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INF ORMING T HE M AS SES
Former talk show host and actress, Ricki Lake, gives CULTURE the exclusive scoop about her career, her goals for the future and her new film, Weed the People. ON THE COVER:
PHOTO BY GIACOMO GEX
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features 24
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Industry Insider Founder and COO of StockPot Images, Ophelia Chong, has risen to fame thanks to her cannabis advocacy and vision of the future.
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Working Together Support cannabis businesses owned by former members of the armed forces in honor of Veterans Day happening this month.
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Listen Closely These five cannabis podcasts are a great way to stay entertained while gaining unique perspectives on the current state of the industry.
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departments 08 Letter from the Editor news 10 News Nuggets 11 By the Numbers 12 Local News reviews 14 Cool Stuff 15 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 28 À La Carte 30 Growing Culture 31 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! d How to Infuse Your “Friendsgiving” Celebration d First Two Cannabis Labs Approved in Boston, MA
VOL 10 ISSUE 5
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jamie Solis ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ashley Bennett EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Benjamin Adams EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Matthew Abel, Hilary Bricken, Devon Alexander Brown, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Caroline Hayes, David Edmundson, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Carl Kozlowski, Emily Manke, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly R. Simms, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf PHOTOGRAPHERS Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner, Bruce Wolf ART DIRECTOR Steven Myrdahl PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Aguirre GRAPHIC DESIGNER John Venegas ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alex Brizicky, Angie Callahan, Kim Cook, Eric Bulls, Rocki Davidson, Casey Roel, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza OFFICE MANAGER Mikayla Aguilar DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Cruz Bobadilla
CULTURE® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 600 locations throughout the Southern California. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. CULTURE® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.
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NOVEMBER 2018
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LETTER
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EDITOR
Enduring Devotion
P
ediatric cancer. Those are two words that no parent or guardian should ever have to hear, especially when referring to the health of their child. The words pale in comparison to the devastating experiences that coincide with undergoing cancer treatment for a child. Unfortunately, pediatric cancer, among other diseases, is an unfair reality that some children and their families still face. Cancer is a destructive force that affects the lives of both victims and survivors, and when children are the ones who are affected by it, cancer couldn’t be crueler. Like our readers, at CULTURE, we are not only cannabis consumers, but we are activists, and we are educators. Every day we wake up and live our purpose of bringing cannabis into the mainstream, for medical purposes, as well as for recreational enjoyment. We are mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles; we are proud members of our community, and overall we want more than anything to see health and wellness perpetuated in the lives of every human being on this planet. We want to dismantle the lies and fear that surround cannabis and replace it with education, research and hope. It’s our mission to create a safe place for all consumers from all walks of life to feel like they can belong within our community, while also being provided with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their own wellbeing, as well as that of their loved ones. That is why when we come across stories like those found in the groundbreaking film Weed the People, we rejoice in finding a clear and accessible way to provide information to the masses about a plant that has helped so many who are undergoing cancer treatment. Through our exclusive interview with Weed the People Executive Producer Ricki Lake, CULTURE gained insight into the growing impact of this emotional film, which follows the heartbreaking and awe-inspiring journeys of various families who turned to cannabis as treatment for their children’s pediatric cancer. With countless screenings continuing throughout the month of November and in some cities into December, we invite our readers to come along this journey, which highlights the heroes who exist within our community, who provide children and their families with cannabis medicine and guidance. The cannabis industry is no stranger to
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setbacks. But we will no longer be defined by the obstacles ahead of us. Instead, we’ll continue to rally together to make sure no person diagnosed with cancer is not given all the resources possible to thrive. Like many of the other documentaries Ricki Lake has been a part of before, Weed the People has the ability to lead to the change we are desperate to see in our world, if for nothing else, for the sake of our children. As Lake tells CULTURE in our November cover story, “At the end of the day, you look into these kids’ eyes, and you see them going through these treatments in the hospital. You can’t help but get behind these families and stories. That—I hope—will lead to real change in the system.” c Cheers!
JAMIE SOLIS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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NEWS
NUGGETS
Deliveries Could Be Allowed in Local California Cities that Banned Cannabis The Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC), the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Food and Agriculture made a move on Oct. 19 toward allowing deliveries in local California jurisdictions that have banned cannabis sales. The agencies approved
proposed rule changes and other draft regulations, including the controversial cannabis delivery provision. “Today, the BCC decided to ignore the concerns of a broad coalition of local government, labor and law enforcement,” League of California Cities Executive Director Carolyn Coleman stated. “The delivery provisions contained in these regulations seek to subvert the intent of the voters who approved Proposition 64. By removing local governments’ reasonable regulatory authority on cannabis deliveries, the BCC is imposing a ‘one size fits all’ form of cannabis regulation.” The California Police Chiefs Association also opposed the rule changes. The permanent rules are expected to be finalized in December.
San Diego Considers Cracking Down on Cannabis Billboards and Ads City Councilmember Chris Cate recently introduced city code updates that would ban cannabis billboard ads within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, youth-oriented facilities, recreation centers, libraries, churches and residential care facilities. Even though Proposition 64 already bans ads within 600 feet of certain sensitive areas, Cate’s proposals would add parks, churches and residential care facilities to the list. It also adds 100-foot buffers around residential housing. “I believe my proposals are fair and reasonable regulations that will provide our code enforcement division and our Police Department with additional tools to 10
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better regulate marijuana advertisements within our city and protect our children and families,” said Cate. He also wants to ban cannabis-related advertising for unlicensed operations from internet platforms, newspapers, magazines and other publications. Last March, Cate clashed with the team behind Weedmaps because of illegal cannabis business listings. The updates will be presented by Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s staff to the city council next year.
Guam Governor Signs Cannabis Cultivation Bill On Oct. 9, Gov. Eddie Calvo signed Bill 302, which allows patients and caregivers to grow their own medical cannabis until Guam’s medical cannabis program forms. Patients and caregivers have already been waiting for access to medical cannabis since the island first legalized it in 2014. “This bill was prompted by an initiative voted on by the people of Guam,” Gov. Eddie Calvo stated. “It has been a struggle getting medicinal marijuana to those in our community who need it. Now there’s another option, and that is home cultivation. We believe that this measure will effectuate the use of medicinal marijuana for those that are in need of it.” Per the new law, patients and caregivers can obtain a grower’s permit from the Department of Public Health and Social Services. Once they’ve received a permit, they can grow and possess up to six adult and 12 juvenile plants.
