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

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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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!

Core reasons why I am active about my beliefs

January 19th, 2010 | By Reverend

I can think of hundreds of reasons for why I do what I do.  I could list them all and feel ever so vindicated.   But that is really what it boils down to, is that I was arrested and locked up when I was just a teenager for simple possession.
I went through the courts, and spent time in very uncomfortable jail cells.  I didn’t have a long record with exception to marijuana.
I worked from the time I was 14 years old until I was 15 and bought my first car with cash before I was even old enough to drive.
I paid taxes, I volunteered for the March of Dimes 3 years in a row from 12-15 years old.  I walked (skateboarded) 20 miles and collected dozens of sponsors to help with birth defects.  
I always tried to be a good person.  I think I fell short a few times, but I don’t think that my behavior warranted incarceration and career hurdles such as being banned from service in the military.

Now we see places like Denver, Seattle, Hailey ID, and even Big Water Utah decriminalizing possession of marijuana, and now with New Jersey there is 14 medical marijuana states.  We have found that marijuana does not cause serious illness or death.  It is being proven that cannabis cures aggressive cancers.   I think that the changing of the times is a breath of fresh air for millions of people in the USA that have served time for a victimless crime in the name of another failed “war”.  Marijuana is a plant, its not a crime!

I am so thankful for all of those who fight for what you believe in.  I am so thankful for our founding fathers, and for the words in the 10th Amendment that still seem to mean something.  I am even grateful for President Obama.  That he appears to have kept his word about marijuana.  And despite that I disagree with him on other important topics, I am glad that he is attempting to keep his word about decriminalizing marijuana.

I have fun toying with ideas of cannabis related businesses, and I love to go to rallies and all that.  I think that even if cannabis gets legalized in Washington where I currently live.  I will still travel to Utah, Idaho and Arizona to organize rallies and get things moving there.  After those states legalize, Im going to retire for awhile.  But for now, Im happy enough to be a part of things, even if only a small part.

People often offer gratitude to people who fight for their rights.  I get compliments from time to time.  But I say, save the words and just stand up for your own rights.  It’s my pleasure to stand up for my rights and things that are important to me.  But our government needs our input if any of us are going to be free.  It is important to not lose sight of what needs to take place.
Cheering for Marc Emery, or Eddy Lepp, or Charles Lynch is great, and it’s just about as helpful as cheering for a football game.

Instead of cheering.  How about we rise to the occasion and actually do something about the condition of our freedoms!

Recently Adam, a contributor to xCannabis and a cool guy to toke with started his own blog.  He has a lot of commentary and constructive input to offer the uninformed citizen.  We have linked his site a few times now, and he is on our blog roll.
There are several other people who have started great blogs and radio stations, and chat rooms that help bring awareness to the cause , big ups to them too!

All of that is good!   But I think what would be a really effective way to get the message out is to follow NORML and check out when their demonstrations are, and find information on how to contact your local officials  (see the right of xCannabis for links) then attend the demonstrations often, and write your politicians often.

BTW- I think I may offend people sometimes when I get passionate about thing that I believe in.  Truly, that’s not my intention.  Thanks for reading!   Time to enjoy harvest. 

Got snoballed today

January 6th, 2010 | By Reverend

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Ever felt like you’ve been snoballed?

I really truly dislike the kind of people who will step on anyone to get the best deal.

This is probably why I don’t like xmas much, or black friday, or all of the other BS that goes along with the vanity and commercialism of secular holidays.

Well, to make a long story short, I lost $2000 $2500 today directly because of someone being selfish, irresponsible and indecisive.

Now I feel like I’ve gotten snoballed.

I should introduce this guy to Gary Snoman, they’d get a long great!

It’s too bad sometimes medical marijuana is ALL about the $$.

See “Gary Snoman, the VC”

Video: Cannabis for Cancer

December 21st, 2009 | By Reverend

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I made this video to demonstrate what legalizing cannabis means to me.
I’ve lost so many due to the ineffectiveness or harm of synthetic drugs.
There is a natural remedy for many ailments called “cannabis”.  It is an ancient herb that has been used by mankind for thousands of years, and there is no record of an overdose yet.
Cannabis is safe and effective medicine. 
My video is dedicated to the loved ones that I’ve lost, who could have benefited from cannabis research and treatment if only it were legalized and properly researched.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGmPamqJpf8

Please visit our group “Cannabis for Cancer“  Sign up, make a difference with your collective voices!

