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contents
inside
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Publisher Jeremy Zachary
associate Editor Ashley Bennett
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creative consultant Evan Senn Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Sheryll Alexander, Marguerite Arnold, Jake Browne, Cole Garrison, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, David Downs, Keira Fae, Natasha Guimond, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Kevin Longrie, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Sandy Moriarty, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Lanny Swerdlow, Jefferson Van Billiard, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf, Zara Zhi Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Tonya Perme, JosuĂŠ Rivas Art Director Steven Myrdahl
feature
production manager Tommy LaFleur
Business is Booming Coalinga is experiencing an increase in real estate sales, thanks to the arrival of commercial cannabis cultivation.
departments 10 News Nuggets 11 By the Numbers 22 News of the Weird
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Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis
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CULTURE
18 Strain & Concentrate Reviews
Graphic DesignerS Payden Cobern, Tanya Delgadillo sales director Justin Olson bakersfield Jon Bookatz sales manager Account Executives Alex Brizicky, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook Beau Odom, Gloria Santiago, Garry Stalling, Chris Walker, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital content manager David Edmundson Intern Kiara Manns Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla
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CULTUREÂŽ Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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NEWS
nuggets
Medical Cannabis Ban Shelved in Tehachapi On March 21, the Tehachapi City Council voted unanimously to table a proposed measure that intended to ban medical cannabis businesses in the city. The decision was made after hearing many firsthand accounts from patients who have experienced success from medical cannabis. In total, 14 community members spoke out including three who were in favor of the ban. The city council decided on seeking out a way to regulate medical cannabis instead. Tehachapi City Councilmember Ed Grimes shared that the next step is to put together an ordinance that would regulate the sale of cannabis in the city. “I would be in favor of regulations first, and I think that we need to go back to the drawing board, and make sure that we have all our ‘Ts’ crossed, and our ‘Is’ dotted,” Councilmember Grimes said. The Tehachapi City Council now plans on drafting another ordinance that would regulate medical cannabis in the city.
Porterville City Councilmembers Rendezvous with Cannabis Businesses Porterville is taking a balanced, communicative approach toward implementing the best practices for its medical cannabis industry. The Porterville City Council appointed Councilmembers Cameron Hamilton and Monte Reyes to serve on a temporary committee to meet with local medical cannabis businesses for a study session to look at potential hurdles caused by the city’s ordinance changes. Together, Councilmembers Hamilton and Reyes will help iron out city issues surrounding medical cannabis by including input from local business owners. “I would like to meet with these folks at least once before we make any decision and get their perspective,” Hamilton said. Some of the issues currently being looked at include modifying Porterville’s plant limit on home grows. Another issue that will be looked into is the local dispensaries that have been pushed aside into industrial zones. The city council regularly meets to discuss topics such as medical cannabis in the council chambers at Porterville’s City Hall. By adding the committee, cannabis businesses will be given the opportunity to share their side of the story.
Advocates Launch Petition to Legalize and Regulate Medical Cannabis Dispensaries in Bakersfield A medical cannabis initiative is set to replace Bakersfield’s current dispensary ban with rules and regulations under the recently approved Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act. The city could reap anywhere between $500,000 to $1 million in sales tax revenue per year. Initiative proponent Heather Epps told CULTURE how the initiative could change the cannabis landscape in Bakersfield. “We currently don’t have a permit system in place at this point, yet we have, what I would say is over 100 collectives here,” Epps said. “We did the [county] referendum petition, and it’s been six years now. We were able to block [Kern] County from banning collectives, so it’s been an ongoing political issue.” Epps continued to explain that officials have blocked this law before, so supporters of cannabis reform decided to write the law this time around. The measure would only affect dispensaries that are located within city limits. Epps has been actively working on the initiative along with Attorney Phil Ganong, Jeffrey Jarvis and others. They hope to have the same success as when they blocked the Kern County cannabis ban.
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NEWS
The amount of money, in billions of dollars, that the United States is projected to generate in revenue from the cannabis industry by 2025: (Source: The Gazette)
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The amount of money, in millions of British Pounds, that will fund Oxford University’s medical cannabis research program: (Source: The Independent)
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The percentage of beer industry revenue that is estimated to have been lost because of cannabis legalization: (Source: Westword)
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The number of votes, out of 72, that the Utah House of Representatives voted in favor of HB-130, which will allow for medical cannabis research in (Source: KSL.com) Utah:
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The approximate amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the implementation of the Nevada recreational cannabis industry is expected to cost over the next two years: (Source: Reno Gazette-Journal)
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Kern CountyJazz Scottish Games & Gathering Bakersfield Festival
WHAT: Bakersfield Jazz Festival. WHEN/WHERE: Fri, April 28-Sat, April 29. California State University, Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Hwy., Bakersfield. INFO: Visit www.bakersfieldjazzfestival.com for details. Put on your dancing shoes, as the Bakersfield Jazz Festival returns for its 30th year. Attendees will enjoy two days of lively tunes from 13 different musical groups. The music may be the star of the show, but local eateries will also be in attendance to provide some delicious food and drinks, which includes local beers and wines. Friday night’s live music with be headlined by Donny McCaslin and his talented quartet with a performance also by the high-energy
ensemble Ghost-Note. The slick jazz music doesn’t stop Saturday night, as bands like Moonchild and The Kandinsky Effect light up the stage with talented jazz performances. Considering this event is at the California State University, Bakersfield campus, proceeds from the event will go toward scholarship money for university students. Spend your weekend enjoying the mellow harmonies of cool jazz music, while supporting the educational future of students in Bakersfield.
