Culture Magazine SoCal september 2016

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09.16 Vol 8 IssUE 3

contents 68 DOWN TO EARTH

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

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ON THE COVER:

p h o t o b y M a le a k re s h o k


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contents

inside

09.2016

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48 features 86

The Re-Scheduling Cannabis Debacle DEA won’t re-schedule cannabis right now, but is pushing for more research by FDA in order to do so in the near future.

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Kiwis And Cannabis The country of New Zealand has a long history with cannabis.

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Industry Insider Michael Straumietis’ company Advanced Nutrients has become the leading nutrients company in cannabis horticulture.

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

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Canna-Comediennes Female-led comedies, especially those that feature cannabis, are growing in popularity in television and film.

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Summer Vibes Traveling on tour from Brisbane, in Australia, Between Kings offers some unique alternative rock tunes.

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Spiritual And Creative New Orleans-based artist Matthew Hance brings intimacy and energy in his art.

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Embracing the Full Spectrum Jaw Gems takes electronic music to a whole new level.

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132 departments news

20 News Nuggets 26 By the Numbers 32 Local News 34 Legal Corner

40 Healthy Living

reviews

42 Company Highlights 48 Strain & Concentrate Reviews

58 Cool Stuff 60 Entertainment Reviews 64 Liner Notes

in every issue

126 Growing Culture 128 Destination Unknown 130 Profile in Courage 132 Recipes

online Exclusive! d Texas Wants to Expand Cannabis

Laws in 2017 d Arizona Puts Legal Cannabis on

the Ballot

136 SoCal Now! 138 News of the Weird

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Vol 8 IssUE 3


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CULTURE M

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

Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 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.iReadCulture.com

CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.

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/freeculturemag

/iReadCulture

/iReadCulture


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NEWS

nuggets

City of Upland Solidifies Ban on Cannabis In the Planning Commission Agenda for August 24, it was recommended by the Upland City Council that the Planning Commission should adopt, "an ordinance repealing Chapter 9.48, of Title 9 of the City’s municipal code and replacing it with a new Chapter 9.48 prohibiting marijuana-related uses and activities and amending related provisions of Title 17 (the Zoning Code) prohibiting the development and permitting of marijuana-related uses, citywide.” During Upland’s Planning Commission meeting, it was decided the city would go through with this recommendation, ultimately banning cannabis-related businesses and activities. The only type of medical cannabis that is allowed in Upland is outlined in the Planning Commission Agenda. It read, “ . . . except that this prohibition does not apply to prohibit qualified patients and persons with identification cards to cultivate indoors, possess, and use marijuana for their own personal medical purposes only, as permitted by state law.” The City Council will meet on September 12 for a final review of the Planning Commission's decision.

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

Laguna Beach Voters to Decide on Allowance of Medical Cannabis Collectives The Laguna Beach City Council decided that voters will only get one choice in regards to medical cannabis collectives at the November election and that will be whether or not they will allow two cannabis collectives to operate within city limits. This came after Laguna Police Chief Laura Farinella proposed a citysponsored measure that would only allow one dispensary to operate with special provisions. However, the city council unanimously voted against the city-sponsored initiative and instead decided to move forward by drafting a resolution against the resident-backed initiative. Police Captain of Investigation and Support Division Teams, Jason Kravetz discussed the measure with CULTURE, “We have discussed the issue several times, but ended up holding a special meeting on August 8th. At that time, the Council voted not to move forward with any counter-measures to the citizen sponsored initiative. With that said, there will be only one local initiative on the Laguna Beach ballot which will be asking voters whether they want to have two marijuana dispensaries in town.”

Puerto Rico Certifies its First Medical Cannabis Doctor Dr. Michael Soler became the first doctor in Puerto Rico to recommend medical cannabis. Soler originally started his cannabis training in the state of Colorado. Then, once the regulation was approved in Puerto Rico, he complied with all the new regulations that had been enacted by the governor and coincidentally became the first doctor permitted to prescribe medical cannabis. Although Dr. Soler can legally prescribe cannabis, he explained how this is just the first step in the process to get patients high-THC cannabis in an interview with CULTURE, “In Puerto Rico, it is clearly established that anything that is dispensed and provided to patients has to be grown and produced on the island. In that sense, we are basically at the very first stage of the process. Stage two is now starting to become a reality. Crops are being grown, cannabis clinics are starting to be established throughout the island. We still need about six more months for the product to become available on the island.” There are 14 conditions that qualify patients for medical cannabis, which include HIV, cancer, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, migraines and chronic pain, among others. 20

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The number of votes, out of four, by the Laguna Beach City Council that were against placing more than one cannabis proposal on the ballot: (Source: Orange County Register)

NEWS

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The number of votes, out of five, by the Costa Mesa City Council to approve the proposed medical cannabis growth initiative to appear on the November ballot: (Source: Los Angeles Times)

The percentage of Los Angeles residents who are in favor of permitting medical cannabis to be delivered to patients within the city: (Source: Business Wire)

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The highest number of medical cannabis collectives that would be allowed to operate throughout the city of Long Beach if the local cannabis ordinance is passed on the November ballot: (Source: Long Beach PressTelegram)

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

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

State of Marijuana 2016

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

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International Business Times)

WHAT: State of Marijuana 2016 conference. WHEN/WHERE: Mon, Sept. 26Tues, Sept. 27. The Britannia Salon and Deck, Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach. INFO: Visit stateofmarijuana.com for details.

Come meet passionate advocates, successful entrepreneurs and wealthy investors as they participate in discussions regarding cannabis at State of Marijuana 2016. This wonderful event will also feature respected government officials, who will join in for various panel discussions, while attendees can also obtain valuable tools and information during business workshops. Some speakers you don’t want to miss will

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The number of signatures that were submitted to approve a second medical cannabis dispensary initiative in San Bernardino: (Source: San Bernardino Sun)

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be Amanda Reiman, the Manager for both Marijuana Law and Drug Policy Alliance and Swami Chaitanya, the Co-Founder of Swami Select. Do yourself a favor, and become more informed at this special event. You don’t want to miss your opportunity to network with specialized industry professionals while also learning about cannabis legislation, research, business strategies and so much more.


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NEWS

LOCAL

THE HOMELESS CRISIS

Proposed cannabis tax to help homelessness in L.A. fails

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by Jamie Solis measure that was previously approved to put a 10 percent tax on gross receipts of cannabis businesses in order to help pay for services to help the homeless crisis in Los Angeles has been pulled from the November ballot. Homelessness is a huge issue in Los Angeles County. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, over 44,000 individuals living within the county are homeless with over 31,000 of those people living unsheltered. Considering that a large chunk of these homeless individuals face mental illnesses, are physically disabled, have substance abuse issues and some are even children, it’s clear that a solution needs to happen, and it needs to happen fast. The County Homeless Initiative was approved and adopted in February by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl explained to CULTURE that this initiative was, “the largest, most coordinated effort ever undertaken in L.A. to attack the root causes of homelessness, and move thousands of individuals and families from the streets to dignity and stability. The County allocated $149 million for initial implementation of the plan, however, a sustainable revenue source has yet to be identified.” While cannabis wasn’t the board’s first choice for an income source, after the county denied other possible sources of revenue, the board decided to introduce a tax on cannabis-related businesses for the November ballot. However, the tax did not receive support from all parties involved.

