San Diego Kush Magazine by Randy MALINOFF

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features 30 Passing Gas Here are 10 clever ways to do it without putting up a stink.

36 Overton Loyd : The Kush Interview The legendary P-Funk artist ﬁnally reveals the recipe to his tasty true Funk Aesthetic OG.

86 The Boys of Summer are Back Who’s the best in the West? Depends. You want the coldest beer or the biggest hot dog? Or just a great game of ball.

88 Atmosphere: The Kush Interview Slug discusses how an Atmosphere can create its own sustainable orbit.

100 Spring Sounds Are in the Air Great music coming your way. Check out who’s playing in the San Diego area this month. 6

san diego’s premier cannabis lifestyle magazine

from the editors

kush

san diego’s premier cannabis lifestyle magazine

ush Magazine has decided to declare the month of April as Weed History Month.

A Division of Dbdotcom LLC

After all, it is the month of 420 and it is the month that Kush has completed a full year of publication in the San Diego region. We want to thank each and every advertiser, reader, advocate and contributor that has helped make Kush Magazine the premiere cannabis lifestyle magazine in San Diego.

Publishers | Dbdotcom LLC Founder | Michael Lerner Editor in Chief | Lisa Selan

To many, 4/20 is a day to celebrate cannabis, gather with friends and enjoy the herb that

Assistant Editor | Wasim Muklashy

we know possesses medicinal qualities that still, to this day, continues to be refuted by many

Chief Executive Officer | Bob Selan

a naysayer. As long as the Federal government continues the misclassification of marijuana

Business Development | JT Wiegman

as a Schedule 1 drug, the stigma attached to marijuana will perpetuate. Kush has continued

Art Director | Robb Friedman

to support advocacy groups who work daily to educate the public and who help assure safe

Director of International Marketing & Public Relations | Cheryl Shuman

access for those who rely on cannabis to help provide relief for their medical ailments. Be sure to read the article on page 92 regarding the NORML Women’s Alliance conference recently held in Washington, D.C. These women are nurturing the pulse of our industry, trying to work together with legislators and politicians to protect the rights of all medical marijuana patients nationwide.

Kush has continued to support advocacy groups who work daily to educate the public and who help assure safe access for those who rely on cannabis to help provide relief for their medical ailments.

In light of the efforts of the San Diego City Council to “zone out” dispensaries within the city limits, Jessica C. McElfresh, Esq. from Lake APC has contributed a very informative article on page 62 about what dispensary owners can do to comply with the San Diego Municipal Code. Ostracizing the cannabis community and relegating their existence to the outskirts of town is essentially the equivalent of denial of safe access. As this magazine goes to press, we are uncertain of the outcome of the City Council vote, but hopefully the community has been successful in convincing the City Council that a de facto ban is not the way to regulate medical marijuana. So as you pick up this issue of Kush, be sure to look for all of the 420 specials being offered throughout the magazine by the dispensaries throughout San Diego County. And remember to tell them that Kush Magazine sent you. Enjoy Weed History Month, and remember, medicate responsibly! Kush Editorial Board, www.dailybuds.com

Director of San Diego Sales | Charlene Moran Advertising Sales Reps | Amanda Allen, Ed Docter, Christianna Lewis, Denise Mickelson, Quinn Mickelwright, Jason Moran Designers | Avel Culpa, Marvi Khero, Joe Redmond Traffic Managers | Kevin Johnson, Alex Lamitie, Ryan Renkema, Jordan Selan, Rachel Selan Distribution Manager | Alex Lamitie Contributing Writers Alex Barker, Chef Herb, Charlotte Cruz, Julie Cole, Jonathan Cutler, Tyler C. Davidson, Jay Evans, J.T. Gold, AnnaRae Grabstein, Cyree Jarelle Johnson, Josh Kaplan, Jade Kine, Bud Lee, Jessica C. McElfresh, Mike Marino, Mary Lynn Mathre, Wasim Muklashy, Mateo Ramirez, Austin Hill Shaw, Mike Sonksen, JB Woods, Dillion Zachara Accounting | Dianna Bayhylle Internet Manager Dailybuds.com | Rachel Selan Dailybuds.com Team | JT Kilfoil & Houston 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.

SPRINGTIME IS A WONDERFUL TIME OF YEAR - THE DRUDGE OF WINTER FINALLY LIFTS ITS GRIP; ALL THAT WAS dormant comes back to life and the outdoors beckon. Unless, of course, you have spring allergies and then the season of rebirth is nothing more than a call to the medicine cabinet. Allergies are worst in the spring and for those who are sensitive to the pollen, grass and everything else that helps make springtime beautiful, it’s hard to find reason to celebrate. Thankfully, there is a natural regimen that can help lessen the agony of sinus pressure, multiple sneezing and watery eyes. Follow these tips and you’ll no longer be afraid to breathe a breath of fresh air this spring. Eat local honey. Bees collect pollen from local plants and therefore build your tolerance and immunity. Nutritionists recommend eating 1-2 teaspoons regularly before the allergy season really kicks into gear. Eat foods known to combat allergies. Onions, garlic, citrus are all known to contain natural antihistamines. Marshmallow root is a known decongestant and green tea contains antioxidants that may help your body’s reaction to allergens in general. Wash your hair. If you use any sort of product in your hair, realize that you set a trap for pollen and dust. Imagine that after a day of gel in your hair, it essentially becomes a sticky surface for all of those tiny, invisible particles to gather. Rinse, rinse, rinse. Keeping your nose free of pollen is as simple as rinsing your nostrils out with clean water. The tiny hairs that act as a filter for things like dust and pollen need to be kept clean to do their job. Prepare. If you know you’re going to be outdoors during days when the pollen count is high, take extra measures to keep yourself breathing easy. Wear natural fibers that collect less pollen and wash your hands regularly. Avoid sticky lotions on your hands that will collect everything you want to avoid. Sleep in. Pollen is at its peak in the early morning hours. Avoiding outdoor activity from 5-10 a.m is a smart way to avoid itchy eyes. The eyes have it. Allergies can blind those of us who take it right in the eye. Some people sniff, others cough, but nearly all of us tear up when our bodies are reacting to springtime pollen. Look for natural eye drops and keep one in your pocket, one in your bag, one in your car, one at your house, one at you parents’ house… Being an allergy sufferer is just a plain old drag, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the outdoors during this spectacular time of year. If you haven’t had a skin test, it’s not a bad thing to know (what you’re allergic to). Keeping clean, eating foods with plenty of antioxidants and decongestants are a good place to start. Happy spring! Be well.

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This Month in Weed History By Josh Kaplan

To celebrate April, KUSH magazine would like to pass on the obvious celebration of 4/20, and the numerous different theories on how that special number came to be: whether it’s the amount of chemical compounds in Marijuana, or the time in between classes that was designated to the very needed midday session - we don’t care! It’s always 4:20 around here, so we’ve decided to celebrate a man whose work supersedes all Marijuana folklore. A man who has conquered the world of music, books, film, political activism, and entrepreneurism, along the way becoming a spokesman and icon for the legalization and understanding of our beloved plant - Willie Nelson, born April 30, 1933. Willie Nelson started his musical career at the young age of seven, writing songs, and eventually performing them by nine. While early success would propel him to the fast track, Willie refused to get stuck in any rut. As a high school student, he excelled in baseball, football, and basketball. With the Korean War starting, Willie devoted nine months to the Air Force, only to be released due to a chronic back problem. His musical capabilities would prevail though. Songwriting was his true forte, and allowed Willie to write for and/or collaborate with the very best musicians from all genres. With his roots resting in country music, he worked with all the greats including Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Neil Young, and Toby Keith and even joined Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash to form The Highwaymen in the mid-80s. Having great crossover appeal has also allowed Willie to play with the likes of The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Ringo Starr, Al Green, Keith Richards, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ben Harper, Kid Rock, and even, most recently, fellow Marijuana torchbearer, Snoop Dogg. He even landed himself a coveted spot at 2007’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, alongside a lineup that included Rage Against the

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Machine, Bjork, and The Roots. Currently touring as Willie Nelson & Family, Willie surrounds himself with family and friends, both on stage and off, as part of his rolling circus. Since his tax evasion issues in 1990, due to the poor financial management and investments, Willie has been on tour ever since. Taking just three years to pay off his $6,000,000 settlement, Willie has been busing his way through “most” checkpoints across the United States, playing everywhere from stadiums with luxury suites to the mom and pop diners dotting the American landscape to just about every state fair in the land. Turning seventy-eight this month doesn’t seem to slow down this musical genius. Of the many times I’ve seen Willie in concert, he has always been entertaining, and sharp. His band of many years has learned to follow his lead - on their toes, and ready to jump. With a cache of hundreds of songs to choose from, he has his hands on the wheel, and will often take a sharp turn musically, really challenging those sharing the stage to follow accordingly. Willie’s off the cuff style often includes taking requests from the audience, or daisy chaining songs together thematically, just because. His sharpness, and ability to story tell through his scraggily voice and chewed up acoustic guitar (named Trigger after Roy Rogers’ horse) is a truly American sound, possibly above and beyond any other, and his branding as an “American Icon” doesn’t fall short. His philanthropic work forming Farm Aid (along with Neil Young and John Mellencamp) has brought a huge awareness along with financial help to the farmers who need assistance. Since 1985, these concerts have brought together musicians, actors, and politicians, all to help this growing issue. His work doesn’t stop on the road, or in the farmers’ fields. He is also the co-chair on the NORML advisory board. His run-ins with the law over Marijuana possession have become notorious. Willie’s outspoken stance, and admittance to being a pot smoker has brought a lot of welcomed attention. His notoriety has even led him to the White House, where as friends with then President Jimmy Carter, he was admittedly spotted on the roof by the Secret Service smoking what he called a “big fat Austin torpedo.” Is there anyone else that can get away with smoking a joint on the roof of the White House? This man’s life has seen so many miles, met so many people, played so many tunes, and has accomplished too many awards and recording accomplishments to mention. What’s more noteworthy is Willie’s passion for life. He hasn’t slowed down in his elder years, and continues to challenge himself almost nightly onstage. Though he has cut his iconic long braids recently, his power still remains. He captivates every crowd he plays for, and never leaves anything behind. His closeness with his fans leads him to sign anything from posters to guitars at the end of every show. He will literally bend down from the stage to his fans and sign their memorabilia. This is the sign of someone who appreciates his position in life. He is as thankful for his fans, as we are of him. If you haven’t yet, give yourself the gift of experiencing him live. Do it now, while you still can.

Welcome once again, my faithful ﬂoral facilitators! This month I will explore the hows and whys of organic gardening, be it for medicinal cultivation or just rockin’ some killer tomatoes on the back porch. There is no shortage of hype about organics these days- my favorite is the assertion that organic corn makes better ethanol to run your car! (umm no, not exactly…) On the plus side, there is quite a bit of emerging research out there that organic farming, whether on a large or small scale, can be even more productive than we once thought. First, some of the hype; organic farming will save the world through reducing nasty chemicals sprayed on our food supply. Lots of truth to that, but also some hype- after all, just because a substance is organic does not mean that it is automatically safe or nontoxic. Just ask socrates about his organic hemlock… also, even organic fertilizers can cause nutrient rich runoff that damages soil and surface water, causes unhealthy algae blooms and poisons groundwater. Hog farmers and cattle feedlot owners, among others, constantly have to deal with this problem. another hyped idea (by those opposed to organics) is that you can’t treat insect, fungal or microbial infestations organically. nOT true! Turns out there are plenty of organic repellants and pesticides out there including my favorite, pyrethrum sprays. very effective against spider mites, this spray can be manufactured from plant sources and in fact growing garlic or marigolds (a member of the pyrethrum family) around the perimeter of your garden significantly reduces pests. now, on to some of the research being done. It turns out that many of those microbes in the soil that people used to either ignore or attempt to eradicate

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are extremely helpful to the process of growing plants in ways science is just beginning to discover. For instance, some microbes are very helpful in assisting nutrient take up through the plant’s root system, in some cases even manufacturing nutrients or breaking down substances into forms the plant can use. Fungi known as micorrhizae actually act as root system extenders to help your plants take up nutrients faster without having to grow more roots themselves. Others eat old, dead roots and thereby allow the plant to regenerate itself, a process that happens continually, even in healthy plants that live 90 days or less… still more of them assist in buffering the soil or water medium, helping stabilize pH, eating harmful organisms and again, making more nutrients available right where the plant needs them. Who knew? I wholeheartedly encourage you, no matter what your growing situation, to ‘go organic’, not only because of its sustainability and all the above advantages, but also simply because of an idea so obvious I don’t hear people mention it- the fact that these microbes and plants evolved together, symbiotically, and that attempts to enforce a ‘divorce’ lead to reduced productivity, less vigor, and increased susceptibility to infestation and disease. The best advice on what to use for your specific situation can be found wherever organic supplies are sold or on the internet. Remember that the ultimate goal of organics is to create ideal conditions for your plants- anD for the little microbes in your growing medium who are working so hard to help you out! That’s it for this month, so happy growing! as always, any comments or questions can be sent to my email address and I’ll be happy to answer them! indoorcultivationconsulting@gmail.com

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It’s a crazy upside down world out there, especially if you drive a car. Just turn on the news; the Middle East is in turmoil and dictators are dropping like flies, which is a good thing of course, but we’re paying for it at the pump. No matter where you are, the price of fuel is out of control. Gas is going up so fast even the government can’t get a fix on it. Last month, the Federal Energy Information Administration announced the average price of regular gas in the U.S.is$3.19pergallon.Then,adaylater,theAAAFuelGaugeReportsaidthenationalaverageat$3.22.That’sanincreaseofthreecentspergalloninoneday.Atthisrate,we’llallsoon bedrivingourkid’slittleredpedalcartowork....ornot!Maybetherearesomethingswecandosoftentheblowtoourcreditcardstatementandthedwindlingstashofcashinourwallets.

