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contents Vol 8 IssUE 8
02.17
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The Raphael of Reggae Damian Marley has reggae music in his blood, and now his passion for cannabis has led him into another business.
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On the COVER p h o t o b y J o h n G i l h oole y
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contents
inside
2.2017
40 features
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Tying the Knot Wedding industry traditions are changing, and we have a few tips for every cannabis bride and groom to use when planning their special day.
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Cannabis in the Bedroom Valentine’s Day is for romance and intimacy—here’s a few cannabis products to help enhance the mood for you and your partner.
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Make Me a Match Molly Peckler is a cannabis dating coach who helps cannabis-loving people find lasting true love.
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Colorful Creator Ängie is a rebellious and fearless Swedish pop star with a strong love for cannabis.
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Political Motivation Samantha Laudert-Rogers shares her memories advocating for cannabis in Alaska.
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Talk to Your Doctor Cannabis is not a harmful substance, but a small percentage of people are prone to experiencing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.
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Self-Inspiration Acoustic guitarist Keller Williams discusses two new albums, his inspirations and his thoughts on medical cannabis.
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Intergalactic Imagination Eugenia Loli is strong-willed, unconventional and completely unique.
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Mic Drop Comedian Barbara Gray has made her mark on the stand-up comedy scene.
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118 departments
Online Exclusive!
news
d National Academy of Sciences
20 News Nuggets 26 By the Numbers 30 Local News 34 Legal Corner
36 Healthy Living
reviews
40 Strain, Edible & Concentrate Reviews 50 Cool
Stuff 56 Entertainment Reviews
in every issue
Supports Rescheduling of Cannabis
110 Shooting Galleries
114 Growing Culture 116 Destination Unknown 117 Profile in Courage 118 Recipes
d The First Cannabis-Based Drug
is Licensed in Brazil
122 SoCal Now! 124 News of the Weird
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Vol 8 IssUE 8
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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 Matthew Abel, Benjamin Adams, Sheryll Alexander, Marguerite Arnold, Jake Browne, Cole Garrison, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, David Downs, Keira Fae, Natasha Guimond, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Pamela Jayne, M. Jay, Heather Johnson, Joe Jatcko Kevin Longrie, Emily Manke, Meital Manzuri, Sandy Moriarty, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Lanny Swerdlow, Jefferson Van Billiard, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf, Zara Zhi Photographers Kristen Angelo, Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Tonya Perme, Josué Rivas Art Director Steven Myrdahl production manager Tommy LaFleur Graphic Designer Tanya Delgadillo sales director Justin Olson los angeles Jon Bookatz sales manager Account Executives Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Cole Garrison, Teddy Helms, Beau Odom, Chris Thatcher, Vic Zaragoza general Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital content manager David Edmundson Ctv Contributors Quinn Marie intern Kiara Manns 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.
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CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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NEWS
nuggetS Long Beach Plans to Create a Cannabis Education Program
As Long Beach moves forward to regulate medical cannabis businesses, government officials and cannabis industry professionals will also move forward with a decision to create a cannabis education program. Councilmember Suzie Price shared her support for this new program. “When we look at some of the outreach and education components that we’ve seen in either industries, let’s say with alcohol, we see that a lot of the major manufacturers and bars and places where alcohol is served have partnered in this concept of outreach and education by sharing messages and purging people to drink responsibly, being aware and mindful collectively that there are negative consequences associated with misuse of certain products and really coming together to come up with outreach and education that addresses those issues,” Price said. “So I think where we are with marijuana, especially in the state of California and in the city of Long Beach, is very much in its infancy stage in terms of outreach and education.” The focus of the education will ensure public safety by helping to reduce the instances of youth consumption of cannabis and driving while under the influence of cannabis.
Arkansas will Permit 32 Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Thirty-two medical cannabis dispensaries will be serving patients in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission. A variety of other decisions to regulate the state’s new medical cannabis industry were also discussed on January 10, which included application fees, license fees and regulations on cannabis cultivation facilities. The most notable decision was a vote on how many dispensary licenses would be allowed, as detailed in the meeting minutes: “Commissioners discussed the number of dispensary licenses to be issued in the state. Commissioner Roman moved to issue 28 initial dispensary licenses. Commissioner Miller seconded the motion. By a vote of 3-2, the motion failed,” it reads. However, after the motion failed, the commission chose to unanimously approve 32 licenses instead. Some dispensaries will choose to grow their own cannabis, which would require them to pay a $25,000 license fee plus an annual fee of $32,500. Arkansas voters legalized medical cannabis in November 2016 for patients with various qualifying conditions, which include Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, Crohn’s disease, PTSD, seizures and many others. The law went into effect on November 9, 2016, however regulators were given extra time to enforce regulations on the program.
Guam Governor Supports Recreational Cannabis Governor of Guam, Eddie Baza Calvo, surprised many when he announced his approval for recreational cannabis legalization in Guam. His announcement came as part of a veto for Bill 344, which set to permit patients and caregivers to grow medical cannabis at home. At the same time, Calvo also shared the reason for supporting recreational cannabis legalization. “I am introducing this bill, not because I personally support the recreational use of marijuana, but as a solution to the regulatory labyrinth that sprouted from the voter-mandated medical marijuana program,” Calvo stated. “The program was well intended, seeking to provide for patients rather than leaving them in the dark or to the risks of the black market. While eliminating the black market is advantageous, the regulatory nightmare that became the medicinal program would have replaced it with a gray market rife with corruption and cronyism.” He continued to state that decriminalizing the sale, distribution, production and consumption of cannabis would allow them to control and tax the cannabis industry properly. 20
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Fontana City Council Approves Ordinance to Allow Cannabis to be Grown at Home On January 24, the Fontana City Council voted to allow homeowners to grow cannabis plants under the state’s new regulations. The council entered a tumultuous debate that ended with three councilmembers in favor of allowing home growing, and two opposing, with the promise that the topic would be revisited in one year. Both the Director of Community Development, Zai AbuBakar, and the council in favor felt it was necessary to discuss and take action in response to the new state law that voters supported in the November election. “We are probably the first city in the area that has this process; that’s why we sought legal advice,” said AbuBakar. “We wanted to know what we are doing.” Councilmember Michael Tahan expressed a concern with the lack of limitations regarding the number of houses that apply to obtain a cultivation licenses, with worry that some houses are located in close proximity to schools and parks. However, there are other rules in place that will help regulate cannabis growth, such as the 21-and-older requirement, a $411.12 permit fee, a maximum number of six plants per home and most importantly, that the grow area is secure from people under the age of 21 and suppresses any odors, sounds or other emissions that might bother neighbors.
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The amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that the band Slightly Stoopid paid a Los Angeles-based lab to make a vinyl record of its single, “Dabbington,” made entirely out of (Source: Inverse) bubble hash:
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The amount of money, in dollars, that it costs to apply for a cannabis business license in Long Beach: (Source: Press-Telegram)
226.45
The estimated amount of money, in millions of dollars, that could be generated in cannabis taxes for the Los Angeles city general fund within the first few years of legal recreational cannabis: (Source: Daily News)
The number of mature cannabis plants that patients or caregivers are allowed to grow at home in Burbank: (Source: Los Angeles Times)
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The number of votes, out of five, provided by the Costa Mesa City Council in favor of temporarily banning cannabis (Source: Orange County within city limits for 45 days: Register)
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The number of applications for licenses that were received by the Jamaican Cannabis Licensing Authority at the end of October 2016 for growing or processing medical cannabis: (Source: Jamaica Observer)
The number of people who were pardoned from their minor cannabis-related crimes in Vermont: (Source: The New York Times)
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The number of votes, out of 105, by the Mexican Senate in support of approving a bill that would allow for the use of medical cannabis: (Source: Reuters)
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192 The approximate number of medical cannabis patients registered in Canada in September 2016: (Source: Financial Post)
100,000
The estimated amount of sales, in billions of dollars, that recreational cannabis made in the United States during 2016: (Source: The Washington Post)
Hempcon: Come as One Festival
WHAT: Hempcon: Come as One Festival. WHEN/WHERE: Fri, Feb 24-Sun, Feb 26. San Bernardino Fairgrounds, 13718 Arrowhead Dr., Victorville. INFO: Check out hempcon.com/come-as-one for details. Hempcon is both a celebration and exposition of all things cannabis-related and will be coming to San Bernardino County this year! The festival will be both indoors and outdoors so that guests and companies may have the space needed to experience and showcase the wide variety of cannabis products. These three days will be filled with seminars, art, live music, cannabis advocates, enthusiasts and much more.
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Over 200 cannabis companies will be on the scene, offering both services and products. The festival will also provide onsite, medical cannabis doctors at your service for evaluation as well as a Prop 215 area for medical cannabis consumption. Exhibits involved will consist of collectives, accessories, legal services and equipment. Guests must be 18 years or older to attend and tickets may be purchased at the door. (Kiara Manns)
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NEWS
LOCAL
CannaTech
Gearing Up For Rec Gov. Jerry Brown allocates $52.2 million for California cannabis regulation
by Jamie Solis
G
ov. Jerry Brown has set aside $52.2 million in California’s budget to regulate cannabis. This budget proposal is set to merge the regulatory system for medical cannabis with cannabis for recreational consumption. Brown’s budget explains the reason for the merger, “Implementing the current medical and recreational cannabis statutes separately will result in duplicative costs of an additional $25 million for a second track and trace system.” He continued to explain that having two separate regulatory frameworks would cause confusion to both the licensees and those responsible for regulating the industries. While $52.2 million in undoubtedly a large chunk of money, it isn’t clear exactly how much creating this regulatory framework will ultimately cost. CULTURE was able to discuss the budget proposal with Nate Bradley, Executive Director and Co-Founder of California Cannabis Industry Association. “It’s definitely a good start. We are really glad to see he’s taking this issue seriously. No one has legalized cannabis in the state this size yet,” Bradley said. “It will be difficult to
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really know how much it’s going to cost until the first year or two it’s been regulated.” Michelle Mabugat, Esq. at Manzuri Law in Los Angeles believes $52.2 million will not be enough to create a regulatory framework for the industry. “At the rate that the state’s been burning through the funds that were allocated for medical cannabis regulation last year, $52.2 million will probably not be enough, but it’s a good start,” said Mabugat. “Also keep in mind that this number is still just a ballpark figure to be used as starting point—it’s likely to change before the final budget comes out in June.” Only time will tell how much it will take for the state to regulate California’s new recreational cannabis market. Until then, there are issues ahead for both state lawmakers and the medical cannabis industry. “The biggest issues will be how the state reconciles the medical cannabis regulation system [that] passed in 2015 with Prop. 64, which was passed by the voters last year,” Bradley said. “While both of them are very similar, there are a few differences that will be hotly contested between different special interest groups in the state capital.” While the state hammers out new regulations for both recreational and medical cannabis in California, medical cannabis businesses need to stay alert. “There are plenty of issues [medical cannabis businesses might face]. Coming out of an unregulated market into a regular market comes with a myriad of new regulations and rules to learn and come into compliance with,” Bradley said. He continued to share that most cannabis-related businesses would have to hire compliance officers to ensure they are keeping up with the cannabis industry’s ever-changing regulations. Bradley wanted to share with those in California’s cannabis industry that now is the time to get in compliance with local regulations. “Because every day you wait is another day that thousands of businesses are getting ahead of you,” Bradley said. Californians must wait until June to see what amount of money Gov. Brown ultimately sets aside for cannabis regulation in the state. c
CannaTech 2017 is happening at the Tel Aviv Port on the waterfront, and it is gearing up to bring the latest and greatest innovative cannabis technology to the masses. Industry leaders are bringing their unsurpassed knowledge to the event, and they will cover the current state of cannabis in addition to what the future holds. Speakers will include various influencers like the Co-Founder and CSO of CannaRegs, Amanda Ostrowitz, Dr. David Meiri, PhD, M.Sc of Technion and Saul Kaye, the CEO and Founder of iCAN:israel-cannabis. These three presenters are just a glimpse into the diverse, expert panel of speakers at CannaTech with professionals representing the various cannabis-related fields of agriculture, entrepreneurship, innovation, finance, government policy, research, science and technology. Meals, refreshments and an open bar throughout the days are sure to bring smiles to the event’s many attendees. WHAT: CannaTech. WHEN/WHERE: Mon, March 20-Wed, March 22. Trask and Reading3, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. INFO: Visit www. canna-tech.co for more information.
