Culture Magazine San Diego September 2015 by Culture Magazine

CULTURE // September 2015

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September 2015 // CULTURE

Contents september 2015

30 RIDICULOUS AND ROLLICKING

FeatureS 38

. HEALTH HAZARDS

Synthesized cannabis is dangerous, and shouldn’t be allowed for human consumption.

40 . MUSICAL MADNESS

Crazy Town comes full circle with its hip-hop and punk-rock.

Comedian Reggie Watts is amazing, over-the-top and cuddly! ON THE COVER: Photo by John Gilhooley

6 . Letter from the Editor

NEWS 8 . News Nuggets 11 . By the Numbers 14 . San Diego-based advocacy group, ARMA, sets its sights on Orange County 16 . legal corner

Departments 44 . Growing Culture 46 . Destination Unknown 48 . Profiles in Courage 49 . shooting gallery 50 . Recipes 52 . News of the Weird

UK Legalization Petition Earns Enough Signatures to be Considered by Parliament

reviews 20 . STRAIN, edible &

concentrate ReviewS

24 . Cool Stuff

Study Shows the Majority of Ethics Boards Rule in Favor of Lawyers Utilizing Legal Cannabis

26 . Entertainment Reviews 24

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Vol 7 IssUE 3

/freeculturemag

/ireadculture

letter from the editor

Publisher Jeremy Zachary Editor-In-Chief Evan Senn associate Editor Ashley Bennett Editorial coordinator Victoria Banegas

Leading by Example

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

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,

Regional Manager Beau Odom Account Executives Greg Andes,Callie Belo, Jon Bookatz, Eric Bulls, Kim Cook, Ryan Dunn, Cole Garrison, Gene Gorelik, Yolanda Imoberstag, Emily Musser, Justin Olson, Jim Saunders, Chris Thatcher, Paulina Porter-Tapia, April Tygart Office Manager Iris Norsworthy Office Assistant Angelina Thompson digital media Editor Kimberly Johnson Ctv Video Editor Kristian Quintanilla Ctv Contributors Anna Logan,Chris Salazar Interns Brahim Gousse Distribution Manager Cruz Bobadilla Culture® Magazine is published every month and distributes 20,000 magazines at over 500 locations throughout San Diego. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture® Magazine is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 3047 University Ave | #202 San Diego | California | 92014 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

__________________________

State

Cannabis collective opens in Midway

San Diego has welcomed another medical cannabis collective to its critically selected pool of cannabis businesses, this time in the Midway area. The newest collective, Point Loma Patients Consumer Co-Op (PLPCC), was the first collective to be approved for operation in District 2, which is home to a variety of commercial, industrial, office and warehouse businesses. PLPCC first received a 4-2 vote by the San Diego Planning Commission for consideration back in April, and its successful opening means that four other neighboring collectives can no longer be considered. PLPCC has high standards for performance in serving its local patients, and owner Adam Knopf is confident in its future success, “Doing things by the book and with community input was very important to us. I understand there have been concerns in the community about dispensaries. But, we are committed to being good neighbors and will demonstrate that our business will have a positive impact,” stated Knopf.

San Diego closing down illegal collectives continues This summer has seen much progress in the movement of medical cannabis collectives via the city’s strict approval process. As the number of approved collectives slowly rises, with a number of collectives slated for opening very soon, the number of illegal collectives that are still operating is beginning to dwindle. According to the San Diego Tribune, there are approximately 15 illegal collectives that are locked in the process of being closed down by the city (an estimated five other illegal collectives have not yet been target by the city). A year ago, the city was contending with an estimated 69 illegal collectives.

CULTURE // September 2015

City officials cite the reason for such a drastic drop in number is due to the implementation of a greater focus on the issue. Officials have become more familiar with the process, fewer illegal collectives are opening in response to the heightened expectations of legal operating by the city and most importantly, both the Development Services Department and the City Attorney’s Office have devoted time to the issue.

__________________________

Nation

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.

