. Apparently emboldened by her victory, she then filed a monetary claim against the husband for the value of his 21-year-long lack of service, and the judge awarded her 10,000 euros (then worth about $13,710— $653 a year). CAT CULTURE u Longtime National Symphony cellist David Teie announced in November that his crowdfunding project was hugely successful, freeing him to produce an album of

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music meaningful to cats. (Cats, for example, relax in response to the earliest sound of their mother’s purring, which Teie clocked at 23 harp notes a second). Teie’s work, according to an October Washington Post feature, includes examining waveforms of real-time purrs and creating an organ sound to mimic the opening and closing of a cat’s vocal chords. His KickStarter pitch raised so much money that he might also try creating music for bored zoo elephants or stressed-out whales. In tests, cats responded well to Teie’s music, according to a 2015 journal article (but with less curiosity at the Washington cat cafe Crumbs & Whiskers). LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS u Amazon.com has riled up Buddhist temples in Japan, according to a January Associated Press dispatch, by offering traveling monks rentable online to conduct funerals and other rituals. The monk would go to a home, grave or funeral home, at fees and upgrades ranging from the equivalent of $300 to about $8,500. (Many of Japan’s 75,000 Buddhist temples are struggling financially and destined to close. Complained a spokesman for the Japan Buddhist Association, what Amazon is facilitating “is allowed in no other country in the world.”)


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