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inside
contents 6.2018
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Nothin’ but Net
As a former NBA champion, Olympian and reality star, Lamar Odom shoots for success with his newest enterprise in the cannabis industry. O n the C O V E R :
P ho t o b y J oh n G i lhoole y
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features 26
Hemp is Life Organizations like the Pennsylvania-based Rodale Institute are running successful hemp research studies.
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Artistic Expression The annual High Art 2018 contest revealed the talents of many artists, including grand prize winner Mike Oncley, whose passion for cannabis knows no bounds.
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departments 08 Letter from the Editor news 10 News Nuggets 11 By the Numbers 12 Local News 14 Legal Corner reviews 16 Strain & Concentrate Reviews 18 Cool Stuff 19 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 34 À La Carte 36 Growing Culture 38 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! d Thomas Jefferson University Opens Cannabis Patient Registry d Thailand Discusses Loosening Laws on Cannabis
Vol 9 IssUE 12
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Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Hilary Bricken, Devon Alexander Brown, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Caroline Hayes, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Carl Kozlowski, Emily Manke, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly R. Simms, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf Photographers Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner, Bruce Wolf Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Michelle Aguirre Graphic Designer John Venegas Associate Publisher & Bob Waters Advertising Director Account Executives Rebecca Bermudez, Alex Brizicky, Angie Callahan, Molly Clark, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Rocki Davidson, Matt Knuth, Casey Roel, Rick Schwartz, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza office manager Mikayla Aguilar Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla INTERNS Cole Graves, Cecilia Juarez Publisher David Comden
Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 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
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EDITOR
Safety in Sportsmanship
Justin Timberlake “The only thing pot does for me is it gets me to stop thinking. Sometimes I have a brain that needs to be turned off. Some people are just better high.”
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BA Playoffs, World Series, Super Bowl Sunday and March Madness— chances are you’re familiar with most of these sports terms, and for good reason. Sports are a pivotal part of the American lifestyle. So, while cannabis consumption continues to gain popularity across the “Land of the Free,” it’s unfortunate that most professional sports leagues are still hesitant to accept the plant’s medicinal value. Cannabis serves as a substance for recreation, and it’s also a plant that provides us with wellness. Every day there are more and more individuals ditching dangerous substances like opioids and alcohol in favor of this greener and nonlethal alternative. However, many professional sports players are still prescribed dangerous and addictive opioids to deal with their sportsrelated injuries, while cannabis remains a banned substance in most American professional sports leagues. Brave heroes of pro sports, both active and retired, are coming forward to express the benefits they’ve received from cannabis. Veteran National Football League (NFL) running back Mike James was the first player to request a “therapeutic use exemption” for cannabis in March. His story aired in a Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s CNN series entitled “Weed 4: Pot vs. Pills.” James bravely shared how he depended on prescribed opioids to manage chronic pain following sportsrelated injuries, which led to numerous surgeries. He shared how he was able to discontinue his use of opioids in favor of medical cannabis, which ultimately provided him a safer alternative for pain relief. Unfortunately, the NFL leadership was not receptive to his powerful story, denying his request for an exemption in late April. Despite the setbacks, many retired professional athletes continue to lead the charge in demanding sports leagues embrace the medicinal benefits of cannabis. CULTURE’s cover story this month focuses on none other than Lamar Odom, who didn’t hesitate to discuss how his new line of cannabis products can help others 8
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on their road to recovery, much like cannabis did for him years ago. The connection between sports and cannabis is now stronger than ever. As cannabis continues to be an important topic on Capitol Hill and supported by pro athletes in all leagues, it will be interesting to see if sports leadership will finally embrace the medicinal benefits of cannabis, once and for all. Either way, we remain poised to continue fighting for our human right to consume this miraculous plant. c Cheers!
Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief
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NEWS
nuggetS
Michigan Senate Bans Cannabis-infused Beers The Michigan Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 0969 on May 17. This bill bans the possession and sale of cannabis-infused beer, wine and liquor. Former Eaton County Sheriff, Sen. Rick Jones, sponsored the bill after hearing word of beer companies like Blue Moon Brewing Company venturing into the cannabis industry in other states. “Bar owners and bartenders have said that this would be a recipe for disaster,” Sen. Rick Jones said in a press release. “They have enough trouble judging intoxication levels now without
adding the element of marijuana—especially when you consider that marijuanainfused foods can take an hour to kick in.” Michigan’s legalization proposal clearly wouldn’t allow cannabis products to be sold at bars, but lawmakers still mentioned “bar owners” in the press release. Even though Jones opposes recreational cannabis, he is aware of recent polling and expects Michigan’s latest recreational cannabis initiative to pass in November.
Lansing Officials Approve Two Cannabis Businesses After receiving a total of 149 license applications for provisioning centers, processors, secure transporters, growers and safety compliance facilities, two have been approved so far in the city of Lansing, as of late May. Specifically, one safety compliance facility license and one secure transporter license were approved. The Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation (BMMR) explained delays that affect the licensing process could be attributed to prospective licensees. “The process to move an application through to the Medical
Arizona Governor Signs Bill to Legalize Industrial Hemp Cultivation Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona signed legislation on May 14, which allows farmers to cultivate industrial hemp. Senate Bill 1098 allows cultivators, harvesters, processors and transporters to obtain a state license from the Arizona Department of Agriculture, which will oversee the program. Farmers will be able to harvest hemp up to four times per year, thanks to Arizona’s sunny
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Marihuana Licensing Board is a lengthy one,” the BMMR stated. “When a staff member from BMMR reaches out to applicants for additional information—or to advise of the next steps to take—it is important that applicants respond quickly and accurately so their application is not unnecessarily delayed.” Many more license applications could be approved soon, including another secure transporter license, 15 grower facilities and 14 processing facilities. Eighty-five applications have been submitted for provisioning centers, but 20 have already been denied.
climate. That could translate to 1,500 pounds of hemp per acre, according to estimates. “This bill opens Arizona to the possibility of a new agricultural product,” Gov. Ducey stated. “I’m glad to sign a bill that could have a positive economic impact for the state.” Ducey vetoed previous attempts to allow hemp cultivation due to the planned program’s lack of a funding source. Under the new law, anyone caught violating licensing requirements will be subject to strict penalties.
