William Breathes

Florida cannabis activist considering running for political office

By William Breathes on September 10, 2013 News

John Tracey.

Small acts of defiance have sometimes sparked political infernos. December 1955: seamstress Rosa Parks refuses to sit in the back of the bus and touches off the Montgomery bus boycott. August 1980: electrician Lech Walesa hops a fence at the Gdansk shipyards and goes on to lead a strike that opens a crack that spreads until the Soviet empire collapses. July 2013: marijuana legalization activist John Tracey defies a deputy sheriff’s order to cease petitioning at Cruzan Amphitheatre and…
… read the rest over at the Broward-Palm Beach New Times

Missouri professor busted for cultivation after posting questionable Facebook joke

By William Breathes on September 9, 2013 News, Say what?

An off-color joke by a Missouri college professor on Facebook led to would-be comedian being busted for growing marijuana last week.
Matthew Rouch, a 57-year-old professor at Northwest Missouri State University, allegedly either sent a message to or posted on the wall of a friend that he looked forward to the start of a new year at the University, but that “by October I’ll be wanting to get up to the top of the bell tower with a high powered rifle – with a good scope, and probably a gatling [sic]gun as well.”

Free joints promised for adults 21 and over at Colorado anti-pot-taxation rally today

By William Breathes on September 9, 2013 News, Say what?

Miguel Lopez, organizer of the annual 4/20 rally at Denver’s Civic Center Park, has obtained a permit to stage what’s described in a press release as a “‘No on Proposition AA’ Campaign” to fight against a proposed state tax on recreational marijuana — one that could be as high as 30 percent.
And Lopez has announced that free joints will be given away to attendees who are 21 and over. Denver Westword has your coverage.

Miami man says Bikram yoga broke his back, forced him to smoke herb for pain

By William Breathes on September 9, 2013 Say what?

flickr.com/tiarescott

Long before Eric Oriol became Bikram’s enemy number one, he was just another student at Bikram Yoga North Miami. He loved that the classes in 107-degree heat helped him keep off the pounds. (“Us Haitians, if we don’t eat beans and rice, it’s like we’re not having dinner!” he says.) However, he soon began to feel excruciating pain in his lower back.
Oriol, who had injured his back years ago in the Navy, was wary of overdoing it. But his instructors encouraged him to continue taking classes — and paying, he says. Miami New Times has the rest of this strange tale.

Mexico City Council considering pot clubs, legalizing cultivation

By William Breathes on September 6, 2013 Global, Growing, Legislation, News

Mexico City Council is debating allowing private marijuana smoking clubs as well as the private cultivation of cannabis plants as a way of easing drug-related crime in the violence-torn nation.
While the idea makes perfect sense to supporters and anyone with a set of eyes who can see marijuana prohibition has failed, Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto says he’s against the measure and any legalization efforts.

Puerto Rico legislature mulls medical marijuana

By William Breathes on September 6, 2013 Global, Legislation, Medical

The U.S. tiny island territory south of Florida is now considering allowing medical marijuana for various medical conditions, according to the Associated Press. The proposal would also allow for state-regulated medical cannabis dispensaries as well as giving patients the option of growing their own herb.
“Treating this strictly as something that should be punished has clearly not worked,” Rep. Carlos Vargas, the bill’s other author, told the AP.

Ricky Williams used to smoke herb before games, claims former teammate

By William Breathes on September 6, 2013 Stoned Sports

It shouldn’t be that much of a surprise that Ricky Williams used to smoke pot the night before Dolphins games. And it’s even less of a surprise that former Dolphins Channing Crowder is blabbing about it.
Former linebacker Crowder was on WQAM yesterday morning when he started addressing Williams’ marijuana use. Miami New Times has the full story.

John McCain changing his mind about marijuana legalization?

By William Breathes on September 6, 2013 Culture, News, Say what?

You need further proof that marijuana attitudes are rapidly changing in this country? Here’s your sign: former presidential candidate Sen, John McCain, a republican from Arizona, now says he’s open to marijuana legalization.
Yeah, you read that right. The guy who called marijuana a “gateway drug” as recently as 2007 is saying he’s changed his mind.

Californians busted for drug posession to avoid jail time under proposed law

By William Breathes on September 5, 2013 Legislation, News

Smoke a joint, go to jail? Not too much anymore. Not in California. In 2010, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law making possession of less than an ounce of weed a ticket-worth infraction.
Now State Sen. Mark Leno has seen his bill that would allow non-violent drug possession convicts to be tried as misdemeanor cases pass the state assembly this week. The law would expand the lax stance on having a little in your pocket (so long as you’re not a violent felon) to other drugs. LA Weekly has the rest.

Pro-marijuaan billboard put up outside NFL season opener in Denver

By William Breathes on September 5, 2013 News, Say what?, Stoned Sports

The Marijuana Policy Project has placed another sports-related pro-marijuana billboard, this time targeting the National Football League and their harsh penalties for players caught using cannabis.
That policy is especially harsh in Colorado and Washington where the use, possession and cultivation of limited amounts of marijuana are now legal, MPP spokesman Mason Tvert says.

Author William Breathes