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Contents
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september 2015
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www.iReadCulture.com
28 RIDICULOUS AND ROLLICKING
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52
FeatureS 34
. HEALTH HAZARDS
Synthesized cannabis is dangerous, and shouldn’t be allowed for human consumption.
38 . ON THE RADAR
Marijuana Straight Talk—the TV program that’s helping to change the cannabis media-journalism scene.
Comedian Reggie Watts is amazing, over-the-top and cuddly! ON THE COVER: Photo by John Gilhooley
8 . Letter from the Editor
NEWS 10 . News Nuggets 13 . By the Numbers 14 . Autism Becomes a Qualifying Condition for Cannabis 16 . legal corner
reviews
42 . Industry insider
Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director for NORML, has been advocating cannabis for two decades.
20 . STRAIN ReviewS
Departments 46 . Growing Culture 48 . Destination Unknown 50 . Profiles in Courage 52 . Recipes 54 . News of the Weird
WEB Exclusive! UK Legalization Petition Earns Enough Signatures to be Considered by Parliament
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24 . Cool Stuff 26 . Entertainment Reviews
Study Shows the Majority of Ethics Boards Rule in Favor of Lawyers Utilizing Legal Cannabis
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SEE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE
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Look out for these icons to find out what website-only extras you’re missing out on!
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Vol 7 IssUE 3
/freeculturemag
/ireadculture
/ireadculture
letter from the editor
Publisher Jeremy Zachary Editor-In-Chief Evan Senn associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Victoria Banegas
Leading by Example
F
rom time to time, I forget my manners. Raised by rebellious hippies from a conservative Southern family, proper manners were introduced but not demanded. Nowadays, I try to be on my best behavior for every circumstance, but every now and again, I revert to just being me. Though as strange as I feel myself to be, very few people seem to notice the difference; but, those who do, remind me to remember my situation and the proper behavior for that situation, by leading by example—always a powerful learning tool. That subtle tool is how most people learn behavioral skills and how we politely function in appeasing other people’s expectations. Comedian Reggie Watts reminded me of this solid aspect of human behavior during our exclusive interview with him for this issue. The interviewer asked Watts if he was always in character, even in everyday life, and he responded by telling him that he doesn’t think he is in character, but he does occasionally give the audience what they are looking for, whether it’s over-the-top ridiculousness, musical comedy, absurd stories or whatever he feels they need. I think we all do that, to some degree. We tend to act however is appropriate for the environment or situation at hand. Seems logical in everyday life, and seems even better when a comedian is in tune with his audience that way. The government, however, seems
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Photographers Steve Baker, Kristopher Christensen, John Gilhooley, Joel Meaders, Duncan Rolfson, Rick Thompson Art Director Steven Myrdahl Graphic Designers Tanya Delgadillo, Tommy LaFleur, Jacob Myers
to have a hard time with this behavioral tactic. Seeing so many states put up so many different cannabis legalization and access bills and petitions every month shows us what the people want. Numbers may vary from time to time, but as cannabis prohibition is entering its 78th year, and with the many stats and studies and facts that show the majority of Americans are in favor of cannabis legalization, it would seem that the federal government has poor judgment in trying to read their audience and give the American citizens what they want. Many organizations are predicting 11 more states to go fully recreational in the near future, and with the non-stop dedication and hard work by the cannabis community in states like Florida, Nevada, California, New York and many more, I think that’s an accurate prediction. As infuriating as it is, we can only hope that our federal government learns to follow the examples from our local initiatives sooner rather than later. Keep faith in the people, in the example, keep believing in the inevitable growth of this movement and we can make it a reality together. c Sincerely,
Account Executives Greg Andes, Callie Bello, Jon Bookatz, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Ryan Dunn, Cole Garrison, Gene Gorelik, Emily Musser, Beau Odom, Justin Olson, Jim Saunders, Paulina Porter-Tapia, Chris Thatcher, April Tygart Office Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital media Editor Kimberly Johnson Ctv Video Editor Kristian Quintanilla Ctv Contributors Anna Logan,Chris Salazar Interns Brahim Gousse Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes 25,000 magazines at over 500 locations throughout Michigan. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 34841 Mound Rd. | #241 Sterling Heights | Michigan | 48310 Phone 888.694.2046 Fax 888.694.2046 www.iREADCULTURE.com
Evan A. Senn
Editor-In-Chief
CULTURE // September 2015
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
CULTURE® Magazine is printed using post-recycled paper.
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C NEWS NUGGETS
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State Marijuana Law Section added to Michigan State Bar Association
Michigan has become the second state in the nation to add a cannabis law section to the state Bar Association. Michigan’s newest cannabis law section was led by criminal defense attorney Bernard Jocuns, following an arduous approval process, according to The State Bar of Michigan Blog. After the approval, Jocuns was excited and ready to begin plans immediately to compliment the news, “For the attorneys that are interested, we will form a coherent voice, plan for various changes in law and help attorneys prepare for that. We will be very pro-active. The more participation we get, the more specialized we can be,” Jocuns stated. The Michigan Bar boasts over 35,000 attorneys in its ranks, according to Jocuns, and members are required to register every year. Cannabis was added as a section of the Bar Association after showing the Board a list of 50 lawyers who were interested in joining, and Jocuns is confident that the group could reach up to a few hundred members of the section within its first year.
Medical cannabis charges dropped following Supreme Court ruling
Effective as the ninth ruling addition to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, five cases regarding the distribution of cannabis have been dismissed, and the seized items returned to their owners. The Michigan
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Supreme Court clarified when caregivers and cannabis users can utilize their medical cannabis certification as a valid form of defense when charged with a cannabisrelated crime. Prior to the ruling, one individual was accused and convicted for growing and possessing cannabis, some of which was for himself, and for other patients he was legally able to provide for. Another was convicted of delivering, growing and possessing cannabis, even though he was licensed to grow. To many patients relief, both of these cases and more were sent back to trial for reevaluation.
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Nation
according to The Washington Post. Once active, the commission would require physicians to examine the patient, review past medical records and history, as well as provide follow-up care. Currently, the pending cannabis program is expected to be adopted later this month (with patient registries established in December or January), ultimately becoming available in the first half of next year.
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World Chilean votes to decriminalize cannabis
Chilean lawmakers just took a vote on Health Code and Law 20,000, which replaces Law 19.366, taking Chile one step closer to allow its people to grow small amounts of cannabis for medical purposes. The vote was a whopping 68-39 in the lower house of congress, which was followed by cheer and applause. Previously in Chile, cannabis offenders who were found guilty of planting, selling or transporting cannabis in the country led to a punishable offense, with a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison. According to the bill, citizens would be allowed to grow up to six plants at home for medical use (with no more than 10 grams in their possession). Also, if passed, the law will legalize recreational cannabis as well, according to El Mostrador. Chile follows the suit of other countries, such as Uruguay and Jamaica, which also decriminalized cannabis. c
First medical cannabis clinic opens in Maryland
The Maryland State medical cannabis program isn’t expected to become operational for another year, but the state’s first clinic has opened in Annapolis. With an estimated 100 patients ready to obtain their medicine, the clinic owners believe opening up this early allows them to begin building the patient-doctor relationship in preparation for when the program officially begins, VISIT US AT
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C, 400 000
+
by the numb3rs
The number of cannabis court cases that were dropped in St. Clair County as a result of the recent Supreme Court decision clarifying that caregivers and users can use their medical cannabis certification as a legal defense or immunity if charged with a cannabis-related crime: 5 (Source: The Times Herald)
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The number of signatures required to be gathered for Florida’s second push for cannabis legalization: 100,000 (Source: The Florida Times-Union)
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The number of plants that medical cannabis provisioning centers can grow, at maximum, in Pittsfield: 72 (Source: Mlive.com)
The amount of money, in dollars, that the Michigan Cannabis Coalition raised between April and July for cannabis legalization: 273, 225 (Source: Mlive.com)
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The number of signatures that were collected by a Michigan cannabis petition group in only 12 days: 400,000 (Source: Click On Detroit)
The ranked number that Michigan holds on a list of states that have created a cannabis law section: 2 (Source: The Weed Blog)
2
The number of years that it took the state of Nevada to allow patients access to medical cannabis since they voted to legalize it: 15 (Source: The New York Times)
100K
The number of organizations approved to grow and dispense medical cannabis as part of the Compassionate Care Act in New York: 5 (Source: WGRZ.com)
ArtPrize Every fall, Grand Rapids brings back its massively successful ArtPrize—a lively international art competition that is fueled by public vote, as well as an expert team of judges. The month-long event allows anyone to make their voice heard regarding the definition of art, and why it matters. Both locals as well as international artists bring their most unique works to the city with the hopes of winning one of the two $200,000 grand prizes in eight different categories. Last year, ArtPrize saw record-breaking numbers in participation. With over 1,536 entries, 174 participating venues, and over 441,000 visitors, 2014 went out with a bang. There’s no doubt that the 2015 ArtPrize competition will bring even more visitors to Grand Rapids, with an even larger pool of entries to view and explore.
