Culture Magazine NorCal January 2018 by Culture Magazine

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

contents 44 Vol 9 IssUE 7

1.18

Strong and Resilien t Eben Britton, former offensive lineman, speaks out in support of cannabis consumption in the NFL, as his personal experiences have led him to activism and launching a CBD company.

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

On the COVER:

John Gilhooley

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

contents

inside

1.2018

features 38

departments

Connecting to the Cure Sophieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother used her family's experience with medical cannabis to create CannaKids, which helps parents navigate the intimidating process of securing cannabis for sick children.

HIV and Cannabis The medical cannabis movement was ignited by those affected by HIV, and now the government is funding research to further its relationship with the community.

Shattering Stereotypes As founder of The 420 Games, Jim McAlpine leads by example as a health-focused cannabis connoisseur.

Feeling the Fusion With a refreshed lineup, New Zealand-based Katchafire fuses classic reggae with jazz and R&B, bringing listeners tunes they can groove to.

14 Letter from the Editor news 16 News Nuggets 20 By the Numbers 24 Local News 26 Healthy Living reviews 30 Dispensary Highlight 32 Company Highlight 36 Edible & Concentrate Reviews 38 Cool Stuff 42 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 68 Growing Culture 72 Profile in Courage 74 Recipes

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

Online Exclusive! d Majority of West Virginian Doctors Support Cannabis d New Study Suggests CBD as Schizophrenia Treatment

Vol 9 IssUE 7

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Devon Alexander Brown, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Keira Fae, Caroline Hayes, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Madison Ortiz, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly R. Simms, Alexa Steinberg, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Amy Witt, Laurie Wolf Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Tonya Perme, Josué Rivas, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Michelle Aguirre Graphic Designer Payden Cobern sales director Joe Larson Account Executives Alex Brizicky, Molly Clark, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Lee Moran, Casey Roel, Garry Stalling, Shayne Williams, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy office manager Mikayla Aguilar digital media Hannah Lemley coordinator Intern Sophia Rybicki Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Publisher David Comden Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 600 locations throughout the Bay area. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

2175 Sampson Ave. | Ste. 118 Corona | California | 92879 Phone 888.694.2046 | Fax 888.694.2046 www.CultureMagazine.com

CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

/freeculturemag

/iReadCulture

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

L E TT E R

FROM

TH E

EDITOR

Congratulations California!

o you remember when the country’s first recreational cannabis sales began in Colorado in January 2014? As a Californian, I remember feeling envious and a little frustrated. While a win for cannabis anywhere is a win for us all, deep down, there was a wave of disappointment that crept up inside of me. And although the feeling subsided almost as quickly as it came, it was hard to believe that California had yet to allow adult-use of cannabis. We set the precedent as the first state to legalize medical cannabis—where had we gone wrong? Now, four years later, our state has finally caught up with several others, as the licensing process for our state-approved recreational cannabis businesses has officially begun. It was a monumental milestone in November 2016, when voters decided to finally permit adult-use in the state. And since then, CULTURE has participated and reported on every step of the journey toward implementing this new legislation into reality. Although there is still time before we see dispensaries popping up in every city that has chosen to allow recreational cannabis sales, this month is still a very exciting time for our community. California is consistently ranked as one of the world’s largest economies. Not only are we responsible for growing much of the nation’s agricultural goods, but we also come with the very significant super power that is Silicon Valley. From there, add in that our notoriously liberal state is home to the oldest medical cannabis program in the nation, and we look forward to creating the nation’s largest legalized cannabis marketplace that the entire world will be watching. For many adults, legalized recreational cannabis was beyond their wildest dreams growing up. Now, they can now walk into a cannabis store and buy

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

whatever their hearts desire. At CULTURE, we are excited to witness and partake in the recreational cannabis industry that is just beginning in our great state. We started this publication in California, and today we dedicate three separate editions of our magazine to markets within this state. We can’t express the gratitude we feel to be a part of this significant moment in our state’s history. While there is much to be celebrated with the start of recreational cannabis licensing, this issue of CULTURE pays homage to cannabis as not only a recreational substance, but as a wellness tool. After all, this great plant has a long history of promoting and providing a healthier, more enjoyable lifestyle for those who choose to incorporate it into their daily lives. Congratulations to The Golden State for making it easier for adults to explore how much cannabis can add to a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle. Here’s to a year brimming with wellness and growth. January gives us hope of a new beginning; it marks our chance to wipe the slate clean and move forward. For those looking to improve their overall health and wellness this year, there is good news for you—cannabis can help. So, with all the miraculous benefits cannabis provides, we’ve decided to focus this issue of CULTURE to cannabis, health and wellness. c

Cheers!

Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

NEWS

nuggetS

San Leandro Approves First Cannabis Manufacturing Facility The San Leandro Board of Zoning Adjustments voted 4-0 on Dec. 7, 2017, to approve plans for the Florida-based Dispersa Labs to build a 7,745-square-foot manufacturing facility. “We’re a startup and very excited about the opportunity to

go in [to that area],” said David Cookson, co-founder of Dispersa Labs. “We’re making a very technical product—it’s a very low impact use—and we think it’s an opportunity for us and the city of San Leandro to explore cannabis in the best possible way and advance the trade.” The San Leandro City Council approved a pilot program last July that allows for up to five cannabis manufacturers. Dispersa Labs is the only business to apply to manufacture cannabis products, as of mid-December. Dispersa Labs’ flagship product is a dry cannabis powder inhaler.

El Cerrito Sets Ground Rules for Recreational Cannabis On Nov. 21, 2017, the El Cerrito City Council voted 4-1 to “approve an ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 6.80 of the El Cerrito Municipal Code, which would allow dispensaries in El Cerrito,” according to its meeting agenda. The draft ordinance would allow up to two dispensaries, pending the ownership of an Operating Permit. Applicants must undergo background checks and provide a business and security plan. Dispensaries will only be allowed on a single street, San Pablo Avenue. A 600-foot buffer around parks and

Country of Georgia Decriminalizes Cannabis On Nov. 30, 2017, the Constitutional Court of Georgia announced its decision to decriminalize cannabis in the country. The move comes after citizen of the former Soviet Republic, Givi Shanidze, challenged Article 273 of the Criminal Court of Georgia, which prohibits cannabis possession without a medical prescription. Givi Shanidze vs. Georgian Parliament was backed by the political group Girchi. “According to the claimant, marijuana consumption may be 16

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

schools, and a 1,000foot buffer around other cannabis businesses will apply. “One of the primary principles, which guided the creation of the draft ordinance, was initial caution due to the unknown nature of recreational cannabis commerce,” the city’s analysis read. The citizens of El Cerrito supported Proposition 64 at 70 percent, indicating approval for local dispensaries. The ordinance still must pass a second reading, and once passed, it could take effect within 30 days.

used [medically and recreationally],” court documents read, translated from Georgian. “[It is] the right of a[ny] person to choose the appropriate form of relaxation, and the means to be protected by [that] right.” The Constitutional Court ultimately found Article 273 to be contrary to Article 16 of the Constitution. The court found that any person who lives in the country of Georgia has the right to the appropriate form of recreation, which includes cannabis, and that cannabis consumption does not create a public threat.

