Culture Magazine San Diego September 2016 by Culture Magazine

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iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

contents

inside

09.2016

DOWN TO EARTH

Actress Lucy Lawless talks about her heritage, her versatile acting experience and her support of medical cannabis.

ON THE COVER: p h o t o b y M a le a k res h o k

features 50

The Re-Scheduling Cannabis Debacle DEA wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t re-schedule cannabis right now, but is pushing for more research by FDA in order to do so in the near future.

Best Results Cannabis is essential to the healing process for Swedish UFC Fighter Per Eklund.

departments news

online Exclusive!

8 News Nuggets 9 By the Numbers 10 Local News

reviews

12 Company Highlights 18 Strain, Edible & Concentrate Reviews 22 Cool Stuff 24 Entertainment Reviews

in every issue

46 Growing Culture 48 Destination

Unknown 49 Profile in Courage 50 Recipes 53 News of the Weird

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d Texas Wants to Expand Cannabis

Laws in 2017 d Arizona Puts Legal Cannabis on

the Ballot

Vol 8 IssUE 3

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CULTURE M

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

Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 500 locations throughout San Diego. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 2175 Sampson Ave. | Suite 118 Corona | California | 92879 Phone/Fax 888.694.2046 www.iReadCulture.com

CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.

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NEWS

nuggets

AUMA Supporters File Lawsuit to Change Opposition’s Ballot Arguments Supporters of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) filed a lawsuit in early August to disallow parts of the opposition’s ballot argument that they claimed to be false or misleading. Ballot arguments are often the only information voters receive about a potential law, and while it is common for opposing sides to disagree, filing a lawsuit to change the ballot argument language is not common. In a statement, Jason Kinney, Spokesperson for Yes on 64 said, “Defenders of the failed war on marijuana are entitled to their own opinions but not their own facts. More so than any I’ve seen in recent memory, the ballot arguments submitted with a straight face by the opponents fundamentally and factually misrepresent this ballot measure and are riddled with obvious falsehoods. These aren’t evidence-based arguments—they are scare tactics—and they’re sadly reminiscent of the ‘reefer madness’-style disinformation campaigns that subverted honest dialogue around this issue for decades,” he said. “California’s voters demand and deserve better—and I have every confidence that an objective legal authority will reject these false and misleading statements out of hand.”

Illinois Becomes the 21st State to Decriminalize Cannabis Governor Bruce Rauner signed SB-2228 into law, which makes possession of cannabis up to 10 grams punishable by a citation and fine up to $200. This law makes Illinois the 21st state to decriminalize cannabis. The new bill also outlines specifics to determine whether someone is driving under the influence of cannabis. While Rauner has received some negative feedback from local police forces in regards to this new legislation, he clearly has the support of the cannabis community. Founder and CEO of an Illinois cannabis cultivation company, Revolution Enterprises, and Co-Founder of the Medical Cannabis Alliance, Tim McGraw shared his support for Rauner’s decision with CULTURE, “I think it’s positive overall for the industry and the movement, and [we should] not be locking people up for cannabis. It’s ridiculous. Anybody who gets locked up for a plant that gives them therapeutic value,” he said, “I think that finally the administration is seeing how it can economically help the state.” McGraw and many others who support the bill hope to see it eliminate the negative stigma around cannabis use and keep those who possess small amounts of cannabis from having a criminal record.

Del Mar to KeepKmedical Cannabis Ban Until After Election Del Mar City Council banned medical cannabis last January. At a meeting in early August, the council decided against lifting the ban in lieu of November’s vote to legalize recreational cannabis. This is because they felt it would be preemptive to create permanent legislation regarding cannabis when recreational could potentially become legal in the near future. CULTURE was able to connect with Del Mar City Council Member, Dwight Worden, who stated, “At the council level, we are looking for the issues to come back to us after the November election. We had some brief discussion at the last council meeting but we have not adopted or endorsed any policy positions, deciding it was best to wait for the outcome of the election in November to see what happens with the ballot measure.” Residents in Del Mar are forced to continue waiting for the council to reexamine removing the ban following the election in November.

Puerto Rico Certifies its First Medical Cannabis Doctor Dr. Michael Soler became the first doctor in Puerto Rico to recommend medical cannabis. Soler originally started his cannabis training in the state of Colorado. Then, once the regulation was approved in Puerto Rico, he complied with all the new regulations that had been enacted by the governor and coincidentally became the first doctor permitted to prescribe medical cannabis. Although Dr. Soler can legally prescribe cannabis, he explained how this is just the first step in the process to get patients high-THC cannabis in an interview with CULTURE, “In Puerto Rico, it is clearly established that anything that is dispensed and provided to patients has to be grown and produced on the island. In that sense, we are basically at the very first stage of the process. Stage two is now starting to become a reality. Crops are being grown, cannabis clinics are starting to be established throughout the island. We still need about six more months for the product to become available on the island.” There are 14 conditions that qualify patients for medical cannabis, which include HIV, cancer, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, migraines and chronic pain, among others. 8

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NEWS

The estimated amount of money, in billions of dollars, that could be brought in from cannabis and tobacco tax revenue if Proposition 56 and 64 are passed: (Source: San Francisco Gate)

The number of cities in San Diego County that currently permit medical cannabis collectives: (Source: San Diego Union-Tribune)

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that ex-Facebook president Sean Parker donated to the cannabis legalization campaign so far: (Source: Los Angeles Times)

2.5

The percent of tax, if implemented by San Diego voters this November, that will be put in place for recreational cannabis sales until 2019: (Source: Times of San Diego)

The number of months it has taken for the city of San Diego to approve just eight of the promised 36 medical cannabis collectives: (Source: San Diego Union-Tribune)

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the state of Maryland has spent on reviewing applicants for medical cannabis business licenses since January: (Source: The Baltimore Sun)

2.3

The updated cost to apply for a medical cannabis card in Montana, in dollars, decreased from its original price at $75: (Source: San Francisco Chronicle)

4th Annual CityBeat 5 Minute Film Fest

The estimated percentage of professional football players who use cannabis to treat their various ailments, according to former running back Ricky Williams: (Source:

International Business Times)

WHAT: 4th Annual CityBeat 5 Minute Film Fest. WHEN/WHERE: Wed, Sept. 7. Music Box, 1337 India St., San Diego. INFO: Visit sdcitybeat.com for details.

Do you consider yourself to be a lover of independent films? If so, this one-of-a-kind film fest is an evening you do not want to miss! Get ready to see tons of locally-produced, independent films that are all under five minutes long as part of the 4th Annual CityBeat 5 Minute Film Fest. San Diego CityBeat has

chosen top favorites from over 100 films that were submitted to the festival, and these original shorts are sure to infuse your night with more creativity and intrigue than ever before. Be sure to arrive to the festival early, because seating is limited, and be wary that all attendees must be ages 18 and over. iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

NEWS

LOCAL

Alzheimer’s and Cannabis: A Study, Interrupted

by Pamela Jayne team of scientists from the Salk Institute in La Jolla recently released a study supported by the National Institutes of Health, that says cannabis, more specifically its active ingredient THC, has the potential to ward off Alzheimer’s Disease. The study’s senior author, Dr. Dave Schubert, says that while other studies have offered evidence that cannabinoids may be neuroprotective against the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, he believes that this study is the first to actually demonstrate that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta accumulation in nerve cells. During lab experiments, the team exposed human brain cells to THC, and found that by stimulating cannabinoid receptors in those cells, the THC reduced inflammation and plaque build-up that precedes the onset of the disease. Dr. Schubert openly worried that follow up studies needed to confirm his findings may not happen because of excessive restrictions on research that involves cannabis. His hopes that the DEA would reclassify cannabis were dashed on August 11, when it was announced that the plant would remain alongside heroin and bath salts, as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning that the agency believes it has no currently acceptable medical treatment, and has a high potential for abuse. The news was a devastating blow to the study, basically rendering it at a standstill because of regulatory hurdles involved in obtaining the large quantities of THC that are needed for use in living organisms. Doctors from all fields are growing increasingly agitated by the DEA’s refusal to accept the medical applications of cannabis, and allow them to simply do their life saving work. 10

