Article Archive for September 2011
The Illustrated Man
It would be easy to assume that Pablo Ferro spends his days looking back with pride and nostalgia over his five-decade career as a designer of iconic film titles, trailer campaigns and commercials. But lately it seems that other people are more interested in examining Ferro’s enviably full life as an animator, graphic [...]
Ghosts of the Past
According to a report by Jon Gettman, who has a Ph.D. in public policy and regional economic development from George Mason University, the war on cannabis costs U.S. taxpayers $42 billion per year. Gettman is also the leader of the Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis, and is the former head of the [...]
Medicinal Genomics: Unlocking the DNA of Cannabis
Kevin McKernan, CEO and founder of Medicinal Genomics, decided to study the medicinal properties of cannabis after a few of his friends were diagnosed with cancer. He got around a lot of outdated legislature inhibiting the study of cannabis in the U.S. [...]
Stone Age
Kyuss was born in 1991 from its previous mother: Sons of Kyuss. Influenced by bands such as Yawning Man and Across the River, Brant Bjork, Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri teamed up with slightly older singer John Garcia, not knowing they were about to create what would later be called “desert stoner rock.” Four groundbreaking [...]
Speed Freaks
Dan Lilker formed grindcore band Brutal Truth (which also features vocalist Kevin Sharp, drummer Richard Hoak and guitarist Erick Burke) in New York in 1990, after having spent the previous decade playing bass guitar in several seminal thrash/speed metal bands including Nuclear Assault, Storm Troopers of Death [...]
This Ain’t Grateful Dead or The Velvet Underground
Growing up with a grandfather who owned a radio station and a mother who helped run the place, Bobby Hecksher couldn’t help but soak up the sounds of classic rock bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Surrounded by little else than alligator marshland, it was [...]
Erin Go Bragh
“We’re just a hard working band; we don’t really have delusions of grandeur,” says Dropkick Murphys bassist/vocalist Ken Casey. “We’re very content with where we are now—we can earn a living and tour around the world, but it’s still small enough that we can talk to our fans.” For all Casey’s modesty, Dropkick Murphys [...]
Veterans Need and Deserve Medical Marijuana
Although the medical use of marijuana has been legal in the state of California since 1996, veterans using VA hospitals have found themselves between a rock and a hard place as VA doctors refused to recognize their right to this medicine and would refuse medical services, especially pain [...]
Medical Marijuana Ordinance Update
Governor Jerry Brown recently passed AB 1300 into law and it affects all medical marijuana collectives in the state. AB 1300 goes into effect January 1, 2012 and it says cities and counties can now “regulate the location, operation or establishment” of medical marijuana collectives [...]
Hell’s Bells
Yup, before my cousin professed his undying love to his betrothed in front of family and friends, before he vowed his everlasting love and devotion to his bride-to-be, before he embarked on a lifelong, emotional commitment—he and I and a bunch of friends got drunk, got stupid . . . then got drunk again (and stupider) [...]
Ray Totillo
Patient:
Ray Totillo
Age:
43
Condition:
Cancer
Home:
Los Angeles
Using medical cannabis:
Six years [for] medical [purposes]
Why did you start using medical marijuana?
The doctors told me I had laryngitis, [and] after I still had it for a couple more weeks, my doctor told me to get a biopsy. …
News Nuggets
THE STATE
New study suggests that crime increases when dispensaries close
A recent study just released this month links the closure of Los Angeles area dispensaries to an increase in crime in the surrounding area—contrary to the opposite notion that is commonly …
By the Numbers
1. Number of Southern California cities that have banned medical cannabis dispensaries: 88 (Source: Americans for Safe Access).
2. Number of Southern California cities that have passed ordinances regulating dispensaries: 13 (Source: Americans for Safe Access).
3. Number of Southern California counties …
Ask Sarah Diesel
Dear Sarah,
I met this girl about six months ago; we went on dates quite a few times and hung out a lot. Falling in love with her was very easy. The connection was totally there, or at least that’s what …
Liner Notes
By Kevin Longrie
Last month, I wrote about a collaboration between Jay-Z and Kanye West, one which was met with great critical praise and fan adoration. It seemed like a reasonable, and a perfect, fit. But this month, a collaboration has …
Check—Mate!