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Kuehl said, “The following week, I heard deep ambivalence about the ballot measure from homeless service providers who are the frontlines in the County’s effort to end homelessness. As a result, in the end of July I filed a motion to remove this ballot measure from the very crowded November ballot.” Some of the service providers included substance abuse treatment providers, and these types of organizations were ultimately not comfortable with securing funding from a substance that they perceive as a drug. They had mixed feelings and felt it would be contradictory toward their cause. While a cannabis-related tax could have been used to help homelessness, Kuehl seems to understand why some organizations were not supportive. Kuehl shared, “Service providers are very appreciative of the leadership at the County and they are as eager as I am to identify a sustainable source of revenue to help house the men, women and children in L.A. who are homeless.” There isn’t enough time to draft another measure to secure funding for the County Homeless Initiative in time for the November election. However, Supervisor Kuehl and her team continue to stay committed to helping the homeless population in L.A. She shared, “I am deeply committed to providing relief to the men, women and children experiencing homelessness in L.A. County. We know that homelessness is a problem that responds to resources. In the months ahead, the Supervisors will continue to debate revenue options to identify sustained funding to fully implement the homeless initiative.” The county may pursue a different measure next year to help secure funding for this program that will change the lives of thousands of individuals. c

Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition Cannabis is a huge business, and the Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition will give cannabis professionals the tools needed to succeed in this fast-growing industry. There will be several dozen seminars relating to every aspect of cannabis business from “Understanding Industry Fundamentals” and “Banking, Payment Processing, and Cash Management” to “Edibles and Infusions” and “The End of Prohibition: The Shift to Legalization.” There will also be workshops for those looking to get even more in depth than what is offered. Overall, it doesn’t matter if you’re a big player in the cannabis game or a newbie trying to get their feet wet, this conference has beneficial information you will want to absorb. WHAT: Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition. WHEN/WHERE: Wed, Sept. 7-Fri, Sept. 9. Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., West Hall B, Los Angeles. INFO: Visit www.cwcbexpo. com for details.


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NEWS

legal corner

THE GREAT HEMP CONUNDRUM

Future predictions of hemp in California

by Meital Manzuri, Attorney at Law Hemp—we use hemp lotion, eat hemp cereal, wear clothing made out of hemp and use reusable hemp shopping bags. In fact, the U.S. is the world’s largest consumer of hemp products. Yet, we are the only major industrialized country that outlaws hemp production. Confused yet? The Federal Controlled Substance Act (CSA) considers all cannabis-related products Schedule I controlled substances, which are regulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Thus, the CSA makes it illegal to grow hemp without a DEA permit. So then, is there a difference between hemp and cannabis?

Hemp v. Cannabis The answer is yes! While hemp and cannabis both are plants in the cannabis species, hemp contains only trace amounts of THC (less than 1 percent). Cannabis, in contrast, can contain around 20 percent THC.

Federal Changes in Hemp Legislation In 2014, in an attempt to end the 70-year federal prohibition of hemp production, President Obama signed Section 7606 amending the Federal Farm Bill, which allows universities and state departments to begin research on industrial hemp, to determine whether commercial production would be beneficial for American farmers and businesses. Therefore, hemp cultivation was made legal, but only for the purposes of research. To make things more complicated, this “conditional” hemp cultivation is only allowed in states where hemp farming is legal.

California Industrial Hemp Farming Is Still Unregulated and Unavailable Despite California’s medical cannabis

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laws and the Federal Farm Bill, hemp farming in California remains largely unavailable. This is because the California Hemp Act of 2013 fails to establish a mechanism for the issuance of hemp cultivation permits. Therefore, there are currently no legal means by which a commercial farmer can actually cultivate hemp. Further, a commercial hemp cultivator in California violates federal law. Since the California Hemp Act requires federal compliance, we are yet again in a legal conundrum.

How Does California Get Federally Compliant? Like everything else, there is no simple answer. However, urging the California Department of Food and Agriculture to draft rules for hemp research pilot programs at colleges and universities would be a good start. This could take years and might cost about $20 million. Applicants for cultivating hemp in California would have to go through a long, drawn out process, before getting anywhere close to permitting.

What The AUMA Would Change For Industrial Hemp The Adult Use of Marijuana Act Initiative (AUMA) not only aims to protect,

“If hemp is legalized with no ‘research’ limitation in California, more jobs would be created and more revenue would be brought in.” integrate and expand existing state medical cannabis laws; it also brings industrial hemp into U.S. agriculture. If the AUMA initiative passes, industrial hemp will become legal on January 1, 2017. Even more exciting, licenses for industrial hemp cultivation, production and manufacturing will be issued under Division 10 of the Business and Professions Code, and will be regulated by The Bureau of Marijuana Control. If hemp is legalized with no “research” limitation in California, more jobs would be created and more revenue would be brought in. In fact, $500 million worth of industrial hemp products were sold in California in 2012 alone using imported hemp from overseas and Canada. While the process of reworking hemp legislation is slow and arduous, successful reform could be highly beneficial to California and the U.S. as a whole. What a conundrum! c


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NEWS

HEALTHY LIVING

MICRODOSING Can less be better than more?

by Lanny Swerdlow, RN LNC In medicine, dosing is critical—too little and the medicine is not effective. Too much and it can kill you or at least make you feel excruciatingly nauseous. Cannabis doesn’t fit that rule as it is so safe that there is little concern over proper dosing with many people taking the attitude if a drop is good, a bathtub full is better. Just because you can’t overdose doesn’t mean how much you consume is not critical. Cannabis is bi-modal meaning that low doses can have one effect while high doses can have an opposite effect. This becomes a critical component in the ability of cannabis to provide symptomatic relief for a variety of ailments but especially in the treatment of pain which is the number one reason patients cite as their reason for the use of cannabis medicinally. Enter the concept of microdosing where a patient consumes a significantly lower amount of cannabis than what has been used previously. That a lower dose can be as effective as a higher dose has been found in a number of studies including a recent study undertaken by the University of California, San Diego’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research. Patients in the study being treated for neuropathic pain reported that cannabis with 1.29 percent THC provided as much pain relief as cannabis with a 3.53 percent THC level i.e. no loss of pain relief properties 40

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while providing a significant reduction in psychoactive effects. Why a lower dose may provide as much or even more pain relief than a higher dose is explained by the biphasic dose-response curve—a scientific term noting that people have a specific individualistic threshold for cannabis effectiveness. Cannabis use below their specific threshold can provide an increase in health benefits, but if used above that level diminishing benefits will be experienced as a tolerance is developed to increasing concentrations of THC and other cannabinoids. What is happening is that lower doses of cannabinoids can upregulate or increase the response of the cannabinoid system to a stimulus, whereas the development of a tolerance caused by higher doses of cannabis can cause the cannabinoid system to downregulate and become less responsive to stimulus resulting in a reduction of pain relieving properties. Not only can higher doses cause a reduction in pain relief, but it can also cause extensive discomfort. In the clinical trials of Sativex, a cannabis based spray used for treating pain and insomnia associated with cancer, GW Pharmaceuticals found that high doses resulted in greater discomfort resulting in a 22 percent dropout rate as compared to just five percent in the low dose group and seven percent in the medium dose group.

“Complicating the picture is that it is nearly impossible to develop a standard cannabinoid dosage as every person has their own personal response to the ingestion of cannabis due to the complexity of the endocannabinoid system and the resultant individualistic responses to cannabis ingestion—one person’s low dose could easily be another person’s high dose.” Complicating the picture is that it is nearly impossible to develop a standard cannabinoid dosage as every person has their own personal response to the ingestion of cannabis due to the complexity of the endocannabinoid system and the resultant individualistic responses to cannabis ingestion— one person’s low dose could easily be another person’s high dose. Each person needs to determine their own specific threshold level in order to determine their optimum dose. One thing is fairly certain though—the more out of balance or sicker a patient is, the more they will most likely need higher dosing. As health improves and a return to a balanced physiological state progresses, lower dosing would be effective. Micro-dosing is but one avenue to consider when deciding on the amount of cannabis to consume as the reasons for ingestion will play a big role in the decision. At one time a person may want to use cannabis for pain, another time for insomnia and another time for its legendary recreational properties. Although it might take a bit of experimentation to discover what cannabis doses work best, unlike all other medications and social stimulants, there is no danger in finding out. c


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REVIEWs

company highlight

TetraLabs How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? TetraLabs started in 2007, which makes us one of the oldest manufacturers in the industry. We specialize in pharmaceutical-grade, high-purity, contaminantfree, smoke-free products intended for the medical patients. We pioneered the first softgel capsules in the industry with our own inhouse softgel manufacturing equipment. We made the first THC oral spray, and still offer the only single-drop gelatin dabber. Subsequently, we introduced vaporizer cartridges in two sizes and five flavors. We also offer CBD products that include softgel capsules, oral sprays and vaporizer cartridges. For 10 years, TetraLabs has been the industry benchmark for innovation, quality and dependability. Many others imitate our products and packaging, 42

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

but never quite achieve our attention to detail.

