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contents
inside
6.2017
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The Host with the Most
Former talk show host Montel Williams combines his entrepreneurial spirit and personal success with medical cannabis to bring awareness and medicine to those who need it.
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features 18
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Living the Hemp Life Hemp offers so many nutrients and benefits—here are a few ways to utilize hemp and improve your diet and lifestyle.
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Flawless Formula Cannabis companies that are run by friends, couples and like-minded individuals share how they strategically work together to flourish in the industry.
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Care and Conversation When it comes to cannabis, every parent should strive to be responsible consumer.
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departments news 8 News Nuggets 9 By the Numbers 10 Local News 12 Legal Corner reviews 14 Company Highlight 16 Strain Reviews 18 Cool Stuff 20 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 38 Growing Culture 40 Destination
Online Exclusive! d Maryland Registers First
Cannabis Cultivator d Legal Cannabis Outsells Viagra
and Tequila
Unknown 41 Profile in Courage 42 Recipes 46 News of the Weird
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Vol 8 IssUE 12
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CULTURE M
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Publisher Jeremy Zachary Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Creative Consultant Evan Senn Editorial Coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Sheryll Alexander, Marguerite Arnold, Jake Browne, Cole Garrison, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, David Downs, Keira Fae, Natasha Guimond, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Kevin Longrie, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Dan Mitchell, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Lanny Swerdlow, Jefferson Van Billiard, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf, Zara Zhi Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Tonya Perme, Mike Rosati, Josué Rivas, Eric Stoney Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Tommy LaFleur Graphic DesignerS Payden Corden, Nathan Hernandez, Iray Renteria sales director Justin Olson Account Executives Jon Bookatz, Alex Brizicky, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Cole Garrison, Beau Odom, Gloria Santiago, Garry Stalling, Ryan Tripp, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital content manager David Edmundson Intern Kiara Manns Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla
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.iREADCULTURE.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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/freeculturemag
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NEWS
nuggetS
Michigan Board of State Canvassers Approves Recreational Cannabis Petition The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol seeks to legalize cannabis for adults over 21 in the state of Michigan with its newest initiative, which was unanimously approved by the Board of State Canvassers on May 18. In response to the Board’s approval of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, the Coalition’s spokesperson, John Truscott, expressed his confidence in the initiative’s ability to regulate cannabis. “Prohibition didn’t work with alcohol, and it has clearly failed with marijuana as well,” John Truscott wrote. “Our campaign will make Michigan a national leader by creating responsible regulations that will end the waste of law enforcement resources that goes into enforcing Michigan’s outdated prohibition laws while also creating jobs and generating much-needed tax revenue for our state.” The Board requires that 252,523 valid signatures be collected and submitted by the Coalition within 180 days of May 18. If the legislation is then approved by voters, adults could legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow up to 12 plants at home. A 10 percent tax on cannabis sales would be considered, on top of the state’s six percent sales tax on medical cannabis. If the signatures are approved for the recreational cannabis measure, it will go to a statewide vote in November 2018.
Georgia Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill Rep. Allen Peake announced that Gov. Nathan Deal signed Senate Bill 16 on May 9. The bill will expand the state’s medical cannabis oil program to add six additional illnesses to the list of qualifying conditions. “With Gov. Deal’s signature today, Georgia’s medical cannabis program takes another positive step forward,” Rep. Peake stated. “As of [May 9], 1,738 citizens and 354 doctors are registered with Georgia’s Low THC Oil Registry program, and I’m confident that the addition of six conditions to this very successful program will allow even more hurting Georgians with debilitating illnesses to have a ray of hope for a better quality of life.” Registered patients are allowed to possess a maximum of 20 fluid ounces of cannabis oil with a maximum of five percent THC. Severe Tourette syndrome, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Alzheimer’s disease, symptomatic AIDS, peripheral neuropathy and hospice patients who have received authorization were added to the list of qualifying conditions. SB-16 also adds medical card reciprocity and removes the one-year eligibility requirement.
Ann Arbor to Discuss Which Types of Cannabis Businesses to Allow On May 8, City Attorney Stephen Postema told councilmembers they have until mid-December to decide which types of commercial cannabis businesses to allow in the city. Postema explained that licensing cannabis businesses is not the city’s only option. “If you do nothing, if you decide that you’re not interested in any of these five types of facilities being in the city, then they’re not going to be in the city. You have to affirmatively do something,” Postema said. Under the Medical Marihuana Licensing Facilities Act, there are five classes of licenses available, which are for medical cannabis growers, processors, secure transporters, provisioning centers and safety compliance facilities. There are three classes of medical cannabis growers. Class A growers can grow up to 500 plants, Class B growers can grow up to 1,000 plants and Class C growers can grow up to 1,500 plants. The final say is up to the city council, who will decide to allow one or more of the five classes of licenses. The city council will also decide the number of facilities to allow in the city. Once Ann Arbor and other local communities have established laws on the local level, applications can be submitted starting on December 15.
Chile is First Nation in Latin America to Sell Cannabis in Pharmacies Canadian cannabis producer Tilray’s T100 and TC100 cannabis-based products are now available for purchase in pharmacies in Chile, which began in mid-May. Before then, patients could only obtain medicine by import or through one of Chile’s narrow list of dedicated farms. It’s the first time that any nation in Latin America has moved forward to allow pharmacy sales of cannabis products. The average cost for a month’s worth of treatment will be $310. Tilray is partnering with Alef Biotechnology, a company that is licensed through the government of Chile. Roberto Roizman, Alef board president explained how this will benefit patients in the country. “By importing Tilray’s medical cannabis products to Chile we intend to ease the suffering of those in need by offering pure, precise and predictable medical cannabis products.” Chile’s Congress is currently reviewing a bill that would allow patients to grow their own plants at home. Additionally, the nearby country of Uruguay will begin selling recreational cannabis in pharmacies in July. 8
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The exact number of valid signatures that are required to be collected within 180 days of May 18 in order to qualify the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act for the November 2018 ballot: (Source: The Detroit News)
252,523
The estimated number of Berrien County residents who are medical cannabis patients: (Source: WDNU)
15,000
The maximum number of plants that a small recreational cannabis business could grow and process while under a special license, if the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act is passed in 2018: (Source: Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol)
150
The projected amount of money, in millions of dollars, that is being invested in a large cannabis cultivation and distribution warehouse in Bangor Charter Township now that the local city council supports it: (Source: MLive.com)
21
The number of months before the next statewide election that will give voters the opportunity to vote on recreational cannabis in Michigan: (Source: Detroit Free Press)
17
The percentage of North Carolinians who stated in a survey that they want to see medical cannabis legalized:
80
The approximate amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that cannabis industry clients in Maine paid in lobbying fees between December 1, 2016 and (Source: Portland March 31, 2017: Press Herald)
140
(Source: The News & Observer)
The approximate number of people who attended the Extravaganja festival in Massachusetts in late-April: (Source: Daily Collegian)
10,000
The approximate number of people in Colorado and California who were surveyed as cannabis consumers by BDS Analytics: (Source: Denver Westword)
2,000
The number of medical practitioners in New York who are registered under the state’s medical cannabis program: (Source: WKBW Buffalo)
989
High Times Midwest Cannabis Cup 2017
WHAT: High Times Midwest Cannabis Cup 2017. WHEN/WHERE: Sat, June 24-Sun, June 25. Auto City Speedway, 10205 Saginaw St., Clio. INFO: Visit cannabiscup.com/clio-michigan for more information.
