2
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
3
contents
inside
11.2016
POSITIVE VIBRATIONS
26
Reggae icon Pato Banton is a musician with talent, charisma and a passion for cannabis legalization. ON THE COVER: p h o t o b y J o h n G i l h o o le y
20
16
32
feature 32
42 departments news 8 News Nuggets 9 By the Numbers 12 Local News 14 Legal Corner reviews 16 Strain, Edible & Concentrate Reviews 20 Holiday Gift Guide 22 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 36 Growing Culture 38 Destination Unknown 40 Profile in Courage 41 Shooting Gallery 42 Recipes 45 News of the Weird
4
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Veterans’ Right To Heal In light of this month’s Veteran’s Day, we are digging into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a problem that affects millions of military veterans, and the status of their right to medical cannabis in this country.
online Exclusive! d Democratic Candidate for Utah
Governor Position Has a Plan for Medical Cannabis in the State d THC Recently Proven to Make You
Smarter in New Study
Vol 8 IssUE 5
iReadCULTURE.com november 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 Jamie Solis Editorial Contributors Benjamin Adams, Sheryll Alexander, Marguerite Arnold, Jake Browne, Cole Garrison, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, David Downs, Natasha Guimond, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Anthony Herrold, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Joe Jatcko, David Jenison, Kevin Longrie, Emily Manke, Tyler Markwart, Meital Manzuri, Sandy Moriarty, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Joy Shannon, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Zara Zhi Photographers Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Duncan Rolfson Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Tommy LaFleur Graphic Designer Tanya Delgadillo sales director Justin Olson Regional Manager Beau Odom Account Executives Jon Bookatz, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Cole Garrison, Gene Gorelik, Teddy Helms, Chris Thatcher, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital content manager David Edmundson digital marketing Alazzia Gaoay manager Ctv Contributors Quinn Marie Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla
Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 500 locations throughout San Diego. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 2175 Sampson Ave. | Suite 118 Corona | California | 92879 Phone/Fax 888.694.2046 www.iReadCulture.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
6
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
/freeculturemag
/iReadCulture
/iReadCulture
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
7
NEWS
nuggets
Encinitas Considers Cannabis Cultivation for the Future Results of election season this year may open up possibilities for San Diego to allow cannabis cultivation. If Measure N is passed, it will impose a sales tax on recreational cannabis if Proposition 64 also passes. The measure is supported by Councilman Mark Kersey, and it could bring in an estimated $22 million in the first year. However, in the case that Measure N does pass, members of the San Diego Farm Bureau see opportunity for cultivating cannabis, and they recently held a seminar to inform San Diego growers of the possibility of this new market. The San Diego Farm Bureau hosted a candidate forum on October 10, in which they asked Supervisor David Roberts and Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar if cannabis cultivation would be allowed in the county’s unincorporated areas if Measure N and Prop. 64 pass. “I respect the laws that are passed,” Gaspar said. “I respect the will of the voters.”
Cannabis Possession Penalties Are Lowered in Memphis, Tennessee The city council of Memphis, Tennessee has moved to lower penalties on cannabis possession. The ordinance allows Memphis Police Department the ability to charge someone who was under the possession of cannabis a lesser charge than what is outlined by the state of Tennessee. Currently in the state, a person who is possessing half an ounce or less of cannabis can face a misdemeanor charge, up to a year of incarceration, plus a maximum fine of $2,500. Memphis’ new law allows an officer to instead charge the accused with a $50 ticket from the city. In the ordinance’s text, the council outlined the reasoning for this change. “Whereas, the City Council does not support or encourage the use of marijuana or any other controlled substance but finds that, when an individual’s only offense is possession or casual exchange of marijuana for personal use, criminal penalties imposed by state law and resulting criminal records for such as offense are disproportionate to the severity of the offense . . .” As the second city in the state to adopt much lesser punishment than Tennessee, it will be interesting to see if this will continue to happen throughout other local governments in the state.
Cannabis Extract is Recognized as Medicine by U.K. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the United Kingdom made a decision to recognize cannabis oil that is high in CBD to be medicinal. A letter sent by the MHRA shared its decision with producers and distributors of CBD products. “The MHRA has now completed its review and has considered all information available to it relating to cannabidiol (CBD oil) and having taken into account all the scientific advice and evidence, it has come to an opinion that products containing cannabidiol will satisfy the second limb of the definition of a ‘medicinal product’ . . .” This decision was reached after the proof that CBD oil is able to aid in physiological functions through its ability to affect a immunological, metabolic or pharmacological action. The next step is for the government to make sure the CBD products are regulated accordingly to protect public health.
8
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
San Diego Urges Cannabis Consumers to “Buy Legal” San Diego is encouraging the public to follow the advice of the United Medical Marijuana Coalition’s new advertising campaign that is called “Buy Safe, Buy Legal.” The campaign calls on those living in San Diego to only give their business to cannabis collectives that are operating within San Diego’s legislation. They explain that this will ensure customers are purchasing cannabis and cannabis products that are safe for consumption. Jan Goldsmith is the City Attorney for San Diego, and he shared his support for the “Buy Safe, Buy Legal” campaign in a recent speech. “The only way the city council policy can work, is if consumers reward the businesses that follow the law,” Goldsmith said. “Operating a dispensary that is safe and secure is a lot more expensive than operating one that is sketchy and dangerous. The illegal dispensaries have earned your distrust. The legal dispensaries have earned your business, and when they succeed, San Diego succeeds.”
NEWS
The number of illegally operating San Diego collectives that have been shut down by City Attorney Jan Goldsmith since 2011: (Source: San Diego Union-Tribune)
The number of medical cannabis collectives that are currently operating throughout the state of California, as of October 2016: (Source: 24/7 Wall St.)
