PUBLISHER’SLETTER NOVEMBER 2010 VOL. 2 ISSUE #11 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 Calendar Editor: Courtney Pakalolo Videographer: Chris Gabriel Contributors: “The Guru”, 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., Mel the Bumbling Gardener, Jed Sanders, Marcus Boyd, George Alberts, Simon Eddisbury, Mykeyway, Robert Stinson 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.
Once again, thank you for picking up NUG Magazine, San Diego’s Original Cannabis Publication!
As I write out these words, we do not yet know the outcome of Proposition 19, but as this November issue hits the streets, we will be in the midst of possibly one of the most drastic changes to American policy in the last 70 years! 70 years of wasted tax dollars on fighting a war against a plant that has been part of humanity for thousands of years. I hope that the people of California realize that prohibition, in any form, is bound to fail! I hate being stereotyped as a lazy stoner because I use cannabis! To think that people who drank were once jailed and frowned upon during 1920-1933, seems utterly ridiculous to us now…because it IS! Either way, pass or fail, Prop. 19 has created dialog amongst Americans that will lead to more understanding and less blind belief in the propaganda that has been fed to us for the last few generations! On to the publication in your hands…we have another great issue for you, including amazing Profiles in Cannabis: The Patients Behind the Plant by Pamela Jayne. We have started a new monthly column called Popped Culture for our GLBT readers. We have a great restaurant review, some coverage of SMOKEOUT, and an article about local business owner and cannabis/hemp activist David Bronner of Dr. Bronner’s Soaps, written by our Editor Dion Markgraaff. As the holidaze draw near and the weather is getting colder, we at NUG are excited to spend that little extra time with our families and friends, and we raise our pipes in appreciation to YOU our readers, whom without, we would be nothing! Our weekly email newsletter is getting a GREAT response! If you are not on it yet, log on to www.nugmag.com, click email sign up and get yourself on the list. We have contests, prizes, and more info than you can shake a blunt at coming your way!
-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. 2010
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CONTENTS
\\:NUG TIMES
17
\\:DEAR NUG
18
\\:L.E.A.P
22
\\:ACTIVISM
26
\\:PATIENT PROFILE
30
\\:GROW OR NOT PT3
34
56
38
60
\\:DR. BRONNER’S
\\:EVOLUTION
42
\\:DIGGER: SPOTLIGHT
45
\\:ADVENTURE STORY
50
\\:COOKING W/ KIM
54
\\:ELECTRICAL SAFETY
\\:GROW
\\:CHRONISSEUR
62
\\:SOJA
66
\\:VOKAB KOMPANY
72
\\:ARTIST PROFILE
86
\\:PRODUCT REVIEWS
team was successfully able to verify, confirm, and notify the community of the raid within minutes of the initial reports. San Diego City Beat reported on the story that afternoon and quoted Matt saying, “They kept asking how much medicine I buy, how I am affording it, where am I getting it from, what cooperatives am I a member of, and where my garden is. They basically, in an easy sentence, raped me for everything I had and never told me I had a right to remain silent. They made me believe that if I didn’t talk I would be arrested on the spot.”
San Diego County Narcotics Task Force Detectives Open and Operate Medical Marijuana Dispensary in San Diego By: Eugene Davidovich
The undercover officers dubbed themselves as “new management” before detaining and interrogating unsuspecting patients walking into the dispensary that day. SAN DIEGO –On the morning of October 14th, San Diego County Narcotics Task Force (NTF) detectives arrested James Harder, a founding member of the Helping Hands Wellness Collective, at his home in San Diego. The detectives also served search warrants at the dispensary located on 5th Avenue in Hillcrest. The arrest and search of the dispensary was the extent of what the warrants authorized the NTF to do that day. After booking Harder into San Diego County Jail, NTF Detective Mark Andrew Carlson was not finished. He ordered his team to wear orange Helping Hands Wellness shirts and open the dispensary on time at 10 a.m. the next morning – taking San Diego District Attorney (DA) Bonnie Dumanis’ fierce fight against medical marijuana to a whole new level. Mark Carlson is the same detective who helped prosecute Jovan Jackson of Answerdam Collective under the direct orders of Deputy DA Chris Lindbergh. After Jackson was vindicated of all marijuana related charges in his first trial, Carlson was instrumental in convincing the DA’s office to continue with the second prosecution and trial. According to Matt, one of the patients who visited the dispensary that day, detectives welcomed him to the collective, told him the facility was under “new management”, checked him in, and even provided him with free concentrated cannabis (hash) as a gift before asking the unsuspecting patient about whether he cultivated his own medicine. As soon as Matt told them that he did, the detectives pulled out their badges, said they were DEA, and proceeded to detain and interrogate him for almost two hours. San Diego Americans for Safe Access (SDASA), the local chapter of the nation’s largest advocacy group advancing therapeutic use and research of medical marijuana, received a call on Thursday around noon from another patient who said the Helping Hands Collective was “taken over” by law enforcement. The call was followed by an email to SDASA from a sales representative of San Diego City Beat, who also stopped into the dispensary that day to visit their advertising client only to find out that the place was “under new management”. Upon receiving these reports, SDASA quickly activated the local Raid Response Team (RRT). The
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The NTF detectives were operating the collective from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. before being forced to cease their activity by San Diego Americans for Safe Access advocates, who quickly arrived on the scene. Aside from the quick response, members of SDASA’s RRT successfully and lawfully intervened and were able to stop to the NTF from operating the collective and putting additional patients at risk of this rogue action by San Diego NTF detectives.
San Diego Americans for Safe Access – Raid Response Team Eye Witness Account: After receiving the call from a patient on Thursday morning, I first called Helping Hands to verify the reports of a “take over”. A male voice in a very polite manner answered the phone saying, “Helping Hands, how may I help you today?” I asked the male, “Is the collective open today?” My question was quickly answered with another question, “Are you a customer or a vendor?” This immediately raised a red flag for me and added to my suspicion that the person on the other line was not a member of the collective, but was in fact an undercover police officer posing as a member. I asked myself, “Has the NTF actually stooped to this level?” I proceeded to tell the person on the line, “My name is Eugene Davidovich and I’m calling from San Diego Americans for Safe Access; can we speak to a member of this collective?” The male answered, “Hold on, let me let you speak with the manager.” After a short delay, another male got on the phone and this time said, “Who is this, can I help you?” The voice was very familiar and only one name came to mind; Detective Mark Andrew Carlson, San Diego NTF detective who was the lead investigator in the Jovan Jackson case. I introduced myself to the supposed “patient” and asked to speak to a member of the collective again. This time the undercover officer told me to “hold on” and the line went dead. Following this conversation, I activated the SDASA RRT and headed for the facility in Hillcrest. Before I arrived, Terrie Best, another member of the RRT was already on the scene conducting an on-site survey. By the time I arrived, Terrie reported finding no evidence of police activity in front of the collective and at first, everything appeared to be normal. No police cars, DEA trucks, or any other law enforcement activity was visible. The facility appeared open and we could see people moving around inside through the windows. As soon as Terrie and I walked up to the entrance of the facility, the lock in the tinted glass doors clicked shut. I knocked on the door and could see someone wearing an orange Helping Hands t-shirt, who was motioning to us with a finger that he would be right with us. After not being let in through the front doors, we walked around the back of the building into the alley.
This is when we realized the reports were true. The NTF had taken over the collective and was operating it under the guise of “new management”. Six F150 trucks were parked in the alley in back of the facility. A large white trailer was pushed up to the back door of the collective and almost a dozen undercover officers were loading unmarked boxes and bags into the trailer. After several minutes of watching the officers pack the trailer, I saw Detective Carlson walk out from the back of the collective. The minute he saw me he screamed, “Eugene, get out of here!” While Carlson was venting his anger at me, Terrie was busy questioning the other detectives as to why they were there and what agency they were with, etc. I could hear Terrie ask one of the undercover officers, “Are you San Diego County Sheriff or DEA?” The undercover officer replied, “I’m a Sheriff from one of 58 Sheriff Departments in the State.” “Which one?” Terrie asked. After hesitating for a moment, the detective finally caved in and admitted, “I am with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.” “Why did you raid this collective?” Terrie continued. The officer replied, “It’s part of an ongoing investigation and I can’t talk about it unless you are with the media; are you with the media?” “No I am not,” Terrie replied. “But what would you tell me if I was with the media?” The detective could not resist Terrie’s friendly demeanor and sweet personality. He said, “I would tell you to call the Public Information Officer.”
“Great, what’s his name and number,” Terrie replied. “That’s not public information,” the officer hissed. Terrie was quick to respond with, “You just told me that it was the ‘Public’ Information Officer, was it not?” The frustrated officer let out a groan and walked away. Clearly perturbed with the SDASA RRT presence, Carlson proceeded to hurry the detectives and officers with packing the trailer. By this time, Dennis and Melissa, two other members of the SDASA RRT arrived on the scene and joined our efforts. As we continued to monitor the situation, one of the officers dressed in an orange Helping Hands t-shirt walked out of the collective and began to chitchat with the others, apparently forgetting that he was still dressed up as a “member” of the collective. I walked closer to him and said, “Excuse me sir, with the Helping Hands shirt, are you a member of this collective?” The detective ignored me at first, but then two others quickly ran up to him and began to shout at the undercover, “I told you to stay inside. You are under arrest.” When I realized the detectives were trying to create the appearance that the person wearing the Helping Hands shirt was actually a member and not an undercover officer, I couldn’t help but laugh at the pathetic attempt. Minutes later, a photographer from NBC arrived to document the events. After seeing news cameras, the detectives jumped in their cars and took off with tires screeching, ending their day of opening and operating a dispensary. Following this incident, I contacted Detective Carlson’s boss with the San Diego Police Department and inquired if Carlson was authorized as part of the investigation to operate the dispensary. His boss told me that he was not aware that the NTF was actually operating the facility. He said he was under the impression that San Diego detectives were simply assisting the Santa Barbara NTF in executing a search and arrest warrant.
Dear
,
Our column this month starts with a frantic phone call from our travel writer’s girlfriend to the NUG offices. Here is what followed: Dion, I got a call from Scotty’s girlfriend. Apparently, Scott was arrested in Carlsbad for Medical MJ, and the Carlsbad Police told him they don’t recognize Medical MJ. She wants someone from NUG to visit him and write a piece about it. Is this something you would like to do? Also, I am trying to gather more info on Howard Dover, the stand up comic who organized the ExtravaGANJA comedy tours all over California. Apparently, he went home to Canada for the summer to visit family, and now the US will not let him back into the country due to his Cannabis Activism…Let me know and I will get you more info as it comes. – Ben Ben, Wow…The beat goes on. I will do a Scott story, but I won’t be back there until late next week, I will be pushing the deadline. The Howard thing is definitely interesting. Howard is one of the only people to ever do an event for SD patients and he is not even from here. – Dion Below is the story regarding Scotty’s current situation. We are still working on the Howard Dover case and hope to have a story for you in the next issue of NUG. Being a cannabis activist can be a dangerous job, but someone has to do it! Another member of NUG Magazine had problems with local police. Our travel writer Brian “Scotty B.” Whytsell ended up in jail with no bail. While in a Vons parking lot in Carlsbad, law enforcement approached Scotty and his friend asking if either of them were on probation or parole. Scotty was, due to a marijuana conviction in 2009. Despite his physician’s medical cannabis recommendation, the officers searched his parked car based on his Fourth Amendment waiver, where his medicine was secured. Scott had a half pound of different strains and 12 clones, which is half the amount of his recommendation. Initially his bail was $50,000, which he posted, but when he went to his court hearing the following week, the judge bucketed him on a “probation hold” from a previous cannabis conviction. He has been in jail ever since, going on 2 months now. Well over 2/3’s of NUG writers have been arrested by local police for our medicine. Scotty would love it if people from NUG Magazine would write him in jail while he sits through the court process. Just look up his name on the sheriff’s website (Brian Whytsell) and send him a message. Remember, he has no right to privacy in these messages, so your words will be read by the sheriff. Scotty says he has been hassled in Carlsbad several times, so he wanted to give NUG readers more travel advice; “Be careful in Carlsbad”. Send your Dear NUG submissions to submit@nugmag.com
L.E.A.P. CAMPAIGN FOR PROP. 19 SWEEPS INTO THE IMPERIAL VALLEY By Leo E. Laurence, J.D. San Diego – Hillcrest former deputy sheriff, D.A.’s office Hundreds of college students and Rotarians in Imperial Valley heard my fiery lectures on the close campaign supporting Proposition 19 on the Nov. 2nd statewide ballot. Nearly two billion dollars in new revenues will flood local and state treasuries if Prop. 19 passes, and that figure comes from our official state tax agency, the California Board of Equalization. “One reason you’ve got this campus fired up is because your lectures are reliable and credible, and they are based on official facts,” said Imperial Valley college student Jonathan Rodriquez in an interview on the campus, which is located near El Centro. With my .38 snub-nose holster strapped to my belt, I explained to four college classes and one Breakfast Rotary Club meeting (with the police chief there) that our cash-starved local and state governments would get nearly two billion dollars to help with costs on their Imperial Valley campus. L.E.A.P. is an international organization of current and former law-enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and a governor who seriously supports Prop. 19.
Prop. 19 Does This Prop. 19 was carefully drafted to regulate, tax, and control the multi-billion dollar marijuana industry that flourishes in California, which was specifically written to help education and local governments. Nearly two billion dollars in new revenue will flood into our governments, funding more teachers and filling the potholes in our streets! Under current state law, the possession, cultivation or distribution of “grass” is generally illegal with the exception of medical marijuana, which was approved by voters in ‘96. Since ‘09, federal prosecutors have not been going after marijuana patients or providers whose actions are consistent with the law. And while possession of less than an ounce has been a misdemeanor (and sales, a felony); the governor recently signed a bill that reduces that misdemeanor to an infraction, similar to a traffic ticket with no jail time. Prop. 19 will allow persons 21 or older to possess, cultivate, process, share, and transport up to an ounce of marijuana. Use will be restricted to a residence or non-public place (not inside a vehicle). They will also be permitted to cultivate cannabis at home and possess any equipment associated with those lawful activities. However, the possession must be solely for an individual’s personal consumption at home and not for sale. Also, state and local law enforcement agencies will not be allowed to seize or destroy marijuana from persons in compliance with this state law. Under Prop. 19 employers will retain existing rights to address marijuana consumption that actually impairs an employee’s job performance. Smoking cannabis in the presence of minors - anyone under 21 - will be unlawful, as will driving under the influence and possession on the grounds of an elementary, middle, or high school. And existing laws imposing serious penalties for furnishing grass to a minor under 14 will remain. Official Statements: $$$ MILLIONS The Legislative Analyst’s Office (L.A.O) in Sacramento provides the governor and legislators with official analysis of ballot initiatives. The L.A.O is an independent, non-partisan office that usually takes a rather conservative approach.