Grow Green Michigan brings the renowned High Times Cannabis Cup to the medical patients of Michigan. As is tradition at the Cannabis Cup, the event will once again be home to the edibles village, cannabis career fair, a live grow room, topical massage spa and a vape lounge. Cultivation experts Danny Danko and Nico Escondido will spearhead a discussion and seminar so guests may finally get answers
to every possible question there is about growing cannabis. Kitchen demos will also be featured so guests may take a peek at how the edibles they know and love come to be. Rapper 50 Cent will kickoff the weekend with a concert on the first day of the event along with hip-hop group Wu-Tang. Tickets can be purchased for general admission or with the early bird special deal. (Kiara Manns) iReadCULTURE.com
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NEWS
LOCAL
A Critical Juncture
Big investment opportunities in Bangor Charter Township
by Benjamin M. Adams
C
ompanies that are willing to take the plunge are investing in decrepit warehouses, former prisons and factories and converting them into money-making commercial cannabis facilities that create jobs for working class communities. In fact, a Clawson-based company is considering investing $21 million to purchase and convert an old unused factory in Bangor Charter Township into a state-of-the-art medical cannabis cultivation and distribution facility. The proposition has garnered the enthusiastic support of the Bangor Charter Township Board of Trustees and the Bangor Charter Township Supervisor. The former Dow Chemical Co. and Crane Resistoflex building has been virtually unused except for storage in Bangor Charter Township. Clawson-based Oasis Wellness Center is interested in investing $21 million toward converting the 320,000 square-foot building into a major grow operation. Attorney Paul D. Weisberger is Vice President and in-house counsel for the Oasis Wellness Center, which is not currently in the medical cannabis industry. The Oasis Wellness Center has common ownership of Wild Bills Tobacco, which is the largest tobacco store chain in Michigan, with 65 locations. The Oasis Wellness Center operates dozens of Wild Bills locations, but
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is excited to enter the cannabis sector and give back to the communities in Michigan as well. “We’re proposing to do what would be multiple state license grows, and we’re projecting that [$21 million] is what we would anticipate spending,” Weisberger told CULTURE. “That does not take into account any benefits from sales tax or the excise tax that’s paid to the state. Some of that would come back to the communities. That just deals with the investment that we’d have in the actual structure along with the job creation— somewhere between 100 and 120 jobs total.” Weisberger supported House Bill 4209 and 4210, which built upon the Michigan Medical Marihuana Initiative that was approved in 2008. Bangor Charter Township Supervisor Glenn Rowley supports the idea, given the economic turnaround that other small communities have experienced because of embracing commercial cannabis, and on May 9, the Bangor Charter Township Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to support the investment of the grow and distribution facility. Trustees Howard Eagle, Scott Schisler, Rich Phelps and Neil Froncek, all supported the idea as well. “The township officials are very receptive,” Weisberger stated. “Of course every town has a vocal minority, but I would say that the Supervisor has been very diligent in trying to get the public intake on it. With the people I’ve met, it’s been well-received. Many people in the industry are anxious to talk with me about being employed in the operation.” According to Bay County election results, in 2008 the residents of Bangor Charter Township voted in favor of medical cannabis 4,678 to 3,454, or 57 percent of local voters, and hope to vote on recreational cannabis in the 2018 election cycle. Neighboring Pinconning Township adopted similar cannabis ordinances in order to allow for commercial cannabis entities and investments as well. The Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act was signed into legislation by Gov. Snyder on September 21, 2016. All local municipalities have until the end of the year on December 15 to approve their own resolution or legislation in order to be eligible to allow cultivation and sales of cannabis. Before anyone can apply for a state license, they must first obtain a local permit. According to Supervisor Glenn Rowley, before anything could happen, the township would have to update its code of ordinances to allow for cannabis businesses. The state of Michigan would also have to approve the facility. Although the proposed production facility is in the early stages, it could become a lucrative opportunity for Bangor Charter Township. c
Michigan Marijuana Business Licensing Seminar
Demystify the complex medical cannabis licensing procedures in Michigan by attending a thorough all-day seminar. Scott Lowry from New Leaf Cannabis Consulting and Jamie Goswick from Canna Media Works have put together an informative and fun licensing seminar. All of the required steps toward getting a Provisional Cannabis Business License will be covered in detail, and are geared toward helping you improve your chances of receiving a coveted license to operate a cannabis business. Areas that will be touched on include a complete breakdown of the new Michigan cannabis licensing bills including MMFLA, real estate acquisition strategies, investment, staffing, brand identity and banking. How to create operational manuals, standard operating procedures and business plans will also be covered. Speakers will share their invaluable knowledge at the event, which includes the event organizers Lowry and Goswick, in addition to Bruce Leach of Kirsh of Leach + Associates. A networking event will take place after the seminar from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. WHAT: Michigan Marijuana Business Licensing Seminar WHEN/WHERE: Sat., June 10, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Crossroads Conference Center, 6569 Clay Ave. SW, Grand Rapids. INFO: Visit www.cannamediaworks.com for more information.
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NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
Because of the unavoidable conflict with the MMFLA, it is difficult to know how Michigan and its municipalities will manage two brandnew competing regulatory programs and a host of new unregulated cannabis conduct.
First Look
Understanding Michigan’s recreational legalization ballot initiative by Denise Pollicella
T
he Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act is an initiative that will, if enough signatures are gathered, appear on the November 2018 state ballot. Given the growing support for legal recreational cannabis, it may seem like a logical next step, but it is also a potentially thorny one in light of the fact that Michigan will barely have begun licensing its first medical cannabis facilities in 2018. The initiative proposes to legalize recreational cannabis use for adults ages 21 and older, create regulated and taxed cannabis businesses and microbusinesses (the cannabis equivalent of a brew pub), legalize industrial hemp and allow the expungement of convictions for cannabis offenses predating the initiative.
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The last two objectives are reasonably self-explanatory, and they are set forth in a straightforward manner in the ballot language. The complexity starts with the unlicensed conduct options and the regulated and taxed business structures, which diverge from the newly-passed Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA), which contains regulations for licenses and regulates and taxes medical cannabis facilities. Some of the more provocative language is in Sections 4 and 5. Section 4 seems to allow a person to possess an unlimited amount of cannabis in their residence, as long as only 2.5 ounces is out at a time. At the first read, the amount one can possess at home appears to be limited to 10 ounces in Section 5, until you read that you can also possess “any marihuana produced by marihuana plants cultivated on the premises.” Section 5 also appears to
permit unlicensed, home-based, cannabis nonprofits, because you can grow and harvest 12 plants, process the cannabis, store it and give away 2.5 ounces at a time. And while a nonprofit may not sound all that enticing, remember that Blue Cross Blue Shield is a nonprofit. So is the National Football League. Also noteworthy is the prohibition against both commercial and residential property owners banning non-smokable cannabis on their properties, which could present some uncomfortable conflicts between state and federal law in the event that cannabis is still federally illegal when this passes (think public housing). The greatest difficulty, however, will likely be in the implementation of the initiative. Because of the unavoidable conflict with the MMFLA, it is difficult to know how Michigan and its municipalities will manage two brandnew competing regulatory programs and a host of new unregulated cannabis conduct. Moreover, because this initiative and the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act would both be equally authoritative, yet conflicting, referenda laws, it will be left up to the courts to untangle the inevitable pretzel knot. There is a lot here to read and absorb, and quite a lot that it proposes to accomplish. Ultimately, it will be up to Michigan’s electorate to make an informed decision about what’s next for our state. c
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REVIEWs
company highlight
Healing Leaf Medical Center 544 N Main St., Lapeer 48446 When did your certification clinic open, and what was your motivation to provide this service? It opened in July 2016. Our motivation was to provide certifications and education to the Lapeer County and Thumb Area. What’s the story behind the name of your company? We want to educate the community on the healing and medicinal properties of cannabis and its “leaf.” It is also the same name as my Jamaican company, which will be a medical tourism treatment center. What does your company offer new and existing consumers that they can’t find anywhere else? We offer an educated,
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| (810) 969-4710 | www.holisticearthllc.org professional and patient staff. We are a “GoldStandard Certification Center,” which means our process is tighter and safer than other doctor certification centers. We also offer massage therapy on-site. How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? In 2008, the charge to register at the state level was $100 per year and there was a discounted rate of $25 per year for patients on Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid. The state of Michigan did away with the discount for financially strained patients, which essentially makes this program a “rich people
tax,” because it doesn’t protect the people who can’t afford the doctor visit and state registration fee. I lobby for and hope the state of Michigan will provide free registration for the financially strained patients, providing more legal protections for those who need it the most. If patients can’t afford a card registry they definitely can’t afford a lawyer or probation. The state of Michigan consistently has a large surplus in the Michigan Medical Marihuana Fund. What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a certification company? . . . Biggest joys? Our biggest challenge is turning away patients who don’t have medical records to maintain the “Gold Standard.” Our biggest
joy is helping the patients learn about the benefits of cannabis as a medicine and watching them improve their quality of life. What is the one thing you want people to know about your company? We have amazing staff that is medically trained and very educated in the different methods of consumption and health benefits of cannabis. We specialize in neurological dysfunction, fibromyalgia, opioid replacement therapy and pain management with cannabis. If someone wanted to open a certification clinic and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice would you give them? Hire a great lawyer to walk you through the process and a great doctor. c
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strain
REVIEWs
Available at: Arborside in Ann Arbor.