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

The number of medical cannabis-related ads that appeared on San Francisco public transit vehicles and property, as of late-November: (Source: The Press Democrat)

130

The number of applications submitted for a permit to cultivate cannabis indoors in Oakland: (Source: San Francisco Chronicle)

The new distance, in feet, that cannabis dispensaries must be located away from schools and other dispensaries, according to a late-November vote by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors: (Source: NBC Bay Area)

The number of medical dispensaries operating in Sacramento that can apply for permits to also sell recreational cannabis, according to new rules approved by the Sacramento City Council: (Source: The Sacramento Bee)

600

The number of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Minnesota, which now includes people with autism and those who suffer from sleep apnea: (Source: San Francisco Chronicle)

The percentage of New Yorkers who support legalizing recreational cannabis: (Source: Emerson College Poll)

The estimated number of people who consumed some form of CBD during 2017 in the United Kingdom: (Source: Civilized)

250,000

Cheesemonger Invitational WHEN: Fri, Jan. 19-Sun, Jan. 21 WHERE: Public Works, 161 Erie St., San Francisco WEBSITE: www.cheesemongerinvitational.com Attention all cheese fanatics: The Cheesemonger Invitational is welcoming all guests for a grand celebration of all things cheese. A cheesemonger is defined as a person who sells cheese, as well as other dairy products, and those who appreciate cheese enough to make it will feel right at home at this event. Like many specialty food festivals, the selection of fine and exotic cheeses will be bountiful. Explore other cheesemongers’ magnificent and creative 20

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

cheeses as they prepare to be judged in competitions. The event takes place over three days—the first of which begins with an evening cocktail party, and the second and third days offer various cheesemonger educational sessions, as well as preliminary and final competitions. This festival also includes a lineup of panels and a Q&A for different cheeserelated topics from experts and farmers in the cheese industry. (Sophia Rybicki)

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

NEWS

LOCAL

The Pancakes & Booze Art Show

adult use in Full Swing San Francisco welcomes r e c r e at i o n a l c a n n a b i s s a l e s By Benjamin M. Adams

ecreational cannabis sales could begin in San Francisco as early as Jan. 6. Of all places, the city that’s commonly known for its progressive stance on cannabis struggled to enact recreational cannabis rules for the first day of recreational sales. A few disagreements and hiccups, including a disputed equity clause, caused the city to delay recreational cannabis sales five days later than the city’s original goal of Jan. 1. In November 2016, nearly three out of four voters in San Francisco supported Proposition 64. Each individual city or municipality in California is in various stages of approval of recreational sales, if at all. San Francisco officials did their best to implement a system in time for the first days of recreational licenses being in effect. As one of his final acts before his unexpected death on Dec. 12, San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee approved legislation to adopt recreational cannabis rules, amending San Francisco’s Planning Code to include recreational cannabis businesses. “Today, I signed legislation that establishes comprehensive regulations for commercial cannabis activity in San Francisco and allows for the sale of adult-use cannabis in our city,” Lee said in a prepared statement on Dec. 6. “This legislation strikes the right balance for San Francisco residents and businesses. 24

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

It brings the cannabis industry out of the shadows, addresses safety and public health concerns and takes a substantive approach to atoning for the harmful effects of the ‘War on Drugs’ by establishing an equity program.” A day earlier, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors gave the final goahead. On Dec. 12, six days after establishing recreational rules, Lee passed away with family and friends by his side. He leaves behind a long legacy, as the first Asian American mayor of San Francisco. Per a grandfather clause buried in legislation, the city’s 45 existing medical cannabis dispensaries and delivery services will have the option of obtaining state permits to sell recreational cannabis. Businesses must acquire a local permit as well as a state permit to operate. The laws will take 30 days to take effect. Supervisor Jeff Sheehy was not happy about missing the Jan. 1 deadline, citing that missing the intended start date “makes us look bad.” Sheehy also said that despite differences, the city has been able to reach a compromise. Temporary state-level licenses from the Bureau of Cannabis Control will be available on Jan. 1, which last 120 days and can be extended for up to 90 days. Once those expire, permanent licenses can be obtained. According to the city’s first preliminary cannabis tax report, the city sells around 10 million grams of cannabis annually. When recreational sales commence, those numbers could triple—up to 30 million grams. If California follows in the footsteps of Washington State, the price per gram could drop substantially. Currently, the average cost of a gram in San Francisco is high at $14 per gram—but that could drop to as little as $7 per gram over time with the recreational sales. It’s high time that recreational cannabis sales get moving—because no one deserves it more than the residents of San Francisco— who have been ahead of the curve for decades when it comes to cannabis. c

An obscure combination to say the least—the sweet smell of warm buttermilk pancakes, frothy chilled beer and humans covered in abstract paint designs are all part of this show. Like its name indicates, this event is far from a typical art event. With over 150 entertainment groups, visual performances and DJs dropping the beats, this unusual art show will not disappoint. Started in 2009, the show has taken place at more than 30 cities with entertainment ranging from live music and energetic dance performances to designers and various artists sharing and selling their one-of-akind wares from photographs to paintings. The atmosphere of the community helps create an upbeat art show for both the audience and the artists. (Sophia Rybicki) WHEN: Fri, Jan. 19Sat, Jan. 20 WHERE: Mezzanine, 444 Jessie St., San Francisco WEBSITE: www. pancakesandbooze. com

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

NEWS

HEALTHY LIVING

Cannabis Can Solve America’s Addiction Crisis By Lanny Swerdlow, RN LNC

ddiction is one of the biggest health problems in the United States. A study conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University reported that “40 million Americans age 12 and over meet the clinical criteria for addiction involving nicotine, alcohol or other drugs.” Addiction affects more people than those with heart disease, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease combined. Although not meeting the criteria for addiction, there are an estimated additional 80 million people in this country categorized as “risky substance users,” who consume tobacco, alcohol, opioids and other drugs that threaten public health and safety. According to The State is Out of Date: We Can Do Better by Gregory Sams, the annual toll from the use of these addictive substances by Americans is staggering with 450,000 deaths from tobacco, 85,000 from alcohol and 20,000 from opioids. These addictive substances have plagued the country’s citizens for years, but finally a solution can be found in cannabis.

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

“What is so disheartening about this data is that an effec tive treatment with a far better probability of success for treating all of these addictions is literally right under our collective noses.”

Here’s the Situation With an estimated $200 billion in sales annually, America’s gargantuan consumption of alcohol is normalized, aided and abetted by the prolific advertising campaigns undertaken by the alcohol industry continually associating alcohol with celebration, socialization and sex. The end result is over 17 million Americans suffering from alcohol abuse and dependence. Although there is a genetic component to addictions, stress from problems associated with family, jobs, mental illness or trauma is especially susceptible to alcohol addiction as drinking alcohol results in the release of naturally occurring “feel-good” opioids known as endorphins. Alcohol makes you “feel better” even though the problems still exist, while also creating new and more serious problems such as cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, cancer and death. In 2013, over 200 million prescriptions for opioids (mostly used to treat pain) were dispensed to over 100 million Americans, resulting in billions of opioids being consumed. This shocking increase in prescription opioids is abetted by the aggressive promotion of prescription opioids by the pharmaceutical industry, resulting in two million Americans with a substance

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

abuse disorder involving prescription pain relievers. Most addictions to opioids begin with a legitimate need for a medical prescription to treat pain. Opioids interact with the brain’s opioid receptors relieving pain but also producing pleasurable effects. These pleasurable side effects lead many people to continue taking opioids even though the pain has subsided. Like alcohol, it is an escape mechanism and has serious, but different negative side effects including constipation, sedation, vomiting and respiratory depression. The only serious side effect that opioids share with alcohol is death. Unlike alcohol and opioid addictions, addiction to tobacco almost always begins in adolescence. The seductive ads run by the tobacco industry 28

featuring masculine men and glamorous women enjoying tobacco products assures a continuing stream of new smokers as they become addicted to the nicotine found in tobacco—a natural substance more addictive than heroin. Nicotine produces mildly pleasant feelings, which distracts the user from unpleasant feelings by flooding the brain’s reward circuits with a mood-affecting chemical called dopamine. This, coupled with the physiologically addictive properties of nicotine, make tobacco users want more. From minor problems like bad breath and yellow teeth to respiratory complications, deteriorating heart muscle and lung cancer, the dangers from tobacco are different and take longer to

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

develop than the problems caused by alcohol and opioids, but for many users they all share the same eventual outcome—death.

