Culture Magazine Oregon September 2016 by Culture Magazine

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09.16 Vol 8 IssUE 3

contents 22 DOWN TO EARTH

Actress Lucy Lawless talks about her heritage, her versatile acting experience and her support of medical cannabis.

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ON THE COVER:

p h o t o b y M a le a k re s h o k

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contents

inside

09.2016

34 40

features

The Re-Scheduling Cannabis Debacle DEA wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t re-schedule cannabis right now, but is pushing for more research by FDA in order to do so in the near future.

Industry Insider Michael Straumietisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; company Advanced Nutrients has become the leading nutrients company in cannabis horticulture.

Best Results Cannabis is essential to the healing process for Swedish UFC Fighter Per Eklund.

Canna-Comediennes Female-led comedies, especially those that feature cannabis, are all the rage in television and film.

departments news

online Exclusive!

10 News Nuggets 11 By the Numbers 12 Local News

reviews

14 Company Highlights 16 Strain & Edible Reviews 18 Cool Stuff 20 Entertainment Reviews

in every issue

38 Growing Culture 40 Destination Unknown 41 Profile

in Courage 42 Recipes 46 News of the Weird

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d Texas wants to expand cannabis

laws in 2017 d Arizona puts legal cannabis on

the ballot

Vol 8 IssUE 3

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CULTURE M

Publisher Jeremy Zachary Editor-In-Chief Evan Senn associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Jamie Solis Editorial Contributors Benjamin Adams, Sheryll Alexander, Marguerite Arnold, Jake Browne, Cole Garrison, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, David Downs, Natasha Guimond, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Anthony Herrold, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Joe Jatcko, David Jenison, Kevin Longrie, Emily Manke, Tyler Markwart, Meital Manzuri, Sandy Moriarty, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, Paul Rogers, Joy Shannon, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Zara Zhi Photographers Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Duncan Rolfson Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Tommy LaFleur Graphic Designer Tanya Delgadillo Regional Manager Justin Olson Account Executives Rob Bayless, Jon Bookatz, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Cole Garrison, Gene Gorelik, Teddy Helms, Emily Musser, Beau Odom, Chris Thatcher, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital media Editor David Edmundson Ctv Contributors Quinn Marie Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla

Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 500 locations throughout Oregon. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

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NEWS

nuggets

The Small Business Tax Equity Act Could Yield Tax Benefits to Cannabis Businesses Representative Earl Blumenauer introduced an act to update the federal tax law to allow cannabis businesses the ability to take advantage of tax benefits. The bill is also supported by Senator Ron Wyden. The Small Business Tax Equity Act would update the Internal Revenue Code Section 280E, which currently is responsible for not allowing cannabis businesses to pay taxes. The new bill would apply to states that have allowed the sale of recreational and medical cannabis and would also allow cannabis businesses access to banking tools, so they could update from the dangerous cash-only operations that are currently required. Aaron Smith, Director of National Cannabis Association stated in a release, “The small businesses that make up the legal cannabis industry are working overtime to be responsible, contributing members of their communities,” he said, “So it’s particularly outrageous that when they to do the right thing by paying their federal taxes, they end up penalized with double and triple tax rates. Instead of being able to create more jobs, increase salaries or add benefits for their employees, these businesses are being forced to send more than two-thirds of their profits straight to the federal government. Representative Blumenauer and Senator Wyden are standing up for fairness and support for small business—something everyone should applaud. We certainly do.”

Illinois Becomes the 21st State to Decriminalize Cannabis Governor Bruce Rauner signed SB-2228 into law, which makes possession of cannabis up to 10 grams punishable by a citation and fine up to $200. This law makes Illinois the 21st state to decriminalize cannabis. The new bill also outlines specifics to determine whether someone is driving under the influence of cannabis. While Rauner has received some negative feedback from local police forces in regards to this new legislation, he clearly has the support of the cannabis community. Founder and CEO of an Illinois cannabis cultivation company, Revolution Enterprises, and Co-Founder of the Medical Cannabis Alliance, Tim McGraw shared his support for Rauner’s decision with CULTURE, “I think it’s positive overall for the industry and the movement, and [we should] not be locking people up for cannabis. It’s ridiculous. Anybody who gets locked up for a plant that gives them therapeutic value,” he said, “I think that finally the administration is seeing how it can economically help the state.” McGraw and many others who support the bill hope to see it eliminate the negative stigma around cannabis use and keep those who possess small amounts of cannabis from having a criminal record.

Deschutes County Lifts Ban on Cannabis As of September 1, Deschutes County has lifted its ban on cannabis-related businesses. Last December, the ban was enacted, however the commissioners decided to adopt an ordinance to repeal the ban. There was both support and opposition from county residents in regards to lifting the ban, so commissioners did their best to consider all sides and meet somewhere in the middle. In an interview with Deschutes County Commissioner, Tammy Baney, CULTURE gained insight into how the cannabis industry, community and county are now working together toward regulating medical and recreational cannabis businesses, “You know the regulations that we have put into place are what I would consider to be fairly restrictive, and they actually are more restrictive than I anticipated us being able to move forward with. Quite frankly, I felt that maybe the industry would push back more than they did, and I think that it’s a testament to the relationship with the industry as well as a relationship with the community, that we want to have strong regulations in place so that businesses can operate in the light of day . . .”

Puerto Rico Certifies its First Medical Cannabis Doctor Dr. Soler became the first doctor in Puerto Rico to recommend medical cannabis. Soler originally started his cannabis training in the state of Colorado. Then, once the regulation was approved in Puerto Rico, he complied with all the new regulations that had been enacted by the governor and coincidentally became the first doctor permitted to prescribe medical cannabis. Although Dr. Soler can legally prescribe cannabis, he explained how this is just the first step in the process to get patients high-THC cannabis in an interview with CULTURE, “In Puerto Rico, it is clearly established that anything that is dispensed and provided to patients has to be grown and produced on the island. In that sense, we are basically at the very first stage of the process. Stage two is now starting to become a reality. Crops are being grown, cannabis clinics are starting to be established throughout the island. We still need about six more months for the product to become available on the island.” There are 14 conditions that qualify patients for medical cannabis, which include HIV, cancer, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, migraines and chronic pain, among others. 10

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The number of votes, out of seven, that were cast in favor of allowing Medford voters the chance to choose whether or not to allow outdoor medical cannabis grows in the November elections: (Source: The Register-Guard)

NEWS

The estimated amount of money that it will cost for Salem cannabis growers to obtain a conditional use permit so they can operate within city zones:

2,800

(Source: Statesman Journal) The number of cannabis plants that were deemed winners of the Oregon State Fair’s first cannabis growing competition, and were put on display: (Source: ABC6)

The approximate number of exhibitors who were in attendance at Oregon’s first cannabis growing fair at the Oregon State Fair in August: (Source: NBC News)

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the state of Maryland has spent on reviewing applicants for medical cannabis business licenses since January: (Source: The Baltimore Sun)

2.3

The updated cost to apply for a medical cannabis card in Montana, in dollars, decreased from its original price at $75: (Source: San Francisco Chronicle)

The Secret Cup

The amount of money, in dollars, that it cost attendees to enter the Oregon Cannabis Association’s “The Summer Fair” event in July, which invited cannabis users to meet producers and processors, and also obtain free samples: (Source: The Oregonian)

The estimated percentage of professional football players who use cannabis to treat their various ailments, according to former running back Ricky Williams: (Source:

International Business Times)

WHAT: The Secret Cup. WHEN/WHERE: Exact location within Portland is “secret” until tickets are purchased. INFO: Visit www.thesecretcup.com for details.

