Culture Magazine Washington October 2015

Page 1


2

CULTURE // October 2015

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

3


4

CULTURE // October 2015

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

5


C

Contents october 2015

18

44

38 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. 62

64

Feature 44

ON THE COVER: Photo by David Seaver

8 . Letter from the Editor

NEWS

. BON APPÉTIT

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

54 . NEW PSYCHEDELIC ART

The work of artist David Brody is vibrant, geometric and hallucinogenic.

12 . News Nuggets 15 . By the Numbers 18 . Honoring the Death of Larry Harvey 22 . legal corner

Departments 60 . Growing Culture 62 . Destination Unknown 63 . Profiles in Courage 64 . Recipes 66 . let’s do this 68 . News of the Weird

reviews

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

26 . Access point highlight

56 . BACK IN TIME

Ayron Jones and the Way will transport you to an era when making music was simple.

28 . strain & edible

28

ReviewS 32 . Cool Stuff

34 . Entertainment Reviews

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

32

34

GET YOUR CLICK HERE SEE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE

6

CULTURE // October 2015

WEB Exclusive!

www.iReadCulture.com

VISIT US AT

Look out for these icons to find out what website-only extras you’re missing out on!

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

7


Vol 7 IssUE 4

letter from the editor

/freeculturemag

/ireadculture

/ireadculture

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

Food is

Editorial coordinators Victoria Banegas, Jamie Durante

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

8

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 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, Rick Thompson 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, Chris Thatcher, Paulina Porter-Tapia, 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 Interns Brahim Gousse Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes 25,000 magazines at over 600 locations throughout Washington. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 815 1st Ave | #220 Seattle | Washington | 98104 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.

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

9


10

CULTURE // October 2015

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

11


C NEWS NUGGETS

____________________________

State First tribal cannabis pact signed by Suquamish tribe

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and Native American Suquamish Tribe have signed the United State’s very first cannabis deal. Referred to as, the Marijuana Compact Between the Suquamish Tribe and The State of Washington, or Compact for short, this agreement allows for the special regulation of the production, processing, purchase and sale of cannabis on Suquamish land for 10 years, according to KOMO News. The Compact defines a special tribal tax that acts similarly to the statewide excise tax, and will be applied to non-tribal customers who purchase cannabis on the tribe’s property. “Our Tribe always favors a collaborative and cooperative approach. We believe that our relationship with the State, including this Compact, will best serve and protect our tribal community, surrounding neighbors and residents of the state,” stated Suquamish Tribal Chairman, Leonard Forsman. The Compact will move to Governor Jay Inslee’s desk for approval.

First cannabis access point opens in Walla Walla

The city of Walla Walla is slowly allowing cannabis businesses in the area, and has welcomed its very first access point, the Walla Walla Cannabis Company. According to owner Amber Cole, it’s taken over two years of planning to get to the point of

12

CULTURE // October 2015

operation. “It’s kind of historic. Not only to have cannabis legal in Washington state, but to be the first cannabis store to be open in Walla Walla,” said Cole. The city is allowing a total of two access points, the second of which is reported to be nearing its own grand opening soon. The city council’s extensive discussion on allowing cannabis businesses, which led to the cannabis ordinance, is also currently considering the allowance of two cannabis growers interested in opening up shop in Walla Walla.

____________________________

Nation

Currently in Arizona, it is legal for outof-state patients to possess cannabis, 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.

Early Cannabis Sales Begin in Oregon

The early retail sale of cannabis became official on October 1, as per the state’s approval of Senate Bill 460. Measure 91 made recreational cannabis legal in July, however the measure also gives the Oregon Liquor Control Commission until January 1, 2016 to implement cannabis regulation across the board, for production, processing, and commercial state. As a result, the state has agreed to allow any existing medical cannabis dispensaries to sell cannabis after October 1 as an attempt to keep black market sales from rising. As an added bonus, from now until the end of the year, all recreational cannabis sales will be tax-free.

____________________________

World Colombia decriminalizes up to 20 cannabis plants Out-of-state patients can now buy medical cannabis in Las Vegas and Reno

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.

