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contents
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1.2018
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Strong and Resilient
Eben Britton, former offensive lineman, speaks out in support of cannabis consumption in the NFL, as his personal experiences have led him to activism and launching a CBD company. O n the C O V E R :
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Connecting to the Cure Sophie’s mother used her family's experience with medical cannabis to create CannaKids, which helps parents navigate the intimidating process of securing cannabis for sick children.
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HIV and Cannabis The medical cannabis movement was ignited by those affected by HIV, and now the government is funding research to further its relationship with the community.
departments
Online Exclusive!
08 Letter from the Editor
d Majority of West Virginian Doctors Support Cannabis
40 Growing Culture 42 Profile in Courage 44 Recipes 46 News of the Weird
d New Study Suggests CBD as Schizophrenia Treatment
news 10 News Nuggets 12 By the Numbers 14 Local News 16 Legal Corner reviews 18 Dispensary Highlight 20 Strain, Edible & Concentrate Reviews 22 Cool Stuff in every issue
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Vol 9 IssUE 7
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Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Devon Alexander Brown, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Keira Fae, Caroline Hayes, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Madison Ortiz, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly R. Simms, Alexa Steinberg, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Amy Witt, 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 Designer Payden Cobern sales director Joe Larson Account Executives Alex Brizicky, Molly Clark, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Lee Moran, Casey Roel, Garry Stalling, Shayne Williams, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy office manager Mikayla Aguilar digital media Hannah Lemley coordinator Interns Sophia Rybicki Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Publisher David Comden
Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 500 locations throughout Michigan. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 36500 Ford Rd #348 Westland, MI 48185 Phone 888.694.2046 Fax 888.694.2046 www.CultureMagazine.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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LETTER
FROM
THE
EDITOR
C h ee r s t o He a l t h a n d Wellness
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ow will you do better this year? Are you planning to quit smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol? Will you exercise more and eat less? January gives us hope of a new beginning; it marks our chance to wipe the slate clean and move forward. For anyone who wants to improve their overall health and wellness this year, there is good news for you—cannabis can help. With all the miraculous benefits that cannabis provides, we’ve decided to dedicate this issue of CULTURE to cannabis, health and wellness. Our exclusive interview with former NFL offensive lineman, Eben Britton, helps us examine how our nation’s history of prescribing opioids for pain is outdated and harmful. Cannabis is defined under two categories— medical or recreational. While we appreciate these two approaches, cannabis can be put in one, allencompassing category as the plant contributes in countless ways to a healthier, more wellnessminded lifestyle. There is no denying the medicinal properties of cannabis. It’s an effective anti-seizure medication for people suffering from epilepsy and seizure disorders. Chances are you know a fair amount of people who have used cannabis adjunct to chemotherapy. Cannabis continues to grow in popularity as an alternative medicine—your friends and family members have probably already inquired about CBD for treating pain, skin disorders or inflammation—for themselves and even for their pets. And these examples only touch the surface regarding the many examples of how cannabis is one of nature’s most effective medicines. However, a wellness-minded lifestyle goes beyond medicine and treating physical ailments. Cannabis promotes, supports and contributes to many dimensions of a healthier lifestyle. Even non-psychoactive cannabinoids seem to make 8
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mundane tasks all the more bearable, from tedious chores to exercise. With cannabis, jokes become funnier, connecting with nature is effortless, and consumers experience a way to examine parts of their lives and the world around them in a much different way than before. Through research, we’re finally witnessing proof of what many of us have known for much of our lives—cannabis is beneficial mentally, spiritually, socially and emotionally. When people are looking for a way to escape, a way to shift their mindset toward something more positive, cannabis is quick to do the trick. When alcohol, opioids and cigarettes pose such dire threats to our well-being, cannabis is a plant that nourishes our bodies and interacts with our endocannabinoid system, which maintains balance in most of our body’s functions and systems. This issue of CULTURE will give you more insight into living a better life with cannabis. We’ll share with you the origins of modern medical cannabis dispensaries as well as how new research will continue to break down boundaries toward healing for patients with HIV. Additionally, you’ll find out how to incorporate one of nature’s most nutritious super foods, hemp, into recipes that will coincide with your New Year’s resolutions, plus so much more. Here’s to a year brimming with wellness and growth. c
Cheers!
Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief
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NEWS
nuggetS
Industrial Park to Become Medical Cannabis Epicenter Harvest Park, an industrial park in development in Windsor Township, is on track to become an epicenter for medical cannabis cultivation, processing and testing. The township recently approved 10 Class A, 10 Class B and 100 Class C cultivation licenses. More licenses will include 10 for processing, three for secure
transport and five for testing. The township is issuing a total of 138 medical cannabis licenses, making it the “largest medical marijuana development east of the Mississippi,” according to a press release. “We’ve worked with the township and gained approval for the local zoning and ordinances required to enable licensure for all levels of cultivation, processing, testing and secure transport,” stated Jeff Donahue, managing director of the industrial park. The 130-acre park is expected to be completed in several phases, and developers are in partnership with local utility companies in order to accommodate the needed power supply.
Comstock Township Opts Out of Medical Cannabis Sales The Comstock Township Board of Trustees voted 5-2 on Dec. 4, 2017, to opt out of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program (MMMP). Each Michigan municipality has the option of passing an ordinance to opt in or out of the MMMP. “I don’t think that people who want to invest in this industry are going to wait around,” said Trustee David Camburn, who voted against keeping medical cannabis businesses out of Comstock Township. “Nearby communities are opting in and will get their business.” Camburn also
Country of Georgia Decriminalizes Cannabis On November 30, 2017, the Constitutional Court of Georgia announced its decision to decriminalize cannabis in the country. The move comes after citizen of the former Soviet Republic, Givi Shanidze, challenged Article 273 of the Criminal Court of Georgia, which prohibits cannabis possession without a medical prescription. Givi Shanidze vs. Georgian Parliament was backed by the political group Girchi. “According to the claimant, 10
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stated that he believes the township may be missing out on potential ancillary benefits such as tax revenue. Many Michigan cities have been reluctant to embrace medical cannabis due to the rapid release of the program’s emergency rules, which were released by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs merely weeks before the license application period began on December 15, 2017. The decision could be reversed in the future.
marijuana consumption may be used [medically and recreationally],” court documents read, translated from Georgian. “[It is] the right of a[ny] person to choose the appropriate form of relaxation, and the means to be protected by [that] right.” The Constitutional Court ultimately found Article 273 to be contrary to Article 16 of the Constitution. The court found that any person who lives in the country of Georgia has the right to the appropriate form of recreation, which includes cannabis, and that cannabis consumption does not create a public threat.
