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IN T IM ACY E XPER T ISE
Television series host, author and executive producer Karley Sciortino shares her expert opinions on sex, slut-shaming and the effects of using cannabis in the bedroom. ON THE COVER:
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Romantic Endeavors Here’s just a few ways that couples can use cannabis to enhance their Valentine’s Day celebrations.
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World Class Entertainer Local drag queen Indika Haze discusses her origin, her inspirations and her love for cannabis.
departments news
12 By the Numbers 16 News Nuggets 17 Local News 18 Legal Corner reviews 20 Store Highlight 22 Strain Reviews 23 Cool Stuff 26 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 40 À La Carte 44 Growing Culture
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Online Exclusive! d Utilize Cannabis for your Winter Skin Care Regimen d Pennsylvania College Receives Hemp Research Permit
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ashley Kern EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Benjamin Adams ASSISTANT EDITOR Ayesha Rahman EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Matthew Abel, Hilary Bricken, Devon Alexander Brown, David Edmundson. Caroline Hayes, Carl Kozlowski, Alison Malsbury, Emily Manke, Kiara Manns, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly R. Simms, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf PHOTOGRAPHERS Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner, Bruce Wolf ART DIRECTOR Steven Myrdahl PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Aguirre GRAPHIC DESIGNER John Venegas ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alex Brizicky, Angie Callahan, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Casey Roel, Vic Zaragoza OFFICE MANAGER Mikayla Aguilar
CULTURE® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 600 locations throughout Washington. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. CULTURE® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 815 1st Ave | #220 Seattle | Washington | 98104 Phone 888.694.2046 | Fax 888.694.2046 www.CultureMagazine.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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The estimated amount of money, in millions of dollars, that Washington State collected in cannabis sales revenue in 2018: (Source: The Statistics Portal)
The amount of cannabis flower, in millions of pounds, that the state of Oregon had ready to sell at the beginning of 2019: (Source: Willamette Week)
1.3
534.06
The estimated amount of recreational cannabis, in pounds, that Oregon residents consumed in 2018: (Source: Willamette Week)
166,000
The number of new cannabis-themed courses offered in Tacoma Community College during Winter Quarter 2019: (Source: The News Tribune)
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The projected amount of money, in billions of dollars, that consumers will spend on recreational cannabis worldwide in 2019: (source: Investor’s Business Daily)
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The number of U.S. senators, out of 100, who voted in favor of the Farm Bill that legalized industrial hemp in the United States: (Source: The Washington Post)
The estimated number of years that have passed since the state of Arkansas last allowed cannabis to be legally planted: (Source: 40/29 News)
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The percentage of cannabis-related arrests between Jan. 1 and Nov. 23 of 2018 in New York City that involved minorities: (Source: NY Daily News)
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Justin Timberlake WHEN: Sun, Feb. 10 WHERE: Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma WEBSITE: justintimberlake.com/events Justin Timberlake is among the most successful solo artists that originated in a boy band. When Playboy asked Timberlake if he’s a cannabis smoker, he quickly answered, “Absolutely.” Rescheduled from his original November tour date, Justin Timberlake will be back in Washington. On Oct.30, 2018, Timberlake released Hindsight & All the Things I Can’t See In Front of Me, which he calls a 12
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collection of anecdotes and reflections. His chart-topping hits include “SexyBack,” “My Love,” “What Goes Around… Comes Around,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” which doesn’t include all duets and collaborations. On Feb. 2, 2018, Timberlake released his most recent studio album, Man of the Woods. Be sure to get your tickets early and make your way through the crowd before things get crazy.
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NEWS
NUGGETS
Oregon Harvests Over One Million Pounds of Usable Cannabis Oregon cannabis cultivators harvested over 2.5 million pounds of “wet” cannabis, which translates to 1.3 million pounds of usable cannabis once it’s dried and trimmed. The latest report from Oregon’s Metrc Cannabis Tracking System was released on Dec. 7, 2018. “The market trend data should be considered a ‘snapshot in time’,” the
Oregon Liquor Control Commission stated on its website. “This data from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission is produced from Metrc, Oregon’s Cannabis Tracking System, based on information entered by licensees.” Because of the sheer amount of cannabis that was harvested, the state is facing a huge overabundance of product for the second year in a row. The state is home to four million residents, but has licensed 1,107 active producers, with 900 more people attempting to receive licenses to grow or process cannabis. The overproduction of cannabis led to major discounts at the retail level that everyday consumers will see at the counter.
Oregon Officials Adopt Rule Changes for Hemp and Cannabis Operators The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) announced a handful of changes on Dec. 20 for recreational cannabis and hemp processors and producers. In addition, the commission increased the limit for medical cannabis cardholders, enabling them to purchase up to eight ounces of cannabis per day and 32 ounces per month. Most of the changes surrounded tightening up compliance rules for recreational cannabis business owners such as clarifying camera coverage, canopy 16
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requirements and licensing rules. The commission also chose to allow hemp processors to continue operation until they receive permanent licenses. “The Commission approved a temporary rule that enables industrial certificate holders (hemp producers and handlers) to continue to operate while the commission completes its permanent hemp rule making,” the commission stated. The permanent hemp operator rules are expected to be completed sometime in February 2019.
Thailand Legalizes Medical Cannabis On Dec. 25, members of Thailand’s parliament voted unanimously to approve medical cannabis for medical use and research. Patients suffering from chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy or chronic pain can obtain permission to consume medical cannabis. “This is a New Year’s gift from the National Legislative Assembly to the government and the Thai people,” said Somchai Sawangkarn, chairman of the drafting committee. It’s a big deal for Thailand, which typically imposes an extremely harsh stance on drug offenders, sometimes invoking the death penalty. Even though medical cannabis is legal, however, it’s not uncommon for police to frisk you and force you to urinate in a cup right on the street without trial to determine if there are any drugs present. Visitors are still urged to consume medical cannabis in private, even if they have permission. The country also legalized the plant kratom for medicinal use.