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NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
Post Office Plans Can cannabis be mailed in California? by Meital Manzuri, Manzuri Law
Risks of Shipping Cannabis by Mail
A
s the California legal cannabis marketplace grows, both sellers and consumers are increasingly wondering if it is possible to legally mail cannabis within the United States. The answer is a simple and resounding no. Importantly, this holds true regardless of whether the shipment origin or destination have laws legalizing cannabis. Let’s understand why. Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, cannabis is a Schedule I drug. Schedule 1 controlled substances are those which, in the opinion of the United States government, have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. And when it comes to our country’s mail delivery services, federal law trumps all other laws of the land. As a result, mailing cannabis is illegal across all modes of mail delivery. This includes private carriers such as FedEx and UPS as well as the United States Postal Service (USPS). Using USPS Because the USPS is a federal government agency, it must strictly obey federal guidelines. Using the United States Postal Service to mail cannabis— even within the territorial limits of California (a cannabis-legal state)—is a felony under 18 U.S. Code 1716. However, as U.S. postal workers are federal government employees, they need a warrant based on probable cause in order to search a package for drugs. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, “first class letters and parcels are protected against search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, and as such, cannot be opened without a search warrant.” Since the USPS offers some
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privacy.” This means that private carriers have the right to open and inspect any package at their own discretion. Furthermore, large private carriers have affirmed over and over again their willingness to cooperate with federal law enforcement in cracking down on illegal drug trafficking via mail. For example, in 2014 FedEx was indicted for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances by transporting illegal painkillers and other prescription drugs. And in 2013, UPS paid $40 million to settle a federal probe into shipping drugs from illegal online pharmacies. Though neither of these cases involved cannabis, it shows how big the incentive is for private carriers such as UPS and FedEx to monitor packages for illegal drugs.
protection against search and seizure, it can understandably seem to be the safest way to ship cannabis. However, if a package seems suspicious, the USPS can get a search warrant. While this might seem like an acceptable risk, the punishment for mailing drugs through the U.S. mail can include up to a year in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Using Third-Party Carriers Unlike the USPS, private third-party carriers—such as UPS, FedEx and DHL— are not federal agencies. As such, they do not even have to obtain a warrant to search a suspicious package. Indeed, the Supreme Court has ruled that giving your package to a third-party “removes any reasonable expectation of
There risks of mailing cannabis are significant. For one thing, you can be charged under either federal law or the law of the state in which the cannabis shipment originated or the state to which it was delivered. Furthermore, charges will be compounded for interstate trafficking as well as based on the quantity of the cannabis. And under federal guidelines, mailing as little as 50 grams or less of cannabis can land in the federal penitentiary for up to five years. Worsening matters, USPS and private carriers’ employees are offered a “reward” of up to $50,000 for information leading to convictions of persons mailing illegal substances. Even if you are only the recipient of the package, if you knowingly receive cannabis in the mail, your participation in the shipment is enough for you to be charged with conspiracy to distribute an illegal substance. In sum, postal services are not drug mules. With the rise in the number of states legalizing cannabis, the DEA is now more than ever keeping a close eye on the shipment of packages across the country. Yes—it is possible to transport your cannabis via mail. It happens every day and people get away with it. But remember, you’re playing the odds. The best advice we can give our clients is not to use the mail to ship your cannabis. c
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NEWS
HEALTHY LIVING
Cannabis and
Sex by Bonni S. Goldstein, MD
D
enise came to my office like many patients, nervous about seeing a medical cannabis doctor, but sincere in her search for help with her medical condition. She was in her late 40s and in pretty good health overall, but she had been struggling with insomnia, anxiety and decreased libido for a few years. She tried a prescribed sleeping pill and antianxiety medication, but they just made her feel like a zombie. And they certainly did not improve her sex life with Denise's husband. About one month prior to her appointment, her close friend gave her some cannabis to try, telling her it would help with “everything.” And she found that she slept better and was less stressed. Her biggest surprise though, was that cannabis “put her in the mood.” She said her husband was thrilled and told her to get legal! Denise is like many women that come to my office. They are working full-time, raising children and taking care of elderly parents—all of the stressors and responsibilities that come with a productive and busy lifestyle. Throw fluctuating female hormones into the mix and it becomes clear that sex falls to the bottom of the priority list. I find that when I question these patients about their sex lives, they report that they truly want intimacy with their partner and they desire an active and fulfilling sex life, but they are stuck in a rut and can’t find the solution. Enter cannabis, a plant that has been used for thousands of years as an aphrodisiac. The ancient Ayurvedic holistic healing approach, developed over 3,000 years ago in India, recommended cannabis to enhance sexual experience. Cannabis ingested in a type of milkshake called “bhang” was used in ancient Tantric sex rituals to enhance and prolong sexual activity.
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In Africa, cannabis was and still is being used to treat erectile dysfunction. Anecdotal reports of the sex-enhancing effects of cannabis are abundant but what do we really know? Interestingly, research on cannabis and libido is conflicting. Some studies point to THC’s ability to increase testosterone, leading to increased sexual arousal and other studies report that cannabis inhibits libido. In 1984, The Journal of Sex Research reported that over two-thirds of cannabis-using adults surveyed had increased sexual pleasure and satisfaction with cannabis use, and sensations of touch and taste were particularly enhanced. The authors reported that, “many felt marijuana was an aphrodisiac.” Other surveys have found similar results. These finding correlate closely with my clinical experience with my patients. Many report that the simple alleviation of stress allows them to feel happy and relaxed, which leads to more intimate interpersonal relationships. There are always some patients who seem to not get the benefits that other experience. It’s important to understand that the right strain and dose is crucial to getting the desired effect. Sometimes consuming too much cannabis will decrease sexual interest or performance. My advice to patients who are seeking to use cannabis to enhance libido is similar to those using it for other issues: “Start low and go slow.” If you don’t get the effect you want, you can always take a little more to enhance the result. You may need to try different strains and different methods of taking it to find what works for you. Of course your mood before using cannabis can affect the experience. Before medicating, stop for a moment and think about how enjoyable intimacy and sex have been in the past, and let yourself anticipate another enjoyable experience. Get your mind in the mood
and your body is likely to follow. Recently cannabis-based lubricants have come onto the market. They are applied to the vaginal area with the goal of sexual enhancement. Some patients have reported to me that these products did not cause them to feel high but they had increased sensations “downstairs” during sex. A few reported that using cannabis the “old-fashioned way” (i.e., inhaling it before having sex) still worked better because they were able to relax and focus on their partner instead of thinking about common distractions, like work, grocery shopping and the piles of laundry waiting to be done. Dr. Lester Grinspoon, Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and long-time cannabis advocate, was asked about the effects of cannabis on sex in an interview with High Times. He said about the subject, “Look, if you come to me and tell me that you’re having difficulty in getting turned on sexually, or that you’re experiencing premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction, I might ask, ‘Have you ever tried marijuana before? It won’t hurt you.’ You might try it.” Listen to the guy from Harvard, he knows of what he speaks. c
Before medicating, stop for a moment and think about how enjoyable intimacy and sex have been in the past, and let yourself anticipate another enjoyable experience. Get your mind in the mood and your body is likely to follow.
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REVIEWs
strain, edible & concentrate
9021OG Nineties kids may or may not remember the days of Brenda and Dylan staring deeply into each other's eyes as that guitar riff cuts into the warm California night, but we sure remember. The effects felt from this heavy-hitter may have patients heading for the hills (the Beverly Hills that is)—or more likely heading to the couch with snacks. We couldn't help but admire the contrasting forest green buds and the frost each flower is dusted in. The matching pine tree scent permeated throughout the room as the 9021OG package was opened. Thankfully, patients don't need a street corner star map to find Cannasutra in Studio City.
Available at: Cannasutra in Studio City.
Rockets Indica Mini Pre-Rolls Need a little boost to get through the day? Or perhaps you’re looking for a quick way to take the stress away? Rockets Indica Mini Pre-Rolls offer a patented organic paper tube and adjustable crutch, which allows for a personalized draw, and the ultimate single use experience. Rockets come in packs of 10 and are the perfect single use amount of cannabis, at 0.2g each. The Rockets are filled with premium grade “rocket fuel” by using only the finest craft grown indica flower, no trim or shake. These little beauties are perfect for your on-the-go lifestyle. The Rockets come in a discreet and conveniently sized reusable pack that resembles a traditional cigarette pack, only smaller, and is also durable enough for everyday storage in a pocket. Stylish and easy, the Indica Pre-Rolls are the ideal choice for the consumer looking for a quick dose of cannabis that is short and sweet—just enough to lift your day and your mood. Prepare for lift off with Rockets Indica Single Use Pre-Rolls and elevate into orbit with their delicious flavors and perfect size.
Available wherever: Various collectives throughout California.
iReadCulture.com GET YOUR CLICKS
HERE Available wherever: Green Valley Collective in North Hollywood.
CannaBiotix Strawberry Lemonade Just as refreshing as a tall glass of freshly squeezed lemons and strawberries, this fruity sativa will quench your thirst for relief. The 2015 winner for "best sativa" in the local cannabis cup packs a surprisingly uplifting and euphoric effect that is suitable for novices and connoisseurs alike. A quick inspection of the bright, orange hairs covering most of the buds is sure to send your taste buds into a frenzy, and Green Valley Collective has plenty in stock to keep you satisfied so make your way over and say hello. This refreshing strain is definitely going to be a staple in our stash. Available at: Sunset Herbal Corner in North Hollywood.
Private Reserve Presidential OG As far as presentation goes, this bulbous indica has all of the best components for a winner. Bright green, frost covered flowers? Check. Heavy, permeating aroma? Check. As far as the effects, we'd liken it to something similar to a "knockout punch," leaving patients calm, pain-free and reeling from its sleepinducing powers. Well known for its potency and wide array of medical benefits, you can see for yourself why this Presidential OG is on the private reserve shelf, but is still leading the nation of Sunset Herbal Corner in North Hollywood.
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REVIEWs
Birthday Cake Kush Live Resin Cartridge Next time a friend has a birthday, skip the bakery and grab the Ganja Gold Birthday Cake Kush Live Resin cartridge instead! Ganja Gold is pushing the envelope for concentrate purity in a cartridge, comprised of 70.2 percent THC and .02 percent CBD. The vapor is extremely potent and terpy, truly as good as it gets for the onthe-go concentrate connoisseur. Birthday Cake is a well-balanced hybrid concentrate with a calming and soothing, yet motivating and uplifting effect. The cartridge itself has a ceramic coil that helps vaporize all your favorite strains to the perfect temperature. Ganja Gold definitely takes the cake with this Live Resin cartridge and should always be kept on deck for any true connoisseur.
Available at: City Compassionate Collective in Los Angeles.
Available at: Multiple collectives in California.
CCC OG Having a "House Strain" isn't anything new to collectives in Southern California, but City Compassionate Collective in Los Angeles' strain can hold its own against any we've come across before. Quarter-size nugs of pure indica-induced euphoria fill patients’ noses with the aroma of diesel fuel and pine trees while the effects are intense and lengthy, beginning in a cerebral buzz that slowly falls over the entire body. Ideal for patients suffering from chronic pain and ADHD, expect this to be the "go to" for patients visiting La La Land.
Available wherever: Coast to Coast in Woodland Hills.