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The number of counties that are participating in experimental road saliva tests for cannabis, which are being conducted by Michigan State Police officers: (Source: South Bend Tribune)
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The estimated number of signatures that were collected by the Committee to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in order to get a recreational cannabis initiative onto the 2018 ballot as of mid-November: (Source: Detroit Free Press)
360,000
The amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that the Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved for the county to receive from the state’s medical cannabis grant fund: (Source: 16 WNDU)
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The number of signatures that were missing from a petition that would have forced the Lansing City Council to either repeal a pending medical cannabis ordinance or send it to the ballot: (Source: Lansing State Journal)
The number of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Minnesota, which now includes people with autism and those who suffer from sleep apnea: (Source: San Francisco Chronicle)
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The percentage of New Yorkers who support legalizing recreational cannabis: (Source: Emerson College Poll)
68
The estimated number of people who consumed some form of CBD during 2017 in the United Kingdom: (Source: Civilized)
250,000
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Plymouth Ice Festival WHEN: Fri, Jan. 12-Sun, Jan. 14 WHERE: Downtown Plymouth, 350 S Main St., Plymouth WEBSITE: www.plymouthicefestival.com Every year, the Plymouth Ice Festival returns to the city of Plymouth for another celebration of ice sculptures and the talented artists who create them. During the first night of the event, the city’s commissioners will cut the ribbon and begin the festivities, which include the official unveiling of this year’s many ice sculptures being lit by a myriad of colorful. The event is also offering a Winter Wonderland Michigan Market, which features many gift 12
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and food vendors, a dueling chainsaws competition pitting contestants against one another to see who can make the best sculpture in under 15 minutes, college ice carving competitions, an escape room experience and so much more. With the addition of a live performance of Hansel and Gretel and live music by Violinist Weston Welch, this is bound to be quite a joyous wintertime event. (Nicole Potter)
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NEWS
LOCAL
Ann Arbor Folk Festival
Moving Forward
East Lansing adopts medical c a n n a b i s r e g u l at i o n s
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By Benjamin M. Adams
ittle by little, East Lansing’s medical cannabis community has been slowly making progress, and the city council recently voted to allow at least four types of medical cannabis businesses in city limits. East Lansing, along with Lansing and Windsor Township, have all recently chosen to opt in and take advantage of Michigan’s recently redesigned medical cannabis program. In May of 2015, East Lansing voters approved a proposal to limit enforcement on cannabis-related crimes. Then in October of 2016, the East Lansing City Council formally decriminalized possession of cannabis, reducing charges to a civil infraction. Recently, on Oct. 17, 2017, the state Medical Marihuana Licensing Board held a meeting in East Lansing to gather input on how to set up the rules under the Medical Marihuana Facility Licensing Act. On Dec. 5, 2017, the East Lansing City Council voted 4-1 in favor of the revised Ordinance No. 1395, which will allow for cultivators, processing, safety compliance and secure transfer facilities to open for business within city limits. Legislation outlining rules on medical cannabis collectives, referred to as provisioning centers, were not addressed at the Dec. 5, 2017, meeting. “[Michigan’s] Public Act 281 authorized licensing for five types of facilities,” Planning and Zoning Administrator
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David Haywood said. “We’re dealing with four tonight—growers, processors, safety compliance and secure transport facilities . . . This ordinance does not cover provisioning centers. That’s in Ordinance 1416.” The community’s response has been varied, and anti-cannabis petitions requesting that the city council deny Ordinances 1395 and 1416, which were signed and then filed on Dec. 8, 2017. Only Councilmember Ruth Beier voted against the ordinance, calling it rushed, although she added that she supports medical cannabis in general. Public concerns were addressed, including odor regulations and consequences for not controlling odors that emanate beyond the confines of cultivation structures. Councilmember Aaron Stephens was supportive of allowing multiple types of businesses. He pointed out how misinformation stymies progress in the city. “There have been a lot of studies coming out that say the crime is usually not associated with an increase when medical marijuana is present,” Stephens said. “There have been also several studies that say drunk driving goes down. I don’t believe this to be an issue after having conversations with members of our East Lansing Police Department.” The revisions add a considerable amount of definitions and clarification to the ordinance. The bill calls for 1,000-foot buffers around schools and daycares, which is represented by the color blue in the city’s interactive map. According to East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows, the city is in need of $3 to $4 million to restore its economy and climb out of debt. Medical cannabis is one of the ways the city is attempting to abate its current financial situation. The area is also embracing medical cannabis research. East Lansing is home to Michigan State University, where coincidentally, a groundbreaking study on cannabis and HIV recently took place. Researchers, led by Norbert E. Kaminski PhD and Mike Rizzo, found that THC could potentially slow the process of mental decline in people living with HIV. The study was published in the November issue of the journal AIDS, and it attracted national attention. Despite some opposition, it’s an exciting and pivotal time for medical cannabis in East Lansing, with legislation and research moving forward. c
Since 1977, the Ann Arbor Folk Festival has been held to celebrate and enjoy the various musings of local folk musicians. Now returning once again, this time 41 years since the event’s inception, the Ann Arbor Folk Festival is hosting more artists than ever before. For two days, the festival will spotlight musicians such as Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Dead Horses, Aimee Mann, The Cactus Blossoms and so many more. Even better, aside from providing a great place to admire local talent, all funds received by this event will be donated to The Ark, which is a nonprofit that offers a “home for folk, roots and ethnic music.” No matter your taste in music, these talented performers are going to be making headlines. (Nicole Potter) WHEN: Fri, Jan. 26-Sat, Jan. 27 WHERE: Hill Auditorium at University of Michigan, 825 N University Ave., Ann Arbor WEBSITE: theark. org/showsevents/eventsworkshops/folkfestival
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NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
Knowledge is Power
U n d e r s ta n d i n g L A R A ’ s e m e r g e n c y a d m i n i s t r at i v e r u l e s By Matthew Abel
A
t long last, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation has issued emergency rules addressing details of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act. The emergency rules were signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on Dec. 4, 2017, and are in effect for a period of six months, which can and will be extended for another six months to allow time for permanent rules to be promulgated and approved by the Michigan Legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. The new rules provide specifics, including the definition of a “batch” as “all the plants of the same variety . . . that have been grown, harvested and processed together . . . ” Another important definition provided to growers is that of an “immature plant” which is defined as a nonflowering plant up to eight inches tall and eight inches wide in a container no larger than two inches tall and two inches wide. As expected, the rules allow the stacking of multiple 1,500-plant growing licenses issued to a single licensee at a facility, but Rule 24 provides that multiple facilities may operate at the same location only if the municipality does not limit the type or number of facilities at the same location. Transfer between facilities at the same location would be allowed without the use of a secure transporter, conflicting with the statute which requires that all transfers between licensees occur only with use of a secure transporter. How
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this will work out in practice (if at all) remains to be seen. The rules adopt by reference standards of the National Fire Protection Association, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Safe Quality Food and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) on food safety and laboratory testing and calibration. Applicants may begin the process of vetting the organization and its owners, officers, directors and managerial employees even without having determined an operating location. The rules clarify that all completed applications will need to disclose a business plan, estimated number of employees, projected gross receipts and the security plan for the facility. The state application fee is set at $6,000, in addition to a maximum local fee of $5,000, plus the statutory assessment, which is set at $10,000 for a 500 plant grow license, and which is likely to be substantially more for all the other licenses, except the safety compliance facilities (testing labs) which are excluded by statute from the assessment requirement. A facility plan is required, which must include a diagram of the facility. An insurance policy will be required for bodily injury, premises liability and casualty
“ T h e r u le s a r e n ot pe r fec t, a n d m a y c o n ta i n s ome g li t c h e s, bu t t h e y eve n t u a lly wi ll b e r ep la ce d by pe r m a n e n t r u le s.”
