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contents 10.2019
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BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON
Award-winning comedian Josh Blue has reached a pivotal level of success by embracing his cerebral palsy while crafting hilarious stand-up routines and sweet cannabis-infused treats. ON THE COVER:
PHOTO BY JOEL MEADERS
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The Latest Frontier Cannabis edibles continue to evolve, offering consumers new ways to consume healthy, lowcalorie and no-calorie options.
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Rich Reading Author Robyn Griggs Lawrence uncovers the fascinating, long history of edible cannabis in her latest book, Pots in Pans.
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Industry Insider Rachel King, pastry chef and co-founder of Kaneh Co., creates a variety of sweet edibles that are both potent and consistent.
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Earthly Rituals Influencer Gabriela Herstik explores the intersection of glamour, sexuality, witchcraft and cannabis.
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Funky Town Listen to Lettuce for a healthy dose of good ol’ American funk.
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departments news
10 News Nuggets 14 By the Numbers 16 Local News 18 Healthy Living reviews 20 Strain & Edible Reviews 24 Cool Stuff 26 Entertainment Reviews in every issue 54 À La Carte 58 Growing Culture 60 Colorado Now! 62 News of the Weird
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Online Exclusive! d University Cannabis Consumption Increases d Spooky Strains for Halloween
VOL 11 ISSUE 4
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jamie Solis ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ashley Kern EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Benjamin Adams EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Matthew Abel, Hilary Bricken, Devon Alexander Brown, Jacob Cannon, Alex Distefano, David Edmundson, Caroline Hayes, Carl Kozlowski, Alison Malsbury, Kiara Manns, Madison Ortiz, Denise Pollicella, Nicole Potter, R. Scott Rappold, Ed Rosenthal, Lanny Swerdlow, Simon Weedn, Laurie Wolf PHOTOGRAPHERS Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Mike Rosati, Eric Stoner, Bruce Wolf ART DIRECTOR Steven Myrdahl PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Aguirre REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Kim Cook ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Angie Callahan, Casey Roel OFFICE MANAGER Mikayla Aguilar
CULTURE® Magazine is published every month and distributes magazines at over 1,400 locations throughout Colorado. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. CULTURE® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.
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CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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OCTOBER 2019
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NEWS
NUGGETS
Denver’s Nathaniel Rateliff Collaborates for Cannabis Line WILLIE’S RESERVETM, the signature cannabis brand of singer-songwriter Willie Nelson, announced its collaboration with the popular Americana-style folk band, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. The company is set to release 500mg Cherry AK distillate cartridges from the new Nightstache Collection, which will be sold exclusively in Denver’s LivWell dispensaries. The Cherry AK will be cultivated at AJ’s Craft Cannabis farm in Pueblo County, one of 11 Colorado outdoor cannabis farms that grow flower for Nelson’s brand. Based in
New Social Equity Cannabis Legislation Moves Forward In order to add more diversity to the industry, new social equity cannabis business licenses for low-income groups were worked into the new Senate Bill 224. According to the bill’s outline, those who are applying must come from designated lowincome areas, deemed so by the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade, and applicants must have been in that bracket for at least five of the last 10 years. The point is to offer entrepreneurial opportunities to those who many not have the 10
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Denver himself, Rateliff announced the collaboration in a recent press release. “We are grateful to WILLIE’S RESERVETM and their vetted network of cannabis farmers in each state, and we respect the brand’s commitment to these growers— including the team at AJ’s Craft Cannabis in Boone, Colorado, where all of the flower for our initial vape cartridges is sourced,” Rateliff stated. “Our hope is that these cannabis products will provide enjoyment for many, as well as relief to those patients who need it most.”
financial backing once required. The state of Colorado is now trying to figure out how to distribute these new social equity cannabis business licenses for the 2020 launch. Under SB-224, in order to research and manufacture their cannabis products, new license holders will need to utilize existing cannabis companies’ facilities. Although there are restrictions on operating dispensaries, those who possess social equity licenses may cultivate, extract and manufacture infused products in the designated existing facility. During meetings on Sept. 13 and Sept. 20, industry stakeholders and state lawmakers began creating the framework for the agreements between the new license holders and the existing businesses, as well as how the state should weed through the companies that will host for the new licensees.
Officials Suspect Vitamin E Acetate as Culprit in Vaping Epidemic A joint investigation published on Sept. 12 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration points the finger at vitamin E oil, or tocopheryl acetate, as one of the compounds that may be linked to six deaths and the hospitalization of hundreds of people who vaped e-cigarettes or vape pens. “Most patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette products containing THC,” the CDC report reads. “Many patients have reported using THC and nicotine. Some have reported the use of e-cigarette products containing only nicotine.” Vitamin E acetate is used as a thickening agent by rogue vape manufacturers. Other common ingredients include propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, polyethylene glycol and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT oil). Even the terpene D-limonene is reported to be a dangerous solvent despite being organic, when it is added in unnatural quantities. Serious pulmonary illness can arise if unregulated or random ingredients are added haphazardly.
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The estimated number of medical cannabis patients currently registered in the state of Colorado: (Source: Westword)
87,000
The amount of money, in millions of dollars and common stock, that Colorado-based Medicine Man Technologies paid to purchase a local cannabis operator: (Source: Marijuana Business Daily)
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The percentage of cannabis products that claim to be THC-free but actually contain detectable levels of THC, according to Colorado-based lab Ellipse Analytics: (Source: Yahoo! Finance)
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The estimated increased percentage of cannabis-related automotive crashes in Colorado since recreational sales began: (Source: KDVR)
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The percentage of people living in Scotland who said that they support legalizing cannabis for adult consumption: (Source: The Times)
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The estimated amount of cannabis, in grams, that the Drug Enforcement Administration wants to be legally grown in the U.S. in 2020: (Source: Forbes)
3,200,000
The estimated number of acres of hemp that were licensed in the U.S. since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill: (Source: Vote Hemp)
511,442
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that Nevada-based cannabis businesses paid in excise taxes during the fiscal year 2019: (Source: FOX13)
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CBD Expo MOUNTAIN 2019 WHEN: Fri, Oct. 11-Sat, Oct. 12 WHERE: Hyatt Regency Denver, 650 15th St., Denver WEBSITE: cbdexpo.net Powered by the Cannabinoid Industry Association, CBD Expo MOUNTAIN 2019 is a celebration of one of cannabis’ most popular compounds. The CBD craze is making its way into the skincare and supplement industries, with drugstores still determining how to approach CBD products, now that the 2018 Farm Bill has passed. Speakers include Kurt Levy of Canopy Growth, Dr. John Mackay, Dr. Jenelle Kim, Dr. David 14
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Gordon and dozens of other industry leaders and experts in the medical field. Learn about the legal differences between hemp-derived CBD and cannabis-derived CBD. Brush up on some of the important legal updates at the federal level. A presentation on the lesser-known cannabinoids like CBC, CBN, CBG and others will also be discussed by a panel with several leading doctors and scientists.
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OCTOBER 2019
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NEWS
LOCAL
Hemp Protection
Colorado hemp farmers among those to be granted crop insurance
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By Caroline Hayes
emp farmers in select states will be eligible for insured crops thanks to a new crop protection program, announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Aug. 27. The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is working on finalizing the regulations for the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) program, which will go into effect in 2020. It will cover hemp grown for fiber, flower or seeds up to $8.5 million. Farmers in Colorado, Kentucky, Oregon and Tennessee who were enrolled in the 2014 university research pilot program or operated under Section 7606 will be the first to be eligible for the WFRP, explained a news release from the RMA. Other hemp farmers in the U.S. will have to wait until more developments regarding the 2018 Farm Bill roll out. “Numerous producers are anxious for a way to protect their hemp crops from natural disasters. The WFRP policy will provide a safety net for them,” RMA Administrator Martin Barbe said in the news release. “We expect to be able to offer additional hemp coverage options as USDA continues implementing the 2018 Farm Bill.” When Amendment 64 passed in Colorado in 2012, it loosened the grips on hemp production and allowed registered farms to cultivate hemp, but there was little control or regulation. The 2014 Farm Bill defined things a bit more for farmers and created the pilot program, which allocated more farm land for hemp farms in select states, Colorado included. The 2018 Farm Bill was a big step for hemp, because it essentially reclassified the non-psychoactive plant as a farmable crop and gave it an identity separate from cannabis. It monumentally legalized 16
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and regulated the growth and production of hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill categorized hemp as a standard crop rather than a federally illegal substance, but only as long as the crop tested below 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. All of these bills paved the way for the next and ultimately landing with the current development of the WFRP. It’s risky for farmers who operate without insurance, especially in Colorado where weather conditions can be severe year-round. Many of Colorado’s hemp farms are located in southern or eastern Colorado, where the lands are flat, dry and hot. With this comes extreme winds, rain, hail and even tornadoes. Chris Hammer, president of Hammer Enterprises LLC, operates hemp farms in Byers and Wiggins, which are located in eastern Colorado. Not one plant of his combined 1,110 acres of hemp has ever been insured, creating a lot of margin for nonreplaceable and nonrefundable errors. Luckily, this will all change as Hammer Enterprises will be eligible for WFRP in 2020. Hammer told CULTURE that his crops experienced major damage from hailstorms out on the plains. “Fortunately, a lot of the plants came back, but we still sustained major loss because of it,” he said. Hemp is a highly desired and helpful product these days. Its fibers are used to make paper, rope, clothing or housing materials. The seeds are nutritious and used in many foods. CBD, which can be extracted from hemp, has taken the nation by storm and can be found in everything from dog supplements to sparkling water. It’s no secret that there is a demand for hemp, and taking care of the farmers encourages the cultivators to grow the best possible product, with the most reliable methods. “Federal crop insurance will be helpful to hemp growers in the future, as hemp is affected by nature’s fury just like every other crop. We look forward to the day that crop insurance is offered to hemp farms just like any other agricultural commodity,” Hammer said. In the meantime, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is sorting out the details for a plan for the production of hemp and how to submit plans to farm hemp for state, territorial or tribal plans. An announcement in the Federal Register will post later this year. The RMA, Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service will announce details regarding assistance programs, farm loans, conservation and safety nets.
