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inside
contents 11.2019
FEARLESS AND FREE
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Musician Melissa Etheridge’s mainstream success has led her to speak out for LGBTQ rights, raise money for charity and become an outspoken advocate for medical cannabis. ON THE COVER:
PHOTO BY LAUREN DUKOFF
features 30
Seeking Support Cannabis events and retreats geared toward women are gaining in popularity across the nation.
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Industry Insider Dr. Priyanka Sharma, a chemical engineer at Kazmira, helps create high quality hemp oil that contains absolutely no THC.
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Intriguing Acids Dr. Raphael Mechoulam continues to further our understanding of cannabis, as he shares his latest scientific breakthrough.
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Synth Warrior LP Giobbi is an intensely passionate producer and DJ whose life is surrounded by music.
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departments
reviews 11 Cool Stuff 12 Entertainment Reviews 14 Company Highlight news 16 News Nuggets 17 Local News 18 By the Numbers 19 Healthy Living in every issue 40 À La Carte 42 Growing Culture 44 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! d Scotland Supports Drug Decriminalization d Cannabis Dosage Proposed by Researchers
VOL 11 ISSUE 5
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jamie Solis ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ashley Kern EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Benjamin Adams EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Matthew Abel, Hilary Bricken, Devon Alexander Brown, Jacob Cannon, Alex Distefano, David Edmundson, Caroline Hayes, Carl Kozlowski, Alison Malsbury, Kiara Manns, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, Nicole Potter, R. Scott Rappold, Ed Rosenthal, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf PHOTOGRAPHERS Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner, Bruce Wolf ART DIRECTOR Steven Myrdahl PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Aguirre ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kim Cook, Casey Roel OFFICE MANAGER Mikayla Aguilar
CULTURE® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 600 locations throughout Washington. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. CULTURE® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 815 1st Ave | #220 Seattle | Washington | 98104 Phone 888.694.2046 | Fax 888.694.2046 www.CultureMagazine.com
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2 1. Succulents Dry Pipe Some say that if you can’t keep a plant alive, then try your luck with a succulent, which is virtually impossible to kill. Now you can load your very favorite flowers into this creative Succulents Dry Pipe. You can’t tell by looking, but this work of art features glow-in-the-dark haworthia and aloe vera on top! Handcrafted by Empire Glassworks, if this assortment of glass succulents tickles your fancy, place your order now—quantities are very limited. Price: $95 More Information: empiresmokes.com 2. Subtle 420 Mug It’s 4:19—got a minute? If you’re into being subtle and bold at the same time, this simple and classy mug is calling your name. Depicting a simple clock that’s stuck on everyone’s favorite time, this black and white mug is perfect for your morning coffee, afternoon tea or even to hold your late-night cocktail. Live a little. After all, it’s always 4:20 when you’re drinking out of this adorable mug. Price: $19.99 More Information: etsy.com/shop/ mellowmanifesto
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3. Solid Glass 14in Couch Potato Bong Now this is what we’re talking about when we suggest some Netflix and chill. This Couch Potato Bong will literally allow the user to cozy up on the couch, lean all the way back in the comfiest position possible, and take a rip! For the cannabis consumer in your life who has just about everything, this clever smoking device is a hilariously perfect gift. Who doesn’t want to cozy up with a glass pipe and enjoy hours on top of hours of binge watching TV while exhaling clouds of smoke? Price: $129.99 More Information: 420science.com 4. Lord Jones High CBD Formula Bath Salts What’s our secret for staying warm, relaxed and rejuvenated after a long day standing on our feet? Burning a scented candle, lighting a joint and slipping into a hot bath that’s complete with a heaping scoop of Lord Jones High CBD Formula Bath Salts! Experience for yourself what all the hype is about. In addition to the benefits we love from allowing lab-tested CBD to absorb into our skin, this formula also contains Epsom salts, Himalayan salt, arnica, calendula petals, terpenes and essential oils. Let your tension melt away while your mind drifts off to a state of calm bliss. Price: $65 More Information: lordjones.com
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Billion Dollar Dimebag Jackson D. Tilley Post Hill Press Sobriety in the cannabis industry is an intriguing subject. While drug recovery centers are increasingly embracing cannabis in their treatment programs, it’s less common to hear of people who are sober from the plant yet still operate successfully within the industry. Author Jackson D. Tilley gives a firstperson dive into his experience, during his 20s climbing the professional ladder and finding sobriety along the way. Starting as an intern at a growing vape company based in Denver, Colorado, Tilley documents his journey as, alongside the company, he rises to huge success. Billion Dollar Dimebag also delves into his journey of sobriety, as well as commonly asked questions regarding the industry in general. (Jacob Cannon) 12
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MOVIE GAME
Midsommar
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Dir. Ari Aster A24
Dev. Respawn Entertainment Pub. Electronic Arts Even after decades of Star Wars films, TV shows and comic books, there is no end to the stories that can be told. The franchise’s newest game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, takes place a few years after the events of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. This single-player game follows one of the last surviving Jedi, Cal Kestis, as he flees the grasp of the Galactic Empire. Players use Cal’s expert lightsaber skills and force abilities to defeat his enemies as they travel to new and familiar planets to discover something that’s “very precious to the Empire.” (Nicole Potter)
From the mind that delivered the twisted darkness of Hereditary, comes a new terror, just in time for Halloween, in the form the brilliant and horrifying Midsommar. Written and directed by Ari Aster, Midsommar follows the story of a group of college friends attending a seasonal festival in a remote Swedish village. While the festivities begin innocently, things quickly detour into a frightening and psychedelic descent into darkness as the friends begin to realize that the festival is radically different from what it appeared to be. Featuring some of the most gnarly, terrifying imagery to be brought to the screen, Midsommar is not one to be missed. (Simon Weedn)
MUSIC
Perfect Love Song Lisa Prank Father/Daughter Records Three years since her full-length debut, garage punk/power pop singer Lisa Prank has returned with a fun, catchy followup entitled, Perfect Love Song. While her debut, Adult Teen, seemed like more of a truly solo effort with Prank programming drums, playing guitar, and singing on all 11 tracks, Perfect Love Song finds her enlisting a full band to help fill out her sound and flesh out her songs. The result is a bigger, more polished record that still retains the raw yet poppy qualities that made her so endearing from the beginning. (Simon Weedn)
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C o m p a ny H ig hlight
Forb id d e n Fruit
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Dur ban
Phillips Field Facility How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? We are Susan and Tara—a mother/ daughter owned-and-operated recreational micro tier craft cannabis farm located on our family property in Eugene, Oregon. We specialize in producing high CBD strains in addition to THCdominant strains. Our garden is outdoor, and we use locally made organic fertilizers and soil treatments. We cultivate our plants in a combination of native clay soil and amendments that are specifically designed to suit the nutritional needs of cannabis. It’s such a common experience for families to keep their personal cannabis habits private, and there’s this whole idea of cannabis being divisive, but in this case it’s been quite unifying. What do you offer consumers/ clients that others don’t? Because we are a micro tier farm, we are able to closely monitor and care for each plant and can assess their environmental and nutritional needs on an individual basis. This allows us to ensure that every plant is uniquely cared for, and can blossom into a true craft product. We only have one run per year, so our product is available in limited quantities. We also cultivate our product from plant to trim—infusing our knowledge, labor and energetics from root to finished flower. How and why did your company start up? The magic is embedded within the land that has been in our family for decades before we began growing cannabis. There’s a photo of Tara from 1993 cradling a harvest of corn just mere feet
away from the gates of our current cannabis garden. We started as a medical grow that had moved from an indoor grow site to our property in 2013 and continued to grow for our patients until the opportunity arose to transition into a recreational farm. With the changing landscape of medical and recreational cannabis, what do you see as the biggest challenges to your progress as a company? Any advantages? We’re not folks who had a ton of money saved or acquired a loan thinking it would be a slam dunk investment to create and sustain a high tech, state-ofthe-art cannabis farm. Instead, we had all of our ducks in a row to apply for a recreational license on our property once cannabis became legalized in our state and were able to turn our humble medical grow that served our patients into a family business that can serve clients and consumers across the state. Thankfully, politics are the lesser of challenges for us. Our greatest challenge is coping with Mother Nature and adapting to what she brings for us each fall during a vulnerable flowering season. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the world of cannabis business? Try not to be afraid to reach out and ask for help. It is wonderfully fulfilling to feel like freedom of expression and a reclaiming of identity have been welcomed and encouraged in this industry. At one time or another, many of us felt like our voices were silenced due to fears of safety, incarceration, judgement, etc.
