Feedback
There's 1 total comments on my blog. There's 194 total trackbacks on my blog. Subscribe and never miss an entry: All Posts | All Comments There's 2733 total post on my blog.

The Hidden History of the Pot Lobby

June 3rd

When the states of Colorado and Washington legalized the adult use of marijuana in November 2012, what had been almost unimaginable two decades earlier suddenly seemed inevitable. Much like gay marriage, polls now regularly show majority support for marijuana legalization, and it’s not unusual today to hear people say it’s just a matter of time before the drug is legal across the country.

NORML to smoke potMany groups are now devoted to legalizing marijuana, but only one has fought cannabis prohibition since 1971, when public support for legalization barely registered above the single digits: the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML. Attorney Keith Stroup founded NORML and served two terms as its executive director, from its founding until a scandal rocked the organization in 1978 and again from 1994 until his semi-retirement in 2005.

Stroup tells both his story and the organization’s in It’s NORML to Smoke Pot.

Though the book primarily focuses on the politics of pot, the first 100 pages also illustrate how bizarre politics in general w. . . . . READ MORE

Written by admin

More post by

admin has written 2733 posts on What Is Marijuana?

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook

Grab Prohibition by the Horns at the Texas Regional NORML Conference June 7-9

May 25th

DTexas Regional NORML Conference

DFW NORML proudly presents the Texas Regional NORML Conference at the Norris Conference Center (304 Houston St. Fort Worth, Texas 76102-7404) in downtown Fort Worth from June 7 – 9.

This historic event includes over a dozen speakers such as Keith Stroup, founder of NORML, Judge Jim Gray, the 2012 Libertarian Party Vice Presidential Nominee, expert cultivation and concentrate tips, medicinal alternatives to smoking, an exclusive screening of the new documentary American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny, patient testimonials, a hemp fashion show, reception and live art show, two after parties, vendors, prizes and more than a few surprises.

The primary goals for the Texas Regional NORML Conference are:
1.) Give Texans an honest, entertaining and interactive cannabis education.
2.) Showcase the strength of the Texas effort to end prohibition.
3.) Call all Texans to action because now is the time to get involved!

This historic event includes over a dozen speakers including Keith Stroup, founder of NORML, an exclusive screening of the new documentar. . . . . READ MORE

Written by admin

More post by

admin has written 2733 posts on What Is Marijuana?

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook

Did Police Plant Evidence on Adam Kokesh at Philly Marijuana Protest?

May 20th

 

Adam Kokesh is restrained by police Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Smoke Down Prohibition V in Philadelphia. To the left is the man in the green shirt who is suspected of placing something in Kokesh's pants during the scuffle with police. (Photo: Don Clarke)

Adam Kokesh is restrained by police Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Smoke Down Prohibition V in Philadelphia. To the left is the man in the green shirt who is suspected of placing something in Kokesh’s pants during the scuffle with police. (Photo: Don Clarke)

PHILADELPHIA, PA —  As podcaster and civil rights activist Adam Kokesh, who was arrested Saturday during a weekend marijuana demonstration, awaits arraignment in a Philadelphia Federal Court, analysis of videos of Kokesh’s arrest posted online are raising a disturbing question:

Did police plant evidence on Adam Kokesh during his arrest?

Kokesh’s arrest happened as the crowd in attendance of  Smoke Down Prohibition V at the Independence National His. . . . . READ MORE

Written by admin

More post by

admin has written 2733 posts on What Is Marijuana?

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook

Philly Police Arrest Marijuana Activists at Peaceful Demonstration

May 19th

PHILADELPHIA, PA — What began as a peaceful protest against marijuana prohibition in Philadelphia Saturday ended with the violent arrest of several prominent activists, including event organizers, as the crowd chanted “No victim, no crime” in support.

Among those arrested were prominent marijuana activists Adam Kokesh, Don Dezarn, and organizer N.A Poe.