Everyone wants to be in on a good secret, so it’s no surprise that this exclusive and elusive cannabis event continues to grow in popularity year after year. Extract artists are gathering once again with their top-notch product to compete in The Secret Cup. While the focus of this meetup is to determine which concentrates are of the highest

quality, The Secret Cup will also have plenty of dab bars, where attendees can get a taste of finely crafted concentrates. Expert hash makers will be present at the cup, while cannabis industry vendors will have their finest products available for purchase. Get in the know, and find out what all that whispering is about at The Secret Cup. iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

NEWS

LOCAL

Drop the Label New Cannabis Product Sparks Gender Marketing Controversy

by Jamie Solis new cannabis product line geared toward women has sparked a little controversy in the liberal state of Oregon. Freya is a new line of cannabis vape pens, oils and flowers that is marketed specifically toward women. The same company that makes Freya also produces a line of vape pens, oils and flowers for men called Odin. In an interview with Michelle Lindars, the Brand Manager of Odin and Freya, she shared the difference between the two lines, “We do also have our Odin line of vape pens, which has a more masculine look and feel that is slightly larger with a really sleek, modern look.” While many women thoroughly enjoy and appreciate these high-quality, femininebranded products, there is a growing cultural trend, which calls to end marketing two similar products differently, as one for women and one for men. One reason activists hope to end gender-specific marketing is because products aimed toward women are typically more expensive than those marketed to men. Fortunately, Freya and Odin are both being sold at the same price point, which helps to eliminate this concern in particular. Another concern with products that utilize gender-specific marketing is that there is an assumption that women and men genders are vastly different, which the brand itself has noticed is not the case. Lindars shared, “The response to Freya has been amazing and not just from women. The ease of use and the smooth draw appeal to everyone.” With the cultural acceptance of gender fluidity growing and with the overlapping

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of what qualities individuals identify as masculine or feminine, is there any reason to market two similar products specifically to men or women? According to a recent article by The Guardian, “Traditional views of gender are moving faster in culture than in advertising. Acknowledging stereotypes is not enough—our industry must lead the change.” It was therefore unsettling when Lindars stated, “Women can be complicated, Freya is simple.” There are various marketing campaigns that have opposed this idea that women and men are vastly different just because of their gender. One company that showed their knowledge of the shifting cultural perspective of gender is a major retailer. Last year, Target decided to drop gender-specific store signage by removing its classification of “girls” versus “boys” toys, home goods and entertainment, although the gendered classification does remain for clothing. Beyond “political correctness,” it’s important to understand the research conducted around gender-neutrality and what impact it can have on business and future profits. A study done by The NDP Group shows that a majority of millennials under the age of 35 agree that the toy industry in particular perpetuates gender stereotyping and would like to see genderneutral marketing for all toys. As millennials continue to get older and have children, these values will not only influence their purchases of goods, but will be passed along to their children as well. It appears then that marketers should start considering gender-neutral marketing if they want to stay competitive and market to the growing generation of consumers. While we appreciate the growing trend of women making big moves in the cannabis industry, female cannabis consumers might be able to do without a product geared toward complicated women. c

Hempstalk Harvest Festival

Hemp is a wondrous plant with so many industrial, medical and recreational uses, and the Hempstalk Harvest Festival is dedicated to helping advocate for hemp decriminalization! Join other like-minded individuals as they share information about the environmentally friendly, nutrient-rich hemp plant and the various ways its use could help better our planet, bodies and daily lives. This two-day festival will be buzzing with vendors serving delicious foods and live music setting an upbeat scene. There will also be plenty of informational booths and guest speakers, which will ensure the days are filled with hemp education and awareness. The event is free and open to the public, but any donations are welcome. Let’s have some fun while advocating to end prohibition once and for all. WHAT: Hempstalk Harvest Festival. WHEN/WHERE: Sat, Sept. 24Sun, Sept. 25. Waterfront Park, SW Naito Pkwy. and SW Columbia St., Portland. INFO: For more info, please hempstalk.org.

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REVIEWs

company highlight

INTEGRA®

by Desiccare Inc. Interviewed: Ben Blankenhorn, Manager of New Business Development 985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy. Suite 320, Reno, NV (775) 393-1500 www.integra-products.com How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? Desiccare Inc. has been in operation since 1994 providing quality atmospheric packaging solutions to a wide variety of Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, Food Safety General Packaging and Military applications. Desiccare is well known in and trusted worldwide by many of biggest names in Pharmaceutical and Food Packaging. The INTEGRA™ brand is aimed specifically at cannabis, cigars, produce and other agricultural products which are sensitive to atmospheric conditions 14

in their environment. Our philosophy is simple; provide cost savings by eliminating waste and preventing risk. In the case of Integra™ and the BOOST™ products, the industry and consumers need it. We prevent profit loss for those on the industrial side of the industry, and we preserve the integrity of the cannabis purchased by the consumers. What do you offer consumers/clients that others don’t? A lot of our clients in the cannabis industry have carried similar products in the past but have been burned by their suppliers

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and their questionably unfavorable business tactics. We depend on our worldwide distribution network therefore we understand the importance of loyalty and trust in the business world. Trust and loyalty is ever so important and valued in the cannabis industry. The folks who partner with us really appreciate that. As for our Integra® products, we offer a full line of products which have proven to be perfect for cannabis. We have specialized products for drying cannabis, monitoring humidity, removing oxygen, ethylene control and much more. The most popular product in our lineup is the new BOOST® humidity control pack. This pack absorbs or releases moisture to regulate relative humidity (RH) within a contained environment. This is a salt-free solution that regulates RH in a container. This prevents weight loss, preserves the terpene profile and maintains the integrity of the plant material. It allows for a large outdoor grower to harvest a specialty strain in August and hold on to it into winter or early spring when it can be sold in it’s original state as a premier product. What separates the BOOST® from other humidity control solutions, is that it does not contain silica and it is a saltfree solution. The use of salt is very common as a humidity control solution however we don’t feel it is appropriate in the cannabis world. The leading salt producers advertise on their website, various ways to reduce odors using salts. Considering that cannabis is sold exclusively by weight and scent, we had to find another way to get the job done, and we did. And people are loving it.

How and why did your company start up? Desiccare Inc. was formed in 1994 in Santa Fe Springs, California. Anytime someone asks me in a hotel lobby bar what I do for work, I say, “Do you know those little packs that say “Do Not Eat” in pill bottles and jerky?” That’s what we do and have been doing for over 22 years. In addition to providing atmospheric control to the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms, Desiccare is trusted by America’s largest grocery chains to provide food safety solutions which ad up to 35 days of shelf life to fresh beef. Desiccare is also trusted by major goods packagers, and is an authorized supplier to the United States Military. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the world of cannabis business? Enter the industry like you are walking on to the court for game seven of the NBA finals. Keep your head on a swivel and eyes wide open. There is a lot going on, and it is all happening very fast. It will keep you up at night, it will drain you, but it is fun! What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? We hope to continue to help growers, dispensaries and consumers produce, supply and enjoy the best cannabis products possible. I hope to assist the entire cannabis industry in seeking its legitimacy in the mainstream. To do that, producers and sellers must employ the proper quality control and precautionary measures in place just any legitimate food or pharmaceutical producer in the country. INTEGRA® by Desiccare Inc. can most certainly help the industry become what it struggles to be. c

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REVIEWs

strain & edible Available at: High End Marketplace in Vancouver.

Fairwinds Cannabis Citrus CBD Tincture This potent and unusual tincture can be found at the High End Marketplace dispensary in Vancouver. Made with purified coconut oil, this tincture has ingredients of the highest purity and quality. The flavor of the tincture is like biting into a sweet grapefruit, with a lemon twist. It's a great addition to any fruit beverage or even just water. With 18.2mg CBD and 1.8mg THC, each dropper-full will make your pain melt away and also leave you feeling relaxed and content. It can be taken under your tongue, or added to virtually any beverage or food. Easy to use, but very potent, those new to tinctures and edibles should use only a small dose at first.

Available at: Green Goddess Remedies in Portland.

Aurora Indica This hunger-inducing strain can be found at Green Goddess Remedies in Portland. It lives up to its name as a classic indica, giving you a great, relaxing body effect and bringing on the munchies. The strain is the offspring of the classic Northern Lights with Afgan. Tested by MRX Labs, it was found to have 16.31 percent THC and 0.23 percent CBD. The mugs are light green and covered with dusty crystals, even as the bud is dissected. The sweet floral and citrus flavors are smooth at first, and then become a bit sharper after taking in a fresh breath. When smoked, it feels like an adrenaline rush at first, but then settles down and becomes a body soother. It's a great strain for controlling nausea and creating appetite.

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Lit Sticks Gummy Bears Rip City Remedies in Portland has these great little joints called Lit Sticks. They are 100 percent flower cones that come expertly rolled in perfectly sized squeeze-lid plastic containers. Grown by PDX Organics and tested by MRX Labs, the joints come in a variety of strains. The selection includes: Dream Queen, Conspiracy Kush, Berry Cough, Grape Stomper, Cherry Pie, Blue Dream and Gummy Bearsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;which has 24.26 percent THC and 0.80 percent CBD. They roll indica blends and sativa blends, and there are lots more to choose from coming soon. The joints also come in variety packs with combinations of two different strains. These joints are perfect for taking on trips, or anywhere else, and they will never get bent or crushed because of the great reusable packaging.

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Available at: Rip City Remedies in Portland.

