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contents Vol 9 IssUE 5
11.17
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Street Slinging Splendor Celebrity Chef Roy Choi has a passion for cooking, supporting his local community and cannabis edibles. O n t h e C OVER :
John Gilhooley
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inside
contents 11.2017
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66
features
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Industry Insider Steven Adkins, CEO of Korova Edibles, maintains a whole new standard for cannabis-infused treats.
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The Golden Ticket These artisan chocolatiers prove that nothing beats well-crafted chocolate—especially when it has been expertly infused with cannabis.
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Hands On Enhance your intimacy by including edibles in your everyday sexual experiences.
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Edible Miracle Veterans like Matthew Kahl are provided with tremendous pain relief by consuming cannabisinfused edibles.
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It Takes a Village War veterans benefit from medical cannabis on a daily basis, and the community helps them get access.
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departments 16 Letter from the Editor
news
28 Local News 32 Healthy Living
20 News Nuggets 24 By the Numbers
reviews
58 Company Highlights
62 Cool Stuff 64 Entertainment Reviews 66 Strain, Edible & Concentrate Reviews
in every issue
72 Growing Culture 74 Profile in Courage
Online Exclusive! d State-by-State Edible Laws Breakdown d Infusing Cocktails With Cannabis
76 Recipes 80 NorCal Now! 82 News of the Weird
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Vol 9 IssUE 5
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Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Sheryll Alexander, Devon Alexander Brown, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Keira Fae, Natasha Guimond, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly Simms, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Tonya Perme, Josué Rivas, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Michelle Aguirre Graphic DesignerS Nathan Hernandez, Payden Cobern sales director Joe Larson Account Executives Alex Brizicky, Molly Clark, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Chantal Jura, Monte Lee, Lee Moran, Casey Roel, Garry Stalling, Ryan Tripp, Shayne Williams, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy office manager Mikayla Aguilar digital content David Edmundson manager Intern Sophia Rybicki, Tyler Shultz Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Publisher David Comden Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 600 locations throughout the Bay area. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.
2175 Sampson Ave. | Ste. 118 Corona | California | 92879 Phone 888.694.2046 | Fax 888.694.2046 www.CultureMagazine.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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L ETTER
F ROM
THE
E D I TOR
A m b r o s ia l Ambitions
T
he green waves of change have been passing over the cannabis industry for decades. The evidence is everywhere you look. From high-end chocolatiers crafting infused truffles that look more like works of art than edibles, to cannabis companies selling a monumental number of edibles each week—we’ve come a long way from the days of green-flaked cannabutter being the only option for using cannabis in food. It’s for that reason that CULTURE dedicates an entire issue of our monthly magazine to cannabis edibles each year. After all, like cannabis, food is one thing that we can’t live without. It nourishes our bodies, entertains our taste buds, and it gives us reason to gather around with our loved ones for meals and our favorite food holiday of Thanksgiving. The quality of edibles, as well as their packaging, has soared in recent years, and the safety surrounding these tasty treats has also increased. Recreational states remain dedicated to including warnings and packaging that will keep edibles out of the hands of children. Our industry also continues to evolve in requiring edibles that are tested for contaminants and that have consistent dosing as well. Like our cover celebrity Chef Roy Choi says in his interview, eating edibles has been notoriously known to be like a game of “Russian Roulette.” But, luckily, the industry is changing that. The cannabis industry welcomed acclaimed chef, restaurateur and the originator of the modern-day food truck craze, Roy Choi, with open arms when he first shared his love for cannabis many years ago. Choi continues to wear his cannabis advocacy on his sleeve—he even named one of his restaurants POT, and it was not a coincidence. The menu features an image of 16
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an elderly woman smoking a joint. In the CULTURE family, food is tied to celebration, and it’s an honor to celebrate our annual Edibles Issue with you all as we continue to ride these waves of change into the future. Take this time to enjoy some delicious edibles while flipping through these pages, and always remember—titrate responsibly. c Cheers!
Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief
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NEWS
nuggetS
State Water Board Approves Cannabis Environmental Standards Efforts are underway to protect California’s streams and wetlands from watery discharges caused by cannabis farms. The California State Water Resources Control Board announced on October 17 that it has approved the new Cannabis Cultivation Policy. Under the proposed policy, the Cannabis
General Order would impose water quality requirements while cannabis-related water rights would be set forth under the Cannabis Small Irrigation Use Registrations. “We are establishing the environmental protection rules of the road needed to deal with the expected expansion of cannabis cultivation statewide,” State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus stated. “Today’s action creates a strict set of rules [that] cannabis cultivators will need to follow in order to protect water quality and quantity.” The policy was laid out with consideration from California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The policy won’t take effect until it receives approval from Office of Administrative Law.
Union City Approves Three Cannabis Ordinances The Union City Council approved three ordinances on September 26, which will allow for the regulation of cannabis dispensaries, cultivation, processing and testing in industrial areas of the city. The decision is based upon a series of joint study sessions with the city council and planning commission. The ordinances “Personal Cultivation of Cannabis,” “Commercial Cannabis Businesses” and “Cannabis” were added to multiple chapters of the Union City Municipal Code. “Do we have the negative consequences,
Canada to Allow Edibles Beginning July 2019 Canada’s Standing Committee on Health passed amendments to Bill C-45 on October 3 including an amendment that adds the language “edibles containing cannabis.” Although edibles were originally banned in Canada’s proposed recreational cannabis plan, lawmakers have changed their minds. Lawmakers argued that they are not alarmed by the dangers of edibles. “There is no reason whatsoever to go slow on this, 20
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without any resources to deal with them, or do we in a very smart, restricted and careful way, enable those businesses to establish themselves here only if they meet strict criteria?” asked City Manager Tony Acosta. The changes are noteworthy, because Union City has banned medical cannabis dispensaries since 2005. The city council has not, however, decided whether or not manufacturing companies will be recreational or medical.
because there’s nothing that we’re going to be learning in the next year about these products that we don’t know now,” Don Davies, a member of parliament, stated. “While we wait 12 months, Canadians are still going to be getting edibles, but they’re going to be getting it from sources that are completely unregulated.” The edibles market is expected to be lucrative, considering a recent Ipsos poll that indicates three out of 10 Canadians said they would try edibles when they become available.
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The number of pages that are contained within a proposed San Francisco cannabis ordinance: (Source: SF Gate)
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The estimated amount of cannabis, in pounds, that was burned at a single cannabis cultivation farm during the Santa Rosa fires: (Source: Reuters)
2,500
The number of registered medical cannabis dispensaries currently operating in San Jose: (Source: SanJoseCA.gov)
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The percentage of Canadians who said in a study that they will consume edible cannabis products once cannabis becomes legal: (Source: Global News)
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The number of votes, out of seven, that were submitted by the San Leandro Board of Zoning Adjustments in favor of the first approval for a dispensary in early October: (Source: East Bay Times)
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The estimated number of people who have been issued a medical cannabis card in Illinois:
25,000
(Source: Chicago Tribune)
The estimated amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that Hawaii’s only two operating dispensaries collected in combined cannabis sales revenue during the first month of business: (Source: Pacific Business News)
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Cannafest
WHEN: Fri, Nov. 10-Sun, Nov. 12 WHERE: Prague Exhibition Grounds, Výstaviště 67, 170 90 Praha 7, Prague, Czech Republic WEBSITE: www.cannafest.com/en/
The eighth annual Cannafest is returning to Prague in the Czech Republic once more. There will be panel discussions on topics such as botany, history, cultivation and cannabis in the arts. In addition to these panels, vendors will also be in attendance to show off various hemp products, including cosmetics, clothing items as well as food that attendees can sample and purchase. Institutions that fight for legalization and the consumption of cannabis will also be present at the 24
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event, along with media that is focused on raising awareness about the plant. There’s also quite a lot to experience at night, including afterparties and a vape lounge that will allow vaporizing of herbs. Attendees may choose to relax in the reading room or find entertainment in the cinema room. Overall, with 250 exhibitors from over 25 different countries, Cannafest proves that the cannabis industry is continuing to grow and flourish. (Tyler Shultz)
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NEWS
LOCAL
The Inferno Rages
“The fires have devastated many cannabis businesses. Unlike wineries and other agricultural businesses, cannabis does not qualify for crop insurance. We know of at least 30 growers who lost their entire farms, with some also losing homes and cash savings that were kept onsite because of banking restrictions on the cannabis industry.”
Cultivators, trimmers and business professionals deal with the aftermath of devastation caused by wildfire By Benjamin M. Adams
T
he recent record-breaking wildfire crisis in Northern California is hitting the cannabis industry harder than nearly any other local industry due to the lack of insurance, banking access and cannabis product that won’t pass inspection due to smoke contamination. Innumerable residents in the Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Napa areas had no choice but to take whatever they could grab and run as the fires quickly spread. While the devastation in Northern California’s famed wine vineyards is receiving thorough mainstream media coverage, it quickly became obvious that the cannabis industry was left largely unnoticed by the media in comparison. There is little certainty about exactly how the swath of wildfires was ignited, but some evidence suggests that the fires in Sonoma County may have been caused by windblown power lines on the night of October 8. According to
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police, Jesus Fabian Gonzalez, 29, was arrested in Sonoma County on October 15 on suspicion of felony arson. However, Sonoma County Sheriff Rob Giordano denied any correlation between that man and these fires. “There’s no indication [Gonzales is] related to these fires at all,” Sheriff Giordano said at a press conference. “I want to kill that speculation right now, so we don’t have things running too far out of control.” Further, there has been a surge of conspiracy theories including one in particular—blaming Mexican cartels of attempting to destroy the California’s first recreational harvest through pyromania. At this stage in the crisis, companies are attempting to grasp the level of losses sustained due to the fires. “CannaCraft is still assessing losses to cultivation sites throughout Sonoma County, but the damage has been substantial with several structures lost and upwards $700,000 in lost product,” Kial
Long, vice president of marketing for CannaCraft told CULTURE. “Approximately 20 percent of CannaCraft’s 150 employees were evacuated and several lost their homes. CannaCraft’s headquarters remain intact and operational at this time with a portion of that office space being used as the American Red Cross Regional Logistical Headquarters.” Wildfire insurance is virtually inaccessible to cannabis companies, and the unwillingness of cooperation from banks further complicates the matter. “Unlike wineries and other agricultural businesses, cannabis does not qualify for crop insurance,” Long added. “We know of at least 30 growers who lost their entire farms, with some also losing homes and cash savings that were kept onsite because of banking restrictions on the cannabis industry.” There isn’t much that cannabis companies can do in the wake of disasters like this without insurance.
