San Diego Kush Magazine June 2011 by Randy MALINOFF

kush 32

16 features

16 Referendum Update San Diego has done it! You’ve gathered enough signatures to keep your dispensaries open…for now.

32 New Leaf Biofuels Doc has San Diego’s New Leaf Biofuel revamp the Flux Capacitor to run on used vegetable oil!

38 Surfliner to San Diego Mike The Poet rediscovers the rails as he Amtraks down to San Diego for a gig.

58 Ziggy Marley A talk with Ziggy and the superstar crew behind his graphic novel, Marijuanaman.

70 John Muir: High Sierra Badass Take a not-so-easy leisurely High Sierra stroll in the OG Park Ranger’s shoes. 6

san diego’s premier cannabis lifestyle magazine

58 38 inside

12 | The Vegan Cleanse by Healthy Eater 20 | Free Market Collision by Stephen M 24 | The Gaslamp District: Chuck Jones Gallery by Bud Lee 28 | This Month In Weed History: Allen Ginsberg by Jay Evans 34 | Patients Out of Time: Grandma Marijuana by Mary Lynn Mathre 42 | Organics: Humidity by Tyler C. Davidson 44 | Killer Weed on Broadway by Mike Marino 48 | Neighborly Advice by James Dohnert 50 | Connoisseurs of Consciousness Part I by Austin Hill Shaw 52 | Hempful Hints: Yoga Gear by Valerie Fernandez 54 | Ed Rosenthal Talks Carbon Dioxide by Ed Rosenthal 60 | Living Well: Headaches by Elaine Ruggieri 61 | ASA Emergency Raid Response 62 | Growers Grove: The Rain Table by Jade Kine 66 | Strain Review: Washington by Founding Father 67 | FEDS: You Got Served by WAM 68 | San Diego Live Music Preview by Dillon Zachara 72 | Healthy Summer Recipes by Chef Herb 75 | Dailybuds.com Dispensary Directory

athre

from the editors

kush

san diego’s premier cannabis lifestyle magazine

ithout sounding cliché, we felt it appropriate to use the statement “United We

Stand, Divided We Fall” as the cover slogan of the June issue of Kush Magazine. In the volatile

A Division of Dbdotcom LLC

political climate that pervades the medical cannabis industry nationwide, Kush is acutely aware that in order for this industry to overcome the forces that are determined to defeat or ban medical marijuana patient’s safe access to their medicine, uniting as an industry is the most efficient weapon we possess to battle the foes that are hell bent on beating us down. This is exactly what occurred as this magazine went to press with the Citizens for Patient’s Rights, comprised of collective owners and activists in San Diego, who collectively garnered over 40,000 signatures (and still counting) to qualify a referendum to stop implementation of the City of San Diego’s de facto ban on medical cannabis collectives. While this is only the

citizens of San Diego do not support the flagrant ban that the city council adopted to remove

Director of International Marketing & Public Relations | Cheryl Shuman

dispensaries from the city limits (other than limited restrictively zoned areas).

Director of San Diego Sales | Charlene Moran

first step in the battle with the San Diego City Council (see article on page 16), clearly the

At the same time San Diego has been fighting to get this much needed referendum,

Advertising Sales Reps | Amanda Allen, Ed Docter,

ASA, Patients Out of Time and other Plaintiffs filed suit against the Federal Government to

Denise Mickelson, Jason Moran

force the reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule 1 substance (see article on page 67). In

Designers | Avel Culpa, Marvi Khero

fact, with supporting evidence from the American Medical Association and National Cancer Institute, among other prominent medical organizations, accepting the medical value both historically and currently for the cannabis plant, it is hopeful that the Federal Government

It is clear from the most recent medical marijuana news, both locally and federally, that unity, both politically and financially, is the key to beating back the giants that are destined to stamp out the movement.

Traffic Managers | Kevin Johnson, Alex Lamitie, Ryan Renkema, Jordan Selan, Rachel Selan Distribution Manager | Alex Lamitie Contributing Writers Chef Herb, Tyler C. Davidson, James Dohnert, Jay Evans, Valerie Fernandez, Jade Kine, Bud Lee, Stephen M., Mike Marino, Mary Lynn Mathre, Wasim Muklashy, Ed Rosenthal, Elaine Rugglieri, Austin Hill Shaw, Mike Sonksen, Dillon Zachara Accounting | Dianna Bayhylle

will be forced to change the erroneous classification of marijuana once and for all. It is clear from the most recent medical marijuana news, both locally and federally, that unity, both politically and financially, is the key to beating back the giants that are destined to stamp out the movement. While many got involved in this industry as a business opportunity, they would have never had that option were it not for the hard and grueling work of our

Internet Manager Dailybuds.com | Rachel Selan Dailybuds.com Team | JT Kilfoil & Houston Founder | Michael Lerner

activists over the decades. As a result, this is no longer about a single entity or view, but more about an emerging industry as a whole. So whether you are a patient, a doctor, a collective or an activist, make sure you remember the ultimate goal – to end the stigma associated with marijuana so that local and federal governmental entities and politicians stop banning access to medicine. On a lighter note, Kush is proud to usher in the summer season with great fresh recipes from our resident Chef Herb (p 72). Also, summer makes for a perfect time to explore the southland by riding Amtrak’s Surfliner between Los Angeles and San Diego (p 40) or explore the High Sierras through the eyes of America’s OG Park Ranger, John Muir (p 70). Thanks again for allowing Kush to proudly bring you the latest and greatest in medical marijuana news and culture, and, as always, medicate responsibly! Humbly, Team Kush. Kush Editorial Board, www.dailybuds.com

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.

10 10

round

month

ago I began to feel increasingly

sluggish

and cloudy headed. My body was a bit achy and honestly I felt like something was wrong. I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I went to my doctor, he ran some tests and the diagnosis came up negative – nothing diagnosable could indicate why I am feeling this way. So I did what anyone would do…I got online. That’s where I came across Oprah’s challenge to do a vegan cleanse…I mean, you have to admit…she’s doing something right.

most packaged and prepared foods. I found myself focusing on single ingredients such as loads of veggies and fruits, rice, nut butters, whole grain cereals such as oats and barley, beans such as chick peas and kidney beans, nuts and soy products including milk and tofu. I found

Oprah and other celebrities jumped on the vegan cleanse

delicious gluten free bread products, quinoa pasta, and sweet potatoes

bandwagon back in 2009 when Kathy Freston wrote the book, Quantum

to give natural sweetness to veggie dishes. I was even discovered the

Wellness: A Practical Guide To Health and Happiness. I ended up

idea of adding nutritional yeast for extra flavor.

purchasing the followup, Quantum Wellness Cleanse: The 21-Day Essential Guide to Healing Your Mind, Body and Spirit, which is more about “conscious eating,” basically, eliminating foods with all sugar, alcohol, caffeine, gluten, and animal products from your diet in order to detox your system and rebalance your body. The premise is to replace these foods with foods that contain more nutritional value with the hopes it will enhance physical, emotional and spiritual health. First of all, I eat all types of protein, dairy and gluten. I drink caffeinated drinks and occasionally drink alcohol. So this was a radical choice for someone who has never had dietary restrictions. The only conscious eating I have done until now, is to look at fat content, carb content, sugar content, sodium content and then gauge portions based on caloric content. Sure, that might seem like a lot for most, but it was still a far cry from what this cleanse was asking me to do. In any case, I figured I’d give it a shot. The first thing I did was create a shopping list. The website makes it extremely easy by including a great straightforward list to follow: www. kathyfreston.com/kathy_freston_shopping_lists.html. I also read labels on foods in my pantry to see which ones contain hidden wheat (soy sauce!) and sugar. At the local Whole Foods I also found myself reading every label since many foods that are labeled Vegan also contain gluten! I instantly gained a new consciousness about what ingredients were in

While I truly missed my morning coffee and felt more than slightly deprived when I went to a club with friends and ordered a sparkling water with lime, I found my will power to avoid these items remarkable and it got easier as each day passed (not to mention, I was the one that had all the energy and was all smiles the next morning). However, one of the hardest foods for me to give up was cheese - a bit of parmesan on my pasta or a slice of cheese on the portabella mushroom burger sure would have been nice! Despite all this, at the end of the three weeks I found I had so much energy, I was never hungry, I enjoyed working out and doing yoga more than ever and decided that I was going to try to use this lifestyle as a part of my regimen going forward (as a special treat, I wouldn’t feel bad about occasionally adding the foods I cut out and thought I couldn’t live without). My head is now clear and I actually enjoy food much more – especially since I now know what I am eating! So for a healthy jump start try a vegan cleanse! It may seem hard at first, but you’ll see, it’s worth it!

SAN DIEGO

YOU’VE DONE IT: Referendum Signatures Secured The medical cannabis community of San Diego scored a huge victory last month when it was announced that the first leg of the referendum process of signature gathering to stop the recently passed San Diego medical marijuana ordinance from going into effect has been successful. The Citizens for Patient’s Rights (CPR), the organization that orchestrated the signature gathering efforts, announced that they have collected over 40,000 verified signatures to qualify a referendum to stop implementation of the City of San Diego’s de facto ban on medical cannabis collectives. Collecting over one thousand signatures a day, the CPR, the Patient Care Association of California, and patients around San Diego worked together to collect an additional 10,000 signatures over the minimum 30,029 required. The city must now conduct its own signature validation process and the city council must then vote to put it on the measure on the ballot. Barring any extraordinary legal maneuvers by the city, collectives will now be able to stay open and continue to serve patients until the issue of patient’s rights to safe access is resolved by the voters at the ballot box in the June 2012 election. The work is far from over, however, according to CPR sources. While claiming victory, CPR sources are quick to point out that this is but one battle in an ongoing campaign. “We cannot rest on our laurels at this point”, said one CPR member who asked not to be identified, “We must immediately focus on the next goal which is funding and promoting an initiative to put a positive law on the books that protects safe access to patients and caregivers. In other words, we still have a long way to go until total victory.”

The referendum is the first step to a ballot initiative to overturn the city’s medical marijuana ordinance passed by the City Council. While a referendum does not create a new law it does effectively impede the regulations passed by the city council, delaying its effective date and enforcement until the voters decide its ultimate fate. The CPR had 30 days after the city councils final vote on the matter, which expired on May 27th, to pull together all of the needed signatures and properly submit them to the city. To pass the referendum, at least five percent (30,029) of the registered voters in the City of San Diego needed to sign the petition. Once the city completes the signature validation process the ordinance will immediately be put on hold. The city council will then have to decide whether they will nullify the ordinance themselves, or call for a city wide election, within 11 months, to have the voters vote directly on the referendum. In all likelihood, based on exorbitant costs, and no current plans of calling for a special election, the medical marijuana laws in San Diego will most likely take a hiatus until June 2012. One source that has closely followed the referendum said that if the city tries to interfere with the now mandated political process, the entire matter would end up in court. Based on some last minute impromptu surveys it appears probable that voters would vote down the current city zoning ordinance at the ballot box, opting for a more patient friendly alternative. So, congratulations San Diego residents, on this expensive and time consuming effort and let’s keep our current momentum moving forward and see this through to a complete victory to our rights to safe access. We’re on the right path, and our unity is a game changer.

ith a history of Gestapo-like raids and a pattern of patient mistreatment, San Diego city officials are once again bringing the full force of zoning and police powers to bear on the local medical cannabis community. This threat to tens of thousands of patients and caregivers, and the over 150 collectives that serve their needs, has caused conflicting, and at times, overlapping interests within San Diego’s medical cannabis community. This has also prompted the creation of a new group, The Patient Care Association of California (PCA of California), and may be forcing some local activist groups to re-evaluate the internal power relations within the city’s medical marijuana community, as well as the often-rocky relationship with the city council. On one side, the activist interests have been engaged in grassroots organizing and have been resisting the governmental onslaught for years. Recently organized and equally important, the social entrepreneurial interests, represented by the PCA of California, are serious about protecting their patient’s well being as well as their own economic interests. “Our ultimate goal is to protect our patient’s access to quality medicine,” said Fred M, a local collective owner. “That doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice our own livelihood. In fact, helping people and making a living is having the best of both worlds.” To complicate matters, the interests of activist organizations and PCA of California, and the people involved, often overlap. Many collective directors have emerged from activist groups and other organizations and now have vested interests in the industry. Some of the activists have fashioned themselves as social entrepreneurs and have found a new home in PCA of California. In either case, all groups continue to cross-pollinate and the products of that crosspollination may be the bridge to reconcile the many competing interests in play. In planning their responses to the city’s de facto ban, these groups have diverged on electoral strategy. While one activist group is planning to run an initiative campaign that would change the law with a vote in the November 2012 elections, the PCA of California has been gathering signatures for a referendum, essentially a “citizen’s veto,” of the current law, a strategy that delays the implementation of the de facto ban, allowing collectives to remain open. In addition, the strategy allows the collectives to accomplish their goals either at the negotiating table or the ballot box. These divergent strategies between the various groups reveal underlying tensions. While activist groups want a methodical wellplanned law in place, which would take place almost a year from now, PCA of California’s concentration lies on protection from government intrusion today. Their focus lies in protecting their members’ investments by ensuring that their collectives can remain open and continue to provide uninterrupted service to their patients.