How and why did your company start up?

What do you offer consumers/clients that others don’t?

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

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

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

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


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REVIEWs

company highlight

INTEGRA®

by Desiccare Inc. Interviewed: Ben Blankenhorn, Manager of New Business Development 985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy. Suite 320, Reno, NV (775) 393-1500 www.integra-products.com How would you describe your company? What is your specialty? Desiccare Inc. has been in operation since 1994 providing quality atmospheric packaging solutions to a wide variety of Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, Food Safety General Packaging and Military applications. Desiccare is well known in and trusted worldwide by many of biggest names in Pharmaceutical and Food Packaging. The INTEGRA™ brand is aimed specifically at cannabis, cigars, produce and other agricultural products which are sensitive to atmospheric conditions 44

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

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

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


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REVIEWs

strain & concentrate Available at: Various collectives throughout California.

Brass Knuckles Clear Concentrate We aren't sure what impressed us more, the fact that this company has yet to release a sub-par product or the wonderful, tropical smell this particular concentrate gives off once the container has been opened. The bright iridescent glow from this indica-dominant hybrid is only shadowed by the almost tiki-like flavor that assaults your taste buds upon immediate inhalation. As strong and resilient as its namesake weapon, this concentrate won’t let you down. Lab tests have confirmed that this Banana x OG Kush phenotype clocks in at around 90 percent THC and is ready to relieve anyone suffering from insomnia and/or chronic pain.

Available at: SFVDM in Van Nuys.

Skywalker Reserve If there was a time when you lost your family, almost killed your dad, kissed your sister and gained magical powers, you'd probably need to unwind a bit as well. We aren't sure if they had Skywalker on Endor but we sure are glad the guys over at SFVDM in Van Nuys gave us a sample of their newest reserve. Forest green in color and dusted in silvery trichomes, the indica heavy effects stem from its Blueberry x Mazar parents, known for its superior abilities in combating anxiety, chronic pain and its hunger-inducing powers, patients should be prepared for the knockout effect their likely to experience. It scored a 10 out of 10.

iReadCulture.com GET YOUR CLICKS

HERE Available at: Strain Collective in Chatsworth.

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Strain Batter Live Resin Orange Crush Live resin has become one of the most sought after of all concentrates available on the market. Known for its heightened flavor profile and brittle, terpene-rich oil. The people at Strain Collective in Chatsworth have produced an end product that is quite easy on the nose and doesn't require surgical like precision when medicating. The Orange Crush strain releases a burst of tangerine goodness and an uplifting, energetic effect that lasts for several hours, leaving patients feeling creative and stress-free. Almost effervescent, like the Orange Crush soda, this sweet little tangerine dream released our tension and relieved our pain, with just a couple of hits. This batter should be on everyone's to do list.


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REVIEWs

W Vapes Sativa Tangie Vape Cartridge W Vapes is continuing to raise the bar with their ultra-distilled pure cannabis vaporizer cartridges. Lab-tested at over 60 percent THC, this discrete Tangie cartridge is perfect for anyone looking for a more subtle medicating experience. This strain is a sativa, so it's great for daytime vaping, giving a potent cerebral effect and high energy, while numbing all the stress and pain away with ease. The parent strains used in the production of the Tangie strain (Cali Orange x Skunk #1) are known for their strong terpene profiles as well as their euphoric effects, and are further enhanced in a process of re-introducing the natural terpenes, post-production, after separating them from the original flower. W Vapes natural cannabis oil doesn't irritate the throat or lungs while vaping. The vapor is smooth and consistent, and the cartridge is sleek and streamlined. You will not be disappointed by this product. W Vapes is the ideal choice for anyone looking for an uplifting, creative and energetic vaping experience without any additives or fillers. Available in 300mg and 500mg sizes. Check the dispensary locator at wvapes.com to find W Vapes products near you.

Available wherever: W Vapes products are carried.

Available at: Wellness Caregivers in Los Angeles.

Do Si Do OG Los Angeles has given the world a few amazing dance crazes over the years, including the jerk, krumping and the "gudda." But nothing holds a candle to the Do Si Do. Middle aged white people love it because you don't have to move your hips, and religious people praise it because it keeps your naughty bits away from your partners. The same could be said about this indica heavy hybrid. Because after medicating, couch-lock becomes the only thing you will focus on, if you can focus at all. Perfect and potent medicine for pain management as well as anxiety and stress relief, stop by Wellness Caregivers in Los Angeles and add this little number to your repertoire.

White Diamond Indica-dominant and clocking in at over 25 percent THC with little to no CBD, this strain is wonderfully potent. The lush intensely green flowers sport mangled, fine orange hairs. The earthy aroma, paired with the eye pleasing trichomes patients are greeted with, show why this bud carries such a boisterous name. Glistening like the frosty bling you’ve always dreamed of, and as rare as a kismet diamond, this potent gleaming beauty is a treat for your entire body. You'll understand once you have experienced it yourself, as this strain is the ideal choice for anyone with a high tolerance or anyone looking to medicate at the end of their day. Head to Woodland Hills in beautiful Los Angeles and stop by So Cal Co-Op and then write us a thank you letter for telling you about it. It's the classy thing to do.

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Available at: So Cal Co-Op in Woodland Hills.


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REVIEWs Available wherever: POP Naturals products are carried.

Headband POPCart and Battery Finish your summer strong with the Headband POP Cart and battery from California extract leaders POP Naturals. This is a fully functional vape pen that pairs a POP Naturals custom battery base to their vape cart, which comes pre-filled with hyper-pure CO2 extract of the awesome strain Headband. Everything is highquality here. The Headband (OG Kush and Diesel) was grown organically and tested for potency and terpenes, mold, mildew, and pesticides. POP Naturals specializes in nothing-but-CO2 extraction to yield a pure, thick, opaque oil, which they then put into a pyrex, dual coil cartridge. Their new battery comes in a sleek carrying case and is 4.2 volts for consistent big hits. Click the battery button five times fast to turn the device on, then press the button and inhale to sip ephemeral wisps of 56 percent THC vapor. This cartridge can help manage dozens of indications for which hybrid cannabis is appropriate.

Available at: Airside Wellness in Van Nuys.

B.O.S.S. Genetics Gorilla Glue #4 At this point, if you haven't heard of Gorilla Glue’s pungent, sedative, couch-locking effects, you are either very new to cannabis culture (see what we did there?), or you've been living under a rock. Patients can expect to get their hands clammy with the sticky sweet flowers. Once ingested you can expect to experience a bit of "zoning out" and even a bit of a spacey head change—however, this strain is not for newbies; most new patients will find to be a bit too powerful. Experience is key if you plan on multiple uses, so tread lightly. Sought after for its strong euphoric, anti-depressant capabilities and also its nausea-reducing and chronic pain-relieving qualities, B.o.s.s Genetics has a quality product for you available at Airside Wellness in Van Nuys. 54

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REVIEWs

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2. HÄLSA Hälsa creates high terpene essential oil topical roll-ons that utilize cannabinoid therapy and aromatherapy. With three signature products: UNWIND, HEAL and SOOTHE, Hälsa appeals to many different people. The UNWIND blend was our favorite— the scent is instantly relaxing, featuring lavender, ylang ylang, orange and lemon oils, as well as 100mg of CBD and THC. This tranquil experience instantly relieves muscle tension and anxiety, and promotes clarity of mind and emotional balance. So easy to use, simply roll on reflex points on hands, back of neck and/ or feet, and you can feel almost instant relaxation. PRICE: $50 MORE INFORMATION: www.halsa.us 58

