2
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
3
inside
contents 06.2016
26
KEEPING ROCK ALIVE
CULTURE takes a look at the Thin Lizzy Legacy, and chats with the band about new shows, old memories and their feelings on cannabis legalization. ON THE COVER: p h o t o c o u r t e s y o f T o ta l G u i ta r M ag a z i n e
features 36
22
36
Advocate For Access San Diego Activist Terrie Best has received national recognition for her work with Americans for Safe Access.
40
Hooray for Hemp In honor of Hemp History Week, here's a list of some of the amazing things that can be made from the plant.
44
Industry Insider Nate Winokur of the renowned SC Labs is helping to lead the pack with technological innovation and proper testing for cannabis products.
46
Healing Miracles After testing out a variety of medicine on her son Abram, Erin Miller found a miraculous solution with CBD oil.
50
Living Social Social media is at the heart of the cannabis community, and its importance will only increase as cannabis becomes more widely accepted.
52
Knowledge Abounds The Cannabis Business Summit & Expo returns for another year full of industry-related seminars and discussion.
56
58
online Exclusive!
departments news
8 News Nuggets 10 By the Numbers 12 Local News 14 Legal Corner
Edible Reviews 22 Cool Stuff 24 Entertainment Reviews 56 Destination Unknown 57 Profile in Courage
4
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
18
58 Recipes
in every issue
reviews
d Former LAPD Leaders
18 Strain &
54 Growing Culture
60 News of the Weird
Back Cannabis Movement d Colorado School District
Implements Medical Cannabis Use Policy
V ol 7 I s s U E 1 2
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
5
CULTURE M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
Publisher Jeremy Zachary Editor-In-Chief Evan Senn associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Victoria Banegas 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 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 director of digital media Brian Gingrich digital media Editor David Edmundson Ctv Contributors Quinn Marie Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla
Culture速 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速 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速 Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
6
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
/freeculturemag
/iReadCulture
/iReadCulture
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
7
NEWS
nuggets Cannabis Collectives in San Diego Unsure of Future with Extended Moratorium
County Supervisors in San Diego have decided to extend a 45-day moratorium on new medical cannabis collectives in unincorporated areas for 101/2 months. This extension will now last until March 2017, according to Valley Road Runner. Not only did supervisors vote on April 27 to extend the moratorium, they voted to make changes to the county’s land use regulations for cannabis businesses. The initial moratorium was put in place due to concern of the overwhelming amount of applications that the county received for medical cannabis cultivation sites. This moratorium has caused many new medical cannabis collectives to put their business development on hold as their future is uncertain. It is reported that county officials are to meet with approved collectives to determine whether or not they “have a vested right to continue their plans.”
Oklahoma House Approves Bill that will Expand Age Range for CBD Use Oklahoma has not been shy about its opposition towards cannabis, but recently the state has learned to embrace the plant and its therapeutic benefits. In May, the Oklahoma House voted 69-14 to pass a bill that will expand the use of CBD oil, according to KOCO. Previously, CBD oil was only administered to cannabis patients under the age of 18, but the recently approved bill removed that age restriction. Conditions that qualify patients to medicate with CBD oil are those hoping to treat spasticity associated with Multiple Sclerosis and paraplegia, and those looking to alleviate symptoms of chronic wasting disease. This decision came shortly after Governor Mary Fallin signed House Bill 2154, allowing children with severe epilepsy to medicate with CBD oil. The House’s decision currently awaits approval from Governor Fallin.
University of California, San Diego Conducts Study for Cannabis Sobriety Test University of California, San Diego (UCSD) scientists have been granted $1.8 million by the state of California to work on creating a cannabis sobriety test. This funding is backed by Assembly Bill 266 and the Medical Marijuana Regulations and Safety Act (MMRSA). According to The Guardian, a leading scientist in the study and psychiatry professor at UCSD, Thomas Marcotte, stated that he and his team will test 50 to 60 patients and have them smoke “marijuana cigarettes” at different dosages of THC. “We’ll follow them over the course of the day on driving simulations, some iPadbased cognitive measures as well as collecting fluids, including blood, saliva and breath, to see if we can correlate those levels, objective cognitive performance, and relate those to how they do on those driving simulations,” Marcotte stated. Times are definitely changing and cannabis is finally being regulated similarly to alcohol; this study being the first of many steps toward that goal.
Eight Annual Cannabis Liberation Day Celebrated in the Netherlands Since the Cannabis Cup left the Netherlands, there is only one event in the country that celebrates cannabis: Cannabis Liberation Day. Now in its eighth year, the festival, which is organized by the Union for the abolition of cannabis prohibition (VOC), includes a variety of guest speakers and musicians from the Netherlands and abroad, all coming together for the advancement of cannabis reform. While there are still serious issues revolving around cannabis reform all across the globe, organizers of Cannabis Liberation Day created this event with the intent of creating a positive culture surrounding cannabis. Guests can enjoy the event’s Hemp Market and Cannabis Film Festival while checking out vendors and attending lectures. With the recent and unexpected passing of VOC founding member Josep Oomen, a tribute will be held in his honor.
8
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
9
NEWS
The number of jobs that California expects to contribute to the state through new cannabis-related jobs: (Source: Orange County Register)
126
The number of signatures collected in support of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), to make sure the initiative gets onto the California November ballot:
600,000
(Source: Los Angeles Times)
The minimum number of signatures that were required in order to get the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) onto the California November Ballot: (Source: Los Angeles Times)
365,880
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that was given to UCSD scientists in order to develop a sobriety test that can check if drivers are under the influence of cannabis: (Source: UCSD Guardian)
The amount of cannabis, in tons, that was found disguised as furniture being transported from Mexico to San Diego: (Source: Daily Mail)
1.8
7
The number of medical cannabis dispensaries in Vancouver, Canada that have been issued development permits under the city’s regulations: (Source: CFJC Today)
7
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that Illinois made from medical cannabis sales in April, 2016: (Source: Fox 32)
The percentage of British people who support medical cannabis: (Source: International Business Times)
47
2
26th Annual ICRS Symposium on the Cannabinoids WHAT: 26th Annual ICRS Symposium on the Cannabinoids. WHEN/WHERE: Mon, June 27-Thurs, June 30. Hotel Bukovina, Sportowa 22, 34530 Bukowina Tatrzańska, Poland. INFO: For registration and additional details visit www.icrs2016.org. The International Cannabis Research Society (ICRS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to research in all fields of cannabis science. This includes biochemical, chemical and physiological studies of the endocannabinoid system. While the ICRS is a great resource in cannabis studies, it also serves as a platform for other researchers to share their findings in cannabis science. With over
10
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
500 international members each year the ICRS brings together like-minded individuals in the cannabis research for its annual symposium on cannabinoids. In its 26th year, the ICRS will be hosting this event in Poland at the lavish Hotel Bukovina. Guests will be able to enjoy the many luxuries of Hotel Bukovina along with the culture of the Polish city Kraków, where guests can bus from.
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
11
NEWS
LOCAL
Cannabis Throughout Life UCSD researchers take part in national study with cannabis playing a key role
U
by Victoria Banegas niversity of California San Diego (UCSD) appears to be playing an important role in developmental studies concerning cannabis. Recently the university was commissioned to conduct research on, and develop a cannabis sobriety test. Also recently, the university held a symposium titled “Cannabis Across the Life Course: What Do We Know and What Do We Need to Know?” where Terry Jernigan, Director of the Center Human Development at UCSD, explained the role of cannabis in the recently publicized national study on child development. The study, titled The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD), will track 10,000 children all across the nation for 10 years to monitor their “biological and behavioral development through adolescence into young adulthood.” According to Jernigan, the study will use brain imaging to determine how the brain is effected by a number of factors, from social economic status to drug use. Pertaining to cannabis, Jernigan shared that children will be studied in states where cannabis is and is not legal to study not only its physical effects but to see how varying cannabis policies affect adolescent brain development, according to KPBS. During an April 13 symposium, UCSD researchers spoke to a crowd of 150 medical experts, researchers and civilians to address the developmental effects of cannabis. Larry Parsons, a member of the Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Behavior at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, shared that THC effects brain development before birth and can last throughout adulthood. While this was one of many observations to highlight the negative effects of cannabis on childhood development, Christina Chambers,
12
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
“It is important to study the effects of cannabis on all phases of life, from fetal development to older populations—and its potential for treating disease.” Director of the Center for Life Course Research, part of UCSD’s Clinical and Translational Research Institute, stated that current information on cannabis and child development is outdated and very little. “The sample sizes are so small. There is a critical need for more data,” stated Chambers. Jernigan also expressed that there just isn’t enough continuous research to determine the exact effects of cannabis on the adolescent brain. “It is important to study the effects of cannabis on all phases of life, from fetal development to older populations—and its potential for treating disease,” said Chambers. Since the children who are expected to participate in the study will start at ages nine and 10, Jernigan assumes that they will not have had much exposure to substances like cannabis. “So we can perhaps better address this question about what specifically are the effects,” stated Jernigan. According to ABCD, it will be the largest long term study of brain development and children’s health in the U.S. It also serves as one of the largest government approved studies to highlight the effects of cannabis, giving us more solid and consistent evidence of its neurological effects. This change comes with the integration of cannabis in American culture as an alternative medicine. Hopefully, this research will help us better understand the effects of the plant, how to use it more responsibly and will highlight its medicinal capabilities, for all ages. c
p h o t o b y S te v e C ukr o v
The Fantastic Cannabastic Proposition 215 patients are in for a treat at Potluckexpo’s “The Fantastic Cannabastic.” This event will be jampacked with festivities including a stellar line up of stand-up comedy acts, live music, local artists and delicious food being sold at affordable prices, as well as freebies and raffles. As this is an outdoor/ indoor venue, guests will be able to sample some of the latest cannabis products, enjoy dabs, flowers, as well as delicious edibles at the lounge/medicating area. Located at the World Beat Center in San Diego, this cannabis friendly event will have a beautiful view of Balboa Park, the San Diego skyline and the iconic Coronado Bridge. Enjoy the virtues of alternative medicine while furthering your cannabis education and supporting local vendors at The Fantastic Cannabastic. WHAT: The Fantastic Cannabastic. WHEN/WHERE: Sun, June 5. 11am to 5 pm . World Beat Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego. INFO: Visit potluckexpo. com for more details.
