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Motion Picture Maven
Kathy Bates is famous for many roles in television and film, but she spoke exclusively with CULTURE about her performance on Netflix’s Disjointed, as well as her own experiences with cannabis. On the COVER:
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The Doctor Will See You Now From serving Alternative Herbal Health Services to consulting for Netflix’s Original Series Disjointed, Dr. Dina is helping make cannabis mainstream.
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Industry Insider Get intimate with Ashley Manta, a sex expert who is high on life, love and cannabis.
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Getting Heated Treat yourself with toys of pleasure to pair with your cannabis consumption.
departments 08 Letter from the Editor news 10 News Nuggets 11 By the Numbers 12 Local News 14 Legal Corner reviews 16 Strain & Concentrate Reviews 18 Cool Stuff in every issue 32 à La Carte 34 Growing Culture 36 Profile in Courage 38 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! Candidate for New York Governor Plans to Legalize Cannabis d
d Industrial Hemp License Applications Available in
Maine
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Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Denise Pollicella, Devon Alexander Brown, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Keira Fae, Caroline Hayes, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Carl Kozlowski, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Madison Ortiz, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly R. Simms, Alexa Steinberg, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Amy Witt, Laurie Wolf Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Tonya Perme, Josué Rivas, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Michelle Aguirre Graphic Designer, Payden Cobern John Venegas sales director Joe Larson Account Executives Alex Brizicky, Molly Clark, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Lee Moran, Casey Roel, Garry Stalling, Shayne Williams, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy office manager Mikayla Aguilar digital media Hannah Lemley coordinator Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Publisher David Comden
Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 500 locations throughout San Diego. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 2175 Sampson Ave. | Ste. 118 Corona | California | 92879 Phone/Fax 888.694.2046 www.CultureMagazine.com CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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L ETTE R
FROM
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E D IT O R
Li f e s t y l e of
“I
t’s a lifestyle” has been a CULTURE catchphrase since 2009. We don’t just consume cannabis; it’s an important part of our everyday lives. Cannabis allows us to live healthier. It enhances music. Cannabis inspires our creativity, encourages us to work out—it’s even in some of our favorite food and drinks. And finally—physical sensations like orgasms are more intense and pleasurable when cannabis is involved. February is notoriously one of CULTURE’s most intimate times of year, as we unveil our annual Sex Issue. The stories within this steamy issue embrace the themes of love, relationships and sex—and the many roles in which cannabis plays. When it comes to love and relationships in particular, it’s clear that couples who imbibe together, chill together. This is in part due to cannabis’ role in contributing to healthier relationships, which is not a new phenomenon. There are a number of studies that have presented evidence of a positive relationship between sex and cannabis. Back in September 2014, a study published in the Psychology of Addictive Behaviors proved there were fewer instances of violence between partners who both regularly consume cannabis. Additionally, cannabis appears to lead to more sex, according to a groundbreaking study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, which was conducted by researchers at Stanford University in October 2017. The study found that those who consistently consume cannabis have sex 20 percent more often than those who do not. It’s no secret to consumers the ways in which cannabis can enhance the intensity of sexual pleasure and orgasms. Now with increasing research around sex and cannabis, we’re finding that when we masturbate to completion, our endocannabinoid systems are creating endocannabinoids. When we introduce cannabinoids derived from cannabis into our bodies, our endocannabinoid systems release
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more endocannabinoids, which help balance most of our bodies’ functions. A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine in November 2017 found evidence that endocannabinoids play a role in the sexual response cycle. While there is a clear physical reaction our bodies experience when we consume cannabis, which may affect the intensity of our pleasure and orgasms, it’s possible that cannabis also has a way of strengthening the nonverbal and spiritual connections between people. This deepened sense of togetherness leads to better sex overall. There have been countless testimonials by individuals who find that cannabinoids like CBD have the ability to make them feel more comfortable and less anxious. Ultimately, cannabis helps allow many people to embrace intimacy—which can clearly be a benefit both inside and outside of the bedroom. Both catering to adults, cannabis and sex make a poetic partnership. With further research by scientists and cannabis companies providing consumers with titillating, exciting sex products, it’s sure the correlation between these two pleasures will only continue to strengthen. c Cheers!
Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief
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NEWS
nuggetS
San Diego City Councilmember Targets Delivery Drivers
Medical Marijuana Inc. Celebrates its Largest Revenue Year San Diego-based Medical Marijuana, Inc., along with its subsidiaries HempMeds® Mexico, HempMeds® Brazil and Kannaway®, announced on Jan. 8 that it recorded its largest-ever revenue year in the history of its operation. “We are excited to have surpassed our growth and revenue goals for this year. By breaking our annual sales record (pre-audit numbers) and investing into our future expansion efforts, we can provide our shareholders with an optimistic forecast for our future success,” stated Dr. Stuart Titus, CEO of Medical Marijuana Inc. “We expect
to again set company-wide sales records in 2018 and are excited about the trends within the industry, including the growing acceptance of our products to a national and international audience.” Notably, HempMeds® Mexico President Raul Elizalde recently spoke out at the World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence convention in Geneva, Switzerland, which may have helped the company grow to where it is today.
San Diego City Councilmember Chris Cate is making it his own personal objective to crack down on illegal cannabis delivery drivers. Not only did Cate notify law enforcement, but he also threatened Weedmaps based on its comprehensive listings of delivery services. “Currently, Weedmaps serves as an online advertising platform for hundreds of marijuana delivery services in the city of San Diego,” Cate wrote. “A majority of these delivery services are considered illegal under the City Municipal Code. In an effort to ensure compliance with our city laws and the
Vermont Senate Passes Recreational Bill On Jan. 10, the Vermont Senate passed H.511, shortly after it cleared the House on Jan. 4. The House voted hours after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions ended federal protections on state cannabis laws, but Vermont sounded its voice loud and clear. Members from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws were ecstatic. “For the second time in two years, Vermont lawmakers have rejected
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safe and legal access to marijuana, we respectfully request your voluntary compliance to cease the advertising of marijuana delivery services considered illegal under San Diego Municipal Code.” According to Cate, the majority of delivery services in San Diego are illegal because most delivery services in the area lack a Conditional Use Permit. Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act, however, provides immunity from liability for companies like Weedmaps.
the failed Flat Earth policies of marijuana prohibition. The majority of Vermonters, like the majority of the American public, desire to live in a community where responsible adults who choose to consume cannabis are no longer criminalized or stigmatized. Gov. Scott would be wise to provide Vermonters with this path forward, rather than cling to the failed policies of the past.” The bill was delivered to Gov. Scott’s desk for signature as of Jan. 19, he was expected to sign it.