__________________________

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, according to The Washington Post. Once active, the VISIT US AT

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by the numb3rs

The number of collectives that are approved, licensed and officially open in San Diego County, as of mid-August: 2 (Source: The San Diego Tribune)

The number of illegally operating collectives that are slated to be shut down in order to make room for the city-approved collectives: 15 (Source: The San Diego Tribune)

The percentage of federally recognized Native American tribes who are expected to attend this month’s cannabis conference in San Diego: 40 (Source: The Telegraph)

The number of signatures required to be gathered for Florida’s second push for cannabis legalization: 100,000 (Source: The Florida Times-Union)

The number of votes that helped pass approval in the City Council for the newest District 2 collective, located in Midway: 4 (Source: SDNews.com)

The number of legally approved collectives open in San Diego’s District 2, one year after the city ordinance to legalize collectives was drafted: 1 (Source: SDNews.com)

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)

Native American Marijuana and Hemp Conference and Expo Like many cannabis conferences, the Native American Marijuana and Hemp Conference will be inviting attendees to learn about the most recent advances in the legal, economic, social and political changes within the cannabis industry. However this particular conference will also go over every detail of the news that will allow Native American tribes to cultivate cannabis on their lands. Everyone from tribal leaders to council members and industry professionals will be attending to absorb all information regarding the movement of cannabis towards tribes across the country. This event is bound to gather even more groups and companies interested in joining the Native American cannabis revolution.

IF YOU GO

What: Native American Marijuana and Hemp Conference and Expo. When/Where: Wed, Sept. 9-Thurs, Sept. 10. Harrah’s Resort Southern California, 777 Valley Center Rd., Valley Center. Info: Visit www. nativenationevents.org for details.

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ARMA on the Move

Influential Advocacy Group Heads North

T by Pamela Jayne

The San Diego-based political action committee and medical cannabis advocacy group Alliance for Responsible Medical Access has decided to expand its reach to Orange County. Known as ARMA, and officially formed in January of 2014 in San Diego, the group has recently set its eyes on new territory. ARMA first garnered attention by heavily lobbying San Diego Mayor and City Council to pass an ordinance regulating medical cannabis collectives in San Diego. That lobbying paid off, and after only seven weeks, the city council approved an ordinance. While they saw that as a victory, many San Diegans are upset by the extreme restrictions of the ordinance and believe that ARMA did more harm than good. Self-described as “a trade association dedicated to ensuring responsible, legal access to medicinal cannabis for patients and to promoting the common business interests of our members,” ARMA held an event in July at Costa Mesa City Councilman Gary Monahan’s bar, Skosh Monahan’s. Representative Dana Rohrabacher was on-hand and opened the meeting that was attended by upwards of 75 local cannabis advocates and collective owners. Also in attendance were former Costa Mesa Planning Commissioner and ARMA board member Jim Fitzpatrick and former Microsoft executive Jamen Shively (who streamed the event via video to Japan to a group of businessmen launching an all-hemp clothing company). This may appear to be an odd mix, but ARMA is well known for their ability and willingness to mix politics, business and advocacy. And now they are making their move north to Orange County, with Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Westminster and Garden Grove

CULTURE // September 2015

all being potential locations. Considering that few cities in Orange County have considered allowing cannabis collectives, ARMA has quite the task ahead. According to their website, the purpose of the group is to advocate “for clear, reasonable laws, and we steer our members to success in this rapidly evolving industry.” Not everyone is keen on the idea of an out of town PAC setting up shop and adding to the already overflowing table of cannabis advocates. “We don’t need a group from another county that is seeking statewide recognition to tell activists here how to perform their duties,” said Steele Smith, Director of the Greater Orange County Collective Alliance, an operators advocacy group. “I think ARMA should work with the local experts who understand the tone and timbre

of what’s going on in Orange County.” ARMA President and long time cannabis advocate, Eugene Davidovich, insists that his intention is to work closely with both local activists and city leaders and to steer Orange County away from the “activism model” of cannabis advocacy, where demands without compromise “has not gotten our community the results we want, and which alienates the politicians we need in our corner.” Only time will tell how well ARMA is ultimately received by the Orange County medical cannabis community, and if they are as effective in the reformation process as they aim to be. Activists are notoriously protective of their “turf,” a trait that has, in the past, led to much disarray and fragmenting within the community. Here’s to hoping that everyone learned from those mistakes, and will not repeat them. c VISIT US AT