The number of cannabisrelated ballot measures that were voted upon in Vista in November: (Source: The Coast News)
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the recently signed Senate Bill 1294 sets aside to help victims of the “War on Drugs”: (Source: The Sacramento Bee)
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10
The number of Lemon Grove City Council votes, out of four, that were cast in favor of approving a second medical cannabis dispensary: (Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune)
4
The estimated amount of money, in dollars, that the city of San Diego plans to use in grant money to fund a team of attorneys who specialize in drug-DUI charges: (Source: 10 News)
255,850
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the state of Alaska collected in cannabis tax revenue during the month of August: (Source: U.S. News)
1.5
The estimated number of people who applied for a “Cannabis Connoisseur” job that was posted in Toronto, Canada in late-September:
20,000
(Source: Global News)
The number of U.S. states that saw cannabis-related proposals on the November ballot: (Source: Forbes)
The estimated number cannabis-related public speakers who spoke at the 4th Annual Maine Cannabis Convention in Maine: (Source: Portland Press Herald)
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Cannabis for Pets WHEN: Sat, Nov. 17 WHERE: One Minute Cannabist, 3041 Industry St. Ste B, Oceanside WEBSITE: oneminutecannabist.com/events-page Humans aren’t the only creatures that can benefit from cannabis’ incredible medicinal properties. Many people consider their pets to be members of the family, so why shouldn’t they have access to medical cannabis products? Presented by Elizabeth Mironchik-Frankenberg, DVM, CCS, this event will focus on utilizing medical cannabis for cats and dogs. Attendees will learn about the endocannabinoid
system and the physiology in animals. Discover the differences between how cats and dogs react to cannabis. Don’t forget to learn about how cannabinoids affect pets differently than humans and how to determine which products are safe enough for your pets. Pet owners are invited to see how medical cannabis products may be able to help their furry friends. CultureMagazine.com
NOVEMBER 2018
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NEWS
LOCAL
David Crosby
Careful Consideration
Escondido lawmakers and residents discuss cannabis l i c e n s i n g at t o w n h a l l m e e t i n g By Jacob Cannon
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annabis licensing was up for discussion at the city of Escondido’s town hall meeting on Oct. 3. Half of the meeting consisted of Escondido Mayor Sam Abed recapping the positive changes and happenings of the city over the last few months. The one-hour meeting then turned the discussion to cannabis. Edward Wicker, local attorney and owner of Wicker Law Group, introduced cannabis licensing as a topic of discussion during the meeting. Wicker Law Group has two San Diego-based offices, one of which is located in Escondido and the other in Rancho Bernardo. Wicker has been practicing cannabis business law since 2012 and is also a member and leader of San Diego NORML, a local group dedicated to reforming cannabis laws in San Diego. “I’d like to open up dialogue with you. I have lots of resources,” Wicker stated at the meeting. “I understand you’re not going to make permits available next week.” Back in February, Escondido City Council voted to ban medical cannabis dispensaries in the city. Wicker noted that local approval was still be needed in order for cannabis businesses to operate under Proposition 64, which was passed
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in California two years ago, in November 2016. Escondido voters supported Prop. 64 with a 52.1 percent vote in favor. Mayor Sam Abed responded to Wicker, sharing that while he is currently committed to keeping cannabis businesses out of Escondido for now, the discussion about medical cannabis licensing could start happening as early as next year or so. He also noted that he would like to see recreational cannabis licensing remain banned throughout his tenure as mayor, because he doesn’t like the recreational industry’s reputation, and he fears recreational cannabis poses a risk to San Diego youth. “When Proposition 64 passed, I bet you if you voted for it, they did not tell you that we have to get dispensaries, we have to get things next to our schools, next to our public facilities,” Abed said. “Nobody knew that. They only told them, ‘You know, if we’re going to pass this, we’re going to allow the creation of marijuana.’” Abel expressed his fear of cannabis business zoning in Escondido, although Prop. 64 does allow for local jurisdictions to determine zoning requirements and buffer zones, which do not allow cannabis businesses to operate within at least 600 feet of schools, daycares and other sensitive facilities. Although Abed stated that he would be open to discussing medical cannabis licensing as early as next year, Wicker was not optimistic about this discussion happening in the future, as he shared with an interview with The Coast News. “I thought it was an opportunity to engage with the mayor, and I’m concerned about the city’s reluctance to provide a path forward for cannabis businesses when the view in favor is clearly in the majority, and the mayor is obstructing the will of the majority,” said Wicker. Wicker remains dedicated to this cause, as he knows that cannabis prohibition will continue to fail, just like prohibition did with alcohol and just like it has with cannabis in the past. c
David Crosby recently announced that he is seeking to launch a new cannabis line called MIGHTY CROZ and create a licensing partnership with a cannabis company. It’s hard to overstate Crosby’s massive influence in popular music. Crosby’s early band, The Byrds, recorded “Eight Miles High,” co-written by Crosby in 1966, which is widely considered be the first psychedelic track. As a member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, he headlined alongside Jimi Hendrix and others at Woodstock. He also played the Altamont Free Concert and Monterey Pop Festival with bands like The Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead. He went on to sell a combined 35 million records over the decades including plenty of classic rock songs that are now considered classics. Hear Crosby perform those songs live at this once-in-alifetime experience at Balboa Theatre. WHEN: Mon, Nov. 12 WHERE: Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego WEBSITE: davidcrosby.com/ pages/tour
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3. Moodo Starter Pack Why settle for a single scent when Moodo can provide rotating or mixed scents to suit any mood? This starter pack comes with three scent families, and each scent family contains four capsules with complementary scents that are carefully selected. Mix and match, or personalize your own scent by toggling with the presets and customizing according to your preference. There are a total of seven mood-oriented scent families to choose from. You can also control Moodo remotely using its handy smartphone app. That way, if you’re away from home, your house will smell the exact way you choose by the time you arrive home. Price: $189 More Information: moodo.co
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entertainment
BOOK
The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life Amanda Siebert Pub. Greystone Books Cutting through the misconceptions, cannabis journalist Amanda Siebert brings readers 10 evidence-based facts about cannabis in this easy-to-read book. The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life includes insight from some of the most respected medical professionals and researchers in the field, providing answers to frequently asked questions about the countless reported benefits of cannabis, from it being a weight loss enhancer and aphrodisiac to it having the ability to cure cancer and serve as a sleep aid. For the cannabis-curious, it’s clear to see that this short read is an enjoyable one. (Jacob Cannon)