The projected amount of cannabis, in millions of pounds, that Californians will purchase between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019: (Source: The Hill)
1
The estimated number of people who visited Urbn Leaf dispensary in Bay Park during the first day of operation on Jan. 1: (Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune)
1,000
The projected percentage of year over year revenue growth reported by San Diegobased Medical Marijuana Inc. between 2016 and 2017: (Source: Business Insider)
300
The estimated number of people who visited Urbn Leaf dispensary in Golden Hill during the first four hours of operation on Jan. 1: (Source: Fox5 San Diego)
250
The length, in feet, that made up a single joint that was created by cannabis advocates in Massachusetts in December 2017: (Source: Los Angeles CBS)
The projected number of cannabis jobs in the United States that would be created immediately if federal cannabis legalization were to occur: (Source: New Frontier Data)
782,000
100
The amount of acres that Pennsylvanian farmers will be allowed for cultivating hemp, under revised 2018 state Department of Agriculture guidelines: (Source: PennLive.com)
100
37th Annual Tribute to the Reggae Legends WHEN: Sat, Feb. 17-Sun, Feb. 18 WHERE: WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego WEBSITE: tributetothelegends.com Just in time for Black History Month, the Tribute to the Reggae Legends returns for its 37th year. The event features reggae artists including Junior Reid, Big Youth, Sister Carol, Warrior King and Kevin Isaacs, son of the late Gregory Isaacs, “The Cool Ruler.” Junior Reid’s hit “This is Why I’m Hot,” was eventually remixed by American rapper Mims and reached
No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007. Pay tribute to the reggae legends, many of which have played alongside Bob Marley (the event was originally called Bob Marley Day when it began in 1981, shortly after his death). Festival Founder Makeda Dread was close with Marley and wanted a way to remember him—right here in San Diego. CultureMagazine.com
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NEWS
LOCAL
Emerald Conference
Where Loyalties Lie San Diego District At t o r n e y c a n d i d at e responds to Jeff Sessions By Pamela Johnson
O
n Jan. 4, Attorney General Jeff Sessions sent shock waves through the cannabis community when he rescinded an Obama-era policy known as the Cole Memo, which instructed federal prosecutors to limit the type of prosecutions they pursue in states where cannabis is legal. This came as no surprise to those who are aware of Sessions’ history of inflammatory remarks. However, when the interim United States Attorney for the Southern District of California, Adam Braverman, released a written statement stating, “The Department of Justice is committed to reducing violent crime and enforcing the laws as enacted by Congress. The cultivation, distribution and possession of marijuana has long been and remains a violation of federal law. We will continue to utilize long-established prosecutorial priorities . . . ” many people in the local cannabis industry felt alarmed. Some law enforcement officials indicated that they do not expect much to change in their approach to enforcement. Black market dealers will still be the focus of investigations, not legally licensed businesses. Still, there has been a great deal of panic since these statements were released. Rather than bow to paranoia, CULTURE reached out to 12
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current public defender and candidate for District Attorney (DA) of San Diego County, Geneviéve Jones-Wright, for help in explaining how these statements will affect San Diegans. Jones-Wright told CULTURE that Sessions’ memo is troubling and shows a lack of understanding. Jones-Wright provided further insight by describing the situation from her perspective. “Unfortunately, either as a signal of what is ahead for San Diegans or another example of the interim DA’s tone deafness on criminal justice issues, my opponent [Summer Stephan] met with Adam Braverman on Jan. 4, 2018 to discuss collaboration between the District Attorney’s office and the U.S. Attorney’s office. [Stephan] then publicly stated that she was ‘looking forward to collaborate [sic] with San Diego’s new U.S. Attorney [Braverman].’ This was the very day Sessions wrote the memo and Braverman said he stood with Sessions on the issue.” This information is unsettling to activists and consumers alike, yet locally-licensed cannabis retailers are reporting business as usual. Homebound patients who rely on medical cannabis feel less confident that there will be enough delivery services to meet their needs. “It is important to understand that while possession of marijuana is prohibited under federal law, the Sessions memo does not really implicate cannabis users as U.S. Attorneys don’t routinely focus on users in prosecutions,” Jones-Wright added. Jones-Wright explained that the DA does not prosecute federal crimes, and is not obligated to assist federal agencies in the prosecution of crimes that do not implicate state or local laws. Because enforcement of federal law is not under the purview of the DA’s office, the DA can help protect the cannabis community from Braverman and the Attorney General simply by honoring the people they were elected to represent. “There could very well be consequences if these federal prosecutors decide to go after businesses legally operating under state law,” she continued. “One consequence could be a negative effect on the relationship with local law enforcement agencies. This is why we need leaders at the local level (police chiefs, sheriffs, District Attorneys) who will stand with the people and not bow to the feds when state and federal laws are in conflict.” c
Devoted to the exchange of ideas and insights on various topics in the cannabis industry, the Emerald Conference aims to educate through an atmosphere of collaboration and partnership. Featuring industry experts sharing the latest research, as well as vendors who will showcase and demonstrate new technologies, this is the place to be in order to stay updated on the growth and continued success of the industry. This year’s conference will feature four oral presentations and a dedicated 90-minute poster session. As the oldest conference in the cannabis industry that is devoted exclusively to the science of cannabis, the Emerald Conference touts itself as the most technical and comprehensive science conference in the cannabis industry. WHEN: Thurs, Feb. 15-Fri, Feb. 16 WHERE: Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina, 1441 Quivira Rd., San Diego WEBSITE: www. theemeraldconfer ence.com
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NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
Looking Toward the Future
High Supply
T h e d i s p e n s a r y r i b b o n s h av e b e e n c u t — n o w w h at ? By Kimberly R. Simms, Attorney
O
nce a figurative wasteland for legal cannabis, San Diego has emerged as one of California’s most progressive cities. Now that line has been crossed into adult-use, it’s been deemed a success. However, members of the industry are holding their breath for the comedown. We’ve seen the hype and the long lines to get into dispensaries—but beyond the first few weeks, what else can we expect?