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
13
NEWS
legal corner
“Many people are profoundly frustrated that we are back at the drawing board fighting to be treated as a legitimate industry.”
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
San Diego Fights Together Amidst Potential Ban by Attorney Kimberly Simms Nearly six years ago, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved rules for cannabis collectives and cultivation projects in unincorporated San Diego County. Under the county’s zoning ordinance, collectives could operate in industrial zones and had to be at least 1,000 feet away from churches, schools, parks, other collectives and residential areas. When the ordinance was passed, county staff estimated that between 15 and 20 collectives would open. However, time proved this estimate to be woefully inaccurate and it became clear that the county had enacted a de facto ban. Many of the sites that were deemed eligible were in extremely remote areas that required potential operators to build roads or add infrastructure such as water lines and sewer. For many years, these types of changes proved too costly for those interested in operating a dispensary. So, from 2010 until very recently, the county had only one dispensary in a building located in unincorporated El Cajon near Gillespie Field. First a collective called Mother Earth operated, but subsequently shut its doors, and then in 2014, Outliers Collective opened in the same location. However, less than a year ago, things began to change. In Ramona, 14
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Valley Center, Julian and the outskirts of El Cajon, applications for medical cannabis operations were submitted and building permits secured. Ramona alone received at least four applications. Industry experts believe that the resurrection of the county ordinance is due in large part to the passage of statewide regulations like the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA) and the expectation that California will approve recreational cannabis this November. These policy changes are a motivating factor in driving more investors toward the industry. Not surprisingly, the idea of more cannabis operations did not sit well with county residents. They expressed concern over the increase in crime and traffic in their neighborhoods and the overall safety of their community. The residents of Julian and Ramona rallied together and begged the county to repeal the current ordinance and replace it with an all-out ban; and that’s almost what happened. On March 16, the County Board of Supervisors met and unanimously passed a 45-day moratorium in direct response to the cries of the residents of Ramona and Julian. On April 27, the San Diego cannabis community packed the Board of Supervisors meeting and spoke with passion and
photo by txking
eloquence. Two primary concerns that were central to the Board’s discussions were over-saturation in Ramona and how to address the pending applicants. Ultimately, the moratorium was extended another 10½ months to allow staff to come back with some viable options. However, the vote came with some specific caveats. Supervisor Ron Roberts pointed out the lack of support for an all-out ban and thus instructed county staff to remove that as an option altogether. He went on to state that staff should not waste time on any option that would ultimately lead to another de facto ban. The vote also came with instructions to give consideration to the projects that are already underway. The key question here will be whether the pending projects have a vested right, which would allow them to move forward with the project. Overall, the efforts of San Diego’s cannabis community should be applauded. Since the passage of the MMRSA, cities and counties across the state have enacted bans. San Diego came together and stopped a ban, but the 10½ month moratorium has left many people profoundly frustrated that we are back at the drawing board fighting to be treated as a legitimate industry. However, if we pause a moment and reframe the situation, people might find that an opportunity has presented itself to expand upon the 2010 ordinance in a meaningfully way. MMRSA can be utilized to demonstrate to the County Board of Supervisors how they can expand the current regulations to include licenses for manufacturing, testing, distribution and cultivation projects of varying size and to expand zoning to the areas that make sense. Let us not take this moratorium as a defeat but rather as an opportunity to educate the County Board of Supervisors and bring San Diego’s cannabis industry into a new era of thoughtful regulation and robust compliance. c
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
15
16
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
17
REVIEWs
strain & edible
Available at: Left Coast Collective in Pacific Beach.
Orange Cookies A jaw-dropping specimen with tons of orange pistils that complement this super dense, perfectly structured nug, it has both very dark and very bright green leaves that are showered in a large amount of shiny trichromes. It smells like a freshly zested orange or tangerine, with a crisp finish. It tastes as good, if not better than it smells; being very citrusy, like biting into a fresh orange. The hit provides great expansion that is clean and gives a nice, hearty cough. The effects are full body, being cerebrally uplifting and physically relaxing. Patients will notice instant muscle relaxation and pain relief accompanied by a creative, happy effect. The Orange Cookies (Tangie x Girl Scout Cookies grown by the Jungle Boys) from Left Coast Collective is a top shelf selection that is set to become an instant classic.
Available at: Outliers Collective in El Cajon.
Strawberry Banana Testing at an impressive 24.65 percent THC, the Strawberry Banana from Outliers Collective is uniquely packaged in a nitrogen sealed container that keeps the perfectly cured buds as fresh as possible. Popping the seal of the container reveals attractive lime green, frosty nugs that are incredibly dense with sturdy structure, plenty of trichromes, and an abundance of red pistils. The aroma is sweet, like a bowl of freshly cut strawberries and bananas. The flavor is also naturally sweet and fruity, and refreshing to the palette. The hit is ridiculously expansive, yet clean. A real bell-dinger that rewards with an instant and intense cerebral and physical effect, due to being indica-dominant strain. A few hits of this strain will cause couch-lock, which is ideal for patients in need of sleep or calming pain relief.
Kaneh Co. Superfood Granola Bar This vegan and gluten-free granola bar with goji berries, sunflower seeds, almonds, chia seeds and dates is made by Kaneh Co. and is a powerhouse of medicated nutrition and contains no refined sugars. Kaneh Co. strives to provide better edibles for patients with serious ailments. Not only will the cannabis in this product relieve pain and provide several hours of deep sleep, the superfoods it contains will actually nourish the body in a way that a candy bar will not. Health conscious patients can find this edible at Point Loma Patients Consumer Cooperative.
18
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Available at: Point Loma Patients Consumer Cooperative in Point Loma.
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
19
REVIEWs
Truly Edibles Milk Chocolate Turtle
Available at: Torrey Holistics in San Diego.
The milk chocolate caramel pecan turtle by Truly Edibles is sure to satisfy the sweet tooth, and also provide long lasting pain relief and muscle relaxation. With 250mg of pure THC, it does have a medicinal taste, but it also has the strong medicinal effects that patients are in need of. Torrey Holistics is where you will find this classic cannabis-infused candy.
Available at: Mankind Cooperative in San Diego.
Super Lemon Haze The product of crossing Lemon Skunk and Super Silver Haze, the sativa-dominant Super Lemon Haze from Mankind Cooperative is an all around A plus. It sports several different shades of green, from bright lime to deep emerald, and is bathed in glistening trichromes and long red pistils. It shines like a disco ball in the sun! It has an intense lemon smell from the Lemon Skunk that is enhanced by the Super Silver Haze pine aroma. It has a mouthwatering flavor that is perfectly balanced between pine and citrus, and the unmistakable Haze flavor is amazing. The hit is very strong, yet smooth and clean, and the exhale smells divine. Being sativadominant, the effects are very cerebrally uplifting, providing an instant, giddy effect that also aids in pain relief.
Available at: Alternative Patient Care in San Diego.
Kaneh Co 24 Karat Brownie The Rolls Royce of edibles, this decadent brownie is topped with a rich chocolate ganache and finished with gold leaf. That’s right; it is literally made of gold. Indulgence aside, this edible made by Kaneh Co. and available through California’s Kindest is a heavy duty medicinal product containing 1,000mg of THC. Any patient in need of relief from pain or insomnia will greatly benefit from the 24 karat brownie. It tastes as decadent as it looks, and packs a serious punch. Expect its effects to kick in quickly, and last four to six hours or more, depending on individual tolerance.
20
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Rawsta Bar Made with all organic ingredients, the Rawsta Bar Raw Granola Bar is ideal for the health conscious patient in search of an edible that is potent and long lasting, without artificial sweeteners and other additives. Naturally sweetened with honey, the Rawsta Bar is gluten-free and topped with organic almonds. Containing 150mg THC, 40mg CBN and 10mg CBD, this is an edible high in protein and fiber that will provide serious pain relief and sleep. The Rawsta Bar is proof that healthy medicine can taste amazing. Perfect for pain relief, insomnia or any other number of ailments, it is available at Alternative Patient Care. Fun Fact: A portion of donations from the Rawsta Bar go to local animal shelters.
Available through: California’s Kindest Delivery.