IF YOU GO
What: ArtPrize. When/Where: Wed, Sept. 23-Oct. 11. Various locations in Grand Rapids. Info: Visit www.artprize. org for details.
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Attention to Autism
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Michigan is close to becoming the first state to add Autism to the list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis by Jackie Piper
In July, under the News Nuggets section, we mentioned that Michigan state law might consider autism as a qualifying condition for patients who desire medical access to cannabis. Currently, the only conditions that Michigan considers as qualifiers for medical cannabis are cancer, glaucoma, HIV, hepatitis C and a few others. We talked about Lisa Smith and her son Noah, who has autism, and how they’re helping to usher in a new era for children with autism. Since Noah qualifies for medical cannabis because of his epilepsy, he was in a unique position. Smith noticed her son benefiting in more ways than just treating the epilepsy. She elaborates, “Making the decision to use cannabis to treat Noah’s Autism and Dravet Syndrome was not a decision that was made in haste . . . Noah has made great strides over the past few months since he began using cannabis . . . We’ve managed to wean him off all-but-one medication used for seizure control and he no longer relies on behavior medications to help control or stabilize his behaviors, as he no longer exhibits aggressive or selfinjurious tendencies.” There was an attempt in 2013 to get autism on the list as a qualifying condition, but it was thwarted by seven out of nine votes. In fact, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is the only condition that’s been added to the list since Michigan voters approved medical cannabis for certain conditions in 2008. So they went at it again, this time providing hundreds of pages of research on cannabis and autism that weren’t included in the 2013 proposal. It went to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act Review Panel on July 31, 2015. This time the vote was 4-2, in favor
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of putting autism on the list. But success hasn’t been achieved yet. It’s still up to Mike Zimmer, Director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. If he follows the state panel’s recommendation, Michigan would become the first state to allow medical cannabis for children with severe autism. He has until late October to issue a judgment. With families stepping up to the plate and admitting the dramatic improvements in their children’s lives while treating them with medical cannabis, you’d think there wouldn’t be such a struggle to put autism on the qualifying list. Especially in a state that’s been pretty progressive with its medical cannabis laws. But Dr. Eden Wells, Michigan’s chief medical executive who serves on the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act Panel, voted no. She’s not
convinced that there’s enough research showing long-term effects from children consuming medical cannabis. “These things are things we do not know until we have enough experience with these medications in a controlled trial . . . I don’t think we have those checks and balances.” Dr. David Crocker, who also serves on the panel, disagrees with Wells. “We have a pretty good checks and balances system,” he said, noting that two different doctors need to give their approval before any child can get a medical cannabis card from the state. Time will tell if Zimmer will allow children with severe autism to revel in the palliative relief of medical cannabis. Until then, there may be children that are suffering much more than they need to. If you want to see how you can help, check out the petition moveon.org. c VISIT US AT
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by Matthew Abel
legal corner
CANNABIS Ballot Initiatives in 2016
M
ichigan is among those states which have been in the forefront of the fight for the end of cannabis prohibition in the United States. It began in 1972 and has continued non-stop ever since. In January of this year, a group of 50 or so of activists met in Ypsilanti to discuss electoral targets to continue the reform in localities throughout Michigan. Shortly into that meeting, the group became aware of a push by another group for a statewide ballot proposal which now has been approved for the 2015 ballot in Ohio (called Responsible Ohio). The Responsible Ohio initiative is a proposed Constitutional Amendment. It would legalize cannabis, and immediately make it “big business,” as the proposal would grant commercial growing rights to only 10 wealthy benefactors, the same groups which bankrolled the proposal. The addresses of the commercial cannabis farms are contained within the proposal, assuring the benefactors a huge return on investment. Rather than join in with the group seeking this for Michigan, the activists decided to put together their own proposal which became MILegalize; a proposal put together by the Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee. It would allow any person 21 years and older to cultivate up to 12 plants which are at least 12 inches tall or 12 inches in diameter. It also would keep intact the current Michigan
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Medical Marihuana Act, and would legalize the production, processing and use of industrial hemp, defined as cannabis with a total THC content of up to one percent. The Michigan Responsibility Council, a second group who says that they are interested in a proposal similar to the initiative supported by Responsible Ohio, have not yet filed a petition with the Michigan Board of Canvassers, a required step before circulating statewide petitions in Michigan. Meanwhile, a third group has had a petition approved by the Michigan Board of Canvassers, and is actively circulating petitions. The Michigan Cannabis Coalition (MCC) would allow home growing of up to two flowering plants per home (regardless of the number of adult residents), but allow a local municipality to grant the right for two additional plants per residence. It would allow the state legislature to impose taxes, and establish a Cannabis Control Board, which would license cultivation and retail facilities. Tax revenue would be earmarked for schools, public health and public safety. People lately have been saying that legalization of cannabis is a question not if it will happen, but when. As time goes by, it now appears that it no longer is a question of when (2016, or certainly by 2020) legalization will happen, but how that will look. Pundits already are calling 2016 “the marijuana election,” and it’s still a year
in the future. Of course, a year can be a lifetime in politics. Federal rescheduling is (and has been for many years) “the holy grail” of cannabis reform. While there is no particular reason for optimism on this issue, there have been at least nine different federal memos to the United States Attorneys (federal prosecutors) regarding federal priorities in cannabis law enforcement (including strict compliance with state cannabis laws). In the meantime, any petition which is filed with the required number of signatures (approximately 250,000), then automatically is submitted to the state legislature who have the opportunity to pass it into law rather than put it on the ballot. When sufficient and valid signatures are filed, our conservative legislature have to either take the bitter pill of legalizing cannabis, or allow the people to vote on it in November 2016, a situation which is likely to benefit the Democratic Party nominee over the Republican candidate. Either of the current proposals in circulation would be a giant step forward. You can register to vote at the office of your city, township or village clerk, or at any Michigan Secretary of State office. c Matthew Abel is senior partner at the law firm of Cannabis Counsel, P.L.C., Executive Director of Michigan NORML, and an elected member of the Board of Directors of MILegalize.
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STRAINS
Available AT: Motown Meds in Detroit.
Blue Cookie
Typical of its parents, Girl Scout Cookies and Blueberry, Blue Cookie will fill the room with a special aroma that’s all its own. When it’s uncapped, you know what’s coming. A 60/40 indica-dominant strain that hits 25 percent THC with no problem means it’s excellent on pain relief, while helping you maintain a good mood and a productive mindset. Dense and sticky like you’d expect from a cookie strain, it’s almost hard to see the darker leaves under all those trichomes reflecting the sunlight. You could use this one all day long and not get fatigued from it. It is definitely one that should be a staple in your stash. Available AT: Green Planet in Ann Arbor.
