Culture Magazine Oregon October 2015 by Culture Magazine

CULTURE // October 2015

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Contents october 2015

26 BEN & JERRY CHILLIN’ WITH

The world famous ice cream duo, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, sat down with CULTURE to talk about ice cream, politics and cannabis. 42

Feature 32

ON THE COVER: Photo by David Seaver

6 . Letter from the Editor

NEWS

. BON APPÉTIT

Prepare your taste buds, because this month we’re celebrating everything edibles!

8 . News Nuggets 11 . By the Numbers 12 . An Oregon Edibles Update

Departments 40 . Growing Culture 42 . Destination Unknown 43 . Profiles in Courage 44 . Recipes 46 . News of the Weird

WEB Exclusive!

reviews

MMA Women's Champion Ronda Rousey Slams Athletic Commission for Cannabis Prejudice

14 . Dispensary highlight 16 . edible & concentrate

ReviewS

20 . Cool Stuff 20

22 . Entertainment Reviews

New Tech Set to be Released at the Cannabis World Congress Business Expo 22

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Vol 7 IssUE 4

letter from the editor

/freeculturemag

/ireadculture

Publisher Jeremy Zachary Editor-In-Chief Evan Senn associate Editor Ashley Bennett

Food is

Love. A

ll animals eat, but humans are the only animals that cook. Naturally, cooking becomes more than a necessity to survive; it becomes the symbol of our humanity, what separates us from the rest of our natural animal kingdom. Our food is almost always shared; people eat together; mealtimes are events when the whole family or settlement or village comes together. Food is also an occasion for sharing, for distributing and giving, for the expression of altruism. Thus food becomes not just a symbol of, but the reality of, love and security. And because eating is almost always a group event, food is a unique symbol of our human existence. Who doesn’t love sharing a delicious and comforting meal with loved ones? And what about dessert? Our mouths water at the mere thought of our favorite sweet treat—a slice of cheesecake, an ooey gooey rice krispie treat, or a perfect scoop of Cherry Garcia . . . This month is our annual Edibles Issue, focusing on all the pertinent and wonderful innovation in cannabis-infused edible food and drinks, and the sincere appreciation and education in the cannabis culinary arts. Although we are still struggling in many states to organize and legalize cannabis edibles and get them to the people that not only want them but need them, the country as a whole is taking great strides toward this shared goal. This industry has been steadily expanding in reach and in innovation, and we are constantly impressed and thrilled about the edibles market growth. Even with labeling woes, taxes, titration issues and accessibility, the industry is still moving forward. Cannabis-infused drinks, condiments and seasonings are gaining

CULTURE // October 2015

momentum in the previously dessert-dominated market—and our taste buds as well as our bodies are so excited about it. Not everybody can handle smoking cannabis; depending on your condition, eating or drinking cannabis may be the best suited form of this natural medicine for you. However, whether your food is medicated or not, food can be healing. Your diet can affect your mood, your well being and your physical health tremendously. Ice cream innovators Ben Cohen & Jerry Greenfield started their ice cream company, Ben & Jerry, because of the love they had for this delicious and comforting, sweet and creamy concoction. Their passion and dedication to perfect ice cream creations helped them become multi-millionaires, and one of the most well known ice cream companies in the world. They pride themselves on using their products and success as a means to make the world a better place, investing in organizations, events, campaigns and education in important issues in our world, including climate change and justice, GMO labeling, political justice, marriage equality, cannabis legalization and many others. Ben & Jerry know the power food can have with people, and for people. I hope with this issue, you realize the power food can have as well, raw or cooked, grown or bought, recreationally or medicinally, as a solitary pleasure or a social experiment—food is love. c

Sincerely,

Editorial coordinators Victoria Banegas, Jamie Durante Editorial Contributors Sheryll Alexander, Marguerite Arnold, Jake Browne, Jasen T. Davis, Alex Distefano, David Downs, Natasha Guimond, Addison Herron-Wheeler, Anthony Herrold, Pamela Jayne, Heather Johnson, Joe Jatcko, David Jenison, Kevin Longrie, Emily Manke, Tyler Markwart, Meital Manzuri, Sandy Moriarty, Denise Pollicella, Paul Rogers, Joy Shannon, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Zara Zhi Photographers Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Duncan Rolfson Art Director Steven Myrdahl Graphic Designers Tanya Delgadillo, Tommy LaFleur Account Executives Greg Andes,Callie Belo, Jon Bookatz, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Ryan Dunn, Cole Garrison, Gene Gorelik, Yolanda Imoberstag, Emily Musser, Beau Odom, Justin Olson, Jim Saunders, Paulina Porter-Tapia, Chris Thatcher, April Tygart Office Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital media Editor Kimberly Johnson Ctv Video Editor Kristian Quintanilla Ctv Contributors Anna Logan,Chris Salazar Intern Brahim Gousse Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes 20,000 papers at over 400 locations throughout Oregon. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Phone 888.694.2046 Fax 888.694.2046 www.iREADCULTURE.com

Evan A. Senn

Editor-In-Chief

CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.

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_______________________

State SILVERTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVES CANNABIS SALES AFTER MORATORIUM

NEWS NUGGETS

The Silverton City Council has approved of a new set of regulations that will permit the sale of cannabis and the legal operation of dispensaries within the city. The entire state now allows up to one-quarter ounce of cannabis sold per person, per day, as of October 1. However, Silverton City’s temporary moratorium on medical cannabis business ended on October 6. After that end date, the city can begin taking applications for potential business owners to open up shop. The city approved its new regulations in a 6-1 vote, which agreed that there would still be a citywide ban on the sale of cannabis-infused edibles, that dispensaries must be located in a permanent, brick-and-mortar structure, that dispensaries cannot be located in a residential home and requires that air ventilation and filtration systems must be installed in all dispensary businesses.

__________________________

Cannabis TV ad pulled in Portland, set to air in Eugene and Medford

Out-of-state patients can now buy medical cannabis in Las Vegas and Reno

The first ever cannabis business commercial was set to air on KATU-TV last month, in conjunction with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Business Conference in Portland, but TV station KATU decided to pull the plug at the last moment, according to the Willamette Week. The sudden change of heart is believed to be because other media were reporting that the commercial was the very first of its kind to air on primetime TV. KATU’s only comment was “We don’t accept advertising for marijuana,” but the 30-second commercial provides information about the event and the recent legalization of cannabis in

the state. However, the commercial has found new hope and was still featured on KMTR in Eugene and KTLV in Medford, “It’s just slightly ironic that Eugene and Medford are running them and quoteunquote ‘liberal’ Portland is not,” stated Alex Rogers, the individual in charge of the commercial.

CULTURE // October 2015

Nation

but illegal to purchase it. However, it should be noted that cannabis use by non-local patients may be very limited, due to private ownership of major hotels in the Las Vegas area. Medical cannabis patients who come from other states may possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis anywhere in Nevada and are required to sign an affidavit verifying that they have been approved to legally use cannabis in their home state.

