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inside
contents 3.2018
Ask the CannaSexual Submit your sex and cannabis questions to Ashley Manta. She may answer your question in CULTURE’s 420 issue! Go to: CultureMagazine.com/ askCannaSexual
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Versed Veteran
Slug, the recognizable voice of hip-hop duo Atmosphere, opens up to CULTURE about how becoming a father has played a part in his career over the decades, as well as his personal and political opinions on cannabis. O n the C O V E R :
A a r o n A u b r e y P h oto g r ap h y
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Tale as Old as Time Cannabis’ healing benefits helped a young girl named Bella tackle her severe eczema, which led to the creation of a new topical beauty product brand.
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Industry Insider Cam Battley shares about his role as the chief corporate officer at Aurora Cannabis Inc., one of Canada’s leading cannabis businesses.
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A Wealth of Talent Calvin Johnson is an indie musician who embraces the evolution of independent music.
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Fruitful Fertility CULTURE connects with the lead researcher behind the latest study to look into the relationship between cannabis and fertility.
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Let’s Party! Whether you want to stay in the states or travel abroad, take a break from the world and celebrate spring break in a cannabis-friendly vacation destination.
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departments news
08 News Nuggets 09 Local News 12 Letter from the Editor 14 By the Numbers 16 Legal Corner reviews 18 Strain, Concentrate & Topical Reviews 22 Store Highlight 24 Cool Stuff 25 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 46 à La Carte 48 Growing Culture 51 Profile in Courage 52 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! Crime Rate Drops in Uruguay Following Legalization
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d Application
Submitted for
First Cannabis Spa in Denver
Vol 9 IssUE 9
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NEWS
nuggetS
Study Confirms the Public Views Alcohol as More Harmful than Cannabis Researchers at RTI International surveyed over 1,900 adults in Oregon before the state legalized recreational cannabis. The study was released on Feb. 7 and published in the journal Preventative Medicine. Researchers found that 52.5 percent of respondents consider alcohol to be more dangerous while only 7.5 percent consider cannabis to be more dangerous than alcohol. “This study is the first to measure perceptions of the relative harmfulness of marijuana and alcohol,” stated Research Analyst Jane Allen. “The findings surprised
Cannabis Tracking System Weaknesses Revealed in Audit The Oregon Secretary of State released a 41page report on Feb. 7 detailing software issues with Metrc and the lack of an adequate number of compliance inspectors. Eight IT issues were identified in the report, which could compromise the security of the state’s medical cannabis system. The lack of personnel also impacts the Oregon Liquor Control Commission’s (OLCC) capacity to monitor cannabis properly. Shortly after, the OLCC replied with a 15-page report
me somewhat, because there is widespread acceptance of alcohol for adult recreational use, and in contrast, marijuana is classified at the federal level as a Schedule I drug. There seems to be a disconnect between the social and legal status of the substances and people’s perceptions of harmfulness.” The findings confirm that the stigma around cannabis is plummeting following the implementation of state cannabis laws.
Singapore to Develop Synthetic Cannabis Strains The punishment for cannabis consumption, importation and solicitation in the Republic of Singapore can result in strokes from the cane, the country’s cruel and legal system of corporal punishment, but things are slowly changing. Medical cannabis research is beginning to take root despite Singapore’s notoriously draconian approach to drugs. A 25 million Singapore Dollars ($19 million USD) research initiative called the Synthetic Biology Research and Development Program has
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of its own in response. “The recommendations are essential to program improvement and acknowledged by this thorough response,” the OLCC stated. “The recommendations are important to our future operations and the OLCC has offered detail plans and responses to identified issues.” The OLCC is currently in need of additional funding in order to strengthen recruiting systems, equipment and training.
been launched. Researchers will develop national synthetic strains of cannabinoids derived from cannabis. The cannabis material will most likely be imported from another country in order to carry out the research. “This will be done by translating selective genetic information provided by overseas partners into potent therapeutic compounds not found in nature through synthetic biology,” reads a press release from the National Research Foundation Singapore. For now, the country prefers to research into creating synthetic derivatives of cannabis instead of natural medical cannabis options.
NEWS
LOCAL
Looking for Change
O n e O r e g o n at t o r n e y ’ s s u m m i t o n c a n n a b i s d i v e r s i o n t h r e at e n s changes in the industry By Heather Johnson
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regon U.S. Attorney Billy Williams acknowledged the state’s black market cannabis problem at a summit in Portland on Feb. 2. He gathered Oregon’s officials to meet and discuss the fact that Oregon produces almost three times the amount of cannabis that it sells on the legal market, or is even able to consume. Representatives from 14 other U.S. attorney’s offices attended the summit, as well as members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Forest Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “This summit and the state’s response will inform our federal enforcement strategy. How we move forward will depend in large measure on how the state responds to the gaps we have identified,” Williams said when he announced the summit. “Until then, it would be inappropriate abdication of my federal duties to issue any blanket proclamations on our marijuana enforcement strategy in light of federal law.” Williams isn’t happy with how Oregon’s legal industry is operating, and he feels pressure to make sure the state runs a compliant state cannabis operation. “Here’s what I know in terms of the landscape here in Oregon and that is, we have an identifiable and formidable marijuana overproduction and diversion problem,” Williams stated. He wants real numbers
on how much cannabis grown at Oregon cultivation sites is sold legally in Oregon, and how much of it is sold on the black market or shipped across state lines. His concern lies mainly with the possibility of violence and money laundering creating more crime in Oregon and surrounding states. Sixteen states have records of cannabis from Oregon making it illegally into their jurisdictions. “Make no mistake about it, we are going to do something about it,” said Williams. Oregon officials have been feeling pressure from the federal government ever since Attorney General Jeff Sessions lifted Obama-era protections for states that have legalized cannabis. With 900 operating grows in Oregon, it’s no wonder that there is a lot of extra product. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission is waiting to approve hundreds more applications to grow, and they receive more every day. With wholesale prices taking a dive, consumers may experience a brief time of being able to buy inexpensive cannabis. One of the options on the table that could solve the surplus problem would be to limit the amount of grow operations. However, this could create a sort of cannabis monopoly for certain businesses. Also, with cultivation operations investing millions into Oregon’s economy, those in the industry and the state both stand to lose money. Another possible solution to curb overproduction would be to limit how much cannabis grow sites are permitted to grow and sell, however this could eventually kill a lot of struggling businesses as well. Owners of legal cannabis businesses in Oregon have another concern. With the market drenched in supply, and cannabis job postings booming, dispensary owners especially are worried about losing their businesses. With the black market potentially being more lucrative than legal sales, the numbers don’t bode well for entrepreneurs wanting to take the legal road. Growers can get a lot more cash from buyers in states where cannabis is still illegal. Williams had previously stated that “overproduction creates a powerful profit incentive.” However, many in the industry don’t think black market sales have changed much, but now at least legal cannabis is traceable. Based on information Williams shared with officials at the summit, the state will have some important decisions to make in the coming months to figure out how to curb black market sales in Oregon.c
The Hemp & Cannabis Fair This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, why not smoke some green in addition to wearing it? The Hemp & Cannabis Fair (THC Fair) will serve as the networking ground zero for representatives from recreational and medical cannabis companies. Seventy vendors are expected from all parts of central Oregon. Adults 21 and over are encouraged to attend, as well as medical patients who are 18 and older. A series of expert seminar sessions will also take place covering assorted cannabis-related themes. One exciting speaker will be Nikki Florio from Buds and Bees, and she will speak about how the cannabis and hemp industries can help save the habitats of honeybees and other pollinators. WHEN: Sat, March 17-Sun, March 18 WHERE: Deschutes County Expo Center, 3800 SE Airport Way, BendRedmond WEBSITE: thcfair.com
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Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Hilary Bricken, Devon Alexander Brown, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Caroline Hayes, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Carl Kozlowski, Emily Manke, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly R. 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 Payden Cobern, John Venegas sales director Joe Larson Account Executives Alex Brizicky, Angie Callahan, Molly Clark, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Lee Moran, Casey Roel, Garry Stalling, Shayne Williams, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy office manager Mikayla Aguilar digital media Hannah Lemley coordinator Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Publisher David Comden
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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LETTER
FROM
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EDITOR
Re R e f l ec e c t a n d Re a c t
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efore we kick off with the biggest celebration of cannabis culture and 420 parties, let’s use the month of March to refocus on the progress of our community. Now more than ever, it’s important to take matters into your own hands to ensure the cannabis community continues to move in the right direction. Many products and services often transition from underground and into mainstream, and the transition into legalization for the cannabis industry has not been one that has gone unpunished. In the past decade, we’ve increasingly seen generations of cultivators pushed from the legal industry. We’ve witnessed momand-pop shops and brands running into roadblocks in light of increasing competition, and the threat of federal interference is constantly spreading fear. Rest assured, the reason that cannabis has come so far is because of people who speak out in its defense. Join the countless activists, small businesses and organizations who influence public policy for cannabis reform in their communities. Show up regularly at city council meetings, write letters, gather signatures and educate those around you. Your voice is powerful, and it could make the difference between a family farmer being awarded or not awarded the licenses necessary to operate, or it could help a child with a seizure disorder gain access to medical cannabis oil. One of the best ways to be heard exists within your wallet. Use your money to support those you would like to see succeed within this competitive industry. Shop small. Don’t hesitate to spend a little more cash on small batch cannabis from a local farm rather than opting for the most economical option.
