Freedom Over Fear

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I HEART STEVE COHEN

I have a confession to make….I HEART STEVE COHEN. In a house judiciary committee this wee, Rep...

More IS Better

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Weed Activist

Freedom Over Fear

May 19, 2013 in Crackdown, End the Drug War, Ethics and Morality, I Like Weed, Inspire, Messaging, Reform Groups, Weed Activism, Weed Business, Weed Freedom, Weed Love, Weed Politics

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Can our desire for freedom overcome our fears of oppression and failure?

Where weed is concerned our society is in the middle of a mid-life crisis. We are beginning to understand that the war on drugs has been a complete waste of time and we are ready to buy a motorcycle and head out on the open road for a little fun and adventure. It is painful to wake up and realize that we have spent so much time, energy, and of course money on taking people to jail for weed. It is difficult to comprehend how we even continue to allow for this bullshit one day longer.

Game over, drug warriors. People want their weed and they want it now. Quit bullshitting us ,and acting like dragging mostly poor people to jail for weed is some sort of moral crusade. Weed is awesome and people know it. Just let it go. It is over. You lost.

Weed legalization is happening, and if you have not noticed, it seems to be happening pretty fast. On Friday, the world’s oldest regional organization, The Organization of American States (OAS), which includes 35 member nations released a report that encouraged the legalization af marijuana. Boom…there you have it. This is not me spouting off about “Quit taking people to jail for weed.” This is a report from world leaders of 35 countries in our region who are fed up with the war on drugs and its over-reach into their societies. It is about time. Here is what the New York Times reported on it:

MEXICO CITY — A comprehensive report on drug policy in the Americas released Friday by a consortium of nations suggests that the legalization of marijuana, but not other illicit drugs, be considered among a range of ideas to reassess how the drug war is carried out.

The report, released by the Organization of American States walked a careful line in not recommending any single approach to the drug problem and encouraging “flexibility.”

Prompted by President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia at the Summit of the Americas last year to answer growing dissatisfaction and calls for new strategies in the drug war, the report’s 400 pages mainly summarize and distill previous research and debate on the subject.

Yet with all of the bold rhetoric we see in the press and in our discussions in our lives about ending the madness of weed prohibition, there is still an inherent fear by most in our community to approach the subject because of the 40 bullshit years of misinformation brainwashing people that weed was evil and only for losers. It is still more difficult than anticipated for people to find their courage when approaching the subject with their friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers who have bought into the drug war propaganda.

This must stop. We are right and they are wrong. No one who uses weed deserves to lose their job, their standing in the community, their kids, or repeatedly have their privacy disregarded because they like weed. That is ultimate hypocrisy and bullshit in a society plastered with drugs, and ads for drugs. Back up off the non-toxic mellow herbs and quit pretending weed is some evil shit. It is not. It is likely one of the greatest resources for humans on the planet.

Fly your weed freak flag loud and proud my friend. Your freedom is greater than your fear.

What has been astonishing though is not the fear from everyday people who casually use weed; but from those who are supposedly actively working to promote cannabis freedom. Some “reformers” and activists seem ready to negotiate away basic freedoms in fear of how society will perceive our love for weed and freedom. We are becoming our own worst enemy, as we see the gates of cannabis freedom opening. It is many of our own who are standing in our own way, holding the gates closed and clinging to their hopes of hanging on to this quasi-legal limited freedom meal ticket for just a while longer.

Just like the drug warriors who have abused their powers to lock up millions of our brothers and sisters for some weed will be held accountable for their actions, we will also hold those in our own court accountable for their treachery. It will all come out in the wash…the back-room deals will become front page news and those responsible for retarding our growth will have to answer for their deceit.

Those who are willing to surrender freedom because of fear are no friends or associates of mine. We are not even playing the same game. Walk tall if you want to walk next to me. I am walking towards freedom.

I understand that there will be limitations and that we will likely see incremental and measured steps towards real global legalization with weed NASCARs and everything; but I will be damned if it will be our own supposed allies who turn their back on us in order to make a buck or two are going to bend us over. We are better than that. Weed is better than that.

So when you hear this figurehead, or that community leader, spouting off about how we should compromise our freedom in fear of retaliation from the feds or public officials, just know that it is bullshit and they have likely cut a deal that sold you and your right to a safe, enjoyable, and helpful plant down the river.

I see real freedom on the horizon, and I am not scared to do what it takes to get there. Blood and treasure are sure to be lost, but the ultimate goal of freedom will always outweigh the fear of oppression. Anyone who says otherwise is a coward and should not be trusted.

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#LEGALBYSUMMER

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Weed Activist

I HEART STEVE COHEN

May 17, 2013 in End the Drug War, Ethics and Morality, I Like Weed, Inspire, Messaging, Vote Weed, Weed Activism, Weed Freedom, Weed Politics

I have a confession to make….I HEART STEVE COHEN.

In a house judiciary committee this wee, Representative Steve Cohen, again, took the United States Justice Department to task on their policy on weed in America and challenged the evils of prohibitin on the national stage. Bravo! Bravo, Mr. Cohen! You sir, are my new hero and I would be honored to shake your hand. Below is the text and video of Steve Cohen giving Eric Holder the business:

And one of the greatest threats to liberty has been the government taking people’s liberty for things the people are in favor of.

The Pew Research Group shows that 52 percent of Americans think marijuana should not be illegal, and yet there are people in jail and your Justice Department is continuing to put people in jail for sale and use on occasion of marijuana. That’s something the American public has finally caught up with. There was a cultural lag, and it’s been an injustice for 40 years in this country to take people’s liberty for something that was similar to alcohol.

You have continued what is allowing the Mexican cartels’ power and the power to make money, ruin Mexico and hurt our country by having a prohibition in the late 20th and 21st century. We saw it didn’t work in this country in the ’20s; we remedied it. This is the time to remedy this prohibition, and I would hope you would do so.

THANK YOU, STEVE COHEN FOR TELLING THE USDOJ TO, “QUIT TAKING PEOPE TO JAIL FOR WEED!!!”

