Southern California Kush Magazine August 2011 by Randy MALINOFF

kush

southern california’s premier cannabis lifestyle magazine

72 e c i r P t n e cfeatures inside : m Museu 42 Patients Out Of Time

14 | The Health Report: Chronic Fatigue by Elaine Ruggieri

Meet Cathy, who has been suffering with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) for 25 years, but whose use of cannabis has kept her alive.

18 | This Month in Weed History: Jerry Garcia by Bud Lee on Ic d an m eu us ewest Art M 22 | The LA County Fair by Jay Evans

56 The Vincent Price Art Museum How the Broadway-phenom-turned-Hollywood-movie-star

fact that the Hollywood Sign is the dissed UCLA and USC and instead helped propagate art and n Los Angeles. The Griffith Observatory, inare East LA. Hall and multiculturalism the Getty Museum other large. Tour books usually overlook architectural icons such as the sculpted ngeles River, vintage art deco Why the there’s more culture and sophistication in two-bucknd shellchuck at Mariachi Plaza and the Loscan ever hope to wrap their than any sommelier

72 Bum Wines tastebuds around.

s the newly redesigned Vincent d on the campus of East Los Angeles Legendary graffiti-artist-turned-global-muralist/artist/graphic erey Park.

76 Mear One

designer/political satirist Mear One grins all and bears all in a

94 | SoCal Concert Calendar by Dillon Zachara

86 Ken Babbs

96 | Growers Grove: The Rain Table Pt. III by Jade Kine

y completed spacebarred matches the 60from yearshis forthcoming book. no-holds excerpt , turning it into an instant icon.

ns as an icon, then it matters in a Ken Kesey’s longtime sidekick, co-conspirator, and co-author dings,” writes venerated architectural talks everything from The Merry Pranksters to ‘Nam to why he architectural icons is undiminished refusesappear to renew his MMJ of our culture to weaken. ” card.

6 design and the multithe sleek a discussion of the museum’s

100 | Delicious Picnic Recipes by Chef Herb 105 | The Green Pages: Dispensary Directory

from the editors

erhaps you can remember (or if you’re too young you can ask your parents or your grandparents) President Nixon, aka Tricky Dick, aka the-scandal-ridden-leader-of-the-freeworld-that-resigned-because-he-was-about-to-be-impeached. The same guy who was basically behind classifying marijuana the same way the federal government classifies Heroin and LSD - a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This is all part of the failed War on Drugs that has done nothing more than perpetuate the conspiracy of marijuana prohibition. Let’s not forget about the millions of medical marijuana patients in this country that rely on cannabis as their primary choice of medicine for treating numerous illnesses and related symptoms. The latest battle, but certainly not the end of the “war” against prohibition, came July 8th when the DEA formally rejected a petition to reschedule marijuana to a lower classification, a petition that had been filed eight years prior. The request to reschedule came from the Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis, which also included patient advocacy groups, ASA and Patients Out of Time. But surprisingly (or maybe not), also sitting on the sidelines were the big pharmaceutical companies…waiting to jump on the bandwagon and profit from the cannabis plant. Can we assume that it was also a coincidence that right on the heels of the denial of rescheduling of cannabis came threats from federal prosecutors to enforce federal law and trump state medical marijuana laws passed by their voters? Is this all part of the federal, dare we say…conspiracy, to keep states from passing laws that their citizens support? Cocaine, amphetamines and oxycontin all have a lower classification under the CSA than marijuana. Who’s kidding who? Not only has research been conducted by UC San Diego and a myriad of major universities in this country (as well as around the world), concluding what others have been aware of for thousands of years - the positive therapeutic benefits of marijuana - but even big pharma has already introduced artificial versions of marijuana for treatment of certain medical conditions. Can the voters in all of the 16 states and the District of Columbia that have recognized marijuana’s medical use and the considerable scientific research confirming its medical benefits all be wrong? This takes us right back to Nixon and the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, which prompted the administration to commission a study on marijuana, the results of which were dubbed the Shafer Report, entitled Marijuana, a Signal of Misunderstanding. It was represented to Congress and the findings were clear:

The risks of using cannabis were minimal; ingestion of cannabis did not jeopardize health; the use of cannabis did not lead to experimentation with other drugs; people who utilized cannabis did not participate in other criminal activity; and finally the report specifically recommended the decriminalization of marijuana for personal use. (full text available at SafeAccessNow.org) As pointed out by Americans for Safe Access (ASA), “rather than follow any of the recommendations of the Shafer Report or even commission further research, President Nixon left cannabis in Schedule I with Heroin and LSD. Since the Shafer Report, other federally funded reports have been issued by the Institute Of Medicine in 1982 and 1999, both concluding that there is sound medical and scientific basis for using cannabis to treat a variety of serious and medical conditions.” The two leading associations that regulate medicine and doctors in this country, The American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians have both reached out to Congress, strongly suggesting that a review be done to reconsider the current Schedule 1 classification of marijuana. So back to our cover message - with all of the above evidence, and without even getting into the thousands of years that the cannabis plant has been used by countless numbers of people to treat varying medical situations - can anyone (even its opponents) honestly say that marijuana has no medical accepted medical use? Well, it will now be up to a judge to decide the issue. On a lighter note…we have taken over the interwebs!! Be sure to check out KushMagazine. com - our NEW all-in-one cannabis lifestyle resource offering up-to-the-minute information about the cannabis movement and industry, articles both from Kush Magazine and online sources, comprehensive dispensary listings, menus, maps and coupons, our Dailybuds.com social network with blogs and forums, and of course, every issue of Kush Magazine from every region with printable pages, advertiser listings and coupons. Sign up for our mailing list and keep informed on everything from contests to events to the news that matters to you! So thanks again for allowing Kush to bring you the latest and greatest in medical marijuana news and culture, and, as always, medicate responsibly!

Humbly, Team Kush. | Kush Editorial Board, www.kushmagazine.com

kush

southern california’s premier cannabis lifestyle magazine

A Division of Dbdotcom LLC Publishers | Dbdotcom LLC Editor in Chief | Lisa Selan Assistant Editor | Wasim Muklashy Chief Executive Officer | Bob Selan Business Development | JT Wiegman Art Directors | Robb Friedman, Joe Redmond Director of International Marketing & Public Relations | Cheryl Shuman Director of So Cal Sales | Cheryl Shuman Advertising Sales Reps | Amanda Allen, Amy DiIullo, Ed Docter, Denise Mickelson, Charlene Moran, Jason Moran, Ken Weger Designers | Avel Cupla, Marvi Khero Traffic Managers | Kevin Johnson , Alex Lamitie, Ryan Renkema, Jordan Selan, Rachel Selan Distribution Manager | Alex Lamitie Contributing Writers | Al Byrne, Chef Herb, Gregory Daurer, Tyler C. Davidson, Jay Evans, John Green, Jade Kine, Bud Lee, Mike Marino, Elaine Ruggieri, Mike Sonksen, Bill Weinberg, Dillon Zachara Accounting | Dianna Bayhylle Internet Manager Dailybuds.com | Rachel Selan Dailybuds.com Team | JT Kilfoil & Houston Founder | Michael Lerner

SUBSCRIPTIONS KUSH Magazine is also available by individual subscription at the following rates: in the United States, one year 12 issues $89.00 surface mail (US Dollars only). To Subscribe mail a check for $89.00 (include your mailing address) to : DB DOT COM 24011 Ventura Blvd. Suite 200 Calabasas, CA 91302 877-623-KUSH (5874) Fax 818-223-8088 KUSH Magazine and www.dailybuds.com are Tradenames of Dbdotcom LLC. Dbbotcom LLC 24011 Ventura Blvd. Suite 200 Calabasas, CA 91302 877-623-KUSH (5874) Fax 818-223-8088 To advertise or for more information Please contact info@dailybuds.com or call 877-623-5874 Printed in the United States of America. Copyright ©2011. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the written written permission of Dbdotcom LLC.

It’s not uncommon to experience fatigue from time to time especially if you maintain a busy schedule. But what happens if it’s a little too often and begins to affect your lifestyle? At least a million people in the United States suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Although it’s not fatal, it can be very debilitating for those who live with it. CFS seems to affect primarily younger people particularly in their mid-thirties who may have otherwise been considered healthy. The condition was recognized in the 1980s when a large number of cases were reported throughout the country. The Center for Disease Control finally validated it and gave CFS its name in 1988. CFS is overwhelming fatigue that makes day to day tasks very difficult. Simple activities such as getting out of bed or eating can be very challenging. The severity of this type of fatigue doesn’t compare to the typical fatigue you may feel after a full day at work or chasing the kids all day or even an intense athletic competition. It’s a complicated disorder where the patient feels extreme exhaustion for no reason that does not resolve itself with rest. It often becomes even worse after physical or mental activity.

you have CFS is if you experience persistent fatigue that does not improve with sleep and causes a reduction in your daily activities by 50% for at least 6 months. What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? While it’s still a topic on the table, some medical experts believe it has to do with a breakdown in the immune system enabling infections such as Epstein-Barr, herpes or candida. This theory is based on the fact that many people who suffer from CFS seem to have high levels of EBV antibodies in their blood and they notice the first signs of CFS after experiencing a viral infection. Hereditary factors, stress and environmental issues may play a role as well. There is no cure for CFS and the best you can do is to treat or minimize the symptoms. Though it can recur at any time particularly after an illness or high levels of stress, there are things you can do to relieve CFS symptoms: • Eat a well-balanced diet made mostly of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid fried or processed foods. • Drink plenty of water. • Exercise daily even though it may seem difficult at first. Aerobic exercise can boost your body’s energy. Find your level of tolerance. • Detox your body. Release toxins and other poisons that may be affecting your health. (See our Living Well column about detoxification in the July issue). • Avoid caffeine, dairy products and meat. • Avoid stress and find time to relax. Consider meditation or breathing exercises twice a day for twenty minutes.

We still do not have a single medical test that is used to confirm CFS. Usually doctors will run a series of tests to rule out other medical problems. Determining whether or not you have CFS is not easy and many people who suffer from it have been accused of being hypochondriacs. Not all doctors are quick to diagnose a patient with CFS. This can be very discouraging for those who suffer on a regular basis and cause them to withdraw from society and feel alone. Indicators that you may have or be in the early stages of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Flu-Like Symptoms Irritability Sore Throat Weakness Muscle Pain Depression Enlarged Lymph Nodes in your neck or armpits Unusual Headaches (differ from past headaches) Diarrhea Memory Loss Confusion Anxiety Loss of Appetite

The symptoms are similar to viral infections and can often be misdiagnosed. The major determining factor as to whether or not

