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inside
contents 6.2018
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Nothin’ but Net
As a former NBA champion, Olympian and entrepreneur, Lamar Odom shoots for success with his newest enterprise in the cannabis industry. O n the C O V E R :
P ho t o b y J oh n G ilhoole y
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features
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departments
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Rhythmic Rhymes Hip-hop artist Ill Se7en creates music with themes revolving around social justice and cannabis.
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Hemp is Life Organizations like the Pennsylvania-based Rodale Institute are running groundbreaking hemp research studies.
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Industry Insider Chairwoman of Women Grow, Dr. Chanda Macias, brings a plethora of knowledge and experience with the science of medical cannabis.
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Artistic Expression The annual High Art 2018 contest revealed the talents of many artists, including grand prize winner Mike Oncley, whose passion for cannabis knows no bounds.
10 Letter from the Editor news 12 News Nuggets 16 By the Numbers 18 Local News reviews 22 Company Highlight 28 Dispensary Highlight 30 Strain, Edible & Concentrate Reviews 32 Cool Stuff 34 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 62 À La Carte 66 Growing Culture 68 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! d Thomas Jefferson University Opens Cannabis Patient Registry d Thailand Discusses Loosening Laws on Cannabis
Vol 9 IssUE 12
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Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams managing editor Addison Herron-Wheeler Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Hilary Bricken, Devon Alexander Brown, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Caroline Hayes, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Carl Kozlowski, Emily Manke, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, 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 Graphic Designer John Venegas Associate Publisher & Bob Waters Advertising Director REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Kim Cook Account Executives Rebecca Bermudez, Alex Brizicky, Angie Callahan, Molly Clark, Eric Bulls, Rocki Davidson, Matt Knuth, Casey Roel, Rick Schwartz, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza office manager Mikayla Aguilar Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla INTERNS Cole Graves, Cecilia Juarez Publisher David Comden 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.
10940 S. Parker Road, #237 | Parker | CO | 80134-7440 Phone/Fax 888.694.2046 www.CultureMagazine.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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LETTER
FROM
THE
EDITOR
Safety in Sportsmanship
Justin Timberlake “The only thing pot does for me is it gets me to stop thinking. Sometimes I have a brain that needs to be turned off. Some people are just better high.”
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BA Playoffs, World Series, Super Bowl Sunday and March Madness— chances are you’re familiar with most of these sports terms, and for good reason. Sports are a pivotal part of the American lifestyle. So, while cannabis consumption continues to gain popularity across the “Land of the Free,” it’s unfortunate that most professional sports leagues are still hesitant to accept the plant’s medicinal value. Cannabis serves as a substance for recreation, and it’s also a plant that provides us with wellness. Every day there are more and more individuals ditching dangerous substances like opioids and alcohol in favor of this greener and nonlethal alternative. However, many professional sports players are still prescribed dangerous and addictive opioids to deal with their sportsrelated injuries, while cannabis remains a banned substance in most American professional sports leagues. Brave heroes of pro sports, both active and retired, are coming forward to express the benefits they’ve received from cannabis. Veteran National Football League (NFL) running back Mike James was the first player to request a “therapeutic use exemption” for cannabis in March. His story aired in a Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s CNN series entitled “Weed 4: Pot vs. Pills.” James bravely shared how he depended on prescribed opioids to manage chronic pain following sportsrelated injuries, which led to numerous surgeries. He shared how he was able to discontinue his use of opioids in favor of medical cannabis, which ultimately provided him a safer alternative for pain relief. Unfortunately, the NFL leadership was not receptive to his powerful story, denying his request for an exemption in late April. Despite the setbacks, many retired professional athletes continue to lead the charge in demanding sports leagues embrace the medicinal benefits of cannabis. CULTURE’s cover story this month focuses on none other than Lamar Odom, who didn’t hesitate to discuss how his new line of cannabis products can help others 10
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on their road to recovery, much like cannabis did for him years ago. The connection between sports and cannabis is now stronger than ever. As cannabis continues to be an important topic on Capitol Hill and supported by pro athletes in all leagues, it will be interesting to see if sports leadership will finally embrace the medicinal benefits of cannabis, once and for all. Either way, we remain poised to continue fighting for our human right to consume this miraculous plant. c Cheers!
Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief
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NEWS
nuggetS
Investigation of Denver’s Sweet Leaf Looping Case Continues Denver’s Sweet Leaf dispensary chain has recently been subject to an ongoing investigation after an undercover sting revealed evidence of alleged “looping.” Hearing Officer Suzanne Fasing told The Denver Post that Sweet Leaf “actively aided and abetted the illegal purchases through its looping scheme,” and therefore was in breach of legal business operations. She also proposed that the company should lose access to all of its 26 licenses. CULTURE spoke with Shannon Gray,
cannabis communications specialist with the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED). “MED prioritizes all of its constitutional and statutory responsibilities, including protecting all licensee information as required by statute,” Gray said. “The MED Sweet Leaf investigation is still open and ongoing, so I have no other information to provide at this time.” On May 24, charges were dropped against seven of the 15 budtenders who were originally arrested for allegedly selling cannabis via looping.
Colorado Bill Could Establish New Round of Cannabis Investors Recently, House Bill 18-1011 was proposed in the Colorado legislature, which would allow publicly traded companies to invest in the state’s cannabis industry—a positive move toward further securing compliance in the industry. “Colorado has been at the forefront of secure and safe cannabis regulation since the inception of the recreational marijuana in the country,” State Rep. Dan Pabon, prime sponsor
Arizona Governor Signs Bill to Legalize Industrial Hemp Cultivation Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona signed legislation on May 14, which allows farmers to cultivate industrial hemp. Senate Bill 1098 allows cultivators, harvesters, processors and transporters to obtain a state license from the Arizona Department of Agriculture, which will oversee the program. Farmers will be able to harvest hemp up to four times per year, thanks to Arizona’s sunny
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of the bill, told CULTURE. “Allowing publicly traded companies to operate in Colorado keeps cannabis companies competitive in the industry and in line with what most states who have legalized cannabis already allow.” The bill would also eliminate the 15-person limit for out-of-state cannabis business owners, giving more people the chance to own business assets and contribute to the expanding industry in Colorado.
climate. That could translate to 1,500 pounds of hemp per acre, according to estimates. “This bill opens Arizona to the possibility of a new agricultural product,” Gov. Ducey stated. “I’m glad to sign a bill that could have a positive economic impact for the state.” Ducey vetoed previous attempts to allow hemp cultivation due to the planned program’s lack of a funding source. Under the new law, anyone caught violating licensing requirements will be subject to strict penalties.
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The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that was collected in recreational cannabis sales revenue in Colorado during the month of March: (Source: The Denver Post)
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The estimated number of hemp and cannabis bills that were introduced to the Colorado legislature during the most recent congressional session: (Source: Colorado Springs Independent)
30
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that Summit County collected in cannabis sales during the month of March: (Source: Colorado Department of Revenue)
3.06
The total number of hemp cultivation permits that have been issued in Colorado, as of mid-May: (Source: The Durango Herald)
850
The projected number of people who are expected to be employed in the United States cannabis industry by 2025: (Source: Desert Sun)
630,000
The percentage of American cannabis consumers who said they would vote to legalize cannabis in their home state: (Source: PSB Research)
90
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that was collected in gross product sales of Kentuckybased hemp: (Source: Courier-Journal)
16.7
The number of patients on Florida’s medical cannabis state registry as of May 11: (Source: Florida Department of Health)
108,981
The 420 Games Denver WHEN: Sat, June 23 WHERE: Infinity Park, 950 S. Birch, Glendale WEBSITE: 420games.org If you aren’t already preparing yourself for The 420 Games coming to Denver this month, then now is the time. Join The 420 Games’ crew along with a handful of professional athletes, executives, families and thousands of healthy cannabis consumers who want to debunk negative stereotypes about cannabis consumers. This is the fourth time that The 420 Games will be returning to Denver, and with its arrival, thousands of participants will put on their comfortable 16
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exercise gear and get a workout in the name of cannabis. In the past, these events have embraced running and walking marathons, as well as biking. Afterwards, participants will also get the chance to check out The 420 Games Village, where they can visit an exciting selection of booths and industry exhibitors. There will be live DJs playing some groovy beats, along with professional athletes speaking about the benefits of replacing deadly opioids with medical cannabis.