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According to Long, CannaCraft has access to a 40,000 square-foot manufacturing facility and a 12-acre industrial space. “We thought to ourselves, ‘We have a lot of space, equipment and vehicles—what can we do to help with all these resources?’ We were taking in a lot of our employees that were evacuating. They were sleeping in our workspace. So we reached out to the American Red Cross to get cots for employees who were evacuated.” Eventually CannaCraft was contacted by the project point person for the Sonoma County/Napa County area with the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross asked CannaCraft if it had any office space to serve as its headquarters for the regional logistical operation headquarters. “He came over and said that the space was perfect, and asked, ‘Can we please move our volunteers in here?’” Long added. The company compassionately complied. Although CannaCraft’s manufacturing site was not impacted, its nearly half a dozen cultivation sites throughout Northern California were directly impacted by the fires. That didn’t stop the company from assisting others. Additionally, CannaCraft is helping out in more ways than just assisting the American Red Cross. “We are setting up an emergency temporary housing site,” Long added. “We’ve outfitted one of our lots that can hold up to 40 RVs, and we’ve brought in portable showers and restroom trailers.” CannaCraft is taking donations in the form of RVs so people can donate either permanently or temporarily. The company is also fundraising to buy more RVs. Fewer farms were hit harder than 30
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SPARC’s farms, especially its farm in Glen Ellen. “The level of devastation is— significant,” Co-founder of SPARC, Erich Pearson, told CULTURE in reference to the Glen Ellen farm. “We lost everything that we harvested to date, and what’s left is, you know, [hopefully salvageable] and left for concentrates.” Pearson told us that he would describe the damage as “near-total.” The California Growers Association, Pearson added, has a fund set up to help those who have been affected by the fires. Unfortunately, the fire crisis is nowhere near over. Some of the businesspeople we spoke to were in the middle of attempting to save their farms. “I’m looking at a fire as we speak,” Peter Pietrangeli, founder of Acme Elixirs told CULTURE. According to Pietrangeli, Harborside offered emergency assistance in one of his farms in southern Marin County. “They issued a red fire flag warning, and we got that farm out before it got contaminated by any of the smoke or the fires,” Pietrangeli said. “When we got up, it was raining ash. So, they helped us save that crop.” Both Acme Elixirs and Harborside plan on putting the crop to a noble cause. “From that specific crop, we’re going to be donating the proceeds to fire relief,” explained Pietrangeli. “We haven’t had a chance to decide how much it is going to be, because we went from one situation to the the next over the last 12 hours from when we got one farm fully moved from Marin over to Salinas when Harborside saved our crop, to having to evacuate nine or 10 trimmers and my father-in-law from my farm in Santa Cruz that is now the one that we are more worried about.” Opportunistic thieves, unbelievably, are looting the half-burnt crops from the farms in the area. The likelihood of losing product to thieves is amplified during times of crisis. Some farmers considered themselves lucky because the fire passed by their crop—but then when they go to harvest it and cut it down, it had an “unforgiving mesquite barbeque smell” to it. With so much new emphasis on testing cannabis, they don’t know exactly how many harmful carcinogens are getting into the cannabis. There are a lot of uncertainties building up because of this crisis, but one thing is certain—it will take months, if not years, for many of these farmers to fully recover. c
San Francisco International Auto Show The San Francisco International Auto Show is the Bay Area’s premier auto exposition, which is returning for its 60th year to provide prospective buyers and car enthusiasts a first look at some of the newest 2018 models from manufacturers such as Acura, Dodge and Honda. Luxury and sports car manufacturers like Bentley and Porsche will also display their newest models. As the second largest car show in the western United States, the auto show will also attract key automotive executives and local dignitaries as well as esteemed automotive journalists. Supported by the California New Car Dealers Association, experience hightech manufacturer displays that will only be available to see at this event. (Tyler Shultz) WHEN: Sat, Nov. 18-Sun, Nov. 26 WHERE: Moscone Convention Center, 747 Howard St., San Francisco WEBSITE: www. sfautoshow.com
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NEWS
HEALTHY LIVING
War is Hell
The strength in advocacy for veterans who suffer from PTSD By Lanny Swerdlow, RN LNC
W
hether from past wars like Vietnam or the existing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, returning veterans are suffering from a variety of injuries that are both physical and psychological. The maladies that are most prevalent are pain and mental health issues—particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD affects people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, including war, sexual assault, natural disasters, accidents or abuse. It has been labeled a soldier’s illness, since those who have served in combat are much more likely to develop it. These ailments are being treated at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals with a cornucopia of prescription pharmaceuticals that may or may not work, but are guaranteed to have multiple negative side effects. Musculoskeletal injuries and pain make up over half of all veterans’ postdeployment health visits. Almost 60 percent of veterans returning from the last decade of war list chronic pain as their most common medical problem. The VA’s answer is to hand out opioids like candy with up to onethird of vets being given hydrocodone and other opioid-based prescriptions. The VA has belatedly realized the disastrous consequence of death and addiction from opioid use and has taken steps to reduce the use of opioids. Everything from acupuncture to tai chi is being touted by the
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VA, but these are only marginally effective at best. Up to 20 percent of returning Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD. The VA has estimated that almost 31 percent of American soldiers developed PTSD during their service in Vietnam. Of those affected, over 80 percent are still suffering at least moderate impairment today. Suffering from PTSD or other mental conditions is a constant struggle, but many veterans have discovered how cannabis can help. Many of those vets have been advocates for the herb, especially with hopes that one day it will be approved by the VA. Ronnie Downey, a Vietnam veteran living with PTSD, was prescribed four different psychotic medicines when he returned home. The side effects were not ideal, and even though he complained to the VA, they only prescribed him more medicine to try and counter those side effects. After two years, Downey turned to cannabis for relief. “I started using edible cannabis 12 years ago, and since then I have weaned myself off all psychotic meds. I was taking Wellbutrin and three other medications I can’t even remember the name of. I found cannabis to be way more effective than the any of the drugs they were giving me with none of the bad effects,” he said. The VA has no problem handing
out anti-psychotics by the bucketful, but since cannabis is a Schedule I substance and the VA is a federal agency, VA doctors are forbidden from providing it. They cannot even write a recommendation. When it comes to accessing the cannabis that will actually provide symptomatic relief from their pain, PTSD or other ailments, veterans are on their own. A recent update to the VA’s website made it clear that this policy will not be changing anytime soon, but did reiterate the long-standing policy that “veteran participation in state medical cannabis programs does not affect eligibility for VA care and services.” Michael Krawitz, executive director of Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access, was the driving force behind getting the VA to issue a directive in 2010 making it clear that veterans are allowed to use medical cannabis in states where it’s legal. Krawitz emphasizes that “National policy of the VA is to allow room for veterans to use medical marijuana under state law and integrate that into their health care plan. On the local level, the veteran should be able to go to their MD with their medical marijuana card and have it entered into their medical record. They are seeing doctors not lawyers—there should be no discussions about legal issues only medical issues.” War is hell, but after our vets return home, their lives should not be. For many, cannabis will make sure it is not. c
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Industry Insider
Unrivaled Potency
Korova CEO Steve Adkins shares how making infused desserts has made his company an edibles leader
It’s really dosing you can rely on. When you eat an edible from Korova, you’re going to feel it.
By R. Scott Rappold
S
ome infused edible companies cater to the novice, with bite-sized candies as low in strength as 2.5 milligrams, a popular trend known as microdosing. At Korova, you might say they go in a different direction. The Black Bar brownie packs in 1,000mg of THC—so potent that it
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is “recommended solely for those with extreme pain and a high tolerance.” The Oakland, California-based company is clearly onto something. Since launching in 2011, it has become one of California’s largest edibles companies, with 55 employees and selling 25,000 edibles each week. The motto is “unrivaled potency,” with the three-eyed cow logo you’ll
Photos by Steve Terrebonne
see in more than 1,000 California medical cannabis dispensaries. Korova’s success is further proven in New Frontier Data’s report “Cannabis On-Demand: Evolving Trends in California’s Medical Market.” The company’s famed Black Bar is listed as the number one edible product by unadjusted retail value in the entire state of California.
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“We don’t encourage people to eat the whole thing. It says on the package you can always eat more but you can’t eat less.”
D.
“Dosing You Can Rely On”
The company was founded by Joe Gerlach, who saw something lacking on dispensary shelves. “It was people making their own [edible] and putting it in plastic baggie written on it with a Sharpie,” said Steve Adkins, Korova’s CEO. “The quality of the products, the inconsistency of dosing, was something [Gerlach] thought he could do better.” The name Korova came from the bar where hooligans drink drug-laced milk in the film A Clockwork Orange, a favorite of Gerlach’s. It’s also Russian for “cow.” The cow in the logo is wearing the hat from the movie. And the third eye, well, maybe you should eat some Black Bar, give it a while and then ponder that. From the beginning, the cookies and brownies were made from scratch, with professional packaging and lab testing to ensure the product met the hefty potency claims. “It’s really dosing you can rely on. When you eat an edible from Korova, you’re going to feel it,” said Adkins.
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That said, the company does sell edibles with potency as low as 150mg, which is still sure to knock the socks off most cannabis enthusiasts.
M.