in the amount of $100,000. There are substantial capitalization requirements of between $150,000 and $500,000, of which 25 percent must be in cash or liquid assets easily convertible to cash, and those assets must be validated by a Michigan-licensed Certified Public Accountant. Interestingly, there is provision for a transition period of 30 days from issuance of the license “during which marihuana product can be entered into the statewide monitoring system to ensure statewide tracking” but no provision as to how the facility would be allowed to obtain the product. That might make this rule completely ineffective, as the Supreme Court of Michigan has held that there is no authority for a patient to transfer cannabis, nor is a caregiver allowed to transfer cannabis to anyone other than a patient to whom that caregiver is connected. A legislative fix appears to be needed to make this rule have any effect. Other details include mentions of mobile facilities and drive-thrus, product testing, edibles packaging requirements, topical volume rules, daily purchase limits and much more. It would have been helpful if the department had published the draft rules for comment before approval, and perhaps some of the bugs could have been fixed. The rules are not perfect and may contain some glitches, but they eventually will be replaced by permanent rules. Finally there is a starting point to license sales of cannabis products to patients and caregivers, and hopefully the citizens of Michigan will be able to vote for legalization of adult use of cannabis in November 2018, even before the permanent rules are adopted. c
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REVIEWs
company highlight
Oo ze
www.oozelife.com
What’s the story behind the name of your company? It was really a name that fit our whole business model. You don’t hear the word ooze a lot, and our whole approach with the company has been to be as unique as possible, so the name fit perfectly. It was also a way to represent the industry being that it is green and slimy, and a lot of our products are made for concentrates. And finally, it was just a fun word. We figured that we can have a blast with design ideas fit around the name Ooze. What does your company offer patients and clients that they can’t find anywhere else? I cannot say it is one thing. It is more our approach that makes us different. A lot of companies out there have one or two products that they focus on and promote. 18
We are more a lifestyle. We want to have a wide variety of products that appeal to anyone in this industry and we do it all while being different. Our products have a uniqueness to them. We are constantly developing new products to bring fun things to the market. We also pride ourselves in customer service. We make sure to go the extra mile for anyone that has supported us. How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? We love what we have seen so far. I personally cannot believe how out in the open it has become. It would be nice to see the federal government get behind it, but I am not sure when that will happen. On the plus side, the product has become so much better and much more available. We feel lucky to be in Michigan where there is a lot of forward progress with it. I feel bad for people who need their medicine but live in a state that forbids it.
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What are the some of the challenges you have faced in this industry as a cannabis company? Honestly, everything so far has been great. We love helping our customers, because most of them are genuinely happy that we are around. Almost all feedback is positive and in the rare case there is an issue, they know we are just a phone call away. Our biggest dilemma so far has been with financial institutions. It is hard to get something as simple as a bank account or even credit card processing. That is something that needs to be corrected. We know a lot of other businesses in this industry that have the same issue.
If someone wanted to open a cannabis company and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? There are going to be a lot of obstacles in the way depending on the avenue you decide to go into. The financial institutions are a mess. It leaves some people paying outrageous fees while others can’t find a bank at all. Another issue is some of the traditional methods of selling or marketing become an issue. Things like eBay and Amazon are harder to utilize when selling products in this industry. There are also issues with social media. Overall it is still a mess but if you have the right product and you execute correctly, it is a great business to be in.
What is the one thing you want patients to know about your company? We are always looking to bring new and exciting products to the market. We are dedicated to customer service. Ooze is a lifestyle and we’re going to keep bringing something different in every aspect of the industry . . . Stay tuned!
What is the most important thing you hope to accomplish while in the cannabis community? We would love to see Ooze become a household name in the community. We want to continue to hear great feedback from our customers. We also want to be known as the brand that brings the dope products. c
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REVIEWs
strain, edible & concentrate
Nugtella
Available at: Motown Meds in Detroit.
This delectable distillate-infused hazelnut spread with cocoa is a culinary win, to say the least. Nugtella has a wonderful balance of flavors and can surely be spread onto or dipped with anything your heart desires, or maybe just devoured by itself one spoonful at a time. We were happy to see labels on the top and sides of the jar reminding that this is a medicated product. This lab-tested edible is infused with 200mg of distillate; meaning it contains four, 50mg servings. Despite being thoroughly labeled, we always recommend keeping medicated items in a safe place, away from unsuspecting hands. This is a non-GMO and gluten-free treat. Enjoy!
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Available at: People’s Choice Alternative Medicine in Ann Arbor.
Super Ghost OG Smell-proof baggies aren’t enough to contain the intense pungency of Super Ghost OG. This strain was indicadominant (60/40), containing 25.8 percent THC and 0.51 percent CBD. Relief was full-bodied, fast acting and euphoric. Cerebrally energized, the consumption of this strain may lend great inspiration for a relaxed creative project; give your body a rest but explore your thoughts by writing, painting or drawing. The lineage of this strain speaks directly to its name and effects. Parent strain Ghost OG (a cut of OG Kush) is a hybrid with potent effects that have been described as nonintrusive. The other parent responsible for the Super Ghost OG offspring is Sour Diesel—a sativa dominant strain with invigorating, long-lasting relief. Patients looking to alleviate symptoms associated to chronic pain, stress, depression, headaches or lack of appetite will enjoy the effects that Super Ghost OG lends.