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REVIEWs

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3. PuffCo Plus

1. Sagely Naturals’ Relief & Recovery Cream Using hemp-derived CBD extracted with CO2 extraction, Sagely Naturals makes CBD cream like no other. The scent is reminiscent of a lightweight Origins cream and doesn’t feel greasy or smell of cannabis at all. The cream is easy to apply, beautifully packaged and takes effect within a few minutes. Pain and inflammation seem to simply melt away. This is evidence that the popularity of high-end topical is rising, and Sagely Naturals is raising the bar in the topical game. PRICE: $36 MORE INFORMATION: www.sagelynaturals.com

4. CannaSmack HappyTokes Peach Natural Hemp Lip Balm

2. HÄLSA Hälsa creates high terpene essential oil topical roll-ons that utilize cannabinoid therapy and aromatherapy. With three signature products: UNWIND, HEAL and SOOTHE, Hälsa appeals to many different people. The UNWIND blend was our favorite— the scent is instantly relaxing, featuring lavender, ylang ylang, orange and lemon oils, as well as 100mg of CBD and THC. This tranquil experience instantly relieves muscle tension and anxiety, and promotes clarity of mind and emotional balance. So easy to use, simply roll on reflex points on hands, back of neck and/ or feet, and you can feel almost instant relaxation. PRICE: $50 MORE INFORMATION: www.halsa.us 18

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With a sleek appearance and top-notch technology, this awardwinning vaporizer is crushing the competitive vape scene with not only a great design, but also by utilizing top-notch technology. The PuffCo Vaporzier features an atomizer that is all ceramic, which means it’s free from exposed metals or glues and keeps your product tasting delicious. The coil-less chamber ensures your cannabis oil is vaporized evenly, and it’s also easier to clean and very durable. With three temperature settings, users can effectively choose the right heat level for their personal needs, while the unique mouthpiece minimizes spillage and preserves your oil. Another cool feature is the Session Mode, which allows up to 12 seconds of continuous vapor, makes this product not only ideal for a single user but for groups as well. PRICE: $99.99 MORE INFORMATION: www.puffco.com

Get ready to treat your lips to this decadent limited edition, hempinfused lip balm! Smelling as sweet as peach candy, Limited Edition CannaSmack HappyTokes Peach Natural Hemp Lip Balm is sure to become your latest makeup bag essential. Created using beeswax and all-natural plant extracts with cannabis sativa hemp seed oil, this peach lip balm will moisturize your lips with essential oils and vitamins. This lip balm is also cruelty-free and produced in the United States, so you can apply over and over again, completely guilt-free. Positively inspired by popular Instagram star and CULTURE writer @HappyTokes, CannaSmack HappyTokes Peach Natural Hemp Lip Balm will be a fun addition to your beauty routine. PRICE: $2.99 MORE INFORMATION: cannasmack.com/happytokes

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REVIEWs

entertainment

BOOK

Release Date: September 20 Available on: PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Baking To Get Baked MJ Odingreen Ursa Minor Media Ltd. In an innovative infused twist, this cheeky cannabis cookbook teaches homecooks how to use cannabisinfused flour for making baked goods, instead of the more traditional cannabisinfused butter method. Baking with cannaflour can be easier to control dosing and has no cannabis taste. A small selection of classic baked goods and color images make this book a great starter cookbook. Odingreen’s recipes are easy to follow, and his humor and wit make this cookbook entertaining too! (Alex Bradley)

GAME

Destiny: Rise of Iron Dev. Bungie Pub. Activision Fans of Destiny will soon be able to embark on a new and epic journey with Destiny: Rise of Iron. In this fourth expansion, players will follow the guidance of Lord Saladin, the last of the Iron Lords, while exploring a new campaign that revolves around the Fallen, and includes new missions, designated PvP and PvE maps, gear, weapons and of course, a new raid. Rise of Iron is vast and filled with plenty of action, but keep in mind that this expansion is the first to become unavailable on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, unlike previous Destiny games. (Nicole Potter)

MOVIE

Keanu Warner Bros. Pictures Dir. Peter Atencio While many may have worried that the comedic partnership Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele may have worn itself thin by the end of their much beloved sketch show Key & Peele, those fears were handily assuaged by the pair’s big screen debut, Keanu. Revolving around the recovery of an incredibly cute kitten by an incredibly violent, drug trafficking street gang, led by none other than Method Man, Keanu deals big in belly laughs, personal transformation stories and George Michael jokes. Proving that Key & Peele’s charm can be stretched further than half-hour installments, Keanu is the perfect debut film for the two. (Simon Weedn)

MUSIC

Real Lydia Loveless Bloodshot Records In the world of country music, few things are as important to a good song as authenticity and honesty. Fortunately, Ohio country singer songwriter Lydia Loveless has both of those aforementioned characteristics in grand supply on her latest album, Real. Drawing from an array of influence which includes everything from modern pop to hints of classic New York punk, Loveless delivers a performance on Real which is as powerful as it is nuanced. Both lyrically and sonically, Real finds Loveless at the top of her game blurring genre boundaries and delivering an album which contains so much while never feeling unfocused or busy. (Simon Weedn)

CORRECTION: Last month, in the review for Big Book of Buds Greatest Hits, we cited the publisher of this book as Green Candy Press, but the publisher of the book is actually Quick Trading Co.

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Tenacious Talent Actress and Activist Lucy Lawless is Fierce, Fearless and Will Fight For What is Right by Paul Rogers

“Listen, its being available hasn’t made me start smoking [marijuana] any more than legalized homosexual marriage has made me want to turn gay . . . I don’t know what they’re afraid of!”

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p h o t o s b y M a a rte n de B o er

Lucy Lawless thinks before speaking. Only not, apparently, to consider what her publicist or manager might want her to say. For while she’s forever associated with fantasy action roles, the refreshingly opinionated Ash vs Evil Dead actress conveys a defiantly down-to-earth demeanor in her unaffected Down Under brogue. Raised with five brothers (whom she describes, retrospectively, as “dickheads”) in suburban Auckland, New Zealand, Lawless embraced toughness and humor as survival mechanisms in a boy’s world. Her mother recalls a daughter who was not even aware of being a girl until age eight, yet became a teen wife and mom before being crowned “Mrs. New Zealand” at age 21. Following a stint on a domestic television comedy show, Lawless’ portal to pop-icon status was an ostensibly mundane 1995 twist of fate. When another actress fell ill and was unable to travel to New Zealand for filming, Lawless landed the role of a leather-clad warrior called Xena in an episode of fantasy TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. The episode was titled “Warrior Princess.” Created by Lawless’ now-husband, writerdirector-producer Rob Tapert, Xena: Warrior Princess grew into a six-season spin-off smash shown in more than 100 countries, making the statuesque Lawless a global sex symbol (declared one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” by People magazine in 1997). While Lawless remains synonymous with Xena, she’s stayed busy ever since, often portraying similarly stoic characters in TV productions including the Starz network’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand; Sci-Fi Channel’s Battlestar Galactica; WGN America’s Salem; and lately as the mysterious Ruby Knowby in Starz’ wildly popular horror comedy series Ash vs Evil Dead. Not to mention having two more children, an occasional singing career and getting arrested for environmental activism. CULTURE chatted with the affably self-assured Lawless about her disinterest in the fantasy genre, celebrity responsibility, pro-pot tweeting—and nice problems to have. iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

Season 2 of Ash vs Evil Dead premieres in October. Without spoiling anything, what can you tell us about the new season? Super-high-octane! It’s like four times the size of last season. I don’t really know how that happened . . . it just evolved that way. The footage that we’re shooting, honestly, it’s like . . . two Spartacus episodes crunched down into [a] half-hour of Evil Dead. It’s super-technical, it’s superrewarding . . . it’s just ferocious this season. And very funny! What are the unique joys of portraying Ruby in the series, compared with your career’s many other roles? I guess I’ve always played sort of outsiders, in a way, but it strikes me

with you. Like, American comedy eludes me. I’ve dabbled in sitcom and things, but it’s not something that I understand on a cellular level . . . I really admire it, and I really like it—I just can’t really do it. A recurring figure in your career is producer Sam Raimi, creator of the Evil Dead universe, producer of Xena: Warrior Princess, and executive producer of Spartacus: Blood and Sand. How would you define Sam’s genius? Sam is the ultimate kook. He’s a very unique individual. He’s kind of like Hollywood’s Mork from Ork—y’know, he’s been pulled out of another time and place. Your husband is Sam’s longtime collaborator Rob Tapert. How is it

I just think it’s twisted that we withhold available medications from somebody in pain—it’s disgusting. Why wouldn’t you give it to them? How completely sick. We’re the ones who are sick—we’re sicker than they are. that she’s the farthest of the outliers I’ve ever played, because she is not liked or trusted even within her own gang . . . It’s funny to play somebody who’s really hated. Your first ever TV job was in a sketch comedy series and Ash vs Evil dead is comedy horror. Are your comedic talents something you’d like to indulge more often, or do you instill subtle humor into most of your roles? Some things are just situationally funny. I mean, I’ve always thought that the parlor games in Spartacus were really funny— really ironic, really painful . . . So, yeah, I do find most of what I do funny, ‘cos life is a divine comedy. I would like to get back to [comedy]. I’d like to be better at it, to be honest 24

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working with your spouse, and how does that blur the line between your personal and professional lives? We work together great, because really our roles do not overlap. My role as an actress—that’s the easy bit. The much more demanding aspect of my, I say “job” in inverted commas, is being spouse of the producer—hearing the download of all the production issues and personnel issues and being supportive . . . not to get involved myself, but keeping everybody calm is what I do. What were your acting ambitions in your teens, and how do these compare with the actuality of your career to date? Oh, I wanted to go to RADA [Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, in London]!

