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inside
contents 8.2019
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REFLECTING ON RECOVERY
Ivan Moody, frontman and singer of Five Finger Death Punch, explains how his life changed after being introduced to CBD, which allows him to continue touring with his band and enjoy life with a sober state of mind.
features 26
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Preparing for Paradise Everything you need to know about visiting Hawaii as a medical cannabis consumer.
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Leading the Charge These universities are making history with their monumental focuses on cannabis research and education.
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Chief Research Roger Adams was a famous U.S. researcher who was the first person to isolate CBD.
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Inspiration Within Having experienced the healing properties of cannabis herself, Sheri Yanez created her company to help others do the same.
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departments news
08 News Nuggets 09 By the Numbers 10 Local News reviews 12 Cool Stuff 14 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 36 À La Carte 38 Growing Culture 39 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! d New Utah Cannabis Rules Spark Concern d Industrial Hemp Could Save the Bees
VOL 11 ISSUE 2
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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 Angie Callahan, Kim Cook, Casey Roel OFFICE MANAGER Mikayla Aguilar
CULTURE® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 600 locations throughout the Southern California. 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
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Offers Advice to Cultivators The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) posted friendly tips on July 18 for cannabis cultivators to do their part to protect wildlife. “We all have an obligation to be good stewards of the watershed,” said Sunshine Johnston, who owns Sunboldt Grown. “Farmers of all types can utilize the natural aspects of the surrounding ecosystem and
let nature do the work for you. With this approach, native wildlife and plants can have a role on your farm while improving sustainability.” Some of the CDFW’s tips include providing bat and owl boxes to take advantage of natural insect and pest predators, utilizing companion planting, retaining natural vegetation for wildlife to eat and using better location selection practices. Inexperienced farmers usually forget to utilize natural predators instead of pesticides, and they often remove wild foliage, which forces wildlife to devour crops and creates unnecessary work.
Canadian Cannabis Company Relocates to Carlsbad Sunniva, a company based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, announced that it is relocating corporate functions to Carlsbad. In addition, the company announced it has appointed David Lyle, which became effective June 3, to serve as the chief financial officer for its operations based in Carlsbad. “This management change is consistent with our focused plans in California and we are confident that the leadership team we have assembled there will continue to deliver on our strategy,” 8
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Sunniva Chairman and CEO Anthony Holler stated in a press release. As part of his role, Lyle will help to ensure a smooth transition into the California cannabis market. Sunniva also is nearing completion of a 325,000-square-foot high technology greenhouse and an extraction facility that is currently operational. The company plans on selling its own premium products at its flagship dispensary, as well as other dispensaries throughout the state.
Hawaii Decriminalizes Small Amounts of Cannabis Hawaii Gov. David Ige vetoed two cannabisrelated bills on July 9, but on the same day, he also approved House Bill 1383, which decriminalized possession of small amounts of cannabis. Those who are caught with three grams or less of cannabis will only receive a $130 fine, the equivalent of a driving ticket, instead of criminal charges, jail time and a hefty fine. “Beginning on January 11, 2020, this bill will make possession of three grams or less of marijuana punishable by a $130 fine. Under current law, possessing even a tiny amount of cannabis is punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 and a possible life-altering criminal record,” said the Marijuana Policy Project. That makes Hawaii the 26th state to decriminalize cannabis, following a similar measure in North Dakota. The governor called the bill a “tough call” but eventually decided to let it go into effect.
The age of two teenagers from San Marcos who started their own line of CBD medicine for canines: (Source: FOX5 San Diego)
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The estimated amount of money, in millions of dollars, that California authorities have seized in unlicensed cannabis products since January 2018: (Source: Los Angeles Times)
The value, in millions of dollars, of cocaine and cannabis that the U.S. Coast Guard seized in international waters off the coast of San Diego in mid-July: (Source: CBS8)
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The amount of space, in square footage, that makes up the property of a company called Sunniva, a Canadian business that recently moved its headquarters to Carlsbad: (Source: The Coast News Group)
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325,000
The projected amount of money, in billions of dollars, that the U.S. cannabis industry will reach in annual sales by 2030: (Source: Arcview Market Research)
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The estimated number of cannabis convictions that are eligible to be expunged in Illinois following recreational cannabis legalization:
The estimated amount of money, in millions of dollars, that was collected in legal cannabis sales during the week of Fourth of July in the U.S.: (Source: Akerna)
800,000
(Source: The Hill)
The number of medical cannabis patients registered in Montana as of late-June: (Source: San Francisco Chronicle)
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Cannaxtreme Music Festival Pro Invitational WHEN: Sat, Aug. 24 - Sun, Aug. 25 WHERE: SDCCU Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd., San Diego WEBSITE: cannaxtremefest.net Presented by Corona De Oro, Cannaxtreme Music Festival Pro Invitational is where extreme sports, music and cannabis intersect. This unique opportunity will keep everyone in your entourage happy, with a combination of sports and entertainment. This year, it’s a West Coast takeover. Get an exclusive chance to meet with professional athletes in the field of extreme sports from BMX and skateboarding to the high-power thrill of
motocross. There will also be a cannabis competition with extracts, edibles and vape products. DJ Snoopadelic (Snoop Dogg) will headline, along with Warren G, MC Lyfe, The Game, Psycho Realm, Tego Calderon and several Latinx artists. Plus you can experience performances by Kottonmouth Kings, Tha Dogg Pound and several other artists. Get ready for some intense races in the dirt and on the halfpipe. CultureMagazine.com
AUGUST 2019
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NEWS
LOCAL
CONSCIOUS CONSIDERATION
Vista City Council approves medical cannabis delivery