RELEASE DATE: NOV. 13 AVAILABLE ON: PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE
MOVIE GAME
Spyro Reignited Trilogy Dev. Toys for Bob Pub. Activision While the Spyro the Dragon series is far from new (having originally released in 1998 on the PlayStation), the quality of this trilogy remake is so high that it might as well be brand-new. Not only does this game present undeniably beautiful graphics compared to the original, but it’s also a three-for-the-priceof-one deal, so you get the original as well as the second and third titles. Players will instantly harken back to the days when 3D games were new, and times when endless hours of fun were gained by comically torching sheep with fire and collecting gems that looked like liquid-filled fruit snacks. (Nicole Potter)
Sorry to Bother You
MUSIC
Dir. Boots Riley Universal Pictures In an era made for refreshing takes on political art and film, Sorry To Bother You is one of the funniest and most interesting socially aware dark comedies in recent memory. Helmed by first-time Writer/ Director Boots Riley, the film follows Oakland, California resident Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield) as he rises to prominence as a telemarketer by discovering his “white voice” and its ability to help him make sales. Fleshed out by a robust cast including Danny Glover, Terry Crews, Steven Yeun and Tessa Thompson, and voice acting from David Cross, Patton Oswalt and Lily James, Sorry To Bother You is a mustsee. (Simon Weedn)
abysskiss Adrianne Lenker Saddle Creek Adrianne Lenker might be best known at the moment as the frontwoman of ethereal, indie rockers Big Thief. Prior to the band’s success though, Lenker was already drawing praise as a solo artist with dreamy acoustic tunes. On her first album of solo material since Big Thief’s rise, Lenker takes the enveloping style she’s perfected with her band and applies it to a singersongwriter setting with abysskiss. While the songs still have the raw, strippeddown feel of solo, acoustic work, the overall production and simple backing arrangements allow the songs to wash over the listener like cool fog. (Simon Weedn)
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“IN THE BEGINNING, ALL I DID WAS CHANNEL OPRAH.”
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PHOTO BY GIACOMO GEX
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RICKI LAKE OPENS UP ABOUT HER CAREER, HER L AT E S T FIL M AND HER PERSONAL MISSION TO EDUC AT E OTHERS ABOUT MEDICAL CANNABIS
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Few people possess the natural empathic abilities that Ricki Lake does— which is why she was the youngest syndicated talk show host at the time when Ricki Lake debuted in 1990. It’s also why her wildly successful early career in film—and prowess in the independent documentary scene later on in life—took root. Through films like Hairspray with Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono and Divine, and Cry-Baby with Johnny Depp and Traci Lords, Lake became a cult classic icon in the world of musical film, beginning when she was just a teenager. Hairspray would inspire a Broadway musical that won eight Tony Awards and a 2007 remake with an all-star cast. And seldom do shows last 11 seasons like the original daytime talk show Ricki Lake. As an ardent ally of LGBTQ rights, female empowerment and various social causes, Lake was naturally inspired to produce Weed the People, a powerful film that follows the children and families battling pediatric cancer, who depend on medical cannabis. The Emmy Award-winning host, actress, executive producer and mother took time to chat with CULTURE about the reasoning behind her new film, as well as the highs and lows of her remarkable on-screen career. CultureMagazine.com
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Weed the People takes a hard look at pediatric cancer patients who depend on medical cannabis the most. What led you to connect with Director Abby Epstein and make this film? Abby and I first met in about 1999 when she directed the “The Vagina Monologues,” so we became coworkers and friends. And then we went on to make our documentary The Business of Being Born, which came out 10 years ago in 2008. I’m drawn by my own personal experiences with midwives and home birth, and I really wanted to explore that option. And with cannabis, I can’t say “this is my medicine” way back when, but my beloved husband Christian Evans
“I HAVE REAL HIGH HOPES THAT [WEED THE PEOPLE] CAN DO A LOT TO MOVE THE NEEDLE AND GIVE PEOPLE A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE POWER OF THIS PLANT, THE SMEAR CAMPAIGN THAT TOOK PLACE 75 YEARS AGO AND HOW WE REALLY NEED TO GET BACK INTO THE MINDSET THAT THIS IS JUST A PLANT THAT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE AND ANYONE WHO NEEDS IT.” passed away in 2017. This is his passion. He was very, very curious about how cannabis could help him with his own physical ailments. He had a lot of issues. At the same time that he was doing research and looking up and finding out information about CBD. This was way before Sanjay Gupta went on CNN and cleared up medical cannabis misinformation. And so we started on this journey. He was [encountering] these medicines that he hadn’t tried before, and at the same time, we had this little girl come into our life that didn’t end up in the film, but she had this really terrible disease, and we went on this mission to try to find out the options for her as opposed from chemotherapy. And it led to this five-and-ahalf years in the making of this film following these 18
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children. What we learned is just staggering. The hypocrisy. It’s a human rights issue, and it just doesn’t make any sense. How long did it take you to find concrete evidence of the efficacy of medical cannabis? It is hard, because the evidence is just not out there. You don’t know what the outcome is going to be when you’re working with these children. They have to put a lot of trust in us in letting us document, and many of the times the doctors in the hospitals don’t want cameras in there. It’s really touching, even though one of the children in the film didn’t survive. But in the documentary film landscape, that’s the experience—you don’t know where it’s going to take you. So yeah, it’s heartwrenching, like watching baby Sophie getting a scan every six weeks because she has fluid [gathering]. It’s life or death. I’m so grateful to the families for trusting us and allowing us to follow their process and ultimately help so many people through their times of despair and hope. I think ultimately, this film is a very hopeful film. It’s been instrumental in helping people to come to the decisions that are best for them. And that’s the same with this film. It’s about informed choice and knowing what the laws are and knowing what you’re up against. And it is changing. We started in 2013. We’ve come a long way, but it is still a Schedule I drug. It’s still federally illegal in this country. I would love to change the perception that some people have. Why do you think it’s still common for some parents to automatically dismiss medical cannabis as treatment for their children? It is frustrating, but I think