I don’t know what happened—I wanted to play Lady Macbeth, and then I get tricked into this crazy action television, which was a complete assault to my being, because I was never good at sports. My nickname at school was “Unco,” for “uncoordinated,” and here I was getting bloody bashed 24/7 by stuntmen and training and trying to develop some sort of reflexes—which I did, [but] the first couple of years I was black and blue. It was a big shock to me. To be honest with you, I don’t watch fantasy shows, myself. I’m really not into that stuff. At this stage of my life, I wanna see people . . . having real problems like me and my friends—y’know, real-world problems. I’m not into the hunt for the magic bloody unicorn, or whatever. There was an element of fate in your being cast as Xena back in 1995. How different might your life have been today had that not happened? I would have had a different family; I’d probably be living in Italy . . . I would not be living in New Zealand, and I would never have stopped moving. I’m in love with perpetual motion, so had I not married [Xena creator Rob Tapert] I would not have the stability in my life; my children wouldn’t have had that stability—I’d just be a gypsy. Inadvertently or otherwise, you’ve become an icon of “comic-con” culture. That seems to be something you embrace. What am I going to do—crap on it? You should be so lucky to have these “problems!” I’m very good at rationalizing anything I can’t change . . . You better stick with the fans, and they’ll stick with you. I’ve been given this amazing opportunity to have a great life—mustn’t grumble! Would you say you’ve been somewhat typecast over the years? If so, do you necessarily see that as a negative? I suppose if you look at my major characters, I get cast as strong, slightly edgy, twisted people—or at least that’s what I try to bring to every role. No matter how she’s written, I’ll try to find the twist on it and try to make them compelling and make a bad person likeable and a good person a little bit gritty. So in a way I’ve taken fate and run with it and tried to make as much of it as I could.

How close are those character traits on-screen to your off-screen self? My brothers used to give me assholes about being a show-off and dancing around to ballet and “who do you think you are?” kind of thing. And really punishing me for, I now see, being a girl . . . So I really had to drive all my femininity underground a little bit. It’s taken me to my 40s to start to try to reclaim that and discover some sort of softness. Because being tough and funny was the only way to survive in my house. Even though I am a feminist, I don’t have a hatred of men or a chip on my shoulder about things. I just . . . grew up thinking, in a way, I was one. You’ve also embraced your status as a gay icon, including participating in pride parades, but are a married heterosexual mom. Why are you so supportive of the LGBT community? Cos I like underdogs, and I feel that I relate to the underdog . . . I believe in justice and I feel like many gay people— obviously not all—understand global justice for everyone. You were a teen mom. How did rising to that considerable challenge help form the character that has made your so successful since? I didn’t understand it was a challenge. I think my family thought “oh, there go all her dreams of being an actress,” but within days of coming home from the hospital . . . I was full of energy; I was writing skits and things to produce into a show reel [and] went and filmed it. Jobs started to come from there. I just didn’t know any different, y’know? My parents never told me you can’t do something. Even if they secretly thought it, they didn’t tell me it—and I try to do the same for my kids. 26

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I absolutely support— I mean, I really, wholeheartedly support [medical marijuana]. It’s medicine, man—nothing works like it . . . so it’s very cruel and unusual to deny a palliative medicine from these [seriously ill] people.

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

world in skin cancer, I realized that the actions of people globally can affect people locally.

I don’t think I knew that marijuana could be medical when I was growing Up . . . [but] I know it does a lot less harm to society than alcohol.

You still live in New Zealand. How has impacted your relationship with celebrity and the media compared with living in, say, L.A., New York or London? If you live in L.A., you’ve just got all these comparisons of how “not-cool” you are . . . Living in New Zealand, nobody cares about that stuff anyway, so it’s a non-issue. Also, I like to go it alone . . . I don’t have entourages; I don’t tell people what I’m up to. You have been active with environmental NGO Greenpeace, 28

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including being arrested in 2012 for boarding an oil-drilling ship. Why Greenpeace? I knew the director [of Greenpeace New Zealand], and I knew a bunch of those people from 20 years before when I acted [in] . . . The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior [TV movie about the sinking of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, in Auckland, by the French intelligence service]. So I had a long-standing respect for them as individuals . . . And, also, because [New Zealanders] lead the

You’re a board member of New Zealand’s Starship Foundation, benefitting children’s healthcare, and have been involved with animal rights organizations such as Paw Justice. Do you see it as your responsibility to use your celebrity for good in those ways? Well, I don’t want it to bloody sell lipstick! That just bores the shit out of me, all that stuff . . . [Celebrity is] currency, y’know— use it for something that does some good for the world. In May, you tweeted a fairly stronglyworded pro-medical cannabis statement. Could you expand upon the sentiments behind this? I just think it’s twisted that we withhold available medications from somebody in pain—it’s disgusting. Why wouldn’t you give it to them? How completely sick. We’re the ones who are sick—we’re sicker than they are. How have your views on recreational and medical use of cannabis changed over your lifetime? I don’t think I knew that marijuana could be medical when I was growing up. My views of marijuana haven’t really changed . . . I know it does a lot less harm to society than alcohol. I certainly tried it as a kid, I do think we have to be really informed about the facts, but it doesn’t bother me if people smoke pot. What are you views of cannabis legislation, both in New Zealand and elsewhere? They should legalize it so they know where it’s bloody coming from. Listen, its being available hasn’t made me start smoking [marijuana] any more than legalized homosexual marriage has made me want to turn gay . . . I don’t know what they’re afraid of! Your work with Greenpeace suggests that you’re very pro-active regarding issues about which you are passionate. Might you become more involved in medical cannabis activism? I doubt it, except to say that I absolutely support—I mean, I really, wholeheartedly support [medical marijuana]. It’s medicine, man—nothing works like it, is what I’m hearing, so it’s very cruel and unusual to deny a palliative medicine from these [seriously ill] people. c

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

FDA is the Real Reason that DEA Can’t Re-Schedule Cannabis

DEA won’t re-schedule cannabis right now, but is pushing for more research by FDA in order to do so in the near future by Alex Bradley and Nicole Potter

There’s been a lot of media attention recently revolving around the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which was rumored to be planning a monumental decision to re-schedule cannabis from its Schedule 1 label. However, news broke on August 10 that the agency is still working on rescheduling cannabis, but for the time being, they cannot reschedule it. The DEA must get an official recommendation from the FDA about the evidence and studies related to the substance before it can reschedule anything. The DEA sent out a press release, stating that it has denied two petitions to reschedule cannabis. Before any rescheduling occurs, the DEA has requested that more scientific research be conducted. It also asked for “a scientific and medical evaluation and scheduling recommendation” from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which was already administered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National

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Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “Based on the legal standards in the CSA, marijuana remains a schedule 1 controlled substance because it does not meet the criteria for currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, there is a lack of accepted safety for its use under medical supervision, and it has a high potential for abuse,” the DEA stated in the announcement. “The HHS concluded that marijuana has a high potential for abuse, has no accepted medical use in the United States, and lacks an acceptable level of safety for use even under medical supervision. Therefore, the HHS recommended that marijuana remain in Schedule I,” according to the 21 CFR Chapter II, Denial of Petition, from the DEA. “Based on the HHS evaluation and all other relevant data, the DEA has concluded that there is no substantial evidence that marijuana should be removed from Schedule I.” “Although the HHS evaluation and all other relevant data lead to the

“What DEA did change was to allow more people to register with us to grow marijuana for researchers to use.” conclusion that marijuana must remain in schedule I, it should also be noted that, in view of United States obligations under international drug control treaties, marijuana cannot be placed in a schedule less restrictive than schedule II. This is explained in detail in accompanying document titled ‘Preliminary Note Regarding Treaty Considerations.’”

to not move the cannabis plant into another schedule, based on their limited research and trials. There will be more, and the DEA has mandated that. They have updated their policy, to facilitate and foster more research by expanding the number of registered growers for cannabis in the country. “This change illustrates DEA’s commitment to working together with the FDA and NIDA to facilitate research concerning marijuana and its components. DEA currently has 350 individuals registered to conduct research on marijuana and its components. Notably, DEA has approved every application for registration submitted by researchers seeking to use NIDA-supplied marijuana to conduct research that HHS determined to be scientifically meritorious.” Correno assured us in an interview that the DEA is still considering rescheduling cannabis in the future. They just need the official structure and process to fall in line with that, ie. the FDA approving and providing the DEA with proper evidence and studies about the medicinal qualities of cannabis. Currently, the FDA is doing trials for Epidiolex, which could possibly be the third approved cannabis-related pharmaceutical by the FDA. Correno, at the DEA says that if the FDA approves Epidiolex, there is a large possibility that they could recommend the DEA to reschedule the main part of that drug, CBD to be a Schedule II substance. In more detail, the second Denial of Petition to Initiate Proceedings to Reschedule Marijuana, Michael J. Lewis, Office of Diversion Control and Chuck Rosenberg, Acting Administrator of the DEA, state that based on the HHS evaluation and all other relevant data, the DEA has concluded that there is no substantial evidence that cannabis or marijuana should be removed from schedule I.

