Culture Magazine Washington January 2017 by Culture Magazine

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

iReadCULTURE.com

January 2017

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

iReadCULTURE.com

January 2017

contents

inside

1. 2017

22 44

MUSICAL CLARITY

The songwriter, lead guitarist and frontman of Everclear talks about the band’s unique and nostalgic ’90s music, cannabis and goals for 2017.

features

Expand Your Horizons Get inspired with a bit of cannabis wanderlust with seven of the best cannabis-friendly cities to visit in 2017.

Unique Undertaking A massive cannabis facility just broke ground in Aurora, Canada.

Industry Insider Apop Media’s CEO, Matt Young, creates a new platform for cannabis advertisements at dispensaries.

Hustling and Bustling Bazan Seattle artist David Bazan’s many musical incarnations continue to evolve.

departments news

10 News Nuggets 11 By the Numbers 12 Local News

Online Exclusive! reviews

14 Store

Highlight 16 Strain & Concentrate Reviews 18 Cool Stuff 20 Entertainment Reviews

in every issue

42 Growing Culture 44 Destination Unknown 46 Profile in

d Bernie Sanders wants better

cannabis banking policies d Pop up cannabis shops to open in Montreal

Courage 48 Recipes 52 News of the Weird

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Vol 8 IssUE 7

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January 2017

CULTURE M

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, 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 Account Executives Jon Bookatz, 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 digital marketing Alazzia Gaoay manager Ctv Contributors Quinn Marie Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla

Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 600 locations throughout Washington. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 815 1st Ave | #220 Seattle | Washington | 98104 Phone 888.694.2046 | Fax 888.694.2046 www.iReadCulture.com

CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.

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January 2017

NEWS

nuggetS

Seattle Hits Cannabis Retail Stores with Increased Fees

The Seattle City Council voted to approve an increase to retail store licensing fees, with the council detailing the reason behind the $500 increase, which takes the fee from $1,000 to $1,500. “This legislation is necessary since the current revenue fee from marijuana business licenses is inadequate to provide the resources for administrative, policy and enforcement efforts that are necessary to ensure compliance with the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) and State law,” the agenda states. Businesses outside of Seattle who sell supplies to Seattle retail stores will also be subject to a $750 license fee. The council’s explanation also shows how these fees are set up to help regulate the industry. “The marijuana enforcement program will ensure the equitable application of the SMC, which disallows marijuana businesses from being within specific distances to community resources. The program is also responsible for ensuring that communities receive complaint resolution with regard to marijuana businesses, which can have an adverse effect on neighborhoods, especially if marijuana businesses are able to congregate in certain areas,” the council stated. The fee changes went into effect on January 1, 2017.

PTSD is Added to Minnesota’s List of Cannabis Qualifying Conditions Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Minnesota will be able to medicate using medical cannabis starting August 2017. The Minnesota Department of Health expanded its list of medical conditions to include PTSD after careful consideration, according to Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger in a press release. “This decision was made after careful deliberation of available evidence, consultation with experts in the field and public input,” Ehlinger said. “While the process of reviewing these potential additions was difficult due to the relative lack of published scientific evidence, PTSD presented the strongest case for potential benefits. PTSD also has few effective treatment alternatives available for some patients with the condition.” There are around 3,500 registered medical cannabis patients in Minnesota. While patients are only permitted to use cannabis oil or pills, Ehlinger shared that topical forms of cannabis will be allowed as soon as next year.

‘Not For Kids’ Warning Symbol Will Soon Appear on Washington Cannabis Products Adults in Washington will soon see a new warning symbol on cannabis products that will warn children to steer clear. The symbol was released by the Washington Poison Center (WPC), and it is a red hand with the words, “NOT FOR KIDS,” in addition to the word, “EMERGENCY” followed by an emergency phone number. Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board’s Chair, Jane Rushford shared the need for this new warning in a release. “This is a perfect example of the public and private sector working together toward a common goal of public safety,” Rushford said. “While this is the Poison Center’s warning symbol, they have collaborated with the agency and solicited our input throughout the process. We think their design is excellent and their process thorough. Should the symbol become part of our permanent rules, this will be another important tool in preventing child access to marijuana.” The new requirement will be effective on February 14, 2017, however the board will give the industry up to 90 days to comply. This is yet another step toward cannabis acceptance and providing a safe industry for all.

Cayman Islands Voted Unanimously to Allow Cannabis Oil The Cayman Islands, which are located northeast of Jamaica, voted unanimously to allow medical cannabis oil for patients with qualifying conditions. Premier Honor Alden McLaughlin made a speech in the Legislative Assembly. McLaughlin said, “Madam Speaker, I also wish to advise the House and the country that after carefully considering the merits and demerits of legalising the use of medical cannabinoid oil to treat those in our community with a debilitating disease, whether cancer, glaucoma, or perhaps even severe epilepsy, Government is persuaded that it is better to favour hope and compassion over fear.” He continued to explain that the Cabinet directed the Legal Department to draft a bill that would allow patients cannabinoid oil, which would be prescribed to them by doctors. McLaughlin also explained this was an urgent manner due to the need of patients, especially considering one Caymanian whose access to oil could make a difference between life and death. The new bill will only permit cannabis oil, and it will not permit the use of the whole cannabis plant for medical purposes. 10

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

The approximate amount of money, in millions of dollars, that was collected in Washington cannabis sales during the second quarter of 2016: (Source: Fox 28)

212

The amount of space, in square feet, that one Washington greenhouse was approved to use for a cannabis facility: (Source: Equities.com)

21,000

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that a single retail store in Vancouver, Main Street Marijuana, sold in recreational cannabis on Black Friday in November, making it the highest amount of cannabis sold that day: (Source: MyNorthWest.com)

28.6

The amount of money, in dollars, of the newly increased licensing fee that is required to sell cannabis in Seattle, as updated by the Seattle City Council: (Source: MyNorthWest.com)

1,500

The number of preliminary medical cannabis licenses that were approved by the Maryland Medical Cannabis board: (Source: The Baltimore Sun)

102

The updated amount of medical cannabis, in grams, that veterans in Vancouver, Canada will be reimbursed for by the federal government, per day: (Source: Kelowna Daily Courier)

The amount of money, in thousands of dollars, that one retail cannabis store in Spokane gave away in free cannabis in November: (Source: Inverse)

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 total number of cannabis companies that were being traded on the Australian Stock Exchange, as of (Source: Yahoo! News) mid-November, 2016:

The Pancakes & Booze Art Show

WHAT: The Pancakes & Booze Art Show. WHEN/WHERE: Sat, Jan. 28-Sun, Jan. 29. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle. INFO: Visit www.pancakesandbooze.com for more information. This is the largest underground art show in Seattle! The Pancakes & Booze Art Show is an artistic movement that started back in 2009, and now it’s back once again to present Seattle with a unique show. There will be more than 60 up-and-coming artists showing an array of artwork, from paintings and mixed media to photography, sculptures, drawings and graffiti. Audio and visual

performances will delight attendees, while live body painting and live art will bring the creativity to life. Arguably, one of the most exciting parts of the art show is the free pancake bar, paired with a bar with booze. The event is for adults age 21 and over. There will be vendors selling goods. Music, DJs and performers will elevate the two days of pancakes, booze and art. iReadCULTURE.com

January 2017

NEWS

LOCAL

LOCAL GROUP AIMS TO HELP FUND PATIENTS’ MEDICINE

3rd Annual Washington Cannabis Summit

Washington CannaBusiness Association wants to help low-income patients access natural medicine

by Emily Manke he Washington CannaBusiness Association (WACA) has announced its plans to start a fund to help lowincome cannabis patients access their medicine. This comes as welcome news to patients all over the state who need help acquiring medicine. The fund is a change of pace for the for-profit. The main line of business at WACA is to support and represent its members, licensed cannabis businesses in Washington. Members enjoy a third party buffer between their businesses and Washington State regulatory agencies and the legislature. In a statement released by WACA, Executive Director Vicki Christophersen lays out their reasons for starting the fund. “Our members strongly support a safe, quality-controlled and fully regulated marketplace for all cannabis products,” Christopherson stated. “That’s why we are determined to address the challenges some face who, due to economic hardship, are not able to access the medicine they have been prescribed by a medical professional. Under current state laws and regulations, as well as the economic realities of the marketplace, it is difficult to provide medical products at no cost to patients. WACA’s Board of Directors wanted to establish the Medical Access Fund to create a legal, regulated process whereby our members and their peers in the licensed industry can step up and support patients. Whether they are a licensed producer,

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

processor or retailer, all of our members are committed to helping serve the communities in which we do business.” CULTURE contacted Aaron Pickus from WACA to find out more about the fund. The question we really wanted answered was, how many patients the fund will help, and when it will be available for patient applicants? Pickus promptly replied. “I don’t have numbers for that at the moment, but we are aiming for the fund to be available for applicants in Q1 2017,” Pickus said. Good to know 2017’s already off to a good start in terms of Washington cannabis. The results of this generous and ambitious fund remain to be seen, but the effort is a noble one. As time goes on, and laws change and evolve, it’s imperative that the cannabis industry looks within to protect and provide for consumers and competitors alike. c

“That’s why we are determined to address the challenges some face who, due to economic hardship, are not able to access the medicine they have been prescribed by a medical professional.”

