Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 7:14 pm | By: Missippi Hippy
The government still claims that there are no medical uses for marijuana even though there are medical studies and information (12,076 studies in all as of 22 Oct. 2009) archived by the U.S. Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health.  Try a search for cannabinoid.
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 7:13 pm | By: Missippi Hippy
Yes, the wall is crumbling. We are winning, but it’s not over yet. It ain’t over ’til the fat lady (can walk into a store in any state, county or municipality, show ID proving they are of legal age, purchase marijuana for recreational use, go home, roll a joint (fill a pipe, bong, vaporizer) fire it up, relax and then) sings.
With guns drawn and flashlights cutting through darkened rooms, Polk County undercover drug investigators stormed the home of convicted drug dealer Michael Difalco near Lakeland in March.
As investigators searched the home for drugs, some drug task force members found other ways to occupy their time. Within 20 minutes of entering Difalco’s house, some of the investigators found a Wii video bowling game and began bowling frame after frame.Â
Lindsey Evans of Blanchard, the former Miss Louisiana Teen USA who lost her crown after getting arrested for possession of marijuana and walking out on a bill at a Bossier City restaurant, is Playboy magazine’s Playmate of the Month for October.
The magazine, with Evans in the centerford, is on newsstands today.
Evans, 19, said her parents are supportive of her decision to pose nude for the magazine.
Evans is in Los Angeles to start her promotional tour for the magazine and videos.
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 at 5:56 pm | By: Missippi Hippy
“First thing… kill all Lawyers.”
William Shakespeare (paraphrased) from Henry VI
There! Did I get your attention?
No, I am not advocating violence and murder. That would be counter productive, as well as is making threats of violence, but, it seems that the courts and law enforcement in our country have been getting out of hand. In some cases the police have made arrests using violent techniques, in some cases ignoring citizen initiative laws, killing beloved pets and sometimes people, destroying homes, property and lives, all for a little flower that grows everywhere… which incidentally is good for medicine, is not physically addicting, and you couldn’t overdose on it if you smoked your weight of it in 5 minutes, grows naturally almost everywhere on earth, hasn’t killed anybody since… FOREVER and, woe upon woe, has the side effect of making you feel good.
In part 1 of this series I offered a few suggestions on getting started as an activist. In part 2 I dealt with finding your own activist social support group. In this third part I will offer some suggestions on how to be an activist in our court system.
7. The Activist Trial Juror
I get summoned for jury duty about every 2-3 years. I couldn’t even avoiding it by moving from Mississippi to Minnesota. I still get those summons. As a juror I could not choose the type of trial I would be sitting, but I always wanted to be a juror in a marijuana possession or distribution case, and I’ll tell you why.
According to the Fully Informed Jury Association, the purpose of a jury is not to punish an individual for infractions of the law, but to protect an accused fellow citizen from government tyrannical abuse of power. Your vote, as a citizen juror, in a trial is a measure of public opinion on the law itself and many lawmakers are likely to take the matter of repealing marijuana prohibition laws more seriously if jurors would hand over more acquittals.
As a juror you have the absolute right to vote “Not Guilty” if you believe an existing law is unconstitutional, out of date, or just plain bad. This is called “jury nullification”. Something like this recently happened in a Colorado medical marijuana case in which the jury handed over an acquittal.
As a juror, if you believe that a law is being applied just to make the accused “an example of what could happen”, it is within your right as a citizen juror to vote not guilty.
So, as for me. I believe the existing laws prohibiting the use of marijuana for responsible adults are… just plain bad. If I ever have the opportunity to be the juror on a marijuana charge, you can bet your last dollar that I will vote… Not Guilty!
You, as a juror, cannot be punished for a not guilty vote. The judge’s instructions to jurors are simply advice based upon this own interpretation of the law and you can’t be punished for not following it. Don’t let pressure from the judge, prosecutor, other jurors or other minor officers of the court sway you from voting your conscience.
8. The Activist Accused
It is unfortunate that any of us should ever go through this. Who in the hell would want to be one of these! Not I, you, nor anyone else that I know of, but sometimes stuff happens.
The first thing I would have to ask is this… did you inadvertently waive your rights as Russ, in so many “Stupid Stoner Stories” has pointed out? Well, if you did, shame on you, but perhaps all is not lost. I will tell you this… keep your mouth shut and hire, if you can afford one, and you should, a good trial lawyer.
