SacAlt Smokin' Holiday Issue and Gift Guide 2013 by SacAlt Magazine

DECEMBER 2013

Alt Gift Guide pg. 7

The Crackdown pg. 15

BudTender of the Month pg. 18

Patient Profile pg. 21

Smokinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Holiday Issue and Gift Guide

Staff

Contents

Publisher Josh Burke josh@sacalt.com

Publisher’s Note

Publication Editor Lovelle Harris

Gift Guide

Advertising Director Jeff Lang and Josh Burke ads@sacalt.com

15 Cannabis

Web Gurus Jackson Harris III, Michael Lang Contributors & Photographers Lovelle Harris, Ron Mullins, Josh Burke, Jeff Lang, Steph Rodriguez, Jasmine Ortega Published by Market 1 Media Rocklin, CA (916) 764-4373 Design & Layout Kory Kolvig & Stephanie Lisuk for whiskey&sour info@whiskeyandsour.com

Community Corner 18

BudTender of

the Month

Patient Profile

Into the Future

SacAlternative (916) 764-4373 www.SacAlt.com info@sacalt.com

LettersEditor We appreciate your feedback. Letters to the editor may be edited for length and clarity. Email us at letters@sacalt.com Mission Statement SacAlternative is a monthly news and arts magazine with a mission to inform, report and provide quality content to all individuals living in the Sacramento area. Our writers, editors and staff aim to present a variety of social and political topics, balanced with interest to the alternative arts, grassroots movements and green lifestyle representing the region. Advertising Information All advertising is subject to final approval from the advertiser. The advertiser provides SacAlternative with digital files when available. The advertiser and not SacAlternative or Market 1 Media accepts all responsibility for the content of the advertising. The advertiser accepts responsibility for concept, design, photography layout and content of the advertisement, not SacAlternative or Market 1 Media Inc. Disclaimer You may not use, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, distribute, or modify the Marks in any way, including in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of materials in this Magazine or on accompanying Website, without SacAlternative and Market 1 Media’s prior written consent. The views expressed by the authors and writers in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of SacAlternative or Market 1 Media Inc. Comments on this publication are the sole responsibility of their writers and the writer will take full responsibility, liability, and blame for any libel or litigation those results from something written in or as a direct result of something written in SacAlternative. The accuracy, completeness, veracity, honesty, exactitude, factuality and politeness of comments are not guaranteed.

SacAlternative | December 2013

Editor’sNote

Winter is Coming by Josh Burke

Brace yourselves Sacramento, for the leaves are falling all around us, and are piling in the streets like heaps of old memories, waiting to be washed away. The days are shorter, and a chill is setting in. Wind, and rain, and the possibility of comprehensive claims due to falling tree limbs are all on the horizon. While I favor the long days of summer, and afternoons spent swimming in rivers and hiking through forests, staying up late singing songs to the spirits that haunt the night, I do find these months refreshing. This time every year I’m reminded of a night I spent wandering the streets of East Sacramento with a good friend, drinking ourselves silly from one end of town to the other, and as we walked back through the streets towards my then home on Folsom Boulevard, we just started diving into those piles of leaves. Like children, we flung ourselves with abandon and little regard for injury into pile after pile, scattering nature’s shed clothing throughout the paved pathways of the night. Moonlight and mist made for the perfect alchemy of mischief, and we raced from one pile to the other, laughing and hollering, most likely raising the curiosity and perhaps the ire of people who were at that hour just trying to get some sleep, wondering what nuisance was rambling about outside their doors. At the end of it all, I believe one of us vomited in a bush. And I nearly burned down my house. Which brings me to a bit of advice: A house plant is not an incense burner. But hey, we had a good time. What’s my point? That there’s always something to enjoy with the changing of the seasons. So take some time to appreciate the beauty of fall, and welcome the winter. Cuddle up by the fire with a loved one or a pet, bake some cookies, read a good book, and relax. Sip a porter at a local pub, or toke a bowl of your finest green, and write some poetry. Or, just watch the first three seasons of Game of Thrones again from start to finish, and drink every time someone says, “Winter is coming,” and be grateful that winter in Sacramento isn’t so stark, nor nearly as long as it is for our friends in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros!

