Culture Magazine San Diego July 2016 by Culture Magazine

JULY 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

iReadCULTURE.com JULY 2016

inside

contents

07.2016

BEATS AND BASS

Berner is a veteran of the rap and cannabis communities who puts great emphasis on positive music, family and cannabis legalization. ON THE COVER: photo by Duncan Rolfson

features 50

Concentrate Novice Everything first-time users need to know about the art of cannabis concentrates.

Bigger And Better Johnny Richter, formerly of Kottonmouth Kings, tells all about his solo album, cannabis and his evolving career.

online Exclusive!

departments news Living

8 News Nuggets 9 By the Numbers 10 Local News 12 Legal Corner 14 Healthy

reviews

16 Company Highlight 18 Concentrate Reviews 24 Cool Stuff

26 Entertainment Reviews

in every issue

48 Destination Unknown 49 Profile in Courage

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44 Shooting Galleries 46 Growing Culture 50 Recipes

52 News of the Weird

d Legal Cannabis Hurts ISIS d Insurance Companies Struggle

to Give Life Insurance Policies to Cannabis Patients

V o l 8 IssU E 1

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CULTURE M

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

Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 500 locations throughout 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. | Suite 118 Corona | California | 92879 Phone/Fax 888.694.2046 www.iReadCulture.com

CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.

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NEWS

nuggets

Elimination Process Begins for Illegal San Diego Collectives In 2014, San Diego enacted a law that would allow 14 medical cannabis collectives to run legally under the condition that they follow the city’s zoning and licensing regulations. Now, two years later, after San Diego has begun establishing its legal collectives, the city is wasting no more time and is cracking down on unauthorized medical cannabis collectives. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that two illegally run collectives were recently charged $830,000 in civil fines by a superior court judge under the “new, more aggressive” efforts put forth by City Attorney Jan Goldsmith. Until recently, Goldsmith avoided criminalizing collective owners, but has decided to combine criminal and civil efforts to shut down illegal shops and penalize property owners. Goldsmith and other city officials state that they are only trying to be fair to collectives that have been approved through the city’s updated laws and regulated permit application procedures.

Medical Cannabis Education Center Established in Pennsylvania Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has created what it is calling the first medical cannabis research education center. The Center for Medical Cannabis Education & Research will be part of the Institute of Emerging Health Professions and will educate physicians and patients on medical cannabis therapies, as reported by the news magazine Philadelphia. Leading the center will be Doctor Charles V. Pollack Jr., who believes that the current dialogue surrounding medical cannabis is highly based off of “hype and advocacy.” Pollack Jr. believes that there is not yet enough scientific research to truly educate anyone properly on the plant’s medicinal properties. This announcement came one month after Pennsylvania became the 24th state to legalize medical cannabis. Funding for the center will come from groups interested in the advancement of medical cannabis.

San Diego Passes New Law to Ban Synthetic Cannabis In late May, the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to pass a law that would ban dangerous synthetic cannabis known as “spice.” In the past, it was hard for San Diego to ban synthetic cannabis or prosecute dealers because the chemical compounds were constantly being changed by producers of the substance. To avoid this game from going on any further, the city teamed up with chemists and doctors to broaden the list of chemicals in its new anti-spice law, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. City officials feel that this law is the first of its kind in California and hope that it can serve as a model for other cities. The law was created in response to the overwhelming amount of spice-related incidents occurring in the city’s homeless population which resulted in the city spending $3.2 million on emergency response calls since March 2015.

Pakistan Spreads Awareness for Cannabis Legalization With the constant political unrest in Pakistan right now, local medical cannabis activists decided to host one of the country’s first ever cannabis meetups last month, at Bin Qasim Park in Karachi. “The idea is to build a community, a society who believes in peace as much as we (the artists) do. This community serves as a bridge between artists, musicians and cannabis/hemp enthusiasts and gives them all a common ground to connect,” stated Agha Nomaan, a cannabis activist and filmmaker who helped coordinate the event. The meetup allowed for peaceful cannabis activists to join together as part of a campaign intended to persuade other Pakistani citizens and government officials to consider cannabis legalization. With online hashtag #420khi for social media to promote the event, the meetup reached an estimated 30,000 people.

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NEWS

The percentage of likely voting Californians who approve of the legalization of recreational cannabis: (Source: Public Policy Institute of California)

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the city of San Diego has collected from fining illegal collectives: (Source: Los Angeles Times)

The estimated number of cannabis-related licenses that will be available for application, for medical cannabis businesses in California, by January 1, (Source: The Santa Clarita Valley Signal) 2018:

The number of collectives, out of 14 that are allowed to operate legally in San Diego, that have opened as of June: (Source: Los Angeles Times)

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the state of Illinois has made in medical cannabis revenue since November 9, 2015:

(Source: The Washington Times)

The number of votes from the Ohio House, out of 97, that were in favor of legalizing medical cannabis in the state: (Source: Cincinnati Enquirer)

“Brush and Ink”

The percentage of patients in Israel who reported significant improvements of their ailments after using medical cannabis: (Source: The Jerusalem Post)

The amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that two collectives have been fined for operating illegally in San Diego: (Source: San Diego Union-Tribune)

830

The number of signatures that supporters of Initiative 182 in Montana, which would create a medical cannabis program, have collected to get the initiative on the November ballot:

30,000

(Source: KTVQ.com)

WHAT: “Brush and Ink” WHEN/WHERE: Through Sept. 4. The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado Rd., San Diego. INFO: Visit sdmart.org for more details.

The San Diego Museum of Art has an expansive collection of Chinese paintings and has decided to highlight over 40 pieces from it. Curated by the artist Pan Gongkai, “Brush and Ink” highlights traditional brush and ink painting from the 15th century to present. The exhibit features hand scrolls, fans and hanging scrolls painted by the legendary hands of artists like Wen

Zhengming and Shen Zhou, who were famous Suzhou artists of the Ming Dynasty. The exhibit also features Qing Dynasty artist and modern artists Qi Baishi and Zhang Daqian. The intent of this exhibit is to highlight the importance of Chinese ink painting and its continuity in art. Gongkai’s work created in 2015 for The San Diego Museum of Art will also be featured in the exhibit.

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NEWS

LOCAL

Expanding Cannabis Culture

Southern California is at the cutting edge of cannabis and alcohol collaborations

by Jamie Solis outhern California as a whole is helping to further push the cultural world by aiding the alcohol and cannabis partnership with cannabis-infused cocktails and brews. One example of this alcohol and cannabis partnership is an upscale vegan Mexican food restaurant in Los Angeles, which is now serving CBD-infused cannabis cocktails with cannabis sourced from San Diego. Serving up a menu that is only plant-based and 100 percent organic, Gracias Madre in West Hollywood is a classy restaurant known as a favorite spot for celebrities due to its impeccable flavors and a wildly unique beverage program. According to Daily Mail, Gracias Madre’s resident bartender Jason Eisner has created three cocktails that contain CBD from 100 percent organic cannabis grown in San Diego. The Stoney Negroni is a gin drink that has a dash a CBD, and its garnish is a twist of lemon with the words “puff puff pass” stamped on it. The Rolled Fashioned is a version of an Old Fashioned cocktail with Bourbon, Mezcal Anejo and more. Of course this drink features a dash of CBD and has a vegan churro as garnish. Lastly, the Sour T-iesel features tequila blanco, agave nectar, sage leaves, lime juice, mint and more, with a dash of CBD and Matcha green tea powder dusted into a cannabis leaf shape. These infused drinks are legal and not considered for medical or recreational use, because they utilize CBD extracted from the cannabis plant’s stalk. Customers of course must be 21 and over to order the specialty drinks. Cocktail drinkers are not the only ones who will enjoy cannabis-infused libations, as