GMO Cookies Borrowing traits and effects from its parents Chemdawg and Girl Scout Cookies, this indica-dominant hybrid (90/10) is a likely contender for your new favorite strain. A sharp diesel fuel aroma coupled with strong cerebral and body effects mimic the strain’s Chemdawg genetics. The GSC genetics lend a sweet, earthy cookiekush flavor, while being known for providing patients a sincere amount of relief in regards to symptoms associated to chronic pain, nausea and appetite loss. When presented with a medical specimen of such glorious appearance you may hesitate to break these trichome coated, green and deep-purple hued nugs apart. What is your best option? Take a photo, and spark it up—relief awaits.
Blueberry Muffins Available at: Hello Wellness in Detroit.
A name so true to its lineage, the Blueberry Muffins strain could easily be mistaken for the freshly-baked version often enjoyed for breakfast in a blind sniff test. Parent strains Afghani and Blueberry have incredibly complimentary genetics, delivering indica-dominant effects paired with an incredibly pungent, fruity and blueberry palate and a bold undertone of sugary sweet muffins. Visually, you’re in for a sweet treat as well; dense buds with hues of purple and green are decorated with bright orange hairs and dusted with a thick coat of trichomes. Patients looking to alleviate symptoms associated with chronic pain, stress, nausea, depression and lack of appetite will find this strain to provide relaxing, euphoric relief, as it contains 23.97 percent THC and 0.51 percent CBD.
Available at: OM of Medicine in Ann Arbor.
Tangerine Haze A whiff of the distinct zesty tangerine-citrus haze aroma will have you calling this strain out by name. You bet your bottom dollar it tastes like it smells, too! This sativa-dominant hybrid is the result of crossbreeding G13 Haze and NYC Diesel genetics. The trichomes that coat this dense green nugget are beyond captivating. This particular phenotype of Tangerine Haze returned test results showing a 20 percent THC content. Patients looking to alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety, depression and fatigue find this strain to provide uplifting, energizing effects. Don’t forget to hydrate well with your consumption of this strain; many patients note experiencing dry mouth, which is easily remedied.
Available at: We Grow located in Flint.
Gushers Though the name is reminiscent of a gummy-gooey snack packed in your lunch as a kid, the genetics are far from elementary. Parent strain Gelato #41 comes from Cookie family’s genetics of Girl Scout Cookie crossed with Sunset Sherbet, lending a fruity cookie aroma to the strain. The other parent strain responsible for Gushers’ genetics is Triangle Kush, which is an indica that originated from Florida. Combined, the two parents produce an offspring that provides relief to patients looking to alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety, chronic pain and depression.
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REVIEWs
3. For More Products Go To iReadCulture.com
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1. 14er Joint Tip Tired of passing around your preroll only to have it return soggy and unsanitary? Elevate Accessories is offering heirloom-quality wooden joint filter tips. They are perfect for cone joints or cigars. The tips come with an engraved logo and a hexagonal faceted shape that you can easily grip. The tips are made out of black walnut or hard maple. Regular use of wooden tips will help season and condition the wood. In order to make your tip last a lifetime, Elevate Accessories recommends using a crutch every time you use it. The 14er Joint Tip is geared for social consumers who don’t want unnecessary germs and wasted roaches. PRICE: $15 MORE INFORMATION: elevateaccessories.com
2. Goldleaf Grow Planner Cultivators will love Goldleaf’s swank and utilitarian grow planner. The only way growers can remember what victories and failures they encountered in past batches is to jot down information. The planner provides templated weekly entry pages for over 20 weeks. Track down your feeding schedule with spaces for the cycle, week, light and nutrients. With this planner you can record the PH levels and supplies, while planning your garden. You can also fill out the effects, sampling times and flavor wheel according to your garden samples. The cream-colored pages are designed to be seen under HID light. The discrete retro-styled cover is stamped with a Goldleaf gold emblem. It’s a must for any cultivator who needs a little more order to their cultivation routine. PRICE: $16 MORE INFORMATION: shopgoldleaf.com 18
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Robin Wood Hemp Watch Support a healthier, greener ecosystem with one of the most eco-friendly watches available. The 100 percent vegan Robin Wood watch is made with a natural hemp strap and is encased in bamboo. The all-natural aesthetic of wooden products with a visible grain is part of the appeal. Time settings can be adjusted with a diagonal bamboo knob. All materials are hypoallergenic, and no animals were harmed in this watch’s production. The jumbo-sized Japanese quartz mechanism is made by SEIKO/ Hattori and is protected behind highquality mineral glass. The vegetablebased materials are made from sustainable farming. It is also resistant to water splashes, and the product is protected with a two-year warranty. The purchase of a Robin Wood watch supports ecological campaigns, and each watch comes with a thank you note for supporting the ecosystem. PRICE: $103.03 MORE INFORMATION: www.etsy.com/shop/robinwoodco
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OG Four 2.0 RiG Edition When a normal-sized vaporizer pen is not enough, get massive rig-like rips from the OG Four 2.0 RiG Edition from #ThisThingRips. Everything about this pen is oversized, from the mouthpiece to the battery. Exhale eye-popping milky white clouds of vapor that will impress your friends. The patented Lava-Quartz technology works with a full quartz bowl and dual quartz rods wrapped in high-quality titanium coils. The “Set it & Forget it” feature on the large smart battery “remembers” your last setting, and you can even charge the device while it is in use. The low-key silicone-lined jar screws into the bottom of the pen and is almost undetectable. The transparent visual reaction chamber guarantees maximum flow and dwarfs other vape pen chambers. The kit is complete, containing everything that is needed including a hypercharging cable, a stainless steel tool, cleansing wipes, silicone rings and a stand. PRICE: $129.99 MORE INFORMATION: thisthingrips.com
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entertainment
REVIEWs
BOOK
Legal Weed: A Comprehensive Guide to California Cannabis Law & Regulation Pub. Legally-Blunt Meital Manzuri, Michelle Mabugat and Alexa Steinberg of Manzuri Law The promise of California’s upcoming legal cannabis market has entrepreneurs everywhere looking to the future. Legal Weed is an invaluable resource for professionals who are looking to navigate the regulations on medical and recreational cannabis in California. Written for cannabis entrepreneurs of every experience level, this guide provides essential recommendations and best business practices that will answer any possible question regarding California law and federal law, with knowledge and insight that is backed up by the authors’ many years of experience working in cannabis business law and criminal defense cases. (Jacob Cannon) 20
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Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC Release Date: June 2
GAME
Tekken 7 Dev. Bandai Namco Entertainment Pub. Bandai Namco Tekken 7 continues to break the mold of improved fighting games. This installment is the first to be created using the Unreal Engine and is based on the arcade release launched exclusively in Japan back in 2015. This oneon-one fighting game offers two new unique fighting systems, “Rage Art” (which allows critically low-health players to deal 30 percent damage) and Power Crush (which enables attacking even when an enemy is executing attacks), among other modes of gameplay. New and returning Tekken players will have plenty of options while they defeat their friends in-person and online. (Nicole Potter)
MOVIE
Logan
MUSIC
Dir. James Mangold
Big Bad Rooster
20th Century Fox
Big Bad Rooster Self-Released
It might be hard to believe, but it’s been almost 20 years since X-Men ushered films based on comic books into the modern era. In the nearly two decades since, audiences have been treated to a tremendous array of comic-based movies loaded with near countless super heroes and brimming with an incredible amount of mayhem and destruction. However, in the most recent installment of the X-Men film franchise, cartoony, big city annihilation has given way to heartfelt drama in Logan. Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart reprise their roles as Wolverine and Professor Xavier respectively, and while the movie still features edge-of-yourseat action, the more human aspects of the characters are explored and laid out to fantastic effect. (Simon Weedn)