NEWS
LOCAL
“Over the last decade, I’ve worked to build u n d e r s ta n d i n g a n d c o n s e n s u s on the need for reform and our movement is cresting.”
MOVING FORWARD
H.R. 420 aims to end cannabis p r o h i b i t i o n a n d r e g u l at e i t like alcohol By Emily Manke
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n Jan. 9, Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer referred House Resolution 420, the Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol Act, to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It’s no surprise that Blumenauer would spearhead this type of legislation. He’s had has a long history with supporting cannabis legislation, and continues to push legislation forward. In 2013, Blumenauer co-authored a report “The Path Forward: Rethinking Federal Marijuana Policy,” along with now-Gov. Jared Polis. The report gave a history of cannabis prohibition and advocated for cannabis reform. In 2017, Blumenauer started the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, which aims to help make federal cannabis prohibition laws and state laws that allow cannabis more congruent. Most recently, the caucus launched for the 116th Congress on Jan. 9, with Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Dave Joyce, and Rep. Don Young as co-chairs. “Over the last decade, I’ve worked to build understanding and consensus on the need for reform and our movement is cresting,” Blumenauer said. “I’m looking forward to working alongside Rep. Lee, Joyce and Young to build on the bipartisan work we’ve done to end the senseless federal prohibition on marijuana once and for all.” H.R. 420 is Blumenauer’s magnum opus when it comes to cannabis legislation. It aims to treat cannabis like alcohol, declassifying it and putting it under the control of the Alcohol, Firearm, and Tobacco Bureau. At the time of writing, the bill has not been published
publicly, so many details are not yet available. What is known for sure is that Blumenauer is working to end cannabis prohibition at the federal level. “While the bill number may be a bit tongue-incheek, the issue is very serious. Our federal marijuana laws are outdated, out of touch and have negatively impacted countless lives,” said Blumenauer. “Congress cannot continue to be out of touch with a movement that a growing majority of Americans support. It’s time to end this senseless prohibition.” While most cannabis consumers and advocates want cannabis prohibition to end in the U.S., some are saying this is not the way to do it. Megan Marchetti, operations and HR director at Eco Firma Farms in Canby, Oregon, told CULTURE about her reservations about the proposed legislation. “First of all, H.R. 420 is incendiary, and not what it should be called,” Marchetti stated. “Cannabis is nothing like alcohol. It’s not shipped the same way, it’s not grown the same way, it’s not produced in the same way and it’s not consumed in the same way. They’re nothing alike. This bill is going to push us further into a problematic hole, where [small cannabis companies] are just being bought up by big companies. They won’t be able to survive if they’re forced to distribute like alcohol.” While details of H.R. 420 still remain to be seen, the fact that it aims to regulate cannabis like alcohol is cause for concern for many cannabis advocates. Aside from the regulatory issues, the name is also something Marchetti is displeased with. “I can’t imagine why someone would pick the name H.R. 420 that thinks we’re a professional industry. I think it’s a slap in the face,” she said. While ending federal cannabis prohibition is a net positive, it’s imperative that the legislation that legalizes cannabis is impeccably crafted. As we’ve seen in legal cannabis states, when ill-conceived laws are pushed through in the name of progress, undoing the damage can be a tedious process. c
THC Fair Southern Oregon Browse through cannabis and hemp products, accessories, apparel and tools in the beautiful setting of southern Oregon. The Medford and Ashland area is quickly growing into a more cannabis-friendly environment where businesses can thrive, and this festival represents that growth. Featured speakers include John Manlove, Randal Barrett and Toni Wright at the Green Stage. Speakers will present seminars on inventory, client management, science, health, delivery and the healing effects of medical cannabis. Last but not least, food trucks will be around to provide grub for those who like great food. Brush up on Prop 91 legal intricacies or get inspired with successful business strategies. This varied event will cover the medical and business sides of cannabis. WHEN: Sat, Feb. 9-Sun, Feb. 10 WHERE: Jackson Country Expo, 1 Peninger Rd., Central Point WEBSITE: thcfair.com
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NEWS
5, 2012, when I-502 legalized cannabis possession.
LEGAL CORNER
The conviction must be the sole conviction on the individual’s criminal record.
The Next Step
W a s h i n g t o n ’ s n e w M a r i j u a n a J u s t i c e I n i t i at i v e provides conviction pardons By Alison Malsbury
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icking off 2019 at the Washington State Cannabis Summit, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the state’s new Marijuana Justice Initiative, which will allow individuals to submit an online petition to the governor requesting a pardon for certain cannabis-related convictions. According to a statement issued by the governor’s office, personal cannabis possession in small amounts is no longer considered to be criminal behavior in the state. “The governor’s Marijuana Justice Initiative intends to recognize the evolution of the state’s beliefs about cannabis and, within existing capacity, provide clemency relief to some who have these convictions on their records,” the statement reads. “The
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initiative will provide an expedited process to grant pardons to people with a single misdemeanor conviction on their criminal record for adult cannabis possession prosecuted under Washington state law.” Individuals with cannabis convictions will be eligible for clemency under the Marijuana Justice Initiative if those convictions meet the following criteria:
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The conviction must have been an adult (21+) conviction for misdemeanor cannabis possession. The individual must have been prosecuted under Washington state law (not a local ordinance, the law of any other state, or federal law). The conviction must have occurred between Jan. 1, 1998 and Dec.
