Hash Bash Events Kicks Off Marijuana Tourism Season

By TAC Staff The 12th annual Monroe Street Fair, Hash Bash Festival is the focal point for what is now known as “Hash Bash Weekend.”  Consisting of the MI NORML quarterly conference at the Clarion, Domino’s celebration on Monroe Street, The Monroe Street Fair and Hash Bash itself, these events

Michigan Supreme Court “Pulls Plug” on Dispensary Access, Patients Left to Suffer

By Steve Greene Just locating and then finding a place to meet with people like Jennifer Powers, who are daring enough to speak in person and on the record, smacked of the old underground railroad. “It’s almost impossible to find a caregiver.”  Powers, who is a 51-year-old disabled Bay City,

From East Lansing to the World: The Tale of Miss High Times

By Daniel Cuevas When Emily Aryn was crowned Miss High Times 2012, it was a dream come true for the art major from East Lansing, Michigan. Her strong involvement in the local cannabis scene along with her passion for the beloved herb won her the chance to represent the counterculture

State of Our Union

By William Morrison BOOM! As the side of a mountain falls away, the landscape is forever altered.  Our legalization movement is an equivalent avalanche of change.  We’ve come a long way in the past few decades, and the avalanche continues to build momentum.  In this State of Our Union, we

People Power: The Boston Freedom Rally

They came by the tens of thousands, united under the umbrella of personal freedom. Last months’ 23rd annual Freedom Rally on Boston Common brought cannabis reform supporters, advocacy groups, battle-of-the-bands entertainment and vendors servicing an emerging market together for a day of celebration and awareness.  If you missed it, mark

Treating the Invisible – Helping Veterans with PTSD

By Dr. David Crocker The veterans I first met as a doctor at the VA hospital in Tampa in the early  90′s suffered with a constellation of issues: anxiety, nightmares, insomnia, depression, survivors’ guilt, alcoholism – all resulting from living through extended periods of violent combat while serving our country – and accompanying their physical issues: debilitating injury, after-effects of surgery,

Feds Move To Silence Platshorn, Derail The Silver Tour

Federal Officer Threatens To Return The Black Tuna To Prison By Steve Elliot ~ www.tokeofthetown.com Publishers Note: The following story is a perfect example of wasted government and police resource. The U.S. federal government spent over $15 billion dollars in 2010 on the War on Drugs, at a rate of about

Spanked By the Supreme Court

“…because the MMMA was the result of a voter initiative, our goal is to ascertain and give effect to the intent of the electorate, rather than the Legislature, as reflected in the language of the law itself. We must give the words of the MMMA their ordinary and plain meaning

MI House Passes Bills To Amend MMJ Law

By Steve Elliott ~ www.tokeofthetown.com Giving medicinal cannabis patients a mixed bag — with some things they asked for, and some things they opposed — the Michigan House passed a series of bills on May 3 to modify the state’s medical marijuana law. The changes include rules for the relationship between

Michigan Supreme Court Rules on Medical Marijuana

By Timothy P. Flynn “Because the MMMA (Michigan Medical Marijuana Act) was the result of a voter initiative, our goal is to ascertain and give effect to the intent of the electorate, rather than the Legislature, as reflected in the language of the law itself. We must give the words

The Cup Scandal that Wasn’t

By Justin Jenkins The average level of reporting from media sources has been increasingly, oh, how  should I put it? Shitty. Factual information isn’t as valued as it ought to be and not often the first thing disseminated to the public. What used to be hard work and due diligence,

Missing the Boat: Wisconsin Says, “Don’t Come Here”

By Gary Storck Wisconsin’s failure to recognize the changing times by passing a medical cannabis law or even decriminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis has led to a growing exodus from the state. How did we get into this mess? Why is there such a big gap between legalization

Keep Matt Free

By TAC Staff The story of Matt Davies, is all too common. It’s a story of treachery at the hands of those we hold to be the most honest and forthright. This 34 year-old father in Stockton, California was obeying the law and building a business, based on providing medical

Opinion: Michigan, a Sad State of Affairs

Submitted by Paul Miller, of Muskegon Medical Marijuana Dispensary (MMMD) Law enforcement is still using federal funds, to the tune of millions of dollars a year to harass legal medical patients and fight the failed drug war.  And because they can keep all assets and personal property seized, both the

A Message From The Publisher

This will be our 4th year publishing what is now The American Cultivator. I look back to the beginning when the Michigan Medical Marihuana law passed, when we were all just trying to figure out where we fit in this industry, and when The Midwest Cultivator became more than an

Cannabis Cures Cancer

I’m a cancer patient. I use an experimental chemotherapy that is an extraction of the cannabis plant. I don’t use it to feel good. I use it for the purpose of killing the cancer. Right now, there are about fifty people making this experimental chemotherapy in the state of Michigan.