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

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REVIEWs

entertainment

BOOK

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

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

GAME

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

MOVIE

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

MUSIC

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

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

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REVIEWs

liner notes by Kevin Longrie

E

verybody wants a piece of JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE. Whether its fans begging for another version of the “History of Rap” that he and Jimmy Fallon perform on The Tonight Show or it’s the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, ruling that him not releasing a new album in the next five years is unconstitutional, Timberlake is at the center of the public’s attention. That’s why Chelsey Gaudet and Ryan Parks, a couple getting married in New Hampshire, were surprised when Timberlake joined them for a few wedding photos. It wasn’t like MAROON 5 crashing weddings for the sake of a music video, either. He just happened to be in the neighborhood (actually for a different wedding) when Gaudet’s father came across the Bringer Back of Sexy eating lunch. The words they exchanged are lost to history, but soon enough Timberlake was shaking hands with the groom and congratulating the couple. Timberlake also had a fanencounter at the American Century Celebrity Pro-Am at Lake Tahoe in Nevada in July; but this one was less enjoyable. According to NME, “a fan’s hand made contact with the star’s face as he walked through the crowd.” “Bro, why would you do that?” was Timberlake’s frustrated response, though the tournament escorted the fan away and he was later arrested. Alcohol may have been involved. AMY LEE, the lead singer of Evanescence, is planning to release a kid’s album titled Dream Too Much. It will have

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original songs as well as covers of classics like “Hello Goodbye” by THE BEATLES. When asked what he expected the album to do to his tortured toddler soul, a local babygoth said “wake me up inside.” TAYLOR SWIFT donated a million dollars to help the relief efforts in Louisiana after the region was hit with massive flooding which has already killed at least 11 people. She started her most recent tour in Louisiana and loves the undeniable impact that state has had on the history of American music. Now would be a good time to listen to RANDY NEWMAN’s “Louisiana 1927,” which details an earlier and devastating flood. It’s a great history lesson for the beloved region and is, well, just about as perfect as a song can get.

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Continuing in our litany of nice things done by pop stars, ADELE, at a recent show, video-called a sick fan who couldn’t be there in person. “Hello Marisa,” she said after welcoming two of the girl’s friends onstage. “I was saying even though you are ill, I’m really glad you didn’t come to the front row and make me ill. Thanks so much for staying at home.” She also invited the two friends to take a selfie while holding up Marisa live via videochat. The crowd loved it and the applause grew throughout the gesture. None of these pop stars’ acts of generosity, however, can compare to the selfless heroism of STING, who has subjected himself to a series of brain scans carried out by cognitive psychologist Daniel

Levitin, author of This is Your Brain on Music. The intent is to find out how Sting, or more accurately, his brain, “organizes” music. Levitin is concerned with finding out how songs are generated, written and translated from thought. He’s studying what he calls “the ability to manipulate in one’s mind rich representations of the desired soundscape.” Levitin was concerned with subjecting Sting to too rigorous or long a session, saying that it can be quite taxing on the body and that most people can only last for a few minutes. Sting reassured him, saying, “haven’t you heard? I can last for hours.” c


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

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

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


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

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

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

I just think it’s twisted that we withhold available medications from somebody in pain—it’s disgusting. Why wouldn’t you give it to them? How completely sick. We’re the ones who are sick—we’re sicker than they are. that she’s the farthest of the outliers I’ve ever played, because she is not liked or trusted even within her own gang . . . It’s funny to play somebody who’s really hated. Your first ever TV job was in a sketch comedy series and Ash vs Evil dead is comedy horror. Are your comedic talents something you’d like to indulge more often, or do you instill subtle humor into most of your roles? Some things are just situationally funny. I mean, I’ve always thought that the parlor games in Spartacus were really funny— really ironic, really painful . . . So, yeah, I do find most of what I do funny, ‘cos life is a divine comedy. I would like to get back to [comedy]. I’d like to be better at it, to be honest 70

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

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


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How close are those character traits on-screen to your off-screen self? My brothers used to give me assholes about being a show-off and dancing around to ballet and “who do you think you are?” kind of thing. And really punishing me for, I now see, being a girl . . . So I really had to drive all my femininity underground a little bit. It’s taken me to my 40s to start to try to reclaim that and discover some sort of softness. Because being tough and funny was the only way to survive in my house. Even though I am a feminist, I don’t have a hatred of men or a chip on my shoulder about things. I just . . . grew up thinking, in a way, I was one. You’ve also embraced your status as a gay icon, including participating in pride parades, but are a married heterosexual mom. Why are you so supportive of the LGBT community? Cos I like underdogs, and I feel that I relate to the underdog . . . I believe in justice and I feel like many gay people— obviously not all—understand global justice for everyone. You were a teen mom. How did rising to that considerable challenge help form the character that has made your so successful since? I didn’t understand it was a challenge. I think my family thought “oh, there go all her dreams of being an actress,” but within days of coming home from the hospital . . . I was full of energy; I was writing skits and things to produce into a show reel [and] went and filmed it. Jobs started to come from there. I just didn’t know any different, y’know? My parents never told me you can’t do something. Even if they secretly thought it, they didn’t tell me it—and I try to do the same for my kids. 74

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

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

You still live in New Zealand. How has impacted your relationship with celebrity and the media compared with living in, say, L.A., New York or London? If you live in L.A., you’ve just got all these comparisons of how “not-cool” you are . . . Living in New Zealand, nobody cares about that stuff anyway, so it’s a non-issue. Also, I like to go it alone . . . I don’t have entourages; I don’t tell people what I’m up to. You have been active with environmental NGO Greenpeace, 76

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

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


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Lucy Lawless: A Timeline 1968: Born in Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand.

1995: Got her big break as Xena, the warrior princess, in 1995 on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys as a villain for Kevin Sorbo’s heroic Hercules. The character was so popular though that Lawless’ Xena was given her own show that same year.

1989: Made her professional acting debut on the New Zealand sketch comedy show Funny Business.

1997: Made her Broadway debut as Rizzo in Grease. Named one of People’s “50 Most Beautiful People in the World.”

1998: Hosted Saturday Night Live, a badge of honor in the entertainment industry. During this year, she also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

2001: After six seasons, Xena is forced to hang up her chakram when the show ends its run. She also narrated and starred in the Discovery Channel documentary, Gladiatrix.

2003: A newly discovered dwarf planet is named after her character Xena. 2005: Joined the SyFy channel remake of Battlestar Galactica as the Cylon D’Anna Biers, aka Number Three.

2002 – 2008: Appeared on a number of popular films and TV shows, including; X-Files, Spider-Man, Eurotrip, Veronica Mars, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Boogeyman and Bedtime Stories.

2002: Stated that Xena and Gabrielle (played by Renee O’Connor) were lovers, and lent her support to legislation in favor of same sex unions. Because of this and her stature as Xena, Lawless has become an icon in the LGBTQ community—a badge she wears with pride.

2007: Competed on the show Celebrity Duets, she finished second behind Alfonso Ribeiro.

2010: After Conquering Greece and space, Lawless turns her attention to ancient Rome by joining the cast of Spartacus for three seasons.

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2011: Named a “climate ambassador” by Greenpeace, later arrested for boarding and preventing an oil-drilling ship from leaving port.

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2012: Cozies up with Nick Offerman’s iconic Ron Swanson character as his girlfriend and then wife on Parks and Recreation for three seasons.

2015: Fans can now watch Lawless on the Starz horror comedy Ash vs Evil Dead, where she plays the mysterious Ruby Santiago, who is somehow closely related to the Necronomicon. Also in 2015, she joined the cast of Salem, which follows the events of the titular town’s infamous witch trials. She plays Countess Marburg, one of the last remaining survivors of an ancient German coven.


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DOWN TO

EARTH

Cannabis strains inspired by Lucy Lawless

Lucy Hybrid

Kiwi Skunk Indica

Like a classic oldies love song, we can’t praise enough how amazing Lucy Lawless can be. She has continued to bring strong female characters to television shows since 1995, with roles that delve into Grecian warrior princesses and 17th century witches. To get in the mood to watch and enjoy many of Lucy’s projects, check out the strain of the same name. This hybrid will put you into a relaxed state, but is also known for creating euphoric and sleepy feeling, which isn’t a bad thing since you’ll probably end up dreaming about Lucy anyway.

Did you know that Lucy Lawless hails from New Zealand? The country, which lies Southeast of Australia, has a unique culture all to its own. The locals there refer to themselves as “kiwis,” and they’re fiercely proud of their heritage and history in Maori culture—and the fact that Xena: Warrior Princess was filmed there too. Dwell on the heavenly beauty of New Zealand, and thank them for bringing Lucy and Xena together while experience the ultra-relaxing effects of Kiwi Skunk. This indica will put you into a state of relaxation, but might also incite happy and creative feelings as well. We’re pretty sure you’ll get a kick out of trying to imitate Xena’s classic war chant while under the effects of this unique strain.