If you believe you may have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, it’s important to research doctors and find one who truly understands what you are experiencing and can offer help. If changing some of your lifestyle habits doesn’t seem to offer any relief, your doctor may recommend antidepressants, sleeping pills, psychological counseling and maybe even physical therapy to help ease you into an exercise routine that is suitable for you. Whatever form of treatment you choose to alleviate your symptoms, consider meeting other people with CFS, even if it’s just online. Talking to people who actually understand what you are going through can give you the ultimate boost of energy. -Elaine is the former host of “The Shape Fitness Show” on 97.1FM and 980AM in Los Angeles. Check out her site at GodaiFit.com

here is only a short list of bands that I can truly say “I’m really glad to have seen them at least once.” Topping that list is arguably the greatest American Rock Band in history, the Grateful Dead. Godfathers of the Jam Band Scene, The Dead started in 1965 and officially disbanded in 1994 when their original co-founder and “face” of the band Jerome John “Jerry” Garcia passed away. For This Month in Weed History, KUSH magazine would like to not only acknowledge Jerry’s passing on August 9, 1994 - but his life, and birth on August 1, 1942. Without Jerry’s existence on the planet, the world as we know it today would have missed one of its greatest singers, songwriters, guitarists, artists, humanitarians, and icons of the peace movement. Jerry’s kind persona and gentle soul transcended beyond the stage, out into the stratosphere and beyond. His energy and aura are still alive today, through the continuation of his music, the jam band scene, and, of course, his personal and professional legacy. His status among his fans is just short of God-like, and posthumously has grown to be that of mystical legend. Few artists of any medium reach the level of adoration by any fan base the way Jerry had with loyal “Dead Heads.” This roaming pack of devotees would follow the band, from city to city, tour after tour, and year after year. Some Dead Heads never got off tour, making what was known as “Shakedown Street,” (the impromptu city that would pop up in the parking lot of each concert venue) their own viable marketplace, where everything from food, drinks, tickets, clothes, 18

art, jewelry, novelties, and substances of all kinds could be bought, sold, traded, or even given away. For as far back as I, or anyone alive today, can re member, the Grateful Dead’s “Steal Your Face” logo (a red, white and blue skull, dissected by a lightning bolt) has become an iconic symbol that has permeated the very thread of our entire country. The Dead’s heavy presence on FM radio, with songs like “Truckin’,” “Uncle John’s Band,” and “U.S. Blues,” made it easy to maintain a peripheral ear on the pulse of this down-home-rhythm and blues-band of characters. And while Jerry always repelled the leadership role as the bands spokesman, it just so happened that he was possibly the most interesting, engaging, and thoughtful of the band members, often free flowing in interviews, jumping from one thought to another, yet somehow being totally cohesive in some creative way. His thirst for musical knowledge has lead him through almost every genre, working with the best in each field, from Dylan, to Merle Saunders, to Willie Nelson, and countless others. It took me years to immerse myself in this amazing band’s catalog, to understand how lucky I was to see the Grateful Dead. Now that there’s a satellite radio station devoted to the band, I can go 100% Grateful Dead when I want to (and have for months at a time), or just pop in for a song or two. There’s not a day that goes by that someone’s not thinking of you Jerry. We may miss your physical presence, but your spirit lives on…forever.

With the current debt crisis, a seemingly never-ending war (or two, or three - who’s counting anymore), and unemployment continually on the rise, what could possibly make all of this better...? Duh!!!! - DEEPFRIED TWINKIES anyone?! It may sound silly, and a bit gluttonous, but this soft, golden cake, filled with creamy filling, then hand battered, and deep-fried may just be what the doctor ordered. This, along with a slew of other gastronomic nightmares can be consumed en mass at the L.A. County Fair, in Pomona from Sept. 3rd - Oct. 2nd, Wednesdays through Sundays - and they’re selling like hot cakes. If you’ve been to the Fair in the past, than you already know how much fun there is to be had. If you are a first timer, than you are in for a treat (deep-fried or not). The Fair is a timeless dimension, where family, friends, food, rides, attractions, concerts, farm animals (along with some stuffed animals), lights, bells, and whistles all take part in a nightly show - one that will allure and hypnotize even the most grumpy of souls. The Fair is a place where curmudgeonly behavior is not tolerated, and where foul moods are frowned upon. It’s really simple – forget Disneyland, the L.A. County Fair is one of the happiest places anyone can be, at any age. Whether you are turning seven, or turning back time at seventy-seven, the Fair doesn’t discriminate. In fact there is something here to be enjoyed by all. Let’s take a look at some of this years highlights: Esmeralda’s Traveling Circus - Come see these aerial acrobats perform stunning maneuvers of dangerous, and daring proportion. You need not only watch the thrills and spills, but you can actually take part in them too. Learn to fly on a real trapeze, feel the sensation of making beautiful shapes with aerial fabrics, or walk on a tightrope just like the daredevils in the big tent. This experience (whether hands on, or just to watch), is truly one to remember. For other amazing feats of balance, strength, and flexibility, there is nothing more jaw dropping than the Chinese Circus of Beijing. This group of talented acrobats and martial artists will amaze you with seemingly impossible physical acts. These performers demonstrate the harmony between mind and body - an ancient concept in the Orient. This show is not your ordinary circus.

There are few things more fun than watching farm animals race, and the Fair is a prime place to do this (legally). There will be chicken races, (not fights, - just races). One of the Mother Hen’s heard they were deep-frying everything at the Fair, so these birds will be running for dear life. Next on the menu (ahem, I meant on the docket) are the pig races. Watch as these portly potbellies slip and slide around a muddy track, all in chase of the delicious reward of an OREO cookie (no kidding). After that, you might want to join the race to get in line for a deep-fried OREO, also available at the deep-fry trough - Snort! Snort! It’s ok to indulge a little at the Fair. - ok, what’s next? Is that deep-fried bacon I see? Mmmmm!!!! Baaaacon!!!! If magic and illusions do the trick for you, check out the Dan Sperry Magic Show. With a style all his own, Dan combines comedy, magic, and illusions with mind-reading, sleight of hand and manipulation. Come see what made him a finalist on the 2010 season of “America’s Got Talent,” because this guy does. Come celebrate all the rich cultures of Latin America during the opening weekend of the Fair, at the Festival Latino Americano De Arte y Folklore. Bringing artisans from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, and Argentina together - the world of art, music, and dance collide, all showcasing the artistic treasures from the Latin world. Come enjoy the sabor! Ok, so there’s lots to do at the Fair, and tons of rides, foods, and attractions, but what about some concerts? The Fair has you covered with their End of Summer Concert Series, which include The Ohio Players, The Beach Boys, En Vogue and Salt n’ Pepa, WAR, The Doobie Brothers, Boz Scaggs, REO Speedwagon, Styx, LeAnn Rhimes, Earth Wind & Fire, and many more. Check out the full list at LACountyFair. com Ok then, grab the fam or the significant other, and squeeze out another summer activity before the Halloween costume shops begin to pop up in parking lots across the Southland. Oh…and don’t’ forget your Rolaids (you’ll thank me later…)

The Power (and Limits)

of Genetics by Tyler C. Davidson

Another month has gone by already and I notice I have been getting a lot of questions about genetics. Questions like ‘which strain is the best?’, ‘is genetics or environment more important?’, and my favorite, ‘why is the guy I got my clones from getting better results than I am with the same strain?’ To help make sense of how genetics fit into the big picture of cultivating prime medicine, I thought I’d go back to basics and straighten out a few common misconceptions. Cannabis as a general rule reproduces ‘true to type’, meaning that unlike say, apples, you can plant some seeds and get a reasonably close reproduction of the characteristics of the parents. That said, you still get a mix of the traits of each parent. On the other hand, when you take a cutting you are cloning the original plant and thereby all but guaranteed to get the original’s traits, good or bad. Think of it as the raw material of your end product. How well you grow the strain, including the mix and quality of techniques used to bring that strain to maturity and harvest, is the other critical component that determines how good your results will be and what characteristics they will have. Modern strains have been carefully selected and bred many, many times over until not only can you be reasonably sure of the potential of the strain, but also what growing environment will be most productive. As an example, many people tell me that many of the top strains grow best in an indoor, artificial environment. That’s right, give them REAL soil and sunshine and they don’t do as well! Why? Because part of what the breeders were selecting for is how well the strain does in its intended environment - indoor grow rooms! It’s no mystery why such strains do so well inside - they’ve literally been bred to! Therefore, the way to maximize output is to provide the strain with the mix of conditions that are best for that particular strain - and the differences can be pretty big. Some want more light, some are less tolerant of high concentrations of nutrients, still others are very sensitive to the exact length of the light/dark cycle, and so on. Pick a few different strains with characteristics you like,

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and then stick to them for several growing cycles, long enough to tune your growing style and conditions to the strains you’ve chosen. Then if you want to go for even more productivity, pick the one strain that responds the best to your individual circumstances and keep it. By now it’s clear that genes and environment mix in some interesting ways, so which is more important? In short, both. It’s a weakest-link-in-the-chain thing, where the quality and quantity of your harvest are limited only by the weakest part of your growing situation, and how well the strains you pick respond to it. I tell my clients two more things, too; one, use the tips I just mentioned above, and two, keep doing it. Even after dozens of iterations, you will still learn new details about the strains you’re growing, the conditions you’re growing them under, and the impact of your growing style on the quantity and quality of your results. A good starting place is the recommendations of the original breeder, and then it’s trial and error time; try different approaches with part of your crop and see for yourself which approach is best. Some of your ideas might end up leading you down blind alleys, others may direct you to a goldmine. That’s how I discovered how to trim and train plants for big productivity gains when limited by the number of plants in a given grow. Who knows what you might find? Just remember to back up your results by repeating them, and to share your finds with others, so we all can enjoy the benefits of everyone’s discoveries! There’s no better way to give back! Well, that’s it for this month. I love hearing from everyone out there, so keep those emails coming! -Feel free to send any comments or questions to me at indoorcultivationconsulting@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to answer them!

Genetics: Mexican sativa x chemo Hybrid

Sour Diesel by Strain Genius

OriGins: Massachusetts super skunk X Diesel GeOGrapHic OriGin: California, USA testinG results: THC 18.06%, CBD 0.67%, CBN 0.20% lOOks: The buds of this sativa dominant hybrid consist of a forest green body brightly contrasted by shadowy orange hairs, intensely prominent white pistils, and copious amounts of trichome resins. The crystals are so pronounced and abundant, they emit a thick white quality when magnified arOMa: If you have any question about whether your roommates or neighbors are keen at all to your choice of medicine, you would be good to make use of a tightly sealed glass jar, for the aroma that a properly grown and cured Sour Diesel emits is quite overpowering and intense. Upon first whiff, it is hard to ignore the hints of spicy sour citrusâ&#x20AC;Śgrapes and lemons come immediately to mind, while a strangely pleasant mix of sweet menthol and fuel comes in a far second. Once that initial burst wears off, the skunk announces its prominent presence and makes itself ever so evident! taste: When smoked, Sour Diesel is one deceptively smooth super strain. On the inhale, the mildly mentholated sensation immensely helps the palatability of its naturally intense characteristics. The juxtaposition between the cool sweet citrus flavor and an obvious almost-sour-skittle taste, is in no way indicative of the predominantly skunky flavor that seems to pleasantly dominate the exhale. effects: There are absolutely no holds barred when a Sour Diesel hits. The effects begin immediately after the first hit. An overwhelming rush is soon followed by a long, uplifting and energetic head high. Sour Diesel is often touted as one of the more desirable strains by and for creatives and those looking to pull some productive hours from their medicated state. The sativa dominant effects allow one to be very clear while remaining focused and energetic. Make no mistake, there is definitely a heavily euphoric high associated with a good Sour Diesel, but at the same time, it can be a bit racy due to the high sativa dominance. This is definitely a daytime medicine. However, go easy, for too much may leave your head deeper and longer in the clouds than originally anticipated. Also be aware that cottonmouth will be had, and make sure to have something to eat close by, for munchies are most certainly in order. effective treatMent fOr: Sour Diesel has proven itself an effective medicine in treating symptoms associated with nagging back pains and chronic pains, nausea, anxiety, and migraines. It also serves as an effective anti-depressant, appetite stimulant, and as a digestive and circulatory aid. DuratiOn: 1-3 hours GrOwinG: 75-80 days

136 kush L.A.