Grateful for Marijuana as Medicine

Dear Editor: I suffer from a neck injury. For a year I had laryngitis and all of my doctors said it was acid reflux or cancer. After a year of treatment, throat biopsy and throat surgery—where they unnecessarily shaped my vocal cord paper thin and I could of ended up in

For the Sake of the Children The Message of Medical Cannabis

Jay R. Cavanaugh, Ph.D. There is a belief system in the United States nurtured by decades of simplistic thinking that says to everyone we must ban cannabis for the sake of the children. In 2002, speaking of the DEA raid on the Santa Cruz, California Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana,

A Call for Unity

By Jamie Lowell Michigan has only had three years of medical marijuana but efforts to remove protections in the act  from people who disagree with the law have been in effect for the duration. Thankfully, marijuana reform community members are coming together in unprecedented ways to create a unified response

Honor the Will of the People

By Charmie Gholson By the time Michigan voters overwhelmingly passed the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, opponents of the law had long been working to get rid of it. They knew they would need a supermajority vote—three quarters of both the house and the senate—to amend the voter initiated law. That

The American Cultivator Welcomes The West Coast Leaf!

After the first Medical Marijuana Expo in Michigan during the summer of 2009, The West Coast Leaf helped what was then The Midwest Cultivator get off the ground.  They provided basic fundamentals to get what is now known as The American Cultivator up and running as the first MMJ publication

Patients Battle Federal Cannabis Ban in Appeals Court

By Martin Williams The nation’s largest medical marijuana patient advocacy group, Americans for Safe Access (ASA), filed a petition with the federal court of appeals March 22 in its epic battle to force the federal government to comply with its own laws on medical marijuana. The UN drug control treaties

Study: Home Marijuana Gardens Not a Health Risk for Children

By Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director California medical marijuana patient Daisy Brant has had her infant child literally torn from her breast twice to be handed over to Child Protective Services and been charged with child abuse because police found medical marijuana growing in her home. She won the first

Top Democrat in House Supports States Regulations for Cannabis

By Martin Williams House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, one of the most powerful and top-ranking leader of the Democratic Party in the US, told a Denver Post columnist that she agrees that federal authorities ought to respect state marijuana laws. When Electa Draper asked, “What are the measures in Washington

Danish Capital wants to Offer American Bud

While tourists who travel to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, have coffeeshop access to top-shelf cannabis for about $12.50 per gram, visitors to Copenhagen, Denmark, buy their supply on Christiania’s “Dealer’s Street.” Varieties primarily consist of overpriced Moroccan hash, but there is also some home-grown herb: limp, sparse buds of Jack Herer,

Bipartisan Hemp and Marijuana Bills hit US Congress

By Phillip Smith, stopthedrugwar.org February 19, 2013, 11:50am, (Issue #772) A marijuana policy trifecta hit Capitol Hill in February 2013 regarding recreational marijuana, medical marijuana, and hemp. Early in the month, reformist House members filed bills to end federal cannabis prohibition and tax the trade, and in mid month a

I’m Going to the Cannabis Cup!

By Justin Jenkins Saving for airfare, hotel, and transport when attending a cannabis event used to be a huge risk. Why spend the money when there’s a risk of getting busted? With legalization, the situation is more stable, there’s a new reality. It used to be a dream as actually

East Coast, West Coast

Last month, when we talked to Morgan Fox, Communications Manager for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), he pointed out a critical step towards changing federal law on cannabis. As states go legal, Congress members from those states are left trying to match up their state’s policies with federal regulations. They

Top Five Marijuana Movement Wins for 2012

By TAC staff Need some ammo to make your case for legalization? How about just keeping up with the movement? Here we lay out some recent victories and advances on the road to making cannabis legal. There really is reason to celebrate… #5 Science, science, science Last year saw even

The Medical Minefield

By Dr. Frank Lucido My background is in Family Medicine. I treat patients with long-term and chronic, debilitating pain. With a practice in both California and Michigan, I’m intimately familiar with how legalization has developed and the problems that arise when legislative bodies insert themselves into the doctor- patient relationship.