“DEA has not had a change of heart on rescheduling cannabis—it is going to stay in the same schedule (Schedule I) where it’s been, because the FDA still says it is not a medicine.” The rejected petitions to reschedule cannabis were submitted by Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo, Washington State Governor Jay R. Inslee and Bryan A. Krumm (whose job title and address title were blocked out). DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg responded to it in four-page letter detailing the decision. The DEA does further state in its August 11 announcement that, as according to its new policy, it plans to increase the number of cannabis manufacturers that supply researchers. The only approved cannabis manufacturer is at the University of Mississippi, which is under contract with the NIDA. The DEA hopes to open more manufacturers in the near future that comply with FDA-authorized research. “This change illustrates DEA’s commitment to working together with the FDA and NIDA to facilitate research concerning marijuana and its components,” the statement continued. “DEA currently has 350 individuals registered to conduct research on marijuana and its components. Notably, DEA has approved every application for registration submitted by researchers seeking to use NIDA-supplied marijuana to conduct research that HHS determined to be scientifically meritorious.” CULTURE spoke with DEA representative Barbara Correno, DEA Headquarters Public Affairs Officer regarding the recent update, and provided us with more understanding, and a little more hope for the future, than most regarding this matter at first sight. “DEA has not had a change of heart on rescheduling cannabis—it is going to stay in the same schedule (Schedule I) where it’s been, because the FDA still says it is not a medicine. We schedule all substances jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services. We study a substance to determine if it meets the eight criteria in the Controlled Substances Act for controlling. If it does, we send it to DHHS for scientific studies. After they conduct these studies, they send us a recommendation as to whether to schedule (or reschedule) the substance. If they recommend against scheduling or rescheduling, we cannot do so. If they believe something should be scheduled or rescheduled, then we begin the regulatory process of doing so,” she told CULTURE in a phone interview. “What DEA did change was to allow more people to register with us to grow marijuana for researchers to use. Information on that is in our press release about today’s announcements,” she said. Correno explained that many people don’t understand the process in which a substance becomes a part of the CSA, or how it becomes schedule or rescheduled. As a department of justice for the country, the DEA can only take actions based on research and evidence supplied by other government agencies, such as the FDA. The FDA sent the recommendation

In short, marijuana continues to meet the criteria for schedule I control under the CSA because: Marijuana has a high potential for abuse. The HHS evaluation and the additional data gathered by DEA show that marijuana has a high potential for abuse. Marijuana has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Based on the established five-part test for making such determination, marijuana has no ‘‘currently accepted medical use’’ because: As detailed in the HHS evaluation, the drug’s chemistry is not known and reproducible; there are no adequate safety studies; there are no adequate and well-controlled studies proving efficacy; the drug is not accepted by qualified experts; and the scientific evidence is not widely available. Marijuana lacks accepted safety for use under medical supervision. At present, there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved marijuana products, nor is marijuana under a New Drug Application (NDA) evaluation at the FDA for any indication. The HHS evaluation states that marijuana does not have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. At this time, the known risks of marijuana use have not been shown to be outweighed by specific benefits in well-controlled clinical trials that scientifically evaluate safety and efficacy. c

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

Industry Insider “You have to like what you’re doing. You can’t grow it just for the money.”

Michael “Big Mike” Straumietis of Advanced Nutrients by R. Scott Rappold The police had taken everything but the fertilizer. Amid the ruins of a longago bust, Michael “Big Mike” Straumietis was suddenly a cannabis grower with nothing left to sell. So in the spirit of “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” he turned to the nutrient-rich fertilizer, which he had concocted himself over years of cultivating, as a source of income. That decision would bring him riches and fame far beyond that of a cannabis farmer, a life of private jets and bikini models and a “marijuana mansion.” “It’s kind of like you’re pushed in a corner and it’s the only thing you’ve got left, so what are you going to do?” said Straumietis. “You just concentrate on what’s in front of you and it turned out it was a really great thing because Advanced Nutrients turned out to be the number one [cannabis] fertilizer brand in the world.” With more than 200 employees and $65 million in annual sales, Advanced Nutrients is also one of the largest cannabisoriented companies in the world, poised to grow even more as the tide of legalization leads to more home and commercial cultivation. After a lifetime in the shadows, 56-year-old Straumietis is living the high life, in a very public way.

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Trial and Error

Straumietis accidentally killed his first grow. “In 1983, there was very little information on growing marijuana, nothing,” he said. He left the lights on but didn’t consider ventilation, and his plants wound up brown and shriveled. In his second attempt, he waited too long to harvest, resulting in buds not in their prime. Despite the missteps, he felt he was onto something and gave up his lawn and tree care business to focus on growing cannabis. “When I first got into growing marijuana, it was for the money. I was 23 years old and had all these things in my mind about what I could buy if I grew so much weed,” he said. “I fell in love with the plant over time. I could watch it go from a vegetative state, where it’s just a plant with branches and leaves, and then it starts forming buds and the buds form colas and it’s, ‘Holy shit! You watch this plant go through this beautiful metamorphosis and it smells terrific and you can smoke it and get different effects.’” Not content with fertilizers on the market, he began mixing his own, boosting yield and bud quality dramatically. Sure, he was breaking the law, but it didn’t feel illegal. There were no guns or turf wars. “Everybody I dealt with was happy. The people I bought the equipment from and all the stuff I needed to grow, they were happy to see me. The people I sold the product to, they were happy, and the people they sold to were happy and they came back and wanted more. They were good people I dealt with,” he said. Unfortunately for him, the authorities didn’t see things that way.

On the Run

Success in cultivating drew the interest of law enforcement, so Straumietis moved to Canada, at the time a more liberal place than the U.S. for cannabis, to escape the heat while he continued to grow. After the aforementioned police raid (charges were eventually dropped), he founded Advanced Nutrients in 1999. His timing was impeccable. Three years earlier, Californians had approved medical cannabis, soon to be followed by other states, which opened the door for the dispensary boom of the late 2000s. Building on his own experiences as a grower for 16 years, he hired scientists to meticulously study this plant and what nutrient mixes made for the best harvest, made possible by a license from the Bulgarian government to conduct the research there. He boasts of having 22 PhD recipients working over a span of 10 years on finding ways to increase THC and plant biomass in hydroponic grows. Having grown through the darkest days of the “War on Drugs,” he had the experience to rise above the competition in an industry just emerging from decades of prohibition. Today Advanced Nutrients offers more than 30 products for different phases of the grow cycle and desired appearances, aromas, tastes and overall plant quality. The company plans to develop a product line for industrial hemp. With recreational cannabis legal in

“I fell in love with the plant over time. I could watch it go from a vegetative state, where it’s just a plant with branches and leaves, and then it starts forming buds and the buds form colas and it’s, ‘Holy shit! You watch this plant go through this beautiful metamorphosis and it smells terrific and you can smoke it and get different effects.’”

several states and poised to be legalized in several more in 2016, Straumietis expects his $65 million company to be a $250 million company within a decade.

Private Jets and Worldwide Success

He is clearly enjoying the success. Straumietis has himself become the face of the brand, posting pictures to social media of him flying in private jets and partying in his mansion with bikini models, the six-foot-seven “Big Mike” living the high life for the rest of us. “My personal life and my business life are just seamless almost. That’s the way I like it because it doesn’t feel like I’m doing work that way,” he said. He points out that he also posts about other things, such as his charitable endeavors. They just don’t get as many “likes” as big buds and bikinis. So yes, he’s enjoying the money and fame, but cultivation for him is still a labor of love, for a plant with so many recreational and medicinal possibilities. He recalled an episode from his black market growing days, when a friend using the same seeds and methods as him couldn’t sell his product. His friend was legitimately confused and vocal about how successful Straumietis had been, and how he couldn’t compete. “I told him, ‘That’s the problem. It’s a plant. It actually needs TLC, and I believe the plant knows if you like it or not. If you’re in love with the plant you’re going to take care of it better and get a better end product. You have to like what you’re doing. You can’t grow it just for the money.’” c

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

Healthy and Holistic Healing in the UFC

UFC fighter Per Eklund heals naturally, and wants the professional sporting organizations like the UFC to encourage cannabis treatments for athletes by Madison Ortiz

Per Eklund, (born November 12, 1980 in Stockholm, Sweden) has been a natural athlete since his youth. At age 27 he became the first Swedish fighter to compete in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC 80, January 2008); also formerly competing for M-1 global (mixed martial arts). Eklund confessed to CULTURE that curiosity led him to initially try cannabis with a friend at age 21, while training in Brazil. Though that experience encouraged him to be more open to the concept of cannabis having medicinal benefits, it was a physical trauma which gave him a whole new perspective on cannabisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medicinal value as he suffered from a broken neck in 2012.

