GAMES…GAMES…GAMES

FRIDAY Story by MAKANI NELSON @CHOICENUG

DO YOU remember that one friend that came to get you high when you were feeling down? “It’s Friday, you ain’t got no job, and you ain’t got shit to do!” This iconic quote has held fast ever since being uttered by Chris Tucker’s character, Smokey. And while “Friday” has many different themes to unpack, there is no denying that it is a true stoner classic.

Ice Cube wrote a ‘90s masterpiece, capturing a certain time in one’s life. Craig has no direction, he gets fired on his day off, his friend who got him high can’t pay back his dealer, and he has to deal with the neighborhood bully.

This movie is loaded with hilarious quotes, as well as many lessons for young men in this demographic growing up at the time.

If you haven’t seen “Friday,” please do yourself a favor and watch it. Don’t forget to light one up and remember what Smokey said: “Weed is from the earth. God put this here for me and you. Take advantage man, take advantage.” “It’s Friday, you ain’t got no job, and you ain’t got shit to do!”

APRIL 1995 | D I R E C T E D BY F. G A RY G R AY | CINEMAX - SUBSCRIPTION I T U N E S , G O O G L E P L AY, V U D U , YO U T U B E , A M A ZO N P R I M E - $ 3.9 9

SAVING GRACE Story by EARLY

SET IN the beautiful English countryside of Cornwall, “Saving Grace” is a timeless romantic comedy about a widowed cultivator Grace, played by Brenda Blethyn, whose husband leaves her with a ton of debt after his suicide. The movie starts with Grace’s caretaker Matthew, played by Craig Ferguson, digging the grave for her recently departed husband and the sounds of someone smoking a joint. Turns out Matthew has a sick pot plant and he brings it to Grace to rejuvenate. Grace uses her years of hydroponic experience and turns the sick little plant into a greenhouse full of prime buds. The plot thickens as they navigate the illegal market to distribute the crop. Filled with many hilarious scenes, as well as true commentary of how just about anyone could end up growing Cannabis for profit when faced with insurmountable debt, this is a classic and truly entertaining Cannabis movie. Grace uses her years of hydroponic experience and turns the sick little plant into a greenhouse full of prime buds.

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS Story by MAX EARLY

@LIFTED_STARDUST

WE ALL have that one quintessential heady movie that changed the game for us. For me, “Pineapple Express” was one of the first movies that helped me signify between different strains, further growing my curiosity for Cannabis cultivars.

After seeing this movie, I began to search for certain elusive strains such as Pineapple Express. For anyone who has had the pleasure of trying it, they know that it’s the real deal!

Seth Rogen and James Franco’s wild antics make for an unimaginable plot with lots of twists and turns. So kick back, relax, roll up a cross joint or two - just make sure it’s not the Snicklefritz! Seth Rogen and James Franco’s wild antics make for an unimaginable plot.

AUGUST 2008 | DIRECTED BY DAVID GORDON GREEN AMAZON PRIME, VUDU - $2.99 / GOOGLE PLAY YOUTUBE - $3.99 / ITUNES - $9.99

“I SAW that movie “Super Size Me” when I was high,” comedian Doug Benson jokes. “MISTAAAKE! That is messed up, you know? The premise of the movie is that it’s bad to eat a lot of McDonalds, but I’m sitting here all high thinking, ‘Well, I could go for a hot apple or a frenchy at this point. Hook me up man.’ And he’s just gorging it all on himself and then throwing up - it’s disgusting. If that’s a movie - eating McDonalds for 30 days - and people are willing to pay to see it, I’ve got an idea for a movie. I’m gonna smoke pot every day for 30 days, try to remember to film it, and my movie is going to be called “Super High Me.” Or “Business as Usual” - I haven’t decided yet.”

Producer Alex Campbell and director Michael Blieden heard of Doug’s idea and approached him, wanting to make the movie. They set out to make a mocumentary where Doug would not smoke Cannabis for 30 days, immediately followed by 30 days of heavy daily consumption.

Doug says the first 30 days of non-consumption is to show “how awful it can be” when he doesn’t consume Cannabis at all.

Since the film was made in 2007, California had not yet legalized recreational adult use, and so Doug had to become a medical Cannabis patient under Proposition 215 to legally consume Cannabis.

Doug was tested throughout both 30 day periods to see differences in things like lung capacity, memory, IQ, sperm count and even psychic abilities.

During his first set of lung capacity tests, Doug’s doctor stated that in his 17 years of heavy Cannabis use, he hasn’t done any permanent damage. However, his lung function did increase a little more than 2% after three weeks of not smoking.

