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inside
contents
10.2016
CULTURE M
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Publisher Jeremy Zachary Editor-In-Chief Evan Senn associate Editor Ashley Bennett managing Editor Jamie Solis
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Editorial Contributors Benjamin Adams, Sheryll Alexander, Marguerite Arnold, Jake Browne, Cole Garrison, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, David Downs, Natasha Guimond, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Anthony Herrold, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Joe Jatcko, David Jenison, Kevin Longrie, Emily Manke, Tyler Markwart, Meital Manzuri, Sandy Moriarty, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Joy Shannon, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Zara Zhi Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Duncan Rolfson Art Director Steven Myrdahl
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production manager Tommy LaFleur Graphic Designer Tanya Delgadillo
Planning For The Future Kern Citizens for Patient Rights sets its sights on a medical cannabis initiative for 2017 and beyond.
departments 8 News Nuggets
10 By the Numbers
14 Strain Reviews 20 News of the Weird
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bakersfield Jon Bookatz sales manager Account Executives Rob Bayless, Kim Cook, Eric Bulls, Cole Garrison, Gene Gorelik, Teddy Helms, Brad Hoffner, Beau Odom, Justin Olson, Chris Thatcher, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital content manager David Edmundson digital marketing Alazzia Gaoay manager Ctv Contributors Quinn Marie Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla
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ON THE COVER: p h o t o b y E l i z a b et h L i pp m a n
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/iReadCulture
/iReadCulture
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NEWS
nuggets
Paso Robles to Restrict Recreational Cannabis in Favor of Medical Use Paso Robles voted on September 20 to restrict recreational cannabis if the Adult Use of Marijuana Act passes in November. As a result, the city plans to create a task force to regulate medical cannabis. The vote was a unanimous 4-0, and is the first zoning code in the city that restricts recreational and commercial cannabis. The task force will have the next six months to come up with suggestions regarding the city’s regulation of medical cannabis. This decision came after Police Chief Robert Burton shared his concern with the council about Proposition 64. Burton shared that he did not want to council to wait to put forth regulations to regulate recreational cannabis after it was already legalized. “I wanted to make sure we had all the safeguards in place,” Burton said.
St. George Greek Food Festival
San Luis Obispo County Passed Urgency Rules to Ban Cannabis Cultivation During a meeting on September 20, San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of banning new cannabis cultivation in the county’s unincorporated areas. Any sites that were operating before August 23 are still allowed to continue their grows. The ruling also enacts new requirements on existing cannabis cultivation sites. One example is a new requirement for cannabis cultivation areas to be enclosed by a six-foot tall fence. The urgency ordinance is a temporary rule that will be enacted for the next 45 days, which could be extended for two years while a permanent ordinance is being written. Supervisor Adam Hill was responsible for the voting against the urgency rule, because he was in favor of fewer restrictions. “I’m not convinced that we have an emergency,” Hill said. “I think it’s more important for us to get the right policies in place.”
New Cannabis Cultivation Center Wants to Operate in Hanford Keith Stephenson, the owner of Purple Heart Patient Center in Oakland, wrote a letter to the Hanford City Council in mid-September with hopes of opening up an “indoor medical cannabis cultivation site” in Hanford. Stephenson’s letter asked the city to amend its laws that currently ban cannabis-related businesses like collectives and cultivation sites. He added that a building in Hanford, which has been vacant since 2000, would be the perfect location for the proposed facility, and could bring in an estimated 1,115 full-time jobs. In his estimates, Stephenson stated the pay for each of those jobs would be set at $15 per hour and would give the city taxes that could equal up to $14 million annually. The Hanford City Council meet on September 20 and agreed to discuss the request further. 8
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Be sure to show up hungry to the threeday St. George Greek Food Festival, which is thrown by the St. George Greek Orthodox Church! While the traditional Greek dancing and music will get the party going, there is so much more to this exciting festival. Bring the little ones, as kids’ games and shopping are sure to bring lots of attendees this year. However, what everyone really looks forward to is the colorful and delicious food that will be at this event. From masterfully grilled meats and dolmades to kolokythokeftedes and moussaka, there are plenty of new things to try at this festival, and it will ensure that you will come back for more, year after year. Soak in some fascinating aspects of Greek culture while you celebrate all weekend at this family-friendly event.
