I really wasn’t sure that I’d live long enough to see legal marijuana, but here in 2012 we have it in two states, my old stomping grounds back in the 70’s, Colorado, and my new fav place, Washington. While it’ll take me awhile to pack my bags and move to Seattle, amid all the joy from last night’s victories, there was a tweet from Jodie Emery stating that they ought to let all the marijuana prisoners out of jail now. So, Mr. Obama, how about it? Why not make it happen. With a pen stroke you can give life and liberty to the harmless souls suffering in prisons and jails or on long periods of probation for something that America embraces as law. Let’s see, it’s legal but my father, brother, son, friend is languishing behind bars for it? I don‘t think so. Please bring these drug war prisoners home – marijuana isn’t a drug.
Lanny Asks why the Feds Are Mute on Election Eve
We Love Lanny Swerdlow’s Work. The following excerpt from his latest newsletter is right on point – as usual!On October 15, 2010, AG Holder released a letter threatening the citizens of California in support of Prop. 19 by stating that the Dept. of Justice “will vigorously enforce the Controlled Substance Act against those individuals and organizations that possess, manufacture or distribute marijuana for recreational use, even if such activities are permitted under state law.”
Many people feel that it was Holder’s threats that turned the tide against Prop. 19 which had been leading in the polls with about a 52% approval rating but ended up narrowly losing receiving a respectable but still losing 47.5% of the vote. Since neither side had spent significant money to run ads, most people in California, although aware of the Proposition, had not heard much of the way of arguments on either side. Holder’s statement picked up by all media and given prominent play is credited with causing a small but very significant switch in voter support.
That’s why the 9 former DEA heads want Holder to do it again, but here it is November 4, just two days before the election and except for a single letter written by a considerably lower level Dept. of Justice employee, nothing has been said. Why did Holder threaten fire and brimstone in 2010 and in 2012 utters not a word?
Colorado is one of the nine fabled swing states that will decide who becomes President in 2013. Amendment 64, Colorado’s marijuana legalization initiative is currently leading 52% to 43% whereas President Obama leads Mitt Romney by only 47% to 45%. Clearly voters in Colorado favor marijuana more than they do either Presidential candidate.
It is that bizarre distinction that raises red flags for the Obama re-election team. One of Obama’s largest base of supporters are young people – the 18-34 year olds that are so sought after by advertisers. By a huge 30 point margin (61% to 31%), this demographic overwhelmingly favors the legalization of marijuana.
What the Obama team rightfully fears is that if AG Holder comes storming into the fray threatening to “vigorously enforce the Controlled Substance Act against those individuals and organizations that possess, manufacture or distribute marijuana for recreational use, even if such activities are permitted under state law,” then a small but significant percentage of those young people will be sufficiently turned off by Obama and vote for either Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson or Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein. Both of these candidates strongly support Amendment 64.
In Colorado the Green and Libertarian parties are stressing their support with the Libertarian Party expending significant (at least significant for the Libertarians) monetary and campaign resources into reaching out to these younger voters specifically with the message that Gary Johnston supports ending marijuana prohibition.
It wouldn’t take very many of these voters switching their vote to either Johnson or Stein for Obama to come up on the short end of the stick and wind up losing Colorado to Romney and possibly the election. Holder wants to keep his job and keeping his mouth shut on this issue improves his chances.
Theory Two:Then there are those with a less cynical and more Pollyanna attitude which is Holder’s silence foreshadows a potential change in the Obama administration’s stance on marijuana.
President Obama has real word experiences with the War on Drugs. As a community organizer in Chicago, he no doubt witnessed the horrors caused by the drug war and its overt racist enforcement. In the not so distant past he has called the War on Drugs a failure and has supported marijuana decriminalization. In the more distant past, he knows from his own extremely extensive use of marijuana in high school and college, that marijuana prohibition is far more destructive to our nation’s youth than marijuana ever could be.
Could Eric Holder’s silence manifest a change in Obama’s policy during a second term? There have been all kinds of scuttlebutt emanating from Washington that reforming the War on Drugs will be an important Obama administration program if he is elected to a second term. I will believe that when I see it, but such a sea change is not unheard of in the Obama administration. He changed his mind on gay marriage (or at least got the courage of his convictions on this flaming subject) and doing the same on marijuana is not that far of a stretch.
