St. Patrick’s day and the rising of the Emerald Sun

March 7th, 2010 | By Reverend

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From Sensible Washington:

Hello Spokane 1068ers!

This was the first full week on the campaign trail, and you came out with a bang! Volunteers covered the Bus Plaza, Riverfront Park, bars, concerts, the Courthouse, and a door-to-door neighborhood canvass. We came very close to reaching our weekly goal. And we got a federal judge, a deputy prosecutor, and a high-ranking city official to sign the petition.

This is what the end of Marijuana Prohibition looks like.

But it won’t come without a fight — we need to prove we’re serious about ending the injustices. Anything short of a weekly show of our strength means our opponents can write us off as “just another stoner cause” without enough motivation to get the job done.

This Saturday, prove them wrong at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Spokane!

Parade starts at noon on the 13th, so come early to get the crowd beforehand.

Or if you can’t make it, join us at the other scheduled events below. Your area coordinator will get in touch to invite you to come gather signatures with other volunteers, and s/he can provide you with petitions and the info you need to collect signatures legally.

If we all pull in at least 40 signatures a week through July 2nd (two hours a week) we can end the harassment, surveillance, property seizures, court dates and trials for the decent people who choose marijuana — whether treating an illness or blessed with health.

And please — turn your completed petitions in to your area coordinator weekly. If you don’t know your area coordinator, please reply to this email or call 723-9965.

Thank you all, so much, for all that you do!

-Renata

Signature Events!
Grab a clipboard, some pens and some friends –
this is the quick & easy way to get your 40 sigs a week

Sunday, March 7

12-3 pm: Plaza/Downtown/Riverfront Park. Call coordinator Nick for more info: 389-8275

Monday, March 8

9-11 am: Courthouse in courtyard of Public Safety Building. Call coordinator Dave T. for more info: 570-762-4114
12-2 pm: SFCC signatures. Call coordinator Nick for more info: 389-8275

12-4 pm: Plaza/Downtown/Riverfront Park. Call coordinator Matt for more info: 209-0575

Tuesday, March 9

12-4 pm: Plaza/Downtown/Riverfront Park. Call coordinator Will for more info: 723-9779
12-2 pm: SFCC signatures. Call coordinator Nick for more info: 389-8275

6 pm – Spokane Chiefs vs Kelowna Rockets at the Arena! Meet at the corner of Boone & Howard – call coordinator Will for more info: 723-9779

Wednesday, March 10

12-4 pm: Plaza/Downtown/Riverfront Park. Call coordinator Will for more info: 723-9779
12-2 pm: SFCC signatures. Call coordinator Nick for more info: 389-8275

Thursday, March 11

12-4 pm: Plaza/Downtown/Riverfront Park. Call coordinator Will for more info: 723-9779
12-2 pm: SFCC signatures. Call coordinator Nick for more info: 389-8275

7 pm – Bar Night! (Wander to Knitting Factory at 919 W. Sprague to catch the crowd for Janus concert) – call coordinator Shayna for more info: 998-3158

Friday, March 12

9-11 am: Courthouse in courtyard of Public Safety Building. Call coordinator Dave T. for more info: 570-762-4114

12-4 pm: Plaza/Downtown/Riverfront Park. Call coordinator Matt for more info: 209-0575
12-2 pm: SFCC signatures. Call coordinator Nick for more info: 389-8275

6 pm – Spokane Chiefs vs Kelowna Rockets at the Arena! Meet at the corner of Boone & Howard. Call coordinator Will for more info: 723-9779.

