Culture Magazine Colorado April 2019 by Culture Magazine

APRIL 2019 CultureMagazine.com

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inside

contents 4.2019

L IF E OF A L EGEND

Janis Joplin is one of the most famous female rock stars of all time—her talent as a singer and musical legend is unparalleled, she was far ahead of her time when it came to equality, and she is still a popular figure in cannabis culture to this day. ON THE COVER:

P H OTO BY DAV I D G A H R /G E T T Y I M AG E S

features

departments

Time Flies In just 27 years, Janis Joplin’s lifetime was dotted with many exciting milestones.

Behind the Scenes The Woodstock Music & Arts Festival is an American tradition that spans 50 years.

Beginner Friendly Everything you need to know about cannabis if you’re new to the scene.

Spiritual Connection Cannabis-cultivating nun, Sister Kate, discusses the story of the Sisters of the Valley and their new documentary, Breaking Habits.

All That Class Approach 420 differently this year with the intent on elevating the experience.

Industry Insider Vangst Founder Karson Humiston discusses her journey in assisting cannabis business owners in finding the best applicants for job openings.

news 10 News Nuggets 14 By the Numbers 18 Local News 20 Healthy Living reviews 22 Dispensary Highlight 26 Strain, Edible & Concentrate Reviews 32 Cool Stuff 34 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 70 À La

Carte 76 Growing Culture 77 News of the Weird

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Online Exclusive! d Study States That Medical Cannabis Increases Productivity d

Ultimate 420 Playlist

VOL 10 ISSUE 10

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jamie Solis ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ashley Kern EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Benjamin Adams EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Matthew Abel, Hilary Bricken, Devon Alexander Brown, David Edmundson, Caroline Hayes, Carl Kozlowski, Alison Malsbury, Emily Manke, Kiara Manns, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly R. Simms, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf PHOTOGRAPHERS Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner, Bruce Wolf ART DIRECTOR Steven Myrdahl PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Aguirre REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Kim Cook ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alex Brizicky, Angie Callahan, Eric Bulls, Casey Roel OFFICE MANAGER Mikayla Aguilar

CULTURE® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 1,400 locations throughout Colorado. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. CULTURE® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

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NEWS

NUGGETS

Bipartisan Cannabis Consumption Bill Introduced A newly introduced bipartisan bill might solve the issue of the lack of cannabis consumption lounges by creating guidelines for hospitality business owners in Colorado. House Bill 19-1230 would allow cannabis in hospitality businesses, meaning cannabis would be able to be consumed on-site and also at sites where cannabis can be purchased and consumed within the hospitality

establishment. “For the first time in a social setting, consumers will have the ability to make the safer choice when it comes to legal recreational products. Not only will this bill clarify the legality of economically important cannabis tourism operations in the state, but as a result, Colorado will continue to pave the way for the rest of the world to look toward and build upon,” Michael Eymer, founder of Colorado Cannabis Tours, said in a statement. It is hoped that Gov. Jared Polis will view this issue positively and sign off on the bill. If passed, HB-19-1230 will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

Boulder Company Receives U.S. Patent for Cannabis Product Boulder-based JC Pharma, Inc. was recently granted a patent for Cannatol Rx, its intranasal cannabis product that is used to treat epileptic seizures and self-harm behavior in seconds for children with autism. Jason Cranford, the founder of JC Pharma and the Flowering H.O.P.E. Foundation, believes that his company’s patent-pending product is a great solution for those with medical needs. “Many on the severe end of the autism spectrum have intermittent overactive seizure-like brain activity. We documented several embodiment examples in our patent describing the elimination of self-injurious behavior and seizures in kids after intranasal 10

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administration of our formulation. We already have some pre-clinical in vitro data showing a neuroprotective mechanism, and our next big step is to seek funding and approval for human clinical trials,” said Cranford in the press release. The Cannatol Rx product line consists of botanicals that are made from hemp grown at Colorado farms and processed in JC Pharma, Inc. labs.

Alaska Becomes First State to License Onsite Cannabis Consumption While individual cities like San Francisco, California and Denver, Colorado allow smoking or vaping in certain cannabis lounges or dispensaries, Alaska is the first state to implement a statewide policy allowing consumption on-site. Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer signed regulations on March 12, allowing licensed cannabis stores to apply for on-site cannabis consumption. “When these rules go into effect, Alaska will be the first state to finalize and approve statewide rules for on-site consumption,” said NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri. “We expect more to follow suit in the not too distant future. Allowing social consumption is sensible from a business perspective, particularly for states with large amounts of tourists who otherwise have no place to legally consume, but it also has an important social justice component.” Licensed retail businesses can apply for an onsite use endorsement beginning on April 11.

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The percentage of residents in Colorado who said that they consume cannabis at least a “few times” per week: (Source: The Seattle Times)

The estimated percentage of Colorado teenagers who admitted to consuming cannabis, according to a recent report conducted by public health researchers: (Source: Boulder Weekly)

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that Colorado recorded in medical and recreational cannabis sales in January: (Source: Westword)

124.9

The percentage of Colorado businesses that have removed cannabis from their pre-employment drug screenings since recreational cannabis became legal in Colorado in 2014: (Source: KOAA)

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that Oklahoma recorded in medical cannabis sales during the month of February:

7.2

(Source: CBS Local)

Mile High 420 Festival

The number of votes from the Florida Senate, out of 112, that were cast in favor of repealing the state’s ban on the smoking of medical cannabis: (Source: Forbes)

101

The approximate number of cannabis-related jobs that became available in 2018 in the U.S.:

64,389

(Source: Yahoo! Finance)

The approximate number of people in Switzerland who consume cannabis regularly: (Source: Associated Press)

200,000

WHEN: Sat, April 20 WHERE: Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave., Denver

WEBSITE: milehigh420festival.com The Mile High 420 Festival calls itself the “World’s Largest Free 420 Celebration,” although that claim to fame is debatable. Take part in the community as the list of states with legal cannabis continues to grow. Tens of thousands of people are expected to celebrate 420 in Civic Center Park. Despite the top-billed names, the festival is free to the public. The festivities will be 14

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headlined by T.I. and Jermaine Dupri, with more acts to be announced. With partners including Dixie Elixirs and O.penVAPE, and sponsored by Keef Brands, KAVIAR, Lucky Edibles and more, it’s bound to be a great show. If you’re not into the bigger names in music, there will also be a local music stage for the Colorado-based bands and acts to perform.

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NEWS

LOCAL

Stick Figure

Vaping Could Vanish

B i l l t h at w o u l d b a n p u b l i c v a p i n g moves ahead

By Caroline Hayes

lectronic cigarettes and vape pens could no longer be an easy and discreet way to legally consume cannabis or tobacco in Colorado, if legislators have their way. A bill to add vaporizing to the list of activities banned by the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act was introduced on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at a state House of Representatives committee meeting. Originally passed in 2006, the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits the use of tobacco in public places, but excludes cigar lounges, casinos and some patios. When recreational cannabis laws took effect in Colorado in 2013, cannabis smoke was added to that list. Currently, the bill does not clarify or prohibit vaporizing. Advocates and sponsors of the Clean Indoor Air Act now want to add vaporizing of any kind (tobacco or cannabis) to that banned list, as well as retirement homes, hotels and areas within 25 feet of all public building entryways. House Bill 19-1076 is sponsored by Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Rep. Colin Larson and supported by many business owners in Denver. HB-19-1076 amends the current Colorado Indoor Clean Air Act by “eliminating existing conditions for certain places of business in which smoking may be permitted, such as airport smoking concessions, businesses with three or fewer employees, designated smoking rooms in hotels and designated smoking areas in assisted living facilities; and Repealing the ability of property owners and managers to 18

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designate smoking and nonsmoking areas through the posting of sign,” according to the official bill summary posted by the Colorado General Assembly. It also adds a clear definition of what an e-cig is and how it can adversely affect health. Why the sudden change of heart on public vaporizing? Well for one, vaping among teens has become an epidemic, and Colorado has the highest rate of teens who vape in the country, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. According to a 2015 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 percent more middle school and high school students vape than traditional smoking methods. New commercials from The Truth claim that youth who vaporize are more likely to eventually use tobacco. Vaporizing has become increasingly popular as the cannabis industry and its products evolve. Using a vape pen to consume cannabis allows patients to receive the medical benefits quicker, as this is a quick point of entry due how it is absorbed into the bloodstream. For many cannabis patients, vaporizing is a fast-acting and low-key way to curb social anxiety, chronic pain and muscle spasms, to name a few. While not as discreet as eating an edible, vaporizing is a different and quicker way of getting cannabis into the bloodstream and is used by many cannabis patients. The new bill poses a bit of controversy among those who medicate using cannabis vapor. However, state representatives and sponsors of the bill, Michaelson Jenet and Larson, assure patients that the Americans with Disabilities Act would allow them to vaporize cannabis when they need it if their medical condition required it. According to breathefreecolorado.com, 76 percent of Coloradans say the Clean Indoor Air Act should apply to cannabis vaping, yet 65 percent of those voters say the decision on cannabis vaping indoors should be left in the hands of the specific business owners. While social-use cannabis consumption has legalized in Denver, most are still unclear on the laws, and the city is has been slow to license the much-needed number of consumption lounges. Cannabis advocates and business owners wonder how this new bill might affect sales and business. c

Want to enjoy a blast of reggae this 420 holiday? If so, this event is perfect for you. The night will be hosted by comedian Nick Swardson from Reno 911! Stick Figure will headline the evening, with opening acts from Steel Pulse, Pepper, The Movement and Iya Terra. Stick Figure, led by Scott Woodruff, has been playing Caribbean jams since 2006 and has become one of the most popular reggae acts. Any Stick Figure fan knows that Cocoa The Tour Dog appears at every concert and is part of the show. Stick Figure’s signature strain Stick Figure Sour is a sativa-dominant blend of Sour Diesel and it is available at select dispensaries in Colorado and Washington. In 2015, the group’s sixth album Set in Stone hit No. 1 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and the Heatseekers Albums chart. Don’t miss it! WHEN: Sat, April 20 WHERE: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy., Morrison WEBSITE: stickfiguremusic. com

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NEWS

HEALTHY LIVING

Triumphant Treatment

C o m b at i n g c a n c e r with cannabis By Lanny Swerdlow, RN LNC

pproximately 38.4 percent of men and women in the United States will contract cancer in their lifetime, with an estimated 1,762,450 new cancer cases and 606,880 cancer deaths predicted for 2019. This is often swept under the rug by mainstream medicine, despite how there are an abundance of research reports showing that cannabis reduces deaths from cancer by slowing and even preventing the development of the condition. As early as 1974, a study conducted at the Medical College of Virginia found that the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) “slowed the growth of lung cancers, breast cancers and virus-induced leukemia in laboratory mice, and prolonged their lives by as much as 36 percent.” Over the last 45 years there has been a cornucopia of research documenting cannabis as a cancer inhibitor including two studies published in 2019 in Britain and Brazil that found cannabidiol (CBD) to be effective in reducing cancerous tumors. Research on cannabis is so overwhelming that the American Cancer Society has even created a webpage dedicated to the