Bluegrass has its roots in some of the oldest musical traditions of the United States and has long been a source of authentic story telling about rural life and working people. Though the genre has enjoyed a surge in reinterest as Americana music has regained some popularity, it can be difficult to find acts moving beyond old traditionals and pushing the genre into new territory. Thankfully, Big Bad Rooster is on the rise and available to please those ears looking for new flavor in a classic form. The band’s debut fulllength blends vibrant stories of modern life and contemporary struggles, with an exciting style that will appeal to both purists and new-comers alike. (Simon Weedn)
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Guided by personal experience,
Montel Williams brings the healing of cannabis to the masses By Dan Mitchell
ontel Williams has filled many roles during his career: Awardwinning daytime talk show host, actor, writer and activist. But above all, he’s a passionate promoter. As such, his word choices near perfection, he has the uncanny ability to speak in public with ease and sway listeners and viewers to feel. Whether he’s rattling off the chemical properties of his new line of cannabis oil products, or telling his own compelling life story, including his time in Naval Academy or his experience suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and how cannabis has eased that suffering, his passion comes through loud and clear. Williams hosted The Montel Williams Show from 1991 to 2008. It was often the standard, daytime-talk fare—psychics, battling couples, troubled teens. But, especially in the show’s later years, Williams focused less on covering the typical stories that other shows did. Instead, he featured guests with inspirational stories of overcoming obstacles, lost loves reuniting and parents finding the children they had put up for adoption. After his diagnosis in 1999, he started devoting shows to MS. The show was later canceled
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in 2008. Williams has worn many hats since then: An advocate for veterans, a commercial spokesman, a philanthropist, cannabis advocate and now, a successful cannabis entrepreneur. After his MS diagnosis, Williams became addicted to the opioids he was taking to control his debilitating symptoms, and he even attempted suicide when things were at their worst. In order to get off the opioids that were wrecking his life even worse than the MS, he turned to a more natural solution, cannabis. When asked about his first experience with cannabis, about what it was like, how it made him feel, and how it changed him, he wept. His passion for this medicinal plant went far beyond the perfect speeches and flawless suits. It was clear that cannabis did in fact save his life. Montel’s most recent passion project is Lenitiv Scientific, LLC, a new company specializing in medical cannabis products that has just released its first new line, available in select areas. LenitivLabs offers a range of edibles and concentrates with various ratios of THC and CBD. Williams uses the word “purity” a lot in discussing the development of the product line, which he says is ongoing. “I’m not gonna talk bad about what’s come before,” he says. “But science has now hit the right mark, and we can get this done. And it’s just going to get better. We’re going to keep purifying to the point where the patients are allowed to titrate themselves to the level they need rather than at the level the dispenser or provider thinks is right.” >>
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When were you diagnosed with MS? I was diagnosed in 2000, but it should have been more like 1980, when I was already having miniepisodes. But back then, MS was thought of as a disease of Caucasian women, of Europeans. It was called a “Viking disease.” What were the symptoms like once it got really bad? I had really, really, really, really severe neuropathy, and I had severe cramping and spasticity. My legs would just be kicking and twitching. I’d wake up every 25 minutes. For 10 years, I didn’t get more than an hour-and-a-half, two hours of sleep in a row.
that I got from very expensive Western medications, I get from cannabis. Did you smoke cannabis recreationally, before you were diagnosed with MS? In high school, I dabbled a little bit—it was the ‘70s, man. But then I was in the military and in the government for 22 years, and I got tested all the time. What was your experience when you finally came upon
You were making yourself crazy, looking for relief and looking to get off opioids. How did you discover cannabis? I chased every single one of the opioids there is, and some that you don’t even know about. We consume far more opiates here in the United States of America than anyplace else, most of them consumed illegally. Why do we do all that? Because we are inundated from birth to death with ads that tell you, “There’s something wrong with you, take a pill.” I’m convinced that the same amount of relief
Soothing Science
Montel Williams demonstrates the purity behind Lenitiv Scientific’s premiere line of medicalgrade cannabis products at a recent demonstration. As a passionate celebrity who has personally suffered from Multiple Sclerosis throughout his adult life, Williams is dedicated to ensuring LenitivLabs’ products, such as CO2 Extracted PURE Refined Oils and Pure All Natural Mini Shot Drinks, are made with top-quality cannabis and no harmful additives. These products are now available throughout California and will expand to other legal cannabis states in the future. photos by Mike Rosati
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cannabis as a source of relief for your MS? I don’t want to go too deep into some things, but taking opioids does all kinds of horrible things to your body. Like, to your intestinal tract. It was a nightmare. It’s supposed to make you feel better, and all it does is make you drool in the corner and wonder why your shit still hurts. It was time to stop. I went to the doctor after my second suicide attempt and said, “I gotta do something about this; it ain’t working.” He said to me, “I know some people, but I didn’t just tell you that. [And if you say I told you this], I will tell everybody that you are a liar, that I never said that.” So, how did you obtain cannabis, and how did it go when you did? In 2001, I flew to L.A. from New York, where I taped my show. L.A. had a legal program. And immediately, I was in the culture. And maybe six months into it, I started eating [cannabis]. This was before we had all these products we have now, so it was just, like, cupcakes. Then I started cooking in my kitchen. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I started making these poppy seed muffins. I haven’t gone a day without cannabis in 17 years. About 20 of those days, I’ve been on Marinol, unfortunately, because I was traveling to places where I didn’t want to get my hands cut off. Marinol is terrible. Somebody should shut that business down. Or leave it up, but just for people who need cover. But when you first started smoking, to get off opioids ... Let me tell you something: For the first month, I was rolling joints. That went out the window. The second two weeks, I was sticking it into a pipe. That went out the window. >>
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“. . . science has now hit the right mark, and we can get this done. And it’s just going to get better. We’re going to keep purifying to the point where the patients are allowed to titrate themselves to the level they need rather than at the level the dispenser or provider thinks is right.”
Was smoking cannabis working for you? Oh, yeah. But it was destroying my lungs. I went to Vancouver and got a Volcano. I got off the leaf to go to the kief. Let’s see, this was in 2002, I think, when I got a vaporizer. What was it like for you when you first started using cannabis? Was it, like, a revelation, or . . . ? Let me tell you something. Revelation— um—I’m trying to say without, uhhh . . . I’ve been crying all damned day, so I’m tired of crying. I’m not gonna do it anymore. “Revelation” is an understatement. So the difference was pretty much instantaneous? When I hit the right spot, yes. It took about three months of getting my saturation level up, to stop being high, and start getting relief. Now, I have it fined-tuned to the point where if I wake up in the middle of the night with pain, I go in the bathroom—I’ve got five pens in there, and I know which is which in the dark. Bang, I’m back to sleep. I’ve got it all dialed in, absolutely. c
+ www.lenitivlabs.com
SAY WHAT!?
