I was disappointed to hear Radical Russ Belville tell the tale of how NORML Network, which he produced, would be shut down because of lack of funding…even though they had raised their own funding. WTF? For a group dedicated to being an “informational resource” it begs to wonder why they would shut down a program that gets up to 5,000 downloads a day and which produced 13 hours of original cannabis content every week. In this day and age, it would seem that a project like the NORML network would be a natural evolution in providing cannabis education and information to the masses. Russ did a hell of a job, along with the other content creators there, to make entertaining and informative programming week after Read more.....
I am not writing this because I have an answer to that question. Far from it. I am writing this to try and flush an answer out of my spinning brain.
I have never understood this reality. Medical cannabis seems like a no brainer to me. I just do not get living in a world where other humans would deprive sick people of a safe and effective plant to serve some strange ideology, or to create wealth from its prohibition. When I stood in Santa Cruz in 1996 collecting signatures for Prop. 215, I never imagined over 16 years later we would still be fighting this battle. I have grown old watching patients and providers struggle to find their place in this society. The evolution of the medical cannabis movement Read more.....
I have spent the past couple of days all over Northern California form one weedhead event to the next. What I saw was a community hungry for a cannabis reality and an end to the nightmare of cannabis prohibition. I saw people from all walks of life who love weed. That was invigorating and let me know that as tough as things seem, we are the many and they are the few.
I started 4/20 morning off in Oaksterdam for a protest and march beginning at the Oakland Federal building. It was a colorful and strong turn out of over 100 dedicated activists and concerned cannabis supporters. The group amassed at 1301 Clay Street with signs and a hunger for freedom. Many people who Read more.....
I will admit that I am not the biggest 4-20 head on the planet. It is normally a day that comes and goes like any other for me. I have never really bought into the hype of it all. But I do enjoy seeing the community get “fired up” for cannabis and I love that we have declared this day as our own. Because I am knee deep in cannabis policy and reform 365 days a year I am often simply too exhausted or have had enough of my fellow weedheads. I generally lay pretty low on 4-20 for the most part. It is almost as if I am so inundated with cannabis that most 4-20 events generally leave a lot to be desired…and with a cannabis event of some sort almost happening every week these days it seems that another cannabis Read more.....
I have spent the last couple of weeks organizing and fundraising for the Patients Access to Regulated Medical Cannabis Act of 2012 in Sac County, CA. This effort will lift a ban there that makes any patient who currently grows cannabis an outlaw in their community. The proposed initiative also allows for about 20 registered dispensaries to serve the unincorporated part of the county, which is a huge land mass with over 500,000 people, which are currently forced to drive long distances or access their medicine on the black market. It is also going to be a huge victory for medical cannabis, as it will show that our community WILL coome together and use our civic Read more.....
On this Easter I sit here thinking about the parable of Jesus’ dying and then rising from the dead to save his people. It is a common story woven throughout the fabric of our religions and beliefs across the world. Regardless of your religion or thoughts on Easter, the story is a valuable one. Jesus was persecuted for his beliefs to the point they actually killed him, but the inherent good of the universe could not be stopped; and three days later Jesus arose from the dead. Why is this an important story? Because it is meant to teach us that no matter how much the evils of this world can seem to overtake us and bring down our spirits that our existence and purpose transcend the secular world, and that the Read more.....
Even in the midst of a sweeping crackdown, there were people who said “I will start to worry when they start raiding Oaksterdam.” Well, start to worry because yesterday, April 2nd, hundreds of heavily armed Federal agents stormed the home and businesses of Oaksterdam founder, Richard Lee. This raid has sent shockwaves throughout an already terrified medical cannabis industry, and has brought many to the fateful decision of “Fight or Flight.” I will take FIGHT over flight any day, so I responded to the scene shortly after 8 am for what was to be an eventful day full of passion and excitement. If the Feds wanted a fight, they had come to the right spot.
Throughout the Read more.....
In July of 2009 I called Weedmaps out, as their owner, Justin Hartfield had this to say in a story ran in the Wall Street Journal:
“Mr. Hartfield, the Weedmaps impresario, has a doctor’s recommendation for marijuana “to ease my anxiety and help with my insomnia.” Mr. Hartfield says the med-pot system is really just a way of legalizing marijuana for anyone who wants to smoke. He says his anxiety/insomnia isn’t really serious enough to require treatment. “I’m fine. I don’t really have it,” he says. “The medical system is a total farce. I’m an Read more.....
The good Lord knows I do not normally waste a lot of time trying to figure out what the Federal government is up to. There is no rhyme or reason to their continued interference between people’s personal freedom to use cannabis and the their promotion of the ever-growing prison industrial complex. It is like a bad movie with horrible actors in roles they were never meant to play. The absurdity of cannabis prohibition continues to come to the forefront of the national dialogue and suddenly the Feds feel they need to justify their stance with erroneous bullshit excuses about saving kids and the dangers of medical Read more.....