Purple OG
This one will knock you off your feet, so be prepared to take a load off. Perfect for relaxing or catching up on that sleep you so desperately need, this 80/20 indica-dominant flower is an excellent nighttime strain. With impressive stats of 30.1 percent THC and .02 percent CBD, it’s responsible for great pain relief and a mind-melting experience. Its parents are Ghost OG Kush and SFV Purps, causing an earthy, kushy and pungent scent. Its taste is expansive and rich, with a lingering resinous aroma. Keep this one around for when you really want to have a chill experience, but make sure you don’t have any deadlines to meet. Available AT: Herbal Solutions in Ypsilanti.
Casper OG
Just like Christina Ricci couldn’t keep her eyes off Devon Sawa, in the movie Casper, Casper OG has got us hooked. It’s got a sweet, lemony pine smell and no wonder it’s called Casper, because it’s completely dusted with trichomes, making it one of the palest looking strains we’ve seen. You’ll definitely be considered everyone’s friend if you show up with this bud to a party. But you better make sure it’s a chill party, because it clocks in at 21 percent THC and is a 70/30 indicadominant hybrid. With parents like Ghost OG and Face/Off OG BX1, it allows for a unique variation of an overall classic OG Kush taste. You’ll be able to force yourself to do things, but it’s better for brainstorming than it is for executing.
Cherry Kush
Available AT: We Grow Education Center in Flint.
Cherry Kush is a tasty treat for sure. Smelling like a freshly baked pie that’s been cooling on the window sill, the taste lived up to our expectations. It’s Purple Afghani and OG Kush parents give it that heavy, potent dankness, but allows you to finish on a sweet note. It’s a pleasant smoke with an incredible effect that lets you get some deep relaxation for your mind, body and soul. At 17.8 percent THC and 70/30 indicadominant, it’s great for stress, pain, insomnia and bringing back your appetite. For growers, it’s good to know that it’s ready for harvest in late October after flowering for eight to nine weeks.
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cool stuff Cali Crusher
Priding itself on being a designer grinder, Cali Crusher is the newest top selling grinder on the market. Made from medical grade Aerospace aluminum with indestructible radial cut blades, its 4-way quick-lock feature is bar none, eliminating cross-threading incidents and jammed situations. The screen is even removable and upgradeable with the use of a small hex key. Cali Crusher has taken every problematic feature of the classic grinder and redesigned it for overall improvement.
Atmos RX Jump
PRICE: $89.95 MORE INFORMATION: www.Calicrusher.com
PRICE: $59.95 MORE INFORMATION: www.atmosrx.com
A powerful herb vaporizer, the AtmosRx Jump is super durable and a lightweight, durable and compact vaporizer. Its 1200mAh battery helps the Jump be one of the most consistent herb vaporizers we’ve tried in a while, and its hard anodized heating chamber makes sure that the vapor is rich and smooth. This little guy is simple and easy to use too! A great addition to any vaporconnoisseur’s collection.
PRICE: $49.99 MORE INFORMATION: www.o2vapes.com
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Bevel PRICE: $49 MORE INFORMATION: www.matterandform.net
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The first accessory of its kind, Bevel turns your ordinary smartphone or tablet into an amazing 3D camera. Bevel is the world’s first attachment capable of capturing real 3D photographs on any smartphone or tablet. Other 3D attachments create the illusion of 3D by enhancing the depth of an image, but fail to capture a file that you can actually use. You can even use Bevel for 3D printing! Bevel uses an eye-safe laser light, and the existing camera on your Android or IOS device, to capture photographs in a whole new dimension.
o2Vape Slim Pack
Now, you don’t have to worry about your pen dying out, or getting dirty, or being too bulky to carry with you everywhere you want to go . . . the o2Vape Pen is a buttonless pen with a sleek style and versatility. Its atomizer is transparent, and doesn’t give any burning taste, leakage or wait time to heat up. With open sourcing, you can use your favorite oils in this pen, or get some of o2Vape’s products. Weighing less than 3 ounces, you’ll never know it’s in your purse or pocket until you need it.
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entertainment
Release Date: September 11 Available on: Wii U
Super Mario Maker Dev. Nintendo Pub. Nintendo
Sure, the Wii U isn’t known for its graphics—but it has a viable collection of amazing games that play on your nostalgia. As a part of the franchise’s 30th anniversary, Nintendo is releasing its very own level creator called Super Mario Maker, where players can turn the same old Super Mario Brothers levels that they know by heart into difficult, and at times, almost impossible to complete levels. Choose from a variety of old and new game and course styles, add items and obstacles to your heart’s content, and share your levels with friends!
High Royal Headache Whats Your Rupture?
Marking its first record in four years, High sees Royal Headache, hailing from Sydney, Australia, taking the torch that it lit with its self-titled debut, and running with it as fast as its legs can carry it. Royal Headache absolutely explodes off the record and releases some of the most powerful and moving rock and roll music that one might ever hear. The guitar playing is frenetic and ferocious, the rhythm section lands on their beats with unrelenting commitment and dedication, and the singing of the band’s vocalist, Shogun, is nothing short of breathtaking. (Simon Weedn)
Medical Cannabis Complete Edition - From Marijuana to Synthetic Cannabinoids Michka Mama Editions
“In Focus: Theater Gates” International expert on plantbased medicine, Michka has joined forces with a plethora of other experts in the cannabis realm— Prof. Raphael Mechoulam, Prof. Manuel Guzman, Jorge Cervantes, Robert Clarke and many more, to create a well-rounded book about the worldwide legalization and medical movement for cannabis therapies. The book includes the most frequently asked questions about cannabis, conditions it could help, the respective differences between THC, CBD and CBN, and the natural history of the plant as well. It covers the latest legislation all around the world, the available pharmaceutical medications derived from cannabis or from synthetic cannabinoids. This is very illustrative, insightful and complete educational text about medical cannabis. (Alex Bradley)
Oliver Stoned Lighthouse Home Entertainment Dir. Tom Morris
Oliver Stoned follows a few harrowing days in the life of the titular character, Oliver (Seth Cassell), as his tendency to get as high as humanly possible during his every waking moment undermines his job at his dad’s auto-detailing shop, losing track of a valuable vintage car that he’s responsible for. Joined by a rag-tag ensemble of ridiculous friends, including a whole host of up-and-coming actors and one over-the-top villain, Oliver Stoned breaks out of the usual stoner comedy cycle, and actually takes viewers on a trip through wild days and personal evolution. (Simon Weedn)
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+
Artist Theater Gates utilizes his talents in sculpture, installation and musical performance to portray how issues of race and class occur in a public space. His unique approach to these mediums are connected to his previous work on largescale urban interventions within his childhood home on the South side of Chicago. The redevelopments of his work on projects, such as the Dorchester Projects (installations located in abandoned buildings that later became studio apartments for affordable living), allow Gates to repurpose his actions into unique art pieces that illustrate the symbols and forms of urban life.
IF YOU GO
What: “In Focus: Theater Gates” exhibit. When/Where: On view through Oct. 18. University of Michigan of Art, 525 S State St., Ann Arbor. Info: Visit www.umma. umich.edu for details.