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basic facts of cannabis and how it works to treat cancer. “THC and other cannabinoids such as CBD slow growth and/ or cause death in certain types of cancer cells growing in lab dishes. Some animal studies also suggest certain cannabinoids may slow growth and reduce spread of some forms of cancer,” the organization states on cancer.org. Research suggests that cancer prevention properties of cannabis are due to its ability to inhibit cancer cell reproduction, impede the formation of new blood vessels needed by tumors to grow, prevent cancer from spreading to other organs and its unique capacity to specifically target cancerous cells without damaging healthy cells. The genesis of cannabis as a cancer curative began in 2008 with the release of a film by Christian Laurette entitled Run From the Cure: The Rick Simpson Story. The film reveals the legendary story of Rick Simpson who was diagnosed in 2003 with basal cell carcinoma skin cancer. Learning of the 1974 Medical College of Virginia study cited above, Simpson reasoned that if cannabis could kill cancers in

“A n e x p e r i e n c e d r e c r e at i o n a l u s e r consumes about 25 m i l l i g r a m s at o n e t i m e which is about 1/40th of the dosage needed to overcome cancer.”

mice, then it might cure his cancer. He set about developing a highly concentrated cannabis oil, which he applied directly to his skin cancers. After just four days, the cancer is said to have disappeared. Simpson dedicated his life to spreading the word about the curative powers of cannabis oil, which now bears his name—Rick Simpson Oil (RSO). He has helped cure over 5,000 people from various forms of cancer. How many more have achieved a cure is unknown, but over a million people have viewed the film about his life-saving discovery. RSO is a super-concentrated oil with THC concentration levels reaching upwards of 95 percent. The suggested dosage is one gram (1,000 milligrams) of RSO for 60 days. The extremely high dosage is necessary to ensure that there are enough cannabinoids circulating throughout the body to find and kill the cancerous cells. It is physically impossible to consume enough cannabis to obtain a therapeutic dose. An experienced recreational user consumes about 25 milligrams at one time, which is reportedly about 1/40th of the dosage needed to overcome cancer. Consequently, a person needs to acclimate their body to this high a dosage. Over a two- to four-week period, a miniscule amount is taken three times a day gradually increasing the dose to one gram. It cannot be emphasized enough that this is an unproven treatment and that cancer patients should not abandon traditional cancer curatives such as radiation and chemotherapy. A patient with cancer should use all the weapons in the anti-cancer arsenal. In fact, one of the benefits of using cannabis is that in addition to killing cancer cells, cannabis has been reported to aid with radiation and chemotherapy treatments as its helps counteract the nausea and other negative side effects of these effective but debilitating regimens. Before beginning a cannabis regimen to treat cancer, be sure to check with your doctor first. RSO or other concentrated cannabis oils are readily available at many medical dispensaries, depending on where you live. When purchasing a product, be sure to talk to knowledgeable budtenders about what to use and how to use it and only purchase lab tested cannabis oil labeled with accurate percentages of THC and CBD. A study from MetLife found that cancer is the most-feared disease among adults in America. However, thanks to recent advances in medicine and the use of cannabis as a treatment, these legitimate concerns can be alleviated. c

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REVIEWS

dispensary highlight

S ta r b ud s S o u t he a s t A ur o r a 14655 E. Arapahoe Rd., Aurora (303) 699-1222 www.starbuds.us/southeast-aurora

How and when did your dispensary start up? Our Starbuds Southeast Aurora location opened its doors almost one year ago, on April 19, 2018. What does your dispensary offer customers that they can’t find anywhere else? At Starbuds we strive to offer the best possible customer experience. With one of the biggest product selections in Colorado, we have something for everyone, and our knowledgeable budtenders are happy to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Rather than pre-packaging our bud, we serve our bud deli style, meaning customers have the opportunity to smell the flower, see the trichomes and even pick out their own nugs before making a purchase. How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? 22

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Having been in the business since the beginning of legalization in Colorado, we’ve seen the industry change quite a bit. As the stigma dies, cannabis businesses have become legitimized and more readily accepted. Ultimately, we hope to see national and even global legalization, allowing us to provide not only Colorado, but the rest of the world with the best possible dispensary experience. What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a dispensary? . . . Biggest joys? The industry is constantly changing, new rules and regulations are put into effect, while old ones change, you always have to be on your toes and be ready to adapt. That being said, it’s all worth it when a customer leaves with a smile on their face, having found exactly what they’re looking for. What is the one thing you want customers to know about your dispensary? Purchasing cannabis should be enjoyable, comfortable and educational. We’re here to help you find exactly what you’re looking for with a price point to match! As a thank you to our loyal customers, we

TOP-SELLIN G STR AIN Purple Voodoo TOP-SELLIN G CO NCENTR ATE West Edison TOP-SELLIN G EDIBLE TasteBudz Gummies

offer one of best loyalty programs in the business, so you can earn rewards on all your purchases. If someone wanted to open a dispensary and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? Go for it! With the industry being as new as it is, there’s always room for more budtenders, brands and entrepreneurs. It will be hard and it will take time, but in the end, it’s worth it! What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? As a company, we strive to be a household name in the U.S. and beyond. Known for our excellent customer service, bountiful product variety and easy going atmosphere. c

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REVIEWS

strain, edible & concentrate

Chemmy Jones Bubble Cone Can we just tell you how excited we are to have found a pre-roll cone joint that contains bubble hash and top-shelf flower? Solventless concentrates are making a comeback, and we are thrilled about it. The one-gram cone joint from Dadirri Extracts is a 3:1 flower to bubble hash ratio. Grown by In The Flow, Chemmy Jones is a cross of Chemdawg x Casey Jones and was an incredible way to motivate us. The joint burned perfectly and was more than enough for the two of us sampling. This size joint might last you two to three sessions! It tasted fruity and strong. We smoked about half and found ourselves really wanting to get out of the house, which was tough to do on such a cold spring Colorado day, but the Chemmy Jones warmed our bones and energized us enough to get out there doing something. With uplifted spirits and lots of giggles, we turned a mundane day into an opportunity to have fun. If you are looking for a fun, shareable, smokable treat, you won’t be disappointed by the Chemmy Jones Bubble Cone.

Available at: High Level Health in Denver.

Available wherever: Dadirri Extracts products are carried.

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Cataract Kush We think we found out why they call it Cataract Kush. Within minutes of smoking this flower, our eyes became the heaviest part of our bodies. High Level Health hit a home run with this heavy hitter of a strain; they tell us they have been mastering the art of cultivation for eight years now. Parent strains LA Confidential and OG Kush are combined to create the indica-dominant strain appropriately named Cataract Kush. The dense nuggets were very attractive with visible trichomes and flecks of orange hairs. They smelled gassy, piney and citrusy. The flavor was mild and earthy. We smoked it out of a glass spoon, and the effects were felt almost instantly after the first hit. It provided mild pain relief in our muscles and calmed our minds, improving our mood. There wasn’t much motivation after the initial onset but then we were able to shut our minds off and relax. If you’re looking for a powerhouse indica to add to your repertoire, stop by High Level Health and scoop up an eighth of the Cataract Kush.

Sour Smash Gummies The gummy game is on point these days. The Sour Smash Gummies from Dixie Brands are soft and gooey, just how we like them. They are infused with high quality CO2 extracted hybrid oil for a balanced effect. They come 10 to a container, at 10mg THC per piece, which is a standard dose to most. The Sour Smash Gummies come in three flavors—cherry, lime and blue raspberry. We each ate a full 10mg gummy and settled in for the ride. Although they are called Sour Smash, they will not make your lips pucker and they tasted delicious. The hybrid effect was balanced, not too stimulating and not too sleepy. We didn’t feel any anxiety, and once they fully kicked in, about one hour later, we felt uplifted and relaxed. Although the Sour Smash Gummies didn’t have any CBD, we noticed they reduced the inflammation we were feeling in our knees after a long day of hiking. Stop by your local dispensary to see if it carries Sour Smash Gummies or visit Dixie’s website to see where they are sold. 26

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Available wherever: Dixie Brands products are carried.

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CBD/THC 1:1 Balanced Disposable Vape Lacking balance in your life? Having trouble deciding between CBD or THC? Get the best of both worlds with the CBD/THC 1:1 Balanced Disposable Vape with 300mg of clear distillate. It’s disposable, so consumers don’t have to invest a lot of their hard-earned money on an expensive new vape pen. The synergy of THC and CBD is something all adults should experience, and this is one of the easiest ways to try both. This particular pen is earthy, yet subtly fruity and sweet after a few draws. It delivers deep clouds of vapor upon a pull, and the exhale is equally as tasty. This is a great pen to pick up before setting out on a camping trip or a hike through the woods.

Available wherever: Wana Brands products are carried.

Cannabis Distillate Vape away troubles and worries with the full spectrum of flavors and terpenes, and target specifically desired effects courtesy of the experts at WILLIE’S RESERVE™. Flavored with naturally-derived, strain-specific terpenes, WILLIE’S RESERVE™ pre-filled cartridges are loaded with potent cannabis distillates. If you can’t decide what type of cartridge you’re looking for, don’t worry, because these cartridges are filled with Sativa, Indica and Hybrid oil varieties for all times of the day. The naturally-occurring flavor profiles are derived from top-notch strains, and you can taste the difference. Don’t worry about cutting agents or unwanted additives, because there are none. With Willie Nelson’s name on it, you know it’s a brand you can trust while navigating through the confusing world of cartridges.

Available wherever: WILLIE’S RESERVE™ products are carried.

Sour Cherry Drink

Available wherever: Keef Life products are carried.

Keef Brands has been keeping us hydrated and medicated with delicious drinks for years now. The Sour Cherry Drink is one of the company’s finest creations. The extremely childproof bottle contains 50mg equal parts of CBD and THC distillate. The drink is only five calories per serving and is made from monk fruit, reverse osmosis water and is sweetened only with agave. Despite its Sour Cherry title, the taste is not overly sour and is quite pleasant. We like Keef Life’s ingredients list and applaud the company for not using artificial colors or flavors. Within 20 minutes of consuming about a quarter of the bottle, our heads felt lighter, and we felt very relaxed. We were able to function normally, which was lucky because we tested this in the middle of a workday. This is not an overly inebriating product, which is nice for daytime or early evening consumption. CBD and THC, when combined, are a great duo for your body and mind. The Sour Cherry Drink would be a great recovery drink, whether from a run or a hangover. Cheers!