Bureaucratic Blues Spur Growing Pains for Rural Caregiver

By Daniel Cuevas James Dodd was never interested in medical marijuana. Working in satellite dish installation, Dodd owned a home with his pregnant wife Cindy and son Jimmy in a semi-rural town just outside Midland. It was after his wife tore her rotator cuff that Dodd became keenly interested in

Why I’m moving to the “free state” of Michigan

By Bryan W. Brickner Artemus Gifford greeted me as I closed the gate. Saphrona and Harmon were there too. Next came Electa and Sam’l Williams, James and Hannah Dibble, and the Goodriches, Robert and Olive. They were all nice people I’m sure, but things really came alive when I found

Mid Michigan Compassion Club – Fields of Dreams

Thomas Beemer’s Mid Michigan Compassion Club in the village of Mecosta sits back a bit off Northland Drive. It’s quiet when we get out of the truck, just the wind singing through the trees. MMCC is the only safe access in this community of about 450 people. Beemers 200 or

Three Rivers Raid Victim Files Suit

Sean Muntian who lost his job building manufactured homes in 2009, opened Triple Ripple Hydroponics store near the Three Rivers police station a short time later to support his family. On January 2nd, 2010, police stormed the home Muntian shared with his wife and children, guns drawn, in a paramilitary

One year of Bill Schuette as AG

Schuette on Duty-For Everyone Except Patients By Rick Thompson At the age of 31, Bill Schuette was elected to the United States House of Representatives, serving six undistinguished years. Governor Engler made him Director of Agriculture in January 1991. He was elected to the State Senate in 1994. Schuette was

Vote Green Initiative Project

You’ve Got The Power Jamie Lowell is co-owner of the 3rd Coast Compassion Center and is assisting the organizers of the Vote Green Initiative Project. He sat down with us to discuss how VGIP empowers every day citizens so they can participate in the democratic process. Why did you get

Mainstreaming Marijuana: An Expert Look at a Complex Goal

By Daniel Cuevas Marijuana has long been ignored by popular culture, ridiculed, and unjustly vilified. But as more states reverse their longtime legal opposition against the plant, marijuana is increasingly becoming enmeshed into the mainstream. RD Winthrop, one of several people behind the establishment of the Robert C. Randall Wellness

Legacy Continues for America’s First Medpot Patient

by Daniel Cuevas When Robert C. Randall fought the legal system four decades ago for his right to access the medicine that treated his glaucoma, he knew he was a pioneer. Just as President Richard Nixon was launching the War on Drugs, Randall’s efforts stood as a direct contradiction of

How I Won the Battle but Lost the War: A caregiver’s Tale

I’m a caregiver and was robbed by someone I know.  A key was stolen, my home was entered, my dog was drugged and valuables were stolen.  Worse than this, after being robbed I was re-victimized and made an open target.  I have waited until leaving the address related to this

Teaching the Teachers – A Hydro Story

TAC Staff When Joe Alfery, co-owner of Northern Lights Hydroponics signed up for classes at Oakland Community College, he didn’t know he’d end up partnering with the school; he was just there to broaden his education. You see, Joe digs plants. Everything about them. His goal is to finish a

Stealth Hydroponics: A Dream Bubbles to the Top

By Syndy Sweeney An economic downturn brings a choice: become stuck in fear and loss or boldly step into a new opportunity. Martin Wiggett, the president of Stealth Hydroponics, chose the latter. In January, 2005, Wiggett was a network engineer employed by MCI/Worldcom in Ann Arbor, Michigan. To keep his

Smokin’ Good Book

Smokin’ Good BookBy Jordan Miller Nationally renowned author Marin Lee is shedding new light on the legitimacy of medical marijuana. Smoke Signals, published this year, deals with the popular misconceptions and intentional  misinformation about marijuana,  exposing the government’s flawed stance on prohibition. Lee discusses not only the facts but also

MMJ Legalization Stirs Growth in Botany Businesses

by Daniel Cuevas Medical marijuana laws do a lot more than connect sick people with the medicine they need. Almost overnight, proprietors in newly legalized medical marijuana states have seen their businesses swell with an influx of cash, and not just dispensaries. Gardening suppliers in particular have experienced a boost