3C Banana Kraken OG Like the mythical creature of the sea, the Kraken, the flowers from this indica could sink even the strongest vessels. Before departing the mainland, be sure you're ready to weather a storm, as the effects could leave your eyes as heavy as anchors and in need of a cabin to nap in. Bred from equal parts Banana OG and Kraken, this flower is a true indica, through and through. Ideal for medicating chronic pain and anxiety as well as insomnia, the 3C Banana Kraken OG departs daily at Coast to Coast in Woodland Hills.
TKO Edibles Vape Cartridges
Available wherever: TKO Edibles products are carried.
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2011 was a year where we saw many cannabis collectives opening up in cities all over Southern California, only to be promptly shut down weeks or sometimes months later due to ever-changing regulations in the industry. Such is the case with TKO Edibles, which was originally used as a distribution company for their own medical collectives. Upon learning the news that its business was in danger of the same fate, the founders decided that producing high-quality products was a sounder business decision, and they were already making great impacts on that market. After mastering the process of edible medication with brownies, sweet treats and cookies, they have moved on to yet another endeavor, portable vape cartridges. We sampled a potent, 350mg cartridge loaded with the ever popular Skywalker OG extract for a safe and discreet form of medication. The taste was wonderfully acidic and the effects were uplifting and perfect for medicating daily. TKO products are consistent, high-quality, and you can taste the love and care that is put into the products.
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REVIEWs
Neutron Genetics Strawberry Kush Syringe Easy to use, fast acting and available in a wide range of strains and flavors, Neutron Genetics has a quality alternative to purchasing new cartridges. Packaged in child protective packaging to ensure safety while storing and transporting, we used our syringe to not only refill empty disposable vape carts, but also to perfect our dabbing as we added it to our bowls of flowers. Neutron Genetics has been delivering quality products for patients in the Southern California area and will continue to do so with your support. Check its website at neutrongenetics.com to find a retailer near you. Available wherever: Neutron Genetics products are carried.
Tahoe OG
Available at: Westside Caregivers in Van Nuys.
Perfect for spending the night near a fire in a snowed-in cabin or just laying on the nearest couch, it seems this strain may be the best answer to the question of whether or not someone would ever need anything else for treatment of insomnia. Besides giving patients a much needed deep sleep, the strain is equally effective in combating anorexia, chronic pain and muscle spasms. Westside Caregivers in Van Nuys is always stocked with amazing flowers and helpful budtenders to answer any questions you may have, so stop in and see why they're one of the best cannabis collectives in the Valley. Available at: Hidden Hills Collective in Canoga Park.
King Moses OG Fun-filled fact: The "holy anointed oil" in Jesus Christ’s healing bag is rumored to have actually been cannabis-infused oil. What are the chances that the "holy land" was also cannabis-related? Perhaps it was just a patch of mineral-rich soil, perfect for growing this dank, pine-scented, OG, named after King Moses. Coated in bright, glistening crystals and long gnarled orange knots, this flower truly is a bountiful harvest. The strain boasts powerful anti-inflammatory effects as well as a slight couch-lock, so medicate accordingly. Hidden Hills Collective is holding congregations daily, so stop by and make a donation to a higher cause.
Available wherever: THC Design products are carried.
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XJ-13 by THC Design Ladies and gentlemen, we may have the most perfect sativa ever. The euphoric and creative buzz is instantaneous. The taste is piney yet sweet with a strong citrus aroma, and then there's the packaging. THC Design has gone to great lengths to ensure patients know everything their getting in their cannabis, down to the tiniest percentage of active ingredients—they include brochures, informative leaflets, precise labeling and a beautifully designed reusable container. All of the cannabis is grown using sustainable, recycled/ reclaimed water in the heart of Los Angeles and is lab tested for potency and purity, so you can feel safe knowing your medicine is coming from a reputable source. Go to THCdesign.com to find a retailer near you.
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For More Products Go To iReadCulture.com
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Exxus GO Concentrate Vaporizer From newbies to experienced cannabis consumers, this brand-new device is a great option for anyone looking for many hours of vaping. We know from personal experience that when we attend weddings and other social events, many vape pen batteries die so quickly that we have to bring tons of extra batteries. This rig features a lengthy battery life among other great qualities. Users will also enjoy strong hits, a quick warm-up time and much more. PRICE: $99.99 MORE INFORMATION: exxusvape.com
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Bad Bitch Club Herb Grinder Why rely on a cold metal grinder, when this amazing two-piece grinder comes with an exclusive membership to the “bad bitch” club? Okay, so maybe the club is more of an essence than an actual club, but you catch the drift. This two-inch grinder will help turn your stickiest nugs into ground up shake that’s perfect for rolling endless joints and blunts. Buy it for yourself or gift it to a friend this Galentine’s Day! PRICE: $20 MORE INFORMATION: www.etsy.com/shop/ PenelopeGazin 50
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Cannabis Oil Winter Skin Care Kit Cannabis and hemp oils are notoriously great when used as skincare products for various reasons. These products have been reported as truly effective for protecting skin, preventing rashes, treating psoriasis and providing acne relief. Now you can feel the healing magic yourself with this adorable gift set from Front Range Soap. With body bombs, hand and body lotion, body budder and more, you will be able to relax and find relief for hours with this exclusive line of skincare. PRICE: $19.95 MORE INFORMATION: www.etsy.com/shop/ FrontRangeSoap
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The Chelsea Every girl (or guy) needs a go-to bag that can carry everything from office goodies to cannabis essentials. In the case that you do need to travel straight from work to your favorite smoke spot, this fashionable handbag features a secret, Aroma-Bloc compartment to keep your after-work intentions on the down-low. This secret space will fit all types of cannabis goodies from flowers and glass to edibles and vape pens. The top compartment is a bucket bag with six different organizing pockets, so you can bring along everything your heart desires. PRICE: $295 MORE INFORMATION: annabisstyle.com
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Romantic Bong Lapel Pin This pin literally reminds us what a grandma from the ’60s would do if she found one of her son’s water pipes hidden in the closet—it’s a vase, right? If you’re looking for a unique way to say “I love you” to the cannabis consumer in your life, and you don’t have the cash to spend on a legitimate water pipe (or a legitimate bouquet of flowers), this romantic pin will serve the right purpose. In the true spirit of February, this little pin is high quality and secure, so you know your date can stylishly sport this way into the night. PRICE: $12 MORE INFORMATION: www.etsy.com/shop/ PenelopeGazin
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BEST BUDS Cannabis Necklace Who needs a Valentine’s Day date when your best friend is your favorite person to hang out with any day of the week? Celebrate your bestie love, and gift your number one bud one-half of this best friends necklace. Sporting these adorable necklaces will certainly show your friendly love, while reminding each other of your favorite thing to do together—enjoying some cannabis! PRICE: $35 MORE INFORMATION: www.etsy.com/shop/ SmokiesTokeCouture
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7. ErrlyBird ™ Torch by @HappyTokes Every faithful dabber knows that having your own butane torch can be a very important investment. Now you can dab in style with this special butane torch by ErrlyBird ™. CULTURE writer and Instagram personality @HappyTokes has designed this adorable happy leaf design just for you! There are only 200 of these available, and each torch comes with a HappyTokes print, signed and numbered. Use the code HappyTokes to get 20 percent off. PRICE: $59.99 errlybird.com 8. Faerie Nebula Pendant With the beauty of one million galaxies, this gorgeous piece of jewelry will certainly make your Valentine fall in love all over again. The Faerie Nebula is a celestially inspired necklace, captured in glass. It’s oneof-a-kind and crafted by the talented glass artist Zander Kroft. Strung upon a delicate 14K yellow gold box chain and custom box adorned with a cannabis leaf embellishment, this breathtaking necklace highlights the beauty in the natural world, and will compliment the beauty of your Valentine perfectly. PRICE: $120 MORE INFORMATION: faeriejane.com
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entertainment
BOOK
Three A Light
Release Date: February 28 Available on: PlayStation 4
Joshua Haupt Pono Publications Ltd. Three A Light claims to be the only book you need to be able to grow the highest quality and highest yielding indoor cannabis around. The information in this book does cover technical information like temperature, humidity, CO2, room dynamic, equipment, genetics, food and water, manicuring and pruning, and does so with the well designed and easyto-follow instructions. The images are the best part however; gorgeous, high resolution, full bleed images cover the majority of the pages in this book and show you every detail imaginable. It is the perfect mix of a coffee table book and a howto guide! (Alex Bradley)
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GAME
MUSIC
Future Politics MOVIE
Horizon Zero Dawn
The Accountant
Dev. Guerrilla Games
Warner Bros. Pictures
Pub. Sony Interactive Entertainment Horizon Zero Dawn is a highly anticipated postapocalyptic actionRPG that takes place in a world inhabited by primitive humans and robotic creatures of all sizes. Join Aloy, a practiced archer in her tribe, journeys through a beautiful but equally dangerous open world to learn where these robotic monsters originated from and what has happened to humanity. Aloy helps to unravel these mysteries while utilizing many different ranged and melee weapons, alongside stealthy strategies, which she uses to survive in that harsh world. (Nicole Potter)
Dir. Gavin O’Connor
While documentaries and dramas tend to have a bit more sustenance in them, sometimes there’s nothing nicer than a good old meat and potatoes action flick to get the blood pumping; The Accountant is just that. With director Gavin O’Connor (Pride And Glory, Warriors) at the helm and Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick and J.K. Simmons in the leading roles, The Accountant brings some blazing shoot outs and some fairly impassioned performances to the table with a blockbuster budget to make it all look as epic as possible. For those in need of an awesome shoot’em up, look no further. (Simon Weedn)
Austra Domino Records Toronto synth-popper Austra has returned with its third album, Future Politics. Though the band started off in 2009 with a serious penchant for the pulsing rhythms and the dusky textures of darkwave, in the years since the band’s music has grown both more polished as well as more nuanced. Though Austra was always attentive to tone and sound design, Future Politics shows the group at its most dense and lush. Laden with brilliant melodies and lyrics ripe for today’s political climate, Austra hits it out of the park with Future Politics. (Simon Weedn)
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Rast
p h o t o s b y J o h n G i l h oole y
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l i v e p h o t o b y S terl i n g M u n ksgard
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Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley creates compassionate and thoughtful music, and now he is stepping into the cannabis industry with that same care and consideration by Addison Herron-Wheeler
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legend in his own right, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley has surpassed the shadow of his legendary father’s career to make a name for himself in reggae. Rather than rely on clout, Damian has worked just as hard as someone starting from scratch, touring and recording non-stop. A singer and performer since the age of 13, Marley fuses electronic and hip-hop-influenced elements with traditional dancehall and reggae stylings to put his own
spin on the culture he comes from. He has been a part of supergroups and collaborated with dubstep stars, but still manages to keep his feet planted firmly on the ground. In addition to being a creative force, Marley is also Rastafarian with interesting insight into the spiritual properties of cannabis as well as the business and medical opportunities the plant brings. With a new album, Stony Hill released last month, CULTURE was lucky enough to catch up with Damian Marley to talk about his upcoming projects, the power of cannabis and the way of the future. >>
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Obviously, you grew up with music and with an amazing role model for playing dub and reggae in your father. What made you decide to follow in his footsteps, and how has having him as an influence shaped your music? Being a fan of music more so than anything else has shaped me and made me want to do what I do. It’s not so much trying to follow my father’s footsteps, as it is wanting to express myself through music. Of course I’m influenced by my father just like so many other musicians, but I’m influenced by so many other artists too besides by father. It’s really just all about my love for the music. What is some of the music you are most proud of creating so far? All of it. I can’t really single out anything specific. When I listen back to some of my earlier recordings I can appreciate a point in my development and growth as an artist and as a person, so each point is kind of historical for me as an artist and as a person. Do you have anything exciting in the works in terms of touring or writing songs? I have a new album that just came out in January, and the name of the album is Stony Hill. What is the best show you ever played, and in your opinion? There have been too many great shows to really single out any one. To me what makes a great live experience is kind of when the performer and audience are on the same page, and they are both engaged in the show. It’s a relationship where the energy goes back and forth, so the more energetic the audience is, that usually makes the performer more energetic. Who are some of the artists you like the most today? Who are you listening to or inspired by? I am listening to a lot of young people from Jamaica and a lot of music from Jamaica– Kabaka Pyramid, Iba MaHr, to name a few. Dub and reggae have inspired so many forms of music, from underground dub bass in the electronic scene to ska in the punk scene. Do you listen to any of these offshoot genres, and how do you feel about this influence? Well to tell you the truth, I spend so much time in the studio making music, and especially because I’ve been working on my record for some time now, I haven’t really been listening to a lot of outside music, if that makes sense to you. Of course there are a lot of different genres that are influenced. I have done stuff with Skrillex, as far as the dubstep genre goes. Seeing all the influence it has had, it really inspires and validates how valuable reggae music is and how much it has inspired the culture. >> 66
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As a Rastafarian, cannabis is clearly a big part of your life. How does it fit into your life as a spiritual and inspirational substance? I’m a Rastafarian, so it is considered a spiritual sacrament. We smoke herb to put us in a meditative state, to think of thoughts that are a little more spiritual or expressive than the normal thoughts you’d have in day-to-day life. You have thoughts that grow a little more than what is in your day-to-day life.