Purelaxan™ 10mg As the medicinal benefits of cannabis products continue to gain mainstream recognition, hemp-derived CBD products are increasing in demand. These pharmaceutical CBD pressed tablets by PureCBDiol™ Inc. are just what the doctor ordered. Reviewers were given the 10mg tablets, which could be further broken down by half, giving us the option of taking just 5mg per half tablet, which is very helpful for those who find relief from microdosing CBD. One reviewer was in search of a pain relief product that would combat chronic neck pain. After taking just one half-pill, that individual reported back that her neck pain quickly subsided, awarding her the best night of sleep she has experienced in years. Discreet, odorless and containing 99 percent pharmaceutical CBD, the Purelaxan™ 10mg tablets were effective medicine for those looking to avoid the psychoactive properties of other cannabis products. 20
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Available at: Hello Wellness in Detroit. Available wherever: PureCBDiol™ products are carried
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REVIEWs
For More Products Go To CultureMagazine.com
3. WRIXO Connected Medical
1. Higher Standards Blazer Big Shot Torch Feel like torchin’ something? There’s therapy available for that, but the Big Shot Torch by Higher Standards and Blazer will heat your cannabis tools to perfection. Our reviewers were impressed at the Big Shot’s ability to quickly incinerate. With up to 35 minutes of high grade 2500° F burn time, it’s more powerful than most torches you’ve encountered. It’s capable of getting hot enough to solder metal like industrial grade torches, but we recommend you keep it at the temperature best for dabbing concentrates. Get more power with the Big Shot Torch. Price: $90 More Information: higherstandards.com
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4. TrainingMask 3.0® Performance
3
2. Crafty®
Crafty, clever and cunning is how we’d describe the developers at STORZ & BICKEL. Most consumers would agree that the Crafty® vaporizer is built to last. STORZ & BICKEL is so confident with the durability of the Crafty® vaporizer, that the company slapped a twoyear warranty on it. This durable vaporizer can be controlled with its free remote control app for Android or iOS and lets you change settings by your phone or smart watch without touching the vaporizer. Once you get the Crafty® vaporizer, chances are you will end up tossing out your old vapes instantly. Price: $279 More Information: www.storz-bickel.com 22
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ID Wristband This wristband just might save your life one day. It looks like a common medical ID wristband, but contains critical information embedded inside. There’s a wireless NFC chip built in as well as a QR code that can be scanned and immediately identify a patient’s identity as well as medical needs in the event of an emergency. Important information can be stored such as allergies or emergency medication. No batteries are necessary. Our reviewers at CULTURE quickly forgot that we were wearing it, because it was lightweight and comfortable. Price: $19 More Information: www.wrixo.com
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Breathing Trainer Serious about your workout routine? Fatigue can take over during a strenuous workout due to breathing problems—but thankfully nowadays there are technologically advanced ways to upgrade your performance. Take your typical fitness routine to the next level with the TrainingMask 3.0® Performance Breathing Trainer, a face mask that designed to improve the condition of your lungs with adjustable breathing pattern settings. You’ll also look as fearsome as Bane from The Dark Knight Rises while you’re wearing it, with its hip, industrial-looking design. Price: $89.99 More Information: www.trainingmask.com
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A for Treatment Former NFL offensive tackle Eben Britton has found healing and entrepreneurship in cannabis By R. Scott Rappold
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J oh n G i l hoo l e y
“I came to the plant as a curious teenager, like most of us do, smoked weed a few times in high school, a little bit in college. but I was very much affected by the stigma, that if you’re going to be an athlete, you can’t be someone who smokes weed.”
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I
magine, if you will, what it’s like to be an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL). You line up in a state of catlike readiness, and the moment the quarterback snaps the ball, a wall of 300-pound behemoths comes plowing toward you. Your job—your only job—is to keep these monsters from getting past you for the crucial few seconds it takes the quarterback to throw or hand the ball off. Then do it 40 or 50 more times a game. Now imagine doing it stoned. It’s not exactly the mellow experience most cannabis consumers enjoy. For former NFL offensive tackle Eben Britton, however, using cannabis was a way to combat the pain of the sport without the fistfuls of pharmaceuticals football doctors hand out like Halloween candy. He even consumed it before games a few times. “I just had a much better experience. I felt much more in my body. The pills have a way of disconnecting you, making it really difficult to feel your feet on the ground,” recalled Britton, who played four years for the Jacksonville Jaguars and two for the Chicago Bears before retiring in 2014. “The connection of your nervous system and the brain-body connection as an offensive lineman is the most important thing. You have to be able to feel your feet on the ground when you’re blocking a defensive lineman, a 300-pound tank.” “I felt that I was much more lucid, able to feel myself and to execute play after play in the best possible way.” Most people think of professional football players like the Peyton Mannings and Brett Favres, superstars who might play for 15 years, bouncing back from injury to injury and winning Super Bowls. But the reality is the average NFL career is less than three years, as bodies break down and each new college draft class moves in. Since retiring, 30-year-old Britton has become one of the foremost advocates for changes in a sport that tolerates opioid addiction, but has a strict ban on cannabis use. He spoke with CULTURE about the pain of football, the realities of playing in the trenches and how cannabis got him through it.
As a young athlete, what was it about playing in the NFL that inspired you to work so hard? I think it was about the gladiatorship, the physicality of the game, the glory of the game. It was very much this idea of living out a hero’s journey. Football players are modern gladiators. Unless you’re going into the military, you can’t get much more violent in sports than football, and for whatever reason I was just drawn to that . . . The game called to me, something about it, putting on the pads and helmet, the amour, so to speak, and being involved in this team game. Had you smoked cannabis before becoming an athlete? I came to the plant as a curious teenager, like most of us do, smoked weed a few times in high school, a little bit in college. But I was very much affected by the stigma, that if you’re going to be an athlete, you can’t be someone who smokes weed. 26
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Was there a time when the harsh reality of the sport hit you? When I got into the NFL, I started experiencing injuries, and I started to see the injuries really started to shed light on the business of the game. I started to see that this wasn’t a team sport in a family atmosphere. This wasn’t the family I’d grown up loving, and I realized that the most important thing is obviously winning and from there having guys on the field who aren’t worried about getting hurt . . . One of the most real moments of my NFL career was right before my rookie year, with our offensive line coach we were doing a little rookie line meeting, and our offensive line coach said, “Guys, I don’t know how to put this to you any other way, but every single day we’re bringing guys off the street, and we’re working them out to take your jobs.” And I thought, “Damn, that’s how it is.” That’s the mindset they want you in, to understand that at any moment someone is coming in to take your job.