Retail Rules For the licensed cannabis stores in San Diego, the weeks leading up to Jan. 1 were filled with some anticipation, but mostly excitement. They were celebrating last-minute issuances of state licenses and planning grand opening events for the public. Dispensary buyers were stocking up on inventory, especially products with a THC dosage too potent for the new regulations for recreational cannabis. Nearly every adult-use shop in town was also hiring and prepping new staff in order to be ready for a massive influx of new and very curious customers. The official launch of adult sales on Jan. 1 brought celebrations and long queues at the handful of stores that were able to get local and state permits in time. Thousands of cannabis enthusiasts waited patiently for hours, just to get their hands on some of the state’s first and finest legal cannabis products. Licensed operators, who are currently in business thanks to California’s “Temporary License” program, are now preparing their lengthy and detailed annual license applications, which must be submitted within 120 days of Jan. 1. Applicants will also need to get ready for the new track-andtrace computer database system to come online later this year. California will be using METRC, a system already tested in more advanced legal markets like Colorado. This software will track the movement of every plant legally being grown in the state, as well as any resulting by-products, all the way to the cash register where you purchase the item. Using this software is just one of the many food-grade industry standards coming to our local cannabis industry. 14
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In the city of San Diego, dozens of hopeful applicants in the non-retail space—like cultivators, extractors, edible makers and distribution companies—are still making their way through the local licensing process. There are a total of 40 spots available citywide. Once completed, they too can apply for temporary licensure from the state and be a shoo-in for legal dispensary inventory. The applicants are hopeful that local permits will be issued by the summer, at which point San Diego will finally have a fully-functioning supply chain within the city. Without enough licensed operators, particularly testing labs and distributors, dispensaries will soon run dry of their inventory, leaving shelves that were oncefully-stocked now empty. Outside the city limits, the county has a lot of work to do in developing a working commercial cannabis system. For now, it’s up to smaller cities to decide how many businesses they want to allow and then self-regulate accordingly. La Mesa should be just around the corner in implementing its medical dispensary, cultivation and manufacturing licensing structure; though, applicants have been waiting approximately a year already to have their permits issued. More recently, in Oceanside, an ad hoc committee was able to convince the city council of the dire need for medical cannabis access. Though implementation will still take a few months, it will be the only city for miles around allowing any type of commercial cannabis sales, making Oceanside the hub for North County’s medical cannabis patients. When it comes to access for those in suburban and rural parts of San Diego, our fight is still far from over. Think of the first couple months of 2018 as a novelty period for legal cannabis. After all, there are only a dozen or so cities in California where adult sales are currently allowed. For the rest of the state, it seems as if the last proponents of Prohibition are ready to put it off as long as possible. It’s never been more important to be aware of and involved in local government; our vote to legalize cannabis means nothing if we don’t stand up for the communities where we live. c
“Thous ands of cannabis ent husias t s wait ed pat ient ly for hours, jus t t o g et t heir hands on s ome of t he stat e’s first and finest legal cannabis product s.”
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REVIEWs
strain & concentrate Available from: Deeply Rooted delivery service in San Diego.
Available at: Healing Heart Collective in Escondido.
Cheech’s Private Stash Do Si Dos Savage Extracts White Tahoe OG Live Resin Budder Available via Healing Heart Collective, which serves all of north San Diego County, Savage Extracts White Tahoe OG Live Resin Budder is a beautiful platinum blonde-colored concentrate that is easy to work with. Its terpene profile is extremely strong, smelling of lemon cleaner with some natural sugary sweetness mixed in, making for an invigorating and refreshing aroma. This budder is very clean hitting, with notes of citrus and pine, the most dominant flavor being lemonlime, with a hint of spiciness. The hit is enjoyable, and not at all harsh on the lungs. This heavy indica is cerebrally euphoric and almost immediately physically sedative, making it the perfect concentrate for nighttime use. You can expect pain relief, appetite stimulation, full-body relaxation and deep sleep after a dab or two.
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Cheech’s Private Stash Do Si Dos absolutely lives up to its icon’s namesake. A family affair, each strain from Cheech’s Private Stash is personally selected by the famous cannabis enthusiast himself. His daughter is the company marketing manager, and his son serves as the director of operations. The company more than lives up to its motto “It will always be good” with its Do Si Dos strain. These dense nugs, mostly lime green in color with some very bright green leaves and accents of deep lavender throughout also sport tons of shiny trichomes and thick, dark orange pistils. The nose has a heavily sour aroma with some sweet, candy-like notes as well. There is also a slight citrus smell to it. The dominant flavors are fruity and sweet, with an excellent balance of earthiness and floral tastes. The hit is smooth and clean, yet still packs a punch without being harsh. This crop was clearly grown and cured very well. The effect is quickly calming, both physically and cerebrally, and provides a euphoric, giggly, relaxing, appetite-inducing effect.
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REVIEWs
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Relax the jaw, tilt the head back, open the airway and show off your skills. The highly detailed Penis Hand Glass Pipe makes a great conversation-starter. Made by Empire Glassworks, the Penis Hand Glass Pipe is thick, heavy and is unlikely to shatter the first time you drop it. It’s a modest four inches long and comes in pink, purple or black. The carb is far enough away from the bowl, so you won’t burn your fingers when you take a hit like you would with cheaply designed pipes. Price: $50 More Information: www.empireglassworks.com 2. Fiera® Personal Care Device
Most people aren’t aware that the 1966 hit “Mellow Yellow” by Donovan was—by his own admission—about an electric banana-shaped vibrator. Sex toy technology has come a long, long way since the ’60s. The Fiera® Personal Care Device is a whole new concept developed by OB/ GYNs that applies gentle suction for stimulation. It is ideal for women who struggle with arousal or that want to increase intensity. If the conventional insertable vibrators of the past have left you unsatisfied, then Fiera® is the way to go. Whether it’s for yourself or a Valentine’s gift for your loved one, you can’t go wrong. Price: $199–249 More Information: shop.fiera.com
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HERE
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FEBRUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com By Robert Voets / Netflix
U n a b at e d A r t i s t r y
Kathy Bates is a versatile actress who shares all about her career, surviving breast cancer and how cannabis has brought her life full circle
Y
By Benjamin M. Adams
ou probably recognize her enduring performances from Misery, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Blind Side or one of the highest-grossing films of all time—Titanic. In television, her unparalleled career includes
American Horror Story, Six Feet Under, Two and a Half Men, The Stand, The Office and many more.