Med Joint Puts Compassion and Community First

By Syndy Sweeney In 2003, Kevin Spitler survived a workplace accident in Ohio that sent a dangerous electrical shock through his body. The accident left him with chronic back pain and PTSD around electricity that became more severe during lightning storms. Although he worked with therapists in several desensitization programs,

A Spoonful of Sugar; A Heaping Dose of Kindness

Syndy Sweeney “Claude the Candy Man,” as he prefers to be known, opened SweetStone Candy medibles in Grand Rapids in 2011. Although Claude is a patient himself, he hasn’t considered cooking with marijuana. Instead he made salsa. Really good salsa. And in 2010, at the urging of family and friends,

Business as Usual?

By Hilary Dulany, Founder and Publisher At the same time Detroit was declared the most unemployed city in the country, Michigan voters passed The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. Michigan was the hardest hit state for job loss and the beginning of long-term unemployment. Shortly after the Act passed, I was

Is there a Poison Pill in HB 4271?

By Bill Morrison When Michigan patients lost the ability to use dispensaries, immediate legislative action was required. Representative Mike Callton stepped up, introducing legislation meant to repair the defect in our original law. But now some are saying the legislation may have a flaw, a “poison pill,” making it less

Non-Profit Work Gives Essential Outreach Opportunities to MMJ Community

By Justin Jenkins The cannabis community isn’t about making a fast buck at the expense of consumers. Our care and absolute compassion for the sick sets us apart.  Nowhere is this attitude more visible than when we step forward to make a difference, not just in pro-cannabis causes, but to

Washington Governor Outlines Legalization for Feds

It’s a fascinating look behind the curtain. Washington’s Governor Jay Inslee sent the U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, a letter outlining what the state intends to do in the wake of legalization there. Washington’s new law allows recreational use of marijuana for those over 21. The nation has been watching

Oh How Naïve I Was…

By William Joseph Politics is people. Flat out. Behind all the poll numbers, the graphs, the ceremony, the party labels and the hoopla – it all comes down to real human beings. And human beings are complex things. I found out first hand when I dipped my toe into the

Individual Revolution: A Win and a Loss

By Justin Jenkins ”You say you’ll change the constitution; “Well you know. “We’d all love to change your head. “You tell me it’s the institution…” (Revolution, The Beatles) In six years, we’ve seen a doubling of the number of states where medical cannabis is legal. And the pace is picking

Federal and Michigan Asset Forfeiture Laws and Marijuana Activities

By John Targowski Asset Forfeiture’s stated purpose is the need to deter criminal activity, deprive those in criminal activities from their profits, and restore to the public those goods lost. The law itself isn’t the problem for cannabis growers and users. The problems arise when decent law is put to

Around the Nation: Snapshots

Southwest California (LA)  The Los Angeles Times reports a second medical marijuana initiative has been approved for the May elections in L.A. The measure sets requirements for dispensaries. If they meet the standards, they will be allowed to continue to operate in the city. The restrictions include background checks, limited

Not Safe in Our House

by Syndy Sweeney On May 3, 2012, the Michigan House of Representatives passed four bills that would regulate the state’s medical marijuana policy. Passing with bipartisan support and a three-fourths majority vote, the purpose of the bills, according to Representative Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) who co-sponsored the package, is “about protecting

Economics 101 – with a Mary Jane twist

Lansing State Journal Jul. 9, 2011 Marijuana dispensaries’ race to the marketplace, such as the rush to a stretch of Michigan Avenue in Lansing, offers a glimpse at how market forces such as supply and demand, market saturation and the effect of government regulation shape the business landscape. Consider it

MI Supreme Court Could Hear MMJ Case

TRAVERSE CITY — Medical marijuana advocates hope the state’s top court will hear a local man’s case and overturn a ruling that makes it illegal for patients to drive with the drug in their system. A group of attorneys recently asked the Michigan Supreme Court to overturn a Michigan Court

MI Supreme Court Could Hear MMJ Case

TRAVERSE CITY — Medical marijuana advocates hope the state’s top court will hear a local man’s case and overturn a ruling that makes it illegal for patients to drive with the drug in their system. A group of attorneys recently asked the Michigan Supreme Court to overturn a Michigan Court

Attorney Says Federal prosecution gives Michigan’s medical marijuana law ‘no legitimate effect’