2,800
The amount of cannabis, in pounds, that is missing from a San Diegobased cannabis business owner’s products that were seized during a police raid, even after a judge ruled that all products should be returned: (Source: NBC San Diego)
2
300
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that was made in sales through the California medical cannabis market between April 2015 and March 2016: (Source: HDL Companies)
The number of legal San Diego cannabis collectives that are featured in the “Buy Safe, Buy Legal” city initiative to get cannabis users to buy from legal collectives instead of illegal (Source: ones: NBC San Diego)
845
14
The percentage of Arizonans who favor cannabis legalization: (Source: AZ Central)
The amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that hemp soap company Dr. Bronner’s donated to an Arizona-based pro-cannabis campaign: (Source: AZ Central)
The percentage of Mainers who favor legalizing cannabis for recreational use: (Source: Portland Press Herald)
The amount of cannabis, in ounces, that a person can now legally possess in Memphis, Tennessee after the city council agreed to reduce cannabis possession penalties: (Source: WREG Memphis)
50
53
100
0.5
Native American Marijuana Conference
WHAT: Native American Marijuana Conference. WHEN/WHERE: Mon, Dec. 5-Tues, Dec. 6. Viejas Casino & Resort, 5000 Willows Rd, Alpine. INFO: Visit www.nativenationevents.org for more information. Industry experts will be present at the Third Annual Native American Marijuana Conference. Discussions surrounding cannabis will examine the legal, economic, social and policy changes that allow Native Americans to operate in the regulated cannabis industry. Changes are happening constantly, so this conference will help navigate through the ever-changing processes of operating a cannabis business. Whether you are looking to start up your own cannabis-related business or would like to partner up with a Native
American tribe, this event will be a great place to network and learn more. Those attending the event will be tribal leaders, council members, cannabis-related professionals, risk managers, industry consultants, insurance professionals, information and technology professionals, finance and legal professionals and government agencies, among others. There will be plenty of exhibitors and speakers at this event, so get ready to learn about all the opportunities for Native Americans and the cannabis industry. iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
9
10
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
11
NEWS
LOCAL
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN
One cannabis delivery business owner’s negative experience with miseducated San Diego police
by Pamela Grimard
N
ow at the helm of one of San Diego’s only licensed medical cannabis dispensaries, Mankind Cooperative, Ebon Johnson spends his days tending to the needs of medical cannabis patients from all around the county, and all walks of life. But the seas have not always been smooth sailing. After clearing all of the necessary hurdles, and obtaining all of the needed permits, the last thing that he expected was to be arrested and have all of his cannabis products seized by police. However, that is exactly what happened on June 20, 2015, after one of his delivery drivers was pulled over by police and officers ended up at his home, eventually arresting him and setting in motion a long and arduous process that was not only monetarily costly, but physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting. At the time, Johnson was running his licensed delivery service out of his home in San Diego. “There were a bunch of police cars, a bunch of police at my home, it was embarrassing,” said Johnson. Originally charged with a felony, Johnson chose to plead to a misdemeanor, citing the fact that it was only a cannabis charge, and that after all, that is the business he is in. He went on to explain that, “Going through this exhausts you. That’s why I took the plea deal. I didn’t want to go through a trial and spend another $15,000 for a simple marijuana charge. After the plea, a judge ruled that all cash, 11 pounds of cannabis, five grams of wax, seven grams of hash, 20 cartridges, six cannabis drinks, and about $200 in edibles must be returned to him. However, when he went to retrieve his property, there were
12
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
two pounds of cannabis and $400 in cash missing. Johnson was told that the cannabis was ‘destroyed’ because it was found in his employee’s car. The $400 in missing cash, he has been promised will be reimbursed in the form of a check issued by the city treasury. The edible cannabis products were far past their expiration date by the time they were returned, and had to be thrown away. Though there is a possible legal avenue to be reimbursed for those products, Johnson is choosing to take the high road and just write it off as a loss. Despite all that he has endured, Johnson harbors no ill will towards the police officers and detectives who turned his life upside down, but he does want to see change saying, “Here’s the problem with our laws. Police officers are not educated about medical marijuana laws. They go on gut instinct, and maybe the officers who got the judge to sign the search warrant said that there could be heroin or cocaine in there too, so we’ve got to get in there. Obviously, there was nothing like that.” When asked if he has received an apology from police or the city, Johnson quietly chuckled and said, “No, and I don’t expect one. I’m just happy I won, I knew I was in the right. There were other court cases that showed I was right. I read the law, and it said I was right. My problem is, after everything, I spent probably $45,000. I had to borrow money. It was a desperate time. I wish the city would talk to the police officers, so they have more understanding, because they really could ruin innocent people’s lives. I’m just happy I got through this whole thing. I got the CUP (Conditional Use Permit) for Mankind Cooperative, I have a business opened, and they didn’t kill me.” c
San Diego Asian Film Festival Known as one of the leading showcases of Asian films, the San Diego Asian Film Festival returns for its 17th year to bring cinema dedicated to Asian culture. This festival is one of the most respected festivals in Southern California, and it highlights Pan Asian images, which vary from inspirational documentaries to passionate independent movements and even animated features. Asia is the world’s biggest continent, so the variety of films from across Asia will bring diversity of cultures and many personal perspectives. The competition behind this festival makes it all the more exciting. A jury will award prizes for animation, documentary, narrative and short categories. The festival audience and festival will also give out additional awards. Treat yourself to a large collection of sensational, international films. WHAT: San Diego Asian Film Festival. WHEN/WHERE: Thurs, Nov. 3-Sat, Nov. 12. Various locations throughout San Diego. INFO: Visit pacarts.org for more information.
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
13
NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
“HIPAA is federal legislation that provides data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information.”
ON THE TOPIC OF HEALTH Making the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act work for you by Attorney Kimberly Simms
With the increasing evidence of the efficacy of medical cannabis, as well as more states moving towards regulating the medical cannabis industry, medical cannabis collectives are facing an ever-increasing scheme of regulatory oversight and compliance measures. One important aspect of government regulation often overlooked by collectives involves the handling, use and storage of a patient’s confidential information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has a laundry list of rules, procedures and penalties regarding the management of a patient’s information. If a collective falls under HIPAA’s jurisdiction, then they need to act quickly to avoid possible fines. But before jumping lockstep to HIPAA regulation, it must first be determined whether HIPPA applies to medical cannabis collectives. HIPAA is federal legislation that provides data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information. Since HIPAA was enacted in 1996, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued regulations, known, as the “Privacy Rule” describing in detail what a “covered entity” must do to protect a patient’s personal health information. According the HHS website, the Privacy rules “assures that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information 14
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
needed to provide and promote high quality health care and to protect the public’s health and well-being.” The Privacy Rule protects all “individually identifiable health information” held or transmitted by a “covered entity” or its business associate, in any form. This information is referred at as “Patient’s Health Information,” or PHI. PHI includes patients’ medical record numbers, contact information and other identifying information. Most collectives have membership intake forms that require patients to provide PHI. Additionally, collectives rely heavily on patient verification systems, which contain PHI such as, patient contact information, and other information used for verification, such as driver’s license numbers. The next step in our analysis is to see if collectives are considered “covered entities” pursuant to HIPPA. HIPPA defines a covered entity as “a health care provider who transmits any health information in electronic form in connection with a covered transaction.” Under HIPPA, a health care provider is defined as “any person or organization who furnishes, bills, or is paid for health care in the normal course of business.” Since any person or organization that furnishes or is paid provide medical cannabis in order to treat illnesses, it can certainly be argued that they meet the definition of “health care providers” as defined in HIPAA. However, because
the medical cannabis industry is still evolving, it is not abundantly clear if a collective would in fact be considered a health care provider under HIPPA, especially since medical cannabis is merely “recommended” and not “prescribed” by physicians. The last question we must ask in analyzing whether a collective is a HIPPA-covered entity is whether the collective is electronically transmitting health information in connection to “covered transactions.” A “covered transaction” includes: Requests to obtain payment from a health insurance plan and the exchange of information in connection with such a request; inquiries to a health insurance plan to determine whether an individual is eligible for coverage under that plan and to determine benefits associated with that plan, as well as the health plan’s response to such inquiries; requests to obtain authorization to refer a person to another health care provider; the electronic transmission of payment for health care services from a health insurance plan to a health care provider or the provider’s financial institution, as well as the transmission of information concerning that payment. At present, insurance companies don’t cover medical cannabis treatment and therefore there is no covered transaction occurring to confirm a patient’s coverage. This final analysis allows us to come to the conclusion that a dispensary is likely not a HIPAA-covered entity. Last and perhaps most importantly, patients want to know that collectives take their privacy seriously. Collectives should do their best to protect their patient’s information in accordance with the HIPPA regulation by setting up protocols and policies, such as websites with Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates and hosting data in a HIPAA Compliant data center. Having the data on-site or in a typical server location is a serious violation of HIPAA. Ultimately, implementing HIPPA compliance today, is yet another way we can show the world that we take medical cannabis seriously. c
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
15
REVIEWs
strain, edible & concentrate Available through: Alternative Patient Care delivery.