Kathy Bates’ incredible career in theater, film and television spans decades, recently earning her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—and fulfilling a childhood dream. The Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actress, director and activist is currently starring as the lead character of Netflix’s Disjointed, a sitcom set inside a dispensary. Only now has Bates opened up about her own odyssey with medical cannabis to CULTURE—a journey that would lead her to portray Ruth Whitefeather Feldman, a seasoned cannabis activist who runs the fictional dispensary Ruth’s Alternative Caring. It was truly an honor for CULTURE to discuss cannabis, film and PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Bates.
What made you want to work on Disjointed? You know, it’s amazing how when our next 10 episodes dropped on Jan. 12, the timing couldn’t have been more prescient. We knew that things were coming, that [Prop. 64] had passed, and we were all really excited about it. Our show was just starting to begin shooting. We were thrilled. But now considering the fact that we’re getting pushed back, from the Attorney General specifically, it’s going to be a really fascinating journey between state and federal [laws]. What’s going on is the growers who have been there doing it for 60 years don’t want to suddenly be legislated. That’s what I’ve heard. You know, I think we’ll be okay, but I just don’t know if the government is going to start really playing dirty tricks, like muscling in on landlords. So it concerns me—and if there’s a fight, I’ll be right there on the frontline, because the more I’ve experimented, the more
I learn about it, even through the show, it has been a blast. I just really got interested in it as a two-time cancer survivor. I’ve used it to help with nausea and pain, so for me, it’s a real relief. I look at it like Prohibition from the ’20s, which didn’t work. I’m hoping that people will leave it alone. The other thing that bothers me is that they want to reinstate these draconian sentences for people in possession of a small amount of marijuana and send them away. It’s the close-mindedness, the lack of intelligence about marijuana. [Attorney General Jeff] Sessions was quoted as saying that they were, “OK, until I found out they smoked pot,”—but he was talking about the Ku Klux Klan for God’s sake! And that was the only reason he turned away from the Ku Klux Klan is because he learned they were smoking dope! I don’t fuckin’ get it. The bottom line? As you can see, I’ve grown a lot more passionate about the issue.
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In episode 3 of Disjointed, it’s revealed how the dispensary security guard, Carter, suffers from PTSD. The episode resonated with fans, especially those in the cannabis industry. Why do you think PTSD is such a hot issue? I think with the increased awareness of abuse in the last decade, which is now culminated with the pushback against sexual harassment—that those of us who were emotionally abused or were violated in any way—suffer from PTSD. And I think people have not been aware of it until the last few years. Or it hasn’t been out in the open. And I also think it has to do with what we learned about the soldiers coming back from Vietnam and now coming back from the Middle East. I would imagine the immigrants who are trying to find a new place to land and build a home are suffering from PTSD. It’s all over the world. One of the things that makes our show unique is that it’s not just all about laughter and jokes; it’s that storyline. It took a departure, and yet came from the scene of that dispensary and ultimately helped him with viewing with his PTSD, at least on a level to where he could function better during the day. And I think that it’s great to have something that makes you can laugh and cry at the same time. Almost anyone can relate with Ruth, because we all know someone like her who dresses like her and who decorates her living space with drapery, crystals and dream catchers. How did you prepare for the role of a dispensary owner? [Laughing] Well, I guess I went through a period of life like [that]. I’m sure back then I had a couple of dream catchers lying around. You could say it’s just been a natural preparation, for me, coming from a very straight-laced Southern lady wearing hose and gloves in the early ’60s and late ’50s to going into the Summer of Love and going to college and trying things for the first time. I mean, Jesus. I went from being very conservative—the whole nine yards, what we’d consider yuppie—and I became a full-fledged hippie. We were all screwing around all the time with different costumes we wanted to wear in public. And it was great fun. I miss those days. 24
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By Robert Voets / Netflix
to find our footing in the first season. I’m hoping that the people who are now rushing out to buy marijuana and try it will get wind of our show, no pun intended. We’re living in dark times. So we could get heavy talking about the political side of it ad nauseam, but we need a break. I need a half an hour or five hours. I find myself binging on shows, just so that I can escape to another place. Have you ever felt like you were being judged for consuming cannabis? No, because until now, and doing press for our show, I really haven’t talked about it. So it will be interesting to see if anybody gives a shit whether I smoke or not. We’ll see what happens. You’ll visit me in jail, right? By Patrick Wymore / Netflix
I think that for Ruth, as an adolescent, to start hearing this call to her about this plant and its healing properties, I think that’s why she pushed herself to go to law school. But she never lost any of that, because her whole approach to marijuana is as a healing [aid]. She refers to her clients as patients. I’ve heard that Dr. Dina, who is our consultant, refers to her clients as patients. We’re used to going into a hotel room and putting drapes up and putting our things out. I remember working with an actress by the name of Elizabeth Ashley, early on in my career. She said, “Take everything with you, your pillows, your dogs, your pots and pans, to make it like home, because the road is really rough.” Recently, you’ve been very open about your battle with breast cancer, and it was not your first time facing cancer. Did you use medical cannabis to treat cancer and cancer medication side effects specifically? I used it for pain and nausea, instead of taking a painkiller like oxycodone or an opioid to ease the pain—I really couldn’t tolerate those things well. The thing that I like about marijuana is that you can regulate how stoned you want to get. You’re in control of that. And I think one of the things is, we’re not only going to have the feds fighting. “Big Pharma” is going to be
“I think with the increased awareness of abuse in the last decade, which is now culminated with the pushback against sexual harassment—that those of us who were emotionally abused or were violated in any way— suffer from PTSD.”
