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contents Vol 8 IssUE 9
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ILLUMINATED RESEARCH Dr. Raphael Mechoulam talks about his experiences studying cannabis in Israel and what he thinks about being called the “father of THC.”
On the COVER photo by
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Industry Insider Brendan Kennedy of Privateer Holdings believes that cannabis business is another form of activism.
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Cannabis Improves Life Let cannabis mend our lives through thoughtfulness, health, unity and legalization.
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The Ultimate Goal Tommy Edwards, a studio director at a major sports network, talks about embracing medical cannabis for professional athletes as well as himself.
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Switching Seasons Embrace life and annual renewal with a few tips on how to let your cannabis plants thrive during the arrival of the spring equinox.
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Go Green Get festive with a one-of-a-kind recipe on Irish Colcannon, complete with cannabis infusion to spice up your St. Patrick’s Day.
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Revolutionary Advocacy American Civil Liberties Union demonstrates relentless support of cannabis reform.
departments news
Online Exclusive!
18 News Nuggets 20 By the Numbers 24 Local News
reviews
d Study Shows Cannabis Can
Help You Kick Tobacco
64 Delivery Service Highlight 66 Cool Stuff 68 Entertainment Reviews 70 Strain, Edible & Concentrate Reviews
in every issue
80 Growing Culture 82 Destination
Unknown 84 Profile in Courage 86 Recipes 90 NorCal Now! 92 News of the Weird
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d The DEA Quietly Removes
Cannabis Health Risks from Website
Vol 8 IssUE 9
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CULTURE M
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Publisher Jeremy Zachary Editor-In-Chief Evan Senn associate Editor Ashley Bennett managing editor Jamie Solis Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Benjamin Adams, Sheryll Alexander, Marguerite Arnold, Jake Browne, Cole Garrison, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, David Downs, Keira Fae, Natasha Guimond, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Joe Jatcko Kevin Longrie, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Jameson McCloud Sandy Moriarty, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Lanny Swerdlow, Jefferson Van Billiard, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf, Zara Zhi Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Tonya Perme, Josué Rivas Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Tommy LaFleur Graphic Designer Tanya Delgadillo sales director Justin Olson regional manager Cole Garrison Account Executives Jon Bookatz, Greg Borland, Alex Brizicky, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Beau Odom, Gloria Santiago, Garry Stalling, Chris Walker, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital content manager David Edmundson Ctv Contributors Quinn Marie Intern Kiara Manns Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 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
nuggetS Cannabis Business Tax in Sonoma County Up for Vote
Measure A, the only countywide measure on the upcoming ballot, will be going to the Sonoma County ballot on Tuesday, March 7. If passed, the measure will implement a tax that could generate an estimated $6.3 million annually from cannabis businesses in the area. However, organizations such as the Sonoma County Growers Alliance have announced their opposition, stating that growers will be required to pay inflated rates per square foot if it passes. In a statement on Measure A, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors noted that not only will it have control over taxing based on square footage, but it also noted which types of businesses will be taxed, “The tax would be paid by medical and non-medical cannabis businesses that operate in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County,” the statement read. “The tax may apply to any operator in the supply chain (cultivators, nurseries, distributors, transporters, manufacturers, testing labs and dispensaries), but the county can choose which operator types to tax.” If the measure fails, the county will cease plans to open up cannabis business permit applications, which is scheduled to begin on July 1.
Recreational Cannabis is Officially Legal in Maine After a long, grueling battle between cannabis advocates and the opposition, Question 1 has gone into effect in the state of Maine. Passed by a narrow margin of voters in Maine back in November 2016, adults can now legally possess cannabis in the state. “The portion of the law that allows persons over 21 years to grow six mature plants and possess 2.5 ounces became effective on January 30, 2017,” the Maine State Legislature website reports. “A 17-member special legislative committee, co-chaired by Sen. Roger Katz and Rep. Teresa Pierce, has been formed to address the complex issues surrounding full implementation of the law.” Obtaining recreational cannabis in Maine has been quite a battle for advocates. In addition to Maine Gov. Paul LePage openly opposing Question 1 from its inception, opponents fought for a recount once the voting margin was reported to be 50.26 percent of people voting “yes” versus 49.74 percent voting against the bill. Ultimately, the recount effort was defeated. While Question 1 does allow for social cannabis clubs, the state will consult its special committee to develop rules and regulations for potential businesses before that becomes a reality.
Berkeley City Council Approves Medical Cannabis Cultivation The Berkeley City Council voted in late January to begin regulating medical cannabis cultivation within the city. During the council discussion, Councilmember Sophie Hahn expressed her worries that expanding cultivation may negatively effecting the youth in the area, “I am concerned about moving forward with another layer of expansion, of cultivation, dispensaries or anything, without some significant attention towards how we are going to move this towards an adult population and out of our schools,” she stated. In response, Councilmember Kriss Worthington, noted that the will of the people is just as important as protecting local children, “[People] want the business to be regulated,” Worthington said. “People are cultivating cannabis in the city of Berkeley today. If that’s a shock to you, I’m sorry, but it’s been true for decades and it’s absolutely true today.” The council’s decision will not take effect until the city has finalized an amendment to its current zoning ordinance, and it will follow rules established by the Planning Commission regarding applicant criteria.
Swedish Agency Approves Medical Cannabis for Two Patients The Läkemedelsverket or Medical Product Agency (MPA) of Sweden has made a notable decision in approving its first two patients for medical cannabis. Both patients suffer from severe back injuries and are the first with such a condition to be allowed to medicate with cannabis in the country. Currently, cannabis is regarded as an illegal substance by the Swedish government, with medical cannabis only allowed on a rare, case-by-case basis. “Every single license application, whether it's about cannabis preparations or not, go through a special assessment process, i.e. every case is assessed individually and there is no general view of license applications for cannabis plant parts,” according to the MPA. This decision marks an important step forward in the progression of accepting cannabis as a legitimate means of medical treatment in Sweden. The cannabis given to the patients will be supplied by the same Dutch company that the Swedish government uses to perform research. (Kiara Manns) 18
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The top asking price, in millions of dollars, to purchase a single 20,000 square-foot industrial building in Sacramento that is ideal for cannabis cultivation: (Source: CBS Sacramento)
The amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that it costs in fees to operate a 20,000 square-foot cultivation facility in Sacramento: (Source: CBS
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Sacramento) The estimated number of cannabis industry members in Sonoma County:
9,000
(Source: The Press-Democrat)
The approximate number of voters who are eligible to vote on Measure A in Sonoma County on March 7, which if approved would implement a cannabis tax:
The number of months that a temporary ban will last on permits for cannabis cultivation in warehouse spaces in San Francisco, which began in February: (Source: San Francisco Examiner)
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100,000
(Source: The Press-Democrat)
The approximate amount of money, in billions of dollars, that was spent on legal cannabis in North America in 2016: (Source: Entrepreneur)
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The number of medical cannabis studies that have been recently approved for federal funding by a new measure in Israel: (Source: Globes)
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The number of patients that have enrolled in the medical cannabis program in New Jersey: (Source: NJ.com)
466
The amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that Minnesota’s Office of Medical Cannabis is requesting to fund the state’s patient registry and inspection of the state’s medical cannabis manufacturers: (Source: CBS Minnesota)
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The 420 Games Los Angeles WHAT: The 420 Games Los Angeles. WHEN/WHERE: Saturday, April 1. Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. INFO: Check out 420games.org/events/los-angeles-2017 for details.
The 420 Games is an athletic event that advocates for healthy living and fights against the stigma that exists around cannabis. The 420 Games has been held in various cities across the country. On April 1, it will be heading to Southern California’s Santa Monica Pier for its second year. This is a great event for all who want to exercise, listen to some good beats and participate in advocating for one of the fastest
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growing industries in the world. You can walk, jog, skate, ride or even paddleboard the 4.20 mile course that’s been laid out, which takes attendees past iconic landmarks along the Ocean Front Walk, like the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach. There will also be two hours of beer tasting sponsored by Lagunitas from 11a.m. to 1p.m., in addition to educational speeches, standup comedy and industry sponsors and exhibitors.
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NEWS
LOCAL
Investing in the Future A public bank that serves Oakland cannabis businesses may soon become a reality
by Benjamin M. Adams
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akland is in desperate need of a public bank that is willing to cater to the needs of cannabis business owners. Instead of lining Wall Street shareholder pockets with cash, why not establish a bank that is based on public needs? A public bank in Oakland would be a wholesale bank—meaning that the bank would not actually feature ATMs, bank tellers or provide individual loans. Rather, it would partner up with community banks, enabling them to provide more services to individuals that are involved with the cannabis industry. Public banks are owned by the people through local governments and are created to serve public needs. “A public bank can have investment priorities that focus on the creation of jobs in Oakland that spur local economic growth by providing affordable credit to small and medium-sized businesses that have been historically ignored by the larger, more established banks,” read a resolution introduced by Councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan and Dan Kalb. In most cases, banking institutions have historically ignored those who are invested in the cannabis industry. On February 9, 2016, Kaplan hosted Oakland’s first Public Banking Forum in Oakland’s City Hall. Kaplan was joined by Dan Kalb, chair of the Oakland City Council’s Finance Committee and Councilmember Abel Guillen, who both co-sponsored the
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event. The event was organized in part by the Friends of the Public Bank of Oakland, a volunteer activist organization. Speakers at the forum included Marc Armstrong, Co-Founder and former President of the Public Banking Institute and Co-Founder and President of Commonomics USA. Also present was Tom Sgouros, author of Checking the Banks: The Nuts and Bolts of Banking for People Who Want to Fix It and Senior Policy Advisor to the Rhode Island Treasurer. Attendees also heard Nichoe Lichen, member of Santa Fe’s Brass Tacks Team and board member of the Public Banking Institute; and Henry Wykowski, a former prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Northern California, currently Harborside Health Center’s lead attorney. “The city of Oakland has always tried to be in the forefront of moving the cannabis industry along in the appropriate manner, and this is a step in the right direction,” Henry Wykowski told CULTURE. “The lack of banking not only impedes the industry, but it also interferes with our ability to conduct our business like every other type of business in the United States. The city of Oakland obtains substantial revenue from the tax on cannabis. Since the federal government doesn’t seem to be able to get it back together in this regard, we’re stepping in to fill in the void.” Of the many reasons cited by the Friends of the Public Bank of Oakland, one example of public banking is the Bank of North Dakota. North Dakota was able to avoid the credit crisis that affected many other states with zero public debt, in addition to having the lowest foreclosure and unemployment rates in the nation. A total of $20 million to $30 million in capitalization would be required in order to establish a public bank in Oakland. The money would be acquired through Oakland’s own liquid assets and other funds from the General Fund or a small bond levy. Regulator approval for a public bank in California is no easy feat. Before a full banking charter (license to operate) can be granted, the state of California, through the Department of Business Oversight, and the Federal Government, through the FDIC, must assent. “I think that if they’re successful [in creating a public bank],” Wykowki adds, “I think that the people in the industry will reward them by making them the deposit institution of choice for the industry.” Individual profit-based banks have bullied local businesses in Oakland for long enough. An alternative is needed when local businesses are essentially forking over millions of dollars in city money to Wall Street, year after year. c
Hempcon: Heart of Nature Music Festival
The Heart of Nature Music Festival, hosted by Hempcon, brings cannabis lovers and concert goers together for a weekend to remember. Both solo artists and musical groups will take the stage for a weekend of beats, dance and celebration. Stephen “Ragga” Marley headlines the event with other performances by Eli Mac, The Fortunate Youth and Indica Roots. At least 40 different dispensaries and other vendors will be in attendance selling cannabis oil products, cannabis concentrates, topical products and much more. The event will also provide exhibits on legal services, caregivers and cultivation equipment. Those looking for official festival merchandise may purchase the VIP package that includes a three-day pass, shirt, lanyard and backpack. Early bird tickets are available through March 20. Otherwise, tickets may be purchased at the door. (Kiara Manns) WHAT: Hempcon: Heart of Nature Music Festival. WHEN/WHERE: Fri, March 24-Sun, March 26. Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. INFO: Visit heartofnaturefest.com for details.