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By Jacob Cannon
he city of Vista has decided to allow medical cannabis delivery. Vista 11 licenses for cannabis storefronts were approved to also conduct medical cannabis deliveries during a city council meeting on June 25. While cannabis was a hot topic at the meeting, not all residents showed up in support of reconsidering Vista’s current Cannabis-Related Uses Moratorium, which bans certain cannabis operations through December. Local Vista residents voted in favor of Measure Z during the November 2018 general election, allowing up to 11 storefront medical cannabis businesses. The moratorium in place disallows for cannabis-related businesses that are not regulated under Measure Z, however, the moratorium was reconsidered during this meeting. City Assistant Manager Aly Zimmerman provided the staff report regarding the cannabis-related topics for discussion, which included cannabis delivery, cultivation and testing labs. Zimmermann explained that reconsidering these topics now would give Vista time to enact new regulations, if needed, before the moratorium expires. Zimmermann reminded the council and meeting attendees that under new California state law, out-of-city cannabis delivery companies are allowed to deliver cannabis to Vista’s residents. In order to obtain taxes for the city and also give an advantage to the 11 storefronts permitted in the city, many felt it was important for Vista to allow its storefronts to deliver cannabis as well. There was opposition to the
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consideration of allowing items like delivery, which were prohibited under the city’s moratorium. Multiple Vista residents spoke out in opposition of expanding medical cannabis operations in the city. Most concerns were addressed around youth access to cannabis and other sensitive communities. Vista resident Mike Irwin also contributed to the discussion, explaining how the city of Vista and its 11 licensees for cannabis storefronts approved under Measure Z are missing a huge opportunity if they do not allow medical cannabis delivery. “Regarding delivery, that’s a big one for the economic advantage or disadvantage for the 11 storefronts that have been approved,” Irwin said. “Mostly because there are a lot of delivery stores from Santa Ana that drive south to Vista and deliver to its residences, and Santa Ana gets the sales tax revenue, and the city of Santa Ana gets benefits of the growth of [its] industry.” He continued to explain that although he supports Measure Z, he believes the legislation misses the mark when it comes to delivery, because the businesses approved under the measure are ultimately at a disadvantage. Irwin wrapped up his point by explaining how elderly, sick and disabled residents in Vista are the ones who will benefit most from being able to obtain medical cannabis without leaving their homes. Zimmermann shared in this sentiment, explaining that storefronts would be at a disadvantage if residents choose out-oftown deliveries instead of local dispensaries. “We’d be working with those jurisdictions [ . . . ] that allow permitted delivery and working with them to identify those systems to track and trace the seed to sale,” said Zimmerman. “And work with them to collect on those deliveries into Vista.” The city staff’s report did not recommend allowing cannabis cultivation in the city. However, the city staff considered the possibility of allowing businesses that distribute, manufacture and test cannabis. Ultimately, the council decided to remove cannabis delivery from the moratorium, but no other action was taken regarding cannabis. Medical cannabis deliveries will be allowed for residents who are ages 21 and older. c
Cannabis & CBD Compliance Conference & Mixer This is the perfect event to find out where you fit in when it comes to working in California’s CBD and cannabis industries. The gains and pitfalls of the licensing situation in California will be covered, as well as informative insights into hemp and CBD compliance laws. This includes entity formations, local/ state licenses and permits, operation procedures and product manifests. The event is sponsored by Manifest Seven, formally known as MJIC. Learn how to legally buy, sell, transport and track cannabis and hemp, from farm to table. The recent 2018 Farm Bill changed everything when it comes to hemp. CBD Divas and 420 Lady Productions are sponsoring the event. This great networking opportunity is ideal for people who need to get a foot in the door of the local cannabis industry. WHEN: Thurs, Aug. 15 WHERE: Indian Joe Brewing, 2123 Industrial Ct., Vista WEBSITE: indianjoebrewing. com
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1. ROOR ® Tech 18” Inline Tangie & Mint There is nothing more classic than a ROOR® bong as the centerpiece of your coffee table. Taking a step above the rest, this new design puts a spin on the traditional straight-line horizontal tube, allowing for maximum percolation and more diffusion per hit. Perfect for summertime, the ice catcher allows for cooler hits, complete with an 18.8mm joint, matching bowl and a built-in glass screen. Add this modern tangerine and mint-colored conversation piece to your collection. Price: $414 More Information: us.roor.com 2. Jayne Kalas is known for its beautiful glassware designs for smoking, and this latest offering of a beautiful, classy grinder stays on trend. Small enough to fit in your bag, but strong enough to grind up some serious nugs, the Jayne by Kalas is a truly eye-catching piece. Eighteen heart-shaped pegs make this grinder unique, while the magnetic cover ensures that your beautifully ground cannabis doesn’t spill. Available in yellow gold or rose gold, everyone will love feeling super fancy with this travel-friendly grinder. Price: $75 More Information: kalasware.com 12
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3. The Medusa Peak “Breathtaking” isn’t the first word that comes to mind when one thinks of vaping tools. However, The Medusa Peak instantly changed that, as reviewers could barely breathe following their love at first sight experience with this gorgeous dab rig. The beautiful rose gold band compliments the sleek and simple aesthetic of this piece. Beyond beautiful, its intelligent features like four unique user heat settings and smartware that automatically calibrate the temperature will have consumers feeling like they’re the dabbers of the future. Don’t forget to add on the Medusa Travel Pack to keep the party rollin’. Price: $399.99 More Information: www.puffco.com
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4. WONDERBOOM™ 2 Invite over your friends, and make a splash at your next pool party without having to pull off your ultracannonball trick from college. The WONDERBOOMTM 2 is an ultraportable Bluetooth speaker that is not only waterproof, it also packs huge sounds that will have you singing “The Boys of Summer” to your heart’s content. Creating the perfect soundtrack to set the scene for your summertime festivities, live the soundtrack of your life with this quality speaker. Price: $99.99 More Information: www.bestbuy.com
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REVIEWS
entertainment
BOOK
Cannabis For Dummies Kim Ronkin Casey and Joe Kraynak Pub. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 2 AVAILABLE ON: PC, PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE
Nothing proves cannabis is mainstream like the For Dummies book series that delves into it as the most current subject. Cannabis For Dummies is one of the most straightforward resources for the cannabis-curious. Learn more about the science of the miraculous plant whether you’re interested in consumption for recreational or medical purposes. If you’d like to discover whether or not cannabis is right for you, this guide will help you gain insight on the effects of cannabis, as well as the legality surrounding the plant. Don’t be a dummy— this book helps readers understand why the cannabis industry is booming and why they should care. (Jacob Cannon) 14
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GAME
Madden NFL 20 Dev. EA Tiburon Pub. Electronic Arts Every summer when it’s too hot to play physical sports outside, a new Madden game releases—and every year it boasts a slew of professional players added to its roster and continually improves upon the game’s predecessors. This year, Madden NFL 20 features a career campaign called “Face the Franchise: QB1,” where players can create their own college-level athlete (hailing from 10 different college teams) and compete to earn their spot with the pros. (Nicole Potter)
MOVIE
MUSIC
Pet Sematary
Bandana
Dir. Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer Paramount Pictures
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib RCA Records
The horror novels of Stephen King are going through something of a film adaptation renaissance at the moment, and honestly, now is the perfect time. In the 1980s King’s work saw a similar flurry of film treatment, but many suffered from low budgets and a lack of special effects technology. Most recently King’s 1983 novel Pet Sematary, the chilling tale of the dead returning to life, was given a modern re-working to great effect. Helmed by rookie directors Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, the film serves the novel well by capturing all of the honest humanity of the character’s decisions alongside all of their dark, terrifying consequences. (Simon Weedn)
Five years since their first collaboration on Piñata, rapper Freddie Gibbs and producer Madlib come together again for a second collaboration together entitled, Bandana. Over Madlib’s signature classic rare soul, funk and dancehall sample-laden beats, Gibbs delivers his majestically smooth flow which is focused mostly on his favorite of subjects, cocaine. While neither artist is pushing out beyond their comfort zones, their work together is more about bringing together two recognized masters of their craft and watching how they play together. The result is yet another brilliant record from the minds of two artists who are truly at the heights of their talents. (Simon Weedn)
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PACKIN’ A PUNCH CBD IS THE CENTER OF FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH FRONTMAN IVAN MOODY’S SOBRIETY AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS
By Alex Distefano
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“CBD helped me with maintaining a schedule to eat, as well as a healthy diet, which is not easy on the road.�
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I
van Moody hates being referred to as a rockstar. As frontman and lead singer of mega-successful American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch, he has performed in front of hundreds of thousands of fans around the world, and he has shared the stage with acclaimed heavy metal bands such as Judas Priest, Metallica, Korn, Lamb of God, Slipknot, Slayer and so many others for the past 15 years. He’s even dabbled as an actor in a few horror films. But this lifestyle came with its price for Moody, as he openly struggled with alcoholism for years, as the world of heavy metal watched. For several years, Moody’s selfdestructive ways made headlines in the metal world, including boozefueled incidents both on-and-off the stage. His disease even led his bandmates to temporarily replace him with a different vocalist, by the name of Tommy Vext in 2017 during the middle of a European tour, so he could seek treatment for his addiction. However, since then Moody has so many reasons to celebrate. Several months ago, he happily celebrated one year of sobriety, which was quite an accomplishment for someone who stated in past public interviews that he never thought he would be able to quit drinking. To aid in the process of his recovery, Moody recently launched his own brand of CBD products, mainly CBD throat sprays and CBD-infused water products. Known as Moody’s Medicinals, the brand launched in June in Moody’s hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada, where both recreational and medicinal cannabis are legal under state law. Moody recently took the time to chat with CULTURE from his home in Las Vegas about his new line of CBD products, the role CBD played in his detox and recovery, his struggles not only with alcoholism but posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, his love of meeting fans and how CBD has kept him healthy on the road touring with Five Finger Death Punch.
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to calm my nerves; when you go through recovery the body goes through a lot of chemical changes. It was a dangerous time for me, because I went on the road. CBD was always a natural way for me to medicate certain ailments I wasn’t in the mood for prescription drugs. CBD can help on so many levels from physical to mental ailments. It helped me stay focused and with my appetite. It was something that made it possible for me to stay healthy out there instead of dwindling down to a toothpick. CBD helped me with maintaining a schedule to eat, as well as a healthy diet, which is not easy on the road.
What is the origin of Moody’s Medicinals? When I got out of recovery, I went straight out on the road. I was told from day one I would not make it, I would be surrounded by bad influences and people were counting on me to come back to rehab. I had to stop using throat sprays, because they had alcohol in them. This is where CBD came in, and I got the idea for the throat spray and infused water. When I first began using, I added CBD oils to water. This really helped keep me focused, tame my anxiety and also [helped] with my appetite. I had to figure out a way to eat on the road, with my busy schedule, I didn’t want to force myself. CBD helped me come up with a schedule I could eat regularly on. CBD was helpful for me from day one of me hitting the road, to this day. I think people could benefit from it. I’m not saying it’s the end-all-be-all, or the cure for everything. But it gave me positive results, and if it can work for some people, I see nothing but positive in that. How has consuming CBD helped you? I grew up in Denver, Colorado, and we were at the forefront of legalizing cannabis. I’ve been around this sort of natural love for cannabis for my entire life. I suffered from anxiety and PTSD, and being a public figure doesn’t help going on stage. CBD is something I really began to get into after I stopped drinking and got into recovery
“CBD was helpful for me from day one of me hitting the road, to this day. I think people could benefit from it. I’m not saying it’s the end-allbe-all, or the cure for everything. But it gave me positive results, and if it can work for some people, I see nothing but positive in that.”