7 pm – Bar Night! Meet outside Dempsey’s Brass Rail, 909 W. 1st, branch out from there. Call coordinator Shayna for more info: 998-3158

8 pm – Gonzaga Strip (Bulldog Tavern on Hamilton @ Sharp) – call coordinator Nick for more info: 389-8275

Saturday, March 13

***Give your signature totals to your local coordinator by the end of the day today. If you do not know your coordinator, write to sensiblewashingtoneast@gmail.com***

11am-1pm – ***St. Patrick’s Day Parade!*** ALL HANDS ON DECK! Meet at Pavilion entrance at Riverfront Park and get all the supplies & info you need. Call coordinator Renata for more info: 723-9965

7 pm – Bar Night, St. Paddy’s Day Edition! Meet outside O’Doherty’s, 525 W. Spokane Falls Blvd – call coordinator Shayna for more info: 998-3158

8 pm – Gonzaga Strip (Bulldog Tavern on Hamilton @ Sharp) – call coordinator Nick for more info: 389-8275

Sunday, March 14

***Your local coordinator needs your signature totals. If you do not know your coordinator, write to sensiblewashingtoneast@gmail.com***

12-2 pm: Main Market Coop, 44 W. Main Street, call coordinator Will for more info: 723-9779
12-3 pm: Plaza/Downtown/Riverfront Park. Call coordinator Nick for more info: 389-8275

–
Renata Rollins
Eastern Washington Field Director
Initiative 1068 – Sensible Washington

www.SensibleWashington.org

Fan us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Sensible-Washington/250965900741

Friend us on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/sensiblewashington

We’re on Twitter too:
http://twitter.com/sensiblewash

The Emerald Sun will rise, on St. Patty’s Day

March 3rd, 2010 | By Reverend

We have decided to delay the opening of Emerald Sun Incorporate until March 17th.
We have a few permits and licenses as well as a few walls to build.

I figure St. Patty’s is a good day, that doesn’t get a lot of attention. It falls on Wednesday this year after all. So we will probably just keep the party warm for the weekend.

This is an article that I recommend: The Real St. Patrick?

Also this is a video that I made about the struggle that Irish folks endured in our country when they arrived:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlyNWZ9MEtc

On Wednesday March 17th, we will open our doors. We will serve some refreshments and get to know our neighbors.
We will also have a killer sale on all of our new wares! When I say new, I mean no one else has these wares, because they are designed and made by Emerald Sun. Kimberly makes hand sewn threads, from hoodies to shorts, and even some sick kushy bags that we call “Dope Duffals”, these were a hit at HempFest last year!
I will be sporting a new line of clothing made by us. My birthday present from Kimi is this really bad ass corduroy hoodie! Im psyched! You want to talk about made in the USA, these are made in your own back yard! Made for rugged, and casual use.
We are an outdoors type of family, so we make our clothing for our lifestyle.

We will also have a variety of Emerald Sun t-shirts will clever designs to promote the cannabis awareness and legalization movement.

Don’t miss out on this sale, we are give 5% of ever sale to WA NORML, and we are going to be discounting each item at least 15% off regular prices.

Also we will have forms to sign for the I-1068 petition. Read more about it at:

http://sensiblewashington.org/where-to-sign-i-1068/

This is our address:
9423 North Division
Spokane, WA 99218

Updates for Sensible Washington on I-1068

February 28th, 2010 | By Reverend

Hello Fabulous Spokane Activists!

You’re reading the first weekly volunteer newsletter alerting you to upcoming events that are rich signature-gathering opportunities for us! A campaign coordinator will be on site at every event with extra blank petitions, so if you’re a first-time volunteer you will be in good hands.

Expect a follow-up call soon from your local coordinator. S/he will invite you to attend at least one event per week so you can contribute regularly toward the Eastern Washington goal of 80,000 signatures before July 2nd. S/he will also be your contact for turning in completed petitions and getting new blank ones.

If every volunteer turns out for one or two events per week, we will make it on the ballot!

The success of I-1068 is up to you. The only question left: What will you do to repeal Prohibition and stop that knock at the door for good?

Bring a clipboard/cardboard, some pens and a friend — and come to this week’s organized events to find out!

Renata  =)

–
Renata Rollins
Eastern Washington Field Director
Initiative 1068 – Sensible Washington

www.SensibleWashington.org

Fan us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Sensible-Washington/250965900741

Friend us on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/sensiblewashington

We’re on Twitter too:
http://twitter.com/sensiblewash

The Mile High

February 14th, 2010 | By Reverend

So I am in Denver, I have completed the installation job at the dispensary. 
I was so very blessed to work with such wonderful, friendly and professional folks!

After work, I was very blessed and felt very comfortable toking on a fat spliff outside my hotel room.