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Love Potion #1 Sativa Lucy Lawless is a name that tops almost everyone’s list of youthful crushes—ever present in the mind of everyone who fell for her in her strong, female roles since her first appearance on Hercules. In reference to her “first love” status in your heart, try out the uplifting effects of Love Potion #1 to refuel that flame for the attractive and talented actress. Love Potion #1 will put you into a state of extra energetic effect, and there’s no way you can’t be happy while under its spell.


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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Kiwi Cannabis

The longstanding history and presence of cannabis in New Zealand by Jasen T. Davis

New Zealand is a remote, mountainous island nation located southeast of Australia and north of Antarctica in the Pacific Ocean. Comprised of several landmasses and many smaller islands, similar to Okinawa or Hawaii, New Zealand is populated by the descendants of English colonists that migrated in 1840 and the Maori, who are native Polynesians that arrived in 1250. If you have ever seen HBO’s Game of Thrones or any of the films based on The Lord of the Rings, you’ve seen New Zealand. Although New Zealanders didn’t come into contact with cannabis until after World War II, according to the New Zealand Drug Foundation nearly 42 percent of adults over the age of 15 throughout the country have used it. Smoking it is also very common in Maori communities, who call it “taru rauhea,” or “tarukino.” Authorities estimate that

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64.6 percent of Maori men and women between the ages of 16-64 use cannabis, although smoking it is not a part of their religious ceremonies. A study funded by the United Nations concluded that New Zealand has the ninth highest level of cannabis use on the planet, next to Canada and Jamaica. However, cannabis is still illegal in New Zealand. The Misuse of Drugs Act of 1975 means that possession of the substance is illegal, with the maximum penalty being three months in prison and a $500 fine. Cultivating the plant and selling it can lead to seven years in prison. People who make or sell cannabis oil or other products face up to 14 years. Even owning a cannabis pipe can mean one year in prison. In addition, anyone found in possession of 100 joints, or 28 grams of cannabis, is automatically presumed to be a dealer according to the law. Police

even regularly distribute pamphlets to the local public warning them of the clues that indicate local cannabis cultivation, including seeing people walking around at night with flashlights and shovels, and admonish loyal citizenry to report the hooligans to local authorities at once. The Mongrel Mob is a group that was formed in Hastings, a city on the east coast of New Zealand, in 1968. Although similar to biker gangs like the Hell’s Angels or the Mongols, they don’t necessarily ride motorcycles, but they did become one of the largest, most successful criminal organizations in New Zealand by cultivating and selling cannabis. Anyone else caught doing it by them is usually dealt with in a rather violent manner.


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Although there are Caucasian members, a majority of the group are Maori, who are as proud of their blue tribal facial tattoos as they are of their gang patches. In 2013 an army of two hundred police across the nation raided a dozen headquarters for the gang and at least ten leaders were arrested for growing and distributing cannabis, as well as LSD and methamphetamines. Over 9,000 plants were confiscated. The raids were so successful that across the nation, the resulting shortage of cannabis made headlines. As the street price doubled, many legal experts and politicians spoke out against the law in support of legalizing medical cannabis, citing the success stories throughout America, Europe and Canada. A federal report known as the Drug Harm Index indicated that every year, the police spent $90 million dollars investigating and arresting cannabis users. The same report also revealed that an additional $109 million went to persecuting citizens in the legal court system. More than 65 percent of all criminal drug offences in New Zealand were because of cannabis. This report reinforced the findings of a New Zealand federal organization known

“42 percent of adults over the age of 15 throughout the country have used it. Smoking it is also very common in Maori communities, who call it ‘taru rauhea,’ or ‘tarukino.’”

as the Law Commission that recommended legalizing it in 2011, as well as reducing the legal penalties for recreational use, because of the waste of tax dollars. For many years a growing number of politicians, including members of the community, have stepped forward to legalize cannabis for everyday use, medicinal or otherwise. One organization,

the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party, is moving to allow cannabis to be taxed and legalized, much like America’s state of Colorado. They argue that if cannabis were to be legalized, citizens would be less likely to be endangered or incarcerated, for interacting with criminals to obtain it. Other advocacy groups, including the New Zealand

Drug Foundation and United in Compassion, have formed alliances on behalf of the public to pressure legal authorities and politicians into legalizing cannabis for medicinal purposes, citing research papers written by reputable scientists that explain how it is effective in treating ailments such as epilepsy, autism and some mental disorders. A recent poll conducted by NORML indicated that the majority of the public likes legalization. A politician and celebrity known as Ken Morgan, a.k.a. Dakta Green, has lobbied to reform the laws regarding cannabis ever since retiring from his job as electorate chairman for the National Party and advocate for New Zealand’s Saturday Trading and Casinos, a rather challenging position where he juggled law and politics one behalf of local businesses. He regularly speaks with the media and local authorities and is the founder of a private smoking club known as The Daktory, operating out of West Aukland. There he invites critics to partake of the plant in order to see firsthand if it is as dangerous as they think. Although Morgan reports that he’s had a few friendly visits from the police, so far his club is still in operation. That is a good first step. c

BIBLIOGRAPHY Cook, Megan. ‹Māori smoking, alcohol and drugs – tūpeka, waipiro me te tarukino - Māori use of drugs,› Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 24-Apr-13 URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/maori-smoking-alcohol-and-drugs-tupeka-waipiro-me-te-tarukino/page-3 ‘United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’ (2006). World Drug Report 2006 United Nations Publication. Retrieved 15 August 2016. URL: http://www.unodc.org/pdf/WDR_2006/wdr2006_volume2.pdf “Possession and use of controlled drugs.” Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 No 116 (as at 08 September 2011), Public Act. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office/Te Tari Tohutohu Pāremata. 8 September 2011. Section 7(2). Retrieved 26 February 2012. Author Unknown. ‘Cannabis: What It Is,’ New Zealand Drug Foundation. Retrieved 15 August 2016. URL: https://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/book/export/html/1460 Moir, Joe. ‹Medicinal Cannabis Likely in New Zealand by 2016,’ www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 15 August 2016. URL: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/70579747/Medicinal-cannabis-likely-in-New-Zealand-by-2016 Meadows, Richard. ‘The Economics of Legalising New Zealand’s Marijuana Market.’ www.stuff.com.nz. Retrieved 15, August 2016. URL: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/78955429/The-economics-of-legalising-New-Zealands-marijuana-market

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Industry Insider “You have to like what you’re doing. You can’t grow it just for the money.”

Michael “Big Mike” Straumietis of Advanced Nutrients by R. Scott Rappold The police had taken everything but the fertilizer. Amid the ruins of a longago bust, Michael “Big Mike” Straumietis was suddenly a cannabis grower with nothing left to sell. So in the spirit of “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” he turned to the nutrient-rich fertilizer, which he had concocted himself over years of cultivating, as a source of income. That decision would bring him riches and fame far beyond that of a cannabis farmer, a life of private jets and bikini models and a “marijuana mansion.” “It’s kind of like you’re pushed in a corner and it’s the only thing you’ve got left, so what are you going to do?” said Straumietis. “You just concentrate on what’s in front of you and it turned out it was a really great thing because Advanced Nutrients turned out to be the number one [cannabis] fertilizer brand in the world.” With more than 200 employees and $65 million in annual sales, Advanced Nutrients is also one of the largest cannabisoriented companies in the world, poised to grow even more as the tide of legalization leads to more home and commercial cultivation. After a lifetime in the shadows, 56-year-old Straumietis is living the high life, in a very public way.

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T.