What are your personal favorite CBD products? I prefer the water. It has to do with absorption of CBD. It is a more natural way of intake, with not as much added sugars or artificial sweeteners, which so many CBD products and THC products for that matter contain. I also wanted a product with no alcohol, which is where my throat spray came from. A lot of the throat sprays available have alcohol in them, and being in recovery, I wanted to stay away from this, which is where I thought of CBD throat spray. It impacts you at a faster rate and doesn’t linger in your stomach, which disrupts your digestion. Lots of people who suffer from anxiety also have ulcers and other stomach issues; it’s very common. For me though, the water is hands down the most effective way to ingest it, but I also love the throat spray. I use them both regularly. How important is it to meet your fans on the road? That’s one part of my day—believe it or not—that I don’t get anxiety over, for multiple reasons. I don’t get a chance to be a social butterfly too much when we are out on the road. But, when I get to meet my hardcore fans, and the Five Finger Death Punch fanbase, whether at the shows or at events for Moody’s Medicinals, it’s a huge deal, for me to be able to sit there and talk to them about the benefits of CBD, or share other personal stories about the music or whatever. But also to have that chance to use this platform in a positive meaningful way is so important to me. It’s a crucial part of my recovery as well, which is an added benefit. CultureMagazine.com
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Can you tell us about other sober musicians who have helped you? We have read in past interviews that you got support from Jonathan Davis of Korn, Rob Halford of Judas Priest and others. Of course there’s a connection there. Those are my people. But sadly, still, there are so many people out there ashamed to admit they have a problem. This is a disease that has been shunned in our society, but it needs to be approached as the problem it is. I absolutely love meeting with and speaking to people in recovery. But, I also admire “normal” people who are able to have a beer, put it down and walk away content. I’m just not made that way, my body reacts to alcohol in a different way, but I’m never judgmental of anyone’s situation. The world is too small, and we are all far too connected [in] this day and age for that.
trying to live their lives. But I just want everyone to know that I stood my ground and am capable of fighting my inner demons. That will not be my legacy to take my own life. CBD has helped me throughout this, especially with all the initial chemical changes I was dealing with. What I like about it, is the dosage. You can choose the right amount for your individual use. CBD was a direct, more natural way for me to decide on my own terms what was going to help to alleviate my symptoms, be
Tell us about the new Five Finger Death Punch song “Blue On Black,” which features country music icons Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Brantley Gilbert, along with the legendary guitarist Brian May from Queen. Even though I am in a heavy metal band, I have always been a fan of blues, rock ‘n’ roll and country
“. . . I just want everyone to know that I stood my ground and am capable of fighting my inner demons. That will not be my legacy to take my own life. CBD has helped me throughout this, especially with all the initial chemical changes I was dealing with.”
Can you talk about the connection between mental health and addiction? There is absolutely a connection between mental health and any kind of drug or alcohol addiction. Depression is real, and of course with the high profile suicides of Chris Cornell, then Chester Bennington, I guess now people are starting to wake up and realize this is a huge hidden problem. It’s been out in the open and has been for decades among musicians, movie stars, celebrities and average people out there just
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it PTSD, social anxiety or whatever. With the help of CBD, I accepted the problems I had without over-medicating myself.
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music. Kenny Wayne Shepherd is simply an icon in country music. The song we did with him meant a lot to me, lyrically and musically for that matter. It was never my intention to do a cover song. I wanted to do a collaboration. Kenny agreed and brought Brantley to the table, which was awesome. Then, we had management somehow get the great Brian May from Queen on there with us, and it just came out as an amazing track. We were all satisfied with the end result. But, to say that I wasn’t affected by it on a personal or career level would be a lie. I would have to say that it was one of the most amazing highlights of my career so far. It speaks volumes to our fans and fans of country music and rock music in general. What does the future hold for Five Finger Death Punch? Well first, I want to thank all the loyal fans of ours for supporting the music and myself all these years. I also want them to know we’re coming. It’s a whole new us, a whole new band, and we’re ready. I’m excited as I have ever been with this band. It’s a whole new me for sure, and as a band, we have a lot of energy and excitement. We’re so eager to get out there on the road and play some shows we have and others that are being lined up. But, we are coming to a town near you, so all I can say to our fans is that we will see you this summer. I can’t wait to face this ride head-on. c moodysmedicinals.com
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A C A N N A B I S - F R I E N D LY H AWA I I A N VA C AT I O N AWA I T S By Jacob Cannon
Serious cannabis consumers know that it’s hard to travel when access to cannabis isn’t a sure bet. Maintain those dreams of a tropical Hawaiian vacation and make them a reality! As of March 5, cannabis patients from outof-state are eligible to apply for a state of Hawaii medical cannabis card. This easy guide will make sure you’re enjoying the effects of safe and legal medical cannabis on your next Hawaiian adventure.
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Registration Before you enter in credit card details to secure your flight to Hawaii, make sure you’re registered for a temporary Out-ofState card, issued by the Hawaii State Department of Health. Visit medmj.ehawaii. gov to find out if you’re eligible to apply for the Hawaii Medical Cannabis Registry Program. Applicants must have a valid medical cannabis card issued by the U.S. state or territory that they live in. Any type of private recommendation will result in a denied application. The medical card must also be issued for one of Hawaii’s debilitating medical conditions. Some of the conditions include
severe pain, severe nausea, seizures and cancer. A full list of conditions can be found on health. hawaii.gov. Next, create your account and start your online application. Keep in mind that applications can be submitted as early as 60 days prior to the desired start date, and each applicant is allowed only two registrations per calendar year. There is a non-refundable application fee of $49.50.
