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inside
contents 9.2018
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Playing Koy
From humble beginnings to his current star-studded status, comedian Jo Koy talks about his road to success, as well as his inspiration and support for cannabis. O n t h e C O V ER :
P ho t o b y J oh n G i l hoo l e y
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features 36
Industry Insider Ellementa Co-Founder Aliza Sherman has created a rapidly growing network for women in the cannabis industry.
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Hemp Adventures Hemp has its place in many industries, so it’s no surprise that it is also used to make skateboards and specialty wheels.
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departments 13 Letter from the Editor news 16 News Nuggets 17 By the Numbers 18 Local News 20 Legal Corner 22 Healthy Living reviews 26 Dispensary Highlight 28 Edible & Concentrate Reviews 29 Cool Stuff in every issue 40 Shooting Gallery 42 À La Carte 44 Growing Culture 46 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! d Smoking Cannabis May Lead to Brain Aging d New Brunswick Universities Prepare for Legalization
Vol 10 IssUE 3
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M
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Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Benjamin Adams Editorial Contributors Matthew Abel, Hilary Bricken, Devon Alexander Brown, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Caroline Hayes, David Edmundson, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Carl Kozlowski, Emily Manke, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly R. Simms, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf Photographers Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner, Bruce Wolf Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Michelle Aguirre Graphic Designer John Venegas Associate Publisher & Bob Waters Advertising Director Account Executives James Ballam, Alex Brizicky, Angie Callahan,, Kim Cook, Eric Bulls, Rocki Davidson, Casey Roel, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza office manager Mikayla Aguilar Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Publisher David Comden Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 600 locations throughout the Southern California. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.
2175 Sampson Ave. | Ste. 118 Corona | California | 92879 Phone 888.694.2046 | Fax 888.694.2046 www.CultureMagazine.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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L ETTER
FROM
THE
EDITOR
Laughter is the Best Medicine
P
eanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots, Abbott and Costello—these are famous pairings that will receive the limelight for all time. Another pair that needs little introduction is cannabis and comedy. Comedy has always been a staple source of entertainment alongside cannabis. Joints and movies, edibles and comedy shows— few will miss the chance to light up before watching movies like Friday or Pineapple Express. Consuming cannabis calms the everyday anxieties of life and replaces them with an elevation of classic entertainment. Together, cannabis and comedy work in tandem to ultimately create one hell of a good time. In the past, CULTURE has celebrated the intersection of cannabis and comedy through interviews with many famous and talented comedians such as Reggie Watts, Tenacious D, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Adam Corolla and comedy duo Cheech & Chong, among many others. Now, we’re welcoming Jo Koy into the mix. Like cannabis, laughter is the best medicine. And like all good pairings, this duo only grows stronger with time. CULTURE’s interview with Koy is an example of how mainstream cannabis continues to grow strong in the comedy scene, as Koy states in response to whether or not he consumes cannabis, “Who doesn’t!” We’re also witnessing the ways in which comedy-centric cannabis events hold a bright future in legal cannabis states. For instance, one is the Lemonhaze Cannabis and Comedy Convention in Washington coming up in October—a magical place where the likes of comedian Doug Benson delights audiences of up to 5,000 industry professionals. After all, all work and no play would make our unique industry a dull one. In the past, comedy shows where cannabis consumption was allowed were done on a “bring your own product” basis. In some legal states, comedians are trying to comply with state laws, while still incorporating cannabis into their acts. A recent example of this was when comedian
Adam Hartle gave out free joints to his audience at a comedy show in San Francisco, California in August. Although he did share that in order to comply with state law, the giveaway was happening outside the venue, before the show, to adults ages 21 and older—and the kicker? Consumers were not allowed to partake during the show. Unfortunately, this is not the type of comedy and cannabis development that voters in legal states are looking forward to after passing legalization. But not all hope for the future is lost, as the partnership between legal cannabis and comedy is off to a strong start in Canada. Cannabis lounges are increasingly hosting comedy shows. For example, Toronto-based Vapor Central hosts “Stoner Sundays,” while Hotbox Lounge + Shop in Ontario hosts comedy nights every Thursday. Overall, we tend to hold the belief that cannabis has the ability to make just about everything better. When it comes to our entertainment, we’re delighted to bear witness to any trend that is good for the funny bone. Bring on the laughs, and pass the vape! c Cheers!
Jamie Solis Editor-in-Chief CultureMagazine.com
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NEWS
nuggetS
University Awarded $9M Grant to Study the Effects of Cannabis on Adolescents The National Institute on Drug Abuse, under the National Institutes of Health, granted the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Medicine a $9 million grant to study the long-term effects of cannabis in adolescents over the course of four years. The study will be led by Daniele Piomelli, PhD, professor of anatomy and neurobiology at UCI School of Medicine. Dr. Piomelli and his team will explore the body’s natural endocannabinoid (ECB) system as well as
Northern Mariana Islands House and Senate Vote to Legalize Cannabis The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory located near the Philippines, may soon legalize cannabis. On Aug. 8, the territory’s House of Representatives voted 18-1 in approval of a bill that would legalize cannabis for adults ages 21 and older. “Therefore, the Legislature finds that it is
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tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). “The ECB system is the main point of entry of THC into the brain,” Piomelli explained. “Now that cannabis is legal in many states, it’s very important to understand whether excessive activation of this signaling system during adolescence can produce alterations in cognition and motivated behavior that last into adulthood.” Researchers will determine if adolescents are at risk of impaired brain development later on in life.
in our best interest to move marijuana into a regulated and controlled market for responsible adult personal use,” the House of Representatives stated. The Senate approved the bill on Aug. 30, with two abstentions. Now, the revised version heads to the governor for approval. Should the bill pass, the Northern Mariana Islands will go straight from having no acceptable use of cannabis to recreational cannabis without first legalizing medical cannabis.
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Former Los Angeles Mayor Joins Cannabis Company Board Announced in a press release on Aug. 29, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined the board of directors of MedMen Enterprises Inc., a leader among luxury dispensary chains in California and beyond. MedMen supported Villaraigosa in the the Democratic gubernatorial primary, with the maximum donation allowed. “I’m excited for this opportunity to shape the cannabis industry and its commitment
to social equity by joining the board of the company that is leading the charge,” Villaraigosa stated. MedMen’s board will also include Stacey Hallerman of the luxury brands Montblanc and Cartier and Jay Brown of Jay Z’s RocNation. MedMen Chief Executive Officer Adam Bierman said that few people know Los Angeles and the rest of California as well as Villaraigosa, given his background in politics and policy.
