2
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
3
4
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
5
6
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
7
contents
inside
12.2017
At The Height of Success
60
Whoopi Goldberg is a woman who needs no introduction— read what she has to say about her line of cannabis products for women and the future of the industry. O n the C O V E R :
T imot h y G r ee n f ie l d - S a n d e r s
features
56
38
70
Holiday Gift Guide 86
departments
CULTURE provides you with some of the best gifts to "wow" your family and friends this holiday.
12 Letter from the Editor news 16 News Nuggets 20 By the Numbers 24 Local News 26 Legal Corner 28 Healthy Living reviews 32 Company Highlights 56 Concentrate & Topical Reviews 58 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 80 Shooting Gallery 82 Growing Culture 84 Profile in Courage 86 Recipes 90 SoCal Now! 92 News of the Weird
8
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
# tgs
66
Altruistic Aid Cannabis businesses continue to prove that they are not contributing to the homelessness problem—in fact, they are part of the solution.
70
Strong and Successful An inside look at some of the cannabis industry’s most prosperous women of color.
74
Industry Insider The co-founders of Cannadips share how they were inspired to create such a gamechanging product.
78
Stand-up Stardom When he isn’t appearing in some of your favorite television comedies, Todd Glass lights up rooms with laughter all across the nation.
Online Exclusive! d Cannabis Opportunity Comes to NYSE d Republicans Block Cannabis Banking Bill
Vol 9 IssUE 6
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
9
M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Natasha Guimond, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Madison Ortiz, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Tonya Perme, Josué Rivas, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Michelle Aguirre Graphic DesignerS Payden Cobern, Nathan Hernandez sales director Joe Larson Account Executives Alex Brizicky, Eric Bulls, Molly Clark, Kim Cook, Chantal Jura, Lee Moran, Casey Roel, Garry Stalling, Annie Webber, Shayne Williams, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy office manager Mikayla Aguilar Interns Sophia Rybicki, Tyler Shultz Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Publisher David Comden Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 1,500 locations throughout 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.
2175 Sampson Ave. | Suite 118 Corona | California | 92879 Phone/Fax 888.694.2046 www.CultureMagazine.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
10
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
/freeculturemag
/iReadCulture
/iReadCulture
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
11
LETTER
FROM
THE
EDITOR
Justice and E q ua l i t y
T
his month’s issue is one of CULTURE’s best. First and foremost, we scored an exclusive interview with the one and only Whoopi Goldberg. Goldberg gracing the cover of our magazine is iconic for many reasons. Goldberg’s name has been synonymous with cannabis advocacy before it became trendy for celebrities to openly embrace the plant, let alone venture into the world of cannabis entrepreneurship as Goldberg has. Between her countless awards for acting and being the most recognizable actress in modern history to embrace cannabis, there is no person we would rather feature on the cover as we wrap up 2017. Goldberg isn’t just famous for being a cannabis entrepreneur and esteemed actress. She is an activist who has helped to pave the way for other women and people of color on the silver screen and in business. While she has succeeded and made a name for herself over the course of her career, there is still much progress to be had to ensure justice and equality for people of color. Unfortunately, institutionalized racism continues to target minorities in so many facets of American society, with incarceration for cannabis-related offenses still disproportionately affecting people of color serving as just one example. Recent evidence of this was published last month in a Policy Brief by Partnership for the Public Good, which found that Black, African American and Latinx people made up 80 percent of low-level cannabis possession charges in New York State in 2016, while it was reported these groups only made up 31.1 percent of the state’s population, according to the United States Census Bureau.
12
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
These facts are appalling. In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. in a letter from Birmingham City Jail, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” People in the cannabis industry must remain dedicated to not only ending racism, but also making the changes necessary to ensure those who have been disadvantaged by the “War on Drugs” are given the opportunities they deserve to succeed. Much like Goldberg said in her interview with CULTURE in regards to the representation of women and people of color in cannabis business and the silver screen, “ . . . lots of things have changed, lots of things have not.” Even though we have moved forward, there are still miles and miles for us to go in terms of progress. Take a moment to recognize the people in the industry who are driving us toward positive change. Support politicians who acknowledge and work to change racial disparity in our nation. Most importantly, let’s continue to support and celebrate the power that we each have at an individual level to demand a more equitable future for each and every human on Earth. On behalf of CULTURE, we hope you have a beautiful holiday season with your family and friends, and don’t forget to continue fighting the good fight and loving your neighbors. c
Cheers!
Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
13
14
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
15
NEWS
nuggetS
California’s Treasurer Proposes State Cannabis Bank On November 7, California State Treasurer John Chiang proposed a state government-owned bank that would serve cannabis businesses, calling it “a simple and elegant strategy” to the industry’s cash-only crisis. Cannabis’ federal status as a Schedule I substance makes banking inaccessible to most cannabis businesses. “The starting point is the current situation, in which
the cannabis industry operates predominantly in cash, with only sporadic banking access,” Chiang wrote in a report. “The end point is federal legalization of cannabis or, if that is not achievable, legislation shielding financial institutions that serve the cannabis industry.” The conflicting state and federal laws need to eventually be reconciled, but until then, Chiang hopes that a state bank would solve the cashonly crisis that currently cripples California’s cannabis industry. The lack of banking access is a safety issue, as large amounts of cash are known to attract criminal activity.
West Hollywood City Council Approves Recreational Cannabis Sales The West Hollywood City Council approved Ordinance No. 171016 on November 20, which amends its municipal code to allow recreational cannabis sales, consumption and delivery. The city will award up to eight retail licenses, eight medical dispensary licenses, eight smoking lounge licenses, eight edible lounge licenses (all attached to dispensaries) and eight delivery licenses. A total of up to 40 licenses will be available beginning in January
New York Governor Signs Bill to Add PTSD as Qualifying Condition On November 11, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed five bills supporting veterans. One bill in particular, Senate Bill S5629, added Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to New York’s list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. “Our veterans risked their lives in order to defend the ideals and principles that this nation was founded upon and it is our duty to do everything we can to support them
16
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
2018. The fee for both medical and recreational licenses, however, is nearly $10,000. “The City Council will waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 17-1016 approving amendments to the municipal code and zoning ordinance to regulate cannabis uses,” the bill reads. The exciting news offers a variety of business license types in an already diverse city that locals call WeHo. Additionally, The Standard, Hollywood hotel in WeHo recently unveiled plans of opening a dispensary inside the hotel in the near future.
when they return home,” Cuomo stated. “From improving access to healthcare treatments and services, to removing barriers to employment, all five of these bills take important steps to ensure that veterans have every opportunity to continue succeeding when they return home.” In addition, Cuomo launched a new series of license plates honoring the 770,000 military veterans that call New York home. An estimated 19,000 of those veterans suffer from PTSD and could benefit from having access to medical cannabis.
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
17
18
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
19
The projected amount of California recreational cannabis sales revenue, in billions of dollars, that will be collected during 2018 after recreational cannabis sales begin: (Source: Forbes)
5.2
The approximate amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that the West Hollywood City Council requires from business owners in order to apply for both a recreational and medical cannabis sales and consumption licenses: (Source: WEHOville)
10
The approximate number of hours that the Glendale City Council dedicated in a (Source: Los discussion on how to best approach cannabis legalization in the city: Angeles Times)
4
The percentage of voters in Palm Springs who approved Measure E, which will implement a tax on recreational cannabis:
78.38
(Source: The Desert Sun)
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that is planned to fund development for a new hemp processing plant in western Kentucky: (Source: WKMS)
30
The number of companies that have already applied for permission to cultivate cannabis in Denmark: (Source: The Copenhagen Post)
13
The estimated percentage of government employees who work in Washington D.C. and have purchased legal cannabis: (Source: Forbes)
11
Jack Herer Cup
WHEN: Fri, Dec. 15 WHERE: 333 Live, 333 S Boylston St., Los Angeles WEBSITE: www.jackherercup.com
Coming to Los Angeles for the first time in its three-year running history, the Jack Herer Cup is an annual event held to honor cannabis activist and author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes, Jack Herer, who has also been honored with the iconic strain named after him in the 1990s. The Jack Herer Cup is a celebration that brings together cannabis celebrities and industry leaders to celebrate the “Emperor of Hemp” and hand out awards for the best 20
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
strains and concentrates. While honoring the legend of Herer, and other long time advocates like him, this event is essential to celebrating the victories that the industry has won both in California, as well as throughout the nation. With legalization just around the corner, there’s no better time to enjoy that exciting camaraderie while making new friends, meeting other likeminded individuals and enjoying some live entertainment. (Tyler Shultz)
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
21
22
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
23
NEWS
LOCAL
A New Era
Not all industry professionals agree with California’s proposed emergency regulations By Benjamin M. Adams
A
mong America’s eight states that allow recreational cannabis sales, California is by far the most important market. California’s entire economy overtook France and Brazil in 2016, and it has continued to progress—the state is on its way to becoming the fifth largest economy in the world, according to The Sacramento Bee. The state’s bustling cannabis economy is equally important. But with a state as large as California, unique problems arise in terms of local and state regulation. Bryce Berryessa is a founding board member of the California Cannabis Manufacturers Association, as well as a committee member of the California Growers Association and the California Cannabis Industry Association. The unregulated era of recreational cannabis in California is coming to an end, and according to Berryessa, California’s large cannabis supply is one of the biggest problems. “I think it’s unfortunate that the California Department of [Food and] Agriculture did a study trying to understand how much cannabis is cultivated in the state, and they ruled that 12.5 billion tons of cannabis was cultivated last year,” Berryessa told CULTURE. “But about two-and-a-half million tons actually stayed in the state, so we
24
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
already have a phenomenal overproduction issue, and the majority of the cannabis in the state, by far, is being exported illegally and diverted into the black market.” California voters passed Proposition 64 last year with 57 percent of votes in favor of the bill. Since then, lawmakers have been racing to fill in gaps in the regulations, with mixed results. California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control released its proposed emergency regulations on cannabis on November 16, which caused a stir in the industry. The rules tossed out a one-acre cap on cultivation licenses, which would have limited how much cannabis a person could grow until 2023. It didn’t take long for members of the California Growers Association to notice the omission. “One thing that made cannabis business so great is that it’s been an industry that allowed a lot of smaller businesses to flourish and thrive throughout the state,” Berryessa noted. “By not limiting acreage caps, it’s enabling larger corporations to come in and really take advantage of the market and force a lot of the mom-and-pop producers that have been so political to their local economies to go out of business, because they’re just not going to be able to do it.” Berryessa said he’s in favor of the one-acre cap that was recently omitted, calling the decision short-sighted. Berryessa founded The Cookie Co. 831, in Santa Cruz County, which is ahead other California counties in terms of retail regulations. The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors recently omitted the word “medical” from its ordinance, allowing its medical cannabis dispensaries to also sell recreational cannabis. Manufacturers and cultivators, however, will not be given the same opportunity. Berryessa also co-founded brands Hashman Infused and Waxman Concentrates in addition to other cannabis companies. A majority of cities and counties in California will not be ready for recreational cannabis sales by January 1, but regulations are not completely solidified in some of the state’s largest cities, including the Los Angeles market. As of late November, San Francisco could be ready for recreational sales by January 5, pending an approval from the mayor. c
New Year’s Eve Aboard The Queen Mary The Queen Mary is one of the staple attractions in Long Beach, and one that’s well-known for celebrating holidays the right way. In Halloween it decorates for the spooky occasion, and during December it introduces “Chill,” an ice adventure park. But for New Year’s Eve, it has a special way to ring in the new year. Las Vegas Showgirls will begin the evening’s celebrations, with a variety of live music, including Top 40 hits, jazz, tejano and country playing throughout the night from DJ Cutt, Daniel Bonte & The Bonafide and REAL 92.3 radio host DJ Carisma. The highlight of the evening is the giant fireworks display, Southern California’s biggest and best, as the clock strikes midnight. The Queen Mary’s New Year’s Eve celebration has something for everyone, whether you want to dance the night away or just have a relaxing night counting down to the new year. (Tyler Shultz) WHEN: Sun, Dec. 31 WHERE: The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach WEBSITE: www. queenmary.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
25
NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
“Unlike any other agricultural product, the state will require the implementation of a tagging system in which every single individual cannabis plant must be tagged with a unique identifier.”
