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contents
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ILLUMINATED RESEARCH
Dr. Raphael Mechoulam talks about his experiences studying cannabis in Israel and what he thinks about being called the “father of THC.�
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Industry Insider Brendan Kennedy of Privateer Holdings believes that the cannabis business industry is just another form of activism.
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The Ultimate Goal Tommy Edwards, a studio director at a major sports network, talks about embracing medical cannabis for professional athletes as well as himself.
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news 8 News Nuggets 9 By the Numbers 10 Local News 12 Legal Corner reviews 14 Collective Highlight 16 Strain & Concentrate Reviews 18 Cool Stuff 20 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 38 Growing Culture 40 Destination
Help You Kick Tobacco
Unknown 41 Profile in Courage 42 Recipes 46 News of the Weird
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d Study Shows Cannabis Can
d The DEA Quietly Removes
Cannabis Health Risks from Website
Vol 8 IssUE 9
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CULTURE M
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Publisher Jeremy Zachary Editor-In-Chief Evan Senn associate Editor Ashley Bennett managing editor Jamie Solis Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Benjamin Adams, 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, Sandy Moriarty, 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, Josué Rivas Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Tommy LaFleur Graphic Designer Tanya Delgadillo sales director Justin Olson Account Executives Jon Bookatz, Greg Borland, Alex Brizicky, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Cole Garrison, Beau Odom, Gloria Santiago, Garry Stalling, Chris Walker, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital content manager David Edmundson Ctv Contributors Quinn Marie 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
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NEWS
nuggetS
Lansing City Council Passes Medical Cannabis Ordinance
The city of Lansing has approved a new ordinance regarding home growers who cultivate medical cannabis. The ordinance will monitor cultivation activity by requiring caregivers and patients to register their address with the city if their electricity use exceeds 3,500 kilowatt hours. Failure to register one’s home could result in a civil infraction. The ordinance has already been met with some opposition from those who believe it is too extreme. However, city officials have reassured home growers that the registry will be protected, as such information relates to the right of privacy of medical information. The city created the ordinance to ensure the safety of neighbors and to minimize complaints. “We know that it is legal under state law for medical marijuana patients and caregivers to grow marijuana in their home, but this activity must be done in a safe manner that does not create a nuisance or put their neighbors in harm’s way,” Mayor Bernero said in a release. “Protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods is vitally important. With the new tools this ordinance provides, we can make sure that any hazards or neighborhood nuisances caused by home growing of marijuana can be addressed and resolved.” (Kiara Manns)
Recreational Cannabis is Officially Legal in Maine After a long, grueling battle between cannabis advocates and the opposition, Question 1 has gone into effect in the state of Maine. Passed by a narrow margin of voters in Maine back in November 2016, adults can now legally possess cannabis in the state. “The portion of the law that allows persons over 21 years to grow six mature plants and possess 2.5 ounces became effective on January 30, 2017,” the Maine State Legislature website reports. “A 17-member special legislative committee, co-chaired by Sen. Roger Katz and Rep. Teresa Pierce, has been formed to address the complex issues surrounding full implementation of the law.” Obtaining recreational cannabis in Maine has been quite a battle for advocates. In addition to Maine Gov. Paul LePage openly opposing Question 1 from its inception, opponents fought for a recount once the voting margin was reported to be 50.26 percent of people voting “yes” versus 49.74 percent voting against the bill. Ultimately, the recount effort was defeated. While Question 1 does allow for social cannabis clubs, the state will consult its special committee to develop rules and regulations for potential businesses before that becomes a reality.
New Law Protects Landlords’ Rights to Allow or Prohibit Medical Cannabis Senate Bill 72 has been approved and signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, officially establishing it as law on January 10. The new law gives landlords the right to prohibit the cultivation of medical cannabis on their property. Depending on how housing companies and landlords react to the newly instated law, caregivers and patients who grow cannabis at home may soon find it difficult to rent and live in certain areas. This new law also amends the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA) by giving private property owners the choice to decide whether or not cultivation and use of cannabis will be permitted. As Attorney General Bill Schuette explained, the MMMA originally, “prohibit[ed] the smoking of marihuana in ‘any public place,’ which includes the public areas of food service establishments, hotels, motels, and apartment buildings.” Schuette continued to note that giving landlords the right to prohibit medical cannabis on their property is not a violation of the MMMA. (Kiara Manns)
Swedish Agency Approves Medical Cannabis for Two Patients The Läkemedelsverket or Medical Product Agency (MPA) of Sweden has made a notable decision in approving its first two patients for medical cannabis. Both patients suffer from severe back injuries and are the first with such a condition to be allowed to medicate with cannabis in the country. Currently, cannabis is regarded as an illegal substance by the Swedish government, with medical cannabis only allowed on a rare, case-by-case basis. “Every single license application, whether it's about cannabis preparations or not, go through a special assessment process, i.e. every case is assessed individually and there is no general view of license applications for cannabis plant parts,” according to the MPA. This decision marks an important step forward in the progression of accepting cannabis as a legitimate means of medical treatment in Sweden. The cannabis given to the patients will be supplied by the same Dutch company that the Swedish government uses to perform research. (Kiara Manns) 8
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The percentage of people surveyed in Michigan who support (Source: CBS legalizing adult-use, recreational cannabis: Detroit)
57
The number of patients in Michigan who have state-issued medical cannabis cards in Branch County: (Source: The Daily Reporter)
654
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, from Gov. Snyder’s budget that will be used to enforce medical cannabis rules: (Source: Mlive.com)
8.8
The percentage of patients included in a statewide study who reported a reduction in the use of opioid pain medication after using cannabis: (Source: Clinton Herald)
The number of people evaluated in a survey in Michigan about cannabis and their stances on cannabis legalization: (source: Mlive.com)
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600
The approximate amount of money, in billions of dollars, that was spent on legal cannabis in North America in 2016: (Source: Entrepreneur)
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The number of medical cannabis studies that have been recently approved for federal funding by a new measure in Israel: (Source: Globes)
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The number of patients that have enrolled in the medical cannabis program in New Jersey: (Source: NJ.com)
466
The amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that Minnesota’s Office of Medical Cannabis is requesting to fund the state’s patient registry and inspection of the state’s medical cannabis manufacturers: (Source: CBS Minnesota)
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Spannabis: Feria de Cáñamo WHAT: Spannabis: Feria de Cáñamo. WHEN/WHERE: Fri, March 10-Sun, March 12. Fira de Cornellá, Carrer Tirso de Molina 34 St., Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. INFO: Visit spannabis.com for details. La Feria de Cáñamo, or The Hemp Fair in English, calls to all who look to indulge in cannabis culture beyond their everyday environment. Take your love of cannabis to a global scale by embarking on a destination vacation to Barcelona, Spain for Spannabis. This year’s Spannabis Hemp Fair will join ranks with The World Cannabis Conferences to bring the audience a four-part perspective on how the cannabis conversation finds its way into international, national, scientific and medicinal hemispheres. Audience members are encouraged to participate in the debate or interact with
the speakers. Spannabis will provide guests over 200 booths and exhibits to explore. Businesses in attendance include those who focus on bringing development and technology to cannabis agriculture such as HydroGarden and Biobizz. Be sure to stop by The International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute’s display, which demonstrates how the Institute strives to establish an international standardization of data for cannabis research. Enjoy several kinds of cuisines that will be provided by various food vendors with the wide range of cannabis fans from across the world. (Kiara Manns) iReadCULTURE.com