The amount of stock shares, in millions of dollars, that Los Angeles-based Cannabis Strategic Ventures cancelled in an attempt to increase shareholder value: (Source: Globe Newswire)
75.6
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the University of California, Irvine has received in grant money to fund a study on the long-term effects of cannabis on the adolescent brain: (Source: The Orange County Register)
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The number of cities in California that oppose allowing cannabis delivery services in areas where dispensaries are banned: (Source: KTLA)
482
The percentage of success observed in children with autism who were treated with CBD oil in an Israeli study: (Source: Israel National News)
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The estimated number of tested cannabis samples, out of every five, that currently do not meet California’s updated safety standards since July 1: (Source: NBC Los Angeles)
1
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the state of Florida approved in additional funding for a new medical cannabis office: (Source: Tampa Bay Times)
13.3
The amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that the Missourians for Patient Care campaign committee raised to support a medical cannabis initiative in Missouri: (Source: San Francisco Gate)
530
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that Alaskan officials collected in cannabis tax revenue in the 2018 fiscal year: (Source: New York Post)
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The State of Cannabis WHEN: Tues, Sept. 25-Wed, Sept. 26 WHERE: Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach WEBSITE: stateofcannabis.org All aboard the historic Queen Mary, which is permanently anchored in front of downtown Long Beach, for an impressive cannabis expo. There are few places where you can learn more about the complex regulatory system for the cannabis industry in California. Confirmed speakers include Executive Director and General Manager of the Department of Cannabis Regulation Cat Packer, California Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, Tim Blake,
Whitney Beatty, West Hollywood Mayor John Duran and many others. Attendees will learn about updated cannabis policies and other need-to-know changes emerging in the industry. Alongside the valuable knowledge of scientists, business leaders and regulators, there will also be live musical performances by 40 Ounces to Freedom, a popular Sublime tribute band, as well as Miss Marquez and the Mad Reefers burlesque performers. CultureMagazine.com
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NEWS
LOCAL
Problems in Pomona I s P o m o n a’ s l e a d e r s h i p
d e l i b e r at e ly s t i f l i n g a vote on cannabis? By Benjamin M. Adams
C
ommunities will go to great lengths to impede cannabis-related bills from falling into the hands of voters on the election ballot. According to an attorney, Pomona city officials willfully stalled Pomona Regulate Cannabis Act of 2018 from reaching the Nov. 6 ballot, a bill that would allow cannabis businesses in the city. Roger Jon Diamond, Esq. is currently representing Pomona resident Jacqueline Dilley. Dilley and Andrea Villegas recently pushed Pomona Regulate Cannabis Act of 2018 that would overturn Pomona’s current ban on commercial cannabis activities. The ban, Ordinance No. 2017 - 4241, was imposed on Nov. 6, 2017. Pomona Regulate Cannabis Act of 2018 would amend Pomona’s zoning code to accommodate cannabis businesses in two designated areas called the “safety access cannabis” zones in business and scattered industrial areas of the city. But Diamond believes that a proper and timely course of action wasn’t taken by city leaders. “The city of Pomona deliberately subverted the right of the people to vote on Nov. 6, 2018,” Diamond told CULTURE. “Whether they want to ban it or lift it, the city politicians are depriving the voters of Pomona with an opportunity to vote on the issue. It’s
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deliberate.” Diamond is a nationally recognized expert in criminal law, and he has represented cannabis-related clients in the past. The Pomona City Council voted to direct staff to analyze the full impact of the Pomona Regulate Cannabis Act of 2018, which conveniently pushed the initiative past the Aug. 10 deadline, thus reducing its chances of making the November ballot. Diamond responded with 15-page petition to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant, which he filed three days following the vote. Assistant City Attorney Andrew Jared, however, argued that Pomona officials didn’t do anything wrong. “City council doesn’t meet until Sept. 10,” Diamond said. “The city did two major things to delay measure until after Nov. 6. They miscounted the signatures. The city clerk miscounted them. There were enough signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot. The city clerk should have made that determination, but didn’t. So there had to be a recount by the county registrar of voters. The county registrar of voters determined that there were enough signatures.” In other words, a lot of unnecessary delays took place. Each of the delays made the initiative less likely to make it onto the Nov. 6 ballot. Although Pomona Regulate Cannabis Act of 2018’s language wasn’t perfect, many of the setbacks didn’t need to take place. “Secondly, when the matter went before the registrar of voters, I told the city that we’d pay for the counting of the signatures to speed up the process, and we’d volunteered to do that because the city deliberately refused to ask the registrar of voters to speed up the counting process,” he said. “The city had both the authority and the right to ask for that. But the city refused to make that request.” Other obstacles stood in the way, such as an Aug. 1 open letter from the Downtown Pomona Owners Association. Neighboring business owners said “not in my neighborhood,” regarding cannabis businesses. Although it’s unlikely that the bill will make it, Dilley and Diamond are not giving up on getting the Pomona Regulate Cannabis Act of 2018 onto the Nov. 6 ballot or they will revisit it in the near future. For some background, Diamond was successful last year after a California Supreme Court ruling was made when he and his client sued the city of Upland for $180,000 in legal fees after the Upland City Council imposed similar unnecessary delays to its cannabis initiative. The same results could happen in Pomona. c
CBD Expo West 2018 Hosted by CBD Health and Wellness Magazine, CBD Expo West 2018 highlights all things cannabidiol (CBD), the nonpsychoactive cannabinoid of cannabis. The expo claims to be the first and only show dedicated exclusively to CBD as medicine, despite the proliferation of cannabis events in general. An estimated 60 exhibitors are expected to set up their booths for attendees to visit, and everyone is invited to listen and learn from a variety of panel discussions. A few noteworthy speakers include keynotes Celeste Miranda and Dr. Tim Shu, Dr. Andrew Kerlaan, Dr. David Bearman, Dr. Jeffrey Anshel and The CBD Sisters. There will also be a Pet CBD pavilion, which focuses on the trending topic of pet wellness products and how to best use CBD medicine in treating animal companions. WHEN: Fri, Sept. 21Sat, Sept. 22 WHERE: The Anaheim Marriott 700 West Convention Wy., Anaheim WEBSITE: cbdexpo. net
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NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
Navigating Partnerships
By Hilary Bricken
P
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U n d e r s ta n d i n g t h e d e ta i l s of LA’s social equity program
business marriages all over the city, many of these “partnerships” are little more than ruses for
hase II cannabis licensing in the city of Los Angeles (for only non-retail
circumventing the social equity requirements. It’s not unusual in the cannabis industry to
activity) kicked off on Aug. 1 and it
see people rush into half-baked, hasty business
will conclude on Sept. 13. To qualify
marriages for fear that some grand opportunity
for a city of Los Angeles cannabis
will pass them by if they don’t. Los Angeles’ social
license during this timeframe,
equity component has created a new breed of
an applicant must, among other
business “relationship” ripe for scams. Potential
things, be eligible for the city’s cannabis social
applicants on both sides of the social equity aisle
equity program. This qualification factor has
need to be aware of the tricks being used to game
propelled a search for business partners who will
this new system. The following are some examples
make applicants eligible for Phase II cannabis
of what we are likely to see from social equity
licensing. Though this momentum is spurring
cannabis business unions in Los Angeles:
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“It’s not unusual in the cannabis industry to see people rush into half-baked, hasty business marriages f o r f e a r t h at s o m e grand opportunity will pass them by if t h e y d o n ’ t. ” The Tier 1 and Tier 2 Straw Men To qualify for social equity in Los Angeles you need some combination of “low income” status, a “cannabis conviction” or having lived in a “disproportionately impacted area” in the city for a certain amount of time. Based on what you can prove as a social equity applicant, your cannabis business will be categorized as a Tier 1 or a Tier 2 business. To be Tier 1, the social equity applicant must have at least 51 percent of the equity in the cannabis business. To be Tier 2, the social equity applicant must have at least 33.3 percent of the equity in the cannabis business. Government rules that require sharing equity make even hardened business people nervous about losing voting control and searching for ways around this rule.