The Clear Deathstar OG Cartridge The Clear Deathstar OG cartridge from Alternative Patient Care absolutely lives up to its name. It has an extremely clear, lighter than honey appearance that is almost a bright sunflower yellow color when held up to the sun. Its flavor is both sweet and tart, like Lemonhead candy, with an earthy and hashy taste as well. It is not only great for physical relaxation, pain relief, and sleep, but the 500mg of pure THC with no additives also works well as an appetite enhancer. Being in cartridge form makes it ideal for discreet, on-the-go medicating.
XJ-13 A cross of Jack Herer and G-13 Haze, this uplifting sativa has vibrant lime green coloring with bright orange pistils, all covered in glistening trichomes. It has a very strong aroma that is piney and lemon scented. Like Pinesol, it smells clean and crisp. The flavor is also super piney with a lemon citrus taste. It is definitely a treat for the taste buds! The hit produces a hearty cough, and the effect is motivating, cerebral and creative, making it ideal for daytime medicating. Sativa lovers will be thrilled with this superb strain from California’s Kindest.
Available through: California’s Kindest throughout San Diego.
iReadCulture.com GET YOUR CLICKS
HERE Available at: Torrey Holistics in San Diego.
Gelato With its royal purple and lime green colored leaves draped in shiny trichomes, and extra-long auburn pistils, the Gelato from Torrey Holistics is a beautiful sight to behold. Being a Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie and Sunset Sherbert cross, it has a very pungent, sweet and slightly floral aroma, with just a hint of citrus. Flavor-wise, it tastes of sweet berries and an edible floral bouquet. Instant muscle relaxation and a happy, euphoric, creative mindset makes this hybrid strain a perfectly balanced option for those in search of both physical and cerebral relief.
16
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
17
Available at: Various collectives throughout California.
REVIEWs
Nugz Imagine a dinner feast where the main course is a turkey stuffed with chicken, duck and beef, wrapped in bacon. That’s the food equivalent of the cornucopia of medicinal cannabis each patient will endure once this bag has been opened. Bursting at the seams with potent flowers and dipped in CO2 oil and then rolled in high grade kief. The flavorful nugs let off an aroma similar to fresh berries with a slightly tannic grape finish usually found in wine fermentation. The taste is somewhere between sweet and sour with a small amount of diesel at the tail end. Patients can expect effects to be almost immediate and last upwards of several hours. Enjoy this product at the end of a long day . . . or week.
Sunset Sherbert Grown by The Jungle Boys, the Sunset Sherbert from Left Coast Collective is dense, and it has outstanding nug structure with tons of purple coloring and a plethora of thick orange pistils. This impressive looking nug is drenched in shining trichomes. Aromatically, it is like a handful of fresh blueberries, both earthy and sweet. Its flavor is also like sweet berries with a light citrus note, very tangy and bright. This indica-dominant strain packs an explosive hit and provides a full body effect that is perfect for long lasting pain relief and physical relaxation.
Available at: Left Coast Collective in San Diego.
Available at: Mankind Cooperative in San Diego.
SFV Shatter Like a beautiful piece of amber stained glass, the SFV shatter from Mankind Collective has remarkable clarity, is very user-friendly and easy to work with. It smells of fuel, pine and citrus, a perfect balance of outstanding terpenes. The flavor is similar to the aroma, being very piney and fuel-like with a hint of citrus on the exhale. The hit is super expansive and very clean. This shatter was obviously well-purged. Expect instant head-to-toe relaxation, as the SFV is physically sedating while still being cerebrally stimulating.
Starfire Edibles Organic S’mores Doughnut Eaten as-is, the Starfire Edibles Organic S’mores Doughnut available at Point Loma Patients Consumer Cooperative is delightful, but use a dab torch to toast the marshmallow on top, and you have an ooeey, gooey, medicated treat that provides overnight pain relief, deep sleep and simply tastes amazing. Made with USDA Organic ingredients and containing 100mg of solvent-less ice water extracted bubble hash, this medicated treat has a great texture and isn’t overly sweet or medicinal tasting.
18
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Available at: Point Loma Patients Consumer Cooperative in Point Loma.
