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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 54
04.16 34 The Most Wonderful Day of the Year
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We’ve got the tips on how to make your 420 party one for the books, trends to look forward to in the industry and so much more!
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58 features
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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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The Hills Are Alive Cannabis is the center of life to native villagers who live in the Himalayas.
online Exclusive!
departments news
d Rocky Mountain High:
reviews 14 Strain & Concentrate Reviews 19 Dispensary Highlight in every issue 54 Growing Culture
10 News Nuggets 11 By the Numbers 12 Local News
16 Cool Stuff 18 Entertainment Reviews
56 Destination Unknown 57 Profile in Courage
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58 Recipes
60 News of the Weird
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, 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 Justin Olson Account Executives Jon Bookatz, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Cole Garrison, Gene Gorelik, Emily Musser, Beau Odom, 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 25,000 papers at over 500 locations throughout Oregon. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture速 Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Phone / Fax 888.694.2046 www.iReadCulture.com
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NEWS
nuggets “Clean Air Act” Forces Beloved Cannabis Café to Close Portland’s World Famous Cannabis Café closed in early March after its owner Madeline Martinez received warnings from the Public Health Department following Oregon’s Clean Air Act, which came into effect on January 1. Martinez believes that the Health Department has violated her First Amendment right to “gather peacefully,” and plans to take the matter to legislature to fight it, as reported by Kion 6. The Cannabis Café had its last night of “Stoner Bingo” on March 7 with Martinez stating that it was “a little bitter sweet.” Now that the café is closed, Martinez plans on lobbying for a change to the Clean Air Act in 2017, according to The Oregonian. She believes that cannabis cafés should be on the act’s list of exemptions.
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. 10
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Oregon Set to Become First State to Legalize Cannabis Business Banking House Bill 4094 has been passed in Oregon, making it the first state to remove all criminal penalties for banks and credit unions that work with state-regulated cannabis businesses, according to Marijuana Politics. This will allow collectives to manage money more safely, as most have been forced to keep their earnings in-store, causing concern for robbery. “I suspect the passage of HB-4094 will inspire other adult use and medical cannabis states to follow Oregon’s lead on solidifying banking reforms at the local level in the not too distant future,” stated Sam Chapman of New Economy Consulting who helped lead the lobbying effort for the bill. This bill was created by Oregon State Treasurer candidate Tobias Read and is currently awaiting approval from Governor Kate Brown.
The percentage of Oregon’s medical cannabis dispensaries that sell recreational cannabis and are reportedly not registered to pay taxes on recreational sales: (Source: The Oregonian)
NEWS
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The number of dispensaries, out of 320, that sell recreational cannabis in Oregon and have already set up accounts with the state Department of Revenue: (Source: The Register-Guard)
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The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that Oregon collected in taxes from recreational cannabis sales in January 2016: (Source: The Washington Times)
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The number of pages that details Oregon’s newest laws regarding medical cannabis patients, growers and dispensaries: (Source: KDRV)
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The percentage of tax on recreational sales that will be established when the Oregon Liquor Control Commission assumes control over recreational cannabis later this year: (Source: The Oregonian)
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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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GanjaCon
The increased percentage of one cannabis delivery service’s orders during Super Bowl 50 weekend:
310
(Source: Forbes)
WHAT: GanjaCon. WHEN/WHERE: Sun, April 17. Castaway Portland, 1900 NW 18th Ave., Portland. INFO: For tickets and additional information visit ganjacon.net. For the cannabis lover with high-end taste, GanjaCon is the place to go for this year’s 420 celebration. Fresh on the scene, GanjaCon celebrated its inaugural year in 2015, with tickets to the event selling out fast. This year, the event will be held at the chic and edgy Castaway in Portland and will feature a variety of vendors, exhibitors, dispensaries, artists, live entertainment and more. Also featured on
the GanjaCon schedule is Oregon’s biggest homegrown cannabis competition, the GanjaCup. Here, some of Oregon’s best growers will compete for the cup and give out free samples of their flowers for guests to enjoy in GanjaCon’s beautiful, outdoor smoke and vape lounge. End your weekend on a high note with this year’s GanjaCon, celebrating the 420 holiday with professionals, aficionados and cannabis lovers alike.
