Cannabis - Our Common Bond

On May 2nd. I had the great fortune to attend The 3rd. Annual Toronto Freedom Festival & 11th. Global Marijuana March. It is a day I shall never forget.

I exited off of the Subway and grabbed a Timmie's. It was shortly after noon and I followed the 50 or so people I could see ahead of me. I arrived at Queens Park North just as it was starting to really come alive.

The sun was trying to come out and tents were popped up throughout the grounds. People were lounging on blankets and chilling in lawn chairs. As I made my way towards the stage the sweet smell of Maryjane pleasantly drifted through the air. I followed the casual pace of the growing crowd, taking note of the numerous business vendor booths and food stands. Funnel Cakes! Wow, I thought, the people selling munchies here today are going to make a bundle. Genius.

Admittedly, it felt a little weird being there by myself, but it afforded me no distractions - I wanted to take it all in. After wandering around a bit more I headed back towards the main stage. They were asking that people start lining up for the Marijuana March. Buzz from High Times Magazine started to speak and the crowd listened.

It was then I cursed myself for not having had my Camcorder fixed, and berated myself for not getting a tape recorder. Costly rookie mistakes I thought, and put my faith that all of this was going to pop up on YouTube anyways. (and it did, Thanks Internets!)

Then, Marc and Jodie Emery appeared. Now I've read much about the "Prince of Pot" and of course have watched him on TV and the web, but being there, hearing him speak right in front of me was a pretty cool thing.

At one point during Mr. Emery's speech I even started to tear up. I was sad that millions of us across our country are STILL having to fight to utilize nature. I mean, how absurd is that? A plant - we have to fight to use a plant! We are criminals for choosing nature over synthetic drugs. We are called criminals because our Canadian Government has decided that we shall not have autonomy over our own personal bodies, demanding of us that our only legal alternative is to keep popping those doctor prescribed pills, effectively making politicians the gatekeepers of our health. You don't send a lawyer in to an operating room to perform open heart surgery, so why should anyone other than Physicians and Scientists write and influence our laws concerning our health?

I could have listened to Marc all afternoon, and from his enthusiasm I'm sure he would have gone on. But it was time for The Global Marijuana March and literally right before my eyes a sea of people peacefully gathered and lined up for the trek throughout Downtown Toronto.

It was hard not to notice that throughout this mass of people were members of all races, creeds, nationalities and religions. Young and old, Hippies, Yuppies, Rastafarians, Jews, Christians and Muslims. Able-bodied pushed people in wheelchairs, straight and gay couples stood side by side, Goths and Jocks, Punks and Preppies, you name it, they were there. Yes, this mass was a true representation of the wonderful diversity of Canada. All had come together as one in a show of peace and solidarity with a common goal - True freedom in the face of Government oppression.

Now I'm not sure about you, but for me, being a part of such an event is literally life transforming. Witnessing people come together in peace and love regardless of where they came from, well, the only way I can possibly describe it is emotionally overwhelming. Pride fills you up because in the moment, you cannot help but feel more a part of the Human Race than you even thought possible.

As I marched I snapped photos along the route. Motorists honked in approval and pedestrians and shopkeepers stood back in awe of over 20 000 people unified in a cause we deeply believe in. For those of you who may scoff & think this was just about people wanting to get high in public, you could not be further from the truth. While admittedly there is some novelty in the act of partaking in the use of Cannabis openly while police respectfully stood looking on, our message is so much more complex.

We marched in hopes of being recognized by our Government, and to bring awareness to those who may not know that our rallying cries "go deeper than Pot". We marched to bring forth that we as Canadians, as Humans, deserve the freedom of making choices for ourselves. We marched in hope that every one of us as individuals could one day soon let go of the fear of incarceration for utilizing Nature. We marched for the sick who are deemed Criminals for choosing Cannabis over prescription narcotics. We marched because our Government convicts us as criminals because we wish to use Cannabis as our method of medicine and recreation. We marched because this War on Drugs is, and always will be, a War on People.

Prohibition of Cannabis instantly proves that we as Canadians are not living in a free society. If we were truly free we wouldn't be hunted down by police for using a plant that is less harmful than alcohol, nicotine, prescription drugs, poor eating habits and caffeine.