Chroma Colors Grape Dreams Imagine strolling through fragrant purple grape vineyards while lost in your dreams with Grape Dreams by Chroma Colors. This lovely pen contains 250ml of concentrate made from the strains Grand Daddy Purple and Grape Ape. The concentrate contains 85 percent THC, making for a potent treat during a hard day’s night, when you want to forget all your worries. It’s 70 percent indica and 30 percent sativa—you can expect powerful effects that are best enjoyed at nighttime. With the help of all-natural fruity terpenes, this pen produces a heavy natural grape flavor with slightly sour notes. Vapers report that the effects can feel warm, creative, adventurous and happy. 28

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Available wherever: EvoLab products are carried.

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Mint Kudu Kookies Available wherever: BlueKudu products are carried.

Thin mints! Well, now that we have your attention, we would like to tell you about the delightful Mint Kudu Kookies from BlueKudu. These delicious little beauties weigh in at 10mg of THC per cookie and taste like the wildly popular minty and chocolatey Girl Scout’s cookie. BlueKudu uses only real and pronounceable ingredients, and the cookies are gluten free, made from high quality chocolate and are infused with cannabis extract. We ate one and immediately fell in love with the flavor. It was hard not to eat two right off the bat. The effects kicked in under an hour and provided a heavier effect than we expected. We didn’t feel like doing any work so we settled in to watch an hour of The Ellen Show, which was equally as rewarding. All we can say is that we haven’t slept that good in weeks. Thank you, BlueKudu, for making a whole ingredient product that works so well.

Blue Raspberry NanoBites Is there anything better than a super soft gummy that also contains cannabis? Not when they’re made by DŌSD Edibes! Get ready to be everyone’s favorite person at your 420 celebration. The Blue Raspberry NanoBites from DŌSD Edibles have an incredible flavor and consistency. The NanoBites are extra unique because they are water soluble and made from cannabinoid nanoparticles. Because of this technology, the onset of effects are quite a bit quicker. We each ate a 10mg THC gummy and started feeling the effects within 20 to 30 minutes after consumption. The effect was heavy and joyful. We felt it in our heads and bodies. It helped soothe some bothersome PMS symptoms, which was very welcome, and we will be remembering that for next month. Other effects noted by our team were reduced anxiety, stress and reduction of a headache. DŌSD Edibles did a great job with this product, and we are excited to try more from them in the future.

Available wherever: DŌSD Edibles products are carried.

Pat’s Tincture

Available wherever: The Pat Pen products are carried.

We think that CBD supplements are great addition to any wellness plan. Thanks to their lack of mind-altering effects, it’s beneficial way to start the day. From The Pat Pen comes Pat’s Tincture, which is a 60:1 CBD to THC ratio that comes in a 30ml bottle. The liquid is almost clear with a slight golden hue. It has a mild and pleasant French vanilla flavor and also comes in lemon or cherry. Our team likes to take tinctures sublingually but this product is also a great addition to any beverage, such as coffee or tea. Pat’s Tincture is made from CO2 and ethanol extracted CBD oil, non-GMO coconut oil (MCT oil) and food grade natural flavors. After taking one dose, we did not feel high, but we did feel rejuvenated in our bodies and less anxious. Each dropperful contains 20mg of CBD and 0.33mg of THC. We will definitely be keeping Pat’s Tincture in our medicine cabinet for daily use.

Ingrid CO2 Cartridge Coda Signature strikes again! The Ingrid CO2 Cartridge is a multitude of wonderfulness. From taste to effect this cartridge has it all. Ingrid is a result of OG Cheese x Hashplant, two big shot strains with strong indica effects. When you buy a Coda cartridge, you get a pen and a battery, all of which are easyto-use. After our battery was charged, we twisted in the cartridge and eagerly got down to it. The pen worked beautifully, and flavors of cinnamon and pine came through from the initial tokes. The effect was euphoric and really just the perfect high. Although the effects are indica-dominant, a few puffs didn’t wreck our day; however, when we used it later that evening before bed, we noticed we slept deep and hard. We love that Coda’s products are free of harmful solvents, cutting agents or additives, providing us with a product we feel good about vaping. The entire cartridge contained 86.3 percent total cannabinoids and 81.29 percent THC. Each package will tell that batch’s specific test results. Coda Signature keeps giving great products, and we keep loving all of them! 30

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Available wherever: Coda Signature products are carried.

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REVIEWS

1. Ultramarine Triangle Pipe Expertly designed in New York City, New York and carefully crafted in Portland, Oregon, the Ultramarine Triangle Pipe is all the functionality you need in a well-made quality ceramic pipe. It won’t ever tip over, and its artsy, yet chic design makes it a real conversation piece, which is best for use when friends are over. The pastel color choices appeal to any artist or prop stylist who wants a beautiful, yet functional piece to have on display on a mantle or wherever you want to draw attention. Best of all, you don’t have to fuss with confusing, hard-to-clean areas often found in pipes. Price: $68 More information: yewyewshop.com 2. Mini CFL Sherbet Glass Pencil Dab concentrates with a utensil that is a little more eclectic. Sherbet Glass is famous for its clever pencil dabbing tool designs, available in glass or titanium. Using its impressive compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) color-changing glass, this particular unique dabbing tool operates like any glass wand. It’s shaped and colored like a pencil, complete with the pencil tip and eraser, but it is made out of quality borosilicate glass that won’t easily shatter with a little care. The pencils illuminate and change colors underneath a black light. The mini pencils are only three inches long, so they can fit into most dab wand holders. Price: $70 More information: sherbetglass.com 32

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3. Wulf Micro Vapers, unite! It’s 420, and it no longer means that it’s time to secure massive amounts of flower and blaze all day. Give your lungs a break, and pack your favorite pre-filled cartridge into the Wulf Micro. This handy vaporizer means you can take your 420 celebration to the tallest mountain, or at least on a walk around the neighborhood. As one of the smallest vaporizers we have ever seen, this adorable vape still packs a punch. At two inches tall and one inch wide, this vape will fit discreetly in the palm of your hand and stores conveniently in your pocket or in the small zipper inside your bag. What’s best about this mini vape is that you can enjoy a discreet vaping experience while still having a full-size cart on hand, which is perfect for your daylong 420 shenanigans. Price: $24.99 More Information: wulfmods.com

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4. Silverton Smell-proof? Check. Lockable? Check. Your new favorite cannabis companion just in time for 420? Absolutely! Let us introduce you to the Silverton, a state-of-the-art stash bag made by an innovator in the stash bag game, Stashlogix. Rubber seals and an odor-trapping, heat-resistant liner are not only easy-to-clean, they keep nosey neighbors from knowing what you’re carrying, which is great for car rides, bus rides, skateboard rides—it would even come in handy on a vespa. Just remember to never toke and drive, and keep your most precious goods organized in the Silverton’s removable or adjustable interior divider system. Price: $69 More Information: stashlogix.com

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REVIEWS

entertainment

MOVIE RELEASE DATE: APRIL 11 AVAILABLE ON: PC

BOOK

Higher Etiquette Lizzie Post Pub. Ten Speed Press As cannabis becomes more mainstream, being a consumer is no longer faux pas. In Lizzie Post’s recent book, Higher Etiquette: A Guide to the World of Cannabis, from Dispensaries to Dinner Parties, readers can gain insight into how to be a thoughtful, respectable and responsible cannabis consumer. If you want to learn how to bring cannabis to a dinner party or how to behave in a dispensary, this book is for you. There is also information that will be helpful to the cannabis beginner, such as the methods of cannabis use and the many different products that are available. (Jacob Cannon) 34

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GAME

Weedcraft Inc Dev. Vile Monarch Pub. Devolver Digital With so many states legalizing cannabis, it’s no wonder that a decent game about cannabis cultivation has surfaced. Weedcraft Inc sets players as up-andcoming cannabis entrepreneurs trying to find their place in the industry—but this isn’t just a Farmvilleinspired cultivation game. It revolves around a narrative that mentions real themes, such as medical patients buying cannabis on the black market, because they want to avoid opioids prescribed by their doctors. Track your profits and manage the expenses, all while continually watering, trimming and caring for your cannabis plants and expanding the business to a variety of clientele. (Nicole Potter)

Free Solo Dir. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi; Jimmy Chin National Geographic Documentary Films

The Wind, It Howls

For a little over a decade now, Alex Honnold has been blowing minds and pushing the limits of one the world’s most dangerous sports, free solo rock climbing, a style of climbing where participants use no ropes, harnesses or safety equipment of any type. For their Academy Award winning documentary, Free Solo, directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin capture Honnold’s climb of El Capitan to stunning, vertigo inducing effect. With incredible camera work and keen observations on the emotional toll that Honnold’s terrifying choice of sport takes on his loved ones around him, Free Solo tells an incredible story about a truly one-of-a-kind athlete. (Simon Weedn)

After a couple years of playing around locally in Denver, Claire Heywood has arrived with a gorgeous debut EP of singer-songwriter leaning rock entitled, The Wind, It Howls. With straight forward delivery, clean guitars, driving rhythms and powerful, bluesy vocals, Heywood saunters through six tracks that have a simple beauty to them. Like an easy walk on a clear, brisk morning or an afternoon stroll on a warm, fall day, Heywood delivers a sound that is both relaxing and captivating. With hints of Liz Phair and Aimee Mann in her style, Heywood delivers an exemplary debut and is definitely one to keep an eye out for. (Simon Weedn)

MUSIC

Claire Heywood Self-Released

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JANIS JOPLIN REMAINS AN ICON OF MUSIC AND CANNABIS CULTURE By Simon Weedn A little over 50 years ago, Janis Joplin landed like a meteorite in San Francisco, California’s bustling, late ’60s arts and music scene. Armed with one of the utmost powerful and explosive voices in music history, she quickly became one of the most popular and iconic acts to emerge from the Bay Area, as well as one of rock music’s first female stars. Sadly, just a few years into her career, and right as she was truly coming into her own as an artist, her life was cut tragically short at the age of 27. Though Janis Joplin’s brilliance as a musician continues to live on through recordings that find new fans year after year, her strong presence as a woman in a male-dominated industry, her choice to never hide her romantic relationships with women, and her outspokenness about ending cannabis prohibition are often not as well-known and are woefully underappreciated.

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P H O T O B Y E V E N I N G S TA N D A R D/G E T T Y I M A G E S

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Born in Port Arthur, Texas in 1943, Joplin’s early years in the 1950s American South were marked by bullying and alienation. Because of an early love of African American blues music, she was teased and harassed by racist peers, but this passion for the blues would develop into inspiration to become a singer herself. As early as 1962, Joplin’s reputation as a singer would begin to precede her—she became known for carrying an autoharp and performing folk songs around the University of Texas at Austin where she was attending school. However, it wasn’t until after she’d hitchhiked to San Francisco, California in 1963 with old friend and future concert promoter Chet Helms that she began to have a career as a performer. In 1965, Joplin performed her blues song “Mary Jane” alongside The Dick Oxtot Jazz Band. A live recording of the song was later part of the 1975 album, Janis. The first verse of the song has the line, “When I bring home my hard-earned pay, I spend my money all on Mary Jane.” The song also made its way onto the album, The Very Best of Janis Joplin. Joplin joined established San Franciscobased psychedelic blues rockers Big Brother & The Holding Company in 1966 and enabled the band to take its sound to the next level. The band immediately became known for delivering some of the heaviest and most riveting performances of any of the rising West

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“WHEN I BRING HOME MY HARDEARNED PAY, I SPEND MY MONEY ALL ON MARY JANE”.