“While researchers wait for marijuana to study whether it helps with PTSD, plenty of veterans will tell you it absolutely does.” - John Oliver, Host of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
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“Legalizing marijuana has already created thousands of fulltime jobs, and it’s raised hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue, a lot of which has gone toward public schools.” - Trevor Noah, Host of The Daily Show
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“Research is indicating that CBD-rich strains of the plant actually have anti-tumoral properties. Because the U.S. government classifies marijuana as having no medical value, the clinical research has been blocked.” - Ricki Lake, Former Host of The Ricki Lake Show, Filmmaker of Weed the People
“U.S. marijuana sales might top $2.3 billion this year. I’m not saying I support it. I’m just saying it’s now available in the Ellen Shop.” - Ellen DeGeneres, Host of The Ellen Show
“I just feel like once the government stops the lie the rest of us will be better for it—and the lie is that [cannabis is] a ‘gateway drug.’” - Whoopi Goldberg, Co-Host on The View
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A Better Life with Hemp Hemp is one of the most nutritious and renewable plants on the planet and is often overlooked—here are some great ways to easily add hemp into your life
FOOD
We all want to be healthier, have longer lives and get the nutrition our body needs and deserves, but figuring out exactly how to do that can be expensive and difficult.
by Evan Senn Hemp is one of the most versatile plants on our planet, and in addition to being a perfect protein, hemp can be used as a great renewable and strong source for any paper products, environmentally-friendly plastic substitutes and a clean-burning fuel source. If you don’t have access to hemp products or food, or you aren’t quite sure how to infuse your life with hemp, we’re here to help. In honor of Hemp History Week this month (June 5-11), we have put together a list of different ways you can utilize the many nutrients and benefits that hemp offers for your diet and lifestyle.
Relying on other people’s products and the availability of said products can be costly and hard to find, leaving us disappointed and under-nourished. Depending on where you live, you could
have great access to hemp products and foods, and if you do have that access, there is no reason why your whole life shouldn’t be infused with hemp in many different ways.
Hemp Seeds he seeds from hemp plants are versatile and tasty delights. Hemp seeds are rich in protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega 6, omega 3 and insoluble fiber. They are a good source of tocopherols (vitamin E antioxidants). They’re also packed with minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium and phosphorus, plus micro-elements like strontium, thorium and
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Hemp Oil emp oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, which is converted to the protective hormone prostaglandin PGE1, which helps regulate hormonal balance (and supports menopausal health). Hemp oil can help lower cholesterol; it can help moderate blood sugar levels, prevent psoriasis, boost immunity, and it can even prevent varicose veins.
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Hemp oil is a great to use whenever you’re in need of making a salad dressing, an infused oil for dipping (rosemary, garlic, chili or shallot-infused oils are easy and tasty for dipping breads), or lightly sautéing vegetables in. It is not recommended for high heat though, as the high temperatures can denature the unsaturated fats of hemp oil and turn them into saturated fats. >>
chromium. Both the complete protein and the oils contained in hemp seeds (rich in lanolin and linolenic acids) are in ideal ratios for optimum human nutrition. You can eat them raw (hulled), roasted like nuts, or you can use them to make other things! You can use blended hemp seeds to make hemp cream, hemp seed cheeses, mayonnaise, pesto sauce, Alfredo sauce, non-dairy sour cream or even a creamy and nutty butter.
Hemp Milk rganic hemp milk is also a great alternative to cow’s milk. In just one ounce of hemp milk, you get vitamins A, B12, D, E, Folic Acid, magnesium, iron, 4 grams of digestible protein, potassium, zinc, riboflavin, phosphorous, 900mg of omega 3, 2800mg of omega 6, all 10 essential amino acids and 46 percent of your daily allowance of calcium—all with no cholesterol. You can use hemp milk as a milk replacement in all baking and cooking, in your tea or coffee, or even in your cereal. Hemp milk is a quick nut milk to make because unlike almonds or
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cashews, hemp seeds don’t need to be soaked before blended. All you need is one cup hemp seeds (also called hearts or shelled hemp nuts), three-to-four cups filtered water, one tablespoon coconut oil (optional), two tablespoons Stevia or agave, one-half a tablespoon of organic vanilla powder and a pinch of sea salt. In a high-speed blender, add hemp seeds and water, and blend on high until fully liquefied. Using a cheesecloth or milk bag, strain into a wide glass bowl, and discard the hemp fibers (or keep for cheese-making later) from the bag, and pour the milk back into a clean blender.
Hemp Protein emp protein powder is a common powder sold at health food stores and can be a great addition to shakes and baked goods. You can also find hemp protein bars, and hemp seed snacks available at most health food stores as well.
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LIFESTYLE No other natural resource offers the potential of hemp. Hemp is capable of producing significant quantities
of paper, textiles, building materials, medicine, paint, detergent, varnish, oil, ink and fuel. Unlike other crops, hemp can grow in most climates and on
most farmlands throughout the world with moderate requirements. Look no further for creative ways to incorporate hemp into your everyday lifestyle.
Hemp Clothing emp clothing absorbs and releases perspiration quickly and breathes well, making it ideal for a textile in clothing. Hemp clothing absorbs dye easily, retains color well, holds up to repeated washings (never needing dry cleaning), and also is naturally
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anti-microbial. It is uniquely resistant to mold and mildew, and believe it or not, hemp fabric gets softer the more it’s washed and worn. Many companies all over the world use hemp fabrics, including major brands like Patagonia, Royal Apparel and Barneys New York. >> iReadCULTURE.com
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Cannabis Facial T
etrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids are powerful antioxidants and can aid in cell repair and cellular regeneration. In recent studies, it’s been proven that nonpsychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) is a more powerful antioxidant than vitamins A, C and E. When applied topically to your skin, these antioxidants tackle fine lines and wrinkles with supreme skin conditioning power. THC is also an anti-inflammatory agent and is heavy in omegas, which are essential for moisturizing dull skin.
Consider creating a D.I.Y. hemp-infused facial. All you need is one ripe avocado, one-fourth cup hemp oil, two tablespoons spirulina powder (to kill toxins and brighten skin), several drops of patchouli oil (because this essential oil fights acne and sagging skin) and a blender. Blend until the mixture is creamy, smooth and bright green, and with a steamedcleaned face, apply and sit for at least 15-20 minutes, wash it off and voila! You’re on your way to bright, clean and blissful skin.