Individuals who do not meet these criteria will not be eligible for relief through the Marijuana Justice Initiative. The governor’s office estimates that approximately 3,500 individuals will qualify for clemency under the initiative. The Marijuana Justice Initiative’s clemency program indicates the state’s willingness to take tangible action in repairing the injustices done by cannabis prohibition, and that is commendable. The governor’s office released a statement explaining the purpose and intent of the program: “For decades, people have faced criminal prosecution for behavior that is no longer considered a crime in Washington. Inslee believes that forgiving these convictions will allow people to move on with their lives without these convictions causing additional burdens on people, their families, their employers and their communities. This is a small step, but one that moves us in the direction of correcting injustices that disproportionately affected communities of color. A successful pardon of a cannabis possession conviction can assist with barriers to housing, employment and education.” The governor’s authority to grant clemency to “ T h e i n i t i at i v e individuals with cannabis convictions is rooted in will provide Article III, Sections 9 and 11 of the Washington State an expedited Constitution, which grant process to the governor authority to pardon convicted grant pardons murderers and other to people criminals “under such regulations and restrictions with a single as may be prescribed by misdemeanor law.” This pardoning power cannot be delegated to any conviction on other state official. their criminal Hopefully, the Marijuana Justice Initiative will record for serve as a first step in unburdening the lives of a d u lt c a n n a b i s some of the individuals possession impacted by the state’s cannabis prohibition and prosecuted perhaps other states will under soon follow Washington’s lead in granting Washington clemency under similar s tat e l a w. ” circumstances. c
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REVIEWS
store highlight
TOP-SELLIN G STR AIN Any Cookie or Cake strains TOP-SELLIN G CO NCENTR ATE Oleum Extracts’ sugar waxes TOP-SELLIN G EDIBLE Marmas & Olala™ sodas
Western Bud 11401 Rainier Ave S., Seattle (206) 257-0663 www.westernbud.com
How and when did your store start up? Our Seattle store opened last August. It’s our fourth Western Bud store, with more stores opening in Seattle this year. What’s the story behind the name of your store? From the very beginning it was important to us that we created a brand that had the look and feel of Pacific Northwest region, thus the name Western Bud. We’ve always believed cannabis can elevate life’s greatest moments, so providing our customers with a rich customer experience and diverse selection of product is something we want people to associate with our name. What does your store offer customers that they can’t find anywhere else? 20
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We’re disruptors. Since day one, we pledged that Western Bud wouldn’t operate like all the others, and that we would shake things up in the industry by focusing on opportunities we see that others miss. From our $0 ATM fee, our 25 percent off student/senior discount to our seemingly endless deals and best daily happy hour in town, we’ve found unique angles in all aspects of our business. We’ve not only blazed our own trail, but also forced others to adopt some of our own hallmarks like our legendary Flash Sales or 40 percent off vendor events. How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? With so much hyper-growth in our industry, it’s a constant effort to adapt to the laws of the [Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board] and the trends of products. Because it’s so competitive for retailers, there’s not a unified group willing to work together to improve the retail side of the industry.
What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a store? . . . Biggest joys? We operate in four different counties with different LCB officers in each, all of which interpret and enforce the laws inconsistently. Signage and branding is also a sore subject. We have two versions of our logo, one with a cannabis leaf, and one without that is used in public. We can spell out “cannabis” but can’t have a leaf visible to the public. What is the one thing you want patients/customers to know about your store? We’re not like everyone else. We do common things, uncommonly well. In our first year, we tendered $1 million plus in discounts, more than any store north of Seattle. If someone wanted to open a store and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? Do as much due-diligence as possible and develop a strategy for distinguishing yourself. What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? We aspire to be the best store in all markets we operate in. c
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REVIEWS
strain
Available at: Green Collar Cannabis in Tacoma or Edmonds.
Blue Cookies by Freddy’s Fuego Freddy’s Fuego always delivers quality products in a unique and aesthetically pleasing glass jar with a wooden lid. This time around, the jar housed a flower called Blue Cookies, which is an exquisite specimen. Dense, yet fluffy enough to offer an ideal texture for consumption, the dark green flower is expertly dried and cured, and absolutely dripping with crystals. Upon removing the lid of the slender glass jar, consumers are greeted by a tantalizing fragrance of sweet, baked fruity goodness. Scents of cookies, berries and cherries will entice you to sample this sexy strain, pronto. The CULTURE team used a vaporizer and water pipe to sample this flower and found its effects and flavors to be an absolute pleasure. Like the scent, the flavor was sweet and fruity, with the cookie flavor being the most dominant. At 20 percent THC, this flower will lift you up. Though an indica-dominant hybrid strain, this Blue Cookies behaves more like a sativa, with an effect that’s both blissful and energetic.
Purple Punch by Gold Leaf Gardens Gold Leaf Gardens products come in a gorgeous glass jar with a customized emblazed gold-colored label and gold metal lid to match. It’s the kind of reusable jar that you’ll want to use to keep something special. The cannabis flower that reviewers received inside the jar, Purple Punch, is no less beautiful. This flower is dense, with well-formed buds that are absolutely dripping in trichomes. Its signature fruity aroma indeed instantly hits you once you open the jar. Fragrances of sweet grape and berry consume you with overwhelming delight. The CULTURE team used a water pipe to sample this tasty flower, and the flavor matched the scent in sweet fruity intensity. This indica-dominant hybrid tests at 26.4 percent THC, and offers effects that are intensely satisfying. Fast-acting relaxation eases you into a carefree state that is mellow and joyful, energetic and peaceful. Due to this strain’s diverse mix of effects, this flower is truly perfect for any occasion.
Available at: Green Token Cannabis in Tacoma.
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Grape Ape by WOW Weed WOW Weed’s Grape Ape has a lot to offer cannasseurs. Hand-trimmed, slow cured and pesticide free, this sun-grown cannabis is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. The flower has the outdoor look and scent to it, with tightly dense nugs sticky with crystals that absolutely exude a powerful fragrance. Outdoor cannabis is loaded with terpenes and this Grape Ape is exceptional for just that reason. This cross between Mendocino Purps, Skunk and Afghani gives off scents of sweet berry and grape, with an earthy undertone making its way through. Using a water pipe to sample this tasty flower, the CULTURE team found the flavor to be intensely powerful, with sweet fruity notes and a light pungent earthy finish. The indica-dominant hybrid, which tests at 22.4 percent THC, provides true indica effects, offering an intense sense of ease and calm. This flower also aided in insomnia and appetite stimulation, which makes it a perfect strain to be used for physical and mental ailments. 22
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Available wherever: Wow Weed products are carried.