Coast acts and played one of the most blistering sets of the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, where the band shared a bill with other legendary artists like The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Otis Redding, The Who and Ravi Shankar. Though the band as a whole innovated a noisy, aggressive and textured sound of electric blues, it was Joplin with her powerful, eviscerating voice and flamboyant hippie style that became the stand out.

P H O T O B Y T E D S T R E S H I N S K Y/ C O R B I S / C O R B I S V I A G E T T Y I M A G E S

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By the end of 1968, Joplin’s time with Big Brother & The Holding Company was fading, and her desire to strike out as a solo artist was growing. In August of 1968, Big Brother & The Holding Company released its seminal work with Joplin on vocals, Cheap Thrills, and managed to capture its fiery sound on tape in all of its glory. In December of that year, the band played its last show with Joplin as its singer, and by June of 1969, she was recording what would become her debut solo release, I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama! Released just a few weeks after a wild and highly inebriated 3 a.m. set at the Woodstock Festival, the record received mixed reviews but still cracked the Billboard Top 50 and was certified gold in two months. In 1970, Joplin returned with renewed vigor and a new backing band, performing a slew of acclaimed concerts including two reunion shows with Big Brother & The Holding Company. At the height of her popularity she appeared on The Dick Cavett Show to perform and be interviewed alongside old Hollywood actress Gloria Swanson, where she took a radical stand for cannabis legalization. In response to Swanson’s comments about repression in the past and criticism of the modern youth movements, Joplin said, “But it shouldn’t be illegal just because somebody up there doesn’t like it. I mean, when you were making movies, x, y and z were considered risqué and you couldn’t do it. Well, now they’re doing it. Back then you couldn’t drink because they didn’t like it; well now you can’t smoke grass. Back then you couldn’t be a flapper because they didn’t like it, and now you can’t play

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rock ‘n’ roll. It seems to me that the people who went through all that prohibition and flapper time should realize that young people are always crazy. You know? And to leave us alone.” In September of 1970 Joplin began work on what would be her final album, Pearl. However, the sessions ended abruptly with Joplin’s death from a heroin overdose on Oct. 4. The record was released posthumously on Jan. 11, 1971, reached number 1 on the Billboard charts, and contains the biggest hit of her career, a cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee.”

In such a short time, Janis Joplin lived a tremendous life and created one of the most enduring catalogs in rock music so far. She was a radical even amongst radicals. Emerging from one of the most conservative parts of the country, and despite protests from her family, Janis Joplin lived an incredibly free, defiantly shameless life even by the standards of today. In doing so she remains one of the most bright, shimmering lights of ’60s music and a trailblazer for innumerable women who came after her. c

janisjoplin.com

“BUT IT SHOULDN’T BE ILLEGAL JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY UP THERE DOESN’T LIKE IT. I MEAN, WHEN YOU WERE MAKING MOVIES, X, Y AND Z WERE CONSIDERED RISQUÉ AND YOU COULDN’T DO IT. WELL, NOW THEY’RE DOING IT. BACK THEN YOU COULDN’T DRINK BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T LIKE IT; WELL NOW YOU CAN’T SMOKE GRASS.”

P H OTO BY M I CH A E L O CH S A RCH IVE S/G E T T Y I M AG E S

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SINGER MARY BRIDGET DAVIES IS KEEPING JANIS JOPLIN’S MEMORY ALIVE THROUGH TALENTED INTERPRETATION Over the last decade or so, Mary Bridget Davies built a reputation for being a soulful, authentic interpreter of Janis Joplin’s music, as well as being one of the most knowledgeable individuals about her life and work. Davies has starred in two plays about Joplin’s life and in 2014 was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Joplin in the Broadway hit, A Night with Janis Joplin. In addition to her theater work, Davies has toured extensively with both Joplin’s original band, Big Brother & The Holding Company, and her own band, The Mary Bridget Davies Group, as well as narrated the audio book, Love, Janis, a biography of Janis Joplin written by Joplin’s younger sister, Laura. Recently, CULTURE had the opportunity to catch up with Davies and hear all of her thoughts on Joplin’s music and legacy, as well as her own personal connections to music. 44

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Tell us about the first time you ever heard Janis Joplin’s music. Oh yeah! I was a kid and that was my parent’s music. They were in the Vietnamera counterculture, my dad was a musician, and so that was always playing in the house when I was a kid. I can remember jumping up and down on this super ’80s green corduroy couch that we had when I was five or six years old, and when she does that scream at the end of “Piece of My Heart,” I was frenzied. I was like, “What is this?” Then I heard “Summertime,” and it scared me a little bit. I thought it was amazing, but it kind of scared me. I thought, “Why is she screaming? Why is she crying?” But, she instantly had an effect on me, and I was a fan from single digits.

Is there anything different about the way you view Joplin and her music after having portrayed her and interpreted her music yourself for so many years? Well, when I was a little kid I thought she was in her forties; she just seemed so road-worn and had such a tough exterior. But from getting to know her through her friends and family though, the stories they tell gave me such a better understanding of her. I realized she wasn’t just any 27-year-old, she was 27 years old and legitimately the first female rock star in the history of music. She was 27 and coming from a conservative East Texas oil refinery town where she was disappointing her family left and right, because they had what they expected her life to be, and she was doing the exact opposite of that by partying, doing drugs, singing in a band and living in San Francisco. So, there was just such a split down the middle between her wanting to please her family like every child does, but also wanting to be authentic to herself.

Of all Joplin’s music, do you have a favorite album that you find yourself returning to more often than others? That’s hard; that’s like picking children. They’re all so different, because she evolved so quickly. Big Brother & The Holding Company’s Cheap Thrills is such raw, hard blues, as well as being youthful, fun and rebellious. Then, with the Kozmic Blues Band and I Got Dem ‘Ol Kozmic Blues Again Mama! Her sound became a lot more soulful. Around that time she did a Stax review in Memphis, [Tennessee], but it didn’t go over very well because the band was under-rehearsed. But she was reaching for that Otis Redding kind of thing. I love that stuff because she was being experimental, taking chances, and her voice was getting better. Then with the Full Tilt Boogie Band and songs like “Get It While You Can” and even “Me and Bobby McGee,” she was at a point where she wasn’t running away from her roots anymore; because she started out singing old folk and country blues.

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So, it was all way more blues and country, way more fun, and she was moving out of the whole psychedelic thing. But the stuff that I like most are the live recordings. I’ve received a lot of bootleg recordings of her over the years, and I have a copy of her last concert at Harvard Stadium on Aug. 12, 1970, and there is some really good stuff on it. She was just getting so good at that point. Is there a song or an album that you would recommend to someone who was just checking out Joplin for the first time? Yeah! I’d tell them to start at the beginning and listen to Cheap Thrills. However, for those who like folk music a little more, there’s this bootleg called The Typewriter Tape that are recordings of her and Jorma Kaukonen from Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane that are just acoustic guitar and vocals only. It’s from before she was in Big Brother & The Holding Company, so it’s a really cool, deep cuts one. If she was alive today, do you think Joplin would be impressed or disappointed with the modern world? I think she would be socially impressed by the attempts to 46

“I THINK SHE’D BE HAPPY [THE END OF CANNABIS PROHIBITION IS] HAPPENING, BUT I THINK SHE’D SAY, “WELL, IT TOOK LONG ENOUGH!” SHE’D HAVE A SMART WAY TO SAY IT.” Mary Bridget Davis performing as Janis Joplin

break down barriers and make things more inclusive for everyone, but I think she would be disappointed by the way that the internet has affected music and the way people make a living doing music. I’ve met many musicians from her period who share that

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disappointment, so I think she’d feel that way too. From old interviews and show flyers, it seems like ending cannabis prohibition was something she actually took pretty seriously. Do you think she’d be impressed

PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS

with how far things have come with that at least? I think she’d be happy it’s happening, but I think she’d say, “Well, it took long enough!” She’d have a smart way to say it. c anightwithjanisjoplin.com

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P H O T O B Y A B C P H O T O A R C H I V E S /A B C V I A G E T T Y I M A G E S

JANIS JOPLIN, FROM WILD CHILD TO THE TOP OF THE CHARTS Janis Joplin embodied the spirit of the 1960s, from her unrivaled roaring voice to her carefree attitude and eclectic wardrobe. In a short amount of time, she went from a rural Texan girl who sang the blues, to the voice of her generation. Sadly her mantra of “live fast, die young” was all too real, and her life was cut short at the age of only

1943

January 19, Janis Lyn is born to Seth and Dorothy Joplin in Port Arthur, Texas.

Circa December Joplin records her first composition ever, “What Good Can Drinkin’ Do.”

1950

27—cementing her name among the “Forever 27 Club” along with Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Jim Morrison and Brian Jones. Joplin accomplished more in 27 years than most people accomplish their whole life, which is why she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and is forever a part of American music history.

Joplin’s parents notice that Janis, who is a Bluebird junior Girl Scout, craves the spotlight much more than her siblings.

1962

“I have nothing to offer anyone except my own confusion”

1958

After reading about the Beat Generation in Time magazine, Joplin is inspired by poets like Jack Kerouac.

Joplin studies art at Lamar State College of Technology and University of Texas at Austin, and there, the school newspaper publishes a story about her entitled “She Dares to Be Different.” She stands out because she occasionally attends class barefoot and wears jeans instead of a dress. At school, Joplin performs with a folk group called The Waller Creek Boys.

1960

Joplin, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School, begins singing the blues with fellow classmates. She is bullied for mingling with African Americans in her conservative community.

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1967

1968

August 12, Big Brother & The Holding Company’s album Cheap Thrills is released, featuring a controversial cover drawn by underground comic artist Robert Crumb. It features some of her biggest cover hits like “Piece of my Heart,” “Ball and Chain” and “Summertime.”

August 23, Big Brother & The Holding Company’s self-titled album is released.

1969

March 16, Joplin & the Kozmic Blues Band perform live on The Ed Sullivan Show, one of the most coveted primetime slots on television at the time.

April 19, Rolling Stone magazine gushes about Joplin, writing that “no singer” can accomplish what she has in so little time.

June 17, Janis Joplin and Big Brother & The Holding Company play a pivotal and defining performance at Monterey Pop Festival, achieving national stardom.

December 1, Big Brother & The Holding Company plays its final performance. After that performance, Joplin uses several other band names such as Janis Joplin & the Joplinaires or Janis Joplin & the Janis Joplin Review before settling on the Kozmic Blues Band.

X March 20, Joplin hits number one on the Billboard U.S. Singles Chart with “Me and Bobby McGee,” a song written by Kris Kristofferson and songwriter Fred Foster. The song is ranked number 148 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

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February 27, Pearl hits number one on the Billboard 200 and stays there for nine weeks.