Islands and Dispensaries Access to cannabis was not created equally across all Hawaiian Islands. That’s why it’s important to make sure your destination has
legal medical cannabis dispensaries that you can conveniently visit. The Hawaii State Department of Health has a list of all the licensed dispensaries for easy reference. According to the department’s website, Big Island Grown is located in Hawaii County. Hawaiian Ethos is also set to open soon, but it is not yet operational. Honolulu County is home to the largest number of dispensaries with three currently in operation. The dispensaries are named Aloha Green, Cure Oahu and Noa Botanicals. Kauai County has one dispensary listed,
Photo courtesy of Noa Botanicals in Honolulu, Hawaii
Green Aloha, while Maui County has two, Maui Grown Therapies and Pono Life Maui.
Responsible Consumption Securing a safe place to consume your cannabis depends on your preferred method. Hawaii has smoke-free laws in place that forbid public smoking of tobacco and medical cannabis in all places, including beaches and parks, so flower might not be your best bet if you plan to consume on-the-go. Many dispensaries offer tinctures and edibles for more discreet cannabis consumption, but those who prefer flower over everything else aren’t completely out of luck. Some vacation rentals in Hawaii advertise that they’re 420-friendly. Beautiful properties, from cozy cabins to a treehouse, are available on the cannabis-friendly vacation rental booking website, Bud and Breakfast. Each listing has unique rules, such as some allow smoking cannabis indoors, while others require all smoking be limited to outdoors on the lanai.
Travel Smart Follow the laws when it comes to cannabis and travel. It is illegal to travel by any means between islands, back to the mainland or internationally with cannabis in your possession. c CultureMagazine.com
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HIGHEST EDUCATION
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Public universities continue to lead the charge of America’s cannabis research and education By Addison Herron-Wheeler College used to be thought of as a time when young adults would experiment with cannabis behind closed doors. Now, cannabis is becoming so normalized that it’s not uncommon for universities to offer cannabis programs and engage in groundbreaking research of the plant. Here are a few of the best universities across the nation that are revolutionizing the knowledge of cannabis—even if not all of the students are old enough to consume it legally.
cannabis and its properties. The research agreement will take place over the next three years and will provide input and guidance into expanding education and developing more research about cannabis as medicine.
Stockton University Colorado State University-Pueblo Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Institute of Cannabis Research (ICR) is a partnership between the university, the State of Colorado and Pueblo County, which was established in June 2016. The program’s current studies include a study on cannabis for adults who suffer from seizures due to refractory epilepsy, the effects of eating hempseed and applications of industrial hemp, among many others. “With initial funding support from Pueblo County and the state of Colorado, the ICR is the nation’s first multi-disciplinary cannabis research center at a regional, comprehensive institution,” its website states. “The primary function of the Institute is the generation of knowledge that contributes to science, medicine, and society through investigation of the benefits and risks associated with cannabis.”
This New Jersey university recently partnered with the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association and the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association earlier this year, both of which advocate for the cannabis industry throughout the state. The partnership will bring in key individuals to speak with Stockton students about different problems and opportunities facing the industry. “Students in the program come from a variety of majors,” said Dr. Ekaterina Sedia, a Stockton Associate Professor of Biology. “The new partnerships will allow our students to apply what they are learning to their field of interest.” Those who started the program predict that New Jersey will expand its medical cannabis program, and they see recreational cannabis looming in the future as well.
University of California, Irvine The University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine was awarded a $9 million grant in 2018 to study cannabis and its impact on teenage brains. The grant came from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the four-year study is examining the effects of cannabis on the endocrine system. “The [endocannabinoid] system is the main point of entry of THC into the brain. Now that cannabis is legal in many states, it’s very important to understand whether excessive activation of this signaling system during adolescence can produce alterations in cognition and motivated behavior that lasts into adulthood,” stated Dr. Daniele Piomelli, director of the UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis.
University of California, San Diego Harvard University On May 28, the Alberta, Canada-based Atlas Biotechnologies Inc. partnered with Harvard Global Health Catalyst on International Phytomedicines and Medical Cannabis Institute at Harvard (Harvard IPI) to create a program that will look into the use of medical
The University of California, San Diego’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) has already conducted a variety of important studies on cannabis. Its current studies include the effects of CBD on children with severe autism, cannabis as a treatment for bipolar disorder and the effects of cannabis and endocannabinoids on neuropathic pain caused by HIV, among many other topics. Starting in 2018, the university partnered with the California Highway Patrol for a study, which examines how driving is impacted by cannabis use. CultureMagazine.com
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“If you smoked this morning, are you impaired throughout the day? Are you impaired for a couple of hours? Or are you not impaired? We’re trying to answer that,” said Dr. Thomas D. Marcotte, who is co-director of the CMCR and in charge of the study along with Dr. Barth Wilsey, according to the study. Dr. Marcotte stressed that determining when someone is under the influence of cannabis can be tricky, and this study aims to clarify this issue.
University of Colorado, Boulder University of Colorado, Boulder (CU Boulder) Center for Research and Education Addressing Cannabinoids and Health (CU REACH) is currently studying cannabis According to CU Boulder’s website, the center “is devoted to the development of evidence-based knowledge regarding the effects of cannabis that will improve the lives of those who suffer from disease states that may be alleviated by cannabis.” The CU REACH program is offering a scholarship to a cannabis research scholar, and those who study there are involved in work that examines CBD, the cannabis genome and more.
industry, add to existing research in the field, and develop well-informed medical cannabis policy.” The program is the first-of-its-kind to offer a master’s degree in cannabis, and it will cover issues such as public health, science, clinical use and cannabis laws on the state and national levels. “The goal of the MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program is to provide students with a broad knowledge of what’s currently known about the science and therapeutic use of the cannabis plant as well as an understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape related to research and use of medical cannabis,” said Leah Sera, PharmD, MS, BCPS, assistant professor of pharmacy practice and sciences at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and director of its Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics degree program, to CULTURE. “We anticipate that graduates of our program will be in a position to advance scientific and clinical research, support and educate patients, and help develop well-informed policies to shape the future of medical cannabis use.”
