“It seems up until this point, we’ve been working against the wind in a way, pushing our goals to hard opposition,” Brown said. “But there’s now a rapid growth of support. The winds have changed, and we’re riding with them now.”
It’s an exciting time for marijuana advocates, and Brown, a 19-year-old sophomore and Eagle Scout, feels even more motivated to push his cause.
I wonder if there are Boy Scout merit badges for joint rolling?  Seriously, though, what a great opening to this article in Baltimore’s alt-weekly, the B. Good work, Zach, and all you NORML Terps, and thanks for showing that even Eagle Scouts think marijuana prohibition is wrong.
John lives with MS and used cannabis therapy for treatment. He now faces 15 years in state prison for growing 17 marijuana plants. Read more about John’s case here
John’s case has garnered national attention for the aggressiveness of the prosecution. New Jersey’s Office of the Attorney General is pursuing the case.
A state appeals court rejected the attempt by his attorney, James Wronko of Somerville, to challenge that ruling while the case is ongoing. It could be the subject of a future appeal, he said. The two legislators are not only seeking the pardon but also pushing a bill titled “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.” The bill would decriminalize possession and use of marijuana by state registered patients with debilitating illnesses. It would also establish treatment centers where patients can purchase the drug.
It passed the Senate in a 22-16 vote in February and awaits a vote in the Assembly.
Members of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey stood outside the Somerset County Courthouse Friday morning as Wilson was appearing before Reed in a pre-trial conference. The members held signs advocating that marijuana for medicinal purposes be legalized.
Toms River resident Jim Miller, who co-founded the organization, became involved when his late wife Cheryl faced arrest for using marijuana to relieve her pain, said the organization will be stationed outside the courthouse when Wilson goes on trial in December.
Next to Miller on the sidewalk was an empty wheelchair that held his wife’s picture.
“This entire block is going to be lined” with demonstrators during the trial, he said. “It would be nice if the governor steps in,” he said. READ IN FULL
More about medical marijuana in New Jersey at www.cmmnj.org
Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 2:26 pm | By: Radical Russ
(JackHerer.com) This is Jack’s wife, Jeannie. Jack had a heart attack in Portland, Oregon on September 12. I was in California waiting for him to come home. I flew to Portland, went to the hospital and was told that a woman named Joy Graves had come to the hospital with a Medical Power of Attorney that Jack had allegedly signed, naming her and Chuck Jacobs as the people in charge of Jack’s medical care. It wasn’t complete and looks like someone forged his signature. The hospital’s legal team determined it was no good.
Jack is now in a skilled nursing facililty in Eugene. Joy Graves has taken the paper to them and they have accepted it until their legal team decides what to do. In the meantime, I am not allowed to see Jack or even get news about his condition over the phone. Jack has already been neglected in the nursing home. He fell out of bed there and hit his head shortly after being admitted. He had lumps on his head from it and bruises on his upper eyelids.
I’ve had to hire an attorney to deal with this. I don’t have much money but I’ll do what I can. I love Jack very much and can’t believe this is happening to him now, when he needs me the most.
Yes, I know when I’m in the middle of a hempfest, just about ready to go up and give a rousing speech, I make sure to sign over my medical power of attorney to somebody who is not my wife.
I’ve reached out to all my contacts in the Oregon cannabis community to see if I can get more on the story. I spoke with Paul Stanford from The Hemp & Cannabis Foundation who told me that Chuck Jacobs and “a lady with some different name” (i.e., could be Joy Graves, but using a pseudonym) brought Jack to Portland and had been traveling with him. Paul is looking up his records to find Mr. Jacobs’ phone number and I will follow up as soon as I have it.
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 5:12 pm | By: Radical Russ
Well, folks, I just got the email from Tam at Marijuana Music Awards that she will not be able to continue providing the Daily Toker Tunes on the Stash. It’s understandable, she’s very busy like me and she’s already given us so much great music. Thanks a ton, Tam, for helping to make this podcast rock.