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Reggie Watts ambles into our interview wearing a t-shirt announcing “Good Morning” and the disarming, wideeyed wonder of an otherworldly being just fallen to earth. A fiercely intelligent yet uncommonly warm man, Watts is a ludicrously talented musician, versatile vocalist and famously 420-friendly surrealist comedian—often simultaneously. Over the past quarter-century Watts has sung, played, rambled, rapped and beat-boxed his way to becoming a one-man genre of eccentric, often disinformation-based comedy punctuated with multilayered musical compositions created live on stage using a digital looper. Between tunes, his restless, easilydistracted wordplay and absurdist life view—exploring everything from the intuitive interface of Mexican mapping systems to the Happy Mondays in ever-changing accents and languages—is equal parts psychedelic, stimulating and flat-out funny. Born in Germany to a French mother and an AfricanAmerican airman father, Watts spent his infancy in Europe before the family settled in Great Falls, Montana. A veteran of Seattle’s music scene, most notably as frontman for
soulful rock/hip-hop collision Maktub, he moved to New York’s Lower East Side and shifted his creative emphasis to comedy (albeit often musical comedy) in 2004. His intrinsic cuddliness enhanced by a heroically explosive ‘fro and beard, Watts makes eye contact easily and palpably relishes the stimulation of meeting strangers. His career ark has been slow and steady yet not without significant landmarks. Following two Comedy Central specials (2010’s Why Shit So Crazy? and 2012’s A Live in Central Park) and appearances on the likes of Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live, the admirably-uncompromising comic earned a co-starring spot on IFC’s Comedy Bang! Bang! series, a role he recently relinquished to become bandleader and announcer for The Late Late Show with James Corden. With his hard-earned, YouTube-ubiquitous hipness now percolating the mainstream, the eternally-curious comic is currently staying in Los Angeles (where the Late Late Show is recorded) while frequently returning to New York to visit his girlfriend. We caught up with him somewhere between the two to chat.
Photos by John Gilhooley
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You’re known as a “dis-informationist.” Does that mean that everything you say during this interview could be untruths? It could be. Although I would say, with interviews, I tend to probably go towards 98 percent truth. And even my untruths are kind of highlighted and have quotes around them.
way, the analogy of a starship is just to recognize the fact that we’re alive and the fact that we’re able to do what we do is amazing—and that’s a thing that I never want to lose sight of.
Your stage show has been billed as 100 percent improvised? Is that literally the case? Oh definitely, yeah. I mean, I could try to have a structure, but I would most likely forget about it. It’s easier for me to not have anything in my mind and go on stage. Obviously, I’ve been doing it enough times that I that I have, like, six different ways that I could start—I could start loud or I can start soft, or I can mess with the microphone or I can go straight to the keyboard. There’s these types of things . . . but, the content itself is improvised.
New York Magazine described your performances as “comedy for the Internet Era.” What influence has the internet had on your work and how different might your performances be without it? When I think about how performed when I was in high school, in the ‘80s, pre-internet . . . during that time I was very influenced by Monty Python. Monty Python had the ability of turning on a dime realities and contextualizing things instantaneously—or doing a slow cross-fade from one idea to the other, so it’s very psychedelic. So, I was inspired by that and when I would do my comedy I would improvise. Whatever came into my head, I would do—I wouldn’t be afraid that it didn’t make sense. Fast forward to the internet age, [my performances] actually came into resonance with the internet, because the internet allows you to follow your whims and things suddenly changes or it glitches-out . . . So, what I do on stage is very similar to how you would navigate the internet, just based off of your curiosity and the availability of choices. So, I think that I just kind of lined up when that happened.
A few years ago you said that you like to pretend you’re living in a starship. Has that starship landed yet—or is it likely to anytime soon? We’re on a planet, in space, so we are all on a spaceship. So, in a
In your everyday life, do you switch between accents and languages? Oftentimes I do, yeah. It’s a bad habit and people sometimes think it’s annoying.
So is your stage persona a character or is it you? Or are you always in character? Are you in character right now? I don’t think it is [a character]. I mean, I think people think it’s a character because it’s ridiculous. I definitely go into a mode where I’m like “how ridiculous can I be?,” but I never really think of it as a character.
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Your style of comedy is far from traditional, yet your career is flourishing. Do you feel that you’re having to earn acceptance not just of yourself but also of a whole new genre? That was a fear I had when I first moved to New York and I made a conscious decision to focus on comedy instead of doing music . . . I wasn’t sure how they were going to receive me the first time I went up [on stage, but] they just loved it! They saw that I was a silly human doing really dumb shit and people were like “we know where you’re coming from.” Even though what I’m doing is different than what they do, we all share that, like, “this is the maximum dumbest thing you could be doing on stage right now.” So, I found my “family” very quickly and I would worry at times that I was leaning on music as a crutch too much, but I never worried about what I was doing verbally on stage. You’re now the bandleader and announcer for The Late Late Show with James Corden. What are the joys and challenges of that role, compared to those of your solo live performances? It’s kind of funny . . . I show up [at The Late Late Show] and always I’m aware of the fact that I’m like “Where am I right now? How did I get this gig?” And then I’m like “Live from blah, blah, blah,” and “Give it up for . . . !” So, all these instincts kick in where I have the awareness of the fact that what I’m doing this is ridiculous and I kind of play into that and try to make it different, try to make it fun. You’re performing at the Teragram Ballroom in L.A. on September 25. What should Angelenos who perhaps haven’t seen you live before expect? I don’t know what to expect . . . I know I’m going to show up and I’m going to soundcheck for 15 minutes and then hopefully people will turn up and I’ll get to perform for them. These are the only ingredients I know—always the case [and] better that way. Your first EP was called Pot Cookies and you’ve talked on stage about using “the doobage application” every day. What role does cannabis play in your life and creativity? It plays a pretty major role in that, for me, THC and creativity has a lot to do about shifting my perspective and also kind of reducing the obsessiveness that I tend to have about, like, efficiency or problems. It puts me in a zone that’s more momentous
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and so, in that case I’m allowed to kind of relax and see things from a little bit more of a childish perspective or pure curiosity. I mean, it would happen without cannabis, for sure, but the nature of how much stuff is coming at me constantly, it really does help to kind of throw me off and kind of destabilize me so I can actually really feel something as much as possible. So you welcome that destabilization? Definitely. I tend to prefer edibles more than smoking. Lately I’ve had some “unknown” edibles—that I’m not sure what the quantity is, so, I’ve gotten way, way, way, way out into space. [But] if that does happen, I’m just going to look at it as a challenge—to, like, try to keep my thoughts together. It’s almost like wearing a weighted backpack and running up stairs . . . It’s like added resistance to my training regimen—mental training regimen. How do you time your cannabis ingestion relative to your performance? I’d say it’s about 60/40—60 percent I’ll have some form of THC and 40 percent I’ll go on [stage] without it. I don’t notice a difference too much in the beginning. Generally, what I do if I’m going to plan on having an edible, I will eat it just before I go out on stage or I’ll eat it when I get on stage, in front of everybody. So when I do that, it comes on slowly, as we all know, and that kind of affects the performance towards the back end and that’s kind of interesting to me. Because sometimes I’ll be on stage and . . . it’s nice to be confused and a little bit worried about how I’m going to come up with something, because that weirdly causes me to focus and generate different possibilities than I would sometimes if I weren’t on it. Do audiences find Reggie Watts funnier if they’re high? Is this “stoner humor”? I mean, for sure. But, in so far as Monty Python was stoner humor . . . [although] a lot of those guys weren’t really big stoners— they just loved sully, psychedelic stuff. They were probably more fans of Salvador Dali— and Dali wasn’t a drug guy either. My goal, no matter what I’m doing, I think of it as I want to create experiences that are amazing when you’re high, but also make you feel like you’re high if you’re not high. I’m trying to get to a place where it really makes you feel like you’re somewhere else or you’re inside your own mind kind of on your own journey . . . I want everybody to feel some kind of a high. c VISIT US AT
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The dangers and use of synthetic cannabinoid compounds may be on the rise, according to reports from both government organizations and respected media sources. Just a few years ago, the news was flooded with stories of zombie-like individuals wreaking havoc after getting high on bath salts. Similar reports of people with super human strength that appear to be impervious to pain and completely out of their minds are appearing in the news once again, but this time it’s reportedly in the name of synthetic cannabis. Called spice, K-2, fake weed or by many other names, “‘Spice’ refers to a wide variety of herbal mixtures that produce experiences similar to marijuana (cannabis) and that are marketed as ‘safe,’ legal alternatives to that drug,” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In reality, this shredded plant material and chemical additives are
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not for human consumption, and they are responsible for psychoactive effects that are often dangerous to one’s health and safety. This potentially lethal substance should not be marketed as a safe alternative to cannabis—nothing could be further from the truth. >>
“This potentially lethal substance should not be marketed as a safe alternative to cannabis—nothing could be further from the truth.”