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Industry Insider
Business is just another form of political activism and the right mainstream brand can help more and more Americans realize that this is a mainstream product. This is a normal product. It’s not a scary product that should be vilified.
Brendan Kennedy of Privateer Holdings by R. Scott Rappold
A
t the International Cannabis Business Conference in Vancouver in October, beloved cannabis consumer and activist Tommy Chong stole the show. But Brendan Kennedy may have had the most attentive audience of the event. As Co-Founder and CEO of Privateer Holdings, he has done what many once thought impossible for an industry just emerging from seven decades on the black market: He’s brought in Wall Street money, some $122 million to date. Kennedy has channeled the windfall into one of the world’s largest cannabis
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conglomerates, with 300 employees spread among the website Leafly.com, medical cannabis brand Tilray and Marley Natural, a line of accessories and cannabis strains done in partnership with the family of late singer Bob Marley. With a nice suit, a strong business background and an MBA from Yale, he’s brought an air of respectability to an industry with an image problem. Sure, it’s partially about making money, but he sees it as a form of activism as well, with the same end goal as everyone else in the industry: Full legalization. “I think it’s important that professional, sophisticated companies
emerge in this industry to help transition it from a state of prohibition into a state of legalization,” said Kennedy, 44, in a recent phone interview. “Professionallyoperated companies, and there are plenty that are emerging in the industry, are really important to continue to erode and tip over the Berlin Wall of cannabis prohibition.” “Business is just another form of political activism and the right mainstream brand can help more and more Americans realize that this is a mainstream product. This is a normal product. It’s not a scary product that should be vilified.” >>
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S.
Skeptical at first
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Rising tide lifts all ships
Kennedy was acquainted with cannabis—as a student at UC Berkeley, how could you not be? But after a dozen or so tries he decided it wasn’t for him. He went on to launch several companies and in 2009 was working for a large California bank, evaluating investment opportunities. Kennedy had a healthy skepticism about the medical cannabis boom then exploding in California and a handful of other Western states, but decided to do some homework, a full year’s worth, traveling the country and the world. “I had certainly been indoctrinated into the 'war on drugs,' thinking, ‘This is your brain on drugs,’ so I went in skeptically,” he said. “At the end of the year, after talking to so many people and so many patients and so many people closely associated with this product my perspective changed 180 degrees.” He and two partners founded Privateer Holdings in 2010, initially envisioning it as a venture capital firm, making investments in cannabis businesses but not running them. But the rising tide of legalization convinced Kennedy otherwise, that cannabis would be legal someday and establishing solid brands could help make it happen. So in 2011 the company purchased the website Leafly.com, a clearinghouse of information on dispensaries and strains.
Kennedy flew 305,000 miles last year. That’s 12 times around the planet. He doesn’t just meet with potential investors, but with lawmakers, government officials, scientific researchers and university professors. The day before our interview, he met with a group of 240 Wall Street investors worth a potential $1 trillion in investment money. Then it was off to Miami for more meetings before returning home to Seattle, where Privateer is based. The first $7 million he raised came from folks who were more interested in the social justice goal of legalization than making a profit, he said. While some subsequent
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investors have been primarily involved to make money, many are still involved for the altruistic goal of legalization. And though Kennedy may be making money, he sees his success as helping all those in the cannabis industry, where a rising tide lifts all ships. “We’ve achieved a lot of milestones for this industry, whether it’s raising our first round of $7 million—and people congratulated us because it helped others raise capital,” he said. “When we closed the second round at $75 million, people within the industry were thrilled because it made it easier for them to raise capital. When we became the first (cannabis) company to raise over $100 million, people within the industry thanked us.” Leafly.com has become one of the internet’s main cannabis information resources, visited by 10 million people in December 2016 alone. Tilray is a global leader in medical cannabis, with 20,000 patients, and is conducting groundbreaking research in the treatment of epilepsy and other conditions. And Marley Natural has accessories in 100 stores around the country and has begun selling some of Bob Marley’s favorite strains in California and Oregon, with the added benefit of helping impoverished farmers and workers in Jamaica. Still, he frequently encounters concern in the industry about such corporate control. Will the mom-and-pop operations be squeezed out and will cannabis become dominated by a few huge players, like the tobacco industry? “On one hand people within the industry are thrilled and congratulate us on what we’re doing. On the other hand, there’s some trepidation among small business owners, small operators, that large corporate companies are going to come in and gobble up the industry,” he said. “I don’t see that as a long-term threat. I think this industry ends up looking more like the craft beer or wine industries, where you have local, regional, national and international players. I think it looks much more like that than something like Big Tobacco.” c
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Cannabis has helped improve the world in so many ways and has the potential to be a beacon of hope in these trying times ahead
SAY WHAT? “‘Oh, he’s a pot head.’ No, I actually just use cannabis oil because it helps with inflammation and takes away some anxiety.” -Jay Williams, a three-time NCAA All-American
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by Addison Herron-Wheeler
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n this tumultuous era of political and social discrimination and disarray, cannabis is a source for social and personal peace that more and more people are getting behind. Since legalization is sweeping the nation one state at a time, cannabis has made so many positive strides for the economy, the local and national population and in personal health. The improvements of cannabis use and legalization can be seen and heard in many different facets of our American life and can sometimes be forgotten in the thick of the world’s
traumas. However, it is important to find time and space to meditate, to be present and to remember the good things that have happened recently, including what good things cannabis reform has done for our country and our communities, things like reducing foreign and illegal drug trafficking, giving people an alternative to "Big Pharma" medical treatments, lowering teen drug addiction and abuse, creating a multitude of new jobs for Americans and bringing people together in a peaceful, reflective and fun way—through cannabis. >>
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Reducing Cartel and Foreign Drug Trafficking CULTURE reported last month that recent numbers from Canada show what cannabis advocates have suspected and claimed ever since legalization first became an experiment in the states: Legalizing actually lowers crime rates when it comes to cartel activity and outside groups bringing cannabis into Canada. In fact, the more legally accepted
the plant becomes, the less gangs and organized crime units or illegal drug traffickers want to do with it, since it is decreasing in value on the black market. Legalizing cannabis, or even descheduling, rescheduling or decriminalizing in the states, could make a huge difference when it comes to lower crime rates and safer borders and airports. Rather than banning travel or building a wall to keep criminal elements out of the country, sensible drug policies can help achieve that level of safety without shutting out any innocent people.
Providing Affordable or Alternative Health Care Another major topic of debate in the U.S. is healthcare. Many fear that the new political administration will roll back the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and make healthcare unaffordable, and
Providing Hope with Social Unity Cannabis is a cause many can get behind, something that can bring the divided together. Some people want smaller government and states’ rights, as well as fewer regulations, which is just what the cannabis industry wants as well. Some people want more personal and social freedoms and more opportunities for scientific research into cannabis. Not to mention, when someone is hurt, weak, in danger or in need of assistance, Americans on the
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whole come together, cooperate and work together. “Cannabis is definitely something that brings people together,” Boris Shcharansky, CEO of Papa & Barkley, a cannabis company in California, told CULTURE. “I would be in meetings with farmers and Republican legislators who would see videos about how cannabis helps children and be convinced. When you see it helping people and the remarkable results, I think it’s just undeniable. People can disagree on health care, immigration, etcetera, but I have even converted hardcore conservatives to support cannabis.” >>
others are outraged because they feel that America needs something better than the ACA. Cannabis provides alternative medical solutions that aren’t controlled by pharmaceutical companies, and cannabis is an affordable alternative that doesn’t cost thousands without health insurance, the way some medications do.