After not consuming any Cannabis for 30 days, Doug kicks off his consumption with a Volcano vaporizer. He enters the dispensary not knowing what to expect or what he wants to purchase at all. It was a pleasant surprise to see educated dispensary operators and budtenders that were able to point him in the right direction.

I will leave the results of Doug’s tests a surprise for when you watch the documentary. Producer Alex Campbell and director Michael Blieden set out to make a mockumentary where Doug Benson would not smoke Cannabis for 30 days, immediately followed by 30 days of heavy daily consumption.

APRIL 20, 2008 | DIRECTED BY MICHAEL BLIEDEN | VUDU - FREE / AMAZON PRIME - $0.99

GRANDMA’S BOY Story by JOSHUA STAHLE

The flick follows 35-yearold video game tester Alex as he is forced to move into his grandma’s house after his roommate spends all of their rent money

GRANDMA’S BOY holds a special place in my heart as one of my go-to movies to just kick back and relax. An incredibly hilarious comedy, the flick follows 35-year-old video game tester Alex as he is forced to move into his grandma’s house after his roommate spends all of their rent money on hookers. The trials that follow include the ups and downs of life with Grandma (seriously, buy a microwave!), as well as encounters with some outlandish characters that jump off the screen. Dante, who might just be one of the most overexaggerated stoner characters ever conceived, is of particular hilarity. Although I have never been high enough to put up my Christmas tree in the middle of the summer while only wearing my birthday suit, perhaps that is just the kind of activity I need to pick up the spirits for these trying times.

RPG

@PROPOGATECONSULTANTS

Given the amount of time we’re spending at home lately, sometimes it helps to just throw on an open-world RPG and simply run around. These games provide the perfect vehicle for these isolated times: vast, gorgeous scenery to battle the claustrophobic cabin fever, endless quests to keep you occupied and the feeling of accomplishment every time you level up your character. Here are a few titles to help you escape while you’re stuck at home...

RETRO MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE PLAYSTATION 4 A complete reimagining of one of the most revered titles in RPG history, this April 2020 release offers some of the most beautiful graphics available. ICDPROJEKT’S CYBERPUNK 2077 STADIA, PS4, XBOX ONE, MICROSOFT WINDOWS Scheduled for September release, this game looks absolutely amazing. Not only does it boast a vast techno-future open world, but it features Keanu ‘John Wick’ Reeves to boot. Regardless of whether we’re still living in the COVID world by then, we know we’ll be spending some time with this one when it drops. FALLOUT FOUR XBOX ONE, PS4, MICROSOFT WINDOWS This one may qualify as gallows humor, but there’s something cathartic about rebuilding society in the rubble of a post-apocalyptic wasteland. This vast, inventive and highly entertaining open-world game almost counts as doomsday prep - though we’re pretty sure bottlecaps won’t be the currency of that future. CRASH BANDICOOT N. SANE TRILOGY NINTENDO SWITCH, PS4, XBOX ONE, MICROSOFT WINDOWS, IBM PC From Spyro to Super Smash Bros., video game consoles like the Switch, PS4 and Xbox One now offer adults the ability to relive their favorite childhood games! With newer and improved technology and graphics, high end flat screen televisions and even higher quality Cannabis products these days, we are truly living in a magical, futuristic place. If only our 16-year-old selves could have had a glimpse into the future - we would all be in disbelief. We highly recommend taking a few dabs of hash and playing Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, a remastered version of the first three games: Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot: Warped. THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM SPECIAL EDITION REMASTERED XBOX ONE, PS4, MICROSOFT WINDOWS If you’ve been feeling a little confined during the COVID lockdown, we encourage you to visit - or revisit - “Skyrim,” one of the most completely imagined open-world games of all time. Few game experiences offer more pure escapism than questing among Skyrim’s vast vistas. Climb to the top of a moonlit mountain before bounding down, leading a dragon into a field full of mammoths and giants, and finding a vantage point from which to watch them all battle each other. The definition of epic.

VIDEO GAMES

THE LATEST

MAKANI NELSON

@CHOICENUG

I’ve been spending more time playing videos games than I have in the past few years combined. As I am still working, the reason behind my recent addiction lies in the fact that many of my friends are currently unemployed and playing video games to pass the time. While many businesses have been impacted negatively due to COVID-19, the video game industry is buzzing - especially with these new titles.

ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS

NINTENDO SWITCH One of the most talked about games of late! Here you’ll spend your time collecting items to sell, with the goal of buying new items to improve your own island. Think of it as your own little town, where you can even invite friends!

VALORANT

MICROSOFT WINDOWS - PC ONLY This hero-based shooter game has made waves in the online streaming community, Twitch.TV. Similar to Counter Strike Global Offensive, Valorant has drummed up record-breaking viewer numbers.