The number of additional medical conditions that are being considered by The Medical Marihuana Review Panel as qualifiers for medical cannabis consumption: (Source: MLive.com)
22
The number of medical cannabis business licenses that have been approved by the city of Lansing, as of mid-May: (Source: WKAR)
2
The number of medical cannabis business license applications that have been submitted for prequalification in Michigan, as of April 27: (Source: MLive.com)
The percentage of Michigan voters who support having a recreational cannabis legalization initiative on the ballot: (Source: Michigan State University for Public Policy and Social Research)
61
459
The projected number of people who are expected to be employed in the United States cannabis industry by 2025: (Source: Desert Sun)
630,000
The percentage of American cannabis consumers who said they would vote to legalize cannabis in their home state: (Source: PSB Research)
90
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that was collected in gross product sales of Kentuckybased hemp: (Source: Courier-Journal)
16.7
The number of patients on Florida’s medical cannabis state registry as of May 11: (Source: Florida Department of Health)
108,981
Cannabis Cup Michigan WHEN: Sat, June 9-Sun, June 10 WHERE: Auto City Speedway, 10205 N Saginaw Rd., Clio WEBSITE: www.cannabiscup.com Michigan, are you ready? High Times is returning with its fifth annual Cannabis Cup Michigan, which will once again be celebrating at the Auto City Speedway in Clio. This twoday event will be one of the biggest cannabis events in the Midwest, drawing thousands of cannabis enthusiasts from all over Michigan. Qualified medical cannabis patients will have an opportunity to test out new strains of cannabis and the
hottest products, while dispensaries show off their wares. Cannabis Cup is one of the world’s best known competitive cannabis competitions with multiple categories including best indica, sativa and hybrid strains, as well as category awards for edibles and concentrates, too. Reciprocity applies at this event, and any states’ medical cannabis recommendation is accepted upon entry. (Cecilia Juarez) CultureMagazine.com
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NEWS
LOCAL
Making the Distinction
L A R A a n n o u n c e s t h at a l l C B D s a l e s w i l l b e r e g u l at e d s i m i l a r ly t o m e d i c a l c a n n a b i s
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By Benjamin M. Adams
ust as Michigan medical cannabis business owners thought they had encountered every major regulatory hurdle—from new licensing fees to collective closures—the ruling body threw them another curveball. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) released an advisory bulletin on May 11, indicating that all cannabidiol (CBD) sales would be regulated under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA) and the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA). “The possession, purchase, or sale of marihuana or any marihuana product—including CBD—must be done in compliance with the MMMA and MMFLA,” LARA officials wrote in the bulletin. LARA spokesman David Harns told The Associated Press that CBD has never been specifically addressed before by the board’s licensing procedure. Dozens of vendors across Michigan stock up on CBD products and have operated in the past without too much trouble. Some of them didn’t expect to be regulated by LARA. But CBD vendors in the area aren’t letting the swirling rumors define their next move. Mother Earth Natural Health has two locations in Shelby Township and New Haven, and it is one of the largest CBD suppliers in the state. “Mother Earth Natural Health, with two retail stores located in Macomb County, 12
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Michigan, specializes in third party tested hemp-derived products, as well as whole food vitamins, organic supplements, essential oils and Himalayan salt products,” Arianna Welsh, co-owner of Mother Earth Natural Health, told CULTURE. “In our many conversations this week, we have found that the vast majority of the concern about the bulletin has not been with the residents of the state and as much as it has been from the store owners,” Welsh stated. “It was explained by a representative from LARA on May 18 that nothing has actually changed and that the bulletin was just a clarification to answer questions for the new medical marihuana licensing program that the State of Michigan is establishing.” Welsh runs the business alongside her brother, Tory. Welsh earned a certification in Natural Health & Healing from Jade Bloom University and regularly creates essential oil blends. Together they have explored how CBD is treated in Michigan and in other states. Industrial hemp and cannabis are both defined under as being derived from cannabis sativa, according to Michigan’s Public Health Code. “The Michigan Public Health Code explains the difference between industrial hemp and marihuana,” Welsh said. “According to the Michigan Public Health Code Act 368 of 1978, industrial hemp means the plant cannabis sativa l. and any part of the plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” On a federal level, The Agricultural Act of 2014, which is also referred to as The 2014 Farm Bill, mandates that hemp-derived products originate from a state-approved research program. Welsh shared that many CBD suppliers already operate under this mandate. “Many products found in local health retailers are either produced under the guidelines of the [2014 U.S Farm Bill] and are part of a specific state-approved research program (usually Colorado or Kentucky). It seems like what LARA did in a positive way to clarify the issues have been taken way out of context and proved to cause even more confusion.” According to Welsh, the announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise. Welsh invited consumers to avoid being dissuaded by the confusion and uncertainty caused by regulatory changes. c
Peacefest Art & Music Festival Returning once again is the 10th annual Peacefest Art & Music Festival, which features over 100 artists on display along with performances from 12 local bands. This year’s featured musician is Itchyoo Park, who will appear alongside many other local bands. Beer tents will be provided by Clarkson Cultural Arts and Parker’s Hilltop Brewery of Clarkson, with other vendors carrying everything from handmade jewelry and ceramics to unique apparel. The best part is that the event is free and open to everyone, so bring your friends to enjoy a day full of entertainment. It’s not a bad idea to expose yourself to some fine culture and appreciate local visual and performing arts. (Cecilia Juarez) WHEN: Sat, June 9-Sun, June 10 WHERE: L.A. Cafe, 5815 Dixie Hwy., Waterford Township WEBSITE: facebook.com/ peacefestfestival
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NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
Failure to Launch
Michigan’s business environment remains hostile to cannabis businesses By Denise Pollicella
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nyone who has ever owned a business has dealt with the everyday administrative drudgery of running it, and has likely taken all of the associated support mechanisms for granted. From payroll companies to employee temp agencies, to insurance brokers and credit card processing services, the support available to businesses today is not only a matter of convenience, but has become, in many cases, essential. Imagine doing it all— paying vendors and employees, applying for insurance, taking out advertisements—without a credit card, or even a checking account. Yet this is the reality for Michigan’s cannabis business start-ups. Nearly two years after the passage of the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA), Michigan has made little progress in providing the infrastructure or support required to give the medical cannabis industry its best chance at success. To be clear, we are not just talking about the state, but about the larger business community that has yet to embrace the cannabis industry as an economic partner. While it was hoped that cannabis would have legal status under federal law before Michigan’s commercial regulated industry was underway, it is not just the federally-insured banking 14
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deposit restrictions that are creating the difficulties. It is hard to find general liability insurance, and nearly impossible to find a title insurance company to handle your real estate transaction. Although accountants somehow received protections in the MMFLA and lawyers did not, qualified accountants willing to take on cannabis industry clients remain scarce. Vendors and service providers continue to be the most disappointing, however. Companies like Facebook and PayPal continue to ban this industry despite its popularity and obvious willingness to spend money, and not too many capable cannabis-friendly support businesses have made an appearance. Where are Michigan’s payroll companies and credit unions? It is not just the businesses themselves that are being shunned. Cannabis facility employees are being turned away from banks and mortgage companies, and landlords are facing all of the same old challenges, along with some new unexpected ones. A small rash of civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) actions has infected Colorado and Massachusetts, in which owners of property abutting licensed cannabis facilities are suing the license-holders, property owners and their financial institutions under the RICO statutes for treble damages and attorney
“ N e a r ly t w o years after the passage of the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA), Michigan has made little progress in providing the infrastructure or support required to give the medical cannabis industry its b e s t c h a n c e at success.”