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NEWS
LOCAL
Extra Enforcement Gov. Snyder’s $9 million budget for medical cannabis enforcement causes mixed feelings by Benjamin M. Adams
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ver since the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act became law in 2008, several attempts have been made by lawmakers to clarify how medical cannabis will be organized, licensed, enforced and distributed throughout the state of Michigan. The passing of Public Acts 281, 282 and 283 (formerly HB-4209, 4210 and 4287) last September by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder heralded a new era where nearly every facet of the industry is regulated by the state government. As Michigan’s medical cannabis industry continues to grow, Governor Rick Snyder has proposed a budget plan that includes nearly $9 million in regulatory fees that would beef up law enforcement provisions in order to adapt to the state’s new bundle of regulations. Members of Michigan’s medical cannabis industry have mixed feelings about the budget plan. On Wednesday, February 8, the governor announced his budget recommendations that include a total of $693 million for the Department of State Police for the 2018 fiscal year. Snyder recommended $8.8 million of that budget be allocated toward enforcing the new medical cannabis regulations. The money is intended to provide full-time Michigan State Police enforcement teams, expand forensic science and boost investigative support. Members of the Michigan State Police would run background investigations on licensees and assist the Medical Marijuana Board in enforcing aspects of the Act. Attorney at law Thomas M.J. Lavigne is
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a partner at Cannabis Counsel Law Firm and also a member of the board of MI Legalize 2018. “The initial monies collected under the Michigan Marijuana Act were supposed to go toward improving the program,” Lavigne told CULTURE. “But instead, the monies have been going to law enforcement agencies, saddling patients and caregivers with impertinent criminal charges and disrespecting the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act.” The Michigan State Police anticipate an increase in violations under the new law. Enforcement is needed to support medical cannabis collectives in Michigan, and security is utterly crucial. Medical cannabis security guards and employees have gone to extreme lengths to ensure their safety, and some have even turned to desperate measures, such as setting up booby traps to ward off thieves. Law enforcement has found everything from spring-loaded devices to mouse-trap styled prevention measures. With Snyder’s new budget proposal being allocated toward law enforcement, the medical cannabis community seeks to benefit from increased law enforcement, although Lavinge did not express much optimism. “It is problematic,” Lavigne says. “Not only do we not want the law enforcement used against patients and caregivers, but patients and caregivers feel like they don’t have protection, under the law. They don’t feel like they can call 911 if they are burglarized for example, if they happen to possess the herbal medicine of their choice. Inevitably, time and time again, they call the police, because they’ve been robbed—the police come; they don’t even investigate the robbery. They turn on the patient, and the underlying crime is never investigated.” c
Ann Arbor Hash Bash
The University of Michigan will see its annual Hash Bash turn 46 this year and will no doubt bring in thousands ready to celebrate. Vendors, live music and speeches will fill the area as the event works to bring awareness to cannabis and reform federal, state and local laws. The Ann Arbor Hash Bash in the past has united over 8,000 people to rally for change and enjoy the entertainment offered and merchandise sold. It has been known as a space to have a great time while taking steps to advance current policy. Last year’s speaker, Tommy Chong, expressed his gratitude for cannabis during his battle with prostate and rectal cancer. As tradition demands, Hash Bash events will begin at “high noon” at an open space of the university, commonly known as The Diag. (Kiara Manns) WHAT: Ann Arbor Hash Bash. WHEN/WHERE: Sat, April 1. University of Michigan, 500 S State St., Ann Arbor. INFO: Visit hashbash. com for details!
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NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
Embracing the Majority
Michigan is ready to develop its cannacultural areas by Matthew Abel
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s the cannabis industry is maturing into a more organized and professional mode, in legalized states we are beginning to see growers include a designation of place of origin for bud and various extracts and infused products. This emerging sophistication in the cannabis industry is using district appellations to designate growing locations, similar to those used in the wine industry. Michigan has four recognized American viticultural areas: Fennville, Lake Michigan Shore, Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula. It likely will have more than four American cannacultural areas in the future. Those interested in more information about this topic should acquaint themselves with the Cannabis Horticultural Association by visiting www.chascience. com/cannaculture, which is a project crafted and designed by grassroots horticulturalists from Humboldt County, California. With or without a unique appellation, much of the emerging
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commercial market will involve branding in one way or another. Companies with processing licenses in Michigan will be manufacturing a
Companies with processing licenses in Michigan will be manufacturing a wide range of products. Some will be “private label” where the company owns the production facility, with others being “white label,” where the product is made for any company to apply their brand name and logo thus selling a branded product one way or another.
wide range of products. Some will be “private label,” where the company owns the production facility, with others being “white label,” where the product is made for any company to apply their brand name and logo thus selling a branded product one way or another. Once we move into branding, those property interests need to be protected from encroachment by others. That is the area of intellectual property, involving trademarks and service marks for names, logos, slogans and the like, along with patents for inventions of products and processes. Curiously, the new Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act has business residency requirements for individuals but not for entities like corporations, LLC’s, nonprofits and such. Meanwhile, Michigan NORML conducted a third annual poll on the question of legalization of cannabis in Michigan. The question asked of those polled was as follows: “On another topic, voters may circulate petitions to place a proposal on a future election ballot relating to the issue of marijuana. The proposal would make the possession and cultivation of limited amounts marijuana legal in the State of Michigan for adults age 21 or older. Also, it would allow the sale of marijuana to adults age 21 or older only by stores that would be licensed by the state, and finally, it would tax the sale of marijuana by these state licensed stores. If this proposal were to appear on a future election ballot, if the election were held today, would you vote yes to approve of the proposal, or would you vote no to oppose it?” The results were 57 percent of people polled were in favor, and 40 percent opposed, with three percent who refused to answer. This shows a continuing trend of support for cannabis legalization increasing at the rate of three percent per year, so by the time we get to hopefully vote on legalization at the polls in November 2018, support should exceed 60 percent. Legalization is inevitable, but cannabis will not legalize itself, so get active, donate money if you are able, and be vocal in your support for legalization. Do not be afraid. We are the majority. c
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REVIEWs
collective highlight
Green Planet 700 Tappan Ave., Ann Arbor, 48104
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greenplaneta2.org
How and when did your collective start up?
What’s the story behind the name of your collective?
Early in 2009, right after the passage of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, we started a medical cannabis community outreach program of monthly public meetings held at the city of Ann Arbor’s Senior Center. Hundred’s of people came to hear speakers, share information, and find answers to their many questions. We opened our current location adjacent to the Ann Arbor Hash Bash/Monroe Street Fair in early 2010 to better serve patients’ needs on a full time basis. We selected this location to reflect our passion for patient rights and to help promote informed public discussions about medical cannabis.
Green Planet represents our passion to make our collective and world a better place.
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What does your collective offer patients that they can’t find anywhere else? At Green Planet, we provide our patients with as much information as possible to assist them in making the best choice. For every strain we provide our own description of its effects, taste, smell, and third party testing for potency, CBDs, etc. Our caregivers are trained to offer expert one-on-one consultation to help each patient identify what best fits their individual needs, likes, dislikes and budget.