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Join the industry’s response to the rescinded Cole Memo by showing more support for legislation like the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment. As it is set to expire once again later this month, be sure to reach out to your local representatives. Share your positive experience with medical cannabis, show your support for recreational rights, and overall let it be known that you stand on the right side of cannabis reform. Finally, donate to organizations that are doing essential work, and support the candidates who are aligned with your ethics. We can’t wait to let our hair down and party with everyone next month, but until then, let’s remember that this community is strong when it stands together. There are still so many people in this country and across the world who could benefit from cannabis reform. Let’s not forget to take action to make safe access a reality for all, while not squashing those who have built our industry. c Cheers!
Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief
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The amount of money, in dollars, that Stevens County collected in cannabis tax revenue in between the 2016-2017 reporting period: (Source: The Independent)
976,647
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that one Tacoma cannabis retailer owes in delinquent state taxes: (Source: The News Tribune)
1.4
The proposed number of years of past misdemeanor cannabis convictions that could be vacated under an initiative introduced in Seattle: (Source: KIRO 7)
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The average amount of money, in dollars, that it cost to buy one pound of cannabis in Washington in mid-January: (Source: U.S Spot Index)
1,004
The number of votes from members of the Virginia Senate, out of 40, that were in favor of passing a medical cannabis bill: (Source: News Leader)
The increased percentage of cannabis-related job postings in the United States in 2017, according to a study from ZipRecruiter: (source: Business Insider)
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445
The estimated amount of money, in billions of dollars, that the United States hemp industry is projected to make by 2020: (Source: Hemp Business Journal)
1.8
Cannatank 420 WHEN: Fri, March 30-Sat, March 31 WHERE: Hotel RL by Red Lion Spokane at the Park, 303 W North Dr., Spokane WEBSITE: cannatank420.com It’s time for Washingtonians who work in the cannabis industry to unite and share their products with like-minded individuals. Cannatank 420 is the farm-to-retailer expo centered on building bridges between cannabis farms and purchasing managers for retail outlets in the cannabis industry. Speakers include Kim Lisa Taylor, Esq., Brian Yauger of Lemonhaze.com and cannabis entrepreneur 14
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David Paleschuck. More speakers are expected to be announced before the event takes place. The I-502-friendly expo will provide seminars, an open bar and networking opportunities. Cannatank 420 takes place weeks just before the 420 holiday, so take advantage and make some deals or new connections. The time is right to see some new faces.
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NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
Trouble on the Horizon W a s h i n g t o n S tat e i s g e a r e d u p t o s u e t h e T r u m p a d m i n i s t r at i o n By Alison Malsbury
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ashington State’s Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, has been outspoken in his disagreement with the Trump administration’s policies, and now, Ferguson has indicated that his office is prepared for a legal fight over cannabis legalization in Washington State. Although Ferguson stated, “We hope it doesn’t come to that,” he indicated in a recent interview with The Columbian that he would not hesitate to act. “Hypothetically speaking, right, there could be a business that’s licensed in Washington State selling marijuana that’s following state law,” Ferguson stated. “Let’s assume they’re following state law to a T—that’s important—and the feds go in and try to shut that business down, they seize the marijuana or the proceeds. If in my view, we’ve got a legitimate business, playing by our rules here in Washington State and the federal government comes in to try to shut that down, we’d be interested in that.” Ferguson specifically stated that he would be willing to get
“Attorney General Ferguson also emphasized that he has reached out to Sessions multiple times to discuss Washington’s legal cannabis laws and policy, but has been repeatedly declined.”
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involved if the federal government takes any “adverse action” against a cannabis business operating in full compliance with state and local law. In January, Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the Obama administration-era guidance that outlined the federal government’s enforcement priorities for states that had legalized cannabis. Sessions replaced this guidance with a general policy authorizing United States attorneys across the country to use discretion in prosecuting federal cannabis crimes within their jurisdictions. Although it remains to be seen how all this will play out in Washington, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board sent out an email in January on behalf of Ferguson’s office asking for input from residents and licensees as to whether they have “experienced a change in [their] business practices or customer relationships that [they] believe is connected to the Sessions memo.”
This indicates that the state Attorney General’s office is gathering, or attempting to gather, evidence of harm in anticipation of potential litigation. Attorney General Ferguson also emphasized that he has reached out to Sessions multiple times to discuss Washington’s cannabis laws and policy, but has been repeatedly declined. Sessions even sent Ferguson and Gov. Jay Inslee a factually inaccurate letter regarding the state’s cannabis program that failed to acknowledge that the state had merged its medical and adult-use cannabis programs. About this, Ferguson stated, “[To] me, that’s embarrassing that the US Attorney General, on an issue of that importance is writing a letter to a governor and attorney general of another state and he’s just got his facts wrong. That’s a problem, I think.” Although Ferguson has been unwilling, understandably, to discuss legal strategy, he has indicated that a legal battle could center on “whether federal law preempts state law” when it comes to cannabis. There are strong arguments that the state cannabis regimes implemented by states like Washington are not in “positive conflict” with federal law, but this issue has not yet been decided in court. Given the current uncertainty surrounding how these changes to federal cannabis enforcement policy will play out, it’s certainly reassuring that Ferguson is in our corner and prepared to fight for Washington cannabis consumers and licensees alike. c
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REVIEWs
strain, concentrate & topical Available wherever: Fairwinds products are carried.
CBD Golden Ratio Cartridge by Fairwinds Fairwinds asserts that with its product, the Golden Ratio CBD Cartridge, it’s trying to find a connection between nature and cannabis science. Fairwinds’ new cartridge design uses borosilicate glass, stainless steel and has adjustable airflow for micro-servings or huge clouds. The large and easy-to-control chamber makes for efficient usage. But it’s not just the cartridge that’s so special—it’s most importantly what’s inside. The clean, pure golden oil made from a full-spectrum extract (not distillate) is tasty and powerful for a multitude of uses, including treating mild to severe pain and anxiety. The oil is made with cannabis distilled terpenes from Fairwinds’ house-grown strain Omrita RX (34:1 CBD/THC), and it has a delightful flavor, with notes of citrus. No cutting agents are used in this oil, no PG, PEG, glycerin, alcohol or MCT oil, which makes for an unbelievably smooth and tasty product. The consistent quality and standardized ratios in this cartridge allow for a strong but grounded effect. It’s laid back, chill and perfect for basically any use imaginable.
Available at: Green Collar Cannabis in Tacoma.
HERE
Freddy’s Fuego by Freddy’s Kush
Everything about this flower is branded to be urban. The name, Downtown Cannabis, the packaging and even the retailer (Urban Bud), all scream “city life.” Another thing this flower has in common with the city, it’s loud. As soon as you unseal that signature bright green bag, that Sour Kush scent permeates the room and announces its presence. With hints of pungent diesel, Kush-lovers will recognize this scent anywhere. Like a car with a broken muffler, or a person screaming on a street corner, there’s no way you’re going to miss this bud. The flower is a sight to behold—dense, light green, heavily crystalline and covered in orange-red hairs. So in addition to a demanding fragrance, it has a loud and proud appearance as well. After sampling this flower using a vaporizer and a water pipe, the CULTURE team discovered that it did indeed live up to the hype. The effect was mellow and steady, definitely an indica, but not too heady to accomplish what you need. It’s perfect for socializing as it may chill you out without rendering you too relaxed to communicate. MARCH 2018 CultureMagazine.com
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Judging by the portrait on the container, Freddy is a dude that we wouldn’t want to mess with. Under his cannabis-leaf decorated cowboy hat (or is it a sombrero?) Freddy has an eye patch, long black hair, a horseshoe mustache and some chin stubble that looks like it probably pops up at 5 p.m. sharp. The portrait is on the front of the glass jar with a wood and rubber lid that is helpfully sealed with an indica label. Once you pop off that lid, the fragrance of Freddy’s Fuego, a specialty strain from Freddy’s Kush, overwhelms your senses. A classic Kush scent, Freddy’s Fuego is musky, strong and even has a hint of sweetness. After sampling this dense, dark-green, super-sticky flower using a water pipe, the CULTURE team noted that the flavor matched the fragrance, with a strong musky flavor to begin and a subtle sweet finish. The effects were what one would expect from a solid indica—powerful, relaxing and steady. It was the perfect flower for pain relief and relaxation.
Sour Kush by Downtown Cannabis Company
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Available at: Urban Bud in Tacoma.
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REVIEWs
Available wherever: Mammoth Labs products are carried.
Helen Back by Mammoth Labs Mammoth Labs continues to churn out some of the most highquality concentrates available. This Helen Back carried on this legacy of goodness. The texture was wonderful, gooey yet malleable and efficient. No concentrate was wasted in the container. The fragrance was strong, particularly for a concentrate. Notes of citrus, vanilla and sweetness jump out at you. After using a water vaporizer to try this incredible sample, the CULTURE team noticed an immediate vanilla flavor, so sweet it was candy-like, with a subtle citrus finish that is bound to leave those with a sweet tooth wanting more. The concentrate hits smooth without even a hint of harshness, yet it packs enough of a punch to let you know that it’s working. An immediate and super potent effect was noted and enjoyed. This concentrate is powerful and should only be used if your day doesn’t consist of anything too serious. Helen Back is perfect for kicking back and chilling at home or with friends.
