PUBLISHER’SLETTER JANUARY 2011 VOL. 3 ISSUE #1 NUG Magazine Staff: Publisher: Ben G. Rowin Associate Publisher: M.J. Smith Editor: Dion Markgraaff Associate Editor: George Alberts Administrative Assistant: Gio Blitz Copy Editor: Hashley Events Editor: Cletus “KRON” Greathouse Music Editor: Ras Mike Photographers: Gio Blitz, Eric Fowler, Courtney Pakalolo, Jennifer Martinez Calendar Editor: Courtney Pakalolo Videographer: Chris Gabriel Contributors: “SD OG Grower”, Dion Markgraaff, Kim Twolan, Eugene Davidovich, James Dean Stacy, Marc Emmelmann, Dannabis Ruderalis, Pamela Jayne, Goldi Schiffner, Lance Rogers, Zodiac Mama, Tiffany Janay, Leo E. Laurence, J.D., Jed Sanders, George Alberts, Robert Stinson, Rocky Neptun, Tiffani Kjeldergaard, R.J. Villa, Ryan Whitaker, Hashley, Sandieganliz Green Reefer Comic by. Joshua Boulet Sales Director: Ben G. Rowin Advertising Sales Reps: Dion Markgraaff, Cletus Greathouse, Eugene Davidovich, Brom Richey, James Dean Stacy, Myles Liddle, Kirk Lazar, Jordan D.
2011 is here! Happy New Year to all the NUG readers and thank you for helping to make 2010 an amazing year for us! Also, a BIG thanks to all of our advertisers and staff, without you this wouldn’t be possible.
This last year has been a whirlwind of good and bad for us San Diegans, but we have emerged as a united cannabis community! We’ve shared victories like the Not Guilty verdict in the Davidovich case, and heart wrenching defeats like last month’s Guilty verdict in the Jackson case and the failure of Prop 19. But in the end, we are stronger, smarter and more prepared for our bright future! We at NUG like to focus on the positive, so we put together a huge piece called “The Cannabis Community Gives Back” to shine a light on the outstanding charity work going on out there! I have lived in San Diego my whole life and some years we had hard times, thankfully, programs like these were available to my struggling single mother. To help a family in need or help a local child get toys for Christmas, warms our souls! I want to thank every collective, co-op, and cannabis organization for the great work that they do! For this issue, our own Pop Culture columnist did double duty and is bringing the NUG readers a oneon- one interview with Councilmember Todd Gloria, Leo Laurence from Law Enforcement Against Prohibition delves into the happenings to the east of us in El Centro, and Dion Markgraaff covers the “Citizens for Safe Access Ordinance” brought forth by the California Cannabis Coalition. We’ve also got some great music coverage for you as well! So sit back, roll one up, and get ready for another great issue of NUG Magazine, San Diego’s Original Cannabis Publication!
-Ben G. Rowin
Art Director: Ian Rie Finance Manager: M.J. Smith
Distribution/Subscriptions: Beau’s Distribution Service info@beausdistribution.com NUG Magazine Staff Contact Information: 9880 N. Magnolia Ave #168 Santee, Ca 92071 (619) 616-4961 For general information or to reach our Publisher: info@nugmag.com For all art/design information: art@nugmag.com For all editorial related information: info@nugmag.com For submissions: submit@nugmag.com NUG Magazine is published and distributed by NUG Magazine LLC. All contents are for entertainment and educational purposes only and are intended for mature audiences. We are not responsible for any actions taken by our readers nor do we condone any illegal activity. Advertisers are responsible for their own ads and content. All opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily of the magazine. All submissions become our property and may be used for publication. At times we may use materials placed in the public domain. If you own it let us know and we will acknowledge you. Reproduction of any content is encouraged if you get permission from our Publisher. All contents copyright. 2011
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CONTENTS
\\:NUG TIMES
19
\\:DEAR NUG
20
\\:L.E.A.P
24
\\:ACTIVISM
28
\\:PATIENT PROFILE
32
\\:TODD GLORIA
38
67
42
68
\\:HERBS
\\:PITA PIT
46
\\:GIVING BACK
53
\\:COOKING
57
\\:GROW
64
\\:SHINOBI NINJA
\\:SUBLIME
\\:FISHBONE
70
\\:PEPPER
72
\\:ARTIST PROFILE
80
\\:PRODUCT REVIEWS
82
\\:MEET MONGO
Hemp Holidays Festival By: Tiffany Janay
On December 11th, The World Beat Center opened their doors to our community for a Hemp Holiday Festival organized by the California Cannabis Coalition. The event was a good way to connect the community and share in the holiday cheer with like-minded people. The ambiance was filled with good, roots music, including a live performance by Levi Wise. While they were performing, a young boy, who was about 4 or 5 years old, captured the attention of just about everyone in attendance with his dancing. He had soul and the perfect rhythm as he danced along to their music. OB Wellness and Green Earth were the collectives in attendance with tables selling some of their best products that you can normally find in their boutique-like store fronts. To go with the hemp holidays theme, they had their table stocked with hemp Dime Bags that seemed to be a popular item for them. CCC did a good job by having handmade pieces by the owner Eric Romero that featured designs like guitars and peace signs. Also, OG Dankster Ware was there with custom t-shirts and original cannabis inspired novelties. The event had a chill vibe and people were free to enjoy the music and food, or shop for unique holiday gifts.
Polynesian Underground’s
“One Love” Christmas Toy Drive By: Sandieganliz
On December 10th, Polynesian Underground kicked off their 2nd annual Christmas Toy Drive at the Soundwave in Mission Beach. Great reggae music filled the stage and two local charities received a bunch of gifts for children! The Califarians started off the evening and were followed by Product and Kahi Lofa. Other bands included Stone Senses, The Devastators, HI Roots, and Shoreline Rootz. Throughout the night, in-between band sets, the event featured DJ Carlos Culture, two Polynesian Dancers, and gift giveaways. The cost was $5 w/ a toy and $10 without. Donated toys went to Father Joe’s Villages and the Ronald McDonald House in San Diego.
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Photo: Tiffany Janay
DVD DOCUMENTARY ON MED-MARIJUANA PRODUCED BY SORRENTO-VALLEY DISPENSARY EXPECTED IN FEBRUARY By Leo E. Laurence, J.D.
An independently-produced, super-doctor documentary on medical marijuana may be released in February and could be screened in several, local theaters. The working title is MEDICAL CANNABIS & IT’S IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH. James Schmachtenberger of Leucadia is producing the documentary on DVD with an initial pressing of about 20,000 copies. He is a board member of the collective that operates the San Diego Herbal Alternatives dispensary at 5830 Oberlin Dr. in Sorrento Valley, www.sandiegoherbalalternatives. org. Schmachtenberger is working with a former student, Lindsay Ward (works lights), and videographer/editor/director Troy Brajkovich (www.THCcreativeMedia.com). The soundtrack “will be custom designed just for this DVD, and will be a mix of New Age with some soft guitar background,” Schmachtenberger explained. This DVD is a serious production. A Nov. 28th photo-shoot in Leucadia for about five-minutes on the DVD took an entire Sunday afternoon. Professional lighting alone for the shoot took about an hour to set up, plus more time establishing the camera angles for shooting. The producers are going for a documentary that will be heavy on doctors explaining the significant, medical uses of cannabis. Among those to appear are Donald Tashkin, M.D. of U.C.L.A.; David Bearman, M.D., a private practitioner in Santa Barbara and a recognized expert on medical marijuana; and Donald Abrams, M.D. of U.C.S.F., among others. By producing the professional-quality documentary on DVD, the San Diego Herbal Alternatives dispensary is engaged in a major project to educate the public about medical marijuana. Many dispensaries throughout California are doing much more than selling cannabis. Education is critical right now as we look to another ballot initiative during the 2012 presidential election. During the Prop. 19 campaign back in November, the widespread misinformation about marijuana fed by the opposition, our D.A. Bonnie Dumanis, was shocking. Distribution plans for the DVD documentary were still being developed at deadline. Schmachtenberger plans to promote it online with a tentative February release. The La Palma Theater and Hillcrest Theatre may screen it.
Dear
,
We (Mother Earth Coop) partnered with Hope Unlimited and did a “Feed the Homeless” event and fed about 70 people. We cooked up a few turkeys, made sandwiches, and were able to help out a few people who really appreciated the home cooked meals. We also worked the 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk - 60 Miles for a Cure. It was a blast to see the team names, strength and courage of the 4K walkers in the rain that raised $10.5 million for the cure. We also donate part of our cookbook proceeds to breast cancer and aids research along with Friends for Pets and Alternative Kids. Peace & Gratitude, Kim Send your Dear NUG submissions to submit@nugmag.com
El Centro
PROVINCIAL CITY COUNCIL’S BAN ON DISPENSARIES MAY BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL by Leo E. Laurence, J.D., Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, San Diego © 2010
The five-member city council in El Centro is a provincial government body. Webster’s dictionary says “provincial” means the council is limited to a local or restrictive outlook. And, these council members don’t like “out-of-towners.” Leaders of the cannabis community in El Centro asked me to appear before their city council on Dec. 7th to speak on behalf of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (L.E.A.P.). It is an international organization of current and former law-enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges and state-prison officers. L.E.A.P. supports the medical marijuana community and opposes the failed and costly War-on-Drugs. The local newspaper, The Imperial Valley Press, carried a frontpage story on the council meeting and mentioned the L.E.A.P. appearance. It said the council would be considering a “moratorium” prohibiting the establishment of dispensaries in the city, but when local leaders tried to get a copy of the moratorium from city hall, it was not available. Constitutional Law Problems Local city councils in California cannot pass ordinances (e.g., “moratoriums”) that impede or block the implementation of state laws. Right now, medical marijuana patients in El Centro, and reportedly in all cities in the Imperial Valley, are unable to exercise their legal right to consume medical marijuana because there are no dispensaries in Imperial Valley cities. On December 7th, their city council voted unanimously to continue a “moratorium” prohibiting the establishment of a medical marijuana dispensary in the city. In other words, the City of El Centro is nullifying the state’s medical marijuana statute, which is arguably far beyond its municipal jurisdiction as a matter of law. The sole dispensary in the city was operated by vocal activist JoAnn Villareal in a small storefront on an isolated street in a poor neighborhood, which was about a mile from city hall. She was shut down by local police and is currently being vigorously prosecuted. Villareal mobilized the El Centro cannabis community that made a strong presentation on medical marijuana before their city council, which included several sharp, young men 20 | NUGMAG.COM
in their 20s to a very talkative, senior lady. Among those speaking was Maria James, chapter leader of the Orange County Chapter of Americans for Safe Access in Huntington Beach (another dastardly “out-of-towner”). James provided the city council with a 21-page, comprehensive set of recommendations for municipal dispensary regulations. Unfortunately, the five council members showed no interest, but they did like the so-called Palm Springs Resolution and may tailor El Centro’s municipal ordinance to that flawed resolution. It, however, contains significant, substantive, factual errors on law enforcement issues. L.E.A.P. urged the city council not to follow the Palm Springs example. Buried in that resolution are statements that “there is an increase in, and an escalation of, crime at dispensaries.” It also reads that medical marijuana dispensaries involve “adverse secondary effects”, which include an increase in crime. As a law enforcement organization, L.E.A.P. explained, when asked by the mayor, that both statements are blatantly false and unsupported by law enforcement statistics. Indeed, dispensaries in San Diego are largely fashionablydecorated businesses with tight security. The public who patronize dispensaries include professionals, business people, and university faculty and staff. They also bring money to other nearby businesses, and not the crime alleged in the factually inaccurate Palm Springs Resolution. In effect, the cities in Imperial Valley are preventing medical marijuana patients from exercising their rights under state law. Can you image a city council passing an ordinance that says the Highway Patrol cannot operate in their city? –Perhaps because they only want their provincial, local police enforcing the law. Obviously, the courts would toss that city ordinance rather quickly. Yet, many local city councils throughout California, who dislike anything to do with marijuana, are arguably violating our state constitution every day with either (1) outright prohibitions against dispensaries, or (2) by creating so many restrictions to the operations of dispensaries that the municipal ordinances become a virtual ban on medical marijuana in the contravention of state law. Strongly Dislike “Out-of-Towners” All five members of the El Centro City Council made it abundantly clear that (1) they did not want to hear that constitutional argument and (2) repeatedly stressed that they didn’t like “out-of-towners.” After a parade of people spoke to the city council, including L.E.A.P. from San Diego and Americans for Safe Access of Huntington Beach, each of the five council members had their say. They were neither
polite nor hospitable to anyone from out-of-town. The first to rudely attack the presentations made by “out-of-towners” was the very vocal Councilmember Jon Edney, who seemed to like to hear himself talk. Looking right into my eyes (sitting in the front row of the audience section), he attacked the people by saying, “The more you spoke, the more you damaged your case. You’re not from this city. You don’t know this city.” Sitting next to him was Councilmember Cheryl Viegas-Walker, a middle-aged woman, who was looking directly at me when she said, “We dislike out-of-towners who tell us what to do. You traveled here for no good reason.” Next, Mayor Efrain Silva took up the war cry against the out-of-towners in the council’s very narrow, provincial perspective on its people. Councilmember Sanders was the next to go after the “out-oftowners” who try to tell them what to do. Three Options While speaking to the city council, I specifically directed a question to the mayor and asked him to explain the substance of the so-called moratorium they were considering. He never answered the question. However, he did admit that his city council “must implement state medical marijuana laws” and confessed that he believed the issue was “still open” as to whether the council was “obligated” to follow state law. “Every city in the (Imperial) county has barred (dispensaries),” said Councilmember Edney. Therefore, every city in the Imperial County is arguably violating the state constitution. The El Centro City Council considered three options produced by its staff: (1) Outright prohibition of medical marijuana dispensaries (thus totally blocking implementation of state law); (2) “To direct staff
to review and consider options for regulation and establishment of medical marijuana cooperatives and collectives,” (estimated to take up to nine months); and (3) To continue the current, so-called moratorium prohibiting dispensaries in the city. The five-member council voted for the second option, but in the last 26 seconds of the meeting, and on recommendation of their city attorney, they unanimously voted to continue the current prohibition on dispensaries in their city (the substance of option #3). The council members seemed very suspicious of dispensaries, and one even suggested that their municipal regulations should include city control over the quality of the medical marijuana in a licensed dispensary, which may also be beyond their municipal jurisdiction. Unfortunately, some of the seniors in the local cannabis community attending the city council session were grossly rude. They shouted stuff like “You’re a liar” when Councilman Edney was speechmaking, which was a majority of the time. “Those rude interruptions hurt your cause,” Edney said critically. Working with the local cannabis community, L.E.A.P. will be offering behind-the-scenes assistance to the El Centro city staff as they draft a proposed, municipal ordinance for the establishment and operation of cannabis collectives and dispensary operations. That assumes, however, the city staff will be open to recommendations from the “out-of-towners” that their city council dislikes so much. Current and former law-enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges and prison staff are urged to confidentially contact Leo E. Laurence, J.D. of L.E.A.P. at (619) 757-4909 or leopowerhere@msn.com.