I woke up this morning to find out I have been involuntarily removed from the Drug Policy for California email list, after an email exchange with Steph Sherer from ASA, and some other “friends” of ASA and of prohibition. I cannot say I am surprised. In all actuality, I am somewhat astonished I have lasted this long, as my brash tone and unrelenting use of the “f-bomb” has often stirred emotion and has resulted in people begging Dale Geringer to have me removed. So all of those folks can dance a jig this morning in relief that they do not have to put up with my crap any more (I am looking Read more.....
There is no easy way to say this, so let’s just cut to the chase. Cannabis reform is failing miserably. Try to think of Cannabis Freedom as a corporation, and we are all stockholders in that corporation. Instead of working to gain profits, like a normal corporation, we are trying to increase cannabis freedom. Nixon announced his “War on Drugs” in 1971. Since then, cannabis reform groups have been working to end the War on Cannabis. As you can see from the chart below, cannabis arrests in America continue to skyrocket to astronomical numbers. So it is pretty clear that cannabis reform is failing in a major way. As a stockholder in Cannabis Freedom, Inc., I no longer have faith that continuing down the same Read more.....
Something is up over in the MMRCTA camp. Has anyone noticed that there has been very little messaging AT ALL about the Medical Marijuana Regulation Control and Taxation Act from Americans for Safe Access, UFCW, or any of the other “supporters” they have lined up? I was just reading ASA’s “California Weekly Round Up” and was startled that an organization promoting an initiative in CALIFORNIA would not even have a mention, or a link, or anything about their massive effort in their California Round Up. Nope…nada. There is information on the big March 1st LA rally, where Cypress Hill is promoting their “Smokeout for Safe Access” and there is a mention about a local Lake County election happening, Read more.....
Yesterday we got news that Colorado qualified an effort to legalize cannabis for the November ballot, and Washington State has also qualified an adult use measure there. As I sit here in California, the mecca of cannabis, I am ultimately frustrated with the lack of support for a legalization measure here, as I firmly believe that in a Presidential Election year with very weak Republican candidates, we have a real shot at getting that 50% + 1 voter out to support this cause. Even with the opposition to 19, in a non-Presidential year we got 46%, so I have no doubt California would pass a Read more.....
Last night the three main proponents of the three main legalization initiatives being put forth in California, agreed on a Statement of Unity that if any campaign gets a cash infusion from an angel investors, that they will all support the other campaign 100%. Below is the statement for review. I think it is a great step in the right direction, and it is good to see everyone play nice in the sandbox. I hope that if a miracle happens, and an angel investor does take up this cause, that the other camps will unify behind that action and step aside until signatures are gathered.
So here we have it Big Money Players. It is like shopping for freedom. You choose the direction and you have our community’s unwavering support. You drop the coin and we will create the quan. Just select the initiative you believe is the best option, and we will fall in line. I promise.
SHOW ME THE Read more.....
So last night’s Cannadome debate went off without a hitch, was well attended by the community, and was the best birthday party I ever had. Many thanks to the folks who participated in the event, and those who came to try to find answers and agreement.
The two things I really learned last night was that Dale Geringer has “seen a lot of poles,” a fact he mentioned about a dozen times; and the rest of us want weed legal for the most part. I learned much more than that, of course, but those are the two major points I found to be of Read more.....
Wouldn’t that be a nice problem to have? But there are definitely some wealthy cats out there who DO have an extra $3 million sitting around who also want to see weed legalized, so this is an opinion piece on what I would do if I were them. Are you listening, Mr. Wealthy Person who has the ability to change history with one lousy check?
If I had the money I would not hesitate to sponsor a legalization cannabis freedom initiative in the State of California. Why? Because California is ground zero for cannabis, and also has almost 12% of the Nation’s population. Cannabis is part of the Read more.....
If you do not see the writing on the wall then it is because you are not paying attention. There is a cleansing of the industry happening and you can believe that it is far from over. There is a concerted effort to limit who can produce and provide cannabis, and my suspicion is that it is not just the Feds who are in on it. A story today in the SF Examiner by Chris Roberts that tells of the DEA filing public information requests to get the files of almost all San Francisco Read more.....
Where is the fucking courage in cannabis reform these days? What is with all of the backpedaling and weak efforts to appease the oppressors? If I hear one more “cannabis activist” cry like a bitch about how unfair things are and how we need to concede all of our freedoms to stop the Feds from attacking us, I am gonna spit.
Pull yourself together, people. Sure…we are under attack. Welcome to the show. Sorry that a minor lull in enforcement and a mixed-message memo from the DOJ allowed you to get all complacent and Read more.....
I was forwarded a most interesting email from the great Steve Kubby that just gave me a good chuckle. You cannot make this shit up. Steve, if you are reading this, never stop being you, baby. Your shit is platinum.
In what I can only call a strange attempt at rallying the troops, the great Kubby points out that if we get rich people and conservatives drunk, they really like their initiative….or any initiative I assume. But this is the messaging from Camp Kubby that makes me giggle. I mean really? Why would anyone say this out loud, much less post it in an email? Some shit never ceases to amaze me, but I Read more.....