fees. This has had a chilling effect on Michigan banks, lenders and municipalities who fear these suits may soon appear in our state. Unfortunately, Michigan’s climate is that much worse because of the past nine years of unregulated dark ages that starved the industry of capita. Instead of using the MMFLA as an opportunity to provide a platform upon which to build these companies, Michigan has instead created a more onerous and hostile regulatory climate than nearly any other state, and done little to protect this nascent industry from peril. This collective lack of infrastructure support and continued criminal and civil exposure has made the climb into the light a much slower and more expensive one for Michigan cannabis companies already faced with the standard set of daunting challenges facing any new business. For a state virtually created out of industrial innovation, agricultural prowess and small businesses initiative, it’s a crushingly disappointing start. c
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REVIEWs
strain & concentrate
CBD Capsules Capsules are a phenomenal option for patients who are looking for medical relief but would rather not inhale smoke or vapor. Patients have said that CBD Capsules offer non-psychoactive relief for ailments such as chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety and nausea. As demonstrated in several scientific reports, CBD has effects that may inhibit cancer cell migration, adhesion and invasion. Studies and patients share that regular CBD regimens may help reduce seizures. Each of these capsules by ArborSide Delights contains 50mg of CBD. Although there are no psychoactive effects, it’s always best to take one at a time before increasing dosage. Everyone has someone in their life they wish would make the switch to cannabis. Keep this kind of product in mind when manifesting peaceful and encouraging discussions with loved ones.
Available at: People’s Choice Alternative Medicine in Ann Arbor.
GMO Cookies This indica-dominant hybrid (90/10) has a wonderful combination of effects and traits borrowed from its parents Chemdawg and Girl Scout Cookies. The Chemdawg lineage presented itself with a sharp diesel fuel aroma and lingered with cerebral and body effects, while the Girl Scout Cookies parentage provided a hint of earthy cookie-kush sweetness. Testing at 32 percent THC, patients have noted sincere relief for symptoms associated with chronic pain, nausea and appetite loss. This particular phenotype formed with long finger-like calyxes and mere hints of purple hues peeking from beneath a dusting of trichomes, which was squished between mostly green leaves.
Blueberry Sauce The appearance of medicine is changing in the cannabis marketplace. With Blueberry Sauce, chunky crystals swim in a pool of “sauce” that is a result of live resin being aged and cured. Other processes in cannabis production include curing at the plant stage, which can have a destructive impact on the terpenes. These diamond-like crystals, however, are actually higher in THC content, and the sauce possesses a higher terpene content, as well as a vibrant combination of a fruitycitrus and pine-like floral scent. Blueberry Sauce by Hashmandu have been reported to offer full-bodied relief to patients looking to alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety, arthritis, chronic pain, insomnia, muscle spasms and nausea. Consume responsibly and strategically, as heavy relaxation is just a dab away.
Available at: Motown Meds in Detroit.
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Available at: ArborSide in Ann Arbor.
Available at: Herbal Solutions in Ypsilanti.
Dip N Dots Play your guessing game with genetics, because this one appears to be a proprietary strain. Dip N Dots is incredibly dense, through and through. Plentiful in orange hairs and a variety of light, medium and dark green leaves—the deepest of green hues appear to be somewhat blue. Dip N Dots’ pungent terpene profile speaks gently, but with much complexity. Gassy, floral and subtle fruity notes will surely tease the brain into associating the lineage with something you may have experienced before. Test results share that this strain contains 25 percent THC and 0.05 percent CBD. Reviewers noted that this strain may be beneficial in alleviating chronic pain and for appetite stimulation.
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REVIEWs
3
1. All Things Hemp 3 Pack Beard Oil, Balm & Stash Wax by Beard of God™ Men, do you have trouble finding that perfect product for your beloved beards? Beards of God™ is here “to help men groom and maintain their mainly beards” with high quality ingredients. The All Things Hemp 3 Pack Beard Oil, Balm & Stash Wax comes with hemp-infused organic Beard Oil, hemp-infused Beard Balm and wax for your mustache. All-natural ingredients like organic and certified Kosher hemp seed oil, as well as other nutritional oils and vitamin E, will prevent your beard from becoming brittle and dry. This is the perfect gift for any hygiene aficionado in your life, but especially for dads who rock an awesome beard. Price: $34 More Information: www.beardofgod.com 2. Orbit Bluetooth Key Tracker Let’s admit it. We all misplace our phones and keys from time to time. How many times have you searched the couch and every surface of your house for your car keys or your phone? Now just imagine all that extra time you could all be saving if you had an Orbit Bluetooth Key Tracker. Stop endlessly searching for your keys or cell phones, and find your misplaced items quickly with the touch of a button—this device makes losing precious valuables a thing of the past. The Orbit Bluetooth Key Tracker is small, affordable and comes in a variety of colors. Price: $24.99 More Information: findorbit.com/orbit_us 18
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3. Hemp Backpack Made from 100 percent certified organic hemp, this backpack is made from the same hemp as the world-famous Hemp Wick Bee Line. This design is not only functional but fashionable as well, making it one of the best hemp backpacks on the market. This organic hemp backpack is filled with plenty of compartments as well as stash pockets for your valuables. With two adjustable padded shoulder straps, along with a single side water bottle pocket, get ready to take this backpack on all your outdoor adventures. The backpack is available in three different colors—Desert Tan, Oregon Green and Midnight Black. Price: $109 More Information: hempwickbeeline.com
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4. Stone Drink Dispenser Many of us enjoy our favorite drink on the rocks, but now you can enjoy it from the rock—in the literal sense. The Stone Drink Dispenser allows whiskey enthusiasts to enjoy their own little keg dispenser that not only looks cool, but makes pouring another round of drinks even easier. Designed by Jeff Henderson, this item is the ideal gift to accompany a bottle of booze for your thirstiest of friends (or fathers). This particular handmade unit is designed in New Hampshire and made from natural New England coastal stones. It can also be paired with a matching stone lever to boot. Price: $45-$153 More Information: www.uncommongoods.com
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REVIEWs
entertainment
BOOK
Cannabis Pharmacy: The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana Michael Backes Pub. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers This revised and updated edition of Cannabis Pharmacy: The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana serves as a vital tool to those who would like to better understand the relationship between cannabis and the endocannabinoid system within our bodies. From clarifying the various functions of our endocannabinoid systems to better understanding cannabis consumption in general, this guide is especially helpful to those new to medical cannabis. Readers will be given practical tools to best prepare cannabis and administer it, which includes understanding the intricacies of dosage and titration. (Jacob Cannon)