By Dion Markgraaff Photo: Gio Blitz Local people, who are tired of government inaction, are coming together to give San Diego the chance to set rules for dispensaries. The “Citizens for Safe Access Ordinance” is a proposed ballot initiative that would establish “regulations and procedures for medical cannabis centers.” –Clear rules will help patients, caregivers, landlords, and most importantly, law enforcement. This ordinance would establish guidelines for the operation of dispensaries and will assist in ending the current system of chaos, or, as one San Diego judge famously said after analyzing our current system, it is a “serpentine road map.” This new ordinance aims to step-in where government leaders in San Diego have failed miserably. The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 intended to “encourage the federal and state governments to implement a plan for the safe and affordable distribution of marijuana to all patients in medical need 24 | NUGMAG.COM
of marijuana.” In recent years, there was some hope for new rules. Last year, the San Diego City Council formed the Medical Marijuana Task Force chaired by Professor Alex Kreit of Thomas Jefferson School of Law to make recommendations to the city council. Last year, the Task Force made its recommendations after much thought and deliberation, but the city council has failed to pass them. These recommendations are scheduled to be considered again this month. A group has come forward in an attempt to ensure that rules will be established. The California Cannabis Coalition, which was founded by Craig Beresh last year, is the organization lobbying for these rules that were written by Jeffrey A. Lake, Esq. and Jessica C. McElfresh, Esq. The best thing about this legislation ordinance would be the establishment of guidelines for dispensaries. In addition, local law enforcement will be better equipped to be efficient in knowing what is permissible rather than going on government urban myths like: “it is federally legal – so cops don’t have to follow California law” and selling medical cannabis is illegal. This ordinance would legally and significantly help
dispensaries because the District Attorney would be obligated to follow them as well, which is stated in HS 11362.7. If Bonnie Dumanis ignores this part of our law and does not follow the rules, this new ordinance will be used as evidence in the court process – using the rules as facts. Another positive aspect is that the ordinance would give existing dispensaries the time to follow all the new rules if they have to make changes or move. The bad thing in these new rules is that they will limit some of the cannabis community’s rights. This may be the reality in getting the voters of San Diego to pass these laws. Sadly, these would infringe on rights we have now. For example, patients could not con-
sume their medicine at the collective. This takes away an important right and is not very practical for patients, especially the patients who work there. Also, the new rules will require collectives to keep patient addresses on file. The biggest problem may be the provision that the “center shall obtain medical cannabis only from a location cultivated by the collective or from its members in accordance with applicable zoning regulations in the jurisdiction in which it is cultivated, or any requirements which may be imposed by the State.” Is this physically possible? This would take away a key right and probably force higher prices. Questioning where the medication comes from is a major tactic the government uses against collectives, especially in San Diego. The California Cannabis Coalition will need help getting the signatures necessary to get this ordinance on the ballot. Additionally, this effort will be a good opportunity to continue to organize the cannabis community politically – hopefully further extending our strength. NUG Magazine supports people in our community who are trying to make life better for others. A sad part of this effort is that it will be a long time before San Diego citizens can vote and until then, the community will continue to suffer the results of terror and chaos from having no rules. Unless there is a special election, San Diego will have to wait until June of 2012 for a chance to set rules that our “leaders” have failed to make over the span of many years.
We the Patients By: Pamela Jayne
It has truly been an honor these last couple of months to bring to you the stories of real life medical cannabis patients. The lives of San Diegans who suffer from illnesses and ailments have been vastly improved because of this so-called “weed�. It is my hope that you, the reader, have learned as much from Mary and Jim as I have, and will take that knowledge and share it with those who may doubt the legitimacy of medical cannabis. I myself have been profoundly affected by the privilege of knowing Mary and Jim. Their stories are triumphant and heartbreaking, and I thank them each for their willingness to open up to the public and share the most difficult and intimate details of their personal journeys with cancer. To call them courageous would be an understatement, so I must take this opportunity to say: Thank you, Mary. Thank you, Jim. You are the calm voices of a movement that refuses to be quiet, and the true heroes of a movement that at times teeters on the edge of silliness. Thank you. In the months to come, I will be profiling many other medical cannabis patients from all different walks of life, who we may see emerging from the surf at Tourmaline, walking by on their way to a new restaurant in Little Italy, or casually picking out organic produce in Ocean Beach on any given Wednesday; they may even be wearing battle wounds from a war far away, wounds that are invisible to those who have not been there. You see, all of these people have conditions that benefit from the use of this amazing plant. And as I have learned, some stories will be easier to tell than others. Some will have a happy ending, but some will not.
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The preamble of the United States Constitution outlines our founding father’s intentions of providing all subsequent generations the following: Justice, domestic tranquility, common defense, the promotion of general welfare, and the “blessings of liberty”. Good stuff, huh? I think so. Now fast forward to 1996, when Proposition 215 was voted into law by the people of California. Taking these two pieces of historical legislation into consideration, I cannot help but wonder why, in 2010, cannabis and those who lawfully use it are still subjected to scrutiny, persecution, and prosecution by those whose salaries are paid with our tax dollars, and whose job it is to protect our rights, which are clearly given to us by law. I wish I had the answer, but I do not. I only have a one-worded question: Why?
Interview with Todd Gloria
By: Robert Stinson Photos By: Eric Fowler
As the wave rolled back after the collapse of Proposition 19, there were many unanswered questions and an ever-growing schism between policy makers and activists for safe access. NUG Magazine contacted the offices of Todd Gloria, councilmember for the third district, which includes most of central San Diego, in an effort to resolve this. I know that you sit on many boards through-out the city, how do you manage to juggle all that responsibility? Basically, I married my job. I always joke around and say that my mother was a maid and father was a gardener – that’s real work, hard labor. My job usually consists of talking about things or listening to people. In a way, this position is somewhat of a graduate degree for me since I spend a 32 | NUGMAG.COM
lot of my time learning about things. Whether it is affordable housing or healthcare issues, I like to sit back and listen to what people have to say, so in that sense, it is easy to maintain my stamina.
Could you tell us a little about the “Todd Squad”? You know the name! I was actually a staffer before I was elected. I worked for Congresswoman Susan Davis, so I have a sense of what’s needed in a staff and I think we have a really great team. Katie (the Deputy Chief of Staff) and I have known each other for a long time; she is a real interesting character. What we have first and foremost is a crew of dedicated public servants. They’re not here for money (very clearly); they’re not here for the hours because they work longer hours than I do; and frankly, what they do is difficult work because people don’t generally call us when they’re happy, they usually call when they have a grievance of some kind. –So that
can take its toll as well. We have a nice range of people working in my office. We just have a great team. Could you tell us a little about the Equal Benefits Legislation you proposed that was unanimously approved by the council? This is one of the things I’m most proud of in terms of legislative accomplishment, and it’s important for a couple of reasons. Contrary to popular belief, we contract out a lot of services in this city. We have over 300 million dollars worth of contracts in the city, and what we’re saying is that you should have equal pay for equal work. Our legislation says that if you provide personnel benefits to spouses, then you must also recognize domestic partnerships, and this doesn’t pertain to companies who don’t offer spousal benefits.
Unfortunately, there are an ever-growing percentage of homeless individuals in our city. Could you expand on the recent developments regarding the city’s winter shelter? I feel this winter’s sighting process was unfortunate. There was a lengthy process that went on too long and we couldn’t get a majority vote in the council to site the shelter in a particular place. This is not uncommon in the sense that it’s usually contentious and difficult to site, but this process was different because we took votes and the motions failed, which really hasn’t happened in the past. So we went from 13th & F to Golden Hall, to Balboa Park, and eventually 16th and Newton in Barrio Logan. And of course, as a result, we opened late and the homeless suffered. A circus like the environment surrounding the sighting of the winter shelter has taken away from the real progress this council has made on homeless issues. You can imagine
this is a difficult issue under any circumstance, and spending a lot of time focusing on it is hard because I think people look at the times we are in and notice that the city’s budget is a priority. There is a need for job creation and sometimes there is a temptation to allow other issues to fall off the radar. We haven’t done that; we’ve transferred the responsibility of this specific issue to the housing commission, which has the ability to provide more staff, more people, more attention, and more progress. We’ve taken the first steps in establishing a permanent shelter at the World Trade Center, and if we stick to our timetable, it should be open by 2012. Could you talk a little about your experience with the Environmental Health Coalition as it relates to your views on environmental policy? As informed citizens, what can we do to protect our natural resources?
I have been involved with the EHC for many years starting with the work I did with Congresswoman Davis. What initially attracted me is that they’re community based and their focus is environmental justice. When people think of the environment, the usual concern is with issues pertaining to the water quality at our beaches or the seals at the children’s pool in La Jolla -- all important issues. The fact of the matter is that the environmental concerns in my district are very acute and wrapped around environmental justice issues, and this is what the EHC is primarily focused on. The EHC aims to answer questions such as: Why is there a higher rate of asthma in poorer communities? Why are there so many led-tainted homes in these districts? What about people’s access to the environment when canyons are overrun and perhaps filed with negative elements? Why are there automotive shops near private residences? – These are things that can disproportionately affect poorer neighborhoods.
In terms of what people can do, it’s trite, but true; think globally, act locally. That means reclaiming the canyon that may be by your home, conserve water, weather strip your doors, use incandescent light bulbs, recycle, and try to pass on these good behaviors to the young people in your life. What is your opinion about medical marijuana as a viable alternative medicine? I’m very supportive of it. I think a lot of the times, activists in the medical marijuana community want to convince decision makers about the viability of medical marijuana, but that’s not necessary with me, I get it. I know plenty of friends who access it because of very significant illnesses, and it helps them. The good news is that the majority of seats in this council and most of the elected officials generally feel that it has an inherent value and there is a need for safe access. There has been a growing concern among collectives over zoning restrictions. Can you give us some insight on this? I understand why they’re concerned. It is difficult for individuals who are caught in the middle ground between the voter approved initiative to provide safe access to patients who need it and the neighborhoods that are having a hard time accepting or accommodating collectives. I don’t feel that it’s anyone’s fault. I think since the passing of Proposition 215, decision makers, because of their ideological feelings around whether or not this is a viable medicine, have chosen to stick their heads in the sand and not engage. So basically, we’ve had a decade where people have had the right to access this medicine, but no practical means to exercise that right. Understandably, people have chosen to take it into their own hands, developed collectives, and unfortunately, it’s an industry that doesn’t have a lot of standing within the law, particularly from a zoning standpoint. Now, we have this conflict where a lot of collectives are receiving notices that they are out of compliance. From a legal standpoint, this is accurate because we don’t have a clause within our land development code that regulates dispensaries, but we’re working on it! It has been this council under the leadership of me and Councilmember Marti Emerald to say that enough is enough. Let’s give them clear rules of the road that will hopefully bring together that middle ground between the neighborhoods that have concerns and the collectives that want to make sure their patients have access. With that being said, there is always a political pro34 | NUGMAG.COM
cess and you have to try to get a majority vote on it. We’ve had a number of hearings over the last two years that I’ve been here and we’re close to enacting an ordinance that I think strikes a bit of a balance. I know that a lot of the dispensaries are unhappy with the rigidity of the regulations, but I think the upside is that people will know what the rules are and there will be a means for compliance…finally. Do you feel the City Council has adequately resolved the issue on safe access for medical marijuana users? Not until we pass the ordinance. We have to be able to tell people, who want to operate these kinds of businesses, where they can do business. We have some people who run very professional businesses that we don’t get complaints about, but then have other people we get tons of complaints about. The one concern I have, which has been rather untimely, is the slough of robberies where collectives have been targets. The unfortunate thing about these crimes is that they can potentially damage the reputation of medical marijuana establishments, making citizens more concerned about having them in their community. A part of the regulation that we are looking at is to dictate a minimum level of security so collectives can operate, which is a personal priority for me, Councilmember Emerald, and others on the council to make this possible. Even if you don’t believe that marijuana is an appropriate medicine, you should support this ordinance because it’s going to provide the security that is missing out there. What can existing collectives throughout the city do to protect themselves from the possibility of Federal intervention? I voted to support the marijuana task force that we had in trying to provide an opportunity for those who are deeply involved in advocacy to provide input to the council, and we took their recommendations and based our ordinances off of them. If we resolve problems such as zoning issues, we still have state law, which has limitations. Then you have federal law, which is a completely different story. The problem I have is that if I do my job well, there will still be a grey zone that collectives are going to be operating in. You may be able to have a dispensary that receives a conditional use permit to open their doors, but you will still have the spectrum of state and federal law that is inconsistent, which makes things hard for you and others who are trying to provide safe access.