Publisher’sNote Moving Forward by Josh Burke

Welcome to the fourth Issue of SacAlt. I’m Josh Burke and this is my first publication as Publisher. I’d like to say things get easier with time, but often times that is not the case. Take this issue for instance. “The Holiday Edition” was our most challenging ever. We dealt with internal struggles that sometimes left us astonished. With money tight and a staff overworked, we persevered. A funny thing happened when we were presented with change. We changed. We adapted and found out what was real. Real for us is our desire to put out a great magazine that is beholden only to our readers. We did this to take a chance on something completely uncertain, totally new, and totally raw. Part of this process has been one of letting go, of saying goodbye to the familiar, the comfortable and those who wish us harm. It can be painful but if you’re centered enough and remind yourself that you are in charge of your life and maintain a spirit of optimism, you can make it through. If you happen to be going through some hardcore changes in your own life, remember you’re a human being, and that is no small thing. Within you is the power to change everything about your life at any time, and rebuild it again. That’s how SacAlt came to be. First it was just an idea discussed among friends over lunch. What made it real is that we did something about it, or as Tony Robins would say, we took “massive immediate action.” One of those friends is our departing Publisher, Jeff Lang. I want to thank (my friend and partner) Jeff for his work and sacrifices that help make this project happen. The last few months have been especially hard on Jeff and I’ve seen first-hand how truly mean and vindictive people can be. Jeff departs because he feels it’s the best thing for the magazine. I watched a movie once that quoted Napoleon as saying that “to get power you need to display absolute pettiness; to exercise power, you need to show true greatness.” We at SacAlt aspire to publish something truly great. Jeff leaves SacAlt not because he doesn’t aspire to produce something great, but because he isn’t petty and can’t justify allowing those two opposing traits to live within him. With that in mind I want to give thanks this Holiday to those who helped us along the way and thank you for reading our magazine. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions on how we can make it better. I especially want to thank all of the people who’ve invested in us; the advertisers in this publication are what make it possible (so support them if you can). Happy Holiday’s everyone and stay tuned for SacAlt in 2014. Our 2014 January magazine is edgier and more exciting. We think you’re going to love it! 4

SacAlternative | December 2013

T F I G FREEJoining! for

SacAlternative | December 2013

GiftGuide

Alternative Gifts for the Holidays by Josh Burke, Lovelle Harris, Stephanie Rodriguez

Searching for the perfect gift this time of year can be exhausting, time-consuming and downright dangerous at times. So, why blow your money at some big box store when you can find something unique and locally made, that won’t just line the pockets of some bazillionnaire one-percenter when you spend your hard earned dough on it? Cheers, and have a wonderful holiday! A little heart, a little soul

A Sacto sewdown

Fired up

Find exclusive gift ideas for friends and family members at Taylor’s Art & Soul. A quaint boutique specializing in one-off items, this shop is tucked away amid the history of Old Sacramento. Co-owner Anna Thompson and founder Kristi Taylor personally select a variety of unique artwork and handmade crafts from Sacramento and its surrounding-area talents, giving their shop its one-of-akind feel. (SR)

Taking the idea of quilting into the modern age, Two Accordions creates modern quilts that boast clean lines and a fresh, contemporary take on the craft. Deriving inspiration from human DNA and design legends like Saul Bass and Charles and Ray Eames, their creations, which include quilts, table mats and coasters, are inspired by simplicity and modernity— proving these quilts won’t be getting the mothball treatment anytime soon. (LH)

Out of the fires from the kilns at the Adventures in Clay Ceramics Auburn studio, arise unique, ceramic pieces boasting lead-free glazes. Classic forms and elegant designs elevate soap dishes, vases bowls and Christmas ornaments from simple, everyday pieces into true pieces of handmade art. (LH)

taylorsartandsoul.com 114 K St., Sacramento, CA 95814

twoaccordions.com

SacAlternative | December 2013

etsy.com/shop/adventuresinclay

GiftGuide Merry exfoliation, Santa Claus

Hit the town in style

Bike lights for non-riders

Smell-good items are always a great way to say happy holidays and also a surefire way ensure those you love stay so fresh, and so clean. April Meszaros, founder of Sacramento-based Birthday Suit Soaps, will even customize her handcrafted, allnatural bars into a lovely gift basket. Scrub away with soaps infused with nourishing extras like unrefined shea butter, creamy lotions and cocoa butter and even local honey to soothe, well, your birthday suit. (SR)