But that means I have a need for a new music editor. Want to help? Here’s what the job entails:
Volunteerism. I can’t pay you for finding and posting tunes for us. However I can get you cool NORML stuff and VIP backstage access to all major events I attend. We may even be able to find a way to make the effort pay real money (”NORML Music Awards”, anyone?).
Web Searching. We can’t play any tunes that are licensed by ASCAP or BMI (i.e., popular chart tunes like Cypress Hill or John Mayer, for example), we can only play “podsafe music” (i.e. unsigned independent artists usually found on Myspace or elsewhere). I have links to popular podsafe music sites; the trick is finding the weed-friendly tunes.
Musical Taste. For every decent pro-pot song I find, I find ten more that are recorded poorly, played badly, written strangely, or just plain suck. You’ll need not only the taste to pick the good songs, but also a wide enough taste to enjoy everything from country to rap to metal to jazz.
Writing. You’ll have access to the Stash to post the short introductions, album covers / photos, download links, and audio players for the Daily Toker Tunes.
Uploading. You’ll also have access to the Stash’s web folder to upload and rename the tunes you post.
So is this something you’d enjoy taking on as one small way to help end marijuana prohibition? Send me an email at stash@norml.org with the subject Music Editor and let’s talk.
Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 8:45 pm | By: Radical Russ
What a day! Cypress Hill just delivered a literally smoking set to a crowd of 20,000 fans. Deftones are up next and Slipknot closes the show.
I arrived today just in time to catch the musicians panel with Tommy Chong, B Real, and Lou Dog from Kottonmouth Kings. B Real said he was “nervous as shit” to be on stage with Tommy Chong. Tommy spoke of his prison time and earning street cred. I got the whole panel and will play it as a two-parter for Mon and Tue Stash.
Then I did the legalization panel with Allison Margolin, Debbie Goldsberry, and Ed Rosenthal. At one point, Ed commanded everyone to stand up and shout “we are the majority!”
From there we went live at 4:00 with NORML SHOW LIVE. It was hectic trying to get to the stage where Cheech & Chong performed. Security kept moving me from place to place.
They only did their musical bits. Cheech led off with his Cousin Red character sintin’ country. Chong followed with Blind Melon Chitlin singing a song full of Michael Jackson references. Cheech did Alice Bowie and “Earache My Eye” in full pink leotard. There was also a remixed “Born in East LA”, Cheech doing “Mexican Americans” and Chong doing a new version called “(They Don’t Like Being Called) Beaners.”. They closed with “Up In Smoke” – I’ve got the whole thing on NORML SHOW LIVE.
We then spoke with Craig Beresh from Southern California NORML as we hustled from one area to another trying to find a place where our combination of wristbands would allow us to go.
I was lured into a cabana with a gentleman running a non-profit dispensary association, and later I happened upon Sarah, the owner of the Bambu company. They have a great new clothing line out at Nordstroms and she told me what it’s like to run this centuries-old company.
And that leads to now, where I’m waiting in a cabana for Cannabis Karri to find me as we party the night away. She did an amazing job hosting NORML SHOW LIVE. It’s so great that she would help me so much with the show production, but also the driving. Weed promotes strong friendships – we’ve been tight since the early ’90s. She’ll say it was worth it to chill with Adrianne Curry (Karri is a reality show fanatic.)
We’re winning and events like this prove it. Live Nation put on.a world class event here. Massive amounts of money are generated here strictly from a young hip-hop/hard rock demographic. Marijuana is everywhere, even flying around on 50-yard banners towed by airplanes. Exhibitors here have beautiful young women greeting the crowd and posing for photos like a major tech or sports car show. Pot is happening!
Life here is so far away from growing up in Nampa, Idaho, and still so far away for too many people. I hope our efforts give you a little look at what freedom looks like as we wash over this country eastward from the California Coast. It is coming faster than you think.
Posted from my BlackBerry – please forgive my big thumbs for any typos!
Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 12:35 pm | By: Radical Russ
Saturday Night’s episode of NORML SHOW LIVE will be at a special time – 4:00pm Pacific / 7:00pm Eastern – to take advantage of the lineup here at the Cypress Hill Smokeout in San Bernardino, California. Cheech & Chong are playing a “4:20″ set, so I will be there live, bringing you the comedy from NORML’s favorite comedy team.
Following Cheech & Chong in the lineup are the newly re-formed band Sublime, which many will remember for their cover of “Smoke 2 Joints” among many others. We’ll bring you some of their set as well. I’ve also got an interview with “My Fair Brady’s” Adrianne Curry, Steve Bloom from Celebstoner discussing the celebrity panel, and PonyBoy from Los Marijuanos from Friday’s festivities. Calling in to the show are Kottonmouth Kings and responding to her Jay Leno snub, 2006 Miss New Jersey Georgine DiMaria. (All subject to change due to the chaotic nature of a festival!)
Interspersed with the live audio will be my interviews with many of the artists, celebrities, and just normal folks attending this two day outdoor festival. Join us live at http://live.norml.org, where you can also participate in our online chat and speak live to the host and guests – dial in to 347-994-1810 to participate.
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 10:48 am | By: Radical Russ
(High Desert Daily Press) DEVORE • Those hoping to attend Friday and Saturday’s Cypress Hill Smokeout and participate in the recreational use of smoking marijuana should think again.
Deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Officers from the California Highway Patrol will staff the Cypress Hill Smokeout as a constant reminder that smoking the drug for recreational use is illegal. All sections of the California Penal Code, Health and Safety Code and California Vehicle Code will be strictly enforced.
(Inland Valley Daily Bulletin) “The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department wishes to remind concert-goers that while state law makes provision for the possession, use and cultivation of limited amounts of marijuana for medicinal purposes, it does not allow the recreational use of the drug,” officials wrote in a statement. “Further, there is no provision in the law for the use of marijuana while operating a motor vehicle, whether someone possesses a doctor’s recommendation for the drug or not.”
Promoter Live Nation has booked acts including Cypress Hill, Method Man, Redman and Cheech & Chong.
Attention all criminals and traffic scofflaws in the San Bernadino area! This weekend, the Sheriff’s Department and Highway Patrol will be very busy catching people smoking marijuana at a Cypress Hill / Method Man & Redman / Cheech & Chong / Sublime / Kottonmouth Kings concert. Do not commit crimes or violate traffic laws in areas away from the San Manuel Amphitheater while a large share of law enforcement resources are dedicated to preventing pot smoking at a Smokeout. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 6:03 pm | By: Radical Russ
I’m happy to announce the formation of three new college chapters of NORML at the University of Virginia, Arizona State University, and Minnesota State University. Contact information for the three new chapters will be online at http://norml.org/chapters tomorrow morning if you wish to contact them.
If you would like to form a new college chapter or community chapter of NORML, just send me an email at stash@norml.org. You just need five members to form your board and we’ll send you the instructions from there.
And if you are unable to contact one of the existing chapters on the NORML website, please let me know. I am working to cull the inactive chapters from the listings and your help will make that task easier.
When I first read the article entitled “Stiletto Stoners” in Marie Claire magazine this month, I thought, “Wow, I can’t believe they’re talking about this ‘taboo’ subject.” The article dives into the lives of young professional women who enjoy smoking marijuana at the end of a long work day.
These are the women who are choosing to smoke a “plant” to relax instead of downing a vodka martini or a Xanax. These are the women who are making the smarter “safer” choice. Many women would rather take a few puffs of cannabis and feel great the next day instead of being hung over from alcohol, or groggy from prescription medications that doctors give out like candy (both being completely legal).
I have been an activist with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws for about a year. During this past year, one thought that always lingered in my head was, “how can we end the stigma surrounded by marijuana?” You know the old sayings “pot head” “Rastafarian” “lazy stoner”.