By: Tiffany Janay Photo By: Gio Blitz There’s a new herb shop in town; located in the heart of Ocean Beach. This is probably not the type of herb shop you’re thinking of or used to. Their sign reads “Happy Healthy Horny High Herbs”. Hmmm… what could they be selling in there? Marijuana is just one of the thousands of types of herbs that are grown for our enjoyment and well-being. At their shop, they have numerous other herbs that have been proven to help people as well. Originally from Australia, Happy High Herbs is the second location of its kind in the United States with the other shop situated in Arizona. The vibe in their shop is super chill with knowledgeable and friendly staff. They have walls and shelves filled with an array of herbs that serve specific purposes. Some of these herbs help with memory loss, illness or disease, energy, and even sexual arousal. I spoke with Nicola Peel (who was visiting the store), who is the person that helped to open the very first Happy High Herbs in Australia years ago, about her unique business that diversifies the way we view herbs. 38 | NUGMAG.COM
As an environmentalist that dedicates her life to protecting the spirit of Earth, she has spent a tremendous amount of time developing a personal connection with plant life. Her interpretation of plants is very special and fascinating. With herbs or plant life, there are different approaches you can take for using it to achieve different results. Of course, most people are familiar with recreational and medicinal use, but originally there was shamanism. In the dictionary, a shaman is defined as: “a person regarded as having access to and influence in the world of good and evil spirits. Typically, such people enter a trance state during a ritual and practice divination and healing.” Nicola has been able to experience shamanism first hand and has learned a lot as a result. It has changed her whole approach to using herbs. She says, “These shamans are in total communion with the plants. That’s how they know what the plants can do for us, because they tell us! They spend weeks ingesting a particular plant so their whole spirit is taken over by it; they know what it’s all about. They say there will come a point when you don’t even have to take it. You can call on the spirit of it and it will give you the same effect. It’s good to know that’s a possibility…when
you know what it feels like and you can call on it to be with you, even if you haven’t got it.” You can mix the herbs in all different ways to achieve different results, like a cocktail. For example, if you mix damiana with ganja, it is said that it can take away the paranoia effect. Everyone will have a different reaction, so try it out and see what reactions you get, and what experiences you like the best to make you feel good. While a good Nug is certainly welcomed to enhance happy feelings, take the time to enlighten yourself to other herbs that make you feel just as good. SEXUAL AROUSAL Are you familiar with smoking some good bud, when all of a sudden you start feeling aroused? Or better yet, you start getting in the mood AND have someone right there with you to share those feelings with – have you ever noticed how GREAT that experience is? It just feels incredibly good. Damiana is an herb that can give you good sexual stimulation. MEMORY BUILDERS Smoking weed is fun, but not remembering what hap-
pened 5 minutes ago is not! Of course, you could always stop smoking and heal your short-term memory loss, but if that’s not an option, then check out these herbs that can help clear the fog in your brain: Ginkgo Biloba, Brahmi, or Gotu Kola. They also have these three herbs mixed for your benefit into a tea called “Smart N Up”. PAIN RELIEF Prescription pain killers are a bummer, but relieving pain is great. Weed is a great alternative for pain relief, but in case you want a few other options to relieve yourself, these herbs would be happy to help you: Mulungu, Kava, Mugwort, Valerian Root, or Kratom. ENERGY ENHANCER Commercial energy drinks and those bee pills you buy at the local gas station are dangerous and extremely unhealthy. Sometimes we all need a little pick me up to keep the day rolling, or perhaps you’re going out partying and want to show off your best dance moves without getting tired. Well, these herbs would loVe to party with you and promise to keep the night exciting: Guarana, Kola nut, Suma, Yerba Mate. HERBS OF SPECIAL MENTION Elecampane - can be used as a lung cleanser, which will enable better breathing and heal the lungs. Also, good for the pancreas and strengthens digestion. Kava Kava – good for relaxation and vivid dreams. It relaxes the muscles, is a natural pain killer, improves photographic memory in small amounts (so for cramming) and is known to some as a sedative. Passionflower & Mullien - great combo for weaning yourself off of a tobacco addiction. Mullien is a good lung repairer; Passionflower is said to be a painkiller and it helps you sleep. Calamus - It is known for many great things such as headache relief, asthma, and fighting fatigue. But, the most important benefit to you may be its reputation for being the only herb that can detoxify the brain of cannabis residue. That’s a tip that can come in handy for all of us. Colts Foot - Forget the shot for fighting any type of flu. Colts Foot is known for having the ability to kill any flu virus. It’s also good for relieving lung congestion. “Once we’ve got our mind past the physical reality, you can see the potential we have of communion with nature to work together.” Take the time to visit them and ask questions. Also, be sure to pick up their book: Happy High Herbs by Ray Thorpe, who is the Global Director and a true activist for our rights to access herbs. It’s a great book of reference to “natural highs and addiction solutions”. Happy High Herbs 4810 Santa Monica Ave. Ocean Beach, CA 92107 (619) 677-2739 *The information in this article is not intended to prescribe, treat, or diagnose any medical problems. It is valuable to seek the advice of an alternative health care professional or herbalist before making any changes.
By. George Alberts Photos By. Courtney Pakalolo We’ve done it again! We found another incredible restaurant that will enlighten your day with a refreshing and unique experience. Located at the edge of San Diego State University, Pita Pit has been serving local residents and students with some of the best quality food since 2003. This was the first of its kind to open in California, and San Diego was lucky enough to be its original home. Last June, Mathew Shaffer and Ed Espinoza assumed ownership of this fine establishment and rekindled the flair that had been lost due to absentee ownership. When I got the chance to sit down with Mat and talk about the franchise, he revealed to me a personal and interesting story that sums up his passion for the business. He also wasn’t shy about expressing his enthusiasm about the company culture and laid back atmosphere, and when I asked him why he got into it, he said, “I love people and being able to connect with them. It’s the customers that make up any restaurant, and I go out of my way to make sure every customer feels welcome and has fun while eating here!” Mat has invested a lot of himself into this business and it’s reflected in the atmosphere, friendly service, and unbelievable food. As a public defender in the juvenile division of Broward Criminal Court in Florida, he loved helping people and enjoyed the rush he got from winning cases. However, he eventually became fed up with the amount injustice and futility that existed within the county’s legal system. “What I knew and what I had seen was hard to deal with day-in and day-out,” he said. “The cops patrolled the ghettos for easy arrests, and typically arrested the same kids over and over again over stupid misdemeanor drug offenses. Illegal search and seizures were a commonplace for individuals who were poor and usually black, but almost always, kids were the primary target. Cops always felt they could be verbally and physically abusive towards my clients because they were young. It made me sick to see kids who had been chewed up by police dogs because they had gotten scared and ran from a cop – over a nickel bag of cheap So. Fla. weed or tiny $10 crack rocks! – So many kids were beaten or chased down like dogs and abused, and to make matters worse, the cops were even trained to lie about it in their police reports and depositions, which made it tough to pin them down on the stand.” Walking away from any career can be difficult and sometimes complicated, but that’s exactly what Mat knew he had to do. “It was definitely a complicated decision, but I decided to leave the law because I wanted a gig that was always positive and fun without the drama and futility of fighting with dishonest cops all day. In this job, I get to connect with people, have fun, and serve them great food!” – A great decision that led to bigger and better things. Mat and Ed had absolutely NO business experience going into it, but loathed their office incarcerations, which was more than enough for them to take a risk on something new. As graduates of the University of Florida in Gainesville, they loved Pita Pit and knew it was a laid back, progressive franchise that did well on college campuses. “When we talked with Pita Pit Corporate about which franchises were for sale, they mentioned San Diego and it was a no-brainer.” They spent the next 2 months researching and writing a comprehensive business plan only to learn how difficult it is to get a small business loan in America right now, especially for first-time business owners with no prior experience. However, along that same timeline, they had a long, fairly intense negotiation process with the prior owners of the store that lasted almost 6 months – from November of 2009 to May of 2010. Once the deal went through, Mat sold everything he owned, hopped on a plane with his dog Bosco, and headed to Seattle for a 2-week intensive owner training.
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“For the last 6 months, I’ve had multiple new experiences as well as many obstacles and challenges, like learning how to run a restaurant for instance. But changing careers for Ed and I was the best thing we could have done; it enabled access to a great opportunity.” Over the years, this franchise has grown to 25 stores in California alone; this is attributed to people like Mat and Ed, who are motivated by the idea of filling that unhealthy void with something better for those who need it, want it, and crave it. Pita Pit serves some of the freshest food in town. They use locally grown veggies, incredible unique sauces, and hand prep everything, including their meats and deli cuts. These pitas are filled with fresh and healthy ingredients without the extra “healthy” cost. This alone decimates the $5 Footlong trend that is stuffed with nothing but the processed junk you originally tried to avoid from the start. “We really want people to understand what we make here. Our pitas are delicious, they fill you up, and have a lot less calories and fat than a burger and fries,” Mat expressed. “I really want customers to have a unique and genuine experience when they come here, and we want customers to take it all in.” This colorful, college-friendly joint has a simple, clean layout with great, friendly customer service with the owner right behind the counter ready to get you started. With mellow tunes always in play, it’s a very inviting atmosphere where stoned-hungry students or locals can chill and enjoy a wholesome meal. – You’ll love every aspect of this place! One unique characteristic that put a smile on my face was the artistic display of edgy vegetables decked out in tribal gear and war paint who are caught up in the peace pipe mood. They had the right idea, but I didn’t need a bowl to work up an appetite after seeing an employee put the finishing touches on an overstuffed pita. This being my first Pita Pit experience, I didn’t know what to try because everything on the menu sounded satisfying to my appetite. Mat recommended the Bosco, which is a philly cheesesteak sandwich with pita flair. Named after his lovable dog/mascot, this puppy was stuffed with mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, peperoncinis, and cheddar cheese with a little chipotle sauce to finish it off. I also opted to get a little lettuce and tomatoes thrown into the mix. The thin steak, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, peperoncinis, and cheddar cheese were grilled together, sealing up all the flavors and making the first bite extremely mouth-watering! The lettuce and tomatoes I added were a great accolade to the chipotle sauce and steak, giving the pita a fresh, crisp taste. The pita bread was the pride and joy of this masterpiece because it was thin and light, and didn’t disrupt the serious flavor. I loved and appreciated every bite. I’m a philly fan, and I have to say that this was one of my better experiences because this unique philly didn’t have that uncomfortable, greasy flavor or aftertaste that usually lingers after you’re finished. – I highly recommend the Bosco! With just a little more room left, I decided to try their roast beef pita. Now, you can build it up any way you want, but I chose to load it with onions, BBQ sauce, spinach, and tomatoes, which turned out to be a pretty good combination for the thin slices of grilled roast beef. The taste was delectable. I was afraid that the BBQ sauce would overwhelm the other ingredients, but it turned out to be a great tangy addition, tying everything together. This restaurant has a pretty fresh advantage over the competition because their veggies really build up their pitas with that refreshing, crisp taste that other sandwich places promise, but never deliver. Pita Pit has redesigned the way we eat. Thriving off the college culture, it introduces a culture of its own with fresh ingredients and a fun atmosphere. The food is always fresh and it’s a much better option than that burger joint on the corner you submit to because of its convenience. Mat makes a great effort in catering to the college community with late night dining, free local delivers, online ordering, on-campus promotions and discounts for SDSU employees, and art appreciation specials. “I like showing customers that I appreciate their business because without them I wouldn’t be here enjoying what it is that I’m doing,” he said. The food here is great; they don’t skimp on ingredients or the friendly, fast service. If you’re looking for a fresh food fix or a healthier option, then Pita Pit is the place for you; I promise you won’t be disappointed!