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REVIEWS
1. Eva II With so much focus nowadays on penetrative sex, it can be easy to neglect the clitoral area of the female body. That’s where Eva II comes in. Eva II has flexible “wings” that clip on and fit perfectly with the female anatomy, and it gives the outside areas vibrating stimulation without blocking penetration. Don’t accept an unsatisfactory sexual experience when there are options like this on the market! Its hip modern design is fairly discreet, and it comes with a charging base and travel case for late night encounters with your loved one. Price: $135 More Information: dameproducts. com/products/eva-ii 2. FLIP ZERO EV Are you and your male appendage ready for some good vibrations? EV stands for electronic vibration, and this male-oriented device definitely delivers. Every detail has been thought out—from the realistic 6.73-inch insertion length to the various speed settings with pulse and alternating modes. Most importantly, this device’s unique flip-open design sets it apart from most other maleoriented stimulation machines. It recharges with a USB cord and can run on full power for 40 minutes of pleasure. With a one-year warranty, you know this is a durable device that will last you through years of abuse. Price: $200 More Information: usstore.tengaglobal.com/products/flip-zero-evelectronic-vibration
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3. Awaken by Foria The stakes are very high when putting cannabinoidbased products inside your body, but Foria is a name you can trust. Awaken lubricant in particular contains eight natural aphrodisiacs including full-spectrum CBD and kava kava extract. Kava kava is a natural Hawaiian root remedy with euphoric and numbing effects, plus purported medical benefits. All Foria products are independently tested for purity and safety. Increase sexual arousal with slippery, natural organic ingredients. The lubricant has a chocolate and mint aroma and a smooth consistency that goes perfectly with its active ingredients. Price: $48 More Information: www.foriawellness.com 4. WARM™ Sex toys are great, but there is usually one consistent problem: They can feel ice cold to the touch! Cold, polished metal toys are the worst and can make you scream, and not in a good way. WARM™ solves the problem by functioning as a heating pad for dildos, vibrators and various sex toys. It takes most toys just 15-20 minutes to heat up to a pleasant, natural temperature. It resembles a heating pad that folds around your toys into an envelope. It can also be used as a storage bag that can slide underneath the bed. Price: $149 More Information: experiencewarm.com
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REVIEWS
entertainment
BOOK
A Woman’s Guide to Cannabis Nikki Furrer Pub. Workman Publishing Co, Inc.
RELEASE DATE: FEB. 15 AVAILABLE ON: PC AND XBOX ONE
A Woman’s Guide to Cannabis deciphers cannabis as a whole for its readers— both female and male, or novices and experts alike. The informational handbook touches on all the aspects of cannabis, including a reliable dosage guide, educating facts about the plant’s benefits in terms of health, wellbeing and beauty, or how to use the plant to boost moods, lose weight, fight insomnia and enhance pleasure. It also lists recipes and self-soothing beauty products for the readers’ convenience. If anybody is looking for ways to navigate the world of cannabis with ease, this book is the perfect go-to guide. (Ayesha Rahman) 26
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GAME
Crackdown 3 Dev. Sumo Digital Pub. Microsoft Studios With an almost 10year gap since the release of Crackdown 2, Crackdown 3 is finally set to bring players back to New Providence for some serious action. The premise is the same— collect a wide variety of weapons, gain new character skills and defeat countless enemies from an organization called TerraNova. Players can explore an openworld city landscape in solo or co-op mode, or try out the new “Wrecking Zone” multiplayer mode where the entire city can be destroyed as you rise to the top. It’s time to “step up your boom”! (Nicole Potter)
MOVIE
Halloween Dir. David Gordon Green Universal Pictures Though it is not the first of its kind, John Carpenter’s 1978 movie Halloween inspired a legion of horror directors and writers and propelled the slasher films into the mainstream throughout the ’80s. Forty years later Carpenter returns with original star, Jamie Lee Curtis, to resurrect the story line from the first two movies and bring back the chilling horror and suspense that captivated audiences in the beginning. The film does well bringing things into the modern era by incorporating new characters and things like podcasting that gives it the realistic, this-could-happen-toyou atmosphere that propelled the original. (Simon Weedn)
MUSIC
Phoenix Pedro the Lion Polyvinyl Record In the 15 years since Pedro The Lion’s break up, primary songwriter David Bazan has been anything but quiet. Releasing albums that covered everything from sparse acoustic music to synth pop and even Christmas music, Bazan has been extremely prolific with his output. Recently, Bazan began using the name Pedro The Lion and the band’s first album in 15 years, Phoenix, has arrived. Picking up nearly where it left off with 2004’s Achilles Heel, the band returns to creating intimate, straight ahead indie rock that endeared them to so many; truly a return to form. (Simon Weedn)
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K a r l e y S c i o r t i n o c o n f e s s e s d e ta i l s a b o u t h e r s e x u a l e x p l o i t s a n d h o w t h e y h av e influenced her perspective on sex and the e v o l u t i o n o f h e r p r o f e s s i o n a l e n d e av o r s By Benjamin M. Adams
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“[Cannabis] heightens t h e s e n s at i o n w h e n someone is touching your skin. It sort of clears your mind and makes you more focused—and more w e t i n t h e o r y.”
c claimed television series host, writer and executive producer Karley Sciortino wears many hats—but her pursuits almost always revolve around relationships, sex and sexuality. Over a decade ago, Sciortino founded the website and blog Slutever.com while still in her early 20s. Her adventures ranged from living in a colorful London squat to pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable in the realm of sexuality. Several years later, VICE took notice and produced a webseries of the same name, with Sciortino as its “resident sexpert.” Last year, Sciortino and co-creator Adri Murguia launched Slutever as a VICELAND television series—with Sciortino now operating as executive producer. The show’s second season premieres Feb. 10 on the VICELAND TV network, and the show can be found on Amazon Prime. Slutever challenges the taboos of sex in modern culture and the gender roles that are constantly evolving. Although Sciortino continues to become a household name through her show, she remains true to her writing roots. In addition to being a columnist for Breathless, a sex and dating column at Vogue, Sciortino compiled her sexual escapades into a memoir called Slutever: Dispatches from an Autonomous Woman in a Post Shame World, which was published last February. Sciortino’s high level of visibility on Instagram is part of what cements her authority on all things sex-related. She’s also dabbled in film as a cowriter for Now Apocalypse. Just in time for our annual Sex Issue, CULTURE caught up with Sciortino to discuss overcoming sexual inhibitions, reclaiming stereotypical words and how cannabis can be incorporated in the bedroom.