Release Date: JUNE 15 Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC
GAME
LEGO The Incredibles Dev. Traveller’s Tales Pub. Warner Bros. Film-related LEGO® games have had an incredible run since the first game was released in 2001. So it’s no surprise that Disney is finally bringing its superhero movie franchise, The Incredibles, to join in on the fun. This game is full of everything you would expect, including countless LEGO® bricks, nonstop action, plenty of puzzles—plus, it’s available in both single player and twoplayer co-op modes. LEGO The Incredibles comes with content from the first film, as well as the new film that will be released later this month, so there’s plenty of gameplay to go around. (Nicole Potter)
MOVIE
Black Panther Dir. Ryan Coogler Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures In this age of superhero movie saturation, it can be hard to figure out which films will stand up as all around good science fiction movies, and which are essentially just bloated tributes to excessive budgets, explosions and computer special effects. Black Panther easily makes that leap into the realm of fantastic science-fiction and adds itself to an extremely short list of superhero films that transcend the genre. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, (Creed, Fruitvale Station) the film brings to life the classic Stan Lee/Jack Kirby created Marvel hero, Black Panther, and his fictional African home of Wakanda and makes it one of the most fully fleshed-out, immersive universes created yet. (Simon Weedn)
MUSIC
7 Beach House Sub Pop Records Three years since its last release, Beach House has returned with one of the most consistent, focused and beautiful records of its career with 7. Rife with all of the lush, shimmery texture expected from a Beach House record, 7 still sees the band pushing its sound in new directions and working with firmer, tougher sounds and arrangements. These qualities give 7 a definition and a flow that is equal parts interesting and gorgeous. Instead of being content wandering through an exquisite fog or drifting through a sparkling expanse, 7 feels like Beach House taking us by the hand and leading us somewhere incredible. (Simon Weedn)
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“One of my favorite strains is the OG Kush; it helps with my anxiety.”
Photo by John Gilhooley
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How Lamar Odom turned adversity and tragedy into success in the cannabis world By David Edmundson
L
amar Odom has held several monikers—basketball phenom, National Basketball Association (NBA) champion, Olympian and most recently survivor, but he is adding a new title to his resume—cannabis entrepreneur. CULTURE sat down with the retired champ to discuss basketball, his miraculous recovery and his thoughts on the cannabis landscape. Odom’s life has been a dichotomy of good and bad since he was a kid. As a youth, he was a basketball standout, but his childhood was marred by the death of his mother at the age of 12, and his father’s ongoing addiction to drugs.
In spite of these early tragedies, Odom became a talented basketball player in high school. He was recognized twice as a Parade All-American when he was a junior and senior and was named Parade Player of the Year in his senior year. After a brief stint in college, Odom was selected fourth overall in the 1999 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. The following year, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. However, in 2001 Odom was suspended for violating the NBA Drug Policy. He was suspended a second time the following season for the same infraction. Following his suspension, he admitted to consuming cannabis. In 2004, Odom traded Clipper red for Laker gold. During his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Odom won back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. He was also bestowed the coveted NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award for his efforts in 2011. During his time on the Lakers, Odom began to repair his relationship with his father, who was now drug-free. Shortly after playing with the Lakers, Odom experienced tragedy yet again with the death of his cousin, with whom Odom was close. Exacerbating the situation, Odom was the passenger in a vehicle that struck and killed a teenage cyclist. The motor accident occurred one day after laying his cousin to rest. After these tragedies, Odom played for the Dallas Mavericks for one season before returning to the Clippers for the final season of his NBA career. During his career in Los Angeles, Odom also appeared on a number of reality shows and grew a large fandom off the court. Of course, with newfound notoriety comes the perils of living life in the spotlight. He was addicted to drugs and suffered from terrible anxiety. Odom was found unresponsive and slipped into a coma in 2015. After several days, the former NBA star woke up. However, his recovery would be arduous. It was during this time that Odom began to focus on natural healing and cannabis. His quest for health led him to partner with Camp Green to form Rich Soil Organics and to make high-grade, organic cannabis products. CultureMagazine.com
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As a basketball standout from a young age, did sports function as an escape mechanism for your traumatic youth? It definitely did, 100 percent. Sports was like a parent to me. It kept me straight and on the right path. It made all my dreams come true. What did sports teach you early on? It taught me everything about teamwork, what it takes to be a good teammate. I’ve always considered myself a great teammate. I always took pride in that. You played in the NBA for 13 years and won two championships. You also represented your country in the 2004 Olympics. Was one more special than the other? I think they went handin-hand. I grew up always paying attention to the Olympics, and that was a special moment. The opening ceremonies are something I’ll never forget. Just like I’ll never forget winning those two championships with the Lakers, but they run neckand-neck. I wouldn’t put one in front of the other. How was it playing for the Olympics with different teammates? At the end of the day it was the worlds’ teams competing, so we were representing America, so it meant a lot to me to be on that team. You describe yourself as a “walking miracle.” How has cannabis helped you in your personal life? It helped me regain my motor skills. After I woke up from my coma, I couldn’t walk or talk, and I think
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marijuana helped me with my motor skills. Of course, it helps with pain, and I was addicted to drugs as well. It has helped my recovery out a lot as well. Several NBA players have come out recently supporting cannabis. Did you hear a lot about cannabis consumption when you played in the league? Not really. I mean I think guys smoked, but of course when we weren’t in season. But now that it’s becoming a big business, a lot of players are trying to take advantage of the business aspects and of course helping people. I want to help people if I can. Do you think you ever played with or against someone under the influence of cannabis? Did you ever play under the influence? I did consume cannabis during my career. It was the wrong decision, because I was suspended for smoking marijuana. I think that rules will be changed in the NBA soon. I think they’ve come to terms that it’s not unhealthy, like some other drugs. You played during David Stern’s reign as commissioner of the NBA, where he enacted very strict anti-cannabis rules. Recently though, he has come out in support of removing cannabis from the restricted list. Did you notice a change in cannabis’ perception from when you entered the lead, compared to when you left? Well I think in America as a whole, I think marijuana is definitely more socially acceptable. Just overall, in general.