The Washington Cannabis Summit is a one-of-a-kind event that furthers the cannabis industry by challenging the current education, legislation and research. Policy makers, business leaders, industry employees and advocates can become better informed about all the major issues the cannabis industry continues to face. Get educated with the various panels available during this summit, which include “Cannabis Therapy & Use,” “Cannabis Policy & Politics” and “Economic Impacts of the Cannabis Industry,” among others. World class speakers include Ollie Garret, who is a Board Member for Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. Steve Warner, the Executive Director of Washington Wine Commission and Founder of Center for New Revenue, Pat Oglesby will also be notable speakers at the event. Eric Brandstand is another growing expert in the industry who will be speaking as well. Tickets are not available at the door, so be sure to secure your spot in advance. WHAT: 3rd Annual Washington Cannabis Summit. WHEN/WHERE: Fri, Jan. 6. Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport, 17338 International Blvd., Seattle. INFO: Visit www. wacannabissummit.org for more information.

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January 2017

store highlight

REVIEWs

our product selection grows on a weekly basis. As for the direction of the industry, it will be interesting to see how long it takes for the corporate conglomerates to take over all the shops and create national chains. Whether we like it or not, this is the inevitable evolution of all new industries. As the industry grows, we can only hope the state’s taxable revenue will be redirected towards meaningful initiatives like education—who wouldn’t support that? What is the one thing you want customers/patients to know about your store?

Urban Bud 112 S. 24th St. Tacoma, 98402 (253) 327-1572 www.urbanbud.com

How and when did your store start up? We have four stores in Washington and growing. Our store in downtown Tacoma was our first, which opened in June 2014. What’s the story behind the name of your store? Honestly, web domain availability dictated our store name. We simply did a bulk search on 100 ideas, and of the search results that were available, Urban Bud felt right, it sounded relatable. So we went with it.

What does your store offer customers/patients that they can’t find anywhere else? Cannabis retail is a hyper competitive industry. At Urban Bud, we believe in doing common things uncommonly well. Customer service is a great example. When a customer comes in our store, we don’t just greet them, we share a contagious enthusiasm for our store experience. Our goal is to connect and engage with every customer, which hopefully results in them becoming an advocate of our store to their personal networks. Our menus are all managed in real-time through our website with cool sorting functions like potency

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

and price, all of which is optimized for your smart phone web browser. Inside our stores, customers use an interactive iPad menu. In 2017 we’re introducing online pre-orders, a new VIP Club, opening more stores, and we’re pioneering a new gamified customer experience (first of its kind). How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? Cannabis has become fastest growing sector in the U.S. economy. Because it’s a new frontier for business, it’s exciting to see so many new products and categories regularly introduced. The diversity of

Simply put, we’re more than just a weed store. We’re an organization of people who are passionate about our responsibility of consistently delivering a rich customer experience. It’s our goal to connect with every customer and ensure they leave our stores excited about the quality and value of their purchase. If someone wanted to open a store and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? It really depends on which avenue you pursue. There’s obviously different risk profiles for retail, growing, processing, etc. Because every aspect of the industry is hyper competitive, building out the right internal capabilities to manage your business is important. No one can afford to learn along the way. Also with great internal capabilities, you have to also be able to adapt quickly to the changes, whether it’s regulation or product trends. c

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January 2017

REVIEWs

strain & concentrate

9 Pound Hammer by Emerald Cannabis Cultivation Emerald Cannabis Cultivation presents their product in packaging with sleek, minimalist design, allowing the premium product to speak for itself. Through the glass, you’ll see the treasure that is this 9 Pound Hammer. The flower is bright green with dark green around the edge of the leaves. Buds grow in a dense, oblong shape. A dusting of trichomes can be seen on the leaves from a distance. The resin-coated leaves are no surprise, as the exceptional flower tested at 21 percent THC. 9 Pound Hammer is an indica-dominant hybrid (80 percent indica/20 percent sativa) strain, which is a cross between the strains Goo Berry, Hells OG and Jack the Ripper. This indica genealogy makes for a strain that is both pleasant and powerful. After sampling this flower via a water pipe, we noted a significant sweet, berry flavor, with notes of musk. This strain is noted to have medicinal qualities, and it’s easy to understand why when you sample this flower. In addition to a major chilled out quality, this flower provides a level of pain relief and aid with sleep that is unparalleled in most flowers. Unlike some strong indicas, 9 Pound Hammer provides a joyous, ecstatic effect that helps balance the more relaxed and sleepy qualities.

Available at: Northwest Cannabis Connection in Puyallup.

Pineapple Express by Forte Farms Who doesn’t love the Pineapple Express? Whether we’re talking about the warm weather pattern that occasionally brings us almost-pleasant temperatures in Washington in the dead of winter, or the strain which brings you up and never lets you down, it’s hard to find fault. The Pineapple Express from Forte Farms lives up to the hype. This sample was an excellent prototype of the strain. The sativa-indica hybrid is a cross between Trainwreck and Hawaiian, At first glance, you’ll notice the dense, lime green nugs, frosted with crystals. Taking a whiff of this flower may transport you to a tropical beach, with a rum punch in your hand, garnished with a slice of pineapple. After we put this flower in a water pipe, we noticed the flavor was consistent with the fragrance, with hints of sweet and tropical tasting pineapple. The effect was typical of a sativa with an electric, exhilarating, buzz that allows you to enjoy the happiness without being bogged down by the groggy heady effect of many indicas. It’s the perfect flower to enjoy before a workout or social gathering.

CBD Yummy by Oleum It’s flu season! It’s also arthritis flare-up, injure yourself snowboarding and slip on the sidewalk season. Lucky for us, our friends at Oleum have us covered! CBD Yummy is the perfect medicine for all of your seasonal ills. This cannabis-derived concentrate, boasts 75 percent CBD and five percent THC. We used a water pipe to consume this extract, and immediately noticed what an extraordinary product this was. A clean, smooth smoke clues you into what a highly refined and filtered product Oleum has created. The cherry cough syrup flavor that we all noted, is the result of naturally occurring terpenes. It’s not the smoothness, or incredible flavor that make this product so special however. It’s the effects from smoking this concentrate that make it unlike any other product on the market. The low THC high CBD concentrate gave us a body effect unlike any other. The team at Oleum described the high as “Liquid Space Blanket” and that is oddly the most accurate description we could think of as well. If you want to feel like you’re melting into a puddle of ecstatic goo, then this is the concentrate for you. It’s a must-try for those with daily pain issues as well. 16

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

Available at: Green Collar Cannabis in Tacoma.

Available wherever: Oleum products are carried.

