Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 2:47 pm | By: Radical Russ
I am so excited to break the news that we have four new contributors to help bring you the Daily Audio Stash! In response to my call for volunteer music editors I received a lot of applications and picked from the best of them to give you our new lineup:
Weekday
Editor-in-Charge
Roots Monday
(Blues / Country / Folk / Jazz)
Cannabis Karri
Electric Tuesday
(Dance / New Age / House / Electronica)
Sahra Kant
Irie Wednesday (Reggae / Ska / Calypso / Latin)
Johnny Reeferseed
Groovin’ Thursday
(Rap / Hip-Hop / R&B / Funk)
John Doe
Rockin’ Friday
(Rock / Metal / Punk / Jam)
“Radical” Russ
These fine Stashers will be finding the best 420-friendly music on the web and bringing it to us each week. You already know me and Cannabis Karri. Sahra Kant joins us from Massachusetts; I met her up at the Boston Freedom Rally this year. Johnny Reeferseed’s music has been featured on the Stash before. And John Doe is the man behind John Doe Radio, another fine internet podcast.
But just because we have music editors that doesn’t mean you can’t still be involved. If you have a band or have found a tune that you think should be on the Stash, just email it to me at stash@norml.org and I’ll pass it along to our editors.
Also join me in welcoming Amanda Bannon to our lienup of contributors. Amanda is getting college credit as an intern working for me in NORML Chapter Outreach. She will begin by reviving our dormant “Politicians on Pot” series, where you send us the replies you get from your elected officials when you write to them about ending marijuana prohibition. If you haven’t written to your elected officials, visit our Take Action center and get started. Now that the AMA has reversed its position on smoked cannabis as medicine, many of these congresspeople will need to update their form letter! Write your congressperson and send that reply back to us at stash@norml.org.
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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.
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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NORML Founder Keith Stroup and Harvard emeritus Dr. Lester Grinspoon discuss their upcoming testimony to the Massachusetts statehouse in support of legalization of cannabis.
Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 7:49 am | By: Chris Goldstein
Boston: 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.
Steve 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.
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.
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.
I took this shot of Keith Saunders of MASSCANN in ‘07
Sunday, September 20th, 2009 at 3:41 pm | By: Radical Russ
"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 $15. And I’m wearing my Packers t-shirt, because it’s game day, and it is horribly old and tattered, and my Concordia University sweats, because I don’t wear anything metal while flying.
Saturday, September 19th, 2009 at 7:49 am | By: Radical Russ
Hey, Stashers, just getting ready to head out to the Boston Freedom Rally. I’m rescheduling NORML SHOW LIVE to fit the time frame; they only run Freedom Rally from Noon to 6pm out here, and then from 9pm on there is a special invite-only party I have to go to that won’t be conducive to a live broadcast.
Our special backstage studio has been set up and the show starts at 3pm ET / Noon Pacific. You’ll hear 4:20 live here from Boston. Guests include Keith Stroup, Keith Saunders, MikeCann, Danny Danko, Chris Goldstein, Dr. Frank Lucido, and anyone else we can round up backstage.
SneakerPimp: im diggen yesterdays stash daily toker tunes segment awesome
WakeUpDead: Just got done with yesterdays stash and now the new one is up, very cool.
SneakerPimp: ah fresh stashieness
SneakerPimp: nice pic there mr ruben
Missippi Hippy: black beauties - got 'em by the pharm sealed 1000 in the 80s
Adam: Kieth Stroup told me that he has new book coming out, it will cover the time periods after High in America was published.
Adam: I recommend that you all read High in America: The True Story Behind NORML and the Politics of Marijuana.
Read it FREE online HERE
http://tinyurl.com/cxzc3h
slash5city: ah the mid 80's spof ..the summers of 3d weed.... head down to the smoking area at school buy a 2$ pin joint or two from the one dealer then [...]
Missippi Hippy: drug war grunts we be.
Adam: @Rev, Thats right, They split over this exact priority issue. I have read a lot about the history of NORML and the marijuana legalization fight.
Missippi Hippy: yep... they lobby
Missippi Hippy: I'ma people, you'r a people, she's a people, he's a people, wouldn't you like to be a people too!
Adam: We can't forget that MPP has a man in the hall's of Congress every day, that POV is priceless for our side and without the NORML chapters in small town [...]
RevRayGreen: Adam many MPP execs. were once in NORML....
Missippi Hippy: a grassroots movement of the people.
Adam: The way I see it MPP focuses on legislation where as NORML is about the people and keeping them motivated and strong for the long fight to come.
Adam: MPP is no more perfect than NORML is, I'm thankful for all the ORG's fighting for reform.
Missippi Hippy: yep, I agree. The prohibo's are tearing each other apart... can't get their duckies in a row.
Adam: We must be careful not to divide into THEM and US! Each ORG will have it's own priorities but we all fight on the same side in the fight.
Missippi Hippy: Now dat's wut Ima talkin' 'bout!
Missippi Hippy: ...responsible use...adults... no longer subject to penalty
Missippi Hippy: Norml's mission Statement
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 [...]
Missippi Hippy: ...reduce or eliminate... f- reduce!
Missippi Hippy: This is MPP mission statement.
1. Increase public support for non-punitive, non-coercive marijuana policies.
2. Identify and activate supporters of non-punitive, non-coercive marijuana policies.
3. Change state laws to reduce or [...]
Missippi Hippy: In MN, MPP counted Gov Pawlenty's veto of the Med MJ bill as a loss.
The bill was so weak, that I counted the veto as a win, i.e. I ain't [...]
Marijuana-Related Health Costs Minimal Compared To Those Of Alcohol, Tobacco; California Medical Association Says Pot Prohibition Is A "Failed Public Health Policy"; Oregon: State NORML Affiliate Opens First 'Cannabis Café'. […]
American Medical Association Calls For Scientific Review Of Marijuana's Prohibitive Status; Dutch Marijuana Use Lower Than European Average, Study Says […]
"Truth In Trials Act" Reintroduced In Congress; Maine: Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Measure; Colorado: Breckenridge Voters Overwhelmingly Decide To End Pot Penalties. […]
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. […]
Announcing New Contributors to your NORML Daily Audio Stash
Boston: 30,000 smoke pot, celebrate decrim
Steve Bloom of 
I'ma people, you'r a people, she's a people, he's a people, wouldn't you like to be a people too! 
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