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Dr. Bonni Goldstein, former Chief Resident at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and current medical director of Canna-Centers shared her frustration with Culture, saying, “It’s simply ridiculous that the DEA, despite thousands of peer-reviewed studies showing a myriad of medicinal uses and excellent safety profile of cannabis, continues to keep cannabis as a Schedule I drug.” She went on to explain that “cannabis is currently being used to help Alzheimer’s patients have less agitation, better sleep and improved appetite. Usually low dose THC-rich strains are sufficient for these goals. There is not enough evidence yet that proves that cannabinoid compounds are able to prevent the brain changes that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, however researchers have proven that cannabinoids are neuro-protective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.” Echoing Dr. Schubert’s sentiments, she says “further research may find that Alzheimer’s can be prevented or possibly progression of disease may be delayed with cannabis use.” It is estimated that 5.4 million Americans, including up to 200,000 under the age of 65, suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease, a progressive brain disorder that leads to memory loss and severely impairs a person’s ability to perform even small daily tasks. Nearly two-thirds of those affected are women. It is the most common cause of dementia and its number of victims is expected to triple over the next fifty years if a treatment is not found. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, among the top ten causes of death in the United States, the disease is the only one that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. These facts make the Salk Institutes study even more urgent, and the DEA’s decision all the more damaging. c

San Diego Restaurant Week If you ever needed an excuse to spend your evenings out on the town trying out new and delicious flavors at reputable restaurants, look no further than San Diego Restaurant Week. A seemingly countless number of restaurants are offering delicious cuisine at a special price in honor of Restaurant Week, giving you the opportunity to try out dining establishments that you might have otherwise overlooked. Make it a date night, and find your new favorite restaurant. With so many participating restaurants, every type of cuisine is represented, from sushi to Mediterranean, steaks, Italian and so much more. Keep that belly full all week long, and get ready to dine with the finest. WHAT: San Diego Restaurant Week. WHEN/WHERE: Sun, Sept. 25-Sun, Oct. 2. Participating restaurants throughout San Diego. INFO: Visit www.sandiegorestaurantweek. com for details.

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REVIEWs

company highlight

INTEGRA®

by Desiccare Inc. Interviewed: Ben Blankenhorn, Manager of New Business Development 985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy. Suite 320, Reno, NV (775) 393-1500 www.integra-products.com How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? Desiccare Inc. has been in operation since 1994 providing quality atmospheric packaging solutions to a wide variety of Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, Food Safety General Packaging and Military applications. Desiccare is well known in and trusted worldwide by many of biggest names in Pharmaceutical and Food Packaging. The INTEGRA™ brand is aimed specifically at cannabis, cigars, produce and other agricultural products which are sensitive to atmospheric conditions 12

in their environment. Our philosophy is simple; provide cost savings by eliminating waste and preventing risk. In the case of Integra™ and the BOOST™ products, the industry and consumers need it. We prevent profit loss for those on the industrial side of the industry, and we preserve the integrity of the cannabis purchased by the consumers. What do you offer consumers/clients that others don’t? A lot of our clients in the cannabis industry have carried similar products in the past but have been burned by their suppliers

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and their questionably unfavorable business tactics. We depend on our worldwide distribution network therefore we understand the importance of loyalty and trust in the business world. Trust and loyalty is ever so important and valued in the cannabis industry. The folks who partner with us really appreciate that. As for our Integra® products, we offer a full line of products which have proven to be perfect for cannabis. We have specialized products for drying cannabis, monitoring humidity, removing oxygen, ethylene control and much more. The most popular product in our lineup is the new BOOST® humidity control pack. This pack absorbs or releases moisture to regulate relative humidity (RH) within a contained environment. This is a salt-free solution that regulates RH in a container. This prevents weight loss, preserves the terpene profile and maintains the integrity of the plant material. It allows for a large outdoor grower to harvest a specialty strain in August and hold on to it into winter or early spring when it can be sold in it’s original state as a premier product. What separates the BOOST® from other humidity control solutions, is that it does not contain silica and it is a saltfree solution. The use of salt is very common as a humidity control solution however we don’t feel it is appropriate in the cannabis world. The leading salt producers advertise on their website, various ways to reduce odors using salts. Considering that cannabis is sold exclusively by weight and scent, we had to find another way to get the job done, and we did. And people are loving it.

How and why did your company start up? Desiccare Inc. was formed in 1994 in Santa Fe Springs, California. Anytime someone asks me in a hotel lobby bar what I do for work, I say, “Do you know those little packs that say “Do Not Eat” in pill bottles and jerky?” That’s what we do and have been doing for over 22 years. In addition to providing atmospheric control to the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms, Desiccare is trusted by America’s largest grocery chains to provide food safety solutions which ad up to 35 days of shelf life to fresh beef. Desiccare is also trusted by major goods packagers, and is an authorized supplier to the United States Military. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the world of cannabis business? Enter the industry like you are walking on to the court for game seven of the NBA finals. Keep your head on a swivel and eyes wide open. There is a lot going on, and it is all happening very fast. It will keep you up at night, it will drain you, but it is fun! What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? We hope to continue to help growers, dispensaries and consumers produce, supply and enjoy the best cannabis products possible. I hope to assist the entire cannabis industry in seeking its legitimacy in the mainstream. To do that, producers and sellers must employ the proper quality control and precautionary measures in place just any legitimate food or pharmaceutical producer in the country. INTEGRA® by Desiccare Inc. can most certainly help the industry become what it struggles to be. c

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REVIEWs

company highlight

TetraLabs How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? TetraLabs started in 2007, which makes us one of the oldest manufacturers in the industry. We specialize in pharmaceutical-grade, high-purity, contaminantfree, smoke-free products intended for the medical patients. We pioneered the first softgel capsules in the industry with our own inhouse softgel manufacturing equipment. We made the first THC oral spray, and still offer the only single-drop gelatin dabber. Subsequently, we introduced vaporizer cartridges in two sizes and five flavors. We also offer CBD products that include softgel capsules, oral sprays and vaporizer cartridges. For 10 years, TetraLabs has been the industry benchmark for innovation, quality and dependability. Many others imitate our products and packaging, 14

Northern and Southern California TetraLabs.com, TetraLabsCBD.com (800) 991-0624

but never quite achieve our attention to detail.

How and why did your company start up?

What do you offer consumers/clients that others donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t?

It was an accident. Two retired engineers needed a project in 2007 and decided to see if they could produce cannabinoids that were more highly refined, hence more pure, than had previously been achieved. They did not have a business plan or even a profit motive. After achieving success on the scientific end, patients discovered us and convinced us to start a collective to serve them.

For 10 years, we provided the most highly refined cannabinoids and precise dosages. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never find contaminants in our products. And, our THC or CBD content never varies. Unlike others, we have full-time PhD chemists and our own in-house analytical lab with a Shimadzu HPLC testing machine. This allows us to test each step in the process, as well as the end product, and dial in dosages with high precision. Lastly, we have a Proposition 215 collective at www.tetralabs.com so we can deliver our products to patients who are unable to drive or otherwise leave their homes. We even have a Gold Relief program for patients who need financial assistance.

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With the changing landscape of MMJ and recreational cannabis, what do you see as the biggest challenges to your progress as a company? The complex, inconsistent and ever-changing regulatory environment is a huge barrier. Whereas the DEA was a constant threat in the past, now local jurisdictions with

their confusing patchwork of regulations, bans and busts are an extreme headache to even the good actors in the industry. The inability to conduct commerce across state lines like any other industry caps growth and tamps down the industry. What are the goals and vision moving forward, for your company? In time, we will re-engineer to respond to the recreational market that will descend on all of us sooner or later. Currently, we are introducing on a line of strain-specific CO2 vaporizer cartridges that are less highly refined but with a customary CO2 aroma. We will also continue to develop our ultra-pure CBD line with more dosage and quantity choices. We will continue our popular medical products and offer that reliability and consistency for years to come. c

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REVIEWs

strain, edible & concentrate

La Uva Loca 73 Micron Nug Run Ice Water Hash Once again, Left Coast Collective has provided a stellar specimen. The La Uva Loca (The Crazy Grapes) Ice Water Hash is ultra-shiny and buttery in appearance with a sour candy aroma and a delicious sweet and sour flavor that coats the tongue. It hits clean and is hugely expansive, giving quite the lung punch. Instantly, the effects are felt both physically and cerebrally. Expect an extended bout of heavy duty relaxation with this one.