How does cannabis factor into your creative process and the music you make? Well, usually we are smoking whenever are making music; when we are writing and stuff like that. We get into that energy here and we get into our creative space, so a majority of the time when we are in the studio there will be herb smoking. It is a part of day-to-day life for me personally; I smoke pretty much daily.
What do you think of the mainstream acceptance of cannabis? Do you see any of the people who smoke it as not appreciating its sacred properties, or do you think it should be something enjoyed by everyone? I think that the progress that is being made right now is great, in terms of it becoming medical and it being accepted, and a lot of research is being done. A lot of the healing properties are coming out, and there is a lot more to cannabis than it getting you high. I also think it’s good that a kid who smokes a joint isn’t necessarily going to get locked up or get a criminal record. A lot of people in Jamaica get a criminal record just for smoking a joint, and that’s not right.
Have you ever used cannabis to medicate, or as medicine? How do you feel about the fact that cannabis can be so healing as someone who believes it has spiritual qualities? Do these two things seem related to you? That is kind of what I touched on earlier–the healing properties of the plant that have been discovered now– the research is so early but the benefits that are being discovered so far are great. I haven’t really used it so far for any personal medical reasons, but I’ve heard the stories of people who have been using the herb, children with epilepsy and that kind of thing. We are looking forward to the possibilities that are on the horizon as people learn more and more about this plant. >>
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“That’s cool if they don’t accept it; it’s not for everyone. As long as you don’t judge someone else for using it, you don’t have to use it personally; that’s cool with me. There are a lot of things that aren’t for everyone, and as long as we are all free to choose what we want then there shouldn’t be any problems.”
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“I’m a Rastafarian, so [cannabis] is considered a spiritual sacrament. We smoke herb to put us in a meditative state, to think of thoughts that are a little more spiritual or expressive than the normal thoughts you’d have in day-today life.” 72
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How do you feel about how legalization has been handled so far, in the U.S., Jamaica or anywhere else in the world? One of my concerns that I’ve been touching on recently is that the original people who sacrificed for the herb for so long, the original farmers and people who have sold herb out on the streets, we really want them to still be a part of the business. That is my concern, that it doesn’t become something that the corporate people take over, and the little local farmers and hustlers can still be a part of it all and still continue to feed their families by growing and selling the herb. We don’t want to take that away from them. What do you hope the landscape of legal cannabis will look like in five years? Hopefully a lot of other places legalize the cannabis in terms of other states and other countries. Hopefully more recreational will come in and be voted on. And with all this, hopefully they will discover some great cures for illnesses. In what ways are you involved with legal cannabis? How are you either financially tapping into the market, or using your influence to create positive change? We’ve partnered up with a 74
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dispensary named True Cannabis in Colorado to open up a Stone Hill store in Denver, Colorado, right across from the Mile High Stadium. That is one of our first ventures. We are also looking to do some things with a company called Open Grown. So that’s basically what our involvement so far is, in the industry. What would you say to those who still do not accept cannabis spiritually, recreationally and medically? That’s cool if they don’t accept it; it’s not for everyone. As long as you don’t judge someone else for using it, you don’t have to use it personally; that’s cool with me. There are a lot of things that aren’t for everyone, and as long as we are all free to choose what we want then there shouldn’t be any problems. c
“I think that the progress that is being made right now is great, in terms of it becoming medical and it being accepted, and a lot of research is being done. A lot of the healing properties are coming out, and there is a lot more to cannabis than it getting you high.” www.damianmarleymusic.com
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Planning the Perfect Cannabis Wedding Everything you need to know about having the best cannabiscentered wedding possible
by Quinn Marie
our wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. It’s the day you and your partner show the world who you are as a couple; a day to express your beliefs and represent your love as a new duo. Cannabis weddings are on the rise and for good reason—everyone deserves to have that dream wedding, and incorporating cannabis into the big day is a great way to share your mutual love for cannabis as well as introduce cannabis to others in a safe and festive way. CULTURE spoke with three cannabis wedding-centered business owners who have mastered the art of incorporating cannabis in beautiful and innovative ways. >>
We have seen a few different ways clients would like to incorporate weed into their wedding but by far the most popular request is a weed bar with a quality bud tender. 76
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photo by Brittany Lauren
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photo by Brittany Lauren
Jasmine Maimone is an associate at The Hazy Daisy in Colorado. While working in a dispensary, she attended a cannabis business incubator event and discovered her love to combine cannabis flowers with traditional floral arrangements.
Bec Koop, the former owner of Buds and Blossoms as well as Cannabis Concierge Events and founder of Cannabis Wedding Expo has rebranded and started a “one stop shop” for anything and everything one could need when planning a cannabis wedding.
Have you had many wedding requests, if so what are the couples looking for? And what advice do you give them?
When couples approach you and inquire about your services, do they usually have an idea in mind or do you guide them through the process of what’s available?
The Hazy Daisy focuses on cannabis-friendly events in the Denver Metro Area. Other than a general color scheme, people are usually too excited at the prospect of a cannabis incorporated arrangement to provide much direction. It gives me a lot of artistic leeway. The best advice I can give to someone incorporating cannabis into their event—follow all state and local laws and be upfront with your venue.
We do both. Our website is pretty educational about the different services we provide. Once [the date] is set, we send them a full blown questionnaire that dives into the dirty details of everything from, would you like a hemp silk wedding dress made? Would you like hemp chapstick or pain reliever to give out as party favors to your non-consuming guests? We try to really look at what their needs are, what their budget is and try to come up with the best package.
What are some of your recommendations for floral arrangements/boutonnieres for someone looking to do an all cannabis wedding?
What are some wedding trends or features that you’ve noticed gaining momentum lately?
The cannabis flower serves as the prominent feature in these floral arrangements, boutonnieres and corsages, so the size and overall look of the flower (or bud) is extremely important. Generally, boutonnieres require a flower the size of a half dollar and a full flower arrangement would require multiple flowers around the same size or bigger.
One of the biggest things that has really taken off since starting this business is the budtending service. The budbar is set up with educational material, you’re talking to the guest about what strain would be perfect for their vibe and their feel for the evening. Making sure that we can help with moderation and discretion and education are three huge points we like to push. >>
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Nora and Elizabeth Sheils run Bridal Bliss out of Oregon. When it comes to planning a cannabis wedding, their motto is, “as long as we are within the law, let’s get creative and have fun.” Has Bridal Bliss received many cannabis wedding requests? And what advice do you give them? We have received a handful of requests from couples looking to host a cannabis-friendly wedding. When we begin working with them we talk about the restrictions, rules and regulations. What are some unique ways you’ve found to incorporate cannabis into a wedding? e have seen a few different ways clients would like to W incorporate weed into their wedding but by far the most popular request is a weed bar with a quality bud tender. We have had a few clients incorporate marijuana into their florals, which is a fun little detail and a client that recently worked in an ice pipe and “420 smoke.” c
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photo by Jessica Hill Photography
The best advice I can give to someone incorporating cannabis into their event— follow all state and local laws and be upfront with your venue.
Here are a few of our favorite wedding must haves for saying, “I do!” This gorgeous Janay A Eco Bridal dress is a hemp silk blend guaranteed to make the bride the star of the show.
Wedding flowers are essential and this peonies and cannabis bouquet and boutonniere are a classic look.
Here’s a simpler cannabis only version.
Your groomsmen will look dashing with these cannabis boutonnieres. photo by Justin Baltz
Setting up your budbar can be as intricate or simple as you like.
After the big day, these Dank Essence bath bombs make the perfect gift for soothing your entire wedding party.
Your groom will love these cannabis cufflinks by Winky and Dutch.
Looking for a sweet treat? Love’s Oven Red Velvet Edible cookies are a delicious addition to any wedding.
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Achieve Better Sex with These Cannabisrelated Products by Jane Cannon
Who doesn’t want to have better sex and more intense orgasms? Infuse cannabis into your sex life, and the results will shock you in the most pleasurable ways. There are many products geared towards unifying cannabis couples, and here are just a few that you have to try either solo or with your lover, all in time for Valentine’s Day.
Cannadom Cannabis Flavored Condoms
Sexxpot
Foria Arguably one of our favorite cannabis sex products to ever hit the market, Foria Cannabis Lubricant will give you tingling sensations while elevating your physical experience of sex. Although it was created with women in mind, this oil is sure to pass the pleasure from you to your partner through a little skin-to-skin contact. Spray the oil directly on the vagina, and get ready to reach a higher sexual experience. 82
Get ready to infuse your sex life using a classic, but customized cannabis consumption method. Sexxpot is a strain of cannabis that utilizes a well thought out 14 percent THC to infuse your sexual endeavors with a strong, sexy and aphrodisiac effect, while not getting you too sleepy. Not only will it help you to let go of your inhibitions, but many have reported it to work like a natural Viagra.
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Peter Piper Pecker Puffer Glass Pipe Dildo Don’t be afraid if your partner is sparking up this bowl close to your most sensitive areas—after all, that is the whole idea behind the ingenious invention of this glass pipe and dildo. Not only will this eight-inch glass dildo bring intense pleasure to whomever is at the receiving end, the fun only continues as you decide to smoke some flower out of this phallic wonder.
Fruit-flavored condoms are overrated and let’s face it—they taste pretty terrible too. Cannabis consumers can now rejoice though, as the Canandom Cannabis Flavored Condoms bring one of their favorite smells into the bedroom. With the fantastic aroma of cannabis filling the air of your bedroom, car or wherever else you get down, you and your partner can enjoy the scent of cannabis while having sex without having to spark a joint. Safe sex just got even cooler with these unique condoms.
Ganja Vibes Mary Jane Vibrator If you want to take your love for cannabis to the next level, then get intimate with this cannabisthemed vibrator. Take the controls yourself or pass it off to a friend, and get ready to feel the immense pleasure from the cannabis leaf shaped pleasure egg. With multiple speeds available, get ready to reach orgasmic euphoria with this fun cannabis vibrator.