WHAT: St. George Greek Food Festival. WHEN/WHERE: Fri, Oct. 14- Sun, Oct. 16. Hellenic Park, 401 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield. INFO: Visit stgeorgebakersfield.org for more informat
Carving by Tim Pate. Photo by CY Amberwood. Pumpkins by The Pumpkin Patch, Sauvie Island, Oregon
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NEWS
The number of people who were arrested in 2015 for cannabis possession, the lowest number of cannabis possession arrests in almost 20 years: (Source: The Washington Post)
574,641
The average number of Americans who try cannabis every day for the very first time: (Source: The Atlantic)
7,000
The number of licensed cannabis producers that are allowed to operate in Canada (which are mostly located in Ontario and British Columbia): (Source: Ottawa Citizen)
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The additional number of signatures that were submitted for a cannabis proposal to legalize medical cannabis in Arkansas:
34,804
(Source: San Francisco Chronicle)
Laughs and Drafts
4,000
The number of signatures counted by the Oklahoma Secretary of State that were required to get a medical cannabis proposal on the November ballot: (Source: San Francisco Chronicle)
67, 761
WHAT: Laughs and Drafts. WHEN/WHERE: Sat, Oct. 22. Temblor Brewing Company, 3200 Buck Owens Blvd. #B, Bakersfield. INFO: Visit www.temblorbrewing.com for more information.
Get ready to laugh uncontrollably for this comedic fundraising event. Get your laughs with Habitat for Humanity Golden Empire. If you’re ready to hear talented comedians that are from both out of town and locally, then big names like Bil Owyer, Lisa Best, James Ponce and Shawn Pearlman will deliver a performance you don’t want to miss. For those who are looking for even 10
The estimated number of people who marched through Berlin, Germany in early August for the 20th anniversary demonstration for cannabis legalization: (Source: San Francisco Chronicle)
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more entertainment, this evening will also feature live music from the pop-rock band, Lonely Avenue. Who knew that enjoying an evening of laughter and live music could lead to families in needs getting homes built for them? Laugh for a good cause, and don’t forget to take advantage of the fact that you’re partying at a brewery by having a delicious local craft beer.
The number of licenses that the Department of Health will issue to potential medical cannabis collectives in Hawaii for every 500 patients who live in one county, starting October 1, 2017: (Source: West Hawaii Today)
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REVIEWs
strain
Available at: The Crop in Bakersfield.
Harambe The Crop has done it again. Harambe, the name of the Western lowland gorilla who was tragically killed by zookeepers after a young child fell into his enclosure, became internet legend by way of memes earlier this year. Harambe the strain became legendary at CULTURE due to its lasting effects. Bright green and packed with tons of those wonderful terpenes we all love, this phenotype is just begging to assist patients seeking relief from insomnia and chronic pains associated with cancer treatments. Stop by The Crop in Bakersfield and remember, R.I.P. Harambe.
Gas Man Mad Town Cookies Bakersfield Gas Co. is like an oasis in the middle of the desert giving weary travelers a bit of relief. Continuously churning out stellar products month after month, CULTURE is always excited when something new comes our way. The Madtown Cookies come practically smothered in bright crystals and slim, elongated, fiery orange hairs. Perfect for patients looking for a powerfully sedative strain with lasting euphoric effects, expect these flowers to fly off the shelves quickly. If a high-THC and dank scent is what you’re after in your bud, the Gas Man has you sorted. No need to thank us, just head over the Gas Co. yourself.
Available at: Bakersfield Gas Co. in Bakersfield.
Available at: Cannibals in Bakersfield.
Cannibals Medibals Sunset Sherbert This indica-dominant hybrid’s candy-like smell can be deceitful, while its terpene-rich flowers hit you like a bolt of electricity, giving you a perfectly mixed bag of effects. It’s strong enough to relieve even the most intense chronic pain, yet somehow uplifting and energetic enough to save you from couch-lock. We’re just going to come out and say it, this should be in every patient’s arsenal. Ideal for use during the day, users can expect the euphoric effect to leave them reaching for more. Stop by Cannibals in Bakersfield to add a little pep in your step.