HERE ARE TEN PROVEN WAYS TO KEEP A JAUNT TO THE GROCERY STORE FROM LANDING YOU IN BANKRUPTCY COURT. ONE. If you have a smart phone, download a “gas app.” There are lots available, but I like GasBuddy because it’s free and simple to use. Another is Cheap Gas, (also free) which gives you precise directions to the closest, cheapest station. These are for the iphone, but no worries, there are plenty for you Android types too. TWO. Use cash when possible. Many stations charge a few cents less per gallon if you don’t flex the plastic at their pumps. THREE. What’s up with topping off with premium every time? The fact is most cars don’t need it, despite what it says in the owner’s manual. To be sure, ask a good independent mechanic if it’s safe to use regular or the middle-grade gas in that chick (or dude) magnet of yours. FOUR. Now this is sort of a no-brainer, but…consider carpooling, especially for shopping trips, a day at the beach, etc. Yup, there’s even an app for that! Download the Carpicipate App to find new friends and neighbors who also want to share a ride. FIVE. And speaking of shopping…do it online whenever possible. There’s actually a study out there that shows shopping on the net saves up to 35% in fuel consumption, not to mention ancillary items like parking, bridge tolls and that impulsive “gotta’ have it” latte. Ok, go ahead, have the latte, but don’t make it a special trip. SIX. Also in the no-brainer department, you can assume, if it’s ultra-convenient, then you’re paying through the nose. So, steer clear of gas stations located right off the freeway. Their rents are higher and they charge more, plus they know you want your fill-up to be fast and easy, so they mark it up to whatever the traffic will bear. SEVEN. Next, you’ve heard it before, “sometimes you’ve got to spend money to save money.” Sounds like an oxymoron. But in this case, it’s totally true. Keep your ride tuned up and you’ll get better mileage, and performance too. Clean filters, properly adjusted belts and hoses, good spark plugs and fresh fluids all count, and check the air pressure in those tires now and then. For every three pounds your tires are under-inflated, fuel economy drops by about one percent. It all adds up. EIGHT. And, try to control that lead foot. Aggressive driving, while it might be fun attracting the attention of potential girlfriends and boyfriends, not-to-mention traffic cops…it burns a lot more gas. NINE. How quickly you accelerate and how fast you go makes a huge difference. How huge? Well, for every mile per hour over sixty you drive, you’re spending an extra ten cents a gallon. And, according to Department of Energy studies, erratic driving and hard braking can waste an additional fifty cents per gallon. TEN. Last, do the math. Decide if venturing out on the highway is really worth it. Driving ten miles across town to buy sunglasses on sale probably won’t save you anything. In fact, as the price of petrol continues to rise, those new shades may be a lot more expensive than you bargained for. IN THE END, THE PRICE OF GAS MOVES UP AND DOWN BASED ON WORLD POLITICS AND ECONOMICS, AND THAT PROBABLY WON’T CHANGE. BUT ADOPT SOME OF THESE STRATEGIES, AND YOU CAN SURVIVE THIS MESS.

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Besides James Brown, Rick James or George Clinton, Detroit-born artist Overton Loyd is one of the few officially authorized to talk about the word “Funk.” Loyd’s cover art for seminal funk band Parliament aka P-Funk is the visual equivalent of P-Funk‘s music. His signature style is now known the world over as the “Funk Aesthetic” and his work retranslates funk music’s swagger and flavor into cartoons, comics, loose sketches, paintings and digital illustrations. For over 30 years Loyd’s art has worked symbiotically with P-Funk’s music to bring a powerful ‘multimedia’ experience before ‘multimedia’ even existed. Like many pioneers he has been too busy living the experience to realize how groundbreaking the work is. “Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine that we were actually at the genesis of initiating contemporary urban branding,” he reflects. “I’m only now waking up to that wild idea.” L.A. artist and publisher John Carr has published several of Loyd’s images in his book “Yo What Happened to Peace?!” and has some pretty flattering words about him. “I’d put him in the same category as a jazz virtuoso or your favorite hip-hop MC - crazy improvisation and freestyle while delivering a tightly crafted message,” emphasizes Carr. “His drawings and paintings ARE jazz, ARE funk, ARE hip-hop.” Loyd’s work can rightfully be called a precursor to the urban art movement of West Coast graffiti and hip-hop. Arik Marshall, former guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers calls him “a truly gifted artist whose versatility with different styles and mediums is extraordinary—the man can paint like Monet money...make you marvel at his Marvel meets Richard Pryor comic book cartooning...sell you some surreal estate in the Daliwood Hills...silly, serious, classic, abstract, funky, highbrow...whatever’s clever...da bruthaz got it all!” In order to understand why Loyd is so versatile it’s important to talk about Detroit. Loyd was born in the Motor City in the mid 1950s, a time when the city was still booming. Motown was still in Detroit until 1970, but as Vietnam began to set in, factories began closing down, and jobs became harder to come by. Motor City made way for Devils Night, and Detroit of the Civil Rights era was hot like Watts. The city’s 1967 riots were the biggest riots in American history until Los Angeles assumed that crown in ‘92. Detroit’s climate of chaos and unstable socioeconomics made music of protest. The Chicago-Detroit Nexus was one of the centers of the Black Arts movement, and Broadside Press, founded by Detroit poet Dudley Randall, published Black Arts poets like Amiri Baraka, Gwendolyn Brooks, Don L. Lee, and Sonia Sanchez. Beside the black artists, some progressive white boys were also pushing frontiers. The band MC5 formed the White Panther Party in Detroit around the same time punk rock pioneers Iggy & the Stooges were coming to rise. Loyd soaked up all of this in his Detroit youth. And the rest? The rest was the beginning of history… He began his epic journey as an artist in 1971. “Before I met George Clinton, I created an oil painting of Isaac Hayes in high school,” Loyd recalls. “A woman who worked with Hayes saw me doodling in a sketch book at a cafe, and invited me to Isaac’s birthday party, where I presented him with the painting.” From there, he got a gig as the in-house artist for Detroit’s Shelby Hotel. “I was painting a mural for a club that they had called JJ’s Lounge where I met a ton of performers, including Sun Ra and Martin Mull.” Loyd has always had a golden touch of meeting the right person at just the right moment. “Comedian Martin Mull convinced me and my girlfriend to go to New York to try my hand at commercial art,” Loyd recalls. “I traveled to New York in 1976 where Mull introduced me to his wife at the time, Kristen Johnson - who was also working in the illustration field.” She introduced him to prominent illustrator Robert Grossman, the artist that created the poster for the movie, “Airplane.” ”He saw me doing caricatures in front of the Guggenheim Museum one day and said he was looking for an assistant,” Loyd recalls. “Assisting for Grossman ignited my career as an airbrush illustrator for various magazine publications.” And then came 1977. “A pal of mine from the Shelby Hotel, Joey Zalabak - was working on the road with George Clinton,” Loyd says. “He invited me to a listening party premiering the record ‘The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein.’ It was there that I remet George just in time to scribble up the underground comic insert for his next album, ‘Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo Syndrome.’ Before long, I was on the road

helping to create the funkiest multimedia shows on earth!” Loyd’s cover for the 1978 Parliament album ‘Motor Booty Affair’ was an instant classic. The pioneering style Loyd developed working with P-Funk is now known the world over as the “Funk Aesthetic,” or “Bop Art,” something Loyd laughs off: ”We never named the style that we were doing. We were too busy doing it!” He’s designed costumes for the band, illustrated P-Funk comic books, and his 1982 animated video for P-Funk’s “Atomic Dog” was awarded the “Best Use of Computer Graphics” award from Billboard Magazine. Creating their own mythology. “George has empowered us all to take the art of our minds and transform it into the art of this world!” After several years of touring with P Funk, Loyd eventually landed in L.A. “For the last couple of decades I’ve been doing a little bit of everything,” he says, which is no joke! He flourishes in dynamic environments like television or live concerts, and was the featured caricaturist on “Win Lose or Draw” for several seasons. ”Peek over his shoulder at one of his live sketching sessions at a nightclub, capturing the vital essences of his subjects, and you’ll immediately feel that you’re in the presence of an artistic giant,” John Carr gushes. “He draws with the same ease that most people have talking and using hand gestures. He’s got the ability to crystallize a story into a single frame, and a knack for “détournement” - flipping everyday concepts into opportunities for mind-expansion, empathy or even just a good laugh.” According to Los Angeles based artist Mear One, before the internet, kids looked to special effects in movies and album covers as inspiration, heavily influencing the young west coast artists of the 80s…Loyd’s work being at the forefront of it all. Loyd shares the love, “I’m really inspired by the generation of artists that P-Funk inspired. Upstart Art-stars from Mear to Murakami are impacting my creative sensibilities.” Most recently, Loyd found himself featured as a guest art director for Cartoon Network’s “Class of 3000,” where he remixed the character designs of Outkast’s Andre 3000. Additionally, he animated a 2009 DVD for P-Funk and created the cover for “George Clinton and his Gangsters of Love,” a 2009 album featuring an unlikely combination of musical giants including Shavo (System of a Down), Sly Stone, The RZA (Wu-Tang Clan), El Debarge, Santana, and Red Hot Chili Pepper’s John Frusciante & Anthony Kiedis. He’s also been painting skateboard decks, and even had a painting featured in Pershing Square, L.A.’s version of Central Park. Yet despite this insanely rich history, Loyd insists he’s just getting started. “I’m hyped about the future,” he says. “I got a funny feelin’ that we’re once again standing on the verge of flippin’ the ol’ paradigm. I see a future in which I explore some of the over-the-top approaches to branding and exhibiting that Dali initiated, Warhol mastered and Murakami redefined. Only now, am I beginning to comprehend the true power of picture making. Transform the Norm.” “I stand for the possibility that art can generate a breakthrough in communication that might allow us to shift our consciousness, embrace our humanity and access the eternal.” And therefore, Loyd insists on “standing for the possibility of a future in which we truly learn to ‘listen’ outside of our own internal filters. When humanity finally hears itself.” He might be onto something here…do we have it in us to ‘listen?’ Mike The Poet is a Spoken Word Artist, Tourguide, Educator, Journalist, and Historian based in The City of Angels. mikethepoetla.tumblr.com youtube.com/user/MikeThePoet1

BY ANNARAE GRABSTEIN

STEEP HILL LAB IT IS A PATIENT’S RIGHT TO KNOW Political opposition to the compassionate use of cannabis has stalled the kind of research and testing that should be conducted to guarantee its safety. Patients in states with medical cannabis laws who rely on smoking medical cannabis or consuming cannabis edibles or concentrates - and who know that the benefits they derive from it outweigh all of the reported side-effects and safety concerns - are left “holding the bag” of medicine of questionable quality. In the past the illegal nature of the supply network did not encourage quality assurance. Now, there are third party independent quality control laboratories providing a means to implement quality assurance in a predominantly unregulated industry. “Cannabis was an important medicine from ancient times until the mid-20th century, and has officially regained that status in Canada and Europe recently,” says David W. Pate, Ph.D., M.Sc., Former Senior Technical Officer, HortaPharm BV. “In addition, its primary active ingredient (THC) has been sold in the United States as an FDAapproved drug for approximately 25 years, at times earning

well into nine figures per year in sales. Therefore, any supposed controversy regarding the safety and efficacy of cannabis as a legitimate medicine is an obvious political fiction. What remains is simply a question of format and cost, along with issues of quality control. The herbal approach represents the most basic format at the lowest cost. However, the present completely decentralized system of production and distribution requires some form of third-party quality control if patients are to have confidence in their medicine, assuming that they are unwilling or unable to grow it themselves.” Patients in states that have legalized medical cannabis

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STEEP HILL LAB are concerned about the quality of the product. They need medicine that is free of pesticides and safe from microbiological contamination, and they want to know its dosage. At the same time, opponents of medical cannabis have seized the opportunity to portray its quality in the worst possible light in order to suppress the distribution of the plant to patients who need it. Collective medical cannabis dispensaries are poised to improve the perception that they are not showing concern for their patients. As health care providers, they can to improve procedures for buying and providing medical cannabis, and offer more detailed information about the medicine. Currently, no federal or state regulatory protections are in place, and the cannabis products provided by collective dispensaries are not subject to oversight. However, in California there are collectives such as Magnolia Wellness in Orangevale and Harborside Health Center in Oakland who are now testing all cannabis products they provide to their patients. The industry has yet to see legal cases involving contaminated cannabis, but unfortunately, they are likely to arrive as the use of medical cannabis continues grows. Praiseworthy medical cannabis growers are promoting standardized, tamper evident packaging and testing of cannabis in order to dispel opinions that “crude” herbal cannabis, and especially its preparation, should not be considered medicinal. Inevitably, providing collective dispensaries with pre-screened products will quickly become an industry standard. Dave Spradlin, Director of Operations of Magnolia Wellness, says he requires all medicine for their patients be laboratory tested and certified SafeCannabis by Steep Hill Lab because he says, “My commitment is to provide the safest and highest quality medicine available to patients.” Notably, medical cannabis has been shown to be effective in reducing the nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy, stimulating appetite in AIDS patients, and reducing intraocular pressure in people with glaucoma. There is also appreciable evidence that cannabis reduces muscle spasticity in patients with neurological disorders. “Cannabis should be subject to rigorous quality control oversight, like any other medicine,” says Michael Backes,

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Board Member of Cornerstone Research Collective, a leading cannabis dispensary with a reputation for providing scientific research and homegrown cannabis to patients suffering from cancer or other diseases. The medicines you buy in a pharmacy have been run through a battery of tests to insure their quality. The potency of a drug is clearly stated on the label so one knows the correct dose. Patients can learn to administer an appropriate dose if armed with knowledge of the cannabinoid profile of their medicine, most commonly relayed as percentages of THC, CBD, and CBN. Unfortunately, this is not yet the norm in medical cannabis. Patients also need medicine that is free of pesticides, which are sometimes used in growing operations. Pesticides are used to kill mites and other pests that thrive on cannabis plants grown both indoors and outdoors. Exposure to these chemicals can be harmful to patients; they are toxic at high levels and can be harmful even at lower doses. “Levels of these compounds can range from zero to massive, depending on cultivation practices,” says Dr. Pate. “Some of these compounds might potentially produce acute symptoms, but probably the greatest danger occurs with chronic exposure. Insidiously, the consumer will normally be completely unaware of this exposure until symptoms manifest. Hence, detection of potential chemical contamination is of paramount importance.” Microorganisms, such as molds, bacteria and yeast, are found in small amounts in food and drink and the air we breathe, as well as in cannabis and other herbal remedies. Carefully cultivated and harvested cannabis harbors a minimum of hazardous microorganisms, but for added protection, material must be screened for contamination before it is packaged for use as medical cannabis. In a recent Steep Hill Lab survey of 150 patients of California dispensaries, 103 very strongly agreed and 42 either agreed or strongly agreed that safety testing of medical cannabis for traces of mold, bacteria, and pesticides is a necessity. AnnaRae Grabstein is CEO of Steep Hill Lab and is on the NORML Women’s Alliance Steering Committee. For more information about cannabis analysis visit steephilllab.com or facebook.com/steephilllab