How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go?
changing rules and regulations. Our biggest joy is successfully helping patients treat their conditions.
People have become more knowledgeable and informed about medical cannabis. We would like to see this trend continue.
If someone wanted to open a collective and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them?
What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a collective? Biggest joys?
You need to be passionate about medical cannabis and helping patients.
Biggest challenges are
Top-Selling Strain: Purple OG Top-Selling Concentrate: The Clear Top-Selling Edible: Gummies
What is the most important thing you hope to accomplish while in the MJ/MMJ community? Help patients treat their conditions—while helping to eliminate negative stigmas associated with medical cannabis. c
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REVIEWs
strain & concentrate
Death Star OG The Empire’s ultimate weapon; a formidable cross of parent strains Sensi Star and OG Kush. Death Star OG is an indicadominant strain (80/20) with intergalactic fans. With 20.5 percent THC and 0.9 percent CBD, patients looking to alleviate symptoms such as chronic pain, migraines, nausea, PMS and more, can consider their aches to be in similar state of planet Alderaan, once Death Star OG’s effects begin to set in; it may be slow onset but when it hits ya—boom! The flavor profile combines pungent sweet, skunk and fuel aromas that can be sniffed out from a galaxy away.
Available wherever: CBD Living products are carried.
Available at: Om of Medicine in Ann Arbor.
CBD Living Shatter While feeling the psychoactive effects of cannabis can be quite enjoyable to many, sometimes it’s necessary to get the healing properties of cannabis without the effects of THC. Having such a need led us to trying the highly recommended CBD Living Shatter. Unscrewing the container, our noses were instantly graced with a fresh lemon and lavender scent—a delightful effect of the shatter’s 10 percent terpenes. After portioning off a small chunk of the light honey-colored shatter one morning, we filled up our vape pen and slowly inhaled the refreshing vapor. Almost instantaneously, we began noticing the peaceful, pain-relieving feelings take over. Free from THC, this 90 percent CBD shatter won’t distract you with psychoactive effects, while still bringing the calming qualities consumers crave from high quality CBD products. The shatter was also helpful in the evening for combating the work-related aches and pains, and our ever-present insomnia. We slept like a rock and felt extremely refreshed when our alarm clock started blaring. CBD Living Shatter is a great product to have on hand, as it has also been reported to help with anxiety, inflammation, seizures and side effects from undergoing cancer treatments.
Blue Dream This hybrid (50/50) with sativa-dominant effects originated in California and has since managed to gain glory among the strains available on the West Coast and beyond. It has a beautiful complexion, with an abundance of hairs peeking from between the leaves. Parent strains Blueberry Indica (responsible for the sweet berry aroma) and Sativa Haze come together to provide a light cerebral effect paired with full-bodied relaxation, leaving patients of varying experience levels feeling calm and euphoric. Patients looking to combat symptoms associated to arthritis, chronic pain, migraines, nausea, PMS and more, find this strain (with this specific phenotype yielding 20 percent THC) to provide quick relief without feeling overly sedative. 16
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Available at: We Grow in Flint.
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REVIEWs
For More Products Go To iReadCulture.com
1.
Res Caps Res Caps by Resölution prides itself on stopping the smell and stopping the mess. Cleaning has now been made simple with the small, rubber caps that halt cleaning solution from escaping from your favorite glass pieces. Res Caps can be stretched to seal virtually any water pipe, steamroller and other glass accessories. The first of its kind, Res Caps are great for the clean lifestyle cannabis consumer. Available in green, white or black, the caps are perfectly made for protecting glass during travel and ending the scent usually left behind. PRICE: $19 MORE INFORMATION: resolutioncolo.com
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Cannador Mahogany Roll Tray The Cannador brand prides itself on providing cannabis consumers with premium storage products and accessories. Cannador’s thin, lightweight roll tray carved from mahogany wood makes a convenient and useful addition to your collection. Great for both preparation and rolling, the slate comes with an indentation on the bottom corner making for a hassle-free cleanup. The tray exists as a practical and beneficial tool, while its rich auburn color fits nicely into practically any home décor. Handcrafted and with a mineral oil finish, this aesthetically pleasing accessory brings both style and functionality to the table. PRICE: $39 MORE INFORMATION: cannador.com
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Original Piece Pipe Both modern and tasteful, the Original Piece Pipe is perfect for anyone on-the-go who likes to travel in style. With an attachable ring, its clean design and unassuming appearance easily fits into any setting. Wear it as a necklace, connect it to your keys or bag, and the Original Piece Pipe easily converts into an accessory. Big things do come in small packages when it comes to this sleek device as it contains a hidden stash compartment, which holds up to three bowls. Available in brass or chrome, its sleek materials remain cool and odorless, leaving your personal belongings free from lingering scents. PRICE: $39.99 MORE INFORMATION: originalpiecepipe.com
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3. The Nuggy by NugTools Pop open your bottles, pack in your piece and even prop up your joint with the tool that has been created for every type of smoker. The Nuggy comes fully-loaded, multi-purposed and will quickly become everyone’s favorite gadget. Uniting 10 various functions into a smooth, handheld container, The Nuggy can rest comfortably in your pocket or palm. Scissors, a scraper, an LED flashlight, bottle opener, knife, tamper and a roach clip are only a few of the features found inside. Yet despite its internal equipment, its weight remains a light and undemanding 0.5 pounds. The Nuggy employs a spring-locked system and plastic casing to guarantee safe and simple use. PRICE: $33 MORE INFORMATION: nugtools.com
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REVIEWs
entertainment
Available on: Nintendo Switch and Wii U Release Date: March 3
BOOK
This Bud’s for You Ed Rosenthal Quick American Publishing
MUSIC
GAME
MOVIE
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Moonlight
Live in Paris
Dir. Barry Jenkins
Sleater-Kinney
A24
Sub Pop Records
Dev. and Pub. Nintendo This Bud’s for You is cannabis cultivator extraordinaire Ed Rosenthal’s latest take on cutting edge cannabis trends, science and industry growth. This beautiful book is for people who enjoy consuming and growing cannabis and want to be more immersed in this plant and in this evergrowing industry. It is also filled with tips and tricks from expert insiders like technical advice from breeders, ways to judge and compare strains and how to make the best cannabis selections. (Alex Bradley)
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Debuting as the most anticipated Nintendo Switch game during the new system’s launch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first fullfledged game of the series to release since 2011. The landscape of Hyrule is vast, and you play the ever-silent hero, Link. Players will explore the vast, open world that is packed with places to explore, weapons to collect and puzzles to solve. This ambitious project by Nintendo brings all of the nostalgic nuances of traditional Legend of Zelda games, but also offers a ton of other new features to entertain new and returning players. (Nicole Potter)
It’s rare that a film these days has the opportunity to show audiences a nearly wholly unique coming of age story and perspective. It is for this reason, as well as an array of others, which is what makes writer/director Barry Jenkin’s second feature-length film, Moonlight, both incredibly important and wonderfully beautiful. The film follows a young black man, Chiron, growing up in inner city Miami as he struggles with personal and sexual identity in an environment that is increasingly hostile and volatile. (Simon Weedn)
After nearly a quartercentury as a band and eight studio records under its belt, one of the greatest rock acts of all time, Sleater-Kinney, has finally delivered an official live album. The simply named Live In Paris showcases what many have known for a long time; that the band is even more electric in a live setting. Encompassing 13 songs from a 2015 concert, the trio absolutely roars through mostly recent material but sprinkles in some old favorites for good measure. Live In Paris finally gives SleaterKinney a powerful live experience to add to its already stellar catalog. (Simon Weedn)
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“We are trying to improve and know exactly what kind of marijuana should be given for a specific condition. One does not get the same marijuana for epilepsy and for cancer and pain.”