1971

January 11, Janis Joplin and the Full Tilt Boogie Band release Joplin’s final recording Pearl posthumously.

1963

January, Joplin, fed up with Texas, hitchhikes to San Francisco, California to join the growing hippie community.

1966

Former Texan and band manager Chet Helms insists that Joplin take over as lead singer of Big Brother & The Holding Company.

1964

In San Francisco, Joplin links up with future Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and together, they record several songs. Joplin becomes romantically involved with both women and men including Jae Whittaker and Peter de Blanc.

Joplin, through long nights of indulgences, withers to 88 pounds. Her friends intervene and convince her to return home to Texas temporarily to clean up from drug use and her affinity for Southern Comfort whiskey.

June 4, Now centered and rejuvenated, Joplin returns to San Francisco. June 10, Members of Big Brother & The Holding Company, now headed by Joplin, play their first gig together. Later, the band regularly plays alongside Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service and many other psychedelic bands.

August 16, Along with artists like Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana, Joplin steals the show at Woodstock with her incredible charisma on-stage. While she arrives excessively late, up to half a million people in the audience are mesmerized by her defining performance.

October 29, Immediately after her death, Rolling Stone magazine puts Joplin on the cover.

1965

September 11, I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!, Joplin’s only solo album released while she was alive, is released.

October 4, Joplin overdoses on heroin while staying at the Landmark Motor Hotel in Hollywood, California. It’s only two weeks after Jimi Hendrix died, who was also 27 at the time. According to a book by road manager John Cooke, Joplin and many other people in Hollywood that week overdosed from a bad batch of heroin that was going around. Her ashes are scattered in the Pacific Ocean.

1970

October 1, Joplin records her own composition “Mercedes Benz” in one take, just days before her death. It would be covered later on by Elton John and The Supremes.

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FIFTY YEARS LATER, WOODSTOCK REMAINS A FIXTURE IN TODAY’S SOCIETY

By Benjamin M. Adams Woodstock’s pervasive influence in modern culture simply cannot be overstated: It influenced festival formats. It influenced ticket sales. It influenced modern security and safety concepts. But most significantly, it thrust the counterculture movement of the 1960s into visibility. Three Woodstock performers, Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin have previously graced the cover of CULTURE—and for good reason. The 50th anniversary of Woodstock quickly approaches this August. Today

it’s difficult to distinguish fact from folklore when discussing Woodstock, but in 1969 nearly half a million people gathered in peace. When the original concept of a concert arose—no one expected it would eventually attract upwards of 400,000 to 500,000 attendees. The gathering was technically the third-largest “city” in the state of New York during that weekend. In retrospect, its humble beginnings are quite amusing. Founders John Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Artie Kornfeld and Michael Lang originally imagined that if they threw a festival, they could raise enough money to open a small studio and rock ‘n’ roll retreat in Woodstock, New York. Kornfeld was vice president of Capitol Records, and Roberts and Rosenman were entrepreneurs that formed Woodstock Ventures Inc., which is still around today. Before the festival was ever conceived, Bob Dylan and other musicians frequented the town of Woodstock because of its secluded art scene. Two nearby towns rejected the concert, but dairy farmer Max Yasgur

“PERFORMANCES BY JOPLIN, HENDRIX AND SANTANA WERE AMONG THE MOST PIVOTAL MOMENTS IN ROCK ‘N’ ROLL.” 54

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came to the rescue, last minute. The original flyer read, “Woodstock Music & Art Fair presents an Aquarian Exposition in White Lake, N.Y. 3 Days of Peace & Music.” It seemed innocent enough, but the imagery of a dove landing on a guitar helped to elevate the event to a cultural revolution. Artist Arnold Skolnick was paid $15 for his iconic artwork representing peace and music. What separated this music festival from others in the past was its unprecedented lineup. The lineup included Creedence Clearwater Revival, Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, The Who, Santana, Blood Sweat and Tears, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, Ravi Shankar, Sly & the Family Stone and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Hundreds of thousands showed up to celebrate peace and love, just as the flyer promised. The festival was held Aug. 15-18, 1969 at Max Yasgur’s 600-acre dairy farm in Bethel, New York. Roberts and the other promoters initially predicted that they could draw 50,000 attendees—which was a lofty estimate in and of itself. Eight times as many people showed up. People began arriving days before the fencing had even gone up—forcing promoters to prioritize and feed them before the perimeter was completed. When people kept pouring in, Lang and the other promoters gave up and decided to make Woodstock a free event, further adding to the spirit of anti-establishment and bartering that hippies adopted. The situation escalated dramatically. At that point, the U.S. Army was enlisted to air-drop food and supplies for the viral event. Otherwise, it could have been a disaster. Heavy rain, mud and lack of food and water couldn’t stop Woodstock from shutting down. Only a dozen police officers were supposed to contain what ended up being half a million people. Promoters were forced to hire nearby pig farmer workers to control the crowd by dousing them with water or hurling pies at them. They were led by leader “Wavy Gravy” and also helped calm down hippies who were having bad trips from psychedelics or “white-outs” from too much cannabis. Eyewitnesses claim that “99 percent” of people at Woodstock were smoking cannabis, and bits of video footage prove that at least some police officers allowed them to partake. Performances by Joplin, Hendrix and Santana were among the most pivotal moments in rock ‘n’ roll. Joan Baez famously performed “We Shall Overcome” on the festival’s first day during the thick of a thunderstorm while hippies danced in the mud. The second day, Santana, Grateful Dead,

Creedence Clearwater Revival and Joplin performed, with a final performance from Jefferson Airplane. When John Sebastian, formerly of Lovin’ Spoonful performed, he said an “old lady just had a baby” but the Woodstock birth was never verified. Hendrix was last musician to perform at the festival in the early hours of Monday morning, the extended day after the original schedule. By the time Hendrix performed “The Star Spangled Banner,” the crowd had mostly thinned out, but the memory would live on forever. Musicians who foolishly declined to perform at Woodstock include Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, The Doors and The Rolling

Stones. Woodstock inspired copycat festivals in 1989, 1994 and the infamous Woodstock ’99, complete with Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit— when attendees pillaged, sexually assaulted other visitors and caused unnecessary violence. Four instances of sexual assault were reported that year. Fortunately, other years were much more incident-free, but it would be another 20 years before another Woodstock was approved for its 50th anniversary. This year’s Woodstock 50 will include Jay-Z, Chance the Rapper, Robert Plant, The Killers and Portugal. The Man. The event takes place Fri, Aug. 16-Sun, Aug. 18 in Watkins Glen, New York. woodstock.com

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CANNA-BASICS A quick reference beginner’s guide to cannabis

By Emily Manke annabis may seem straightforward enough on the surface— it’s a plant that you consume, like tobacco. But its psychoactive and medicinal effects are one-of-a-kind, and the ways in which we can consume and enjoy it are seemingly endless. So what’s a newcomer to the cannabis world to do? There’s a ton to learn, and even walking into a medical dispensary or recreational cannabis retailer can be extremely intimidating. While there is enough information to learn to fill a master’s program, there is also some basic knowledge that can make navigating a cannabis store less overwhelming and more enjoyable. Whether you’re a cannabis novice looking to start from the beginning, or a cannabis expert looking to brush up on the basics, here are some facts to help improve your cannabis experience, just in time for 420.

make humans love it so much. Cannabis growers only cultivate female cannabis plants for this reason. “At the base of the pistil is a calyx. A calyx is made up of plant tissue that is meant to nourish and protect a seed,” Chasen described. “When the pistils are not exposed to pollen, the calyxes swell with plant tissue instead of seeds and these make up the flowers that we consume.” You may hear a budtender or other cannabis expert talking about calyxes, this is what they’re referring to. “On the surface of the flower are trichomes—glandular structures that hold the secondary compounds (cannabinoids, terpenes, etc.),” Chasen explained. “They are the reason why we have a unique psychoactive experience with each cannabis variety.” These compounds are evident in the crystal coating you’ll see on cannabis flower. Those crystals are full of cannabinoids.

Stalks and Leaves

The Anatomy of a Cannabis Plant

The first and most basic cannabis product is good old-fashioned cannabis flower. Cannabis flower is the flowering tops of the cannabis plant that is harvested to be smoked or vaporized. The flower is harvested from a much larger plant. The anatomy of the cannabis plant is helpful in understanding how it all works.

Flower, Calyx and Trichomes

Emma Chasen, co-founder of Eminent Consulting, graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in medicinal plant research and ethnobotany, and is an expert on the cannabis plant and how it affects the human body. Chasen was kind enough to impart her cannabis wisdom to CULTURE. “The female cannabis plant is the plant that produces the flower we consume in the form of ‘nugs’ or ‘buds’,” Chasen explained. “The flowers of the female plant are pistillate flowers because they contain pistils. A pistil is meant to catch pollen.” The pistil is the female reproductive organ, which contains the highest concentrations of cannabinoids that

The rest of the cannabis plant consists of stalks, which Chasen described as the “main woody stem with lateral branching,” and the leaves. The stalks are not psychoactive, but can be used in the same way hemp is used, to make fiber, mulch and other products. The fan leaves, which are the big pointed leaves synonymous with cannabis, can be used to make edibles or salves, but are not powerful enough to be consumed on their own. Fan leaves can grow anywhere up to 13 pointed fingers. Sugar leaves are the smaller frosty leaves that grow off the buds. These leaves are trimmed once the buds are harvested, but due to their high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, they’re almost always saved and used for either making hash or edibles. CultureMagazine.com

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Hybrid

Nearly all modern cultivars are hybrids of sativas and indicas. Growers have taken the best parts of cannabis plants and crossbred them to come up with thousands of cultivars that provide as many different effects, aromas and flavors. While most hybrids are listed as either sativa- or indica-dominant, you can’t rely on those categories alone to determine what kind of effects the flower will provide. It’s the cannabinoids inside of it that really count.

Strains

Strains refer to different types of cannabis. Like roses, tea, tobacco or pretty much any plant that humans enjoy, there are a huge number of cannabis varieties. These strains come in three basic types, which are sativa, indica or a hybrid of the two. Most strains are a hybrid, with one or the other being dominant. While the difference between an indica’s or sativa’s effects are debatable, these types of strains are generally agreed to provide, generally not uniformly, two different experiences.

Sativa

Sativa plants tend to be taller and skinnier, and their buds are similarly more skinny, fluffy and less dense. The effect sativas are known for providing is similarly light and airy, with less lethargic effects. A sativa high tends to be more giggly, energizing and creative. If you’re the type of person who wants to paint a picture or go on a hike after you’ve consumed cannabis, look for a sativa strain.

Indica

Indica plants are shorter and fatter than their sativa counterparts, and they also mature more quickly. Their buds look more dense and squat. An indica high is known to be more on the relaxing side, with stronger depressant effects. Indicas have been reported as better for pain relief and anxiety relief and tend to be more for chilling out than enhancing an active experience. 58

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What gets you high?