I spent two days in Florida in March of 2011 with Cathy and other colleagues supporting Congressman Clemen’s (D-Lake Worth) medical cannabis bill, the first ever introduced in Florida. While wheelchair-bound and under the supervision of a caregiver, she was quoted at the Congressman’s press conference saying, “Cannabis is a neuro-protector, an antioxidant, and an anti-inflammatory...I am here today to help patients and the families of patients with neuromuscular diseases and brain disorders to educate themselves on cannabis.” Over fifty years earlier, Lou Gehrig spoke to a sell out crowd of fans before his last appearance as the NY Yankee’s sterling and remarkable “Iron Man” first baseman, and told the crowd, clear through the stadium speaker’s echo, that he was “the luckiest man alive.” This was quite a statement coming from a man who, diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, knew he would soon die. He spoke of his past not of his future.

His future was grim and short.

ALS (a.k.a. Lou Gehrig’s disease) is one tough way to live and die. ALS is a degenerative neuromuscular progressive disease that

destroys motor neurons. As the motor neurons are destroyed, the muscles atrophy and become spastic and patients become weaker and unable to care for themselves. Patients soon depend on a wheelchair. ALS patients have difficulty speaking and swallowing and many patients die from choking. It is fatal for most patients within 2-5 years from onset.

Cathy should have been dead by now - she has lived with ALS for 25 years.

Cathy medicates with cannabis every day, but since it is illegal in Florida, she is forced to live as a criminal in order to live at all. This is what the war on ‘drugs’ has done to countless individuals all over this country. This inane pogrom on the sick also reduces, eliminates, confounds and delays any medical science-based advancements from being realized. It hampers the powers that be from admitting the US federal policy on therapeutic cannabis has been wrong for decades, and from lifting the prohibition in an effort to turn our collective talents loose to do better for Cathy and hundreds, thousands of others, ill, dying.

It also creates other criminals. No, not the low-level street dealers nor the drug barons who have more money than most countries, we’re talking about the ‘criminals’ that are people of compassion. After all, somebody supplies cannabis to Cathy. Bob, Cathy’s husband and proud Vietnam Veteran, has to sit and fret and wonder if her supplier will come through again – if he will succeed in overcoming the hazards of growing and delivering a prohibited substance – one that has saved his wife’s life. Can you feel his frustration? Bob risked his young life to preserve freedom to the very country that, by law, is keeping his own wife from freely choosing to elect her own quality of life, her own treatment protocol - the one that has been effective. Cannabis helps Cathy, and others with this terrible disease, by doing what every cannabis user experiences; it causes dry mouth. Among cannabis patients, one of the side effects is the drying of oral secretions – dry mouth, or cottonmouth. In the case of ALS human patients, it is that very drying of the membranes, the reduction of saliva and mucous, that proves to be the lifesaver. A build up of saliva for an ALS patient, which frequently causes chocking, can mean death. A reduction of secretions means life. It’s as simple as that. As I write this, Cathy is, in a sense, attacking the ALS medical community challenging them to recognize her survival through a series of meetings and interviews she and her Florida supporters have arranged with key medical and political personalities. Up to now ALS ‘specialists’ have retreated from her, effectively undervaluing her experience with cannabis. “They are terrified by me it seems,” she said on the phone two days prior. Cathy is pressing the ALS medical community to recognize her treatment of her disease, a method that has worked. No silver bullet, no pharmaceutical chemistry, no surgery, no western medicine - no wonder “they” are terrified. What would you do if you were Cathy? After all, as your dutiful contribution to our nation, what you would do does matter. Would you hide, hope that the local cops would look the other way? Would you not use cannabis and die? Would you tell your MD or RN what was keeping you going? How much could you afford to pay for a medicine which is produced by the federal government at a cost of a few bucks an ounce, when you have to pay $500 an ounce on the black market? Would you stand in public next to a Congressman and admit to using illegal plant compounds daily? Would you, as a layperson, have the audacity to question the teachings of a realm of medicine by telling those ‘experts’ that

cannabis is doing what they said it couldn’t? Cathy is an anomaly in our US society these days. Why? Because she is brave - unafraid of doing and saying what is the right thing to say and do. She works from experience and empirical knowledge rather than from the sound bites of foolish pundits who make a public career of continually exposing their limited understanding of medical cannabis - seemingly unembarrassed by their ignorance or duplicity. And, perhaps most importantly, Cathy cares about others with her plight and feels an innate responsibility to inform.

In short, Cathy is one of my heroes.

Cannabis has not cured Cathy, but it has provided her with two decades of life that modern western medicine could not. The simple fact that she is alive is testimony to that fact. As I learn more about cannabis and it’s coupling with our own endocannabinoid system, and as I study the reports of patient use for a wide variety of symptoms, from sickle cell anemia to pain control, I am in a constant state of frustration. Up against the reality of a modern miracle of medicine case study called Cathy, there are those who hold a theory… A theory that Cathy and those that support her, groups like Patients Out of Time and the dozens of health care organizations, as well as individual doctors and nurses, that have added their names to the demand for medicinal cannabis, are wrong… misinformed…duped by the hoards of axe wielding reefer madness types running through our streets who just “want to get stoned.” A theory as illogical as the federal cannabis prohibition that turned a sick and dying patient named Cathy into a criminal.

So please do something.

At the very least, be aware, and make those around you aware as well. For what you do is important for the present day and future of those you love and care about. Help Cathy and the thousands of others who need it, obtain legal medical cannabis. In time, you may find you have helped yourself. Humbly, Al Byrne for Patients Out of Time

The hypodermic needle of the non-renewable energy grid is loosing it’s narcotic grip - whole battalions of ecophiles are fighting back and kicking the habit cold turkey – all in an effort to get off the “grid” and live free. In a world with a hell bent dependency on non-renewable energy resources, clinging to outdated energy principals as firmly attached to the myth as a barnacle is to the bottom of a sea going vessel, exploratory pathfinders are blazing new trails towards a sustainable lifestyle. We have all been subjected to the uber-hype surrounding the need for oil, petroleum, and coal - an addiction that has a strangle hold on the western worlds economy. America will do anything, at any cost, including that of spending the expendable currency of human lives as payment during an invasion of any number of countries to secure what America needs, or at least what we are told we need, by big government and big business.

It’s time to kick the habit Amiga y Amigo Greenos. The gears of the “machine” have been grinding and groaning, defeating and depleting for decades. As eco-awareness increases, the desire to escape the grip of the grid increases and many have decided to toss the national notion of dependence on non-renewable energy resources into the trash bin of obsolescence. Sustainability requires dedication, and with a plethora of information filling the eco-galaxy to a point of an overflowing cistern, there is a need for clarity and education. Time to go back to school and pay attention and stop shooting spit wads at the blonde cheerleader in the front row just get her attention. Ask her out – just ask her out. Northern California has given organic birth to a sustainable institute of higher solar learning in Hopland, California, nestled in the bosom of

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redwood and wine country just south of the town of Ukiah. I call it “organic academia” and refer to the dedicated student body as “Hop Heads” and only in the kindest terms, of course. Hopland is home to a vibrant collection of Victorian homes and architecture, an abundant supply of art galleries, and a half dozen or so wine-tasting emporiums to sample the fruit of the vine, but the crown jewel in this compost pile of art and culture is the non-profit Solar Living Institute. The Solar Living Institute, or SLI, is a demonstration center spread out like a comfortable 12-acre quilt of sustainability. It’s a project on a mission, not impossible, to instruct those in the eco-revolution about the importance of introducing and incorporating clean renewable energy sources and practices into our daily lives. Its sustainable message has attracted more than a half a million eco-visitors over the course of its years. The SLI main building is Ingrid Bergman-esque with it’s graceful style and curves. In the words of the SLI, “The building is so adept in it’s capture of the varying hourly and seasonal angles of the sun that additional heat and light are nearly unnecessary during the summer months. The building is kept cool through a combination of overhangs and manually controlled hemp awnings. Cool night air floods the building and is stored as “coolth” in the six hundred tons of thermal mass making up the building’s columns, floor and straw bale walls. Outside grape arbors shield the building from the intense summer sun and a central fountain with drip ring provides evaporative cooling.” Solar power is diverse with many applications that transcend merely the heating of a home or office building. Solar power is true grid free power to the people. It generates electricity and can power solar water pumps. The SLI, no surprise, is solar powered and the town of Hopland is home to Solar 2000, Northern California’s largest grid tiered solar arrays. The SLI garden is a living organic textbook of responsible stewardship of the Mother Earthship. The SLI garden of solar Eden produces edible crops, and the variety of other plantings maximize energy efficiency. It includes fruits, herbs, grasses and a perennial bed to highlight what can be produced on a smaller level of a sustainable home-based garden economy. Art and Agriculture are not strange bedfellows and instead, combine to create a Garden Guggenheim through the use of “Living Structures” which add architectural beauty. Part of this is an agave cooling tower, where the “Adam and Eve in Eden” visitor can escape from the long hot summers heat and enjoy a “misty” experience in the protective bosom of the vines. Mother Nature’s working organic organisms help to organize organism produced organics. There’s a mouthful! Healthy veggies need great American manure, and the SLI is supplied by a local microbrewery and the seeds donated by Synergy Seeds. Remember that solar water pump mentioned early in the article? Yep. One is used to irrigate the gardens by transporting water from a pond to the farm. Back to the Future with Biodiesel! It’s one of the earliest turn of the 20th Century fuels in use for an emerging motoring public. Gas and oil replaced the sustainable products, but biodiesel is back with a vengeance - ready to exact its revenge on behalf of Mother Earth. It’s simple to use, biodegradable, non-toxic and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. It can be used in existing diesel engines with no noticeable loss in performance and is proven to reduce unhealthy emissions associated with petroleum.

Back in 2003, the biodiesel fueling station officially opened at SLI in a partnership with Yokayo Biofuels of Ukiah, who installed the unit and provide the biodiesel. Biodiesel fuel is the gift that keeps on motoring, and can be purchased at the Real Goods Store. Another unusual and inspirationally educational feature is the “memorial car grove,” where the rusting hulks of behemoth Fifties and Sixties “gas hog” cars have been turned into planter boxes for trees and flowers. Like some drive through the Redwoods in Northern California, this is in reverse, a page right of Superman’s “Bizzaro” world where everything is topsy-turvy, over, under, sideways down. Here the trees grow through the vehicles turning them into heavy metal planter boxes and in effect a work in progress of nature’s artistry, reclaiming what is hers, and, in essence, marking her territory. Most people, when they think “green,” think the subject matter is merely for “tree hugging granola eaters” without a sense of fun and adventure, yet, they ignore that the mandala of sustainability has many facets, and SolFest, which celebrates all things solar, is one of them. The biennial event began in 1998 and is the premier renewable energy event west of the Mississippi River. It’s designed to inspire and jump start others into getting involved in the sustainable galaxy - to tackle environmental issues and problems head on. Planet Earth is a sustainable entity that regenerates itself constantly. Mankind has generally interfered and mucked it up a bit in an effort to subdue natural forces. Everything from rape of the vast prairies of the continent that created dust bowls to the smog laden skies of our cities. Humankind has not been very kind to Mother Nature, as we gave it a punch to the solar plexus, but now it’s time for solar flexes of the muscle of sustainability to land a knock out punch to the unnatural order of things - the wayward path we have been following. It’s time to re-think our place in nature’s scheme, and to become a working partner with nature, rather than an adversary. The Solar Living Institute in Hopland is the Harvard of all things solar and it’s cap and gown time - high time to take action to live solar, live free! More information at SolarLiving.org