ReigninG Researcher The father of THC, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, talks about his groundbreaking research in studying cannabis in Israel
I
by R. Scott Rappold
n the early 1960s, though cannabis had been used for centuries and demonized for decades by governments around the globe, the science world knew surprisingly little about the plant itself. Scientists had long since learned how to synthesize morphine from the opium poppy and cocaine from coca leaves, but what about cannabis? Few in the U.S. or the rest of the Western world cared to learn about cannabis— not that they could study it anyway, given harsh restrictions cannabis research in the U.S. So it should come as no surprise that some of the major breakthroughs 22
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in understanding cannabis came from across the ocean. In the tiny nation of Israel, one man, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, is responsible for much of what we know about cannabis today. He was the one who isolated and identified cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. He later identified the receptors in the human body that interact with cannabis and the cannabinoids that bond with those receptors. While the world is just waking up to the medical potential of cannabis, from treating epilepsy to cancer to chronic pain, Dr. Mechoulam has known about it for decades. At 86, he has earned the distinction of being
the “father of marijuana research” and the “father of THC.” Dr. Mechoulam may be one of the world’s foremost experts on cannabis, but he is no advocate scientist in the vein of Timothy Leary or Terrence McKenna. He approached cannabis with the curiosity of an organic chemist studying something new, not as a true believer. In fact, except for in the laboratory, he’s never even touched cannabis. CULTURE recently caught up with Dr. Mechoulam in Israel, where he still holds several academic posts, including Professor at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel, and advisor to the government on Israel’s medical cannabis program. >> photos by
Yit z W o o lf
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How did you get involved in cannabis research? I’m a chemist. I work with natural products, and I was looking for something important in natural products in plants, and I was surprised to find out that while morphine had been isolated from opium nearly 150 years previously and so was cocaine, from coca leaves, the chemistry of cannabis was not well-known, and I thought it was a good topic to do research on. Did you have any personal experience with cannabis, or was it non-existent in Israel at the time? No, no, no. Very few people were interested in marijuana at that time. As a natural scientist I asked for a grant from the (U.S.) National Institute of Health (NIH), and more or less what they told me was they were not interested, that marijuana was not an interesting topic for them. Few people used it in the States. It was mostly used in Mexico, so if I found something that was more relevant to the U.S. so they would look at it. It was in the early ’60s. Well it turned out all of a sudden it became relevant (with the rise in use in the later 1960s), and pharmacologists 24
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from the National Institute of Mental Health and the NIH flew over and at that time we had isolated the main component of cannabis, THC, in a pure form . . . and [one pharmacologist] took that material, and quite a bit of the early work of the NIH with cannabis was done with the THC we gave him. He may have smuggled it into the U.S., I don’t know. You had to get smuggled cannabis for your first experiments, correct? I didn’t get marijuana; I got hashish from the police. And how did that happen? Not that complicated at all. I went to the administrative head of my institute and asked him whether he had a contact with the police and he said, ‘Sure, no problem.’ He called the number two person at the police at that time. They had been in the army together or something of that sort. From the other side I could hear him saying, “Is he reliable?” And the head of the institute said, “Of course he’s reliable.” So he invited me over to the police, and I took five kilos of hashish. It broke the laws. It turned out I was not allowed to have it, and he was not
allowed to give it to me. It was the Ministry of Health that should have permitted it, but in a small country, I went to the Ministry of Health, and I apologized, and any time I needed more hashish I went to the Ministry of Health and had no problems. What were you really hoping to learn about this substance when you started to study it? I’m a chemist. A natural products chemist usually works on identification of compounds, active compounds, and thus opening the field for further research . . . I’ll try to explain. In order to do biochemistry or pharmacology or clinical work, the chemistry has to be well-known . . . The chemistry has to be well-established before anything can be done with the compound or the plant. In this case the chemistry was not well-known so we knew at that time, in the early ‘60s, very little about the pharmacology and the chemical effects and so on, in modern terms. Science has to be quantitative. If you work with a plant, you never know what you’re doing, what you’re getting. So the chemistry had to be established before anything scientific could be worked on. >>
How long did it take you to establish the chemistry and start to look at the human effects of this plant? For several years we worked on the isolation of compounds, several different types of compounds. With biologists we evaluated the effects on monkeys and later, after quite some time, we worked on the metabolism. Later we worked on other topics. So we advanced, step-by-step. What do you feel were your major breakthroughs and discoveries about this plant? First, elucidation of the chemistry, particularly isolation and synthesis of the active compounds. It turned out there was only one active compound related to psychoactivity, THC. There is a second that had a lot of therapeutic effects called cannabidiol, and we elucidated its structure as well. So this was the first phase of the cannabis research we did. Later on, many years later, we looked at the compounds that our bodies make, and these compounds bind with the same receptor that the plant cannabinoids bind to . . . The receptors don’t exist because there is a plant out there. The receptors exist because we produce compounds which bind to these receptors, activate them and cause activities. We went ahead looking at the compounds that we make. Then in the ’90s we discovered that the two main compounds that bind to these receptors, anandamide and 2-AG, and there has been a huge, huge amount of work on these endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoids that we make . . . These compounds seem to be very important in our biology. One of these compounds has to do with bones and osteoporosis, loss of bones, and another has to do with blood vessels
“There is a lot of interest, and I believe this is the third phase of cannabis research. But most people in the States are interested in the first stage, in the THC, in the CBD, in selling it for outrageous prices and trying to make a lot of money out of it.”
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during head trauma and so on. A third one has to do with addiction. And so on and so forth. There is a lot of interest, and I believe this is the third phase of cannabis research. But most people in the States are interested in the first stage, in the THC, in the CBD, in selling it for outrageous prices and trying to make a lot of money out of it.
