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contents Vol 8 IssUE 12
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The Host with the Most Former talk show host Montel Williams combines his entrepreneurial spirit and personal success with medical cannabis to bring awareness and medicine to those who need it.
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Flawless Formula Cannabis companies that are run by friends, couples and like-minded individuals share how they strategically work together towards success.
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Industry Insider Former reporter Charlo Greene opens up about her experiences and success in the cannabis industry.
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Living the Hemp Life Hemp offers so many nutrients and benefits—here are a few ways to utilize hemp and improve your diet and lifestyle.
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Original and Outrageous Erin Lampart is a brilliant comedian who has the standup chops to make the world a better place.
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Good Vibrations Long Beach Dub Allstars continue living the rock and reggae scene with laid-back tunes.
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Care and Conversation When it comes to cannabis, every parent should strive to be a responsible consumer.
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On Trend Threads Cannabis clothing lines have evolved over the years, so get ready to add these fashionably fresh summer looks to your wardrobe.
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Perfect Potential The versatile hemp plant could serve as an environmentally friendly energy replacement of fossil fuels.
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departments news 16 News Nuggets 20 By the Numbers 22 Local News 26 Healthy Living reviews 72 Dispensary Highlight 74 Company Highlight 76 Cool Stuff 78 Entertainment Reviews 80 Strain, Edible & Concentrate Reviews in every issue 88 Growing Culture 90 Destination Unknown 92 Profile in Courage 94 Recipes 98 NorCal Now!
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Online Exclusive! d Maryland Registers First
Cannabis Cultivator d Legal Cannabis Outsells Viagra
and Tequila
100 News of the Weird
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CULTURE M
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Publisher Jeremy Zachary Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett creative consultant Evan Senn Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Benjamin Adams, Sheryll Alexander, Marguerite Arnold, Jake Browne, Cole Garrison, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, David Downs, Keira Fae, Natasha Guimond, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Joe Jatcko, Kevin Longrie, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Dan Mitchell, Jameson McCloud, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Lanny Swerdlow, Jefferson Van Billiard, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf, Zara Zhi Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Tonya Perme, Mike Rosati, Josué Rivas, Eric Stoner Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Tommy LaFleur Graphic Designer Payden Corden, Nathan Hernandez sales director Justin Olson regional manager Cole Garrison Account Executives Jon Bookatz, Alex Brizicky, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Beau Odom, Gloria Santiago, Garry Stalling, Ryan Tripp, Chris Walker, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital content manager David Edmundson Intern Kiara Manns Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 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.
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NEWS
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California Bills Would Place Limits on Cannabis Edibles Assemblyman Rudy Salas recently proposed Assembly Bill 350, which aims to limit what can be sold as a cannabis-infused food or drink. The bill’s legislative digest notes that these rules are intended to prevent children from accidentally consuming products that are specifically intended for medical cannabis patients or adults over the age of 21. “AUMA prohibits marijuana products that are designed to be appealing to children or easily confused with commercially sold candy or foods that do not contain marijuana,” the bill states. “This bill would specify that a marijuana product is deemed to be appealing to children or easily confused with commercially-sold candy if it is in the shape of a person, animal, insect, fruit, or in another shape normally associated with candy, but would not prohibit a licensee from making an edible marijuana product in the shape of the licensee’s logo.” Additionally, even more restrictions have been placed in the current draft regulations under the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act. Under those draft regulations, cannabis edible manufacturers are prohibited from infusing cannabis with alcoholic beverages, products containing nicotine or caffeine, food that must be stored at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and any products that contain dairy, meat or seafood.
Georgia Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill Rep. Allen Peake announced that Gov. Nathan Deal signed Senate Bill 16 on May 9. The bill will expand the state’s medical cannabis oil program to add six additional illnesses to the list of qualifying conditions. “With Gov. Deal’s signature today, Georgia’s medical cannabis program takes another positive step forward,” Rep. Peake stated. “As of [May 9], 1,738 citizens and 354 doctors are registered with Georgia’s Low THC Oil Registry program, and I’m confident that the addition of six conditions to this very successful program will allow even more hurting Georgians with debilitating illnesses to have a ray of hope for a better quality of life.” Registered patients are allowed to possess a maximum of 20 fluid ounces of cannabis oil with a maximum of five percent THC. Severe Tourette syndrome, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Alzheimer’s disease, symptomatic AIDS, peripheral neuropathy and hospice patients who have received authorization were added to the list of qualifying conditions. SB-16 also adds medical card reciprocity to the program and removes the one-year eligibility requirement.
Santa Rosa City Council Proposes Measure D Measure D, which would authorize the local taxation of cannabis-related businesses, will appear on Santa Rosa’s June 6 ballot. The proposal is designed to mimic Measure A, which authorized local taxation of cannabis-related businesses in unincorporated Sonoma County. “Measure D was carefully crafted with input from the industry in a public forum to find the right balance between generating the revenue while addressing certainty for this emerging industry,” Chris Coursey, Mayor of Santa Rosa, said in a ballot argument. “Adoption of a clear, fair and easyto-follow legal framework will encourage cannabis businesses to join the regulated market, ensuring protection for consumers, the environment and public health.” Measure D would impose a tax of $25 per square foot of commercial cultivation and would not exceed eight percent of gross receipts. Taxes could only be raised every two years, and an increase of more than five percent would require approval from at least five out of seven city council members.
Chile is First Nation in South America to Sell Cannabis in Pharmacies Canadian cannabis producer Tilray’s T100 and TC100 cannabis-based products are now available for purchase in pharmacies in Chile, which began in mid-May. Before then, patients could only obtain medicine by import or through one of Chile’s narrow list of dedicated farms. It’s the first time that any nation in South America has moved forward to allow pharmacy sales of cannabis products. The average cost for a month’s worth of treatment will be $310. Tilray is partnering with Alef Biotechnology, a company that is licensed through the government of Chile. Roberto Roizman, Alef board president explained how this will benefit patients in the country. “By importing Tilray’s medical cannabis products to Chile we intend to ease the suffering of those in need by offering pure, precise and predictable medical cannabis products.” The Chilean Congress is currently reviewing a bill that would allow patients to grow their own plants at home. Additionally, the nearby country of Uruguay will begin selling recreational cannabis in pharmacies in July. 16
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The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that Gov. Jerry Brown has dedicated to fund a cleanup initiative to eliminate illegal cannabis cultivation sites in Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity (Source: Willits News) Counties:
1.5
The approximate number of female medical cannabis patients in the Bay Area who use the Eaze medical cannabis delivery app: (Source: SF Bay Area)
31,000
The approximate number of people who attended a Napa City Council Meeting in May and spoke up for medical cannabis patients’ right to cultivate cannabis on their residential property: (Source: Napa Valley Register)
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The estimated number of people who attended the North Coast Cannabis Industry Conference in Santa (Source: North Bay Business Rosa in May: Journal)
250
The amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that is dedicated to the annual salary of the newlyappointed Chief of Cannabis Policy and Enforcement in Sacramento: (Source: Sacramento Bee)
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The percentage of North Carolinians who stated in a survey that they want to see medical cannabis legalized:
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The approximate amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that cannabis industry clients in Maine paid in lobbying fees between December 1, 2016 and (Source: Portland March 31, 2017: Press Herald)
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(Source: The News & Observer)
The approximate number of people who attended the Extravaganja festival in Massachusetts in late-April: (Source: Daily Collegian)
10,000
The approximate number of people in Colorado and California who were surveyed as cannabis consumers by BDS Analytics: (Source: Denver Westword)
2,000
The number of medical practitioners in New York who are registered under the state’s medical cannabis program: (Source: WKBW Buffalo)
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NCIA’s 4th Annual Cannabis Business Summit & Expo
WHAT: NCIA’s 4th Annual Cannabis Business Summit & Expo. WHEN/WHERE: Mon, June 12-Wed, June 14. Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakland. INFO: Visit cannabisbusinesssummit.com for details.
The cannabis industry will take over the city of Oakland again for three days during an event that will draw in almost 5,000 participants and take up nearly 80,000 square feet in exposition booths and displays. The Cannabis Business Summit & Expo, hosted by the National Cannabis Industry Association, will be returning for its fourth year. Former President of Mexico and the President of CocaCola Latin America, Vicente Fox, is being welcomed as the 20
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summit’s keynote speaker. As a proud advocate for cannabis legalization, he will speak about how social injustices were bred from the “War on Drugs” and how today’s governments can benefit from cannabis legalization. This summit is also a great time to further connect with professionals in the community, as it offers plenty of opportunities for networking and education from more than 100 speakers and presenters. (Kiara Manns)
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NEWS
LOCAL
GrowX Modern Growing Conference + Expo
Delivery Debate St. Helena cannabis community hashes out recreational regulations in lieu of Proposition 64 by Benjamin M. Adams
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ike many other small municipalities in California, the city of St. Helena is pursuing the best way to address the implementation of Proposition 64. The city council voted to introduce an ordinance to apply the bulk of the city’s medical cannabis regulations to recreational cannabis and most notably, add delivery. Advocates voiced their opinion, saying that delivery is absolutely prudent and crucial to the local community. On March 21, the Napa County Conservation, Development and Planning Commission recommended that the St. Helena City Council amend the city’s medical cannabis ordinance to accommodate recreational cannabis, while allowing for the delivery of legal amounts of cannabis. St. Helena’s medical cannabis regulations currently ban deliveries with the exception of deliveries that are conducted by primary caregivers. Later, on May 9, St. Helena City Council unanimously voted to introduce an ordinance that retains most of the language from the city’s medical cannabis regulations. The bulk of decision-making was general housekeeping, as it updated the city’s medical cannabis laws to regulate recreational cannabis as well. However, the most significant change to the city’s approach to recreational cannabis is allowing delivery, which is banned under its medical current cannabis regulations. “I encourage you to allow deliveries,” former city Councilmember Eric Sklar said
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at the May 9 council meeting. “There are people in our community who use marijuana for medical purposes. They are often elderly and can’t access marijuana because there’s no place to access it in the county. They have to go to Santa Rosa or Vallejo. It’s not a very green thing to do to make people drive very far for a product, which is now legal.” Sklar is now interested in opening up his own dispensary in Calistoga. As a former city councilmember, Sklar is well aware of the due process that will take place, as well as the time and effort involved. Mayor Alan Galbraith expressed the desire to tackle recreational regulations with extreme caution, while paying attention to how St. Helena’s sister communities are approaching the topic. Many community leaders feel prepared to handle recreational cannabis regulations. Sklar, however, hopes the community doesn’t hesitate to take action. “I encourage you to not wait to start that process,” Sklar said. “Even though it’s easy just to say ‘No, we’re going to hold off and not do anything,’ the people of California voted in November to legalize this product. It’s now going to be the same as any other legal product—soap or lettuce or anything else. It should be available in the proper way— the right distances from schools, the right distances from churches, etc. but the people have spoken.” Sklar continued to share that St. Helena residents voted in favor of Prop. 64 at a higher percentage that the state’s average. He also pointed out that cities like Calistoga and Napa aren’t dragging their feet to enact regulations on recreational cannabis operations. If St. Helena does move to allow cannabis delivery in the city, it could reap the rewards of providing sufficient access to cannabis for those who depend on it. c
Learn to perfect your skills and knowledge on cultivation through experiencing the latest developments in growing techniques, products and technologies. The GrowX Modern Conference + Expo makes its way to the Bay Area for two days of presentations by experts, interactive features, dozens of networking opportunities and a wide variety of exhibits for guests. Educate yourself on insurance and finance as it relates to your business to ensure the ultimate success as you progress in the cannabis industry. This weekend will be great for those already in the business, as well as for those looking to get a foot in the door. The exhibitors at this event will include Pacific Grow Supply, Grow Patrol, GreenGro Technologies, Bud Box and more. Presentations will cover the current laws on cannabis in each state, industry opportunities, lobbying and other hot topics. Find the complete agenda on the event’s official website. (Kiara Manns) WHAT: GrowX Modern Growing Conference + Expo. WHEN/WHERE: Sat, June 3-Sun, June 4. San Jose McEnery Convention Center, 150 W San Carlos St., San Jose. INFO: Visit mygrowx. com/san-jose for details.
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NEWS
HEALTHY LIVING
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Mitigating MS
How cannabinoids are a treatment option for patients with Multiple Sclerosis by Bonni Goldstein, M.D.