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NEWS
LOCAL
Colorado Brewers’ Festival
Harvesting Hemp
Colorado is on the brink o f r e g u l at i n g i t s h e m p a n d CBD industry
A
By Addison Herron-Wheeler
s legal cannabis grows in popularity and becomes legal across the nation, its nonpsychoactive cousin, hemp, is gaining more traction as well. Here in Colorado, where cannabis is already very socially accepted, hemp and cannabidiol (CBD) may become regulated similarly to other food ingredients. House Bill 1295 passed in the Senate and the House, and as of May 16, is now headed to Gov. John Hickenlooper for final approval. If passed, the bill would apply additional food manufacturing guidelines to products like coffee infused with CBD oil and other products made from hemp. HB-1295 has had strong support from legislators, who believe that passing this bill is the next step toward further legitimizing the industrial hemp industry. “We stood behind this bill because of how it will help the Colorado economy,” Rep. Joe Salazar, one of the sponsors of the bill, explained to CULTURE. “This will help us provide a vehicle to expand economic opportunities. It’s going to expand the industry. The idea isn’t to further regulate the industry, but to ensure that it can compete with other industries.” Rather than struggle against this new line of regulations, the local hemp industry is welcoming it, because the industry aims to be on par and in competition with hemp industries in other states. If hemp is
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regulated just like any other food item, it will have to stand up to the same universal standards of food products and ingredients. If the bill passes, it would also ensure that these Colorado hemp manufacturers would be operating under the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), which would increase their credibility and transparency with customers. Currently, there are 94 businesses registered as hemp manufacturers under Colorado’s industrial hemp food manufacturing policy, so there are many businesses that would be affected. At this point in time, Colorado hemp companies are just working off of relevant legislation from 2013, interpreting the legal language to say that they can run hemp businesses. While this does allow for the creation and legalization of an industry, it doesn’t set out strict standards or guidelines from the industry to operate from. These new provisions, if passed, would double down on safeguards and prohibit other companies from interfering with the production and sale of hemp products. HB-1295 has been two years in the
“ We s t o o d be h i nd t h i s bi l l be ca u s e o f h o w i t w i l l h e l p t h e C o l o r a d o e co no m y. T h i s w i l l h e l p u s p r ovi d e a ve h i cl e t o e xpa nd e co no m i c o p p o r t u ni t i e s. ” works, and was originally met with a lot of resistance from the legislature. At the time, state regulators were concerned that passing a regulation like this would draw too much negative attention to Colorado’s industry and invite intervention. CDPHE’s Manufactured Food Division receives approximately $500,000 every year generated from licensing revenue and about $420,000 from federal sources for work-related needs to quality control standards, so there should be plenty of funding for this new bill if it passes. While some fear that the overall hemp industry will still ultimately suffer until hemp becomes federally legalized and regulated, this will clearly be a huge, positive step forward for Colorado’s industry. c
Returning for its 29th year, the awardwinning Colorado Brewers’ Festival is back, and it’s coming to Fort Collins for three whole days. The Colorado Brewers’ Festival will feature more than 90 Colorado beers from over 40 local breweries, along with a beer school where you will encounter live demonstrations and delicious tastings. All breweries will feature different beers on Saturday and Sunday, with live music to top off the fun. Be sure to check out the additional Brewers Festival weekend, which includes spinoff events including The Summit at Colorado Brewers’ Festival and Breakfast & Brews. This is the place where you can enjoy unlimited tastings of barrelaged beer creations, along with rare, specialty beers and seasonal summer brews. WHEN: Fri, June 22-Sun, June 24 WHERE: Washington Park Fort Collins, 321 Maple St., Fort Collins WEBSITE: downtownfortcollins. com/events/colorado-brewers-festival
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company highlight
REVIEWs
WILLIE’S RESERVE
TM
SOUTHERN CHARM ORGANICS
By Jacob Cannon
W
illie Nelson has been a figurehead of the cannabis lifestyle for decades now. When the
musician stepped into the cannabis industry with his premiere line of concentrates, vapes and flower in 2016, consumers across the nation rejoiced. What makes Nelson’s brand stand out amongst the rest and hold up to its high standard of agricultural integrity is WILLIE’S RESERVETM’s
dedication to obtaining small batch flower and material sourced straight from local farmers. In order to get a better idea behind the high-quality products being offered in the state of Colorado, CULTURE connected with Sacred Valley Medicine and Southern Charm Organics. As two of the longest-standing local farmers that provide flower to WILLIE’S RESERVETM, these cannabis cultivators are setting the bar high for innovation and dedication. 22
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SOUTHERN CHARM ORGANICS How would you describe your farm? We are a very small, boutique style cannabis farm. Our flowering space is broken into multiple small rooms, so that we can better control and monitor the environment. We hand trim all of our product to ensure a high quality, aesthetically pleasing finished product. It’s hard to really say we have a specialty. Growing cannabis is a constant learning experience and [with] every batch we run we seem to learn something new. We have learned you can’t be rigid or too proud in your growing methods. We have made many small tweaks over the past four years, and this has allowed our product and processes to improve over time. Currently, our “specialty strain” would have to be Sour Diesel. We were fortunate to have acquired a very good phenotype early on and have worked hard to learn to cultivate this strain well and produce a consistent final product. What do you offer the WILLIE’S RESERVETM family that others don’t? We can’t really speak to what others offer the WILLIE’S RESERVETM family
but we can say what we offer. We are very humbled and proud to be a part of the WILLIE’S RESERVETM family. Growing up in the rural South in a farming community, Willie was and still is looked at as a hero figure. From Farm Aid to just the way Willie has lived his life, he has shown how much he roots for the little guy and has shown how much he cares about the hard working small farmers in the U.S. Just being able to say we are remotely involved with Willie and the Nelson family is a huge deal to us, and we look at it as an honor and privilege. Being a small independent farmer, we are able to put product quality first and make sure that we are giving Willie’s only the best product that meets our and their high standards. With the changing landscape of medical and recreational cannabis, what do you see as the biggest challenges to your progress as a farmer? Any advantages? We feel one of the biggest challenges to our progress as with probably most all small businesses in every industry is just the inability to compete with the “big guys.” As the industry has matured over the past few years, wholesale prices have dropped significantly. Much of this is obviously due to many more farms in general and also more large farms that are able to produce product cheaper per gram and also survive off of smaller margins. I strongly feel there will be
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space for large farms as well as the small boutique farms such as ours; it’s just a matter of surviving until the markets level out. We have been so blessed to be able to become an independent farmer for Willie’s. What are the goals and vision moving forward in your partnership with WILLIE’S RESERVETM? Our obvious first goal in moving forward in our partnership with WILLIE’S RESERVETM is to continue to be a partner with WILLIE’S RESERVETM. We hope to continue to produce high quality product that Willie’s will be proud to keep in their line-up. We definitely would love to add a few strains for Willie’s to give consumers more selection from our farm. We don’t want to speak out of turn on that subject so we will just have to see if we can present Willie’s with a few choices that they just can’t pass up. We’ll do our best to make that happen, so stay tuned!
