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contents 11.2018
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INF ORMING T HE M AS SES
Former talk show host and actress, Ricki Lake, gives CULTURE the exclusive scoop about her career, her goals for the future and her new film, Weed the People. ON THE COVER:
PHOTO BY GIACOMO GEX
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features
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Industry Insider Founder and COO of StockPot Images, Ophelia Chong, has risen to fame thanks to her cannabis advocacy and vision of the future.
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Strength in Numbers Despite ongoing struggles with federal law, Native American tribes across the U.S. are working hard to stay competitive in the cannabis industry.
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Listen Closely These five cannabis podcasts are a great way to stay entertained while gaining unique perspectives on the current state of the industry.
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Melodically Mellow Indie-rock band Talktin and Easy kicks off its first album, All In Our Family of Trees, with a healthy dose of optimism and no shortage of cannabis inspiration.
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departments
12 Letter from the Editor news 14 By the Numbers 16 News Nuggets 17 Local News 18 Legal Corner reviews 20 Strain & Concentrate Reviews 22 Cool Stuff in every issue 41 Growing Culture 42 À La Carte 44 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! d How to Infuse Your “Friendsgiving” Celebration d First Two Cannabis Labs Approved in Boston, MA
VOL 10 ISSUE 5
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jamie Solis ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ashley Bennett EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Benjamin Adams EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Matthew Abel, Hilary Bricken, Devon Alexander Brown, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, Caroline Hayes, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Carl Kozlowski, Emily Manke, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, R. Scott Rappold, Paul Rogers, Ed Rosenthal, Kimberly R. Simms, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf PHOTOGRAPHERS Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner, Bruce Wolf ART DIRECTOR Steven Myrdahl PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Aguirre GRAPHIC DESIGNER John Venegas ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alex Brizicky, Angie Callahan, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Rocki Davidson, Casey Roel, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza OFFICE MANAGER Mikayla Aguilar 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.CultureMagazine.com
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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LETTER
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EDITOR
Enduring Devotion
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ediatric cancer. Those are two words that no parent or guardian should ever have to hear, especially when referring to the health of their child. The words pale in comparison to the devastating experiences that coincide with undergoing cancer treatment for a child. Unfortunately, pediatric cancer, among other diseases, is an unfair reality that some children and their families still face. Cancer is a destructive force that affects the lives of both victims and survivors, and when children are the ones who are affected by it, cancer couldn’t be crueler. Like our readers, at CULTURE, we are not only cannabis consumers, but we are activists, and we are educators. Every day we wake up and live our purpose of bringing cannabis into the mainstream, for medical purposes, as well as for recreational enjoyment. We are mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles; we are proud members of our community, and overall we want more than anything to see health and wellness perpetuated in the lives of every human being on this planet. We want to dismantle the lies and fear that surround cannabis and replace it with education, research and hope. It’s our mission to create a safe place for all consumers from all walks of life to feel like they can belong within our community, while also being provided with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their own wellbeing, as well as that of their loved ones. That is why when we come across stories like those found in the groundbreaking film Weed the People, we rejoice in finding a clear and accessible way to provide information to the masses about a plant that has helped so many who are undergoing cancer treatment. Through our exclusive interview with Weed the People Executive Producer Ricki Lake, CULTURE gained insight into the growing impact of this emotional film, which follows the heartbreaking and awe-inspiring journeys of various families who turned to cannabis as treatment for their children’s pediatric cancer. With countless screenings continuing throughout the month of November and in some cities into December, we invite our readers to come along this journey, which highlights the heroes who exist within our community, who provide children and their families with cannabis medicine and guidance. The cannabis industry is no stranger to
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setbacks. But we will no longer be defined by the obstacles ahead of us. Instead, we’ll continue to rally together to make sure no person diagnosed with cancer is not given all the resources possible to thrive. Like many of the other documentaries Ricki Lake has been a part of before, Weed the People has the ability to lead to the change we are desperate to see in our world, if for nothing else, for the sake of our children. As Lake tells CULTURE in our November cover story, “At the end of the day, you look into these kids’ eyes, and you see them going through these treatments in the hospital. You can’t help but get behind these families and stories. That—I hope—will lead to real change in the system.” c Cheers!
JAMIE SOLIS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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The number of days that the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board allowed for public comment regarding proposed alternative cannabis-infused edibles rules: (Source: The Seattle Times)
The number of days that one Washington retail cannabis store’s license was suspended for selling cannabis to a person under the age of 21: (Source: Kitsap Sun)
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The estimated price, in dollars, that the Washington Department of Agriculture is seeking to increase its annual hemp cultivation fee to, up from $300: (Source: Capital Press)
7,500
The number of years’ worth of cannabis-related convictions that were recently vacated by Seattle judges: (Source: The Seattle Times)
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The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that the state of Alaska collected in cannabis tax revenue during the month of August: (Source: U.S. News)
1.5
The estimated number of people who applied for a “Cannabis Connoisseur” job that was posted in Toronto, Canada in late-September:
20,000
(Source: Global News)
The number of U.S. states that saw cannabis-related proposals on the November ballot: (Source: Forbes)
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The estimated number cannabis-related public speakers who spoke at the 4th Annual Maine Cannabis Convention in Maine: (Source: Portland Press Herald)
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Blues Traveler WHEN: Sat, Nov. 17 WHERE: The Neptune Theatre, 1303 NE 45th St., Seattle WEBSITE: stgpresents.org/neptune Don’t miss your chance to see the Grammy Awardwinning blues/rock band Blues Traveler in all of its jam band glory. Brendan Hill is the drummer for the former CULTURE cover feature Blues Traveler and a fan of cannabis. Hill helped launch Washington-based Paper & Leaf cannabis boutique a few years ago, and he recently announced his endorsement for a cannabis inventory tracking system called KlickTrack. Hill is joined 14
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by vocalist John Popper, Chan and Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson to form the band’s current lineup. The year 1994’s “Run Around” has been cited as a “sleeper hit” off of the band’s fourth album, but slowly crept up the charts to take Blues Traveler into international stardom. Last year, the band celebrated its 30th anniversary and continues to tour the United States playing a harmonica-enhanced brand of blues rock.