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“In reality, this shredded plant material and chemical additives are not for human consumption, and they are responsible for psychoactive effects that are often dangerous to one’s health and safety.”
An August report on Yahoo News shared that between April 1 and July 31 over 1,900 individuals were hospitalized in New York State after consuming synthetic cannabinoid compounds. It’s no surprise when stories occurred, like how one man under the influence of synthetic cannabis used his bare hands in attempt to stop an electric saw that the police were using to break open his door. It was a bloody situation to say the least, as shared by New York Police Department Commissioner William Bratton during an August press conference. During this press conference, the NYPD also showed two videos to demonstrate the psychotic effects synthetic cannabis can have on a user. The first video showed a naked man who smashed a hole in a wooden fence using his fist, while ranting. He was then sprayed by pepper spray and tacked by officers. The second video was of another man, also naked, crouching in the street while screaming frantically at the ground below him.
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These reports of hallucination and complete lapse of judgment experienced by synthetic cannabis users are not uncommon. Many users have reported psychotic effects that range from severe anxiety and paranoia to hallucinations. Other negative health effects reported by users have been vomiting, confusion and agitation. This drug has also been known to cause rapid heart beat, raise blood pressure, reduce blood supply to the heart and has even been linked to causing heart attacks in specific cases. While there is a lack of information regarding the effects of synthetic cannabinoid compounds on the human brain because studies have yet to be performed, the federal government continues to crack down on this public health and safety issue. The five active chemicals used
in synthetic cannabis were made federally illegal as Schedule I Substances in 2012 by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Although it is illegal to buy, sell or possess any of these chemicals, spice manufacturers are constantly attempting to use different cannabinoids and chemicals to work around the system. This forces the DEA to keep the list of banned chemicals updated frequently. Although illegal, it appears that synthetic cannabis use is on the rise. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention published a report in June 2015 that might suggest an increase in the use of synthetic cannabis. According to the CDC, a recent study concluded a 229 percent increase in calls to poison control centers regarding synthetic cannabinoid in January to May 2015, in comparison to the calls in January to May 2014. The report also noted the increased rates of injury and deaths by the drug have increase three times to that of last year, making this year’s death toll at 15 so far. In addition, the report stated the number of available synthetic cannabinoid variants have increased, and many of these variants are much more toxic than before. The CDC believes this report might suggest that synthetic cannabinoids can be considered an emerging threat to public health, which should lead to strengthening efforts to eliminate these products in order to protect the public. Synthetic cannabis use may appeal to some people because it’s inexpensive and doesn’t show up on drug tests, however it is not a safe alternative to natural cannabis by any means. Stay away from synthetic cannabinoid compounds, and it might just save your life. c VISIT US AT
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Straight Up Info-tainment Dishing it Out with Marijuana Straight Talk’s Host, Becca Williams by Jamie Solis
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Marijuana Straight Talk is a breath of fresh air in cannabis journalism. This entertaining and informative television program is widening the acceptance of cannabis across our nation, as it appeals to the avid cannabis consumer alongside the uninformed or misinformed American and everyone in between. With high ratings and a large number of viewers since its first two pilots, Marijuana Straight Talk is one of Free Speech Television Network’s most popular shows, in terms of its rating. One of the friendly faces of Marijuana Straight Talk is recovering television news reporter and executive producer, Becca Williams. As the passionate and experienced host of this groundbreaking show, Williams is providing the everyday citizen valuable, life saving information about our favorite misrepresented plant in an entertaining way. Before embarking on this journey, Williams spent years as a news reporter. Her daily routine started similar to many mainstream news reporters, waking up every day pursuing the most negative news she could find for a story. After a few years, Williams felt like she was not contributing to the better good. Williams moved to Chicago to work at National Public Radio, and later she returned to academia. She went on to become the editor for a magazine in Chicago called Conscious Choice, which is about ecology, healthy living, personal growth and development. Specializing in alternative holistic medicine, it was during this time that the medicinal value of cannabis came on her radar. This realization, along with William’s background of entertainment television and health-centric alternative medicine, has led to Marijuana Straight Talk’s mission to create conversation and progress toward the healthiest cannabis community possible. >>
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Q: “Our intent with Marijuana Straight Talk is to move the conversation into a place where we are imagining the best scenarios for how cultural acceptance for cannabis looks in this country.”
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Tell us about the concept for Marijuana Straight Talk.
We are a very wounded culture around this plant. It’s been misrepresented to us; there’s been a misinformation campaign. So, we need to educate ourselves around it. Our intent with Marijuana Straight Talk is to move the conversation into a place where we are imagining the best scenarios for how cultural acceptance for cannabis looks in this country. We’ve got four generations now who are actively interacting with cannabis in some way, some fashion, whether it’s for medical or overall well-being.
Q:
How do you think you are filling a current void in cannabis journalism?
We’re reframing how we look at cannabis through culture and art. For instance, we have Artistic Say, where activists and artists are speaking their truth about cannabis, whether it’s through music, poetry
or other forms, and we’re finding our viewers love this segment. We also entertain through commentary. We have a cannabis reporter, Leland Rucker, who is pointing out the silly contradictions how all these other substances are okay but cannabis isn’t. So, we’re doing what I like to call, from my television executive producing, “info-tainment.” Infotainment is information and entertainment. And I think that is the most potent way to communicate a message.
Q:
How has the response been so far?
We were blown away when the ratings came back for the show, and we had only had two episodes out—pilots at that—and they weren’t even regularly scheduled. We got this huge response from viewers. We knew that there was an appetite for this kind of information in a way that is fun and breezy, but we had no idea we’d get this response. We weren’t even on the schedule, and people went out of their way to find us at Free Speech TV Network when it was airing.
We’re really looking forward to be in a situation that we’re doing [the show] weekly. And that is what we’re looking toward in 2016.
Q:
Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
The show is what it is because of the support and participation of our guests and guest experts. I have the pleasure of working with a community that’s rich with people who love this plant for its ability to heal, create well-being and sustain our Earth. Mine is a great job! I want to give a big shout out to Free Speech Television Network. Free Speech is home to Democracy Now! and Thom Hartmann, The Stephanie Miller Show, Elon James White, and to be able to include our project in that line-up is really forward thinking in the sense that often times covering cannabis is kind of an untouchable. So, being amidst so many mainstream professionals who are doing so much wonderful work in their arena, like with Democracy Now! and Amy Goodman, to be able to include me in that lineup is quite daring. c VISIT US AT
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“If they actually had arrested me over this past couple of years, all I would have done would be a louder asshole.”
