Initiative 1068 inspired me

February 17th, 2010 | By Reverend

In light of Initiative 1068 in Washington, my wife and I had a serious discussion about how we can help most in this aspect.
Since we have been needing to move our home office to a different place and OUT of our home. We elected to rent a store front with monument signage and a nice location where about 60,000 cars pass by every day.

We thought it was about time that we get our feet wet, and start pursuing a legal cannabis business.
Our reasoning is this. That we can have an office, pursue a new business venture, and be able to advertise and advocate Initiative 1068 in a positive way.
I am assuming that I am within my rights under the first amendment to hand out informational pamphlets about this initiative. For me, this seems like the best way to represent.

We thought (in the future) we might sell seeds to other patients, give classes on what medication is right for which ailment. We have spoken to a few RN’s, one of which is a close relative and another who is a very educated cannabis healer in our local community and a friend of xCannabis (Bless up John). We also want to give classes on how to properly grow marijuana, and have different instructors give classes on different methods of growing.
But we will not start with that type of business. We will get our attorney to give it some extensive research before we start with that part of the business. But it will eventually happen.

But we have decided to support dispensaries with software, point of sale equipment, and accessories for a co-op/dispensary retail business. Our company Emerald Sun Inc. will be on the signage and the business license.. This company represent many sides of our artistic and business creations.
We will do retail sales of goods that we have made, such as patchwork clothing, our TM “Dope Duffel” padded bag, t-shirts, and novelties. In the back we will make custom ordered shirts, hats, shoes, whatever. We specialize in both business and personal products and we have been at it for 7 years now. My wife as ran www.ArtisticByNature.com for several years with me, and we have ran www.TechProNow.com together for almost 8 years now.

We believe our hard work, and work ethics will reflect well on the cannabis community, and may help some get over stupid stereotypes of cannabis consumers being lazy and careless. We will also be able to show how productive, average people support this initiative (I-1068).

We work hard, and we pay our bills. We aren’t rich, we aren’t poor. But we sure as hell are not lazy, careless people.
There is no reason why cannabis consumers should be feared, or chastise.

Thanks I-1068 for the inspiration. We will announce more information about our intentions soon.
We are going to incorporate a way to sponsor NORML for the next few months too, in celebration of our grand opening.
Proceeds of the sponsorship will go to WA NORML.

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Returning home from Humboldt, February updates from xCannabis

February 9th, 2010 | By Reverend

We cut our vacation early to come home from Humboldt Co.
Kimi’s grandma Gene passed away and we are trying to make arrangements to get her there to be at the funeral.

I will be attending the WA NORML either way.  Here is the press release that I got in my email:

We also wanted to report that we found a Red/Rednosed pittbull in Redway WA.  The dog was being cared for partially by the Brass Rail hotel.  But she was infested with ticks, and sleeping by the highway in some bushes by the sidewalk.
She has been missing from a week to two weeks by the looks of her minor injuries including a broken/bleeding toenail.

We are caring for her here in Spokane, we put an ad on Craigslist in Humboldt Co and we brought her to the Animal Shelter in McKinleyville.   We didn’t want to leave her at the shelter because they already had a lot of homeless pitt bulls. 
We didn’t want to see her get euthanized.

We intend on making a near future visit to Southern California to visit a dispensary who ordered services from us.  So if this is your dog, or if you know someone who lost her, please send me an email describing her, and please leave a way to get in contact with the owner and we can make arrangement to return in next month.

UPDATE: We have found the owner of the dog that we found! She is driving 900 miles one way to come pick her up. She is glad that we didn’t leave her at the shelter, because pitt bull have such a high kill rate at a shelter.

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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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California to legalize marijuana? Petition says it will be on the ballot.

January 31st, 2010 | By Reverend

I would be so absolutely grateful and humbled if California legalized marijuana!
I am so pessimistic about these things.  I fight, and I hope that freedom and liberty prevails!
For some reason it just seems to simple and too smart all at the same time.  It will confuse voters, because I feel like they expect something complex and full of a bunch of bullshit.

Legalize pot,

• The police win; less non-violent criminals to have to deal with so they can focus on more serious crimes.
• The parents win, because marijuana will be kept and sold in a secured and adult environment.(right now more teenagers smoke marijuana than smoke tobacco.  Same with alcohol and pot.)
• Of course the tax payers win, because there is another great stream of jobs and tax money in a legal market.
  Instead of importing hemp from China, Australia and Canada we could produce and process it here.  That would create a lot of jobs.  Americans wear a lot of hemp these days, even though it’s more expensive than other fabrics.
• Taking money away from the black market and infusing our community in a positive way would be good for everyone (except maybe the cartels and such)

We need to make sure that cannabis stays legal to grow under our current medical marijuana laws.  But I would love to see complete all out legalization of marijuana for adults.   As long as these adults are allowed to grow marijuana.
I support legislation that promotes these intelligent and sensible ideas that groups like NORML, MPP, and REASON are all promoting.