CHAMPS Colorado See the best glass pipes, waterpipes and dab rigs on the market crafted by some of the most creative and eclectic glass artists. Browse through an endless variety of merchandise and accessories that any discerning cannabis consumer should have in their possession. Jeff Hirschfeld and Peter Gage introduced CHAMPS Trade Shows 20 years ago, and the convention now takes place in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Denver. It’s one of the biggest cannabis trade shows around, with all types of merchandise on display. Stick around for the CHAMPS Glass Games™ which is a showdown between the best glassblowers. Attendees must be 18 or older as there are lots of smoking accessories on the floor. While entrance is free, attendees must bring two forms of ID. WHEN: Mon, Oct. 14-Tues, Oct. 15 WHERE: The Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver WEBSITE: champ stradeshows.com
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OCTOBER 2019
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NEWS
HEALTHY LIVING
The Science of Edibles Edibles interact with the human body differently than inhaling
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By Lanny Swerdlow, RN ven though the perceived effects of inhaled and ingested cannabis can feel so different from one another, it is how the body assimilates and incorporates THC and other cannabinoids found in cannabis that makes for the stark differences between inhaling and ingesting. There is no psychoactive THC found naturally in cannabis plants. What is actually found in the plant is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), which has no psychoactive properties. THCA contains a carboxyl molecule which, when removed by a process called decarboxylation, gives cannabis its famed psychotropic properties. With temperatures in excess of 350 degrees Fahrenheit, the elevated heat from smoking or vaping will instantly decarboxylate the THCA converting it into Delta-9-THC, the famously celebrated psychoactive cannabinoid of cannabis. When inhaled, the Delta-9-THC is immediately absorbed by the lungs flowing directly into the bloodstream and crossing the blood-brain barrier. The psychoactive effects occur within minutes so you can easily titrate and quickly moderate your intake maintaining levels you are comfortable with. The decarboxylation of THCA to produce Delta-9-THC can also take place at lower temperatures such as those used for baking. The conversion is not instantaneous, and thus it requires 15 to 45 minutes depending on the temperature. In addition to producing Delta-9-THC for use in edibles, one of the advantages of heating at a lower temperature is the terpenes, which are
responsible for the aroma of cannabis, are preserved. Edibles are not absorbed through the respiratory system, but rather through the digestive system. Therein is the big difference, which accounts for why the potency and length of time of action is greater for cannabis that is eaten versus cannabis that is inhaled. When Delta-9-THC goes through the digestive system rather than the respiratory system, it is metabolized in the liver and converted to 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC). This form of THC crosses the blood-brain barrier more quickly than Delta-9-THC and is considered to be more psychotropic, because it activates specific cannabinoid receptors in the brain more effectively than Delta-9THC does. This is one of the reasons edibles are believed to be more likely to bring on feelings of anxiety, panic, paranoia and other negative psychotropic reactions. Although this has been the accepted explanation for why edibles are more potent than smoking or vaping, not all researchers agree. Studies done at GW Pharmaceuticals, according to an article in The Atlantic, have found that the two compounds are basically equivalent and point to a far simpler explanation. The author refers to Dr. Ethan Russo and his skepticism for such an explanation. “Russo says the reason edibles affect
“THE BOTTOM LINE FOR EDIBLES IS YOU CAN ALWAYS TAKE MORE, BUT YOU CAN’T TAKE LESS ONCE YOU HAVE TAKEN THEM, SO ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION, AND WAIT AT LEAST TWO HOURS BEFORE CONSUMING MORE.”
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people more strongly is simply because more THC—of any kind—gets into the body when pot is eaten. When a joint is smoked, only 10 to 30 percent of the THC is absorbed into the body, he says. A lot— quite literally—just goes up in smoke,” reads the article. Whether the psychoactive effects of edibles derive from the potency of 11-OH-THC versus Delta-9-THC or the simple fact that you are going to get more psychoactive THC from ingesting than from inhaling, it still calls for more caution when edibles are consumed. This is why knowing the amount of THC in edibles is critical. Eating someone’s homemade edibles with unknown potencies can be especially risky as beginners are advised to limit their intake of THC to between one and five milligrams. Once accustomed to the effects, dosages can be increased up to 10 milligrams. Most states that have legalized cannabis have set 10 milligrams as a single serving size although very experienced consumers can utilize considerably more with no ill effect. Along with potency, the time for onset of the effects with edibles is critical with times of onset running from 30 minutes to two hours. Just because you have not felt anything in 60 minutes doesn’t mean you should take more. Overdosing is not going to kill you, but it is very uncomfortable, with some people going to emergency rooms with panic attacks and other distressful symptoms. The bottom line for edibles is you can always take more, but you can’t take less once you have taken them, so err on the side of caution, and wait at least two hours before consuming more. c
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REVIEWS
edible & strain
Papa Smurf Flower
Immediately upon popping open our container, a pungent, sweet purple diesel aroma soared up and tantalized our sense of smell. The award-winning strain Papa Smurf Flower is bred by Denver’s High Level Health, and we love it! In this strain, Flo is crossed with San Fernando Valley Headband. The buds were dense and had a nice color. The first hit was fresh, and the delicious flavor lingered in reviewers’ mouths. A sativa-dominant strain, Papa Smurf provided a nice clear effect, which was perfect for daytime consumption. We felt motivated, calmed and experienced an all-around improved mood. Don’t be fooled though, smoking enough will definitely put you to bed. Our batch of Papa Smurf tested out at almost 25 percent THC. Visit High Level Health at one of three Denver locations to pick up Papa Smurf. You won’t be able to stop smelling it or smoking it.
Available wherever Escape Artists products are carried.
Pot Pies Gummies
Micro Dose Speed Strips
When you’re looking for a fast-acting cannabis product, sometimes a standard edible just won’t act quickly enough. You want, need and deserve instant satisfaction. The answer? Micro Dose Speed Strips from Escape Artists. These quick dissolving strips are perfect for discreet consumption on-the-go for the busy person who also seeks fast relief. The strips are made with ethanol and CO2 extracted sativa-dominant distillate and contain 10mg of THC each. They are administered in the side of your cheek as opposed to sublingually. The benefit of the transmucosal delivery is the five to 10 minute onset—that’s more than two times faster than traditional edibles, which can take up to two hours to kick in, because of the digestion process. The oval shaped strips come in Minty Mint and Sour Lemon flavors and are perforated so you can ingest only 5mg if desired. The strips quickly melted into our cheek. The sativa effect was uplifting and energetic. We soared high in the clouds for about four hours, then felt relaxed, mellow and refreshed as the effects wore off.
Pot Pie Gummies are back with a new logo and improved product. CULTURE reviewers were introduced to these earlier this year and are thrilled that they crossed our paths again, because put simply—these edibles rock. Infused with premium distillate, each Pot Pie Gummy contains 10mg of THC, and they come in two select variety packs, sweet or sour. The Pot Pie Gummies were not too chewy, perfectly soft and our sampling team loved the flavor. To make sure we got the full effect, our seasoned reviewers started off with 10mg right away. The result was a nice steady buzz that wasn’t too heavy, and uplifted us throughout the day, making our mundane chores easier and more delightful. This is certainly a new twist on an old favorite, and these cannabis-infused Pot Pies are a welcomed improvement. A couple of these treats will have you craving some home cooking and perhaps motivate you enough to make your own chicken pot pie.
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Available at High Level Health locations in Denver.
Available wherever Pot Pies Gummies products are carried.
Raspberry Nano Bites
Available wherever DŌSD Edibles™ products are carried.