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ultiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common autoimmune inflammatory disease, affecting one of every 1,000 people worldwide. The immune system attacks the myelin protective sheath covering of neurons in the brain and spinal cord, interfering with the ability of nerves to function properly. Symptoms include numbness and/or weakness of limbs, problems with vision, body tingling or pain, fatigue, tremor, unsteady gait, bowel or bladder problems and muscle spasticity. Symptoms can progress over time or can come as episodes called attacks or “flare-ups.” There is no known cure for MS, but cannabis is becoming widely used as a treatment for those who suffer from the condition. Traditional treatment is aimed at preventing attacks and at treating symptoms to maintain quality of life. New pharmaceuticals have recently come onto the market with claims of delayed progression of MS symptoms, but longterm safety of these drugs remains unknown. Drugs used to treat MS affect the immune system and can have serious side effects, such as flu-like symptoms, mood disorders, changes in the skin at the injection site, headache, joint pain, rash, nausea, hair loss and low white blood cell count.
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Many of my patients who seek cannabis treatment for MS have had intolerable side effects with MS medications and are looking to use a natural alternative. Since the human immune system contains many cannabinoid receptors that serve to help balance the immune system and the inflammatory response, targeting these receptors with plant cannabinoids can help to stabilize and modulate multiple sclerosis. Numerous studies have examined the use of cannabinoids to treat MS. Much of the research comes from investigations on the efficacy of Sativex (GW Pharmaceuticals), a sublingual preparation of plant derived CBD and THC in a 1:1 ratio. This compound, which is available in 27 countries (not the U.S.), has been shown to be effective for spasticity, nerve pain and MS-induced pain. Other research shows similar efficacy of cannabinoid treatment for MS: •
Nine patients were shown to have improvement of muscle tone, reflexes, and strength with THC.
Sources: Petro, D. and Ellenberger, C. “Treatment of Human Spasticity with Δ9‐ Tetrahydrocannabinol.” The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (1981) 21.S1. Wade, D., et al. “Long-term use of a cannabis-based medicine in the treatment of spasticity and other symptoms in multiple sclerosis.” Multiple Sclerosis Journal 12.5 (2006): 639-645. Corey-Bloom, J., et al. “Short-term
(Petro, 1981) In a study of 167 patients, whole plant cannabinoid extracts relieved pain, spasticity and bladder incontinence. (Wade, 2006) Researchers at the University of California in San Diego reported that inhaled cannabis significantly reduced objective measures of pain and spasticity in a placebocontrolled, randomized clinical trial. (Corey-Bloom, 2010) Spanish researchers treated 50 MS patients with inhaled CBD+THC for spasticity and pain, and they found it to be 80 percent effective. (Fernandez, 2014) A recent meta-analysis of three studies totaling 426 patients reported that cannabis treatment decreased the number of incontinence episodes. (Abo Youssef, 2017)
One of my favorite patients, Ed W., is a 58-year-old man who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 40. He struggled with many different medication side effects and now relies on cannabis treatment for his symptoms. He reports that a mixture of CBD-rich cannabis and THC-rich cannabis has helped to decrease his pain and spasticity and has allowed him to continue to exercise regularly. He also reports that cannabis helps to alleviate the anxiety that comes from having this diagnosis. He uses CBD-rich oil daily (taking it under the tongue), and if he is having an acute pain episode, he will use a vaporized CBD+THC in a 1:1 ratio to get immediate relief. He told me that his physician is amazed at how well he is doing, telling him “keep doing what you are doing.” Both CBD and THC play an important role in MS treatment. The anti-inflammatory “raw” cannabinoids THCA and CBDA are also being used by MS patients with good results. Beta-caryophyllene, a terpenoid found in many strains of cannabis, has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, especially for nerve-based pain. Since cannabis treatment has an excellent safety profile and is generally well-tolerated, many MS patients find a better quality of life with its use.c
effects of medicinal cannabis on spasticity in multiple sclerosis.” Headache 17 (2008): 20. Fernández, L. Lorente, et al. “Clinical experiences with cannabinoids in spasticity management in multiple sclerosis.” Neurología (English Edition) 29.5 (2014): 257-260. Abo Youssef, Nadim, et al. “Cannabinoids for treating neurogenic lower urinary
tract dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis.” BJU international (2017). Klauke, A-L., et al. “The cannabinoid CB 2 receptor-selective phytocannabinoid beta-caryophyllene exerts analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.” European Neuropsychopharmacology 24.4 (2014): 608-620.
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Best Buds in the Business Professionals in the by Addison Herron-Wheeler
cannabis industry give insight into how their strategic partnerships ensure success
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o r many, running a cannabis company is a dream job. In which other profession does one get to be an entrepreneur, an advocate, a philanthropist and an industry pioneer? When overcoming obstacles and setting new precedents, strategic partnerships between two or more individuals often ensure continued success. There are plenty of cannabis companies that are run by couples, best friends, families and close-knit pairs or groups of like-minded individuals. Outstanding professionals shared with CULTURE how they work together to run a prosperous company and thrive in a competitive market.
Whoopi and Maya his California-based company is run by none other than beloved actress Whoopi Goldberg and her extremely successful business partner Maya Elisabeth, a woman known for leading the thriving company Om Edibles. Whoopi and Maya offer cannabis products for menstrual relief, providing an outlet for women who need help in an area that is sometimes embarrassing to talk about. Elisabeth told CULTURE some secrets to how the two women
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work together poetically. “Whoopi is amazing; she is truly inspirational and I look up to her so much,” Elisabeth explained. “I think our partnership is really positive. One of the things we have in common is our business, and also our connection being women.” Not only do both women have a positive attitude, but Elisabeth explained that their business ultimately started after they met and hit it off right away. “Being a pair is actually really beautiful because we get along,” Elisabeth said.
Kushmoji olorado entrepreneurs Ben Tyson and Olivia Mannix saw a serious gap in Colorado’s industry that needed to be filled. Marketing and advertising are extremely competitive and move at a fast pace, but because there are so many companies out there, brand recognition and solid associations with companies are hard to come by. That is why buddies Tyson and Mannix decided to work branding into something extremely easy to share—emojis. While similar personalities are one reason some business partners find success, others like Tyson and Mannix find strengths in their differences. “Our relationship is fantastic,
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photo by Timothy White
but intensely complicated, as our personalities and communication styles could not be more different,” Tyson explained to CULTURE. “I regard that in a positive light, though, because our various approaches to problem solving within the business allow us to see things from a variety of angles.” Although they do have many differences and see their relationships as a type of yin and yang balance, over time the two have realized that they may not be as opposite as they once believed. “Ironically, the more we work together, and the more we problem solve together, the more we realize how alike we actually are,” Tyson said. >>
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Love’s Oven he idea of cannabis and family values going handin-hand may sound peculiar to some, but it’s prevalence in the cannabis industry cannot be denied. Not only has the plant repaired the lives of many families with sick children, those who recognize its healing properties realize just how beneficial it can be while also bringing loved ones together. At Love’s Oven, Peggy Moore, one of the company’s founding business partners, realizes the importance of community and family. She runs the business along with Teresa Walz, her younger sister, and Joshua and
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Walter Nettles, her two sons. Moore opened up to CULTURE about how the family members are able to keep business problems separate from their family lives. “We’ve certainly had our fair share of business disagreements over the years, but we really set a guideline that we will never allow any business ‘stuff’ to affect our familial relationship,” Moore explained. “A positive that we’ve noticed is the ‘trickle down’ effect of a family-run business, where all employees at Love’s Oven feel like family and really treat each other that way, which makes for a great work environment.”
Our relationship is fantastic, but intensely complicated, as our personalities and communication styles could not be more different. I regard that in a positive light, though, because our various approaches to problem solving within the business allow us to see things from a variety of angles. Kiva Confections lose partnerships are extremely helpful for successful businesses in new and experimental industries, so it makes sense that a married couple who is already committed wholly to one another would make for a great team. Kristi Knoblich married her husband Scott after meeting him in photography school. The two founded Kiva Confections in 2010 from their kitchen at home, with the hopes of making some high-quality edibles for those who need relief. Kristi explained to CULTURE how running a company alongside one’s spouse could be the upmost advantage
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for business and marriage. “Working together has allowed us to spend a lot of time at the office,” Kristi explained. “We joke that it gives us a competitive advantage; anyone who isn’t married to their business partner can’t possibly spend as much time at work and keep a spouse. But seriously, we can accomplish a lot when we are both fully committed to the same goal, which is seeing Kiva succeed.” Together, Kristi and Scott are able to put running a successful business at the top of their priority list, while not allowing their marriage to become neglected as a result. c
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Industry Insider
Legalization without criminal justice isn’t progress. It’s not reform. It’s dressing up prohibition in a way that allows people who are chosen to profit off of people who use it.
Explicit Entrepreneur Journalist Charlo Greene fearlessly pushes through legal battles while launching web series by R. Scott Rappold
“F
*ck it. I quit.” If you’ve ever worked at a job in your life, you’ve probably thought those words. Maybe they were even on the tip of your tongue. But most of us just suck it up and go on working; we have bills to pay, after all. And then there’s what Charlo Greene did. In 2014, while working as a television journalist at an Alaska station and delivering a report on cannabis, she quit on-air with those four words and walked out of one life
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and into another. The clip went viral on the internet but the world soon forgot about Greene. The Alaskan authorities did not, and Greene is facing trial this fall on charges stemming from a raid on the Alaska Cannabis Club, the medical cannabis facility she had surreptitiously launched while working as a journalist and to which she devoted her life after quitting. Greene could face decades in prison if she is convicted. The threat of prison has not silenced her voice. In fact, green has since moved to California and launched a daily cannabis newscast
on YouTube, The Weed Show. Rather than ending her journalism career, the famous on-air resignation led Greene closer to her true calling—helping people and fighting for an issue that is close to her heart. “A lot of people assume I was pissed off at someone. That wasn’t at all the case. That was in fact my favorite job I have had to date,” said Greene, whose legal name is Charlo Egbe. “What would have been more self-serving for me would have been to hang onto this career as opposed to pursuing the mission that I got into it for, which was to help people.” >>
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Journalist to Activist
Greene, who grew up in Alaska, had only been working at KTVA for nine months, but she had become the go-to correspondent for anything and everything cannabis. The state was voting in 2014 on whether to join a handful of other states in legalizing recreational cannabis, and Greene traveled around the state and to other states that had passed legalization, reporting on the issue. She was no stranger to cannabis, being a recreational consumer since college, but she was still shocked and saddened as she learned what obstacles Alaskans seeking medical cannabis had to face. Though it had long been legal for medicinal purposes, the state never created a system for patients to obtain cannabis. She even met one patient in her 70s whose doctor had suggested she stroll through back alleys looking for a dealer. “Just hearing those stories, it made sense that I use the platform I had to help this community of people, especially up in Alaska, where we had legalized it but hadn’t created any sort of structure for these patients to get medicine. This was why I became a journalist,” she said. Journalistic impartiality be damned, she went one step further and opened the Alaska Cannabis Club, where patients could meet other patients and share cannabis. For six months, she balanced a 10-hours-a-day job and being “the secret cannabis lady.” She was even writing press releases for the club, sending them to the TV station and then covering the story, knowing it would get her fired instantly if the bosses found out. A few weeks before the vote on legalization in the fall of 2014, Greene decided to quit in her very dramatic fashion, hoping it would draw attention to the issue. “I decided to use my exit as a way to draw as much attention to the vote. Knowing I was kamikazeing my own career over this, I wanted to make use of my exit to achieve what I set out to do, which was legalize cannabis in Alaska and make
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medical marijuana real for all of the patients I serviced,” she said. Greene traveled the state stumping in favor of legalization, and on November 4, the state that had once elected Sarah Palin as governor voted to legalize recreational cannabis by a 53-47 margin.