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Can you walk us through some of your injuries as a player? I had a torn labrum, which is a dislocated shoulder. I had that repaired with a slap repair, which is a pretty typical shoulder surgery where they repair the labrum, and they have to pull back some muscles and tendons to tighten them up to hold the shoulder back in place. I herniated disc L side S1, had sciatica running down my leg, which was excruciating, causing numbness in my right foot . . . Eleven weeks after that surgery it turned out there was an infection in the disc. I was basically paralyzed from the waist down for about three months with an infection in that disc post-surgery. I had to have intravenous antibiotics for eight weeks. [I had] torn muscles and ligaments all over my body, rolled ankles, broken fingers, toes, a bad neck and a handful of concussions throughout my career. I realized every time I took these pills, they created this discomfort in my body and my emotions; rage and anger came billowing to the surface. It was very hard to control those things. I felt really insane and manic mentally. It made it difficult to sleep and heal, waking up at 3 a.m. with withdrawal symptoms, cold sweats, chills, pains your stomach, your body needing more pills to quiet this withdrawal. How did you discover cannabis as an alternative to the pills they were giving you? When I started really experiencing these injuries and taking the pills, it was very clear to me that these things had a negative effect on me. Comparing that to the experience when I consumed some cannabis, it was night and day. It was the difference between feeling worse and feeling better . . . I could smoke a joint and feel relief throughout my body. I’d feel soothed mentally, calmed, even peaceful. I was able to lie down and rest and heal, and I feel very 28
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grateful that I had that intuitive response throughout my career. Cannabis is not allowed for players. How did you get around that? As much as [the NFL] likes to punish guys seemingly unnecessarily for getting busted for cannabis, it’s only tested for once a year. It’s on their “street drugs” list. You have a general idea you’re going to be tested sometime between May and August, and if you’re someone who is a cannabis consumer you stop your consumption 30 days before reporting back to the team. Why do you think the NFL is so anti-cannabis? I think they’re very traditionallyminded. There’s a lot of money from alcohol. God knows there’s probably a lot of money from “Big Pharma” going into the league. It’s easy for them to stand behind the argument, “As long as this is a Schedule I drug federally we don’t have to do anything.” How much would cannabis help players deal with pain if it was allowed? Football players are four times as likely than the average American to abuse opiates. Guys are leaving the league in really terrible shape, and they don’t have the understanding about what’s happening to their bodies to be able to make decisions regarding their health, about how to better take care of themselves. Many guys who have spent their entire lives affected by the stigma that this is an illegal street drug don’t have any understanding that, first of all, this thing is a powerful neuro-protectant . . . I think this plant could have a tremendous impact on the league, having guys take it before and after practices, before and after games. I think it can mitigate a ton of that damage that is happening to players’ brains. It would lessen the amount of opiates the guys use.
“I think this plant could have a tremendous impact on the league, having guys take it before and after practices, before and after games. I think it can mitigate a ton of that damage that is happening to players’ brains. It would lessen the amount of opiates the guys use.”
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Was it your decision to retire after Chicago? They didn’t re-sign me after the second year, but I had really hit a wall. It had become really clear to me that I was done. There was one point I was sitting in the meeting room watching film, and I said to myself, “What am I doing here at this point?” I had done everything I had to do in the game of football, and it was pretty clear to me I was ready to move on to something else. Tell us about Athletes for CARE. I got in touch with [former NFL player] Kyle Turley, and he had put together this Gridiron Cannabis Coalition, and they were speaking at cannabis conferences on panels. So I connected with him, and the next thing I knew I was speaking all over the country about my experiences with cannabis and dealing with injuries in my NFL career. I became very good friends with Nate Jackson, another former player who is also a cannabis advocate, and we wanted to keep building this message, making this our platform to spread this awareness. And what we came up with was Athletes for CARE, a nonprofit organization that’s really dedicated to helping athletes in their transition to real life from their sports careers. You also have a podcast with Jackson called “Mindful Warrior.” What was the inspiration for that? Nate and I, all these things we’ve been working on together, and the podcast is really the tool for us to allow other athletes to share their stories, to share how they’ve overcome adversity, what it took for them to make it to that highest level that they got to. What the transition out of that was like in reestablishing their own identity as people in the world. 30
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You helped found a CBD company, Be Trū Organics™. Can you tell me about that? I wanted to continue this positive messaging on the healing benefits of hemp and CBD. CBD is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid that is also really medicinal, and we wanted to combine this powerful hemp extract with other super-ingredients, like arnica, rosemary and lavender in our topical pain cream, and our oral spray has ginseng and Goji berry extract, so it’s very uplifting. It’s great for your mood an managing inflammation . . . It’s just another way I wanted to continue building on this message that cannabis has amazing healing properties. Do you still feel impacts and pain issues from your time playing in the NFL? My back is really a daily reminder of my football career. I can’t turn my neck, my head, in a full range of motion. If I don’t exercise and stretch on a daily basis, I’ll be [disabled]. The stiffness and immobility there takes daily attention. I still can’t feel my right toes on the ground. My feet, it takes 30 minutes to an hour in the morning to where I can take a step. I have creaking and aching in my knees, phantom muscle pains, but I keep a pretty upbeat attitude. I was able to leave all the pills behind me. For the most part my brain and body are intact, and I can be a functioning husband to my wife and father to my daughter. I can live a very high quality of life, thanks in part to my cannabis use during my football career. Any regrets about playing football? No, I don’t have any regrets. I wouldn’t be who I am if I hadn’t done it. I learned a lot through my NFL career about
human beings, about business, and obviously it took a toll on my physical and mental health that I’ll be battling for the rest of my life, but that was part of my journey. It’s led me to this greater calling of bringing awareness to natural healing remedies. c www.athletesforcare.org
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Saving Sophie and Beyond O n e l i t t l e g i r l’ s journey with c a n n a b i s i s s av i n g countless lives By Addison Herron-Wheeler
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t’s not uncommon for mothers to become huge advocates and/or community educators after watching a sick child become healthy through the healing benefits in cannabis. In the case of Tracy Ryan, founder and CEO of CannaKids, witnessing her daughter's health improve was enough to inspire the creation of a successful medical cannabis company. Ryan’s daughter, Sophie, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor at eight months old. While she was willing to do whatever was needed to find her daughter an effective treatment, Ryan initially dismissed the thought of medical cannabis’ ability to help Sophie heal. However, when Ricki Lake herself, one of Ryan’s heroes, offered to give Sophie her first dose of cannabis oil on camera, she finally came around to the idea that there may be merit in trying cannabis as a treatment. It also helped that Ryan was provided with scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of cannabis, as well as a nine-month supply of oil and advice on dosing. Finally, seeing the light at the end of tunnel, Sophie became a regular consumer of medical cannabis oil. “We have seen incredible things happen with the cannabis along with the chemotherapy,” Ryan explained to CULTURE. “These tumors are unique because there is a 90 percent survival rate, but 80 percent recurrence rate, and because they are slow growing, the chemo can’t gobble up the dividing cells, so shrinkage doesn’t occur.