Jazz up any suit jacket, sports coat, cardigan or blazer this season and hit the town in style with these handmade lapel flowers and bow ties from You Are Pretty Handsome. Sacramento artist Jairus Tonel and fashion designer Skylar Mundy own and operate an online store where a variety of vintage fabrics, buttons and jewelry are carefully crafted into decorative one-off pieces. Custom orders are welcome and these decorative, collarpieces are also made from a variety of classic threads. (SR)

If you’re looking to illuminate your world while looking to reduce your carbon footprint, then Straight Gauge Studios is your source for modern, bicycle-inspired light fixtures. The lighting fixtures are constructed from repurposed castoffs from orphaned bicycles, and are handmade to order, giving the landfill a much-needed reprieve. (LH)

etsy.com/shop/birthdaysuitsoaps

charmingvillain.com/artist/prettyhandsome

Cool beans

Playing with a full deck Know someone who’s in the midst of a spiritual awakening, flirting with the occult, or a burgeoning psychic? Check out the great selection of tarot decks, everything from the Aleister Crowley inspired Thoth Tarot, to Karen Kuykendall’s Tarot of the Cat People (a win-win for cat lovers) at Garden of Enchantment in Old Sac. They also have a huge selection of crystals, candles, silver jewelry, metaphysical books, wind-chimes, and more. A real Sacramento gem!(JB)

Crowns fit for a king If you’ve ever witnessed the frenzy at an Official Crown of Laurel® warehouse sale, you know just how legit their gear is. Located in a non-desrcript building in the alley on X Street, customers wait for hours just to snag the label’s skate-inspired gear at crazy-cheap prices. If you’re not down to wait in line on Dec. 14, you can also score their gear online or in stores across the country. (LH) theofficialbrand.com 2408 X St. (Alley), Sacramento, CA 95818

Garden of Enchantment 126 K St., Sacramento, CA 95814

If what you really want to say to someone is “I love you so much I’d like nothing more than to see you fall at terminal velocity from a perfectly good airplane,” then give Lodi Skydive a call at...oh come on, just Google it! Do we have to do everything for you? Packages start at $179 for noobs. (JB)

Located in the gold-rush foothills of Northern California and gathering inspiration from the earthly and spiritual properties of the materials employed in their creations, Gather Jewelry fabricates stunning, limited-edition, handmade jewelry crafted out of silver, copper, quartz, obsidian and other natural elements. Panning equipment not required, their bling can be found at Bows + Arrows in Midtown. (LH)

Lodi Skydive 23597 California 99, Acampo, CA 95220

gatherjewelry.com, Bows + Arrows 1815 19th St., Sacramento, CA 95811

If you’re not pounding down at least two cups a day, you’re not living. And studies now show coffee is good for you, and can reduce risks of certain kinds of cancer and diabetes! So you can feel good about giving it as a gift. But, if you really want to feel good about your cup of joe, get some freshly-roasted beans that weren’t picked by exploited children on the verge of starvation in a third-world country. Pachamama has you covered. Owned by the farmers who provide the coffee, you can be sure your caffeine fix is ethical. It’s tucked away in the alley between I and J Streets, and 20th/21st. (JB) pacha.coop

Puff, puff, pass There’s gold in them thar hills

Now I’m free...free fallin’

etsy.com/shop/StraightGaugeStudios

Wondering what to get the Grinch in your family this holiday season? Calm them down and warm their hearts with this award-winning mini-pipe from the folks at Incredibowl Industries. The company’s full-sized i420 model is the first pipe to win two Cannabis Cups in Best Product and Best Glass in the 2009 Denver Medical Cannabis Cup. Now, Incredibowl delivers its latest m420 standard pocket edition. Its patented filtration system, rugged design and simple cleaning capabilities allow this mini-pipe to be the perfect smoking companion. (SR) incredibowlstore.com; Twisted Smoke Shop, 3718 J St., Sacramento, CA 95816

SacAlternative | December 2013

GiftGuide Greeting cards that grind Send season’s greetings to your favorite 420-friendly loved one this winter holiday with a different kind of card, a customized V Syndicate-brand grinder card. This new wave of grinder is about the size of any credit card, so the device fits nicely into purses or wallets for a compact-sized tool for those much needed on-the-go tokes. No more bulky grinders. (SR) thevsyndicate.com; Millenium Smoke Shop, 2033 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95825