pouring millions of dollars through the lobbyists, because it’s a direct threat to the opioid market. Do you feel Disjointed is contributing to the perception of cannabis consumers and the cannabis industry? Well, you know, I hope we will. Right now, our audience is building, and I’m really excited about the next 10 episodes that [just came out]. I thought that it took us a few episodes
What is your favorite way to consume cannabis? I have two favorite ways. There’s an inhaler where you can buy cartridges. It’s PAX Pro. It’s real easy to use—you just slip in a cartridge and carry it with you and you can control the heat, you can control it from the phone app. And then I use a different vape. It’s Puffco. You put the wax in this little oven, you can control the heat. And you can put in shatter or whatever, but mainly wax. I find it’s really easy. The main thing I like about the vape delivery is that you can control it, because I don’t want to be blasted. I want to be able to just ease the pain. I suffer from hip pain and lower back pain. It really helps me. Of course, you know, I never get in my car having had dope. I think that’s incredibly irresponsible. I hope I don’t see people doing that, if they already aren’t. How do we put the amotivational theory to rest? Well, I think they ought to talk to some of the players in the NFL who are fighting the early onset of Alzheimer’s, CTE and other types of injuries and chronic pain. A lot of them now are switching to marijuana and getting off the opioids. It’s like anything else—it’s about awareness. I’m sure there are a lot of people out there who think it’s from the devil and who have closed minds about it. I say live and let live. CultureMagazine.com
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“. . . If there’s a fight, I’ll be right there on the frontline, because the more I’ve experimented, the more I learn about it, even through the show—it has been a blast. I just really got interested in it as a two-time cancer survivor. I’ve used it to help with nausea and pain, so for me, it’s a real relief.” [Maclaine] flew all the way down here from Canada to be with me. I just worked with Billy Bob [Thornton]. He’s so sweet. And all of my family and friends.
By Robert Voets / Netflix
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce finally awarded you with a well-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016. How did that feel? Well, it was especially cool because I had a picture of myself with my Aunt Lee that was taken there around 1960. In was in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. We had gone on a little tour out here. She and my grandmother lived out here, so we drove out here and spent some time with them. It’s a black and white photo of my Aunt Lee and me standing in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre back then. I put it on the cards to invite people to the event because my star is about 30 feet to the right of where we were standing. It was a bittersweet moment. I’m a breast cancer survivor. She died of breast cancer. It was long before they could really help her. I wish that she could have been there with me. It was a very special day for all of us. I was so grateful that Shirley
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As a young pre-fame actress, did you always know deep down that one day you would become a star and that everyone would know your name? No. I was always very dramatic as a child. And then when I got seriously involved in training it was all about theater. I worked in regional theater companies. In the ’70s, we all were very snobby about doing television. I was very focused on the craft. I didn’t think about being a movie star. I just wanted to keep working and doing the best work I could do. So, it was a big surprise to get an Oscar. I didn’t plan to win an Oscar, even though it crosses every kid’s mind. What new projects are you currently working on? As a result of my breast cancer, I developed lymphedema. It’s swelling of glands that’s caused when you remove lymph glands that can move liquid through your body to be expelled. So as a result, the lymphs swelled. My doctor introduced me to someone who runs the Lymphatic Education & Research Network. For the last three years, I’ve been trying to raise awareness. Ten million people suffer from some sort of lymphatic disease. You can get it from an injury or it’s congenital. I just finished a film called On the Basis of Sex. It’s directed by Mimi Leder and stars Felicity Jones and Armie Hammer. It’s about the early days of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I’m very excited. c netflix.com/disjointed
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D r . Di n a De l ive r s the Goods Cannabis legend Dr. Dina helps usher in the age of legal cannabis
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By Emily Manke ho is the woman who got Snoop Dogg smoking cannabis legally? And who inspired the character Nancy Botwin from the Showtime series Weeds (though she didn’t approve)? Her name is Dina Browner, but she’s affectionately known by her patients as Dr. Dina. While she is not an actual medical doctor, she earned her nickname when she started Los Angeles’ first cannabis collective. More recently she began consulting for upand-coming cannabis businesses, as well as for cannabis-themed TV shows. Shows like Sons of Anarchy and the most recently released Netflix Original Series Disjointed have both benefited from Dr. Dina’s expertise. CULTURE spoke with Dr. Dina about her career in cannabis and what it’s like working with Hollywood power players like director Chuck Lorre and actress Kathy Bates. 28
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What convinced you of cannabis as a viable medical treatment? I think it’s when you see it with your own eyes. I’m one of those people who [was] like, “Sure there’s anecdotal evidence of it?” I didn’t believe it at first. I remember when it first passed [in California] in 1996, I heard a doctor talking about how medical marijuana had benefits. And I remember rolling my eyes like “Yeah right, people just wanna get stoned.” Then I saw my friend who had cancer, and was unable to hold down his pills because he was so nauseous and couldn’t take his chemo. After taking a couple puffs of this joint, his demeanor changed completely. He went from his face being sallow and so pale, to having a little bit of color back in his skin. And he stopped dry heaving, and his stomach started growling and was able to eat. He actually kept the food down, which was the first time he’d eaten in two weeks. When I saw that I went, “Oh my god, it’s true!” My grandmother had passed away from cancer. And I always wanted to help her. I was so young, I think I was 13 when she passed away. I remember sitting in the waiting room at the hospital thinking, “I wish I had a superpower, I wish I could heal her,” and [cannabis] made me feel like I had that superpower, and I needed to embrace it. What’s it like working with Chuck Lorre and Kathy Bates? Do they consume cannabis in real life? When Chuck walks into a room, he demands your attention. He’s so smart, the way he sees things. He sees it in a way that we don’t see things, because his brain operates on sitcom, sitcom, sitcom. It’s just so interesting to watch him work. I find that so fascinating. Here’s a guy, who is the most successful executive producers of a TV show ever. Of today’s age, he’s like the Norman Lear. Chuck is very famous for being sober. He’s been sober for a long time, and he’s a big advocate of being responsible. So he’s sober, and I’m very proud of him for that, but he is willing to embrace a show about cannabis. So, it just goes to show you that cannabis is stepping out of the shadows, and it is being seen as a medicine, which is really cool. And then we have Kathy, who has very openly said she is a fan of cannabis and has been “practicing” even more since she took the role of Ruth. But she is the cutest thing ever. She carries her little vape pen around with her, and she announced on set that she uses her own vape pen, she likes to bring her own to work. She is so talented. Watching her work, it’s like, this is Misery. When she first came to work, everyone was terrified of her. And she plays it up. When she walks in, she’s real straight-faced and looks like she’s gonna kill you. Then after a second she breaks and smiles and gives you this big hug, and you’re like “Oh my God!” But she is just a boss. She is so classy. She is old Hollywood. c
“ . . . I saw my friend who had cancer, unable to hold down his pills because he was so nauseous and c o u l d n ’ t ta k e h i s c h e m o . A f t e r ta k i n g a couple puffs of this j o i n t, h i s d e m e a n o r c h a n g e d c o m p l e t e ly. ”
+ www.DrDina420.com
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Ge t t i n g I n T o u c h A s h l e y M a n ta u s e s c a n n a b i s t o g u i d e h e r c l i e n t s t o m o r e s at i s f y i n g a n d m e a n i n g f u l s e x u a l e x p e r i e n c e s By R. Scott Rappold
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annabis and sex—they’re two great things that go great together. But in an industry becoming more nuanced by the day, cannabis can have many uses in the bedroom beyond simply smoking a joint and turning out the lights. Just ask Ashley Manta, the 31-year-old founder of CannaSexual, who is on a mission to show the world how cannabis can help conquer sexual difficulties and lead to a more satisfying sex life. “In terms of the totality of the potential, I don’t think people give [cannabis] enough thought. We generally operate in a very narrow construct of what sex and sexuality look like, largely based on what we see in porn,” said Manta, a self-described “bubbly buxom blonde” who isn’t shy about sharing her own sexual experiences with the world.