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Photo by Yvette Davis StockPot Images
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Photo by Tokewell Magazine
data, knowledge and information gained about the patient. Then, the nurse will either recommend a product from the CannaKids line or explain how to get medical products in the caller’s home state. The site also provides information about how to obtain a medical card and which dispensaries in California carry CannaKids products. CannaKids is now a successful business, providing products and consultation to those who need it, and helping many kids and parents gain access to treatments and knowledge that they wouldn’t be able to get any other way. But Ryan and her team aren’t content with stopping there and just selling product. They are also helping advance clinical trials on medical cannabis, so that more can be learned about how to treat specific ailments.
Sophie was initially supposed to go blind because the tumor was wrapped around her optic nerves—best case scenario would be minimal vision in the right eye. But in that first few months her tumor shrank between 83 and 90 percent and preserved her vision.” Since then, Sophie has been incredibly healthy and productive for a child who is battling such a serious brain tumor, even though she continues to receive chemotherapy treatment. Seeing such dramatic improvement in her own child, Ryan realized that she had to spread the word and help other parents get medical access for their children. “When we started using oil, we got connected to all these people in social media who didn’t understand dosing or have strain knowledge, and we didn’t have medical professionals to guide us,” Ryan stated. “I saw that there was this real need for people, because back then it wasn’t as easy to find someone who was able to guide you through cannabis dosing.” After witnessing instances involving other parents who followed bad advice online, she decided to do something to help other parents who were seeking real answers. “I knew that there needed to be more education, more support, more guidance, with people talking to medical professionals,” Ryan said. From there, to organizations known as Saving Sophie and CannaKids were born. Saving Sophie is an informational platform where parents and interested parties can learn more about how cannabis can help save young lives. Additionally, CannaKids is an interactive website that can be used to book a phone call with a nurse who can provide advice about dosing based on 34
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level, so that medical legalization can clear its final hurdles. “Education is always the first answer,” she said. “Educating parents and caregivers on the fact that in 3,000 years, not one person has ever died from this medicine and that there have been over 1,700 scientific publications that are out there, many of which include safety studies. You’d be surprised at how many doctors around the country don’t know that cannabis is a medicine, so educating the doctors and nurses on the science behind cannabis is really important.” Ryan hopes that the combination of doing press outreach for her company, and being open about her daughter’s success with medical cannabis, will have an impact on others and help spread the word about what the plant can do. “It’s all about telling our story, not just for ourselves but other families we’ve worked with,” she said. “We are showing that we are just normal people, entrepreneurs by nature; we had a kid that was unfortunately diagnosed with a serious condition, and we are now communicating what worked with her to the masses by way of media. We also want people to understand our kid is nine, has been on the oil since she was five; she is happy, healthy. This isn’t a toxin; it’s helping protect her from toxins.” Those interested in supporting CannaKids can make a donation through SavingSophie.org to help fund clinical trials and future cannabis research. Parents who want more information about cannabis treatments can set up a consultation at CannaKids.org. c
“ W e h a ve s ee n i n c r e d i b l e t h i n g s h a ppe n wi t h t h e c a n n a b i s a l o n g wi t h t h e c h em o t h e r a p y. ” “We are already working on an autism trial and we are planning a huge study on autism,” Ryan explained. “We are also planning an end-of-life pain study for kids on opioids who have cancer, a trial for kids using cannabis as an adjunct to chemo for cancer pain, and then those will lead to bigger cancer trials. There is also a hospital in the Midwest where we will be doing optic trials, and that will also be fueled by the research we are doing in Israel with a company called CURE Pharmaceutical.” All of this is leading the industry even closer to understanding and acceptance for those who need cannabis as medicine. But in addition to these major medical trials, Ryan would like to see education on the ground
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Time-Tested T r e at m e n t Cannabis is a miracle for people living with HIV By Benjamin M. Adams
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tate medical cannabis programs could not exist without the long list of AIDS activists who helped pioneer the first medical cannabis dispensaries in America. During the deadly AIDS crisis, patients consumed cannabis to battle wasting syndrome and the effects of the virus, but no one understood the mechanisms behind cannabis’ healing powers at the time. Today, research on cannabis and HIV is reaching an entirely new level, with federally-funded studies underway. The University of Florida recently received a $3.2 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to study the relationship between cannabis and HIV. I was diagnosed with HIV in 2011, and I’m forced to take a three-drug pill daily. Medical cannabis makes my daily regimen of medication bearable. The liver-damaging drug Atripla, for instance, was the first mandatory pill I was prescribed and caused visual hallucinations about every three days. Currently, less toxic pills are available, but cannabis can be extremely effective as an adjunct therapy. Multiple studies on both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have suggested cannabis’ many benefits on HIV patients, including slowing the progression of the virus. 36
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Dr. Robert L. Cook M.D., M.P.H., Lead Investigator of new cannabis and HIV study
The Background Robert C. Randall was the first person in America to win the right to legally consume medical cannabis in 1976. He would later die from AIDS in 2001. Randall originally suffered from glaucoma and claimed that only cannabis kept him from going blind. A judge ruled in 1976 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must provide Randall with cannabis. Thanks to Randall’s efforts, the federal government created the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program and allowed Randall and a handful other patients to have access to cannabis provided by the government. Without effective medicine, and sometimes with medicine that ironically accelerated the progression of AIDS (like AZT), patients resorted to holistic medicines. Soon “buyers clubs” sprouted in major cities offering herbal medicines. And the patients clearly didn’t have enough time to wait for FDA approvals—by then, they’d be dead. It didn’t take long until they were experimenting and offering medical cannabis.
“[C urrent ly ] the t reat ment guidelines don’t h ave any g uidance o n what kind of marijuana mig ht be t he most benefici al or what kind mig ht be t he most harmful.”
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“I wa s di agno sed wi t h HI V in 2011, a nd I’m f orced t o ta ke a t hree-drug pil l da ily. Medic a l ca nn a bis m a ke s m y da ily regimen of medicat ion be a r a bl e.” Dennis Peron, co-author of Proposition 215, America’s first statewide medical cannabis law, opened the Cannabis Buyers Club in San Francisco, years before any medical cannabis dispensary laws had been written. He was inspired to open up a cannabis club after police raided his home in 1990, taking away four ounces of cannabis and charging Peron with intent to distribute. The cannabis actually belonged to Peron’s boyfriend, Jonathan West, who was dying of AIDS. West died later that year. Peron took control of an underground dispensary at 194 Church Street in San Francisco after its founder Thomas O’Malley died of AIDS in 1992. By that time—over 23,000 AIDS deaths were confirmed and 30 people were dying—per week. A whole network of underground HIV buyers clubs were secretly helping AIDS patients. Proposition 215 co-author “Brownie Mary” Jane Rathbun made it her own personal mission to distribute brownies to AIDS and cancer victims. Peron specifically cited West’s death as the driving force behind his efforts to author Proposition 215, shortly after the groundbreaking bill passed in 1996.
