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inside
contents 11.2017
Street Slinging Splendor
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Celebrity Chef Roy Choi has a passion for cooking, supporting his local community and cannabis edibles.
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O n t h e C OVER :
John Gilhooley
features 36
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68
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Hands On Enhance your intimacy by including edibles in your everyday sexual experiences.
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The Golden Ticket These artisan chocolatiers prove that nothing beats well-crafted chocolate—especially when it has been expertly infused with cannabis.
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Industry Insider Steven Adkins, CEO of Korova Edibles, maintains a whole new standard for cannabis-infused treats.
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Saving Grace According to a new study, the legalization of cannabis in Colorado has helped decrease opioid-related deaths.
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Edible Miracle Veterans like Matthew Kahl are provided with tremendous pain relief by consuming cannabisinfused edibles.
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Passion and Appreciation Electronic musician Laura Brehm infuses cannabis into her music-making process.
departments 10 Letter from the Editor
news
Online Exclusive! 12 News Nuggets 13 By the Numbers
16 Local News 20 Legal Corner 24 Dispensary Highlight 30 Advocate Highlight
d State-by-State Edible Laws Breakdown
reviews 32 Edible & Concentrate Reviews 36 Cool Stuff 38 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 68 Growing Culture 70 Profile in Courage
d Infusing Cocktails With Cannabis
72 Recipes 76 Colorado Now! 76 News of the Weird
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V o l 9 Iss U E 5
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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, Sheryll Alexander, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Keira Fae, Natasha Guimond, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Tonya Perme, Josué Rivas, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner, Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Michelle Aguirre Graphic DesignerS Payden Codern, Nathan Hernandez sales director Joe Larson Regional Manager
Kim Cook
Account Executives Jon Bookatz, Alex Brizicky, Molly Clark, Eric Bulls, Monte Lee, Beau Odom, Casey Roel, Garry Stalling, Ryan Tripp, Shayne Williams, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy digital content manager David Edmundson InternS Sophia Rybicki, Tyler Shultz Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla 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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L ETTER
F ROM
THE
E D I TOR
Ambrosial Ambitions
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he green waves of change have been passing over the cannabis industry for decades. The evidence is everywhere you look. From high-end chocolatiers crafting infused truffles that look more like works of art than edibles, to cannabis companies selling a monumental number of edibles each week—we’ve come a long way from the days of green-flaked cannabutter being the only option for using cannabis in food. It’s for that reason that CULTURE dedicates an entire issue of our monthly magazine to cannabis edibles each year. After all, like cannabis, food is one thing that we can’t live without. It nourishes our bodies, entertains our taste buds, and it gives us reason to gather around with our loved ones for meals and our favorite food holiday of Thanksgiving. The quality of edibles, as well as their packaging, has soared in recent years, and the safety surrounding these tasty treats has also increased. Recreational states remain dedicated to including warnings and packaging that will keep edibles out of the hands of children. Our industry also continues to evolve in requiring edibles that are tested for contaminants and that have consistent dosing as well. Like our cover celebrity Chef Roy Choi says in his interview, eating edibles has been notoriously known to be like a game of “Russian Roulette.” But, luckily, the industry is changing that. The cannabis industry welcomed acclaimed chef, restaurateur and the originator of the modern-day food truck craze, Roy Choi, with open arms when he first shared his love for cannabis many years ago. Choi continues to wear his cannabis advocacy on his sleeve—he even named one of his restaurants POT, and it was not a coincidence. The menu features an image of 10
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an elderly woman smoking a joint. In the CULTURE family, food is tied to celebration, and it’s an honor to celebrate our annual Edibles Issue with you all as we continue to ride these waves of change into the future. Take this time to enjoy some delicious edibles while flipping through these pages, and always remember—titrate responsibly. c Cheers!
Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief
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NEWS
nuggetS
Colorado Regulators Ask for Public Rulemaking Input Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division decided on October 16 to let the public weigh in with comments regarding new cannabis regulations. Up for discussion, and pending upcoming changes, are topics such as clinical applications, the study of pesticides, labeling and packaging, transportation of products and manufacturing
of concentrates. “It’s actually something that we’ve been doing from the beginning and something we borrowed from other industries specifically,” Mike Hartman, executive director of the Department of Revenue told CULTURE. “We want to be sure we are opening the comment period to all key stakeholders, and we have a comment period we do throughout the year to make sure we are looking at regulations from every angle we possibly can, to ensure we are focusing on public safety and public health, while helping businesses to operate in a profitable manner.”
Denver 420 Rally Hearing Comes to a Close The Denver 420 Rally made major news this past April when the city declared that it would ban the celebration due to the lack of cleanup after the event. The rally’s organizer, Miguel Lopez, appealed this ban, and the hearing is now closed. Within a few months, it will be public knowledge whether the rally is allowed to continue or not in the future. “The rally is a grassroots movement of the people,” Lopez
Canada to Allow Edibles Beginning July 2019 Canada’s Standing Committee on Health passed amendments to Bill C-45 on October 3 including an amendment that adds the language “edibles containing cannabis.” Although edibles were originally banned in Canada’s proposed recreational cannabis plan, lawmakers have changed their minds. Lawmakers argued that they are not alarmed by the dangers of edibles. “There is no reason whatsoever to go slow on this, 12
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told CULTURE. “420 exists regardless. We don’t want to be treated as beasts, and we oppose all aspects of oppression. We will continue our resistance, just like in the ’60s when people would smoke to protest.” It is still unclear whether the rally’s permit will be renewed, but it appears that Lopez is going to find a way to continue the festivities one way or another.
because there’s nothing that we’re going to be learning in the next year about these products that we don’t know now,” Don Davies, a member of parliament, stated. “While we wait 12 months, Canadians are still going to be getting edibles, but they’re going to be getting it from sources that are completely unregulated.” The edibles market is expected to be lucrative, considering a recent Ipsos poll that indicates three out of 10 Canadians said they would try edibles when they become available.
The percentage that Colorado cannabis prices decreased during the first half of 2016: (Source: The Gazette)
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The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that is funded by a Colorado State study taking place in Arizona to examine the effects of cannabis on veterans: (Source: Rocky Mountain PBS)
2.1
The amount of money, in billions of dollars, that Colorado medical and recreational cannabis businesses collected in cannabis sales revenue during the first eight months of 2017: (Source: The Washington Times)
The approximate amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that one Colorado dispensary donated to hurricane relief in October: (Source: Fox 21 News)
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The percentage of Canadians who said in a study that they will consume edible cannabis products once cannabis becomes legal: (Source: Global News)
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1.02
The estimated number of people who have been issued a medical cannabis card in Illinois:
25,000
(Source: Chicago Tribune)
The estimated amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that Hawaii’s only two operating dispensaries collected in combined cannabis sales revenue during the first month of business: (Source: Pacific Business News)
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Cannafest
WHEN: Fri, Nov. 10-Sun, Nov. 12 WHERE: Prague Exhibition Grounds, Výstavište 67, 170 90 Praha 7, Prague, Czech Republic WEBSITE: www.cannafest.com/en/ The eighth annual Cannafest is returning to Prague in the Czech Republic once more. There will be panel discussions on topics such as botany, history, cultivation and cannabis in the arts. In addition to these panels, vendors will also be in attendance to show off various hemp products, including cosmetics, clothing items as well as food that attendees can sample and purchase. Institutions that fight for legalization and the consumption of cannabis will also be present at the
event, along with media that is focused on raising awareness about the plant. There’s also quite a lot to experience at night, including afterparties and a vape lounge that will allow vaporizing of herbs. Attendees may choose to relax in the reading room or find entertainment in the cinema room. Overall, with 250 exhibitors from over 25 different countries, Cannafest proves that the cannabis industry is continuing to grow and flourish. (Tyler Shultz) CultureMagazine.com
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NEWS
LOCAL
Neighborly Love Denver real estate value rises from recreational dispensaries By Benjamin M. Adams
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ew empirical data suggests that Denver home values are surging near recreational dispensaries. The positive economic impact of cannabis storefronts on neighboring real estate is finally being recognized in an academic setting. The new report, ingeniously titled “Contact High: The External Effects of Retail Marijuana Establishments on House Prices,” suggests that homes near cannabis dispensaries have increased in value. The study, led by James Conklin Ph.D., was conducted by researchers with the University of Georgia, the University of Wisconsin and California State University. The study frequently mentions “retail conversion” referring to Colorado medical dispensaries that converted to recreational dispensaries in early 2014, when Colorado recreational cannabis sales began. Researchers compared housing values of homes within a 0.1 mile radius of recreational dispensaries versus further away homes between 2013 and 2014. The time span includes the periods directly before and after the passage of Amendment 64. The findings suggest that single-family residences within 0.1 mile radius of a retail conversion increased in value by over eight percent more than far away properties between 0.1 and 0.25 mile away over that same time period. What that means for