The success of this high-stakes battle depends on who is quickest to grab the political momentum and position themselves as the good faith negotiator with the city, who, sources say, is waiting for one to emerge. “Members of the city council have been looking for a negotiating partner to sit down and reach a settlement,” said local political consultant Cynara Kidwell. “The emergence of CPA of California bodes well for the crafting of a political settlement.” At the time of publication, according to a source at the PCA of California, it was reported to us that there were over 40,000 verified signatures that will be submitted to the city on Friday, May 27. This is well over the 30,029 signatures needed to put this matter on the ballot. If the city validates the required number of signatures needed, which PCA of California is committed to ensuring they do, success of getting the referendum on the ballot should be a game changer. It may in fact force other reluctant groups to re-evaluate their current tepid endorsement of the PCA of California. Another factor the city will be forced to acknowledge is the economic power and political significance of the combined efforts of the members of PCA of California. After all, in just a matter of weeks, the group was able to raise significant funds for the referendum effort. Unfortunately, there is also a deeper cultural rift that may be harder to gloss over than the debates about elections and finances. This split has to do with the activists’ belief that they are the only true voice of patients in San Diego. Meanwhile, the PCA of California argues that its immediate success at keeping the doors of collectives open puts them in prime position to lead the fight. Such conflicts seem to have further divided the already split community and should be worrisome to observers and supporters. What is to be done? The answer is to stop the in fighting and replace it with a unity grounded in a mutual respect and an acknowledgment that the reality has changed. The social entrepreneurial class needs to recognize that if it wasn’t for the decades of efforts from the various individuals and activist organizations there would be no investment opportunities. On the other hand, the activist class needs to recognize that the social entrepreneurs have invested capital, created jobs, and filled storefronts for the citizens and patients of San Diego, and they have no plans of leaving. Ultimately, both groups need to realize that while they my have different road maps, they both want to end up in the same place: safe access to quality medicine for patients in the community. The way local collective owner Fred sees it,

“

We all stand to gain from cooperation, and we all stand to lose from lack of it. I think I speak for everyone when I say it’s in all of our interests to join together.

”

There are few characters (animated or not) that are as sharp, witty, funny, or famous as “Bugs” Bunny. This wisecracking smart aleck has been popping out of rabbit holes to torment his attacker, Elmer Fudd, since 1938, and he continues to entertain the masses today. Bugs was born in the golden age of animation, when “key drawings” were filled in with “in-betweens,” and paper flipping was a technique used by tireless animators to fill in the space between drawings, (with other drawings) to bring these two-dimensional characters to life. While computer animation and CAD programs have since replaced these techniques, there are still, thankfully, some remnants of the c assically produced animation of these days gone by.

Coming from a time when the field of animation was being pioneered on the fly, the group of Hollywood animators was tight knit. Working alongside other greats like Tex Avery, Friz Freleng, The Warner Brothers, and Walt Disney, Chuck Jones was instrumental in formulating the very early visual images for many generations of children. This influence has had an immeasurable affect on our culture and society, one that still thrives today. Jones was once quoted as saying: “The rules are simple. Take your work, but not yourself, seriously. Pour in the love and whatever skill you have, and it will come out.” As one of Hollywood’s most fabled and beloved animators, and an ardent worker until the end, Jones always kept people smiling around him, and took his work with the light-hearted approach of his most famous character, Bugs Bunny - cool, calm, collected, and ready for a shave.

Looney Tunes characters are © Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. 2011.

If you are still a kid at heart, and love cartoons of any era, we have a special place for you to visit, right here in the Gaslamp Quarter - The Chuck Jones Gallery at 232 Fifth Avenue. Officially dubbed ‘The House of Bugs Bunny,” the space is filled with history from Jones’ sixtyyear career, one that spanned more than 300 animated films (winning 3 Oscars in the process). The gallery, which recently left Old Town for a new home in the Gaslamp, is an ode to his very large and successful body of work. Filled with original artwork, and reproductions of animation cells (the transparent pages that the original storyboards were painted on), along with three-

dimensional statues and a variety of very niche collectibles, Jones’ gallery highlights key designs of some of the most famous animated characters in history, including: Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Marvin Martian, Pepe le Pew, Michigan J. Frog, Tom and Jerry and many others. The gallery also features animated characters like the Peanuts gang from Charles Schultz, and Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas - which Jones produced, directed, and wrote the screenplay for.

Looney Tunes characters are ÂŠ Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. 2011.

This Month In Weed History

With so much happening socially, politically, musically, artistically and culturally in the late 1950s and into the 60s, there are only a few people who can be called the head of an actual “movement.” There was Martin Luther King Jr. of course, who lead the civil rights movement and preached equality through nonviolence. There were the Kennedys, Elvis, The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan, and many other greats who would define what we listened to, how we cut our hair, wore our clothes, and smoked our joints. Artists like Warhol defined a whole “pop” movement, using everyday items as the latest subject matter. This was an era that spawned many great movements, many of which are not long forgotten. Emerging from that scene, and practically threading all of the other movements together, was a “beat” poet named Irwin Allen Ginsberg, born June 3, 1926. We celebrate this man’s lifelong work and accomplishments, not only in the name of free speech and protest, but also out of sheer chutzpah and moxy. This outspoken leader displayed both. Coming out of the post war era, street corners were filling up with disenchanted youth, or the “beats” as they were soon called. Speaking out on controversial subject matters like politics, sex, drugs, activism, and freedoms - they were perceived as beaten down youth, drug addicts, and petty thief hustlers, who would bum or hitchhike their way around America. As leader of this thriving new movement, Ginsberg didn’t see the beats as delinquents, but rather people of intense conviction and character. The term “Beatnik” arose from this period, and was prelude to the “Hippie” movement, and the Woodstock Generation. It’s even safe to say that the latest “Hipster” movement is a direct derivative of Ginsberg’s work. Hey, if we’re building the family tree, these branches don’t lie. Any hipster worth his or her single-speed bicycle has probably at least heard of Allen Ginsberg. If not before, than definitely after this article. While Ginsberg and fellow beatnik Jack Kerouac were helping define this movement through the written word, a free verse style of poetry, political and social gatherings, and freedom of speech, the government was busy trying to peg Ginsberg as a defiant pornographer, claiming that his poem “Howl,” about the taboo subject of homosexuality, was against the First Amendment. While his use of terms like “c**ksucker,” “f**ked in the ass” prob-

ably didn’t help, Ginsberg still won the case after a judge found the poem to have “redeeming social importance.” With McCarthyism fresh on American’s minds, Ginsberg must have feared for his freedom, and possibly his life. This modest, un-daunting figure had the courage of a lion. Ginsberg not only stood up for his, yours, and my rights as an American, but he laid the groundwork for others at the time, like John Lennon, Timothy Leary, George Carlin and others who seemed to thrive in the cross-hairs of the authorities. This wasn’t an easy period, especially for those who were not only trying to change societal rules, but also for those coming out of the closet, as Ginsberg proudly spoke of his homosexuality. Ginsberg’s liberal thoughts on sexuality often found him under the scope of suspicion, and followed him throughout his adult life. Ginsberg’s influence reached far beyond his own movement. It’s never shocking to see him pop up in photos of just about everything that was hip during that period: from hanging with the Beatles and Dylan, to swinging at Studio 54 and celebrating the famous “bed in” with John and Yoko. As off “beat” as he may have seemed, Ginsberg always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. He was the true original “Hipster.”

In this automotive age of gastronomical gas guzzling internal combustion carnivores there is one question that comes up time after time. Is it truly possible that a vehicle can change its ways and become a big bad bodacious heavy metal bio-diesel vegetarian that is eco-friendly both to the consumer and to the environment? Can these predators of petroleum persuasion turn over a more environmentally sound new leaf? The answer is a resounding yes and today that new leaf is a green leafy matter. New Leaf Biofuel of San Diego, California is poised on the front lines of an environmentally sound approach to reducing toxic emissions that affect everything from our daily life in the city to the destruction of rainforests in lands far removed from our own communities. The New Leaf approach is also designed to combat and reduce America’s addiction and dependence on high priced and high polluting foreign oil. Locked and loaded in the New Leaf Eco-Arsenal is their version of WMDs called WVOs or waste vegetable oils. Normally, these oils end up in drains and clogging city sewers, which takes time and big bucks to clean up. In the New Leaf approach, these WVOs are collected from local kitchens and are made available to San Diego communities as an alternative vehicle fuel source. This product is produced from renewable or recycled resources, is home grown and proudly green, and, perhaps best of all, is manufactured right here in the good old red, white and blUS of A. The best part is that this end product can be used in diesel engines with little or very little modification. Going green - a New Leaf dream? Not by a long shot. As a matter of fact, bio-fuel was originally introduced in 1900 by Rudolph Diesel himself. Rudy the diesel dude demonstrated his prototype compression ignition engine at the World Exhibition at the beginning of the 20th Century and it was light years ahead of its time. Today, as we scour the big blue orb for big green solutions to alternative fuels, Rudy was running his engine on peanut oil giving it the distinction of being

the worlds first and the future of bio-fuels. Although Rudy’s engine didn’t have the flux capacitor of Doc and Marty’s DeLorean, it was an alternative to existing fuel sources at the time. Vegetable oils were used extensively in diesel engines of that day until the Roaring Twenties when an alteration in the engine was made that allowed it to start consuming a residue of petroleum diesel. Today we’re trying to get back to the basics and also practice ecological friendly stewardship of Mother Earth. New Leaf is one of those forward thinking companies that puts the planet above profits. The benefits of the New Leaf plan are simple and succinct: conversion costs are minimal, the eco-benefits benefit us all, and the process couldn’t be much simpler. New Leaf has a complete green program in place to educate the community on the uses, benefits and ways to put bio-fuels to work for the common good. New Leaf offers professional and dependable service to answer your questions on how to get you and your machine to go green. They have the expertise, and, most of all, the commitment to the community they serve. If you’re a consumer, fleet operator or individual interested in how you can go green contact New Leaf Bio-Fuel in San Diego by visiting their extensive web site at NewLeafBiofuel.com and find out how you can turn that meat eater into a vegan. If Rudolph Diesel was merely ahead of his time by light years, then San Diego’s New Leaf Bio-Fuel feels it’s high time we to go “back to the future.”

PATIENTS OUT OUT OF OF TIME: TIME: PATIENTS INTRODUCES YOU TO: INTRODUCES YOU TO:

The Legendary Grandma Marijuana

MAE NUTT BY MARY LYNN MATHRE

Some say that Mae Nutt started the compassion club idea. We say that Mae was a true pioneer in the medical marijuana/cannabis movement. Mae and Arnold Nutt lived in Beaverton, Michigan and had 3 sons - Keith, Dana and Mark. Their middle son, Dana developed lung cancer around the age of 6 and died a few years later in the late 60s. In 1978 Keith was diagnosed with testicular cancer while at college. Keith returned home following his initial surgery because he was too ill to continue with his studies. He soon began the dreadful chemotherapy and became violently ill with nausea and vomiting to the point that he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even stand the smell of food. Mae had just read a small article in the Bay City Times newspaper about marijuana being used to treat nausea and vomiting.

Her sons had grown up knowing that marijuana would not be tolerated while under the watchful eyes of their parents. But Mae was desperate now and suggested to Keith that he try it. He tried it and it worked. No nausea and vomiting following the chemo and Keith was eating again. Mae was now angry and a bit confused because she had always been taught that marijuana was a dangerous drug, but she could see that it helped Keith. Mae was a mother first and she was willing to try anything to help her son. She set out to find a supply of this medicine for Keith and her first stop was with her minister, who responded with a home delivery that evening. Mae then reported the situation to the local newspapers that ran stories about Keith. As a result of some of this press, Mae stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had marijuana rain on our house. We had marijuana on the front Mae, Arnold, Keith and Mark Nutt

the age of 83, Mae was a huge hit at our 3rd conference when she sat on steps, on the back steps, in the mail box.” Mae was gaining notoriety on another panel, Mothers Know Best. See video: http://www.youtube.com/ the issue at the same time a medical marijuana bill was being considered. watch?v=KcMAX72exUkst. Mae’s health began to decline and in 2005 Keith was able to testify and the bill was finally passed on October 26, she moved to California to be near her remaining son Mark. Grandma 1979 while Keith was back in the hospital for more chemotherapy. Keith Marijuana died a few years later on New Year’s Day in 2008. died that same night, but at least he knew he helped other patients in Today we have 15 states and Washington DC with medical mariMichigan with his testimony. juana (cannabis) laws as the struggle continues to end the cannabis Mae found herself with an overwhelming supply of cannabis and prohibition. But imagine the U.S. back in the late 1970s when Mae, like thought it should be shared with others who could benefit from its meall Americans, was brought up in the midst of ‘reefer madness.’ There dicinal use. She had been volunteering on the oncology unit at Midland were no cell phones then and certainly no internet. It was very difficult Hospital, where Keith was treated. Mae’s next step was to tell the staff that to find any information on the positive cannabis really helped her son and effects of cannabis. But Mae was a strong she would like to share her supply woman who saw for herself that cannabis with other patients who could benefit was therapeutic. Rather than discreetly from it. Since no one specifically care for Keith, Mae brought attention to agreed or disagreed with her plan, medicinal cannabis that helped start the she took their response as a yes. Mae grassroots movement to fight for the end would visit with the patients and the cannabis prohibition. their families. She would hear about The federal government continues to the nausea and vomiting most of the forbid the use of cannabis and maintains patients experienced when receiving it has no therapeutic value. How ironic chemotherapy and discreetly pull that dronabinol (Marinol®), synthetic a parent aside and suggest they try THC, has been available in pill form cannabis. She would supply them since 1985. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabithe medicine. In light of the fact that nol or “THC” is the primary psychoacsome patients or parents of patients tive cannabinoid in cannabis - it’s the were concerned about smoking, and chemical that causes the “high.” Patients many were too sick to keep a pill who are suffering from nausea and vomdown, Mae learned how to make caniting find it difficult to keep a pill down. nabis suppositories. Mae Nutt became In addition, many patients have a hard affectionately known as “Grandma time with dosing because of the delayed Marijuana.” onset of the effects with the oral route. Mae was not to be stopped or When inhaling cannabis (by smoking silenced. During one of the hearings, or vaporizing) a patient can easily titrate the family met Robert Randall, who to get an appropriate dose. Cannabidiol was the first patient allowed into the (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabiCompassionate IND program in Mae & Keith Nutt noid that also works as an anti-emetic which the federal government supand when consumed in whole cannaplied him with medicinal cannabis. bis it helps to dampen down the psychoactive effects of THC. There is She became a board member of the Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics absolutely no logic in forbidding the use of the safe and effective herbal (ACT), along with Robert Randall and Alice O’Leary. Mae made numermedicine, claiming that it is a drug of abuse, while allowing the primary ous appearances on local and national television and was featured in nupsychoactive substance in the plant as a legal medicine. merous local and national papers and was becoming quite famous. Mae Patients Out of Time urges all Americans to learn more about this testified at the NORML & ACT vs DEA hearing in which the DEA was wonderful plant and fight back against the reefer madness myths and lies. challenged by petition to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II. Grandma Marijuana was a pioneer in this fight. We all need to follow her Now in her late sixties, her elderly persona won over the DEA’s Adminislead to end the cruel and unjust cannabis prohibition. trative Law judge. She was the epitome of a wise and loving grandmother. Wanting to remain active, Mae joined Patients Out of Time as one of For more information on Mae and Patients Out Of Time, visit the founding board members in 1995. In 1997, Arnold suffered a major MedicalCannabis.com• stroke and Mae devoted her time in caring for him until his death in 1999. In 2000, Patients Out of Time held The First National Clinical ConMary Lynn Mathre, RN, MSN, CARN is President and Co-founder ference on Cannabis Therapeutics in Iowa City that was co-sponsored of Patients Out of Time. She is a qualified cannabis expert and the by the University of Iowa’s College of Nursing and College of Medicine. editor of Cannabis in Medical Practice: A Legal, Historical, and Mae sat on a panel presentation - The Voices and Experiences of Families Pharmacological Overview of the Therapeutic Use of Cannabis and coand Care Providers. In 2002, Mae shared her and Keith’s story during editor of Women and Cannabis: Medicine, Science and Sociology. our benefit dinner at our 2nd conference in Portland, OR. In 2004, at