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Based on Experience
Manta has been working as a sexual counselor for a decade, though she was a late-comer to cannabis, first consuming it “on purpose” when she was 23. She discovered the cannabis stereotype was just that; she’d met people with PhDs who consumed it regularly. In 2013, Manta moved to California and visited a dispensary for the first time. Around this time, she also had her first pleasurable intercourse in a decade. This is because she was facing trauma from being raped a decade before. Cannabis played an important role in relaxing her for the experience and allowing her to feel pleasure instead of pain from penetration. She began to shift the focus of her counseling from sexual violence to enhancing pleasure, with a short stint as a phone sex operator on the way. And she found her niche by offering what few other counselors would—showing individual people and couples how cannabis could enhance their sex lives. Cannabis can awaken, rather than dull, the senses. So around 2015 Manta set out to discover how the plant could enhance sexuality in ways other substances could not.
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Awareness, Mindfulness, Communication and Cannabis
If you take one of Manta’s classes or book a private session, the first thing you’ll learn about is communication by staring into your partner’s eyes wordlessly for two minutes. Most people, she says, don’t know how to do it when it comes to sex. “People don’t know how to ask for what they need. They don’t know how to negotiate in the bedroom. People have shame about the bodies, about things they are into, about enjoying pleasure,” she said. “I really kind of help figure out what it is they’re missing or what’s holding them back, using a combination of
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FEBRUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com Photo by Nikolay Mikheev
awareness, mindfulness, communication and cannabis to start to adjust these things.” And cannabis can help in many ways. Say someone gets nervous about sexual performance? She might suggest a strain high in CBD to help calm them. Maybe a woman experiences pain with penetration? She suggests cannabis oils combined with toys and gentle touching. Or maybe it’s stress from work, life or a past traumatic sexual experience? “Stress is such an arousal killer and being able to take enough stress away that you can have a pleasurable experience, by yourself or with a partner, is one of the main benefits of cannabis, to get you out of your head and into your body.” She does most of her counseling in Southern California, as well as in Denver, Colorado, but is willing to travel wherever (cover the clients provide travel expenses). Manta also writes for several publications, makes media appearances and is never shy about sharing her own sexual exploits to her thousands of Twitter and Instagram followers, so they know the things she suggests have already been tried—by her. Manta is also in the process of developing her own line of sex toys and products. “I want to be an educational resource and a lifestyle brand,” she said. The one wild card, of course, is that cannabis affects every person differently, so it’s often a journey of discovery with clients, sometimes trial and error. “What works for me and my body may not work well for you and your body,” she said. “My approach is, if this is a thing you are curious about, I can help you do that better. If it’s not your thing, you can still have amazing sex.” c
+ www.ashleymanta.com/cannasexual
Ge t t i n g He at e d T r e at y o u r s e l f w i t h t o y s of pleasure to pair with your cannabis consumption By Ashley Manta
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t may be cold outside, but there are plenty of ways to keep things sizzling this February—whether you’re single or partnered. For each one, I’m pairing a creative way to incorporate cannabis with sex toys to enhance the sensations even more! Pleasure starts with you, so the first tip for a fun and sexy Valentine’s Day is to make a date with yourself. Take some solo time and treat yourself to something that really nourishes
Fun Factory Stronic G: It’s not a vibrator—it’s a pulsator. Imagine a Shake Weight®, but for your bits. The tip is hooked perfectly to hit all of the right spots (hence the name) and this iteration is much more streamlined than its predecessors—this is ideal for solo play because if you position a pillow or leg just right, you can use it entirely hands-free, leaving your hands available to stimulate other parts of you! I recently paired this with an infused sex oil and a few hits of GG#4 and had an explosive evening. I suspect the relaxed body with the mellow head helped me feel more present and less stressed, allowing users to focus on the pleasurable sensations.
NÖje W3 Mini Wand by B l u s h N o v e lt i e s : This little wand packs quite a punch, which is impressive both for its size and its price point. At $35 this wand is quite affordable, and it’s an excellent starter toy for those who are curious to dip their toe in the pleasure products pond. You could easily pair this with a highCBD strain to help you get out of your head and into your body, especially if you’re new to toys.
you. Perhaps a spa trip, spending time in nature, eating your favorite food or taking a hot shower, and follow by packing your favorite bong with a nice body-relaxing strain. If you want to upgrade your usual smoke session, add a drop of food grade peppermint essential oil to the bong water. It cools down the smoke and makes it taste minty fresh! But since it’s Valentine’s Day, there’s no time like the present to mix things up a bit and feel adventurous and introduce sex toys into the bedroom. Some are intimidated by using sex toys, worrying that they “replacing” partners, cause numbing or creating a situation where the user can no longer experience pleasure without toys. I’m happy to reassure you that all of these notions are blatantly false. Toys, like cannabis, are an enhancement to pleasure and intimacy—when used mindfully and with intention. Here are four toys that were featured at the 2018 Adult Novelty Manufacturer’s Expo (think fashion week for sex toys) that would make a great addition to your nightstand, both for February and beyond:
V e s p e r b y C r av e :
Gala by We-Vibe:
This gorgeous vibe is both a necklace and a sex toy! It is attached to a chain that you can wear around your neck, and it’s completely stealthy—it just looks like a modern necklace! This is excellent as a gift for a partner or a gift for yourself! I’d pair this with a social strain that would help you stand out in the crowd. Dance, connect, laugh and remember that no one knows that you’re wearing a vibrator.