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Uncertain Future
After the vote was certified, Greene reopened her club, which she described as “a private patients association.” She told CULTURE she thought she was operating under the law, based on her extensive interviews with state and local authorities about what would be allowed under the new legislation. Authorities felt otherwise, and the club was raided in 2015, with a show of force worthy of a takedown of a Colombian cartel. “I was shocked they would use drug war-era tactics, like the battering ram, the 12 armed, masked officers in SWAT gear, coming in and putting guns in everyone’s faces,” she said. Even worse, she later learned she was being charged with enough felonies to send her to prison for 54
years. She has pleaded not guilty and strongly believes authorities targeted her because of her public support for legalization. Her case, she said, exposes the flaws of Alaska’s legalization efforts. “We learned afterwards it was more commercialization versus legalization. We definitely did it the wrong way, otherwise I wouldn’t be in the position I am,” Greene said. “Legalization without criminal justice isn’t progress. It’s not reform. It’s dressing up prohibition in a way that allows people who are chosen to profit off of people who use it.” While awaiting trial, Greene has since moved to California, which after the 2016 election is ground zero of cannabis legalization. In late 2016, she launched The Weed Show to provide a daily visual news source on all things cannabis, with subjects ranging from “How to Grow 25 Pounds of Weed a Day” to “Weed and Sex” to “End the War On Us.” She has also launched a line of skin care products, CBD Body and Beauty. In a way, Greene has come full circle. And she has no regrets about anything, despite the pending trial. “I honestly don’t know what I could have done differently, what I would do differently,” she said. “It just sucks, the position I’m in now.” c
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A Better Life with Hemp Hemp is one of the most nutritious and renewable plants on the planet and is often overlooked—here are some great ways to easily add hemp into your life
FOOD
We all want to be healthier, have longer lives and get the nutrition our body needs and deserves, but figuring out exactly how to do that can be expensive and difficult.
by Evan Senn Hemp is one of the most versatile plants on our planet, and in addition to being a perfect protein, hemp can be used as a great renewable and strong source for any paper products, environmentally-friendly plastic substitutes and a clean-burning fuel source. If you don’t have access to hemp products or food, or you aren’t quite sure how to infuse your life with hemp, we’re here to help. In honor of Hemp History Week this month (June 5-11), we have put together a list of different ways you can utilize the many nutrients and benefits that hemp offers for your diet and lifestyle.
Relying on other people’s products and the availability of said products can be costly and hard to find, leaving us disappointed and under-nourished. Depending on where you live, you could
have great access to hemp products and foods, and if you do have that access, there is no reason why your whole life shouldn’t be infused with hemp in many different ways.
Hemp Seeds he seeds from hemp plants are versatile and tasty delights. Hemp seeds are rich in protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega 6, omega 3 and insoluble fiber. They are a good source of tocopherols (vitamin E antioxidants). They’re also packed with minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium and phosphorus, plus micro-elements like strontium, thorium and
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Hemp Oil emp oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, which is converted to the protective hormone prostaglandin PGE1, which helps regulate hormonal balance (and supports menopausal health). Hemp oil can help lower cholesterol; it can help moderate blood sugar levels, prevent psoriasis, boost immunity, and it can even prevent varicose veins.
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Hemp oil is a great to use whenever you’re in need of making a salad dressing, an infused oil for dipping (rosemary, garlic, chili or shallot-infused oils are easy and tasty for dipping breads), or lightly sautéing vegetables in. It is not recommended for high heat though, as the high temperatures can denature the unsaturated fats of hemp oil and turn them into saturated fats. >>
chromium. Both the complete protein and the oils contained in hemp seeds (rich in lanolin and linolenic acids) are in ideal ratios for optimum human nutrition. You can eat them raw (hulled), roasted like nuts, or you can use them to make other things! You can use blended hemp seeds to make hemp cream, hemp seed cheeses, mayonnaise, pesto sauce, Alfredo sauce, non-dairy sour cream or even a creamy and nutty butter.
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Hemp Milk rganic hemp milk is also a great alternative to cow’s milk. In just one ounce of hemp milk, you get vitamins A, B12, D, E, Folic Acid, magnesium, iron, 4 grams of digestible protein, potassium, zinc, riboflavin, phosphorous, 900mg of omega 3, 2800mg of omega 6, all 10 essential amino acids and 46 percent of your daily allowance of calcium—all with no cholesterol. You can use hemp milk as a milk replacement in all baking and cooking, in your tea or coffee, or even in your cereal. Hemp milk is a quick nut milk to make because unlike almonds or
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cashews, hemp seeds don’t need to be soaked before blended. All you need is one cup hemp seeds (also called hearts or shelled hemp nuts), three-to-four cups filtered water, one tablespoon coconut oil (optional), two tablespoons Stevia or agave, one-half a tablespoon of organic vanilla powder and a pinch of sea salt. In a high-speed blender, add hemp seeds and water, and blend on high until fully liquefied. Using a cheesecloth or milk bag, strain into a wide glass bowl, and discard the hemp fibers (or keep for cheese-making later) from the bag, and pour the milk back into a clean blender.
Hemp Protein emp protein powder is a common powder sold at health food stores and can be a great addition to shakes and baked goods. You can also find hemp protein bars, and hemp seed snacks available at most health food stores as well.
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LIFESTYLE No other natural resource offers the potential of hemp. Hemp is capable of producing significant quantities
of paper, textiles, building materials, medicine, paint, detergent, varnish, oil, ink and fuel. Unlike other crops, hemp can grow in most climates and on
most farmlands throughout the world with moderate requirements. Look no further for creative ways to incorporate hemp into your everyday lifestyle.
Hemp Clothing emp clothing absorbs and releases perspiration quickly and breathes well, making it ideal for a textile in clothing. Hemp clothing absorbs dye easily, retains color well, holds up to repeated washings (never needing dry cleaning), and also is naturally
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anti-microbial. It is uniquely resistant to mold and mildew, and believe it or not, hemp fabric gets softer the more it’s washed and worn. Many companies all over the world use hemp fabrics, including major brands like Patagonia, Royal Apparel and Barneys New York. >> iReadCULTURE.com
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Cannabis Facial T
etrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids are powerful antioxidants and can aid in cell repair and cellular regeneration. In recent studies, it’s been proven that nonpsychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) is a more powerful antioxidant than vitamins A, C and E. When applied topically to your skin, these antioxidants tackle fine lines and wrinkles with supreme skin conditioning power. THC is also an anti-inflammatory agent and is heavy in omegas, which are essential for moisturizing dull skin.
Consider creating a D.I.Y. hemp-infused facial. All you need is one ripe avocado, one-fourth cup hemp oil, two tablespoons spirulina powder (to kill toxins and brighten skin), several drops of patchouli oil (because this essential oil fights acne and sagging skin) and a blender. Blend until the mixture is creamy, smooth and bright green, and with a steamedcleaned face, apply and sit for at least 15-20 minutes, wash it off and voila! You’re on your way to bright, clean and blissful skin.
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emp seed oil is a fantastic cleansing oil, and is safe to use on sensitive or acne prone skin; it will not clog your pores. Paired with jojoba oil and a little of your favorite essential oil, you’ve got the makings of a natural, healthy cleanser! Jojoba is an anti-bacterial and also reduces sebum production in our skin, so it’s a great addition to any cleanser; you can also use safflower oil or evening primrose oil. Facial cleansers with lathering ingredients disrupt the skin’s natural oil balance, which can make dry skin drier and oily skin produce even more oil to compensate. When you use the right types of oils in the
Hemp Toothpaste H
emp toothpaste can be a really effective and excellent way to care for your teeth. It effectively calms and prevents tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums and minor sores or cracks in the mouth. Making your own toothpaste is costefficient, healthier than store bought toothpaste and just as effective. To make your own hemp toothpaste, all you need is one-fourth cup of coconut oil, one-fourth cup of hemp oil, two to three tablespoons of baking soda, two small packets of Stevia powder (to
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add some sweetness to the mix), 1520 drops of peppermint or cinnamon essential oil, and 10 drops of myrrh extract (optional). Mix it all together, and keep it in a cool dry place. There are many other ways to utilize hemp in your lifestyle, and the products available with hemp already in it are vast and varied. You can find fantastic hemp seed shampoos and conditioners, hemp lotions and creams; you can even find after-tattoo care infused with hemp like with brand Ink 20/20. c
right combinations to cleanse the face, you’ll be able to gently yet effectively cleanse the skin of pore-clogging oils and bacteria while also maintaining moisture balance. Start by massaging the oil into dry skin using circular motions, focusing especially on where pores are clogged or where you’re wearing a bit more makeup than usual. Saturate a clean washcloth with hot tap water, then wring it out and gently remove the oil and the makeup with it. For combination skin, switch to a 1:4 ratio (one part castor oil, four parts carrier oil), and for dry and/or sensitive skin, a 1:10 ratio seems to work best.
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Erin Lampart perseveres to deliver outrageous comedic performances
I totally want to endorse 100 percent CBD oil. I suffer from a lot of migraines and a lot of stomach problems.
by Jasen T. Davis
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photo by Tyler Ross
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n a city like Hollywood, being pretty, smart and tough isn’t always enough, but a sense of humor can give you the edge to cut past the competition. Erin Lampart has these qualities, as well as a personal style that is kind of dark and a little dirty. “I like to be weird. I like to do silly things,” Lampart told CULTURE. Her material includes concepts like work, dating and family, infused with a twist that is as sardonic as it is comedic. “I guess a lot of times I take bad things that have happened and turn them into comedy. I like putting sunshine into the gray.” Although originally from New York, Lampart’s family moved to Pennsylvania, she said after a series of unfortunate events. “I’m sassy but still a country girl.” Lampart started performing for a living after taking summer acting jobs when she was 11 years old. “I was always a theater kid.” After growing up, the talented lady had enough daydreaming at a country club and moved to L.A. “I started doing Second City Improv, but it wasn’t until I saw Rory Scovel perform that I decided to do stand-up. I was single and alone, so I had plenty of time.” >>
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photo by Sharon Alagna
Aside from being a successful comedian, she is also a seasoned film and television actress. Lampart has starred in a currently unreleased independent horror film, a yet-to-be named but soon-to-bereleased Comedy Central series, a television series called GayCare and in the documentary 100 Jokes, where she expertly performed the role of herself. She feels that film is certainly easier than stand-up. “I love taking direction. I’m into details and I listen very well. With stand-up you have complete control. You can do what you want.” Both mediums call for a performer to quickly actualize an amusing imaginary fantasy by evoking pure emotion and expressing it for a hopefully
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captivated audience. Lampart uses the same process for her signature standup comedy. “There’s more emotion, more pain. When I am onstage really going for it, my performance has exhaustion and frustration.” She knows how to amp herself up in order to make her set more electrifying. The young woman said that before going onstage to do comedy, “sometimes I’ll just read Yelp reviews about me to get angry.” But just like “the force” in Star Wars, comedy has a dark side, and every comic is aware of it. What’s the worst part, for Lampart? “The constant self doubt,” she said. “You can keep having great sets until you have a terrible set.” This makes some comics stop, or even quit, paralyzed by
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The first time I put it on the base of my skull for my headache, there was instant relief from the pain. So many people can benefit from it. the fear of failing. Lampart believes that all artists struggle the same way. “I live with and date a painter. He goes though the same thing.” She still believes that the bright side is worth it. “I love
making people laugh. I love making people happy and forget their pain for a little while. I love connecting with people and making them feel good.” Lampart was candid with CULTURE about her own personal experience with medical cannabis. Now that she’s in California, what does this funny, brilliant actress think of cannabis? “I totally want to endorse 100 percent CBD oil. I suffer from a lot of migraines and a lot of stomach problems.” Lampart got her medical card after a friend recommended using 100 percent CBD oil for similar problems. She says that, “The first time I put it on the base of my skull for my headache, there was instant relief from the pain. So many people can benefit from it.” c
www.facebook.com/Saucecomedy | Twitter: @ThatsSoLampy
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Laidback Life
Long Beach Dub Allstars continues to bring light and love to audiences nationwide by Pamela Jayne
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ong Beach Dub Allstars (LBDA) has been spreading the laid-back vibes of sunny beaches and reggae tunes around the globe since 1997. It is no secret that its fame is rooted in tragedy. It was
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in the wake of the death of Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell that LBDA was formed. The reason was partly to pay tribute and keep Nowell’s memory alive, and also to heal through the band members’ shared love of music. The band found solace in the familiarity of writing, recording and performing. With a heavy rhythm section, and often overlooked, but deeply meaningful
photos by John Gilhooley
lyrics, LBDA has embraced the darkest parts of life, the tragedy the band members have experienced, and gone forward, performing around the world, bringing light and love to audiences everywhere for 20 years. CULTURE recently caught up with lead vocalist, Opie Ortiz, to talk about the band, his love of cannabis and the new material he’s been working on. >>
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Hopefully soon so we can all reap the benefits of cannabis by either smoking [it] or CBD oil or many of its derivatives, which are all helpful. Thanks for talking to us, Opie. Will you start out by telling us the history of Long Beach Dub Allstars? LBDA formed in the ashes of Sublime’s Bradley Nowell’s passing. Friends and musical associates gathered to play out of respect for Brad and Sublime, as well as our general love to play music. LBDA is a mix of many different genres. How would you describe your sound? The LBDA genre of music is a combo of many different styles. Mainly reggae along with some rock and soul influences. After all these years, do you still get excited to play live? We always get excited to play live! Anywhere and everywhere, but especially locally because that’s our peeps! You guys will forever be tied to Sublime. Do you consider your music to be a tribute to Bradley, a way to carry on his memory? Yeah, our music is directly connected to Sublime, but I feel we offer a little bit more of a full range of reggae with keys, horns and such.
