Keep Calm and Kick Ass

All-Female Rock Band Bad Cop/Bad Cop is a powerhouse of energy and talent!

Keep Calm and Kick Ass

A natural curiosity emerges when four badass women set up to spill their definition of “Lady Punk” onto the stage. Playing together since 2011, Bad Cop/Bad Cop is effortlessly arresting audiences with mesmerizing performances and insanely powerful three-part harmonies. These rockers tear it up with so much ferocity; they make men look like little boys. August marks the beginning of Bad Cop/Bad Cop’s first international tour in Europe, and CULTURE got a chance to speak with the lead singer of this fierce band, Jennie Cotterill. A passionate activist, Cotterill wasn’t afraid to share her views on cannabis, as well as which relevant social issues entrench the band’s new music. After impressing fans with their EP Boss Lady, keep posted for its upcoming full-length album set for release early next year under its new label, Fat Wreck Chords (the same label as Against Me!, Anti-Flag, NOFX and more). We’ve already fallen in love with Bad Cop/Bad Cop, and what we’ve seen is only the beginning.


How did Bad Cop/Bad Cop first get together?
Jennie Cotterill: We were all playing in bands that were sort of moving in the same circle, but peripherally, if you’re a woman in a band, you kind of take notice of other women in bands. You find yourself introducing yourself.

Are there any advantages to having an all-female rock band?
It is a distinction when we play shows that are not at home. There are not that many other women playing, so in that way it’s easier to stand out, like being the albino zebra. Not that someone is going to eat us, but that you do stand out from the herd, because that is a fun fact—we’re all girls.

How is feminism important to Bad Cop/Bad Cop?
Lately, all of the new songs we are writing for our new record are super feminist, because it’s on the table right now. It’s a hot topic, and it’s great to be able to talk about it with people who have a lot to say. So this next album is going to be pretty seriously drenched in feminism.

Are there any other social issues besides feminism addressed through your music?
I would say for sure as a band we care about gender equality, marriage equality and human rights in general. It’s hard to keep up with all the terrible things that are happening in the world. I would say we are less “ladies”—we are just progressive and we just want everyone to be treated equally.

What are your thoughts about cannabis?
I’m really glad that we’re just about resolving this. I realize that there is a lot of back and forth, and this is a gray area in a large political change. We’re going to read about this in our children’s textbooks, and it’ll be like, “Yeah, it was confusing, it was kind of legal, it was not legal for a while then it was legal only in certain places. It was kind of mushy.” [Cannabis] should be taxed, legalized and another form of income for the government. People need schools, and people want to smoke cannabis, and it’s not bad—there are medical benefits. I have lots of thoughts about pharmaceutical companies, and our healthcare is being determined by these corporations that don’t have anybody’s interests in mind, just money, and I think that’s insane. It’s insane.

What can fans expect when they come to a live Bad Cop/Bad Cop performance?
Probably too much talking. We all want to share too many things with people. I think they should be prepared—I hear we rock really hard. And it’s funny. People are laughing and having a good time. It’s not an aggressive, bully mosh-pit type deal. People might be dancing and moving around in a circle, but you can come and you can bring anyone you want. Its fun, it’s entertaining, it’s fast and loud. And I keep hearing kickass!
www.fatwreck.com

Originally Published by Culture Magazine on July 3, 2014: http://ireadculture.com/article-3977-all-female-rock-band-bad-cop_bad-cop-is-a-powerhouse-of-energy-and-talent_.html

To Vape or Not to Vape?

Determining Which Method of Extract Consumption is Right for You

 

By: Jamie Solis

For anyone with an established tolerance to flower or a medical need for high potency cannabis compounds, look no further than concentrates. These cannabis extracts are popular for containing extremely high doses of the plant’s valuable cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Oil, shatter, budder, hash, wax—no matter what you call it, these products bear similar qualities, making “concentrate” an all-encompassing term.