Promoting Prop. 19 on the U.C.S.D. campus are Phillip Ballo, 22, (right) and Zach Kissinger, 19; where students signed pledges to vote for the initiative. Photo by Leo E. Laurence, J.D.; L.E.A.P. 18 | NUGMAG.COM
The L.A.O reports, “To the extent that a commercial marijuana industry develops in the state, we estimate that the state and local governments could eventually collect hundreds of millions of dollars annually in additional revenue,” under Prop. 19. Our state’s taxing agency, the Board of Equalization, pushes that estimate of new revenue up to nearly two billion dollars! This initiative could also result in huge savings to state and local governments by significantly reducing the costs of holding marijuana offenders in county jails and state prisons. “Those savings could reach several millions of dollars annually,” the official L.A.O report states, which is reprinted in the Official Voter Information Guide provided to every voter. Prop. 19 could also significantly reduce the costs of the state’s current Medical Marijuana Program, according to that same report. After Prop. 19 passes, the lawful marijuana has to come from somewhere other than the limited, home-grown product. Under the initiative, local and state governments will be allowed to authorize, regulate, and tax commercial, marijuana-related activities. The state could also authorize the commercial production of hemp, a type of cannabis plant used to make products like fabric, paper, and heavy-duty rope (especially useful in maritime activities). The Opposition When I was a deputy sheriff, sometimes while interviewing a criminal sus-
pect, I would ask questions that I already knew the answers to. If they lied on one answer, their credibility was questionable. If they lied several times, I would question all of their statements. Usually a district attorney is very careful to be accurate in making public statements. But, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis went wild and published several false statements in the San Diego U-T (formerly the Union Tribune). In her published statement, the district attorney said, in part: 1. “The truth is, Prop. 19 does not regulate, does not control, and does not tax marijuana as its name implies.” FALSE! Apparently, she had not read her ballot statement or the official L.A.O report.
Gary Johnson, the former two-term republican governor of New Mexico, took the podium at Glenn Beck’s 9/12 Tea Party rally in Washington, D.C., to talk about economic issues. Then he dropped a bomb! “Half of what we spend on law enforcement, the courts, and our prisons is drug related,” he preached. “I suggest we legalize marijuana and make this country a better place. You will find more republican candidates right now espousing legalization of marijuana than you do democrats,” Gov. Johnson told the huge rally. According to the respected Pew Research Center, a whopping 61% of republicans support legalizing cannabis for medical uses (as 14 states have already done). Pollsters in California have seen similar support among republicans for Prop. 19, according to published reports. Young Promoters When I recently lectured four individual classes at Imperial Valley College, the student and faculty support was overwhelming. The energy and diversity of the questions convinced me that hundreds of students and many professors at the college were strongly in favor and were pushing their friends to vote on Election Day.
The county’s Registrar of Voters reports that the number of young people registering - and actually 2. “It means zero revenue for the state of Califor- voting - has risen significantly in the past five years. With the influence of Facebook, Twitter, and nia.” Again, FALSE! other online networks, the support of young people to get-out-the-vote supporting Prop. 19 could be determinative. One college student revealed to me that she smoked, but it was largely to experience 3. “It allows passengers in a vehicle to smoke the thrill of getting away with something that was illegal and also felt good, but was not dangerous marijuana.” FALSE! Strike three. like boozing. “But, if it becomes legal, that weird thrill will be gone and I probably won’t smoke or at least not nearly as much. I know a lot of my classmates feel and think the same way, so the number 4. “It means your child’s school bus driver, a of those taking a hit of a joint may drop if Prop. 19 passes,” she explained. San Diego trolley conductor, or the driver next to you on the interstate can be high while driving.” HURTING DRUG CARTELS FALSE! While serving as a bombero (firefighter) in Tijuana, I managed to get inside the elegant home of a boss of one of the Mexican drug cartels. It was a rich palace of BIG money. An estimated 64% of 5. “The proposition would prohibit an employer revenue for the drug cartels comes from marijuana. Cannabis cultivation in México soared by 36% from firing an employee who is under the influ- last year, the highest in nearly two decades according to the state department. “It tends to be the ence.” Again, FALSE! cash-cow of the cartels,” said an assistant secretary of state in Washington, D.C. Passing Prop. 19 and drying up the HUGE California market would hurt the cartels, big-time. The Mexican government 6. “Employers would be unable to maintain a of México City even considered issuing a statement to the news media supporting the initiative, but smoke-free environment.” Yet again, FALSE! declined after our state department reportedly intervened. 7. “Property values would go down.” Also, FALSE! With more young people voting, Prop. 19 has a good chance of passing and flooding our local and (7th error) Apparently, the D.A. thinks that every- state governments with nearly two billion dollars, improving everything about our economy. one will begin growing marijuana at home. But, although it’s legal to grow vegetables in a home Call author Leo E. Laurence, J.D. of “Law Enforcement Against Prohibition” at cell: (619) 757-4909 garden, very few do so. or at leopowerhere@msn.com Why does the opposition have to blatantly lie to oppose Prop. 19? “Maybe it’s because they have no other arguments that make sense,” said a student at Imperial Valley College. While speaking to the Rotary Club, an older woman opposing the initiative said she worked with hard-core drug users. “All of them had once used that stuff,” she complained. “However,” I responded, “if everyone who is shot in the heart dies, that doesn’t mean that everyone who dies was shot in the heart.” There is a strong opposition by the Tea Party that some anticipate may not exist. Indeed, many in that fiery movement support Prop. 19. “Prop. 19 is not a partisan issue,” said Justin Price, 26, who lives and works in conservative El Cajon. He had questioned my article in the October issue of this popular magazine where I wrote that “Tea Party conservatives may threaten passage of Prop. 19.” Apparently, many Tea Party supporters favor Prop. 19. “Conservative support for Prop. 19 might be stronger than you think,” Price told me. “Many in the Tea Party smoke a joint in front of their TV at night,” he added can- Leo E. Laurence, J.D. of L.E.A.P. speaks to the Imperial Valley didly. Breakfast Rotary Club near El Centro. Rotarian photo.
With a .38 snub-nose holster strapped to his belt, Leo E. Laurence, J.D. of L.E.A.P. lectures an attentive class at the Imperial Valley College near El Centro. Photo by Rashawn Stewart.
ASA Advocates Take Possession of Marijuana Plants from San Diego County Sheriff By: Marcus Boyd and Eugene Davidovich, San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and her ‘fierce fight’ against medical marijuana patients suffered another devastating defeat this week. Advocates from the local chapter of Americans for Safe Access (SDASA), the nation’s largest advocacy group promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research, successfully obtained an order from the courts for the release of five large impounded medical cannabis plants. The judge ordered the plants released to a representative of SDASA for their safe keeping.
Marcus Boyd picking up confiscated plants.
Marcus Boyd of SDASA retrieved the plants from San Diego County Sheriff’s evidence locker.
Deputies arrested Palmer, impounded the plants, and incarcerated him in Vista jail where he remains today. He is scheduled to be released on Monday, October 25, 2010.
The patient, to who the plants belong, remains in custody for cultivating them despite all the charges in his case being dropped, and will receive his plants upon release.
The other patient who was collectively cultivating the plants with Palmer was not arrested himself. After learning of Palmer’s arrest, he was able to quickly make contact with Marcus Boyd of SDASA in search of assistance.
On September 2, John Palmer, a resident of Imperial Beach was arrested by Detective Michael Thomas Neumann and other members of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department during a ‘routine’ probation search. Following the search and the discovery of the plants, Palmer was charged with possession, possession for sale, and cultivation of marijuana.
Boyd, who hosts the monthly South Bay meeting for SDASA in Imperial Beach, immediately contacted Salina Epley, Palmer’s public defender in the case. He began providing assistance with the case as well as attending Palmer’s court hearings along with SDASA Advisory Board Member Terrie Best.
At the time of the search, Palmer was in full compliance with state law, in fact, deputies found Palmer’s state issued Medical Marijuana Identification Card as well as another patient’s doctor’s recommendation posted on the wall next to the grow. During the search, Palmer explained to deputies that he was lawfully and collectively growing the medicine, as approved by the Probation Department. He explained that three weeks earlier he was granted a court order from a judge specifically allowing him to grow marijuana while on probation. Detective Neumann, unaware of the law, called the infamous local medical marijuana eradicator and ‘expert’ cultivator, Detective Steve Reed, to find out if Palmer could be charged with cultivation and possession for sale. Detective Reed said, “medical pot? Ha! Book-em and charge-em!”
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During the court process, the prosecutor was insistent upon keeping Palmer in custody, despite being told by the judge that Palmer would likely be found not guilty if the case went to trial. The judge urged that a plea bargain be worked out. All plea offers from the prosecutor were unreasonable and therefore unacceptable to Palmer. A plea deal was not reached and a trial date was set for November 10th. On October 6th, Palmer was back in court for an evidentiary / readiness hearing. That day, after reviewing the motions filed by the public defender, the prosecutor moved to drop all marijuana related charges against Mr. Palmer. At a prior hearing however, the judge ruled that the prosecutor had provided sufficient evidence that violated Palmer’s probation status remanding him into custody for another 20 days. In light of the extended jail time, the public defender conferred with her client and while officially on the record, recognized Americans for Safe Access’s support in the case and formally requested the court, “immediately release the five mature plants to Americans for Safe Access’s representative, Marcus Boyd, for safe keeping.” Cont.
retrieve the property, it was found that all the plants had been clipped at the stem right above the roots. Detective Neuman, instead of transporting them and taking care of the property as required by procedure, simply cut them and stuffed them in a large paper bag, ensuring that they could not be usable when and if they were ever retrieved. The plants were immediately rushed to Kim Twolan, the founder of Mother Earth Co-op located in Mission Hills. Twolan, ( SDASA Advisory Board member and member of San Diego City’s Medical Marijuana Task Force) after thorough Surprisingly, the prosecutor did not argue, no delay or resistance from Detective examination and several attempts to restipulated to the request, and the court did Neumann or any other law enforcement vive the plants, pronounced them dead officials. not hesitate in granting the motion. upon arrival. In fact when Boyd called Detective Neumann and asked him to fax over a release of property form to the evidence locker, Neumann replied “I don’t have a problem with it and I won’t stand in the With the court order in hand, Marcus Boyd way. I’ll send them whatever they need and Eugene Davidovich of SDASA, went this morning.” to the San Diego County Sheriff’s evidence room and picked up the plants with When Boyd and Davidovich arrived to John Palmer left the courtroom in good spirits and was very happy to have won his case. He yelled “thank you” while deputies escorted him out of court.
Palmer intends to file a claim for the damaged property upon being released from custody on Monday. SDASA member and local criminal defense attorney Melissa Bobrow has agreed to help Palmer with the property damage claim against the county.
Profiles in Cannabis: The Patients Behind the Plant Story by: Pamela Jayne
From Cancer to Cannabis:
Mary’s Road to Recovery
Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer by accident – a hit and run car accident to be exact. That traumatic and painful experience ended up saving her life. From December of 2007 until May of 2008, as doctors and nurses tended to her wounded body – a femur broken in two places, a severely broken hand and wrist, and the many other injuries that resulted from the violent collision – they discovered something else; cancer. The word that we all fear hearing when a doctor walks into the hospital room and says they have bad news. Receiving that diagnosis was like being hit by a two ton vehicle all over again. Anyone who receives this news would be taken back by its severity, especially a woman who had led a very healthy lifestyle with no family history of breast cancer. Always active in her 40-year career as a flight attendant for American Airlines – playing racquetball, caring for her elderly parents, raising two children, and keeping up with her salsa dancing husband of almost 40 years – being blindsided by the diagnosis was a tough pill to swallow. She had never even drunk soda, for Pete’s sake! Nor had she smoked cigarettes, been an alcohol drinker, or a drug user. So of course she had “Why me?” moments after diagnosis and during treatment. However, rather than wallow in
self-pity, Mary took charge by leaving Miami in May of 2008 to return home to San Diego and set out on her road to recovery. In spite of her fears, Mary bravely went ahead with surgery later that year and continued on with doctor prescribed treatment to rid her body of the cancer. The medical procedures that Mary had to endure are not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. The surgery to remove the lump was quickly followed by six months of chemotherapy, radiation everyday for 30 days, and infusions every three weeks. Those treatments, as we all know, absolutely ravage the body. Enduring that process was a necessary evil for Mary to regain her health. The other necessity to her recovery was medical cannabis. We have all read the studies and seen the statistics of how cannabis aids in the healing process of cancer patients, but numbers and percentages mean absolutely nothing until you have had the honor of seeing it for yourself – the healing miracle of marijuana. This leads us to the heart of the matter, which is the role that medical cannabis continues to play in Mary’s recovery and her willingness to speak openly and freely about her own very personal journey. 26 | NUGMAG.COM
As the daughter of a minister, Mary grew up as a self-described “good-girl”. Although she was surrounded by the free-loving, potsmoking, hippy culture of her youth in the 60’s, Mary never gave into peer pressure for fear of disappointing her parents. Not many people of that generation can say they did the same! While talking to Mary, it became very clear that she is not one to just sit back and go with the status quo. This woman’s life is a testament of willpower, gumption, and ambition. As the very first African-American flight attendant to ever fly out of San Diego, Mary knows what it is like to go against the grain. She told me, in hindsight, it was that very experience (among others) that prepared her for the challenge of a lifetime. Not one to throw herself a ‘pity party’, Mary instead attended the Pink Party (www.pinkpartysd.com) the day after having a lumpectomy! Of course, Mary couldn’t help but brag about her daughter, who not only rushed to her side to care for her during recovery, but also took an extremely proactive role in the quest to aid breast cancer patients, survivors, and their families by becoming the fashion show coordinator for the Pink Party. The extraordinary woman gene definitely runs in the family! Although soft-spoken, Mary is strong in spirit and steadfast with her belief in the healing powers of medical cannabis. Does that mean she sits around all day smoking joints while watching television? Not even close. In
fact, she has never smoked marijuana. Her cannabis therapy comes in the form of food. She utilizes it in the kitchen by baking her own muffins, making her own salad dressing, and in any other way that provides her with the medicine that she needs to combat the side effects of her disease. Medicine and nutrition combined – au natural. Being natural is incredibly important to Mary. As she said, “Do I want to take the stuff with all of those side effects, or do I want to consume my cannabis, which is just an herb? I made the choice to go natural.” Even so, Mary is very frank in saying that each individual patient must, “Take control of your own treatment. Do some research on your own.” That research led her to The Green Door Collective, where she receives her medicine. I had to ask what it was like for her going into a collective for the first time. She said that she had no pre-conceived notions because she honestly did not know what to expect. She did tell me that she feels blessed to have met Hopper and the rest of the Green Door staff, and wants them to, “Keep doing what you are doing because what you are doing is right and it helps people.” She went on to say, “I am an advocate of being as natural as possible, and cannabis certainly (in my opinion) should be a part of accepted treatment. People need to start thinking outside the box when it comes to their
own medical issues.” Mary also told me how she advises other women who are facing a breast cancer diagnosis. “I can tell you what I did,” she said, “but everyone is different. Be your own advocate. I, myself, was not comfortable letting someone else make that decision for me.” However, she was quick to add, “It is extremely important to have someone there for you, with you – someone to deal with all of the endless amounts of paperwork and bureaucracy while you focus on getting well.” In Mary’s case, it was her husband Bob who fulfilled that role. He was also the one who helped Mary through the emotional ups and downs that come with such a devastating diagnosis and difficult treatment. She admits to having moments of depression and anger. After all, she was supposed to be having fun at this stage in her life. It didn’t take long for her to realize that she had to, “Take everything that is negative out of life because that only takes more energy away from you.” Even while she was weakened by the chemotherapy and radiation, Bob would take Mary for walks by the ocean where she could breathe in the fresh air, clear her mind, and forget about the cancer that was wreaking havoc on her body. The physical toll of the disease and treatment is something that no one should have to endure. Mary explained how tired she was all of the time. Not the kind of tired we all get after lunch or after a restless night, but a kind of tired she had never felt before. She said she felt, “Completely zapped of energy. I think the chemo even affected my memory.” She also lost all of her hair and had no appetite whatsoever. Of course, the cannabis helped with that, the constant nausea, and virtually all of the other side effects. That is why Mary has decided to speak out about her experience and tell whoever will listen about the benefits that medical cannabis has to offer. And if her employer has a problem with that, so be it! Mary has worked for American Airlines as a flight attendant for more than 40 years. She has seen the many ways in which the industry has changed. Remember, she was the first African-American flight attendant to fly out of San Diego. When she first began her career, “stewardesses” were not allowed to have children, they were subjected to constant weight-checks, and had to quit working at the age of 32. One of the most poignant things Mary said during our conversation was, “That was then and this is now. Things do change.” Even though she was talking about the airline industry and how it has evolved and given its workers the rights they deserved all along, I couldn’t help but notice how that exact quote could be used in the context of patient’s rights. Mary expects to be released by her doctor to return to work in January of 2011, and when she does, she will be subjected to random drug testing. Does this mean she will stop using cannabis? Absolutely not. Although she has made it through the worst part of her ordeal, she plans to continue using medical cannabis on an as-needed basis. If the airline decides to fire her for medicating while off the clock and within the confines of California state law, well, that’s how she will make her exit. “With no regrets,” she said. “It’s time for people to stop doing what ‘they’ say you should do and start doing what your heart says you should do.” Words of wisdom from an amazingly strong, yet light-hearted, laughter-filled woman whom I feel honored to call my friend. I only wish I had more room to share with you all of the things she shared with me. Update: I have some wonderful news to report! While I was writing this article, Mary successfully completed her very last infusion, just days before attending the 2010 Pink Party hosted by the House of Blues in San Diego. Talk about coming full circle, she attended her first Pink Party in 2008 at the beginning of her treatment, the day after having a lumpectomy. She is truly an inspiration and I have a feeling this is not the last we will hear from Mary!