CALL OF DUTY: WARZONE PS4, XBOX ONE,

MICROSOFT WINDOWS CoD:W is still extremely popular, even since its release in March. Activision hit the nail on the head with their free, battle royale style shooter. In addition, there are no restrictions between platforms, enabling more players to play with each other than ever.

potcasts leaf nation’s writers share their favorite auditory entertainment

REPLY ALL

WYATT EARLY

@ERRLYWYATT

STARTED IN 2014, Reply All is a podcast that focuses on real stories with real people. My first time being introduced to the podcast was Episode #102, titled “Long Distance.”

Host Alex Goldman receives a call from a telephone scammer, prompting him to spend the next weeks of his life uncovering this scammer. He goes as far as traveling to India to find the call center and meet with the men in charge of the scam. He discovers the exact ways in which these scammers were stealing money from less tech savvy Americans. Maybe this information will stop someone from getting scammed in the future? Or maybe you are simply laughing at how bad these scammers really are?

Not all stories on this podcast involve the hosts - in fact, most of them do not. They involve larger audiences and specific individuals not on the show. The podcast is just as useful in life as it is interesting.

Modern technologies are operating in more ways than many of us know and this podcast has brought these stories to light. The hosts have such a vast understanding of technology that they are able to break down complex topics in a way that anyone can understand. If pop culture, internet trends, scams and technology are of interest to you, this podcast is definitely worth a listen. GIMLETMEDIA.COM The podcast is just as useful in life as it is interesting.

THE JOE ROGAN EXPERIENCE

MAX EARLY

@LIFTED_STARDUST

MALT COUTURE

NATE WILLIAMS

WHILE MANY of you may know Joe Rogan for his longtime role with Fear Factor, his lifetime involvement in mixed martial arts or maybe his stand-up comedy, the persona that we have all fell in love with has also recorded 1,471 podcasts to date.

From mycologist Paul Stamets to heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson, Rogan steps outside of his comfort zone to deeply question his subjects, promoting thought-provoking conversations. In 2018, Rogan had Elon Musk on his show in which they passed around a fat blunt, sending the world into shock. Circle back on one of his latest shows where Musk revisits and they discuss coronavirus, Neuralink and the future!

Sadly, Musk didn’t smoke down the second time around. Rogan regularly consumes Cannabis on his podcast, which we can only imagine helps further expand his level of creativity and consciousness. Much commendation is owed to Rogan for taking essential steps towards making Cannabis more widely acceptable by showing that you can live an exceptional life, be a hard worker and consume Cannabis daily! PODCASTS.JOEROGAN.NET In 2018, Rogan had Elon Musk on his show in which they passed around a fat blunt, sending the world into shock.

@NATEW415

IF YOU’RE LIKE ME, then listening to folks who are incredibly articulate and knowledgeable about a certain subject is a treat, regardless of the subject matter. When that content is intertwined with laugh out loud antics and also diversified to appeal to a wide audience, it levels up to a rare treat.

Malt Couture is both a hilariously good time and highly educational. And it is, by a large margin, my favorite podcast out there right now. While only sporadically discussing Cannabis, the content of Malt Couture is a smattering of beer, wrestling, video games, music, the English language and sketch comedy. Hosted by a trio of comics who also happen to be craft beer enthusiasts, this podcast explores the highly nuanced and constantly evolving world of beer. With Cannabis becoming more mainstream by the week, there are a lot of comparisons to be drawn and a lot of insight to be gained while listening to Alex Kidd, Stephen Loh, Paul Michael Gabriel and their guests unpack and discuss the backend of an industry most have only a surface level understanding of. DONTDRINKBEER.LIBSYN.COM Malt Couture is both a hilariously good time and highly educational.

HIDDEN BRAIN

MIKE RICKER

@RICKERDJ

HOSTED BY an Indian national who is a Stanford graduate, this open-minded path to a deeper understanding of human behavior is professionally produced education through investigation. If a favorite sativa has got your attention set onto a curious track, here you will immerse into a platform of nonfictional storytelling that explores subjects that wouldn’t normally manifest into your daily thoughts. And with titles that are both timely and timeless, there’s a concept explored for every critical thinker - with seemingly as many options as you might be able to self-imagine. So, when your day of decision making has devolved into a case of brain drain, here you can unlock a spare that does the contemplating for you. NPR.ORG Storytelling that explores subjects that wouldn’t normally manifest into your daily thoughts.