If it’s not strictly a sativa or indica that determines the type of effect a cannabis product provides, how can you tell? Product reviews can help, but more importantly, lab testing has given us the best predictions of all, by isolating each mind-altering cannabinoid and measuring its amounts in any given cannabis product. The psychoactive compounds in cannabis are known as cannabinoids. The chemistry of cannabinoids goes far beyond what any basic description of cannabis can provide. There is a long list of cannabinoids present in any given cannabis plant, and each plays a different role. There are two popular cannabinoids that make a difference for cannabis consumers, however, and those are THC and cannabidiol (CBD). In addition to cannabinoids, terpenes also affect cannabis in both flavor and the effects. These chemicals interact with cannabinoid receptors, which are found throughout the human body, and each has different characteristics and provides different effects. Having a basic understanding of what they are, and their effects, will provide you with enough information to make an informed choice.

THC

The main psychoactive compound is THC. THC is the chemical that when smoked or ingested, after binding to a fat, makes you giggly and happy. It also has been reported to relieve pain and nausea, stimulate

appetite, and it can even provide a little energy boost. Basically, THC is what gets you high. On a package, the THC content will often be labeled as THCA, that’s because THCA is the molecule found in cannabis, that when smoked, or exposed to heat in another way, will become THC. THCA requires conversion to THC in order to cause effects, which is why eating cannabis flower on its own will not get you high.

CBD

CBD is another important cannabinoid. While CBD doesn’t get consumers high, it has been reported to provide relief from anxiety, help reduce seizures in those with epilepsy and other neurological conditions, and it may even work as a powerful anti-inflammatory when bound with small amounts of THC. CBD is one cannabinoid in particular that makes cannabis so effective as medicine.

Terpenes

Terpenes are the chemical compounds responsible for giving cannabis its flavor and scent. Varying levels of different terpenes in cannabis is why each cultivar has a unique fragrance and taste. Terpenes play another role in cannabis too—in that some of them help us absorb THC, and others help bind to the cannabis receptors in our bodies. Commonly found terpenes include myrcene, limonene, linalool, caryophyllene and pinene. Each terpene has its own unique scent and flavor, and each plays its own unique chemical role in the effect of cannabis. Terpenes aren’t unique to cannabis, as they’re found in many plants and even insects.

are dosed accurately, so beginning cannabis consumers don’t run as high of a risk of overdoing it if they’re mindful. Edibles are made when either cannabis plant matter is simmered at low heat with an oil or butter (THC is fat soluble), or more commonly in legal cannabis markets, a concentrate is infused into an edible product. Aside from personal taste preferences, tolerance to THC is the most important consideration to make when selecting an edible. If you’re just starting out, start with a small dose like 5mg of THC or less and wait up to two hours to see how the edible affects you. Like alcohol, how full or empty your stomach is will impact how fast-acting and hardhitting the effects will be. If you don’t feel anything right away, wait before eating more. Sometimes edibles can take some time to take effect.

Extracts

Cannabis Products

When it comes to consuming cannabis—you’ve got plenty of options. For newcomers to cannabis, edibles are popular. If you’re looking for something a little stronger and more discreet than flower, there are extracts also known as concentrates or hash. You can even buy topicals that you can rub onto your body for that canna-goodness, minus feeling a psychoactive effect. The choice is yours—but here’s some information to help you decide.

Edibles

For those who want to get high, but don’t want to smoke or vape, edibles are a great option. Edibles provide a different, arguably more powerful effect than smoked or vaped cannabis. Lab-tested edibles

Extracts or concentrates, including hash, are a world in and of themselves. But to give you the cliff notes version—concentrates are created when the cannabinoids are separated from the plant matter, making for a more powerful and potent product. In order to separate the cannabinoids from the plant, in most cases, a solvent is used. Solvents include CO2, butane, and propane and alcohol. A commonly used solvent is butane. One extract is known as butane hash oil, referred to as BHO. Hash extracted with alcohol is known as Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), and it is commonly used for medical purposes. Concentrates also come in a variety of different textures, including sugar wax, honey oil, crumble, shatter, etc. Different extraction methods and

temperatures create different textures. There’s also solventless concentrate, which uses either ice (bubble hash) or heat (rosin) to extract the cannabinoids. The extraction process typically eliminates terpenes from the final product. Concentrate producers have figured out how to infuse terpenes back into their products, however. There are several ways you can consume concentrates. One of the most popular ways is the vape pen. Some vape pens require using concentrates that are sold in special cartridges, and some can take the raw product. There are other more advanced ways to consume cannabis, but they’re not for beginners.

Topicals

As an option for those looking to benefit from cannabis without the high, topicals are a good choice. There are lots of lotions, salves and balms on the market that can be rubbed directly on the skin and absorbed. These topicals as they’re called, are effective, and since they’re not ingested they will not get you high, they’ll just provide pain relief in the area they’re rubbed on. Topicals are great for elderly patients looking to take advantage of the medicinal properties of cannabis, without it affecting their mind.

The Gist

There is a lot to learn when it comes to cannabis. But your relationship with cannabis doesn’t need to be complicated. With this basic background knowledge, you can navigate your cannabis experience with confidence. Don’t let the abundance of products and terminology overwhelm you. c

CultureMagazine.com

APRIL 2019

FROM THE FIELDS TO THE BIG SCREEN Famous cannabis-growing nun stars in shocking new film

By Caroline Hayes etrayed by her bigamist husband, who left her broke and broken, Sister Kate, then known as Christine Meeusen, took her three children and fled the home she knew for a fresh start in California. Adopting a new name, a new look of wearing nun garb and using her corporate executive skills, Sister Kate began farming and distributing cannabis to sick people in California’s Central Valley. Her story sparked the interest of award-winning filmmaker Robert Ryan who directed Breaking Habits, an 87-minute documentary that recounts the story of Sister Kate’s major life transformation that led her to a path of enlightenment through cannabis. Breaking Habits documents the events that led Christine Meeusen, a successful business 60

APRIL 2019 CultureMagazine.com

professional, to become Sister Kate, a devoted cannabis farmer. Raised in the Midwest, Sister Kate was a wife, mother and corporate executive who built a well-to-do telecommunications consulting company. While she worked, her husband of 17 years, Gary Meeusen, was the stay-at-home-dad to their three children. Sister Kate’s company did well, eventually banking $1 million. As her success grew, Gary began secretly funneling her hardearned money into private offshore accounts for his personal use. His actions in the end left his wife and children broke and homeless. Ultimately, this forced Sister Kate to make the decision to leave the roles she knew of wife and business woman behind. “I was a corporate girl. I even voted for Ronald Reagan,” said Sister Kate in Breaking Habits. In 2006, Sister Kate relocated with her children to Merced, California where she endured even more family drama and eventually hit financial and

“The veil is being lifted on the mystery of the plant, and we’re all very lucky to be here to see it.” emotional rock bottom. Through compelling on-camera interviews from family members, fellow Sisters, lawyers, preachers, doctors and Merced County law enforcement, Breaking Habits weaves the tale of the struggles and triumphs Sister Kate and her team faced during their California cannabis endeavors. Giving up her old ways, Sister Kate found a new calling by farming high cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis for the sick and dying while forming the women empowerment group, Sisters of the Valley. The Sisterhood was born from a dream to heal the people, the planet and to fight for the justice of the cannabis plant.

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APRIL 2019

“It was not our idea,” Sister Kate told CULTURE in a phone interview about the film. “We’ve got a serious mission and a serious thing that we are trying to tell, and we recognize, by not being silly girls, that Hollywood holds the megaphone to the world.” Although Sister Kate did not ask for all the attention, she was flattered when Ryan reached out to her about the film. “It was hard to ignore Rob because he had done some serious work so he got my attention just based on his credentials,” she continued, “Rob was very honorable.” The official business of Sisters of the Valley began Jan. 1, 2016. The group has grown significantly since then. Sister Kate has ordained at least 20 women herself, and there are more coming, she said. International groups of Sisters of the Valley are forming in the U.K., Brazil, Sweden, Mexico and Canada, but before those women can start their own chapter, they must spend time on Sister Kate’s farm in California. Today, the original chapter of Sisters of the Valley grows high CBD cannabis that is turned into salves and oils, and they are sold to people worldwide. Sister Kate told us that they struggle to keep up with demand. “The veil is being lifted on the mystery of the plant, and we’re all very lucky to be here to see it,” she said. “Plant freedom is coming. It would have never happened if ‘Big Pharma’ hadn’t just so overreached in such a disgusting way,” Sister Kate said at the end of the interview about the over prescribing of medications in America. “The outrage has pushed back on the side of the plant, so in a way we should send a thank you card to ‘Big Pharma’ for being so fricking greedy for making it possible that we can get back towards nature.” Breaking Habits is a controversial film about humble women looking to end the suffering of people and the planet through cannabis. “Pain is a very democratic thing,” Sister Kate said. “The 62

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“Plant freedom is coming. It would have never happened if ‘Big Pharma’ hadn’t just so overreached in such a disgusting way.” Buddhists believe that suffering is the one thing that makes us all connect to one another [but] the weed nuns, we don’t think suffering is quite so necessary, or at least we believe that there is far more of it than there needs to be.” Sister Kate hopes the film will encourage positive dialogue about the cannabis plant and how it can heal the planet, the people and women. “I hope the film sparks some intelligent conversation,” she said. c

BREAKING HABITS

Airing in 14 different cities in the U.S. on April 19 and can be preordered on Apple iTunes to view at home.

CultureMagazine.com

APRIL 2019

CANNABIS TASTING PARTY

ELEVATED E XPERIENCE

How to think outside the box to celebrate this 420 By Jacob Cannon or many of us, celebrating 420 has been part of our lives for many years now, maybe even for decades. As we mature, celebrating 420 by consuming as much cannabis as possible isn’t as appealing as it used to be. But that doesn’t mean that we should forego the celebration of 420 entirely. Instead, take the reins and celebrate 420 with one of these elevated experiences. You can pay tribute to the strength and efforts of the cannabis community while having a blast with your closest friends. 64

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We’re all familiar with whiskey tasting and wine tasting events. Now, just in time for 420, we have a new era of tasting—cannabis tasting events. Don’t be intimidated by this doit-yourself option for celebrating 420 in style. These three tips will give you a good start toward throwing your own cannabis tasting party for 420.

Pairing 101

There are four important aspects to cannabis tasting— taste, aroma, effects and appearance. In order to effectively pair your cannabis strains and concentrates with delicious hors d’oeuvres, make sure you take the following four characteristics of your product into account.

TASTE - Your cannabis strains and concentrates are going to have different flavors that range from nutty or chocolatey to citrus or berry, and everything in between. You have a few options when it comes to pairing in regards to flavor. You can choose to pair complementary flavors, or you can pair contrasting flavors. For example, you can pair a Bubba Kush joint, which is known for its woodsy and sweet flavors with a chocolate milkshake, or you can cut through the sweetness with a food that is sweet but also sour, like lemon bars.