I met 4 people at the hotel who were tokers, and it was great how generous folks have been to me here.

For a cannabis tour, I would give Denver 4.5 stars out of 5.

The culture is diverse and beautiful.  The scenery is as it has always been to me, AMAZING!   The people have been all friendly with no haters, grumps or headaches..   On Federal Blvd there are about 20 different dispensaries that I noticed, and probably more.  All of them with brightly colored signs which indicate what their product is in very obvious and stereotypical ways, but without many problems.

There was a report in the local paper about a grower who bragged to the media of just how much his current crop is worth.  He went to jail this weekend and I imagine his crop isn’t worth what it once was. 
Even though I think marijuana should be 100% legal, I think it really sucks when someone screws a good thing up for everyone.
Be safe people and there is no need to be greedy!

For those that shared with me, bless up!!

This is a picture of whats left of my nug.  This is some sort of strain of pez, but I didn’t absorb it’s full name.

It’s got a great taste, and it’s a sativa dominant.  Very nice, compact, dense buds!

The Mile High!

Our first daughter was born here.  I sure did miss this place, even more so now!

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Drug Tests Are Wrong – Here’s Why

February 11th, 2010 | By Brenda

In this country, it has become very popular for companies to require drug screening as a condition of employment. You’ve seen the “This is a drug-free workplace” signs, I’m sure.

This is wrong, wrong, wrong!!!

No company has the right to control what it’s employees do in their off-time. No matter how much the pay. Period. End of story.

But there’s more.

Let’s give an example. Cannabis cannot be measured with a drug test. The metabolite that is released when THC is metabolized by the body is what’s tested. This metabolite can remain in the body for as long as 30 days.

If a person is drug tested, and has consumed cannabis within the last month, the test will turn up positive. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the person is impaired today. All that means is that the person consumed cannabis within the last month or so. Big deal.

Why should any employer care what it’s employee did last month? The employer should only care about what’s going on with this employee while they are on the clock.

And yes, I’m a nurse. So you can imagine the outcry it would cause if I turned up positive for cannabis during a drug screen.

But you know what? Using cannabis last month does not make me impaired today. I have worked with nurses who come to work hungover. That’s impaired. And on the clock too. What happens to these nurses? Typically, they are sent home “sick.” They are not sent to pee in a cup and face the loss of their job. Basically, it’s a chuckle, chuckle, nudge, nudge, don’t do that again, see you tomorrow.

Why? Because alcohol is a legal drug. And a lot more harmful than cannabis, thank you very much.

I am sick and tired of being discriminated against just because my medicine of choice is illegal. Actually, the ONLY thing wrong with cannabis is that it’s illegal. It doesn’t hurt anyone. Never has, never will.

So, until I find a nursing facility that looks at the truth instead of falling for the lies about the “evil devil weed,” I won’t be working as a “registered” nurse. Period. End of story.

And that is very sad. Because I am an excellent nurse.

And guess what? The last “excellent nurse” you met was probably a cannabis user too.

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California to legalize, how will that impact pharmers?

February 8th, 2010 | By Reverend

How will legalization effect the pharmers in California?

Since I have been in Humboldt County this week, I have interviewed several pharmers who are worried about the direction of the law reform movement which is about to take prohibition down, at least in California.  With AB390 having passed a California Assembly committee, then passing the Public Safety committee, and now it’s on it’s way through the Health Committee..  It’s obvious that a new day is dawning for cannabis in California.  [ref = http://slu2.com/?6 ]

A few of the pharmers that I have spoken with here have raised these concerns.

• Legalized marijuana will drive the price down
• Legalized marijuana will limit who can sell it
• Legalized marijuana will flood the market
• Legalized marijuana could ultimately hurt their livelihood and potentially take food off their child[rens] plates

I can see where this concern comes in.  It does look like pot will be legalized.  It also looks like all of those points above could become true.

My response to them is that if they take precautions now, and work on starting their own dispensary then when AB 390 passes they can potentially get grandfathered in with their legitimate medical marijuana business to then serve all adults (not just patients).
I recommend starting a dispensary, or at very least get a business license now and keep it renewed.