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“These cannabis-infused drinks are legal and not considered for medical or recreational use, because they utilize CBD extracted from the cannabis plant’s stalk.” a San Diego brewery has collaborated with a reputable extract company to create terpene beer. Referred to as the first collaboration of its kind by www.brewbound.com, Thorn Street Brewery and Jetty Extracts have come together to create OG HighPA Session IPA. This 4.20 percent ABV beer contains a mixture of beer hops and cannabis terpenes, which gives the beer distinct cannabis qualities without containing any cannabinoids. Brewmaster and co-owner of Thorn Street Brewery, Eric O’Connor, shared his passion for this beer’s flavor with Brewbound, “We love experimenting with new flavors and aromas and being on the cutting edge of craft beer. Beer is all about how it tastes, though, and the flavors from the extract really blend well with the hops. It’s a subtle flavor and the smell is unmistakable without being overpowering.” If you’re interested in getting a taste for yourself, the beer is available in Spring and Summer at the Thorn Street Brewery tasting room or throughout drinking and dining establishments in San Diego County. Overall, Gracias Madre and Thorn Street Brewery are two Southern California establishments, which serve as key examples of the growing partnership between alcohol and cannabis and the mainstream acceptance of the cannabis plant in all its glory. c

420 College Medical Marijuana Education Seminar Now that the medical cannabis industry has grown into one of the most sought after markets in California, it’s time to bring new entrepreneurs up to speed. Although it seems like it would be nice to start a cannabis business and turn a profit, it takes a lot of time, financial stability and effort to get any cannabis business off the ground. One of the many hurdles that comes with building a cannabis empire is being able to keep up with ever-changing regulations. It may sound stress-inducing, because succeeding in this industry is no piece of cake, but the 420 College is here to help you with its Medical Marijuana Education Seminar. Not only will this seminar help educate individuals on California’s cannabis laws, it will give insight on how to make connections in the business, effective marketing techniques and many more essential tips and business practices. WHAT: 420 College Medical Marijuana Education Seminar. WHEN/WHERE: Sat, July 9-Sun, July 10. Location to be released prior to event date, San Diego. INFO: Visit www.eventbrite. com for additional information.

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NEWS

legal corner

GETTING READY FOR LEGALIZATION

MMRSA and assembly bills are preparing for cannabis

of MMRSA. A press release from Assemblyman Rob Bonta’s office states: “For the first time in nearly two decades, California is regulating medical cannabis to protect patients, businesses, our communities, and the environment. But passing MMRSA was just the beginning,” explained Bonta. “AB-1575 builds on our historic success by resolving outstanding issues to improve the implementation and ease the transition to a regulated market.” AB-1575 clarifies, amends and builds upon MMRSA in the following ways: •

• •

by Kimberly R. Simms, Attorney Nearly nine months since the passage of the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA) questions and concerns about MMRSA’s impact and implementation are still plentiful. Lori Ajax, the first Chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, and her team have been traveling the state and engaging in stakeholder’s meetings which are aimed at eliciting public feedback. They are taking diligent notes that reflect our questions and concerns about MMRSA. However, the most common answer from Ajax and her team was to refer us back to our legislators to request that our concerns and questions be addressed through cleanup legislation. Thus far, the legislature has been incredibly responsive and reactive to problems and unintended consequences of MMRSA. First, AB-21 was introduced by Representative Wood to eliminate the erroneous March 1 deadline, which helped to slow down the rolling bans on commercial cannabis activity. Since then, additional cannabis-related bills have been introduced to continue to regulate the medical cannabis industry. In early June, the California State Assembly approved both AB2516 and AB-1575. AB-2516 creates a new type of license for medical cannabis “micro farmers,” and AB-1575 addresses a host or regulatory issues impacting the cannabis industry.

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AB-2516, introduced by Assemblyman Jim Wood, is a proposed modification to the state’s medical cannabis licensing program targeted towards small farms. Under the current regulatory framework, cultivation licensing licenses grows that are at least 5,000 square feet in size, which is nearly one-eighth of an acre. Assemblyman Wood said his bill is intended to support the smaller “cottage” growers, particularly those located on the North Coast. Wood’s bill creates a new license type, 1C, which is a specialty cottage license for mixed-light growers with 2,500 square feet or less of total plant canopy, outdoor growers with 25 plants max, and indoor growers that have 500 square feet or less of canopy. The bill also directs the California Department of Food and Agriculture to create specific rules as to small farming practices. Wood fully recognized that “it was not fair to require small cannabis farmers to adhere to the same standards as larger operations.” Wood also stated that, “Creating a new license for small cannabis farmers will help to maximize the number of growers that come into compliance with the MMRSA regulations and sustain many of the farmers who have been in business for years.” The same bipartisan group of lawmakers who wrote the MMRSA authored AB-1575, which serves to strengthen the implementation

•

• •

•

Renames the act as the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act and renames the licensing authority the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation. Creates a banking advisory group. Provides that a financial institution that provides services to licensees under MMRSA are exempt from any criminal law of the state, given that the financial institution has verified the licensee has a valid license in good standing. Prohibits local municipalities from adopting an ordinance for packaging safety standards that exceeds statewide standards that will be set by the State Department of Public Health. Exempts a cultivator from the requirement of sending medical cannabis to a distributor for quality assurance and inspection if the medical cannabis is to be used, sold, or otherwise provided to a manufacturer for further manufacturing. Requires the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation to specify the manner in which medical cannabis and medical cannabis products meant for wholesale purposes are required to be packaged and sealed prior to transport, testing, quality assurance, quality control testing or distribution. Authorizes research on medical cannabis and new product development. Clarifies that under MMRSA for-profit collectives and cooperatives are permissible only if they have a valid Board of Equalization seller’s permit and a valid local license, permit or other authorization. Regulates advertising by medical cannabis businesses.

AB-2516 and AB-1575 will be heard next in the Senate Rules Committee. While AB-2516 and AB-1575 reflect important and positive steps forward there is still a great deal of work to be done. c

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NEWS

healthy living

Hemp Seeds and Nutrition

“Providing all 20 known amino acids, including the nine essential amino acids which our bodies cannot produce, hemp seeds are ideal to help your body construct the building blocks of life.”

by Lanny Swerdlow, RN LNC

Hemp, the non-psychoactive variety of cannabis sativa, is considered by many nutrition professionals to produce the most nutritious seed in the world. With its almost zero THC level, it most assuredly will help you get healthy and stay healthy. Hemp seeds are the safest, most digestible, balanced and complete source of protein, amino acids and essential fatty acids found in the plant kingdom. Hemp seeds are 1/3 protein, packing more of a punch than so-called energy bars. Providing all 20 known amino acids, including the nine essential amino acids which our bodies cannot produce, hemp seeds are ideal to help your body construct the building blocks of life. Significantly, hemp seed protein is 65 percent globular edestin, which plays a significant role in the body’s ability to resist disease and recover from illness. Globular edestin is essential for the development of disease-fighting antibodies and if you do not have enough of it, you will not produce enough antibodies to prevent the onset of disease and infections. Essential fatty acids, such as Omega 3 and Omega 6, are absolutely necessary for our bodies to produce the energy needed to keep us alive and functioning, but since our bodies cannot produce them, they must be taken in externally. It’s not just good enough that our bodies take in these essential fatty acids, they must be taken in the proper ratio. Hemp seeds not only contain bountiful quantities of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids, but just as importantly it is the only seed where the ideal 3:1 balance of Omega 6 over Omega 3 is found. Hemp seeds also have soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which contribute to good health by maintaining healthy bowel movements, preventing

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constipation, lowering bad cholesterol levels, controlling blood sugar and helping to maintain proper and proportional weight. That’s right—the fiber in hemp seeds can be part of a healthy diet that can help you lose weight and keep it off. The best part of hemp seeds is that they can be utilized in a variety of recipes from simple to gourmet. Like psychoactive cannabis comes in different forms—dried flower, tincture, wax— nutritious hemp seeds comes in different forms as well—whole seed, powder and oil. Hemp seeds are ideal for a bevy of culinary delights. Toast them, sprinkle on a salad, bake into a waffle, mix into a cup of yogurt or blend with almost anything you want for a healthy and tasty meal. Hemp powders are also adaptable and can be used in variety of recipes, but are exceedingly wonderful for healthy easyto-make beverages, sauces and dips.

