Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 10:34 am | By: Radical Russ
(Globe Gazette) DES MOINES — The White House’s drug czar said Monday that Iowa officials should look at the problems California has seen after allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes as they consider the idea here.
Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, specifically cited problems regulating the clinics in the Los Angeles area that dispense medical marijuana.
Kerlikowske recounted going to Venice Beach and seeing people holding signs advertising marijuana and ads in newspapers.
He also pointed to reports of robberies and assaults that have occurred in and around medical marijuana dispensaries in the Los Angeles area.
“I would say that the recommendation for any state that’s considering moving to medical marijuana is to look very closely at what’s been occurring in California,” Kerlikowske said.
Kerlikowske, the former police chief in Seattle, reported better results for the medical marijuana law in Washington State.
“It was not as significant a problem for law enforcement as it was in, as it is in, Los Angeles,” Kerlikowske said.
We often hear the prohibitionists play the “Look at California” card when it comes to medical marijuana, ignoring the fact that the other twelve states with protection for medical users did look at California and crafted tighter regulations than the Golden State. Rarely do we hear one bring up another medical marijuana state in comparison. I’m sure Iowans looking to pass medical marijuana wouldn’t mind at all the protections of the Washington State law, which allows a patient to grow up to fifteen plants and store a pound and a half of marijuana. Though they might want to look at the Oregon law, which allows close to the same limits and establishes a patient card registry that helps the patient identify his grow to law enforcement and avoid the arrest and investigation required in Washington to verify a patient’s status.
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David in San Diego: “I cannot grow inside however, I can grow on my balcony. My balcony is un covered and has full sun for half of the day. It is never dark…city lights do not allow me to have a night cycle. So…is an auto flowering strain my only option????”
Jens in Montana: “I am really interested in using LED’s over the HPS systems, is this a good idea? I know the cost for a good LED setup is expensive right now, but I figure with the lower energy consumption and less heat, it would be worth it.”
Matt in Oklahoma: “I just bought a homebox portable growhouse online. My question is on lighting. Various websites have different philosophies when it comes to proper lighting procedures during the plant development phases. From what I can tell, they seem to agree on that you use a CFL during the veg stage, then you switch to a HPS lighting system right before it flowers. However, I am only growing two plants, only one at a time (use dried flowers while the other plant is growing cycle). What will be the proper wattage setup for a small grow during the various phases?”
Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 11:53 am | By: Radical Russ
(Spokesman-Review) More than a thousand medical marijuana patients have purchased the drug at a small dispensary on Northwest Boulevard in Spokane in the nearly five months it’s been open.
Business is booming, and Scott Q. Shupe, co-owner of the dispensary, intended to keep it that way when he set out for Oregon with thousands of dollars and a lead on several pounds of marijuana.
Shupe, 54, was driving back from Bend, Ore., on Friday afternoon when an Oregon State Police trooper pulled him over for crossing the centerline.
That trooper found 4 pounds of marijuana and more than $18,000 in Shupe’s 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier station wagon – supplies destined for his dispensary, he said.
Shupe’s status as a medical marijuana patient in Washington didn’t matter. Oregon doesn’t recognize medical marijuana permits from other states.
Even if it did, patients and caregivers are limited to 1.5 pounds at time.
And even if the limits weren’t breached, Oregon’s law does not allow the selling of marijuana, even between registered patients and their registered growers within the state, much less to an out-of-state dispensary owner.
I want patients to get access to their medicine, which is why I support full legalization of marijuana for all adults. Scott Shupe should be able to buy cannabis from a Washington farmer or an Oregon farmer or any American farmer. Scott Shupe should be able to sell it to any adult American (and foreign tourists, too!)
But the way we’ve been corralled in the medical marijuana box canyon, stories like this are bound to hit the news. Our opponents claim the medical marijuana programs are widely abused, a front for greedy drug dealers. So some states craft language that forbid cannabis commerce and deny interstate recognition of medical marijuana permits. Then you’ve got thousands of patients with demand and few with supply and inevitably some guy gets pulled over with cash and pounds of weed crossing state lines trying to fulfill that demand. Then our opponents say, “See, we told you so!”
I am so worried about a pendulum swing back away from medical marijuana. I can see the next few states writing even more restrictive language. I can see activists losing the battles to keep business and law enforcement from hacking away at existing state medical marijuana laws. I can see pharmaceutical science creating dose-regulated, non-psychoactive cannabinoid drugs and our opponents demand that “crude plant material” be made illegal once again in medical marijuana states because of the “abuse” and because now the sick and dying have a “safer” alternative.