Whether someone is curious about the most effective way to consume extracts while battling epilepsy or cancer, or they are just looking to ingest concentrates recreationally, there’s something for everyone. We will weigh the benefits of both vaporizing and orally ingesting cannabis extracts, and we will share which types of concentrates are best for each need.

Vape It

There are countless benefits of vaporizing. First, inhaling the healing vapors of cannabinoids provides fast relief for various ailments. Vaporizers are also chosen by patients, because it is less harsh on the lungs than smoking flower, especially when you choose a clean wax that is free from plant matter and other undesirable materials. Out of the many types of vaporizers currently available, the most prominent on the market are vape pens and dab rigs.

Discretion and Convenience

A vape pen is a small handheld device that vaporizes cannabis for the operator at the push of a button. These pens have become one of the trendiest and most convienent ways to consume concentrates. Not only are they easy to use on the go, but pens are also discreet, allowing you to medicate almost anywhere. Vape pens are such a growing phenomenon that ordinances have passed to ban their use in many cities. However, partake somewhere well-ventilated (typically outside), and you should be able to enjoy your medication without being hassled.

The growing trend of the vape pen is responsible for the virtually unlimited selection of pens available. This means there is a device compatible with almost every type of concentrate, from CO2 oils in its raw form to waxes, shatters and more. There are even some pens available for purchase at local collectives that are pre-filled with rich cannabinoid extracts. What’s more convenient than that?

Dab On

There are several dabbing techniques, but taking a dab usually resembles using a metal wand to drop a portion of concentrate onto a heated nail, where it is then sucked through a glass chamber filled with water and exits into the lungs of the operator. While it does sound like an exciting endeavor, dabs are serious medicine, and aren’t recommended for anyone intimidated by their prompt and intense effects. Dabbers are not afraid to travel far outside of their bodies to reach an effect never previously attained. Instead, that is often the goal with dabbing. The swift and strong onset of a dab is especially useful for patients hoping to alleviate chronic pain or nausea, among many other ailments.

Those with the confidence that it takes to give dabbing a shot will benefit from starting with a concentrate that is easy to manipulate on the wand. For this purpose, waxes, budders and shatters are easiest to maneuver and much more manageable to work with when compared to oils. Also, trendy dabbing techniques like dunking (where you drop a ball of concentrate onto the hot nail—slam dunk!) are near impossible to execute with oil because of its sticky consistency. So, if you plan on showing off, a clean wax will serve you right.

Oral Ingestion for Ailments

Adults and children with a multitude of diseases tend to favor the benefits of consuming cannabis orally. Typically, extracts are swallowed after they are encapsulated into pill forms, or the proper dosage is squeezed out of a syringe or dropper. Consuming hash this way has gained in popularity, especially to patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Bedtime is a popular time to orally ingest concentrates, because it allows a patient to take heavy and accurately consistent dosages, all the while the patient is fast asleep before the effects set in.

This technique is also less harsh on patients’ lungs than the alternatives that involve inhaling vapor. Unlike with edibles, swallowing a concentrate is free from extra calories and high amounts of sugar. This is ideal for patients with diabetes who require the long lasting effects of edibles but can’t handle the other aspects of medible treats. Typically, the encapsulated concentrates highlighted in the news are oils like Rick Simpson Oil, Charlotte’s Web Hemp Oil and others. However, different types of concentrates like waxes and shatters are also taken orally by patients everywhere.

There is a plethora of options when it comes to consuming concentrates. The choice a patient makes really comes down to their personal preference. Needs and wants will differ from person to person, so be sure to make the decision that will improve your overall quality of life.

 

Originally published by Culture Magazine on July 3, 2014: http://ireadculture.com/article-3978-to-vape-or-not-to-vape.html

Rules of Extraction

Where Do Concentrates Come From?

 

By: Jamie Solis

Seven-ten is celebrated by connoisseurs devoted to OIL (710 backwards and upside-down), which is a term used synonymously with wax, shatter, tincture, concentrates, dabs, budder, hash, etc. Although they are often grouped together, not all concentrates are created equally. In fact, there are many ways to strip the trichomes off the cannabis sativa plant, and it all starts with the extraction process. CULTURE is prepared to answer the unknowns by describing some basic extraction processes that use solvents like butane and isopropyl alcohol, as well as solvent-less ice water. We will also highlight which steps account for the end products differing between oil, wax and shatter.