A Tedious Track California may be following bad track-and-trace examples By Alexa Steinberg, Esq of Manzuri Law
W
ith new laws come new regulatory efforts and the introduction to one of the most talked about provisions of Medical Adult Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA)—the track-and-trace system. The idea that cannabis will be tracked from seed to sale, from farm to consumer is quite a baffling concept to cannabis businesses who are coming from a completely unregulated market. California is gearing up to deploy the teeth of its regulatory system, Marijuana Enforcement Tacking Reporting Compliance (METRC), providing realtime visibility for regulators.
What’s the Deal? Designed to prevent diversion of cannabis—California requires track-and-trace to give state taxing agencies, public health officials and law enforcement the ability to follow a cannabis plant. With the ability to follow cannabis from seed to sale, the government can keep tabs on activity for tax purposes, businesses gain an essential tool to help with compliance, monitoring and reporting on inventory and California can play “Big Brother” to oversee quality control and enforcement of regulations. So here’s the down and dirty of it. Unlike any other agricultural product, the state will require the implementation of a tagging system in 26
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
which every single individual cannabis plant must be tagged with a unique identifier. This Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) will stick with every portion of the plant all the way until point of sale. Don’t know how it works? The track-and-trace program has a training requirement in which applicants must complete a training session for the system within 10 days of receiving notice that their complete application has been received and approved by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
Why METRC? Following a competitive bidding process, against vendors such as BioTrackTHC and MJ Freeway, California selected cannabis trackand-trace vendor METRC. METRC software is already the track-and-trace software of choice in Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio and Oregon. The experience of the software company was a major bonus in their bid for the contract, especially considering California’s rush to have the software ready by January 2018. METRC uses a RFID technology combined with serialized tracking, through unique IDs, which acts as a “surveillance system” accessible through a database. The unique IDs provide details of the state-licensed cannabis source, the destination and the transaction date. Throughout a plant’s lifecycle, each event will be time stamped, and a movement
manifest will be generated for regulators to monitor, just like tracking a package through FedEx.
How Does it Work? Once a plant is tagged with the RFID, that tag will accompany the cannabis plant/product for the duration of its existence. Cultivators would utilize CDFA’s tracking system and report required information, including any movement of cannabis or cannabis products throughout the distribution chain between other licensees. Licensees who are receiving cannabis products also have to comply with the reporting requirements. Licensees have to report required information 24 hours before moving cannabis plants or products. Even prior to destruction of the tagged product, the RFID would be retired by the track-and-trace system.
California May Be Following Bad Track and Trace Examples Because California is venturing into unchartered territory—learning from example is most likely the best way to go. Enter Colorado, the cannabis industry’s favorite comparison. The METRC track and trace system in Colorado has a reported 11,000+ registered users, more than three million plants and two million products. Now California is expected to replicate this for over 22 million plants and an estimated 50,000 farmers plus all the manufacturers, distributors, retailers and delivery services that are eagerly awaiting the licensing application process. But no so fast, even in the smaller Colorado market RFID tracking of cannabis has proven to be ineffective, inexact and when operated in a dirty and wet environment, like a cannabis grow, the failure rate only increases. What does the future look like for the track and trace program in California? We will soon find out. c
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
27
NEWS
HEALTHY LIVING
Surviving the Season
When the holidays are bringing you down, cannabis can help By Lanny Swerdlow, RN LNC
A
lthough the holiday season is supposed to be about joy, happiness and goodwill to all, for many the season often feels quite the opposite. Stress, anxiety, family issues, loneliness and unmet expectations can lead to melancholy, despair and depression. One of the major factors leading to depression is stress, and stress can soar during the holiday season. A report issued by the American Psychological Association estimated that 44 percent of women and 31 percent of men report an increase in stress during the holidays. The higher percentage for women could be due to women taking more responsibility for holiday tasks such as shopping, family celebrations, cooking and cleaning. Holiday family celebrations can produce feelings of anxiety and even dread as many families are far from harmonious love affairs. From sibling rivalries to problematic uncles, aunts and cousins, being together may not be all warmth and coziness. Those who cannot be with or are estranged from their families can experience loneliness and isolation. The media’s overbearing emphasis on family along with close friends celebrating joyously can make the situation even worse. For many, cannabis may be an effective answer to depression, as the role of cannabis in treating depression has been documented in a number of studies. A 2015 University of Buffalo study found that stress reduces the production of endocannabinoids, which can be a risk factor for the development 28
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
of depression, according to the study’s author an lead researcher, Dr. Samir HajDahmane. “Using compounds derived from cannabis—marijuana—to restore normal endocannabinoid function could potentially help stabilize moods and ease depression,” Dr. Haj-Dahmane said. Realistically, holiday depression is of a temporary nature, so the role of cannabis in treating holiday depression should be seen more as a preventative than a curative. If you can keep from stressing out in the first place, you won’t have the problem of reduced endocannabinoid production leading to depression. Reducing stress is one of cannabis’ most legendary attributes and is why it is so functional in inducing sleep, calming nerves and reducing aggression. When you know you are going to be in a stressful situation during the holidays, imbibing a few hits of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)heavy cannabis has been reported to keep emotional processes balanced no matter how imbalanced and hectic everything else is.
Sitting at a bar stool drinking themselves into oblivion and bemoaning their plight has become the classic picture of a lonely and isolated person during the holiday season. A person may still be lonely and isolated from family, but those feelings can often be mitigated by the ability of cannabis to facilitate socialization augmented by the shared camaraderie of others similarly situated. Although many of the legalization initiatives that have been passed by voters allow for consumption at public places in the same way alcohol is consumed, it is unfortunate that very few have opened up. Perhaps the greatest holiday stressor is a traditional family gathering. There is nothing more depressing than families bickering heatedly. Often, toxic family relations are further strained as forbearance levels are exceeded, especially when they are exacerbated by alcohol. The ability of cannabis to promote socialization and at the same time create a mood of tolerance and compassion makes it ideal for family gatherings. With legalization now in place for almost one-quarter of the population of the U.S., suggesting the use of cannabis is no longer outof-line. For joy, happiness and goodwill to all, cannabis should be part of the holiday season. Hopefully it will become as traditional as candy canes and spiked egg nog. c
“Reducing stress is one of cannabis’ most legendary attributes and is why it is so functional in inducing sleep, calming nerves and reducing aggression.”