Dr. Bronners by John Green Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps produces a wide range of high-quality organic products, from their classic liquid soap to hair rinses and shaving gels, all certified under the USDA National Organic Program…the same program that certifies organic foods. Built on the experience of 150 years and five generations of soap making, Dr. Bronners have perfected their products, especially those using their unique blend of organic hemp oil and other oils. Magic Soaps are crafted with old-world quality and time-honored simplicity that can be traced back through the families soap making tradition. Born in 1908, Emanuel Bronner became certified as a master soap maker under the guild system of the old days. As a third generation master soap maker in a family that had been making soap since 1858, Bronner brought his time-tested formulas for high-quality liquid and bar soaps to America in 1929. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps began selling products in its current form in 1948, building a small but loyal following. Soap sales took off in the late 1960s due to the unmatched ecological quality combined with Dr. Bronner’s message of obtaining transcendent unity, which made Dr. Bronner’s the iconic soap of the era. Gaining strong recognition through word-of-mouth, his soaps soon spread into health food stores and the mainstream U.S., quickly becoming the number-one-selling natural brand of soap in North America. Today the company is run by the current generations of the Bronner family who continue to make unsurpassed soaps and strive to honor family heritage with progressive business practices, while devoting profits to worthwhile causes and charities worldwide. Their products encourage users to wash, shave, shampoo, and also moisturize with a clean conscience. Dr Bronner’s line up of products includes classic bar and liquid soaps, organic hand and body soaps, hair conditioning rinses and creams, lip balms, body balms, lotions, and shaving creams, as well as an assortment of other items from oils to snacks to books and DVDs. Their classic soap, which the company was founded on and remains their staple product, combines organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba, and hemp oils with pure essential oils to create soap that cleans effectively but is not harsh and does not dry out the skin. The soap comes in a variety of fragrances and yields the desired result of a velvety lather that rinses away to leave skin feeling refreshed, soft and smooth. Hemp oil is a significant component in making Dr Bronner’s soaps and other products. Industrial hemp, which is grown as non-psychoactive varieties of the Cannabis plant for fiber and seed, improves their soaps because it contains a high amount of fatty acids which make the soap milder and less drying. Going along with their focus on staying true to sustainable principles and practices, the Bronner family is committed to helping major industries transition to cleaner methods and materials. Beyond soap, hemp possesses great potential to transform markets such as paper, glass fibers, textiles, bio-fuels and bio-plastics. The Bronners use profits from their business in part to support Hemp initiatives aimed at changing perception and policy. Check out Dr Bronner’s Magic Soap website to get more information on their different products, shop at their online store, read the history and philosophy behind Dr Bronner’s, and learn about their ecological impact and activism. Help hemp…buy Bronners. www.drbronner.com

e c i r P t n e Vinc : m u e s u Art M Icon LA’s Newest Art Museum and

t’s generally an undisputed fact that the Hollywood Sign is the biggest icon or landmark in Los Angeles. The Griffith Observatory, City Hall, the Disney Concert Hall and the Getty Museum are other architectural icons also looming large. Tour books usually overlook the city’s eastside but it also has architectural icons such as the sculpted concrete bridges over the Los Angeles River, the vintage art deco Sears Tower on Olympic, the band shell at Mariachi Plaza and the Los Angeles County USC Hospital. One more to add to that list is the newly redesigned Vincent Price Art Museum located on the campus of East Los Angeles College (ELAC) in Monterey Park. The elegance of the Museum’s recently completed space matches the 60 years of groundbreaking art produced there, turning it into an instant icon. “When a work of architecture functions as an icon, then it matters in a different kind of way from other buildings,” writes venerated architectural critic Paul Goldberger; “The power of architectural icons is undiminished today, even as so many other symbols of our culture appear to weaken.” Before going into further detail on the sleek design and the multileveled power this building emits, a discussion of the museum’s formation, and the man behind it, is important. In 1957, well-known film star Vincent Price and his wife donated 90 pieces of art from around the world to East Los Angeles College. Price had studied Art

Title: Know Me in Team Year: 2007 | Artist: Pearl C Hsiung Medium: Oil-based enamel on canvas

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History at Yale and had spent a lot of time in the galleries of New York City, but when he arrived in LA after a successful Broadway tenure in the late 1930s he saw the Southland as a wasteland of culture compared to the Big Apple. This served as the impetus to open his own gallery and join the LACMA board and UCLA Arts Council. As his art collection grew, he felt the need to share, and originally wanted to donate it to a local college gallery like UCLA or USC. But before he made any decisions, Judith Miller, an art teacher at ELAC, called Price to see if he would come speak to her students. Price’s wife fell in love with the diverse student body and they decided that their art collection could be used and appreciated in the gallery at ELAC even more than it would be at a wealthier, more prominent school. Price believed in the power of art and remained close with the ELAC Art Department until his death in 1993. Over the years, the couple donated an additional 2,000 pieces of art. The collection has now grown to over 9,000 works and many of the alumni have gone on to international success in the art world. The Vincent Price Art Museum includes 7 galleries over three floors. The highly respected Miami-based architectural firm ARQUITECTONICA designed the space. Known for their use of glass and sleek lines, their rendering of the museum fulfills its purpose and then some. Walking up from Caesar Chavez Ave, the sculpted rectangular shape is partially bisected by large triangular windows in each corner. On the eastside of the museum, where both entrances are located, both doors stand below large panes of that take full advantage of the Southern California natural light. Diane Gamboa’s acrylic painting “In Your Face,” holds strong on a

Title: Monster Gusher Year: 2007 | Artist: Pearl C Hsiung Medium: Oil-based enamel on canvas

bright yellow wall. The juxtaposition of her powerful canvas against the bright wall epitomizes the museum’s zeitgeist. The cognoscenti of avantgarde art in Southern California have known about the Vincent Price Art Museum for years now. The public is quickly discovering it. Victoria Price, Vincent’s daughter, writes: “In May 2010, I walked through the unfinished building that would soon house the Vincent Price Art Museum. Awed as I was by the architecture, mostly I couldn’t stop thinking about what my dad’s wonderful, crinkled, and expressive face would have looked like had he been there with me.” The humble gallery Price donated to in 1957 has blossomed into a world-class museum with the space to prove it. The combination of cutting-edge energy and world-class amenities instantly puts the Vincent Price Art Museum in the same category as much bigger museums around the city. The Vincent Price Art Museum raises the stakes for both Southern California art museums and community college galleries across the country. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s like having a mini-Getty or smaller LACMA on the eastside. For that matter the progressive nature of the art at the Vincent Price Art Museum might be the most forward art energy in the city. This new space cements ELAC’s role as an incubator for Eastside artists of past, present and future. This is the temple eastside artists deserve. Title: Saint Perpetuum Year: 2007 | Artist: Pearl C Hsiung Medium: Oil-based enamel on canvas

Price liked to say, "Art saves lives." Suffice it to say the new museum testifies to this. -VincentPriceArtMuseum.org

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GLOBAL GANJA REPORT by Bill Weinberg

ROCKY MOUNTAINS Colorado activists gather signatures for legalization initiative

In Colorado, signature gatherers have already hit the streets to get the "Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act" on the 2012 ballot. Despite the failure of California's Proposition 19 last year, activists think that Colorado may have a better shot of becoming the first state to legalize cannabis. "I think why it would be seen as a better investment here in Colorado is based on how things are going with medical marijuana regulations," Mason Tvert, a Colorado organizer, told San Francisco’s Bay Citizen. "Also the size of the state is just smaller. Everything about California is far more expensive."

Colorado enacts restrictive new rules for caregivers

allowed to take effect July 1, but Helena District Judge James Reynolds issued an injunction that temporarily blocked the restrictive measures. One such measure would bar medical marijuana “providers” (formerly called caregivers) from charging patients. Another would limit to three the number of patients (known as cardholders) a provider may grow for. The injunction was granted after the court-heard testimony from the seriously ill. Flathead County District Court Judge Stewart Stadler ruled July 21 that the new Medical Marijuana Act does not allow for cannabis transactions between caregivers. Ruling in a civil lawsuit brought against the Flathead County Attorney, Stadler said state law limits registered caregivers to providing marijuana only to "qualifying patients." The plaintiffs were identified in court documents as the Medical Marijuana Growers Association, two anonymous couriers and three anonymous caregivers. Stadler granted the county attorney’s motion for summary judgment. Montana's Gov. Brian Schweitzer let the restrictive law take effect without his signature. With the Spring legislative session about to end, procedure allowed unsigned bills to take effect until the new session in 2013. "So I will hold my nose and allow this to be law until the Legislature gets back to session," Schweitzer said at the time. "I'm not going to sign it." The issue followed federal raids against some 25 cannabis dispensaries and grow sites across the state in March. The raids involved the DEA, FBI, ATF and other agencies.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Unprecedented raids across Mendocino National Forest The Colorado Board of Health on June 15 adopted new rules for the state's small-scale medical marijuana providers, over the objections of cannabis advocates who say the rules are too harsh. The rules require that caregivers—medical marijuana providers who by law must serve five or fewer patients—do more than just provide cannabis. They must now do something extra, such as help patients with shopping, cooking or getting to doctors' appointments. Medical marijuana advocates fear the added responsibilities will severely limit the number of caregivers, which today stands at 16,000 by official figures.

Judge reins in restrictive new Montana medical law Montana’s new, more restrictive medical marijuana law was

A massive, six-county cannabis eradication operation targeting Northern California's Mendocino National Forest was carried out in late July, with a multi-agency task force of hundreds of state, federal and county officers claiming seizures of some 292,000 plants and 77 arrests. Raids were carried out simultaneously in Mendocino, Lake, Colusa, Glenn, Tehama, and Trinity counties, which all contain portions of the Mendocino National Forest. The raid came as part of "Operation Full Court Press," which has sent hundreds of agents combing the mountains for illegal growers who authorities say have set up "huge plantations" deep in the woods, some reportedly numbering tens of thousands of plants. Law enforcement contends that many of the illegal growers are

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Mexican nationals who are linked to large drug-trafficking cartels. As evidence of a strong Mexico connection, prosecutors point to hundreds of Mexican nationals arrested in recent years at illegal outdoor grows in the Golden State. Authorities on July 8 busted a major grow operation in the Trinity National Forest of California's far north. The Red Bluff Daily News reports that several law enforcement agencies eradicated more than 22,000 plants near Pattymocus Butte in Tehama County.

New Oakland ordinance doubles dispensaries

The Oakland City Council on July 26 passed an ordinance that will double the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city, to eight from the current four—the Oakland Patient Center, the Purple Heart Patient Center, Coffeeshop Blue Sky, and the Harborside Health Center. The new ordinance was passed with an amendment that provides the city with access to all the dispensaries' financial information. And accompanying legislation imposes a $5,000 application fee and a $60,000 annual regulatory fee on each dispensary. The Council put off discussion of amending the city's cultivation ordinance, which would regulate large-scale cannabis farms, until the Public Safety Committee reconvenes in the fall.

Oakland's Harborside Health Center gets reality TV show

The Discovery Channel has announced a "docu-soap reality show" entitled “Weed Wars” and set in Oakland's Harborside Health Center, the country’s largest medicinal cannabis distributorship. Set to air this fall, Weed Wars will follow the day-to-day dealings of Steve DeAngelo, owner of the establishment, which serves some 80,000 clients.

International Cannabis & Hemp Expo goes to Oakland Organizers expect 30,000 to pack the plaza at Oakland City Hall Sept 3-4 for the International Cannabis and Hemp Expo 2011. INTCHE was denied a permit for its usual Cow Palace venue in Daly City due to plans to have a "215 area" for medicinal users.

seizure of cannabis plants in their jurisdiction; from an outdoor grow operation in the Pine Mountain area of Los Padres National Forest. The raid in the rugged mountains north of Ojai netted 68,500 plants valued at $205.46 million, according to a sheriff 's statement. No suspects were arrested. The season total for seized cannabis in Ventura County is over 100,000 plants.