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Personal Peace through Cannabis and Meditation
Lowering Teen Drug Use Many legalized areas are reporting lower teen cannabis use. A report by Monitoring the Future found that cannabis use by kids is highest in the country through the state of Colorado (about 12 to 17 percent). Although a negative fact, that percentage has not increased since Colorado became a legal state, which concludes that cannabis legalization has little impact on whether or not teenagers use cannabis. In fact, an additional study through the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which compares numbers between 2013-2014 and 20142015, found that cannabis use in Colorado has actually decreased significantly. Data shows that between 2014 and 2015, shortly after Colorado legalized cannabis, teenager cannabis use fell from 20.81
Creating Jobs One of the major selling points for politicians is their ability to create jobs and maintain existing industries that may be struggling or looking to expand. Everyone is currently scrutinizing how Obama impacted the economy, and wondering whether or not Trump will be able to keep his
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percent for youths that had used cannabis within the past year to 18.35. It’s not just Colorado’s teenagers who are becoming more aware about cannabis though. According to a survey conducted in Washington State, cannabis use amongst teens has decreased alongside their perception of harm—which is defined as how dangerous younger individuals think substances like cannabis are. In this case, eighth and tenth graders in Washington State reported their perception of harmfulness decreased to 14 and 16 percent. All of this evidence could be thanks to the fact that there is more factual education about cannabis and how like alcohol, it is safe and available to try when older, or due to legal cannabis not seeming as alluring or exciting as an illegal substance. Rather than putting teens at risk, legal cannabis is actually ensuring that the kids stay sober and educated.
promises about bringing back jobs. The cannabis industry is a major source for job creation in the U.S. An economic study done in Colorado revealed that the industry created 18,000 new full-time jobs in 2015. From blue collar jobs like trimming, packing and growing the plant to executive positions and desk jobs, there is currently a plethora of opportunities in the cannabis industry. c
Cannabis has been used for over a thousand years by most of the world’s oldest cultures as a medicine. Most people in the west are unaware that many ancient cultures also recognized the value of cannabis as an aide to spiritual practice and meditation as well. Sects within Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Sufism and a variety of other religious groups have used cannabis for spiritual practices. On their own, both mediation and cannabis have similar effects. Together, the benefits of meditation are amplified. This has been evident in South Asia, where several religious groups including Buddhists, Naths and Shaivites have introduced it into their meditation practices. Many believe it helps to slow the mind and enter a state of great internal stillness with heightened awareness. Combining meditation and cannabis has
profound benefits—and it’s very easy for people to do. Communities in legal states have great beneficial cannabis meditation practices and experts, and classes in this way are common. These communities have less crime, less drug abuse and friendlier communities. Consuming an indica strain that will sedate you (more than a sativa) and can slow synapses, reducing mental distractions and facilitating concentration. Ideally, you should consume your cannabis in the same position as your meditation practice so you can slip into meditation as the cannabis effects take hold. Smoking, vaping or any other method you like will do the trick, just ensure it enables a restful response. Studies have shown that meditation not only lowers blood pressure but also can improve your immune system, while improving your ability to concentrate. More studies have shown improvement for gastrointestinal disorders, fibromyalgia and even psoriasis in patients who meditate.
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Taking Shape
I’m not crazy, weed is giving me a perfect body inside and out.
Cannabis, diet and exercise saved Tommy Edwards’ life by Zoe Wilder
A
s of January 2014, Los Angeles resident Tommy Edwards, a 57-year-old studio director at a major sports network, was marginally overweight with slightly elevated blood pressure. According to the doctor, it was nothing to worry about. Yet, Edwards’ intuition signaled that something in his body wasn’t quite right. Since his 86-year-old father has survived prostate cancer twice and similar conditions run in the family, Edwards sought regular preventive health monitoring since age 50. Seven years of doctor visits and testing hadn’t revealed warning
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signs. Or, so he thought. Edwards’ best friend, and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brother, Ace, came by the house for a visit and shared his experiences using medical cannabis to manage pain through a recent fight with prostate cancer. Since Edwards was intuiting complications with his own health, he asked Ace for advice on consuming cannabis for health. Ace guided Edwards into the process of vaporizing cannabis and gifted him with a copy of CULTURE Magazine. So, he began a journey of research, watching documentaries and reading articles on the efficacy of medical cannabis. After four months experimenting with about 20 different strains, Edwards began to understand what works best for him. >>
SAY WHAT? “I use [cannabis] to control the nausea, which comes with the headaches” -Kareem AbdulJabbar, NBA Hall of Famer, 19-time NBA All-Star and six-time NBA Champion
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To enhance his morning workouts, Edwards began vaping concentrated cannabis and noticed certain strains would spur a sensation down his sides and around his stomach during exercise. He later learned the sensation he felt was fat burning off his mid-section. “When you mix vaping with working out, fat burns off your body,” he shared, candidly. Since Edwards started medicating with cannabis combined with exercise and a nutritious diet, his prostate is no longer enlarged, and he’s feeling better from the inside, out. Edwards wants everyone to know cannabis saved his life. When the topic turned to our nation’s drug policy during our interview, Edwards became deeply empathic. “Because it stops cancer; this is why the government stopped the legal sale of weed oil back in 1937. They want people fat, stupid, sick and dependent on the health care system. But, I’m 60 with the blood flow of a 30-year-old. When you look at me, you see the future and the future is now.” Edwards has seen the effectiveness and quality of life improvements that cannabis brings to those who suffer from a myriad of medical conditions. However, he’s also had a special opportunity to view how cannabis has helped treat the conditions of professional athletes’ as well. Thanks to Edwards’ unique presence in the sports industry as a studio director of a well-known sports network, he’s all for support of the use of cannabis in the profesisonal sports world. Over the years, Edwards’ new cannabis regimen took shape and he began to tackle those nagging health issues he assumed were there, but doctors never qualified. In June of 2016, Edwards decided to take a closer look at his online medical records, and he noticed that during a 2014 visit, his doctor indicated swelling in his prostate but never mentioned it. Edwards scheduled his next yearly physical. During this appointment, just last year, the physician noted nothing about his prostate, yet his blood pressure was still elevated. Edwards was prescribed blood pressure medicine. Within a few weeks, Edwards awoke in the middle of the night in extreme pain. “My chest muscle attacked my heart, causing my brain to sound the alarm and my eyes popped wide open. I had to wrestle my heart away from my chest,” he shared. Edwards went to the hospital and an EKG suggested he had an atrial fibrillation problem. Edwards felt his blood pressure medication wasn’t agreeing with him and refused to continue taking the prescription. In the weeks that followed, Edwards was administered several EKGs, asked to wear a heart monitor and was prescribed a new blood pressure med, Pradaxa. He was told he’d have to undergo a procedure to discontinue any
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blood pressure pills. As a result, Edwards met with Electrophysiologist, Dr. Lee, who deeply questioned the previous doctor’s diagnosis. Lee prescribed Edwards aspirin instead of prescription blood pressure medication and informed Edwards a procedure wasn’t necessary. In fact, Dr. Lee was quite pleased with Edwards state of health. “When I told Dr. Lee about my marijuana journey, he looked at my records and told me he had just watched Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Weed 3 on CNN,” reveals Edwards. “While he and the other doctors discussed the possibility of seeing patients who use weed as a medical treatment, Dr. Lee says I was his first . . . and he admires me.” c
Professional sports teams need players to vaporize before working out. It will prevent minor injuries, make bones stronger and kill pain without the side effects of pharmaceutical painkillers.
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Spring Green
How to utilize the spring equinox to your cannabis gardening advantage
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he spring equinox is one of the four great solar events of the year. At this time, day and night are equal, poised and balanced, but about to tip over on the side of light. The spring equinox is all about the dawn, the youth, the morning star and the east. While the balance of day and night is equal, this time favors light, new development and life—both symbolically as well as physically. The vernal equinox (another name for the spring equinox) is considered by many traditions and cultures to be the dawn of new life; it is also a very good agricultural and gardening time. Since the dawn of civilization, farmers and gardeners have planted their crops with attention paid to the solar and lunar cycles. Based on solar and lunar calendars for the northern hemisphere in 2017, we’ve determined that the days between the first quarter moon phase (March 5) and
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full moon (March 12), closest to the equinox (March 20), will provide for the fastest germination and optimal production of any annual herbs, flowers, cannabis plants and vegetables. In areas where plants can thrive outdoors in the early spring (where it’s not too cold), they can grow vegetatively for six to eight weeks and then be forced to flower using a frame that encloses them. The garden should be covered at the end of each day with an opaque cover, and it should be uncovered each morning. Polyethylene, which is white on one side and black on the other, is an ideal material for this. (The white side is placed on the outside to reflect the light.) In spring, some places are warm and sunny during the day but have a huge temperature drop in the evenings. Plants in moveable containers are ideal for bipolar weather conditions, and they can be placed outside each day and returned to
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the warmth and safety of the indoors each evening. Plants can be grown indoors vegetatively and then brought outside to flower as soon as weather permits. After mid-March, they have to be covered nightly. If you have permitting weather, you may place your plants outside in March, in which case you will be harvesting in May, and nature will provide a decent dark period for your growing beauties. The small decrease in the length of the dark period will not send the plants back into vegetative growth. Buds grown for spring harvest receive the benefit of increasing light intensity as they ripen. Another method is using auto-flowering seeds; germinate them during February and March (as soon as you notice that nights are less cold) directly outdoors, in their final pot. While you won’t need to previously grow automatic seeds indoors, it is true that your crop won’t
be as homogeneous as it would have been if you were using cuttings. When we plan our spring crop it’s essential to remember that your plants have to be ripe in May, otherwise they will stop flowering and start growing again. You must carefully calculate the flowering time of your strains to know the perfect moment to take them outdoors. According to the industry professionals, the best window to grow sativas is mid-to-late February, while we can wait a little longer for the indicas, until the beginning of March, if the weather permits. Additionally, plants that are ripened in the spring or early summer should not necessarily be cut down. Instead, just cut off the buds. The decreasing dark period the plants get will force them back into a vegetative growth. They will then flower again in the fall and be ready for their second harvest at the normal ripening time. Voila! c
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day Go green this St. Patrick’s Day with some cannabis-infused Colcannon Colcannon is a traditional Irish potato dish made with cabbage and potatoes that is
Canna-Colcannon
(S erves
4)
Ingredients 5 medium Yukon Gold potatoes (about 1 3/4 pounds) Kosher salt
2 cups (packed) shredded Savoy cabbage (from about 1/4 large head), divided
6 tablespoons unsalted cannabutter, t divided
1 1/4 cups milk
2 leeks, white and palegreen parts only, sliced in half lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream 1 scallion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
often eaten to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. There is even a song about the dish! This St. Patrick’s Day, you don’t have to dress all in green and make a fool of yourself at a nearby pub. You can stay in, stay healthy and go green with this delicious cannabis-infused recipe for Colcannon.