Hemp seed oil is a bit problematic as it is not suitable for high temperature cooking because its burn point—the temperature at which the fats start to break down—is relatively low. You may not be able to fry with hemp seed oil but with its nutty flavor, hemp seed oil makes for healthy and tasty salad dressings and is ideal for hummus, dips, shakes and anything that is not cooked. Mixing the psycho-active properties of cannabis with the nutritional benefits of hemp seeds provides pleasure plus health. How about hemp seed pancakes smothered in canna-butter or cannabis-infused maple syrup? Got the cannabis munchies? Instead of potato chips, opt to satisfy those hunger pangs with a host of delicious and good-for-you, pre-packaged hemp seed snacks. No reason not to be healthy while you’re kicking back and enjoying life. c

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REVIEWs

company highlight

Spliffin How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? Spliffin is a leading producer of solvent-free concentrates and premium vaporizer hardware. Based out of Los Angeles, the company launched in the summer of 2014 and now serves close to 200 licensed dispensaries throughout California. Spliffin offers a variety of pre-filled vaporizer cartridges, batteries, apparel and accessories. Spliffin PURE, the company’s signature product, consists of premium, solvent-free extract and all natural plant terpenes. PURE is available in six varietals and delivers balanced euphoric effects at 700mg of THC per cartridge. What do you offer consumers/clients that others don’t? Spliffin was one of the first cannabis brands to offer first class products and transparent customer service. We’re proud of our work and back it with a satisfaction guarantee. We also pride ourselves on being open and responsive to user feedback. Our products are made to improve lives—whether that’s relieving stress, managing pain or igniting creative inspiration. For example, the color-coding of our cartridges was directly inspired by user feedback. If you want your company to grow, you must give your consumers a channel to provide feedback and insight. How and why did your company start up?

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Pasadena, CA (844) 775-4334 www.spliffin.com

Spliffin was founded to meet the need for clean, effective THC vape products that look, taste and feel good. When we entered this space back in 2014, there were very few producers that emphasized quality and purity. Everyone seemed to be focused on potency, with little regard for how products were made and what adverse effects they could have on your body. It’s a painstaking process, but with the right resources and expertise, you can give people that unbelievable effect, without compromising safety for effectiveness. With the changing landscape of MMJ and recreational cannabis, what do you see as the biggest challenges to your progress as a company? The biggest challenge is helping people outside of this industry realize that we, and a growing contingent of others, are seriously committed to finding a common ground for cannabis legalization and industry regulation. It takes time and a higher degree of professionalism than most in our industry are accustomed to, but with constructive dialogue and transparent intentions, we are steadily building momentum. What are the goals and vision moving forward, for your company? Where do you see your company in five years? We broke into this industry by raising standards and expectations, and that’s what

we’ll continue to do. From a product standpoint, that means developing exciting new products and improving existing ones. On a macro level, we hope to partner with every like-minded dispensary in California that prioritizes people over profit. In five years, we hope the landscape has evolved to a point where Spliffin’s euphoric effects can be enjoyed responsibly, without fear of recourse or persecution. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the world of cannabis business? The allure of the “green rush” is seductively deceptive. There are incredible opportunities in this industry, but you have to have a legitimate game plan and align with the right partners. It’s not like the old days. Do your homework before

you align with someone, especially those that selfidentify as industry experts. You can’t expect to be an expert on every aspect of the business. What do you hope to accomplish in the MMJ industry? We just entered into a partnership with Polo Capital to help us with our next phase of funding and expansion. With their expertise and resources, we hope to continue growing so that the Spliffin name becomes synonymous with premium cannabis products. Any sneak peeks on new products or news you’d like to share? Keep an eye out for two very cool new product lines from Spliffin. Both are moving into production this summer and will begin hitting shelves before the fall. c

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REVIEWs

concentrate Available at: Left Coast Collective in Pacific Beach.

Mahoney Gardens Gorilla Goo Ice Wax Mahoney Gardens’ whole plant fresh frozen Gorilla Goo Ice Wax from Left Coast Collective is a solvent-less extract made with ice water to isolate the trichomes and glands of the plant. The cross of Wifi OG x Gorilla Glue x Sour Banana Sherbet results in a delightful experience. It is lightly copper colored with a beautiful bright shine. Aromatically it is both sweet and sour and has a minty smell balanced with earthy undertones. The delightfully intense flavor profile includes floral, sweet, sour and fruity—a bounteous buffet of flavors. The hit is a smooth lung-puncher followed by immediate muscle relaxation and cerebral serenity, making it great for both physical and mental ailments.

Available at: Mankind Cooperative in San Diego.

Gorilla Glue Crumble by Flavor The Gorilla Glue Crumble by Flavor is now available at Mankind Cooperative. It has an alluringly bright orange-gold color that is easily handled. Its aroma is earthy, piney, crisp and refreshing. It tastes uniquely earthy and pine flavored with a hint of fuel. The hit is monstrously expansive and yet still very enjoyable. Seasoned patients will love this heavy hitter. The cerebral effects are uplifting, euphoric and creative. Physically, it acts as a muscle relaxant and relieves pain. All around, this is a great example of a top shelf crumble.

Available wherever: Eureka Products are carried.

Eureka Vapor Clear 500mg Indica When someone offered us a ticket to see Steely Dan one random night, we weren’t sure we wanted to abandon our plans to smoke ourselves into a pleasant cannabis coma, but decided to head to the Hollywood Bowl with our Eureka Vapor Clear 500mg Indica vape cartridge stowed away in our pocket. Halfway through “Reelin’ in the Years,” we began to feel a nice effect creeping in as the crowd around us kicked their crocs up and settled into their chardonnays. The rose-colored band around the cartridge is a subtle hint at the perfume-like vape you get from this winner of Hempcon’s 2015 Best CO2 Concentrate category. The company’s site boasts a very thorough breakdown of the compounds that make up their highly sought after products, and after you’ve experienced it for yourself, you can use their search engine to pick one up wherever Eureka products are sold.

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REVIEWs

Available at: Outliers Collective in El Cajon.

Gorilla Glue 13 Clear With its light auburn coloring and earthy, sour aroma, the Gorilla Glue 13 Clear from Outliers Collective is an impressive looking oil concentrate. It has a sugary sweet, yet very clean, pine like taste with great balance. Patients can expect to feel extremely sleepy and relaxed, making this a great option for pain management and relief from insomnia.

Available wherever: POP Naturals products are carried.