Do you feel that by focusing on selling expensive flower, that the United States is missing out on some important things about this plant? The plant contains THC and a lot of other compounds that do not cause the high. There is a compound called CBD, which is just as important. It does not cause the high but it has a lot of therapeutic effects, and it is of extreme importance, and people are trying now to have plants that don’t have THC but CBD and are using that for therapeutic effects. >>
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When you started studying this, were your colleagues skeptical, or did you have a lot of support in the scientific community? We went along scientific lines. There was no objection at my university. As a matter of fact people thought it was as a good kind of research, interesting research. And even my colleagues, in the late 1970s or early 1980s, elected me Rector of the university. If they had any objections to my work they wouldn’t have voted for me. I was elected to the Israeli Academy of Sciences. If there was any objection I wouldn’t have been elected. Are you still studying cannabis? Now I am officially retired, but my university is a very liberal one, and I have all the faculties to go on working . . . We’re not studying cannabis, the plant. We haven’t studied the plant in many years. That was the first stage. Did you play a role in Israel allowing medical cannabis? I’m a Consultant for the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Health has approved medical marijuana under strict regulation. There are about 27,000 patients who get medical marijuana. We are trying to improve and know exactly what kind of marijuana should be given for a
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specific condition. One does not get the same marijuana for epilepsy and for cancer and pain. How do you feel about being called the “father of marijuana research?” Is that something you’re proud of? Well I’m delighted that I’m called that. We have apparently done something good in the field. Is this the type of research that could only have occurred in a small country like Israel? I have no idea. As an academic I decided to do it, and I did it. Here it was maybe easier to get the material, but I had no problems doing the science. Possibly in the U.S. it would have been more difficult because of administrative problems, but we had no problem getting the materials. Is there more to learn about the cannabis plant and how it affects humans? Because of administrative freezes [on research], there have been very, very few clinical studies. Although thousands of people use cannabis to fight cancer, there hasn’t been any clinical study, or a well-done, modern clinical study on cancer published. That’s a shame because if people use it, the data should be there. We should have modern clinical data. We
did some clinical work on epilepsy 35 years ago and unfortunately nobody took great interest in that. And only five or six years ago all of a sudden people found that yes, our research is very relevant to what’s going on and many children today are being treated today with CBD, which we showed to be very active against epilepsy. There are very few drugs that help children with epilepsy. This should have been repeated on a larger scale in the U.S. We did a little work on PTSD and post-trauma. It should have been done on a large scale . . . All these things should have been done in the U.S. There is a major clinical trial on epilepsy. It should have been done 30 years ago after we published our small clinical paper. So that’s what’s missing. And I’m sorry about the situation. My last question is do you use it yourself? No. I have never used it. First of all, I am still interested but as I did research and we had official supply of cannabis, obviously if we had used it for non-scientific reasons if people had come to know about it that would have stopped our work. Basically, neither I nor my students were interested. c medicine.ekmd.huji.ac.il
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Industry Insider
Business is just another form of political activism and the right mainstream brand can help more and more Americans realize that this is a mainstream product. This is a normal product. It’s not a scary product that should be vilified.
Brendan Kennedy of Privateer Holdings by R. Scott Rappold
A
t the International Cannabis Business Conference in Vancouver in October, beloved cannabis consumer and activist Tommy Chong stole the show. But Brendan Kennedy may have had the most attentive audience of the event. As Co-Founder and CEO of Privateer Holdings, he has done what many once thought impossible for an industry just emerging from seven decades on the black market: He’s brought in Wall Street money, some $122 million to date. Kennedy has channeled the windfall into one of the world’s largest cannabis
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conglomerates, with 300 employees spread among the website Leafly.com, medical cannabis brand Tilray and Marley Natural, a line of accessories and cannabis strains done in partnership with the family of late singer Bob Marley. With a nice suit, a strong business background and an MBA from Yale, he’s brought an air of respectability to an industry with an image problem. Sure, it’s partially about making money, but he sees it as a form of activism as well, with the same end goal as everyone else in the industry: Full legalization. “I think it’s important that professional, sophisticated companies
emerge in this industry to help transition it from a state of prohibition into a state of legalization,” said Kennedy, 44, in a recent phone interview. “Professionallyoperated companies, and there are plenty that are emerging in the industry, are really important to continue to erode and tip over the Berlin Wall of cannabis prohibition.” “Business is just another form of political activism and the right mainstream brand can help more and more Americans realize that this is a mainstream product. This is a normal product. It’s not a scary product that should be vilified.” >>
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S.
Skeptical at first
R.
Rising tide lifts all ships
Kennedy was acquainted with cannabis—as a student at UC Berkeley, how could you not be? But after a dozen or so tries he decided it wasn’t for him. He went on to launch several companies and in 2009 was working for a large California bank, evaluating investment opportunities. Kennedy had a healthy skepticism about the medical cannabis boom then exploding in California and a handful of other Western states, but decided to do some homework, a full year’s worth, traveling the country and the world. “I had certainly been indoctrinated into the 'war on drugs,' thinking, ‘This is your brain on drugs,’ so I went in skeptically,” he said. “At the end of the year, after talking to so many people and so many patients and so many people closely associated with this product my perspective changed 180 degrees.” He and two partners founded Privateer Holdings in 2010, initially envisioning it as a venture capital firm, making investments in cannabis businesses but not running them. But the rising tide of legalization convinced Kennedy otherwise, that cannabis would be legal someday and establishing solid brands could help make it happen. So in 2011 the company purchased the website Leafly.com, a clearinghouse of information on dispensaries and strains.
Kennedy flew 305,000 miles last year. That’s 12 times around the planet. He doesn’t just meet with potential investors, but with lawmakers, government officials, scientific researchers and university professors. The day before our interview, he met with a group of 240 Wall Street investors worth a potential $1 trillion in investment money. Then it was off to Miami for more meetings before returning home to Seattle, where Privateer is based. The first $7 million he raised came from folks who were more interested in the social justice goal of legalization than making a profit, he said. While some subsequent
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investors have been primarily involved to make money, many are still involved for the altruistic goal of legalization. And though Kennedy may be making money, he sees his success as helping all those in the cannabis industry, where a rising tide lifts all ships. “We’ve achieved a lot of milestones for this industry, whether it’s raising our first round of $7 million—and people congratulated us because it helped others raise capital,” he said. “When we closed the second round at $75 million, people within the industry were thrilled because it made it easier for them to raise capital. When we became the first (cannabis) company to raise over $100 million, people within the industry thanked us.” Leafly.com has become one of the internet’s main cannabis information resources, visited by 10 million people in December 2016 alone. Tilray is a global leader in medical cannabis, with 20,000 patients, and is conducting groundbreaking research in the treatment of epilepsy and other conditions. And Marley Natural has accessories in 100 stores around the country and has begun selling some of Bob Marley’s favorite strains in California and Oregon, with the added benefit of helping impoverished farmers and workers in Jamaica. Still, he frequently encounters concern in the industry about such corporate control. Will the mom-and-pop operations be squeezed out and will cannabis become dominated by a few huge players, like the tobacco industry? “On one hand people within the industry are thrilled and congratulate us on what we’re doing. On the other hand, there’s some trepidation among small business owners, small operators, that large corporate companies are going to come in and gobble up the industry,” he said. “I don’t see that as a long-term threat. I think this industry ends up looking more like the craft beer or wine industries, where you have local, regional, national and international players. I think it looks much more like that than something like Big Tobacco.” c
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I’m not crazy, weed is giving me a perfect body inside and out.
Taking Shape
Cannabis, diet and exercise saved Tommy Edwards’ life by Zoe Wilder
A
s of January 2014, Los Angeles resident Tommy Edwards, a 57-year-old studio director at a major sports network, was marginally overweight with slightly elevated blood pressure. According to the doctor, it was nothing to worry about. Yet, Edwards’ intuition signaled that something in his body wasn’t quite right.