Medical to Recreational
In some states, edible makers are required to have products divided into pieces by potency. California does not, so a consumer eating a Korova bar decides how much to break off (assuming, of course, they’re not interested in ingesting 1,000 milligrams in one sitting.) Adkins said Korova’s customers will eat the 1,000mg brownies in small pieces and put the rest back in the freezer, stretching their $50 over days or weeks. It’s why the Black Bar is the most popular product, followed by the 500mg Fifty One Fifty Bar. “We don’t encourage people to eat the whole thing. It says on the package you can always eat more but you can’t eat less,” he said. Whether Korova will continue to be able to make them like that is up in the air as California draws
up its first cannabis regulations. Will edibles have to be divided into 10mg doses? Will something as potent as the Black Bar even be allowed? Amid the uncertainty, Korova is plunging ahead on new initiatives. The company plans to be part of the recreational market, even as Adkins hopes for an exemption to allow Korova to continue to sell the 1,000mg bars in medical dispensaries. Korova has licensed its product to manufacturers in Nevada and Arizona. The company even plans to launch its own line of cannabis flower next year. “We definitely have a lot of work we’re doing inside to get ready for this, with the idea of continuing to have a premium position within the cannabis industry, but knowing to do that we need to make some changes in a way that’s going to benefit our company, consumers and dispensary owners,” Adkins said. “With the regulations in California, however they end up, we’re looking at positioning ourselves as ‘potency you can rely on.’” c
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Culinary Confections
Revel in the world of cannabis-infused artisan chocolate By Addison Herron-Wheeler
T
he world of edibles is no longer just about medicating or catching a buzz. Many companies aim to create the most visually appealing, delicious confections that offer the most powerful, highest quality infused olive oil or butter. It’s not about hiding the cannabis taste or the fact that the product is infused; it’s about highlighting the flavor profiles that cannabis offers—crafting chocolates that are stunningly beautiful. CULTURE connected with a few of the infused chocolate companies that have taken this mantra to heart to create truly beautiful, delicious cannabis-infused treats. 38
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“We are very particular about how we source our cannabis and ingredients—and even more so—dedicated to consistent dosing.”
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To Whom It May One of the sexiest, sweetest gifts you can give is the gift of chocolate, and To Whom It May seems to have the formula for a classy, gorgeous treat down to a science. Its truffles are subtle and small, but often completely coated with nuts or other tasty toppings. And the box that the treats come in is a masterpiece unto itself. What’s even better, To Whom It May prioritizes health and quality along with sugar and decadence. “Our vision for the To Whom It May brand was to present a premium ingredient
product that also reflected the spirit of living a sophisticated, active and productive cannabis lifestyle—one that could truly be called ‘medical edible,’” explained Tomer Grassiany, chocolatier for To Whom It May. “They contain only ingredients with medicinal or nutritional value. The brand is committed to showing the power of cannabis as a tool for engaging in the world around us, whether you use it for physical relief, or to help you work, play or create in the way you wish.”
www.towhomitmaychocolates.com
Coda Signature Perhaps the most intricate and artistic of the artisanal, infused chocolate world, Coda Signature chocolates are individually-designed truffles adorned with beautiful colors and designs. The company has cornered the market on recreational tasty treats as well as medicinal goodies. “We were inspired by non-cannabis premium brands and were not able to find that quality of craftsmanship in the cannabis industry,” explained Mark Grindeland, co-founder and CEO of Coda Signature. “We believe that consumers of cannabis products deserve the very best. We created Coda
Signature to fill this void. Since launching we have been recognized for the quality of our products, winning top honors in the industry.” “I am especially proud of our Cream & Crumble 100mg chocolate bar,” he added. “I am not a lover of white chocolate on its own, but it is a beautiful blank canvas for flavor. Our single origin Ecuadorian white chocolate has such a decadent creaminess, it lends itself perfectly to the cheesecake-inspired chocolate bar. Tart lemon and sour cream are paired with a delicious spiced crumble, making it one of my favorite indulgences.”
www.codasignature.com
1906 Chocolates Intelligently packaged to reflect the different moods of chocolate and cannabis consumers, 1906 offers up a chocolate for every occasion. This chocolate company offers a chocolate sleep aid, a chocolate for love and sex, one for energy and one for relaxation. Color-coded according to moods and encased in cute containers, these chocolates are artisan and infused with cannabis, but are also designed for
the discerning consumer. “All of our experiences are unique and each one has its own following but we are most proud of High Love,” explained Peter Barsoom, founder of the company. “Creating an aphrodisiac product is a significant challenge and humans have been working on it for millennia. Building on others’ successes and failures, High Love has become an instant best-seller among men and women.”
www.1906newhighs.com
Défoncé Clearly known for its distinction and uniqueness, Défoncé take a new approach with its tasty chocolates. Rather than recreate the formulaic truffle-style candy piece that most artisan edible chocolatiers craft, this company makes chocolate bars with a unique twist. The bars are enhanced with raised, geometric shapes where normal bars have simple squares. They also come in an assortment of colors. “I absolutely love chocolate and cannabis— and the love affair strengthened when I discovered that chocolate contains anandamide, which binds to cannabinoid receptors,”
explained the company’s CEO, Eric Eslao. “Marriage made in heaven.” Eslao prides himself on the unique design of his bars, as well as the delicious smell. But he doesn’t think that the high standard his products set should be anything unusual in this industry. “I don’t think our product is particularly special or important,” he admitted. “We are very particular about how we source our cannabis and ingredients—and even more so—dedicated to consistent dosing. I think this should be normal in our industry rather than something that makes us different.” c
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Elevating Experiences Slow down with edibles in the bedroom By Ashley Manta
M
y supplies were assembled. Each couple had a plate with fresh strawberries and a few pieces of dark chocolate. They were instructed to sit next to one another and choose one giving and one receiving partner. I began giving instructions. “If you are the receiving partner, please close your eyes. If you are the giving partner, reach down a pick up a piece of fruit. Hold it under the receiver’s nose and instruct them to inhale the tart, fruity aroma of the strawberry—but don’t give it to them yet. Whisper in their ear how delicious and juicy the strawberry looks. How the sweetness will explode on their tongue when you finally allow them to have it. Now, tease it across their lips, let them just taste it for a moment. When you’re ready,
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when you can feel that they really want it, place it in the receiver’s mouth. Receivers, notice the different flavors of the strawberry. Notice the texture and temperature, and how different your mouth feels now having something inside of it.” This exercise comes from my couples’ intimacy workshop that I designed with my lover, Ben Purna. We do guided sensual feeding as part of a multisensory experience. The dark chocolate we like to pair with the strawberries is actually a 2.5mg cannabidiol (CBD) edible. I wanted to both include low-dose edibles (as an option) and highlight the importance of mindfully choosing the products that you put into your body. There is a sensuality in choosing to only consume products that are first, high quality and free of harmful ingredients,
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second, taste good, and third, make your body feel the way you want it to feel. It was fitting that we chose to include an edible in the workshop, because the golden rule of edibles “start low, go slow” was essentially the mantra of the entire
“Taking time to really be present and enjoy yourself and each other is something that we often gloss over in our hectic day-to-day lives.”
workshop. It was all about slowing down, starting with a bit of anticipatory teasing, then moving intentionally into the exercises. I recommend the slow, sensual enjoyment of being together and tasting the delicious morsel. Ideally it is actually delicious and pleasurable to consume and not just some mystery brownie that your friend’s neighbor made. One benefit to slowing down with edibles is a deeper appreciation of the experience. Taking time to really be present and enjoy yourself and each other is something that we often gloss over in our hectic dayto-day lives. This approach is admittedly a substantial time commitment, which makes it ideal of a weekend away with a partner. Since edibles can take up to two hours to kick in and last (depending on tolerance and dosage) anywhere from two to four hours, I suggest that beginners err on the side of microdosing (2.5mg to 5mg) and make sure that their edible is coming from a reputable source (preferably one that lab tests and clearly labels their products). It’s also worth considering the cannabinoid profile of the edible you’re choosing. More and more companies are crafting high-CBD edibles (which I’m defining as a ratio of 1:1 CBD to THC or greater), and I hope to see more in the future. CBD is great for relieving discomfort and worry, which are two things that can seriously impact one’s ability to engage in sexual experiences. Having the higher CBD content allows you to both combine sex and cannabis in a mindful way, but also incorporate the therapeutic aspects of CBD to make sex more enjoyable. c
Ashley Manta is a professional sexuality educator, coach and event facilitator, as well as the creator of CannaSexual ®
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Holistically Healing
Army Veteran Matthew Kahl finds sweet relief in cannabis edibles By Addison Herron-Wheeler
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he world of cannabis has made no secret of its veteran patients and advocates, and veterans often make no secret of their love for cannabis either. For many, the plant offers relief when nothing else does, whether it is psychological relief from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or physical relief from pain. For U.S. Army veteran Matthew Kahl, cannabis was an easy choice over the parade of opioids he was prescribed, and medicating in edible form has provided tremendous relief. “I started medicating with edibles in 2013 when I first got to Colorado,” he told CULTURE. “I served in the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Infantry, 1/506 ‘Band of Brothers’ of miniseries fame, Alpha Company, 1st platoon ‘Bastards,’ from March 2007 to December 2011. I deployed twice and received a medevac from theater of operations during my second deployment with injuries to my face, head, neck, thoracic and lumbosacral spine.”
