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INF ORMING T HE M AS SES
Former talk show host and actress, Ricki Lake, gives CULTURE the exclusive scoop about her career, her goals for the future and her new film, Weed the People. ON THE COVER:
PHOTO BY GIACOMO GEX
features
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Listen Closely These five cannabis podcasts are a great way to stay entertained while gaining unique perspectives on the current state of the industry.
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Audible Achievement Wildly popular hip-hop duo, The Underachievers, talks about its newest album and love for cannabis.
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departments
08 Letter from the Editor news 10 News Nuggets 11 By the Numbers 12 Local News 13 Legal Corner reviews 14 Cool Stuff 15 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 26 À La Carte 28 Growing Culture 30 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! d How to Infuse Your “Friendsgiving” Celebration d First Two Cannabis Labs Approved in Boston, MA
VOL 10 ISSUE 5
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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, David Edmundson. Caroline Hayes, Pamela Jayne, Carl Kozlowski, Emily Manke, Kiara Manns, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, 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 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alex Brizicky, Angie Callahan, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Rocki Davidson, Casey Roel, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza OFFICE MANAGER Mikayla Aguilar 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.CultureMagazine.com
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LETTER
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EDITOR
Enduring Devotion
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ediatric cancer. Those are two words that no parent or guardian should ever have to hear, especially when referring to the health of their child. The words pale in comparison to the devastating experiences that coincide with undergoing cancer treatment for a child. Unfortunately, pediatric cancer, among other diseases, is an unfair reality that many children and their families still face. Cancer is a destructive force that affects the lives of both victims and survivors, and when children are the ones who are affected by it, cancer couldn’t be crueler. Like our readers, at CULTURE, we are not only cannabis consumers, but we are activists, and we are educators. Every day we wake up and live our purpose of bringing cannabis into the mainstream, for medical purposes, as well as for recreational enjoyment. We are mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles; we are proud members of our community, and overall we want more than anything to see health and wellness perpetuated in the lives of every human being on this planet. We want to dismantle the lies and fear that surround cannabis and replace it with education, research and hope. It’s our mission to create a safe place for all consumers from all walks of life to feel like they can belong within our community, while also being provided with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their own wellbeing, as well as that of their loved ones. That is why when we come across stories like those found in the groundbreaking film Weed the People, we rejoice in finding a clear and accessible way to provide information to the masses about a plant that has helped so many who are undergoing cancer treatment. Through our exclusive interview with Weed the People Executive Producer Ricki Lake, CULTURE gained insight into the growing impact of this emotional film, which follows the heartbreaking and awe-inspiring journeys of various families who turned to cannabis as treatment for their children’s pediatric cancer. With countless screenings continuing throughout the month of November and in some cities into December, we invite our readers to come along this journey, which highlights the heroes who exist within our community, who provide children and their families with cannabis medicine and guidance. The cannabis industry is no stranger to
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setbacks. But we will no longer be defined by the obstacles ahead of us, and instead, we’ll continue to rally together to make sure no person diagnosed with cancer is not given all the resources possible to thrive. Like many of the other documentaries Ricki Lake has been a part of before, Weed the People has the ability to lead to the change we are desperate to see in our world, if for nothing else, for the sake of our children. As Lake tells CULTURE in our November cover story, “At the end of the day, you look into these kids’ eyes, and you see them going through these treatments in the hospital. You can’t help but get behind these families and stories. That—I hope—will lead to real change in the system.” c Cheers!
JAMIE SOLIS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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NEWS
NUGGETS
Overwhelming Majority of Michigan Cannabis Arrests are for Petty Possession The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol released an analysis on Oct. 10 indicating that 90 percent of cannabis possession arrests in Michigan were for one ounce or less of cannabis. Additionally, 70 percent of possession arrests were for one-quarter ounce or less, and 45 percent of arrests were for one gram or less of cannabis. “Michigan could fill Little Caesar’s Arena with the number of people arrested each year on marijuana possession charges, and 70 percent of those charges are just petty—a
Cannabis Job Fair Attracts Over 500 Applicants On Oct. 11, medical cannabis company Green Peak Innovations (GPI) held a job fair at Eagle Eye Golf Club in Bath Township to fill 50 full-time jobs at two Michigan locations. Applicants can expect to make in between $14 and $22 per 10
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quarter ounce or less,” Josh Hovey, Campaign Spokesperson said. “Voting ‘yes’ on Proposal 1 will help redirect law enforcement resources—our tax dollars—to critical issues that truly impact the quality of life in our communities.” The analysis also pointed out that African Americans were 2.6 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis in Michigan.
Guam Governor Signs Cannabis Cultivation Bill
hour, which is well above Michigan’s $9.25 minimum wage. Applicants can also expect medical, dental and vision insurance. “These are good jobs,” Jeff Radwar, CEO of GPI stated. “GPI is offering excellent salaries and benefits to high caliber individuals who are passionate about serving the needs of Michigan’s patients in our growing company. People are going to love working on the GPI team.” A total of 575 applicants showed up to the job fair, far exceeding expectations. Over the next year, GPI plans on filling a total of 200 jobs at the Harvest Park cannabis business park in Windsor Township near Lansing.
On Oct. 9, Gov. Eddie Calvo signed Bill 302, which allows patients and caregivers to grow their own medical cannabis until Guam’s medical cannabis program forms. Patients and caregivers have already been waiting for access to medical cannabis since the island first legalized it in 2014. “This bill was prompted by an initiative voted on by the people of Guam,” Gov. Eddie Calvo stated. “It has been a struggle getting medicinal marijuana to those in our community who need it. Now there’s another option, and that is home cultivation. We believe that this measure will effectuate the use of medicinal marijuana for those that are in need of it.” Per the new law, patients and caregivers can obtain a grower’s permit from the Department of Public Health and Social Services. Once they’ve received a permit, they can grow and possess up to six adult and 12 juvenile plants.