Since states began legalizing cannabis, a beautiful community has been planted, and has created a space in which we can use our voices to speak out and speak up. Vulnerability has evolved into a strength and an asset. What are the goals and vision moving forward for your company? Where do you see your company in five years? In addition to cultivating craft product that is available in various mediums for consumers across the state, we will be hosting events, workshops and retreats at our farm and opening up our brand to cannabis tourism. Our goal is to create a space where people can come to relax and connect— through a variety of mediums—all while gleaning general knowledge about cannabis and about the type of product that we cultivate on our land. In five years, we imagine a nation that has federally legalized cannabis and hope to be able to distribute our product across state lines and welcome folks from all walks of life to participate in events at our farm. What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? I want people to feel like they are a part of a community within this industry. It can sometimes feel like an intimidating space. We want to be a resource for anyone across the board—from those who are just starting out, to pioneers/veterans. You are not alone, and you are so, so supported! We want to eliminate barriers—both perceived and institutionalized—and curate a space where people can connect and thrive. c www.phillipsfieldfacility.com
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NEWS
NUGGETS
Oregon Education Association Backs Decriminalization The Oregon Education Association (OEA), a teacher’s union, announced on Oct. 4 that it supports a decriminalization measure in principle but it still has some concerns over how the money would be spent. The OEA is concerned about lost revenue because of funds that would be taken from schools and redirected to drug treatment
programs. The Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act would classify low-level drug possession as a treatment issue and not a criminal justice issue. “Again, the Oregon Education Association supports the policy behind this initiative. But as a practical and legal matter, it is essential that voters understand how the program will be paid for and the impact on education funding. The ballot title fails to do so and must be revised,” an OEA release states. The OEA estimates that schools stand to lose $65.7 million in funding, which amounts to two-thirds of a reduction.
OLCC Approves Punishments for Six Businesses At the monthly meeting of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) on Oct. 17, the commission approved six violation stipulated settlement agreements. Most businesses were given steep fines and temporary suspensions, and one business, Gras Cannabis, will be forced to surrender its license for three violations. Another business, Artisan Agriculture, will not receive a renewed license after its old license expired. “The administrative hearings process is methodical and certain,” 16
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said Steve Marks, OLCC executive director. “Even though this case started last summer (2018), the end result is we’ve removed a bad actor from Oregon’s regulated marijuana system. We don’t have tolerance for this kind of behavior and licensees should know the clock eventually runs out on those who have no place in our system.” The license surrender was due to the business exceeding daily purchase limits, and other bad behaviors were reported.
Australia to Fund Medical Cannabis and Cancer Research Australian officials will allocate A$3 million ($2.03 million USD) to study the benefits of medical cannabis on cancer patients. On Oct. 5, Health Minister Greg Hunt said that so far, 11,000 patients have been granted access to medical cannabis. “Our Government is committed to ensuring a safe, quality supply of medicinal cannabis to Australian patients, but only when it is prescribed by a medical professional,” said Hunt. “There have only been a limited number of well-designed clinical studies on medicinal cannabis, and we need to increase the evidence base to support medical professionals.” Hunt spoke at a fundraiser walk led by former CULTURE cover celebrity Olivia NewtonJohn, who is currently touting the beneficial effects of medical cannabis. Newton-John herself has utilized medical cannabis to battle a recurrence of stage 4 cancer.