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Cannabis Community by George Alberts
A major issue that flourishes in San Diego is poverty, which is a harsh reality for many in our community. Unfortunately, there are a large number of locals who can’t look beyond the idyllic weather, beautiful beaches, and array of attractions to notice the ever-growing homeless population or ongoing need for food. Despite a decline in homelessness nationally, an annual count conducted by San Diego’s Regional Task Force on the Homeless found about 8,500 people sleeping on the streets or in shelters across the county this past year, which was about 600 more people than in 2009 – the numbers are real and can be found at www.rtfhsd.org. Besides the homeless in our community, there are many individuals, families, and fixed-income seniors who face food insecurity, which means that they have little or no food available at home, and at times, don’t know where their next meal will come from. As stated in the San Diego Food Bank – Fact Sheet for 2010: there are 483,000 people who live at or near the federal poverty level. With an unemployment rate over 10%, continuing job layoffs, home foreclosures and high gas prices, tens of thousands of additional people are turning to the Food Bank to help put food on the table. In 2008, the Food Bank fed 200,000 per month. This increased by 52% to 304,000 per month in 2009. In 2010, the Food Bank fed over 342,000 people per month. 46 | NUGMAG.COM
In the fiscal year 2009-2010, the Food Bank distributed 15.3 million pounds of food, which is the equivalent of 12 million meals. – The demand for food will continue to rise! Beyond all the crazy holiday shopping, festive events and attractions, it was heartwarming to know that the cannabis community got involved to lend a hand and help out. Throughout the months of November and December of last year, The Green Door Collective, Green Crop Co-Op, IGS Hydroponics, Cheba Hut and a few other businesses stepped up to do their part in giving back to the community. In a discussion with Hopper from The Green Door Collective, he made a great point that defines
gives back to San Diego the reason why these businesses should make contributions: “These businesses exist for the purpose of filling a need, but if there isn’t a need, then there’s no business. Every business owes its success to their customers. The way I see it, I have the perfect job because I get to help patients and make a difference, but it’s also important to me to make that extra effort to give back to my local community; this is something I’m passionate about. People like to measure their rate of success, but as long as I have food in my fridge and the bills are paid, then I consider myself successful.” – A very humbling impression from our Chronisseur. These businesses and their owners have so much to be thankful for, and they showed their gratitude by contributing to those that need our help more than ever. Established in June of 2009, The Green Door Collective has become a very positive aspect of our community. Not too long after opening shop, Hopper got involved in the Alpha Project, which provides opportunities rather than hand outs to get people back on their feet. He’s made a good habit out of making monthly donations to this great cause, which gives people a second chance at a better future. One day, after getting home from work and turning on the TV, he found Mayor Sanders reaching out to the community in a speech, where he pleaded with San Diegans to contribute something, anything, even a $1 to someone in need. Hopper immediately jumped on the phone and called the mayor’s office to see how he could help. They directed him to Michelle Danks of the San Diego Food Bank and the rest is history –The Green Door Collective became the first collective to organize a food drive in 2009. “It’s important to make a heart-conscious decision during the holidays, but more importantly, throughout the year,” he said. “There are so many different opportunities out there to make a difference and I want to be a part of as many as I can.” Besides the food drive that year, Hopper ran a very successful toy drive for the Toys for Tots Foundation that left a bad taste in Wal-Mart’s mouth. At the end of the drive, The Green Door Collective had a final collection that took place at the A/C Lounge, which also involved neighboring business owners John and Jayne of Jayne’s Gastropub, who contributed large quantities of food and a substantial amount of money to the drive that Hopper happily matched to increase the donation, even their bartender kicked down some dough to help out. “Kindness is contagious. When someone sees you doing something good, they also get in the mood and want to help out too,” he told me. “Even my attorney, Mark Robert Bluemel, and
his wife wrote a check to the foundation when they heard about what we were doing.” More than 100 people showed up and participated in the event, and the amount of contributions for the drive left the marines speechless and very appreciative; they told Hopper that he had OUTDONE Wal-Mart…incredible! It just goes to show that small businesses, especially non-profits, can do more and be bigger than most major corporations. This past year, The Green Door Collective continued on with their charitable deeds and did their final collection at the Portugalia Restaurant, where the San Diego ASA and a few other organizations got together to host their Holiday Lights Party; they certainly outdid themselves! It was a great turnout and once again, with marines in attendance, Hopper came through with another admirable collection of toy donations. – There were so many toys that the marines had a hard time fitting them into their van. This was certainly a successful event and it was great to see everyone coming together for a good cause. Hopper has become a positive image in our community; he provides support and advocacy to those less fortunate and to the organizations that aid them while also challenging others to get involved. He is currently working with the YWCA’s Becky’s House, which is a domestic violence program for abused women and children, and looks forward to hopefully getting involved with The Ronald McDonald House and Rady’s Children’s Hospital. He and his wife are also team leaders for their church’s food ministry, which allows him to see the progression of his hard work when they distribute the food they get from the San Diego Food Bank to the families. “It’s important not to put yourself first. You always have to think of ways to make your current environment better. Everybody can do something to make a change in someone else’s life; you just need to find out how,” he said. With that in mind, it’s important to remember that the holidays aren’t the only times others need our help. The most critical time is that first month of every year and Hopper is determined to make it his own with his First Annual Food Fight this month, where 10
collectives are competing to see who can collect the most food for the San Diego Food Bank. I’m sure the numbers will be astronomical, but don’t let them do all the work. Do your part and remember: “kindness is contagious.” Motivated by personal causes, the struggling economy, and hearing that the San Diego Food Bank was at an all-time low on their inventory, Green Crop Co-Op organized a food drive to assist the food bank in November, and a toy drive for Rady Children’s Hospital and the Toys for Tots Foundation during the Christmas season. Patients wasted no time in getting involved with the cause and flooded the co-op with a surplus of canned goods, non-perishable food, and an incredible amount of toys, which filled up their containers and some of their floor. When I got in touch with Emily, a Green Crop Co-Op staff member, and asked about their food drive, she said, “We couldn’t believe that the food bank was struggling to keep up with the rising number of hungry people and families in our community. We wanted to do what we could to help, but we also didn’t want limit ourselves to just a food drive and organized a toy drive for the month of December as well. It’s very important that we all pick up a little responsibility and help out.” She stressed the importance of doing everything humanly possible to make a difference, “whether you’re donating an hour of your time to a shelter or dropping off a few cans of food, everything counts for something. No matter how big or small, it always makes a difference in someone else’s life.” Regardless of the negative reputation local law enforcement agencies have given these non-profit businesses, Green Crop Co-Op will continue to thrive beyond what they originally set out to do, which is to serve and help the community in any way they can. Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs collaborated with It’s All About The Kids Charity to collect toys for 13 local area groups for the Christmas season. From December 6th– 23rd, customers that donated an unwrapped toy for the charity got to spin a WHEEL OF PRIZES. The prizes included free drinks, free desserts, $25.00 gift cards, a free lunch, holiday party trays, and free food for a year! There were also several SDSU fraternities and sororities that competed to see who would bring in the most toys to win free sandwiches for each member and a donation of $100 dollars to the charity of their choice. Being the first restaurant of its kind in California, Cheba Hut has been demonstrating their commitment to our community in the short time that they’ve been open by donating more than 50% of their profits back to local groups. They have also supported a HUGS not DRUGS campaign, collected canned food, given free food to holiday events, and supported neighborhood cleanup teams. Cheba Hut is proud to be in San Diego. In the midst of everything, I was able to get a hold of Scott at IGS Hydroponics, who also contributed to the Toys for Tots Foundation for the first time last year. He and his buddy Mike, who run IGS, were born and raised here in San Diego and have been making sure to do what they can to give back. “We love to help,” he said. “Over the years we have donated large amounts of time, money, labor, and materials to different charitable causes that we believe in, and one such cause was Archi’s Acres in Escondido, California. Archi’s Acres is owned and operated by a veteran of the Gulf War and Afghanistan, Colin Archipley and his wife Karen. The veteran expressed his desire to grow, operate a greenhouse, and be able to work from home. We decided to step in and help. We provided him with a greenhouse at wholesale cost, set up a manageable payment plan, and agreed to 50 | NUGMAG.COM
help him in any way we could. We donated a massive amount of time, energy, and effort to get Archi’s Acres up and running over the course of several years.” Working with Toys for Tots might have been a first for them, but they’re no stranger to giving back to those that need it most, especially our veterans. “We’re always looking to help out schools as well. We like donating hydroponics equipment to schools because we feel it’s important to educate students about growing healthy food. Sadly, kids these days know very little or nothing at all about where vegetables and fruit come from or how they are grown. I can remember growing my first tomato plant when I was a kid, and unfortunately, you just don’t see that anymore.” Their contributions are incredible gifts that enrich our children’s learning environment. In my opinion, I think we need to support more businesses like IGS because they promote the kind of products we need to live happy, healthier lives.
Since they’ve been open in October of 2009, Cannabis Creations Wellness Cooperative has been busy making donations to various walks and collecting food for Mama’s Kitchen. They’ve done a continuous food drive and will continue their hard work throughout the year. Last year, they collected more than 7,000 lbs of food for the organization. They also held a raffle back in June and another one for Christmas with all the proceeds going to Mama’s Kitchen. Talking with Erica, who is the driving force behind this cooperative’s charities, was a great experience because she is motivated at tackling as many things as possible to really make a difference in her local community. “We’re a very important resource to patients and they are important to us, but it’s vital that we look beyond what we have and work towards helping everyone. It’s important that we show people the positivity that can come from the cannabis community. If everyone worked together, the world would be a better place.” – I couldn’t have put it better myself. Through word of mouth, I heard that the Holistic Café in Hillcrest was in the giving spirit, so I immediately got in touch with Matt, their community outreach coordinator, and dis-
from the cannabis community. I tip my hat off to them for their efforts in making a difference.
cussed what they’ve done, what they’ll continue to do, and what they’ve struggled with. “We’ve done a food drive and a fundraiser for Mama’s Kitchen before and will continue to work with them because we really appreciate what it is that they’re doing for our community,” he said. “We organized a food drive in association with the San Diego Food Bank for the holidays; we’re currently trying to organize and get involved with the ‘No H8 Campaign’ here in San Diego to support our gay and lesbian community; and we also believe in supporting our veterans and recently sponsored our friend Wheelchair Willy for the Wheelchair Games. We want to get involved in as many things as we can.” It was very uplifting to talk with Matt because I could tell he was adamant about helping others. However, there was something he told me that really got under my skin: “It has actually been difficult to find organizations that are willing to work with us or take our donations. In one particular incident, we tried to donate a gift basket with all kinds of goodies, but it was turned a w a y when they found out where it came from. And later, we were told that they would accept a cash donation instead.” I couldn’t believe it! You think organizations would take anything they could get, but in this case, I guess a gift basket just wasn’t enough. Obviously, cash is easier to conceal as a donation from a private donor, but shouldn’t every thoughtful gesture count for something? Matt and the Holistic Café are making strides regardless of particular situations like this. They are doing a great job in demonstrating the kind of good that can come
The cannabis community is devoted to giving back to San Diego. These businesses as well as the SD Organic Wellness Association and SoCal A.M.C., who also contributed to their local communities, have made a great effort with their contributions to help improve the lives of others. With the Holiday season still lingering behind us, we need to make sure we continue the spirit of giving throughout the year. A lot can be learned from donating your time, a toy, or some canned goods in your community. It’s hard to keep up with the growing rate of hunger and helplessness when there is a limited amount of support for this problem. The fact that these businesses have already given back so much in the short amount of time that they’ve been in existence blows smoke in the face of Bonnie Dumanis and others who not only deem these collectives and co-ops as illegal distribution centers for marijuana, but also frown upon the cannabis community that thrives beyond the opinions and social standards of these people who insist on obtaining control of a natural representation of health and healing. Vast improvements won’t happen overnight, but every little bit that you give helps out a lot and makes a difference. So with that in mind, next year, when you hear about a food or toy drive during the holiday season, make sure to get in the spirit and do what you can to help, or be proactive and organize your own! You’ll enjoy the satisfaction you get from contributing to the livelihood of others. If you were in need, wouldn’t you want help?
Stephen Hearn
Cannabis
Cooking with
Canna-Chef Kim Written by Kim, Mother Earth Co-op ♥ Serving San Diego MMJ patients since 2005 ♥ Wishing everyone an incredible New Year and the very best of everything for 2011! Reflecting on the New Year is usually a time when we all make resolutions. Most resolutions are often based on self-improvements like stop drinking or smoking, exercising more, or getting out of debt. As statistics prove, most of these resolutions are difficult to achieve and to commit to on a permanent basis. Perhaps, since life’s obligations don’t change -- such as workload, responsibilities, children’s needs and family commitments -- habits seem to stay the same for most. What if we undertake a fresh approach? Rather than concentrating on self-improvement, what if we try to improve the lives of others or commit to doing one thing different every day that helps others like finding an important cause or charity to support. Taking time out of every day life provides perspective on what is important. Examine your motivation for change and be realistic. Understand that you’re better off not making promises that you can’t keep. Focus more on the behavioral change than on the goal. For example, if you decide to control your eating, your goal for the day is not to lose a precise amount, but to stick to your program of eating better or less. Focusing on your positive behavior will help you feel in control of your life. You will gain satisfaction from making choices such as being nice to someone or helping somebody who needs a little encouragement, or even a simple smile several times throughout the day. Make your resolutions more like non-negotiable tasks. For example, if you debate
daily whether you feel like getting up to exercise, you probably won’t. Instead, make exercise non-negotiable, which is the same as your responsibility to get up, get dressed, eat and go to work, and then you’ll do it despite of how you feel about it. It’s too easy to find excuses not to do these things. However, if you make a non-negotiable decision based on a logical reason rather than on how you feel at the moment, you will be successful. It’s the same as smiling -even when you don’t feel like it, if you smile, you and those around you just feel better! This month we have a few new healing recipes for your New Year’s dinner with of course, our medicinal twist! Some of the following recipes are taken from Mother Earth Co-op’s “420 Special Medicinal Recipes – A Medical Cannabis Cookbook.” Canna-Chef Kim © 2008 Cookbook available at finer co-ops, collectives and physician offices, or online at www.motherearthcoop.com/products. Look for our new cookbook Mother Earth Co-op’s Canna Essentials out on 2/15/2011 with 215 Special Medicinal Recipes!
MOTHER’S SPECIAL EGG NOG (Beverages)
EFFIE’S ELECTRIC ROCKEFELLER (Seafood)
6 large Eggs 1 cup Brown Sugar 1 tsp. Vanilla 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg 2 cups Milk
1 qt. Raw Oysters 1/4 cup Cannabutter * 1 stalk Celery (chopped) 1 small Onion (chopped) 1/2 cup Parsley (chopped) 1 bunch Spinach (chopped) 2 tbsp. Cannabis (chopped)
1/2 cup Dark Rum 3/4 cup Brandy 4 tbsp. Cannabis (finely chopped) 2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream 1 tsp. Cinnamon
Chill all the ingredients a few hours before starting for the best results. Beat eggs until frothy; then beat in brown sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg. Slowly stir in milk, brandy, rum, and cream. Chill and serve cold. This is a comforting drink that is easy to prepare. This healing recipe will serve up to 6 people. IRIE 13 BAKE ON SOUP (Soup) 1 1/2 lbs. Sweet Potatoes 1 medium Onion (chopped) 1 large Rutabaga 6 slices Bacon
1/4 tsp. Smoked Salt 1/4 tsp. Kief* 13 Peppercorns 1 pkg. Sour Cream
Peel sweet potatoes and cut them in half ‘lengthwise’; then cut crosswise to make 1/2-inch slices. Peel rutabaga and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Cut 3 slices of bacon into small pieces and place them in a medium pot with onions and cover. Heat for a few minutes until fat is rendered, making sure the bacon doesn’t get crisp. Add sweet potatoes and rutabagas. Using a large spoon, toss the vegetables to coat with bacon fat. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add 5 cups water, salt, kief and peppercorns; bring to a boil. Lower heat to low and cover pot; cook for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, in a non-stick skillet, cook remaining bacon on both sides until crisp, then place on paper towels to drain. Working in 2 batches, transfer the vegetables and cooking liquid into the bowl of a food processor; process until extremely smooth. Return to the pot and reheat. This can serve up to 6 people. Note: Ladle this healing soup into bowls and garnish with sour cream and crumbled, crisp bacon on top.
1/4 tsp. Anise Seed 1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce 1/2 cup Soft Bread Crumbs 1/4 tsp. Ground Pepper 1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated) 1/4 cup Bread or Crackers
Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Grease a large casserole dish. Drain the oysters and arrange them in a single layer at the bottom of the dish. Melt cannabutter; sauté celery and onions until they begin to soften. Add parsley, spinach, cannabis, anise seed, Worcestershire sauce, soft bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Spread this mixture over the oysters. BAKE casserole for 30 minutes. Remove and, if necessary, pour out the water that has cooked from the oysters. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and a very thin layer of bread or cracker crumbs. Return to the oven for 10–13 minutes or until slightly browned on top. Note: If you enjoy Oyster’s Rockefeller, you will enjoy this medicinal variation. If you must use frozen spinach, then it should be thawed and drained. **Cracker crumbs work as a great substitute for toasted bread crumbs. EGG NOG HOLIDAZE ROLLS (Desserts) 1-1/2 cups All-purpose Flour 1/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour 1 package Active Dry Yeast 1 cup Canned Eggnog 1/4 cup Water 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar 1/4 cup Cannabutter * 1/2 tsp. Salt 1-1/4 cup All-purpose Flour 1/4 cup Hempseeds
1 cup Flour 1 cup Packed Brown Sugar 1/4 cup Cannabutter* 1/4 cup Eggnog 1/2 cup Fresh Cranberries 1/2 cup Chopped Nuts 2 tbsp. Soft Cannabutter* 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar 3/4 tsp. Ground Nutmeg 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
In a large bowl combine 1-1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and active dry yeast; set aside. In a medium saucepan: heat, stir eggnog, water, granulated sugar, cannabutter, and salt until warm (125°F) and as the cannabutter almost melts; add
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“KIEF” is an age old way of extracting trichomes from plant material. Kief is the product derived from the kiefing process. Kiefing is a method in which you rub dry trim, buds and small leaves with crystals on them over a silk screen. The THC glands will form a powder that comes through the screen, then used in cooking or for smoking. It is usually a pale green to light brown dependant on the strain of the cannabis. Kief powder that is pressed together is called hash. Note: Kief boxes are sold at some smoke shops and are easier to work with than the silk screens. In a kief box, the screen is above the collection drawer allowing the THC glands to pass through the screen, into the collection drawer. This makes it easy and compact, for the average user to collect the kief and use for smoking or cooking. * Cannaoil is any high quality food grade oil such as coconut oil, olive oil, or canola oil that has been infused with high grade medical cannabis. * Cannabutter is dairy butter that has been infused with high grade medical cannabis. The recipes for cannaoil and cannabutter can be found in the first copy of NUG Magazine or online at www.MotherEarthCoop.com this combination to the flour mixture. Mix with an electric mixer on low for about a minute, scraping sides of the bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 to 5 minutes more. Using a spoon, stir in the additional 1-1/4 cups of all-purpose flour. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough additional flour (about 1 cup) to make moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes total). Shape into a ball, place in a greased bowl, and turn once; cover. Let it rise in a warm place until double (about 45 to 60 minutes), then punch dough down. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. In a saucepan, mix together the brown sugar, cannabutter, and eggnog until mixture slightly bubbles. Pour into an ungreased 13x9 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with cranberries, pistachios, almonds and walnuts. Roll the dough into a 15x12 inch rectangle, and spread with softened cannabutter. Sprinkle with the mixture of sugar, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon. Roll up loosely, starting at a short side. Moisten and seal the edge. Cut roll into twelve 1-inch slices; place (cut-side down) on top of the brown sugar mixture. Cover and let it rise in a warm place until it’s nearly doubled in size (about 40 to 50 minutes). Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes on the wire rack. Turn upside down to remove from the pan. Serve warm. This makes about 12 medicinal rolls. ICE QUEENS FREEZIES (Popsicles) 2 tbsp. Honey 1/8 cup Cannabis (finely ground) 1 cup Water 1 small Lemon 2 medium Ginger Root 1 large Papaya (cubed) 1 tbsp. Peppermint (chopped) 2 large Oranges In a saucepan, combine water and ginger root. Heat to a boil, and then simmer for about 13–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in honey until dissolved. Cool for 15 minutes and remove the ginger. Pour into a blender and add cannabis, lemon, papaya and oranges. Blend together until very smooth. Pour into Popsicle molds and place in the freezer for at least one hour or until frozen. Note: This is an excellent method to relieve nausea and soothe the stomach.