LA passes medical cannabis tax hike

Los Angeles voters approved a new medical marijuana tax in March that proponents say could raise millions of dollars for the city— although advocates and opponents of medicinal cannabis alike opposed the measure. Measure M, which passed with 59% of the vote, allows Los Angeles to collect $50 in taxes for every thousand dollars collected by medical marijuana clinics. Patient advocates called on the city to find other sources of revenue and remove the tax burden from medicinal users.

San Diego repeals restrictive medical ordinance

On July 25, following extensive testimony from medical cannabis advocates, the San Diego City Council voted to repeal an ordinance passed in April that would have restricted dispensaries to a few remote industrial areas of the city. Only a couple of collectives would have been allowed to open after they came into compliance with one of the most strict ordinances in the state of California. The City Council must now consider the recommendations of its own Medical Marijuana Task Force, which came up with a less restrictive set of rules—although still keeping dispensaries 1,000 feet away from schools, playgrounds, libraries, childcare facilities. Before the April ordinance took effect, medical cannabis advocates Patient Care Association and California Cannabis Coalition successfully gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on the new law. The signatures were submitted to the City Clerk for verification, and on July 18 were officially confirmed as valid. The City Council chose to repeal the law rather than hold a costly referendum.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Unprecedented raids in Southern California forests

NATIONAL NEWS Patient advocates appeal denial of rescheduling petition

The country's leading medical marijuana advocacy group, Americans for Safe Access (ASA), with the Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis (CRC), on July 21 appealed a decision by the federal government to keep marijuana classified as a dangerous drug with no medical value. The appeal to the DC Circuit comes two weeks after the DEA denied a 2002 petition to reschedule cannabis. ASA argues that the federal government erred by keeping cannabis out of reach for millions of patients throughout the US. Under the UN Single Convention treaty, cannabis is a “Schedule 1” drug, the most restrictive category. The 1970 Controlled Substances Act adopted the schedule system as US law.

Ohio medical advocates pass first step towards ballot initiative

Park rangers announced the seizure in late July of more than 3,500 cannabis plants over a nine-acre swath in the heart of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The National Park Service said the plots were scattered across an area near Zuma and Trancas canyons, south of Mulholland Highway. Earlier in the month, Ventura County Sheriff 's officials announced the largest single

The Ohio Patient Network on July 28 turned over of a petition with 2,143 signatures in the first step toward putting medical marijuana before voters. The proposed "Ohio Alternative Treatment Amendment" would amend the state constitution to allow patients with qualifying ailments to possess up to 3.5 ounces of cannabis, or up to 12 plants. If 1,000 signatures are validated and the language of the proposed amendment is approved, it will be before Buckeye voters on the November 2012 ballot.

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in cities across Bolivia in support of the government’s decision to formally dissent from the Single Convention. Coca users earlier this year held a “chew-in” for legalization of the leaf in the central square of Cochabamba.

Bolivia: Evo fears US plot to frame him for drugs

Speaking before a conference of campesina women in Cochabamba July 25, Bolivia's President Evo Morales said he fears a US plot to frame him for a drug offense: "Do you know what? I think they have to be preparing something. So much that I'm afraid to go with our airplane to the United States. Surely when we arrive, they can plant something and detain the presidential plane."

NAACP approves resolution to end the "War on Drugs"

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) passed a resolution July 26 calling for an end to the “War on Drugs” during the venerable civil rights organization's 102th annual convention in Los Angeles. "Today the NAACP has taken a major step towards equity, justice and effective law enforcement," said NAACP president Benjamin Jealous. "These flawed drug policies that have been mostly enforced in African American communities must be stopped and replaced with evidenced-based practices that address the root causes of drug use and abuse in America." The resolution, titled "A Call to End the War on Drugs, Allocate Funding to Investigate Substance Abuse Treatment, Education, and Opportunities in Communities of Color for A Better Tomorrow" emphasizes that the United States spends $40 billion each year fighting the drug war—and that African Americans are 13 times more likely to end up behind bars for drug-related crimes than their white counterparts. Once the NAACP board of directors ratifies the resolution in October, the NAACP and its chapters pledge to mount a national campaign to end the "War on Drugs."

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Israeli Health Ministry to grow medical cannabis

The Israeli Health Ministry announced July 28 that it will establish a unit to produce and oversee the supply of medicinal cannabis. The unit will begin operating in January 2012, to meet an anticipated exploding demand without resorting to imports. Currently, medical cannabis is supplied exclusively by local growers to some 6,000 authorized patients, but the number is expected to reach 40,000 in 2016.

Bolivia withdraws from UN Single Convention

The government of Bolivia formally notified the UN Secretary General of its withdrawal from the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs on June 30. The withdrawal will enter into effect on Jan. 1, 2012. At that time, Bolivia will re-accede to the Convention with a reservation on the coca leaf and its traditional uses. Bolivia's step—the first of its kind in the history of the UN drug control treaty—comes after the rejection earlier this year of its proposal to delete the Single Convention's Article 49 obligation that "coca leaf chewing must be abolished." A number of countries, including the United States, objected. Bolivia’s 2009 constitution recognizes traditional use of coca leaf as a part of the nation’s “cultural patrimony.” Coca growers gathered

Mexican troops find record-breaking 300-acre plantation in Baja California

Mexican soldiers patrolling a remote desert area of Ensenada municipality in Baja California discovered a massive cannabis plantation July 14, which authorities say is the largest yet found in the country. The plantation, full of rows of 8-foot plants, was being tended by dozens of men, who were operating an irrigation system, pumping water through hoses from a well they had dug. Most of them escaped, with six being caught later at a military checkpoint. "This marijuana field represents one of the largest found and due to be destroyed in Mexico," said the commander of the Second Military Region in Tijuana, Gen. Alfonso Duarte. The largest up to now was the 105-hectare plantation discovered at Rancho de Búfalo in Jiménez, Chihuahua, in November 1984. The Ensenada plantation is 120 hectares, or some 300 acres.

Mexico: the economy is down and the cartels are hiring

The average income of Mexican households fell by 12.3% between 2008 and 2010, the government's National Statistics and Geography Institute (INEGI) reported on July 15. The long-term economic situation is no better, according to José Luis Calva Téllez, a member of the Economic Investigations Institute at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The main source of new job growth in Mexico, according to Calva, is narcotrafficking, which he says has created 600,000 jobs. For further details and updates on these stories, please see Global Ganja Report (globalganjareport.com) --Veteran journalist Bill Weinberg is the former news editor of High Times magazine and now producer of the websites Global Ganja Report (globalganjareport.com), monitoring the global war on cannabis, and World War 4 Report, monitoring the global “war on terrorism.” His books include Homage to Chiapas: The New Indigenous Struggles in Mexico (Verso, 2000) and Cannabis Trips: A Global Guide that Leaves No Turn Unstoned (Ivy Group, 2010).

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69 264 S. RAMPART BLVD. SUITE 272 B, LOS ANGELES, CA 90057

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wine tasting room of the wino is the dark city alley with broken food crates, dumpsters, and vino wino’s sitting and spitting in the darkened alleyway. We don’t pair our wines with filet mignon, but with fried Spam sandwiches and White Castle sliders. Fine wines make genteel love, bum wines f**k you fast, so you know you’ve been f**ked when you wake up in a stupor in the sunrise morning, and can’t remember your own name, let alone, hers, or his or them. The difference between Night Train and a Chardonnay is the difference between dark of night and bright of day. Banana’s flambeau? Not at this fine establishment Ma’am. The finer wines are symphonies at New York Philharmonic, bum wines are the hobo stew of Grande Ballroom MC5, Flamin’ Groovies, New York Dolls and Ramones kind of high. A syrah with your Skynard, kind sir? Take the A-train, and the D-train, hop aboard the Night Train to Boones Farm to spend the night with Annie Greensprings under the covers with barely a Ripple sharing a bottle of a double wide trailer trash sized bottle in a plain brown porno wrapper while the home is protected by a Mad-Dog complete with 20/20 visions. Woody Guthrie rode the rails and Kerouac told the tales, and now you can ride and drink with brakemen along the tracks, and hop aboard the Night Train all the way to paradise for a buck 29...... The central Metro maneuvers you into the Beastro of the Metrosexual where the twenty somethings stampede for some Calgary Cabernet at the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari’s cabaret...let the games begin of terroir terror and a bouquet of sobriquets of the sober, ok? Wine country is full blown egos loaded carefully into bullet chambers, and spun around, click-click-click, for a taste of Russian roulette with Rigoletto and the hitman Riga-Tony, the Dago, once a communist, called Dago Red, who was friends once with Tom, but now in the corner. Look! Tom waits! Along with Chucks barfly but his fly is open. Case closed. Bordeaux’s a bore...and Burgundy’s are medicines for Mendocino coughs up the coast in the fog north of the Gate. New Mex wines ... California wines ... little red wines, little red roosters and little red books read by Plato and his altered ego Play-doh with the cleft lipped and club footed eighth wonder of the world. It’s all for the eyesockets to take stock of the skid row sacks and stacks of the drinkers of the night, the slum bums and the night time night train trannies. The Pink Lady laden with canned heat is in heat, and child of Mother De-natured, a brazen hussy really driving around and around all over the town, with her top down, topless in a Thunderbird car, with her bottle going full throttle through Seattle, unsettling in it’s way with broken glass racing from her racy tailpipes, silver powered sexuality. The Cisco kid takes a pair of blitzed Berlin nylons to his wild Irish rose, now a refugee seeking refuge but refusing all help...she has all the help she needs when she unleashes her screw top

genie sitting astride the strange little man with manic and magical powers for the far east, further east than Kansas City is from Denver, or the Colfax Ave. from Cass Ave. Further east to a bar where west never enters or gives a thought or a damn about west and no, they shall never meet unless it’s on a heating duct and they fight over the right to warm themselves, solo, solitarily, but not in street bum solidarity, soldered and fused together as brother and brother, sister and sister, brother and sister, or some other incestuous relationship from the Garden of Eden. Then there was Li Po, and Li Poor who met up with a saint named Jake that shake’d in Ann Arbor. He too, a po’ boy blues that wore big saucer sunglasses to hide his dialated eyes from drug, blues and booze, but no mistakin’ the booze boy. Man, real Greyhound depot 3 in the morning am shit too. He played a guitar, harmonious harmonica at times, past the diners and the dives and walked like his fingers were also snapping to a tune nobody else could hear, and probably couldn’t even if they could. Even at his age, and drunk, he could charm some college girl into bed in the backseat of an abandoned car in a Main Street vacated lot, bangin’ her to a delta blues beat while Robert Johnson looked down from the roof mumbling something about cotton fields and mules. In a dream sequence I would play a harmonica I found on the street, blues harp, key of g on one side of the harp and key of c on the other, to accompany Jake, to old numbers we found in a steamer trunk that belonged to John Mayall, real blues breaker ball buster Brit who grooved in vinyl until the drunken blonde spilt cheap wine on the Marantz shorting out the reel to reel and the real to real and the turntable turned into an 8-track nightmare with tape rolling out across the floor like a red carpet with stains. All the good bums have been crucified, hung up on a cross or washed away from shore, surely, with the Ripple rip-tide or else they bin’ sanctimoniously sanctified and Sterno-fied, as the holy saint rode his bicycle down into the bowels of the train station to bum a smoke, not a ride, and enough spare change for a cheap bottle of wine, the passengers just passed him off, but gave him a home where roans and the buffalo roam, half a butt and the sum total of 15 dimes, which was just enough to pawn the bike, take a hike, and hop aboard the Night Train to paradise....one ticket?