Coda Signature Fruit Notes
You might remember our review of Nano Bites from DŌSD Edibles™ with THC earlier this year. We are back to tell you about the THC and CBD variety. These fruity, soft gummies are some of the best tasting on the market. The 1:1 THC/CBD Raspberry Nano Bites contain 10mg THC and are made from water soluble cannabinoid nanoparticles, resulting in a quicker onset. We each ate one piece and settled in for what turned out to be quite the heavy effect. The effects were felt quickly, within 30 minutes, and that is thanks to the nanoparticle science behind this product. Our bodies felt too relaxed to do anything that required too much thought, but our moods were surely uplifted. This could be an appropriate edible for someone looking for full body relaxation with fast acting relief. The addition of CBD to this product reduced the psychoactive THC effects, which made this a great edible for daytime usage, although consuming too much too quickly could surely result in a much-needed nap.
Creating a cannabis edible that contains none of the telltale cannabis flavor takes a lot of skill. While amateur bakers might rely on utilizing decades-old recipes of brownies or rice cereal treats, Coda Signature has created a unique little treat that contains a myriad of flavors. The company’s Fruit Notes are small, bite-sized gummies that come in opposing but complementary flavors, including Strawberry & Rhubarb (containing 5mg CBD and 5mg THC), Lychee & Cucumber (containing 10mg CBD and 5mg of THC) and Coconut & Lime (containing 2.5mg CBD and 5mg THC). The idea behind these is that they can be eaten on their own or paired with savory items as well. Strawberry & Rhubarb Fruit Notes are a great flavor to eat alongside a serving of goat cheese and crackers, whereas it’s recommended to eat grilled shrimp with the Coconut & Lime. No matter how you choose to consume, Coda Signature’s Fruit Notes are bound to step your dinner party up a notch.
Available wherever Coda Signature products are carried.
Annie’s Infused Fruit Chews
Available wherever WILLIE’S RESERVETM products are carried.
WILLIE’S RESERVE TM has gone above and beyond to create a long-lasting brand that offers a wide variety of cannabis products. Most recently, the famed brand has released Annie’s Infused Fruit Chews, which should definitely be the next thing to add to your shopping list if you’re in the market for an edible. Offered in the flavors of Sour Cherry, Strawberry, Blackberry and Blueberry, these sweet little fruit chews are made for anyone and everyone, especially those who have been searching for non-GMO, glutenfree, fair trade and vegan-friendly edibles (plus they don’t contain high fructose corn syrup, dyes or extra additives either). Each package comes with 10 individually wrapped fruit chews, all of which contain 10mg of THC. A single bite of these tantalizing treats will energize your taste buds and satisfy any sweet tooth.
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REVIEWS
Pat’s Tincture from The Pat Pen
We think that CBD supplements are great addition to any wellness plan. From The Pat Pen comes The Pat Pen Tincture, which has a 60:1 CBD to THC ratio that comes in a 30 mL bottle. The liquid is almost clear with a slight golden hue. It has a mild and pleasant French vanilla flavor and also comes in Lemon Drop or Cherry. Our team likes to take tinctures sublingually, but this product is also a great addition to any beverage, such as coffee or tea. The Pat Pen Tincture is made from CO2 and ethanol extracted CBD oil, non-GMO coconut oil (MCT oil) and food grade natural flavors. We did not feel mental effects, but we did feel rejuvenated in our bodies and less anxious. Each recommended dose of a full dropper contains 20mg of CBD and 0.33 mg of THC. We’ll be keeping The Pat Pen Tincture in our medicine cabinet for daily use.
Available wherever The Pat Pen products are carried.
CBD Elixir
Available wherever Dadirri Extracts products are carried.
CBD is taking the world by storm. From food to oils, CBD can help add benefits to virtually any consumable item. Taking this to heart, Dadirri Extracts has created the CBD Elixir—a 1,000mg drink made for the health conscious consumer who would rather embrace the benefits of CBD than experience the psychoactive effects of THC. Currently, CBD Elixir is offered in the flavors of a pleasantly sour Tart Cherry and tropical Orange Mango. A single bottle weighs in at eight ounces of organic juice (not from concentrate) and pure CBD isolate. It’s full of beneficial vitamins such as antioxidants and polyphenols without the added sugar or other unnecessary fillers. A single sip of one of these will brighten your day and add a bit of pep in your step.
Wana Tarts Black Cherry (CBD/THC 1:1)
There’s probably no better way to consume daily microdoses of CBD and THC than with chewable pressed tarts that you can pop into your mouth at any time of day, with the highest level of discretion possible. With a CBD/THC ratio of 1:1, each tangy tart is infused with 5mg CBD and 5mg THC for light psychoactive effects, but balanced with the benefits of CBD. Wana Tarts come in other flavors and potencies such as Hibiscus Lemonade or Mixed Berry, both with 5mg of THC per piece, and no CBD. Made using all natural, vegan and gluten-free ingredients, the tarts also contain flavor-packed terpenes that are preserved in the cooking process so that you can taste the difference. Your fall adventures from apple picking to hayrides just got a lot more exciting, thanks to Wana Brands.
Available wherever Wana Brands products are carried.
High-Pops Cannabis-Infused Frozen Treats
Available at select locations throughout Colorado.
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Don’t wait around for the neighborhood ice cream truck to drive down your street. Instead, cool off and relax this fall with High-Pops Cannabis-Infused Frozen Treats, which are expertly designed for adults who have a sweet tooth. Each popsicle-like treat contains 5mg of THC, and each box contains 12 pops. They are appropriately labeled with THC warning labels to distinguish from non-infused frozen treats that you may have in your freezer. At only 48 calories per pop, you won’t have to feel guilty after devouring one of these, but they don’t end up tasting like a diet snack. The pops come in four natural flavors, and they are created with nano-emulsion technology to activate the THC and provide a rapid onset of effects, which is an added bonus for any edible.
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REVIEWS
1. Butter Churner In honor of CULTURE’s annual Edibles Issue, we’re putting a modern spin on the classic. Nothing is more classic to cannabis edibles than infused butter, so let’s elevate this experience by churning your own butter! Skip the gym— your muscles will get quite the workout turning your favorite whipping cream into homemade fat spread to complement everything from your breakfast toast to serving as a welcomed ingredient in those classic fudge brownies. Price: $39 More Information: uncommongoods.com 2. Stirr Automatic Pan Stirrer Who has time to do things like stir soup as it simmers on the stove? Let’s face it—we’ve all seen the viral video of the guy who is appears to be sleeping at the wheel while his Tesla self-drives on a busy freeway, right? Let’s just say this is a much safer way of allowing technology to do the grunt work. Now your eggs, soups, sauces, gravy and more won’t be in harm’s way of sticking to the bottom of the pan, courtesy of Stirr Automatic Pan Stirrer. Price: $23.59 More Information: uutensil.com 24
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3. Orbit Oil and Vinegar Set Get ready for an out-of-thisworld dining experience, courtesy the Orbit Oil and Vinegar Set. The fact that this set doesn’t come complete with oil and vinegar means you can opt for cannabis-infused oil to make your dinner party all the more unforgettable. And at just $20, this is a great gift that looks cool, and it’s sure to be something your giftee doesn’t already have in their kitchen, we almost guarantee it. Price: $20 More Information: uncommongoods.com 4. Colonel Popper Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper Explore the culinary possibilities of popping your very own popcorn using this unique bowl from Colonel Popper. Made with only the best silicone, ditch the unhealthy popcorn bags that may contain questionable chemicals. Plus, storage and portability of this product are a breeze, as this Colonel Popper easily collapses. Drizzle your popped kernels with a little cannabis-infused (and freshly-churned) butter to take it up a notch! Price: $15.97 More Information: shopcolonelpopper.com
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OCTOBER 2019
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REVIEWS
entertainment
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 25
BOOK
The Complete Cannabis Cookbook: 100+ Marijuana Edible Recipes That Will Get You High
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AVAILABLE ON: PC, PS4 AND XBOX ONE
GAME
Booksmart
The Outer Worlds
Dir. Olivia Wilde United Artists Releasing
Grant Horton Pub. Independently Published
Dev. Obsidian Entertainment Pub. Private Division
It’s time to get biblical! After all, author Grant Horton believes that cannabis “must be God’s way of wrapping a cosmic experience in a little plant.” Horton’s approach to edibles will have you believing exactly that. Hot and fresh off the press—The Complete Cannabis Cookbook: 100+ Marijuana Edible Recipes That Will Get You High delivers right by its name. You’ll find yourself drooling as you daydream about recipes such as Marijuana Chicken Cordon Bleu, Chocolate Nut Canna Bites and more than 100 other appetizing food and drink recipes. (Jacob Cannon)
In The Outer Worlds, you are one of a lucky few who were chosen to colonize the farthest reaches of the galaxy. Along the way, you and your fellow colonists are lost in transit, and you alone wake up decades later to find the colony overridden by corporate greed and a variety of factions seeking power and control over the outpost known as Halcyon. In this single player RPG, players can explore a variety of social interactions with NPCs, increase technical skills, collect a variety of weapons to defeat enemies and protect themselves from the savage wildlife of the planet Monarch. (Nicole Potter)
OCTOBER 2019 CultureMagazine.com
MOVIE