University of Connecticut The University of Connecticut (UConn) is now offering a new cannabis course called “Horticulture of Cannabis: From Seed to Harvest.” This introductory class requires no prerequisite courses and is an introduction to all things cultivation. “UConn is providing students with an opportunity to be absolutely at the cutting edge of a growing field,” said Gerald Berkowitz, who teaches the course, according to the school’s website. “Companies hiring people who learned in their basement will have an opportunity to hire people who were educated based on a curriculum that’s founded in hard science.”
University of Maryland The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is offering a master’s degree in medical cannabis, which is a major step for cannabis education in the U.S. The program, known as The Master of Science (MS) in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics, stated in a press release that its goal is to “provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to support patients in the medical cannabis 28
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University of Mississippi The University of Mississippi Medical Center is conducting a very important study on children with severe epilepsy. For the investigation, researchers looked at 10 Mississippian children with serious seizures. The study began in 2018. “[We are] targeting the sickest of the sick. The early parts of this research are targeted at making sure this is tolerable by children who have failed all other medical therapies,” Dr. Brad Ingram, a pediatric neurologist, told Mississippi Today. This research is important, because scientists and doctors are seeking to understand as much about medical cannabis for epilepsy as possible. For many youth, this is the only medicine that helps relieve their symptoms without a lot of side effects. c
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PIONEER OF THE PAST
Dr. Roger Adams’ pivotal early cannabis research helped to pave the way for modern studies By Benjamin M. Adams
Dr. Roger Adams
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While Israeli researcher Dr. Raphael Mechoulam is typically credited with isolating THC in 1964, a lesser known, but highly influential figure isolated CBD and synthesized THC over 20 years earlier. American chemist and researcher Dr. Roger Adams was the first to isolate CBD and the first to synthesize THC in a lab during the peak of World War II. Throughout the course of his esteemed career, Dr. Adams published 27 studies on the properties of cannabis in the American Journal of Chemistry, long before most other cannabis-related scientific research took place, and in spite of the rabid “Reefer Madness” attitude of the time. Coincidentally, Dr. Adams is also considered to be influential in the development of postgraduate degrees in America and plant chemistry in general.
He conducted research at prestigious schools like Harvard University, Radcliffe College and headed the chemistry department the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for decades. During World War I, Dr. Adams helped to develop chemical warfare assets with a position under the National Research Council in Washington, D.C. From there, he mostly focused on biochemicals. Just two years after cannabis was first banned federally from pharmacies and drug stores under the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, Dr. Adams received an exclusive and rare license from the Department of Treasury to obtain cannabis oil for research purposes. By 1939, cannabis was the sole focus of Dr. Adams’ work. Shortly after, he presented a paper to the National Academy of Science on “The Chemistry of Marihuana.” Many more would follow.
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F U N I V E R S I T Y O F I L L I N O I S AT U R B A N A - C H A M PA I G N
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Overcoming Hurdles Dr. Adams’ research into cannabis is one of the chief reasons he became a target of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Director J. Edgar Hoover. In addition, anyone who could’ve been considered a Communist sympathizer, including Dr. Adams, was deemed a threat due to the political climate of the times. Hoover temporarily blocked Dr. Adams’ security clearance because of his cannabis research and alleged possible ties to Communist authors, but eventually caved and granted him clearance. Harry J. Anslinger, the nation’s first “Drug Czar,” is widely regarded as one of the galvanizing figures behind the “Reefer Madness” era. Dr. Adams’ research fell under the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, of which Anslinger was appointed commissioner. Dr. Adams and Anslinger personally— and publicly—disagreed on whether people should consume cannabis. Dr. Adams believed it had “pleasant effects,” as well as useful analgesic effects, while Anslinger outright rejected the consumption of cannabis in any shape or form.
Discoveries Dr. Adams isolated CBD from hemp oil in 1940, with help from his colleagues Madison Hunt and J.H. Clark. “In this investigation, Minnesota wild hemp, cut after flowering had begun and before the seed had ‘set’ in the female tops, was used as a raw material,” Dr. Adams wrote on Jan. 1, 1940. “It was extracted with ethanol and the so-called ‘red oil’ containing the active principle or principles was obtained by distillation under diminished pressure.” In 1942, Dr. Adams won a patent for his method of isolating CBD. While he was unable to isolate THC from the cannabis plant, he synthesized it by converting the molecular structure of CBD to a THC acetate 32
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“Because of the groundbreaking cannabis research of Dr. Adams at the University of Illinois, dozens of other chemists were able to study the plant. . .” in a lab. Dr. Adams also documented THC analogs in his lab before technology like a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer was available to future scientists like Dr. Mechoulam in the 1960s and beyond. Shortly after World War II broke out, the Office of Strategic Services— which would evolve into the CIA—considered the properties of cannabinoids as a possible “truth serum” that could be used on U.S. soldiers for the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was, of course, the U.S. government’s ultra-classified mission to develop the atomic bomb. Over time, the U.S. government would experiment with various chemicals on the county’s own military forces— which is now viewed as completely unethical.