Trial and Error

Straumietis accidentally killed his first grow. “In 1983, there was very little information on growing marijuana, nothing,” he said. He left the lights on but didn’t consider ventilation, and his plants wound up brown and shriveled. In his second attempt, he waited too long to harvest, resulting in buds not in their prime. Despite the missteps, he felt he was onto something and gave up his lawn and tree care business to focus on growing cannabis. “When I first got into growing marijuana, it was for the money. I was 23 years old and had all these things in my mind about what I could buy if I grew so much weed,” he said. “I fell in love with the plant over time. I could watch it go from a vegetative state, where it’s just a plant with branches and leaves, and then it starts forming buds and the buds form colas and it’s, ‘Holy shit! You watch this plant go through this beautiful metamorphosis and it smells terrific and you can smoke it and get different effects.’” Not content with fertilizers on the market, he began mixing his own, boosting yield and bud quality dramatically. Sure, he was breaking the law, but it didn’t feel illegal. There were no guns or turf wars. “Everybody I dealt with was happy. The people I bought the equipment from and all the stuff I needed to grow, they were happy to see me. The people I sold the product to, they were happy, and the people they sold to were happy and they came back and wanted more. They were good people I dealt with,” he said. Unfortunately for him, the authorities didn’t see things that way.

O.

On the Run

Success in cultivating drew the interest of law enforcement, so Straumietis moved to Canada, at the time a more liberal place than the U.S. for cannabis, to escape the heat while he continued to grow. After the aforementioned police raid (charges were eventually dropped), he founded Advanced Nutrients in 1999. His timing was impeccable. Three years earlier, Californians had approved medical cannabis, soon to be followed by other states, which opened the door for the dispensary boom of the late 2000s. Building on his own experiences as a grower for 16 years, he hired scientists to meticulously study this plant and what nutrient mixes made for the best harvest, made possible by a license from the Bulgarian government to conduct the research there. He boasts of having 22 PhD recipients working over a span of 10 years on finding ways to increase THC and plant biomass in hydroponic grows. Having grown through the darkest days of the “War on Drugs,” he had the experience to rise above the competition in an industry just emerging from decades of prohibition. Today Advanced Nutrients offers more than 30 products for different phases of the grow cycle and desired appearances, aromas, tastes and overall plant quality. The company plans to develop a product line for industrial hemp. With recreational cannabis legal in 100

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“I fell in love with the plant over time. I could watch it go from a vegetative state, where it’s just a plant with branches and leaves, and then it starts forming buds and the buds form colas and it’s, ‘Holy shit! You watch this plant go through this beautiful metamorphosis and it smells terrific and you can smoke it and get different effects.’”

several states and poised to be legalized in several more in 2016, Straumietis expects his $65 million company to be a $250 million company within a decade.

P.

Private Jets and Worldwide Success

He is clearly enjoying the success. Straumietis has himself become the face of the brand, posting pictures to social media of him flying in private jets and partying in his mansion with bikini models, the six-foot-seven “Big Mike” living the high life for the rest of us. “My personal life and my business life are just seamless almost. That’s the way I like it because it doesn’t feel like I’m doing work that way,” he said. He points out that he also posts about other things, such as his charitable endeavors. They just don’t get as many “likes” as big buds and bikinis. So yes, he’s enjoying the money and fame, but cultivation for him is still a labor of love, for a plant with so many recreational and medicinal possibilities. He recalled an episode from his black market growing days, when a friend using the same seeds and methods as him couldn’t sell his product. His friend was legitimately confused and vocal about how successful Straumietis had been, and how he couldn’t compete. “I told him, ‘That’s the problem. It’s a plant. It actually needs TLC, and I believe the plant knows if you like it or not. If you’re in love with the plant you’re going to take care of it better and get a better end product. You have to like what you’re doing. You can’t grow it just for the money.’” c


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Healthy and Holistic Healing in the UFC

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

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

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p h o t o s b y Steve n w a l s h


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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The Female CannabisConsuming Comedy Rise

Women are finally getting more attention in mainstream media and cannabis-centered comedy by Addison Herron-Wheeler

“Stoner comedy” has always been fascinating and compelling style of comedy, albeit somewhat underground until recently—from the stylings of Cheech & Chong to the antics of Pineapple Express, cannabis and comedy go hand-in-hand. But there’s one key point to a lot of these movies–the guys are the stars. The male stars in this genre are often portrayed as dumb and goofy, often always intoxicated, and the women are standing on the sidelines, disapproving. Not only is that sexist,

it’s not really true. According to Pew Research, nearly half of Americans have tried cannabis. So clearly, a lot of women are consuming cannabis. In addition, the cannabis industry is heavily dominated by female executives. That’s why it makes sense to portray real women using cannabis in the media, and that’s exactly what is starting to happen. Here are a few case studies where women are getting their dues in the growing cannasseur comedy spotlight.

Broad City

Grace and Frankie

This show breathes fresh air into female-centered comedy, as it shows a real friendship between two girls who are loyal and hilarious, never catty. In a sense, this is very traditional “stoner comedy”—the two gals are constantly making silly mistakes and ending up as the butt of a joke. Most important of all, this show portrays women smoking, not just with their boyfriends or as part of a crowd, but on their own, getting their own weed and making their own decisions about how to imbibe. It also portrays cannabis use in a healthy way— both ladies are still active and functioning even though they are constantly puffing the ganja— while still making a few jokes at the expense of stoners. (The episode where Ilana has cannabis hidden all over her apartment is priceless.) As The Huffington Post puts it, “this is stoner comedy by women, for women.”

This funny, heartwarming comedy is incredibly groundbreaking in a lot of ways, and brings up many issues many would rather sweep under the rug. From menopause and older women feeling unattractive to the perils of masturbation and the stress faced by those who lived their whole lives in the closet and came out as senior citizens, Grace and Frankie is all about pushing the limits. One of the many issues it breaches is cannabis use in older women. Eccentric hippie Frankie (Lily Tomlin)—the foil to starchy, conservative Grace (Jane Fonda)—is an avid cannabis user. At one point she is having trouble passing her driving test—until she realizes she gets stoned while she studies, so she has to take the test high, too. She is always lighting up a joint or hitting a water pipe. While this is part of her charm and meant to be a bit funny, it also highlights that older women can use cannabis for pain and medication, and still be awesome mothers, grandmothers and professional women. Plus, the stoner comedy dynamic between Fonda and Tomlin is good enough to make the entire show.

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Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates An awesome example on the silver screen, this goofy comedy breaks female stereotypes with the characters of Alice (Anna Kendrick) and Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza). The ladies are seen throughout the film smoking and drinking, and rather than being the traditional good and pure women fooled by deceitful men, there’s a twist. They aren’t really the schoolteacher and accountant they claim to be and are instead running a con on the gullible guys. This film shows that the old tropes where the women don’t smoke and never get into any trouble are boring and outdated. c

“. . . the old tropes where the women don’t smoke and never get into any trouble are boring and outdated.”


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Brisbane’s Best Kept Secret Australian group Between Kings is post alternative rock royalty by Pamela Jayne

From their sun-kissed love song “Bon Amour” to their darkly introspective “Howling” and endless summer vibe of “Party Song,” the four-piece Australian band, Between Kings is primed to claim their place on the court of post alternative

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rock royalty. On a recent stop in Los Angeles, guitarist Jordan Coyne took some time from recording and scheduling an upcoming tour to tell Culture about the band that is Brisbane’s best kept secret, and is soon to take America by storm.


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“As far as medically, I think [cannabis is] great. As far as recreationally, I don’t see any harm at all. You should let people do what they want to do. It’s that simple, really.” How long has Between Kings been together? Jordan Coyne: We’ve been together for about three years now. Who are your influences and inspirations? Our new stuff is influenced by Imagine Dragons, but all of us have different inspirations. I think that’s what makes our music interesting. Me and Nic, the lead singer, love the Red Hot Chili Peppers, our bass player Jayden likes bluesy sort of stuff, our drummer Nick really likes hardcore and pop/ punk. When our influences collide, we embrace that. I can’t imagine writing with other people, we have a great relationship, and we all love each other. Can you describe the sound of Between Kings? We have songs that have an in-your-face type of feel, and then songs like “Party Song” 114

which is about having a good time and living in the moment, then songs like “Broken Valley” and “Bon Amour” that are about relationships. We try to catch the full range of human emotion. Does everyone in the band contribute to songwriting? Yeah, we all play our parts. There’s no ego in it or anything like that. Between Kings has been categorized as post alternative rock. Do you agree with that description? I think that actually encapsulates us quite a fair bit. Alternative rock is such a broad term. You can fit so much into it. On one hand, you’ve got the Red Hot Chili Peppers and then you’ve got Radiohead and Rage Against The Machine and Linkin Park. Then you have what we’re doing, which is revamping that sound. It’s the sound we grew up on.