It does exactly what its name implies…throws you clear into outer space. One hit puts you in the shuttle. Two hits blasts you out of the atmosphere. Three hits allows you to make the best of your window seat view, and four hits…well, after four hits, you’re not really paying much attention anymore. Saturn OG, from the Planetary OG family, is an 80/20 hybrid, and its indica dominant foundation is unmistakable. It’s a 20% THC strain, putting it in the upper echelons of medical marijuana potency, and the incredible density of the sparkly trichomes makes the buds look like they were dragged through a wet spiderweb. The bright orange hairs and damn-near-fluorescent green leaves almost make you want to just look at it and not smoke it. Eh…almost. The strain has an aroma that’s extremely earthy and piney and flowers that, if cured correctly, are fluffy and sticky. The taste? Almost the same. You’ll definitely savor the fresh, and almost citrus, brisk mountain morning taste (with curious hints of a hashlike aftertaste) and you’ll most certainly feel stuck to your couch. As far as the hit itself, it’s a surprisingly smooth smoke for such a powerful strain. It has a slight expanding effect, just to make sure the thc hits all your right lung’s cappilaries, but not so much that you spend half your high coughing up your left one. Saturn OG is an extremely sedating strain, making it a perfect choice for treating acute and chronic pain, nausea, headaches, anxiety and insomnia. It proves to be a heavy creeper whose effects seems to overtake you in waves with every stretch and every yawn, almost like an edible. After you get over how high you are, uncontrollable giggling is an often experienced effect. After all, it’s not everyday you get to laugh outloud in zero-gravity. By now you’ve probably gathered that this is not a strain for doing any work that requires any sort of focus. Couchlock? Yes. So be sure to medicate in a comfortable spot. Munchies? Yes. So be sure to keep a box of frosted red velvet cookies on hand. Actually…on second thought…don’t! Ok, maybe just one…

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Hempful Hints by Jay Evans

Hemp TecHnologies’ Hempcrete - GrowinG StronGer every Day

Hempful Hints is always thinking “green” and looking for every possible attribute of the natural gift of Hemp. It continues to amaze and astound us, and yet with every new product and use for Hemp, it seems the balance of the scales tip towards its revival; its uses and redeeming qualities are too hard to ignore. again and again, it’s been found to be stronger, healthier, and cheaper - certainly longer lasting, more efficient, easier to grow, with added profitability through industries across the gamut. now there’s another adjective to add to its list - breathable. This is the premise for yet another great Hemp product, Hempcrete by Hemp Technologies. What they have created is a thermally efficient, breathable form of insulated wall, created from Hemp and a Lime mineral based binder. This highly sustainable hemp-lime mixture becomes something called “shiv,” a mulch-like solid that replaces concrete. Constructed around a traditional wood frame, recycled plastic shutter-like panels are tightened together to form the cavity that will be filled with Hempcrete, the fibrous clumps which are pushed down and set to dry. The hemp-lime mixture leaves a zero carbon footprint, and will not mold, rot, dry out, or get termites. This has great health benefits for those with respiratory issues. Hempcrete’s insulating properties are exceptional, making it cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter. It has the ability to meter its own humidity, level off and release it back out - literally breathing. It also pulls Carbon Dioxide (CO2) out of the house naturally because of the Lime, making for an even healthier living environment, and while it pulls out dangerous carbons, it becomes an increasingly harder surface due to petrification, allowing it to outlast traditional woods and other construction materials, as well as all of its tenants. With Hemp being grown across Europe, and imported for these great uses, it’s time the U.s.a. finally distinguishes between non-psychoactive Hemp and Marijuana, thus allowing Hemp to be one of our greatest farmable commodities. If all the Tobacco farmers switched to growing Hemp legally, we could save our agriculture industry, live healthier, more economically, and in stronger homes that cost less exponentially, using fewer trees, and lowering power usage. This all sounds rational and ideal, but the reality lies in the corporate interests of just about every industry: tobacco, medical, oil, agriculture, not being the least of them. However, there are many inroads that have been steadily leading us into that direction. There are those investing in and building ”green” structures that have a longer life, healthier tenants, and less of a carbon footprint, certainly showing a hopeful future. This wave of “Green” building could very well become the norm someday. although it might seem out of reach right now in this economy, the future is bright that costs can be kept within reason, and over time the savings in energy bills could exponentially help save money across the board. Hemp, it’s already happening. If you are building a home, or are interested in “Green” construction using Hempcrete and other products, head over to Hemp-Technologies.com

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As winter dies down and spring starts

popping up before our eyes, the weather and the mood say one thing: beach! It’s time to dust off the beach chairs, demote the flip -flops from last year to “beach wear” and pick a spot in the sand. The beach is one of the best parts about living in San Diego. We are blessed with gorgeous coastline, perfect weather and have the Pacific to enjoy any time we want, free of charge. Remember that plenty of people save up all year for a chance to bring their families to America’s Finest City, so the next time you’re having a bad day, it could definitely be worse. The beach is always a good time, no matter what you do. If you are there to be alone, the waves and smells sooth the soul like no other and if you want to hang out with friends and family, the beach can prove a more the merrier affair. As summer creeps up, I’ll be highlighting a different beach each issue, starting here with Encinitas. Encinitas is a beach town through and through and the culture reflects that. The people who are fortunate enough to live there enjoy themselves and know that they are lucky. You can just tell. People are friendly, laid back and take a lot of pride in their city. We’ll begin our lazy journey at Moonlight State Beach. It is easy to get to as it is at the end of Encinitas Boulevard. Moonlight is a beach that is surrounded by rocky cliffs and shores so once you get there, the soft sand and mild terrain will be most welcome. It boasts a huge parking lot and the usual beach amenities like a snack bar, lifeguard stations and restrooms. Below the southernmost end of Encinitas is Swami’s, a popular surf break below the Self-Realization Center - an ashram where residents and visitors alike have dipped into the pool of Eastern philosophy. If Encinitas feels very “Zen,” the Self-realization Center is a testament to that reality. The waves are great here but as expected, it can get very crowded in the water and then things can get not so Zen. The beach isn’t the best for lying out, but Sea Cliff - the small park adjacent to the Swami’s parking lot – has barbecues and bathrooms under trees that serve as a perfect canopy for a picnic. D Street, the access point to the mile-long Boneyards Beach, runs below the bluffs from Moonlight to Swami’s. D Street is part of the aforementioned rocky terrain and is cumbersome to get to, but that doesn’t stop people from making the trek and once they do, the reward is no tan lines, for D Street is clothing optional. The other subset of habitants at D Street are the surfers who know their way around. So novices, you may be better suited for other spots.

Encinitas is a haven for those who live there and those who visit will always be greeted by a friendly face, the smell of tropical vegetation, rambling VW buses (although it is Encinitas, and the buses might be restored to mint condition and cost more than you or I could come up with in a year) and the promise that the beach will be clean and inviting. If it’s been a while since you drove the 25 miles north from the city to spend a day in Encinitas, remember the people in Nebraska who are marking big Xs on their calendars, counting down the days to making the 1500 mile trek to your very own backyard.

JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, A FRIEND TOLD ME ABOUT a ‘million-dollar idea’ he had, and how it was going to be his future path to Easy Street. Before he would tell me the idea, he swore me to secrecy, and repeatedly made me promise not to talk to anyone about it. What did my friend have up his sleeve? The next Pet Rock? Being a dreamer myself (and never one to dismiss other’s), I complied with his demands, eager to hear his idea. “Dude, imagine a place that had killer grub, with menu items named after different ‘weed strains,’ and it would basically be for college students, late night grub, for when they’re either partying or studying, or whenever…just a place that leans towards that culture.” I responded: “Bro, are you taking about Cheba Hut? Cuz it’s already been done. I just went there…and their food is chron!” With disappointment in his voice, he exhaled “…well, I guess timing is everything.” We laughed and agreed that the timing is definitely right for a place like this. At first glance, you might drive right by a Cheba Hut, and not think much of it. But as you get closer, the name and logo start to lure you in. Cheba is just one of Marijuana’s many nicknames, so right off the bat, they’ve got you thinking. Then you might notice that the palm trees in their logo are closer to pot leaves… hmmm… and there’s smoke coming out of the cute little hut. Could this place be…yeah, you get it now - “toasted” subs. Between its green motif, the array of Rock‘n’Roll posters, 420 emblems, the killer mural emblazoned with pot leaves, and the huge “Home of The Blunt” blunt hanging on the wall, it may feel more like your local head shop or dispensary, but the smell of their quality food will instantly set you straight. The casual and inviting staff might greet you with “Hey bro…?”, or “What’s happenin’ man? What can we get’cha…?” There are stoner salutations, sandwich sizes called “Nugs” (4” sub), “Pinners (6” sub), and “Blunts” (12” sub) and such food names like: Humboldt, Silver Haze, Train Wreck, Pakalolo, Afghani, Kush, Chronic, and of course, The Kind. These sandwiches are all made fresh and to your liking. And with desserts that include the ‘Sticky Icky’ (peanut butter and jelly), and ‘Goo-balls’ (rice krispies, peanut butter, honey, and cocoa… what!???), they offer nothing but beautiful compilations of the dankest delectables. Upon my first visit, I was instantly drawn to one of my favorite munchies, a BLT (or Cheba Hut’s version, KUSH). This was perfectly fitting for me, and

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just happened to have the same name as my favorite strain. The different menu items all sounded fun, exciting, and flavorful. With this combination of tasty food, marijuana innuendos, and direct iconography, Cheba Hut has not only sunk its teeth into something great, but continues to keep the “spliff” lit. Cheba Hut - “Toasted” Subs was founded in 1998 by Scott Jennings, near the campus of Arizona State University, where he attended, and paid his way through college delivering food. Given that most of his customers were college students, doing what college students do, Scott came up with this blazing concept. It’s turned into more than just college dreams, and bong loads - he now leads this growing franchise as President and CEO. With locations in California, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, Iowa, and Arizona, it is clear that 420 friendly states are on-board. If only those uptight states knew what else they were missing. It’s great to see that the marijuana culture has come this far…that this busy, and very legitimate, sandwich shop, with delicious, quality food can…and has, successfully used this image. It says a lot about our changing times that a franchise like The Cheba Hut can raise a torch (or Blunt) to the testament of this booming culture. This restaurant not only plays up to, but relishes in the obvious - that lots of people enjoy marijuana, both medically and recreationally, and that the lingo and culture has made it to the doorstep of our daily lexicon, and is knocking on the door of political acceptance. This may have blown my mind ten years ago, but with today’s generation getting closer to the overall acceptance of marijuana, The Cheba Hut should be commended - not just for their fortitude, and entrepreneurial qualities, but for their great sense of humor, and kind, killer, tasty grinds. Check out their full menu, grab some gear, and even learn how to franchise one in your town at ChebaHut.com

By the early 1970s Bruce Lee

was one of the most famous people in the world. Already the biggest movie star in Asia, the only way he could have become bigger was by making a Hollywood movie or dying. As it happened he ended up doing both, almost simultaneously.

Today, some forty years later, the story of Bruce Lee is almost as well known as his death is mysterious. He was born in San Francisco and grew up in Hong Kong living the double life of a child actor and teen heartthrob who was a street brawling punk in his spare time. After receiving a particularly bad beating he began studying kung fu. A naturally gifted martial artist, Bruce immediately excelled and his unmatched kung fu prowess eventually catapulted him to a level of success on the screen. After toiling for years in bit parts in Hollywood and low budget films in China, Bruce was on the eve of releasing Enter the Dragon, which featured him in his first starring role in a Hollywood film. But on July 20, 1973 Bruce was at his mistress’ apartment in Hong Kong when he died suddenly of an apparent cerebral e d e m a (brain

swelling) aggravated by his use of the painkiller Equesiac. If only he had stuck to cannabis. Cannabis? Uh huh. Bruce Lee? Yup. Bruce Lee was known for his healthy, upstanding lifestyle so it’s hard for some people to accept the fact that he used cannabis. Certainly it’s unlikely that a man of Bruce Lee’s level of fitness fanaticism would have smoked it. But reports from people who knew him indicate that he was fond of eating pot cookies, drinking cannabis tea and chewing on potent Nepali hashish. According to an article by Helen Gent published in Marie Claire in July 2009, while filming Enter the Dragon, “Lee found solace in cannabis. Not wanting to damage his body by smoking it, he reportedly kept a jar of hash cookies on set to munch between takes.” American martial artist Bob Wall, who co-starred in Enter the Dragon, remembers hanging out with Bruce when he would eat a pot cookie and seeing him become “mellow, relaxed and charming.” Bruce Lee also loved music. He had been a Cha-cha champion in Hong Kong before immigrating to America and saw a connection between dance, music and martial arts. In Way of the Dragon, the second to last film he completed, Bruce even contributed to the film’s soundtrack by playing percussion. Bruce also allegedly liked to get stoned and spend hours listening to Indian ragas on headphones, trying to absorb their improvised melodies and fluid rhythms so that he could incorporate them into his martial arts. Lee discovered Indian music in 1969 when, like the Beatles, he traveled to India. However in Bruce’s case he wasn’t seeking spiritual enlightenment so much as potential locations for The Silent Flute, a film he was going to co-star in with his kung fu student James Coburn who accompanied him on the trip. Throughout the journey Bruce constantly sang Beatles songs to himself which reportedly annoyed the eternally laidback Coburn to the point where he lost his cool entirely telling Bruce, “Stop that, you’re driving me crazy!” Coburn however went on to speak at Bruce’s funeral and was even one of his pallbearers along with Steve McQueen, another of Bruce’s actor students who was coincidentally also one of Hollywood’s most notorious potheads. Enter the Dragon represented a giant leap forward in quality from the three Chinese movies Bruce had previously starred in. The film was an instant classic and would have undoubtedly made Bruce the first Asian Hollywood superstar. Enter the Dragon’s success is of course partially due to it being backed by a big Hollywood budget. But it is also certainly due in part to Bruce having broken through to a new level of consciousness, awareness and presence in his life and work. What part cannabis may have ultimately played in Bruce’s selfrealization as a person and an artist is difficult to measure. But it’s perhaps notable that the period when there were the most reports of Bruce Lee using cannabis coincides with when he was doing his best work.