Available at: Left Coast Collective in Pacific Beach.

Blue Dream Crumble Available at: Outliers Collective in El Cajon.

The Blue Dream Crumble from Outliers Collective sports a shiny, golden caramel color. It is really easy to work with, compared to shatter. It has a refreshing aroma that is reminiscent of “new car smell,” being very bright and clean. Much like its aroma, the flavor is crisp and clean and coats the palette. The inhale expands nicely and gives the lungs a hearty workout, followed by a laid back, uplifting effect. Expect lots of laughter with this one!

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

Blackberry An attractive bud with multiple shades of green enhanced by deep purple coloring, long dark red hairs and bright trichromes, this Blackberry from California’s Kindest is sweet like berries and pungent smelling, with a slight hint of fuel. Its flavor also has a berry-like sweetness, and is earthy as well. The hit is nice and clean, and packs a major punch. The effects are cerebrally euphoric and physically relaxing. The Blackberry is a strain that will benefit all patients.

Buddha’s Best Granola Bar

Available at: Mankind Collective in San Diego.

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The Buddha’s Best Granola Bar from Mankind Collective is a refreshing healthy option to the overly processed and sugary edibles on the market. Not only is it good for you, it tastes great! It is naturally sweet and moist, so be careful, because the whole bar contains 300mg of THC. Within 30 minutes, you’ll begin to feel medicated waves of relief throughout the entire body that will last several hours or overnight, depending on when you choose to medicate.

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REVIEWs Available through: Alternative Patient Care in San Diego.

Bhang Pure CBD Crystalline Isolate This is a product unlike any other. At 98 percent pure CBD, the Bhang Pure CBD Crystalline Isolate from Alternative Patient Care is ideal to add to almost any method of cannabis consumption, though it is not water soluble. It is triple tested to be clear of heavy metals, pesticides and solvents. Patients who seek to add extra CBD to their regular medicating routine will be pleased with this product.

Available at: Torrey Holistics in San Diego.

Elicit Labs Crumble This beautiful crumble from Torrey Holistics is remarkably pale, nearly white in color. It smells of lemon pine, yet its aroma also has an earthiness to it. The flavor is surprisingly tart and lemony. It actually tastes like Lemonheads candy. It is clean hitting yet expansive and its effect take hold quickly. Patients will feel calm, euphoric and grounded cerebrally, and will also experience complete muscle relaxation. This is an ideal concentrate for all.

Available at: Point Loma Patients Consumer Cooperative in Point Loma.

Trinity Terpenes Gen X Tangie Cartridge SC Labs tested at a massive 91 percent THC, the Trinity Terpenes Gen X Tangie Cartridge from Point Loma Patients Consumer Cooperative has a beautifully bright orange and honey colored appearance. Its terpenhanced flavor is sinfully sweet with a citrusy flavor. The inhale is nice and smooth, very enjoyable. The effect will leave you motivated and uplifted mentally, and fully relaxed physically. This is the perfect product for daytime, on-the-go medicating.

Headband POPCart and Battery

Available wherever: POP Naturals products are carried.

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Finish your summer strong with the Headband POPcart and battery from California extract leaders POP Naturals. This is a fully functional vape pen that pairs a POP Naturals custom battery base to their silver vape cart, which comes pre-filled with hyperpure CO2 extract of the awesome strain Headband. Everything is high-quality here. The Headband (OG Kush and Diesel) was grown organically and tested for potency and terpenes, mold, mildew and pesticides. POP Naturals specializes in nothing-butCO2 extraction to yield a pure thick opaque oil. They put the oil in a strong pyrex cartridges with silver fittings, and the battery is 4.2 volts for big hits. Click the battery button five times fast to turn the device on, then press button hold and inhale to sip ephemeral whisps of 56 percent THC vapor. Can help manage dozens of indications for which hybrid cannabis is appropriate.

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REVIEWs

For More Products Go To iReadCulture.com

3. PuffCo Plus

1. Sagely Naturals’ Relief & Recovery Cream Using hemp-derived CBD extracted with CO2 extraction, Sagely Naturals makes CBD cream like no other. The scent is reminiscent of a lightweight Origins cream and doesn’t feel greasy or smell of cannabis at all. The cream is easy to apply, beautifully packaged and takes effect within a few minutes. Pain and inflammation seem to simply melt away. This is evidence that the popularity of high-end topical is rising, and Sagely Naturals is raising the bar in the topical game. PRICE: $36 MORE INFORMATION: www.sagelynaturals.com

4. CannaSmack HappyTokes Peach Natural Hemp Lip Balm

2. HÄLSA Hälsa creates high terpene essential oil topical roll-ons that utilize cannabinoid therapy and aromatherapy. With three signature products: UNWIND, HEAL and SOOTHE, Hälsa appeals to many different people. The UNWIND blend was our favorite— the scent is instantly relaxing, featuring lavender, ylang ylang, orange and lemon oils, as well as 100mg of CBD and THC. This tranquil experience instantly relieves muscle tension and anxiety, and promotes clarity of mind and emotional balance. So easy to use, simply roll on reflex points on hands, back of neck and/ or feet, and you can feel almost instant relaxation. PRICE: $50 MORE INFORMATION: www.halsa.us 22

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With a sleek appearance and top-notch technology, this awardwinning vaporizer is crushing the competitive vape scene with not only a great design, but also by utilizing top-notch technology. The PuffCo Vaporzier features an atomizer that is all ceramic, which means it’s free from exposed metals or glues and keeps your product tasting delicious. The coil-less chamber ensures your cannabis oil is vaporized evenly, and it’s also easier to clean and very durable. With three temperature settings, users can effectively choose the right heat level for their personal needs, while the unique mouthpiece minimizes spillage and preserves your oil. Another cool feature is the Session Mode, which allows up to 12 seconds of continuous vapor, makes this product not only ideal for a single user but for groups as well. PRICE: $99.99 MORE INFORMATION: www.puffco.com

Get ready to treat your lips to this decadent limited edition, hempinfused lip balm! Smelling as sweet as peach candy, Limited Edition CannaSmack HappyTokes Peach Natural Hemp Lip Balm is sure to become your latest makeup bag essential. Created using beeswax and all-natural plant extracts with cannabis sativa hemp seed oil, this peach lip balm will moisturize your lips with essential oils and vitamins. This lip balm is also cruelty-free and produced in the United States, so you can apply over and over again, completely guilt-free. Positively inspired by popular Instagram star and CULTURE writer @HappyTokes, CannaSmack HappyTokes Peach Natural Hemp Lip Balm will be a fun addition to your beauty routine. PRICE: $2.99 MORE INFORMATION: cannasmack.com/happytokes

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REVIEWs

entertainment

BOOK

Release Date: September 20 Available on: PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Baking To Get Baked MJ Odingreen Ursa Minor Media Ltd. In an innovative infused twist, this cheeky cannabis cookbook teaches homecooks how to use cannabisinfused flour for making baked goods, instead of the more traditional cannabisinfused butter method. Baking with cannaflour can be easier to control dosing and has no cannabis taste. A small selection of classic baked goods and color images make this book a great starter cookbook. Odingreen’s recipes are easy to follow, and his humor and wit make this cookbook entertaining too! (Alex Bradley)

GAME

Destiny: Rise of Iron Dev. Bungie Pub. Activision Fans of Destiny will soon be able to embark on a new and epic journey with Destiny: Rise of Iron. In this fourth expansion, players will follow the guidance of Lord Saladin, the last of the Iron Lords, while exploring a new campaign that revolves around the Fallen, and includes new missions, designated PvP and PvE maps, gear, weapons and of course, a new raid. Rise of Iron is vast and filled with plenty of action, but keep in mind that this expansion is the first to become unavailable on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, unlike previous Destiny games. (Nicole Potter)

