William Breathes

Denver Cops Slammed on Facebook for Halloween Pot-Edibles Warnings

By William Breathes on October 28, 2014 Follow that story, FTP, Say what?

A cropped image from the Denver Police Department Facebook page. More photos plus two videos below.

Last month, we shared Denver Police Department concerns about trick-or-treaters possibly being slipped marijuana edibles on Halloween. Literally hundreds of readers ripped such fears as unreasonable and reactionary. But rather than backing down, the DPD upped the ante with a video on the alleged threat, plus a Facebook campaign rolled out over the past couple of weeks. Thus far, the majority of those who’ve responded to the department on Facebook have been more upset by what they see as fear-mongering than by the prospect of kids being dosed without their knowledge.

Uruguay Votes for New President, Marijuana Future Cloudy

By William Breathes on October 27, 2014 Follow that story, Global, Legalize It, News, Say what?

Soft spoken leftist Uruguayan President Jose Mujica’s dream of legalizing cannabis to curb violence and drug problems in his country may be on the outs along with his role as the country’s leader.

Washington D.C. Legalization Initative Gets Support of local NAACP and National Organization for Women

By William Breathes on October 27, 2014 News

Think marijuana use, cultivation and possession of limited amounts of pot should be legal for adults 21 and up? Think you should be able to purchase some pot at a local, neighborhood store possibly right in the shadow of the nation’s capitol? You’re not alone.
The D.C. marijuana initiative has received the support of the local chapters of the NAACP and the National Organization for Women.

420 Dating Is Now a Thing

By William Breathes on October 27, 2014 Culture

It appears to us that nearly half the online dating profiles out there express affinity for long walks on the beach. The other half seem to say, “420 friendly,” at least in L.A. Los Angeles marijuana entrepreneur Miguel Lozano noticed that too, and this year he launched cannabis dating site my420mate.com with partner Jay Lindberg.
Lozano, a clothier who helped to organize the Bong Olympics way back when and who plans a 20-year anniversary of that event soon, says his was the world’s first pot dating platform. He says it’s also the most prominent. A Google search seems to prove that: It comes out on top.

Anti-Pot Doctor Implies Weed May Have Contributed to Death of Cop-Shooting Victim Michael Brown

By William Breathes on October 27, 2014 Medical, News

Did marijuana contribute to — and perhaps even cause — the death of Michael Brown, whose shooting by a police officer caused weeks of rioting in Ferguson, Missouri? That’s the implication of a blog post by Dr. Christian Thurstone, an addiction specialist who’s also a major player in Project SAM, a national organization fighting to prevent greater access to cannabis.
Project SAM has already distanced itself from Thurstone’s post after initially hyping it, following a Twitter spat with marijuana reformers. Meanwhile, Thurstone’s position echoes previous suggestions by Christine Tatum, his wife and co-blogger, that pot may have played a role in the Boston Marathon bombing and the Columbine and Aurora theater shootings. Denver Westword has more.

West Hollywood Medical Marijuana Shop Raided by Feds

By William Breathes on October 27, 2014 News

Happy Monday. Here’s your reminder that the war on medical cannabis is alive and well — even in the state that basically started it all: California.
Last week U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officers aided a pair of well-known L.A. area dispensaries, the Farmacy shops in West Hollywood and Westwood. LA Weekly has the local angle.

Santa Monica Bans E-Cigarettes For Outdoor Diners

By William Breathes on October 24, 2014 News

Vapeday.

Santa Monica, once a bastion of liberal freedoms, has formally banned e-cigarette use in outdoor dining areas, in parks, at beaches, around libraries, and at the city’s famed pier — which means stealthily getting your buzz on via vape pens loaded with THC juice just got a lot harder.
Santa Monica even banned vaping near ATMs, at bus stops, and “within 20 feet of the entrance, exit or open window of any building open to the public,” according to a city statement released yesterday. More at the LA Weekly.

San Diego Patients Under Siege (VIDEO)

By William Breathes on October 24, 2014 News, Say what?

Earlier this week, a reader passed along the following note and video to us. It’s a frustrating tale that unfortunately is all too common, even in states that allow for medical cannabis use and cultivation.
“Deborah and Dennis are elderly patients living in San Diego that decided to grow a small amount of cannabis for personal use and soon after were raided by the San Diego Narcotics Task Force. Deborah Little has been HIV positive for over 20 years and her husband suffers from nerve damage – there is no reason they should have been raided and dragged through the judicial system. Thankfully, they were both found NOT GUILTY in the end, but not before the public officials made their life a living hell for nearly 2 years. It is a true injustice that patients are still having to deal with this in 2014.”

Ferguson Protesters React to Leaked Testimony, Michael Brown Autopsy that Showed Marijuana In System

By William Breathes on October 24, 2014 News, Say what?

Danny Wicentowski.

The investigation into the death of Michael Brown has sprung a leak. Three leaks, in fact. First, the New York Times published details from the Ferguson police officer who fatally shot Brown, Darren Wilson. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch then got its hands on the official autopsy. And finally the Washington Post announced that several black witnesses have given testimony that matches Wilson’s version of events.
After months of keeping a tight lid on the grand jury and civil rights investigations into Brown’s death, the leaks feel like a little more than coincidence, especially as the city braces for the potential violence if Wilson is not indicted with a charge in Brown’s death.

Allegedly Racist Drug Cop Frank Lyga Fired by LAPD Chief, His Lawyer Says

By William Breathes on October 24, 2014 Follow that story, FTP

A week ago we told you about controversial cop Frank Lyga with the Los Angeles Police Department, who has been accused of being a racist asshole. It seems Lyga’s bosses think so, too. Lyga was terminated by Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck, the detective’s attorney, Ira Salzman, told L.A. Weekly yesterday.
Lyga was sent home with pay in June after a recording of comments he made to an ongoing-training course for law enforcement was brought to the media’s attention by political consultant Jasmyne Cannick. The white detective, who justifiably* shot a black officer in 1997 while both were out of uniform, said, “I could have killed a whole truckload of them.”

Author William Breathes