Laws are necessary, we understand this. They are put in place to encourage people from inflicting harm and pain on others. But why must our Government become "Big Brother" when it comes to our very own selves? What right does Government have to demand that we abstain from one substance, and not others? Especially when they hold their hand out, collecting billions of dollars in tax revenue from alcohol and cigarettes? How dare they give full support to big pharmaceutical drug companies while crushing those of use who grow and consume Cannabis as our choice of medicine? Persecution for Cannabis is more harmful than the plant itself.

While yes, it is true that Medical Marijuana is legal in Canada, actually getting a prescription from a brave Doctor, getting through the pages of paperwork that may take over a year for Health Canada to process, and being able to afford the 1500% marked up Government Marijuana is a very real obstacle for most.

When faced with such highly demanding obstacles, is it any wonder why most of us choose to obtain our medicine through the black market? Can you blame us for cutting through ridiculous government red tape and just taking care of ourselves?

Stephen Harper et al have no right to tell me what I can, or cannot put into my body. Just as Government has no right to tell a woman whether or not she can have an abortion, Government has no right to tell me what I things I can ingest. I would go to jail for this belief. I would give up my life as I know it for this belief. I would die for this belief. Extreme? Not for me. I have been a victim of Big Pharma, I have been a victim of synthetic drugs wreaking pure havoc in my body, and I refuse to be a victim any more. I refuse to have any politician tell me they know my own body better than me. The mere notion of that is ridiculous.

When Government enacts Prohibition, it conveys "We do not trust Canadian adults to make decisions for yourselves. We're politicians, not Doctors, but we know what is best for your health."

So I marched along with the thousands of others on that day because I want to be a part of the movement to change Canadian law. I marched to show my disapproval of the Conservative Governments' introduction of Bill C-15 and Mandatory Minimum Sentencing. I marched on behalf of those who are currently incarcerated, torn away from their families and communities in the face of draconian drug laws that were born of racism and corporate greed and later fueled by Big Pharma and the Prison Industrial Complex.

At the Main Stage the countdown began and right at 4:20 the crowd cheered and I lit up with the rest of the festival goers around me. Rebel Emergency started to play and even though we were soggy and wet it didn't matter. We danced, we sang, we watched the lead singer ride the crowd on a Surf Board!

The organizers of the festival did a truly remarkable job, and deserve much thanks from all of us who enjoyed the days events. While I had a few cringe-worthy moments throughout the day (all my notes getting soaked, missing the "Brownie Booth", my Camera - Nooooo!) it was a truly awesome life experience. The peace and love shared by upwards of 25 000 was electric! It gave me hope that one day in the near future Canadians will once again regain our right to use Cannabis. Prohibition must end - our world will be a much better, safer, happier place because of it.

Needless to say, I can't wait for next year!


Video I made with my pics from the day.
~You would think the cover of the next days' Toronto Sun would have shown the sea of almost 30 000 marchers filling up the streets of Toronto - but no. Featured was a picture of retired figure skater Elvis Stojko - casually talking to someone about Karate.

US Hosts Medical Marijuana Business Seminar in Los Angeles on May 23-24

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Cannabis Career Institute Workshop May 23-24

The Cannabis Career Insitute is going to be hosting a workshop on May 23 and 24, 2009 on how to safely own and operate a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. As the Charles Lynch case has shown us, the DEA seems intent on ignoring State's Rights, and the laws passed by states who have legalized Medical Marijuana. With 14 states having legalized Medical Marijuana, and with several others (including my own state of New York), it is imperiative that Medical Marijuana growers, suppliers, caregivers and patients have reliable sources of information so that they can take every step possible to be safe against the DEA's war on Medical Marijuana, which amounts to a war on innocent American Citizens. The Cannabis Career Institute is helping to fill a void that needs to be filled.

If you cannot make this workshop, they have a online course available through their Cannabis Career Institute web site.

Medical Marijuana Dispensary/Business Work Shop

Time: May 23, 2009 at 11am to May 24, 2009 at 11am
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Organized By: George Grimes


Event Description:

Learn what it takes to safely own and operate a medical marijuana dispensary business and enjoy all the benefits of the medical cannabis industry.