On the NORML Daily Audio Stash I heard a lot about how there are over 1 million children selling marijuana.
Legalization will run the black market out of business, just like with tobacco and alcohol.
Lower prices, ,more taxes and the community benefits from the taxes and has no need to spend billions criminalizing a harmless plant that has many medical benefits!

California proposes to legalize with TV Ad campaign and over 700,000 signatures from NORML:  http://slu2.com//00

This is from the Stranger:  http://slu2.com//z

Washington activists also filed an initiative that would legalize marijuana. But unlike California’s ringleader who “bankrolled a professional signature-gathering effort,” the campaign leaders in this state are planning an all-volunteer campaign and having a hard time even accepting online contributions.

While we have been doing business in point of sales, we have spoken with many banks.  Bank of America assured us that they would support our clients who run medical marijuana dispensaries!  
We have more information in the forums here at xCannabis.  Emerald POS has it’s own category.

::  Link Shortening Services from SLU2.com ::

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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. 

Is marijuana activism about money?

December 1st, 2009 | By Reverend

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I got so mad today when I was posting on a blog today and the blog owner/moderator person edited my signature (which linked to this site, but just text no actual link), and removed an entire post about how cool the new (free) dispensary software is.  He wrote me and told me “gotta pay the pony if you want to advertise here”.

I got a little pissed first about the signature, because it leads to xcannabis.com  and we are truly a no-profit/not-for-profit entity.
Just like  BehindZionCurtain.com which I have owned for 9 years and NEVER have I sold ad space on there.  Never will.  Same with UtahPirateRadio.com.   Those sites are things that I dont want polluted with money and transactions, etc.  BehindZioncurtain.com gets over 35,000 visitors per month, and over 100,000 page views a month.  At least that was the averages from last year.   But I have no intention of commercializing those sites.

I hope someday that xCannabis.com will pay for itself.  But that day may never come, and for over a year now, I have sunk thousands of dollars building and advertising this website.  Plus the countless hours driving and protesting all over “The Zion Curtain”.  But I do this because I love it.  Not because I expect to make money.

Making Money with Marijuana

I looked at the ad prices for this site (these numbers may give it away for some); $500 to $20,000.

I thought to myself  “I would much rather advertise on CannabisCulture.com or NORML.org”.  I mean both those sites get a high amount of traffic, and at least I have saw those people around.  Plus their advertising is way less expensive.

I have never heard of this particular website ever before in my life.   However they are wildly popular (probably because of how obvious and clever their name is).  Its so obvious, it would be like looking for a shoe, and typing in the word “shoe” in google.   You would find were looking for.  Its that obvious.

But anyway, I wrote the guy back and I got a little snippy with him.   Telling him, that Im just too poor to advertise after a big year of protesting, and contributing time and money to marijuana law reform.  His prices are too much.  And, my “product” is free.

But then I realized “I would love to make money with marijuana myself”.   The thought of using this wonderful plant to sustain my life and the life of those around me.  To me that is beautiful.  Just the idea.

So I can’t hold it against them too much.  I just wonder why they are so popular, and I’ve never even heard of them.  After 15 years of going to shows and rally’s, why have I never saw this website, or this person?    They don’t seem to support any of the major political activism groups, or any of the festivals like HempFest.

Or maybe I’ve got it all wrong.    But I can understand wanting to make a profit off of this market.  And that’s a good thing.  If our culture is making legit money from marijuana in some way.  I think that is 10 steps forward in our movement.  Which is why we are utilizing our skills to build and strengthen cannabis businesses.

Good job cannabis businesses, thanks for all you do!

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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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Footage from the Protest In Spokane for Dispensaries

October 6th, 2009 | By Reverend

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This is the footage that I got from the Inland Northwest NORML website from the protest in Spokane regarding the closing of 7 medical marijuana dispensaries in Spokane:

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Spokane County Courthouse Rally today 11am 09/14/09

September 14th, 2009 | By Reverend

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As a result of recent events, I am expecting to see a huge turn out at the courthouse rally today!   11am Spokane County Courthouse 09/14/09

Watch the live stream at xCannabis.com

(I know I’ve already posted it, but here is the information again, it’s best to be at the rally than to watch it online!)

Medical Marijuana Spokane

The Great Northwest is under attack!

September 13th, 2009 | By Reverend

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For anyone that cares about their rights in this state, it is now obvious that cannabis patients are under attack in Washington!

Tomorrow there are two critical issues that are being addressed.

#1. 

The Inland Northwest Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is helping to organize a public gathering at 11:00 am this Monday in front of the Spokane County Courthouse. The NORML believes that we need to bring awareness to the issues that remain unresolved in the current language of the Washington State Medical Use of Marijuana Act, Chapter 69.51A of the Revised Code of Washington and help voice the opinions of 80% of the adult population that Hemp/Cannabis prohibition should end.

Rally in Spokane

It’s time to put to rest the myth that marijuana smoking is a fringe or deviant activity. In reality, marijuana smoking is extremely common and the number one drug of choice for millions of hard-working, middle class Americans.

Please join the NORML to help build a mainstream political constituency that our local elected officials can no longer ignore.

More from the Inland Northwest NORML chapter:  www.innorml.org