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Directions Cover potatoes with water in a small pot; season with salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer until a paring knife slides easily through the flesh, 30–40 minutes. Drain, let cool slightly and peel. Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons cannabutter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring frequently, until very soft, 8–10 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is fragrant and leeks are just beginning to brown around the edges, about 3 minutes longer. Add 1 cup cabbage and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted. Add milk and cream and bring to a simmer. Add potatoes and remaining 1 cup cabbage, then coarsely mash with a potato masher. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer colcannon to a large serving bowl. Top with remaining 2 tablespoons of cannabutter and sprinkle with scallions. Enjoy!
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Revolutionary Advocacy ACLU demonstrates relentless support of cannabis reform The important task in front of us is implementing the will of the voters and creating safe, legal access to marijuana by adults. 50
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by Jasen T. Davis
F
or almost a decade the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been dedicated to protecting the rights of American citizens, regardless of race, religion, party, gender or sexual orientation. Since it was founded in 1920, the ACLU has used lawsuits, media and volunteer experts to defend voting rights, fight discrimination, protect the right to free speech and fight for cannabis reform at both state and federal levels. For many years cannabis consumers have had a very rocky relationship with politicians in the U.S., largely because the federal government still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug, regardless of clinical and anecdotal evidence of its medicinal uses and alternative
photo by Radoslaw Lecyk
treatment options over chemical-based pharmaceuticals. In many instances, despite state laws, many patients and recreational consumers have been tried as felons for possessing cannabis. Growers and suppliers of cannabis have also been arrested and placed in federal penitentiaries next to illegal heroin dealers and cocaine smugglers. There has been some positive news for patients facing incarceration, civil rights violations and discrimination over their choice of medication. In 2009, the American Medical Association defended cannabis and urged that the federal government re-evaluate their position on the subject, once further medical studies could be done. In 2013, the U.S. Justice Department formally announced that it would no longer challenge state laws in regards to medical cannabis. However, despite these successes there have still been problems. >>
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In 2014, Christine Callaghan, a then-recent design school grad, accepted a paid internship position for class credit towards her master’s degree in Textile Design at Darlington Fabrics in Rhode Island. When Callaghan revealed that she had a state-approved medical cannabis card to deal with her crippling migraines the paid internship was cancelled by the company. Carly Iafrate, a volunteer attorney for the ACLU, filed a lawsuit against Darlington Fabrics, under the grounds that the company had violated laws regarding disability discrimination. In a written statement on behalf of the ACLU to the press, attorney Iafrate stated, “All companies doing business in Rhode Island need to realize that people with disabilities simply cannot be denied equal employment opportunities on the basis of the type of medication required to treat their particular condition.” Iafrate went on to emphasize that if employers are allowed to discriminate against patients utilizing state-approved medical cannabis, then the good work done by those that helped to enact the law will be completely undone. “We cannot let this law become an empty promise,” Iafrate proclaimed. California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom teamed up with the ACLU in 2013 to create a Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy made up of experts from across the nation, both academic and in law enforcement, to research a reformed system of taxation and regulation for medical cannabis. In a statement to the press, Margaret Dooley-Sammuli, a director with the ACLU of California, underlined the importance of why the ACLU is involved in the controversial subject of cannabis reform: “The disastrous war on marijuana in California continues to ensnare thousands of people—particularly young people of color—in the criminal justice system every year. It is time to move from prohibition to regulation.” This meeting of the ACLU and politicians for the purposes of defending the rights of cannabis patients on a federal level across the nation is further proof that cannabis reform is not only constitutional, but possible. The ACLU has remained active across the board in supporting state’s rights to regulate cannabis like alcohol over the years. Most recently, the organization endorsed California’s Proposition 64 this past November, which was a historic month for cannabis legalization. When Massachusetts voters approved a ballot initiative to legalize, tax and regulate cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol, Whitney Taylor, another ACLU Director, issued a statement on
photo by Diego G Diaz
behalf of her organization that indicated they would defend the decision. “The important task in front of us is implementing the will of the voters and creating safe, legal access to marijuana by adults,” she said. “We must ensure that elected officials who opposed Question 4 do not use their influence to dismantle, hinder, or reject what the voters demanded on Election Day.” Taylor also underlined that the “war on drugs” was not only pointless and costly, but was also a violation of the civil rights of people too poor to defend themselves from multiple felonies for cannabis use in a court of law. The organization not only endorsed campaigns to legalize cannabis during the election process, they also showed support for cannabis reform after states voted to legalize cannabis in November 2016. Following Nevada’s Question 2 to legalize cannabis for adult use, ACLU of Nevada’s Legal Director Amy Rose commented on the decision in a press release. “Unprecedented numbers of voters exercised their right to vote this year in Nevada, and we were pleased to ensure the rights of every Nevadan making their voice heard.” The ACLU has worked hard to secure human rights in various ways, and the organization’s dedication to cannabis reform will continue to support the hard work of cannabis advocates across the country, regardless of the federal administration. c
. . . the ‘war on drugs’ was not only pointless and costly, but was also a violation of the civil rights of people too poor to defend themselves from multiple felonies for cannabis use in a court of law.
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“We are trying to improve and know exactly what kind of marijuana should be given for a specific condition. One does not get the same marijuana for epilepsy and for cancer and pain.”
ReigninG Researcher The father of THC, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, talks about his groundbreaking research in studying cannabis in Israel
I
by R. Scott Rappold
n the early 1960s, though cannabis had been used for centuries and demonized for decades by governments around the globe, the science world knew surprisingly little about the plant itself. Scientists had long since learned how to synthesize morphine from the opium poppy and cocaine from coca leaves, but what about cannabis? Few in the U.S. or the rest of the Western world cared to learn about cannabis— not that they could study it anyway, given harsh restrictions cannabis research in the U.S. So it should come as no surprise that some of the major breakthroughs 54
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in understanding cannabis came from across the ocean. In the tiny nation of Israel, one man, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, is responsible for much of what we know about cannabis today. He was the one who isolated and identified cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. He later identified the receptors in the human body that interact with cannabis and the cannabinoids that bond with those receptors. While the world is just waking up to the medical potential of cannabis, from treating epilepsy to cancer to chronic pain, Dr. Mechoulam has known about it for decades. At 86, he has earned the distinction of being
the “father of marijuana research” and the “father of THC.” Dr. Mechoulam may be one of the world’s foremost experts on cannabis, but he is no advocate scientist in the vein of Timothy Leary or Terrence McKenna. He approached cannabis with the curiosity of an organic chemist studying something new, not as a true believer. In fact, except for in the laboratory, he’s never even touched cannabis. CULTURE recently caught up with Dr. Mechoulam in Israel, where he still holds several academic posts, including Professor at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel, and advisor to the government on Israel’s medical cannabis program. >> photos by
Y i t z W ool f
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How did you get involved in cannabis research? I’m a chemist. I work with natural products, and I was looking for something important in natural products in plants, and I was surprised to find out that while morphine had been isolated from opium nearly 150 years previously and so was cocaine, from coca leaves, the chemistry of cannabis was not well-known, and I thought it was a good topic to do research on. Did you have any personal experience with cannabis, or was it non-existent in Israel at the time? No, no, no. Very few people were interested in marijuana at that time. As a natural scientist I asked for a grant from the (U.S.) National Institute of Health (NIH), and more or less what they told me was they were not interested, that marijuana was not an interesting topic for them. Few people used it in the States. It was mostly used in Mexico, so if I found something that was more relevant to the U.S. so they would look at it. It was in the early ’60s. Well it turned out all of a sudden it became relevant (with the rise in use in the later 1960s), and pharmacologists 56
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from the National Institute of Mental Health and the NIH flew over and at that time we had isolated the main component of cannabis, THC, in a pure form . . . and [one pharmacologist] took that material, and quite a bit of the early work of the NIH with cannabis was done with the THC we gave him. He may have smuggled it into the U.S., I don’t know. You had to get smuggled cannabis for your first experiments, correct? I didn’t get marijuana; I got hashish from the police. And how did that happen? Not that complicated at all. I went to the administrative head of my institute and asked him whether he had a contact with the police and he said, ‘Sure, no problem.’ He called the number two person at the police at that time. They had been in the army together or something of that sort. From the other side I could hear him saying, “Is he reliable?” And the head of the institute said, “Of course he’s reliable.” So he invited me over to the police, and I took five kilos of hashish. It broke the laws. It turned out I was not allowed to have it, and he was not
allowed to give it to me. It was the Ministry of Health that should have permitted it, but in a small country, I went to the Ministry of Health, and I apologized, and any time I needed more hashish I went to the Ministry of Health and had no problems. What were you really hoping to learn about this substance when you started to study it? I’m a chemist. A natural products chemist usually works on identification of compounds, active compounds, and thus opening the field for further research . . . I’ll try to explain. In order to do biochemistry or pharmacology or clinical work, the chemistry has to be well-known . . . The chemistry has to be well-established before anything can be done with the compound or the plant. In this case the chemistry was not well-known so we knew at that time, in the early ‘60s, very little about the pharmacology and the chemical effects and so on, in modern terms. Science has to be quantitative. If you work with a plant, you never know what you’re doing, what you’re getting. So the chemistry had to be established before anything scientific could be worked on. >>
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How long did it take you to establish the chemistry and start to look at the human effects of this plant? For several years we worked on the isolation of compounds, several different types of compounds. With biologists we evaluated the effects on monkeys and later, after quite some time, we worked on the metabolism. Later we worked on other topics. So we advanced, step-by-step. What do you feel were your major breakthroughs and discoveries about this plant? First, elucidation of the chemistry, particularly isolation and synthesis of the active compounds. It turned out there was only one active compound related to psychoactivity, THC. There is a second that had a lot of therapeutic effects called cannabidiol, and we elucidated its structure as well. So this was the first phase of the cannabis research we did. Later on, many years later, we looked at the compounds that our bodies make, and these compounds bind with the same receptor that the plant cannabinoids bind to . . . The receptors don’t exist because there is a plant out there. The receptors exist because we produce compounds which bind to these receptors, activate them and cause activities. We went ahead looking at the compounds that we make. Then in the ’90s we discovered that the two main compounds that bind to these receptors, anandamide and 2-AG, and there has been a huge, huge amount of work on these endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoids that we make . . . These compounds seem to be very important in our biology. One of these compounds has to do with bones and osteoporosis, loss of bones, and another has to do with blood vessels
“There is a lot of interest, and I believe this is the third phase of cannabis research. But most people in the States are interested in the first stage, in the THC, in the CBD, in selling it for outrageous prices and trying to make a lot of money out of it.”