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emp seed oil is a fantastic cleansing oil, and is safe to use on sensitive or acne prone skin; it will not clog your pores. Paired with jojoba oil and a little of your favorite essential oil, you’ve got the makings of a natural, healthy cleanser! Jojoba is anti-bacterial and also reduces sebum production in our skin, so it’s a great addition to any cleanser; you can also use safflower oil or evening primrose oil. Facial cleansers with lathering ingredients disrupt the skin’s natural oil balance, which can make dry skin drier and oily skin produce even more oil to compensate. When you use the right types of oils in the right combinations
Hemp Toothpaste H
emp toothpaste can be a really effective and excellent way to care for your teeth. It effectively calms and prevents tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums and minor sores or cracks in the mouth. Making your own toothpaste is cost efficient, healthier than store bought toothpaste and just as effective. To make your own hemp toothpaste, all you need is one-fourth cup of coconut oil, one-fourth cup of hemp oil, two to three tablespoons of baking soda, two small packets of Stevia powder (to
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to cleanse the face, you’ll be able to gently yet effectively cleanse the skin of pore-clogging oils and bacteria while also maintaining moisture balance. Start by massaging the oil into dry skin using circular motions, focusing especially on where pores are clogged or where you’re wearing a bit more makeup than usual. Saturate a clean washcloth with hot tap water, then wring it out and gently remove the oil and the makeup with it. For combination skin, switch to a 1:4 ratio (one part castor oil, four parts carrier oil), and for dry and/or sensitive skin, a 1:10 ratio seems to work best.
add some sweetness to the mix), 1520 drops of peppermint or cinnamon essential oil, and 10 drops of myrrh extract (optional). Mix it all together, and keep it in a cool dry place. There are many other ways to utilize hemp in your lifestyle, and the products available with hemp already in it are vast and varied. You can find fantastic hemp seed shampoos and conditioners, hemp lotions and creams; you can even find after-tattoo care infused with hemp like with brand Ink 20/20. c iReadCULTURE.com
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Best Buds in the Business Professionals in the cannabis industry give insight into how their strategic partnerships ensure success
by Addison Herron-Wheeler
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o r many, running a cannabis company is a dream job. In which other profession does one get to be an entrepreneur, an advocate, a philanthropist and an industry pioneer? When overcoming obstacles and setting new precedents, strategic partnerships between two or more individuals often ensure continued success. There are plenty of cannabis companies that are run by couples, best friends, families and close-knit pairs or groups of like-minded individuals. Outstanding professionals shared with CULTURE how they work together to run a prosperous company and thrive in a competitive market. photo by Timothy White
Whoopi and Maya his California-based company is run by none other than beloved actress Whoopi Goldberg and her extremely successful business partner Maya Elisabeth, a woman known for leading the thriving company Om Edibles. Whoopi and Maya offer cannabis products for menstrual relief, providing an outlet for women who need help in an area that is sometimes embarrassing to talk about. Elisabeth told CULTURE some secrets to how the two women
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work together poetically. “Whoopi is amazing; she is truly inspirational and I look up to her so much,” Elisabeth explained. “I think our partnership is really positive. One of the things we have in common is our business, and also our connection being women.” Not only do both women have a positive attitude, but Elisabeth explained their business ultimately started after they met and hit it off right away. “Being a pair is actually really beautiful because we get along,” Elisabeth said.
Kushmoji olorado entrepreneurs Ben Tyson and Olivia Mannix saw a serious gap in Colorado’s industry that needed to be filled. Marketing and advertising are extremely competitive and move at a fast pace, but because there are so many companies out there, brand recognition and solid associations with companies are hard to come by. That is why buddies Tyson and Mannix decided to work branding into something extremely easy to share—emojis. While similar personalities are one reason some business partners find success, others like Tyson and Mannix find strengths in their differences. “Our relationship is fantastic,
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but intensely complicated, as our personalities and communication styles could not be more different,” Tyson explained to CULTURE. “I regard that in a positive light, though, because our various approaches to problem solving within the business allow us to see things from a variety of angles.” Although they do have many differences and see their relationships as a type of yin and yang balance, over time the two have realized that they may not be as opposite as they once believed. “Ironically, the more we work together, and the more we problem solve together, the more we realize how alike we actually are,” Tyson said. >>
Love’s Oven he idea of cannabis and family values going handin-hand may sound peculiar to some, but it’s prevalence in the cannabis industry cannot be denied. Not only has the plant repaired the lives of many families with sick children, those who recognize its healing properties realize just how beneficial it can be while also bringing loved ones together. At Love’s Oven, Peggy Moore, one of the company’s founding business partners, realizes the importance of community and family. She runs the business along with Tersa Walz, her younger sister, and Joshua and
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Walter Nettles, her two sons. Moore opened up to CULTURE about how the family members are able to keep business problems separate from their family lives. “We’ve certainly had our fair share of business disagreements over the years, but we really set a guideline that we will never allow any business ‘stuff’ to affect our familial relationship,” Moore explained. “A positive that we’ve noticed is the ‘trickle down’ effect of a family-run business, where all employees at Love’s Oven feel like family and really treat each other that way, which makes for a great work environment.”
Our relationship is fantastic, but intensely complicated, as our personalities and communication styles could not be more different. I regard that in a positive light, though, because our various approaches to problem solving within the business allow us to see things from a variety of angles. Kiva Confections lose partnerships are extremely helpful for successful businesses in new and experimental industries, so it makes sense that a married couple who is already committed wholly to one another would make for a great team. Kristi Knoblich married her husband Scott after meeting him in photography school. The two founded Kiva Confections in 2010 from their kitchen at home, with the hopes of making some high-quality edibles for those who need relief. Kristi explained to CULTURE how running a company alongside one’s spouse could be the upmost advantage
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for business and marriage. “Working together has allowed us to spend a lot of time at the office,” Kristi explained. “We joke that it gives us a competitive advantage; anyone who isn’t married to their business partner can’t possibly spend as much time at work and keep a spouse. But seriously, we can accomplish a lot when we are both fully committed to the same goal, which is seeing Kiva succeed.” Together, Kristi and Scott are able to put running a successful business at the top of their priority list, while not allowing their marriage to become neglected as a result. c
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Parental Principles The basics of responsible cannabis consuming parents by Emily Manke
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his time of year, it’s appropriate to consider, discuss and commiserate on the joys and pitfalls of parenting. For those dedicated moms and dads who also happen to be cannabis consumers, parenthood can come with its own special set of challenges. Parenting and consuming cannabis is one of those gray areas that isn’t talked about nearly enough. However, with the stigma surrounding cannabis slowly evaporating, it’s high time we start having the conversation.
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Keep Cannabis Away From Kids “The foster families I license are allowed to have marijuana in their home as long as it is inaccessible to children, per state law,” LeClari says. While this is not necessarily a legal requirement for traditional parents in legal cannabis states, it’s definitely a best practice, and one LeClair and her partner adhere to at home. When not in use, store cannabis in a locked container that kids will not have access to, on the top shelf of your bedroom closet for example. Make sure all cannabis containers are clearly and obviously labeled. For edibles that look like candy, put poison stickers on them if you have young kids in the house. That way in the off chance they do get their hands on them, they’re clued in that what looks like delicious candy, may actually be dangerous.
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Do Not to Use Cannabis in Front of Children Modeling the use of any substance in front of kids can be harmful. By using cannabis in front of your children, you are subjecting them to adult behavior they may not be ready to process. Additionally, LeClair notes, for kids with a trauma history, this may be a trigger for them from their past or in their future. The same goes for alcohol. Additionally, while second-hand smoke
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Can you be a responsible parent and a cannabis consumer? Of course you can. But there are some ground rules you and your parenting partner should set to keep your kids safe and sound. CULTURE talked to foster parent licensor, parent of three kids and cannabis consumer, Cori LeClair, about how to consume, store and deal with cannabis safely and respectfully as a parent. “As a licensor for foster homes, and a parent, safe cannabis use is something that is taken seriously in my home and addressed in my work,” LeClair told CULTURE. When asked how to maintain a safe environment in your home if you’re a cannabis consumer, LeClair had five tips to keep kids safe, while keeping parents in compliance with the law. In all instances, be sure to abide by your respective state and local laws.
from cannabis may not be as harmful as tobacco or other drugs, it’s still not ideal for kids to be exposed to in any capacity.
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Don’t Drive with Your Kids If You’re Under the Influence While this may seem like a no-brainer, it bears repeating. If you plan on consuming cannabis, make sure you will not need to transport any children afterwards. This will require planning ahead. LeClair and her partner always either designate a driver, or make sure they are fine to stay home for the evening before using cannabis with kids in their care. In case of emergency, you can always call a friend or family member, a cab or worst case scenario, an ambulance.