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by Kimberly Simms

r e n r o c l a g e l

CA cannabis bills are on the rise

or the first time since 1996, it appears that the California State Legislature will finally pass a comprehensive regulatory scheme dealing with all aspects of the medical cannabis industry. Though California boosts the oldest medical cannabis program in the nation, it was left behind long ago when states like Colorado enacted comprehensive regulatory schemes and adopted best practices as part of their statewide laws and regulations. However, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite possible that things are about to change as AB-243, SB-643 and AB-266 pick up some serious steam. On July 17, the California State Legislature adjourned for their summer recess, returning on August 17. At this time, efforts will be directed towards getting the remaining bills to the Governor by September 11, the last day for each house to pass bills before the end of the year. Just before the summer recess, both the Assembly and Senate held committee hearings on the three remaining bills aimed to regulate the cannabis industry. While AB-266 is clearly the star of the legislative session and political experts believe it will pass, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to keep an eye on all three bills. AB-243 (Wood): AB-243 would establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the CA Department of Food and Agriculture and require the registration and licensure

CULTURE // September 2015

of all cannabis plants except those plants grown for personal use or by a primary caregiver. The bill would impose a tax of an unspecified amount on the cultivation of cannabis flowers, leaves and immature plants, and will be administered by the State Board of Equalization, which will also be responsible for collecting the tax from medical cannabis cultivators. Since AB-243 imposes a tax, it requires a two-thirds vote in both houses and it remains uncertain whether this bill will meet that threshold. SB-643 (McGuire): SB-643 would establish a licensing and regulatory framework for the cultivation, manufacture, transportation, storage, distribution and sale of medical cannabis administered by a newly created Office of Medical Marijuana Regulation within the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. Applicants for licenses would be subject to background checks and licenses would be subject to the restrictions of the local jurisdictions in which they operate, therefore upholding the right to prohibit commercial activity. Most industry groups have not taken a formal position on this bill, instead saving all of their efforts for AB-266. AB-266 (Bonta/Cooley/JonesSawyer/Lackey): AB-266 has captured broad support from law enforcement, local government groups, the California Medical Association, the unions and patient and industry advocates.

It is the first time that these competing groups have been united behind one bill. AB-266 has even captured AYE votes from staunch Republicans, and many people believe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poised to pass and turn the cannabis industry upside down. AB-266 seeks to establish a joint state-local agency licensing and regulatory framework for the entire medical cannabis industry. The bill would establish the Office of Medical Cannabis Regulation (OCMR) within the Office of the Governor and seeks to establish a variety of license types and levels within several existing agencies. The bill gives the OMCR overall executive authority for implementation of all aspects of the regulations. The bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct background checks for all applicants and to develop uniform security standards for dispensaries and transport. AB-266 requires all licensees holding cultivation or manufacturing license to send all cannabis and related products to a licensed processor for processing and testing prior to retail or sale and further requires the BOE to adopt a cannabis related product seed-to-sale tracking process. AB-266 delves into many details such as requirements for applicants (age, residency, and yes, conviction of certain felonies or misdemeanors could prohibit you from being granted a license), regulations for doctors, labeling requirements, standards for training of employees, and fines and penalties for operating without a license. c VISIT US AT

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STRAIN + edible + concentrate Sour Apple

This offering of Sour Apple from Left Coast Collective is a sativa-dominant cross of Sour Apple and Chem 4. It’s quite an impressive specimen with unique bud structure and coloring that runs the entire spectrum from emerald green to deep purple, with extra long red hairs and bright-green popping through. Aromatically, it has a very strong sour smell, with a hint of sweetness—excellent balance of the two! The hit is very smooth, and very tasty, like apple-flavored Jolly Ranchers. The effects settle in nicely, first as a pleasantly cerebral elevation, and then as full body relaxation that is uplifting.

Available AT: Left Coast Collective in Pacific Beach.

POP Cart

California and Oregon-based market leaders POP Naturals build on their success in oils with the launch of their POP Cart—a pen-sized vaporizer to use with the oil line. POP Naturals’ POP Cart is glass instead of plastic, with a dual coil, and color-coded silicone seals—red for sativa, purple for indica, green for hybrid, and blue for CBD. The sturdy, quality pen vape pairs perfectly with POP Naturals’ deep line of CO2 oils like this Cannalope Haze, DNA Genetics’ 95 percent sativa. It can be great for preventing the onset of a migraine in some patients. We got a very clean, CO2 hash oil taste that was sweet, peppery and light. POP Naturals sets the bar for purity, with no co-solvent in its extraction, nor additives in its final oil. It is simply a patient’s best friend.

Available Through: California’s Kindest Delivery in San Diego.

Available wherever: POP Naturals’ PRODUCTS are carried.