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homeowners is there was an average of a nearly $27,000 boost in home value for homes near recreational dispensaries. “Our results indicate that retail conversion has a large positive impact on neighboring property values after controlling for property attributes and neighborhood characteristics,” researchers summarized. We reached out to Dr. Conklin to break down the implications of the study. “What my co-authors and I find is that after stores converted to retail in 2014, houses located close to a retail conversion experienced an increase in prices relative to houses that were located slightly farther away.,” Dr. Conklin told CULTURE. “However, we are not able to say exactly what caused this increase in prices, so I am cautious of calling this a causal relationship.” The cause of the rise in home values is not fully understood, but the researchers said that driving factors could include a surge in demand due to cannabis-related employment growth, lower crime rates and the influx of additional amenities around converted dispensaries. The economic impact of recreational dispensaries is rousing, to say the least. But researchers didn’t look at the impact of medical dispensaries on housing values. Prior to 2014, all dispensaries in Colorado were medical-only, but have somewhat fallen out of favor to make way for the recreational industry. Before now, little has been done to analyze the relationships between recreational storefronts and housing prices. “To our knowledge, our paper is the first to address the relationship between retail conversions and house prices, which is important because several states are currently considering legalizing recreational marijuana and others are likely to follow,” researchers proudly stated. As of October 11, the number of licensed recreational cannabis business in Colorado includes 502 stores, 702 cultivation businesses, six operators, 272 manufacturers, 13 testing facilities and five transporters, according to Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division. Colorado’s Responsible Vendor Program is voluntary, so store owners can elect to participate. The future of recreational cannabis hinges upon the public perception of how this is all playing out. Studies like this protect the future of the recreational industry and the same logic could be applied in other states with legal cannabis. c
Action Bronson There are some people who have many talents. Action Bronson, for instance, is both an esteemed chef and TV personality, as well as a famed rapper. His earliest beginnings were when he emigrated from Albania, and shortly after moving to the U.S. he entered the music industry. According to an interview conducted by The Columbus Dispatch, Bronson believes that his career as a chef and a rapper are very similar in the realm of creativity and performance under pressure. On the musical side of things, Bronson has reached success with previous albums Dr. Lecter, Well-Done and Mr. Wonderful, but his newest album, Blue Chips 7000 (which released in August) brings his talent to a whole new level. At only age 32, he’s accomplished so much, and now is your chance to enjoy his musical stylings live! (Nicole Potter) WHEN: Wed, Nov. 15-Thurs, Nov. 16 WHERE: Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder on Nov. 15 and Ogden Theatre, 935 E Colfax Ave., Denver on Nov. 16 WEBSITE: www. bouldertheater. com and www. ogdentheatre.com
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NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
The Edible Conversation The highs and lows of Colorado’s new edible laws By Carl Wener, Vicente Sederberg LLC
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n 2016, Colorado passed House Bill 1436, banning certain shapes of cannabis-infused edible products considered to be appealing to minors. The law’s goal was to prevent accidental dosing by children who might confuse a cannabis edible for a more traditional candy. That law formally went into effect on October 1 and now, Colorado consumers will no longer be able to buy infused candies in the shape of a person, animal or fruit. While it’s too early to tell what the effects of the law will be, one incontrovertible fact is that accidental consumption of cannabis edibles by minors is a problem in Colorado. Data shows that the number of emergency room visits attributed to consumption of edibles by minors has doubled since adult-use sales began in 2014; poison-control calls have increased fivefold. While the overall number of incidents is still far lower than for pharmaceuticals or household cleaning products, this is
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nevertheless cause for concern. In light of this trend, Colorado’s decision to ban shapes appealing to minors can only be seen as prudent. It does no harm to consumers, who will still have access to the products previously available to them (albeit in different shapes). And while manufacturers face certain costs in adjusting to the new law, they have largely adapted with minimal difficulty. Most Colorado manufacturers have been producing edibles in compliance with the new law for months. With that said, it remains uncertain if this law will prevent accidental dosing by children. As any parent can attest, small children are somewhat indiscriminate regarding what they swallow. While an infant would be expected, upon finding a cannabis-infused edible, to try to eat it, the same could be said of virtually any edible or non-edible product. This author has personally witnessed babies ingesting buttons, pocket change, scraps of paper, Lego pieces and various other items which do not meet the traditional definition of “food.” In short, the odds of a small child encountering a less attractive candy, and thinking twice about eating it, seem small. There might be times when a child ignores a nowrectangular candy instead of reaching for it. This might be especially true for children who are beyond the age at which buttons are considered a delicacy. But geometric shapes (still permitted under the new law) will probably not deter most children in those situations: Children will eat whatever candy they may find. The real solution to preventing
accidental consumption by children is a combination of child-resistant packaging and responsible parenting. Colorado law has long required that cannabis edibles be dispensed in child-resistant packaging. Singleserving cannabis edibles must have child-resistant packaging around that serving, multiple-serving packages must be resealable, and bundled edible products must have childresistant packaging around both the bundle and each individual serving inside. This requirement genuinely helps: Opening a child-resistant package can be an effort even for adults, and smaller children especially are unlikely to find their way inside. But child-resistant packaging is no substitute for parenting. After the child-resistant seal is broken, a child has much easier access to the edibles inside. If a parent partially consumes an edible, for example, and leaves the remainder out, there is a chance that a child could accidentally eat that product, thinking it to be relatively safe, normal candy. To protect children, all consumers of edibles—even those without children themselves—should take precautions. Keep all edibles in packaging until used. Never leave an uneaten or partially-eaten edible out, and store all edibles (including those still in the package) in an elevated location out of a child’s reach. If possible, keep all edibles locked and promptly dispose of any waste. Finally, for parents who consume edibles (and whose children are of an appropriate age), consider discussing the potential dangers of cannabisinfused edibles with your children—a short discussion now can help to avoid an emergency room visit or poison control call down the road. This new law is well-intentioned, not harmful, and even potentially helpful. But when it comes to child safety, it is the tip of the iceberg: Children will not avoid candies simply because the state now requires that they be less cute. Parents and other consumers of cannabis edibles must exercise constant vigilance in keeping these products away from children. c
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REVIEWs
dispensary highlight
Organic and Enticing Pueblo West Organics thrives by offering only the finest products By Richard Saunders
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owadays, organic cannabis is in high demand, and fortunately there are trusted places that offer those types of products. Pueblo West Organics was founded on April 15, 2013, and its employees strive to carry a strong selection of organic cannabis products. In addition
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to offering a wide assortment of products, the medical and adult-use dispensary was expertly designed to provide consumers with less waiting time and a one-on-one experience. At Pueblo West Organics, the customer always comes first. “We listen to what our customers are
Photos By Katharine Avery
wanting and provide them those products,” Shaely Needs, general manager of Pueblo West Organics, told CULTURE. Pueblo West Organics is open seven days a week and serves southern Colorado. It’s common for the dispensary to also attract a passerby that is headed through the Pueblo area.
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The dispensary carries edibles, flower, concentrates and topical remedies. Poison OG, which is known to induce sleep in the most seasoned of cannasseurs, is Pueblo West Organics’ top-selling strain. Edible-wise, nothing sells faster than gummies from Wana Brands. The highly-rated Pat Pen is a popular item among the company’s clientele who prefer concentrates. Consumers choose organic strains because they say organic products, without a doubt, taste better, look better and are much better for your body. In the cannabis industry, competition is stronger than ever. The storefront competes with several other dispensaries in Pueblo West and those that are in Pueblo. “We have seen more competition and lower prices over the years,” Needs said. “We have seen it become a great industry with so many products for consumers to choose from. We would like to see even more professional products that are natural and organic.” Pueblo, Pueblo West and Trinidad have all embraced cannabis to a degree in the southeastern Colorado area. Although the area is a long ways from the metropolitan Denver area, cannabis is still thriving. A lot has changed in Colorado since Pueblo West Organics first opened its doors. However, the dispensary remains dedicated to evolving in order to overcome obstacles. “I would say the biggest challenges will be to stay competitive with the larger companies in the industry and working with the enforcement division on rule modifications that are better suited for 26
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businesses,” Needs added. Ultimately, Pueblo West Organics is successful because its main focus is supporting its patients and the local community. “The biggest joy is and has always been helping the end customer or patient. We treat every patient with the best customer service we can,” Needs said. Beyond the customer base, the employees of Pueblo West Organics help out in the community. During winter, for instance, Pueblo
“We listen to what our customers are wanting and provide them those products.” West Organics teamed up with Senior Resource Development Agency of Pueblo to rake lawns of the elderly. In summer 2016, the team adopted a garden space at the Nature and Raptor Center in Pueblo to volunteer and lend a green thumb. Needs advises others in the cannabis industry to stay humble and build relationships. She hopes to eventually produce and sell some of the best products in the cannabis industry. c
609 E. Enterprise Dr., Ste. 140, Pueblo West (719) 647-2043 PuebloWestOrganics.com
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REVIEWs
advocate highlight there were exclusive parties to those with a badge in the industry [ . . . ] I decided to go and check it out, and that’s when I ran into a booth for Denver NORML. I decided to make my way to a meeting, and I guess their persistence paid off, because here I am, one of the board members now!