11.10 AM on Cinco de Mayo I board the Surﬂiner, Amtrak’s

Center, formerly known as the Pond, and Anaheim Stadium where the Angels

southbound train to San Diego. Leaving Union Station in

play ball. I watched many games there in the 80s and 90s with my family and

downtown Los Angeles we pass junkyards, small housing

little league teams. Sometime in the 90s they installed red rock waterfalls with a

projects, warehouses and the Concrete River. A hill of busted gravel at least

fountain beyond Center Field. Disney brieﬂy owned the team after former owner,

five stories tall, power lines, flood control bridges, parking lots filled with bus-

“the Singing Cowboy” Gene Autry’s estate sold them.

es. The view continues, homeless encampments next to the river, the poured

The 5 intersects with the 57 Freeway here. The train crosses the freeways

concrete Sears Tower, dump trucks, smokestacks entering the city of Vernon

and the Santa Ana River. In spite of its reputation as a playground of money and

- LA’s industrial heartland. Welcome to the blood and bones of the city, the city

luxury, Orange County has its share of factories and industry. Much of it is vis-

of Commerce - wood pallets, 710 freeway, Santa Fe trains, the paved banks of

ible along the rails. Industrial Orange County isn’t as gritty as Commerce or Ver-

the Rio Hondo River, Pico Rivera. The Surﬂiner’s path essentially follows Inter-

non, but it’s still business after business of long steel pipes, rooﬁng supplies,

state 5 the entire trip to San Diego. Industry hugs the rails all the way to and

yellow ladders, mid-size metal cranes - equipment for days. Old Town Orange is

through Orange County, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, La Mirada and Buena Park.

wooded and rustic for a bit. The next stop is Santa Ana and then Irvine.

Slowly but suddenly tract houses emerge in the visual ﬁeld. North Orange

Zooming past cul-de-sacs with discarded couches, Public Storage bun-

County, red tile roofs, stucco facades almost into Fullerton. The Surﬂiner zips

kers, RV Parks, cell phone towers sprinkled throughout. Eucalyptus trees, base-

past the smooth adobe walls of the Fullerton station. We make a two-minute

ball ﬁelds, an adjacent golf course. Sand Canyon - a hot air balloon overhead,

stop, loading and unloading. The whistle blows! Southbound we go below

tree nurseries next to the tracks. El Toro Marine base, parking garages off to the

pedestrian platforms, moving past industrial parks and Fullerton craftsmen

side, “Please stand behind the blue line!”

cottages. Mt. Saddleback and the Cleveland National forest rests in the background - south beyond the Anaheim Hills. I love riding the rails!

A few cacti begin to appear amidst palm trees and ice plants. Strawberry ﬁelds, rolling hills, horse trails, and orange groves were once here. Now big box

Next stop Anaheim.

super shops sit next to the wide superhighway - McMansions on a hill above

I see townhomes, mobile homes and craftsmen houses in Historic Ana-

the Paciﬁc Coast Highway.

heim.The vista from the train can hardly be explained, a thousand words an im-

Power lines overhead, manicured gardens. J Serra High School. San Juan

age and the images are nonstop. Stopping in Anaheim across from the Honda

Capistrano! The swallows return to the Mission here every year close to March

38 38

19th. The Mission looms with a heavy vibe dripping in history. Beautiful and

canyons, Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego chaparral, scattered industrial parks,

haunting, any of the 21 Missions built along the coast from San Diego to San

low-rise skyscrapers, Qualcomm corporate ofﬁces near Mira Mesa. A city of

Francisco emit a powerful energy from both the history and sacred architecture.

mesas. Hillier than Los Angeles, there are many foothills and canyons in San

San Juan Capistrano has a great village around the Mission. A sign reads “The

Diego where the natural landscape of the hill and its vegetation remain un-

Capistrano Depot.” On the left side of the train I see “The Vintage Steakhouse.”

developed. The wooded canyons act as a buffer between neighborhoods. San

The more south we go and closer to the ocean we get, the more the architec-

Diego, like most big cities, is a city of villages.

ture gets decadent. Some craftsman beach cottages and a whole lot of Spanish

Two woman a few seats away have been chatting the entire two hours

Colonial Revival ranch homes.There’s dry grass on the foothills and helicopters

about their grandchildren, family vacations and shopping ideas. The train is

over the ocean. Tractors on the hillside, campers on the beach, South Orange

moving fairly slow winding through a dry green canyon. We pass what looks

County, the train rides along the water. “White Water Realty,” boat repair yards,

to be a graveyard of old boats. The clock reads 1.38pm, 17 minutes before our

three sail boats on the western horizon. Surfers near San Onofre, mustard pop-

arrival in downtown San Diego. Another train passes us in the other direction,

pies, the two nuclear reactors with their pointed cones have inspired a plethora

off in the distance is Sea World. On the side of a building I see a mural with a

of jokes. After San Onofre the train hugs the coast for several miles. San Juan

large swordﬁsh, there’s a rock climbing gym and gradually I begin to see the

Capistrano is the last city of Orange County before San Diego County begins.

skyscrapers of downtown San Diego off in the distance. We pass through the

Glassy waves are breaking at the Capistrano Surf Center. I see cliffs over

Old Town San Diego area and the airport is coming up soon.

the ocean in the city of San Clemente. The population density begins to dimin-

Downtown San Diego’s skyline is a patchwork of Art Deco, Beaux Arts,

ish as we enter into military land.The almost 20 mile stretch of Camp Pendleton

Modernism, Postmodernism and 21st Century futuristic luxury condo sky-

begins south of San Clemente and it is the only space between north San Diego

scrapers. Some of the high-rise condos have a glass curtain window wall ex-

County and south Orange County. 20 million people live between San Diego

terior that lets in maximum natural light. The archetype of this design became

and Santa Barbara, 200 miles of coastline. I see a long line of cars waiting in a

popular in Vancouver. Some architectural critics have called this design “the

construction zone, but the train keeps going! I usually drive this trip but after

blade tower.” Real estate developers that build blade tower condos market

this experience I’m going to take the train every chance I can. The air condi-

them for their energy efﬁciency. Besides blade tower condos, I see the Padres

tioner is perfect and I’m enjoying the view.

baseball stadium; scattered jacaranda trees and the energetic buzz of San

Camouﬂage tents in the adjacent grasslands - must be some type of military training. It’s about 1pm as we enter Oceanside. Coastal communities of

Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter near the station. There are even a few cranes building more skyscrapers.

Northern San Diego County still hold some rustic beach hideaway feel but they

I arrive at San Diego’s Union Station, also known as the Santa Fe Depot, at

are far more developed now than they were even a decade ago. Oceanside,

1.55 PM, exactly on time. Though not as large as LA’s Union Station, the Santa

Carlsbad, Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas, Solana Beach. Once a landscape of

Fe Depot is equally impressive architecturally. Furthermore, Downtown San

wooden beach shacks, small roadside hotels and seafood restaurants - now

Diego also impresses me with its bustling cityscape of lofts, luxury condos,

transitioning into the corporate stucco McMansion McModels. The change isn’t

hotels, restaurants, retail shops and art galleries in its eight neighborhoods:

complete, but the real estate is so valuable that the market makes it happen.

Columbia, the Core, Cortez Hill, East Village, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Plaza,

White sand beaches, wetlands, small hills showing erosion, bougainvillea grow-

Little Italy and the Marina. Downtown San Diego has something for everybody.

ing and lots of signs showing “Now Leasing.” Solana Beach station is the last stop before downtown San Diego. Next we pass through the tony area of La Jolla. The Del Mar Horse Racing Track has been here for years. Many of San Diego’s largest coastal houses are here. The train mostly passes by cliffs,

39 39

We all know what humidity is - it’s water vapor carried in the air. We all know what relative humidity is, too - at least, we think we do! Trouble is, humidity may be affecting your plants in ways you may not be aware of, and worse, might well be stunting the growth of your little green friends. This is an important consideration anywhere, especially so in the dry, arid western part of the country. So, grateful growers, when you implement these humidity-building tips you’ll see noticeable acceleration in the growth of your crops! First, a few definitions: Relative humidity (RH) has nothing to do with uncle Ernie’s damp armpits- rather it’s a measure of the percentage of moisture currently in the air relative to its maximum carrying capacity at the current temperature. That last bit is the part that trips people up, since air’s carrying capacity for water changes drastically with temperature- 80% RH at 60 degrees might be only 25% RH at 80 degrees! Since your skin isn’t as sensitive to humidity as it is to temperature, it’s essential to put a thermometer/ hygrometer in your growroom to keep tabs on it. Spend a little money to get a good one with a memory function since you don’t want to be working with inaccurate information. Even better, get one with a remote sensor so you can check your growroom’s conditions even when you’re not in there- maybe not required but darn convenient, let me tell you! Unless your address is in the middle of the lake, chances are you will have a nasty shock when your new unit tells you that your RH is 12%. Yep, that’s Colorado, all right- small wonder then, that you can get zapped with static electricity just walking across the carpet. Now, for the science; Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) is the mechanism by which all land based plants transpire and breathe. If RH is too high, they won’t be able to transpire and won’t be able to move nutrients up the stem to your precious growth tips where the action is. If humidity is too low, then the plant becomes stressed because it must spend too much energy just trying to move enough water to keep from wilting! Suffice to say that if your humidity is much below 45%, your plants are spending too much energy moving water and not enough actually growing. Now, how to get it up there? The answer, my friends, is blowin’ in the wind - from a swamp cooler. Of course you have a ventilation fan pulling warm, stale air out of your growroom, but unless you have a swamp cooler chances are it’s pulling all the humidity out, too. Go out and get one, and not the kind that hooks up to your furnace - they just don’t put enough moisture in the air. Also, don’t get a ‘hot air’ type as that will overheat things, and don’t use a spray mister type because that will atomize the dissolved minerals in the water. When they dry they’ll precipitate out of the air and stick to everything! The type that pulls air through damp matting is what you’re looking for. When you get it going, you will discover that it will cool off your growroom substantially, since evaporating water cools the air. Good news, since now you can reduce the amount of air being pulled through your growroom without worrying about

42 42

overheating! Playing with your swamp cooler and exhaust fan settings will enable you to balance temperature and humidity. I can already hear you guys from Humboldt County saying, “Low humidity is NOT our problem around here!” Of course you’re right - different parts of the country have different issues, and getting your relative humidity down in damper areas is just as essential as raising it in drier parts. Dehumidifiers work by chilling air and thereby causing water to condense out, and thus ‘wring’ the excess moisture from your growroom’s air. You may also have noticed that your air conditioning unit does this pretty well, too. Either way, the ideal relative humidity is somewhere in the neighborhood of 55% RH if you like to keep your temps in the 70s and if you want to run in the low to mid 80s for best CO2 absorption, go for RH settings in the 65-75% range, and about 10 points lower than these when in bloom stage. Now if anyone tells you that blooming plants need less humidity than that, don’t believe them! The best way I know to reduce essential oils in the end product is to let the humidity fall too much during mid and late blooming phase. We live in a time of increasing automation and this can be a very good thing, especially when it comes to keeping temps and such in your growing area stable. An environmental controller is like having someone who does nothing else all day and all night but manage the temperature, humidity - and for the better units, CO2 - keeping them all as close to optimal as possible. Using one of these in your setup will greatly reduce your workload and stress level and lead to better, more consistent results. Best of all, it works 24/7 without breaks and doesn’t even ask for pizza! My advice? Don’t skimp on quality gear here, get a good one and don’t skip the CO2 function. Even if you don’t use it now, you may in the future and the difference in price isn’t worth the brain damage to try and add it back in later. Lastly, with higher RH comes the possibility of fungal problems like powdery mildew, but don’t be concerned - use a natural antifungal such as neem oil, and be sure the air doesn’t stagnate around your plants by keeping the lower parts of them trimmed up and by circulating air through the understory of your grow. And since most coins have two sides, you will enjoy the benefits of higher humidity on discouraging spidermites and aphids as well! Other benefits include better temperature stability, thus making for smaller swings in temps when conditions change. You may also notice your plants will be asking for a lot less water, which helps reduce the danger of nutrient burn. Well, that’s it for this month, so keep up the good work and happy growing. I love hearing from everyone out there, so keep those emails coming! Feel free to send any comments or questions to me at indoorcultivationconsulting@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to answer them! Feel free to send any comments or questions to me at indoorcultivationconsulting@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to answer them!