Sage N Sour San Diego patients have one of California’s best extract options this summer with POP Naturals’ Sage N Sour oil—ultra-refined, medical-grade extract used for serious daytime conditions. This is pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis extract, derived from organic, outdoor California Sage N Sour—a sativa hybrid of Diesel and SAGE (which includes Haze and Afghani). POP Naturals uses pressurized carbon dioxide to make their products. Our translucent, amber halfgram looked as gorgeous and clean as cannabis oil comes, and the dispenser makes vape pen reloads easy. Sage N Sour oil vaped up hyper-light yet very potent with a minor pine-earth aftertaste. Patients are using high-THC, sativabased extracts for daytime indications, including stress disorders, pain disorders, and G-I tract disorders like Crohn’s Disease.

The Clear Pure Pear The Clear Pure Pear concentrate from Alternative Patient Care is 100 percent solvent-free and tested well above 90 percent THC, making it a powerhouse selection for those in search of serious medicating. It is perfectly golden and clear, has the naturally sweet aroma of a fresh pear and the flavor is also outstanding, like biting into a fresh pear. There is a hint of earthiness, as well. The hit is every bit as mouth-watering as the appearance and aroma, and is very smooth and strong. The cerebral effects kick in instantaneously, causing happy, giggly euphoria. The physical effects are slightly sedative and long lasting.

Available at: Various collectives throughout Southern California.

Available at: Alternative Patient Care in San Diego.

Canna Pain Salve Applying a cannabis based ointment to a painful or arthritic joint is nothing new under the sun. This form of cannabis was used for pain relief for thousands of years, but reefer madness hysteria caused its topical healing properties to become forgotten. Over the years cannabis based ointments have been reintroduced and are growing exponentially in popularity, and for a good reason—they work and they don’t get you high. The Canna Pain Salve from Canna-Topicals is one of the best available—a true quality cannabis topical tested for potency and efficacy that delivers relief from pain associated with arthritis, back ache, fibromyalgia, bruising or any other muscular pain and strain. Canna-Topicals infuses their Canna Pain Salve with 53 natural emulsifying ingredients that spread on smoothly and effortlessly. Softening and moisturizing your skin, Canna Pain Salve rapidly penetrates your skin, providing quick, long lasting relief that feels good as your body feel better.

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REVIEWs

Cold Water Concentrates Solventless Hash Oil Blue Dream A deep glistening amber color, the Blue Dream Solventless Hash Oil from California’s Kindest is a dream to dab. Its aroma is unmistakably Blue Dream, with a new car smell that is clean, crisp and fresh with a slightly sweet note. The flavor is textbook Blue Dream that should appeal to all patients because it is so wellbalanced between sweet and earthy. It hits hard, but it’s a smooth, enjoyable hit that produces a huge cloud and an exhale that smells amazing. Being a sativa-dominant hybrid, the effect is both cerebrally euphoric and physically relaxing.

Available through: California’s Kindest Delivery in San Diego.

FlavRx Black Label Blackberry The slogan “Experience Higher Value” is a tough motto to live up to, but this sleek, earthy flavored indica-dominant cartridge really holds up against that motto. Easy to store and packed with 500mg of pure bliss, the Blackberry strain is perfect for patients in need of the muscle relaxing effects indicas deliver. For anyone that wants a pure, CO2 extract that is delicious and potent, without alerting everyone in the vicinity, these little beauties will give you everything you could want. Head over to FlavRx.com to find the right strain and product for you.

Available wherever: FlavRx products are carried.

Nativ Rosin Afgoo This artisanal organic pressed Afgoo flower has a beautiful bronze color and is very easy to handle, whether in a pen or on a nail. It has an outstanding aroma that is fresh and piney and also sinfully sweet. The flavor is also initially sweet, and then becomes more piney on the exhale. It has a clean solvent-less flavor that hits like a champ. Its effects are instant and intense, providing hours of complete physical and cerebral relief. Patients in search of appetite stimulation and pain relief will find respite in the Nativ Rosin Afgoo from Torrey Holistics. The sturdy and secure packaging is a definite bonus to this already impressive specimen.

Available at: Torrey Holistics in San Diego.

Available at: Point Loma Patients Consumer Cooperative in Point Loma

Loud Pack Extracts Cali-O Available at Point Loma Patients Consumer Cooperative, the solvent-free award-winning Cali-O oil is a stunning golden bronze color that has the clarity of an amber stained glass. Its aroma is incredibly appealing—it honestly smells like freshly squeezed orange juice, and the flavor is also fruity and sweet. The hit is a treat to the taste buds, and the exhale has an aroma similar to the zest of an orange. The effect is instant and potent, providing an energetic, creative effect that is ideal for daytime medicating. Patients who enjoy being physically active will greatly benefit from this concentrate, as it also is perfect for pain management.

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REVIEWs

For More Products Go To iReadCulture.com

3. Pot Pocket Recreational and Medical Cannabis Joint Holder

1. KandyPens Gravity Vaporizer It’s concentrate season, so it’s important to make sure you’re equipped with the best tool to take advantage of your high quality waxes. The KandyPens Gravity Vaporizer sticks out in the sea of run-of-the-mill vape pens, offering a unique coilless ceramic atomizer technology and quartz crystal atomizer that allows for some of the cleanest and purest wax experiences imaginable. Its temperature controlled battery has a leg up against competitors too with four preset temperature settings available at 300°, 350°, 309° and 430°. Although the specs are always important, the look and feel of a pen can also be a factor, and this particular style of sandblasted black finish on such a small pen results in a product that’s both sleek and discreet. Best of all, there’s a lifetime warranty on the battery to ensure that users can get the most out of their pens. PRICE: $129.95 MORE INFORMATION: www.vapornation.com

4. CBD Naturals Nano CBD Water

2. Amore Bath Bombs There is a new way to take a bath. Treat yourself to a luscious experience while medicating your muscles, skin and body as a whole, with loving cannabis. Amore Bath Bombs are breaking into the scene as the most sought after high-end bath bombs in bathers all across the country. Made with high quality THC and CBD extracts, and organic essential oils, Amore Bath Bombs tap into chromotherapy, aromatherapy and cannabinoid therapy to give you the best spa experience possible. Get yours and see for yourself. PRICE: $25 MORE INFORMATION: www.amorebathbombs.com 24

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The Pot Pocket is a sleek and organic joint holder. These stylish wooden pocket-sized cases can carry up to three rolled joints at a time and makes sure that they don’t break or bend in your pocket. It’s the size of a business card holder and is discreet in any pocket or purse. The case is also uniquely designed to extinguish a lit joint simply by placing it into one of the self-closing compartments! The Pot Pocket cuts back on waste, odor, time and mess. PRICE: $20 MORE INFORMATION: www.potpockets.us

Water is one of the most important substances on the planet—no life form can live without it. Luckily, there’s a new water product on the market that both hydrates users with essential vitamins and antioxidants, but also contains ample amounts of CBD. CBD Naturals’ Nano CBD Water mixes crisp and clean, purified water with a dose of CBD, which we all know is non-psychoactive and comes from the hemp plant. It also contains d-Ribose (a carbohydrate that gives energy to hearts and muscles) Methylcobalamin (the active form of Vitamin B12 which boosts metabolism) and Coenzyme Q10 (which acts as an antioxidant and helps both metabolism and energy creation). Nano CBD Water is unlike any other water out there, and it’s the perfect way to hydrate and get ready for your daily summer activities! PRICE: $3.99-$5.99 MORE INFORMATION: cbdnaturals.com