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
21
REVIEWs
For More Products Go To iReadCulture.com
3. Malin + Goetz Cannabis Hand and Body Wash
1. Fresh® Cannabis Santal Eau de Parfum Cologne
Start off this summer with beautiful skin that is nourished and hydrated with Malin + Goetz Cannabis Hand and Body Wash. Unlike most body washes that dry skin, Malin + Goetz Cannabis Hand and Body Wash gently cleanses and balances skin without stripping it of its essential oils. Although this product does not contain any extracts from the cannabis plant, it contains a Cannabis Eau de Toilette Fragrance that leaves skin slightly scented. While this product works great as a hand or body wash, it can also be used in a relaxing bubble bath. PRICE: $22 MORE INFORMATION: www.malinandgoetz.com
3
For the cannabis-loving man looking to class things up a bit, checkout Fresh’s Cannabis Santal Eau de Parfum Cologne. The original fragrance in Fresh’s cannabis-inspired line, Cannabis Santal has a woodsy scent with top notes of bergamot and black plum, and has received wide popularity amongst fragrance lovers. Like most designer fragrances, Cannabis Santal, gives off an irresistible, masculine scent that leaves a lasting impression on those who encounter its distinct aroma. Made with natural ingredients Cannabis Santal is a must have fragrance designed by renowned fragrance designer Caroline Sabas that is perfect for any man. PRICE: $50 MORE INFORMATION: www.fresh.com
4
4. Hemp Heart Bites
2. Cannadent Hemp Toothpaste Most major toothpaste brands contain unnatural chemicals or substances that aren’t ideal to go in your mouth. To save you from submitting yourself to unhealthy dental habits try Cannadent, a hemp toothpaste produced by European cosmetics company Cannaderm. With ingredients like pure hemp oil, grapefruit seed, oak-bark and rosemary extracts, Cannadent is gentle on the mouth but cleanses effectively. Not only does this toothpaste help keep your mouth clean and odor free, it aids in calming and preventing tooth sensitivity, canker sores and bleeding gums. Give your mouth the care it deserves and enjoy the miraculous benefits of hemp hygiene. PRICE: $14.90 MORE INFORMATION: www.cannabis-cosmetics.com 22
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
1
2
Hemp-based foods are nutrient dense and jam packed with protein and Omega fatty acids, which help build healthy cells and maintain nerve function. For the health-nut on the go, Manitoba Harvest’s Hemp Heart Bites are the perfect morning or mid-day snack. With 10g of protein and 10g of Omega 3 and 6 in a suggested eight-piece serving, these delicious treats will give you the energy you need to get through the day. Non-GMO, vegan and paleo, these tasty treats are almost too good to be true. Get yours today to promote hemp-based foods and a better lifestyle. PRICE: $6.99 MORE INFORMATION: manitobaharvest.com
iReadCulture.com
GET YOUR CLICKS
HERE
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
23
entertainment
REVIEWs
BOOK
Marijuana Horticulture Fundamentals K of Trichome Technologies Green Candy Press If you know your cannabis cultivator trivia, Trichome Technologies’ breeder “K” is a legend in growing. This new book by K is an easy-to-understand guide for any level of horticulturist. It goes into great detail about every level of growing cannabis, teaches the useful information about the plant and exactly how to grow your perfect strain of cannabis, whatever that means to you. Marijuana Horticulture Fundamentals is a great book for anyone looking to improve their cultivation or start one! (Alex Bradley)
24
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Release Date: JUNE 21 Available on: PS4 and PC
MUSIC
GAME
No Man’s Sky Dev. Hello Games Pub. Hello Games Survival games have their appeal in the gaming world, but none more than the upcoming science fiction game, No Man’s Sky. Players are introduced to a massive universe with 18 quintillion different planets to visit, which they will navigate using their own spaceships to investigate planets with their own unique plants, animals and atmospheres. Explore this seemingly unending universe in search of ship upgrades, and best of all, you can either travel the stars with friends or make it a single-player adventure with offline mode. (Nicole Potter)
MOVIE
Deadpool 20th Century Fox, Marvel Entertainment Dir. Tim Miller
Combining intense action, witty, dark humor, and actor Ryan Reynold’s knack for comedic timing and delivery, Deadpool hits hard and delivers like few in the X-Men franchise have been able to so far. Unburdened by the need to seek a PG-13 rating, Deadpool is able to be the no holds barred fight/laugh fest. Reynolds’ delivery of the character is mesmerizing, and a supporting cast of brilliant young character actors, including T.J. Miller (Silicon Valley), Karan Soni (Safety Not Guaranteed) and Morena Baccarin (Serenity), ensure the film’s perfection. (Simon Weedn)
Running Out of Red Zig Zags Iron Lung Records Taking only a twoyear break between full-length records, hell-raisers Zig Zags return with another eruptive blast of heavy rock and roll on its new album, Running Out Of Red. Drawing equally from elements of hard psychedelia and primitive, frenetic garage rock, Running Out Of Red captures the group at its heaviest, tightest and most intense yet, all the while showcasing radical continued growth and evolution in the group’s sound and style. For all you headbangers out there, or just folks who enjoy some truly aggressive music, Zig Zags is a band to take notice of. (Simon Weedn)
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
25
26
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
by Simon Weedn hen it comes to classic hard rock acts, few are thought of so highly and loved by so many as Irish rockers, Thin Lizzy. Managing to transcend their own genre and endearing themselves with punk rockers, metal heads and rock and roll enthusiasts of nearly any variety, Thin Lizzy took the world by storm in the 1970s and ‘80s. The band, through years of hard work and relentless touring, became extremely well known for bringing a thunderous maelstrom of driving, frenetic rhythms and bass lines, blistering dual guitar leads, and some of the most brilliantly authentic, honest and personal lyrical story telling of the genre and time. Unfortunately, Thin Lizzy’s trajectory was ground to a halt in 1984 when an array of personal turmoils forced the band to split. Then two years later, the unexpected and sudden passing of founding member, front man, and primary songwriter, Phil Lynott, denied the prospect
of any immediate reunions for the group. However, even with Lynott’s untimely passing, Thin Lizzy’s legacy had already been firmly cemented, and songs like “The Boys Are Back In Town,” “Whiskey In The Jar,” “Jailbreak” and “Waiting For An Alibi” have become hard rock staples over the years and are played by bands, both popular and obscure, nightly, all over the world. In recent years, Thin Lizzy guitarist, Scott Gorham, has taken it upon himself to reform the band with its surviving members every so often, to perform reunion shows to celebrate both Thin Lizzy’s legacy and music, as well as the life and legacy of the late Phil Lynott. Recently, CULTURE was able to catch up with Scott and hear all about the band’s upcoming shows, his memories of recording the Jailbreak album which turned 40 this year, his feelings about cannabis, and his recollections about his beloved friend and bandmate, Phil Lynott. >> iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
27
You mentioned the whole “third record” aspect of things. Do you think that pressure also contribute to the heightened energy on Jailbreak? Were you as a band sort of at your hungriest at that point because of that pressure? Yeah! You know, I think the fear factor makes you concentrate a hell of a lot more. It didn’t feel like playtime anymore, all of a sudden everything got real. I think the other helpful side of it was that we already had two albums under our belt together, so we kind of knew each other’s moves, it was easier to play with each other, and it was easier to come up with suggestions and not feel embarrassed about it. So, I think the experience from the previous two albums really helped a lot and the fear factor gave us a kick in the ass.
First and foremost, you’ve got some dates coming up to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Jailbreak as well as 30 years since the passing of Phil Lynnot. Is it at all surreal for you that it’s been four decades since Jailbreak’s release? Scott Gorham: You know something, it really is. I hadn’t even realized it until last year when a journalist said to me, “Wow, so 40 years since Jailbreak came out.” And I said, “No, no, no, that can’t be right.” But, then I counted back and I said, “Holy crap, you’re right! It’s been 40 years!” So it is strange, that all of these years have been reeled off, and you’re not even thinking about it, then all of the sudden your bones start to hurt. It is amazing that people still want to come out and see the band play, buy the records, and talk about it. It doesn’t get much better than that. Do you still have any particularly strong memories about recording the album? I do! This was our third album. Back then in the ‘70s, it was kind of expected that if you hadn’t made it on the first or second record, that you’d better make it on the third or you were out the door. I mean, there was no talking about it. People kept saying this to us, things like, “You know this is the third album man, and you haven’t broken through yet.” The pressure was building on us to really turn this into something special. So, what we did is, we went out and bought an eight-track, we rented a farm house out in the country, that way nobody could disturb us and there’d be no distractions, and Phil, myself and the two Brians went out there and started 28
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
“We were a band who wasn’t afraid of this new regime that was sweeping through the rock world, which was really scaring the shit out of a lot of the hair bands.”
writing. We ended up writing about 15 songs all in all, and then we had to carve out a list of ten that we were going to take into the studio and record. Of those 10, the song “The Boys Are Back In Town” was not included. So, one of our managers came down and said, “I’ve heard the 10 that you guys want to do, and they sound great, but let me hear the other five that you don’t want to do.” So we played them for him and he went straight to “The Boys Are Back In Town” and said to us, “You know, there’s something about this song I really like. Can we add this to the list?” And we said, “Sure! Why not? There’s at least one guy who likes that song.” And if that song hadn’t made it on the list, you and I probably wouldn’t be talking right now.