While the pendulum still swings toward freedom, we must follow through and see that it reaches full legalization for all adults.
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Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 4:21 pm | By: Radical Russ
NORML Board's George Rohrbacher speaks from Main Stage at Seattle Hempfest
(Seattle Times) ONCE again, the Seattle Hempfest drew tens of thousands to parks along the waterfront this weekend. In its mission statement, the all-volunteer organization that produces the event says, “The public is better served when citizens and public officials work cooperatively in order to successfully accomplish common goals.”
We agree. That is why we, as a Democratic state senator and former Republican state representative, support state Senate Bill 5615. This bill would reclassify adult possession of marijuana from a crime carrying a mandatory day in jail to a civil infraction imposing a $100 penalty payable by mail. The bill was voted out of committee with a bipartisan “do pass” recommendation and will be considered by legislators in 2010.
The bill makes a lot of sense, especially in this time of severely strapped budgets. Our state Office of Financial Management reported annual savings of $16 million and $1 million in new revenue if SB 5615 passes. Of that $1 million, $590,000 would be earmarked for the Washington State Criminal Justice Treatment Account to increase support of our underfunded drug-treatment and drug-prevention services….
What? Two politicians are mentioning Hempfest in their opening to support marijuana decriminalization? I thought all those tie-dyes onstage turned those kinds of people off.
Still, decriminalization must be just an incremental step toward full legalization. With decrim, you are just legalizing the end consumer, but not the producer and distributor of the marijuana. While law enforcement and court resources may be saved from no longer busting personal use, there will still be raids on those who grow and sell, which still keeps the prices high, still keeps the Mexican cartels in business, still promotes clandestine grows on public land, and still promotes violence.
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 at 12:47 pm | By: Radical Russ
(The Stranger’s SLOG) I got kicked out of Hempfest’s backstage yesterday, apparently for suggesting in The Stranger that the event should lose the tie-dyes on the stages and go for a broader appeal. …After listening to a few speakers and consuming one gigantic veggie burrito with pickled jalapeños, I went behind the main stage. I was talking to a friend when a member of the Hempfest board, John Davis, whom I’ve known for about 15 years, approached me and said, “You can’t be back here. You have to go.” …Davis snatched the pass out of my hand, and as the security guy escorted me out, he said that it’s because I’m a “member of the media.”
Uh, I’ve been a member of the media in past years, and I’ve always been allowed backstage. And before I was a reporter—back when I was the spokesman for Hempfest—several times we’d have reporters walk freely backstage. So what gives? Hempfest director Vivian McPeak reportedly told a staffer, who went to ask what the fuck was going on, that I had “proverbially stabbed [him] in the back.” But, Vivian, I thought you were omnipotent. About 10 minutes earlier, he was on the main stage mic referring to himself as “the great Vivian McPeak.”
The issue, clearly, is that Hempfest organizers are outraged that anyone would dare critique their event. They cannot separate themselves from their culture from their politics. So any commentary of their political strategy (simply saying they should take down the cheesy tie-dyes) is apparently a personal backstabbing. That’s a tragically self-centered perspective for any organization, political cause, or leader—especially one that is “great.”
Dominic, you must have been ousted shortly after I had a chance to say hi to you and your brother backstage. I had my media people nearly kicked out of backstage at Main Stage as well, as Hempfest had a “backstage escort” requirement this year. Any folks with media passes without an accompanying speaker or musical performer were kicked out, I was told. Too many people trying to relax backstage didn’t want any photos or stories about what they were doing, I guess.
I appreciated the back-and-forth we had on this topic over at the Stash. I’m still of the opinion that 200,000 people gathered peacefully in a park for a weekend openly smoking marijuana while an all-volunteer crew wrangles hundreds of vendors and six stages is enough of a political statement as it is.
I also understand the “that ain’t me” reaction from many pot smokers. It’s the same reaction my wife gives when she sees bud-covered naked women in High Times Magazine. To that I say, great, please, form a new magazine or present a new Hempfest for all the cannabis-closeted squares to come enjoy. If there are so many who are so uncomfortable with hippie tie-dye patchouli-stained ghettoes, there surely should be a huge audience for the new Short-Haired Respectable Polos & Dockers Hempfest with special guest Kenny G, and there must be plenty of ad revenue available for the new Cannabis Connoisseur Magazine.