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Weed Activist

More IS Better

May 15, 2013 in ACTION ALERTS, End the Drug War, Ethics and Morality, Medical Cannabis, Reform Groups, Support, Vote Weed, Weed Activism, Weed Business, Weed Freedom, Weed Politics

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A week from today, Los Angeles is set to vote on the future of medical marijuana in their City. There are 3 competing ballot measures to regulate the industry.

The first is Measure D. This is the MOST restrictive and MOST expensive measure. It limits the number of collectives to an arbitrary 135 that were listed in 2007 on the City’s illegal moratorium and Interim Control Ordinance (ICO) and raises the tax rate for weed by 20%.

It was crafted by the ultra-corrupt City Council who has recently voted to ban dispensaries altogether and was written by cannabis enemy LA City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. The LA Times has suggested that instead of opposing all three, that Measure D is the closest thing to accomplishing NO medical marijuana. Here is their quote on that:

It would be easy enough to urge a no vote on all three, and to call on the city to impose a full-scale ban instead. After all, The Times opposed Proposition 215 from the outset, partly because it was sloppily written and partly because it set up an inevitable conflict with the federal government, which continues to classify marijuana as illegal and dangerous….

Measure D will come the closest to accomplishing that goal, or at least will put us on the right road.

Most important, it would impose limits on the number of marijuana businesses in the city, allowing about 135 dispensaries to remain open — those that were operating and registered under city laws in 2007 and that sought to re-register in 2011.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/endorsements/la-ed-end-marijuana-measure-d-e-f-20130510,0,448078.story

So get that…the super conservative LA Times who thinks dispensaries should be outright BANNED, and the City Council, who also thinks dispensaries should be BANNED, agree that the closest thing to an outright ban they can get passed is Measure D, and they are supporting this effort to severely limit and cripple the local market.

The dumbfounding part is that people in our own industry are backing this play….Which brings me to Measure E.

Measure E was put forth by a coalition of UFCW, Americans for Safe Access, and the Greater Los Angeles Caregivers Alliance. It also limited the number of collectives the the 135 listed as pre-ICO/illegal moratorium, but did not raise the tax rate. When the City made the power move to put their initiative on the ballot, ASA, UFCW, and GLACA all folded their efforts to back the City’s in an unprecedented and puzzling move that can only be seen as protectionism at its finest. There is no other explanation for a group spending their hard earned money to gather signatures for an initiative only to abandon their own initiative in favor of a more expensive model.  It is simple collusion with City Hall at its finest.

The problem is that these folks are now in bed with those who have spent the last 5 years undermining their businesses and trying to get rid of them. Way to go.

Which brings us to Measure F, which to me is the no brainer of the choices on the ballot if you are for MORE ACCESS. Silly me….I thought that is what we were standing on the street corner fighting our asses off for all of these years.

Here is what the LA Times says about Measure F:

Measure F, by contrast, sets no limits. It includes some strong rules and protections — in some cases stronger than those in D. But the city simply can’t sustain an unlimited number of dispensaries. Supporters of F say there would be de facto limits as a result of the requirements about how close dispensaries could be to schools, parks and one another, and that the final number would be in the hundreds. But what guarantee is there? Certainly nothing in the law.

So when the conservative hacks at the LA Times state that Measure F is bad because it provides too much access, even though offering stronger protections, my liberal freedom-loving radar goes off and tells me to do the opposite of what these right wing zealots are pushing. I am seriously surprised that more of the activist and reform community leaders are not joining me in my support of Measure F. I am seriously disheartened that a large contingency of activist groups and community leaders would turn their back on MORE access. It is appalling.

Of course, there is the CANORML lack of position at all stating that people should vote on all three. Great…way to take a stand there. There is also the mudslinging position of dispensary operators who would be protected by Measure D in the press trying to paint their competition as outlaws and thugs. Here is what one dispensary operator told the LA Times:

Yami Bolanos, who runs PureLife Alternative Wellness Center, is backing Proposition D, which would shrink the number of pot shops to about 130. Only dispensaries like Bolanos’, which opened before the adoption of a failed 2007 city moratorium on new shops, would be allowed to continue operating.

At the City Hall rally and news conference, Bolanos accused some newer shops of catering to drug dealers by not requiring doctor’s prescriptions and selling more than 8 ounces of marijuana per visit to customers, more than twice what her store allows.

“Who needs 8 ounces, unless you’re going to break it up into dime bags and sell it in the street?” she said.

Apparently Yami has completely lost her mind and has taken the position of a prohibitionist. Who needs 8 ounces? People traveling long distances to access their medicine from places like Bakersfield with no access who may not want to come down every week, so they stock up. People who do juicing, or make edibles may use larger quantities. People who find a strain that works for them and want to stock up on it may buy 8 ounces. What business is it of yours anyways? When SB420 passed in 2003 state lawmakers, another scared and normally conservative group of humans, thought 8 ounces was a good number. Why is a dispensary operator supposedly on the side of patient access questioning patient need and rights in public like this?

Because of money and power basically. There is no other explanation.

But here is that basic rule of thumb for me on this….MORE IS BETTER.

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I will be damned if I have worked my ass off to defend access to cannabis over the years so that some wannabe good ol’ boys club can dictate the market to their own competitive advantage. That is just bullshit. When the defenders of Measure D try to paint the non-protected dispensaries as some sort of scofflaws and “people who just got here 10 minutes ago” it is easy to point out that for one, most of these places opened up right after the moratorium under the City’s own stupid hardship clause in 2008, meaning they have been open for the better part of 5 years; and two, most of the original dispensaries protected by Measure D have changed ownership or have been bought out by management groups.

The bottom line is that Measure D arbitrarily closes hundreds of dispensaries based on a bad law in an irrelevant time, and severely limits access. Measure F, on the other hand, does not attempt to close down the dispensaries operating pre-ICO, and even allows for new great operators to apply for a permit. As a person who has been shut out of the business for 5 years by the feds, I would not mind an opportunity to apply for a dispensary permit in LA down the road if I chose to. That my friends is called FREEDOM.

I have heard some conspiracy rumblings that some weirdos think that Measure F contains a “poison pill” for language in it stating it does not authorize the breaking of Federal law. This is a statement in response to the Pack v. Long Beach decision, and I personally included similar language in the initiative I wrote for Sac County. The fact that these are the straws folks are grasping at shows clearly that Measure F is the BEST OPTION for more access to cannabis and a more competitive and level playing field.