The projected amount of sales tax revenue, in millions of dollars, that Proposal 1 could generate by 2023: (Source: Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol)
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that was invested into a new cannabis business park in Orion Township, which broke ground in early October: (Source: WXYZ)
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The projected amount of tax revenue, in millions of dollars, that Michigan’s proposed recreational cannabis industry is expected to collect annually once the state’s recreational market matures: (Source: Detroit Free Press)
134.5
105.6
The initial number of jobs that were available for application at a job fair held by Dimondale-based Green Peak Innovations in midOctober: (Source: Lansing State Journal)
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The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the state of Alaska collected in cannabis tax revenue during the month of August: (Source: U.S. News)
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The estimated number of people who applied for a “Cannabis Connoisseur” job that was posted in Toronto, Canada in late-September:
20,000
(Source: Global News)
The number of U.S. states that saw cannabis-related proposals on the November ballot: (Source: Forbes)
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The estimated number cannabis-related public speakers who spoke at the 4th Annual Maine Cannabis Convention in Maine: (Source: Portland Press Herald)
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Natural Alternatives to Pain Relief with Cannabis
WHEN: Sat, Nov. 17 WHERE: Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room, 114 S. Main St., Ann Arbor WEBSITE: crazywisdom.net How much do you know about the endocannabinoid system? Do you know about the differences between CBD and THC? Natural Alternatives to Pain Relief with Cannabis will begin with a presentation on the health benefits of medical cannabis followed with a Q&A session with Blue Sage Health’s cannabis consultant, Julie Barron. Barron is excited to share her knowledge of medical cannabis as a replacement for dangerous
pharmaceutical drugs, which often lead to horrible side effects. Beginners are encouraged to learn some of the foundational knowledge behind cannabis as a medicine. Visitors will be welcomed into a non-judgmental environment where you can start off slow and begin to learn more. Michigan is home to one of the most active state medical cannabis programs, so get your tickets before the seminar sells out! CultureMagazine.com
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NEWS
LOCAL
Tenacious D
THE STARS ALIGN
Construction has begun for a large cannabis business park in Orion Township By Benjamin M. Adams
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n Orion Township in Oakland County, a large business park devoted exclusively to cannabis businesses is expected to revitalize the area into a medical cannabis hub. It’s the latest cannabis business park to be erected in Michigan. Earning the obligatory trust of neighbors is imperative towards receiving the needed approvals for any large cannabis-related project in Michigan. The absence of provisioning centers appears to be one of most important deciding factors in sealing the deal in certain cities. On Oct. 2, groundbreaking began for the $40 million cannabis business park—which is touted as the first of its kind in Oakland County. The property will accommodate growers, processors, secure transporters and safety compliance operations. The facility will not include a provisioning center, because the township voted against having one. Non-retail cannabis operations aren’t considered a threat to the community’s image. Within the 25-acre property, a 288,000 square-foot complex with three buildings will be built on Premier Drive. The cannabis operations fall underneath the umbrella of the Oakland Business Park. The park is the result of an alliance between multiple investors, attorney teams and cannabis industry insiders including Royal Oakbased GROW Cannabis Marketing. Beyond the initial specs, few details have been released about what to expect inside the business park or what other businesses will be involved. CULTURE spoke to Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett, also a member of the Orion
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Township Board of Trustees, who voted in favor of the project. When asked whether or not the project could bring tangible economic benefits to the area, “Absolutely,” Barnett replied. “No question.” Barnett believes that without a provisioning center, the neighboring residents won’t be bothered by cannabisrelated activity that will soon take place. “The project has started,” Barnett told CULTURE. “There are three buildings. The first building’s foundation is already in. They will be erecting the facility very soon.” According to Barnett, the project’s business permit and state license must be approved each year, giving the community control over its future, but he doesn’t foresee any problems. The site will generate $250,000 to $300,000 in annual permit fees alone. Rent on the property will not be cheap. The smallest rental space available at Oakland Business Park begins at 6,000 square-feet and for $14,000 per month. It is predicted that only medical cannabis businesses will be able to afford to rent spaces at that rate. As of mid-October, leases for three-quarters of the rental spaces were completed. The site will include a power substation to provide consistent electrical power for tenants in the park. Cannabis business parks are a fairly new concept in Michigan, but are popping up in unexpected areas. In Windsor Township near Lansing, the Harvest Park medical cannabis development center boasted a large acreage and will provide the area with up to 1,000 jobs. Harvest Park is touted as “the largest medical marijuana development east of the Mississippi.” Green Peak Innovations hosted a job fair on Oct. 11 to fill some of the jobs that Harvest Park will provide. Like Harvest Park, Oakland Business Park will provide hundreds of jobs to the area. Oakland Business Park’s first building will be completed by the end of the year. c
“The project h a s s ta r t e d . There are three buildings. The first building’s f o u n d at i o n i s already in. They will be erecting the facility very soon.”