This is why the Brownie Mary Democratic Club is so important and will become even more important if President Obama is re-elected. For more information on the Brownie Mary Democratic Club, CLICK HERE
AG Holder could still jump in at the very last moment (with the election just two days away, you can’t get much more last moment) and thunder fire and brimstone, but it’s awful late in the game to have much of an effect.
Of course there is no reason that it can’t be both crass politics and a good sign – just because it’s crass doesn’t mean it’s bad.
California is not a swing state – Obama is all but certain to carry the state. If you are aghast at Obama’s failure to follow through on his mmj statements during the 2008 campaign, voting for one of the three 3rd party candidates on the ballot is not going to endanger Obama’s candidacy – there are just not enough of us out there to make that big a difference – I sure wish there were and maybe one day there will be, but that day is not Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012.
All the 3rd Party candidates on California’s ballot support ending marijuana prohibition. Judge Jim Gray is the vice-presidential candidate on the Libertarian ticket with Gary Johnson. He is a long-time friend of the Inland Empire marijuana community having spoken at many of our meetings and advocated on behalf of our issues. Now that he has retired, he has made ending the War on Drugs a prime focus in his life and certainly deserves our thanks and support.
The Green Party has always been strongly in favor of ending marijuana prohibition and the War on Drugs and their candidate, Dr. Jill Stein has spoken forcefully on the subject. And then there is Roseanne Barr of the Peace and Freedom Party – I know that sounds like a joke but that’s what people thought of that second rate actor Ronald Reagan.
It’s the swing states that are going to decide who is President and it may be that the young voters in Colorado turning out en masse to vote for marijuana may be casting the deciding votes.
At 7:30 p.m on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at the RiversideMAPP meeting we will either be celebrating the victory or commiserating the loss of the marijuana legalization measures. Those ballot measures along with the Presidential race and many of the statewide and local races will be analyzed and our prospects for success in protecting and expanding medical marijuana laws and marijuana law reform will be discussed.
Exciting Times in the Battle to Reschedule Pot!
Gotta Share the News From ASA!!!
DC Court Hears Rescheduling Appeal, Requests More Info
ASA Submits Brief on Patients’ Right to Sue in Landmark Federal Case
On October 16, the federal appeals court for the D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments in Americans for Safe Access v. Drug Enforcement Administration, a legal challenge to the government’s contention that cannabis has no medical use.
The panel of three federal judges focused on the question of legal standing, whether the named plaintiffs in the lawsuit have a right to sue the government because they were directly injured by the current classification. Following the oral arguments, the court requested additional briefing on the harm sustained by plaintiff and disabled U.S. Air Force veteran Michael Krawitz as a result of the federal government’s policy on medical marijuana.
Krawitz, a disabled veteran, was denied treatment by the US Department of Veterans Affairs because he was using cannabis on the advice of a physician to treat pain, trauma and an eye disease. That forced him to pay out of his own pocket for medical care to which he would otherwise be entitled through the VA. The VA has a policy of denying pain management care to anyone who uses cannabis.
“The court’s request for clarification is a sign that this case is being taken very seriously,” said ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford, who argued the case. “The experience of plaintiff Michael Krawitz being denied treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs is real and emblematic of many other patients caught up in the federal government’s harmful policy on medical marijuana.”
ASA argues that the DEA acted arbitrarily and capriciously in ignoring scientific evidence of the commonly employed therapeutic uses of cannabis. The suit contends that the federal government’s intransigence is keeping cannabis out of reach for millions of Americans who would otherwise benefit from its therapeutic value.
The previous legal challenge to the classification of cannabis was rejected by the D.C. Circuit in 2002 after the court concluded the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to bring the suit. No medical cannabis patients were part of that case. Americans for Safe Access v. Drug Enforcement Administrationincludes several patient plaintiffs, and ASA also argues that the organization has standing because it incurs significant costs countering the government’s false claims with valid scientific information.
The landmark case is an appeal of the DEA’s decision last year to deny the 2002 rescheduling petition by the Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis, of which ASA is a member. It marks the first time in nearly 20 years that a federal court has heard arguments on the classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance, a category reserved for drugs with a high potential for abuse and no current accepted medical use that cannot be used safely even under medical supervision.