MOVIE

Keanu Warner Bros. Pictures Dir. Peter Atencio While many may have worried that the comedic partnership Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele may have worn itself thin by the end of their much beloved sketch show Key & Peele, those fears were handily assuaged by the pair’s big screen debut, Keanu. Revolving around the recovery of an incredibly cute kitten by an incredibly violent, drug trafficking street gang, led by none other than Method Man, Keanu deals big in belly laughs, personal transformation stories and George Michael jokes. Proving that Key & Peele’s charm can be stretched further than half-hour installments, Keanu is the perfect debut film for the two. (Simon Weedn)

MUSIC

Real Lydia Loveless Bloodshot Records In the world of country music, few things are as important to a good song as authenticity and honesty. Fortunately, Ohio country singer songwriter Lydia Loveless has both of those aforementioned characteristics in grand supply on her latest album, Real. Drawing from an array of influence which includes everything from modern pop to hints of classic New York punk, Loveless delivers a performance on Real which is as powerful as it is nuanced. Both lyrically and sonically, Real finds Loveless at the top of her game blurring genre boundaries and delivering an album which contains so much while never feeling unfocused or busy. (Simon Weedn)

CORRECTION: Last month, in the review for Big Book of Buds Greatest Hits, we cited the publisher of this book as Green Candy Press, but the publisher of the book is actually Quick Trading Co.

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Tenacious Talent Actress and Activist Lucy Lawless is Fierce, Fearless and Will Fight For What is Right by Paul Rogers

“Listen, its being available hasn’t made me start smoking [marijuana] any more than legalized homosexual marriage has made me want to turn gay . . . I don’t know what they’re afraid of!”

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p h o t o s b y M a a rte n de B o er

Lucy Lawless thinks before speaking. Only not, apparently, to consider what her publicist or manager might want her to say. For while she’s forever associated with fantasy action roles, the refreshingly opinionated Ash vs Evil Dead actress conveys a defiantly down-to-earth demeanor in her unaffected Down Under brogue. Raised with five brothers (whom she describes, retrospectively, as “dickheads”) in suburban Auckland, New Zealand, Lawless embraced toughness and humor as survival mechanisms in a boy’s world. Her mother recalls a daughter who was not even aware of being a girl until age eight, yet became a teen wife and mom before being crowned “Mrs. New Zealand” at age 21. Following a stint on a domestic television comedy show, Lawless’ portal to pop-icon status was an ostensibly mundane 1995 twist of fate. When another actress fell ill and was unable to travel to New Zealand for filming, Lawless landed the role of a leather-clad warrior called Xena in an episode of fantasy TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. The episode was titled “Warrior Princess.” Created by Lawless’ now-husband, writerdirector-producer Rob Tapert, Xena: Warrior Princess grew into a six-season spin-off smash shown in more than 100 countries, making the statuesque Lawless a global sex symbol (declared one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” by People magazine in 1997). While Lawless remains synonymous with Xena, she’s stayed busy ever since, often portraying similarly stoic characters in TV productions including the Starz network’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand; Sci-Fi Channel’s Battlestar Galactica; WGN America’s Salem; and lately as the mysterious Ruby Knowby in Starz’ wildly popular horror comedy series Ash vs Evil Dead. Not to mention having two more children, an occasional singing career and getting arrested for environmental activism. CULTURE chatted with the affably self-assured Lawless about her disinterest in the fantasy genre, celebrity responsibility, pro-pot tweeting—and nice problems to have. iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

Season 2 of Ash vs Evil Dead premieres in October. Without spoiling anything, what can you tell us about the new season? Super-high-octane! It’s like four times the size of last season. I don’t really know how that happened . . . it just evolved that way. The footage that we’re shooting, honestly, it’s like . . . two Spartacus episodes crunched down into [a] half-hour of Evil Dead. It’s super-technical, it’s superrewarding . . . it’s just ferocious this season. And very funny! What are the unique joys of portraying Ruby in the series, compared with your career’s many other roles? I guess I’ve always played sort of outsiders, in a way, but it strikes me

with you. Like, American comedy eludes me. I’ve dabbled in sitcom and things, but it’s not something that I understand on a cellular level . . . I really admire it, and I really like it—I just can’t really do it. A recurring figure in your career is producer Sam Raimi, creator of the Evil Dead universe, producer of Xena: Warrior Princess, and executive producer of Spartacus: Blood and Sand. How would you define Sam’s genius? Sam is the ultimate kook. He’s a very unique individual. He’s kind of like Hollywood’s Mork from Ork—y’know, he’s been pulled out of another time and place. Your husband is Sam’s longtime collaborator Rob Tapert. How is it

I just think it’s twisted that we withhold available medications from somebody in pain—it’s disgusting. Why wouldn’t you give it to them? How completely sick. We’re the ones who are sick—we’re sicker than they are. that she’s the farthest of the outliers I’ve ever played, because she is not liked or trusted even within her own gang . . . It’s funny to play somebody who’s really hated. Your first ever TV job was in a sketch comedy series and Ash vs Evil dead is comedy horror. Are your comedic talents something you’d like to indulge more often, or do you instill subtle humor into most of your roles? Some things are just situationally funny. I mean, I’ve always thought that the parlor games in Spartacus were really funny— really ironic, really painful . . . So, yeah, I do find most of what I do funny, ‘cos life is a divine comedy. I would like to get back to [comedy]. I’d like to be better at it, to be honest 30

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working with your spouse, and how does that blur the line between your personal and professional lives? We work together great, because really our roles do not overlap. My role as an actress—that’s the easy bit. The much more demanding aspect of my, I say “job” in inverted commas, is being spouse of the producer—hearing the download of all the production issues and personnel issues and being supportive . . . not to get involved myself, but keeping everybody calm is what I do. What were your acting ambitions in your teens, and how do these compare with the actuality of your career to date? Oh, I wanted to go to RADA [Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, in London]!

I don’t know what happened—I wanted to play Lady Macbeth, and then I get tricked into this crazy action television, which was a complete assault to my being, because I was never good at sports. My nickname at school was “Unco,” for “uncoordinated,” and here I was getting bloody bashed 24/7 by stuntmen and training and trying to develop some sort of reflexes—which I did, [but] the first couple of years I was black and blue. It was a big shock to me. To be honest with you, I don’t watch fantasy shows, myself. I’m really not into that stuff. At this stage of my life, I wanna see people . . . having real problems like me and my friends—y’know, real-world problems. I’m not into the hunt for the magic bloody unicorn, or whatever. There was an element of fate in your being cast as Xena back in 1995. How different might your life have been today had that not happened? I would have had a different family; I’d probably be living in Italy . . . I would not be living in New Zealand, and I would never have stopped moving. I’m in love with perpetual motion, so had I not married [Xena creator Rob Tapert] I would not have the stability in my life; my children wouldn’t have had that stability—I’d just be a gypsy. Inadvertently or otherwise, you’ve become an icon of “comic-con” culture. That seems to be something you embrace. What am I going to do—crap on it? You should be so lucky to have these “problems!” I’m very good at rationalizing anything I can’t change . . . You better stick with the fans, and they’ll stick with you. I’ve been given this amazing opportunity to have a great life—mustn’t grumble! Would you say you’ve been somewhat typecast over the years? If so, do you necessarily see that as a negative? I suppose if you look at my major characters, I get cast as strong, slightly edgy, twisted people—or at least that’s what I try to bring to every role. No matter how she’s written, I’ll try to find the twist on it and try to make them compelling and make a bad person likeable and a good person a little bit gritty. So in a way I’ve taken fate and run with it and tried to make as much of it as I could.