Los Angeles based painter Mear One first gained fame for a Guns’n’Roses logo he drew when he was 19 years old. Around the same time, his prolific tagging with the now famous CBS graffiti crew placed his name among the most talked about writers of the late 80s and early 90s. After the 1992 Riots he became politicized and started painting large canvasses dealing with current events and most notably, social justice. He outgrew street art and began to receive invitations to show his paintings in international galleries throughout Germany, France, Spain, Japan, the East Coast and beyond. With the relentless explosion of graffiti art into the mainstream, occupying everything from the Museum Of Contemporary Art (MOCA) to Sotheby’s auction floors, Mear One’s somewhat stinging, yet brutally frank, perspective makes the following dialogue more relevant than ever before. The words below are an excerpt from Mear One’s forthcoming book on art.

everything involving me. This made me claustrophobic and rebellious. Truthfully if school wasn’t so bad I might not have enjoyed art so much. I started writing graffiti around my local neighborhood back in 1986. This was a life changing experience to me because it caused me to UN-define myself and the world surrounding me. I was a lost youth, a rebel with cause but not quite sure why yet. Youths in Los Angeles go through a grinding in its early stages then return the favor at an appropriate age, say 9-16 years old. Growing up in Central back lot Hollywood was as bizarre as watching one of its movies.

who is an artist? The meaning of an artist and what art is has always been a deep question in my mind. I have a current conception of the idea that has helped me in my quest to achieve a more meaningful relationship that also reminds me of what art is. Art is the ability to conceive of an idea, patterns, and waves, that make a picture and through the hands, the artist constructs this image from the mind’s eye into the world for others to appreciate. Something from nothing, the Magi or the illusionist. This can take place in dance, poetry, cinema, etc. With that said I don’t always consider myself an artist. I am so interested in so many subjects it leaves me completely uninterested in the world of art politics and games. I find myself buried in ancient culture and technology, the Apocalypse, Philosophy and Physics, Astrology, Astronomy, World Politics and Religion. Information and ideas have been my inspiration. This inspiring information charges me up with an energy motivating me to react in the sense that there is something I want to bring attention to. My whole life I wanted to participate only to realize without a PH.D in some field your voice can fall silent. So my interests have fueled an artist in me that is hungry and excited to paint this subject matter in hope that it may attract the very people I’ve always wanted to have these conversations with in the first place. Through this process I have also found myself in true form and have developed a narrative visual dialogue I offer to people to see. I am fusing a level of activism, artistry and philosophical thought to the work I do so that it will have a more penetrating reception and communicate the intended thoughts. Drawing has always been the way I made friends and made folks laugh. School was all about the authority figures having a say in

Young vandals would hunt the streets at night to score the biggest and best visible spot, plot an escape in case of an emergency like the cops, and drop the bomb. The next morning we would race out to get photos before the buffers came to erase the Graff. This was a constant battle we engaged in and it was part of the rush, to defy the authorities and reclaim the public space. It is a battle I struggle with daily and continue to step aside from the norm and venture into the unknown to remain indefinable. To me remaining indefinable is so important, the whole concept of authorities depicting your actions and giving a label to the expressions we exuberate is part of the purpose of graffiti - it says f**k you I won’t do what you tell me. And so I won’t allow anyone to define me. Running the streets at night takes you so far from the regular life of everyone else that I sometimes see the purpose of art and life in a very survivalist type of way. Graffiti teaches you to protect your own and participate while staying somewhat unknown. Participation has always been

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such an important part of being a true graffiti writer. Communicating in the language of the rebellious street kids was learning from the teachers of the art. This teaching was passed down from writer to writer. Basically it consisted of respect, heart, originality, and purpose. If these ideals could be expressed through time you could become accepted as a writer then an artist. Somewhere in the 90s art school students had become fascinated with graffiti in a large scale, roughly the entire design in the advertisement field followed along with major corporations learning guerilla marketing from us writers. This began to blur the art of graffiti, I mean if Sprite and art school students can do graffiti, who else can do it? Well thanks to postering and snickering, vandalism has been made more accessible to everyone. Your average t-shirt company (which I’ll mention use graffiti to sell their product which half the time has nothing to do with graffiti) makes stickers for young buyers to do their dirty work of slappin up stickers for them. Graffiti in my opinion is the world’s largest art movement in history simply because of its fast growth (similar to an epidemic) and sheer numbers, including those that do Graff, those who just like to hang around Graff, those who collect photos, art, latitude, of Graff, those artists who don’t participate yet find their inspiration in Graff and girls who date Graff writers or guys who date girl writers. Everyone sees graffiti and has to deal with it in some way whether they are buffing it off their business or taking a photo of the urban experience. The other day I hit a mailbox on the street corner and drew a naked character. As I walked away a man yelled, “Why

did you do that!”? I turned to him, walked back, and said, “It is art, free for your enjoyment”. The man said, “I’m a cop and I should arrest you, you f**k!” I wasn’t sure if I believed him or not so I said, “Then why don’t you?” This really pissed him off, he began to turn red and front like he was gonna punch me, so I asked him if art has always given him such a bad experience. He continued to yell some ‘tear your ass up motherf***r’ s**t to me, so I had to point out that children were present and he wasn’t setting a good example. He stormed off. To me that is true art and that is a beautiful thing. My life is worth more to me now than it was to me when I was younger. The art I make is conceptually, figuratively, subliminally more important to me - especially the language detail and clarity in the message I’m trying to express. I’ve always felt uneasiness in life and in a strange way it feels like an elevator. Elevators are an uneasy place to meet new people and I usually like to speak on things of importance with new people, so I have entered elevators with my paintings and an air of ease is present and people will usually ask me a question about the painting like, “why does the white man in the closet got a gun in his mouth?” And this opens a wonderful opportunity to dialogue on a philosophical level where it’s not necessarily me confronting or critiqued by them. We can stand together and critique the piece together. This is how I like to affect people; through creative means and dialogue a message is conveyed. Art is the first language of the human race and I want to contribute to the development of that language.

MearOne.com

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e s o o h C u o Y d l u o Sh by Elain e Rugg ieri There was a time when eating an apple a day could actually keep the doctor away. These days an apple a day could land you right in his office. In order to keep up with the growing population, food is produced at a rapid rate, often with the use of pesticides, antibiotics and hormones. Most of the food we buy today is processed, which eliminates most vitamins, minerals and fiber that our bodies need. Because we are not getting a sufficient supply of nutrients from our food, our bodies turn to our organs to supplement, placing a burden on them. Over time, all this can lead to health problems, disease, infertility and birth defects. Maintaining a youthful body has everything to do with staying healthy. And staying healthy has everything to do with what we consume, so is it possible to enhance the quality of your life simply by choosing the right foods to eat? Most Americans have diets that consist of foods high in sugar, fat, cholesterol, preservatives and even hormones and pesticides among other toxins. It’s an unfortunate fact that fruits, vegetables and meat are not what they used to be.

One could make an argument that we are moving in a positive direction. Bioengineered food is said to be more resistant to insects, cutting back on the amount of pesticides farmers have to use. That’s great news for the environment. Bioengineering also allows for adding nutrients or vitamins that may not have been included otherwise. But one could also argue that foods that are genetically engineered still have lower nutritional value and may cause allergies and other health issues, particularly with children.

So what makes food organic and should you swing that way?

This is a mud like substance that is made up of water and industrial waste that has been treated at a plant. If that doesn’t sound bad enough, human waste isn’t the only thing found in sewers. Many toxic household and commercial products end up down the drain as well. This could add a few extra ingredients to your dinner such as heavy metals and other harmful agents.

Whether a food is organic or not has to do with the way it is grown and processed. An organic farm takes the quality of our food as well as the environment into consideration to assure high nutritional value with minimal damage to our planet. Organic livestock, for example, is raised without the use of hormones or antibiotics. The animals are fed with organic feed and must be raised in an environment where they are free to move and behave naturally. Organic produce is grown without the use of pesticides, bioengineering, food coloring or sewage sludge.

So what exactly are some of these added staples? Pesticides Pesticides are used to prevent the infestation of insects, weeds and rodents that affect the quality and quantity of our crops. Unfortunately we are trading one problem for another. Our food can be exposed to up to 400 chemicals known to be associated with Parkinson’s Disease, chronic fatigue syndrome and infertility.

Bioengineering Bioengineered foods have had a gene from a different organism or plant introduced to create a particular characteristic. The idea behind the concept is to create a plant that is superior to what is naturally grown.

Food Coloring Food coloring is used to change the appearance of our produce so it looks more appealing. New studies show that food coloring may aggravate ADD or ADHD symptoms. This issue continues to be debated, however, parents have confirmed that they see a difference in their child’s performance and overall behavior since their schools eliminated food coloring from school lunches.

Sewage Sludge. Yes….Sewage Sludge!

The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) was introduced in 1990 and establishes national standards for foods that are labeled “organic.” The standards are set by the federal government and the National Organic Standards Board develops guidelines to regulate organic crops. Those who meet the standards have the privelege of legally labeling their products “USDA Certified Organic.” Many people will continue to question whether or not organic food is really better for you. The obvious known facts about producing and eating organics are: • • • •

You don’t consume toxic chemicals The quality of our soil is preserved You support local farmers You protect your children who are most affected by the hormones, antibiotics and toxins.

And while taste may be a matter of opinion, you can’t deny that food grown in natural, nourished soil, like the good old days, is likely to taste better. -Elaine is the former host of “The Shape Fitness Show” on 97.1FM and 980AM in Los Angeles. Check out her site at GodaiFit.com

Kush Concert Calendar

Southern California’s Live Music Preview:

August/September

Funky Sole

Every Saturday @ The Echo

A staple of the Echo Park/Silverlake community, Funky Sole was pioneered by Breakestra’s own Music Man Miles (aka DJ Miles, aka Miles Tackett) and DJ Egon (Stone’s Throw Records), as a grand marriage of funk, hip hop and soul. Now in its 10th year, Funky Sole is LA’s longest running dusty beat driven world funk party. Guest DJs from around the globe - from Cut Chemist to DJ Shadow - drop by to spin the funkiest tracks they have in their arsenal, driving the night into the awesome realm of groove for as long as they can hack it. Masters of opening audiences up to forgotten classics, Miles and friends keep crowds dancing to the sounds of Eddie Kendrick, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Carleen and the Groovers, and countless more. This is Los Angeles at its funky best! myspace.com/funkysole

God is an Astronaut

8/21/11 @ The Troubadour

Blending a cinematic sonic dreamworld with experimental rock, God is an Astronaut is one of those unique bands who are able to truly convey feeling through sound. Much like Mogwai and even Radiohead, God is an Astronaut presents musical art,

rather than just mere songs. Hailing from Glen of the Downs, Ireland, God is an Astronaut have become one of the most widely celebrated underground post-rock, instrumental bands in the world, amassing a cult following of millions through word of mouth since their epic 2002 debut The End of the Beginning. Their newest record- 2010’s Age of the Fifth Sun- is a luscious piece of sonic escapism, sucking the listener into a strange, lovely, profoundly-dimensional world, and never letting go. Their live performances add video to the mix, providing an even more captivating experience. Catch them on their last show of this tour, before they head back over the pond! godisanastronaut.com