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
29
30
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
31
REVIEWs
company highlight
Kan+Ade Los Angeles (818) 208-1414 www.kan-ade.com How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? Kan+Ade is invested in making quality products that meet people’s expectations in taste, safety and experience. The heart of Kan+Ade lies in its THC-infused fruit flavored syrup—our medible mixers are suitable for either drinking or mixing with food and beverages. Recently, we branched out and added cannabis extract to our product line. Currently, we are in the works of partnering with another company to formulate a CBD lotion. Although Kan+Ade is most known for its syrup, we are excitedly building on our staple product and expanding our line. What do you offer consumers/clients that others don’t? Kan+Ade’s products are rigorously tested for contaminants. Unfortunately, the manufacturing and production processes in the cannabis market remain unregulated, leaving it up to the maker to ensure a product put into the stream of commerce is safe and
32
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
clean. That said, many companies do not adhere to high standards in the making of their merchandise. But we do. We pride ourselves on our strict manufacturing practices, offering consumers a healthier alternative. How and why did your company start up? At first, Kan+Ade was nothing more than a lot of business talk amongst four friends, each of whom had worked in a different sector of this industry. After countless discussions, we finally rolled up our sleeves and began. We did it because it was an idea we all believed would be rewarding—the idea that we would relieve some people’s pain and deliver positive experiences to others. With the changing landscape of medical and recreational cannabis, what do you see as the biggest challenges to your progress as a company? Any advantages? As of January 1, 2018, it will be illegal for dispensaries to purchase marijuana and related products from unlicensed companies; consequently, we anticipate our biggest challenge will be to keep Kan+Ade on the market and continue our product distribution. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the world of cannabis business? Be consistent and follow up—check
the status of your plans, contacts and goals. The cannabis industry is already populated, and the number of people trying to get into it is increasing. Thus, with many determined novices out there, there is very little room for people already in the business to demonstrate weaker work habits. So keep at it and always revisit whatever is on your “pending” list. What are the goals and vision moving forward, for your company? Where do you see your company in five years? Our vision is to build a brand consumers love and trust. We do this by building meaningful relationships, whether we are signing a deal with a vendor or educating a patient on use and dosage. Regardless of the task, we do it with care, commitment and caution. And we are confident [that] our dedication will shine through, making Kan+Ade a company known for its well-crafted formulas and excellent service. What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? Marijuana awareness. Not everyone understands how the rules are changing and their effects on related businesses. Not everything on the market is safe. Through Kan+Ade, we hope and strive to educate the people supporting our business.c
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
33
34
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
35
REVIEWs
company highlight
The Medicine Woman Orange County (949) 566-4324 www.TheMedWoman.com How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? The Medicine Woman is a fast growing branded company that provides the best products on the market to those who are seeking quality alternative medicines for their individual needs. The Medicine Woman’s specialty is our hand-crafted line of CBD, THC, 1:1, Klear shatters, wax, top shelf flowers and accessories. What do you offer patients that others don’t? The Medicine Woman offers our patients a superior experience in terms of product quality, customer service, packaging and a confidence in knowing that our products [that] you’ve purchased are “Nothing but the best.” Let’s just say when you are using one of 36
our products you will get noticed! We are committed to only offering products with the utmost integrity and quality that’s why we continue to use our slogan, “Nothing but the best.” How and why did your company start up? We started The Medicine Woman to provide communities and individuals with products that they could trust and a background of knowledge to answer the many questions to those who are looking for a compassionate brand that will take the time to care for their needs and concerns. We have a personal commitment to providing our patients direct access to the finest products on the market. With the changing landscape of medical and recreational cannabis, what do you see as the biggest challenges to your progress as a company? Any
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
advantages? The landscape of the industry is changing on a daily basis therefore that in itself is the biggest challenge. When cannabis goes recreational that will be a fantastic advantage for everyone. What words of advice would you offer anyone seeking to enter the world of cannabis business? Go legal! What are the goals and vision moving forward, for your company? Where do you see your company in five years? That’s for us to know and for you to keep
your eyes on The Medicine Woman brand! The Medicine Woman is committed to revolutionizing the market by providing effective and affordable medicine for each and every individual’s healthcare needs. We will always continue to be at the top of the market with the most innovative new products and experiences. What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? We hope to set the bar for the cannabis industry by providing a full-spectrum of global medicines and destinations to benefit the health and wellness of our local communities. c
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
37
GUIDE! 2017
Whether you’re buying the latest gear, tools and accessories for a friend or putting cannabis-infused goodies on your personal holiday wish list, here are the CULTUREapproved must-haves to help you wrap up your holiday shopping.
Cheech & Chong™ Glass Labrador Grande Hand Pipe
Named after the famous scene from Up In Smoke, the Labrador Grande Hand Pipe is a larger version of the wildly popular Labrador Hand Pipe. The Labrador Grande looks more like the original from the movie, making this hand pipe a must-have for any Cheech & Chong fan. Available in color changing or white glass, the Labrador Grande features a bigger bowl for bigger sessions that are sure to get the job done, even if you don’t have any dogs around. www.cheechandchongglass.com
Cannabis Botanical Illustration Print
As cannabis continues to enter the mainstream, cannabis art is sure to enter people’s homes as decorative pieces too. The Cannabis Botanical Illustration Print provides a vintage feel as well as scientific accuracy. The stunning details and vibrant colors will attract attention wherever the print is hung and will offer a different perspective of cannabis by showing that it can be artistic and gorgeous. shopgoldleaf.com
38
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
Breaking the Grass Ceiling
Breaking the Grass Ceiling is a biographical collection featuring 21 powerhouse women who own and operate companies in the cannabis industry. From Dr. Sue Sisley and her efforts taking on the DEA to Wanda James, the first black woman in America to own a licensed edibles company, each woman lends her unique story, triumphs and challenges while working to promote gender-equality in the industry. One-hundred percent of proceeds will be donated to California Grower Association’s Fire Relief efforts. Snag a copy today on Amazon, at grassceilingbook. com or email us at hello@grassceilingbook.com to learn more about the dispensary consignment program! grassceilingbook.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
39
40
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
41
Cobra Battery and Vape Cartridges
GUIDE! 2017
This holiday season, give the gift that keeps on giving. The look, feel and user-friendly design of this battery is in a league of its own. The battery can charge with any USB port, as the cord tucks in nicely to the battery when it’s not needed—say goodbye to digging through your junk drawer to try and find the charger for your vape pen. Cobra Extracts has you covered with this easy, and much welcomed, solution to vaping. Cobra Extracts vape cartridges are perfect stocking suffers for that special someone. Make the holiday stress fade into a distant memory. Have a medicated Christmas! www.cobraextracts.com
PUNCH C-90 Blackberry Dark Chocolate
The PUNCH C-90 Blackberry Dark Chocolate bar, with 90mg of CBD crystalline isolate at 99.9 percent purity is a favorite for those who are focused on medical relief instead of an intoxicating effect, as there are no THC residuals in the bar. It’s also available in four other flavors, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Mint Dark Chocolate and Toffee Milk Chocolate. Finally, there are only four grams of sugar per serving, which is great for those who have dietary restrictions. Most report that the effects typically peak in about 60 to 90 minutes. www.punchedibles.com
Toker Poker®
Bring cheer to every toker on your nice list! Whether you vape, dab, toke or roll, the Toker Poker® is your goto tool. Finally, your poker, tamper, hemp wick and lighter are all in the same place. This soulfully designed lighter sleeve provides all of the essential tools needed to enjoy your smoke. Glow-in-the-Dark, Artist Edition, Sparkle and other limited styles are now available online. Your stocking stuffer search ends here! Use “CULTURE25” at check out for 25 percent discount online at TokerPoker.com (offer expires 12/31/17). www.tokerpoker.com
42
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
Hora Super Serum+ CBD
This lightweight Super Serum by Hora Skin Care is the perfect stocking stuffer for the beauty care lover in your life. By applying a small amount to your skin in the morning and evening, the high quality ingredients work poetically alongside the healing properties of CBD to ensure that skin looks and feels rejuvenated and refreshed. Be sure to stock up on some for your friends, family and even yourself—there is no better way to protect your skin from the cold winter weather. horaskincare.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
43
44
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
45
The Cure Company Cartridge
Give the gift of discretion this holiday season. Using high quality all-natural solventless and pesticide-free pure distillate cannabis oil, The Cure Company’s cartridges pack a wallop. When the cannabis oil appears to be almost completely clear—that’s commonly an indication of a high quality cartridge. Vape pens are great for discreet encounters with friends and family, and most observers won’t know the difference between a cannabis vape pen and a tobacco vape pen. It’s available in indica, sativa or hybrid, so you can vape and be medicated at any time of the day. www.thecurecompany.co
Emu Group Cannariginals
GUIDE!
