William Breathes

Shocker: Arizona cops don’t want pot legalized

By William Breathes on July 17, 2014 News, Say what?

In what must be the biggest shocker in the history of the War on Drugs, a bunch of cops and county attorneys in Arizona don’t want pot legalized in Arizona. We’re kidding, of course. It’s not shocking at all.
The Arizona County Attorney and Sheriff’s Association yesterday took a “voice vote” on a resolution that officially opposes marijuana legalization in Arizona. The do-nothing resolution comes as a push for the legalization of limited amounts of cannabis for adults 21 and up in 2016 is starting to build.

Congress shows support for state-legal marijuana business banking

By William Breathes on July 17, 2014 Legislation, News

The U.S. House voted yesterday to allow access to banking for state-legal medical and recreational pot businesses. Currently, most banks turn away dispensary and recreational shop accounts due to marijuana remaining federally illegal. Those with accounts are forced to handle large amounts of cash as banks aren’t issuing credit cards or other normal banking services.

Washington D.C. marijuana decriminalization of an ounce or less starts today

By William Breathes on July 17, 2014 News

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. adults (and minors) packing up to an ounce of weed on them can breathe a little easier today walking around town, as decriminalization laws went into effect that makes having ounce or less a civil infraction with a fine of $25.
That is a huge improvement from how things were yesterday, when those same residents were facing misdemeanor charges, six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

How two Long Beach, California Thai Stick smugglers became the last victims of the Khmer Rouge

By William Breathes on July 17, 2014 Culture

Thai Stick.

“Although my long hair is gone now and my views are more conservative than they once were, there is a part of my past I will not sweep under the rug and disavow. I am old enough and honest enough to remember the Thai sticks that flooded my beachside town each summer–a surfer’s equivalent of the Beaujolais nouveau.
During the 1970s, Thai stick marijuana–so-called because the buds were tightly wrapped around hemp or bamboo sticks before being packed into watertight bundles for the long trans-Pacific trip–was one of the most valuable commodities in the world. At $2,000 per pound, a single load of Thai could and did make many a smuggler a small fortune. To us pot-smoking teenaged surfers, these scammers–the people who fetched these loads from afar–were heroic Robin Hood characters who trafficked only in pot and surfed more world-class waves than anyone else.”
Do yourself a favor, read the rest of Peter Maguire’s amazing tale over at the OC Weekly.

Colorado marijuana demand to reach 121.4 metric tons and 90 percent of pot sold in ski towns goes to tourists

By William Breathes on July 16, 2014 Legalize It, Medical, News

This times 121,400,000.

The demand for cannabis in Colorado this year has been stronger than anticipated, according to a recent state study on the industry.
A report filed by the state’s Marijuana Policy Group predicts that the demand for pot by adults 21 and over to reach around 121.4 metric tons this year. That’s 31 percent higher than previously estimated by the Colorado Department of Revenue.

St. Paul, Minnesota PD defends killing dogs while executing search warrant that didn’t lead to arrest

By William Breathes on July 16, 2014 News, Say what?

Mellow and Laylo.

Last week, a St. Paul Police Department SWAT team kicked down Larry Arman’s door and shot his two beloved pitbulls to death (read all about that here).
Officers were executing a no-knock search warrant as part of an investigation instigated by Minneapolis police, law enforcement officials in both cities tell us. They didn’t find much — according to Fox 9, the search yielded clothing, a glass bong, and suspected marijuana crumbs in a metal grinder.

Two Santa Fe, New Mexico groups submit signatures for pot decriminalization

By William Breathes on July 16, 2014 News

Daniel Schwen/Commons.

People want marijuana decriminalized in Santa Fe, at least that’s the message sent yesterday when two different advocacy groups submitted signatures to get the issue on the November ballot.
Both Progress New New Mexico and Drug Policy Action submitted signatures to the city clerk, who has to verify the signatures over the next ten days. If the groups meet the 5,763 needed signatures, they can get their measures on the November ballot. If they miss the mark, they will still have 90 days to collected the needed signatures to get it on the spring ballot.

Video guide to how to stay legal while puffing tough in Colorado

By William Breathes on July 16, 2014 Legalize It, News

Coming to Colorado soon to enjoy our sights and sensimilla? We don’t blame you. This state is awesome this time of year. But while you’re here, you’ll need to know a few of the rules and regulations. Thankfully, our friends at the Denver Westword have put together this handy-dandy PSA on how to stay legal while puffing tough in Colorado:

Washington recreational marijuana lines still long, prices still high

By William Breathes on July 16, 2014 Legalize It, News

In scenes remniscent of Colorado’s recretaionl sales in January, recreational pot stores are opening with long lines and, despite high prices, they are selling out of their inventory.
Brian Budz tells Oregon Live that he thought he had enough product to last ten days at his Vancouver-based New Vansterdam shop and instead it lasted three days. Shops like his are having to close down and open erratically as more herb comes in. Prices – ranging from $15 to $30 a gram – reflect that.

Sign petition to get University of Arizona PTSD/medical cannabis researcher reinstated

By William Breathes on July 16, 2014 Medical, News

Dr. Sue Sisley.

Back in June, the University of Arizona without warning fired Dr. Sue Sisley, the lead researcher in a program that would have studied the use of medical cannabis for post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms – though many suspect it was for Sisley’s marijuana advocacy.
The move struck a blow to people hoping for clinical proof of the efficacy of cannabis that could increase access to medical cannabis in Arizona and beyond, including Iraq veteran Ricardo Pereyda who created a petition that has more than 29,000 signatures so far (and could use one from you, too). See the petition and links to sign it below.

Author William Breathes