Coming-of-age, teen party comedies are a well-trodden territory. However, it’s been rare over the years that they’ve tried to tell these stories authentically from a female perspective. Booksmart succeeds in this endeavor as it tells the story of two nerdy, over-achieving girls who realize they’ve alienated themselves from their peers and attempt to gain acceptance at a final graduation bash. Though the film immediately drew comparisons to 2007’s Superbad, Booksmart achieves depth and nuance Superbad just couldn’t get to. Helmed by director Olivia Wilde and brought to life with stars Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, Booksmart is one not to miss. (Simon Weedn)
MUSIC
Live at the Fillmore The Wood Brothers Blue Note Records Only one year since its last studio release, The Wood Brothers (featuring Boulder-raised Chris and Oliver Wood) has arrived with its fourth dazzling live recording, Live at The Fillmore. The setlist is comprised of many tunes from 2018’s One Drop of Truth, but also covers bits and pieces of the band’s entire catalog. While the songs keep the band firmly in its Southern roots/Americana wheel house, it is interesting to hear how these newer songs begin to evolve as it makes its way from the studio to the stage. (Simon Weed)
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PHOTOS BY JOEL MEADERS
JOSH BLUE SHARES HIS RISE TO FAME, OVERCOMING DISADVANTAGES AND NOTABLE EDIBLE EXPERIENCES
By Benjamin M. Adams Early on, standout comedian Josh Blue constantly reassured himself that he could accomplish anything that any other person could. In his own words, he “puts the ‘cerebral’ in cerebral palsy,” living with the condition his entire life—but not allowing himself to be limited or defined by it. Blue’s mantra has ultimately steered him to stardom, winning Last Comic Standing on the reality show’s fourth season on NBC, being the first comedian to perform stand-up on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and being named Best Winning Reality Show Guest on Live with Regis and Kelly. As an accomplished comic, Blue has taken ownership of his success. He made appearances on Carlos Mencia’s Mind of Mencia on Comedy Central. He also performed on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson several years ago and delivered a searing pivotal performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last year. Blue also recently filmed his latest one hour-long comedy special. Beyond comedy, Blue founded the band Josh Blue & The Hooligan Stew Revue, a collaborative project with Zebra Junction, and he is also an international athlete and dabbles in acting. Blue competed in Athens, Greece during the 2004 Paralympic Games as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Soccer Team. That endeavor would become the butt of many jokes, providing some of his own stand-up material. Finally, Blue is teamed up with licensed edible company Mountain High Suckers, based in Colorado, to release Josh Blue’s Dream, his own line of lollipops infused with THC and CBD. Unlike rolling a joint, anybody—steady-handed or not—can medicate with complete ease and discretion using Blue’s lollipops. CULTURE snagged Blue to discuss his line of cannabis-infused lollipops, his battles with cerebral palsy and his elusive experiences with edibles.
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At what point did you realize you were born to do stand-up? Was there a specific moment? I studied stand-up in college, and I found the comedy scene pretty shortly after graduating, within a year of moving out of college. I think that I pretty much was hooked by that time. You’ve won comedy contests several times, including first place at the 2004 Royal Flush Comedy Competition and winning season four of Last Comic Standing. What do you think separates the winners from the rest in the comedy world? I mean, there are tons of factors that go into it. In my case—it’s my awardwinning smile! No, it actually comes down to the comfortability on-stage and [who has] a natural feel for it. Last Comic Standing wasn’t just about doing stand-up, because they follow you around for your daily life 30
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for a while. So, they saw me being funny in other ways and saw that I’m a fun dude to hang out with and party with, and they got to see my personality. I feel like that is what it is—a shining personality will prevail. Do you recall any times when you worried if you “went too far” with a joke and offended audience members? Really? I’m a fucking professional, bro. [laughing] I know where the line is, and I’m pretty sure that I’m pretty good at walking along it. And you know, my idea is to bring you right up to that line and make you uncomfortable. But I’ll have a big payoff with the laughs at the end, and you know, have something bigger than that. You have cerebral palsy and often use self-deprecating humor in your stand-up. Do you find that
laughing about it from time to time is therapeutic? Sure, man. I mean, I’ve definitely been laughing at myself my whole life. It’s easier to be sad about it, but it’s better to have a laugh and enjoy yourself. But it’s definitely therapeutic. In your experience, can medical cannabis help improve the quality of life for people living with cerebral palsy? If so, how? Well, I’ve always been a huge advocate for the benefits of cannabis for anyone, really. But for me, what it really did was that earlier in my life I used to be hung up on how people perceived me and how people judged me due to my disability. And then I smoked some weed and thought, “Well, fuck it. Who cares what they think? Have fun for yourself.” It kind of just changed my whole mindset on it.
As far as the physical aspects, I guess that when I first started smoking, I didn’t think about it making my body feel better, but something’s definitely happening in there. You know what I mean? In college, you’re like not really thinking hard about the medical benefits. You’re just getting high, because it’s fun to do. But as I got older, I realized that maybe this is a way of functioning better and that it’s a viable medication that people can take. With all these other overthe-counter bullshit drugs that make you sicker, why isn’t this legal with no side effects? And that’s part of the answer—because they want you to have side effects so you can buy more medication. Do you find specific cannabinoids like CBD or THC to be more effective? What’s interesting for me, and I’ve said this before, is that it’s not that weed necessarily made me feel better. It just made me forget anything that’s wrong. Does that make sense? “Oh, well I don’t need to worry about what they think about cerebral palsy.” Look! I’m going to do it and do it better than you ever could! It’s amazing what they do—pull the CBD and THC from weed. Obviously, both have benefit, but in different ways. I like sativas. I’m more of a get-highand-clean-the-house kind of guy. I smoke weed before my shows, so I definitely don’t want an indica that will bring my mood down. Tell us about Mountain High Suckers. Pretty cool, huh? It’s really been awesome working with these guys. It started when I met the owners John [Garrison] and Chad [Tribble]. Back in the day I was going to a dispensary by my house and their product was in there. I met them there and they knew who I was, and we quickly became friends. I’ve done some stuff with them over the years. Some ads and I’m an advocate of their product. Then it just evolved into the Josh Blue line. Obviously, that was a badass idea.
“ I U S E D TO B E H U N G UP ON HOW PEOPLE PERCEIVED ME AND HOW PEOPLE JUDGE ME D U E T O M Y D I S A B I L I T Y. AND THEN I SMOKED SOME WEED AND T H O U G H T, ‘ W E L L , F U C K I T. W H O C A R E S W H AT THEY THINK?’”
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We heard that Blue Dream is your favorite strain. Is that true? It’s perfect because Blue Dream and Josh Blue share the name. Like it was meant to be! Where can consumers find your products? As of now, my products are only available in Colorado. Over 40 different companies now carry it and online. It’s pretty amazing. Right now, we are in talks with getting into California and a few other states. If it gets into California—it will make a wish come true, you know? It will be 34
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pretty fucking awesome, right? Do you have any edible experiences, good or bad, to share? I do have a couple bad edible experiences. One is about my buddy from the mountains in the Colorado Rockies. You know how they have some backwoods people up in there. He gave me an edible that was maybe twice the size of a Tootsie Roll. A big fat Tootsie Roll. I guess I didn’t listen to the instructions, and I ate half of it. Thank God I only ate half! And then I proceeded to get higher than I’ve
ever been. I called my girlfriend and was like, “Dude, you’ve got to come over right now. I can’t swallow water.” I poured water towards my mouth and it just fell all over my face. I had to run around the block 30 times. Apparently, that little Tootsie Roll was 300mg. I’ve eaten a lot of edibles before, but I’m used to taking around 20mg doses, you know? So I was high for hours, man. There was definitely no sitting down after that. Like I said, I’m a pretty energetic stoner. Let’s just say I had a lot of steps on my step counter that day. Tell us about your involvement in the 2004 U.S. Paralympics soccer team. I was on the national team for eight years. I traveled all over the world representing the U.S. In 2004 I was in Athens, Greece for the Paralympics. And it’s kind of a funny thing to bring up, just because as an Olympic athlete, we were under the same drug restrictions as the able-bodied Olympics. So, we would have random drug tests. People would just show up at your door at six in the morning. And I’d stumble out, all hungover. “Now we’re going to watch you pee in this cup,” they’d say. Oh shit. Thank God there were two separate tests: in-competition and out of competition. For the out of competition test you could smoke and have cannabinoids in your system. I was smoking the whole time, obviously. I had a big tournament coming up, so I had to flush out my system for like a month-and-a-half just to make sure I didn’t get my teammates disqualified or anything. That’s a lot of weight to put on a pothead’s shoulders. The funniest story is I was smoking a fucking jay in my living room when they showed up! I mean they came in the room and they were gassed out for sure. I think after that, I got tested more than any teammate ever. They came to my house monthly once they found out how much weed I had in my system. I got tested for a performance-enhancing drug, but I should have gotten a medal for being able to play in that condition!
