Recently in People Category

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!

In a recent interview Marc Emery said;

"None of what I am accused of doing, which is selling cannabis seeds over the Internet, harmed anyone," Emery said. "These were all things done in a political context. I've run for election, since 1980, twelve times. [...] There are levels of support in this country including the three previous mayors of Vancouver, Senator in the Senate, and certainly gracious members of the House of Commons who presented that petition yesterday."

Dr. Lester Grinspoon may very well be the most influential marijuana activist of all time. If there were an award for achievement in changing the way people think about smoking marijuana Dr. Grinspoon would win hands down. During his more than 4 decades of honest intellectual contributions and recommendation for re-thinking the use of cannabis and the laws related to marijuana Dr. Grinspoon founded the Harvard Mental Health Letter, and was its editor for fifteen years, which among other qualifications, put him in a better position than any contemporary American physician to tell the truth about drugs.

Dr. Grinspoon is Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the author or co-author of over 160 journal articles, including his 1995 commentary in the Journal of the American Medical Association entitled "Marihuana as Medicine: A Plea for Reconsideration." His first book, Marihuana Reconsidered, originally published in 1971 by Harvard University Press, was recently republished as a classic. His latest book, Marihuana, the Forbidden Medicine, co-authored with James B. Bakalar, was published by Yale University Press in 1993 (revised and expanded edition, 1997) and has now been translated into ten languages. Dr. Grinspoon was also a reviewer of the 1999 Institute of Medicine report, "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base."

Dr. Grinspoon appeared in the Canadian documentary The Union: The Business of Behind Getting High ~ Also, he has two very good websites that I recommend, plus that you visit and join his Facebook Fan Page.

• Marijuana: The Forbidden Medicine - Dr. Grinspoon's official website
• Uses of Marijuana - A website about the potential of medical cannabis

He's a 'healer not a dealer' - is the slogan now being associated with the Canadian Marijuana Activist Rick Simpson after he won the "Freedom Fighter of the Year" award at the High Times Cannabis Cup, last November in Amsterdam. Rick has quite a story to tell and it doesn't bode well for Canadian authorities, as it gains more momentum every day, and since the moral to the story, which RCMP and Canadian government officials have tried to suppress, is that Hemp extract Oil (we call Hash Oil, or Honey Oil), made from high-grade strains of cannabis, cures cancer. Surprise, surprise! There's enough people to back-up what Rick is saying to make an inquiring mind wonder - could it be true? can THC cure cancer?

High Times Magazine Steve Hager is a person in a position to know the difference between truth and sensational bollocks, especially when the topic is medicinal marijuana related. There is an excellent article on High Times website called Rick Simpson's Hemp Oil Medicine and according to an interview by the Urban Grower (see: YouTube video) we'll be seeing more support from Steve Hager and High Times Magazine and possibly a movie to illuminate the truth about the Rick Simpson story.

The good folks from Greenhouse Seeds sponsored Rick's trip to the Cup in Amsterdam, which indicates two interesting issues to consider, first; The StrainHunters have made a life of researching cannabis, Ok for a different purpose than healing cancer but the point is that Arjan and Franco are not likely to be duped by smoke and mirrors, these guys know the power of the plant. Secondly; Rick Simpson is not rich enough to be able to afford his own travel to the Dam and now his exile from Canada, since as it turns out his house was again raided and the RCMP are seeking him for questioning. The point here is that if he were able to grow enough high-grade weed to produce honey-oil to help a bunch of people recover from life-threatening illnesses, and if he were motivated by capital gain (ie. Money) then he'd certainly have enough cash to travel in style to Europe. Maybe Rick Simpson is telling the truth because someone had to?

We are at the dawn of new age in medicine and a new day for mankind. Not only can hemp save the world, it can eliminate a great deal of human suffering and can even put an end to starvation. What are we waiting for? Join with me and let us put an end to this madness. It can only survive if we continue to sit on our backsides and do nothing. Stand up and be counted and let us give ourselves a chance to heal. ~ Rick Simpson

Over 500,000 people have viewed his You Tube video called Run From the Cure and every day the traffic is growing to the Rick Simpson website called Phoenix Tears

Jesus and his apostles were reputed to have used a Holy oil for healing and enlightenment. The Bible makes no direct mention of marijuana, so for anyone to assert that Jesus smoked it is making assumptions, although there were mild types of marijuana in Palestine at that time so it is possible.