SOLVENTS

Although popular, using flammable solvents like butane, hexane, ethanol, naphtha or isopropyl alcohol to extract cannabinoid, terpene and terpenoid rich resin can be downright dangerous, especially when it is done by amateurs in makeshift laboratories. There is a risk of explosion even if manufacturers take the necessary safety precautions, the product heeds a serious health risk of toxicity if any residual chemicals are inhaled, ingested or come into contact with skin. Basically put, leave the hash making to the professionals who use Class 3 edible solvents and properly purge the product from contaminants.

Butane and isopropyl alcohol are both solvents that are commonly used. Extraction of resin using butane starts by the manufacturer forcing butane through the cannabis material, stripping the plant matter of rich and essential cannabis oil.

Using isopropyl alcohol to separate extract from the plant typically starts by freezing the plant matter and alcohol. If the producer’s goal is simple honey oil, then one option is to pour the alcohol into the cannabis material and let it sit for a long period of time. (If the oil is going to be worked into wax or shatter later on, then they would probably rinse the cannabis with alcohol for about 30 seconds.) Following this, the maker will strain the plant matter from the alcohol mixture and evaporate the alcohol out from the concentrate. Whether the solvent used is butane, isopropyl alcohol or many other options, the end result should be honey oil, also known as BHO or hash oil. From here, the next step can be purging the oil, but there are additional steps to follow for a more refined wax or shatter.

Whipping the oil using various processes that typically involve heat will transform it into wax, also known as budder. This process adds some air into the substance, allowing for a more user friendly concentrate. Still high in terpenes, budder is flavorful and has about 70 percent THC.

If properly executed, a second extraction process of the oil will remove any unwanted substances like water and fats, and the result will be shatter, which is also called glass. With a smooth texture and clarity, shatter has over 80 percent THC.

SOLVENT-LESS

Ice water extractions have one of the best reputations for purity and safety. Unlike with solvents, water and ice cause a mechanical separation of the cannabinoids and essential oils. The resulting ice wax will have the appetizing flavor of the crystals you’re extracting instead of plant materials like chlorophyll. On top of an amazing taste, the cannabinoids in any batch of properly executed ice wax consistently test in the high 70s- low 80s.

While the process of extraction is key, it is also essential to start with high quality product, especially when it comes to making hash using ice water. This is because you can run low quality cannabis product using solvents and still get a decent product. However, in order to make the top of the line ice wax, it is necessary to start with top of the line, organically grown material that is free from molds, pests, mildews, fungicides, pesticides, etc.

Often we’re so quick to get our hands on whatever concentrate is out there, we’re not paying attention to the class of waxes, oils and shatters going into our bodies. Be sure to demand only the best, because there are people working to perfect extracting only the best from the adored cannabis sativa plant.

 

Originally published by Culture Magazine on July 3, 2014: http://ireadculture.com/article-3979-rules-of-extraction.html

A New League of Dab Gear

A New League of Dab Gear

Taking the Glass Art World by Storm

By: Jamie Solis

Photo Credit Jordan Cinnamon


Glass pieces intended for cannabis consumption have not always been accepted by the sophisticated art scene. This avenue of glassblowing wasn’t recognized for its level of skill and precision until recently, as remarkable pieces of art that also serve as intricately stylized dab rigs sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

An ever-expanding love for concentrates is inflating the caliber of glass rigs and bettering dab nails. If you’re anxious to drop some serious cash on your collection, July 10 is the perfect excuse to secure everything from designer pieces to electric nails. Let’s highlight some great artists and accessories to look for this holiday.

Collectible Rigs

To get your hands on a perfect sculpture by one of the best glassblowers, it’s becoming customary to either attend a gallery showing or find a reputable collector. Let’s explore some of the elite whose creativity and knowledge are advancing the image of this zealous craft.