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 VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

13


14

CULTURE // October 2015

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


C

+

by the numb3rs

83

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that Washington has made from cannabis excise taxes since recreational sales first began: 83 (Source: The Huffington Post)

13

The percentage of Liquor and Cannabis Board reports that were a result of license inspections between September 2014 and this summer: 13 (Source: Ganjapreneur.com)

50 The amount of money that details the the highest percapita cannabis sales for Klickitat County: 65.80 (Source: The Oregonian)

17

The number of pages that compile the inaugural report of I-502 implementation, which was released in September: 50 (Source: The Oregonian)

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that King County sold in recreational cannabis over the past year: 48.1 (Source: Washington State Institute for Public Policy)

48.1

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)

2

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

200

Coalition for Cannabis Meeting There’s no better way to advocate for cannabis on a local level than to jump into the fray with fellow supporters. The Coalition for Cannabis Standards & Ethics (CCSE) meets twice a month, on every second and fourth Thursday, to work on putting its goals into action. The nonprofit organization aims to obtain safe and compliant access for qualifying patients in the industry. With a detailed list of duties to consumers, the public and themselves, the CCSE is steadfast in growing its numbers and accomplishing its many goals. Entrance to the meetings is $5 for those who aren’t already members, but before that sways your decision, know that the money is being put towards providing the most up-to-date information and resources.

IF YOU GO

What: Coalition for Cannabis Standards & Ethics Meeting. When/Where: Thurs, Oct. 22. Noon to 1:30pm. Swedish Cultural Center, 1920 Dexter Ave. North, Seattle. Info: Visit www.ccsewa. org for details.

October 2015 // CULTURE

15


16

CULTURE // October 2015

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

17


C

Remembering A Legend

Larry Harvey, Cannabis Champion

L by Emily Manke

Larry Harvey lived a remarkable life. Famous for winning the fight against the Feds in the Kettle Falls Five case, Harvey was a well-known cannabis advocate in Washington State. Harvey passed away at the Providence Mt. Carmel Hospital in Colville, Washington on August 20, 2015. After a 2012 raid, Harvey was faced with 10 years in prison simply for growing his medicine. Harvey managed to avoid federal charges against all odds. Seven months ago, with the trial still underway, Harvey was diagnosed with fatal pancreatic cancer. The Feds decided to drop all charges soon after. Harvey’s family spoke about his victory in a statement they released following his passing. “Larry will be remembered as a fighter until the bitter end. He fearlessly confronted the federal government head on and beat the Department of Justice, against all odds. In a so-called justice system where less than two-percent of defendants walk free, Larry was able to leave the federal courthouse with his head held high after the U.S. Attorney dropped all charges against him.” In addition to avoiding the legal battle, Harvey got some more good news, “the Feds were forced to return his beloved motorcycle, confiscated in the 2012 raid of Larry’s family home.” In 2012, Harvey along with his wife, son and daughter-in-law and a friend, grew 25 more medical cannabis plants than was allowed by state law. Even though the charge for going over the number of medical cannabis plants in Washington is minor, the federal government performed two raids on Harvey’s farm. Perhaps this overzealousness on behalf of the federal government is the same reason they

18

CULTURE // October 2015

eventually decided to back off. Even though Harvey got off on all charges, the other four did receive charges. Harvey’s wife, son and daughterin-law were found not guilty for the majority of charges against them, but were found guilty for growing fewer than 100 cannabis plants. The friend of the family pleads guilty to conspiracy and was charged with 16 months in a federal prison. Since cannabis is still federally illegal, the fact that it’s legal in Washington was irrelevant to their cases. Despite the legal headache, Harvey managed to enjoy his final days on Earth. A free man, he was able to live life to the fullest, and he did. His family spoke of his joy-filled final days in the aforementioned statement. “Though cancer ultimately took Larry from us far too soon, his final months

on Earth were spent creating cherished memories with loved ones near and far. With terms of federal probation fully lifted, Larry took full advantage of traveling freely once again. The weeks prior to his death were spent with family in Yakutat, Alaska and earlier this summer, Larry was able to visit his mother in Sumas, Washington and go camping at Mudget Lake, one of his favorite spots. And he never missed the chance to take his motorcycle out for a spin.” In what sums up his passing more poignantly than a stranger ever could, his family closed their statement with some wisdom. “Larry will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know him. Friends and family are finding solace in the remarkable legacy that he’s left behind.” c VISIT US AT iReadCulture.com kettlefallsfive.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