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As you may know, on March 28, 2011, the City of San Diego discussed passing an extremely restrictive ordinance that attempts to force most of the collectives in San Diego to shut down. To fight this attempt to strangle safe access in San Diego, the community has banded together: gathering signatures for the Citizens Safe Access Ordinance, writing letters to the City Council, meeting with council members, and speaking before the council and community groups. Hopefully the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to persuade City Council not to pass a de facto ban, or at least delay voting on imposing a de facto ban, will succeed. However, San Diegoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical marijuana community needs to prepare for the possibility that the City Council will impose a de facto ban on safe access in the City of San Diego. This will unleash a storm of litigation, as discussed in our editorial in the previous issue. Regardless of whether the medical cannabis community 62

seeks to persuade City Council not to pass a de facto ban, or seeks to prepare for litigation, medical cannabis collectives need to be in compliance with both California state law, including the Compassionate Use Act and the Medical Marijuana Program Act; and the laws of the City of San Diego, including its building code and sign regulations. To comply with San Diegoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Municipal Code, storefront collectives need to make sure that their premises is up to code. This means that the collective must obtain all necessary permits for tenant improvements or repairs: such as putting in a new wall, installing a new restroom, or adding the name of the collective to a sign above the door. If the collective has already made any changes that require a permit, the collective needs to apply for the applicable permit from the City of San Diego as soon as possible. Another aspect of being up to code is making sure that the premises are in good working order, with safe electrical wiring and professional plumbing. Consider hiring a

licensed contractor to do the repairs and obtain the permits. If a collective has received a Notice of Violation from the City of San Diego, citing violations of the City’s building code that are within the collective’s power to correct; such as unsafe wiring or failure to obtain a permit, then the collective needs to address those aspects of the Notice. The collective needs to make the requested repairs and obtain the appropriate permits, and if necessary, schedule another inspection by the City’s building inspectors. If a collective has never been inspected by the City’s Development Services Department, now is the time to schedule an inspection. While this may seem risky since it requires the collective to contact the City, all collectives need to have inspections to ensure that their premises are up to code. To protect their rights and ensure compliance with both state and local laws, collectives should consult with an attorney. An attorney can help the collective schedule and handle a building inspection, ensure that the collective is complying with the Compassionate Use Act and the Medical Marijuana Program Act, and advise the collective on any other steps that the collective needs to take to prepare for the City’s ordinance and any litigation. Another important way for collectives to persuade City Council not to pass a de facto ban and to prepare for possible litigation is to ensure they have an excellent relationship with their landlord and neighbors. Collectives must make sure that they are complying with all terms of their leases, including paying rent on time. Collectives that are nearing the end of their lease term should negotiate a renewed lease with their landlord as soon as possible. All collectives should check in with their landlord asking if there is anything they can do to be a better part of the building or if any neighbors have complained. Similarly, collectives should reach out to their neighbors. Even if a collective has an excellent relationship with its neighbors, they will appreciate that the collective wants to ensure that they are contributing to the quality of life in the neighborhood. If a neighbor or landlord has a complaint, please address it promptly and politely. Regardless of whether San Diego’s medical cannabis community persuades the City Council to enact a reasonable ordinance rather than a de facto ban, or unfortunately, litigation ensues, storefront collectives have a duty to ensure that they are not only complying with state and local law, but also contributing to their community and city. By putting their best foot forward, medical cannabis collectives can dispel the many myths about collectives, such as that they cause crime or ruin communities. By complying with local laws and building good relationships with neighbors, medical cannabis collectives show the broader community the compassion, ethics, and kindness that they demonstrate every day by caring for their members. -Lake APC is a San Diego law firm representing nearly 200 medical marijuana collectives. Contact managing partner Jeff Lake at jlake@lakeapc.com or (619) 795-6460 63

by Austin Hill Shaw

By Austin Hill Shaw A man walks into a clothing store looking for a new pair of pants. He finds a pair that catches his eye and tries them on. He likes the way they feel and the way they make him look in the mirror. He takes them to the cashier, pays for them, and leaves.

mance athlete from the exercise bulimic? What separates the user from the abuser? These are difficult questions, questions that require continuous assessment on a case-by-case basis. One possible answer, however, lies in exploring the nature of habits themselves.

Moments later, another man walks into the store, also looking for new pair of pants. He settles on the same exact style, tries them on, likes the way they feel and the way he looks in the mirror, takes them to the cashier, pays for them, and leaves.

The question of whether we are using something in a positive manner or abusing it is challenging. And it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t apply exclusively to shopping, or to eating habits, or to controlled substances, it applies to everything. All human activities, even such sanctified activities such as education, fitness, and spiritual and religious practices, can be used in ways that improve the overall quality of our lives or abused in a ways that detract from it.

Habits are patterns of behavior that become involuntary. Instead of exercising choice in a situation we react without thinking. This is not to say that all habits are bad. Such a reflexive, machine-like approach can be quite useful, allowing us to complete run of the mill tasks in an efficient manner. Habits allow us to lace up our shoes without effort, make lunch while carrying on a conversation with a friend, and drive a car without being entirely consumed by the task. Our ability to relate habitually with the world can free us up, creating space for us to do more of what we want to do or to put our attention on more pressing issues. But this same habitual approach to life, robotically addressing the little things so we can put our focus elsewhere and distancing ourselves from our own direct experience, can also lead to boredom and discontent. This is because our habit of not focusing on tying our shoes, not focusing on making lunch, and not paying attention while driving in favor of seemingly more important ideas in our heads cuts us off from the life we are actually living. If we do this over a long period of time, we end up substituting some idea of life for the experience of life itself, eventually finding ourselves cut off, suffering with a subtle or overt sense of isolation and lack.

How can we tell the difference? What separates the diligent worker from the workaholic, the avid reader from the escapist, the perfor-

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take another look at our two shoppers, this time from the inside, this time seeing how habit plays a role in each manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision making.

From the outside, we have two seemingly identical situations unfolding in the exact same store. Inside, however, in the minds of each of the two men, the experience is remarkably different. The first man is shopping to enrich his life, using it as a means for obtaining a valuable product to fulfill a basic need. The second man is a shopaholic, impulsively spending money to buy things that never really satisfy him.

The first man walks into the clothing store because he wants to; the second man because he has to. Once inside, the first man maintains a broad awareness as he searches the store, balancing his tastes with what appears before him. The second man exhibits very little awareness and is at the mercy of the external environment, wondering what it is that may satisfy his internal sense of deficiency. The pants that catch the first man’s eye do so either because they meet some or all of the criteria he was considering ahead of time or because they delight him in some unexpected way. For the second, the pants he’s attracted to seem endowed with some special quality, a quality that may satisfy (at least in the moment) his more fundamental sense of lack. Once in the dressing room, the first man can evaluate the pants’ comfort and fit objectively, even having the power to say, “I like them on the hanger, but they don’t actually fit me very well.” The second man justifies the fit regardless of how they look or feel. The two scenarios culminate at the cashier. The first man arrives at the cash register with perspective. He’s well aware of both the cost of the pants and his own financial resources, and has some underlying appreciation that he is part of interdependent world that benefits from interactions and exchange. With this understanding, he buys the pants. His shopping is not habitual; it reflects his choice to participate in the play of the marketplace. The second man, however, has no such perspective. He is led to the cash register, driven by one fundamental desire: to possess, to take something from the world at large and make it exclusively his own. For this man, the world exists as something outside himself, which leaves him feeling isolated. At the time the money is exchanged and the pants are now his, however, he is afforded a glimpse of what the first man has: a sense of connection. But for the second man, it last for only a moment and then is gone, leaving him to search for another fix soon after. The second man consumes impulsively, engaging in something that ultimately fails to satisfy his underlying needs. His shopping is habitual; he lacks any real choice in the matter. With regards to controlled substances, the underlying principle is the same: use based on choice can aid and enriches one’s life while use based on habit or compulsion leads to abuse. Controlled substances are unique, however, in that they significantly alter the perspective of the person who uses them. This means that if we choose to engage them, we must be extra vigilant about how they are affecting us, the reason being because controlled substances change the very way we experience the world, creating whole new perspectives we never thought possible. When used appropriately, controlled substances can improve the quality of our lives, having at times the remarkable ability to relieve physical pain and the power to alter consciousness itself. When used skillfully, when used as tools to assist our underlying sense of well being, controlled substances can bring added vibrancy, perspective, and creativity to our lives. They can even be employed to break us out of other limiting habits, leaving us more intimately connected with the world around us. The opposite, though, is also true. Controlled substances can easily be abused by those of us who employ them to avoid, escape, cope, or

reject other aspects of our lives that we don’t wish to face, detracting from our fullest potential as human beings, isolating us from the people around us, from our responsibilities, and in extreme cases, from reality itself. When abused, the power of these miraculous substances feed into our fears and insecurities, becoming agents that stunt our awareness, ultimately hindering our mind and body’s incredible potential. What can we do to favor the useful benefits of controlled substances while avoiding habitual or abusive activity? Again, the subject is vast, but here are some possible starting places. First off, we need humility, the ability to admit that we don’t know everything, the recognition that the substances we consume always have something to teach us, and their lessons may or may not be appropriate for our particular constitutions. We may use them, but they use us, too, their unique molecular structures geared to dance with our rare and precious human consciousness. Humility also helps us to better evaluate our relationships to the substance and monitor its effects on us as time progresses. Next is awareness, which is linked to our ongoing commitment to learn from our mistakes and to cut through our own selflimiting beliefs. Awareness is the opposite of habit, depending instead upon our willingness to examine again and again the motivations behind the choices we make. Is that new pair of pants really going to serve us? What about the substance that person just offered us? In this very moment, we ask ourselves, will it increase our awareness, or will bring in the fog so we don’t have to look at that problem we’ve been avoiding? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is connection, our intimate relatedness with the world around us, including the people in our lives? Creating and maintaining connection—with friends, family, the built environment and the natural world - not only fulfills our fundamental desire for love and intimacy, it helps protects us from self deception. Furthermore, relating with others from all walks of life provides us with mirrors, mirrors through which we see reflections of ourselves, mirrors that reveal the effects of the choices we are making, mirrors that can notify us should our use be sliding into abuse. Use versus abuse is not determined so much by what we do but how we do it. Whether or not we engage controlled substances, choosing to pay attention to our activities, especially the little things, brings richness and vitality to all aspects of our lives. Checking out and moving through the world habitually, on the other hand, leaves us feeling isolated, impoverished, and with closets stuffed with unworn pants. By practicing humility, cultivating awareness, and by creating and maintaining connection, we hedge our bets, favoring the possibility that our activities will bring us personal growth, expansiveness, and joy, ever deepening our relationship with the miraculous world that surrounds us. Austin Hill Shaw is a writer, architectural designer, and mapmaker of creativity and the creative process. He specializes in helping others tap into and utilize the creative life force in everything they do. He can be reached at austin@austinhillshaw.com

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From Paris Hilton to Drew Barrymore, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no secret that cannabis is an essential addition to the medicine boxes of many divas and femme fatales. For the fashionable woman, there are plenty of high-class options for consuming cannabis in a style befitting of a princess, regardless of budget. Cannabis has been used for eons as a cure for period cramps, an appetite stimulant for those suffering from eating disorders, and as an anti-anxiety medication for women living with the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

THE VSYNDICATE PRICE: $9.99 - $11.99 A V A I L A B L E AT T H E V S Y N D I C AT E . C O M no bigger than a credit card, The vsyndicate is a clever alternative to the average clunky grinder. Breaking up has never been easier: just rub the bud on the design in the center of the card and the cannabis forms a neat pile beneath it. The innovative shape of The vsyndicate also makes it perfect for packing a swift joint. The edges are great for scooping and smoothing, which means there is no need to grab another straight edge. The vsyndicate comes in three varieties, all which provide different coarsenesses depending on your needs. The fine grinding card maximizes the benefits of vaporizing by providing a fine particle in a snap, while the coarse card is perfect for rolling blunts and packing a quick bowl. The vsyndicate can be cleaned with soap and water, or with alcohol and a soft cloth for that brilliant shine that is sure to complement your new manicure. starting at $9.99, the price is right for divas on a budget, even after you splurge on that 1/4th of Purple Princess.

KIVA CANNABIS CONFECTIONS PRICE: BETWEEN $10.00 - $12.00 L I S T O F R E TA I L E R S A V A I L A B L E AT K I VA C O N F E C T I O N S . C O M From the crisp packaging to the smooth taste, Kiva Cannabis Confection’s line of premium chocolate products is an original alternative to more traditional edibles. a lifesaver during that time of the month, Kiva Confections provides relief from menstrual cramps while allowing you to indulge that omnipresent craving for decadent chocolate. all of Kiva’s products are made in California, and at $10.00 - $12.00 retail, Kiva Bars feel like a splurge without truly breaking the bank. One bar delivers four sweet and creamy doses, great for late night gatherings and as an unexpected pre-meal appetizer. This line of fine chocolate uses cannabis extract from outdoor plants that are dried and slow cured especially for the process of chocolate infusion. The dark chocolate Kiva bar pairs perfectly with a bottle of red wine and your favorite romantic comedy.

Gone are the days when she-smokers were limited to harsh bongs, gigantic grinders, and boring stash boxes; the girly-girls of the present have plenty of sexy, discreet, and delicious ways to consume cannabis. So, ditch your brother’s hyper-phallic Sherlock for these pieces picked especially for the fairer sex. Whether you are looking for a birthday gift for that feminine significant other, or shopping for a grinder to match your new shoes, these toys are top picks for fabulous women and those hoping to spoil them rotten.

IOLITE PORTABLE VAPORIZER PRICE: AROUND $200 M Y- I O L I T E . C O M smaller than most cell phones, the IoLite provides is powerful vaporizer with a discreet, funky exterior. The IoLite is available in over nine colors for all of your moods and its lightweight, sleek look goes well with any outfit. Powerful enough for all of your vaporizing needs and rechargeable, the IoLite is a greener alternative to battery operated portable vapes. Weighing in at just under three ounces, the IoLite is a lightweight, sleek, and popular way to get your dose of girly green. The IoLite is produced by Oglesby & Butler Ltd, an Irish company renowned for its gas products, which makes it a great mix of quality and sex appeal. In addition to its good looks, the IoLite also provides friendly customer service through its american and European helplines. The IoLite promises a full two hours of vaporizing before recharging and upgrades are available, so for those who can afford the price tag the IoLite is the epitome of usability and taste.