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Since his 86-year-old father has survived prostate cancer twice and similar conditions run in the family, Edwards sought regular preventive health monitoring since age 50. Seven years of doctor visits and testing hadn’t revealed warning signs. Or, so he thought. Edwards’ best friend, and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brother, Ace, came by the house for a visit and shared his experiences using medical cannabis to manage pain through a recent fight with prostate cancer. Since Edwards
was intuiting complications with his own health, he asked Ace for advice on consuming cannabis for health. Ace guided Edwards into the process of vaporizing cannabis and gifted him with a copy of CULTURE Magazine. So, he began a journey of research, watching documentaries and reading articles on the efficacy of medical cannabis. After four months experimenting with about 20 different strains, Edwards began to understand what works best for him. >>
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To enhance his morning workouts, Edwards began vaping concentrated cannabis and noticed certain strains would spur a sensation down his sides and around his stomach during exercise. He later learned the sensation he felt was fat burning off his mid-section. “When you mix vaping with working out, fat burns off your body,” he shared, candidly. Since Edwards started medicating with cannabis combined with exercise and a nutritious diet, his prostate is no longer enlarged, and he’s feeling better from the inside, out. Edwards wants everyone to know cannabis saved his life. When the topic turned to our nation’s drug policy during our interview, Edwards became deeply empathic. “Because it stops cancer; this is why the government stopped the legal sale of weed oil back in 1937. They want people fat, stupid, sick and dependent on the health care system. But, I’m 60 with the blood flow of a 30-year-old. When you look at me, you see the future and the future is now.” Edwards has seen the effectiveness and quality of life improvements that cannabis brings to those who suffer from a myriad of medical conditions. However, he’s also had a special opportunity to view how cannabis has helped treat the conditions of professional athletes’ as well. Thanks to Edwards’ unique presence in the sports industry as a studio director of a well-known sports network, he’s all for support of the use of cannabis in the profesisonal sports world. Over the years, Edwards’ new cannabis regimen took shape and he began to tackle those nagging health issues he assumed were there, but doctors never qualified. In June of 2016, Edwards decided to take a closer look at his online medical records, and he noticed that during a 2014 visit, his doctor indicated swelling in his prostate but never mentioned it. Edwards scheduled his next yearly physical. During this appointment, just last year, the physician noted nothing about his prostate, yet his blood pressure was still elevated. Edwards was prescribed blood pressure medicine. Within a few weeks, Edwards awoke in the middle of the night in extreme pain. “My chest muscle attacked my heart, causing my brain to sound the alarm and my eyes popped wide open. I had to wrestle my heart away from my chest,” he shared. Edwards went to the hospital and an EKG suggested he had an atrial fibrillation problem. Edwards felt his blood pressure medication wasn’t agreeing with him and refused to continue taking the prescription. In the weeks that followed, Edwards was administered several EKGs, asked to wear a heart monitor and was prescribed a new blood pressure med, Pradaxa. He was told he’d have to undergo a procedure to discontinue any
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blood pressure pills. As a result, Edwards met with Electrophysiologist, Dr. Lee, who deeply questioned the previous doctor’s diagnosis. Lee prescribed Edwards aspirin instead of prescription blood pressure medication and informed Edwards a procedure wasn’t necessary. In fact, Dr. Lee was quite pleased with Edwards state of health. “When I told Dr. Lee about my marijuana journey, he looked at my records and told me he had just watched Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Weed 3 on CNN,” reveals Edwards. “While he and the other doctors discussed the possibility of seeing patients who use weed as a medical treatment, Dr. Lee says I was his first . . . and he admires me.” c
Professional sports teams need players to vaporize before working out. It will prevent minor injuries, make bones stronger and kill pain without the side effects of pharmaceutical painkillers.
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culture growing
2017 WINTER GARDEN 2
T
he winter garden, consisting of one plant, a SharkShock, has been flowering for a month. When I purchased it from a dispensary in Oakland the first week in January, I transplanted it from a 2 1/2 gallon container to a five-gallon container. First I placed a bottom layer of commercial planting mix enriched with 20 percent by volume homemade kitchen and yard compost, and then placed the plant on top of that, filling the sides with mix so that the whole plant stem length remained above the soil line. The plant was grown vegetatively, rather than flowering, for two weeks by interrupting the dark period. This was accomplished with a five-minute burst of light from a 40-watt warm-white compact fluorescent every two hours during the dark period. It was fertilized weekly using a 7-9-5 one-part complete vegetative formula fertilizer diluted to 700 parts per million (ppm). Five days after the regulatory lights were turned off and the formula was changed to a one part bloom formula, 3-12-6, the first flowers appeared. Five days later flowers were appearing on all the branches.
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Plant as purchased from dispensary. It had a few main branches as a result of early pruning.
SharkShock after training and pruning, before the “switch.” Small and understory branches were removed and remaining branches were horizontalized.
The greenhouse receives light only from the top and front, so the 10+ hours of natural winter light is supplemented using a 600-watt HPS lamp for 12-hours daily, turning on shortly before dawn and off shortly after nightfall. Now that the days are getting longer and the intensity of the sun is increasing, the plant is getting an extra boost as it begins to ripen. Soon after transplanting I began “training” the plant. I wanted it to completely fill the 4’ x 4’ canopy, 16 square-feet and to encourage the large branches capable of producing large buds. On its own, SharkShock grows a large main stem with big bud and smaller side branches that produce smaller buds. Clipping the main bud early results in several main branches that will yield more than the large single bud. The plant had been clipped when it was young so it had branched out somewhat. I started by “horizontalizing” the branches: Bending them so they were parallel to the floor rather than growing up. I bent some down and held them in place using twistties attached to little holes drilled at the container top to hold them in place. Others were bent and held in place using crutches. Then understory and small branches were removed, leaving only large bud sites. Horizontalizing the plant, similar to scrogging, but without the screen, produces even more because the one plant covers a much large canopy and the branches fill with buds. The results are apparent 30 days later. All of the buds are at approximately the same height so they don’t block each others’ light. The entire canopy is filled with bud sites and the flowering formula is encouraging new bud formation. Growth is also helped by the increasing intensity of the sunlight and ambient light as spring draws closer. The buds will be ripe in 30-40 days. c
The garden set-up. Using a 600 watt HPS lamp and ambient light, C02 pads, a fivegallon container and planting mix.
SharkShock one month into flowering.
Close-up of flower, onemonth-old.
TIP OF THE MONTH Simple Salve Many of us use salves containing camphor, lidocaine, hot pepper, aspirin or other analgesics for pain relief. These salves can be made more efficacious by adding CBD and THC. Enriched salves will not get you high and will not show up on drug tests. There are several ways to add them to your favorite salve or lotion. Mix in finely powdered trim leaf. First grind it using a coffee bean grinder of blender. Before opening let the dust (glands) settle after grinding. Adding ethyl (drinking) alcohol, glycerin or vegetable oil to the powder before mixing helps the cannabinoids dissolve more easily. Mix cannabis tincture in to the salve. Make a poultice of cannabis chopped ground or powdered leaf using salve as a “binder.” Hold it in place with a bandage or wrap.
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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RECIPES
growing
culture
Time to Go: March Weather: Mid-50s with light rainfall Budget: $$$$$
if you go:
modern marvel on the mediterranean
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by Sheryll Alexander Spain is a paradox when it comes to the cannabis industry, but it seems nothing can stop Barcelona from becoming Europe’s new cannabis capital. It’s true. Barcelona has pretty much eclipsed Amsterdam when it comes to the continent’s best of the best in cannabis travel. Why? While Amsterdam is the historic ground central for cannabis in Europe, Barcelona has emerged as the new “it” spot for cannabis enthusiasts and those enriched by the cannabiz. You see, Amsterdam is sleepy (and cold) and is now seen in jet set circles as more like a pilgrimage or a cannabis lover’s rite of passage. Barcelona, on the other hand, is lit. And this comes just two years after Spain’s Supreme Court came down with a ruling that almost put Barcelona’s exploding cannabis culture in the deep black market freeze. Since Spain’s highest court basically pronounced
Fun-Filled Facts During Spannabis from March. 10-12, Barcelona’s State Network of Anti-Prohibitionist Women (REMA) organization is sponsoring a women’s “gathering” as a precursor to World Cannabis Conferences III. REMA’s goal is to stop the stigmatization of female cannabis patients and to found a platform for women professionals and activists in the cannabiz.