Be proactive in your defense. Ask to sign the relevant paperwork, if applicable in your area, for a trial by jury immediately after being charged.
Do not accept an offer for a plea bargain no matter how forceful the prosecuting attorney may be. When they say that it will be easier if you take the plea bargain, what they really mean is that it will be easier for them to convict you of a crime.
There is something called the “Informed Jury Defense”, in which activists will make a deliberate attempt to educate jurors about their right to vote their conscience on the law itself as I mentioned above.
This first step to get this Informed Jury Defense is done by educating the public on the extent to which jurors have power . The second step is to educate the jurors who will hear your case.
The first step can be done with the power of the media such as talk shows, letters to the editor, leaflets or advertising, to name a few. Do as much of this as you can afford.
The second step requires enlisting the help of friends and supporters… This is where your local NORML chapter or other activists comes in. On the day of jury selection they, your friends, stand outside the courtroom and hand out a leaflet (which you or your friends print up) explaining the powers of the jury and all the things mentioned above, so that they, the jury, can be fully informed. Give this leaflet to all the potential jurors as they enter the room. This may mean some early mornings for some of your friends. Perhaps your trial will come to an end with a hung jury, and the court decides not to prosecute further. It only takes one juror to do that. Then there is “the acquittal“.
9. The Activist Grand Jurist
First of all, find out how you can become a member of a grand jury. Some locations have a sign-up sheet to volunteer for grand jury duty, and if so, sign-up if you can and are willing to do so.
The grand jury is an independent body, who not only investigates a crime and starts the prosecution (persecution in some cases) process, but also stands to protect it’s fellow citizens from unfounded criminal charges. They stand between the accused and the prosecution as protector. The grand jury protects the citizen from unjust, unreasonable or unfair government laws.
As a grand jurist, you have the right to question anyone involved in the case. As you question the arresting officer, start with the “probable cause”. In my humble opinion, “he had glassy eyes”, “he was acting strangely” or “their electric bill was too high” to name a few, are not probable cause for arrest or a warrant to search, no matter what a judge signing a warrant may say. If this is the reason for the arrest, then, as a marijuana law reform activist, I would be compelled to go with… no indictment.
Once again, in my opinion, laws prohibiting the use of marijuana fall into the category of “unjust, unreasonable or unfair”.
In closing, I would just like to say this… should you decide to follow through and become an activist… whatever you do for the cause of marijuana law reform, follow the advice of the Roman Goddess Nike… “Just Do It”.
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 at 2:18 pm | By: Missippi Hippy
I know many of us are frustrated.  It seems that sometimes none of our toking friends are willing to take part in any activist activities, and would just rather sit around and get high.  Perhaps they even said they would be at that protest rally and didn’t show up, leaving you with a dozen or so placards in a pile, unused.  Well, look on the bright side. Those protest signs will still be valid until “that day of rejoicing” when marijuana is legal for all responsible adults.
Many of our toking friends are afraid to do anything due to the stigma of an non-approving family or the fear of losing a job. Perhaps many of them are fearful of persecution.
All I can say is this. Sometimes, at the start, the activist’s life can be somewhat lonely.  Sometimes, it is time to say goodbye to former friends and seek out new ones. You have to decide. I, personally, have no problem cutting “those guys” out of the discussion. I simply will not put the energy into repeatedly trying to enlist them in this war.  I would rather do something else to help me find like minded folks.
Here are a few more suggestions to go along with the suggestions in Part 1 to get you on your path, all of which are also activist activities.
4. Be dressed for the Protest
Know your audience. At the bike rally, concert, beach, college campus, or party, rock your NORML t-shirt...
Finding like minded potential activists and protesting existing marijuana laws can be as easy as putting on a t-shirt. All some folks need is a nudge in the right direction. By wearing a NORML, High Times or any t-shirt with a marijuana friendly message when you are in a public setting will serve as a protest as well as a way to meet other potential activists. Fellow Stasher, Urb Age, has some clothing with our friendly little flower on them. You may even be able to go down to your local mall and find something suitable, after all, the issue of marijuana legalization has gone mainstream and now many outlets are trying to capitalize on it.