Vaporizers for the win If you’ve got the skrill, there’s no shortage of great vaporizer’s on the market these days, and your 420 consuming loved-ones will praise your gift-giving wisdom when they unwrap one of these puppies. From the smaller hand-held kind (Atmos, Pax) to the full-blown granddaddy Volcano. Vaporizing is safer than smoking, and most people find it more effective and enjoyable. Check out Smoke City, and clip their coupon in these pages for a great deal! (JB)

Water pipes aka BONGS. Do we really need to tell you? Officially for tobacco use only, a waterpipe makes a great gift for the chronic cannabis consumer in your life. Need we say more? Really? (JB)

Glassware not meant for the dining table Nothing says “Merry Christmas,” or (insert holiday of your choice) like a nice custom glass pipe. There are no shortage of places to shop for these, from the aforementioned Smoke City, to Blow n’ Tell on Auburn Blvd., or Millenium Smoke Shop (Roseville, Arden, Grass Valley). (JB) Blow ‘n’ Tell, 4552 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95841; Jacobo’s Smoke shop 2017 I street, Sacramento

Actual medical cannabis These pages are littered with ads for the finest medical cannabis clubs in Sacramento. If you have a recommendation, get on in to one of these clubs, tell them SacAlt sent you, and pick out some of the finest medicinal cannabis products available today. From buds to dabs, to edibles and extracts, there’s something for everyone. (JB)

Crack “is wack” cocaine This is not a gift we recommend. It is illegal, highly addictive, very dangerous, and carries a heavy social Stigma. Unless you’re the mayor of Toronto, steer clear of this nasty substance. Medical marijuana is a much safer alternative, and like that poster you’ve probably seen says...at least it’s not crack! (JB)

Smoke City, 6745 Watt Ave., North Highlands, CA 95660

Patches? We don’t need no stinking patches Know someone who’s given up on smoking traditional cigarettes? The latest craze is “smokeless” cigarettes. Similar to vaporizers used for marijuana, but with no plant matter involved. You can get anything from basic pre-made cigarettes like those made by Blu (available at most smoke shops), to custom vapor devices that burn a variety of flavored liquids. An entire sub-culture has sprung up around these things of late. To learn more about it, and get a nice starter kit, you’ll want to check out Planet of the Vapes or NorCal Vapors. Or, just use the damn internet! (JB) Planet of the Vapes, 6840 65th St., Sacramento, CA 95828; NorCal Vapors, 5801 Power Inn Road, Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95824

SacAlternative | December 2013

expires 1/15/14

CannabisCommunityCorner

The Crackdown by Ron Mullins

The City of Sacramento passed an ordinance in 2010 that would regulate the dispensing of medical cannabis within the city limits. After a long process, including several meetings with stakeholders and some grumbling from the community on both sides, we were left with a robust regulatory system that allowed almost 40 dispensaries to continue operating and begin the process of getting permits. The 2010 election also brought the passage of measure C, originally intended to tax recreational marijuana, it included a tax on medical marijuana of 4 percent. In early 2011, federal prosecutors began what the community came to call “The Crackdown.” It was a deliberate attempt to intimidate local lawmakers as well as medical cannabis growers and providers that turned out to be quite effective. This crackdown, coupled with a pending lawsuit against a city in the Inland Empire challenging its ordinance, caused the city attorney to advise the Sacramento City Council to freeze its licensing process until the California Supreme Court case was resolved and how the federal government intended to proceed. The ordinance, which was later dubbed “The Administrative Pause,” has been in effect since last month. The outcome of the Inland Empire case decided, which appears to be the end of the crackdown, has led the city to decide to restart the licensing process. Throughout the pause, Sacramento dispensaries still had to adhere to the basic rules of the ordinance and were inspected monthly to ensure their compliance: Management present at the time of inspection, security guards present, no minors present, proper signage posted about minors, lack of testing of product, loitering and, smoking within 400 feet of the premises, no smell of marijuana outside the buildings, that plants onsite are not flowering and under 4 inches tall, and that there is a locked door entering the building and one between the patient processing and dispensing areas.