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
19
Toker Poker
G U IDE! 2016
Get the hottest gift item of the season—the legendary Toker Poker! Finally your poker/ dabber, tamper, hemp wick and lighter are all in the same place. This 420 multi-tool has everything you need to vape, dab, roll and toke. Its ergonomic design provides the most basic but essential tools for any smoker. Glow in the dark, chrome and other limited editions are now available online. Sure to be a stocking stuffer hero! Use “CULTURETP16” at check out for 20 percent discount online at TokerPoker.com (offer expires 12/31/16). Price: $7.95 Website: www.tokerpoker.com
Grow For Vets Battery
To honor, give thanks and give back to U.S. veterans, O.penVAPE has created a fund raising promotion with our partner Grow For Vets USA. We’ve designed two batteries, one customized with a camouflage design and the other an American flag. Both will be sold online and in retail outlets across the country. For every battery sold, one dollar is being donated to Grow For Vets USA. The organization’s primary mission is to save the more than 50 veterans who die each day from suicide and prescription overdoses. Grow for Vets provides veteran heroes with a safe alternative to deadly prescription drugs. Helping wounded veterans to receive the respect and dignity of life that they deserve is a mission we are proud to be part of. Price: $24.95 Website: openvape.com
My Bud Vase “Daily Bread” Water Pipe
This beautifully crafted My Bud Vase is a water pipe fashioned from a traditional flower vase. Made from high-grade ceramic material, this delicate but lovely pipe has a large bubble chamber to help filter the incoming smoke and a wide mouthpiece that allows for a pleasant smoking experience. These vase-pipes are the perfect gift if you’re searching for both a highquality bubbler that can double as a nice centerpiece for a kitchen table— and it’s the kind of gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. Price: $119 Website: www.dankstop.com
20
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Cannabis Leaf Track Jacket
It’s time to help cannabis fashion transition from the stereotypical hippie-inspired garb to some new articles of clothing that are classy and trendy instead. Treat your cannabis-lover with a gift like this cannabis leaf track jacket. This particular jacket is made of thin spandex and meant for light weather, allowing the wearer to literally wear their love for cannabis on their sleeve. Your giftee can simply zipup and head out into the world with confidence that cannabis is on the rise. Price: $26.95 Website: www.originalhoneystraw.com
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
21
REVIEWs
entertainment
BOOK
Marijuana: A Short History
MOVIE Release Date: November 29 Available on: PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
John Hudak
GAME
Brookings Institution Press
Final Fantasy XV
John Hudak, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution traces the history of America’s laws and attitudes toward cannabis in his new book, Marijuana: A Short History. Hudak offers a unique and up-to-date summary of how this natural plant with a seemingly controversial history has emerged from the shadows of subcultures and secret illegal use to become a seriously treasured medicinal public policy issue and source of legal revenue for states, businesses and government. Hudak goes into detail about why attitudes have shifted and what the future for cannabis is in our ever-changing political world. (Alex Bradley)
22
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Square Enix Business Division 2 Square Enix Final Fantasy XV (FFXV ) is proof of how far the series has come since the original game released in the late-1980s. During a time of war on a planet called Eos, almost all countries are controlled by the empire of Niflheim, leading the heir of the only free kingdom, Noctis, to travel on a journey to save his homeland. FFXV is an action-RPG that takes place in a beautiful open world, and features like a new battle system, along with the familiar unique weapons and magic types. Needless to say, this game is worthy of its legacy title. (Nicole Potter)
Ghostbusters
MUSIC
Dir. Paul Feig
Cody
Columbia Pictures
Joyce Manor
The debate regarding the value of re-making classic films and re-launching iconic film franchises like Ghostbusters has been a contentious one. However, for those who are able to eschew measuring it against the 1984 original and accept it for what it is, then the film can be quite enjoyable. This film is a fun reimagining of an awesome premise meant to introduce new, younger fans to a great comedic film series, with the most striking difference being it’s all female leading cast. Filled with gut busting slapstick comedy and enough subtle references to the original to please old fans. (Simon Weedn)
Epitaph Records Over the last several years, Joyce Manor has established itself as one of the strongest and prolific bands in the pop punk scene. So it’s no surprise that the band’s new LP, Cody, finds the quartet continuing to evolve its sound and pushing itself in new directions. While a couple of the songs see the band revisiting its tried and true minute-and-a-half burst of sonic intensity, Cody also sees the band stretching itself both literally and metaphorically into longer songs and an even more varied sound. (Simon Weedn)
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
23
Pato Banton is a famed reggae musician, profound community leader and cannabis advocate by Paul Rogers Reggae star Pato Banton was in the midst of his biggest-ever tour—a global trek for Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD organization in 2000— when he learned that two of his sons had been injured in a drive-by shooting in his native England. He immediately put his burgeoning career on hold to go hunt-down the perpetrator. Gunman found, he then turned his outrage and sorrow into the impetus for award-winning community and educational initiatives which would consume the next six years of his life. Reading like some gritty screenplay, this extended episode epitomizes a man whose fourdecade public presence has increasingly transcended music to convey a singularly positive and often spiritual message. Emerging from a working-class community in Britain’s second-largest city, Birmingham, in the 1970s, Banton is now based in Southern California, from where he continues to tour extensively while simultaneously serving as a mentor (and sometimes minister) to fans worldwide. Banton was almost born into a world of reggae sound systems, with his Jamaican DJ stepfather hosting illegal house parties in his childhood home at which the preteen served as a lookout, doorman 26
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
and ultimately, performer. Born Patrick Murray, Banton’s nocturnal musical escapades earned him the nickname “Patoo,” a Jamaican word for owl (“Banton,” meaning formidable lyricist, was added by music producers later). By his late teens, “Ranking Pato” had been declared his hometown’s number one MC seven years in a row and was touring Europe with a local reggae band. But it was his performance on The Beat’s 1982 album Special Beat Service that put him on the mainstream map. Appearances on UB40’s 1985 Baggariddim and Little Baggariddim releases confirmed Banton as a major toasting talent and imminent solo force. Banton’s debut solo album, ‘85s Mad Professor Captures Pato Banton, is still regarded as a genre classic. A string of hits including “Absolute Perfection” and “Handsworth Riot” followed. By the mid 1990s he was topping charts internationally with a cover of Eddy Grant’s “Baby Come Back” (featuring Ali and Robin Campbell of UB40) and collaborations with Sting (a remix of “This Cowboy Song” and a remake of the Police’s “Spirits in a Material World”). Throughout, Banton has been an outspoken promoter of p h o t o s b y J o h n G i l h o o le y