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With a three-piece you are very limited. I’m sure Brad would approve of what we are doing. Obviously, he would do it his way, but a lot of what we do is the same formula that he used. >> What is your approach to making music? Do you just let it come naturally in its own time, or do you have a structured writing schedule? Our approach to writing material is the main musical parts are recorded, then
the lyrics are written. Sometimes it’s different though. We occasionally have lyrics that have been written, then music is added later. It all depends on what’s going on at that specific time. Who are your influences? Who shaped the LBDA sound? Our influences are everywhere from jazz, soul, reggae, blues, funk and punk—really all genres of music. Lately, I find myself digging for a lot of soul and funk, because I feel a strong connection to that music. It speaks to me more than other music. I think LBDA was shaped by a strong respect for reggae and punk but [is] more now in the reggae grind. Do you have any new music, shows or tours in the works? If so, what can fans expect? We have been writing new material and hope to be recording soon, but will be playing new material along with the old favorites.
hopefully soon, so we can all reap the benefits of cannabis by either smoking [it] or CBD oil or many of its derivatives, which are all helpful. What are your favorite strains? I enjoy smoking regularly and enjoy many different strains. Too many to name, but Banana OG, Gorilla Glue, Granddaddy Purp and Royal OG are some of my favorites. What about your preferred method of consuming cannabis? Are you a dabber, or are you more into joints or edibles? I smoke blunts, joints and occasionally hit a dab. Do you consume cannabis while writing, recording and performing? I smoke every day. So yes, it’s part of all of the above. Usually four or five times a day depending on what the day consists of. Sometimes less, sometimes more.
What are your thoughts on the cannabis movement?
Anything you’d like to add before we wrap it up?
I’m currently hopeful for the cannabis movement! It’s been way too long. These laws have to be updated,
Keep your eyes and ears open for some new material and more shows coming your way. c
+ facebook.com/LongBeachDubAllstars
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Parental Principles The basics of responsible cannabis consuming parents by Emily Manke
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his time of year, it’s appropriate to consider, discuss and commiserate on the joys and pitfalls of parenting. For those dedicated moms and dads who also happen to be cannabis consumers, parenthood can come with its own special set of challenges. Parenting and consuming cannabis is one of those gray areas that isn’t talked about nearly enough. However, with the stigma surrounding cannabis slowly evaporating, it’s high time we start having the conversation.
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Keep Cannabis Away From Kids “The foster families I license are allowed to have marijuana in their home as long as it is inaccessible to children, per state law,” LeClari says. While this is not necessarily a legal requirement for traditional parents in legal cannabis states, it’s definitely a best practice, and one LeClair and her partner adhere to at home. When not in use, store cannabis in a locked container that kids will not have access to, on the top shelf of your bedroom closet for example. Make sure all cannabis containers are clearly and obviously labeled. For edibles that look like candy, put poison stickers on them if you have young kids in the house. That way in the off chance they do get their hands on them, they’re clued in that what looks like delicious candy, may actually be dangerous.
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Do Not to Use Cannabis in Front of Children Modeling the use of any substance in front of kids can be harmful. By using cannabis in front of your children, you are subjecting them to adult behavior they may not be ready to process. Additionally, LeClair notes, for kids with a trauma history, this may be a trigger for them from their past or in their future. The same goes for alcohol. Additionally, while second-hand smoke
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Can you be a responsible parent and a cannabis consumer? Of course you can. But there are some ground rules you and your parenting partner should set to keep your kids safe and sound. CULTURE talked to foster parent licensor, parent of three kids and cannabis consumer, Cori LeClair, about how to consume, store and deal with cannabis safely and respectfully as a parent. “As a licensor for foster homes, and a parent, safe cannabis use is something that is taken seriously in my home and addressed in my work,” LeClair told CULTURE. When asked how to maintain a safe environment in your home if you’re a cannabis consumer, LeClair had five tips to keep kids safe, while keeping parents in compliance with the law. In all instances, be sure to abide by your respective state and local laws.
from cannabis may not be as harmful as tobacco or other drugs, it’s still not ideal for kids to be exposed to it in any capacity.
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Don’t Drive with Your Kids If You’re Under the Influence While this may seem like a no-brainer, it bears repeating. If you plan on consuming cannabis, make sure you will not need to transport any children afterwards. This will require planning ahead. LeClair and her partner always either designate a driver, or make sure they are fine to stay home for the evening before using cannabis with kids in their care. In case of emergency, you can always call a friend or family member, a cab or worst case scenario, an ambulance.
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Make Sure One Parent Stays Alert Enough to Operate in an Emergency For the most part, cannabis doesn’t render a person inebriated enough that they’re incapable of acting in an emergency. That said, with kids involved, you can never be too careful. If you’re trying out a new cannabis product and are unsure how you’ll react, make sure one of you doesn’t partake. Stick to light, predictable cannabis use if you have to care for kids. Otherwise, wait until they are with a grandparent or other guardian for the night.
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Find the Right Time to Talk to Kids About Cannabis When your kids are small, there’s really no need to educate them on cannabis at all unless they ask. Even then, it’s probably best to keep the answers somewhat vague, as to maintain their innocence and to avoid overly piquing their curiosity. So when is the right time to talk to kids about cannabis use? LeClair suggests parents wait until they are ready to have “the drug talk” with their kids. Most professionals suggest parents begin these conversations around sixth or seventh grade, depending on the child. Whether or not you decide to disclose your cannabis use is a personal decision. No matter what you choose to tell your kids, or what rules you decide to impose in your home, a good basic outline for a script regarding cannabis use is that it’s a personal choice that requires being a responsible adult to make, like alcohol.
There’s no one right way to be a parent. Some may choose to abstain from cannabis altogether when they become parents—and more power to them. But for the rest of us, you can take care to keep your kids safe, happy and healthy, and not have to give up everything you enjoyed preparenthood. c
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Fashion’s Green Revolution
The cannabis and hemp clothing industry is growing to exponential heights by Addison Herron-Wheeler
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n an age where social values and activism define a great deal of how we live our lives, clothing has become part of how we make a statement, and how we demonstrate our personal identities. In addition to looking good and showcasing individuality, some people seek to support causes and shun unfair business practices based on what they wear, buy and like. So, it is no surprise that cannabis and hemp clothing has become its own subgenre in the fashion world, and of course, cannabisfriendly duds have come a long way from the braided hemp necklaces and tie-dye shirts of the 1960s. In fact, there is a lot history behind hemp being used as a fiber for clothing. The plant was used as a fiber 10,000 years ago, for clothing, ship sails, pendants, rope and other fiber needs for thousands of years. The resurgence of hemp as a fashion statement is more than just style; it is also an eco-conscious lifestyle. Coupled with all of the cool clothing brands capitalizing on the popularity of cannabis, there are tons of hot summer styles for those looking to wear hemp or procannabis clothing. Here are a few of the coolest brands in canna-wear, and why you should know them.
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Helpsy This brand is all about feminism, D.I.Y. culture and making a difference. In addition to the fact that Helpsy uses fair trade and sustainable business practices, this company also makes over-the-top cannabis print garments and vape pens alongside classy vegan backpacks, comfy summer dresses and eye-catching swimwear. shophelpsy.com
Beach and Bong All cannabis enthusiasts need a shirt with a goofy pun or bad cannabis joke. Look no further than Beach and Bong, the hilariously-titled clothing company that makes nothing but screen-printed tees with loveable slogans and classic designs. skreened.com/ beachandbong
Captain Chronica This store takes cannabis graphic tees and tanks to the next level. Rather than cute or witty, some of these pieces are super cool, and some are downright strange. captainchronica.com
Conscious clothing This company focuses on consciousness in clothing, using all-natural fibers to create classy, earth-tone based pieces. Carrying everything from underwear and belly shirts to baby clothing, Conscious Clothing is a one-stop shop for basic yet classy summer garments. consciousclothing.com
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Nomads Hemp Wear Nomads sticks to the classic comfort and outdoorsy looks of hemp wear, but takes it up a notch with slightly edgier, more modern-looking pieces. In addition to clothing made from hemp and organic materials, Nomads Hemp Wear has cruelty-free boots made from alternative materials. nomadshempwear. com
Home grown Outfitters These guys keep it simple yet classy with bold designs, simple knit beanies and stylish cuts. Home Grown Outfitters’ pieces are staples that cannabis enthusiasts of any style can wear. www.hgoutfitters.com
Jungmaven This company makes basic, classic staples out of hemp fabrics. Rather than playing up psychedelic imagery or wild and crazy patterns, they keep things as simple and practical as possible. Think of it as the “American Apparel of hemp.” jungmaven.com
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Kush Friendly This company makes comfortable clothes like sweatshirts and tees, and is well-known as a hat brand. Its punny imagery of someone literally pushing a tree among other standard pieces have made them a recognizable brand. www.kushfriendly.com
Hempest If you are interested in sustainability but still want a diverse range of women’s and men’s clothing and products to choose from, look no further than Hempest. This store makes classic and elegant hemp-based essentials like bags, wallets, jackets, socks and underwear, and it also carries body care products and accessories. www.hempest.com Lina Mayorga With gorgeous and edgy haute couture, this brand is unmatched with its sustainable, organic and vegan clothing; and, it’s not the basic, comfy yogaesque garments most have come to expect from the green-friendly side of the industry. Lina Mayorga creates high-fashion pieces with organic hemp and cotton fabrics that can be taken on the runway, at a wedding or worn to a party. www.linamayorga.com
Intertwined Designs Intertwined Designs uses hemp to make clothing in classic colors for those with an active lifestyle. Using hemp and organic cotton for its weaves, this company makes comfy yoga pants, tunics and other can’t-live-without basics. intertwineddesigns. com
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Rawganique
Run with the Tribe The clothing made by this company is all hand-sewn and looks like it belongs on a futuristic desert warrior princess. It’s perfect for the wild spirited woman—and it’s all sustainable and guilt-free, so you can shop to your heart’s content. runwiththetribe.us
Sweet Skins makes feminine, light and breezy skirts and dresses from sustainable and ethical fabrics. Sweet Skins make the eco-friendly look effortlessly chic with its fashionable and comfortable styles. sweetskins.com
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As a well-known cannabis brands, this company makes incredibly recognizable patterned print clothing and accessories that you can own without breaking the bank. www.treeshurts.com
Some Girls Get High
Orvis
The Highsleys Clothing
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Tree Shurts
The sassy aesthetic of this store pulls together fun and light women’s fashion with a serious social message about how women can be cannabis consumers, industry leaders and have fun with their own cannasseur brands. somegirlsgethigh. bigcartel.com
Sweet Skins
With a vibe somewhere between sports league uniforms and cannabis-friendly urbanwear, this brand is unmistakably American and features basketball jerseys, baseball tees and some classic beanies that utilize cannabis imagery. thehighsleysclothing. bigcartel.com
The creators of this brand proudly claim that they are off-grid and organic, and they use hemp fabrics to make their products. The Rawganique pieces are simple, classic and elegant everyday wear clothing, creating a comfortable and organic, earthfriendly lifestyle look, with grace and ease. rawganique. com
The Rukus This streetwear brand’s visual style has a unique place somewhere between vintage sign-painting, folk art, graffiti and Adult Swim animations mixed with urban lifestyle clothing. The unique lettering, vintage accents and colorful play set this streetwear company apart from the crowd. www.therukusclothing.com
This hemp and natural clothing manufacturer specializes in men’s and women’s clothing, and caters to things like hunting and fly fishing with their line. Although Orvis makes rugged and outdoorsy clothing, the company does so with a fantastic flair. www.orvis.com
Personal Stash This famous NYC company came up with the slogan “I bud you” with the accompanying image of a nug of cannabis in place of a heart. Almost everything from this brand is plastered with lovely pictures of the plant, but in a way that is edgy and artistic rather than tired and played out. www.ibudyou.com
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The Hemp Revolution Hemp could replace fossil fuels as a form of energy by Jasen T. Davis