SACRED VALLEY MEDICINE How would you describe your farm? Sacred Valley Medicine is a sungrown, natural/organic retail marijuana cultivation facility located in the San Luis Valley on Chokurei Ranch. Our ranch is over 2,400 acres and has 20 artesian wells. We raise a herd of over 400 Tibetian yak that graze on 400 to 600 acres of native grass at a time. We use solar power to offset our energy use, and we use the Garn, the most ecofriendly wood boiler, which is virtually smokeless, to heat our 6,500 squarefoot greenhouse all year round. We never use harmful pesticides, and we always grow a very clean and tasty finished product. What is your specialty? Our specialty is our excellent terpene 24
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profile. The combination of being sun-grown, natural/organic and being well cured, helps us create incredibly strong terpenes in our cannabis. What do you offer the WILLIE’S RESERVETM family that others don’t? Sacred Valley Medicine offers a clean, well cured, sun grown product that is consistently grown with love. Our mission is to always be energy efficient, making very little impact on the land and water. To be good stewards of the land, grow healing medicine and always do good business. With the changing landscape of medical and recreational cannabis, what do you see as the biggest challenges to your progress as a farmer? Any advantages? We have seen the market change a lot. With so much supply, the price per pound has really gone down, making it tough on the farmer. Our two advantages are that we try to keep our cost down using the sun to grow (compared to being grown in warehouses), and that we are always producing a high quality product that helps the customer be happy. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the world of cannabis business? Having relationships or partnerships with great companies like WILLIE’S RESERVETM can help you grow. You have to make sure you have your customers before you even grow your crop. Keep your cost down, labor, supplies and fixed costs. But don’t take shortcuts affecting the quality of your product. Grow organic/natural cannabis, and grow with the sun. Last but not least, always do good business with a win-win approach to every business decision you make. What are the goals and vision moving forward in your partnership with WILLIE’S RESERVETM? We plan to continue to grow high quality clean sun grown great tasting Cannabis for WILLIE’S RESERVETM. Our hopes is that cannabis becomes
legal nationwide. We have plenty of land and water on the ranch to grow a huge supply of cannabis for WILLIE’S RESERVETM. Where do you see your company in five years? On the cover of the Rolling Stone. No really, we have always felt that farmers should be more recognized for all their hard work and effort into growing good food and medicine for the people. We are not in it for the recognition personally, but for the principles to be talked about and to be used to inspire others to grow responsibly and to be good stewards of the water and land. We see Sacred Valley Medicine in the next five years being one of the top companies in the nation, growing truly the finest, cleanest, greatest tasting cannabis on the market. What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? We want to be known for inspiring others to grow sun-grown all-natural and organic cannabis without harmful pesticides. c
SACRED VALLEY MEDICINE
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REVIEWs
dispensary highlight
To p-Sellin g Str ain Cataract Kush
High Level Health 970 Lincoln St., Denver (303) 839-9333
cannabis can be such a vital part of a healthy lifestyle.
2028 E Colfax Ave., Denver (303) 355-9333
What does your dispensary offer customers that they can’t find anywhere else? Our flower is all top shelf and grown in-house. We have developed a soilless growth process that includes the very best organic nutrients available. Each plant is carefully hand watered and inspected daily for quality and health. Many of our strains are proprietary and cannot be found in other dispensaries.
HighLevelHealth.com How and when did your dispensary start up? We started in 2009 with four partners who thought that it was the right time to get into the cannabis industry. We were a combination of business people, retailers and growers. It was a good fit! What’s the story behind the name of your dispensary? In 2009, we thought we had come up with the ultimate name, Discount Medical Marijuana. However, customers kept telling us they were surprised how amazing our flower was with a name like Discount. We realized that the name did not accurately reflect our quality level, and we rebranded as High Level Health to more accurately reflect our flower quality while also relaying our feelings that 28
How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in business? Where would you like to see it go? The industry has changed so much, but what I am most proud of is seeing how perceptions have changed and how cannabis has gone from a last resort to a first resort when dealing with different ailments. As I look towards the future, I am most excited to see more and more clinical research. I truly believe that cannabis will provide cures for
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To p-Sellin g Co ncentr ate Dragon Tears RSO Oil
cancer and Alzheimer’s in my lifetime. It is exciting to know that High Level [Health] will be a part of that. What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a dispensary? Biggest joys? After nine years of being in business and helping tens of thousands of people, I am still treated like a criminal. That is my biggest frustration. There are no good options for banking, loans or credit cards. We are regulated more than any other industry, and we can’t take tax deductions that every other industry takes. However, my biggest joy is being a part of an industry that I know I will be a part of my entire life. It has brought me fulfillment that I have never had with any other profession. What is the one thing you want patients/customers to know about your dispensary? We are committed to providing customers [with] the highest quality cannabis products at an affordable price and
To p-Sellin g Edible Wana Gummies to progressing the cannabis discussion in this country. If someone wanted to open a dispensary and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? Know what you’re getting into! I have had friends ask me this question, and I have told them they shouldn’t do it. Some haven’t listened and have come back to let me know how right I was. If you want to get into this industry, don’t do it for the money. The regulations are such nowadays that your margins are extremely slim. Do it because you love the plant and want to see people enjoy it. What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? To continually explore new, better and more efficient ways to grow our all organic flower; to always be looking for ways to improve; to always grow the absolute best product and see people enjoy it in their everyday lives. Cannabis amazes me every day! c
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REVIEWs
strain, edible & concentrate
Lemon Drop Tincture - Pat’s Tincture There are many ways to enjoy pure cannabis oil without vaping it. If you’re looking for an alternative method, be sure to treat yourself to this Lemon Drop Tincture Pat’s Tincture. It’s a 1:1 ratio of CBD and THC, which incorporates pure cannabis oil with delightful flavors and allows the consumer to enjoy everything from infused teas to soda and countless other beverages of their choice. Simply add a dropperfull of oil to any beverage, or under the tongue, and enjoy! Each dropper contains 3.3mg of THC and 3.3mg of CBD, allowing for accurate dosing. The equal balance of CBD and THC creates a balanced effect, one that tends to be milder while still providing the health benefits of both THC and CBD. Consumers can medicate at any time of day, as it may help relieve pain and ease anxiety. Pat’s Tinctures come in French Vanilla, Cherry and Lemon Drop flavors.
Available wherever: Pat Pen products are sold.
Available wherever: Highly Edible products are carried.
CBD Golden Strawberry Pucks Everybody loves sugar-coated gummy candies. These gold-colored “pucks” taste of sweet and delicious strawberries, with a slight but not overbearing herbal aftertaste. With a 10:1 ratio of 200mg of CBD and 20mg of THC, CBD Golden Strawberry Pucks are intended for consumers who are looking for advanced therapy. These gummies won’t send most consumers into a daze, but do offer the “entourage effect” for those who need a bit more than just CBD to get by. CBD Golden Strawberry Pucks are made with 100 percent organic, GMO-free and vegan ingredients. As an added bonus, the package of this product also has a childproof lid to keep kids from getting into your medicine.
Shroomy Deez Shroomy Deez, where have you been all our lives?! Denver’s Pando dispensary brought this diesely, skunky funk to us, and we’re happy to say that we are stoked on this strain. We received big, chunky, dense nugs with visible crystals. We broke them up by hand, which left our fingers stinky and sticky. The crossing of the parent strains, Sour Diesel and Trifi OG, intrigued us greatly. We packed a clean glass pipe and fired it up with anticipation. Diesel and OG strains crossed? Yes, please. The hit tasted exactly how it smelled, and we loved how the diesel flavor lingered on our tongues. After a couple hits we felt a surge of energy and felt the urge to clean the entire kitchen (dishes, counters, back splash, stove top and all!). Who doesn’t love painless, voluntary cleaning? The effect was comparable to drinking a strong coffee or energy drink, but without those jittery feelings. The head effect was strong, but not overwhelming in the slightest. We will surely be on the hunt for more Shroomy Deez in the near future. Stop by Pando (formerly The Haven) in Denver and snag some Shroomy Deez. 30
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Available at: Pando in Denver.