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How close are those character traits on-screen to your off-screen self? My brothers used to give me assholes about being a show-off and dancing around to ballet and “who do you think you are?” kind of thing. And really punishing me for, I now see, being a girl . . . So I really had to drive all my femininity underground a little bit. It’s taken me to my 40s to start to try to reclaim that and discover some sort of softness. Because being tough and funny was the only way to survive in my house. Even though I am a feminist, I don’t have a hatred of men or a chip on my shoulder about things. I just . . . grew up thinking, in a way, I was one. You’ve also embraced your status as a gay icon, including participating in pride parades, but are a married heterosexual mom. Why are you so supportive of the LGBT community? Cos I like underdogs, and I feel that I relate to the underdog . . . I believe in justice and I feel like many gay people— obviously not all—understand global justice for everyone. You were a teen mom. How did rising to that considerable challenge help form the character that has made your so successful since? I didn’t understand it was a challenge. I think my family thought “oh, there go all her dreams of being an actress,” but within days of coming home from the hospital . . . I was full of energy; I was writing skits and things to produce into a show reel [and] went and filmed it. Jobs started to come from there. I just didn’t know any different, y’know? My parents never told me you can’t do something. Even if they secretly thought it, they didn’t tell me it—and I try to do the same for my kids. 32

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I absolutely support— I mean, I really, wholeheartedly support [medical marijuana]. It’s medicine, man—nothing works like it . . . so it’s very cruel and unusual to deny a palliative medicine from these [seriously ill] people.

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world in skin cancer, I realized that the actions of people globally can affect people locally.

I don’t think I knew that marijuana could be medical when I was growing Up . . . [but] I know it does a lot less harm to society than alcohol.

You still live in New Zealand. How has impacted your relationship with celebrity and the media compared with living in, say, L.A., New York or London? If you live in L.A., you’ve just got all these comparisons of how “not-cool” you are . . . Living in New Zealand, nobody cares about that stuff anyway, so it’s a non-issue. Also, I like to go it alone . . . I don’t have entourages; I don’t tell people what I’m up to. You have been active with environmental NGO Greenpeace, 34

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including being arrested in 2012 for boarding an oil-drilling ship. Why Greenpeace? I knew the director [of Greenpeace New Zealand], and I knew a bunch of those people from 20 years before when I acted [in] . . . The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior [TV movie about the sinking of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, in Auckland, by the French intelligence service]. So I had a long-standing respect for them as individuals . . . And, also, because [New Zealanders] lead the

You’re a board member of New Zealand’s Starship Foundation, benefitting children’s healthcare, and have been involved with animal rights organizations such as Paw Justice. Do you see it as your responsibility to use your celebrity for good in those ways? Well, I don’t want it to bloody sell lipstick! That just bores the shit out of me, all that stuff . . . [Celebrity is] currency, y’know— use it for something that does some good for the world. In May, you tweeted a fairly stronglyworded pro-medical cannabis statement. Could you expand upon the sentiments behind this? I just think it’s twisted that we withhold available medications from somebody in pain—it’s disgusting. Why wouldn’t you give it to them? How completely sick. We’re the ones who are sick—we’re sicker than they are. How have your views on recreational and medical use of cannabis changed over your lifetime? I don’t think I knew that marijuana could be medical when I was growing up. My views of marijuana haven’t really changed . . . I know it does a lot less harm to society than alcohol. I certainly tried it as a kid, I do think we have to be really informed about the facts, but it doesn’t bother me if people smoke pot. What are you views of cannabis legislation, both in New Zealand and elsewhere? They should legalize it so they know where it’s bloody coming from. Listen, its being available hasn’t made me start smoking [marijuana] any more than legalized homosexual marriage has made me want to turn gay . . . I don’t know what they’re afraid of! Your work with Greenpeace suggests that you’re very pro-active regarding issues about which you are passionate. Might you become more involved in medical cannabis activism? I doubt it, except to say that I absolutely support—I mean, I really, wholeheartedly support [medical marijuana]. It’s medicine, man—nothing works like it, is what I’m hearing, so it’s very cruel and unusual to deny a palliative medicine from these [seriously ill] people. c

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

FDA is the Real Reason that DEA Can’t Re-Schedule Cannabis

DEA won’t re-schedule cannabis right now, but is pushing for more research by FDA in order to do so in the near future by Alex Bradley and Nicole Potter

There’s been a lot of media attention recently revolving around the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which was rumored to be planning a monumental decision to re-schedule cannabis from its Schedule 1 label. However, news broke on August 10 that the agency is still working on rescheduling cannabis, but for the time being, they cannot reschedule it. The DEA must get an official recommendation from the FDA about the evidence and studies related to the substance before it can reschedule anything. The DEA sent out a press release, stating that it has denied two petitions to reschedule cannabis. Before any rescheduling occurs, the DEA has requested that more scientific research be conducted. It also asked for “a scientific and medical evaluation and scheduling recommendation” from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which was already administered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National

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Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “Based on the legal standards in the CSA, marijuana remains a schedule 1 controlled substance because it does not meet the criteria for currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, there is a lack of accepted safety for its use under medical supervision, and it has a high potential for abuse,” the DEA stated in the announcement. “The HHS concluded that marijuana has a high potential for abuse, has no accepted medical use in the United States, and lacks an acceptable level of safety for use even under medical supervision. Therefore, the HHS recommended that marijuana remain in Schedule I,” according to the 21 CFR Chapter II, Denial of Petition, from the DEA. “Based on the HHS evaluation and all other relevant data, the DEA has concluded that there is no substantial evidence that marijuana should be removed from Schedule I.” “Although the HHS evaluation and all other relevant data lead to the

“What DEA did change was to allow more people to register with us to grow marijuana for researchers to use.” conclusion that marijuana must remain in schedule I, it should also be noted that, in view of United States obligations under international drug control treaties, marijuana cannot be placed in a schedule less restrictive than schedule II. This is explained in detail in accompanying document titled ‘Preliminary Note Regarding Treaty Considerations.’”

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to not move the cannabis plant into another schedule, based on their limited research and trials. There will be more, and the DEA has mandated that. They have updated their policy, to facilitate and foster more research by expanding the number of registered growers for cannabis in the country. “This change illustrates DEA’s commitment to working together with the FDA and NIDA to facilitate research concerning marijuana and its components. DEA currently has 350 individuals registered to conduct research on marijuana and its components. Notably, DEA has approved every application for registration submitted by researchers seeking to use NIDA-supplied marijuana to conduct research that HHS determined to be scientifically meritorious.” Correno assured us in an interview that the DEA is still considering rescheduling cannabis in the future. They just need the official structure and process to fall in line with that, ie. the FDA approving and providing the DEA with proper evidence and studies about the medicinal qualities of cannabis. Currently, the FDA is doing trials for Epidiolex, which could possibly be the third approved cannabis-related pharmaceutical by the FDA. Correno, at the DEA says that if the FDA approves Epidiolex, there is a large possibility that they could recommend the DEA to reschedule the main part of that drug, CBD to be a Schedule II substance. In more detail, the second Denial of Petition to Initiate Proceedings to Reschedule Marijuana, Michael J. Lewis, Office of Diversion Control and Chuck Rosenberg, Acting Administrator of the DEA, state that based on the HHS evaluation and all other relevant data, the DEA has concluded that there is no substantial evidence that cannabis or marijuana should be removed from schedule I.