You founded Slutever, which eventually was expanded into a VICELAND documentary series. In your own words, how does Slutever compare today to how it began as a humble blog? It’s sort of had a slow evolution. In the beginning, it was really
just a personal blog that was full of stream-ofconsciousness-esque rants about my sex life. At the time I was living in a squat and commune in London, and there were about 15 of us living in an abandoned hostel and pretty much all we did was have drugs and go
to raves and have sex with strangers. I was vaguely attempting to be a writer at the time, writing freelance for magazines but not making any money. I knew I wanted to be a writer, and I hadn’t gone to college, so I said, “I guess I should teach myself to write by
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practicing.” I feel like my life was interesting enough at the time that maybe somebody would care. For the first few years it was basically about living in the squat and the people I was living with. A few years later, I moved to New York. I was 24. That’s when it really became more sex-focused. I started assisting this dominatrix for work. I just really started getting interested in the psychology around sexuality, and I started interviewing the clients and talking about their fetishes and sexual desires. That really spawned an interest in that field and it sort of grew from there. Then I started doing the VICE show in its earliest incarnation in 2012. That was the time when I said this is a sex thing. I think it got more mature over time, with more personal essays about my romantic life and the way I thought about sex and my opinion about sexuality. Eventually it grew into more of a magazine and now other people contribute.
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What would you say to people who have lingering anxieties and are still afraid to talk about sex? I would say that talking about sex is the primary key to having a good sex life, because if you can’t talk about it, you’re not going to get what you want, because you’re not going to be able to explain it to someone. They’re not mind-readers. You’re also not going to be able to please your sex partners, because you’re not a mindreader either. I think being able to express your needs and boundaries is the only way that you can have a fulfilling sex life where you feel autonomous and healthy. Talking about sexuality is an amazing way to get close to people. If you’re able to talk about intimacy, it’s a way of bonding with people. It’s also transgressive, which is fun! As you know, in some cultures, when females are sexually active, some are sex-shamed with the word “slut.” What do you want to change about that? I think that slut-shaming is still a massive problem in many cultures and in the United States. Girls are called whores as teenagers before they’ve even had sex, if they’re wearing a low-cut top. The word “slut” has sort of gone rogue. It’s used now to describe revealing clothes to someone who is having casual sex. So it’s a derogatory word, but having said that, I do think that we’re on the right path as a culture. Increasingly we see women, whether it’s famous women like Rihanna or Taylor Swift, these girls are having many 30
sexual partners, and they aren’t shamed for that. I think that we are able to see now that there are alternatives to monogamy. Even dating apps have sort of normalized the idea that women are looking for things more than relationships. So I think that the sexual double standard is beginning to fade. A lot of what I wrote in my book Slutever is about reclaiming the word “slut.” It is about redefining what that means. My ambition is to redefine the word “slut” as someone who seeks out visceral experiences through sex, to build confidence, to connect themselves with people and to satisfy the sense of adventure. I think that reclaiming words like the word “slut” is important because historically, many different cultures and communities have reclaimed words in a very successful way—words like racial words, “queer,” “butch” and “fag.” All these words have been reclaimed. That takes away the power of those words to harm you. It’s funny and powerful. Irreverence is a tool for rebellion. Plus, the word “slut” just kind of just rolls off of the tongue well. Do you foresee gender roles continuing to evolve in the post-#MeToo era? I think that #MeToo, at its core, is about women reclaiming control of their bodies. Women are saying “I don’t like to be touched that way,” or “this is my body” and how that is expressed in the world. I think there is a lot of power in that. I think that there is definitely a wave of female unity with this movement. I think that all of these things
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have a forward momentum. We live in a world where gender is now being challenged, in many forms. I don’t know any women anymore who are like, “I have to be submissive to my husband and clean shit.” I don’t know any of those people. Growing up in a strict religious household, did that propel you to push the bar of sex taboo even further? Definitely. I think that if you grow up in a religious family it can go one of two ways: You can adopt that repressive ideology, or it can just sort of propel you to want to break all the rules. Just be rebellious
for rebelliousness’ sake. When you’re Catholic, everything is a “no,” so you just want to break those boundaries. If my parents were like, “You can have sex if you want,” I think I would have a slower and more casual approach to sex, but when you don’t have any sex, it makes you want to have sex with everyone—just to piss them off. Sex for me was also a form of provocation. I think it ratified that early 20s, teenage rebellion thing. A lot of people have that obviously, and express it through drugs or partying, or dropping out of school, or having a boyfriend with a face tattoo. For me, it was just about being slutty.
“ F o r m e , s e x wa s different when we were high, because i t wa s s o r t o f slower and my body wa s t i n g l i n g . I t f e lt m o r e r i t u a l i s t i c .”