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As a result of his injuries, like many other vets, Kahl was immediately prescribed a veritable cocktail of pharmaceutical drugs. “I was placed on a grueling regimen, drugs of all kinds,” he explained. “Opiates, benzos, neuroleptics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-inflammatories, anti-nausea agents and even more drugs to counteract the side effects.” After trying these drugs but disliking the side effects and not getting the desired results, Kahl decided to try cannabis. Drawn by the promise of a medicine without a lot of fine print, he began experimenting. He found relief in cannabis, and he especially enjoys the relief he receives from consuming edibles. “I like traditional butter and oil mixtures, and I usually make my own,” he said. “I’m a traditionalist. I like brownies. I also like coconut oil extractions; usually I take those by capsule.” Kahl explained that edibles work well for him because they provide relief from physical and mental stressors throughout the day, versus smoking or vaping. He finds the effects of edibles to be more in line with his needs. “Edibles provide a much more measured dose throughout the day than smoking,” he told CULTURE. “I get nerve pain relief, migraine relief, muscle spasm relief and psychological relief from the hyper vigilance and anxiety that comes with PTSD.” “Edibles are just as viable a medical treatment as any of the pills ever were,” he added. “Absorption is similar, elimination timelines are extended, as compared to smoking.” As a lover of edibles and a medical cannabis patient, Kahl is happy with the legalization efforts that have taken place in the U.S. so far. However, he still feels that there is a long way to go. “Legalization has increased access for so many, but my primary bone to pick with it is
“Edibles are just as viable a medical treatment as any of the pills ever were.”
the lack of home grow rights in some states, and the increased restriction of home grow in states where it is constitutionally guaranteed, like Colorado,” he explained. “The legalization apparatus in many states has excluded many growers from legally entering the market, which causes untold damage to social justice in America.” Kahl believes that more people should be able to cultivate their own cannabis, and he also doesn’t like the fact that many are shut out of the industry because of past convictions. He thinks that the industry should be more available to those who come from low-
income backgrounds. “There are many individuals with records who need not just access to cannabis, but they need access to the process of licensing a business and competing on the market with other more moneyed and well-connected interests,” he continued. “There are people who just don’t have the money to get into the industry, and laws restricting the number of licenses and raising the entry barriers to get one discriminate against the very people who kept this plant alive and advanced breeding and cultivation standards throughout 20th century prohibition.” Many people just like Kahl consume edibles to medicate because of mental or physical wounds they obtained during their time in the service. Kahl hopes that in the future, he will be able to get edibles more freely and with fewer regulations in the way, so that others will be able to do the same. c CultureMagazine.com
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“We’re doing this in the hopes that we can convince the VA and the government that this is a drug with medicinal benefit so that they can reschedule it and the VA can actually prescribe it.”
Supporting Our Heroes The cannabis community is dedicated to supporting our nation’s veterans
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By Devon Alexander Brown
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ental illness claims the lives of more American soldiers than armed conflict. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reported that an estimated 20 veterans commit suicide every day. Regardless of age or time of service, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and other mental illnesses affect soldiers at much higher rates than the general populace. And they can make acclimating from active duty to civilian life a daily battle. There are many veterans who have found great success using cannabis to treat disorders like PTSD, and the VA reported that there was a 17 percent reduction in opioid use in veterans
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who consumed medical cannabis. However, many veterans still face difficulty in learning about and obtaining medical cannabis. Although the VA now allows its healthcare providers to discuss cannabis, they still cannot recommend it to patients. Also, despite patients being allowed to participate in state-run medical cannabis programs, the VA will not pay for prescriptions. Finally, only 29 states have legal cannabis markets so many veterans are left with a hard decision: take medications that have been linked to heightened suicidal thinking, or take no medication at all. Others with access to cannabis simply cannot afford it. Fortunately, members of the cannabis community have stepped up to offer aid to our nation’s heroes.
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Jason Sweatt, Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance
to be medical cannabis patients,” Sweatt said. “Anyone can come by our cannabis group, but what really helps is the public supporting our dispensary. That covers a big portion of our gifting because the dispensary helps us continue our mission.”
High End Society
Mae Bereal, High End Society
Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance Founded by Jason Sweatt and Aaron Newsom, the Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance (SCVA) has been assisting veterans with cannabis since 2011. As veterans themselves, Sweatt and Newsom are keenly aware of the struggle many of their comrades face day-to-day. They’ve also felt the negative side effects of pharmaceuticals. The search for alternatives led them to try cannabis, and they instantly recognized the impact it could have on veterans facing similar situations. Sweatt told CULTURE he was especially struck by the calming effect of cultivating cannabis crops. “I started using cannabis as an alternative to the medicine the VA was prescribing, and I was living in Hawaii so it was kind of difficult for me to find quality cannabis there. So, I started cultivating myself and saw relief,” Sweatt said. “Planting something and watching it from start to finish—taking care of it, nurturing it. 50
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You know after watching a lot of death and destruction—you know mayhem— it was a very calming and rewarding aspect. The whole process.” Sweatt met Newsom through the Farmer Veteran Coalition, and they soon began cultivating together. Realizing the similarity of their experiences, they decided to assist fellow veterans through cultivation and distribution of their harvests. From there the SCVA was formed, and the Veterans Compassion Program (VCP) was implemented. The VCP makes it possible for veterans to gather for emotional support and obtain free medical cannabis—roughly four grams—grown and tested by the SCVA. Additionally, edibles, waxes and other cannabis products are donated by local dispensaries. The meetings occur once a month, and anywhere from 100 to 150 veterans participate. “They [veterans] still want to be on medicine; they just don’t want to be on medicine that’s prescribed [by the VA],” Sweat said. “We’re doing this in the hopes that we can convince the VA and the government that this is a drug with medicinal benefit so that they can reschedule it and the VA can actually prescribe it.” The SCVA cultivates several high-potency—primarily indica—strains, researched and tested to be beneficial for the conditions veterans face. In June, the SCVA opened a dispensary to help fund the Veterans Compassion Program. “We’re open to the public. We are a licensed cultivator; we wholesale to dispensaries in our area, and we continue our initial mission for all veterans in our area that are qualified
Mae Bereal isn’t a combat veteran, but she is a mother of four. And she’s dedicated to making people feel good the way only a mother can. High End Society, a Los Angeles-based business specializing in cannabis-infused treats, was conceived by Bereal after she adopted holistic approaches to raising her children. “I started getting really into all things natural,” Bereal said in an interview with CULTURE. “All organic products—things like that. And from there I just started researching into cannabis, this wonderful, natural plant and saw all the possible health benefits.” Bereal has been cooking most of her life and found the transition from car seats to cannabis was an easy one. After months of intensive research into cannabis—plus plenty of trial and error in the kitchen—she perfected her organic baked goods. She says the idea to use her business for philanthropy came naturally. “I always had more [cookies and pies] than I needed, so I would end up giving a lot of it away,” Bereal said. “All I want to do is help people and make them feel good. Knowing how expensive [medical care] is, I started doing charity work with children with cancer, and after dating a veteran I really developed a soft spot in my heart for them.” As a part of her “2 Buds, 1 Stone” program, for every product purchased, Bereal donates to someone in need. On the first Monday of each month she holds “Merry Jane Mondays,” working with local dispensaries to donate cannabis goods to veterans and individuals with life threatening illnesses who can’t afford medication. “I just think it’s important to break the stigma around cannabis,” Bereal said. “And giving back can bring it into a different light.” c
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Celebrity Chef Roy Choi is passionate for delicious food, creating world peace, serving the community and cannabis by Simon Weedn
For nearly a decade, celebrity Chef Roy Choi has been on the cutting edge of food in Southern California and all over the world. In 2008, he co-founded Kogi BBQ Taco Truck & Catering, which gave birth to the insanely popular Korean short rib taco and burrito and lit the fuse for a national food truck explosion. Choi’s career was the inspiration behind the immensely successful 2014 film Chef, which he also co-produced. In the years since, Choi has found time to open several restaurants across Southern California including Chego!, A-Frame, POT Cafe, Commissary and LocoL. He has also written an acclaimed book combining beloved recipes with a personal 52
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memoir and has become one of the most indemand culinary talents on Earth. Choi’s success has landed him on TV shows like Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown and Top Chef, in addition to his own show Street Food with Roy Choi on CNN. Though Choi is most well-known for his labors in the kitchen, in recent years he’s been recognized for his ideas about where food, business and communities intersect. Recently, CULTURE had the opportunity to sit down with Choi and hear all about his experiences with Kogi BBQ Taco Truck & Catering, the better world he envisions through food, and, of course—his feelings on cannabis and his favorite edibles.
Photos by John Gilhooley
In reading and listening to interviews with you over the years, one thing that seems to be of paramount importance to you and the restaurants you create is community. Where does this deep value of community come from for you? It’s something that was really reinforced by my experience with Kogi. With Kogi, I was really thrust into a life-changing situation, and it was built by creating things like flash mobs and different environments in parking lots, street corners and driveways. And it all relied on people coming together and creating this impromptu agreement,
“We’ll show up with the food, you show up with a hungry stomach, and we’ll all figure it out together.” Also, for me, the truck always gave me a ship at sea kind of feeling, and with my team and the people around us, it always felt like we were in this thing together. It was like a free state where we were all figuring out new ideas and rules to implement. Was Kogi the first time you were able to see community and food brought together? Well, I saw it before Kogi, because I’d obviously also seen it in areas of activism and rebellion, as well as in places of crisis and rebuilding. But, I’d never really seen it in a form where people were just showing up out of nowhere, where everyone was an equal and loving and caring for one another. It was like this Burning Man thing, but it wasn’t an organized event, and there wasn’t an overarching doctrine or philosophy with rules telling you that you had to do this or that. Instead, it seemed like it was this instinctive thing where everyone already knew the rules and created and amended these rules together. Things like, everyone would clean up afterwards, we would leave no trace and do all of these other things together that weren’t necessarily premeditated. So, I’d seen versions and aspects of it, but I’d never seen it all come together in one place like that.