Jack Black and his longtime pal Kyle Gass formed Tenacious D well over 20 years ago, and the duo has grown enormously in popularity over the years. Tenacious D recently announced its fourth studio album PostApocalypto and dropped the album’s lead single “Apocalypto” shortly afterwards. Black doesn’t really need any introduction, given his iconic career in Hollywood film and his fans will likely sell out The Fillmore Detroit in no time. “A lot of times when you get high it seems super-duper funny and then after you realize— NOPE,” Black told CULTURE about joke-writing in 2014. Although Black isn’t currently a regular cannabis consumer, he shared that he is “absolutely” in favor of cannabis legalization. See the duo live and be the first to hear some of the group’s new material. WHEN: Mon, Nov. 12 WHERE: The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit WEBSITE: thefillmoredetroit. com
NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
Limiting Factors
S i x p e r c e n t T H C r u l e e s ta b l i s h e d f o r topical cannabis products By Matthew Abel
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here are a variety of consumable medical cannabis products currently available to patients in Michigan. Some can be smoked (like cannabis flower), others are vaporized (such as oil, wax, shatter, crumble, rosin and live resin) and many are eaten (in the form of edibles). All of these products are ingested in one way or another. Topicals, however, are exclusively absorbed through the skin and come in many varieties such as balms, lotions, salves, rubs, massage oils, personal lubricants and even suppositories. In Michigan, there’s a limitation
on how much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can be contained in a topical product, which may prevent many patients from getting the most effective cannabis topicals to treat their skin conditions. Recently The Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation (BMMR) imposed a rule setting a limit of six percent THC by volume on topical products (see table in Rule 34 of the Emergency Rules of May 30, 2018). The Director of BMMR, Andrew Brisbois, indicated that the rule is being changed, and we await that revision. Investigation through the Michigan Freedom of Information Act shows that the BMMR recommended the six
percent limit based on rules from the only state in the nation which has any limit on topicals—Oregon. Also, under the current rules, suppositories, which generally are kept frozen until use, will not be available in Michigan, since nothing requiring refrigeration is currently allowed. Patients who require more potent cannabis topicals may also be left without options, especially those who choose to use cannabis products such as Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), which is know for its high-THC content. In 2002, a Canadian man named Rick Simpson created and used a cannabis oil formula as a topical to fight his own skin cancer (he suffered from basal cell carcinoma). Unfortunately, since RSO is a lot stronger than six percent THC by volume, it will be illegal to sell for use as a topical preparation in Michigan. Medicines like RSO may still be available for sale, though, for use as an edible if they are microdosed properly. A June 2018 review in Dermatology Online Journal noted 47 dermatological studies related to cannabis. Entitled “Cannabinoids in dermatology: a scoping review,” researchers found evidence for the successful treatment of various skin conditions by using cannabis topical products. The review notes that cannabis has the potential to treat many conditions including acne vulgaris, dermatitis, psoriasis and skin cancer, to name a few. Despite the promise of cannabis-infused topicals, it concluded that more studies are necessary to further prove its effectiveness. “There is a requirement for thorough pre-clinical research and large-scale, randomized, controlled trials before cannabinoids can be considered safe and effective treatments for these conditions,” the review states. Through this review alone, it is evident that cannabis-infused topicals are very helpful in treating skin conditions. While patients will still have access to topicals that are low in THC, there is not enough evidence to back up whether or not this is the most effective medicine for certain skin conditions. It is clear that the future of potent topical medicine in Michigan is bleak at the moment. c
“ U n f o r t u n at e ly, s i n c e RSO is a lot stronger than six percent THC by volume, it will be illegal to sell for use as a t o p i c a l p r e p a r at i o n . ”
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1. 35” Green Crack Walking Cane with Brass Handle Strain Canes are the ingenious answer to the excess of cannabis and hemp stalks, which are typically thrown out as waste or simply milled for industrial fiber. This particular Strain Cane is 35 inches tall, weighs 2.5 pounds, and is made from the stalk of a cannabis plant grown by Moonshine Farms. With its polished finish, classy brass name plate and brass handle on top, it’s a quality cane that will last a long time. Each stalk takes about three to six months to dry in a solar kiln, and then it is handcrafted. Price: $150 More Information: straincanes.com 2. Canon IVY Photo Printer Do you miss the Polaroid era? Don’t fret, because Canon has you covered with the instant photo, re-imagined for the modern era. Print two-inch by three-inch peel-and-stick photos from your smartphone or social media accounts. Don’t forget to add the filter. You can also add emojis, frames, text, stickers or create a collage, the same way you manipulate and edit a photo using a digital platform. An actual photo is more archival and easier to display in the real world than any media you have stored on your social media accounts. The Canon IVY Photo Printer is exactly what you need if you want to enjoy your memories forever. Price: $129.99 More Information: shop.usa.canon.com 14
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3. Moodo Starter Pack Why settle for a single scent when Moodo can provide rotating or mixed scents to suit any mood? The starter pack comes with three scent families, and each scent family contains four capsules with complementary scents that are carefully selected. Mix and match, or personalize your own scent by toggling with the presets and customizing according to your preference. There are a total of seven mood-oriented scent families to choose from. You can also control Moodo remotely using its handy smartphone app. That way, if you’re away from home, your house will smell the exact way you choose by the time you arrive home. Price: $189 More Information: moodo.co
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4. Silver Surfer Vaporizer® Don’t be modest—vape like a superhero with the Silver Surfer Vaporizer®. With its glass-on-glass design, handblown temperature knob and customizable base and accessories, this timeless product will have you tossing out your older vaporizer models in no time. You can also dress it with a new color each time you change the colored hose wraps. It comes with a wand attachment, a banger, hoses and all the accessories you need to get started. Every model is built and tested in the U.S.A., so invest in a product that will last you a long time and provide consistent solid draws. Price: $270 More Information: 7thfloorvapes.com
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REVIEWS
entertainment
BOOK
The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life Amanda Siebert Pub. Greystone Books Cutting through the misconceptions, cannabis journalist Amanda Siebert brings readers 10 evidence-based facts about cannabis in this easy-to-read book. The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life includes insight from some of the most respected medical professionals and researchers in the field, providing answers to frequently asked questions about the countless reported benefits of cannabis, from it being a weight loss enhancer and aphrodisiac to it having the ability to cure cancer and serve as a sleep aid. For the cannabis-curious, it’s clear to see that this short read is an enjoyable one. (Jacob Cannon)
RELEASE DATE: NOV. 13 AVAILABLE ON: PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE
MOVIE GAME
Spyro Reignited Trilogy Dev. Toys for Bob Pub. Activision While the Spyro the Dragon series is far from new (having originally released in 1998 on the PlayStation), the quality of this trilogy remake is so high that it might as well be brand-new. Not only does this game present undeniably beautiful graphics compared to the original, but it’s also a three-for-the-priceof-one deal, so you get the original as well as the second and third titles. Players will instantly harken back to the days when 3D games were new, and times when endless hours of fun were gained by comically torching sheep with fire and collecting gems that looked like liquid-filled fruit snacks. (Nicole Potter)
Sorry to Bother You
MUSIC
Dir. Boots Riley Universal Pictures In an era made for refreshing takes on political art and film, Sorry To Bother You is one of the funniest and most interesting socially aware dark comedies in recent memory. Helmed by first-time Writer/ Director Boots Riley, the film follows Oakland, California resident Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield) as he rises to prominence as a telemarketer by discovering his “white voice” and its ability to help him make sales. Fleshed out by a robust cast including Danny Glover, Terry Crews, Steven Yeun and Tessa Thompson, and voice acting from David Cross, Patton Oswalt and Lily James, Sorry To Bother You is a mustsee. (Simon Weedn)
abysskiss Adrianne Lenker Saddle Creek Adrianne Lenker might be best known at the moment as the front-woman of ethereal, indie rockers Big Thief. Prior to the band’s success though, Lenker was already drawing praise as a solo artist with dreamy acoustic tunes. On her first album of solo material since Big Thief’s rise, Lenker takes the enveloping style she’s perfected with her band and applies it to a singersongwriter setting with abysskiss. While the songs still have the raw, strippeddown feel of solo, acoustic work, the overall production and simple backing arrangements allow the songs to wash over the listener like cool fog. (Simon Weedn)
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“IN THE BEGINNING, ALL I DID WAS CHANNEL OPRAH.”