__________________________

World Colombia decriminalizes up to 20 cannabis plants A Supreme Court ruling in Colombia last month decreed that having up to 20 plants of cannabis is not a crime. The court’s ruling came as the result of a case involving one man who was sentenced to over five years in prison after being caught by police with a “124 gram” plant, according to Colombia Reports. The current maximum amount of cannabis that can be carried at one time is 20 grams. However, because the man’s plant was to be used for personal use, the court decided that it shouldn’t be considered a crime. Possession of cannabis has already been decriminalized in Colombia, but this ruling further enhances the allowance of small amounts of cannabis. Later this year, the Colombian Congress will reportedly discuss the legalization of medical cannabis. c

A new ordinance has made Nevada the first state to allow dispensaries to sell cannabis to out-of-state patient visitors. Now, any patient may visit Nevada’s two current dispensaries, which have only been open since mid-summer (with over 60 more applications for new locations currently being considered throughout the state). So far, a majority of the customer traffic seen at those new dispensaries are patients who traveled from Arizona, where over 80,000 medical cannabis patients are registered. Currently in Arizona, it is legal for outof-state patients to possess cannabis, VISIT US AT

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by the numb3rs

The number of years that the Oregon Cannabis Classic Golf Tournament has occurred in Lebanon, Oregon with proceeds going to the Multiple Sclerosis Society: 2 (Source: Marijuana Politics)

The number of different cannabis strains available at a “weed bar,” offered as a wedding favor for guests who attended a recent Oregonian wedding: 13 (Source: KGW.com)

The number of votes from the Portland City Council that overturned the denial of the Hempstalk Harvest Festival by the Parks Bureau: 3 (Source: The Oregonian)

The number of votes from the Salem City Council that allowed the early sales of cannabis for anyone 21 and up: 6 (Source: Statesman Journal)

The number of recreational cannabis inspectors being hired by the state in preparation for when recreational sales become legal after October 1: 11 (Source: Democrat Herald)

The number of applicants who are currently being considered as candidates to open up medical cannabis dispensaries in New Mexico: 17 (Source: The Washington Times)

The estimated number of patients who qualify for medical cannabis in Georgia: 200 (Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press)

The number of dispensaries that will soon be opening in Long Island, New York: 2 (Source: Long Island News 12)

200

The Hemp and Cannabis Fair One of the region’s most prominent expositions is returning for another year of all things cannabis. The Hemp and Cannabis Fair (or THC for short) will offer all sorts of unique hemp and cannabis products. Attendees will find everything from accessories, tools, grow and harvest equipment, and much more in the halls of the expo. Visitors are also encouraged to check out a variety of different seminars and discussions regarding growing, cannabis’ medicinal benefits, Proposition 91 and many other topics. THC is the best place to grab the newest in technology, chat with local business owners, and discover how the industry has grown.

IF YOU GO

What: The Hemp and Cannabis Fair. When/Where: Sat, Oct. 17-Sun, Oct. 18. Lane County Fairgrounds, 796 West 13th Ave., Eugene. Info: Visit www.thcfair. com for details.

October October 2015 2015 // // CULTURE CULTURE

Perfecting the Recipe Big decisions being made in the Oregon edibles market

S by Heather Johnson

Since the legalization of cannabis, Oregonians have been anticipating the day when they can simply walk into a dispensary and buy a quarter-ounce of cannabis. That day, October 1, is finally here for those looking to buy flower—and tax-free no less. Purchasing edible products, however, will be delayed at least another year. Although there are already hundreds of “medibles” on the market available to medical cannabis cardholders, these will continue to be sold only to patients, inside medical packaging. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission is responsible for licensing those that will make, test and sell legal cannabis in Oregon. With edibles being such a potent way to use cannabis, regulating these products, along with concentrates, can be a very complex undertaking. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, or the OLCC, relies on the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to find and determine what levels of concentrates are allowed in edibles. The OHA has been putting together a panel of experts to determine exactly what types of regulations need to be put into place before the OLCC can begin licensing manufacturers. They plan to regulate the dosage of edible products, along with their potency. The OHA will answer questions about mandatory serving size, and how many servings one package is allowed to contain. They are not satisfied with the standard 10mg serving size allowed in Colorado. There isn’t enough conclusive scientific evidence yet, and they want more information. Packaging is also a major priority for the Oregon Health Authority, and edible manufacturers will have to focus on packaging that is simple and straightforward with no pictures or cartoons that might

CULTURE // October 2015

suggest that it may be a product for children. Packaging will also need to be opaque and child resistant. Labels will need to contain certain pertinent information for potential buyers. But before anyone worries about edibles and their packaging, there are other important hurdles to jump first. Actual retail cannabis stores won’t be receiving licenses to open their doors until October, 2016. For now, the OLCC is working on licensing the base of the supply chain: The growers. Without product, establishments cannot begin business, so growers will need to be licensed and supplying flower products before

establishments can open. We spoke with Mark Pettinger at the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, who explained the licensing process and their plan of action now that license requests are starting to roll in. He told CULTURE, “It’s important that people understand that with this being a newly regulated supply chain, we’re going with the first link in that chain.” The first link would be the growers, and then those that process and sell the cannabis will need licensing as well before recreational sale is in full swing. Growers also supply the product needed for making concentrates, which are infused into most edibles. And all this needs to happen before the makers of edibles can even begin hoping to get licensed. Once the OHA comes up with the guidelines for testing edibles, labs will also need to get licensed to begin. The OLCC will ultimately certify the labs that do the testing and can grant a license to edible manufacturers based on their lab results. They will also have to get their packaging approved before the product is allowed to go to market. With many potential mistakes to be made in the process, the OLCC and the OHA both want all the groundwork to be done upfront, without having to go back and correct mistakes like Washington and Colorado. Oregon becoming a state where cannabis is legal and regulated is going to be a long process, but one that is well worth the wait. c VISIT US AT

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Dispensary HIGHLIGHT

NewVansterdam Medical 4709 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy., 97221

www.NewVansterdam-Med.com How and when did your dispensary start up? NewVansterdam was started by a small group of people that care about this community on July 10, 2014. What’s the story behind the name of your dispensary? Our collective embraces the power of the name. NewVansterdam Medical’s name was crafted from our respect for Amsterdam, and the birthplace of the brand. We admire Amsterdam as an early proponent of legalization and the continued work to de-stigmatize cannabis. Meanwhile, Vancouver, WA is the city where the idea of our collective began. Our name is a reminder of the progress and potential of this plan in the Pacific Northwest. What does your dispensary offer patients that they can’t find anywhere else? NewVansterdam Medical offers a high-end experience, with high-end customer service, and every day affordable pricing for every person that walks into our store. We feel we offer the best products from the best growers and processors that Oregon has. How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? I have watched this industry

CULTURE // October 2015

grow from the streets, to medical, and now to recreational. I am very excited to be a part of it as a positive member of this community. The professionalism is what I’m excited about most. This industry has some extremely smart individuals involved in it and it’s time to let them shine. What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a dispensary? The biggest challenge right now is keeping up with the changing laws as they are being updated. Biggest joys? Our biggest joy right now is watching the public gain access to the product they deserve and watching this industry get involved in a positive way. What is the one thing you want patients to know about your dispensary? We care about you! We are

here for you! We also have a large CBD offering for the medical market. If someone wanted to open a dispensary and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? Come talk to me! We might be able to work together on a future project. I truly believe when it’s all said and done and this industry has matured, it’s the people that work together as a team toward a positive outcome that will shine in the end. Stay away from the negativity and the people that are only out for themselves. If you are involved in this industry you should be here to help people first. “Teamwork makes the dream work” is our motto at NewVansterdam Medical. What is the most important thing you hope to accomplish while in the MJ/ MMJ community? We think it’s important to help the local medical community as much as possible with fundraisers for cancer patients or any other elements that cannabis can help with. If you have a local charity you would like us to help support please come talk to us, we are here for you. c Top-Selling Strain: Dr. Who from Geek Farms & Mob Boss from Homegrown Natural Wonders Top-Selling Concentrate: Sunset Sherbet Shatter from the Heights Collective Farm and MTG Extracts Top-Selling Edible: Sour Bhotz

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edible + concentrate Vitonic: Vitamin Infused Medicinal Drink

A company located in Hubbard, Oregon, Vitonic Incorporated has really struck gold with this beverage. With Just enough cannabis taste that doesn’t overpower the mango flavor, we don’t think cannabis has ever tasted so smooth and delicious. With a total cannabinoid content of 356.5mg, the drink also packs a lot of cannabis inside. It was tested by Rose City Laboratories and found to have 296mg of D-9 THC alone, and is a great way to relax with dinner, or at the end of the night. Great on ice, or as a mixer for a fun night, we would recommend this beverage for any party. Not at all like the canna-sodas of the past 10 years, Vitonic has really stepped up the game. Recommended as a stress reliever or for relieving pain.