For Additional Information Join the Weedworks Network.

Cannabis Career Institute

Mixing Politics And Morals

A video of Canadian politicians that have admitted to consuming cannabis. None were arrested.



These are the people that make, shape, and decide our laws. Why is it that many of them tell us "No, no, no." when they themselves puff, puff, passed...? And I wonder, how many great minds has our world missed out on because they had the unfortunate luck of being caught for simple possession?

Millions of good, otherwise law-abiding citizens use Cannabis, we are only Criminals because common men and women judge us as "immoral". What right is it of theirs as to impose their beliefs on us? When it comes to individual rights, we should be allowed to govern ourselves and our own bodies. Even if people don't always make the right decisions, they are our decisions to make, and we shall own the consequences of those decisions.

What I also do not understand, is how when alcohol and cigarettes are alrighty by the Gov, how they can dare tell us that Cannabis, which is proven to have killed no one ever, is "wrong" and "illegal". They are drugs too, which cause tens of thousands of deaths every year, if Government was serious about "Keeping us safe from ourselves" then many more substances should be on the banned list and face criminal penalty.

We have learned from our own history that Prohibition does not work, in fact, Prohibition is unrealistic. It is just not possible. Humans have been breaking laws since the first one was written. Of course it is not right to harm others, but you cannot deny it is a part of our nature. Face it, Politicians, your Constituents are not perfect, no matter how much you expect or want us to be.

We should be trusted though, an October 2007 Zogby Poll asked "If hard drugs like Heroin and Cocaine were legalised, would you be more likely to try them?

Poll: 99 Percent Wouldn't Use Hard Drugs If They Were Legalized

Posted in Chronicle Blog by David Borden on Wed, 12/05/2007 - 11:09am EDITORIAL ADVISORY -- December 5, 2007

If Heroin or Cocaine Were Legal, Would You Use Them? Zogby Poll Suggests Prohibition Doesn't Reduce Hard Drug Use

Washington, DC -- Marking the 74th anniversary of the repeal of national Alcohol Prohibition, StoptheDrugWar.org today released polling results suggesting that drug prohibition's main supporting argument may be simply wrong. Drug policy reformers point to a wide range of demonstrated social harms created by the drug laws -- crime and violence, spread of infectious diseases, official corruption, easy funding for terrorist groups, to name a few -- while prohibitionists argue that use and addiction would explode if drugs were legalized. But is the prohibitionist assumption well-founded?

Zogby polling data released today asked 1,028 likely voters, "If hard drugs such as heroin or cocaine were legalized, would you be likely to use them?" Ninety-ninety percent of respondents answered, "No." Only 0.6 percent said "Yes." The remaining 0.4 percent weren't sure.

You see, Politicians, we CAN be trusted to make our own decisions. Please stop treating adults like children. It's not your place to interfere in our lives: isn't that what the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states?

7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.

"except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice." is where things get tricky. Some excerpts from The Parliament of Canada Web Site: (Please read the whole report, it is quite informative.)

CHARTER RIGHTS OF CANADIAN DRUG USERS:

A CONSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CLAY TRIAL AND RULING

Andrew D. Hathaway, Ph.D.

Rights and Freedoms of Drug Users Under the Charter

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Part I of the 1982 Constitution Act herein referred to as the Charter) states that everyone has such "fundamental freedoms" as "freedom of conscience and religion" and "freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression." No formula is provided, however, by which the selection of particular rights and exclusion of others might be explained. In this context, the right to use one’s drug of choice can be promoted in one of two ways: "First, such a right or freedom can simply be proclaimed as part of the basic rights package. If such a proclamation is lacking, the second possibility is to argue that a specified right, such as the ‘right to liberty’ guaranteed in section 7 of the Charter, extends far enough to cover the disputed action."