CANNADOME, Can and will it happen?
So the Cannadome idea is gonna happen, kinda….meaning there will be a debate, but none of the groups will pull their effort if a vote is taken. That was completely expected. What was unexpected was the cowardice rejection by one of the campaigns. “Like Wine” proponents have refused to participate. Here is what Like Wine proponent, Steve Kubby had to say:
RMLW will not be attending any more activist debates. We believe that while this proposed debate Read more.....
RCPA MOOTS LOCAL CULTIVATION AND DISPENSARY BANS
On Thursday, January 18th, the Supreme Court of California issued an order granting review of the now infamous line of medical marijuana cases of Pack v. City of Long Beach, City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patient’s Health and Wellness Ctr., Inc., Traudt v. City of Dana Point, and People v. G3 Holistic. Unless the Supreme Court decides otherwise, this means that Read more.....
Dear Incredibly Wealthy Person (IWP) who likes weed,
I am writing you in hopes of getting you to donate some resources to cannabis reform in California, and across the nation, this election season. In California alone there are three valid and good initiative campaigns working to make the ballot that seriously need some funding to make them a reality. There are campaigns in Colorado, Washington State, Ohio, and Oregon ,which also could use your money to help make the world a better place for people, like yourself, who like weed.
I saw recently that Peter Read more.....
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?…SO BRIGHT…..SO VIVID.
With all that is happening in the world of cannabis, and California medical cannabis law and regulation I almost feel as if I am hallucinating, as the landscape continues to morph in front of my eyes. To be honest, at this very moment, I have no fucking idea what is and what it not legal for medical cannabis patients in California; and I am not sure any of us ever have.
Cities and Counties continue to alter, or even worse, suspend/ban their dispensary programs altogether because of the Pack case for the most part, citing the uncertainty of Read more.....
There is no doubt that I am an extremely opinionated person, and I understand that my vocal presence in this industry (or whatever it is) is disturbing to some and refreshing to others. I have no issue with speaking my mind and calling shit like I see it; and in that respect I often find myself in moments of conflict. It comes with the territory.
But please do not use me, or my thoughts and writings, as a point of opposition, or as a selling point for one of your efforts. I do my thing. I say what I believe. People have a right to listen, or not to listen. I could care less. I do not write to appease others, Read more.....
So as we gear up for the big election season I cannot help but stare off towards Colorado with envy, as it looks like they will be able to mobilize the troops and get an initiative on the ballot for cannabis legalization. Here in California, the splintered masses begin the battle uphill in their quest to get one of three legalization efforts on the ballot. I did a survey over the last 10 days to see what the feel in the community was. Because I am cheap they will only allow me to see the first 100 responses, but there have been 125 total. Here are the results for the first 100 respondents:
What it does show is that the movement here in California (or at least on the warrior here) are Read more.....
In an article put out on the Huffington Post this week another poorly crafted strategy by the Weed Wars famous DeAngelo brothers was announced that confirms the desperation and lack of principle that their previous “I do not support legalization” bullshit alluded to. They are willing to say or do anything that will protect their own asses, regardless of Read more.....
Step right up, folks! Hurry! Hurry! Do I have an opportunity for you…
The essence of a shell game is based in the illusion that the sucker being duped by the Shell Man actually is participating in an honest game. The reality is that in any skilled shell game, there is no pea under any of the shells; and the other people there, betting along with you to make you feel like you are not the only dummy, are likely shills working with the Shell Man to get your money.
In this case the dummy is the City of Oakland and the Shell Men (and women) are the applicants vying Read more.....
There are three viable initiatives for cannabis legalization that are bidding to make the ballot in California, and the honest truth is that we cannot afford to split the effort for legalization into three camps, all fighting for resources and energy. We must choose one effort to rally around and all put our best foot forward if we have any chance of making the ballot and actually passing a cannabis freedom initiative in 2012. Any of the initiatives are better than what we have now by a long shot. Yesterday I put up a poll to see what people thought and as of this minute here is where it Read more.....
Triple Word Score?
So the debate rages on after Steve DeAngelo dropped the “I do not believe in legalization of cannabis for recreational use” card on the final episode of Weed Wars. The DeAngelo brothers have been called turncoats, hypocrites, and busters by America’s cannabis community for their inability to manage the message and willingness to throw the entire legalization effort out the window, in what one can only assume is an action of self-preservation under the attack of Federal pressure, and the pressure of being the new American TV sweetheart.
So then Steve tried to walk back Read more.....
The simple answer is most likely…at least for now. As we watch 2011 wind down and begin to look to 2012 it is hard not to look around the cannabis industry and recognize a sense of doom and gloom. The Federal crackdown in California and other states has taken its toll and our movement is undoubtedly under attack. This is not a major surprise, given the cruel and ignorant policies of our government dating back hundreds of years. Where we are doomed at is in our approach and quest for resolution.
The entire industry is made up of many different minds with many different ideas about how we should get to where we want to go. Read more.....
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