Lisa Tran
Event Planner for Denver NORML since Sept. 2016, Budtender since 2015 When and how did you become an advocate for cannabis? I first got involved with cannabis around the age of 13, when my best friend’s uncle used to smoke on a regular basis in the garage. Of course at that age I didn’t really comprehend what the benefits were other than getting high, but started understanding it once when I got into the industry. After researching what cannabinoids were and going through training, I am 100 percent for cannabis as a medicinal relief. How has cannabis benefited your life? Cannabis has benefited my life in two lights: One during my dark times and one during my bright times. I became a heavy consumer of marijuana after a heavy break-up during my college years with someone I was with for years. I began to have appreciation 30
and gratitude towards cannabis after recognizing that it’s not the plant itself harming me, but saving me from all my troubled times. What’s your greatest achievement for the cannabis cause? [That] would be lobbying for bills through the Senate and House at the Capitol. I’ve never lobbied before, but from the beginning of the year until the last day of legislation, which was in May, that’s all Denver NORML did! This became an eye-opening experience for me on the political side of how marijuana is viewed in our government system, and it’s so important to get involved, even if you get scared out of your mind! How did that manifest? [It] actually began at the very first budtender appreciation party I went to. Joining the industry meant
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Who do you look up to or admire? I definitely look up to those who are mentors whenever I go to a seminar or workshops, even if I don’t know them personally. On a personal level, I do look up to my executive director from Denver NORML, she’s a pretty spunky person, and females actually don’t get much of the professional representation when it comes to the cannabis community! I also admire all the ladies I’ve worked with at the dispensary I’m currently at. My mama’s also someone I look up to of course [ . . . ] Last but not least, my significant other is my everyday motivation. If you could change one thing about the way cannabis is viewed and/ or treated right now, what would it be? If I could change one thing about the way cannabis is being presented right now, it would definitely be educating people on how cannabis works medicinally. I want the system changed in a way where the skeptics become aware of what good comes from cannabis and disengage them from the stereotype that gets presented among people who use cannabis. c
Denver Veterans Day Spanning across two weekends, Denver Veterans Day invites people in and around Denver to celebrate and commemorate our nation’s heroes. The first day of the celebration, taking place the first weekend, are the 5K and 10K runs. Both of the races are open to runners, walkers and kids, and dogs are always welcome as well. All proceeds from registration will be donated to directly assist Colorado veterans. The second day of the celebration, which takes place the following weekend, includes the parade and the festival. The parade will allow spectators to brush up on their military history by showcasing military memorabilia from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WWI and WWII. The festival offers free admission, which serves as a “thank you” to the men and women that have fought to ensure our freedom. (Tyler Shultz) WHEN: Sun, Nov. 5 and Sat, Nov. 11 WHERE: City Park, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver WEBSITE: www. denverveteransday. com
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REVIEWs
edible & concentrate
Asteroids CBD Isolate Gummies Your search for a CBD-based gummy that is infinitely better than the competition is over. Each star-shaped Infinite CBD Asteroid gummy is ideal for those of all ages who consume a daily amount of CBD or need an easy-toswallow product. Asteroid gummies are convenient for on-the-go activities or for those who have dietary restrictions due to a medical condition. For those beginning to consume hemp-derived CBD products, an Asteroid makes titration simple. Each gummy contains 25mg of pure CBD isolate, for a total of 250mg total per box. The gummies are gluten-free, 100 percent vegan and are crafted using natural flavors and ingredients. While most gummy candies contain gelatin, and are therefore not truly vegan, Infinite CBD rises above the rest to provide a truly vegan product. Flavors come in a multi-pack, so experience the mouth-watering flavors of green apple, strawberry, grape, blue raspberry, lemon or orange. Upon consumption, we felt the calming and relieving effects of CBD set in fast, but without the psychoactive effects of THC. This is ideal for those looking for the relief from CBD during times when you need to stay alert. You can find Asteroids CBD Isolate Gummies at www.infintiecbd.com or at a retail location near you.
Available wherever: Infinite CBD products are carried.
Mary Jane’s Medicinals Heavenly Hash Bath
Available wherever: Mary Jane’s Medicinals products are carried.
Fabulous fall is here, but crisp, cool nights will soon turn into just plain freezing cold nights. One of our favorite ways to warm up and unwind is to soak in a hot bath. Aside from just feeling good, taking a hot bath produces a myriad of health benefits from improved circulation and respiratory function, to soothed joints and muscles, balanced hormones and so much more. Mary Jane’s Medicinals Heavenly Hash Bath is the next level for medicinal soaking. The Hash Bath is a medley of cannabis leaves, epsom salts, dead sea salts, lavender, peppermint and grapeseed oil that come in a giant tea bag, which just gets dropped in the bath and can be used up to three times when stored properly! On its own, this soak does not have psychoactive effects—it simply offers therapeutic and relaxing effects. However, smoke a little cannabis during your soak and you will experience a body effect like no other. It contains 50mg THCA, 15mg THC, 40mg CBDA, 6mg CBD and 6mg CBG. Sore back? PMS? Insomnia? Stiff joints? This amazing one-of-a-kind product works wonders by acting as a true medicinal product to sooth your mind, body and soul. Be aware that side effects include mild euphoria and a sense that world peace is possible.
Strawberry Rhubarb Infused Gummies by Pot Pie Edibles In the words of Pot Pie Edibles: These are not your grandma’s pot pies. While we love our grandmother and her cooking, we couldn’t be happier about this version of pie. Although we’re chocolate lovers at heart, we appreciate a good gummy candy, and these infused gummies from Pot Pies are winners. Scratch made using distillate oil, the consistency and flavor is out-of-this-world good. This particular variety was inspired by the classic flavors of strawberry rhubarb pie. Each gummy, or “pie,” is 10mg, which makes dosing convenient for the lightest of lightweights. The Pot Pies’ packaging is different than any other gummy on the market, being 100 percent recycled cardboard and child resistant. We also loved the effect we experienced, which was one of those really perfect feelings that makes you just love and appreciate edibles. Being able to medicate during the day and function is a huge selling point for not only our staff but many consumers in Colorado, these infused gummies are perfect for daytime consumption. Be sure to check out all the yummy gummy flavors from Pot Pie Edibles at www.potpieedibles.com. 32
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Available wherever: Pot Pies Edibles are carried.
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REVIEWs
Available wherever: OilStix products are carried.
OilStix 1 Gram Sativa Syringe The only acceptable way to fully indulge in a good concentrate is to know that you are consuming a quality product, and we felt fantastic about the value of the Sativa OilStix. Using fully activated natural full spectrum cannabinoids and terpenes, via strain specific CO2 extraction that is done in house—it’s safe to say that OilStix sets the bar high for quality. The batch we tried was made from Ecto Cooler, which happened to be a strain we had wanted to try for a while, so this was an exciting adventure for us to embark on. The oil came in a glass syringe that made the application process manageable and clean. The first dab produced feelings of a pleasant yet functional body effect with non-anxious, euphoric cerebral effects. The flavor was fairly mild and didn’t taste like much except cannabis itself. The overall stone was heavy and soothing. After tidying the house, we switched gears into a welcomed “Netflix and Chill” session. It’s important to note that there was large dose of THCA in this specific oil (80.58 percent total THC), which loads you up on extra psychoactive benefits. As an added bonus, this super clean, uncut and fully activated oil can be added to virtually any recipe for an infused masterpiece!
Bonbons - Indica This heavy hitter is dangerously delicious with 100mg of THC per box and 10mg per individual chocolate. Made from scratch using real ingredients and with Fair Trade chocolate, BlueKudu’s Bonbons are one of the best tasting infused chocolate products we have tried in a long time. The box contained five indica milk chocolate bonbons filled with peanut butter and five indica dark chocolate bonbons filled with creamy caramel. The Bonbons came in a tray with individual, thoughtfully sealed compartments that keep uneaten chocolates fresh until you’re ready for a treat. Each chocolate square produced 10mg of active THC and kicked in quick. The effect was a heavy, warm, couchlocked body buzz that made us feel a bit like we were slowly falling into the couch we were sitting on. That feeling was accompanied with lots of laughter, an earlier-thanusual bedtime and a seriously deep sleep. The cannabis BlueKudu uses is extracted from ethyl alcohol, which the company has reported preserves the full profile of the cannabis. This is a great product for pain management, assisting with sleep and as a stress, and anxiety soother and ultimately—getting that chocolate fix.
Available wherever: BlueKudu products are carried.
Coffee & Doughnuts
Available wherever: Coda Signature products are carried.
As complete and total chocolate lovers and coffee addicts, we were thrilled to learn about this product. Packaged in an upscale box and made from real, whole ingredients, the gorgeous slab of coffee and doughnut flavored chocolate sits nicely in a closed, plastic tray. Each square of the chocolate candy bar is clearly labeled to be 10mg of THC, making for easy dosing and 100mg THC total in each bar. The cannabis is CO2 extracted, so you can feel good about avoiding any sketchy solvents. The bar itself tastes of high quality ingredients with very little cannabis taste. Notes of milk chocolate, cinnamon, toasted milk and cinnamon sugar come through in each bite. At about 60/40 with sativa being the dominant trait, the effect itself was pretty comforting and somewhat mild—we felt relaxed without anxiety or without wanting to sit on the couch all day. Overall this a delicious product, marketed toward the high-end cannabis consumer yet perfect for anyone looking to step it up their edible consumption a notch. Your taste buds will thank you for the flavor, while your body will thank you for the medicinal value that sweet cannabis provides.
Terrapin Turtle Bites Often imitated by competing candy makers, turtle fans will love these irresistible caramels drizzled in dark chocolate and topped with toasted pecans, which is just enough flavor to mask the cannabutter taste. This eightpack of 10mg caramels amounts to 80mg of total THC, perfect for sharing with friends, or for keeping all to yourself. The cannabis-infused butter is made from organic soil-grown trim, gathered from a balanced 50/50 indica/ sativa blend. With a moderate amount of THC, Terrapin Turtle Bites are ideal for anxiety, arthritis, chronic pain, insomnia, migraines or muscle spasms. Get your chocolate, caramel and pecan fix with a delicious pack of infused Terrapin Turtle Bites by Alpine Infusions. 34
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Available wherever: Alpine Infusions products are carried.