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Once the city of Coalinga started allowing [commercial cannabis cultivation], investors and other people were coming in and buying up property.
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A Healthy Economy Real estate in Coalinga is booming because of commercial cannabis cultivation
by Benjamin M. Adams
R
eal estate properties in Coalinga are selling at an accelerated rate, and the reason is because voters approved commercial cannabis cultivation last November. Coalinga is the only city in Fresno County to take a leap of faith and embrace the new industry by allowing cannabis cultivation. There are no other cash crops available in the area that have become as lucrative as cannabis. The city recently sold the Claremont Custody Center to Ocean Grown Extracts in hopes of turning the abandoned prison into a major cultivation facility. That and other sales are helping the city erase its debt and bring business to the area. The effects of embracing commercial cannabis have done wonders for the city’s real estate scene, which is booming like never before. A study conducted by the University of Mississippi suggested that legalizing cannabis increases the valuation of residential properties in Colorado. The increase in property values in Coalinga can also be attributed to laws that allow cannabis operations. Ordinance No. 797 was adopted by city council on November 3, 2016 and established permanent regulations for licensing commercial cannabis facilities in Coalinga. The ordinance allows businesses to conduct cultivation, processing, extraction, manufacturing, testing, distribution and transportation
under Conditional Use Permits and Regulatory Permits. Licensing fees cost up to $100,000 per year. Facilities are also taxed based on square footage and pay a $400 fee for every employee that is hired. All these fees add up and contribute to eradicating Coalinga’s crippling debt, which is quickly disappearing. Johanna Duval-Alvarez is a realtor and broker for Golden Hills Real Estate in Coalinga. With the advent of commercial cannabis, Duval-Alvarez said that land properties in Coalinga have been valued at up to 10 to 15 times what they were previous valued. “Real estate has been increasing in the area,” Duval-Alvarez told CULTURE. “Sales, as far as residential, have been on the rise or should I say, slow rise, in the past couple years. And now with medical marijuana, I would definitely say land is selling a lot more than it used to be. Actually, commercial property has been a little more stagnant than residential, of course.” Commercial property is limited to industrial zones in the city. Bob Marley’s youngest son, Damian Marley, famously became the face of Ocean Grown Extracts, which is converting Coalinga’s Claremont Custody Center into a massive cultivation facility. The city ended up selling the massive property at the former prison for $4.1 million dollars. That sale alone paid for $3 million of Coalinga’s debt. Part of Coalinga’s allure is its relative proximity to the Bay Area, which is so expensive that cannabis companies are taking their business elsewhere to cities like Coalinga.
Duval-Alvarez attributes the change of pace to commercial cannabis and has no problem with it. “Medical cannabis is the reason for the growth,” she noted. “For the residential aspect, definitely; for the commercial aspect, there was land zoned for light manufacturing that just sort of sat there for some time, for over a year or sometimes two years on some of these properties. Once the city of Coalinga started allowing [commercial cannabis cultivation], investors and other people were coming in and buying up property.” Duval-Alvarez continued to share that legalized cannabis will bring more jobs, businesses and tax revenue to Coalinga. Every time a commercial lot is sold, licensing fees and employee fees help to fuel city infrastructure, city paychecks and public safety. Coalinga Mayor Nathan Vosburg said he is happy about the results he is seeing from the benefits of commercial cannabis. Other industries could follow because of the jump start that was the result of allowing cannabis cultivation. “As far as I know, the city is opposed to it,” Duval-Alvarez added. “But the mayor is looking to make more revenue for the city, and he sees the good in it.” Available land in Coalinga has all but disappeared, which is great news. The local economy that once depended on the town’s prison and oil drilling is long gone, but commercial cannabis cultivation is proving to be not only good for the city’s economy, but great for real estate property values as well. c
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REVIEWs
strain & concentrate Available through: The Classified Connect delivery service.
Kid N’ Kookies Shatter This wonderfully potent shatter was a collaboration produced by Loud Seeds and Harry Blaze as Green Halo Farms’ Kid N’ Kookies. This shatter boasts a bright amber hue absolutely drenched in terpenes that give it the strong acidic smell that experienced consumers love. Kid N’ Kookies Shatter is derived from a potent indica-dominant hybrid and is perfect for dabbing. This diesel-like wax will provide swift relief from pain, insomnia and migraines, although it might be a good idea to finish any chores you’d planned on accomplishing before consuming Kid N’ Kookies, as the effects may send you to the nearest couch or bed.
XJ-13
Available at: Highway 99 in Bakersfield.