NEWS
LOCAL
Engaging Content Golden Leaf Holdings announces cannabis media channel
W
By Kiara Manns
hile streaming service giants like Netflix and Hulu have already rolled out several cannabis-centered series, another company is taking a different approach. Portland-based Golden Leaf Holdings (GLH) announced the arrival of a new online media channel, Chalice TV. CEO of Golden Leaf Holdings Jeff Yapp discussed the new venture with CULTURE. “Chalice TV was born from our core value of educating and informing the consumer so that they can make the best possible choices for their health and wellness needs,” Yapp explained. GLH is a company comprised of several cannabis brands that include Chalice Farms, Jackpot, Golden, Elysium Fields, Medical Marijuana Consulting and Medical Marijuana Group. Chalice TV is named after one of its brands, Chalice Farms, which is a producer of “flower, extractions, oils, edibles and full body care with optimal efficacy in both retail and wholesale market,” as stated on its website. “The Chalice Farms dispensaries were designed to be warm and inviting with customer education first. The product specialists are highly trained to advise new users to connoisseurs on the optimal choices for achieving each individual’s desired effect,” said Yapp. When asked about the jump from dispensary to content creator, Yapp emphasized the importance of educating consumers. Online media, especially in today’s times, is one of the fastest ways to reach an audience. Both GLH and Chalice Farms value connecting with consumers and creating excitement for
the cannabis industry. “We want the public to really get to know and understand where cannabis comes from, how products are made, what are the biggest issues in the industry, and who are the thought leaders in the space.” He continued, “Story is the only way to change perception. Chalice TV normalizes cannabis as a legitimate industry with truly dedicated business leaders that are the pioneers of this opportunity.” In the GLH press release, Chalice TV is hailed as an online channel, “with content designed to help educate consumers on all aspects of cannabis, from cultivating practices to health benefits and more.” Its material includes interviews with individuals who hold various positions within the cannabis industry such as farmers, politicians and members of the Chalice Farms team. Currently Chalice TV gives viewers four shows to indulge in: Soil To Oil, Women In Weed, Legal [Bud] Tender and Eat My Weeds. Suggested by its titles alone, each series dives into a particular corner of the cannabis industry, providing something for everyone to watch. Chalice TV includes two hosts, Penn and Kiki, who have both worked to build Chalice Farms. Penn is the company’s product training specialist, while Kiki has been involved with research and development. Right now there are a total of 10 episodes available to view. Yapp himself shared he could not choose a favorite among them as each episode gives a, “unique voice to the dynamic world of cannabis.” The episodes often bring in guests who are making a difference in the cannabis industry. Creators first looked to their hometown, Portland, to find and showcase those who have sought to generate opportunities in the industry and fight for issues like banking reform. “As the laws begin to change state by state, country by country, the opportunity to research and understand cannabis is exponential, and we are on the path to open up the dialogue and share the information through human stories and the people that are the agents of change,” Yapp said. “Our mission is to enhance lives and ignite purpose through cannabis. Chalice TV is a channel to do just that.” Chalice TV is available for streaming on Vimeo, YouTube, as well as on the Chalice Farms website. c
3rd Annual Seize The Moment Epilepsy Awareness & Charity Event The miracle compound known as CBD has been used to treat intractable epilepsy, especially among children. Put your money where your mouth is at the 3rd Annual Seize The Moment Epilepsy Awareness & Charity Event, and help donate funds towards epilepsy research, potential cures and patient support. Local artists will provide their best art contributions for a live auction, and raffles will be held throughout the day. VIP room packages are available, and everyone can enjoy live music from local artists. Help raise awareness for the advancement of epilepsy research as it relates to the local cannabis industry. The event is sponsored by Oregon Cannagar Company, RAW Rolling Papers, Charlie’s Deli PDX and several other sponsors. Take part in something bigger than yourself and your own interests, and have fun while you’re at it! WHEN: Sat, Nov. 16 WHERE: NW Cannabis Club, 1195 Powell Blvd., Portland WEBSITE: nwcannabismarket.com
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The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the state of Oregon has collected in recreational cannabis tax revenue since legal sales began in October 2015: (Source: KVAL)
270
The number of years that was included in analyzed data for a recent study that examined crime rates in Washington before and after legalization: (Source: Fox28)
20
The value of cannabis, in thousands of dollars, that was seized by police from an illegal cultivation operation in Island County, Washington in early October: (Source: KIRO7)
171
The estimated number of people who showed up in Ontario, Oregon for a Snoop Dogg performance at the grand opening for Hotbox Farms: (Source: KGW8)
12,000
The percentage of Canadians who said that recreational cannabis had no impact on productivity in the workplace: (Source: Newswire)
The estimated percentage of Australians who support cannabis legalization: (Source: Roy Morgan Research)
42
75
The projected amount of money, in billions of dollars, that U.S. cannabis sales are expected to reach by 2023: (Source: New Frontier Data)
30
The estimated number of cannabis industry leaders who signed a letter asking Congress to deschedule cannabis: (Source: National Cannabis Industry Association)
800
The Gateway Show WHEN: Thurs, Nov. 7 WHERE: Club Comedy Seattle, 340 15th Ave. E #201, Seattle WEBSITE: gatewayshow.com Presented by Billy Anderson, The Gateway Show travels from city to city, but the program is always the same. Comedians perform onstage and tell their best jokes, then they disappear to an undisclosed location and get “really high,” only to come back and perform again. The audience gets to decide whether they are funnier sober or under the effects of cannabis. One of the funniest 18
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aspects about this event is that some of the comedians are not regular smokers, so expect the unexpected. This particular installment of The Gateway Show is hosted by guest host Rick Taylor. This popular event makes its rounds to other major cities across the country. Discount tickets are available, or guests can pay full price at the door.
NEWS
HEALTHY LIVING
Gastrointestinal Distress
Consuming cannabis for nausea is an effective treatment
A
By Lanny Swerdlow, RN
lmost everyone has experienced nausea during their lifetime and most likely will continue to experience nausea sporadically throughout their life. This is because nausea has so many causative factors, and being nauseous on occasion is as likely as experiencing pain on occasion. Nausea can be acute and last briefly or it can be chronic and incapacitating, leading to debilitating vomiting and interfering with the ability to function on a day-to-day basis. It is not a disease but a symptom of many internally and externally caused ailments such as gastrointestinal imbalances, motion sickness, anxiety, medication reactions, food poisoning and host of other disorders, both physical and psychological. Whether short-term or recurrent and chronic, there is a cornucopia of nausea medications called antiemetics. One of the most common, bismuth subsalicylate, works by protecting the stomach lining and is found in many over-the-counter medications like Kaopectate and Pepto-Bismol. By blocking H1 receptors in the area of the brain, which create nausea, anti-histamines like Benadryl are effective in treating motion sickness and nausea caused by many medications. Like most antiemetics, cannabis does not cure the underlying ailment, but mitigates the symptoms. When activated by the THC and CBD cannabinoids found in cannabis, the endocannabinoid receptors located throughout the body produce an antiemetic response as was noted in a study published in the
“When treating nausea, it is important to determine the THC/ CBD content of the cannabis.”