The event, Smoke Down Prohibition V, has been a monthly gathering at Independence Hall sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Philly NORML) and the Panic Hour.  The events, which had previously gone without incident, feature music, speakers, giveaways and trivia, are intended to be a peaceful demonstration taking a stand “in opposition  a failed, racist drug war” while  ”ushering in a future without marijuana prohibition.”

The events have always ended with a civil disobedience protest in which most of those in attendance light up at 4:20 pm.

Unlike the previous four “Smoke Down Prohibition” events, as the crowd lit up, the United States Park Rangers and Philadelphia Police cracked down, focusing on organizers and speakers who had just called from the stage for attendees to lock arms and form a circle of solidarity around the stage.

At least six people, possibly as many as ten, were arrested in the minutes that foll. . . . . READ MORE

Written by admin

More post by

admin has written 2733 posts on What Is Marijuana?

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook

Congressmen to Help Launch DPA’s Drug War Exit Strategy Guide

May 16th

WASHINGTON, DC – The Drug Policy Alliance will formally release An Exit Strategy for the Failed War on Drugs, the group’s first-ever federal legislative guide, Thursday in Washington.

This comprehensive report contains 75 broad and incremental recommendations for legislative reforms related to civil rights, deficit reduction, law enforcement, foreign policy, sentencing and re-entry, effective drug treatment, public health, and drug prevention education.

The guide will be released at a forum on the Hill cosponsored by Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), both of whom fought for major drug policy reform at the local level before running for Congress and winning.

“The United States has approximately five percent of the world’s population but twenty-five percent of its prison population, largely resulting from failed policy decisions connected to the war on drugs,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York). “The over-criminalization phenomenon has cost us in lost human capital and economic productivity. I look forward to thoroughly reviewing DPA’s recommendations and working closely together to improve the fairness and humanity of the criminal justice system.”

As a New York Assemblyman, Jeffries was a leader in opposing New York City’s racially discriminatory marijuana arr. . . . . READ MORE

Written by admin

More post by

admin has written 2733 posts on What Is Marijuana?

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook

Tommy Chong: Legalize Marijuana to Save the Country

May 16th

Tommy Chong

NEW YORK, NY — The Grammy Award-winning comedy duo Cheech and Chong based their 42-year career on counterculture humor with a particular emphasis on marijuana use. But these days Tommy Chong sees the recreational drug as something more than fodder for jokes about stoned hippies.

The 74-year-old comedian thinks legalizing marijuana on a federal level would offer numerous benefits, including a boost to the U.S. economy if it were taxed.

“Look at the situation we’re in now. Sequesters. Cuts. Everything cut across the board. Now, the government is tapped into the biggest cash crop in the world,” Chong said. “There’s little manufacturing cost. You don’t have to do anything except watch it grow and get a couple of hippies to cut it and then put it in a bag.”

His ambitions for marijuana may be outsized, but he notes the potential medical uses that have already inspired some states to legalize the drug. Nearly 20 states have enacted laws to legalize medical marijuana, and two of them – Colorado and Washington – have totally legalized it. And at least 12 states have pending legislation to legalize for medical use.

“Hemp itself is going to save the world,” Chong said.

Chong’s comedy partner, Richard “Cheech” Marin, 66, thinks lega. . . . . READ MORE

Written by admin

More post by

admin has written 2733 posts on What Is Marijuana?

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Denies Marijuana Reform Activists

May 13th

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO — Marijuana reform activists from Missouri were denied vending space during a weekend event at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, citing concerns that a booth promoting marijuana legalization could strain the venue’s relationship with the city and its police force.

Show-Me Cannabis, a Missouri organization that advocates for the reform of marijuana laws in the state, had submitted a vendor application for Pointfest, a multi-stage concert sponsored by local radio station The Point (KPNT 105.7 FM).  The same radio station began airing a four-week ad campaign for Show Me Cannabis last week.