T h e I n c u b at o r T e r m i n at o r Los Angeles’ social equity program has a Tier 3 cannabis business category that does not involve equity sharing. To qualify as Tier 3,
an applicant must provide space, utilities, capital, business assistance and licensing help to a Tier 1 or 2 businesses for no less than two years. Los Angeles is home to a very competitive cannabis market, and few will want to assist their competition and certainly not for free. This means we are bound to see Tier 3 businesses seek to sabotage their Tier 1 or 2 “roommates” so as to strengthen the competitive landscape for their own business.
“Show Me the Money” Tier 1 and 2 Businesses We have already seen Tier 1 and 2 businesses essentially selling their status to multiple parties for a quick payout without any actual plans to compete in the Los Angeles cannabis market. These sorts of deals go against the purpose of the social equity program, which was to ensure those most negatively affected by the “War on Drugs” get a meaningful share of Los Angeles’ legal cannabis market.
Is Your Partner R e a l ly a T i e r 1 o r 2 ? Many in Los Angeles wrongly believe one cannabis conviction is automatically enough to qualify for Tier 1 or 2 status. If you’re looking to partner with a Tier 1 or 2 business, be sure to do your research to ensure they actually do meet the required criteria.
P r e d at o r y M at c h m a k e r s There aren’t many ways for legitimate Tier 1 and 2 businesses to meet legitimate and willing Tier 3
businesses, and there will always be more than a few questionable 11th hour brokered deals rushed to finish by the Sept. 13 deadline. Many of the “brokerage” agreements we’ve seen have been inadequate, and many deals are going through with little to no due diligence conducted by either party. These agreements are mostly boilerplate forms pulled down from the internet and badly re-purposed for social equity in Los Angeles. Though satisfying Los Angeles’ requirements to qualify for Phase II is clearly important, you should not forget that these agreements will also serve as your legal foundation for a real business relationship with real obligations and liabilities. It is important that your agreement get the details right on things like company financing, leasing, voting and managing day-to-day operations. Most of the “social equity brokers” putting these deals together care only about getting paid their percentage.
Tier 3 Management Companies There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and many Tier 3 businesses giving space, time, money and assistance to Tier 1 and 2 businesses will be expecting a lot back in return. We are already hearing of Tier 3 businesses insisting they become management companies to the Tier 1 and 2 businesses they plan to assist. Los Angeles is planning to address the issue of management companies generally in the city, and that means we will likely see regulations aimed at preventing management companies from cannibalizing the opportunities intended for Tier 1 and 2 businesses. Los Angeles’ cannabis social equity program is a complicated undertaking, and if overall Tier 1 and Tier 2 cannabis businesses thrive in Los Angeles, that will constitute a significant victory for the cannabis industry as a whole. c
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NEWS
HEALTHY LIVING
Treating E pi l ep s y w i t h Cannabis Re d i s c o ve r e d By Lanny Swerdlow, RN
E
pilepsy, which is caused by an abrupt rush of electrical activity in the brain and results in unprovoked and recurrent seizures, is the fourth most common chronic neurological disorder. Affecting people of all ages, it is extremely detrimental to children, as 34 percent of all childhood deaths are due to epilepsy or accidents that occur during seizures. Over recent years, cannabis has been spotlighted as a possible treatment for those who suffer from epilepsy, but the idea that cannabis can successfully treat epilepsy is not a new one. Many studies have been conducted in the past to explore this topic. Indalecio Lozano, in his treatise “The Therapeutic Use of Cannabis sativa (L.) in Arabic Medicine,” wrote that in the 10th and 11th century physicians used “hemp in the treatment of epilepsy and prescribes that the patient should be given the juice of the leaves through the nose.” Israeli researcher Raphael Mechoulam, the discoverer of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), undertook the first modern study using the cannabidiol (CBD) found in cannabis to treat epilepsy. The 1980 study found significant benefit as “four of the eight CBD subjects remained almost free of convulsive crises throughout the experiment and three other patients demonstrated partial improvement in their clinical condition.” Although published in the peer-review journal Pharmacology, he was dismayed that “it was published and nothing happened afterwards.” It was 34 years before another study was done confirming his findings. Medical researchers and pharmaceutical companies were so
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“A f t e r a 1 , 0 0 0 - y e a r p e r i o d of limbo, the use of cannabis f o r t r e at i n g e p i l e p s y h a s b e e n r e v i v e d a n d r e v i ta l i z e d i m p r o v i n g h e a lt h a n d restoring life to millions throughout the world.” intimidated by the U.S. government, whose “reefer madness” policies had permeated the world. Cannabis prohibition caused hundreds of thousands of children throughout the world with treatment-resistant forms of epilepsy to suffer and die from uncontrolled seizures instead of allowing further research to be conducted. Nevertheless, word-of-mouth anecdotal evidence about the effectiveness of cannabis in mitigating childhood epilepsy had motivated thousands of parents to use cannabis to treat their children. Many found that CBD significantly reduced the number of seizures that their children suffered from, with some asserting the number of seizures being reduced to zero. Dr. Sanjay Gupta thrust the use of cannabis to treat childhood epilepsy into the spotlight in 2013 with his medical cannabis special on CNN highlighting the narrative of Charlotte Figi who started having epileptic seizures when she was just three months old. Diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, a rare and severe form of intractable epilepsy, she was hospitalized continuously with seizures lasting up to four hours. At two years of age she was experiencing 300 grand mal seizures per week, resulting in a significant decline in cognitive facilities, eventually