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NEWS
NUGGETS
Washington Brewer Develops Terpene-Infused Beer Cannabis and beer is a match made in heaven—or most beer and cannabis lovers think so. Unfortunately, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) doesn’t allow this kinship to become official. However, some clever brewers have still figured out a legal way to combine these two beloved products. Wingman Brewers in Tacoma collaborated with Trap Door Brewing, Boundary Bay Brewery and Green Rose Gardens to create a terpeneinfused IPA. The beer contains no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) or any other cannabinoids. “The LCB’s big restrictions were that the beer couldn’t contain any THC or CBD,” Ken Thoburn of Wingman Brewers told CULTURE. “So we thought there are so
Third Cannabis Dispensary May Open in Otis Orchards Otis Orchards is home to two cannabis stores, Apex Cannabis and Primo Cannabis. Now a third business, Nirvana Cannabis Company out of Airway Heights, is considering relocating there as well. A quick look at the stores’ sales will tell you why. According to 502 Data, Apex Cannabis sold nearly $500,000 worth 16
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many new interesting strains that have terpenes in them that create really great aromas and flavors in the final product. What Green Rose Gardens could do was work with a lab to press out the oils in the cannabis, separate the THC and CBD and the terpenes, and then isolate those terpenes and add them to the beer.” The brewers decided to use a type of hops with a blueberry flavor known as Denali, combined with the strain Blue Dream based on their complementary terpene profiles.
of cannabis products in August of this year alone. Nirvana Cannabis Company, in comparison, sold $76,614 that same month. Despite these sales, which indicate a healthy market, some locals aren’t happy. Nirvana Cannabis Company’s license for its Otis Orchards store still needs approval as of this writing, and several Otis Orchards residents wrote letters to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) and county commissioners to try and stop that from happening. Petitioner Brook Dormaier is one of those residents. “We are adequately served,” Dormaier stated. “If you want to get cannabis products, you can get cannabis products within five minutes from anywhere in Otis Orchards.” With cannabis sales rivaling that of many big city retailers, is the community adequately served? That remains for the LCB to decide.
Guam Governor Signs Cannabis Cultivation Bill On Oct. 9, Gov. Eddie Calvo signed Bill 302, which allows patients and caregivers to grow their own medical cannabis until Guam’s medical cannabis program forms. Patients and caregivers have already been waiting for access to medical cannabis since the island first legalized it in 2014. “This bill was prompted by an initiative voted on by the people of Guam,” Gov. Eddie Calvo stated. “It has been a struggle getting medicinal marijuana to those in our community who need it. Now there’s another option, and that is home cultivation. We believe that this measure will effectuate the use of medicinal marijuana for those that are in need of it.” Per the new law, patients and caregivers can obtain a grower’s permit from the Department of Public Health and Social Services. Once they’ve received a permit, they can grow and possess up to six adult and 12 juvenile plants.
NEWS
LOCAL
REVERSING THE WRONG S e at t l e m o v e s t o va c at e o v e r 5 0 0 c a n n a b i s - r e l at e d c h a r g e s By Emily Manke
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eattle officials have taken a major step towards justice. The 542 folks who were charged with cannabis possession between 1996 and 2010 will have those charges vacated. Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes filed the motion in April and the motion was approved Sept. 11. This is not only a win for cannabis consumers, but it represents a larger step toward racial equality in the state, as cannabis-related convictions disproportionately affect people of color. CULTURE reached out to Holmes for his thoughts on the monumental decision. Holmes shared that he hopes this landmark decision will serve as a positive example and inspire other cities. “Take a moment to recognize the significance of the seven judges finding that ‘setting aside the conviction and dismissing the case serves the interests of justice.’ We’ve come a long way, and I hope this action inspires other jurisdictions to follow suit,” Holmes told CULTURE. “Five hundred and forty-two people have criminal records for holding something we can buy in retail storefronts today. In short order, thanks to our Seattle Municipal Court judges, those convictions will be history.” According to the court document, “Preliminary Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law and Order Re: City’s Motion to Dismiss Possession of Marijuana Charges,” the court took the following actions to make sure the charges were justly dismissed. Defendants received a notice at their last known address within 30 days of Sept. 11, 2018. Defendants were given a chance to respond. If the defendants didn’t respond
Oddmall: Emporium of the Weird! within 33 days, or their notice came back as undeliverable, the Seattle Municipal Court entered the final order, and their charges were vacated. If defendants responded with an objection, or “moves the court with different belief” motions hearings would be scheduled. Basically, if defendants do nothing, their charges will be vacated, but if for some odd reason they object, or wish to go to court about it, they can. By mid-November, most of the defendants’ charges will have been vacated. In October, CULTURE contacted Seattle’s Municipal Court to find out what progress was being made. Seattle Municipal Court’s Public Disclosure & Communications Advisor, Gary Ireland, responded. “We have received the certified addresses requested from the Seattle City Attorney and are in the process of preparing notices to impacted individuals,” Ireland wrote via email. “We don’t have an exact date for when the notices will be sent; however, we anticipate that they will be sent this month.” The main reason that these charges were vacated is that cannabis is now legal in Washington. Another reason, according to the preliminary findings, is that “Possession of Marijuana charges prosecuted in Seattle Municipal Court between 1996 and 2010 disproportionally impacted persons of color in general, and the African American community in particular. Of the over 500 cases involved in this motion, the racial demographics of defendants were: Three percent Asian, 46 percent black, 46 percent white, three percent Native American and two percent unknown.” According to the 2012-2016 American Community Survey, African Americans comprise seven percent of Seattle’s population, which decreased 0.7 percent from the 2010 census. The fact that 46 percent of defendants with cannabis possession charges were black and less than eight percent of the population was black, points to an issue with systemic racism within the city of Seattle. Vacating cannabis possession charges is a small, albeit positive first step to right this wrong. As cannabis is legalized elsewhere in the country, it’s important jurisdictions take action to right the wrongs of past policy. Seattle, like San Francisco before it, has created an effective and ethical template for courts to do just that. c
Are you into knickknacks, doodads, novelties, gadgets and strange gifts? Or, are you a picker looking for old objects to score? Get lost among over 95 booths featuring strange and hardto-find items! Anything unusual is welcomed at Oddmall, now celebrating its ninth annual event held in various states. Find rare art, crafts, jewelry, clothing and gifts. There will be antiques, steampunk-inspired artwork of various sorts and random artisanal objects. Admission is free, and you’re bound to find something you didn’t expect to find. Some of Oddmall’s vendors and artists will be hosting workshops and demonstrations on various crafts. Oddmall was conceived by artist and illustrator Andy Hopp, known for his fantasy-inspired art. Since this event falls before the holiday season, free gift wrapping will also be available. WHEN: Sat, Nov. 10-Sun, Nov. 11 WHERE: Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. SE, Monroe WEBSITE: oddmall.co
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NEWS
LEGAL CORNER
Confection Crisis
Washington considers ban on cannabis-infused candy By Alison Malsbury
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he Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) recently announced during one of its meetings that beginning on April 3, 2019, retail cannabis stores in Washington will no longer be allowed to sell cannabis-infused hard candies, tarts, fruit chews, colorful chocolates, jellies or gummies. Shortly after announcing the LCB’s intention for a ban, the LCB issued a statement stating that it would temporarily pause that decision. Starting in mid-October, the LCB set a 30-day public comment period to review alternative options in regulating edibles, versus outright banning them.