19


20

CULTURE // October 2015

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

21


C

by Hilary Bricken

r e n r o c l a g e l

What to Know About Unlawful Container

A

number of Washington cities and counties are moving to shutter medical cannabis access points and collective gardens as the July 1, 2016 drop dead date set forth in Senate Bill 5052 approaches. So far, King County, Pierce County, Tacoma and Seattle have all moved to close access points and collective gardens that are not in “strict compliance” with RCW 69.51A. Needless to say, this is impacting medical cannabis landlords and tenants. Commercial landlords are issuing notices of eviction and filing for unlawful detainers by the bucket-loads against their medical cannabis business tenants. Landlords allege that their tenants breached the lease by engaging in “illegal activity.” The landlords seeking evictions are following in the footsteps of local government shut downs due to the “illegality” of medical cannabis activity and seek to terminate their leases to avoid municipal heat and any resulting liability.

22

CULTURE // October 2015

But what if the landlord and the tenant agreed in their lease to accommodate medical cannabis activity? What if an addendum to the lease specifically allows for retail sales of medical cannabis? What if a medical cannabis tenant has operated as an access point or collective garden at a given location for a number of years before local government attempts to close them? If any of these are the case, the eviction and unlawful detainer actions are not slam dunks by any means. Unlawful detainer for a commercial tenant is controlled by RCW 59.12. The grounds and notice requirements for unlawful detainer are contained in RCW 59.12.030. Once a landlord serves a tenant with a notice of eviction and the tenant fails to vacate, the landlord can file a complaint for unlawful detainer and request a show cause hearing in front of a court commissioner. At the show cause hearing, the landlord and tenant present their sides of the story as to why the tenant should or should not be evicted. If there is at least one material fact in

dispute at the show cause hearing, the court will deny an immediate eviction and set the matter for trial. Unlawful detainer actions usually arise from a tenant’s failure to pay rent and those cases tend to be cut and dry. Rarely does an unlawful detainer proceeding concern and breach of lease allegation due to illegal activity, and rarer still are unlawful detainers in the commercial medical cannabis context. When considering unlawful detainer in the wake of recent local government action relating to cannabis, landlords and tenants should consider the following issues and legal concepts: the legality of medical cannabis, waiver, equitable estoppel, unclean hands, illegal contract and cure. If you are issuing or are in receipt of a complaint for unlawful detainer, you must be sure to act quickly because these actions involve various hard and fast timelines governed by statute. Most importantly, you should gear up to face a whole host of complicated issues arising from Washington state’s convoluted cannabis laws. c VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

23


24

CULTURE // October 2015

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

25


Access Point HIGHLIGHT

Greenside Recreational Interviewed: Rik Hoeflinger (Marketing Manager) 23407 Pacific Hwy. S., Des Moines, 98198 | greensiderec.com How and when did your access point start up? The recreational shop has been in business for one year, this October. What does your access point offer patients that they can’t find anywhere else? Greenside offers its client the largest selection and the most vendor products to the public. We consider ourselves the warehouse of cannabis products, not your mom and pop store, along with a friendly and informative staff providing the client with the most helpful and welcoming experience. How has the cannabis industry in Washington changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go? Prices are going down. The client demographics are much broader. Everything is becoming more mainstream— everything has much more ease of access and a much larger selection of strains, along with your cornerstone old school strains.

the cost of the medical and black markets. Joys—when someone who hasn’t smoked in 20 years is so excited to be in the store and thanking us for having a location like this for them to visit. What is the one thing you want patients to know about your access point? Greenside is going to be around for a long time. Our number one goal is to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable when they visit our store. If someone wanted to open an access point and

get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them? Do the research, and know what you are getting yourself into. If you do come into the industry, you will need to be equipped with experience and knowledge in order to thrive and be successful. What is the most important thing you hope to accomplish while in the MJ/ MMJ community? We hope to have multiple locations to provide the quality products, service and education that our clients deserve. c

Top-Selling Strain: Noble Blueberry Top-Selling Concentrate: Omega Top-Selling Edible: Zoot Rocks Lemongrass

What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as an access point? . . . Biggest joys? Challenges—having the cost of recreational products matching

26

CULTURE // October 2015

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

27


STRAIN + edible Tahoe OG

Dense, pungent and large, these buds make their impression the first time you see them. It’s rare to see a flower with such prominent red hairs, flowing out of the crystal-packed leafs. A piney and earthy, forest-like aroma and flavor make this bud a delight to consume. This was rolled into joints, and smoked via a water pipe, both methods are recommended, though the water pipe does allow you to savor the flavor a bit more. Though this strain is a hybrid, it’s particularly strong and doesn’t lend itself to going out. Better to reserve this flower for a day off, or a night in.