that this movie could be the tipping point. I have really high hopes for it. I made the film with all my own money. It was my personal passion. It was my interest. I didn’t know if anyone else would care. I did it, because I thought I needed to put this out into the world for my own life’s work. What we’ve seen is my movie from 10 years ago, the home birth rate in America has doubled. The C-section rate has flat-lined for the first time in decades, and they say it’s because of the information that we shared in our film. I have real high hopes that [Weed the People] can do a lot to move the needle and give people a new understanding of the power of this plant, the smear campaign that took place 75 years ago and how we really need to get back into the mindset that this is just a plant that should be available to everyone and anyone who needs it. Do you think we’ll see cannabis rescheduled federally any time soon? So much is happening. I’d like to say “yes.” We brought our little film Weed the People to Oklahoma to screen it there at their deadCenter Film Festival two weeks before their referendum. Arguably, I think that our film might have had something to do with it. I want to believe that this means we can help change the law. But honestly, this movie isn’t about legalization. It’s about families and their plight to find medical care for their dying children. At the end of the day, you look into these kids’ eyes, and you see them going through these treatments in the hospital. You can’t help but get behind these families and stories. That—I hope—will lead to real change in the system. CultureMagazine.com
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five minute meeting with Planned Parenthood or their meeting with [their] OB-GYN. There’s a lot more to it. I’m really excited about the new film also. I’m also a little bit nervous, because I feel like it’s taking on the beast of “Big Pharma”—like poking a tiger. I come at it from a place of curiosity and personal interest. I was on hormonal birth control for decades, and I only look back at it now and say, “Oh. That’s why I was depressed.” Or “That’s why I had hair loss.” I’m just putting the dots together now. Who knows what choice I would have made knowing that. I love that I get to use my celebrity [status] to make these films that impact people and ultimately help.
Weed the People Director Abby Epstein and Executive Producer Ricki Lake
Do you consume cannabis? Yes. I live in California, and I am lucky enough to be able to have access to some of the best medicine. I wasn’t a cannabis user for a very long time. It wasn’t my medicine. I would take too much, and it would make me feel paranoid. First of all, the gift of making this film is that I’ve been able to meet some of the most amazing doctors and chemists and to understand that there are thousands of strains. It’s just about tinkering around and finding what’s best for you. I take CBD every day for anxiety and sleep issues, and I have an arsenal of beautiful medicine to help me if I need it. But I wouldn’t say I’m a daily cannabis user. It’s not something I need to do every 20
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day. I love that I am able to use this legally in my state and have access to the best medicine. Sweetening the Pill was another documentary you produced about birth control. Do you worry about birth control rights in the United States after recent events? Of course. Absolutely. It’s terrifying. Our film, again, is about choice. Every documentary I make is about informed choice. So what we did for birth [and birth control], we hope to do for cannabis. We’re not about trying to steer women off hormonal birth control, but we really want to educate them about the pros and cons and what it does to your body. There’s a lot that women don’t get to hear about in their
John Waters graced the cover of CULTURE back in 2014, and your first run of major films were directed by him. How did he discover you? I was 18 and a freshman in college, and I heard about an audition that was happening for a movie called Hairspray. I honestly did not know who John Waters was, or Divine. I’d never heard of any of his films. I just knew that I was a fat girl who could dance. And so I met him at the open audition, and I went for one call-back—and it changed the entire trajectory of my life. It plucked me from complete obscurity. I was on a very different path, and he opened the door for me. I just saw him last week. Right now, the time is crazy. It’s 2018. I just turned 50. I was 18 when I did Hairspray. It’s the 30th anniversary of Hairspray. Business of Being Born is 10 years old. And my talk show launched 25 years ago last month. So I have all these milestone anniversaries. I saw John last week for the 30th anniversary Hairspray screening in New York, and he came. It was awesome. It’s surreal to think of what that man was able to do for me and what we were able to do together. Every door opened for me after that movie. I’m forever indebted and grateful for that guy.
Looking back, Hairspray tackled some pretty deep issues like racism and fatshaming. At the time, did you foresee its impact? No. I was just so happy to be making $20,000, so for me, I was very short-sighted. Once it did come out, John kind of coached me and said, “Look, your life is going to change, so I want you to remember to be humble and stay true to yourself.” He really gave me advice that helped me. But no, we had no idea at the time. And the fact that it would live on through all these different iterations—it’s insane. It’s more timely than ever on issues of racism. It’s sad but true that these issues still live on today. You began hosting the original Ricki Lake show at age 24, making you the youngest talk show host at the time. You’ve accomplished so much, starting so early on in life. How did you pull that off? Hell if I know. Honestly, it goes back to being completely naïve and having some inner selfconfidence. I remember really admiring Oprah and looking up to her and I was on her show when I was 19 for Hairspray. I wanted to be her. I told her I wanted to be the white Oprah. And I meant it, like a love letter to her. When they offered me a show years later, I assumed since they offered it to me that I could do it. I never really had any doubt. In the
“I TAKE CBD EVERY DAY FOR ANXIETY AND SLEEP ISSUES, AND I HAVE AN ARSENAL OF BEAUTIFUL MEDICINE TO HELP ME IF I NEED IT.” beginning, all I did was channel Oprah. I said to myself, “What would she say? What would she ask?” Ultimately, I guess I was a good host, because I realized I was a good listener and a non-threatening person, and I have my own life experience. All these qualities and naturally I was able to apply them at that job. Still, I’m continually curious about relationships
and so forth. Having said that, I was also happy to walk away from the show after 9/11. I watched the plane hit the building. That’s around the time I switched gears. I ended my show and moved to L.A. My documentaries wouldn’t have been successful had I not had the credibility and
the familiarity with my audience. Ricki Lake was an early example of presenting LGBTQ issues and prejudices on TV. Do any particular guests stand out to you, from any topic? I’ve been thinking a lot because of Matthew Shepard’s 20th anniversary of his death. His family came on my show. We did a ton of work on gay rights. On treating gay relationships just as any other relationships. On interracial relationships. I pride myself because we were pretty groundbreaking in that area. I treat every relationship as any other— the same respect that I’d want. To this day, there are so many gay people that come up to me and say, “That show helped me to figure out who I was.” What do you plan on doing next? If I died tomorrow, it would all be OK. But there’s still more that I want to do. I’m looking at a project with a friend of mine. We’re launching a TV show, and we’re pitching to different places right now. My youngest is graduating from high school, so he’s going to college next year. My other son is graduating from college this year. I’m moving to Malibu, and the house is going to be ready in April. So, I’ll be an empty nester living in Malibu and seeing what the world has in store for me. c
www.weedthepeoplemovie.com
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“MY WHOLE PASSION IS SPEAKING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE OUTLIERS [OF SOCIETY].”