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NEWS
LOCAL
Trailblazers vs. Nuggets with Cliff Robinson
Two New Bills for our State
Keeping up with the ever-changing cannabis landscape
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by Heather Johnson overnor Kate Brown recently signed two pieces of legislature that make changes to Oregon’s Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP). OMMP cardholders can rest at ease knowing that the state isn’t going to let the new recreational cannabis market squash the medical program in Oregon. The recreational and medical markets can finally start working in conjunction with each other, instead of working against each other and making medical cardholders feel like they are losing all their rights and privileges. The first was House Bill 4014, which allows cannabis producers, processors and retailers to start business without first having to abide by the two-year residency requirement. This means cannabis can be produced and processed faster, without having to wait two years. It will also allow medical businesses to deduct business expenses from their state taxes; like any other business! The new bill will also reduce medical card fees for qualifying veterans from $200 to $20, a great relief to all the veteran medical cardholders suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). HB-4014 will even relax the rules for people who are on probation or waiting to go to trial. The new rules will guarantee that even medical cardholders who have had trouble with the state will still be able to access and use their medication. The second bill Oregon’s governor signed was Senate Bill 1598, which will prove to be a great help to small medical businesses. This bill makes it easier for small medical businesses to get licensed; medical growing operations will no longer have to jump through hoops like filling out a bunch of extra paperwork just to get a license. This easier process will allow them to be a part of the regulated recreational
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market as well. The new licensing system offers lower fees and fewer requirements in general, and will put up fewer road blocks to those looking to start a medical business. This bill will also be a great asset to those farming medical cannabis crops on a larger scale. Large farmscale grow sites that are growing for medical patients or research will for the first time be recognized as farm crop producers. This is already the case for recreational growers, so it makes sense, and protects legitimate medical cannabis crops and their farmers from unjustified lawsuits. There will also be new laws set in place under SB-1598 to protect in home medical cannabis grow sites from inspection by the Oregon Health Authority. Letting personal medical growers have the security of knowing they won’t lose everything in an instant. The bill will also allow non-profit medical dispensaries to provide medicine to patients for very little money, and accept excess cannabis from growers to do so. Health authorities will also now be required to look at the accessibility of medical cannabis in areas that might lack many local businesses, and ensure that patients across Oregon can access medical cannabis. Several more bills are awaiting Brown’s signature that will be very important to Oregon’s cannabis industry. One would allow edibles and concentrates to be sold recreationally, which might be implemented much earlier than state lawmakers originally planned. Another upcoming bill will protect banks from criminal liability when working with legal cannabis businesses; something that should have happened a long time ago. There are good things happening in the Oregon Legislature, and for once, lawmakers are protecting the use of cannabis in Oregon, and the rights of those in the cannabis industry. c
Professional athletes have become more open about medical cannabis recently and, according to CBS Sports, last year, a handful of NBA players stated that it should be taken off the league’s “banned substances” list. Although small, this gesture reveals the progressive changes being made in the MMJ community and gives hope to players whose only alternative for physical or emotional conditions is medical cannabis. One former NBA player advocating medical cannabis is Cliff Robinson, aka “Uncle Spliff.” With the help of Super Chronic Café, you can hear Robinson’s testimony as to why medical cannabis has helped him along the way, while enjoying a game between the Portland Trailblazers and Denver Nuggets. This is an exclusive event intended to help “normalize” cannabis in professional settings such as sports by highlighting its therapeutic benefits and how it has helps players continue to live active lifestyles. WHAT: Trailblazers vs. Nuggets with Cliff Robinson. WHEN/WHERE: Wed, April 13. Moda Center, 1 North Center Court St., Portland. INFO: Visit www. eventbrite.com for tickets.
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REVIEWs
strain & concentrate 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. Their newest oil, Craft RESERVE, is made from hand selected flower in small batches with 100% cannabis-derived terpenes. Combined with their innovative O.penVAPE 2.0 Variable Voltage Battery, testers were blown away by the ability to change from 2.5v to 4.0v. They found innumerable ways to enjoy this top of the line concentrate every time. The clear oil served up supremely clean hits. Our reviewers loved the chatty effect the cartridge had, perfect for parties and other social events.
Available wherever: O.penVAPE products are carried.