University of Western Ontario law professor, Robert Solomon accordingly observes:

If the right to liberty in section 7 protects personal decision making (and it seems to me if the state wants to intervene, it should do so in a principled fashion), if they wanted to draw the barrier in terms of...life and death decisions and did it consistently, I could understand that, but it doesn’t…. I am overwhelmingly of the view that if section 7 allows you to die for your religious beliefs,...if a law prohibiting access to abortion interferes with your right to life, liberty, and security as a person, if the courts recognize a realm of private decision making in the area of health and autonomy, then there is no way you can justify our current laws criminalizing possession of many drugs which are now illicit.

Since the final report of the Le Dain Commission inquiry over a quarter-century ago, a legal-political stalemate has arisen around cannabis, leaving policy reform advocates in limbo awaiting the next opportunity to press the issue back into the judicial or political forum. Steadfast resistance on the part of our law enforcement institutions has proven all the more resilient in view of the apparent ‘easy out’ option available to policy makers in passing the issue back and forth between the two forums. Although constitutional challenges are expensive to launch and would seem to stand little chance of success legally, however, Osgoode Hall law professor Alan Young underscores their importance in maintaining the media spotlight and public attention, "...because the press is very interested in the issue, and if the press is interested and the public is interested, the politicians may have to respond."

Citing recent international developments in progressive law reform and a general interest in society regarding recreational drug use, Professor Young characterizes the 1990’s revival of the cannabis reform movement as a "Renaissance period" wherein (following the repressive drug policy "dark ages" ushered in by Presidents Reagan and Bush in the US) public discussion and debate on the issue has been able to ensue once more. Since interest in drug consumption and policy ebbs and flows over time, he suggests the timing of challenges may be crucial, and that today’s socio-political climate presents a prime opportunity for law reformers to take advantage of favourable public opinion and press coverage.

While the date this report is written is not posted, I believe much of the same can be said today. With so much recent conversation regarding our prohibition laws, it is now our time once again to massively campaign for our right to use Cannabis responsibly. It must be now as Bill C-15 has been tabled into Parliament by Stephen Harper's Conservatives. While the Liberal Government is also tabling Bill C-359, (marijuana possession would still be illegal and people would receive a fine for small amounts of Cannabis) it is still not enough. Decriminalization does not stop the problem of the Black Market or the violence and drug cartel profiteering that comes from it. The only way to ensure our citizens true freedom and a safer country in which to live is to legalize Cannabis.

Will Bill C-15 kill the twin scourge of illegal drugs and gang violence?
Libby Davies, NDP MP, Vancouver East answers on Straight.com:

“There’s a lot of information, both in the United States and in Canada, that shows that mandatory minimum sentencing regimes for drug offenses are ineffective. This is all about window-dressing for the Conservatives’ crime agenda. They want to impress people with their tough-on-crime approach. One thing that will happen is that it could very much overcrowd our prisons. We find the bill to be misdirected and based on a very faulty premise. It’s based on the U.S.’s war on drugs, which has been a complete failure.”

Tomorrow, I will be joining an expected 25 000 people at the 11th. Annual Global Marijuana March. I'm hoping to be a part of history, a part of a movement that contributes to the end of prohibition. To me, persecuting Canadians who choose to use Cannabis as medicine is unethical and immoral. Our politicians must hear our cry for justice and legalize our gift from Mother Nature. Puff, Puff, Peace, everyone.... Pass It to The Left.

If I Could Hug Oregon...

Eugene, Oregon mayor proclaims Apr 30 - May 6 “Medical Marijuana Awareness Week”

I was tearing up by the time I finished reading this news. This is a sign of true change, and I applaud the efforts of Mayor Kitty Piercy and the the City of Eugene, Oregon as well as Willamette Valley NORML.

Changing the worlds view of Cannabis depends on all of us working continually, and an event such as Medical Marijuana Awareness Week proves the dedication of so many is starting to shine bright in the light of day.

Keep up the good work and momentum, everyone, bringing forth the truth about the miracle that is Cannabis to the masses will end the madness that is Prohibition.