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Make Sure One Parent Stays Alert Enough to Operate in an Emergency For the most part, cannabis doesn’t render a person inebriated enough that they’re incapable of acting in an emergency. That said, with kids involved, you can never be too careful. If you’re trying out a new cannabis product and are unsure how you’ll react, make sure one of you doesn’t partake. Stick to light, predictable cannabis use if you have to care for kids. Otherwise, wait until they are with a grandparent or other guardian for the night.
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Find the Right Time to Talk to Kids About Cannabis When your kids are small, there’s really no need to educate them on cannabis at all unless they ask. Even then, it’s probably best to keep the answers somewhat vague, as to maintain their innocence and to avoid overly piquing their curiosity. So when is the right time to talk to kids about cannabis use? LeClair suggests parents wait until they are ready to have “the drug talk” with their kids. Most professionals suggest parents begin these conversations around sixth or seventh grade, depending on the child. Whether or not you decide to disclose your cannabis use is a personal decision. No matter what you choose to tell your kids, or what rules you decide to impose in your home, a good basic outline for a script regarding cannabis use is that it’s a personal choice that requires being a responsible adult to make, like alcohol.
There’s no one right way to be a parent. Some may choose to abstain from cannabis altogether when they become parents—and more power to them. But for the rest of us, you can take care to keep your kids safe, happy and healthy, and not have to give up everything you enjoyed preparenthood. c
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culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN
by Ed Rosenthal
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started preparing my two-part spring garden in April. The first part was a group of four plants that I was given as small, rooted cuttings. I transplanted them into 6” containers shortly after I received them and had them growing under continuous light from a 400-watt LED for about three weeks. Then I moved them into my small greenhouse. Two weeks after that the roots left their cramped quarters and had filled the container for roomier quarters in fivegallon containers where they doubled in size. Now healthy and thriving, I give the plants four hours of early morning light with 320-watt induction fluorescent lights for about four hours. At 10 a.m. they are carried outside and are placed in the sun close to a wall that reflects the sun back at them. Later in the day that area becomes shady,
so the plants are moved again to another section of the garden that becomes sunny in the afternoon. Then, around 6 p.m. they are placed back in the greenhouse and receive supplemental light until 8 p.m. To keep the plants from flowering and to have them respond quickly when I change the cycle to flowering in late June, I break up the dark period periodically. At night the plants receive light from two four-foot fluorescents for two minutes every hour from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. I accomplished this using a repeating two-dial timer. Sometimes I use plants to test pesticides, so I had a group of plants tested and after the tests were over, they were neglected. There they were, sitting in a tent with lights shining but no water for several weeks. By the time I remembered that they were still there, they were three-quarters dead. I decided to try to save them. First I gave them
some water and started bringing them outside during the day. The next week I set them up in the new moveable space they are now sharing. I’ll describe it from bottom to top. It starts with a moving dolly. A half-inch thick piece of plywood 2’ x 4’ was secured with screws. A rope was attached to the plywood on one of the narrow sides so the unit can easily be pulled. A 9” deep 2’ x 4’ horticultural tray set up with wick systems made from 3/8” braided nylon rope was placed on the dolly. Then I filled it with a mixture of enriched potting soil, coir fiber and homemade compost from kitchen waste and plant material consisting mostly of oak leaves. Next I set the longsuffering plant in place. The two larger plants were placed sideways in the tray with the roots that were at the bottom of the container against the tray side buried half way with the other half
TIP OF THE MONTH Perhaps you or someone you know has some plants that are flowering and are ready to be picked. If some vegetation is left on the plant at picking, and if it is given continuous light, it may regenerate to grow another crop. Feed it vegetative fertilizer, not flowering fertilizer.
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making a mound. Each of the root mounds was then covered with half a potting container cut with a small electric saw. The plants’ stems were long enough to leave the center of the tray bare. That’s where I planted the three small specimens, upright. These plants have a regimen similar to the other plants. They spend evenings in a little tent that is lit with 200 watts of fluorescent lights, then they are wheeled out to spend their days basking in the sun. It’s been a little more than two weeks since they were transplanted and the sideways plants have made the adjustment. They’ve come back to life. c
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The greenhouse plants near the wall get sunlight directly.
In the greenhouse the plants get light in the late afternoon and early evening.
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The plants in the unit are basking in the sun.
The plants wheeled into the tent to have cozy nights and a bit of light.
You can see by the dead leaves that these plants weren’t doing well. They are making a good recovery.
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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Time to Go: June Weather: High 70s, low 50s Budget: $$$$$
if you go:
Pleasantries in Paris With all the blooming flowers and warm weather, Paris softens in June— especially for the millions of cannabis enthusiasts in the City of Light. Yet, June is also the month when Paris feels like it is just starting to rev up for summer’s spirited outdoor energy. Truly, visiting Paris in June is a delight, with the temperatures in the 70s and the throngs of summer tourists not yet at maximum level. This is when locals get out of their tiny apartments and start relaxing as the city’s music, arts and summer festival scenes are jam packed full of some of the year’s best plein air concerts and events. Plus, many cannabis-loving Parisians are still celebrating the win of France’s new President Emmanuel Macron. Although he is not fully into legalization, Macron did promise to ease France’s restrictive possession and smoking laws. This means the French’s “smoke-but-don’t-tell” philosophy not only still applies, but gives medical cannabis patients ever more courage to be forthright about their cannabis consumption. Where do you stay when visiting one of the most expensive cities on the planet?
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Paris hotels can be costly—especially in spring and summer—so millions of visitors to the City of Light choose to live like a local and rent an apartment or rent a living space through online marketplaces and hospitality services. However, renting apartments and living spaces through websites like Airbnb can be dicey. Remember to ask any host in Paris about important details such as noise levels both day and night as well as things most Americans take for granted such as more than one toilet, dishwashing machines and laundry facilities. One of the coolest happenings in Paris this June is the now annual We Love Green Festival, which features folk, pop and electronica music. Held on June 10-11, this year’s eco-friendly We Love Green Festival takes place in the Bois de Vincennes. Rock to the sounds of Cali-French music artist and cannabis activist April King on June 6 for an evening of transcendental hiphop, house and astral jazz featuring French jazz sax master Julien Lourau at the stylish Club Rayé. c
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Paris is home to approximately 1,803 historical and contemporary monuments and over 150 museums. 1
The famous bell that sits atop Notre Dame Cathedral is so heavy that it weighs over 13 metric tons. 2
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There are a total of 10 Statues of Liberty in France, five of which are located in Paris. 3
With France’s new President Emmanuel Macron campaigning to soften cannabis laws, cannabis culture in Paris seems set to get even more enjoyable. C’est vrais: Any form of cannabis is illegal to grow, possess, smoke or ingest, but Parisian authorities mostly look the other way (as long as you consume respectfully and nowhere near police stations, hotels, boutiques, restaurants, cafés, monuments and the like). Also remember, French consumers predominantly smoke hash mixed with tobacco rather than pure flowers. Traditional European spliffs are almost always mixed with tobacco (and sometimes straw), so buyer beware. Still can’t find any meds while in Paris? Use your nose. If you smell it, ask a friendly bartender, musician or just take a stroll along the Seine River. You are more than likely to run into some consumers enjoying a spliff on a warm spring evening with a view of Notre Dame Cathedral.
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Mia Jane
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Age: 30 Condition/Illness: IBS, anxiety and depression. Using Medical Cannabis since: I have been using medical cannabis since around the time I moved to Denver in 2010.