The Legacy Because of the groundbreaking cannabis research of Dr. Adams at the University of Illinois, dozens of other chemists were able to study
Dr. Roger Adams
the plant including Dr. H. J. Wollner, consulting chemist of the U.S. Treasury. Dr. Adams’ fingerprint in plant chemistry, especially cannabis chemistry, can be seen today. The “Adams Scale” measures the potency of cannabinoids, and it is still used in research settings. While there are dozens of potential medical applications from cannabis, Dr. Adams was among the first to observe cannabis’ analgesic effects. Dr. Adams’ extensive research paved the way for the modern scientific research of cannabis. Beginning in 1916, he granted around 200 Ph.Ds to students and helped to redefine postdoctoral research. He passed away peacefully in 1971. Dr. Adams played a crucial role in the beginnings of cannabis research. c
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When did you start using medical cannabis? I started taking medical cannabis about six years ago when I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I had no idea what was going on with me, or what my future would be like, and I was terrified.
PROFILE IN COURAGE Sheri Yanez is proud to share that CBD saved her life
Many people find themselves in the CBD industry because they’re looking to make a ton of cash. However, others find their way to the industry through experiences of miraculous healing. Sheri Yanez is the latter. As the owner of CBD company, Rose Botanicals, Inc., Yanez is changing lives by providing people with CBD. She is also living proof of how CBD has been the most effective treatment option for her ulcerative colitis (UC), which is a common disease that causes inflammation in the large intestine. Yanez opened up to CULTURE about her incredible journey of true healing with CBD.
“Cannabis saved my life. It gave me the quality of life back that I had before I got sick.”
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Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? I did. I was prescribed several harsh medications by my doctor, including chemotherapy. The side effects of these medications were horrible. I didn’t know which was worse, the side effects or the disease itself. During my time on these medications I never truly felt well. Besides the symptoms of ulcerative colitis I was living with, I also began losing my hair; I was weak. I was so nauseous some days I couldn’t get off the floor or take care of my child. I had several week-long hospital stays, which took me away from my family. Are your doctors supportive of you using cannabis as a treatment? They were not. I told my doctor that I could no longer tolerate living with the side effects of his treatment plan and that I was going to stop all medication and only take CBD. He said there was no way he could support that.
Three months later I scheduled a full exam, and the doctor was stunned by my results and said everything looked so good, it looked like I never even had UC. What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? Stigma. People still think of cannabis as something that just gets you high. There are so many benefits to this miracle plant. This plant heals you naturally, with no horrible side effects. You don’t have to poison your body to brink of death like you do with traditional medications. Cannabis is a gift to us all. What would you say to those who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? Give it a chance. Take it properly, start low and slow to find your personalized dosage, and stick with it! Consistency is key when taking CBD. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? Cannabis saved my life. It gave me the quality of life back that I had before I got sick. That is why I started Rose Botanicals. I want everyone to experience the life changing effects of CBD in a safe and trusted form. I would recommend it to anyone. Young, old and in between! c www.rosebotanicalsinc.com
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TASTEFUL TREATS
Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal bakes with love and cannabis
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By Addison Herron-Wheeler
s the edibles industry grows and changes, the bar gets pushed higher and higher. It’s not good enough anymore just to bake some brownies that do the job but still taste like raw cannabis. Culinary crafting is an art, and especially if cannabis is involved. Mindy Segal, owner and consulting chef of Mindy’s Artisanal Edibles, is one of the creators who is driving the industry forward. One of the reasons Segal is such a force to be reckoned with isn’t just because she comes from a cannabis baking background. She’s an experienced pastry chef who is known for her famous non-infused goodies as well as her edibles. “I’ve been baking for 35 years,” she told CULTURE. “I discovered when I was young that I had a knack and decided to pursue my passion as a career. I worked really hard to find my place in the culinary world and was celebrated for my accomplishments with the James Beard Foundation Award in 2012. I’ve always been an advocate for cannabis for its medicinal properties and for adult use for lifestyle purposes. I see it as an extension of the hospitality I provide in my restaurant now. When Cresco approached me, I knew I wanted to take a stand.”
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Segal now works with Cresco Labs, a cannabis company based in Chicago, Illinois, where she was already established as a baker and well-known pastry chef. Her portfolio of cannabis products represents top-of-the-line products for all types of consumers, so it’s a big deal that Mindy’s Artisanal Edibles is representing the best of the best in Chicago. Her line of artisanal edibles is based on products that originated without cannabis. They are inspired by desserts featured on the menu of her Chicago-based restaurant, Mindy’s HotChocolate, or they come from her cookbook, Cookie Love: More Than 60 Recipes and Techniques for Turning the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary. She bakes using locally available and seasonal ingredients, and then adds clear distillate from Cresco’s in-house lab, allowing for incredible taste and a focus on the ingredients. “They are developed through the eyes of a pastry chef, which means they are ingredient-driven from the flavor to the chocolate and produced in a way that keeps the customer’s experience top of mind. I just want to make people happy,” she said. Some brands fail because they focus on either only the cannabis or only the culinary content, leading to edibles that either work well or taste great, but not both. Because Segal is such a talented and experienced chef who has access to extremely clean concentrate, Mindy’s Artisanal Edibles is able to do both. “I think excellence should be an important feature of any product that sits on the shelf,” she continued. “Cannabis edibles have a reputation of being overly potent and providing a bad experience. I believe we can do better. We have an attention to detail and focus on flavor and consistency as the main element of our product line.” Segal has already experienced a lot of success with her product, but there are even bigger things in store for her company and Cresco Labs in general, with the dawning of cannabis legalization in Illinois. When that happens, Chicago will become another cannabis mecca. “We’re looking forward to lots of growth on the horizon, including legalization in our home state of Illinois,” she added. “We can’t wait to become hometown heroes. We’ll also be expanding the brand into California and Massachusetts in the next few months.” In addition to having her eyes on the prize as