Grow or Not to Grow By: Mel the Bumbling Gardener Most of the time, when you watch something grow, changes come slower than drying paint. Well, I’m here to tell you that watching the Hydroplex Spinner in action is nothing short of entertaining. The thing I’m most surprised about is the pleasure I get from watching the growing process unfold before my eyes. If you read parts 1 & 2, you know that I am trying my hand at “Hydroponic Gardening”. For readers who missed out, my quest was to find an easy to understand, easy to set up, and easy to operate “turnkey” indoor growing system. Based on the size of the machine, power consumption, and harvest time, the Hydroplex Spinner was my choice. What makes the spinner different from other grow chambers is the spinning itself. Plant growth is everywhere – tops, bottoms, and sides. The whole plant seems to explode with growth. The normal inch or two of spacing between fruit has been replaced with more fruit (Buds). The growing days (vegetative stage) have flown by. On day 30, I changed the light cycle to 12 on and 12 off. The plants were about 10 inches tall with the inside height of the Spinner at about 22 inches. I hope the plants don’t blow the top off because the flowering stage should see a 100% to 125% increase in size. The reservoir fertilizer was changed for flowering with a bit of cleanup inside and around the unit; I was ready to watch my own flower show. They say the first cut is the deepest – I 30 | NUGMAG.COM
That’s a good question: Part 3
found the first trim was the toughest. The thought of cutting my newly grown friends was hard to deal with, but I got over it – I had to. It’s hard to understand just how fast this all happens. Just a few days after the light time change, you could see the plants growing taller, thicker, and stronger. Trimming became a daily task, the kind you love to do until you have to trim 12 plants. Remember, cut one and grow two. Because the Spinner comes with an 8 gallon reservoir, I found it was much better to check the water and pH levels every day. Flooding and draining 3 times a day takes most of the stored water in the tank and sends it to feed all 12 plants. At the 60 day mark, the plants were drinking about 2 gallons of liquid a day. Speaking of water, I use reverse osmosis water. “RO” water is cheap, easy to get, and the pH level is much more stable. Remember, the happy spot for your Spinner’s pH is between 5.8 and 6.0. The starter kit that came with my unit had a mixing chart called “Recipe for Success”. I have been following the chart and its mixing instructions very carefully. So far, the only problem was with the amount of chemicals provided, there just wasn’t enough. After a few days into my flowering mode, I went back to my local hydro shop to look for more of what I needed to finish the grow. I found a chemical that was very similar, Humboldt Honey. This stuff is intense. It’s got a smell that will make your nose hairs curl and looks like molasses when you pour it out of the container. I noticed a definite change in the plants growth, appearance, and smell as soon as I started pouring it in. Funny, the plants now have this maple smell – a green, pot-like maple smell. While trimming and singing to my plants, I noticed a cobweb-like white stuff on a few of the leaves on one of the plants. I knew this had been too easy. What was that white stuff and where did it come from? I looked at it under a 30x scope and frankly it looked pretty good, kind of thick and all white. It seemed to have this crystal-like quality to it. Meanwhile, I was freaking out because I thought for sure it must be mold, about which the hydro shop warned me. I couldn’t understand how this mold got in my Spinner. The foliage of the plants had never been wet, the humidity has been kept at the perfect level, the Spinner provides great air circulation, and I had room fans blowing 24/7. I googled “cannabis mold” and way too many answers popped up. I opened up a link and couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for. After reading the description of mold, I was even more confused. I figured I would take my waitful watching approach. A couple of days went by and the plant is now riddled with this white stuff. Again, going back to the internet, I found pictures that looked very similar to the plant I was growing, white color and all. The white frosting as it’s
called, ends up being very desirable. Here is where my “stoner foul” comes into play: I finally looked down at the labels with the plants names and sure enough the plant in question was called “The White”. Now I can relax and get back to checking the pH. Buds or Flowers are the good part, the part everyone’s really interested in. Well, it wasn’t long after I switched the light when they showed up. All of those little white hairs just kept popping up everywhere: they started showing up at the top, the middle, and even down at the base of the plant. These little hairs started growing into storybook buds. 60 days in, and the plants looked like they could be entered into the San Diego County Fair. They smell, they’re sticky, and they look unbelievable. Every plant except two failures, which failed due to poor original root structure, looked extremely healthy with no brown spots or curling leaves and big sticky flowers. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to Part 4: the part about harvesting, trimming, drying and curing, and the “sweet taste of success”.
“The Coolest Company In The World?”
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap emanates from San Diego
Southern California, eventually establishing the current facility in Escondido in 1973. His all-natural biodegradable soaps with his passionate message of peace on the label resonated with the counterculture of the late 60s and 70s that rejected the faceless corporate “Better Living Through Chemistry” that was destroying the planet. The magic soaps do many things in addition to cleaning your body. They also wash your dishes, clean your teeth, wash your dog, and can also be used to spray pests off plants.
The company’s core message that we are “AllOne”, their leadership on global issues and solutions like organics and fair trade, and their compassionate support of those in our community, makes this San Diego business a world leader for others to emulate.
A good portrait of who he was and the energy of his spirit has been documented in a recent film, “Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soapbox”. This film was shown across the country in theaters and on local television many times. The film is an independent production, but has a lot of good footage. Todd David Schwartz of CBS Radio called the movie “An inspiration for eccentrics everywhere!”
By: Dion Markgraaff
The Bronner family dedicates profits to “Human Projects” all over Spaceship Earth – from fresh water wells in Ghana to orphanages in Haiti and China; from helping organic farm projects to donating over 1,200 acres of land to the San Diego County Boys and Girls Club.” Their web site also states, “In total over the last five years, Dr. Bronner’s spending on social and environmental causes and charities has roughly matched our total after-tax income, and we intend to keep doing so as circumstances allow.”
A long family tradition of naturally cleaning the body and mind
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps is a family business founded in Germany in 1858. Fleeing the rise of Nazism that would later annihilate his family and community, 3rd generation master soap maker Dr. Emanuel Bronner came to the U.S. in 1929 at the age of 21. After working as a consultant for the U.S. soap industry, he launched his family’s soap recipes in 1948 with his universal message on the bottle that we must realize our transcendent unity or perish – “We’re All-One or None!” After escaping an Illinois mental institution, Dr. Bronner moved to
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The company is also a major supporter of the cannabis community and has given hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to the movement. They subsidize the Hemp Industry Association (HIA) and continuously give money to Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana (NORML), the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), WAMM, and Erowid. The role of cannabis in their products and activism comes from David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap. After living in Amsterdam for a few months after college, he became a “cannabist” (cannabis activist) inspired by Jack Herer’s seminal work, The Emperor Wears No Clothes. The company has also been a supporter of NUG Magazine since our beginning. David Bronner states, “NUG fills a critical need in San Diego for real up to date awareness about medical cannabis, especially given how rapidly the situation is changing and how incredibly lame our local political establishment is. Information is Power, thank you NUG.”
Yes We Cannabis Fire Truck
David supports Prop. 19 and is working with Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), the lead student organization working with the Yes on 19 campaign. With a massive fire truck touring California campuses, SSDP activists and the Yes We Cannabis Fire Truck will “Sound the Alarm to Vote Yes on Prop. 19.” SSDP already planned a massive canvass in Northern California months ago, but the group received a surprise $75,000 dollar donation from David Bronner and another $25,000 from Capitol Hemp Clothing and Accessories. “Young voters are the primary victims of the drug war and logically the largest group of supporters for Prop. 19,” says Aaron Houston, SSDP’s Executive Director. “We plan to register thousands of students in the next 10 days and help many first-time voters develop plans for Election Day.”
David does not mind battling and beating Goliaths
In 2001, the DEA and Federal Government tried to make all hemp food and cosmetic products that we buy today, a Schedule I drug, like heroin. David and Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap Company was the major force defending the entire industry and fighting in court for the right to sell hemp products. Victory was declared in February of 2004. Dr. Bronner then sued the DEA for legal fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act and prevailed, receiving more than $20,000 from the DEA. Over the years, David has also supported local individual cannabis activists including me. He helped
Steve McWilliams and Barbra MacKenzie with support, money, and bail through Steve’s medical cannabis lynching and suicide death at the hands of the federal government. When the City of San Diego said money was needed to get the town’s medical cannabis card ID system started, he offered to personally finance the $25,000.
The labels and philosophy of Dr. Bronner
Today the message of “All-One” continues in increasingly conscious company practices. The company’s relationship with their workers, suppliers, sellers, and consumers is brought to life, being the change they want to see in the world. It caps all family executive compensation at 5 times the lowest paid warehouse position, and gives generous profit sharing and bonuses to employees along with non-deductible healthcare. The company has extended this ethic to its major supply chains as well. In 2003, they certified all soaps under the USDA’s National Organic Program, the same that certifies organic food. By 2007, all major raw materials were certified “Fair Trade” as well. The over 30,000 words spread across all the soap labels were Dr. Bronner’s life work of searching every religion and philosophy for “Full Truths” that can be summed up in two sentences:
family, grandsons of Dr. Bronner, David and Mike, and their sister, mother, uncle and brother in-law also work for the family owned company. These guys are smart. David graduated from Harvard and his brother Mike from Brown University. They have taken their family’s company to another level while sticking to the core ideas of their grandfather. Sales have grown from $5 million to over $33 million in 10 years and it is now the #1 bestselling natural soap in the United States and Japan. In addition to the company’s core item – their famous all-purpose soap - they have also expanded the company’s product line to include lip balms, tattoo balms, lotions, hair rinses, and shaving gels, all made with their principles of being organic, fair trade, and vegan.
Organic Integrity
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps has led the struggle for meaningful organic standards in body care. In 2005, the company was at the center for the fight for organic label standards and beat the USDA in a court action, and is in process of winning litigation they initiated against “organic cheater” brands in the natural channel such as Avalon Organics, Nature’s Gate, and Giovanni. Dr. Bronner’s is a strong supporter of the Organic Consumer Association’s “Coming Clean” campaign to force cheaters to follow standards so consumers can have confidence in what they buy. Most people would be shocked to find that many “organic” and/or natural brands are made mainly with petroleum and non-organic agricultural material.
Fighting for Fair Trade
1. CONSTRUCTIVE CAPITALISM IS WHERE YOU SHARE THE PROFIT WITH THE WORKERS AND THE EARTH FROM WHICH YOU MADE IT!
Following their philosophy of sharing their profits with the workers and world from which they make it, Dr. Bronner’s has adopted “fair trade” criteria in all dealings with farmers and workers around the world who produce their major raw materials (representing over 95% of their annual agricultural volume). Along with their families and communities, they benefit from fair prices, living wages, and funding for local development projects.
2. WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND WE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER AND SPACESHIP EARTH!
Their environmental consciousness extends to their packaging, where their bottles are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and their bar soap wrappers from 100% post-consumer paper.
Dr. Bronner would be very proud of his company and grandsons for giving life to the philosophy he preached. Today, the company is run by the 5th generation of the
Is there a “cooler”, more conscious company?
I admit I am biased towards Dr. Bronner’s because I have worked for them and they have supported me personally and professionally with my cannabis advocacy. But in all honesty, I can say there is no cooler company than Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps.