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during head trauma and so on. A third one has to do with addiction. And so on and so forth. There is a lot of interest, and I believe this is the third phase of cannabis research. But most people in the States are interested in the first stage, in the THC, in the CBD, in selling it for outrageous prices and trying to make a lot of money out of it.
Do you feel that by focusing on selling expensive flower, that the United States is missing out on some important things about this plant? The plant contains THC and a lot of other compounds that do not cause the high. There is a compound called CBD, which is just as important. It does not cause the high but it has a lot of therapeutic effects, and it is of extreme importance, and people are trying now to have plants that don’t have THC but CBD and are using that for therapeutic effects. >>
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When you started studying this, were your colleagues skeptical, or did you have a lot of support in the scientific community? We went along scientific lines. There was no objection at my university. As a matter of fact people thought it was as a good kind of research, interesting research. And even my colleagues, in the late 1970s or early 1980s, elected me Rector of the university. If they had any objections to my work they wouldn’t have voted for me. I was elected to the Israeli Academy of Sciences. If there was any objection I wouldn’t have been elected. Are you still studying cannabis? Now I am officially retired, but my university is a very liberal one, and I have all the faculties to go on working . . . We’re not studying cannabis, the plant. We haven’t studied the plant in many years. That was the first stage. Did you play a role in Israel allowing medical cannabis? I’m a Consultant for the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Health has approved medical marijuana under strict regulation. There are about 27,000 patients who get medical marijuana. We are trying to improve and know exactly what kind of marijuana should be given for a
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specific condition. One does not get the same marijuana for epilepsy and for cancer and pain. How do you feel about being called the “father of marijuana research?” Is that something you’re proud of? Well I’m delighted that I’m called that. We have apparently done something good in the field. Is this the type of research that could only have occurred in a small country like Israel? I have no idea. As an academic I decided to do it, and I did it. Here it was maybe easier to get the material, but I had no problems doing the science. Possibly in the U.S. it would have been more difficult because of administrative problems, but we had no problem getting the materials. Is there more to learn about the cannabis plant and how it affects humans? Because of administrative freezes [on research], there have been very, very few clinical studies. Although thousands of people use cannabis to fight cancer, there hasn’t been any clinical study, or a well-done, modern clinical study on cancer published. That’s a shame because if people use it, the data should be there. We should have modern clinical data. We
did some clinical work on epilepsy 35 years ago and unfortunately nobody took great interest in that. And only five or six years ago all of a sudden people found that yes, our research is very relevant to what’s going on and many children today are being treated today with CBD, which we showed to be very active against epilepsy. There are very few drugs that help children with epilepsy. This should have been repeated on a larger scale in the U.S. We did a little work on PTSD and post-trauma. It should have been done on a large scale . . . All these things should have been done in the U.S. There is a major clinical trial on epilepsy. It should have been done 30 years ago after we published our small clinical paper. So that’s what’s missing. And I’m sorry about the situation. My last question is do you use it yourself? No. I have never used it. First of all, I am still interested but as I did research and we had official supply of cannabis, obviously if we had used it for non-scientific reasons if people had come to know about it that would have stopped our work. Basically, neither I nor my students were interested. c medicine.ekmd.huji.ac.il
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delivery service highlight
Dank Dash www.DankDash.com How and when did your delivery service start up? It all began in 2012 in San Francisco. We began Dank Dash because Silicon Valley traffic was getting out control. Also, we were not satisfied with the available marijuana delivery services at the time. What’s the story behind the name of your delivery service? “Dank Dash” is like the Door Dash for cannabis. What does your company offer consumers that they can’t find anywhere else? Speedy, professional and quality cannabis delivered to your door! 64
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How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? The industry has had many advancements, but progress has still been slow. We would like to see marijuana rescheduled from a Schedule I. What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a delivery service? Biggest joys? Our biggest joy is seeing happy patients with each delivery. What is the one thing you want consumers to know about your business? We want patients to realize
that it’s possible for delivered cannabis to be a better experience and higher quality than what they would normally get at a storefront. If someone wanted to open a delivery service and get their
Top-Selling Strain: Premium Jack Top-Selling Concentrate: STAGECOACH RANCH Stargazer Shatter Top-Selling Edible: Korova Mint Black Bar
feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? Get educated, and don’t be afraid to network with those already in the industry. What is the most important thing you hope to accomplish while in the MJ/ MMJ community? We are already improving the quality of life for many and would like to continue that! c
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Cannador Mahogany Roll Tray The Cannador brand prides itself on providing cannabis consumers with premium storage products and accessories. Cannador’s thin, lightweight roll tray carved from mahogany wood makes a convenient and useful addition to your collection. Great for both preparation and rolling, the slate comes with an indentation on the bottom corner making for a hassle-free cleanup. The tray exists as a practical and beneficial tool, while its rich auburn color fits nicely into practically any home décor. Handcrafted and with a mineral oil finish, this aesthetically pleasing accessory brings both style and functionality to the table. PRICE: $39 MORE INFORMATION: cannador.com
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Original Piece Pipe Both modern and tasteful, the Original Piece Pipe is perfect for anyone on-the-go who likes to travel in style. With an attachable ring, its clean design and unassuming appearance easily fits into any setting. Wear it as a necklace, connect it to your keys or bag, and the Original Piece Pipe easily converts into an accessory. Big things do come in small packages when it comes to this sleek device as it contains a hidden stash compartment, which holds up to three bowls. Available in brass or chrome, its sleek materials remain cool and odorless, leaving your personal belongings free from lingering scents. PRICE: $39.99 MORE INFORMATION: originalpiecepipe.com
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3. The Nuggy by NugTools Pop open your bottles, pack in your piece and even prop up your joint with the tool that has been created for every type of smoker. The Nuggy comes fully-loaded, multi-purposed and will quickly become everyone’s favorite gadget. Uniting 10 various functions into a smooth, handheld container, The Nuggy can rest comfortably in your pocket or palm. Scissors, a scraper, an LED flashlight, bottle opener, knife, tamper and a roach clip are only a few of the features found inside. Yet despite its internal equipment, its weight remains a light and undemanding 0.5 pounds. The Nuggy employs a spring-locked system and plastic casing to guarantee safe and simple use. PRICE: $33 MORE INFORMATION: nugtools.com
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entertainment
Available on: Nintendo Switch and Wii U Release Date: March 3
BOOK
This Bud’s for You Ed Rosenthal Quick American Publishing
MUSIC
GAME
MOVIE
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Moonlight
Live in Paris
Dir. Barry Jenkins
Sleater-Kinney
A24
Sub Pop Records
Dev. and Pub. Nintendo This Bud’s for You is cannabis cultivator extraordinaire Ed Rosenthal’s latest take on cutting edge cannabis trends, science and industry growth. This beautiful book is for people who enjoy consuming and growing cannabis and want to be more immersed in this plant and in this evergrowing industry. It is also filled with tips and tricks from expert insiders like technical advice from breeders, ways to judge and compare strains and how to make the best cannabis selections. (Alex Bradley)
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Debuting as the most anticipated Nintendo Switch game during the new system’s launch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first fullfledged game of the series to release since 2011. The landscape of Hyrule is vast, and you play the ever-silent hero, Link. Players will explore the vast, open world that is packed with places to explore, weapons to collect and puzzles to solve. This ambitious project by Nintendo brings all of the nostalgic nuances of traditional Legend of Zelda games, but also offers a ton of other new features to entertain new and returning players. (Nicole Potter)
It’s rare that a film these days has the opportunity to show audiences a nearly wholly unique coming of age story and perspective. It is for this reason, as well as an array of others, which is what makes writer/director Barry Jenkin’s second feature-length film, Moonlight, both incredibly important and wonderfully beautiful. The film follows a young black man, Chiron, growing up in inner city Miami as he struggles with personal and sexual identity in an environment that is increasingly hostile and volatile. (Simon Weedn)
After nearly a quartercentury as a band and eight studio records under its belt, one of the greatest rock acts of all time, Sleater-Kinney, has finally delivered an official live album. The simply named Live In Paris showcases what many have known for a long time; that the band is even more electric in a live setting. Encompassing 13 songs from a 2015 concert, the trio absolutely roars through mostly recent material but sprinkles in some old favorites for good measure. Live In Paris finally gives SleaterKinney a powerful live experience to add to its already stellar catalog. (Simon Weedn)
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strain, edible & concentrate
Aficionado Gold Series Hand Rolled Joint Forget every stereotype there may be about pre-rolls, the Aficionado Gold Series Hand Rolled Joint takes all of them and absolutely shatters them. Rolled with 1.5 grams of Oil Spill buds and 0.5 grams of Chemdawg hash all grown in Mendocino County—there are no other pre-rolls like this one. A hemp wrapper keeps these top-shelf strains rolled tightly, and the mouthpiece is decorated with a classy rosewood tip. Encased in a glass tube that is sealed with actual melted wax, the Aficionado Gold Series is the definition of regal. The most amazing part of this pre-roll is even with all of the hash piled inside, it still burns slow and even! Be careful if this joint isn’t split into use for multiple sessions, as it’s very potent and plentiful. It’s smart to keep one of these on deck at all times; there’s no way to not feel like a celebrity with one in hand!
Available at: Barbary Coast in San Francisco.
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HERE Available wherever: Day Dreamers products are carried
Liquid Dreams CBD 20:1 Ratio Oil Capsules Any consumer looking for a premium CO2 CBD oil capsule needs to look no further than the Liquid Dreams CBD 20:1 Oil Capsule. Containing 75 percent CBD and only 3.5 percent THC, this is the perfect CBD solution for consumers looking to avoid intense psychoactive effects from cannabis. The desired effects are noticeable almost instantly as a sense of clarity rushes over one’s self, which is paired with a sense of pain relief throughout the entire body. Superb for focus, CBD is great for use in the morning to help get the day started on the right foot, while also ensuring you’re in the right state of mind. Crafted with only coconut and cannabis oil, this product is entirely vegetarian and vegan-friendly as well! The capsules are offered in both 25mg and 50mg options and are available in packs of either two, four, eight or 10 and can be picked up at Lux in San Jose.