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PHOTO BY GIACOMO GEX
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RICKI LAKE OPENS UP ABOUT HER CAREER, HER L AT E S T FIL M AND HER PERSONAL MISSION TO EDUC AT E OTHERS ABOUT MEDICAL CANNABIS
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By Benjamin M. Adams
Few people possess the natural empathic abilities that Ricki Lake does— which is why she was the youngest syndicated talk show host at the time when Ricki Lake debuted in 1990. It’s also why her wildly successful early career in film—and prowess in the independent documentary scene later on in life—took root. Through films like Hairspray with Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono and Divine, and Cry-Baby with Johnny Depp and Traci Lords, Lake became a cult classic icon in the world of musical film, beginning when she was just a teenager. Hairspray would inspire a Broadway musical that won eight Tony Awards and a 2007 remake with an all-star cast. And seldom do shows last 11 seasons like the original daytime talk show Ricki Lake. As an ardent ally of LGBTQ rights, female empowerment and various social causes, Lake was naturally inspired to produce Weed the People, a powerful film that follows the children and families battling pediatric cancer, who depend on medical cannabis. The Emmy Award-winning host, actress, executive producer and mother took time to chat with CULTURE about the reasoning behind her new film, as well as the highs and lows of her remarkable on-screen career. CultureMagazine.com
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Weed the People takes a hard look at pediatric cancer patients who depend on medical cannabis the most. What led you to connect with Director Abby Epstein and make this film? Abby and I first met in about 1999 when she directed the “The Vagina Monologues,” so we became coworkers and friends. And then we went on to make our documentary The Business of Being Born, which came out 10 years ago in 2008. I’m drawn by my own personal experiences with midwives and home birth, and I really wanted to explore that option. And with cannabis, I can’t say “this is my medicine” way back when, but my beloved husband Christian Evans
“I HAVE REAL HIGH HOPES THAT [WEED THE PEOPLE] CAN DO A LOT TO MOVE THE NEEDLE AND GIVE PEOPLE A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE POWER OF THIS PLANT, THE SMEAR CAMPAIGN THAT TOOK PLACE 75 YEARS AGO AND HOW WE REALLY NEED TO GET BACK INTO THE MINDSET THAT THIS IS JUST A PLANT THAT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE AND ANYONE WHO NEEDS IT.” passed away in 2017. This is his passion. He was very, very curious about how cannabis could help him with his own physical ailments. He had a lot of issues. At the same time that he was doing research and looking up and finding out information about CBD. This was way before Sanjay Gupta went on CNN and cleared up medical cannabis misinformation. And so we started on this journey. He was [encountering] these medicines that he hadn’t tried before, and at the same time, we had this little girl come into our life that didn’t end up in the film, but she had this really terrible disease, and we went on this mission to try to find out the options for her as opposed from chemotherapy. And it led to this five-and-ahalf years in the making of this film following these 18
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children. What we learned is just staggering. The hypocrisy. It’s a human rights issue, and it just doesn’t make any sense. How long did it take you to find concrete evidence of the efficacy of medical cannabis? It is hard, because the evidence is just not out there. You don’t know what the outcome is going to be when you’re working with these children. They have to put a lot of trust in us in letting us document, and many of the times the doctors in the hospitals don’t want cameras in there. It’s really touching, even though one of the children in the film didn’t survive. But in the documentary film landscape, that’s the experience—you don’t know where it’s going to take you. So yeah, it’s heartwrenching, like watching baby Sophie getting a scan every six weeks because she has fluid [gathering]. It’s life or death. I’m so grateful to the families for trusting us and allowing us to follow their process and ultimately help so many people through their times of despair and hope. I think ultimately, this film is a very hopeful film. It’s been instrumental in helping people to come to the decisions that are best for them. And that’s the same with this film. It’s about informed choice and knowing what the laws are and knowing what you’re up against. And it is changing. We started in 2013. We’ve come a long way, but it is still a Schedule I drug. It’s still federally illegal in this country. I would love to change the perception that some people have. Why do you think it’s still common for some parents to automatically dismiss medical cannabis as treatment for their children? It is frustrating, but I think
that this movie could be the tipping point. I have really high hopes for it. I made the film with all my own money. It was my personal passion. It was my interest. I didn’t know if anyone else would care. I did it, because I thought I needed to put this out into the world for my own life’s work. What we’ve seen is my movie from 10 years ago, the home birth rate in America has doubled. The C-section rate has flat-lined for the first time in decades, and they say it’s because of the information that we shared in our film. I have real high hopes that [Weed the People] can do a lot to move the needle and give people a new understanding of the power of this plant, the smear campaign that took place 75 years ago and how we really need to get back into the mindset that this is just a plant that should be available to everyone and anyone who needs it. Do you think we’ll see cannabis rescheduled federally any time soon? So much is happening. I’d like to say “yes.” We brought our little film Weed the People to Oklahoma to screen it there at their deadCenter Film Festival two weeks before their referendum. Arguably, I think that our film might have had something to do with it. I want to believe that this means we can help change the law. But honestly, this movie isn’t about legalization. It’s about families and their plight to find medical care for their dying children. At the end of the day, you look into these kids’ eyes, and you see them going through these treatments in the hospital. You can’t help but get behind these families and stories. That—I hope—will lead to real change in the system. CultureMagazine.com
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don’t get to hear about in their five minute meeting with Planned Parenthood or their meeting with [their] OB-GYN. There’s a lot more to it. I’m really excited about the new film also. I’m also a little bit nervous, because I feel like it’s taking on the beast of “Big Pharma”—like poking a tiger. I come at it from a place of curiosity and personal interest. I was on hormonal birth control for decades, and I only look back at it now and say, “Oh. That’s why I was depressed.” Or “That’s why I had hair loss.” I’m just putting the dots together now. Who knows what choice I would have made knowing that. I love that I get to use my celebrity [status] to make these films that impact people and ultimately help.