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by Mike Marino

Killer Weed on Broadway:

Fishnets and High Kicks!

Sex...Drugs...and Show Tunes? The left over baggy of the generation of seeds and stems of Haight Ashbury’s purple hazed daze and the tie-dyed Summer of Love have long since gone up in smoke. It was a dimebag time of rolling papers, roach clips, and badda-bing, baddabong pipes. Tim Leary, the High Priest of The United Psychedelic States of America, told us it was high-time to turn on, tune in and drop out. If you had some spare time, along with your spare change, you could also Kick Out The Jams, Brothers and Sisters! Pot, protest and politics combined to create a strange violently sexy menage a’ trois, and the cast of cannabis characters is the stuff of killer weed legend.

Hemp, Hemp, Hooray!

Our story begins in a grassy bowl galaxy, far, far away in time.. to a place inhabited by the evil troll Harry Anslinger who lived under the bridge with his head up his ass, and was the trail blazing pathfinder of getting marijuana declared “illegal” and out of bounds, warning America of the deranged conditions it produced, turning clean cut collegians into hairy hungry werewolves in disguise, and defiling the virginal vaginal purity of the youth of America. Gasp!! Negros for Christ sake smoke this jazzed up shit in Harlem, and those strange brown migrants from some alien planet south of the border are bringing their filthy weed onto American soil. It wouldn’t be long before the cream of our youth would be turned into turned on voodoo zombies ready to mass murder mom and dad in the beds where they slept. Anslinger had an idea...let’s teach the children about the evils of the green leafy substance through moving pictures, graphic photographs that move in a thin strip and fill a movie palace theater’s big screen with enough mayhem and screams. Referred to and referenced to as Reefer Madness, a film was produced in 1936 called Teach Your Children, sort of a high school hygiene class film documentary that showed American youth engaged in wild abandon and debauchery (nothing like a little debauchery to set the hipsters apart from the oldsters).

(continued on page 46) 44

Of course, it was all anti-pot political bullshit, as is most information that spills out of the government cavity. It backfired however, as Anslinger’s slingshot did not dissuade “youth” from the evil weed, in fact, the film became an iconic cult classic in the altered state Sixties as the doobie darling of the midnight marijuana madness movies. Of course, one had to be stoned to truly appreciate the childlike presentation of the film. It packed the houses like a well rolled joint and laughter filled the theater thicker than all the weed that was going up in smoke.

It opened on the Left Coast at the Hudson Theater, then this off beat beast headed east for the off Broadway production that high kicked in campy fish nets in September of 2001. It was the roar of the roar of the crowd and the smell of the green leafy greasepaint on the move. The curtain went up and the crowd was wowed. It was a “hit” so to speak, no pun intended. It has now taken its pot pedestal stance on the shelf along with other camp favorites such as Rocky Horror Picture Show, Young Frankenstein and San Francisco’s outrageous Beach Blanket Babylon. Crank up the camp!

The Wasp-like youth of American, pure and virginal in the dirty Thirties, unlike those of color, black, brown, red, are the target of the corrupt dope dealers who want to strip them of their virginity, their respect for the red, white and blue and mom and apple pie. (The pie would be replaced with brownies from the kitchen of Alice B. Toklas in short order!) The storyline involves innocent Bill and Mary, high schoolers played by actors in their late 20s or early 30s, so much for credibility Harry! Bill and Mary for the most part don’t smoke tea, they drink it after a few rounds on the tennis courts, but then again, every clean cut person has a looming Eddie Haskell in their lives - just ask Wally and Beaver, yes, Beaver and don’t get me going in that direction! This Eddie is named Jack, and he invites the wholesome delicious looking couple up to this apartment where dopers and stoners while away the hours in oblivious abandon. They have fiendish laughs and dance wildly to the crazed piano player who does more than tickle his ivories...he fucks them with pounding motion until they orgasm.

The stage play was not My Fair Lady, or West Side Story but a faithful, lyrical representation of the original black and white celluloid incarnation on the silver screen. Unlike the filmatic by the fanatic Anslinger, this one has a voice, or many voices, and tunes, show tunes, toke tunes, reefer references, and cannibus camp with such songs as Jimmy Takes a Hit, The Dead Old Man, Jimmy on the Lam, the Brownie Song, Little Mary Sunshine and the Finale: Reefer Madness.

Bill becomes hooked on the evil weed after one joint. If only he knew he could say “I never inhaled” and the story would have gone down a different road. Mary also tries one and after it begins to giggle as Ralph the Addict cops feel after feel of fresh flesh like a garden of Hedon at his fingertips. Bill, hearing and not believing his eyes, bursts out of the bedroom to mix it up with Ralph, and in the fray, Mary is accidentally shot...followed more shootings, courtroom drama and the inevitable sentencing to a mental institution...the film ends with a voice from on Hollywood high, godlike, says “The dread marijuana may be reaching forth next for your son...or daughter...or yours...or YOURS!!”

Everybody now..sing along! A film version was made for Showtime on TV in 2005. Since then local theater groups have undertaken to daunting task of producing this little gem in theaters from London to Sydney to Seattle. When Showtime aired the premier of the film, someone at programming was actually paying attention and played it back to back with the original film that was the inspiration for the musical interpretation. It became available on DVD just before Christmas in 2005. Mary-wanna Emmy? No problemo, it won in 2005 for music and lyrics, and garnered Emmy nominations for choreography and make-up. So there is our tale as it was told to us by the Wise Ones who were there. Anslinger, fortunately, is deader than a doornail, Medical Marijuana is making “headway,” and decriminalization is looming somewhere near the horizon. So no matter what they say about the green leafy matter...There’s no business like dope business..sing it loud...sing it proud!

It was a black and white propaganda extravaganza that morphed into a marijuana-meets-Ethel-Merman-show-tunefilled-lollapalooza in 1998 in the City of Angels. Satire? Reefer Madness...the musical? You bet your ass!

It’s showtime girls...get ready to high kick in those fishnets!

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.. . 46

by James Dohnert

What California’s Medical Marijuana Industry Can Learn

From Other Legal States California may have been the first state to legalize medical marijuana but that doesn’t mean it can’t learn from other states that followed suit. As the industry grows and attempts to build more legitimacy nationwide it will be up to each state to learn what works from each other. Here are just a few state laws that California can learn from.

Making the Case for Proﬁts

Last year saw a string of raids on medical marijuana dispensaries in San Jose. The Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement in the South Bay began focusing on shutting down clubs that were operating under the banner of a for-profit company in late 2010 and by the end of the year had taken down many stores they felt weren’t abiding the rules. You see, in California medical marijuana dispensaries are required to operate as non-profit “collectives” run by medical marijuana patients who simply cover the costs of distributing the products they make. But some dispensaries, like the ones raided, went against the grain and decided to blaze their own path in spite of California codes. Citing vague laws that do not clearly define proper procedures for dispensaries these businesses decided to sell medicinal marijuana without the proper moniker. And if only these clubs were based in Colorado they wouldn’t have been raided. Colorado is the only state to allow dispensaries to run as for-profit companies. Because of this the state has seen one of the largest MMJ booms in the country. By allowing dispensaries to run as something other than a non-profit, Colorado has begun to take the appropriate steps towards a sustainable future for the industry. Their current model prevents raids for anything other than the unlawful selling of their products to unlicensed individuals. It lets companies flourish while allowing more strict guidelines for the selling of medical marijuana. And justifies, what for many are, preexisting business practices. Go into any medical marijuana dispensary without the word “cooperative” in the title and you’re bound to see a type of foot traffic rarely seen at a non-profit. The industry has become big business in California and just as a pharmaceutical company is able to rake in profits for their services so too should MMJ clubs in California. The creation of a for-profit model is the first step towards legitimizing an industry that needs legitimization.

Arizona allow for reciprocity as long as the card-holder stays within the law of the state they are visiting. This allowance gives patients the opportunity to receive their medication in a state which is not their own without having to go outside of the law. It’s a regulation that makes sense and allows for growth of the medical marijuana industry nationwide. For example, a dispensary in California could open up a sister store in Maine, then, keep records of patients so they can frequent both locations without a redundant registration process. There by, allowing national brand awareness for companies. It would be a step towards a client-customer relationship that would put people on the fence about medical marijuana at ease.

Sharing Across Boarders

Evolution through Cooperation

A Californian on vacation in Arizona can buy their medication in Arizona but an Arizonian on vacation in California can’t get anything in California. Make sense? As it currently stands Montana, Rhode Island, Michigan, Maine, and

More is Better

Today in California the max a number of plants an individual can have is twelve. The law currently stands in the middle in comparison with other states. Oregon, on one hand allows for the growth of up to 24 plants while New Jersey has made it unlawful for individuals to grow their own supply. The case for the allowance of the cultivation of more planets in California is simple…more medication means happier patients. The ability to grow your own personal cannabis plants has always been a great option for those suffering from debilitating aliments. For those unable to go to a dispensary every month it offered an affordable and time saving opportunity. So while the fear of individuals illegally selling private supplies is certainly relatable, it isn’t without faults. As a measure that was passed to help the ill it only makes sense that California follows the precedent created by Oregon and increases the amount one is allowed to grow. By doing so you can begin to create a standard for the industry and allow it to do what it was made for, help those who need it.

The medical marijuana industry has no template or national precursor. Our currents times require the sort of trailblazing rarely found in new industries. But by learning from each other, states can create the kind of sustainable environment that medical marijuana can thrive in.

in a wide, stepped river valley several hundred thousand years ago. Before nightfall, someone or something wedged its way into a crevasse in a rock outcropping near the summit, instinctively settling there for a bit of warmth and protection, sleeping fitfully during the long, cold night. It’s unclear whether this creature is a man or woman, or perhaps a newborn birthed during the night. It’s unclear whether or not the creature ate something unusual before going to bed or was injured by one of the many predators that roam these lands. It’s unclear if the creature dreamt of something significant during the night, or if the creature even possessed the capacity to dream in the first place. It’s also unclear whether the creature is of sound health - a model example of their own species - or some sort of strange mutation rejected by their own brethren but destined to change the world. What is for certain is that the outlook of one who bears witness to the dawn on this particular morning is remarkably different than the outlook of the one who went to sleep in the evening. Not only is the creature aware of its surroundings, but it is also aware of being aware of its surroundings. This creature awakes not only to the feel of the cold morning air and the visual contrasts of light and darkness, but to an new umbrella awareness that includes an abstract sense of time, the desire

50 50

to be warmer and the capacity to do something about it, and a profound recognition of staggering beauty of the coming of day. For the first time on the history of the planet, not only is it the dawn of the day, it’s the dawn of consciousness itself, a newly emergent awareness with incredible capacities and awesome potentials, an awareness that you and I have inherited from our ancestors, an awareness we continue to utilize and wrestle with today. Consciousness is perhaps the single most exciting aspect of our capacities as human beings. More than any of our other qualities, our consciousness - our awareness of being aware - adds an entire universe to our experience, granting us a cognitive freedom that was unheard of anywhere in the pre-human world. Unlike two chemicals that are condemned to interact in a certain way by the natural laws, or a rooted plant at the mercy of the elements, or an animal whose predictable behavior is governed by instincts, consciousness grants us the ability to assess a situation, recognize patterns, think abstractly, remember ourselves in the past, project ourselves into the future, ask others what they think and ultimately, make real choices. No other living organism, no plant, no reptile, no dinosaur, or mammal ever possessed such a capacity. In our daily life, consciousness acts as a sort airport control tower, noticing the myriad of stimuli that enter into our fly space, skillfully monitoring them to see how they might affect us, choosing which sensations, thoughts, and emotions we want to land on our runway and which ones we choose to let fly right on by. In this way, consciousness allows us to fully enter into an experience, or to keep our distance, the former allowing us to feel the world deeply, which fosters creative insight, rapture, and joy, the later allowing us to plan for the future and to carry out those plans without being constantly distracted, ultimately allowing us to make our insights realities. It’s clear that consciousness is incredibly important and something that we use all the time. But what might it mean to be a connoisseur of consciousness? What might it look like to cultivate not just our awareness - our thoughts, emotions, and sensations - but our awareness of our awareness, an intimate understanding of the ways we are processing all those experiences? In other words, instead of fixating on the various objects and events we see unfolding through the window of consciousness, how might it serve us to shift our attention to the window itself? And where might we even begin? Since consciousness is so all encompassing, it is challenging to see. Like the water surrounding a fish deep in the open ocean, it is hard to gain perspective on its vastness and all pervasive nature. As a starting point, however, we can begin to get a sense of it by watching how it changes.