Everyone has a favorite strain, but if you haven’t treated yourself to this hybrid’s stellar effects, then your opinion might just change. This 50:50 hybrid boasts a THC content of over 20 percent and a flavor spectrum that’s both sweet and spicy without either side overpowering the other. Basically, this strain is a perfect yin-yang combination for anyone consuming it, day or night.
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HERE 4 Way Intersection A four-way intersection can either set the stage for a courteous showdown between two friendly drivers or it can become the breeding ground for a royal rumble between highly aggravated individuals. Thankfully 4 Way Intersection will send you into cruise control rather than have you pumping your brakes. Phantom Pharm in Bakersfield is one of our favorite dispensaries to visit, and this gorgeous amber shatter is worth the trip. Coming fullyloaded with rich terpenes and low mileage, this is surely a shatter too good to pass by.
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Available at: Phantom Pharm in Bakersfield.
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REVIEWs
Head Change Extracts Lemon Larry OG As refreshing and relaxing as a tall glass of cool lemonade in the summertime, this strain’s citrus profile had our mouths watering almost instantly. Even more instant were the effects that seemed to creep up our spines and send our heads into the clouds. Surprisingly, couch-lock is not one of the effects you’ll feel as Larry’s hybrid euphoria is mostly uplifting and giddy. Here’s to life giving us some more of these lemons soon—you can stop in to CNE in Bakersfield and pour yourself a glass today.
Available at: Cannibals Medibals in Bakersfield.
Available at: CNE in Bakersfield.
24K Fun fact—all of the gold ever mined on Earth could fit into three Olympic-sized swimming pools. With that in mind, we wish we had a few pools worth of this indica heavy hybrid as our supply ran out all too fast for our liking. 24K is covered in bold, green leaves and dusted in trichomes rich in THC that leave you searching for a couch and something to quell the hunger pains that are induced by this strong hybrid. Anxiety and chronic pain will be out to rest for anyone who picks up these divine flowers. And, if you really love someone but are short on cash, this precious metal will surely show how much you care. Stop by Cannibals Medibals today. You can thank us later.
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HERE
Slabstract AC/DC Bred for the specific purpose of non-psychoactive cannabis therapy, AC/DC is truly unique with a 14:1 CBD to THC ratio. This sativa carries all of the antiinflammatory and anti-anxiety properties of CBD and just a light little lift of the THC that helps the CBD work harder for the consumer. Slabstract AC/ DC is ideal for use at any point in the day as well as at night, although some consumers may feel a heightened sense of energy after consumption. This high CBD strain works wonders as it combats pain, nausea, anxiety and inflammation.
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Available at: LEAF in Bakersfield California.
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Chuck Shepherd's
News of the
Weird
U-S-A! U-S-A! u Although discouraging the marriage of children in developing nations has been U.S. foreign policy for years, a datacollecting watchdog group in America disclosed in February that 27 U.S. states have no minimum marriage ages and estimates that an average of almost 25,000 children age 15 and under are permitted to marry every year (“estimates” because some states do not keep records by age). Child marriage is often allowed in the U.S. if parents approve, although no such exemption is made in foreign policy, largely to curb developing nations’ “family honor” marriages—which often wreck girls’ chances for self-actualizing. (However, “family honor” is still, in some states, the basis for allowing U.S. child marriages, such as with “shotgun” weddings.)
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COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS u Creative: (1) Glenn Schloeffel, vice president of the Central Bucks school board in a Philadelphia suburb, recommended that science books be viewed skeptically on “climate change” because teenage “depression” rates have been increasing. Surely, he said, one factor depressing students is reading all that alarming climate-change data. (2) Seattle’s Real Estate Services rental agency has informed the family of the late Dennis Hanel that it
would not return Hanel’s security deposit following his January death because Hanel had not given the lease-required “notice” giving up his apartment. (He had cancer, but died of a heart attack. Washington state law requires only that the landlord provide an explanation why it is keeping the deposit.) RUNAWAY MATH u (1) John Haskew, who told investigators that he was “self-taught on the banking industry,” evidently thought he might succeed making bogus wire transfers to himself from a large (unidentified) national bank, in the amount of $7 billion. He pleaded guilty in February in Lakeland, Florida. (He said he thought he “deserved” the money.) (2) Katherine Kempson, 49, deciding to pay “cash” for a $1.2 million home, forged (according to York County, Pennsylvania, deputies) a “proof of funds” letter from the Members 1st credit union. Home sales are, of course, highly regulated formalities, and several attempted “closings” were halted when her money kept not showing up. One deputy told a reporter, “I’m guessing that she probably didn’t think it through.” u The highest bail amount ever ordered in America—$4 billion for murder suspect Antonio Willis—was briefly in play in Killeen, Texas, in February, set by Bell County’s elected Justice of the Peace Claudia Brown. Bail was reduced 10 days later to $150,000 by a district court judge, prompting Brown to acknowledge that she set the “$4 billion” to call attention to Texas’ lack of bail standards, which especially punishes indigent arrestees with little hope of raising even modest amounts when accused of minor crimes.
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