2012 April

Marijuana Documentary Looks Inside Oaksterdam Weed College

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 16, 2012 Culture, Products

California 90420 Offers An In-Depth Look Inside Oaksterdam University, Opens On 4/20

Oaksterdam University Was Recently Raided by Federal Agents

Each year, marijuana enthusiasts and activists around the country gather to celebrate 4/20 as a holiday. This year, a new documentary entitled California 90420 will be released on 4/20 in more than 50 theaters nationwide, making it one the widest theatrical releases ever for a marijuana-related documentary.

90420 focuses on the rapidly open and growing marijuana trade in California, which is setting precedent for the rest of the nation. The film explores the burgeoning ‘above ground’ industry through the eyes of four, 20-something characters whose real lives are caught up in the changing green landscape. This groundbreaking feature documentary is directed by Dean Shull, one of the guys that brought you the hit comedy, Waiting…

Don’t Even Think About Taking Colorado Weed Through Texas

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 16, 2012 Culture

David B. Sloane, Attorney

Don’t drive through the Texas Panhandle carrying Colorado marijuana — unless you plan on needing the services of attorney David Sloane

Beware in the Texas Panhandle (Potter, More, Hartley & Dallam counties)

By David B. Sloane

Criminal Defense Attorney

In my criminal defense practice I am seeing some alarming trends in police Drug Interdiction tactics in the Texas Panhandle with Colorado’s relaxation of their marijuana laws. I am finding myself defending people in these areas more than ever before.

The Texas Highway Patrol (Department of Public Safety) and a few local agencies have stepped up and bolstered their drug interdiction tactics dramatically in the Texas Panhandle corridor leading from Colorado in an area primarily North and West of Amarillo. US Highway 87 running through Potter, Moore, Hartley, and Dallam Counties appears to be the areas where police are most active in their Drug Interdiction efforts.

AZ Takes Marijuana Dispensary Applications Starting May 14

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 16, 2012 Dispensaries, News

Where’s Weed?

According to Arizona’s Department of Health Services Director, Will Humble, “The tumblers have clicked, and the race to apply for a dispensary [in Arizona]is on.”

Humble has given the go-ahead for accepting medical marijuana dispensary licenses in Arizona between May 14 and May 25.

You can check out our Registration Certificate Application Checklist [PDF], Instructions [PDF] and Application [PDF] on Arizona Department of Health Services’ Medical Marijuana Dispensary webpage.

Richard Lee Endorses Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 16, 2012 Legislation, News

Oaksterdam History

Richard Lee: “Medical cannabis prohibition is unjust and counterproductive”

Cannabis icon Richard Lee, in one of his first statements since the raid on Oaksterdam University, has endorsed the Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment.

“Can you imagine seeing your life’s work raided and seized?” Lee asked in a telephone interview. “Many patients like me can.”

At age 27, while working as a lighting technician, Lee fell off a scaffold and broke his back. A paraplegic, he must now use a wheelchair. Standard prescription pills didn’t ease the pain, but medical cannabis did.

Huge Victory For Canada’s Medical Marijuana Patients: Edibles, Topicals, Cannabis Tea Now Allowed

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 13, 2012 Global, Medical, News

Darren Stone/The Victoria Times Colonist

Owen Smith (center) was the head baker for the Cannabis Buyers’ Club of Canada. He will still have to stand trial on charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and unlawful possession of marijuana.

In a huge victory for Canada’s medical marijuana patients, people authorized to use medicinal cannabis can use it in infused edibles and drink it in tea — not just smoke the dried flowers — the B.C. Supreme Court ruled on Friday.

Justice Robert Johnston said the restriction to dried cannabis only in Health Canada’s Medical Access Regulations is unconstitutional, violating Section 7 of the Charter of Rights, reports Louise Dickinson at The Victoria Times Colonist.

“The remedy for this breach is to remove the word ‘dried’ where it appears in the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations and I so order,” Justice Johnston said.