SacAlternative | December 2013

In a letter mailed out Nov. 20, 2013, the city manager informed local medical cannabis dispensaries that, “The Administrative Pause” had officially ended. The implementation of licensing was completed in two phases. Most of the remaining dispensaries have completed phase one of the application process and are ready to move on to phase two. These dispensaries have been given a deadline of March 31, 2014, while others have to get special allowances, aka “conditionaluse permits” or (CUP). These are required if they do not comply with all sensitive-use rules, like maintaining a 600-foot distance from churches, tobacco stores, drug treatment facilities, movie theaters, and 1,000 feet from parks schools and other medical cannabis dispensaries. Dispensaries will have until March 31, 2014, to file their conditional-use permits. While I haven’t found out what criteria the city plans to employ, they intend to establish a “clear ownership trail” from all remaining dispensaries since their 2009 initial filings. The city also will be employing an auditor, but the activist community, SacNorml, Sac ASA, Crusaders for Patients rights and the Human Solution will be checking for “accuracy in collecting and paying the business operations tax.” Overall I think this is good news for Sacramento patients. We fought long and hard to have dispensing collectives operating out of the shadows and being run by compassionate upstanding citizens with a desire to comply with the law. It’s not clear how many will reopen and how many will succeed in getting their final permits; but by creating a licensing process, I think city of Sacramento is trying to help patients get safe, dignified access to their medicine. We all be watching closely to see how this evolves.

BudTender

This Month’s Alternative BudTender by Ty Rivers

Who: Sarah Gregory Age: 28 Employed at: Two Rivers Sacramento Wellness When speaking about medicinal cannabis and how to help and heal patients, November’s Budtender of the Month, Sarah Gregory, has a simple theory. Listen. “We really take the time to hear what our patients are saying and advise them based on their needs.” The goal to constantly improve patient interactions is what Sarah focuses on every day she walks into Two Rivers Collective. Although born and raised in Sacramento, Sarah spent time in San Diego working in cannabis delivery for about a year and has been in the industry since 2011. The driving force that keeps Sarah motivated is simple, customer service. “The patients and the people I work with are amazing. I listen to what they are saying and do my best to give the best medicine and experience possible.” What’s amazing is how Sarah balances a heavy workload managing a busy collective while keeping up with the latest innovations in the industry. “There’s never a dull day! We keep the latest products in stock so when customers ask for something we already have it.” At Two Rivers Collective, customers “have” a smart and compassionate advocate in their corner…November’s Budtender of the Month, Sarah Gregory. What sets Two Rivers apart? We really, really have a wide variety of medicine in all types and price ranges. Do people follow budtenders? Yes, once you get comfortable with patients and their needs they want to follow you. We’re not afraid to discuss medical conditions with our patients, including our own (myself being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2009). We take efforts to ensure our patients feel comfortable while making their medication selections, never rushed or intimidated. Our budtenders work in a very strong family environment where we get comfortable in what we’re doing and what we say. We are open to answering questions. Our patients see that, feel that. What do you like most about your job? I’d say that what keeps me motivated most with my job and in this industry are the wide array of healing powers that cannabis holds and the patients that I get the opportunity to serve on a day-to-day basis. I take time out of my busy, busy day to sit down and talk to my patients, not just about cannabis, but 18

about their everyday life, the good, the bad; like a good friend would — because I genuinely care about these people, on a personal level. I would say that more than anything, the thing that sets Two Rivers apart from any other collective is our family environment. We know a large number of our patients on a first name basis; they are our family. We aren’t one of those clubs that pumps patients in and out like a big box retail store — We listen, we care, and will take the time to ensure that each patient has the best experience possible while getting exactly what they’re looking for - Everytime. If you weren’t a budtender what would you be? Wow, that would be a bummer! Honestly it goes back to what I was saying before, I love my job. If I was forced to choose I’d be an antiques dealer - most definitely. I’m just… I’m very proud of what I do. I’m totally excited about what’s happening with Two Rivers. What’s the hot product right now? The “big thing” right now definitely concentrates, but in particular very high grade, high quality concentrates carefully made by skillful extract artists. Another hot item right now, edibles high in CBD. The endless innovations in edibles is an exciting thing right now too. I am always amazed to see how creative people are when making cannabis edibles. Edibles are completely safe. Most of our edibles are coming from the Sacramento area or the Bay Area, so they’re fresh and easy for our patients to use. It really goes back to what each individual is comfortable with regarding their medication. What will you be doing 10 years from now? I’m finishing my degree in cultural anthropology that I started at UC Santa Cruz, so maybe something in that area, but I love what I’m doing [and] I’m sure I will be involved in our industry for many years to come. SacAlternative | December 2013