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REVIEWs
For More Products Go To CultureMagazine.com
4 1. Magical Butter Silicone Trays
If you like making edibles, Magical Butter’s Silicone Trays are a must. Available in numerous sizes and configurations, the silicone trays are perfect for making gummies, chocolate, butter or anything you can think of infusing with cannabis. One of the coolest features is the stamps on the bottom of the trays that transfer to your edibles. They range from warnings like, “21 and Up” to helpful measuring lines for items that require just the perfect amount. And since they are made of silicone, your items will not stick to them and cleanup is a snap. Plus they’re green, because . . . cannabis. PRICE: Prices vary by product WEBSITE: magicbutter.com
4. Dot Hydration Tracking Water Bottle If you’re like us, then cannabis obliterates your short-term memory. We once tried to lock our car with a key for at least 30 times at a concert, and we didn’t even drive there. Luckily for us, and others like us, there’s the Dot—a hydration bottle with an LED light on it to tell you how many times you’ve refilled it. This way you can visually see how often you have refilled and enjoyed your water—a perfect match for strains that cause cotton mouth. No longer will we accidentally bust our bladders by over-indulging in H2O. PRICE: $10 WEBSITE: josephjoseph.com
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2. PipeMug
We’ve all been there. You want to hit your bong at the breakfast table, but you also want to enjoy your morning cup of coffee— tables are only so big, so space is limited. The fine folks at Zang Products must have the same tiny kitchen table as us because they created the “Rip It and Sip It” Pipemug. Now you will be ready to face your day with a body properly caffeinated and cannabis-inated. The only thing holding this back from being our go-to breakfast apparatus is a bowl to hold our sugary squareshaped cereal. None of you better steal that idea from us. PRICE: $24.99+ WEBSITE: zangproducts.com 36
3. Cannabis Leaf Silicone Pot Holder You know why they call it a roach clip? Because “pot holder” was taken. Dad jokes aside, now we’ve come full circle with a literal pot holder shaped like a cannabis leaf. Never worry about burning your hands on a tray of hot and delicious mini bagel pizzas again. Just be careful when using it to cook special brownies, because it really does look good enough to eat. PRICE: $7.99 WEBSITE: retroplanet.com
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GET YOUR CLICKS
HERE
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REVIEWs
entertainment
BOOK
Baked: Over 100 Tasty Marijuana Treats, Volume 2 Yzabetta Sativa Pub. By Green Candy Press
The second edition of Baked features over 100 cannabis-infused decadent recipes and adds an all-new cocktail recipe section and additional candied treats. Things start off simple with basic extractions like Baked Butter and Marijuana Milk. Once you make the extractions as a base, the rest is straightforward cooking. The directions are easy to follow, and the recipes aren’t more complicated than they need to be. Our favorite part is that nobody is left out—the new edition features gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free and vegan options. Make your own infused Pumpkin Ice Cream or try savory dishes like Harvest Ratatouille. Any cannabis consumer who is serious about cooking should have these recipes in their repertoire. (Richard Saunders) 38
Release Date: November 17 Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC
MUSIC
GAME
Star Wars Battlefront II Dev. EA DICE Pub. Electronic Arts
Whether you’re a fan of the new Star Wars movies or not, there’s nothing more cathartic than a science fiction shoot’em up. Star Wars Battlefront II, the sequel to the 2015 title, throws player into the fray as both various soldiers, as well as major film characters such as Yoda, Darth Maul, Kylo Ren and Captain Phasma. Unlike its predecessor, you’ll get the choice to participate in massive multiplayer fights, as well as unique single-player campaigns (which was sadly absent in the 2015 version). New vehicles will take players back to every moment across the series’ 40year film history—and did we mention space battles? (Nicole Potter)
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MOVIE
Baby Driver Dir. Edgar Wright TriStar Pictures
Great car chase movies don’t come around too often, but when they do they join a special, very prestigious and acclaimed niche of action cinema. Baby Driver is an exhibition on just how spectacular this niche can become with the right vision. Helmed by an all-star cast including Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Ansel Elgort, Lily James and Jon Hamm and propelled by one of the best soundtracks of the last decade, Baby Driver is a non-stop, white knuckle thrill ride of bank heists and stunt driving so skillful it will blow minds. Do not sleep on Baby Driver. (Simon Weedn)
Jump In The Railsplitters Self-Released
While the Rocky Mountain State may mostly be known for genres like EDM and jam, Colorado bluegrass is also a definite staple. The Railsplitters Breaks new ground with its most recent release, Jump In. Dabbling in subgenres from folk and Americana to modern country, this album has something for everyone who appreciates a good bluegrass tune. “Durango River” slows things down a bit, and “Lemon Lime” might be the most upbeat song on the album. Expect upbeat melodies and rowdy choruses. (Addison Herron-Wheeler)
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Celebrity Chef Roy Choi is passionate for delicious food, creating world peace, serving the community and cannabis by Simon Weedn
For nearly a decade, celebrity Chef Roy Choi has been on the cutting edge of food in Southern California and all over the world. In 2008, he co-founded Kogi BBQ Taco Truck & Catering, which gave birth to the insanely popular Korean short rib taco and burrito and lit the fuse for a national food truck explosion. Choi’s career was the inspiration behind the immensely successful 2014 film Chef, which he also co-produced. In the years since, Choi has found time to open several restaurants across Southern California including Chego!, A-Frame, POT Cafe, Commissary and LocoL. He has also written an acclaimed book combining beloved recipes with a personal 42
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memoir and has become one of the most indemand culinary talents on Earth. Choi’s success has landed him on TV shows like Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown and Top Chef, in addition to his own show Street Food with Roy Choi on CNN. Though Choi is most well-known for his labors in the kitchen, in recent years he’s been recognized for his ideas about where food, business and communities intersect. Recently, CULTURE had the opportunity to sit down with Choi and hear all about his experiences with Kogi BBQ Taco Truck & Catering, the better world he envisions through food, and, of course—his feelings on cannabis and his favorite edibles.
Photos by John Gilhooley
In reading and listening to interviews with you over the years, one thing that seems to be of paramount importance to you and the restaurants you create is community. Where does this deep value of community come from for you? It’s something that was really reinforced by my experience with Kogi. With Kogi, I was really thrust into a life-changing situation, and it was built by creating things like flash mobs and different environments in parking lots, street corners and driveways. And it all relied on people coming together and creating this impromptu agreement,
“We’ll show up with the food, you show up with a hungry stomach, and we’ll all figure it out together.” Also, for me, the truck always gave me a ship at sea kind of feeling, and with my team and the people around us, it always felt like we were in this thing together. It was like a free state where we were all figuring out new ideas and rules to implement. Was Kogi the first time you were able to see community and food brought together? Well, I saw it before Kogi, because I’d obviously also seen it in areas of activism and rebellion, as well as in places of crisis and rebuilding. But, I’d never really seen it in a form where people were just showing up out of nowhere, where everyone was an equal and loving and caring for one another. It was like this Burning Man thing, but it wasn’t an organized event, and there wasn’t an overarching doctrine or philosophy with rules telling you that you had to do this or that. Instead, it seemed like it was this instinctive thing where everyone already knew the rules and created and amended these rules together. Things like, everyone would clean up afterwards, we would leave no trace and do all of these other things together that weren’t necessarily premeditated. So, I’d seen versions and aspects of it, but I’d never seen it all come together in one place like that.
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Did that transform what you were doing? Yeah! It transformed me and my partners, it transformed everyone around us. We used to have mobs on the streets of like 1,500 or 2,000 people where you would never have that many people before. In a normal situation, maybe the cops would have broken it up or things would have gotten rowdy, but in a Kogi line there was always a feeling and understanding that everything was cool. If you were driving by and saw it, maybe you’d even pull over and join it. I think at that moment in time we were tapping into some other algorithm, and that algorithm was a glimpse into world peace in this weird, funny, cartoonish, stoner way. That changed everything about me and reinforced the values that I believe in; things like taking care of people, going the extra yard and making less profit and providing more service. As you moved from food trucks to “brick and mortar” restaurants, what did you and your teams do to keep that atmosphere and vibe similar to what you saw in Kogi? I guess I just really believed in what was happening, and that really fueled everything 44
that happened beyond it. The progression from Kogi was Chego!, then A-Frame, then my book L.A. Son, then Commissary and POT, and then LocoL—in those progressions I’ve never looked at anything with just profit in mind; everything had to start from culture. It’s like making an album, yeah you want the record to sell, but the most important thing is the art; it’s the same thing with these restaurants. I remember people using the words “brick and mortar” as if I was moving from an abacus to a calculator and that the math wouldn’t add up. I never really understood that point of view. I just flowed all the way through. Even though
“But, edibles right now are still a little bit of a mixed bag. Every time you eat them it can be a little like ‘Russian Roulette.’”