losing the capacity to talk, walk and eat. Learning of the anecdotal evidence that cannabis can successfully treat childhood epilepsy, her parents turned to two Colorado growers who produced a cannabis oil from a strain of cannabis high in CBD and low in THC. After the first administration of this oil, Figi’s seizures stopped immediately and ceased for a full week. With seizures reduced to two or three a month, Figi began to lead a normal life. This strain of cannabis high in CBD and low in THC was named after her, becoming the legendary Charlotte’s Web. Thanks to Dr. Gupta’s CNN report, word about the use of cannabis to treat childhood epilepsy spread rapidly. Desperate parents sought to obtain cannabis through quasi-legal and illegal means with many actually uprooting their lives and moving to Colorado to obtain what seemed a “miracle” cure. Finally the scientific community took an interest and in February 2016, Israeli medical researchers published one of the first peer-reviewed studies, entitled “CBD-enriched medical cannabis for intractable pediatric epilepsy: The current Israeli experience,” concluding that “The results of this multicenter study on CBD treatment for intractable epilepsy in a population of children and adolescents are highly promising.” In 2007, GW Pharmaceuticals, a pioneering British biotech firm, began pre-clinical research into the use of CBD to treat epilepsy. The results were so promising that in 2013 GW began a clinical study to develop a prescription pharmaceutical formulation using CBD totally derived from the cannabis plant. GW Pharmacueticals’ study was published in January 2018, in the British medical journal The Lancet. In a stunning reversal of over 40 years insisting there is no medical uses for cannabis, on June 25, 2018 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved GW Pharmaceutical’s new drug Epidiolex for treating epileptic seizures in patients with Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut Syndromes. After a 1,000-year period of limbo, the use of cannabis for treating epilepsy has been revived and revitalized improving health and restoring life to millions throughout the world. c
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REVIEWs
dispensary highlight
Top-Sellin g Str ain Golden Ticket
Smartweed 1040 N. Western Ave., Hollywood (323) 672-8383 smartweedcollective.com
How and when did your dispensary start up? The idea of Smartweed began in 2006 in the San Fernando Valley. The business initially began as a legal medical cannabis collective called Valley Holistic Caregivers (VHC). After years of diligent and dedicated service and research in the cannabis industry, the concept of Smartweed gradually evolved. What’s the story behind the name of your dispensary? The name Smartweed was chosen by our design department to reflect the evolution of the cannabis industry. The Smartweed team is “smart” about cannabis in general, and also about what they can accomplish with their proven methods of cannabis manufacturing, specifically in the areas of cultivation and extraction. Similarly, patients and clients are “smart” for coming to Smartweed, because that means they know about the quality and selection that is offered to them at the store. What does your dispensary offer customers that they can’t find anywhere else? It’s important to note that customers 26
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can find most anything they’re looking for in terms of medical and recreational THC and CBD products. Additionally, Smartweed has a selection of affordable, top-shelf flower that is grown in-house by the Smartweed team of master growers. These unique strains are part of Smartweed’s carefully selected family of genetics, and each harvest is meticulously cared for and grown without the use of hormones or nonorganic pesticides. How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? The industry has dramatically changed since Smartweed first began operating in 2006. As one of the pioneering collectives in the cannabis industry, the Smartweed team remembers the early days on the “frontlines.” Now, as legal cannabis moves into mainstream America, Smartweed looks to be at the forefront of the cannabis culture. Smartweed’s aim is to help revolutionize the popular view of cannabis, shaping it into an accepted and accessible form of relief and recreation. The future of cannabis is to use its influence to promote the overall physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of all humanity. What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a dispensary? . . . Biggest joys? Some of the biggest challenges are keeping up with, and continuously being in compliance with, the ever-
changing rules and regulations in the cannabis industry. Another major hurdle is the unprecedented amount of taxes proprietors in our industry have to pay at the various levels of business. What is the one thing you want patients/customers to know about your dispensary? People should know that Smartweed takes a friendly, informative and professional approach to cannabis production and consumption. The mission of Smartweed is to educate and enlighten patients and clients about the benefits and uses of cannabis, and to eliminate the stigma and apprehensions associated with cannabis as a product and a business. If someone wanted to open a dispensary and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? When someone asks about advice on entering the cannabis industry, I would say, “Unless you have extensive experience or a long bankroll to facilitate the steep learning curve, stay away from this industry altogether!” What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry? Smartweed wants to play its part in the advancement of the cannabis movement and industry by helping to show people that not only is cannabis a fun and relaxing recreational activity, it is also a safe and healthy medical solution for both common ailments and more serious health conditions. c
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REVIEWs
edible & concentrate
Do-Si-Dos The first inhalation of Pure One’s latest hybrid cartridge had reviewers singing, “Around your partner dosi-do. Around your partner, here we go.” Filled with 100 percent organic and solvent-free cannabis oil, this hybrid strain Do-Si-Dos provided a perfectly balanced effect with enough energy to do a little square dancing, without any racy or anxious feelings. The natural terpenes in this cart were delicious, allowing for an elevated taste that was still true to cannabis. The buttery smooth inhale was followed by a sweet and spicy nutmeg flavor that was reminiscent of carrot cake. The ceramic coil cartridge ensured that every drag was fresh and flavorful, without overheating or burning the oil. Testing at 85.59 percent THC, 0.17 percent CBD and 0.31 percent CBN, Pure One’s Do-SiDos is a cartridge you should handle with care. A couple rips should be more than sufficient for even experienced cannabis consumers.
Available wherever: Pure One products are carried.
Symmetry 121 Tincture by Therapy Tonics & Provisions
Available wherever: Therapy Tonics & Provisions are carried.
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Available throughout the state of California, the Symmetry 121 Tincture has a pleasantly unique flavor that is very much tasty and enjoyable on its own, but is also a welcome addition to shakes and smoothies. Savory dishes can also be enhanced if you mix it in with other oils and balsamic vinegar as a dressing for salads, or as a drizzle to enhance the flavor of any vegetable or protein. Containing 150mg of THC and 150mg of CBD, our reviewers found that it provides absolutely perfect equalizing and balancing attributes that cause both physical and cerebral benefits. We experienced the release of muscle tension, relief of mild to moderate pain and also a feeling of complete mental well-being and stress relief. This tincture is ideal as a sleep aid, as a pain reliever and is an all-around great addition to a healthy, equalized and balanced cannabis lifestyle.