The Science of Cannabis What is so disheartening about this data is that an effective treatment with a far better probability of success for treating all of these addictions is literally right under our collective noses. A peer-reviewed, evidentiary based study, Cannabis Is A Potential Exit Drug To Problematic Substance Use published in the November 2009 journal Addiction Research and Theory by seven addiction treatment specialists who reported that cannabis can indeed be used as an “exit drug” to help treat addiction. “While some studies have found that a small percentage of the general population that uses cannabis may develop a dependence on this substance, a growing body of research on cannabisrelated substitution suggests that for many patients cannabis is not only an effective medicine, but also a potential exit drug to problematic substance use,” the study reads. Famed Harvard Medical School researcher Dr. Lester Grinspoon wrote

that “treating addiction to substances such as heroin, methadone, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs with a non-addictive, nontoxic alternative is an effective therapy for some recovering addicts.” The “nontoxic alternative” that Grinspoon was referring to is, of course, cannabis. Cannabis doesn’t solve the underlying problem causing the addiction, but provides symptomatic relief from the physical and mental manifestations of whatever is causing the addiction. This symptomatic relief allows the individual to lead a normal and productive life while pursuing treatment options for the problems that lead to the addiction in the first place. In many cases cannabis “calms the demons” to such an extent that even though the underlying problem is never resolved, the individual can live with it. Unlike pain medications and almost every prescription and over-the-counter medicine available, cannabis has practically zero severe negative side effects. It might cause inactive people to become even more laid back, but that is a small price to pay for its pain relieving, depression mitigating, sleep inducing, addiction resolving properties. There are no medicines that work for everyone and the same holds true for cannabis. Cannabis will not solve everyone’s addiction, but for a very significant number, perhaps even a majority as more than one research study has concluded, cannabis will resolve the problems caused by addiction restoring normalcy, productivity and life. c

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

REVIEWs

dispensary highlight

Blüm Oakland, CA Santa Ana, CA Reno, NV Las Vegas, NV (Three locations: Western, Decatur, Desert Inn) letsblum.com

How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? We pride ourselves on the experience we provide. We put a huge emphasis on making every customer feel like part of the family. Our staff loves helping people find exactly the product—and experience—they’re looking for, at an affordable price. And we don’t just talk about being part of the community; we get out there and do it. From food drives to being the first cannabis sponsor of Outside Lands, we’re part of our customers’ lives. It’s our goal to be everyone’s neighborhood spot. What do you offer consumers/ clients that others don’t? Our people. Educated, well-trained and positive, with amazing energy. We have an incredibly low patient turnover, because we treat every person we meet like part of our family. 30

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

How and why did your company start up? We were going through permitting in Oakland, California in 2011 when Oaksterdam was raided by the feds—a scary time. And in the middle of that drama . . . surprise! We were awarded our permit. We checked with the city of Oakland, who said, “Use it or lose it,” and nervously decided to move forward. We got into this industry to make sure people have safe access to the medicine they need, and we felt like the risk was worth it. A lot of credit goes to my partner, Derek Peterson. Blüm is not only one of the first vertically-integrated dispensaries, where we make many of the products we sell, but we’re the first publicly traded cannabis dispensary through Terra Tech Corp. A lot of that is due to Derek’s vision, which meant we’d be able to get better financing and scale up more easily. I know that sounds like scary business-speak, but if you want to stay on the cutting-edge with products like concentrates, sauce, wax shatter—the technology to do it right isn’t cheap. So being able to finance cool new ideas easily has allowed us to keep up with everything our customers are into. With the changing landscape of medical and recreational cannabis, what do you see as the biggest challenges to your progress as a company? Any advantages? The challenges I see are more about the industry as a whole [rather] than Blüm in particular. On Jan. 1, taxes and fees are going to appear that no one will be happy about. And products—some of them beloved—aren’t going to be as potent, if they exist at all, because everyone’s subject to the same set of new regulations. On the bright side, banking regulations and amended tax codes are going to make our lives a lot easier. More importantly, California is the world’s sixth largest economy. When, not if, we prove legalization works, it’s going to change not only the country, but the world. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the

world of cannabis business? Manage your expectations, prepare for the worst and know who your partners are. What are the goals and vision moving forward, for your company? Where do you see your company in five years? We want to grow while ensuring we provide a consistent experience in every store. You should get the same level of service and choice in Reno that you do in Oakland. Part of that is continuing to hire great people, and part of it is partnering with consistent manufacturers on the cutting edge of cannabis and cannabis research. In five years? More locations, hopefully in new states. What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? Blüm will always be known for great people who are willing to work with every customer to provide a better experience. That’s our difference today, and it always will be. If we can be known for our people, our knowledge and our commitment to the communities we serve, we’ll have accomplished a lot. c

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

REVIEWs

company highlight on a day-to-day basis. And of course, our Churros. [We have products] handcrafted two days prior to delivery, constantly changing strains of flower, introductions to top farms in the cannabis industry and last, but not least, the terpene-infused solvent free 85-times cup winner and counting—Gold Drop Co.

Your Highness SF San Francisco (650) 455-9313 (650) 296-4530

How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? Your Highness has changed and challenged the pre-roll industry by producing highend, top-shelf flower and handcrafted joints. We are a very organic operating company [that] established transparency by coating our joints in the same bud that’s used inside. We chose the name “Your Highness” because our Royal Churros were created to remind each 32

and every one of you of the crown you were rightfully born with. We strive to bring to the best of the best. Our specialty is hand-crafting joints that have a nice slow even burn with a potent combination of powerful award-winning Gold Drop Co. oil and a variety of award-winning farms. What do you offer consumers that others don’t? We offer community by offering consumers the availability to support a company that genuinely gives back to our broken areas of society. We use our platform to help others and raise awareness to certain problems that can be helped

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

How and why did your company start up? Our company was derived from a hole that needed to be closed between quality and affordability. With one of us being behind the counter in one of San Francisco most [beautiful] clubs Barbary Coast and one of us being a cannasseur and enthusiast our hearts combined for the love of cannabis and community. We believe in integrity and wanted to implement that word into the pre-roll market. With the changing landscape of medical and recreational cannabis, what do you see as the biggest challenges to your progress as a company? Any advantages? Sustaining originality due to the fact this it’s literally just us two managing every aspect of our business. This year is all about adoption, change and growth for everyone in the industry as well as everyone being introduced to cannabis. We as a company are challenging the status quo by changing the negative connotation on this beautiful medicine to something bright and positive. We are persistent

and have genuine friendships with everyone we come into contact with that will last a lifetime. Our advantage is our hearts. Anyone can come up with a product to sell in any industry but heart in the “why” of a company can never be duplicated. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the world of cannabis business? Love cannabis, not business. Love people, not money. And remember that we were all born kings and queens. What are the goals and vision moving forward, for your company? Where do you see your company in five years? We see our company being a kingdom. We see our company being a revolution of unity, relationships and bonds with patients that go further than just sales. We see ourselves flourishing to become one of the most respected pre-rolls in the industry. What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? We hope to become a company that inspires and motivates anyone and everyone to have the most beautiful cannabis experience by opening up and letting you benefit and aid your special needs. We hope to help everyone we can possible and lead by example with our company morals. We hope to hear stories of how Churros lifted people’s lives to a HIGHER perspective. c

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

REVIEWs

edible & concentrate

Pillow Talk Looking for a quick way to hit the hay after a long day? Check out the Pillow Talk vape cartridge by Caliva, a masterful indica offering that’s guaranteed to satisfy. A smooth flavor reminiscent of lavender is complemented by a rich cannabis taste, yielding a delicious flavor blend. It’s definitely an extract more suitable for consumption at nighttime than during the day, as the Pillow Talk cartridge bears very potent sedative effects. Caliva has been known for its extremely effective cartridges, and at The Emerald Cup another one of its products took sixth place in the CO2 category. Additionally, the battery that accompanies the cartridge has a killer textured design, making for a super stylish product.

Available at: Caliva in San Jose.

Eden Extracts Diamond Line Cartridge Sunset Sherbert

Available at: Garden of Eden in Hayward.

If you’ve ever experienced the happiness caused by enjoying a bowl of sherbet while watching the sunset, then you might have an idea of how good this cartridge can make people feel. This cartridge is filled with simply unreal flavor! Chock-full of real cannabis terpenes and magical citrus tastes, it’s easy to get caught up in the deliciousness and puff this cart away all night! When used with the matching battery from Eden Extracts, enormous clouds of vapor are yielded, keeping every consumer ecstatic. The effects from the Sunset Sherbert Cartridge are notably sativa-like with surges of creativity and energy running through those who enjoy this treat. At The Emerald Cup, the Diamond Line made its debut and placed among the top cartridge entries. This cartridge stands out from the pack should be sampled by any extract fan.

Northern Lights PAX™ Era Pod As the recreational cannabis market in California has officially begun, many new products are going to enter the marketplace—and the PAX™ Era Pods are a prime example of this. Known worldwide for its e-cigarettes, PAX™ has collaborated with industry leader Gold Drop Co. to create a unique and discreet cannabis concentrate vapor cartridge. Ideal for consumption when out and about, the cartridge blends in with the battery appearing as any regular e-cigarette. The variety we sampled was the classic Northern Lights strain, and it sure lived up to its name. Fresh and robust flavors are prominent, as always, with any product from Gold Drop Co. Amazing for just kicking back and relaxing, this indica cartridge will sure help take the edge off.