MLive GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A Big Rapids man licensed as a medical marijuana patient and caregiver pleaded guilty to federal charges after a judge denied his request to invoke Michigan’s medical marijuana law as a defense at trial. John Clemens Marcinkewciz II pleaded guilty May 31 to manufacture of

Attorneys: Medical Marijuana Registrants Face ‘Selective Prosecution’ by Feds

From MLive Attorneys for two men facing marijuana charges say they were targeted because of medical-marijuana registration. GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Two men facing federal marijuana charges were singled out for prosecution because they are registered under Michigan’s medical marijuana law, their attorneys say. Lloyd Thomas Martin and Ronald Andrew

Marijuana Policy Project

Summary of House Bills 4834, 4851, 4853, and 4856

Patients Prevail in House Hearings

By Rick Thompson The legislator generated Bills currently being considered in the House of Representatives and the Senate are designed to alter our medical marijuana act or other associated laws governing patients and caregivers. The impact of this pending legislation has been blunted by the efforts of the medical marijuana

To Grow or Not to Grow…That is the Question

By Justin Jenkins For those who have acquired their medical marijuana cards, the next inevitable step is to acquire your medicine. Unfortunately, in Michigan, it is no longer possible to acquire from a dispensary. That’s what our State Supreme Court ruled. So, unless some magically appears in your mailbox, gingerly

5 Commandments for the First Time Grower

By Jim Sweeney As marijuana legalization spreads across the country, there’s been natural increase in the number of first-time growers – people who may never have had any interest in botany or farming, suddenly finding themselves with a reason to be interested.  Growing legally indoors may seem complex or overwhelming,

Ask Ed

This column is second in a series of Ed Rosenthal’s Q&A column. The American Cultivator premiered Rosenthal’s series in January; it had previously appeared only in Europe, and syndicated in CA and CO. Ed Rosenthal is recognized worldwide as a leading authority on marijuana. In his more than 30 years

CHART: Effect of Temperature on Photosyntesis

This shows that all other factors being optimally equal- light, CO2, nutrients and water- the photosynthesis rate increases with temperature. This is crucial to plant growth since the sugars produced are used in part to build plant tissue.

Ask Ed

This column is the Michigan premier of Ed Rosenthal’s Q&A column in Michigan, having previously appeared in Europe and syndicated in CA and Co. Ed Rosenthal is recognized worldwide as a leading authority on marijuana. In his more than 30 years as the “guru of ganja,” he has written or

Medical Marijuana Cultivation FAQ

By Maxine Q: What are the differences between growing in soil and growing hydroponically? A: The main difference that you will notice between the two styles of growing is the rate at which your plants grow. Plants growing hydroponically tend to have more rapid growth rates, but this does not

Understanding Cannabis Strains

From www.medicalmarihuana.ca: Hybrids Here is a quote from Hilary Black of the British Columbia Compassion Society: “Indica and Sativa are the two main varieties of the cannabis plant used as medicine. There are many strains that are crosses of those two varieties. Within each of those varieties and crosses there

Cloning Basics For The Not So Basic Grower

www.thecloneguys.com Cloning is the process of making an exact copy of a living thing, in this case a marijuana plant. Cloning has many advantages to offer the advanced grower: first, the process of germination can be skipped over, saving valuable time. Second, the exact genetics of your best female can

Super Mites

It’s Mite season. One of the most formidable crop-destroyers, once mites find an ideal environment, mites do everything they can to remain. Many new growers underestimate these fierce opponents. Poor sterilization of environment, under-utilization of treatments or sub-par treatments can create a long-term issue that could require complete crop destruction

Grow Light Guide

Caregivers Garden 101 “Making your Grow more efficient”–for the developing grower. Horticultural lighting systems allow you to extend the growing season by providing your plants with an indoor equivalent to sunlight. This is a great advantage for those of you who appreciate having a year-round supply of fresh flowers, veggies

The Medical Minefield

By Dr. Frank Lucido My background is in Family Medicine. I treat patients with long-term and chronic, debilitating pain. With a practice in both California and Michigan, I’m intimately familiar with how legalization has developed and the problems that arise when legislative bodies insert themselves into the doctor- patient relationship.

Who Owns the Cure?