Measure D closes down hundreds of dispensaries. Measure F does not. This is not hard to figure out….

The folks backing Measure D are working to shut down their competition, whereas Measure F makes no attempt to shut down the proponents of Measure D, or anyone else for that matter who complies with reasonable restrictions.

I have even heard an activist who I respect greatly say “1,000 in Los Angeles is too many.” When I remind them that the City of Denver, Colorado has a population of about 600,000 people and they have 235 dispensaries who all do well and compete and have succeeded in driving prices for cannabis way down, and that Los Angeles is a city of 11 million people (18 million in the metro area) that by that rate Los Angeles should be able to sustain several thousand dispensaries and still manage to thrive, they have no immediate answer.

Yeah…Real life has played out and the sky did not fall, Chicken Little. So now what is your big excuse? Too many? You mean too much access?

We live in a world where free markets help increase competition and in turn, drive innovation and value. IMO. Measure F is the only measure that allows for our true American freedom principles to thrive and is the only real choice on the ballot for anyone who loves cannabis freedom.

I have a lot of friends who would do quite well if Measure D passes, but the ones who believe in themselves and believe in their business do not see legally handicapping the industry as the solution. In fact, it is the problem.

I have no idea which measure will pass, but I know as a community we should ALWAYS back the measure that provides for MORE access….MORE IS BETTER. Duh…

More Access. More Jobs. More Weed. Vote Yes on Measure F. Fuck the rest….

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Weed Activist

In Cannabis Markets Retail is King….For Now

May 13, 2013 in End the Drug War, Ethics and Morality, I Like Weed, Weed Activism, Weed Business, Weed Freedom

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The evolution of the cannabis market is happening. What was once a clandestine industry based in people’s garage is now growing into a full-fledged cottage industry, complete with retail and wholesale elements, as well as charlatans and hucksters. As the industry develops, it is interesting to see where the power breaks down compared to other types of similar industries.

The development of any new and emerging industry is sure to be a difficult and trying one. Add to this equation the complexities of federal prohibition and state allowances, and what you get is a model somewhat turned on its head. What do I mean by this?

The legal climate for cannabis has focused primarily on the retail aspects, being dispensaries. A lot of attention has been given to the stores that sell weed rather than the organizations that produce weed and develop finished products. In most normal industries, manufacturing sets the pace. The retail model is an important vehicle in which goods are moved, but are by no means driving inovation and production like they do in the cannabis industry.

The current situation allows for retailers to maintain a lot of power because there are no major manufacturing conglomerates or production and distribution houses that have enough of a presence in the industry to dictate the market, like in other industries. There are very few major brands that can have the impact necessary for their supply to drive demand. Generally the retailer holds all of the power and can dictate the market more easily by using their position as a gatekeeper to include, or exclude, people from the market.

But this will not always be, if history has any relevance. As a more legal and upstanding market develops this power WILL shift. When major cannabis production companies are developed the world will change. In the world of supply and demand, the cannabis industry is lacking in the power of the supply side…for now. But as a legal cannabis market comes into focus you can be sure that there will be some game changing moves made on this side of the equation.

Large batch producers not constrained by prohibition and the risk of prison will be able to develop larger and more sustainable business models that will be able to produce enough cannabis to move the needle on demand. Normal business factors will begin to emerge, as the veil of prohibition is removed. It is clear that those who can effectively produce high quality cannabis products and market them effectively to the masses will gain more power. The way manufacturers and suppliers drive demand is through advertising, marketing and development of the brand. While there are extremely limited efforts of this happening now, none of these brands have the ability to really change the game the way say Sierra Nevada changed the beer game in the 90′s, or how low price quality offerings like Kia have changed the automobile market. But they will…

Retail shops will not dictate the market principles beyond prohibition. High quality cannabis products will. Why? Because that is generally how things work. We do not go to Best Buy because they have just any stereo or computer; we go there because we know they will have the brands we want at decent prices. But if Best Buy sold a bunch of off brand merchandise that nobody wanted, who would go there? No one…that is who.

Can you imagine if a liquor store was given as much power in deciding alcohol industry standards and product line development as cannabis retailers currently are? Can you imagine a world where we told booze retailers that they could only sell the booze they produced themselves? No…you can’t. You know why? Because that would be stupid…the same way the current cannabis market is pretty stupid in respect to other industry norms.

We are in a strange vortex for the weed market, as people are more willing to allow it to be legal, but there is still a huge mystery as to how it is to be produced, distributed, and sold. The knee-jerk reaction seems to be working to over control the industry and to make things more difficult than they need to be. This is not rocket science…it is business. We buy, sell and trade agricultural commodities and finished products all of the time. It is what our consumer society is known for, so it is only a matter of time before these false barriers are removed and the industry changes to a more “product” focused, rather than “store that sells product” focused industry.

So all of the big conglomerate weed stores should live it up while they can because the time is coming where you will just be another weed 7-Eleven in a sea of weed 7-Elevens. How long it will take for this evolution to happen is anyone’s guess, but you can be sure folks like myself and others are preparing for that day….and when it comes, just know that the abuses of power that we see now in the industry from overzealous retailers and their buyers will NOT be forgotten.

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Weed Activist

Dear USDOJ…..Stop it. You are embarrassing yourself.

May 9, 2013 in Crackdown, End the Drug War, Ethics and Morality, I Like Weed, Inspire, Mass Incarceration, Uncategorized

Yes. Another pointed open letter to the United States Department of Justice regarding their insane actions and policies on weed…enjoy.

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Dear US Department of Justice Officials and US Attorneys,

Stop it. You are embarrassing yourself…and our nation.

As I stood on yet another street corner yesterday -this time in Berkeley- to witness another press conference decrying the interference of the feds into state law, I could only think about what a waste of energy the whole experience was; and what an embarrassment it was that in a civilized society we again had to drag public officials, sick people, and stakeholders of a well-run tax paying business onto a street corner to address another ill-conceived attack on a medical cannabis provider.