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“I’ve felt much greater value in using cannabis. I’ve stuck with cannabis, and I’ve been stretching and doing yoga for more than one and a half years, and I’ve had great results; great results.” We were sorry to hear about your injury. When you broke your neck, was that a work related injury? What exactly happened? Per Eklund: Eh . . . I had problems with my neck for a long time and (doctors) asked me to do a surgery in 2011, but I didn’t want to do the surgery so [instead] I did rehab. But then, I had an accident in training where I landed on my head and I broke my vertebrae. I’m really lucky that I’m still able to do

what I’m doing; that everything went fine, you know? People break their neck and end up in a wheel chair, so I’m really happy. I actually enjoy life now more than I did before. I appreciate the small stuff. What was your alternative to medicating with cannabis while recovering? First surgery I had, I was put on a lot of morphine. After that first one, I decided I was never gonna

ever touch morphine or prescription drugs again. I was on morphine about four months. First week I had it injected into my vein at the hospital, then when I came home I had three to four different prescriptions. It was really horrible. What did that medicated state feel like to you? What were your side effects? That's the funny thing . . . there’s nothing called side effects.

The pharmaceutical industry, they say pills have side effects. No. It’s just effects. It’s just bad effects. I felt like a ghost. I felt totally hollow as a person. Mood changes. Nothing I had ever experienced before. The months of [taking] medication, when I got angry I was almost filled with rage. It was really unpleasant. I had never had those issues before. When you take pills they make you sleepy, they don’t make you motivated, they take your creativity

away. And what more do you need than your creativity when you are injured or sick, or recovering? So I made a decision. I’m not gonna use any of the medicines doctors give me because they don’t help me; they just keep me in a sick state. I’ve felt much greater value in using cannabis. I’ve stuck with cannabis, and I’ve been stretching and doing yoga for more than one and a half years, and I’ve had great results; great results.

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The world’s first cannabis friendly gym Power Plant Fitness is coming to San Francisco by the end of the year. What do you think of this idea? Do you think you would be inclined to check it out? You can consume cannabis and train? Man . . . People with depression, people that are medicated today with all these painkillers, they should go to this gym and consume cannabis together with an experienced user; someone that tells them what kind of strain and what effect it has. When you train your body produces something called endorphins, and endorphins are very powerful painkillers. For me, when I injured my neck, I started training two days after my second surgery without using any painkillers. So training was a great relief of pain because I trained hard enough that I produced good levels of endorphins. But . . . if I would have come off my second surgery and would have been able to go to a gym like this, in Stockholm? That would be the best thing that could happen to me. I think that this concept with gyms and consuming cannabis is going to be very popular. How has cannabis has helped you in your training? The great [physical] value [cannabis has] to me, is the muscle relaxing effect. I did two surgeries [for my neck], afterward I got so stiff in my back; it was like they glued my muscles to my back. It was really horrible; worst feeling I ever had. [While training], sometimes I can be thinking too much; I’m planning everything—I forget about my body, and when I smoke [cannabis] I get more relaxed thinking. I consume cannabis because I get a really good stretch and workout with my body straight away. It’s amazing how it can help me that much [mentally]. What is your typical consumption method? I smoke it in a pipe. Just pure cannabis. That’s how I consume it. I know you can eat it too, but I find it easier to just smoke. If varying forms of cannabis were more accessible to you as a professional athlete, would you be more inclined to learn about tinctures,

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topicals and edibles and the reasons for consuming in ways other than smoking? Yeah, yeah. Of course, of course. That’d be great! I know there are many different ways [to consume] and, I’m sure there are way better ways than smoking.

Thank you for taking time to speak with us about all these issues. Of course! I’m not ashamed. I would be ashamed if I didn’t say anything, you know? If I sat in the dark. Then I would be ashamed of myself when I get old. c

The Female CannabisConsuming Comedy Rise

Women are finally getting more attention in mainstream media and cannabis-centered comedy by Addison Herron-Wheeler

“Stoner comedy” has always been fascinating and compelling style of comedy, albeit somewhat underground until recently—from the stylings of Cheech & Chong to the antics of Pineapple Express, cannabis and comedy go hand-in-hand. But there’s one key point to a lot of these movies–the guys are the stars. The male stars in this genre are often portrayed as dumb and goofy, often always intoxicated, and the women are standing on the sidelines, disapproving. Not only is that sexist,

it’s not really true. According to Pew Research, nearly half of Americans have tried cannabis. So clearly, a lot of women are consuming cannabis. In addition, the cannabis industry is heavily dominated by female executives. That’s why it makes sense to portray real women using cannabis in the media, and that’s exactly what is starting to happen. Here are a few case studies where women are getting their dues in the growing cannasseur comedy spotlight.

Broad City

Grace and Frankie

This show breathes fresh air into female-centered comedy, as it shows a real friendship between two girls who are loyal and hilarious, never catty. In a sense, this is very traditional “stoner comedy”—the two gals are constantly making silly mistakes and ending up as the butt of a joke. Most important of all, this show portrays women smoking, not just with their boyfriends or as part of a crowd, but on their own, getting their own weed and making their own decisions about how to imbibe. It also portrays cannabis use in a healthy way— both ladies are still active and functioning even though they are constantly puffing the ganja— while still making a few jokes at the expense of stoners. (The episode where Ilana has cannabis hidden all over her apartment is priceless.) As The Huffington Post puts it, “this is stoner comedy by women, for women.”

This funny, heartwarming comedy is incredibly groundbreaking in a lot of ways, and brings up many issues many would rather sweep under the rug. From menopause and older women feeling unattractive to the perils of masturbation and the stress faced by those who lived their whole lives in the closet and came out as senior citizens, Grace and Frankie is all about pushing the limits. One of the many issues it breaches is cannabis use in older women. Eccentric hippie Frankie (Lily Tomlin)—the foil to starchy, conservative Grace (Jane Fonda)—is an avid cannabis user. At one point she is having trouble passing her driving test—until she realizes she gets stoned while she studies, so she has to take the test high, too. She is always lighting up a joint or hitting a water pipe. While this is part of her charm and meant to be a bit funny, it also highlights that older women can use cannabis for pain and medication, and still be awesome mothers, grandmothers and professional women. Plus, the stoner comedy dynamic between Fonda and Tomlin is good enough to make the entire show.

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates An awesome example on the silver screen, this goofy comedy breaks female stereotypes with the characters of Alice (Anna Kendrick) and Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza). The ladies are seen throughout the film smoking and drinking, and rather than being the traditional good and pure women fooled by deceitful men, there’s a twist. They aren’t really the schoolteacher and accountant they claim to be and are instead running a con on the gullible guys. This film shows that the old tropes where the women don’t smoke and never get into any trouble are boring and outdated. c

“. . . the old tropes where the women don’t smoke and never get into any trouble are boring and outdated.” iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN

by Ed Rosenthal Today was harvest day, and 25 of the 28 Purple Pineapple (PP) plants were harvested. The other three plants were reserved for other experiments or photography. There were three very obvious signs that they were ripe.

1 They were very odoriferous. Over the past week the intensity of their smelliness kept increasing. The pineapple-fruity/sour perfumes were wafting out of the greenhouse and into the yard. 2 The plants had stopped growing, all the stigmas dried and turned color and the glands sparkled in the light. 3 A close-up look at the trichomes showed that their caps were stretching with resin and a few of them had turned color. This was their peak moment. This version of PP is very unusual. It stays in vegetative growth stage as long as it receives no more than three-four hours of continuous

darkness. When it receives more, such as on June 22, the longest day of the year, it received a little more than 9 hours, which initiated flowering. One way to grow this plant is to prep it by growing vegetatively until it reaches the desirable size. To do this the dark period must be interrupted every 6090 minutes with a lamp containing red light. Both HPS lamps and warm white fluorescents can be used for this purpose. The light can be regulated by a timer, and large areas can be covered using a light mover. When using light to regulate photoperiod response think of it as a water spray that much cover the entire plant including all its leaves. The duration of time that the light is used for each plant doesn’t matter. As long as the plant doesn’t experience dark periods of more than four hours, it will keep growing vegetatively. As soon as its regimen changes, so it receives a dark period longer than four hours, its growth changes to flowering and within a week, flowers appear. When I received the plants they were about 10 inches tall. A week later they had grown another inch, but

TIP OF THE MONTH

they were already flowering. They were only 12-15 inches tall at harvest. The plants were selfwatered using nylon wicks that drew water up from a reservoir underneath to the planting mix using capillary action (like a tissue drawing up water), so flushing was a simple task. The tap water here originates as run-off, rather than from a well, so it has a mineral content of only about 70 ppm, which is very low. Twice during the last week, I ran tap water through the 6-inch containers until about 20 percent of it drained out. As it soaked through the containers soluble salts dissolved in the water and drained away, so the roots had a chance to sip clear water. This didn’t remove nutrients from the plants, but they used up what was in their systems. Now the time had come. The buds were ripe— HARVEST! c

Postscript: The water in the reservoir, which contains the extra nutrients from the double flush, has been pumped into a holding container. I will dilute it a bit, and then use to feed my garden plants.