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or centuries humanity has used energy sources such as gasoline, coal and even thermonuclear power as a resource, but we have done so at a tremendous cost to the environment. As global warming and the occasional atomic meltdown take their toll on the world, many scientists and researchers are investigating cheaper, more renewable and safer alternatives, including hemp. Since the dawn of time people have burned wood to stay warm, cook and create steam for power. Cutting down trees, however, eventually leads to deforestation and devastated animal habitats. Trees can usually be harvested every 10 years, but industrial hemp has a growth cycle of just three months, allowing farmers to cultivate it faster. Wood pellets made of compressed shavings and dust have been used as a source of fuel for a very long time. According to Jim Pillsbury, a cultivator of industrial hemp in Framingham, Massachusetts who is working with a Canadian biomass research facility to develop a hemp alternative to wood pellets, the process also requires no pesticides and is therefore less harmful to the environment. Biomass power plants generate electricity from turbines driven by steam from burning wood pellets, regular wood or even plant material, such as hemp. The steam can also heat buildings and be used for manufacturing. Instead of burning biomass, other means like chemical decomposition and all-natural, biological digestion can be used. According to Klara Marosszeky, an Australian researcher studying the science of biomass generators, hemp is the solution. “The biomass
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If we raised hemp on six percent of the land in the U.S., we could provide all of the fuel we need for power generation and transportation. it produces is the equivalent to a similar area of forest [per year], but it’s produced in a four month period of growth,” Marosszeky said in an interview with ABC News, Australia. Since hemp grows faster, cleaner and requires no fertilizers, this process is far less harmful to nature than using processed, cut-down trees. Supercapacitators made of graphene help batteries store electricity. Creating graphene takes time, and it harms the environment, since factories have to use chemicals and metal compounds for the process. Professor David Mitlin, a scientist working at New York’s Clarkson University, has led a team of researchers in creating a supercapacitator made of hemp carbon fibers. These creations are not only three times more efficient than their metallic counterparts; they are also less harmful to the Earth to build. Mitlin has created a company called CQuest Partners, LLC to manufacture these superior supercapacitators, complete with hemp-derived electrodes and lead a green industrial revolution using hemp to do it. Paul Bobbee is a Canadian hemp
farmer who owns Bifrost Bioblends, a proposed biodiesel plant he hopes will someday generate hemp diesel fuel capable of powering automobiles. After ending up with a surplus of hemp seed one year, Bobbee converted 5,300 gallons of hemp seed oil into a sweet-smelling, slightly greenish fluid capable of fueling a diesel engine. Fortunately, such an engine already exists. Grayson Sigler owns Hemp Car Transamerica, a company that successfully converted a 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300 DT station wagon’s engine into a machine capable of reaching 27 miles per hour on the highway. All his company did to convert the engine was replace the hoses within the vehicle with stronger ones capable of handling the hemp diesel fuel’s slightly heavier viscosity. Does it seem strange to think that we could use hemp to power just about everything we need to run around and live in America? Sigler doesn’t think so. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, he said, “If we raised hemp on six percent of the land in the U.S., we could provide all of the fuel we need for power generation and transportation.” c
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Guided by personal experience,
Montel Williams brings the healing of cannabis to the masses By Dan Mitchell
ontel Williams has filled many roles during his career: Awardwinning daytime talk show host, actor, writer and activist. But above all, he’s a passionate promoter. As such, his word choices near perfection, he has the uncanny ability to speak in public with ease and sway listeners and viewers to feel. Whether he’s rattling off the chemical properties of his new line of cannabis products, or telling his own compelling life story, including his time in Naval Academy or his experience suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and how cannabis has eased that suffering, his passion comes through loud and clear. Williams hosted The Montel Williams Show from 1991 to 2008. It was often the standard, daytime-talk fare—psychics, battling couples, troubled teens. But, especially in the show’s later years, Williams focused less on covering the typical stories that other shows did. Instead, he featured guests with inspirational stories of overcoming obstacles, lost loves reuniting and parents finding the children they had put up for adoption. After his diagnosis in 1999, he started devoting shows to MS. The show was later canceled
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in 2008. Williams has worn many hats since then: An advocate for veterans, a commercial spokesman, a philanthropist, cannabis advocate and now, a successful cannabis entrepreneur. After his MS diagnosis, Williams became addicted to the opioids he was taking to control his debilitating symptoms, and he even attempted suicide when things were at their worst. In order to get off the opioids that were wrecking his life even worse than the MS, he turned to a more natural solution, cannabis. When asked about his first experience with cannabis, about what it was like, how it made him feel, and how it changed him, he wept. His passion for this medicinal plant went far beyond the perfect speeches and flawless suits. It was clear that cannabis did in fact save his life. Montel’s most recent passion project is Lenitiv Scientific, LLC, a new company specializing in medical cannabis products that has just released its first new line, available in select areas. LenitivLabs offers a range of edibles and concentrates with various ratios of THC and CBD. Williams uses the word “purity” a lot in discussing the development of the product line, which he says is ongoing. “I’m not gonna talk bad about what’s come before,” he said. “But science has now hit the right mark, and we can get this done. And it’s just going to get better. We’re going to keep purifying to the point where the patients are allowed to titrate themselves to the level they need rather than at the level the dispenser or provider thinks is right.” >>
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When were you diagnosed with MS? I was diagnosed in 2000, but it should have been more like 1980, when I was already having miniepisodes. But back then, MS was thought of as a disease of Caucasian women, of Europeans. It was called a “Viking disease.” What were the symptoms like once it got really bad? I had really, really, really, really severe neuropathy, and I had severe cramping and spasticity. My legs would just be kicking and twitching. I’d wake up every 25 minutes. For 10 years, I didn’t get more than an hour-and-a-half, two hours of sleep in a row.
that I got from very expensive Western medications, I get from cannabis. Did you smoke cannabis recreationally, before you were diagnosed with MS? In high school, I dabbled a little bit—it was the ‘70s, man. But then I was in the military and in the government for 22 years, and I got tested all the time. What was your experience when you finally came upon
You were making yourself crazy, looking for relief and looking to get off opioids. How did you discover cannabis? I chased every single one of the opioids there is, and some that you don’t even know about. We consume far more opiates here in the United States of America than anyplace else, most of them consumed illegally. Why do we do all that? Because we are inundated from birth to death with ads that tell you, “There’s something wrong with you, take a pill.” I’m convinced that the same amount of relief
Soothing Science
Montel Williams demonstrates the purity behind Lenitiv Scientific’s premiere line of medicalgrade cannabis products at a recent demonstration. As a passionate celebrity who has personally suffered from Multiple Sclerosis throughout his adult life, Williams is dedicated to ensuring LenitivLabs’ products, such as CO2 Extracted PURE Refined Oils and Pure All Natural Mini Shot Drinks, are made with top-quality cannabis and no harmful additives. These products are now available throughout California and will expand to other legal cannabis states in the future. photos by Mike Rosati
“I haven’t gone a day without cannabis in 17 years.” 68
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cannabis as a source of relief for your MS? I don’t want to go too deep into some things, but taking opioids does all kinds of horrible things to your body. Like, to your intestinal tract. It was a nightmare. It’s supposed to make you feel better, and all it does is make you drool in the corner and wonder why your shit still hurts. It was time to stop. I went to the doctor after my second suicide attempt and said, “I gotta do something about this; it ain’t working.” He said to me, “I know some people, but I didn’t just tell you that. [And if you say I told you this], I will tell everybody that you are a liar, that I never said that.” So, how did you obtain cannabis, and how did it go when you did? In 2001, I flew to L.A. from New York, where I taped my show. L.A. had a legal program. And immediately, I was in the culture. And maybe six months into it, I started eating [cannabis]. This was before we had all these products we have now, so it was just, like, cupcakes. Then I started cooking in my kitchen. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I started making these poppy seed muffins. I haven’t gone a day without cannabis in 17 years. About 20 of those days, I’ve been on Marinol, unfortunately, because I was traveling to places where I didn’t want to get my hands cut off. Marinol is terrible. Somebody should shut that business down. Or leave it up, but just for people who need cover. But when you first started smoking, to get off opioids ... Let me tell you something: For the first month, I was rolling joints. That went out the window. The second two weeks, I was sticking it into a pipe. That went out the window. >>
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“. . . science has now hit the right mark, and we can get this done. And it’s just going to get better. We’re going to keep purifying to the point where the patients are allowed to titrate themselves to the level they need rather than at the level the dispenser or provider thinks is right.”
Was smoking cannabis working for you? Oh, yeah. But it was destroying my lungs. I went to Vancouver and got a Volcano. I got off the leaf to go to the kief. Let’s see, this was in 2002, I think, when I got a vaporizer. What was it like for you when you first started using cannabis? Was it, like, a revelation, or . . . ? Let me tell you something. Revelation— um—I’m trying to say without, uhhh . . . I’ve been crying all damned day, so I’m tired of crying. I’m not gonna do it anymore. “Revelation” is an understatement. So the difference was pretty much instantaneous? When I hit the right spot, yes. It took about three months of getting my saturation level up, to stop being high, and start getting relief. Now, I have it fined-tuned to the point where if I wake up in the middle of the night with pain, I go in the bathroom—I’ve got five pens in there, and I know which is which in the dark. Bang, I’m back to sleep. I’ve got it all dialed in, absolutely. c
+ www.lenitivlabs.com
SAY WHAT!?
“While researchers wait for marijuana to study whether it helps with PTSD, plenty of veterans will tell you it absolutely does.” - John Oliver, Host of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
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“Legalizing marijuana has already created thousands of fulltime jobs, and it’s raised hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue, a lot of which has gone toward public schools.” - Trevor Noah, Host of The Daily Show
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“Research is indicating that CBD-rich strains of the plant actually have anti-tumoral properties. Because the U.S. government classifies marijuana as having no medical value, the clinical research has been blocked.” - Ricki Lake, Former Host of The Ricki Lake Show, Filmmaker of Weed the People
“U.S. marijuana sales might top $2.3 billion this year. I’m not saying I support it. I’m just saying it’s now available in the Ellen Shop.” - Ellen DeGeneres, Host of The Ellen Show
“I just feel like once the government stops the lie the rest of us will be better for it—and the lie is that [cannabis is] a ‘gateway drug.’” - Whoopi Goldberg, Co-Host on The View
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dispensary highlight
BASA Collective Interviewed: Jennifer, Purchasing Agent and Budtender 1326 Grove St., San Francisco, 94117 www.trybasa.com
How and when did your dispensary start up? Tariq Alazarie founded the Bay Area Safe Alternative (BASA) in 2003—it is one of the longest uninterrupted dispensaries in the country. What’s the story behind the name of your dispensary? “BASA” means “Basis.” Over the years with government uncertainty toward medical cannabis, we provide a safe foundation for medicine access. What does your dispensary offer customers that they can’t find anywhere else? BASA has some of the best 72
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prices in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially on edibles. BASA has one of the largest selections of freeweight flower. BASA is the launching pad for the new Prophet brand of flower, concentrate and Laughing Prophet pre-rolls. BASA is centrally located near Haight Street and Golden Gate Park, [and we offer] free parking! How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? It’s wonderful to see the advances of the cannabis industry. Though, legalization rings hollow if the banking and taxes void isn’t fairly rectified. We want America to get its act together and deschedule cannabis as a [Schedule] I violation— this country needs to enthusiastically support
medical cannabis research and its prescription, develop the cannabis industry as a tool against poverty, and enable the industrial application of hemp. What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a dispensary? . . . Biggest joys? With normalization comes the risk that mom-and-pop dispensaries are elbowed out—the escalating cost of real estate and taxes, can make business cost prohibitive. The joy is our durability in helping many people for years. What is the one thing you want patients to know about your dispensary? We are not boutique. Our overhead goes into patient care, providing quality medicine at great prices.
Top-Selling Strain: BASA Nova and Girl Scout Cookie Top-Selling Concentrate: LoudPack Top-Selling Edible: Kushy Punch If someone wanted to open a dispensary and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? Customers rule—satisfy them! Know your trade and don’t bullshit. What is the most important thing you hope to accomplish while in the cannabis community? Expansion. Ethos. Excellence. c
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company highlight spread the idea that quality matters above all else. 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?