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humungous cannabis clubs outlawed, the trends towards small clubs have meant an expansion from about 100 in 2015 to, some say, more than 800 today. What this means for travelers is complicated. The clubs get around the “ban” by cultivating plants on private property for consumption by just 100 or so “members” who all supposedly help in the growing. Whatever happens, your chance of getting your hands on some premium bud in Barcelona is high. Plus, experiencing Barcelona in early spring is just a delight in and of itself. This intensely gorgeous and highly urban city-by-the-sea comes alive with fresh foods, scented flowers, spring fashions, endless cultural activities and Spain’s biggest cannabis expo, Spannabis (this 13th edition will be held from March 10-12 at Barcelona’s Fira de Cornellá exposition center). c
To get around the illegal-yet-legal status of cannabis in Spain, savvy travelers sign up for a cannabis tour or connect in advance with a local who is an avid cannabis club member. Before flying off, they invite their newfound Spanish friends for a round or three of tapas or a delicious dinner followed by dancing while in town. It won’t be long until the new friend or a friend of a friend kicks down some of their private club-grown stash. Some clubs allow their members to invite respectable guests. Those who can’t wait for all the polite posturing, however, can stand next to a known-to-be-cool cannabis collective entrance. Dress your best and chat it up with an entering member. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to get that welcoming nod without the annoying legal risks of enjoying communal cannabis medicating in other European cities.
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Although celebrated more in Valencia and Madrid, St. Joseph’s Day or Spain’s Father’s Day is feted as a local holiday traditionally on March 19 (but lands on March 20 in 2017). This holy day honors the husband of The Virgin Mary with ceremonies, festivals, fireworks, papiermaché nativity scenes and native dress along with gifts and displays of affection to fathers of all kinds. 2
culture RECIPES
growing
Barbara “Barbie” Sommars
Age: 44
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Condition/Illness: Interstitial Cystitis, Hunner’s Ulcers and Chronic Pain
When did you start using medical cannabis? I started using medical cannabis shortly after my diagnosis in 2008. First with edibles and trying to master micro-dosing myself, and then I explored smoking and other methods like topicals, tinctures and patches. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes, I tried vicoprofen (opioids), as prescribed by my doctor, but declined the one FDA prescription prescribed for my condition due to undesirable side effects. Early on, I delved into all kinds of potential natural remedies including various herbs, acupuncture and exercises. I even had surgery in 2009. What’s the most important issue or
problem facing medical cannabis patients? Safe, reliable access. It has always been my biggest problem and continues to be. I live in an area where cannabis is not embraced so I must travel over an hour to obtain it legally. I think the other important issue is access to pesticidefree flower. It’s not very prevalent in SoCal but I think that will change with consumer demand. What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? It’s an ancient, healing herb! Don’t be afraid of it. It’s better for you than most things your doctor will prescribe. I’m appalled at some of the toxic and down-right dangerous medications some people take to get a good night’s rest. I will always go the natural route if possible. 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 growing RECIPES UNKNOWN DESTINATION
Spring Invigoration recipes by Laurie Wolf In terms of seasons, we’re finally approaching the light at the end of the tunnel. Spring is right on our doorstep; however the crisp chill of winter’s end may still linger throughout the month. While the country is preparing to wear shorts and t-shirts, don’t throw out your light sweaters and cozy socks just yet. As spring and winter battle it out, we’ll remain cozy in our homes whipping up delicious and hearty meals while dreaming of springtime flavors soon to come. Embrace the warmth and comfort of a cannabis-infused chicken pot pie while getting a taste for fresh roasted cauliflower and grill-inspired bacon-wrapped shrimp. Top it off with an addicting white chocolate bark, and you have a cannabis-infused meal worthy of staying inside—at least for a few more weeks.
Menu: Chicken Pot Pie Roasted Cauliflower with Cumin Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp White Chocolate Bark with Dried Cherries and Granola Snickerdoodle with Chocolate Drizzle
Chicken Pot Pie Covered with store bought piecrust or puff pastry, this is an easy way to enjoy an infused comfort food classic. Just breaking through the top crust is enough to give you goose bumps. If you have only had a frozen version of this dish, you are in for a treat. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter 4 teaspoons canna-butter t 1 stalk celery, sliced 1 carrot, peeled and sliced 1 teaspoon thyme 1/3 cup flour 2 cups chicken stock
Servings:
4
1/3 cup light cream or half and half 1 cup peas 3 cups chicken, cooked and cut in pieces Salt
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Puff pastry or piecrust 1 egg, beaten (optional) Directions: In a large sauté pan over low heat, melt the butters. Sauté the celery, carrot and thyme for 10 minutes. Add the flour to the mixture, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the stock, cream and peas, and mix well until vegetables are coated and the mixture starts to thicken. Stir in the chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat oven to 340° F. Cut the puff pastry or piecrust to fit the tops of the 4 ramekins. Divide the mixture between the 4 ramekins, and top with the pastry. If desired brush the pastry with the beaten egg for a shiny, crisp crust. Make slits in the pastry with a sharp knife to let the steam escape. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the mixture is bubbling. MARCH 2017 iReadCULTURE.com
t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com
Roasted Cauliflower with Cumin This is a fantastic way to prepare the under-loved cauliflower. In the last year or two, cauliflower has begun to get the attention it deserves. Roasting this veggie is magical with cannabis and cuminperfection. Also, it looks so cool prepared this way! Ingredients: 1 medium head cauliflower, sliced into 4 pieces 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 teaspoons canna-olive oil t 2 teaspoons cumin
Servings:
4
1 teaspoon cumin seeds Salt Pepper Directions: Heat oven to 340° F. Lay the slices of cauliflower on a baking sheet with sides. Brush with the oils, and sprinkle with the cumin, salt and pepper. Roast the cauliflower until golden and tender, about 25-30 minutes.
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Bacon and shrimp? Yes, please. Goat cheese too? Amazing. The addition of canna-olive oil takes this dish to a place that is beyond perfection. I always try to find nitrite-free bacon. It’s generally good quality, and who needs the extra chemicals? When bacon is cooking, all but the kosher must stop and give thanks. It tastes as good as it smells. Ingredients: 6 bacon slices, cut in halves 12 large raw shrimp, peeled and cleaned 4 teaspoons canna-olive oil t 3 tablespoons goat cheese, cold Squeeze of lemon Servings:
4
as an appetizer
Pinch of salt Directions: Heat oven to 340° F. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cook the bacon about halfway. Remove bacon from pan, and allow it to cool. Place the shrimp on your work surface. Brush each shrimp with the canna-olive oil. Place a small piece of goat cheese on the shrimp in the center along with a squeeze of lemon and pinch of salt. Wrap the bacon around the shrimp, covering the cheese. Place on skewers all in the same direction. On a baking sheet with sides, place the bacon-wrapped shrimp, seam side down. Bake until the bacon is fully cooked and the shrimp are pink, 5-7 minutes.