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restaurants are these things that are made out of wood, stone and glass, the culture of it remains the same as the streets, and we made a lot of revolutionary moves because of that. One of your biggest food and community projects has been your LocoL restaurants in Watts and Oakland. Has it helped bring people together and draw people to the area in the way that you’ve hoped? LocoL is such an important, beautiful project, and it’s provided so many jobs, discussions, ideas and hopes. It has opened up a world to folks who have never been to, understood, or even seen neighborhoods like Watts or West Oakland. For the people from Watts and West Oakland, it’s introduced them to a population of people they’ve never seen before too, so it’s really created a beautiful synergy. The only thing with it is that it’s not thriving as a business. It’s thriving in every other category and, even compared to all of the other things I’m involved with, it’s the most spiritually powerful. It’s the first thing that anybody asks about when I see them, and it’s the first thing that comes to people’s minds when I meet them; everyone is constantly interested and wants to know how it’s doing.
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Over the years you’ve always been open about your enjoyment of cannabis, something we at CULTURE applaud a great deal. Not too long ago, California voted to allow for recreational in addition to medicinal cannabis. Do you see this dramatic changing attitude toward drug laws and culture as something that’s going to benefit the communities you’re trying to serve? Theoretically it could, but let’s be real, that shit’s all going to be controlled by the government. In my dreams, it could become something natural or become an industry similar to the way produce is with restaurants—something where you have the big commodities like Monsanto, but you also have things like farmers markets with local growers, businesses and vendors that are able to create community and commerce similar to microbreweries. But, I don’t know man, I don’t know if the little man is going to be included in all of this, because just look how long it took for artisan beer and liquor to develop from prohibition to now. And that’s an industry that’s less restricted and considered less sketchy than weed. I hope that love and nerdism can win, I’m just skeptical that it will. We’ve read that smoking has helped clear your head and relax you while 46
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you were considering new ideas or figuring things out. Is it something that’s still helpful and inspiring for you in that way? [Pulls out vape pen] Yes, of course! [Laughs] Weed, marijuana, THC—it unlocks a lot of ideas and our ability to connect to other dimensions. Psychedelics also do it, and virtual reality is touching on it for sure, but psychedelics are so immersive that it can be almost too much sometimes. Weed is just enough where it allows you to find those ideas that sometimes you can’t without it. For a creative person like me, I really enjoy it. Even if I was to smoke too much, if when I come out of it I’m able to find one littler kernel of an idea, if I just find out from that journey the type of glass or the color of napkin I want to use for a project, then that’s been very successful. So, I cherish it, and I use it a lot. I let it come out and help me find ideas that allow me to continue to create things for other people to enjoy. Do you have any favorite edibles that you particularly enjoy? Actually, I was messing around with the [cannabis] sugar a few years ago, which was pretty good; a teaspoon in your coffee in the morning unlocks a lot of doors. Most recently, I ate a cookie at Outside Lands, and it fucking floored me; people were worried about me. I was at the concert, and I was out for about six hours. I woke up, and Lorde was playing, and it was wild and foggy. Recently, I ate some dried fruit, some mangos and stuff, that were a nice little buzz, a nice high. There have been some paper sheets that I’ve eaten that have been real chill. But, edibles right now are still a little bit of a mixed bag. Every time you eat them it can be a little like “Russian Roulette.” I still haven’t had the feeling of eating a beautiful batch of strawberries from the farmers market that have just come into season or beautiful loaf of bread fresh from the oven at Tartine. There’s supposed to be a sense of honesty behind food,
“Weed, marijuana, THC—it unlocks a lot of ideas and our ability to connect to other dimensions. Psychedelics also do it, and virtual reality is touching on it for sure, but psychedelics are so immersive that it can be almost too much sometimes. Weed is just enough where it allows you to find those ideas that sometimes you can’t without it.” and I don’t know if there’s a sense of complete honesty behind edibles yet, and because of that it hasn’t fully evolved the experience for me. One last thing, for other aspiring small business owners or restauranteurs, what small things or even big things can be done to give back to the communities they inhabit or create community where community groups are fractured or non-existent? Well, first of all, we’ve got to care; we’ve got to give a fuck. I think that’s the first step. I’d prefer if people led by action. It doesn’t always have to be so political or vocal, you can just do stuff. If you have any sort of privilege in any sort of way and you can help, then find ways to care and be like a dam that breaks off a river and forms tributaries; find ways to release some of that stuff so that it’s not all going to yourself. That’s where I think people can make a difference, if all of us were doing that a lot more I think it could help. c
+ kogibbq.com
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Elevating Experiences Slow down with edibles in the bedroom By Ashley Manta
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y supplies were assembled. Each couple had a plate with fresh strawberries and a few pieces of dark chocolate. They were instructed to sit next to one another and choose one giving and one receiving partner. I began giving instructions. “If you are the receiving partner, please close your eyes. If you are the giving partner, reach down a pick up a piece of fruit. Hold it under the receiver’s nose and instruct them to inhale the tart, fruity aroma of the strawberry—but don’t give it to them yet. Whisper in their ear how delicious and juicy the strawberry looks. How the sweetness will explode on their tongue when you finally allow them to have it. Now, tease it across their lips, let them just taste it for a moment. When you’re ready,
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when you can feel that they really want it, place it in the receiver’s mouth. Receivers, notice the different flavors of the strawberry. Notice the texture and temperature, and how different your mouth feels now having something inside of it.” This exercise comes from my couples’ intimacy workshop that I designed with my lover, Ben Purna. We do guided sensual feeding as part of a multisensory experience. The dark chocolate we like to pair with the strawberries is actually a 2.5mg cannabidiol (CBD) edible. I wanted to both include low-dose edibles (as an option) and highlight the importance of mindfully choosing the products that you put into your body. There is a sensuality in choosing to only consume products that are first, high quality and free of harmful ingredients,
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second, taste good, and third, make your body feel the way you want it to feel. It was fitting that we chose to include an edible in the workshop, because the golden rule of edibles “start low, go slow” was essentially the mantra of the entire
“Taking time to really be present and enjoy yourself and each other is something that we often gloss over in our hectic day-to-day lives.”
workshop. It was all about slowing down, starting with a bit of anticipatory teasing, then moving intentionally into the exercises. I recommend the slow, sensual enjoyment of being together and tasting the delicious morsel. Ideally it is actually delicious and pleasurable to consume and not just some mystery brownie that your friend’s neighbor made. One benefit to slowing down with edibles is a deeper appreciation of the experience. Taking time to really be present and enjoy yourself and each other is something that we often gloss over in our hectic dayto-day lives. This approach is admittedly a substantial time commitment, which makes it ideal of a weekend away with a partner. Since edibles can take up to two hours to kick in and last (depending on tolerance and dosage) anywhere from two to four hours, I suggest that beginners err on the side of microdosing (2.5mg to 5mg) and make sure that their edible is coming from a reputable source (preferably one that lab tests and clearly labels their products). It’s also worth considering the cannabinoid profile of the edible you’re choosing. More and more companies are crafting high-CBD edibles (which I’m defining as a ratio of 1:1 CBD to THC or greater), and I hope to see more in the future. CBD is great for relieving discomfort and worry, which are two things that can seriously impact one’s ability to engage in sexual experiences. Having the higher CBD content allows you to both combine sex and cannabis in a mindful way, but also incorporate the therapeutic aspects of CBD to make sex more enjoyable. c
Ashley Manta is a professional sexuality educator, coach and event facilitator, as well as the creator of CannaSexual ®
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Culinary Confections
Revel in the world of cannabis-infused artisan chocolate By Addison Herron-Wheeler
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he world of edibles is no longer just about medicating or catching a buzz. Many companies aim to create the most visually appealing, delicious confections that offer the most powerful, highest quality infused olive oil or butter. It’s not about hiding the cannabis taste or the fact that the product is infused; it’s about highlighting the flavor profiles that cannabis offers—crafting chocolates that are stunningly beautiful. CULTURE connected with a few of the infused chocolate companies that have taken this mantra to heart to create truly beautiful, delicious cannabis-infused treats. 50
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“We are very particular about how we source our cannabis and ingredients—and even more so—dedicated to consistent dosing.”
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To Whom It May One of the sexiest, sweetest gifts you can give is the gift of chocolate, and To Whom It May seems to have the formula for a classy, gorgeous treat down to a science. Its truffles are subtle and small, but often completely coated with nuts or other tasty toppings. And the box that the treats come in is a masterpiece unto itself. What’s even better, To Whom It May prioritizes health and quality along with sugar and decadence. “Our vision for the To Whom It May brand was to present a premium ingredient
product that also reflected the spirit of living a sophisticated, active and productive cannabis lifestyle—one that could truly be called ‘medical edible,’” explained Tomer Grassiany, chocolatier for To Whom It May. “They contain only ingredients with medicinal or nutritional value. The brand is committed to showing the power of cannabis as a tool for engaging in the world around us, whether you use it for physical relief, or to help you work, play or create in the way you wish.”
www.towhomitmaychocolates.com
Coda Signature Perhaps the most intricate and artistic of the artisanal, infused chocolate world, Coda Signature chocolates are individually-designed truffles adorned with beautiful colors and designs. The company has cornered the market on recreational tasty treats as well as medicinal goodies. “We were inspired by non-cannabis premium brands and were not able to find that quality of craftsmanship in the cannabis industry,” explained Mark Grindeland, co-founder and CEO of Coda Signature. “We believe that consumers of cannabis products deserve the very best. We created Coda
Signature to fill this void. Since launching we have been recognized for the quality of our products, winning top honors in the industry.” “I am especially proud of our Cream & Crumble 100mg chocolate bar,” he added. “I am not a lover of white chocolate on its own, but it is a beautiful blank canvas for flavor. Our single origin Ecuadorian white chocolate has such a decadent creaminess, it lends itself perfectly to the cheesecake-inspired chocolate bar. Tart lemon and sour cream are paired with a delicious spiced crumble, making it one of my favorite indulgences.”