Wishing you a hempy journey to a healthier you! Take an oath this year to be kinder to each other and to practice random acts of compassion!
Spread Peace, Love & Gratitude, Kim
It’s that time of year when we’re just getting over the holidays and going back to work while preparing for our new gardens in 2011.
and the flowering plant, in most cases, will still produce a heavy, bountiful harvest. This can be done in a greenhouse or outside by using that free, natural sunlight from Mother Nature.
Indoor and outdoor growers alike need to do several things in preparation for the changing seasons and to get ready to start their new crops. Furthermore, those growing outside or in a greenhouse have a unique opportunity to get a spring harvest, or as I like to call it, a “bumper crop”! – Simply meaning an outdoor harvest before summer!
March 21st is normally the last frost here in Southern California, and plants can be put outside after this date. However, we need to start and veg our plants inside in order to have them ready to be put into the flowering cycle, which the short daylight hours trigger in the plant. The best thing to do is to set up a vegetative grow room indoors, either under metal halide (MH) HID bulbs or T-5 fluorescent bulbs. Timing is everything since you want them to be ready to go outside on or by March 21st. So getting started sometime in January with setting up your room, and starting from either seeds or clones, gives you time to veg them to your preferred height before putting them outside. Some growers prefer to veg their plants from 1-2 ft before putting them outside and will usually do more of them to avoid having large trees susceptible to all the elements. Many times, smaller outside plants are easier to manage and cover up from rain if necessary. Some also prefer to plant in portable containers so they can move them around or inside if necessary for any reason.
If you understand how the photo periods work with plants, then you know the equinox is March 21st, which means that the days are just about equal for daylight and dark hours. The daylight hours get longer from this point and through the summer, giving us the perfect opportunity for that bumper crop. There are a few tricks to doing this, but when it’s done properly with the right location, it can be a very rewarding harvest.
Even though the daylight hours get longer than preferred towards the end of this harvest, if done properly and early enough, the plant can still flower and produce fruit of high quality when harvested in 8-10 weeks or so. The problem or fear with not starting early enough is that the daylight hours get too long and the plant may revert back into vegetative growth, keeping it from producing quality flowers or causing it to become extremely leafy and not full of fruit, which is the worst case scenario. From my experiences, it’s a great way to get a bumper crop of fresh fruit before the summer!
Obviously, the winter days are too short, too cold, and are not ideal in any way. But as we approach the spring time, things warm up For those who are not doing a bumper crop and are planning to veg all summer, you and the days get longer as the sun moves also have some preparation work to do. Whether it’s in a greenhouse or outside, the towards the Northern Hemisphere. So if we location and area needs to be prepped. Greenhouse growers need to make sure put our plants outside ready to flower, they’ll the greenhouse is ready from last year by repairing anything necessary, cleaning it start flowering immediately. Even though the days are getting longer by about 15 minutes Photo: AMS bythe Greenhouse Seed Co. each week, we can get plants into a heavy enough flower before the days get too long; NUGMAG.COM | 57
up, doing general maintenance on fans and equipment, and cleaning out and/or replacing all of the water lines and reservoirs…simply make sure everything is clean and ready for the upcoming crop. Outdoor growers need to prep their planting sites with materials such as soils, amendments, fertilizers, chicken wire and/or other supplies needed to grow and protect your crop. Chicken wire (the small holed chicken wire) should be used to completely wrap around the plant. It’s a great way to keep rodents and pests from eating and destroying your plant. When you dig your planting hole line, do it with the chicken wire so it comes up out of the ground about 1-2 ft or so. Then wrap and cage it in over the top, completely surrounding and wrapping the plant; or patch in chicken wire to protect it from animals like gophers that come from underneath the root zone. Clearing a patch or some weeds to make an ideal location is all part of the preparation that should be started now. Making the soil early with beneficial microbial inoculants is also a good way to make sure your patch’s soil is ready and charged for the new crop. Beneficials take some time to build up in order to produce good rich soil, so preparing it early is the best and wisest choice. I hope you enjoyed your vacation and the holidays, but it’s time to get back to work. The old saying “the early bird gets the worm” has never been more true. Those of you who start preparation early will have a better, healthier, bountiful harvest no matter what you’re doing! Happy Growing in 2011!
‘Tis the season! Amid all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, Hopper and I managed to find the time to sit down for the 10th installment of The Chronisseur. Since everyone seems to be in a hurry this time of year, I’ll save us all some time and get straight to the reviews…
Purple Bubba Kush: (Fresh Selection) “This bud looks simply stellar, like it was rolled in sugar. The trichomes are glistening and it has beautiful purpling. Someone knew what they were doing when they grew this one. Judging by the appearance and aroma, it seems to be a Pre-98 Bubba Kush, but still grown really well. Has a very Bubba Kush-like aroma. Great flavor. I really like this one. Nice expansion. Got a nice cough, but it wasn’t harsh. Obviously, this crop was flushed well, and I can’t stress enough how important that is. The Purple Bubba Kush is an overall winner. Has a head and body high. I would recommend this strain for a variety of ailments: pain, sleep aid, anxiety, etc.” Herojuana: (Green Crop Co-op) “This is a beautiful nug. It looks like a tiny Christmas tree – ‘tis the season! It has nice red hairs that balance the light green, trichome covered bud. I am excited to sample this one. Its aroma is very similar to an OG. Epic flavor, really coats the tongue. It has an earthy-hashy taste. Heavy expansion complete with a full dome-run. Not harsh though. This grower should be really proud! The Herojuana’s heavy indica high will definitely keep you in your seat. I would recommend it to patients living with moderate to severe pain, or for those who need a powerful sleep aid. Do not operate heavy machinery!” 60 | NUGMAG.COM
The Spade: (Fresh Selection) “I have never heard of this strain, but it reminds me of the Jack Herer or a Jack cross. It’s a rock solid, little nugget with lots of red hairs with very little yellowing on the outer leaves, maybe due to high temperature, but there are many other causes of yellowing. Has nice, shiny trichomes and an earthy, pine aroma. Curious how this one is going to taste…It is similar to the Jack Herer, but a bit on the harsh side. It did pack an expansive hit, but could have been flushed better. This would be a good daytime strain.”
Diamond Purple Kush: (So Cal AMC) “Looks exquisite…Absolutely beautiful! Honestly, this is one of the better looking buds I’ve seen in a long time. Although I don’t see much purpling, it’s still an amazing looking nug. It has the perfect amount of red hairs and it absolutely sparkles. As far as the smell, it’s not too pungent, but very sweet. Has a very slight Kush aroma. Well, it’s not the flavor I expected. It’s tart and a little bit spicy. Coated the tongue and had a hashy quality. It was pleasant and surprising. I enjoyed this one. Has a very euphoric high that I can feel from my head all the way down through my arms. The Purple Diamond Kush was grown beautifully. She’s a looker for sure!”
As Hopper and I were sampling and talking about trichomes, red hairs, the importance of flushing and such, he also told me about the things that really mattered to him. Things like The Green Door Collective’s Annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive, which was a HUGE success again this year thanks to the generosity of patients, staff, and volunteers; and the GDC’s partnership with the San Diego Food Bank, and how because of the overwhelming need in our community, he will likely make the food drive a year-round effort. “There are too many people who will still be hungry on December 26th,” he says. “The need is not going away; it’s getting larger by the day.” On the subject of giving back to the community, Hopper was excited to tell me about the things he has planned for 2011. Truth be told, I am excited for him and we both agree that we hope all collectives in San Diego will follow suit. Story by: Pamela Jayne
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Nug Shots: M.K. Jack
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Photo: Phil Calvin for SCR Photos
SHINOBI NINJA IS
FRESH!
If you are getting tired of the same old California Rock/ Reggae, check out my new favorite band from NYC, Shinobi Ninja, an independent rock/rap group comprised of six seasoned Brooklyn musicians: DA and Baby Girl (vocals), Jonny on the Rocks (bass), Terminator Dave (drums), Maniac Mike (guitar), and DJ Axis Powers. Founded in 2008, they have been touring their asses off in an effort to take over the world with their high-energy reggae/rock/metal/punk/hip-hop fusion performances. Influenced by the sounds of the 80s, their diverse backgrounds, and their in-your-face party lifestyle, Shinobi Ninja is a breath of fresh air and is undoubtedly headed to the top of the charts. Their original style is just one of the things that set them apart from the crowd. Shinobi Ninja has found a new way to “play” the music game by creating interactive gaming apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch to coincide with their new releases. Their innovative use of marketing to promote their music was recently highlighted at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. In February of 2010, the band released “Shinobi Ninja Attacks!” a Nintendo-style video game album that features the members of the band as playable characters fighting their way through the streets of Brooklyn. Each level features the band’s music and provides the player a chance 64 | NUGMAG.COM
By: M.J. Smith to unlock hidden songs, music videos, free concert tickets and merchandise. In a first for music and gaming iPhone apps, it also uses GPS tracking capabilities at concerts to locate and reward fans who have the app. After completing an East Coast tour last spring that ended with shows at the annual SXSW Music Festival in Austin, this hardworking band followed the success of their first EP with the summer release of the “Video Game EP”, which comes packaged in a NES cartridge, and the fall release of the “Baby G EP”, which highlights their dynamic lead singer. Shinobi Ninja is currently working on their first full-length album, which is due out at the beginning of March, and has a nationwide tour in the works. I can’t wait to see and hear what they do next! When I found out these guys like cannabis as much as we do, I knew we had to get an interview for NUG! Can you describe your music for those who may not have heard you before? DA: It’s some hardcore, hard body, intense-type, hip-hop, metal combo style. Do you have any pre-show rituals? DA: Jamo on the rocks, Four Lokos, blunt to the face, and some jokey jokes. What is your ultimate venue to play and/or band to play with? DA: The Brooklyn Bowl. We played with Tom Morello. That was intense. What is your favorite show played so far? DA: The Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI, opening for Slightly Stoopid. I smoked with them and then jumped on stage in front of 3000 people…Good times! How was your SXSW experience? DA: Amazing!!!! We played eight shows last year.
Do you have any fears or phobias? DA: Not being a rock star. I don’t think I want that to happen. I feel so happy being able to rock shows and party. I don’t wanna grow up. I’m a kid forever! I wanna be in the studio and on stages rocking shows and smoking blunts forever! So New York...What’s the cannabis scene like there? DA: It’s a mish mosh. A lot of weed gets brought in from all over, so it really has no identity. What’s your favorite way to smoke or ingest cannabis? DA: B.L.U.N.T.S Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid? Any favorite strains? DA: I don’t even know. I feel there’s this one strain of weed that hits so hard that it instantly gives me bronchitis. So whatever that is, that’s not my favorite. All else, Bada bing bada boom! Favorite tunes to smokeout to? DA: How Many More Times by Led Zeppelin. Also, this Enuff Znuff song. Enuff Znuff got the ill weed music. Then there’s Portishead’s first album…zone out shit right there! Any regular cannabis related rituals? DA: Roll it. Smoke it. Started doing the Snoop Dogg and putting the blunt in the microwave for 10 seconds, but I don’t wanna get cancer, so I think I might stop that.
Coming to the West Coast anytime soon? DA: And you know this!!!!! Love it out in Cali!!!!!!! Any sponsors? Shout outs? DA: Hmmmm…Shout out to Brooklyn for supporting the god and his friends. Holler at our man Alex at www.1percent.com!
For more information: http://www.ShinobiNinja.com http://www.facebook.com/ShinobiNinjaMusic http://www.myspace.com/shinobininjamusic http://twitter.com/shinobininja http://www.ShinobiNinja.Tumblr.Com http://www.youtube.com/ShinobiNinjaMusic http://www.shinobininjaattacks.com/home.html
PHOTO: (L to R) Rome Ramirez, Eric Wilson, Bud Gaugh, Photo Credit: Jason Rodriguez & Joe Foster
sUBLIME with Rome By Hashley
Sublime’s lyrics are universal. People from all walks of life can listen to a few of their songs and directly relate while others can simply enjoy the unique fusion of punk, reggae, and hip-hop. Either way, Sublime will never die! Sublime with Rome (as they are now dubbed) is giving everyone an opportunity to experience a live Sublime show and another way to remember Brad. I’m honored to be able to interview you guys...I am a HUGE fan. In fact, I have ‘sublime’ tattooed across my chest... What is it like performing Sublime’s songs? Rome: It’s a dream come true. They’re my favorite songs and I get to sing them with two of the most awesome dudes alive. I’m very grateful. How do you feel about stepping into Brad’s spot? Rome: I don’t feel like I’m stepping into his spot because in a weird way, it feels like he’s right there with us. The guys would agree.