Available wherever: Vitonic Incorporated products are carried.

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Thudbuds Versatility Oil

Available AT: Marijuana Paradise in Portland.

Cream of the Crop Cannabis Ice Cream

This awesome oil is called “Versatility Oil” for a reason. It can be used for almost anything, even for rubbing on your skin as a topical salve! Coconut oil already has wonderful medicinal and healing properties, which are enhanced even more with cannabis. The label reads, “Virgin, organic, cold-pressed, non-GMO, vegan coconut oil infused with cannabis,” and is probably amongst the healthiest oils on the market. It can be found at Marijuana Paradise on Barbur Boulevard in Portland. One container is four ounces, enough to bake at least one big batch of cookies. A serving size is specified as one teaspoon and there are 24 servings in all. Each container contains 660mg of cannabis from full extract. Each teaspoon contains 23.18mg of THC and .18mg of CBD, in this particular jar made from the strain Jack Herer. Available AT: Cream of the Crop Foods products are carried.

Even if this product was not medicinal at all, we would still be writing a rave review. And with a flavor like Lemon Vanilla with Raspberry Swirl, how can you lose? Made by Cream of the Crop Foods, this was one of the best ice creams we have had in a while; creamy, but also sort of like a sorbet. Green Bodhi Organics, a Clean Green Certified grower, grew the flower and then Evolvd Organics transformed it into a concentrate. All of Cream of the Crops’ products are handmade, and nearly all the ingredients are organic and non-GMO. Oregon Analytical Laboratories stated that the ice cream has 26.92mg of THC inside one container. We could probably eat an entire container in one sitting, but we started with half just to make sure it didn’t effect us too strongly. We felt mellow and relaxed, but not sleepy. We became talkative and giggly; a great way to relax while hanging out with friends. This product would be excellent for treating depression or anxiety.

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Available AT: Attis Trading Company Dispensary in Portland.

CO 2 Inhaler

This innovative medicinal grade product is one of the first to actually look the part. Like with any other inhaler that your friend with asthma uses, the CO 2 oil made from the classic strain Girl Scout Cookies can be silently puffed into your mouth with the push of a cartridge. Like a cool burst in your mouth, we guarantee it’s not like any other way you’ve smoked before. Odorless and invisible, no one would even think to ask about it, although it may make you cough once or twice (especially if you aren’t used to using oils). The inhaler can be purchased at the Attis Trading Company Dispensary in Portland. It was tested by MRX Labs and found to have 33.36 percent THC and .22 percent CBD. This inhaler is a quick, discreet and effective way to medicate. This particular strain would be good for treating pain or nausea.

Available WHEREVER: Mountaintop Edibles are carried.

Blueberry Acai Taffy

Made by Mountaintop Edibles, this tasty taffy is just like the kind you would bring home from the beach, except much bigger, and more heavily medicated. It is handmade, gluten-free and has a delicious berry-chocolatey flavor. A single taffy was tested by TLC Labs and found to have 49.7mg THC, .4mg CBD and 1.1mg CBN, making it a great way to medicate. It is made with real fruit juice, making it taste great, and it’s a pretty affordable medible for someone looking for a low commitment sampling. The effect was energetic and productive, and this candy would be great for chewing on at the office. It would be effective in treating lethargy and depression.

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cool stuff Recipe Dice

Tired of making decisions at the end of your day? We know the feeling. Luckily, we found Recipe Dice! Roll the dice to create your dinner—12 little wooden dice feature more than 60 seasonal vegetables, grains, meats, spices and herbs. Fun and food—double win!

K-Vape Micro-DX

PRICE: $16.50 MORE INFORMATION: www.leafcutterdesigns.com

PRICE: $199.95 MORE INFORMATION: www.vapornation.com

Those who love the original Kandy Pens vape pens will get even more excited to discover the K-Vape Micro-DX—a brand new KandyPens vape pen that comes with advanced temperature control. Not only does the MicroDX sport a sleeker and more portable design (boasting to be one of the smallest currently available on the market) but it heats herbs like a boss without ever making direct contact with the heat source. This device has up to 80 different temperature settings, and can be heated up to 430 degrees with its easy-to-use OLED display, delivering pure vapor every time.

PRICE: $23.95 MORE INFORMATION: thatinventions.com

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Personal Butter Churner

PRICE: $39.99 MORE INFORMATION: www.uncommongoods.com

CULTURE // October 2015

Making your own pantry staples is very rewarding—and can help anyone maintain a healthier lifestyle. With this simple design, you can churn your own butter (with or without cannabis) in just 10 minutes, and impress all your dinner guests. Simply pour the whipping cream into the churner, turn the handle, and enjoy a fresh batch of butter with a little personal touch. Try adding your own herbs in there too—rosemary white truffle butter? Yes please!

Scoop That! Heated Ice Cream Scoop No more waiting for the ice cream to thaw a little bit so you can scoop it out with ease. The Scoop That! ice cream scoop uses thermo-ring technology and heat from your own hand to heat up the edges of the scoop for a perfect round of your favorite ice cream every time. Paired with the awesome Scoop That! ice cream bowl—which allows the insulated scoop bowl to keep ice cream in its perfectly frozen state—this will keep your ice cream looking and tasting great, regardless of the temperature around you.

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entertainment Release Date: October 27 Available on: Xbox One

Green Buds and Hash: A PotFilled Parody Dana Larsen Hairy Pothead Press

Halo 5: Guardians Dev. 343 Industries Pub. Microsoft Studios

It’s been three years since the world has received a new game from the Halo franchise, but rest assured fanboys and girls, the wait is over. Halo 5: Guardians is one sequel you can count on to bring famous characters, weapons and worlds of the Halo universe to life. Players will get to experience a new story, classic matchmaking and four-player online campaign co-op modes on a beautiful 1080p display at 60 frames per second on Xbox One. Good luck, Spartans!

