William Breathes

Judge Tosses Evidence of New Jersey Man Busted In Home With Medical Marijuana

By William Breathes on November 12, 2014 Medical, News

YouTube/SativaCross

Scott Waselik.

October 8, 2013 was a bad day for Scott Waselik. After being stabbed in the chest by his roommate, Kevin Rios, Waselik had to drive to a local police station for help. Once there, he gave the police his home address – reluctantly, he says – before being whisked off to a local hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the cops were raiding his home, not only to arrest Rios but to charge Waselik with possession of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia.
Thankfully, a judge this week has some common sense and ruled that the cops didn’t have the right to go into the home in the first place and has tossed out all of the evidence against Waselik.

Pot Candy Maker Accused of Dosing Unknowing People Accuses Former Employee of Sabotage

By William Breathes on November 12, 2014 Follow that story, News, Say what?

In August, a number of people came forward to say they’d gotten sick after eating chocolate from the LivWell booth at the Denver County Fair. Turns out the sweets they’d ingested were actually marijuana edibles, which weren’t supposed to be handed out on fair grounds. A class-action lawsuit followed, with at least six people signing on.
Now, LivWell has reportedly pointed the finger of blame at an allegedly disgruntled former employee, Daniel de Sailles. But rather than going to ground, de Sailles is denying the allegations in the press and social media.

Does Your Homeowners’ Policy Cover Your Marijuana Plants?

By William Breathes on November 12, 2014 News

This past Friday, IRIS Fire Investigations held a “Hash Oil Hazards Training for the Insurance Industry” seminar. The seminar focused primarily on the ways that making hash oil at home (typically using butane) can go terribly wrong, and what investigators at a suspicious fire should look for. But there was also an interesting discussion involving personal property, standard homeowner insurance coverage and cannabis plants.

Reminder: Medical Marijuana Save the Lives of Veterans With PTSD

By William Breathes on November 11, 2014 News

Sean Azzariti spent six years in the Marines and was deployed to Iraq twice. Today he’s fighting for the right to use medical marijuana. “When I first got out of the military, in October 2006, I was diagnosed with severe PTSD,” he recalls.
The doctors prescribed heavy prescription drugs, but they didn’t work for him. Instead, Azzariti turned to cannabis. “It saved my life,” he says.

Another Government-Funded Study Claims Marijuana Makes You Stupid

By William Breathes on November 11, 2014 News, Say what?

People who smoke marijuana regularly may have lower IQs than those who don’t, or maybe they don’t. A recent study by the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas is rather inconclusive on the whole thing, despite the study making headlines as pure fact.

Antique Shop Owners in District Re-Dubbed “Green Mile” in Denver Okay Re-branding Idea

By William Breathes on November 11, 2014 News, Say what?

For years, a large section of South Broadway has been known as Antique Row. Now, however, representatives of some marijuana businesses that are now located along that stretch have floated the idea of re-branding the area as “The Green Mile” — and, to put it mildly, veteran antique-shop entrepreneurs haven’t embraced the notion.
More at the Denver Westword.

Eighteen Disputed Ballots to Decide if One Colorado Town Will Allow Rec Pot

By William Breathes on November 11, 2014 Legalize It, News

From KJCT coverage.

Last week, Manitou Springs, Colorado voters approved recreational marijuana sales in their town, while residents of other communities turned thumbs-down. The folks in Palisade, on Colorado’s Western Slope, are somewhere in-between on the issue, at least for now. A recreational-pot measure appeared to narrowly lose, but that result could be reversed depending on what happens with eighteen disputed ballots. Photos, video and details below.

How New York City’s New Plan to Ticket Instead of Arrest for Pot Could Backfire

By William Breathes on November 11, 2014 News, Say what?

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Commissioner Bill Bratton are reportedly ready to announce a big change in the way the NYPD deals with low-level pot arrests. Police officers will begin issuing tickets for pot possession rather than making an arrest, according to a report published by the New York Times on Sunday. The change would mean anyone found in possession of a small amount of pot would given a notice to show up in court, rather than be put in handcuffs and hauled down to the station, where they would be have to be fingerprinted and have a mugshot taken.
It sounds like a step in the right direction, but advocates and officials are voicing concerns about the proposed changes.

Everything You Need to Know About New York City’s New Marijuana Possession Policy

By William Breathes on November 11, 2014 News, Say what?

The New York City Police Department announced Monday that officers will be adopting new guidelines when it comes to marijuana possession stops. What does that mean for you? Here’s the skinny from our sister paper, the Village Voice.
When do the new guidelines go into effect? November 19, 2014
How much weed can I be caught with? 25 grams or less.
How much is that? About a sandwich bag full.

Cops in South Portland Ignore Citizen Mariuana Decriminalization Vote

By William Breathes on November 7, 2014 FTP, News, Say what?

More than 52 percent of voters in South Portland, Maine made it clear earlier this week that they are tired of their fellow South Portlanders getting hassled for small amounts of herb. A new ordinance makes the possession of an ounce or less legal for adults 21-and-up.
The move is largely symbolic, but the cops still say they don’t care. They’ll continue to enforce the law as they see fit.
South Portland Police Chief Ed Googins says his officers are going to ignore the people they are charged with protecting and serving. The same thing happened in Portland, which passed a similar measure earlier this year and yet still sees marijuana possession charges in their courts.

Author William Breathes