By Bill Morrison Cannabis has been cultivated for thousands of years. In 2003, it was patented. That’s right, the medicinal components of marijuana, the cannabinoids, are patented: US Patent Number 6,630,507 for “Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants.” And who, you might wonder, holds the patent rights? Technically, you do, at

Treating the Invisible – Helping Veterans with PTSD

By Dr. David Crocker The veterans I first met as a doctor at the VA hospital in Tampa in the early  90′s suffered with a constellation of issues: anxiety, nightmares, insomnia, depression, survivors’ guilt, alcoholism – all resulting from living through extended periods of violent combat while serving our country – and accompanying their physical issues: debilitating injury, after-effects of surgery,

Cannabis Cures Cancer

I’m a cancer patient. I use an experimental chemotherapy that is an extraction of the cannabis plant. I don’t use it to feel good. I use it for the purpose of killing the cancer. Right now, there are about fifty people making this experimental chemotherapy in the state of Michigan.

Hospital Soap Can Lead to False Positive Testing of Newborns

Medcity news Soap and hand wash products, including products commonly used in hospital nurseries, can interfere with urine drug tests of newborns and lead to false positives, according to a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The June issue of Clinical Biochemistry published the study,

10 Questions To Ask Your Cannabis Scientist

Freedom is green.com By Samantha Miller   The current cannabis laboratory environment is unregulated so consumers have to be savvy. Knowing what questions to ask a prospective cannabis lab is key.  To help the process a group of laboratory service providers* from various states along with an international advisor compiled

Study: Passage of Medical Marijuana Laws Correlated With Fewer Suicides

By NORML Newsblog “Policymakers weighing the pros and cons of legalization should consider… that (these) laws may lead to fewer suicides among young adult males” Bonn, Germany: The enactment of statewide laws allowing for the limited use of cannabis therapeutically is associated with reduced instances of suicide, according to a

Scientists Uncover How CBD Treats MS, Alters Cholesterol Metabolism

Cannabidiol By Jahan Marcu, Freedom is Green Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic compound found in the Cannabis plant that is currently being exploited by researchers for its therapeutic properties. CBD is usually the second most abundant compound found in the plant. A research team devoted to studying the effects of

Study: Crohn’s Patients Who Use Cannabis Report Fewer Surgeries, Less Likely To Use Prescription Drugs

Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director Tel Aviv, Israel Cannabis use is associated with a reduction in Crohn’s disease (CD) activity and
disease-related surgeries, according to the results of a retrospective
observational study published in the August issue of the *Journal of the Israeli Medical Association* . Investigators at the Meir Medical Center,

Marijuana Could Prevent PTSD Symptoms: Medical Study

By Steve Elliott , Toke of the Town.com The administration of marijuana cannabinoids after experiencing a traumatic event blocks the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms in rats, according to a new study published in the medical journal Neuropsychopharmacology. “We found that there is a ‘window of opportunity’ during which

Seed of Relief Seeks Scientific Solutions

By TAC Staff Call it an act of nefarious government forces or simple chance, the outcome is the same – a vicious cycle preventing forward motion on medical marijuana studies. Classified along side the most highly restricted drugs (LSD, crystal meth, crack cocaine), cannabis is labeled as having no legitimate

Bite Me: Medibles Vs Smoking

By Bill Morrison The Public Service Announcements scream it out, “Smoking Kills!”  Like it or not, the fight against tobacco companies and smoking in general has had an unintended consequence. Smoking cannabis for medical reasons got tainted too. In fact, current anti-smoking laws in even liberal California prohibit, not just

Around the Nation: Snapshots

Southwest California (LA)  The Los Angeles Times reports a second medical marijuana initiative has been approved for the May elections in L.A. The measure sets requirements for dispensaries. If they meet the standards, they will be allowed to continue to operate in the city. The restrictions include background checks, limited

Bureaucratic Blues Spur Growing Pains for Rural Caregiver

By Daniel Cuevas James Dodd was never interested in medical marijuana. Working in satellite dish installation, Dodd owned a home with his pregnant wife Cindy and son Jimmy in a semi-rural town just outside Midland. It was after his wife tore her rotator cuff that Dodd became keenly interested in

From East Lansing to the World: The Tale of Miss High Times

By Daniel Cuevas When Emily Aryn was crowned Miss High Times 2012, it was a dream come true for the art major from East Lansing, Michigan. Her strong involvement in the local cannabis scene along with her passion for the beloved herb won her the chance to represent the counterculture