October 2013 issue of British Journal of Pharmacology finding that THC and CBD “may have therapeutic potential in reducing nausea.” This was further confirmed in the February 2015 issue of Current Gastroenterology Reports, which reported that “Several cannabinoid receptors, which include the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), CB2 and possibly GPR55, have been identified throughout the GI tract. These receptors may play a role in the regulation of food intake, nausea and emesis.” More significantly, this anti-nausea property was found to be particularly effective in treating the extreme and debilitating nausea that comes from the chemo and radiation therapies used to treat cancer. As far back as 1975, a study published by The New England Journal of Medicine reported that “oral tetrahydrocannabinol has antiemetic properties and is significantly better than a placebo in reducing vomiting caused by chemotherapeutic agents.” The Institutes of Medicine’s 1999 groundbreaking study entitled “Marijuana as Medicine” noted “an inhalation (preferably not smoking) cannabinoid drug delivery system would be advantageous for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea.” Cannabis works to treat nausea and, other than making a person who is feeling poorly feel better, produces far fewer side effects than almost all current antiemetic medications, both over-thecounter and prescribed. When treating nausea, it is important to determine
the THC/CBD content of the cannabis. If you are feeling nauseous you might not want to experience effects that might intensify the feelings of nausea, so you should choose a cannabis with low THC and high CBD. The route of administration also needs to be one that does not aggravate the nausea. Although inhalation is a quick route to relief, in some people smoking can trigger additional feelings of nausea especially if they are already feeling nauseous. Use of a vaporizer should reduce the likelihood of additional nausea as no smoke is produced when vaporizing. A method that was possibly used by your grandparent or greatgrandparent to treat nausea was tincture of cannabis. Found in medicine cabinets just about everywhere, this solution of cannabis dissolved in alcohol or glycerin is taken sublingually (under-thetongue) with effects noticed within three to five minutes. Although the taste is not the most pleasant, it is unlikely to antagonize the nausea. Edibles are a doubleedged sword. If the nausea is being generated from or by the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, getting the cannabis directly into the area where the nausea is occurring could be very beneficial. At the same time, the introduction of food products into the GI tract can intensify the ongoing nausea episode. Nausea may be part of life, but it doesn’t have to interfere with life. With preventative care and proper treatment that includes the use of cannabis, nausea can be mitigated, allowing the body to recover, regain strength and return to a state of healthful equilibrium. c
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PHOTOS BY LAUREN DUKOFF
Rock Goddess Melissa Etheridge continues to define her legacy through new music, activism and cannabis ventures
By Simon Weedn
F
or over three decades, Melissa Etheridge has been one of modern rock and pop music’s most powerful voices, as well as one of its most engaged activists. Though she had achieved moderate
success in the late ’80s, 1993 marked the year Etheridge both broke into the mainstream with her pivotal Grammy Award-winning album Yes I Am and fearlessly came out publicly as a lesbian. In the years that followed, Etheridge toured all over the world, enjoyed continued mainstream success with her music, and used her platform to speak out for LGBTQ rights and raise money for a variety of charities. In 2004, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and took a break from public life to undergo treatment. Ever since she successfully beat the disease with radiation therapy, Etheridge has become an avid supporter of cannabis legalization, telling CULTURE back in 2010 that “. . . cannabis during chemotherapy was just a lifesaver. It was a pain reliever; it gave me my appetite back . . . the benefits go on and on and on and on.” Her convictions would lead her to become one of the first famous women to enter the cannabis industry commercially. Recently, CULTURE got the chance to catch up again with Etheridge and hear all about writing new music and performing with 30-plus years of experience under her belt, as well as her cannabis business venture, Etheridge Farms, which anticipates a rollout of its new products in early- to mid-2020. CultureMagazine.com
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Oh Lord, between my children, my music and my cannabis, that’s pretty much my life! [‌] I enjoy it, but it takes a lot of focus, and the music is there to relieve me of my tension. 22
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You released a new record called The Medicine Show earlier this year, and 2019 is also the 30th anniversary of your second album, Brave and Crazy. What’s changed for you in your approach to record making between now and when you got started? Thirty years ago, it was the record that got you in front of people, it was the record company that promoted it, and you put a record out and you could tour behind it. The record always led everything. Over the last 30 years I’d gotten into a cycle of putting out a record pretty much every two years. I’d make the record, put it out, tour for a year, and continue touring while I was making the next one. A few years ago, it started changing. With the shrinking of the record and radio market, anything that wasn’t geared toward 13- to 17-year-olds didn’t have a space. My career then very much evolved, and I became much more of a live artist who every now and then gets to put out a record. Is it liberating to not feel the pressure to put out a record every two years? The funny thing is, I still make them every two years [laughs]. Just because it’s kind of a habit; it’s the rhythm. It’s funny though, because just the other day I was thinking, “Wow! I don’t have to go into writing if I don’t want to right now.” My cannabis business is requiring a lot of my attention right now, and so I thought, “It’s OK if I’m not running right back into writing a new album. It’s fine.” I think The Medicine Show is still just finding people, and the more I tour for it, then the more people will know it. I think I can take my time.
Is it still scary or intimidating to put new music out there after all these years, or does it just feel natural? I really enjoy social media now. When I used to put a record out, the only feedback I’d get were from people I knew personally, the record company, the radio maybe and reviewers. Once I went on tour, if people applauded, I’d think, “Oh, they liked that!” But I never got to get an immediate response from the fans, the ones I really make my music for, until about 10 years ago when I got on social media. To be able to hear instantly from people who left work, bought my album, listened to it, and let me know what they think of it, that makes it not as scary anymore. I remember that Rolling Stone didn’t even review Yes I Am, they just didn’t even touch it, and at the time I was saying, “Oh my God!” But a year later it was massive. So, I don’t get my feelings hurt like that anymore. When you go into writing mode, do you still draw on the same things for inspiration that you did earlier in your career? I draw inspiration from my life, so that’s what’s changed. Thank God I’m not going to write another “Am I Only One” because that’s a heartbreaking song; that came from a whole lot of pain. I’m glad I’m not writing that anymore. When I went through cancer 15 years ago, that was a really spiritual awakening and marked a big change in my life, so I wrote a lot from that. Now, I find myself in my late 50s, and I’m looking at the world, love, life and spirit. I’m drawing from the same things I’ve always drawn on, they’re just different now.
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Because of the regulations, the black market is still very strong, and it makes being in the regulated market and making a commitment to follow all the rules really expensive; it’s hard to be compliant. You mentioned earlier how your cannabis business is taking up more and more of your time, and that’s something we here at CULTURE are very fascinated by. Your company, Etheridge Farms, received its business license earlier this year. How exciting has that been for you? It has been an intense, exciting journey. Ten years ago I thought, “Ah, this’ll be a piece of cake!” And I jumped into the cannabis industry, and it has been a real journey, and I’ve learned a lot. I hooked up with a couple of very honest, respectable and credible people who manufacture and know the cannabis industry. I partnered up with them; they’re the ones in [Santa Cruz, California] where we got our license from, and we’re the first and only manufacturing license for cannabis in Santa Cruz County. With Etheridge Farms, the main focus is medicinal. I feel like so much
of the cannabis industry has lost sight and the opportunity to reach people about how great of a medicinal plant cannabis is. Can you tell us about the mission of Etheridge Farms and what you hope to achieve with it? The mission is to bring quality, organic medicine to people in order to alleviate pain and bring an understanding of wellness and where cannabis fits into that. How hands-on are you with product development? Oh, completely. My partners and my wife and I are ground up on this. That’s why I’ve gone through this, that’s why I didn’t white label, because I wanted to know about it from seed to shelf. I know exactly what’s happening here, because that’s the kind of medicine I want.