Living Well

spring is springing and other than January 2nd, it’s probably the time of year when health clubs and gyms see their highest spike in new memberships. Everyone wants to look and feel their best for the warm months when every day is an invitation to play outside, have a barbecue, hit the beach or lakes and go for long walks or bike rides. Getting in better shape or losing some extra winter baggage doesn’t have to be routine, dull or painful. Remember when you were a kid and could play for hours and even though you were getting a ton of exercise, none of it felt like “working out”? Those days were glorious. There was no such thing as body fat or calories burned—just play. so why do we as adults, join gyms an stare at a television screen or wall while running nowhere on a treadmill when we could actually enjoy our time by getting back to basics and just playing? I’m not saying that the gym is a bad thing—not at all. But for those of you who need a little more action and camaraderie, the recreational sports league might be just the thing to start your spring off right. nearly every city has a parks and recreations department and you can almost always find them by locating your city’s website and searching for “parks and rec”. Depending on the size of your population, you should be able to locate a league either in or near where you live without problem. One thing to note is that leagues of all kinds tend to fill up quickly, so even though it’s March, it’s a good idea to start researching summer programs now. you can essentially find any group to perform any sort of athletic activity with through parks and rec. On one quick search for “spring activities’ on my town’s site and I discovered: ﬂag football, softball, tennis, swimming, diving, golf, sailing, Frisbee golf, hiking, walking, jogging, squash and even table tennis. Whatever your interest may be, there is something to do and like-minded people who want to do it with you. If it’s been a while since you part of any sort of team, then you probably miss it but just don’t realize it. I was asked to sub for a co-ed softball league that was mostly comprised of very enthusiastic finance guys from a Japanese electronics company. It turns out that they have been playing rec-league softball together for 4 years. Their record to date at the time of my joining was 1-48. That record encompasses all that is wonderful about rec-league sports. Unless you really care, the whole point is to have fun, be on a team, get some exercise and relax. I promise you that the 1-48 softball team went out for beers after every game and enjoyed the heck out of it. It’s not whether you win, or even how you play the game if you don’t play at all. so put this magazine down and log on now to find your next recreational adventure.

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ON ONE QUICK SEARCH FOR “SPRING ACTIVITIES” ON MY TOWN’S SITE AND I DISCOVERED: FLAG FOOTBALL,

FRISBEE GOLF,

SOFTBALL,

HIKING,

TENNIS,

WALKING,

SWIMMING,

JOGGING,

DIVING,

QUASH

GOLF,

AND EVEN TABLE

SAILING,

TENNIS.

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Mary Lynn Mathre Patients Out of Time as an entity is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating health care professionals and the public about the therapeutic use of cannabis. Founded in 1995, this organization was born out of a sense of urgency to end the unjust and unfounded cannabis prohibition that was causing great harm to patients. I’d like to describe a few key events that led to the creation of Patients Out of Time so you can understand the urgency of our mission as well. The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 was passed to regulate

did have therapeutic value. The DEA used its power to prevent or stall any formal consideration of the petition. A few years after the petition was filed a glaucoma patient by the name of Robert (Bob) Randall had discovered that the use of marijuana could reduce the high intraocular pressure that was causing him to go blind. The reader is encouraged to read Bob’s autobiography, but here’s a quick review of what happened next: He was busted for growing a few plants in DC; he took part in a clinical trial at Stanford University demonstrating the efficacy of

Patients Out Of time: Who Are They?

psychoactive drugs and gave the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) the power to enforce these regulations. The act created five levels or Schedules to indicate the potential health risks of various drugs. Schedule I is the most restrictive category and a drug has to meet 3 criteria to belong in that category: not safe for medical use, has no therapeutic value, and is highly addictive. Marijuana was wrongfully placed in Schedule I (along with heroin and LSD) and the penalties for growing, possessing, consuming or distributing marijuana could be severe. The National Organization for the Reform of the Marijuana Laws (NORML) was founded in 1970 because of the harsh penalties given to casual users of marijuana. At that time it was possible to get a life sentence in prison for possessing as much as a few joints in some states. Also around that time chemotherapy was a developing new treatment to fight cancer and the medicine was quite toxic to the body causing extreme nausea and vomiting. Some patients discovered that marijuana could stop the nausea and increase their appetite. NORML initiated a legal petition to the DEA to remove marijuana from Schedule I and down-regulate it to Schedule II by demonstrating that it was safe and

marijuana for his glaucoma, and found a great pro bono law firm who won his case with a medical necessity defense. His lawyers were then able to get him into what was called the Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program (IND) that allowed him to receive free legal medical marijuana grown and supplied by the federal government. In 1978 Bob was the only person in the U.S. who could legally use marijuana as medicine. In his research he learned that cannabis was a popular medicine before the “reefer madness” campaign in the 1930s that ultimately resulted in the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. He could not remain silent knowing that other patients could benefit from this medicine so he and his wife Alice O’Leary started the Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics (ACT). Their goal was to educate the public about the therapeutic value of cannabis and help other patients gain access to this medicine. ACT joined NORML in the petition to the DEA. Finally in 1988, the DEA’s Administrative Law Judge, Francis Young, reached his decision that cannabis should be moved to Schedule II so that physicians could prescribe it. But, the Director of the DEA, John Lawn, decided to ignore the Judge’s ruling and refused to remove marijuana from Schedule I. Bob and Alice continued their work with ACT and by 1990 there were 5 patients receiving their medicine from the federal government. They were: Robert Randall (glaucoma), Irvin Rosenfeld (multiple congenital cartilaginous exostosis), Elvy Musikka (glaucoma),

(continued on page 78)

Millet (glaucoma) and George McMahon (nail-patella syndrome). By this time my husband, Al Byrne and I were on the Board of Directors of NORML and were on the planning committee for the 1990 NORML conference. I wanted to have a panel presentation by these 5 patients to let others know about the Compassionate IND program. The patient panel was a huge success and to top it off, C-SPAN had filmed the program and showed it repeatedly on their network. Needless to say, this created an avalanche of applications for IND access to cannabis, most of which were for HIV/AIDS patients. And this was no easy task. First the patient had to find a physician willing to apply for a Schedule I license and complete the tedious application. The application went to the FDA to approve the protocol, the DEA investigated the physician, patient and the patient’s family for security purposes and to warn against any diversion, and the patient received the medicine in canisters containing 300 rolled cannabis cigarettes that were grown and processed under the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) control. By 1992, the FDA was flooded with applications for medical marijuana. Rather than acknowledge that there was a real need for this program, the federal government decided to close the only legal access to cannabis. Fifteen patients were already in the program and they would continue to receive their medicine. However, more than 30 new patients were approved and hundreds of applications were awaiting review, when our federal government told them the program was closed and they would not have access to this medicine. Al and I knew eight of the 15 patients left in the program and the seven others remained anonymous. In addition to the first five patients we also got to know Barbara Douglass, an MS patient from Iowa. Barbara learned about the use of cannabis from another MS patient named Ladd Huffman. She read about him in the paper when he was arrested for marijuana possession. Barbara contacted him as a fellow patient and as she proceeded to tell him that he shouldn’t be doing drugs, he informed her that it was his medicine. Both of them had applied for the IND access, but her family was well connected with their state legislators while Ladd had an arrest record. Barbara was allowed into the program fairly quickly, but Ladd was one of those whose application was approved, but he hadn’t been issued any medicine by the time the program was closed. So Barbara is legal, but her friend Ladd still has no legal access to his medicine. Two other IND patients who we met were Kenny and Barbra Jenks. Kenny was a hemophiliac and became HIV positive after receiving HIV contaminated blood products to treat his disease.

He then unknowingly infected his wife and both of them developed AIDS. They were very sick and losing weight when someone in their support group suggested that they try marijuana. Kenny tried it first and he no longer needed the waste bin at his bedside for vomiting. Instead he was able to eat and care for Barbra who, after seeing the improvement in Kenny, began using it as well. They got caught using it in their home state of Florida and were found guilty in court. The judge realized how sick they were so he sentenced them to community service - to care for each other. Kenny and Barbra got into the IND program before it closed and like the other patients, they had the help and guidance with the application process from ACT. Despite his illness, Kenny began attending AIDS conferences and would distribute information about ACT and the IND access to cannabis. He was threatened by the DEA to keep quiet or he would be kicked out of the program. Kenny had no fear of the DEA, he was dying and he was on a mission to help others. Now let’s move forward to 1995. By this time, Kenny and Barbra had passed away and Bob and Corinne’s health were failing. It began to seem obvious that the government was just waiting for the rest of the IND patients to die so it wouldn’t have to admit that the federal government actually supplied medical marijuana to a handful of patients yet continued to prohibit it from other patients by keeping it in Schedule I. Something had to be done. Patients needed this medicine. Al and I believed that health care professionals and patients needed to move this issue forward, so we decided to form a nonprofit organization that would focus only on medicinal cannabis. While playing with the acronym of POT, Al came up with Patients Out of Time and we instantly knew we had the right name. As the name implies, suffering patients who can benefit from medicinal cannabis need legal access to this medicine now. They do not have the luxury of waiting for years of clinical trials to prove that cannabis has medicinal value. They are patients out of time. Visit our website - www.medicalcannabis.com - and learn about the science behind cannabis and help support all patients out of time. Mary Lynn Mathre, RN, MSN, CARN is President and Cofounder of Patients Out of Time. She is a qualified cannabis expert and the editor of Cannabis in Medical Practice: A Legal, Historical, and Pharmacological Overview of the Therapeutic Use of Cannabis and co-editor of Women and Cannabis: Medicine, Science and Sociology.

Tinkerbell, pixie dust and pirates

made Peter Pans day as he flew around in tights in the fictional paradise lost of Neverland. Today, you too can have a fairy tale journey as a Bohemian Lost Boy or a Lost Goth Girl in the underground and undercurrent sub-culture of the Netherlands. Lets face it, those daring, dauntless Dutch have given us more than delf, dikes, wooden shoes and windmills. Amsterdam is a steaming compost rich in history, art, culture, and a William Burroughs subterranean narco nightlife to die for. Amsterdam is also the penultimate Euro-industrial showcase and mecca for the severely perverse sub-culture vulture. It’s a narcissistic syringe laced with enough creativity to induce a paralyzing and fatal art attack in the truly art addicted! Galaxies of galleries orbit in perfect harmony around its solar system, planets of art, of all types and tastes circle its sun and proliferate like tulips on steroids. One gallery alone is devoted to over 500 works of the invincible Vincent Van Gogh. History is kept alive with museums highlighting Hollands colorful and sometimes somber past, including the Anne Frank Museum. Anne was the young girl who not only kept a diary of her families trials and tribulations under German occupation, but who also fell victim to Nazi atrocities in Hitler’s drive for world domination. Virulently antiNazi, it was the brave Dutch who used to toss wooden shoes, called sabots into the industrial machinery of the Third and thankfully final Reich, and gave us the word…sabotage! On the lighter side of the fence is a museum for devotees of the history of red light district sex, a museum of torture, and what would hemp happy Holland be without its museum of Hemp and Cannabis. This beautiful old world city of Hans Brinker fame is graced by a geometric, winding labyrinth of canals where you can enjoy a pleasurable cruise that steadily builds into a massive urban architectural bricks and mortar orgasm. The Dutch, always eco-minded, have provided an array of public transportation alternatives to renting a car, but the best way to enjoy and absorb all Amsterdam has to offer is by bicycle, and they can be rented at any number of conveyance establishments.

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Amsterdam is also the most hemp tolerant city in the world, and although not officially ‘legal,’ the cannabis culture of cabal is alive and well at numerous “coffeeshops” where you can get the most bang for your bong. If the Indy 500 is one of the pre-eminent auto events in the world, then Amsterdam can lay claim as the home of the Grand Prix of Cannabis. Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines! Prostitution, on the other hand, is legal in Amsterdam and the Red Light District is a fertile ground for the sexual imagination. Walk down the streets and the windows attractively display flesh and fantasy in equal amounts. You can ménage a trois, giddy up with a pony girl, and all can be had for a price and sound spanking by a Dutch Dom that’ll make your bottom tingle with delight. The city of bikes and dikes pushes the cultural envelope, proving that life is indeed a cannabis and carnal cabaret old chum. More than that, it is truly a delicious

and

somewhat delightfully decadent garden

history, art, cannabis culture and a cornucopia of consensual sex. So, hop aboard the Canna-Bus Tourbus, grab your Zig-Zags and your Trojans, and lets Amsterdam it!

SEEDS AND STEMS

euphoria are within

Those damn Amsterdam coffeeshops kick some highly serious grass glass! Dutch doobies have been firing up since Dutch society started lightening up and stopped bashing the hash in the 1970s. Prior to that, the 1960s were a time of societal upheaval and reefer revolution, and the Dutch Provos were in the avant vanguard for all the other guerilla street politicos to come. This melting pot of protest led to the eventual relaxation of restrictive smoking pot penalization. As the Sixties began to wither on the vine, the great global ganja culture of “wasted” youth began to bloom, bud and blossom in the Garden of Hedon. The Age of Aquarius made room for the Age of Cannabis, and the Dutch coffeehouse culture had finally reached a full climax and officially unofficially came of age. The Acid Tests of Ken Kesey’s Merry Pranksters and the Digger free-feed/freestore culture of Haight Ashbury in the Psychedelic Sixties can directly trace their DNA to the result of the social intercourse already banging away full tilt boogie in the humping hempster bedrooms of Holland. One by one, the first coffeeshops began to open their experimental doors of perception. Names like “Mellow Yellow” and “Acapulco Gold” are living monuments to Mary Jane and Co. that still exists to this day. To

walking distance of Centraal Station and Dam Square, and conveniently

lo-

cated on top of the Red Light District. So if you’re 18 or older, you can get a drink and a smoke and socialize in a convivial carnival of

cannabis

without Big B r o t h e r ’s heav yhanded retribution. Hash and pot are sold over the counter or at windows, and some offer free rolling papers and cardboard ‘filters.’ A few shops offer bongs, pipes and vaporizers so if you don’t carry your own you can count on the house to pass the glass. Seeds n’ stems rules of social etiquette apply in Amsterdam, and will go a long way in keeping your trip flying high, and not go up in smoke! First, leave the mask of the Ugly American at home. Americans have an overseas reputation as being embarrassingly brash and overbearing to some Europeans, so the red, white and rude act won’t win you any brownie points. Patience is also a virtue here, so pace yourself, slow down, and smell the tulips.

put it into pop culture perspective, they are the Lincoln Memorials of Marijuana! Four Scored and Seven Joints Ago! Most of Amsterdam’s psychedelic and colorful emporiums of

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THE RED THREAD TOUR

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

Amsterdam, but there’s also a lively panoramic pavement of prostitu-

antiquities. The country has over 400 museums that delve into a variety

tion in a vibratory marketplace chock full of sex and goodies. The Red

of cultural corners of the Dutch. The glutton for art galleries will certainly

Light District is symbolic of “de rode draad” or the red thread of prosti-

satiate his or her hunger at a myriad of renowned art enclaves highlight-

tution that runs rampant through society. Prostitution is not only legal

ing the works of Van Gogh

in Holland, but a highly respected profession in this erotic enclave of

and Rembrandt to lesser-

Dutch dildos and delightful decadence. In addition to the promiscuous

known painters and other

leg spreading vicariousness of the area, there are numerous merchants of

artists and art forms, includ-

mastabatoria that will salivate with capitalistic glee, as the cash register

ing photography and film.

Cobblestones and cannabis may pave the counter cultural streets of

Amsterdam is also the Netherlands never ending haven for art and

rings while catering to any and all of your machinations and fascinations.