Available AT: Green solution collective & lounge in Puyallup.

Available AT: Seattle Quality Collective in Seattle.

Black Cherry Soda

This indica is dreamy and potent. The crystal-packed nugs have a fruity smell, and a pinkish purplish tint at the base of the leafs that make it attractive even before consumption. Upon smoking, we used a water pipe; the flavor was earthy, sweet and fruity, living up to the strain’s name. The effect was intense, immediate and long lasting—a true indica. Definitely geared towards relaxation and pain relief, not great for daytime use, if you have to work. Upon smoking, a neck cramp that had been bothering us was relieved almost instantly. Available AT: trees collective in seatlle

Organic Grapefruit

This bud is clean green certified and you can definitely tell when you consume it. Clean-burning and tasting, this tangy, sweet, grape-fruity flower was a treat. Fuzzy with crystals and various shades of green, this flower was as pretty as it was tasty. Perhaps that’s why it was voted number one at the Northwest Cannabis Classic. A hybrid, Grapefruit delivers an effect that tends to be more on the sativa end, happy, energetic and relaxed. It’s the perfect flower to consume before an anxiety-inducing social gathering or outing. It’s not going to incapacitate you, just help you calm down and enjoy yourself.

Crackles Peanut Butter and Chocolate Crackles

Admittedly, when we first glanced at the package of this little doozy, we did a double take—400mg in one average-sized bar? We knew we’d have to be careful, and we were. The flavor on this bar was phenomenal. Not too sweet and nice and salty, the savory element complimented the cannabis flavor, while the chocolate added its own earthy-sweet element. At least for us, the impact of this bar was fairly fast-acting for an edible. So while it was powerful, as one would expect with the dosage, it didn’t leave you with the day-after fog that some powerful edibles can have. It’s the perfect treat to cover your salty, sweet and cannabis cravings!

28

CULTURE // October 2015

Available AT: woodinville alternative medicine in woodinville.

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

29


30

CULTURE // October 2015

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

31


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: $24.95 MORE INFORMATION: thatinventions.com

GET YOUR CLICK HERE

www.iReadCulture.com

Personal Butter Churner

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

32

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.

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

33


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

“Intimate Impressionism”

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!

Ad Infinitum Telekinesis Merge Records

Since 2009, Michael Benjamin Lerner has been writing and recording beautiful, poppy, textural indie rock under the name Telekinesis. The tunes on the new release, Ad Infinitum, still retain the pop characteristics which marked all of Lerner’s previous releases, and the synths allow the Lerner the ability to focus even more on textures and tones. Ad Infinitum shows off a great deal of growth in just a two-year break between albums, as well as a new, interesting and fresh direction for the band. (Simon Weedn)

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)

34

CULTURE // October 2015

+

The Seattle Art Museum’s newest exhibit, “Intimate Impressionism” from the National Gallery of Art originally hails from Washington D.C. Thanks to a recent tour of the collection, Seattleites can now experience over 68 paintings by impressionist and post-impressionist masters of the past. Artists such as Edouard Manet, Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Pierre Bonnard, Edouard Vuillard, Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh, among others, will decorate the halls for a limited time. Never before has this collection gone on tour, and its trip outside of the National Gallery of Art is thanks to the recent renovation at its original viewing place.

IF YOU GO

What: “Intimate Impressionism From the National Gallery of Art” exhibit. When/Where: On view through Jan. 10, 2016. Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave., Seattle. Info: Visit www. seattleartmuseum.org for details.

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

35




I

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

38

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

iReadCulture.com


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

October 2015 // CULTURE

39


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

40

CULTURE // October 2015

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. >>

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

41


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.