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Asian Fantasy Crumble

Asian Fantasy is a rarity in flower form, so, to find this crumble locally at California’s Kindest is definitely a score! A 100 percent sativa, with 86.12 percent THC and 0.25 percent CBD, it is sought after for its uplifting and energizing effects. Visually, it is stunning, resembling a golden amber honeycomb. It hits hard, but not harsh, and tastes smooth, crisp and clean. It is spicier than it is sour, balanced by a hint of sweetness. Its uplifting effects work well for anxiety and stress relief, and many patients swear by it for treatment of depression. It will leave you mentally energized, but not jittery. Expect a burst of creative energy, with a mild case of the munchies.

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Available AT: California Coastal Collective in Pacific Beach.

Mr. Nice by Elicit Labs

Talk about an epic crumble! This Mr. Nice is the color of a golden sunset, and it smells phenomenal. Just a dab or two provides a solid head change, and also full body relaxation. The effects are long lasting and wonderfully euphoric, which is ideal for stress relief and appetite stimulation. It is SC Labs certified, containing 81.01 percent cannabinoids (80.67 THC, .16 CBD). The Mr. Nice crumble by Elicit Labs is available now at California Coastal Collective, don’t miss out on it!

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Cheeba Chews Deca Dose

At 175mg each, the Deca Dose Cheeba Chews from Meds For Less are ridiculously potent! Even seasoned patients will get set back by one of these. Chock full of ooey-gooey medicated goodness, it tastes similar to a Tootsie Roll, but with a medicinal flavor that leads to several hours of total couch-lock. Serious munchie-inducing, sleep-like-a-rock, couch-lock. For anyone in need of deep sleep, recovery from surgery, or any other ailment that requires physical rest, this is the ideal edible. It is really nice to be able to get fully medicated without having to eat a large brownie, cookie, etc. Just a bite or two does the trick! It is clear why the Deca Dose has won several awards, including Best Edible at the High Times Cup. It is truly an outstanding product!

Available AT: Meds For Less in Clairemont Kearny.

Sour D Live Resin by Living Extracts

Available AT: Point Loma Patients Consumer Cooperative in San Diego.

CULTURE // September 2015

Buttery, golden amber in appearance, and incredibly pungent in aroma, Sour D Live Resin is a top shelf selection from Point Loma Patients Consumer Cooperative that recently took home the award for Best Wax at the San Diego Cannabis Professionals Cup. It tastes fantastic—peppery, minty and sour, and the exhale smells phenomenal. It provides an instant head elevation that is cerebrally stimulating while also being physically relaxing—basically, the perfect experience. Just one or two doses will last for hours, and is ideal medicine for pain relief, sleep and appetite stimulation. PLPCC’s storefront opens this month at 3452 Hancock St., in San Diego, so be sure to stop by and check it out.

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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

“Pan Gongkai”

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)

CULTURE // September 2015

Chinese artist Pan Gongkai’s forté in the art world comes from his appreciation for his culture and heritage. Gongkai attended one of the most prestigious art schools in China, and many of his works display a dual appreciation for both the traditional art techniques and history, with that of modern approaches that coincide with the growth of Western influence over the past 100 years. In this new exhibit, “Pan Gongkai: New Paintings for The San Diego Art Museum,” Gongkai has specifically created six paintings to be placed on display. The main art piece, Noble Virtues, is over 45 feet long, and stretched across that canvas are a number of classical brush and ink techniques on rice paper. In traditional form of Chinese handscrolls, the text on Noble Virtues can be read from right-to-left but also offers spontaneous abstract brushwork.

IF YOU GO

What: “Pan Gongkai: New Paintings for The San Diego Art Museum” exhibit. When/Where: On view through Feb. 1. San Diego Art Museum, 1450 El Prado, San Diego. Info: Visit www.sdmart.org 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

September 2015 // CULTURE

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.

CULTURE // September 2015

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September 2015 // CULTURE

CULTURE // September 2015

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September 2015 // CULTURE

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

CULTURE // September 2015

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

CULTURE // September 2015

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.