Was there any sense, once you all got into the studio and fleshed things out, that the record was going to be as successful as it became? No, not at all. I mean, you gotta remember, on the first two albums we, the guys in the band, were the ones that chose the singles and, obviously, they totally and horribly flopped. So on this third album, we decided we’d let the record company choose them this time, and they picked the title track, “Jailbreak,” for the first single. But, it was two disc jockeys out of Louisville, Kentucky that latched onto “The Boys Are Back In Town” and played it to f*cking death. To the point where other radio stations around them caught on, and they started playing it heavy, and it began this huge spiral thing across the whole of America. It was really cool to see that happen. So, it really had nothing to do with us or the record company picking things, they didn’t really do any PR on it or anything; it came down to the listenership of all of these different radio stations. Were you guys on tour at the time this was happening? How did you all find out the song was taking off? Well, we were on tour, and I remember distinctly that we were playing at this club and one of the managers walked in and said, “Well guys, it looks like we’ve got a hit single on our hands!” And we said, “Re-really? Wh-what song?!” And that’s when he told us it was “The Boys Are Back In Town.” That’s incredible; I bet you guys must have felt so relieved. Oh, the weight off our shoulders was immense. >>
photo by
D a v i d F o wler
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
29
What does it feel like for you nowadays to play through these songs? To pick up your guitar and run through these riffs? Well, you know, it’s not like I fall down on my knees and thank the Lord every time I play one of these songs [laughs]. But, because we’ve been playing these songs for such a long time, we know the reaction we’re gonna get when we strike up the chorus to “The Boys Are Back In Town,” “Jailbreak,” “Emeralds” or any of the songs on our list because the audiences are really familiar. So, there’s a lot of confidence with our set. I mean, we can go out there, play for an hour and a half or and hour and 45 minutes and, really, nobody is gonna get disappointed. That’s the great thing! You all have Scott Travis from Judas Priest on drum duty for the majority of these upcoming shows and that’s pretty spectacular. How did Scott’s name come up when deciding on a drummer? Well, you know, in 2011 we toured with Judas Priest for about four weeks. It was a great tour, and we got to know all of the guys in the band. It’s funny, I’ve got a real thing about drummers and I don’t laugh at drummer jokes and all that because, to me, they’re the real back bone of the band. Guitar players, we’re kind of just the fluff on top. So I kind of gravitate towards those guys. When we were touring with Judas Priest, I kept checking out what Scott actually did and how well he did it, and I remember thinking, “Wouldn’t it be great to do something with this guy! I don’t know how, when, why or where, but doing something would just be a really cool thing!” So, here comes the opportunity, and when we reached out to Scott, his exact words were, “I’m into this onethousand percent!” You’re also going to have Tom Hamilton, a founding member of Aerosmith, on bass, another stellar addition to your line up. Can you tell us a bit about how it was decided that he was going to join you as well? You know, we put a wish-list together and he was literally the first name on the list, and Tom stepped right up to plate and started swinging. He said, “I’m in! When are the dates? Where are we going? Who else is on the bill?” And as soon as I heard those questions I knew he was in for sure. It’s all happening really quickly and in a really good way, and right now all of the band is nailed down and we’re just getting ready for rehearsals. >> 30
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
31
Will you guys be playing exclusively Jailbreak material, or will there be other tunes worked in as well? Oh no, it’s going to take-in all of the albums. It’s hard to make a concert from just one album. At most, you have maybe 40 minutes of music on there, and we plan on being up there for nearly two hours. It’s going to be like Live & Dangerous was; it took in songs from a lot of different records. During this hour and 45 minutes or so, we’ll probably be adding in some songs that we have never really played on stage before. So that should be cool too! As somebody who’s been playing music all over the world for quite a long time now, you’ve gotten to see a great variety of cultures and social movements of all types, including the growing cannabis legalization movement. You’re prolegalization, right? Well, I’m definitely pro medical marijuana! Obviously, my background has a lot to do with having problems with drugs in the past, but the medical marijuana thing—that’s a whole different ballgame. Now we’re trying to get people out of severe pain, if this is the way to do it, then absolutely by all means. I’m sure people will be using it recreationally, I’m quite positive of that. But, when somebody has a real honest-to-God ailment and their quality of life is shit, then let’s make it un-shit. Let’s get them relief from the pain from whatever the problem might be. I am pro-legalization. We’ve been seeing some gorgeous re-issues of Thin Lizzy records on nice 180 gram vinyl on record store shelves everywhere we go. Do you enjoy knowing that a new generation of fans are getting the chance to enjoy your band’s music on the medium you all were originally releasing your music on years ago? 34
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
“I am definitely pro medical marijuana!” It is pretty cool! You know, if you ask any musician of any age who was around when the album thing was still happening, they’ll tell you that was the coolest thing. You took the cellophane off of the record, slipped out this big huge square cardboard thing, and all of the artwork that the band put into it was really worth it because you could see it all in detail. Is it cool knowing this new generation of fans is getting that same experience with records that you had as a kid, or that you and the band had when you released this material for the first time? I think that’s a really great question, and a really good point. It’s like, “This is what we went through, what do you guys think?” You know, when I look down from the stage, I see fathers with their sons and uncles with their nephews, its people of all ages these days. So I think it’s kind of cool that the next generation gets to experience how we listened to records and learn the ritual of wiping the record off, dropping the
needle on, and then sliding it carefully back into its case so you don’t scratch it. It seems like, while many of your band’s peers seem to fade from the contemporary musical lexicon, Thin Lizzy’s name and music continues to be prominent and relevant. What are the qualities that you think have made Thin Lizzy’s music so timeless and have contributed to its staying power? That’s a really good question, and one I’ve never really been able to answer, because I can’t look at it objectively; I’m too close to it. I think some of it is from us being semi-connected to the whole punk thing. We were a band who wasn’t afraid of this new regime that was sweeping through the rock world, which was really scaring the shit out of a lot of the hair bands. As soon as they saw the Sex Pistols come out, they sort of knew it was over; whereas, we embraced it. In fact, we even started a band with Steve Jones and Paul Cook called The Greedy Bastards.
When you think of Phil Lynott, what are the strongest memories that come back to you? Well, what immediately comes into my head is how he didn’t want Thin Lizzy to become a one man show. He always said, “If I wanted it to be a one man show, I’d call it “Phil Lynott’s Thin Lizzy.” But we’re not, we’re a band.” He was constantly trying to include everyone into the songwriting and he wanted to make sure that each guy in the band had his own set of fans and all that. He’d always make sure that interviews were set up for everyone in the band, some people were good at it, some were not so good, so that kind of got paired down to me and Phil after a while [laughs]. But, he was really generous that way. He figured that if everybody in the band succeeded, then that meant that the band would succeed; and him along with it. He was that guy. He was the fearless leader who kept it all together and wanted everybody to do well. So, how cool to be working with someone like that, right? c
thinlizzyband.com
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
35
Real Recognition San Diego Activist Honored in Washington D.C. by Pamela Jayne
Local activist and native San Diegan, Terrie Best, the Chapter Chair of the medical cannabis advocacy group Americans For Safe Access (ASA), was recently recognized as Patient Advocate of the Year at
36
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
photos by ERIC FOWLER
the 2016 Americans For Safe Access Excellence Awards in Washington D.C., for her unwavering commitment to the cannabis community. Not only does Terrie organize court support efforts for cannabis patients standing trial, she also educates the public about issues such as jury nullification, the benefits of medical cannabis and whole plant therapy. She also takes time to befriend and personally support patients and providers. Terrie is often seen rallying outside the courthouse, bullhorn in hand, to confront unjust laws and encourage the media to cover the issue of cannabis. It is fair to say that without her voice, the San Diego medical cannabis movement would not be where it is today. >>
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
37
Not everyone is aware of jury nullification, although it is a major tool in medical cannabis cases. Will you explain what it is? Unfortunately, prosecutors and cops are taking over the courthouses, and now we have this situation where jurors believe they are not allowed to even think about anything but the law, and that is just not true. There is great information available via Fully Informed Jury Association at fija.org about how to get onto a jury when you have strong opinions about cannabis laws.
How did you get into cannabis activism? I support cannabis because it is such a benign substance, and patients are right to use it, because it is a medicine. I just naturally gravitated to it, especially when I saw patients being arrested for it.
Congratulations on the award you recently received from Americans for Safe Access. What was that experience was like? It was surreal. I was absolutely thrilled and honored. The best part was, when I came back, I went straight from the airport to the ASA meeting. When I walked in, they all stood up and clapped for me. Having my community acknowledge me, it made me feel so blessed and lucky for the great work that they all have done. We’ve ridden out a lot of bad stuff together, and we’re still solid as a rock. It humbles me and warms my heart.
Aside from receiving the award, what else would you like to share about the conference? The Unity Conference was made up of
38
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
researchers, physicians, chemists and patients from all over the world. Many came from as far away as Israel, Germany, the Czech Republic, Canada and Australia. This display of diversity highlighted how far behind the United States is in adopting a national cannabis policy. ASA strives to unite, present and keep current with scientists who are on the cutting edge of medical cannabis research, despite where they are in the world.
You’ve been in the movement for many years. In what ways have you seen it evolve? Cannabis being in the news every single day. I remember being tickled pink, the first time I saw a newspaper refer to a cannabis user as a patient. The news has really evolved.
How can people get involved with the cause of cannabis legalization? We hold local ASA meetings on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Giovanni’s on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. The June meeting is on the 28th, so I invite everyone to come out to that. They can also join national ASA.
Court Support is another term that most are unfamiliar with. Will you explain it briefly for our readers? Believe it or not, people are still being taken to court by (San Diego County District Attorney) Bonnie Dumanis, and we stand behind them as they’re going through the worst time of their life. They feel victimized because they are being treated as criminals, so they need support. Our court support has evolved to where we are now providing expert witnesses. San Diego ASA has also been successful in gaining media attention for cannabis cases in San Diego.
You are a source of inspiration and encouragement for cannabis patients and advocates. Is there anything you would like to say to them? I think in the end, it’s going to be okay. It’s just scary as we’re going through it. c
www.facebook.com/SanDiegoASA
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
39
Hemp History Week
Hemp innovation is on the horizon
by Nicole Potter
Hemp History Week is upon us once more, and for every year that passes the world is discovering new ways to utilize the versatile hemp plant. Hemp cultivation is largely illegal in the U.S., with the exceptions of a few states, but the material is often imported from Europe and Canada where it is more widely used. Known for its variety of uses, hemp has been experimented with for centuries across the globe. Now more than ever the world is developing new ways to utilize the plant’s unique structure and benefits. In honor of the seventh annual Hemp History Week, which takes place between June 6 and June 12, we’re taking a look at newest innovations and classic uses for hemp. >>
40
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
41
Skincare emp lotions have been on the market for years now, with staples like Hempz and products from The Body Shop rising high in popularity, but other companies have moved on from a simple hydrating skin lotion, and have helped hemp evolve into an entire skincare. Cannabis Beauty Defined (CBD) is a beauty line from Kannaway offers a cleanser, exfoliate, toner, serum, moisturizer, detox soak and salves. Utilizing hemp CBD oil in their formula, the various products help moisturize skin, remove dirt and makeup, all which help give skin a luminous and healthy, natural look.