The US Attorney for the Northern District has filed a forfeiture asset claim against the building where Berkeley Patients Group (BPG) operates….the new one. Last year a highly publicized shut down of the organization’s original facility in which they operated for over a decade with no complaints forced them to move to new digs not too far from the old location. In their moving they were very careful to select a site that met all known requests of the US Attorney’s office, including being 1,000 ft. from schools, parks, and youth facilities.

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Shortly after moving and re-opening their doors they were served another notice to close, and now a forfeiture action to take the building has been filed. The feds want to seize the building at 2366 San Pablo Avenue, much like they are trying to seize the buildings where Harborside operates.

At the end of the press conference the group took questions. I only had one…”did they feel that this forfeiture action was vindictive prosecution based on the organizations high profile nature, and more particularly, in light of an article done last year by Michael Montgomery and David Downs that aired a lot of the organizations dirty laundry.”

After a brief pause BPG’s spokesperson responded with a simple “no.”

Well that answers that, now doesn’t it? No. In fact, it does not.

The reality is that this is clearly selective prosecution aimed at creating fear in the community, and forcing the hands of landlords to not work with cannabis providers any longer. It is an underhanded and slimy way of going about your business and it is an embarrassment to the term “justice.” You guys should be ashamed….again.

I have no idea what motivates the dance of the idiot that is cannabis policy in this country. Our way of dealing with weed is so fucking bankrupt and morally reprehensible that I am amazed every day that people do not grab their pitchforks and torches and demand a real change and a releasing of millions of otherwise innocent people in jail for stupid drug crimes.

The fact that you people over there still have the nerve to roll out another bullshit forfeiture lawsuit, and continue to raid compliant providers of cannabis, is BIZARRO. At what point do you get tired of defending this bullshit in public?

Here is what US Attorney Melinda Haag released in a statement yesterday when asked about the BPG situation:

Haag defended the suit and others like it on the same day Berkeley politicians held a news conference to complain about it.

In a statement Haag said lawsuits against landlords of medical marijuana dispensaries and letters threatening the landlords have been reasonable and are supported by educators, addiction specialists, police officers, clergy, parents and others who are “negatively affected by marijuana.”

“The marijuana industry has caused significant public health and safety problems in rural communities, urban centers and schools in the Northern District of California,” Haag said. “Because some believe marijuana has medicinal value, however, we continue to take a measured approach and have only pursued asset forfeiture actions with respect to marijuana retail sales operations very near schools, parks or playgrounds, at the request of local law enforcement, or in one case, because of the sheer size of its distribution operations.”

Source: Contra Costa Times

I do not know US Attorney Haag personally, but by all measures she seems to be intelligent and very educated. I find it hard to believe that she can make such a statement without taking any responsibility for the current state of affairs due to the US government’s, and more so the USDOJ’s, enforcement policies and actions where cannabis is concerned. How out of touch does one have to be to make the statement that “the marijuana industry has caused significant public health and safety problems in rural communities, urban centers and schools in the Northern District of California” without considering what role cannabis prohibition and the black market plays in those public health and safety matters?

Her reference to a “very measured approach” is a clear admission of selective enforcement based on arbitrary and shifting limitations. While no clear boundaries have been set defining what the exact parameters are from what exact uses, or how big the “sheer size” of an operation is that will be targeted by her office, her admission signifies that there is a line there somewhere. As a matter of public safety and fairness it would be helpful if these guidelines could be more clearly established for people to operate under.

But the fact that we continue to play clandestine cat and mouse bullshit games with medical cannabis like this is simply embarrassing. Just stop it. We are better than this.

Knock off the military SWAT raids, the shifty letters, the forfeiture actions, and the IRS audits. Quit doing everything in your power to destroy our movement without having the political courage to even really say why. To pawn the responsibility of your actions off on nameless and faceless  ”educators, addiction specialists, police officers, clergy, parents and others who are negatively affected by marijuana” is cowardly.

If you believed in that bullshit rhetoric your handlers released you would own it, with no need to justify your actions by claiming that these faceless many were your reasons for actions. Either what you are doing is right, or it is not.

But do us all a favor…knock of the charades and bullshit. At this point you are operating as a direct tool for big business and law enforcement/prison lobbies and your actions are destructive and mean. Stop it.

There is no “just doing our job” when your job is destroying the lives, livelihoods, and values of the majority of people in the society we live.

Quit taking people to jail, invading their privacy, and taking their stuff for some weed….That shit is not working and you are just embarrassing us all with your unwillingness to wake up and smell the sour diesel.

Love….Mickey

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Weed Activist

California Dreaming

May 7, 2013 in Crackdown, End the Drug War, I Like Weed, Inspire, Medical Cannabis, Messaging, Video, Weed Activism, Weed Freedom, Weed Love, Weed Politics

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Can California cities and counties ban cannabis dispensaries? Of course they can. Why? Because California law grants no rights to anyone, yet gives an affirmative defense to people who use and provide cannabis under limited circumstances. Here is what the California Supreme Court said said on that in yesterday’s Riverside decision:

We have consistently maintained that the CUA and the MMP are but incremental steps toward freer access to medical marijuana, and the scope of these statutes is limited and circumscribed. They merely declare that the conduct they describe cannot lead to arrest or conviction, or be abated as a nuisance, as violations of enumerated provisions of the Health and Safety Code. Nothing in the CUA or the MMP expressly or impliedly limits the inherent authority of a local jurisdiction, by its own ordinances, to regulate the use of its land, including the authority to provide that facilities for the distribution of medical marijuana will not be permitted to operate within its borders.

The argument being made by our side is that municipalities cannot ban dispensaries because they are in conflict with state law. It always seemed like a long shot to me, as cities and counties have a lot of power to regulate what happens in their borders. Cities CAN ban booze and even tobacco if they want. They ban businesses like card rooms, massage parlors, and strip clubs all the time. It would seem that a medical necessity defense would have been a more solid approach, but then you have to prove that only a dispensary can serve those medical needs, which could be hard in the age of collectives, cultivation, and delivery services.