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Cannabis Dating 101
Molly Peckler, Cannabis Dating Coach and Founder of Highly Devoted talks cannabis, love and how to make it last
by Addison Herron-Wheeler
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hen it comes to sex and love, cannabis gets a great rap as far as getting intimate between the sheets. But in reality, cannabis can do so much more than spice things up in the bedroom. It can also promote intimacy between couples when it comes to talking out issues, connecting on a spiritual level and just
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generally treating each other well and finding some common ground. CULTURE spoke to cannabis dating coach Molly Peckler, founder of her own cannabis company, Highly Devoted, to get the scoop on how she helps couples and individuals who prioritize cannabis, good vibes and mutual love and respect. >>
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What made you decide to become a cannabis dating coach or go into cannabis counseling? Being a cannabis-friendly dating coach is kind of the perfect amalgamation of my professional experience and passions. I have a degree in psychology and I am a people person, very emotionally intelligent, and I’ve always been someone who was able to connect on a very deep level with both men and women. For years I worked as a professional matchmaker, and I helped people find love. How do you work cannabis into your job as a dating coach? Well I am someone who is a
What are some of the most common issues you see couples experiencing when they come to you, and how does cannabis help? I do work with people who are in relationships but potentially having issues connecting over cannabis; they feel like they can’t be completely honest with their partner, and I also work with couples where the communication isn’t there and it doesn’t have anything to do with cannabis. What is your greatest success story when it comes to cannabis as a treatment for couples? One of my favorite clients I ever worked with, she is actually
Sometimes when we are in a relationship our emotions can get the best of us, so you can use cannabis as a way to get on the same page.
regular cannabis consumer, and it plays a really important part in my relationship with my husband and it has since the day we met, so I really understand how it is important to many people in their lives and should be important in their search for a partner and eventually their relationships. At that point I was like, “Okay, I had this experience,” and I was kind of living the dream in terms of having my cannabisfriendly partner and realized how important that is, and how many people can face a lot of judgement and stigma when dating if they use cannabis. I get how that factors into a search and I also really understand how cannabis and networking works in that circle, so I help people locally wherever they are to find cannabis partners that they form romantic connections with. I’ve also started throwing events that are kind of cannabis singles mixers where we do have consumption onsite.
located in Europe. I Skype a lot of my clients, so it doesn’t really matter where you are. She is someone who is very successful, very high powered career, and she always felt ashamed about her love of cannabis. It was something she hadn’t come to terms with, and she wasn’t open with people in her life, and I helped her realize how it helped her fuel her success. I helped her to find someone through online dating, craft her profile, and the person she met was incredibly accepting. Where do you see your business in 10 years? I am currently working on a book, so I definitely want to release a book and go tour and do a lot of speaking engagements and help as many people as I can, and eventually I’d like to have my own cannabis products that focus on confidence or flirtation or different things for couples to relax and unwind with in the bedroom, different ways
cannabis can enhance your life and relationships. I am also speaking with some different production companies about doing a show about my business, so that could be something really cool in the future as well. What do you think could be done better overall when it comes to cannabis as a tool for counseling? If I was a licensed councilor or social worker or therapist or psychologist I would be at risk for losing my license if I talked about cannabis the way that I do, so I think that’s definitely unfortunate. Coaching definitely works with my clients, but I know there are people who are licensed professionals who would love to use cannabis as part of their practices. What advice do you have for couples who are cannabis users and want to use cannabis to help improve their relationships? I would say really focus on the fact that cannabis enhances compassion and empathy, and use cannabis as a tool to communicate, to bond, to spend time together. It’s a great way to gain perspective. Sometimes when we are in a relationship our emotions can get the best of us, so you can use cannabis as a way to get on the same page. There’s nothing better than being able to have a great session with the person that you love. c
highlydevotedcoaching.com
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The Sultry and Colorful Rebellion of Ängie Just legalize it, don’t criticize it! It’s natural. Mother Earth gave it to us to help keep up with society’s bullshit.
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Pushing the boundaries of music and style, Ängie is fearless and inspiring by Addison Herron-Wheeler
Fame and success in this post-modern age are not as easily definable, the way they once were in the age of MTV and teen magazines. Sweden’s unique artist Ängie is living proof of this; almost every moment in her career defies boundaries and pushes limits. The singer originally became popular from rapping over Snapchat, and once noticed, she did anything but conform or normalize. She dyes her hair, wears colorful outfits and sings about cannabis, lesbian encounters and not needing a man or a traditional life and more cannabis. CULTURE recently caught up with Ängie to talk about her career and her love for the sweet, sweet herb. >>
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You’ve said in an interview that you got your start rapping by sending out Snapchats. Did you ever make any music before that, or did this kind of come about by accident? It kind of came by accident. I had no idea Snapchat could take you so far. I should have a "Smoke Weed Eat Pussy" filter. Is your hit debut song “Smoke Weed Eat Pussy” a lesbian and stoner anthem? What was the inspiration behind the song? I was just writing a fun song about the 15-year-old me.
Your new song, “Housewife Spliffin,” seems to have a message about not needing a significant other and being happy on your own. What has the reaction been to this song following your debut, and what is the meaning behind it? It is like you said. It’s about not needing a man all the time, but about caring more about yourself. You’ve become almost an overnight success—to what do you attribute this, and what are your plans for the future of your career? I’m just going to keep destroying the internet with beautiful colors; I’m needed, and I’m going show it.
What message do you hope to spread by featuring cannabis use so prominently in your videos and lyrics? How do you think identifying as a cannabis user will affect your career? Like come on—Miley, Rihanna, Snoop, Lana and on and on—everyone is singing about it. What is your favorite strain, and what is your favorite way to smoke? I’m not really sure about the strain, but I’m always rolling joints.
It’s just that I love it so much, and it’s a shame it’s still illegal.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It helped me get through a rough time when I wanted to kill myself. I was f*cking depressed, and it helped me find my cool.
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Just legalize it, don’t criticize it! It’s natural. Mother Earth gave it to us to help keep up with society’s bullshit.
So far, a major theme in your music seems to be cannabis. How did this come about?
Why is cannabis so important to you?
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How do you feel about legalization so far, in Sweden, the U.S. or in general? What could be done better or differently?
Society’s “normal” is the enemy. c
www.facebook.com/lilweedhoe
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Activism in Alaska
One woman is trying to help the growth and expansion of Alaska’s cannabis industry by Madison Ortiz
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olitical activism comes naturally to some. Samantha LaudertRodgers, 29, has been around elections most of her life and when cannabis became a real legal possibility, Rodgers knew she had to stay as active as ever, and help the industry grow. CULTURE spoke to Rodgers, a political activist from Alaska, to learn about her unique journey and gain insight about the growth and expansion of the cannabis industry in her home state. “All of my childhood I remember my mom working elections. My mother got me involved with working elections the way her grandmother did . . . I have worked elections ever since, when the opportunities arise.” In 2014, Samantha worked with Yes Campaign as an election worker leading to the passage of Alaskas recreational bill, Proposition 2. In 2015, after Senate Bill 62 went into place, Samantha began attending public meetings and used her communitybuilding skills from experiences in the hula hooping community, to assist local platforms on social media with reaching more people, concerning the shaping of regulations. Samantha shares “2016 has been a very big year,” as she goes on to explain that she officially “came out” to her hometown, state and beyond as a medical cannabis card holder who consumes cannabis for health benefits. “It was scary but with Valdez voting on whether or not to opt out of cannabis sales in May 2017, I had no choice.” March of 2016, Samantha had the opportunity to attend the Alaska Town Hall meeting with Jane Sanders and
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asked a question pertaining to medical cannabis, “which lit a political fire under me. We caucused that weekend and I became the House District Chair of my district for the Matanuska Valley Democrats, my previous voting district.” During this time, Samantha was creating connections and memories. “I bring my hula hoops with me everywhere I go. I was in the next town over when my best friend told me they scheduled a last minute town hall. I had my hula hoop bag in my car when my friend Darci (@thestonedmuggle) and I went to the Town Hall with Jane Sanders. Knowing that the best souvenirs received are the ones from those we meet on our travels I brought some of my father’s Shrimp Whisperer AK cards and a 2016 calendar that he had made. After the event (Jane) was meeting everyone and I gave them to her in a manila envelope. I asked for a photo and she suggested we take out one of the cards for the photo and of course I picked the hooper.” Samantha goes on to share that Jane and her daughter Karina were overcome with excitement. “My family loves to hula hoop. We have one and
we all take turns sharing it!” Jane told Samantha. “Karina elaborated and told me that the kids, the adult siblings, and the grandparents all hoop together. It was a genuine moment. Bernie was on Jimmy Kimmel that night and he said his pride and joy were his grandchildren. Their family values resonated with mine. It made me wish I had the time to build a hula hoop to send home because they are my favorite thing to gift.” Samantha in fact got that opportunity the next day when that the Sanders’ travel plans to Bristol Bay were canceled due to weather. “Instead they attended a multicultural event in Anchorage that members of the Sanders campaign invited me to the day prior. I took one of my old hoop boxes, shrimp skiing and snowboarding cards for each of the grandkids, and built them an Ione AK Hoop! Right after I finished making it I had to fill my car with hula hoops to share hoop love and give people the opportunity to give them a spin. I hooped with community members of all ages. At the end I was able to give (Jane and her daughter) the hoop and they even hula hooped with me!” >>
This is what the end of prohibition looks like.
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I strongly encourage people to get involved with civic duty as election workers, volunteer for campaigns, and always vote!
Samantha declared her candidacy for State Senate Seat F, in June 2016 and won her Democratic Primary in August before withdrawing to endorse independent candidate, Tim Hale. “[Hale] helped get a local cannabis sales tax bill on the ballot for a borough still fighting to have retail, testing, cultivation and manufacturing. Our district successfully Voted No on B2 to not opt out of sales and passed a 5 percent sales tax.” Post election, Samantha has moved back to her hometown of Valdez, Alaska to prepare for a big vote coming up in May 2017. “A vote that could hurt our economy as an industry and also our town.” Samantha speaks about what the existing market looks like, “Currently our industry is primarily homegrown. No outside investors can enter the Alaska cannabis industry with our state regulations.” Despite this regulation, Alaska has some helping hands, “We have some incredible people from outside [the state] who’ve relocated to bring knowledge . . . and be a staple for new canna-businesses. They infuse our Alaska Cannabis Community in a wonderful way.”