Ganja Gold Oakland, CA | ganjagold.org How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? Ganja Gold is conscious, connoisseur-grade cannabis. We consistently deliver quality by meticulously testing our materials to ensure only the cleanest, highest quality cannabis is used to make our strain specific pre-rolls, live resin vape cartridges, wax and oil. We’re famous throughout the state for our Tarantulas—a top-shelf pre-roll with a robust terpene profile, rolled in raw natural paper, coated with CO2 wax and evenly covered in a fine layer of kief. What do you offer consumers/clients that others don’t? Our customers don’t just use our products, they experience 74
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them. Our wide array of tests ensure that customers can always trust Ganja Gold to provide them with not only clean burning top-shelf products, but with the most authentic taste and terpene profile of the strain. We offer you the peace of mind to know you’re getting the best the marketplace has to offer. How and why did your company start up? Ganja Gold started in 2012 with two pounds of cannabis, a duffel bag and a dream. Born out of frustration with an industry that was charging top-dollar prices for less than top-shelf product, we desired to provide patients with honest, tested, clean cannabis and a quality experience that’s well worth the price. We seek to fuel change in the industry and
Among the biggest challenges are regulations being formed by individuals who don’t necessarily have a thorough understanding of the industry. Unreasonable licensing and startup costs make it difficult for new businesses to establish themselves and flourish while not much is being done to regulate quality of the product itself. But conversely, the advantage to new regulation is that entrepreneurs can be safer from prosecution from outdated federal law. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the world of cannabis business? Don’t be afraid to dive in. Yes, there are obstacles for startups, but now is the time to invest. It’s the fastest new growing industry in the country, just make sure you really
understand your customers and have a way to distinguish yourself from your competition. What are the goals and vision moving forward for your company? Where do you see your company in five years? We want to continue be the standard for trusted, consistent quality in the cannabis industry, expanding our product line and presence to become both a nationwide brand and household name. We want to resonate with people and integrate into the community, finding new ways to connect with patients, giving back and introducing people to the idea that cannabis can be a positive and productive force. What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? In addition to becoming a name synonymous with and inseparable from cannabis, we want to permanently raise the bar for what patients are willing to accept from the industry. We want to lead by example continuing to make products that push the industry by creating customers that demand more from their cannabis. c
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3. For More Products Go To iReadCulture.com
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1. 14er Joint Tip Tired of passing around your preroll only to have it return soggy and unsanitary? Elevate Accessories is offering heirloom-quality wooden joint filter tips. They are perfect for cone joints or cigars. The tips come with an engraved logo and a hexagonal faceted shape that you can easily grip. The tips are made out of black walnut or hard maple. Regular use of wooden tips will help season and condition the wood. In order to make your tip last a lifetime, Elevate Accessories recommends using a crutch every time you use it. The 14er Joint Tip is geared for social consumers who don’t want unnecessary germs and wasted roaches. PRICE: $15 MORE INFORMATION: elevateaccessories.com
2. Goldleaf Grow Planner Cultivators will love Goldleaf’s swank and utilitarian grow planner. The only way growers can remember what victories and failures they encountered in past batches is to jot down information. The planner provides templated weekly entry pages for over 20 weeks. Track down your feeding schedule with spaces for the cycle, week, light and nutrients. With this planner you can record the PH levels and supplies, while planning your garden. You can also fill out the effects, sampling times and flavor wheel according to your garden samples. The cream-colored pages are designed to be seen under HID light. The discrete retro-styled cover is stamped with a Goldleaf gold emblem. It’s a must for any cultivator who needs a little more order to their cultivation routine. PRICE: $16 MORE INFORMATION: shopgoldleaf.com 76
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Robin Wood Hemp Watch Support a healthier, greener ecosystem with one of the most eco-friendly watches available. The 100 percent vegan Robin Wood watch is made with a natural hemp strap and is encased in bamboo. The all-natural aesthetic of wooden products with a visible grain is part of the appeal. Time settings can be adjusted with a diagonal bamboo knob. All materials are hypoallergenic, and no animals were harmed in this watch’s production. The jumbo-sized Japanese quartz mechanism is made by SEIKO/ Hattori and is protected behind highquality mineral glass. The vegetablebased materials are made from sustainable farming. It is also resistant to water splashes, and the product is protected with a two-year warranty. The purchase of a Robin Wood watch supports ecological campaigns, and each watch comes with a thank you note for supporting the ecosystem. PRICE: $103.03 MORE INFORMATION: www.etsy.com/shop/robinwoodco
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OG Four 2.0 RiG Edition When a normal-sized vaporizer pen is not enough, get massive rig-like rips from the OG Four 2.0 RiG Edition from #ThisThingRips. Everything about this pen is oversized, from the mouthpiece to the battery. Exhale eye-popping milky white clouds of vapor that will impress your friends. The patented Lava-Quartz technology works with a full quartz bowl and dual quartz rods wrapped in high-quality titanium coils. The “Set it & Forget it” feature on the large smart battery “remembers” your last setting, and you can even charge the device while it is in use. The low-key silicone-lined jar screws into the bottom of the pen and is almost undetectable. The transparent visual reaction chamber guarantees maximum flow and dwarfs other vape pen chambers. The kit is complete, containing everything that is needed including a hypercharging cable, a stainless steel tool, cleansing wipes, silicone rings and a stand. PRICE: $129.99 MORE INFORMATION: thisthingrips.com
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entertainment
REVIEWs
BOOK
Legal Weed: A Comprehensive Guide to California Cannabis Law & Regulation Pub. Legally-Blunt Meital Manzuri, Michelle Mabugat and Alexa Steinberg of Manzuri Law The promise of California’s upcoming legal cannabis market has entrepreneurs everywhere looking to the future. Legal Weed is an invaluable resource for professionals who are looking to navigate the regulations on medical and recreational cannabis in California. Written for cannabis entrepreneurs of every experience level, this guide provides essential recommendations and best business practices that will answer any possible question regarding California law and federal law, with knowledge and insight that is backed up by the authors’ many years of experience working in cannabis business law and criminal defense cases. (Jacob Cannon) 78
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Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC Release Date: June 2
GAME
Tekken 7 Dev. Bandai Namco Entertainment Pub. Bandai Namco Tekken 7 continues to break the mold of improved fighting games. This installment is the first to be created using the Unreal Engine and is based on the arcade release launched exclusively in Japan back in 2015. This oneon-one fighting game offers two new unique fighting systems, “Rage Art” (which allows critically low-health players to deal 30 percent damage) and Power Crush (which enables attacking even when an enemy is executing attacks), among other modes of gameplay. New and returning Tekken players will have plenty of options while they defeat their friends in-person and online. (Nicole Potter)
MOVIE
Logan
MUSIC
Dir. James Mangold
Big Bad Rooster
20th Century Fox
Big Bad Rooster Self-Released
It might be hard to believe, but it’s been almost 20 years since X-Men ushered films based on comic books into the modern era. In the nearly two decades since, audiences have been treated to a tremendous array of comic-based movies loaded with near countless super heroes and brimming with an incredible amount of mayhem and destruction. However, in the most recent installment of the X-Men film franchise, cartoony, big city annihilation has given way to heartfelt drama in Logan. Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart reprise their roles as Wolverine and Professor Xavier respectively, and while the movie still features edge-of-yourseat action, the more human aspects of the characters are explored and laid out to fantastic effect. (Simon Weedn)
Bluegrass has its roots in some of the oldest musical traditions of the United States and has long been a source of authentic story telling about rural life and working people. Though the genre has enjoyed a surge in reinterest as Americana music has regained some popularity, it can be difficult to find acts moving beyond old traditionals and pushing the genre into new territory. Thankfully, Big Bad Rooster is on the rise and available to please those ears looking for new flavor in a classic form. The band’s debut fulllength blends vibrant stories of modern life and contemporary struggles, with an exciting style that will appeal to both purists and new-comers alike. (Simon Weedn)
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strain, edible & concentrate Available at: Telegraph Health Center in Oakland.
Nuclear Cookies Drop a glob of the Nuclear Cookies on a nail, and get ready for atomic annihilation. Absolutely astounding in taste, scent, appearance and effects, this concentrate is practically a modern marvel of human engineering. Shimmering in the light is a radiant golden luster in an otherwise clear extract. Trichome Productions has done everything there is imaginable to guarantee that its medicine is as clean and pure as possible, and it is noticeable in the first taste. Silky smooth and buttery, consumers will love the rich and decadent flavors in the Nuclear Cookies that most extracts can’t provide. This atomic weapon has been engineered to help treat insomnia along with chronic pain, and its primary mission is to destroy those ailments. Telegraph Health Center currently has this weapon of mass destruction locked away in their vault but they have enough to share.
Laughing Prophet Hash Cone Pre-Roll Prophet has been rolling out amazing new products all year, and the Laughing Prophet Hash Cone Pre-Roll is off the charts in quality. The Hash Cone is just the right size and has quite the helping of hash and kief. The hash was applied in a careful and diligent matter as the pre-roll burned evenly throughout the whole course of the session. Rolled inside of this monster are fresh, organic, sun-grown flowers from Northern California that are soaking in flavor. The freshness in each breath of these joints is unrivaled, and the use of only organic materials is apparent in its taste. The Prophet Wax is a soft, sugary texture. Additionally, its delicate aroma is ever so soothing and relaxing. Prophet’s all-organic and sun-grown buds really have an unbeatable taste, and the Laughing Prophet Hash Cone Pre-Roll certainly carries that flavor as well.
Available at: BASA Collective in San Francisco.
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HERE Available at: Airfield Supply Co. in San Jose.
Habit Everyone has heard of edibles before, but how about “drinkables?” Habit is a new drink offered at Airfield Supply Co. that is a really convenient and delicious way to consume cannabis. Every beverage comes packed with two servings of THC (100mg), and consumers should expect effects comparable to a conventional edible of the same dosage. With six different flavors—mango, raspberry, strawberry, grape, lemon and kiwi, each variety of Habit has its own unique twist, and each flavor is most definitely worth trying. The mango was our personal favorite (a hard choice to make) with its unbelievably smooth yet tart taste. These sparkling sodas are a great option for discreet consumption, and they work well for those looking to medicate on-the-go. Patients in the South Bay will be able to find these drinks regularly at Airfield Supply Co.
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Headband Cartridge
Available wherever: Pure Cure products are carried.
Super sour and made from top-notch flower, the Headband Cartridge from Pure Cure is a phenomenal hybrid option. Tested at Steephill Labs, the Headband’s test results showed 71 percent THC content. Pure Cure is one of our favorite manufacturers, thanks to the company’s dedication to a high standard of quality and sustainability in its organic extraction process. All flowers used are grown in Northern California adding to its appeal in the realm of sustainability. Being 100 percent solvent-free, this cartridge is essentially the de facto number one for safety and purity. Pungent and sour flavors are ever present but more than welcomed as they are not too overpowering. Although it is a hybrid, consumers will notice effects of relaxation and euphoria more than anything else. As per usual, Pure Cure hit the jackpot whilst developing this cartridge.
Available wherever: Flow Kana products are carried.
Hey Jude Gram Jar For those who enjoy the unmatched flavor only found in place like micro-breweries and small vineyards, Flow Kana’s sourcing of small batch strains will take those people’s breath away. The variety we sampled was an exceptional flower in many ways. The Hey Jude strain is a rare CBD-dominant strain grown by Hope Springs Farm with its CBD content clocking in at an unbelievable 15.30 percent! This variety came packed in a small and convenient UVprotective jar that was flossed out in a clean gold finish. Flow Kana is a prime example of what it means to be a craft cannabis company and this strain exhibited some serious small batch superiority. Check a dispensary near you for other knockout strain varieties in Flow Kana’s stellar Gram Jars.
Golden Lemon Extract
Available at: Select locations throughout California.
Imagine a perfect world in which all extracts are stocked with terpenes and are as gold as the sun. The Golden Lemon from Utopia Farms is exactly that and more. Offering an unbelievable 9.52 percent terpenes, we’ve seldom had an extract with this much flavor. With a sugary and frosty texture, this live resin is picture perfect, with beautiful light amber hues. As with all Utopia products, it is guaranteed clean and free of pesticides through a batch-specific SC Labs test result. A total of 85.1 percent of cannabinoids amount to a powerful concentrate that is supreme for any consumer looking to get much-needed rest. Instantly taking the consumer over with drowsiness, the Golden Lemon works great for pain relief as well. This is definitely an extract that should stay in any cannasseur’s regular rotation—and Utopia Farms is right on the mark. Visit www.utopiafarms.org and use the store locator to find Golden Lemon Extract near you.