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January 2017

REVIEWs

For More Products Go To iReadCulture.com

Cannabis Sativa Vintage Print Whether you are a lover of vintage prints or really just love collecting cool cannabis décor, then this colorful print is one you may like to hang on your wall. Not everyone’s office is as cool as CULTURE, where you can have your bulletin board decorated with pictures of cannabis, so you might want to leave this one at home. This Cannabis Sativa Vintage Print is a beautiful addition to your office space, or you can hang it smack dab in the living room if you’re hoping to spark some interesting conversations with relatives. PRICE: $6.99-$20 MORE INFORMATION: www.etsy.com/shop/dalumna

2. Fresh Baked Apron This adorable apron will let everyone know that when you’re in the kitchen, you mean business—canna-business that is. This Fresh Baked Apron is every cannabis consumer’s favorite color, and its adjustable neck strap makes it a perfect fit for everyone who wears it. The two pockets in the front can be convenient for storing backup ingredients or maybe a vape pen if you are too impatient to wait for your cannabis-infused dishes to be done. Show off your culinary skill, and rock this apron with pride. PRICE: $34 MORE INFORMATION: www.etsy.com/shop/ smokiestokecouture 18

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

3. Strain Tracker by Green Flower Media This Strain Tracker will help newbies and seasoned pros of cannabis consumption track what cannabis strains truly work best for their needs. Discover various cannabis strains, and track which products and methods of delivery work best for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to use cannabis recreationally to stimulate your creativity, or if you’re using cannabis for various medicinal purposes, the Strain Tracker will guide you toward better understanding your relationship with cannabis. PRICE: $24.95 MORE INFORMATION: www.learngreenflower.com

Mato Naturals Lavender Lilac Eye Pillow The Mato Naturals Lavendar Lilac Eye Pillow brings aromatic bliss that has been known to help ease migraines, headaches and anxiety. If you’re trying to rest or practice yoga, it is the perfect solution to help you achieve calm energy and relaxation. Made with pure Himalayan flax seed, Tibetan and Himalayn herbs, lilac oil and lavender essential oil, this pillow has everything you need to drift into a more zenlike state. Namaste. PRICE: $19.99 MORE INFORMATION: www.matonaturals.com

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January 2017

REVIEWs

entertainment

BOOK

Cannabis and Spirituality: An Explorer’s Guide to an Ancient Plant Spirit Ally Stephen Gray, Editor

Release Date: January 24, 2017 Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC

GAME

Park Street Press

Resident Evil 7: biohazard

Editor Stephen Gray and 17 other prominent professional voices of the modern cannabis movement explore the spiritual benefits of cannabis in this compelling and sensitive read. Throughout this 274 page book, the authors touch on topics such as exploring cannabis spirituality in practice, religious and ritual use of cannabis from pre-biblical times to the present, the body-mind connection, the use of ganja yoga, humanity’s co-evolution with cannabis, and the spirit of cannabis. Authors also present practical information to better understand the plant, as well as the many different international cultures that have utilized cannabis in a spiritual way for centuries. This is a great book for any spiritual cannabis user to have on their shelves. (Alex Bradley)

Dev. Capcom

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

Pub. Capcom Ring in the new year with a new Resident Evil title that’s pushing the boundaries of survival horror games. Although Resident Evil 7: biohazard is the 11th game in the series, it’s the first offer players a first-person perspective, and the PlayStation 4 version of the game in its entirety is compatible with a VR headset. Other Resident Evil games may be remembered as gun show, but this one plays heavily on strategy, puzzle solving and managing resources carefully alongside the destruction of horrific monsters. (Nicole Potter)

MUSIC MOVIE

Authentic Living

Don’t Think Twice

Nail Polish

Dir. Mike Birbiglia

Help Yourself Records

The Film Arcade What happens when a member of a group begins to become a famous entertainer, while everyone else continues to dwell in anonymity? That exact scenario is explored both realistically and thoroughly in Don’t Think Twice. Set in the New York City improv comedy world, the film deals with the real creative and existential struggles within an improv troupe when one of their members gets a big break while the rest fight just to keep themselves afloat. Starring Director Mike Birbiglia himself alongside Keegan Michael Key (Key and Peele), Gillian Jacobs (Community), and an ensemble of other talents, Don’t Think Twice is a must see. (Simon Weedn)

Taking just a one year break between releases, Seattle trio Nail Polish returns with yet another fiery blast of post-punk, no wave fierceness on its second mini-album, Authentic Living. Picking up close to wear they left off on its debut, Abrupt, Nail Polish wastes no time returning to its dark, jarring, pulsating, percussive sound; striking hard right out of the gate and never relenting. Though the foundation of the band’s sound remains the same on this release, there is a noticeable lean towards the grittier, rawer elements of Nail Polish’s style in this particular release. All in all, another stellar release for this band. (Simon Weedn)

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January 2017

C L E A R

C O N S C I O 22

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

The talent behind

Everclear

N D U S

talks ’90s nostalgia, cannabis and the band’s bright future

by Heather Johnson

f you were growing up in the 1990s, you were a fan of Everclear. Its songs were all over the radio, and they just had that classic alternative, post-grunge ’90s vibe. The band formed in 1991, led by songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Art Alexakis. Its first three albums with Capital Records were Sparkle and Fade, So Much for the Afterglow and Songs from an American Movie Vol. One: Learning to Smile—all went platinum. Although band members have changed over the years, Alexakis has stayed the driving force and creativity behind the band. Every year since 2012, it has led the popular Summerland Tour, a 1990s nostalgia tour featuring many other favorite alternative era bands, such as Lit, Sugar Ray and Sponge. The band has just recently finished a special New Years Eve show in Portland at Alberta Rose, and is prepping for a show this month at Apache Gold Casino Pavilion in San Carlos, Arizona. Alexakis has always been forthcoming about his tumultuous past; he has lost loved ones to drugs and suicide and nearly lost himself in both, at one point. Through his music he has

been able to confront his demons and get past the darkest moments of his life. This journey is evident through hits such as “Heroin Girl,” from the band’s commercial breakthrough Sparkle and Fade and “I Will Buy You a New Life,” as well as “Father of Mine” from So Much for the Afterglow. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Alexakis appreciates the supportive and fruitful cannabis culture that has grown there, and now living in California, he is excited for California’s legal future. Although he does not use cannabis himself and maintains a strong straight-edge lifestyle for himself and his band, he is understanding and supportive about the healing and helpful benefits of cannabis for many. In 2015, Everclear released its ninth studio album entitled Black is the New Black. The band has been touring across the country, with Alexakis making some recent solo stops in Australia. When he’s not living the rockstar life, Alexakis opens up about his important role of being a father to his two daughters. Recently, we got to sit down with the lead singer, guitarist and genius behind the band, Art Alexakis. >>

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January 2017

Having just gotten back from playing all over the world, spending a good portion of the fall in Australia, do you still enjoy playing the PNW, your home for nearly 20 years? I love it. I moved to L.A. about five years ago because my eldest daughter went to college and I just needed a break from the rain. We try to go up there at least once a year; it’s kind of like home still. If I could afford to I’d have a place up there. Has your life changed a lot since you moved out of the Portland area? I’m working more, I’m happier in the sunshine. I’m working with a lot of different talented people and keeping busy, so it’s a lot of fun. We live closer to my daughter’s grandmother down here, so it’s much easier for us to visit. It was a good move. A lot has happened to Portland since you moved down south. What do you think about the passing of Measure 91 in Oregon, legalizing cannabis? I would have thought it actually would have happened there in Oregon first, instead of in Colorado. There are a lot of referendums here in California. They had the whole medical marijuana thing here, and now it’s going to be fully legal. With the support of the state legislature and the governor, I think legal marijuana is going to go really well. Can you tell us a little bit about what you are working on now? In 2015, you came

p h o t o b y H a r m o n y Gerber

out with a new album, and I know you are touring a lot. Yeah we are constantly on tour. I do a tour every year to kind of kick off the summer. It’s called “Summerland.” It’s a ’90s alternative tour with a bunch of bands from the ’90s. Last year it was Sugar Ray, Everclear and Sponge, among others. That kicked off in July and went until the end of August. Do you usually just play throwback songs or do the fans get to hear some new music as well? We try to do at least one new song and then some fan favorites. I think that’s what the tour is really about, that familiar sound. That’s what people want to hear. There is a certain amount of nostalgia to it. Radio stations in the ’90s used to do these shows where they would have like 20 bands and each band would

