William Breathes

LA Marijuana Farmers Market Shut Down via Judge’s Order

By William Breathes on September 2, 2014 News

The Eastside marijuana farmers market that made huge headlines when it opened for the Fourth of July weekend has been ordered by a judge to stop operating.
The preliminary injunction follows an initial temporary restraining order granted after the L.A. City Attorney’s office took organizers to court and argued that the law doesn’t allow dispensary operators to open their doors to suppliers who could then sell directly to patients, which is apparently what happened at the California Heritage Market.

Florida Medical Marijuana Backer Debated Pot with State’s Top Sheriff

By William Breathes on August 29, 2014 Medical, News

The battle royal over medical marijuana went down last night. And by “battle royal,” we mean a debate between the heads of the two opposing sides.
John Morgan, the Orland-based attorney and medical marijuana advocate who has poured millions of his own money into getting Amendment 2 passed, debated the head of the Florida Sheriff’s Association, Sheriff Grady Judd, last night in Lakeland. The debate pitted Morgan, who heads United for Care, and Judd, sheriff of Polk County and president of the largest opposition to Amendment 2. Broward-Palm Beach New Times has the full story.

Reddit-Hyped “Hash Hike” on 14er Under Attack by “Pompous Assholes”

By William Breathes on August 29, 2014 News, Stoned Sports

News flash: Plenty of people in Colorado regularly engage in outdoor recreational activities after using marijuana. But the notion of a so-called “Hash Hike,” slated to take place on (we’re pretty sure) Saturday morning on a nearby 14er, has resulted in online vibe-harshing between the Reddit users coordinating it and more traditional climbers.
The location for the hike is Mt. Bierstadt, which some describe as being one of the easiest 14ers to summit. Mt. Bierstadt’s accessibility means it frequently draws a crowd. During one reader’s most recent visit earlier this summer, he says people were lined up on the trail waiting for their chance to move even further above sea level.

Arizona Mayor’s Son Arrested — Again — In Connection With Dealing Drugs

By William Breathes on August 29, 2014 News

While his father presides over Florence Town Council meetings, Thomas J. Rankin Jr. is accused of slinging drugs in town. Rankin Jr., known in his hometown as Tom Tom, was arrested this week by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force, several local news outlets have reported. SanTanValley.com reported that on August 25, the Narcotics Task Force served two search warrants. One of them ended up in the arrest of Rankin Jr., 33, of Florence.
Rankin Jr. was in possession of 19.24 grams of marijuana, valued at $800, and 8.91 grams of methamphetamine packaged for sale, valued at $800. Drug paraphernalia related to the sale of dangerous drugs and narcotics were also located in the residence. He was arrested and charged with a series of drug-related offenses, including possession of marijuana and dangerous drugs for sale and using a building for the sale or manufacturing of dangerous drugs, the local news site reported.

Dennis Carter, Minnesota State University Football Star Allegedly Shot Man Over Marijuana Debt

By William Breathes on August 29, 2014 News

Dennis Carter, a standout wide receiver for MSU-Mankato, faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly shooting a longtime acquaintance in the head over a marijuana debt.
The incident occurred shortly before midnight on August 20 along a dirt road near the Renaissance Festival campgrounds in Scott County. The victim, later identified as 28-year-old Diaa Ahmed Abdelhakim, says Carter shot him execution-style and only failed to kill him because his gun jammed. Carter, on the other hand, told investigators he accidentally shot Abdelhakim after wrestling his gun away from him during a struggle.

Family of Murdered Denver Woman Puts Focus on Victim and Kids, Not Pot Edibles Controversy

By William Breathes on August 28, 2014 Follow that story, News, Say what?

Christine Kirk.

Back in April, Denver police botched a 911 call that left a mother of three children dead, shot by her husband in front of her children. But what the media seemed to focus on the most was the husband’s alleged psychosis caused by eating a piece of a marijuana edible, according to Denver cops and Denver DA’s office, who says blood tests showed “low-level” THC amounts.
It’s a story that kicked off controversy in Colorado surrounding edibles, and played heavily into lawmakers passing new, strict (and some would say useless) regulations on edibles manufacturing, potency and sales.
Now the family of Christine Kirk is finally speaking out, though they aren’t talking about the pot edibles or even the night of the murder. Instead, they want to tell the story of an amazing mother, daughter and sister. Read about Kirk from the people who loved her over at the Denver Westword.

Is “Don’t Be A Lab Rat” Anti-Pot Campaign Racist?

By William Breathes on August 28, 2014 Media, News

Earlier this month, we told you about “Don’t Be a Lab Rat,” a new campaign aimed at dissuading teens from smoking pot. The multi-media effort, backed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, includes oversized rat cages intended to be displayed in public places throughout the state.
Now, however, the City of Boulder and Boulder Valley Schools have rejected the displays, and that cheers one cannabis-industry representative, who calls the cages racist and thinks Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper should apologize for the campaign.

Uruguay Begins Licensing of Marijuana Home Growers

By William Breathes on August 28, 2014 Global, News

Uruguayans 18 and up can now grow up to six female plants at a time with a total annual harvest of 480 grams, or just over a pound so long as they tell the government they are doing so first.
According to reports, there weren’t too many people signing up on the first day. Likely because, you know, telling the government you’re growing something they formerly considered a crime isn’t exactly an easy thing to do. Or maybe it’s in protest, because you shouldn’t have to register to grow your own herb.

THC May Help Prevent the Growth of Alzheimer’s Disease

By William Breathes on August 28, 2014 Medical, News

Inderectantagonist/Commons.

A new study shows that low doses of THC can help reduce and even prohibit the growth of amyloid beta compounds in the brain – one of the key components to memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients.
The study could represent a major breakthrough in the treatment of the disease, a horrible condition affecting more than 5 million people that robs them of their memories along with their ability to care for themselves. Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain through the buildup of plaques through amino acids, known as amyloid betas. Pot, it seems, help stop that buildup.

OC Man’s Pot Sale Conviction Overturned In Groundbreaking Court Ruling

By William Breathes on August 28, 2014 Medical, News

The California Court of Appeal appears to have just handed a major victory to medical marijuana dispensaries that follow state law. Until now, dispensary operators targeted by police have faced the prospect of trying to defend themselves in court without being allowed to argue a so-called affirmative defense citing protection under California’s medical marijuana law.
Now, thanks an appeals court ruling that involves a Newport Beach marijuana collective operator convicted of possessing pot with the intent to sell, prosecutors might have a much harder time winning convictions in cases where collectives have followed state law.

Author William Breathes