Cannabis, Consumption &COVID-19

A changing world confronts a growing industry

We all have our preferred method of Cannabis consumption. Whether it be vaping, dabbing, smoking, eating edibles or anything in between, it’s a ritualistic part of how many of us conduct our daily lives. If I could choose, I would spend most of my days smoking that sweet, sticky ganja - choosing the perfect strain, picking out the best looking nugs, rolling it up in my favorite papers, and inhaling that smoky, aromatic goodness that cleanses the soul. Well, that was until coronavirus hit the globe and turned the entire world upside down, forcing us to take a good look in the mirror and reflect on how current actions impact future health. he Cannabis industry is fortunate enough to be deemed an essential business in legal states. Though sales have been generally steady across Cannabis companies - with some businesses seeing record numbers - the industry isn’t immune to having to adapt. Farms are limiting the number of trimmers and laborers. Distributors are also limiting staff, wiping equipment, engaging in remote sales and keeping contact to a minimum.

Dispensaries are limiting the number of customers allowed in stores, sanitizing as much as possible and offering curbside delivery. These act as a strong first line of defense against the virus, but what else can the Cannabis community do to mitigate risk?

From what we know about COVID-19 thus far, it mainly affects the respiratory system - leaving those who smoke or have difficulty breathing feeling uneasy regarding the potential for greater risk. T

Though there haven’t been many studies on how coronavirus and Cannabis are specifically related, we can look at the emerging data that analyzes traditional tobacco and e-cigarette use in conjunction with COVID-19.

There have been multiple studies linking any traditional cigarette and e-cigarette use to an increased likelihood of developing respiratory issues if infected. According to a recent study lead by Stanton Glantz, director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California San Francisco, current smokers more than double their odds of disease progression if affected with COVID-19.

This means that many Cannabis users are putting themselves at risk every time they spark up that joint or take that fat dab.

Globally, humans are realizing that coronavirus has changed some aspects of daily life - maybe permanently. Cannabis is no different. Knowing the consequences smoking and vaping have on the respiratory system, there needs to be a fundamental shift in the way we view Cannabis and its relationship to our body.

The Cannabis industry has long focused on flower and combustion inhalation as the favored method of consumption. How many videos do we see on social media that glorify hot dab coughs or choking out from a fat blunt? It was all fun and games before, but the last few months have changed how we need to view Cannabis going forward.

To safely consume Cannabis in a way that’s still effective, we need to bypass the lungs entirely or at least minimize smoking, as a way to mitigate risk. The most common ways to consume Cannabis minus the smoke is by ingesting tinctures and edibles.

Tinctures are highly effective because they’re already activated and fast acting compared to other methods. Just a few drops under the tongue and the Cannabis is absorbed directly into the bloodstream without having to go through the lungs, stomach or liver. Tinctures generally come in a liquid form with a dropper to measure dosage, though tincture capsules are gaining popularity due to the lack of taste. Edibles are typically preferred over tinctures because they taste better due to being paired with sweet or savory foods. Though edibles normally taste great, they’re not as effective as tinctures. Edibles are absorbed via the stomach lining and liver, so they are not directly entering the bloodstream and could take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to take effect. The best advice for figuring out edibles is to start slow, even if you think it isn’t hitting yet. You can always eat more, but you can’t eat less.

Some people prefer dispensary products because they are tested, professionally made and ready to be consumed straight from the package, thus making them generally safer and more accurate.

Making products at home requires research, product knowledge and availability. There are many ways to create your own products and hundreds, if not thousands, of articles online that can help consumers navigate the new world of homemade consumables. Nothing is more satisfying than creating and eating your own infused homemade pie. Turns out, you can have your Cannabis and eat it, too.

As a community and as an essential business, it’s our responsibility to evaluate the risks and rewards of Cannabis in this new world. And the way we view Cannabis and its relationship to the body must adapt, for better and for worse.

IT WAS ALL FUN AND GAMES BEFORE, BUT THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE CHANGED HOW WE NEED TO VIEW CANNABIS GOING FORWARD.

ALEX DUBS WORKMAN i s a C a n n a b i s a r t i s t , p h o t o g r a p h e r, a n d a m a t e u r c h e f w h o i s p a s s i o n a t e a b o u t e v e r y t h i n g C a n n a b i s . A f t e r w o r k i n g i n t h e i n d u s t r y f o r m a n y ye a r s , A l e x n o w s p e n d s h e r t i m e m a k i n g a r t w i t h C a n n a b i s , p h o t o g r a p h i n g h e r f a v o r i t e p r o d u c t s , i n f u s i n g o i l s , a n d m a k i n g h o m e m a d e e d i b l e s f o r f a m i l y a n d f r i e n d s . S h e e n j oy s ke e p i n g u p w i t h C a n n a b i s t r e n d s , p r o d u c t s , a n d i n d u s t r y n e w s i n h e r s p a r e t i m e . Yo u c a n ke e p u p w i t h Alex’s art and lifestyle on her instagram @workdubs.