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“ I L I K E S AT I VA S . I’M MORE OF A G E T- H I G H - A N D C L E A N -T H E HOUSE KIND OF G U Y. I S M O K E WEED BEFORE MY SHOWS, SO I D E F I N I T E LY D O N ’ T WA N T A N I N D I C A T H AT WILL BRING MY M O O D D O W N .” CultureMagazine.com CultureMagazine.com OCTOBER OCTOBER 2019 2019
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“ W I T H A L L T H ES E OT H E R OV E R-T H E - C O U N T E R B U L L S H I T D R U G S T H AT M A K E YO U S I C K E R , W H Y ISN’T THIS LEGAL WITH NO SIDE EFFECTS? AND T H AT ’ S PA R T O F T H E ANSWER—BECAUSE T H E Y WA N T Y O U T O H AV E S I D E E F F E C T S , S O YO U CA N B U Y M O R E M E D I C AT I O N .” You were born in West Africa. Does that help you see the world differently than other Americans? I can fucking guarantee that, man. I’ve been to 41 countries now. I also lived in Senegal when I was 15 for a year. I gotta say, that experience really influenced who I am in my life. Being disabled, I had a lot of questions and some sadness. “Why me” sort of bullshit. But then I went there to Africa when I was 15, and it gave me a reality check. A kick in the teeth. I may have cerebral palsy, but I do have shoes and food. So, I don’t really have anything to bitch about. You were the first comedian to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Do you consider her to be a pioneer for the LGBTQ and comedy communities? Definitely both of those things. I was a huge fan of Ellen and the fact that she picked me to be the first one? I mean, what an honor. I like to think of this as the way she stepped up for LGBTQ people and brought them to the limelight, I get to do it for disabled people like me and bring awareness. We’re just people, too. She was a huge influence to me. I all of a sudden went from a touring comic to a famous touring comic. I did Ellen and Live with Regis and Kelly back-to-back. I did Regis and Kelly the very next day. The fact that they picked me as the best guest they had is a pretty cool honor. It was affirmation from winning a reality show. 38
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What are your next immediate plans? I do over 200 shows per year, so I don’t really have a tour. I just never stop. All my shows are on my website. I also have my fifth hour special coming out this year. I filmed it in January, and we’re finally done editing it. I’m really happy about it. Five one-hour specials are nothing to balk at. I’m only 40 and have five albums. Anything you’d like to add? I’m a huge advocate of cannabis. It definitely helped change my life for the better. I’m very happy and impressed that our country is moving forward with legalization across the board. I was just in Arkansas last week doing shows. They have medical there now, apparently. Whhhaaaaatt? Everyone’s going to have it soon if Arkansas has it. They told me in Arkansas that due to a legal loophole, everywhere that you can smoke cigarettes, you can smoke weed. So, I heard that some people are smoking joints inside the bars. That’s one dope loophole. c www.joshblue.com
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THE LATEST TREND 42
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No-calorie and low-calorie edibles are changing the industry By Addison Herron-Wheeler Cannabis infusededibles have come so far from the origins of homemade brownies and store-bought gummies. Now, there are countless ways to consume a variety of cannabis-infused foods, especially edibles that don’t contain too many extra calories, if any at all. As a result of this progress, many consumers are opting for healthier infused foods to allow them to adhere to diets, medicate or deal with allergies. This aligns with the growing demand for accurate health information when it comes to edibles and their ingredients. As the cannabis industry in legal and medical states continues to grow, there are more and more available options for those who choose to forego a decadent treat when it comes to cannabis edibles. Here are a few ways that consumers are opting for more health-conscious edibles.
Powders Dissolvable cannabinoid powders are becoming a popular way to indulge in cannabis without having to eat anything substantial. Hydrophilic products, or dissolvable products, are achieved through intense emulsification processes. Powders can be added to water, soda water, tea or other beverages, and they typically add very few calories, if any, to the drinks being consumed. Many feel that this is the future of consumption, because some dissolvable cannabinoids are flavorless, making for a completely seamless ingestion process that just feels like drinking any regular beverage. Powders are both waterand fat-soluble, so they can be easily ingested and don’t need heating in order to work.
Capsules Another way to consume cannabis without adding calories is to simply stick with capsules filled with decarboxylated flower, hash or oil. Cannabis in pill form, while strange to some at first because of the stigma that pills can sometimes carry, is catching on as a very popular way to medicate discreetly without any eating food, drinking, smoking or vaping involved. Companies like Stratos in Denver, Colorado specialize in pills that are good for sleep, relaxation and focus, which takes the guesswork out of choosing the right cannabis product.
Sublingual Strips To keep up with the modern world and also to combat overeating, many consumers are turning to THC- and CBD-infused cannabis strips in order to get a dose of cannabis as medicine or for recreation. Often called sublingual strips, these no-calorie products are simply placed under the tongue or between your cheek and gums, where they quickly and subtly work for the consumer by dissolving directly into the bloodstream.
Tinctures Finally, alcohol-based tinctures are a great way to ingest cannabis by either adding a drop to food or drink, or simply putting a drop directly under the tongue. They act quickly and efficiently, and they’re also extremely easy to control dosage. That’s why even edible creators who have been successful with creating sweets and other decadent products are also dipping their toes into the tinctures market.
In 2019, there are plenty of ways to ingest cannabis that don’t involve eating candy or any extra calories. From fastacting tinctures to drink powders, cannabis consumption is constantly being fine-tuned and elevated. c CultureMagazine.com
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Sensational Storytelling
Best-selling author Robyn Griggs Lawrence’s latest book uncovers the fascinating past of cannabis and food By Jacob Cannon Consuming cannabis is nothing new— in fact, it’s a practice that has been embedded in the human experience since the very beginning. Now, readers can learn more about the history of cannabis as food from acclaimed author Robyn Griggs Lawrence. Inspired by her personal relationship with the plant, Griggs Lawrence has authored two fascinating books that delve into the complex and poetic relationship between food and cannabis. Following her upscale book, The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook: Feel-Good Food for Home Cooks, Griggs Lawrence has recently published Pots in Pans: A History of Eating Cannabis, giving curious minds a plethora of information about cannabis and food that is so desperately needed. CULTURE had the pleasure of connecting with Griggs Lawrence to learn more about her as an author, patient and industry professional. 44
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When did you first become interested in the history of cannabis as food? In 2009, I visited my first medical marijuana dispensary in Boulder, Colorado, and was surprised to realize that cannabis was an underutilized food source—actually a vegetable. Back in those days, dispensary shelves were lined with jars of the produce for consumers to choose from (unlike today’s Apple-like stores full of vaping products and concentrates) with culinary names like Blueberry and Chocolope. As a writer and editor, I was naturally curious about this nutritious, medically
beneficial plant that had been kept from us for decades. As a consumer and patient, I had to know more. What is your personal relationship with cannabis? My doctor recommended cannabis in 2009 for dysmenorrhea and associated symptoms. I had been a natural living advocate for decades, and I had tried pretty much every natural remedy—and even a pharmaceutical—to deal with these issues. Cannabis worked when nothing else would. I made it my mission to share this plant with the world and to work to make sure everyone, everywhere, could benefit from it.