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REVIEWs
3
1. All Things Hemp 3 Pack Beard Oil, Balm & Stash Wax by Beard of God™ Men, do you have trouble finding that perfect product for your beloved beards? Beards of God™ is here “to help men groom and maintain their mainly beards” with high quality ingredients. The All Things Hemp 3 Pack Beard Oil, Balm & Stash Wax comes with hemp-infused organic Beard Oil, hemp-infused Beard Balm and wax for your mustache. All-natural ingredients like organic and certified Kosher hemp seed oil, as well as other nutritional oils and vitamin E, will prevent your beard from becoming brittle and dry. This is the perfect gift for any hygiene aficionado in your life, but especially for dads who rock an awesome beard. Price: $34 More Information: www.beardofgod.com 2. Orbit Bluetooth Key Tracker Let’s admit it. We all misplace our phones and keys from time to time. How many times have you searched the couch and every surface of your house for your car keys or your phone? Now just imagine all that extra time you could all be saving if you had an Orbit Bluetooth Key Tracker. Stop endlessly searching for your keys or cell phones, and find your misplaced items quickly with the touch of a button—this device makes losing precious valuables a thing of the past. The Orbit Bluetooth Key Tracker is small, affordable and comes in a variety of colors. Price: $24.99 More Information: findorbit.com/orbit_us 32
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3. Hemp Backpack Made from 100 percent certified organic hemp, this backpack is made from the same hemp as the world-famous Hemp Wick Bee Line. This design is not only functional but fashionable as well, making it one of the best hemp backpacks on the market. This organic hemp backpack is filled with plenty of compartments as well as stash pockets for your valuables. With two adjustable padded shoulder straps, along with a single side water bottle pocket, get ready to take this backpack on all your outdoor adventures. The backpack is available in three different colors—Desert Tan, Oregon Green and Midnight Black. Price: $109 More Information: hempwickbeeline.com
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4. Stone Drink Dispenser Many of us enjoy our favorite drink on the rocks, but now you can enjoy it from the rock—in the literal sense. The Stone Drink Dispenser allows whiskey enthusiasts to enjoy their own little keg dispenser that not only looks cool, but makes pouring another round of drinks even easier. Designed by Jeff Henderson, this item is the ideal gift to accompany a bottle of booze for your thirstiest of friends (or fathers). This particular handmade unit is designed in New Hampshire and made from natural New England coastal stones. It can also be paired with a matching stone lever, to boot. Price: $45-$153 More Information: www.uncommongoods.com
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REVIEWs
entertainment
BOOK
Cannabis Pharmacy: The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana Michael Backes Pub. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers This revised and updated edition of Cannabis Pharmacy: The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana serves as a vital tool to those who would like to better understand the relationship between cannabis and the endocannabinoid system within our bodies. From clarifying the various functions of our endocannabinoid systems to better understanding cannabis consumption in general, this guide is especially helpful to those new to medical cannabis. Readers will be given practical tools to best prepare cannabis and administer it, which includes understanding the intricacies of dosage and titration. (Jacob Cannon) 34
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Release Date: JUNE 15 Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC
GAME
LEGO The Incredibles Dev. Traveller’s Tales Pub. Warner Bros. Film-related LEGO® games have had an incredible run since the first game was released in 2001. So it’s no surprise that Disney is finally bringing its superhero movie franchise, The Incredibles, to join in on the fun. This game is full of everything you would expect, including countless LEGO® bricks, nonstop action, plenty of puzzles—plus, it’s available in both single player and twoplayer co-op modes. LEGO The Incredibles comes with content from the first film, as well as the new film that will be released later this month, so there’s plenty of gameplay to go around. (Nicole Potter)
MOVIE
Black Panther Dir. Ryan Coogler Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures In this age of superhero movie saturation, it can be hard to figure out which films will stand up as all around good science fiction movies, and which are essentially just bloated tributes to excessive budgets, explosions and computer special effects. Black Panther easily makes that leap into the realm of fantastic science-fiction and adds itself to an extremely short list of superhero films that transcend the genre. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, (Creed, Fruitvale Station) the film brings to life the classic Stan Lee/Jack Kirby created Marvel hero, Black Panther, and his fictional African home of Wakanda and makes it one of the most fully fleshed-out, immersive universes created yet. (Simon Weedn)
MUSIC
From The Overflowing Itchy-O Alternative Tentacles One of Denver’s favorites, Itchy-O always puts on an incredible live show, and is known across the city for its dynamic performances and stellar music. Combining everything from EDM and alternative to orchestral, fullband musicality, it is just as good when recorded. Last year, it released From The Overflowing, a studio album that highlights some of the band’s strongest material. Any fans who have checked the band out live should make an investment in this record. Find it online or in stores around town. (Addison Herron-Wheeler)
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“One of my favorite strains is the OG Kush; it helps with my anxiety.”
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How Lamar Odom turned adversity and tragedy into success in the cannabis world By David Edmundson
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amar Odom has held several monikers—basketball phenom, National Basketball Association (NBA) champion, Olympian and most recently survivor, but he is adding a new title to his resume—cannabis entrepreneur. CULTURE sat down with the retired champ to discuss basketball, his miraculous recovery and his thoughts on the cannabis landscape. Odom’s life has been a dichotomy of good and bad since he was a kid. As a youth, he was a basketball standout, but his childhood was marred by the death of his mother at the age of 12, and his father’s ongoing addiction to drugs.
In spite of these early tragedies, Odom became a talented basketball player in high school. He was recognized twice as a Parade All-American when he was a junior and senior and was named Parade Player of the Year in his senior year. After a brief stint in college, Odom was selected fourth overall in the 1999 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. The following year, he joined the NBA All-Rookie Team. However, in 2001 Odom was suspended for violating the NBA Drug Policy. He was suspended a second time the following season for the same infraction. Following his suspension, he admitted to consuming cannabis. In 2004, Odom traded Clipper red for Laker gold. During his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Odom won back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. He was also bestowed the coveted NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award for his efforts in 2011. During his time on the Lakers, Odom began to repair his relationship with his father, who had become drug-free. Shortly after playing with the Lakers, Odom experienced tragedy yet again with the death of his cousin, with whom Odom was close. Exacerbating the situation, Odom was the passenger in a vehicle that struck and killed a teenage cyclist. The motor accident occurred one day after laying his cousin to rest. After these tragedies, Odom played for the Dallas Mavericks for one season before returning to the Clippers for the final season of his NBA career. During his career in Los Angeles, Odom also appeared on a number of reality shows and grew a large fandom off the court. Of course, with newfound notoriety comes the perils of living life in the spotlight. He was addicted to drugs and suffered from terrible anxiety. Odom was found unresponsive and slipped into a coma in 2015. After several days, the former NBA star woke up. However, his recovery would be arduous. It was during this time that Odom began to focus on natural healing and cannabis. His quest for health led him to partner with Camp Green to form Rich Soil Organics and to make high-grade, organic cannabis products. CultureMagazine.com CultureMagazine.com JUNE JUNE2018 2018
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As a basketball standout from a young age, did sports function as an escape mechanism for your traumatic youth? It definitely did, 100 percent. Sports was like a parent to me. It kept me straight and on the right path. It made all my dreams come true. What did sports teach you early on? It taught me everything about teamwork, what it takes to be a good teammate. I’ve always considered myself a great teammate. I always took pride in that. You played in the NBA for 13 years and won two championships. You also represented your country in the 2004 Olympics. Was one more special than the other? I think they went handin-hand. I grew up always paying attention to the Olympics, and that was a special moment. The opening ceremonies are something I’ll never forget. Just like I’ll never forget winning those two championships with the Lakers, but they run neckand-neck. I wouldn’t put one in front of the other. How did you feel playing at the Olympics with different teammates? At the end of the day it was the worlds’ teams competing, so we were representing America, so it meant a lot to me to be on that team. You describe yourself as a “walking miracle.” How has cannabis helped you in your personal life? It helped me regain my motor skills. After I woke up from my coma, I couldn’t walk or talk, and I think
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marijuana helped me with my motor skills. Of course, it helps with pain, and I was addicted to drugs as well. It has helped my recovery out a lot as well. Several NBA players have come out recently supporting cannabis. Did you hear a lot about cannabis consumption when you played in the league? Not really. I mean I think guys smoked, but of course when we weren’t in season. But now that it’s becoming a big business, a lot of players are trying to take advantage of the business aspects and of course helping people. I want to help people if I can. Do you think you ever played with or against someone under the influence of cannabis? Did you ever play under the influence? I did consume cannabis during my career. It was the wrong decision, because I was suspended for smoking marijuana. I think that rules will be changed in the NBA soon. I think they’ve come to terms that it’s not unhealthy, like some other drugs. You played during David Stern’s reign as commissioner of the NBA, where he enacted very strict anti-cannabis rules. Recently though, he has come out in support of removing cannabis from the restricted list. Did you notice a change in cannabis’ perception from when you entered the lead, compared to when you left? Well I think in America as a whole, I think marijuana is definitely more socially acceptable. Just overall, in general.