H
Buildings rguably the most important use of hemp is through hemp concrete, or what’s commonly called “Hempcrete”—and it’s changing the world one building at a time. The unique substance is created by mixing hemp hurds (the center of the hemp stalk), with a lime-based binder and mixing with water until it forms a thick, strong material that is much lighter in weight than traditional concrete. It’s important to note that hempcrete isn’t used as a foundation for structure, but rather it’s being used as support for the frame of buildings, as well as insulation. It also offers other benefits such as being resistant to rodents or pests, is non-toxic, is immune to mold, breathes better than concrete and is said to last longer too. Many hemp companies have come forth, like American Lime Technology, whose goal is to become a leader in “healthy building solutions with low embodied carbon in construction as well as low energy consumption in use” using their trademarked Tradical® Hemcrete ®.
A
Vehicles ust last month, a Florida man named Michael Dietzen announced the completion of his “green machine,” a Mazda with a chassis made out of hemp, according to the New York Post. The car’s body, which is protected by three piles of woven hemp, weighs less than cars with a fiberglass exterior and is an estimated 10 times more dentresistant than steel. Dietzen cited his inspiration for using hemp when he found out that Henry Ford created a soybean-hemp car in 1941. Farther North in Canada, Calgary-based Motive Industries Inc. has also created a hemp car called the Kestrel, with a body made completely from hemp.
J
Clothing hirts, blouses and pants made of hemp have become common, but hemp extends to everything from socks and underwear to bow ties, dresses, bras, hats, wallets, belts and shoes too. The most obvious benefit of utilizing hemp in clothing is the material’s breathable quality, making clothing even partially made of hemp cool and comfortable to wear. The opportunities to transition from cotton products is easy when you glance at hemp retailers such as Rawganique, which offers a wide variety of clothing and apparel.
S
Food
T
he healthiest benefit of hemp for our bodies comes from either the hemp seeds or oil derived from pressing the seeds and/or plant’s stalks. While hemp seeds can be a healthy snacking alternative, the oil has numerous uses. Hemp oil has a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which is a healthy fat that our bodies do not produce on their own. Hemp food companies are beginning to take hemp foods to the next level, such as Manitoba Harvest Hemp Seed Butter is a source of healthy fatty acids and protein too, as is Just Hemp Foods' Hemp Protein Powder which is an allergen-free powder that is a high source of protein, fiber and Omega 3 and 6. Hemp foods are beginning to scratch the surface of health benefits to eating the plant.
hemphistoryweek.com 42
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
43
“We’re talking about something that didn’t have any regulations, any thought to what the future of the product might be, and I saw a massive void in the ability to have a special brand and the ability to start regulating (THC) dosages.”
I
ndustry nsider
Nate Winokur of SC Labs by R. Scott Rappold
When Nate Winokur first got into the cannabis game, the industry in California had yet to evolve beyond the Ziploc baggie as proper storage. It was 2008, and Winokur began asking himself
44
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
just what they were selling to people. “We’re talking about something that didn’t have any regulations, any thought to what the future of the product might be, and I saw a massive void in the ability to have a special brand and the ability to start regulating (THC) dosages,” recalled Winokur, 36. “People in general couldn’t tell you how many milligrams were in a product. They could only sort of tell you how bad they thought it would mess you up. That wasn’t a very acceptable scale to start working from.” Things have changed, in large part thanks to cannabis enthusiasts like Winokur who have moved out of the kitchen or grow room and into the laboratory. For five years, he has been working for SC Laboratories, one of the largest cannabis testing companies in California, where he is the Operations Manager for Southern California. Such laboratories have helped growers and edible makers learn about the good, the bad and the ugly of what’s in their products. While such testing is still voluntary in California, big changes are on the horizon. And Winokur says those who aren’t prepared could be in for a big shock. >>
as a result, regulations are growing more stringent regarding testing. California has none. But that will soon change.
In The Kitchen Winokur cut his teeth in the industry selling pipes and working at a head shop. That evolved into a distribution business, and then an edibles company. He launched his own product line, Pacific Sweets, in 2008. It got him thinking about concepts like decarboxylation, the heating that releases the THC in the making of edibles, and how many milligrams were in the products he sold. With little formal scientific training, he began reading everything he could about the science involved. Winokur then began looking for a way to use his acquired knowledge in a bigger way for the industry and consumers. He’d grown well-connected in the southern California cannabis scene, and through these connections got a meeting with SC Labs in 2011. The interview consisted of visiting several dispensaries, where he made an impression by how well he knew and worked with the other players. He got the job.
Marketing, Not Regulation In those days, having edibles or cannabis flowers tested was mainly a marketing gimmick, something a product line or dispensary could use to set them above the pack. “They went for what was marketing friendly, and that was largely potency tests,” said Winokur. Though the technology was available to test for contaminants, why would they bother? Winokur’s first large client to take an interest in safety testing was the Emerald Cup cannabis competition. Along with
showing the THC content and terpene profile—terpenes are what defines taste and smell—they could now conduct residual solvent tests for extracts and edibles. It’s still the most popular safety test SC Labs performs. “In this setting of living and being in a developed country that we’ve been able
“In this setting of living and being in a developed country that we’ve been able to maintain, people deserve and should be only consuming safe goods.” to maintain, people deserve and should be only consuming safe goods. And the idea of a residual solvent test is taking these types of extracted products and making sure these extracted products are safe for consumption,” he said. Winokur convinced more and more growers and producers to submit to voluntary testing. Meanwhile, testing and product information was creating a connoisseur class of cannabis users. They wanted to know the terpene profile. They wanted to know it was free of contaminants. All sorts of pathogens, such as E. coli, were found in samples. Residual solvent tests revealed chemicals like phosphorus. Dangerous pesticides were present. Fungus, bacteria and yeast were all found. In all, about 20 percent of samples fail as unsafe for human consumption, said Winokur. The situation is not unique to California. Colorado has experienced some eye-opening testing results, and
Regulation Looming California’s Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act won’t be implemented until 2018, and there is uncertainty about what it means for testing. Another wild card is this year’s statewide referendum on legalization of recreational cannabis and what testing requirements it could involve. But the bottom line, said Winokur, is that mandatory testing is coming to the Golden State. That’s why he encourages businesses to get a jump on regulations by submitting samples to a lab. Sure, it’s good for business, and SC Labs has grown by a factor of 50 since he’s been there. But he sees the stakes as nothing less than the industry’s survival. “We’re going to see people caught with their proverbial pants down. We’re talking about markets that have been able to survive for years without actually having any level of regulation to truly worry about and at the end of that is going to be the other end of the spectrum,” he said. “We’re going to have something where a producer or grow operation is going to be sending their stuff down river to a distributor and if that distributor has to test something . . . they’re either going to get a letter back saying that their whole crop, their whole product was torched and that everything was incinerated or they’re going to get a check back. That’s going to be a large change from what a lot of these grow operations and producers have seen.” As for the consumer, they’ll not only be getting a safer product, but they’ll be able to make better-informed decisions, on everything from taste and smell to extracts that mimic the effects of smoking a certain strain. That’s a long way from buying whatever your dealer had at the time like in the old days. As an enthusiast, Winokur can’t wait for it to happen. “Yeah it’s a big deal, in terms of just something that’s a little skunkier than the last batch he had but what the hell you’ll take it anyway because it’s not like you have another choice. We’ve come a very long way in terms of what’s available to us, what will be available.” c
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
45
Abram’s Biggest Advocate Erin Miller Discovers the Healing Properties CBD Oil for her Young Son’s Rare Condition
by Jamie Solis
When Erin Miller first brought Abram home from the hospital, she knew something was wrong. Her newborn son was inconsolable and screaming constantly, however his doctors were not concerned about Abram’s behavior. At 10 months old, Abram got sick, which led him to seeing a new pediatrician who instantly noticed something wasn’t right. Abram was
46
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
referred to a neurologist, who found a cystic pineal tumor. This type of tumor is dangerously located on Abram’s pineal gland in the middle of his brain. Erin explained, “The brain surgery is so dangerous, they wanted to wait for worsening neurological symptoms before they would perform surgery. We were warned the tumor would cause seizures, so when Abram started having seizures, we thought it was because of this mass.” Abram’s seizures started around his
first birthday in June 2014. By October, his seizures took a turn for the worse. Abram was diagnosed with a generalized seizure disorder and epilepsy, and he was prescribed Klonopin. Erin said, “The first month on Klonopin was awesome. We were really excited because he fed himself for the first time with a spoon. It seemed like it was going in the right direction. But then suddenly he started having more seizures, different kinds of seizures, >>
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
47
“Right after the very first dose, he stopped signing ‘ouch.’ For the two weeks after that he had maybe two absent seizures where he would just kind of stare off, and then they were gone. He hasn’t had a physical seizure ever since.” worsening seizures, and the more the seizures came, the more Klonopin they would give him.” At just two years old, Abram was taking more Klonopin than most adults are prescribed. Erin recalled, “I found out later that Klonopin had never been tested or approved for kids under 18.” While Abram was on Klonopin, he lost his words and ability to walk or crawl. His symptoms worsened over time, and Erin brought him back into the ER. The following day, his regular neurologist admitted that Abram’s case was over his head, and the family would be referred elsewhere. Before Abram was moved to a level 4 epilepsy hospital, Erin recalls the neurologist’s life-saving recommendation, “Our neurologist came in and was whispering, ‘You guys need to go to Colorado, and you need to try cannabis.’ Even though I was really angry with him for not knowing how to help Abram when I felt like he should have been helping, I’m so grateful for him telling us to try cannabis oil, because that is exactly what helped my child.” Once they were transferred to a specialized hospital in Minnesota, Erin hesitantly inquired about cannabis for her son. Instead, doctors prescribed Abram with Keppra. Abram’s side effects were terrible and B6 was added. This resulted in 14 days straight of Abram screaming constantly and even ripping his hair out. Erin realized cannabis oil might be Abram’s only hope. Although CBD oil is legal for medicinal use in Iowa, the state doesn’t have dispensaries. Erin explained,
48
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
“My only choice was hemp that could be shipped. I ordered Charlotte’s Web Oil. The first day I finally decided to do it, he was hitting his head and signing ‘ouch.’ Right after the very first dose, he stopped signing ‘ouch.’ For the two weeks after that he had maybe two absent seizures where he would just kind of stare off, and then they were gone. He hasn’t had a physical seizure ever since.” June 27th marks Abram’s one-year of being seizure free. Around Christmas Abram switched strains to Hayley’s Hope out of Colorado. After this change, he started giving kisses for the first time. Abram also started laughing, giggling and making more sounds. Since they’ve started cannabis oil one year ago, Abram has been weaned off three-fourths of Benzodiazepines, and they have one milliliter of Klonopin to wean. “We actually saw his neurologist last Monday, and I told him, ‘I don’t want him on this Benzo anymore. I want to see what happens if we take him off. I feel like that is what took his words. Maybe if we take him off of it, maybe he’ll get his words back.’ Crazy enough, his neurologist
agreed that in November, once he hits the 18 months seizure-free mark, he is willing to have my son on cannabis only.” Abram’s “official” diagnosis is UBE2A X-Linked Syndromic Intellectual Disability or UBE2A Syndrome for short. Although this condition is super rare, as the Millers are only the third family in the world to have this particular spontaneous gene mutation, Abram’s story is making a huge difference in the lives of countless others. Erin is part of a group called concerned Iowans 4 Medical Cannabis, which gives Erin the opportunity to advocate for all children and adults in need of medical cannabis. c
“Since they’ve started cannabis oil one year ago, Abram has been weaned off three-fourths of Benzodiazepines, and they have one milliliter of Klonopin to wean.”