Their reference to a “friend of the court” briefing was also telling when they mentioned this gem in their decision:

Moreover, these facilities deal in a substance which, except for legitimate medical use by a qualified patient under a physician’s authorization, is illegal under both federal and state law to possess, use, furnish, or cultivate, yet is widely desired, bought, sold, cultivated, and employed as a recreational drug.  Thus, facilities that dispense medical marijuana may pose a danger of increased crime, congestion, blight, and drug abuse, and the extent of this danger may vary widely from community to community.

The Court concluded…

Thus, while some counties and cities might consider themselves well suited to accommodating medical marijuana dispensaries, conditions in other communities might lead to the reasonable decision that such facilities within their borders, even if carefully sited, well managed, and closely monitored, would present unacceptable local risks and burdens…. Under these circumstances, we cannot lightly assume the voters or the Legislature intended to impose a ―one size fits all‖ policy, whereby each and every one of California‘s diverse counties and cities must allow the use of local land for such purposes.

My favorite part of their decision was this the conclusion, in this:

Of course, nothing prevents future efforts by the Legislature, or by the People, to adopt a different approach. In the meantime, however, we must conclude that Riverside‘s ordinances are not preempted by state law.

They might as well have said, “There is nothing preventing the legislature from getting off their lazy asses and doing something about it, or you people can do another initiative if you can come up with a few million bucks; but for now you are fucked.”

The reality is that we have spent innumerable man hours and resources fighting a battle that is not winnable under its current circumstance. We want to be treated differently than other sensitive use issues because our weed is “medical,” but the heavily blurred lines that exist in the medical cannabis landscape make that pretty difficult to justify.

It is as if we are saying “Dispensaries are as necessary as hospitals because they are needed for medical care.” If the industry existed as a strict medical environment, which is the strictest classification next to outright banning something, where only “seriously ill” patients were granted access to their medicine from doctors who did not set up shop at the hip-hop concert and who accessed cannabis that was tightly controlled from limited authorized medical producers with extreme oversight of the administration of the medicine, then maybe we would have a better case.

As for now, we exist in an alternate universe where people want to justify any and all smoking of the weed as a medical breakthrough, and where we somewhat make a mockery of the term “medicine” in our approach. Do not get me wrong….I am not criticizing the current situation. I am simply stating the reality of our industry and movement as viewed from the society we live in.

The question I am posing is, “Had we spent the same time, energy, and resources asking for what we really wanted….the right to use weed for whatever whenever as grown-ass adults…would we be closer to our goal at this time?” At what point is it time to hang up the “Quit picking on us because we are all very sick” mantra, and move right into the “Prohibition is evil and adults have a right to use cannabis without being treated as criminals” mantra?

While those who truly use cannabis as a medicine deserve to be defended and honored, do the folks who may not be as sick but who use cannabis deserve to have their fundamental rights pushed to the back burner because they are not as good of a PR story for the movement? Is it this unwillingness to see the writing on the wall, and our continuing to roll the giant boulder up the hill, retarding our ability to make progress for cannabis freedom? When can we begin to admit that seriously ill people are only a very small portion of the community that uses cannabis, and that our major resources MUST go to adult use legalization, so that the real medical uses of marijuana can quit being discarded as a parlor trick due to the questionable practices of the current medical program?

While ideally I would have loved for the CA Supreme Court to rule that our affirmative defense meant that cities must allow for dispensaries, it is just not a very realistic position given the current attitudes about dispensaries in California. The biggest issues facing dispensaries in California is the assertion that they are a front for simple legalization. People do not mind weed, but they surely do not like being bullshitted.

I am sorry that stupid weed prohibition has created a situation where people may fudge a serious illness to avoid prison. Unfortunately, that is the choice that a lot of people face in this day and age.

But before these people on the outside looking in begin to thumb their nose at California for our “lack of state regulation” and “chaotic environment” remember this….EVERY DAY hundreds of thousands of Californians have access to a LARGE VARIETY of HIGH QUALITY cannabis medicines and applications. California will ALWAYS be the mecca of cannabis and that has NEVER been about what law said what that gave California its cannabis reputation…it was always the weed and the culture.

So before you decide to get on your Facebook machine and talk some shit about California, just remember that we have been serving happy weedheads here for a long long time and that when people think of weed, they think of California….regardless of the law. California pioneered the modern push for cannabis legitimization and continues to further the cause through innovation and competition in the marketplace. Nothing has changed about California and its place on the map where weed is concerned. It is still the number one place for weed hands down. There is a reason people come from all over to buy Cali weed to bring to the masses across the nation….because it is the best and most plentiful cannabis production area on the globe, period.

I love California, for all of its quirks and weirdness. I have long said it was time for the state to step up and regulate the industry better to provide more clear guidance, and to protect from Federal interference…but when you live in a state of over 38 million people it can often be more difficult to get everyone on the same page. It is clear that time has come though, and I am hopeful that we will see sensible regulation and adult use recognition.

It is only a matter of time before adult use legalization happens, and we would be smarter to begin to demand a clear move in that direction, rather than continue to fight battles that even our own Supreme Court find somewhat frivolous. Our best bet is to pass an adult use measure in 2014, which will solve a lot of the issues facing the medical cannabis movement. Or we can continue to fumbledick around for another few years and just hope things work themselves out….for those who are killing it in their semi-prohibition state of affairs, that probably sounds pretty good.

To me, it sounds like torture….

Can California’s legal, political, and social landscape catch up with the reality of weed in the state? For our sake, let’s hope so….

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Weed Activist

Friend or Foe?

May 3, 2013 in End the Drug War, Ethics and Morality, I Like Weed, Inspire, Mass Incarceration, Messaging, Reform Groups, Weed Activism, Weed Freedom, Weed Love

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We are in a battle for the hearts and minds of our fellow man. This is a real war with real casualties and collateral damage. We have lost innumerable good people to the war on weed and on a larger scale, drugs. This war rages on, even as we see the walls of prohibition crumbling and people calling for and end to these disastrous policies.

In any fight for freedom and justice it is necessary to decipher who are friends and who are foes…..and who is unfortunately neutral.

In the cannabis game it is not always such a clear cut line. Sure…there are the weed activists and the drug warriors; the outlaws versus law enforcers. But there are several more layers to the onion in this equation to consider. On both sides of the battle field there is dissension in the ranks, and double agents playing for both teams. There are weasels all around that have no qualms about selling morals and values down the river for the right paycheck.