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With only handful of stores across the state, “The shift in acceptance is the biggest change I have seen.” Samantha shares exciting details regarding her new job, working for the first cannabis retail shop to exist in Alaska, Herbal Outfitters, which opened their doors on October 29, 2016. “We open at ‘High Noon’ daily! I joined their team one month to the day after they opened. We are the only shop who has not run out of product since opening our doors. People travel hundreds of miles across the last frontier to make their first legal purchases in Alaska, or ever. We have visitors from around the world too.” In addition to selling cannabis “we carry smoking apparatuses, Herbal Outfitters apparel and also Grassroots California hats.” The apparel is Alaskan-themed and directs people to get out and vote. Since Herbal Outfitters has been open, there has been a change in how Valdez, Alaska views the cannabis community and industry. “They are beginning to appreciate the resource we offer . . . Overall, the social stigma is less by the day, which is major progress necessary for the industry to succeed and for our country to repeal prohibition, again. I predict, that with time, other boroughs and municipalities will also find their communities easing up, if they are given the opportunity to open for business.” The future is looking bright for Samantha and her local community. “Today our cannabis community is growing daily and becoming more vocal about supporting a regulated industry. We have a community that strives to move away from the black market, 'Big Pharma,' and other regulated intoxicants for a happier, healthier tomorrow. We hope to be pioneers on the last frontier who will positively impact responsible cannabis reform across all 50 states.” Samantha shared her thoughts on the most critical issues facing Alaska in its responsible cannabis reform movement is “the push back impacting some of the state's most populated areas.” Apparently, assemblies and city councils can pass ordinances that ban any license type by “opt out" of them. Personal use is protected however, as is personal possession. “The problem with this is that we drive those who could support legal businesses toward illegal means of getting cannabis when it should not be this way,” she says. “Our crime rates in Alaska are above the national average and our most populated area of the state still have no retail shops, Anchorage and the Matanuska Valley.” Crimes associated with black market cannabis sale and use will have less chance to take place when cannabis is legally regulated. Samantha continues, “the community will learn the expectations of what the industry will uphold. This is what the end of prohibition looks like.” “I strongly encourage people to get involved with civic duty as election workers, volunteer for campaigns, and always vote!” c
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Paradoxical Reaction
The truth about Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome by Alex Distefano
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n 2016, four states voted to legalize recreational cannabis for adults, with California’s Prop. 64 leading the way. Additionally, four more states created or amended existing medicinal cannabis laws. This election cycle might have been one of the foulest ever in terms of presidential candidates, but it is clear that the real winner in the national election was cannabis, as now more than half the states in the country have legislation allowing either medical and/or recreational use for adults. But now, according to some 94
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emergency room doctors, there is a national trend involving heavy cannabis use, that might bum those post election highs. In the past few months, the media has been bombarded with various news reports (The Huffington Post, CBS News, Yahoo, Forbes, The Drudge Report) of an upsurge in a rare syndrome found among chronic heavy consumers of cannabis known as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). This is a syndrome that affects the gastrointestinal tract, and sufferers come into emergency rooms often more than once with acute abdominal pain, nausea and cyclic bouts of severe vomiting. In most cases, the only relief comes from hot showers, and
again in almost all cases, nothing else seems to be physically wrong, after tests show no abnormalities. The commonality among those who suffer from CHS is the chronic and heavy use of cannabis, either by smoking, ingesting edibles or using concentrates like wax or dabs. “The first reports of this were in 2004 in Australia, and are from what we call case reports, and they come from emergency rooms,” said Dr. Bonni Goldstein a Southern California-based medical physician. “There have been dozens of case reports in emergency rooms across this country since then but they are scattered. People will come into the ER for acute abdominal pain and vomiting, and it will look like stomach flu, gall stones or appendicitis, and they get the work up of labs and tests done. These patients end up staying in the emergency department so long after a time passes, and with IV fluids the symptoms just go away.” >>
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This is a real syndrome but it is rare and does not happen to people who use cannabis responsibly. Goldstein wants people to know the facts, but put things into perspective. She told CULTURE that this is a real syndrome, but there is still lot of unknowns. “I have been a cannabis doctor for over eight years, and out of thousands of patients I have had at least two that did suffer from this syndrome, and in both cases they were heavy users, and with both, ceasing the use ended the symptoms. But it is odd because most people use cannabis for nausea, and these patients end up using more and it makes them sicker. In medical science,
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we call this a Paradoxical Reaction, when a medicine does the opposite of what it normally does.” According to Goldstein, the data shows 99 percent if not more of all the people who suffer from CHS use extremely high doses of cannabis and concentrated THC. She notes that only frequent users are affected. “I don’t want people to think this is an epidemic. But if you are a heavy user just be aware of it,” Goldstein added. But according to Dr. Kennon Heard, an emergency room physician
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in Aurora, Colorado, this syndrome is without a doubt on the rise. Heard even co-authored a study that showed since medical cannabis became available in the state in 2009, for two years, emergency room visits for CHS in two Colorado hospitals doubled. Heard said that there is not much data on other states but from looking at case reports and studies this is happening mostly in places where cannabis use is generally higher. But, Heard told CULTURE he also thinks
this area lacks research. “For this area of research, Federal funding is how we do most of the research, and it is not really available,” he said. "This is unfortunate, because, this syndrome is telling us there is something about the systems that cannabinoids affect in our bodies. We don’t understand why this occurs really, there are only theories at this point.” Heard told CULTURE that he has personally seen around 100 cases in his emergency room in Aurora, since around 2009. He also said that from talking to his colleagues throughout the various Colorado emergency rooms, he is getting more reports of this syndrome. “We are seeing it on a daily to weekly basis, some reports of a handful of cases each week in some ER departments,” he said. “I wouldn’t say it’s rare. It is more common than heart attacks but less common than alcohol-related problems or narcotic drug abuse.” Goldstein concludes that there is one at least semi-positive aspect to this. “When people that suffer from this abstain completely, and stop using not only do their symptoms go away they are not harmed in any way,” she said. “We live in a society where people are allowed to smoke tobacco and drink alcohol, get lung cancer or liver cirrhosis and get irreversible damage to their bodies, but with this, people stop using and this syndrome disappears. So the people who are against cannabis for political reasons look at this and low and behold they found a way to demonize cannabis. This is a real syndrome but it is rare and does not happen to people who use cannabis responsibly.” c
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One Man Band
by Simon Weedn
Keller Williams’ electronic inspirations culminate with amazing new music
“I think it’s a beautiful, beautiful thing because it’s 100 percent medicinal. It helps me in so many ways, whether it be for pain relief, stress, or helping me be able to be calm around my super, super, super active children.”
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photos by C. Taylor Crothers
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or over 20 years now, Keller Williams has been one of the most innovative and interesting fixtures of the international jam band community. Blending an array of styles while using looping pedals and a cluster of electronic effects, Williams has taken the concept of a one-man band and moved it into the 21st century. In addition to his solo work, which has been incredibly prolific, Williams has worked tirelessly collaborating with other musicians of all different walks of life and backgrounds, including members of The Grateful Dead, String Cheese Incident and The Keels, and dreaming up new projects to take on the road or put into action at festivals. To kick off the New Year, Williams released two new albums on the same day. The first, Sync, is all new recordings from his quartet, KWhatro, which features world renowned musicians Danton Boller, Gib Droll and Rodney Holmes. The second is entitled Raw, and features Williams by himself with just his acoustic guitar, no looping, effects or other outside production elements, playing some new and unreleased material as well as some old favorites stripped down to just their fundamental elements. Recently CULTURE got to catch up with Keller Williams and hear all about the new records, his motivations and themes, and, of course, his thoughts and feelings on medical cannabis. >>
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I know that the single word titles of your albums tends to be a descriptor of the over-arching theme of each one. What is the meaning behind Sync? Well, I did my tracks for the record in March or April of last year, then I sent those tracks to Rodney. About three months later he sent those tracks to Danton Boller, and then about a month after that Gib Droll recorded on them. So it’s all different mindsets in different parts of the country, but yet somehow they all come together in sync. I think on the first listen, it really sounds like we’re all in the same room too. Medical cannabis has been a beneficial thing for you, right? I think it’s a beautiful, beautiful thing because it’s 100 percent medicinal. It helps me in so many ways, whether it be for pain relief, stress or helping me be able to be calm around my super, super, super active children. Now, there are folks out there that need it way more than I do, cancer patients and folks with other more extreme conditions, and the fact that there are so many states that have legalized is just awesome and amazing. I’m so proud of all of the people who have been sticking to this over the years
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and getting somewhere with it. Now, even folks like super conservative parents are starting to come around to the fact that this stuff has legitimate medical uses, and I think that’s a beautiful thing. Is cannabis something that has also helped you with your creativity and inspiration? Absolutely! It can be a blessing and a curse though. I think little bits can go a long way, but if you go all day every day, I think you’re going to be really mellow. However, small, small increments for me is what is helpful for me being creative. After all of these albums, bands and tours, do you have a secret to maintaining your creative drive? Well, I have a lot of creative drive to get up on stage playing and improvising. As far as my songwriting goes, it’s just not really there anymore it seems like. I mean, I’ll make up songs and play them a couple of times and then they’ll just go away. I think if I was able to take a long period of time off without having to leave and go anywhere, I think that boredom and anxious energy from being still might
Now, even folks like super conservative parents are starting to come around to the fact that this stuff has legitimate medical uses and I think that’s a beautiful thing. cause my creative juices to flow best. I used to tour where I’d be on the road for two or three weeks and then off for two or three weeks. The first week off would be sort of decompression from the road, but by the second week that boredom would slip in and my mind would start to wander and come up with different material. c
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Intergalactic LOVE The mind-expanding art of
Eugenia Loli by Sarah Elise Abramson
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hen CULTURE first came across 43 year old Greece born, now California resident, Eugenia Loli, we pictured a whimsical young lady who made very compelling and pretty collages that seemed to have something profound to say. Little did we know that we could not have been farther from the truth. Loli has an intense and highly intelligent personality. You can tell she is immensely particular about her art and the way it’s being talked about, expressed, exhibited and even requested 102
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that we ask more esoteric interview questions as apposed to the regular, “Where were you born? What schooling did you have?” She has a frightening clear vision and vehemently and dexterously arranges and constructs unparalleled collages that speak to several different topics that she finds important. Loli explains that she does not ever have exhibitions with her work because she likes having total control when it comes to her art. She is undeniably strong willed and you can see some of this in her work but after speaking with
her, it is abundantly clear that he work quite directly reflects her inner workings yet in a totally unconventional way. In a sense, Loli is a pioneer. She was kind enough to sit down with CULTURE and answer questions ranging from Star Trek to God. When asked about her thought on the universe and the energy around us she said, “. . . I now believe that the sum of all, and then some, is what religious figures have called “God” traditionally. I kind of consider God as pure consciousness, a pure Being of All that Was, Is and Ever Will Be. Both the void and the creation in unity . . .” >>
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I’m for the legalization of all substances, not just medical marijuana. Your work seems to be heavily inspired by sci-fi. Can you speak a bit about that? I’m a sucker for space operas. I love the idea of traveling across the stars one way or another. Unfortunately, in the last 20 years sci-fi has become more Earth-based, which mirrored the back down of big space plans that plagued NASA after the ‘80s. I love cerebral, hard sci-fi, but I often need my dose of space. What’s your favorite sci-fi film? The first sci-fi movie I saw was the first Star Trek movie back in the late ‘70s. It left a deep imprint in me. I was six years old I think at the time, and the first love of my life was immediately Mr Spock. It was because of him I decided to become a computer programmer and enter the tech industry. Art came much later into my life. Star Trek: The Next Generation in my teens became my mother and a father of sorts; educating me on complex ethical subjects in a way my own parents never could. Having said that, my favorite movie of all time is The Matrix. There’s so many ways you can interpret that movie, which makes it a unique piece of art. Why do you think it’s important to express your views (political and otherwise) through your art? For me, it is. I don’t think it’s required though. A lot of artists today are doing fine by creating abstract art, or even patterns— purely decorative art that is often only sold to retailers as . . . blankets or pillows. For me though, collage is the way to say something that’s on my mind and that’s bugging me. This is why you can often see a lot of sarcasm in my work. Not always though. Collage does not
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give you the flexibility painting does (because you only have a specific set of pictures and poses to work with), so often collage can be purely decorative too (aka, “not high art”). What was your childhood like? Lonely. Being the only Trekkie at school, and being a female on top of it, created a type of loneliness where I grew up, in rural Greece. I was born in a large city, moved back in the mountains in the middle of nowhere among chickens and goats, got back to a larger city, back to the mountains for a few years, and finally (before I left for abroad), to a small town. I was always frail as a kid, but things were going rather bad with my health each time I’d leave the mountains. I felt more connected there. What are your thoughts on the legalization of cannabis? I’m for the legalization of all substances, not just medical marijuana. I’m particularly bummed that substances like Aya/ DMT, peyote and hallucinogenic mushrooms aren’t allowed. These are seriously mind expanding substances, technologies to reach other universes (be it hallucinations or “real,” is beyond the point). I’d even go a further step and say that they should be given freely to everyone after 21 years old, maybe even as frequently as one-to-three times a year in my opinion (with a doctor’s supervision). These are life altering experiences that could help with the betterment of society. I’m surprised that no one has taken the case to Supreme Court, because at some level, religious rights of certain individuals are being squashed on this matter, and I don’t just mean the rights of descendants of native peoples. c cargocollective.com/eugenialoli society6.com/eugenialoli
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Comedian Barbara Gray is hilarious, blunt and loves cannabis 106
by Jasen T. Davis
arbara Gray began doing standup comedy throughout Los Angeles back in 2008, shortly after moving to California after studying film at the University of Utah. “I was obsessed with comedy. I wanted to be in L.A. and do it. I threw myself into the scene doing improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade.” After performing at a local open mic, she was hooked. “I completely went headfirst into doing stand up and have been doing it every day since then.”