Weed the People Director Abby Epstein and Executive Producer Ricki Lake
Do you consume cannabis? Yes. I live in California, and I am lucky enough to be able to have access to some of the best medicine. I wasn’t a cannabis user for a very long time. It wasn’t my medicine. I would take too much, and it would make me feel paranoid. First of all, the gift of making this film is that I’ve been able to meet some of the most amazing doctors and chemists and to understand that there are thousands of strains. It’s just about tinkering around and finding what’s best for you. I take CBD every day for anxiety and sleep issues, and I have an arsenal of beautiful medicine to help me if I need it. But I wouldn’t say I’m a daily cannabis user. It’s not something I need to do every 20
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day. I love that I am able to use this legally in my state and have access to the best medicine. Sweetening the Pill was another documentary you produced about birth control. Do you worry about birth control rights in the United States after recent events? Of course. Absolutely. It’s terrifying. Our film, again, is about choice. Every documentary I make is about informed choice. So what we did for birth [and birth control], we hope to do for cannabis. We’re not about trying to steer women off hormonal birth control, but we really want to educate them about the pros and cons and what it does to your body. There’s a lot that women
John Waters graced the cover of CULTURE back in 2014, and your first run of major films were directed by him. How did he discover you? I was 18 and a freshman in college, and I heard about an audition that was happening for a movie called Hairspray. I honestly did not know who John Waters was, or Divine. I’d never heard of any of his films. I just knew that I was a fat girl who could dance. And so I met him at the open audition, and I went for one callback—and it changed the entire trajectory of my life. It plucked me from complete obscurity. I was on a very different path, and he opened the door for me. I just saw him last week. Right now, the time is crazy. It’s 2018. I just turned 50. I was 18 when I did Hairspray. It’s the 30th anniversary of Hairspray. Business of Being Born is 10 years old. And my talk show launched 25 years ago last month. So I have all these milestone anniversaries. I saw John last week for the 30th anniversary Hairspray screening in New York, and he came. It was awesome. It’s surreal to think of what that man was able to do for me and what we were able to do together. Every door opened for
me after that movie. I’m forever indebted and grateful for that guy. Looking back, Hairspray tackled some pretty deep issues like racism and fatshaming. At the time, did you foresee its impact? No. I was just so happy to be making $20,000, so for me, I was very short-sighted. Once it did come out, John kind of coached me and said, “Look, your life is going to change, so I want you to remember to be humble and stay true to yourself.” He really gave me advice that helped me. But no, we had no idea at the time. And the fact that it would live on through all these different iterations—it’s insane. It’s more timely than ever on issues of racism. It’s sad but true that these issues still live on today. You began hosting the original Ricki Lake show at age 24, making you the youngest talk show host at the time. You’ve accomplished so much, starting so early on in life. How did you pull that off? Hell if I know. Honestly, it goes back to being completely naïve and having some inner selfconfidence. I remember really admiring Oprah and looking up to her and I was on her show when I was 19 for Hairspray. I wanted to be her. I told her I wanted to be the white Oprah. And I meant it, like a love letter to her. When they offered me a show years later, I
“I TAKE CBD EVERY DAY FOR ANXIETY AND SLEEP ISSUES, AND I HAVE AN ARSENAL OF BEAUTIFUL MEDICINE TO HELP ME IF I NEED IT.” assumed since they offered it to me that I could do it. I never really had any doubt. In the beginning, all I did was channel Oprah. I said to myself, “What would she say? What would she ask?” Ultimately, I guess I was a good host, because I realized I was a good listener and a non-threatening person, and I have my own life experience. All these qualities and naturally I was able to apply them at that job. Still,
I’m continually curious about relationships and so forth. Having said that, I was also happy to walk away from the show after 9/11. I watched the plane hit the building. That’s around the time I switched gears. I ended my show and moved to L.A. My documentaries wouldn’t have been successful had I not had the credibility and
the familiarity with my audience. Ricki Lake was an early example of presenting LGBTQ issues and prejudices on TV. Do any particular guests stand out to you, from any topic? I’ve been thinking a lot because of Matthew Shepard’s 20th anniversary of his death. His family came on my show. We did a ton of work on gay rights. On treating gay relationships just as any other relationships. On interracial relationships. I pride myself because we were pretty groundbreaking in that area. I treat every relationship as any other— the same respect that I’d want. To this day, there are so many gay people that come up to me and say, “That show helped me to figure out who I was.” What do you plan on doing next? If I died tomorrow, it would all be OK. But there’s still more that I want to do. I’m looking at a project with a friend of mine. We’re launching a TV show, and we’re pitching to different places right now. My youngest is graduating from high school, so he’s going to college next year. My other son is graduating from college this year. I’m moving to Malibu, and the house is going to be ready in April. So, I’ll be an empty nester living in Malibu and seeing what the world has in store for me. c
www.weedthepeoplemovie.com CultureMagazine.com
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Cannabis podcasts are popping up everywhere: here are some of the best
By David Edmundson The landscape of entertainment is changing. People are ditching expensive cable bills in favor of video services like Netflix and Hulu, live television like YouTube Live and Twitch and weekly radio in the form of podcasts. The nature of podcasts is to provide stimulating conversation on
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topics of all sorts, and there is no shortage of podcasts on cannabis. From business to news and everything in between, cannabis podcasts are rising up rapidly with the near-endless flow of news. Needless to say, there’s quite a few cannabis-themed podcasts that inspire and inform. Podcasts make up a vibrant tapestry, that there is something for everyone in the cannabis landscape.