The Afterglow: Highlights from Everclear’s Illustrious History in Music 1992. Everclear was established 1993. Independently released debut first album, World of Noise

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

play their hit with maybe 20 minutes on stage. Then they’d put the hook out and pull you off the stage and the next band would go right on. Sometimes it was on a circular stage, and once that stage started spinning man, you were done. So many of your fans grew up listening to you and all those bands. Sounds like a great tour! You would love it, you would know all the songs and you will hear a song and be like, “That was them?” These days, people kind of lose sight of entertainment and how enjoyable it can be to just see a good rock and roll band. A band that’s really good at doing what it does. People are starting to get back to seeing live rock and roll bands. But then you have these people that call themselves a band that are basically just pushing bass bars on a computer, and singing through auto tune. I’d rather see band screw up a

1994. Signed on to Capitol Records 1995. First album for the label, Sparkle and Fade

song, but play it. Just go out without a net and play. That’s what makes it exciting. That’s rock and roll. How do you think your music has changed since the ’90s? I’m probably not the right person to ask about that. From my perspective, I don’t think it’s changed a lot. I’ve changed as a person after 25 years; I’m a lot more grey than I used to be. I don’t hide it, and I’ve never had facial work or anything like that. Without sounding stupid, I just try to keep it really real, and go out, take what’s in my heart and put it out there. I do that in the studio and I do that on stage. The next record I make is going to be a solo record with just me and acoustic guitars. It’s all about the songs. I’ve got four or five songs that are almost done and four or five songs that are pretty much half way there. It will be some time next year, but I’m not in a rush to put it down. >>

1997. Third album, So Much for the Afterglow was released

1998.

Tour to Australia

“Without sounding stupid, I just try to keep it really real, and go out, take what’s in my heart and put it out there. I do that in the studio and I do that on stage.”

p h o t o b y T D C P h o t o g r a phy

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January 2017

“There are a lot of referendums here in California. They had the whole medical marijuana thing here, and now it’s going to be fully legal. With the support of the state legislature and the governor, I think legal marijuana is going to go really well.”

1998. Nominated at the Grammy’s for Best Rock Instrumental for “El Distorto de Melodica” 1998. Won Billboard’s Modern Rock Band of the Year Award 2000. Fourth album, Songs from an American Movie Vol. One: Learning How to Smile was released 26

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

How is life with your family? I have two daughters, one that’s 24, and I’ve got one that’s eight-and-a-half. This past summer, she had gymnastics camp, then art camp and then sleep away camp for two weeks. This kid’s got more activities than the CEO of a corporation. It feeds her brain. She’s eight-and-ahalf and she’s full of joy. She has everything that I wish I had had as an eight-year-old boy. She’s got a mom and dad who love her and love each other. We work really hard to have a really great family. That’s nine-tenths of that battle right there, everything relates to that.

oldest daughter was a baby back then. She was three when I put out Sparkle and Fade, she was five when I put out So Much for the Afterglow. Then I went through a divorce with her mom and put out a record that had a lot of good songs like “Wonderful,” which was through her perspective. Because watching her go through that difficult time was very hard. Especially knowing that I had something to do with it. Like I said before, I just try to keep it real. I try to be present, be humble, be honest, and try to put that into my art. Even when I make up stories, some of them don’t seem like they are real, but they feel very real.

Do your daughters come up a lot while writing your songs? Sometimes, I don’t necessarily write autobiographically. I’d say one or two songs a record are autobiographical. They are always there, being a parent is such a huge part of me. It’s become such a priority in my life and everything is kind of shaped from that. Even back in the old Everclear days, my

What are your and Everclear’s plans for the future? I don’t know about moving back to Portland, but someday I’d like to have a place there. I’m working on my solo project and I’m writing a book about my childhood growing up in the projects. Just being creative, being open to what the world, the universe, has to say. >>

2000. Fifth album, Songs from an American Movie Vol. Two: Good Time for a Bad Attitude was released just four months after Vol. One 2003. Sixth album, Slow Motion Daydream was released

2004. End of Capitol Records and released an album called, Ten Years Gone: The Best of Everclear 1994-2004 2004. First recording with new lineup was a cover of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” 2006. Signed to Eleven Seven Music with new line-up

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January 2017

LIVE IN CONCERT January 21, 2017:

Everclear w/ Gin Blossoms

at Apache Gold Casino Pavilion in San Carlos, AZ

p h o t o b y H a r m o n y Gerber

Are there any contemporary bands out there now that you really like right now? I’m not seeing a lot of contemporary stuff that has a lot of depth to it. I hear some cool pop stuff and some cool rock stuff. We played with a band in Portland the other day called The Wild Feathers, and I thought they were great.

I’ve been meaning to go buy their record. They had a sort of stones-ish, old band, Eagles kind of harmonies and I dug that. They were playing live and hitting those harmonies. They were really tight and it was just a lot of excitement. I loved it. These days I’ve been listening to a lot of talk radio, political mostly, and I also listen to a

2006. Seventh album, Welcome to the Drama Club was released 2008. The Vegas Years, a collection of cover songs was released April 15, 2008 by Capitol Records

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

lot of NFL radio because I’m a big NFL fan. Big Seahawks fan. Lived in the PNW for too long. I listen to NPR, CNN, I tend to stay pretty left of the dial. This year has been kind of a clown show. This was the 10th election that I’ve voted on. 1980 was the first one, isn’t that a trip? Some things change constantly, some things never change. There’s

2012. Everclear

released their first album in six years, entitled Invisible Stars.

2012. Summerland Tour was established. A ‘90s nostalgia tour

2013.

always great people, and then there’s always flawed people who can do great things. This year, with Donald Trump, I’ve never seen anything like that. But I think it’s going to end up okay. I’m optimistically hopeful. Not looking into buying a house in Canada or anything like that. c www.everclearmusic.com

Return of Summerland Tour

2015. Released latest album, Black is the New Black

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January 2017

Seven CannabisFriendly Cities to Visit in 2017 Let us help you plan your annual vacation early

by M. Jay Things are looking up for cannabis travelers in 2017. The last of the ballots have been tallied up from the November election. Thus, eight states (Washington, Oregon, Colorado, California, Nevada, Massachusetts, Maine and Alaska) and Washington D.C. have fully legalized cannabis and the new laws will soon take effect. This means it is now or it will soon be legal to purchase, consume and carry a certain amount of cannabis in these states. This is perfect for the cannabis traveler because it broadens the travel horizons. Vacations are always something to look forward to, but going on a cannabis friendly vacation tops it all. Remember to look up the local laws before going to one of these cities, as each state’s (and sometimes even city’s) laws are different. Public consumption is illegal almost everywhere, so be leery of lighting up in the streets. Otherwise, it’s time to embrace and elevate your traveling experience. Check out these fantastic cannabis friendly cities to visit in 2017. >>

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

Crested Butte is for the adventurous cannabis consumer. Skiing, snowmobiling, hiking and more await you in this great canna-town. If you have some down time, visit the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame and Museum. There are music festivals in the spring and summer, then ice carving and movie festivals in the winter. Ski all day and then enjoy a nice massage at your ski-in/ ski-out hotel, Elevation Resort and Spa. Restaurants, room service, spa services and a ski concierge make this a perfect winter resort. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, hike from Crested Butte to Conundrum Hot Springs. Most people take two days to do this seven-hour hike. If not, you can the take the 40-minute drive up to the end of the road. Then, hike four miles or so to Conundrum Hot Springs, a beautiful spot in a large natural hot spring.

Boston, Massachusetts

This college town has been highly tolerant of cannabis for many years. The best time to go is at the end of September when the Boston Freedom Rally will be happening for the 28th year in a row. This event brings in thousands a day and even though smoking is technically illegal, people are lighting up everywhere. However, this will be the first year that the city will be celebrating the weekend long event with recreational cannabis fully legal.

4 3

Lake Tahoe, Nevada or CAlifornia

Since both California and Nevada are both recreationally legal, why not spend some time in both? This gorgeous town is split between the two states and has everything an adventurous person could want. Of course, there’s the lake ready for boating and jet skiing in the summer. Then, during the winter months you can ski and snowboard. Oh and there’s a huge New Year’s Eve winter music festival there as well. So, bundle up, smoke some cannabis and enjoy all that Tahoe has to offer.