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In addition to being a bestselling author, how else are you involved in the cannabis industry? I do presentations and workshops in legal MMJ and adult-use states to teach people how to cook with cannabis. I am a contributing editor for Sensi magazine, helping as the company expands into legal markets across the country. I’m the co-owner of Cannabis Kitchen Events; we prepare cannabis-infused meals for private clients in the Denver area. I also work with Cosmic Sister, a group that champions women’s right to journey with sacred plants, including cannabis. Why is the history of cannabis as a food important to share? What do you hope readers will gain from reading Pots in Pans? I believe we write history books so we won’t repeat past mistakes. Cannabis has been regarded and utilized as one of humankind’s most sacred and valuable plants—providing food, fiber and medicine— since humans’ earliest days. It continues to evolve with us, and when the final chapter is written, our current prohibition will be merely a small stain in a history as rife with feasting and fortifying as with persecution and propaganda. I believe once readers understand how important cannabis food has been to humans down through the ages, they’ll be inspired to right the 46
“CANNABIS HAS BEEN REGARDED AND UTILIZED AS ONE OF HUMANKIND’S MOST SACRED AND VALUABLE PLANTS—PROVIDING FOOD, FIBER AND MEDICINE—SINCE HUMANS’ EARLIEST DAYS.”
supreme injustices that outlawing a useful plant has brought about. In addition to delving into a detailed history of cannabis in general, you also write about the current industry and how cannabis edibles have been affected by legalization in different markets. What do you predict for the future of cannabis edibles? I believe cannabis-
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sales are predicted to hit $4.1 billion in the U.S. and Canada and $32 billion globally by 2022. Consumers are gravitating to edibles because they’re discreet, and the effects can last longer and offer more intense highs and better pain and anxiety relief than smoking. Your book shares different cannabis food recipes from various time periods and regions of the world. How did you uncover such a wide variety of cannabis edible recipes? Is there one recipe that stands out as your favorite, and if so, why? I’m a research nerd, no doubt about it. I found obscure, sometimes ancient books—most in dusty corners of the internet—that contained recipes. My favorite is so simple—an old Polish folk recipe that calls for roasting and bruising cannabis seeds, mixing them with salt, and spreading them on crusty bread. With salad and a kombucha, this makes for a perfect lunch.
infused food and beverages will rule the cannabis market in the 2020s, especially as Big Ag and Big Food move in and scientists form the world’s top food and pharma corporations put their minds to the plant. The Human Genome Project has now mapped the cannabis genome, opening the door to even more sophisticated research. Edibles
PHOTO BY TRACEY ELLER
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? It’s important to point out that it will never be okay that (mostly) white men in suits rake in millions on cannabis while others go to jail over the very same plant. Everyone who is making money in this industry should be working tirelessly to change that. c
www.robyngriggslawrence.com
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In d u s try I n s id er
Delectable Delights
Rachel King’s acclaimed pastry chef experience shines through in Kaneh Co.’s edibles By R. Scott Rappold For most people who enjoy cannabis edibles, taste is secondary to the buzz it packs. It’s on your lips for a few seconds, while the THC inside will hopefully keep you going for the whole Phish concert. But trained pastry chef Rachel King asks why edibles can’t be delicious and THC-infused? “If you’re going to eat an edible, you might as well make it enjoyable,” says King, co-founder and culinary director of Kaneh Co., a San Diego, Califiornia-based gourmet cannabis company. Launched in 2016, the company has grown from three to 65 employees, with edibles sold in more than 200 stores across California, an explosive growth King attributes to meticulous dosing and the belief that edibles customers are looking for a wide variety of sweets that taste just as good as what you’d get in a fine restaurant or candy store. “As our clientele widens and cannabis becomes more and more accepted by people in different walks of life, they will be looking for a product that is not just a vessel for medication.”
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Pastry Chef
King, 36, came into the cannabis industry in a roundabout way. Her first experiences with cannabis—smoking whatever flower her friends had out of an aluminum can—were not positive. “I would usually get way too high, so it was not that pleasant for me,” she said. King was trained at the San Diego Culinary Institute and went on to work at some of the city’s finest restaurants. Pastries were always her specialty and focus; Food & Wine magazine named her one of the best new pastry chefs in 2013. “Pastries hold a special place in peoples’ hearts. You’ll always remember that birthday cake or extra-
extravagant dessert you’ve had,” King said. But restaurant work can be demanding, so when her brother and some friends came to her with a proposition for an infused edibles company, she listened. So, in January of 2016, Kaneh was born. From the beginning, King explained she would not sacrifice the quality of her desserts simply because they would be cannabis-infused. “Considering my background was in pastries and not cannabis, it was really about the food product itself,” she said. “I wanted to make sure people were getting a delicious, good product that would get them high, not just something they’re trying to choke down to get high.” “I didn’t compromise the quality that I was already used to working with in my cooking background.”
“I WANTED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE WERE GETTING A DELICIOUS, GOOD PRODUCT THAT WOULD GET THEM HIGH, NOT JUST SOMETHING THEY’RE TRYING TO CHOKE DOWN TO GET HIGH.”
A New Ingredient
Still, adding a major new ingredient to the type of cooking she had long done presented a challenge. There were some hits and plenty of misses. “Working with the product itself, figuring out when to add the medication, how it affects the overall product, was a bit of a learning curve,” she said. Kaneh hit the market with a large array of products—cookies, brownies, snack bars, nuts, dates and cocoa powder. She was one of two kitchen employees. “Now we have a huge professional kitchen staff with people who used to work in bakeries and restaurants,” she said. As of this writing, the company has 22 different products available, from cookies to jellies to caramels to that staple of stoner cooking for decades, brownies. Each is a 100mg product, divided into 5mg or 10mg doses. Kaneh sells as many as 50,000 products a month, according to King. For now, they’re just in California, though the company is exploring
licensing in other states. She attributes her company’s success to “the quality of the taste, and obviously the consistency of the medication.” Ingredients are the same she would use to make desserts in a fine restaurant. When people get an edible, they expect the potency to be exact, and so does King. She’s found a way to finally enjoy cannabis—five milligrams at a time. She believes the future of edibles is in diversity, offering consumers a wide variety of options. “People are getting super creative. The consumer base is widening. People are going to want more things rather than just the same old things. Nothing to disparage the classics, a good chocolate chip cookie or brownie will never get old, but the more people that try edibles, more they will want something different.” That said, she noted that a brownie is Kaneh’s best-seller. “It’s the Best of Both Worlds, a classic fudgy brownie. We press in a piece of chocolate-chip cookie.” “It’s so good.” c kanehco.com
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Witchcraft and Cannabis Cannabis is a ritual worth repeating for author, columnist and selfdescribed witch Gabriela Herstik
By Madison Ortiz Gabriela Herstik, 25, identifies as a solitary eclectic witch, goddess worshiper and Venus devotee. Based in Los Angeles, California, Herstik is an author and columnist whose work explores the intersection of glamour, sexuality, witchcraft and cannabis, with common themes of power, pleasure and purpose reflected in all her offerings. CULTURE interviewed Herstik to gain insight into her work as well as some ways cannabis can be utilized in witchcraft rituals. Herstik shared a ritual she performs before she smokes, explaining, “I set intentions. I ask my guides, goddesses (whatever I believe in), to help me connect with the spirit of the plant, to help me receive the medicine.” Her first book, Inner Witch: A Modern Guide to the Ancient Craft was released last September in the United States (and in the UK one month prior). Inner Witch is the ultimate guide to witchcraft for women craving to discover their best selves and connect to something bigger, utilizing tools of tarot, astrology and crystals. “My goal was, if you weren’t familiar with witchcraft and you didn’t know where 50
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to start, you could pick up my book, and you’d be able to create your own magical practice by the time you were done reading it,” she said. Herstik just finished writing and editing her second book, Bewitching the Elements: A Guide to Empowering Yourself Through Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. The book looks at spirituality through the five elements and is set to be released in April 2020. A living embodiment of the power and purpose she represents, Herstik bestows her witchy wisdom as a freelance writer and columnist for several noteworthy publications. Her column The High Priestess with High Times comes out bimonthly, which explores spirituality and plant medicine with interviews, spells and rituals, as well as including personal insight on her cannabis and spiritual practices. Her passion for fashion and glamour is represented in the photos she styles and models for each new release. Herstik has a column with Nylon Mag called “Ask A Witch” and also writes a column on working with different goddesses for Chakrubs, a crystal sex toy company. With a background in fashion writing, you can find Herstik’s words on PHOTOS BY IVORY WOODS
witchcraft, sexuality and fashion all over the web with sites like Allure, Glamour and The Hoodwitch. Additionally, her ever-evolving offerings include tarot readings, online courses and workshops. “It’s been such a privilege to be able to talk openly about these things,” she said. “I recognize there are literally people who are locked up in jail for years and years, if not the rest of their lives, for this plant that I’m talking about.” Herstik’s practices in utilizing her social media channels goes far beyond sharing her published works. “It’s a fun and beautiful way to connect with my audience, [...] a way for me to offer people magic in a really accessible way,” she explained. Personal boundaries considered, Herstik practices radical vulnerability