There is no better gift than the gift of relief. Cannariginals’ patented blend leads the charge by penetrating CBD through all seven layers of skin, deep into the muscles and tendons, providing maximum relief for a wide array of ailments, including skin conditions. Choose the strength that’s right for you by visiting www. cannariginals.com or checking out Golden State Greens Point Loma. www.cannariginals.com
2017
O.penVAPE® ISH™
The O.penVAPE® ISH™ provides consumers with best-in-class flavored distillate in three flavors: Bavarian cream, blue raspberry and watermelon. Using O.penVAPE®’s patented Ceramflo Technology, users can expect bigger, more flavorful hits from an all-ceramic heating element. The reimagined design offers a onetime use form, with rechargeable functionality, and comes in both 250mg and 500mg cartridge sizes. openvapeshop.com
Pulsar Flow Dry Herb Vaporizer
The Pulsar Flow Dry Herb Vaporizer re-envisions the shape of a vaporizer, and it transforms it into a shape that slightly resembles an elongated Millennium Falcon. It quickly heats up your dry herbs in 40 seconds using its 1600mAh battery. The chamber is lined with quartz and designed to last. Its unique embossed vapor-cooling internal airflow pattern produces solid hit after hit, without the heat. The vaporizers are available in wood grain, carbon filter, black-on-black, silver or blackon-silver colors. The kit comes complete with accessories and cleaning supplies. The lid is also conveniently magnetic. #EnjoyHigherCulture pulsarvaporizers.com 46
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
47
50
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
51
Daily High Club
A monthly subscription box for cannabis consumers, the Daily High Club monthly package provides various price plans that include a variety of cannabis necessities and new accessories. Daily High Club’s cheapest plan provides a couple of packs of rolling papers from various brands, while the most expensive plan includes a multitude of accessories in addition to a glass piece. If you aren’t sure what to get the cannasseur in your life, a Daily High Club subscription is the gift that keeps on giving. dailyhighclub.com
Shine 24K Gold Rolling Papers
GUIDE! 2017
Although living the rapper lifestyle isn’t for everyone, Shine 24K Gold Rolling Papers make you feel like a “baller” even if you’re on a budget. They can be used to add a little bit of elegance to a smoke session or they can be used to make all of your haters jealous. The wraps are covered in edible 24K gold and give off a realistic golden shimmer. Shine 24K Gold Rolling Papers also have a distinct taste to them—ensuring consumers get a real taste of the high life. www.shinepapers.com
Pulsar Go Series Wax/ Smoker
In space, pulsars are white dwarf or neutron stars that emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation, and this vaporizer company’s products are similarly powerful. Can’t decide between a vaporizer or a pipe? Pulsar has you covered. The Pulsar Go Series Wax/Smoker is dual purpose, and it can be utilized for both your dry herbs as well as your wax. There is a separate coil for vaporizing as well as another coil for smoking dry herbs. Just change out the coils. It provides discreet relief and relaxation while delivering the most versatile solution. #EnjoyHigherCulture www.pulsarvaporizers.com
52
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
Pulsar APX Vape
The Pulsar APX Vape is one of the first exclusive units from Pulsar, and online reviewers have been raving about it. Choose your weapon of choice in brushed aluminum and in colors of black, blue, gold or silver. It’s also available in artistic designs including Skulls, Tie Dye, Wood Grain, THC Molecule and the new Urban Design that will impress your friends. It heats up in a mere 30 seconds. This is a heavy-duty hitter with an enhanced LED display and ergonomic mouthpiece. #EnjoyHigherCulture pulsarvaporizers.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
53
Leef & Co. Gold Multitool Able to clip onto any key ring, the Leef & Co. gold multitool features a dabber, a poker, a roach clip and a leather lighter holder, keeping all consumers equipped for any occasion. The sleek gold finish also adds to the multitool’s value as a stylish accessory, as a little bit of gold can attract attention. Each multitool is handmade and features an embossed logo on the lighter holder.
www.leefandco.com
Pulsar RIP Knuckle Bubbler
The Cure Company King Louie
Treat yourself like a king this holiday season, and put The Cure Company King Louie on your holiday wish list. King Louie is a popular and powerful indica-dominant hybrid with unknown genetics. Its fiery tangerinecolored hairs adorn the lime green leaflets. Be sure to have some food around, because King Louie exquisite earthy diesel flavor and aroma are followed by a powerful, often underestimated munchies effect that is perfect for appetite stimulation and insomnia. Consumers often also report a relaxing and euphoric effect from King Louie. www.thecurecompany.co
GUIDE! 2017
SNES Classic
Relive some of the best (and some of the most frustrating) moments of your childhood with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System SNES Classic, a remake of the classic Super Nintendo that packs 21 of the original console’s biggest hits into one tiny hand sized console. Today, the main way to play video games with friends is through an internet connection, but the SNES Classic takes you back to the days where you and a friend would sit for hours trying to beat the same level for days. With games for old-school video game enthusiasts and perfect games for couch co-op, the SNES Classic is retro gaming perfection. www.nintendo.com/super-nesclassic
54
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
The brass knuckle-styled design is definitely something that our reviewers at CULTURE have never seen before. Everybody loves a mini-bubbler, and the Pulsar RIP Knuckle Bubbler is the perfect size to fit in the palm of your hand. One size fits most, and you hold it like you would hold brass knuckles. It can be used to smoke spliffs or cone blunts as well. The bubbler is available in many different colors, or you can opt to consume cannabis in the dark using the glow-in-thedark neon green colored Knuckle Bubbler. #EnjoyHigherCulture www.pulsarvaporizers.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
55
REVIEWs
concentrate & topical
Bruce Banner Nothing makes us feel stronger than a discreet and powerful way to consume our favorite plant. Even with the strength we were awarded after vaping on some Bruce Banner, courtesy Cobra Extracts, we didn’t bulge up and show off our Hulk moves—although further vaping could have yielded a different result. The 1,000mg of pure oil offered in this cartridge contained 80 percent THC. Needless to say our first hit brought on strong cerebral effects and a slight citrus taste. We were really excited about Cobra Battery that paired perfectly with this cartridge. The sleek black box opened up with the company’s signature cobra logo, with the words “change the way you vape” underneath. The user-friendly design of this battery made our vaping experience discreet and effortless.
Available wherever: Cobra Extracts products are carried.
STIIIZY Skywalker OG
Available wherever: STIIIZY products are carried.
STIIIZY’s brilliance is exemplified in a sleek, flattened pen that is a notch above other vaporizer pens, with unique dual airflow tunnels. Our CULTURE reviewer’s Premium THC POD (cartridge) was filled with a half-gram of Skywalker OG distillate, an indicadominant favorite. Skywalker OG, with its lineage of Skywalker and OG Kush, is ideal for alleviating symptoms such as insomnia, depression and stress. It can also help with increasing appetite. Pods also come in the strains Pineapple Express, Gelato, Grand Daddy Purp, Blue Dream, Sour Tangie, Strawberry Cough and SFV OG. The solvent-free distillate won’t leak out and won’t burn up like other pens. The accompanying starter kit includes a USB charging port and a 210Ah rechargeable battery. Try one of the most modern-looking and functional quality vaporizer pens around with the STIIIZY.
Available wherever: Tree Base products are carried.
Citrus Kush Klear Kart Let’s talk about purity you can see. Always lab-tested and virtually odorless, the Citrus Kush Klear Kart by Tree Base also presents one the most potent offerings of crystal clear cannabis oil. Ringing in with 83.1 percent THC in 500mg of pure oil, prepare yourself accordingly for this heaver hitter. This indica-dominant hybrid provided a smooth draw on the inhale, only to have our legs quickly transform into roots, locking us down in a peaceful and euphoric state of relaxation. Reviewers reported intense appetite stimulation that onset 20 minutes after consumption. If you can overcome the relaxed effects, an all-you-can-eat buffet might be the ideal destination after consuming this Citrus Kush Klear Kart.
Available wherever: Green Lotus products are carried.
56
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
20mg CBD Topical by Green Lotus It’s safe to say that cannabidiol (CBD) has officially gone mainstream, with countless individuals promoting its various medicinal qualities. This 20mg CBD Topical by Green Lotus is no exception, as this non-GMO, 100 percent natural rub has been reported as an effective treatment against pain, soreness and inflammation. If you’re looking for some much-needed relief without unwanted psychoactive effects, this topical is the answer to your prayers. Containing CBD oil, coconut, shea and lavender, you can expect this smooth topical to add a relaxing and fresh scent to your skin as well. Treat your body right by embracing this all natural topical by Green Lotus.
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
57
REVIEWs
entertainment
Release Date: december 1 Available on: Nintendo Switch
BOOK
Grass Roots: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Marijuana in America Emily Dufton Pub. Basic Books The “War on Drugs” covered many gains and losses for the cannabis community over the years. Historian Emily Dufton highlights the correlation between the state of cannabis today with the state of cannabis 40 years ago, when cannabis legalization seemed inevitable. We too soon forget that the swinging 1960s were a long, forgotten memory by the time the Reagan Era had returned to demonizing cannabis. Dufton’s book helps us learn from the mistakes of the past and apply that to the movement to legalize cannabis. (Richard Saunders) 58
GAME
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Dev. Monolith Soft Pub. Nintendo Further proving how the Nintendo Switch is the more exciting console of this generation, the arrival of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is definitely giving open world action role playing game fans something to look forward to. The rest of the human population is now living on the back of massive monsters called Titans, and three main characters set off on a quest to locate a paradise called Elysium. The game is fully fleshed out, complete with a constant cycle between day and night, seamless connection between new zones and environments, plenty of unique items and weapons—and so much more. (Nicole Potter)
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
MOVIE
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Dir. Luc Besson EuropaCorp Distribution The science fiction genre is experiencing a kind of renaissance at the moment with some of the most fantastical universes and worlds ever dreamt up and realized on the big screen. Perhaps one of the most ambitious of these worlds is the one in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. Helmed by director Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, Léon: The Professional), the film follows characters Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) as they take a visually psychedelic thrill ride to save one of the most important cities in the universe. (Simon Weedn)
MUSIC
Turn Out The Lights Julien Baker Matador Records Julien Baker has returned once again to follow up on the surprise success of her debut album with an incredibly impressive sophomore record, Turn Out The Lights. Though the new album only raises the production of the recordings ever so slightly, the results add even more power and intensity to Baker’s brand of raw, stripped-down acoustic music. The record is hauntingly beautiful and seems to improve on all of the aspects, which made Baker’s debut, Sprained Ankle, so captivating. (Simon Weedn)
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
59
Spirited Star Whoopi Goldberg is a powerful force of talent and entrepreneurship By Addison Herron-Wheeler
A
woman who truly needs no introduction, Whoopi Goldberg is one of the most beloved and recognized actresses on the silver screen. As the winner of a Grammy, a Tony Award, an Oscar, two Golden Globe Awards and nine Primetime Emmy nominations, Goldberg is hands-down one of the most celebrated entertainers. From a lifelong fascination of Star Trek that led her to a recurring role in Star Trek: The Next Generation, to a voice role in The Lion King, to her heart-wrenching, breakthrough performance in the film adaptation of The Color Purple, it is an understatement to say that Goldberg has had a varied and rewarding career. However, Goldberg is more than just an iconic figure who is incredibly talented. She is also a spirited advocate for cannabis and other causes that she believes in. Throughout her career, she has been known to speak up for human rights and stand up for both women and people of color. She also used her influence to become an outspoken cannabis activist. Recently, she has turned that advocacy into action, with Whoopi & Maya, her line of cannabisinfused premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menstrual pain relief products that she co-founded with Maya Elisabeth, the successful entrepreneur behind Om Edibles. Launched in 2016, Whoopi & Maya products have already gained a loyal following in California among women who seek menstrual relief. Now, Whoopi & Maya is expanding its line from California into Colorado and partnering with GroundSwell Cannabis Boutique. Available now in select Colorado locations, the line offers medicated raw cacao, an herbal tincture for pain relief, a lavender bath soak and a body balm that can be applied topically to help relieve cramps. Whoopi & Maya’s aesthetic appears to be simple, tasteful and above all, medicinally beneficial. Goldberg was kind enough to give CULTURE the inside scoop on the expansion, the inspiration behind menstrual relief products and the future of legalization.