Among the museums of

Shops sell everything from bottom pleasing riding crops to bridles

the more sedate and serious

and saddles. Absolute Danny is a orgasmic must see on your genital tour

nature you’ll find the Anne

of Amsterdam. It’s the Fort Knox of vaginal weaponry and includes the

Frank House and Museum

atomic bomb of self gratification, the amazing Tarzan Dildo. Condom-

as well as the Dutch Resis-

erie, one of the oldest and largest erection emporiums in town has every

tance Museum. Both focus on a dark

conceivable size, shape and style of penis wear finery to be found in Eu-

period of world history and the bravery it evoked in a whole populace as

rope. The artsy fartsy crowd can also get their rocks off as they stare in

well as the heart of one young girl who found her inner strength through

amazement at a concrete erectus eroticus steeped in Viagra Falls! Amster-

her beliefs. There are also a variety of science and natural history muse-

dam’s Red Light District is not just an area set aside as a garden of Eden for

ums, including a children’s hands on experience to explore the mysteries

sexual nirvana, but also a refined cathedral of worship of this, the oldest

of the world of science in more digestible bites.

of professions...top or bottom, soft or hard, sub or dom, you choose the dream and she’ll drive the train to it’s

Nautical and tropical themed museums exist, and in addition to a

final destina-

Dutch Shipping Museum there’s even a small Houseboat Museum. You

tion.

can even get a peek under Marilyn Monroe’s skirt at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and the Brew Happy Lager Heads will be overjoyed to

A few rules

learn of the Heineken Experience and brewery tour.

of decorum

The more macabre sensibilities will be tickled pink with a jaunt

for the un-

through the world of torture and pain at the famed Torture Museum

i n it i ate d :

where you’ll find all the tools for extracting a witch’s confession along with

Treat

the

a variety of restraints and cages on display. The cannabis cannibal crowd

prostitutes

will enjoy a tokin’ tour through the Hemp Marijuana Museum and find

with

all

it a truly enlightening experience. There is also a Tattoo Museum for that

the

re-

crowd and from tats to tattas, it’s the Sex Museum and the Erotic Museum

spect

in the heart of the Red Light District. Like a matching pair of breasts, the

y o u

museums highlight the history of the district as well as including erotic

would your own sis-

art, paintings and objects from around the world. If you’re on the art and

ter or your own mother. Not only are they unionized working girls,

culture side of the coin and want to maximize your museum clout, you

they are ladies and are to be treated as such. Also, photographs are not al-

can purchase a Museum Card that, for a small price, allows you one year

lowed. These are not Polaroid Prostitutes, so keep the digitals out of reach.

of unlimited access to over 400 museums in the Netherlands, 30 of which

While the red-light district plays host to happy hookers and hempy

are in Amsterdam alone.

hookahs, it’s also a repository of some of the finest damned architecture in

Amsterdam has it all. Houseboats, canal cruises, pedal boat tours,

the Netherlands. Walk down the winding streets and you’ll swear you’ve

bikes and dikes, cannabis and sex, culture and counter culture. No matter

stumbled into a fairy tale. The District is also home to a bustling and mys-

what you’re looking for, the Dutch do it right. So when you’re trying to

terious Chinatown, a Jewish quarter with the some of the best pastrami

figure out where to go off the beaten path...just do what I do...and Amster-

this side of the Wailing Wall, and a daily flea market that is a must for the

dam It, damn it!

rummager and collector of trash as treasure.

HERE WE GO, BASEBALL FANS. IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN

and every team has worked out the kinks in Spring Training, the ballparks are open for business and the smell of hotdogs and garlic fries is wafting through the air as we speak. It’s a new season, full of the hope and promise of a clean slate and a few new additions to the roster. It’s time to put the pain of your fantasy football loss in the past and look forward to the grueling pain and torture of 162 games. The National League West is a funny little division. The big east teams hardly notice that we exist it seems. ESPN’s baseball coverage is always about the Yankees or the Red Sox, with the occasional mention of a Dodger or a Giant, in passing. Someone did tell them that the Maybe it’s best this way. Maybe it’s good that the western teams fly under the media radar. A-Rod can do 70 interviews a day while the rest of us play baseball. And this year, the NL West looks tough as ever. Let’s take a look, beginning with the World Series champs from the bay: 86

The last time I checked, the Giants still had Lincecum, Cain, Zito, Sanchez and Bumgardener hurling the ball and Buster Posey is still behind the plate. DeRosa is healthy and so is second baseman, Freddy Sanchez. Andres Torres got himself a new full time job in center field and The Panda went all Biggest Loser this winter. The Giants are a team that finds ways to win and coming off of the ultimate coup, the land of misfit boys looks as magical as ever. Division Prediction: 1st place

The team may be still licking its wounds form the bitter divorce and the Manny situation, so it’s likely that 2011 could be a season to build the clubhouse. The Dodgers pitching is excellent and with the return of Kershaw, Lilly and Billingsly, the starting rotation looks solid. The trouble they may run into again is run support. It’s imperative that Kemp, Loney and Ethier return to form if the Dodgers want to make a run for it. The addition of San Francisco hero Juan Uribe may be a good jolt to the lineup. Division prediction: 4th place

The Padres shocked everyone last year by leading the NL West for a long time. Their rough finish was like watching a car tumble down a cliff after skidding over the edge at high speed. This year presents new challenges with the most glaring being the loss of first baseman Adrian Gonzales. Gonzales is expected to do big things in Boston and Padre fans hope that Brad Hawpe can step in to those very big shoes. San Diego always has a tough rotation that includes Matt Latos and Clayton Richard, two of the best in the league. San Diego’s biggest weapon is the outstanding management of Bud Black. Never count these guys out; he sure doesn’t. Division Prediction: 3rd place

The Rockies like to play good ball, then play great ball, and then win every game for weeks on end. This is always a dangerous team. With Troy Tulowitzski and Carlos Gonzales as serious MVP contenders, the offense has the power to gain steam and gain it fast. Dexter Fowler, Ian Stewart and Seth Smith are all in a class of guys who are good on the verge of dangerous. Rockies’ pitching will live and die with Ubaldo Jimenez, the phenom rookie who blew everyone away in his debut. This team just finds ways to win and once they get a taste of it, it’s hard for them to stop. Division Prediction: 2nd place

This team is under construction. Division Prediction: dead last

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HOW A GUY WITH HIS LEVEL OF RESPECT AND SUCCESS CAN ATTRIBUTE IT TO LUCK RATHER THAN UNDENIABLE TALENT, an insanely grueling schedule and work ethic to match, I’ll never understand. But that simple quote just plays testament to his character…full of humility, tenacity, and an unwavering commitment to his craft almost impossible to find in our ADHDay and age. Hell, when I called him, he answered the phone while it was balancing between his shoulder and chin at the same time he was loading up his truck to go to work. Just another day in the life of you and me. Just another day in the life of Sean Daley. As he prepares for the drop of his outfit’s 12th release, “The Family Sign,” the Atmosphere front man, who we all know and have grown to love as Slug, reflects on the evolution of his style, his lexicon, his views, and his psyche in this revealing interview with Kush Magazine. “To me it’s all a matter of continuing to write music and set moods to reflect how I think, how I feel, how I live,” he tells us. And it’s an evolutionary process that may not please all his fans at once, but pleases different age groups in a Darwinian manner…eventually catching up with everyone through the process of maturity. As for the ones that have grown with him, they get it completely, but because of his cross-generational appeal, you still have “a lot of people, when I read the little comments underneath the YouTubes and this and that, who bring up that we should go back to rapping like we did on ‘Overcast,’ the first record. Then we got a couple that are like, ‘nah, go back to (second album) Lucy Ford,’ then there’s the (third album) ‘God Loves Ugly’ crowd. It goes on with each album and I understand why…but I think that it’s like, don’t you get it? The reason I keep changing is to be who I am that year that I made it.” And he doesn’t get angry or irritated, or even bothered, by these comments and criticisms, but rather embraces them…for he knows where they stem from…he knows the truth. “And the truth is, there is not a 39 year old man commenting on YouTube that ‘Overcast is the illest shit.’ The kid that wrote that was between the age of 17-24 and it makes sense that he’s going to connect to those words because he’s going through some of the same shit right now. And I love that!” What he’s essentially telling us is that, just like everything in life, it’s all a matter of perspective, something, in this case, he possesses through circumstance. “I got a teenage son and I see what he’s feeling and it’s more aggressive music than what I listen to,” Slug admits, “but it makes sense…that’s what you’re supposed to be peeping out when you’re younger and figuring out how to fight the world. So I get it, you know?” And that’s why your Lil’ Jons and Romeos will come and go, while Sean Daley and Anthony Davis have been here the whole time. At the beginning of their recent long and productive 14-year day, Sean Daley was just another man with a dream. A dream that he interpreted through his own words, interpretations that have become realities, realities that have culminated in a successful career as one of underground hip-hop’s most formidable, and steadfast, forces. And it all started with a chance meeting with Anthony Davis, or Ant…the man behind the beats. They’ve managed to create their own time zones, their own galaxies, and their own seemingly indestructible orbit…and it all started because of weed. As a matter of fact, if it wasn’t for our beloved plant, Atmosphere may never have even existed.

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Well, at least that’s the way we see it.

The way Slug tells it, “Me and (fellow rapper) Musab (then known as Beyond) met through another rapper and it just so happens Musab was an ‘environmentalist.’ Upon realizing that, you have a few choices of who to call, but I’d rather support another rapper, especially if he’s a cool dude, so I started hitting him up and we became good friends. From there he was like ‘I want to do a song with you’ so I went over to his producer’s house and his producer was Anthony.” You would assume, after listening to the pairing’s work over the past decade and a half, that they immediately clicked and the rest was history…but it was a bit more complicated than that. A sort of courtship first had to ensue. “I think that Anthony saw the potential in me, but I don’t think he was necessarily trying to work with me. It was me that was like ‘yo, can I start coming to you for beats?’ Now he might tell the story different because in his heart of hearts he was trying to work with me and it was all a mind game to get me to come over there, but from my perspective, whether or not I was coerced into it, I was gravitating towards his beats.” Once they began spending a bit more time together, they fed off of each other’s incredible work ethic. “Everybody else I knew who was rapping was going to parties and kicking it and chasing ass and doing all this other shit. I was in my mid 20s, had a kid already, and was working a full time job that was manual labor, so I was just like ‘man, my time away from my responsibilities, I’d rather come over here and make songs.’ I think he was attracted to my work ethic as well, so we just started banging out shit, right out the gate. None of it was good, but it didn’t matter, it was all about the art of learning how to make.” And make they did. Since those fateful days almost 15 years ago, it’s been 12 albums, all of which have done nothing other than increase their fan-base and showcase their timeless never-ending talents and abilities, year in and year out, performance after performance, verse after verse, kick after kick. His role as one of the co-founders of Rhymesayers Entertainment (along with Ant, Brent Sayers, and Musab Saad) certainly didn’t hurt things. The label, credited with launching some of underground hip-hop’s most formidable careers, including MF Doom, Brother Ali, and Eyedea & Abilities, continues to thrive, even in this seemingly post-apocalyptic music-business decade. “One half of me wants to stay away from (talking about) that because I don’t want to jinx it…you never really know what’s around the corner. Now there’s the other side of me that’s proud of what I’ve accomplished and wants to say that it’s based off of good people working with each

other towards good goals, and that’s probably the most arrogant thing I’ll say to you…I don’t want to work for assholes. Even if you’re the dopest rapper in the world, if you’re an asshole, I don’t really want to deal with you.” Imagine that…integrity lives and works…even in show business. And as you would imagine, it carries over into “The Family Sign,” out April 12 on Rhymesayers Entertainment. Upon first listen, it’s immediately apparent that we’re in for a much more introspective and almost buddha-esque journey than some of the more aggressive behavior of days and years past. There is a much more sophisticated take, lacking an impending sense of urgency, and replaced with thoughtful, patient, calculated analyzation of the world they live in and the world around them. They’re not recording or releasing this record to impress anyone or prove their skills…they’re long past that. At least for Sean, Slug is doing this one for Slug. “The Family Sign” is Atmosphere all grows up, an embrace of growth and maturity and lack of fear of any retribution for it. And as far as the herb? Is that still playing the part now that it did back in the early days? “Not to say that sometimes it’s not involved in the creative process,” he explains, “but I use it more for after I’m done…for studying the stuff afterwards, looking for the flaws and the holes in the story.” But as a father, recently a husband, and, whether he cares to admit it or not, a full grown role model, he prefaces his answer with a caveat: “It can be limiting for artists too. I know plenty of artists that can’t have it anywhere near them. I’d hate for some 15-year old to be like ‘this is what I gotta do’ and the end result being the 15-year old does nothing but play video games and smoke weed on the couch. It’s different for everybody,” he emphasizes. “Do me a favor…put that disclaimer in there…” Duly noted. Check out “The Family Sign” (April 12/Rhymesayers Entertainment) and rhymesayers.com/atmosphere for tour dates and everything else Atmosphere.

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KUSH MAGAZINE

was invited by the folks at Delta 9 Tekhnologe to visit a C02 supercritical extractor they affectionately call “Big Bertha.” Behemoth in size and weighing thousands of pounds, the machine is a complex system of stainless steel vessels, tubes, and tanks that should be renamed the “intimidator.” One can only imagine it being used by NASA for rocket propulsion, or testing by scientists at the Food and Drug Administration. However, it’s primarily used on cannabis plants. Yes, you heard right, “Big Bertha” is primarily used to extract and process pure hash oil from cannabis plants through pressurized carbon dioxide (C02). The person who initiated the idea for using the C02 extractor for the medical marijuana industry remains a mystery, however, the people attracted to this technology are the folks we remember from our high school science lab. They were the first to get their experiment started while the rest of us stumbled with directions. According to Matthew Ellis of Organa Labs, the C02 extractor was originally used by non-cannabis industries such as coffee, spice or beer hops manufacturers that needed to extract essential oils from plant material. An example would include extracting oils from a rosemary plant for use in cooking. Therefore, the entrepreneurial light bulb went on when someone in the medical marijuana industry pontificated - quite possibly while medicating - about using this technology to make hash oil. The process of obtaining pure hash oil from dried cannabis plant material is a fascinating 8-hour journey through a controlled maze that essentially uses C02, pressure, and temperature to achieve the end result. This pressure can reach a staggering 1,200 pounds per square inch - equivalent to twice the force of a shark’s jaw breaking bones or one third of the force required to fly a plane. Mica Gross from Delta 9 Tekhnologe operates Big Bertha with respect and caution. For example, the simple act of opening valves to release C02 gas into the system requires Gross’ full attention, especially listening for potential leaks. Some of these sounds might be reminiscent of being trapped in a submarine that has reached its maximum depth, forcing even the bravest to take cover. Initially, the cannabis plant material is ground into a dry and powdery consistency that will be placed inside one of the three pressurized chambers, each of which is capable of processing ten pounds of cannabis plant material. The amount of hash oil yielded from 10 pounds of plant material depends on different factors, such as moisture content and the type of plant being used. Keeping plant material inside the chamber requires a lid to be sealed with a rocket gasket, and large bolts that are the size used to secure tires on a truck.