www.codasignature.com
1906 Chocolates Intelligently packaged to reflect the different moods of chocolate and cannabis consumers, 1906 offers up a chocolate for every occasion. This chocolate company offers a chocolate sleep aid, a chocolate for love and sex, one for energy and one for relaxation. Color-coded according to moods and encased in cute containers, these chocolates are artisan and infused with cannabis, but are also designed for
the discerning consumer. “All of our experiences are unique and each one has its own following but we are most proud of High Love,” explained Peter Barsoom, founder of the company. “Creating an aphrodisiac product is a significant challenge and humans have been working on it for millennia. Building on others’ successes and failures, High Love has become an instant best-seller among men and women.”
www.1906newhighs.com
Défoncé Clearly known for its distinction and uniqueness, Défoncé take a new approach with its tasty chocolates. Rather than recreate the formulaic truffle-style candy piece that most artisan edible chocolatiers craft, this company makes chocolate bars with a unique twist. The bars are enhanced with raised, geometric shapes where normal bars have simple squares. They also come in an assortment of colors. “I absolutely love chocolate and cannabis— and the love affair strengthened when I discovered that chocolate contains anandamide, which binds to cannabinoid receptors,”
explained the company’s CEO, Eric Eslao. “Marriage made in heaven.” Eslao prides himself on the unique design of his bars, as well as the delicious smell. But he doesn’t think that the high standard his products set should be anything unusual in this industry. “I don’t think our product is particularly special or important,” he admitted. “We are very particular about how we source our cannabis and ingredients—and even more so—dedicated to consistent dosing. I think this should be normal in our industry rather than something that makes us different.” c
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Industry Insider
Unrivaled Potency
Korova CEO Steve Adkins shares how making infused desserts has made his company an edibles leader
It’s really dosing you can rely on. When you eat an edible from Korova, you’re going to feel it.
By R. Scott Rappold
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ome infused edible companies cater to the novice, with bite-sized candies as low in strength as 2.5 milligrams, a popular trend known as microdosing. At Korova, you might say they go in a different direction. The Black Bar brownie packs in 1,000mg of THC—so potent that it
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is “recommended solely for those with extreme pain and a high tolerance.” The Oakland, California-based company is clearly onto something. Since launching in 2011, it has become one of California’s largest edibles companies, with 55 employees and selling 25,000 edibles each week. The motto is “unrivaled potency,” with the three-eyed cow logo you’ll
Photos by Steve Terrebonne
see in more than 1,000 California medical cannabis dispensaries. Korova’s success is further proven in New Frontier Data’s report “Cannabis On-Demand: Evolving Trends in California’s Medical Market.” The company’s famed Black Bar is listed as the number one edible product by unadjusted retail value in the entire state of California.
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“We don’t encourage people to eat the whole thing. It says on the package you can always eat more but you can’t eat less.”
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“Dosing You Can Rely On”
The company was founded by Joe Gerlach, who saw something lacking on dispensary shelves. “It was people making their own [edible] and putting it in plastic baggie written on it with a Sharpie,” said Steve Adkins, Korova’s CEO. “The quality of the products, the inconsistency of dosing, was something [Gerlach] thought he could do better.” The name Korova came from the bar where hooligans drink drug-laced milk in the film A Clockwork Orange, a favorite of Gerlach’s. It’s also Russian for “cow.” The cow in the logo is wearing the hat from the movie. And the third eye, well, maybe you should eat some Black Bar, give it a while and then ponder that. From the beginning, the cookies and brownies were made from scratch, with professional packaging and lab testing to ensure the product met the hefty potency claims. “It’s really dosing you can rely on. When you eat an edible from Korova, you’re going to feel it,” said Adkins.
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That said, the company does sell edibles with potency as low as 150mg, which is still sure to knock the socks off most cannabis enthusiasts.
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Medical to Recreational
In some states, edible makers are required to have products divided into pieces by potency. California does not, so a consumer eating a Korova bar decides how much to break off (assuming, of course, they’re not interested in ingesting 1,000 milligrams in one sitting.) Adkins said Korova’s customers will eat the 1,000mg brownies in small pieces and put the rest back in the freezer, stretching their $50 over days or weeks. It’s why the Black Bar is the most popular product, followed by the 500mg Fifty One Fifty Bar. “We don’t encourage people to eat the whole thing. It says on the package you can always eat more but you can’t eat less,” he said. Whether Korova will continue to be able to make them like that is up in the air as California draws
up its first cannabis regulations. Will edibles have to be divided into 10mg doses? Will something as potent as the Black Bar even be allowed? Amid the uncertainty, Korova is plunging ahead on new initiatives. The company plans to be part of the recreational market, even as Adkins hopes for an exemption to allow Korova to continue to sell the 1,000mg bars in medical dispensaries. Korova has licensed its product to manufacturers in Nevada and Arizona. The company even plans to launch its own line of cannabis flower next year. “We definitely have a lot of work we’re doing inside to get ready for this, with the idea of continuing to have a premium position within the cannabis industry, but knowing to do that we need to make some changes in a way that’s going to benefit our company, consumers and dispensary owners,” Adkins said. “With the regulations in California, however they end up, we’re looking at positioning ourselves as ‘potency you can rely on.’” c
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The Opioid Solution
Study suggests Colorado cannabis legalization has helped lower the number of opioid deaths By Addison Herron-Wheeler
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any have already suggested that cannabis can help the addicted wean off of opioids. Now, a new study reinforces the idea that the implementation of legal cannabis equals fewer deaths
from opioids. The new study from the American Journal of Public Health titled “Recreational Cannabis Legalization and Opioid-Related Deaths in Colorado, 2000-2015,” suggests that the decrease in opioid-related deaths since recreational legalization is no coincidence. “After Colorado’s legalization of recreational cannabis sale and use, opioidrelated deaths decreased more than six percent in the following two years,” stated authors Melvin D. Livingston, Tracey E. Barnett, Chris Delcher and Alexander C. Wagenaar in the study. While the authors stress that their findings are preliminary, this study is important because it is one of the first to focus on the impact of recreational cannabis 58
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laws on opioid deaths. Cannabis has already been considered as a medical alternative for opioids, since there is no risk of death or overdose from managing pain with cannabis. “People have been using cannabis to get off opioids, and I always encourage people to do that when I can,” Dr. Elliott M.D., one of the physicians prescribing medical cannabis at Cohen Medical Centers in Colorado, explained to CULTURE. “I think this study is definitely to
“Most doctors don’t know that cannabis has never killed a human being. America is the only place that prescribes opiates this way, and I see people with problems every day. I am just proud of Colorado; We have set the tone for the rest of the country.”
be believed, as opiate deaths have dropped significantly since legalization.” The study examined trends in opioid overdose both before and after legalization in the state. In order to isolate the effects of recreational cannabis, the study also looked at Nevada’s opioid deaths before and after medical cannabis legalization. From this comparison, it was clear that having recreational options helped to increase availability and lower the amount of opioid-related fatalities. Deaths fell by 6.5 percent in Colorado since the state legalized recreationally as well as medically. The paper notes that researchers still need to keep an eye on numbers of opioid-related deaths over the following years, to see if this trend continues. They also noted that they would like to see if people in other legal states look to see if this trend appears to be consistent with overall cannabis legalization. However, the paper still stresses that based on the existing numbers, legal cannabis definitely appears to lower the number of opioid deaths. “Most doctors don’t know that cannabis has never killed a human being,” continued Elliot. “America is the only place that prescribes opiates this way, and I see people with problems every day. I am just proud of Colorado; we have set the tone for the rest of the country.” Overall, it appears the findings of this story only confirm what the cannabis industry already knows about the potential of this plant c
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Holistically Healing
Army Veteran Matthew Kahl finds sweet relief in cannabis edibles By Addison Herron-Wheeler
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he world of cannabis has made no secret of its veteran patients and advocates, and veterans often make no secret of their love for cannabis either. For many, the plant offers relief when nothing else does, whether it is psychological relief from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or physical relief from pain. For U.S. Army veteran Matthew Kahl, cannabis was an easy choice over the parade of opioids he was prescribed, and medicating in edible form has provided tremendous relief. “I started medicating with edibles in 2013 when I first got to Colorado,” he told CULTURE. “I served in the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Infantry, 1/506 ‘Band of Brothers’ of miniseries fame, Alpha Company, 1st platoon ‘Bastards,’ from March 2007 to December 2011. I deployed twice and received a medevac from theater of operations during my second deployment with injuries to my face, head, neck, thoracic and lumbosacral spine.”