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So, you’re the second generation of alt rock? Yeah. Yeah, I think so. At the same time, it’s just music to us. Your lyrics are often intensely personal. Do you think twice about sharing your emotions with the world, or does it come naturally? Oddly enough, it just comes naturally. We’re very sort of emotional people, so we feel things on a deep level. I think expressing that is a way of release, as well. Do you have any tour plans in the works, or any other upcoming shows? Yes, we’re releasing an EP later this year, and will be touring America in early 2017. That is what we love doing, after all of the hours put in writing, when you get to go on stage and pour that out, that’s what makes it for us. That’s why we do it. Whether it’s a small crowd or a huge

crowd, it doesn’t matter. We love what we do. You’re back and forth between Brisbane and L.A. quite a bit, do you expect to call the States home any time soon? You see more interesting stuff in L.A. in one day than you do in a year in Brisbane! It’s great, I love it. We’d definitely love to make the jump over here, it’s where our dream is. How do you feel about the push for cannabis legalization in the States? I think there’s no real big deal about it, personally. We know people who use marijuana, and I’ve seen where it’s helped people through cancer and people going through a lot of pain and trauma, like PTSD patients. As far as medically, I think it’s great. As far as recreationally, I don’t see any harm at all. You should let people do what they want to do. It’s that simple, really. c facebook.com/betweenkings


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M

Southern Soul

The art and life of Matthew Hance

by Evan Senn

Matthew Hance is an artist whose work embodies a feeling of insightful connection, intrigue and a sense of home. His work is incredibly unique, and based in the long-standing tradition of portraiture. Soulful and sensitive, each piece is different and feels personal. Each

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person or creature has a range of detail and focus in their piece, and the viewer feels like they are truly seeing the subject in an intimate way. Hance has been working in the arts for over 20 years, and is currently the art preparator for the New Orleans Museum of Art. Feeding off the

spiritual and creative energy that flows through the city of New Orleans like blood through veins, Hance’s paintings carry some of that spirit in them. Hance took some time to chat with CULTURE about his art, his New Orleans’ life and medical cannabis.


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How and when did you find your personal artistic style? I have been a professional artist for over 20 years and can honestly say that it wasn’t until recently that I’ve found my personal style. I’m always trying to push my boundaries and currently my creative approach is extremely organic—like a game of chess. I start with an idea and allow ample space to change directions, sometimes an entire composition halfway into a painting. Plus, I work with a complex system of layering, being that I use both dry and wet mediums, that the piece is very process driven. It becomes a game of recognizing patterns and predicting certain consequences that may arise from working with many different mediums at once. What is it about portraiture that is intriguing to you?

Tell us about your artistic journey. Until I went to the Maryland Institute College of Art for a Bachelors in Fine Art, I was pretty much left to my own devices which I value to this day because it provided me a lot of freedom to find out who I was a creative thinker. It took about 10 years to decide to go back to school for a graduate degree. I chose Pratt in Brooklyn, New York. Since then, I’ve relocated back to the south. How would you describe your work? If I were to describe my work to someone whom hasn’t seen it, the concept of memory and how we process human identity are the main focal points in my work. Also, I enjoy how therapeutic the role of process can be, the physicality of paint (COLOR), and how to convey multiple narratives within one composition.

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“It’s very challenging to capture an essence of someone, to really strike it good, and to form some kind of narrative from nothing.”

The thing that attracts me to working with portraits definitely stems from my earliest influences in undergrad. A few that come to mind are: Egon Schiele, Rembrandt, Klimt, Botticelli, Gauguin and Degas. It’s very challenging to capture an essence of someone, to really strike it good, and to form some kind of narrative from nothing.


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“I believe there are many different cases in which medicinal cannabis could play a vital role in someone’s recovery and really hope that it expands wherever it needs to without all the red tape.”

Tell us about the process you go through to create an artwork. The process of creating a piece for me is a meditative act, an ever evolving game of adding and subtracting. I try to be as playful as possible and in the same breath uphold the idea of Chaos Theory. How do you feel about medical cannabis and the push for legalization? Louisiana has very specific limits regarding cannabis for patients right now. Would you support it expanding to help more people, in more places? I have a personal relationship to medical cannabis and definitely stand for legalization. My father was diagnosed with cancer years ago, now in remission, and was prescribed it to assist him with his recovery. I know people who say it was instrumental in getting off of prescription drugs; via major surgery. I believe there are many different cases in which medicinal cannabis could play a vital role in someone’s recovery and really hope that it expands wherever it needs to without all the red tape. What events you have coming up for your art, in the next couple months? Currently, I have three new paintings in a group exhibition, as part of an annual event in the city called Dirty Linen Night, at Graphite Gallery in New Orleans. I recently submitted work into an online competition hosted by Bombay Sapphire called Artisan Series. Bombay Sapphire and the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation have created this international platform for artists’ to have their work showcased to curators, collectors and art enthusiasts’ around the world. Two entries with the highest votes (online voting is between September 14 November 7) will be deemed the Online Winners. These finalists, including 14 Regional winners, will advance to Scope Miami to exhibit their work. c www.hanceart-design.com

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SHAKING THE FOUNDATION

Jaw Gems produces electronic tunes with a new twist

by Addison Herron-Wheeler

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Electronic music has taken many forms in the past decade, as the genre has seen a resurgence all across the spectrum, from underground dubstep and drum-and-bass to electropop and rock. One of the ways in which this form of music is being resurrected is through live bands playing music that sounds like electronic production. Jaw Gems is one of those up-and-coming groups, and it’s been making waves in the underground electronic scene. Not only is Jaw Gems making a name for itself as a touring and releasing band, it also has its hands in the cannabis industry. In addition to being advocates and smokers, one band member is an insider to the industry. Recently, CULTURE caught up with drummer and trimmer DJ Moore of Jaw Gems to chew the fat about the comradery of music, cannabis and creating something new.


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a lot of bands. It’s not your typical situation.

“I think [cannabis] should be legal, absolutely. I think it’s ridiculous for people to get in trouble for something that shouldn’t even be against the law . . . It’s something we use to relax when we’re hanging out, writing music. It’s a big part of our lives.”

How do you feel about cannabis legalization so far? Could anything be done better or differently? I think it should be legal, absolutely. I think it’s ridiculous for people to get in trouble for something that shouldn’t even be against the law. Have you ever worked cannabis into your music as a theme? If so, how? No, we just smoke a lot. We don’t include it really as far as imagery or lyrics. We just use it a lot when creating music. How has cannabis affected your lives and creative processes? I wouldn’t say it’s really affected our lives; it’s kind of just something that we do when we’re writing, when we’re playing. It’s something we use to relax when we’re hanging out, writing music. It’s a big part of our lives.

How did you get started making music? We actually started because a friend of ours was bartending at this restaurant and had a jazz background and an interest in music, so he got us a night there and we all started to play there as a monthly gig. Every month we got a little more weird, added more keyboards, and we did that for like six years, and here we are today (laughs). How would you describe your sound? Our sound comes from

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producers; that is mostly who it is influenced by. It comes from chopped up old soul and funk, with a new twist, with a swing on it. I’d also classify it as ambient hip-hop, pretty much. Who are some of your biggest influences? J Dilla, Lettuce, Knxwledge, Hi-tek: A lot of producers; that’s what we like to listen to. Do you have any upcoming shows, releases or projects in the works? We have a new EP that came

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out on August 26, 2016, on 1320 Records. It’s called Heatweaver. We will be going on tour with Lettuce during the next couple of months. How do you feel about the local and national music scenes you are a part of? I think it’s great, but what we are trying to do is something different. It’s usually producers; it’s not usually a live band setting. We are trying to do both the live band scene and lots of stuff with would-be producers, so we are a little different than

What do you do in the cannabis industry, and how does that tie in with your work as a musician? I work in a grow shop as a trimmer. It’s called Unit3, and we provide full spectrum caregiving. As far as jobs go, it’s pretty relaxed and low-key; we pretty much just trim when we’re around. That makes it easier to go and play, and then come back, and it makes it easier to work in that environment and do that job. What do you consider your greatest musical accomplishment so far? I think we are just kind of all of each other’s favorite musicians; we just all really look up to each other, so any time we work with each other it’s better than the last. We are making new and exciting music all the time, and we can’t wait to share it with everybody. c

www.1320records.com


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culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN

by Ed Rosenthal

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

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

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

TIP OF THE MONTH

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

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

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

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

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Close-up of a bud.