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confusing and complicated world of cannabis. If you are looking for something that is equal parts fun and informative, with a female spin, this show is just what the doctor ordered. mariaandjane.com
The Marijuana Agenda with Russ Belville Business Outlaws Looking to get the edge on the best cannabis business practices? Business Outlaws, hosted by Jayme Foxx, Chris Collins and “BigMike” Straumietis of Advanced Nutrients have a never-ending fountain of advice on the subject. The show tackles a new issue every week, such as a previous episode called “How to turn your side hustle into your reality,” where all three hosts discussed their failures and setbacks but provided a mountain of useful advice and insight into how their minds operate. The combined knowledge and personalities of these three really make for an incredibly informative and enjoyable show. businessoutlaws.com
CannaInsider Looking for more industry acumen? If knowledge into the cannabis industry is what you seek, then Matthew Kind from CannaInsider has the podcast for you. Every week, this podcast dives into a different topics about the industry at-large, from cannabis tourism to manufacturing of products and everything in between. Through interviews with industry experts who uncover the hottest trends and newest technology shaping the industry, this podcast will keep you in-the-know and maybe even ahead of the game. Recent topics include “How Bitcoin and Blockchain are Impacting Cannabis” and “How Terpenes Radically Change your Experience of Cannabis” featuring neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher Dr. Ethan Russo. cannainsider.com/podcast
Maria & Jane Podcast Looking for a female-centric podcast? The goal of Maria & Jane Podcast is to inspire women that are looking to enter the cannabis business world. This podcast is a great tool for the busy women who are on-the-go. This casual, yet highly informative show consists of cannabis news and in-depth interviews with influencers in the cannabis world. The show is also supplemented by Maria & Jane’s weekly newsletter that is another great resource for anyone wanting more information on the
Looking to throw on your armor and join the battle to end cannabis prohibition? Radical Russ Belville’s podcast is dedicated to covering the fight to legalize cannabis globally. The Marijuana Agenda with Russ Belville airs live every Wednesday on YouTube and features a combination of new material and highlights from his previous podcasts, including shows recorded during his time working for NORML. He later publishes the podcast on his website. Belville’s passion for cannabis legalization, a subject he has dedicated over a decade to, really comes through. His show is often political, with United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump being regular victims of his tirades. So, if you’re a big supporter of 45, you might want to pass on this one. However, if you’re looking to find out where the battle for cannabis is currently residing, you should enlist in the Russ army, and subscribe to the show. mjagenda.com
Getting Doug with High Looking for a laugh? Comedian and former CULTURE Magazine cover celebrity Doug Benson has a simple premise with his podcast—invite funny and entertaining people over to his studio, get high with them and proceed to tell hilarious anecdotes. Past guests include other CULTURE cover alumni Kevin Smith, Tommy Chong and Jack Black, along with a lengthy rogue’s gallery of comedians. Guests will frequently share stories about the first time they consumed cannabis and answer various cannabis trivia. Benson also spotlights cannabis strains, types of cannabis and cannabis accessories. If you are looking to sit back and be entertained, this show will deliver in spades. youtube.com/dougbenson
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How did you two come together to form The Underachievers? Issa: We were born and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn a few blocks away from each other and through similar interest we became close friends over the years. AK was perusing rap as a career, eventually rapping under the solo moniker “AK The Underachiever.” AK: Issa originally became a manager for me, but I eventually influenced him to try rapping out, which led to our first songs being recorded in my basement in Flatbush. Eventually, after a few months, it was established that we would be “The Underachievers” and released our first song “So Devilish” and continued from there.
The Underachievers SEE cannabis as a part of life
By Kiara Manns
R
appers and New York natives, known by their stage names as AKTHESAVIOR and Issa Gold, are longtime friends who combined
talents to form The Underachievers. The two men have been in the game since 2011 when they formed the hip-hop duo and weaved cannabis throughout several of their songs together. CULTURE caught up with them to discuss their style, their themes and the current climate around cannabis in their home state.
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Which artists have you both looked to for inspiration? Issa: For inspiration in developing our movement I’ve looked to A$AP Rocky, Tyler, the Creator, Mac Miller, Flatbush ZOMBiES, Joey Bada$$ and Wiz Khalifa and the way they were able to target their demographic and use the internet to their advantage. Musically I draw influence from my life, experiences, ideas and philosophies. AK: Growing up I used to listen to a lot of Lil Wayne, Tupac, Jay-Z, Nas and Lupe Fiasco. That’s where I found my love for lyricism and real rap in a sense, but also new age rappers like Tyler, the Creator, A$AP Rocky and TDE inspired me with their music and the way they came into the game.