cannabis (referencing how he “smoke up the ganja” on his second single “Allo Tosh,” and that he “only smoke the sensimilla” on 1987 classic “Don’t Sniff Coke”). A famously charismatic, inclusive live performer known for evocative storytelling and comic vocal characterizations, Banton threw himself into philanthropic work after his sons’ shooting, founding community projects, becoming a qualified music teacher, and setting up his own School of Musical Arts and Technology in Birmingham. He has earned numerous accolades for his musical and humanitarian accomplishments, including the BBC’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Upon returning to musicmaking a decade ago, Banton embarked upon a mission to spread positivity, spirituality and universal love. He has two new albums slated for release in February and will be touring in the U.S., U.K., Africa and Asia next year. He just re-recorded “Baby Come Back” with Ali Campbell for a new UB40 release. CULTURE chatted with the affable Banton about his music, message, and long relationship with cannabis. >>
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
27
Starting out in Birmingham in the 1970s, would you ever have pictured yourself still having a thriving career and living in sunny Southern California nearly four decades later? I would not! I had a lot of doubts about my future, but music was always my hobby . . . So it’s really just been an evolution of fun and just a continuation of my love of music and never really felt like an “official” career. Can you paint a picture of the sound system scene from which you emerged? We’d have our sound system in [a living room] with our music box with all the records in it and a speaker box that took up half the room! And we’d be playing music just really for our friends in a dark room and just going on the microphone and chanting lyrics, ‘til eventually it emerged for us to be in nightclubs doing the same thing. What does a typical week in the life of Pato Banton look like these days? Getting the band together . . . hitting the road; doing shows [and] doing interviews while I’m travelling. Writing lyrics. And I’m on my computer every chance I can get—I’m reaching out to new promoters, booking shows for months ahead, because I do my own bookings, I shoot my own videos, I record my own songs in my own recording studio. So it’s really non-stop. You seem to tour constantly. Is that the best part of the job? I get great pleasure out of meeting people—meeting my fans; meeting other artists in the industry; seeing new places. And one of my main motivations is to make people feel better, so I get a chance to meet my fans, talk to them, uplift their spirits—while I’m performing and in person. So I’m not just trying to build a fanbase—I’m actually building a spiritual family as well as I travel, and to me that’s the ultimate goal. Your live shows are unusually participatory experiences. What is your approach to concert performance? It’s not about me just going on stage and doing a rehearsed show—it’s about saying ‘how can I get this entire crowd of people . . . involved in this experience, connected to each other, and get everybody feeling good.’ We never have a set list . . . So it’s really a personal experience for the crowd and no two nights are the same. >> 28
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
29
How has your sense of humor helped you spread your message? I think the sense of humor is very important, especially considering that most of my lyrics are pretty serious . . . [It] allows people to let go of the stress and drama, enjoy the moment, but also reflect on subjects that are meaningful. From your earliest days recording with Ranking Roger and UB40 to your later hits with Sting and recent work with Mystic Roots, collaboration appears crucial to your creativity. Why is that? It’s friendship when I bond in the studio with another artist . . . And then creating something new, to me, is just very, very inspiring. You touch their audience with your style and then touch your audience with their style. I can do albums by myself, but it’s just much more fun when you go into a situation where someone who has a totally different style to you; a totally different approach to writing to you. Your career straddles the old music business, dominated by major labels and radio play, and the new era of downloads and social media. What have been the pros and cons of these two contrasting landscapes? The pros with a major label really are that you have a team . . . working on every single avenue of your career, because of their investment into you. The cons of a major label are that they only give you less than 10 percent of everything you earn. With downloading, the new era that we’re living in now, there’s no real control of your music . . . But the sales that you do make, you make 100 percent of your own sales. And so for me, as a live touring artist, I sell most of my CDs on the road . . . And, once I release my music digitally now, I own it 100 percent, rather than a record label owning my music. In May, you held your 4th annual Spiritual Gathering in L.A. Just what is Pato Banton’s Spiritual Gathering? A lot of people who are not in religion or in churches are looking for some kind of community . . . We give participants a 30-minute slot to give a presentation to everybody. And these presentations can be on prayer or a spiritual subject or a global subject that has a serious meaning to everybody. And then, in between each speaker, we have people who can sing or play instruments play some music. >>
30
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
After your sons were shot back in Birmingham in 2000, you successfully set out to find the gunman. Tell me that story and about how it impacted your life. I was blown away . . . I thought to myself ‘wow, here I am doing so much for underprivileged and troubled communities around the world [with WOMAD] and I haven’t had a chance to do anything for my own community.’ That really bothered me. I went back home; I found out who shot my kids and it was actually a friend of mine—his son was trying to kill somebody else and my two sons got in the way . . . But, about six months later this kid went and shot somebody else and was caught and ended up getting a life sentence. I took my recording studio that I had at home and set it up in my community center locally and then started inviting all the kids off the streets. That became such a hit that local authorities . . . asked me to set up the same program in 16 other communities . . . Then that became such a huge hit that the local college invited me to set up a music department. Tell me about your personal history with cannabis and how it has impacted your life and music. Growing up in a Caribbean community in England, cannabis, marijuana was just a part of our culture . . . I started smoking myself about the age of 14, 15, but very casually. One thing I enjoyed about my experience with marijuana is that it always made me think deeply . . . my thought becomes profound; my reflections become deeper and my perspective becomes deeper. In reggae music [and] the Rasta community . . . they see marijuana as a sacrament. So it’s done with reverence—we smoke with reverence and respect for the plant.
“In reggae music [and] the Rasta community . . . they see marijuana as a sacrament. So it’s done with reverence— we smoke with reverence and respect for the plant.”
What are your opinions about both the medicinal and recreational value of cannabis for society as a whole? Both approaches . . . are very, very important for society. Y’know, society needs a different option than alcohol, that’s for sure. [Cannabis] should be legalized and decriminalized and fully accessible—not just to an industry, but also to the individual in their own backyard. The medicinal uses of marijuana and cannabis are so obvious now and so globally recognized now that it is insanity not to allow it to be explored and understood at increasingly deeper levels. For you, how does cannabis enhance spirituality? When I was younger and when I smoked it, it made me think. Thinking is necessary for any kind of progress and profound thinking; deep thinking is necessary for us to go even further in our own personal and social development. So I think that, when I started my spiritual journey, marijuana helped me to become more thoughtful and more self-aware. I hardly smoke anymore; very rarely—I’m more into edibles now . . . but I will say that, when I do eat it, I still have awesome experiences of deeper meditation and deeper thinking.
