July 2010 Archives

Whenever I hear the "Star Spangled Banner" sung I get misty-eyed and when it's performed by a great singer, especially at a championship sporting event, I actually shed tears despite my best efforts to not look silly. Why this is unusual to me, is because I'm an Expat Canadian and my own National Anthem barely raises my attention, let alone emotion, then the Brazilian National Anthem sounds ridiculous (to me), and only one of a dozen people could tell you what the words are, let alone the meanings, yet Brazileiro's get very emotional about their anthem. So what's up with the Canucks - Stand on guard lyrics?

Most Canadian's will tell you the same thing, we love USA. We know we're different in some way's, but we also know we're the same in most ways, and in lifestlye we attempt to emulate our big neighbor to the south. Our culture is an American culture, as is a growing segment of the world's population, even if each nation brings it's own mix to the party, in the end we're all listening to, and watching, the same media, striving to drive the same cars, eat the same food, build the same houses and live the large lifestyle, like the American's.

It was sad to witness the erosion of the of the global sentiment towards American's over the past decade but that seemed to subside for a time with the election of Obama, proving that the majority of citizens wanted to change some ways and make some amends. When all along we Canadian's continued to adore USA, even if there were some mistakes made because we trust in the U.S. political system, more than our own, that the voices of reason will have an opportunity to be heard. I for one like to believe that there are enough smart people, not afraid to speak their minds, to make sure that before an important law is passed, it's meaning has had a fair and thorough debate.

These past couple of years have been the most challenging times for the people of USA, the shit-storm just doesn't seem to want to end. Whether it be Geo-political, domestic, economic or even environmental, as in the Gulf disaster, the greatest asset of the nation has been brought to bare, on whatever issue it's confronted, that is; "willful determination". This is what makes us admire American's, it's how they react to adversity; with resolve and confidence, that the problems are going to be fixed, and no-matter what the issue is, or the obstacles are, it will get done, once the plan is set and the decision is made to make it happen, it will happen!

Amongst the most charming traits of American's Is the ability to laugh at themselves and write books, make movies or even comedy sketches that make jest of some of their foibles. Being able to make fun or even art of what otherwise might be deemed a political or International disaster, act of war, or a career suicide (ie. Celebrities making mistakes), no matter who does what, somebody's going to make a joke of it, even if it's beyond tasteless. This candor brings humility to the character of the people and makes the rest of realize that mistakes happen and everyone is watching with a keen eye. I especially like that a Canadian such as Jon Stewart can sling as much mud at anyone in the news and everyone laughs. And around the world Expat American's are making people of other countries laugh, smile, or respond in some meaningful way, often in a life-saving ways, or even in a police/peacekeeping ways, very often in a leadership capacity, however my favorite role of American's abroad is like the Gringo's of Amsterdam, or the many American's that I've met in far-flung corners of Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, and Thailand, incredible great people!

Maybe we Canadian's are so infatuated with everything south of the border because we spend so much time there. I for one have been to more than 40 states, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Even driven from Buffalo to Miami and back, from Miami to Vancouver and back, and once across the top from Idaho across to Sturgis, South Dakota, before heading south back to Miami. Plus, I've had the good fortune to have visited all of the biggest cities, and lived in South Florida for 12 years, I can attest to Miami being my second home and favorite gateway to Latin America. Sure the beaches of Hawaii are arguably the best anywhere, the city on NYC the capital of the modern world, Vegas the ultimate city of sin and excitement, and L.A. is the Mecca of all that is cool and hip, but having said all that, it's still an easy answer, when asked "what is it I love the most about USA?" - it's the people.

Happy Independence Day!

Marijuana as medicine is nothing new, despite the current groundswell of laws making pot legal for medical uses. Here's a quick fact file on cannabis and its medical history, makeup, and legality.

[Read Medical Claims for Marijuana--Just Blowing Smoke?]

1. "Marijuana" is a Mexican term that originally was applied to low-quality tobacco.