Crested Butte, Colorado

Olympia, WAshington

Olympia, Tumwater and Lacy all connect to make this charming, little area a perfect vacation spot. Enjoy seafood by the pier, shop at the cutest shops downtown and then hike your heart out during the day, with mountains just 30 minutes away. Wake up at your bud-and-breakfast with an outdoor cannabis grow at your fingertips when you stay at the SONshine House right outside of town. Enjoy cannabisfriendly accommodations and a tour of the fantastic grow any time after May 1. >>

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January 2017

Las Vegas, Nevada

Medical card holders around the nation jumped for joy when Nevada decided on reciprocity. Now you don’t have to have a medical card at all to consume and purchase cannabis before heading to the casino. Recreational shops could be open on the first of this month. If you’re all tapped out from the holidays, the best time of the year to visit is during “Weed Week” in mid-November, when the cream of the crop of the cannabis world meet to network, learn and party.

Lima, Peru

The architecture is beautiful, people are friendly and there are plenty of things to do. Stay on the beach at Belmond Miraflores Park. The hotel has floor-toceiling windows, ocean views and an infinity edge pool that looks right into the water. For great food, check out Rafael’s Restaurant. This Vietnamese and French Style restaurant has some of the best ceviche around. La Rosa Nautica is a great place to hang out and have a drink. The restaurant and bar sit right on the beach, so you can enjoy your Pisco, the national drink while listening to music and watching the waves. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a detour to Machu Picchu. These mysterious Incan ruins call people from around the world, but the trip is not the simplest. A plane, taxi and then a train is the fastest way to get there. Other people choose to take the several days’ journey on foot. The best part is that you can do it all high because Peru allows you to carry up to eight grams of cannabis with you. c 34

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

Hope, Alaska

Alaska legalized recreational cannabis use in 2015. Without formal dispensaries, tourists have not been flooding in. However, Bowman’s Bear Creek Lodge may change that. This allinclusive, bud-and-breakfast has five course meals that are simply amazing. Moose wander the breathtaking property that boasts seven luxurious log cabins. Activities include white water rafting, kayaking, trail rides and whale watching tours. Plus, they have their own ice cream truck. The town has a gold mining museum and some restaurants and shopping. And if you go at the right time of the year, you may even get a glimpse of the Northern Lights, while puffing on some Northern Lights.

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January 2017

The World’s Largest Cannabis Facility Aurora Cannabis breaks ground on grow facility in Canada by Jasen T. Davis

Aurora Cannabis is a Vancouver-based company in Canada that has begun construction of a growing facility in Leduc County, Alberta for the purposes of producing cannabis to sell for a profit. How big is it? When completed, it will be the size of 16 football fields. It is called Aurora Sky, and once done the greenhouse will cover 800,000 square feet and produce 100,000 kilograms of cannabis annually. The company isn’t creating the place to win an award from the Guinness Book of World Records. “Our objectives are very clear: To build the largest production capacity with the highest production quality and the lowest production cost,” Steve Dobler, the president of Aurora Cannabis, said in a public statement. “We spent the past year evaluating and selecting the world’s best design concept for cannabis production on a massive scale.” Operated and owned by Canadians living in Mountain View County near the Canadian Rockies, Aurora Cannabis is dedicated to growing safe, premium grade medical cannabis to deliver to patients throughout the country. Since the massive greenhouse will be located next to Edmonton International Airport (EIA), producing and distributing its product throughout the country will be easy. The enormous facility will also provide many paying jobs to the people living throughout the area.

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

“Aurora’s new facility will benefit from high-quality services available on site at EIA, including bonded warehousing, ground transportation access and air cargo connections across the country. EIA is already a major economic driver, with a GDP impact of over $1.1 billion annually, and with this and other new investments, over 2,000 new jobs will be created in 2017 through Aerotropolis development at EIA,” said Myron Keehn, Vice President of Commercial Development at the EIA. “Aurora Sky will prepare the company to meet the rapidly growing medical demand, as well as position us for the soon to be legalized recreational market with the world’s largest and most sophisticated cannabis production facility,” said Neil Belot, Aurora’s Chief Brand Officer. “Our new facility’s location at Edmonton International Airport brings clear competitive advantages, and, we believe, reaffirms the Aurora Standard as the industry benchmark for innovation, leadership and strategic execution.” This isn’t the first time the company has made headlines for their innovative developments. Back in September they developed an app for iPhones that would allow medical patients to order their medicine from the safety of their homes with the push of a smart phone button. The Cannabis Canada Association has estimated that there more than 90,000 medical cannabis patients exist within the country. Aurora alone has nearly 7,700 patients. There is one reason why the company has decided to invest so much work and money into constructing such a massive, state-of-the-art facility: Demand. Vice President Cam Battley believes that since recreational cannabis is finally legalized across Canada, Aurora Sky will be in a perfect position, both geographically and economically, to benefit from supplying customers with what they want, when they want it, at an affordable rate. “The demand is now about 130,000 patients in the medical cannabis system,” Battley said Thursday. “We need to expand to meet that demand and we also have our eye very much on the federal government’s intention to table legislation in the spring to legalize the consumer use.” There are 36 companies across Canada licensed to grow, sell and distribute medical cannabis. Aurora Cannabis is just one of them. Across the United States of America, as cannabis is legalized here more and more, demand will grow until another company creates a similar greenhouse to fulfill the same expanding demand. c

“We spent the past year evaluating and selecting the world’s best design concept for cannabis production on a massive scale.”

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January 2017

Industry Insider “Being a dispensary operator, every Monday we would have training, and by Wednesday the training would be misconstrued . . . It was very hard to keep the staff informed of all these new products all the time.”

Matt Young of APOP MEDIA

by R. Scott Rappold

i nce you’re reading this, the odds are good that you have experienced the waiting room of a cannabis dispensary. Is there a television? Are they showing an old Cheech and Chong movie or information about cannabis that can help inform your purchase? If it’s the latter, the odds are that the programming (and the television) is from Apop Media. The Los Angelesbased media company, co-founded

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

by CEO Matt Young in 2015, has become one of the largest providers, with televisions and programming in 120 California collectives and doctors’ offices. They’ll soon expand to Washington, Colorado and Canada. For Young, it’s about not only improving the waiting room experience, but also showing the products available at the collective and helping patients decide what’s right for them. And forget the old-

p h o t o s b y J o h n Gilh o o ley

fashioned chalkboard with the strains of the day. Apop (short for “At Point of Purchase”) Media also provides televisions to serve as informational platforms and digital menus. “You’re taking a TV that was playing non-cannabis-related content, Scarface or I Love Lucy or whatever, and transforming that waiting room into an educating and engaging experience,” said Young, 45. “We’re improving the look and feel of the store.” >>

Collective Experience

Ambience and Information

Like many an epiphany that has come out of coastal California, Young’s occurred to him while he was surfing. It was 2008 and Young, a longtime entrepreneur, was looking for his next big thing. He had recently been forced to shut down his company that made an energy drink mix called “Blow,” white powder sold in a vial that was the equivalent of three Red Bulls. It seems the feds took issue with marketing a product that was similar to cocaine. While waiting for a wave on his surfboard, he floated past his neighbor, who happened to run a medical cannabis collective. The neighbor was having trouble finding good product and Young, who knew a thing or two about cultivating, offered to get involved. Flash forward several years later—Young had enough of the red tape and constant risk of being arrested or shut down, so he sold his interest in the collective. But in his experience running it, the idea for Apop Media was born.