INDUSTRY INSIDER
INSPIRED IMAGES StockPot Images Founder Ophelia Chong has made a positive imprint on the worldview of the cannabis industry
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By R. Scott Rappold There was a time—it may seem like ancient history given the tidal wave of cannabis legalization sweeping the nation—that to be photographed smoking or growing the plant was to risk being arrested. How much has that changed? Just ask Ophelia Chong, founder of StockPot Images, the California-based agency that has become a clearinghouse of cannabis-related photos, some 20,000 of them, the first and largest such collection, available for use by magazines, websites and anyone else who needs a photo, but doesn’t
have the time or resources to hire a photographer. For a 58-year-old who avoided cannabis most of her life, it’s the culmination of a long career in the visual arts and major opening-of-eyes regarding the plant. And she’s on a very personal mission to show that the stereotypes that have long been associated with cannabis are very wrong. “My whole passion is speaking for people who are on the outliers [of society],” said Chong. “That was always my specialty . . . How do you talk about this community and bring it into the mainstream in a powerful yet educational way?” PHOTO BY ©JOSH FOGEL STOCKPOT IMAGES®
F.
F a m i ly C o n n e c t i o n
Chong (no relation to cannabis icon Tommy Chong) grew up in Canada, a child of first-generation Chinese immigrants. After graduating from the ArtCenter College of Design in 1989, she began photographing musicians for magazines and record labels. “I believe everyone has at least six careers in your life,” she said. Her first career involved photographing and spending time with ’90s radio mainstays such as the Goo Goo Dolls and Alanis Morissette. Alcohol was very prevalent in the scene; cannabis, not so much. She produced films. She taught art. She took photos. She marketed photography. But it took a personal experience to bring her into the cannabis industry. Around 2015, Chong’s sister came to visit her in California, in search of help with the incurable skin disease scleroderma, which causes the skin to harden and tighten. In its most severe form, it can lead to organ failure and death. Her sister wanted to try cannabis as an alternative to pharmaceuticals to treat the pain. “I said, ‘Oh my God, my sister is a stoner,’” said Chong. “I started to cry. Here I was stereotyping my sister into this thing, and I realized how wrong I was.”
Trust she built, as well as a large network of photographers, since most of the 20,000 images in the StockPot Images collection were taken by others, who receive a royalty when their photos are used. She said her royalties are much more generous than what other major stock photo companies offer. The more she immersed herself in the industry, the more she wanted to convince others of its benignness. Asian Americans, many raised by conservative first- or second-generation immigrants, have not always played a huge role in the nascent industry. Chong hoped to change that by co-founding the Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, to help change attitudes and invite more of that demographic into the industry. The goal, she said, “was to reach out to my own people and tell them what cannabis is about. By highlighting Asian Americans in this industry, I can show that yes, we have families. We pay our mortgages. We have children, and we’re normal. And we’re in cannabis.” After all, if she can change her own opinion, why can’t others? She even consumes cannabis now, strictly at night to help her sleep. “That’s the great thing about the market. If I can market it to myself and bring myself around, then I can do it for my own age group as well.” c www.stockpotimages.com
S.
Slashing Stereotypes
Her eyes thus opened to cannabis as a medicine and not a drug, and Chong began looking around at the types of stock images available related to the plant. Most were of addicts, convicts or drug dealers. “I realized, ‘This is how the mainstream sees cannabis.’ I was first outraged by my own ignorance, and I was further outraged by how everyone else thought too. I wasn’t the only one.” So, StockPot Images was born. She wanted a way to show cannabis as medicine, consumers as patients and not as criminals, and people like Dennis Peron, who founded California’s first public medical cannabis dispensary and fought for much of his life for legalization before dying earlier this year. It took a lot of cold calls and a slow gaining of trust to get people to be photographed growing or smoking a Schedule I substance. Said Chong, “I basically started from zero. I didn’t have a foothold in the community. I didn’t know anyone in the community . . . I didn’t even know how to roll a joint.” CultureMagazine.com
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Upholding Our Heroes
S ta n d b y a n d s u p p o r t v e t e r a n s i n t h e c a n n a b i s i n d u s t r y By Kiara Manns
T
he transition back into civilian life after military service can be daunting as many veterans adapt to the endless options for proceeding into their next careers and pursuits at home. For a handful of those who have served, the introduction to cannabis as medical treatment revealed an entire unexplored career path within the cannabis industry. For Veterans Day, the CULTURE team celebrates and applauds our business-owning veterans who work every day to inspire and give back to their community. From dispensaries to consulting organizations, veterans are operating companies that not only support their own growth as professionals, but also the growth and prosperity of fellow vets.