Available wherever: Gold Drop Co. products are carried.

Kind Caps Sativa

Available wherever: Kind Medicine products are carried.

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

Purveyors of some of the best consumables available, Kind Medicine is now offering a small dose sativa capsule in the form of a coconut oil capsule that has been infused with organic 100 percent whole plant material. Each pill contains 10mg of THC derived from the best sativa strains. Many folks have found that taking a pill right after waking up or before school and work is a great way to utilize the benefits of THC without feeling limited or hindered. Amazing for getting the abstract thoughts flowing and getting fully focused on one task, there’s a reason why it’s called Kind Medicine! This is certainly a standard product for anyone who’s entirely new to cannabis and wants to see what it is all about. A safe, effective and enjoyable way of enjoy cannabis, the Kind Caps Sativa by Kind Medicine should be in everyone’s cabinet at home.

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

REVIEWs

For More Products Go To CultureMagazine.com

3. WRIXO Connected Medical

1. Higher Standards Blazer Big Shot Torch Feel like torchin’ something? There’s therapy available for that, but the Big Shot Torch by Higher Standards and Blazer will heat your cannabis tools to perfection. Our reviewers were impressed at the Big Shot’s ability to quickly incinerate. With up to 35 minutes of high grade 2500° F burn time, it’s more powerful than most torches you’ve encountered. It’s capable of getting hot enough to solder metal like industrial grade torches, but we recommend you keep it at the temperature best for dabbing concentrates. Get more power with the Big Shot Torch. Price: $90 More Information: higherstandards.com

4. TrainingMask 3.0® Performance

2. Crafty®

Crafty, clever and cunning is how we’d describe the developers at STORZ & BICKEL. Most consumers would agree that the Crafty® vaporizer is built to last. STORZ & BICKEL is so confident with the durability of the Crafty® vaporizer, that the company slapped a twoyear warranty on it. This durable vaporizer can be controlled with its free remote control app for Android or iOS and lets you change settings by your phone or smart watch without touching the vaporizer. Once you get the Crafty® vaporizer, chances are you will end up tossing out your old vapes instantly. Price: $279 More Information: www.storz-bickel.com 38

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

ID Wristband This wristband just might save your life one day. It looks like a common medical ID wristband, but contains critical information embedded inside. There’s a wireless NFC chip built in as well as a QR code that can be scanned and immediately identify a patient’s identity as well as medical needs in the event of an emergency. Important information can be stored such as allergies or emergency medication. No batteries are necessary. Our reviewers at CULTURE quickly forgot that we were wearing it, because it was lightweight and comfortable. Price: $19 More Information: www.wrixo.com

Breathing Trainer Serious about your workout routine? Fatigue can take over during a strenuous workout due to breathing problems—but thankfully nowadays there are technologically advanced ways to upgrade your performance. Take your typical fitness routine to the next level with the TrainingMask 3.0® Performance Breathing Trainer, a face mask that designed to improve the condition of your lungs with adjustable breathing pattern settings. You’ll also look as fearsome as Bane from The Dark Knight Rises while you’re wearing it, with its hip, industrial-looking design. Price: $89.99 More Information: www.trainingmask.com

CULTUREMAGAZINE.com GET YOUR CLICKS

HERE

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

REVIEWs

entertainment

BOOK

Breaking the Grass Ceiling: Women, Weed & Business

Release Date: january 26 Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC

Ashley Picillo and Lauren Devine Pub. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform With stirring imagery, 21 pioneering business women in the cannabis industry share their stories about the ups and downs of staying afloat in a highly competitive market. This collection highlights the ongoing struggle for equality and diversity within the cannabis industry. It offer unique angles for overcoming hurdles that women in particular face in the cannabis industry— covering many fields including cultivation, human resources, consulting, technology, law, policy, advocacy and activism. Breaking the Glass Ceiling encourages other women to strive for success. (Richard Saunders) 42

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

GAME

Monster Hunter World Dev. and Pub. Capcom The premise of Monster Hunter World is simple— kill monsters, use their hides to make better weapons and armor, and kill more monsters. The methods of crafting and fighting in this series is a timeless classic, but the arrival Monster Hunter World is finally bringing true high definition to the game for the first time. This includes even larger maps with smooth transitions between zones, and established co-op and worldwide play for all players. Get ready for a total of 14 useable weapon types, a new “slinger” tool and plenty of quests and challenges to overcome. (Nicole Potter)

MOVIE

MUSIC

Dunkirk

The Visitor

Dir. Christopher Nolan Warner Bros. Pictures After a trilogy of critically acclaimed Batman movies and two of the most fantastical films ever envisioned, Inception and Interstellar, Director Christopher Nolan stepped out of the realm of fantasy and into the annals of history with his latest film, Dunkirk. The film does an exceptional job taking viewers to a small beach in Northern France where Allied forces from Belgium, Britain and France in the midst of intense combat were rescued by over 600 British ships made up of mostly small boats captained by civilians. Dunkirk captures the intensity and desperation of the situation, and proves that Nolan is capable of creating successful nonfiction. (Simon Weedn)

Neil Young + Promise of the Real Reprise With a career spanning well over half a century as well as dozens and dozens of records to his name, Neil Young has proven himself time and again to be one of the most relevant elder-statesmen of rock and roll, as well as one of its most tireless innovators. On his 39th studio release, The Visitor, Young treads deep into controversial territory (something he’s never been shy of doing) and delivers a powerful, focused and cutting response to election and presidential administration. Backed by Californian band Promise of the Real, Young’s music is just as soulful, timeless and thought provoking as it ever was. (Simon Weedn)

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

A for Treatment Former NFL offensive tackle Eben Britton has found healing and entrepreneurship in cannabis By R. Scott Rappold

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

J oh n Gi l hoo l ey

“I came to the plant as a curious teenager, like most of us do, smoked weed a few times in high school, a little bit in college. but I was very much affected by the stigma, that if you’re going to be an athlete, you can’t be someone who smokes weed.”

CultureMagazine.com CultureMagazine.com JANUARY JANUARY2018 2018

45 45

magine, if you will, what it’s like to be an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL). You line up in a state of catlike readiness, and the moment the quarterback snaps the ball, a wall of 300-pound behemoths comes plowing toward you. Your job—your only job—is to keep these monsters from getting past you for the crucial few seconds it takes the quarterback to throw or hand the ball off. Then do it 40 or 50 more times a game. Now imagine doing it stoned. It’s not exactly the mellow experience most cannabis consumers enjoy. For former NFL offensive tackle Eben Britton, however, using cannabis was a way to combat the pain of the sport without the fistfuls of pharmaceuticals football doctors hand out like Halloween candy. He even consumed it before games a few times. “I just had a much better experience. I felt much more in my body. The pills have a way of disconnecting you, making it really difficult to feel your feet on the ground,” recalled Britton, who played four years for the Jacksonville Jaguars and two for the Chicago Bears before retiring in 2014. “The connection of your nervous system and the brain-body connection as an offensive lineman is the most important thing. You have to be able to feel your feet on the ground when you’re blocking a defensive lineman, a 300-pound tank.” “I felt that I was much more lucid, able to feel myself and to execute play after play in the best possible way.” Most people think of professional football players like the Peyton Mannings and Brett Favres, superstars who might play for 15 years, bouncing back from injury to injury and winning Super Bowls. But the reality is the average NFL career is less than three years, as bodies break down and each new college draft class moves in. Since retiring, 30-year-old Britton has become one of the foremost advocates for changes in a sport that tolerates opioid addiction, but has a strict ban on cannabis use. He spoke with CULTURE about the pain of football, the realities of playing in the trenches and how cannabis got him through it.

As a young athlete, what was it about playing in the NFL that inspired you to work so hard? I think it was about the gladiatorship, the physicality of the game, the glory of the game. It was very much this idea of living out a hero’s journey. Football players are modern gladiators. Unless you’re going into the military, you can’t get much more violent in sports than football, and for whatever reason I was just drawn to that . . . The game called to me, something about it, putting on the pads and helmet, the amour, so to speak, and being involved in this team game. Had you smoked cannabis before becoming an athlete? I came to the plant as a curious teenager, like most of us do, smoked weed a few times in high school, a little bit in college. But I was very much affected by the stigma, that if you’re going to be an athlete, you can’t be someone who smokes weed. 46

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

Was there a time when the harsh reality of the sport hit you? When I got into the NFL, I started experiencing injuries, and I started to see the injuries really started to shed light on the business of the game. I started to see that this wasn’t a team sport in a family atmosphere. This wasn’t the family I’d grown up loving, and I realized that the most important thing is obviously winning and from there having guys on the field who aren’t worried about getting hurt . . . One of the most real moments of my NFL career was right before my rookie year, with our offensive line coach we were doing a little rookie line meeting, and our offensive line coach said, “Guys, I don’t know how to put this to you any other way, but every single day we’re bringing guys off the street, and we’re working them out to take your jobs.” And I thought, “Damn, that’s how it is.” That’s the mindset they want you in, to understand that at any moment someone is coming in to take your job.