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Divine Pain Lotion by GaGa
Available wherever: GaGa products are carried.
With so many topical cannabis products on the market (they’re even selling them in grocery stores now!) it’s hard to know which ones are worthwhile. Divine Pain Lotion by GaGa is one topical that really does the trick. In addition to the lovely pastel and white packaging and minimal design, which is signature of the GaGa brand, this lotion has an absolutely extravagant scent and works great. After rubbing it generously on various ailments, the CULTURE team noticed that this pain lotion was as effective as it was amazingly scented. Lavender and grapefruit were the two scents the team was lucky enough to sample. Both have a 2:1 THC:CBD ratio, and both were intoxicating in fragrance alone, not to mention the effects. The nice thing about topicals, and especially this pain lotion, is that they’re incredibly fast-acting. Within seconds of applying, the team noticed incredible results. Whether from muscle aches, or dry-chapped skin, this lotion worked fast and well at providing pain relief.
Gelato by HempKings Oh Gelato. Much like its namesake, this flower is a tasty treat. HempKings does it again with some fragrant, tasty and strong flower. The black and gold bag unsealed to reveal a heavenly scent. Sweet, pungent and earthy, this flower is reminiscent of a savory flavored confection like basil ice cream. The flower was dense, with mediumsized nugs. It had a beautiful lime green color and was jam-packed with crystals. When the CULTURE team sampled this flower using a water pipe and vaporizer, the flavor was consistent with the fragrance, with a forward sweetness and a more subtle earthiness. The effects of this flower were in true hybrid style, offering the best of both worlds. An immediate blissful calm took over, followed by a giddy euphoria and a light burst of energy. This hybrid would be the perfect companion for basically any activity. Whether you’re looking to chill at home alone, or go on a hike with friends, Gelato by HempKings may offer you what you need, chilling you out without tiring you out.
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Available wherever: HempKings products are carried.
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REVIEWs
store highlight
To p-Sellin g Str ain Chocolope by GĀBRIEL To p-Sellin g Co ncentr ate Sticky Budz Honeycomb and SPP Regulator wax To p-Sellin g Edible NWCS Caramel Chewees
365 Recreational Cannabis 17517 15th Ave NE, Shoreline | (206) 557-7778 www.365recreational.com
How and when did your store start up? The doors opened at 365 Recreational Cannabis on June 12, 2015. The store was originally located upstairs, but moved downstairs in order to better serve every customer when we went to a hybrid shop on July 1, 2016. Recently, 365 went through an expansion to spread its leaves a little more. What’s the story behind the name of your store? We are proud to call ourselves 365 Recreational Cannabis, because we always have amazing deals guaranteed 365 days a year. Seriously, we are open every day! 22
What does your store offer customers that they can’t find anywhere else? We try to provide great customer service, knowledge and products. We are always open to suggestions to carry other brands as well. As most of the staff comes from medical cannabis, we are happy to try to help and pay attention to detail for patients’ personal needs and desires. Daily deals and happy hour every day of the year and even bigger deals on holidays, gives you a chance to get something good and save your money while you’re doing it. How has the cannabis industry changed since you
MARCH 2018 CultureMagazine.com
have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? The industry has changed a lot since the beginning. A lot of progress has been made in production, and a lot more creativity is put forth for constant innovation. It’s fun seeing the new products that come to the market. I would love to see it continue to grow and be legal in all the states. It would be wonderful for cannabis to be seen as the amazing beneficial plant that it can be. What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a store? . . . Biggest joys? The different thoughts, opinions and federal regulations would probably be the most difficult challenge. With more research being done, it’s nice to see the progress that is being made in that regard. Our customers/patients are one of our biggest joys, being able to guide them to their perfect product for whatever the occasion. We love the satisfaction it brings to us both.
What is the one thing you want patients/customers to know about your store? We always have medical consultants on staff. Our job is to help as much as we can, so we know the dietary information as well as the pesticides information and lack thereof for our customers/ patients. Trying to read some of that print on packages is hard enough, let us do it for you. If someone wanted to open a store and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? Research, research, research the laws and regulations, medical benefits, the variety of companies and the market as a whole, as well as only provide exceptional customer service. What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? We love to help as many people as possible. We want everyone to be happy, healthy and friends with one another. c
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REVIEWs
For More Products Go To CultureMagazine.com
3. High Tea Herbal Wraps
1. Vogue 3 Piece Spray Can Norman “Vogue” Chuck is an American graffiti artist, calligraphist and illustrator. You know Vogue is the original, because as you see on the bottom of this grinder, graffiti artists typically tag “one” after their name to indicate they are the original artist. When it comes to cannabis, if you’re looking for the original, look no further than Santa Cruz Shredder. Every seasoned cannabis consumer knows that daily smokers need a good grinder that will last. The Vogue One grinder from Santa Cruz Shredder is shaped like an aerosol spray can and features graffiti-inspired décor. Its improved aluminum design is built to last. The grinder’s teeth are razor sharp, which makes it strong enough for grinding up Moonrocks. Price: $74.50+ More Information: santacruzshredder.com 2. Utillian 721 This product is utilization at its finest. The Utillian 721 embraces minimalism with its simplistic, yet useful design. Vaporizer products that are complicated usually don’t end up being used on a regular basis, but Utillian 721’s process is self-explanatory. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket and with eight temperature settings, its temperature can be adjusted in five-degree increments. Its 60-minute battery life is double the battery life of other competing convection units. The cap seals your herbs inside, the mouthpiece swivels out, and its one-button design makes vaping cannabis a cinch. Price: $189.99 More Information: utillian.com 24
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Almost any substance would be safer to smoke than tobacco— including tea leafs. More people nowadays are smoking green tea or tea instead of tobacco because there’s no nicotine and tea has antioxidant properties. High Tea Herbal Wraps are also made out of tea leaves. And here’s the kicker: High Tea Herbal Wraps are selfrolling. Yes, you read that correctly! The wraps form a tight curl very slowly once you take them out of the package. Flavors available include Mad Melon, Mango Dream, Juicy Grape and Royal Sweet. Price: $2.49 More Information: highteawraps.com
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4. iKeyp Bolt
Got curious kids? Or roommates with sticky fingers? The iKeyp Bolt can help keep your cannabis goods safe and locked away from unwanted visitors. It is the safe of the future, with WiFi connectivity, 24/7 monitoring and remote capabilities. A smartphone app is also available for iOS and Android phones, enabling you to monitor when it is opened, the number of keypad attempts and battery life. You’ll get reminders if you forget to take things out, such as medication. The kit comes with screws and supplies to mount it on the wall for easy access. Price: $149 More Information: ikeyp.com
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entertainment MOVIE Release Date: march 20
BOOK
The Cannabis Grow Bible Greg Green Pub. Green Candy Press Become well-versed in the knowledge of cannabis cultivation trade secrets—in Biblical proportions. Complete with over 1,000 photos, The Cannabis Grow Bible is one of the most comprehensive cannabis cultivation guides around. The third edition has been updated to accommodate new innovative technology, which will help you navigate your way through the tedious, and often difficult task of learning to grow high quality cannabis. Everything is covered in depth, from clones to hydroponics to greenhouses, complete with photos and sidebars to help simplify cultivation techniques. With this in tow, you’ll learn how to make hash and various types of extracts as well. (Richard Saunders)
Available on: Xbox One and PC
GAME
Sea of Thieves Dev. Rare Pub. Microsoft Studios Fantasy and science fiction are prevalent throughout video games, but there’s a small niche for people who want to emulate the lifestyle of a genuine pirate. Luckily, Sea of Thieves does just that. Join your friends in this cooperative multiplayer experience where you learn how to man a ship (i.e. hoist sales, navigate the seas, fire cannons) and travel the sea in search of quests, loot and intense seabattles. The playful design of this game doesn’t take itself too seriously, because you are, after all, sailing the seas in search for booty. (Nicole Potter)
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
MUSIC
Dir. Martin McDonagh Fox Searchlight Pictures
A Child’s Gator
For those who prefer their heartbreaking drama with a little laughter mixed in, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is the movie you’ve been searching for. When the investigation into the rape and murder of Mildred Hayes’ teenage daughter begins to slow, Hayes takes extreme measures to inspire motivation in Director Martin McDonagh’s latest film. Helmed by a veteran cast including Academy Award winner Frances McDormand, Academy Award nominees Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell and John Hawkes, and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is an absolute grand slam of a motion picture. (Simon Weedn)
Rik & the Pigs Total Punk For a few years now, Olympia’s Rik & the Pigs have been stomping around the Pacific Northwest and beyond preaching its gospel of raw, gritty punk rock for anyone who’d lend it an ear. On the band’s latest release, A Child’s Gator, the band sounds tighter and more dangerous than ever. The record offers up the band in its best audio quality so far and captures the band’s intensity and fiery, hand-banging energy like never before. For fans of dark, scorching punk, A Child’s Gator is one album not to be missed. (Simon Weedn)
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Atmosphere produces c o n s c i o u s h i p - h o p t h at has benefited society for decades By Benjamin M. Adams
Members of the inordinately successful independent hip-hop duo Atmosphere, who have been releasing hits for decades, didn’t ever plan on becoming role models. Since releasing their first major album in 1997, rapper Slug (Sean Daley) and DJ/Producer Ant (Anthony Davis) have released eight studio albums plus a capacious library of EPs, collaborations, remixes and various evolving side projects. Atmosphere has topped the U.S. Independent Albums chart multiple times, and the group has achieved numerous top 10 albums on The Billboard 200. Atmosphere’s near-constant presence in the hip-hop world is virtually unheard of— especially for an independent group on the popular independent hip-hop record label in which Slug and Ant co-founded, Rhymesayers Entertainment. Slug was born to a white mother and a black and Native American father—but he ultimately found his true identity in nonviolent, conscious hip-hop culture. CULTURE caught up with the lyricist, songwriter and voice of Atmosphere, to reflect on hip-hop, fatherhood, police brutality and of course, cannabis.