White Cookies Our sample of White cookies can be found at Brothers Cannabis Club in Portland, and tested by Northwest Premier Labs. It has 29.89 percent THC and .32 percent CBD. The bud has a potpourri and citrus aroma, and a very piney taste. A good hit almost tastes like taking a shot of gin, so any gin lover should definitely try this. A refreshing taste with a very bold flavor. A few tokes will leave you feeling very thoughtful and talkative. A typical indica, it will relax you and your shoulder stress will disappear. The nugs are long and pointy with lots of little white crystals and orange hairs clumped together. Creates a very fine powdery grind that clings together, almost like static electricity.
Available at: Brothers Cannabis Club in Portland.
Dawgy Treats Dawgy Treats was tested at 3B Analytical and was found to have 28.82 percent THC and .09 percent CBD. It creates a rushing sensation as it courses through your body after a hit. You might feel a bit jittery, but eventually somewhat lethargic. Not a great strain for treating anxiety, but could be good for increasing energy levels at work, or getting stuff done around the house. It has some strong citrus flavors with an additional taste of fresh flowers and sweet honey. This strain's wide nubs are really sticky, making it great for rolling joints.
Available at: Local Herb Collective in Portland.
Available at: Rip City Remedies in Portland.
Gummy Bears
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Gummy Bears is a strain grown by PDX Organics, tested by MRX Labs, and can be found at Rip City Remedies in Portland. Total THC content is 27.04 percent and CBD is 1.10 percent. It has an earthy sweet aroma and a movie theater butter popcorn taste. The grind smells like fresh cut grass, and has a hint of smokiness that hits hard with that buttery aftertaste. A very smooth texture. Mostly you will feel it in your head, and you will start to feel very sleepy and relaxed with no stress. Super dense nugs with no leaves at all, and very well packed. Creates smooth hits; and you don't need to be a seasoned smoker to appreciate the flavor.
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REVIEWs
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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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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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
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8. The Adventurer water pipe by Strong Silicone 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
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This bendable, foldable, nearly unbreakable Strong Silicone water pipe is perfect for traveling, festivals or parties. The Adventurer is made from BPA free, non toxic, 100 percent FDA approved food grade silicone with a boro-silicate downstem and bowl. One of the best things about this water pipe is that the base suctions to any smooth surface. No more knocking your device over while you’re trying to load it. This gem comes in several colors, and they even have a brand new glow-in-the-dark model too, for extra fun! PRICE: $40+ MORE INFORMATION: www.strongsilicone.com
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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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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)
REVIEWs
dispensary highlight
Brothers Cannabis Club Interviewed: Beau Sea (Owner) and Nyno Thol (Manager of Marketing) 3609 SE Division St., Portland, 97202
some patients that have epilepsy, and a good option for treating seizures as well as a range of other medical conditions.
www.bcc503.com
How and when did your dispensary start up? Beau: Brothers started up April 21, 2010. I wanted to give access to the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) community. At that point, there was no cannabis access in Portland. What’s the story behind the name of your dispensary? Beau: Brothers
Cannabis name came from being brothers to the community. It has nothing to do with actual sibling brothers. Brothers is here to be a safe access point. What does your dispensary offer patients that they can’t find anywhere else? Beau: Consistency. We’ll have patients who haven’t been in for two years, and when they do come back, they find the same quality,
if not the same strains. We select only the most consistent and highest quality buds. Nyno: At the moment, we’re one of the only dispensaries in Portland that carry Charlotte’s Web tincture by The Stanley Brothers from Colorado. Charlotte’s Web tincture has a high CBD and low in THC (less than three percent) so it will give you little-to-no psychoactive effects. Charlotte’s Web has been successful with
How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? Beau: We were so nervous at the start. There was no real guidance or consistency regarding how we were supposed to operate. We were paranoid that we’d get shut down at any time. The public was a bit slow to accept at first, but that changed as everyone got a little more
educated. Nyno: Education is a huge factor. With the internet and open communication, people know a lot more than they used to. If someone wanted to open a dispensary and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? Beau: Don’t open in Portland (Laughs). It’s already so saturated here. What is the most important thing you hope to accomplish while in the MJ/MMJ community? Beau: Educating the public and eventually, being able to offer safe access to everyone! c
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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 28
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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 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
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.
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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The Most Wonderful Day of the Year 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 canna-community is vast, and our diversity is great. On this, the most wonderful day of the year, let us celebrate our culture, our community and our cannabis.
CU LT U R E 420
Cannabis makes me more social; it’s a better social lubricant than alcohol, I think. - James
Have a safe and happy 420!