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According to the LCB, concerns had been raised by the LCB itself, stakeholders and the public regarding cannabis-infused edible candy. When the LCB conducted a review of all previously-approved cannabis-infused candy to ensure that none of those products were appealing to children, it found that in fact, some approved products would meet the state’s definition of being “especially appealing to children.” In particular, the LCB is concerned about “candy – hard candy (of any style, shape or size) and tarts,” and “fruit chews, jellies and gummy type products.” In the Washington State Legislature’s cannabis chapter
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WAC 314-55-077(7), it describes the adopted restrictions regarding public safety concerns related to an increased risk of accidental ingestion of cannabis by children. “A marijuana processor is limited in the types of food or drinks they may infuse with marijuana,” the chapter states. “Marijuana-infused products that are especially appealing to children are prohibited. Products such as, but not limited to, gummy candies, lollipops, cotton candy, or brightly colored products, are prohibited.” The LCB will allow licensees to sell through their product(s) until existing inventory is depleted or until April 3, 2019, whichever comes first. In order to determine whether a product qualifies or will be banned, all labels and products must be resubmitted to the LCB to meet the rule change, which goes into effect January 1, 2019. In evaluating whether a product is allowed or not, the LCB will consider the product’s appearance, its similarity to commercially available products that are marketed toward and are especially appealing to children and the color of the product. Some examples provided by the LCB of allowable cannabis-infused products include beverages, baked goods, capsules, chips, crackers, sauces, spices and tinctures. Examples of cannabis-infused products that may be allowed depending on their appearance include chocolate, cookies, caramels and mints. For example, chocolate in its original color that is not coated, dipped, sprayed or painted with any type of color will be allowed, as will cookies that do not contain sprinkles or frosting. Given the subjectivity in evaluating whether a product is especially appealing to children, it will behoove producers to err on the side of caution when developing their cannabis-infused products. At the time of this writing, we will undoubtedly see pushback on this rule change, not just from processors that have built their businesses on such products, but from consumers who will face a decrease in the types of products available for purchase. c
“The LCB will allow licensees to sell through their product(s) until existing inventory is depleted or until April 3, 2019, whichever c o m e s f i r s t. ”
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REVIEWS
strain & concentrate
Lemon Meringue by Mother Earth Farms Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this delicious Lemon Meringue. Just like a slice of lemon meringue pie, this flower is pretty to look at. Covered in fuzzy white crystals and light orange hairs, the soft green sugar leaves form a tight, dense bud that is perfectly cured for optimal consumption. The lemon, citrus and floral scent hits you as soon as you open the package, which is followed by a hint of diesel. When the CULTURE team sampled this flower using a water pipe, we noted the lemon and citrus flavors, and the diesel was much more prominent in the taste than it was in the scent. This sativa-dominant hybrid tests at 17 percent THC and is a pleasure to consume. The blissful effects provide a mild jolt of energy and a major jolt of joy. It’s the perfect flower for social or outdoor occasions.
White Sour Diesel by Mammoth Labs
Available wherever: Mammoth Labs products are carried.
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Mammoth Labs’ wax is consistently excellent, and White Sour Diesel follows this pattern. The wax itself is perfect in texture and color. Gooey but pliable, this honey-colored extract is a textbook example of what hydrocarbon concentrate should be. As soon as the CULTURE team sampled this extract using a water vaporizer and vape pen, the 15.67 percent of total terpenes was evident. Like an earthy, not-too-sweet lemon candy, the bouquet of various terpenes makes for a delightful experience for the consumer. In addition to the incredible flavor, the effects were pretty profound as well. With a total of 61.05 percent THC, this concentrate goes straight to your head. White Sour Diesel is a true hybrid. The effects leaned towards sativa, but really offered the best of both worlds. An even-keeled, relaxing effect was perfect for any number of activities. Whether you need to be energized and productive or just chill, this White Sour Diesel wax from Mammoth Labs will come correct.
Carnival Kush by Harmony Farms There’s nothing like a trip to the carnival will put your mind at ease. You’ll think you won a prize when you unscrew Harmony Farms’ reusable glass jar! This bud is uniquely beautiful and intensely crystalline. The flower manages to be dense and fluffy at the same time, revealing its softer nature when you break into the vibrant bud. The scent is powerful, and you could guess it’s a kush without knowing it. In addition to the obvious signature kush scent, there is some sweet, almost grape-like notes as well. The CULTURE team used a water pipe and vaporizer to sample this wonderful specimen and enjoyed the sweet kush flavor. Carnival Kush is an indica-dominant hybrid, and the effects are relaxing and lovely. This is the perfect flower for pain relief and major relaxation. With the cold rainy season now in full effect, this is the perfect flower to curl up with for all your indoor activities.
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Available at: Gypsy Greens in Olympia.
Available wherever: Harmony Farms products are carried.
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REVIEWS
1. 35” Green Crack Walking Cane with Brass Handle Strain Canes are the ingenious answer to the excess of cannabis and hemp stalks, which are typically thrown out as waste or simply milled for industrial fiber. This particular Strain Cane is 35 inches tall, weighs 2.5 pounds, and is made from the stalk of a cannabis plant grown by Moonshine Farms. With its polished finish, classy brass name plate and brass handle on top, it’s a quality cane that will last a long time. Each stalk takes about three to six months to dry in a solar kiln, and then it is handcrafted. Price: $150 More Information: straincanes.com 2. Canon IVY Photo Printer Do you miss the Polaroid era? Don’t fret, because Canon has you covered with the instant photo, re-imagined for the modern era. Print two-inch by three-inch peel-and-stick photos from your smartphone or social media accounts. Don’t forget to add the filter. You can also add emojis, frames, text, stickers or create a collage, the same way you manipulate and edit a photo using a digital platform. An actual photo is more archival and easier to display in the real world than any media you have stored on your phone accounts. The Canon IVY Photo Printer is exactly what you need if you want to enjoy your memories forever. Price: $129.99 More Information: shop.usa.canon.com 22
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3. Moodo Starter Pack Why settle for a single scent when Moodo can provide rotating or mixed scents to suit any mood? This starter pack comes with three scent families, and each scent family contains four capsules with complementary scents that are carefully selected. Mix and match, or personalize your own scent by toggling with the presets and customizing according to your preference. There are a total of seven mood-oriented scent families to choose from. You can also control Moodo remotely using its handy smartphone app. That way, if you’re away from home, your house will smell the exact way you choose by the time you arrive home. Price: $189 More Information: moodo.co
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4. Silver Surfer Vaporizer® Don’t be modest—vape like a superhero with the Silver Surfer Vaporizer®. With its glass-on-glass design, handblown temperature knob and customizable base and accessories, this timeless product will have you tossing out your older vaporizer models in no time. You can also dress it with a new color each time you change the colored hose wraps. It comes with a wand attachment, a banger, hoses and all the accessories you need to get started. Every model is built and tested in the U.S.A., so invest in a product that will last you a long time and provide consistent solid draws. Price: $270 More Information: 7thfloorvapes.com
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“IN THE BEGINNING, ALL I DID WAS CHANNEL OPRAH.”