The New Research Last August, the University of Florida received a $3.2 million grant from the NIDA. With around 400 HIV-positive and 100 HIV-negative participants, it will be the largest clinical study on medical cannabis and HIV ever conducted. On October 24, it was announced that the study was being launched and would span over five years. CULTURE spoke to the study’s lead investigator Dr. Robert L. Cook M.D., M.P.H. “One of the goals is to really provide better guidelines for treatment for people with HIV, including HIV itself and other comorbidities, Cook explained. “[Currently] the treatment guidelines don’t have any guidance on what kind of marijuana might be the most beneficial or what kind might be the most harmful.” Cook and his team hope to distinguish and compare the relative benefits of products with THC alone, CBD and THC combined, products that are consumed orally and products that are smoked or vaped. 38
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Cook said the study will be focused on self-reported experiences. “Our study—we won’t really be able to control [medications and sources]. All we can do is ask people what they’ve experienced. So we hope to learn from people that have been using marijuana or about to start using marijuana and to teach us what they’ve learned in their own experiences, such as managing pain and what type of marijuana is most helpful.” Dr. Cook and his team are currently in the final stage of drafting the questionnaire. Cook said particularly CBD could show promise as an anti-inflammatory. “People living with HIV are living near-normal life spans, but they are still seeing cardiovascular diseases four or five years earlier [than HIV-negative people], and we are seeing neurocognitive deficits potentially earlier. A lot of people think this could be related to chronic inflammation—the stress it puts on the body in those who are constantly battling the virus. If marijuana, especially CBD, has some anti-inflammatory properties, that could help prevent the rapid aging that we see in people living with HIV, in theory.”
The Future of HIV and Cannabis Florida’s Amendment 2 was approved in January, 2017, allowing access to medical cannabis. But the University of Florida researchers still have limited conventional clinical studies, thanks to cannabis’ federal status. People living with HIV, and with access to medicine, are living nearnormal life spans, however aging with HIV is another story. “Today, people are surviving,” Cook explained. “For example in Florida this year we’ve just hit it—50 percent of people living with HIV in Florida are over 50 years old. With HIV, a lot of these patients—one, have symptoms related to pain or maybe some nausea—but those are symptoms that are normal in people that are aging. Marijuana could have benefits on chronic inflammation.” People living with HIV now face new challenges including battling inflammation, chronic pain and digestive problems that increase with aging. Cannabis can help in so many ways. c
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culture growing RECI P E S COUR A GE IN P RO F ILE 40
Building Wick Systems By Ed Rosenthal
The wick container system is an easy way to garden because it is self-watering. It also removes the uncertainty of when to water, requires far less care than hand watering, and it is simple, fast to assemble and inexpensive to set up. The wick system is based on capillary action. One example of this is a tissue drawing up water from a puddle. The system we are about to set up works on the same principal. Instead of tissue we use braided nylon rope.
Equipment Starting from the bottom we need a tray that is at least three-inches deep and wide enough to support the plant container. The wider the JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com
container the deeper the tray should be. For instance, with a six-foot container I use a 10-inch deep tray, but with small containers the trays is only three to five inches deep. Next we need some blocks to hold the container a few inches above the tray. Some possibilities are 2x4 or 4x4 boards, Styrofoam blocks or an inverted plastic tray. The container is next. Select the same size container that you would normally use. I have used this system with four-inch containers and eightfoot wide soft containers. Next is the wick. Nylon braided rope draws up water very well and these wicks last for a long time. I have used some more than 10 years. Select the wick size. The larger the container the thicker the wick should be. A small container needs only a 1/4� wick, while a large container, which is deeper than the small can use wicks up to 3/4�. Wider containers should have more wicks so water is drawn across the entire bottom of the container by the wicks. Next, the planting mix goes into the container. Almost all mixes work, so you can use your favorite. Once the water is drawn up the wick to the bottom of the soil level, the soil starts wicking it up. You probably have already seen this happen when you watered a plant and excess water dripped into the tray below. A while later, the water disappeared as it was pulled up into the planting mix. The wick system works in the same way.
Installation ·
Place the wood or plastic supports in the tray.
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Measure and cut the wick. It should start at the bottom of the tray, go through the drain hole in the container and stretch across the container bottom to the drainage hole on the other side and down to the bottom of the tray. The rope tends to fray at the ends. To prevent this, before you cut, use two twist-ties, one for each end of the rope, to hold it in place.
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If the container is wide, use two wicks, one in each set of two opposite holes. You may have to drill holes in wider containers, such as kiddie pools or wide trays. Figure that each wick drop covers about two square feet.
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Fill the container with planting mix.
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Plant the plant or seeds.
A complete system: Tray, blocks, container, wick, planting mix.
This system was automated using a reservoir and flush valve.
Maintenance ·
To start, add water to the container until it starts to drip into the tray.
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Fill the tray with water.
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Refill the tray as it loses water. You can also water the container from the top once in a while.
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The planting mix absorbs water from the wick automatically as the plant uses it.
Holes were drilled in the tray for the wicks. Pallets were used to support tray above the water.
Options This system can be automated. By placing a reservoir above the container level and placing a flush valve in the tray, the water level can be maintained for a longer time. A number of trays can be connected to a reservoir so the whole garden is irrigated just by filling the reservoir. The advantage to this system is that each tray receives water only as it needs it. c
The wick system can support large plants.
This small valve regulates water level in the reservoir.
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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culture
Donald R. Winn
Age: 32
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Condition/Illness: Traumatic Brain Injury
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Using medical cannabis since: 2011
Why did you start using cannabis? On January 14, I slipped into a coma because of a very rare bacterial infection called streptococcus, which had caused me to stop breathing. So from there I was in a coma for about two-and-ahalf weeks, so that had screwed up my sleeping because my neurons are always misfiring. So, I’ve tried numerous sleeping pills and none seem to work for me until I was introduced medical marijuana. From there I had replaced over 25 pills daily to only four each day. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes, like I had said in the previous question, I had tried numerous sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills, depression pills, pills
for muscle spasms—the list can keep going on and on. But let’s just say that medical marijuana had saved my life by letting me live without being heavily sedated off all the meds that the doctor had kept feeding me. What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? I’d probably have to say the biggest problem we face about medical marijuana is that no one knows all the health benefits it has to it. And also how much it can help out with so much more. What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? Don’t judge a plant from the past. Judge it for all it can do for us. 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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Menu: Breakfast Açaí Bowl Hearty Granola Bars New Year’s Sweet Greens Juice
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Get Fresh with Hemp
Almost 20 years into the millennium, it’s time to get serious about the resolutions we continue to make about improving our health, year after year. CULTURE is simplifying this daunting task by letting you in on one of nutrition’s best kept secrets—and that’s hemp! In honor of the new year, here are three ways to infuse your fresh and colorful recipes with a healthy dose of hemp. When it’s not being used for textiles, renewable energy and body care products, hemp is a super food that offers a significant amount of protein as well as all known amino acids, which our bodies cannot produce. Whether you need an extra boost of energy for your workout, or just to get you through a busy workday, here are three fresh and healthy recipes that utilize nature’s perfect plant.