RA Looking for an extremely skunky smelling flower with an exceptionally bold flavor? The RA hybrid strain offered at The Cookie Co. 415 in San Francisco is exactly the answer. Crack open a jar, and be consumed by a piercing cannabis scent masked with a wonderful lime aroma. The firmly formed nugs grow in beautiful clusters unlike any other bud structure we’ve sampled all year, and they are definitely eye candy. Finely textured trichomes coat the entire surface of the flower just like a snow covered forest. RA is a great selection for any consumer searching to find a source of motivation during the day; this strain instantly gets creative thoughts flowing and helps consumers find their focus. Sativa lovers will obviously prefer this strain and energetic effects, but indica lovers will not have to worry about any anxiety either as this strain is a prime choice to relieve stress as well. RA is a top notch flower, which is great to use while tackling a list of tasks. Overall, RA is the ideal hybrid to turn to when you have a list of tasks to accomplish.
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Available at: The Cookie Co. 415 in San Francisco.
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Available at: HTP Group in Vallejo.
Valentine’s Day Gift Box HTP Group in Vallejo has put together a great deal on a gift box for anyone who might have forgotten a gift for their special someone during Valentine’s Day last month! Remind your Valentine of the saying, “Better late than never,” by gifting them with this box of cannabis-infused goodies. The box consists of two Sweet Peace 20mg chocolates inside—one dark chocolate, one milk chocolate—and they are made for sharing. There are also two scrumptious Higher Healing Kitchen sugar cookies with 20mg THC in each cookie. A pair Dankman Caps, @thedankman707, are inside this gift box as well, which are notoriously great for muscle relaxation. No evening would be complete without a shared joint, so there’s a nice one-gram pre-roll included too! End the evening with a massage using the Topical Massage Oil made by Xternal to soothe away any stress. Truly an unbeatable deal, pick one of these gift boxes up for only $20 while supplies last!
IVXX Nug Run Kush Cookies Sugar Wax
Available at: Green Door Metro in Sacramento.
No extract artist has ever gone wrong with an offering of fire Nug Run, and IVXX is on top of its game with the Kush Cookies Sugar Wax. This top of the line indica extract has over 80 percent THC and 38 percent CBD! This is one of the most potent, powerful and pungent extracts we have sampled, and it is one any extract fan needs to try immediately. Any cannasseur who deals with insomnia and/or chronic pain will find this Sugar Wax to be incredibly useful with its high content of cannabinoids. There is not even a hint of harshness when inhaled; unrivaled smoothness is revealed when the wax is melted and enjoyed. A light and buttery yet tangy flavor is exhibited in this extract, and this unique fusion only adds to its incomparable allure. Find this supreme concentrate at Green Door Metro, and experience the utmost satisfaction.
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HERE Blue Chip Gorilla Glue Two of everyone’s favorite strains are combined here to make one perfect indica-dominant hybrid flower. The Blue Chip Gorilla Glue is grown with Blue Chip Cookies that are crossed with Gorilla Glue to produce a strain that offers unmatched ethereal and “couch locking” effects. Super calming and great for winding down, a nice small puff of these buds will have oneself forgetting about all stressors from the week. Neon green in appearance with sprouts of orange hair that are coated in a heavy sugary layer of crystals, every bud glistens ever so delightfully. Take a whiff of this extremely crystallized strain, and you will become lost in the stunningly diverse lemony and woody aromas. Offering a wonderful and distinct assortment of earthy flavor, savory tastes of redwood and pine are accented with a slight citrus notes. An indica lover’s dream, Purple Lotus pulls through with the Blue Chip Gorilla Glue. 72
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Available at: Purple Lotus Patient Center in San Jose.
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Red Dragon Madrone California is straight up turning up the heat with the Red Dragon flower strain. The skunky and pungent aroma of this strain reminds us of a mythical dragon’s lair. Slime green hues of flower are nestled in between shades of burnt, pumpkin-colored hairs. Each and every bud radiates with its trichomes sparkling brilliantly on its reptilian scale-like texture. Being a hybrid, Red Dragon can be treat a few different ailments. It is definitely a prime choice for anytime throughout the day; consumers report uplifting feelings with this strain along with overall pain relief. It’s also a great selection for those feeling a little down-and-out for its notable ability to help with depression. The Red Dragon has a woody smell to it, and paired with fruity undertones, it has an intoxicating exotic scent, not unlike what we think a dragon might smell like. Madrone California continues to exhibit high quality buds and will be a go-to for premium flowers in the coming year.
Available wherever: Madrone California products are carried.
Fire OG Kush
Available at: Buddy’s Cannabis in San Jose.
Fire. OG. Kush. What better way to describe a strain that is truly an all around amazing flower than the three words used most by people everywhere to describe their most favored buds? Sweet and juicy tangerine scents linger with pungent and sour fumes. Together they facilitate an overwhelming pleasant and exotic fragrance that packs a punch. Fire OG Kush is definitely a strain that will have consumers feeling giggly and goofy, which makes it a great strain for lifting the mood. Ideal for social situations, the Fire OG Kush is super spacey and best used to make any time spent on recreation that much more enjoyable. Crispy orange strands blossom through each and every crevice on these nugs, covering the varying hues of green underneath. The plant matter is very soft to the touch and trimmed with care as well, and it is very hearty in appearance. Fire OG Kush is one of the premier strains to come out of Buddy’s Cannabis and won’t sneak under anybody’s radar anytime soon with its wild flavor and fragrance.
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Hmbldt Calm Vape Pen The Hmbldt Calm Vape Pen is truly a groundbreaking product unlike any other vape pen on the market. This pen is designed for any cannabis consumer who is unfamiliar with administering the proper dose, making it great for those new to the cannabis scene. The Hmbldt Calm Vape Pen is ready to use right out of the box and has one of the coolest functions we’ve ever seen. There is not even a power button—just inhale, and after a few seconds the pen will vibrate, notifying the user they have received the perfect dose! Containing 500mg of a CBD and THC blend, there is an exceptional 12 percent terpene content in the extract, which yields the most delicious tastes a pen can provide. Stylish from top to bottom, this vape pen speaks high class and is an awesome choice for all fans of high-quality cannabis products.
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Available at: Blum Oakland in Oakland.
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Viper Cookies With a name like Viper Cookies, these flowers are bound to catch attention! A cross between Viper City OG and Girl Scout Cookies, this strain is a 75-25 indica-dominant hybrid. Most consumers have reported that the effects are very similar to those of the GSC, however it doesn’t have the same flavor profile. A heavy amount of the pine terpene are present, helping add to the robust, dense and earthy flavors. Cured and trimmed in the most precise way possible, every flower is worth putting in a museum to showcase its superior beauty. Every shade of green lays next to purples and oranges underneath a heavy peppering of trichomes. Not too dry and not too moist, the buds break down into a dense and easy to handle texture. An all around amazing flower, Viper Cookies is a model indica and will certainly establish itself as a premier strain in 2017.
Available at: California Collective Care in Vallejo.
Pineapple Sage Available at: Green Door in San Francisco.
Whoever named this strain was right on the money, as this flower tastes and smells just like its name. Tropical scents of pineapple are dancing with the fragrant aromas of sage, which are reminiscent of a campfire on the beach. Absolutely pristine in appearance, dense mossy green calyxes are covered in a forest of rust orange hair. Every single centimeter of these nugs has a candy-like coating of crystals even all the way down to the stem. Firm, but not dry, each bud is easy to handle and breaks down into well-textured pieces that are optimal for rolling. Motivation is easy to find when using this strain, as many report feelings of productivity and general optimism. Overall, it is very beneficial for combating anxiety. Cannabis lovers in the Bay Area can find Pineapple Sage over at Green Door in San Francisco.
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HERE Lemon Haze Vape Cartridge PureCure has its formula for a concisely flavored vape cartridge dialed in perfectly, and this Lemon Haze Vape Cartridge demonstrates that in every way. A bold fruit medley flavor is not dominated by citrus tastes; instead the lemon flavors accent the delicious fruity palate. This cartridge tested at 71 percent THC at Steep Hill Labs—any cartridge with that much THC content is worth checking out, especially when it looks as sleek as this one. Packaged inside of an easy-to-carry, recyclable cloth bag and a heavy duty tube that can also hold a battery, it’s a great cartridge for traveling. Most importantly, all PureCure products are made strictly using ethanol extraction techniques. This extraction process leads to a full terpene profile and more strain-particular effects present in the oil. Since ethanol is the solvent used for extraction, no carbonic acid is produced at all, creating one of the most pure and flavorful extracts on the market. Look no further than PureCure for a clean and reliable vape cartridge—the Lemon Haze flavor does not disappoint.
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Available at: PureCure products are carried.
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Maple Wreck A prime flower for those who love wake-and-bake sessions, almost everyone out there is absolutely going to love the Maple Wreck strain from Frosted Flowers! A breakfast bud like no other, the first smell of the Maple Wreck is exactly like the smell of buttery pancakes in the morning. The rich aroma of maple syrup is mixed with the scents of woody bark. After exhaling this tasty strain, consumers reported the exquisite flavor lingers on the palate for quite some time. The effects of this Trainwreck hybrid are mostly cerebral and euphoric with a light, calming body effect. An awesome choice for all times of the day, Maple Wreck is going to be a daily driver for all sativa hybrid lovers. Follow a hearty American breakfast with this yummy strain, and it will be hard not to be a morning person!
Available at: Lux in San Jose.
W Vapes Sour Tangie Premium Cartridge
Available wherever: W Vapes Products are carried.
Combining state-of-the-art extraction technology with a commitment to creating the cleanest, purest, single origin, strain-specific oil extracted Clean Green Certified cannabis flowers, W Vapes sets the standard for high-quality medicating on the move. We managed to get our hands on their new Sour Tangie Premium Cartridge, which is known for its uplifting and vibrant side effects as well as its sweet, citrus aftertaste. Upon inhalation, we noticed how smoothly the hit traveled into our lungs, bringing immediate feelings of relaxation and euphoria. Testing at 76.53 percent total THC, 0.3 percent CBD, and 0.25 percent CBN, with no additives, the native terpenes from the stain-specific, small-batch run preserves the authenticity of the Sour Tangie flower. This lab-tested, pesticide-free, 100% pure cannabis oil extract comes in a stainless steel and glass cartridge, making medicating safe, easy, and affordable without the distraction of unnecessary gimmicks. Check out WVapes.com to find a retailer near you with the strain specific product tailored to your needs.