As weed emerges into the mainstream market, there will be no shortage of folks trying to cash in, and in doing so, many will betray their trust to the movement and their fellow activists for some lousy silver coins. We already see the writing on the wall, as long established companies sell out their intellectual property to worthless investors with very little care for how we got here; yet are only concerned with what they can get from the industry now that we are here.

At least when fighting our normal adversaries of law enforcement and ill-informed drug crusaders we know where they stand and we can fight them on our terms accordingly. The new battle will come as those who masqurade as our friends are revealed as foes and enemies of cannabis freedom. Most of this is sure to be fueled by greed and a lack of true passion for cannabis, and the struggle for justice and morality.

We can already see this happening in a lot of the more upfront and regulated markets. Big money folks are working to enact counter-productive policies to ensure their business model has a competitive advantage. A lot of these people who operate in the world of cannabis do not have the skills to compete in a free and open market. What we see now is companies and individuals who have claimed to be a part of this weed movement working to restrict the market in order to increase their bottom line and hold their ogliopoly positioning. It is shameful, and from a business standpoint some of the unfair trade practices being suggested by people in our own movement are appalling.

I often hear a call for “unity” and the suggestion that we cannot afford to confront the hucksters in our own movement because it creates ammunition for the drug warriors. From where I am sitting, this is a HUGE strategic mistake. As these charlatans invade the Boards of our favorite reform groups and buy their way into positions fo power in cannabis reform circles, what we will see is a deterioration of our values and the entire reform process turned over to these business mogul wannabes. It is already happening. If you do not see it then you are not paying attention. The real foes of the game moving forward are not the traditional drug warriors, but the wolves in stoner clothing we see infiltrating our back lines.

As we pull out of prohibition into a legal cannabis market, these fiscal powerhouses are positioning themselves to undermine the process and to create an unlevel playing field that benfits the few. You do not have to believe me. That is fine. This will all come to reveal itsself rather quickly over the coming months and years. We can have another “I told you so” discussion then.

Right now is the time to begin cleaning house and we should not let the shiny tokens that are being presented distract us from the bigger picture. There are big money interests making plays all over this industry and a lot of the core infrastructure of the movement seems to be up for sale. What was once sacred ground is now a plastic and commercialized strip mall of weed businesses that are being hustled for their value by those who could give a shit about cannabis freedom.

Make no mistake….as this thing comes into view, the battle is shifting. It will not be about weed, or the right of humans to consume and produce weed. It will be about money. Plain and simple. So as the money war begins, how prepared will you be? Will you have already been fooled and manipulated by these folks because you did not see it coming? Will you wake up one day and realize everything has been taken from you and you have been voted off your own island? Will the reward be worth selling out everything you have fought for?

In a battle with so much at stake and a long history of evil and corruption, why would we be surprised to find out that our biggest enemy was within our own ranks? That the assholes who have pretended to be our allies have now used our camraderie and “movement” to advance their own causes and finances, and what we are left with is a bunch of nothingness and despair. It is happening. Do not be an idiot. Do your homework.

You should know in your gut who is a friend or a foe of cannabis freedom. If you do not, feel free to ask. I have a list going.

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Weed Activist

COMING OUT of the Cannabis Closet

May 2, 2013 in End the Drug War, I Like Weed, Inspire, Messaging, Weed Activism, Weed Freedom, Weed Love

How to let the world know that you enjoy using cannabis…

By Mickey Martin

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We have all been there. Whether with friends, family, at work, or in the community, at one time or another we have all denied or hidden our use of cannabis because we did not want to be judged for our choice to use a safe and harmless plant to feel good. We have hidden in alleys and lied to police officers to avoid being detected as, God forbid, a cannabis consumer. The medical movement has shed new light on the subject, as many patients realize that their responsible use of cannabis is nothing to be ashamed of. There is a certain empowerment that comes with the realization that as a medicine, cannabis loses its stigma as a dangerous street drug, and in the safe and secure setting of a well lit collective it no longer feels like a “drug deal.”

I have begun to see many more people willing to stand up for their cannabis use in recent months and as we stand up and be accounted we see the tide beginning to turn. We are no longer the “counter culture.” We are the mainstream. We are your neighbor,  your brother, the guy who coaches your son’s little league team (that is me), your dentist, and even quite possibly your boss. Cannabis users are everyone. The stereotype is dying, and as we see a growing tolerance for cannabis use, we see more people willing to admit that they have been in that closet all this time. If you are having trouble getting out of your closet (like if you are hiding this magazine from someone right now) you can follow these easy steps to free yourself from the guilt of not being who you are.

 

With Family: Your family is supposed to have unconditional love for you but we all know this is not always the case. Let’s face it. Some family members are notorious for looking down their noses and basing their fallacious decisions on the misinformation they have been brainwashed with for decades. Some may stand on religious principle, others may have a story of addiction that drives their judgment, or some may simply just be going with the flow of their surroundings. The good news is that many of these baseless judgments are passing, as the baby boomers become the grandparents and my generation becomes the responsible parents. Times they are a changing. Yet, there are still many family situations that drive people crazy because they simply fear what their family may think of them.

Be logical. Don’t get cut out of the will because you did not know what you were talking about. If you are a medical patient you would be surprised at how understanding your grandmother may be over treating your ailments with alternative therapies, and how sick of the prescription drug care and traditional medical industry she may be. Bring it up casually, as in “Did you see the CNN Report on Cannabis Medicines?” Or “Have you seen the reports on using cannabis as a medicine? You do not even have to smoke it anymore.” Look for a reaction. You may be surprised. A window of opportunity may open. Be armed with plenty of information on why cannabis is a good therapy for any number of conditions and if you feel comfortable you may choose to disclose that you have tried, or were considering trying, it to help you to feel better. You may not immediately gain the acceptance you hope, but at least you have planted a seed for future dialogue.