42

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

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

43


44

CULTURE // October 2015

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

45


Edibles Issue

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

46

I

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

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


much, they may get very disoriented resulting in an emergency room visit. These visits often serve more to assuage adult fears than 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 than 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 one 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

47


Canna-

Edibles Issue

Beverages Catching Our Attention and Quenching Our Thirst By Addison Herron-Wheeler

The growing edibles market within the cannabis industry is becoming not only a highly sought after arena, but an innovative cesspool of expert invention with a high-end culinary edge. One of the most enjoyable trends right now is the appearance of infused beverages. These refreshing treats are tasty, lower in calories than eating sweet treats, and easy to treat as medication, or use as a replacement to an alcoholic beverage. Here are just a few of the cannabis drinks that are getting some national attention.

Wana Drink Mixes A really new and exciting way to medicate and relax with cannabis drinks is to use powders and drink mixes instead of purchasing something in a bottle. Wana Drink Mixes offer options for both the cool and hot weather. Wana Hot Cocoa can be mixed with warm milk or hot water for a deliciously decadent winter treat. It is gluten free, and you can sub soy or almond milk to meet with dietary requirements. The packets also come in 200mg doses–that’s some strong cocoa! If that amount is too much, you can break up the contents of a packet and save half of it for later. For summer months, or if you just prefer something cold and fruity, 50mg Wana Drink Mixes come in flavors like lemonade and tropical punch. These can be mixed with cold water in order to dose up and get refreshed on the go.

Chai High For those who prefer coffee and tea to the fruity or soda-inspired drinks, there is Chai High, by Solace Meds. This tasty treat comes in 12oz bottles, and is 100 percent naturally brewed. The drinks are infused with a blend of organic indica and sativa buds, and the flavor is sweet and milky, and a bit like a “dirty chai,” chai with espresso in it. It contains 316 cannabinoids, and is perfect for if you are feeling under the weather and want a sweet, comfort drink with a little pick-me-up, or as a study aid for pulling an all-nighter, due to the small amount of caffeine found in the drink as well. Plus, the name is a catchy pun, and the big drink size gets you a lot of bang for your buck.

48

CULTURE // October 2015

CannaPunch This drink is one that is making serious headlines in the world of edibles reviews, and it is also sold in almost any dispensary that carries infused products. The kicker with CannaPunch is that this drink is not a soda–it’s a punch-like beverage infused with fruity goodness, like pineapple, black cherry, and watermelon. These beverages are super tasty, and range from 30 to 100 and 200mg of THC. If you’re a lightweight, here’s a tip–try putting a shot or two of CannaPunch in sparkling water for a delicious and refreshing beverage.

Dixie Elixirs This Colorado-based brand of delicious beverages is also one of the best if you want to drink your cannabis. With flavors like Wild Berry Lemonade and Sparkling Blueberry, these concoctions are so delicious that your biggest problem will be trying to drink just a few sips and not dosing too heavily. Their most popular drink series is a line of 90mg beverages that are just perfect for a relaxing afternoon or a day when you need to medicate for pain. They also make “Dew Drops” which you can add to other drinks in order to make them tasty, and laced with a little bit of THC goodness.

Canna Cola Sodas For those who prefer straightforward sodas, Canna Cola offers some great options for you. They of course have their classic cola flavor, and they also offer such creative name puns as Orange Kush, Sour diesel for sour apple, Grape Ape, and Doc Weed instead of Dr. Pepper. Each bottle offers up 12oz of tasty goodness. The downside? They don’t list their THC content, and the product is a bit hard to come by. Still, as one of the first ever cannabis colas, it certainly deserves some attention.

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

49


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.

50

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.

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

51


* 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.

52

CULTURE // October 2015

*

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

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

53


When and how did you get started as an artist? Like most kids, I drew when I was young. I just never stopped. Where are you from? Born in New York City. Spent most of my life on the East Coast. Came out here in 1996 to take a job as a professor of painting at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Exploring Altered States

Seattle’s David Brody’s art is surreal and psychedelic by Emily Manke Seattle is a city brimming with artists. So, in order to standout and make a name for yourself, you have to be different. And David Brody has managed to do just that. The professor of Painting and Drawing at University of Washington has been making his mark on the Seattle art scene for the better part of the last two decades. It seems like Brody’s trippy work is a perfect fit for Seattle’s psychedelic scene. The timeline of Brody’s work tells the story of his evolution as an artist. On Brody’s site, his work is separated into time periods. From 1985-1994, Brody’s work is brightly colored and surreal. With human and non-human subjects, in sometimes dreamlike scenarios found throughout

54

CULTURE // October 2015

the work. Next, from 1995- 2006, Brody’s work began to really take shape, the realism element becoming finely tuned. It seems that this era begins with work that draws inevitable comparisons to Salvador Dalí. During this time period, Brody took his profound eye for color and detail and applied it to portraits of various female subjects and even body parts. His most recent body of work took a somewhat sharp turn. Instead of realism with human subjects, the new work plays with shapes and patterns in a style with an almost textile-like, tangible feel. The geometric, vibrant nature of the work could certainly be described as hallucinogenic. The man behind the brilliant work was kind enough to answer some questions for CULTURE.