For More Products Go To CultureMagazine.com
REVIEWs
1. Gift a Green Send someone the birthday card that keeps on giving! An herb grows out of the card once you rip off the top and water it. You get to personalize each card with your own picture, your own message and you can add anything you’d like. Choices include arugula, grey dwarf sugar peas, kale, radishes, sunflower, kohlrabi or a mixture of arugula and kale. Then you can mail the card to your destination, or give it to the recipient in person. Personally, we’d choose to plant a different type of seed, but this card is definitely one-of-a-kind. Price: $10-18 More Information: giftagreen.com 2. HUDWAY Glass What is this futuristic sorcery? You’ll feel like one of the Avengers with this high-tech transparent glass screen that looks like a hologram and appears on the windshield of your car. Navigate Google Maps or your favorite navigation system using the HUDWAY Glass system and look through the screen onto the road in front of you. This impressive display unit is practically guaranteed to wow your friends. HUDWAY’s patented design also makes the image from your phone screen appear 20 percent larger. Price: $49.99 More Information: hudwayglass.com
3. Summerland Fruit Fantasy Apple Pipe This finely-crafted ceramic piece is almost too beautiful to use. Its high-shine polished glaze, chic modern appeal and striking titanium white color make it scream, “I was made by a modern designer!” Each apple piece is painstakingly handmade, bearing the inscription “Summerland, California” on the bottom. It’s equipped with a functioning carb and extra-large smoking hole. The bowl is formed perfectly to fit a generous portion of cannabis at the top of the apple. Any seasoned cannabis consumer will instantly know about the D.I.Y. apple pipes that it represents. Price: $95 More Information: kindredblack.com
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4. Sweet Leaf Denim Shirt If Kylie Jenner or Naomi Campbell were to purchase a cannabisthemed denim shirt—this would be it. Beverly Hills-based fashion designer and icon Jacquie Aiche has really outdone herself this time with the Sweet Leaf Denim Shirt. Each shirt is adorned with a large white, black, light pink, whiskey, red or turquoise cannabis leaf made out of pure snakeskin. Aiche’s Middle Eastern background occasionally influences her finished products. Each shirt is available with or without a python collar, and the tops are all handmade in the U.S.A. Price: $1,330 More Information: jacquieaiche.com
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“ W e ’ v e b e e n k i n d o f b l e ss e d wit h t h e s e p e n s ri g h t n o w, s o I d o n ’ t h a v e t o w o rry ab o u t r o l l i n g j o i n ts a n ym o r e o r g e tti n g ri d o f s e e d s . ”
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Photos by John Gilhooley
C o m e d ia n J o K o y c o n ti n u e s t o c h arm a n d e n t e rtai n h is e v e r - g r o wi n g f a n bas e wit h c o n sta n t t o u ri n g , a w e e k ly p o d cast a n d n e w c o m e d y sp e cia l s By David Edmundson Comedian Jo Koy may be the nicest person CULTURE has ever met. The veteran comic greets everyone with an enormous hug, a smile and infectious positivity. Koy attributes a lot of his humor, hustle and success to his mother, who showed him by example that it is possible to go from struggling to make ends meet, to headlining comedy clubs around the world. After spending even a brief amount of time with him you also learn that his other two loves are his son and stand-up. And if you’ve seen his recent Netflix special, Jo Koy: Live from Seattle, you’ll be regaled with countless funny anecdotes about his son and his quest to conquer puberty. Koy was raised in the Seattle, Washington area, and from the moment he saw Eddie Murphy’s Raw in person, he knew what he was going to do with the rest of his life. Sure, there were lean years; he sold shoes at Nordstrom Rack the day after he appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. This was 15 years into his journey in stand-up. His story is a tale of perseverance and a testament to what you can accomplish if you dedicate yourself to something and give it 110 percent all the time. Now, Koy only continues to reach new audiences and make lifelong fans, selling record-breaking shows across the world and recently receiving the “Stand-Up Comedian of the Year” award at Montreal Canada’s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. Koy chatted with CULTURE about being a comedian, the new Netflix special he has in the works, as well as his relationship with cannabis. CultureMagazine.com CultureMagazine.com september september2018 2018
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“ I ’ m s h o o ti n g my n e w N e t f l i x sp e cia l . T h is tim e N e t f l i x is b e h i n d it, s o I d o n ’ t h a v e t o w o rry ab o u t t h e b u d g e t, b u yi n g sta g e c o v e rs , s e t d e si g n a n d d ir e ct o rs . I d o n ’ t h a v e t o w e ar a n y o f t h o s e h ats . I g e t t o wa l k o u t o n sta g e a n d j u st b e f u n n y. ”
When did you know that comedy was what you were going to do in life? I knew comedy was what I wanted to do when I heard Eddie Murphy do Delirious, so 1981-1982. When it came out I was in the sixth grade, that’s when I said I wanted to be a stand-up comedian for the rest of my life. In sixth grade, at 11 or 12 years old, you’re watching Delirious? I recorded it on a VHS tape. I recorded Delirious on there with Whoopi Goldberg’s Direct from Broadway, Robin Williams’ Live from the Met and Bill Cosby’s Himself. I had everything on that tape, and all I did was watch stand-up. I was in love with Eddie Murphy though, so when he went on tour with Raw, he came to Seattle, and I bought tickets for me and my friend William. My mom drove me to downtown Seattle, two 15-year-old kids, she was saying, “Why are you going to see a movie in Seattle, why didn’t you get tickets to see Eddie Murphy in Tacoma?” She had no idea there was a [live show], but she dropped us off at the Coliseum; that was the best day of my life. 32
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Which do you like more? Raw or Delirious? Well of course my heart is going to be with Raw, because I got to see it before anyone else did. This was back when kids didn’t really watch stand-up. It was like an adult thing to do. It was a special moment for me, and that comedy routine will always be in my body for the rest of my being. I remember that whole moment. I remember walking into the Coliseum, I remember buying a sweatshirt, I still remember the name of the production company. I remember that I was so mad that I didn’t buy the T-shirt, and I bought the sweatshirt. The sweatshirt said “Panda Panda,” which was the promotion company that brought the tour there. And then it said Eddie Murphy, it didn’t say Raw and had some Argyle on it. It had nothing to do with the tour. Then
they had T-shirts, that I didn’t buy, and it was just a red T-shirt with a silhouette of Eddie that said Raw. Should have bought that, I think about that every fucking day man. How did your family react when you decided to pursue stand-up? Were they supportive? Well my mom, no of course. She’s an immigrant mom from the Philippines, and now her kid wants to be a standup comedian. For her generation it’s all about having kids, sending them to college, she retires, and the kids take over. I get it when you come from a country where everyone is suffering from poverty, and you arrive in the land of opportunity, the last thing you want is for your kids to struggle. She didn’t think it was really going to happen, and she was right for about 15 years. From 1989 until 2004/2005, so you’re talking about 15 to 16 years of my mom being right. Reminding me every holiday, “Thirtytwo and you work at a fucking shoe store, trying to be a comedian. You’re not a kid anymore.” Then it starts to wear on you, like, “Fuck, maybe my mom is right, maybe I should quit, maybe I should get a full-time job being a mailman.”