Lets say that a legal market has no potential of helping pharmers out, and may potentially ruin their business as it is.
That is horrible, and I don’t wish for that to happen as a lot of people depend on this crop.

Then lets compare the current effects of prohibition.

• Prohibition doesn’t stop people from using marijuana
• Prohibition has hurt or destroyed the lives of almost 20 million Americans
• Prohibition is now claiming almost one million victims each year
• Prohibition allows police to violate the privacy and security of a person’s home or person
• Prohibition fuels the crime in the black market (including violent crime, etc)

When I got arrested for possessing a few grams of weed when I was a kid growing up in Utah, those charges disqualified me from military service and many college and job related benefits.   Having a “drug” charge on your record disqualifies you from many benefits that most Americans take for granite.

My hope is that California will make cannabis a viable and profitable resource and put a lot of people to work.  I hate to be taxed, and I think that the tax should be no more than retail sales tax.  But there is a lot of potential for pharmers, distributors and related jobs with legalization.

Not everyone will be growing weed  It’s difficult, and it takes a lot of patience and investment to get started.  Not just anyone can grow weed.  Similar to tobacco and alcohol, they are not widely produced by individuals. 
About the price being effected.  I believe it will be similar to how it is now.
There will be “work” (commercial bud) and kind icky sticky bud.  Similar to a fine cigar compared to a swisher sweet.

I say if you don’t like the law that is getting passed then start working on some modifications and propose them via ballot initiative.

BTW-  PLEASE do not ever vote for a law that will forbid individuals from growing their own!   It’s a weed, it should be allowed to grow like one.  Like God intended!

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Humboldt California

February 7th, 2010 | By Reverend

We are hanging out in Humboldt county this week.  I took my wife and kids to Humboldt to do some exploring.
I had planned on getting some cool pictures but I forgot my camera at home, so all I have is my camera phone.

The first thing that I noticed upon arriving on February 6th, is that several of the local radio stations were celebrating Bob Marley’s birthday, and “The Coast” radio played 3 hours of non-stop Bob Marley’s tunes.  For the whole rest of the day we got to listen to excellent reggae, and listened to radio DJ’s reveal cool facts about Bob Marley’s life.

After that we went to Denny’s and on each of the tables there was an advertisement for “Hemp Ale”  (see the pictures below).
We had a great breakfast, but I didn’t feel like drinking at 11am.  But the waitresses that I spoke to reported that they get great reviews on this brew, and I am excited to get one before we leave.

We have a lot more adventures that are yet to happen.  I will post more photos as we go.  I love this place!

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Cannabis – Canna-business – and activism

February 5th, 2010 | By Reverend

I got reprimanded today by another stoner in a chat room.

I just created a new way to ’spread the herb’ which is via  http://SLU2.com

SLu2.com is similar to TinyURL.com, TR.IM, and Bit.Ly.

I put 2 or 3 links up at  http://stash.norml.org and asked people to help me test it.

This is the response I got:

@xcannabis, I guess I don’t see a reason for me to change to slu2.com. For one thing, tr.im lets me track hits on my links. Are you tracking hits with yours? And just what do you track? Sorry, but other than in here, I don’t know anything about you except that you’re trying to drum up business. Sortof everything you do is a little spammy.

I respond and say:

@ ******, my site SLU2.com does everything that TR.IM does. One thing that I do that TR.IM doesn’t is that I support NORML with $$. I also organize and attend pot rallies. Do whatever you want. But TR.IM does nothing for law reform.

The entire reason that I am starting these cannabis businesses, is not because I am needing more things to fill my already busy schedule up.  I’ve made enough money each year for the last 4 years that my wife has not had to work, and our bills still get paid and our life is still comfortable.   At one time my wife brought home the bacon.  But due to some good investments and a lot of hard work, I am able to take care of my family without needing a two income family anymore.

I didn’t NEED to start a few cannabis businesses, other than  wanting to be able to contribute more to the cause.

By starting these cannabis related businesses, I am able to donate more money to several of my favorite causes which are all cannabis related.

Last year we donated thousands of dollars between several orgs.
NORML, HempFest, Cannabis Culture and BongTV.

