Roberto C. Hernandez
Editor-in-Chief, CULTURE
Cut to the Chase
If CULTURE Magazine was a television show, which one would we be? Weeds? Too obvious. Cannabis Planet? Close . . . but not quite. That ’70s Show? Nope, we’re not really the lava lamp type. I’ve got it.
CULTURE is like Entourage. No—really. Seriously. Let me explain.
Back in April, as part of our 420 Issue, our writers and staff had detailed a number of cannabis-friendly films and television shows. One thing caught my attention. We wrote that marijuana “brings nothing but good times and sweet relief for A-list actor Vincent Chase . . . Cannabis is a constant prop on Entourage.” OK, so far so good. Then we said that Chase, Turtle and the rest of the crew “smoke it recreationally, and then go on about their business [emphasis is mine].” It’s this idea that’s really stuck in my head; the concept of cannabis (medical or otherwise) being an important part of your everyday life—but not the only part. Think about it. The medical marijuana lifestyle is stitched into the fabric of our being. We live and breathe (inhale?) it. It makes us friends with some—and enemies with others. But—and here’s the kicker—we have the audacity to live our lives (aside from cannabis) just like everybody else.
Let’s delve into the nuances of things.
The medical marijuana culture (yes, pun absolutely intended) defines us—but we cannot be strictly defined by our culture. Stay with me. We define our culture every time we talk about the benefits of THC in treating terminal illness. Every time a newbie decides to try his hands at cultivation or a Harvard professor studies the economic implications of pot prohibition. We define our culture every time a pot leaf is silk-screened on a T-shirt. Every time artisan Sheldon Black designs a new water pipe. Every time the Ragga Muffins Festival comes to Long Beach. Every time an activist or patient mobilizes to promote sensible drug policy.
But when we’re not wrapping ourselves in the green flag, we’re—gasp—doing the same things everyone else is doing. Shopping for new threads. Enjoying a good book. Looking for cool places to eat. Watching a Hot Chip video on YouTube. Working hard. Wondering if we really want to fork over the dough for an Eminem ringtone.
Just like the Entourage guys. After enjoying the physical and mental benefits that cannabis brings to their lives, the dudes go about their business, working, romancing, struggling, achieving and chasing their dreams.
And that’s what CULTURE is all about; chasing our dreams.
But we make them a reality.