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Did that transform what you were doing? Yeah! It transformed me and my partners, it transformed everyone around us. We used to have mobs on the streets of like 1,500 or 2,000 people where you would never have that many people before. In a normal situation, maybe the cops would have broken it up or things would have gotten rowdy, but in a Kogi line there was always a feeling and understanding that everything was cool. If you were driving by and saw it, maybe you’d even pull over and join it. I think at that moment in time we were tapping into some other algorithm, and that algorithm was a glimpse into world peace in this weird, funny, cartoonish, stoner way. That changed everything about me and reinforced the values that I believe in; things like taking care of people, going the extra yard and making less profit and providing more service. As you moved from food trucks to “brick and mortar” restaurants, what did you and your teams do to keep that atmosphere and vibe similar to what you saw in Kogi? I guess I just really believed in what was happening, and that really fueled everything 54
that happened beyond it. The progression from Kogi was Chego!, then A-Frame, then my book L.A. Son, then Commissary and POT, and then LocoL—in those progressions I’ve never looked at anything with just profit in mind; everything had to start from culture. It’s like making an album, yeah you want the record to sell, but the most important thing is the art; it’s the same thing with these restaurants. I remember people using the words “brick and mortar” as if I was moving from an abacus to a calculator and that the math wouldn’t add up. I never really understood that point of view. I just flowed all the way through. Even though
“But, edibles right now are still a little bit of a mixed bag. Every time you eat them it can be a little like ‘Russian Roulette.’”
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restaurants are these things that are made out of wood, stone and glass, the culture of it remains the same as the streets, and we made a lot of revolutionary moves because of that. One of your biggest food and community projects has been your LocoL restaurants in Watts and Oakland. Has it helped bring people together and draw people to the area in the way that you’ve hoped? LocoL is such an important, beautiful project, and it’s provided so many jobs, discussions, ideas and hopes. It has opened up a world to folks who have never been to, understood, or even seen neighborhoods like Watts or West Oakland. For the people from Watts and West Oakland, it’s introduced them to a population of people they’ve never seen before too, so it’s really created a beautiful synergy. The only thing with it is that it’s not thriving as a business. It’s thriving in every other category and, even compared to all of the other things I’m involved with, it’s the most spiritually powerful. It’s the first thing that anybody asks about when I see them, and it’s the first thing that comes to people’s minds when I meet them; everyone is constantly interested and wants to know how it’s doing.
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Over the years you’ve always been open about your enjoyment of cannabis, something we at CULTURE applaud a great deal. Not too long ago, California voted to allow for recreational in addition to medicinal cannabis. Do you see this dramatic changing attitude toward drug laws and culture as something that’s going to benefit the communities you’re trying to serve? Theoretically it could, but let’s be real, that shit’s all going to be controlled by the government. In my dreams, it could become something natural or become an industry similar to the way produce is with restaurants—something where you have the big commodities like Monsanto, but you also have things like farmers markets with local growers, businesses and vendors that are able to create community and commerce similar to microbreweries. But, I don’t know man, I don’t know if the little man is going to be included in all of this, because just look how long it took for artisan beer and liquor to develop from prohibition to now. And that’s an industry that’s less restricted and considered less sketchy than weed. I hope that love and nerdism can win, I’m just skeptical that it will. We’ve read that smoking has helped clear your head and relax you while 56
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you were considering new ideas or figuring things out. Is it something that’s still helpful and inspiring for you in that way? [Pulls out vape pen] Yes, of course! [Laughs] Weed, marijuana, THC—it unlocks a lot of ideas and our ability to connect to other dimensions. Psychedelics also do it, and virtual reality is touching on it for sure, but psychedelics are so immersive that it can be almost too much sometimes. Weed is just enough where it allows you to find those ideas that sometimes you can’t without it. For a creative person like me, I really enjoy it. Even if I was to smoke too much, if when I come out of it I’m able to find one littler kernel of an idea, if I just find out from that journey the type of glass or the color of napkin I want to use for a project, then that’s been very successful. So, I cherish it, and I use it a lot. I let it come out and help me find ideas that allow me to continue to create things for other people to enjoy. Do you have any favorite edibles that you particularly enjoy? Actually, I was messing around with the [cannabis] sugar a few years ago, which was pretty good; a teaspoon in your coffee in the morning unlocks a lot of doors. Most recently, I ate a cookie at Outside Lands, and it fucking floored me; people were worried about me. I was at the concert, and I was out for about six hours. I woke up, and Lorde was playing, and it was wild and foggy. Recently, I ate some dried fruit, some mangos and stuff, that were a nice little buzz, a nice high. There have been some paper sheets that I’ve eaten that have been real chill. But, edibles right now are still a little bit of a mixed bag. Every time you eat them it can be a little like “Russian Roulette.” I still haven’t had the feeling of eating a beautiful batch of strawberries from the farmers market that have just come into season or beautiful loaf of bread fresh from the oven at Tartine. There’s supposed to be a sense of honesty behind food,
“Weed, marijuana, THC—it unlocks a lot of ideas and our ability to connect to other dimensions. Psychedelics also do it, and virtual reality is touching on it for sure, but psychedelics are so immersive that it can be almost too much sometimes. Weed is just enough where it allows you to find those ideas that sometimes you can’t without it.” and I don’t know if there’s a sense of complete honesty behind edibles yet, and because of that it hasn’t fully evolved the experience for me. One last thing, for other aspiring small business owners or restauranteurs, what small things or even big things can be done to give back to the communities they inhabit or create community where community groups are fractured or non-existent? Well, first of all, we’ve got to care; we’ve got to give a fuck. I think that’s the first step. I’d prefer if people led by action. It doesn’t always have to be so political or vocal, you can just do stuff. If you have any sort of privilege in any sort of way and you can help, then find ways to care and be like a dam that breaks off a river and forms tributaries; find ways to release some of that stuff so that it’s not all going to yourself. That’s where I think people can make a difference, if all of us were doing that a lot more I think it could help. c
+ kogibbq.com
“Actually, I was messing around with [cannabis] sugar a few years ago which was pretty good; a teaspoon in your coffee in the morning unlocks a lot of doors.�
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company highlight knowledge gained in both medical and recreational cultures to prepare for expansion into national Food and Drug Administration regulation. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the world of cannabis business? Well, you definitely have to be flexible and resourceful, able to change plans at a moment’s notice, tolerant of operating in a grey area especially regarding money and banking, and feel comfortable being visible and speaking out about what you’re doing!
Strictly Topical, Inc. San Francisco (415) 720-3511 www.GetSweetReLeaf.com
How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? We manufacture a potent cannabis topical called Sweet ReLeaf. The product was created specifically to relieve chronic pain in the body and on the skin. We make an original version for mild to moderate pain, an unscented version for folks with allergies and sensitivities and an extra strength product geared for deep chronic pain. What do you offer consumers/ clients that others don’t? Our unique formulation maximizes the synergy of cannabinoids (called the “entourage effect”) to deliver highly effective relief in minutes, a light fluffy texture that dissolves completely leaving no residue, and a pleasant, airy scent with no cannabis smell. Because topicals do not get you high, this allows you to conduct your day 58
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as usual versus being laid out on the couch for several hours. How and why did your company start up? To provide a natural pain relief alternative to opioids for a family member terribly injured in a car accident and in chronic pain for life. With the changing landscape of medical and recreational cannabis, what do you see as the biggest challenges to your progress as a company? Any advantages? Being a medical product in a recreational world that’s focused mainly on the high [is a challenge]! Topicals don’t get you high, which is actually a good thing for many patients. Education about topicals is much needed by dispensaries and patients alike. If dispensaries don’t see topicals as valuable, they won’t stock much—so patients have much less choice in the matter. Another challenge is keeping up with compliance at every turn, especially since the regulations are still being written! The advantages include using
What are the goals and vision moving forward, for your company? Where do you see your company in five years? Available to patients nationwide, on the shelves in pharmacies because it’s been legalized, and helping millions of pain sufferers who badly need relief! What do you hope to accomplish in the medical cannabis industry? More than anything, to raise awareness of the tremendous healing qualities of cannabis in topical form, which when applied to the body, directly addresses localized conditions outside of the usual like arthritis, diabetic foot pain, gout, inflammation, neuropathy, eczema, psoriasis, bed sores, cold sores and more. c
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company highlight
Punch Edibles (323) 902-7320 www.punchedibles.com
competitors and about half the amount of chocolate.
How would you describe your company? Punch Edibles is a family owned and operated business that manufactures marijuanainfused edibles. We strive for excellence daily.
How and why did your company start up? The company started in 2013 out of necessity. As a personal trainer, I realized the reason I never got into edibles was because they were massive and calorically unhealthy. I wanted to create something better than a giant “cereal bar.” The PunchBar was our answer.