Veteran’s Ananda Inc. Founder: Sarah Stenuf Healthcare continues to be a hot topic in the United States, especially that of U.S. Armed Forces members upon acclimating and reintegrating into civilian life. While government representatives continue to work to find better solutions to this ongoing issue, individuals like veteran Sarah Stenuf have taken matters into their own hands. This year, Stenuf launched Veteran’s Ananda, “an independent, nonprofit organization that utilizes traditional and non-traditional treatments and therapies to assist with supporting, healing and rehabilitating U.S. Armed Service Members, veterans and first responders form across the nation.” The New York State Health Foundation reported that 46 percent of veterans would like to receive mental healthcare in addition to what the U.S. Department of Veteran 24
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Affairs offers. This is where Veteran’s Ananda steps in, with a goal to offer globally-leading medical, psychological and spiritual care, free of charge. Stenuf expressed her excitement in raising awareness and spreading education about the importance of veteran healthcare and what Veteran’s Ananda has to offer. She served four years in the Army, in which she completed one deployment to Afghanistan on active duty. After being medically retired for post-traumatic stress disorder and for complications after a brain injury, Stenuf took her experiences and transformed them into resources as a motivational speaker and entrepreneur. Her vision for Veteran’s Ananda was to provide a “one-stop shop” where those with post-service issues could receive everything from alternative treatments, therapies, relaxation, support and more. Through her nonprofit, veterans find solace in membership of a supportive community and heal in the same space.
“BUSINESS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE DISCIPLINE REQUIRED I N T H E M I L I TA R Y. H O W E V E R , ONE OF THE MAIN DIFFERENCES IS THAT IN BUSINESS ONE CANNOT JUST EXPECT THAT ALL OTHERS HAVE GONE THROUGH THE SAME BASIC TRAINING AND POSSESS THE SAME SKILL SETS REQUIRED AND POSSESSED BY EVERYONE ELSE.”
3C™ Comprehensive Cannabis Consulting Founder: Nic Easley Comprehensive Cannabis Consulting, better known as 3C™, offers guidance and assistance to clients stepping into the often complicated affair of managing a business in the cannabis industry. In an industry that is still in the early stages of development and illegal on the federal level, navigating the waters can be a bit tricky. The 3C™ team offers potential and current clients expertise spanning over three decades in “agriculture and farming, architecture and engineering, project management, facilities management, development of best practices, education, strategy, marketing, legal compliance, and, of course, cannabis
cultivation.” Whether a client needs legal guidance or advertising assistance, the 3C™ team can provide solutions that clients are looking for. CEO and Founder Nic Easley is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and carries 15 years of experience with commercial cannabis. After serving in the Air Force, Easley moved to Colorado to heal and transition into civilian life. While working on his own, he acquired farmland and provided produce to local markets. He soon realized the advantages of medicating with cannabis and so began his journey into the cannabis industry. “Our ultimate goal is to help clients and partners make informed business decisions, which will allow them to have their businesses lead by example and not just be part of this new opportunity but see their business as a responsibility to this plant and the world at-large,” Easley shared with CULTURE. For Easley, his experience and perspective as a veteran is complementary to his role as an entrepreneur. “Business is very similar to the discipline required in the military,” Easley said. “However, one of the main differences is that in business one cannot just expect that all others have gone through the same basic training and possess the same skill sets required and possessed by everyone else.” Easley expects the cannabis industry to be met with many more changes as regulations and legislation shifts in the coming years. “Cannabis legalization is spreading rapidly around the globe. Now is the time to build the foundation for the industry that will dictate the future of cannabis.”
Blue Cord Farms, Inc CO-FounderS: Robert Head and Mat Ladroga Serving together in Iraq during 2003, Robert Head and Mat Ladroga’s friendship grew into a business partnership when they founded Blue Cord Farms. CEO Robert Head served with the infantry from 2003 to 2007, while Master Grower Mat Ladroga joined the Army in 2002 and served until 2005. Both bring essential skills to Blue Cord Farms, as Head graduated from Texas A&M University later working in management and consulting, while Ladroga built experience in cultivating his own cannabis as a licensed caregiver. The company develops farms for growers by purchasing several necessities from land to equipment to provide a full functioning farm that may be rented out to those looking to cultivate in a thriving environment. Based in the state of Maine, Blue Cord Farms also offers management of the administration section of a grower’s farm including, “CPA, legal, the books and inventory management.” The company has also made it a priority to focus and support veteran transition into civilian life at-home. Both founders emphasize that, “adjustment starts with a purpose and the purpose starts with community.” As a result, Blue Cord Farms proudly looks to partner with other organizations that prioritize veterans’ well-being
as well as training veterans in skills that can be helpful in the job market. Earlier this year, the company even hosted the Texas Veterans Cannabis Forum during Memorial Day weekend. The free event was conducted in partnership with the American Legal Post, Texas NORML and Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana. In regard to the forum Head said, “I want to help with advocacy. I know many vets use cannabis without the knowledge of others. The more we spread the word, we feel that more people will start to jump on board to help legalize this incredible plant.” In light of continual progression with cannabis legislation, we asked Head what the Blue Cord Farms team would like to see happen in the coming years. He shared, “We would like the freedom to bank properly, sell online and ship product. To be treated like a normal company would. We believe that these people that have been considered criminals, are actually the backbone to a multi-billion dollar business.” c CultureMagazine.com
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Cannabis podcasts are popping up everywhere: here are some of the best
By David Edmundson The landscape of entertainment is changing. People are ditching expensive cable bills in favor of video services like Netflix and Hulu, live television like YouTube Live and Twitch and weekly radio in the form of podcasts. The nature of podcasts is to provide stimulating conversation on
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topics of all sorts, and there is no shortage of podcasts on cannabis. From business to news and everything in between, cannabis podcasts are rising up rapidly with the near-endless flow of news. Needless to say, there are quite a few cannabis-themed podcasts that inspire and inform. Podcasts make up a vibrant tapestry, and there is something for everyone in the cannabis landscape.