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p h o t o b y K elly W i l d e / J une L i on
CU LT U R E 420
Your Ultimate 420 Party Playlist Scan this QR code to get our Spotify 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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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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The Greatest 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 hand-picked a variety of different events for you to really make this year’s 420 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!
420
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
THC Fair of Bend/ Redmond, April 2-3 Get access to a plethora of hemp and cannabis products, from accessories, tools and grow and harvest equipment. Plus, take time to get educated with a few panels on growing and medicinal benefits of cannabis in honor of 4/20. Deschutes County Expo Center, Deschutes expo.deschutes.org
420 Bus Tour, April 20 Two different tours are available on this day, taking attendees on a special 420 journey through this history of cannabis in Oregon. Likeminded cannasseurs of all appropriate ages will be welcome to enjoy fine
cannabis while exploring Oregon’s great cannabis journey. Mezzanine of The Rialto Poolroom, Portland rialtopoolroom.com
David Gans and Garcia Birthday Band 420 Bash, April 20 Check out David Gans, the GGB and Merry Pranksters as they celebrate Oregon’s first legal night of 420. There will be many musical influences floating around at this show, including a few reinterpreted Grateful Dead songs that are sure to make this event oneof-a-kind. Wow Hall, Eugene wowhall.org
Puff, Pass & Paint Portland, April 20 Make this 420 a relaxing one as you enjoy cannabis, share it with friends and paint amazing masterpieces. Best of all, you just need to bring yourself and your ticket to this two-hour event— art supplies are included in the ticket price. Prism House, Portland prismhousepdx.com
The Adam Carolla Show, April 24 In traditional Adam Carolla fashion, this comedian’s show is a
*Events subject to change without notice
Events
CU LT U R E 420
live podcast taping— meaning the humor will be impromptu and amazing. Based on an interview CULTURE set up with this hilarious guy back in 2013, we know he’s a huge supporter of cannabis too. Aladdin Theater, Portland aladdin-theater.com
Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, April 24 This special, one-day cannabis event is bringing together everyone seeking a 420 event that’s well-balanced. If you feel inspired to join the cannabis community as a business person, politician or activist, there’s no better place to learn the lay of the land. Eugene Hilton, Eugene oregonmbc.com
Cultivation Classic, April 30 Boasting its importance as a “premier soil-grown cannabis competition,” the Cultivation Classic is bringing the focus of sustainable agriculture in Oregon. Listen to reputable speakers, sample the best strains, check out local vendors and enjoy this post-420 event. The North Warehouse, Portland thenorthwarehouse.com
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CU LT U R E 420 Cannabis improves my overall quality of life. It helps me sleep, takes the edge off of my anxiety, and prevents me from having to rely on pharmaceuticals. Not to mention, it makes nearly anything just a little more fun. -Rachel
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p h o t o b y J oel Mea d ers
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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 4/20 on Netflix.
10 Kid Cannabis
9
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
7
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
CU LT U R E 420
Cannabis allows me the opportunity to experience the world with fresh senses. Whether it be creating music and discovering new sounds or enjoying the landscape in the PNW with a slightly different lens. -D-Sea
p h o t o b y S cott E klun d / R e d Bo x P i ctures
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CU LT U R E 420
420 Celebration Cake INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
CAKE:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by spraying with baking spray.
2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking powder 11/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon espresso powder 1 cup milk 3/4 cup cannabis-infused vegetable oil t 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the cake, add flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder to a large bowl or the bowl of a standing mixer. Whisk through to combine or, using your paddle attachment, stir through flour mixture until combined well. Add milk, infused oil, eggs and vanilla to flour mixture and mix together on medium speed until well combined. Reduce speed and carefully add boiling water to the cake batter. Beat on high speed for about 1 minute to add air to the batter. Distribute cake batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 3035 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
3/4 cup boiling water Chocolate Buttercream Frosting: 3/4 cup butter 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder 5 1/3 cups confectioners sugar
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, remove from the pan and let cool completely. To make the frosting, cream butter light and fluffy. Stir in the cocoa and confectioners’ sugar alternately with the milk and vanilla. Beat to a spreading consistency.