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

September 2015 // CULTURE

Still Crazy After All These Years 40

CULTURE // September 2015

An exclusive interview with Crazy Town by Pamela Jayne After making it through years of tabloid headlines and reality television shows sensationalizing their drug- and alcoholfueled antics, rock bottom and roof-top addiction, and finally recovery and sobriety; Crazy Town has now settled into a routine that is well, a little less crazy. They still operate at a steady pace, but now the only fuel thrown on the fire is hard work and love of music. Driven by a decade of living in the aftermath of their mega hit “Butterfly,” founding members Seth “Shifty” Binzer and Bret “Epic” Mazur are back and delivering exactly what their fans want: The melding of hardcore and melodic sounds that beckons girls and guys alike to the dance floor. It is guaranteed that while listening to their new record, The Brimstone Sluggers, a good time will be had by all. >>

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“As far as giving our nod of approval, it’s 100 percent yes. If the world would stop drinking, and just smoke weed . . . It would be a much better place.”

Let’s start from the very beginning. Your original band name was The Brimstone Sluggers, and now this new release is also called The Brimstone Sluggers. Was that your way of telling the world that you have come full circle as artists? Epic: That is kind of the approach to this record, which is taking it back to our roots with a more hip-hop punk rock mentality. It’s like me and Shifty against the world (when we’re) in the studio. And it’s kind of the 2nd record we never got to make. Dark Horse was officially the second record, but this is more of a follow up to our first album, The Gift of Game, than Dark Horse was. Speaking of The Gift of Game, does The Brimstone Sluggers have a similar sound? Shifty: I definitely think that people who like the first album will love the new record. I also think it’s a little more well-rounded. We have two sides to Crazy Town. There’s the heavy side, and there’s the melodic side. On this record, there is a good amount of melodic stuff. People who loved “Butterfly” are gonna love this record. Everybody knows Crazy Town due to the HUGE success of “Butterfly” on The Gift of Game. What CULTURE would like to know is, who is Crazy

CULTURE // September 2015

Town today, and where do you want to be in the future? Epic: Appreciating that it’s a gift to be able to pursue something that is our passion—music. We appreciate the opportunity. Shifty: Yeah. Crazy Town now is, I guess you would say, we’re a little more seasoned. We’ve grown up a lot. We’re approaching it more as not only what we love to do, but as a business. We’re just trying to get out there and do what we love for the next five to ten years, and make music. I think we’ve matured a lot, which was necessary for us to stay alive. Do you feel the pressure of living up to your past success? Shifty: It would be impossible to do what we did with The Gift of Game. People just aren’t selling that many records unless you’re Katy Perry or Beyoncé. We just want to do what we love. We’re ready to work hard. It would be good to have our fans, people who loved us then, rediscover us. Epic: Sustainable success would be good. The song “Born To Raise Hell” features DJ AM, who was a part of Crazy Town from the beginning. Was it hard, after his passing, to hear his work? Or did you approach it as a tribute?

Epic: It was a little difficult. He was such a bright light, always really positive, and always had funny shit to say. We’re honored his mom gave us her blessing to use his scratches. Yeah, it’s definitely a tribute. Shifty: I love to hear his work. It’s like having him in the studio with us. It’s actually the coolest thing in the world that we’re able to take the scratching he did and make it part of what we’re doing. He was part of it from the beginning. How do you guys feel about cannabis? Epic: I support it. Shifty: I’m all for it. Epic: As far as giving our nod of approval, it’s 100 percent yes. If the world would stop drinking, and just smoke weed . . . Shifty: It would be a much better place. Did your struggles with addiction influence your opinion of cannabis? Shifty: Not at all. I’ve seen it work really well for a lot of people. I think it’s about how you incorporate it into your life. I think there are endless positive effects it has. Epic: At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice, a personal decision. c crazytownband.net

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by Ed Rosenthal

growing culture

Experimenting

with Far-Red

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 dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

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.

CULTURE // September 2015

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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September 2015 // CULTURE

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.

CULTURE // September 2015

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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: $$$$$

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.

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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shooting gallery

San Diego Professional Cup photos by Steve Baker

September 2015 // CULTURE

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.

CULTURE // September 2015

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 350Â°. 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.Â Slice and serve.

September 2015 // CULTURE

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

CULTURE // September 2015

heating and cooling systems at 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,

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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

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.

ANIMAL WORLD u A June entry in Wired.

com’s “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-but-deadly 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.

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

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.”

PERSPECTIVE u To cover various general

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.” (Fortynine of the 50 are for-profit hospitals, and 20 are in Florida).

September 2015 // CULTURE

CULTURE // September 2015

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September 2015 // CULTURE