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

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

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

Copyright by Ed Rosenthal. All rights are reserved. First North American Magazine rights only are assigned to culture Magazine. No other reproduction of this material is permitted without the specific written permission of the author/copyright holder.


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

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if you go:

Toronto Sizzles in September by Sheryll Alexander

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

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

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

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

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

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


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culture growing

Melissa Mentele

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

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Using Medical Cannabis Since: 2013

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

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

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


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culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN DESTINATION

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

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

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

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1 large tomato, diced

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

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

2 teaspoons lime juice

8 fresh corn tortillas

1 tablespoons

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

canna–olive oil plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 limes, cut into quarters

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

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


Mercado

1416 4th St., Santa Monica (310) 526-7121 www.cocinasycalaveras.com/ mercado

The Wheel of Life

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

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

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14370 Culver Dr., Irvine (949) 551-8222 www.wheelofliferestaurant.com

culture

El Zarape

5203 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles (323) 688-9043 www.elzarapehollywood.com

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Local eateries with similar dishes:

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

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culture

Hazy Thai Wings Ingredients 1/2 cup raw cane sugar

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

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

1/2 cup Asian fish sauce

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

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

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

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

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

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

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socal NOW! event listings

Gabriel Iglesias #FluffyBreaksEven, Sept. 11

Notorious for his tagline, “I’m not fat . . . I’m fluffy,” Gabriel Iglesias could possibly be one of our favorite male comedians—we liked him so much that we featured him on our cover last May! Now you have the opportunity to get to his stand-up comedy and laugh up a storm to his funny antics at the Los Angeles County Fair. Fairplex, Pomona fairplex.com

Beyond The Lines Art Show, Sept. 16-18

This group art show is comprised of photography, paintings, sculptures and other visual arts. Paired with live music played by talented local musicians and hilarious comedy, this is truly a great night to experience all sorts of art. Echo Park, Los Angeles beyondthelinesartshow.com

Los Angeles Green Festival, Sept. 16-18 We love all things green, so it’s no surprise that we recommend you check out the Los Angeles Green Festival. Learn how you can become more environmentally friendly in every aspect of your life. There will be over 250

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exhibitors and more than 50 inspirational speakers. You can also indulge in some delicious vegetarian and vegan foods. Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles www.lacclink.com

featured event

Tegan and Sara, Sept. 21

This talented twin duo graced the cover of CULTURE back in 2013, but that doesn’t mean they’re forgotten. Check out tunes, new and old, by this dynamic duo, and it will be a performance you will never forget. The Wiltern, Los Angeles www.wiltern.com

Lady Filmmakers Festival, Sept. 23-25

There is no shortage of talented females in the world, and now it’s time to recognize phenomenal female filmmakers. The Lady Filmmakers Festival has many themes, some of which are “Ladies Illuminate, films that bring social awareness” and “Ladies Kick Butt, films that appeal to a broad audience and/or have a strong lady in the lead.” Don’t miss this three-day event that includes art, films, music, panels, workshops and lots of fun! Wilshire Screening Room and Laemmle Fine Arts Theater, Beverly Hills www.ladyfilmmakers.com

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Drake, Sept. 7

Fans everywhere will jump at the opportunity to see Drake as part of the Summer Sixteen Tour with Future. Although he started out as an actor, Drake is now a sensational rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. Don’t miss as he drops lyrics from his latest album, Views. Staples Center, Los Angeles www.staplescenter.com

Blink-182, Sept. 30

Possibly one of the best American pop-rock bands

of our time, Blink-182 is a household name that can never be forgotten. Made up by bassists and vocalist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker and guitarist and vocalist Matt Skiba, don’t miss your chance to make your teenage dreams come true by seeing this trio live. The Forum, Inglewood www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com


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Chuck Shepherd's

News of the

Weird

LEAD STORY—THE POWER OF PRAYER u A 28-year-old woman, unnamed in news reports, veered off the road and into a house in the Florida panhandle town of Mary Esther on July 7. She apparently was free of drug or alcohol influence, but readily explained to police that she must have gone through a stop sign and left the road when she closed her eyes to pray as she drove. (The house was damaged, but no one was injured.) A NEWS OF THE WEIRD CLASSIC (AUGUST 2012) u New Mexico is an

“open carry” state, with otherwise-law-abiding adults authorized to display loaded handguns in public. However, in the town of Vaughn (pop. 500, about 90 miles east of Albuquerque), perhaps the only people not legally able to carry are the town’s two police officers. A June (2012) KOB-TV report revealed that Chief Ernest Armijo had been convicted in 2011 of criminal nonsupport of a wife and two sons, and was barred from possessing a gun. Deputy Brian Bernal has his own domestic issue: a conviction for family violence that bans him, under federal law, from carrying. (A month after the News of the Weird story, both men resigned, leaving the town’s police dog the only active “officer.”) TROMPE L’OEIL JUNGLE u A conservation biologist at Australia’s University of New South Wales said

in July that his team was headed to Botswana to paint eyeballs on cows’ rear ends. It’s a solution to the problem of farmers who are now forced to kill endangered lions to keep them away from their cows. However, the researchers hypothesize, since lions hunt by stealth and tend to pass up kills if the prey spots them, painting on eyeballs might trick the lions to choose other prey. (For the same reason, woodcutters in India wear masks painted with faces— backward—for protection against tigers.) “BIG PORN” GIVES BACK u (1) In June, the online mega-website Pornhub announced a program to help blind pornography consumers by adding 50 “described videos” to its catalog, with a narrator doing play-by-play of the setting, the actors, clothing (if any) and the action. Said a Pornhub vice president, “It’s our way of giving back.” (2) Later in June, another pornography website (with a frisky name—see bit.ly/29O4G9UURL) inaugurated a plan to donate a penny to women’s health or abuse prevention organizations every time a user reached a successful “ending” while viewing its videos (maximum two per person per day). Its first day’s haul was $39, or $13 for each of three charities (including the Mariska Hargitay-supported Joyful Heart Foundation). CAN’T POSSIBLY BE TRUE u A Government Program That Actually Works: A motorist in Regina, Saskatchewan, was issued a $175 traffic ticket on June 8 after he pulled over to ask if he could assist a homeless beggar on the sidewalk. According to the police report cited by CTV News, the “beggar” was actually a cop on stakeout looking for drivers

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not wearing seat belts (who would thus pay the city $175). Driver Dane Rusk said he had unbuckled his belt to lean over in the seat to give the “beggar” $3—and moments later, the cop’s partner stopped Rusk (thus earning Regina a total of $178!). u One of America’s major concerns, according to a U.S. congressman, should be the risk that if an apocalyptic event occurs and we are forced to abandon Earth with only a few species to provide for humanity’s survival, NASA might unwisely populate the space “ark” with same-sex couples instead of procreative male-female pairs. This warning was conveyed during the U.S. House session on May 26 by Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert (who seemed not to be aware that gay males might contribute sperm to lesbians for speciescontinuation). WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND u (1) In May, the Times of India reported the death of a man known only as Urjaram, in Rajasthan, India, when, while hosting a party, he forgot that while he was enjoying himself, he had left his camel in the sun all day (during a historic heat wave) with its legs tied together. When Urjaram finally went outside, the enraged camel “lifted him by the neck,” “threw him to the ground” and “chewed on his body,” severing his head. (2) The thief who ransacked a community greenhouse in County Durham, England, in July got away, but, according to residents, among his bounty was a bottle of rum that is usually offered only as a constipation remedy, in that it contained a heavy dose of the aggressive laxative “lactulose.” Said one resident, “Maybe (the thief has) left a trail” for the police.


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iReadCULTURE.com september 2016

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