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the class and go home, have a drink and make this sex tape. It was an experience unlike any other. Do you consume cannabis, and if so, would you consider it an aphrodisiac? I would. It’s funny, because I’m not a weed smoker, and I never have been regularly. The only times that I’ve ever smoked weed was for sex. I was dating this guy a few years ago, and he was really into vaping weed ritualistically before sex. It heightens the sensation when someone is touching your skin. It sort of clears your mind and makes you more focused—and more wet in theory. So we had that ritual before sex. For me, sex was different when we were high, because it was sort of slower and my body was tingling. It felt more ritualistic. In our first season of Slutever, we did this episode about sex and weed. A lot of it was about weed lube. There’s a lot of companies now that make that, but we followed around this company in San Francisco that these two girls founded called Quim Rock, and they home-bake their own weed lube. So we made all this weed lube together, and I tried it during sex. The idea is that it increases blood flow to your vagina and causes you to get more wet and engorged. It does really work—however, it kind of makes your vagina smell like a dispensary it was so strong. So unless your partner is really into the smell of weed, it’s not a good vibe. It doesn’t make you high, but if you eat it, it does get you high. It literally turns your pussy into an edible.
Tell us about the notorious Johnny Knoxville a.k.a. Bad Grandpa tape. We’d been doing Slutever in a web series form for about a-year-and-ahalf at that point. He wanted to come up with Bad Grandpa and had this relationship with VICE. It was his idea and he said, “Can we do something with Slutever?” I was like, “Wait, what?” He was in his Bad Grandpa 32
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suit, and the premise was that we were spending a day in LA. We went to this tantric sex club, but didn’t tell the other people that it was Johnny Knoxville. We were “randomly” paired together, and it just was like this creepy pervy 90-year-old. Everyone was completely freaking out. It was pretty funny. We made this fake sex tape where we leave
How long did it take you to put together the material for your recent memoir, Slutever: Dispatches from an Autonomous Woman in a Post Shame World ? That was sort of a lifetime of experiences. The book is sort of half memoir, half personal sexual theory and ponderings. The first chapter is what I call a slut manifesto. It’s my ideas about the history of sluttiness and reclaiming that word.
Then, the book goes from my childhood in a Catholic family to being slut-shamed by my family and in high school. It sort of follows my life through finding my own slutty identity, being in an open relationship and working as an escort. I definitely did research. I really like Camille Paglia who is sort of this controversial feminist from the ’80s who is one of the first pro-sex feminists, as they’re called. Her ideas were sort of really formative for me. It was all of the stuff that I’ve been thinking about for a long time. Given your Vogue sex and dating column, Breathless, do you operate more naturally as a video host or as a writer? I think I primarily identify as a writer, because I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager. But I really love doing the VICE show because it gets me out of my room. Writing is such a solitary, nail-biting experience when you spend so much time alone. So it’s fun to be out in the world and interview people collaboratively. I think seeing people on camera and being able to see people tell their own stories that there is more opportunity for people to be humanized under that medium. What would you say to single adults who are going to spend Valentine’s Day alone this year? Valentine’s Day is stupid. People always say that it’s a commercial holiday, but I really think that it’s true. It’s sort of like the romantic version of New Year’s Eve. It’s kind of an anti-climax when you feel pressured to have dinner and sex that feels better somehow. If you actually feel bad in that situation, then just go hang out with single friends. It would be more fun. What news do you have for the next upcoming few months? Tell us about Now Apocalypse. Now Apocalypse really incorporates stoner themes. I co-wrote the first season of the show with the director Greg Araki who is sort of this cult film director who came out in the ’90s who made a lot of sexually progressive movies that I love. His movie,s even in the ’90s, had things like a bisexual lead character—which you never saw. There
are threesomes, sexual empowerment and funny and strange slutty girls. I feel so lucky to work with him. He asked me to help him write the pilot about a year ago for the show. It’s about these four 20-somethings in LA, trying to make it in Hollywood and basically having a lot of sex and exploring their sexuality. The main character Ulysses is a super stoner. There’s this alien conspiracy side story. It appears that we’re on the brink of an apocalypse, spawned by an alien invasion, but you can’t tell if it’s actually happening or whether it’s all just Ulysses’ hallucinations. He basically never stops smoking weed. c @karleyslutever | www.viceland.com/slutever
“My ambition is to redefine the word “slut” as someone who seeks out visceral experiences through sex, to build confidence, to c o n n e c t t h e m s e lv e s with people and to s at i s f y t h e s e n s e o f a d v e n t u r e .” CultureMagazine.com
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Embrace Variety C a n n a b i s c a n h e l p d at e n i g h t s b e c o m e m e m o r a b l e a n d i n t i m at e
By John McClain
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or cannabis-loving couples, there are many ways to share a token of love on Valentine’s Day. Having a partner who also partakes in cannabis means that 36
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you can have a unique, euphoric way to celebrate romance while reaching whole new highs. While couples should always be aware of their local city and state laws prior to making plans, the addition of cannabis into a date night routine
“Having a partner who a l s o p a r ta k e s i n c a n n a b i s means you can have a u n i q u e , e u p h o r i c w ay t o c e l e b r at e r o m a n c e w h i l e reaching whole new highs.” can spice things up like never before. Whether you go out for a night on the town or stay cozy indoors, these cannabis-friendly Valentine’s Day date ideas are sure to make your day more intimate and special.
A D at e I n d o o r s For busy couples, spending time together can be limited, but having a dedicated date night at home can be just as intimate with the addition of cannabis. Why head to an overly crowded restaurant when you can stay home instead? There are countless recipes that can be reimagined with cannabis in mind. Work with your loved one to craft the perfect dinner and dessert combination by altering recipes to include infused butter, vegetable oil or simple syrup. Chocolate—
A Night on the Town Taking a creative class together is a fun and social experience that allows partners to share their artistic skills. States with legal recreational cannabis are beginning to host herbinspired private or group cooking classes that are both romantic and teach some useful skills too. Budding artisans can also find group art classes where cannabis consumption is encouraged to help tap into participants’ creative side.
once called a food of the gods—is a basic requirement for Valentine’s Day presents. Think beyond the heartshaped box and bring home some extra-special brownies, decadent infused chocolates from a local dispensary. Of course at the end of the day, romancing your partner will ultimately lead to steamy bedroom activities and you can’t get more intimate than sex. Many reports state that cannabis can enhance sexual pleasure, so it’s important to utilize products such as cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - infused lubricants. These products help women reduce pain experienced during intercourse, leading to a much more relaxed state of being as well as the possibility for strengthened orgasms.