The hash oil itself appears similar to molasses, amber in color and the consistency of motor oil. Edibles companies use hash oil for infusing into their products, or patients seeking to enhance their medication experience. Hash oil has much higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Delta 9 Teknologe provided CannLabs testing results that indicated THC levels at a whopping 84.174% and active cannabinoids per dose at 87.696%. Medical marijuana patients prefer C02 extracted hash oil, according to owner Jan Cole from The Farm in Boulder, due to the safe and pure way the oil has been processed. Cole owns a smaller version of Big Bertha that is used by her marijuana center. As opposed to the other methods for processing hash oil, Cole believes the C02 method of extraction attracts the true connoisseur seeking a certain type of medical treatment.

“BIG BERTHA” IS PRIMARILY USED TO EXTRACT AND PROCESS PURE HASH OIL FROM CANNABIS PLANTS THROUGH PRESSURIZED CARBON DIOXIDE (C02). As the medical marijuana industry evolves, machines like the supercritical C02 extractor can be used to further the science of cannabis to separate THC and CBD from each other, and tag molecules for certain medical conditions. But for now, with such high levels of THC and CBD, medical marijuana patients should heed the advice of Delta 9’s Brusch - “a little dab will do ya.”

As C02 is introduced into the system, pressure and temperature gauges are watched carefully to reach the delicate and magical moment when gas becomes liquid. In the scientific world, “supercritical” becomes super important, as Gross uses his background in chemistry, physics, and thermodynamics to keep the system in balance. Co-worker Sonia Brusch enthusiastically calls this moment PV=nRT. For us non-scientists, that means “stuff” is getting made.

One Team One Dream!

NORML Women:

Nothing normal about ‘em! In May 1929, Pauline Sabin founded the Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform (WONPR). It was a platform for women who were demanding the repeal of the 18th amendment forbidding the manufacture and sale of alcohol. Known as the Sabin women, the leadership of the WONPR consisted primarily of the nonpartisan wives of leaders of American industry. In a little over a year, almost 1.5 million Sabin Women were publicly calling for an end to prohibition-inspired violence and political malfeasance related to the illegal production of alcohol. In 2011, concerned female scientists, politicians, mothers and working women all over America are fighting with equal passion to end the prohibition of marijuana. They are following in the footsteps of Pauline Sabin, M. Louise Grosse (Founder of the Molly Pitcher Club), Mary T. Norton (the first female Democrat elected to serve in the house and member of the WONPR Advisory Council), and other female leaders of the 1930’s anti-prohibitionist movement. Like their predecessors, these women are the true change makers who are working to normalize, legalize, tax and regulate the use of a substance currently used by tens of millions of Americans. They are inspiring women from all social circles and political spheres to speak up and publicly support sensible, responsible cannabis policies based on science, reason and compassion. In 2010, The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), announced the launch of the NORML Women’s Alliance, a non-partisan coalition of prominent, educated, successful, geographically diverse, high-profile professional women who believe that cannabis prohibition is a self-destructive and hypocritical policy that undermines the American family, sends a mixed and false message to our young people, and destroys the cherished principles of personal liberty and local self-government.

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Says NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre: “The prominent role of women in the effort to end marijuana prohibition is pivotal, necessary, and long overdue. According to recent national opinion polls by Gallup and others, the dramatic rise in the public’s support of marijuana law reform is being driven primarily by an increase in support among America’s women.” The NORML Women’s Alliance Steering Committee convenes in Washington, DC to talk strategy for each coming year. Last month, the women met in the shadow of the White House to discuss new and innovative ways to move public opinion towards the legalization of marijuana. Ordinary women doing extraordinary things brought about the repeal of alcohol prohibition and NORML believes women will provide the final push needed to legalize cannabis. Historically, women support legalization at much lower levels than their male counterparts. It is the mission of the NORML Women’s Alliance to increase this base of support through addressing and vocalizing the concerns of modern, mainstream women. Each year, at their various events, seminars, and conferences, NORML, which celebrates it’s 40 year anniversary this month (check out their site for some priceless artifacts they’re bringing back from the archives…including a 1976 PSA recorded by Peter Tosh), presents awards in recognition of extraordinary activism, academic study or political and cultural leadership in the field of marijuana and marijuana policy reform. This year, Kush Magazine proudly nominates and supports Cheryl Shuman for the Pauline Sabin Award, given in honor of and recognition for the crucial need and importance of women leadership in ending marijuana prohibition. Further information about the NORML Women’s Alliance is available online at: http://www.norml.org/women. If you’re in the Colorado or California area and want to become involved, contact Cheryl Shuman at Cheryl@DailyBuds.com

“We believe that there are multitudes of women who are opposed to national prohibition who welcome an opportunity as a body to voice their opposition and work for such a change in the law.” —Pauline Sabin

The NORML Women’s Alliance Steering Committee is: Sabrina Fendrick: NORML Women’s Alliance (NWA) Chair/ Director Diane R. Fornbacher: Vice Chair NORML Women’s Alliance/Steering Committee Cheryl Shuman: Director of Public Relations and Media, KUSH Magazines, KUSH Conventions & DailyBuds. com, Former Executive Director Beverly Hills NORML Anne Druyan: NORML Foundation chair and film producer Madeline Martinez: Executive Director of Oregon NORML

Debby Goldsberry: co-founder of the ARCH Collective Anne M. Davis, Esq.: Executive Director of NORML NJ Greta Gaines: Musician, television host and internationally recognized pro-snowboarder and flyfisherwoman Angel McClary Raich: Cofounder of the ARCH Collective Anna Diaz: Co-founder of Oregon NORML Kyndra S. Miller, Esq.: President and CEO of Miller Entertainment Group Inc., Law Firm

Carina Cialini: Pot Couture Sales and Marketing, Cannabis Times - Multi-Media Manager and East Coast Sales Manager Shaleen Aghi Title: Speakers Bureau Director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP)

Jessica Corry: Colorado attorney, former Director of the Colorado Civil Rights Initiative, and Huffington Post guest columnist

Jeralyn Merritt: A television legal analyst (MSNBC and Fox News); creator and principal author of the weblog TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime

Serra Frank: Founding Director Moms for Marijuana, Secretary Idaho NORML

Tonya Davis: President of Miami Valley NORML & Ohio Patient Network; Host of a Public Access Television Show Medical Marijuana Common Sense; Medical Marijuana Director with Ohio NORML

Stacia Cosner: Outreach Director, Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Ms. Barbara Ehrenreich: Best selling author and columnist for Time magazine.

Cheyanne Weldon: Secretary/ Board Member Texas NORML

Nadine Strossen: President, American Civil Liberties Union and Professor of Law, New York Law School

Mikki Norris: Director of the Cannabis Consumers Campaign Elisabeth Rodriguez: Cofounder, Dallas/Fort Worth NORML

AnnaRae Grabstein: CEO of Steep Hill Lab

Marjorie Russell: Professor and the chair of the Practice, Advocacy & Litigation Skills Department

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GROWERS GROVE

It’s hard to discuss the politics of medical Cannabis without focusing on the issue of money. Who’s making how much? Many theories abound about how lucrative growing pot can be. The truth is that many growers in saturated medical Cannabis markets aren’t making nearly as much as they used to. New growers struggle to compete with older, more established gardens. In part one of this candid look at the price of pot over the last decade, we looked at how the reduction in grower’s margins have led to both a loss of high-quality, longer flowering strains as well as an overall reduction in the quality of Cannabis in many areas. We also looked at how everyone in the emerging Cannabis industry wants in on as much of the grower’s margin as possible. From the hype of the hydroponics industry salesmen to doctors selling overpriced “grow licenses”, there is no end to the number of people circling the grower’s margin like vultures. Even as the rise of closet gardens spike exponentially, large “mega-garden” grows are being planned in many areas. With rising costs, thinning margins and flooded markets already squeezing medium size, “mom-and-pop” gardens, the future of high-quality Cannabis production is suddenly as uncertain as it is promising. A Shifting Economic Landscape The doctors, dispensaries, and hydro salesmen that clamor for the grower’s profits are just some of many examples where the non-growing segment of the Cannabis community has lost sight of what it really takes to grow fine medicine. I could also call out PG&E and everyone else determined to make growing pot the least profitable part of the industry. (GASP!!!) He said the word “profitable”. Yeah, as a side note, there’s absolutely nothing in the current laws that prohibit making a profit on Cannabis. Just so you know. The idea that Cannabis must be non-profit is completely erroneous and is perpetuated by law enforcement agencies eager to keep illegally prosecuting medical Cannabis dispensaries and patients. The claim made by these ignorant task force officials is that pot only costs $500 per pound to produce (WTF are these guys smoking?) and so selling Cannabis for any more than that is illegal, even though there is no legal basis to the belief that medical Cannabis must be non-profit. California law simply states that nothing in the law “condones” profit. Nothing prohibits it either. A crafty wording perhaps, but then again, don’t pharmaceutical companies make hundreds of millions of dollars worth of profit every year? Why can’t growers make an honest living producing quality medicine? 96 96

You know what else? Growers should be paid premium market prices. They should make good money on their hard work. There, I said it. When premium Cannabis is differentiated from the rest and the grower is compensated accordingly, the whole community benefits from better quality medicine. Simply put, the good shit costs more in every other industry out there from wine to chocolate to vegetables to cell phones, so why would it be any different for fine Cannabis? Why would basic economic principles magically stop applying to this industry? I guess dispensaries that carry lots of mediocre cheap herb haven’t considered that this is California and there are already millions of discerning pot snobs out there looking for the premium herbs. It’s not like they’re going to suddenly settle for less when there’s this much pot around. They’ll just keep looking for the chronic and their search may well lead them away from dispensaries unless higher quality standards are held and better growers are compensated more. Growers prefer to work with cooperatives and are willing to exchange some margin for a reduction in risk. But unfortunately, Cannabis growing is still fraught with risks, both financial and legal, and some growers have begun to direct their Cannabis elsewhere since their significantly lowered margin hasn’t been proportional to the slight decrease in risk. In fact, there are so many patients around in saturated markets that some growers have simply gone back to selling at concerts or meeting patients at clubs and then working out deals to sell directly to them. At 4/20 events across California, savvy growers and discerning patient consumers are meeting up to arrange better deals on better medicine. Patient to patient sales are legal in California and for people who don’t need regular store hours, the quality of grower direct buds is often superior. The customer gets the best pot again and the grower gets their margin back. Now, when the garden needs new breakers or an A/C unit or a dehumidifier, or an extra light, or a better veg area, the grower can simply invest in their garden and not feel pressured to take the cheap and easy way out. It’s a small effect now, but I see it growing. In fact, it may even become its own industry within an industry especially as municipalities stack heavier and heavier taxes on medical Cannabis or concentrate the market into a handful of dispensaries. They may find themselves unable to compete with the open market (I guess that’s “black market” to some).

(continued on page 98)

For example, I recently heard of a series of Cannabis “speakeasies” opening in Oakland; I can only imagine that they are sprouting up elsewhere as well. Oakland is one of the largest Cannabis markets in the country, but for the last several years, the patients have been limited to only 4 dispensaries in the entire city. Known for being one of the most progressive Cannabis markets, Oakland is less known for how few outlets there are for Cannabis. There was a brief movement to create a grower-direct “farmer’s market” in Oakland, but that idea was shot down. (Although Craigslist is still the online farmers market of Cannabis for those daring enough to try hooking up from internet strangers.) Perhaps the rise of speakeasies was inevitable. Simple economics has created a situation where directto-market Cannabis has arisen in a heavily controlled Cannabis distribution network. Due to a recent California law that reduces possession of less than an ounce from a misdemeanor to an infraction, many people don’t consider their recommendations necessary (I strongly recommend keeping your doctor’s recommendation current. Get one if you do not already have one). Some people who view full legalization as being right around the corner are catering to this crowd. The risks are greater for them, but again, basic economics shows that the extra incentive creates more motivation and someone willing to fill the role of “better pot for less”. Without the burden of taxes or extensive overhead, a higher quality product goes to market and the savings is passed on to grower and consumer alike. Economy of Scale to the Rescue! (Maybe) Last month, Oakland announced plans to open a handful of new dispensaries as well as take a second attempt at licensing a few 50,000 square foot marijuana farms. The idea here is that the economy of scale will allow higher quality products to retail at lower prices. The grim reality is that the larger the commercial grow is, the less outstanding the product is. Unless, of course, the farmer invests heavily in labor and expensive equipment, which then elevates the cost of production and significantly negates the economy of scale. Plus, massive gardens simply don’t have the flexibility to keep up with new market trends. Let me give you an example. I remember when the purple craze hit Oakland hard in 2003. I was managing 300 lights worth of warehouse production for Compassionate Caregivers (CCG), the largest Cannabis Dispensary in California at the time – the notorious “Third floor” in Oakland. When a competing club opened up literally across the street from CCG Oakland and had half a menu of nothing but top shelf purples, they actually managed to pull business away from what was otherwise an unstoppable Cannabis dispensary juggernaut. Simply offering a different color of Cannabis was enough to get the owner to breathe down my neck about the need for more purples. “Slender!” (Jade wasn’t my moniker back then) “How are those purples coming along?’ he kept asking me. I was pretty intimidated by the guy and usually replied something like “They’re coming as fast as possible.” In my mind though, I’d be thinking something like: “Well, let’s see. We got clones of every purple strain 2 weeks ago. We just now took a few clones off each. We flower in a sea of green method. The batch sizes that we plant range from 200 – 1500 clones at a time. Let me get back to you in several months.” And that’s 98 98

just how long it was going to take just to get it planted. Then add flowering time, drying time, trimming time. Let’s just say it’s not an overnight kind of process on that kind of scale. 80 lights can be cut and hung in just a few hours but it would be a long time before the 6 person trim crew that worked 40 hours a week would finish it. The extra margin gained from the economy of scale didn’t mean as much when the otherwise excellent but green medicine suddenly didn’t sell. Small growers with just a few grow lights, however, could immediately respond to the market shift. They could have ordered and raised seeds of purple varieties and still beaten us to market by several months. Back then there weren’t as many 1 and 2 light growers, but today, the hydroponic industry caters to the smaller grower in search of easy to use, plug and play garden fixtures and there are hundreds of thousands of lights scattered across the market in 1 and 2 light increments. This will drastically change the way that the market can respond to new trends. Now when a particular flavor of Kush becomes the only thing people want; it’ll be the mom and pop growers who can immediately get a few cuttings and plant a light with it. Recently, several articles came out regarding high CBD strains. All of a sudden, people were obsessed with finding high CBD strains and weren’t interested in anything else. With so many unique plants yet to be discovered, I have to think that the only constant in the industry will be change. Cannabis consumers love variety and small scale farmers will always be able to respond to trends faster. Now, don’t get me wrong, there can be advantages to the economy of scale up to a certain point. But there are also many self-limiting factors to Cannabis production as well. High grade, hand trimmed, controlled environment sinsemilla is a product that was born into a particular market scale and is largely a result of the scale on which it originally was produced - somewhere between a closet and a house worth of garden. Bud that comes from a larger scale operation than that is typically commercial grade in quality. Smaller gardens receive better care because they are easier to tend and manage. Also, patients who grow where they live are able to monitor and respond to their crops at all hours of the day and night, which is an important advantage for crop management as well. Growing in houses has received a stigma because irresponsible growers have created house fires from poor wiring. While this is a valid concern and should be addressed, I believe this concern is inflated by hysteria. Anything negative associated with pot is an extremely newsworthy story. Less noteworthy are all the occasions when people start fires by leaving their oven on. We’re not out shutting down people’s kitchens and telling them they now have to buy their cookies from one of the 4 commercial kitchens in town. Also, the influx of plug-and-play lights, tents and other growing equipment along with an emerging market of electricians and tradesmen who cater to the Cannabis growing community are greatly reducing the desire by growers to wire something themselves. While it seems easy to simply scale-up the methods that currently exist, there is a more intrinsic connection between superlative Cannabis and the relatively small scale of the home grower. Still don’t believe me? I’ll give you one more example.