In January 2014 in the high plains of Denver, Allen St. Pierre walked into a store and legally bought recreational cannabis. Thousands of others did likewise in Colorado, as cannabis enthusiasts celebrated the first such legal sales in the U.S. in modern history. But St. Pierre had more reasons than many to be euphoric: His more than two decades working with National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). When he came on the job as Communications Director, the first Bush was President and St. Pierre’s was a lonely voice on a fringe issue most politicians wouldn’t touch. But at that moment in 2014, two states (Washington voters had also approved legalization) had told the rest of the country it was time to by R. Scott Rappold legalize, tax and regulate cannabis. “That was an incredibly historic moment to hold in my hands the fruition of my life’s work and the work of thousands,” recalled St. Pierre, NORML’s Executive Director, 18 months later. “I was happy to be alive. If you’d asked me in 1995 if I would live long enough to see marijuana legalized, I’m not sure I could have given an answer that would be anything other than pessimistic.” These are indeed heady times for one of cannabis reform’s top advocates. Voters in Oregon, Alaska and Washington D.C. have since approved legalization, and St. Pierre sees the 2016 election as potentially the movement’s biggest success yet. But if the wrong candidate wins the Presidency, it could all be swept away with the stroke of a pen. St. Pierre talked with CULTURE from his Washington D.C. office about how the legalization movement got this far, where it goes from here and why he never travels with cannabis. >>
Allen St. Pierre and NORML
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From Nixon to Reagan
NORML was founded in 1970 by R. Keith Stroup. The establishment was fighting back against the drug excesses of the ‘60s and President Nixon would soon declare drug use “public enemy number one.” Appeals by NORML to treat cannabis differently than cocaine and other drugs fell on deaf ears. Then came President Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, with some revolutionary ideas about cannabis. He urged Congress to legalize possession of up to an ounce. But scandal occured–Carter’s drug czar resigned after being outed for allegedly doing coke at a party–and Carter’s flagging popularity killed any momentum. Then came Ronald Reagan, who urged a generation of kids to “just say no.” St. Pierre got involved with NORML as a volunteer and concerned cannabis advocate. “In the 1970s and ‘80s, there was virtually no other voice that was arguing to the contrary regarding all these things, civil forfeiture, the DARE program, Partnership for a Drug-Free America, mandatory minimum sentencing. In all those things NORML was at the vanguard,” he said.
Hope and disappointment
As 1993 dawned and the first Baby Boomer president Bill Clinton, the first president to admit to having tried cannabis, was sworn in, St. Pierre felt hope for a softer stance on cannabis. Democrats in Congress, hammered by Republicans as soft on crime and drugs, refused to touch the issue, as did Clinton. Clinton also broke a campaign promise and refused to reinstate the Compassionate IND program, which provided a handful of sick people government joints. St. Pierre felt betrayed, by the president and the “overly repentant liberals and baby
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boomers” who “chose to largely remain in their smoky closets.” He hasn’t quite gotten over it. “They were just lying, hypocritical and pandering politicians, which doesn’t make them much different from other politicians,” he said of Clinton and Gore. “If you look at a picture of me and ask why my hair is so grey, it’s because of people like Clinton.” His was a lonely job, pandering an idea mainstream politicians wouldn’t touch, one of only a few people in Washington lobbying Congress for cannabis reform. When George W. Bush became president in 2001, St. Pierre saw it was time to hunker down. “After that election was decided by the (Supreme) Court and it wound up in Mr. Bush’s hands, we surely saw that as a four to eight year slog, knowing that whoever was the President, it was hard to imagine George Bush was ever going to flip on the issue of marijuana. And he didn’t,” he said. But, he said, “In America there are a number of different ways you can affect political change.”
Taking it to the states
With little hope of federal reform, NORML began focusing on states. St. Pierre estimates he gave some 1,400 media interviews in 1996 in support of California’s medical cannabis ballot proposition, which passed. Clearly, sick people seeking alternative medication was something voters would support. In the days before the Internet and social media, NORML, with its nationwide network of local chapters, victims of prohibition and sympathetic attorneys, was the ideal conduit for funding and coordination. NORML and its volunteers were the grassroots base of the movement and St. Pierre was its public face. Then came Barack Obama. Elected President in 2008, he slowly began deescalating the war on cannabis, and eventually
his administration announced it wouldn’t interfere with state-approved cannabis dispensaries. It could be argued voters in Colorado might not have approved full legalization in 2012 were there not already medical cannabis dispensaries in many towns and neighborhoods. St. Pierre likes to hope Obama will issue executive order changing cannabis’ federal Schedule 1 status, which would remove many barriers to cannabis research. But he still believes the 2016 election will be the most pivotal yet for the reform movement, with legalization likely on the ballot in California, Nevada, Arizona, Massachusetts and Maine, if not others. Perhaps more importantly, the new President will be elected. Some Republican candidates have vowed to reverse legalization, while Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton has expressed lukewarm support. It would take little more than a stroke of a pen by the likes of Republican Presidential candidate Chris Christie to sweep back legalization. Said St. Pierre, “The next presidential election is going to be the most important in determining whether or not Obama’s legacy of taking the foot off the gas of prohibition on the federal level is going to continue.”
A dual mission
If St. Pierre’s optimism is tempered by concern, it’s because he has seen his hopes dashed so many times. At 50 years old, St. Pierre is no longer the main public face of cannabis reform. Newer organizations with staffs that dwarf NORML’s seven full-time employees have emerged. Where once St. Pierre was a lone voice on Capitol Hill, he estimates there are at any given time two dozen lobbyists working on some aspect of cannabis. Still, NORML will continue its other mission of helping connect people who have been arrested with its networks of chapters and lawyers. It also provides assistance to cannabis businesses facing legal problems. Because for St. Pierre, avoiding arrest is the motivation behind his decades of cannabis activism. He publicly states his love of cannabis, which has led to him being detained and searched. Police even came to his D.C. house after he told a radio host he only partakes in cannabis in the privacy of his own home. “It’s that stakeholdership. It’s that fear of being arrested that is my motivating factor. I don’t want to be arrested. I want to change the laws,” he said. Not that it would deter him. Said St. Pierre, “If they actually had arrested me over this past couple of years, all I would have done would have done would be a louder asshole.” c VISIT US AT
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by Ed Rosenthal
growing culture
Experimenting
with Far-Red
I
n late June, I placed four 730nm (far-red) lamps over several plants to see whether I could induce early flowering by turning them on at dusk. The controls were exposed to natural light during the day, but not the far-red lamps at day’s end. It is now early August. The experimental plants have been under the influence of the far-red lamps for more than five weeks. The results were unexpected. The far-red light did not speed up flowering time. I still think the theory is valid, but I don’t think that these lamps delivered enough intensity to trigger the phytochrome reaction I was looking for. However, without realizing it, I had set up another experiment. I had placed a 300-watt induction fluorescent in the middle of the experimental area so that some of the plants received five hours of extra illumination during lighted, but shaded parts of the day. None of these plants received the far-red light treatment. There was also a third group of plants that could be considered a control. They were on the other side of the fluorescents, opposite the far-red light treatment and received neither far-red nor extra light. The result was that the flowers on the plants receiving the supplemental fluorescent light were more developed by seven to 10 days at the end of five weeks
than either of the ones receiving the farred light or no supplemental lighting. The control, which received no supplemental lighting and the far-red light treated plants, both showed the same slower flower development. This indicates that less intense light slows flower development and ripening. This is in addition to reducing yield and quality. Details: The plants continue to grow well in their bucket wick system. A 3/8 inch braided nylon rope is used as the wick to draw water to the bottom of the container. Then the water is wicked up through the planting mix as the roots remove it. About a week later, July 1, the nutrient mix was changed from vegetative to flowering formula and the EC is kept at 550-600 ppm with the pH at about 6. During the summer months the trays need additional water and nutrients about twice a week. Since the phytochrome far-red light experiment is completed with negative results, I am removing the lights from the room. I plan to install more lights which will go on during the day, during the time the plants are in shade. I anticipate that this will increase yield and speed growth and ripening. I will leave control plants without supplemental lighting to see the difference. c
TIP OF THE MONTH FROM ASK EDÂŽ
P
erhaps when your plants were placed outside the sun was shining on them all the time. With the angle of the sun, they may now be in shade some or most of the time. If the plants are in moveable containers they can and should be placed in sunny spots.
If the plants are in the ground or in containers too big to move, you can use a high pressure sodium or metal halide lamp to provide supplemental light during the day. They are especially effective in spurring growth when ambient light intensity is low or moderate.
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.