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RICKI LAKE OPENS UP ABOUT HER CAREER, HER L AT E S T FIL M AND HER PERSONAL MISSION TO EDUC AT E OTHERS ABOUT MEDICAL CANNABIS
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Few people possess the natural empathic abilities that Ricki Lake does— which is why she was the youngest syndicated talk show host at the time when Ricki Lake debuted in 1990. It’s also why her wildly successful early career in film—and prowess in the independent documentary scene later on in life—took root. Through films like Hairspray with Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono and Divine, and Cry-Baby with Johnny Depp and Traci Lords, Lake became a cult classic icon in the world of musical film, beginning when she was just a teenager. Hairspray would inspire a Broadway musical that won eight Tony Awards and a 2007 remake with an all-star cast. And seldom do shows last 11 seasons like the original daytime talk show Ricki Lake. As an ardent ally of LGBTQ rights, female empowerment and various social causes, Lake was naturally inspired to produce Weed the People, a powerful film that follows the children and families battling pediatric cancer, who depend on medical cannabis. The Emmy Award-winning host, actress, executive producer and mother took time to chat with CULTURE about the reasoning behind her new film, as well as the highs and lows of her remarkable on-screen career. CultureMagazine.com
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Weed the People takes a hard look at pediatric cancer patients who depend on medical cannabis the most. What led you to connect with Director Abby Epstein and make this film? Abby and I first met in about 1999 when she directed the “The Vagina Monologues,” so we became coworkers and friends. And then we went on to make our documentary The Business of Being Born, which came out 10 years ago in 2008. I’m drawn by my own personal experiences with midwives and home birth, and I really wanted to explore that option. And with cannabis, I can’t say “this is my medicine” way back when, but my beloved husband Christian Evans
“I HAVE REAL HIGH HOPES THAT [WEED THE PEOPLE] CAN DO A LOT TO MOVE THE NEEDLE AND GIVE PEOPLE A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE POWER OF THIS PLANT, THE SMEAR CAMPAIGN THAT TOOK PLACE 75 YEARS AGO AND HOW WE REALLY NEED TO GET BACK INTO THE MINDSET THAT THIS IS JUST A PLANT THAT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE AND ANYONE WHO NEEDS IT.” passed away in 2017. This is his passion. He was very, very curious about how cannabis could help him with his own physical ailments. He had a lot of issues. At the same time that he was doing research and looking up and finding out information about CBD. This was way before Sanjay Gupta went on CNN and cleared up medical cannabis misinformation. And so we started on this journey. He was [encountering] these medicines that he hadn’t tried before, and at the same time, we had this little girl come into our life that didn’t end up in the film, but she had this really terrible disease, and we went on this mission to try to find out the options for her as opposed from chemotherapy. And it led to this five-and-ahalf years in the making of this film following these 28
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children. What we learned is just staggering. The hypocrisy. It’s a human rights issue, and it just doesn’t make any sense. How long did it take you to find concrete evidence of the efficacy of medical cannabis? It is hard, because the evidence is just not out there. You don’t know what the outcome is going to be when you’re working with these children. They have to put a lot of trust in us in letting us document, and many of the times the doctors in the hospitals don’t want cameras in there. It’s really touching, even though one of the children in the film didn’t survive. But in the documentary film landscape, that’s the experience—you don’t know where it’s going to take you. So yeah, it’s heartwrenching, like watching baby Sophie getting a scan every six weeks because she has fluid [gathering]. It’s life or death. I’m so grateful to the families for trusting us and allowing us to follow their process and ultimately help so many people through their times of despair and hope. I think ultimately, this film is a very hopeful film. It’s been instrumental in helping people to come to the decisions that are best for them. And that’s the same with this film. It’s about informed choice and knowing what the laws are and knowing what you’re up against. And it is changing. We started in 2013. We’ve come a long way, but it is still a Schedule I drug. It’s still federally illegal in this country. I would love to change the perception that some people have. Why do you think it’s still common for some parents to automatically dismiss medical cannabis as treatment for their children? It is frustrating, but I think
that this movie could be the tipping point. I have really high hopes for it. I made the film with all my own money. It was my personal passion. It was my interest. I didn’t know if anyone else would care. I did it, because I thought I needed to put this out into the world for my own life’s work. What we’ve seen is my movie from 10 years ago, the home birth rate in America has doubled. The C-section rate has flat-lined for the first time in decades, and they say it’s because of the information that we shared in our film. I have real high hopes that [Weed the People] can do a lot to move the needle and give people a new understanding of the power of this plant, the smear campaign that took place 75 years ago and how we really need to get back into the mindset that this is just a plant that should be available to everyone and anyone who needs it. Do you think we’ll see cannabis rescheduled federally any time soon? So much is happening. I’d like to say “yes.” We brought our little film Weed the People to Oklahoma to screen it there at their deadCenter Film Festival two weeks before their referendum. Arguably, I think that our film might have had something to do with it. I want to believe that this means we can help change the law. But honestly, this movie isn’t about legalization. It’s about families and their plight to find medical care for their dying children. At the end of the day, you look into these kids’ eyes, and you see them going through these treatments in the hospital. You can’t help but get behind these families and stories. That—I hope—will lead to real change in the system. CultureMagazine.com
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don’t get to hear about in their five minute meeting with Planned Parenthood or their meeting with [their] OB-GYN. There’s a lot more to it. I’m really excited about the new film also. I’m also a little bit nervous, because I feel like it’s taking on the beast of “Big Pharma”—like poking a tiger. I come at it from a place of curiosity and personal interest. I was on hormonal birth control for decades, and I only look back at it now and say, “Oh. That’s why I was depressed.” Or “That’s why I had hair loss.” I’m just putting the dots together now. Who knows what choice I would have made knowing that. I love that I get to use my celebrity [status] to make these films that impact people and ultimately help.
Weed the People Director Abby Epstein and Executive Producer Ricki Lake
Do you consume cannabis? Yes. I live in California, and I am lucky enough to be able to have access to some of the best medicine. I wasn’t a cannabis user for a very long time. It wasn’t my medicine. I would take too much, and it would make me feel paranoid. First of all, the gift of making this film is that I’ve been able to meet some of the most amazing doctors and chemists and to understand that there are thousands of strains. It’s just about tinkering around and finding what’s best for you. I take CBD every day for anxiety and sleep issues, and I have an arsenal of beautiful medicine to help me if I need it. But I wouldn’t say I’m a daily cannabis user. It’s not something I need to do every 30
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day. I love that I am able to use this legally in my state and have access to the best medicine. Sweetening the Pill was another documentary you produced about birth control. Do you worry about birth control rights in the United States after recent events? Of course. Absolutely. It’s terrifying. Our film, again, is about choice. Every documentary I make is about informed choice. So what we did for birth [and birth control], we hope to do for cannabis. We’re not about trying to steer women off hormonal birth control, but we really want to educate them about the pros and cons and what it does to your body. There’s a lot that women
John Waters graced the cover of CULTURE back in 2014, and your first run of major films were directed by him. How did he discover you? I was 18 and a freshman in college, and I heard about an audition that was happening for a movie called Hairspray. I honestly did not know who John Waters was, or Divine. I’d never heard of any of his films. I just knew that I was a fat girl who could dance. And so I met him at the open audition, and I went for one callback—and it changed the entire trajectory of my life. It plucked me from complete obscurity. I was on a very different path, and he opened the door for me. I just saw him last week. Right now, the time is crazy. It’s 2018. I just turned 50. I was 18 when I did Hairspray. It’s the 30th anniversary of Hairspray. Business of Being Born is 10 years old. And my talk show launched 25 years ago last month. So I have all these milestone anniversaries. I saw John last week for the 30th anniversary Hairspray screening in New York, and he came. It was awesome. It’s surreal to think of what that man was able to do for me and what we were able to do together. Every door opened for