It is readily apparent that the objects of our experience - thoughts, emotions, sensations - are constantly changing. We are hungry one moment, goal oriented in the next, then distracted by a memory of our childhood home or the attractiveness of a coworker. What is less apparent, however, is that our awareness of being aware, the ways in which we are processing information, is also changing. We can see this by looking at the remarkable changes in consciousness we go through in just one 24 hour period, changes occurring as we cycle through the various states of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. Our waking consciousness, which is presided over by a distinct sense of self sometimes known as the ego, allows us to tend to our basic needs, communicate with others, and to actively engage the world around us. Dreaming cuts us off from the physical world but brings important awareness to all the unprocessed stimuli that ends up in that vast repository known as the subconscious, stimuli that we had neither the time nor the capacity to process fully during the day. Deep dreamless sleep is like

consciousness’s daily reset button. During this time all input from both the outside world and from the inner psyche cease, allowing, in a sense, awareness itself to rest, replenish, and wipe the slate clean. Revisiting our airport analogy, waking consciousness describe those times we choose what planes to take off and land, dreaming consciousness addresses other planes we avoided looking at or failed to notice at all, and in deep sleep we allow the control tower, the runways, and all the planes to fall away into oblivion, only to rebuild itself entirely anew when we start dreaming again or wake up in the morning. Taking a closer look at our waking consciousness, we notice that whether we are aware of it or not, we are constantly tweaking it to meet our various needs. When we drag ourselves out of bed, for example, many of us hop in the shower, not because we are particularly unclean, but because the water running over our skin enlivens us, allowing us to feel more present, helping consciousness itself to transition from one state to another. Once in the kitchen we continue the process, eating something to fuel our metabolic functions and, for many of us, choosing a hot, caffienated drink furthers our process of waking up. Then and only then are we willing and able to charge into the tasks of the day. Our behaviors on the other end of the time card are similar. As the work day draws to a close, we grow weary of being productive and begin craving other experiences, either to relax, wind down, or to open up other, more playful parts of our consciousness that aren’t always appropriate in our work environments. Some of us go to the gym, thereby cutting through our headiness and accumulated stress by vigorously activating the body. Some of us go the bar for a beer or a glass of wine, the alcohol loosening the reigns of our task oriented minds. Some of us eat

our biggest meal of the day at that time, the flood of carbohydrates and proteins also altering our mood. And some of us dive into the television or the internet, our awareness drawn into and delighted by the convolutions of scripted dialogues and virtual worlds. In other words, we reverse the process we started in the morning, using a variety of methods to let our waking consciousness unwind and move in the direction of a more dreamlike conscious reality, or to check out all together. These examples bring up another aspect of consciousness: it is linked to all aspects of our being - our physical bodies, our five senses, our emotions, and to our minds - but cannot be fully reduced to any one of these things. Still, we can use any one of these alone or in combination to begin exploring consciousness directly. We can, and do, manipulate the shape of our window of consciousness by using the molecules found in food and other substances, by using sensations, by using the movement of our bodies, and by using thinking itself to alter our conscious states. If you have any doubts, watch carefully what happens when you eat a piece of chocolate, or receive a massage, or walk outside after sitting at a desk all day, or read a poem that moves you. The way in which each of these experiences enters your field of awareness is very different, but all of them alter your consciousness in one way or another. Even more dramatically, notice how your consciousness shifts during trauma, orgasm, the birth of a child, or the death of a loved one. These later experiences pry at the very foundations of our sense of existence, and like the sky, and the space, and the entire cosmos dwarfing our egoic control tower, reveals the vastness of consciousness that is always available, if only we are able to let go. As the salmon was meant to swim and the meadowlark was meant to sing, our consciousness is our most defining feature, a feature worthy of celebration. By deepening our own experiential understanding of the awareness consciousness affords us, we begin to fully claim the rarity and preciousness of our human lives. By better understanding the vehicle through which we experience the world, we better understand the world itself. Cultivating a relationship with consciousness allows for greater perspective and depth of experience. In effect, we lessen the influences of our own hidden fears, idiosyncrasies, and habitual patterns, and begin to engage the world more directly, more intimately, more compassionately, and more creatively. Next month, I’ll begin outlining more specific steps you can take to become your own connoisseur of consciousness. In the meantime, ask yourself how you experience 1) your awareness, 2) your awareness of your awareness, and 3) your awareness of your awareness of being aware. Go deep and we’ll check in next month! Austin Hill Shaw is a writer, architectural designer, and mapmaker of creativity across art, science, and religion. 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

51 51

Hempful Hints

by VALERIE FERNANDEZ

FLEX YOUR

MIND, BODY, & SOUL WITH HEMP YOGA GEAR

With as many types of yoga as there are strains of Marijuana, it takes some individual exploration to see what’s right for you. Is it physical, mental, or even religious that this act that can give one a literal high, as well as take us to a state of enlightenment, insight, and tranquility? It can be all of the above, and to bring the two worlds together, what could be better than yoga products made from hemp? It’s really a perfect marriage bound with holistic ties and spiritual outcomes. Our friends at Rawganique.com have most hemp products covered, and now they have yoga selections too. They offer hemp yoga and meditation mats as well as hemp yoga straps. Strong enough and stylish enough to double as a floor mat for any entry hall, these colorful hand-woven products start out as organically grown hemp from Europe, are PVC and synthetics-free, and have a zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compound). Unlike other PVC mats that can get slippery and soggy, these yoga mats are naturally absorbent and breathable and can be machine washed and laid flat to dry. Why not stretch out on something natural? Now that you’ve got your hemp mat, you may as well keep it rolled up nicely in a hemp yoga mat bag. This will keep your mat fresh, and prevent it from getting ruined or sun bleached in the back seat of your car. This stylish and organic bag is fairly priced at $21.95, and can be found online at AlternativeConsumer.com. This site has a little bit of everything, from design fashion and baby clothes, to furniture and tech gadgets - all with an eco-green twist. If you’re reading KUSH, and doing yoga, it’ll do you good to get hip to this green site. When you’re looking good, you’re feeling good, and if you’re already doing yoga, than you probably look and feel pretty good. If you’re more flexible than fashionable, or not quite sure, head over to Swirlspace.com. This site has a variety of cool, sexy hemp clothes, and specifically yoga wear, with unique colors and styles. Made locally in San Francisco, they use a local fair-labor sewing factory, dye house and screen printer. If you’re reading this article because it’s the last one in this issue you haven’t read (and you’re more into growing and smoking than crouching or stretching), maybe you have a boyfriend or girlfriend who’s into yoga and you could use a clever gift to keep things fresh. We have your key to happiness wrapped up in one web site EverythingYoga.com. This site has everything from help with breathing techniques to hemp Bolsters, clothes, mats, blocks, props, and DVDs. This one-stop-yoga-shop will have you and your partner looking good, feeling good, and breathing good. There’s even a blog community for those who want to converse more on the subject. So whether you are new to the game and wouldn’t know a Half Moon Pose from a Monkey Pose—or maybe you are a certifiable guru who can fit into a box - either way, KUSH suggests you take a little time every day to relax, and an easy and efficient way to do it is to breathe and stretch. Breathe stretch - breathe – stretch. Let yoga be part of your routine. It’ll not only make you healthier, but it’ll help increase your lung capacity (just saying).

NCIAkushad3_v.4 3/18/11 4:30 PM Page 1

Cannabis industry leaders from across the country have recently come together to form the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), the first cannabis trade association in the U.S. NCIA is already working in Congress to address problems facing the cannabis businesses community â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from banking to reforming unfair tax laws to eliminating unreasonable Drug Paraphernalia statutes. NCIA is the only organization representing the cannabis industry on the national stage and we need your help. For as little as $100 a month or $1,000 a year, your business can be part of the growing list of industry leaders that make up the National Cannabis Industry Association. Membership also includes member discounts, access to exclusive industry events, and a listing in our industry directory. Contact us to join or receive more information today. National Cannabis Industry Association Phone: (202) 379-4861 E-mail: info@TheCannabisIndustry.org P.O. Box 78062 Washington, DC 20013

NCIA Board of Directors: Tristan Blackett

Wanda James

420 Science, HI

Simply Pure Medicinal Edibles, CO

Cheryl Brown

Dale Sky Jones

MMBA, CO

Oaksterdam University, CA

Brian Cook

Rob Kampia

Altitude Organics Corporation, CO

Marijuana Policy Project, DC

Troy Dayton

Ken Kulow

The ArcView Group, CA

Chameleon Glass, AZ

Steve DeAngelo

Jill Lamoureux

Harborside Health Center, CA

Colorado Dispensary Services, CO

Becky DeKeuster

Michael McAuliffe

Northeast Patients Group, ME

Sensible Nevada, NV

Adam Eidinger

Erich Pearson

Capitol Hemp, DC

SPARC, CA

Etienne Fontan

Bob Selan

Berkeley Patients Group, CA

Kush Magazine, CA

Jim Gingery

Brian Vicente

Montana Medical Growers Assoc., MT

Sensible Colorado, CO

Len Goodman

Bob Winnicki

New MexiCann Natural Medicine, NM

Full Spectrum Labs

Justin Hartfield

Joe Yuhas

Weedmaps.com, CA

Arizona Medical Marijuana Assoc., AZ

ED ROSENTHAL TALKS…

EXCERPTED FROM MARIJUANA GROWER’S HANDBOOK © ED ROSENTHAL

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) IS A GAS WHICH COMPRISES ABOUT 0.038% OR 380 PARTS PER MILLION (PPM) OF THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE. CO2 IS ONE OF THE TWO RAW MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR PLANT PHOTOSYNTHESIS. (WATER IS THE OTHER.) Cannabis uses CO2 only in the presence of light Photosynthesis occurs immediately after the plant receives light. The plant starts mining CO2 from the air by opening its stomata, tiny organs found on the leaf surface, primarily on the underside. They function much like pores in the skin. They regulate the absorption of water and the gasses O2 and CO2 into the plant, as well as the output of water and O2 from the plant. Once CO2 is absorbed into the plant, it is directed to the chloroplasts—the plant organelles that contain light-absorbing chlorophylls—where photosynthesis takes place. Photosynthesis consists of a complex series of reactions in which light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water to sugar, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. The amount of CO2 in the air has a profound effect on the rate of photosynthesis and plant growth. Photosynthesis speeds up as the amount of CO2 in the air increases, as long as there is enough light to power it. Conversely, as the CO2 content of the air falls, photosynthesis slows to a crawl and virtually stops at a CO2 concentration of around 200 PPM, no matter what the other conditions. Lacking CO2, plants continue respiration and growth for a short time, until their sugars are used up; then they slow down their metabolism to conserve energy. Only when more CO2 is available can the plant processes continue. Outdoors, breezes and the exchange of gasses in the air constantly replace the CO2 that plants consume. This provides enough CO2 for vigorous growth, and outdoor growers rarely think of the gas as a limiting factor, even though growth of some plants, including cannabis, is not maximized in the Earth’s present atmosphere. In fact, the 380 PPM of CO2 found in earth’s atmosphere is on the low end of the continuum of most plants’ ability to use it as fuel for photosynthesis. Outdoor plants growing in the bright light of summer grow heavier and faster when supplemented with CO2. Raising the level of CO2 up to 0.15% (1500 PPM), or a little more than four times the amount usually found in the atmosphere, increases plant growth rate significantly. Enhancing growth outdoors using increased CO2 is discussed in the

(continued on page 56)

supplementation section. When plants are growing in an enclosed area, there is a limited amount of CO2 for them to use. Under bright lights, CO2 is used up quickly. Enclosed gardens with no ventilation are also rapidly depleted to the point where the photosynthesis rate slows to a virtual stop (200 PPM). Only when more CO2 is added to the mix will photosynthesis resume. A closed closet or other small gardening space can be recharged with CO2 simply by opening the door or curtain to let in fresh air. This increases the CO2 content of the closet passively, as air naturally equalizes the concentrations of oxygen (O2) and CO2 inside and outside the growing space, exchanging the higher O2 levels with CO2. Adding a small fan expedites the air exchange. The rate of photosynthesis has the greatest increase as the CO2 level climbs from 0-200. Under low-light conditions (150mols or 1150f) (12,330 LUX), the rate of photosynthesis increases as CO2 rises to 400 PPM. Increasing the CO2 concentration beyond that without increasing light intensity does not result in a higher rate of photosynthesis. The plant cannot take advantage of higher CO2 levels until the light intensity increases.

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT CO2 DEBUNKED • CO2 enrichment is like chocolate cake for your

plants—do not give it to them all the time.

• Your plant can overdose on CO2 • All you need is good ventilation—extra CO2 will not help. • Plants need fresh air, keeping them in a closed system

is imprisonment.

• The only time plants need CO2 is when other conditions

aren't right.

• Plants grow immune to CO2

ALL FALSE!

CO2 is not dangerous. It is a non-flammable gas. It is non-toxic at the low levels growers employ. CO2 CAN POSE HEALTH RISKS IN EXTREME CONCENTRATIONS (ABOVE 50,000 PPM), BUT THIS LEVEL IS MORE THAN 30 TIMES THE MAXIMUM PLANTS FIND USEFUL.