This silicone bunny-ear vibe features the deep, rumbly vibrations that We-Vibe is known for, a rechargeable battery and Bluetooth app compatibility so you can actually control it through your phone, or give control to your partner from the same room or from thousands of miles away! Go exploring! Pick a strain or product that heightens tactile sensations.
So this Valentine’s Day, whether you are partnered or single, find some time to indulge in the things that bring you joy and pleasure and if including cannabis is part of that for you, remember the golden rules: For everyone, use the least amount of cannabis you need to get the results you’re looking for. There’s no reason to go hardcore on dosage. You can always add more, you can’t subtract. For those with partners: Negotiate before you medicate because consent comes first, always. Enjoy! c
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culture
Romantic and Rousing
growing
Chef J’s experience as a professional chef has led him to c r e at i n g u n i q u e h i g h dining experiences By Amy C. Witt
COURAGE
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+ www.chefj.com
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“ I t ’ s a b o u t c r e at i n g a m o o d . Y o u r f e e l i n g s w i l l e l e vat e w h at m o o d y o u c h o o s e t o c r e at e . ”
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ove, food and cannabis are inexorably linked—a diverse variety of complex hormonal reactions that affect our emotional feelings and attachments. Just like Sour Dream or Green Crack, which are euphoric and calming while taking you on sexual adventures, other herbs, foods and ingredients like cacao and magnesium have the same effect. In-kind, Jason Harley, also known as Chef J, and his company OG KITCHEN are combining cannabis and haute cuisine to produce an unforgettably luxurious and cerebral experience. With over 20 years as a private chef, successful restaurateur and entrepreneur, Chef J is taking infused cannabis cuisine to the next level. For many years of his career, he has been hosting glamorous haute cuisine parties and dinners for A-list celebrities, royal families and high profile businesspeople all over the world. With the legalization of cannabis in California this year, Chef J was inspired to marry his love for cannabis and signature healthy cooking style and established his business, OG KITCHEN. “It’s about creating a mood. Your feelings will elevate what mood you choose to create,” Chef J smiled as he explained that he guarantees he will satisfy your taste buds while simultaneously letting your body adventure to a comfortable and exciting new heights.
Based out of Los Angeles, California, OG KITCHEN is an edible cannabis and commercial event company on a mission to provide only the healthiest and most delicious alternative forms of medication and entertainment. All foods and ingredients, including cannabis are compliant, organic, pesticide-free and locally grown and sourced from local farmers and growers. “OG KITCHEN keeps tabs on the process as the flowers make their way through the closed-loop ecosystem from the farm to table,” Chef J told CULTURE. This Valentine’s Day, OG KITCHEN is hosting an elaborate lover’s affair as Chef J showcases his spin on elevated revamped cuisine. A soldout, private invite-only event, cannasseurs will enjoy a curated menu tailored around pairing only the best and tastiest sativas and indicas with a variety of earthy, citrus and herbal notes around a dazzling luxurious table in an undisclosed mansion in Beverly Hills. While indulging in the different tastes, smells and textures of the dishes, each person gets an average of 70mg of THC and CBD spread throughout the meal, with each course at 10mg. For starters, guests will enjoy a CBD isolated beverage for relaxation, followed by a hors d’ oeuvres paired with a sativa smoke. The first course, something like light lobster bisque with sherry and canna cream drizzle will create a savory amount of pleasure smoked with a hybrid strain joint. A dab to clear the palate, and you will be ready to enjoy the second course. The third course will feature a combination of vegetables and meat, along with an indica strain to chill and prepare to satiate the sweet tooth for the
fourth course, dessert. To heighten the bright party, dessert by OG KITCHEN’S will conclude the meal. At this Valentine’s Day event, Chef J will be serving his newest “Truffles D’ Cannabis” specialty gourmet chocolates. Dosed for pleasure with the world’s most potent natural stimulants, three truffles contain a boost of aphrodisiac herbs and 10mg of THC from the cleanest cannabis and made from the highest-grade FDA-approved herbs that are wild harvested or organically grown in the countries of their origin. Not only will guests enjoy a decadent dinner, they will not leave emptyhanded. Goodie bags are always a welcomed surprise, and cannaseurss will leave with a JRollz pre-roll. Chef J has created an in-house mixed recipe for his premium handcrafted award-winning pre-roll line, JRollz. Known for #holdthetrim, JRollz, a seedto-sale brand, takes pride in growing top-shelf cannabis while only grinding and rolling bud to create their flower, wax and kief joints. Winning third at the Blazers Cup 2017, JRollz’s High Octane OG pre-roll is filled with an indica, clone-only strain High Octane OG, also known as Heirloom OG, which provides an extra dose of relaxation while leaving a smooth pungent flavor on the palate. Other pre-rolls like Girl Scout Cookies, Candy Jack and XXX OG are also available. “We strive to create amazing experiences through our edible line, cannabis dinner, events and ever changing smokable products,” he said. The intimacy and ambiance that Chef J creates is born from good intentions, a permanent love and connection with the cannabis community and freed inhibitions over a heartfelt meal. c
G e t a ta s t e o f Chef J’s special Va l e n t i n e ’ s D ay cookies Sexy Ginseng Chocolate Cookies 2.5 dozen servings Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups cannabutter, room temperature 2 cups sugar 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon Indian ginseng 1/2 teaspoon salt Powdered sugar, for garnish
Instructions: 1. In a large bowl, add the butter and sugar and cream together with a handmixer. Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and mix until combined. 2. In a medium bowl, mix the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, ginseng and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients and continue mixing until incorporated. 3. Roll the dough into 2 logs that are about 2-inches high and 1 foot long. Wrap them in waxed paper and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours. 4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 5. Once thoroughly chilled, slice the cookies into 1/2-inch thick rounds and cover with sanding sugar. 6. Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. 7. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
Chef J’s Cooking Tips • Don’t heat butters or oils too high. You will cook off the THC before you can even use the product. Make sure to use proper thermometers and know your temperatures. • It’s very important you weigh properly to use the right dosage. Not using the correct dosage will affect the food, consumer and experience.