me after that movie. I’m forever indebted and grateful for that guy. Looking back, Hairspray tackled some pretty deep issues like racism and fatshaming. At the time, did you foresee its impact? No. I was just so happy to be making $20,000, so for me, I was very short-sighted. Once it did come out, John kind of coached me and said, “Look, your life is going to change, so I want you to remember to be humble and stay true to yourself.” He really gave me advice that helped me. But no, we had no idea at the time. And the fact that it would live on through all these different iterations—it’s insane. It’s more timely than ever on issues of racism. It’s sad but true that these issues still live on today. You began hosting the original Ricki Lake show at age 24, making you the youngest talk show host at the time. You’ve accomplished so much, starting so early on in life. How did you pull that off? Hell if I know. Honestly, it goes back to being completely naïve and having some inner selfconfidence. I remember really admiring Oprah and looking up to her and I was on her show when I was 19 for Hairspray. I wanted to be her. I told her I wanted to be the white Oprah. And I meant it, like a love letter to her. When they offered me a show years later, I
“I TAKE CBD EVERY DAY FOR ANXIETY AND SLEEP ISSUES, AND I HAVE AN ARSENAL OF BEAUTIFUL MEDICINE TO HELP ME IF I NEED IT.” assumed since they offered it to me that I could do it. I never really had any doubt. In the beginning, all I did was channel Oprah. I said to myself, “What would she say? What would she ask?” Ultimately, I guess I was a good host, because I realized I was a good listener and a non-threatening person, and I have my own life experience. All these qualities and naturally I was able to apply them at that job. Still,
I’m continually curious about relationships and so forth. Having said that, I was also happy to walk away from the show after 9/11. I watched the plane hit the building. That’s around the time I switched gears. I ended my show and moved to L.A. My documentaries wouldn’t have been successful had I not had the credibility and
the familiarity with my audience. Ricki Lake was an early example of presenting LGBTQ issues and prejudices on TV. Do any particular guests stand out to you, from any topic? I’ve been thinking a lot because of Matthew Shepard’s 20th anniversary of his death. His family came on my show. We did a ton of work on gay rights. On treating gay relationships just as any other relationships. On interracial relationships. I pride myself because we were pretty groundbreaking in that area. I treat every relationship as any other— the same respect that I’d want. To this day, there are so many gay people that come up to me and say, “That show helped me to figure out who I was.” What do you plan on doing next? If I died tomorrow, it would all be OK. But there’s still more that I want to do. I’m looking at a project with a friend of mine. We’re launching a TV show, and we’re pitching to different places right now. My youngest is graduating from high school, so he’s going to college next year. My other son is graduating from college this year. I’m moving to Malibu, and the house is going to be ready in April. So, I’ll be an empty nester living in Malibu and seeing what the world has in store for me. c
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“MY WHOLE PASSION IS SPEAKING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE OUTLIERS [OF SOCIETY].”
INDUSTRY INSIDER
INSPIRED IMAGES StockPot Images Founder Ophelia Chong has made a positive imprint on the worldview of the cannabis industry
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By R. Scott Rappold There was a time—it may seem like ancient history given the tidal wave of cannabis legalization sweeping the nation—that to be photographed smoking or growing the plant was to risk being arrested. How much has that changed? Just ask Ophelia Chong, founder of StockPot Images, the California-based agency that has become a clearinghouse of cannabis-related photos, some 20,000 of them, the first and largest such collection, available for use by magazines, websites and anyone else who needs a photo, but doesn’t
have the time or resources to hire a photographer. For a 58-year-old who avoided cannabis most of her life, it’s the culmination of a long career in the visual arts and major opening-of-eyes regarding the plant. And she’s on a very personal mission to show that the stereotypes that have long been associated with cannabis are very wrong. “My whole passion is speaking for people who are on the outliers [of society],” said Chong. “That was always my specialty . . . How do you talk about this community and bring it into the mainstream in a powerful yet educational way?” PHOTO BY ©JOSH FOGEL STOCKPOT IMAGES®
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F a m i ly C o n n e c t i o n
Chong (no relation to cannabis icon Tommy Chong) grew up in Canada, a child of first-generation Chinese immigrants. After graduating from the ArtCenter College of Design in 1989, she began photographing musicians for magazines and record labels. “I believe everyone has at least six careers in your life,” she said. Her first career involved photographing and spending time with ’90s radio mainstays such as the Goo Goo Dolls and Alanis Morissette. Alcohol was very prevalent in the scene; cannabis, not so much. She produced films. She taught art. She took photos. She marketed photography. But it took a personal experience to bring her into the cannabis industry. Around 2015, Chong’s sister came to visit her in California, in search of help with the incurable skin disease scleroderma, which causes the skin to harden and tighten. In its most severe form, it can lead to organ failure and death. Her sister wanted to try cannabis as an alternative to pharmaceuticals to treat the pain. “I said, ‘Oh my God, my sister is a stoner,’” said Chong. “I started to cry. Here I was stereotyping my sister into this thing, and I realized how wrong I was.”
Trust she built, as well as a large network of photographers, since most of the 20,000 images in the StockPot Images collection were taken by others, who receive a royalty when their photos are used. She said her royalties are much more generous than what other major stock photo companies offer. The more she immersed herself in the industry, the more she wanted to convince others of its benignness. Asian Americans, many raised by conservative first- or second-generation immigrants, have not always played a huge role in the nascent industry. Chong hoped to change that by co-founding the Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, to help change attitudes and invite more of that demographic into the industry. The goal, she said, “was to reach out to my own people and tell them what cannabis is about. By highlighting Asian Americans in this industry, I can show that yes, we have families. We pay our mortgages. We have children, and we’re normal. And we’re in cannabis.” After all, if she can change her own opinion, why can’t others? She even consumes cannabis now, strictly at night to help her sleep. “That’s the great thing about the market. If I can market it to myself and bring myself around, then I can do it for my own age group as well.” c www.stockpotimages.com
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Slashing Stereotypes
Her eyes thus opened to cannabis as a medicine and not a drug, and Chong began looking around at the types of stock images available related to the plant. Most were of addicts, convicts or drug dealers. “I realized, ‘This is how the mainstream sees cannabis.’ I was first outraged by my own ignorance, and I was further outraged by how everyone else thought too. I wasn’t the only one.” So, StockPot Images was born. She wanted a way to show cannabis as medicine, consumers as patients and not as criminals, and people like Dennis Peron, who founded California’s first public medical cannabis dispensary and fought for much of his life for legalization before dying earlier this year. It took a lot of cold calls and a slow gaining of trust to get people to be photographed growing or smoking a Schedule I substance. Said Chong, “I basically started from zero. I didn’t have a foothold in the community. I didn’t know anyone in the community . . . I didn’t even know how to roll a joint.” CultureMagazine.com
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rising above
T r i b e s i n t h e U . S . fa c e u n i q u e c h a l l e n g e s w h e n it comes to cashing in on cannabis
“IN ORDER FOR A TRIBE TO GET A CANNABIS B U S I N E S S S E T U P, T H E Y H A V E T O F I L L O U T A C O M P A C T W I T H T H E S TA T E , A N D T H A T ’ S W H E R E A L L T H E D E TA I L S O F T H E B U S I N E S S A R E D E L I N E A T E D , W H I C H IS A UNIQUE CHALLENGE FOR TRIBES.”