How would you describe your sound and style? Issa: Our sound is versatile. We like to do all types of sounds and don’t like boxing ourselves into one type of approach. We make a lot of golden era hip-hop, we make a lot of experimental progressive hip-hop, we make a lot of psychedelic hip-hop, and we make a lot of trap hip-hop. But across all sounds used we try to always come with something to make people think externally and about the world around them or feel good about themselves as a whole. Cannabis has been incorporated into your themes, and inspired songs such as, “Herb Shuttles” and “Super Potent.” Why is it important for you guys to include cannabis in your music? Issa: I don’t think it’s something that’s important to the music, more so something that is a part of my life, so it comes out in the music. If I stopped smoking weed tomorrow there wouldn’t be any more weed in my raps. It’s a part of me so I rap about it, for now. AK: It’s within our music, because it’s definitely a part of our lives (in general), and we write and record music about that lifestyle because it’s only right. I wouldn’t say it inspired all those songs, maybe just “Super Potent” but we normally write and record all of our music while smoking. It’s like second nature. Does consuming cannabis help when writing and producing music? Issa: I don’t think cannabis helps with writing or producing. I believe [cannabis is] just something that guides the music, because it’s a part of who I am. It influences the music, but in ways that I can’t put my finger on, because it’s such a regular everyday thing for me. I more so think alcohol helps with writing and producing music because it gets me more loose and free to say what I want.
become more chill, and it would definitely be great to not worry about breaking any laws or being harassed in public if it becomes legal. It should affect the rate of cannabis-related arrests made in New York in a positive way, too. What projects are you two focusing on at the moment? Issa: We’re trying to make as much quality music that we can. Right now we have After The Rain coming, which is an album with a sound different from what we’ve been doing. It was produced by Brasstracks, a two-man band, so it’s full of great instrumentals filled with jazz and gospel influences. The lyrics are extremely transparent and touch on our lives now and the world we currently see around us. AK: We also have Lords of Flatbush 3 coming, which is a fun upbeat trap project filled with raps on raps and 808s on 808s. It’s the third installment in this series we’ve been doing since the year we released (2013). Going into next year we would love to drop as many projects as possible. c
“I BELIEVE [CANNABIS IS] JUST SOMETHING THAT GUIDES THE MUSIC, BECAUSE IT’S A PART OF WHO I AM. IT INFLUENCES THE MUSIC BUT IN WAYS THAT I CAN’T PUT MY FINGER ON, BECAUSE IT’S SUCH A REGULAR EVERYDAY THING FOR ME.”
AK: For me it helps with zoning in and focusing on the vibe and concept of the track. What are your favorite strains? Issa: My favorite strains are any really dank dark heavy indica dominant OG strand. Kush Co. OG is one of my favorite companies to smoke from—Always grade A. AK: My favorite stains are Cookies and OGs, so strains like Biscotti, Gushers, Zkittlez, Famous Genetics and Kush Co. are always good. Recreational cannabis legalization is a big discussion in New York right now. What would you like to see happen in your home state in regards to that issue? Issa: Legalize it. It’s time. I live in California now, so I’ve been enjoying the wealth of a legal state, but it would be dope to see New York take steps forward. Bring some relaxing vibes to such a hectic city. AK: New York is more chaotic so I think folks would
theualifestyle.com
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Cannabis C o c k ta i l C u r at o r Mixologist Jason Eisner i s k n o w n t o b r i n g a d u lt beverages to a higher level By Devon Alexander Brown
W
hen he was younger, bar vet Jason Eisner didn’t like cannabis at all. He’d sometimes smoke to fit in, but he never cared for the experience until he learned how to enjoy it during the last decade. Now the three-time Best Bartender Award Winner uses that newfound appreciation to blend the finer notes of cannabis with his passion for bar culture and mixed drinks. Eisner got his start in the food and beverage industry at a young age helping his mother with her catering job on the weekends. But what began as quality time quickly bloomed into a passion. And in his early 20s he made the move from New York to Los Angeles, California to learn from the best. A quest that saw him running a
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biker bar in Malibu and kindling a mentorship with famed mixologist, Jaymee Mandeville, before he was picked up by restaurant group Love Serve Remember Foundation to spearhead West Hollywood’s plant-based restaurant behemoth, Gracias Madre, its first full liquor concept. As Bar Director of Gracias Madre, Eisner came out swinging—crafting the drink menu with nothing but agavebased spirits. And it’s here that he became known for experimenting with cannabis in his cocktails. He began making smoked drinks with a culinary smoking gun, hemp seeds and water pipes that served as informal decanters, before becoming one of the first mixologists to infuse spirits with
cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabis terpenes. And in keeping with tradition his forthcoming craft brewery project, Party Beer Co., which launches in the spring of 2019, will also feature a nonalcoholic CBD beer. “I look at cannabis as medicine,” Eisner told CULTURE. “I use it every day. Especially CBD, because it helps with inflammation, pain, anxiety, you name it. And I laugh when people tell me users aren’t productive people. This morning I woke up, made my daughter a delicious vegan breakfast, drove her to school, did two hours of Muay Thai and MMA sparring, and I’ll be working until eight o’clock this evening while using cannabis throughout the day.” While Eisner’s smoked cocktails did not offer any
additional intoxicating effects, their complex flavors and aromas were inspirational to his creative mind. Every cannabis strain contains terpenes, which produce unique flavors and aromas that can complement spirits. For this reason cannabis can open new horizons for what is possible behind the bar. CBD, which is non-psychoactive, can be infused in oils or tinctures, but Eisner prefers oils because they offer a richer flavor and scent, seeing as they don’t fully integrate with spirits like alcohol-based tinctures. The calming and sedating effects of CBD also balance well with the intoxicating effects of liquor. Still, all cannabis compounds affect everyone differently, so it’s wise to take note of the dose of CBD as well as the ABV, or alcohol by volume, of any given CBD cocktail. A cocktail with a high ABV might counteract the effects of CBD, while too much CBD might lead to severe drowsiness. Just because CBD won’t produce the high of
“ I H AV E A V E R Y SPECIFIC SYSTEM WHEN I USE THC IN C O C K TA I L S , B U T I D O N ’ T SUGGEST PEOPLE AT HOME USE THC.”