David Bronner getting arrested for planting hemps seeds at the DEA Headquarters
By: Tiffany Janay At some point in life you are going to have to deal with the issue of “good health”. You can ignore it or pretend it doesn’t exist because it has no relevance to YOUR life, but at some point this theory will be challenged, I promise. But who wants to eat that “healthy” bland food with no flavor and no fun? Not me, that’s for sure, and that’s why I don’t. There is a whole world out there filled with exotic flavors and mouth pleasing textures waiting for you to explore. The first place you can start is right here in San Diego at Evolution Fast Food. The food at Evolution will guarantee to challenge any misconception you had about the taste of healthy food. Their menu is filled with items you are familiar with like burgers, fries, shakes, pizza, and ice cream. How is that healthy, you might ask? Well, all of their food is animal product free, primarily organic, and prepared with fresh and natural ingredients. They opt to fry their foods in corn or soy oil that has not been hydrogenated, which saves you from the unnecessary trans fats that you would get from traditional fast foods.
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There’s a culture that believes consuming animal products is extremely hazardous to our health; scientists and doctors have cosigned with this as well. With diseases and obesity on the rise, it’s hard not to believe the truth in it. While in the past, eating animals may have been a necessity for our health and even beneficial, in today’s modern world, the animals that are being raised and slaughtered for our consumption cannot be compared to the same animals from back then. A little trip on Google or a friendly conversation with your token vegetarian friend could prove to provide you with some interesting mind challenging information. Evolution is located directly across the street from Balboa Park, on the corner of 6th and Quince. They have a beautiful patio area for you to chill at with a fountain of flowing water to set the ambiance. In case you happen to be in a hurry, they also have a drive thru. Their menu ranges from fried vegetarian foods to more nutritious raw foods like their raw cheeseburger, raw hemp milk, and raw soft serve ice cream. ‘Raw’ simply meaning that the foods used in the dish were not heated at all or not over a temperature higher than 118°, which preserves necessary enzymes and nutrients in the food so you can get the highest nutritional value.
This is a great restaurant to bring your kids to because of the kid friendly foods like their soft serve ice cream that is made from soy milk rather than cow’s milk – the flavor is incredible! You can also have your choice of toppings like chocolate syrup or whipped cream. The flavor of ice cream changes daily, so you always have a reason to stop by and try something new. You can also pick up a fudge brownie or chocolate chip cookie to go. Something I like about Evolution is their disclosure of ingredients that are used in their foods. All the desserts already come with the list, but in case you’re curious, the staff is always down to give you an ear full about what they cook with and why. Definitely do not pass up their pizzas either! The crust is deliciously thin and piled high with toppings of your choice. They use a cheese that makes me happy called Daiya, which is soy and dairy free, but melts and tastes like the cheese you are familiar with. Pair that with their Himalayan Sunset Smoothie and thank me later. And make sure you order it with their in-house prepared hemp milk to take it to the next level. You can also get fresh squeezed juices, wheatgrass shots, smoothies, and gluten free meals and desserts. They also have wraps, salads, and natural sodas. On the weekends, stop by for a delicious breakfast and treat yourself to hot pancakes served with 100% pure maple syrup. With so many choices and different varieties of food to choose from, Evolution is a good pick for anyone. Their prices are extremely reasonable and you can feel good about anything you choose from the menu. It’s a good spot for those leaning towards a healthier lifestyle and those who are already on the right path. Support good local businesses like this. Evolution is located at 2949 5th Ave. To see what Evolution is all about, check out my video at www.OrganicBlood.com
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:
“The Digger”
By: George Alberts Trying to convince people to buy your product can be difficult, but developing a concept around something that people can use every day will allow your designs and inventions to thrive. Beyond the gimmicks and risky ideas of this industry, Jonny B has found success among patients, counterculture advocates, and stoners alike with his revolutionary smoking device, The Digger One Hitter. It’s a simple and effective tool that has been modernized to get the job done. It’s a new spin on an age-old product, and these days, that’s what it takes. As an entrepreneur, inventor, and stoner, Jonny B has a knack for creating nifty and unique smoking products that people enjoy and utilize on a daily basis. Being an entrepreneur is a state of mind rather than a state of employment, but actions are what separate the entrepreneur from the inventor. Fortunately, Jonny B has been as smart about running his business as he is about developing his ideas. As a graduate from ASU with a degree in Logistics and Purchasing, he knows what it takes to launch a successful product and approaches the process from a business standpoint. “Because of all the time that goes into developing these types of products, I have to convince myself that smokers will actually use the product over and over again rather than it just being another trendy novelty,” he says. “I concentrate on developing products that are 42 | NUGMAG.COM
geared towards the medical community, and choosing which products will actually “MAKE IT” in the market is the hardest part.” While creativity is essential in developing inventive ideas, his mind-set not only allows him to be a master at his own craft, as a “Prince of Pipes”, but also an articulate consultant that gets the best products to you. Owned and operated by FSBS LLC. (For Smokers By Smokers LLC), the company was formed back in October of 2009, when Jonny B accidentally dropped his ceramic one hitter and chipped it in the perfect spot that gave him the idea to put 8 serrations on the end of the onie. The small modification not only gave it a more aggressive look, but it diversified its use, making it a more useful tool for the every day smoker. He now owns the product, which has recently exploded onto the market and has been picked up by all the major catalog companies who distribute to all the smoke shops throughout the country. He swears it’s the best one hitter in the world and plans on selling tons of Diggers in the future because he simply took a product and made it better. No stranger to the cannabis community, he’s been to Amsterdam many times as a High Times Cannabis Cup Judge or just for the hell of it, and last year he was a competitor for the Best New Product. He didn’t win the award, but his company got mentioned as the editor’s favorite new product.
Team Euro Digger will be there again this month with his new Ultimate Digger, which is geared towards the medical community. Jonny B has also aligned himself with HEMP BEACH TV (www.hempbeach.com) as an official sponsor and got to co-host a recent episode (#89) from the Champs Show with Miss High Times and some others. The show gets about 250,000 hits per month and is filmed and produced by 2 guys from Florida, who have been able to attract a huge following with no money. “I admire these types of guys who ‘DO IT THEMSELVES’ with no money, it makes the final product better because of their passion.” He not only admires these kinds of entrepreneurs, but locally, the good souls in the community that have met and supported him and The Digger, like Adela from Wisdom Organics, Theresa from The Green Earth, and Jimmy, Mike and Jay from MMSC. “These people have great knowledge and intentions.” Networking and surrounding yourself with the right people is an integral part of your success because it’s important to promote yourself rather than just the product – it’s critical in this difficult industry. He loves the challenge of bringing a good idea to the market and the speed in which he can make it happen. “The Digger went from an idea to the store shelves in only 8 months, and was made on a shoestring budget. The world has become a very small place with technology and the internet, and it makes it much easier and faster to do business all around the world.” This touches on another point that was the subject of an interview he did with the New York Times. “This smoking product business has changed a lot over the years. It’s no longer ‘HIPPIES’ witling pipes in their garage. Most of the guys I deal with are all college educated and we all have to deal with international business issues like freight, internet websites and stores, heavy marketing, and travel to promote your product, hoping you’ll get picked up by one of these big distributors/catalog companies. And if you are selected by these HUGE companies, you still have to be able to produce your products in very large quantities and have it available to your customers. It’s very challenging, but it’s a blast and a great feeling when your product has been selected by one of these MONSTER DISTRIBUTORS.” Jonny B has decided to move his operation and become a part of our San Diego lifestyle, which is good news for patients and our stoner scene. As an inventor and entrepreneur, he is a stoner at heart that strongly believes in hitting it big here in San Diego. He has the best job in the world and has given himself some elbow room by revolutionizing the current style of the one hitter. I believe San Diego is the perfect backdrop that will allow his company to continue to succeed because, as his website says, “We are true enthusiasts who want to continue what we do best; making friends and having fun!” And with regard to our city, I think he will fit right in.
A look at the trials and tribulations of the marijuana smuggler... By: Simon Eddisbury Graduating from the university was the scariest moment of my life. It meant that it was time to get a job. Where most people attempt to put this off by spending a year travelling or doing nothing, I decided I could make a lot of money selling drugs. How hard could it be? Make a few drop-offs every day then sit around while counting my money seemed to be all there was to it, or so I thought. Although selling drugs is actually pretty simple, I still managed to mess it up. My scales didn’t work properly and I ended up having to guess how much to put in each bag. I also made the mistake of buying scented rather than nonscented talcum powder to cut my MDMA, which meant that all of my drugs had the vague scent of lavender. Perhaps my biggest problem was that I only had about five customers and one turned out to be an undercover cop. I sold to the cop three times in all, once outside a shopping centre in direct view of a CCTV camera and twice outside a supermarket. With the third time I sold to her, I didn’t have enough change to give her, so I decided to buy some cheese from the supermarket in order to break a £10 note (I’m English, in case you hadn’t guessed). I handed her the change and she gave me a look as if to say, “Did you actually just stop mid-deal to buy cheese?” The cheese incident was later used in court as proof that I was not an experienced drug dealer. The police eventually raided my house and found the pair of faulty scales hidden in a Scrabble box and a few bags of drugs hidden in a soft toy. They concluded that I was a geek and an idiot because a professional criminal never keeps anything incriminating in their house. I was eventually charged with supplying ecstasy and sentenced to two and a half years in prison. During my time, I met countless scumbags without morals or empathy whatsoever. There were people who had hacked body parts off their victims, a cannibal who had killed somebody and eaten their thigh, and a man who allegedly learnt how to bypass his conscience when there was something to be gained from doing so. However, I also met some lovable, eccentric inmates who had made a living from committing non-violent, drug-related crimes. These were the people that made my sentence bearable, and amongst the most memorable of the bunch was a thrill-seeking marijuana importer nicknamed “Bull’s Balls” because it was said that he had the biggest set of testicles known to man (metaphorically speaking, that is). He described himself as a modern-day Long John Silver and provided me with insight into a world that few people get to hear about – the world of the international cannabis smuggler. Where a lot of criminals break the law for financial gain, Bull’s Balls did it for the rush. He enjoyed the feeling that
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he got from getting one over on the police and relished the challenge of transporting large quantities of marijuana from Morocco without ending up in jail. “If you get sent down over there you know about it,” he told me. “A friend of mine got into a shoot out with the Moroccan police a few years back whilst he was trying to bring a package across. They caught him and locked him up, and he got gang-raped by the Africans and killed himself.” I couldn’t help feeling that shooting at people and imprisoning them in such a dangerous environment for transporting a bit of cannabis was completely uncalled for, especially considering the fact that the Moroccans had grown it there in the first place. It was as if Western governments were imposing their morals upon the rest of the world and seeking to contain the marijuana crops within the country where they had been grown.
told me. “Before I set off to Morocco I managed to steal a load of prison uniforms from the local jail. My friend was in there, so I got him to throw them over the walls to me. We handed them out to the farmers and they loved them! Can you imagine that? All of them Africans parading around in Her Majesty’s prison tops up this big mountain surrounded by weed plants!” I had to admit, it sounded like a very surreal situation. “The Moroccans are good people,” he went on. “I lived with them for a couple of months and helped them to press the weed into blocks, that’s the fun part. The difficult bit is getting it across to Spain. There are two ways of doing it, you can go in a boat called a Zodiac, which is fast enough to go straight across without the police getting to you, or you can sneak around them and go a slightly longer route in a motorboat. I’ve done both and the motorboat is by far the scarier of the two. I’ve had twelve foot waves all around me and the boat was only twelve feet from one side to the other!” He was risking life and limb so consenting adults could smoke a naturally occurring substance with many medicinal properties to it. If the government were to legalise marijuana, it could be shipped aboard commercial vessels, negating the need for those transporting it in ill-equipped forms of transportation.