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Photos by Aaron Aubrey | Live Photos by Kristopher Christensen
“I support all uses of marijuana, not just medical. T h at i n c l u d e s t h e r e c r e at i o n a l u s e o f m a r i j u a n a . I ’ d r at h e r see safe spaces for people to selfm e d i c at e a s o p p o s e d t o w h at w e ’ v e d o n e i n t h e p a s t, w h i c h i s very unsafe.”
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Tell us about #DadRap. It exists because there’s a sense of moral obligation to the listeners. You see a lot of younger people just getting hot off of their own shit. Eventually, you start to feel a little bit of pressure to being accountable for this shit. I think this is something that a lot of artists go through, because when you start making art at a young age, you’re pushing, poking and taking these risks and saying, “Fuck everybody, fuck the world,” you know, this rebelliousness. As you
get older, you still have those sentiments, but you are a little bit more aware of the effect that you can have with how you deliver those sentiments. I like the term #DadRap, because someone once accused me of wearing “dad shorts” six, seven or eight years ago. I don’t remember. I had to kind of be like, “You know what, that’s just me,” you know what I’m saying. I’ve kind of become that dude. It was around the same time that I had my second child. All of
Atmosphere: Then and Now Over the years, Atmosphere has released eight studio albums and at least 10 EPs. Several side projects also exist such as Felt and Deep Puddle Dynamics. Slug has appeared on innumerable hip-hop albums as well including artists such as KRS-One, Logic, Berner, Aesop Rock, The Grouch, Brother Ali and Evidence. CULTURE put together some of the most significant milestones in Atmosphere’s history.
1995 – Slug cofounded Rhymesayers Entertainment with Ant, Musab Saad (Sab the Artist) and Brent Sayers (Siddiq).
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1989 – Shy young Slug initially sees himself as a background DJ for other artists. He eventually starts rapping and partners up with Derek Turner (Spawn) and producer Ant to form Urban Atmosphere, which they shorten to Atmosphere.
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these things kind of came together. I’m still mad at the world, but it’s like being mad at the world with a sense of what I’m trying to do about it. At what age did you discover you had a penchant for rhyming? Well, I just embraced the whole shit—because the culture gave me the identity. The neighborhood I grew up in was predominantly children who were involving themselves in hip-hop
1970 (Sept. 6) Producer Anthony Davis (Ant) is born. He would eventually follow in his father’s footsteps and learn to DJ.
through breakdancing, graffiti, rapping, DJing and all those things—but we didn’t necessarily go “Oh, I’m going to do this,” or “I’m going to do that, ” or “I’m going to make a career out of it.” It was just something we did, like playing baseball. But I wasn’t attempting to become a professional baseball player. That’s what kids do. But at some point, if a kid is good at baseball, and someone notices, things are bound to happen. And that’s kind of what happened with us. I would say that when I was in my late teens, that I was like “Oh, I want to be a DJ. I want to be a DJ on the radio. I want to be a DJ in the club.” But even then, I wanted to be a DJ, not a rapper. I thought the DJ was the cool guy. It wasn’t until the late ’80s that it was revealed to us that the rapper is actually cooler than the DJ. That was the image, at least, that was being pushed on to us. Then it was like, “Anybody can be rappers just like anybody can be in a rock band.”
1972 (Sept. 7) - Sean Daley is born. Sean eventually adopts his father Craig Daley’s nickname “Sluggo” and later shortens it to Slug. 1980s – At Washburn High School, young Daley befriends several other fellow rappers and forms a hip-hop collective that focuses mostly on breakdancing and freestyling.
2005 (Oct. 22) You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having peaks at #1 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart.
I understand you cofounded Rhymesayers Entertainment. And you’ve been around for decades. What’s your secret to longevity? I think Rhymesayers is a web of creative and business-minded people and adventurous people that are continuing to look for what they can do to keep the life going. The constant touring of Atmosphere was a weird situation. Check this out: When I was a kid, nobody’s dad liked hip-hop. If your hip-hop didn’t scare dads, you weren’t making good hip-hop. Nowadays, it’s a different thing. I still think rap should make older white people uncomfortable—I think that should be a rule. But, there’s something interesting here about how you have 50-year-olds that listen to hip-hop. That never could have happened when I was a kid. Now there’s room for the Neil Young of hip-hop. Do you believe Americans have grown numb to the constant pervasive violence in the news? I can’t really say on behalf of Americans, but for myself, I have to unplug from social media. I have to stop looking at my news feed. I have to stop hearing the news every so often—more often
than when I was younger. When I was younger, it would be because I didn’t have time to keep up with what’s going on in the world. Now that I’m older, I’m intentionally making a decision to keep up sometimes because I’m exhausted. It exhausts me. I don’t know if “numb” is the right word, but I would use the word “exhausted.” I’m exhausted by the violence. I’m exhausted by the stories of police brutality and police misconduct. I’m exhausted by people hurting each other. So maybe the next step is numb. It’s going to exhaust my fucking ability to have empathy— hopefully not, because that’s what connects us all as human beings. I think we really, really, really need to reconsider what all this interconnectivity is doing to us. I don’t know that it’s good. And I’m not trying to be the guy with the tin foil hat. I’m just saying, when someone like me is nervous about empathy levels, that’s not good. Empathy is my superpower. I loved social media for awhile, because it was fun to meet people, make friends and sell records. But now I try to see how far in the day I can go without checking my Twitter.
1997 (Aug. 5) - Atmosphere released its debut independent album Overcast! by Rhymesayers Entertainment. It generated the single “Scapegoat” which helped define the sound of Atmosphere. Spawn quits the group after the first album.
2001 (Feb. 1) - Three of Atmosphere’s EPs, Ford One, Ford Two and Lucy, are released as an LP called Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs. 2002 (June 11) - Atmosphere releases God Loves Ugly, and the single “Modern Man’s Hustle” becomes one of the duo’s most successful singles, peaking at #18 on Billboard’s US Hot Rap Songs chart.
2005 (May 6) - By popular demand, Atmosphere’s 1999 album Headshots Se7en is finally reissued on CD, and fans cite it as the album that solidified the group’s sound. 2004 – Atmosphere hires a live band with a guitar section in order to perform certain songs. 2003 (Sept. 23) - The album Seven’s Travels is the group’s third full-length, but the duo decides to release it on Epitaph Records, a punk rock label typically known for bands like Rancid and NOFX.
2002 (Dec. 10) - Slug’s side project Felt, a duo he formed with Murs, releases its debut album Felt: A Tribute to Christina Ricci. Felt would go on to release two more albums in between Atmosphere projects.
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“They’re filling prisons up with people who a r e b a s i c a l ly j u s t t r y i n g t o s e l f - m e d i c a t e o r h e l p s o m e o n e e l s e s e l f - m e d i c at e . P e o p l e are trying to deal with how depressing t h i s f u c k i n g s o c i e t y i s. F o r i n s ta n c e , i f y o u p u t m y d a d a w ay f o r d o i n g d r u g s , a l l you’re doing is putting me in a position to do more drugs—because now I have to cope w i t h t h e f a c t t h a t y o u t h r e w m y f a m i ly i n p r i s o n o v e r d r u g s. I t c r e at e s a cyc l e . ” You’re a master at writing breakup songs, such as “I Should’ve Known” or “Fuck You Lucy.” Is songwriting a form of emotional therapy for yourself? I would say it’s had its moments of being cathartic. There’s times when I’ve used it to handle and deal with situations. I’ve always written material to get through shit. Not just breakup songs, but the loss of a loved one. I’ve been fired from jobs, and I’d write about it. You gotta understand that a lot of rappers’ writing never makes it to the record. But if you were to look through the pages and pages of shit that I’ve written, you could kind of see all of the negative shit that’s ever happened in my life. Shit that’s happened to me or shit that I’ve perpetuated myself. It’s a way to vent. It’s a way to get through it. You write your way through your problems. I’ve also used the good things in my life to inspire the writing. It’s always interesting to me when someone says “Yeah, I like Atmosphere when they used to write songs about this, this and this, but now that they’re writing songs about this, I’m not into it.” If you’re not going through 32
the same kind of shit that I am, why would you? Do you believe artists who are in the public eye have a responsibility to speak out on political issues? I would never say it’s a responsibility. People have to do what’s comfortable with them. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking out, because it’s just not who you are, then don’t! Because you could be doing a disservice to the particular movement that you’re trying to help. So no, I don’t think it’s a responsibility. The only thing that any of us are responsible to do is just to do our fucking best. Whatever that means, however you want to interpret that, that’s up to you. Just do your best. Do your best to do your best. I’ve always put political shit in my music. But back in the day, I was insecure about it, so I would be more cryptic. I would tuck it in cryptically. I didn’t want to come off preachy. My heroes were Chuck D and Rakim and KRS-One. Chuck D and KRS-One would cross the line into preachy. I appreciated that, but I didn’t feel confident enough to try to do what they were
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doing because they were my heroes. As of lately, I’ve been a little bit more direct but I think that comes with age. You’re just like, “This is who the fuck I am, and there’s nothing you can say that going to make me feel awkward about it.” Before I would pause as ask myself, “Am I right for the job?” You frequently rap about police brutality. What are your opinions on injustices like the Philando Castile shooting? Here’s the thing: These cops are scared. If we don’t figure out how to address that in an honest and human way, A, the system is going to continue to happen and B, they’re going to continue to disappoint us with their fucking excuses. They should just say, “Look, I was scared, and I acted incorrectly. I did the wrong fucking thing out of fear.” And give them the punishment they deserve. Why was that particular
cop scared? He was scared because Philando Castile was black, period. That needs to be fucking addressed. Everybody needs to be aware and confront the fact that this is what’s happening and this is why it’s happening. For 400-plus years, the black man has been made out to be a fucking scary guy. We have all been conditioned, especially the police. I couldn’t tell you whether or not that particular cop hates black people, but I could tell you that cop is scared of black people. What is this irrational fear they have that makes them overreact? Why are we hiring police that feel that way? We have a very strict way that we do jury selection. Why can’t we approve or disapprove who gets hired to be the police? Why don’t police have to carry an expensive insurance policy like how doctors do?