The organization had intended to hand out literature, generate interest for upcoming initiative campaigns, and sell t-shirts at the event.

Last week, a representative from the Live Nation-owned venue contacted Show Me Cannabis to inform them that their vendor application had been declined, citing fears that the Maryland Heights Police Department would shut the booth down for “advocating illegal activity.”

In response to the application being denied, Show Me Cannabis’ John Payne contacted the Chief of Police in Maryland Heights, Colonel William Carson, who acknowledged the organization’s First Amendmen. . . . . READ MORE

Written by admin

More post by

admin has written 2733 posts on What Is Marijuana?

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook

Have You Talked to Your Mom About Marijuana?

May 12th

Have you ever told your mom that you think marijuana should be legal for adults?

Today is Mother’s Day, so we figured we would take the opportunity to encourage our supporters to initiate that important conversation. The easiest and most effective way to help end marijuana prohibition is to talk to your family members and friends about why you think it is important.

Check out this video produced by the Marijuana Policy Project that shows just how easy it can be to get the conversation started with your mom. Then, share it with others you know who agree that marijuana should be legal, and encourage them to watch and share it, too.

A majority of Americans now support ending marijuana prohibition, but there are still those who believe marijuana is just too dangerous and that it is only used by “stoners.” But the truth is that marijuana, like alcohol, is used by people from all walks of life to relax or socialize with friends and family. Perhaps the biggest difference between the two substances is that marijuana is far less harmful to the consumer and to society.

Does your mom know that yet? Whether you want to tell her today or another day in the future, you can use this online tool provided by the Marijuana Policy Project to send her and others a message and let them know how you feel about the issue.

Remember: . . . . . READ MORE

Written by admin

More post by

admin has written 2733 posts on What Is Marijuana?

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook

Seattle Police Chief Speaks at Pro-Marijuana Rally

May 12th

Jim Pugel

SEATTLE, WA —  In the wake of Washington’s historic  marijuana legalization measure last November, Seattle Police Department’s top cop,  Interim Chief Jim Pugel, spoke at the Cannabis Freedom March at Westlake Park on Saturday.

“We are not here to condemn it. We are not here to endorse it,” he said of marijuana use. “The police are here to make sure it is all done legally.”

Instead of fighting the voter approved measure, the Seattle Police Department have embraced the change, and are adapting to the new state law.

“We are public servants and we want to make sure what they voted for works,” Pugel added.

Pugel called on smokers to respect law enforcement and obey the law.

“Don’t use it in public, don’t provide to minors, buy only from lawful dispensaries,” he said.

Pugel added that the new law legalizing marijuana for adults made police officers’ jobs easier.

Several hundred people took part in Saturday’s “Cannabis Freedom March,” which was dubbed “A Funeral for Prohibition” by Seattle Hempfest organizers.

The annual march made its way from Volunteer Park to Westlake Center in Downtown Seattle.

Other  speakers i. . . . . READ MORE

Written by admin

More post by

admin has written 2733 posts on What Is Marijuana?

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook

Medical Marijuana Patients Protest AG Holder’s UC Berkeley Speech

May 12th

U.S. Attorney General and pot-prohibitionist Eric Holder

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder

BERKELEY, CA — As U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivered a commencement speech Friday for UC Berkeley law school graduates, a plane flew overhead with a banner that read “Holder: End Rx Cannabis War. #Peace4Patients,” in protest against recent actions by the Justice Department (DOJ) in the Bay Area.

Outside the Hearst Greek Theater, where Holder gave his speech, medical marijuana advocates also handed out fake DOJ recruitment flyers, detailing how the Obama Administration is engaging in harmful tactics that are adversely affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients in California.

“Patients will not stand idly by while Attorney General Holder’s Justice Department continues to attack our community and endanger the lives of Berkeley residents” said Caren Woodson, one of the le. . . . . READ MORE

Written by admin

More post by

admin has written 2733 posts on What Is Marijuana?

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Facebook