From racism to cannabis legalization to the rising tide of violence against women, Margaret Cho challenges these sensitive subjects with her razor sharp tongue and insight. If you have seen any of her comedic work, you know that Margaret is a fierce, unapologetic force to be reckoned with.
That said, Margaret is also a huge heroine of ours here at AACE and we're excited she took the time out of her busy psyCHO Tour and High Life launch to chat with us about edibles, Asian Americans, and the stigma against marijuana.
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There has been an explosion of edibles on the market in the last year, from pretzels, popcorn, medicated nuts and of course everything chocolate. If you were going to create an edible for the Asian market what would it be?
I think it's got to be POCKY--like POTY. Hands down, the most popular Asian sweet is Pocky, so it's a natural choice. Also, I love the idea of Mellow Mochi and Sativa Squid and peanuts.
In a recent poll by the LA Times the largest percentage of those against legalization were Asian. Most of those polled were older and have land lines, therefore they are old. We’ve seen the younger generation more open to cannabis, and if they voted, the percentage for legalization would be higher. How can we get this generation to vote? And offering blunts at the polls is not doable.
It's a cultural bias that Asians have against drugs in general, but my view on the matter is that marijuana is such a benign high--it's much easier on the body than socially acceptable drugs like alcohol and nicotine, which are especially deadly in our community. I'd say that people should vote how they truly feel, but the older generation are often ill-informed about marijuana and their unwillingness to change is really indicative of their unwillingness to claim America as their own country. My parents have never voted, sadly because they believe that this is not their country. That is the view that needs to change, beyond the issue of cannabis--entitling ourselves and all the generations who have lived here since their emigration to citizenship and all the rights and actions that belong to it.
Which was harder to tell your parents, that you smoke cannabis or that you are bisexual?
They still don't understand either. When I try to explain, that is when they pretend they have a limited grasp on the English language. I keep trying though!
Who was the grower/ breeder for your strain? What moods/ affects did you ask the grower to focus on?
It was the Natural Cannabis Company, which is based in the Bay Area. I also have four strains in development in Denver. I tend to go for a hybrid, with a lemony fresh aroma and taste and an indica heavy effect, but with sativa traits in mind. It's not such a sledgehammer--more of an intense trip all around, which is very me! Subtle and powerful, as I feel I am!
Of all the tour stops, which one was the most cannabis friendly?
Denver! Of course, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland! So many places and the list grows daily!
What public figure do you think should smoke cannabis? Kim Davis? Trump? SCOTUS? Ben Carson?
I would love to get high with SCOTUS, POTUS, AND FLOTUS. The rest--well, they can do whatever they want. I have no respect at all for homophobes, racists, sexists, creationists--the bigoted can go fuck themselves.
You can find upcoming tickets to Margaret Cho's psyCHO tour here.
Photo by Todd V. Wolfson