60
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
What inspired you to launch your own line of cannabis products? What is your history with cannabis, and why did you want to get involved in the industry? I’ve always had cannabis products in my life because I’m old [laughs]. The way I got involved was hearing people say, constantly, “Oh, this guy is in the industry, or this guy is doing this.” I finally said to my friend Rick (who would say this to me all the time), “Is there anybody doing anything for women, for cramps or anything?” And he said to me, “It’s a niche market,” and I said, “It’s a niche that is half the population; that’s ridiculous!” So, I asked him to find someone who could help me do this, which is how I got involved with Maya, and I wanted to be sure we had something medicinal, for people who have cramps, something they could rub on, and also something for young people, women, who are getting their period for the first time. Our products don’t get you high, but they will relieve pain for lots of people. What can we expect from your company in the future? What are your goals? We want to make sure
that we get Whoopi & Maya around the world. With Colorado being our first dispensary area outside of California, we are on our way. We are all over California, and with GroundSwell, we will be all over Colorado. Their sensibilities match ours; we are not trying to be big and flashy. We just want people to know that if they are having cramps and issues like that, they can get help. We liked the fact that GroundSwell represents a lot of different folks.
“We are not trying to be big and flashy. We just want people to know that if they are having cramps and issues like that, they can get help.”
let
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
61
Even though women are helping to lead the cannabis industry, there aren’t many products out there that are specifically marketed for PMS and menstrual relief. Why did you think it was important to market that way, rather than just labeling your products as effective for pain relief? Because I didn’t have it when I was growing up, and I had horrific cramps, and most people don’t believe they are real, so you are sort of getting the same reaction from different people. You even get it from women who haven’t had cramps. But for me, when you do your homework, the Pamprin and Midol were created in the 1960s and 1990s. People didn’t really give a lot of thought to that kind of pain for us until then. So I felt it was important to isolate it, because no one else was doing it; it was very generalized. So for me to participate in the cannabis industry, I felt this would be the way I could do it. How do you feel about cannabis legalization so far? What do you think could be done better or differently? I thought we were doing really well 62
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
and then we had a big change in Washington, and having to re-educate and re-explain to people after that has been a challenge. Because if you are treating it from a medical perspective, you have to treat it a lot like penicillin; it used to be legal and got a really bad rap by and from the government, and there are all kinds of conversations people have about it being a gateway drug. Well, if you have an addictive personality, everything is a gateway drug. You have to get people on board with what [cannabis] has been able to do, especially for kids, cancer patients and women with cramps. Now, getting the states to say these are the things that are covered treatment-wise, is the next big move as far as things are concerned,
“The way I got involved was hearing people say, constantly, ‘Oh, this guy is in the industry, or this guy is doing this.’ I finally said to my friend Rick (who would say this to me all the time), ‘Is there anybody doing anything for women, for cramps or anything?’ And he said to me, ‘It’s a niche market,’ and I said, ‘It’s a niche that is half the population; that’s ridiculous!’”
because [when it comes to what types of cannabis are medically legal], they will say it doesn’t cover this and that, so you can’t get any help for it. But not everyone gets help the same way, so you have to be a little smarter. States will say you can’t smoke it—well, some people can only smoke it. You and your doctor should have that conversation, and that’s it. However, we deal with what we have now. Some places are great for recreational, too. I just prefer to look at it from a medical perspective. What is your favorite strain? I’m really just about my own product, but I like Girl Scout Cookies. I think that strain is wonderful, but I can’t smoke anymore. Once I stopped smoking cigarettes, I can only do the vaping. I can only put things in my pen; so that’s how I do everything. As an iconic film star, how do you feel about the representation of women and people of color in TV and film since your career started? Do you think representation has improved, and how can representation improve even further? The answer to both of those things is, there is a long way to go. Yeah, a lot of things have changed, but I don’t really stop to look at what is happening. But, it’s kind of great to see more and more women in the cannabis business. I met with these wonderful women from CBD For Life, and that’s all women-run. They are reaching other women and coming around wanting to know how we do what we do. As far as Hollywood is concerned, you really have to talk to the people who cast the movies; that’s who it is. Anyone could have been in La La Land. So, lots of things have changed, lots of things have not.
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
63
It Takes Two
Experienced cannabis entrepreneur Maya Elisabeth steers her business partner Whoopi Goldberg toward success
What can we expect from you and your company in the future? Do you have anything new in the works? Right now we are in Colorado, and it’s great. Eventually we are going to move into other states and work with the legislators. Most people don’t have menstrual cramps listed as something you need relief from, and we’d like to see that change. So, aside from trying to do world domination, no not really much [laughs]. We’ve also been adding to our line, and we have new containers; you can pop ‘em in your pocket book. It’s kind of great. You have a pretty interesting collection of shoes that you’ve 64
made public. How did this interest come about, and what is your favorite pair? I couldn’t tell you what my favorite pair was right now, but I looked over one day and saw that all these women had really great clothing, looked really svelte, really great, and I thought, “Gee, maybe I should find some fun shoes or something.” So, I started doing it to make myself laugh. They all exist at work. I don’t have them at my house, ‘cause at my house I just wear Birkenstocks. It’s crazy! Is there anything else you’d like to add? We are going to be all over Colorado! We are really happy that we found GroundSwell,
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
and we’ll be making partnerships hopefully in places like Reno, Nevada, Oregon and wherever we can get to. This is what we are trying to do, because I believe every woman should have relief from cramps, so we are kicking ass and taking names. We used to just have a tub of our product; we had tinctures and soaps, but now you can put the new, smaller version in your bag, so you can just rub it wherever you are. You can have it at work since it’s in a smaller jar, and then productivity comes back because women aren’t missing two days of work every month if their cramps are bad. We are trying to save the world—one rub at a time. c
Whoopi Goldberg may be the face of the brand behind Whoopi & Maya, but Maya Elisabeth is equally important to the entire operation. While Goldberg brings her unbridled passion for cannabis and women’s health to the table, Elisabeth brings an impressive background of experience in the cannabis-infused edibles industry. As founder of Om Edibles, Elisabeth won several High Times Cannabis Cup awards for her company’s products, and she gained a rocksolid reputation in her home state of California. She was a clear choice for a partnership with Goldberg, and her insider knowledge combines well with Goldberg’s passion and experience to form a strong duo. “Whoopi is amazing. She is truly inspirational and I look up to her so much,” Elisabeth explained to CULTURE. “I think our partnership is really positive. One of the things we have in common is our business, and also our connection being women. Being a pair is actually really beautiful because we get along.” In addition to serving as company cofounder, Maya also serves as the company’s infuser—she is the woman in charge of ensuring proper dosing for the contents within every product. As Elisabeth explains on the company’s website, she got her start in the cannabis industry working in a dispensary, but didn’t feel that she was entirely putting out her own product. She eventually became a cultivator and edibles manufacturer, putting a personal touch in every product. Now that the brand is expanding from the market in California to Colorado, Elisabeth is ready to share her product with even more eager women and spread the word about natural menstrual pain relief. “We are most excited about making our products available and accessible to more women countrywide,” Elisabeth said. “We are all about safe access and education, and we couldn’t feel happier about expanding to the Colorado market.” Whoopi & Maya products are now available in select stores in Colorado, and these two women are proud to provide relief to a wider pool of women.
+ whoopiandmaya.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
65
The Evidence is Clear
A Magnanimous Gesture
While homelessness is an ongoing issue, cannabis businesses are set to support the homeless community By Amy C. Witt
C
ontrary to what some have speculated, cannabis legalization has not contributed to an increase in homelessness. Back when recreational cannabis sales first began, skeptics believed that legalization would have a negative impact. They predict-
ed that homeless people across the state and the country would invade regions with legal cannabis. But in reality, if cannabis has done anything, it has created a connection of love across almost every demographic. The homeless population has not affected the industry negatively, and some cannabis businesses recognize that their efforts could be a helpful solution to improve the lives of people who are homeless.
66
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
Dr. Donald Burnes, executive director and founder of Burnes Center on Poverty and Homelessness in Denver, Colorado at the University of Denver, agrees that there is a misguided impression on the correlation between cannabis and homelessness. Through his research, data shows that at least in the state of Colorado, there is no evidence that people “flocked to the state” and have become homeless. Burnes also noted that like many other avenues of revenue that flow to other statewide funds, even more tax money from legal cannabis sales should be put toward improving the lives of those who are currently homeless. “Clearly, the arena of extreme poverty and homelessness is competing with other important local issues, such as education, transportation, infrastructure, climate change, etc., and we are interested in maximizing the flow of dollars to ad-
dress the issue with which we are engaged,” he said. Through cannabis tax revenue, states like Colorado are taking action in developing resources for their communities. On May 26, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the SB-17-254 “2017-18 Long Appropriations Bill” into law, which aims to “provide permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing assistance for individuals with behavioral health needs, and for individuals experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.” In California, Attorney Marc Wasserman from Pot Brothers at Law, one of California’s leading medical cannabis law firms, provides pro bono criminal defense cases if a homeless person is charged with a crime. Wasserman believes that “ending cannabis prohibition will help the homeless,” and that the cannabis community will be a strong force for change through their charitable actions. It’s no longer just about business, but about caring for people in need.
