Culture

DPA To Host Drug Policy Reform Conference In L.A. Nov. 2-5

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 26, 2011 Culture, News

Conference Will Spotlight Devastating Impact of Drug War on Mexico, Latin America and U.S. Latino Communities

More than a thousand activists, experts, health professionals, elected officials, students and law enforcement will gather in Los Angeles November 2-5 for the 2011 International Drug Policy Reform Conference.

Among a broad range of topics, part of the conference program will focus on the destructive impact of the drug war on Latin American and Latino communities, and the urgent need for a new and more effective approach. Several panels and roundtable discussions – featuring prominent scholars, activists, journalists, human rights defenders, peace movement leaders and current and former officials – will address the failure of current drug policies for Latin Americans and Latinos, and the possibilities for critical reforms in the future.

Toke of the Town Welcomes World-Famous Cartoonist Aboard

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 26, 2011 Culture, News

Jerry King

We’re excited to welcome world-renowned, award-winning cartoonist Jerry King to the Toke of the Town team.

King is one of the most published, prolific and versatile cartoonists in the world today, with his work appearing in thousands of greeting cards, magazines, websites, books and newspapers.

His client list includes Disney, American Greetings, the United States Golf Association, and many others.

His magazine credits include work for Better Homes & Gardens, Golf Digest, the Saturday Evening Post, National Enquirer, Woman’s World and hundreds of other publications worldwide.

Amazingly, Jerry has also created nearly 2,000 greeting cards for more than 25 different companies.

Former President Bill Clinton mentioned one of Jerry’s greeting cards in a USA Today article. His work has also been recognized by former President George Bush.

10 Years of the PATRIOT Act: Bait and Switch for the Drug War

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 26, 2011 Culture, News

Sweeping Surveillance Law’s ‘Sneak-and-Peek’ Provision Primarily Used In Drug Cases, Not Against Terrorists

Ten years ago today, on October 26, 2001, President George W. Bush signed the USA PATRIOT Act. Congress had brushed aside constitutional concerns and overwhelmingly passed the law just weeks after the 9-11 attacks. The law gives the FBI vastly increased powers to collect information in cases that involve “national security.”

In the decade since this steaming pile of Constitution-shredding nonsense was passed by a gutless and lemming-like Congress, civil liberties groups have pointed out that the PATRIOT Act goes too far by gathering too much data and violating peoples’ right to privacy.

One of the worst parts of the PATRIOT Act (PATRIOT stands for Providing Appropriate Tools Required [to]Intercept [and]Obstruct Terrorism) is Section 213, its “Sneak-and-Peek” provision, which allows authorities to search a home or business without immediately notifying the target of an investigation that they have been searched.

Of course, the idea that Sneak-and-Peek would only be used against potential terrorists was quickly left in the dust, as the provision became a key tool in the federal government’s War On Drugs. Sneak-and-Peek is now primarily used for drug cases and minor crimes, NPR’s Carrie Johnson reported on October 26.

WAMM Medical Marijuana Festival Has A Serious Message

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 24, 2011 Culture, Products

Brad Kava/Santa Cruz Patch

Each of these “tombstones” represents one of hundreds of WAMM patients who needed marijuana for medicinal reasons.

The first thing that visitors to the ninth annual WAMM Festival saw on Saturday was a mock graveyard. Hundreds of tombstones memorialized critically ill patients whose lives were helped by medical marijuana.

The visual gave a message to the hundreds of people who strolled through San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz for the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana‘s annual festival, reports Brad Kava at the Santa Cruz Patch. That message was that critically ill people need help from cannabis, which remains illegal for any purpose at the federal level, despite having been legalized for medicinal use in 16 states.

NFL Star and Former Pothead Ricky Williams Hates Weed Jokes

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 24, 2011 Culture, Products

Sons Of Bill Simmons

Ricky Williams doesn’t think weed jokes are funny.

National Football League star Ricky Williams — caught multiple times for smoking weed — doesn’t think your weed jokes are funny. In fact, one of the reasons he doesn’t use Twitter much is the constant barrage of pot punchlines, the football hero tweeted on Friday.

Williams, of the Baltimore Ravens, has quite a history with marijuana himself, reports Zach Wilt at the Baltimore Sports Report. The former Miami Dolphins running back supposedly “retired from football” after facing a whopping $650,000 fine for failing a piss test in December 2003 (his second such transgression), violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

After taking 2004 off, he returned to the Dolphins in 2005, but failed yet another drug test after the season, which this time earned him a 16-game suspension from the NFL (that’s a full year’s worth of games, for you non-football fans).

Williams at that point took his under-appreciated talents north to Canada and played for the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts. He claimed he “found himself” during this time and returned to Miami in 2007 while following a strict drug-test regimen imposed by the NFL.

Sunday Morning Cannabis Quiz: How ‘High’ Is Your Score?

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 23, 2011 Culture

SmokersWorld.info

By Jack Rikess

Toke of the Town

Northern California Correspondent

How much do you know about marijuana? Hit that joint one more time to make it a little more challenging, then take Toke of the Town‘s Sunday morning cannabis quiz. If you get all the answers right, roll another doob!

1. Which one of these government agencies hasn’t gone after Medical Marijuana in California?

1) HUD

2 FDIC

3) IRS

4) DOJ

5) FBI

6) DEA

2. Which is not a Schedule I drug under the U.S. Uniform Controlled Substances Act?

1) Heroin

2) Cannabis

3) Psilocybin

4) LSD

5) Cocaine

6) Seconal

7) Demerol

8) PCP

9) Meth

Marijuana Promotes Creativity: The Evidence

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 21, 2011 Culture

You Will Die: The Burden of Modern Taboos by Robert Arthur

By Robert Arthur

Narco Polo: a blog

Author: You Will Die: The Burden of Modern Taboos

Lawrence O’Donnell: Marijuana Is Healthier Choice Than Alcohol

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 20, 2011 Culture, News

The simple truth about marijuana is shining through more and more cracks in the mainstream’s tottering wall of denial.

During an impassioned argument for the legalization of cannabis, MSNBC anchor Lawrence O’Donnell, host of “The Last Word,” highlighted the relative safety of marijuana compared to alcohol.

Important! Be Aware Of These Side Effects From Marijuana.

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 19, 2011 Culture

Those of you who choose to use cannabis medically or recreationally should be aware that the herb has certain side effects.

In the interest of keeping the public informed, we hereby present a warning label.

Happy Buds Is Not Your Ordinary Marijuana Book

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 18, 2011 Culture, Products

Quick Trading Company

Happy Buds give guidance on marijuana strains that work best for more than 25 occasions, profiling more than 80 varieties

Happy Buds: Marijuana for Any Occasion, the latest book from ganja guru Ed Rosenthal, is unlike any other marijuana book on the market, including any of Ed’s other works. The book aims to answer the question, “What strain is good for that?” in a recreational way. As the front cover puts it, “Dance • Play • Chill • Snuggle,” and it has cannabis suggestions for all the above.

Ed picked two excellent co-authors — Anna Foster and Mamakind — for Happy Buds, and it shows, both in the increased presence of female energy and perspectives, and in a more light-hearted approach than can be found in any of Rosenthal’s grow books and coffee-table bud volumes.

Whether you plan on going out to party and live it up, if you’re feeling a little down and need to let go of your cares, if you’re stressed out and need to slow down, or even if you need to focus on a complicated task, Happy Buds has a strain for you.

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