Couples can also expand their physical and mental horizons by trying a cannabis-friendly yoga class. Imbibing cannabis before a yoga session can bring heightened awareness and calm to your standard yoga practice. Sharing this experience with your partner can allow couples to connect with each other in a whole new way, both during and after the class. Don’t forget the triedand-true couple’s massage with masseuses who use CBD massage oils. The relaxing mix of physical touch and CBD’s ability to reduce pain, inflammation and stress means that both parties are improving their physical and mental wellbeing. c
Find the Perfect Cannabis-Loving S o u l m at e Singles shouldn’t be left out on Valentine’s Day. Swipe right with one of these unique cannabis dating apps to find the perfect date. (Note: Apps may not be available in areas where cannabis is not yet legal).
High There! boasts millions of downloads and has been covered by several mainstream news outlets. It connects people through their preferred way of partaking cannabis and their reaction to it. 420 Singles has been around since 2011. It focuses on meeting your preferred gender in the area, but also boasts a swipe right feature for quick review. You can fill in personal details including background and religion for a thorough opportunity to match. My 420 Mate offers website and app options for viewing and includes extra features such as a “hot” list and hosted meet up events. The site is currently free to use and will ask users about cannabis consumption preferences.
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“Weed is the o n ly t h i n g t h at I ’ v e f o u n d t h at subdues the a c h e s t h at I g e t and make it not as painful.”
Lifted with Lipstick I n d i k a H a z e i s d o m i n at i n g t h e l o c a l drag scene with her fierce brand of c a n n a b i s -t i n g e d e n t e r ta i n m e n t By Emily Manke
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he Pacific Northwest is known for many things—excellent legal cannabis, of course, the rain that doesn’t stop for months on end, good coffee and good beer. One thing we’re less famous for, but those in the know are privy to, is our one-of-a-kind, world-class drag culture. One locally famous drag queen, Indika Haze, marries the region’s love of cannabis and drag to create a persona that’s uniquely her own. Before becoming the drag performer she is today, Haze was a professional dance teacher. Unfortunately, health issues halted that journey, but she still strived to channel her creative energy elsewhere, and thus Indika Haze was born. Haze was kind enough to have a thoughtful chat with CULTURE about her origin story, her inspirations and of course, the cannabis that makes it all possible. 38
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How did you become Indika Haze? I started drag as Indika about four-and-a-half years ago. A friend of mine was transitioning from female to male, and he was wanting to go out, and he wasn’t comfortable going out on his own at first. So I put on some of the tackiest, most busted drag I possibly could, and went out with him because I wanted him to feel more comfortable. So Indika came from a place of giving other people space to be who they want to be. Who are some of your influences as a performer? Always been a big fan of RuPaul obviously, as a performer. I think I’m most inspired by local talent that we have out here, because we have some phenomenal talent here in the Pacific Northwest. The people who have
PHOTO BY KEITH JOHNSON
inspired me to really go for it and push myself to be the best artist I can would be people like Cucci Binaca, Isabella Extynn, Lady Chablis and Mama Tits. They all have a very different aesthetic, but they’re all very strong in their different modalities, and they are all a force to be reckoned with in that community and people look up to them and respect them. More recently I’ve become obsessed with the theatricality and the intensity of makeup that people like Irene Dubois are bringing to the stage. How has cannabis influenced Indika Haze? For a little while, I was actually sponsored by a couple different cannabis co-ops here in Washington, before it went recreational . . . So I was a rep for them and would go to events and pass out fliers. One of the things that I love nowadays is that people know who I am and they know that I’m a pot smoker. So they’ll come to my shows and not only will they tip me in ones, but they’ll bring joints and tip me in a bag of weed or whatever. So it gives me a chance to really hang out with a lot of people who come to our shows, our patronage, which is lovely. Also when I’m deciding on my music, [cannabis] helps me get into a creative mood. I’ve always used weed when I’m choreographing
my song choices and memorizing, and coming up with dialogue for when I’m doing my hosting events. So it’s something that’s inspired me, but I also use it on a more practical basis for my health condition. I have Osteochondritis dissecans, a degenerative joint disease. My family has a history of being addicted to pills, so I don’t want to take pills if I don’t have to. Weed is the only thing that I’ve found that subdues the aches that I get and make it not as painful, especially when I’m running around in sixinch heels and a bunch of padding for eight hours at a time. What’s your favorite thing to watch when you consume cannabis? Well, it depends if I’m getting ready or winding down for the night. If I’m getting ready I have my setlist and I watch the music videos for them, or I put on effed up Trixie Mattel songs. And then at nighttime, I get really stoned and watch Planet Earth 2. c
Catch
Indika Haze Live @ The Mix in Tacoma
The Mixtape: Every Saturday, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Queens of the Night: Every third Saturday, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
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Love is in the Air
Embrace your inner sweetness with thoughtful cannabis-infused desserts By Laurie Wolf Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for many things: It’s a
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day to be honest with your crush, to express love to your significant other and it’s a day to increase sexual activity.
HEARTS
Most importantly, it’s a day to share your sweetness— and you can’t get sweeter than a plate of delicious
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desserts. With love in mind, here are three cannabisinfused recipes that are bound to impress your loved one, and maybe help you get lucky in the bedroom too!