What are your thoughts on current cannabis legislation in the U.S. and how do you foresee this changing? I feel like the legislation across the U.S. is muddled, confused, and between the federal state and the independent states there needs to be harmony. I think it’s changing and I do see some progress, because this can only go on while a minority of the states have got [cannabis] legislation . . . Once the majority of states slew towards legalization, the federal government will have to back off. Outside of making music, what are the great passions in your life? I do ministry [but] I don’t belong to a church; I don’t belong to any religion. If you want to have the most, you’ve got to give, and so I decided that I wanted to be a minister . . . I’m always serving my fans. I’m performing weddings; I’m christening people; we have spiritual gatherings [and] study groups at my home. Apart from that, I enjoy shooting videos . . . my own videos and I do videos for other people. Your last album was Destination Paradise in 2008. What’s on the horizon for you, musically? I’m working on two albums right now and one of them is basically done . . . It’s called Love is the Greatest and it’s coming from all different aspects of love. And then I’ve got another album that I’m working on called BrotherFriend which is more of a heavy album dealing with world issues. I have a third album as well that I’m working on which is called The Words of Rastafari, which is a three-CD album where I am narrating the words of Haile Selassie over some Bob Marley rhythms. c
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
31
Veterans’ New
Battlefront
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Cannabis
by Benjamin M. Adams
In recent months, a landslide of states are moving forward and adding PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying illness. There’s never before been as many advocates becoming vocal about the efficacy of medical cannabis in military veterans suffering from PTSD. Eighteen states now recognize PTSD as well as the District of Columbia and Guam. In November, Montana will decide if they will make the same change. Pressure to add PTSD increases as the American Legion, who represents 2.4 million military veterans, challenged Congress with a bid to reschedule medical cannabis. The Legion passed a formal resolution addressing both the DEA and members of Congress. Dr. Sue Sisley was instrumental with the task of convincing the American Legion to join the battle to allow veterans to medicate with cannabis. The Phoenix-based physician was also a key player in the effort to launch the first Government-aided study on the effectiveness of cannabis in treating veterans suffering from PTSD. Recently, Congress passed a spending bill, but first dropped a provision that would have allowed veterans to have access to medical cannabis in states where it’s legal. The Veterans Equal 32
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Access Amendment would have allowed doctors to recommend cannabis as a treatment for PTSD. Military veterans could benefit from the unique healing mechanisms available from medical cannabis. According to a recent estimate from the National Institutes of Health, there are 7.7 million Americans suffering from various forms of PTSD. Patients say traditional PTSD treatments aren’t enough. Many states list PTSD as a qualifying illness explicitly and in others it falls under additional conditions. In Colorado, the debate has dragged on for a decade. Patients must rely on permission by the state’s Department of Health. The state’s Board of Health has denied many PTSD patients based on the excuse that there is not enough supporting scientific evidence. Colorado is the latest to make a move to add PTSD to the list of eight other qualifying illnesses. A handful of PTSD patients in Colorado filed a lawsuit against the Board of Health, prompting the state panel decision to vote in favor to add PTSD to its list of illnesses. The panel voted unanimously in favor 5-0 to endorse the addition of PTSD to the state’s 2000 medical cannabis law. The recommendation suggests that the state legislature make a move when work resumes in January. The Board of Health
has rejected four separate applications to add PTSD in the past. In New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie recently caved and signed a bill allowing PTSD sufferers to have access to medical cannabis. Remaining a staunch opponent of loosened cannabis laws, Christie stipulated that he hopes the bill will not be used to abuse cannabis. “Requiring conventional medical therapy to be ineffective in treating PTSD before medical marijuana can be prescribed is an appropriate threshold safeguard to deter misuse in the Medical Marijuana Program,” the governor stated after he signed the bill. PTSD joins New Jersey’s list of six other conditions. After several failed attempts, Illinois has claimed victory. Over the summer, Illinois’ Republican Governor Bruce Rauner signed Senate Bill 10 into law, adding PTSD to the list of conditions. Illinois’ Medical Cannabis Pilot program runs through 2020. Advocates believe adding PTSD is just what Illinois needs to sustain its medical cannabis program. Florida’s Amendment 2 would add PTSD to its list of conditions. Voters will decide in November whether to expand the state’s medical cannabis program, which allows low-THC products. Many retired veterans call Florida home and are addicted to opioid-based painkillers and other drugs. >>
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
33
The states that recognize PTSD include the following:
PTSD as a qualifying condition
qualifies as approved by physician
Arizona
California
California
District of Columbia
Connecticut
Illinois
Delaware
Maine
District of Columbia
Michigan
Illinois Maine Massachusetts Michigan Nevada New Jersey
“Requiring conventional medical therapy to be ineffective in treating PTSD before medical marijuana can be prescribed is an appropriate threshold safeguard to deter misuse in the Medical Marijuana Program.�
New Mexico Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Washington
34
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
35
culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN
by Ed Rosenthal
Last month I started an experiment trying to produce pollen from female plants. Because female plants carry only female sex genes any flowers pollinated using this pollen will result in seeds that will all become female plants. Three different chemicals were tried: 30PPM colloidal silver sprayed daily, silver thiosulfate (which is a combination silver nitrate and sodium thiosulfate sprayed three times) and a commercial product advertised for the purpose that was sprayed daily. Each liquid was sprayed on four plants, one each of Blue Dream, Candyland, Sour Diesel and Girl Scout Cookies. After 30 days the only plants that responded in any way to the treatments were the four plants that received
the commercial spray. It has been 30 days since the experiment was started and on the four plants sprayed with the commercial formula the male flowers are large and profuse. They look like they are about to open and to release their pollen. These plants have grown no female flowers. My plan is to collect the pollen from each of the bearing plants and then to use this to pollinate unsprayed females. The “unaffected” sprayed plants will also be pollinated to see if they are fertile and capable of producing seed. While this is happening, I am setting up another two groups of four plants to try different versions of the colloidal silver and silver thiosulfate experiment: Rather than use the colloidal silver at 30 ppm daily, the concentration will be increased to 100 ppm with daily spraying.
PROFILE
IN
COURAGE
DESTINATION
GROWING CANNABIS WITH FEMALE SEEDS PART 2
Rather than just spraying the silver thiosulfate weekly, the plants will be sprayed with a different regimen. Several are being considered. All of them involve more frequent spraying. I was disappointed that the colloidal silver and STS didn’t work, but I attribute it to a flaw in method since both are successfully used all the time. The new plants will be clones transplanted to 6” containers placed in a 4’ x 4’ tray. They will be given continuous light for three days. Then they will be placed in the flowering section, which is a greenhouse that will get between 11 and 10 hours of sunlight daily, dwindling as autumn progresses. The sun is supplemented with a 1000 watt HPS lamp that is on for 12 hours daily. As the new plants commence flowering, the seeds resulting from the successful pollen production of the earlier experiment will be maturing. Shortly after they mature, representative samples will be germinated and flowered in standard 10” x 20” trays to check their femaleness and for hermaphroditism. At the same time, it will be a study in flowering plants directly from germinating seed. c
36
Experimental garden. Three rows were treated with masculinizing agents. The fourth was used as a control.
Each row held four varieties—Blue Dream, Candyland, Sour Diesel and Girl Scout Cookies and coded with different colors for each spray product .
A Sour Diesel treated with the commercial spray switched sexes completely.
Bud of Sour Diesel female plant treated with the commercial product shows no indication of female flowers, just males.
Female flowers of Candyland treated with colloidal silver showed no effects.
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.
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
TIP OF THE MONTH
Some gardeners have refrigerated or frozen the fresh fan or trim leaves from the harvest and manicuring. This leaf can be used to make a special bubble hash. In the living plant there is little THC. Instead the plant holds it as an acid, THCa. It only becomes psychtropically active when it dries and decarboxylates, becoming THC. When the glands go through the liquid sift as bubble hash is made, the THCa never has a chance to change over to THC. If the hash is burned or vaporized, the heat will quickly convert the THCa. However, if I used in preparations in which it is kept cool and moist or wet, most of it may remain as THCa. Since it is not psychotropically active, THCa can be used medically in large doses. To retain these qualities, it should be used in formulas or recipes that are not heated.