Why did you start using cannabis? Before coming to Colorado, I was very sick. Being so ill, I was unable to hold down a job, or take care of myself. After years of invasive tests, unsuccessful medical advice and growing frustration with my current doctors, I knew I had to seek out something besides pills and the current therapeutic options for my conditions. When I moved to Colorado, I was searching for another way to get better and actually feel better. I adopted a healthier lifestyle, but incorporating cannabis into my self-care regimen was something that made the most noticeable difference. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? I was prescribed an alarming amount of medications from the time my depression and
anxiety began in my teens to my early 20s, when my stomach problems really developed. Being put on numerous cocktails of Rx medications with intense and scary side effects that sometimes were worse than the symptoms was a life I didn’t want to live. I knew I had to find other options, and now I’m happy to say I’m seven years prescription-free. What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? That’s a tough one—there are a lot of important things going on in our government and our community that we need to be aware of as cannabis patients. The one that sticks out the most to me right now is the home grow caps being enforced, and the people who are suffering because of it. What do you say to folks that are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? People who are still skeptical about this plant’s medicinal qualities need only look to what’s happening here in Colorado. There are people’s lives being changed. Families are moving here with children that are sick beyond hope, and they are finding relief with this plant. People with illnesses of all kinds from PTSD to Parkinson’s disease are finding relief with this medicine. c
Are you an MMJ 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
recipes by Keira Fae
Menu: Stuffed Bell Peppers Lemon Bundt Cake Strawberry Lime Smoothie
RECIPES
growing
Chromatic Cuisine
While we await the official start of summer later this month, let’s not forget that “June gloom” can still turn dreams of warm outdoor barbecues into cozy evenings indoors. While the overcast gloom that typically comes with the beginning of this month is drab and gray, there are plenty of ways to liven up your kitchen and your mealtime with these beautifully bright and healthy recipes. Embrace the lively reds of a strawberry smoothie, the radiant greens and oranges of stuffed bell peppers and the sun-bright yellows of a tangy lemon bundt cake. Add a bit of THC or CBD to each dish, and this summer menu will allow you to feel refreshed and ready to tackle the summer fun without being weighed down.
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Directions:
Stuffed Bell Peppers 10mg of THC per pepper Ingredients: 4 bell peppers (any color) 4 tablespoons of olive oil
1 medium zucchini, finely diced
8 teaspoons of Pot d’huile cannabis-infused olive oil t
4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
8 ounces lean ground beef (90:10)
1 cup cooked rice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 onion, finely diced
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1 cloves garlic, chopped
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1 teaspoon paprika 1 cups grated pepper Monterey Jack cheese
Preheat the oven to 350˚ degrees F. Cut the tops off the peppers, finely chop the pepper tops and set aside. Scoop out the seeds and membrane. Place the peppers in a baking dish large enough to hold them upright, cut side up. On medium-high heat, heat the 2 tablespoons of infused olive oil in a large skillet. Add beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook beef for 8-10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to get rid of the excess fat. Wipe skillet with paper towel and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of infused olive oil. Add chopped onion and chopped peppers, 1 to 2 minutes. Add garlic and zucchini and cook for another minute. Add the seeded tomatoes and season with salt, pepper and paprika. Cook until everything is heated through and has softened. Add beef and rice. (Season more if you’d like.) Stir in 1/2 cup of pepper Jack cheese. Turn off the heat once melted. Fill the peppers to the tops each sprinkled with remaining 1/2 cup of pepper Jack. Pour a small amount of water into the bottom of the baking dish and drizzle 1 teaspoon of infused olive oil on top each filled pepper. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover peppers and bake to an additional 10-15 minutes or until peppers are soft. Let cool and serve. t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com
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Lemon Bundt Cake Each ~ 40mg of CBD, per slice 4-5mg CBD Ingredients: Cake:
Icing:
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup powered sugar
Lemon zest
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon juice
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2 cups sugar 1/2 cup CBD infused butter (40mg CBD) t
Candied Blueberries:
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 egg white
1 cup blueberries
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups flour 1 cup milk Directions: Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Add the butter and 2 cups of sugar into a large mixing bowl. On medium speed, blend the mix until smooth. In a separate bowl add the flour, baking powder and salt, and mix well. Set aside. Once the sugar and butter are mixed, add the eggs one-by-one, milk, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest. Add the flour in 1/2 cup increments. Once the batter is smooth pour it into a bundt cake pan and bake it in the oven for 40 minutes, or until it is golden brown. While the cake is baking, it’s time to candy the blueberries. In a small bowl add egg white, cover each blueberry in egg white, coat in sugar and let dry. In a medium bowl and powdered sugar and milk, mix until smooth. Add lemon juice and mix well, then set in fridge. Once the cake is golden brown, let sit until cool, stir the cooled icing and pour over top of bundt cake, add candied blueberries and enjoy!
Strawberry Lime Smoothie Each ~ 10mg of THC per serving Ingredients:
2 cups fresh strawberries, halved
1/2 cup 2 percent milk (can use coconut or almond milk) 2 tablespoons infused coconut oil 20mg THC
1 cup vanilla yogurt (substitute favorite flavor) t
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Directions: In a blender, combine all ingredients; cover and blend until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately. Don’t forget the garnish!
Legal Disclaimer Publishers of this publication are not making any representations with respect to the safety or legality of the use of medical marijuana. The recipes listed here are for general entertainment purposes only, and are intended for use only where medical marijuana is not a violation of state law. Edibles can vary in potency while a consumers’ weight, metabolism and eating habits may affect effectiveness and safety. Ingredient management is important when cooking with cannabis for proper dosage. Please consume responsibly and check with your doctor before consumption to make sure that it is safe to do so.
JUNE 2017 iReadCULTURE.com
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Chuck Shepherd's
News of the
Weird
LEAD STORY—TRAINING DAY u A June 2016 police raid on David Jessen’s Fresno County (California) farmhouse caused a $150,000 mess when sheriff’s deputies and Clovis Police Department officers “rescued” it from a trespassing homeless man— with the massive destruction leading to Jessen’s lawsuit announced in March. The misdemeanant helped himself to an ice cream bar, some milk and half a tomato, but was otherwise “unarmed”; however, by the time the police standoff ended, the “crime scene” included more than 50 cop cars, a SWAT team (and backups), two helicopters, standby ambulances, a police robot, and a crisis negotiation team. Windows, walls and wroughtiron doors were destroyed; tear gas and a “flash bomb” were employed. (Jessen suspects that the farmhouse’s isolation enticed police to decide that it presented an excellent training opportunity.)
COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS u “Pro-choice” activist Jessica Farrar, a Texas state legislator, introduced a bill in March to create consistency between the state’s rigorous regulation of women’s reproductive functions and those of men (regulation which, by the way, in either case she calls “invasive” and “unnecessary”). Because Texas’s anti-abortion laws highlight “procreation” as a crucial government interest, she believes male use of erectile-dysfunction 46
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drugs should be regulated as abortion is. Under her bill, individual use of Viagra or similar drugs must be preceded by “counseling” similar to that required by abortion laws, and since male masturbation involves the “wasting” of precious sperm cells, it, too, would require “beforehand” counseling. CRIME REPORT u At a time of growing awareness that some people seem almost addicted to their cellphones and instant 24/7 communication, police in Brookfield, Wisconsin, released surveillance photos of a woman in the act of robbing banks on March 25 and 27—while standing at teller counters and talking on the phone during the entire episodes. Acting on a tip from the photos, police arrested Sarah Kraus, 33, on March 28. u College activist Pablo Gomez Jr., 22, was arrested in Berkeley, California, in March and charged with the brutal stabbing death of an elementary school teacher. Gomez, a senior at University of California, Berkeley, is well-known on campus for insisting on a gender identity for which (as an example) the pronoun “he” is an inappropriate reference. (Hence, “they” was charged with what is so far the only homicide in Berkeley this year.) u Paul Perry Jr., 39, sound asleep behind the wheel of his car, with motor running, at 6 a.m. on April 2, was in no position to talk his way out of a DUI ticket, but did offer a gentle challenge to the Youngstown, Ohio, police officer. Several times, according to the police report, Perry offered to “thumb wrestle” the officer to get out of the ticket. From the report: “Perry was advised officers would not thumb-wrestle him.”
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