From NORML's Daily Audio Stash:

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
City of Eugene, Oregon
PROCLAMATION
Official Proclamation of Medical Marijuana Awareness Week in Eugene, Oregon

WHEREAS: In November 1998, Oregon voters passed into law the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, allowing Oregonians suffering from debilitating medical conditions to use marijuana as medicine. Currently, nearly 25,000 patients are enrolled and over 2,900 doctors have provided recommendations for patients’ utilization of medical marijuana; and

WHEREAS: Thirteen states have passed laws allowing for chronically and seriously ill patients to use cannabis with the approval of their physicians; and

WHEREAS: On September 6, 1988, Drug Enforcement Administrations (DEA) own Administrative Law Judge, Francis L. Young, ruled that “Marijuana, in it’s natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known”; and

WHEREAS: There are over are over 17,000 published scientific studies on the therapeutic values of cannabis and cannabinoids in the National Library of Medicine, and, there are over 2,600 patents filed for the medical use of cannabinoids in the United States Patent office; and

WHEREAS: Pre-Clinical and Clinical trials indicate that cannabinoids are useful in controlling Alzheimer’s Disease, Cancer, Chronic Pain, Diabetes, G I Disorders, Hepatitis C, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoporosis, Pruritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Sleep Apnea; and,

WHEREAS: Marijuana has a history of thousands of years of safe use without any recorded deaths attributed to its use, and, all citizens deserve to know the truth about cannabis,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kitty Piercy, Mayor of the City of Eugene, Oregon, do hereby proclaim the Week of April 30th, 2009 to May 6th, 2009 as “Medical Marijuana Awareness Week” in the city of Eugene, and encourage all citizens to join in this observance.

Kitty Piercy, Mayor
Dated this 22nd day of April 2009

Thank You, Oregon, your willingness to embrace the facts of Medical Marijuana above years of Propaganda makes you a Leader among States. Bravo!

Signs of Change

Highway 420 has some great suggestions for Activism Signs. With the Global Marijuana March coming up on May 2nd it's time to break out the Bristol Board and markers, and show your support towards stopping Bill C-15 and ending Cannabis Prohibition.

CannabisFacts.ca also has a wonderful page regarding Bill C-15 with lots of info, including a downloadable information handout that you can print and distribute.


Truth is Power. Pass It to The Left.

Smartest. Frog. Ever.

Jello Biafra goes over the reasons that Marijuana/Hemp was outlawed as presented in Jack Herer's book "The Emperor Wears No Clothes", first published in 1985. From "I Blow Minds for a Living", recorded at Slim's, San Francisco, Nov. 21, 1990.





18 years later, and the frog is still right... GROW... MORE... POT!!!

The Peanut Gallery

"The prosecution of thousands of otherwise law-abiding citizens every year is both hypocritical and an affront to individual, civil and human rights."

~ Raymond Kendall, Secretary General of Interpol

I read an article in The Vancouver Sun: "Thousands of marijuana smokers gather in Vancouver to celebrate '420'" and, as always, just like on thousands of other internet message boards and commentary sections of cannabis-related articles, there were some comments that just oozed misinformation and propaganda-drenched thinking. Here are some quotes from Harry J. Anslinger, Director of the FBN, that underpin the current propaganda and which are the foundation for cannabis prohibition.

"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others."

"...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."

"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death."

"Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men."

"Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing"

"You smoke a joint and you're likely to kill your brother."

"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind."

In 1930, a new division in the Treasury Department was established: the Federal Bureau of Narcotics or FBN. Andrew Mellon, owner of Mellon Bank and head of the Department of Treasury, named his nephew-in-law, Harry J. Anslinger, as the director. Mellon was good friends with William Randolph Hearst, owner of a newspaper empire and heavy investor in the timber industry. Hearst did not want to compete with hemp, nor did DuPont want to compete with hemp in the textile and plastics industry, this all set the stage for The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937.

After two years of secret planning, Anslinger brought his plan to Congress -- complete with a scrapbook full of sensational Hearst editorials, stories of ax murderers who had supposedly smoked marijuana, and racial slurs.

The Bureau used the Mexican slang term marijuana in the legislation and not publicizing it as a bill about cannabis or hemp. At this point, marijuana (or marihuana) was a sensationalist word used to refer to Mexicans smoking a drug and had not been connected in most people's minds to the existing cannabis/hemp plant. Thus, many who had legitimate reasons to oppose the bill weren't even aware of it.