Photos by JuanMarquis “Jay” Johnson | Location: SCSA South Coast Safe Access
“I found that I could help my anxiety through the use of certain strains of marijuana, as opposed to Xanax or other things that had opiates in it.”
Elite athletes are under a lot of scrutiny. Do you foresee a future where cannabis is something that’s not tested for and is no longer banned? I hope so. I hope it gets to the point to where it’s not even a slap on the wrist, and no big deal. Plus, they need it for the pain and for the recovery. I don’t think they’re using it just to get stoned, because they need to be active during the day for professional reasons. I’d recommend them a good strain of Rich Soil’s sativa; that’ll keep ’em up. You have recently gotten into the cannabis business arena. Can you tell me about your partnership with Camp Green, Rich Soil Organics? I had a mutual friend who approached me about Camp Green. They were growing organically, which is very clean. But it wasn’t something I just jumped into. We got to know each other, the whole team. We’re a minority-owned company, and we got to know each other to see if we clicked, businesswise. And from that point on, it has been working pretty good. I read a lot of studies on the power of natural healing. I found that I could help my anxiety through the use of certain strains of marijuana, as opposed to Xanax or other things that had opiates in it.
Do you find that cannabis has allowed you to overcome your anxiety and make better decisions in life? One-hundred percent. As the world saw, I was in rehab. It took a lot of time for me heal. During my recovery, I did a lot of research into the healing properties of cannabis. I suffer from really bad anxiety, and that anxiety led me to make terrible life-changing decisions off the court. My decision-making was terrible, because I was so anxious. One of my favorite strains is the OG Kush; it helps with my anxiety. Was it important for you that the company you partnered with is an organic grower? Yes, I want to help people, not hurt them with poor quality products [that are] full of chemicals. Photo by John Gilhooley
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Is it equally important being a minority-owned company? Yes, it’s time for change in every which way in America. Because change is always good if it’s not hurting anyone. Black business baby! Black excellence, that’s what we support. What kind of feedback have you received from your customers? Everybody seems to like it. We went down to San Diego, and we got good reviews. Everybody seems to love it. You grew up in New York, which has a pretty strict medical cannabis program. How does the presence of a medical program impact those who live in states with stricter, or in some cases, no cannabis program? I mean, of course it’s going to affect consumers. If it’s legal in one area, but not another, that’s where you run into trouble. From our community, it’s horrible for it to be illegal in some of the black communities, because we’re going to find a way to sell it and make money off of it. Hopefully other states will legalize it and regulate it.
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There are two approaches to fighting for cannabis legalization, medical and recreational. Is one of the two more important to you? You got to fight it both ways. Fuck it! I want it all, we want it all. We want to smoke and enjoy it and heal ourselves at the same time. Your ability to bounce back from adversity is an inspiration to many. What words of advice would you give to people who are suffering from drug addiction problems? Put your higher power first, and you can overcome anything if you do that. With the tremendous highs and scary lows you have experienced in your life, what is the message people can take away from your life thus far? That I’m a fighter, that I’m a survivor, and I’m Godfearing. Anything that comes my way, I’ll overcome. What would you tell 20-year-old Lamar if you talked to him today? Just chill out and think. Think everything through. c
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Photo by John Gilhooley
Favorite Cannabis Strain Rich Soil OG Kush Favorite Movie The Hurricane Favorite Song “Angel” by Anita Baker Coca Cola or Pepsi? Pepsi Favorite Candy Airhead Bites Boxers or Briefs? Boxer briefs Star Wars or Star Trek? Star Wars Pineapple on pizza? Wrong Who’s going to win the NBA championships? Cleveland Cavaliers over the Houston Rockets
www.lamarodom.com richsoilorganics.com
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Sowing Sustainability T h e R o dal e I n s tit u t e h i g h li g h t s it s l e adi n g h e m p r e s e arc h p r o j e ct i n h o n o r o f H e m p Hi s t o r y W e e k By Benjamin M. Adams
H
emp’s rich history is embedded in the story of the United States. What was once a staple crop in early American society, hemp’s legacy eventually fell— but it is slowly returning to its former glory. With uniquely sustainable qualities, the plant is an ideal agricultural product that could also help combat the fingerprint that mankind leaves behind on planet Earth. This month we celebrate Hemp History Week (which runs from June 4-10), and to honor another year of progress in the hemp industry, CULTURE spoke with the Pennsylvaniabased Rodale Institute, which is conducting groundbreaking agricultural hemp research. 26
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Although hemp was once a major industry in Pennsylvania for over 260 years, 80 years of prohibition made hemp farms an impossibility until recently. “According to Penn State Extension, the fiber of both hemp and flax was used to produce everything from clothing, to rope, to paper in colonial times,” Tara Caton, senior lab technician with Rodale Institute told CULTURE. “Historical records from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania reveal that over 100 hemp mills operated in the state to separate the fibers from the bark and the core. Industrial hemp became a victim of the 1937 banning of marijuana, a different
variety of Cannabis sativa, because of morphological similarity of the two species.” The 2014 Federal Farm Bill, however, opened the doors to hemp cultivation once again, for research purposes. Hemp and cannabis have very different purposes, but many remain uneducated about making the distinction. “According to U.S. law, hemp is the stalks, stems and sterilized seeds of cannabis; marijuana is the leaves, flowers and viable seeds of cannabis,” Caton explained. Legally, hemp is defined as having less than 0.3 percent THC, and the plant is typically grown for its fiber content.