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Breakfast Aç aí Bowl
Fruit is nature’s candy. Elevate it with nature’s gift of hemp, plus a couple other goodies, and your day will be off to a solid start.
Ingredients:
Toppings:
Instructions:
2 cups frozen strawberries (or your favorite berry) 2 frozen sliced bananas
Fresh fruit, sliced (bananas and strawberries)
4 tablespoons açaí powder
Granola
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other milk of choice)
Unsweetened coconut flakes
2 tablespoons nut or seed butter
Drizzle of honey
1 tablespoon honey, to taste
Hemp seeds
1. Add the frozen fruits, açaí powder, almond milk, nut or seed butter, and honey to a blender. Blend until creamy and smooth, adding extra almond milk as needed to get the blender running. Aim for a frozen yogurt consistency (it should be thicker than a smoothie). 2. Spoon the açaí mixture into bowls and top with hemp seeds, sliced fruit, a drizzle of honey and additional toppings.
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Instructions:
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (approximately 3 large)
2 cups rolled oats (not instant) 3/4 cup dried cherries, cranberries or blueberries
1/2 cup sunflower seeds 1/2 cup pepita seeds 1/2 cup sliced almonds 1/4 cup hemp hearts 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
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Ingredients:
3. Stir in the vanilla extract. 4. Place the oats into a food processor (or blender set on the lowest speed) and pulse until the oats are coarsely chopped (but still have lots of texture). Stir the chopped oats into the banana mixture until fully incorporated. 5. Stir the dried fruit, walnuts, sunflower and pepita seeds, almonds, hemp hearts, cinnamon
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This recipe is quite flexible, so feel free to play around with the mix-ins. Chewy, soft-baked and hearty, these no-sugar-added granola bars are sure to fill you up and will keep your energy stable all day long.
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a large rectangular baking dish (approximately 9 inch x 13 inch) and line with a piece of parchment paper (with overhang) so the bars are easier to remove. 2. In a large bowl, mash the banana until smooth. Make sure you have 1 1/2 cups (if you have extra mashed banana, you can freeze it for a smoothie).
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and salt into the bananaoat mixture until thoroughly combined. The dough will be very heavy and a bit wet. 6. Spoon the mixture into the prepared dish. With lightly wet hands, smooth out until even and uniform. Press down on the dough until compacted. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, until firm and lightly golden along the edges. 7. Place the dish on a cooling rack for 10 minutes, then carefully slide a knife to loosen the ends and gently lift out. Place the slab on a cooling rack until completely cool. 8. Once cool, slice into bars. We recommend using a pizza slicer, as it easily cuts through the dried fruit and nuts. Leftovers can be wrapped up and stored in the fridge for a week, or stored in the freezer for 4 to 6 weeks.
New Year’s Sweet Greens Juice Ingredients: 7 celery stalks 1 apple, cut to fit juicer
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1/2 cucumber, cut to fit juicer 40 parsley sprigs (leaves and stems) 1/4 cup (1 small handful) spinach leaves 5 large romaine leaves 1/4 to 1/2 lemon, cut to fit juicer 1/4 to 1/2 lime, cut to fit juicer 1 tablespoon hemp oil
Instructions: 1. In a fruit and vegetable juicer, juice all ingredients. Discard solids. 2. Strain juice through a fine mesh sieve before
serving in a glass. Add a few ice cubes to the glass if you prefer a colder beverage. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container and refrigerate for one day.
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Green juice is not only healthy, it can be tasty, too. If you prefer a sweeter juice, use half the amount of celery and add another apple (so 3-1/2 celery stalks and 2 apples). If you are not a huge fan of citrus, don’t run the lemon and lime through the juicing machine. Instead, stir a splash of fresh lemon and lime juice into the finished juice.
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News of the
Weird
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LEAD STORY—FAMILY VALUES Members of the Spann family of Comanche County, Oklahoma, keep running afoul of that state’s incest law, with the latest dust-up over the marriage of 26-yearold Misty Spann and her 43-year-old mother, Patricia, in March 2016. The two had been separated after Patricia lost custody of her young kids, but when they resumed contact a few years ago, Patricia told investigators, “they hit it off.” KFOR
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reported that Patricia also married one of her sons in 2008, but two years later that marriage was annulled. Another son reported to KSWO-TV that Patricia tried to start an inappropriate relationship with him, but he shut her down. In early November, Misty received a 10-year deferred sentence and will serve two years’ probation. Her mother/ex-wife (their union was annulled in October) will be sentenced in January. NERD ALERTS Since Twitter announced that it would allow 280-character messages rather than its original 140, a whole new world has opened up for the game-addicted among us. Gizmodo reports that tweeters are using the expanded tweetspace to
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play board games such as chess, Connect Four, Shogi and Go. Games are even being customized; one tweet enthuses about “Marine biology twitterchess. With a new marine biology fact every time a piece is moved, and a scientifically accurate death scene when a piece is taken.” Uh, ok. A sharp-eyed Google Earth user from Leeds, England, searching for Longcross Studios in Surrey, came across a Star Wars fan’s dream: The Millennium Falcon, nestled inside a ring of stacked shipping containers and covered with a tarp. Andi Durrant tweeted about his find on Nov. 8. The spaceship was used in filming Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi at Longcross; that movie
released on Dec. 15. SWEET! Becky Reilly of Omaha, Nebraska, was forced to call in a roofing company after discovering thousands of honeybees had invaded her home’s attic, producing so much honey that it was dripping down the side of the house. “We heard a loud and rhythmic buzzing, and it was somewhat terrifying because we knew what it meant,” Reilly told KETV. Jason Starkey of Takoda Green Roofing said he removed about 40 pounds of honey on Oct. 26 before moving the bees and tackling the damage, which he called “horrible.” Local beekeeper John Gebuhr moved the bees to his garage, but he is pessimistic about their survival through the winter.
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