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Gray has been performing for audiences throughout her life. “I had done a lot of theater growing up. I have an incessant need for attention. As I get older I realize how much attention I need to survive. I used to feel bad about it, but it is who I am.” Why does she do stand-up comedy? “It just felt right the first time I did it. I was meant to do it. It is cheesy but making people laugh is incredible. It is a weird, physiological response that tickles your brain. I love getting this weird noise out of their body. It is amazing to be able to do that without touching them physically.” >>
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The young, gorgeous comedian has already appeared on critically acclaimed shows like Viceland’s Flophouse, Hulu’s Coming to the Stage, Comedy Central’s Deadliest Chef and has been a writer for the hit comedy, Billy on the Street. Success has been sweet, but for Gray the real award is just making people laugh. “I feel like I’m getting better. I’m pushing into the next phase. I’m willing to go up there and just see how it comes out. I can go up on stage and trust myself. I can talk about anything. I am getting good at comedy and that is its own reward.” Sauce is a stand-up comedy show organized by Gray featuring cutting-edge comics performing in the back room of a real-life pizzeria, every Friday night at 8p.m. “I really feel special to have that show with my friends.” Gray and the rest of Sauce noticed the back room and approached the owner about the opportunity to host a show there. “They had not even been open a year yet.” DeSano’s Pizza, located at 4959 Santa Monica Boulevard, was a perfect venue. “The owner seemed interested
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in us bringing new business. The pizza is really great, I have it every week!” Lady to Lady is a podcast featuring Tess Barker and Brandie Posey, two friends and comedians that have been performing throughout Los Angeles, too. Gray describes the show as, “Pee-Wee Herman mixed with The View and David Lynch. The podcast has taken off. We’ve even been doing stuff with Comedy Central.” The three comedians bring on a guest (usually a woman but men have been on too) who are usually performers like musicians and other stand-up comics. “The live show is a parody of a talk show. We’ve even hired a real Oprah
impersonator to take over,” Gray says. While she has had fun with cannabis, Gray warns that self-control is the best policy. “I used to be a big stoner, but it turned on me at some point. I had to pull back a lot. It kind of gave me panic attacks. You have to be careful with it.” She’s glad that the medicinal plant is becoming legal in more states throughout the country, because she’s met people with genuine ailments who have benefitted from its use. “There are so many people who need it,” she says. c
It is cheesy but making people laugh is incredible. It is a weird, physiological response that tickles your brain. I love getting this weird noise out of their body. It is amazing to be able to do that without touching them physically. www.myjokesareuphere.com | www.ladytoladycomedy.com
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SHOOTING GALLERY
Sushi +Doobie Rolling workshop by high dining in OC
photos by Mary Jane University 110
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SHOOTING GALLERY
BIG Industry Show, los angeles
photos by Kristopher Christensen 112
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culture growing
2017 WINTER GARDEN 1
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he garden has been empty for about two months and I’m restarting. It’s the first week of January and the days are short, only nine hours of daylight, and much of it is dim. My plan was to visit a local dispensary and buy about 30 clones. I would have repotted them into 8” containers and vegetate them for a week before forcing the instant sea of green to flower. However, I saw a beautiful Shark Shock plant, mostly indica, with parentage of White Widow and Skunk #1, at the shop. I decided to buy that instead. The plant is 24 inches tall with a canopy that spreads out 39 inches in a great circle. It had a lot of side branches, but I cut them and will use them for cloning. After trimming off the side branches and the weaker branch offshoots, the plant was placed in its new home, a five-
TIP OF THE MONTH If you have an unobstructed south facing window that’s not used at night, now is a good time to grow some plants. The sun is low on the horizon so it floods the window with light. It would be best to start with clones or young plants but seeds are good, too. With the natural light regimen the plants will start to flower immediately. Shortening the dark period by interrupting it with light several times each evening (timers help with this task) or keeping a light on continuously will keep the plants growing vegetatively, increasing size.
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gallon container. The plant was growing in a two-and-a-half gallon container using planting mix. The roots were lightly circling the sides and I didn’t want to disturb them. The old container was a little shorter than the new one so I added enough mix to the bottom of the new container so the plant stem sits at the same level in the new container. Then I filled the sides with planting mix. I placed the container in a tray to catch excess water, keeping the space neat. Water that drains into the tray is soon soaked up by the container. I placed the tray on a Styrofoam sheet to block the cold concrete floor from draining heat from the container, cooling the roots. The plant basks in my greenhouse under a 600 watt HPS lamp. This replaces a 1000watt lamp that I would have used indoors, saving 400 watts an hour. The plant absorbs the ambient light and a bit of direct sunlight and it’s a convenient space to grow. As the position of the sun changes seasonally the greenhouse will receive more sunlight, boosting growth as the flowers are in their last stages of growth and ripening. The timer turns the light on a 6am, just before dawn now, and it goes off at 6pm, slightly after sunset. The greenhouse is kept at 620 at night using a gas heater with thermostat attached and a backup electric heater set at 60 0. A minimum temperature of 70 0 is maintained during the day. Over the next 60-70 days the plant will initiate flowering, grow buds and ripen. The buds will be ready to pick in mid-March. This is weeks before March 22, the first day of spring, when the light period reaches 12 hours. c
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The plant had lots of side branches and its roots were beginning to circle the container.
The plant after pruning and repotting. Side and weak branches were pruned and cloned.
Branches were “trained” lower using a horticultural twisttie.
In the greenhouse the plant receives both natural and generated lighting.
Aluminum foil was taped to reflector to direct more light to the plant.
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: February Weather: Low 80s with occasional rain Budget: $$$$$
if you go:
Bahia Brazil Blazes During Carnaval While most cannabis enthusiasts look to Rio and São Paulo when it comes to Carnaval season, Brazil’s state of Bahia has the most authentic street party scene. Why the northeastern coastal state of Bahia and its capital of Salvador rather than Rio or São Paulo? Salvador’s Carnaval, which runs this season from February 23-28, has historically been the largest with about two million revelers (although Rio has now surpassed that number). That’s because Bahians don’t go for the whole formalized “samba school” format for their festivities. In fact, even the music is different in Bahia with more African influences. Salvador’s Carnaval has two main “circuits” or parade routes that wind through this bar-filled town. Semi-trailer trucks called trio elétricos are outfitted with thousand-watt sound systems that blast axé and electronica music to the frenetic, colorful crowds of dancers and drummers.
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There’s three ways to enjoy the party scene in Bahia. You can go pipoca (or free) by simply watching and participating in the local street scene. Or, you can buy what’s called an abadá where you dance “inside the ropes,” which provides much-needed security. The most expensive—and perhaps the best way to enjoy the scene—is to buy out a camarote for the day. This fixed location could be anything from a bar patio to a hotel balcony where drinks, food and a DJ are included. But Carnaval is just one reason to choose Bahia. Salvador itself is a major tourist destination in Brazil because this lively city situated where the Atlantic meets Brazil’s largest bay (Todo os Santos) is a cultural treasure packed with breathtaking scenery, gorgeous beaches, delicious food, diverse accommodations and beautiful people. Every good thing about cannabis, Brazil and Carnaval can be found in Bahia and Salvador, so what are you waiting for? c
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by Sheryll Alexander
Cannabis—like all “street” drugs—is illegal in Brazil. However, a 2006 law decriminalized cannabis (and other drugs) for personal use. Rather than prison, offenders are given a warning and sometimes sent to community service or drug awareness education classes. Still, Brazil recognizes “trafficking” or possessing large amounts of cannabis (or selling it) as a “heinous” crime and it could get you 5-15 years in one of Brazil’s exceedingly overcrowded prisons. For visitors, and most especially during Carnaval season, the best bet is to be discreet. Find some cool locals with connections at bars, clubs and the beach. And don’t toke up outside—although while dancing in a crowd of two million revelers, who is gonna care?
Itaparica is the biggest island in Todo os Santos Bay and is known for its literal “fountain of youth.” In fact, people have come to the island’s famous Fonte de Bica for centuries to drink this tropical island’s naturally carbonated, mineral-rich waters. 1
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Can’t make it to Carnaval? You can get a taste of the world’s biggest party once a week in Salvador. Called Terca da Bençao, this weekly procession starts at Pelourinho or the city’s center, where Afro-Brazilian drummers beat while locals and tourists dance in the streets. 2
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Coltyn Turner
Age: 16 Condition/Illness: Crohn’s Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Using medical cannabis since: 2014
Why did you start using cannabis? It was a last resort. I was really sick and the westernized medications were only making things worse. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes! I sat in a chemo room for eight hours at a time getting IV infusions. I took shots every two weeks, and I’ve swallowed more pills than any 11-year-old should ever have to. What’s the most important issue or
problem facing medical cannabis patients? There are so many issues and problems that cannabis patients have to deal with. I would have to pick access. There are so many people across the world that are sick and cannabis could help them, but they can’t get it. What do you say to the folks that are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? I’d show them my “before” and “after” colonoscopies! I really haven’t been confronted with skepticism though. 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 COURAGE IN PROFILE 118
Fall in Love Again Menu:
Baked Halibut with Lemon Tarragon Mustard Goat Cheese-Stuffed Roasted Figs Sensual Honey Dust
For Valentine’s Day, reservations and going out on the town to make some kind of special night for your special someone can be fun, but it can also be a headache and a hassle. Consider swapping the night out for a night in, and have some fun at home. You can spend intimate time together cooking these romantic, exotic and simple dishes together as a couple, and then have some fun with dessert! The gorgeous light meal will be a perfect precursor to the extra fun interactive treat at the end. The simple sensual honey dust is the perfect dessert for any special night with your loved one—it is easy to make and fun to lick off your partner.
Local eateries with similar dishes: Vincenti Ristorante 11930 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles (310) 207-0127 www.vicentiristorante.com
Chart House 13950 Panay Wy., Marina del Rey (310) 822-4144 www.chart-house.com
Wildfish Seafood Grille
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1370 Bison Ave., Newport Beach (949) 720-9925 www.wildfishseafoodgrille.com
Baked Halibut with Lemon Tarragon Mustard Ingredients 2 eight-ounce halibut steaks 1⁄4 cup fresh lemon juice 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives 1⁄4 cup cannabis-infused olive oil t Salt Freshly ground black pepper Lemon slices, for garnish Fresh tarragon, for garnish Directions Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, zest, mustard, tarragon and chives or scallions, then gradually whisk in the olive oil until well incorporated to make the marinade; season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. Place fish steaks in a ziplock bag, then add the marinade, close the bag securely, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Place halibut on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until fish is tender and cooked to your preference. Transfer steaks to a serving platter, garnish with lemon slices and tarragon, and serve immediately.
t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com
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growing
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Goat CheeseStuffed Roasted Figs Ingredients 6 figs Goat cheese 2 tablespoons cannabis-infused olive oil t
RECIPES
Warmed honey Directions
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UNKNOWN
Quarter your figs, cutting three-quarters of the way down. Stuff the figs with goat cheese. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of cannabis-infused olive oil in a pan, and heat till 425°. Roast in oiled pan for 12 minutes, until softened. Serve drizzled with warmed honey.
Sensual Honey Dust Ingredients 2 tablespoons vanilla powder
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1 tablespoon cannabis-infused honey t
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1 cup cornstarch Directions In a food processor or blender, pulse vanilla powder and cornstarch until combined. Very slowly add honey while blending on medium, until all honey is added and the mixture is fully combined. Apply to body with hands or make a feather duster to apply it with. 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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t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com
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socal NOW! event listings
Puddle of Mudd, Feb. 4 Don’t be confused with what your backyard looks like following a rare California rainstorm, Puddle of Mudd is a popular rock band that has sold over seven million albums since its inception in 1991. Now you can catch the band live in Big Bear Lake for a solid performance. The Cave, Big Bear Lake thecavebigbear.com
Pauly Shore, Feb. 9 The weasel is back! Laugh as Pauly Shore delivers a hilarious performance in which he might poke fun at himself quite a bit. Either way, you’ll love reliving your childhood dreams of seeing the star of Encino Man and Son in Law onstage! Ontario Improv, Ontario ontario.improv.com Aratani World Series, Feb. 11 Do you want to travel the world and witness various cultures, all without leaving L.A.? If so, you’re in luck with the Aratani World Series, where world-class talents from cultures from all over the globe share performances that combine arts, dance and music. Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Los Angeles www.jaccc.org
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One Love Cali Reggae Fest, Feb. 10-12 All aboard for the hottest reggae festival that SoCal might see this year. With big names like Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution and 311, this lineup couldn’t be more impressive. The Queen Mary, Santa Ana onelovecalifest.com
featured event
Reel Big Fish and Anti-Flag, Feb. 16 American ska-punk band, Reel Big Fish, is joining forces with the epic American punk band Anti-Flag. This mind-blowing combination of musical talent will bring memorable hits like “Sell Out” from Reel Big Fish combined with Anti-Flag’s political activism through powerful lyrics. The Belasco Theater, Los Angeles thebelasco.com
Pato Banton, Feb. 24 As a star who recently appeared on the cover of CULTURE, it’s no secret that we’re huge fans of Pato Banton. Feel the love and positive vibrations that emit from his music at this special concert.