Purple Urkle Once again, Buddy’s Cannabis pulls through with another exceptional strain, and this one in particular is bursting with vibrant color. Equally orange and purple, there is almost little green to be seen underneath the thick coating of crystals. Earthy and piney aromas linger with small hints of a fruity scent on top of a primarily skunky odor. The taste is neither sweet nor bitter but a delicate blend between the two, and each breath yields a smooth and thick cloud of smoke. The flowers are all perfectly dried, cured and trimmed. A great choice for inspiring creativity and allowing consumers to focus, Purple Urkle is an awesome strain to pair with a good book or a nice adult coloring session. Buddy’s Cannabis is a personal favorite grower of ours and will continue to impress fanatics all throughout California. 82
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Available at: Buddy’s Cannabis in San Jose.
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CBD Remedy for Pets
Available at: H2C in Vallejo.
Humans have long known about the healing powers of cannabis, but now the time has come where the power can be shared with Man’s Best Friend. H2C in Vallejo is presenting a medication for people to use for their pets who are suffering from pain, anxiety or other ailments CBD is known to alleviate. Comprised of all natural ingredients, owners can feel extra safe giving their pets this remedy. The most common use for this medication would be for joint relief in older animals and anxiety relief in animals that are more on the rowdy side. Any pet owners who are unsure about this amazing option for their animals should visit H2C and learn more about all the wonderful healing properties that cannabis can offer!
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HERE Available wherever: Revive Organics products are carried.
California White Wine Harlequin Lovers of high-grade cannabis and fine wine can finally rejoice since Revive Organics has released its California White Wine Harlequin. An exquisite white wine produced in conjunction with Katoa Cellars exhibits light and airy notes of fruit complemented by a subtle taste of cannabis. Easy-to-drink and full of potency, there really isn’t more to ask for in a wine. Bearing an approximately 14 percent alcohol content matched with 200mg of a THC/CBD blend, this wine can hold its own with any other potent edible on the market. The proprietary blend consists of OG Kush Concentrate and Harlequin Concentrate, both organically grown strains. Fans of quality and luxury at a surprisingly fair price will love everything Revive Organics offers from this white wine to other impressive wines and decadent chocolates.
Available wherever: Korova products are carried.
Salted Caramel Blondie Welcome to the next level. There isn’t much else that can be said about an edible with 500mg of THC in such a small package. Korova’s slogan of “Unrivaled Potency” should be thought of as more of a warning label than anything else since this edible will put any consumer on their tail for quite some time. Split this chocolate-less brownie with a friend (or four) and just kick back, relax and enjoy the flow. Not only is this the most potent edible we’ve sampled in 2017, Korova is also known for cranking out edibles with five-star flavor, and the Salted Caramel Brownie is no exception. A yellow cake-like brownie without the chocolate that is covered in pretzels and lightly sprinkled with salt, consumers must exercise caution as it’s easy to get lost in the taste and eat the whole treat at once. The Salted Caramel Blondie is an A+ edible that should be tried by all.
Gelato Shatter Tangy and packed to the brim with flavor, Gelato is a seriously terpene-rich concentrate. Every single slab is a screaming yellow color that is as clear as a window pane, suggesting no impurities. Decked out with the full profile of citrus taste, a sweet orange flavor cascades like a waterfall over a pool of lemon and lime deliciousness. Gelato Shatter is the brainchild of True Gold Labs, a company that has definitely hit the nail on the head. This is the perfect choice for those moments when one is trying to relax but still looking for some focus; there is a total sense of clear headedness with this particular extract. Consumers will definitely appreciate how easily the oil will pull and snap, making for an easy-to-handle extract. Theraleaf is the go-to spot for Gelato Shatter. 84
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Available at: Theraleaf in San Jose.
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8:1 CBD Rich Vape Cartridge Care By Design sure knows how to make a vape cart with pristine taste while maintaining a supreme CBD to THC ratio. The CBD Rich Vape Cartridge boasts a cool 8:1 CBD to THC ratio, making it suitable for use at any time throughout the day. The high-CBD content is great for stress relief and helps with mild aches and pains. The cartridges showcase a succulent taste of fresh plants mixed with a robust finish and consistently yield thick clouds of vapor. Consumers will instantly notice how easy it is to get a gnarly pull through this pen, and anybody who regularly uses vape cartridge pens knows how hard that can be to find. On top of all this, Care By Designs’ cartridge and battery kit is one of the most aesthetically pleasing models on the market, thanks to its full chrome furnishings.
Available wherever: Care By Design products are carried.
Available at: Capitola Healing Association Inc. in Santa Cruz.
Kosher Kush Capitola Healing Association Inc. (C.H.A.I) in Santa Cruz is a hidden gem full of superior strains to scope out that are well worth the drive down from The Bay. The Kosher Kush sample we tried was absolutely impeccable. Each flower was made of small, nodular nuggets that wrapped around the stem in an ornate, spiral-staircase like fashion. Dusted with trichomes and covered in blaze orange hairs, this moss green bud is easy to stare at for ages. Although this strain is an indica, the effects were more akin to that of a sativa, so consumers should expect to feel a general giddiness and positive outlook on everything. Every nug sampled was extra solid and dense, yet very easy to break down.
King Tarantula
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Available wherever: Ganja Gold products are carried.
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Be prepared for a beast unlike any other! The King Tarantula, offered by Ganja Gold, is an out-of-this-world creature oozing with ganja goodness. This huge pre-roll is stuffed with two grams of the best top-shelf bud available, lacquered with a hefty coat of clear wax and hash, and it is then powdered with fresh kief. Resembling a hairy tarantula leg, this giant is furry and will have you seeing blurry! Ganja Gold always puts an emphasis on quality, and the King Tarantula is no exception, as it is packaged with a full glass tube and a cork to retain freshness and truly display its premiere status. This particular award-winning strain was Strawberry Banana—an extremely potent, terpene-rich strain that in combination with a bevy of concentrates will have consumers feeling like they have the creepy crawlies if consumed all at once, so be sure to share with a friend! Overall, this is truly a pre-roll fit for a king.
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culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN
by Ed Rosenthal
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started preparing my two-part spring garden in April. The first part was a group of four plants that I was given as small, rooted cuttings. I transplanted them into 6” containers shortly after I received them and had them growing under continuous light from a 400-watt LED for about three weeks. Then I moved them into my small greenhouse. Two weeks after that the roots left their cramped quarters and had filled the container for roomier quarters in fivegallon containers where they doubled in size. Now healthy and thriving, I give the plants four hours of early morning light with 320-watt induction fluorescent lights for about four hours. At 10 a.m. they are carried outside and are placed in the sun close to a wall that reflects the sun back at them. Later in the day that area becomes shady,
so the plants are moved again to another section of the garden that becomes sunny in the afternoon. Then, around 6 p.m. they are placed back in the greenhouse and receive supplemental light until 8 p.m. To keep the plants from flowering and to have them respond quickly when I change the cycle to flowering in late June, I break up the dark period periodically. At night the plants receive light from two four-foot fluorescents for two minutes every hour from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. I accomplished this using a repeating two-dial timer. Sometimes I use plants to test pesticides, so I had a group of plants tested and after the tests were over, they were neglected. There they were, sitting in a tent with lights shining but no water for several weeks. By the time I remembered that they were still there, they were three-quarters dead. I decided to try to save them. First I gave them
some water and started bringing them outside during the day. The next week I set them up in the new moveable space they are now sharing. I’ll describe it from bottom to top. It starts with a moving dolly. A half-inch thick piece of plywood 2’ x 4’ was secured with screws. A rope was attached to the plywood on one of the narrow sides so the unit can easily be pulled. A 9” deep 2’ x 4’ horticultural tray set up with wick systems made from 3/8” braided nylon rope was placed on the dolly. Then I filled it with a mixture of enriched potting soil, coir fiber and homemade compost from kitchen waste and plant material consisting mostly of oak leaves. Next I set the longsuffering plant in place. The two larger plants were placed sideways in the tray with the roots that were at the bottom of the container against the tray side buried half way with the other half
TIP OF THE MONTH Perhaps you or someone you know has some plants that are flowering and are ready to be picked. If some vegetation is left on the plant at picking, and if it is given continuous light, it may regenerate to grow another crop. Feed it vegetative fertilizer, not flowering fertilizer.
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making a mound. Each of the root mounds was then covered with half a potting container cut with a small electric saw. The plants’ stems were long enough to leave the center of the tray bare. That’s where I planted the three small specimens, upright. These plants have a regimen similar to the other plants. They spend evenings in a little tent that is lit with 200 watts of fluorescent lights, then they are wheeled out to spend their days basking in the sun. It’s been a little more than two weeks since they were transplanted and the sideways plants have made the adjustment. They’ve come back to life. c
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The greenhouse plants near the wall get sunlight directly.
In the greenhouse the plants get light in the late afternoon and early evening.
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The plants in the unit are basking in the sun.
The plants wheeled into the tent to have cozy nights and a bit of light.
You can see by the dead leaves that these plants weren’t doing well. They are making a good recovery.
Copyright by Ed Rosenthal. All rights are reserved. First North American Magazine rights only are assigned to culture Magazine. No other reproduction of this material is permitted without the specific written permission of the author/ copyright holder.
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RECIPES
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Time to Go: June Weather: High 70s, low 50s Budget: $$$$$
if you go:
Pleasantries in Paris With all the blooming flowers and warm weather, Paris softens in June— especially for the millions of cannabis enthusiasts in the City of Light. Yet, June is also the month when Paris feels like it is just starting to rev up for summer’s spirited outdoor energy. Truly, visiting Paris in June is a delight, with the temperatures in the 70s and the throngs of summer tourists not yet at maximum level. This is when locals get out of their tiny apartments and start relaxing as the city’s music, arts and summer festival scenes are jam packed full of some of the year’s best plein air concerts and events. Plus, many cannabis-loving Parisians are still celebrating the win of France’s new President Emmanuel Macron. Although he does not fully support legalization, Macron did promise to ease France’s restrictive possession and smoking laws. This means the French’s “smoke-but-don’t-tell” philosophy not only still applies, but gives medical cannabis patients ever more courage to be forthright about their cannabis consumption. Where do you stay when visiting one of the most expensive cities on the planet?
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Paris hotels can be costly—especially in spring and summer—so millions of visitors to the City of Light choose to live like a local and rent an apartment or rent a living space through online marketplaces and hospitality services. However, renting apartments and living spaces through websites like Airbnb can be dicey. Remember to ask any host in Paris about important details such as noise levels both day and night as well as things most Americans take for granted such as more than one toilet, dishwashing machines and laundry facilities. One of the coolest happenings in Paris this June is the now annual We Love Green Festival, which features folk, pop and electronica music. Held on June 10-11, this year’s eco-friendly We Love Green Festival takes place in the Bois de Vincennes. Rock to the sounds of Cali-French music artist and cannabis activist April King on June 6 for an evening of transcendental hiphop, house and astral jazz featuring French jazz sax master Julien Lourau at the stylish Club Rayé. c
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Paris is home to approximately 1,803 historical and contemporary monuments and over 150 museums. 1
The famous bell that sits atop Notre Dame Cathedral is so heavy that it weighs over 13 metric tons. 2
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There are a total of 10 Statues of Liberty in France, five of which are located in Paris. 3
With France’s new President Emmanuel Macron campaigning to soften cannabis laws, cannabis culture in Paris seems set to get even more enjoyable. C’est vrais: Any form of cannabis is illegal to grow, possess, smoke or ingest, but Parisian authorities mostly look the other way (as long as you consume respectfully and nowhere near police stations, hotels, boutiques, restaurants, cafés, monuments and the like). Also remember, French consumers predominantly smoke hash mixed with tobacco rather than pure flowers. Traditional European spliffs are almost always mixed with tobacco (and sometimes straw), so buyer beware. Still can’t find any meds while in Paris? Use your nose. If you smell it, ask a friendly bartender, musician or just take a stroll along the Seine River. You are more than likely to run into some consumers enjoying a spliff on a warm spring evening with a view of Notre Dame Cathedral.
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growing
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Mia Jane
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Age: 30
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Condition/Illness: IBS, anxiety and depression. Using Medical Cannabis since: I have been using medical cannabis since around the time I moved to Denver in 2010.