“They are developed through the eyes of a pastry chef, which means they are ingredient-driven from the flavor to the chocolate and produced in a way that keeps the customer’s experience top of mind. I just want to make people happy.” far as local cannabis commerce is concerned, Mindy’s Artisanal Edibles is set on expanding nationwide and reaching
an even bigger audience. “I’d like to be on a beach in Fiji!” She laughed. “Just kidding; I’d like to see Mindy’s Edibles as a national brand leading the industry with the best tasting edibles and made available to all adults who want to partake.” As far as words of wisdom for other business owners, her advice is simple. “In running any type of successful business, I think compassion and culture are essential factors as well as setting a clear vision for the future and supporting the folks that help to bring it to life,” she said. Already reaching a high level of sure success, Segal’s journey of bringing award-winning artisanal cannabis confections to the masses is just the beginning. c www.mindysedibles.com
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GROWING CULTURE
GARDEN FEVER
(PART III)
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By Ed Rosenthal
ast month, I placed some seedlings that I had started about 15 days earlier in cups and planted them in my 32 square-foot water garden. The experiment suffered from a number of problems. First, the hydrocorn supporting the seedlings didn’t hold the seedlings securely enough to develop much of a root system. When the seedlings were placed in the water tray, they began to suffer. The first symptom was drooping leaves. That is an indication that roots are suffering from oxygen starvation. The tray was outfitted with an oxygen generation system using hydrolysis, but it wasn’t generating enough oxygen for the plants. I replaced it with six lines of irrigation tubing with holes 6” apart. This is attached to an air pump with an output of about 350 gallons of air per hour. This system solved the problem. Next, I noticed that the plants were suffering from both a magnesium deficiency and a slight calcium deficiency. These deficiencies were caused by a lack
The water unit is recovering from oxygen, pH and nutrient problems. 38
of these elements in the tap water. The reason for this is because most fertilizers are formulated for use with “average” water. For example, San Francisco Bay cities use runoff water, which has very little dissolved salts. Finally, I noticed that my pH meter was not performing correctly and was giving me incorrect readouts, resulting in plants suffering from a solution with a pH below five. This was just corrected a couple of days ago, and the plants are already in recovery. I have better news regarding the greenhouse garden. The plants there are doing fabulously. I have plants in two different systems drawing water from the same tray. The first uses clay pebbles. The 8” tall colanders are submerged 2” and above water 6”. A pump constantly delivers a gentle stream of water that flows over the pebbles, creating a water/nutrient film. Large air spaces between the pebbles provide the roots with plenty of air. The other group of plants uses a planting mix and is irrigated using a wick system. Nylon rope hangs from holes in the bottom of the containers into
One of the plants in the unit that has already started to recover.
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The greenhouse unit and tray on a table.
the tray. Water is drawn up to the container as it’s used by the plant by capillary action, the same way a tissue draws water. In addition, the container receives about eight ounces of water three times daily using a timer to regulate a small submersible pump. The plants have been doing really well, but are close to the 9’ ceiling. Looking at the situation, I realized the tray was sitting on a table. So I had some friends help me empty the tray of the plants, drain the water, remove the tray from the table and then place it on a Styrofoam board to stop heat transfer with the greenhouse floor, and then reassemble the unit. Then the tray was put back together. In late July, the plants were light-prepped for a midSeptember harvest. c
GARDEN TIP
It isn’t too late to plant with seed or clones outdoors or in a greenhouse in areas where it stays warm through the end of October. In other areas, plant in containers that can be moved outdoors on warm days and lit indoors on cool or rainy days. The plants will immediately start to flower as they grow and will be ready to harvest in 60-70 days.
The water systems are installed and tested.
The tray (now positioned lower) with plastic covering installed.
NEWS of the
BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL
WEIRD
breast into a carrot shape, cooking it sous-vide for an hour, covering it with a special “carrot marinade,” and then oven-roasting it for another hour. Bon appetit!
LEAD STORY—BRIGHT IDEA Arby’s has turned the trend toward plant-based “burgers” on its head with the new Marrot: a carrot made out of meat. Vice reported that Arby’s has definitively rejected the plant-based meats movement. “(W)hat Americans really want . . . is great, tasty meat,” said Jim Taylor, Arby’s chief marketing officer. “So we said if others can make meat out of vegetables, why can’t we make vegetables out of meat?” The Marrot is made by rolling raw ground turkey
THE LITIGIOUS SOCIETY Tommy Martin, 58, of Mount Holly, North Carolina, hopes to see Hardee’s in federal court after a “humiliating” incident at a Belmont store in which Martin was given just two Hash Rounds on his breakfast plate, rather than the halfdozen or so depicted on the company’s website. Martin, who is black, told The News and Observer that he felt like he was in a scene from the segregated 1960s when he asked for more. “The manager came back and said that what you get.
Got home with tear in mine eye,” Martin said in the handwritten lawsuit filed June 24 in U.S. District Court in Charlotte. The cashier was prepared to give him more Hash Rounds, Martin said, but the manager, who is white, stepped in and gave him a refund instead. GOVERNMENT IN ACTION Health Canada has issued a seemingly obvious warning to consumers of Venus Simply3 razors: They pose a potential cutting hazard. CTV News reported that the four-packs, sold at Walmart, have been recalled because “the blades . . . can become misaligned . . . and pose a higher risk of cuts during use.” No one in Canada has reported being cut.
TECHNOTOT Two-year-old Rayna McNeil of San Diego is an early adopter of online shopping. In late June, as Rayna played with her mom’s mobile phone, she managed to purchase a $430 couch from Amazon. Mom Isabella McNeil told KNSD she had been scrolling through some couches on her phone before handing it off to Rayna, but she didn’t realize the toddler had made the purchase until a few days later, when she got a “Your couch has shipped” alert. “I didn’t remember ordering a couch,” she said. It was too late to cancel the order, so McNeil plans to resell the item locally. “Lesson learned,” McNeil said. She will make sure apps are closed in the future.
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