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
67
Taking a Stand The cannabis community has recognized a need to take further action in contributing its efforts in highlighting the benefits cannabis has for all, as many companies are giving back to their communities. With the holiday season in full swing, this time of year is all about giving thanks and giving back. From monetary donations to product and customer involvement, these are just a few businesses that go above and beyond to change or rebuild the lives of individuals, families and animals. For instance, Kaya Cannabis is on a constant mission in improving healthy, happy and safe environments throughout the community. Through the company’s efforts, Kaya Cannabis claims to be the first company in the industry through its Grow it Forward projects, to donate a percentage every month for every purchase to four local organizations that are improving individuals' lives in Colorado. CEO Amanda Gonzalez believes that her company is one of many to set out to assist the homeless population. “We hope that our company can help be part of the work to end homelessness in Denver and that our contributions continue to make Colorado a more vibrant place to live, work and play, in general,” she said. California’s Potters Cannabis Co. and Golden State Greens Point Loma partnered this November, as they helped assemble lunch bag meals and distributed them to those in need throughout San Diego while teaming up with #Hashtag Lunchbag, a humanity service movement dedicated to empowering and inspiring humanity to reap the benefits of giving through the use of social media. “Some people that we handed a lunch to, hadn’t eaten in five days or more,” said Heidi Rising, general manager and event coordinator for Golden State Greens Point Loma. “We love to help our community. It keeps us going, and it feels good to give back. We never know what another person is going through or what has put them in 68
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
[that] situation. Love does not cost anything, and we all have a little extra to share, so go share it.” One of Organa Brands’ core values is being a strong representative and leader in the local community. From hosting charity golf tournaments, volunteering time, helping victims affected by Hurricanes Maria and Irma, to local coat and food drives, the company feeds and clothes hundreds of people. Chris Driessen, president of Organa Brands U.S., spoke about how his company is making waves in the community’s representation of altruism. “We are extremely proud of the success we’ve had as a company—but with success, comes huge responsibilities. We feel a real onus to serve the communities in which we operate in a meaningful and positive way. Things like the coat drive and partnerships with organizations like Grow For Vets help establish the cannabis industry as an asset to the areas in which we operate.” Not only does the cannabis industry give support to those who are homeless, but it supports humanity and dignity overall. On its own, cannabis creates unity, love, relationships and connections. Cannabis is the gift that keeps on giving, and it will continue to do so as long as members of the community care. c
“We love to help our community. it keeps us going, and it feels good to give back. We never know what another person is going through or what has put them in the situation.”
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
69
Powerful Presence
“I believe people should be educated about the plant, especially people of color. There’s just not enough people of color who are engaging in the industry, because they’re not educated on what this plant really does.”
Leading women of color are some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the industry By Devon Alexander Brown
The normalization of cannabis is ushering in an era of unprecedented economic opportunity. And like Whoopi Goldberg, there are many women of color who aren’t taking a backseat. According to the Women & Minorities in the Marijuana Industry Report, published by Marijuana Business Daily, over five percent of senior positions in the cannabis industry are held by
women of color. Also, the U.S. Census’ Survey of Business Owners and SelfEmployed Persons reported that companies owned by women of color jumped 67 percent between 2007 and 2012. Although minorities face a slew of barriers that disproportionately affect their entrepreneurial potential, these women are at the helm of the green rush. And they plan to cultivate a lot of cash.
Whitney Beatty Whitney Beatty is the CEO of Apothecarry, a provider of luxury cannabis storage and accoutrement based in California. A former television executive, Beatty grew up a firm believer in Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” antidrug campaign and never envisioned that she would be running an ancillary cannabis company. It wasn’t until she received an anxiety diagnosis that she began exploring the world of cannabis. Now she seeks to normalize cannabis culture and educate connoisseurs about properly storing their flower to avoid mold growth and a loss of potency.
70
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
“No one is talking about how to keep their meth fresh, because meth is considered an illicit drug,” Beatty said. “Back in the day when cannabis was considered an illicit drug, people weren’t talking about how to keep their plant fresh either. I keep my wine in a wine fridge, I keep liquor in bars, I keep my cigars in a humidor, but I was hiding cannabis in a lovely shoebox under my bed. That’s not right.” The Apothecarry case features airtight humidity jars that keep cannabis flower from drying out or molding, dab sticks, grinders and nooks for organizing pipes, papers and vaporizers.
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
71
Marvina Thomas Marvina Thomas is the nervous type, but you would never know it. Owner of 420 Skincare and Start Living Inc. Recovery Home, Thomas is also market leader for the Phoenix chapter of Women Grow, an organization focused on female leadership in the cannabis space. Thomas, a former nurse, spent years honing her skills while crafting artisan soaps and creams. When a patient developed a fungal infection on her face, Thomas decided to add cannabis oils to her products. When they proved to be a success, she moved to a licensed kitchen
to perfect her line and the rest is history. 420 Skincare offers CBD-infused bath bombs, soaps, body butter and creams. All products are handmade using the hot process method and contain natural, organic ingredients. THC-infused options are also available in 20 dispensaries throughout Arizona. Fifty percent of all profits from 420 Skincare go toward Start Living Inc. Recovery Home, where she helps patients find employment and procure medical cannabis cards to combat alcohol and opioid addiction.
Bonita “Bo” Money Bonita “Bo” Money is a cannapreneur and founder of Women Abuv Ground, a networking organization designed to position women of color in cannabis companies, and That Glass Jar, a cannabis-infused topical developed to combat the drug-resistant bug MRSA. A California native, Money spent decades working in the entertainment industry where she often came face-to-face with racial and gender discrimination. After transitioning into cannabis she saw patterns of the same behavior and founded Women Abuv Ground in 2015 to combat industry-wide
inequity. She also developed That Glass Jar out of necessity. When a close friend contracted MRSA and fell gravely ill, the odds looked grim. So Money turned to cannabis as a last resort. After using their makeshift topical for four days, her friend’s MRSA disappeared. “I believe people should be educated about the plant, especially people of color,” Money said. “There’s just not enough people of color who are engaging in the industry, because they’re not educated on what this plant really does. They’re excluding themselves because of this.”
Tanganyika Daniels Tanganyika Daniels is the founder of Jayn Green, a gender-neutral cannabisinfused skincare line offering beard balms, beard oils and body butters. And cannabis is her lifestyle. A United States Marine Corps veteran, Daniels spent most of her life thinking negatively about cannabis. After graduating from film school in Washington, D.C., she sold her home to move to California to pursue a career in film. But while in California she landed a job with TKO Edibles and discovered the medical benefits of cannabis—which she said saved her life and led her down a path of wellness and advocacy.
72
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
“I got into this by trying to treat my symptoms of PTSD,” Daniels said. “Joining the industry I was able to jump in and find out what worked best for me, and I used that to start my line and help others.” Despite economic barriers, Daniels hopes to serve women of color as a cannabis consultant and eventually wants to open a cannabis day spa. “There’s a lot that goes into being an entrepreneur in this space,” Daniels said. “Not only the uncertainties, but you have to worry about law enforcement, you have to worry about the stigma from your family, your church members. But I want people to know that there are people in this space that look like them.” c
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
73
Industry Insider
Direct and Discreet
Cannadips founders have discovered a way to improve the cannabis consumption process By R. Scott Rappold
I
f you’ve ever taken a cannabis
and found themselves way too
nicotine. The container even looks
edible—and since you’re reading
strongly affected by cannabis.
like a tin of tobacco.
this magazine, the odds are
At Arcata, California-based
“We wanted to solve the problems
pretty good that you have—you
Cannadips, Co-founders Case
of edibles—unreliability and the amount
know that waiting feeling.
Mandel and Cliff Sammet say they’ve
of time they take,” said Mandel. Clearly, it’s a concept that cannabis
“It’s been an hour, and I
found the solution—lip pouches,
don’t feel anything. Should I eat
similar to chewing tobacco, that
consumers are embracing. After
more?” Every cannabis consumer
deliver tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
debuting in August, you can already
has a story about when they or a
from your saliva to your brain
find Cannadips in some 100 California
friend chose unwisely to eat more
in about 10 minutes, instead of
medical cannabis dispensaries.
74
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
Photos by Jason Ogulnik
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
75
Cannadips CEO Case Mandel
C.
Childhood Friends
F.
Fast-acting
Mandel and Sammet went to high school together in Santa Cruz, California and later followed different career paths—Mandel in cannabis and Sammet in corporate health care. A couple of years ago, Sammet and a friend were smoking a joint before heading into a football game and wondering how they would sustain the buzz. There was a tin of Copenhagen in the car. “I looked look over at my buddy and said, ‘We’re going to have to put the pot and mix it with chewing tobacco,’” recalled Sammet. They both had a laugh—without heating, buds don’t get you high—but the joke planted a seed that Sammet kept coming back to. After calling Mandel about it, the two decided there might be something to the idea. There is a burgeoning scientific effort to find new ways to deliver THC, and through mutual friends the two met Chemist Leslie Norris. The main barrier to such a product had always been the difficulty of making THC water-soluble. Most edibles use fat or oil for the transmission of THC, which is then absorbed by the liver and is why the THC takes so long to reach the brain. But in a pouch, said Sammet, “the medium was super discreet, and there was technology there to make it happen.” And the chemist had a way.