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What do you think needs to happen in America to handle this overpopulated prison system? If I knew, I would not be rapping, and I’d have a job in the public sector. It’s due time to legitimately decriminalize a lot of drug offenses. They’re filling prisons up with people who are basically just trying to selfmedicate or help someone else selfmedicate. People are trying to deal with how depressing this fucking society is. For instance, if you put my dad away for doing drugs, all you’re doing is putting me in a position to do more drugs—because now I have to cope with the fact that you threw my family in prison over drugs. It creates a cycle. So now I’m next. How do you feel about medical and recreational cannabis? I’m pro-marijuana, but I’m not prodrugs. That means I don’t want to personally do drugs, but I certainly
don’t want to govern other people who want to do drugs. I support all uses of marijuana, not just medical. That includes the recreational use of marijuana. I’d rather see safe spaces for people to self-medicate
2008 (May 10) - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold peaks at number one on the Billboard Tastemakers chart with help from Tom Waits. The album proves to attract a larger, more mainstream fanbase. Its single “You” charts on the Billboard US Alternative Songs chart.
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+ rhymesayers.com
2011 (April 12) - The Family Sign is released, marking Atmosphere’s sixth studio album.
2016 (Dec. 9) - Frida Kahlo vs. Ezra Pound EP is released.
2017 (Aug. 7) Atmosphere kicked off the “Welcome to California” tour beginning at The Fillmore in San Francisco.
as opposed to what we’ve done in the past which is very unsafe. Unfortunately, I don’t spend enough time thinking about solutions. c
2016 (Sept. 3) - Fishing Blues peaks at number one on Billboard Independent Albums chart.
2018 (March 5) Atmosphere’s “Welcome to Canada” tour kicks off with Evidence and will visit at least 10 Canadian cities. After that, Atmosphere will continue with U.S. tour dates.
2013 (April 20) Demosexual 7” is released on vinyl, secretly recorded by Atmosphere.
2014 (May 24) - The album Southsiders peaks at number one on the Billboard Tastemakers chart.
2018 (May 25) - Atmosphere will join 311, Steel Pulse, Iration, Alpha Blondy, Stephen Marley, Slightly Stoopid, Brother Ali, Mike Love and more for the California Roots Music & Arts Festival in Monterey, California.
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“ I s ta r t e d t r y i n g C B D t i n c t u r e s t o s e e h o w t h at w o u l d h e l p, a n d I w a s a b l e t o s e e s h e w a s h e a l i n g m o r e q u i c k ly, a n d t h at ’ s r e a l ly w h e r e w e s ta r t e d . ”
Better for Bella L A mother’s love leads to a feminine cannabis topical line
By Addison Herron-Wheeler
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ike many good business ideas, the concepts behind Altitude were born from necessity. The popular Weekend Boxes produced by Altitude Products fill the needs of the modern cannabis consumer, with everything necessary to have a wellrounded cannabis experience, complete with instructions that detail what strains do and how to imbibe. And its recent premium cannabis topical line, Bella, was born from an even deeper, maternal desire—the need for Founder Krista Whitley to find a healing treatment for daughter’s eczema. “I have daughters, Bella and Mia; they are nine and 10,” Whitley explained to CULTURE. “Bella has had eczema her entire life. It was a real challenge, and we spent all of her toddler years and most of her childhood in dermatologists’ Photos by Shannon Dorn with Dope Foto
offices. We tried light therapy. She was on every steroid; she has been on every type of holistic treatment, anything we could come up with, but it wasn’t working, and she would still get made fun of at school for having ‘snake skin.’” Whitley struggled with watching her daughter feel so much shame about her skin. Living in Las Vegas, Nevada, 100-degree days are common, and even in the summer when the heat was unbearable, Bella wanted to wear long sleeves to cover up, because she was uncomfortable showing off her skin. At this time, Whitley was reading about how cannabis can be a pain reliever, and she was using cannabidiol (CBD) as her own method of holistic healing. Whitley decided to try this healing technique on her daughter’s skin.
“I started trying CBD tinctures to see how that would help, and I was able to see she was healing more quickly, and that’s really where we started,” Whitley explained. “Then I thought, ‘Gosh, it’s so dry here; we have to have some type of moisturizing cream,’ so I started playing with ingredients. It really started in my kitchen, researching holistic options and trying a variety of things. I knew preservatives or things with additives would set off her skin, so I started researching things that worked side-by-side with skin care, playing with different formulations.” After mixing and experimenting in her kitchen for a while, Whitley came up with a lotion that soothed her daughter’s skin and healed her eczema, all using holistic CBD distillate and natural ingredients that worked in tandem with the CBD. She just released the CBD version of the cream nationwide called Crema Elegante, as well as an adult-only THC cream in Nevada. So far, both have been received very well. “It’s exciting to see something that started in my kitchen come to fruition,” she explained. “It doesn’t irritate her skin, doesn’t cause flare-ups. It’s exciting to her, and to me it was always important as an entrepreneur to show her that women can do anything, so it’s exciting that she gets to see a line of products inspired by her.” Her special line of Bella products include disposable vaporizers and spa products like the CBD and essential oil-infused bath bomb, Bomba da Bango and the CBD and Himalayan bath salt, Sale de Bagno. Whitley also produces Weekend Boxes, which are complete kits for a weekend of cannabis consumption. The goal behind these is to educate those who are new to cannabis about the products available and how they should be used. “We walk everyone through a terpene guide so they understand why terpenes are so important, walk them through microdosing and through whatever product is included in that iteration of the box,” Whitley explained. “And the guidance is specific to the type of box. So if it’s our starter box that has an eighth of
“Bella has had eczema her entire life. It was a real challenge, and we spent all of her toddler years and most of her childhood in d e r m at o l o g i s t s ’ offices.”
flower, it includes the cultivator and different phenotypes. If it’s a pre-roll, it will explain the strains used. If it’s infused products it will walk them through the effect they can anticipate. We also include concentrates, and then we walk them through how they can medicate and what concentrates are. Of course, we also include microdosed edibles. So we are really trying to educate them on all the options for cannabis use.” Whitley didn’t try cannabis herself until her 30s, after being involved in a bad car accident. She finally let go of some of the stereotypes about cannabis she had learned while growing up, when a friend suggested she try it as a supplement to replace some of the many prescription drugs she was taking. Whitley found success in using cannabis for pain management, and she realized the importance of celebrating cannabis as an alternative treatment option. Ever since then, she has been committed to being an advocate and educator, even as she makes for-profit products. Bella creams, her latest offering, are an extension of her overall ethos that cannabis products should help people in need. c
+ shopcelebratebella.com
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Industry Insider
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World Ta k e o v e r C a m B at t l e y a d m i t s t h at A m e r i c a’ s federal prohibition allows Canadabased Aurora Cannabis to thrive By R. Scott Rappold
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e Americans like to think we’re in the forefront when it comes to cannabis legalization. After all, nearly 30 states have medical cannabis and nine have approved recreational cannabis for adults, the most significant wave of legalization since the plant was banned seven decades ago. But it’s our neighbors to the north who are quietly paving the way for the future of the industry. Colorado and California may get all the press, but Canada has developed one of the world’s most liberal medical cannabis policies, one that has allowed truly national cannabis companies to develop in ways American companies cannot because the plant remains federally illegal here. As to how this future may shape out, look no further than Aurora Cannabis. While the largest U.S. cannabis companies are valued around $190 million, the Edmonton-based company was recently valued at $2.4 billion—yes, with a “b”—with a stake in nearly every phase of the process from seed to sale. 38
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“The Squarest Guy in the Cannabis Business” Battley doesn’t fit the profile of your typical cannabis peddler. He spent most of his career working in the pharmaceutical industry until a friend in 2014 suggested he look into medical cannabis. While the American government spent years battling and shutting down dispensaries, Canada’s government in 2013 created a legal framework for the industry. “Are you crazy? I do serious stuff,” Battley responded to his friend. Then he began to look at the actual medical benefits of the plant. “What resonated with me is that medical cannabis is used to manage the symptoms of a wide range of health conditions, and I was well aware of the vast unmet medical need with respect to symptom management across this wide range of conditions,” he said. “So a light bulb went on for me immediately, and it was one of those times in life when you’re absolutely delighted to find out you were completely wrong about something.” “Today they call me ‘the squarest guy in the cannabis business’ because of my business background. Plus I’ve been a Scout leader for 10 years and soccer coach for 10 years.” In 2016, he took the job as chief corporate officer at Aurora, making him the company’s public face in dealing with the media, investors, regulators and others. And he won’t even admit to ever enjoying the product. There’s a good reason for that, however. The U.S. Border Patrol in recent years has begun banning non-citizens from entry—in some cases for life— for simply admitting to having consumed cannabis.