Why do British and American governments allow Moroccans to carry on with farming cannabis if it was such a threat to the fabric of society? Surely they could find out where it was being grown and put a stop to it if they really wanted to. “Of course they could,” Bull’s Balls agreed. “You want to see the Rif Mountains, where the cannabis fields are? There are pot plants for as far as the eye can see. There are fields of it and it’s how most of the local people make their money. Without it they’d all be Once he had reached the coast of Spain, Bull’s Balls would drive his cargo to the popular tourist resort of Marbella in the Costa del Sol, where it was to be vacuum out of a job.” packed and prepared for shipment to the UK. “There are a lot of British criminals in The Rif Mountains are the world’s largest produc- the Costa,” he explained to me. “Most of them are from Liverpool, where I’m from. tion area for hashish, providing the livelihood of They work in the bars during the holiday season, but the rest of the time they’re out some 800,000 people within the region – that’s of a job, so they do grafts [illegal activities].” 10 times the population of the town that I live in! The reason that plantations are allowed to remain The Costa del Sol has been dubbed the “Costa del Crime” by the British tabloids in existence is because they are such an integral and is a well-known haunt for competing drug gangs from Liverpool, London, Irepart of the Moroccan economy. Taking away the land and Eastern Europe. It has been the site of several violent incidents over the cannabis industry would condemn hundreds of years, including the gangland shooting of suspected Liverpool drug trafficker Marthousands of people to a life of poverty, so why vin Herbert in 2008, who was another casualty of the Western world’s futile war on are people like Bull’s Balls regarded as public en- drugs. “It gets a bit hectic there at times,” Bull’s Balls told me. “Mostly everyone just emies then? It seems illogical to tolerate the grow- gets on with things though. They used to ferry the drugs around during the siesta, ing of hashish, but not its transportation and sale. when it was quiet, but the police are well onto it now, so it’s a bit harder.” Although it is arguable that the cannabis farmers were being exploited by their employers, Bull’s Balls maintained that he had always treated them with the utmost respect during his dealings with them. “We even gave them a few little gifts,” he 46 | NUGMAG.COM
Liverpool has a long history of smuggling dating back to the 1700’s when high duties on spirits, tea, and tobacco meant that sailors would often bring in such goods illegally. Back in those days the wares would be sold to street vendors, who were the eighteenth century equivalent of drug dealers. Just as unreasonable taxes on certain products have led to organised crime in the years gone by, the prohibition of marijuana has provided the perfect opportunity for criminal gangs to prosper. By persecuting those who make a living from selling soft drugs, the government
has paved the way for illegal drug cartels to dominate the market. They have elevated the crime rate in places like Liverpool and Marbella beyond recognition. Nobody is out burglarizing houses or stealing handbags from little old ladies because they smoke a bit of weed every now and again, so why do the law enforcement agencies place it in the same category as crack and heroin? Smugglers exist because the laws of the land are vastly different from the laws of common sense. A study carried out by the Liberal Democrat Party in July 2010, found that 70% of the British population favour the legalisation of cannabis, so why are people like Bull’s Balls having to risk their lives and immerse themselves in the world of organised crime to facilitate its sale? On the day of my release Bull’s Balls came bounding across to me on the yard and shook my hand. “Make sure that you remember to tell your friends about the modern-day Long John Silver!” he told me. I had the feeling that he had enjoyed telling me about his adventures a little too much and the next person to share a cell with him would
have smuggling stories coming out of their ears. He was certainly a character; the chances of him ever giving up smuggling were second to none – his eyes lit up at the very mention of the word. As we said our farewells, I couldn’t help thinking that he would be in the papers in a few years’ time under the headline, “UK’s Biggest Drug Bust Ever.” He was a criminal through and through, but there was a certain charm in the way he talked about his escapades. Although he had also smuggled cocaine over from Columbia, I felt that the shipments of cannabis he had brought across had done society a service. Without people who were willing to put their lives on the line to transport marijuana across the seas, the UK would be deprived of the chance to partake in a drug that causes a fraction of the harm inflicted by alcohol and tobacco. So Bull’s Balls, if you’re reading this, less of the coke and more of the weed – and try not to get caught this time!!! You can read more about Bull’s Balls’ adventures on the high seas in my new book “Lowlife – Life in British Prisons with Drug Dealers, Gun Runners and Murderers,” available from John Blake Publishing
CANNABIS COOKING WITH KIM Serving San Diego MMJ patients since 2005 It’s November, the historic election vote for California, and I hope everyone read all the information about the propositions on the ballot, then made the right choice and voted! The San Diego Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk is in full swing from the 19th to the 21st of this month. Thousands of women and men come together and raise money for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®. Then they take their commitment to end breast cancer one step further and walk approximately 15-22 miles each day for three days in a row, totaling 60 miles over the course of three days. All walkers must agree to raise a minimum of $2,300 in order to walk, and whether you are on a team or not, each walker is responsible for his or her own fundraising commitment. The proceeds from the event fund innovative global breast cancer research and local community programs supporting education, screening, and treatment. Virtually every major advance in the fight against breast cancer in the last 28 years has been impacted by a Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grant. You will be amazed by the incredible courage of survivors, by the commitment of the walkers, by the power of the individual, and the power of many. Starting in Del Mar and after three days and 60 miles, participants will take a final and incredibly emotional victory walk into the Closing Ceremony! Come down to Petco Park at 100 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101 on Sunday afternoon, November 21st, and see history in the making as we have walked 60 miles to make a difference in a lifetime for the cure… because everyone deserves a lifetime! November is also Thanksgiving. It is a time to give thanks for all that we have and all that we are. Don’t forget to continue the spirit of kindness we are building in our MMJ community and try to practice random acts of kindness to everyone around you. I challenge you to make someone’s life a better place to live. This month we have a few new healing recipes for your Thanksgiving dinner with of course, our medicinal twist! Some of the following recipes are taken from Mother Earth Co-op’s “Special Medicinal Recipes – A Medical Cannabis Cookbook.” Kim Twolan © 2008 Cookbook available at finer co-ops, collective’s and physician’s offices or on line at www.motherearthcoop.com/products 50 | NUGMAG.COM
BLACK MAMBA BEAN SOUP (Soups) 1 1/2 (10-oz.) cups Black Beans 8 slices Bacon 1 med. Onion (chopped) 1/2 med. Red Bell Pepper (diced) 1 1/2 tsp. Garlic (chopped) 1/2 tsp. Jalapeno Pepper (seedless) 1/2 tsp. Thyme (dried, crumbled)
1 sm. Bay Leaf 1 1/2 tsp. Oregano (dried, crumbled) 3 qt. Chicken Broth (96 fl oz.) 1/2 tsp. Kief 3/4 tsp. White Pepper 2 tbsp. Cilantro (fresh, chopped) 1 pkg. Sour Cream
Cover beans with cold water by 3 inches in a bowl and soak at room temperature for at least 8 hours, or quick-soak (To quick-soak beans, cover dried beans with 3 inches of cold water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook uncovered over moderate heat for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cover pan. Then soak beans, covered, for 1 hour). Drain well in a colander. Cook bacon in a 5 to 6 quart heavy pot over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to a small bowl and pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from pot. Reserve 2 tablespoons of chopped bacon for topping, then return remaining bacon to pot and heat over moderately high heat until hot, but not smoking. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, Jalapeño pepper (seedless and chopped), oregano, bay leaf, and thyme, then sauté, stirring frequently until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add beans, chicken broth, kief, and white pepper, then simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally until beans are very tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Discard bay leaf and stir in cilantro. Recipe makes 6 to 8 healing servings. Note: Serve over rice if you’re in the mood for a heartier main course. Serve soup topped with sour cream, chopped cilantro, and reserved bacon. Soup can be made a day ahead and cooled completely, then chilled, covered. Thin with water if desired when reheating. GREEN GODDESS SALAD (Salads) 1 lg. Cucumber (peeled, diced) 1 lg. Tomato (diced) 1 lg. Onion (chopped fine) 1 tbsp. Cilantro (fresh, minced) 1 tbsp. Parsley (fresh, minced)
2 tbsp. Cannaoil 1 tbsp. Lemon Juice (fresh) 4 cloves Garlic (fresh, minced) 1/8 tsp. Sea Salt 1/8 tsp. Pepper (ground)
Combine all ingredients and chill for about 30 minutes before serving. Recipe serves 2 to 4 patients. GREEN BUD KANU CASSEROLE (Vegetarian) 2 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup 1 med. Onion (finely chopped) 4 cloves Garlic (finely chopped) 2 tbsp. Soy Sauce 1 cup Soy Milk or Half & Half
3 tbsp. Cannabis (finely chopped) 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper 8 cups Green Beans (cooked & cut) 1 (8-oz.) pkg. Mushrooms (sliced) 2 1/2 cups French Fried Onion
Preheat oven at 350°F. Blend soup, soy sauce, and milk together, and stir in cannabis, black pepper, beans and 1 1/3 cup of French fried onions in a greased 3 quart casserole dish. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, then remove from oven and stir well. Add remaining fried onions and bake for an additional 5 to 8 minutes. Recipe makes 12 curative servings.
GREEN SPIRIT SWEET POTATO MEDLEY (Vegetarian) 2 cups Brown Sugar 1 tbsp. Lemon Juice 1 cup Dry Sherry (divided) 1/2 tsp. Thyme 4 tbsp. Cannaoil
6 cloves Garlic (finely chopped) 1/2 tsp. White Pepper 1/4 cup Hempseeds 1 med. Onion (finely chopped) 1 lb. Green Beans
Preheat oven to 400 °F. Cut sweet potatoes into spears like French fries. Place in greased 9”X13” baking dish. Add 2 cups of brown sugar, lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of sherry. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes. While the mixture in the oven is cooking, place cannaoil, hempseeds, onions, garlic, 2 tbsp. of brown sugar, and green beans in frying pan. Sauté over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the other 1/2 cup of sherry, toss well, and sauté for another 2 minutes. Remove mixture from the oven and toss in the sautéed green bean mix. Serve and enjoy. Note: Wonderful treat for the festive season that assists patients in sleeping and relief from nausea. BIRD STUFFING A LA MOTTA (Poultry) 5 cups Breadcrumbs 2 tbsp. Poultry Seasoning 1/2 cup Raisins 1/2 cup Almonds (sliced) 1/2 cup Celery (chopped) 1 med. Onion (chopped)
5 cloves Garlic (chopped) 3 tbsp. Cannabutter (melted) 1 tbsp. Savory (ground) 1/2 cup Cannabis (finely ground) 2 tbsp. Sherry or Dry White Wine 1 Turkey or Chicken
Mix onion and garlic together, and brown in cannabutter. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Stuff cleaned chicken or turkey and cook as needed – depends on the weight of the bird. Note: Helps relieve holiday stress and great for appetite building. CHAKRA HERBED BISCUITS (Biscuits) 2 cups All-Purpose Flour 3/4 cup Buttermilk* 2 tsp. Baking Powder 1 tbsp. Cannabutter 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda 1 tbsp. Fresh Herbs 1/2 tsp. Garlic Salt 1/2 cup Cannabutter Heat oven to 450°F. Then combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in 1/2 cup of cannabutter with fork or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk just until moistened. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead about 10 times or until smooth. Roll out dough to 3/4” thickness and cut with 2 1/2” biscuit cutter. Place 1” apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Brush biscuits with melted cannabutter and bake for 10 to 14 minutes or until lightly browned. Stir together softened cannabutter and fresh herbs in a small bowl until well mixed. Recipe makes 8 special biscuits. Note: Serve warm biscuits with herbal butter. *Substitute 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to equal 3/4 cup (buttermilk). Let stand for 10 minutes. MADELAINE’S APPLE CRISP (Desserts) 8 med. Tart Apples (sliced) 1/2 cup Raisins 1/2 cup Walnuts (chopped) 1/2 cup Hazelnuts (chopped) 1/2 cup Water 1 cup Rolled Oats
1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour 1/2 cup Hempseeds 1/2 cup Cannabutter (melted) 1/2 cup Honey 2 tsp. Cinnamon 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
Place sliced apples in a greased 9”x13” pan and sprinkle with raisins, walnuts, hazelnuts, and water. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Then sprinkle evenly over apples and bake at 350°F for 30 to 40 minutes or until the apples are soft. Note: Serve warm or cold with ice cream or whipped cream. “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, which is 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 and 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, hempseed 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
Stephen Hearn
Electrical Safety
By: MYKEYWAY Electrical convince has only been around for a 120 years, one of the youngest technologies. There are many considerations like budget, space requirements, and function, when designing and installing these systems. Any one of these areas can cause tragedy when the wrong decisions are made in the beginning. So I’m here to help by issuing a public safety message brought to you by NUG. Make sure you use a qualified electrician to install your electrical back bones. If you don’t know a “cool electrician”, FIND ONE! Or better yet, become one! The safety of your family, friends, and neighbors is important. Let’s start with the basics of electric usage. 1000 WATTS is 10 AMPS @ 120 Volts. Most homes have 15/20 amp breakers for bedrooms, so for living areas, two 1000 watt lights are too much. I can never stress this enough - wire gauge is important! A 14 gauge wire is only good for 15 amps and should only be used at a 70 % capacity. This means one 1000 watt lamp, one 120 watt fan, two 10 watt pumps, and two 40 watt oscillating fans. Don’t run this on an extension cord because they melt, short, and can cause people to trip. Under a carpet, the plastic insulation rubs away and can spark a fire. In short, don’t use extension cords. They are unreliable and are used mainly for temporary situations like in the backyard or on a job site. However, a 12 gauge wire, like the yellow “ROMEX”, is good for 20 amps, but this does not mean you can add two 1000 watt lamps. It is only safe to run a circuit at 70% continually or it will cause the breaker to “pop” or disengage due to too much heat on the wire, which can also cause the wire to melt and catch on fire. Our lesson for this month is wire size or gauge and its power allowance, also known as ampacity or the capacity of amperes.
Let’s talk Budget. Spending the money to get everything done right in the beginning will keep costs down in the long run! So if you are running more than two 1000s, we might graduate to 240 volt ballasts. Now if we don’t run extension cords all over the house, where do we safely get the power we need? Do we steal it from the dryer or the electric stove power sources? I’ve got a better idea! The math goes: 1-1000 WATT lamp is 10 AMPS @ 120 volts. Now, if we split that over two legs we now have: 1-1000 WATT lamp is 4.5 AMPS @240 volts. $$Cha-Ching$$! 110/120 volt technology is the biggest waste and the oldest American rip off since petroleum and social security. This 240 volt upgrade requires different plugs, different wire configurations, timers, and the list goes on. So be safe!!!! This is my prime directive; an electrician is a trained, preventive, fire specialist and every electric code is designed for fire safety. Any home owner can put in a receptacle or change a fixture, but keep in mind - a light bulb and the glowing lamp in your fixture is only a controlled explosion in a vacuum! Halide and high pressure sodium lamps are radioactive, so DO NOT USE CRACKED BULBS - even if they still work. Also, do not leave wire nuts exposed. The spark on a bad connection just needs open air movement to start a fire. The fire safety triangle has three sides: spark, fuel, and air. So if you eliminate any one of the three, you may only have smoke. See picture Remember, no extension cords and be aware of how much power you’re using on each device (load calculations). Don’t use cracked bulbs and always put your wire nuts in a box with a cover plate. Be safe, be well, and happy farming.
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: w o r g
HOW TO GET BIGGER YIELDS! By: The Guru
Every grower wants to get the most out of their crops! Do you want a bigger yield and bigger buds? You are not alone. You have to realize there is nothing that will be the magical home run to a bountiful harvest. It is a combination of factors that define it. People, friends, and new faces always ask me, “What can I do to increase my yields? How can I make my buds bigger?” Usually my answer is something like, “Buy a fan and create a proper environment first!” They usually might respond with, “What do you mean? I meant what nutrient or additive to use or add to my mix to make it bigger?” Experienced growers realize it’s not a single nutrient or any single thing that makes a plant explode into a huge harvest; instead, it is a combination of things. And the single most important factor in ANY grow room is ENVIRONMENT! Any old school grower will tell you that the nutrients are only a small part of the equation. You can have the best nutrients in the world and still produce shit, if you have a bad environment. But the success of any grow room is a combination of understanding the plants, creating a proper environment, and using proper nutrition. The key is to create a healthy, clean, and fresh environment for your plants. If you treat them like shit by putting them in a closet with no air circulation, they will give you a bad harvest. But give them a proper growing environment and they will thrive, producing much more of what you love. It’s that simple. They also need the right temperatures to properly grow and produce flowers. If the temp is too cold, it may stunt their growth or cause them to go dormant. If it is too hot, they will be very uncomfortable, it will attract bugs, and the plants will start to stretch or get leafy to cool off and protect themselves. A plant with a PAR value of
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over 82°F (the temperature of the leaf itself) will actually stop photosynthesis and go dormant, a form of protection to the plant until it cools off. And having clean, fresh, NON-STAGNET AIR is also important. Having a good flow rate of air exchange and exhausting the room at least every 2-3 minutes is recommended, or exchanging the air every minute in an open loop room is even better. But in a closed loop room, “scrubbing” the air with a charcoal filter (It is known as scrubbing because it’s a sealed room with no exhaust, so it recycles the air.) every 1-2 minutes ensures the quality of the air is clean, free of molds, funguses and diseases, and keeps the air from becoming stale and stagnant. Most people don’t pay enough attention to humidity levels, but it’s very important! If they are too high, molds and funguses can develop and destroy your crop. If they are too low, the plants will transpire or sweat too rapidly, which causes the nutrients to be too concentrated within the plants vascular system. Bad humidity levels cause nutrient lockouts, false signs of nutrient deficiencies, and many problems within the plant. So keep your humidity levels between 55%-65% during vegetative stages, and 50%-60% during flowering stages. Starting at 60% in flowering and gradually coming down to 50% by the end of it will ensure no flower rot. And if you can’t control the humidity levels properly with good airflow, purchase a dehumidifier or humidifier for your garden. CO2 is another very important factor of the equation. Plants need proper CO2 levels for the right gas exchanges in order to breathe, just like we need enough oxygen in the air to breathe. In an open loop room you are pretty much limited to the levels in the air, which run at about 450 PPM of CO2. Proper airflow is a must, but in a sealed room you can kick that level up to about 1500 PPM, which increases a plants metabolism. This produces a healthier plant, a better immune system to defend against bugs, bigger buds, and a better harvest. Growers also need to remember the temperature of the water they use to feed their plants. Water temp should be between 68°-70°F year round. If the water gets too warm, many diseases and pathogens can rapidly develop and cause root rot and a number of other serious problems that will destroy your crop. If it
cont.