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
37
RECIPES
growing
culture
Time to Go: Fall Weather: Cold with intermittent showers Budget: $$$$$
if you go: Prague may sound like a cannabis lover’s dream, but it isn’t as easy it is sounds. A tradition of using cannabis as medicines goes back thousands of years, so medical cannabis has always been accepted as a true medication. But like most European countries, it isn’t truly legal. However, Prague is the most openly accepting European city for growing your own and toking in public (just don’t do it in front of the authorities). Cannabis growers here do it privately and the best buds can be found by befriending cool locals. Just remember to ask politely and expect to pay top notch prices for whatever you can find.
Prague Magically Lights Ups in November
PROFILE
IN
COURAGE
DESTINATION
UNKNOWN
by Sheryll Alexander
38
Cannabis enthusiasts visiting Prague, Czech Republic in November’s shoulder season can expect less tourists and more affordability, as well as an opportunity to witness the city’s famed Christmas markets that literally light up the chilly outside while club, concert, ballet, opera, black light and marionette theatre season gear up at indoor venues. Prague may be Europe’s most cannabis-friendly city, but it doesn’t wear its cannabis pride on its emerald sleeve, unlike nearby Amsterdam. As in most European countries, cannabis is still illegal and medical cannabis patients are left in limbo land without proper licensing or access to lab-tested premium meds. Still, Prague residents and visitors can rather easily obtain decent-to-excellent flower bud strains from private home-tomedical grade growers (see “if you go” section for buying recommendations).
Edibles and other ingestion methods such as vaping are still quite rare, but cannabis tinctures and salves are another matter. In fact, it is legal for citizens over 18 to grow up to five plants for medical use at home. This is why most Czech grannies and grandpas have grown their own for centuries to provide a fresh store of smoking bud as well as soothing transdermal medications to sick friends and family. The city’s famous Christmas Markets rev up this year starting Nov. 26 although Prague’s holiday lights and window dressings magically transform the city by mid-month. Both Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are open from morning to late evening with dazzling decorations along with holiday shopping, charming carolers, traditional foods and warm drinks such as mulled wine and hot chocolate. c
Fun-Filled Facts Day tripping using Prague as a central base is one of the delights of this ancient city as it sits just slightly northwest of the country’s dead center. One of the best day trips is located just two hours north by train to a mountainous forest oddly enough called Bohemian Switzerland, which is actually sits on Germany’s south border. 1
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Prague’s O2 Arena is one of Europe’s best and biggest concert venues. Lit-up like a jewel at night, “The 02” rocks late fall with the world tours of Rod Stewart (Nov. 7), Jean-Michel Jarre (Nov. 8), Justin Bieber (Nov. 12), Petr Hapka (Nov. 24) and Elton John (Nov. 26). 2
If you are visiting the Czech Republic on Nov. 17, remember this is a national holiday called the Day of the Struggle for Liberty and Democracy. This no-work day commemorates a famous student protest in 1939 against the Nazi occupation and also celebrates the 1989 Velvet Revolution. Most tourist-laden businesses are open for the holiday, but shops frequented by locals will probably be closed or have limited hours. 3
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
39
Jack Splitt
Age: 15 Condition/Illness: Severe Spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy with debilitating Dystonia, chronic pain and nausea Using Medical Cannabis Since: July 2014 - August 24, 2016
Why did Jack start using medical cannabis? Stacey Linn: When Jack hit puberty his Dystonia (constant, severe muscle contractions all over his body that caused contortions, pain and vomiting) became unmanageable. He was taking up to 10 pharmaceutical medicines, most of which were not specifically for Dystonia. All
of the medications sedated him to the point of being unable to think, or even keep his mouth closed, or smile. Jack was nonverbal and dependant on a specially molded wheelchair to sit up. He could not use his arms or legs. Cannabis started working for Jack immediately and I was able to wean him off 85 percent of his medications. He returned to being his bright, engaged self. He was relieved of a great deal of pain and anxiety associated with the Dystonia. He was also healthier in general. In the years prior to cannabis he was constantly hospitalized for respiratory
What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? The scariest issue facing MMJ patients right now is the effort by cities and counties to create policies that circumvent the state constitutions that legalized medical marijuana and allowed patients to grow their own medicine. There are many ballot initiatives this November that restrict the ability of patients to grow their own medicine by limiting plant counts and ban the manufacture of oil-based medicine. MMJ patients like Jack need large quantities of oil concentrate to treat their illnesses. What do you say to folks that are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? “So was I!” We have all been raised with the antiquated prohibitionist attitudes
about marijuana as a dangerous drug. In fact, cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years— and was quite commonly used in this country until it was criminalized in 1937 for political reasons. The ensuing propaganda taught generations the wrong idea about marijuana. It is safe and non-toxic. There have been zero reported deaths from marijuana use to date. Compare the safety of marijuana to the epidemic of deaths from pharmaceutical overdoses—not to mention the addiction problems and dangerous drug interactions. Jack and thousands of others are living proof that medical marijuana works. It stops seizures, pain, muscle spasms, treats cancer and PTSD where traditional pharmaceuticals fail and/ or cause additional harm. It causes no harm. Allow yourself to be educated. Meet some real cannabis patients. Listen to their story of recovery and see with your own eyes what cannabis has done for them. Reversing the false information will only happen by learning the facts. Contact me at CannAbility, my foundation, which has a broad constituency of medical marijuana patients. Talk to them. We can give you countless research on the efficacy of marijuana medicine. Read it. Do this even you are fortunate enough not to have a debilitating condition. Please be compassionate. c
PROFILE
IN
COURAGE
DESTINATION
UNKNOWN
RECIPES
growing
culture
disease. The first year on cannabis he was only admitted to the hospital twice for respiratory illness, whereas previous years he spent, on average, 10 weeks in the hospital. While on MMJ, Jack was able to lobby with me, his mother, to pass a groundbreaking law in Colorado to allow children like him to take MMJ at school. He was able to sit for hours through committee hearings and visit legislators to help educate them on the benefit of MMJ and the necessity of being able to take it at school. His bravery and bright, engaging spirit changed thousands of hearts and minds.
40
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.