GO:OD AM Mac Miller Warner Bros. Records

Mac Miller has returned with GO:OD AM, which marks both his first new album since 2013’s Watching Movies With The Sound Off (and the 2014 Faces mixtape) and his major label debut. GO:OD AM not only sees Miller in top form lyrically and execution-wise, but also shows off a much more polished, mature sound and style. His flow still mixes the classic with the contemporary in an accessible way, and his choice of producers, collabs and overall vibe of the album follows Mac’s reputation for making music that is both fun to party to and rife with depth. (Simon Weedn)

“Force of Nature”

Author Dana Larsen and artist Chip Crumb recreate the format of the children’s book Green Eggs and Ham in a delightful parody. Mister Stash is concerned for his friend, and goes to great lengths to convince him that not only are there many different ways to enjoy cannabis, but that it could help him feel much better. No forcing, pushing or berating, just a friendly and informative conversation, all wrapped up in well-crafted illustrations and clever, poetic verse. (Alex Bradley)

Love & Mercy River Road Entertainment Dir. Bill Pohlad

In many circles, it’s well-known that the Beach Boys’ most visionary member and primary songwriter, Brian Wilson, suffered from prolonged periods of mental instability exacerbated by heavy substance abuse in the ‘60s and ‘70s. It is this period of Brian Wilson’s life which serves as the back drop for Love & Mercy. The film captures all of the bizarre twists and turns in Wilson’s life under the direction of Dr. Landy, while also excellently showing what caused Wilson to need major psychological care in the first place. Love & Mercy is an incredible film. (Simon Weedn)

CULTURE // October 2015

Planet Earth has countless beautiful and stunning features, from images of vast landscapes to almost microscopic photos of a tiny insect. Photographer Emmet Gowin harbors a strong passion for taking pictures of all aspects of nature, and has produced a number of fascinating photographic finds. From his work photographing Mount St. Helens between 1980 and 1986 after its eruption in 1980, to the remains of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, Gowin had a knack for discovering the world through a unique lens. “Force of Nature” features many of Gowin’s most famous images, showcasing a few beautiful images taken, west of the Mississippi.

IF YOU GO

What: “Force of Nature” exhibit. When/Where: On view through Jan. 17. Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave., Portland. Info: Visit portlandartmuseum.org for details.

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n 1978, Brooklyn-born Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield chose a dilapidated gas station in Vermont to open the first Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop. Frosty weather and shady Häagen-Das dealings sought to thwart their rapid rise, but the childhood friends finished their first decade together as President Reagan’s U.S. Small Business Persons of the Year. Unilever, a European consumer giant with brands like Axe, Dove and Lipton, purchased Ben & Jerry’s in 2000 with an understanding that the company could maintain its social values and activism. Ben and Jerry continue to work at the company, but they now spend considerably more time advancing social issues like cannabis legalization and a better environment. The ice cream moguls recently gave CULTURE the scoop on everything from cannabis-themed flavors to the Stamp Stampede for campaign finance reform.

You recently said you would be game for making cannabis-infused ice cream. What kind of reaction did that provoke? Ben: Our comments were the most widely circulated thing that we have ever said. Jerry: I think Ben said that. Ben: A decision like that at Ben & Jerry’s would not be ours to make, but personally, once it goes fully legal, sure, I would make ice cream that

CULTURE // October 2015

has marijuana in it. As with all edibles, it is important that they be properly dosed and labeled so that consumers are aware and a child does not eat them. It has been proven that marijuana is very efficacious as far as medicinal uses, and it is crazy not to allow that use. It has also been proven that recreational marijuana use is a lot safer and better for your body than alcohol. I think it is unconscionable that there is this drug war and prisons overflowing with people prosecuted for marijuana offenses. The

really unfortunate part is that, despite the fact that marijuana is used by a whole lot of rich white people, the prisons are overflowing with poor not-white people. That is unjust, unfair, unAmerican and something that we have to change.

In a 2013 podcast, Ben said you stayed out of the legalization issue because you thought it would be used against your

work to reduce the Pentagon budget. Do you feel cannabis is a stigmatizing issue in political circles?

Ben: Less so than it used to be. The handwriting is on the wall that it is going to be legal. What is it, 19 or 20 states legalized medicinal use, and more and more states are going to make it legal recreationally. A whole lot of law enforcement, former and current officials, favor legalization. I recently asked the campaign director for VISIT US AT

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Stamp Stampede–my major focus lately for getting money out of politics–if it would hurt the cause if I took a public stand in favor of legalization. He said nothing will be more widely distributed than my quote about marijuana ice cream, and that did not seem to hurt us, so take whatever stand you want to take.

An urban legend on the internet suggests you started out selling cannabis green tea ice cream at California music festivals in the ’60s and ’70s. Ben: If only! No truth to that at all. Jerry: I think that is the best rumor I have ever heard about myself. >> Photos David Seaver

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interesting, though, what recently happened in Indiana with that ridiculous law that lets people discriminate against gay people. It is the first time I can remember that companies without a direct stake in the issue took a firm, public and rapid stand opposing a law. Jerry: It is understood in the agreement between Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s that we would be able to take positions on issues that they might not. An example is the issue of mandatory labeling of GMOs in food products here in the United States. That is something that Ben & Jerry’s actively campaigns for in different states. That is a position that Unilever does not agree with, but they recognize that it is within Ben & Jerry’s values.

Free cone day is usually within a week of 420, and flavors have included Half Baked, Satisfy My Bowl and Magic Brownies. This is not a coincidence, is it? Jerry: Ha! I never associated Free Cone Day with April 20, and those flavors you mentioned were not flavors that came out on my watch. Ben: Those are flavors that came out since Unilever took over the company.

You temporarily changed flavor names to Hubby Hubby and Apple-y Ever After in certain markets to celebrate gay marriage legislation. Was that under Unilever as well?

Jerry: Those happened inside the company. Ben and I had nothing to do with that.

You must appreciate that Unilever supports Ben & Jerry’s values and activism.

Jerry: It is helpful to understand that Ben and I work at the company, but we are not involved in the management or operations, so we do not really make decisions about those things. People really care about what happened with Ben & Jerry’s since Unilever acquired it. The company has stayed strong

with issues like marriage equality as a human’s rights issue, and the company transitioned to all fair trade and 100 percent non-GMO ingredients. Good things happened with the company, and it is no different than when Ben and I were running it. Ben: There are occasions in which the parent company can feel–nervous is not the right word–but concerned that Ben & Jerry’s maintains positions that the company does not agree with, and that is not unusual for Unilever. Most businesses shy away from taking any type of position on social or environmental issues unless it is something that will make them more money. It is

You mentioned Stamp Stampede, which involves stamping messages on paper currency. Was this effort started in response to Citizen’s United?

Jerry: A very large movement in the country is focused on getting money out of politics, and several Supreme Court decisions led to the current situation, but Citizen’s United was the straw that broke the camel’s back. That was what catapulted the movement and added a lot of momentum to it. Ben: We are essentially turning money into media. We call it monetary jujitsu, using money to get money out of politics. Every bill you stamp–once you spend it and put it into circulation–is seen by 875 people. One person stamping three bills a day for a year can create a million impressions, and that is very powerful. We are essentially saying that if the Supreme Court said money is free speech, we are going to make our money scream. The corporations and ultra-wealthy are using their money to buy politicians, and the rest of us should make our voices heard to create an undeniable demand to get money out of politics. The idea is to infiltrate the money supply–this is all legal, by the way–and so far we have over 50,000 people stamping, and we are growing at about 100 people per day. By the end of this year, we should have 80,000 people stamping. You can get your very own stamp at StampStampede.org. >>

October 2015 // CULTURE

Jerry: There is a range of non-profits working on the issue, and they are working on one level. What Ben did, which is brilliant, is to find a way for the average person to get involved and have their voice heard without having to join an organization. More than 80 percent of the people in the country, whether they are Democrats, Republicans or Independents, want to get money out of politics. They understand that all the money in elections comes from these giant corporations and extremely wealthy people, and it is undermining the entire democracy. This is a way for average people to get engaged.

Ben & Jerry’s got a [Tesla] that is going into different markets around the country with the goal of signing up people to join Avaaz [with its 100 percent Clean Power Petition] for the upcoming climate summit in Paris, and they are doing that by giving away free ice cream and talking about the issue. We are trying to use the deliciousness of Ben & Jerry’s to activate people on important issues.