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“Right now and within the city limits of Bakersfield, to qualify for the AB-266, we need to be in good standing with our local government.” 18
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FOCUSED AND DETERMINED KERN COUNTY citizens group
continues fight for medical cannabis by Jamie Solis
T
he group that has worked to reverse the City of Bakersfield’s current ban on medical cannabis will not go down without a fight. The Medical Cannabis Initiative by Kern Citizens for Patient Rights (KCPR) might not be appearing on the November 2016 ballot, however that does not mean that the initiative has been defeated. Instead, KCPR plans on submitting its measure for a future election. KCPR drafted the Medical Cannabis Initiative in order to encourage Bakersfield to regulate cannabis under the regulations adopted by California’s Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act of 2015 (MMRSA), which is also known as AB-266. This law requires cannabis-related businesses to secure a permit from the city to operate. The KCPR-backed initiative would implement zoning requirements in Bakersfield for medical cannabis collectives, as well as a 7.5 percent tax on the gross income of all cannabis-related sales. CULTURE spoke with Liz Clarke, who is the treasurer of KCPR. Clarke gave her insight into the great lengths her citizens group has worked in order to get the
Medical Cannabis Initiative to qualify. “Right now and within the city limits of Bakersfield, to qualify for the AB-266, we need to be in good standing with our local government. And right now, all the shops in Bakersfield city limits are banned.” Clarke said. “So we wouldn’t qualify to be regulated in the state. We would be shut out essentially. So these are regulations that align with AB-266 and that also give a little extra tax to the City of Bakersfield to help fund the regulation that would happen if people vote this in.” Although the group has gathered more than double the required signatures, Clarke explained that it ended up being quite a daunting task due to the unincorporated areas scattered throughout the city. “It was a frustrating process,” Clarke stated. “It didn’t go as quickly as we wanted in order to get it on the November ballot, because of the intricacy of someone being a city voter versus a county voter. It took a little bit longer, which is why we didn’t put it on the November ballot.” The group needed to gather 15,500 signatures in order to qualify as a future ballot initiative. At the time of this writing, KCPR has
gathered 36,281 signatures that they plan on submitting for a future ballot. The group continues to remain dedicated and focused to getting this legislation on a future ballot, because it is the only way the existing cannabis collectives in Bakersfield may eventually enter into California’s potential recreational market. “We have this legalization for recreational use coming up in November, but what people don’t realize is that your city and your county can still say no,” Clarke explained. “The general public doesn’t always understand how the politics behind cannabis is frustrating.” KCPR continues to fight for medical cannabis rights in Bakersfield, and the group encourages the public to become educated on the importance of changing the laws in our cities and counties regarding cannabis. This is because they are the ones who really hold the power over medical or recreational cannabis in our communities. Either way, the future for Bakersfield medical cannabis remains bright. As Clarke stated, “We will be on the next ballot.” c
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(as an antioxidant and for limiting neurological damage following strokes).
Chuck Shepherd's
News of the
Weird LEAD STORY—VIRTUAL FANDOM u The phenomenal Japanese singer Hatsune Miku (100 million YouTube hits) is coming off of a sold-out, 10city North American concert tour with high-energy audiences (blocks-long lines to get in; raucous crowd participation; hefty souvenir sales), except that “she” isn’t real. Hatsune Miku is a projected hologram on stage singing and dancing (but her band is human), and her May show in Dallas, according to a Dallas Observer review, typically ignited frenzied fans who know the show’s “every beat, outfit ... and glow stick color-change.” Her voice, a synthesized “vocaloid,” is crafted in pitch, timbre and timing to sound human. (The latest PlayStation brings Hatsune Miku into the home by virtual reality.) THE FINER POINTS OF LAW u Make Up Your Mind, Feds: On Aug. 11, the federal government’s Drug Enforcement Agency famously refused to soften the regulation of marijuana, leaving it (with heroin) as a harsh “Schedule I” drug because, citing Food and Drug Administration findings, it has “no medical use.” However, as the Daily Caller pointed out, another federal agency—Department of Health and Human Services—obtained a U.S. patent in 2003 for marijuanaderived cannabinoids, which HHS pointed out have several medical uses 20