That money came right out of our pockets, and with no material benefit to us what-so-ever.

This year we have created several cannabis businesses and we are starting to advertise them.
We will do all of the same donations to the same orgs as we did last year, but this year we are also adding High Times, and possibly Treat Yourself Magazine.

I couldn’t give nearly as much money to these orgs, if I wasn’t getting something in return.  Meaning I advertise with these groups,  it fuels their agenda and it fuels mine.   This isn’t a take/take relationship, this is a give/take relationship.

Further more.  I am employing people, renting a business location, advertising with several businesses, and paying taxes in my cannabis related business and I am not even selling weed. 
This is all complimentary to the cannabis movement.  It goes to show that cannabis business is good business, it’s good for our whole community and it shows why cannabis can be legal and legitimately fix our economy and restore freedom at the same time without causing mass crime, etc..

I am a business man.  So the best way that I can contribute to the cause is by business.  When I post a link at NORML, or Cannabis Culture, or BongTV, or any of the other sites that I go to, I pay for the advertising.  I don’t just take without giving back.

So the question is.  What do YOU do to help the cause?

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Get Up! Stand Up! Don’t Give up the Fight! / Right!

February 2nd, 2010 | By john

This is the year 2010, and if we are ever going to, as the Beatles wrote, ” Come Together “, then the time is now! This next week Wednesday, February 10,Time: 7-8PM, Downtown Spokane at the Community Bldg ( 35 W. Main), Renata Rollins,  The Eastern Washington Field Director for Sensible Washington. She will be here in  Spokane for our signature gatherers  kickoff meeting!   Activist/Songwriter Bob Marley knew that in the end we will win the Fight!  For this journey to end we must put out and extraordinary  effort. With this small sacrifice of time and sweat,   unpaid dues to the effort will be realize, as we get… LEGALIZED!     She need to have those who would like to volunteer to gather signatures the follow this link to sign up before she arrives  http://www.facebook.com/l/13c87;www.sensiblewashington.org/volunteer  http://sensiblewashington.org/volunteer/ One thing I have noticed about the way america is thinking is they are tired of waiting for the ” Government and it’s flawed process ” to fix things while the rest of the WORLD is getting right with Hemp.  We know (and they know! ) that the People can and will solve the problems of our Economy with Industry,  Research, and Good Business! Activist /Musician Human says it all in this inspirational song.   Tree Of Life Which brings me to Jack Herer,,,,,,,, long time activist/hero to the cause. Please let us all Pray for his Recovery! He spent more time, fighting and yelling at crowds, till he was horse, and  then,….. do it all over again the next day! That’s what it takes to get the job done.  Jack needs to realize , his life’s efforts, have not been in vain!   Over 200.000 attended Seattle’s Hempfest last year, and there’s another 600,000 that would of loved attending ,… so know that you are not,…. alone any more!

OBAMA :WILL HE “LAUGH”..Again, OR WILL HE ” LISTEN ”

January 31st, 2010 | By john

I like over, 500,000 Americans have been on CitizenTube writing questions for the President of the United States to answer.   The American people spoke last time LOUD! and CLEAR!…..and the answer was a chuckle and a Big smile, and the audience, they laughed with you and then you told the” majority”of the  American People, responding to ” Ask The Nation “ ….. No!    Will this be a repeat insult to the the people of the United States of America, I hope not.  This country has made many mistakes, but to continue  believing in and living  the Government’s  Lie’s is wrong!  The Federal Government and ” Big Business”   has  held back  progress so this nation,can’t be self sufficient , and  “DESIGNED” to be dependent on others for our basic needs. We have  a History of treating the American People wrongly, it’s time to STOP! Have faith in the American People , they will do the work necessary,  to make this land a far better place to live.  With the all tool’s of Industry and our own renewable natural  resources to work with,  ” We the People “ can build the strongest Economy the World has ever seen!     History has shown that letting the System work,  has not worked, so it must be time to do the BEST thing you can for the country and   * LEGALIZE HEMP / CANNABIS * and earn the respect of the American People!    Because ” YOU ” Asked for it, and the American People have spoken!