What is your specialty? Punch Edibles specializes in sensible size, high-dose edibles. We started out with just four chocolate bar flavors, and now our chocolate line has expanded into 30 flavors. What do you offer consumers/ clients that others don’t? We offer a high-dose edible with low caloric impact. Our triple strength chocolate bar is 45mg stronger than our
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With the changing landscape of medical and recreational cannabis, what do you see as the biggest challenges to your progress as a company? Any advantages? The bureaucracy of the legalization process is the biggest challenge we are facing this upcoming year. However, we have built a solid brand on quality and consistency, and we
expect to enter the recreational market with the same success we have in the medical market. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the world of cannabis business? Our advice would be to fully understand what you’re getting into. There are a lot of people interested in this new industry. Be prepared for hard work, and understand that success stems from personal sacrifice. What are the goals and vision moving forward, for your company? Where do you see your company in five years? The vision is to create positive change in the world. In five years, we see Punch Edibles as a nationally known brand that people love and respect. What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? We hope to continue on developing an honest brand that consistently delivers quality products to its consumers. c
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For More Products Go To CultureMagazine.com
4 1. Magical Butter Silicone Trays
If you like making edibles, Magical Butter’s Silicone Trays are a must. Available in numerous sizes and configurations, the silicone trays are perfect for making gummies, chocolate, butter or anything you can think of infusing with cannabis. One of the coolest features is the stamps on the bottom of the trays that transfer to your edibles. They range from warnings like, “21 and Up” to helpful measuring lines for items that require just the perfect amount. And since they are made of silicone, your items will not stick to them and cleanup is a snap. Plus they’re green, because . . . cannabis. PRICE: Prices vary by product WEBSITE: magicbutter.com
4. Dot Hydration Tracking Water Bottle If you’re like us, then cannabis obliterates your short-term memory. We once tried to lock our car with a key for at least 30 times at a concert, and we didn’t even drive there. Luckily for us, and others like us, there’s the Dot—a hydration bottle with an LED light on it to tell you how many times you’ve refilled it. This way you can visually see how often you have refilled and enjoyed your water—a perfect match for strains that cause cotton mouth. No longer will we accidentally bust our bladders by over-indulging in H2O. PRICE: $10 WEBSITE: josephjoseph.com
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2. PipeMug
We’ve all been there. You want to hit your bong at the breakfast table, but you also want to enjoy your morning cup of coffee— tables are only so big, so space is limited. The fine folks at Zang Products must have the same tiny kitchen table as us because they created the “Rip It and Sip It” Pipemug. Now you will be ready to face your day with a body properly caffeinated and cannabis-inated. The only thing holding this back from being our go-to breakfast apparatus is a bowl to hold our sugary squareshaped cereal. None of you better steal that idea from us. PRICE: $24.99+ WEBSITE: zangproducts.com 62
3. Cannabis Leaf Silicone Pot Holder You know why they call it a roach clip? Because “pot holder” was taken. Dad jokes aside, now we’ve come full circle with a literal pot holder shaped like a cannabis leaf. Never worry about burning your hands on a tray of hot and delicious mini bagel pizzas again. Just be careful when using it to cook special brownies, because it really does look good enough to eat. PRICE: $7.99 WEBSITE: retroplanet.com
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GET YOUR CLICKS
HERE
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entertainment
BOOK
Baked: Over 100 Tasty Marijuana Treats, Volume 2 Yzabetta Sativa Pub. By Green Candy Press
The second edition of Baked features over 100 cannabis-infused decadent recipes and adds an all-new cocktail recipe section and additional candied treats. Things start off simple with basic extractions like Baked Butter and Marijuana Milk. Once you make the extractions as a base, the rest is straightforward cooking. The directions are easy to follow, and the recipes aren’t more complicated than they need to be. Our favorite part is that nobody is left out—the new edition features gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free and vegan options. Make your own infused Pumpkin Ice Cream or try savory dishes like Harvest Ratatouille. Any cannabis consumer who is serious about cooking should have these recipes in their repertoire. (Richard Saunders) 64
MUSIC
Release Date: November 17
Take Me Apart
Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC
GAME
Star Wars Battlefront II Dev. EA DICE Pub. Electronic Arts
Whether you’re a fan of the new Star Wars movies or not, there’s nothing more cathartic than a science fiction shoot’em up. Star Wars Battlefront II, the sequel to the 2015 title, throws player into the fray as both various soldiers, as well as major film characters such as Yoda, Darth Maul, Kylo Ren and Captain Phasma. Unlike its predecessor, you’ll get the choice to participate in massive multiplayer fights, as well as unique single-player campaigns (which was sadly absent in the 2015 version). New vehicles will take players back to every moment across the series’ 40year film history—and did we mention space battles? (Nicole Potter)
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MOVIE
Baby Driver Dir. Edgar Wright TriStar Pictures
Great car chase movies don’t come around too often, but when they do they join a special, very prestigious and acclaimed niche of action cinema. Baby Driver is an exhibition on just how spectacular this niche can become with the right vision. Helmed by an all-star cast including Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Ansel Elgort, Lily James and Jon Hamm and propelled by one of the best soundtracks of the last decade, Baby Driver is a non-stop, white knuckle thrill ride of bank heists and stunt driving so skillful it will blow minds. Do not sleep on Baby Driver. (Simon Weedn)
Kelela Warp Records Limited After putting out both a highly acclaimed mixtape and EP in the last few years, Washington D.C.’s Kelela has finally arrived with her debut fulllength album, Take Me Apart. Backed by a powerhouse, international team of producers and songwriters, the record finds Kelela continuing to dive deep and explore the sounds and styles unveiled on her 2015 EP, Hallucinogen. The record brims with smooth and polished, yet powerful and enveloping production that draws influence from everything from modern pop, R&B, hiphop and dream pop to U.K. electronica and EDM. Take Me Apart pushes boundaries and experiments, but remains extremely accessible and dancey. (Simon Weedn)
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strain, edible & concentrate Available at: Caliva in San Jose.
Toasties “Toast. Chill. Repeat.” That’s a motto no one can argue with. Caliva is known specifically for its coastal grown cannabis, and it consistently bears a unique and distinct taste reminiscent of the sea. The Toasties come pre-rolled in a five pack with a filtered crutch as well for ease and discretion in smoking. The cardboard pack is ergonomically designed to fit inside consumers’ pockets comfortably and is decorated in a visually pleasing manner. A slow even burn in pre-rolls is always the litmus test for quality joints, and Toasties pass with flying colors. Many consumers may be skeptical over the fact that the bud used for the pre-rolls is lower potency with 10 percent THC, however this is exactly the type of flower that is perfect for pre-rolls. The flower is much more potent than the trim or shake conventionally used in pre-rolls, but it is not debilitating. Perfect to enjoy while walking down the beach or sitting on the patio enjoying the sunset, Caliva’s Toasties are quite a cool little pack of pre-rolls.
Chiquita Banana Crystalline Available at: C.H.A.I. in Santa Cruz.
Some might say there is no better extract to be found in California than Chiquita Banana Crystalline, plain and simple. The Chiquita Banana Crystalline made by Paper Street Wax Co. found at C.H.A.I. in Santa Cruz is the end all, be all of concentrates. Bearing an unbelievable 98.11 percent THC, this is hands-down the most potent extract we’ve had the pleasure of sampling this year. Yielding some of the smoothest vapor seen around, it is extremely clear that there are really 0 PPM of solvents. With a little over one percent of terpenes the flavor found in this extract is definitely a bit of banana but there are certainly lemony tastes all throughout. This is not an extract to be missed, and it’s strongly recommended that all consumers go check out the selection of extracts available at C.H.A.I. in Santa Cruz.
Medical Cannabis Honey As powerful as a bee and as sweet as a flower, the Medical Cannabis Honey designed by Happy Seed Edibles is one neat treat. A five-ounce jar of honey made in Santa Cruz is filled with 250mg of THC cultivated in Humboldt. Offered in three different varieties of indica, sativa and CBD, consumers can get either five-ounce jars or small 10mg sticks. We sampled the indica variety, and it certainly lives up to its packaging (bee sleepy)! An unbelievably delicious tasting honey has the flavors of both apple and cinnamon making for a notably autumnal delicacy. A great edible in terms of its multi-functionality, this honey can be placed in beverages or baked goods or even spread on top of any fitting food. Plenty of Bay Area dispensaries carry this honey made by Happy Seed Edibles—don’t miss out on it!
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Available wherever: Happy Seed Edibles products are carried.
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REVIEWs
CBD HONEY Capsules CBD itself is an amazing solution for many ailments suffered by medical patients all throughout the state, however, CBD used in conjunction with the full spectrum of cannabinoids found in cannabis is the best and most effective solution. Many patients are only aware of the two most basic types of cannabinoids: THC and CBD, but in fact, these are not the only cannabinoid varieties—there many different subtypes as well. These CBD HONEY Capsules are the true definition of a “full spectrum” CBD extract bearing many cannabinoids found in cannabis, including CBD, Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC, THCV, CBG, CBN, CBDV and CBDA. When the full spectrum of cannabinoids is used, the CBD is activated more quickly and effectively creating the most ideal CBD option out there. Consumers can find this wondrous medicine wherever HoneyVapes products are carried.
Available wherever: HoneyVapes products are carried.
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Saturday Morning Cookie Available wherever: Korova products are carried.
Korova has always been a recreational favorite for edible lovers, and the famed company celebrates the weekend warrior inside all of us with the 150mg Saturday Morning Cookie. Stocked with the perfect dosage to split with a friend for a shared euphoric experience, or if consumed alone, a great amount to dive down the rabbit hole. Baked with fruity rice cereal and mini marshmallows, there is a unique flavor that is akin to a birthday cake. There is approximately three grams of dried hybrid cannabis used per cookie, and the taste of cannabis is neither too overpowering or subtle in this scrumptious treat. Since the body does metabolize cannabinoids differently when ingested in an edible, consumers should expect the powerful and inhibiting effects to last for approximately four to six hours. Truly a treat that should be loved and respected by cannabis lovers all throughout California, Korova does edibles right.
NUG bar Mocha Crunch Milk Chocolate Using pure cannabis distillate oil, mixed with fine ingredients of milk chocolate and freshly ground coffee beans, the Mocha Crunch Milk Chocolate bar has a smooth, creamy taste with no detectable cannabis oil flavor. Containing 39 percent Certified Organic and Fair Trade Peruvian cacao, consumers can trust in the conscience sourcing of this delectable candy bar style edible. Proudly crafted in small batches in Oakland by millennials, for millennials, NUG is vertically integrated, allowing them to completely control all inputs throughout their product line, making for a true NUG ecosystem. This product was newly released, so ask for it by name at your local dispensary.
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Available wherever: NUG products are carried.
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Elevate Bake House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Available at: Theraleaf Relief in San Jose.
Fans of cookie dough rejoice! Well fans of cookies too! The Elevate Bake House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough offered at Theraleaf Relief in San Jose is a “hybrid” edible of types (pun definitely intended) and can be either eaten as a dough or baked and enjoyed as a cookie. Each aesthetically pleasing package is filled with three dough balls that are each stuffed with 60mg of THC, totaling 180mg per container. Consumers will appreciate the delicious and quintessentially rich flavor found in chocolate chip cookies, which could lead to them eating all three cookies. Additionally, with only 80 calories per cookie, these are a relatively healthy option when it comes to edibles. Theraleaf Relief in San Jose has always carried some of the best edibles available in the Bay Area, and that is proven once again by the arrival of this delicious cookie dough.