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Now operating in what used to be one of the United States’ most popular hemp cultivation areas, Rodale Institute is making great strides in research. It’s one of 16 projects to receive a state-issued permit to cultivate hemp and unlike those other projects, Rodale Institute is one of the few organizations that is conducting independent agricultural research on hemp, directly on hemp farms. The institute is conducting a four-year research project, with an emphasis on sustainable farming. “We’re thrilled to have a new tool in our kit to find solutions for American farmers,” said Caton. “We’re honored to be included among the first research institutions granted access to experimenting with hemp. One of the most pressing issues for organic farmers is how to best fight weeds. Hemp, used as a cover crop, has the potential to not only suppress weeds but to provide a higher profit for the farmer in comparison to other cover crops (e.g. sorghum Sudan grass).” A cover crop is a crop grown for the purpose of soil enrichment, suppressing weed growth and helping to control unwanted pests and diseases. Hemp is more sustainable than many other types of plants, and members of Rodale Institute are very knowledgeable on the subject. “Hemp has a short growth phase and can be incorporated into a crop rotation, increasing the overall number of crops getting onto a field in a given year,” Caton explained. 28
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“We’re honored to be included among the first research institutions granted access to e x p e r i m e n t i n g w i t h h e m p. ”
Caton also noted that hemp has a short growth phase, making it possible to cycle through multiple crop rotations in a single year. “This allows us to keep the field planted at all times, reducing erosion and runoff, and to increase soil carbon as the plant sequesters it from the atmosphere and returns to the ground,” she said. “Hemp is also less labor intensive than other fiber crops (e.g. cotton); one machine can harvest an entire field of hemp whereas hundreds of workers are needed to hand-pick cotton. Hemp can be harvested and its byproducts sold, but it’s also a great cover crop in
no-till systems because it leaves a lot of biomass behind, useful in building soil over time.” For its unique positions as a leading hemp research facility, Rodale Institute is being featured in a documentary called Deep Roots, in honor of Hemp History Week’s 2018 theme of the same name. With sustainability as the focus, the Institute is regarded as a prime example of success. The new short film documents the cultivation of hemp within a regenerative organic no-till agriculture model. “No till farming has many benefits,” Ross Duffield, farm operations manager told CULTURE.
Oliver Stone “[Cannabis legalization] can be done. It can be done legally, safely, healthy, and it can be taxed and the government can pay for education and stuff like that. Also, you can save a fortune by not putting kids in jail.”
“Limited disruption of the soil allows for the living organisms and fungi to grow and live undisturbed and in turn helps increase soil organic matter and soil quality. No till also helps keep soil in place and reduces erosion that is a big problem in tillage systems after extreme rain or drought.” The regenerative notill model is still a work in progress, Duffield admitted, since weed management is key to success when dealing with plants like hemp. “By rotating livestock through a grain or even a vegetable rotation and limiting the amount of tillage during a year, the regenerative organic approach can improve the health of the soil, the livestock, that and the farmers themselves,” Duffield said. “This approach not only sustains the organic land but improves it over time and will leave it in a better condition for future farmers to manage.” Rodale Institute is helping to create hemp awareness through its research and its complex cultivation strategies. In honor of Hemp History Week, it’s important remember how hemp cultivation changed the past, as well as how it can contribute to a more sustainable our future. c
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intriguing Ingenuity
Onjha by Mike Oncley
Hi g h A rt 2 0 1 8 wi n n e r M i k e On c l e y i s a h u mbl e v i s i o n ar y 30
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By Addison Herron-Wheeler
C
annabis is a useful tool for those who want to get creative and let loose through uninhibited artistic expression. The High Art 2018 contest is a celebration of cannabis and art. And while it’s the artistic process that counts, it’s also a contest, meaning that only one proud artist gets to claim the title of grand prize winner. This year,
that proud artist was Mike Oncley, who didn’t expect to win, but was thrilled when he did. Oncley’s winning piece Onjha, some have interpreted, is a subtle hat-tip to the political division that dominates American culture today, with the image of someone looking through a red and blue lens. CULTURE talked to Oncley about the victory and how his love of cannabis has played a role in his ongoing pursuit of art.
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How did you find out about the High Art 2018 contest, and what prompted you to enter? I actually ran into Natural Cannabis Company’s ad on Instagram promoting the contest. I don’t enter a lot of contests but really appreciated the rules for entering this one—no tagging 10 friends, no community voting—it was really a call for talent over the popularity contests you see most often on social media.
win. I saw that Juxtapoz Magazine was a part of the contest and knew people would be putting their best work forward. This was my first time hearing of this fifth annual contest, and I felt like a newcomer. So, after submitting, I just tried to forget about it. Come 420, I was flipping through social media when I got the notice from Natural Cannabis Company that I had won first place and was wildly surprised! It was an amazing feeling.
Did you think you would win? How big of a surprise was it to you? I absolutely thought I would not
Why do you think the contest is important? This contest was a great way to gather like-minded artists, all who
“ C a n n a b i s h a s a l w ay s b e e n a w ay f o r m e to help defragment my brain a little b i t, b r i n g i n g m e f o c u s w h e n t h o u g h t s c a n s ta r t t o g e t o v e r w h e l m i n g . ” use cannabis in some shape or form in their life and art. I think creating art surrounding cannabis only helps to normalize it and express the creative community’s acceptance of this plant. How do you choose to work cannabis into your art as a theme? I am actually fortunate enough to have a wonderful cannabis photographer as my fiancé, so it was through her beautiful imagery that I was able to create my piece. Her photo was my direct reference as I pasted magazine clippings and painted the portrait image. How did you first discover cannabis, and why is it important to your art and your personal life? Oh wow, I’d have to say it was first discovered on a lifeguard tower in Belmont Shore through an apple pipe in 2006. Cannabis has always been a way for me to help defragment my brain 32
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Photo by Mike Fulton
a little bit, bringing me focus when thoughts can start to get overwhelming. It’s a therapeutic experience to have a quick smoke and sit down with some magazine clippings and Mod Podge. How do you feel about legalization so far in the U.S.? So far, legalization is on the right track, with a long way to go. Individual legalized states provide great examples to show congress that people can consume responsibly and that cannabis is more of a solution than a problem, especially with the current opioid crisis hitting America. Although, until cannabis is legalized federally and the people who have been incarcerated for this plant are released, there is more work to be done. How would you describe your style? I would describe my current style as a beautiful mess. I can’t simply translate an image directly to a painting without losing interest halfway through. I tend to make a problem for myself to solve, like a big smear across the canvas or pasting magazine clippings that only partially fit where I need them, and then have to think, “How can I get my final image recognizable again?” What can we expect from your art in the future? It’s hard to say! I always like experimenting with different methods, so the future is still a mystery. I’d say look out for bigger and better portraits from me. Is there anything else you would like to add? I think a big thank you to Natural Cannabis Company and Juxtapoz are in order for organizing such a great contest that included a huge donation to an international nonprofit. If you’d like to see more of my work, you can head to my website, HeyOncley.com or find me on social media at the same name. c
+ www.HeyOncley.com
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Vegan Visionary C a n n abi s i s t h e s e cr e t i n g r e di e n t o f i n s p irati o n f o r p ri vat e vegan chef and hip-hop arti s t, T h e S e s s i o n By Jamie Solis
T
he Session, born Kory Chester, is on a mission to single-handedly change stereotypes when it comes to his creations. As a private chef and hip-hop artist, don’t be fooled by first impressions and pre-conceived ideas. This classically trained private chef-turned-YouTube-and-Instagramsensation indeed spits lyrics and stands at six-foot-five. Yet while he is often compared to Wiz Khalifa, he has so much more heart and depth than your typical celebrity lookalike. Working as a private chef on a daily basis for high-end clientele, The Session provides his clients with daily doses of health and nutrition. However, his altruism to give back to those who are less fortunate is what truly serves as the true driving force of his ambition. With an impressive following on social media, this private chef and artist sat down with CULTURE to talk about food, music, his community and how cannabis is the secret ingredient to inspiration in his life.