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culture
Servings:
8
White Chocolate Bark with Dried Cherries and Granola
growing
Cannabis and white chocolate are perfect together. It seems like they just bring out the best in each other. Dried cherries and granola gild the proverbial lily. Ingredients: 2 cups white chocolate melts or chips 3 tablespoons canna-butter t 1 cup granola 1/3 cup dried cherries
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In a double boiler melt the chips with the canna-butter. Place a sheet of parchment on your work surface. Pour the white chocolate onto the parchment. Sprinkle the white chocolate with the granola and the cherries. Allow to set for at least one hour before breaking into pieces.
Snickerdoodle with Chocolate Drizzle
MAKES:
3
dozen
With its sugar-cinnamon coating and chewy goodness, whoever thought a snickerdoodle could get better? Well, it has. With a bit of cannabis and a chocolate drizzle, this cookie may just become your new favorite. 2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup sugar
5 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
9 tablespoons cannabutter t, softened
1 cup chocolate chips 1 tablespoon plus one teaspoon butter
Directions: Heat oven to 340° F. In a medium bowl combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. In a mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar till fluffy. Add the vanilla and eggs and beat till incorporated. Stir in the dry ingredients until there is no flour showing. Chill the dough for 30 minutes. In a small bowl combine the 1/3 cup sugar with the cinnamon. Roll the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls. Roll the balls in the cinnamon sugar and place on parchment covered baking sheets. Place the balls of dough 2 inches apart. Bake until set, 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly. In a double boiler combine the chips with the butter. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle the cooled cookies with the chocolate sauce. Allow to set.
Chef’s Notes Cream of tartar is what sets a snickerdoodle apart from a sugar cookie. It is responsible for the slight tanginess of the cookie and its almost pillow-like texture. A sugar cookie is crunchy, a snickerdoodle is soft. 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.
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Chuck Shepherd's
News of the
Weird LEAD STORY—Post-Truth Society u In January, the U.S. Court of Appeals finally pulled the plug on Orange County, California, social workers who had been arguing in court for 16 years that they were not guilty of lying under oath because, after all, they did not understand that lying under oath in court is wrong. The social workers had been sued for improperly removing children from homes and defended their actions by inventing “witnesses” to submit made-up testimony. Their lawyers had been arguing that the social workers’ “due process” rights were violated in the lawsuit because in no previous case on record did a judge ever have occasion to explicitly spell out that creating fictional witness statements is not permitted. THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS u Former elementary school teacher Maria Caya, who was allowed to resign quietly in 2013 from her Janesville, Wisconsin, school after arriving drunk on a student field trip, actually made money on the incident. In November 2016, the city agreed to pay a $75,000 settlement—because the police had revealed her blood-alcohol level to the press in 2013 (allegedly, “private” medical information). The lawsuit against the police made no mention of Caya’s having been drunk or passed out, but only that she had “become ill.” THE REDNECK CHRONICLES u (1) John Bubar, 50, was arrested in Parsonsfield, Maine, in November after repeatedly 46
MARCH 2017 iReadCULTURE.com
lifting his son’s mobile home with his front-end loader and dropping it. The father and son had been quarreling over rent payments and debris in the yard, and the father only eased up after realizing that his grandson was still inside the home. (2) Update: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reversed itself in December and allowed Mary Thorn of Lakeland to keep her 6-footlong pet alligator (“Rambo”) at home with her despite a regulation requiring that a gator that size needs a more spacious roaming area. Thorn and Rambo have been together for over a decade. PERSPECTIVE u “You Have the Right to (Any Ol’) Attorney”: While poor, often uneducated murder defendants in some states receive marginal, parttime legal representation by lawyers at the bottom of their profession (usually unable to keep their murder clients off of death row), Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicted of three murders in the 2013 attack and facing a possible death sentence, once again will be represented for free by a team at the top of the profession—headed by the chief of the New York federal public defender’s office. Tsarnaev was previously represented by a team topped by the chief of the Boston federal public defender’s office. LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS u (1) Matthew Bergstedt, 27, was charged with breaking into a house in Raleigh, North Carolina, in December, though he failed to anticipate that the resident was inside, stacking firewood (which he used to bloody Bergstedt’s face for his mugshot). (2) On Dec. 5 in New York City, a so-far-unidentified man made five separate attempts to rob banks in midtown Manhattan over a three-hour
span, but all tellers refused his demands, and he slinked away each time. (Police said a man matching his description had successfully robbed a bank four days earlier.) RECURRING THEMES u The Return of Anger Relief: (1) What was billed as the United Kingdom’s first “Rage Cage” opened in Nottingham, England, in December, allowing patrons to vent with crowbars, baseball bats and hammers to smash crockery, electronics and glassware—at prices ranging from about $15 to about $40. (2) In October, a bookstore in Cairo, Egypt, set aside a small, soundproof room where patrons could go scream at the top of their lungs for 10 minutes about whatever stresses them. The store owner pointed to an academic study demonstrating screaming’s “positive effect” on the brain. (The prototype store is still Donna Alexander’s Anger Room in downtown Dallas, thriving since 2011, offering a variety of bludgeoning weapons, and especially active this election season, with target mannequins gussied up to be “Trump” and “Clinton.”) THE PASSING PARADE u (1) Two weeks after a Pakistani International Airlines crash killed all 47 on board, some employees of the company figured they needed to dispel the bad karma (for their own safety) and thus sacrificed a black goat on the tarmac at Islamabad airport next to an ATR-42 aircraft (the same model that crashed). (2) Badminton player Mads Pieler Kolding, in a January match in India’s Premier Badminton League, returned a volley at a world’s record for a shuttlecock—265 mph. SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED u Schools’ standardized tests are often criticized as harmfully rigid, and in the latest version of the
Texas Education Agency’s STAAR test, poet Sara Holbrook said she flubbed the “correct” answer for “author motivation”—in two of her own poems that were on the test. Writing in Huffington Post in January, a disheartened Holbrook lamented, “Kids’ futures and the evaluations of their teachers will be based on their ability to guess the so-called correct answer to (poorly) made-up questions.” COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS u In December, James Leslie Kelly, 52, and with a 37-conviction rap sheet dating to 1985, filed a federal lawsuit in Florida claiming that his latest brush with the law was Verizon’s fault and not his. Kelly was convicted of stealing the identity of another James Kelly and taking more than $300 in Verizon services. He bases his case on the Verizon sales representative’s having spent “an hour and a half” with him—surely enough time, he says, to have figured out that he was not the James Kelly he was pretending to be. He seeks $72 million. IRONIES u London’s The Guardian reported in January that “dozens” of people have been charged or jailed recently for “defaming” the new Myanmar government, which has been headed (in a prime-ministerlike role) since April by Aung San Suu Kyi, who was elected after her release from house detention following two decades of persecution for criticizing the longtime military regime. For her struggle for free speech, Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. Said the wife of the latest arrestee, Myo Yan Naung Thein, on trial for “criminal defamation” of Suu Kyi’s regime, “This is not insulting—this is just criticizing, with facts. This is freedom of speech.”
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