Archive for June, 2009
June 30, 2009 at 9:15 am
· Filed under Cannabis Culture, Medicinal Marijuana ·Tagged cannabis, marijuana, medicinal, Medicinal Marijuana, michigan
Everyday, more and more States are getting involved in the Medicinal Marijuana debate and are actually moving towards policy changes. This is being driven by many things including a very strong Medicinal community (always helped by places like Marijuana Policy Project and NORML), an increasingly open and vocal Recreational community and Money.
Sidebar: A good friend of mine once told me that Money was the answer to all questions: Why would they make that trade? Money. Why would that law pass? Money. Why are we going to war? Money.
Every discussion and every vote is determining the course of history and it’s very interesting to be a part of. And this is no longer relegated to what are considered “free-thinking” West Coast states of CA, WA, OR, HI or NM or fringe East Coast states like ME or VT.
The passing of the law in the MidWest with Michigan last year was a huge step – and now other East Coast states like NJ, NH, NC, DE are heavily discussing similar laws. And I’ve heard it’s on the ballot in 10 more states in 2010. Basically, the entire country will be filling up green, moving from the outside edges inward.
It’s going to be in the best interest of the States and the individuals to treat Cannabis for what it is (Medicine) and help regulate it otherwise there will soon be a fairly even split in this country. Half of the states embrace it, while the other half reject it and fight hard to hold onto their previous position.
Will this lead to people leaving more states? What affect will it have on job increase/decrease in those states? What are the REAL financial implications of having some form of Medicinal Marijuana law in YOUR state?
The answers remain to be seen, however: If the states see that Green Marijuana starts to equal Green Money, the answer will be clear.
ReporterB.
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June 29, 2009 at 12:47 pm
· Filed under Cannabis Culture, Medicinal Marijuana ·Tagged cannabis, caregiver, marijuana, Medicinal Marijuana, michigan, MMMA, patient
I am seeing so much conflict and discussion when it comes to Patients vs. Caregivers (And it does feel like a VS. situation instead of an AND situation, which is sad). A lot of this is on the MMMA site and you a few very vocal apples don’t represent the entire bunch but wow…lots of anger, emotion and pain coming through in these posts.
How much is OK to charge? Can you just charge for materials? What about labor? What about sick people who cannot afford medicine? All relevant and important questions…
But everyone needs to relax and take a step back. WHY you might ask since we all have to be vigilant and focused and active. Here’s WHY: Because while we are all involved in helping shape the direction of the laws and the culture, it’s all up to the individuals involved in their own relationships!
There will be enough Caregivers and Patients out there that you can find the situation YOU ARE comfortable with.
Please do not impose your own financial and emotional concerns on others because they simply will not provide all the answers. Everyone’s situation is different and what works for you won’t work for everyone. It seems so clear and so simple however: Just because this is a new law, a new industry, and a culture that is now in the public eye more and more, doesn’t mean that the old rules of Everyone is Different and My Your Own Business don’t apply.
Debate is healthy and necessary to moving things forward – I truly believe that. And people can say whatever they want. But when you start to get personally offended angry and generalize all Caregivers or Patients as one thing or another – well, now you start to do damage to our movement. It detracts from the overall amazing growth and progress that is being made.
Do not drag everyone down due to your own situation. Please.
Loosen Up a bit. Get a Grip on the reality of differences in people. The path will be shaped not with anger but with positive action and healthy debate.
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June 26, 2009 at 11:30 am
· Filed under Cannabis Culture, Medicinal Marijuana ·Tagged cannabis, michigan, Medicinal Marijuana, norml
Glen: It’s a crazy world.
HI: Someone oughta sell tickets.
Glen: Hell, I’d buy one.
This is a quote from probably my favorite movie of all time “Raising Arizona” and it sums up my outlook these days. My life is damn interesting because I have two very young daughters and my work situation is always dynamic and interesting. But I feel this quote applies most especially regarding Cannabis, Medicinal Marijuana, and the social, legal, political and cultural activity that is happening RIGHT NOW ALL OVER THE COUNTRY!
We are the people. Now is the time. This is the place (wherever ‘this’ may be for you, it’s still the place). If you’re interested in Medicinal or Recreational Marijuana use and culture at all, step right up, buy your ticket, get your front row seat – or better yet, jump up on stage and get involved!
The opportunity in front of us is massive and we must proceed with caution, but we must push. A Woody Guthrie quote comes to mind: Take it Easy, but Take it.
I interpret this with a bit more force than it might’ve been intended but without that force, nothing is going to happen. Find out the activity in your state because I’m sure there is something going on (here is a great resource NORML.org).
Tune in but do not Drop out. Band together with people you know and trust and dive in.
ReporterB.
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June 25, 2009 at 8:23 am
· Filed under Cannabis Culture, Medicinal Marijuana ·Tagged cannabis, caregiver, Medicinal Marijuana, patient
Medicine is a highly regulated industry and product. There is so much sensitivity, control, concern and overall attention paid to it because, well, it directly affects our ability to live. Last I checked, people like their lives and medicine can literally make you or break you.