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As a result of his injuries, like many other vets, Kahl was immediately prescribed a veritable cocktail of pharmaceutical drugs. “I was placed on a grueling regimen, drugs of all kinds,” he explained. “Opiates, benzos, neuroleptics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-inflammatories, anti-nausea agents and even more drugs to counteract the side effects.” After trying these drugs but disliking the side effects and not getting the desired results, Kahl decided to try cannabis. Drawn by the promise of a medicine without a lot of fine print, he began experimenting. He found relief in cannabis, and he especially enjoys the relief he receives from consuming edibles. “I like traditional butter and oil mixtures, and I usually make my own,” he said. “I’m a traditionalist. I like brownies. I also like coconut oil extractions; usually I take those by capsule.” Kahl explained that edibles work well for him because they provide relief from physical and mental stressors throughout the day, versus smoking or vaping. He finds the effects of edibles to be more in line with his needs. “Edibles provide a much more measured dose throughout the day than smoking,” he told CULTURE. “I get nerve pain relief, migraine relief, muscle spasm relief and psychological relief from the hyper vigilance and anxiety that comes with PTSD.” “Edibles are just as viable a medical treatment as any of the pills ever were,” he added. “Absorption is similar, elimination timelines are extended, as compared to smoking.” As a lover of edibles and a medical cannabis patient, Kahl is happy with the legalization efforts that have taken place in the U.S. so far. However, he still feels that there is a long way to go. “Legalization has increased access for so many, but my primary bone to pick with it is
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“Edibles are just as viable a medical treatment as any of the pills ever were.”
the lack of home grow rights in some states, and the increased restriction of home grow in states where it is constitutionally guaranteed, like Colorado,” he explained. “The legalization apparatus in many states has excluded many growers from legally entering the market, which causes untold damage to social justice in America.” Kahl believes that more people should be able to cultivate their own cannabis, and he also doesn’t like the fact that many are shut out of the industry because of past convictions. He thinks that the industry should be more available to those who come from low-
income backgrounds. “There are many individuals with records who need not just access to cannabis, but they need access to the process of licensing a business and competing on the market with other more moneyed and well-connected interests,” he continued. “There are people who just don’t have the money to get into the industry, and laws restricting the number of licenses and raising the entry barriers to get one discriminate against the very people who kept this plant alive and advanced breeding and cultivation standards throughout 20th century prohibition.” Many people just like Kahl consume edibles to medicate because of mental or physical wounds they obtained during their time in the service. Kahl hopes that in the future, he will be able to get edibles more freely and with fewer regulations in the way, so that others will be able to do the same. c
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A Breath of Fresh Air Laura Brehm opens up about her new EP and her relationship with cannabis By Addison Herron-Wheeler The most rewarding feeling as a creator is to contribute to an already-existing creation you admire and look up to. In the case of Colorado-based producer Laura Brehm, EDM and the production that she enjoys provide the backbone of her music, sounds that weave the perfect bassline for her vocals and lyrics. A driving force in the world of electronic music and a strong solo vocalist, she has been adding to the ambiance of some of her favorite tracks as well as creating her own. CULTURE sat down with Brehm to have a few words with her about her approach to songwriting, her passion for music and her appreciation for the leafy green plant.
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Photo by Rachael McAllister
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How do you feel about the genre you are a part of? What kind of support do you have? Although I make music in many different genres, I’d say the biggest scene I’m a part of is EDM. Knowing that I had never originally planned to get involved in EDM, it’s been a very interesting turn of events, and I feel really lucky to be where I am. I’m able to focus on my singing and songwriting skills while working with so many talented producers all over the world. It’s very exciting! Thanks to several of the EDM labels, Monstercat especially, I have an extremely supportive and loyal fan base. I also have so many amazing colleagues, and they provide a lot of support in going through all of it together as well. Outside of music, I do get encouragement from my family and friends too, and I feel very fortunate for that. How do you feel about cannabis legalization so far? Could anything be done better or differently? Being from Colorado, it’s not surprising that cannabis has been 66
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“Some of the ideas, thought processes, and experiences I’ve encountered while high have worked their way into some of my songs.”
legalized here. I fully support it, and I think it should be legalized in many other places as well. Honestly, if alcohol and cigarettes are legal, I don’t see any reason why marijuana shouldn’t be. One thing that could be done better is having designated places to smoke in public in the states that it’s legal in, such as you would find in Amsterdam. It’s not for everyone though, and I believe it affects each mind differently. I think there should also be more strains that are very mellow for people who want to try it for the first time, or for people who may experience anxiety, paranoia or any other negative side effects, so that they can have more of a relaxing and enjoyable time with it.
Have you ever worked cannabis into your music as a theme? If so, how? Lyrically and obviously, I don’t think so. But spiritually, yes. Some of the ideas, thought processes, and experiences I’ve encountered while high, have worked their way into some of my songs. How has cannabis affected your life and creative processes? I used to smoke recreationally quite often, but in recent years I have only smoked on occasion if I wanted an uplifted state of mind for a certain purpose, such as writing a song. Some of the songs that I ended up writing in this state turned out to be my best songs, but it was very hit or miss. I think it opens up your mind a little more than it normally would, and you are able to see things from a different perspective while tapping into areas of creativity that you’ve never explored. The interesting thing is that you always have a different experience every time you smoke, so you never know how it may affect your creative process. c
Check out Brehm’s most recent Breathe EP and remix EP of the tracks on Breathe, and be on the lookout for new music being released soon.
+ www.laurabrehm.com
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By Ed Rosenthal Early this summer I used light deprivation, providing 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness to induce flowering. The plants were all harvested over a two-week period beginning the last week of July. After being cut, large branches or whole plants were hung to dry in a cool cellar-type space that mostly maintained temperatures in the high 60s and had about 50 percent RH. They remained un-manicured as they dried and cured over a twomonth period, until there was time to separate the buds from the stem, and then to unveil the bud from it shield of trim leaves. The buds are perfectly dry; moist enough to retain spongeability, to return to shape after they are squeezed, rather than too dry, when they just crack and crisp into little pieces. At the same time, the little stems that hold the buds onto the cola crack rather than bending. The dry trim leaves peel away from the tight bud nuggets to reveal crystally, perfectly mature buds that have retained their odor. First, we started trimming the cured bud removing any fan leaves that were left, and then we started doing the trim leaves. We soon realized that we were too bored
and it seemed like too much effort to continue the task. So, we made a strategic decision—to leave the trim leaves on the buds and to remove them only as the buds are removed from their storage container to be destroyed using a controlled burn. The bud was quickly placed into jars and metal storage containers. They will be stored in the refrigerator. Because the bud was slow dried and cured in a cool space, a high percentage of terpenes were retained and the bud has great odors. I’m toking on some Blue Dream as I’m writing this column, and even though I’m outdoors, the floral odor surrounds me. The SuperBud is more complex, expressing a spicy highlight that rises above a more sedate stoniness including a sweet candy taste but with spicy odors. The effect is both relaxing and innervating. The Chocolate Tonic is very earthy. Its odor is sort of like a medical tonic. The effect is mellow, sedating and calming. It is a nice variety for relaxing, but not zoning out. The Blackberry Fire’s taste and odor is very generic. The high crept up slowly into a sativa space that conserves energy and encourages inquiry. The summer crop has been processed and is sitting in the
refrigerator and freezer waiting for eventual destruction. It offers a wide choice of highs and will create many altered states among friends and family. Harvest is celebrated all over the world. Yet our urban connection to the bounties of nature is usually a short one, just to the store or restaurant. Cannabis is the only plant some people grow, and that’s fitting, because it might be the first plant that was grown by humans. So, when cultivators toke up we rediscover the wonders of nature. And if you are a cultivator, you know yours is the best in the world. And I would not dispute that. Using the grass that you grew provides a pleasure that cannot be matched by gift or purchased weed. It’s a connection to the wheel of life. Enjoy. c
TIP OF THE MONTH If you live in the southern tier of the country such as Southern California, or if you have an unobstructed southern facing window, you can start a crop now. Using either seeds or clones start the plants and grow them in containers. In warm areas the plants can be planted in the garden.
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Hung fresh buds.
Trimming some Blue Dream for immediate use.
Buds, still in their natural wrappers, in storage.
Close-up of a Chocolate Tonic bud covered in glistening glands.
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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Garden of the Month®: This tray filled with Blue Dream plants was convenient to roll around as the sun changed position during the day.
Plant stems and branches of the harvested Blue Dream shows how the plants were trained to increase canopy reach.
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Tyler Douglas Hurst put on muscle), and I was able to confront a lot of personal issues that had been plaguing me for decades.
Age: 38 Condition/Illness:
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Complex PTSD (was previously diagnosed as bipolar, depression, high anxiety, BPD and ADHD)
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When did you start using medical cannabis? In November 2012 with a medical marijuana card from Washington, but my real healing started in January 2016 using Oregon medical weed. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes, I was on 16 different psychiatric meds for 17 years, the last (Lexapro) for seven. I tried running, I tried losing weight, I tried getting a real job, I tried following a schedule, I tried eating the same things day after day . . . nothing made me feel like me. Once I started using cannabis both intentionally and regularly, my appetite changed (I craved healthier foods), my energy increased (I ran over 1,000 miles last year while losing 35 lbs), my strength/endurance increased (I was finally able to handle yoga and
What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? There’s a huge lack of knowledge sharing and tracking of what cannabinoid/terpene profiles work well for which mental or physical illnesses. Much of it is done person to person, which means every new patient must experiment a bit before they get their right method of ingestion and dosage correct. It’s also tough to find a steady supply of a strain that works, and I have to constantly deal with the stigma of being an “unproductive” stoner while worrying about drug testing at any job I may want to apply for. What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? I try my best to tell them that they’re sorely misguided, and have been misinformed for decades about what cannabis is and does to the human body. Then I show them pictures of me and writings I’ve published over the past few years, and they’re able to see the immensely positive effect cannabis has had on me. c
Are you an medical cannabis patient with a compelling story to tell? If so, we want to hear from you. Email your name, contact information and details about your experiences with medical cannabis to courage@ireadculture.com.