Federal Interference Native American reservations are subject to different legal regulations than other jurisdictions in the U.S. Reservations are what are known as “sovereign nations,” meaning that they’re allowed to govern themselves, to an extent. Tribes have their own police forces and courts. How does cannabis— which is already complicated legally—fit into the narrative for these tribal sovereign nations? Turns out cannabis laws and tribal laws are . . . complicated. Just as cannabis laws vary state-to-state, they also vary tribe-to-tribe. Tribal laws are dependent on their states and 34
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further complicating matters, some reservations spread over more than one state. Many tribes have chosen to ban cannabis altogether, even in legal states. For tribes interested in venturing into the cannabis industry, there are federal laws and guidelines that help regulate the possibility of legal participation in the cannabis industry. In October of 2014, the Department of Justice issued eight new federal recommendations through the Wilkinson Memo. Unfortunately, these guidelines don’t fully clarify the legalities of cannabis on reservations and essentially leave federal prosecution at the discretion of law enforcement. Like the Cole Memo, the Wilkinson Memo essentially provides
By Emily Manke After a long stint of prohibition, many states are embracing legal cannabis, both recreationally and medicinally. The amount of revenue generated by this burgeoning industry is lucrative and exciting for many regions, particularly in rural areas. Cannabis crops and stores are helping rejuvenate many economically depressed agricultural regions all over the United States. So why wouldn’t Native American tribes, whose reservations are largely located in rural areas without many other economic opportunities, want to get in on the opportunity?
a list of rules that say, if followed, will most likely exempt tribal members from prosecution. But this, of course, depends on cannabis’ legality in the state in which the reservation lies. This is especially true for reservations where Public Law 280 applies, which allows states to “assume jurisdiction over reservation Indians,” in specific states and tribes. Of course, the situation is further complicated, as Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ memo released in January 2018 technically rescinded the Cole and Wilkinson Memos. Hemp and its derivatives, however, are another matter altogether, and a few states where cannabis remains prohibited do allow tribes to cultivate hemp.
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N at iv e A merica n Cannabis Industry in Action Given all of the legal limbo regarding tribes and cannabis, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the list of tribal-owned cannabis businesses is fairly short. While Washington State is home to seven tribal-owned cannabis businesses, there are examples of Native American tribes throughout other states that have opted into the cannabis industry as well. Auburn, Washington-based Joint Rivers is one fine example of a cannabis business that is operated by the Muckleshoot Tribe. The general manager of Joint Rivers, Audria Jaggers, told CULTURE about some of the pros and cons of starting a cannabis business in Washington. “In order for a tribe to get a cannabis business setup, they have to fill out a compact with the state, and that’s where all the details of the business are delineated, which is a unique challenge for tribes,” Jaggers explained. “One benefit to tribal sovereignty and cannabis is that it allows tribes to operate within their own structure. However, that doesn’t mean we get to forego the [Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board] or any regulations.” Despite the legal headache, tribes in Washington still find it worthwhile to work within the cannabis industry. When asked what inspired the Muckleshoot Tribe to get into the cannabis business, Jaggers answered, “to empower their own community with
knowledge, education and jobs.” Warm Springs Cannabis is owned by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in Oregon. According to its website, Warm Springs Cannabis is a 100 percent tribal-owned, operated and regulated cannabis grower and extraction company. Warm Springs Cannabis’ mission is “to produce Tribal jobs and revenues for the Warm Springs Tribe and diversify the Tribal economy.” In New Mexico, the Tribal Council of the Acoma Pueblo and the Bright Green Group of Companies, Inc. entered into a 25-year business agreement and land lease. Bright Green Group is currently constructing a huge, cutting-edge greenhouse facility and research center for medical cannabis plants. “This is a great opportunity for the Acoma Pueblo, which will bring job opportunities and resources to the Pueblo,” Chief Executive Officer of Acoma Business Enterprises Shaun Cunningham stated. “Collaborating with Bright Green makes sense for the Pueblo in many ways. It is a great use of tribal land, provides financial benefits to the community and will be an economic driver for the local area and the State of New Mexico.” Another Southwest tribal cannabis business is NuWu Cannabis Marketplace, a huge cannabis retailer, located on a Native American reservation just
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PHOTOS COURTESY JOINT RIVERS IN AUBURN, WA
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north of Las Vegas. Not all legal states have been welcoming to Native Americanowned cannabis businesses. There are over 100 tribes in California, and none of them have been able to benefit from the state’s progressive cannabis laws. While a few tribes have tried to participate in legal cannabis, plants have been seized by the state government, and legal conflicts between state and tribal governments have deterred many tribes from participating in California’s cannabis market. Another state where cannabis is legal but tribes are not participating is Colorado. The only tribe in Colorado that has expressed interest in legal cannabis is the Mountain Ute tribe. “We’ve been approached by several companies wanting us. They’re telling us that we could possibly create $3 million a year for our tribe alone,” said Mountain Ute tribe Councilwoman Priscilla Blackhawk Rentz. Mountain Ute tribe trust lands go into New Mexico and Utah, which complicates matters for the tribe. Since federally recognized tribes receive federal funding, it’s no surprise they may be hesitant to enter into the legal cannabis industry. Even though there’s some leniency in legal states, it makes sense that many tribes may choose to forego entering into these operations until there’s more clarity at the federal level. c
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Cannabis podcasts are popping up everywhere: here are some of the best
By David Edmundson The landscape of entertainment is changing. People are ditching expensive cable bills in favor of video services like Netflix and Hulu, live television like YouTube Live and Twitch and weekly radio in the form of podcasts. The nature of podcasts is to provide stimulating conversation on
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topics of all sorts, and there is no shortage of podcasts on cannabis. From business to news and everything in between, cannabis podcasts are rising up rapidly with the near-endless flow of news. Needless to say, there’s quite a few cannabis-themed podcasts that inspire and inform. Podcasts make up a vibrant tapestry, and there is something for everyone in the cannabis landscape.