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My cannabis business is requiring a lot of my attention right now, and so I thought, ‘It’s OK if I’m not running right back into writing a new album. It’s fine.’ I think The Medicine Show is still just finding people, and the more I tour for it, then the more people will know it. I think I can take my time. You’ve mentioned in interviews that you want to help create representation for middle-aged women in the cannabis industry with Etheridge Farms. Why do you think they’ve been neglected? Because it’s not very sexy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had women come to me and say, “Explain all of this to me, because I can’t go into a dispensary.” They’re intimidated to go in because it’s not marketed to them—it’s marketed to people who already understand cannabis, are young and hip and are using it recreationally. If a woman wants help with menopause, she’s not going to go in and talk to a 23-year-old hipster. She’s not going to do that. These are women who have been taking Ambien and drinking wine every night and are done with it, 28
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because it’s taking a toll on them and their bodies. You’ve been an advocate for cannabis legalization for a long time now. Is it validating to see states and even the beginnings of the federal government starting to come around to legalization after so many years? It’s amazing! I love how far it’s come, but there’s still so much misinformation out there, and the regulations are almost impossible. Because of the regulations, the black market is still very strong, and it makes being in the regulated market and making a commitment to follow all the rules really expensive; it’s hard to be compliant. To get back to the music, you’ve got a bunch of dates coming up
to round out the end of the year. Earlier you talked about how your songwriting has changed over the years, how has your approach and appreciation for touring changed since you first started? I’ve grown so much as a performer and as a human being. It’s funny, I had some friends over from out of town the other night, and I’d just gotten this new TV. We were checking all the features on this smart TV—we found YouTube and started watching all of these old videos of me that I hadn’t seen in forever on this big massive screen [laughs]. I was watching myself from 1990 and thinking, “Aw!” And having an appreciation of how well I could do back then and also remembering my state of mind and how I never took any of it in. I think the big difference is that now I can take it in. I’m not a tortured 27- or 33-yearold—I believe in myself. I’ve been doing this for 30 years. I’ve got to be good at it or I wouldn’t be able to do it, and I’m able to relax and go, “Wow! I enjoy this!” About 10 years ago I started playing more lead guitar, I mean like really getting up and playing guitar deeply and practicing, and it has made my joy of performing just triple. I’m not just singing and accompanying myself, now I get to stand up there and play guitar solos and I really, really enjoy that. My experience of performing has deepened, and I’m just so grateful. In addition to all of these wonderful things you’ve got going on, do you have any other additional ambitions for yourself, your music or your companies in this year and beyond? Oh Lord, between my children, my music and my cannabis, that’s pretty much my life! Really though, with the cannabis business we are set to finally put out product by the end of summer 2020, so that’s taking a lot of my focus. I enjoy it, but it takes a lot of focus, and the music is there to relieve me of my tension. I’m just living life. c
www.melissaetheridge.com
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Emerging Events Women are finding camaraderie and support at female-focused cannabis events “We became determined to create environments where women could shift the focus onto themselves and create opportunities for bravery and exploration using cannabis connections as the base for gatherings.” 30
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By Caroline Hayes Women-focused destination events are a popular trend that has grown over the last few years. More and more, women are creating spaces and holding events and retreats to come together to support, uplift and connect with one another. This is happening in all wellness sectors with no exception for cannabis, thanks to legalization efforts that are sweeping the nation. Women are joining forces to educate and enlighten others on cannabis and wellness concepts and to promote female ideals. CULTURE is bringing you this roundup of some of the most active women-centric retreats, events and groups.
Glowing Goddess Getaway is a cannabis social club for women founded by Deidra Bagdasarian and Sailene Ossma. The membership-only group regularly comes together to connect with each other through cannabis-oriented wellness retreats. Glowing Goddess hosts several events per year, with 10 retreats on the calendar for 2020. Destinations range globally from Jamaica to Mexico and the West Coast of the U.S. What started as a “weed retreat,” has evolved into a strong community of women, said the founders. Between the retreats, the Glowing Goddess community leaders host Sisterseshes in a few major cities every Sunday at 4:20 p.m., and members of the Glowing Goddess Tribe gather to celebrate in a cannabis ritual. The Sisterseshes are agenda-less and are strictly for connecting and relaxing.
Lady Jane Society is an organization committed to building a strong community by empowering women in cannabis through real conversations about the plant and its industry. The Women in Cannabis Central Valley Retreat was Lady Jane’s first retreat held last month in October. The two-day celebration was a place for women to network, build community, discuss supply chain issues and learn how to take political action. The days were filled with morning cannabis sessions, poolside yoga, sound healing, healthy food and an award ceremony. Kyra Reed, co-founder of Lady Jane Society told CULTURE, “I attended New West Summit the week following our event. I had three women approach me, separately from one another, and tell me that they are asking for what they want now and that was their big takeaway from the weekend. This is truly empowering. Women are feeling more able to ask, voice their opinion and share their struggles. All things that empower women to take more control of their destiny and succeed. We will continue to support women in building their communities and raise their voice—together.” Reed also said that Lady Jane Society plans to hold the Women in Cannabis Retreat in Central Valley, California every year. Tokeativity® is a global community for women. The nonprofit social club supports cannabis from a women’s perspective and honors the feminine experience by hosting retreats and events that seek to empower women and reduce the negative stigma that surrounds cannabis. Since the organization’s launch in 2017, founders Lisa Snyder and Samantha Montanaro told CULTURE that Tokeativity® has hosted more than 100-multigenerational women-centric events in dozens of cities. “We became determined to create environments where women could shift the focus onto themselves and create opportunities for bravery and exploration using cannabis connections as the base for gatherings. It is from this center point that we have grown into a global community.” At a Tokeativity® event, women can expect cannabis consumption, tarot card readers, yoga teachers, massage therapy, reiki practitioners, crafts and more. “We receive messages weekly about how we have helped change women’s lives simply by creating a space for them to be themselves, explore their creativity and find their inner strength,” Snyder said. The first Tokeativity® conference is to be held in 2020 in the organization’s hometown of Portland, Oregon. Ganjasana is a Colorado-based women’s group that hosts cannabis-influenced yoga retreats. Ganjasana believes that women can
“Women are feeling more able to ask, voice their opinion and share their struggles. All things that empower women to take more control of their destiny and succeed. We will continue to support women in building their communities and raise their voice—together.” connect with each other on a deeper level by celebrating a ritual of smoking cannabis together. Earlier this year, Ganjasana hosted a weekend wellness retreat in Nederland, Colorado to facilitate a positive relationship with cannabis as medicine through yoga, meditation and mindfulness. Ganjasana’s retreats are designed to build strong relationships with fellow women, nature and cannabis in a safe and sacred space. Ayurvedic self-care practices, ancient plant ceremonies, healthy food and time spent in nature are important components at Ganjasana retreats. Last but not least, is Women Grow. Founded in Denver, Colorado in 2014, this organization was designed to educate, empower and inspire women in the cannabis industry with the belief that professional success is driven by personal connections. In turn, it hosts a variety of weekly events nationwide, which include professional networking, social gatherings, education symposiums, national speaking circuits and a yearly leadership summit. We have yet to see a big retreat from Women Grow but the organization actively holds monthly events and workshops nationwide. Something magical happens when women gather. The amount of camaraderie that is created results in confidence, self-reflection and growth, both for individuals and the industry as a whole. Women-centric cannabis retreats and events create a safe place for participants to be heard, to ask questions and to facilitate relationships with other women. The groups we mentioned are putting a female face on the cannabis plant and wellness sectors in hopes to make a global impact for generations to come. c CultureMagazine.com
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In d u s try I n s id er
Engineering Endeavors The layers of expertise behind Dr. Priyanka Sharma’s company ensure consumers have access to safe products
By R. Scott Rappold Drive around rural Colorado these days and you’re apt to see hemp—fields and fields of it, growing legally in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Industrial hemp is booming, fueled by nationwide demand for CBD products, legitimized by the federal government in the 2018 Farm Bill. But how can consumers be sure that a CBD tincture is really free of THC, the psychoactive ingredient of the cannabis plant? Ask a chemical engineer. At Kazmira LLC, there are several of them on staff, working out of a massive, 200,000-square-foot plant outside of Denver. It just might be the largest extracts company you’ve never heard of, though if you’re a CBD consumer, you’ve probably enjoyed its products. “We’re still finding out about all of the uses for CBD oil, and there’s so much runway for industrial hemp, in terms of the fiber and all the ancillary uses of the plant,” says Co-founder Dr. Priyanka Sharma, a chemical engineer. “I think there’s so much that can be done with just the plant, there’s only more growth that we’re seeing.”