“CANNABIS IS A PLANT THAT HAS BEEN USED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS THROUGHOUT DIFFERENT CULTURES AS A SACRED WAY TO CONNECT TO SOMETHING BIGGER, OR TO OUR INTUITION. I CONSIDER [CONSUMING CANNABIS] A SELF-CARE PRACTICE. EVEN WITHOUT THE MAGIC.” with her audience, sharing openly where she is on her own journey. “We’re all connected [. . .] as much as we feel like we’re separated,” Herstick said. “One of the reasons I love cannabis and plant medicine is that it reminds us of our innate connections with one another and our innate connection to the earth; to know that if I’m going through something, there’s someone else going through it. So, I post mantras every Monday, and they’re often based on the full moon or new moon, but mostly what I feel like I need in that moment. I feel like that’s something people resonate with because they see that kind of mirror I’m offering them.” Going above and beyond in every capacity, she records a weekly tarot pull for her audience, and writes astrologically-customized ritual guides for all the new moons, the full moons, the Sabbath, the Equinox, the Solstice and many days in between. Herstik found witchcraft on her own at age 11, explaining, “It gave me a purpose. I felt like I discovered myself at a very young age.” She was raised in the “Bible Belt”; her father is a rabbi, and her mother is from a Jewish community in Mexico City, both supportive of dialogue surrounding God, death and the beyond. Recalling that her first experience with cannabis didn’t occur for the first time until she was 18, she said, “The ‘War on Drugs’ was still kind-of the mindset of the deep south. Marijuana was definitely stigmatized, and the idea of a stoner was looked down upon.” A few years later, after moving to California where cannabis was more accessible, she began consuming regularly. “For me, it’s a really good way to get back into my body,” she said. “I am super Aquarius, very air sign, and I’m always thinking, so it’s very easy to disconnect with my body. A big part of my practice and relationship with cannabis is to use it as a tool to be more present, and be more connected to whatever I’m going through in the moment—which I feel is very connected to my spiritual practice, because to be in a space to do ritual or
do magic you have to be present.” While Herstik does work with cannabis in ritual, she explains that cannabis consumption isn’t necessary for anyone’s practice. “It’s just like anything—it has to really pertain to what works for you,” she said. Herstik says that consuming cannabis opens up her psychic senses and allows her to connect with her heart more. “Cannabis is a plant that has been used for thousands of years throughout different cultures as a sacred way to connect to something bigger, or to our intuition,” she said. “I consider [consuming cannabis] a self-care practice. Even without the magic. The ritual itself of rolling my joint, or packing my bowl, or packing my bong, just
working with this plant so intimately. It’s like its own kind of sacred ritual for me. It’s something that helps me remain more present and more conscious of the way I’m moving through the world.” Kind enough to send us off with another example of her craft, Herstik enjoys using cannabis in ritual baths with THC, CBD and salts paired with herbs and oils. “I’ll set an intention and smoke a little bit in the tub to get more into that intention,” she said. You can boost the experience with a cannabis-infused face mask or other beauty products, if you so desire. “I see it as an offering. If I’m in a ritual setting and I’m working that herb, it’s conscious, and it’s intentional.” c www.gabrielaherstik.com
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FUNKY FUSION Lettuce chews up the funk scene with its new record and tour
By Addison Herron-Wheeler
For some, lettuce is simply the quintessential ingredient to any salad or a basic burger topping. But for others, it’s the name of one of the most revered bands in the American jam and funk music scene. This ensemble has been making music since the early 1990s, and if its name doesn’t give you the munchies, the band’s crunchy, smooth sound certainly will. CULTURE caught up with guitarist Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff to talk about Lettuce’s new record, Elevate, and current tour. So grab yourself a snack, and check out the latest goings on with Lettuce.
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PHOTOS BY CASEY FLANIGAN
“CANNABIS HAS BEEN A GREAT THING IN MY LIFE, AND DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE BONDED OVER IN LETTUCE.”
it’s a piece of history of where the band is right now and what our sound is currently. I think that’s really what this album represents. It’s about who we are as people right at this moment in time. What do you like most about Elevate? The whole recording process was just really, really fun for me, especially because we recorded it in Denver, Colorado where I live. It’s been a really
How do you feel that cannabis has impacted the bond between you all? Before legality, I think there were moments of paranoia and things like that that sprung from the illegality of it. But, even without the aspect of cannabis, this band is brothers, and there’s a special bond between us.
What is the band working on right now? We’re about to continue our Elevate Tour for our latest record, and I believe we have a bunch of stops on the East Coast like Asheville, Wilmington, and in addition to the North Carolina stops, New York, like upstate New York City and New Jersey. I’m super stoked for this tour, because I get to see some of my family.
Tell me a little bit about the latest album. What do you think makes it stand out from other releases, and how has the reception been so far this summer? I don’t think there’s any real need to make comparisons to other stuff that we’ve done. I think it stands on its own. You know, I like to think about recordings as a piece of history, a piece of life, because you’re just capturing time while you’re in the studio. So, to me,
It feels like there’s a weight off of my shoulders, that I’m not hiding something or doing anything illegal. It really enables you to accept that in reality this is medicine, and once I started to think that way, it has changed my life in such a positive way. It’s helped me manage and get through so many things, and it’s also helped me so much with my creativity. Cannabis has been a great thing in my life, and definitely something we bonded over in Lettuce.
long recording process. It started when my wife was pregnant, and now my child is 21 months. Being at home and able to be with my family during that process was great for me, personally. And I think it enabled me to really give some heartfelt, good performances on the record, because my heart was in the right place. How has living in a city with legal cannabis impacted your career and music?
Is there anything else you want to highlight? We recorded some other songs during the Elevate sessions that should be coming out in the near future. We’re going to continue putting out tracks that we made at that time, so there’s more music to come. Also on this tour, we’re going to get out there, and we’re going to play some new stuff that we’ve never played before, which is always really exciting. That’s why I love playing with these guys; there’s always something to look forward to. And, in general, you know, we’re just grateful to still be out here. We’re grateful to be doing what we’re doing. I can’t wait to see all the faces in the crowd that come to our shows. It makes us really happy; we love our people, and we’re psyched to get out in front of them again. c www.lettucefunk.com
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The Importance of Being Basic
Here’s where to begin if you are pursuing cooking with cannabis in the kitchen
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By Richard Saunders o matter how you like your food cooked— whether it’s baked, fried, sautéed, grilled or simmered—the addition of butter or oil to a dish has a way of turning an otherwise bland and dry meal into a rich and pleasurable experience. This month for CULTURE’s annual Edibles Issue, we’re paying homage to the basics of cannabis cooking by providing two very simple and easy-to-remember cannabis infused recipes. After all, just about every recipe you can whip up, whether it’s homemade lasagna or chocolate chip cookies, calls for one
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of these fundamental ingredients. Once you master the basics of crafting traditional cannabis-infused butter and oil, you’ll find that every dish can be elevated to another level. For the sake of dosage and consistency, be sure to use lab-tested, quality cannabis in order to know how many milligrams of THC your butter and oil contain. From there, you can divide the total milligrams of THC by how many servings you are making—and you’re on your way to mindful cannabis infusion.
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Cannabis-Infused Butter I N G R E D I E N T S:
I N S T R U C T I O N S:
1 cup unsalted butter
1. Bring water and butter to boil in a small pot; lower heat to simmer. Simmer gently for about 1 1/2 hours.
1 ounce decarboxylated* and dried cannabis flower, ground 4 cups water
2. Mash and stir frequently to extract all THC from the plant material. After cooking, use cheesecloth to strain the butter/water mixture. 3. Pour about two cups clean boiling water over the leaves in the strainer to extract every last drop of butter. Squeeze plant material well to remove as much liquid as possible.
Cannabis-Infused Olive Oil I N G R E D I E N T S:
I N S T R U C T I O N S:
1 cup cooking oil
1. Place cannabis in a slow cooker and add oil. If necessary, add a little extra oil in order to at least cover the cannabis.
1 1/4 ounce decarboxylated* and dried cannabis flower, ground
2. Cook on low for six to eight hours, stirring often. Strain through cheesecloth to remove plant material. For further purity, strain through a coffee filter.
4. Chill the butter/water mixture in the refrigerator until the butter has solidified (one to two hours). Separate butter from water and keep butter in the refrigerator (or freezer for longer storage) until needed.
*Decarboxylating the Cannabis Before you get started, you need to decarboxylate your cannabis. This will ensure the THCA is converted into THC, which will make your edibles more potent. Decarboxylation happens in three easy steps. 1. Set your oven to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Place ground or broken up cannabis on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper. 3. Bake the cannabis for about 25 minutes, until all moisture is gone.
