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  • Posts Tagged ‘Massachusetts’

    Page 1 of 712345»...Last »


    Stash for Wed, Oct 14, 2009

    Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 7:20 pm | By: Radical Russ

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    Hemp Headlines

    1. Brian Bergeron: Report from Massachusetts HB 2929 Legalization hearing
    2. Alcohol is safer than marijuana, says Foundation for a Drug-Free World
    3. CBS MarketWatch: End the War on Drugs, Start the Legalization

    Daily Toker Tunes by Marijuana Music Awards . com

    California Marijuana Report with Eric Brenner

    • Interview with Steve Kubby

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    2009 NORML Foundation


    Testimony at Massachusetts Legalization Hearing

    Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 7:18 pm | By: Radical Russ
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    Brian Bergeron: Report from Massachusetts HB 2929 Legalization hearing

    Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 12:40 pm | By: Radical Russ

    My Report From The Massachusetts Committee on Revenue Hearing for HB2929 (Cannabis Taxation and Regulation) on October 14, 2009

    By Brian Bergeron

    I just returned home from the meeting at the statehouse. It kicked off at 10am and lasted until close to 1. Though there were other bills on the docket, HB2929 received by far the majority of the attention. I’m happy to say that most of it was positive. I don’t know the exact number but I would say that around two-dozen or so people spoke in support of the bill in a manner of a three-minute testimony. Only one person managed to speak in opposition to the bill. He was from Worcester and was part of a public health/safety organization.

    Many of the people that spoke were (and I told them as such) the ‘rock stars’ of marijuana reform. I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Lester Grinspoon, Keith Stroup, and Jack Cole (of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) who all spoke. Dick Evans, the author of the bill, whom I had worked with leading up to the hearing to drum up support, spoke articulately as well. MassCann and SSDP (Students for Sensible Drug Policy) were also well represented with passionate speakers. It was interesting to see the progression of the hearing. My own three-minute testimony had to do with how the prohibition affects so many issues that are important to the country today—health care, underage consumption, hemp as renewable energy, etc. The committee members started off disinterested, but over time I felt that they came around and started asking pertinent questions. Sadly, only half of the committee showed up, so a lot of our argument won’t be verbally relayed (though many people submitted written testimony). The meeting room was full and at its peak there was standing room only so we were well represented.

    In the end, I doubt the measure will pass but it was a great step in the right direction and we will hopefully continue the debate. Mr. Evans felt that this was the largest, most serious legislative discussion for marijuana legalization that he has ever seen or been a part of.

    A huge thank you to everyone who participated today in this big step. Good luck to California! Good luck to Oregon! Good luck to every other state that is trying to decriminalize cannabis, or legalize medical marijuana, and end this fruitless prohibition.

    One thing that stuck out from the meeting is this: Early on, the committee chairman commented that this is the largest group of people who have ever come before him asking to be taxed.

    We’re winning!

    Thank you friends and let me know if you have any questions: brian@brianbergeron.net

    Thanks, Brian.  If you have a breaking marijuana news story and want to see it here on the Stash, just email me at stash@norml.org.

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    2009 NORML Foundation


    Richard Evans: Legalize It

    Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 12:36 pm | By: Radical Russ

    (The Herald-News) The question in 2009 is whether we keep the prohibition laws in place or repeal them, replacing them with a system of regulation and taxation, with controls over cultivation, purity, distribution and sales, and age limits on purchases.

    There’s a big problem with that suggestion, however, and it’s not that it’s a radical idea. Privately, people readily agree that we shouldn’t be arresting people for pot — growing it, selling it or using it — and ought to be looking seriously at the revenue potential. The problem is they say it only in private, fearful that speaking up in public about the wrongheadedness of the marijuana laws would put their job, security clearance or custody of their children in serious jeopardy. It’s a simple matter of priorities, and they have theirs right.

    The immediate struggle is not to legalize marijuana, but to legalize discussion about it.

    As Keith Stroup and Dr. Lester Grinspoon testify today in Massachusetts for legalization, I’m reminded once again why I get up most every day and talk into cyberspace about legalization of marijuana.  How many of you listeners to the podcast would suffer consequences if you even hinted that you support legalization?  How many of you would be busted by a spouse, employer, or the community if they saw “NORML Daily Audio Stash” in your iPod rotation?