Like many collectives, Young’s was in a small, out-of-the-way location, with a sales room that couldn’t accommodate more than four patients at once. That meant a waiting time for patients that averaged between eight and 25 minutes. He was also frustrated by the inability of budtenders to keep up with new products and strains. With these two problems in mind, he and co-founder Rebecca Brinegar launched Apop Media in 2015. “The initial thing was, ‘How do we help the patients and how do we help the store owners get the correct information to the patients?’” said Young. “Being a dispensary operator, every Monday we would have training, and by Wednesday the training would be misconstrued . . . It was very hard to keep the staff informed of all these new products all the time.” It works like this: Apop provides flat screen TVs to collectives at no charge. In the waiting room, the TV plays a constantly-changing array of ads, educational segments and entertainment clips on a 15-minute loop. The programming is tailored to the collective’s demographics and what products they sell. Dispensary or collective operators can program the text of a crawler at the bottom of the screen, like what you see on cable news networks, with such information as hours, sales and specials and other details. Apop also provides free horizontal televisions to be used as digital menus, to help patients compare prices and learn about what’s available. There might be one for flower, one for edibles and one for extracts. The programming is advertising-driven, and dispensaries can actually earn up to $1,000 a month by selling enough products from advertising partners. But Young sees Apop Media’s TV services as more than that, as helping make the dispensary or collective a more appealing experience. “We have this whole market of people coming in. Dispensaries are intimidating places. As a personal option they don’t know all these brands. They don’t know what the

“I want to help broaden the industry to where everyone has a place, to where a 70-year-old with arthritis can get the best topical for their needs.”

medicine is, what it does. A lot of them don’t know what vaporizing is or how edibles work,” he said. “I want to help broaden the industry to where everyone has a place, to where a 70-year-old with arthritis can get the best topical for their needs.” c apopmedia.com

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January 2017

How did you get started playing music?

HUSTLING AND BUSTLING BAZAN Seattle artist David Bazan’s many musical incarnations continue to evolve by Emily Manke David Bazan is one of those artists whose career has been so winding and prolific; the story is almost as interesting as the music. Bazan began his career in the band Pedro the Lion in the mid-‘90s, and then went on to form Headphones with a motley crew of other Seattle-based musicians in 2005. This marked a change in Bazan’s sound, from strictly guitar-based rock, to more of a synth-inclusive one. After the short-lived Headphones came Bazan’s first solo performances in 2006. His solo career got off to a slow start, but he eventually released his first solo album, Curse Your Branches, in 2009. Bazan’s gone on to release three solo albums and one collaboration with Passenger String Quartet.

“. . . [Cannabis has] made me enjoy myself more when I am high, and it’s also easier to play and write music, because the extremely judgmental portion of my brain just gets kind of disengaged.” 2016 was a big year for David Bazan. He released two albums; Blanco came out in May, and Dark Sacred Night, a holiday album, came out in November. Also in November, Bazan released a video not on the album, an ethereal, orchestral electronic song called “The Trouble With Boys,” a reaction to the rampant misogyny spewed during the election. A tour to support the mystical and inspiring Dark Sacred Night just ended in late December, so Bazan will have time to spend with his family. A quick look at Bazan’s online presence will tell you family is a priority for him. Lucky for us, Bazan took a break from his undoubtedly jam-packed schedule to chat with CULTURE. Bazan filled us in on his newest tunes, his inspirations and his relationship with cannabis.

David Bazan: My dad and mom are musicians. But, they expressed their music in church only. My mom sang in church always, and my dad played cello and piano. His job was the music pastor, and so I grew up in church and the music was all around. But it was specifically like church music. So I started playing piano when I was five, and stopped in seventh grade. I started playing drums then, and that’s what really kind of shook me to where I am now, which is what I do for my job, which I’ve done my whole adult life. By ninth grade I know I wanted to be a musician for a living. I hadn’t started to play guitar yet, and I just figured I’d do what my drum teacher did, which was teach drums and play in wedding bands and jazz combos, and get the occasional recording gig for this and that. And then I learned to play guitar and write songs, and I realized “No this’ll be way easier to be in control of what happens to me as a musician,” so I started doing that. And then that pretty quickly changed my focus of what I want to do as a job, from being a drummer to being a, I guess you’d call a singer-songwriter though I’ve never really liked that tag. Where do you hail you from? Currently I live in Edmonds. I’ve lived in the Seattle area for 25 years. I grew up in Phoenix. I also lived in Northern California briefly too. What bands or artists have influenced you? I guess I would probably say the bands who have been most influential have been either in terms of inspiration, and actual sound, is The Beatles, Fugazi, this band Bedhead, that later became the band The New Year and ugh . . . Tom Petty.

Has the cannabis culture impacted your sound or creative process in any way? I think that it has, but it feels indirect. It feels like it’s made me enjoy myself more when I am high, and it’s also easier to play and write music, because the extremely judgmental portion of my brain just gets kind of disengaged. That was a huge benefit for me apparently, just with how hard I can be on myself. It’s one of the many ways that it’s helped. And it is sort of more fundamental than helping creativity. It sort of just helps me function better, and therefore helps with all these things. I do tend to be high when I’m playing music these days. And it’s truly the best. What do you like to listen to when you’re imbibing in cannabis? It really depends! When I’m high, and really in general, I have a hard time separating the art from the artist. Like if the artist was a dickhead or something, and the music is great, I can’t all the way get down with it all the way. And when I’m high that’s even more extreme. My perception of the intention of the music has to meet some unknown standard. I find myself sort of skipping around until something feels true and fundamental. The other day I was listening to Ready to Die, the Notorious B.I.G. record, and that was really heavy. Genre doesn’t really matter; it’ll go from that, to classical, to noise. I really like emphatic expressions of music, like Fugazi for instance. Its heavy music in a lot of ways, but it’s sophisticated and has a lot of depth of intention. It really has to do with some criteria of my perception of the intention is in line with my intent at the time. It’s not even conscious. Often times I’m just flipping around and find something that really lands. c www.davidbazan.com

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

p h o t o s b y R y a n R u s s ell

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January 2017

culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN

by Ed Rosenthal

Last month I demonstrated how I “painted” stigmas, the receptive portions of female plants with pollen obtained from female plants. They were induced to produce the pollen using a commercial product made this the purpose. I am sad to report that no seeds were produced by any of the plants using pollen from three different treated plants. Every portion of the experiment failed to produce seeds, only one method produced pollen and it seemed to be infertile. There are a lot of methods for making clones. A commonly used method is sticking cuttings in rockwool or soil. One of the most popular methods is aeroponic, continuously misting the stems with a fine spray. Many commercially available cloning machines use this method and there are several videos available on YouTube showing how to make them. I take plant cuttings

all the time and am often able to root them in a glass of water. Others require rockwool or a planting mix. One company used to produce a water-based cloning tray but it got mixed reviews. Still, I have been fascinated by the possibility of rooting in water. In this first experiment clones were placed in about two inches of water, and were held in place using neoprene corks. The tray was placed on a half-inch thick Styrofoam board to prevent heat transference to the concrete floor. Originally the tray held a small circulating pump that also mixed in a bit of air using the venturi effect. A fluorescent light was hung 19” inches over the plants. The cuttings were placed in water adjusted to a pH of 6, but after a week there was no indication of callus growth on the stem. Next I decided to add some more oxygen. People sometimes add hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to the water because it’s unstable and gradually adds oxygen to the water. I decided to use a machine new to the market that uses hydrolysis

TIP OF THE MONTH Traditionally and continuing today, Moroccans store their dried, harvested stalks with buds in waterproofed unheated sheds until winter’s cold set in. Only then, when the trichomes were brittle and not tacky was the material processed. You may be able to follow their practice. Let nature freeze the material you want to process: trim and crushed mininugs. Then while it’s still freezing hand screen the material using a trim screen or a rotating kief maker running small amounts of material for just a minute or so, as long as the falling dust remains blond. This is top quality. Quality lowers as it turns greenish.

PROFILE

COURAGE

DESTINATION

Water Clones

to oxygenate water. This occurs when electric current passes through water. It breaks it up into its elemental form: The gasses hydrogen and oxygen. When I saw this demonstrated, I was impressed that it turned a large tank of water foggy with oxygen in just a few minutes. I added this to the water tray and set it using a repeating timer for 1 minute on/1 minute off. At the same time I added a heat mat underneath the tray to maintain a minimum water temperature of 68 °. The plant cuttings started rooting within days. Unfortunately, I was away when the roots first appeared. More experiments and details of this method to come next month. Now, I am asking you to decide whether I should continue this experiment, “Making Feminized Seeds,” or move on. If you decide that I should continue, I will bring in an expert seed propagator to help us. Please visit our contest page (ireadculture.com/ contests) and indicate Yes or No. In exchange for your participation I’ll send you some tips for your garden! Please take a minute to vote on whether to continue the quest for “Making Feminized Seeds.” c

Cuttings sitting in tray.