If money were removed from politics, what type of financing structure would you prefer? Public financing?

Ben: Um, uh, you know, I think you are free to speculate.

alas, I think the ideal solution and the one that I would most prefer, but there are various other proposals. One is a voucher system in which everybody in the country gets a voucher on their taxes, like $100, to give to whatever politicians they want, and that would be the only money for the purposes of elections that politicians could use. Another good example is the one passed by the city of New York and the states of Connecticut and Maine, which is basically a small donor match whereby politicians pledge not to take large donations in exchange for having their small donations matched on a six-to-one basis by the government. The cost of public financing is about $6 per person, so getting money out of politics does not cost that much.

The company also has the Climate Justice campaign and Save Our Swirled Tour.

Jerry: This is a campaign the company is doing to engage people into policy issues like climate change. We partnered with the nonprofit Avaaz, one of the big organizers of the climate march in New York City last fall, and they are working towards ending fossil fuel use and getting to all renewables by 2050.

CULTURE // October 2015

Ben: Where did you hear that?

Is that still a secret?

So, no denial?

Ben: I would just say feel free to speculate.

Ben, I read that you once did a diet of French bread and butter. How was that supposed to work?

Ben: Ha! It was actually French bread and garlic butter. It was garlic bread. It worked great. It was delicious and cheap, and I was not too fat, right, during that period of time? I think I was reasonable. One time it caught fire in the toaster oven.

“

“It has been proven that marijuana is very efficacious as far as medicinal uses, and it is crazy not to allow that use. It has also been proven that recreational marijuana use is a lot safer and better for your body than alcohol.” Have either of you ever considered running for office?

Jerry: [In 1993,] I ran for [a seat on the Board of Selectmen] in the town of Williston where I live, and I lost. I think the reality is that I could not get elected as a dogcatcher.

You were both teens living in New York in the 1960s, but neither of you attended Woodstock. How is that possible?

Ben: When the Woodstock festival was happening, I was actually an ice cream man. I was running a truck with a friend of mine where we were ringing bells and going up and down the street in the neighborhoods

“

Ben: Public financing is one solution, and

I heard that you might launch a Climate Change ice cream flavor. Is that true?

selling ice cream to little kids. Jerry: He was a mobile ice cream vendor. He was the Pied Piper man. Ben: I was. That was the brand, the offbrand, the competitor to Good Humor. You know, there was some talk around the yard that we should take our ice cream trucks to Woodstock, but people started to talk about the traffic and how we would resupply. I just kept going up and down the streets in the neighborhood. I didn’t make it to Woodstock.

Jerry: I think we have to say that the diet didn’t catch on.

What is the next thing you would like to do with ice cream? Maybe a Led Zeppelin flavor?

Jerry: Ben and I are not really drawn to celebrity-type flavors or popular cultural things. When we were doing the company, Jerry Garcia [with the Cherry Garcia flavor] was an unusual thing. It happens more frequently at the company now. Ben and I both think that connecting ice cream with social issues and activated people, particularly marginalized people, is the highest use of ice cream. We want to connect with our customers over delicious ice cream and making the world a better place. c VISIT US AT

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Edibles Issue

Edible Overdosing Medicated edibles are the media’s new scare du jour By Lanny Swerdlow

n March 2014, a 19-yearold male consumed a small portion of a cannabis-infused cookie. Feeling no effects after 30 minutes, he consumed the entire cookie. From Washington D.C. to Los Angeles, print, broadcast

CULTURE // October 2015

and cable news reported that a short while later, he jumped off a balcony and fell four stories to his death. While researching a story on Colorado’s recently enacted cannabis legalization law, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd ate too much of a cannabis-infused brownie, had a bad trip and millions read about it.

Children eating a cannabis edible is the most sensational of all even though most children who get hold of one of mommy or daddy’s edibles will not have any problems other than getting temporarily disoriented—kind of akin to going round and round on a playground merry-go-round. Like adults, if kids consume too

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much, they may get very disoriented resulting in an emergency room visit. These visits often serve more to assuage adult fears then provide medical treatment to the child. If treatment is needed, the child is provided appropriate observation and medication and goes home. No child has died from eating a cannabis edible, yet the media has made cannabis edibles into a major health calamity, even though the number and severity of problems from cannabis edibles fade into insignificance compared to the deaths and hospitalizations of children and adults from either alcohol, pharmaceuticals or caffeine. That being said, it must be acknowledged that a person can overdose on a cannabis edible—not lethally, but until the overdose wears off, the symptoms can be very disconcerting and uncomfortable. As compared to inhaling, cannabis that is orally ingested produces a

significantly different effect that lasts considerably longer and is potentially more potent. When inhaled, cannabis’ psychoactive ingredient, delta-9-THC, goes directly to the brain, producing effects within a few minutes. Ingesting orally is an entirely different body ball game. Cannabis consumed orally is metabolized in the digestive system. When the delta-9-THC passes through the liver, it is transformed to 11-hydroxy-THC. This new metabolite is significantly more potent then delta-9-THC producing effects of more intensity and longer duration. This secondary metabolite is not produced when smoked and is the reason why eating cannabis can get a person more zonked. How cannabis edibles effects a person depends on their unique biochemistry, genetics, body mass and life experiences. This is something that can only be determined by trial and error. Although an error is not dangerous, it can be very uncomfortable. A person ingesting a cannabis edible for the first time should only consume a small portion and then wait at least an hour to determine its effect before consuming any more. Another variable is the timing of the onset of the effect. When inhaled, these effects are experienced in minutes and decline rapidly over the next half-hour. Inhaling allows consumers to quickly determine the effect and titrate the amount accordingly. Not so with edibles. Due to the length of time it takes to be absorb in the digestive system, cannabis edibles can take 30 minutes or more before being felt and take up to two hours to peak. Complicating the matter, the length of time of onset of a cannabis edible can be considerably longer if an edible is consumed after a heavy meal. In either case, a new user may conclude they have not eaten enough and eat more of the edible, leading to an overdose. Accurate dosing is critical in edibles. Without lab testing, it is next to impossible to gauge potency of homemade edibles, which can lead to an overdose. Although commerciallyproduced edibles usually have their potency listed on their labels, studies have shown the potency to be inaccurate in many products. Usually

they are less potent than listed so that will lessen the chance of an overdose, but significantly higher concentrations have also been found. There are other variables such as a person’s own metabolic processes which can affect the length of time for digestion and absorption to occur. All of this means caution must be exercised when first consuming edibles if an unpleasant experience is to be avoided. “If you want to have better control over the onset, depth and duration, it is better to inhale whether smoked or vaporized,” advises Dr. Donald Abrams, cancer and integrative medicine specialist at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine and a leading researcher into the therapeutic uses of cannabis for AIDS and cancer patients. Dr. Robert Melamede, retired Professor of Molecular Biology from the University of Colorado and author of the ground breaking study Harm Reduction – the Cannabis Paradox, is a veteran cannabis edible consumer. “I actually prefer the oral route. It’s a different kind of a high. When you smoke it goes right to your head and kind of hits your head in an imbalanced way. Not to say that I don’t enjoy that as well, but it goes up and comes down quick. When you eat an edible you can stay in a nice place longer.” The decision whether to inhale or ingest centers on why cannabis is used. If being used for seizures or feeling nauseous, time is of the essence, so inhaling would be most appropriate. For chronic conditions like arthritis, oral ingestion would allow the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis to provide relief over an extended time period. For getting a good night’s sleep, many people give edibles an edge. Although edibles may take a bit longer to kick in, its longer lasting effects provide a night’s sleep less likely to be interrupted by waking up. Ingestion of edibles is a viable means for obtaining the benefits of cannabis and many people will find it an enjoyable and effective route of administration. The bottom line is that with cannabis edibles, a person cannot self-titrate as easily or as quickly as when smoking or vaporizing, but with care and common sense, the likelihood of going from euphoria to dysphoria can be significantly reduced. c