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
SHOOTING GALLERY
THinC Expo San Diego
photos by Beau Odom
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
41
culture growing
Relishing in Fall’s Bounty
Yield: 16 Mushrooms, 8 Servings Serving Size: 2 Mushrooms
Menu:
Thanksgiving Stuffed Mushrooms
PROFILE
IN
COURAGE
DESTINATION
UNKNOWN
RECIPES
Turkey Meatballs
42
Cranberry Walnut Biscotti
recipes by Laurie Wolf The Fall bounty, which in my world includes harvesting outdoor cannabis, lends itself to the earthy, rustic flavors found in these recipes. Of course you can make them any time of year, but seasonal and local is how we like to roll. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Stuffed Mushrooms
Directions
This is the recipe for the folks who can’t get enough of the flavors of that food crazy American holiday. You certainly don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving to try it, everything is available year round. A tasty mushroom for sure.
Preheat oven to 325̊ F. Clean mushrooms using a paper towel to remove any dirt. Do not run under water. To prepare mushrooms: Remove stems, finely chop, and set stems aside. Lightly coat each mushroom with olive oil, salt and pepper; and place cap side up on a baking sheet for later use. In sauté pan over medium low heat, add 2 tablespoon olive oil and cook garlic, shallots, and celery until translucent but not browned. To same pan add turkey sausage, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and poultry seasoning. Continue to cook until turkey sausage is mostly done cooking. Turn the pan to low and add the dried cranberries, applesauce, mascarpone cheese, cornbread and panko breadcrumbs. Blend until thoroughly combined. Blend in the canna-oil and mix for two minutes, ensuring the oil is evenly distributed. Fill mushroom caps with 1½ tablespoon of the filling and bake at 325̊ F for 20 minutes.
Ingredients 16 extra-large white button mushrooms
1 tablespoon chopped poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped dried cranberries
1 ½ tablespoon salt 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
1 tablespoon cinnamon applesauce
1 large diced shallot
3 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
2 minced garlic cloves
1/4 cup crumbled corn bread
1 stalk celery
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
¾ pound turkey sausage
8 teaspoons canna-olive oil*
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
43
culture growing
Turkey Meatballs Medicating these glorious meatballs is achieving food perfection. This recipe is inspired by the brilliant chef Mario Batali, and acquired through my friend Freddi. These are now our go-to meatballs. They are amazing. And they are turkey. Go figure.
Ingredients: 10 slices of day old bread
½ cup chopped parsley
2 lbs. ground turkey
2-3 tablespoons canna-olive oil*
UNKNOWN
RECIPES
¼ lb. prosciutto, diced
DESTINATION
Yield: 10 Servings Serving Size: 2 Biscotti
½ lb. Italian sausage
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 eggs
Salt and pepper
½ cup Romano cheese, grated
2 cups tomato sauce
Directions: Heat oven to 340° F. In a medium bowl cover the bread with water. After five minutes, drain the bread well. In a large bowl combine the turkey, prosciutto, and sausage. Mix well. Add the eggs, cheese, parsley, oils, salt and pepper and mix very well. Place the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Use an ice cream scoop to form into meatballs and place onto the parchment. They will be a little flat at the bottom but that’s okay. Bake for 40 minutes. Warm tomato sauce over medium/low heat. Toss meatballs with warm tomato sauce.
Yield: 2 Dozen Meatballs, 12 Servings Serving Size: 2 Meatballs
Cranberry Walnut Biscotti With a cup of tea or coffee these biscotti will kick your butt, but only in the best way. Biscotti are fun to make. It’s a process, but it has a great pace and it’s cool to see the transformation of the dough.
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour
concentrate
2/3 cups sugar
1 tablespoon orange rind
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
2/3 cup sugar
½ cup dried cranberries
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 egg white
3 1/3 tablespoons canna-oil*
Sugar
1 tablespoon orange juice
COURAGE
Directions:
PROFILE
IN
Heat oven to 340° F. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and vanilla and add to dry ingredients and mix until moistened. Add walnuts and cranberries and knead into dough. Flour your hands, as the dough will be sticky. Divide dough in half and shape into two 10 x 2 ½ inch logs with floured hands. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Cool loaves on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Place on a cutting board and slice into one-inch pieces on the diagonal. Place the cut side down on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes on each side until light golden brown, a little longer if you like crisper biscotti. Cool completely on wire racks.
44
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.
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
Chuck Shepherd's
News of the
Weird LEAD STORY—THESE SHOES WEREN’T MADE FOR WALKIN’ u The upscale clothier Barneys New York recently introduced $585 “Distressed Superstar Sneakers” (from the high-end brand Golden Goose) that were purposely designed to look scuffed, well-worn and cobbledtogether, as if they were shoes recovered from a Dumpster. The quintessential touch was the generous use of duct tape on the bottom trim. Critics were in abundance, accusing Barneys of mocking poverty.
NEWS THAT SOUNDS LIKE A JOKE u (1) The British food artists Bompas & Parr are staging (through Oct. 30) a tribute to the late writer Roald Dahl by brewing batches of beer using yeast swabbed and cultured from a chair Dahl used and which has been on display at the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden, England. (2) A 16-year-old boy made headlines in August for being one of the rare survivors of an amoeba—a brain-eating amoeba—which he acquired diving into a pond on private property in Florida’s Broward County. (By popular legend, Floridians are believed to lack sufficient brain matter to satisfy amoebas!) GOVERNMENT IN ACTION u The Drug Enforcement Administration has schemed for several years to pay airline and Amtrak employees for tips on passengers who might be traveling with large sums of cash, so that the DEA can
interview them—with an eye toward seizing the cash under federal law if they merely “suspect” that the money is involved in illegal activity. A USA Today investigation, reported in August, revealed that the agency had seized $209 million in a decade, from 5,200 travelers who, even if no criminal charge results, almost never get all their money back (and, of 87 recent cash seizures, only two actually resulted in charges). One Amtrak employee was secretly paid $854,460 over a decade for snitching passenger information to the DEA. u Update: In August, the Defense Department’s inspector general affirmed once again (following on 2013 disclosures) that the agency has little knowledge of where its money goes— this time admitting that the Department of the Army had made $6.5 trillion in accounting “adjustments” that appeared simply to be made up out of thin air, just to get the books balanced for 2015. (In part, the problem was laid to 16,000 financial data files that simply disappeared with no trace.) “As a result,” reported Fortune magazine, “there has been no way to know how the Defense Department— far and away the biggest chunk of Congress’s annual budget—spends the public’s money.” WAIT, WHAT? u In August, the banking giant Citigroup and the communications giant AT&T agreed to end their twomonth-long legal hostilities over AT&T’s right to have a customer service program titled “Thanks.” Citigroup had pointed out that it holds trademarks for customer service titles “thankyou,” “citi thankyou,” “thankyou from citi” and “thankyou your way,” and had tried to block the program name “AT&T Thanks.” iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
45
46
november 2016 iReadCULTURE.com
iReadCULTURE.com november 2016
47