The Bible does however make references to the "new wine" and sacred herbs which some have considered to be a reference to marijuana. The original Hebrew recipe for this mix, found in Exodus 30:23 contains references to a plant known as "keneh bosem", and a number of researchers have identified this with cannabis. The most compelling research for Jesus being an advocate of Cannabis was by Chris Bennett and first published in High Times on February 10th, 2003

Chris Bennett said cannabis was widely used at the time to heal the sick.

"The medical use of cannabis during that time is supported by archaeological records."

"The holy anointing oil, as described in the original Hebrew version of the recipe in Exodus, contained over six pounds of keneh-bosum - a substance identified by respected etymology, linguists anthropologists, botanists and other researchers as cannabis extracted into about six quarts of olive oil along with a variety of other fragrant herbs".

"The ancient anointed ones were literally drenched in this potent mixture."

Cheryl Shuman and Fred Rhoades the founders of Beverly Hills NORML 90210 are two crusaders for the reformation of marijuana laws who are making a big noise across the web and over the social networks. Fred has a most interesting background (see: Fred's Bio) with a wealth of knowledge and experience in Organic farming, then in 2007 he first met Cheryl, which he say's changed his life forever, and since that day they've worked together on a number of cool projects, first and foremost was treating the cancer and lung disease that Cheryl had been diagnosed with, Fred became her caregiver and they elected to apply a medicinal cannabis therapy combined with natural remedies. Today Cheryl is in remission and living an active lifestyle but the overall experience compelled her take a more active roll and lend her energy and experience to bring about change in the laws that surround marijuana, hence the formation of the Beverly Hills Chapter of NORML (www.norml90210.org)

The two cannabis crusaders made such a dynamic duo that they decided to start an organic farm in Northern California, where they hope to bring all their focus and knowledge to the business of healing. Complying with the legal guidelines of California Fred and Cheryl formed "Shaman Therapeutics" a Private Non-Profit Medical Cannabis Collective that serves seriously ill patients in both Northern and Southern California.

Fred and Cheryl also work with other collectives, activists and medical marijuana patients working to reform marijuana laws in Beverly Hills and throughout USA.

"This is a challenging time as a legal medical marijuana patient. Laws and politics are changing on a daily basis, says Fred Rhoades." "The prohibition of such a miraculous healing plant must stop. As a patient, caregiver and activist I will stand strong to fight for legalization and safe access for everyone."

Arjan is the founder of the Green House Coffeeshops and Seed Company, the most successful cannabis business in the world. Winner of many international awards (32 High times Cannabis Cups, 17 Highlife Cups, and dozens of other awards), a true leader in cannabis genetics. The vision, passion and hard work of Arjan earned him the distinction of being the "King of Cannabis" but he does not rest on his laurels (so to speak), as he continues to search the planet to collect cannabis genetics and landraces with his longtime side-kick Franco and the team known as the Strain Hunters.

In 1985 at the age of 20 Arjan met an old medicine man in Thailand. At that point he'd already spent ten years of his life in Africa and five years in Asia. The old medicine man had a dream: he dreamt of a free cannabis plant. He explained and taught Arjan the religion of this plant. But he also explained he would never win his battle with just money. Passion and love were the only options. No one ever died because of the cannabis plant, but the power of alcohol, tobacco and the pharmaceutical industry prevent this plant from being used and accepted. The medicine man was right. He eventually died, but the day Arjan met him it changed his life. He wanted to bring this dream closer to reality.

The Cheech & Chong Get It Legal Tour is scheduled to make 22 stops across North America, including Boulder, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Bellingham, Buffalo, Portland, Santa Barbara, Tampa, Louisville, Detroit, Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Fort Worth, with Canadian stops in Regina and Saskatoon; more dates will be announced soon. Chong's wife and comedy partner, Shelby Chong, will open all dates on the tour, as well as DJ-Joey Mojo.

Successful beyond their wildest dreams, the iconic comedy duo Cheech & Chong defined an era with their hilariously irreverent, satirical, counter-culture, no-holds-barred comedy routines. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong's phenomenal success began on the stand up comedy circuit which led to 9 hit comedy albums and 8 hit films, breaking box office records, shattering comedy album sales, garnering multiple Grammy nominations and mesmerizing fans for more than a decade.

With nine albums released from 1972 through 1985, Cheech and Chong were nominated for four Grammy Awards, winning the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album with their third album, Los Cochinos, released in 1973. Big Bambu, their second album, was the biggest selling comedy record of all time in 1972 and remained so for many years. Their stunningly successful comedy streak transitioned to film in 1978 with their first movie, "Up In Smoke," the highest grossing comedy of 1978, topping $100 million at the box office. Cheech and Chong co-wrote and starred in a total of eight feature films together, all directed by Chong.