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confusing and complicated world of cannabis. If you are looking for something that is equal parts fun and informative, with a female spin, this show is just what the doctor ordered. mariaandjane.com
The Marijuana Agenda with Russ Belville Business Outlaws Looking to get the edge on the best cannabis business practices? Business Outlaws, hosted by Jayme Foxx, Chris Collins and “BigMike” Straumietis of Advanced Nutrients have a never-ending fountain of advice on the subject. The show tackles a new issue every week, such as a previous episode called “How to turn your side hustle into your reality,” where all three hosts discussed their failures and setbacks but provided a mountain of useful advice and insight into how their minds operate. The combined knowledge and personalities of these three really make for an incredibly informative and enjoyable show. businessoutlaws.com
CannaInsider Looking for more industry acumen? If knowledge into the cannabis industry is what you seek, then Matthew Kind from CannaInsider has the podcast for you. Every week, this podcast dives into different topics about the industry at-large, from cannabis tourism to manufacturing of products and everything in between. Through interviews with industry experts who uncover the hottest trends and newest technology shaping the industry, this podcast will keep you in-the-know and maybe even ahead of the game. Recent topics include “How Bitcoin and Blockchain are Impacting Cannabis” and “How Terpenes Radically Change your Experience of Cannabis” featuring neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher Dr. Ethan Russo. cannainsider.com/podcast
Maria & Jane Podcast Looking for a female-centric podcast? The goal of Maria & Jane Podcast is to inspire women who are looking to enter the cannabis business world. This podcast is a great tool for busy women who are on-the-go. This casual, yet highly informative show consists of cannabis news and in-depth interviews with influencers in the cannabis world. The show is also supplemented by Maria & Jane’s weekly newsletter that is another great resource for anyone wanting more information on the
Looking to throw on your armor and join the battle to end cannabis prohibition? Radical Russ Belville’s podcast is dedicated to covering the fight to legalize cannabis globally. The Marijuana Agenda with Russ Belville airs live every Wednesday on YouTube and features a combination of new material and highlights from his previous podcasts, including shows recorded during his time working for NORML. He later publishes the podcast episodes on his website. Belville’s passion for cannabis legalization, a subject he has dedicated over a decade to, really comes through. His show is often political, with United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump being regular targets of his tirades. So, if you’re a big supporter of 45, you might want to pass on this one. However, if you’re looking to find out where the battle for cannabis is currently residing, you should enlist in the Russ army, and subscribe to the show. mjagenda.com
Getting Doug with High Looking for a laugh? Comedian and former CULTURE Magazine cover celebrity Doug Benson has a simple premise with his podcast—invite funny and entertaining people over to his studio, get high with them and proceed to tell hilarious anecdotes. Past guests include other CULTURE cover alumni Kevin Smith, Tommy Chong and Jack Black, along with a lengthy rogue’s gallery of comedians. Guests will frequently share stories about the first time they consumed cannabis and answer various cannabis trivia. Benson also spotlights cannabis strains, types of cannabis and cannabis accessories. If you are looking to sit back and be entertained, this show will deliver in spades. c youtube.com/dougbenson
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Where are the members of Talktin and Easy from? Talktin and Easy’s members are from all over the Pacific Northwest. Mikey and I grew up in Anacortes, while the Davis brothers, Josh and Mike, are from the Kelso/Longview area. Jacob has always lived in the Seattle area, but the rest of us moved there within the past five years or so.
Garage Grooves Ta l k t i n a n d E a s y p u t s a modern spin on good o l’ r o c k m u s i c By Emily Manke
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any great things have come out of Pacific Northwest garages. No, not the infamous cannabis grows that were ubiquitous in the medical cannabis days. We’re talking about the other famous Pacific Northwest garage-made goods—bands. Talktin and Easy carries on this vital tradition, not only because the band was formed in a garage, but its sound has a subtle and mellow rock vibe as well. Just because Talktin and Easy may provide some nostalgic good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll, doesn’t mean the band is boring. It’s just the opposite. The quartet provides traditional instrumentation and melodies, with a modern experimental spin. After releasing a few singles, Talktin and Easy released its first full length album, All In Our Family of Trees, in October. The 40
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single “Home Is Not A Place” is a perfect embodiment of the band’s warmth and talent, with melancholy lyrics sung in a familiar but original way. Ironically, despite the track’s title, it’ll make you feel right at home if you love good music. Like a good indica-dominant strain, All In Our Family of Trees manages to energize you and chill you out simultaneously. Talktin and Easy consists of Harry Smith on guitar and vocals, Jesse Cohen on guitar and bass, Josh Davis on guitar, keys, bass and vocals and Mike Davis on drums, keys, guitar and vocals. Cohen was kind enough to answer a few questions about Talktin and Easy’s history, influences and naturally, cannabis.
“ M i k e y a n d I s ta r t e d Ta l k t i n i n h i s g a r a g e in Anacortes in about 2013. We would g e t s t o n e d a n d j a m f o r m u lt i p l e h o u r p e r i o d s , e v e n t u a l ly l e a d i n g i n t o h a v i n g a s o l i d l i n e u p o f s o n g s a n d m u s i c i a n s t h at we knew from around the Puget Sound.” PHOTO BY JASON NORMAN, SOUND VISUALS
How did Talktin and Easy form? Mikey and I started Talktin in his garage in Anacortes in about 2013. We would get stoned and jam for multiple hour periods, eventually leading into having a solid lineup of songs and musicians that we knew from around the Puget Sound. Who are some of Talktin and Easy influences? Talktin seems to have a lot of varying musical influences. Our record collections combined would certainly cover most genres, but we are all probably most influenced by fellow PNW artists/ friends. The City Hall, The Co Founder, Cumulus, Sloucher and Coach Phillips have all put out some great music recently. How has cannabis influenced Talktin and Easy? Cannabis has definitely played a role in the formation of Talktin and Easy. As I stated before, Mikey and I started Talktin out as stoned jams until it led into actual compositions. What do you love listening to when you consume cannabis? A good Karl Blau album will always hit the spot! c www.talktinandeasy.com
GROWING CULTURE
TIPS OF THE MONTH
U R B A N FA R M I I I By Ed Rosenthal
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t is now mid-October, and we’re continuing the cultivation of our urban farm. In order to give the plants more vegetative time so they can grow bigger, they were given nightly doses of light using two high pressure sodium lamps. The lights were slowly walked through the garden rows midway through the dark cycle. A large metal halide work light, used by road crews, was also wheeled down the center aisle as part of the regimen. The dark cycle lighting ended on Sept 10. By then, the autumn dark period was long enough to immediately send the plants into flowering. All of their energy is now devoted to reproduction, and the plants are growing big buds in a vain search for pollen. This variety of OG fills out late in the bloom period. The plants are now entering their sixth week of the flower stage, and they have about two weeks to go, so we will start cutting after Nov. 1. So far, nature has been good to this crop. We had a rainstorm in late September, but it quickly dried with the help of a nice warm
The one-acre garden is planted with about 2,800 20-gallon containers. Each plant has a space of about 16 square-feet.
This plant stands about three feet high. Notice that it is fully budded.
breeze. Since then, we’ve had mainly clear sunny skies with highs in the mid to high 70s, and nightly drops into the low 60s to high 50s. The humidity is high, ranging from 60 to 80 percent, but the constant salt air breeze coming off the Bay helps to keep fungi and molds from attacking the plants. This is an outdoor crop, so we are completely at the mercy of nature’s vagaries. The forecast for two weeks was mostly sunny leading up to Oct. 29, just before harvest, when cloudy weather and a slight chance of drizzle was expected to hide the sun for three days. On Nov. 1, the scheduled harvest date, the sun began to peek through the clouds again. If it rains, there is a good chance that the moisture and cool weather might promote the germination of molds and fungi. To prevent this from happening, after the rain stops we will spray the plants with water at the pH of 8.5. The alkaline condition inhibits mold and fungi from germinating. Our plan is to remove “A” buds and preserve them for sale as flower. They will be carefully dried and trimmed. The smaller buds and
The fan leaves have been removed from the buds, so the sunlight falls directly on the developing bud.
Removing small bud branches and fan leaves.