PROFILE

COURAGE

DESTINATION

Midsummer Harvest

The garden is ready to harvest. All the plants were clones so they all matured at the same time.

All the buds on the plants had received light so they were all mature.

september 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

Close-up of a bud.

Cutting the plants was an easy task. A pruner was used.

The plants were hung to dry and cure over five or six weeks. Then they will be manicured. The room stays in the 60s to low 70s, with moderate humidity.

Now is a great time to start an indoor natural light crop. All you need is an unobstructed south-facing window. The sun is lower on the horizon now so it’s light shines right into the window for hours daily. In areas with bright sun, rather than cloudy weather, this may be enough light to support flowering. Since the light duration is fewer than 12 hours daily the plants will start to flower almost immediately will ripen early, so the plants will remain small and will produce small buds, but with little effort on your part. This works best if you can start with plants rather than seeds. Some dispensaries sell “adolescents,” and those are great candidates for a project like this.

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.

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

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Time to Go: September Weather: Highs in the mid-60s to lows in the mid-50s, with some cloudy/rainy days. Budget: $$$$$

if you go:

Toronto Sizzles in September by Sheryll Alexander

Toronto is Canada’s second epicenter of cannabis culture (with the first being Vancouver, British Columbia), so a trip to The Six can be a medical cannabis connoisseurs’ North American travel dream come true. Of course, Toronto’s cannabis culture is but one reason for such a Canadian getaway, especially in the spectacularly scenic late summer and early fall. That’s because Toronto is Canada’s most culturefilled urban center. In Toronto, there’s literally more things to do, see, eat, drink and smoke than any visitor can imagine especially when it comes to food, film and theatre arts. Some come to Toronto for the nightlife. No matter the weather, Toronto heats

up when the sun goes down, and its millions upon millions of locals and tourists continue to party through the wee morning hours at some of the world’s hottest music venues and dance clubs. If your Toronto travel focus is on cannabis and the cannabiz, however, then you won’t be disappointed. Toronto is ground zero for some of Canada’s most innovative cannabis entrepreneurs, so there’s a lot to see, do, learn and experience. Definitely don’t miss a day or night time walking excursion to both Toronto’s Kensington Market and Queen Street West sections for a peek inside some of the best cannabisthemed shops in the world. With the rise of

cannabis shops in Toronto and all over Canada, however, has come a surprising crackdown this spring by local governments just as it seemed youthful Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s federal government would relax its restrictions and decriminalize this miracle medical plant. Much like in the U.S., the cannabiz in Canada— including Vancouver and Toronto—is in a state of uneasy flux. Just remember, cannabis is still only medical and very unfortunately for Canadian residents only. This hiccup as well as other legalities can still potentially land you in prison. Still, anyone can enjoy a travel trip to vibrant Toronto for its cannabinoidloving culture. c

Fun-Filled Facts Hot Box Café has a popular “medilounge” where (licensed in Canada only) medical cannabis smokers can hang and medicate out in a relaxed atmosphere. 1

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For those into shopping, check out The 401 Richmond Street West Complex. This restored industrial building has been dubbed “The Warehouse” by locals and holds around 140 artist studios for some of the best one-off art and culture shopping as well as other eclectic shops, events and festivals. 2

Toronto is located in the southern part of the central Ontario province where medical cannabis, edibles and other cannabis products can be purchased by residents at seemingly endless dispensaries. Unlike the United States, Canada’s central government has classified cannabis as a Schedule II drug, but this unfortunately still makes possession a crime. What this means today to Toronto-bound travelers is a cannabis conundrum. While you will enjoy being in the center of Canada’s cannabiz culture, you can’t legally buy flower buds or edibles even if you are a licensed patient in your home medical or recreational state. This is quite the bummer as Torontonians toke rather freely in public most notably near the pulsating nightclubs of Richmond and Adelaide streets. Hearty and perhaps foolhardy Canadians do smoke outside discreetly and comply politely—if bothered— with the mostly lax authorities although cops do have the right to hit smokers with a hefty fine.

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Melissa Mentele

Age: 39 Condition/Illness: RSD/CRPS, five herniated lumbar discs and a labral tear in left hip

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Using Medical Cannabis Since: 2013

Why did you start using cannabis? I was severely injured in 2012 and prescribed opiates that I consistently had adverse reactions to. In March of 2013 I had my shoulder rebuilt and my bicep reattached. During the recovery I was diagnosed with RSD/ CRPS. Knowing the diagnosis carried a lifetime of pain meds and medical interventions, I started looking into alternative options. Cannabis lotion has been a miracle for the nerve pain and tactile pain in my arm. It gave me my life back. I was at a point where I couldn’t wear long-sleeved shirts and the breeze going across my arm would drop me to my knees. I traveled to Colorado and started to experiment with options. I was floored by how well it worked. I was also astonished by how I didn’t feel drugged; I could carry on with my day, and I was less irritated with life. After that I started to advocate for cannabis reform in my state. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes, you name an opiate, and I have tried it. I even at

one point was prescribed Fentanyl patches and quick-release morphine together. I was a druggedout mess on them and stopped taking them. What is the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? Lack of education in non-legal states and lack of funds to change that. More organizations need to get involved and donate towards states that are struggling to legalize. What do you say to folks that are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? Each and every one of us knows someone who has battled cancer; we have all seen someone in hospice care and we have seen children struggle with deadly seizure disorders. Ask yourself: If that was your loved one, wouldn’t you want options? Wouldn’t you want a choice? If the answer is yes then sit down, get comfy, and open Google. Enter “medical cannabis uses” and start reading. Read a little every day then when you have read enough patient stories, science and testimonials, get up and get involved. There is an organization in every state that advocates for cannabis reform. Get involved and be a part of history. c

Are you an MMJ patient with a compelling story to tell? If so, we want to hear from you. Email your name, contact information and details about your experiences with medical cannabis to courage@ireadculture.com.

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

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Invigorate Your September and Spice It Up! Menu: Freaky Fish Tacos with Lime Chipotle Canna-Aioli Hazy Thai Wings

recipes by Jeffthe420Chef September is a great gathering month, where friends and family tend to come together at least a couple of times. It is still warm from the end of summer dragging on, but also can get a little crisp out, in the beginning of the harvest season, offering a great variety of nights, themes and events for folks to come together and eat. Fish tacos are a perfect dinner party meal. These Freaky Fish Tacos are not only really tasty (and authentic), but they’ll knock your socks off if you eat more than two. There is also something really rewarding about making your own salsa, so I included my cucumber avocado salsa in this recipe for you. It’s the perfect complement to this dish. My second recipe for September, the Hazy Thai Wings are an ode to Pok Pok, Chef Andy Ricker’s renowned Thai street-food restaurant. The first time I had authentic Thai wings was at Pok Pok Noi in Portland, while visiting Chef Adrian Hale of Communal Table—and I fell in love! For days, all I could think about was how to re-create these awesome wings with one (or two) added ingredients. And here you have it! You’ll never look at wings the same way again, guaranteed.

Freaky Fish Tacos with Lime Chipotle Canna-Aioli Ingredients: 1/2 red onion, diced 1 half cucumber, diced 1 avocado, diced

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1 large tomato, diced

1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (reserve some for garnish) 1 jalapeño, stemmed and chopped Red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning

1 cup all-purpose or whole-wheat flour 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 1/3 teaspoons ancho chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 pound flaky white fish (such as mahi-mahi or cod), cut into 4 pieces Salt and freshly ground black pepper Olive oil for frying

2 teaspoons lime juice

8 fresh corn tortillas

1 tablespoons

1 cup shredded cabbage (use a mixture of red and green)

canna–olive oil plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 limes, cut into quarters

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Number of servings: 8 tacos Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

Approximate THC per Serving* 10%: 3.8 milligrams 15%: 5.7 milligrams 20%: 7.6 milligrams

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Put the onion, cucumber, avocado, tomato, garlic, cilantro and jalapeño in a small bowl. Pour in just enough red wine vinegar to cover well. Add a pinch of salt, the lime juice, and the canna–olive oil. Set aside for at least 30 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, chili powder and cumin. Sift together well with a fork. Season the fish with salt and pepper, then coat the fish with the flour mixture. Preheat oven to 340ºF. At the same time, heat a large skillet over medium-high

heat. Add 1 inch of olive oil. Gently fry the fish for 3 to 4 minutes, then turn over and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Set aside. Stack the tortillas, separating each with a slightly dampened sheet of paper towel. Wrap in foil. Heat in the oven for 5 minutes. Top each tortilla with a pinch of shredded cabbage and some of the cooked fish, then (using a slotted spoon) top with each one with the cucumber avocado salsa. Garnish with Lime Chipotle Canna-Aioli, a lime wedge and cilantro. Dig in!