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C hemical Background The name Kazmira comes from the Kashmir region of India, where hemp has been used for thousands of years. Dr. Sharma’s parents are from India, though she grew up in the Chicago, Illinois area. Her father is a chemical engineer, and she always saw herself following in his footsteps. She even married another chemical engineer. After obtaining her doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Dr. Sharma went on to work in highly technical areas, such as “molecular modeling of functionalized gold nanoparticles with various ligands and their behavior in biological systems” and “developing a predictive model to understand chiral separations of orphan drugs.” But she had been hearing about the growth of industrial hemp, and nowhere had more growing than Colorado. So, in 2017 she and her husband moved there and launched Kazmira. The goal was to use their scientific backgrounds in oil, gas and pharmaceuticals to build a company for extracting CBD from the plant using strict standards. “The reason we decided to start Kazmira is there was a gap in technology companies in this space. We wanted to lend our expertise to making quality and safe extracts for industrial hemp. We wanted to
“The reason we decided to start Kazmira is there was a gap in technology companies in this space. We wanted to lend our expertise to making quality and safe extracts for industrial hemp. We wanted to continue our passion for engineering and apply it to the hemp space.” continue our passion for engineering and apply it to the hemp space,” she said. Other companies, she explained, were operating in “pretty unsafe environments,” using outmoded equipment, without the kind of quality control or manufacturing standards she was used to, without processes for keeping pesticides and other contaminants out of the finished product. “We realized there were a lot safer and more efficient processes that we could apply to this industry to make these hemp extracts.”
T ruly THC-free
Kazmira’s “TruSpeKtrum technology platform” allows the company to produce hemp oil that is guaranteed to be free of THC. While many companies claim to do likewise, federal standards allow a CBD product to legally contain up to three parts of THC for every thousand parts of oil by weight. The oil that comes out of Kazmira has no detectable level of THC, the company boasts. Among its 30 employees are eight scientists with PhDs, two with master’s degrees and two medical doctors. The team works with farmers, mostly in Colorado, to get hemp plants that are free of pesticides and other contaminants, and Kazmira has the capacity to process thousands of pounds a day. So, why have you never seen a Kazmira oil or tincture on a store shelf? The company only produces the oil, selling it to other companies, which sell the finished product. Dr. Sharma explained, “We’re able to provide them with a product that meets specifications retailers care about—free of pesticides, toxins and microbials. We are able to guarantee their CBD source is safe.” And given the booming popularity of CBD as treatment for a whole variety of ailments, from anxiety to inflammation, and given that these products can legally be sold anywhere in the U.S., Dr. Sharma expects Kazmira to continue growing and expanding what can be extracted from the hemp plant. “The runway is a lot longer right now for hemp because anybody from a child to an adult can take a hemp extract and they can access it as well,” she said. “I think there’s so much that can be done with the plant that there’s only going to be more growth.” c kazmira-llc.com
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Effective Acids The “Father of THC” reveals more groundbreaking discoveries about cannabis
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By Jacob Cannon
Famed Israeli cannabis researcher and professor of medicinal chemistry, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, has provided the scientific community with some of the most groundbreaking information about cannabinoids. First identifying and mapping the cannabinoids THC and CBD in 1963 and 1964, plus publishing clinical tests about CBD in 1980, his discoveries continue today. Dr. Mechoulam’s latest discovery holds great potential and could lead to
PHOTOS BY YITZ WOOLF
treatments for anxiety, arthritis and psoriasis. While giving a keynote speech at medical cannabis conference CannMed 2019 in late September, the “Father of THC” announced that THC acids found in cannabis hold great potential for the future of medicine. He explained that along with his team, he has developed a method for creating acids out of THC, CBD and other cannabinoids, and there are now licensing opportunities for companies that would like to utilize these acids to develop drugs to treat some common ailments.
It is believed by Dr. Mechoulam that CBD and THC acids could hold more potent and effective medical benefits in comparison to the cannabinoids CBD and THC. One of the compounds includes cannabidiolic acid methyl ester, or HU-580, which could be more effective than CBD for treating anxiety and nausea. “CBD acid (in its stable methyl ester form) is more active than CBD in the tests it has been evaluated,” Dr. Mechoulam told CULTURE. “THC acid has not been well investigated, but it does not seem to be psychoactive. More work is needed on the huge variety of effects seen with CBD.” He further explained that compounds like HU580 could potentially treat certain nausea and anxiety disorders. Dr. Mechoulam and his team were able to stabilize synthetic acids and determine their efficacy for a variety of problems. This groundbreaking research was quite the team effort, as it was a collaboration between six universities in Israel, a startup called EPM, Dr. Mechoulam, agencies in the U.K. and Canada, a topical cream company and a publicly traded laboratory company. Dr. Mechoulam is the head of research at EPM. Hopefully it doesn’t take pharmaceutical companies decades to put Dr. Mechoulam’s latest research to good use. It took over 30 years for his published clinical trials with CBD to be utilized by modern medicine.
GW Pharmaceuticals, the company that holds a patent for CBD drug Epidiolex, utilized Dr. Mechoulam’s research in order to create their drug, which is used to treat seizures for two rare forms of epilepsy. Dr. Mechoulam’s interest in chemistry and work with natural products goes back to the early 1960s. His research typically focuses on the cannabis plant, as he was one of the first researchers to see great potential in it. “I’m a chemist,” Dr. Mechoulam told CULTURE. “I work with natural products, and I was looking for something important in natural products in plants, and I was surprised to find out that while morphine had been isolated from opium nearly 150 years previously and so was cocaine, from coca leaves, the chemistry of cannabis was not wellknown, and I thought it was a good topic to do research on.” c
“CBD acid (in its stable methyl ester form) is more active than CBD in the tests it has been evaluated.” CultureMagazine.com
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Mindful Mixing LP Giobbi sets the scene with gorgeous beats By Addison Herron-Wheeler
Many artists work hard for years to make it in the extremely oversaturated producer/DJ scene, so it’s a major testament to LP Giobbi’s success that she caught the eye of Sofi Tukker at a show, got invited on tour and has been a smash hit ever since. Far from a one-hit wonder, however, Giobbi is hustling all the time with non-stop touring and shows. She took a break from her busy schedule to chat with CULTURE about her ethics, dreams and success so far.