Nutella Heart Pies Ingredients: 2 store bought piecrusts, rolled into 10-inch circles 1/2 cup cannabisinfused chocolate hazelnut spread 2 tablespoons cannabutter or oil Egg wash 40
Instructions: 1. Heat oven to 340˚ F. Spray a baking tray or cover with parchment and set aside. 2. Using a 2-inch heart cookie cutter to cut as many hearts as you can from each crust, rerolling the scraps. 3. Place a teaspoon of the infused spread and place in the center of one of the hearts. Place a
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heart on top, and go around the entire edge of each heart with the tines of a fork. Brush with the egg wash, making sure it covers the area you pressed with the fork. 4. Using a spatula, transfer pies to the baking sheet. 5. Bake until the hearts are golden brown, begin checking after 8 minutes. Cool thoroughly.
PHOTOS BY BRUCE WOLF
R e d V e lv e t C a n n a- C a k e
Instructions: 1. Heat oven to 340Ëš F. Spray two 9-inch cake pans with baking spray and set aside.
Ingredients: CAKE: 2 1/2 cups flour 1/4 cup cornstarch 3 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 ounces unsalted butter, softened (1/2 stick) 2 ounces cannabutter, softened 2 1/4 cups sugar 1 cup canola oil 3 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoons white vinegar 3 tablespoons red food coloring 1 cup buttermilk FROSTING: 16 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 4 cups white sugar 3 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt.
6. Cool in the pan before removing. Unmold.
3. In the bowl of a mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and beat with the butter until creamy. Add the oil and mix for two minutes.
7. In a large bowl, cream the cream cheese and the butter until smooth. Add the sugar, milk and vanilla. Beat until mixed well and fluffy, add a pinch of salt and beat for one minute.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat for two minutes. Scrape the bowl. Beat in the vinegar and food coloring. Turn the mixer to low and add the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, ending with the dry ingredients.
8. Place one cake on a cake platter. Cover the top with frosting. Place the other cake on top and cover with frosting. Frost the sides of the cake as smooth as possible. Take any left over cake crumbs and sprinkle on the sides and the top if desired.
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ice cream sandwichES Ingredients: 3-inch round cookie cutter Baking spray or parchment
1 large egg 2 3/4 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cannabutter, softened
1 quart ice cream, any flavor, slightly softened
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup sprinkles
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup melted chocolate
Instructions 1. Heat oven to 340˚ F. Spray or cover baking sheets. Set aside. 2. In the bowl of a mixer, beat the butters and sugar until fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg and beat until well combined. 3. Add the dry ingredients with the mixer on low. Don’t over beat. 4. Scoop the dough onto the prepared pans in two tablespoon balls. Leave two inches between the balls. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool thoroughly. 5. Pour sprinkles on a flat plate. Place half the cooled cookies on a sheet pan that will fit in your freezer. Place a 1/4 scoop of ice cream on each cookie. Quickly place the remaining cookies on top, press gently together. Dip in the sprinkles and place in the freezer until very cold and solid. 6. Place the melted chocolate on your work surface. One at a time remove a cookie sandwich from the freezer, dip in the chocolate and immediately return to the freezer. Repeat until all the cookies are done.
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SERVINGS
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recently visited one of the most respected cloneries in Northern California—Dark Heart Nursery. Through stores and dispensaries, it supplies both hobbyists and commercial enterprises with thousands of clones each week. Dark Heart has a bank of plant varieties that it holds in tissue culture, which is a form of maintaining plants as cells in an undifferentiated form. Think of these as stem cells that can be regenerated to whole plants. This serves several purposes: It takes little room. A library can be stored in a single refrigerator rather than in hundreds or thousands of square footage, and they require little care while in storage. The process also creates sterile material— no bacteria, fungi, pests or disease are present. The technicians at Dark Heart regenerate plants from the tissue culture material to use as mother plants. These plants are usually grown to a height of three to six feet and are cut as they grow to force branching to get the plant to produce more clone material. They are grown in a sterile potting mix that
contains peat moss and perlite, in 10-gallon containers. Cuttings from these plants are the end product of the clone center. Groups of the cuttings are cut and placed in a beaker filled with a root growth enhancer containing a plant hormone such as Indole 3 Butyric Acid (more commonly known as IBA). Each clone is trimmed down to just a few top leaves with pruned fingers. They are placed in two-foot rockwool cubes, 50 to each 10-foot x 20-foot tray, which have a grate bottom to promote drainage and air flow. A clear plastic dome is placed over the tray for the first few days. Within a few days, the cuttings have adjusted and the covers are removed. They are ready for sale when new growth has started in the canopy and roots appear at the bottom of the cubes. The nursery also sells adolescent plants that are two feet tall with a bit of branching. Both greenhouse and outdoor growers buy these plants to get a head start on the season outdoors, resulting in considerably larger plants or to get faster turnover in greenhouses. Growing a crop from clone to ripening can take 90-120 days. However, without having to vegetate much, the time is cut down to 60-70 days. Dark Heart has served the cannabis community of Northern California (and the rest of the world) for more than 15 years. It has succeeded because it consistently delivers high-quality, healthy and uninfected clones of popular varieties. Its products have helped growers of every size to produce bountiful, potent harvests. c
In the foreground the sativa hybrid plants have been cut. Plants in the back, about six-feet tall are waiting for their “haircut.”
On the left clones are maturing. On the right, new cuttings (in domes) are starting their two-week journey. Soon after that they will be adopted by expectant growers.
GROWING CULTURE
A VISIT TO DARK HEART By Ed Rosenthal
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Cuttings are clipped, manicured, pruned, and placed in two-foot rockwool cubes.
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A sativa clone mother is about to be sheared for cuttings. These plants have life expectancy of about six months before they are replaced.
TIP OF THE MONTH Start planting now! Plant clones or germinate seeds so you can set the plants out as soon as the climate in your area permits. Remember the plants have to kept in a vegetative state. You can do that by flashing lights on the plants several times each night for a few seconds using a bright led flashlight (preferably red) to interrupt the darkness. If you place them out early in the season (before March 15) you can keep them growing vegetatively using the light. Without the light, with the short days of spring, they will start to flower when set outside.
Rooted clones ready to find new homes.
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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