Not too shabby, eh? And as Canada moves toward legal use for adults, they’re only getting started. “I have a joke I tell that I wake up every morning and say a prayer of thanks to the DEA for keeping cannabis federally illegal in the U.S.,” said Cam Battley, 49, Aurora’s chief corporate officer. It’s a joke, and he is quick to point out that he thinks it’s ridiculous the plant remains federally illegal here. But behind every joke is a bit of truth. “The huge advantage we’ve got over the U.S. is that in the U.S. cannabis remains federally illegal. It means the companies can’t produce in one state and sell in another. It means they can’t deduct their business expenses so the effective tax rate can be 60 to 70 percent. And they can’t list on public exchanges and have the same access to capital that Canadian companies have used to successfully begin our global growth.” “Not only have we been able to expand across Canada and establish massive capacity, but we’ve been able to expand around the world.”
“ T h at s a i d , the longer cannabis remains f e d e r a l ly i l l e g a l in the U.S., the more lead time we h a v e t o e s ta b l i s h our global l e a d e r s h i p. ” Growth and Enterprise When Battley joined Aurora Cannabis in 2016, the company had 35 employees and a value of $70 million. Today the company has 480 employees, rivaled in size and value in Canada only by Canopy Growth Corp. The two companies together are valued at $6 billion, which is more than Canadians spent on medical and recreational cannabis in 2017. Battley credits Aurora’s growth to Founder Terry Booth, who used his own money to launch the company’s first 100-acre grow operation in 2013 and has guided it through the sort of growth that would be impossible in the U.S. Take the company’s 800,000-square-foot grow operation at Edmonton International Airport, where they expect to produce 100,000 kilograms of cannabis a year. Said Battley, “The airport authority is our landlord, and that’s a federal body, so effectively Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is our landlord. Can you imagine having Donald Trump as a landlord of a cannabis company?” Alberta’s minister of economic development even showed up at the press conference announcing the airport project. Such government support is just one of many factors that has allowed Aurora and its competitors to reach a size American companies only dream of. The federal agency Health
G.
Canada has created a nationwide framework for medical cannabis, so unlike in the U.S., patients don’t have to worry when they travel that what is legal at home could be a felony in the province they are visiting. For Aurora, that means the ability to operate across the country, which U.S. companies can’t do. The company also has access to investor money through the Toronto Stock Exchange and does not face limits on vertical integration like many U.S. states have established. That means companies are limited from controlling all phases of production and sale. Lacking such regulations, Aurora has invested in or purchased companies that specialize in extractions, companies that conduct cannabis research, companies that specialize in gardening techniques and companies that design waste digesters. Aurora owns one of Europe’s leading medical cannabis importers, which provides up to 40 percent of the company’s revenue. In anticipation of Canada’s legal recreational market, Aurora purchased 200 liquor stores in order to convert them to cannabis sales. Despite all this growth, it doesn’t do a dime of business in the U.S. So while his joke about U.S. cannabis policy is just that, a joke, nobody at Aurora is laughing. “It’s ironic, because we’re very much aware [U.S. policy]
is prolonging the social harms associated with prohibition in the U.S., and I disapprove of that very, very strongly. The advocate in me gets quite angry at that, because we also know that those social harms associated with prohibition land much more on Americans who are minorities and poor than they do on others.” “That said, the longer cannabis remains federally illegal in the U.S., the more lead time we have to establish our global leadership. It’s an odd situation of public policy, which I strongly disapprove and think is wrong is actually in the shortterm beneficial to leading Canadian companies like Aurora.” c CultureMagazine.com
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Seasoned ST h eou nno fgf i csi a lmg oid tf athh e r o f i n d i e , C a lv i n J o h n s o n By Emily Manke
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lympia-based Calvin Johnson’s music and personality are like a finely crafted bleu cheese—indescribably unique and they only improve with age—which is perhaps why Johnson’s career has withstood the test of time, despite independent music being anything but a secure industry. There’s always a market for a good “bleu cheese,” so to speak, no matter how niche. You may not have heard of Calvin Johnson as a solo musician, but if you’re into Northwest indie music, you’ve probably heard of at least one of his bands. Beat Happening, The Go! Team, The Halo Benders, Dub Narcotic Sound System, and The Hive Dwellers have all benefited from Johnson’s signature baritone vocals and guitar skills. Johnson also performs and records electronic music under the name Selector Dub Narcotic. Johnson took some time to talk with CULTURE about his inspirations, new projects and his opinions about cannabis.
“When I was in high school, we used to go to concerts at t h e S e at t l e Center or the Kingdome and those places were just a fog of marijuana s m o k e . Y o u k n o w, concerts like Steve Miller Band, Paul McCartney and Wings, Aerosmith, Jefferson S ta r s h i p, j u s t s o much marijuana everywhere.”
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Photo by Sarah Cass
Tell us about your musical history. My name is Calvin Johnson. I live in Olympia, Washington. My first show was in 1979, and now my most recent show was in November of 2017. And that was at Evergreen State College [where] I performed as part of the Return to Evergreen weekend with a combination of some other Evergreen alumni and students. It was fun to play with some Evergreen students. Can you name some musicians who have influenced you, either those who have been on K Records (Calvin Johnson’s record label) or just historical figures who have excited your musical sensibilities? Well, at K [Records] we’ve worked with Mirah. We had LAKE, a music group who live up on Whidbey Island. And then there is the band Aries, who we put out a record with last year. That was a very cool album. Can you tell me a little bit about some of your upcoming projects? Selector Dub Narcotic has a new 45 [RPM single] coming out in June. It’s called “Bounce it Out,” and it has a video that goes with it. Just shot the video like a week ago, so I haven’t even seen the rough cuts yes, but it’s very exciting.
How has cannabis impacted you and your musical experiences? It used to be that people were imbibing in various mindaltering substances, and I would just be like totally unaware. But now it’s hard not to notice. Because what we used to say in high school, is ‘Hey man, you reek,’ and now basically the entire Northwest reeks. It’s like you can’t get on the bus without this sort of overpowering, skunk weed sort of smell. When I was in high school, we used to go to concerts at the Seattle Center or the Kingdome and those places were just a fog of marijuana smoke. You know, concerts like Steve Miller Band, Paul McCartney and Wings, Aerosmith, Jefferson Starship, just so much marijuana everywhere. And it was just like smoking out in the open like it was cool. Is there an artist or song or album or band you recommend listening to when consuming cannabis? Doug Martsch from Built to Spill. I don’t know whether he uses marijuana products regularly, but I do know that some of his stuff that he experiments with is probably enjoyable to those who use cannabis products. c
Calvin Johnson Live @ Upstream Music Fest + Summit June 1-3 at Pioneer Square, Seattle
+ calvinjohnson.bandcamp.com/music
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“ T h e e x t e n t t o w h i c h o u r r e s u lt s were influenced by mis-reporting of marijuana use is unclear.”
Exploring the Truth A n e w s t u d y c h a l l e n g e s t h e w i d e ly - h e l d b e l i e f t h at c a n n a b i s h a s a n e g at i v e i m p a c t o n f e r t i l i t y By Emily Manke
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cience has long indicated that when it comes to fertility, cannabis may not be your friend. Studies on animals have suggested that when it comes to reproduction for both males and females, cannabis has damaging effects—but when it comes to studies on humans, the research is less consistent. Most of the existing research indicates that consuming cannabis may not be a wise choice if you’re 42
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struggling to conceive a baby. A recent study challenges this body of knowledge, however. The Boston University study, called “Marijuana use and fecundability in a North American preconception cohort study,” headed by Dr. Lauren A. Wise came out in December 2017. Unlike previous studies, this one’s findings suggest that cannabis has essentially no effects on fertility, negative or otherwise. Despite her extremely busy schedule, Dr. Wise made time to answer some questions for CULTURE about her recent findings, and how they relate to existing research on this subject.