AROMA - Like taste, aroma is a very important aspect to consider for your cannabis pairing experience. Similar to taste, you can choose to pair complementary aromas or contrasting aromas.

This allows the tasting experience to be multi-sensory and very enjoyable.

EFFECTS - As the host of this tasting event, you want to celebrate, but you don’t want to overdo it for yourself or your guests. That’s why it’s important to take the effects into account when pairing cannabis with foods and drinks. For instance, you might want to steer clear of pairing a concentrate with hard alcohol for the simple reason that both substances are heavy hitting and come with strong

HIKE Cannabis consumers aren’t lazy—get off your behind, and prove this to be true by organizing a group hike on 420. There are two important topics you need to cover in order to have a successful and safe 420 hike.

Stick to the Trail

The last thing you need is to get lost during your hike, so be sure to stick to a popular trail for your 420 group hike. Also, let a couple friends or relatives who are not attending

physical effects. Consider utilizing some products that are high in cannabidiol (CBD) to help balance the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-rich products.

APPEARANCE - An attribute that could be considered less important to pairing, appearance is still a fun characteristic to take into account when pairing cannabis products with foods and drinks. You can pair a purple colored strain like Purple Urkle with purple foods like grapes or an eggplant dish. Be creative,

know the four “w’s” of your hike—who, what, when and where. Ensure that you’re safe by having a designated driver to the destination if you’re already consuming, and be aware of the local laws if you plan on bringing cannabis along for the journey ahead.

What to Bring

Whether or not you choose to bring cannabis, there are a few essentials you’ll need to make your 420 group hike a success. First, make sure that you’re dressed appropriately for the weather and terrain, which means hiking boots, pants, a hat, sunglasses and a light jacket could

DINE IN STYLE Invite your besties over for a celebratory dinner party. The kicker? It’s up to you whether or not you want to serve infused foods. You can choose to keep the cannabis consumption separate from your fancy meal, allowing anyone to enjoy the meal while offering consumption on the side.

Infused Dinner

Throwing a cannabis-infused dinner is tricky to say the least. You want to offer delicious fancy foods that are infused, but you don’t want to go overboard by over-infusing your food.

push the envelope, and overall, have a great time.

Securing the Goods

Much like how you can pick up the food ingredients you will need at your local grocery store, you should visit your local licensed dispensary to secure your selection of cannabis products. Knowledgeable budtenders will know the flavor and aroma profiles of the various strains and concentrates they carry; utilize their expertise to ensure your pairings are top-notch and creative.

come in handy (don’t forget the sunscreen). Be sure to pack a lunch, bring healthy snacks and plenty of water. Finally, to keep you going in the right direction, bring along a compass and a map—you know Google Maps doesn’t work when there’s literally no service, right? Finally, you want to be prepared in the unfortunate case of an emergency, so bring along a first aid kit, and any other emergency supplies you deem necessary.

The key to throwing your infused dinner is moderation and strategic dosing. First and foremost, you don’t have to infuse every dish, and the dishes you do choose to infuse should have a low dosage of THC per serving. Also, feel free to infuse some dishes with CBD, which will create a more well-rounded and balanced cannabis consuming experience for your guests.

Non-Infused Dinner

If you want to open your dinner to guests who do not consume cannabis, this is the best option for you. Cook the food without adding cannabis, and keep the cannabis as an option on the side. You can offer flower, concentrates or even edibles to your guests who would like to partake in the true 420 celebration. c CultureMagazine.com

APRIL 2019

PARTIES The Colorado Grower’s Cup, April 18 Sample some of Colorado’s finest cannabis offerings grown by industry experts, and see which cultivar will rise to the top in the end. This cultivation-oriented event has it all—live music, food, an assortment of vendors and more for a well-rounded holiday event in Colorado Springs. Speakeasy Vape Lounge & Cannabis Club Dab Bar, Colorado Springs speakeasy-vape-loungecannabis-club-sevl.business. site 420 Eve on the Rocks, April 19 By now, everybody knows 311 well, and the reggae/ rock fusion band will be accompanied at this performance by Method Man & Redman. Every year, 420 Eve on the Rocks ranks among Colorado’s top 420 events, with consistently impressive lineups and good vibes to go around. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison redrocksonline.com 4th Annual 420 Weekend Extravaganja, April 19 At Denver’s “#1 Indoor Consumption Lounge,” this celebration provides a unique lounging area where you can light up, without dealing with glares from the public. Spend your 420 holiday indoors, as attendees hotbox the venue at this fun-filled extravaganza. Studio 420 Smoking Friendly Headshop, Denver studio420.co 66

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420Flight Fest, April 19 Featuring Golden Gate Wingman and Dead Phish Orchestra, this is your ticket to a psychedelic “flight” through the galaxy at a venue known for psychedelic shows. Golden Gate Wingman is made up of former bandmates from Primus, Dead & Co. and other psychedelic bands to form a psychedelic supergroup. Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple, Denver beonkeys.com Cannival, April 19-21 With the headliners Bishop Gunn and Dead Floyd, Cannival is your one-stop cannabis carnival with cannabis-friendly glamping, the 420 Olympix and a slew of other opening band acts that all have a central focus on the wonders of cannabis. Many more bands will be performing late into the night, and military and vets get a 15 percent discount. I Bar Ranch, Gunnison cannival.net Baked: 4/20 Colorado Takeover, April 19-22 This vape and dab-friendly hotel allows discreet balcony consumption, and it is close to a number of nearby dispensaries. This three-day event is perfect for out-of-state cannabis tourists and LGBTQ men, women and allies who want to experience all of the basics that Denver has to offer. Cherry Creek Hotel, Denver lgbttakeover.com/denver The Inked Out Beauty Pageant: A Black Crown 4/20 Celebration Affair, April 20 With a special performance

from Judah Priest, The Inked Out Beauty Pageant: A Black Crown 4/20 will honor and award the most beautiful tattooed people. Judah Priest is a hip-hop artist affiliated with Wu-Tang Clan artists and spinoff artists. Your Mom’s House, Denver yourmomshousedenver.com Ganja White Night & Buds, April 20 Things will get “candy” real soon with electronic and dubstep performances by Caspa, Boogie T, Subtronics, SubDocta and Space Cake, and a final performance from EDM duo Ganja White Night. Stay hydrated, don’t lose your phone, and dance away your troubles at this electronic celebration of cannabis. 1st Bank Center, Broomfield ganjawhitenight.com Colorado 420 Festival 2019, April 20 Headlining rapper Lil’ Flip will be preceded by Whispers, Peezy & LaLa, and Gorangutang, who will get you into the mood to celebrate. Lil’ Flip has worked with Devin The Dude, Potluck and Afroman in the past, and like many rappers, he loves cannabis. Speakeasy Vape Lounge & Cannabis Club Dab Bar, Colorado Springs colorado420Festival.com Method Man & Redman, April 20 With opening acts from CunninLynguists, Devin The Dude and Proximity, by the time Method Man & Redman get onstage, the crowd should be wild. This hiphop celebration of all things cannabis is all you need to stay busy this weekend. Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver cervantesmasterpiece.com

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APRIL 2019

Industry Insider

â&#x20AC;&#x153;You name it and the companies were hiring f o r i t, a n d when I asked how they went about finding their employees, they said it was a huge, huge pain for them.â&#x20AC;?

APRIL 2019 CultureMagazine.com

Banking on Careers How the young and successful founder of Vangst filled a need in the cannabis industry By R. Scott Rappold

he remarkable explosion of the U.S. cannabis industry—from the black market to medical dispensaries to recreational sales in 10 states in a dizzyingly short span—couldn’t have happened without a lot of people working hard to pull this plant from the shadows into the mainstream. At Vangst, the industry’s largest job placement firm, the hard work has been to match some 10,000 job seekers with some 650 different companies, in an industry that has basically grown from no (legal) employees to nearly 300,000 practically overnight. And for Vangst Founder and CEO Karson Humiston, 26, a clean-cut recent college graduate who rarely partakes in cannabis herself, it’s only the beginning, with the industry expected to double in size over the next five years.

I n s p i r at i o n in Colorado

Many college students spend their time at school, studying, waiting tables or passing out under them. Humiston, at a small liberal arts college in upstate New York, spent her free time founding a travel company for students, which allowed her to build a large email database. In 2015, she emailed the students about their post-graduate hopes, and was surprised to learn 70 percent of them wanted to work in the cannabis industry—despite the fact only four states had legalized adult-use.

So, she spent a week in Colorado learning about the industry. “I was really impressed by the types of companies that existed in the state, everything from cultivation companies to extraction companies to retail businesses to ancillary companies like technology companies, media companies and service companies,” she said. “You name it and the companies were hiring for it, and when I asked how they went about finding their employees, they said it was a huge, huge pain for them.” Posts to mainstream job boards were often removed for involving illegal drugs, she learned. Or employers would

have to use professional recruiters who charged a healthy percentage of the new employee’s salary for their services. She saw a need and took a chance to fill it.

Va n g s t i s Born

What became Vangst— which is Dutch for “catch,” a nod to Humiston’s ancestry, was born when she graduated college and moved to Colorado the following year. Today Vangst has 80 full-time employees, 650 cannabis company clients and a track record of filling 10,000 job placements. The site is free for job-seekers, while job advertisers pay a fee. The jobs range from seasonal cultivation gigs and retail sales all the way to top marketing and CEO positions. People who find jobs are known as “Vangsters.” “Every business is make-or-break based on the people they hire,” she said. “The only way the industry was going to take off the ground was if amazing talent came into the space, and there was nobody doing this, fixing the problem. I thought, ‘This is an exciting opportunity to build an industry from nothing by connecting the best people with the best companies.’” “I’m very proud of the work we have done. Some of the people we placed were the first 10 people at the company, and now the company has over 1,000 people.” Once Vangst began

successfully filling jobs, finding clients was not a problem. What was a problem was breaking down the negative connotations of working with a plant that remains federally illegal. “There’s definitely a risk factor for anybody who moves into the space, and some candidates aren’t comfortable with it, which is understandable,” said Humiston. But at the same time, she is seeing more and more people, including some who come from top positions at major mainstream and may know little about cannabis itself—willing to take the risk. “You’re talking about 300,000 jobs being created by this industry. Obviously there are not going to be enough people with [cannabis] industry experience to fill these jobs, so companies are recruiting from other industries,” she said. “You don’t necessarily need to have cannabis industry experience to land a job. You can do what you’re doing in another industry and apply your skills, experience and knowledge.” And what has been good for the industry has been good for Vangst. It has offices in four cities and recently raised $10 million in financing to expand their job services into 10 more states. “It’s the fastest jobgrowth sector in the world right now . . . It’s crazy what legalizing cannabis can do for the job market and our economies.” c

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vangst.com APRIL 2019

It’s Easy B e in g G r e e n The 420 holiday means a lot of things to consumers across the globe. It’s an ideal time to hang out with friends, smoke a bowl, try a new strain, advocate for legalization and be creative. Among all cannabis delivery methods, edibles can be one of the strongest and hardest-hitting, although an edible will take some time to begin working its magic—so exercise caution. That’s why implementing microdosing into your cannabisinfused food routine can change your whole approach to consuming cannabis on a daily basis. Master the art of how to properly microdose, and everyone can discreetly enjoy cannabis all day long! To really push things to the brink, CULTURE’s got a great selection of green foods that are perfect for some cannabis infusion. MAKES

Chicken Wrap Ingredients: 2 large spinach tortillas

SERVINGS

5MG

THC PER SERVING

2/3 tablespoon cannabis-infused olive oil*

Instructions:

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat a frying pan to medium-high. Season both sides of chicken breast with salt, pepper and any other preferable spices. Add a drizzle of cannabis-infused olive oil to pan. Once heated, cook chicken until no longer pink in center. Remove from heat and let rest.