You’ve been doing stand-up for over 20 years. How long were you in the game before you felt like you made it? I did the Apollo in 1998 or 1999, and I felt like I made it. I was nine years in, and I’m on national television. I’m on a show that I’ve dreamed of being on ever since I watched it when I was a kid. I remember standing in the shower and pretending I was doing stand-up on the Apollo, and it came to life. So, to me I made it. Financially I’m not making it, I’m broke. For my mom, it was when I did The Tonight Show [with Jay Leno]. She was able to see something on NBC, and this is Jay Leno, the world knows Jay Leno, and here he is introducing her son. So, to me that’s when I made it, 15 years in, and literally that was when I was able to quit all my jobs because I was still working part time jobs when I did The Tonight Show. You use your family experiences for comedy gold. Has there been any pushback? I get nervous sometimes. On my last
special, Jo Koy: Live from Seattle, I talked about my sister getting kicked out at 17. In the special I say she was kicked out of 18, when in reality she was kicked out at 16, but I didn’t want to say that. I remember practicing that joke at Treasure Island before I taped the special, and my mom, who finally made up with my sister a couple years before, and my sister are in the crowd. I remember doing that joke in front of them and being so fucking nervous. I remember getting offstage and my mom hugged me, and my sister hugged me. My sister said, “It really didn’t happen that way.” But I don’t want to say all the shit that happened, but let the audience know that this is generally what happened. I don’t want to make it too serious, so I got their approval, but I was really nervous. What does your mom think of your impression of her? Of course, her natural instinct is to say, “I don’t really say that,” or “I don’t sound like that,” and then I’m
like, “You sound like it right fucking now.” She’s where I got my comedy from, that’s where the natural ability comes from. She used humor when she came to this country to make friends and that’s pretty fucking awesome. Imagine coming here when the country was pretty much white and black. In 1968, immigrant with a military husband and a kid that nobody’s ever seen before. They’ve never seen a mixed kid. What the fuck is that? He’s got Asian eyes, but they’re hazel. What the fuck! My mom had to figure it out, there was no Facebook, she had to meet people on her own and figure out the language. I got my hustle from my mom. My mom used to put together these events with other Filipinos. They would rent out the Knights of Columbus Hall for $200 and invite all these people she met at the mall. There would be a long table of food, and the kids would perform. I saw my mom’s hustle, and I think that indirectly that motivated me, because I saw her do it. CultureMagazine.com
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Has your teenage son, or one of his friends, seen your act? All of his friends have seen it. It’s what they do when they go out on the weekends. If they meet up at a friend’s house, my son will come over and he’ll tell me how Aiden put on my special and they all watched it. Do you consume cannabis? Who doesn’t! We’ve been kind of blessed with these pens right now, so I don’t have to worry about rolling joints anymore or getting rid of seeds. The pens are right there, and they’re all over the place, so I’ve been blessed to go to certain places where you can pick up some cool pens. How do you think cannabis affects the creative process? For me, not at all. Creatively I don’t need that. I do it purely for entertainment value. It’s fun to do it and laugh. I don’t use it for creative reasons, more just recreation. To relax and have a good time.
“ F o r m e , n o t at a l l . C r e ati v e ly I d o n ’ t n e e d [ ca n n abis ] . I d o it p u r e ly f o r e n t e rtai n m e n t v a l u e . I t ’ s f u n t o d o it a n d l a u g h . I d o n ’ t u s e it f o r cr e ati v e r e as o n s , m o r e j u st r e cr e ati o n . T o r e l a x a n d h a v e a g o o d tim e . ”
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You released your last special Jo Koy: Live from Seattle on Netflix; what makes the streaming service such a great fit for stand-up? That’s the blueprint right there. I don’t understand why networks haven’t copied this blueprint. Netflix changed my life, changed my career. I knew that I needed to get on Netflix, and they said “no” to me so many times. So I just invested all my money, and financially paid for my special. I knew that
if we didn’t sell this I’d be broke, so thank God I had a good manager and agent that believed in the project and were willing to invest as well. I had enough confidence to think that I was going to be able to sell it, even though Netflix said they didn’t need it. So, I shot that shit myself, with no potential buyer. Just praying that someone would buy it. We shopped that thing around for a few months, and we finally put it on Netflix’s table, and they bought it. Changed my life. Aside from touring, you also host a weekly podcast called, “The Koy Pond.” Do you find this to be an extension of your comedy, or a way to do something new? I love “The Koy Pond,” because I get to show off my ad lib skills, my improv. I do it onstage, but I love to do it in conversation. So that’s what that is all about, I go in there unscripted without a topic, without anything. I literally walk on and let it roll, and wherever that conversation takes us, that’s what we’re posting that night. So what’s next? I’m shooting my new Netflix special. This time Netflix is behind it, so I don’t have to worry about the budget, buying stage covers, set design and directors. I don’t have to wear any of those hats. I get to walk out onstage and just be funny. I don’t have to worry about getting offstage and having to eat a butter sandwich because I’m broke. c jokoy.com
LIGHTNING ROUND Richard Pryor or George Carlin? Carlin, only because I got to see him live when I was 15 at Bally’s. Soccer or football? Both suck. Pineapple on Pizza; gross or yum? Disgusting. It’s cold, why is it on there? Name a movie that makes you cry. My Life with Michael Keaton. Die Hard; Christmas movie or straight action movie? It is the greatest Christmas action movie ever. Batman or Superman? Batman. Cats or dogs? Dogs. Are you kidding me? Cats suck. Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore? Happy Gilmore all day. People who back into parking spaces— monsters or geniuses? Geniuses. Favorite cannabis strain or product? Chocolate chip cookie edible. CultureMagazine.com
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Industry Insider
Curating a Community
E l l e m e n ta C o - F o u n d e r Aliza Sherman continues t o d i s r u p t m a l e - d o m i n at e d industries with a fresh female focus By R. Scott Rappold
Aliza Sherman isn’t a typical cannabis consumer or industry professional. She’s 53, a mother of three, a pioneering website designer and author of a dozen books. But in a male-dominated industry, it’s the fact she is a she, and a woman of experience, that sets her apart just as much as her accomplishments. “There are a lot of complex things that I need to be dealing with that the typical stoner culture does not cover,” she said. It was this disconnect, a lack of resources for women about cannabis, which led her in 2016 to co-found Ellementa, a global network committed to sharing information about cannabis for women, by women. There are already local chapters in 42 cities, as well as a robust website, ellementa.com, dedicated to this mission. And if Sherman’s name sounds familiar, it’s because she’s done it before, as a pioneering web designer back in the ’90s who helped connect a generation of women with a new thing called the internet.
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“ T h e s e a r e t h e k i n d o f t h i n g s t h at o l d e r w o m e n are facing and the first thing [doctors] want to do is slap some opioids on you . . . They want t o m a s k t h e u n d e r ly i n g i s s u e s a n d t h e y d o n ’ t w a n t t o d e a l w i t h t h e w h o l e b o d y. ”
T.
The Cybergrrl
In the early 1990s, the internet was a male-dominated network of chat rooms and message boards. Typing “women” into search engines usually meant X-rated results. “There was a lot of academic stuff, a lot of scientific stuff, a lot of hobbyists and gaming oriented things, geeky, nerdy stuff, but there wasn’t anything on female health, on childcare and family care. So it was really just irrelevant to women,” she recalled. It’s a small wonder then, that women accounted for just 10 percent of internet users. Sherman, trained in HTML, had begun using the internet as a hobby, but she decided to launch cybergrrl. com, which led to webgrrls.com, a network of resources for women that grew to more than 100 local chapters and 30,000 members. Her websites, launched at the exact right time to be at the forefront of the internet boom, have been credited with helping innumerable women take part in that boom. Newsweek magazine in 1995 named her one of the “Top People Who Matter Most on the Internet,” with Sherman representing one of only three women on the list. “I see the same exact same parallels now for cannabis. There’s very little relevant information specifically for women and women’s needs, particularly older women,” she said. “It’s intimidating. It’s scary, and in a lot of places it’s still illegal, so women don’t know where to turn for proper information, and women’s lives are so complex.”
A.