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1 Far-red lights are hanging on the right side. Fluorescent is in the middle. Plants without light supplementation are on the left.
2 Plant tops with far-red or fluorescent supplementation.
3 Close-up of top receiving far-red supplementation. Flowering has not been affected.
4 Close-up of bud under fluorescent supplementation. Flower development has accelerated.
5 The fluorescent is on during shady time. It lights up plants in front of it, not off to the side.
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destination unkown
ALASKA
by Sheryll Alexander
Recreational and Real
The Amazing Beauty of Alaska IF YOU GO:
Fun-Filled Facts 1 The Matanuska-Susitna
Valley has the highest concentration of cannabis growers in the state and is home to the famous Matanuska Thunderfuck (this general strain term actually denotes any premium cannabis conceived the former government experiment station at Matanuska-Susitna Valley). 2 Anchorage’s Alaska Museum of
Science and Nature explores the state’s natural history through hands-on displays including dinosaur fossils, ice age mammals and prehistoric humans.
3 Weather in Alaska can change
suddenly, especially in winter, so most travelers don’t start flying up until midApril when this state gets about 16 straight hours of sunlight, which gives visitors tons of time to take in all the stunning scenery.
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SEE MORE ON OUR WEBSITE
As the land of the untamed, Alaska has protected cannabis users since Ravin v. State of Alaska in 1975 declared personal in-home consumption (four ounces or less) and growing (24 plants maximum) perfectly legal, according to the state’s constitution, no less. Alaska became one of the first medical cannabis states in 1998 and, in 2014, Alaskans went to the polls and approved a ballot measure to legalize the possession and sale of any cannabis albeit with strict provisions as with alcohol. Unfortunately, cannabis still has a stigma in Alaska even as the state has been a surprising supporter of medicating naturally. Some locals and vacationers have reported hotels and car rental companies will charge extra if a room or vehicle is returned with that unmistakable skunky stench. And don’t think you can just light up in public; Alaska’s rugged cops are more than happy to write you a $100 ticket for toking outdoors.
Time to Go: Summer, early fall and late spring. Weather: Sunny, cool and rainy. Budget: $$$$$
N
ow a recreational cannabis state (if you are 21+), Alaska makes for a spectacular place to medicate on a nature-filled vacation. However, unless you are staying with a buddy who grows his or her own, then first plan to fly into Anchorage for stocking up at the one-and-only legal cannabis shop in the state, the world-renowned Alaska Cannabis Club. The club’s rather infamous president, former TV anchorwoman Charlo Greene (who announced her cannabis presidency and then said “F*ck It, I quit!” live on air right before walking off the set), says her solitary, yet booming business “acts as a safe access point for patients.” Alaskans, however, aren’t worried. They know Alaska’s Supreme Court made personal consumption legal in the ‘70s, then medical in the late ‘90s and, finally, a recreational state in 2014. Most cannabis-friendly tourists use Anchorage as a central point for all far-flung Alaska destinations. Anchorage also has authentic Alaskan grub such as reindeer sausage and fresh crabs at local hangouts, Mooses Tooth and Snow City Café. In winter, head to Alyeska Sky Resort for the state’s premiere ski and snowboarding facilities. Those who love to completely relax, however, rent a car (or hop on a short flight) to Chena Hot Springs in Alaska’s state capital, Fairbanks. While soaking in tubs of hot healing mineral waters, guests can experience the otherworldly and colorful aurora borealis. Alaska is truly a dreamy destination for those who can’t wait to medicate under starry skies and amongst pine-tree scented forests. c
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Adam Corlett profile in courage
Age: 19 Condition/ Illness: Generalized Epilepsy
Using medical cannabis since: 2010
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.
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CULTURE // September 2015
Why did you start using cannabis? I started using cannabis when I was 15 years old to help with my anxiety, as I had been having what I thought were panic attacks for two years. When I was 19, I had a convulsive seizure that changed my life forever. I quickly learned that I have refractory (uncontrollable) epilepsy, which means that no traditional pharmaceutical medications work to treat my seizures. After doing some research, I found that CBD and THC had been shown to help others who suffered from my same diagnosis. I began taking a hash oil concentrate by mouth every day, and while it tasted pretty awful, my seizures went from two to eight seizures a day down to one seizure a month. To fix the taste, I infused the hash oil I was currently taking into a hard candy. I am now two-and-a-half months seizure-free. At three months seizurefree, I get my driver’s license back, and my freedom. Did you try other methods or treatments before cannabis? I first tried Keppra which resulted in bad side effects. I switched to Lamotragine, which gave me just as many side effects. The neurologist then switched me to
Depakote which still did not help to control my epilepsy—and another drug called Vimpat. What’s the most important issue or problem facing medical cannabis patients? The most important issue I see facing medical cannabis patients is the stigma around it. I know children with epilepsy who have been bullied and left out at school because the other kids found out that they use CBD. Some of my best friends stopped being my friends just because of my cannabis use as they couldn’t understand that I actually needed it and didn’t use it just for fun. It’s hard to make friends in a world of judgmental people. What do you say to folks who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine? I try to educate people who are skeptical about cannabis as medicine, because it truly is a remarkable medicine; I truly believe that it has the ability to help everyone in the world. Whenever possible, I refer people to NORML as a resource to teach them about cannabis› medicinal properties and its beneficial uses. c
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ARIVING IN AUTUMN
recipes by Aunt Sandy
Menu: BAKED SALMON
BUCKWHEAT SALAD with MUSHROOMS and PARSLEY OIL WHITE SANGRIA FARMHOUSE BLACKBERRY AND APPLE PIE
The summer heat is winding down, the kids are back in school, the country is celebrating American labor—this is the time of year when there’s a definitive scent in the air that signals the arrival of fall in its calm and cool glory. Turn that oven back on after its three-month summertime hiatus, and make some light, flavorful meals, all enhanced with the essence of cannabis. It’s time to get fancy with fish, to bust out the fresh D.I.Y. sangria and indulge in the rich but irresistibly delicious taste of a homemade berry pie!
BAKED SALMON
BUCKWHEAT SALAD with MUSHROOMS and PARSLEY OIL 2 cups lightly packed parsley leaves 1/3 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, extra virgin cannabis-infused olive oil t 1 1/2 cups buckwheat groats or Kasha 1/2 pound each shiitake and oyster mushrooms, stemmed, large caps quartered
Freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 garlic glove, minced 1 tablespoon soy sauce 2 large scallions, thinly sliced 1 medium fennel bulb, diced
Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Prepare a bowl of ice water. Blanch the 1 cup of parsley leaves in boiling water for 20 seconds. With a slotted spoon, transfer the parsley to the ice water. Drain parsley and pat thoroughly dry. In a blender, puree the blanched parsley with 1/3 cup of the extra virgin infused olive oil. Transfer to a bowl and season with salt. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. In a large skillet, toast the buckwheat groats over moderately high heat, shaking the pan often, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Let cool slightly, then transfer to the boiling water and simmer over low heat stirring often, until just tender but still holding its shape, about 5 minutes. Drain the buckwheat, spread it out on a large rimmed baking sheet and let cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of infused olive oil in the large skillet. Add the shiitake and oyster mushrooms and season generously with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms have released their liquid, about 5 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are golden brown, about 5 minutes longer. In a small bowl, mix all but 1 tablespoon of the infused parsley oil with the balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic and soy sauce. In a large bowl toss the cooked buckwheat groats with sliced scallions, diced fennel and the 1 cup of chopped parsley with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a platter. Top the salad with the sautéed mushrooms and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of infused parsley oil. Legal Disclaimer Publishers of this publication are not making any representations with respect to the safety or legality of the use of medical marijuana. The recipes listed here are for general entertainment purposes only, and are intended for use only where medical marijuana is not a violation of state law. Edibles can vary in potency while a consumers’ weight, metabolism and eating habits may affect effectiveness and safety. Ingredient management is important when cooking with cannabis for proper dosage. Please consume responsibly and check with your doctor before consumption to make sure that it is safe to do so.