Dr. Lauren A. Wise
Were you surprised at your initial findings that indicate cannabis seemed to have an essentially benign impact on fertility? Dr. Wise: Yes, we were somewhat surprised. Animal studies have reported adverse effects of the active ingredient marijuana on reproductive hormones and sperm morphology. Studies among humans have also suggested adverse effects of marijuana use on reproductive hormones (both sexes), ovulation and semen quality, but results have been less consistent. And some studies indicate that humans may develop tolerance to the adverse reproductive effects of marijuana over time. So, we went into this thinking we would find an adverse effect of marijuana use on fertility for both females and males. Where did the previous belief that cannabis lowered sperm count come from? Were there previous studies that supported this or is it basically just a myth? No, it is not a myth. Several animal studies
have shown inhibition of Leydig cell function, reductions in testosterone, gonadotropins and testicular size and abnormal sperm morphology following acute exposure to the active ingredient in marijuana, delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9THC). In humans, some studies of men report that chronic marijuana use in men is associated with lower testosterone and LH levels and poor semen quality, but many studies have not confirmed these findings, and reversible effects have been observed five to six weeks after initiation. A large population-based Danish study actually reported an increase in testosterone levels among recent marijuana smokers (which we would expect to be associated with better semen quality). So the results are somewhat mixed even for semen quality. It was a strength that we studied fecundability directly, instead of semen quality (a more indirect measure of fertility), because several studies
have shown that poor semen quality is only weakly associated with fecundability. How does cannabis affect female fertility? In our paper, we summarized the research on cannabis and females as follows: “In female animals ranging from rodents to non-human primates, delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, has been associated with reduced gonadotropin levels (via suppression of luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatile secretion), disrupted ovulation and menstrual irregularities. However, in one study of primates, normal menses returned after 3–4 months of chronic exposure. In women, studies are more conflicting. One study found a 30 percent decrease in LH levels among marijuana smokers in the luteal phase, but little effect in the follicular phase. In another study, exposure in the periovulatory stage was associated with increased LH levels. While intensive marijuana smoking was associated with normal menses in one study, other studies have shown increased anovulation, longer follicular phases and shorter luteal phases. Finally, recent marijuana use has been associated with reduced oocyte retrieval and fertilization among couples undergoing in vitro fertilization and an increased risk of ovulatory infertility.” Where do you see the future when it comes to cannabis and fertility? More research is needed to see whether a consistent finding of no effect emerges from other studies of marijuana use and fertility. The extent to which our results were influenced by mis-reporting of marijuana use is unclear. Future studies with day-specific data on marijuana “ I n h u m a n s , use might better be able to s o m e s t u d i e s distinguish acute from chronic o f m e n r e p o r t effects of marijuana use, and evaluate whether effects t h at c h r o n i c depend on other factors, such m a r i j u a n a u s e i n as marijuana dose, mode of m e n i s a s s o c i at e d ingestion, duration and recency of use, and timing of use relative w i t h l o w e r to phase of menstrual cycle.
testosterone and LH levels and poor semen q u a l i t y, b u t m a n y studies have not confirmed these findings, and reversible effects have been observed five to six weeks after i n i t i at i o n . ”
As Dr. Wise stated, more research must be done on this fascinating subject before there are any definitive answers one way or the other. Still, it’s encouraging to hear that with more research, there is a possibility we may find evidence to support what many cannabis users likely already believed—of all the substances that may impact your ability to reproduce, cannabis is pretty low on the list. c CultureMagazine.com
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Explore a few c a n n a b i s - r e l at e d spring break d e s t i n at i o n s By Caroline Hayes
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pring break—two little words that give so much hope to overworked humans. From early March to mid-April, it’s a time in the year between the holidays and summer, where the weather can be drab and when people need a light at the end of their tunnel of life. Spring break vacations are a time to reconnect with friends, family and self. For some, it means warm weather destinations. For others, it means hitting the slopes or just visiting a new city or state. If you are someone who needs cannabis to stay pain-free or to reduce stress and anxiety, you might be concerned about medicating at your destination. Do you want to spend your vacation in a place that encourages or doesn’t discriminate against cannabis consumption? Here are a few destinations that will provide a safe haven for spring breakers.
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Jamaica
The island of Jamaica is the place to go to wash away memories of those traumatic late nights you just spent studying for finals or working late. Negril, Jamaica is an excellent destination on the island for spring breakers. Negril’s claim to fame, Seven Mile Beach, is consistently regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. You can buy anything from a freshly caught lobster, a sun hat, a boat ride or a meat pie while hanging on Seven Mile Beach. The food is delicious, the culture is unique, and the snorkeling is a must. There are all-inclusive resorts, boutique hotels and house rentals. The laws? Although cannabis isn’t technically legal in Jamaica, a blind eye has sometimes been turned towards tourists partaking. Since 2015, the Jamaican House of Parliament declared that less than two ounces of flower is a petty offense. You may feel inclined to ask a staff member or concierge at your hotel where to find something to smoke on, as it is not recommended to head into rural parts of the island to find your own doobie. Be sure to visit the famous Rick’s Café to enjoy a daiquiri, a joint and cliff divers.
Florida
People have been flocking to Florida for spring break since spring break first came to be and for good reason. (Fun fact: Spring break has been observed since the 1930s.) Florida has a tropical landscape, beaches for days and some notorious party cities like Miami, Panama City and Fort Myers. These towns thrive on spring break tourism. Boat parties, beach parties, foam parties, themed parties, pool parties and more fill the calendars for the months of March and April. The current cannabis law in Florida states that less that 20 grams of flower is a misdemeanor, however, is still considered a criminal offense so be discreet when lighting up in public. Talk to the locals to find out which clubs don’t discriminate.
California
The Golden State has something for everyone. If you’re looking for the music festival experience, head to the Empire Polo Club in Indio for a diverse lineup of artists at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (April 13-15 and 20-22) or catch Stagecoach, California’s Country Music Festival (April 27-29). Cannabis consumers can feel right at home at the Desert Hot Springs Inn, just eight minutes from the Empire Polo Club. Vaping is permitted indoors and smoking outdoors. Treat yourself to a cannabis oil massage at its spa. Enjoy beautiful views of Southern Californian mountains from the hot mineral pools. Want to be on the move? California’s coastline is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Fly into Southern California, spend a couple days relaxing on warm beaches, then rent a car and drive up Highway 1 toward the redwood forest in Northern California.
Colorado
The Rocky Mountains may not be the tropics but you can count on sunny days and blue skies. Head to Aspen to enjoy world-renowned skiing and gorgeous views. Channel those spring break vibes and head out to the ultimate party, the Bud Light Spring Jam 2018 (March 23-April 1) with events in going down in Aspen and Snowmass. While no hotels boast 420-friendly in the area, there are seriously amazing private rentals for you to discreetly consume your purchases on balconies or with vaporizers. Check out the “Cozy, Quiet, Private, Aspen Studio” on Airbnb as a friendly lodging option. Just two hours from Denver International Airport sits Breckenridge—a down-to-earth ski town. Depending on your spring break dates, you can attend events during LGBT appreciation week (March 7-11) or its Mardi Gras Celebration, both which are a part of the town’s Spring Fever month-long events. Or get to know all of Breckenridge’s notable breweries at the Breckenridge Spring Beer Festival (April 7). As for lodging, check out “The Breck Haus-With Private Hot Tub-420 Friendly” or “420 Friendly Cabin on Peak 7 in Breckinridge” on Airbnb. Both towns have plenty of recreational dispensaries where visitors who are 21 and over can purchase consumables.
Cannabis tourism isn’t a secret anymore and tourists are benefiting from legal states’ laws. Before you go, familiarize yourself with the laws of the town you’re heading to and where you’re staying to avoid any hang-ups and so you can max and relax to the fullest. Be sure to respect the locals and represent wherever it is that you came from with style and grace. This list is not exhaustive and we hope we got your wheels turning. There is something exciting for every connoisseur in each of the legal states. Be creative, do your research and use your resources to create the ultimate cannabis-friendly break. c CultureMagazine.com
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Cannabis-Infused Irish Soda Bread By Laurie Wolf | Photo by Bruce Wolf
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rish Soda Bread is delicious, and with the addition of cannabutter, we are keeping things very green this St. Patrick’s Day with this recipe. Wait until the bread cools a bit before slicing; it can be delightfully crumbly. The cannabutter doesn’t receive any green tint once it has been baked—but trust me, it’s in there. If you are longing for a green bread to help you celebrate this Irish holiday, add a drop or two of green food coloring to the liquids before mixing with the flour.
1. Heat oven to 340 degrees F. Prepare a cast iron pan or baking sheet by spreading with oil or parchment. 2. In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and raisins.
Irish Soda Bread
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Ingredients: Canola oil 2 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons cannabutter*, chill and cut in small cubes
6 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut in small cubes
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup golden raisins
Green food coloring (optional)
4. In a small bowl combine the buttermilk, egg, vanilla and optional food coloring. Stir well. 5. Add the liquids to the dry mix and combine until it just comes together. Shape into a ball. 6. Place in the pan and make an “x” on the top with a serrated knife. 7. Bake for about 40 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Honey Cannabutter 4 ounces cannabutter*, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-4 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
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3. Add the butter and work the butter into the dough, until it resembles coarse crumbs.
8. While bread is baking, mix all Honey Cannabutter ingredients together thoroughly. Enjoy in moderation and #dontfeartheedible!
*Any portion of the cannabutter can be replaced by non-infused butter.