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culture growing RECI P E S
Redefine Thanksgiving Let’s face it—Thanksgiving is all about stuffing our faces with exorbitant amounts of food. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a diet, or even if you’re not that hungry, the holiday is about being surrounded by friends and family, while being thankful
for the massive, buffet-style food table that you’re able to dine from. Thanksgiving menus are notoriously filled with mostly not healthy food. Fortunately, we’ve put together a unique set of recipes geared toward preventing you from having to make
Menu: Whole Grain Stuffing Super Mash Low-fat Pumpkin Cheesecake
Recipes by Laurie Wolf Photos by Bruce Wolf
another notch in your belt to hold in that gut. Put away those dinner rolls and dive into a heavenly mixture of vegetable mash, whole grain stuffing and a lightweight pumpkin cheesecake that will have you going back for seconds without regret.
Whole Grain Stuffing Serves 8-10 Ingredients: Butter or oil for the pan 1 loaf whole grain bread, cut into chunks 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons cannabutter
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2 cups mushrooms, sliced
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1 small yellow onion, diced 2 teaspoons dried sage 3/4 cup chopped walnuts 1 tart apple, cut in small chunks, Granny Smith would be perfect 2 cups chicken broth, low sodium
Instructions: 1. Heat the oven to 340°. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and set aside. On a baking sheet, toast the bread for about 15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until lightly golden. Transfer the bread to a large bowl.
1 teaspoon salt
2. In a skillet, heat the oil and cannabutter. Add the mushrooms and onions, and cook over moderate heat, about 10-15 minutes. Add the sage and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3. Add the chopped walnuts
1/2 cup water 1 medium egg
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and apple to the bowl with the bread. In a medium bowl, whisk the chicken broth, water and the egg. Pour over the bread mixture and add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Toss until the bread soaks up the liquid. Scrape into the prepared baking dish and cover with foil. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. 4. Heat the oven to 340°. Bake the stuffing for about 30 minutes, until it is hot throughout. Remove the foil and bake for about 30 minutes longer, until the top is lightly golden. Serve hot or warm.
Super Mash Serves 8
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Ingredients: 1 pound white turnips, peeled and cut into chunks
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1/2 pound carrots, peeled and cut into chunks 1/2 pound rutabaga, peeled cut into chunks 1 pound russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks, or new potatoes with skins on 1/2 cup turkey or chicken stock 2 tablespoons cannabutter Instructions: 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Pinch of nutmeg 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
1. In a large saucepan, combine root vegetables, potatoes, enough water to cover, heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain.
2. Return vegetables to saucepan. Add stock, cannabutter, smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper and nutmeg; mash until smooth and well blended, or whip in a mixer. Sprinkle with the parsley.
Low-fat Pumpkin Cheesecake
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1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Serves 8 Ingredients: 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons cannabutter, room temperature 3/4 canned pumpkin 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/4 teaspoon cloves 1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions: 1. Heat oven to 340°. Spread the bottom of a 7-inch removable-bottomed tart pan with butter. Sprinkle cookie crumbs on bottom of pan. Press down. Cook for 10 minutes, remove from oven.
1 teaspoon vanilla 1 large egg
2. Place cream cheese, cannabutter, pumpkin, spices, vanilla and sugar in
a large mixing bowl. With an electric mixer, beat on medium until well blended. Add egg and beat on low. 3. Pour pumpkin cream cheese mixture onto cookie crumb base. 4. Bake cheesecake for 40 minutes until set. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. CultureMagazine.com
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colorado NOW! event listings
We Got Your Back Brian, Bluegrass Concert & Benefit, Nov. 5 Bluegrass is a unique mixture of country, jazz and most obviously, blues music—and with such a vast array of influences, it never ceases to entertain. This particular bluegrass festival aims to raise funds for percussionist Brian Jung who was victim of a driving accident and now suffers from partial paralysis. Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple, Denver www.beonkeys.com Nancy Norton, Nov. 5 Nancy Norton is a touring stand-up comedian who also is a registered nurse. You can bet that she incorporates her quirky personality and nursing stories into many of her bits—there’s no end to hilarious medical stories. Comedy Works Downtown, Denver comedyworks.com Adrian Mesa, Nov. 6 Adrian Mesa is a CubanAmerican comedian who uses his talent to inspire his audiences and demonstrate his freedom of speech. He has explored many genres and forms of comedy, which allows him to weave through his acts with a variety of approaches. Comedy Works Downtown, Denver comedyworks.com 74
Special Olympics Colorado Polar Plunge, Nov. 11 The purpose of this event is not only to raise funds for the Special Olympics team, but also to have a little bit of fun along the way! Dive into the icy pool of numbing water and see how you fare! Kenney Reservoir, Rangely specialolympicsco.org/ give/polar-plunge/
28th Annual Creede Chocolate Festival, Nov. 24-25 This festival is bringing together a multitude of local chocolatiers who are preparing unique chocolate samples for all attendees— bite-sized milk chocolate is dwarfed by the unique flavor combinations of jalapeno bean fudge and chocolate dipped bacon! And to top it all off, there will also be live music to check out too. Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, Creede www.creede.com/ chocolate-festival.html 19th Annual Beaujolais & Beyond Festival, Nov. 15-19
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featured event
Colorado Coffee Expo and Festival 2017, Nov. 5
Come enjoy delicious tasting coffee while networking with fellow coffee lovers around Colorado. For those who want to learn helpful tips about brewing their own coffee at home or starting their own businesses, attendees are encouraged to chat with the best suppliers, baristas, entrepreneurs and coffee shop owners. The Space Gallery, Denver spacegallery.net
Returning for its 19th year, the Beaujolais & Beyond Festival features a culinary challenge, over 40 French wines and an abundance of unique food. It will also feature
Imagination Arts Circus, which is a special live performance of uniquely acrobatic feats. Mile High Station, Denver sites.google.com/site/ beaujolais2017/
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News of the
Weird
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LEAD STORY—AUDACIOUS Kristi Lyn Goss, 44, former administrative assistant to the Garland County (Arkansas) judge, went all out when she racked up about $200,000 worth of debt on the county credit card between 2011 and May 2016, according to The Hot Springs (Arkansas) SentinelRecord. Among the many items Goss purchased on the county’s account were tickets to Arkansas Razorbacks games, sequined throw pillows and a tuxedo for her dog. Goss pleaded guilty on Sept. 11 to six felony fraud counts; her sentencing
is scheduled for Nov. 22. Garland County Judge Rick Davis issued a statement at Goss’s arrest noting that he had “inherited” her from a former judge. IT’S COMPLICATED As Hurricane Irma bore down on Florida in early September, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office announced that registered sex offenders, who would not be able to shelter with other citizens, “need someplace to go just like any other citizen.” The Tampa Bay Times reported that sex offenders were directed to Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel. Pasco County Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Doll noted that offenders found in other shelters where children were present were subject to arrest, but said the predator shelter would welcome offenders from
other counties. In nearby Polk County, officials were not so generous, telling sex offenders, “If you are a predator, find somewhere else to go,” and announcing that they would be checking IDs at the door and arresting anyone with an outstanding warrant. RECALCULATING Well, it WAS dark . . . Gabriel Bishop of Sellersville, Pennsylvania, put all his faith in his car’s GPS system on the evening of Sept. 9, even as it directed him to follow a bike path running alongside the Lehigh River in Easton. According to Lehighvalleylive.com, when the path led under a low bridge, Bishop realized his mistake and tried to back up, but ended up rolling his car into the river. Easton police reported that Bishop was uninjured, but he did receive citations for multiple traffic offenses. SMOOTH REACTIONS A movie stuntman in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, put his skills to work when a potential buyer of his Mercedes-Benz tried to take off with the car on Sept. 13. The Telegraph reported that Matt Spooner met the “buyer” and gave a test drive in the car, but the thief wouldn’t get out and started to take off. So, Spooner told reporters, “I ran round to the front and asked him politely to step out. I then ended up on the front of the vehicle and it began to move.” The driver entered a highway, but when he finally slowed down, Spooner let go and “skidded off to the side of the curb,” suffering cuts and bruises to his face. While
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Spooner creates stunts for film crews, he advises, “It’s a bad plan to do them yourself.” EXPLOITATION 101 Jerry Sargeant, 39, of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, England, who claims on his website to be able to cure cancer via Skype, has been convicted in Westminster Magistrate’s Court of violating the U.K.’s 1939 Cancer Act, which prohibits advertising services that “offer to treat any person for cancer.” The Daily Mail reports that Sargeant, who calls himself “The Facilitator,” says he discovered his talent for “Star Magic” when he saw a woman’s soul fly out of her body during a car accident in Romania. He also claims to have flown to Alpha Centauri on a spaceship and returned to Earth just minutes later. Sargeant’s healing sessions cost 90 pounds for 15 minutes, but he told police that appointments can go up to an hour because “you can’t put a time on magic.” He will be sentenced on Nov. 8. LIFE IMITATES CARTOONS The Fremont (California) Police Department responded late on Sept. 17 to a Safeway store where 39-year-old Adam Kowarsh, armed with a French baguette, was on a rampage. According to SFGate, workers told Kowarsh he needed to pay for his items and leave the store, but when one employee tried to calm him, Kowarsh responded by pushing him and then hitting him across the face with the baguette. The Safeway employee was unhurt, but Kowarsh was charged with suspicion of battery and a parole violation.
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