“DEA has not had a change of heart on rescheduling cannabis—it is going to stay in the same schedule (Schedule I) where it’s been, because the FDA still says it is not a medicine.” The rejected petitions to reschedule cannabis were submitted by Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo, Washington State Governor Jay R. Inslee and Bryan A. Krumm (whose job title and address title were blocked out). DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg responded to it in four-page letter detailing the decision. The DEA does further state in its August 11 announcement that, as according to its new policy, it plans to increase the number of cannabis manufacturers that supply researchers. The only approved cannabis manufacturer is at the University of Mississippi, which is under contract with the NIDA. The DEA hopes to open more manufacturers in the near future that comply with FDA-authorized research. “This change illustrates DEA’s commitment to working together with the FDA and NIDA to facilitate research concerning marijuana and its components,” the statement continued. “DEA currently has 350 individuals registered to conduct research on marijuana and its components. Notably, DEA has approved every application for registration submitted by researchers seeking to use NIDA-supplied marijuana to conduct research that HHS determined to be scientifically meritorious.” CULTURE spoke with DEA representative Barbara Correno, DEA Headquarters Public Affairs Officer regarding the recent update, and provided us with more understanding, and a little more hope for the future, than most regarding this matter at first sight. “DEA has not had a change of heart on rescheduling cannabis—it is going to stay in the same schedule (Schedule I) where it’s been, because the FDA still says it is not a medicine. We schedule all substances jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services. We study a substance to determine if it meets the eight criteria in the Controlled Substances Act for controlling. If it does, we send it to DHHS for scientific studies. After they conduct these studies, they send us a recommendation as to whether to schedule (or reschedule) the substance. If they recommend against scheduling or rescheduling, we cannot do so. If they believe something should be scheduled or rescheduled, then we begin the regulatory process of doing so,” she told CULTURE in a phone interview. “What DEA did change was to allow more people to register with us to grow marijuana for researchers to use. Information on that is in our press release about today’s announcements,” she said. Correno explained that many people don’t understand the process in which a substance becomes a part of the CSA, or how it becomes schedule or rescheduled. As a department of justice for the country, the DEA can only take actions based on research and evidence supplied by other government agencies, such as the FDA. The FDA sent the recommendation

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In short, marijuana continues to meet the criteria for schedule I control under the CSA because: Marijuana has a high potential for abuse. The HHS evaluation and the additional data gathered by DEA show that marijuana has a high potential for abuse. Marijuana has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Based on the established five-part test for making such determination, marijuana has no ‘‘currently accepted medical use’’ because: As detailed in the HHS evaluation, the drug’s chemistry is not known and reproducible; there are no adequate safety studies; there are no adequate and well-controlled studies proving efficacy; the drug is not accepted by qualified experts; and the scientific evidence is not widely available. Marijuana lacks accepted safety for use under medical supervision. At present, there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved marijuana products, nor is marijuana under a New Drug Application (NDA) evaluation at the FDA for any indication. The HHS evaluation states that marijuana does not have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. At this time, the known risks of marijuana use have not been shown to be outweighed by specific benefits in well-controlled clinical trials that scientifically evaluate safety and efficacy. c

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

Healthy and Holistic Healing in the UFC

UFC fighter Per Eklund heals naturally, and wants the professional sporting organizations like the UFC to encourage cannabis treatments for athletes by Madison Ortiz

Per Eklund, (born November 12, 1980 in Stockholm, Sweden) has been a natural athlete since his youth. At age 27 he became the first Swedish fighter to compete in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC 80, January 2008); also formerly competing for M-1 global (mixed martial arts). Eklund confessed to CULTURE that curiosity led him to initially try cannabis with a friend at age 21, while training in Brazil. Though that experience encouraged him to be more open to the concept of cannabis having medicinal benefits, it was a physical trauma which gave him a whole new perspective on cannabisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medicinal value as he suffered from a broken neck in 2012.

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p h o t o s b y S te v e n w a ls h

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“I’ve felt much greater value in using cannabis. I’ve stuck with cannabis, and I’ve been stretching and doing yoga for more than one and a half years, and I’ve had great results; great results.” We were sorry to hear about your injury. When you broke your neck, was that a work related injury? What exactly happened? Per Eklund: Eh . . . I had problems with my neck for a long time and (doctors) asked me to do a surgery in 2011, but I didn’t want to do the surgery so [instead] I did rehab. But then, I had an accident in training where I landed on my head and I broke my vertebrae. I’m really lucky that I’m still able to do

what I’m doing; that everything went fine, you know? People break their neck and end up in a wheel chair, so I’m really happy. I actually enjoy life now more than I did before. I appreciate the small stuff. What was your alternative to medicating with cannabis while recovering? First surgery I had, I was put on a lot of morphine. After that first one, I decided I was never gonna

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ever touch morphine or prescription drugs again. I was on morphine about four months. First week I had it injected into my vein at the hospital, then when I came home I had three to four different prescriptions. It was really horrible. What did that medicated state feel like to you? What were your side effects? That's the funny thing . . . there’s nothing called side effects.

The pharmaceutical industry, they say pills have side effects. No. It’s just effects. It’s just bad effects. I felt like a ghost. I felt totally hollow as a person. Mood changes. Nothing I had ever experienced before. The months of [taking] medication, when I got angry I was almost filled with rage. It was really unpleasant. I had never had those issues before. When you take pills they make you sleepy, they don’t make you motivated, they take your creativity

away. And what more do you need than your creativity when you are injured or sick, or recovering? So I made a decision. I’m not gonna use any of the medicines doctors give me because they don’t help me; they just keep me in a sick state. I’ve felt much greater value in using cannabis. I’ve stuck with cannabis, and I’ve been stretching and doing yoga for more than one and a half years, and I’ve had great results; great results.

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The world’s first cannabis friendly gym Power Plant Fitness is coming to San Francisco by the end of the year. What do you think of this idea? Do you think you would be inclined to check it out? You can consume cannabis and train? Man . . . People with depression, people that are medicated today with all these painkillers, they should go to this gym and consume cannabis together with an experienced user; someone that tells them what kind of strain and what effect it has. When you train your body produces something called endorphins, and endorphins are very powerful painkillers. For me, when I injured my neck, I started training two days after my second surgery without using any painkillers. So training was a great relief of pain because I trained hard enough that I produced good levels of endorphins. But . . . if I would have come off my second surgery and would have been able to go to a gym like this, in Stockholm? That would be the best thing that could happen to me. I think that this concept with gyms and consuming cannabis is going to be very popular. How has cannabis has helped you in your training? The great [physical] value [cannabis has] to me, is the muscle relaxing effect. I did two surgeries [for my neck], afterward I got so stiff in my back; it was like they glued my muscles to my back. It was really horrible; worst feeling I ever had. [While training], sometimes I can be thinking too much; I’m planning everything—I forget about my body, and when I smoke [cannabis] I get more relaxed thinking. I consume cannabis because I get a really good stretch and workout with my body straight away. It’s amazing how it can help me that much [mentally]. What is your typical consumption method? I smoke it in a pipe. Just pure cannabis. That’s how I consume it. I know you can eat it too, but I find it easier to just smoke. If varying forms of cannabis were more accessible to you as a professional athlete, would you be more inclined to learn about tinctures,

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topicals and edibles and the reasons for consuming in ways other than smoking? Yeah, yeah. Of course, of course. That’d be great! I know there are many different ways [to consume] and, I’m sure there are way better ways than smoking.

Thank you for taking time to speak with us about all these issues. Of course! I’m not ashamed. I would be ashamed if I didn’t say anything, you know? If I sat in the dark. Then I would be ashamed of myself when I get old. c

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culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN

by Ed Rosenthal

Today was harvest day, and 25 of the 28 Purple Pineapple (PP) plants were harvested. The other three plants were reserved for other experiments or photography. There were three very obvious signs that they were ripe.

1 They were very odoriferous. Over the past week the intensity of their smelliness kept increasing. The pineapple-fruity/sour perfumes were wafting out of the greenhouse and into the yard. 2 The plants had stopped growing, all the stigmas dried and turned color and the glands sparkled in the light. 3 A close-up look at the trichomes showed that their caps were stretching with resin and a few of them had turned color. This was their peak moment. This version of PP is very unusual. It stays in vegetative growth stage as long as it receives no more than three-four hours of continuous

darkness. When it receives more, such as on June 22, the longest day of the year, it received a little more than 9 hours, which initiated flowering. One way to grow this plant is to prep it by growing vegetatively until it reaches the desirable size. To do this the dark period must be interrupted every 6090 minutes with a lamp containing red light. Both HPS lamps and warm white fluorescents can be used for this purpose. The light can be regulated by a timer, and large areas can be covered using a light mover. When using light to regulate photoperiod response think of it as a water spray that much cover the entire plant including all its leaves. The duration of time that the light is used for each plant doesn’t matter. As long as the plant doesn’t experience dark periods of more than four hours, it will keep growing vegetatively. As soon as its regimen changes, so it receives a dark period longer than four hours, its growth changes to flowering and within a week, flowers appear. When I received the plants they were about 10 inches tall. A week later they had grown another inch, but

TIP OF THE MONTH

they were already flowering. They were only 12-15 inches tall at harvest. The plants were selfwatered using nylon wicks that drew water up from a reservoir underneath to the planting mix using capillary action (like a tissue drawing up water), so flushing was a simple task. The tap water here originates as run-off, rather than from a well, so it has a mineral content of only about 70 ppm, which is very low. Twice during the last week, I ran tap water through the 6-inch containers until about 20 percent of it drained out. As it soaked through the containers soluble salts dissolved in the water and drained away, so the roots had a chance to sip clear water. This didn’t remove nutrients from the plants, but they used up what was in their systems. Now the time had come. The buds were ripe— HARVEST! c

Postscript: The water in the reservoir, which contains the extra nutrients from the double flush, has been pumped into a holding container. I will dilute it a bit, and then use to feed my garden plants.