Cuttings underside tray showing roots on all the clones.

A small circulation pump and the hydrolysis unit kept the water oxygenated and moving.

Close-up of roots on sem.

Planted clone

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.

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

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January 2017

culture growing RECIPES UNKNOWN DESTINATION COURAGE IN PROFILE 44

St. Croix Celebrates 12 Days of Carnival by Sheryll Alexander

January is perhaps the best time of year when it comes to St. Croix cannabis travel, as this gem of a Caribbean island in the U.S. Virgin Islands annually celebrates Crucian Christmas Carnival during the first week of the month. Held from Christmas Day through January 7, St. Croix’s 2017 carnival festivities rev up as the sun goes down. Each evening has a different theme (for example: Reggae, calypso, Latin, children, adults) and always includes costumes, music, dancing, food, drink and good times. St. Croix is The U.S. Virgin Islands’ most remote island and the biggest, at around 85 square miles. This isolation—as well as the incredibly chill vibe from being home to some of the world’s best white sand beaches and its rich Afro-Caribbean-Euro culture—is another reason why cannabis enthusiasts flock to scenic St. Croix. And while St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands may seem very far away, the good news is American citizens do not need a passport, the main language is English and the currency is U.S. green backs. Another reason to choose St. Croix is the island has recently undergone a farm-to-table

if you go: culinary Renaissance. St. Croix’s culinary scene was always a decidedly delicious mix of West African, native Caribbean, European (Danish, French, Spanish), South American and North American flavors, but a new breed of organic farmers and young chefs has made the island into an international fine dining dream come true. Seeking romance? St. Croix caters to couples who really want to get away from it all. The island’s accommodations include charming boutique properties positioned atop bucolic beaches. Many of these B&Bs, villas, condos and luxury hotels specialize in couples “therapy”: Zen-like cottage suites, chic outdoor lounging spaces, couple-centric spas and candlelit dinners on the sand. Of course, ocean sports abound in St. Croix. Scuba diving and snorkeling are some of the world’s best while the global sailing community constantly gathers at the island’s “twin city” port towns of Dane-inspired Christiansted and Victorian-era Frederiksted. Multicultural cannabis aficionados who love the mellow Caribbean island lifestyle will fall ferociously in love with St. Croix and most especially during carnival’s nightly party scene. c

Fun-Filled Facts 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of “Transfer Day” when the Danishheld “West Indies” officially became the U.S. Virgin Islands. Centennial celebrations abound all year long as the islands embrace both their Danish and American heritages. 1

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

Time to Go: January Weather: High 80s with some rainfall Budget: $$$$$

The U.S. Virgin Islands is the only Caribbean destination that celebrates carnival thrice a year. Each island hosts a two-week carnival festival (St. Croix during the holidays, St. Thomas in late April and St. John at the end of July). 2

The U.S. Virgin Islands benefits from a strong Rastafari culture as Jamaica is 800 or so miles away. However, this U.S. territory has yet to legalize medical cannabis. In 2014, the territory’s Senate overrode then Gov. John P. DeJongh’s veto of a cannabis decriminalization provision, which has since eliminated jail time for minor possession (you can get fined $100-$200 for carrying up to one ounce). As with any chill island culture where cannabis is still illegal on the record, make certain to acquire from downto-earth locals who frequent beaches, bars and clubs. While most islanders won’t bat an eye when they get a whiff of that tell-tale cannabis aroma, resist lighting up around schools, hotels, shops and government buildings as well as crowded parks and beaches.

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January 2017

culture growing

Jenifer F.

Age: 22

PROFILE

COURAGE

DESTINATION

UNKNOWN

RECIPES

Condition/Illness: Anxiety & IBS

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

When did you start using medical cannabis? June 2016. It would have been months sooner, but my name was misspelled in the system and I had to go through the application process all over again. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? During high school, I had been tried on a slew of medications. All of them caused me to just become increasingly agitated instead of relieved, most of time, to the point of hysteria. If I was not freaking out, I was nodding out like a zombie. I would get nauseous and then sleep for hours. The doctors told me the antidepressants, anti-anxiety, acid reflux and sleep medications would help me feel more normal, and that my use of cannabis (at the time recreational) was only harming me and causing my symptoms. I argued with my parents and doctors for years. It was not until I turned 18 that I was able to start getting the real help I needed. I now visit a dispensary here in MA, have a wonderful counselor and a kick ass nutritionist to keep me on track, motivated and healthy in life.

What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? I cannot speak for all medical cannabis patients, but for me, here in MA, there are only six dispensaries. I drive a little over an hour to the dispensary and it is expensive. Insurance does not pay for this, but insurance gladly covered all the pharmaceuticals the doctors prescribed me. The laws and regulations are SO strict and difficult, from what I understand. If you are a medical patient in MA and have ever tried to call the patient service number to check the status of your application of call for information, you know what I am about to say . . . It takes forever to get a hold of someone, like hours, and their answer is usually to go on to the website and that’s just a whole mess in itself. Even though we have had medical cannabis since 2012, the system is still so new and small and there is a lot of work to be done. What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? There is nothing to be afraid of. With the right explanation, education and a comfortable, safe environment cannabis can be a wonderful tool for healing. It is quite simple, times are changing; and the way you view this plant and the people who consume it should too. Cannabis users are not just hooligans getting all “guppy eyed” at the skate park anymore; they are business people and parents and successful creatives from all walks of life. 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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January 2017

culture growing RECIPES

Sweet Beginnings to Start Your New Year Off Right Menu: Canna-Banana Bread

The Blackbird

905 N Washington St., Spokane (509) 392-4000 www.theblackbirdspokane.com

COURAGE

DESTINATION

UNKNOWN

Parmesan Macaroni and Cheese

PROFILE

Dahlia Bakery

2001 4th Ave., Seattle (206) 441-4540 www.dahliabakery.com

Walnut Cinnamon Rolls

Corina Bakery

602 S Fawcett Ave., Tacoma (253) 627-5070 www.corinabakery.com

recipes by Keira Fae Every once in a while, I take my mornings off and wake and bake; and, when I say “wake and bake,” I literally mean I wake up at 7am, preheat the oven and start baking (of course while smoking my morning joint). Here are three recipes I enjoy on these special occasions that are delicious, filling and easy! All infused with Ambrosia’s Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil, making it easier to micro-dose and or substitute ingredients without skimping on taste or texture, giving each dish a perfect subtle taste. Let’s start cooking!

Canna-Banana Bread

Servings: 6-8 slices

Ingredients 3 tablespoons Ambrosia’s Infused Coconut Oil

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup of sugar

4 very ripe bananas

2 large eggs, beaten

1/4 cup melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

A pinch of salt

Directions Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a 4x8-inch loaf pan, set aside. In a mixing bowl, mash ripe bananas until smooth. Stir in melted butter. Mix the baking soda and salt into the banana mixture. Mix in the sugar, beaten eggs and vanilla extract. Slowly add the all-purpose flour while stirring (1 minute). Add Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, mix well. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely before taking out of the loaf pan. Serve with butter and honey! Dosage: Each slice approximately 6-7.5mg THC

Local eateries with similar dishes:

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

Keira Fae discovered the healing powers of the cannabis plant in 2014, after suffering from a debilitating illness. Rather than taking a handful of different pharmaceuticals, she decided to smoke all natural medical cannabis instead. The instant improvement to her health, the return of her appetite, increased energy and complete pain relief inspired her to figure out how to cook with cannabis to help herself and those she cared about. After just a couple of years, Fae founded her own infused edibles company in collaboration with Weedmaps, and began to film and disseminate stepby-step instructional video guides on how to cook with cannabis. She now also offers an infused oil line called Ambrosia’s Oils, with a 1:1 THC:THCa. Fae believes it’s imperative that patients know what they are putting into their bodies and also understanding what cannabis can do for their overall health. For more information check out KeiraFae.com.