SacAlternative | December 2013

PatientProfile

Coping with Illness the Natural Way by Ron Mullins; photos by Jasmine Ortega

“Jay” (a pseudonym) was born in Sacramento, and has lived between Northern California and Long Beach most of his life. An aspiring actor, he has had several small roles including an appearance as a featured extra in the television show “Mad About You.” He settled back in Sacramento in 2005 with his girlfriend, Megs, where he continued acting. In his youth, Jay was forced to cope with several debilitating illnesses. Diagnosed with clinical depression, he was prescribed many different medications, including Prozac and Welbutrin. “It did keep me from being suicidal at that time,” he says. “It’s what kept me alive.” His depression and anxiety were compounded by Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, a painful condition resulting in excruciating pelvic spasms that made even sitting uncomfortable. When he was about 2, his parents noticed that he would cry when photographed with flash photography. He was also very uncomfortable outside in direct light, and his skin would burn easily. It was discovered that he suffered from severe photo sensitivity — a condition left unchecked until he was almost 30. As he endured severe physical pain, his family viewed his allergic reaction as a weakness.

“In an attempt to keep me from looking too ‘sensitive,’ my parents did not help me seek out the medical attention I needed,” he explains. “My dad was a ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’ kind of guy.” After leaving home, the “tough it out” mentality stayed with Jay. For a decade he continued on without medical intervention for his UV sensitivity. He did, however teach himself how to avoid the pain of his daily routine. “I had the freedom to sleep during the day and avoid the sun without pressure from my family to be ‘normal,’” he says. Jay has traveled the North American continent, in spite of his limitations, sleeping during the day and traveling at night. He armored himself in protective gear: Hats, long coats, gloves, and sunglasses shielded his skin and eyes from direct UV rays. In 2005, Jay made a life transforming pilgrimage to The Toker’s Bowl in Vancouver, British Columbia. “I went there for recreational cannabis in the safest possible environment,” he explains. “We got a salad bowl full of cannabis samples from 25 different growers in Canada. I tried as many as I could at the festival, which was probably two. I went to the hotel room to try the rest.” SacAlternative | December 2013

He says he smoked two strains at the room. When he tried the second joint, it totally removed his pain after a single hit. “No pills, for any condition I had, ever provided this level of pain relief and relaxed me,” he says. “But it didn’t get me high.” He celebrated by simply sitting on a hotel couch that would normally be torturous. “For...five days, I hung with Marc Emery and Michelle Rainey. Getting high and learning why cannabis is the most important plant on the planet,” he says. “I was a different person when I left Vancouver. Cannabis was no longer that...taboo topic you couldn’t talk to you parents about. I learned that it was real medicine — and it was now my medicine.” While Jay didn’t run out and get a prescription right away, he focused on cannabis as a medical treatment for his pelvic, skin and eye pain, stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. But for over a year he struggled getting access to cannabis. “I totally felt that the act of procuring medicine was not a safe act. It was dangerous to get marijuana,” he says. “I realized, during this time, how backward everything was concerning cannabis. I looked in my medicine cupboard at what was considered acceptable, and cannabis was being treated like it was crack cocaine.” In 2010, Jay learned he could get a medical recommendation. He went to the Medi-Cann office on J Street, Despite considerable pain and dressed in his protective gear, he went to the doctor’s office during business hours. When delivery services proliferated the area, Jay was able to obtain safe, continuous access to quality medicine. He tried different methods of smoking, vaporizing, and edibles. Ultimately, vaporizing with a volcano bag presented the best success. Over the past three years Jay has been able to significantly reduce his prescription intake. He’s gone from constantly feeling sick to enjoying good health, which he credits to his stable use of quality cannabis. Although he still struggles with depression, he says his overall outlook has improved. “I want to see it fully legalized, and I want the people that help the patients be free from attack,” he says. “I am a true believer in the cannabis movement.”

SacAlternative | December 2013

doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orders

SacAlternative | December 2013

IntoTheFuture

Where Do We Go From Here? by Josh Burke

2014 is nigh upon us my friends. As I take the helm of SacAlt, I want to give you an idea of where I see us going in the next year. The nature of this magazine is continually evolving, but there are a few things that aren’t going to change. First, I want to continue to help out Sacramento’s medical marijuana community however we can. This is a group of people I’ve really come to empathize with over the years. As an ad salesman, in those heady WildWest days of 2009-2011, I was on the front lines, down in the trenches, watching the every day struggles of courageous people who put their life savings, their reputations, their very freedom as Americans on the line in order to bring a safe alternative medicine to those in need. All while our federal government still denies that cannabis has any medical value whatsoever. And I watched helplessly as many of these brave souls lost their businesses, their savings, their freedom, amidst the crackdown of October 2011 at the hands of the U.S. Justice Department. The personal hypocrisy of Obama at this point was outrageous and appalling. So much for “hope and change,” Mr. choom gang! And it wasn’t just the feds, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors certainly did their part as well to destroy what was a flourishing “green” economy, a bright spot amidst the “great recession.” They could have embraced this community, followed Sacramento City’s example and taxed the green to make some green, and avoided a few layoff’s and budget cuts. But instead they passed a bizarre, draconian ordinance to ensure the demise of every point of safe access in the entire county. Hundreds of