When you put a Cannadips pouch in your lip, you don’t need to spit out the saliva like with chewing tobacco—you begin to feel the effect within about 15 minutes. Some of the THC is absorbed by the liver, as with regular edibles,
76
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
but the THC is absorbed sublingually also. The person can then throw the packet away, and nobody around is any wiser. The effect lasts about two hours, and Cannadips says it is different from the effect with edibles, which tends to produce a “couch-lock” effect. It doesn’t taste or smell like cannabis. Flavors include citrus, mint and coffee bourbon with maple syrup. “It’s perfect for people who need something throughout the day, which isn’t going to create a disassociation,” Sammet said. “It’s going to give them a lucid, upbeat, very high-functioning experience. They don’t have the obstacles to trying to get a dose in while they’re out there on a daily basis.” Cannadips currently comes in 10mg doses, though there are plans for a stronger version. The company is also developing a CBD version, which could be available in multiple states. They’re working with a national distributor that provides tobacco to convenience stores and shops “to begin bringing CBD products to mainstream America.” There are also uncertainties going forward, as California works to enact regulations on the cannabis industry. Cannadips hopes to help convince regulators and lawmakers that it shouldn’t be held to the same standards as edibles, because there’s no danger of eating too much. Said Mandel, “This is a medically-infused product, and it’s in a category of its own.” c
“The medium was super discreet, and there was technology there to make it happen.”
Cannadips Co-Founder Cliff Sammet
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
77
Pure Laughter
Todd Glass dishes about cannabis and integrity in comedy By Jasen T. Davis
B
y the time he was 11, Todd Glass already knew that he wanted to be a professional stand-up comic. Now a veteran in an industry that eats charlatans, Glass believes stand-up comedy is the best bang a person can get for their buck in the entertainment industry. “If you go to see a comedian do an hour [show], you’ll get hundreds of laughs. If you go to see a movie, you don’t get that.” Over the years, Glass has not only performed 78
after success, Glass warns that for any comedian, performing can still feel like taming a lion for the first time. “Stand-up can be harrowing. It’s like sex, you must really want to do it or you never would.” Stand-up comedy is still a facet of the entertainment industry, and eventually any entertainer has to either make money or settle for enjoying the ride. Glass knows. Between the internet, YouTube and other platforms, comics have more opportunities than ever to find success. “It really just takes its course. You just do it and do it. Some people take longer than others. I have friends that do it as a hobby,” Glass said. “There are a lot more vehicles than there used to be. Comedy gets better and better, more real. Acting has gotten more real.” If you’ve always wanted to check it out, now is the right time. “I think comedy is in a good place,” Glass said. “It seems like a golden age.” Glass observes that stand-up comics should be
“I said a long time ago, I’m not pro-marijuana in that I want to march to get it legal. I just want to smoke it.” in prestigious locales across the planet, he’s also appeared on television shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the legendary Politically Incorrect, and sitcoms like Home Improvement, Friends, Married . . . with Children, his own Comedy Central special, and other shows including Comics Only and The A-List. Even
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
realistic. “On one level, they all want to make a living. I’ve been doing stand up a long time. You see people who go further than you, but you also see people who quit,” Glass shared. For some, even after finding success in comedy, the fight to maintain success is one that comes with challenges. “There are actors who ended up on a series that got canceled
and they are back to waiting tables. At the end of the day, people want a vehicle to get noticed, and that can be just about anything these days,” Glass says. “A podcast, Netflix and even social media.” Glass keeps busy performing at nearly every club in Los Angeles when he isn’t touring the rest of the planet or doing his podcast. “I just got done shooting another one-hour special. I put a lot of time and work into it. My last one ended up on Netflix.” He is still thinking of a name for it. Glass is also working on a television show. “I’ve shot a pilot called Camping with Todd.” The premise involves taking various celebrities into a deep, dark forest for an interview. “We sit around a crackling fire and talk.” So far some of his guests include Jon Dore, Zach Galifianakis and Eddie Pepitone. Part of the class Glass possesses is that he is cool with cannabis. “I said a long time ago, I’m not promarijuana in that I want to march to get it legal. I just want to smoke it.” Across the country, however, possession can still mean prison. “Unfortunately, it is a fight,” he says. “If someone is anti-liquor, I get it. If you don’t think pot or liquor is good, that’s OK. If a person thinks liquor should be legal but not pot, I don’t know where to start. If I go down to the beach and have a hack or wine, nobody says anything. So, I act the same way about pot. I started smoking it at 30. I don’t want to smoke it 24 hours a day. I don’t smoke seven days a week, but I like getting high, and I enjoy the people who enjoy it, too.” c
+ www.toddglass.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
79
SHOOTING GALLERY
High Times Harvest Cup SoCal at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino
Photos by Kristopher Christensen
80
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
81
culture growing RECI P E S COUR A GE IN P RO F ILE
Tweaking Bud Potency Using Light By Ed Rosenthal People used to think that plants were vegetables; that they have no way of reacting quickly to their environment and were more like couch potatoes with very slow reactions. There were always signs in clear sight that this isn’t necessarily so. Sunflowers move so they always face the sun. The Venus flytrap closes on its victims the second its prey touches it. A fraction of a second after lights are turned on, plants start photosynthesizing. Mimosa pudica, also called “the sensitive plant,” quickly collapses its leaves upon being touched. However, when it is touched repeatedly by the same stimulus, it becomes habituated and stops reacting. After not stimulating the plant for weeks, it still “remembered” the stimulus and didn’t react. It had “learned.” Rhodopsin is a pigment that is very sensitive to light. A version of Rhodopsin is found in bacteria, and it is used in our sophisticated sight system. It’s also found in plants and helps cannabis regulate its flowering by distinguishing light from dark periods. Plants also share stress responses with animals regarding UV light. In animals, dark skin has high melanin content to protect against UV light. Light skin develops more intense stress reactions and respond to the light by producing melanin, causing tanning, or more severely, sunburn, which actually results in destruction of layers of skin and other destructive reactions. Plants growing under natural sunlight develop resistance to these harmful UV rays in several ways. They grow longer protective cells (palisade cells) to disperse the light
to minimize its intensity, and they produce higher levels of pigments, flavonoids and terpenes as sun shields. In various experiments and anecdotal reports THC production increased by 10 percent. Terpene levels also increase significantly. There are positive effects in other plants, too. For instance, tomatoes grow thicker skins and contain more flavonoids. When plants grown indoors are placed outdoors in late spring or summer, they sometimes get sunburned. Their leaves droop or dry out, and they suffer tissue damage. Whether or not they survive and thrive, they are set back. For this reason plants should be gently, gradually introduced to direct sun, perhaps first placed in the shade or by using shade cloth to protect against the sun’s intensity. You might think that plants in greenhouses are getting full sun. However, most plastics and glass are opaque to UV light. One exception is acrylic sheet, often known by its brand name, “PLEXIGLAS.” Indoors, fluorescents and HPS lamps produce no UV light. Metal halide lamps often produce small but significant amounts of UV, but the plate glass required for safely enclosing the lamp in the reflector is opaque to it. Some LED manufacturers include the spectrum in their mixes, but emitters in these spectrums are still costly. The lamps need only be used during the last 10 to 15 days of flowering, for six hours a day. For instance, plants growing outdoors receive the highest amount of UV light in the summer when they are in the vegetative stage. I haven’t seen the results of any experimentation on this. This is an area where there is a lot of room for experimentation. c
This room is illuminated using tanning lamps. Usually they are used five hours a day in conjunction with HPS lamps. In this photo the HPS lamps have been turned off for illustrative purposes.
A view of the room showing the six-foot tanning lamps.
A tanning lamp with reflector.
Reptile lights can be used to supply UV light.
Garden of the Month® Coral Cove Greenhouse, Jamaica.
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.
82
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
83
P RO F ILE
IN
COUR A GE
RECI P E S
growing
culture
aulo Lacerda Sobral
84
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
Age: 35 Condition/Illness: ADD Using Medical Cannabis Since: 2013 Why did you start using cannabis? I got curious about cannabis when I was 31 and watched a documentary about psychedelics. At the time I was just diagnosed with adult ADD and got into meditation. Cannabis made me more aware of my body and mind and actually helped me focus. An added benefit I didn’t anticipate was that it made for an excellent pre-workout. When I work out high, I’m completely focused and more aware of my individual muscles and joints. When I play basketball high, I feel like the defenders are in slow motion, and I’m operating in a flow state. The day after grueling workouts I go to CBD, and I can walk with little discomfort. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? I put my health above anything, and other methods and treatments might cure a certain symptom, but then cause 10 other negative side effects. Even when I
would have surgeries or sports injuries, I refused opiates and other pain killers. The main side effects I could find with moderate cannabis use is that some strains cause some people to feel sleepy. What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? Stigmas which lead to shame—my fiancé’s mother just passed away from cancer, and her pharmacist told her that medical marijuana was bad for her health. Our government has really done its citizens a disservice by not sharing medical research on the benefits of cannabis. I now work in sales for Bloom Farms, a cannabis startup in California. I hope by being open about my cannabis use and showing that I’m an active, professional member of society, I get more people curious about cannabis. What do you say to those who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? “Medicine” is a loose term. Almost anyone can agree that stress causes excess cortisol in our bodies, which has many devastating effects on your general health. If you do nothing else but smoke a joint after a long day of work, you’re getting medicinal benefits. c
Are you an medical cannabis 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.