It’s common knowledge amongst growers to shake their nutrient containers before mixing the products with water in order to make sure the nutrients haven’t settled in the bottle. Massive warehouses would require 55-gallon drums of fertilizer that have the same problem of settling. Now invent an OSHA approved way to shake your 55-gallon drum before every use. Of course, it’s certainly possible to invent various ways around this problem, but having done it, I’ll tell you that even the simplest aspects of home growing become very complicated on a large scale. You can put a pump in it, but it better not be a magnetic drive or it’ll pull the micronutrient metals like iron out of solution before they’ve even left the barrel. Maybe a propeller? Ok, but it better be made of plastic or non-reactive metal to avoid reacting with the raw fertilizer’s chemical balance. Plus, you have to be very careful how the assembly gets into the drum. Any openings can allow spores into the drum and you’d be surprised the type of organisms that can actually grow in raw fertilizer. Even if they’re not pathogenic to plants, their growth can change the chemistry of the solution. A simple process that becomes a second nature motion for the home grower is now an engineering challenge on a large scale, requiring time, labor and specialized machinery to adapt to it. So, for the “potrepreneurs” (see also: pot profiteers) who want to take an industry based on small-scale, carefully tended varietals of Cannabis and turn it into an industry filled with cheaply made, mega-store shwag, they should consider that it might not be so easy. I think there will be many, many Cannabis consumers like myself that will pay a little more for premium buds grown with TLC than whatever cheaply made offerings are produced by the Costco of Crap. I mean, Walmart sells wine. But if you asked 100 wine drinkers where they buy their wine, I doubt many of them would say Walmart (and the ones that do probably wouldn’t be proud to admit it). Again, growing Cannabis is a skilled trade. You can have all the business degrees in the world, but if you’ve never worked with lumber in your entire life, you can’t just take a weekend class on woodworking and then suddenly pretend you’re a contractor the next week. You definitely shouldn’t sink everything you have into starting a construction business as though you knew what you were doing. - Jade Kine Tune in next month for the third and final installment of ‘The Price of Pot,’ where Jade Kine talks to us about The Green Rush bubble and how to avoid being caught inside it holding a bag of shwag. (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, 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 at JadeKine.com)

Kush Concert Calendar San Diego’s

Live Music Preview:

G. Love & Special Sauce + The Bell Brigade 4.08.11 @ House of Blues

G. Love and Special Sauce play the kind of music that really goes perfectly with a big fat joint. And with song titles like “Who’s Got The Weed,” the Philadelphia boys seem to be cool with this interpretation of their jams. They’ve been active since 1993, and most recently released their album Long Way Down on Philadelphonic Records. They’re currently touring around the country, and on April 8th they make their way to San Diego for a night of their laid back, groovy, hip-hop blues. House of Blues seems to be the place to go for good live music this month...and this show certainly goes to support that notion. www.philadelphonic.com

The Naked & Famous + the Kills + Foals 4.15.11 @ House of Blues

The Naked and Famous are an alternative rock band from New Zealand with an indie/electro twist...some might call their sound a bit dreamy. Their single ‘Young Blood’ debuted on the New Zealand charts at #1 in 2010 and has received significant attention on music blogs around the world. Thom Powers and Alisa Xayalith are the “creative force” behind the five-piece band, releasing their first studio album, Passive Me, Agressive You in September, 2010. The kiwis come to the HOB, a venue that always has solid sound. They find themselves in support on this night to UK bands the Kills and Foals, and there’s certainly no shame in that. The Kills are an awesome indie rock band that may not be so indie anymore, bringing a lot of energy to a live show that’s worth every penny. Definitely one of the best shows in April.thenakedandfamous.com; thekills.tv; foals.co.uk

Ellie Goulding + The Knocks 4.16.11 @ The Casbah

Hailing from across the pond in England, Ellie Goulding brings her elegantly soulful voice to San Diego for just the second time in her short career. I totally lost count of the number of instances during her first performance here that I got tingles down my spine from her voice. It’s soothing, powerful, intelligent, and consistently interesting. Us Americans are quickly catching on, as her debut album Lights has been at #1 in the UK for quite some time. This is a must see show, with the Knocks rounding out the bill. It’s probably sold out by the time you are reading this, but with a little persistence you can probably find your way in. elliegoulding.com; soundcloud.com/ theknocks

The Diplomats

4.16.11 @ 4th & B The Diplomats, also popularly known as Dipset, are a Harlem based hip hop group which were founded by Cam’ron and Jim Jones in 1997. The original members of the group were Cam’ron, Freekey Zekey, and Jim Jones...who all grew up together in Harlem. Juelz Santana was later added to the group, and they have been providing one hit after another for the last decade and a half. Solid show to see some great rappers in their prime. Get to 4th & B on this mid-April evening. dipinthemix.com

Wallpaper + 2AM Club 4.19.11 @ The Casbah

Hailing from Oakland, Wallpaper makes loud, fun, booty-bass rap that’s best explained simply through listening (“Stupidfacedd” & “Indian Summer” are highly recommended). Joining him on this bill is 2AM Club, a poppy and energetic group that brings true meaning to the word eclectic when used in terms of music. They’re pop, rock, rap, and blues all balled up into a really fun live set. Both have seen recent attention and play from MTV (whatever that means on the network these days). Get ready for a sweaty, dirty dancing kind of night, and definitely don’t leave your rug-cutting sneakers at home. coolgenius.net; 2amclubmusic.com

This Page: Zion | & the Grouch Right From Top: The Diplomats, Ellie Goulding, Dengue Fever, G. Love & Special Sauce, The Naked & Famous 100 100

Lost in the Trees

4.20.11 @ The Loft (UCSD) Lost in the Trees is an orchestral folk pop band from from Chapel Hill, NC. Made up of Ari Picker on vocals, Emma Nadeau on the french horn and vocals, Drew Anagnost and Leah Gibson both on cello, Jenavieve Varga playing violin, Yan Westerlund banging the drums, and Mark Daumen tootin’ the tuba, the band is certainly a site to see, and of course hear. They’re signed to ANTI Records and Trekky Records, with two studio albums to date: All Alone In An Empty House (August 2010 / Anti) and Time Taunts Me (Feb 2011 / Trekky). Definitely a superb way to spend the 4/20 holiday in style! lostinthetrees.com

Zion I & The Grouch

4.27.11 @ House of Blues Oakland natives, The Grouch and Eligh team up for a night of classic, legendary Cali hip-hop at the House of Blues in our wonderful whale’s vagina. Zion I is the the duo of MC Zumbi + DJ AmpLive; The Grouch is a member of the Livings Legends, the LA based indie rap crew which also includes Murs, Luckyiam, Aesop and many more. Zion I have been busy as always, releasing their latest full-length album Atomic Clock back in November of last year, and followed up with March 22’s HeroesI In The Healing Of The Nation, the second collaborative effort with The Grouch, who himself recently released his newest project Three Eyes Off The Time, an album that “aims to free listeners from the daily grind and bring some positivity to the game.” If you like real hip-hop with a positive message, this is your ticket. zionicrew.com; therealgrouch.com

Dengue Fever

4.29.11 @ The Casbah Dengue Fever, the mosquito driven disease also known as break bone fever, is an infectious tropical disease that causes fever, headache, a bad skin rash, muscle pains, and joint pains. Dengue Fever, the band, is a six-member group from Los Angeles who combine Cambodian pop music and lyrics with psychedelic surf rock. While the virus is an ugly, unpleasant beast, the band is quite pleasant... standing at polar opposite ends of the pleasure spectrum. Inspired by a trip to Cambodia, the band does a lot of charitable work for the country and likely named the band such in order to raise awareness. Their lead singer was a famous karaoke singer in Cambodia before being discovered by brothers in the band, Ethan and Zac. A really solid band that you should not miss at the Casbah on this late April night. denguefevermusic.com

More Great Shows! Talib Kweli : 4.06.11 @ House of Blues Ani DiFranco : 4.01.11 @ House of Blues Lil Flip : 4.15.11 @ 4th & B DJ Quik : 4.29.11 @ 4th & B

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Spring is a time when you’ll ﬁnd some of the most tender and juicy fruits and vegetables in our markets. To celebrate, I have compiled some great spring recipes for all to enjoy!

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT

CHEF HERB COOK WitH HeRB

GO TO WWW.COOKWITHHERB.COM

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STRAWBERRY AND SPINACH SALAD

HERBED FISH WRAPPED IN LETTUCE

INGREDIENTS 2 bunches spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces 4 cups sliced strawberries 1/2 cup THC olive oil 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1/2 cup white sugar 1/4 teaspoon paprika 2 tablespoons sesame seeds 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

INGREDIENTS: 3 tablespoons THC butter, softened 2 tablespoons chopped mixed fresh tarragon and/or parsley 1 tablespoon chopped shallots 4 6-ounce white fish fillets, such as flounder, sole or tilapia 4 large green or red leaf lettuce leaves, center rib discarded

DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, toss together the spinach and strawberries. In a medium bowl, whisk together the THC olive oil, vinegar, sugar, paprika, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. Pour over the spinach and strawberries, and toss to coat.

MIXED GREENS WITH GRAPES & FETA INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup THC olive oil 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste Freshly ground pepper to taste 8 cups mesclun salad greens (5 ounces) 1 head radicchio, thinly sliced 2 cups halved seedless grapes (about 1 pound), preferably red and green 3/4 cup crumbled feta or blue cheese DIRECTIONS To prepare dressing: Whisk THC olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl (or jar) until blended. To prepare salad: Just before serving, toss greens and radicchio in a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing on top and toss to coat. Divide the salad among 8 plates. Scatter grapes and cheese over each salad; serve immediately.

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a baking sheet and set aside. In a large shallow bowl, mix together the cheese, herbs, and pepper. Dip each chicken wing into the THC butter and then dip into the cheese mixture and roll to coat. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, then flip over. Bake for an additional 1015 minutes, or until golden.

GARLIC ASPARAGUS WITH LIME INGREDIENTS: 1 teaspoon THC butter 1 tablespoon THC olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 medium shallot, minced 1 bunch fresh asparagus spears, trimmed 1/4 lime, juiced salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS Melt THC butter with THC olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and shallots, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in asparagus spears; cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Squeeze lime over hot asparagus, and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving plate, and garnish with lime wedges.

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SPRING GARDEN SAUTĂ&#x2030; INGREDIENTS 2 pound(s) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces 8 ounce(s) sugar snap peas, strings removed 3 tablespoons THC butter 1 pound(s) radishes, each cut into quarters Salt and pepper 4 tablespoon(s) snipped fresh chives DIRECTIONS Heat large covered saucepot of salted water to boiling on high. Fill large bowl with ice water; set aside. To saucepot, add asparagus and snap peas; cook 4 minutes. Drain vegetables; cool in bowl of ice water. Drain vegetables well. Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, heat THC butter on medium until melted. Add radishes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; cook 10 minutes or until tender-crisp. Transfer to bowl; keep warm. To same skillet, add asparagus, snap peas, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; cook 5 minutes or until tender-crisp, stirring occasionally. Stir in 2 tablespoons chives. Transfer to serving bowl; arrange radishes around edge. Sprinkle with remaining chives

WALNUT POT BUTTER COOKIES INGREDIENTS 1 pound of THC butter, softened 4 cups of all purpose flour 3/4 cup of powdered sugar 2 tsps of vanilla 2 Tbls of water 1/2 tsp of salt 8 to 12oz of chopped walnuts Extra powdered sugar for dusting DIRECTIONS Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Using a wooden spoon, mix together the THC butter, flour, powdered sugar, vanilla, water and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix together until the mixture forms a doughy consistency. If the dough if too sticky to handle just add a little more flour. Add the walnuts. Pinch the dough and roll it in a long shape about the size of your finger. Curve into a crescent shape and place on a buttered cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Let the cookies cool before dusting them with powdered sugar.

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DIABETIC PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup THC butter, softened 1 cup creamy style peanut butter 1/4 cup egg substitute 2 tablespoons honey 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup Splenda Granular 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt DIRECTIONS Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat THC butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer until creamy, approximately 1 minute. Add egg substitute, honey and vanilla extract. Beat on high speed for approximately 1 1/2 minutes. Add Splenda and beat on medium speed until well blended, approximately 30 seconds. In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add flour mixture to peanut butter mixture, beating on low speed until well blended, about 1 1/2 minutes. Mixture may be crumbly. Roll level teaspoons of dough into balls and drop onto a lined sheet pan, about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball with a fork, pressing a crisscross pattern into each cookie. Bake 7-9 minutes or until light brown around the edges. Cool on wire rack.

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Bud Reviews LLC p 28 & 29

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Higher Level Apparel p 40 Infinity Wellness p 15

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