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
49
by Madison Ortiz The cannabis community has exploded onto the internet by way of social media. Though every platform offers something unique, there’s a shocking presence of patients, artists, dispensaries and brands, standing strong and making us proud, everywhere we look. Instagram (arguably) dominates the majority of the cannabis community’s interactions, if nothing else acting as a home base to return to. Reviving the days of snail-mail and pen-pals, an extremely common trend within this community is to send and receive non-medicated treats via post. These packages often include stickers, art, apparel or small gifts from fellow IG accounts—a truly brilliant and simple form of promotion, as upon receiving the mail, documentation and sharing surely occurs. Many brands set up affiliate programs or provide discount codes for influential accounts to share with their unique audiences. Equally so, many patients and advocates have been able to generate a part-time income and beyond, for proving their promotional value to the right brand(s). Though the cannabis community is clearly present on Facebook, we don’t seem to be as overly boisterous about it on our personal posts. Maybe because there are private groups and
50
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
pages made specifically for this topic, or maybe, just maybe, both mom and grandma have come around to figuring “this contraption out” causing us to be way more courteous of the content we share. Because we are most likely connected with family members or potential employers on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, "closet medicators," or simply those who have to be a bit more concerned about associating themselves with cannabis, have found platforms/apps that are directly intended for this community, such as @Leafly (116k), @WeedMaps (10.8k), @MassRoots (411k), as well as platforms that offer a bit of anonymity like Reddit, Forums and Private Chat Communities, or even apps that offer a sense of impermanence such as SnapChat. Our community has also found ways to connect by means of video dominant platforms. Owner of @SocialEyesLash (53.1k) and YouTube icon @KarissaPukas (369k) encourages her fans to educate themselves about cannabis and hemp. In addition to dominating Instagram with her beautiful botanically dominated photography, @SheSmokesJoints (257k) content is received very well through Vine and Periscope.
“As acceptance of legalization sweeps the nation, it’s incredible to see where the growth of our community is not only appreciated, but most easily nurtured. All of these social media platforms provide us with rabbitholes of information to absorb an eternity-of-clicks worth of friends to connect with.” As acceptance of legalization sweeps the nation, it’s incredible to see where the growth of our community is not only appreciated, but most easily nurtured. All of these social media platforms provide us with rabbit-holes of information to absorb an eternity-of-clicks worth of friends to connect with. Grateful for the acceptance, understanding and camaraderie we’ve found in one another, it is up to us all to remain responsible with our usage of these platforms, as deactivation still happens often. Please, continue to use these tools and wisely, friends. Gratitude to all the friends we’ve mentioned and so many more for setting a good example for your peers in this community. Keep up the great work. >>
Our friends in this community have found such an incredible way to bond through Instagram over the past few years. Sure, at first glance there are lots of butts and bongs, but we’re proud to share that we’ve dug deep and see so much more development than that: We laugh at ourselves via meme, by way of accounts such as @WeedHumor (1.5m).
We indulge our cravings, with friends like @ItsDelisiouslyDee (30k), by following along with recipes through her blog as “The Happy Chef”.
We meet mothers like @_MotherGreen (62k), who work hard to show the world that cannabis cures, by nurturing education based communities such as @ ParentsForPot (20.6k).
We get a peek into the lives of patients such as @Princess__High (63k) who push past chronic, (often invisible) illnesses, sharing their daily thoughts and lives as catalysts for positive discussions with their peers.
We also see patients such as @HappyTokes (53.4k), blossoming into natural activists, creating communities and becoming representatives for both patients and brands, alike. @HappyTokesTribe member, @HoopLoveFireAndFlow (3.2k) regularly goes above and beyond with political based activism—We especially loved watching her recent video hula-hooping with Bernie Sander’s wife (Jane) and daughter (Carina) during the Alaska caucus.
The brands that are available to interact with on Instagram are endless: For rolling papers and basic herb related accessories, check out @FuturolaUSA (41.3k). For a reliable brand that offers discreet medication, check out @OpenVape (15.9k). If novelty accessories are up your alley, boss-up with a 24k gold joint from @ShinePapers (167k), or get insanely playful with some @Monkey_Os (16.3k). Plenty of one-stop, online-shops with visually stimulating documentation of brands you know and love, such as @ BillowbyCo (11.8k). Subscription services like @MyBurnBox (10.7k) offer discreet monthly shipments of non-medicated smoking products and accessories, delivered to your door. Though you can’t get medicated treats like @KushCakePops (94k) delivered, due to legality issues, brands like these are great at sharing appealing visual content for their current and future customers.
The creators within this community are also getting a spotlight on Instagram: Glass artists such as @ElboGlass (153k) & @MikeShelbo (63.4k) are iconic visual staples within the community. Digital illustrator @Trevolution_Art (43.3k) reimagines his follower’s selfies as aliens, warriors, and galactic goddesses. The presence of cannabis leaves, joints and smoke are common. Stunning organic jewelry crafted from the center of the world’s densest pinecone comes from @ThirdEyePinecones (143k). Look for these spiritually bonding pieces decorating the necks of others, and you’re sure to see the very cannabis friendly “pinecone family” is everywhere. c
*Follower counts were all referenced from Instagram, despite the platform being discussed.
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
51
Cannabis Business Summit & Expo
Join fellow industry professionals in celebrating and discussing the future of cannabis
The progression of the cannabis industry is in its prime right now, and a decade from now when many more states will likely legalize cannabis, they’ll look back and see that that progress came from industry events like the Cannabis Business Summit & Expo. This year’s Summit is making its mark amongst the greatest cannabis events with a long list of unique seminars, workshops and a large trade show floor to explore. Anyone who wants to better their business, learn about new trends and network with a wide variety of business
professionals will find themselves right at home here. An estimated 3,000 people will be attending this year’s Summit, bringing business men and women who work as growers, dispensary owners, infused product manufacturers and many other careers. Those who attend are invited to check out a variety of workshops, panels and lectures, which will be led by professionals, speaking about topics ranging from the role of cannabis nursing in the industry, banking, technological advances for businesses, all the
way to sustainable approaches to cannabis cultivation. Tours will also be available throughout the first day (limited to 20 people per tour) which will take attendees out to famous and successful local cannabis businesses such as Harborside Health Center, Analytical Laboratories, Berkeley Patients Group, Steep Hill Labs and Dark Heart Nursery. Following the end of the day’s events, attendees can spend a few hours exploring the show floor, and check out a great welcoming reception. It isn’t until the “General Summit Day One,” technically the second day of the event, where the Summit truly shines. Following exciting keynote speeches by Ahmed Rahim, cofounder and CEO of Numi Organic Tea, and Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California, the show floor will officially open to all attendees, allowing everyone to explore the Summit’s countless vendors, and make a few networking friendships in the process. The seminars include: “The Fine Print: Money, Law and Your Business,” “Cultivation & Processing,” “Running Your Cannabusiness,” “Policy & Reform” and “Leading Edge: Emerging Topics in the Cannabis Industry.” “General Summit Day Two” will continue at the same pace, opening up with Cody Bass of Tahoe Wellness Collective and Steve DeAngelo of Harborside Health Center in the morning, and offering even more seminars regarding the previous days’ unique topics, with the addition of the “Medical Applications of Cannabis” category. At the heart of the event are the many well known and well respected industry experts who have been invited to speak. Rob Kampia of the Marijuana Policy Project, Sue Sisley M.D., the Director of Medical Plant Research at HelioSpectra, Attorney Hillary Bricken of Harris Moure PLLC, are just some of the amazing individuals representing their niche expertise in the industry. There is an astounding amount of knowledge to be had at this year’s Summit. c
WHAT: Cannabis Business Summit & Expo. WHEN/WHERE: Mon, June 20-Wed, June 22. Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakland, California, 94607. INFO: Visit cannabisbusinesssummit.com for details.