These are the underlying reasons cannabis is illegal: racism and corporate greed. And, for the life of me, I cannot understand why Canada buys into such madness. If we don’t oppose legislation like Bill C-15 (6-9 Months in jail for growing ONE Cannabis Plant) we are surely heading down a dark path of destruction. Studies show that mandatory minimum sentencing does not work. Ask yourself if you want to continue to live within a system where billions of dollars are spent annually to support an ever growing prison system filled with otherwise law abiding non-violent "offenders". What do you think of the State of Texas? Who in 1997 built ONE university - and 77 prisons. Is that a Canada you are prepared to live in? Because if we keep this unrealistic War On a Plant up I'm afraid that's where we're headed.

There are many substances that aren’t good for us - alcohol being among the worst - but we don’t throw alcoholics in jail unless they have broken the law. No, we treat alcoholism as a health problem, with medical supervision and rehabilitation. That is the humane approach to addiction, not jail. One could argue that too many cheeseburgers and pop and potato chips and Twinkies and Timmie’s Cafe Lattes are also harmful to one’s health, but we don’t throw obese people and sugar fiends in jail either.

Legalizing cannabis will have a ripple effect throughout our communities. Families won’t lose bread winners who are sent to jail for simple possession, and we can make billions of dollars from a revitalized Hemp Industry, creating Green Jobs and helping our environment.

People will save money by being able to grow their own medicine, as well as become healthier for not ingesting so many synthetic legally prescribed narcotics. People with cancer and HIV disease and Multiple Sclerosis sufferers will be able to treat their pain without the fear of arrest. Addicts can get help in Harm Reduction programs without the fear of incarceration - making them more likely to seek help.

We would be able to keep drugs out of the hands of minors more effectively because, unlike drug dealers, cannabis dispensaries are going to require ID. You can ask any high school kid and they will tell you, it is hard to get alcohol and cigarettes because of age restrictions, but they could have pot in their hands within minutes. Legalizing it will wipe out the cannabis black market which violent gangs profit from, also lessening related violence in our society. Look at Mexican Drug Cartels, the Prohibition of the Cannabis plant causes more death and destruction than the actual plant ever could.

The "Gateway Theory" also does not hold - if it did there would be crackheads and heroin users crawling the streets, because MILLIONS use Cannabis and never touch the harder stuff. The nonpartisan National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine -- which published a multiyear, million-dollar federal study assessing marijuana and health in 1999 stated: "millions of Americans have tried marijuana, but most are not regular users [and] few marijuana users become dependent on it." The investigator added, "[A]though [some] marijuana users develop dependence, they appear to be less likely to do so than users of other drugs (including alcohol and nicotine), and marijuana dependence appears to be less severe than dependence on other drugs."

Prohibition also causes cannabis-seeking citizens to associate with drug dealers, and it is usually they who try to up sell harder drugs like methamphetamine and heroin. After all, if they are trying to make you a lifelong customer and cannabis is less addictive than other widely used intoxicants, including caffeine. Having safe dispensaries in which to purchase Cannabis would cut down one's exposure to these more harmful substances and dangerous situations dramatically.

In the end, what we choose to put into our own bodies should be a personal choice, and not one of the Government. It's time for everyone to shake off the Propaganda that has been shoved down our sheepish little throats for over 70 years and look a little deeper for the truth. The Government must realize it can't legislate human behavior. As long as someone is using cannabis responsibly, there is no reason to demonize and criminalize this wonder plant. Cannabis has been used by the human race for over 10,000 years, yet there has never been one recorded death from a Cannabis overdose, but thousands of people die in Canada every year from nicotine, alcohol, prescription medication reactions and side effects, unhealthy eating, and caffeine. So why is it that cannabis is illegal? Since when should moral judgment trump scientific fact?

Prohibition must end. It didn't work for alcohol (Al Capone, anyone?) and it will never, ever, work for Cannabis. Just ask the thousands of people who turned up to celebrate 420 in Vancouver, or the 15 000+ who showed up in Colorado, and the thousands who turned up to hundreds of 420 celebrations around the globe. Yet to come? The Global Marijuana March on May 2nd.