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confusing and complicated world of cannabis. If you are looking for something that is equal parts fun and informative, with a female spin, this show is just what the doctor ordered. mariaandjane.com
The Marijuana Agenda with Russ Belville Business Outlaws Looking to get the edge on the best cannabis business practices? Business Outlaws, hosted by Jayme Foxx, Chris Collins and “BigMike” Straumietis of Advanced Nutrients have a never-ending fountain of advice on the subject. The show tackles a new issue every week, such as a previous episode called “How to turn your side hustle into your reality,” where all three hosts discussed their failures and setbacks but provided a mountain of useful advice and insight into how their minds operate. The combined knowledge and personalities of these three really make for an incredibly informative and enjoyable show. businessoutlaws.com
CannaInsider Looking for more industry acumen? If knowledge into the cannabis industry is what you seek, then Matthew Kind from CannaInsider has the podcast for you. Every week, this podcast dives into different topics about the industry at-large, from cannabis tourism to manufacturing of products and everything in between. Through interviews with industry experts who uncover the hottest trends and newest technology shaping the industry, this podcast will keep you in-the-know and maybe even ahead of the game. Recent topics include “How Bitcoin and Blockchain are Impacting Cannabis” and “How Terpenes Radically Change your Experience of Cannabis” featuring neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher Dr. Ethan Russo. cannainsider.com/podcast
Maria & Jane Podcast Looking for a female-centric podcast? The goal of Maria & Jane Podcast is to inspire women who are looking to enter the cannabis business world. This podcast is a great tool for busy women who are on-the-go. This casual, yet highly informative show consists of cannabis news and in-depth interviews with influencers in the cannabis world. The show is also supplemented by Maria & Jane’s weekly newsletter that is another great resource for anyone wanting more information on the
Looking to throw on your armor and join the battle to end cannabis prohibition? Radical Russ Belville’s podcast is dedicated to covering the fight to legalize cannabis globally. The Marijuana Agenda with Russ Belville airs live every Wednesday on YouTube and features a combination of new material and highlights from his previous podcasts, including shows recorded during his time working for NORML. He later publishes the podcast episodes on his website. Belville’s passion for cannabis legalization, a subject he has dedicated over a decade to, really comes through. His show is often political, with United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump being regular targets of his tirades. So, if you’re a big supporter of 45, you might want to pass on this one. However, if you’re looking to find out where the battle for cannabis is currently residing, you should enlist in the Russ army, and subscribe to the show. mjagenda.com
Getting Doug with High Looking for a laugh? Comedian and former CULTURE Magazine cover celebrity Doug Benson has a simple premise with his podcast—invite funny and entertaining people over to his studio, get high with them and proceed to tell hilarious anecdotes. Past guests include other CULTURE cover alumni Kevin Smith, Tommy Chong and Jack Black, along with a lengthy rogue’s gallery of comedians. Guests will frequently share stories about the first time they consumed cannabis and answer various cannabis trivia. Benson also spotlights cannabis strains, types of cannabis and cannabis accessories. If you are looking to sit back and be entertained, this show will deliver in spades. c youtube.com/dougbenson
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Cannabis C o c k ta i l C u r at o r Mixologist Jason Eisner i s k n o w n t o b r i n g a d u lt beverages to a higher level By Devon Alexander Brown
W
hen he was younger, bar vet Jason Eisner didn’t like cannabis at all. He’d sometimes smoke to fit in, but he never cared for the experience until he learned how to enjoy it during the last decade. Now the three-time Best Bartender Award winner uses that newfound appreciation to blend the finer notes of cannabis with his passion for bar culture and mixed drinks. Eisner got his start in the food and beverage industry at a young age helping his mother with her catering job on the weekends. But what began as quality time quickly bloomed into a passion. And in his early 20s he made the move from New York to Los Angeles, California to learn from the best. A quest that saw him running a
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biker bar in Malibu and kindling a mentorship with famed mixologist, Jaymee Mandeville, before he was picked up by restaurant group Love Serve Remember Foundation to spearhead West Hollywood’s plant-based restaurant behemoth, Gracias Madre, its first full liquor concept. As Bar Director of Gracias Madre, Eisner came out swinging—crafting the drink menu with nothing but agavebased spirits. And it’s here that he became known for experimenting with cannabis in his cocktails. He began making smoked drinks with a culinary smoking gun, hemp seeds and water pipes that served as informal decanters, before becoming one of the first mixologists to infuse spirits with
cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabis terpenes. And in keeping with tradition his forthcoming craft brewery project, Party Beer Co., which launches in the spring of 2019, will also feature a nonalcoholic CBD beer. “I look at cannabis as medicine,” Eisner told CULTURE. “I use it every day. Especially CBD, because it helps with inflammation, pain, anxiety, you name it. And I laugh when people tell me users aren’t productive people. This morning I woke up, made my daughter a delicious vegan breakfast, drove her to school, did two hours of Muay Thai and MMA sparring, and I’ll be working until eight o’clock this evening while using cannabis throughout the day.” While Eisner’s smoked cocktails did not offer any
additional intoxicating effects, their complex flavors and aromas were inspirational to his creative mind. Every cannabis strain contains terpenes, which produce unique flavors and aromas that can complement spirits. For this reason cannabis can open new horizons for what is possible behind the bar. CBD, which is non-psychoactive, can be infused in oils or tinctures, but Eisner prefers oils because they offer a richer flavor and scent, seeing as they don’t fully integrate with spirits like alcohol-based tinctures. The calming and sedating effects of CBD also balance well with the intoxicating effects of liquor. Still, all cannabis compounds affect everyone differently, so it’s wise to take note of the dose of CBD as well as the ABV, or alcohol by volume, of any given CBD cocktail. A cocktail with a high ABV might counteract the effects of CBD, while too much CBD might lead to severe drowsiness. Just because CBD won’t produce the high of
“ I H AV E A V E R Y SPECIFIC SYSTEM WHEN I USE THC IN C O C K TA I L S , B U T I D O N ’ T SUGGEST PEOPLE AT HOME USE THC.”