Available wherever: Zendo products are carried.
Zendo Honey Cocoa Almonds Sometimes you feel like a nut, and sometimes you just need some THC. Zendo’s award-winning almonds are sure to pique the interest of any nut-lover. This cleverly-packaged edible deserves some respect. They are loaded with 100mg of THC and are allnatural and gluten-free for health-conscious consumers. The unique pyramid-shaped boxes help make this product stand out among other common edibles. Zendo adds unique ingredients like cayenne pepper or cinnamon to its almonds to add a kick of unique flavor. Besides the obvious health benefits of cannabinoids, almonds contain healthy fats as well as fiber, protein, vitamin E and magnesium, which is good for lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and promoting weight loss. This is part of the reason why nuts make up some of the best food to cure the munchies. Zendo really outdid itself—there are few infused nut products made at this quality.
Vive Tabs Discreet and delicious, the Mini, Micro and Ratio Tabs by Vive are one of our new favorites for all purposes, on-the-go edibels! Imagine a tic-tac but every tic-tac has strain specific cannabis, ranging from 1mg to 5mg THC, pure CBD and CBD-ratio options. Vive has executed it perfectly, with less than a calorie per piece, offering in six different all natural flavors of Sour Apple, Tangelo, Pineapple Passionfruit, Lemon Lime, Crisp Mint and Ginger Peach. Our favorite was definitely the Sour Apple variety. Tart and sour with 5mg of sativa per tab, pop one or two of these in your mouth on your way to work and feel instantly awakened. Packed inside an easy to carry tube, consumers can keep these in their purse or pocket for whenever they need a pick-me-up and the Vive won’t melt down or be damaged in the process. These are nifty little candies that all consumers should keep on deck for home, work, adventuring or at the bar—they are useful for any and all times!
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Available wherever: Vive products are carried.
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By Ed Rosenthal Early this summer I used light deprivation, providing 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness to induce flowering. The plants were all harvested over a two-week period beginning the last week of July. After being cut, large branches or whole plants were hung to dry in a cool cellar-type space that mostly maintained temperatures in the high 60s and had about 50 percent RH. They remained un-manicured as they dried and cured over a twomonth period, until there was time to separate the buds from the stem, and then to unveil the bud from it shield of trim leaves. The buds are perfectly dry; moist enough to retain spongeability, to return to shape after they are squeezed, rather than too dry, when they just crack and crisp into little pieces. At the same time, the little stems that hold the buds onto the cola crack rather than bending. The dry trim leaves peel away from the tight bud nuggets to reveal crystally, perfectly mature buds that have retained their odor. First, we started trimming the cured bud removing any fan leaves that were left, and then we started doing the trim leaves. We soon realized that we were too bored
and it seemed like too much effort to continue the task. So, we made a strategic decision—to leave the trim leaves on the buds and to remove them only as the buds are removed from their storage container to be destroyed using a controlled burn. The bud was quickly placed into jars and metal storage containers. They will be stored in the refrigerator. Because the bud was slow dried and cured in a cool space, a high percentage of terpenes were retained and the bud has great odors. I’m toking on some Blue Dream as I’m writing this column, and even though I’m outdoors, the floral odor surrounds me. The SuperBud is more complex, expressing a spicy highlight that rises above a more sedate stoniness including a sweet candy taste but with spicy odors. The effect is both relaxing and innervating. The Chocolate Tonic is very earthy. Its odor is sort of like a medical tonic. The effect is mellow, sedating and calming. It is a nice variety for relaxing, but not zoning out. The Blackberry Fire’s taste and odor is very generic. The high crept up slowly into a sativa space that conserves energy and encourages inquiry. The summer crop has been processed and is sitting in the
refrigerator and freezer waiting for eventual destruction. It offers a wide choice of highs and will create many altered states among friends and family. Harvest is celebrated all over the world. Yet our urban connection to the bounties of nature is usually a short one, just to the store or restaurant. Cannabis is the only plant some people grow, and that’s fitting, because it might be the first plant that was grown by humans. So, when cultivators toke up we rediscover the wonders of nature. And if you are a cultivator, you know yours is the best in the world. And I would not dispute that. Using the grass that you grew provides a pleasure that cannot be matched by gift or purchased weed. It’s a connection to the wheel of life. Enjoy. c
TIP OF THE MONTH If you live in the southern tier of the country such as Southern California, or if you have an unobstructed southern facing window, you can start a crop now. Using either seeds or clones start the plants and grow them in containers. In warm areas the plants can be planted in the garden.
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Hung fresh buds.
Trimming some Blue Dream for immediate use.
Buds, still in their natural wrappers, in storage.
Close-up of a Chocolate Tonic bud covered in glistening glands.
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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Garden of the Month®: This tray filled with Blue Dream plants was convenient to roll around as the sun changed position during the day.
Plant stems and branches of the harvested Blue Dream shows how the plants were trained to increase canopy reach.
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Tyler Douglas Hurst put on muscle), and I was able to confront a lot of personal issues that had been plaguing me for decades.
Age: 38 Condition/Illness:
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Complex PTSD (was previously diagnosed as bipolar, depression, high anxiety, BPD and ADHD)
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When did you start using medical cannabis? In November 2012 with a medical marijuana card from Washington, but my real healing started in January 2016 using Oregon medical weed. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes, I was on 16 different psychiatric meds for 17 years, the last (Lexapro) for seven. I tried running, I tried losing weight, I tried getting a real job, I tried following a schedule, I tried eating the same things day after day . . . nothing made me feel like me. Once I started using cannabis both intentionally and regularly, my appetite changed (I craved healthier foods), my energy increased (I ran over 1,000 miles last year while losing 35 lbs), my strength/endurance increased (I was finally able to handle yoga and
What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? There’s a huge lack of knowledge sharing and tracking of what cannabinoid/terpene profiles work well for which mental or physical illnesses. Much of it is done person to person, which means every new patient must experiment a bit before they get their right method of ingestion and dosage correct. It’s also tough to find a steady supply of a strain that works, and I have to constantly deal with the stigma of being an “unproductive” stoner while worrying about drug testing at any job I may want to apply for. What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? I try my best to tell them that they’re sorely misguided, and have been misinformed for decades about what cannabis is and does to the human body. Then I show them pictures of me and writings I’ve published over the past few years, and they’re able to see the immensely positive effect cannabis has had on me. c
Are you an medical cannabis patient with a compelling story to tell? If so, we want to hear from you. Email your name, contact information and details about your experiences with medical cannabis to courage@ireadculture.com.
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culture growing RECI P E S
Redefine Thanksgiving Let’s face it—Thanksgiving is all about stuffing our faces with exorbitant amounts of food. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a diet, or even if you’re not that hungry, the holiday is about being surrounded by friends and family, while being thankful
for the massive, buffet-style food table that you’re able to dine from. Thanksgiving menus are notoriously filled with mostly not healthy food. Fortunately, we’ve put together a unique set of recipes geared toward preventing you from having to make
Menu: Whole Grain Stuffing Super Mash Low-fat Pumpkin Cheesecake
Recipes by Laurie Wolf Photos by Bruce Wolf
another notch in your belt to hold in that gut. Put away those dinner rolls and dive into a heavenly mixture of vegetable mash, whole grain stuffing and a lightweight pumpkin cheesecake that will have you going back for seconds without regret.
Whole Grain Stuffing Serves 8-10 Ingredients: Butter or oil for the pan 1 loaf whole grain bread, cut into chunks 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons cannabutter
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2 cups mushrooms, sliced
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1 small yellow onion, diced 2 teaspoons dried sage 3/4 cup chopped walnuts 1 tart apple, cut in small chunks, Granny Smith would be perfect 2 cups chicken broth, low sodium
Instructions: 1. Heat the oven to 340°. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and set aside. On a baking sheet, toast the bread for about 15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until lightly golden. Transfer the bread to a large bowl.
1 teaspoon salt
2. In a skillet, heat the oil and cannabutter. Add the mushrooms and onions, and cook over moderate heat, about 10-15 minutes. Add the sage and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3. Add the chopped walnuts
1/2 cup water 1 medium egg
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and apple to the bowl with the bread. In a medium bowl, whisk the chicken broth, water and the egg. Pour over the bread mixture and add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Toss until the bread soaks up the liquid. Scrape into the prepared baking dish and cover with foil. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. 4. Heat the oven to 340°. Bake the stuffing for about 30 minutes, until it is hot throughout. Remove the foil and bake for about 30 minutes longer, until the top is lightly golden. Serve hot or warm.
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Super Mash Serves 8
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Ingredients: 1 pound white turnips, peeled and cut into chunks
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1/2 pound carrots, peeled and cut into chunks 1/2 pound rutabaga, peeled cut into chunks 1 pound russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks, or new potatoes with skins on 1/2 cup turkey or chicken stock 2 tablespoons cannabutter Instructions: 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Pinch of nutmeg 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
1. In a large saucepan, combine root vegetables, potatoes, enough water to cover, heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain.
2. Return vegetables to saucepan. Add stock, cannabutter, smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper and nutmeg; mash until smooth and well blended, or whip in a mixer. Sprinkle with the parsley.
Low-fat Pumpkin Cheesecake
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1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Serves 8 Ingredients: 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons cannabutter, room temperature 3/4 canned pumpkin 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/4 teaspoon cloves 1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions: 1. Heat oven to 340°. Spread the bottom of a 7-inch removable-bottomed tart pan with butter. Sprinkle cookie crumbs on bottom of pan. Press down. Cook for 10 minutes, remove from oven.