PROFILE

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Midsummer Harvest

The garden is ready to harvest. All the plants were clones so they all matured at the same time.

All the buds on the plants had received light so they were all mature.

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Close-up of a bud.

Cutting the plants was an easy task. A pruner was used.

The plants were hung to dry and cure over five or six weeks. Then they will be manicured. The room stays in the 60s to low 70s, with moderate humidity.

Now is a great time to start an indoor natural light crop. All you need is an unobstructed south-facing window. The sun is lower on the horizon now so it’s light shines right into the window for hours daily. In areas with bright sun, rather than cloudy weather, this may be enough light to support flowering. Since the light duration is fewer than 12 hours daily the plants will start to flower almost immediately will ripen early, so the plants will remain small and will produce small buds, but with little effort on your part. This works best if you can start with plants rather than seeds. Some dispensaries sell “adolescents,” and those are great candidates for a project like this.

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.

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

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growing

culture

Time to Go: September Weather: Highs in the mid-60s to lows in the mid-50s, with some cloudy/rainy days. Budget: $$$$$

if you go:

Toronto Sizzles in September by Sheryll Alexander

Toronto is Canada’s second epicenter of cannabis culture (with the first being Vancouver, British Columbia), so a trip to The Six can be a medical cannabis connoisseurs’ North American travel dream come true. Of course, Toronto’s cannabis culture is but one reason for such a Canadian getaway, especially in the spectacularly scenic late summer and early fall. That’s because Toronto is Canada’s most culturefilled urban center. In Toronto, there’s literally more things to do, see, eat, drink and smoke than any visitor can imagine especially when it comes to food, film and theatre arts. Some come to Toronto for the nightlife. No matter the weather, Toronto heats

up when the sun goes down, and its millions upon millions of locals and tourists continue to party through the wee morning hours at some of the world’s hottest music venues and dance clubs. If your Toronto travel focus is on cannabis and the cannabiz, however, then you won’t be disappointed. Toronto is ground zero for some of Canada’s most innovative cannabis entrepreneurs, so there’s a lot to see, do, learn and experience. Definitely don’t miss a day or night time walking excursion to both Toronto’s Kensington Market and Queen Street West sections for a peek inside some of the best cannabisthemed shops in the world. With the rise of

cannabis shops in Toronto and all over Canada, however, has come a surprising crackdown this spring by local governments just as it seemed youthful Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s federal government would relax its restrictions and decriminalize this miracle medical plant. Much like in the U.S., the cannabiz in Canada— including Vancouver and Toronto—is in a state of uneasy flux. Just remember, cannabis is still only medical and very unfortunately for Canadian residents only. This hiccup as well as other legalities can still potentially land you in prison. Still, anyone can enjoy a travel trip to vibrant Toronto for its cannabinoidloving culture. c

Fun-Filled Facts Hot Box Café has a popular “medilounge” where (licensed in Canada only) medical cannabis smokers can hang and medicate out in a relaxed atmosphere. 1

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For those into shopping, check out The 401 Richmond Street West Complex. This restored industrial building has been dubbed “The Warehouse” by locals and holds around 140 artist studios for some of the best one-off art and culture shopping as well as other eclectic shops, events and festivals. 2

Toronto is located in the southern part of the central Ontario province where medical cannabis, edibles and other cannabis products can be purchased by residents at seemingly endless dispensaries. Unlike the United States, Canada’s central government has classified cannabis as a Schedule II drug, but this unfortunately still makes possession a crime. What this means today to Toronto-bound travelers is a cannabis conundrum. While you will enjoy being in the center of Canada’s cannabiz culture, you can’t legally buy flower buds or edibles even if you are a licensed patient in your home medical or recreational state. This is quite the bummer as Torontonians toke rather freely in public most notably near the pulsating nightclubs of Richmond and Adelaide streets. Hearty and perhaps foolhardy Canadians do smoke outside discreetly and comply politely—if bothered— with the mostly lax authorities although cops do have the right to hit smokers with a hefty fine.

culture growing

Melissa Mentele

Age: 39 Condition/Illness: RSD/CRPS, five herniated lumbar discs and a labral tear in left hip

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RECIPES

Using Medical Cannabis Since: 2013

Why did you start using cannabis? I was severely injured in 2012 and prescribed opiates that I consistently had adverse reactions to. In March of 2013 I had my shoulder rebuilt and my bicep reattached. During the recovery I was diagnosed with RSD/ CRPS. Knowing the diagnosis carried a lifetime of pain meds and medical interventions, I started looking into alternative options. Cannabis lotion has been a miracle for the nerve pain and tactile pain in my arm. It gave me my life back. I was at a point where I couldn’t wear long-sleeved shirts and the breeze going across my arm would drop me to my knees. I traveled to Colorado and started to experiment with options. I was floored by how well it worked. I was also astonished by how I didn’t feel drugged; I could carry on with my day, and I was less irritated with life. After that I started to advocate for cannabis reform in my state. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes, you name an opiate, and I have tried it. I even at

one point was prescribed Fentanyl patches and quick-release morphine together. I was a druggedout mess on them and stopped taking them. What is the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? Lack of education in non-legal states and lack of funds to change that. More organizations need to get involved and donate towards states that are struggling to legalize. What do you say to folks that are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? Each and every one of us knows someone who has battled cancer; we have all seen someone in hospice care and we have seen children struggle with deadly seizure disorders. Ask yourself: If that was your loved one, wouldn’t you want options? Wouldn’t you want a choice? If the answer is yes then sit down, get comfy, and open Google. Enter “medical cannabis uses” and start reading. Read a little every day then when you have read enough patient stories, science and testimonials, get up and get involved. There is an organization in every state that advocates for cannabis reform. Get involved and be a part of history. c

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

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN DESTINATION

Invigorate Your September and Spice It Up! Menu: Freaky Fish Tacos with Lime Chipotle Canna-Aioli Hazy Thai Wings

recipes by Jeffthe420Chef September is a great gathering month, where friends and family tend to come together at least a couple of times. It is still warm from the end of summer dragging on, but also can get a little crisp out, in the beginning of the harvest season, offering a great variety of nights, themes and events for folks to come together and eat. Fish tacos are a perfect dinner party meal. These Freaky Fish Tacos are not only really tasty (and authentic), but they’ll knock your socks off if you eat more than two. There is also something really rewarding about making your own salsa, so I included my cucumber avocado salsa in this recipe for you. It’s the perfect complement to this dish. My second recipe for September, the Hazy Thai Wings are an ode to Pok Pok, Chef Andy Ricker’s renowned Thai street-food restaurant. The first time I had authentic Thai wings was at Pok Pok Noi in Portland, while visiting Chef Adrian Hale of Communal Table—and I fell in love! For days, all I could think about was how to re-create these awesome wings with one (or two) added ingredients. And here you have it! You’ll never look at wings the same way again, guaranteed.