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The latest song he recorded is a true testament to this goal. The song by David Sharkey feat. The Session entitled, “NvR Without You” is a love song, the first of which The Session had a part in producing. Although he raps on the track, his flow is melodic and beautiful, which is vastly different than what one might typically expect to hear from a hip-hop artist.
The Unifying Herb labor of love Ambitious, resourceful and a lover of food—The Session started his path to becoming a chef during high school back in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he attended trade school classes for cooking alongside his general studies. Over a year ago, he relocated to Northern California, where he now prepares vegan meals daily as a private chef. Although he has only lived a vegan lifestyle for a little over a year, The Session is a huge advocate for the health benefits that he continues to receive. “Being a vegan is beneficial in every way,” he said. “Your skin is better. You feel better. I just feel better.” Although most of his clients aren’t interested in cannabis-infused vegan meals at this point, The Session still whips up cannabis meals for friends and clients who have become friends. He would love to branch into more cannabis-related cuisine and events in the future, but that isn’t the only future he foresees. “One of my goals is to do more weed-related events, but my main goal is to become the highest paid private chef in California,” he said. Upon visiting The Session’s YouTube channel, his altruism and commitment to giving back to the community are clear to see. Various videos show him whipping up delicious vegan meals at the kitchen in his home, then delivering vegan meals to people who are homeless and less fortunate in his local community on days like 420 and Thanksgiving. Of all that he does, his truest intention in life is to serve others. “All I really want out of this world is to make changes and help, because I feel
like everybody is not going to do that. And you only get one life,” The Session said. “So, my legacy that I would like to leave behind is just . . . God forbid if I were to pass away in a week, they could at least say, ‘Damn, he was taking money out of his pocket to help everybody.’ I’m consistent every day. I help people every day. I spread love every day.” He is committed to this mission. As he continues to find success, he will largely use his platforms for the greater good of those around him. “As I keep growing and as I get to the top, I know I will be able to help the world,” he concluded.
Although he’s spread in many directions, the one unifying aspect of The Session’s exciting lifestyle is cannabis. Playing an important role in his creative processes of both music and cooking, cannabis is an essential part of his daily life to which he is very grateful. “It’s a part of my life. I have weed tattooed on me. I don’t know if that’s an awesome thing or not, but to me it’s pretty cool. Weed inspires everything I do. Literally every time I cook for my clients, I’m always high. It gives me a creative edge,” The Session said. “For example, before I go to the store, I smoke a little bit. It gets me a little hungry and opens my mind to think, ‘What would they want to eat today?’”
“ W e e d i n s p i r e s e v e r y t h i n g I d o . L i t e r a l ly e v e r y t i m e I c o o k f o r m y c l i e n t s , I ’ m a l w ay s h i g h . I t g i v e s m e a c r e at i v e e d g e . ” P a v i n g a N e w P at h Food and altruism aren’t the only passions that The Session is dedicated to. In respect to the hip-hop music he creates, The Session’s overall direction is another example of his uniqueness. What you hear coming through the speakers from The Session clearly breaks the mold of what people might expect or stereotype from his rap music and his appearance in general. “My music direction, I don’t want to be labeled as anything. I don’t want to be a cliché rapper. My goal in life is to defy stereotypes all the way around. I make tons of rap songs for sure, but as my production grows and as I find my sound, I’m looking to make a song of every genre,” he said.
Being from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but now calling California home, The Session has seen firsthand the negative impact of cannabis prohibition. “As a black man in this country, I know so many people back home, where I’m from, who were affected by smoking a joint, and you can get arrested for the most miniscule thing. No one should be punished for consuming cannabis.” When it comes to what The Session hopes to bring to his viewers, his fans and the world around him, it’s to have perseverance and never give up on your dreams. “If you can envision it, if you can taste it, if you can feel it, it will happen. You just have to stick with it. You can’t ever give up, because I feel like this is just the start for me.” c
Photos by Ryan Wall
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Outdoo r CO2
GROWING CULTURE
THE EXPERIMENTS CONTINUE By Ed Rosenthal
Sex Expression
A
few issues ago, I wrote about an experiment performed in the 1930s by Sister Mary Etienne Tibeau. She conducted various fertilizer experiments with hemp—depriving seedlings of all fertilizers or giving them a complete fertilizer (except that it lacked Nitrogen). I have been replicating that experiment. I germinated the seeds between two layers of hand towel cloth, and then planted them in rockwool cubes. They were supplied with tap water that had 70 parts per million (ppm) dissolved solids but no Nitrogen. They were kept under constant fluorescent light for 10 days and then the lighting was changed to 12 hours with each light and uninterrupted darkness to induce flowering. The plants are growing very slowly without nutrients. They look comparable to the seedlings that Tibeau recorded in her studies. As you can see in the second photo below, they are beginning to form primordial flowers. At this point, their sex cannot be determined. By next month, we will see if the lack of Nitrogen has an effect on sexual expression, as Tibeau reported.
Plants in the experiment are stunted because they are receiving no nutrients. The first flowers are beginning to develop. 36
Close-up of beginning of the first flowers developing under flowering regimen of 12 hours light, 12 hours uninterrupted darkness. The flower’s sex was undetermined, at this stage but will become apparent in the coming days.