What’s your favorite spot that you guys have played at so far? Rome: Shit man, my favorite show was probably in Manchester. Everything was intense! Do you guys have a specific song writing process? Rome: We just jam. It’s very organic like the original band. Everyone has strong ideas and great contributions. Are there any other bands or singers you guys want to work with? Rome: The Black Keys, Mad Scientist, Damien Marley, Jay-Z, No Doubt and KRSOne.
What does the future look like for you? Rome: So bright, so big, and so positive! As you know, we’re a cannabis publication, so we have to ask some cannabis-related questions. What are your views on cannabis? Rome: Cannabis is a huge part of my life artistically and culturally. Any thoughts on the loss of Prop. 19 here in California? Rome: I’m not sure if it was the proper package of deliverance for such a huge decision. For a first draft, it was decent, but good things take time regardless of how long it takes. Right now, if I get popped with a sack on me, I pay $100. That’s ok with me, but what do I know? I ain’t no politician, I’m in a fuckin’ punk-rock band! So your San Diego show was recently cancelled due to schedule conflicts…when can we expect to catch a live show back here in our fine city? Rome: Honestly, hopefully real damn soon. San Diego was my first love and I’ve lived everywhere in it. Shit, it’s where I discovered Sublime. I love San Diego! Thanks for your time! Any shout outs or plugs you want to let our readers know about? Rome: Thank you NUG for your time and connecting the people with art, cannabis and culture. To all our fans, thank you for the support. We love every single one of you! Expect a banging record next summer!
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Fishbone
An Interview with
t able to express the roo you have to actually be to express themk rock bands that As a legacy, ple pun peo ng for you w are allo ere We . dedication, “Th sic before you can expand t – the original They suffer for the mu you have to learn the roo By: Tiffany Janay go out, tour, and suffer. tees, and selves in any song, but ran gua and nies pen re. from the es and the art. They take That’s what intention and expand t has been rocking stag il the band comes up. Fishbone is a band tha label for over 25 grind it out unt jor ndent las ma a star k had roc we ing ugh om tho jor label or an indepe and inspiring upc such Fishbone did. Even ause Are you signed with a ma iring bec insp s for way dit any cre it n e give don e years. They’ve been bt, behind us, we would hav We can as Gwen Stefani, No Dou e in. You go out and take bel? any label in particular. musicians and bands se that was the scene we wer actually not signed to the do all r afte n Eve s. per come back harder and We are ce. I’d actually like to you stan n Sub the led and trol ps, Con lum and Red Hot Chili Pep , your r always lean on ms and performing live opid Records, whethe that punishment.” Sto albu k g too and e, asin you e Kyl rele aus of and s bec rs r yea e stronge ’t something with Mile ting fans and will continu picture, we really don tiva big cap the still In is r. e teve bon Fish or wha put it out ourselves so many others to it’s a single documentary Everyday band that has inspired stressin’ about it. We can to do so with their new it was best to know and I’m not t makes sense, s at numerous film With a tha ided play g tly dec I alon ren , es cur ess ch com atn whi gre ing eth ir inner Sunshine, there that on iTunes and if som ation is not a out their journey over find the situ s l ans rize labe sici ma jor mu sum ma the A film to n. ctio article festivals. The e. What then we’ll go in that dire vulnerable side present this anc t tha guid es and trat ion illus irat and insp all these years get to need their dose of ed a concern at all. people don’t normally e made if I hadn’t pick of the band that most better choice would I hav ects of asp all a record deal d lore exp lly that way? You’ve had be apart of. band that has so gracefu Has it always been t? ing the music industry? since you were 18 righ t band members com That was with Columbia With over 15 differen signed that deal at 19. ally ed to actu nag ma We has er? e eth bon ords, and that lasted tog Fish Rec , ate y cre time Son r all e s ove am guy out bec n you and the in elo How do which ntaneous combustion Records, ta Records with Dallas members together: Ang spo Aris inal of to t s orig ces wen the pro of we 3 n the p kee years. The Nor- There is Dallas’ label. We had going to happen and about 10 one, and Theremin), dy Records, which is we don’t know what’s Moore (vocals, saxoph pens. Making Austin under Row y Walt (trumpet and where hap Dirt Dallas and I look back it and with and ss), ings ing… (ba ord er play rec start those wood Fish cess. There’s a good time doing t band is John McK- we just pro n there was Hollyren at the cur gre a the And is . ing hing ries plet not mo out of d me vocals). Com Rocky George something gs individu- at those as very fon s), son key e they were a Disney e writ and s aus ar, guy bec guit re fit , ill cess whe was an night (trombone play it as wood Records, which dencies), John also the pro er Ten eith l inning. They said we cida beg y Sui and ver d, of the ban erly from to the (guitar and form adds label that was afraid of us ys and vo- ally and bring it ody (ke ryb son , but…we got a eve Gib into and Dre rt ting apa get and it y were Steward (drums), it is or we kind of pick son in they understood what the per h eac ws allo ch whi it. cals). their own pieces to it, . good recording out of t in making it their own pride the band to have a par be at gre s take e bon Fish ? Are you able to One of the things that fer your situation now p moving forward and a business sense? mbers, do you try Do you pre kee in r me to free ion new ’re icat in you ded g t ir gin tha the in is e now as When brin is the idea that create something more creativ aware that they stand ause creatively there the same sound or being creative; they are That’s kind of ironic bec musicians. Being to keep iring asp to ce ren refe of a point of new? l musician takes lots a good and professiona
68 | NUGMAG.COM
n We have expanded upo out We accomplished more. it. Once you achieve return. We used to go at a be look I will re how t’s the tha elf, , – we the dream cre- give of mys lf, can I dream big, and all kinds of stuff in the real world, money l you usually ask yourse tour buses, semi-trucks you can do anything, but success promised. your goa d to make sure with 2 ary har net lly mo rea t k tha re? wor to mo like e big ieve hav it e ger, can I ach ates freedom. If I have less were doing the big lights, the stag daughter is fed, then I at a level where we had my rent is paid and my t mechanical fish like the situ- We were foo do I 14but a ny, had fun of We props. the original goal? time to write. So it’s kind e for our sound, and smoke came out What was ’t ever rememit makes us responsibl s lit up and opened, and ted to be a band. I don eye wan the just re We We whe w. ation as it is because ’re kno We you e. t rich or buying tha chin g on ma bein a ney ut on mo abo nt our on sati n relia spent in what ber having a conver own situation rather tha the of the mouth. We eve and beli I e straight-out . del, wer mo ead old We inst the g. ney of thin sage that mo inten- cars – that wasn’t the at could have divided kind of in the middle pas our as look cticed all the can long y pra as estl and and hon e, ed I bon dedicat g created. I’m doing, I believe in Fish thing musicians who were new model is still bein inal, and that’s what we re’s something that the then we can achieve any orig the e, t be plac tha t to say righ ted and the wan in eer We are . time my own car original, Fishbone tions thought that if we were was putting the name t we can imagine. wanted to do. And we major label did, which t would be for us. The me to have the ca- tha tha e bles stag ena t a tha be ld e, onc wou - then there t everywhere at of the is at today in the mu ns, yachts, and all tha As much as the beauty you think the money part about the mansio reer that I have today. ances stood Where do t of the converk artists can get the other par form g thin per bein t you live tha do our ber ere of em er Wh stuff; I don’t rem music and the pow d the sic industry? missing…hahaha! king together that create their money from? maybe that’s what was out, it was everything wor y in live perfor- sation and something majority of jorit were discovering was ma e We the bon do nt. Fish to t orta g tha n’t imp Most bands are goin idea in people’s minds ords as they That part was rec ny ma as ed. ing tter sell ma t that’s wha mances. People aren’t to love. overall because music and ds are selling a lot less y as a m that we ch a used to. Most ban adig rea par n’t the did d just ban t’s p such good synerg tha e the red How do you guys kee r of downloads. Maybe figu Some people believ s you get are else at ing Wh eth s. until som m succes band? live in at the moment high level of mainstrea itself for Internet in mind. d respects the entity about the game with the Everybody in the ban out rs thoughts on that? pee our of e the cultural value of t som see tha s ally ces actu suc y m The rea t. par inst d all the most There is a ma is when ary kickbeing out on the roa no matter how hard it didn’t reap those monet you enjoy touring and the band, and really, have enjoyed and we de, we are mak“du were, and had we Do like we it’s re t, whe e nigh ry plac a eve on tour backs. But there’s ter at the time? re are 2, 3, 5, or gratifying. You get an we go ices and maintained bet tely, I love touring. –It’s happy”. Every night the made some different cho a good job. And ing people house and Very fortuna g a ewhere on their m doin som mo are oos my tatt you t buy e to tha bon ponse 10 people with Fish that level, I’d still be able t come immediate res new. tha nd much!” We’re gs bra so s thin be guy the still of you can age we ant body and saying “I love after all these years, would have taken adv our financial ond bey d, goo level. that’s with being at a certain inning to doing something the fuel to beg you the in give ion gs vis thin t of tha you difficulties! Those kind When you guys had how out yed pla el? ion lev t ain tha . d, has the vis set out do it one more day How do you plan to obt I can. I create this ban omplished what you my art as beautiful as w.Fishbone.net gined? Have you acc ww ima I’m going to try to make and dig to able t the deeper I’m to do? believe in my heart tha
PEPPER
How’d the Show go? 3 NIGHTS W/
By: sandieganliz Photos By: Courtney Pakalolo It was Wednesday, November 17th; Pepper was in San Diego, CA. I was waiting for their performance, which would take place at the Belly Up Tavern, and was looking forward to seeing them for the next two days at the House of Blues in Downtown. My plan was to go to all three shows. That’s how much I love this band! The Belly Up show was sold out, but I had won free tickets. To top it off, tonight’s show was going to be streamed live on the internet. Wow, it was going to be incredible! Around 9 p.m., I arrived in Solana Beach. Groups of young people were roaming the avenue. I got my tickets and headed inside with my guy. The place was crowded! A nurse was handing out 3-D glasses; Pepper was going to show off their new 3-D video of “Drunk Girl,” a track off their latest EP, Stitches. After a shot of tequila, my guy and I grabbed our beers and headed to the floor. Fishbone was playing and pumping up the crowd! Horns, guitars, and all kinds of “heads” were on stage. People were dancing and grooving to Fishbone’s unique ska/rock/jazz sound.
After a while, the “Drunk Girl” video came on. I put on my 3-D glasses and went crazy just from hearing the song start! “It’s been a long time now, since I’ve seen you around....” – such a good song! It starts off slow with Yesod, the drummer, tapping on the snare, and then transitions into that fast tempo mode. The video was good, showing footage of the audience from shows and the Kona boys playing their instruments. The style reminded me of the skate videos I used to see in the 90s. Then, Pepper came out! The crowd cheered! Guys did the infamous Pepper sign with their hands, girls screamed, and a voice from the back of the stage addressed the crowd: “Doctor, doctor!” The “Like a Surgeon” Tour had arrived in San Diego. Right before the start of this tour, Pepper announced they were going to mix up their playlist. They sure did! Older, well-loved songs such as “Stormtrooper”, “Love Affair”, and “Sitting on the Curb” caused uproar in the audience. However, it wasn’t as loud as I thought the fans would get. What was wrong here at this sold out show? Did Pepper choose the wrong songs? Any hardcore Pepper fan would jump with joy at the live performance of these classic songs. I was the only one in my area jumping up and down. I should have gone to the center of the floor where the action seemed to be, but at one point, two men started arguing and almost caused a fight. The fans eventually jumped up and down, but only to “No Control” and “Give It Up”, which was towards the end of the
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evening. Now, I know these two songs; they are the only ones on the Billboard charts. Did the fans of Solana Beach only care for popular hits? Most Pepper fans I meet like all kinds of songs from the nine albums out. I was shocked! Somewhat disappointed the day after their first show, I wondered if their show at the House of Blues was going to be better. I planned on going with no expectations. I didn’t feel like the band disappointed in Solana Beach; I think the crowd just wasn’t pumped up or didn’t care for old songs. I mean, people gave me looks for jumping up and down while they quietly stood there and watched! Seven o’clock approached on the evening of Thursday, November 18th. I was dressed as a nurse since the tour encouraged people to dress up like a doctor or nurse. However, I didn’t dress up for the Belly Up show because it was more of a birthday celebration. But this time, sure, I’ll dress up for the Pepper boys! I love them, their vibe, and their music; I’ll show my support! Now, all I was doing was waiting for Nurse Ashley to show up. She was on the guest list, plus one. Yes, here we go! At 8:30 p.m., Ashley called me saying she didn’t know if she was going to make it, but to go check if my name was on the list. It wasn’t, and I was in costume! I went to the bar of the restaurant and had a drink. I continued to wait for her because she said there was still a possibility she could make it. Time passed, and I went back outside toward the box office for a smoke break. As I talked to people in the crowd—particularly to those whom admired my nurse outfit, a girl told me she had an extra ticket! “Are you
sure,” I asked. She nodded and said, “Don’t worry about it.” I went inside and Pepper was already playing. The crowd wasn’t too big, but big enough to fill the main floor, and was mostly made up of youngsters in their mid to upper teens. I felt a little out of place because I was the only one dressed up and the crowd was slightly younger than me. I scoped out the place and saw a fellow nurse. Her name was Angela and she orchestrates announcements and contests for fans to dress up. She wanted me to meet the band, but I lost her after she went backstage. As I continued to roam the crowd and jam out (again) to the live performance, I noticed this young crowd was very enthusiastic. Girls were jumping up and down in their Pepper tank-tops, both guys and girls were screaming and/or yelling, and people sang along to a majority of the songs. This crowd was pumped to see and hear Pepper! After this all-ages show ended, people came up to me and asked if I got to meet the band for dressing up, and expressed how they wanted to meet the band, but were waiting for their parents to pick them up. These kids were full of adrenaline from the show! Ahh…fresh, young Pepper fans! November 19th –The last day of the tour! I arrived at the House of Blues at 8:00p.m., once again, dressed up as a Pepper nurse, but this time, in heels! I was ready to rock it! Ashley was meeting me in a little bit and I met up with Nurse Angela again. She bought me a drink while I listened to and watched Pour Habit. They are a punkrock, reggae band from Los Angeles. They truly bring out the punk music! I wanted to mash it on the floor, but I was in heels and dressed in white! Ashley arrived and looked great in her nurse outfit, equipped with a red Pepper sticker on the chest. Were we noticeable or what? Well, so was another fan dressed up as a nurse. I discovered her name was Alida and that all of us were going to meet the band. Wooooo!