BREAKING: Grumbine & Byron Granted New Marijuana Trial

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 13, 2012 News

Catrina Coleman/West Coast Leaf

Joe Grumbine outside the Long Beach Courthouse with his grandchild Jojo

Joe Grumbine and Joe Byron, whose recent trial for operating a medical cannabis dispensary in Southern California attracted worldwide attention — make that horror and disbelief — for judicial and jury misconduct and prejudice, has been granted a new trial.

“This was a terrible, terrible trial,” said Long Beach Superior Court Judge Joan Comparet-Cassani, who granted the motion for a new trial.

“I read the transcript [of the previous trial]and I am appalled,” Judge Comparet-Cassani said on Friday, reports Cheri Sicard of The Human Solution, who attended the hearing along with Grumbine and other members of the group.

Felony Hash: Are Texas Laws Unconstitutionally Vague?

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 13, 2012 Legislation, News

DFW NORML

In most states, simple possession of small amounts of hash is treated exactly the same as possession of marijuana — punishable as a misdemeanor. But not in Texas.

By David B. Sloane, Attorney

DFW NORML Public Information Officer

In Texas, possession of so-called “hash” is classified as a felony of varying degrees of severity depending on how much is possessed by aggregate weight.

In the overwhelming majority of states, simple possession for small amounts of hash derived naturally from the marijuana plant is treated exactly the same as possession of marijuana — punishable as a misdemeanor. Even states known for their draconian drug laws treat hash the same way as they treat marijuana.

Lowest Priority Cannabis Enforcement: Signature Gathering Begins In WA

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 13, 2012 Legislation, News

Sensible Washington

Recently the cannabis advocacy group Sensible Washington announced it was filing initiatives making marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority in six cities throughout Washington State. Now signature gathering drive has begun in three of those cities: Olympia, Everett and Bremerton.

“It is our goal to get these quickly on the ballot, as to effectively run a successful campaign to pass these initiatives into law,” said Anthony Martinelli of Sensible Washington.

If put on the ballot and passed, these initiatives, all titled the Marijuana Reform Act of 2012, will make cannabis the lowest law-enforcement priority, and also prohibit city and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities over the implementation of federal cannabis policies.

Police Say Dealer Had 89 Bags Of Hard Drugs Tied To His Penis

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 12, 2012 News

Philadelphia Inquirer

Ray Woods had 89 bags of heroin and cocaine tied to his penis. He urinated on the police officer who removed them.

Suspect Urinated On Police Officer As The Drugs Were Removed

When police officers noticed an “large bulge” in 23-year-old Ray Woods’ groin area after they stopped him last weekend for a traffic violation, the man had the balls to insist “it was nothing.”

But the officers found some marijuana in the vehicle, and Woods, of Philadelphia, was placed under arrest for possession. He caught an additional charge of possessing drugs with intent to distribute after officers claimed they later found 89 individual bags of suspected heroin and cocaine tied to his penis following a search at the Folcroft, Pennsylvania police station, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

It was, in fact, hard drugs the police officers found tied to Woods’ penis, and not marijuana as was erroneously reported by The Raw Story.

“He stopped him for the traffic violation and one thing led to another,” said Police Corporal Christopher Eiserman, a 14-year veteran of the force who allowed he’d never seen anything like it.

Free Marijuana Prisoner Rev. Eddy Lepp: The Lepp-A-Thon

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on April 12, 2012 Culture, News

California 420 Cannabis Network

Rev. Eddy Lepp, left, with hemp legend Jack Herer

By Mickey Martin

Cannabis Warrior

Some great activists are working on fundraising for Reverend Eddy Lepp and have organized a silent auction to help raise funds for his defense efforts. The auction contains a lot of great items to bid on, including vacations, glass pieces, tickets, and a whole lot more.

To see these great items and to place a bid to help out Eddy visit the auction site HERE. Our brothers and sisters sit in jail today because of a safe, enjoyable, and helpful plant. Please do your part to help free the old man from the clutches of tyranny.

Monthly Archives: April, 2012