Which artists have influenced your work? So many. Everything from European cave paintings, to Attic ceramics, to Song Dynasty Chinese scroll paintings, to all the greats of the western canon, to contemporary cartoonists and animators. Which artists have you been inspired by, that you believe may have been inspired by cannabis, or whose art is psychedelic in some way? I don’t know about what’s been inspired by cannabis specifically, but there is a lot of great surrealistic and psychedelic art and animation. Rene Magritte’s work often has a dreamlike hallucinatory quality. Some artists, like Peter Saul and Ed Paschke come to mind, too. And R. Crumb’s a great draftsman who’s done a lot of work that reflects on psychedelic drug culture. c

VISIT US AT iReadCulture.com www.davidbrodyart.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

55


Life is Better

with Blues An exclusive interview with Ayron Jones and the Way by Emily Manke To see Ayron Jones and the Way live, is to be transported to another musical time. A time when young men spent hours learning to shred guitar, instead of playing Guitar Hero. I was able to experience this phenomenon personally when Ayron Jones and the Way played in Bellingham this summer. The band headlined at Downtown Sounds, a series of outdoor shows in downtown Bellingham held every Wednesday in July. Ayron Jones and the Way electrified the stage with their version of rock, blues, soul and magic. Captivating the crowd with their classic-sounding tracks like “Feedin’ from the Devil’s Hand” and “My Love Remains,” the audience hanging on tight to their impeccably

56

CULTURE // October 2015

rehearsed, soulful sound. Jones even crowdsurfed with his guitar in hand. If there was anyone in the crowd that wasn’t an Ayron Jones and the Way fan to begin with, they were almost certainly converted. Ayron Jones and the Way got the most out of their PNW touring season. With shows all over the Washington, from Sasquatch! back in May, closing out opening for blues legend Walter Trout in Burlington October 10. It’s a wonder the band finds time to sleep, let alone do interviews. But Ayron is apparently a master of time-management, in addition to guitar and vocals. Because he was able to take time to speak with CULTURE, so enjoy. >> VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

57


Photo by Eric Creitz

Where are you guys all from? I’m from Seattle, DeAndre is from Seattle and Kai is from Portland.

How has the “stoner” culture of the Pacific Northwest impacted your sound, and even your creative process? It’s actually impacted it greatly. You know, I’m kind of scatterbrained at times, and my mind goes a mile a minute sometimes and I talk really fast. I don’t really have the longest attention span for things. So smoking has really helped to slow me down, and let me process my mind and my thoughts. And then take those, and interpret them, and go and put them down on paper in a way that people can understand. I really think smoking weed is a communal thing. And it’s a thing that makes people connect more, so right after I smoke is a great time to write to people, for people. Ya know?

Which artists have influenced your sound, both growing up, and more recently? Well I grew up in Seattle’s Central District. It’s the same neighborhood that produced artists like Quincy Jones, Kenny G, Ray Charles and Jimmy Hendrix, who have all influenced me. But also Michael Jackson, grunge bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. They all directly affected the way I heard, played, and wrote music. And for more current artists, there’s nobody super current right now. But the Jonny Lang’s and Kenny Wayne Shephard’s—those cats were very influential as well with what they were doing. And I kinda see myself as taking something they started, and touching on it, and taking it to another level.