Kaleo, Bret, and Yesod are nice guys — very down to earth and funny. They took pictures with us and signed about 8 posters. I was like, “what are we supposed to do with the extras?” Kaleo replied, “Whatever you want.” Ok…I see where this is going…we’re hot Pepper nurses with signed posters – these boys want us to be as giving as they are. I’ve seen how they throw gifts to fans! Let’s do this! Ashley and I went back out to the crowd. She went one way and I went the other. People looked at me like I was a crazy fan holding up two posters when I was already dressed as a nurse. Wasn’t I supporting them enough by dressing up? Finally, a girl asked me what I was holding up. I told her, “Just two signed posters from the band for the ‘biggest’ fans.” She immediately grabbed one! The last two of our posters were given to a couple of guys in the middle of the general area, who snatched it from other fans that were aiming for them after we announced we had two signed posters up for grabs. We took pictures with some people (hey, we’re Pepper nurses!) and soon after, we were getting pushed around as if a mosh pit was forming, but before the music started! Finally, Pepper performed for their last night as surgeons. Pepper busted out “Too Much” first, which is a great song live! Kaleo does an amazing job playing the electric guitar for that song. Other songs were “Crazy Love”, “Wanted”, “Stone Love”, and “Point and Shoot”, which is a classic live song, among the others mentioned before. An encore had taken place for each show and Pepper ended each night with “Ashes.” This time they started the song with, “We don’t want to goooooo!” All sets were long and energized – a treat for any diehard Pepper fan! I mean, come on, they headlined this tour! My flurry of nights with Pepper is most-memorable. Not only did I meet them and dress up as a nurse for them, but I got to hear classic Pepper songs from older albums – my favorites being: “Stone Love”, “Stormtrooper”, and “Love Affair.” I also loved hearing their latest songs “Drunk Girl” and “Mirror”, and the popular songs “Give It Up” and “No Control”. These songs moved all three crowds! Perhaps Solana Beach needed a different playlist, but for the last nights of their tour, these Kona boys captivated San Diego by Storm!!!
By Jed Sanders. Marilyn Monroe has risen from the dead and she is pissed! Frida Kahlo has joined up with the Star Wars rebel forces, who have allied with an army of monkeys, who are planning a blood bath attack on Tiffany’s... My god! If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I just smoked some pretty incredible weed or I’m front and center at one of the most outrageous art shows of this month’s featured local artist -- Mr. Mahaffey. Michael Mahaffey is an emerging San Diego artist to seriously look out for. His artwork is refreshing to view and surreal in content with a juxtaposed mix of pop culture icons of yesteryear and the macabre gone terribly wrong. Many of his paintings are quite bold and ridiculously witty with a lot more going on than meets the eye at first glance. He recently had a couple of art shows to display some of his new, incredible works at the Bamboo Lounge in Hillcrest and the Thumbprint Art Gallery in North Park. Where are you from? Most recently, Tucson, AZ. However, I grew up in Fairfax, VA, a suburb of Washington D.C. How did you find your way out to San Diego? I did a lot of traveling after I graduated from college. I had my degree in Illustration and wanted to wander around a bit, living off my art and whatever odd jobs I could pick up. I’m an 80’s kid that grew up watching way too many movies,
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who always dreamed of living in California one day…so I decided to make it happen. What is your art background and how long have you been making art? Professionally, I’ve been showing my artwork around the U.S. since ‘01. I’m always working on new images, and when I have enough new pieces, I look for venues to show. I do hold a BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. However, I started out as a film major, but fell more in love with fine art while I was in school. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been making art; I was always drawing on anything I could get my hands on. Looking back at old homework assignments, you can see drawings all over the blank areas of my papers and work. What do you feel is one of the most rewarding benefits of creating art? I always tell people that art is like therapy I get paid for. It’s great to finally be at a place where my artwork is helping me make a living, but it’s something that I would be doing regardless; I’m addicted to everything about it. I love how it feels to sketch out an idea and let it evolve; I love the hours I put into crafting a piece and watching that idea become solid. That feeling of accomplishment I get from completing a piece is such a rush. Basically, I love the positive feelings that art consistently provides every step of the way. What kind of mediums do you most enjoy creating art with? For a long time, I only worked in dry media, like pencils and pastels. I loved how lush and smooth you could make your image, plus they are erasable, which allows you to work a little loose and then clean up the mistakes. When I lived in Tucson, I was really frustrated with how boring and “cliquey” the galleries were. I figured if no one would show my work, I could take it to the streets. I started working on stencils with a friend of mine, and we would hit the streets of Tucson late at night with our stencils and spray paint. Eventually, I started refining my technique and spraying on canvas instead of pavement.
What do you do for fun? I’m an animal person, and hanging out with my dog is definitely at the top of the list. I’m also still relatively new to San Diego and plan on enjoying everything this area has to offer. I love how easy it is to jump in a car and take a road trip out to the desert. Are there any artists out there that you really admire? Barbara Kruger has been a favorite of mine for years -- such a beautiful and bold style. She has things she wants to say and chooses intriguing images to drive the message home. I think she’s brilliant! What is currently on your easel? Nothing is on my easel because all my new stuff is too big! I love working small because it’s easy to transport while in progress or when heading to a venue. However, I recently had a request to create a larger version of one of my older stencils and it got me thinking about some other large pieces I could work on. I’m really into painting cultural icons, working with recognizable individuals, and offering up an alternate view to how they are normally seen. I love contradiction in general, mixing the ugly with the pretty and figuring out how to appreciate the outcome.
I noticed the piece you did with the mix of Frida Kahlo and Princess Leia of Star Wars. It was very striking and hard to forget. Could you elaborate more on that one? When we decided to create the sci-fi themed show, I knew I wanted to include a couple pieces with Leia because I grew up loving her. She’s such a badass with a strong sense of right and wrong. I love the idea of a female revolutionary, especially a princess. The Frida piece came from my amazement at how many people are attracted to her work and for how long that adoration has been going on. I decided to do the Frida portrait with some of her typical elements, but I gave it a post modern spin. I layered it in symbolism partly because it’s fun, but also because it seemed appropriate for a piece dealing with her. It’s also fun to hear people’s reactions too; some people think the monkey is protecting Frida while others think the monkey is predatory and evil. Are you available for commission work? Absolutely! It’s an honor to help people bring their ideas to life on custom pieces. How can someone purchase or see more of your artwork? I have stuff up all over town, but I’m a regular at the Pure Boutique in Hillcrest -- right under the Hillcrest sign (www.pureclothingboutique.com - 451 University Ave.). The owner, Heather, is all about getting local names and merchandise out there, and she lets me hang my work there all the time. I can also be contacted through my website - www.mrmahaffey.com It was an absolute pleasure talking with you. Thank you so much for your time!
Popped Culture An Interview with Bruce LaBruce By: Robert Stinson “Punk was ambiguous and deliberately paradoxical as a strategy to avoid the co-optive powers of the media.” This latest tweet by Bruce LaBruce exemplifies his cinematic style, which is brash, in your face, and walks a fine line between art and pornography. Bruce’s guerilla assault on the film industry began in the late 80s when he made a series of super 8 films and co-edited a punk fanzine by the name of J.D.s, an instrumental vehicle for the Queercore Movement which begat bands such as Fifth Column, God Is My Co-Pilot, and Pansy Division. What followed were three sexually explicit films Bruce directed: No Skin Off My Ass (1991), Super 8 1/2, and Hustler White, which garnered him cult status in the pantheon of queer cinema. The turn of the century saw Bruce diving head first into making art/porn films with titles such as Skin Flick and The Raspberry Reich. Raspberry Reich premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and had subsequent screenings on the international film circuit, playing at over 150 festivals, including the Istanbul, Guadalajara, and Rio de Janeiro International Film Festivals. Bruce’s personal velocity has seen him venture into a plethora of artistic outlets including photography, writing, and theatre direction. His descent into the dark avenues of the human spirit began with his first featured zombie movie Otto; or, Up with Dead People, which portrayed zombies as misunderstood counterculture figures. His recent film LA Zombie was in competition at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland back in August of 2010. LA Zombie stars Francois Sagat, a French born adult film star who recently had a cameo in the film Saw VI. Though explicit, LA Zombie stands alone as an exposé piece on the private hell of homeless, marginalized gay men. NUG shot the shit with Bruce about the release of the film and his involvement in the punk scene of the late 1980s. Could you explain in your own words the artistic progression that led up to the making of LA Zombie? Bruce: In this film, I tried to do something different from my previous film Otto, which was more preplanned, storyboarded, and had a bigger budget. With LA Zombie, I went into it without a script; I only had a three page outline, which allowed for a lot of spontaneity. It was more open-ended and guerilla style. What was the reception like for LA Zombie at its premier in Locarno, Switzerland? Bruce: The star of the film, Francois Sagat, the French porn star and model, was in two films competing at Locarno. The other film was Homme au bain (man in bath) by Christophe Honoré. It was kind of funny because I was expecting my film to be tore apart and treated with contempt by the critics. Instead, their hostility was focused on Homme au bain, which was less pornographic and more of an art film. LA Zombie was taken really seriously, especially by the Italian critics who loved the film.
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What was the appeal of Francois Sagat that made you choose him as the protagonist of the film? Bruce: It was partly because he made these really cool kinds of creative videos on YouTube. There was one particular video where he was dressed up as a vampire for Halloween, one where he was shooting steroids, and another one where he was making out with a woman. There was a whole series of these videos that made me think he was an interesting character in his own right. He also did some fashion modeling for Bernhard Willhelm. In fact, that is one of the looks I appropriated for LA Zombie, Bernhard Willhelm’s American flag knee socks and baby t-shirt, which Francois wears in a part of the film. I first saw Francois wearing this outfit in Bernhard’s catalogue and that’s where I got the idea for the main character to be an undead superhero and kind of a zombie Captain America. In addition to being a film maker, I hear that you’re a photographer and writer. How are these endeavors going? Bruce: I am also an artist. I am currently represented by a Berlin based gallery called Paris Projects where I do instillation and performance based work. In addition, I direct theatre. I am scheduled to do a project in January that is kind of an avant garde opera. I also take pictures during my film shoots; I have a very multimedia approach to my work. Besides the grotesque factor, what are the similarities between Otto, or Up With Dead People and LA Zombie? Bruce: You could interpret the films the same way because they are both about homeless, marginalized, schizophrenic characters who are gay or could be actual zombies. The creatures themselves are completely different. Otto is a sensitive misfit who is out of touch and doesn’t really know how to have contact with the living or the dead. When he attempts to have sex with one person, it ends in a bloody mess. On the contrary, Francois Sagat’s character is an alien zombie that fucks people back to life. For me, he is kind of a warped superhero. The theme of resurrection as opposed to destruction is a really unique aspect of this film, what was your rationality behind this? Bruce: I think that’s what a lot of people got out of the film. Personally, I think that mainstream horror flicks exploit sex and violence in a very cynical and gratuitous way. Zombies for me have always been sort of a metaphor for AIDS, this idea of destruction, contagion, and decay. There was an unnatural paranoia that sprung
out of the AIDs crisis, which was the idea that homosexuality itself was contagious and could be spread to the masses. The film reverses this expectation and spins it off into something completely different because the zombie brings people back to life with his black sexual fluids. As you may know, California had a ballot initiative this past November that dealt with the decriminalization of marijuana, unfortunately, it failed. What is your take on the issue? Bruce: It’s absurd; I know that a lot of states are having difficulty passing legislation for medical marijuana. It’s this kind of paranoia about drugs in general. I think it’s well established that pot is a lot less problematic than alcohol in terms of overall health and public safety. I have smoked pot since I was a teenager off and on, but it’s generally a social thing for me. I’ve never seen anyone get violent or sketchy on marijuana like they do on alcohol and other illicit substances. Are marijuana laws in Toronto strict? Bruce: Well, it certainly is comparable to many of the states in America. Possession of a small amount of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor, but being caught with large amounts is grounds for trafficking and intent to sell. It’s surprising to me that Canada hasn’t decriminalized it yet, considering how liberal our country is in general. Canada usually drafts civil liberty legislation years before the United States would even consider it. An example of this is gay marriage, which is legal in all the territories. Like Otto, LA Zombie deals with decay. What it is it about violence, sexuality and politics that make them interesting to focus your lens on? Bruce: I was heavily involved in the Canadian/American punk movement of the mid 80s – 90s. There used to be these huge anarchist conventions in major cities that I used to attend. I mean, politically it was a protest against the wave of conservatism that Ronald Reagan represented. I have an old t-shirt that has Ronald Reagan on it as Godzilla with Ku Klux Klan members backing him up. You know, the kind of violent imagery that punks used as an expression of how they viewed America. There was a lot of corrosion of conformity and I think this image the punks were trying to portray was merely a response to the government’s insensitivity to the most vulnerable members of society, especially with Reagan’s economic policy that caused a disparity between the rich and the poor.
The performing arts industry in San Diego has much to offer in the way of entertainment. From neighborhood to neighborhood, stages are providing indubitable amounts of value to life as we know it. If you haven’t checked out the sprawling scene, I can recommend some places to start. UCSD, SDSU, Grossmont College, City College, and other higher learning institutions often have rising stars and modern pieces for you to partake in. Ion Theatre Company and Diversionary Theatre are some uptown theatre companies to take note of while the San Diego Repertory Theatre and 10th Avenue Theatre are downtown hot spots. ROAR Theatre is an improv comedy group that has performed for 3 years at Twiggs in University Heights, and they just announced their new space on 5th Ave in Bankers Hill. This is not for the faint of heart, it gets pretty zestful with the ROAR crowd, and by zestful, I might mean risqué, inappropriate, and un-pc. All in all, it’s the bee’s knees every Friday night starting midJanuary at their NEW space. Check out their Facebook page for 2-for-1 admission details, and congrats to Travis Doeringer and Holly Mann
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for making ROAR Theatre a consistent strain of entertainment for 3 years and counting! Triad Productions is presenting The Maiden’s Prayer at the Diversionary Theatre from December 31st thru January 23rd. This show is a dark comedy about being in love. Triad Productions likes to present new works that are geared to reach a new generation of theatregoers. The Maiden’s Prayer should be hilarious and heartbreaking, romantic and tragic. Artistic Director Adam Parker directs the San Diego premier. Tickets are available at www.sdArtsTix.com Also on stage at the Diversionary Theatre is The PGK Project presenting Dance Theatre from January 27th thru the 29th. Dance Theatre is inspired by past Diversionary productions. This one starts with music from the recent gay opera premiere of Sextet. Guys, win points by taking your girlfriends here! Gay guys, win points by taking your boyfriends here! Tickets are available at sdArtsTix.com.