From the world famous Troubadour in Los Angeles where they were initially discovered, Cheech & Chong announced their first tour in over 25 years!

Going to Vancouver when I was a youth was a big-deal and at least a 6 hour drive. Me and my buds towed a 19 foot ski boat all the way to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, spending 10 days discovering Super Natural British Columbia. Rock'n on the boat and partying on shore all night, we'd go salmon fishing in the morning to get sobered up and water skiing in the afternoon to get all revved up. At the end of our Island trip the 3 delinquent teenagers had tickets to see the Police at the Pacific National Exhibit (PNE) in Vancouver. Sting had me from the first word I heard but sold me when I watched the man perform, it has always been awe-inspiring.

Sting is acknowledged for his efforts in the UK, by signing a letter to the past Prime Minister, warning against a toughening-up of policy on cannabis, Also, for backing a campaign by Release, which provides support for people with drug problems.

Whilst cruising the marijuana videos on YouTube looking at cannabis culture material and admiring peoples Channels I came across the most remarkable young woman web publisher named Angel Macdonald on COMarijuana and editor of the Reefer Report.

Her site has the following appropriate quote underneath, to give you a hint of her cool mindset:

"Most [marijuana smokers] are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers... Their satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others."

-Harry Anslinger's (first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics)1938 testimony to Congress

Angela is also a contributor to the NORML / Examiner and has a great social netowrk on the following sites.
- YouTube
- Facebook
- Myspace
- Twitter

Most importantly make sure you check out her site www.reeferreport.com

This hilarious Canadian comedic Mockumentary series lasted 7 years, ending in December 2008, as the most popular Canadian series on Showcse. The Trailer Park Boys gave us the great deviant characters of Ricky, Julian and Bubbles who are always trying to figure out new ways to get rich, get high, and stay out of jail while dealing with their nemesis Jim Lahey the alcoholic, former cop, trailer park manager and his side-kick, the shirtless big bellied Randy. Growing, smoking and selling weed is a common theme for these lovable ex-convict chain-smoking alcoholics and the drunkard Mr. Lahey is always out to bust them.

Ironically, the characters portrayed in the Trailer Park Boys, as off-the-wall as they may seem, in many ways typify people we could find in any lower-class neighborhood, anywhere in the world. So now this iconic cast of degenerate characters has found new audiences via television syndication around the world and is delivering this bizarre Canadian trailer-trash brand of humor to viewers in Australia, UK, Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Netherlands, Israel, Finland and soon to be in Poland.

For the last seven years they have appeared in public almost exclusively as their characters not as themselves, Bubbles (by Mike Smith) has even been known to sing his trademark song "Liquor and Whores on tour with Guns N' Roses. To keep the Boys going and to continue feeding their substantial fan-base, last month the Trailer Park Boys released a new feature length movie called "Countdown to Liquor Day" where the fun is all about seeing how the Boys become their own worst enemy. Despite their best (and sometimes worst) intentions, everything goes hilariously wrong for this gang, and for everyone around them. Even the one who technically wins in the end gets no joy.

In a recent Newsweek article they coined the term "Pot's Biggest Bud" to describe Ethan Nadelmann and spoke of him with reverence in this quote:

The folks at the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws worshipfully refer to him as "our drug czar."

Nadelmann doesn't quite cringe when he hears endorsements like that, but neither does he entirely fit in with his comrades in the drug-legalization lobby. Yes, he admits to smoking pot occasionally. But you won't see him posing in High Times with an armload of giant buds, and he's not some wild-eyed stoner on a quixotic quest to legalize grass. In fact, he's a wonky, 52-year-old former Princeton professor, a studious kid who grew up the son of a respected rabbi in Yonkers, N.Y., and who graduated from Harvard with honors. Nadelmann went on to earn a master's degree from the London School of Economics, returning to Harvard to garner both a doctorate and a law degree before settling into a teaching gig at Princeton.

The President of Reefer Poker would like to personally congratulate the poker player "alwaysblowin" for kickin the asses of the Reefer Green-House staff last night. However, the President sends this challenge to the great poker player and adversary "alwaysblowin", to come back next week and experience the feeling of having a $30 bounty on your Mother fuckin ass and to see what it feels like to be on the sharp end of the reefer.