What is your favorite artist to listen to while using cannabis? Oh goodness, it kinda depends what I’m in the mood for. My life’s pretty chaotic. I’m around loud music, and people all the time. So when I’m at home, I like it peaceful because it’s my time to rejuvenate and rest. So I’m really into British female solo singers, like Adele, Amy Winehouse, Duffy. So those are the artists that I like listening to when I’m chilling. But when I’m in more of a rock mood, I might listen to Fishbone, I may listen to some Nirvana. Maybe some Jimmy Hendrix. Or Gary Clark, Jr. is another fun one. If I’m in the mood for some jazz, maybe some Ray Charles. c

Photo by Eric Creitz

When and how did Ayron Jones and the Way get started? Ayron Jones: Ayron Jones and the Way has been around for plenty of time. Our start was back in 2010, when we got together and started working at this bar, and they decided to give us a weekly show there. So we kind of started to establish ourselves there. Then we made the decision to start jumping on different stages and start establishing ourselves as a real, you know, “act.”

www.ajandtheway.com

58

CULTURE // October 2015

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

59


by Ed Rosenthal

growing culture

EXPERIMENTING WITH

E

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

I

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.

60

CULTURE // October 2015

1 The plants receiving additional light from an induction fluorescent were mature September 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!

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

61


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.

3

62

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

Y

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

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


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

63


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.

64

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.

t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


SEE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE

Local eateries with similar dishes Theo Chocolate 3400 Phinney Ave., Seattle (206) 632-5100 www.theochocolate.com

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.

Bakery Nouveau 1435 E John St., Seattle (206) 858-6957 www.bakerynouveau.com Latin Country Cider Mill 9402 Rich Rd. SE, Olympia (360) 491-7328 www.lattinscider.com

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

65


event listings

LET’S

DO THIS

Freaky 5K Zombie Run, Oct. 17

Beer in the Barn Craft Beer Festival, Oct. 10

featured event

There’s no better way to celebrate Halloween than while wearing the garb of a terrifying, fictional zombie. Get dressed up, and run your heart out with the added wheezing and gargling noises that zombies typically make. Federal Way Community Center, Federal Way itallhappenshere.org

Celebrate the month of beer (aka Oktoberfest) with over 20 craft breweries that have created well over 40 different beers. Use libations to wash down some good food while getting lost in a corn maze, too. Thomas Family Farm, Snohomish www.beerinthebarn.com

Women who are fascinated with science, technology, arts and literature, comics and game design are invited to meet like-minded individuals who want to celebrate their interests. P.S. Men are welcome too. Seattle Convention Center, Seattle www.wscc.com

Seattle South Asian Film Festival, Oct. 15-25 This festival celebrates its 10th year with unique indie films from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It’s one of the longest and largest South Asian film festivals. Explore topics like women’s issues, human rights, LGBT issues and much more. Various Locations, Seattle www.ssaff.tasveer.org

66

CULTURE // October 2015

alt-J, Oct. 18

English band alt-J has got all of the indie rock that your heart desires. Although, if you need some persuading, alt-J has won numerous awards, and one of its hit singles was featured on the video game, Life Is Strange. KeyArena, Seattle www.keyarena.com

Seattle Restaurant Week, Oct. 18-22, 25-29

Over 165 different restaurants are celebrating food by offering unique price discounts to bring in new customers. Pick a few worthwhile restaurants to support, and try their wares to discover local culinary gems near you. Various locations, Seattle seattlerestaurantweeke.com

Photo by Dan Santoni

GeekGirlCon, Oct. 10-11

Margaret Cho, Oct. 24

We here at CULTURE love all of our cover features, but we’ve adored the infamous Margaret Cho since we interviewed her years ago. She’s hilarious, outrageous and the perfect dose of comedy! Moore Theatre, Seattle www.stgpresents.org/moore

Florence and the Machine, Oct. 27

The Londoners who make up Florence and the Machine have a knack for mixing up genres. The band has been known to employ a rich mix between rock and soul, leaving listeners enthralled and thirsty for more. KeyArena, Seattle www.keyarena.com VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

67


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

68

CULTURE // October 2015

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 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 afternoon siesta from 2 to 5 p.m. Businesses were ordered to close, and children were to

remain indoors (and quiet).

POLICE REPORT u At a traffic stop in

Rockingham, Vermont, on July 26, both driver and passenger were charged with DUI. Erik Polite, 35, was the driver (clocked at 106 mph on Interstate 91 and, according to police, with drugs in the car), and while he was being screened for intoxication, passenger Leeshawn Baker, 34, jumped behind the wheel and peeled off in reverse across the highway, nearly hitting the trooper, who arrested him.

u Nathaniel Harrison, 38, was arrested in July in a Phoenix suburb on several charges, including possession of a deadly weapon during a felony, but he escaped an even more serious charge when a second “deadly weapon” failed to engage. Harrison reportedly intended to retaliate against a “snitch” and arrived at the man’s home carrying a rattlesnake, which he supposedly pointed at the man, hoping it would bite him.