(And by using the word “medicine” I am covering anything that serves as a remedy or corrective not just the things that have the calming yet awkward commercials on TV).
What to take. How much of it. When to take it. When to stop taking it. How much is it costing you and What affect does it have on your condition. All of these questions must be considered and watched carefully since it is your health you’re dealing with.
So what about Cannabis? Or even other alternative herbs, teas, treatments, that help so many people? These are not FDA approved and they are not FDA regulated. While this can be a good thing, it also leads to a complete lack of understanding of dosages, affects, costs – and this is not good.
When people want to lose weight, they are told to get a scale and keep track of their calorie intake and their exercise. When you start putting somethig in your body to help remedy or correct a condition, you should know what, when, how.
Without knowing the facts of usage, we are missing out on an entire piece of the medicinal puzzle.
Medicinal Marijuana Caregivers and Patients are encouraged to keep records. Not only does it help legitimize the efforts to stay within the law and treat this as ‘real’ medicine, but it gives everyone involved the real data needed to fully understand their treatment needs.
Some are scared and paranoid to track anything names, dates or numbers but if you are operating within the laws of your state, you are protected legally. You should make sure you are protected physically by knowing what you put in your body and how often.
More on this topic later but for now, adios.
ReporterB.
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June 24, 2009 at 9:26 am
· Filed under Cannabis Culture, Medicinal Marijuana ·Tagged cannabis, caregiver, marijuana, medicinal, Medicinal Marijuana, patient
Spinnin’ down from the clouds like a tornado.
Spinnin’ out of control like a psychedelic soul.
This is our situation to lose, so let’s be strong and careful. Momentum is incredibly strong in support for Medicinal use across the country (Medicinal Marijuana is slated to be on the ballot in another 10 states in 2010!). There is a lot of talk and action in the area of decriminalization and even legalization dialogue is picking up.
So how do we all ensure it continues in the right direction and doesn’t get out of control?
On the Medicinal Cannabis side of things, we have to treat this like any other medicine, with regulations, record keeping and staying within the letter of the law. The laws are written vaguely on purpose so there is room for interpretation and room for us, the community, to help guide the direction.
Each Caregiver/Patient relationship, each Compassion Club meeting, each potential legal case, each business or product that exists related to the Medicinal Marijuana industry helps shape history.
Division between Caregivers and Patients will not get us there. Actions based on Ego will only serve to take us off the course – a path that is wide open for all of this right now!
This is the time to be diligent, to be thoughful and to take bold but smart actions.
Reporter B – feeling damn enthusiastic.
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June 23, 2009 at 8:12 am
· Filed under Cannabis Culture, Medicinal Marijuana ·Tagged budtending, marijuana, medicinal, Medicinal Marijuana, oaksterdam
I’m glad that I know more than I knew then. Gonna keep on tryin till I reach the highest ground.
The amount of information and community available at this moment for all things Cannabis is Overwhelming. Vast. Tangible. Available. From endless online resources to Anderson Cooper/CNN coverage to national and local politics, it is massively active in our culture right now.
People, while involved for many different reasons, are for the most part very inquisitive and open. They share their knowledge and opinions so willingly that there is even a university for “Higher” Learning called Oaksterdam with classes available in Oakland, CA and Los Angeles, CA (and coming to Michigan in September!)
You can take classes in Cannabis Horticulture, Legal Studies, even Budtending. The professors are experts in their field with years of experience teaching real knowledge about the medicinal Wacky Tabacky.
I want to talk more about Oaksterdam and will in future posts but the point here is this: The Cannabis Community enthusiastically seeks and shares knowledge.
Look at me: I have never blogged about anything or read any blogs with any frequency and now I am an active participant. It’s something I feel driven to learn more about and to give of my time – and it keeps things fresh, dynamic and damn interesting in life, which is how it should be.
Whether you agree or not, check out some of these resources and more importantly, talk to the people that are affected by this on all sides of the issue. The worst thing that can happen is you learn something new…
Bye. ReporterB
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June 22, 2009 at 9:11 am
· Filed under Cannabis Culture, Marijuana Style ·Tagged cannabis, culture, marijuana, sarah diesel, thc expo
One of the things I remember the most when I think back on the THC Expo is the lovely, knowledgeable and ever-present voice in the background: That of Sarah Diesel.
Sarah is a dedicated Medicinal Cannabis Advocate, Professor at Oaksterdam, Budtender and Manager of Collectives and all around Public Educator and Spokesperson for the Medicinal Marijuana movement. And from what I saw and heard, she is excellent at her job!
The entire time at the THC Expo, she was providing valuable information on different medicine strains, the art of budtending, marijuana culture, etc. and was doing all of this in a fantastic June Cleaver vs. Swiss Miss type of dress.