Photos by JuanMarquis “Jay” Johnson | Location: SCSA South Coast Safe Access
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“I found that I could help my anxiety through the use of certain strains of marijuana, as opposed to Xanax or other things that had opiates in it.”
Elite athletes are under a lot of scrutiny. Do you foresee a future where cannabis is something that’s not tested for and is no longer banned? I hope so. I hope it gets to the point to where it’s not even a slap on the wrist, and no big deal. Plus, they need it for the pain and for the recovery. I don’t think they’re using it just to get stoned, because they need to be active during the day for professional reasons. I’d recommend them a good strain of Rich Soil’s sativa; that’ll keep ’em up. You have recently gotten into the cannabis business arena. Can you tell me about your partnership with Camp Green, Rich Soil Organics? I had a mutual friend who approached me about Camp Green. They were growing organically, which is very clean. But it wasn’t something I just jumped into. We got to know each other, the whole team. We’re a minority-owned company, and we got to know each other to see if we clicked, businesswise. And from that point on, it has been working pretty good. I read a lot of studies on the power of natural healing. I found that I could help my anxiety through the use of certain strains of marijuana, as opposed to Xanax or other things that had opiates in it. 42
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Do you find that cannabis has allowed you to overcome your anxiety and make better decisions in life? One-hundred percent. As the world saw, I was in rehab. It took a lot of time for me to heal. During my recovery, I did a lot of research into the healing properties of cannabis. I suffer from really bad anxiety, and that anxiety led me to make terrible life-changing decisions off the court. My decision-making was terrible, because I was so anxious. One of my favorite strains is the OG Kush; it helps with my anxiety. Was it important for you that the company you partnered with is an organic grower? Yes, I want to help people, not hurt them with poor quality products [that are] full of chemicals.
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Is it equally important being a minority-owned company? Yes, it’s time for change in every which way in America. Because change is always good if it’s not hurting anyone. Black business baby! Black excellence, that’s what we support. What kind of feedback have you received from your customers? Everybody seems to like it. We went down to San Diego, and we got good reviews. Everybody seems to love it. You grew up in New York, which has a pretty strict medical cannabis program. How does the presence of a medical program impact those who live in states with stricter, or in some cases, no cannabis program? I mean, of course it’s going to affect consumers. If it’s legal in one area, but not another, that’s where you run into trouble. From our community, it’s horrible for it to be illegal in some of the black communities, because we’re going to find a way to sell it and make money off of it. Hopefully other states will legalize it and regulate it.
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There are two approaches to fighting for cannabis legalization, medical and recreational. Is one of the two more important to you? You got to fight it both ways. Fuck it! I want it all, we want it all. We want to smoke and enjoy it and heal ourselves at the same time. Your ability to bounce back from adversity is an inspiration to many. What words of advice would you give to people who are suffering from drug addiction problems? Put your higher power first, and you can overcome anything if you do that. With the tremendous highs and scary lows you have experienced in your life, what is the message people can take away from your life thus far? That I’m a fighter, that I’m a survivor, and I’m Godfearing. Anything that comes my way, I’ll overcome. What would you tell 20-year-old Lamar if you talked to him today? Just chill out and think. Think everything through. c
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Favorite Cannabis Strain Rich Soil OG Kush Favorite Movie The Hurricane Favorite Song “Angel” by Anita Baker Coca Cola or Pepsi? Pepsi Favorite Candy Airhead Bites Boxers or Briefs? Boxer briefs Star Wars or Star Trek? Star Wars Pineapple on pizza? Wrong Who’s going to win the NBA championships? Cleveland Cavaliers over the Houston Rockets
www.lamarodom.com richsoilorganics.com
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What do you have in the works right now to announce as far as touring or recording goes? I’m releasing a project in July, called Acuna Black presents Crates of Vintage Dreams. I’ll be touring in August with Blu & Nottz out of LA, and also releasing a spoken-word book called My Truth, specifics to be announced.
Conscious and Creative ILL Se7en i n c o r p o r at e s aspects of social justice and hip-hop i n h i s c ata l o g u e o f music By Addison Herron-Wheeler
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espite all the professional opportunities that individuals living in legal cannabis
states have to get involved in the industry, people of color still disproportionately face jail time and persecution for possessing cannabis. Colorado-based hip-hop artist Michael Acuña, also known
How did you get started making music? I was a church kid growing up, so my first intro into music was really there, and from my parents and what they listened to. I started playing jazz around 12 years old; I played clarinet and saxophone. I got bored with band and started wanting to learn to produce and write my own music. I started going to The Spot [that used to be] downtown in Denver, and that’s where I fell in love with making hip-hop music. Who are some of your biggest influences? Bob Marley, James Baldwin, André 3000, Nas and James Brown. How would you describe your sound? Grassroots truth, dusty, personal—old and futuristic all at the same time.
as ILL Se7en, recognizes this fact. As a musical artist, he works social justice issues like this and other important topics into his music. CULTURE chatted with ILL Se7en about his musical career and cannabis in Colorado. 46
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“I see [cannabis] as a healing plant t h at c o u l d c u r e t h e condition of the world if used for its true purpose . . . bringing together to build c o m m u n i t y. ”
Have you ever worked cannabis into your music as a theme? If so, how? Yeah, I’ve talked about smoking in my music and also talked towards the prohibition of it around the world, and its impact on people of color because of it being illegal. I see it as a healing plant that could cure the condition of the world if used for its true purpose . . . bringing together to build community. How do you feel about legalization so far? What could be done better or differently? The legalization of green is necessary, but I’m weary of corporate and political interest in the world of weed. Mostly because the growing process will change, like in the food market. Cash rules everything, so businesses might push for high production at low cost. I hope people continue to home grow out the sight of the market. All that to say, I’m prolegalization. What is your favorite strain or cannabis product? I like the hybrids, OG Kush and AK-47. How has cannabis impacted your life or creative process? It has been a spiritual and healing tool in my reflection of self. This world is all over the place; smoking keeps me rooted. I use it to connect with my higher self. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Marijuana is a tool that can connect us to the parts of our mind and soul we have yet to explore. We look at it as a drug; I look at it as a pathway to higher self. c
+ www.ILLSe7en.com
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Sowing Sustainability T he R odale I nstitute highlights its leading hem p research p ro j ect in honor o f H em p H istory W ee k By Benjamin M. Adams
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emp’s rich history is embedded in the story of the United States. What was once a staple crop in early American society, hemp’s legacy eventually fell— but it is slowly returning to its former glory. With uniquely sustainable qualities, the plant is an ideal agricultural product that could also help combat the fingerprint that mankind leaves behind on planet Earth. This month we celebrate Hemp History Week (which runs from June 4-10), and to honor another year of progress in the hemp industry, CULTURE spoke with the Pennsylvaniabased Rodale Institute, which is conducting groundbreaking agricultural hemp research. 48
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Although hemp was once a major industry in Pennsylvania for over 260 years, 80 years of prohibition made hemp farms an impossibility until recently. “According to Penn State Extension, the fiber of both hemp and flax was used to produce everything from clothing, to rope, to paper in colonial times,” Tara Caton, senior lab technician with Rodale Institute told CULTURE. “Historical records from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania reveal that over 100 hemp mills operated in the state to separate the fibers from the bark and the core. Industrial hemp became a victim of the 1937 banning of marijuana, a different
variety of Cannabis sativa, because of morphological similarity of the two species.” The 2014 Federal Farm Bill, however, opened the doors to hemp cultivation once again, for research purposes. Hemp and cannabis have very different purposes, but many remain uneducated about making the distinction. “According to U.S. law, hemp is the stalks, stems and sterilized seeds of cannabis; marijuana is the leaves, flowers and viable seeds of cannabis,” Caton explained. Legally, hemp is defined as having less than 0.3 percent THC, and the plant is typically grown for its fiber content.