gets too cool, below 67°F, it will shock the plants. This shock can affect the plants by making them dormant for up to 6 hours or so. This means they will not produce or work as they should, which will greatly affect your growth and harvest. So in the summer, make sure to use a water chiller or some type of chilling method to keep your water at the proper temp. And in the winter, which is fast approaching this year, especially here in San Diego, you will need to get reservoir heaters for your tanks and keep the water temp from getting too cool. Keep the heater set at about 70° and that should keep the plants happy. A good grower uses organic pest controls from the beginning to prevent pests, funguses, molds, and diseases. Using products like SNS 217, Azatrol, Azamax, high-grade seaweed extract like Nitrozime, or even using a freshly brewed organic tea like Vermicrop are all great ways to prevent pests when starting your grow. Also, using Silica in your nutrient solution not only builds up the stem walls, but makes the plant more pest resistant by creating a tough shell-type barrier on the plant that bugs don’t like. Many of these products also help fight molds and mildews. And of course, make sure to keep a clean environment, filtering all incoming air, exhausted, or even recycled air such as “scrubbing” in sealed rooms. Cleanliness is godliness in a grow room, and by all means, make sure you are clean as well. Showering and putting on clean clothes is always a good idea before entering any grow room. As far as nutrients go, there are a lot of good ones to choose from. Make sure to choose a reputable high quality nutrient. If you don’t know what nutrient to get or use, make sure you go down to your local garden shop that has knowledgeable staff and ask them for advice on which nutrient to use. A good nutrient will deliver everything you need for a healthy harvest and bigger buds. And don’t get caught up in adding 20 different flower enhancers to your solution because in most cases, it will only hurt you. The final step, which is actually the first step, is building and creating the proper grow room in the first place. If you build it properly with the right equipment and operate it correctly, the plants will grow and perform better than you ever dreamed possible. Most growers need to concentrate on their environment rather than looking for that secret nutrient or additive to make a huge harvest. Most of the time, I end up telling friends their problem has nothing to do with the nutrient, and the solution usually involves what I mentioned earlier in this article. Whether you need to get a fan, CO2, an air conditioner, a filter, heater, or chiller for the nutrient tanks, it almost always has to do with the environment! If you follow these guidelines and keep a proper grow room environment, you can have healthier plants, bigger buds, and a bountiful harvest. Build a proper grow room from the beginning and it is much easier to do the rest and to have huge yields!
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Halloween came early for Hopper this year when NUG Magazine dropped off this month’s strains to be reviewed. Inside the goody bag was Platinum Bubba, L.A. Woman, and OG D-Cup. It was the perfect cornucopia of cannabis for our very own Chronisseur!
Platinum Bubba: (Fire Station)
“When it comes to appearance, the only way to describe this strain is incredible. Nice, dense nugs that have been well manicured and grown with care. Frosty and beautifully colored, it has a very nice Bubba-like aroma. I can’t wait to taste this one! Judging on appearance alone, I’d say that this is one of the nicer pieces that NUG has brought me to review. It has a great flavor that lingers on the palate for awhile after the hit. Although I did think it would pack more of a punch, it was smooth and enjoyable. A refreshing high that hits the head and body without being too strong; just right. I would recommend this to a patient who needs an indica dominant strain. On the second hit, I got a little more expansion and a more intense cerebral high. Relaxation of the muscles also set in after a few minutes. I would like to give my thanks to the grower of the Platinum Bubba. I really enjoyed it.”
L.A. Woman: (Fire Station)
“L.A. x Martian Mean Green = One amazing bud! Although she’s a looker, this one lacks a unique aroma. It could be due to the curing process. It’s kind of dry, but once you crack it open you’ll find that pleasant smell. L.A. Woman has a very sweet, pleasant taste and a flavorful, hashy aftertaste. Nice! I think I also detect some earthy, slightly musky undertones. The high, although not a dome-run, is proving to be quite a creeper! This would be a great strain for overnight pain relief and/or relaxation. It would also be an effective sleep aid.” 60 | NUGMAG.COM
OG D-Cup: (Mother Earth)
“I’m not exactly sure where the name is derived from, but it sure does smell like a sweet OG. Simply beautiful! The buds are nice in appearance, but are a little on the smaller side. It’s definitely sticky, which is always a good sign. It has been grown and cured well; kudos to the grower. Allowing time for a slow cure is very important and in this case it absolutely paid off! It has a solid OG flavor with a slight sour undertone. I like this one because the flavor is full-bodied and sticks on the tongue for awhile. This is a stay-at-home strain that provides almost instant relaxation with a head and body high. It would be ideal for muscle pain, stress relief, or anxiety. Overall, the patient who takes this strain home will be extremely happy with it as long as it suits their specific needs. That is why I urge all patients to speak with their budtenders to decide what strain is best for them.” While we were working on this edition of “The Chronisseur”, Hopper and I got on the subject of how the holiday season is just around the corner. By the time this issue hits newsstands, Halloween will have come and gone, and we will be preparing for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. For those of you who don’t know, since The Green Door Collective opened, it has worked closely with the San Diego Food Bank. This year Hopper has decided to start the GDC’s Holiday Food Drive a little bit earlier, simply because the need is much greater than in past years. Donation bins will be set up at The Green Door to collect non-perishable food items throughout the holiday season and possibly beyond. If you are not a patient of The Green Door, please feel free to stop by and donate anyway! Or better yet, encourage the staff of your collective to start their own donation drive. Even the smallest of contributions can add up to something big if everyone participates. Like Hopper said, “Almost everyone, no matter how bad their circumstances, has something to give. Just a couple of dollars, a few cans of food, or a few hours of your time really does make a difference to someone who has nothing.”
Story by: Pamela Jayne
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Nug Shots by: M.K. Jack
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Photo by: Derek Plank
their 2008 Hawaiian tour and their third full-length album “Born in Babylon”, they have achieved international notoriety. The band has shared the stage with notable artists such as Matisyahu, Ben Harper, Slightly Stoopid, Damian Marley, and Steel Pulse, just to name a few. Some of their YouTube videos have been viewed 2-4 million times! After seeing them perform live at the West Beach Music Festival in Santa Barbara in September, we had to catch up with this band to find out more about them and share their music and message with our readers.
(Soldiers of the Jah Army)
Article By: M.J. Smith | Photos By: Eric Fowler Hailing from our nation’s capital of Washington D.C., SOJA is one of the best known reggae bands around the world. This is due in part to their relentless touring schedule. In 2010 alone, they completed a European tour, an East Coast U.S. tour, and are about to embark on another tour through Brazil. The five piece band is comprised of childhood friends: Jacob Hemphill (vocals, guitar), Bob Jefferson (bass), Patrick O’Shea (keyboards), Ryan Berty (drums), and Ken Brownell (percussion). Their need to create “music with a message” as their influences Bob Marley and Peter Tosh did, led to the release of their first self-titled EP at the beginning of 2000. Their first full-length album followed shortly after in 2002. By 2006, their second full-length album debuted in the Top 10 Reggae Albums on iTunes and has remained in the Top 100 ever since. After releasing another EP, a documentary DVD chronicling
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NUG: Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for our readers here in San Diego! Have you guys ever performed here before? Any plans on heading this way soon? SOJA: Yeah, we played at Canes a couple of times. San Diego is beautiful, we love it there. NUG: Reggae is very popular here in SD as it seems to mix well with our laid back lifestyle. How’s the scene in Washington, D.C.? SOJA: I think reggae fits all places, but in different ways. For San Diego, it may be the chill lifestyle, but for D.C., I guess it’s more about the political messages. NUG: What are some of your favorite destinations to tour and play? SOJA: Like I said, everywhere has something special. There’s something to like about every place on this earth. NUG: Tribal Seeds is a big local favorite! We noticed they joined you on stage at the West Beach Music Festival. Do you have a special connection with the band?
SOJA: We’ve done a couple of shows with them and were excited to have them on stage. The security was so tight that Steve barely made it past; I think he had to run. Whatever the circumstances, we had a great time with those guys. NUG: How was the West Beach Music Festival experience for you overall? SOJA: Great! We love West Beach. NUG: You guys have played with some amazing performers! Who are some of your favorite bands? SOJA: Of course our homies Rebelution, Tribal Seed’s killing too, and tons of great bands in Cali. My crew right now is Mambo Sauce and Fear Nuttin. NUG: You seem to work really hard. How do you manage touring so much? SOJA: By working hard. That’s the whole thing. Music is a full-time job if you’re doing it the way we are. We’re lucky to be here, so we work hard to stay here. NUG: What is the message behind the music? SOJA: That’s for the listener to decide I guess. NUG: What’s in store for SOJA in the future? SOJA: More music, more change. The world is completely F’d right now. We want to be the change that earth needs.
You can find out more about SOJA online at www.sojamusic.com
Still Smoking... By: Dion Markgraff
Craig X, author of 9021GROW, dispensary owner in the TV series on Showtime-Weeds, and cannabis religious rights activists Temple420.org, with a copy of the October NUG.
Cypress Hill and Guerilla Union made history while entertaining tens of thousands of music fans at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino, CA, on October 16th. After consulting with local authorities and officials regarding appropriate protocol, festival producers had consumption areas for cannabis patients. Event organizers and ASA volunteers placed unique wristbands on verified/qualified people that allowed them to enter the facility with 3.5 grams (1/8 oz.) or less of medical cannabis. The music line-up was incredible, featuring Incubus, Manu Chao, Erykah Badu, Living Colour, San Diego’s Slightly Stoopid, Nas and Damian Marley, Collie Buddz, Cypress Hill and many more. In addition, there were many booths all over the fairgrounds and a special “SmokeOut Medical Marijuana Expo.” There were expert discussion panels, a cultivation class, and many medical cannabis business related booths. NUG Magazine representatives were there too. Check out some action we caught on video on our website at http://nugmag.com/category/videos/. This historic milestone event was unprecedented in Southern California and forges another step towards every responsible patient having the right to consume medicine in a safe environment. Cypress Hill vocalist and long-time advocate for the legalization of medical cannabis, B Real, was pleased with such a landmark, “I am really happy that the patients who are coming to hear us play will also be able to have a safe place to consume medical marijuana without fear of prosecution or having to hide in the shadows.”
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National ASA leader, Don Duncan, who helped establish the historic step forward, allowing cannabis patients to bring their medicine to Smoke Out 2010
Tens of thousands came out for the cannabis friendly mix of music.
Vokab Kompany Article By: Tiffany Janay Photo By: Blair Robb
Immediately after the Padres scored a win against the Red Sox, a local band by the name of Vokab Kompany took to the park stage and began rocking the crowd. In case this is your first time hearing about them, allow me to introduce you to a band you will surely be seeing and hearing more of. They are fresh off a win at the San Diego Music Awards for Best Hip-Hop Album of the Year. This summer their song “So Bright” was featured on a national commercial for Kia, they recently opened for De La Soul at the House of Blues, and now they have rocked the stage at Petco Park. They have managed to obtain these milestones while still being an independent band. They seem to be doing everything right and are creating quite a following of loyal supporters along the way. The audience connects with them and their authenticity, and people go out of their way to find out who this group is and how they can hear more. Independent music – if done right – can lead to a very lucrative and successful path. It seems that Vokab Kompany is doing as much right as possible. Their latest CD, The New Kong, was released completely independent. They have also been rocking venues all over with a majority of their business being handled by lead vocalists Burkey and Rob. Another important addition to the Kompany is Burkey’s wife, who is at every show sitting at the band’s point of contact table selling CD’s, stickers, and answering fan questions.
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Burkey and Rob have been together for 2 years, but have been in the Hip-Hop scene for over 15 years. When they came together, they took their sounds to a whole new level with Rob specializing in rhythms and Burkey in melodies. In addition to them, they have a violinist (Spencer Sharpe), a bass player (Aaron Cheatham), a guitarist (Jeremy Holmes), keys/production (Geoff Nigil), and a drummer (Alvara Nunez). Burkey had his own band for years, and Rob was with his producer and a DJ when they’d meet up while touring for shows in Reno/Tahoe – they’d rock together and vibe. They started out featuring each other on their projects, and then Burkey had hit the end of the road with his band and wanted to do something different. He moved out to San Diego to pursue a new direction and met up with Rob. After creating for a minute, they decided they needed a band. Their band that rocks with them now had already been playing together for about 10 years. The minute the band came and showed Burkey and Rob what they were doing with their songs, they knew that’s exactly what they needed. Geoff on the keys was able to lend a nice electronic sound that they loved, which was taking their music in a futuristic direction. The violin player, Spencer Sharpe, was a perfect fit because violins are something that Rob had envisioned as part of his sound from the start. I first saw them at the De La Soul concert and was immediately captivated. I wanted to know more about them. Their show was extremely professional and intriguing. Every member had their own groove and played their part as if there was nothing else in the world they’d rather be doing. Their showmanship came across as wellrehearsed, and every detail was distinct and perfectly crafted.
Vokab Kompany @ SDMA 2010
Although they are categorized as Hip-Hop, their sound is much more than that. To me, it seems like a mix between Hip-Hop, electronic, dubstep, and blue grass – if you can imagine that. Burkey and Rob are the lyricists with thought-provoking and easy to understand lyrics. And just when you think you have their sound pinned down; Spencer Sharpe chimes in with his violin. Jeremy on the guitar is extremely animated and entertaining to watch. The drummer, Alvara, is in excellent shape, if I might add ladies. And Aaron does his thing on the bass, making sure the sound stays hard hitting. I wanted to find out more about their journey and the moves they are making from a business standpoint that separate them from others. They say they never had to be a coffee house band and play shows for free; they have always been a company and rocking professionally. They note that the coolest thing was when they recently did a show at Analog and only recognized about 20% of the people. They remember when they first started out and had to call and text everyone they knew to make sure they were going to be at their shows. Where does the name Vokab Kompany come from? Rob: Vokab was just an idea from vocabulary, and we were trying to do something more lyrical than what was out – a lot of that bling-bling at the time. And not discrediting that, but I just thought there was more to music. Burkey: He’s a backpacker – a backpack Hip-Hop kat, who’s into underground Hip-Hop. Rob: I just like the more lyrical content; and Kompany because we’ve always had a big group of friends that support us.