A decision from the court on whether the case can proceed is expected within the next several months.
“The current classification of cannabis is based more on politics than science,” said Elford. “This is an historic opportunity for patients and doctors to confront politically motivated decision-making with the scientific evidence that cannabis is a safe, effective medicine that can meet the needs of millions of patients.”
MUST WATCH TV! HEMP, INC. CEO BRUCE PERLOWIN’S LEGACY CONTINUES ON PRIME TIME NATIONAL TV
Medical Marijuana Inc. Dixie Elixirs and Edibles Brand Will Be Featured on 60 Minutes “Rocky Mountain High” Segment Sunday October 21
It’s gratifying to see the concept and company that I founded soar to new heights as the new management gets national media recognition. Although I have moved on to another venture in the same industry, I am proud that my legacy is provoking worldwide interest.
“This 60 Minutes segment airs at a pivotal time in our country’s history with medical marijuana. We (MJNA) are thrilled to be selected for the show and to lead the way on the forefront of our industry. This show will allow millions of viewers across the nation to see why our business does just that. On Sunday, we invite the public to take an inside look at our company, product lines and plans for how we will continue to transform the future of medical marijuana,” says Red Dice Holdings President, Tripp Keber.
Medical Marijuana Inc.(OTC: MJNA), a leading hemp industry innovator, is pleased to announce that its portfolio company, Red Dice Holdings, will receive national media attention for its Dixie Elixirs and Edibles brand on 60 Minutes this Sunday, October 21 at 7:30 PM ET. Denver’s thriving medical marijuana industry will be the primary focus of the show’s segment by Steve Kroft. 60 Minutes, the most successful television broadcast in U.S. history, draws an average of over 13 million viewers a week, more than any other network news program and twice the audience size of its network news magazine competitors.
A key interview airing on the “Rocky Mountain High” show will feature Red Dice Holdings President and Managing Director of Dixie Elixirs,Tripp Keber. Mr. Keber will present the 27,000 square foot state of the art Dixie manufacturing facility in Denver, Colorado that produces the revolutionary Dixie Elixirs and Edibles product lines, which are sold to over 500 legal dispensary accounts throughout the state. Dixie has also just launched the ground breaking new non THC, CBD Hemp-Based Dixie X health and wellness product line, which is available over the counter through online orders to customers in all 50 U.S. states. It has recently been medically documented that Cannabidiols (CBD -1.18%, news) may offer powerful relief to people suffering from ailments ranging from epilepsy to metastatic cancers.
Over the past several months, local media and national cable networks have steadily covered the topic of medical marijuana, however, this 60 Minutes airing marks a historical moment for both Medical Marijuana, Inc. and the industry as a whole. The show will broadcast to an unprecedented number of viewers just 16 days before the U.S. Presidential Elections. With medical marijuana legalization measures also on the ballot for November, the show will investigate a number of critical issues at stake including the industry’s complex legal structures, how medical marijuana businesses have created thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in state tax revenues for medically legalized states, yet remain prohibited by federal law. Additional interviews on the segment will include a prize-winning grower and dispensary investor in Colorado.
For more information about Dixie Elixirs Products visit:
http://dixieelixirs.com/
.
For the latest news on the Dixie X product launch, sales growth, customer testimonials and future expansion please visit:
http://tinyurl.com/8hcwhvx
.
Jury Nullification Rocks!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The following is an important piece from the Activist Post that I had to share with everyone. Thanks to J.G. Vibes for this great work! We can all help by being informed of how we can make change by knowing how the system works. Jury Nullification is a big hammer against undue process of getting slammed…
Informed juror saves marijuana dispensary owner from prison
J.G. Vibes
It was almost jury nullification, but not quite. Jason Andrews is a California Medical Marijuana dispensary owner who provides free cannabis to terminally ill patients, and for the past two years he has been facing state charges on Sales and Trafficking of Marijuana, in a state where medical marijuana is legal. Andrews even has all of the required government licensing, and complies with all of the regulations, his operation is 100% legal.