Seapony with Craft Spells, Grave Babies, and Young Prisms 8/28/11 @ The Echo

Holy crap, is it 1989 again?! Wait...is it 1979?! Wait...is this the same, well-loved, non-conforming, anti-pop twee/indie pop music we’ve been jamming to ever since there was a soulless, popular music industry to rebel against?! From Velvet Underground to Talulsh Gosh, hipsters have found a tried and true formula, recycling it over and over and over and over again to generation after generation, keeping feet thumping, heads bumping, and fans jamming. It’s practically perfect music that categorically hits every genre requisite, yet it’s soo not mainstream. They work hard in the studio to make this sound like it was made with pennies. Dark hair with long bangs, skinny jeans, plaid shirts and music that sounds expertly unpolished, there’s little for smart, sophisticated music aficionados to not love. Seapony is the best modern example of why this music is so great and well-received. Their songs are hypnotizing; their beats sound like you’re outside at a beach party or in an old factory with a small crowd of your friends, dancing and partying the night away. Songs like “With You” hearken days gazing on the surf, whilst tracks like “Dreaming” bring back days of sitting at the underground bar, guzzling PBR and talking about the best movies of the 80’s. It’s the quintessential soundtrack to all your coolest times! myspace.com/ seaponyband

Gram Rabbit w/Men Without Hats 9/2/11 @ Viper Room

Gram Rabbit is one of the coolest bands to come out of Southern California in the past decade. Their gritty version of psychedelic rock infused with just enough electropop gives us a varied bag of rocking tunes, danceable beats, and perfect soundscapes for zoning out on the roof to watch the electric Los Angeles sunset with good friends and tasty indica. At times dreamy, at times funky, Gram Rabbit has a unique mixture of grooves that sound like a weird stew of Gram Parsons and Portishead, and everything in between. Their genius is in being able to hone in all these varied sounds, meshing them into their own, unique presentation. Their newest album- Miracles and Metaphors- ups the ante, diving deeper into their sultry rabbit hole. Sexy vocals and strong beats juxtaposed

This Page: Seapony Right From Top: Gram Rabbit, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Iggy and the Stooges, God is an Astronaut, Men Without Hats 94

against a weird, new kind of folk sound, provides for a rich musical event. From a dance track of “Candy Flip” to the dreamy “Flowerhead” to the rocking-balls “Horses Can’t Throw Up,” Gram Rabbit is a blast to listen to, and like all their prior albums, Miracles and Metaphors is yet another instant classic. Every once in a while, Gram Rabbit hops out of their home in Joshua Tree to play for their legions of fans- the diehard calling themselves The Royal Order of Rabbits- and they’ll be playing in Los Angeles with 80’s new wave weirdos Men Without Hats. gramrabbit.com

Iggy & the Stooges

9/7/11 @ Hollywood Palladium

While modern suburban jive turkeys have soiled the term “punk rock” so badly that it’s now little more than a catchy thing to call a conformist genre, when Iggy & The Stooges hit the scene in the late 60s, being called “punk” actually meant something. They DEFIED pigeonholes and traditional arrangements, and instead carved their own path into the world of music. In truth, they were just a hard rock band, leaning heavily on blues influences, but pushing the sound into new, primitive territories. Fronted by the legendary Iggy Pop, Iggy & The Stooges were not by any means a standard band playing the same old crap as everyone else. Instead, they brought a refreshing sense of experimentation to rock & roll, doing whatever they could to produce new sounds, be it using a blender and vacuum, or toying with feedback for new layers. At their core, though, they were always very solid musicians, not just some sloppy kids banging away for the sake of being “punk.” They FELT their music with a sense of true urgency, and portrayed that emotion through their live concerts. Iggy Pop took this one step further and gave fans epic performances, from starting the stage diving trend to rolling around in broken glass. Beyond stage antics, Pop is often mentioned with the same affection and reverence as David Bowie and Tom Waits, other revolutionaries in the world of American music. Somehow, Iggy Pop is not dead, and is still rocking out better than most musicians half his age. iggyandthestoogesmusic.com

More Great Shows! Thievery Corporation: 8/18/11 @ The Greek Theater Long Beach Funk Fest: 8/20/11 @ Downtown Long Beach Red Hot Chili Peppers: 8/24/11 @ Club Nokia Acoustic Alchemy, Jesse Cook: 8/25/11 @ Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs: 9/10/11 @ The Greek Theater The Ultimate Doo-Wop Show: 9/10/11 @ Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts The National, Neko Case & T Bone Burnett, Sharon Van Etten: 9/11/11 @ Hollywood Bowl The Horrors with The Stepkids: 9/15/11 @ El Rey Theater

Part 3:

Advanced Applications and Reservoir Automation

By mimicking nature’s irrigation and fertilization methods, the Rain Table design focuses on innovation through simplicity. The use of “rain” in this system allows growers to irrigate more evenly and fertilize more efficiently. But what about the rain itself? In order to keep the water stable, this design also incorporates modern hydroponic technologies to engineer a better rain – a rain whose pH, EC and dissolved oxygen levels automatically stay within the desired parameters even under changing conditions. In this final installment of my Rain Table series, we’re going to (finally) examine the Milwaukee SMS122 - a relatively inexpensive device for automatic pH control. We’ll also look at my new Rain Table where I’ve adapted the design to a very different application. I’ve (creatively) dubbed it “Rain Table 2.0” and it features an internal grid to support tall, one-gallon tree pots. Using the same irrigation style of the first Rain Table, this 2.0 version grows “Tree-Trees” - foot tall starter plants with foot long root systems. Although the considerations vary greatly between the two Rain Tables, the irrigation design performs well despite different plant sizes, plant numbers, root zone depths and pot spacing. On the day this article was submitted, the original Rain Table started day 1 of flowering on its 3rd crop and, thus far, the automatic pH control unit has been performing like a champ. Although the whole table design was new when I started to build it, my biggest concern was whether or not the automatic pH control would work. As much as I (and every other grower)

want to forget about adjusting the pH in a hydroponic system each day, I also know how automating anything can be disastrous. At the CannAcademy, I always encourage my students to avoid automating any process (watering, pH, etc.) that they haven’t done manually for at least 3 crops, if not more. If you’re not intimately familiar with the process on a

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manual level, the odds of miscalculating on your automated settings is very good. So, for those of you who are halfway through your first crop and already looking up where to get automatic pH control: good luck, and don’t say I didn’t warn you. But for growers with a good amount of previous experience at pH-adjusting reservoirs, (you know: adjust, check, adjust, check, adjust, curse at yourself for adding too much, pH-up adjustment, check, repeat, etc.) let me tell you about my favorite new toy. The Milwaukee SMS122 is a constant-read pH monitor that incorporates a set- point alarm and a regular 110-outlet trigger. When the pH of the reservoir drifts above the grower’s desired set point, the SMS122 turns on the attached trigger outlet. Growers can have a separate bucket of very acidic solution with a small (see: very small) pump in it. When the SMS122 turns on, the outlet turns on the pump and the acidic solution is pumped into the reservoir (hopefully very slowly, hence the intentionally small pump) to lower the pH. The most important note to consider when using the SMS122 is that the tubing that supplies the acidic solution has to be mounted very close to the probe that’s measuring the pH. This way, each little squirt is immediately registered by the probe and subsequently turns off the pump. Don’t worry if the pH temporarily falls below your intended set point after the pump is triggered, that acidic solution will dilute into the reservoir. The point here is to add your adjuster slowly (presumably pH down, since most hydroponic reservoirs tend to drift from slightly acidic toward neutral/alkaline). If the inlet for pH-down solution is too far away from the probe and/or if the pump is too big, then the device has the potential to unload too much pH down before the probe registers the acid, thereby leaving the reservoir at too low a pH. Overall, the crux of the SMS122 is its ability to provide a great deal of control to growers who know what to do with it. However, that control is a double-edged sword. I think one of the primary reasons that the SMS122 has proven reliable thus far is that it’s design is simplistic – it’s just a solid pH meter with one dial and a trigger cord outlet for a pump. Calibrating the meter is also easy and uses one recessed screw for adjustment. However, calibrating the size of the pump to the reservoir, or the size of the tubing for pumping the water in, or the amount of pH down to put in the “prereservoir” is all up to the grower to figure out according to their needs. That having been said, the device itself is, at least in my experience so far - f*%#ing awesome. This garden uses a 15 gallon reservoir, a fountain pump (super tiny – 60 GPM) and a ¼’ hose inlet to supply very small amounts of acidic solution to the reservoir. Even with a large reservoir, I wouldn’t want a larger inlet hose or pump since the drift of pH from slightly acidic toward alkaline happens very slowly anyhow and only small but regular

amounts of acid are necessary. So long as the delivery system for the acidic solution is kept very small (in both pump and tubing) and the inlet for acidic solution is close to where the probe hangs, then the SMS122 seems to be a very nice addition to an experienced grower’s hydroponic garden. Now, I probably wouldn’t put a large garden on one giant reservoir and trust it all to a single device worth of automation when it comes to something as fundamental as pH. But if you are a care provider for several patients and manage larger gardens, you could consider using more reservoirs, then automate each one so as to not put all your eggs in one basket. In this little garden, the acidic solution is pretty strong so I still have to add water to the reservoir (every 3 – 5 days in this case). In theory however, a grower with precise calculations and a stable cropping situation could probably fine tune a ratio of pH down to water that would add acidic solution at the same general rate as the crop drank water out of the reservoir, thereby keeping the reservoirs “topped off ” for longer periods of time. To avoid adding too much water, reservoirs can also be equipped with a drain hole near the top edge (like a sink) so that excess water into the reservoir can be drained away via tubing to a drain or overflow bucket. Alternatively, growers can simply use a second reservoir of water connected via float valve to the first one in order to keep the solution level constant. If you’re topping off the reservoir manually, then the water level will change over time. In order to keep the probe constantly submerged in water, I built a simple “buoy” out of reused Styrofoam and stuck the probe through so it sticks out the bottom an inch. Two pieces of plastic coated wire serve as guides on the float buoy to keep it in line with the acidic solution inlet instead of just floating to the far side of the reservoir. The continuous aeration supplied by a commercial air pump through a ¼ inch soaker tubing manifold (as discussed in last month’s Rain Table Part 2 article) keeps the reservoir highly oxygenated to maintain freshness. Ideally, reservoirs would be covered as much as possible, but with little clearance and lots of equipment going in and out of it, this res needs to stay open although you may notice the mesh propagation tray that has been mounted across the front in order to keep the shop dog from drinking the nutrient solution. (Yes, he has fresh water, he’s just.... not the sharpest tool in the shed. Sorry, Tank.) Still, despite the intimidating amount of hardware mounted onto the reservoir, this system (once built) is the archetype of a user-friendly garden. Besides the occasional addition of a bucket of water or a quick top dressing with some fertilizer, I do almost nothing to the garden between the first and last day of flowering. Not that this level of automation ever replaces the grower or the importance of them inspecting the garden daily, it just makes the daily tasks associated with the garden easier and faster.