Blue Dream M a r g a r i ta Ingredients:
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) doesn’t mean it carries no learning curve of its own. The legality of hemp-derived CBD as well as THC also varies market-to-market with THC remaining federally illegal. “I have a very specific system when I use THC in cocktails, but I don’t suggest people at home use THC,” Eisner said. “I always suggest people at home use CBD, because THC in cocktails can be a little too advanced if you’re just starting to play around with it, and a really high dose of THC can turn people away from cannabis. The worst thing that can happen to you with CBD is you fall asleep on the couch in your most comfortable sweater while watching a terrible ’90s rom-com.” c
2 ounces 100 percent Blue Agave Tequila Blanco
Instructions:
1 ounce organic fresh squeezed lime juice 1/2 ounce organic agave nectar 2 dashes of orange bitters 1 pinch of Kosher salt 1 scoop of E3Live Blue Majik spirulina 5 milligrams of the CBD oil of your choice
1. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake rigorously, and strain into a Collins glass. 2. Add fresh rocks (or crushed ice). Garnish with an edible flower, and serve.
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GROWING CULTURE
TIPS OF THE MONTH
U R B A N FA R M I I I By Ed Rosenthal
I
t is now mid-October, and we’re continuing the cultivation of our urban farm. In order to give the plants more vegetative time so they can grow bigger, they were given nightly doses of light using two high pressure sodium lamps. The lights were slowly walked through the garden rows midway through the dark cycle. A large metal halide work light, used by road crews, was also wheeled down the center aisle as part of the regimen. The dark cycle lighting ended on Sept 10. By then, the autumn dark period was long enough to immediately send the plants into flowering. All of their energy is now devoted to reproduction, and the plants are growing big buds in a vain search for pollen. This variety of OG fills out late in the bloom period. The plants are now entering their sixth week of the flower stage, and they have about two weeks to go, so we will start cutting after Nov. 1. So far, nature has been good to this crop. We had a rainstorm in late September, but it quickly dried with the help of a nice warm
The one-acre garden is planted with about 2,800 20-gallon containers. Each plant has a space of about 16 square-feet. 30
This plant stands about three feet high. Notice that it is fully budded.
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breeze. Since then, we’ve had mainly clear sunny skies with highs in the mid to high 70s, and nightly drops into the low 60s to high 50s. The humidity is high, ranging from 60 to 80 percent, but the constant salt air breeze coming off the Bay helps to keep fungi and molds from attacking the plants. This is an outdoor crop, so we are completely at the mercy of nature’s vagaries. The forecast for two weeks was mostly sunny leading up to Oct. 29, just before harvest, when cloudy weather and a slight chance of drizzle was expected to hide the sun for three days. On Nov. 1, the scheduled harvest date, the sun began to peek through the clouds again. If it rains, there is a good chance that the moisture and cool weather might promote the germination of molds and fungi. To prevent this from happening, after the rain stops we will spray the plants with water at the pH of 8.5. The alkaline condition inhibits mold and fungi from germinating. Our plan is to remove “A” buds and preserve them for sale as flower. They will be carefully dried and trimmed. The smaller buds and
The fan leaves have been removed from the buds, so the sunlight falls directly on the developing bud.
Removing small bud branches and fan leaves.
Now that you have had time to taste the crops, be sure to start regenerating the clones from your favorites. Remember, during vegetative growth you took clones from the plants for later evaluation? Provide the select with more light and space to grow them up or to use for cloning.
biomass will quickly be dried using heat and very low humidity. Then they will be used for concentrates and extracts. We are preparing the space now. The harvest time will take three to four days, and we will be processing the material as it is harvested. The plan is to remove the buds that will be preserved as flower first. Then we will remove the biomass. Later, after all the plants have been processed, the roots will be removed from the containers and they will be planted with alfalfa and left out in the field. The alfalfa will supply nitrogen and help the microorganisms thrive, amending the mix so it will provide a healthy environment for next year’s crop. c
This bud will ripen in about two weeks.
Top view of maturing bud.
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.
NEWS of the
WEIRD
BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL
LEAD STORY— UNDIGNIFIED DEATHS A husband and wife have been exposed as murderers and cannibals in Krasnodar in southern Russia, reported the Express on Sept. 28. Natalia Baksheeva, 43, has confessed to killing and eating dozens of victims with her husband, Dmitry, 35, over 18 years. Investigators were tipped off to the couple’s gruesome culinary tastes after a 35-year-old waitress, Elena Vashrusheva, and Natalia fought over accusations that Vashrusheva was flirting with Dmitry. Natalia ordered her
husband to kill Vashrusheva: “Following this demand, the man took out the knife that he always kept in his bag and stabbed the woman twice in her chest. The victim died from her injuries on the spot,” investigators reported. Police charged Natalia with one count of goading her husband into killing the woman after they found “steamed,” pickled and frozen human remains belonging to Vashrusheva in the couple’s kitchen. A photo found in their apartment from 1999 showed a human head served as dinner, garnished with mandarin oranges. Dmitry, who has tuberculosis, will be charged at a later date. Tu Thanh Nguyen, 32, of Sunnyvale, California, made two crucial mistakes while she was visiting Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in
Michigan on Sept. 19. First, Nguyen was hiking alone, reported WLUC News. But her fatal error was stopping at a point along the North Country Trail to take selfies, where she slipped and fell 200 feet to her death in Lake Superior. Two kayakers witnessed her fall and retrieved her body, which they moved to Chapel Beach. However, first responders were unable to revive her. BOLD MOVES Three cheeky raccoons jolted a Toronto, Ontario, Canada, woman awake late on Sept. 18 when they broke into her kitchen. Jenny Serwylo heard noises coming from her kitchen and approached the critters with a broom, which scared away two out of the three. But a third wouldn’t budge, barricaded behind her
toaster oven and munching on a package of English muffins. “He was like, ‘I’m eating, get out of here,’” Serwylo told the Toronto Star. She tried calling authorities but couldn’t get any help, and her contest of wills with the raccoon lasted for more than a half-hour. “I was growling at him and hissing at him,” she said. As she pointed the broom handle at the animal, it would grab the end and “yank it really hard.” Finally, having consumed all the bread in the kitchen, the raccoon calmly went out the window, which Serwylo locked behind it. Toronto Animal Services spokesperson Bruce Hawkins told the Star that such encounters are unusual, but you be the judge: The city has created a guide for residents about how to deal with raccoon intrusions.
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