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HERE
Hempress CBD & THC Stix Each and every breath of Hempress CBD & THC Stix is more enchanting than the last! Balanced with the perfect CBD to THC ratio, it is a great choice at any time of the day. Hempress CBD & THC Stix is also ideal for those dealing with anxiety, insomnia or pain, due to its high level of CBD present. The buds are carefully selected and expertly rolled in hemp paper, which is then dipped in CBD oil and dusted in a cloud of kief. A smooth, earthy taste of the flowers compliment the sharp and pungent flavors from the surplus of kief, making a deep and full flavor profile. A picturesque pre-roll, Hempress knows exactly how to make a joint look more delicious than an ice cream cone. Use just a little bit at a time, as this is potent and will definitely have you feeling happy, pain-free and relaxed.
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Available at: H2C Cookies in Vallejo.
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culture growing
2017 WINTER GARDEN 2
T
he winter garden, consisting of one plant, a SharkShock, has been flowering for a month. When I purchased it from a dispensary in Oakland the first week in January, I transplanted it from a 2 1/2 gallon container to a five-gallon container. First I placed a bottom layer of commercial planting mix enriched with 20 percent by volume homemade kitchen and yard compost, and then placed the plant on top of that, filling the sides with mix so that the whole plant stem length remained above the soil line. The plant was grown vegetatively, rather than flowering, for two weeks by interrupting the dark period. This was accomplished with a five-minute burst of light from a 40-watt warm-white compact fluorescent every two hours during the dark period. It was fertilized weekly using a 7-9-5 one-part complete vegetative formula fertilizer diluted to 700 parts per million (ppm). Five days after the regulatory lights were turned off and the formula was changed to a one part bloom formula, 3-12-6, the first flowers appeared. Five days later flowers were appearing on all the branches.
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Plant as purchased from dispensary. It had a few main branches as a result of early pruning.
SharkShock after training and pruning, before the “switch.” Small and understory branches were removed and remaining branches were horizontalized.
The greenhouse receives light only from the top and front, so the 10+ hours of natural winter light is supplemented using a 600-watt HPS lamp for 12-hours daily, turning on shortly before dawn and off shortly after nightfall. Now that the days are getting longer and the intensity of the sun is increasing, the plant is getting an extra boost as it begins to ripen. Soon after transplanting I began “training” the plant. I wanted it to completely fill the 4’ x 4’ canopy, 16 square-feet and to encourage the large branches capable of producing large buds. On its own, SharkShock grows a large main stem with big bud and smaller side branches that produce smaller buds. Clipping the main bud early results in several main branches that will yield more than the large single bud. The plant had been clipped when it was young so it had branched out somewhat. I started by “horizontalizing” the branches: Bending them so they were parallel to the floor rather than growing up. I bent some down and held them in place using twistties attached to little holes drilled at the container top to hold them in place. Others were bent and held in place using crutches. Then understory and small branches were removed, leaving only large bud sites. Horizontalizing the plant, similar to scrogging, but without the screen, produces even more because the one plant covers a much large canopy and the branches fill with buds. The results are apparent 30 days later. All of the buds are at approximately the same height so they don’t block each others’ light. The entire canopy is filled with bud sites and the flowering formula is encouraging new bud formation. Growth is also helped by the increasing intensity of the sunlight and ambient light as spring draws closer. The buds will be ripe in 30-40 days. c
The garden set-up. Using a 600 watt HPS lamp and ambient light, C02 pads, a fivegallon container and planting mix.
SharkShock one month into flowering.
Close-up of flower, onemonth-old.
TIP OF THE MONTH Simple Salve Many of us use salves containing camphor, lidocaine, hot pepper, aspirin or other analgesics for pain relief. These salves can be made more efficacious by adding CBD and THC. Enriched salves will not get you high and will not show up on drug tests. There are several ways to add them to your favorite salve or lotion. Mix in finely powdered trim leaf. First grind it using a coffee bean grinder of blender. Before opening let the dust (glands) settle after grinding. Adding ethyl (drinking) alcohol, glycerin or vegetable oil to the powder before mixing helps the cannabinoids dissolve more easily. Mix cannabis tincture in to the salve. Make a poultice of cannabis chopped ground or powdered leaf using salve as a “binder.” Hold it in place with a bandage or wrap.
Copyright by Ed Rosenthal. All rights are reserved. First North American Magazine rights only are assigned to culture Magazine. No other reproduction of this material is permitted without the specific written permission of the author/copyright holder.
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Time to Go: March Weather: Mid-50s with light rainfall Budget: $$$$$
if you go:
modern marvel on the mediterranean
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by Sheryll Alexander Spain is a paradox when it comes to the cannabis industry, but it seems nothing can stop Barcelona from becoming Europe’s new cannabis capital. It’s true. Barcelona has pretty much eclipsed Amsterdam when it comes to the continent’s best of the best in cannabis travel. Why? While Amsterdam is the historic ground central for cannabis in Europe, Barcelona has emerged as the new “it” spot for cannabis enthusiasts and those enriched by the cannabiz. You see, Amsterdam is sleepy (and cold) and is now seen in jet set circles as more like a pilgrimage or a cannabis lover’s rite of passage. Barcelona, on the other hand, is lit. And this comes just two years after Spain’s Supreme Court came down with a ruling that almost put Barcelona’s exploding cannabis culture in the deep black market freeze. Since Spain’s highest court basically pronounced
Fun-Filled Facts During Spannabis from March. 10-12, Barcelona’s State Network of Anti-Prohibitionist Women (REMA) organization is sponsoring a women’s “gathering” as a precursor to World Cannabis Conferences III. REMA’s goal is to stop the stigmatization of female cannabis patients and to found a platform for women professionals and activists in the cannabiz.
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humungous cannabis clubs outlawed, the trends towards small clubs have meant an expansion from about 100 in 2015 to, some say, more than 800 today. What this means for travelers is complicated. The clubs get around the “ban” by cultivating plants on private property for consumption by just 100 or so “members” who all supposedly help in the growing. Whatever happens, your chance of getting your hands on some premium bud in Barcelona is high. Plus, experiencing Barcelona in early spring is just a delight in and of itself. This intensely gorgeous and highly urban city-by-the-sea comes alive with fresh foods, scented flowers, spring fashions, endless cultural activities and Spain’s biggest cannabis expo, Spannabis (this 13th edition will be held from March 10-12 at Barcelona’s Fira de Cornellá exposition center). c
To get around the illegal-yet-legal status of cannabis in Spain, savvy travelers sign up for a cannabis tour or connect in advance with a local who is an avid cannabis club member. Before flying off, they invite their newfound Spanish friends for a round or three of tapas or a delicious dinner followed by dancing while in town. It won’t be long until the new friend or a friend of a friend kicks down some of their private club-grown stash. Some clubs allow their members to invite respectable guests. Those who can’t wait for all the polite posturing, however, can stand next to a known-to-be-cool cannabis collective entrance. Dress your best and chat it up with an entering member. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to get that welcoming nod without the annoying legal risks of enjoying communal cannabis medicating in other European cities.
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Although celebrated more in Valencia and Madrid, St. Joseph’s Day or Spain’s Father’s Day is feted as a local holiday traditionally on March 19 (but lands on March 20 in 2017). This holy day honors the husband of The Virgin Mary with ceremonies, festivals, fireworks, papiermaché nativity scenes and native dress along with gifts and displays of affection to fathers of all kinds. 2
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culture RECIPES
growing
Barbara “Barbie” Sommars
Age: 44
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Condition/Illness: Interstitial Cystitis, Hunner’s Ulcers and Chronic Pain
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When did you start using medical cannabis? I started using medical cannabis shortly after my diagnosis in 2008. First with edibles and trying to master micro-dosing myself, and then I explored smoking and other methods like topicals, tinctures and patches. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes, I tried vicoprofen (opioids), as prescribed by my doctor, but declined the one FDA prescription prescribed for my condition due to undesirable side effects. Early on, I delved into all kinds of potential natural remedies including various herbs, acupuncture and exercises. I even had surgery in 2009. What’s the most important issue or
problem facing medical cannabis patients? Safe, reliable access. It has always been my biggest problem and continues to be. I live in an area where cannabis is not embraced so I must travel over an hour to obtain it legally. I think the other important issue is access to pesticidefree flower. It’s not very prevalent in SoCal but I think that will change with consumer demand. What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? It’s an ancient, healing herb! Don’t be afraid of it. It’s better for you than most things your doctor will prescribe. I’m appalled at some of the toxic and down-right dangerous medications some people take to get a good night’s rest. I will always go the natural route if possible. c
Are you an MMJ patient with a compelling story to tell? If so, we want to hear from you. Email your name, contact information and details about your experiences with medical cannabis to courage@ireadculture.com.
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Spring Invigoration recipes by Laurie Wolf In terms of seasons, we’re finally approaching the light at the end of the tunnel. Spring is right on our doorstep; however the crisp chill of winter’s end may still linger throughout the month. While the country is preparing to wear shorts and t-shirts, don’t throw out your light sweaters and cozy socks just yet. As spring and winter battle it out, we’ll remain cozy in our homes whipping up delicious and hearty meals while dreaming of springtime flavors soon to come. Embrace the warmth and comfort of a cannabis-infused chicken pot pie while getting a taste for fresh roasted cauliflower and grill-inspired bacon-wrapped shrimp. Top it off with an addicting white chocolate bark, and you have a cannabis-infused meal worthy of staying inside—at least for a few more weeks.