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GROWING CULTURE
Garden FeverRipening (Part V)
I
By Ed Rosenthal
t’s mid-September and time to harvest the first plant from my garden: A small Purple Pineapple. The plant is small, no bigger than two feet, with a top bud and a few small side buds. It has been growing in a 10” wide colander container filled with Hydroton (clay pebbles) in the 2’ x 8’ reservoir hydro unit in my small greenhouse. The garden was started in midJune. The plants all started light flowering immediately, because the 10 hours of darkness they received at the shortest night of the year (June 22) was long enough to induce flowering. With no vegetative growth period, the plants put all of their energy into the reproductive stage. This small plant took the light more seriously than its buddies. Ripeness was the result. The other plants in the greenhouse are in various stages of flowering and will ripen by the end of the month. It’s a good time for the plants to mature. In the San Francisco Bay coastal area, where the greenhouse is located, September is one of the warmest months of the year, with clear skies rather than its famous summer fog, and with little chance of rain. Two systems are using the same reservoir in the greenhouse. The group in the back is planted in two to four gallon containers filled with a coir-based planting mix. The mix was enriched with plant meals, which release nutrients over several months. Nylon wicks hang from the bottom holes into the reservoir. The wicks, made using
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3/8” nylon rope, carry water up to the containers from the reservoir underneath. They use “capillary action” just like a tissue drawing up water. It self-regulates water uptake as needed. This action continues up the planting mix, replacing moisture as it is used by the plant and environment. The plants also receive about a pint of water from the top four times daily using a repeating timer that is set to run every six hours for eight minutes. The group in the front use 10” colanders just like the one used to grow the plant harvested today. They sit in about 3” of nutrient water and have a constant flow of it pumped through the hydropebbles. Water is pumped through the main line to the spaghetti irrigation lines directly to the top of the containers without the use of regulating emitters. The third group consists of five plants in two-gallon containers in a 2’ x 4’ try filled with planting mix. The tray was placed against the white wall that gets five to six hours of direct sunlight daily. One of these plants will also ripen and be harvested in 10 days. The other will take two weeks longer. Cannabis is induced to flower when the dark period reaches a critical level, which varies by variety. However, maturity can be hastened by increasing the dark period, signaling to the plant to stop flower growth and start ripening. I decided to use this technique, starting around Aug. 20, to make sure the plants ripened a little early in September under clear skies, rather than in October, when there is always a chance of weather problems. To do this, I devised simple light deprivation curtains that were placed over the gardens 11 hours after dawn, at about 5:45 p.m., rather than sunset at 7:25 p.m., blacking out the garden an hour and 40 minutes early. The difference in darkness was greater earlier in the cover-up, because the days were longer. c
All the plants in the greenhouse are weeks away from ripening. Greenhouse receives natural light only through the roof and the front.
Wicks hanging from the containers reach into the reservoir to draw up water. This is supplemented with water pumped through spaghetti lines to the containers.
Container sitting in reservoir. In addition, water is continuously pumped through the petals. Panda plastic covers the containers creating a moist environment so the roots colonize right up to the top.
The greenhouse under wraps. The curtains go on at 5:45 p.m. and are removed shortly after sunset.
The outdoor garden. These plants will ripen in early October. They will be moved into the greenhouse after those plants are harvested when there is room.
Outdoor garden undercover.
The Purple Pineapple is being harvested today.
Ripe bud of outdoor plant. Variety unknown.
Gelato bud has a few more weeks to reach maturity.
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COLORADO NOW! EVENT LISTINGS
Oktoberfest, Oct. 10 While several of Denver’s Oktoberfest celebrations took place in late September this year, Childs McCune Attorneys present its own beer-centric festival with an emphasis on German culture. The event is sponsored by Westword and will feature an assortment of tasty pretzels, mouth-watering sausage and of course, a variety of fine beers. Childs McCune Attorneys, Denver childsmccune.com/rsvp Choctoberfest, Oct. 12 Chocolate delicacies, craft beer and contests aplenty? Oh my. Sample your way through chocolates, cookies, truffles, fudge, brownies, toffee and drinks, plus an assortment of beers complete with cooking demos, contests and the fan favorite menu item— chocolate martinis. Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, Aurora cochocolatefests.com Steel Pulse, Oct. 13 Bob Marley and the Wailers’ longtime opening tour band Steel Pulse is still at it after over 40 years of near-constant touring and time spent in the studio. Take part in one of the longest-running international reggae bands, led by David Hinds, who boasts impressively large dreadlocks and can dance like no other.
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Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver cervantesmasterpiece.com Lizzo, Oct. 15 Singer, actress and rapper Lizzo seemingly came out of nowhere, but soared to the coveted number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2019 with her fiery single, “Truth Hurts.” Lizzo is the first black solo female R&B singer to do so, with the only exception being Rihanna’s “Diamonds.” Fillmore Auditorium Denver, Denver fillmoreauditorium.org Festival of Color Denver, Oct. 18 Festival of Color is a Latinx-inspired fashion, design, dance and music festival that is designed to overwhelm your senses with flashes of glorious color. Over 100 top models will walk the runway, with musical performances by James Band, Lizzie Blasini, Raquel Garcia and Blanco y Negro. Stampede, Aurora festivalofcolordenver.com
Marilyn Manson, Oct. 28 Grab your black lipstick, fishnet stockings, jet black funeral dress and whatever else you need to rock out to Marilyn Manson—in all of his dark wonder. Manson is currently working on a new album and follow-up to 2017’s Heaven Upside Down, his tenth studio album
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featured event
BOB DYLAN, OCT. 17
On Aug. 28, 1964 Bob Dylan exerted a little peer pressure and notoriously passed a joint to Ringo Starr, and then proceeded to get the rest of The Beatles high for the first time in their lives. Dylan’s influence on music and culture during the 1960s cannot be overstated, and on his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde he insisted, “Everybody must get stoned!” Mission Ballroom, Denver missionballroom.com that Manson described as representing “a lot of drama.” Fillmore Auditorium Denver fillmoreauditorium.org Denver Film Festival, Oct. 30 Can you believe that the Denver Film Festival has been screening new noteworthy films since 1978? Comb through the new films of 2019, and guess which film will revolutionize the industry and garner the best applause this year.
Sie FilmCenter, Denver denverfilm.org Denver Improv Festival, Oct. 31 What better way to spend Halloween than with some of the best improv comics that the Mountain West has to offer? With the exception of cannabis, laughter is the best medicine, and a lineup of improv comedians will likely induce loads of belly laughs at this popular event. Bovine Metropolis Theater, Denver bovinemetropolis.com
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NEWS of the
WEIRD
BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL
LEAD STORY— INEXPLICABLE Jacob Pina, 20, of Westport, Massachusetts, can’t explain his physical oddity, but that’s not stopping him from firmly grasping his 15 minutes of fame. Pina, recently dubbed “Thumb Boy,” unveiled his unusually long (5 inches) right thumb on the TikTok app on Aug. 24, reported Metro News. “There’s no reason it’s so big just an anomaly,” Pina posted. “I feel great about it. It’s always great to be different and embrace your own essence.” Pina has
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gained 145,000 followers on the app—and he’s never lost a thumb war. WEIRD SCIENCE A day of fishing on Lake Champlain became more memorable than most when Debbie Geddes of Plattsburgh, New York, reeled in a trout worthy of a social media storm: It had two mouths. Geddes and her husband were fishing in mid-August when the unusual catch took the bait, WPTZ reported. Geddes’ co-worker Adam Facteau posted pictures to Facebook and said he’s heard many theories about what caused the fish’s deformity—including that it’s an offspring of the lake’s famed monster, Champy. Geddes threw the trout back after snapping some photos.
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CUTENESS OVERLOAD About a dozen service dogs in Ontario, Canada, took in a performance of “Billy Elliot: The Musical” in August as part of their training through the K-9 Country Inn Working Service Dogs organization. When the actors took their curtain call, nary a whimper or a quiet woof could be heard—music to the ears of head trainer Laura MacKenzie. During such a performance, dogs are trained to sit under the seat or at their handler’s feet, but MacKenzie told CNN that a few of the dogs peeked over the seats to see the action on stage. Dogs are also exposed to subways, zoos and crowded fairs during their training. EWWWWW! Firefighters near Estacada, Oregon, rescued a woman on Aug. 20 who had been trapped in a septic tank on her rural property, possibly for two or three days. The unidentified woman, who lives alone, couldn’t alert neighbors of her predicament because they live out of shouting range. Her daughter found her after becoming concerned when she was unable to reach her mother for four days. Firefighters told KATU that work appeared to be being done on the tank—a hole had been dug exposing the tank, which had a rusted two-by-twofoot hole in its lid. The woman had apparently fallen through the hole and was lying in sewage, with her face just above the surface, when rescuers got to her. They did not see any visible injuries on her, but she was transported to a hospital in Portland.
CRIME REPORT Nicholas Redmond, 32, of Philadelphia, had a productive August as an employee of Macy’s at the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania. Not because he sold a lot of merchandise, but because, according to police, he told them he stole about $12,000 in cash from the retailer. His run came to a halt on Aug. 25 when a security system alerted police to an intruder in the store. Around 4:30 a.m., authorities found Redmond hiding in the first-floor ceiling, clutching $7,000. Upper Merion Township police Lt. Brendan Brazunas told WPVI his officers “were very shocked . . . they just couldn’t believe somebody had gone up to that length to hide from them.” Redmond was arraigned and held in jail, failing to post a $10,000 cash bond. A Pennsylvania state appellate court has ruled against Stephen Kirchner, who was convicted in a lower court for disorderly conduct in 2018 for pointing his finger like a gun at a neighbor. In June of that year, KDKA reported, Kirchner was walking past a neighbor’s home in Manor, Pennsylvania, when the neighbor made an obscene gesture with his hand. Kirchner responded by making a shooting gun gesture with his own hand. A witness called 911, and the unnamed neighbor told police he felt “extremely threatened.” Kirchner argued that his gesture was not a hazard, but the appeals court disagreed.
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