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REVIEWs

entertainment

BOOK

The Stoner’s Coloring Book: Coloring for HighMinded Adults Jared Hoffman TarcherPerigee / Penguin Random House Coloring can be a very therapeutic and meditative activity for any adult that needs a mental break or release. Researchers have acknowledged the therapeutic qualities of art for years, and today, art therapy is used to help people express themselves when what they’re feeling is too difficult to put into words, such as when they’re faced with a cancer diagnosis. Art therapy is also helpful among people dealing with a variety of other conditions, such as depression, dementia, anxiety and PTSD. This coloring book adds the particular theme of cannabis to an already fun and helpful activity. It's a must have coloring book for any adult. (Alex Bradley)

JULY 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

Release Date: JUly 15 Available on: Nintendo 3DS

MUSIC MOVIE

GAME

Monster Hunter Generations Dev. And Pub. Capcom The action-packed Monster Hunter (MH) games have seen great success for over a decade, and a new addition to the series, Monster Hunter Generations, is bringing some great updates to the table. Players will choose one of 14 weapons and set out into the world to hunt down a variety of monsters, from small raptors to massive dragons, to make better armor and equipment. Unlike previous MH titles, this game allows players to play as Felynes, and also adds new combat styles and special attacks—perfect for those who thrive on challenge and improving their skill. (Nicole Potter)

Anomalisa Paramount Pictures Dir. Charlie Kaufman, Duke Johnson

For those already familiar with Charlie Kaufman’s work both as a writer and director (Being John Malkovic), pushing the limits of modern fiction and storytelling, it shouldn’t be surprising just how different his most recent film, Anomalisa, is. This stop-motion animated film tells the story of a troubled and disconnected man, Michael Stone, who meets a young woman who seems to reinvigorate and restore his purpose. However, like many Kaufman films, nothing is truly as it seems, and audiences will be blown away by both the beauty and impressiveness of the animation, as well as the unique, novel qualities of the script and the performances. (Simon Weedn)

case/lang/veirs Neko Case, K.D. Lang, Laura Veirs ANTI-Records/Epitaph Taking influence from the careers of singers Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, who banded together for their Trio record in 1987, modern singers Neko Case, K.D. Lang and Laura Veirs have their first outing together with case/lang/veirs. While Parton, Harris and Ronstadt’s record was a coming together of three of the most wellknown country singers, case/lang/veirs brings together a much more musically diverse grouping. The songs and arrangements are ethereal, the harmonies wonderfully lush and each singer stretches and pushes their own limits to meet the others. (Simon Weedn)

iReadCULTURE.com JULY 2016

by Addison Herron-Wheeler It’s no secret that cannabis, hip-hop and an entrepreneurial spirit have gone hand-in-hand for a long time. Hip-hop music about hustling cannabis is as old as the genre itself. Obviously, because of the negative stigma that has unfortunately surrounded herb since the inception of rap music, these songs have largely been criminal anthems. But the year is 2016, where cannabis is largely becoming legal and decriminalized across the U.S., and Berner, aka Gilbert “Berner” Milam Jr., hustles hard. He has his hands in the cannabis business in multiple ways and profits like crazy from the sweet green plant. And, it’s all legal—from his raps about cannabis on Wiz Khalifa’s label and at live shows, to his cannabis accessories store and water company, to his part in popularizing the Cookies family, it has all been one hundred percent above board. He even got his start selling cannabis to fund his career—not out on

JULY 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

the streets, but in the legal club that he ran before striking it big in the rap game. Having success that is founded in hard work, perseverance and maintaining a good name in the worlds of rap and cannabis have made Berner driven, inspired and loyal. He’s a family man and a father, and is just as likely to pen a song about raising his daughter as he is to write one about smoking a blunt. Berner became successful as a rapper later in life, and he wasted no time putting out dozens of albums and mix-tapes, touring and getting as involved in business as possible. When we caught up with him, he was on the road, taking a moment between gigs to smoke some good herb, write some verses and talk to CULTURE. The pearls of wisdom he dropped about Girl Scout Cookies, his latest album and the realities of the rap world ring as true as the verses he pens on a daily basis. >>

photo by Duncan Rolfson | live photos shot by Farid

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about the things that can bring you down, real life type stuff, not just the good stuff and how well I’m doing. When did you get signed to Wiz Khalifa’s label, Taylor Gang, and how did that happen? Have you had a good experience with them so far? I got signed by them about three years ago maybe, and it happened really naturally. Wiz was my friend, and we were just smoking and chilling together, and I felt like he had a platform that could help take me to the next level. I think it was a good thing for me for sure, and it’s been working out great.

How did you get your start as a rapper, and when did you experience your initial success? I started rapping in 2003 or 2005, just kind of playing around, but I didn’t really get my first taste of success until 2007 when I put out my first album. That’s when I’d say I first had real success as a rapper. What do you feel is one of your biggest accomplishments since entering the rap scene? Being able to work with all the artists I grew up with and wanted to work with, for sure, is one of my biggest accomplishments. I was able to work with people I genuinely like listening to and really vibe with, and that’s kind of the reason I got into music, was to work with people I like, and with people who put together beats that I really like, people I want to be associated with. How would you describe your sound? What kind of beats do you like to use, and what subjects do you usually rap about? I like melodic sounds, like a real melodic type of beat, something real hypnotizing. That’s what I’m mostly using these days. My sound is chill; it’s real wavy. I talk about shit I’ve been through in my life, my daughter and things that helped me get to where I am today. I speak from the heart. A lot of people say that most rappers talk about their success in the drug business, the glorifying of all that type of stuff, and of crime, and all the good things they have in their lives, but I talk 32

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You also released 20 Lights as a solo record, which features Wiz Khalifa. How active has the collaboration between the two of you been, and how did that come about? It’s a natural thing; we make music when we’re together. People like our chemistry; we vibe out, we make music. We have a good time together. Rap is a genre where the artists tend to put out a lot of records, and you already have an impressive amount under your belt considering you didn’t put out your first record until 2007. What recording are you the happiest with? Which would you choose if you had to pick one to define your career? I would probably say Urban Farmer or Drugstore Cowboy; they are both mix-tapes I worked on that we gave away for free, but they are the first things I put out after hooking up with Wiz. They all have their own vibes and their own sounds though, so it’s hard to choose. I like ‘em all. >>

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How do you feel about the success of your latest album, Hempire? What are you the happiest about with the record, and what were some of the biggest themes of the album? I’m just happy that we built something strong and it’s sticking—we did 11,000 the first week, and that’s bigger than what I’ve done before so I’m happy. I’m just really happy the people enjoy the music–not much has really changed, but the overall feedback is that people really like the album. If you can keep releasing music and people like it that’s really a plus—I didn’t really get anyone saying it’s the same old shit—everyone is really positive. A lot of big artists complimented my album. People are giving me mad props for this album.

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Have you been touring or playing shows lately? I am on tour right now, and I’ve been playing shows lately all across the world. We stay moving. There is a lot to look forward to in the future; I plan to be on the road a lot. What is your creative process like as far as writing and rapping? I write it down when I rap usually, but when I am in a different city around people I don’t really know, it motivates me to be dope and adapt to the city. The city I’m in and where I’m at definitely play a big part in what I write and how I create. You just opened a clothing and lifestyle store in the Bay Area, called Cookies. How did this come about?

The clothing store came from an online store we had for a few years. We sell men’s and women’s street wear and a whole line of creative smoke accessories, our own jars; and we carry a lot of other dope stuff as well. Mostly smoking accessories and clothing. Obviously the big rumor and story surrounding your career is that you helped invent the strain Girls Scout Cookies. How true is this rumor, and how involved were you in coming up with the name? My boy Jive created Girl Scout Cookies and I was there all along being an ambassador, trying to get the name out there. It’s a group effort. The Cookie fam definitely played a big role in that, but I was there from day one.