u Priorities: (1) “A dog has better protection than our kids,” lamented an Oregon prosecutor in May because, unlike the pet law, the “child abuse” law requires proof the victim experienced “substantial” pain—which a young child often lacks vocabulary to describe. (Simply showing welts and bruises is insufficient, the Court of Appeals has ruled.) (2) That same Oregon Court of Appeals ruled in June that Thomas Wade, 44, was not guilty of a crime when in 2013 he unzipped his pants, reached inside, and at that point cursed the woman he had confronted in a public park. “Distasteful,” wrote the Court, but it was an exercise of Wade’s free speech right. u Texas! In August, Houston defense lawyer Jerry Guerinot announced his retirement from deathpenalty cases, leaving him with a perfect record (for that area of his practice): He lost every single time. Twenty-one clients received the death penalty, and 10 have been executed (so far). He made no excuses, pointing out that “gang members, serial killers and sociopaths” were entitled to representation, too, and that he has taken more than 500 noncapital cases to trial (with, presumably, more success). TOURISTS GONE WILD u (1) Tourism officials in Iceland recently posted “hundreds” of signs at visitor attractions showing a squatting person in silhouette, with a small pile on the ground underneath— and the familiar diagonal line (indicating “don’t”). Critics of the signs reluctantly admit Iceland’s chronic shortage of public restrooms. (2) In a YouTube clip
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released in July, a Disney fan posted shot after shot of “rude” Chinese tourists at Shanghai Disneyland, coaxing their small children to urinate in public rather than in restrooms. (3) The Tourism Bureau of Japan’s Hokkaido island recently rewrote its etiquette guide for visitors to underscore the inappropriateness of “belching or flatulence” in public. LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS u Suspicions Confirmed: (1) A New York Times reporter, describing in June the rising prices of prescription pharmaceuticals, noted that a popular pain reliever (probably describing oxycodone) was available on the Paterson, New Jersey, black market for $25 a pill, while heroin was going for $2 a baggie. (2) The economic growth rate in Ireland for 2015 was revised—upward— in July. Growth of its gross domestic product was originally estimated at 7.8 percent, but subsequently— adding the paper value of several “inversions” (U.S. companies “moving” to Ireland to reduce U.S. taxes)—Ireland found that it was actually growing at 26.7 percent. AWESOME! u (1) Investigators revealed in July that an off-duty Aurora, Colorado, sheriff’s deputy had justifiably fired his gun to resist a parking lot mugging—and that, furthermore, one of the bullets from Deputy Jose Marquez’s gun had gone straight into the barrel of one of the handguns pointed at him. The investigators called the shot “one in a billion.” (2) Matthew Lavin, 39, drew internet acclaim in July after he was gored through his left thigh while “running with the bulls” in the annual spectacle in Pamplona, Spain. Interviewed in his
hospital bed by Madrid’s The Local, he called it “the best time ever” and said he looked forward to another run next year. IRONIES u Gary Durham, 40, was shot to death during a heated road-rage incident in Plant City, Florida, on Aug. 10. Durham had served 10 years in prison after an aggressive road-rage episode in 2001 in which he pursued another driver and knocked him to the ground, causing the man to hit his head, fatally, on the pavement. (Included in Durham’s 2002 sentence was an order to take anger management classes.) WAIT, WHAT? u The Borough Council of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, was surprised to learn in June that, because of an existing local ordinance, dogs were not permitted in its brand-new Pompton Lakes dog park, created with great fanfare in an area of Hershfield Park. The council vowed to fix the problem. (2) In June, a police watchdog agency in Dublin, Ireland, asked officers (“gardai”) across the country to try to carry out house raids at “reasonable hours” so that they do not disturb the occupants. (In one complaint, gardai staged a 3:15 a.m. raid to search for evidence of stolen vehicle accessories.) u A 9-year-old girl named Irina won a contest in Berezniki, Russia, in August for letting mosquitos bite her more often that they bit other contestants. It is the signature event of the annual Russian Mosquito Festival, and her 43 hits were enough to earn her the title of “tastiest girl.” The annual Great Texas Mosquito Festival in Clute, Texas (south of Houston), apparently has nothing comparable.
Edible Dosing and Portion Control 10mg Breaking it up equally in the right doses is important. If you’re a newbie or are unsure what dose you should start with, always err on the side of caution, and start small. Put the pieces away somewhere out of reach of others, and save the rest for later.
5mg Seasoned cannasseurs may start with a 5mg dose. But make sure to piece out your doses with precision, and put away the rest. Wait at least 90-120 minutes for effects to kick in, before you assess if you need more.
3mg This is the safe first dose amount. Start small. You can always eat more later if you need to. Always wait at least 90-120 minutes for effects to kick in.
20mg Whatever the milligram dosage, make sure to do the math and calculate how many doses are in the edible as a whole. One dose should be 3-5mg, depending on tolerance and medical need.
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