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*Approximate dose per serving is based on infusing 5 grams of cured/dried/decarbed cannabis into 5 ounces of oil. iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

culture

Hazy Thai Wings Ingredients 1/2 cup raw cane sugar

Number of servings: 4 (5 wings per serving) Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

Approximate THC per Serving* 10%: 7.6 milligrams 15%: 11.4 milligrams 20%: 15.2 milligrams

1/2 cup Asian fish sauce

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3 tablespoons ketchup 11/2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce (Sambal sauce) 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon rice vinegar 1 cup cornstarch 1 teaspoon garlic powder 2 pounds chicken wings, rinsed and patted dry

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Extra-virgin coconut oil for frying

1 tablespoon canna–coconut oil plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil Toasted peanuts and garlic (see sidebar, below) 4 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

Directions Place sugar in a food processor and grind until very fine. In a medium bowl, add the fish sauce, ketchup, sugar, chili garlic sauce, lime juice and rice vinegar. Set aside. In a shallow dish, sift the cornstarch and garlic powder. Toss the wings in the cornstarch mixture to coat. Heat a large skillet on the stovetop for 1 minute on high. Add enough coconut oil to fry, about 2 inches from the bottom of the pan. Fry the wings until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on brown paper. Preheat oven to 340ºF. Place the fried wings on a lightly greased baking sheet and drizzle each wing with 1 teaspoon of canna–coconut oil mixture. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. In a clean skillet, add the sauce and heat on medium until syrupy, about 5 minutes. Remove the wings from the oven and toss with the sauce until evenly coated. Toss in the toasted peanuts and garlic. Garnish with cilantro and serve alongside a cup of carrot sticks and celery curls.

Toasted Peanuts and Garlic 1/4 cup raw peanuts, crushed 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon coconut oil Dash of salt In a small bowl, mix peanuts and garlic with coconut oil and a dash of salt. Spread evenly on a small pan and roast at 325ºF for 30 minutes, until toasted and browned. Remove, let cool and voilà!

Celery Curls Cut celery into 6-inch pieces, slice in half lengthwise, make lengthwise cuts almost to center and repeat to create slivers. Refrigerate in ice water until slivers curl. *Approximate dose per serving is based on infusing 5 grams of cured/dried/decarbed cannabis into 5 ounces of oil.

Legal Disclaimer Publishers of this publication are not making any representations with respect to the safety or legality of the use of medical marijuana. The recipes listed here are for general entertainment purposes only, and are intended for use only where medical marijuana is not a violation of state law. Edibles can vary in potency while a consumers’ weight, metabolism and eating habits may affect effectiveness and safety. Ingredient management is important when cooking with cannabis for proper dosage. Please consume responsibly and check with your doctor before consumption to make sure that it is safe to do so.

september 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

Chuck Shepherd's

News of the

Weird LEAD STORY—THE POWER OF PRAYER u A 28-year-old woman, unnamed in news reports, veered off the road and into a house in the Florida panhandle town of Mary Esther on July 7. She apparently was free of drug or alcohol influence, but readily explained to police that she must have gone through a stop sign and left the road when she closed her eyes to pray as she drove. (The house was damaged, but no one was injured.) A NEWS OF THE WEIRD CLASSIC (AUGUST 2012) u New Mexico is an “open carry” state, with otherwiselaw-abiding adults authorized to display loaded handguns in public. However, in the town of Vaughn (pop. 500, about 90 miles east of Albuquerque), perhaps the only people not legally able to carry are the town’s two police officers. A June (2012) KOB-TV report revealed that Chief Ernest Armijo had been convicted in 2011 of criminal non-support of a wife and two sons, and was barred from possessing a gun. Deputy Brian Bernal has his own domestic issue: a conviction for family violence that bans him, under federal law, from carrying. (A month after the News of the Weird story, both men resigned, leaving the town’s police dog the only active “officer.”) TROMPE L’OEIL JUNGLE u A conservation biologist at Australia’s University of New South Wales said in July that his team was headed to Botswana to paint eyeballs on cows’ rear ends. It’s a solution to the problem of farmers who are now forced to kill 46

endangered lions to keep them away from their cows. However, the researchers hypothesize, since lions hunt by stealth and tend to pass up kills if the prey spots them, painting on eyeballs might trick the lions to choose other prey. (For the same reason, woodcutters in India wear masks painted with faces— backward—for protection against tigers.) “BIG PORN” GIVES BACK u (1) In June, the online megawebsite Pornhub announced a program to help blind pornography consumers by adding 50 “described videos” to its catalog, with a narrator doing play-by-play of the setting, the actors, clothing (if any) and the action. Said a Pornhub vice president, “It’s our way of giving back.” (2) Later in June, another pornography website (with a frisky name—see bit. ly/29O4G9UURL) inaugurated a plan to donate a penny to women’s health or abuse prevention organizations every time a user reached a successful “ending” while viewing its videos (maximum two per person per day). Its first day’s haul was $39, or $13 for each of three charities (including the Mariska Hargitay-supported Joyful Heart Foundation). CAN’T POSSIBLY BE TRUE u A Government Program That Actually Works: A motorist in Regina, Saskatchewan, was issued a $175 traffic ticket on June 8 after he pulled over to ask if he could assist a homeless beggar on the sidewalk. According to the police report cited by CTV News, the “beggar” was actually a cop on stakeout looking for drivers not wearing seat belts (who would thus pay the city $175). Driver Dane Rusk said he had unbuckled his belt to lean over in the seat to give the “beggar” $3—and moments later, the cop’s partner stopped Rusk (thus earning Regina a total of $178!).

september 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

u One of America’s major concerns, according to a U.S. congressman, should be the risk that if an apocalyptic event occurs and we are forced to abandon Earth with only a few species to provide for humanity’s survival, NASA might unwisely populate the space “ark” with same-sex couples instead of procreative male-female pairs. This warning was conveyed during the U.S. House session on May 26 by Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert (who seemed not to be aware that gay males might contribute sperm to lesbians for speciescontinuation). WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND u (1) In May, the Times of India reported the death of a man known only as Urjaram, in Rajasthan, India, when, while hosting a party, he forgot that while he was enjoying himself, he had left his camel in the sun all day (during a historic heat wave) with its legs tied together. When Urjaram finally went outside, the enraged camel “lifted him by the neck,” “threw him to the ground” and “chewed on his body,” severing his head. (2) The thief who ransacked a community greenhouse in County Durham, England, in July got away, but, according to residents, among his bounty was a bottle of rum that is usually offered only as a constipation remedy, in that it contained a heavy dose of the aggressive laxative “lactulose.” Said one resident, “Maybe (the thief has) left a trail” for the police. SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED u Many website and app users are suspected of “agreeing” to privacy policies and “terms of service” without comprehending them (or even reading them), though most judges routinely assume the user to have consented to be bound by them. In a controlled-test report released in July, researchers from York University and University of Connecticut

found that 74 percent skipped the privacy policy altogether, but, of the “readers,” the average time spent was 73 seconds (for wordage that should have taken 30 minutes), and time “reading” terms of service was 51 seconds when it should have taken 16 minutes. (If users had read closely, they might have noticed that they had agreed to share all their personal data with the National Security Agency and that terms of service included giving up their first-born child.) LATEST RIGHTS u Air Force Col. Eugene Caughey is scheduled for court-martial in August in Colorado Springs, Colorado, charged with six counts of adultery (a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice)— which he alleges constitutes illegal discrimination because he is heterosexual. That is, only heterosexuals can have the “sexual intercourse” required for adultery since the UCMJ defines the term as between a man and a woman; samesex pairs cannot have “sexual intercourse.” (Even if Caughey prevails on the discrimination issue, he faces other, more serious charges that may bring him life in prison.) LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS u Update: News of the Weird reported in 2007 and 2014 that, despite the abundant desert, Middle East developers were buying plenty of beach sand from around the world (because the massive concrete construction in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, among other places, requires coarser sand than the desert grains tempered for centuries by sun and wind). The need has now grown such that London’s The Independent reported in June that black market gangs, some violent, are stealing beach sand—and that two dozen entire islands in Indonesia have virtually disappeared since 2005 because of sand-mining.

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016