At a light intensity of 600 mol (4600fc)(49,310 LUX), the photosynthesis rate increases more as CO2 concentrations are increased to 400 PPM. The rate of increase declines a bit after that, but the photosynthesis rate continues to increase as CO2 levels reach 600PPM. Above 600 PPM of CO2, the photosynthesis rate continues to climb but at an even slower rate, until the rate increase levels off at about 1200 PPM. By increasing the light intensity, you encourage your plants to absorb even more CO2 increasing growth and yield. When the plants receive between 4500-5500fc (58,960 LUX) of light, they can utilize between 1200-1300 PPM of CO2. While very few gardens are supplied with more than 7500fc (80,400 LUX) of light, at that intensity the plants can use up to 1500 PPM of CO2, the enrichment rate recommended by some manufacturers. You can supply CO2 to your plants easily and cheaply. The most convenient way to do this is by using a meter, regulator, and tank kit. There are other ways, too. Instead of using a tank, you can use a meter that regulates a CO2 generator that burns propane or natural gas. You can also use metabolic and chemical processes to produce CO2, or obtain dry ice, which sheds CO2 as it evaporates.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS BRIEFLY Chlorophyll pigments absorb light and convert it to electro-chemical energy. This energy is used to cleave water and combine the H with CO2 to form suger and release oxygen. 6(H2O) + 6(CO2) + LIGHT=> 6C12H6O + 6O

1 pound of CO2 = 8.7 cubic feet You can calculate how much CO2 is needed to bring a growing area to 1000 ppm by multiplying the cubic area of the growing room (length x width x height) by .001. The total represents the number of square feet of gas required to reach optimum CO2 range. For instance, a room 13’ x 18’ x 12’ contains 2808 cubic feet: 2808 x .001 equals 2.8 cubic feet of CO2 required. (A room 3 x 4 x 3 meters contains 36 cubic meters and would require .36 cubic meters of CO2. )

“Ziggy Marley’s Marijuanaman ” is the new 48-page oversized full-color hardcover graphic novel conceived by Ziggy Marley, illustrated by Jim Mahfood (Clerks, Spiderman) and written by Joe Casey (G.I.Joe, Superman, Iron Man). Published in conjunction by Tuff Gong Worldwide and Image Comics, the work goes beyond the obvious title and is loaded with political and financial implications. “We knew that the initial reaction to a book named Marijuanaman would be this: people would perceive it as a silly stoner comic, a Cheech & Chong, ‘Half-Baked’ kind of thing; those type of weed and stoner stereotypes,” says Jim Mahfood. “So we went out of our way to make it a more weird and mystical thing. It has a bit of a dark edge to it.” “The book represents a conflict, a spiritual war of sorts, between the crusaders of Exodus representing the natural world, the plant and the positive,” explains Mahfood, “versus the artificial, synthetic world represented by the evil and sinister Pharma-Con.” “The main character doesn’t even smoke,” Mahfood continues. “He is THC. He is the living embodiment of the plant and represents the positive sides of its healing and spiritual properties.” Ziggy Marley, a committed environmental and social activist, sees Marijuanaman as “a metaphor for what marijuana can be. This is a new perspective,” he tells us. “You know, they’ve villianized and demonized and criminalized this plant so much throughout history that we wanted to bring to people a new perspective.

“A superhero character is a great metaphor for what the plant can do for the planet.” On the flip-side of the superhero coin, we have Cash Money, Pharma-Con’s Terminator-like Weapon of War and the antagonistic villain battling Marijuanaman . The juxtaposition of organic vs. synthetic, man vs. machine, peace vs. violence, defines this project. One of Cash Money’s angry rampages in the book is noted by a caption, “The synthetic cocktail pumping through its pipes urges more violence.” As can be expected, the dialogue and storyline are pregnant with multiple meanings. “We didn’t want to be overly preachy to the reader, this is a comic book and we still wanted it to be fun and entertaining,” explains Mahfood. “But, at the same time, if you read between the lines, there is a message in there.” Take this sentence for example: 58 58

“Meanwhile Pharma-Con continues to traffic in all things that involve the unnatural world.” “It’s a money game,” elaborates Ziggy. “It’s a big hypocrisy because there’s alcohol, there’s tobacco, there’s pharmaceutical drugs that hurt people every day. If this plant is to fulfill it’s potential, it will compete with a pretty established and powerful institution in society, the pharmaceutical industry. It’s not easy for some guy who is making billions of dollars to give way to something that will make him make less.”

“They’d rather people get drunk I guess.”

“This book was a complete and equal collaboration between Ziggy Marley, Joe Casey, and I,” says Mahfood. “We all got along extremely well, there were no egos involved here. I was really proud to work with these guys and I think our different sensibilities came together quite nicely to make something new and offbeat.” No undertaking like this can be carried out without an Executive Producer, and just like most things in Marley’s life, finding the right EP for “MarijuanaMan” was a deliberately organic process. Tom Martin, best known for his work on hundreds of film posters through the 70s and 80s, happened to be a neighbor of Ziggy’s, and it was they who created the original idea together. Once they brought Joe Casey on and, being that he had already written several comics with Mahfood, all it took was a quick glance at Mahfood’s work online for the team to agree he was the right man to illustrate the project.

Mahfood’s signature style has made him a fixture in the LA Art scene. Many know him by his moniker “Food One,” and for his collaborations with DJ Z-Trip. He has worked for every major comic book company and his illustrations have appeared in Playboy, Spin, URB, Heavy Metal, among countless others. He illustrated director Kevin Smith’s “Clerks” comics, several Spiderman projects for Marvel Comics and has performed live art at countless underground hip-hop events (as a matter of fact, it was through the late great DJ Dusk that I first met Mahfood over seven years ago). ”MarijuanaMan” represents the culmination of his many years of illustrating. “My approach to the art was to do it my way, to do it like I normally would if this was my own creation and my own book,” says Mahfood. “Luckily, Ziggy was cool with that and understood my direction. He gets the vibe of what I am going after with my visuals. And Joe and I have been friends for a really long time and he definitely knows how to cater his writing towards my drawing and art style, so I really feel like I got away with a lot here. I was able to do my thing and not be restricted, and in the end, as a creative person, that’s all you can really ask for.” The public confirmed Mahfood’s excitement at the book release party on Four Twenty. A constant stream of more than a few hundred people zig zagged through Golden Apple Comics in Hollywood for the book release party. Ziggy Marley, Mahfood and Joe Casey sat at a table together signing books and answering questions. The back patio served fish tacos,

rice & beans, chile relleno, micro brews, exquisite medicated smoothies and other assorted edibles. L.A. musical legend Lonnie Marshall and Leimert Park Muralist Michael Massenburg were also in the mix while up-and-coming mixmaster, DJ Expo, rocked the turntables with a steady stream of reggae, hip-hop, funk & soul. Ziggy Marley’s electric smile lit up the room up, for celebrations like this are what keep him going. And with that, “Ziggy Marley’s Marijuanaman,” accomplishes it’s objective. It resists the urge to simply glorify marijuana while finding an inventively appropriate way of properly celebrating its advantages. Mahfood’s playful illustration style is matched by a storyline that addresses several current issues of these times. The entertaining narrative and embedded symbolism within makes “Marijuanaman” a graphic novel especially relevant to our era.

Pithy statements are found sprinkled throughout. Statements like, “Humanity is a curious mix, equal parts beauty and violence, love and hate. And the cures your planet provides naturally are not taken advantage of.” “When it’s coming from the people, the common people, they have a problem with that because it’s a control issue… they want to control everything you know? It’s a big hypocrisy because there’s alcohol, there’s tobacco, there’s pharmaceutical drugs that hurt people every day,” Marley tells Kush. “But once a big corporation finds out how to make money, then the politicians will get some bravery inside them and get on board,” he hypothesizes. “Once the FDA and these guys get together and say ‘how can we control this and make sure the right people make money from it?’ then that’s when you’ll kind of see them ease up the pressure.” A means to an end? You decide. In the meantime, pick up your copy of Ziggy Marley’s Marijuanaman and stick it to Big-Pharma while you still have the chance. -Mike the PoeT aka Mike Sonksen is a Spoken Word Artist, Tourguide, Educator, Journalist, & Historian based in The City of Angels. mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/ youtube.com/user/MikeThePoet1 Photography by William Thoren 59 59

LIVING WELL

Every year an infinite number of people suffer from headaches. There are various levels of severity right up to excruciating agony. But is a headache simply a headache? Not exactly. There are two basic types of headaches: tension headaches and migraines. Tension headaches, which are the most common type of headache, are usually associated with a band-like tightness on one or both sides of the head. They can be anywhere from mild to severe. Stress, caffeine withdrawal, lack of sleep, straining of the eyes, not eating enough food and many other daily factors can cause tension headaches at random times in your life. Migraines, on the other hand, are chronic headaches that affect over 29 million Americans. It can be a debilitating condition with moderate to severe pain on one side of the head lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Migraines, more common with women than men, can lead to nausea, vomiting and light and sound sensitivity. Stress and hormones are the two most common causes of migraines. Some will argue that 90% of the time when people assume they have a sinus headache, they actually have a migraine. There seems to be some truth to that according to the Mayo Clinic. Sinus headaches fall into the secondary headache category. Many people have trouble determining if they have sinus headaches or migraines. One way to determine which one you have would be to ask yourself if… 1. You have a moderate to severe headache 2. You are experiencing nausea 3. You have sensitivity to light If you have two or more of the above, you most likely have a migraine and not a sinus headache. So how do you know for sure you have a sinus headache and what do you do about it? Sinus headaches are often a result of Sinusitis, which is an inflammation of the cavities in the skull. These cavities are behind your nose, cheeks, forehead and eyes. Inflammation of the sinus prevents the natural outflow of mucus causing pressure in those areas. The condition can be brought on by allergies, bacteria, viruses or autoimmune issues. Sinus conditions caused by allergies may begin as inflammation of the nasal membranes and work its way to the sinuses resulting in pressure and pain. The pain, which may start on one side of the head and work its way to the other, can be dull and constant and can get worse when bending over. High altitudes, swimming, nasal bone spurs or tumors, deviated septum, asthma, cigarette smoke and allergies are all high risk factors.

Common Symptoms of a Sinus Headache or Sinusitis Include: • Consistent pain in the bridge of the nose, cheek bone area or forehead • Change in intensity of pain with head movement • Pressure or fullness in the ears • Post nasal drip • Yellow-green, thick discharge • Swelling of the face • Fever • Worse pain in the morning • Nasal congestion • Malaise • Fatigue • Cough Sinusitis should be treated properly and immediately because over time the infection can move to the brain or you can develop other serious medical problems. CT scans or an MRI may be necessary to determine if you, in fact, have a blockage. Typical treatment includes the administration of antibiotics for any infection and possibly the use of antihistamines. Treating the underlying sinus inflammation is the best way to combat these types of headaches. However, if you have allergies, you should seek a specialist and treat them separately. There are some common foods that should be avoided if you have problems with sinus headaches including dairy products, wheat, peanuts, corn and too much sugar. A high fiber diet free of mucous forming foods can help alleviate sinusitis. Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, is known for reducing inflammation, which may help. Before taking bromelain, consult your doctor as there could be side effects. Relaxation techniques, head and neck stretches, steam inhalation and saline nasal sprays can offer relief for sinus congestion. When all else fails and depending on the cause, your ENT doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery or balloon rhinoplasty. Determining what type of headache you have may not be easy, but it is necessary so you can take the proper measures to control them before they control you. --Elaine is the former host of “The Shape Fitness Show” on 97.1FM and 980AM. Check out her site at GodaiFit.com

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies continue to raid medical cannabis providers, even if the provider’s conduct is legal under state law and complies with all city and county regulations. Medical cannabis providers need to prepare themselves, both mentally and operationally, for a raid. Until federal law is harmonized with state law and state laws are fully implemented, raids are always a possibility. Preparing for a raid does not have to be an exercise in paranoia. In fact, knowing that you are as prepared as you can be may ease anxiety. The Americans for Safe Access Raid Response campaign only works if a community is prepared in advance; this means providers and the community alike. We developed this campaign to provide support to victims of law enforcement raids and frame the media coverage. We have orchestrated over 200 emergency Raid Response efforts, which have supported countless victims and helped frame this issue as a patients’ rights issue in the media

HOW IT WORKS: When ASA is alerted by the community that a raid is progress, all ASA staff stop their work and turn their attention to the encounter and begin the following steps:

STEP 1: ASA staff looks in our database to see if we

have information about the person or center being raided. This database comes from the medical cannabis provider ﬁlling out the “Let ASA Help in the Event of a Raid” online form or sending in the worksheet. If we do not have any information, it can be hard to carry out the rest of the campaign, so it’ll do you good to visit SafeAccessNow.org and ﬁll out the form right away.

STEP 2: Conﬁrm raid

ASA gets false alarms about raids everyday. If the medical cannabis provider has ﬁled out the “Let ASA Help in the Event of a Raid” form, then we have several individuals we can contact to verify reports of a raid.

STEP 3: Launch the Raid Response: • Contact the medical cannabis

provider’s attorneys and support system

• Contact local media • Send out text alert to the community

• Contact spokespeople from “Let ASA Help in the Event of a Raid” form • Track individuals through the legal system

STEP 4: Follow up

What happens after a raid can be as important as what happens during a raid.

• Issue press release • Convene local activist for next steps • Issue national action alert • Support victims

The steps above are ASA’s commitment of support during and after a raid, but for these responses to have real impact, it is important that communities are prepared in advance to carry out their part of this campaign. For all the resources you need to organize this campaign in your community, visit SafeAccessNow.org, click on the Projects tab, and jump into the Raid Center. 61

Growers Grove

Part 1:

A Biomimicry Approach to Hydroponics When it comes to watering plants, there’s really nothing like the rain. Water gently saturates the soil evenly over the entire surface area and nutrients that have collected on top of the soil are slowly dissolved into the soil for uptake by the plants. Modern hydroponic methods of crop irrigation have tried to take their cues from nature, but in many cases have fallen short of the real deal. Two of the most common forms of hydroponic irrigation are “drip” systems and “ﬂood and drain” systems. Each of these systems has it’s pros and cons, but the way to harmonize the beneﬁts of both systems while eliminating the disadvantages may lie in a more careful examination of nature through a process called biomimicry. From Wikipedia.org:

“ Biomimicry or biomimetrics is the examination of nature, its models, systems, processes, and elements to emulate or take inspiration from in order to solve human problems. The term biomimicry and biomimetrics come from the Greek words bios, meaning life, and mimensis, meaning to imitate.”