Is Girl Scout Cookies your favorite strain? Right now, my favorite strain is Gelato—it’s a Skunk and Cookie cross. How else have you been involved with the cannabis industry over the years? Every way possible. I ran a cannabis club when I was 18 years old; I’ve been an activist for it; I own a bunch of companies in that field; I have a partnership with RAW Papers; I’m in it every way I could picture it. I’ve got my hands in it all over the place (laughs). I also have my marijuana consulting business, which is going great. My Hemp2O water company is also doing really well, and the beverages are everywhere—711, CVS, Shell gas stations, etc. >>

How do you feel about changes to the cannabis industry since legalization began? It’s interesting—it’s very obvious that the feds and the government don’t know how to treat this yet, so they are just letting people open up with different rules in different states, but they are trying to figure out the best way to monetize it, and they don’t necessarily know how. People are watching to try and learn how this works. I think the whole venture capitalist shit is starting to get

annoying; at first it was exciting, but a lot of venture capitalists are coming around and picking people’s brains, getting a lot of knowledge and a lot of information for free and not following through with shit. A lot of real estate gurus and big banking guys—you can’t start a business with money that’s not in the bank and you can’t really put cannabis money in the bank, so you get a lot of these bigwigs who try and come in and help and they can take shit away real quick if they take your money; it’s kind of scary. We just

keep getting closer to legalization, though, which is what I hope is the main goal. How do you work cannabis into your creative process? Do you smoke while writing and rapping or only when relaxing and recreating? I smoke when I write, when I relax, when I eat and when I don’t eat. Right now, my homie just got in the room, and we smoked some Skittles. It’ll make our flavor different, and when I get tired I'll smoke some Snowman. >>

www.bernermusic.com

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In the past, cannabis and rappers have always been negatively associated with criminal connotations, but that is changing a lot more now. Do you think you are helping with that, running your store, rapping about Cookies and being so visible? The number one thing people tell me when they meet and see me is, you motivate me to do something great;

you’re a good father; you’ve got your business right. I realize that everybody needs money to get their thing going, but we try not to support getting money in a way that’s not legit. I do rap and I do rap about weed, but I show publically that there are all kinds of things that got me good, so I definitely try to send a positive message. What do you have going on right now, in terms of music, selling clothing or other endeavors? I can’t even wrap it up in one sentence. There’s so much going on; I’ve got my hands in 20 different herbrelated projects. I’m just trying to work. I’m letting the Mexican in me come out right now (laughs). I’m just gonna stay working. What do you hope the future holds for your music and career? I’m trying to retire, but I want to be able to leave a legacy. When I pass away, I want people to care; I want people to know about it; I want people to reminisce on my music and what I did in this world. It’s just trying to find a way to make it last forever–Tupac is gonna be forever, Biggie’s gonna be forever, so the goal is to get to where I can be remembered forever somehow, whether it be through cannabis, the music or whatever. c

JULY 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

iReadCULTURE.com JULY 2016

A How-To Guide What You Need Dab Rig

Varying in size, this piece resembles a glass water pipe, however the glass bowl is replaced by a nail and glass dome.

Nail and Dome

A nail or skillet made from titanium, glass, quartz or ceramic. This hot plate is usually surrounded by an open-ended glass dome to help hold in the vaporized extract.

Heat Source

You need to secure a way to heat your nail. Electric nails are great, because the nail is its own heat source. Electric nails also appear much safer than the other popular alternative, which is a blowtorch. However, many still choose to safely use a blowtorch with caution and proper ventilation. An experienced friend is also a plus.

Wand

A ceramic, metal or glass tool used to manipulate cannabis concentrate and drop it onto nail/ skillet.

A Vaporizer Pen

for First-Timers by Jamie Solis 38

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Vaporizer pens are a simple alternative to a dab rig, giving you a convenient and discreet way to vaporize your cannabis extracts while on the go. >>

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Choosing the Right Concentrate Options are always a good thing, and when it comes to cannabis concentrates, the options are seemingly endless. From budder and hash to shatter and wax, these different forms of cannabis concentrates are all great for dabbing, while the best cannabis extract for vaporizer pens varies from pen to pen. Choose whatever cannabis extract is going to meet your needs, and be sure the concentrate will be easy to manipulate using a wand. For this reason, something sticky and pliable like budder, shatter or wax is going to work better than an oil when it comes to dabbing. On the other hand, you may have a pen that works best with oil. When buying a concentrate, you definitely want to keep in mind that a little bit of product goes a long way. A gram of cannabis flower is much less potent than a gram of concentrated cannabis. Always start small and build slowly from there.

JULY 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

Seasoning Your Nail If you have never used your nail before, you have a little preparation ahead of you before you can jump right in. You must “season” your nail, which means you need to burn any harmful fumes from the nail, such as machine oils or polishes. In this process, you want to carefully heat your nail while it is on the rig until the nail is near red hot. Do not overheat your nail. Next, you want to coat the usable part of the nail with some concentrate, and reheat the nail. Once the extract has burned away, use tongs to move the nail into a bowl of water. Let the nail cool, and repeat the process a few times.

How it Works Dab Rig Add an appropriate amount of water to your rig, just enough to filter the vapor. Take your metal or glass wand, and scoop up a small amount of cannabis concentrate onto the end. Put the nail onto the rig, and heat it either electronically or by safely using a blowtorch until it’s just shy of red hot. Then cover the nail with the glass dome. Carefully drop the concentrate onto the heated nail through the opening in the dome. When the cannabis compound hits the heated nail, it turns into a vapor. You will want to gently inhale the vapor through the water chamber of the rig and into your lungs. Prepare to feel instant effects.

Vaporizer Pen Depending upon the type of concentrate compatible with your vape pen, add a small amount of cannabis concentrate into the designated area on your pen. Most pens operate at a simple press of a button. If you’re looking for even more convenience, some collectives sell pre-filled vaporizer pens. c

iReadCULTURE.com JULY 2016

You will always be known for Kottonmouth Kings, but there’s no need to dwell on the past, so what do you want your fans to know about Johnny Richter, the solo artist? Don’t judge a book by its cover. You gotta look inside. There’s more to it now. This record isn’t just about weed. There’s songs that you’ll enjoy if you’re not a burner. If you do burn, you’ll catch some little things. Kottonmouth got stereotyped as a weed band early on and has kept trying to rewrite a weed song for 20 years. I don’t want to do that.