Now that you have had time to taste the crops, be sure to start regenerating the clones from your favorites. Remember, during vegetative growth you took clones from the plants for later evaluation? Provide the select with more light and space to grow them up or to use for cloning.
biomass will quickly be dried using heat and very low humidity. Then they will be used for concentrates and extracts. We are preparing the space now. The harvest time will take three to four days, and we will be processing the material as it is harvested. The plan is to remove the buds that will be preserved as flower first. Then we will remove the biomass. Later, after all the plants have been processed, the roots will be removed from the containers and they will be planted with alfalfa and left out in the field. The alfalfa will supply nitrogen and help the microorganisms thrive, amending the mix so it will provide a healthy environment for next year’s crop. c
This bud will ripen in about two weeks.
Top view of maturing bud.
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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Cannabis C o c k ta i l C u r at o r Mixologist Jason Eisner i s k n o w n t o b r i n g a d u lt beverages to a higher level By Devon Alexander Brown
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hen he was younger, bar vet Jason Eisner didn’t like cannabis at all. He’d sometimes smoke to fit in, but he never cared for the experience until he learned how to enjoy it during the last decade. Now the three-time Best Bartender Award Winner uses that newfound appreciation to blend the finer notes of cannabis with his passion for bar culture and mixed drinks. Eisner got his start in the food and beverage industry at a young age helping his mother with her catering job on the weekends. But what began as quality time quickly bloomed into a passion. And in his early 20s he made the move from New York to Los Angeles, California to learn from the best. A quest that saw him running a biker bar in
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Malibu and kindling a mentorship with famed mixologist, Jaymee Mandeville, before he was picked up by restaurant group Love Serve Remember Foundation to spearhead West Hollywood’s plant-based restaurant behemoth, Gracias Madre, to create its first full liquor concept. As Bar Director of Gracias Madre, Eisner came out swinging—crafting the drink menu with nothing but agavebased spirits. And it’s here that he became known for experimenting with cannabis in his cocktails. He began making smoked drinks with a culinary smoking gun, hemp seeds and water pipes that served as informal decanters, before becoming one of the first mixologists to infuse spirits with cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabis
terpenes. And in keeping with tradition his forthcoming craft brewery project, Party Beer Co., which launches in the spring of 2019, will also feature a nonalcoholic CBD beer. “I look at cannabis as medicine,” Eisner told CULTURE. “I use it every day. Especially CBD, because it helps with inflammation, pain, anxiety, you name it. And I laugh when people tell me users aren’t productive people. This morning I woke up, made my daughter a delicious vegan breakfast, drove her to school, did two hours of Muay Thai and MMA sparring, and I’ll be working until eight o’clock this evening while using cannabis throughout the day.” While Eisner’s smoked cocktails did not offer any additional intoxicating effects,
their complex flavors and aromas were inspirational to his creative mind. Every cannabis strain contains terpenes, which produce unique flavors and aromas that can complement spirits. For this reason cannabis can open new horizons for what is possible behind the bar. CBD, which is non-psychoactive, can be infused in oils or tinctures, but Eisner prefers oils because they offer a richer flavor and scent, seeing as they don’t fully integrate with spirits like alcohol-based tinctures. The calming and sedating effects of CBD also balance well with the intoxicating effects of liquor. Still, all cannabis compounds affect everyone differently, so it’s wise to take note of the dose of CBD as well as the ABV, or alcohol by volume, of any given CBD cocktail. A cocktail with a high ABV might counteract the effects of CBD, while too much CBD might lead to severe drowsiness. Just because CBD won’t produce the high of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) doesn’t mean
“ I H AV E A V E R Y SPECIFIC SYSTEM WHEN I USE THC IN C O C K TA I L S , B U T I D O N ’ T SUGGEST PEOPLE AT HOME USE THC.” it carries no learning curve of its own. The legality of hemp-derived CBD as well as THC also varies market-to-market with THC remaining federally illegal. “I have a very specific system when I use THC in cocktails, but I don’t suggest people at home use THC,” Eisner said. “I always suggest people at home use CBD, because THC in cocktails can be a little too advanced if you’re just starting to play around with it, and a really high dose of THC can turn people away from cannabis. The worst thing that can happen to you with CBD is you fall asleep on the couch in your most comfortable sweater while watching a terrible ’90s rom-com.” c
Blue Dream M a r g a r i ta Ingredients: 2 ounces 100 percent Blue Agave Tequila Blanco
Instructions:
1 ounce organic fresh squeezed lime juice 1/2 ounce organic agave nectar 2 dashes of orange bitters 1 pinch of Kosher salt 1 scoop of E3Live Blue Majik spirulina 5 milligrams of the CBD oil of your choice
1. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake rigorously, and strain into a Collins glass. 2. Add fresh rocks (or crushed ice). Garnish with an edible flower, and serve.
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NEWS of the
WEIRD
BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL
LEAD STORY—UNDIGNIFIED DEATHS A husband and wife have been exposed as murderers and cannibals in Krasnodar in southern Russia, reported the Express on Sept. 28. Natalia Baksheeva, 43, has confessed to killing and eating dozens of victims with her husband, Dmitry, 35, over 18 years. Investigators were tipped off to the couple’s gruesome culinary tastes after a 35-year-old waitress, Elena Vashrusheva, and Natalia fought over accusations that Vashrusheva was flirting with Dmitry. Natalia ordered her
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husband to kill Vashrusheva: “Following this demand, the man took out the knife that he always kept in his bag and stabbed the woman twice in her chest. The victim died from her injuries on the spot,” investigators reported. Police charged Natalia with one count of goading her husband into killing the woman after they found “steamed,” pickled and frozen human remains belonging to Vashrusheva in the couple’s kitchen. A photo found in their apartment from 1999 showed a human head served as dinner, garnished with mandarin oranges. Dmitry, who has tuberculosis, will be charged at a later date. Tu Thanh Nguyen, 32, of Sunnyvale, California, made two crucial mistakes while she was visiting Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
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in Michigan on Sept. 19. First, Nguyen was hiking alone, reported WLUC News. But her fatal error was stopping at a point along the North Country Trail to take selfies, where she slipped and fell 200 feet to her death in Lake Superior. Two kayakers witnessed her fall and retrieved her body, which they moved to Chapel Beach. However, first responders were unable to revive her. BOLD MOVES Three cheeky raccoons jolted a Toronto, Ontario, Canada, woman awake late on Sept. 18 when they broke into her kitchen. Jenny Serwylo heard noises coming from her kitchen and approached the critters with a broom, which scared away two out of the three. But a third wouldn’t budge, barricaded behind her
toaster oven and munching on a package of English muffins. “He was like, ‘I’m eating, get out of here,’” Serwylo told the Toronto Star. She tried calling authorities but couldn’t get any help, and her contest of wills with the raccoon lasted for more than a half-hour. “I was growling at him and hissing at him,” she said. As she pointed the broom handle at the animal, it would grab the end and “yank it really hard.” Finally, having consumed all the bread in the kitchen, the raccoon calmly went out the window, which Serwylo locked behind it. Toronto Animal Services spokesperson Bruce Hawkins told the Star that such encounters are unusual, but you be the judge: The city has created a guide for residents about how to deal with raccoon intrusions.
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NOVEMBER 2018 CultureMagazine.com
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