    This is why I never fully trust statistics on marijuana use in this country.  When your actions can cost you your freedom, you tend to be paranoid about polls, even elections.

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    Stash for Tue, Oct 13, 2009

    Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 6:02 pm | By: Radical Russ

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    Hemp Headlines

    1. PayPal dumps California NORML, “We have made the business decision to not be involved with this type of business.”
    2. Mendocino county sheriff ordered to return hash to patients
    3. Dr. Bronner among those arrested for planting hemp at DEA HQ

    Daily Toker Tunes by Marijuana Music Awards . com

    Cannabis Conversations


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    Boston: 30,000 smoke pot, celebrate decrim

    Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 7:49 am | By: Chris Goldstein

    bostonfreedomrally4Boston: 30,000 smoke pot, celebrate decrim

    9/20/2009 -  Chris Goldstein

    An estimated 30,000 people were crowded onto the Boston Common at the peak moment of the 20th annual Boston Freedom Rally on September 19th 2009.

    That moment was 4:20PM ET.

    The thousands celebrated freely under a landmark victory for cannabis prohibition reform. In 2008 Massachusetts decriminalized marijuana possession of less than 1/4 ounce by adults with a Ballot Initiative, Proposition 2. That means you can only get a NON-criminal ticket with a $100 fine for a pot violation. The decrim effort was won because of the hard work of the very same folks who organize the rally:  MASSCANN/NORML.

    A Parks Services officer (who strangely had a thick eastern European accent) agreed that 30,000 seemed a likely estimate of the peak attendance.

    A police officer, who did not wish to be named, said the department does not officially release crowd estimates for any event. But Boston Police confirmed that there were 3 arrests for distribution and over 100 citations issued for marijuana possession.

    Keith Saunders, MASSCANN’s president, told me that over 50,000 people had probably walked through the grounds over the course of the day and encountered the message of marijuana legalization.

    Overall, the police were civil although I saw numerous random searches and heard stories of many more. At past events there have been more than 150 arrests for pot possession… but not on Saturday. Without fear of arrest the crowd was polite and almost everyone I saw was openly enjoying marijuana.

    An impressive line-up of bands and speakers appeared on two stages. Styles P, a big time reform supporter showed up and did a surprise set thanks to High Times Magazine. Because of some juggling to accommodate the last minute act, the countdown to 4:20 got squeezed. A sea of people were gathering before the main stage and filling in the large hill.

    bostonfreedomrally7Steve Bloom of CelebStoner corralled the final 60 seconds  holding a clock up on stage and pointing as the hands came together. Looking out from the stage you could see huge clouds of smoke rise up from the crowd. There were dozens of spontaneous circles formed in a surreal organic collage of people. They cheered from across the rolling hills as giant 6-foot long joints were passed around.

    Everyone smoked. There really was a quite visible haze over the entire crowd at 4:20. The sweet and fragrant odors of a wide variety of plant strains and hash drifted by, offering this interesting quilt of cannabis.

    The crowd was extremely well behaved. There cannot be a finer exhibition of the positive effects of human cannabis smoking than large crowds of people doing it together. Without alcohol available at the event there were no fights, pushing or shoving. But with free cannabis consumption there was dancing, conversation and a genuinely happy atmosphere.

    bostonfreedomrally9

    Personally, this was the most wonderful day for prohibition reform I have witnessed. The event itself; all of the people I met for the first time and friends to spend time with made this trip heartening, empowering and just plain fun! The locals really did treat me very well too.

    Our country deserves this freedom that Massachusetts already enjoys.

    I have seen Victory for Cannabis in Boston. It is sweet and green. It needs to be nationwide.

    The first two pics were from my cellphone, this last one is from Derek at PhillyNORML. I’ll have some more blogging about the bands, speakers, backstage and social events from the Boston Freedom Rally tomorrow. Then its off to San Francisco for the NORML conference as I continue my Green September.

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    2009 NORML Foundation


    2007 Boston Freedom Rally – The Stash

    Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 7:43 am | By: Chris Goldstein

    Included that day was an exclusive interview with NORML’s Founder Keith Stroup and Associate Publisher at High Times Magazine Rick Cusick … just after their arrest for a minor marijuana violation on the Boston Common.