Why did you start using cannabis? Before coming to Colorado, I was very sick. Being so ill, I was unable to hold down a job, or take care of myself. After years of invasive tests, unsuccessful medical advice and growing frustration with my current doctors, I knew I had to seek out something besides pills and the current therapeutic options for my conditions. When I moved to Colorado, I was searching for another way to get better and actually feel better. I adopted a healthier lifestyle, but incorporating cannabis into my self-care regimen was something that made the most noticeable difference. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? I was prescribed an alarming amount of medications from the time my depression and
anxiety began in my teens to my early 20s, when my stomach problems really developed. Being put on numerous cocktails of Rx medications with intense and scary side effects that sometimes were worse than the symptoms was a life I didn’t want to live. I knew I had to find other options, and now I’m happy to say I’m seven years prescription-free. What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? That’s a tough one—there are a lot of important things going on in our government and our community that we need to be aware of as cannabis patients. The one that sticks out the most to me right now is the home grow caps being enforced, and the people who are suffering because of it. What do you say to folks that are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? People who are still skeptical about this plant’s medicinal qualities need only look to what’s happening here in Colorado. There are people’s lives being changed. Families are moving here with children that are sick beyond hope, and they are finding relief with this plant. People with illnesses of all kinds from PTSD to Parkinson’s disease are finding relief with this medicine. c
Are you an MMJ patient with a compelling story to tell? If so, we want to hear from you. Email your name, contact information and details about your experiences with medical cannabis to courage@ireadculture.com.
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culture
recipes by Keira Fae
Menu: Stuffed Bell Peppers Lemon Bundt Cake Strawberry Lime Smoothie
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Chromatic Cuisine
While we await the official start of summer later this month, let’s not forget that “June gloom” can still turn dreams of warm outdoor barbecues into cozy evenings indoors. While the overcast gloom that typically comes with the beginning of this month is drab and gray, there are plenty of ways to liven up your kitchen and your mealtime with these beautifully bright and healthy recipes. Embrace the lively reds of a strawberry smoothie, the radiant greens and oranges of stuffed bell peppers and the sun-bright yellows of a tangy lemon bundt cake. Add a bit of THC or CBD to each dish, and this summer menu will allow you to feel refreshed and ready to tackle the summer fun without being weighed down.
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Local eateries with similar dishes:
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Spiazzo Ristorante 33 W Portal Ave., San Francisco (415) 664-9511 spiazzoristorante.com Main Squeeze 3435 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland (510) 250-9794 mainsqueezeoak.com J. Sweets 675 Saratoga Ave., San Jose (408) 725-9263 jsweetsstore.com
Stuffed Bell Peppers 10mg of THC per pepper Ingredients: 4 bell peppers (any color) 4 tablespoons of olive oil
1 medium zucchini, finely diced
8 teaspoons of Pot d’huile cannabis-infused olive oil t
4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
8 ounces lean ground beef (90:10)
1 cup cooked rice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 onion, finely diced
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1 cloves garlic, chopped
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1 teaspoon paprika 1 cups grated pepper Monterey Jack cheese
Directions: Preheat the oven to 350˚ degrees F. Cut the tops off the peppers, finely chop the pepper tops and set aside. Scoop out the seeds and membrane. Place the peppers in a baking dish large enough to hold them upright, cut side up. On medium-high heat, heat the 2 tablespoons of infused olive oil in a large skillet. Add beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook beef for 8-10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to get rid of the excess fat. Wipe skillet with paper towel and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of infused olive oil. Add chopped onion and chopped peppers, 1 to 2 minutes. Add garlic and zucchini and cook for another minute. Add the seeded tomatoes and season with salt, pepper and paprika. Cook until everything is heated through and has softened. Add beef and rice. (Season more if you’d like.) Stir in 1/2 cup of pepper Jack cheese. Turn off the heat once melted. Fill the peppers to the tops each sprinkled with remaining 1/2 cup of pepper Jack. Pour a small amount of water into the bottom of the baking dish and drizzle 1 teaspoon of infused olive oil on top each filled pepper. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover peppers and bake to an additional 10-15 minutes or until peppers are soft. Let cool and serve. t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com
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Lemon Bundt Cake Each ~ 40mg of CBD, per slice 4-5mg CBD Ingredients: Cake:
Icing:
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup powered sugar
Lemon zest
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon juice
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2 cups sugar 1/2 cup CBD infused butter (40mg CBD) t
Candied Blueberries:
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 egg white
1 cup blueberries
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups flour 1 cup milk Directions: Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Add the butter and 2 cups of sugar into a large mixing bowl. On medium speed, blend the mix until smooth. In a separate bowl add the flour, baking powder and salt, and mix well. Set aside. Once the sugar and butter are mixed, add the eggs one-byone, milk, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest. Add the flour in 1/2 cup increments. Once the batter is smooth, pour it into a bundt cake pan and bake it in the oven for 40 minutes, or until it is golden brown. While the cake is baking, it’s time to candy the blueberries. In a small bowl add egg white, cover each blueberry in egg white, coat in sugar and let dry. In a medium bowl and powdered sugar and milk, mix until smooth. Add lemon juice and mix well, then set in fridge. Once the cake is golden brown, let sit until cool, stir the cooled icing and pour over top of bundt cake, add candied blueberries and enjoy!
Strawberry Lime Smoothie Each ~ 10mg of THC per serving Ingredients:
2 cups fresh strawberries, halved
1/2 cup 2 percent milk (can use coconut or almond milk) 2 tablespoons infused coconut oil 20mg THC
1 cup vanilla yogurt (substitute favorite flavor) t
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Directions: In a blender, combine all ingredients; cover and blend until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately. Don’t forget the garnish!
Legal Disclaimer Publishers of this publication are not making any representations with respect to the safety or legality of the use of medical marijuana. The recipes listed here are for general entertainment purposes only, and are intended for use only where medical marijuana is not a violation of state law. Edibles can vary in potency while a consumers’ weight, metabolism and eating habits may affect effectiveness and safety. Ingredient management is important when cooking with cannabis for proper dosage. Please consume responsibly and check with your doctor before consumption to make sure that it is safe to do so.
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NORCAL NOW! event listings
Festival of Portugal, June 10 Step into the world of Portuguese culture for a day at Kelley Park and expose yourself to the customs, cuisine and dances of Portugal. Following the opening ceremony, there will be a traditional Portuguese parade, folk music and several dance performances, along with museum exhibits and a children’s carnival. Kelley Park, San Jose diadeportugalca.org
Livermore Rodeo, June 10-11 Whether or not it’s your first rodeo, the Livermore Rodeo will have all the classic activities for a complete experience that will include barrel racing, wild cow milking and more. Before the main event begins, guests may find pleasure in mechanical bull riding, pony rides, food, clothing and art. Robertson Park, Livermore livermorerodeo.org San Francisco Design Week, June 14-22 An entire week featuring 150 events and studio tours will amaze and excite
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everyone from fashion fans to tech nerds. Design week will showcase innovative household products, the latest gadgets for cars, specialized workshops and even a panel on how branding and design can elevate the progress of the cannabis industry. Various locations sfdesignweek.org
Frameline Film Festival, June 15-25 What is referred by many as the oldest LGBTQ film festival in the nation, this event screens a colorful selection of cinematic art in theaters across the Bay Area. During the 41st festival, the films and audience alike will celebrate the wide range of diversity found within the LBGTQ community. Various Locations frameline.org Monterey International Pop Festival, June 16-18 Celebrate 50 years of Monterey’s International Pop Festival and lose yourself in the music and art of this enthralling event. Performers include Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Regina Spektor, Jim James and more! Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey montereypopfestival50.com Best Of San Francisco Celebration, June 22 Local magazine, Best of San Francisco, will host a party like no other, complete will endless food options, cocktails and dancing. Twothousand tickets will be sold to those 21 and over to indulge and enjoy in a luxury
featured event
Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon, May 27
With a selection of over 25 of the best Bay Area taco trucks, foodies and taco lovers can bask in the tasty flavors and savory smells of the 6th Annual Taco Festival. Plates go for $6 or less with unique varieties from short rib tacos to ice cream tacos! Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay Escapealcatraztri.com celebration will their fellow San Franciscans. James R. Herman Cruise Terminal, Pier 27 bestof.modernluxury.com Fountain Blues Festival, June 24 Blues, soul, gospel and jazz—the Fountain Blues Festival will have all the rhythmic and passionate sounds to satisfy your ears. Support blues musicians and the preservation of this classic American-born genre by purchasing a ticket and taking part in this soulful event.
Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, Downtown San Jose fountainblues.com San Francisco Pride Festival, June 24-25 What has become a tradition and celebration of embracing love and diversity will once again fill the streets of San Francisco at the Civic Center Plaza, featuring music and public speakers. The following day, crowds will gather on Market Street for the 47th Annual Pride Parade! Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco sfpride.org
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Chuck Shepherd's
News of the
Weird
LEAD STORY—TRAINING DAY u A June 2016 police raid on David Jessen’s Fresno County (California) farmhouse caused a $150,000 mess when sheriff’s deputies and Clovis Police Department officers “rescued” it from a trespassing homeless man—with the massive destruction leading to Jessen’s lawsuit announced in March. The misdemeanant helped himself to an ice cream bar, some milk and half a tomato, but was otherwise “unarmed”; however, by the time the police standoff ended, the “crime scene” included more than 50 cop cars, a SWAT team (and backups), two helicopters, standby ambulances, a police robot and a crisis negotiation team. Windows, walls and wrought-iron doors were destroyed; tear gas and a “flash bomb” were employed. (Jessen suspects that the farmhouse’s isolation enticed police to decide that it presented an excellent training opportunity.) COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS u “Pro-choice” activist Jessica Farrar, a Texas state legislator, introduced a bill in March to create consistency between the state’s rigorous regulation of women’s reproductive functions and those of men (regulation which, by the way, in either case she calls “invasive” and “unnecessary”). Because Texas’s anti-abortion laws highlight “procreation” as a crucial government interest, she believes male use of erectile-dysfunction drugs should be regulated as abortion is. Under her bill, individual use of Viagra or similar drugs must be
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preceded by “counseling” similar to that required by abortion laws, and since male masturbation involves the “wasting” of precious sperm cells, it, too, would require “beforehand” counseling. CRIME REPORT u At a time of growing awareness that some people seem almost addicted to their cellphones and instant 24/7 communication, police in Brookfield, Wisconsin, released surveillance photos of a woman in the act of robbing banks on March 25 and 27—while standing at teller counters and talking on the phone during the entire episodes. Acting on a tip from the photos, police arrested Sarah Kraus, 33, on March 28. u College activist Pablo Gomez Jr., 22, was arrested in Berkeley, California, in March and charged with the brutal stabbing death of an elementary school teacher. Gomez, a senior at University of California, Berkeley, is wellknown on campus for insisting on a gender identity for which (as an example) the pronoun “he” is an inappropriate reference. (Hence, “they” was charged with what is so far the only homicide in Berkeley this year.) u Paul Perry Jr., 39, sound asleep behind the wheel of his car, with motor running, at 6 a.m. on April 2, was in no position to talk his way out of a DUI ticket, but did offer a gentle challenge to the Youngstown, Ohio, police officer. Several times, according to the police report, Perry offered to “thumb wrestle” the officer to get out of the ticket. From the report: “Perry was advised officers would not thumb-wrestle him.” u Wait, What? A father, 43, and his son, 22, argued on April 9 about who would walk the dog at their home on Chicago’s South Side. They apparently thought to settle
the issue with a gunfight, and police, who recovered the two weapons, said both men received multiple wounds. The son was killed, and the father was in critical condition. LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS u The eight elite Ivy League universities are better thought of as “hedge fund(s) with classes,” according to a March report by the activist Open The Books, and thus there is little reason for taxpayers to have given them the more than $41 billion in grants and entitlements they received over a recent six-year period. The schools are already legendary for their $119 billion “endowments” (based on donations from alumni and aggressive investment). Those endowments are enough, according to Open The Books, that (assuming donations continue to arrive at the same pace) schools could provide free tuition
to every student in the eight schools—in perpetuity. (Even if no new donations are made, the eight schools could provide such free tuition for 51 years.) IRONIES u Federico Musto was suspected recently by Wired. com of audaciously inventing academic credentials to help land his job as CEO of the company Arduino (a circuitboard manufacturer popular in the computer industry among coders creating, among other things, robots and motion detectors). Arduino’s work is “open source”—creating hardware that others, by design, can exploit and modify for their own loftier projects. It might thus be said that Musto’s claimed academic “accomplishments” (his socalled MBA from New York University and claimed Ph.D from MIT) are themselves the product of his having “opensourced” his own, previously modest curriculum vitae.
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