1 teaspoon vanilla 1 large egg
2. Place cream cheese, cannabutter, pumpkin, spices, vanilla and sugar in
a large mixing bowl. With an electric mixer, beat on medium until well blended. Add egg and beat on low. 3. Pour pumpkin cream cheese mixture onto cookie crumb base. 4. Bake cheesecake for 40 minutes until set. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. CultureMagazine.com
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NORCAL NOW! event listings
San Francisco Transgender Film Festival, Nov. 10-12 The San Francisco Transgender Film Festival has been around since 1997, and it will once again be promoting equality in the film industry. This particular event puts the spotlight on transgender films, allowing viewers to get insight from both actors and directors in regards to their positive impact on society. Roxie Theatre, San Francisco www.roxie.com
San Francisco Beers Made By Walking Tapping Event, Nov. 11 Who doesn’t like a good, cold pint of beer? Now’s your chance to experience beer like never before through the offerings of two local brewers—Beers Made By Walking and Sutro Stewards. Many of the beers here are inspired by Bay Area landscapes, so they’re bound to have a local taste that is both familiar and comforting. Laughing Monk Brewery, San Francisco www. laughingmonkbrewing. com 80
42nd Street, Nov. 11-Dec. 10 42nd Street is a Broadway musical that tells the story of young dancer named Peggy who leaves her hometown in Pennsylvania for a New York audition in a new theatrical show. This musical has a bunch of great tunes that balance the drama of theater with the upbeat music and singing that goes with traditional musicals. Alcazar Theatre, San Francisco www.san-franciscotheater.com Pier 39 Tree Lighting Celebration 2017, Nov. 19 Start the winter holiday off on the right foot by taking the family to see a 60-foot tree decorated in lights and ornaments. After the tree lighting ceremony, guests can indulge in hot cocoa, eat Christmas treats and listen to carolers. Beach Street & The Embarcadero, San Francisco www.pier39.com The San Rafael Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland, Nov. 24 This event is full of fun— the main points of interest being snow sledding on top of over 40 tons of snow, winter entertainment and tree lighting. Embrace the Christmas spirit with a day full of wintertime fun. Various streets, San Rafael www.sresproductions.com
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featured event
Día De Los Muertos, Nov. 5
San Mateo County is once again celebrating Mexican culture at the San Mateo History Museum. “The Day of the Dead” is bringing traditional food and entertainment that will give life and pay homage to the memory of cherished deceased relatives and ancestors. San Mateo County History Museum, Redwood City historysmc.org
The Nutcracker, Nov. 24-26 Traditionally The Nutcracker is a full-length performance, and it can take a few hours to get through both acts. But with this performance by the Contra Costa Ballet, you only have to spend an hour enjoying this whimsical holiday performance as they leap and twirl across the stage. Lesher Center for the Arts, San Francisco www.lesherartscenter.org
Illuminate SF Festival of Light, Nov. 23-Dec. 31 The Illuminate SF Festival of Light features unique light installations that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Check out brightly lit walls of color, a Volkswagen bug covered in light bulbs, or one of the Bay Area’s famous bridges completely lit up with moving lights, to name a few. San Francisco Visitor Information Center, San Francisco illuminatesf.com
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News of the
Weird
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LEAD STORY— AUDACIOUS Kristi Lyn Goss, 44, former administrative assistant to the Garland County (Arkansas) judge, went all out when she racked up about $200,000 worth of debt on the county credit card between 2011 and May 2016, according to The Hot Springs (Arkansas) Sentinel-Record. Among the many items Goss purchased on the county’s account were tickets to Arkansas Razorbacks games, sequined throw pillows and a tuxedo for her dog. Goss pleaded guilty on Sept. 11 to six felony fraud counts; her sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 22. Garland County Judge Rick Davis issued a statement at Goss’s arrest noting that he had “inherited” her from a former judge. IT’S COMPLICATED As Hurricane Irma bore down on Florida in early September, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office announced that registered sex offenders, who would not be able to shelter with other citizens, “need someplace to go just like any other citizen.” The Tampa Bay Times reported that sex offenders were directed to Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel. Pasco County Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Doll noted that offenders found in other shelters where children were present were subject to arrest, but 82
said the predator shelter would welcome offenders from other counties. In nearby Polk County, officials were not so generous, telling sex offenders, “If you are a predator, find somewhere else to go,” and announcing that they would be checking IDs at the door and arresting anyone with an outstanding warrant. CAMPAIGN FOLLIES Incumbent mayoral candidate Charles Pender erected his campaign signs in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, on Aug. 30, but when he woke up on Aug. 31, he found that they had been vandalized— with hot dogs. CBC News reported that someone had cut round holes in the signs and inserted hot dogs to look as if Pender was smoking a cigar. Pender called it “minor mischief” but noted that the signs are expensive. He called the police, but he feels it’s unlikely the frank bandit will be caught. He hopes to turn the incident into a good laugh with a “bun-raiser” later in the election season. COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS Lisa Faye Stout, 53, came up with an unusual scapegoat for the mess police officers found in her room on Sept. 10 at New Castle, Indiana’s Raintree Inn, according to the Muncie Star Press. Vampires had “destroyed everything,” Stout told the officers, who were responding to reports that she had shown up in the hotel bar wearing no pants or undergarments. The front desk clerk also said Stout spit on her and threatened to kill her. As she was taken into custody,
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Stout spit some more and threatened to “slice” officers’ throats. Stout was charged in Henry County court with two counts of battery by bodily waste, intimidation and criminal mischief. RECALCULATING Well, it WAS dark . . . Gabriel Bishop of Sellersville, Pennsylvania, put all his faith in his car’s GPS system on the evening of Sept. 9, even as it directed him to follow a bike path running alongside the Lehigh River in Easton. According to Lehighvalleylive.com, when the path led under a low bridge, Bishop realized his mistake and tried to back up, but ended up rolling his car into the river. Easton police reported that Bishop was uninjured, but he did receive citations for multiple traffic offenses. SMOOTH REACTIONS A movie stuntman in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, put his skills to work when a potential buyer of his Mercedes-Benz tried to take off with the car on Sept. 13. The Telegraph reported that Matt Spooner met the “buyer” and gave a test drive in the car, but the thief wouldn’t get out and started to take off. So, Spooner told reporters, “I ran round to the front and asked him politely to step out. I then ended up on the front of the vehicle and it began to move.” The driver entered a highway, but when he finally slowed down, Spooner let go and “skidded off to the side of the curb,” suffering cuts and bruises to his face. While Spooner creates stunts for film crews, he advises,
“It’s a bad plan to do them yourself.” EXPLOITATION 101 Jerry Sargeant, 39, of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, England, who claims on his website to be able to cure cancer via Skype, has been convicted in Westminster Magistrate’s Court of violating the U.K.’s 1939 Cancer Act, which prohibits advertising services that “offer to treat any person for cancer.” The Daily Mail reports that Sargeant, who calls himself “The Facilitator,” says he discovered his talent for “Star Magic” when he saw a woman’s soul fly out of her body during a car accident in Romania. He also claims to have flown to Alpha Centauri on a spaceship and returned to Earth just minutes later. Sargeant’s healing sessions cost 90 pounds for 15 minutes, but he told police that appointments can go up to an hour because “you can’t put a time on magic.” He will be sentenced on Nov. 8. LIFE IMITATES CARTOONS The Fremont (California) Police Department responded late on Sept. 17 to a Safeway store where 39-year-old Adam Kowarsh, armed with a French baguette, was on a rampage. According to SFGate, workers told Kowarsh he needed to pay for his items and leave the store, but when one employee tried to calm him, Kowarsh responded by pushing him and then hitting him across the face with the baguette. The Safeway employee was unhurt, but Kowarsh was charged with suspicion of battery and a parole violation.
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NO PAIN, NO GAIN Archaeologists in Cambridgeshire, England, have discovered the remains of a nearly 200-yearold colony of utopians espousing “free love and wife-swapping,” according to Metro News. The Manea Fen community, established in 1838 by Methodist minister William Hodson, who championed a community free from marriage, money or monogamy, once numbered 150 members, but lasted only 25 months before succumbing to “personality clashes and objections to the practice of free love.” Lead researcher Dr. Marcus Brittain believes “they got the wrong people, they had no labor skills and put in no time and effort, they were drunk, they went into local brothels, and thought they could build a utopia without breaking a sweat.”
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LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS Police officers in Surf City, North Carolina, stopped Zachary Kingsbury, 20, of Lynnwood, Washington, on Aug. 30 and asked him to step out of his car because they had spotted contraband inside. Kingsbury complied, but then took off running, heading toward the beach— and didn’t stop when he hit the ocean. According to the Port City Daily, Kingsbury continued swimming for almost an hour as police tracked him with a dronemounted camera, which allowed them to also see the shark trailing him in the water. At that point, said Surf City Police Chief Ron Shanahan, the chase “became a rescue operation,” and multiple emergency crews were dispatched to pick up the
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fugitive. Kingsbury was taken into custody in North Topsail Beach and charged with resisting arrest and possession of cannabis and methamphetamine. The first rule of thievery ought to be: Draw no attention to oneself. An unnamed driver in Lelystad, The Netherlands, apparently hadn’t learned this rule before he strapped two large lampposts to the roof of his tiny two-door car and drove away from Almere, where police believe he stole them. The NL Times reported that officers stopping the man on Aug. 1 smelled alcohol on his breath, but his offenses didn’t end there: His license had been declared invalid late last year, and his car was uninsured. It was unclear what the man planned to use the lampposts for.
MOTHER OF THE YEAR Ebony Woody, 34, of Columbus, Ohio, was nothing if not thorough on the morning of Sept. 18 when, following an argument with her daughter, she purposely drove her car onto the sidewalk and struck the 17-year-old, who was walking to school, according to Columbus police. After knocking the girl down and running over her leg, Woody stopped and backed up, driving over the leg a second time. QFM96 reported Woody generously gave the girl a ride to her father’s house, where she dropped her off without reporting the incident. Woody later turned herself in at police headquarters and faces charges of felonious assault, aggravated vehicular assault and endangering children. The daughter was treated for two fractures to her left leg.
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