jobs were destroyed, livelihoods ruined, and tax revenues were lost as these clubs closed. I personally saw my income drop over 65 percent as the ad revenue dried up. But oh, the children! The children were surely safer now that the evil pot clubs were gone. Never mind that this likely put large amounts of cannabis back in the hands of street dealers, and millions of dollars into the black market. But, life goes on, and despite all the setbacks my friends in the industry and I have persevered. And it seems the winds of change are blowing in our favor. Two states have legalized, Sanjay Gupta has reversed his position in favor of medical cannabis, and the Justice Department seems to be relaxing a little. So with that in mind, I want this magazine to do continue to do what it can to educate, inform, and fight for your right to have safe access to this amazing plant. But, there’s more to life than medical cannabis. I also want SacAlt to be your resource for all sorts of other interesting alternative ideas and information, news, alternative viewpoints, political discussions, art, music, spirituality, UFOs and aliens, free energy, conspiracies, and whatever else is interesting, controversial, out there, fun and funny, and isn’t being covered in the mainstream. I’m looking forward to the future, and I hope you’ll all be along for the ride.

SacAlternative | December 2013

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SacAlternative | December 2013

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SacAlternative | December 2013

In the Next Issue of SacAlt: Ghostplay back to the decadent ’80s. Yeah, they’re all that, and a bag of chips. biosexual.bandcamp.com

Another movingdeep up the musiLovellethreesome Harris goes with Tanya Moore, cal ranks, Ghostplay offers an arcane, promoter from Moore Media yet buoyant take on the melancholy vibe permeating Sacramento’s musical sphere. Jeff Interviews with Damien Marley, Ziggy Inspired by indie rock darlings Deerhunter Marley andtheIndie Band and Snowden, trio ofRock Jason Hess on 311 (self titled albumand#12 onbadass Billboard 200) vocals guitar, babe Leticia Garcia on vocals and guitar and Mark Stephpounding Rodriguez talks about Rocha the skins simply rock. the new 2014 420 rules They’ve got aand demoregulations out and are presently in the studio laying down tracks on their Advice first album.from So, bethe sureDarkside to keep your ear to the ground, their first E.P. is going to be a Buildingdisplay 7 and otherguitar bullshit the government ferocious of lively riffs, stendoesn’t wantwork youand tovocal know... torian percussion elements channeling the late, great Ian Curtis. What weed Not towould be confused withdo? the sex act of stealthily dry humping ones partner, And Much Much More!! hooded under the cloak of a white sheet while slowing grinding back and forth until reaching the peak of orgasmic pleasure,

Ghost Play formed late 2012 but erupted onto the scene and gained some serious buzz among local musicians and musiclovers with only a few short months under their guitar straps earlier this year. Ghost Play is also proving that they’ve got real staying power; Garcia formed SacIndieMusic in 2013, a start-up booking and management company endeavoring to put out local music with the aspirational goal of helping to pave the way for other bands to break into the regional musical circuit. Oh, and the band’s already shared the stage with local musical powerhouses Sea of Bees and John Vanderslice at the third annual Davis Music Festival. Not too shabby for the new kids on the block. ghostplay.bandcamp.com So, throw away the piles of tissue that have accumulated on your bedside table over the so-called demise of the local music scene, put in your eardrum-saving earplugs and gear up for some incredible live shows, because great local music hasn’t gone the way of the dodo. v

Coming January 2014!

BAR Wednesday nights are Ladies Nights with $1 shots and shells for women.

7pm - 1am every day

Monday nights all-you-can-drink shells for $20. Visit us on Facebook for more information on theme nights, specials and additional menu items. 1949 Zinfandel Dr • Rancho Cordova, CA 916-468-8189 TheRootOfHappinessKavaBar

SacAlternative | October 2013