Whether you agree with using Cannabis or not, it comes down to citizens being free to make that personal decision for ourselves. Cannabis is here to stay and it's never going to go away. Better to legalize it, regulate it, and take control away from drug cartels. It's the smart thing to do.

Pass It to The Left.

Like the LCBO for Liquor, Canadians could have Legal, Regulated Dispensaries.
~Pic from FrankDiscussion.net

Obama White House, Eric Holder's Department of Justice Targeting a Holocaust Against Medical Marijuana Caregivers, Growers, Suppliers and Users.

The Department of justice has made it official that they intend on cracking down on anyone involved in the Medical Marijuana industry, regardless of the states laws on Medical Marijuana.

Needless to say, this is seriously bad news...question is, can the Medical Marijuana Movement do anything if we continue to sit on our hands...letter writing is NOT WORKING, while media coverage WILL WORK. We wrote letters, contacted our elected officials, prayed, and that DID NOT END THE VIETNAM WAR...taking to the streets, being in the NEWS EVERY FREAKING NIGHT ended that war. It will take that same effort to end the wrongful WAR ON DRUGS, and the sooner we come to this realization, the better off we will all be.

We have 25 million cannabis smokers across America...it is my belief, my contention that we are not going to get any POSITIVE forward movement on Medical Marijuana or on cannabis legalization any time soon unless we organize and MARCH, and I am talking in LARGE NUMBERS. You put half a million people on the streets in say five major cities...New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago would work...and you will see movement and action. You have smaller groups of us picking up our protest signs and taking to the streets, and we will get action. You call a million person Woodstock like SMOKE IN down on Washington, DC, and YOU WILL PUSH THE ISSUE.

How many more people need sent to prison before we all wake up to the reality that drastic actions are required here? The war on drugs has lasted SEVENTY YEARS because WE HAVE ALLOWED IT TO LAST. If states have voted to have LEGAL Medical Marijuana, then they have a duty to PROTECT those citizens in their states that did everything by the books according to state law, and that includes using local, state police, and if necessary the State National Guard to evict the DEA from their cities, to chain shut Federal Court Houses. Arnold has the ability in California to DRAW THE LINE IN THE SAND, but he does not have the balls to do it. That leaves it up to the 420 Community to demand real change, to MARCH FOR OUR CIVIL RIGHTS.

Showing up for sentencing on the 23rd of Charles Lynch...that is all nice and well, but it is NOT GOING TO DO ANY GOOD, he is still going to be handcuffed, dragged up to prison for up to ONE HUNDRED YEARS...chain shut the court house, encircle it in PEACEFUL PROTEST with so many people that the courthouse has no choice but to SHUT DOWN, that will get attention on this issue, give these victims of the goosestepping agents of the DEA a fighting chance for justice. Face it people...in WAR YOU FIGHT, OR YOU LOSE.

Obama is not scaling back the war on drugs, HE IS TURNING UP THE HEAT, the DEA and Eric Holder's Department of Justice are looking for the easy to pluck low hanging fruit, and that low hanging fruit makes every Medical Marijuana user, grower, supplier and caregiver A TARGET in all 13 states that have laws allowing Medical Marijuana use. Charles, Tom Kikuchi, Stephanie Landa, Dustin Costa...how many more of your friends, your compatriots are going to be scooped up by the BLACK HAND of the DEA before you realize this is a HOLOCAUST aimed at and against ten percent of Americans Citizens?

We have how many Pot Smokers on TWITTER? Where are my Budding Bloggers, at least one in every state so that we can network and have INSTANT communications to get stories out? Where is every smoker on Twitter joining up and participating in the Medical Marijuana Society Network? We need to GET SERIOUS PEOPLE, and I hope this Blog Message is the start of a NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION.

Sign up, volunteer, get involved...we need ACTIVIST, and being an ACTIVISTS MEANS DOING SOMETHING BESIDES LIGHTING UP A BLUNT.

Places You Can PLUG IN TOO...we can build the tools, but if 420 Folk do not join and use them, what good are they?