52
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
53
culture growing RECIPES
Testing The Varieties: Part 5 In January, clones of 35 varieties were started n a 4’ x 4’ tent under a 1000 watt HPS lamp. After two weeks the adolescent plants were forced to flower by changing their light cycle from continuous light to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness. At the same time the fertilizer was changed from a vegetative to a flowering formula. The plants were still growing as they flowered and they were getting crowded, so in late February I moved them to a 4’ x 8’ section of a dimly lit greenhouse and provided the plants with five hours of supplemental light daily to elevate the intensity and increase the day length to 12 hours. The harvest began on March 25 and ended three weeks later. The plants were slowly dried in a cool room with temperatures under 70 0 most of the time.
TIP OF THE MONTH FROM ASK ED® This is the ideal time to get your plants outside for a big harvest in the fall or a smaller, but more potent harvest in late summer. Whether you have adolescent plants, clones or seeds, now is the traditional time to plant. The day length is long so the plants will grow vegetatively to start. The strong stem will support branches and leaves for now. The flowers will grow later in the season. Most people start seeds in containers and then transplant them. Living plants can be planted directly in the soil or grown in containers. Enjoy!
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.
PROFILE
IN
COURAGE
DESTINATION
UNKNOWN
by Ed Rosenthal
They were hung in tents with a gentle draft generated by an oscillating fan. After drying and curing, the plants were manicured and weighed. The results were not impressive, which was a result of low total light level during flowering and harvest. The outdoor plants were also manicured and weighed, all of which are being tested for cannabinoid content and the results will be published next month. Meanwhile, my five-plant spring garden is coming along. The varieties are Romulan Grapefruit x2, Sour Grapes, Killawatt and Sour Tangie. They are all in five-gallon soft containers in a 2’ x 4’ tray mounted on rolling tray. They started flowering in early April soon after they were placed outdoors. Although it was past the Equinox and the plants were receiving fewer than 12 hours of darkness, they are flowering profusely. Their critical dark period is shorter than that, probably 9½-10½ hours, although it could be even shorter. Thought of another way, the plants could probably be induced to flower under a regimen of 13½-14½ hours of light daily. Many outdoor varieties start to flower in early August, when the light period is still considerably longer than 12 hours. When the plants were placed outside, the dark period was just under 12 hours. Now dawn to dusk in San Francisco (as of May 9) it is 15 hours and 3 minutes. The dark period is only 8 hours and 57 minutes and the plants will soon be heeding the signals of the shorter dark period to revert to vegetative growth. For this reason, I will be providing the plants with a custom-made darkroom. From this point on, the plants will be wheeled into the dark space nightly anytime after dusk. They will be wheeled out again 12 hours after dusk, which occurs now at 8:37pm . Dawn lights up at 5:34am, but the plants will be napping until 8:37am, when they will be wheeled out to the sun for another fine day of sunbathing and photosynthesizing. c
54
Close-up of dried Harlequin Bud.
Close-up of dried Grand Daddy Purple.
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Plants were measured and photographed to picture their shapes. This is a Sour Diesel.
Plants on wheels (a dolly) can be moved as the sun’s position changes or pushed into the darkroom.
The plants in the tray are basking in the sun.
These Sour Tangie buds indicate that the plants are well into flowering, with about five weeks to go.
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
55
PROFILE
IN
COURAGE
DESTINATION
UNKNOWN
RECIPES
growing
culture
iReadCulture.com
56
Photo by Sean Pavone
Photo by Tumar
Berlin and Hamburg Bloom in June by Sheryll Alexander
With Germany set to legalize medical cannabis in 2017, did you know Berlin and Hamburg are the country’s two top cannabis-friendly travel destinations? And it’s no surprise either as these freewheeling German metropolises—Berlin and Hamburg (which are just a two-hour train or threehour car drive away from one another)—are filled with summertime revelers in June as outdoor art, dance, music festivals, markets and even nightlife abound. This summer, the celebrations of summer in cannabinoid-loving Germany (cannabis is more popular even than in neighboring Holland)
may be ever more raucous as health minister Hermann Gröhe recently announced the country will pass a law by early 2017 to create a national medical cannabis policy. Not only will chronically sick and terminally ill Germans supposedly be able to buy cannabis in local drug stores, but Germany will be the first European nation to allow the medicine to be covered by health insurance. This, in turn, will help cannabis patients cut down on their medication costs. So, why Berlin and Hamburg for an uber-cool summer getaway? Dubbed “the other city that doesn’t sleep,” Berlin blooms in June as the gateway to summer’s many frivolities. Berliners
begin to wake up in June as summer’s warmth brings them out of doors for smoking in parks (especially at the notorious Görlitzer Park where illegal and mostly immigrant cannabis “dealers” sit at benches to offer their wares) and at the season’s many public classic cultural and pop culture events. Because of a legal loophole, Berliners cannot be arrested if they are found with 16 grams or less. Perhaps it is Hamburg’s location as the “gateway of the world,” which makes Germany’s second largest city so vibrant. Situated east of Amsterdam, west of Berlin and south of Copenhagen along the city’s mostly industrial harbor, Hamburg sits in the very center of Northern Europe. Just like Berlin, cannabis is easy to get in certain public parks and it is legal to carry up to six grams of cannabis flowers. Ready to relax and revel in Germany’s lax cannabis cities such as Berlin and Hamburg? Summer is definitely the time to visit these urban wonderlands where cannabis is about to take the stage as a viable medical option for medical cannabis patients. c
Fun-Filled Facts Both Berlin and Hamburg are centers for Germany’s lively and sometimes queer community. The Berlin LGBT bar and nightlife scene is legendary while Hamburg is better for romance with its picturesque harbor. 1
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Don’t miss a day touring Berlin on any Sunday in summer. Open-air markets of all types—especially flea markets full of cheap retro items and antiques—can be found in every neighborhood along with quirky festivities such as karaoke at Mauerpark’s stone-laden amphitheater in northern Berlin (near Gesundbrunnen station). 2
GET YOUR CLICKS
HERE Time to Go: June and through autumn Weather: June begins the summer season in Germany with an average of 14 days of rainfall and temperatures ranging from a low of 63F to a high of 72F. Budget: $$$$$
if you go: Cannabis is smoked rather casually in Berlin and Hamburg’s vast open public spaces, but tokers are smart. They mind the cops and avoid mothers with kids, schools, government buildings, libraries and classic restaurants and cafes. Open air beer gardens and temporary al fresco dance halls seem to not mind groups of smokers either. While studies show 30 percent of Germans are proponents of full legalization, it seems the upcoming 2017 legislation will usher in a state-controlled system of cannabis at dispensaries and pharmacies, which could usher in the legal sale and consumption of medical grade THC and CBD products (and bring a whopping €1-2 billion in annual to the government’s coffers). Perhaps soon, the eternal question one hears at Germany’s parks—Want ganja? or Alles klar?—may no longer be necessary once Germans can buy their medication cheaply and easily at state-supplied pharmacies.
culture PROFILE
IN
COURAGE
DESTINATION
UNKNOWN
RECIPES
growing
Libbie Whited-Seabourn
Age: 47 Condition/Illness: Calciphylaxis, chronic pain, chronic migraines, high blood pressure Using Medical Cannabis since: 2012
Why did you start using cannabis? My cousin had told me to try smoking cannabis to see if it would help alleviate the pain caused by the calciphylaxis. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? I tried Percocet, Vicodin, (I soon found out that I am allergic to those), dilaudid, imitrex (which I am also allergic to), hyberbaric oxygenation treatments and an internal pain pump.
What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? Not being able to obtain the medications legally. What do you say to folks that are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? I tell them what I deal with on a daily basis and how cannabis has helped me to live a little more of a normal life. Without cannabis, I am a hermit because I am unable to go out and do the things that I used to do. I am unable to be the mother I need to be to my children— although my older two are grown—without the help from cannabis. 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 JUNE 2016
57
culture growing
Menu: Lemon Curd Tart Sweet Potato Croquettes with Honey Mustard Sauce Grilled Apricot with Fresh Ricotta and Lemon Vinaigrette
I absolutely love Summer. When CULTURE asked me to do a few recipes for their June issue, I jumped at the chance to bring something light and vibrant to the culinary side of the cannabis industry. Citrus and stone fruit sings Summer to me, which is why I have chosen to make those my focal points for the articles. All my recipes are meant to be very light doses, meaning a maximum of 10mg THC for one serving. Enjoy!
UNKNOWN
RECIPES
Swing in to Summer with The Herbal Chef
recipes by The Herbal Chef™ aka Christopher Sayegh
At his core, The Herbal Chef™, aka Christopher Sayegh, is a passionate science and biology student who turned to the chemistry of food and herbs to feed the intellectual side of his creations. A walking brand full of charisma and charm, Chris has pioneered cannabisinfused fine dining in an effort to elevate the perception of cannabis through mainstream media. Currently, Chris is producing gourmet edibles, frozen CBD- and THCinfused dinners, as well as catered and private dinners. With the innovation of Chris’ frozen, infused meals, coupled with two shows currently in production, Chris has already been able to solidify his space as the #1 cannabis infusion chef. With a seemingly endless supply of passion and drive, Chris has his sights set on leaving a positive impact on the world through his medium of choice, food. Having faced intense struggles to pursue this commendable dream, leaves him open to sharing his vision with the world that is The Herbal Chef ™.
DESTINATION
Lemon Curd Tart
Who doesn’t love a good lemon meringue tart? So simple, incredibly refreshing and perfect for a passed dessert.
Ingredients 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 cup fresh lemon juice
COURAGE
9 tablespoons soft butter 1 tablespoon cannabis butter (equaling 20mg total) t 4 egg yolks 1 egg
Directions
PROFILE
IN
Beat the eggs with the sugar until lighter in color, and then add the lemon juice and zest. Put that into a pot on low-medium heat and continually stir for 2 minutes until combined. Add butter and slowly incorporate into mix. Cook down until the curd is a thick consistency. It will thicken up as it cools. Empty the curd into a bowl, in an ice bath and let cool completely.
58
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.