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In addition to having grown Cannabis for many years, I’m an avid gardener and horticulturalist of “regular” plants, especially citrus, gardenias, orchids, peppers and roses. While installing an irrigation manifold on a rose garden a few years ago, I started thinking about the way that certain irrigation sprayers imitated the action of rain. As the idea evolved, I imagined a new style of hydroponics that would imitate the rain, while still incorporating recirculating hydroponic principles. Traditional drip systems typically use ¼ inch tubing to irrigate plant sites. These “spaghetti” tubes are run to the base of each plant site. Smart gardeners use two lines for each plant site, as drip systems are prone to clogging failures. But even when two drippers per plant are used, there is still the problem that the water from these tubes only waters a small portion of the medium. This can create a situation where the roots in the pots will gather in the area where the drippers water, but not elsewhere in the medium. Flood-andDrain tables (also called Ebb and Flood) water plants from the bottom by intermittently flooding a tray with nutrient solution and letting the plants soak up the solution before the water level recedes back into the reservoir. When using rockwool, this is very easy, as rockwool will “wick” up any moisture that touches it. However, when flood-and-drain irrigation techniques are applied to soils and soilless mixes, the medium often times will not absorb moisture above the water line of the flooding level and roots will only grow in the area that gets saturated with water. In flood-anddrain situations, plants need occasional rinsing from the top down to avoid an accumulation of nutrients at the water line. In order to blend the best of both systems while avoiding their downsides, I developed what I call the “Rain Table”. This system is based on replicating a natural rain effect over the root zone of the plants in order to water the plants evenly from the top down without relying on individualized emitters for each plant site. The design of this table is quite simple. Using acrylic glue (called acrylic welder), a short wall of plastic is glued around the edges of the tray as a backboard for spraying water. Then, a simple irrigation manifold of ½ inch soft pipe and compression fittings is made around the inside edge of the tray. Into this soft pipe, I’ve placed an overlapping series of “micro spray” emitters. These micro sprayers

are the core of the system – they make small rain sized drops in various flat spray patterns. In this case, they are all 180-degree sprayers spraying laterally across the tops of the root zone. While some micro sprayer emitters will spray with an upward arc to the spray pattern, these Rain Bird emitters spray an almost perfectly flat spray. This allows the grower to create a layer of rain just inches above the tops of the pots. Each sprayer has an adjustable flow valve, which makes evening out the pressure a snap, even if you build an odd shaped manifold. If a sprayer ever does clog, simply opening up the valve fully will clear most blockages. This first prototype of the Rain Table is the display garden inside MedMar Healing Center in San Jose, CA (more pictures available at SJMedMar.com). The simple irrigation manifold is on its second crop and is performing every bit as well as I’d hoped. Air pots made of fabric have been incorporated in the system to allow the root zone to obtain more oxygen while irrigating more frequently. Because many redundant sprayers overlap across the top of the pots, clogging of an emitter won’t leave any plants dry. Just like in an ebb and flood system, if you see the system turn on, then every plant got watered. There is no need to check individual plant sites like with traditional drip systems and the plants are watered more evenly as well. This system also retains the advantage of a small reservoir to tray ratio, unlike ebb and flood systems that typically require twice as much water (and nutrients) per square foot of tray. In this case, a reservoir that holds 10 – 15 gallons easily sustains a 3 x 3 tray worth of space and would probably suffice for a 4 x 4 if topped off regularly. The most important benefit of this system is how efficient it is with water and fertilizer resources. Plus, it makes hydro-organic gardening much more user friendly and inexpensive by reducing reliance on liquid organic fertilizers. By mimicking nature’s irrigation style of rain, it is also possible to mimic the way that nature fertilizes plants. With each rain, Mother Nature dissolves accumulated organic fertilizers (decomposed debris and animal litter) and washes them into the soil where (if it’s a healthy soil) the nutrients will be broken down and made available to the plants. With the Rain Table, small amounts of highly soluble, dry organic fertilizers can be applied

as top dressings in the same manner that outdoor growers might do for their larger plants. Because the Rain Table is a recirculating hydroponic system, the nutrients that leach through the pots are recovered in the solution. By checking the solution regularly with an EC meter, the grower can have precise control over how much fertilizer is applied even when using top dressing applications. Overall, the Rain Table is simple yet high performance, cheap, easily adaptable to various mediums and makes hydroorganics cheaper and easier than ever. The materials required for the Rain Table are readily available at any hardware store or garden center and it’s very easy to build which is something else I like about this design. The plastic used here is from Tap Plastics, which is also online (TapPlastics.com) if you don’t have one in your area. In any case, my use of acrylic was a personal preference and I’m sure many materials could serve the same purpose as a backboard (although acrylic does look hella cool). The medium inside the fabric pot is a heavily drained soilless mix of perlite, rockwool croutons, and peat. A layer of pea gravel on top prevents both algae growth and fungus gnats. Although the medium filters out almost all debris, I still recommend wrapping a filter around the pump for extra protection. Here I used ordinary window screen secured in place by the ever-so-handy zip tie. The water can also be filtered again as it re-enters the reservoir by attaching a fish tank net below the discharge outlet. In next month’s Grower’s Grove, we’ll look more closely at the hydro-organic principles and fertilizers used in the Rain Table garden. Also, using cheap, widely available hardware store materials, we’ll construct a super oxygenated reservoir so you can transform your ordinary reservoir into a veritable compost tea brewer – constantly digesting wholesome organic fertilizers into available plant nutrients. Plus, this exercise in nature-inspired simplicity also meets up with some advanced hydroponic technology for automatic pH control. My full review and notes on the Milwaukee SMS122 coming up next month right here in the Grower’s Grove.

—Jade Kine (Growers Grove writer Jade Kine is a former greenhouse manager for the medical Cannabis industry with over a million plants worth of experience. He is also the founder of CannAcademy, 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 Facebook/Twitter: @JadeKine)

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9 years ago, a formal petition was filed by The Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis (CRC), which was followed by a formal recommendation in 2006 from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the final arbiter in the rescheduling process, to declassify marijuana from a Schedule I substance. As recently as July of last year, the DEA issued a 54-page “Position on Marijuana,” but failed to even mention the CRC petition. If they figured that our medicine would make that petition an almost decade old distant foggy memory, well, they figured wrong. We’ve waited long enough…the industry, the market, the state and local politicians and business communities, the medical community…everyone has continued to move forward and progress on the issue save for one…important…link: the federal government. So on May 23, 2011, A Coalition comprised of advocacy groups including the CRC, Americans for Safe Access (ASA), Patients Out of Time, as well as individually named patients filed suit in the DC Circuit Court to compel the Obama administration to answer the petition to reclassify medical marijuana. The writ of mandamus filed on May 23, which argues that cannabis is not a dangerous drug and that there is more than enough scientific evidence of its therapeutic value, accuses the government of unreasonable delay in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. "The federal government's strategy has been delay, delay, delay," said Joe Elford, Chief Counsel of ASA and lead counsel on the writ. "It is far past time for the government to answer our rescheduling petition, but unfortunately we've been forced to go to court in order to get resolution." The writ calls out the government for unlawfully failing to answer the petition despite an InterAgency Advisory issued by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006 and "almost five years after receiving a 41-page memorandum from HHS stating its scientific evaluation and recommendations."

"Despite numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies establishing that marijuana is effective" in treating numerous medical conditions, the writ claims, the government "continues to deprive seriously ill persons of this needed, and often life-saving therapy by maintaining marijuana as a Schedule I substance." Additionally, the two largest physician groups in the country, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Physicians, have both called on the federal government to review marijuana’s status as a Schedule I substance. Even the National Cancer Institute, a part of the National Institutes of Health, added cannabis to its website earlier this year as a Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) and recognized that, "Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years prior to its current status as an illegal substance." Heck, in a 1988 ruling on a prior rescheduling petition, even the DEA's own Administrative Law Judge Francis Young recommended in favor of reclassification stating that, "Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man." So this lawsuit could not have come soon enough. The good news is that even a formal rejection of the CRC petition would enable the group to challenge in court the government’s assertion that marijuana has no medical value, an assertion that can only further propel the movement forward, especially with more than a half century of research proving otherwise - research whose findings, in many cases, are supported by everyone from the American Medical Association to the National Cancer Institute. If we need to do this the good ol’ fashioned American way…in the courthouse…then so be it. This time, unlike any other time in history, the momentum is on our side. For more information, including the language of the writ and how you can help, please visit AmericansForSafeAccess.org

Kush Concert Calendar San Diego’s

Live Music Preview: June Adele

6.08.11 @ Humphreys

Coming from a traditionally un-musical family, Adele broke the mold and is now breaking into the mainstream charts. So where did her aural spirit come from? “It all comes from impersonating The Spice Girls and Gabrielle,” she explains cheerfully. “I did little concerts in my room for my mum and her friends. My mum’s quite arty; she’d get all these lamps and shine them up to make one big spotlight. They’d all sit on the bed.” Later on in childhood, her dad’s best friend, a dance producer, declared Adele’s voice “wicked,” and invited her to record a cover of ‘Heart Of Glass.’ It was the first time she really got a microphone in her hand, and she quickly realized it was her calling. She comes rolling into Humphrey’s by the Bay for this night in June, and it oughtta be a fantastic concert from a voice that will undoubtedly give you chills all night long. adele.tv

Black Lips

6.09.11 @ The Casbah

The Black Lips are a self described “flower-punk” band from Atlanta, making comedic, psychedelic / no-rave rock music. They will be releasing their 5th studio album on June 7th, and make their way to our glorious city just a couple days later. This night should be full of fun-inspired, light hearted rock music to sooth your soul. The band puts on a pretty energetic live show that should make for a great Thursday night, kicking off an early weekend. Casbah is the place to be, and Black Lips are the band to see on June 9th. black-lips.com

Janelle Monáe + Bruno Mars

6.11.11 @ Del Mar Fairgrounds

As successful of an artist and singer as he is, Bruno Mars’ short career has also already seen him shine as a great songwriter as well, lending a hand to his own hits, Cee-Lo’s ‘Fuck You,’ and Travie McCoy’s ‘Billionaire’... just to name a few. Unsure of how great his live performance is, but this should be an interesting one with Janelle Monáe getting in on the fun at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Another artist who’s had her hand in a lot of projects, Janelle Monáe already has a respectable collection of award nominations and wins at her ripe/ prime age of 25. Two artists that will do big things in their careers, this is a genuine pop powerhouse tour from the future. brunosmars. com; jmonae.com

Meat Puppets

6.14.11 @ The Casbah

The Meat Puppets are best known by most people for their accompaniment of Nirvana live on MTV’s Unplugged performance. The Arizona band has been rockin’ on and off since 1980, with several recognizable tunes, like ‘Backwater’ and ‘Plateau’ (performed on Unplugged). Primarily made up of brothers Cris & Curt Kirkwood, with many coming and going over the years, their sound falls somewhere between punk-rock, folk, and psych-country (might have just created that genre). A highly respectable act with a lot of history, these guys are worth checking out June 14th at the Casbah. themeatpuppets.com

Matt & Kim

6.16.11 @ House of Blues

Matt & Kim come from Brooklyn just as advertised, a guy named Matt and a girl named Kim who make upbeat pop-punk tunes that will make you want to dance with everyone in sight. Kim plays drums, Matt plays keys, and both sing. Songs like “Daylight,” “Yea Yeah,” and “Good Old Fashioned Nightmare” have gained them widespread recognition in the indie community since forming in 2006. And while they seem destined to expand and grow into a more mainstream success, for now their simplicity and independent spirit seems to be one of the more charming aspects of the pair. This show at House of Blues should be the perfect way to kick off a wonderful summer weekend. www.mattandkimmusic.com

The Doobie Brothers

6.21.11 @ Del Mar Fairgrounds

The summer yacht-rock train rolls back into San Diego, with The Doobie Brothers smoothing things out at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. One of many rad performances lined up at the fairgrounds in June, this show could be one of those magical experiences that will play out in your dreams for months after the 21st. Combining the amazing atmosphere and this classic band’s sound is like putting peanut butter and chocolate together...it just makes sense. Come up to the fair in Del Mar, chill out on some herb with ultra smooth tunes, and enjoy. Life doesn’t get much better than that! Oh, and prepare to sing along with “Whoa oh oh, listen to the music!” Sort of a side note, but if

This Page: Black Lips Right From Top: Kid Cudi, Meat Puppets, Neon Trees, Ted Nugent, Adele, Janelle Monáe 68

you’ve never watched the “Yacht Rock” episodes by Hollywood Steve, you’re missing out. (Google: “yacht rock hollywood steve”) Don’t be a fool, be here. www.doobiebros.com

Neon Trees

6.22.11 @ Del Mar Fairgrounds

Neon Trees is an emerging alt-pop band that has seen their fair share of mainstream success over the last year. The Murietta, CA band from up north on the 15 freeway have a slick pop feel, with catchy hooks and a pretty sturdy organic rock sound that’s both melodic and hard. Things might get a little emo at times, but expect a solid performance overall from these guys. Another fairground show, so expect a lot of families, old people, and considerable jailbait. ID checks should be in full effect. fameisdead.com

Kid Cudi

6.23.11 @ Valley View Casino Center

At just 27 years old, Kid Cudi has brought a fresh style to the rap game, gaining respect as fast as mainstream success. Busting on the scene with his debut mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi in 2008, this superstar still in the making has an incredibly bright future. His 2009 single ‘Day ‘n’ Nite’ reached the top five of the Billboard, R&B, and Hip-Hop charts. His debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day, came out in 2009, with a follow up in 2010, and 2011 should see another full album. Having worked with Kanye, Common, David Guetta and many others, possibly there will be a surprise guest? Maybe, but maybe not. Either way, Valley View Casino Center (formerly San Diego Sports Arena), is the place to be on this late June evening. kidcudi.com