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Now operating in what used to be one of the United States’ most popular hemp cultivation areas, Rodale Institute is making great strides in research. It’s one of 16 projects to receive a state-issued permit to cultivate hemp and unlike those other projects, Rodale Institute is one of the few organizations that is conducting independent agricultural research on hemp, directly on hemp farms. The institute is conducting a four-year research project, with an emphasis on sustainable farming. “We’re thrilled to have a new tool in our kit to find solutions for American farmers,” said Caton. “We’re honored to be included among the first research institutions granted access to experimenting with hemp. One of the most pressing issues for organic farmers is how to best fight weeds. Hemp, used as a cover crop, has the potential to not only suppress weeds but to provide a higher profit for the farmer in comparison to other cover crops (e.g. sorghum Sudan grass).” A cover crop is a crop grown for the purpose of soil enrichment, suppressing weed growth and helping to control unwanted pests and diseases. Hemp is more sustainable than many other types of plants, and members of Rodale Institute are very knowledgeable on the subject. “Hemp has a short growth phase and can be incorporated into a crop rotation, increasing the overall number of crops getting onto a field in a given year,” Caton explained. 50
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“We’re honored to be included among the first research institutions granted access to e x p e r i m e n t i n g w i t h h e m p. ”
Caton also noted that hemp has a short growth phase, making it possible to cycle through multiple crop rotations in a single year. “This allows us to keep the field planted at all times, reducing erosion and runoff, and to increase soil carbon as the plant sequesters it from the atmosphere and returns to the ground,” she said. “Hemp is also less labor intensive than other fiber crops (e.g. cotton); one machine can harvest an entire field of hemp whereas hundreds of workers are needed to hand-pick cotton. Hemp can be harvested and its byproducts sold, but it’s also a great cover crop in
no-till systems because it leaves a lot of biomass behind, useful in building soil over time.” For its unique positions as a leading hemp research facility, Rodale Institute is being featured in a documentary called Deep Roots, in honor of Hemp History Week’s 2018 theme of the same name. With sustainability as the focus, the Institute is regarded as a prime example of success. The new short film documents the cultivation of hemp within a regenerative organic no-till agriculture model. “No till farming has many benefits,” Ross Duffield, farm operations manager told CULTURE.
Oliver Stone “[Cannabis legalization] can be done. It can be done legally, safely, healthy, and it can be taxed and the government can pay for education and stuff like that. Also, you can save a fortune by not putting kids in jail.”
“Limited disruption of the soil allows for the living organisms and fungi to grow and live undisturbed and in turn helps increase soil organic matter and soil quality. No till also helps keep soil in place and reduces erosion that is a big problem in tillage systems after extreme rain or drought.” The regenerative notill model is still a work in progress, Duffield admitted, since weed management is key to success when dealing with plants like hemp. “By rotating livestock through a grain or even a vegetable rotation and limiting the amount of tillage during a year, the regenerative organic approach can improve the health of the soil, the livestock, that and the farmers themselves,” Duffield said. “This approach not only sustains the organic land but improves it over time and will leave it in a better condition for future farmers to manage.” Rodale Institute is helping to create hemp awareness through its research and its complex cultivation strategies. In honor of Hemp History Week, it’s important remember how hemp cultivation changed the past, as well as how it can contribute to a more sustainable our future. c
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Industry Insider
Health Care Hero Dr. Chanda Macias of the National Holistic Healing Center promotes racial equity and sound science
By R. Scott Rappold
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he U.S. government has said for decades that cannabis has “no accepted medical use,” lumping it with drugs like heroin and LSD in terms of its medical potential and legality. But Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the nation’s most powerful marijuana foe, would only have to travel 10 blocks from his office in the nation’s capital to see otherwise. That’s where Dr. Chanda Macias provides medicine for 2,400 patients at her medical cannabis dispensary, 54
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violating federal law like every other cannabis seller in America. Her National Holistic Healing Center is one of five dispensaries in Washington, D.C., a small market that is symbolically large by virtue of its location. Dr. Macias expects sales to rise from $5 million to $8 million this year. As a result, she has emerged as one of the industry’s most prominent faces, a clean-cut scientist and mother of four with an impressive educational background, who doesn’t consume cannabis herself. Along with running the dispensary and studying the
plant as a scientist, she was also recently selected to serve as chairwoman of Women Grow, a nationwide organization with dozens of chapters and hundreds of business members. “Being operational for almost three years, I see what a tremendous difference in health care benefits it provides my patients,” said Dr. Macias, 43. “It’s unbelievable. I’ve seen recovery from certain ailments. I’ve seen improved quality of life for a lot of different patients. It’s miraculous what I’ve seen this plant can do for patients in the D.C. market.”
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H.
H e a lt h C a r e D i s p a r i t y
It was on a trip to Ethiopia that Dr. Macias began to draw parallels between the health crisis in that impoverished nation and the situation facing millions of Americans at home. A cell biologist with a PhD from Howard University, she received a grant to bring students there to study diseases like malaria, which were often fatal because of a lack of medicine and available doctors. She had studied cannabis’ medical benefits and its potential to fight a number of diseases, from glaucoma to cancer, and decided to do something to help Americans gain access to it. “What I needed was to bring awareness to this health disparity that everyone experiences due to the deficiency of cannabinoids in our systems, understanding that those cannabinoids are putting us back in balance and giving us an improved quality of life, because that balance is something we need in order to not see these different progressive disease states,” she said. “It’s having access to the right medicine, and the medicine I feel can have the biggest impact on a patient is medical marijuana.” Around this time, 2013, Washington, D.C. was in the process of approving its first dispensaries. Dr. Macias applied, and two years later, was approved as the fifth and final one. She quit her job at a large pharmaceutical company to sell cannabis.
S.
Scientific Approach
“I can’t change who I am, which is a scientist. So I still have to indulge in that,” said Dr. Macias, who takes that approach to dispensing cannabis. When a new strain is ready, she and other scientists on her team examine the cannabinoid properties to determine what specific ailments it may be best used to treat, a concept known as “strain alignment.” Laboratory research is a major focus of the dispensary, along, of course, with its eight warehouse grow operations in the city. And it’s not just Washington, D.C. residents who can reap the benefits. The city allows medical cannabis patients from 16 other states to gain access to dispensaries, a big deal in a city that receives plenty of visitors, from tourists to government employees, who don’t need to go in search of the black market. Expanding access and knowledge about cannabis was why, in February of this year, Dr. Macias accepted the job of chairwoman of Women Grow. It’s an opportunity to not only
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help women prosper in the industry, but to raise awareness of women’s issues, such as using cannabis to treat endometriosis, a painful swelling of uterus tissue, and allowing children who use cannabis to treat epilepsy to medicate at school instead of having to be taken home.