I wear these t-shirts only when I am going to be in public. They serve no function wearing them around the house where nobody else except family can see them. Keep them clean and wear them where they will do the most good… in public.
...but for the public protest, legislative hearing, media presentation, "mainstream" luncheon, or "cocktail party", dress it up a little.
As you walk in this public setting watch the reactions of the folks around you. Very few folks who see it (and understand it) will do so without some body language giving away their sentiments. Look for the nods of approval and smiles of the folks you meet. That nod or smile, or even the remark, “That’s not how “normal” is spelled”, is your opening for conversation. Take advantage of it. [Russ notes: Try wearing a 100% hemp cap with a pot leaf on it everywhere you go! I've given out more cards and talked to more people and recruited more new members to Oregon NORML from strangers passing by saying "nice hat" than every classified ad I've ever placed.]
Don’t be afraid of the police. They cannot bust you for your choice in wardrobe or your beliefs. You might even find that (some of) them are willing to listen and talk sensibly to you. While you have that police officer’s ears, you might even mention Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (L.E.A.P.).
5. Attend a Mass Protest
Do you want to carry your activism to gargantuan levels. Well, you can do so by joining up with hundreds or hundreds of thousands of like minded activists as they take part in one of the many mass protest rallies, also known as “Hemp Festivals”, marches, seminars or conferences and they happen throughout the world. It is here that you may encounter other like minded folk who live just down the block from you and you had no idea they existed, or find new friends who live halfway around the world.
These type of festivals serve to rejuvenate my spirit and “fire me up” and they may you also.
You can find information on many of these rallies at the NORML Calendar of Events.
6. Start a Petition Drive
Here is another way to be an activist and at the same time meet other like minded, potential activists.
Get permission from your own local “smoke shop” to set up a table in their store and start a petition demanding “Legalization and Taxation of Marijuana”. Most shop owners should be open to this suggestion as … well, this is a capitalist world and it could mean more business for them. [Russ notes: Well, maybe not. Lots of smoke shops flee from the word "marijuana", as they are playing the "wink wink nudge nudge" game that those big glass sculptures are actually for tobacco smoking. But a record store, music club, sandwich shop, pizza joint, or bookstore will usually be open for the extra business - they know stoners like music, food, and books.]
Don’t just ask the shop customers to sign the petition and leave it at that. No! Rather, try starting a conversation with them as they sign, and try to steer the conversation to see how far they are willing to go and possibly enlist them as a warrior (because that is what we are) in this war. Don’t forget to mention NORML in the conversation. Write down any links for them to do their own research and be sure to “give it to them”.
The “art” of conversation takes practice, so it doesn’t matter if you stumble over your words for a while, because “practice makes perfect”.
Also… Remember to wear that t-shirt with the marijuana friendly message.
Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 2:28 pm | By: Missippi Hippy
It is time to stop the persecution of marijuana users. It is time for OUR government to concenrate on real crime. It is time for marijuana law reform.  Activists need only push harder, armed with the truth about marijuana, in order to dispel the myths of Reefer Madness. I believe that we have never been closer to the legalization of marijuana and the more support legalization gets, the more pressure we can put on our state and federal government to “do the right thing“.  Yet only a few of us are active, in some way, working toward marijuana legalization.  It seems that many others want to get involved, but don’t know how to get started.  So, to help you out, here is a list of a few ways to get involved in the marijuana legalization activist movement.
NORML’s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty.
There are different levels at which you can join. From the Basic Member at $25.00 a year to Super Member at $500.00 a year. You can also donate lesser amounts of money for this noble cause easily by using the Stash Tip Jar.