The Rain Table 2.0 was developed to produce what have been dubbed “Tree-Trees”. This Rain Table can also be seen in action at my CannAcademy San Jose Campus located inside MedMar Healing Center at 170 S. Autumn st. in San Jose. This 2 x 4 tray was first fitted with a custom support grid to hold 14” tall “Tree Pots”. These pots are specifically designed to produce tree transplants for forestry applications. These pots feature internal ribs down the length of the pot to prevent root circling (and for Mary Jane’s enhanced pleasure....sorry, I can’t resist a bad joke). Instead of circling, roots hit the sides of the pot and are forced downward creating a deep root system. This allows transplants to have a better success rate and take off faster because the roots can be planted deeper where the soil is cooler and moister. This is especially important in hot areas or when transplanting mid-season when it is drier. Due to the significant pot height of the crop being produced, much taller sidewalls were built onto the tray. In order to keep the system easy to maintain, these sidewalls are slightly recessed into an acrylic guide track that holds it in place while still allowing it to be lifted off for easy cleaning and maintenance. Because the Rain Table 2.0 uses many planting sites stacked very close together, it takes full advantage of the fact that the water is being supplied without any physical attachments to the pots themselves, as this would be entirely impractical in this application. Being able to just grab, shuffle and organize plants without touching the irrigation system is fantastically convenient for a system that is still essentially a hybridized top feed drip system. The first crop grew very nicely and growers reported excellent success when transplanting despite a recent heat wave. From production to propagation, the Rain Table design of using micro sprayers to create a flat layer of rain above the planting sites has proven itself to be efficient, convenient, flexible and reliable. The fact that anyone can build it out of ordinary landscape irrigation materials and some plastic is just icing on the cake. For more pictures of the Rain Table as well as the previous 2 parts to the article series, check out my wonderful new website (Thank you, Brandon!) at www. JadeKine.com With a little biomimicry and some plastic, you too can turn your garden into a “Rainforest”. — Jade Kine Growers Grove writer Jade Kine is a former greenhouse manager for the medical Cannabis industry with over a million plants worth of experience. He is also the founder of CannAcademy (www.CannAcademy.com), a trade school dedicated solely to horticultural training for growers. Got a grow question for Jade? Drop him a line at JadeKine@gmail. com Complete bio and previous articles at www.JadeKine. com Facebook/Twitter: @JadeKine

Chef Herb has created some of his favorite recipes for his classic days of summer time fun. Check out cookwithherb.com to see how he can help you learn to cook with, and make, THC oils and butter. And for more

Chef Herb cook with herb

go to www.cookwithherb.com

Shrimp Cocktail

If you are using frozen shrimp, the safest way to defrost them is in a bowl of ice water in the refrigerator. I like to buy tail-on, shell-on, deveined shrimp. Of course, use what you can find at the markets. Ingredients For the shrimp: - 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning - 1 teaspoon granulated garlic - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder - 1 teaspoon salt - 24 extra large tail-on raw shrimp (more if you are using smaller shrimp) For the cocktail sauce: - 1/2 cup chili sauce - 1 cup ketchup - ¼ cup THC olive oil - 1 tablespoon horseradish - 1 dash Worcestershire sauce - Juice of 1/2 lemon - 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco - 1/2 clove garlic, finely minced - 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped * The chef specifically recommends Heinz chili sauce – it’s not very spicy and has a nice sweet taste. If you use other type of hot chili sauce, just start with a couple tablespoons first, then taste and adjust.

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Preparation 1. To prepare the cocktail sauce, mix all the cocktail sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. 2. Have a large bowl of ice water ready and set near the sink. Add the Old Bay, lemon, granulated garlic, garlic, chili powder, and salt to an 8-quart pot of water. Bring to a boil. Add the shrimp to the pot and when the water returns to a boil, the shrimp should be done! The shrimp should be bright pink. 3. Immediately drain and place the shrimp into the ice bath to cool for 2 minutes. Peel the shrimp (leaving the tail-on.) Drain and serve with the cocktail sauce.

Traditional Ceviche Ingredients - 2 lbs of firm, fresh red snapper fillets (or other firm-fleshed fish), cut into 1/2 inch pieces, completely deboned - 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lime juice - 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice - ¼ cup THC olive oil - 1/2 red onion, finely diced - 1 cup of chopped fresh seeded tomatoes - 1 serrano chili, seeded and finely diced - 2 teaspoons of salt - Dash of ground oregano - Dash of Tabasco or a light pinch of cayenne pepper - Cilantro - Avocado -Tortillas or tortilla chips Preparation 1. In a non-reactive casserole dish, place the fish, the onion, the tomatoes, the chili, the salt, the Tabasco, and the oregano. Cover with THC olive oil, lime and lemon juice. Let it sit covered in the refrigerator for about an hour, stir occasionally, making sure all the fish gets exposed to the acidic lime and lemon juices. Let sit for several hours, giving time for the flavors to blend.

2. During the marinating process the fish will change from pinkish grey and translucent to whiter in color and opaque. 3. Serve with the chopped cilantro and the slices of avocado with heated tortillas for ceviche tacos or with tortilla chips

Crab Claws with a Classic Cajun Romulade Ingredients - 1 qt Mayonnaise; (not salad - 4 Eggs; hard boiled - 3 tb Creole or dark mustard - ½ cup THC olive oil - 4 tb White vinegar - 4 tb Fresh parsley; chopped - 2 tb Worcestershire sauce - 3 tb Horseradish sauce - 4 Cloves garlic; chopped - Salt and pepper; to taste

mix, cover, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes. Just before serving, stir in the cilantro and sprinkle with chopped peanuts.

Moms Picnic Chicken Salad Ingredients - 3 peaches - 1/4 Cup THC olive oil - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar - 1 lb cooked chicken - 2/3 cup hazelnuts - 1/2 cup cilantro - salt - pepper - 8 cups spinach leaves Preparation 1. Peel the peaches: this is easier if you blanch them first by putting them in a pan of simmering water for a minute. (If you use nectarines, it is unnecessary to peel them).

Preparation Whirl all the ingredients in blender or processor; add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate 12 hours before using. Will keep several weeks in refrigerator. This sauce is basically for use with Crab Claws, as a cocktail, but can be used for many other things.

2. In a medium salad bowl, whisk together the THC olive oil and vinegar. Add the chicken, peaches, hazelnuts and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Add the spinach leaves and toss again. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to a day; it gets better as it sits. Remove from the fridge half an hour before eating.

Asian Tomato Cucumber and Onion Salad

Pineapple and Jicama Salad

Ingredients - 1 large cucumber - 2 tomatoes, seeded and cut into wedges - ¼ red onion, thinly sliced - ¼ THC olive oil - 1/4 cup rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons lime juice - 1 teaspoon white sugar, or to taste - 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro - 3 tablespoons chopped peanuts (optional) Preparation Peel the cucumber in stripes lengthwise with a vegetable peeler, alternating skinned stripes with peel for a decorative effect. Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise, and then thinly slice. Place the cucumber in a salad bowl with the tomato and red onion, and mix together. Pour the rice vinegar, THC olive oil, and limejuice into a separate bowl, and stir in the sugar until dissolved. Pour the dressing over the salad;

Ingredients - 1 fresh pineapple - 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips - 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips - 3/4 cup finely diced jicama - 2 scallions, thinly sliced - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon pepper - ¼ cup THC vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar Preparation 1. Peel pineapple and cut away core. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Place in a large bowl. 2. Add green and red pepper strips, jicama and scallions. 3. In a small jar, shake together salt, pepper, vinegar and THC vegetable oil. Add to salad and toss to coat. 4. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad Ingredients - 1/2 c. dry white wine - 1/4 c. THC olive oil - 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard - 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice - 8 oz. fusilli (corkscrew) pasta - 1 head radicchio, torn into bite sized pieces - 3/4 lb. smoked salmon, cut julienne - 1/4 c. raspberry vinegar - 2 eggs - 1 shallot, minced - Salt and pepper - 2 heads curly endive, torn into bite sized pieces - 10 Italian olives, pitted - 1 tbsp. snipped fresh chives Preparation Mix wine, vinegar, THC olive oil, eggs, mustard, shallot and lemon juice in blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in colander. Cool completely under running water. Drain. Mix pasta with endive and radicchio in large bowl. Add tomatoes, olives and dressing to taste; toss well. Divide salad among plates. Sprinkle with salmon and chives. 6 servings

Extreme Medicated Blondies Ingredients - 4 cups all-purpose flour - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1-1/3 cups (2-1/3 sticks) unsalted THC butter at room temperature - 3 cups packed light-brown sugar - 4 teaspoons vanilla - 4 eggs - 2-1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts - 1-1/4 cups white chocolate chips Preparation 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 9 x 9 x 2-inch square baking pans with foil, extending over two sides. 2. Mix together flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Beat THC

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butter, sugar, and vanilla in large bowl until creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. On low, beat in flour mixture. Stir in 2 cups walnuts and 1 cup chips. Divide batter into pans. Divide remaining nuts in half; sprinkle over each pan. 3. Bake in 350 degrees F oven 40 minutes, until toothpick tests clean. Remove pans from oven. Sprinkle tops with remaining chips; lightly press down chips with spatula to melt slightly. Cool in pan on rack. Cut in squares

Blueberry Cupcakes Ingredients - 1 1/4 cups flour - 2 cup sugar - 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/3 cup THC butter - 1 egg, beaten - 3/4 cup milk - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla - 2/3 cup blueberries - 1/3 cup chopped unblanched almonds, toasted Preparation Sift dry ingredients together to mix well. Cut in the THC butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Whisk egg vigorously to incorporate air and make the eggs light. Stir in egg, milk and vanilla and combine thoroughly. Add to dry mixture and stir together (some lumps should remain) and add the blueberries. Fill well greased muffin tins with batter until two thirds full. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 minutes or until done. Makes 18 large muffins.

Make sure to check out CannabisCookoffChallenge.com, where some of the top cannabis chefs, including our own Chef Herb, will compete for the title of ‘Best Medicinal Chef.’ Event will take place in Los Angeles, California on August 25 2011.

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The Green Pages List of Advertisers List of Advertisers SO CAL August

Hot Spot p 10, 11 & 114

123 Grow p 34

I Nature Organics p 54

20 Min Evaluation p 45

Inglewood Health Services Center p 54

420 Evaluations p 47

Irie Collective p 16

420 Gold Soil p 47

Kelly’s Collective p 37

Adams and Hill p 50

Kush Korner p 104

Affordable Evaluations p 32

kushmagazine.com p 70 & 71

Amsterdam Mart p 112 & 113

LA Container p 47

ASA p 97

Long Beach 420 Medical Marijuana Evaluations p 39

Beleaf in Nature p 57 Belmont Shore p 37 Best Price Evaluations p 31 Best Price Evaluations I.E. p 30 Better Alternative Treatment p 35 Bhang Chocolates p 29 Budsavers p 12 California Compassionate Care Network p 60 California Herbal Healing Center p 44 Cheeba Chews p 49 Chef Herb p 75 Chronic Pain Releaf p 33 COI Evaluations p 13 City Compassionate Caregivers p 67 C.W.S p 26 Dank Tree Collective p 27 DC Collective p 24 & 25 Downtown Collective p 2 & 3 Dragon Juice p 54 Eden Therapy p 37 Evergreen p 63 Gold Caps p 79 Godfather Caregivers p 20 & 21 Green Collective p 75 Green Life p 93 Green Miracle Healing p 35 Happy Medical p 13 HHC p 40 Harbor Area Caregivers Club HACC p 57 Hollywood Compassionate Caregivers p 51 Hollywood THC p 53

Marina Caregivers p 73 Medgo p 55 Meds Merchant p 23 MedStop p 78 Nature’s Holistic Alternative p 115 Newport Blvd Medical Center p 41 OC Medical Center p 19 & 65 Patients and Caregivers p 9 PR Collective p 111 Rampart Discount Center p 69 Redmoon p 104 Reseda Discount Caregivers p 5 and backcover Santa Ana Patients Group p 84 San Bernardino Medical Center p 16 Strain Genius p 90 & 91 Sunset Junction Organic p 82 SWHC p 15 T.H.C Van Nuys p 85 The Bluegate Collective p 38 The Olive Tree p 83 The Tree House p 54 Traditional Herbal p 57 True Healing Collective p 17 Urban Farmer Hydro p 104 Valley Holistic p 4 Venice Medical Center p 103 Western Discount p 59 Westside Discount Center p 61 Wonderland p 7 & centerfold

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