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Hawaiian Garden II gr o wing
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there is 10 hours, 51 minutes of light. This is a long enough dark period to induce most plants to flower. To prevent this, my hosts used fluorescent lights, turned on throughout the light to keep the plants from complete darkness. The relatively dim light was sufficient enough to prevent the plants from flowering. When they had grown fairly large, the lights were turned off. With long hours of darkness, they immediately started to flower. I was in the garden around Dec. 4, 2017 when the plants were at the start of the flowering cycle; the lights had been turned off the previous week. I thought it would take two months for the plants to ripen and that I would return in time for the harvest. I should have known that was not to be. I had forgotten that the plants were getting a far shorter light period. Longer nights speed up ripening, so the plants sacrifice bud size for shorter ripening time.
The island sits at 21.14 ° N., close enough to the equator so that there is only a small variation of light length through the year, On June 21, the longest day of the year there is 13 hours, 25 minutes. On December 21, the shortest day
In the first part of this article, “Lessons from a Hawaiian Garden,” I visited two medical gardens on the small Hawaiian island of Molokai.
2017 annual light levels in hawaii
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Photos by Zach Socher
Source for Charts: 2017 U.S. Geological Society
hawaii CLOUD COVER CATEGORIES CLEARER
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G13 is a heavy, almost couchpotato indica has a high content of pinene, which makes it sedative and relaxing. The Molokai version is lightly sprinkled with sativa genetics. This gives it a bit more
My friend Zach was kind enough to take the photos you see in this column. They were taken on Dec. 6, 2017, shortly before and during harvesting. They were mostly Molokai G13.
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energy and is more conducive to daytime, as well as evening use. Although people think of it as an indica, it has a mostly sativa morphology. It’s a vigorous grower with a lot of spreading lateral
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taller and extending branching. At maturity, these plants were 8-9 feet tall and were 8-10 feet wide. (Ed’s suggested to put the following paragraph “in a design box,” or as a sidebar-type thing) G13 has a “mysterious” history of origination. One rumor is that it was bred at a government research facility at the University of Mississippi
branches and it can easily grow 8-10 feet tall. Those characteristics indicate its substantial sativa heritage, but its effects come from its indica side. Another sativa characteristic is continued vegetative growth in during the first half of flowering. The plants fill out with continued stem growth, adding several feet
and was sneaked out. However, with my knowledge of the University’s lab I don’t think that is a credible story. Another tale is that it was developed in Washington State in a federally subsidized laboratory. This rumor is persistent, but vague. The problem with that theory is, there were no labs licensed to grow in the northwest at the time the variety broke out. c
2017 hawaii temperatures
100OF 90OF 80OF
Jul 3 83OF
Apr 8 79 OF
Jan 23 77OF
Aug 24 85OF
Oct 18 83OF
Dec 17 79 OF HIGH
70OF LOW
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Mature plants in the field. Molokai skies have about 25 percent cloud cover. Even so, the plants receive intense light and plenty of UV spectrum.
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Grower in the garden. Each medical patient [in Hawaii] is allowed 10 plants. That’s usually enough to supply medical needs.
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A mature bud. Winter crop buds are on the small side because they mature quickly and don’t have time for more growth.
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The farmer was happy with his healthy, vigorous plants.
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Inspecting a plant’s buds.
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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Don de Leaumont
the cannabis serves as the perfect companion for the meds that I take on a daily basis. Age: 35 Location: Atlanta, Georgia
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Condition/Illness: Low Spectrum Bipolar/Anxiety Consuming Medical Cannabis Since: 2016 Why did you start consuming cannabis? I have always been a cannabis smoker but never really put two and two together that it was actually helping me with my mental illness. About two years ago or so, I started getting cannabis from someone who works with medicinal patients, so I was able to actually get the specific strains that I need for my condition. Cannabis offers me a specific feeling of calmness and creativity. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? I am currently on meds for my mental illness, but
What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? For me, it’s the social and legal stigma. Not all people who smoke or use cannabis do so just to do it. While there are recreational users of cannabis, ask just about any user, and they’ll tell you that it helps them in physically and/or mentally in one form or another. I think if other states would look at the success of states like Colorado and California, they would see that the good far outweighs the bad. What do you say to those who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? I say don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, but do so responsibly. Ask around, and find folks who are using for medicinal reasons, and ask questions. Do your research. Most of all, keep your mind opened. You may just find yourself very surprised at the results. 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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News of the
Weird
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LEAD STORY—WEIRD CHEMISTRY In Lawrence County, Tennessee, law enforcement officials are confronting the fallout from a new drug known as “Wasp” (crystallized wasp repellant mixed with methamphetamine). To wit: On Dec. 18, as the Johnson family baked Christmas cookies in their Lawrenceburg kitchen, Danny Hollis, 35, walked into their home and asked for help. NewsChannel 5 in Nashville reported Hollis poured himself a glass of water from the sink before
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grabbing a knife and cutting across his throat. Teenage son Canaan Johnson said Hollis then ran up to the second floor, heaved an oak dresser down the stairs, and jumped out a window onto a gazebo below, seriously injuring his neck. The Johnsons, meanwhile, had retreated to their car, where they called 911. Hollis chased the car down the street, but got hung up on a barbed wire fence, then stripped naked to free himself and climbed a nearby tree, where officers found him, according to police reports. Hollis fought them off by allegedly throwing his own feces at them, as they tased him out of the tree. Hollis was booked into the county jail on numerous charges. OOOH, WISE GUY, EH? Khaled A. Shabani, 46, a hairstylist in Madison,
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Wisconsin, was arrested on a tentative charge of mayhem and disorderly conduct while armed after an altercation with a customer on Dec. 22. Shabani scolded the 22-year-old customer for fidgeting, then taught him a lesson by using the “shortest possible attachment” to “run down the middle of the customer’s head,” reported the Wisconsin State Journal, and “leaving him looking a bit like Larry from ‘The Three Stooges,’” police spokesman Joel DeSpain said. Shabani also clipped the customer’s ear with scissors. “While it is not a crime to give someone a bad haircut,” DeSpain noted, “you will get arrested for intentionally snipping their ear with a scissors.” Shabani said the snip was an accident, and his charge was later reduced to a ticket for disorderly conduct.
BRIGHT IDEAS Polk County (Florida) Sheriff’s officers responded to an unusual 911 call on New Year’s Eve: Michael Lester, 39, of Winter Haven, started off by telling the dispatcher, “Umm, I’m drunk. I don’t know where I’m at. I’m just drunk driving.” The dispatcher urged Lester to pull over and park, but he explained that he was driving on the wrong side of the road near a Publix and wondered where the police were. WTVT reported that officers finally caught up with Lester, who helpfully explained he’d had several beers, hadn’t slept much and had taken methamphetamine earlier in the day; he was jailed on a DUI charge. Officers later posted on their Facebook page that “in this particular incident, nobody was hurt, so we couldn’t help but LOTO (that means we Laughed Our Tasers Off).”
Disgruntled driver Matthew Middleton, 49, of Peterlee, England, spotted a speed camera near Hartlepool Rugby Club in October and decided to take a stand. He got out of his car and stood in front of the camera, blocking it, until police arrested him. Middleton further antagonized the officer by calling him a “pig” and giving his name as Elvis Presley. “They acted like what I did was the crime of the century,” Middleton told Metro News. “I know I shouldn’t have done it. People have just been laughing about it . . . well, apart from my wife.” Middleton was fined about $54 plus court costs for his antics. AWESOME! Bertha Vickers of Morgantown, Mississippi, turned 100 on Jan. 9. To celebrate, she bagged a deer. “I was sort of shaking until I got ready to shoot,” Vickers told the Clarion Ledger. “I didn’t think it was all going to go right.” Vickers still lives in her home and mows her own lawn, tends a garden and hunts for squirrels. “I don’t know why everybody is making such a big deal about it,” she said. “It was just a doe. I would love to kill a buck.” LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINAL When Dustin Johnson, 22, of Minot, North Dakota, tried to steal $4,000 worth of merchandise from a local Hobby Lobby, he failed to take into account that shopping carts don’t have snow tires. The Grand Forks Herald reported that over a seven-hour period on Jan. 3, Johnson
filled a cart then fled the store—where the cart became stuck in snow in the parking lot and flipped over. Johnson fell down, then got up to run, leaving behind his wallet with photo ID matching the shoplifter’s description. Minot police caught up with Johnson at his home. EXTREME CLIMATE NEWS It may be cold where you are, but it’s hot in Broadford, a small town about an hour from Melbourne, Australia, where on Jan. 5, the highway began melting. Temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and higher reactivated an ingredient in the road surface, turning it into a sticky mess on the Hume Freeway, 9News reported. Motorists were warned by Victoria police to avoid the right lane and expect delays over a 10km stretch. Officials also put in place a fire ban and urged people to stay indoors until the heat abated. SMOKE ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM Christians in a Portuguese village carry on a curious tradition during Epiphany: They encourage their young children to smoke cigarettes. Vale de Salgueiro locals told Fox News that nobody is sure what the smoking symbolizes, but the centuries-old tradition persists. And Portuguese authorities don’t intervene, despite the fact that the legal age to purchase tobacco in Portugal is 18. Writer Jose Ribeirinha researched the tradition and said that since Roman times, villagers in the region have done things that were out of the norm during winter solstice celebrations. CultureMagazine.com
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