If you are not a patient but choose to use cannabis for adult use and want to come out of the closet, then you may approach it from a “legalization” issue, and see how your family responds. There is a lot of discussion about the economic distress of the country and the taxes that may be generated, coupled with the money saved on enforcement, may be the type of argument that resonates with even the most conservative folks in this day and age. Do your homework. Look at the estimated revenues and projected savings. The California Board of Equalization estimated that Cali alone would pull in 1.4 Billion. That is a lot of money when folks are losing their jobs and the state is cutting important services. That number does not include the income and payroll taxes from the industry created. It does not include the money spent from the many people who would find jobs in the industry. It has the potential to be a lot of money and in this day and age that is a strong argument for cannabis tolerance.

Make it basic for them. It is a plant. It is very safe. You like it as an option for adults. It is not nearly as dangerous as booze, or coffee for that matter. It is much less physically addictive. It is like a chess game. They may rebut with a “gateway drug” argument, or the old “Why would I want another substance for people to abuse?” Let them know that all drugs can serve as gateways, including (enter their drug of choice hear). Inform them that by jailing people for cannabis we create more criminals, thus more crime. Legalizing cannabis as just “another substance” would not only be economically beneficial but is the right thing to do to. We can no longer make criminals of almost 900,00 people in this country. It is simply unfair and hypocritical. Whether or not you disclose that you do not want to be a criminal any longer is at your discretion, but living a lie is always more difficult than a spirited debate.

With Friends: The arguments above are all very valid with friends as well, but remember that you should have chosen friends that like you for who you are. I mean, we cannot choose our sister or uncle, but we surely can find a better friend than one that is intolerant of using cannabis as you choose. Understandably friendships may transcend your cannabis use, or visa versa, but it should not be a deal breaker to someone is really your friend. If they do not use cannabis then be sure to let them know that you respect that choice of theirs and that you would hope they respected your choice also. If it makes them uncomfortable then perhaps you agree to abstain from using cannabis while with spending time with them. Compromise should be an open part of every friendship, and if they do not understand that your choice to use cannabis is yours and yours alone to make then it may be time to evaluate that relationship and decide if you really want such an intolerant person in your life. You never know. Your “conservative” friend may look at you and say, “I have been hiding my cannabis use from YOU because I thought you may not approve.” You would be surprised.

At Work: First and foremost, do not jeopardize your livelihood if you think that you may get fired. Being in the work closet is perfectly fine if you believe that you would lose your job if people knew. But, if you sense that a co-worker or your boss may be tolerant, say they smile at a cannabis related joke or if you smell it on them after a long lunch and they acknowledge it, I would consider revealing that you are one f the faithful. Having a cannabis ally or two at work never hurt. It may create camaraderie that blossoms into a “Mutual Cannabis Relationship” (MCR) in which you share, discuss, and smile mysteriously throughout the workday. You can look out for one another and let them know they need some Visene if they look like they need it. You may find more common ground through the social aspects of cannabis than you may think. Your new “Cannabis Co-Worker” (C2W) may become a close friend. There may even be an opportunity to combine resources and get your cannabis more economically, or save gas money by carpooling to the collective. You definitely do not want to lose your job over cannabis, but crack a Bob Marley joke one day and look around the room to see the reaction. The ones smiling sheepishly are your best bets for forming strong cannabis alliances in the workplace. Patients need to remember that employers do not have to honor your recommendation, so beware of using that card if you do not have to if you are still in the work closet.

To Law Enforcement: I think Dennis Peron put it best when he said, “There is no such thing as a dead warrior.” I always think that a law enforcement officer does not want to know about cannabis use, it is not my job to educate him unwillingly. I am not a big fan of creating a dialogue with an officer about cannabis, medical or not, if I do not have to. They have an opinion already one way or another and chances are my soapbox is not going to make or break their opinion, and if the conversation goes horribly wrong I could end up in jail for the night. It is not really in either of or interest to discuss my medical or personal choice reasons for using cannabis. We both have better things we could be doing.

That being said, if you are a patient in a medical cannabis state and you are within the bounds of the law and confronted by a police officer, it is best to be upfront and honest. If an officer catches you with or rightfully believes you are using cannabis, it is best to show them your documentation for using cannabis, look them in the eye as if you have done nothing wrong, and be respectful. Many officers are understanding of a patients need for cannabis, and will not bat an eye at it. There is always a danger of a rogue officer who chooses not to respect the will of the people and can still confiscate your medicine and put you in jail. Know your rights and know the law. The best bet is to just avoid the situation altogether. It is not worth the gamble to disclose anything you are not questioned about. Don’t jump out of the closet and into the backseat of a squad car.

If you are not a patient and confronted by law enforcement my best advice is to run. JUST KIDDING. While it sucks that you are in the position you are in and that the prohibition of a plant may get you arrested, if you are caught you are caught. My advice would be to be respectful and just tell the officer that you made a mistake by breaking the law as it stands. If you think an educational speech about cannabis will help, then by all means educate them, but do not agitate the situation. They have the opportunity to make your life a living hell for the night or to charge you $100. I say go for the money option, but that is just me. Always try and defuse the situation, at least until you are in handcuffs. Then if you want to get all activist on them on your way to the station, I say go for it.

As an Activist: Being a cannabis activist is a commitment and coming out of the closet and becoming an activist for the cause can be a smooth transition. As an activist you have made a decision to dedicating time, resources, or both to moving the cause along. You have decided to bare the torch for the issue and fly your colors proudly. Many people coming out of the closet are moving straight to activism because they for once in their life feel free and have something they can grasp onto and are a part of. A person is motivated by the realization that they no longer have to hide in the shadows, and from this can grow some of the most spirited activists. Deciding that you will make a phone call to a pubic official as a cannabis consumer, or attending a cannabis inspired rally or event that you can join in the process, or joining a policy group that is driving change in the way society views cannabis is all you need to do to come out as an activist. To begin spreading the words of change in your community one must be sure that they are confident and resolute in their position. A person who aspires to join the cause will seek out education on the subject of cannabis and be armed with the knowledge to confront opposition forces. Being an activist is not for everyone, but just because you just came out of the cannabis closet recently does not mean you cannot be a powerful activist immediately. Activism is as simple as committing to your belief and making a conscious decision to advance that cause in any way possible.