Blue Dream M a r g a r i ta Ingredients:
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) doesn’t mean it carries no learning curve of its own. The legality of hemp-derived CBD as well as THC also varies market-to-market with THC remaining federally illegal. “I have a very specific system when I use THC in cocktails, but I don’t suggest people at home use THC,” Eisner said. “I always suggest people at home use CBD, because THC in cocktails can be a little too advanced if you’re just starting to play around with it, and a really high dose of THC can turn people away from cannabis. The worst thing that can happen to you with CBD is you fall asleep on the couch in your most comfortable sweater while watching a terrible ’90s rom-com.” c
2 ounces 100 percent Blue Agave Tequila Blanco
Instructions:
1 ounce organic fresh squeezed lime juice 1/2 ounce organic agave nectar 2 dashes of orange bitters 1 pinch of Kosher salt 1 scoop of E3Live Blue Majik Spirulina 5 milligrams of the CBD oil of your choice
1. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake rigorously, and strain into a Collins glass. 2. Add fresh rocks (or crushed ice). Garnish with an edible flower, and serve.
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GROWING CULTURE
TIPS OF THE MONTH
U R B A N FA R M I I I By Ed Rosenthal
I
t is now mid-October, and we’re continuing the cultivation of our urban farm. In order to give the plants more vegetative time so they can grow bigger, they were given nightly doses of light using two high pressure sodium lamps. The lights were slowly walked through the garden rows midway through the dark cycle. A large metal halide work light, used by road crews, was also wheeled down the center aisle as part of the regimen. The dark cycle lighting ended on Sept 10. By then, the autumn dark period was long enough to immediately send the plants into flowering. All of their energy is now devoted to reproduction, and the plants are growing big buds in a vain search for pollen. This variety of OG fills out late in the bloom period. The plants are now entering their sixth week of the flower stage, and they have about two weeks to go, so we will start cutting after Nov. 1. So far, nature has been good to this crop. We had a rainstorm in late September, but it quickly dried with the help of a nice warm
The one-acre garden is planted with about 2,800 20-gallon containers. Each plant has a space of about 16 square-feet. 28
This plant stands about three feet high. Notice that it is fully budded.
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breeze. Since then, we’ve had mainly clear sunny skies with highs in the mid to high 70s, and nightly drops into the low 60s to high 50s. The humidity is high, ranging from 60 to 80 percent, but the constant salt air breeze coming off the Bay helps to keep fungi and molds from attacking the plants. This is an outdoor crop, so we are completely at the mercy of nature’s vagaries. The forecast for two weeks was mostly sunny leading up to Oct. 29, just before harvest, when cloudy weather and a slight chance of drizzle was expected to hide the sun for three days. On Nov. 1, the scheduled harvest date, the sun began to peek through the clouds again. If it rains, there is a good chance that the moisture and cool weather might promote the germination of molds and fungi. To prevent this from happening, after the rain stops we will spray the plants with water at the pH of 8.5. The alkaline condition inhibits mold and fungi from germinating. Our plan is to remove “A” buds and preserve them for sale as flower. They will be carefully dried and trimmed. The smaller buds and
The fan leaves have been removed from the buds, so the sunlight falls directly on the developing bud.
Removing small bud branches and fan leaves.
Now that you have had time to taste the crops, be sure to start regenerating the clones from your favorites. Remember, during vegetative growth you took clones from the plants for later evaluation? Provide the select with more light and space to grow them up or to use for cloning.
biomass will quickly be dried using heat and very low humidity. Then they will be used for concentrates and extracts. We are preparing the space now. The harvest time will take three to four days, and we will be processing the material as it is harvested. The plan is to remove the buds that will be preserved as flower first. Then we will remove the biomass. Later, after all the plants have been processed, the roots will be removed from the containers and they will be planted with alfalfa and left out in the field. The alfalfa will supply nitrogen and help the microorganisms thrive, amending the mix so it will provide a healthful environment for next year’s crop. c
This bud will ripen in about two weeks.
Top view of maturing bud.
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—UNDIGNIFIED DEATHS A husband and wife have been exposed as murderers and cannibals in Krasnodar in southern Russia, reported the Express on Sept. 28. Natalia Baksheeva, 43, has confessed to killing and eating dozens of victims with her husband, Dmitry, 35, over 18 years. Investigators were tipped off to the couple’s gruesome culinary tastes after a 35-year-old waitress, Elena Vashrusheva, and Natalia fought over accusations that Vashrusheva was flirting with Dmitry. Natalia ordered her
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husband to kill Vashrusheva: “Following this demand, the man took out the knife that he always kept in his bag and stabbed the woman twice in her chest. The victim died from her injuries on the spot,” investigators reported. Police charged Natalia with one count of goading her husband into killing the woman after they found “steamed,” pickled and frozen human remains belonging to Vashrusheva in the couple’s kitchen. A photo found in their apartment from 1999 showed a human head served as dinner, garnished with mandarin oranges. Dmitry, who has tuberculosis, will be charged at a later date. Tu Thanh Nguyen, 32, of Sunnyvale, California, made two crucial mistakes while she was visiting Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
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in Michigan on Sept. 19. First, Nguyen was hiking alone, reported WLUC News. But her fatal error was stopping at a point along the North Country Trail to take selfies, where she slipped and fell 200 feet to her death in Lake Superior. Two kayakers witnessed her fall and retrieved her body, which they moved to Chapel Beach. However, first responders were unable to revive her. BOLD MOVES Three cheeky raccoons jolted a Toronto, Ontario, Canada, woman awake late on Sept. 18 when they broke into her kitchen. Jenny Serwylo heard noises coming from her kitchen and approached the critters with a broom, which scared away two out of the three. But a third wouldn’t budge, barricaded behind her
toaster oven and munching on a package of English muffins. “He was like, ‘I’m eating, get out of here,’” Serwylo told the Toronto Star. She tried calling authorities but couldn’t get any help, and her contest of wills with the raccoon lasted for more than a half-hour. “I was growling at him and hissing at him,” she said. As she pointed the broom handle at the animal, it would grab the end and “yank it really hard.” Finally, having consumed all the bread in the kitchen, the raccoon calmly went out the window, which Serwylo locked behind it. Toronto Animal Services spokesperson Bruce Hawkins told the Star that such encounters are unusual, but you be the judge: The city has created a guide for residents about how to deal with raccoon intrusions.
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