2. The plant was cultivated in China for therapy (and recreation) over 4,700 years ago.

3. More than 20 prescription medicines containing marijuana were sold in U.S. pharmacies at the turn of the 20th century. Pot-based medications were commonly available until 1942, when cannabis was stricken from the U.S. Pharmacopeia, the official compendium of drugs considered effective. From 1937 to 1942 the federal government collected a tax of $1 per ounce for such drugs.

4. More than 20,000 studies on marijuana and its components have been published, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, an advocacy group. Of these, around 100 have looked into therapeutic value on human subjects.

5. The federal government is in the pot-growing business. Under a federal contract, the University of Mississippi in Oxford cultivates marijuana for use by researchers, who have to be cleared by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

6. The plant has nearly 500 chemical compounds, more than 60 of which are called cannabinoids.

7. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. But patients in these states face federal prosecution for using it--or for growing or possessing pot for medical purposes.

8. Federal law prohibits physicians from prescribing or otherwise actively supplying patients with the drug. But in 2002 the U.S. Supreme Court backed an appellate court ruling that physicians who discuss it with patients, or provide oral or written recommendations, are protected.

Corrected on 07/01/10: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the number of studies on marijuana and its components and those involving human subjects. The number of cannabinoids has also been clarified.

Departed Brazil on the evening of May 18 and arrived in Vancouver the next day, cleared customs, hit the cash machine for some shiny new Canadian money, then proceeded to the brand new Skytrain (completed for the 2010 Winter Olympics) which leaves the platform, an easy stroll from VYR airport, every 10 minutes. I rode in the front of the front car, with the kids, so I could marvel at the new metro rail train line, which is part elevated above ground, hence the name Skytrain, but the new train goes underground after it crosses the Frazer River and becomes a subway, transporting the passengers under the bust city streets and get you to your destination in half the time and a fraction of the price of a taxi. From the terminus station of Waterfront you walk about 3 blocks to reach the BC Marijuana Party (BCMP) Headquarters, or as one staff put it: Welcome to the Palace of the Prince of Pot (Marc Emery).

The mood around Cannabis Culture Head Shop and BCMP (upstairs) was a little somber, since Marc had just been extradited to the USA just the day before but the people were still very nice as they made me feel totally comfortable by explaining the rules, number one of which is that you must bring your own weed in order to use the Volcano Vaporizor placed in the center of each of low coffee tables placed between ulta-comfy leather couches or low rider style bean-bag chairs. The spacious second floor facility is super-cool, with excellent views, out huge windows, of the tree-lined West Hastings Street and across to the park where most of the BC Bud merchants tend to hang out.

On my first visit to BCMP the weather was cool and rainy but inside the Cannabis Culture café everything was cozy and chillaxed, so I reacquainted myself with BC Bud, and since it's been such a long time without smoking Kryp, after 15 minutes I found myself laying flat on my back on one of the leather sofas, staring straight up through the wonderful huge skylight built into the room's ceiling and captivated by the rain coming down on a cool old gothic style heritage building down the block, probably the most unusual view in all of Vancouver because you're looking straight-up through the roof of the building and if you tilt your head you can look straight out the big windows and down Hastings Street. Meanwhile , there's all great chill music on a great sound system and the main room has a huge flat screen TV playing a loop of the documentary "The Prince of Pot" and everywhere on the walls there's interesting art and information.

You can almost feel the presence of Marc and Jody, even when they're not there and being in that great establishment of marijuana legalization, you get a real sense of the passion that these two people have for the movement, but also the enduring love that they have for each other. These two Canadians make a powerful team and it's hard to not feel sad for Jody since Marc will be gone for another 5 years or so, that's a really long time apart for partners who spent nearly every minute together.

Now I've been back more than a month and visited Vancouver and BCMP again, this time it was full-blown summer, bright, warm and sunny. This trip included a visit to a small island and some excellent trail hiking, over a suspension bridge and around Lynn Canyon. Even after a month the smell and taste of the air never ceases to amaze me and the views and vibes of the city seem to re-energize the soul and spark the spirit, everywhere the Pacific paints her touch on the landscape and sometimes the panorama of it all just makes you stop what you're doing a say; "Oh Canada!"