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I first saw the use of CO2 outdoors when I was on a trip to Australia. A single cannabis plant was growing in the yard next to the house [that I was at]. A gas water heater was sitting outside, to one side of the plant. Every time the hot water was turned on, the propane was fired. It heated the water as well as produced CO2 and water vapor. The side of the plant receiving the gas was much more robust than the other side. This was an extremely well done, albeit an inadvertent experiment. It was performed on a single plant so the genetics was the same, as well as all environmental conditions except for the enhanced CO2 on only one portion of the plant. This showed that even outdoors, CO2 enhanced air results in higher yields. I recently visited a legal cannabis farm in California too, where the cultivators
Open tunnel greenhouse with regulator and CO2 releasing tubing.
were performing CO2 experiments on open tunnel gardens in order to learn the most efficacious way to supply it. They have a large tank of liquid CO2, which is held under pressure. The gas is delivered to the top of the canopy through tubing with micro-pore holes to release the gas. CO2 is heavier than air and it is cold so it drifts down to the plant tops. Light intensity, wind and temperature are all taken into account as they are developing logarithms for gas release. Results will be tallied after harvest. Meanwhile, you can try this method on your own. Regulate the gas tank using a timer and CO2 ppm meter. Set the timer to release the gas between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun is most intense. Set the ppm meter to about 800 ppm. This turns the gas flow on and off which keeps the CO2 levels stable. Don’t run it on windy days though, you’ll just be wasting gas. c
Close-up of tubing running over the plant canopy.
The experimental regulator and environmental measuring device is connected to a large liquid CO2 tank.
Copyright by Ed Rosenthal. All rights are reserved. First North American Magazine rights only are assigned to culture Magazine. No other reproduction of this material is permitted without the specific written permission of the author/copyright holder.
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News of the
Weird
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LEAD STORY—BOLD In the tiny Denver suburb of Castle Rock, Colorado, the motto might be “If the house is rockin’, DO come knockin’!” Residents on Avery Way are in a tizzy about the Thunderstorm Play Palace, a 7,500-squarefoot home where, neighbors told KDVR-TV, the owner invites swinging couples and singles to gather for wild sex parties. Invitees must make a “donation” ($70 for couples and single men, $20 for single women), and the parties include drinks, snacks and potluck dishes. “One had four crockpots,” said a neighbor, “showing up like they’re going to a Bunko party or something.” On the invitation, guests were asked to bring their own condoms and show respect for the “new furniture.” The host is a married father of three who feels harassed by the neighborhood, but he counters that he’s taken steps to be discreet, including installing soundproofing and making sure “there are no open areas.” But neighbors claim they hear “disturbing sounds” coming from the house. “You can hear people doing what they’re doing,” one resident told reporters. Castle Rock Police say the man is not breaking the law because he’s only taking donations, and the activities are contained to his home. DO NOT CLIMB! Black Panther isn’t feeling the love in South Korea 38
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lately. The Walt Disney Co. sent two statues of the superhero to Busan to celebrate Marvel Studios’ filming along Korea’s southern coast. But on March 17, according to The Korea Herald, a 32-year-old drunk man was arrested after he vandalized the statue in the Gwangbokro shopping district, and on April 21, the statue near Gwangalli Beach was toppled and part of its head broken off. An official from the Korea Film Council thought someone had probably tried to climb the statue, despite numerous off-limits signs. OOPS! Police officers in the German town of Neustadt were called April 25 to an apartment building after reports of screaming led neighbors to suspect domestic violence, the Daily Mail reported. Instead, they found a couple receiving instruction in the Japanese art of Shibari erotic bondage from the apartment’s tenant. (“Shibari” translates as “the beauty of tight binding.”) In a statement titled “Fifty Shades of Neustadt,” police reported the couple were “well and in a good mood,” even asking the officers if they’d like to join in, but they had to decline. In the seaside village of Lytham St Annes, England, Douglas Cholmondley Travis, an 88-year-old member of the local Neighborhood Watch, was on patrol Oct. 10, 2017, when he and an 87-year-old watch colleague noticed a van turning into Lytham Park Cemetery. Regarding the vehicle as suspicious, they
began taking pictures of it until Antony James, driver of the van, there only to visit family graves, grew angry and stopped, according to Metro News. James got out of his van to confront Travis, causing a panic, according to defense attorney Robert Castle, that resulted in James being knocked down by the Neighborhood Watch vehicle and Travis charged for reckless driving and assault. “This is all terribly sad,” Castle told Blackpool Magistrates Court in late April, as his client is “one of the eyes and ears of the police.” Travis was fined 40 pounds plus court costs. LOOK-ALIKES Dolores Leis, 64, of Nanton in Galicia, Spain, is a modest wife and potato farmer. But thanks to the internet, she has found fame as “Trump’s Galician sister.” The Associated Press
reports that a journalist researching farming posted a photo of Leis at her farm on Instagram, and the striking resemblance between her and the U.S. president caught the attention of the web. “I say that it must be because of the color of the hair,” Leis told La Voz de Galicia on April 24. She added that she’s not overwhelmed by the sudden attention because, unlike her doppelganger, she doesn’t use a mobile phone and isn’t much interested in online chatter. “I look at everything that my daughters show me, but it never stung my curiosity to have (a phone),” she said. MISGUIDED Greyhound Bus passengers were frustrated on April 19 after their trip to New York was delayed by mechanical
a large plate of food within reach on the toilet lid. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that when the homeowner returned from work around 5 p.m., she called police, who removed Washington to the Ouachita Correctional Center, where she told them “an unknown male told her to break into the victims’ residence.”
trouble and navigational challenges. The ride started in Cleveland, where the scheduled departure time was 2:30 a.m., passengers told WEWS-TV, but the bus didn’t leave until 6 a.m. After crossing into Pennsylvania, the bus turned around, and the driver explained he was returning to Cleveland because of mechanical difficulties. However, the driver missed Cleveland and drove all the way to Toledo before realizing the mistake and heading back to Cleveland. “We were on this bus for seven hours just going in a circle,” said passenger Morgan Staley. BATHING NEWS Evelyn Washington, 29, broke then crawled through a window in a Monroe, Louisiana, home on April 17, then settled into a warm bath with a bag of Cheetos and
On April 4, a homeowner in the Longton area of Stoke-on-Trent, England, returned home to discover a man bathing in his tub and enjoying a cup of Oxo (broth), according to the BBC. When police arrived, the 36-year-old naked man tried to flee but was caught and arrested. The homeowner complained: “He ate me crisps, had five rounds of corned beef and sauce, ate a jar of pickles, had two ice creams and a can of Coke.”
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