2/3 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Frost cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, and enjoy with friends! c
t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com
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 recreational drug. -Victor
p h o t o b y V i ctor i a Banegas
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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
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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“We were immediately fascinated by their culture and resilience, their ability to adapt to circumstances, their pureness and the humbleness of their life, where everything still depends on Mother Nature.�
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Humble Life in the Himalayas Village nestled in the Himalayan Mountains survives because of cannabis by Victoria Banegas
Atop a Himalayan mountain at 9,000 feet, resides a village of humble cannabis farmers, whose livelihood revolves around the plant, financially and spiritually. This village is just one portion of the thousands of families who survive off of cannabis cultivation in the Himalayas, particularly a valuable type of hashish called “charas.” According to journalist Maria Tavernini, who recently wrote on the farmers in National Geographic, charas was originated by Hindu holy men known as Sadhus, and in the ‘70s became ingrained in the culture of local villagers. Currently, charas is made the same way as it was back in the ‘70s—farmers rub their hands on live cannabis plants and spend hours collecting the resin from the palm of their hands. >>
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CULTURE got in touch with Tavernini about her experience with the villagers and how she earned exclusive access to their lifestyle and culture. “We discovered these communities while travelling in India researching for new stories, during spring four years ago, when escaping to the Himalayas to survive high temperatures. We were immediately fascinated by their culture and resilience, their ability to adapt to circumstances, their pureness and the humbleness of their life, where everything still depends on Mother Nature,” Tavernini told CULTURE. Tavernini and her photographer Andrea De Fransiscis spent a total of four years with different villages in different parts of the Himalayas to cover a wide spectrum of farmers during different seasons. While their documentation of the villagers is mesmerizing, it took the duo one year to be granted permission to photograph the different villages, “We needed to explain to them our project and intentions while, on the other hand, narrowing down the scope of the work and entering deeper into their lives, customs and traditions,” Tavernini stated. Because cannabis prohibition is alive and well in India, many villages are continually changing location to avoid conflict with police. But despite occasional raids, farmers remain loyal to their craft as many have never cultivated a legal crop throughout their lifetime. Villagers produce tons of charas a year to be sold to tourist and Indians from big cities, with charas costing up to 20 dollars per gram and price and demand rising each year, according to Tavernini. Although cannabis grows wild within the Himalayas, farmers choose to live humble lives, with an average field consisting of only 50 plants, which produces 10 grams of charas, a meager price for the strenuous work associated with harvesting the plant. >> Photo by Jonathan Tichon
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“Life is challenging in the mountains, although it feels like the time has a different meaning and pace. Women work as much as men, and the feeling is that it’s rather a matriarchal society. Despite many families in the valley thrive on the profitable, illegal business, many villagers still live a very meager, humble life,” Tavernini told CULTURE. While the farmers continue to work hard while remaining humble their connections with the outside world are ever increasing, slowly changing the “purity and closeness of the valley.” “They live between their ages-
long traditions and an appealing modernity they just recently managed to get in touch with,” stated Tavernini. As the Indian government continues to support cannabis prohibition, putting the livelihood of such villages in danger, Romesh Bhattacharji, former narcotics commissioner of India, stated “Nearly 400 of the 640 districts in India have cannabis cultivation,” adding, “It’s time for the Indian Government to stop being a slave of UNbacked policies: Since 1985, cannabis use and cultivation has only proliferated. Prohibition has failed.” c
“Nearly 400 of the 640 districts in India have cannabis cultivation. It’s time for the Indian Government to stop being a slave of UNbacked policies: Since 1985, cannabis use and cultivation has only proliferated. Prohibition has failed.” iReadCULTURE.com april 2016
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culture growing
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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iReadCulture.com
GET YOUR CLICKS
growing
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Photo by Andrey Bayda
How to Plan for a Spring Trip to Australia’s Nimbin 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
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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“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
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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.
culture growing
Douglas Szklarski
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Age: 51 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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Savoring the Season of Spring
Seared Salmon 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.
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Seared Salmon
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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
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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.
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Brown CannaButter Asparagus
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Serves
Ingredients 2 tablespoons butter
4 teaspoons canna-butter t 1 teaspoon lemon zest Sage for garnish
Instructions
Arugula Bruschetta Serves
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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
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Salt and coarse black pepper
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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.
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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.
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1 pound asparagus, trimmed
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6 sage leaves, chopped
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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 fertilitychallenged 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 in Richmond, California, Washington, D.C.’s D.C. Council authorized
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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, 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 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).
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