A Healing Medicine
Growing up in the ’80s on a steady diet of anti-cannabis propaganda, she only dabbled in cannabis as a youth and not at all as an adult. Flash forward to her early 50s and she was suffering from chronic pain, insomnia and other negative health impacts of aging and menopause. She had tried all kinds of holistic medicines and herbs, and
when she moved to Alaska, a state with medical cannabis, she had an “a-ha” moment. “Here I am into all these alternative remedies and here is the most effective alternative remedy, and I avoided it out of fear,” she said. Cannabis, and particularly cannabidiol (CBD) products, provided relief that no pills could. “These are the kind of things that older women are facing and the first thing [doctors] want to do is slap some opioids on you . . . They want to mask the underlying issues and they don’t want to deal with the whole body.” Along with Co-Founders Melissa Pierce and Ashley Kingsley, Sherman launched Ellementa as a “global women’s cannabis wellness network.” There’s the website, weekly profiles she writes about women in the industry called Her Canna Life and a robust consulting business, helping cannabis companies reach and design products for women. She hopes these efforts, like Webgrrls for the internet, can help more women succeed in the industry. “The cannabis industry is still nascent enough in order for women to gain a foothold, to have a voice, but the reality is the window of opportunity for women to truly make a major impact in this industry is narrowing and closing,” she said. “The more that big money, old money, big pharma money, venture capital comes in . . . those who hold the major purse strings are all male.” But there are other groups, such as Women Grow, with Photo by Suzanne Sutcliffe Photography
that emphasis, so most of what Ellementa does is focused on consumers and their health. At monthly meetings in 42 cities, women pay a nominal fee to take part in group discussions, product presentations and information sessions, organized by an Ellementa contractor working on commission. There are usually 20 to 40 participants, all women, to keep it a safe space for an honest and frank discussion of women’s health issues. And while women of all ages are welcome, many tend to be older and maybe haven’t used cannabis in decades but are looking for answers. “My needs are very different from a 20-year-old. Women make the major decisions about health care purchases in their households. Whether they’re taking care of their children, their partners, their aging parents or themselves, they are usually the ones with the fingers on the pulse of what can help their families, their loved ones, themselves, to feel better,” Sherman said. “Our focus is on helping people feel better, on getting better information about cannabis and CBD out there and more relevant information for women on our particular needs.” As for whether Ellementa can do for the cannabis industry what Webgrrls did for the internet, and whether women can be truly equal in this industry, she sees plenty of room for progress. “When women are equal to men in the world, that will be the day that women will be equal to men in any industry. I think there’s a lot of opportunity still for women, but I think there are still a lot of barriers,” she said. c CultureMagazine.com
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Hemp on the Halfpipe Skateboard manufacturers offer skaters sustainable boards and gear made from hemp By Kiara Manns
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he integration of hemp into mainstream production appears to be right around the corner as more and more companies take it upon themselves to abandon traditional practices of production that are more harmful to the Earth. The cultivation of industrial hemp, once a common practice, has been hindered throughout modern history by federal laws that placed the plant in the Schedule I drug category despite containing nonpsychoactive components. Before its prohibition, hemp 38
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was often used for paper and textile products dating back to the 18th century and beyond. Progression in legislation and an evolving perspective on the benefits of hemp now allow companies to have the chance to supply sustainable products. Consumers of every market will soon be able to opt for eco-friendly options in their lives. Whether they are clothing, housing or goods, choosing industrial hemp products helps to break preexisting stigmas while showing kindness to the planet. The active sports industry proves to be no stranger to industrial hemp as some skateboard companies have decided to incorporate the crop into the production of skate gear such as wheels, decks and whole boards. Check out some of the brilliant franchises embarking on the exciting journey toward a sustainable future through hemp.
Granny Smith Sports Granny Smith Sports grew from the minds of Nick Griffith, David Blanchard and Greg Osusky in San Diego, California. Together, the three partners agreed on developing skatewear in such a way that would integrate sustainability and durability. “We don’t have to sacrifice the environment to enjoy the best performance” they share on the Granny Smith Sports website. “Just because the standard is there doesn’t mean there’s not a more eco-friendly and sustainable way.” Designing boards made with hemp has several advantages. Not only is the plant easy to replenish, taking only six months to grow and mature, cultivating hemp involves no deforestation. With an anti-plastic mindset, Granny Smith Sports provides skateboards and aids in the preservation of our oceans. The composition of the Sprout Cruiser for instance is 80 percent hemp and 20 percent plant resin. Consumers can rest assured that they are investing in a board that is 100 percent plant-based. “We at Granny Smith take pride in our hands-on process of crafting quality with sustainability” they explain. “It IS possible to have real durability with a plant-based product.” The company proudly crafts its skatewear to follow a plant-based lifestyle and to make a more positive impact on the environment.
“ I f o r m e d HE M P Z OO t o g i v e s u s ta i n a b l e options to people t h at c a r e a b o u t o u r planet and children’s future.”
Vibronic Hemp Wheels How does one make a 100 percent plant-based skateboard more eco-friendly? Roll in a set of plantbased wheels for a completely sustainable ride! Vibronic Hemp Wheels proves that hemp can be incorporated into practically any product. What began as a family business in 1953 evolved into the current Rubber-Tech Inc., a company in the rubber industry. With roots from this family company, Vibronic Hemp Wheels blossomed into an innovative brand that sought to create a new way of going down the halfpipe. As a division of Rubber-Tech Inc., the founders of Vibronic Hemp Wheels set forth to bring a “unique product” to the sports market. Vibronic Hemp Wheels often makes custom wheel designs and aims to be a leader in advanced and sustainable development. Manufactured in the United States, the wheels give back to both the Earth and the economy.
HEMPZOO Although HEMPZOO is only a little over a year old, having officially launched on April 20, 2017, the
company has made great strides by partnering with like-minded businesses to bring consumers planet-friendly products. HEMP ZOO Founder Jasen Russell has been involved in the cannabis industry for more than a decade. After the loss of his brother in 2006, Russell took it upon himself to fully commit to the budding industry, later leading him to begin HEMPZOO. Like many other eco-friendly entrepreneurs, Russell hoped to create an alternative option that would be more conscious of the environment. “I formed HEMPZOO to give sustainable options to people that care about our planet and children’s future,” he explained. Looking to collaborate with like-minded companies, Russell partnered with other franchises including Granny Smith Sports. “We collaborate making custom eco hemp skateboards for big and small businesses or individuals looking for a unique Earth-friendly product. I work with many companies and supply hemp materials to make my custom products.” On the official HEMPZOO website, shoppers will find Granny Smith Sports boards, Vibronic Hemp Wheels and hemp-made protective gear. Among the variety of hemp merchandise are knee and elbow pads featuring canvas that is composed entirely of hemp. The pads are custommade in the United States and have proven durability. c CultureMagazine.com
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SHOOTING GALLERY
Athletes Vs. Cancer INGLEWOOD, CA
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Instructions:
An Apple a Day By Laurie Wolf
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owadays, there seems to be very few apple varieties available in most markets. However, a quick drive to the countryside for apple picking will offer up various other varieties of apples, many of which are still growing on centuries-old trees. As September marks the beginning of apple season, make a trip to apple country to get your hands on some of the freshest fruit available—apples are good for you, particularly when they are in season and handpicked by you. Our favorite baking apples are Jonagold, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Braeburn. Embrace the season, and delight your taste buds with this recipe for Granola Baked Apples. Since we are infusing these apples with cannabutter, you have increased your chances for keeping the doctor away!