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P H O T O B Y L E X R YA N
How did you first get your start? A while back, I was asked to play with an all-girl electronic band. I didn’t know much about synthesizers, but if you know music theory and how to play piano, you can figure out the rest. So I spent the next four years in a garage teaching myself sound design and synthesis, how to play synthesizers on-stage, and how to produce and use Ableton and other programs. Finally, I ended up playing a gig at a live music festival, because they needed someone to fill in. It turned out to be a horrible gig, but Sofi Tukker was there, and she asked me if I would want to go on tour as a DJ. I said I wasn’t really a DJ, but she said, “Are you coming or not?” So, I had to go! How did that lead into you doing more of your own projects? It’s really exciting, because playing music on-stage gives me an idea of what I want to do and the kind of music I want to play. I started making music while I was on the road and started playing it out, and I was able to test what was working and what wasn’t. It’s really fun to get to see what works in a live setting. Do you have anything specific you’re working on right now? I have some new music [that came out at the end of October], and I’m super pumped. It’s very tribal and hardhitting, and I collaborated with some amazing artists. There’s a lot of music I’m working on right now, and I can’t wait for it to come out. Do you have any tours going on currently? There’s a lot more touring in the works. Right now, I’m on this U.S. run with Sofi Tukker. When I have days off, I’m able to go play other shows as well, and that’s the first time I’ve really been doing that. And next, I’m going to Europe on tour, so I have things going on for the rest of the year. I’m really excited, really because this is the first time I’ve added a few extra drum machines to the show. It’s been really fun to learn as I go and get to go on the road with some new toys.
“I think that female freedom to choose whatever career path you want, freedom to choose what you want to put in your body, and in general the freedom to choose for a woman, I think it’s all very tied.”
that I’ve always looked up to and respected. It feels like such a wonderful time to be doing this and to be providing these opportunities.
Tell us about what Femme House is, and how are you involved? When I first started producing, it was from sheer feminist stubbornness. When I first started playing music, I was surrounded by male producers. They were great, and I had a great experience, but I didn’t know many other female producers. So, I thought, “Oh my gosh, that’s a role I could have.” Living in LA, I was meeting so many talented women, and I just wanted to kind of change the narrative and get as many of the men in the room as possible. We’re doing free monthly workshops right now in LA, and we’re extending to New York next year. It’s a safe space for women and nonbinary people to learn how to use Ableton and how to program drums and record vocals and basically just make a song. So far, we have some awesome support from Roland and Ableton, and it’s just been really, really overwhelming and completely inspiring to see all the support that we’ve gotten from these companies
Does cannabis advocacy tie in with the other things you advocate for? I think that female freedom to choose whatever career path you want, freedom to choose what you want to put in your body, and in general the freedom to choose for a woman, I think it’s all very tied. I also think decriminalizing opens up doors for people that can help them medically, with depression, and with creative flow. I think it does a lot of good.
PHOTO BY XANDER WRIGHT
Has cannabis impacted your life? I don’t personally smoke, but I grew up with hippie parents who were Deadheads, and cannabis has always been a huge part of my life. I always have been blown away that alcohol was so easy to access, and much more so than pot, because there are so many issues associated with alcohol.
Is there anything else you wanted to mention? There’s a really cool project I am doing with Sofi Tukker where we go into clubs and make them into neon jungles. People can rave all night and dress up like animals. It’s a really fun part of the culture that we’re building and the community that we’re building, and it’s all about finding your inner child and the fact that [when] one of us shines, the more we all shine. It’s a big, important part of my ethos. c lpgiobbi.com CultureMagazine.com
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“I don’t personally smoke, but I grew up with hippie parents who were Deadheads, and cannabis has always been a huge part of my life.”
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P H O T O B Y L E X R YA N
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Endlessly Thankful
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By Laurie Wolf
side from 420, Thanksgiving is the best non-denominational holiday out there. If you spend the day sans-kids, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your cannabis-infused starters, dosed gently for a mellow and relaxing time. Infusing the starters allows you to enjoy the meal without hesitation, from apps to dessert, delightfully under the influence of this magical herb. We have found that a little bit of cannabis goes that extra mile to keep stress low and spirits high. The cannabis strain that we used this year was Bliss Berry. We have found that this strain adds a brightness to each recipe, and to our mood, which is a total win-win.
Bacon Wrapped Dank Dates
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I N G R E D I E N T S:
I N S T R U C T I O N S:
32 pitted dates
1. Heat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
4 tablespoons goat cheese 2 tablespoons cannabis-infused butter 16 bacon slices, cut in half
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Serves
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2. Place the dates on your work surface and with a small, knife make a slit in each and spread open. 3. In a small bowl, combine the goat cheese with the butter until well mixed.
PHOTOS BY BRUCE WOLF
4. Divide the mixture and press into each date, closing them up after filling. 5. Wrap the bacon around each stuffed date. 6. Place the dates baconseam down on a baking sheet. 7. Bake until the bacon is cooked and crisp, about 10 minutes.
I N S T R U C T I O N S: 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Let cream cheese come to room temperature in bowl and set aside. In sauté pan melt unsalted butter and cannabisinfused butter over low heat. Low heat is key to ensure minimal cook-off of THC. Serves
Spinach and Canna Kale Dip I N G R E D I E N T S: 1 cup softened cream cheese 2 tablespoons cannabis-infused butter 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, chopped 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2/3 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cups parmesan cheese (set aside 1/4 cup for topping before baking), grated
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1 cup cleaned and dried fresh kale, chopped 1 cup of drained/
1/2 teaspoon salt
chopped and thawed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
frozen spinach 1/4 cup plain bread
Pinch of ground nutmeg
crumbs
2 tablespoons pickled jalapeños, chopped
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
3/4 cup canned artichokes, chopped
3. Once butter mixture is melted add the chopped garlic and cook over low heat for two minutes. Turn off heat and allow mixture to cool. 4. Add to the bowl of softened cream cheese the mayo, sour cream, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, pinch of ground nutmeg, chopped jalapeños and artichokes. Combine all ingredients thoroughly. 5. Add kale and spinach to cheese mixture and blend to combine. 6. Last, add the butter and garlic mixture and blend to combine for three minutes. This step is the most important to ensure even distribution of THC throughout the recipe. 7. Pour dip into oven safe dish and top with breadcrumbs and remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. 8. Bake for 20 minutes.
Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
I N G R E D I E N T S:
I N S T R U C T I O N S:
12 thick slices crusty olive bread, toasted on both sides
1. Heat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Serves
3 whole garlic cloves, peeled
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2 tablespoons cannabisinfused olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 cups cherry tomatoes 1 yellow pepper, seeded and cut in strips 1 garlic clove, minced Coarse salt and pepper
2. Place the bread on your work surface. Rub one side of the bread with the garlic cloves. Drizzle or brush the bread with the cannabis-infused olive oil. 3. On a baking sheet toss the olive oil with the tomatoes, pepper and garlic. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the tomatoes have lost their shape and the pepper has started to turn golden brown. 4. Divide the tomato mixture between the bread slices and sprinkle with salt and pepper. CultureMagazine.com
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GROWING CULTURE
Garden Fever (Part VI)
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By Ed Rosenthal
he garden has been in harvest mode for the past month. The first plants to ripen were the Gelatos, both in the greenhouse and outdoors. The ER Superbuds, which were forced to flower barely out of clonehood, followed about a week later. These plants grew no branches, just a straight stem surrounded by buds. There were also a couple of sativas that grew well vegetatively, but never really budded out. The light wasn’t bright enough for them. They were wasting in this garden, and they took up space, but were not worth harvesting. It was only in mid-season that I learned they were not clones but seedlings from an untested cross! Oh well. Now there are only two plants from the greenhouse and three of the outdoor plants left. They need another 10 days to finish, and luckily the forecast for the next week is sunny and partly cloudy weather with highs in the 70s, which is perfect weather for plant ripening. The position of the sun has changed with the season, placing it lower on the horizon. It casts more shade than direct light on the yard. I moved all of the plants to the sunniest section of the garden, close to a white wall that reflects light back to them. This increases the total light they receive, including ultraviolent type B (UVB), which is blocked by plastic. Meanwhile, the plants are in various stages of drying/curing. When they were cut they were hung,
The greenhouse before the plants were harvested. 42
Immature bud. It will ripen within 10 days.
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unmanicured. The drying area has a bit of ventilation and a temperature that stays in the 60s and a humidity that remains in the 50 percent range. This is a great temperature/ humidity combo for a slow dry/cure. The first plants are smokable, dry and have been manicured. They have been placed in a jar
Three plants are still ripening.
An ER Superbud drying.
with a humidity pack to keep them fresh. So far, I have manicured Gelato that consists of small, dense buds that have a fruity odor. The smoke expands a bit, and the first part of the effect comes on quickly, then envelopes you with its rhythm. It’s a good bud to socialize with. c
Bowl of Gelato buds. They would have been tighter if they had more light.
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NEWS of the
WEIRD
BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL
LEAD STORY—UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT Jennifer Colyne Hall, 48, of Toney, Alabama, was distraught when she called the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office dispatch on Oct. 2, so officers were sent to call on her. Public information officer Steven Young told The News Courier the officers first approached Hall’s landlord, who told them she had been “acting strangely” and hinted she might be on drugs. When the officers spoke to Hall, she produced a clear bag from a baby wipes container and told them, “I want this dope tested” because she feared the methamphetamines in the bag had possibly been tainted with another drug. Asked if she had consumed the drugs, Hall said she had, but couldn’t remember when. She was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and was held at the Limestone County Jail. INEXPLICABLE A front-door camera in McDowell County, North Carolina, twice captured a bold loiterer on the home’s porch: a naked man. Sheriff’s officers arrested Denny Lynn Dover, 45, in early October after identifying him by his distinctive tattoos, The McDowell News reported. Dover had visited the home in April and again on Oct. 3, when 44
he attempted to break in. He was charged with firstdegree burglary and held on $50,000 bond. Dover isn’t new to a life of crime: He also has convictions for arson, drug possession, larceny, peeping and breaking in. The Louisville Courier Journal reported that Knox County (Kentucky) Sheriff ’s deputies arrested Barrett L. Sizemore, 48, of Heidrick, on Oct. 4 for theft of a “honey wagon”—a septic cleaning truck—in Barbourville. The truck went missing on Oct. 2, and authorities located it in a barn in Laurel County, not far from where Sizemore was arrested. He is being held on a $10,000 bond. UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES An unidentified 89-yearold woman who has had previous trouble with trespassers on her remote property outside Piru, California, was hospitalized on Oct. 5 after her attempt to shoo away a group of nine people went wrong. After spotting the interlopers, she warned them away and fired two rounds from her rifle into a hillside to “emphasize her point,” Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Eric Buschow told the Los Angeles Times. As the group retreated, the woman pursued them in her pickup truck to be sure they were leaving and pointed her gun at them. One man tried to talk with her, but she couldn’t hear him, so he opened the door of her truck and grabbed the gun barrel. “In the process,” Buschow
NOVEMBER 2019 CultureMagazine.com
said, “she fell out of the truck (and) unbeknownst to (the man), the truck was still in gear, so the rear wheel drove over her leg, continued to roll and went off a cliff.” She was airlifted to a hospital with injuries to her ankle, and neither party wanted to press charges, so no arrests were made. An unidentified man in Phoenix, Arizona became angry at his upstairs neighbors for making too much noise on Oct. 6. He first tried banging on their door around 11:20 p.m., but then returned to his apartment and fired several shots into his ceiling— one of which apparently ricocheted and hit him in the face, according to the Arizona Republic. Although no one else was injured, the shooter was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition. OVERREACTIONS An apparent dispute over pigeons at Pershing Field in Jersey City, New Jersey, has resulted in Charles Lowy, 69, facing eight years in prison for reckless manslaughter, according to The Jersey Journal. In April 2018, Lowy stabbed former schoolteacher Anthony Bello, 77, to death after they argued about Lowy’s habit of feeding pigeons in the park. Lowy’s attorney called Bello the “mayor of the block” and said he was the aggressor in the altercation, and that Lowy had stabbed him in selfdefense. Hudson County Superior Court Judge Sheila Venable sentenced Lowy on Oct. 4; he must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence.
OOPS! Tina Springer, 44, was the passenger in a car driven by Brent Parks, 79, as they stopped to let a train pass in Enid, Oklahoma, on Oct. 3. Parks’ yellow Labrador retriever chose that moment to jump from the back seat onto the center console, causing a .22 caliber handgun stored underneath to discharge and strike Springer in the left thigh. The Enid News and Eagle reported that Parks, whom Springer is a caretaker for, told police he doesn’t usually carry the weapon loaded. Springer was taken to a hospital for treatment. Homeowner Linda TaylorWhitt of Lynwood, Illinois, and her family returned home from a birthday dinner on Oct. 5 to find “a wheel coming through my washroom ceiling” in an upstairs bathroom. TaylorWhitt, who lives about a mile from Lansing Municipal Airport, told the Chicago Tribune she “didn’t know what kind of wheel it was at first. I guessed it was an airplane wheel,” she said. But it was from a helicopter, according to Amy Summers of SummerSkyz Inc., a helicopter flight school in Lansing. When Summers heard about the incident, she knew she’d found the ground-handling wheel she’d been missing, and called Taylor-Whitt to apologize. The wheel had apparently been left on one of the company’s helicopters during flight and fell off. Taylor-Whitt was relieved the damage wasn’t worse: “I am glad— thank you, Lord—that it was a wheel instead of a plane because it could’ve been so bad.”
CultureMagazine.com
NOVEMBER 2019
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NOVEMBER 2019 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
NOVEMBER 2019
47