William Breathes

LA hash bar, Treehouse Pot Lounge, shut down but plans to relocate

By William Breathes on June 13, 2014 News, Say what?

Rick Brenes.

Apparently there is such a thing as chilling too hard.
At odds with sedate pothead iconography – “This aggression will not stand, man.” – the TreeHouse Social Lounge, L.A.’s first members-only BYO-pot bar-of-sorts, closed its doors on Sunday after noise complaints filed by surrounding neighbors, according to employees and patrons.
One of the TreeHouse’s resident budtenders, “Cheese,” says that the landlord unexpectedly announced on June 1 that the pot bar would need to relocate by June 7 after reportedly receiving several complaints to the cops about loud late-night noise and excessive numbers of cars parked on nearby streets.
More over at the LA Weekly.

Marijuana edibles in Colorado possibly violate copyright laws

By William Breathes on June 13, 2014 News, Say what?

More photos below.

The Hershey Co. recently sued a Colorado firm, TinctureBelle, for copyright infringement — and it’s filed a similar suit against a Washington business, Seattle Conscious Care Cooperative.
Should we expect more complaints like these? Well, most pot edibles we’ve seen for sale in Colorado are in no danger of inspiring one — but judging by images we found online, there are plenty of product designs out there capable of making lawyers salivate. Look above and below to see twenty pics of items that have been or could be targeted by suits.

Ex-cop in Dallas beats pot smoker for not standing up for his wife

By William Breathes on June 13, 2014 News, Say what?

Chivalry, you’ll be happy to learn, isn’t dead. Almost, maybe, but it still burns on in the heart of former Dallas police officer Michael Mosher.
Mosher was one of seven officers who responded to a report of three potentially suspicious young men walking through an alley in the 6600 block of La Cosa Drive in Far North Dallas after dark one evening in January 2011. Those suspicions seemed justified when two of the young men bolted at the sight of the first squad car and when the other, 21-year-old Aaron Curtis, admitted to having a glass marijuana pipe in his pocket.
Since Curtis wasn’t in possession of any actual marijuana, officers cited him for possession of drug paraphernalia and drove him to the apartment he and his girlfriend shared nearby.

New federal survey suggests teens don’t toke more as state marijuana laws loosen

By William Breathes on June 13, 2014 News

A report released Thursday by the federal government challenges the assertion that loosening state marijuana laws will lead to more teens getting high.
In its latest biennial survey of high school students, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that teen use of marijuana remained flat between 2011 and 2013. During those years, several states either decriminalized small amounts of the plant or launched medical marijuana programs.

Colorado recreational marijuana sales jump 60 percent in April: Thanks 4/20!

By William Breathes on June 12, 2014 Legalize It, News

April saw a lot more than crop-watering showers in the marijuana world. According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, about $22 million in recreational pot was sold in April, up nearly 60 percent from January, when retail sales started.
Meanwhile, medical marijuana sales — which still far outpace recreational sales — dropped from about $34.47 million in March to $31.7 million in April. April medical marijuana patient figures aren’t available yet, but the state’s MMJ registry has been slowly increasing over the past few months and had 115,208 patients as of March 31.

Minnesota Independence Party becomes first major party to support legalization of marijuana

By William Breathes on June 12, 2014 News

Of his mustache, Denney, a self-described “liberty-lover,” says: “As a third party candidate you can’t be afraid to pull out all the stops… I’m glad I have your attention, because I have important things to say.”

Minnesota is indeed home to one major party that supports the legalization of pot, but it isn’t the Republicans or Democrats.
It’s the Independence Party, which is one of just three parties in Minnesota with “major” status, attained when at least one of a party’s candidates for statewide office wins five percent of the vote for four consecutive elections. That means Independence candidates like John Denney, the party’s Sixth District candidate for U.S. Congress, will have the opportunity to share their unique political views during debates with candidates like Republican Tom Emmer and Democrat Joe Perske.

Meet the enemies of medical marijuana legalization in Florida, including a tobacco lobbyist

By William Breathes on June 12, 2014 Medical

Drug Free Florida, the group that is putting on the full-court press to get Floridians to vote against medical marijuana, has been active in getting its message out, particularly with videos and with big-time donors coming from the woodwork to finance the cause.
But as much as the group wants to “educate” the state on the supposed dangers of medical marijuana, it sure has surrounded itself with what United for Care Campaign Manager Ben Pollara calls “questionable characters.” Most notable is the recent $2.5 million donation from casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.
“The Anti-Amendment 2 movement is now showing its true face,” Pollara says. “Now more than ever, the people behind Drug Free Florida lack any moral standing to pronounce themselves on anything related to the health and well-being of Floridians.”
From a homophobe to a bigot, Drug Free Florida has been rallying major support from some, let’s call em dubious folks. Want to meet ’em? Well, neither do we — but you should at least know who they are. Broward-Palm Beach New Times has their bios.

Casino magnate donates millions to Florida anti-pot crusade

By William Breathes on June 12, 2014 Medical, News

Say no to Sheldon Adelson and yes to legalized medical marijuana.

Big-money casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who pimps sin on a daily basis, has jumped into the anti-medical marijuana fray by opening his deep wallet and donating $2.5 million to the Drug Free Florida campaign, the group looking to derail Florida’s Amendment 2 initiative.
Adelson has made a name for himself as one of the biggest donors to conservative movements and campaigns over the years and is widely known for his anti-Palestine stance. He once suggested that the U.S. should drop an “atomic weapon… in the middle of the [Negev]” and that the Palestinians are an “invented people.”

Florida Gov. Rick Scott spending millions to break even with pro-pot opponent Charlie Crist

By William Breathes on June 12, 2014 News

Rick Scott.

Need more proof that spending dump trucks full of cash can win elections in America? Take a look at Florida’s percolating governor’s race, where Rick Scott — yes, the same guy who has had trouble cracking 30 percent approval ratings for the past four years — has suddenly pulled even with likely challenger Charlie Crist in several new polls.
What’s changed? Has Scott suddenly started embracing issues important to voters like medical marijuana reform and green energy? Nah, he’s just spending crazy amounts of money — more than $13 million on TV ads just since November. And it’s working like a charm.

Woman busted for firing missile into car has most Florida name ever

By William Breathes on June 12, 2014 Say what?

Crystal Metheney.

Ladies and gentlemen, allows us to introduce you to Ms. Crystal Metheney.
You didn’t read that wrong. Your mind isn’t screwing around with you. This woman from Polk County has the perfect Florida name. She was arrested back in early May. The charge: shooting a “missile” into a “occupied vehicle.” The 36-year-old bonded out for the charge the next day. Which is perfect. That means she’s free to meet Edward Cocaine on a blind date.
Florida, we have to get these two together. Want to help? Head over to the Broward-Palm Beach New Times for more.

Author William Breathes