October 2015 // CULTURE

Edibles Issue

Your CANNA Cookbook Reading List We’ve got some favorites—now, you will too

Sweet Mary Jane: 75 Delicious CannabisInfused High-End Desserts

By Karin Lazarus Avery Author Karin Lazarus runs Sweet Mary Jane bakery in Boulder, Colorado, but now offers the public access to her amazing and delicious cannabis dessert recipes. Lazarus has won legions of loyal fans with sophisticated treats like Smashing Pumpkin White ChocolatePumpkin Bars, Sweet Temptation Mango Sorbet and Chocolate Almond Delights. Lazarus provides a simple primer on making essential canna-staples like cannabis-infused butter, cannabisinfused coconut oil and THC-infused sugar; a chapter on dosing and how to make sure your edible treat is the exact potency you want; and, of course, 75 delectable and deliciously-infused recipes from one of Colorado’s most beloved cannabis bakery.

CULTURE // October 2015

Cooking with Marijuana: Interesting, Delicious and Easy Recipes you can make with the Magical Herb

By Gordon Rock CreateSpace Publishing We are all familiar with using cannabis as medical therapies and treatments, and of course, most of us are familiar with some simple recipes for cannabis cooking. But this book by Gordon Rock focuses on simple and easy recipes that have nutritional value as well as medicinal. He not only explains the recipes clearly and simply, but he also goes into detail about which recipes are best suited for particular ailments and why. In this book, the author focuses on healthy home remedies for a variety of illnesses including anxiety, depression, cancer and autoimmune deficiencies, among others. Best of all, these recipes can be prepared by just about anyone—a great starter guide for any budding cannabis home cook.

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* Wake & Bake: A Cookbook

By Corinne Tobias Wake & Bake Publishing A slightly older cannabis cookbook, but still one of our absolute favorites, this book is unassuming at first glance, but don’t be mistaken, Corinne Tobias is a hilarious and witty writer and chef, and creates an open and healthy atmosphere for any learning canna-chef. Geared toward the health-conscious and veganfriendly audience, this is the first vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free cannabis cookbook that we’ve seen that also comes with a handy conversion table—and gorgeous pictures—so you can make these recipes with dairy or meat too!

* Herb: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Cannabis

By Laurie Wolf and Melissa Parks Inkshares Coming out next month, Herb has one major boost over most of the other cannacookbooks we’ve seen—reducing the taste of cannabis in these recipes. Chefs Melissa Parks and Laurie Wolf have developed recipes that specifically complement and downplay the taste of the herb so that each appetizer, entrée and dessert will be enjoyed to the fullest. Herb also goes into detail about dosing, which is essential for cannabis home cooks and is jam-packed with mouth-watering pictures that will make you hungrier as you move through the book.

Cooking With Marijuana: Mega Munch Recipes

By Sean Riley CreateSpace Publishing Cooking With Marijuana is laid out in a very simple format with very simple instructions. Easy to follow for any level of canna-chef, each dish comes with an easy list of ingredients, followed by numbered, concise, step-by-step directions. No muss, no fuss. These satisfying, munchies-worthy recipes will impress your friends and keep you cooking with love and appreciation for your favorite herb.

* Marijuana Cookbook: 50 Comfort Foods from the Marijuana Chef

By Gordon Rock Amazon Digital Services, Inc. An e-book written by the self-proclaimed “Marijuana Chef,” Marijuana Cookbook: 50 Comfort Foods is a great addition to an already established cannabis cook’s stable of digital cookbooks. It is packed full of easy recipes, tips and tricks to revitalize your canna-cooking. Aside from helping you to transform standard recipes, it’ll help you to breathe new life into your normal go-to recipes and bring them up to a new level.

* The Cannabis Kitchen

By Sandy Moriarty Quick American Archives No canna-cookbook reading list would be complete without our own recipes writer, Aunt Sandy’s Medical Marijuana Cookbook. This cookbook compiles Sandy’s favorite recipes with easy instructions, tasty looking photos and even has a chapter on how to cater to dietary restrictions, and alternatives you can use. Sandy goes into great depth about safety in cannabis cooking, the medicinal properties of cannabis, the history behind it, and she even delves into her tips and tricks for better cooking all together! This book is a great starter guide for any cannabis chef—plus it’s the official course book for Oaksterdam University.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence Skyhorse Publishing In The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook, chefs in the know from Amherst to Anaheim share their secrets for infusing everything from oil and agave to soups and cocktails. This book provides step-by-step instructions on preparing cannabis for use in any kitchen, as well as advice on personalizing dosage. The author offers tips for trimming, processing, storing and preserving cannabis too, along with a “buyer’s guide” that sheds light on the many varieties of cannabis flavor profiles, showcasing strains based not only on feel-good levels, but more importantly, taste-good levels. c

Aunt Sandy’s Medical Marijuana Cookbook: Comfort Food for Mind and Body

Cookbook: Feel-good Food for Home Cooks

October 2015 // CULTURE

Edibles Issue

The

Big

Scare Edibles, Candy, and Halloween

By Addison Herron-Wheeler

ast Halloween season, there was a scent in the air besides fall leaves, roasting pumpkin seeds and candy corn. It was the smell of fear. With the recent legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes in some states, many were worried that children would accidently get into edibles on Halloween and mistake them for regular candy. Others feared that menacing, anonymous individuals would give out laced Halloween candy on purpose, hoping to plunge the children who received it into crippling horror. Many news outlets ran outrageous scare stories showing how difficult it can be to tell the difference between edibles and regular candy, and there was a general feeling of panic as the dreaded holiday approached. As the date rolled around, what exactly happened? Nothing: There were no cases of tampered-with candy, or even suspicion of such, reported to the Denver police. And in fact, according to a story from Forbes entitled “The Mythical Menace of Marijuana-Infused Halloween Candy,” this has been a potential worry, or at least on the radar of police, since

CULTURE // October 2015

the first instances of medical cannabis being legalized in California back in 1996. No cases have ever been reported of this, but there are news stories dating back to this year warning about this potential threat alongside razor blades in apples, and all of the other typical Halloween concerns. “Personally, I think there was never anything to worry about in the first place,” Nancy Whiteman, co-founder of Wana Brands, an edibles company based out of Colorado, told CULTURE. “To deliberately set out to hurt a child would obviously be the work of a very sick individual and frankly, there is no way we can ever completely prevent that—but there is also no particular reason to think that such a person would choose edibles as their method to put kids at risk. Many other options would be less expensive and more toxic. It is more likely that anyone who did such a thing would have had the idea put into his or her head by the sensationalized and continuous media coverage.” However, this of course does not mean that you should not practice good safety etiquette. As is always the rule with Halloween candy, a child should never eat anything that has been opened or looks tampered with, and adhering to this simple rule should stop any potential

criminals who want to harm children. Additionally, the introduction of edibles to the legal market does create a new temptation for children, albeit one that would more than likely come to play due to boredom or mischief on the child’s part or carelessness on yours, not evil intentions from an unknown stranger. In order to insure that children don’t get into edibles that you may have purchased for personal use, there are a few precautions you can take. “First, all retail edibles now come in child resistant containers,” explains Whiteman. “Multi-serving products come in child resistant packaging that retains its child resistant properties even after it has been opened. So, for starters, if you want to consume edibles, and you have children, buy legal edibles, as opposed to black market products. Legal edibles are lab tested and in proper packaging so children can’t access the edibles. Secondly, as with any substance that you are concerned about, keep edibles out of the reach of children. That’s just common sense. Lock them up if you are concerned about access. Third, don’t make edibles at home or allow homemade edibles in your home. Unregulated edibles have not been tested for potency and are generally not going to be in child resistant packaging. Unregulated edibles present a much bigger risk to children than legal edibles.” This Halloween, make safety your first priority, but before you lock your kids in for the night with a bag of store-bought Snickers, remember that there have been no reported cases of cannabis-spiked Halloween candy, and that sometimes the media hype can be scarier than the reality itself. c