Freaky Fish Tacos with Lime Chipotle Canna-Aioli Ingredients: 1/2 red onion, diced 1 half cucumber, diced 1 avocado, diced

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1 large tomato, diced

1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (reserve some for garnish) 1 jalapeño, stemmed and chopped Red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning

1 cup all-purpose or whole-wheat flour 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 1/3 teaspoons ancho chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 pound flaky white fish (such as mahi-mahi or cod), cut into 4 pieces Salt and freshly ground black pepper Olive oil for frying

2 teaspoons lime juice

8 fresh corn tortillas

1 tablespoons

1 cup shredded cabbage (use a mixture of red and green)

canna–olive oil plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 limes, cut into quarters

september 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

Number of servings: 8 tacos Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

Approximate THC per Serving* 10%: 3.8 milligrams 15%: 5.7 milligrams 20%: 7.6 milligrams

culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN DESTINATION COURAGE IN

Put the onion, cucumber, avocado, tomato, garlic, cilantro and jalapeño in a small bowl. Pour in just enough red wine vinegar to cover well. Add a pinch of salt, the lime juice, and the canna–olive oil. Set aside for at least 30 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, chili powder and cumin. Sift together well with a fork. Season the fish with salt and pepper, then coat the fish with the flour mixture. Preheat oven to 340ºF. At the same time, heat a large skillet over medium-high

heat. Add 1 inch of olive oil. Gently fry the fish for 3 to 4 minutes, then turn over and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Set aside. Stack the tortillas, separating each with a slightly dampened sheet of paper towel. Wrap in foil. Heat in the oven for 5 minutes. Top each tortilla with a pinch of shredded cabbage and some of the cooked fish, then (using a slotted spoon) top with each one with the cucumber avocado salsa. Garnish with Lime Chipotle Canna-Aioli, a lime wedge and cilantro. Dig in!

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Directions

*Approximate dose per serving is based on infusing 5 grams of cured/dried/decarbed cannabis into 5 ounces of oil. iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

culture

Hazy Thai Wings Ingredients 1/2 cup raw cane sugar

Number of servings: 4 (5 wings per serving) Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

Approximate THC per Serving* 10%: 7.6 milligrams 15%: 11.4 milligrams 20%: 15.2 milligrams

1/2 cup Asian fish sauce

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3 tablespoons ketchup 11/2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce (Sambal sauce) 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon rice vinegar 1 cup cornstarch 1 teaspoon garlic powder 2 pounds chicken wings, rinsed and patted dry

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Extra-virgin coconut oil for frying

1 tablespoon canna–coconut oil plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil Toasted peanuts and garlic (see sidebar, below) 4 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

Directions Place sugar in a food processor and grind until very fine. In a medium bowl, add the fish sauce, ketchup, sugar, chili garlic sauce, lime juice and rice vinegar. Set aside. In a shallow dish, sift the cornstarch and garlic powder. Toss the wings in the cornstarch mixture to coat. Heat a large skillet on the stovetop for 1 minute on high. Add enough coconut oil to fry, about 2 inches from the bottom of the pan. Fry the wings until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on brown paper. Preheat oven to 340ºF. Place the fried wings on a lightly greased baking sheet and drizzle each wing with 1 teaspoon of canna–coconut oil mixture. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. In a clean skillet, add the sauce and heat on medium until syrupy, about 5 minutes. Remove the wings from the oven and toss with the sauce until evenly coated. Toss in the toasted peanuts and garlic. Garnish with cilantro and serve alongside a cup of carrot sticks and celery curls.

Toasted Peanuts and Garlic 1/4 cup raw peanuts, crushed 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon coconut oil Dash of salt In a small bowl, mix peanuts and garlic with coconut oil and a dash of salt. Spread evenly on a small pan and roast at 325ºF for 30 minutes, until toasted and browned. Remove, let cool and voilà!

Celery Curls Cut celery into 6-inch pieces, slice in half lengthwise, make lengthwise cuts almost to center and repeat to create slivers. Refrigerate in ice water until slivers curl. *Approximate dose per serving is based on infusing 5 grams of cured/dried/decarbed cannabis into 5 ounces of oil.

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

september 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

Chuck Shepherd's

News of the

Weird LEAD STORY—THE POWER OF PRAYER u A 28-year-old woman, unnamed in news reports, veered off the road and into a house in the Florida panhandle town of Mary Esther on July 7. She apparently was free of drug or alcohol influence, but readily explained to police that she must have gone through a stop sign and left the road when she closed her eyes to pray as she drove. (The house was damaged, but no one was injured.)

A NEWS OF THE WEIRD CLASSIC (AUGUST 2012) u New Mexico is an “open carry” state, with otherwiselaw-abiding adults authorized to display loaded handguns in public. However, in the town of Vaughn (pop. 500, about 90 miles east of Albuquerque), perhaps the only people not legally able to carry are the town’s two police officers. A June (2012) KOB-TV report revealed that Chief Ernest Armijo had been convicted in 2011 of criminal non-support of a wife and two sons, and was barred from possessing a gun. Deputy Brian Bernal has his own domestic issue: a conviction for family violence that bans him, under federal law, from carrying. (A month after the News of the Weird story, both men resigned, leaving the town’s police dog the only active “officer.”) TROMPE L’OEIL JUNGLE u A conservation biologist at Australia’s University of New South Wales said in July that his team was headed to Botswana to paint eyeballs on cows’ rear ends. It’s a solution to the problem of farmers who are now forced to kill

endangered lions to keep them away from their cows. However, the researchers hypothesize, since lions hunt by stealth and tend to pass up kills if the prey spots them, painting on eyeballs might trick the lions to choose other prey. (For the same reason, woodcutters in India wear masks painted with faces— backward—for protection against tigers.) “BIG PORN” GIVES BACK u (1) In June, the online megawebsite Pornhub announced a program to help blind pornography consumers by adding 50 “described videos” to its catalog, with a narrator doing play-by-play of the setting, the actors, clothing (if any) and the action. Said a Pornhub vice president, “It’s our way of giving back.” (2) Later in June, another pornography website (with a frisky name—see bit. ly/29O4G9UURL) inaugurated a plan to donate a penny to women’s health or abuse prevention organizations every time a user reached a successful “ending” while viewing its videos (maximum two per person per day). Its first day’s haul was $39, or $13 for each of three charities (including the Mariska Hargitay-supported Joyful Heart Foundation).

WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND u (1) In May, the Times of India reported the death of a man known only as Urjaram, in Rajasthan, India, when, while hosting a party, he forgot that while he was enjoying himself, he had left his camel in the sun all day (during a historic heat wave) with its legs tied together. When Urjaram finally went outside, the enraged camel “lifted him by the neck,” “threw him to the ground” and “chewed on his body,” severing his head. (2) The thief who ransacked a community greenhouse in County Durham, England, in July got away, but, according to residents, among his bounty was a bottle of rum that is usually offered only as a constipation remedy, in that it contained a heavy dose of the aggressive laxative “lactulose.” Said one resident, “Maybe (the thief has) left a trail” for the police.

SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED u Many website and app users are suspected of “agreeing” to privacy policies and “terms of service” without comprehending them (or even reading them), though most judges routinely assume the user to have consented to be bound by them. In a controlledtest report released in July, researchers from York University and University of Connecticut found that 74 percent skipped the privacy policy altogether, but, of the “readers,” the average time spent was 73 seconds (for wordage that should have taken 30 minutes), and time “reading” terms of service was 51 seconds when it should have taken 16 minutes. (If users had read closely, they might have noticed that they had agreed to share all their personal data with the National Security Agency and that terms of service included giving up their first-born child.)

CAN’T POSSIBLY BE TRUE u A Government Program That Actually Works: A motorist in Regina, Saskatchewan, was issued a $175 traffic ticket on June 8 after he pulled over to ask if he could assist a homeless beggar on the sidewalk. According to the police report cited by CTV News, the “beggar” was actually a cop on stakeout looking for drivers not wearing seat belts (who would thus pay the city $175). Driver Dane Rusk said he had unbuckled his belt to lean over in the seat to give the “beggar” $3—and moments later, the cop’s partner stopped Rusk (thus earning Regina a total of $178!). iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

september 2016 iReadCULTURE.com

iReadCULTURE.com september 2016