For reference:

My dad hadn’t consumed marijuana since he was in the military when he was a young adult more than 40 years ago.   My dad became religious and refused to use cannabis based on his religious vows, since cannabis was illegal in his state.     I wanted so bad for him to find relief.  He hurt so bad!
He told me that had it been legal, that he would try it.  He was willing to try just about anything legal.  

I respect his steadfast and honorable dedication to his country and to the laws of the land.  Even if the laws are ridicules, he tried to honor all of the laws in the land, and be a good citizen.  

But he wasn’t stupid, he knew pot wasn’t evil!

Conversation with Rep. Brad Daw

December 10th, 2009 | By Reverend

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I thought these things that I was saying were helpful and productive, even the constructive criticism of the GOP when I brought up President Bush.
But Representative Brad Daw of Utah didn’t think so, and he kept deleting my post.

Conversation With Rep. Brad Daw about marijuana

=(

Anyway. For a guy who appears like he’s reaching out to his constituents, it looks like he only wants them to have certain information, but not all of it.
Which is what I get from the fact that he left my first post up, and delete my second post.

And then he did the same thing again with the third post, he deleted it, and left only the first post.

Maybe he doesn’t like more than one post on his links?

No, actually, I checked my email, and he had posted on facebook and then deleted it (so that I would get the notification in the email I guess).

His response is:

“You are welcome to comment on my posts, you’ll notice I don’t delete those even you get argumentative, but cannabis is illegal in Utah and I won’t have my page used a promotion tool for it or anything supporting it.”

Why censor anything about marijuana out?  It’s proven as a safe and effective medicine, and even the AMA recently came out in support of medical marijuana.  Which is no small feet, this is the largest physician group in America!

But like the DEA, you are going to play doctor, and pick and choose what is good information, and what is not condonable.

Why don’t you people let the doctors take care of their patients, and why they hell don’t you people stay OUT OF MEDICINE?!

REF:
http://xcannabis.com/2009/11/dea-ignores-the-amas-new-position-on-marijuana/

Patient advice

December 3rd, 2009 | By Reverend

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facebook xcannabis group

I had a person that I’ve never met ask me on facebook today to give some friends of hers advice on medical marijuana in this area.

I thought at first it would be a good idea to call them and tell them where to go for legal advice and medical advice.   But I got thinking that many patients could use this information.  So I wanted to post it here at xCannabis.  I will probably tell my new friend on Facebook where this post is so that she can read it to her friends.  I hate talking on the phone quite honestly.

So this was my experience when I first got to Spokane last June with my young family.  After having not lived here for 10 years, I didn’t have any connections to get marijuana.   But I had been evaluated by a doctor with an allowable condition.   I have horrible “cluster headaches”  caused by a vesicular deformation.   It a small area, just 3mm that constricts a bit too much, and when I have high blood pressure I get these horrible headaches that can make me lose my sight and hearing temporarily.

I hate describing my weakness, being a macho kind a guy and all.  LOL   But seriously, these headaches are the worst pain I’ve ever experienced, and out of all of the prescription drugs that I’ve tried, cannabis has been the most effective relief with the fewest side effects.

At times when I was curled up on the ground or on the floor, silent and in tremendous pain, often with my lovely wife by my side rubbing my back, I wished so bad that I had marijuana to relieve my headaches.  Because when I was a teen, I used it for the same thing much of the time.

Please read the rest of this knowing that I can not give you legal advice, and I am not a medical doctor.  This is just my own experience.   Please consult a professional if you need legal advice or medical advice.  And “if this is a medical emergency, please dial 911“.