Menu: Chicken Pot Pie Roasted Cauliflower with Cumin Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp White Chocolate Bark with Dried Cherries and Granola Snickerdoodle with Chocolate Drizzle
Chicken Pot Pie Covered with store bought piecrust or puff pastry, this is an easy way to enjoy an infused comfort food classic. Just breaking through the top crust is enough to give you goose bumps. If you have only had a frozen version of this dish, you are in for a treat. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter 4 teaspoons canna-butter t 1 stalk celery, sliced 1 carrot, peeled and sliced 1 teaspoon thyme 1/3 cup flour 2 cups chicken stock
Servings:
4
1/3 cup light cream or half and half 1 cup peas 3 cups chicken, cooked and cut in pieces Salt
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Puff pastry or piecrust 1 egg, beaten (optional) Directions: In a large sauté pan over low heat, melt the butters. Sauté the celery, carrot and thyme for 10 minutes. Add the flour to the mixture, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the stock, cream and peas, and mix well until vegetables are coated and the mixture starts to thicken. Stir in the chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat oven to 340° F. Cut the puff pastry or piecrust to fit the tops of the 4 ramekins. Divide the mixture between the 4 ramekins, and top with the pastry. If desired brush the pastry with the beaten egg for a shiny, crisp crust. Make slits in the pastry with a sharp knife to let the steam escape. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the mixture is bubbling. MARCH 2017 iReadCULTURE.com
t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com
Local eateries with similar dishes:
Roasted Cauliflower with Cumin
CommonWealth Café & Public House 2882 Telegraph Ave., Oakland (510) 663-3001 commonwealthoakland.com
This is a fantastic way to prepare the under-loved cauliflower. In the last year or two, cauliflower has begun to get the attention it deserves. Roasting this veggie is magical with cannabis and cuminperfection. Also, it looks so cool prepared this way!
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks 170 South Market St., San Jose (408) 283-7200 mccormickandschmicks.com
Littlejohn’s Candies 1422 Market St., San Francisco (415) 252-8320 littlejohnscandies.com
Ingredients: 1 medium head cauliflower, sliced into 4 pieces 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 teaspoons canna-olive oil t 2 teaspoons cumin
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4
1 teaspoon cumin seeds Salt Pepper Directions: Heat oven to 340° F. Lay the slices of cauliflower on a baking sheet with sides. Brush with the oils, and sprinkle with the cumin, salt and pepper. Roast the cauliflower until golden and tender, about 25-30 minutes.
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Bacon and shrimp? Yes, please. Goat cheese too? Amazing. The addition of canna-olive oil takes this dish to a place that is beyond perfection. I always try to find nitrite-free bacon. It’s generally good quality, and who needs the extra chemicals? When bacon is cooking, all but the kosher must stop and give thanks. It tastes as good as it smells. Ingredients: 6 bacon slices, cut in halves 12 large raw shrimp, peeled and cleaned 4 teaspoons canna-olive oil t 3 tablespoons goat cheese, cold Squeeze of lemon Servings:
4
as an appetizer
Pinch of salt Directions: Heat oven to 340° F. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cook the bacon about halfway. Remove bacon from pan, and allow it to cool. Place the shrimp on your work surface. Brush each shrimp with the canna-olive oil. Place a small piece of goat cheese on the shrimp in the center along with a squeeze of lemon and pinch of salt. Wrap the bacon around the shrimp, covering the cheese. Place on skewers all in the same direction. On a baking sheet with sides, place the bacon-wrapped shrimp, seam side down. Bake until the bacon is fully cooked and the shrimp are pink, 5-7 minutes.
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Servings:
8
White Chocolate Bark with Dried Cherries and Granola
growing
Cannabis and white chocolate are perfect together. It seems like they just bring out the best in each other. Dried cherries and granola gild the proverbial lily. Ingredients: 2 cups white chocolate melts or chips 3 tablespoons canna-butter t 1 cup granola 1/3 cup dried cherries
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In a double boiler melt the chips with the canna-butter. Place a sheet of parchment on your work surface. Pour the white chocolate onto the parchment. Sprinkle the white chocolate with the granola and the cherries. Allow to set for at least one hour before breaking into pieces.
Snickerdoodle with Chocolate Drizzle
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With its sugar-cinnamon coating and chewy goodness, whoever thought a snickerdoodle could get better? Well, it has. With a bit of cannabis and a chocolate drizzle, this cookie may just become your new favorite. 2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup sugar
5 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
9 tablespoons cannabutter t, softened
1 cup chocolate chips 1 tablespoon plus one teaspoon butter
Directions: Heat oven to 340° F. In a medium bowl combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. In a mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar till fluffy. Add the vanilla and eggs and beat till incorporated. Stir in the dry ingredients until there is no flour showing. Chill the dough for 30 minutes. In a small bowl combine the 1/3 cup sugar with the cinnamon. Roll the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls. Roll the balls in the cinnamon sugar and place on parchment covered baking sheets. Place the balls of dough 2 inches apart. Bake until set, 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly. In a double boiler combine the chips with the butter. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle the cooled cookies with the chocolate sauce. Allow to set.
Chef’s Notes Cream of tartar is what sets a snickerdoodle apart from a sugar cookie. It is responsible for the slight tanginess of the cookie and its almost pillow-like texture. A sugar cookie is crunchy, a snickerdoodle is soft. Legal Disclaimer Publishers of this publication are not making any representations with respect to the safety or legality of the use of medical marijuana. The recipes listed here are for general entertainment purposes only, and are intended for use only where medical marijuana is not a violation of state law. Edibles can vary in potency while a consumers’ weight, metabolism and eating habits may affect effectiveness and safety. Ingredient management is important when cooking with cannabis for proper dosage. Please consume responsibly and check with your doctor before consumption to make sure that it is safe to do so.
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NORCAL NOW! event listings
International Ocean Film Festival, March 9-12 Get ready to see 45 films that are inspired by the beauty, intrigue and power of the ocean. The event will also feature storytelling and insight from filmmakers, which helps bring the independent films to life. Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center, San Francisco oceanfilmfest.org San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival, March 11 Put on some green suspenders, and head over to this celebration of Irish culture and traditions. In addition to a massive parade, attendees will enjoy live music, Irish foods and tons of fun activities the entire family will enjoy. Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco sfciviccenter.org
San Francisco Salsa Festival, March 17-18 Although a festival dedicated to one of our favorite chip dips would be fun, it wouldn’t be as entertaining as watching world-class salsa dancers compete onstage. The 11th Annual Salsa Festival is one event that will not disappoint when it comes
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to professional dancing and originality. San Francisco Airport Marriot Waterfront, San Francisco sfsalsafestival.com
featured event
Corn Dog Day, March 18 Indulge in some corn dog specials while listening to live reggae music. Stick around ‘till 3p.m. if you want to enter into the eating contest! SoMa StrEat Food Park, San Francisco somastreatfoodpark.com Craig Robinson, March 23-26 Chances are you have seen Craig Robinson on hit TV shows like The Office and blockbuster movies like Pineapple Express. Now you can see him in his most natural element, as he lights up the stage with some hilarious stand-up comedy. Cobb’s Comedy Club, San Francisco www.cobbscomedy.com California Artisan Cheese Festival, March 24-26 Dedicate your weekend to exploring the decadent flavor profiles of various cheeses. Walking tours will give visitors insight into the production of cheese. You may want to bring a cooler, because cheeses will be for sale. Sheraton Sonoma County, Petaluma artisancheesefestival.com Rock ‘n’ Roll San Francisco, March 26 Rock out while you run your heart out at this rock ‘n’ roll half marathon. For 20 years, tons of people have gathered to run across
Red Hot Chili Peppers, March 12
The Red Hot Chili Peppers has begun its North American tour to promote its 11th studio album with exhilarating performances. Every ticket purchased also includes either a physical or digital copy of The Getaway album! Oracle Arena, Oakland www.oraclearena.com the Golden Gate Bridge and around San Francisco. Take in the beautiful scenery while getting some exercise. Ocean Beach, San Francisco www.runrocknroll.com Whiskies of the World, March 30 The Whiskies of the World
touring festival is making a stop in the Bay Area. Bring your palate, and get ready to sip on some of the world’s best whiskies as they are paired with tasty finger foods. Forager Tasting Room & Eatery, San Jose whiskiesoftheworld.com/ san-jose
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Chuck Shepherd's
News of the
Weird
LEAD STORY—Post-Truth Society u In January, the U.S. Court of Appeals finally pulled the plug on Orange County, California, social workers who had been arguing in court for 16 years that they were not guilty of lying under oath because, after all, they did not understand that lying under oath in court is wrong. The social workers had been sued for improperly removing children from homes and defended their actions by inventing “witnesses” to submit made-up testimony. Their lawyers had been arguing that the social workers’ “due process” rights were violated in the lawsuit because in no previous case on record did a judge ever have occasion to explicitly spell out that creating fictional witness statements is not permitted.
THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS u Former elementary school teacher Maria Caya, who was allowed to resign quietly in 2013 from her Janesville, Wisconsin, school after arriving drunk on a student field trip, actually made money on the incident. In November 2016, the city agreed to pay a $75,000 settlement—because the police had revealed her bloodalcohol level to the press in 2013 (allegedly, “private” medical information). The lawsuit against the police made no mention of Caya’s having been drunk or passed out, but only that she had “become ill.” THE REDNECK CHRONICLES u (1) John Bubar, 50, was arrested in Parsonsfield, 92
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Maine, in November after repeatedly lifting his son’s mobile home with his frontend loader and dropping it. The father and son had been quarreling over rent payments and debris in the yard, and the father only eased up after realizing that his grandson was still inside the home. (2) Update: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reversed itself in December and allowed Mary Thorn of Lakeland to keep her 6-footlong pet alligator (“Rambo”) at home with her despite a regulation requiring that a gator that size needs a more spacious roaming area. Thorn and Rambo have been together for over a decade. UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT u “I’m (as) tired of hearing the word ‘creep’ as any black person or gay person is of hearing certain words,” wrote Lucas Werner, 37, on his Facebook page in December after he was banned from a Starbucks in Spokane, Washington, for writing a polite dating request to a teenaged barista. Managers thought Werner was harassing the female, who is at least the age of consent, but Werner charged illegal “age discrimination” and made a “science” claim that “age gap love” makes healthier babies. QUESTIONABLE JUDGMENTS u David Martinez, 25, was shot in the stomach during a brawl in New York City in December. He had inadvertently initiated the chaos when, trying to park in Manhattan’s East Village just after Saturday midnight, he moved an orange traffic cone that had obviously been placed to reserve the parking space. He apparently failed to realize that the parking spot was in front of the clubhouse of Hells Angels, whose members happened to take notice.
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