Toke of the Town — Marijuana and Cannibis News

This Year’s Seattle Hempfest Could Be The Last

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 18, 2010 Culture, News

Hempfest was bigger and better than ever in 2009, and promises to do it again this year. But without plenty of community support and green energy, this could be the last time.

According to the director of Seattle Hempfest, the largest annual marijuana rally in the world, this year’s event could be the last, with the iconic stoner gathering in a fight for its very existence.

“If things do not go right this year, this could be the last year Hempfest happens at all,” executive director Vivian McPeak said.

According to McPeak, a confluence of factors — including the slow economy, the theft of $5,000 worth of radios last year, a lack of financial support from the community (the average attendee contributes about 30 cents), excessive requirements from the City and the Port of Seattle, and the rising cost of event production — resulted in Hempfest being more than $50,000 in debt after the 2009 event.

California Considers Taxing Medical Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 18, 2010 Legislation, Medical

Graphic: CBS News

A bill to tax medical marijuana like tobacco is scheduled for hearings by the California State Senate Revenue & Taxation Committee next Wednesday, June 23.

The bill, SBX6-16, sponsored by Sen. Ronald Calderon of Montebello, Calif., would tax all sales of cannabis (except wholesale-level distribution to collectives, cooperatives or dispensaries) at a rate equal to the tax rate on tobacco products.

If it seems a little odd to you that medicine would be subject to the “vice” tax on tobacco, which has no medical uses, you’re not the only one. Many patient advocates strongly oppose taxing medical marijuana.

Montana Governor Visits Marijuana Dispensary

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 18, 2010 Dispensaries, News

Photo: KPAX

Gov. Brian Schweitzer, right, talks with Missoula dispensary owner Rick Rosio

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer visited a medical marijuana dispensary in Missoula on Thursday. No, the Governor wasn’t picking up an eighth of Trainwreck; he said he was there to learn what needs to be done to address “problems” with the state’s medicinal cannabis system.

Schweitzer, a Democrat, is, as far as Toke of the Town has been able to determine, the first Governor in the United States to visit a medical marijuana dispensary.

“Tell me what it is that you would recommend that we change in Montana’s medical marijuana law that would improve the business and maybe give it a little bit better air of legitimacy,” Schweitzer said while at Montana Pain Management, reports Irina Cates of KPAX.

N.J. Won’t Roll Out Medical Marijuana Program Until 2011

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 18, 2010 Dispensaries, Legislation

Graphic: Clipart ETC

The administration of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will get an extension — until January 2011 — to roll out the Garden State’s medical marijuana program, already the most restrictive in the nation, according to the state senator who sponsored the law.

Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) also said is “considering” another request to change the law to allow just one centralized marijuana growing operation that would supply the six “alternative treatment centers” (dispensaries) that would sell cannabis to patients, reports Susan K. Livio at NorthJersey.com.

“They are looking at one secure location where the product is grown so you know what you are producing,” Scutari said.

According to the Christie Administration, Rutgers University’s agricultural center should grow the marijuana, and hospitals should dispense it under the state’s medical marijuana program, according to three people brief on the proposal, Livio reports.

San Diego County Wants $20,000 From Pot Dispensaries

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 18, 2010 Dispensaries, Legislation

Graphic: The Stoned Alien Midget

First, they refused to issue medical marijuana patient I.D. cards, as mandated by the state — until their Supreme Court loss. Now, it’s Shakedown Street as San Diego County wants to charge medical marijuana dispensaries an outrageous upfront fee reaching as much as $20,000 for “inspection services.”

According to patient advocates, this is just the latest move in a long-term effort to keep the pot shops from opening.

The fee would cover what county officials claim is the 60 hours per week required for a deputy and licensing specialist to “assure compliance” with ordinance regulations, reports Mark Walker at North County Times.

Montana: Anti-Pot Petitioners Face Off With Pro-Pot Protesters

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 17, 2010 Culture, Legislation, Medical

Graphic: KULR 8

An effort to repeal Montana’s medical marijuana law, which would once again make criminals of the state’s 16,000+ cannabis patients, is stirring emotions from activists on both sides of the doobie divide.

The “Safe Community, Safe Kids” petition is being handed out across the Big Sky State. The group needs 25,000 signatures by Friday, June 18, to qualify for the November ballot, reports Nicole Grigg of KULR 8.

On Wednesday, medical marijuana advocates protested at Billings’ Centennial Park where anti-pot petitioners were collecting signatures.

Montana System Choked With Medical Marijuana Applications

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 17, 2010 Medical, News

Photo: KRTV

Medical marijuana is more popular than ever before in the Big Sky State.

Montana receives an average of 200 to 600 applications for medical marijuana each week. The department has even seen as many as 1,100 applications in a week’s time, according to Jeff Buska, Department of Health & Human Services administrator for quality assurance.

Patients typically have to wait between three and four weeks before receiving a medical marijuana card, reports Marnee Banks at KXLH News in Helena.

New Zealand Police Trying To Ban Marijuana Magazines

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 17, 2010 Culture, Global

Graphic: Emerald Triangle News

Police in New Zealand are soooo helpful! Now they want to tell Kiwis what they can and can’t read.

Police in New Zealand, in a secret meeting with Internal Affairs departmental heads, told them to try to get marijuana magazines banned nationwide, official documents have revealed.

According to the documents, police hope to have NORML News completely banned, as well as High Times and Cannabis Culture magazines.

No decision has been made yet on censoring the magazines, reports Scoop.

Police had previously lied their asses off, denying that they were involved with sending cannabis magazines to the censors.

Police Refuse Judge’s Order To Return Man’s Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 17, 2010 Medical, News

Photo: City of Snoqualmie

Snoqualmie Police Chief Jim Schaffer: Refusing a judge’s order? Why isn’t this scofflaw in jail?

The Snoqualmie, Washington Police Department is contesting a King County Superior Court judge’s order to return 10 ounces of cannabis to a medical marijuana patient.

Defying the court order from Judge Sharon Armstrong, the arrogant police chief seems to believe he has more “knowledge” of the “medical marijuana process” than the judge herself.

“Our knowledge of the investigation is that the medical marijuana process really doesn’t apply,” Snoqualmie Police Chief Jim Schaffer told Dan Catchpole at the SnoValley Star.

Chief Schaffer claimed he did not know of any police departments that have returned marijuana in similar circumstances.

The police chief, email address [email protected], really should get out more, don’t you think?

Palin: ‘Not For The Legalization Of Pot,’ But It’s ‘Minimal Problem’

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 17, 2010 Culture, News

Photo: First Door on the Left

What’s Sarah Palin been smoking? The former Alaska Governor said Wednesday night that while she opposes marijuana legalization, law enforcement should not focus its energy on such a “minimal problem.”

Make up your mind, Sarah — should pot be legal, or not?

Palin made the comment during an appearance on the Fox Business Network with Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), reports Andy Barr at Politico.

Congressman Paul, a libertarian, said that enforcing marijuana laws specifically and the War On Drugs in general is a “useless battle,” a point with which Palin partially agreed, although she made clear that she does not support legalization.