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com
culture
Sweet Potato Croquettes with Honey Mustard Sauce
growing
Sweet potatoes are so in right now. They are also high in complex carbohydrates, if anyone was wondering. Potatoes like these are also sensational when paired with a sweet and tangy honey mustard. Great for an appetizer!
Ingredients 3 sweet potatoes
3 cups Panko bread crumbs Salt, to taste
Honey Mustard Sauce
Great for a home-style sharing appetizer, or you can add some of your favorite sliced prosciutto, balsamic reduction and make it a dish!
Ingredients
Ingredients
2 ounces (1 jar)
4 fresh apricots (or peaches)
Pepper, to taste 1 quart soy bean oil
The Herbal Chef’s Whole Grain Mustard t
1 cup whole milk
1/3 cup your favorite honey
½ cup heavy cream
½ tablespoon sherry vinegar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon olive oil to brush
1 teaspoon pepper
on the halves of apricot
Directions for Croquette
Peel potatoes and cut into one-inch cubes. Add to a medium pot and cover with water. Add a tablespoon of salt and bring to a boil, turn the heat down to a simmer and cook until tender. Drain well and put sweet potatoes into a food processor. Add in herbs, almond flour, egg and parmesan. Mix well, then add salt and pepper to taste. Put in a container and let set in the fridge for 4-5 hours. Heat the soy bean oil to 350-375 degrees. Set up a breading station of almond flour, whisked eggs and Panko bread crumbs. Form the sweet potato dough into small circles. Cover with flour, then egg wash, then coat with Panko. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes. Fry until golden brown and hot on the inside (about 3 minutes), finish with sea salt.
Directions for Honey Mustard Sauce
Put all ingredients into a bowl and whisk together. Add dijon mustard if you want it a little spicier, or add more honey if you would like it sweeter.
1 tablespoon (per half) The
UNKNOWN
3 tablespoons grated parmesan
Grilled Apricot with Fresh Ricotta and Lemon Vinaigrette
Herbal Chef’s Lemon Haze Vinaigrette t Salt, to taste
Directions
Bring the milk and cream to boil, turn off heat and add lemon juice. Stir until you see the curds separate from the whey. Secure the cheese cloth on a bowl with a rubber band. Remove the whey liquid from underneath and strain for 3 minutes before emptying the cloth into a glass bowl. Fold in salt to taste. This is such a light, fresh mixture, and I would caution using more than 1.5 tsp. Put in the fridge to cool. Cut the apricots in half and brush with olive oil before putting them on a hot grill. Don’t move the apricot around after you have placed it on the grill, you want the heat to caramelize the sugars in the apricot. Leave on the grill for 3-4 minutes or until the apricot can be easily removed. Put the apricot down with a heaping spoonful of ricotta and drizzle with a tablespoon of The Herbal Chef’s Lemon Haze Vinaigrette. iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
COURAGE
1.5 eggs
Special Equipment: • Cheese cloth or a fine mesh strainer (cheese cloth preferred) • Grill
IN
3 tablespoons almond flour (fine)
PROFILE
5 leaves sage (finely chopped)
DESTINATION
8 sprigs thyme (stems removed and finely chopped)
RECIPES
1 tablespoon salt
59
Chuck Shepherd's
News of the
Weird
LEAD STORY—THE POWER OF PRECEDENT u Department of Veterans Affairs employee Elizabeth Rivera Rivera, 39, was fired after her arrest (followed by a February guilty plea) for armed robbery, but when she was sentenced only to probation, an arbitrator ordered the VA to rehire her—and give her back pay she “earned” while sitting in jail awaiting trial. (She had been the driver for a man arrested for a street robbery in San Juan, Puerto Rico). Rivera’s union had demanded the reinstatement without salary penalty—for “fairness”— because the same Puerto Rico VA office had earlier hired a convicted sex offender, and the office’s hospital director, recently charged with DUI and drug possession, avoided VA discipline because of technicalities about the traffic stop.
EVOLUTION OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS STRUGGLE u Turmoil in Selma, Alabama, March 1965: The historic “Bloody Sunday” at the Edmund Pettus Bridge ultimately became a turning point in the battle for voting rights. Turmoil in Selma, Alabama, March 2016: The town is riven by demands for stricter enforcement of the ordinance requiring horses on the street to be wearing diapers—a campaign led by Ward 8’s Councilman Michael Johnson (an African-American): “I’m tired of it because there’s other things I could be doing than dealing with horses.” COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS u Urges: (1) Ms. Ashton Barton, 33, charged with 60
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
shoplifting a vibrating sex toy from a CVS pharmacy in Largo, Florida, in February, tried for police sympathy by explaining that she was in a troubled marriage. “My husband doesn’t want to touch me anymore,” and “I would rather do this than be unfaithful.” (2) Neighbors of a loudly frisky couple in a Stockholm, Sweden, apartment building were so frustrated by the noise that they reached out to the country’s health minister, Gabriel Wikstrom—who took the side of the randy couple (according to a translation by Stockholm’s The Local): “Sounds nice for them, I think. Good for their wellbeing and thus public health as well.” u Nice Tries: (1) Benjamin Grafius, 39, charged with several instances of indecent exposure to Amish people near New Holland, Pennsylvania, told police that he targeted them because he knew they would not use phones to call police (March). (2) Valerie Godbout, 33, visiting Orlando from Montreal and charged with drug possession after alerting police with erratic driving, told the officer that she was on the wrong side of the road because that’s the way traffic works in Canada. (It’s not). (March). (3) Emily Davis, 21, caught by police displaying her recently deceased grandmother’s handicapparking badge, explained that she was merely “using it in her honor.” (Portsmouth, England, February). BREAKTHROUGHS IN SCIENCE u German researchers, publishing in March, revealed that female burying beetles uniquely discourage their mates from pestering them for sex after birth—thus explaining how the male of this species is observed actually helping with child care. The females apparently release a chemical “antiaphrodisiac” to the father’s
antennae. Said the lead researcher (a woman), “They are a very modern family.” Said another biology professor (also female), “Burying beetles are supercool.” u Science magazine called the “butthole” “one of the finest innovations in the past 540 million years of animal evolution”—in that, until it developed, animals’ only channel of waste removal was through the same opening used for food intake. However, the recent discovery, announced at a March conference by a University of Miami biologist, that gelatinous sea creatures called comb jellies can excrete via other pores, was labeled by the magazine as “stunn(ing).” u The Emerging American “Right” of Rejecting Science: In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared that
measles had been eliminated in the United States, but by 2014 Americans had resurrected it (677 reported cases), and researchers from Emory University and Johns Hopkins set out to learn how—and recently found the dominant reason to be the purposeful decision by some Americans to refuse or delay widely available vaccinations (especially for their children). (The researchers found similar, but less-strong conclusions about whooping cough). UNDIGNIFIED DEATHS u (1) An 86-year-old woman died in February in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, when she tripped and got her medical alert necklace caught on her walker, strangling herself. (2) A 25-year-old off-duty New York City police officer was killed on a highway near Elizabeth, New Jersey, in March. According to the police report, the officer had rear-
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
61
ended another car and had gotten out to “discuss” the matter, then suddenly pulled his service revolver and threatened the driver using road rage-type language. As the officer backed up while pointing the gun, a passing driver accidentally, fatally struck him. FINE POINTS OF THE LAW u Joe Vandusen said he has had no contact whatsoever with his estranged wife for “16 or 17 years” and that both moved long ago to other relationships (Joe currently living with a woman, raising both his two children and her two, as well). Nonetheless, Vandusen’s “real” wife recently gave birth, from another father, and, without claiming Vandusen as the father, filed in February for child support from him. In the Vandusens’ home state of Iowa (like the law in many states), he must pay, irrespective of any DNA test (unless he gets an expensive court order to “de-establish paternity.” IRONIES u (1) Ervin Brinker, 68, pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud as CEO of the Summit Pointe health care provider in Michigan and was sentenced in January to 32 months in prison. He had embezzled $510,000 in “mental health” payments and apparently spent it all on a Florida fortune teller. (2) Two of the three candidates for the Republican nomination for county property appraiser in Erwin, Tennessee, in November died before the election, leaving Rocky McInturff the only survivor. However, he is ineligible for the nomination because he lost badly on election day by one of the two dead candidates. LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS u Albuquerque police encountered Leonard Lopez, 26, inside a Chevy Cobalt 62
JUNE 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
car (that was not his) just after midnight on March 30 after neighbors reported a man screaming inside, flashing the car’s headlights. A panicked Lopez was upside down, with his feet on the dashboard and his head and shoulders wedged under the steering wheel, hands and arms tucked inside his sweatshirt. He was charged with burglary, and police guessed he was probably going through opiate withdrawal. RECURRING THEMES u (1) Yet Another Way to Tell If You’re DUI: Maryann Christy, 54, was arrested in Roselle, Illinois, in January when police spotted her driving through town with a 15-foot-tall tree firmly lodged in the grille of her car, sticking straight up. She was apparently too intoxicated to recall where she “acquired” the tree or how many minutes earlier that was. (2) Peak Truck-Spill Karma: On March 23 on Interstate 95 near Melbourne, Florida, two tractor-trailers collided, spilling their contents on the road. One truck was carrying Busch beer and the other various Frito-Lay products. A NEWS OF THE WEIRD CLASSIC (JANUARY 2012) u Anti-Theft ID Breakthrough: For people who become stressed when asked to prove their identities by biometric scans of fingerprints, hand prints or eyeballs, Japan’s Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology has developed a chair frame that authenticates merely by sitting down: a buttscanner. Professor Shigeomi Koshimizu’s device produces a map of the user’s unique derriere shape, featuring 256 degrees of pressure at 360 different points and could be used not only to protect vehicles from theft, but also, when connected to a computer, to prevent log-ons by those with unauthorized posteriors.
iReadCULTURE.com JUNE 2016
63