Medical Marijuana Society
Medical Marijuana Society Network
Medical Marijuana Message Board
Budding Bloggers
NORML
ASA (Americans for Safe Access)

Track Marijuana News...follow us on Twitter!

Sigh Our Petition

Link to this message, cut and paste it to your blogs!

Before you say you are too busy to get involved...what if you are next on the DEA's list as they TARGET OUR COMMUNITY? Short on time...then GIVE MONEY, as it takes money to organize and advertise! Think about it...if every Pot Smoker in America DONATED TEN DOLLARS A MONTH TO THE CAUSE, we would have $250 Million EACH MONTH to wage war against our oppressors...that buys a lot of advertising, hires a lot of lobbyists, and could FUND OUR MARCHES! Yes, I am ANGRY...this war has lasted seventy years, and it is time WE END IT.

420

Tomorrow is April Twentieth. For those who are versed in the World of Cannabis, the 4th month and the 20th day has a very special meaning. There have been different legends about how the number became significant to the counterculture, but regardless of its origin, Cannabis Lovers all over the world celebrate one of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts on this day.

While there will be fun times and music throughout the 420 festivities, I ask you to please take some time to remember those who have fought on behalf of all of us over the last 70+ Years of Cannabis Prohibition.

There are millions of people and stories that each and every one of us know, about the linguistic warriors and everyday normal men and women who have become enslaved in the Prison System. And we grieve for those who have had their lives stolen, snuffed out in Death from this War, this inhumane madness, and we remember them and promise we will not let their presence here on Earth with us be forgotten. Their Light will continue to shine on through all of us.

We know of those who remain imprisoned at right this very second - because governments have succeeded in criminalizing this wonder herb that is really a miracle of our planet, and we protest those who continue their oppression of people who just want to make decisions for themselves. How is it that governments have control over our own bodies? How is it that they can lock anyone away for using a plant? A plant! We remember you, we think of you, and we will stand for you.

Yes, we will continue the fight. We will not rest until all of our voices together have become a deafening roar that will no longer be ignored by Nanny States. Our true Freedom depends on it and we will not desist. We are never going away, we will never stop. We think of all of you who have endured persecution, and this year, on 420, we will be resilient on your behalf.

For no matter where we are from, no matter the colour of our skin or the religion we believe in, when you take those things, we are all Human underneath. Good, in the end, will triumph over Evil.

Puff, Puff, Peace everyone… Pass It to the Left.

Just a Couple of Friday Hemp Factoids

The Cannabis Community is all abuzz as we approach April 20th (4/20) and the various and assorted planned activities around that day. Myself...I am leery as I watch the American News media beating a rather ugly sounding anti Marijuana Drum since Barack Obama took office...I see it as a "Custer's Last Stand" on the part of the DEA who does not want to lose what has been a very profitable enforcement run for them...as example, legalization of Medical Marijuana would see enforcement issues and inspection handed over to the FDA, and Industrialized Hemp oversight would probably go to the USDA. The just say no message is being tweaked and amped up, and we have some heavy hitters (Hillary Clinton, Janet Napolitano, Eric Holder) in the Obama administration blaming the Mexican Drug War on American Pot Smokers.
Some Factoids

1. At least 2/3's of American Marijuana Consumption (both legal and illegal) is grown right here in America, and we could easily grow 100 percent of our consumption if Cannabis and Hemp were legalized.

2. The Drug Cartel's and their war is not really about Marijuana, but instead is about Heroin and Cocaine and the routes needed to get their products into America.

On 420, have fun, CELEBRATE OUR DAY, but I would ask each and every one of my fellow Budsters out there in 420 land to remember the goal of Legalization, and consider signing up to do some volunteer work for the cause. We need state and city bloggers ourselves. ASA (Americans for Safe Access) and NORML probably have lots of volunteer work waiting for a set of hands that wants to pitch in.

We cannot realize our dream without every Cannabis Friendly American doing their part for the cause, and while we are on the subject, lets not forget that our friends in Canada are dealing with many of the same issues and harrassments we ourselves face.

Tags: 420, cannabis, dea, friendly, hemp, legalization, marijuana, medical, obama,