People Power: The Boston Freedom Rally

They came by the tens of thousands, united under the umbrella of personal freedom. Last months’ 23rd annual Freedom Rally on Boston Common brought cannabis reform supporters, advocacy groups, battle-of-the-bands entertainment and vendors servicing an emerging market together for a day of celebration and awareness.  If you missed it, mark

Resources: MI Advocacy Groups

by TAC Staff Like other states, Michigan has a tapestry of advocacy organizations, some local, some with national affiliations; some focus on narrow issues, others have missions that are broader. This listing is meant to help those who wish to get involved navigate the landscape. It is not all-inclusive, but

AZ: Gaining Progress in MMJ Implementation

Marijuana Policy Project The medical marijuana implementation process is continuing to move along in Arizona. Nearly 500 dispensary applications were submitted through Friday, May 25, and 126 dispensary licenses are expected to be awarded in early August. In addition, the Department of Health Services is considering petitions to include post-traumatic

Chicago Mayor Supports Decrim

Chicago Tribune Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is throwing his support behind a plan to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. Under the proposed ordinance, police officers will have the discretion to issue tickets with fines ranging from $100 to $500 for people carrying 15 grams or less. “When the ordinance was

NY assembly approves MMJ in symbolic move

June 13 (Reuters) – In a move that was largely symbolic, the New York State Assembly voted 90-50 to pass legislation that would make New York the second-largest state to legalize medical marijuana. It was the third time the Democrat-dominated Assembly approved such legislation, which would allow patients registered with

See You in Ann Arbor

The Monroe Street Fair and Hash Bash Rally are ramping up for the weekend in Ann Arbor, MI. We will be there, starting with a vendor booth at the MI NORML conference on Friday, then heading in to the Monroe Street Fair and Hash Bash. Stop by our booth on

Seriously, Just Leave Us Alone

By William Joseph It’s terribly frustrating to live in Michigan. We voted for what we thought was a reasonable medical marijuana law and, despite not having any assistance from our legislators to put infrastructure in place, we made it work. But in the three plus years since the MMJ Act

Change Ain’t Easy

By William Joseph He has a huge head. A huge head on a huge frame. At six feet, seven inches tall, you immediately assume Anthony Mahavorick plays professional sports. And then he smiles and you realize the giant is gifted in more than physical size. His generous smile, topped by

Don’t Sh*t where You Live

By William Joseph My grandpa had a secret identity. By day, he was a soft-spoken, academically inclined, goodie-two-shoes high school student. But after the sun went down, he was a wild one, full of gusto and ready to party. His generation took their fun to the woods of rural Michigan,

Legalization Ramps Up Enforcement in Other States

Will legalization for recreational use in Washington and Colorado, there’s an apology due – the rest of us might be catching more heat because of it. Just as smokers in newly legal states are celebrating, police in Wyoming are gearing up for what they predict will be a jump in

Bad Cops in the News

While marijuana legalization is gaining ground across the country, many states still suffer with outmoded and draconian laws that police and prosecutors use against the pot using community. How bad is it? A couple of news reports reveal a side of law enforcement that is usually concealed from the public

Cops Doing It Right

As much as cops and prosecutors who abuse their power and over-enforce marijuana statutes should be taken to task, that much and more should we applaud it when police act like responsible and caring adults. With that in mind, kudos to the Seattle Police Department and their recent outreach to

Media turns attention to attacks on medical marijuana

By Charmie Gholson, Editor This editorial, “Bill Schuette at odds with voters’ will,” from the conservative leaning Times Herold editorial board is another indication of the beginning of media support for our community.  Brian Dickersons’ oped, “Schuette wages war against the people’s law,” in the Detroit Free Press kicked off

Fundraiser Successfully Protested, Attendees Educated Respectfully

By Josh Gardiner, Director of the Upper Peninsula Medical Marijuana Association ESCANABA, MI – When people think of the Upper Peninsula, thoughts race to waterfalls, state fairs, lakefront views, and outhouse races. What many don’t know about is the thriving medical marijuana community and the voices working behind the scenes

Dickinson County Compassion Club Helps Tools For Schools

The Dickinson County Compassion Club is a local non-profit educational and patient support group that meets monthly in the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain. The Tools for Schools Program is the DCCC’s second and most ambitious community help project to date.  In the past, the DCCC has held successful

Caesar Salad Roll It Up

From Green Cook Book.com   Caesar salad roll it up is very healthy and hands on fast. Enjoy a crisp light feeling in your stomach.   Ingredients: 9 or 10 leaves of romaine lettuce 1 cup of croutons 4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled 2 + 1 tablespoons grated parmesan