“ . . . Overall if I ever question my decision of g o i n g i n t o t h i s i n d u s t r y, I l o o k at m y 2 , 4 0 0 p at i e n t s , a n d I s ay, ‘ I d i d t h e r i g h t thing. No question.’” A.
A Polarizing Issue
Dr. Macias’ eight-year-old son isn’t allowed to say “marijuana” or “cannabis.” He can only call the plant “medicine.” It’s to protect him from getting in trouble if someone asks what his mother does. It’s also to avoid a misunderstanding that could result in social services being called. Such are the risks of running a dispensary in a region that is years behind the West in terms of the legality of cannabis. It’s the same attitude she has come up against during her entire academic career. “When I went to school, it was still the ‘War on Drugs’ and the thought of marijuana was [that] there was nothing medical about it. It was just a pipeline to prison,” she said. When she studied cannabis, it was by reviewing the laboratory research of others, because of the legal hurdles in America to studying a Schedule I drug. Some of her scientific colleagues have applauded Dr. Macias for getting involved in medical cannabis, while others warned her that it would be detrimental to her career. “I get both responses, but overall if I ever question my decision of going into this industry, I look at my 2,400 patients, and I say, ‘I did the right thing. No question,’” she said. “I’m very happy to be in this space,” she concluded. “I’m happy to create awareness and meet some pretty dynamic people who really are changing the face of health care.” c
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intriguing Ingenuity
Onjha by Mike Oncley
H igh A rt 2 0 1 8 winner M i k e Onc l e y is a humble visionary 58
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By Addison Herron-Wheeler
C
annabis is a useful tool for those who want to get creative and let loose through uninhibited artistic expression. The High Art 2018 contest is a celebration of cannabis and art. And while it’s the artistic process that counts, it’s also a contest, meaning that only one proud artist gets to claim the title of grand prize winner. This year,
that proud artist was Mike Oncley, who didn’t expect to win, but was thrilled when he did. Oncley’s winning piece Onjha, some have interpreted, is a subtle hat-tip to the political division that dominates American culture today, with the image of someone looking through a red and blue lens. CULTURE talked to Oncley about the victory and how his love of cannabis has played a role in his ongoing pursuit of art.
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How did you find out about the High Art 2018 contest, and what prompted you to enter? I actually ran into Natural Cannabis Company’s ad on Instagram promoting the contest. I don’t enter a lot of contests but really appreciated the rules for entering this one—no tagging 10 friends, no community voting—it was really a call for talent over the popularity contests you see most often on social media. Did you think you would win? How big of a surprise was it to you? I absolutely thought I would not
win. I saw that Juxtapoz Magazine was a part of the contest and knew people would be putting their best work forward. This was my first time hearing of this fifth annual contest, and I felt like a newcomer. So, after submitting, I just tried to forget about it. Come 420, I was flipping through social media when I got the notice from Natural Cannabis Company that I had won first place and was wildly surprised! It was an amazing feeling. Why do you think the contest is important? This contest was a great way to gather like-minded artists, all who
“ C a n n a b i s h a s a l w ay s b e e n a w ay f o r m e to help defragment my brain a little b i t, b r i n g i n g m e f o c u s w h e n t h o u g h t s c a n s ta r t t o g e t o v e r w h e l m i n g . ” use cannabis in some shape or form in their life and art. I think creating art surrounding cannabis only helps to normalize it and express the creative community’s acceptance of this plant. How do you choose to work cannabis into your art as a theme? I am actually fortunate enough to have a wonderful cannabis photographer as my fiancé, so it was through her beautiful imagery that I was able to create my piece. Her photo was my direct reference as I pasted magazine clippings and painted the portrait image. How did you first discover cannabis, and why is it important to your art and your personal life? Oh wow, I’d have to say it was first discovered on a lifeguard tower in Belmont Shore, California through an apple pipe in 2006. Cannabis has always been a way for me to help defragment 60
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Photo by Mike Fulton
my brain a little bit, bringing me focus when thoughts can start to get overwhelming. It’s a therapeutic experience to have a quick smoke and sit down with some magazine clippings and Mod Podge. How do you feel about legalization so far in the U.S.? So far, legalization is on the right track, with a long way to go. Individual legalized states provide great examples to show congress that people can consume responsibly and that cannabis is more of a solution than a problem, especially with the current opioid crisis hitting America. Although, until cannabis is legalized federally and the people who have been incarcerated for this plant are released, there is more work to be done. How would you describe your style? I would describe my current style as a beautiful mess. I can’t simply translate an image directly to a painting without losing interest halfway through. I tend to make a problem for myself to solve, like a big smear across the canvas or pasting magazine clippings that only partially fit where I need them, and then have to think, “How can I get my final image recognizable again?” What can we expect from your art in the future? It’s hard to say! I always like experimenting with different methods, so the future is still a mystery. I’d say look out for bigger and better portraits from me. Is there anything else you would like to add? I think a big thank you to Natural Cannabis Company and Juxtapoz are in order for organizing such a great contest that included a huge donation to an international nonprofit. If you’d like to see more of my work, you can head to my website, HeyOncley.com or find me on social media at the same name. c
+ www.HeyOncley.com
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Vegan Visionary C annabis is the secret ingredient o f ins p iration f or p rivate vegan che f and hi p - ho p artist, T he S ession By Jamie Solis
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he Session, born Kory Chester, is on a mission to single-handedly change stereotypes when it comes to his creations. As a private chef and hip-hop artist, don’t be fooled by first impressions and pre-conceived ideas. This classically trained private chef-turned-YouTube-and-Instagramsensation indeed spits lyrics and stands at six-foot-five. Yet while he is often compared to Wiz Khalifa, he has so much more heart and depth than your typical celebrity lookalike. Working as a private chef on a daily basis for high-end clientele, The Session provides his clients with daily doses of health and nutrition. However, his altruism to give back to those who are less fortunate is what truly serves as the true driving force of his ambition. With an impressive following on social media, this private chef and artist sat down with CULTURE to talk about food, music, his community and how cannabis is the secret ingredient to inspiration in his life.
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The latest song he recorded is a true testament to this goal. The song by David Sharkey feat. The Session entitled, “NvR Without You” is a love song, the first of which The Session had a part in producing. Although he raps on the track, his flow is melodic and beautiful, which is vastly different than what one might typically expect to hear from a hip-hop artist.
The Unifying Herb labor of love Ambitious, resourceful and a lover of food—The Session started his path to becoming a chef during high school back in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he attended trade school classes for cooking alongside his general studies. Over a year ago, he relocated to Northern California, where he now prepares vegan meals daily as a private chef. Although he has only lived a vegan lifestyle for a little over a year, The Session is a huge advocate for the health benefits that he continues to receive. “Being a vegan is beneficial in every way,” he said. “Your skin is better. You feel better. I just feel better.” Although most of his clients aren’t interested in cannabis-infused vegan meals at this point, The Session still whips up cannabis meals for friends and clients who have become friends. He would love to branch into more cannabis-related cuisine and events in the future, but that isn’t the only future he foresees. “One of my goals is to do more weed-related events, but my main goal is to become the highest paid private chef in California,” he said. Upon visiting The Session’s YouTube channel, his altruism and commitment to giving back to the community are clear to see. Various videos show him whipping up delicious vegan meals at the kitchen in his home, then delivering vegan meals to people who are homeless and less fortunate in his local community on days like 420 and Thanksgiving. Of all that he does, his truest intention in life is to serve others. “All I really want out of this world is to make changes and help, because I feel 64
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like everybody is not going to do that. And you only get one life,” The Session said. “So, my legacy that I would like to leave behind is just . . . God forbid if I were to pass away in a week, they could at least say, ‘Damn, he was taking money out of his pocket to help everybody.’ I’m consistent every day. I help people every day. I spread love every day.” He is committed to this mission. As he continues to find success, he will largely use his platforms for the greater good of those around him. “As I keep growing and as I get to the top, I know I will be able to help the world,” he concluded.