Australia’s Contributions to the World
It’s time to celebrate the country down unda‘ (this month is Queens Birthday, an Australian holiday) by checking out its contributions to society and pop culture. So drop the lame Aussie accent (we’ve all taken a …
The Zuck‘ Starts Here
Writer-producer David Zuckerman has a history of striking comedic gold
David Zuckerman has a reputation for being the brainchild behind several raunchy yet exceptional comedies (Freshman FX show Wilfred is his latest example). Not surprisingly, Zuckerman is a veteran of the …
Word Up: Hash
If you ever wanted to take break from the flowers and edibles, give hash a try for something more powerful and interesting. This concentrate made up of compressed trichomes can be smoked just like flowers, or mixed with cannabis and …
5X Sleepy Eye S’mores
The name says it all. This delectable (and wholly pungent) edible from Herbal Solutions OC in Santa Ana will make your peepers feel as heavy as lead a couple of hours after consuming this crazily potent delight. Patient beware: These …
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
We’ve sampled medicated pretzels before. In fact, we’ve tried medicated chocolate covered pretzels before . . . but file these under “Stop the press.” Visually, these treats from Grand Terrace Caregivers in Riverside, have it all on lock. The M&M …
Woody OG
We’ve been big fans of People’s Medicinal Cooperative in Corona ever since trying their amazing Cherry and Blackberry Kush strains. Now, those IE wizards of weed bring us Woody OG, a 100-percent indica that’s as tasty in flavor and rich …
“Raskal’s” White Master
Some things best come in pairs—Batman and Robin, peanut butter and jelly, lobster and melted butter. But “Raskal’s” White Master, a superb new strain we found at Avalon Wellness Center in Long Beach, shows that some great pairs are even …
Martian Private Reserve
It’s been our experience that “private reserve” strains—varieties found exclusively at a given vendor—are usually only as good as the collectives carrying them. Montclair Caregivers in Montclair is an excellent collective, and, just as we’d expect, its Martian Private Reserve …
Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel has a history as exotic as the strain itself. It was reputedly born out of the accidental crossing of Super Skunk and Diesel genes—a blessed union resulting in a product greater than the sum of its parts. But …
Hush Pockets
With the Scarlett Johansson phone-hacking case still going viral, the issue of cell phone security’s likely popped into your head. Enter Hush Pockets. Made out of polyurethane and military-grade fabric, this pouch-like device (works with Android and iPhone models) prevents …
CannaStrips Smokefree Pain Relief
Smokeless is the way to go for some and that’s the way CannaStrips rolls. Made with hybrid (60 percent indica/40 percent sativa) flowers, these strips contain 20mg of pure cannabis oil, last for 2-4 hours and dissolve leaving a minty …
Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar Guitar
Yup, it’s a replica guitar modeled after the same 1965 axe that the Nirvana frontman played during the band’s heyday in the early ’90s. From its worn finish to its dual humbucking pickups, you’ll be smelling like teen spirit in …
Tivoli SongBook
Finally—a radio you can actually, really, totally take to the beach or the pool. The Tivoli SongBook (available in five colors, including yellow and red) is made with a rubberized case so this radio/iPod speaker/alarm clock hybrid is plenty splash-proof. …
U.S. Hemp Genuine Honey Oil Soap
Want to take a break from those chemically synthesized, mass-produced, Bed Bath & Beyond-spawned soaps? Then enjoy U.S. Hemp’s Genuine Honey Oil Soap that’s handmade with generous amounts of jojoba and cannabis oils to sooth the skin and leave it …
Allgreens Lip Balm
If you’re a fan of lip balm, this is one to try. Allgreens comes in six med-inspired flavors (we tried O.G. Kush)—though it’s made with hemp seed oil and not THC. It gives you a tingly feeling at first that …