Cannabis Cooking Oil

Cannabis Chef. com Ingredients: 28oz (3.5 cups) extra virgin olive oil or canola oil 1oz/28g of finely ground quality marijuana (or up to 1/4 lb. commercial grade) Making the Cannabis Oil: 1. Pour oil into a large saucepan, preferably a double boiler. 2. Heat on a medium setting, and let

Cannabis Vodka Tincture For Bloody Mary Janes

Ingredients   3/4oz/22g finely ground cannabis 3fl oz/90ml vodka with at least 50% alcohol   Bake cannabis on cookie sheet in the oven at 150° F for an hour or so, until dry and crumbles into a powder Soak the cannabis powder in water for 12 hours to remove any

Marijuana Wine

From Good and Baked.com A simple marijuana wine recipe that’s guaranteed to get you hammered — maybe more. Please consume in moderation. Ingredients: 1 liter of good red wine a few cinnamon sticks a few pieces of ginger 6 grams of your favorite strain (3 grams for a less potent

Dumplings Vegetable Casserole

From Good and Baked.com This is a two-part recipe and it serves 5-6. The cannabis is found only in the dumplings, so if you have any dinner guests who can’t partake, just serve them a plate without dumplings.  Enjoy! Part I: Veggie Casserole Ingredients: 8 ounces parsnip peeled and sliced

Biryani Recipe Using Ghee

From Good and Baked.com Biryani is a mild, highly aromatic and richly flavored dish which originated in central Asia.  It consists of saffron rice, cooked together with fish, chicken, lamb or vegetables, in a spiced ghee with sultanas and almonds. Biryani is ideal for combining with cannabis because it is

Panzenella Salad

From the Goldenseed Company 4 large tomatoes, chopped
4 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
4 red onions, chopped
2 cups of red wine vinegar
1 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1 cup of chopped, fresh basil
1 cup of chopped, fresh cannabis (preferably a lemon or skunk type)
1 cup of chopped, fresh parsley
2 cloves of fresh,

Chocolate cannatruffles

From the Goldenseed Company 10 ounces fine-quality chopped milk chocolate
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup cannabutter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup shaved chocolate or cocoa powder Bring cream, cannabutter, and salt to a boil, and pour over chocolate in a bowl, stirring till smooth. Chill overnight, and use a melon baller or just

Cinnamon bread

From the Goldenseed Company Ingredients 1 cup white sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 cup buttermilk 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons white sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2

Frozen Cannabis Custard

From online pot.org   Ingredients: 8 oz. semi sweet chocolate 2.5 cups custard 1.5 cups whipped cream 1/4-1/2 oz chopped (fine) or ground ganja rubber spatula Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over low-med/low heat Add the cannabis to the chocolate and set the heat to REALLY low and

Emerging Trend: Pot and Parenting

By TAC Staff The expanding use of medical marijuana has had an interesting side effect: some parents are finding the challenges easier to handle when using cannabis.  The obvious benefits come when parents get effective help with pain or mobility problems, the lesser reported, but just as important result is

New Employment Rules: Criminal History

By Bill Morrison You can rebuild your credit after a bankruptcy, recover from an illness, or start a new family after a divorce. What you can’t do is get rid of the stain of a criminal history. Even with an expungement from public records, private companies still keep the information

Three Years, No Bail on Marijuana Charge

By TAC Staff Roger Christie will have been in jail for three years before his case goes to trial in Hawaii. By law, he’s innocent until proven guilty, but he sits in federal detention with his latest trial date set for July of this year. He was arrested on the

Scratch & Sniff: Turning Citizens into Rats

By TAC Staff The smell of growing marijuana is delightful. Full of potential and potency. But in Britain, the government is asking citizens to use their noses drug-dog style and help sniff out illegal crops. However, your average Brit may not know what a grow operation smells like. They need

US CA: Medical Pot Clubs Under A Cloud As Federal Crackdown

US CO: Valley Teen: Marijuana Is ‘Widely Available’

US CO: Valley Teens Have Easy Access To Marijuana

US MD: Edu: OPED: A Very Rational Strategy

US AZ: Editorial: That Grating Sound Is Friction Of Marijuana

US WA: Column: A Turn-Of-The-Century Approach To The War On

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