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


However, the snake balked, and Harrison’s attempted payback failed.

u Lame Defenses in Lake County, Florida: (1) Daniel Baker, 40, and Robert Richardson, 19, were arrested in Altoona, Florida, in August after getting caught loading appliances from a vacant house. According to the arrest report, both men appeared incredulous to learn that items in a vacant house aren’t just “free.” (2) Six days earlier about 20 miles away in Tavares, Florida, Corey Ramsey, 23, was arrested for burglary when a police officer caught him sitting on a toilet in a vacant, for-sale house attending to a need. Ramsey’s extensive petty-crime rap sheet belied his explanation for being there— that he was contemplating buying the $299,000 house and wanted to try it out first. STILL MORE “INTELLIGENT DESIGN”? u Zoologists at the University

of Basel in Switzerland, publishing recently in a

prestigious British journal, reported the likelihood that a certain flatworm species has overcome the frustration of not finding a mating partner in its lifetime. The scientists believe the flatworm exploits its hermaphroditic qualities and injects its sperm into its own head, from which the sperm sometimes migrates to its reproductive facilities. (Flatworm researchers are aided on their projects by the species’ transparent bodies, facilitating the tracking of the sperm).

PROTEST! u About 200 protesters

gathered in front of Hong Kong police headquarters on August 2 to denounce the 3 1/2-month jail sentence given to Ms. Ng Lai-ying, 30, who was convicted of assault for shoving a police officer with her chest. Women (and some men) wearing bras as outerwear chanted, “Breast is not a weapon.” (Ng was originally protesting the hardly sexy issue of import-export abuses between Hong Kong and mainland China cities).

October 2015 // CULTURE

69


alleged drug dealer Dwaine Campbell, 25, adamantly refused to leave his cell for a court hearing because he feared being judged in Welsh—until authorities promised to transfer the case to Campbell’s native England).

UPDATE u Despite repeated

assurances by Olympic officials, it appears more certain than ever that 2016 boating and surfing events in Brazil’s Guanabara Bay and Rodrigo de Freitas Lake will be conducted in water so polluted with human sewage that every athlete will almost certainly be struck with fever, vomiting and diarrhea. An August Associated Press report revealed the waters’ virus levels (of fecal coliform and other viruses) are as high as 2 million times the level that would close down a California beach. (Olympic and local officials continue to insist that the water will be safe by next summer, but, as the AP pointed out, their protocols test only for bacteria and not viruses. One U.S. water-quality expert advised all athletes to move to Rio ahead of the games—to try to build up an immunity).

NEWS OF THE WEIRD CLASSIC (MAY 2010) u In mid-April (2010), senior

Iranian cleric Ayatollah Kazem Sedighi warned that recent earthquakes in Haiti, Chile and elsewhere were caused by women’s loose sex and immodest dress. Immediately, Australian Jennifer McCreight

70

CULTURE // October 2015

responded on Facebook by urging women worldwide to dress provocatively on April 26 (2010), to create a “boobquake” and test the cleric’s theory, and at least 90,000 women promised they would reveal serious cleavage on that date. On April 26, following a several-day absence of earthquakes, a quake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale hit just south of Taiwan. (Slight advantage to the ayatollah, since a Purdue University seismologist observed that a 6.5 quake was not uncommon for that region).

CECIL SPEAKS u The distress across the

Western world in July over the big-game killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe was apparently misdirected, according to veteran “animal communicator” Karen Anderson of Elk, Washington, who told Facebook and Internet visitors (www. AnimalCommunicating. com) that Cecil and she had discussed his demise and that he was over it. Also, Cecil apparently speaks in formal, graceful English, as Anderson quoted him (according to London’s The Independent): “Let not the actions of these few men defeat us,” said Cecil, “or allow darkness to enter our hearts.” “I am,” he added, “grander than before as no one can take our purity, our truth or our soul.” (Anderson’s usual fee to speak with deceased pets is $75 for 15 minutes, but she did not disclose whether she had a client for Cecil’s tab).

VISIT US AT

iReadCulture.com


October 2015 // CULTURE

71



Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.