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

Can you walk us through some of your injuries as a player? I had a torn labrum, which is a dislocated shoulder. I had that repaired with a slap repair, which is a pretty typical shoulder surgery where they repair the labrum, and they have to pull back some muscles and tendons to tighten them up to hold the shoulder back in place. I herniated disc L side S1, had sciatica running down my leg, which was excruciating, causing numbness in my right foot . . . Eleven weeks after that surgery it turned out there was an infection in the disc. I was basically paralyzed from the waist down for about three months with an infection in that disc post-surgery. I had to have intravenous antibiotics for eight weeks. [I had] torn muscles and ligaments all over my body, rolled ankles, broken fingers, toes, a bad neck and a handful of concussions throughout my career. I realized every time I took these pills, they created this discomfort in my body and my emotions; rage and anger came billowing to the surface. It was very hard to control those things. I felt really insane and manic mentally. It made it difficult to sleep and heal, waking up at 3 a.m. with withdrawal symptoms, cold sweats, chills, pains your stomach, your body needing more pills to quiet this withdrawal. How did you discover cannabis as an alternative to the pills they were giving you? When I started really experiencing these injuries and taking the pills, it was very clear to me that these things had a negative effect on me. Comparing that to the experience when I consumed some cannabis, it was night and day. It was the difference between feeling worse and feeling better . . . I could smoke a joint and feel relief throughout my body. I’d feel soothed mentally, calmed, even peaceful. I was able to lie down and rest and heal, and I feel very 48

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

grateful that I had that intuitive response throughout my career. Cannabis is not allowed for players. How did you get around that? As much as [the NFL] likes to punish guys seemingly unnecessarily for getting busted for cannabis, it’s only tested for once a year. It’s on their “street drugs” list. You have a general idea you’re going to be tested sometime between May and August, and if you’re someone who is a cannabis consumer you stop your consumption 30 days before reporting back to the team. Why do you think the NFL is so anti-cannabis? I think they’re very traditionallyminded. There’s a lot of money from alcohol. God knows there’s probably a lot of money from “Big Pharma” going into the league. It’s easy for them to stand behind the argument, “As long as this is a Schedule I drug federally we don’t have to do anything.” How much would cannabis help players deal with pain if it was allowed? Football players are four times as likely than the average American to abuse opiates. Guys are leaving the league in really terrible shape, and they don’t have the understanding about what’s happening to their bodies to be able to make decisions regarding their health, about how to better take care of themselves. Many guys who have spent their entire lives affected by the stigma that this is an illegal street drug don’t have any understanding that, first of all, this thing is a powerful neuro-protectant . . . I think this plant could have a tremendous impact on the league, having guys take it before and after practices, before and after games. I think it can mitigate a ton of that damage that is happening to players’ brains. It would lessen the amount of opiates the guys use.

“I think this plant could have a tremendous impact on the league, having guys take it before and after practices, before and after games. I think it can mitigate a ton of that damage that is happening to players’ brains. It would lessen the amount of opiates the guys use.”

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

Was it your decision to retire after Chicago? They didn’t re-sign me after the second year, but I had really hit a wall. It had become really clear to me that I was done. There was one point I was sitting in the meeting room watching film, and I said to myself, “What am I doing here at this point?” I had done everything I had to do in the game of football, and it was pretty clear to me I was ready to move on to something else. Tell us about Athletes for CARE. I got in touch with [former NFL player] Kyle Turley, and he had put together this Gridiron Cannabis Coalition, and they were speaking at cannabis conferences on panels. So I connected with him, and the next thing I knew I was speaking all over the country about my experiences with cannabis and dealing with injuries in my NFL career. I became very good friends with Nate Jackson, another former player who is also a cannabis advocate, and we wanted to keep building this message, making this our platform to spread this awareness. And what we came up with was Athletes for CARE, a nonprofit organization that’s really dedicated to helping athletes in their transition to real life from their sports careers. You also have a podcast with Jackson called “Mindful Warrior.” What was the inspiration for that? Nate and I, all these things we’ve been working on together, and the podcast is really the tool for us to allow other athletes to share their stories, to share how they’ve overcome adversity, what it took for them to make it to that highest level that they got to. What the transition out of that was like in reestablishing their own identity as people in the world. 50

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

You helped found a CBD company, Be Trū Organics™. Can you tell me about that? I wanted to continue this positive messaging on the healing benefits of hemp and CBD. CBD is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid that is also really medicinal, and we wanted to combine this powerful hemp extract with other super-ingredients, like arnica, rosemary and lavender in our topical pain cream, and our oral spray has ginseng and Goji berry extract, so it’s very uplifting. It’s great for your mood an managing inflammation . . . It’s just another way I wanted to continue building on this message that cannabis has amazing healing properties. Do you still feel impacts and pain issues from your time playing in the NFL? My back is really a daily reminder of my football career. I can’t turn my neck, my head, in a full range of motion. If I don’t exercise and stretch on a daily basis, I’ll be [disabled]. The stiffness and immobility there takes daily attention. I still can’t feel my right toes on the ground. My feet, it takes 30 minutes to an hour in the morning to where I can take a step. I have creaking and aching in my knees, phantom muscle pains, but I keep a pretty upbeat attitude. I was able to leave all the pills behind me. For the most part my brain and body are intact, and I can be a functioning husband to my wife and father to my daughter. I can live a very high quality of life, thanks in part to my cannabis use during my football career. Any regrets about playing football? No, I don’t have any regrets. I wouldn’t be who I am if I hadn’t done it. I learned a lot through my NFL career about

human beings, about business, and obviously it took a toll on my physical and mental health that I’ll be battling for the rest of my life, but that was part of my journey. It’s led me to this greater calling of bringing awareness to natural healing remedies. c www.athletesforcare.org

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

Saving Sophie and Beyond O n e l i t t l e g i r l’ s journey with c a n n a b i s i s s av i n g countless lives By Addison Herron-Wheeler

t’s not uncommon for mothers to become huge advocates and/or community educators after watching a sick child become healthy through the healing benefits in cannabis. In the case of Tracy Ryan, founder and CEO of CannaKids, witnessing her daughter's health improve was enough to inspire the creation of a successful medical cannabis company. Ryan’s daughter, Sophie, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor at eight months old. While she was willing to do whatever was needed to find her daughter an effective treatment, Ryan initially dismissed the thought of medical cannabis’ ability to help Sophie heal. However, when Ricki Lake herself, one of Ryan’s heroes, offered to give Sophie her first dose of cannabis oil on camera, she finally came around to the idea that there may be merit in trying cannabis as a treatment. It also helped that Ryan was provided with scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of cannabis, as well as a nine-month supply of oil and advice on dosing. Finally, seeing the light at the end of tunnel, Sophie became a regular consumer of medical cannabis oil. “We have seen incredible things happen with the cannabis along with the chemotherapy,” Ryan explained to CULTURE. “These tumors are unique because there is a 90 percent survival rate, but 80 percent recurrence rate, and because they are slow growing, the chemo can’t gobble up the dividing cells, so shrinkage doesn’t occur.

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

Photo by Yvette Davis StockPot Images

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

Photo by Tokewell Magazine

data, knowledge and information gained about the patient. Then, the nurse will either recommend a product from the CannaKids line or explain how to get medical products in the caller’s home state. The site also provides information about how to obtain a medical card and which dispensaries in California carry CannaKids products. CannaKids is now a successful business, providing products and consultation to those who need it, and helping many kids and parents gain access to treatments and knowledge that they wouldn’t be able to get any other way. But Ryan and her team aren’t content with stopping there and just selling product. They are also helping advance clinical trials on medical cannabis, so that more can be learned about how to treat specific ailments.