AFI, Feb. 24 With all these new songs from AFI’s latest album AFI (The Blood Tour), it’s no surprise that the band will be rocking a stage in your hometown this month. Check out the band’s latest hits like “Aurelia” along with some old favorites to evoke a little nostalgia into your life. The Wiltern, Los Angeles wiltern.com Louie Anderson, Feb. 26 From creating the cartoon
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The Cave, Big Bear Lake thecavebigbear.com series Life with Louie, to earning an Emmy Award as a comedic actor on Baskets and even hosting Family Feud, Louie Anderson is a man of many talents, all of which include entertainment and comedy. Treat yourself to some laughs as Anderson brings the hilarity. The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano thecoachouse.com
Social Distortion, Feb. 28 Dust off your old leather jacket with all those punk rock patches, and travel back to the simpler time when rocking out to Social Distortion with your buddies was all that mattered. Bang your head to some punk rock, and stay out late like it’s 1978 again. House of Blues, Anaheim houseofblues.com/anaheim
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Chuck Shepherd's
News of the
Weird
LEAD STORY u Radical dentistry was on display in November in London’s Science Gallery, where installations offered “art-science collaborations”— including Taiwan artist KuangYi Ku’s “Fellatio Modification Project.” Former dentist Ku, complaining that textbooks on mouths tragically underregard their value in sex, created (the ordinary way) a custom retainer for the client’s mouth but then added rubber “bumps” and “cones” and “ribs” and “ripples” that might be pleasing to a partner. RECURRING THEMES u Whistleblower goes to
jail; responsible industry executives make millions. Long-time Mississippi environmental activist Tennie White is 27 months into a 40-month sentence (for “falsifying” three $150 tests in her laboratory), but high-ranking executives at the Kerr-McGee chemical conglomerate made millions on the case White helped expose: leakage of cancercausing creosote into communities, including White’s Columbus, Mississippi, neighborhood. A detailed investigation by TheIntercept.com in November noted the executives’ brilliant response to the 25,000 creosote lawsuits nationwide: put all the liability into one outlying company (eventually going bankrupt) but selling off, highly profitably, the rest of the firm. COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS u Texas is among the most
enthusiastic states for jailing low-income arrestees who cannot pay a money bail, especially during devastating family hardships, and the four Houston bail magistrates are particularly harsh, according to a recent report of the Texas Organizing Project. After hearing one financially overwhelmed woman beg sarcastically that $1,000 bail is “nothing” next to her other bills, unsympathetic magistrate Joe Licata shrugged, “It’s nothing to me, either. It’s job security.” PERVERT—OR NOT u (1) When police in Port Orange, Florida, arrested Anthony Coiro, 76, in November, he admitted that he had a stash of “crazy” pornography, some featuring children. However, he adamantly insisted, “I’m not a pedophile. I’m just a pervert,” adding, “a law-abiding pervert.” He faces 52 counts. (2) In November in Osaka, Japan, an unnamed arrestee apparently had his sexual molestation charge (against a woman on a crowded train) dramatically downgraded. “Actually,” the man indignantly told the judge, he is not a pervert—but just a pickpocket (a lesser crime). The victim had testified that the man had brushed against her for “3 seconds” and not the “30” she originally told police. WEIRD QUANTITIES RECENTLY IN THE NEWS u (1) Price tag for one round of a 155mm projectile shot from the Navy’s USS Zumwalt: $800,000. (2) Trees killed in California by the now-5-yearold drought: 102,000,000. (3) Recent finding of “water” farthest from the Earth’s surface: 621 miles down (one-third of the way to the Earth’s “core”). (4) Odds that Statistics Lecturer Nicholas Kapoor (Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut) said he played against in buying a $15 Powerball ticket: 1 in 913,129 (but he won $100,000!). (5) Speed police calculated
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Hector Faire, 19, reaching in an Oklahoma police chase: 208 mph (but they got him, anyway). (6) Different languages spoken by children in Buffalo, New York, public classrooms: 85. HARDLY NEED A BREATHALYZER u (1) Michelle Keys, 35, among those joyously caught up in Iowa’s upset win over highly ranked Michigan in football in November and celebrating that night in Iowa City, was slurring and incoherent and told police she was certain she was standing in Ames, Iowa (120 miles away), and had just watched the “Iowa State - Arizona” game (a matchup not played since 1968). (She registered .225) (2) A 38-year-old woman was arrested in Springwood, Australia, in November when police stopped her car at 3 a.m. at an intersection—with a children’s swing set wedged onto the roof of her SUV. (She had shortly before mistakenly driven through someone’s back yard and through the swing set.) PERSPECTIVE u “Sexually-based offenses,” a TV show intones, are “particularly heinous,” but to the small Delaware liberal arts Wesley College (according to the U.S. Department of Education) even an accusation of sexual misconduct is so heinous that there was no need even to interview the alleged wrongdoer before expelling him. (An informal meeting did occur, but only after the investigation was completed.) The expulsion occurred even though the victim herself had not originally accused that particular student. The expelled student’s offense was to have helped set up video for a consensual sex encounter that was (without consent) livestreamed. (The Department of Education accepted a settlement in which Wesley agreed to revamp its code of student rights.)
RECENT ALARMING HEADLINES u “Man Mixing LSD and Cough Syrup Saves Dog From Imaginary Fire” (WNYTTV, Albany, N.Y.), 10-15-2016). (Panicked, he had first sought help from neighbors—who were unpersuaded by the sight of a fireless fire.) u “Dog On Loose Causes Sheep To Have Sex With Their Sisters in Walton On The Hill” (The wild dog has wrecked a planned mating program, leaving female sheep to canoodle with each other) LEAST COMPETENT ARTISTS u Apparently the plan by a 33-year-old unlicensed, uncar-registered driver in Perth, Australia, in November to keep from being stopped by police was to print “POLICE” in large, “official”-looking letters on the sides of her white Hyundai, using a blue dry-erase board marker. (She was, of course, quickly stopped by police.) THE PASSING PARADE u (1) In November, a court in Christchurch, New Zealand, ordered the local police to “undo” the 493 bottles’ worth of liquor they had recently poured down the city’s drain after raiding an unlicensed bar. The court said the police must pay a pumping company to recall the hooch because of environmental regulations. (2) In November, the Littleton, Colorado, city government, faced with the need to “blot” sticky tar on 120 streets whose potholes it was filling, bypassed expensive “detackifiers” in favor of stuffing toilet paper over the tar, causing the streets to have a trick-or-treat look. A NEWS OF THE WEIRD CLASSIC (FEBRUARY 2013) u An estimated 3.2 million kids ages 5-12 take mixedmartial-arts classes, training to administer beatdowns modeled after the adults’ Ultimate Fighting
Championships, according to a January (2013) report in ESPN magazine, which profiled the swaggering, Mohawked Derek “Crazy” Rayfield, 11, and the meek, doll-clutching fighting machine, Regina “The Black Widow” Awana, 7. Kids under age 12 fight each other without regard to gender, and blows above the collarbone, and on the groin, kidneys, and back are prohibited. “Crazy” delivered merciless forearm chest smashes before the referee intervened, and the Black Widow won her match in less than a minute via arm-bar submission. Parental involvement is said to be either “fear” of their child’s getting hurt or “encouragement” to be meaner. HOLES AGAINST HUMANITY u The rebellion against the absurdities of Black Friday this year by the organization Cards Against Humanity came in the form of raising money to dig a pointless hole in the ground. During the last week of November, people “contributed” $100,573, with Cards digging initially for 5.5 seconds per donated dollar. In 2015, according to an NPR report, Cards raised $71,145 by promising to do “absolutely nothing” with it, and the year before, $180,000 by selling bits of bull feces. (Asked why Cards doesn’t just give the money to charity, a spokesperson asked why donors themselves don’t give it to charity. “It’s (their) money.”) GOVERNMENT IN ACTION u New York City’s Department of Parks and Recreation has completed its two-year project of assigning ID numbers (with arboreal characteristics) to every one of the 685,781 trees in the city’s five boroughs. More than 2,300 volunteers walked the streets, then posted each tree’s location, measurements, Google Street View image, and ecological
benefits for the surrounding neighborhoods (rainwater retained, air pollution reduced). (Privacy activists hope the National Security Agency is not inspired by this.) [Architecture Daily, 1128-2016] THE CONTINUING CRISIS u A note in The New York Times in October mentioned a website that comprehensively covers everything worth knowing and wondering—about shoelaces. Ian’s Shoelace Site shows and discusses (and rates) lacing methods, how to mix lace colors, how to tie (comparing methods, variations and, again, ratings), lengths of laces (how to calculate, which formulas to use, what to do with excess lengths), “granny knots,” aglet repair and much more— neatly laid out in dozens of foolproof drawings for the shoelace- challenged (because no one wants to be caught in a shoelace faux pas). [Ian’s Shoelace Site, http://bit.ly/1mVIpDO] u Though the presidential election of 2016 was certainly more volatile than usual, one reaction to the outcome was the apparent ease with which some in America’s next generation of college-trained leaders were sidelined by self-described emotional pain. The Wall Street Journal reported that special attention was given by administrators at Tufts University, the University of Kansas and Ivy League Cornell, among other places, where their young adults could “grieve” over the election and seek emotional support, such as use of “therapy dogs” in Kansas and, at the University of Michigan, the availability of Play-Doh and coloring books for distraction. [Wall Street Journal, 11-9-2016] IRONIES u (1) The county executive in Cleveland, Ohio, complained
in November of lack of funds (because the county’s credit is “maxed out”) for necessary renovations to its well-known sports and concert venue, the Quicken Loans Arena. (2) In November, after a companion asked Victoria Vanatter, 19, what blood-sucking was like, she let him slice her arm with a razor to have a taste, but the two then argued, and Vanatter allegedly grabbed a knife and slashed him for real. Police in Springfield, Missouri, arrested her after both people were stitched up at a hospital. [Cleveland Scene, 11-30-2016] [Springfield News Leader, 11-18-2016] u Recurring: The most recent city to schedule a civicminded conference with community leaders to discuss options for affordable, accessible housing in a meeting place that was highly unfriendly to the nonambulatory was Toronto, in November. The first proposed site required a seven-step walk-up, but following complaints, officials relocated it—to a building whose only rest room was in the elevatorfree basement. [Toronto Star, 12-7-2016] QUESTIONABLE JUDGMENTS u The Space World theme park in Kitakyushu, Japan, opened a popular (with visitors) ice-skating rink in November, but was forced to close it two weeks later for being hugely unpopular (with social media critics). The park had placed 5,000 fish and other sea animals in the ice deck of its “Freezing Port” rink so that skaters could look down as they glided along, gazing at marvels of nature (all dead in advance, of course, purchased from a fish market). Nonetheless, the park manager apologized for grossing out so many people and closed the exhibit (melting the ice and conducting an “appropriate religious service” for the fishes’ souls). [CNN, 11-28-2016]
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