 

If everyone who uses cannabis came out of the closet and refused to let the fear of prohibition rule the day there would be overwhelming support for the cause. If there were a consolidated effort to educate those who look down upon cannabis use and make them understand that cannabis, for you, is a good thing we could change the hearts and minds of a nation and of a world. If the masses decided that they were sick and tired of feeling like a criminal, sick and tired of having to hide, and sick and tired of being scared for their right to use the cannabis plant as a grown ass person then we would move mountains, or at least plant the south facing sides of them. Begin to think about coming out of that closet in your life. Do you need to really hide your use of a safe and often beneficial and healing plant? Of a plant? Really? I think you may find that you are far from alone and that our paranoia of being discovered is far overblown. Whether you are a soccer mom, a business professional, a public official, or whatever, stand up and be accounted for. We are here to support you. If we do not begin to speak up we will be hiding in that damn closet forever, and eventually we will run out of air in there. Think about it.

***  This Article Originally Ran in West Coast Cannabis in 2009 ***

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Weed Activist

ACTION ALERT: Call to say NO TO SB 289 in California. No DUI for weed.

April 29, 2013 in ACTION ALERTS, End the Drug War, Ethics and Morality, Mass Incarceration, Medical Cannabis, Support, Weed Activism

SB 289 is a terrible measure that automatically convicts a person of DUI for having any drugs, including weed in their system. This means if a person is in an accident and they test them and they smoked weed a week ago, they are automatically at fault in that accident because they would have a DUI.

This measure is aimed at opressing minorities and poor people some more with terrible policies and non-scientific convictions. It is a clear abuse of power and must be stopped. Do your part today.

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SB 289: Zero-Tolerance Drugged-DUI Measure
Hearings on Tuesday 4-30-2013
Call Today & Leave this message: “No to SB289”.
Be polite (we want them to do something for us)
Be Brief ((let them answer more phones for us)
Do this like your driving depends on it, because it does.

Senator Lou Correa 916 651-4034

State Senate Public Safety Committee

Senator Loni Hancock 916 651-4009

Senator Marty Block 916 651-4039

Senator Kevin De León 916 651-4022

Senator Carol Liu 916 651-4025

Senator Darrell Steinberg 916 651-4006

Senator Joel Anderson 916 651-4036

Senator Steve Knight 916 651-4021

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Weed Activist

Reinventing The Wheel

April 26, 2013 in End the Drug War, Ethics and Morality, I Like Weed, Inspire, Medical Cannabis, Messaging, Weed Activism, Weed Connoisseur, Weed Freedom, Weed Love

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The wheel was a great invention. Maybe one of man’s best. But let’s be honest…the wheel has been reinvented and improved upon a million times. The tire itself has come along way, not to mention the insane amount of rim choices we have these days. Big wheels and little wheels for big jobs and little jobs. While all wheels generally perform the same function, the wheel itself is reinvented almost daily to serve a new purposes.

The weed game is a wheel that is at a point of desperately needing some reinvention. It will require a new way of looking at things to make a successful transition from the underworld to the mainstream. It is a new terrain and it would serve us well to examine our wheels to make sure they are the best option for the road ahead. We have a great opportunity to change the entire landscape of weed culture as we emerge from Outlaw City. If we do not want to reinvent the weed wheel entirely, we should damn well consider some serious upgrades.

There are all sorts of areas where we can change the way weed is understood and accepted. What we see is a growing willingness to consider weed as a part of the everyday lives of our community. The great experiment of medical cannabis has allowed for people to see that there are few dangers associated with weed shops, and that the mere presence of weed in the community does not decrease anyone’s quality of life. If anything, even if just a few boozers lightened up on the liquid poison and smoked a little weed instead of getting blitzed chances are quality of life greatly improves.

We have an opportunity to shed the lazy derelict stoner image and offer cannabis as a sophisticated and responsible alternative to other common intoxicants in our society. Without the legal stigma of weed being a criminal activity we will actually look like the grown-ups at the table. “Yeah. I just smoke weed. I don’t drink booze or anything.”

We can reinvent the way major corporations do business by demanding a conscious corporate model that is considerate of our cultural norms and expectations. We do not have to support companies or individuals who do not have the best interest of weedheads and the planet in mind.

We are coming in at a position of great power…we have already devised the black market for over 40 years and we can go back there if weed companies decide to become corporate asshole scumbags. We have a great network and as time goes on the hucksters and charlatans will be exposed. Free-market capitalism goes both ways….what it really means is the gloves are off.

A lot of assholes fly under the radar now because no one wants to call them on their shit in public and risk possibly putting their ass in prison for decades…but we all know some unscrupulous people are lurking in this industry trying to position themselves and embed their creepiness amongst the tribes. But that wheel will be reinvented as the gloves come off. There will be no pulled punches or cooperative competition. It will be game on Coke and Pepsi style. I for one cannot wait.

The cannabis market will be reinvented, as well. Right now there is a large emphasis focused on the retail aspect of the industry, but the natural shift to branded products and more traditional distribution channels will change the game. While there will certainly be small specialty markets of cannabis, there will be a need for a larger production and distribution module to feed global demand. There will be a need for new packaging schemes and labeling requirements. Why do we still sell 1/8ths anyways? What a stupid measurement that is for inventory control. Why not 5, 10, 0r 20 gram options? It just seems much easier for us all to track and do the math on. Regardless, there will be huge room for improvement in packaging, and the production and marketing of weed products will be a wheel that will be reinvented many times as the game goes on.

Consumption patterns will be reinvented too. We already see the dab craze evolving into its own beast, and separate but equally cool community of enthusiasts complete with their own holiday…7.10. Dabs will continue to grow in popularity, and will likely become the hard booze option of the cannabis market. Vape pens are huge, as more low cost options come onto the market and people become familiar with their ease of use. Edibles will be an interesting market to watch grow, simply because the possibilities are endless. But as weed continues to travel the road to legitimacy, the way people consume and enjoy their weed will certainly be a wheel that is reinvented.

We should not shy away from our responsibility to bring cannabis back into the every day routine of our society. We should embrace the opportunity and ensure that it is done with style and class. We should own that shit and demand that weed be respected and cherished. We will admonish the drug warriors and create a space for weed to thrive. Think about how you want cannabis to be understood and dealt with in our society, and then begin talking as if it already is just like that.

#legalbysummer

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