    Play 9-17-07 AudioStash MP3
    Also included: Speeches from the Freedom Rally Stage from Keith Saunders of MASSCANN/NORML, Danny Danko of High Times, Steve Hagar of High Times, Keith Stroup, Steve Bloom of celebstoner.com and music from Ben Scales.

    bost2009

    I took this shot of Keith Saunders of MASSCANN in ‘07


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    What a fabulous Freedom Rally! Now in Washington DC.

    Sunday, September 20th, 2009 at 3:41 pm | By: Radical Russ

    "The Death of Dr. Thompson" - To Keith: The Wicked Accuse, The Godly Defend

    "The Death of Dr. Thompson" - To Keith: The Wicked Accuse, The Godly Defend

    There’s a certain surreal part of this job. I’m typing this post from Keith Stroup’s place in Virginia, watching the San Diego Chargers play the Baltimore Ravens. Ten feet away he’s catching up on email and I’m snapping pics of his framed pictures on the wall. One is a signed personal pic photo of Hunter S. Thompson firing a shotgun at a photo of Ronald Reagan in cowboy gear. Another is a shot of Keith and Willie from long ago. Another is a drawing of Keith from a piece in the New Yorker. “Sometimes I feel old,” I tell Keith, “especially when you’re around these young people at these rallies. Then I think of the great people and great music I missed by being as young as I am. Growing up in the Eighties sucked.”

    Keith had picked me up from the CVS at 7th & Pennsylvania in DC.  I’m lugging my two overstuffed carry-ons full of studio gear (which TSA loves to make me completely unpack and repack at every security checkpoint, so ixnay on our secret stoner plan to bring down Babylon by disguising soundboards and wireless keyboards as explosives to bring down the Boston-DC shuttle) and my literally bursting at the seams hanging bag that the baggage handlers have been abusing for the modest fee of $15.  And I’m wearing my Packers t-shirt, because it’s game day, and it is horribly old and tattered, and my Concordia University sweats, because I don’t wear anything metal while flying.

    Read the rest of this entry by clicking here

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    NORML SHOW LIVE today from Boston Freedom Rally – Special Time 3pm ET / Noon PT

    Saturday, September 19th, 2009 at 7:49 am | By: Radical Russ

    Hey, Stashers, just getting ready to head out to the Boston Freedom Rally. I’m rescheduling NORML SHOW LIVE to fit the time frame; they only run Freedom Rally from Noon to 6pm out here, and then from 9pm on there is a special invite-only party I have to go to that won’t be conducive to a live broadcast.

    Our special backstage studio has been set up and the show starts at 3pm ET / Noon Pacific. You’ll hear 4:20 live here from Boston. Guests include Keith Stroup, Keith Saunders, MikeCann, Danny Danko, Chris Goldstein, Dr. Frank Lucido, and anyone else we can round up backstage.

    Wish me luck!


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    Stash for Tue, Sep 8, 2009

    Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 at 7:29 pm | By: Radical Russ

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    Hemp Headlines

    1. Arizona Supreme Court: Drug laws trump religious use of marijuana
    2. LA Times: The Racism of Marijuana Prohibition
    3. Sin tax the rolling papers? Why not tax the pot instead?

    Daily Toker Tunes by Marijuana Music Awards . com

    California Marijuana Report with Eric Brenner


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    Page 1 of 712345»...Last »
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    Latest on Sat, 10:34 am

    Track Snack: Mornin Stashers! Tokin on the Mean Green Martian for breakfast. :thcyum: :bongin:

    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 :bongin: , 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 :bongin:

    slash5city: :stoned: frickazee'd.... Mr. Spof, thank you very much

    MrSpof: Risen :coffee: and roasted :bongin: How the hell are you? :2thumbs:

    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!!! :hippy:

    BenJaMin: :thcyum: Russ Is Tha BEst! :2thumbs: :smokin: :bongin: :munch:

    SneakerPimp: oh there it is thanx russ :hippy:

    SneakerPimp: so whats up with today stash? :smokin: :munch: :bongin:

    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 [...]

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