How did you make the transition from doing free shows to getting paid? Burkey: I don’t think we ever did shows for free. I started off getting paid. We’re a band; we need to get paid. Rob: We always had a big group of friends like a company, and people would come. Bars started recognizing that and we were playing at little spots in SD. Since we were bringing people, they’d want to book another show because we were keeping that bar tab up. People started recognizing, which is why we get the gigs we get. Burkey: This is why they promote for us and why we get more fans. Robby is a real good businessman and I handle the networking, so the business relationship falls right into place. We have our own label we’re going to start. This last album, The New Kong, we didn’t put out under anything. We just put it out there, guerilla marketed it, and our friends helped. People pitched in to help fund and engineer it for next to nothing. This is the album that just won for Best Hip-Hop Album. How did you get nominated for the San Diego Music Awards? Burkey: I think it’s some of the clubs we play at and their business owners. We have kept good business relationships with most of the venues we’ve played at in town. Have things opened up since winning? Burkey: Immediately! The next day we got a call to play at The Roxy in LA. I think the music award along with getting our song played for that commercial this summer has given us steam as far as being able to market ourselves better. We’re reaching a wider variety of people and being able to ask for more. Rob: You really don’t know how powerful the media machine is until it focuses on you for a moment or you get a glimpse of how big things can get. People listening to a commercial that might say, “what’s that song,” makes you wonder how many more thousands or ten thousands or even millions of people do the same if they really liked it – that’s how stuff can get out. Winning an award in San Diego, which is our hometown, was huge for us. We weren’t even expecting it because last year we were nominated and didn’t win. Burkey: My defenses were up and I was telling myself, “Oh it’s not a big deal.” Then we won and I said, “I’m going to be able to tell my kids that I won Best Hip-Hop Album of 2010 in the 2nd biggest city in California.” I only say “I” because it’s a personal accolade, but of course it’s a “we” – we truly worked hard on it. We had our fingers on everything. It was a huge effort that took 2 years. Since we are doing an interview for Nug, do you guys incorporate herb in your creative process? Burkey: I’m a 5th-8th grade teacher and do not support those kinds of things. I have a lot of experiences that go into my creative process. Rob: He’s an adult though, and everyone has experienced. There’s a lot of cool stuff going on with that movement right now. Obviously, the government sees how many jobs it’s going to create if they go in that direction. It’s a good thing. Burkey: I don’t hear about many DUI deaths from that, so hopefully it will wean people off the alcoholism in our country. Rob: Nobody goes out, smokes and says, “Now I’m going to party and do a whole bunch of other drugs.” It’s usually alcohol that leads to that. Honestly, that’s one of the things that we probably shouldn’t be worrying about. There are a lot of bigger problems in the world. So big ups NUG!!! You can check out Vokab Kompany and be a part of the movement by adding them on www.facebook.com/VokabKompany, www.Twitter.com/VokabKompany, and www.youtube.com/thevokabkompany And pick up their CD at a good local store called Access, and they are also on iTunes.
Amer The Gamer TATTOO ARTIST EXTRAORDINAIRE
By: Goldie Schiffner If you walk into any tattoo parlor in the United States and mention the tattoo artist Amer The Gamer, you will definitely stir up conversation and get some comments or even questions like, “Are you from San Diego?” If you are familiar with the San Diego music scene, you’ve either listened to an artist that has been tattooed by Amer The Gamer or you know exactly who this idealistic artist is. With a rough upbringing in some of the toughest streets in San Diego, Amer The Gamer has more than just proved skill as one of the best tattoo artists around; he’s now become coveted for the type of work he can do. Amer The Gamer’s art is a display of true quality, but when you see his freehand art work on the bodies of people from all walks of life, you begin to understand why people swear by his ink. It was time for NUG Magazine to speak with Amer The Gamer and learn more about who he is, what he does, and his involvement in the San Diego scene.
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Amer The Gamer is more than just a tattoo artist; he is a musician and a businessman. When we first spoke, he explained that he was very busy keeping odd hours to accommodate the lifestyle of both music and tattoos. So getting a hold of him proved to be quite a task, but the professionalism and acute sense of his image was impressive. Amer The Gamer preferred to give us the answers to our questions directly, which cut the need for us to paraphrase what he truly represents. We asked Amer The Gamer about an abundance of topics, from his background to his initial involvement with tattooing, and where his path will lead him next. We wanted to know how he grew up, how he became involved with tattooing, what his favorite tattoos were, and more. When I received the letter back, I didn’t feel it correct to undermine his creative approach to my questions and pass it off as my own writing. You can get a sense of his open book attitude in the response below, which demonstrates his love for the city and the art that is his passion and profession. Almost a miniature autobiography, we present a letter from Amer The Gamer: “AMERTHEGAMER”, the owner of Southern Cali’s LAVISH TATTOO CO., has come along way with 10 years of memorable history involved in the tattoo industry while in the same place he was raised, East San Diego, just 10 minutes from Mexico’s border. Raised on a street infamous for its prostitution, El Cajon Blvd.’s seven-mile stretch of road would be the gateway to his future. ‘’AMES LOC”, his name as a teenager, began a tattoo apprenticeship at the age of 17 and has been involved in art and graffiti his entire life. Not fully committed yet, there have been plenty of distractions. Ames was in and out of jails and hospitals due to gang affiliation, drugs, and various hobbies. He felt he needed to acquire money at a young age. He decided it was time to make a life change.
With a lifelong love for art, glit, and glam, it was only right to make strides in his love for tattooing. Today he is a mogul in the tattoo industry, and is opening his artistic talent to the music scene with a series of mixtapes and albums entitled ‘’Call It What You Want.” The first album Vol. 1 is currently being released and features plenty of talent, including good friend and tattoo enthusiast, Twelve Gauge Shotie, also a rapper from San Diego who has been featured in NUG Magazine. AMER has become a specialist in signature SoCal black and grey, fine line, realistic, full color, custom freehand, and even traditional. However, he is still willing to cater to street shop flash, making him very successful. ‘’THE TATTOO ARTIST EXTRAORDINAIRE” has since had the opportunity to tattoo young entrepreneurs, adult film stars, models, and R&B singers as well as give something back to El Cajon Blvd.
Ames is a fan of creative expression and is open to anything that makes an individual unique. “If they’re willing to walk around with an idea I transformed from the thoughts in my mind, customers have my full support,” says Ames. When commonly asked how many tattoos he has, he replies, ‘’You don’t have enough if you still have to count ‘em.” When it comes to his favorite tattoo, he doesn’t have one, but carries every last one with pride. Today, if an individual or tattoo collector was interested in receiving an Amer The Gamer piece, he can be found working hard at his livelihood, inside Lavish Tattoo Company. -Mike J. from San Diego writes on Yelp about the phenomenal work he had done by Amer The Gamer (aka Ames): “I got my first tattoo with Ames, the owner of Lavish Tattoo Co. It was my last name, big, going across my back, a shoulder rocker. I told him what I wanted and he drew it out in custom letters. It was nicer than I could have ever imagined. This artist has incredible skills. Anyone who sees it is amazed by the custom lettering and the detail that went into this tattoo. Thanks Ames and I’ll be back for my next tattoo.” You can find Lavish Tattoo at 5733 El Cajon Blvd. Amer The Gamer also has a Twitter account that he updates frequently – twitter.com/amerthegamer. If you Google Amer The Gamer, you can enjoy countless videos and new music from someone who I think San Diego will be hearing about for a long time to come, and rightfully so, a homegrown artist deserves more attention than those we see on TV. Let’s start giving more credit to the people in America’s Finest City.
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Local Artist Spotlight: David Russell Talbott - “PULPCORE” By Jed Sanders. David Russell Talbott is a multi-talented artist and musician who likes to paint the Hustlers, Hit-men, and B-movie Scream Queens of yesteryear. His paintings are reminiscent of the pulp fiction paperbacks of the Roaring 40’s and Fabulous 50’s with a twist and relevance to the modern world. Pin-up girls and gangsters jump out at the viewer with a reminder that the past was far from innocent. His work visually narrates the ironic tragedies of Hollywood and depicts the facets and dark sides of human nature through a series he calls “PULPCORE”. Recently, David had a book release and art show at the Tractor Room ( www.TheTractorRoom.com) where we had a chance to catch up with him and ask a few questions: What is “Pulpcore” and what is it all about? Pulpcore is really my moniker for what I do visually. I was hooked on 40’s and 50’s comics when I was growing up, especially EC’s horror and crime books – you know, the stuff you had to hide from your parents. Ever since then I’ve been drawn to that time period and all the pulp magazines that existed in that era. I felt I could take that almost exploitive style of dime store novel graphics and make them contemporary by using modern themes. The ‘core’ part came directly from music genres; “Hardcore”, “Emocore”, and “Grindcore” – you knew exactly what you were getting when you bought an album of that style. I thought it should be the same with my artwork. In 2005, I started the Pulpcore Letters series that is now called “American Pulpcore”. It’s a collection of eight panels where each panel contains a letter and when you put them together they spell out P.U.L.P.C.O.R.E. I’m working on series number 8 right now. I see a lot of Hollywood influence...would you care to elaborate on that side? The Hollywood stuff started long before I quit my day job to paint full-time. My aunt was an actress in Hollywood during the 1950’s and 1960’s, and her stories about the 72 | NUGMAG.COM
hidden secrets of Tinseltown inspired me to write a book. But instead of doing another “Hollywood Babylon”, I wanted to do a fully illustrated book about the rumors, deaths, and scandals that had been whispered about for years. The concept was to make it look like a supermarket tabloid from the 50’s – a la Confidential Magazine that even contained fake ads for products that didn’t even exist. I started working on it in the late 90’s, but had to put it on the back burner when Skydiver started taking off. At the time, we were being courted by some major record labels and I just didn’t have time to finish it. Over the years I have released a few zines that contained parts of the book, but as of now, I’m waiting for a publisher to get involved before I put out the whole project. Where were you born and raised? I was born in the bohemian mecca that is Eugene, Oregon. I grew up in the 70’s, which was a very fertile ground for creativity. How long have you been in San Diego? I moved here with my parents in 1983, and like a lot of people, I got so use to the incredible climate that it’s hard to think about moving anywhere else. How long have you been doing your art? When I was a child, I would sell greeting cards with various birds and wildlife on them at weekend craft fairs. When I turned 12, the music bug bit me and being a musician/ songwriter took over my creative energy for many years. It wasn’t until my last band Skydiver broke up in 2005 that I became fed up with the music biz and devoted all my time to painting. What do you enjoy playing and what were some of the bands you played with? My main instrument is guitar, but I also play other string instruments and the piano. The two bands that I played with the longest were Infantry and Skydiver. Both were around for about seven years. In that time I got to share the stage with artists like Joe Strummer from the Clash, Devo, Concrete Blonde, Mike Watt, Archers of Loaf, Imperial Teen, and Pinback – great memories for sure. Even though I wasn’t painting very much then, I definitely got a reputation as an artist for all the Casbah flyers I made during those years. Do you feel that being a musician has helped you with your visual art career? Personally, the two mediums seem to come from different places within me. Playing guitar and writing music is very kinesthetic for me. It’s almost like my fingers are deciding what to do and it all comes from deep within my core, if you will. With painting and drawing, it stems more from inside my head. Although the inspiration may be driven from feelings inside, the brain takes over and guides my eyes and hands. Unfortunately, I can’t even listen to music when I’m painting, especially guitar driven bands, because my fingers start to play along with the songs. That kind of sucks sometimes.
What part(s) of being an artist do you find most rewarding? For me, it’s about making a social statement through the artwork. Not that I’m standing on a soap box, but this is how I express my dissatisfaction with the world around me. If I’m able to make my message clear and then have people acknowledge that they get it, I mean “really get it”, it makes all the time I spent on the canvas worthwhile. Do you have any proud accomplishments that you would like to brag about? Recognition by one’s peers shouldn’t matter to an artist, but it does help keep you focused on what you’re doing. Susan Kismaric from MoMA in New York chose to exhibit one of my pieces in a show earlier this year, which felt really good. Just the fact that people continue to buy my work in this economy is an accomplishment. Are you available for commissioned work? Yes, please! I love commissions because it’s usually the only time I get to step out of my series work and into something completely different. I just recently started doing some dog portraits called “Pupcore” – you know, dogs with fedoras and martinis and such. Besides art, what do you do for fun? I still enjoy playing music from time to time, but food is also a very important part of my life. Going to the farmers market and building a meal from all the great produce I bought is really fun for me. I have to always be involved in creating something or I get a little nuts.
Where is the best place to purchase your artwork? I have an online store on Etsy (pulpcore.etsy.com) or you can contact me through my website (davidrusselltalbott.com). I have both original paintings and prints laminated on wood available. Also, my last two fanzines “Potboiler Summer” and “Precautionary Tales” are available on Etsy. Are there any new projects in the works? My latest project is a series devoted to the Seven Deadly Sins. They’re all large scale paintings dedicated to each sin and full of details that require the viewer to spend a lot of time dissecting the meaning. Because of that, each one is taking months to do. I started nearly two years ago and I’m only half way through. Besides American Pulpcore and the Deadly Sins series, I’m continuing to look for new ways to bring my work to a bigger audience.