Ted Nugent

6.29.11 @ House of Blues

The House of Blues will be rocking on June 29th, with Gonzo, Terrible Ted, The Whackmaster, Uncle Ted, Motor City Madman...The Nuge rocking the house! One of the most prolific guitarists in the past 40 years, the man, myth, and legend continues to perform live shows to enthusiastic crowds. If you’ve never seen the likes of “Cat Scratch Fever” or “Stranglehold” performed live this is your opportunity, although it probably won’t be the last. House of Blues is certainly a great places to see Ted Nugent, and what better do you really have to do on a Wednesday night? tednugent.com

More Great Shows! Tape Deck Mountain : 6.03.11 @ Soda Bar Tim McGraw + Luke Bryan + The Band Perry : 6.05.11 @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre The Airborne Toxic Event : 6.11.11 @ House of Blues Rush : 6.18.11 @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre Jennifer Hudson : 6.19.11 @ Humphreys Brett Dennen : 6.20.11 @ House of Blues Willie Nelson : 6.22.11 @ Del Mar Fairgrounds The Beach Boys : 6.29.11 @ Del Mar Fairgrounds Joan Jett : 6.30.11 @ Del Mar Fairgrounds

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John Muir

The Bad Ass of the High Sierra by Mike Marino

Hollywood’s history of cinematic badasses, on and off screen include Bad Boy Hall-of-Famers Erroll “In Like Flynn” Flynn; Bogie, from his onscreen persona as Sam Spade to his real life role as founding father of the Rat Pack in Hollywood; big bad Bob Mitchum who would just as soon lay you out with a punch as he would give a stunning performance - and make it seem one in the same. Then there’s the wild one himself, Marlon Brando - the self-made man of machismo and bravado who flipped off Hollywood, adding to his legend in the process. However, Hollywood isn’t the only place where bad boys reign supreme. The world of conservation has bad boys who bear scrutiny such as Teddy Roosevelt, the roughest riding Bullmoose of them all, brandishing his big stick. One name, not thought of in this context, is the biggest badass of them all - John Muir. He let his voice be heard, loud and strong, plaid and proud, and don’t you dare get his Scot dander up. He is known today as the “Father of the National Park Service” and co-founder of the Sierra Club, but he’s also the one who leveraged his infectious love of nature to influence Teddy of the Big Stick to protect what today is Yosemite Valley and the Grand Canyon, among others. Muir was born a bonnie Scot in 1838, immigrating to the United States with family at age 11, to the land we know as the realm of cheeseheads and the Packers...Wisconsin. Farming was the way for immigrants to strike it rich and to provide a living for their families. Young Muir spent those formative farming years bending Mother Nature’s forests and natural ways into unnatural transformations that would deplete the soils, as forests and prairies morphed into nutrient sucking farmland. In fact, all this negative agri-practice was responsible for his curiosity regarding the mechanics of the natural world, and its population of all living things. He was also a

photography by wasim muklashy

youthful inveterate inventor developing highly sensitive thermometers and, most curiously, an alarm clock that when it set itself off would tip his bed and dump him on the floor - in typical understated Muir fashion, he referred to it as the “early rising machine.” The internal mechanical esoteric erotica created by the creation of these machines, and a father that resembled a massive midwestern storm cloud, made Muir take flight to the university at Madison, Wisconsin. He was admitted to the boola boola ivy halls of academia, having spent only a few months in school after the age of 11. His studies were heavy on Natural Science, but he headed north during the Civil War in 1863, making Muir one of the first “draft dodgers” as he made his way to maple leaf infested Canada. At war’s end, Muir returned, but in 1867, an accident changed his life. He was adjusting some machinery with a file when his hand slipped and a point of the file pierced one eye, blinding it. The other went dark in sympathy. He was not amused. As his sight returned, John decided to spend his life drowning in the sights of the forests, fields, lakes and mountains, and the glory of unspoiled nature. His first wild trek was a thousand mile walk from Louisville, Kentucky to Savannah, Georgia, and eventually ending up in San Francisco in 1868. He asked about the nearest way out of town ‘to any place that is wild.” John ended up in Yosemite, working as a shepherd and running a sawmill near Yosemite Falls. In 1880, Cupid struck and Muir married and moved to Martinez, California, 35 miles from San Francisco where Muir’s wife’s family lived. Here he applied his love of plants by raising Bartlett pears and Tokay grapes. He became fairly wealthy, but missed the “wild life” of the wilderness. Each trip to the mountains presented him with proof that, unless something were done, the wilderness he had found earlier would be only a memory for future generations. It was this

attitude that inspired President Teddy Roosevelt’s conservation programs, including establishing the first National Monuments and Yosemite National Park. In 1892, John Muir and others formed the Sierra Club with Muir as the Club’s first president, an office he held until his pnueumonia-induced death in 1914. John Muir’s burial site is in a quiet, tree-shaded spot near the banks of Alhambra Creek. In the spring, the sounds of the flowing water fill the air. This historic gravesite lies approximately one mile south of the Muir homestead, and is privately owned. John Muir was buried here beside his wife, on Sunday, December 27, 1914. The Muir Site preserves the Victorian residence and a part of the fruit ranch where visitors can tour the home, and stroll the orchards. The recentlyadded Mount Wanda area, where Muir used to take frequent walks with his daughters, includes the John Muir Nature Trail and features wild flowers, bird life, and scenic vistas of the Carquinez straits. As a side note when I was living in San Francisco, two of my favorite hideaways that I would frequent on occasion to get away from the city, were the Muir Home and Marin County’s fantastic madefor-Birkenstocks-and-hiking-sticks Muir Woods. In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt established Muir Woods National Monument. William and Elizabeth Kent had donated the woods to save the trees, and asked that it be named after John Muir. Upon learning of its dedication, Mr. Muir declared, “This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world.” Muir Woods is located 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the National Monument contains 6 miles of trails, all of which afford views of thousands of old-growth coast redwoods, the tallest living things in the world. If you look carefully you can escape the crowds at the wood by hiking up Boot Jack Trail…it winds up the hill, with a small creek running along side of it and when you emerge at the top of the trail you end up on the road to Mt. Tamalpais and, to borrow from John Muir: “The Glorious Wonders of Nature laid out below you, including the city of San Francisco!”

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AND FOR MORE, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CHEF HERBS EVENTS CALENDAR AT COOKWITHHERB.COM AND FACEBOOK OR TWITTER. THANKS FOR YOUR LOYALTY TO KUSH MAGAZINE AND MY RECIPESâ&#x20AC;Ś -CHEF HERB

SHRIMP, ARTICHOKE, AND EDAMAME SALAD INGREDIENTS: 6 cups baby spinach 3/4 pound cooked shrimp 3/4 cup frozen edamame (soybeans), thawed 1 14-ounce can water-packed artichoke hearts, drained 3 vine-ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges For the Citrus Dressing: Juice of 1 medium orange Juice of 1 large lemon 4 tbsp extra-virgin THC olive oil 1 tbsp water DIRECTIONS: Wash and dry spinach leaves. Arrange in 4 bowls or on 4 salad plates. Arrange shrimp, edamame, artichoke hearts and tomato wedges on top. Combine dressing ingredients in a small jar and shake vigorously until blended. Drizzle over salad just before serving.

GRILLED PEPPER SALAD

INGREDIENTS 4 bell peppers, (mixed colors), halved, seeded and stemmed 1/4 cup halved and pitted oil-cured black olives 1/4 cup rinsed and chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes 4 tablespoons extra-virgin THC olive oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1/8 teaspoon salt DIRECTIONS Grill peppers on medium-high, turning once, until soft and charred in spots, about 5 minutes per side. When cool enough to handle, chop the peppers and toss with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, THC oil, vinegar and salt in a large bowl

ROASTED CORN AND SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS 3 cups fresh corn kernels 4 tablespoons extra-virgin THC olive oil 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 1 tablespoon minced shallot 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt Freshly ground pepper, to taste DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 450째F. Toss corn and THC olive oil to coat and spread out on a large baking sheet. Bake, stirring once, until some kernels begin to brown, about 20 minutes. Combine basil, shallot, vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the corn; toss to coat. Serve warm or cold.

WATERMELON GAZPACHO INGREDIENTS: 8 cups cubed seeded watermelon 1 apple, diced 1/2 cup finely chopped Vidalia onion 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper 2 teaspoons fresh basil 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 4 tablespoons THC olive oil DIRECTIONS: In a blender, puree watermelon with the apple and 1/4 cup each of the onion and green pepper, then pour into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the remaining ingredients (including the other 1/4 cup of onion and green pepper). Refrigerate, covered, for at least an hour to blend flavors.

SHITAKE MUSHROOM AND BASIL FETTUCCINE INGREDIENTS 4 tablespoons extra-virgin THC olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced (1 1/2 cups)

2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest 2 tablespoons lemon juice, juice 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste Freshly ground pepper, to taste 8 ounces whole-wheat fettuccine, or spaghetti (see Ingredient note) 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, (1 ounce) 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, divided DIRECTIONS Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil for cooking pasta. Heat THC oil in large nonstick skillet over low heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute. Add mushrooms and increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Remove from the heat. Meanwhile, cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 9 to 11 minutes or according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Add the pasta, the reserved cooking liquid, Parmesan and 1/4 cup basil to the mushrooms in the skillet; toss to coat well. Serve immediately, garnished with remaining basil.

STRAWBERRY APPLE SPINACH SALAD INGREDIENTS 1 pound fresh spinach, torn 2 cups chopped unpeeled Granny Smith apples 3/4 cup fresh bean sprouts 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon FOR THE DRESSING: 3/4 cup extra virgin THC olive oil 1/3 cup white wine vinegar 1 small onion, grated 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons salt DIRECTIONS In a large salad bowl, combine the first five ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients. Just before serving, pour over salad and toss

RASPBERRY LEMON MUFFINS INGREDIENTS 1 lemon 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup nonfat buttermilk 1/3 cup THC canola oil 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup white whole-wheat flour, or whole-wheat pastry flour 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen (not thawed) raspberries DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat 12 large (1/2-cup) muffin cups with cooking spray or line with paper liners. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest from the lemon in long strips. Combine the zest and sugar in a food processor; pulse until the zest is very finely chopped into the sugar. Add buttermilk, THC canola oil, egg and vanilla and pulse until blended. Combine whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add the buttermilk mixture and fold until almost blended. Gently fold in raspberries. Divide the batter among the muffin cups. Bake the muffins until the edges and tops are golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Serve warm.

ZUCCHINI BLUEBERRY BREAD INGREDIENTS 3 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup THC vegetable oil 3 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 1/4 cups white sugar 2 cups shredded zucchini 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 pint fresh blueberries DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 4 mini-loaf pans. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, THC vegetable oil, vanilla, and sugar. Fold in the zucchini. Beat in the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Gently fold in the blueberries. Transfer to the prepared mini-loaf pans. Bake 50 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

CAKEY BAKEY PEANUT SQUARES INGREDIENTS 4 eggs 1-3/4 cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup milk 1/4 cup THC butter, melted FROSTING: 7-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar 2/3 cup milk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon salt 6 cups finely chopped peanuts DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla until thick and lemon-colored, about 4 minutes. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to egg mixture. Beat on low speed just until combined. Beat in milk and THC butter. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Cover and freeze overnight. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat the confectioners’ sugar, milk, vanilla and salt until smooth. Frost the top and sides of frozen cake squares; roll in peanuts. Place on wire racks to set.

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DISPENSARy & BUSINESS Listing

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DISPENSARy & BUSINESS Listing Dispensary & Business Listing 2144 Medical Center p 30 Alternative Care Group p 53

Living Green Pharmacy p 81 & centerfold Medical Miracle Collective p 26

Anti-Aging p 11 Babylon’s Garden Collective p 40

Miramar Wellness Center p 29

Balboa Medical Center (B.M.C) p 30

NCIA p 53

Bay City Organics p 41

North County Hydroponics p 26

Bella Flora p 22 Beneficial Care Collective p 33

OB Wellness p 25

Bhang Chocolates p 27

Ocean Grown p 14

Cal Med 420 p 2

One Love Medical Collective p 26

Calibis p 40

Organic Aid p 9

California’s Best Meds p 19 Chi Holistic p 14 Cloud 9 Co-op p 5 Connoisseurs Club p 31 Digs p 31 Ed Rosenthal p 57

Platinum RX p 29 Point Loma Association p 36 Reliable Health Evaluations p 36 San Diego 420 Evaluation (backcover)

Farm Associated Collective p 37

San Diego County Patient Care (SDCPC) p 79

Frosty Farms CoOp p 33

SDDC p 7

Ginger Grow p 43 Green Earth Herbal Collective p 25 Green Rose p 25 Green House p 40 Green Joy p 9

San Diego Herbal Alternatives p 55 San Diego Medical Collective p 17 San Diego Organic Wellness Asso. p 18 SD Coastal p 36

Greenlady Hydroponics p 31 Green Leaf Wellness p 83

SDHC p 47

GSC Wellness p 45

The Beach Collective p 21

Healing Arts p 41

The Fire Station p 49

Higher Level p 82 I and I Rootz Collective p 13

The Healing Cove p 17

KushCon p 63

The Herb House Collective p 3

LA Container p 22

The Kind Co Op p 49

La Playa Collective p 15

Tri City Holistic p 22

Legacy Co Op p 14 Legal Cannabis Institute p 80 Light the Way p 10

Trichome Healing Collective p 23 Unified Collective p 4

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