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Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 at 4:36 pm | By: Radical Russ
At Hempfest Main Stage this year a band called “The Wiley One” played 4:20 on Saturday. I was approached by Jason, the bass player from the band, who wanted to compliment me on my bass playing earlier in the day Sunday. We chatted a bit and he agreed to let us play one of their tunes for the podcast.
The Wiley One are a funky band out of Phoenix, Arizona. Their music has been featured on the X Games and The Wiley One works to be a carbon-neutral band as best they can. “We also have a plan in place to offset our C02 emissions,” says Sam Wiley, “by using clean-burning domestically made biodiesel fuel to power any tour buses or trucks while on tour.” Well, we can suggest a perfect source for that biodiesel fuel, can’t we?
Enjoy this environmentally conscious song from The Wiley One, it’s called “Go Green’.
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“…people above the age of 18, 95.9 million of them have tried marijuana… age group 18 to 50, it’s more than 50% of them…” from “Who Are You” post. I just crunched the numbers using the SAMHDA tables and got 95,916,972. Aha, that’s how I’ll use it: “more people have smoked pot than are in the AARP (40,000,000) and Republican Party (55,000,000) combined!”
“…25 million Americans will smoke marijuana once per year…” Well, it’s actually 22 million. Perhaps we can give some latitude for margin of error, based on the theory that we’re talking about adults who’ll admit to a stranger on the phone that they smoked pot last year.
“…that’s more tokers than Texans…” 2008 Census Population Estimate for Texas: 24,326,974
“…that’s more tokers than adult African Americans…” 2000 Census breakdown by race: 23,772,494 African Americans*
“…that’s more tokers than diabetics…” 21 million Americans according to the American Diabetes Association.
“…14 million Americans, adults above 18, will smoke marijuana this month…” Rates of marijuana use have dropped so that only 12,693,122 are monthly smokers, according to SAMHDA.
“…more marijuana smokers once a month than factory workers…”14,197,300 manufacturing jobs in 2006.
“…Asian Americans…”13,366,154 Asian Americans* in Census 2007 estimate.
“…or people that watch 60 Minutes…”9.5 million viewers last week… we’re even close to America’s Got Talent.
“…more people will smoke pot this month than the combined memberships of the NRA, the ACLU, NARAL Pro-Choice America, the National Organization for Women, AARP, and the John Birch Society.” OK, now I’ve found my little notecard that I failed to bring with me to Seattle, sitting here in my office. It wasn’t supposed to be the AARP (40,000,000!), but the NAACP. Hey, two A’s and a P in common and it was approaching 4:20 on the Main Stage of Day Two of Seattle Hempfest. I think I did quite well. Alas, I forgot Greenpeace, PETA, and the Elks Club
TOTAL = 12.755 million vs. 12.693 million monthly smokers, and that’s giving high estimates to the NAACP and JBS.
“…3.6 million adults will smoke marijuana at least once per day…” Tough number to come by. 8.1 million used marijuana more than 100 days in the past year, and a 2004 NSDUH said there were 3.1 million daily users aged 12 and older. I don’t think 3.6 million is far off. In the future, I’ll call these people “at least once per week” marijuana smokers.
“…more daily smokers than Red Sox fans…”3,048,250 based on 2008 attendance figures.
“…more daily smokers than new cancer cases…” 1,437,180 according to the American Cancer Society.
“…more daily smokers that the US membership of the Mormon church…” Another tough number. Adherents.org cites 2,697,000 Adult Mormons in 2001, but also cites a 2004 membership of 5,599,177, which I’m guessing counts children and teenagers and I don’t think is fair, partially because I’m referencing adult marijuana smokers and partially because I think only adults should count for church memberships because kids often don’t get to choose.
*These Census figures only count people who answered by choosing one race and doesn’t count many multi-racial people.
MrSpof: There was a LAG in my computer, a LAG in my computer :metal kicks out the amp Awesome
SneakerPimp: that was a lag in my comp
SneakerPimp: like the new pic slash5 and adam
SneakerPimp: like the new pic slash5
RevRayGreen: that blows B-dog.......
bullbog: Hawkeyes you had a good run...this toke is for you.
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
"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. […]
Did the Drug Czar just recommend 15 plants and 24 ounces for Iowa’s medical marijuana patients?
There was a LAG in my computer, a LAG in my computer :metal kicks out the amp 
Awesome 
and adam 
frickazee'd.... Mr. Spof, thank you very much
and roasted 
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sorry i just dont have faith in much of anything federally controlled fda and their approvalls have...