Earlier this year his case was to be decided in court, and things really weren’t looking good for him. Luckily, there was one juror who was informed about the power of jury nullification, and tried his best to convince the jury to rule in favor of the defense, seeing that the charges against Andrews were not only unjust, but also illegal, even according the state. The other jurors would not comply, but juror 101 stood his ground and refused to allow the rest of the jury to put Andrews away.
Jason’s complications began On October 12, 2010 when he was followed by police when leaving a dispensary that he worked with. This week I had a chance to ask him some questions about his run in with police and he was able to explain the events that led up to his charges.
JGV: Can you explain more about your free delivery service and what exactly happened the night you had your run in with police?
JA: The Collective I left that night was a Dispensary store front. They offered Medical Marijuana to Patients and I have a small Collective Delivery Service that I provide free medication to the terminally ill. When we have extra medicine we provided it to this Collective Store Front, who took it on consignment , then took donations from there other patients for the medicine. When they had gotten rid of it they would call me and reimburse us for it. This Collective was being watched as well as a few others in Lake Forest California by the Orange County Sheriffs because they had been fighting the city and won a recent appeal.
JGV: Can you share some details about what police found on you and what happened after they found it?
JA: I had a pound of Medical Marijuana on me, Two strains in two 8 oz. bags as well as $5800 in cash in the Bag and $420 in my wallet. I had received a car settlement two weeks earlier and had some cash.. They took all of this as well as other property. A signed copy of Jack Herer’s Book The Emperor Wears No Clothes and a phone which had the last picture of my older brother who died one month prior to this.. Those are important to me.. There were also letters from Congressman and Women and Senator on issues I wrote to them about.
I was held in the car for what seemed like a few hours and then I was told that I was free to go. I was not given a ticket or anything other than a warning for speeding and a receipt for my money, I was released and told have a good night. So for a month or so I called the Sheriff’s Department and Internal Affairs Congressmen and Senators, I called everyone and anyone. No one would help.
JGV: Wow, insane…They steal your property, let you go and then press charges against you when you try to pursue them about it. That is horrible, I thought that medical marijuana was totally fine in the state of California.
JA: California has really failed its Patients and Caregivers, which is why I am refusing to take any kind of deal and fighting this to the end. People who do this kind of work are not criminals and they should not be treated like they are.
JGV: Of course, you aren’t hurting anyone or violating anyone’s property, but natural law aside, everything you do is fully legal according to the state of California?
JA: Yes, I am a State Patient and had a Recommendation from a Dr. that said I can grow or possess 52 oz. I only had sixteen. My passenger who is also a Patient I am a caregiver for had her Rec that said she could grow or Possess 27 Oz. We were well within our rights. She had the State I.D. card and I had the State I.D. card 1 of less than 10000 in the State and I also had the State Caregiver Card 1 of less than 250 in the State of California. Yet to this day after two years, a trial and $25000 dollars later no one from the judge to the officers to the D.A. has ever checked to see if my information was valid.
JGV: You mentioned that you’re also a legalization activist for proposition 215, do you think that your involvement with this group or the movement as a whole had anything to do with you being targeted? Is this situation a show of force against local growers and dispensary workers?
JA: Yes I think it is a show of force on behalf of the City of Lake Forest for losing in their court battle and also on the side of the Orange County Sheriffs, D.A.’s and judges who say “The Law doesn’t matter in our Opinion Marijuana is a Drug and you are a Drug Dealer” So we are going to prosecute all these cases and make them take a deal”… Well the law does matter.. I followed it why aren’t they?
JGV: You’re absolutely right, it’s out of control. I’m sorry this situation has happened to you, and I wish you the best of luck in your next trail. Is there anything the readers can do to support you in this difficult time?
JA: Well, Any attention that the activist community or the alternative press could bring to this issue would be greatly appreciated. If anyone wants to help with Court Fee’s I have a Website Pro215.com where you can contact me and we do accept donations to help with a legal defense fund. Also consider writing your state senators and demand that they legalize Medical Marijuana so that Patients and Caregivers can be safe from the cartels and law enforcement!!
Jason Andrews’ story is unfortunate, but not unique, as growers and dispensary owners all over the state of California are being targeted and harassed by police for providing a service which is completely legal in their communities. In most cases where growers and dispensary owners are persecuted, it is the result of federal agents bypassing state law to set up some sort of raid or sting operation. However, as we can see through Jason’s situation, many state cops are also ignoring state law and using the quasi-legal status of medical marijuana as an excuse to intimidate people and steal from them.