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by Ed Rosenthal

growing culture

EXPERIMENTING WITH

LIGHTING

arlier in the season, I set up an experiment to see whether I could hasten flowering using far-red light at 730nm after dusk to flip the plants’ chemistry. The experiment was not successful, but I think that the results were inconclusive because the lights used weren’t intense enough. However, I had inadvertently created another experiment that I mentioned in my last column. I had placed a 320-watt induction fluorescent light against the wall of the greenhouse, just over the plants, in the center of the garden. The light turned on each day in the afternoon for four hours as the garden phased into shade. It turned off hours before dusk, so all the plants in the room received the same length of photoperiod. However, the plants on either side of this light were powered only by natural light. Last month I noticed that the flowers of the plants receiving the supplemental light were ahead of those of the side plants. Now, it’s the first week in September, one month later, and the plants are showing marked differences based on their placement, rather than on variety. The buds closest to the bulb and in direct contact with sunlight were the first to ripen. Buds on the same plant that received less light were a few days behind, but the side plants, which received no supplemental light, were two weeks or more from ripening. This outcome is consistent with other studies regarding DLI (daily light integral). It represents the total amount of light usable by the plant over

a 24-hour period. The theory is that growth and maturity is dependent upon the amount of light the plant receives. In this experiment neither the enriched light plants nor the controls were receiving the maximum light they could process, but the enriched light plants were receiving considerably more than the controls. Therefore, any difference in growth or maturity not variety related would be attributed to the increase in light of the experimental group. The result was that the experimental group did grow larger and mature faster than the control group. The result of this experiment has practical applications: Supplementing natural light with additional intensity from electrical sources increases the yield while shortening ripening time. The light can be used to supplement the whole garden in the fall, when natural light intensity is diminishing day by day. Increasing light to the shaded part of the garden, especially when the plants are maturing, is even more beneficial. Supplementing the natural light with light from induction fluorescents, white LEDs or metal halides adds brightness, but is usually not noticeable to casual passerby since all of their spectrums are close to natural light. I’ve now harvested all of the plants that were under the lights. They are drying in the drying room. The plants that were growing without supplemental lighting are now maturing under the lighting. In the next few weeks they too, will be hung to dry and cure. c

TIP OF THE MONTH FROM ASK ED® Time for fall planting

f you live in the lower third (latitude wise) of the country, where the sun is still intense in winter, you have greenhouse protection or an unobstructed south facing window, you can plant a fall crop. Place clones in 6-10 inch pots. Use high quality enriched

planting mix. Then place them in the sunniest part of the garden or greenhouse. Because the plants are getting long nights they will immediately start to flower. They will stay small, single bud plants. In about eight weeks, they will be ready to enjoy. Options: If you give them supplemental light, they will grow bigger.

If you break up the dark period with bursts of light a couple of times each night during the dark period the plants will continue to grow larger. When you stop, the plants will start to flower. If you extend the light period to 18 hours, they will grow faster and continue to grow vegetatively. As soon as the light period is decreased to 12 hours daily, the plants will begin to flower.

Copyright by Ed Rosenthal. All rights are reserved. First North American Magazine rights only are assigned to culture Magazine. No other reproduction of this material is permitted without the specific written permission of the author/copyright holder.

CULTURE // October 2015

1 The plants receiving additional light from an induction fluorescent were mature Sept.10. The others needed several weeks to ripen.

2 A mature bud. Since all the buds of the experimental plants were receiving both natural and supplemental light, they matured simultaneously.

3 Bud close-up

4 Control bud. These received no extra light and are weeks behind.

5 A farmer’s favorite moment—Harvest!

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October 2015 // CULTURE

destination unkown

Connecticut

by Sheryll Alexander

Autumn Harvest in Connecticut

IF YOU GO:

Fun-Filled Facts 1 Romance is in the air when traveling to

Connecticut during the chilly falling of the leaves season. Cozy B&Bs dot the state to provide romantic respites complete with fireplaces, homemade breakfasts and even couples’ massage. 2 Skip the shore, and head to

the center of Connecticut up river via New Haven and Hartford. This hilly country is not only incredibly scenic, but also full of colonial history, art and architecture as well as such venerable cultural institutions as Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hill-Stead Museum, The New Britain Museum, Yale Center for British Art and the Mark Twain House & Museum.

Surprisingly, Connecticut is home to 25 eclectic wineries, which together form what is called the Connecticut Wine Trail. CULTURE // October 2015

Even when offering New England’s only “pharmaceutical” medical cannabis program where no smoking is allowed, Connecticut’s all-organic powdered and edible cannabis dispensaries have doubled their growing customer base since going legal in 2012, so says Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan A. Harris. In fact, medicinal cannabis patients and their advocates have been lobbying as of late to get three more dispensaries licensed and opened as there’s only six “cannabis clinics” operating at this time. The number of doctors dispensing oral cannabis meds is also expanding although they can only prescribe pills, creams and edibles to those who can conform to a list of just 14 medical conditions.

Time to Go: Fall, spring and summer Weather: Cool and breezy in the fall and spring with hot, humid summers Budget: $$$$$

SEE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE

et another New England state has gone medicinal thanks to Connecticut’s “pharmaceutical” cannabis program (only pills, creams and edibles are sold). Even though you can’t smoke flower buds, what could be better than orally medicating on a chilly autumn day along a stretch of lonely lake with what seems like millions of orange, red and yellow leaves fluttering in the wind and reflecting back to you upon the still water? Connecticut is the southerly-most New England state, although some of its most southwestern cities near the New York border are considered part of the Tri-State Area. To the south, Connecticut is known for its maritime past and present as it hugs the more peaceful Long Island Sound in such chic seaside towns as Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, Madison, Old Saybrook, Mystic (as in the Julia Roberts’ classic chick flick Mystic Pizza) and, perhaps not so ironically now, Stonington. October is the perfect time to visit Connecticut. September’s country fairs have all but vanished from the scene to be replaced with Halloween happenings and holiday boutiques in charming by-the-sea towns and river valley villages. Fall’s raging colors are in full force by mid fall and so are other enjoyable things to do in this vibrant state such as: Hiking, biking, kayaking, sailing, apple picking, art gallery hopping, designer shopping, casino gambling, fine dining, wine tasting and road tripping through quiet and quaint New England-style towns. c

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William Cioci profile in courage

Age: 46 Condition/ Illness: Depression, Anxiety, PTSD

Using medical cannabis since: 2009

Are you an MMJ patient with a compelling story to tell? If so, we want to hear from you. Email your name, contact information and details about your experiences with medical cannabis to courage@ireadculture.com.