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
85
Menu: Honey Butter Glazed Ham Beef Brisket with Onions Classic Champagne Cocktail
growing
culture
Tis the Season Local eateries with similar dishes: Hop Woo BBQ Seafood Restaurant 845 N Broadway Blvd., Los Angeles (213) 617-3038 www.hopwoo.com
RECI P E S
Catch 1910 Ocean Wy., Santa Monica (310) 581-7714 www.hotelcasadelmar.com Cardamom 7233 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles (323) 936-1000 www.cardamomla.com
COUR A GE
1/2 cup honey
P RO F ILE
Honey Butter Glazed Ham
IN
Classic Christmas Recipe
Ingredients: 1/4 cup cannabutter
2/3 cup brown sugar 2-3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 2 teaspoons minced garlic 3-5 pound fully cooked half ham
86
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 325°. Melt the butter in a small microwavesafe bowl. Stir in the honey, brown sugar and mustard until smooth. Stir in thyme and garlic; set aside. 2. Place the ham in a roasting pan large enough to hold it with room on the sides. Score the top surface of the ham in a diamond pattern, making the cuts about 3/4” apart. Spoon half of the honey butter mixture over the ham. 3. Roast the ham, uncovered, for 20 minutes, then spoon over the
The holidays are a celebration recognized by many different cultures with traditions that span generations, and the food that is served during this time of year is no exception. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or nothing at all, there is no better time to make a thoughtful, special meal for your friends and family—especially when it's infused with a little bit of cannabis cheer. Embrace the sweet and savory flavors of a traditional Christmas ham, delight in the scents and flavor of a juicy brisket, and top it all off with the clinking of Champagne glasses to ring in the New Year. Sprinkle with joy, laughter and fun— and you have the ultimate recipe for an enchanted holiday season!
rest of the butter mixture. Roast for another 20 minutes, then baste the ham with the pan drippings. 4. Roast for another 20 minutes (for a 3-pound ham), 40 minutes (for a 4-pound ham), or 60 minutes (for a 5-pound ham) or until the ham reaches 145° and is glazed. 5. Baste every 15 minutes with drippings. Slice thinly to serve. Serve this ham with scalloped potatoes, sautéed green beans and some big dinner rolls with lots of butter for a great holiday meal.
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
87
88
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
Beef Brisket with Onions Ingredients: 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
2 teaspoons thyme, chopped 1 teaspoon oregano, chopped 1 tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika 1 6-pound flat-cut brisket 1/2 cup dried porcini mushrooms
2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups dry white wine 1 cup chicken stock 2 cups diced canned Italian tomatoes, drained 3 bay leaves 3 medium onions, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons garlic cloves, chopped
Note: Like most braised dishes, this brisket is best made a day or two in advance. Look for a leaner, flat-cut or first-cut brisket with a layer of fat that is at least one-eighth inch thick. If you can’t find a 6-pound piece, buy 2 smaller pieces.
Classic Champagne Cocktail Instructions:
1 THC-infused sugar cube
1. Place the sugar cube in the bottom of a Champagne flute. Saturate the cube with bitters. Add the brandy.
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters 1 ounce brandy
2. Fill with Champagne and watch the sugar cube dissolve. Garnish with an orange peel or maraschino cherry.
culture
Ingredients per drink:
growing
1 cup hot water
3. Add the brisket, fat side down. Cook over moderately high heat until well-browned, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer brisket to a plate and pour off any excess fat from the casserole. Add the wine and chicken stock, then pour in the reserved mushroom soaking liquid. Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the casserole and stir in the drained tomatoes, porcini and bay leaves.
5. Transfer the brisket to a carving board and cover loosely with foil. Simmer the sauce for a few minutes, season with salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Discard bay leaves. Carve the brisket across the grain into 3/8-inch thick slices and arrange on a large, warm platter. Spoon sauce and onions over the meat and serve. If cooking the brisket ahead, let the meat cool in the sauce before refrigerating. Skim the fat from the surface and slice the brisket, then rewarm the meat in the sauce.
RECI P E S
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon cannabisinfused olive oil
COUR A GE
Classic Hanukkah Entree
2. After 20 minutes, remove the mushrooms from the soaking liquid; rinse and coarsely chop them. Reserve the soaking liquid. Preheat oven to 350°. While the oven is heating, heat oil in a large enameled cast-iron casserole until shimmering.
IN
1. In a small bowl, combine salt and pepper with the thyme, oregano and paprika. Rub the seasonings all over the brisket. In a medium heatproof bowl, cover the porcini mushrooms with hot water, and set aside until softened, about 20 minutes.
4. Return the brisket to the casserole, fat side up. Scatter the onions and garlic over the meat and into the liquid and bring to a boil. Cover and cook in the oven for 1 hour. Uncover and cook for 30 minutes. Spoon the onions on top of the brisket and cook for about 30 minutes longer to brown the onions. Push some of the onions back into the liquid, return the cover to the pot and braise for another 2 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender.
P RO F ILE
Instructions:
4-6 ounces Champagne Orange peel or maraschino cherry
Note: It’s best to add the Champagne at the very last minute.
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
89
socal NOW! event listings
Cirque Du Soleil: Luzia, Dec. 8–Jan. 21 The newest Cirque Du Soleil show beautifully celebrates Mexico’s rich culture, both through a modern and traditional lens. Luzia takes guests on a journey where light evokes the spirit and rain lulls the soul, with amazingly detailed costumes and magnificent sets that aim to impress. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles www.cirquedusoleil.com/ luzia
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade, Dec. 9 Witness hundreds of boats, yachts and schooners parade through Marina del Ray decked out in bright lights and decorations as they illuminate the water way. As it turns out, seafarers love to share holiday spirit! Marina del Rey Harbor, Marina del Rey mdrboatparade.org
Comic Arts Los Angeles 2017, Dec. 9-10 Organizers present the fourth annual festival that promotes all aspects of 90
entertainment art, ranging from comics, graphic design, novels and more. Some of the best artists in the area are coming, giving attendees the chance to meet famous cartoonists and graphic novelists such as special guest Michael DeForge, among many other talented artists. Homenetmen Glendale Ararat, Chapter Los Angeles comicartsla.com
9th Annual Santa Monica Pub Crawl, Dec. 16 Last year over 6,000 attendees participated in the Santa Monica Pub Crawl and traveled to over 30 different bars, raising $20,000 in the process. Fun contests, plenty of beer and working toward a good cause is a great way to celebrate the holiday season. Westside Food Bank, Santa Monica santamonicapubcrawl.com Cirque Musica, Dec. 17 The Cirque Musica troupe springs into Los Angeles leaving the audience members hanging on their seats with a show brimming with a sensory overload. The show will be full of stunning acrobatic stunts intertwined with the melodies of symphonic music. Honda Center, Anaheim cirquemusica.com
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
featured event
Extreme Beer Fest, Dec. 9-10
Extreme Beer Fest is a two-day event that crosses the boundaries of conventional craft beer, hosted by BeerAdvocate and sponsored by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. This is going to be one epic weekend, so prepare your thirsty appetite ahead of time! California Market Center, Los Angeles beeradvocate.com/extreme/los-angeles/ Hanukkah Family Festival: Light for the People, Dec. 18 Bruce Bierman pairs alongside Mostly Kosher, a unique Jewish band likened to “a Yiddish Reel Big Fish,” for a highly energetic night filled with jazz, Latin and folk music. The festival will unite people under the holiday spirit with traditional Hanukkah creativity and entertainment. Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles
skirball.org Misfits, Dec. 30 Visit The Forum to see a rare live performance with the original lineup of the Misfits including none other than Glenn Danzig. Punk bands Discharge and Alkaline Trio will open the show up, but we all know that Misfits performance will be the highlight of the year. The Forum, Inglewood theforum.arenainglewood. com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
91
News of the
Weird
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LEAD STORY— TRADITIONS The 72nd annual Yellville (Arkansas) Turkey Trot, which took place on Oct. 14, is famous for its Turkey Drop, in which live turkeys are dropped from a lowflying airplane and then chased by festivalgoers. This year, KY3.com reports, several turkeys were dropped during the afternoon despite animalrights activists having filed a formal complaint with the sheriff’s office, saying the pilot “terrorized” the birds. But pharmacist and past pilot Dana Woods told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: “We treat the turkeys right. That may sound ironic, but we don’t abuse those turkeys. We coddle and pet those turkeys. We’re good to them.” Wild turkeys can fly, but in 2016, about a dozen turkeys were dropped and not all survived the fall. According to The Washington Post, over the past several years, local sponsors and the chamber of commerce have distanced themselves from the Turkey Drop, now more than five decades old. The Federal Aviation Administration is checking to see if any laws or regulations were broken, but said it has not intervened in past years because the turkeys are not considered to be projectiles. 92
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
‘TIS THE SEASON Could turkeys be sensing the peril of the season? Police in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, tweeted a warning to the town’s residents on Oct. 15 about aggressive wild turkeys, WBZ-TV reported. As proof, an accompanying video showed four turkeys chasing a Bridgewater police cruiser, but police were not as amused as their Twitter followers. “Aggressive turkeys are a problem in town,” the department tweeted. “State law doesn’t allow the police or (animal control) to remove them.” UPDATE In 1990, Marlene Warren, 40, answered her door in Wellington, Florida, and was shot in the face by a clown bearing balloons (one of which read “You’re the greatest!”) and flowers. On Sept. 26, Palm Beach County Sgt. Richard McAfee announced that Warren’s widower’s current wife, Sheila Keen Warren, 54, had been arrested for the murder, 27 years after the fact, and taken into custody in Abingdon, Virginia. Sheila Keen married Michael Warren in 2002, NBC News reported. (Warren went to prison in 1994 for odometer tampering, grand theft and racketeering in connection with his car rental agency.) Sheila had worked for him, repossessing cars, and they were reportedly having an affair when the murder took place. While Sheila had always been a suspect, new technology finally allowed prosecutors to retest DNA evidence and build a case against her.
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
93
94
DECEMBER 2017 CultureMagazine.com
CultureMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2017
95