It is highly possible that this harassment is motivated by the police unions, and their underlying desire to keep the drug war alive, for the sake of their protection racket. Marijuana arrests are the bread and butter of any police department’s budget, and without the drug war this cash crop of human beings would disappear and create significant financial problems for the prison industrial complex. In just a few weeks on October 28th, Jason returns to court to fight his battle all over again, but hopefully this time he is able to gather enough support and have better luck that he did earlier this year.
J.G. Vibes is the author of an 87 chapter counter culture textbook called Alchemy of the Modern Renaissance and host of a show called Voluntary Hippie Radio. He is also an artist with an established record label and event promotion company that hosts politically charged electronic dance music events. You can keep up with his work, which includes free podcasts, free e-books & free audiobooks at his website www.aotmr.com.
Colorado Trippin
Driving from Park City, Utah to Ouray so that my lady could play the Tibetian Bowls at her friends Dez & Sully’s wedding seemed a reasonable trip to me, but Mr. Garmin thought otherwise! Somewhere on the Flat Top Trail I realized that we had been road tripped. Finding a “For Sale” sign on a nice looking home, I reached into the info box and withdraw, along with the factoid sheet, which by the way, offered a 1 3/4 acre piece with the requisite frou-frou log home for a measly 800k, a full color tri-fold detailing the sights and history of this scenic byway. Seems that it was habitated for a millennium or so by the Utes (didn’t they just beat BYU?) who enjoyed racing on their ponies in this gorgeous valley whilst putting a few beaver pelts or whatever on the outcome. But, it happens that the local “White Man”, a Mr. Meeker, who over-lorded the Utes, disapproved of their wicked ways and decided to plow up their race track, resulting in his being massacred, and the Utes being deported to Utah! Wow, talk about the Feds closing 71 dispensaries in LA today, that ain’t s–t in the overall scheme of things! Wonder why they named the town with the closest gas station after him?
Anyhoo, ended up in Montrose for the night, and the Motel 6 was actually bomb after two days on the road. Thank you to the Coffee Trader for the Great Breve! Had to go back for seconds! The next day it was the world’s greatest Cinnamon Roll at Starvin Arvins. replete with homemade blueberry jam, my, my!
The wedding was at the park in Ouray, the lovely bride and handsome groom exchanging vows given so elegantly by the grooms dad, a Navy commander recently back from a year in Afghanistan (do they have an ocean there???) It was a touching ceremony, the groom in traditional Japanese garb, the Commander in Naval dress uniform and the beautiful bride, all with a backdrop of sheer mountain elegance.
We’d had a snack the previous evening with some of the wedding party and had seen a huge bear moving slowly on the mountain across the street from the cafe, and watched two bucks crossing the street in front of us, causing traffic to stop. That night, I was awakened as our garbage can was overturned at the rental cabin we snoozed in. I imagined the great bear peering in the windows (or was it the Blue Dream?) The leaves were turning gold on the Aspen trees, the weather perfect, and the dispensaries open in Rifle and Glenwood Springs where we had an amazing day with Barbara and Summer. Wow! Thanks to Grandma Ween for posing with Chief Ouray as the guys spot something moving on the mountain! Kinda bummed I never saw the Moose advertised on the tri-fold, maybe next year in the Uintas!
Colorado, Thank You!
Seattle HempFest was a Blast!
Hundreds of thousands of peaceful Hempsters? Only at HempFest!
of tgh
Wake Up LA!
As Th
As The Toyes put it : ”The Haters Keep On Hatin” – “Hey Uncle Sam (Or in this case , along with the LA City Council) Leave Us Pot Smokers Alone”.
Thanks & a big S/O to twitter follower Stephanie @mysteph09 for image! @marijuanainc CHECK out her blog, its a good read http://realtalkraw.wordpress.com/
You just can’t believe it! US won’t hear of it, Canada FUNDING IT!
| Ottawa Invests In Flax And Hemp Processing |  |
 |
 |
| Written by Kelvin Heppner | |||||||
| Tuesday, 24 July 2012 13:09 | |||||||
|