Tubes of glass have a way of transforming into something unfathomable when two distinct artists share a single vision. Chow Glass (@chow_glass) has called both Oregon and Southern California home, and he is quickly gaining a following, especially for his collaborations. He’s known for making ridiculous pieces with the well-known designer hailing from JapanAquarius (@Aquariust). The first collab of this duo is the red tube topped with a grinning devil who seems eager to welcome even the heaviest of dabs. A second work by the pair exudes the same dark ambiance as the first, with a skull topping this handheld rig. A common theme for Aquarius is his bold figures, whether they are skeletons, eyeballs or anything creepy. This multipurpose work is also a wearable pendant—jewelry, dab rig and décor.

Originally from Massachusetts, this fine artist makes skillful pieces that don’t look dabbable at first glance. Joe Peters’ (@joepetersglass) work is recognizable because he has a distinct color palate, and his subjects are usually nature-inspired. You’ll know one of his signaturesan appropriate and appetizing obsession with honey. On torontohemp.com, a sick collaboration piece between Joe Peters and Germ (@germlion) called Honeycomb& Bees Rig is extremely pricey but it is still on the inexpensive side of this fine art. The degree of realism he brings to glassblowing is unfathomable, so it’s going to cost you. It was rumored on instagram that his collab piece with Elbo Glass (@elboglass) was sold for up to $25,000.

Leading glassblower JRed (@jredglass) currently resides in the state of Washington. The functionality of his gorgeous glass sets high standards. Using bold and bright colors, his technical pieces are eye catching, and common themes include owls with hypnotizing eyes, funky ducks, psychedelic octopuses and more. You could say JRed is where cartoon meets creature. Insanely complex circular patterns are also in character to his work, whether they are part of glass animals or one is protruding off a more standard style rig. His use of clean lines and geometric patterns pushes the envelope, making his rigs not only collectible, but valuable as well.

Recyclers

We are fanatic about good looking glass, but there are more important qualities to a great dab rig as companion to its beauty marks. Nobody wants to cough their brains out when taking a dab, because it’s painful and embarrassing. Thankfully, a recycler makes dabs more enjoyable, because they can be strong yet mellow. An ingenious improvement on the single filtering system, a recycler does exactly as its name implies, looping your hit through the water more than once. By increasing the contact between the water and vapor, the hit is cooled significantly. Also, no matter how hard you inhale through this piece, water will not end up in your mouth. Top of the line recyclers can cost you a pretty penny in today’s glass industry. Ski Mask and Hitman created a fantastic double barrel recycler that is only $1,200 at www.highpriorityglass.com.

Dab Accessories are Heating Up For 710

Seize the Blasting Stream of Fire

Igniting a blowtorch indoors has the ability to turn off even the most seasoned of stoners. There is now a safer option for dabbers—electricity! Electric nails have many benefits, but most importantly you get to set the nail at the desired temperature, and it is kept at a consistent level. This means you don’t have to wait between dabs, making it perfect for social settings. Electric nail devices range in price from around $250 and up, and they are well worth the investment. Often compatible with the rigs you already own, you’ll find yourself dabbing more discreetly, conveniently and safely in no time.

 

 

Go Domeless

If you haven’t heard about domeless nails by now, then you may be wasting your time with last seasons’tools. A domeless nail allows you the convenience of downsizing to one simple and effective rig, because it eliminates the glass dome that typically encloses vapor around the nail. The new generation of nails allows the operator to inhale vapor through singular or multiple holes in their differing setups. The evolution of nails over the last couple years has led to some that are compatible with various sized rigs. This makes it the absolute companion to all your pieces.

This 710, take our advice and impress your friends by securing an expensive piece of art that will serve as your newest dab rig, and don’t forget all the necessary accessories. It will be a relative expense for a lifetime of beauty and bliss.

 

Originally Published by Culture Magazine on July 3, 2014: http://ireadculture.com/article-3981-a-new-league-of-dab-gear.html