Our opponents of the marijuana law reform movement use these stigmas to their advantage which is most likely why half of them are still around. They advertise slogans such as “smoke pot and you can become a burrito taste tester” or “a couch potato remote controller specialist.” They are basically implying that if you smoke pot you will amount to nothing and become a loser “pot head” who can’t accomplish anything in life. Really? So how is it that young professional women in powerful positions with tons of responsibility can smoke marijuana and still work 12 hour days? Doesn’t make much sense does it? So why is there still this stigma about marijuana? Because professional women around the country have not “come out of the closet.” It’s not often that you see a typical “pot head” wearing “stilettos.”
Women are so “hush hush” about using marijuana because of two basic fears; losing their jobs and facing criminal prosecution. I am surrounded by my close female friends who are all in their mid-twenties and just starting their careers. These are women who are teachers, managers, nurses, and even some who work for the local, state, and federal governments. Although they all wholeheartedly support ending marijuana prohibition they all fear coming out and saying so. Most of them fear that if they speak out the authorities will be after them or they will get fired because of it. It takes a lot of courage for young professional women to come out of the closet, which is why in the Marie Claire article the names of the women in the stories were changed. Although this article is a huge step in the right direction because it spreads awareness of marijuana prohibition, we still need more women to come forward.
Fortunately, I don’t need courage to come out of the closet. I don’t have the two basic fears most women do. I work as a paralegal for an attorney (also a “Stiletto Stoner” and a member of NORML’s legal committee). That being said, the first fear for me is completely moot. Now I wouldn’t say I have no fear of criminal prosecution because that would be naĂŻve, but it does ease your nerves working in the legal profession and knowing your rights. As a member of the NORML organization, I know I have some of the best criminal defense attorneys in the country on my side. So for me it doesn’t take courage. I’m proud to be able to put a name and face to the “Stiletto Stoners” and to be fighting against the War on Drugs.
There are women in the marijuana law reform movement who are professionals, mothers, grandmothers, patients and even retired law enforcement. Cheers to them all for having enough courage to come out and stand up for their rights, our rights, and the rights of our future generations. Ladies, lets all come out of the closet to end this stigma associated with marijuana and end marijuana prohibition for good!
Delia Pratico
Board of Directors, NORML NJ
(National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws New Jersey)
Track Snack: Mornin Stashers! Tokin on the Mean Green Martian for breakfast.
MrSpof: Maybe Dr Mitch could comment on the efficacy of reasonable amount of weed like that consumed (smoked) quickly mitigating migraine effects. I know the lowering of blood pressure would be [...]
MrSpof: Had the onset of a migraine yesterday. Immediately took 8 , moist cool washcloth on eyes, heating pad on neck and upper back, turned off lights. Migraine gone in [...]
MrSpof: As you personal non-accredited doctor, I advise the rest of you to smoke/vape/eat heavily
slash5city: frickazee'd.... Mr. Spof, thank you very much
MrSpof: Risen and roasted How the hell are you?
RevRayGreen: always Fidget......always.
Adam: Maybe in WA, judges are starting to think about the true cost of a Drug charge...
Adam: Tim Lincecum, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants will pea to a paraphernalia charge/ Possession charges DROPPED
Adam: Add some cottage cheese to your pancake batter, replace the maple with a fruit syrup! f-ing killer, YES I was stoned...
Fidget Truittelli: Good morning from beautiful Arizona! I hope you all have a happy, fun day. Remember to 'pay-it' forward. Do something nice for someone.
BenJaMin: Go NORML!!!
BenJaMin: Russ Is Tha BEst! :smokin:
SneakerPimp: oh there it is thanx russ
SneakerPimp: so whats up with today stash?
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 [...]
"Truth In Trials Act" Reintroduced In Congress; Maine: Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Measure; Colorado: Breckenridge Voters Overwhelmingly Decide To End Pot Penalties. […]
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. […]
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. […]
Halloween photos are now up
 Seriously, though, what a great opening to this article in Baltimore’s alt-weekly, the B. Good work, Zach, and all you NORML Terps, and thanks for showing that even Eagle Scouts think marijuana prohibition is wrong.
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frickazee'd.... Mr. Spof, thank you very much
and roasted 
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