1-2 chicken breasts 1 cup grilled mushrooms 2 cups cherry tomatoes 2 cups romaine lettuce 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 lime 70

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2. Add another drizzle of olive oil in the same pan. Add in mushrooms and cook for three to five minutes or until tender. Season with salt and pepper.

3. While mushrooms cook, slice cherry tomatoes in halves. Chop romaine lettuce. Slice lime into fourths. 4. Use a fork to shred rested chicken. Place in a large mixing bowl, and mix with mayonnaise. Lightly season. 5. Open up tortillas and place shredded chicken mixture into the center. Smooth it out. Top with ample amounts of lettuce, tomatoes and a squeeze of lime. Wrap up, and enjoy!

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APRIL 2019

Av o c a d o T o a s t Ingredients: 1 slice of your favorite bread, toasted 1 ripe avocado Salt and pepper to taste 1 teaspoon cannabis-infused oil* 2 tablespoons cream cheese MAKES

1 SERVING 5MG THC

1/4 cup arugula 1 tablespoon dried cranberries 1/2 tablespoon hemp seeds 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds

Green Hummus Ingredients: 1/4 cup tahini 1/4 fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons cannabis-infused olive oil* 1/2 cup parsley 1/2 cup basil 1 tablespoon green onion 1 garlic clove 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 15-ounce can chickpeas

Instructions: 1. Combine tahini, lemon juice, infused oil, parsley, basil, green onion, garlic and salt into a high powered blender or food processor. Blend for multiple minutes until well combined. Scrape down sides. 2. Add rinsed and drained chickpeas into the blender, blending until 72

APRIL 2019 CultureMagazine.com

MAKES

SERVINGS

3MG

THC PER SERVING hummus is smooth. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time until you get desired consistency. 3. Serve with pita chips or other crunchy treats such as carrots and celery. Hummus will stay good for about one week in the refrigerator.

Instructions: 1. Cut avocado out of its shell, and mash it in a bowl. Add a few pinches of salt and pepper as desired, followed by cannabis-infused oil. 2. Spread ample cream cheese onto toasted bread, followed by arugula and topped with mashed avocado. 3. Top with cranberries, hemp seeds and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

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APRIL 2019

C h o c o l at e Mint Macarons Ingredients: Macaron 1 1/2 cups almond flour 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 3 egg whites, room temperature 1 cup white sugar 3 tablespoons water 3 to 4 drops peppermint extract

Green food coloring, optional

Filling 1 cup chocolate chips

MAKES ABOUT

1/3 cup cannabisinfused heavy cream**

MACARONS

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

THC PER MACARON

Instructions: 1. Prepare two baking sheets and line with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, sift the almond flour and powdered sugar. 3. Using a mixer, mix the egg whites until they become foamy. Add white sugar a few tablespoons at a time. Mix until stiff peaks form. Add desired drops of peppermint extract (and green food coloring if desired). Beat until well combined. 4. Sift bowl of almond flour and

5MG

powdered sugar into the mixer. Using a spatula, gently fold the mixture onto itself until properly combined (when the batter drips from the spatula and dissolves back into the batter, then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready). 5. Place the batter into a pastry bag with a round tip, and create 1.5-inch circles on both baking sheets. Lift the baking sheets up an inch from the counter and let them drop down (this helps remove air bubbles). 6. Let the piped macarons sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

7. Once the macarons have rested, place them into the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. 8. Remove from oven and let cool. 9. For the filling, heat heavy cream on a stovetop until it begins to simmer. Pour over heat resistant bowl of chocolate chips and mix thoroughly until well combined. Add peppermint extract and continue to mix until thick. 10. Finish by piping the chocolate mixture onto the back side of a macaron, and finishing with another macaron cookie on the other end.

G r e e n M a r g a r i ta Ingredients: MAKES

1 GLASS 5MG THC

1 1/2 ounces tequila

1/2 ounce Midori melon

1 ounce triple sec

1/2 ounce cannabis tincture***

1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

Ample kosher salt for glass

Instructions: 1. Apply salt to the glass by wetting the rim with water, and then dipping the glass upside onto a pan of salt. 2. Shake tequila, triple sec, lime juice, Midori and cannabis tincture. Add ice or serve chilled.

*The cannabis-infused olive oil we used contained 5mg of THC per teaspoon, 15mg of THC per tablespoon. **The cannabis-infused heavy cream we used contained 375mg of THC per cup. ***The cannabis tincture we used contained 10mg of THC per ounce. 74

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APRIL 2019

GROWING CULTURE

HAWAII CULTIVATION By Ed Rosenthal

met a cannabis cultivator at a cannabis and health conference in Oahu, Hawaii this past January. He invited me to visit his farm located on the North shore of Oahu. He serves about 100 patients, with each patient being allowed 10 plants (Jason Care Facility grows about 1,000 plants). It’s all done within a 40 by 60 foot structure, a total of 2,400 square feet. The side walls are 10 feet high and the peak reaches 17 feet. The main purpose of the greenhouse is to protect plants from rain and wind. The temperature ranges on the island of Oahu is considered mild, so the major problems are rain and moisture. The lowest temperature occurs in January when the thermometer dips into the high 60s, but most of the time it ranges between the 70s and low 80s and the temperature rises no higher than the high 80s during the summer months of June, July and August. To prevent the greenhouse effect, when heat generated by sunlight heats up a closed area, the

The greenhouse is about 2,400 sq. ft. It was completed in 2018 and is still being filled with plants.

Plants in the last stage of vegetation before turning the auxiliary fluorescent lights off. 76

sides of the greenhouse are lifted up during the day for airflow. They are closed at night and on rainy and windy days. Oahu is located at the 21st parallel north, a circle of latitude, and there is only slight variation between summer and winter day length. On June 22, the longest day, there are just under 13.5 hours of light. On the shortest day, Dec. 21, there are just under 11 hours. As a result, almost all plants start to flower soon after germination unless the length of the light period is extended. Lighting the plants to prevent flowering is accomplished using compact fluorescent lightbulbs that are hung over the plants. They are controlled using a timer that turns the lights on most of the night. Since it is so easy to manipulate the flowering cycle, there are plants in all stages of growth creating a continuous supply and continuous workflow without requiring “bulges” of temporary workers. The farm manager mentioned that the week around the full moon has a slight effect on flowering,

The fluorescent lights are used to break up the dark cycle. Most cannabis plants require a long period of uninterrupted darkness to flower. By breaking the dark cycle once or twice for just a few minutes each evening the plants remain in vegetative. Once the lights are turned off permanently, the plants begin to flower.

APRIL 2019 CultureMagazine.com

which holds the plants back a bit. I didn’t think that was the case until I looked at the full moon that night. The moon, rather than being at an acute angle in the sky, is much closer to being straight overhead. It is much brighter than it is in the 37th parallel north, where I usually view it. This farm is trying out many varieties, and is especially impressed with Chem Dog x Durban Poison, Greenpoint Seeds’ Indiana Bubblegum x Stardog and its house strain Blue Dream x Gogi OG. Patients request those varieties the most. c

TIP OF THE MONTH Now is the time to take clones of your favorite plants for sowing outside in a month or two. Give the clones only 18 hours of light per day with a six-hour dark period so they don’t go into shock and immediately start to flower when placed outdoors. Give the clones moderate light until they start developing roots, about 10-15 days. Then transplant them into bigger containers.

Young plants in fivegallon containers are growing vegetatively.

The canopy is uniform height because all the plants in the group are clones of a single variety.

Plants in the fourth or fifth week of flowering.

Young flower almost three weeks old.

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.

NEWS of the

WEIRD

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL

LEAD STORY—WHAT’S IN A NAME? Unfortunately named Johna Martinez-Meth, 46, of Clearlake, California, was sentenced on Feb. 21 for involuntary manslaughter stemming from a delivery she made to Adrian Sepulveda, an inmate at California Medical Facility in Vacaville, in May 2018. Sepulveda, who died on May 28, 2018, was serving a life sentence for seconddegree murder when Martinez-Meth visited him; an autopsy showed that shortly after her visit, Sepulveda had swallowed multiple balloons filled with methamphetamine, Fox News reported. A subsequent search of Martinez-Meth’s home uncovered meth and balloons. She pleaded guilty to the charges and will serve two years. LEGAL SHENANIGANS San Juan County (Washington) Sheriff Ron Krebs is on the hot seat after Superior Court Judge Kathryn Loring accidentally discovered a disturbing video. On Jan. 31, Loring was sitting at the desk of the court administrator when she noticed video from a courthouse camera on the computer screen. As she watched, the camera panned and zoomed in on the jury box and counsel tables—settling on Juror No. 3’s notes and a legal pad belonging to Public Defender Colleen

Kenimond—right in the middle of a misdemeanor assault and trespassing trial for Lopez Island resident Dustin Schible. According to the Seattle Times, Loring alerted Superior Court Judge Donald Eaton to the video, and Eaton dismissed the charges against Schible, citing government misconduct. Krebs, who controls the cameras, said he was concerned about the defendant, who had threatened to stab a Lopez Island grocer. He claimed he didn’t pass on anything he saw with the camera, and County Prosecutor Randall Gaylord said no one in his office received any information from Krebs. “We are independently elected officials,” Gaylord said, distancing himself from Krebs. BRIGHT IDEAS The long, harsh winter must be getting to folks in Muskego, Wisconsin, to wit: Police were called to a home on Feb. 22 after “a big teddy bear” was reported to be at a neighbor’s front door. As it turned out, the humansized panda—not native to the Badger State—was a 48-year-old man who had been asked to check on the dogs and thought it would be funny to prank his neighbors through their security system. “I knew my neighbors had cameras, and I thought I was going to make the ordinary extraordinary and dress up in the panda suit,” the unnamed man told CBS 58. Apparently he has also picked his daughter up at school and met her at the bus stop in the suit (pandas are her favorite animal). CultureMagazine.com

APRIL 2019

APRIL 2019 CultureMagazine.com

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APRIL 2019

Culture Magazine Colorado April 2019

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