Popped Culture
By: Robert Stinson
On August 4, 2010, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker determined that California’s Prop. 8 violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This monumental decision was backed by a 130-page ruling that found no “rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license”. Prop. 8 supporters filed an appeal with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which will hear arguments on the case in December. Meanwhile, the GLBT community has been left in a state of limbo while our right to be recognized as equal citizens under the law is being debated in the halls of justice. It is a disconcerting position to be in, especially when all we ask is to be treated equally under the Constitution. Californians have come to the sensible conclusion that prohibitions simply do not work. This decision, however, is merely a drop in the bucket of a much larger political topic, which must become federal, but it will take an unbelievable amount of advocacy from “ALL” of us in order to make that happen. NUG Magazine felt it necessary to bring to light the issues regarding civil liberties for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people who have been disenfranchised by an intolerant faction of our city. The GLBT community has an unbelievable presence in San Diego. Advocates such as Nicole Murray Rodriguez, Todd Gloria, Tony Atkins, and some others have pierced the political sphere of San Diego with their tireless efforts to ensure that our civil rights as human beings are being upheld. Politicians aside, there is a whole network of artists, musicians, writers, volunteers and everyday people like you who are making San Diego an exciting place to be, and I aim to bring a voice to you all. I had the pleasure of interviewing Matt C., a popular budtender at the Holistic Café in Hillcrest. Matt and his partner Wes have been medical marijuana advocates for many years, and their wealth of knowledge really blew me away, plus, they were really nice guys. Robert: How long have you two been together? Matt: Four years next month. We met at Moe’s. Wes decided he was going to have me, and he got me. That’s what happens. He called me two days later and we’ve been together every day since. 76 | NUGMAG.COM
Robert: Could you guys tell me a little about your advocacy in the medical marijuana community? Wes: In the past, I worked as a budtender, like Matt, and helped build Southern Lights, which is the company I work for. I have also worked with Bird Rock Collective as well as other companies designing logos, helping with marketing, and things like that. Matt: My job is to educate people about different strains and their specific physical and mental healing effects. In this profession you’re a psychologist, a teacher, and a pharmacist. I consider myself to be an alchemist because I am pinpointing strains for specific ailments. I also work in community outreach. It is our eventual goal to funnel our energies into philanthropy, finding HIV, oncology, and physician clinics that take donations of MM for their patients who are prescribed it, but cannot afford it. Robert: That’s great! Matt: I am currently trying to get an educational booth at the La Mesa Oktoberfest. We were OK’d by the La Mesa Fire Department and are also on the waiting list for the Hillcrest Farmers Market. Robert: Do you believe there is a difference in the quality of life for those patients who opt for MM over the same physician prescribed medications? Do you believe this applies to psychiatric drugs as well? Matt: I think so. I have studied up on the drugs that patients normally take for afflictions such as multiple sclerosis, HIV, and cancer. For instance, HIV medications can cause extreme nausea for patients, but it can be easily remedied through smoking marijuana. Marijuana can also naturally increase the appetites of individuals with advanced stages of HIV/AIDS who are experiencing wasting. Some of the patients are very outspoken about their problems. For example, there is a guy who comes in every day and gets one or two grams to get him through the day. If you saw this man on the street, you would never imagine that he had so many issues with his health. Many of the patients I help – who smoked pot in the 60’s and 70’s, raised their families, and got away from it – are coming back to find that marijuana is the one thing that’s helping their MS or drying out the glaucoma sacks behind their eyes, giving them their vision back. I mean, how can you deny these people medications that can vastly improve the quality of their lives? Robert: If I were a patient who was suffering from tendonitis or other repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow, what strains would you suggest for me? Matt: If you’re a person who works with the public and needs to get through the day with as little pain as possible while still using your brain, then yeah, there are going to be strains that I would recommend. Sativas such as Green Crack or the THC Blue are going to give you motivation. Then there are indi-
cas, which will put you on the couch, as I like to say. So we’ve got sativas and indicas, and then in the middle you have your hybrids. Indicas are generally higher in cannabinoids and are great for people suffering from chronic pain or insomnia. Sativas are great for energy and motivation, and then you have hybrid strains like Blue Dream that give you the motivation of a sativa mixed with the incredible pain relief of an indica. Robert: You were telling me a little about the history of the medical marijuana community in America… Matt: Yes, there are seven patients that have been prescribed medical marijuana out of the University of Mississippi. Originally, I believe there were 20 people from 1983 to 1984 that were prescribed MM by the government for cancer. Seven of them were still living when I read this report, and they were still being prescribed these meds. How can the government say that their ailments are valid, but the medical problems of the average patient who walks in here are not? It becomes a constitutional issue at that point, not unlike gay marriage. Robert: On that note, how do you feel about the current state of things regarding gay marriage? Matt: Gay marriage is going to win, it has
to. You cannot constitutionally say that one class of people is better than another. It’s the same thing that is happening here with marijuana. If they have already acknowledged the healing qualities of cannabis, then they need to legalize it at a federal level. It’s ridiculous and that argument will be covered for a long time, I guarantee it.
Dustin of Subliminal Trip awarding the Summer Cup trophy to Matt of The Holistic Cafe Robert: Do you feel that the gay rights movement and the effort to end marijuana prohibition are similar or mutually exclusive? Matt: See, there you go again with the civil rights issue. You’re making these people criminals. Now we’re not criminals if we’re gay and get married, but it’s just that the state and federal governments won’t recognize it. They are making marijuana consum-
ers criminals, which goes beyond saying that you’re not equal to everybody else. Robert: It’s just eerie how the two struggles parallel each other. In the 1960’s, homosexuals had Stonewall, which polarized the gay community more than any other event. This was due to the NYPD’s aggressive raids on gay bars and institutions throughout The Big Apple whose behavior was legitimized by unfair legislation that essentially made homosexuality a crime. Matt: I couldn’t agree more. Robert: On a lighter note, you had mentioned something about the Cannabis Cup? Matt: We had recently gone to the Summer Cup that was sponsored by Bird Rock Collective, Southern Lights, NUG Magazine, The Kind Cookery, and The Holistic Café. It was mainly an East County crowd. I think mostly everyone there knew that Wes and I were partners. In fact, we were actually treated a little nicer than everyone else because our entry from The Holistic Café won the Cannabis Cup. Needless to say, we sold out the next day!
Wow! There has be en an explosion of new books publishe Here are three stan d on our favorite su douts that I had to bject, cannabis! tell you about. Eac h one brings somet the table. hing different to Reefer Gladness: Stories, Essays, and Riffs About Marijuana By: Michael Konik Reefer Gladness is a collection of fiction and creative nonfiction essays revolving around marijuana use and legalization in the United States. It was released on October 4th, just in time for the November elections, by the Huntington Press. The author states what I feel is the essence of this book, “it always gives us joy to see how many others like us there are out there, upstanding members of society with important jobs and impressive titles and perhaps some measure of wealth and fame who, despite the funny stereotypes about stoners, conduct themselves as model Americans.” Reefer Gladness is a book that everyone can relate to. It is smart, funny, and honest, and appeals to readers of a wide demographic. He finds and shares the simple pleasures of partaking in our favorite substance. You can find more information online at www.michaelkonik.com. Cannabiz: The Explosive Rise of the Medical Marijuana Industry By: John Geluardi John Geluardi, an award-winning Bay Area reporter, takes a behind the scenes look at the new industry being spurred by cannabis in the United States and why corporate professionals are now paying attention to what he calls, “the first new American industry since the dot.com boom of the early 1990’s.” He chronicles the rise of medical marijuana in California and the activism that made it all possible. “The marijuana movement is quickly turning into the cannabis industry,” says Geluardi. He also draws much needed comparisons to Prohibition and the Gold Rush, and presents a solid argument for why marijuana is no longer just for those on the fringes of society, but is now becoming an accepted part of mainstream America. Cannabiz is a must read for anyone interested in getting into the business. For more information visit PoliPointPress- www.p3books.com/cannabiz/. Cannabis-Philosophy for Everyone: What Were We Just Talking About? By: Dale Jacquette “Not so much a subject matter, philosophy is a way of thinking. Thinking not just about the big questions, but about the little ones,” says Fritz Allhoff, the series editor of Philosophy for Everyone, which includes nearly two dozen books on random subjects such as College Sex, Beer, Gardening, and Food – just to name a few. Their newest release Cannabis-Philosophy for Everyone aims to bridge the world of academia, as it relates to cannabis, with the interests and concerns of those on the outside. Contributors include international scholars in the fields of philosophy, psychology, sociology, law, pharmacology, psychotherapy, and medicine as well as non-academics associated with the cultivation, distribution, and sale of cannabis. For those looking for a thought-provoking, heady read, find out more about this book at www.wiley.com.
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Higher Consciousness Glass One of my close friends dropped off some AMAZING glass pieces made by Josh Stone of Higher Consciousness. Josh started blowing glass locally in El Cajon in 1997, before moving up to Southern Humboldt to open his own glass studio and retail store. The retail store sells high fashion clothing, jewelry, and of course glass art! Josh also runs a 5 station glass blowing studio that has hardworking glass blowers who are dedicated to creating top quality glass art. Sure, these are glass pipes, but more importantly, they are pieces of art! Josh’s one of a kind pieces are exceptionally made and a must have for serious glass collectors like myself. If you have the opportunity to get one of Josh’s pieces, I HIGHLY recommend doing so! Josh is also a happy father of son, David, now six and a splitting image of Daddy Stone. With his successful business and wonderful family, Josh lives the happy life up on the hill. He is featured on glasspipes.org – keyword “Higher Consciousness”. You can also see more of his work on his website. I wish him, his business, and family luck and prosperity. www.higherconsciousnessglass.com
K.O.W. Cigar Pipes I have been seeing the K.O.W. Cigar pipes around for a while now and finally got a chance to bring a half dozen back to the office for myself and some NUG staffers to try. These things are SICK! Made out of ceramic, no two pipes are the same and they all have a unique hand rolled cigar look. They are SUPER stealth and look like a cigar, so medicating in a public place is NOT a bust when you have one of these. Cigar aficionados will love the realistic size, color, and texture of these pipes! This LA based company has been popping up at all the conventions and usually selling out super quickly! The NUG staff really enjoyed the product and you will too! They are a little hard to find and I can’t figure out how to order them on their website www.kowcigars.com, which I believe is for wholesale only. But Google KOW Cigar Pipes and you can find a few retail websites that sell them, or keep an eye out next time you go to a cannabis event or convention and GET YOU ONE!
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Flying Hamsters Apparel We were contacted by local entrepreneur, Michael. He is the owner and sole operator of an online apparel company located in our beautiful city. Michael grew up in LA, where getting dressed meant putting on the “good” jeans. Now he lives in San Diego, where getting dressed up means putting on cleaner board shorts and new flip flops! Always having a love for t-shirts and seeing the goofy stuff coming out of large chain stores, Michael decided to start his own line of apparel. With the tag line “From Inspirational to Blasphemous”, his designs are edgy and sometimes very entertaining, but always playful and FUN! Michael sent us a bunch of samples. His shirts are printed on Hanes Tagless Shirts, so you know they are high quality. The designs I received were the “Good Catholic Boy Gone Bad”, a great one for the PTA meetings I attend at my son’s school! “Equality for ALL”, perfect for wearing when you know you are going to meet up with that hardheaded friend of yours, who loves to argue that all people are NOT equal! He also sent my personal favorite the “Medical Marijuana” shirt, a simple cross with a pot leaf in it, which I have worn to a few activist events with much praise! Michael is offering free shipping for our readers…just log on to his site, pick your shirt, and when you get to check out, enter NUG into the discount box. www.flyinghamsters.com
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NOVEMBER Sundays
Uptown Ranking at U31 @ 9 Reggae at RT’s Longboard Grill @ 9
Mondays
Dub Dynamite at The Office @ 9 Lady Dottie and the Diamonds at U31 @ 9 Reggae at Stage Bar and Grill @ 8 House Party Mondays at RT’s Longboard @ 7
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
Wednesdays
2010 Saturdays
Rasta Nation Vibrations at Sapphire Lounge @ 9
2.
Apples in Stereo At Casbah @ 8
5.
Common Sense At Belly Up @ 9 Dirty Heads w/Sublime with Rome At Rabobank Theatre in Bakersfield @ 7:30 Stone Senses At JJ Landers @ 9
Reggae at Winston’s @ 9 Royal Wednesdays at Diamond Jim’s (every 1st & 3rd Wednesday) @ 9 Dub Dorado at El Dorado (the 10th & 17th) @ 9
A Sky Lit Drive At Soma @ 8
Thursdays
Jewel and Colbie Caillat At Petco Park @ 8
Riddim 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
6.
John Legend and Macy Gray At Petco Park @ 8
EVENTS Buck-O-Nine At Casbah @ 9 San Diego Reggae Fest At Linda Vista Park @ 10 AM *ALL AGES, FREE*
Usher At Sports Arena @ 8
12.
18.
Too Short At 4th and B @ 8
19.
Sublime with Rome At The Sports Arena @ 7:30
Pepper w/Fishbone At House of Blues @ 8
Slightly Stoopid At Belly Up @ 9
7. Senses Fail At House of Blues @ 8
13.
The Supervillans At Soma @ 8
Pepper w/Fishbone At House of Blues @ 8
9.
8th Annual FM 94/9 Anniversary Bash At 4th and B @ 8
20.
Swollen Members At Sound Wave @ 8 ASA Meeting At La Jolla Brew House @ 7
11.
14.
2nd Annual SD Medical Cup Location TBA @ 3-1AM
17.
So-Cal Holiday Harvest With Tribal Seeds At Soma @ 6 Unwritten Law At House of Blues @ 8
Ekolu At 4th and B @ 8
Pepper w/Fishbone At Belly Up @ 8
Transfer At Sound Wave @ 8
South Bay ASA Meeting At 1233 Palm Ave, I.B. @ 6
2nd Annual Inspire Benefit Concert At 4th and B @ 8
23.
North County ASA Meeting At 950 E. Vista Way 92084 @ 7
ASTROLIGICAL PERSONALITY OF November signals the end of the harvest season and sets into motion a special time for Thanksgiving and the sharing of one’s bounty. Legends speak of a shared meal between the new and the old of the land. The Horn of Plenty spilled the rewards. At meal’s end, our founding fathers were delighted with a new custom of passing the peace pipe with its wild hemp herbs celebrating harvest’s end. Help keep this tradition alive, remember to pass your own peace pipe this holiday season. Enjoy a bowl or two and celebrate with friends and family.
By. Zodiac Mama
October 24 - November 22 Lucky Numbers 2, 7, 15, 25, 27, 41
NUG Astrology The Scorpio Female
The Scorpio Male
With her large hypnotic eyes, the Scorpio Female is irresistible to men. She knows what she wants and will let nothing get in her way, unless she’s offered the first hit from a clean bong. In any kind of activity she tends towards excess. Spending more money than she should, the Scorpio woman always travels first class. Jealousy is her worst fault. She takes love very seriously. She is highly sensitive, deeply emotional and fiercely loyal to the one she loves. The Scorpio female has remarkable intuition; don’t try to fool her. Don’t be cheap. Always bring an extra eighth of something special just for her pleasure! Beware of the Scorpion’s tail; she will sting her way out of a corner when forced to make a decision against her will. The Scorpio woman is very independent and will go to great lengths to be her own person. She will, however, make that someone special feel that life couldn’t get any better.
The Scorpio male is passionate, emotional and unpredictable. His nature is governed by his desires. He has so much charm and strength that you never really get upset if he takes one out of turn. It’s hard to be upset when he looks at you with those eyes! The Scorpio male is fierce, head strong and tenacious. He’s a high-voltage, great negotiator who never forgets. He makes an excellent business man; he has an attitude that spells “success.” The Scorpio male will go out of his way to find the right medicine for a friend in need. He can appear to be calm and steady on the outside, while his inside passions are red hot! He has very high standards; his glassware collection can’t be beat. The Scorpio male can be very secretive. It’s hard to know how many strains he’s in command of. However, you can always be sure that when he passes you his pipe you’re in for a real treat. In romance, he must gain your trust before he opens up completely. He needs to be sure that you are totally committed to him. Once he does, he could be yours for the long term. Compassionate and protective, this man knows how to make you feel like no other.
Compatible signs: Taurus, Cancer, Capricorn, Pisces