Although he’s spread in many directions, the one unifying aspect of The Session’s exciting lifestyle is cannabis. Playing an important role in his creative processes of both music and cooking, cannabis is an essential part of his daily life to which he is very grateful. “It’s a part of my life. I have weed tattooed on me. I don’t know if that’s an awesome thing or not, but to me it’s pretty cool. Weed inspires everything I do. Literally every time I cook for my clients, I’m always high. It gives me a creative edge,” The Session said. “For example, before I go to the store, I smoke a little bit. It gets me a little hungry and opens my mind to think, ‘What would they want to eat today?’”
“ W e e d i n s p i r e s e v e r y t h i n g I d o . L i t e r a l ly e v e r y t i m e I c o o k f o r m y c l i e n t s , I ’ m a l w ay s h i g h . I t g i v e s m e a c r e at i v e e d g e . ” P a v i n g a N e w P at h Food and altruism aren’t the only passions that The Session is dedicated to. In respect to the hip-hop music he creates, The Session’s overall direction is another example of his uniqueness. What you hear coming through the speakers from The Session clearly breaks the mold of what people might expect or stereotype from his rap music and his appearance in general. “My music direction, I don’t want to be labeled as anything. I don’t want to be a cliché rapper. My goal in life is to defy stereotypes all the way around. I make tons of rap songs for sure, but as my production grows and as I find my sound, I’m looking to make a song of every genre,” he said.
Photos by Ryan Wall
Being from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but now calling California home, The Session has seen firsthand the negative impact of cannabis prohibition. “As a black man in this country, I know so many people back home, where I’m from, who were affected by smoking a joint, and you can get arrested for the most miniscule thing. No one should be punished for consuming cannabis.” When it comes to what The Session hopes to bring to his viewers, his fans and the world around him, it’s to have perseverance and never give up on your dreams. “If you can envision it, if you can taste it, if you can feel it, it will happen. You just have to stick with it. You can’t ever give up, because I feel like this is just the start for me.” c
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Outdoo r C O2
GROWING CULTURE
THE EXPERIMENTS CONTINUE By Ed Rosenthal
Sex Expression
A
few issues ago, I wrote about an experiment performed in the 1930s by Sister Mary Etienne Tibeau. She conducted various fertilizer experiments with hemp—depriving seedlings of all fertilizers or giving them a complete fertilizer (except that it lacked Nitrogen). I have been replicating that experiment. I germinated the seeds between two layers of hand towel cloth, and then planted them in rockwool cubes. They were supplied with tap water that had 70 parts per million (ppm) dissolved solids but no Nitrogen. They were kept under constant fluorescent light for 10 days and then the lighting was changed to 12 hours with each light and uninterrupted darkness to induce flowering. The plants are growing very slowly without nutrients. They look comparable to the seedlings that Tibeau recorded in her studies. As you can see in the second photo below, they are beginning to form primordial flowers. At this point, their sex cannot be determined. By next month, we will see if the lack of Nitrogen has an effect on sexual expression, as Tibeau reported.
Plants in the experiment are stunted because they are receiving no nutrients. The first flowers are beginning to develop. 66
Close-up of beginning of the first flowers developing under flowering regimen of 12 hours light, 12 hours uninterrupted darkness. The flower’s sex was undetermined, at this stage but will become apparent in the coming days.
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I first saw the use of CO2 outdoors when I was on a trip to Australia. A single cannabis plant was growing in the yard next to the house [that I was at]. A gas water heater was sitting outside, to one side of the plant. Every time the hot water was turned on, the propane was fired. It heated the water as well as produced CO2 and water vapor. The side of the plant receiving the gas was much more robust than the other side. This was an extremely well done, albeit an inadvertent experiment. It was performed on a single plant so the genetics was the same, as well as all environmental conditions except for the enhanced CO2 on only one portion of the plant. This showed that even outdoors, CO2 enhanced air results in higher yields. I recently visited a legal cannabis farm in California too, where the cultivators
Open tunnel greenhouse with regulator and CO2 releasing tubing.
were performing CO2 experiments on open tunnel gardens in order to learn the most efficacious way to supply it. They have a large tank of liquid CO2, which is held under pressure. The gas is delivered to the top of the canopy through tubing with micro-pore holes to release the gas. CO2 is heavier than air and it is cold so it drifts down to the plant tops. Light intensity, wind and temperature are all taken into account as they are developing logarithms for gas release. Results will be tallied after harvest. Meanwhile, you can try this method on your own. Regulate the gas tank using a timer and CO2 ppm meter. Set the timer to release the gas between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun is most intense. Set the ppm meter to about 800 ppm. This turns the gas flow on and off which keeps the CO2 levels stable. Don’t run it on windy days though, you’ll just be wasting gas. c
Close-up of tubing running over the plant canopy.
The experimental regulator and environmental measuring device is connected to a large liquid CO2 tank.
Copyright by Ed Rosenthal. All rights are reserved. First North American Magazine rights only are assigned to culture Magazine. No other reproduction of this material is permitted without the specific written permission of the author/copyright holder.
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News of the
Weird
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LEAD STORY—BOLD In the tiny Denver suburb of Castle Rock, Colorado, the motto might be “If the house is rockin’, DO come knockin’!” Residents on Avery Way are in a tizzy about the Thunderstorm Play Palace, a 7,500-squarefoot home where, neighbors told KDVR-TV, the owner invites swinging couples and singles to gather for wild sex parties. Invitees must make a “donation” ($70 for couples and single men, $20 for single women), and the parties include drinks, snacks and potluck dishes. “One had four crockpots,” said a neighbor, “showing up
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like they’re going to a Bunko party or something.” On the invitation, guests were asked to bring their own condoms and show respect for the “new furniture.” The host is a married father of three who feels harassed by the neighborhood, but he counters that he’s taken steps to be discreet, including installing soundproofing and making sure “there are no open areas.” But neighbors claim they hear “disturbing sounds” coming from the house. “You can hear people doing what they’re doing,” one resident told reporters. Castle Rock Police say the man is not breaking the law because he’s only taking donations, and the activities are contained to his home. DO NOT CLIMB! Black Panther isn’t feeling the love in South
Korea lately. The Walt Disney Co. sent two statues of the superhero to Busan to celebrate Marvel Studios’ filming along Korea’s southern coast. But on March 17, according to The Korea Herald, a 32-year-old drunk man was arrested after he vandalized the statue in the Gwangbok-ro shopping district, and on April 21, the statue near Gwangalli Beach was toppled and part of its head broken off. An official from the Korea Film Council thought someone had probably tried to climb the statue, despite numerous off-limits signs. In the seaside village of Lytham St Annes, England, Douglas Cholmondley Travis, an 88-year-old member of the local Neighborhood Watch, was
on patrol Oct. 10, 2017, when he and an 87-yearold watch colleague noticed a van turning into Lytham Park Cemetery. Regarding the vehicle as suspicious, they began taking pictures of it until Antony James, driver of the van, there only to visit family graves, grew angry and stopped, according to Metro News. James got out of his van to confront Travis, causing a panic, according to defense attorney Robert Castle, that resulted in James being knocked down by the Neighborhood Watch vehicle and Travis charged for reckless driving and assault. “This is all terribly sad,” Castle told Blackpool Magistrates Court in late April, as his client is “one of the eyes and ears of the police.” Travis was fined 40 pounds plus court costs.
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