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Makes
6
Servings
Granola Baked Apples Ingredients: 3 apples (Braeburn apples are suggested) 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 1/2 cups granola, any variety
2 tablespoons cannabutter, cold 1 tablespoon butter, cold 1 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
Photos by Bruce Wolf
Maple syrup
1. Heat oven to 340° F. Cut the apples in half, core them creating a cavity, and rub the cut surfaces with the lemon juice. 2. In a small bowl combine the granola, brown sugar, cannabutter, butter, cinnamon and salt. With clean fingers, work the topping until the butter is evenly incorporated into the granola. 3. Place the apples on a baking sheet. Fill each cavity with equal amounts of infused granola mixture. Bake until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown, about 30 minutes. If desired, drizzle each apple with maple syrup before devouring.
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GROWING CULTURE
Urban Herbs A v isi t t o o n e o f t h e la r g es t u r ba n cult i vat i o n si t es i n t h e U . S . By Ed Rosenthal
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t wasn’t long ago that the idea of growing an acre of cannabis in California was just a fantasy. But in 2016, citizens in California voted affirmatively on a partial legalization initiative. Now we can see the short-term results. Commercial cultivation sites have since expanded from Mendocino-type gardens typified by large plants, and each had a yield of 10 to 15 pounds. Back in the day, cultivators were able to harvest relatively large crops, while staying within the plant limit, which usually ranged from six to 49 plants. Indoors, a 100 light facility with a canopy of 1,500 to 2,000 square feet was considered large. Those are antiquated numbers now. In California, the law allows outdoor farms to contain at least one acre or more. There are a number of outdoor farms in legal counties, but most of the large ones are in rural areas, where there is ample space to spread out. However, in an urban area of California there was an acre-plus lot that had just been cleared of derelict buildings. The soil was suspect. Before it was cleared, abandoned cars and old machinery had been dumped there. However, the land was level enough to cover it with 20-gallon bags irrigated using a drip system. The new owners were planning to construct a greenhouse on the land, but that was only in the planning stages. The space was not scheduled for improvement after the growing season was over. However it needed some modifications before it could be used. City water
Once the plants were set outside they suffered from sunburn (bleaching), and nutrient imbalance including magnesium and potassium. 44
The stakes were tied together and then the netting was attached. Finally the branches were tied to the netting. No branches stuck out from the rows, much like the way wine grapes are trained.
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would have to be hooked up, which wasn’t much of a problem. However before plants could be planted, a chain link fence marking the perimeter was needed in order to make the lot visually impenetrable. Rather than buying pre-filled bags of soil, the cultivator decided to buy bulk soil and have laborers fill the bags from a soil pile dumped in the middle of the space using shovels. As the bags were filled, they were set in place and then planted. Once the containers were in place, the stakes and netting were installed. The stakes crossed each other and were tied. Then the netting was attached to the stakes. Finally, the branches were spread apart and attached to the netting using twist ties. Unfortunately, the final garden design was not followed and the netting was set at an oblique angle to the sun. As a result, portions of the plant that would have been in sunlight were partially shaded. The correct angle would have been for the plants to face north and south,
A plant tied to the netting. Photo taken about a week after the plants were set.
perpendicular to the sun. This becomes especially important in the fall, when the sun drops in relationship to the horizon, casting longer shadows. The cannabis plants had been growing under lights for several months before being planted outdoors, but the intensity was low so the stems were somewhat stretched and the leaves were small. The six-inch containers were slightly root-bound. The situation wasn’t critical and the roots would be able to grow into the new planting mix. It turned out that the planting mix was not ripe, so the plants were held back a little for the first two weeks by pH instability, causing unavailability for some of the micro-nutrients. Another problem that the plants faced was sunburn. The plants had been growing indoors under HPS lights, which emit no UV light. The old leaves were easily sunburned as a result. In spite of all these problems, the plants adjusted to their new environment and the newest growth showed that the soil problems had been resolved. c
Ten days after the first photo, plants have recovered somewhat, and new growth is healthy.
Looking down a row. 3,000 containers were planted. They are irrigated using drip emitters.
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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News of the
Weird
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
LEAD STORY—RECENT ALARMING HEADLINE Infamous South Beach street artist Jonathan Crenshaw, 46, attracts a lot of attention in Miami among tourists, who watch him paint on a canvas—using his feet. Crenshaw does not have arms and is homeless. Profiled in a local newspaper in 2011, Crenshaw told of a difficult childhood (he also claimed Gloria Estefan had given birth to 200 of his children). He landed in the headlines again after stabbing a Chicago man with a pair of scissors on July 10. According to
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The Miami Herald, Cesar Coronado, 22, told police he had approached Crenshaw to ask for directions, when Crenshaw jumped up and, using his feet, stabbed Coronado. Crenshaw’s story is that as he lay on the pavement, Coronado punched him in the head—so he stabbed him, tucked the scissors into his waistband and walked away. Police found Crenshaw, who has a lengthy arrest record, nearby and arrested him. REVENGE, TEXAS-STYLE The Austin AmericanStatesman reported that on June 17, RV park neighbors and longtime adversaries Ryan Felton Sauter, 39, and Keith Monroe got into a heated dispute about an undisclosed subject. Later that day, Monroe saw Sauter leaving Monroe’s RV and asked him why he had gone
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in without permission, to which Sauter replied, “You’ll see why.” Going inside, Monroe soon spotted a 3-foot-long rattlesnake. “I freaked out,” he said. He used a machete to kill the snake, which strangely was missing its rattles. Turns out Sauter had bitten off the snake’s tail, with its signature warning sound. Sauter has been charged with deadly conduct and criminal trespass. PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS Tina Ballard, 56, of Okeechobee County, Florida, was arrested in North Carolina by Linville Land Harbor police on July 16 after fleeing there to “hide (her pet) monkey so that state officials could not take that monkey from her,” assistant state attorney Ashley Albright told WPBF News. Ballard’s
troubles began in May, when the spider monkey, Spanky, jumped out of a shopping cart in an Okeechobee Home Depot and grabbed a cashier’s shirt, “leaving red marks on the cashier’s shoulder and back.” In June, Fox News reported, another Home Depot employee spotted Spanky in the parking lot, having escaped Ballard’s truck and dragging a leash. Spanky was spooked by the store’s sliding doors and bit the employee on the arm, grabbing her hair and running away. The employee gave chase and eventually caught Spanky, but not before suffering more bites and scratches. Spanky was in the car when Ballard was arrested and extradited back to Florida; the monkey will be placed in a primate sanctuary.
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