Life After The Krown

Johnny Richter opens up about going solo, growing cannabis and finding peace

by Pamela Jayne It has been three years since he left Kottonmouth Kings, and although Johnny Richter may have retired his “krown,” he has kept busy writing and recording in his signature stony style. In 2013, he released FreeKing Out, to address the rumors surrounding his departure from the Kings. Now, he is stepping into the spotlight solo with School’s Out (Still Laughing) on Suburban Noize Records and is ready to show his fans who the real Richter is. No gimmicks, no hype. Just him, his lyrics, beats and a mic. How is your new album different from your previous work? The new record is called School’s Out (Still Laughing) because it seems like a lot of my career was a bunch of high school childish stuff. That’s why I called it School’s Out, because it’s time to grow up and get on my own two feet. The subtitle, Still Laughing, is because I’m still the same dude who did the Laughing record. I still have that mentality I’ve always had. What are your thoughts on the legalization movement? Do you know anyone who 42

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has benefited from medical cannabis? Yeah. My brother is a Prop 215 patient. He’s the only person that his doctor has written a script for. I have friends who used it to get off of prescription drugs. It’s a way better alternative. I’ve never really tripped out on weed. I’ve never thought of it as anything that should be illegal. It’s just a natural part of life, just like it should be. Do you have a favorite strain? Up here in Riverside, it’s always been about the Kush strains. From Master Kush,

to Bubba, to OG, to the Fire. I don’t get caught up in the names. Everybody is so caught up on the names. It’s gotten kind of commercial like that. When it comes to smoking, I’m definitely more old school—bong hits and joints. Back in the day I used to do six foot, 10-foot bong hits off the top of VW vans and shit like that. Nowadays I just use a little 12-inch tube to do snappers. You’ve been on both the music scene and the cannabis scene for a long time. Do you have a favorite memory from the last 20 years? My 20s. Is that a memory? Haha! Life went so fast for 15 years. From 18 to my early to mid-30s, it went by like a blink of an eye. I mean, my whole life has been a favorite memory. I feel blessed to have so many cool memories, like going to Amsterdam for the first time in ’99.

On the song “Kill It,” you say, “I like to grow, but I love to rap.” Do you find a similarity between the two? Growing is definitely an art form, just like rapping and song writing. I’ve helped friends out in different situations. I’ve seen every level of it. It’s still an amazing thing to see. Who are your favorite artists? I’m a fan of all music. I like songs that actually say something, it has to be more than just a beat. There can be a song that says nothing, but the beat is cool so everybody listens to it. Then there can be a song that says so much, but the beat’s not cool, so people don’t even care. Music is different for everyone, I guess. I’m into the lyrics. What are your plans for the summer? We’re doing a Southwest regional tour starting in August. The record comes out July 29, and on August 3 I’ll be hitting the road. Any last words for your fans? Get ready, because we’re just getting started. I was gone for a minute, but I’m back. I hope everyone enjoys the new record. There’s a lot more where that came from. c

www.facebook.com/therealrichter

iReadCULTURE.com JULY 2016

SHOOTING GALLERY

Nuglife presents Seedless Sesh

@seedless compound in ocean beach

photos by Rebecca Odom 44

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SHOOTING GALLERY

European Medical Cannabis Bike Tour

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culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN DESTINATION COURAGE IN PROFILE 46

Testing the Varieties: Part 6

TIP OF THE MONTH FROM ASK ED®

by Ed Rosenthal

Last month, the winter garden was still hanging, taking a long time between drying and curing. Now they are all properly dried and are hanging out in glass jars. The buds were tested using infrared light to determine percentages of cannabinoids. We tested for heated THC and heated CBD for a number of different strains. The THC levels were not high. The main reason is that the plants were receiving only a moderate amount of light during flowering. The total hours of light averaged only about 10.5 hours daily. The winter and early spring sunlight received was weak and mostly indirect. This was supplemented with six hours of HPS light, still too little to produce maximum bud development and to reach THC potential. THC levels differed greatly between strains, showing the relative THC/CBD potentials of the varieties. Except for specialty varieties, all had very little CBD. Varieties differ in effects because they have different ratios of terpenes (odor molecules that affect mood and have medical qualities). About eight weeks ago, I picked up five plants, transplanted them and then let them grow in the greenhouse. They were under lights for an extended period JULY 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

each day, long enough to prevent them from flowering. About four weeks ago, the supplemental lighting was turned off and the plants started to flower. A couple weeks later, the plants were showing the slightest sign of temptation to turn vegetative, some leaf growth and a slight stretching of bud. I had to take action immediately to prevent the plants from returning to a vegetative state. The solution was to increase their dark time to 12 hours or more each day. I decided to use a 5’ x 9’ “utility frame” built for a previous project and covered it using a high grade reinforced opaque polyethylene film. “Panda plastic” is colored white on one side and black on the other. The frame was wrapped white side out, reflecting sunlight to keep the interior cool. The black interior absorbs any stray light that enters. No light entered when the

The dark chamber is used to prolong the dark period, promoting flowering.

flaps were closed. Each of the five plants were in five gallon soft containers, sitting in 4’ x 8’ trays and placed on top of a moving caster, for easy mobility. Each evening towards the end of dusk, the plants are pushed into the dark chamber. Yesterday, that occurred at 9 pm . In the morning, bright and early at 11am , the flaps are opened and the plants are wheeled into sunlight. They receive about 11 hours of light and 13 hours of darkness daily. The long dark time promotes flower ripening. The first of the five plants, a Rom-Grapefruit, is almost ripe. In the last two weeks, it transformed from a softy to a hard ripe bud bulging with trichomes. The other four plants will ripen within the next week or two. The dark chamber is a convenient addition to my tool chest of growing supplies and I intend to use it again for my next crop. c

The flaps are up and the plants are about to emerge.

The tray is resting on a moving caster, making it easy to push around the yard during the day allowing the plants catch the best rays as well as avoid shade.

When you are growing plants in containers with wheels, it’s easy to move them around. Even large plants can be moved without too much effort. This can become an important factor as the position of the sun changes over the season. Parts of the garden that were in sun early in the day or earlier in the season often become shaded later on. Moveable plants can always be in a sunny position.

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.

The plants are basking in the sun.

Ripening bud of Rom-grapefruit will be picked next week.

iReadCULTURE.com JULY 2016

RECIPES

growing

culture

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Geneva and Bern, Switzerland Flower in Summer

PROFILE

COURAGE

DESTINATION

UNKNOWN

by Sheryll Alexander

Geneva and Bern are Switzerland’s top cannabis-friendly travel destinations, especially in the summer months when toking for the country’s estimated half million medical cannabis patients and recreational users go outdoors during this central European country’s short warm season. In the ’90s and up until a famous bust in 2005, a loophole in Swiss law allowed hemp farmers to grow high-THC flowers (along with fiber and seeds for industrial and artisan hemp-based products). But sadly, long gone are the days when tourists could just stroll through

Switzerland’s urban centers or tiny medieval towns to find a “hemp shop” or “smoke shop.” In 2013, cannabis possession (under 10 grams) was famously decriminalized. However, a recent announcement from Swiss officials this spring reveals the government is gearing up for a “pilot project” in four cities (Geneva, Bern, Zurich and Basel) to legally sell small amounts of medical cannabis to authorized patients. Geneva (or Genève) is the mostly French speaking, yet multinational urban center (The UN and The Red Cross

are headquartered here) as well as the country’s financial center. Situated at the very southern tip of Lake Geneva, where the mighty Rhone River empties, Geneva becomes almost like a beach zone in summer as city is surrounded by miles of lake-front parks. With sweeping views of The Alps and The Jura Mountains in the distance, locals and tourists alike relax, play and dip in these cold lake waters during summer’s hottest days. Bern may be the capital of Switzerland, but it feels more like a village caught in a medieval time warp. Cannabis culture is very much alive in Bern, and politicians are even considering selling cannabis flowers and THC-laced products at pharmacies. Tourism in Bern is at its peak in the summer months as this vibrant city is a designated UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site. Not only does Bern boast one of the world’s first moving time clocks, but also one of the longest covered shopping promenades in Europe along with hundreds of other historic buildings, fountains, museums, parks and towers. c

HERE

Time to Go: Summer Weather: Light sweater weather with occasional showers. Budget: $$$$$

if you go: Switzerland famously decriminalized cannabis in 2012, which was implemented in October 2013, and allows for anyone 18+ to carry 10 grams or less of cannabis flowers. This important “federal” law unified Switzerland’s previous patchwork of regional policies. Caught with more than 10 grams (or selling any amount), stiff fines and potential prison time is enforced. Growing and selling cannabis is also illegal at the moment although Swiss farmers and cannabis advocates are battling against the pro-pharma system.