Why did you start using medical cannabis? I had anger and violence issues that eventually led me to be involved with the criminal justice and mental health systems. I was put on numerous pharmaceutical medications that had multiple negative effects on my health, resulting in me needing in-patient care multiple times per year. At the end of one of my appointments, as my doctor gave me a handful of trial size boxes of pills along with a written prescription for more, he asked me if “I had ever heard of medical cannabis.“ I had smoked a little as a teen, and never thought of it as medicine. I was on probation in a state that had no legal protections for medical cannabis, so I used the next few years to do as much research as I could on the subject. When I got off of probation, I sold all my belongings, left my friends and family, and moved to California. I am now pill-free and haven’t had any need for institutional care for seven years. Did you try any other methods or treatments before cannabis? Yes. I was on a multitude of pharmaceutical medications and was involved with therapy and counseling. Most of the pills actually made my conditions worse. What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? Educate yourself, talk to patients that use this medicine. If you can’t find a patient, the internet is full of good information. There is no reason to remain ignorant in this age of information. The truth is out there. c

October 2015 // CULTURE

recipes

Menu: CARAMEL APPLES

CANNA-CANDY CORN SEVERED WITCH’S FINGER COOKIES

CANNA-CANDY CORN 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar 6 1/2 teaspoons nonfat dry milk 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 3 1/2 ounces canna sugar t (about 1/2 cup) 3 3/4 ounces light corn syrup, (about 1/3 cup)

2 1/2 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons unsalted canna butter t (room temperature) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 to 3 drops yellow and orange gel paste food coloring

Directions Combine the powdered sugar, dry milk and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 4 to 5 times until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set aside. Combine the canna sugar, corn syrup and water in a 2-quart pot. Put over medium heat, cover and cook for 4 minutes. Add the infused butter, clip on a candy thermometer, and bring the mixture to 230°, about 1 to 2 minutes. When the sugar-syrup reaches 230°, take the pot off the heat and remove the thermometer. Add the vanilla and the dry mixture, stirring continuously with a silicone spatula until well combined. Pour onto a half sheet pan lined with a silicone baking mat. Cool until the mixture is cool enough to handle, about 10 to 15 minutes. Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Add 2 drops of yellow food coloring to 1 piece and knead the dough until the color is consistent throughout. Add 2 drops of orange to the second piece, and knead until the color is consistent throughout. Leave the third piece white. Roll each piece of dough into a strand, about 18-inches long. Cut each strand in half. Roll 1 of the white pieces into a strand that is about 1/2-inch thick and about 22-inches long. Repeat with a yellow piece and orange piece. Lay the strands side by side and press them together using your fingers. Cut the strand into 4-inch pieces. Lay the strands, one at a time, onto the silicone mat and press into a wedge shape, like a triangle. Use a wire butter slicer to cut the candies into pieces. If you don’t have a wire butter slicer, use a knife, metal bench scraper or pizza cutter to slice the dough into small pieces. Repeat the procedure with remaining dough. Lay the finished pieces on a piece of parchment or waxed paper to dry for 1 hour. Store in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer.

CULTURE // October 2015

CREEPY CONFECTIONS

Now that fall is in full gear, it’s time to dive into our favorite time of year. This month, it’s all about the sweets. We’re not talking about individually wrapped, “fun sized” candy bars. Instead, put on your culinary cap and embrace some delicious, homemade adult desserts made even sweeter with cannabis. The kids have to work for their candy this holiday, but adults get to consume some nostalgic and timeless treats. Gooey caramel apples, sweet and fun candy corn and severed witch’s finger cookies, now at your fingertips—no doorbell ringing required!

SEVERED WITCH’S FINGER COOKIES Vegetable oil cooking spray 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon fine salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted canna butter t (room temperature)

1 cup sugar 1 large egg, at room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 28 large sliced almonds 1/2 cup raspberry jam

Directions Place your oven rack in the center of your oven. Preheat the oven to 325°. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a standing mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the canna butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed, about 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in the flour mixture until a dough forms. Using about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough at a time, roll the dough between your palms into 5-inch-long “fingers,” about 1/2-inch thick. Firmly press a sliced almond into the end of each finger to make fingernails. Make several horizontal cuts, about 1/4 inch deep and 1/2 inch long, in the center of each finger to make knuckles. Press the dough on either side of the cuts to shape the knuckles. Arrange the fingers on the prepared baking sheet and bake until light golden, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer the fingers to a wire rack and cool completely. In a small saucepan, heat the jam over low heat until warm, about 2 minutes. Dip the blunt ends of the fingers in the warm jam and arrange on a platter. Legal Disclaimer Publishers of this publication are not making any representations with respect to the safety or legality of the use of medical marijuana. The recipes listed here are for general entertainment purposes only, and are intended for use only where medical marijuana is not a violation of state law. Edibles can vary in potency while a consumers’ weight, metabolism and eating habits may affect effectiveness and safety. Ingredient management is important when cooking with cannabis for proper dosage. Please consume responsibly and check with your doctor before consumption to make sure that it is safe to do so.

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CARAMEL APPLES by Aunt Sandy

2 cups sugar 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 cup infused canna butter t 1 cup milk 1 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 8 apples of your choosing (we prefer Granny Smith Apples) Optional: Nuts, sprinkles, infused-melted chocolate for drizzling, etc.

Preparation Combine all mixable ingredients, except vanilla, into a heavy 4-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 15 to 20 minutes or until butter is melted and mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking 25 to 30 minutes, or until candy thermometer reaches 244째. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract. Remove stem from each apple and press a craft stick or popsicle stick into the top. Butter a baking sheet. Roll each apple quickly in heated caramel sauce until well coated. Place on wax paper-lined sheet to set.

October 2015 // CULTURE

Chuck Shepherd's

News of the

Weird

LEAD STORY—PETS OF THE 1 PERCENT u “The worshipful treatment

of pets may be the thing that unites all Americans,” wrote an Atlantic Magazine blogger in July, describing the luxury terminal for animals under construction at New York’s JFK airport. The ARK will offer shower stalls for traveling horses, “conjugal stations” for ever-horny penguins, and housing for nearly 200 cows (that might produce 5,000 pounds of manure every day)— and passengers traveling with dogs or cats can book the Paradise 4 Paws pet-pampering resort. The ARK is a for-profit venture; said one industry source, quoted in a July Crain’s New York Business report, “You hear stories about the crazy money that rich people spend on their (animals) ... they’re mostly true.”

GOVERNMENT IN ACTION u Officially, now, it is

“unreasonable” for a federal agency (the Bureau of Land Management, in this instance) to fail to say yes or no for 29 years to a drilling permit application. (Before July’s federal court

CULTURE // October 2015

decision, BLM had been arguing that 29 years was not too long). A company had requested to drill just one exploratory well in Montana for natural gas in 1985, but the bureau had delayed the proceeding six times since then. The judge ordered the bureau to set a deadline for deciding.

u Georgia, one of six states that make taxpayers shell out huge fees to access its databases of public records, tries so relentlessly to control its archive that, recently, in a federal lawsuit, it said opposition to its policy was basically “terrorism.” Activists (Public.Resource. org) have been establishing workarounds to free up some databases for citizen use, and Georgia demands that they stop. Georgia even claims “copyright” protection for one category of important legal documents that were initially drafted by state bureaucrats, audaciously calling them “original” and “creative” works. u Mandatory Inaction: In July, the mayor of the town of Ador, Spain (pop. 1,400), officially enacted into law what had merely been custom—a required

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October 2015 // CULTURE