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4 6-ounce salmon filets 1/4 cup cannabis infused olive oil t 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
8 lemon slices 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 cup marsala wine or white wine 4 teaspoon capers 4 pieces aluminum foil
Brush the tops and bottoms of salmon filets with wine infused olive oil and season with salt, pepper and rosemary. Place each filet of seasoned salmon onto a piece of foil large enough to fold over and seal. Top each piece of salmon with 2 lemon slices, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoon wine and 1 teaspoon capers. Wrap up salmon tightly in aluminum foil. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes until tender.
WHITE SANGRIA 3 tablespoons sugar 3 shots Calvados, or green apple liquor 2 ripe peaches sliced 1 large grapefruit peeled and sectioned 1 sliced lemon
1 lime sliced 3 ripe green apples 1/2 cup cannabis-infused simple syrup t 1 bottle white wine Fresh raspberries Sparkling soda water
Combine sugar, green apple liquor, lime, lemon, peaches, grapefruit and apples in a large pitcher, cover with 1/2 cup cannabis simple syrup and 1 bottle of dry white wine. Chill sangria for several hours. To serve, spoon fruits into glass adding a few fresh raspberries in each glass, and pour wine over top of the fruit. Top off glass with a splash of soda water and serve.
VISIT US AT iReadCulture.com t Additional recipe can be found at iReadCulture.com
FARMHOUSE BLACKBERRY AND APPLE PIE 10-ounce pie crust pastry 4 cups green cooking apples peeled, cored, halved and sliced 2 cups blackberries 1 cups sugar, plus extra for sprinkling Pinch of ground cinnamon
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2 tablespoons plain flour, with a pinch of salt 3 tablespoons canna butter* 1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons canna milk* for pie top
Heat oven to 350°. On a floured surface, roll out two thirds of the pastry and use it to line a 9-inch loose bottom fluted tart tin, leaving a slight overhang and keeping any pastry scraps. Chill the tart for 10 minutes. Prick the bottom lightly with a fork, then fill with baking paper and baking beans. Place in the oven on a baking sheet for 20 minutes, remove beans and paper then bake for 10 minutes more until light brown. Remove from the oven. Place the apples into a large bowl and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Toss in the berries, sugar, cinnamon and 2 tablespoons flour with a pinch of salt and pile it into the tart, Dollop the canna butter around the top of the berries, saving about 14 berries for garnish. Roll the remaining pastry and trimmings together into a square roughly 4 inches square. Cut out 8 strips of pastry. Weave the strips of pastry evenly over the fruit to create a woven pattern and push them into the edge of the tart. Trim the overhang off. Brush the pie top heavily with egg wash, then sprinkle with sugar. Place a berry into each gap then bake for 1 hour until golden brown and bubbling. Leave pie sit for 30 minutes until cooled. Slice and serve.
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Chuck Shepherd's
News of the
Weird
LEAD STORY— Outsourcing u Among the protesters at New
York City’s Gay Pride Parade on the Sunday after the Supreme Court’s historic gay-marriage decision was a group of men outfitted in Jewish prayer garments and representing the Jewish Political Action Committee, carrying signs reading, for example, “Judaism prohibits homosexuality.” However, the men were very likely not Jewish, but in fact Mexican laborers hired for the day. A representative of the committee told The New York Times that the men were “supplemental”—necessary because the committee’s rabbis would not permit their students (who normally staff such protests) to be exposed to the sights of same-sex exuberance typical for the parade.
GOVERNMENT IN ACTION u WOOD-TV of Grand Rapids,
Michigan, seemingly uncovered an antiquity—if not a potential vulnerability—in the Grand Rapids public school system in June when it reported that the heating and cooling systems at
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CULTURE // September 2015
19 schools are controlled using a Commodore Amiga computer (released in the 1980s, about the same time as Windows 2.0), operating on an early Internet modem. It had been installed by a computer-savvy student and, according to the maintenance supervisor, still works fine. Fortunately, the supervisor said, the student still lives in the area and is available if problems arise.
u Recurring Theme: Government officials who insist on such “bells and whistles” as redesigning their department’s logo are often ridiculed for wasting taxpayer money (yet design consultants continue to sell the illusion that a new logo can give a bureaucracy a refreshing rebirth). In May, Tennessee officials unveiled a new state logo (which cost only $46,000—not counting the expense of changing signs, cards, stationery, etc)., which consists of the letters “TN” in white inside a red box with a blue trim underneath. (A Watchdog.org critic suggested a contest to design a superior one, but open only to kids age 12 and under, with the prize a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate).
COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS u Adultery is illegal in
Japan—except, as a Tokyo District Court judge ruled in a “psychological distress” lawsuit filed by the jilted wife, when it is done by a company to retain a good customer. A night club hostess who had carried on with the married man proved that she did so only as “makura eigyo,” or “pillow sales tactic.” Said the judge, “As long as the intercourse is for business, it does not harm the marital relationship at all.” (The ruling, from 2014, was first publicized this year).
NEW WORLD ORDER u In 1993, the owner of the
u Suspicion Confirmed: In
June 2015 research, scientists from Britain’s University of Exeter and Queen Mary University of London warned that owners of “domestic” cats seem not, on average, to appreciate what vicious killers their pets are and urge, for instance, that they be kept indoors more often lest they decimate the neighborhood’s bird and small-mammal populations. Estimates of the yearly death toll generated by housecats are “in the magnitude of millions” in the United Kingdom and “billions” in the United States.
u The “parasitic ways” of the
iconic 5Pointz building in New York City began allowing graffiti artists to use the walls for their masterpieces, but by 2013 had grown weary of the building’s look and had the walls whitewashed. In June 2015, nine of the artists filed a federal lawsuit demanding that the owner compensate them, substantially, for destroying their creations—and they stand a good chance of collecting (under the Visual Artists Rights Act) if they prove their particular works are of “recognized stature” and not merely art of an “ephemeral nature.” At its height, 5Pointz attracted more than 350 artists’ works from around the world.
cuckoo bird were remarked upon “as far back as Aristotle,” wrote a Wall Street Journal book reviewer in May, but some biologists may not have believed the behavior because it was so cold-blooded. The bird, according to Nick Davies’ book Cuckoo: Cheating by Nature, lays its eggs in other species’ nests to trick those birds into incubating the cuckoos, who then hatch and kick the eggs of their host out of the nest. The mother cuckoo, it is said, times her mating schedule so that her eggs mature just before the victims’ eggs would. Hence, according to Davies, she is “nature’s most notorious cheat.”
ANIMAL WORLD u A June entry in Wired.com’s
PERSPECTIVE u To cover various general
“Absurd Creature of the Week” series warned of the Beaded Lacewing that preys on termites by first immobilizing them with a “vapor-phase toxicant” released from its anus. The silent-butdeadly gas is reportedly powerful enough to disable six ordinary termites for up to three hours (plenty of time for a sumptuous meal of termite) and weaken several more that might get caught in the backdraft. Wired. com also learned of the related species Chrysoperla comanche, whose anal weaponry is in solid form, wielded by “master contortionists” who lift their abdomens in order to directly contact their victims’ head.
expenses (such as helping the indigent), the average hospital mark-up for patient care in the United States is about 3.4 times costs (according to a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health report in June), but 50 of the nation’s 5,000 hospitals charge more than 10 times the cost, with the North Okaloosa Medical Center near Pensacola, Florida, billing at 12.6 times costs. According to the co-author, Professor Gerard Anderson, the 50 “are marking up the prices because no one is telling them they can’t.” (Forty-nine of the 50 are for-profit hospitals, and 20 are in Florida). VISIT US AT
iReadCulture.com
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