So here is how it was for me, I was having one of these extremely painful headaches and my wife thought it would be good if I ate.  Sometimes food alone helps.  This time it didn’t.  But I grabbed a NickleNik paper after the headache went away a little and the first thing I saw was two ads next to each other on the front page.  One for CBR Medical and one for the Change Marijuana dispensary. 
There were more references to marijuana on the front page of this local paper than anything I have saw on the front cover of High Times.    Not to mention at least 5 other ads for seeds, clones, and other marijuana related services inside the magazine.

I called up CBR Medical, and I traveled down there because they specialize in this type of medical advice.

Ref from their website:  http://www.cbrmedical.com/process.htm

CBR Medical, Inc. & CannaBiogen Research, Inc. 3115 E. Mission Ave, Spokane, WA 99202

509-242-8624

They required chart notes from the last 3 years.  I had plenty.  The following day I gave them chart notes from my last 3 doctors over about 3 years regarding my condition.   That same day I met with Dr. Said, and we spoke about my condition for about 25 minutes or so.  He did an analysis which he recorded, and then he gave me my signed paper work for putting in my grow room, or having on my person.  And he informed me of the potential risks and benefits of the substance.  I believe I got 3 copies of my authorization, and my card from their office which had my name, and the doctor’s contact information.    They were all very friendly at CBR.

Following that, I took my authorizations down to a local co-op and I had my medicine.  All that easy.  But it took me a little more than a month to figure that out.  Had I only picked up the paper that I passed by every day at the gas station, I would have known.
LOL

I hope that this is useful for patients, this comes from the WA state government’s website:  http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/medical-marijuana/

Chapter 69.51A RCW

And information about qualifying conditions.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=69.51A.010

Now I am somewhat of a patient advocate and certainly someone who believes in the fundamental principles of our constitution in the US, which consist of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.   But as of right now, I just blog about my thoughts, and donate software and technical advice where I can.  I don’t sell any weed, medical or otherwise.  At least at this point.  I may some day help open up a coop, please pray for us that we can do that. 

Giving thanks!

December 2nd, 2009 | By Reverend

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I am so grateful for the support and bravery of so many cannabis soldiers out there!  Today we have 1044 members at Cannabis For Cancer.   http://Cancer.xCannabis.com We hit 1000 member on November 30th 2009!

brain cancer and cannabis

My dad and my grandma on my dads side both died from horrible cancers.  My dad had Glimoblastoma brain cancer, and my grandma had a variety of aggressive breast cancers.  She was a great fighter too!   But cancer being cancer, tore them both apart.

I am so thankful that with today’s research on cancer, that we are beginning to find our that marijuana is a cure and treatment for many types of cancer.

Ref:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0CAmiv5wyA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68dM1HsZzuE

I so very much wish cannabis would have been rescheduled before my dad and grandma died.   New research on the cannabis plant is amazing.  There is so much to be found.

I was missing my dad today, and it made me think of one of the reasons why cannabis legalization means so much to me.

Medical Marijuana Spokane (copyright 2009)

There are so many medical benefits, it’s hard to list them all.  But I can tell you that even if my father and grandmother were allowed to use cannabis, and it didn’t cure them.  They still would have lived happier, healthier and more fulfilling days of their lives.

Cannabis is used for many to counter nausea.  With AIDS and cancer patients it increases appetite tremendously.  I watched my grandma and dad shrink down to nearly nothing.  Its hard to eat when there is poison attacking your body.  Cannabis is known to increase appetite.  Sometimes even jokingly, when talking about stoners getting “the munchies”.  It just makes sense.

So lets support our loved ones who may someday have cancer, and in memorial of those who have died of cancer.  Lets make this the time in our country that cannabis is rescheduled appropriately, and further studied and used.  It is my opinion, that just about any other standard medication you can take is more deadly than cannabis (since cannabis toxic side effects have never been known to kill anyone).  Its safe and effective medicine!

Video Blog updates for 10/25/2009 and the Inland Northwest NORML meeting

October 28th, 2009 | By Reverend

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This is my weekly video vlog for xCannabis.  I try to sit down and do these when I have some free time at home, but that rarely happens.  So sometimes I take it on the road with me.

These are some of the clips from 10/25/2009.   I was on my way to the Inland Northwest NORML meeting, and I filmed these videos in my truck and at the meeting.

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