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culture growing carte la à COURAGE IN P RO F ILE 34
Lessons from a Hawaiian Garden Pa r t 1 By Ed Rosenthal Hawaii is fabled for its fine cannabis. I attended the Hawaii Cannabis Expo in February 2017 in Oahu. I expected to sample some fine entries, and I was not disappointed. The intense sun at latitude 21° (for reference, Key West, Florida is latitude 24°) and the mild island weather create great cultivation environments. I wasn’t a judge when I attended last year, but I did try many of the varieties of cannabis. The samples included several fine sativa and indica-sativa hybrids, which do especially well under the intense sun and are genetically inclined to resist flowering under short days. However, there was better to be had. I was innocently hanging outside the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu where the conference was held, and I was invited to join a small circle of newfound friends. A fellow named Dustin pulled out an extra-wide pre-roll. I understood immediately that he was a successful grower who was confident of his product’s quality. The mildness of the draw, combined with the fine terpenes and high levels of THC and I suspect, THCV, was a recipe for pleasure-creation and key to mind opening awareness and creativity. It was proof that cannabis liberates the wandering mind opening it to emotion, love and beauty. This was certainly excellent weed. Until Hawaii legalized cultivation of medical cannabis,
outdoor growing was policed heavily by law enforcement. Happily, following legalization, the gardens have moved to backyards and other domesticated spaces. Hawaii has a climate similar to some low latitude areas of the U.S. such as Florida, portions of the gulf coast and southern California. It stays warm enough and gets enough light to support plant growth throughout the year. The problem is dealing with day length. The closer a place is to the equator, the smaller the difference between summer and winter light and dark hours. On June 21, the longest day of the year, there is 13 hours and 25 minutes of light. On Dec. 21, the shortest day, there is 10 hours and 51 minutes of light. Cannabis is a short-day plant that chemically measures the number of hours of uninterrupted darkness to determine when to begin to flower. Most varieties require 11 hours or less of darkness to flower. When a plant is placed outdoors under natural light regimen any time in Hawaii, they begin to flower no matter the season. I saw just two gardens while I was there. The plants were in vegetative growth, filling out a bit before they were allowed to flower. This was accomplished simply by using strategically placed fluorescent lights around the garden that were kept on all night. Once the plants grow to desired size the lights are turned off and the plants initiate flowering. Next month, harvest! c
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.
FEBRUARY 2018 CultureMagazine.com
Jared, a breeder from Pakalo Seed Company, in the trial garden.
Some of the plants were placed in large containers, while others were in the ground and irrigated using drippers off of irrigation hose.
Some of the plants that were not close to the lights began to flower after they grew past taller than the lights’ reflection.
The fluorescent lights were kept on all night to prevent flowering so plants could get to a larger size.
A view of the garden. Jared selects plants for breeding from several gardens. Each patient is allowed 10 plants. Varieties include Molokai G13, 13 Gorillas and Auntie’s Pie, Molokai Killahs and Crackseed.
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growing
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Robert Pearce
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Age: 35
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Condition/Illness: Bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorder Consuming medical cannabis since: 2012
Why did you start consuming cannabis? I started using cannabis in social situations and quickly realized that it helped me with my anxiety in those same social situations. When I’m depressed it lifts me up. When I’m manic it helps slow my brain down. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes I’ve tried all kinds of pharmaceuticals, but nothing works like pot.
What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? Discrimination. I think it will be a long time before a medical marijuana prescription will be looked at the same way as traditional pharmacology. If you don’t think so, go to [a behavioral health agency] and participate in their treatment program with an Oregon Medical Marijuana Program card, and see what they say. What do you say to those who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? They are entitled to their opinions, but don’t knock it till you try it. c
Are you an medical cannabis patient with a compelling story to tell? If so, we want to hear from you. Email your name, contact information and details about your experiences with medical cannabis to courage@ireadculture.com.
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News of the
Weird
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LEAD STORY— AWWWWWWWW When five-year-old TyLon Pittman of Byram, Mississippi, saw the Grinch stealing Christmas on Dec. 16 on TV, he did what any civic-minded citizen would do. He called 911. TyLon told Byram police officer Lauren Develle, who answered the call, that he did not want the Grinch to come steal his Christmas, reported the Clarion Ledger. Develle made TyLon an honorary junior officer and had him come down to the station on Dec. 18 to help her lock away the Grinch, who hung
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his head as TyLon asked him, “Why are you stealing Christmas?” Although the green fiend apologized, TyLon wouldn’t release him from the holding cell. Police chief Luke Thompson told TyLon to come back when he’s 21, “and I’m going to give you a job application, OK?” WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME In Gilgandra, New South Wales, Australia, on Nov. 29, sheep shearer Casey Barnes was tramping down wool, and her father and boyfriend were working nearby, when her long, curly hair became caught in a beltdriven motor. Horrifically, the motor ripped her scalp off from the back of her head to above her eyes and ears. Barnes was flown to Sydney, where doctors performed an emergency
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20-hour surgery to save her scalp, but were ultimately unsuccessful. Barnes will have artificial skin attached to her head instead, reports The Sun. A GoFundMe page has been established to help with her medical bills. AN ENGAGED CITIZENRY Pam Bisanti, a 31-year resident of Mount Dora, Florida, has approached the city council more than once about the speeding traffic along Clayton Street, where she lives. On Nov. 27, Bisanti made good on her threat to take matters into her own hands if the council didn’t by wielding a handmade sign reading “SLOW DOWN” as she stood next to the roadway during rush hour wearing her pajamas and robe. “The mothers up the street who send their kids down to the bus stop should have every
expectation that those kids will be able to cross Clayton without being killed,” Bisanti told the Daily Commercial, saying she plans to continue her protest until the city takes action. “I am frustrated, angry and fed up. There needs to be a solution sooner than later. Remember that vision of me in my pajamas,” she added. UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT Melissa Allen, 32, was arrested on Dec. 19 after attempting to shoplift more than $1,000 in merchandise from a Framingham, Massachusetts, Target store, reported The Boston Globe. On hand to help in the arrest were more than 50 police officers who were at the store to participate in the annual “Shop With a Cop” holiday charity event.
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