Fun-Filled Facts Bern is known in summer for perhaps the most fun and most unusual water recreation in Switzerland. Locals and tourists literally jump into the icy waters of the fastflowing Aare River, which runs right through the town, and float down in a state of summertime bliss. 1

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Perhaps the best jazz music festival on the planet happens every summer (July 1-16) in nearby Montreux. An hour’s drive of Geneva along a breathtakingly scenic route of 45-mile-long Lac Leman, The Montreux Jazz Festival and its stunning shoreline location attracts tens of thousands of jazz lovers and some of the world’s top jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Simply Red, JeanMichel Jarre and Patti Smith. 2

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culture growing

Linda Krystal Lopez

PROFILE

COURAGE

DESTINATION

UNKNOWN

RECIPES

Age: 26 Condition/Illness: Cervical Cancer, Epilepsy, Severe Anxiety

Why did you start using medical cannabis? I started using medical cannabis in early 2013, when I was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer. Later that year, I was diagnosed with late onset epilepsy due to the stress on my body. The epilepsy caused several chronic issues such as insomnia, depression and neuropathy. I was wheelchair- and walkerbound for quite a while. The prescription pills were also causing more harm than good. I decided to go on a strict diet, and made sure to consume as much CBD based products as possible as well as smoke to relieve the pain, stress and regain my appetite. I went into full remission in September 2014; however, I use CBD daily still, to prevent any further cancer. Now, I am able to do all the things I was able to do before my illnesses set in. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? For the cancer, chemo and radiation were offered

to me as well as a full hysterectomy. I immediately declined. I tried some of the basic medications given to epileptic patients, but they were causing neuropathy and pulling my appetite. I lost about 20 pounds in only a matter of months. If it weren’t for this holistic form of healing, I don’t know where I’d be health wise, but I am not sure it would have been pleasant for me. What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? I think the biggest issue would be the accessibility and lack of knowledge. General physicians and specialists seem to not give proper information or for the most part not even advocate this safe and effective way of healing. I’ve personally experienced a doctor telling a family member of mine that medical marijuana and CBD is only for nausea. I think patients should always be given options and different forms of help. What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? I’d say to do some proper research. Talk to advocates, speak to survivors. Research the proven medical benefits. Be open minded. Don’t just dismiss something you know nothing about. Meet patients going holistic and hear the positive responses. If we all become open minded, we can make a change and save or improve some lives. Being a survivor and being able to help is a blessing and I will continue to advocate and share my story! c

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

iReadCULTURE.com JULY 2016

culture growing

Summertime Sous Vide Menu: Medicated Shrimp and Mango Fresh Rolls Infused Olive Oil Lemon Curd

I created Sous Weed while I was at Nomiku, a company that makes the smallest sous vide device for precise temperature cooking. I found that the sous vide method lends itself perfectly to cannabis cooking. It’s easy to set up, safe, precise and discreet. The cannabis is sealed in a jar and placed underwater, so there’s absolutely no smell, and you no longer need to babysit a stovetop. Sous vide is French for “under vacuum,” and is a cooking process where you cook food in a temperature-controlled water bath in airtight containers (usually either plastic bags or glass). This process cooks the item evenly and helps to retain moisture. I make lightly medicated meals to enhance my day, manage my chronic lower back pain and reduce stress. Here are some of my favorite recipes for summer.

Makes 1 1/3 cups

Infused Olive Oil Lemon Curd Ingredients: 6 tablespoons cannabis-infused olive oil 3/4 cup granulated sugar Juice of 3 lemons (I used Pink Lemons) 2 tablespoon lemon zest 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 5 egg yolks

Directions:

Warm infused olive oil in a saucepan on medium heat until you see bubbles. Remove pan from heat and whisk in sugar, lemon juice, zest and salt until all is uniform. Whisk in egg yolks until smooth. Place egg mixture back on low heat, whisking constantly until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Immediately pour lemon curd into a clean jar and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

IN PROFILE 50

Monica Lo is an activist and photographer working to change public perception of cannabis users. Monica is the creator of Sous Weed, co-founder of WeedHorn, the co-creator of Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, and a photo contributor at Stock Pot Images. Monica has many years of experience in food styling and photography. She has trained at The Institute of Culinary Education in NYC and with Andrew Scrivani from the New York Times. Monica just wrapped a photo shoot for a Sous Vide at Home cookbook with Ten Speed Press and Nomiku, slated for a November 2016 launch. Monica has also cooked and shot with Top Chef Mei Lin, Dara the Bow Girl from MasterChef Junior, Opening Ceremony, Chef Jacques La Merde, and has been featured on PopSugar.

recipes by Monica Lo from Sous Weed

COURAGE

DESTINATION

UNKNOWN

RECIPES

Sous Weed (Sous Vide) Cannabis-Infused Olive Oil

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

JULY 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com

Makes 5 rolls

Ingredients for Dipping Sauce:

5 round spring roll rice paper wrappers 1 teaspoon sesame seeds 2 tablespoon medicated olive oil 10 large cooked shrimp, peeled and sliced in half length-wise 1 Persian cucumber, julienned 1 avocado, sliced 1/2 large mango, sliced 1/4 cup mixed greens Handful mint leaves

3 tablespoons peanut butter 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon medicated olive oil 1 garlic clove, mashed 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 teaspoon sriracha

RECIPES

*Note: Mangoes have the same myrcene and terpenes found in cannabis. When you consume cannabis and eat a mango, the psychoactive ingredient THC will interact with the terpenes and enhance the effects.

DESTINATION

UNKNOWN

Place sliced shrimp in a small bowl and toss well with sesame seeds, medicated olive oil and a pinch of salt. Next, soften the rice paper by filling a large bowl with warm water. Dip one rice paper very carefully and let it soften for 20-30 seconds. Lay rice paper flat on a clean cloth and start arranging mint leaves, 3-4 shrimp halves, 1 avocado slice, 2 mango slices, 2 cucumber strips and mixed greens. Fold the sides inwards towards the stuffing and then tightly roll the rice paper. The fresh roll should resemble a little burrito. Repeat with the rest of the ingredients. To prepare the sauce, blend all ingredients together. Serve your medicated fresh rolls immediately!

Makes 16 oz

Sous Weed (Sous Vide) Cannabis-Infused Olive Oil Ingredients:

Directions:

Pour olive oil in two 12 ounce mason jars. It is important to use jars specific to canning, so please, no repurposed mayo jars. Inspect the jar for cracks. A freezer-safe zip bag may be used as well. Decarboxylate your cannabis to activate the THC. After decarboxylation, pour the cannabis into each jar of olive oil. Seal the jars finger tight. Set your sous vide water bath to 85˚C (185˚F). Once the sous vide water bath has reached its temp, gently place the jars in the water bath. Sous vide for 4 hours. Remove from water bath and strain. Discard the clippings and allow the infused olive oil to cool. Store in a cool dark place, and use at will.

iReadCULTURE.com JULY 2016

COURAGE

16 oz extra virgin olive oil 1 oz cannabis clippings/trim or flowers (add more or less depending on desired potency)

PROFILE

Directions

growing

Ingredients for Fresh Rolls:

culture

Medicated Shrimp and Mango Fresh Rolls

Chuck Shepherd's

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