It’s always difficult to get people’s attention at an Expo. Now add to that these most of these people were medicated on Cannabis. Then add all the other fun and informative people and Marijuana product to look at – and it’s quite a challenge to capture what was left of this audience’s focus. But Sarah Diesel did it with confidence, grace, intelligence and enjoyment.
Powerful in her voice and knowledge, friendly and informative in her delivery, Sarah became the soundtrack to my time at the Expo and I was thrilled to listen to her.
I’m hoping she will come to Michigan for the September Oaksterdam seminars. Check her out if you get the chance.
That’s it for now. ReporterB.
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June 21, 2009 at 9:15 pm
· Filed under Medicinal Marijuana ·Tagged caregiver, marijuana, medicinal, michigan, MMMA, patient
I am going to take a step away from the ridiculously interesting world of the THC Expo to touch on the Patient/Caregiver relationship.
WARNING: This is a very small part of this topic that is definitely more complex and is changing every day. For those of you who are deeply involved, don’t write mean comments.
A person who needs to use Cannabis medicinally registers as an official Patient with their state. Then they can either cultivate marijuana themselves or designate an official Caregiver. The Caregiver becomes the person that cultivates for the Patient or provides them with their medicine. While that is a big generalization, it is essentially the situation.
Caregivers can be compensated for their time, expenses and service, but many issues arise from the question of How Much to Charge? Insurance does not cover the medicinal marijuana and many of the Patients cannot afford to pay street-level prices for the amount of medicine they need monthly.
If an ounce costs $400 – $500 and a Patient can use from 1 – 4 ounces per month – not many people have that much extra money, especially these days and especially in Michigan. But a Caregiver cannot give away the medicine or really afford to take a loss in this relationship, as altruistic as they want to be.
The bottom line is that this relationship must be based on mutual respect! Oh, and there should be signed paperwork also. As trusting and free-wheeling people think marijuana smokers are, well, this ain’t that. This is the law and this is a business relationship where their is money, time and more importantly, people’s health involved.
Patients cannot take advantage of a bad health situation, the kindness of Caregivers and a law that is open to interpretation. Caregivers cannot just be legal drug dealers to truly sick or not so truly sick people.
Be nice, be giving, but take this completely seriously and always protect yourself, regardless of whatever side of it you’re on.
Reporterb.
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June 20, 2009 at 3:30 pm
· Filed under Cannabis Culture ·Tagged californication, cannabis, culture, marijuana, Medicinal Marijuana, thc expo
I had the good fortune to attend the 1st annual THC Expo in Los Angeles, California last weekend. My trip out West was specifically to go to the Expo and it was well worth it.
To me, this embodied the word ‘Californication’ and it’s wonderful. Southern Cali Styles, Alternative Subcultures, something (Federally) illegal but damn well accepted – all being celebrated by people who love it. Oh, and next door was the Erotica LA Expo: Sex and Drugs together again…what more could you ask for!
Who would’ve thought 10 years ago, or even 5 years ago, that there would be an entire 96,000 square feet dedicated to Cannabis Culture?! It’s amazing but one of that scale could only happen in California at this point. They have had their law since 1996 and the marijuana culture there is thriving and everywhere!
Things I learned:
- Culture is king: People are into ALL aspects of Cannabis: Medicinal Marijuana, Pure Recreational Smoking, Political Activism, Hemp, Religious Use, or just getting high as a kite and looking at cool shit online.
- Smokers like things with Marijuana on it: Everything from storage jars, portable collapsible bongs, vaporizers and clothes to hydroponic systems, lights, trimmers, concentrate makers and stickers galore – people are proud to have product with Cannabis on it.
- People are very cool and fun but serious and dedicated: Yeah many people there were already medicated and there to have fun – but everyone is incredibly dedicated to the movement and again, the culture, of Marijuana. They simply love it and were happy to be able to celebrate it together.
There will be more to come about the THC Expo because it just had too damn much stuff going on to capture in a single post however: Being there was liberating, period.
It’s the same kind of exciting comfort you would get from seeing a bunch of old friends together in one place after many years – except I didn’t know any of these people before.
Adios for now. Reporterb.
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June 19, 2009 at 11:22 am
· Filed under Cannabis Culture ·Tagged cannabis, marijuana, medicinal, michigan
So this is my first blog post anywhere, ever and it’s exciting to be here.
This blog is going to be centered around the topic of Medicinal Cannabis (with a few detours along the way). But focusing on the culture, the movement, the law, the people and organizations making things happen right now.
I recently attended the first annual THC Expo in Los Angeles, which I will cover more in future posts, and it was quite incredible to see. Now, not everyone uses Cannabis medicinally (less sick people = good) but it definitely was not 96,000 square feet of hippie stoners. There were people from all walks of life, nationalities, styles who were there to support something they believe in, whether it is medicinally, religiously, or just responsible adult recreational use.
I have become motivated by the lack of doubt of these people, of the movement, and of myself to want to be a part of it. So I look forward to sharing my thoughts and getting your feedback on this topic.
For reference: I always take the saying of “May You Live In Interesting Times” as a blessing and not a curse.
More to come…
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