Sophie was initially supposed to go blind because the tumor was wrapped around her optic nerves—best case scenario would be minimal vision in the right eye. But in that first few months her tumor shrank between 83 and 90 percent and preserved her vision.” Since then, Sophie has been incredibly healthy and productive for a child who is battling such a serious brain tumor, even though she continues to receive chemotherapy treatment. Seeing such dramatic improvement in her own child, Ryan realized that she had to spread the word and help other parents get medical access for their children. “When we started using oil, we got connected to all these people in social media who didn’t understand dosing or have strain knowledge, and we didn’t have medical professionals to guide us,” Ryan stated. “I saw that there was this real need for people, because back then it wasn’t as easy to find someone who was able to guide you through cannabis dosing.” After witnessing instances involving other parents who followed bad advice online, she decided to do something to help other parents who were seeking real answers. “I knew that there needed to be more education, more support, more guidance, with people talking to medical professionals,” Ryan said. From there, to organizations known as Saving Sophie and CannaKids were born. Saving Sophie is an informational platform where parents and interested parties can learn more about how cannabis can help save young lives. Additionally, CannaKids is an interactive website that can be used to book a phone call with a nurse who can provide advice about dosing based on 54

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

level, so that medical legalization can clear its final hurdles. “Education is always the first answer,” she said. “Educating parents and caregivers on the fact that in 3,000 years, not one person has ever died from this medicine and that there have been over 1,700 scientific publications that are out there, many of which include safety studies. You’d be surprised at how many doctors around the country don’t know that cannabis is a medicine, so educating the doctors and nurses on the science behind cannabis is really important.” Ryan hopes that the combination of doing press outreach for her company, and being open about her daughter’s success with medical cannabis, will have an impact on others and help spread the word about what the plant can do. “It’s all about telling our story, not just for ourselves but other families we’ve worked with,” she said. “We are showing that we are just normal people, entrepreneurs by nature; we had a kid that was unfortunately diagnosed with a serious condition, and we are now communicating what worked with her to the masses by way of media. We also want people to understand our kid is nine, has been on the oil since she was five; she is happy, healthy. This isn’t a toxin; it’s helping protect her from toxins.” Those interested in supporting CannaKids can make a donation through SavingSophie.org to help fund clinical trials and future cannabis research. Parents who want more information about cannabis treatments can set up a consultation at CannaKids.org. c

“ W e h a ve s ee n i n c r e d i b l e t h i n g s h a p p e n wi t h t h e c a n n a b i s a l o n g wi t h t h e c h e m o t h e r a p y. ” “We are already working on an autism trial and we are planning a huge study on autism,” Ryan explained. “We are also planning an end-of-life pain study for kids on opioids who have cancer, a trial for kids using cannabis as an adjunct to chemo for cancer pain, and then those will lead to bigger cancer trials. There is also a hospital in the Midwest where we will be doing optic trials, and that will also be fueled by the research we are doing in Israel with a company called CURE Pharmaceutical.” All of this is leading the industry even closer to understanding and acceptance for those who need cannabis as medicine. But in addition to these major medical trials, Ryan would like to see education on the ground

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

tate medical cannabis programs could not exist without the long list of AIDS activists who helped pioneer the first medical cannabis dispensaries in America. During the deadly AIDS crisis, patients consumed cannabis to battle wasting syndrome and the effects of the virus, but no one understood the mechanisms behind cannabis’ healing powers at the time. Today, research on cannabis and HIV is reaching an entirely new level, with federally-funded studies underway. The University of Florida recently received a $3.2 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to study the relationship between cannabis and HIV. I was diagnosed with HIV in 2011, and I’m forced to take a three-drug pill daily. Medical cannabis makes my daily regimen of medication bearable. The liver-damaging drug Atripla®, for instance, was the first mandatory pill I was prescribed and caused visual hallucinations about every three days. Currently, less toxic pills are available, but cannabis can be extremely effective as an adjunct therapy. Multiple studies on both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have suggested cannabis’ many benefits on HIV patients, including slowing the progression of the virus. 56

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

Dr. Robert L. Cook M.D., M.P.H., Lead Investigator of new cannabis and HIV study

The Background Robert C. Randall was the first person in America to win the right to legally consume medical cannabis in 1976. He would later die from AIDS in 2001. Randall originally suffered from glaucoma and claimed that only cannabis kept him from going blind. A judge ruled in 1976 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must provide Randall with cannabis. Thanks to Randall’s efforts, the federal government created the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program and allowed Randall and a handful other patients to have access to cannabis provided by the government. Without effective medicine, and sometimes with medicine that ironically accelerated the progression of AIDS (like AZT), patients resorted to holistic medicines. Soon “buyers clubs” sprouted in major cities offering herbal medicines. And the patients clearly didn’t have enough time to wait for FDA approvals—by then, they’d be dead. It didn’t take long until they were experimenting and offering medical cannabis.

“[C urrent ly ] the t reat ment guidelines don’t h ave any g uidance o n what kind of marijuana mig ht be t he most beneficial or what kind mig ht be t he most harm ful.”

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

“I wa s di agno sed wi t h HI V in 2011, a nd I’m f orced t o ta k e a t hree-drug pil l da ily. Medic a l ca nn a bis m a k e s m y da ily regimen of medicat ion be a r a bl e.” Dennis Peron, co-author of Proposition 215, America’s first statewide medical cannabis law, opened the Cannabis Buyers Club in San Francisco, years before any medical cannabis dispensary laws had been written. He was inspired to open up a cannabis club after police raided his home in 1990, taking away four ounces of cannabis and charging Peron with intent to distribute. The cannabis actually belonged to Peron’s boyfriend, Jonathan West, who was dying of AIDS. West died later that year. Peron took control of an underground dispensary at 194 Church Street in San Francisco after its founder Thomas O’Malley died of AIDS in 1992. By that time—over 23,000 AIDS deaths were confirmed and 30 people were dying—per week. A whole network of underground HIV buyers clubs were secretly helping AIDS patients. Proposition 215 co-author “Brownie Mary” Jane Rathbun made it her own personal mission to distribute brownies to AIDS and cancer victims. Peron specifically cited West’s death as the driving force behind his efforts to author Proposition 215, shortly after the groundbreaking bill passed in 1996.

The New Research Last August, the University of Florida received a $3.2 million grant from the NIDA. With around 400 HIV-positive and 100 HIV-negative participants, it will be the largest clinical study on medical cannabis and HIV ever conducted. On October 24, it was announced that the study was being launched and would span over five years. CULTURE spoke to the study’s lead investigator Dr. Robert L. Cook M.D., M.P.H. “One of the goals is to really provide better guidelines for treatment for people with HIV, including HIV itself and other comorbidities, Cook explained. “[Currently] the treatment guidelines don’t have any guidance on what kind of marijuana might be the most beneficial or what kind might be the most harmful.” Cook and his team hope to distinguish and compare the relative benefits of products with THC alone, CBD and THC combined, products that are consumed orally and products that are smoked or vaped. 58

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

Cook said the study will be focused on self-reported experiences. “Our study—we won’t really be able to control [medications and sources]. All we can do is ask people what they’ve experienced. So we hope to learn from people that have been using marijuana or about to start using marijuana and to teach us what they’ve learned in their own experiences, such as managing pain and what type of marijuana is most helpful.” Dr. Cook and his team are currently in the final stage of drafting the questionnaire. Cook said particularly CBD could show promise as an anti-inflammatory. “People living with HIV are living near-normal life spans, but they are still seeing cardiovascular diseases four or five years earlier [than HIV-negative people], and we are seeing neurocognitive deficits potentially earlier. A lot of people think this could be related to chronic inflammation—the stress it puts on the body in those who are constantly battling the virus. If marijuana, especially CBD, has some anti-inflammatory properties, that could help prevent the rapid aging that we see in people living with HIV, in theory.”