iReadCULTURE.com

January 2017

culture

Walnut Cinnamon Rolls

growing

Ingredients for Rolls:

RECIPES UNKNOWN DESTINATION COURAGE IN PROFILE

2 tablespoons Ambrosia’s Infused Coconut Oil (30mg)

1/2 cup hot milk

3 1/2-4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup melted butter

1/4 ounce package dry yeast

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup warm water

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup sugar

Ingredients for Cinnamon Filling: 1/4 cup melted butter, plus more for pan

3/4 cup sugar, plus more for pan

2 tablespoons Ambrosia’s Infused Coconut Oil (30mg)

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Ingredients for Glaze: 4 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar

3-6 tablespoons warm milk

Directions:

Parmesan Macaroni and Cheese Servings: 2

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Ambrosia’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil (30 mg) 1/2 pounds pasta, any shape (I prefer Macaroni) 2 tablespoons allpurpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 cup whole milk 2 1/2 cups shredded cheeses, Cheddar, Pepper Jack and Colby

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Dissolve the yeast in a small bowl with warm water and set aside. In a large bowl mix, infused coconut oil, melted butter, milk, sugar, salt and egg. Add all-purpose flour, mix till smooth and add yeast mixture. Mix well until dough is firm enough to handle. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface, place the dough in a greased bowl, cover for 1-1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in size. While dough rises, mix melted butter, infused coconut oil, sugar and ground cinnamon to create the cinnamon filling. Roll dough out on a floured surface a rectangle. Spread melted butter corner to corner. Repeat with cinnamon filling mixture, corner to corner. Roll dough ad cut into 12 pieces. Place cinnamon rolls close together and let rise for 45 minutes or until rolls have doubled in size. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. While your rolls are baking, mix butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Add warm milk 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired constancy. Spread over cooled roll and add walnuts or your favorite topping. Enjoy! Dosage: Each serving 5mg THC

Directions: Bring 4 cups water to a boil over high heat, add pasta and salt. Cook until pasta is soft (about 5-6 minutes) and strain, set aside. Prepare the cheese sauce using the same pot; add 1 cup milk over medium low heat. Once warm, add remainder of milk and flour, whisk until smooth. Turn the heat to low, add infused oil and cheese by the handful. Mix until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat. Combine the pasta and cheese sauce in a separate bowl. Add extra parmesan and basil. Enjoy! Dosage: Each serving 15mg

Servings: 12

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

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.

iReadCULTURE.com

January 2017

Chuck Shepherd's

News of the

Weird LEAD STORY— FUTURE OF TRAVEL u Australian aviator David Mayman has promised investors that his personal jet packs will hit the market by mid-2017, though early adopters will pay about $250,000 for one, to fly a person at up to 60 mph for 10 minutes. The JB-10 (developed by Mayman and designer Nelson Tyler) has made about 400 test runs in Monaco and over downtown London and New York City, but the partners realize that ultimate success will require that the fuel tanks be downsized so that the craft can be powered electrically— and thus seek crowdfunding both for that model and a

larger one to accommodate the Pentagon’s (Special Operations Command) tactical needs. THE CONTINUING CRISIS u Wild Life: The state agency Colorado Parks and Wildlife filed 21 criminal charges in October against the Squirrel Creek Wildlife Rescue center in Littleton, alleging that some of the orphaned and rehabbing animals Kendall Seifert houses are not being kept according to the state’s strict standards—and that Seifert’s 15-year-old center is also home to his popular swingers’ club (Scarlet Ranch) featuring weekend sex parties. One of the criminal charges suggests that rescue animals could be stressed by gazing at activity in the ranch’s bar area. Seifert said he will challenge the charges out of fear that many of the raccoons, foxes, song birds, coyotes, skunks, rabbits and squirrels he would have to relinquish

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

would not find suitable facilities elsewhere. u Episode Almost Ended in a Tie: In November, in a remote area of Oregon’s Maury Mountains, a 69-year-old man killed an elk and dragged the carcass behind his off-road vehicle up a hill. According to the Crook County Sheriff’s office, the vehicle suddenly flipped over backward, and the man landed on, and was impaled by, the elk’s antlers. Fellow hunters summoned a helicopter, and the man has apparently survived. THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT u (1) In a retail market long dominated by priests, “nonsectarian” funeral eulogizers now offer to give individually tailored remembrances of the deceased for a fee, according to an October report by a New York Post reporter who interviewed two local “celebrants,” who cited the

declining appeal of “prayers.” (2) The British retailer ASOS announced in August that 3-foot-long clip-on dinosaur tails had sold out in one of its two models (although New York magazine, which reported it in the U.S., was, for obvious reasons, baffled about why). THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS u Brittany Maynard, then 29, became “the face of the Right to Die movement” in 2014, according to a New York Post column, when she chose a legal physician-assisted suicide rather than awaiting the growth of her terminal brain tumor. In October, terminally ill California mother Stephanie Packer hoped to be “the face of the Right to Live movement” after revealing that her insurance company denied coverage for a drug that could extend her life—but at the same time disclosed that her suicide drugs are covered, and even disclosed her co-pay ($1.20).

ARKANSAS CHIC u Kristi Goss, 43, an assistant to a Garland County (Arkansas) judge, was arrested in October and charged with stealing nearly $200,000 in public funds, which she used to buy such things as a tuxedo for her dog, sequined throw pillows, a “diamond bracelet” (retailing for $128) and, of course, Arkansas Razorback football tickets. THE ARISTOCRATS! u (1) Motorist Kurt Jenkins, 56, was arrested in November in Boynton Beach, Florida, after a pedestrian said Jenkins, naked, motioned him to his car to take a look. The pedestrian said there were children in the area—and also that Jenkins appeared to have wires running from his genitals to an unidentified “electrical device.” (2) Among a stash of pornography found recently on the computer of Michael

Ward, 70, were photos of humans having some sort of sex with “horses, dogs, (an) octopus and (an) eel,” according to a report of England’s Chelmsford Crown Court proceedings. A presentencing order forbade Ward to have contact with children under 16 (but was silent about possible contact with fish or mollusks). THE PASSING PARADE u (1) At press time, “Bugs Bunny” and “Pink Panther” were on trial in St. Catharines, Ontario, on aggravatedassault charges from a Halloween 2015 bar fight in which “Dracula’s” ear was severely slashed with a broken bottle. “There was a lot of blood,” said a witness (but coming from Dracula, not being sucked out by Dracula). (Update: The judge cleared Bugs, but was still deliberating on Panther.) (2) The tardigrade is an ugly micro-organism that is perhaps the sturdiest animal

on Earth, able to endure otherwise-impossible living conditions and (thanks to gene- sequencing) known to be composed of DNA not seen elsewhere. A Japanese company recently began selling an oversized, cuddlable tardigrade toy “plushie” authenticated by science’s leading tardigrade authority, professor Kazuharu Arakawa of Keio University. A NEWS OF THE WEIRD CLASSIC (JANUARY 2013) u The usual 20,000 or so visitors every year to Belgium’s 30-acre Verbeke Foundation art park are allowed to reserve a night inside the feature attraction: a 20-foot-long, 6-foothigh polyester replica of a human colon created by Dutch designer Joep Van Lieshout. The area at the end of the structure gives the installation its formal name, the Hotel CasAnus. The facility, though “cramped,” according to one prominent

review, features heating, showers and double beds, and rents for the equivalent of about $150 a night (the rate in 2012). FUTURE OF TRAVEL u Australian aviator David Mayman has promised investors that his personal jet packs will hit the market by mid-2017, though early adopters will pay about $250,000 for one, to fly a person at up to 60 mph for 10 minutes. The JB-10 (developed by Mayman and designer Nelson Tyler) has made about 400 test runs in Monaco and over downtown London and New York City, but the partners realize that ultimate success will require that the fuel tanks be downsized so that the craft can be powered electrically— and thus seek crowdfunding both for that model and a larger one to accommodate the Pentagon’s (Special Operations Command) tactical needs.

iReadCULTURE.com

January 2017

January 2017 iReadCULTURE.com

iReadCULTURE.com

January 2017