Broadway San Diego presents Next to Normal in downtown San Diego at the Balboa Theatre from January 18th thru the 23rd. Rolling Stones said, “it will pin you to your feet,” but you be the judge! Arts Tix might have ½ price tickets, but you have to be a member of the e-club to find out! Join the Arts Tix e-club for these promotions and more at www.sdArtsTix.com/e-club! Also at the Balboa Theatre on January 15th, is none other than comedienne Joan Rivers! Sadly, Arts Tix can’t help you with these tickets. Lastly, I’d like to mention the impeding Vagina Monologue season that is coming! VM raises money every February for women’s anti-violence groups. More on that later!
By .Ben G. Rowin Tokin’ Tops This is a fairly new company, less than a year old. But this is what it is all about, an entrepreneur that decided to start her own business and leave the “day job” life. Tokin’ Tara is a cool chick, she draws all of the designs by hand and then transfers them to shirts. These shirts are less “loud” than some of the other cannabis themed T-Shirts out there. Each shirt is only $14.20 and EVERY order comes with a free 3” metal pipe! They also come rolled up like a joint! All orders of 5 or more shirts come with a glass water pipe! Tara wanted me to give the NUG readers this bonus: For readers who place an online order now until 4/20/2011, using NUG in their name line, will receive a FREE bubbler, bandana, blunt wrap, OR bee line. There is a limited amount of each to give away, so order now! To all the dispensaries and head shops, you will receive a special 5% discount off wholesale orders if you mention NUG.
Formula 420 Soak-N-Rinse Our friends over at Formula 420 sent us a bunch of their different cleaning products so I gave the Soak-N-Rinse a true test! I had a hand pipe that I’ve had for 5 years with no cleaning, gross, I know, but it is what it is. This thing was filthy! So I filled up the glass jar that came with the Soak-N-Rinse formula and plopped in my pipe. I gave it a full 24 hours to soak. The next day, when I checked it, the clear liquid was completely black. I fished out my pipe, ran it under the sink and everything rinsed away! The pipe came clean like it was brand new! This stuff is AMAZING! Get yourself some at: www.formula420.com
Green Reefer Products Our boy J. Boulet, creator of the Green Reefer Comic that is in NUG every month, sent us a dope package of some of the products he offers on his website. He has some really cool shirts including the “God’s Plant”, which I really love, as well as some Green Reefer T-Shirts. He also sent us a few copies of The Green Reefer Kick Ass Comic Book Special #1. A great start to the adventures of The Green Reefer and his sidekick Six Pack! You should check out his website and read some strips online and order some schwag! thegreenreefer.com
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I caught up with local glass blower Mongo, who is not only blowing glass for Orion Glass, but has just launched a line of Medi-kal Glass water pipes. Mongo sent one of them over for me to review and it’s my new favorite piece! It’s thick 9mm glass with a heavy bubble and glass-on-glass fittings. This thing is SICK! I’ve had a grip of bongs in my day and this one stands out with amazing quality and functionality. I had to take some space and let him introduce himself to the NUG readers. NUG: Mongo, tell us how you got started in the Glassblowing arena? MONGO: In 1996, I met a glass blower who gave me a few ideas of how to set up a shop and get going. The first few years I was self taught, and once I thought I had enough of the basic skills down, I decided to take a trip to Eugene, Oregon, the epicenter and birthplace of the color changing glass industry. Naturally, I wanted to meet the man who not only started the glass culture that exists now, but helped turn a group of pot smokers into glass art enthusiasts and appreciators of fine art. NUG: Who was that? MONGO: Bob Snodgrass was the glass pioneer, the yoda of the glass world, the first Jedi who would go 82 | NUGMAG.COM
on to apprentice others with his craft. All pipe makers at the time could eventually trace their roots and their teacher’s roots to Bob. NUG: Has that fact changed? How did you meet Bob? MONGO: I think after 2000 there were so many glass blowers that the lineage didn’t continue like it did before. After meeting Jason Harris, then the owner of Jerome Baker at the Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam, I looked him up when I got to Eugene. Jason is one of the coolest, most down to earth dudes; he really had a huge positive influence on my glass career, exposing me to soft glass and many things glass. He showed me around his glass factory and even let me watch for a few days. He also gave me Bob’s number. After speaking with Bob, I headed over to his house and got to check out his shop in an old Air Force flight simulator. After some talking, I convinced Bob to do short classes on the weekends; up to that point, apprentices spent a year with the person learning, doing whatever is asked of them. I spent quite a bit of time there with him and came back for a weekend of classes. My skills would be forever changed for the better after hanging out in Eugene so much and taking the Snodgrass class. In the late 90s, I took neon at the Eugene Glass School and spent a few weeks working on my glass skills with some professional artists from around the country and a few from Germany.
NUG: I heard you also took glass blowing classes locally, can you tell us about those? MONGO: From 2003 to 2005, I took 5 semesters of Glassblowing at Palomar College in San Marcos, California. This type of glass was soft glass and done at a furnace with a huge blow tube. My torch work is with borosilicate glass and known as “lamp working”. I thrived for text book glass knowledge and performed well in an academic atmosphere. My lampworking technical skills improved immensely as a result of years of learning how to work this new glass. This new style allowed me many artistic freedoms not present in pyrex. With the larger forms, soft glass staying hotter longer allowed me to make huge bowls, vases, and these fish, one of which is a 3-eyed devil horned fish that sits at my buddy’s house, Eric Wilson, the bass player from Sublime. Not only did I blow glass, but I worked for a band called Long Beach Shortbus, performing many duties and eventually managed them until they decided to take an extended break after years of exhaustive touring in 2007. Shortbus was made up of members from Long Beach Dub All Stars after they broke up. LBDAS started in the wake of Sublime’s abrupt halt. Eric has had my glass for years now. I always laugh whenever he knocks a piece over because it doesn’t break; it just spills all over his floor. I worked for Sublime with Rome for a little while until I had a kid and decided to stay home full-time to focus on my family and glass. Rome seems happy with my monster 9mm thick walled tubes. NUG: Nice, we actually interviewed Rome for this issue also! I would have totally asked him about his piece if I would have known! Small world! Tell us how the Medi-Kal line came to be. MONGO: I felt that my glass could help medical patients, so I created this “For Medical Use” line of glass products, and that’s when Medi-kal was born. We all know a vaporizer is the healthiest way to medicate, but most of us still use the glass water pipe. What the water pipe allows the user to do is cool the smoke that otherwise would cause major damage to human tissue. The tip of a joint is on the inside around 1100°F, and on the outside it’s around 700°F! This is all about 2 inches from your 98.6° body. When you decide to use a water pipe, the water cools the smoke to a temperature that is considerably less harmful to your body. The water pipe increases the distance between where you light the marijuana and your body. The increase in distance also allows for a reduction in temperature depending on the length of the water pipe and amount of water you put in. Rounder diffusers also allow more smoke bubble surface area to get cooled by breaking a large bubble up into smaller bubbles.
NUG: How can patients get your Medi-Kal glass? MONGO: People interested would have to contact me through my website. Since I only sell Medi-kal glass in or at clinics, or to medical marijuana patients, the “For Medical Use” label under the green cross informs all those who might be concerned – the medical intent of the person using the water pipe. I also make matching glass-on-glass jars that let people know, who might find your meds, what your intent is. I can’t sell Medi-kal products in head shops due to the tobacco laws. Even if marijuana was legalized, the head shops would still have to fly under the tobacco banner. Our puritan, archaic society really blows my mind sometimes. Now, I’m making glass for medical patients. I can also repair your broken glass; you can bring your CLEAN broken glasson-glass fitting to a drop off place in Oceanside listed on my website www.theglassdude.com, and for $50, I’ll fix it so it never breaks again! NUG: Thanks for your time MONGO! Anything else you want to let our readers know? MONGO: I’m one of the only people I know who doesn’t use a lathe. I make all my water tubes on rollers, so I make everything by hand. Follow me on twitter.com/orionglassworks to see when and where I’ll be (at a clinic) with glass on me, doing my 4:20 Fryday FREE glass giveaway.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM NUG!
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HAPPY 2011! Sundays Uptown Ranking at U31 @ 9 Reggae at RT’s Longboard Grill @ 9
1. Pato Banton At Belly Up @ 8
Mondays Dub Dynamite at The Office @ 9 Industry Night at U31 @ 9 Reggae at Stage Bar and Grill @ 8 The Styletones at Bar Pink @ 9
Resolution Day Bash At Andaz @ 9
Tuesdays Reggae Saloon at The Saloon @ 9 Stress Free Tuesdays Comedy Show at U31 @ 7 Local Mediums Art Show at El Dorado (every 1st & 3rd Tuesday) @ 8
Big Fat Soul At Rt’s Longboard Grill @ 8
Wednesdays Reggae at Winston’s @ 9 Royal Wednesdays at Diamond Jim’s (every 1st & 3rd Wednesday) @ 9 Dub Dorado at El Dorado (the 2nd & 4th Wednesday) @9 Thursdays Riddin Roll Reggae at Harney Sushi in Oceanside and Old Town @ 9 Generations Hip Hop at U31 @ 9 Friday TRC Dub in Da Skybox at Skybox Bar and Grill (every 2nd & 4th Friday) @ 9 Saturdays Rasta Nation Vibrations at Sapphire Lounge @ 9
6one9 At Second Wind (Santee) @ 9
4. Bad Fish At House of Blues @ 8 5. Michael Tiernan At Belly Up @ 9 7. 40oz of Freedom At Belly Up @ 9 Despite The Wolves At Soma @ 7
Stepping Feet At RT’s Longboard Grill @ 8 Anthony B and Tribe of Kings At Soundwave @ 8 Illuminati At Voyeur @ 9 11. 30 Seconds to Mars At House of Blues (all ages) @ 8 S.D. ASA Meeting at La Jolla Brew House 7536 Fay Ave 92037 @ 7 12. 30 Seconds to Mars At House of Blues @ 8 Dub Dorado At El Dorado @ 9 No Sucker DJs Presents “Spinn Cycle” At The Ruby Room @ 9 13. Rebelution At House of Blues @ 7
Pharcyde At 4th and B @ 9
14. Fuzz Huzzi At Brick by Brick @ 9
8. Endoxi At Winstons @ 8
Fish Out of Water At Soundwave @ 8
Fast, Cheap & Out of Control At AC Lounge, $10 Hosted bar @ 9-11 Ease Up and Seedless At Leucadian @ 9 Southbay ASA Meeting At 1233 Palm Ave I.B. @ 6 Rebelution At House of Blues @ 8 15. Stone Senses At Boars Cross’n @ 9
SD ASA Comedy At The Comedy Store La Jolla, CA @ 8:30
27. Hazmatt At Boars Cross’n @ 8
29. Sand Section At Boars Cross’n @ 8
20. Come Back Kid At Soma @ 7
28. Michael Rose At Boars Cross’n @ 8
30. The Toasters At Soma @ 6
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony At House of Blues @ 9
Tainted Love At House of Blues @ 8
21. True 2 Crue and 6one9 At House of Blues @ 8
Quiet Riot At Ramona Mainstage @ 8
31. Motorhead At House of Blues @ 8
AK1200 Presented by SD Union At Ruby Room @ 8
22. Styx At Pechanga Resort & Casino @8
Pase Rock and Them O’s At U31 @ 9
Dashboard Confessional At House of Blues @ 8
17. Martin Luther King Day At World Beat @ 11am
25. North County ASA Meeting At The Fish Joint 514 South Coast Highway 92054 @7
18. Poor Wars Bartending Flair Competition At Miller’s Field @ 8 Midnite At Belly Up @ 9
26. Dub Dorado At El Dorado @ 9 The Get Up Kids At House of Blues @ 8
Fast, Cheap & Out of Control At AC Lounge, $10 Hosted bar @ 9-11
ASTROLIGICAL PERSONALITY OF CAPRICORN – THE GOAT RULING PLANET – SATURN The song “Auld Lang Syne” playing in the background is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year. “Auld Lang Syne” is an old Scottish tune that means “old long ago” or simply “the good old days”. Partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700s, it was first published in 1796 after Burns’ death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. Happy New Year! Peace & Pot!
By. Zodiac Mama
December 22 - January 19 Lucky Numbers 2, 6, 22, 26, 33, 41
NUG Astrology The Capricorn Female
The Capricorn Male
The female Capricorn’s motto is: “You can never be too rich, too thin, or have too much pot”. That should tell you something about our highly organized super achiever female that likes the best of everything. Ambitious, practical, and a superb organizer, nothing gets in her way. Always up to date with her reading, she finds the latest strain reviews most interesting. Respect, recognition, and praise are important to her as she is very self-critical and needs to feel important. Her medicine cabinet is filled with the latest and the best. Shopping is a sport for the Capricorn female as she likes to spend time at her local smoke shops hunting for the latest in smoking accessories and 420 paraphernalia. She can be as romantic as anyone else, but her inhibitions get in the way. People think Capricorns are always dead serious, which is not true – the goat likes to laugh. Trust does not come easy. It takes a while for our Capricorn female to trust completely. Known for their hard work and off beat sense of humor, she can be very interesting and easy to talk with.
The male Capricorn is a man of true grit who has tremendous endurance and uses strategy more than any other sign. He is normally wise beyond his years. Although determined and patient, he treads on the cautious side of life. He can be fun loving and humorous when he loosens up. – Just ask anyone who has partied with him. He needs a bit of Godzukie to let his hair down and not take things so seriously. He’s a clever, handsome, desirable, and interesting fellow that must have love in his life. Family and friends are very important to the Capricorn male. He chooses his mate cautiously and carefully. He seeks perfection in everything. Not much will slow him down. He is steadfast and determined to be the best he can be. His forehead often wrinkles early in life (it’s not from the big hit of a bong); it’s the mark of a conscientious worker. This is a smart guy! When he sets out to do something, he really figures it out. His gardens will be bountiful, his medicine will be strong, his pipes will be clean, and if you are lucky enough to spend some time getting to know him, you will understand why his friends are for life.