You can also get together with your toking friends and start a local NORML chapter.  For information about starting a chapter contact NORML’s outreach coordinator Russ Belville at stash@norml.org
2. Write or send e-mails to your local, state and federal politicians, including the President of the United States.
This is one of my favorites. As I sit here I think about my own state senator. I wonder if she thinks, “Oh God, not him again!” when she gets another email, letter or postcard from me. NORML keeps a list of legislative issues and contact information for your legislators and has made it easy for you. The email or letter for the issue is already written out and all you have to do is fill in your personal information and click the button. Of course, a personal message in your own words is highly effective also as the politicos’ office gopher may get weary of reading the same thing over and over… then again…
Something that I have done every year since 2000 that is cheap and easy is when tax deadline time comes around (April 15) I like to write to all my representatives on a local, tourist type post card . The message is simple and to the point. It reads something like… “I support the legalization of marijuana“. The simpler and to the point your message is, the better. I like to time dropping the post card in the mail for it to be delivered as close to April 20th (4/20) as possible. This time of year is also a good time for the…
3. Tax Day Protest
While most American idea of a tax day protest is to protest having to pay taxes, our protest is a bit different. We want the tax… on marijuana and the only way this will happen is if marijuana was legalized. The government simply won’t tax an illegal substance.
It has been estimated that by legalizing marijuana, the government could make at least $13 billion per year from tax money and the savings by not wasting money on enforcement, persecution, (yes, it’s spelled correctly) and incarceration of marijuana users. I believe that amount to be much more. A large number of persons in prison are there because of marijuana. It is time we stopped incarcerating folks for using a plant that grows almost everywhere on earth, without human involvement.?
RevRayGreen: Barney Frank Present When Partner Arrested for pot-- http://bit.ly/1XpM2R
RevRayGreen: KMK 11/17/09 VAL AIR ballroom DSM
bullbog: that's crazy. I had a NORML black t-shirt on. It was hell of a show
RevRayGreen: dude I was probably 4-5 seats from you then
bullbog: 4th row center. I wish I was closer.
RevRayGreen: were in in the orchestra pit 4th row? or 4th row center, that's where I was bu slightly to the right
RevRayGreen: our show ______v'''''''
RevRayGreen: catch our chow tomorrow online Carl'sCannabis Corner
www.macswordlive.com 12-2 PM you can go there now and find archived shows
bullbog: revraygreen after looking at your pic from last nite. I'm pretty sure I seen you. I regonize you from the march in May
Just Legalize It: nothing really cool dealing with marijuana happens in massachusetts.... it sucks.... other than the boston freedom rally... but one thing a year isnt enough! i want to move to [...]
bullbog: went and seen cheech and chong last nite.My sides were hurting within the first 10 mins. Can't wait to see them in there Legalize it tour.
WakeUpDead: Just got done with an all day Bubble bag session. Stocking up for the winter dry spell. MMMM Hash!
Just Legalize It: i hear ya russ.... it sucks because the marijuana community is gaining much more ground than the hemp community.... if we combined then it would be an unstoppable force.... i [...]
Radical Russ: Wish we could, but every time we try to combine with hemp activists, they say, "stay away, you legalizers!" They don't want to be associated with psychoactive cannabis in [...]
mr reuben: hopefully everything goes well Krispy. It would be nice to see a norml chapter at my old school.
Maine: Voters To Decide Next Week On Medical Marijuana Expansion Measure; Colorado: Breckenridge Voters To Decide Next Week On Eliminating Pot Penalties; California: Lawmakers Hold Historic Hearing On Marijuana Legalization; New Hampshire: Senate Fails To Override Medical Marijuana Veto. […]
Gallup: Majority Of West Coast Voters Back Marijuana Legalization; Pot Arrests Responsible For Majority Of Marijuana Treatment Referrals; DOJ To Federal Prosecutors: Do Not Focus Resources On Medical Marijuana. […]
California: L.A. District Attorney Intends To Prosecute "100 Percent" Of County's Medical Marijuana Dispensaries; Maternal Tobacco and Alcohol Use, But Not Marijuana, Associated With Psychotic Symptoms In Offspring, Study Says; 'Hemperor' Jack Herer Released From Hospital. […]
Some of the nation’s top athletes discuss why today's pros are turning to cannabis — and away from alcohol and painkillers — off the field, and question why pro sports leagues are continuing to sanction those who do. Moderator: Steve Bloom, Author, Pot Culture; editor, celebstoner.com * Toby Grear, MMA fighter * Sean Neumann, Documentary Filmm […]
Cannabis Law Reform's Missing Link: Law Enforcement Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper; LEAP and NORML Advisory Board; Author of Breaking Rank Putting the Mexican Cartels Out of Business Mexican drug cartels now employ over 100,000 soldiers and are responsible for nearly ten thousand deaths per year. Their largest source of income is marijuana. […]
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