The Future of HIV and Cannabis Florida’s Amendment 2 was approved in January, 2017, allowing access to medical cannabis. But the University of Florida researchers still have limited conventional clinical studies, thanks to cannabis’ federal status. People living with HIV, and with access to medicine, are living near-normal life spans, however aging with HIV is another story. “Today, people are surviving,” Cook explained. “For example in Florida this year we’ve just hit it—50 percent of people living with HIV in Florida are over 50 years old. With HIV, a lot of these patients—one, have symptoms related to pain or maybe some nausea—but those are symptoms that are normal in people that are aging. Marijuana could have benefits on chronic inflammation.” People living with HIV now face new challenges including battling inflammation, chronic pain and digestive problems that increase with aging. Cannabis can help in so many ways. c

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

Jim McAlpine (left) poses with Frank Shamrock (right)

By Devon Alexander Brown

ost mornings at 5 a.m., entrepreneur Jim McAlpine is in a pool honing his swimming technique. A tested triathlete, he often swims up to a mile in preparation for competitions. When he’s not training in a pool, McAlpine trains in open waters like Lake Tahoe or the stretch between Alcatraz and San Francisco. Because he has ADHD, he’s careful to always bring a pair of waterproof headphones to prevent boredom in the water. He also never skips on cannabis

before a training session. “I use cannabis before I jump in the water for swims, as a way to help my brain stay focused on what I’m doing,” McAlpine told CULTURE. “To engage in that eye of the tiger mode, if you will, and get really into that flow state.” Historically, the idea of consuming cannabis to become active and focused is counterintuitive, but McAlpine recognized its benefits decades ago while lifting weights in high school. Although he’s been active his entire life, he admits he was somewhat of a stereotypical "stoner" until college.

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

“ W h e n I s ta r t e d T h e 4 2 0 G a m e s w h a t I w a n t e d t o d o w a s h a ve i t b e t h e p o l a r o p p o s i t e o f w h a t t h e t y p ic a l c a n n a b i s eve n t i s . W h a t t h o s e eve n t s d o i s k i n d of propagate the stoner image. What I wanted to do is kill the stoner image.”

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

McAlpine is still a daily consumer, but he doesn’t allow habitual use to define him. Rather, he’s using athleticism to redefine the cannabis consumer. “I think so many people consider themselves a stoner or they think they’re a stoner, and they’re not,” McAlpine said. “I believe the vast majority of cannabis users are not stoners. I think that’s a very small sect of the cannabis users that really just want to sit on the couch.” So for the past three years, McAlpine has dedicated his business endeavors to building up the cannabis community and reshaping its narrative. In the summer of 2014, McAlpine founded The 420 Games, a series of multi-city athletic events developed to de-stigmatize responsible cannabis consumers. Hosting The 420 Games grants him and other cannabis consumers the opportunity to demonstrate that the cannabis community is much more than lazy smokers and couch lock. “When I started The 420 Games, what I wanted to do was have it be the polar opposite of what the typical cannabis event is,” McAlpine said. “What those events do is kind of propagate the stoner image. What I wanted to do is kill the stoner image. The answer to me was to put an athletic event together that shows all of us marijuana users don’t just do that.” The 420 Games’ mission is to change the way the public views cannabis consumption, so it is a family-friendly athletic event and consumption of cannabis is prohibited. The main event of The 420 Games is a 4.2-mile race—one mile longer than the 3.1-mile span of a typical 5K. In addition to the race there are over 100 active lifestyle companies with booths and samples, interacting with and educating participants. Two points that McAlpine stressed were that you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from cannabis, and not all athletes do perform better on cannabis. However, incorporating cannabis into walks, hikes, bike rides and 62

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

other physical activities can help make the experiences more immersive and inspire further activity. McAlpine doesn’t have a standard strain he swears by, but on average, sativa-dominant strains are associated with bursts of energy and uplifted thoughts. “I don’t really necessarily look at a strain,” McAlpine said. “I look at the THC content and the makeup of the plant because it’s usually analyzed. I think when you get really medicinal then strains make a difference, but when it’s just being smoked, THC is what I choose. I look for a high THC content.” No matter your tolerance, it’s best to start on the conservative side when incorporating cannabis into a workout or sport. And since cannabis interacts with everyone’s systems differently, it may take some experimenting with multiple strains to determine what works well with your body and biochemistry. Too much THC can induce anxiety and uneasiness resulting in an unpleasant experience. Too little may lead to disappointment. For peak physical performance, proper dosage is more important than strain, which varies grower to grower. Understanding exactly how much to consume is crucial to discovering true functionality on cannabis. In addition to The 420 Games, Jim McAlpine is also the founder of New West Summit, a cannabis industry conference focusing on developments in technology, investment and media. As a part of his all-embracing mission to change the perception of cannabis, he hopes to launch an app that inspires cannabis consumers to be athletic. The app would track physical activity like a Fitbit or Apple Watch, but with the prospect of earning points toward free and discounted cannabis products. “The more active you are, the better pricing and free products you’re going to get,” McAlpine said. “I think that’s just going to propagate more health in the long run.” c

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

Reggae Fusion Feeling irie with New Z e a l a n d ’ s K at c h a f i r e

By Simon Weedn

lthough New Zealand might not be the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of reggae music, the island nation is home to one of the most passionate, die-hard audiences of the genre in the entire

world. For two decades now, New Zealand’s Katchafire has been working hard to establish itself as the ambassador for that scene. With four albums under its belt and a fifth one on deck, the group has enamored fans all over the world with its iconic sunny and laid back brand of reggae, which fuses the classic reggae style with bits of smooth modern jazz and R&B.

“I feel lik e [ cannabis] opens a pa th to creativeness f or me and h e l ps me was h away str ess and an x iety. Th ere ar e a number of u s e s. ” 64

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

Recently, CULTURE was able to catch up with Logan Bell, Katchafire’s lead vocalist, guitarist, and one of its songwriters, to hear all about the band’s upcoming new record, New Zealand’s relationship with reggae, and of course, the band's love of cannabis.

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

Can you tell me a bit about the new record? Did you have any specific goals or ambitions for it going into the writing and recording process? Well, it’s been six or seven years since our last album, and over the last three years, we’ve had three of our original members leave us. So, this is kind of the first album with the new band going forward and the new songwriters picking up the guard. Our one goal was to write good music like we always do; quality not quantity. A lot of the tunes were written and recorded on the road and in different countries, and we’ve been excited to work with a whole different bunch of people with new energies. A lot of people might not traditionally associate the island of New Zealand with reggae music, but it’s extremely popular there; there’s a history of New Zealand reggae artists spanning several decades. What about reggae music do you feel speaks to you and so many other New Zealanders so deeply? Well, New Zealand is a very conscious place, and the indigenous heartbeat there is resounding and loud. A lot of the indigenous there are proud of their heritage, who they are and where they’re from and will shout it from the mountaintops. So we are very conscious, and we hear these messages of struggle that these artists talk about, and I think we can identify with that. Your band has never been secretive about your support for cannabis. How do you feel about the possibility of New Zealand legalizing medical cannabis? Do you think it could happen? You know, I didn’t think it could happen. Our leaders

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

have been very conservative in that area. However, the new Prime Minister is actually quite pro-legalization for medicinal use, but I still think there are a lot of people in the government who don’t want it. So, I don’t think it’s going to happen in the next five years, but maybe in the next 10 years. It’s such an effective medicine these days, and world leaders are seeing the benefits for sick people. Is cannabis something that’s helpful to you and people you know? Yeah! For sure! I feel like [cannabis] opens a path to creativeness for me and helps me wash away stress and anxiety. There are a number of uses. For my mum, we brought her back some CBD pills, and it’s helping with her diabetes. I’m sure there are all sorts of benefits that are unexplored, because there have been chains and taboos on it for too long. Besides the upcoming album, does Katchafire have any other big plans or ambitions for the 2018? You know, we feel like we’ve got a lot more to give and this next album is going to be the turning of a new guard; it’s going to be a sneak preview of what’s to come. I think 2018 will see us lengthening our stops around the world and the tours will just be getting bigger. We’re upping our game; we want to win a Grammy and tour places we’ve never been before. We’re still hungry. c

+ www.katchafire.co.nz

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

culture growing RECI P E S COUR A GE IN P RO F ILE 68

Building Wick Systems By Ed Rosenthal

The wick container system is an easy way to garden because it is self-watering. It also removes the uncertainty of when to water, requires far less care than hand watering, and it is simple, fast to assemble and inexpensive to set up. The wick system is based on capillary action. One example of this is a tissue drawing up water from a puddle. The system we are about to set up works on the same principal. Instead of tissue we use braided nylon rope.

Equipment Starting from the bottom we need a tray that is at least three-inches deep and wide enough to support the plant container. The wider the JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

container the deeper the tray should be. For instance, with a six-foot container I use a 10-inch deep tray, but with small containers the trays is only three to five inches deep. Next we need some blocks to hold the container a few inches above the tray. Some possibilities are 2x4 or 4x4 boards, Styrofoam blocks or an inverted plastic tray. The container is next. Select the same size container that you would normally use. I have used this system with four-inch containers and eightfoot wide soft containers. Next is the wick. Nylon braided rope draws up water very well and these wicks last for a long time. I have used some more than 10 years. Select the wick size. The larger the container the thicker the wick should be. A small container needs only a 1/4-inch wick, while a large container, which is deeper than the small can use wicks up to 3/4inch. Wider containers should have more wicks so water is drawn across the entire bottom of the container by the wicks. Next, the planting mix goes into the container. Almost all mixes work, so you can use your favorite. Once the water is drawn up the wick to the bottom of the soil level, the soil starts wicking it up. You probably have already seen this happen when you watered a plant and excess water dripped into the tray below. A while later, the water disappeared as it was pulled up into the planting mix. The wick system works in the same way.

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

Installation ·

Place the wood or plastic supports in the tray.

Measure and cut the wick. It should start at the bottom of the tray, go through the drain hole in the container and stretch across the container bottom to the drainage hole on the other side and down to the bottom of the tray. The rope tends to fray at the ends. To prevent this, before you cut, use two twist-ties, one for each end of the rope, to hold it in place.

If the container is wide, use two wicks, one in each set of two opposite holes. You may have to drill holes in wider containers, such as kiddie pools or wide trays. Figure that each wick drop covers about two square feet.

Fill the container with planting mix.

Plant the plant or seeds.

A complete system: Tray, blocks, container, wick, planting mix.

This system was automated using a reservoir and flush valve.

Maintenance ·

To start, add water to the container until it starts to drip into the tray.

Fill the tray with water.

Refill the tray as it loses water. You can also water the container from the top once in a while.

The planting mix absorbs water from the wick automatically as the plant uses it.

Holes were drilled in the tray for the wicks. Pallets were used to support tray above the water.

Options This system can be automated. By placing a reservoir above the container level and placing a flush valve in the tray, the water level can be maintained for a longer time. A number of trays can be connected to a reservoir so the whole garden is irrigated just by filling the reservoir. The advantage to this system is that each tray receives water only as it needs it. c

The wick system can support large plants.

This small valve regulates water level in the reservoir.

Copyright by Ed Rosenthal. All rights are reserved. First North American Magazine rights only are assigned to culture Magazine. No other reproduction of this material is permitted without the specific written permission of the author/copyright holder.

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

culture

Donald R. Winn

Age: 32

P RO F ILE

COUR A GE

RECI P E S

growing

Condition/Illness: Traumatic Brain Injury

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

Using medical cannabis since: 2011

Why did you start using cannabis? On Jan. 14, I slipped into a coma because of a very rare bacterial infection called streptococcus, which had caused me to stop breathing. So from there I was in a coma for about two-and-ahalf weeks, so that had screwed up my sleeping because my neurons are always misfiring. So, I’ve tried numerous sleeping pills and none seem to work for me until I was introduced medical marijuana. From there I had replaced over 25 pills daily to only four each day. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes, like I had said in the previous question, I had tried numerous sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills, depression pills, pills

for muscle spasms—the list can keep going on and on. But let’s just say that medical marijuana had saved my life by letting me live without being heavily sedated off all the meds that the doctor had kept feeding me. What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? I’d probably have to say the biggest problem we face about medical marijuana is that no one knows all the health benefits it has to it. And also how much it can help out with so much more. What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? Don’t judge a plant from the past. Judge it for all it can do for us. c

Are you an medical cannabis patient with a compelling story to tell? If so, we want to hear from you. Email your name, contact information and details about your experiences with medical cannabis to courage@ireadculture.com.

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

Menu: Breakfast Açaí Bowl Hearty Granola Bars New Year’s Sweet Greens Juice

culture P RO F ILE

COUR A GE

RECI P E S

growing

Get Fresh with Hemp

Almost 20 years into the millennium, it’s time to get serious about the resolutions we continue to make about improving our health, year after year. CULTURE is simplifying this daunting task by letting you in on one of nutrition’s best kept secrets—and that’s hemp! In honor of the new year, here are three ways to infuse your fresh and colorful recipes with a healthy dose of hemp. When it’s not being used for textiles, renewable energy and body care products, hemp is a super food that offers a significant amount of protein as well as all known amino acids, which our bodies cannot produce. Whether you need an extra boost of energy for your workout, or just to get you through a busy workday, here are three fresh and healthy recipes that utilize nature’s perfect plant.

Breakfast Aç aí Bowl

Fruit is nature’s candy. Elevate it with nature’s gift of hemp, plus a couple other goodies, and your day will be off to a solid start.

Ingredients:

Toppings:

Instructions:

2 cups frozen strawberries (or your favorite berry) 2 frozen sliced bananas

Fresh fruit, sliced (bananas and strawberries)

4 tablespoons açaí powder

Granola

1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other milk of choice)

Unsweetened coconut flakes

2 tablespoons nut or seed butter

Drizzle of honey

1 tablespoon honey, to taste

Hemp seeds

1. Add the frozen fruits, açaí powder, almond milk, nut or seed butter, and honey to a blender. Blend until creamy and smooth, adding extra almond milk as needed to get the blender running. Aim for a frozen yogurt consistency (it should be thicker than a smoothie). 2. Spoon the açaí mixture into bowls and top with hemp seeds, sliced fruit, a drizzle of honey and additional toppings.

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

Instructions:

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (approximately 3 large)

2 cups rolled oats (not instant) 3/4 cup dried cherries, cranberries or blueberries

1/2 cup sunflower seeds 1/2 cup pepita seeds 1/2 cup sliced almonds 1/4 cup hemp hearts 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

RECI P E S

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

COUR A GE

Ingredients:

3. Stir in the vanilla extract. 4. Place the oats into a food processor (or blender set on the lowest speed) and pulse until the oats are coarsely chopped (but still have lots of texture). Stir the chopped oats into the banana mixture until fully incorporated. 5. Stir the dried fruit, walnuts, sunflower and pepita seeds, almonds, hemp hearts, cinnamon

This recipe is quite flexible, so feel free to play around with the mix-ins. Chewy, soft-baked and hearty, these no-sugar-added granola bars are sure to fill you up and will keep your energy stable all day long.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a large rectangular baking dish (approximately 9 inch x 13 inch) and line with a piece of parchment paper (with overhang) so the bars are easier to remove. 2. In a large bowl, mash the banana until smooth. Make sure you have 1 1/2 cups (if you have extra mashed banana, you can freeze it for a smoothie).

P RO F ILE

Hearty Granola Bars

and salt into the bananaoat mixture until thoroughly combined. The dough will be very heavy and a bit wet. 6. Spoon the mixture into the prepared dish. With lightly wet hands, smooth out until even and uniform. Press down on the dough until compacted. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, until firm and lightly golden along the edges. 7. Place the dish on a cooling rack for 10 minutes, then carefully slide a knife to loosen the ends and gently lift out. Place the slab on a cooling rack until completely cool. 8. Once cool, slice into bars. We recommend using a pizza slicer, as it easily cuts through the dried fruit and nuts. Leftovers can be wrapped up and stored in the fridge for a week, or stored in the freezer for 4 to 6 weeks.

New Year’s Sweet Greens Juice Ingredients: 7 celery stalks 1 apple, cut to fit juicer

growing

1/2 cucumber, cut to fit juicer 40 parsley sprigs (leaves and stems) 1/4 cup (1 small handful) spinach leaves 5 large romaine leaves 1/4 to 1/2 lemon, cut to fit juicer 1/4 to 1/2 lime, cut to fit juicer 1 tablespoon hemp oil

Instructions: 1. In a fruit and vegetable juicer, juice all ingredients. Discard solids. 2. Strain juice through a fine mesh sieve before

serving in a glass. Add a few ice cubes to the glass if you prefer a colder beverage. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container and refrigerate for one day.

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018

culture

Green juice is not only healthy, it can be tasty, too. If you prefer a sweeter juice, use half the amount of celery and add another apple (so 3-1/2 celery stalks and 2 apples). If you are not a huge fan of citrus, don’t run the lemon and lime through the juicing machine. Instead, stir a splash of fresh lemon and lime juice into the finished juice.

JANUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com

CultureMagazine.com

JANUARY 2018