How can you pass up on a FREE bounty tournament? Register now for the next event, and see if you have what it takes to "smoke" the Reefer Poker Green-House staff! Smoke the Competition (or Nuke em) at Reefer Poker

The Green Reefer and his sidekick Six-Pack hang-out in the DF Dub area of Texas, or D-Town, also known as Dallas Fort Worth, home to a major crime syndicate boss Gee Dub, whom they keep an eye on, as well as other immoral scum-bags.

In an early episode of The Green Reefer, in which the pair of crime fighters first partner up, when an old enemy of Six-Pack's named Tequila the Barracho Malo (mean drunk) attempts to poison Six-Pack's burrito in a D-Town eatery but accidentally serves it to the wrong customer. Soon a big fight ensues and after a giant bong hit the Green Reefer jumps into action to help-out the his new friend Six-Pack, to stave off the Tequila. Just before this super-hero jumps into the fray, The Green Reefer shouts out -

A six-pack isn't a party until the reefer shows up and this party is about to get started.

WARNING: The Green Reefer comic portrays marijuana use in a good way

You can read all about the adventures of the Green Reefer on his website, follow the antics on Myspace, or drop by the 420 Café and score some cool merchandise - like 2 lighters for $4.20 or act now and snag the original Green Reefer Kick-Ass Comic Book Special #1 - Collects the origin of Six-Pack, Attack of the Clones (not available on the website) and Welcome to the Super-Hero Auto Sales. Plus additional sketch pages and bonus material. 52 pages - $4.20 price tag. Score it now here.

What I find so inspiring about Danny Danko is his attitude towards marijuana, he acknowledges all the voices for change and recognizes the organizations for reformation of marijuana laws, even promotes them and works with all of them but at the core of his message, is the ideology of a true Cannabis cultivation connoisseur and an advocate for unadulterated recreational growing and smoking.

It's too easy to get caught up in the politics of pot, especially if you're an editor of a magazine. Even the conspiracies against medical marijuana, or perhaps the new hypocrisy of marijuana dispensaries in California (ie. More weed boutiques than Starbucks franchises etc...), or maybe the controversy of Mexican Drug cartels camping out in Federal Parks to manage grow-ops, now that's just a short list of compelling conversations for an editor to get engrossed in but instead of any of that, Mr. Danko has kept his passion pure and simple - cultivation of cannabis.

Here's the Wikipedia BIO for Danny Danko:

Danny Danko is a writer, photographer and Senior Cultivation Editor of High Times Magazine. He has written numerous articles on the subject of marijuana gardening both outdoor and indoor. Danko is the writer of Top Ten Strains of the Year every year since 2005 and also the creator and founder of the HIGH TIMES Seed Bank Hall of Fame.He is also credited with a highly popular instructional video on how to roll a joint.

Other notable grow articles by Danny Danko include Jungle in the Bronx, Seven Habits of Highly Effective Pot Growers, The History of Hydroponics, Organics for Beginners Top Ten Strains of 2008 and Cloning for Dollars.

Aside from cultivation content, Danko has also conducted interviews with Manu Chao, Sizzla, Belly (rapper), Bill Lee (left-handed pitcher), Method Man, I Wayne, Antibalas and Joel Tudor.

Danny Danko on Myspace Danny Danko at High Times Danny Danko on Facebook

Canada's self-proclaimed "Prince of Pot" was escorted out of B.C. Supreme Court and into jail Monday to await extradition to the U.S., where he is to serve up to five years in prison for shipping marijuana seeds across the border. Marc Emery, 51, was indicted in 2005 along with two associates on drug and money-laundering charges stemming from a lucrative mail-order pot-seed business run out of Emery's Vancouver book and paraphernalia shop, which also doubled as B.C.'s Marijuana Party headquarters. As Emery left the tiny courtroom, his wife Jody wept in the public gallery while a crowd of the cannabis crusader's followers chanted: "Free Marc Emery!"

According to reports on Celebstoner -Twitter: FALSE ALARM: #JackHerer is still alive, sorry for reporting he had passed - his son BJ sez: "just got done seeing my dad. he is not dead"

Source Oregonian: Marijuana activist in critical condition after collapsing at Portland festival.

Growing hemp as nature designed it is vital to our urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases and ensure the survival of our planet. ~ Jack Herer

Famous marijuana activist and author Jack Herer, "The Emperor of Hemp," died Thursday morning at 11:07 Pacific time.

"Jack deserves kudos for having publicized the benefits of cannabis hemp in his classic book, The Emperor Wears No Clothes," said Dale Gieringer of California NORML.

"He also labored long and hard on innumerable initiatives to re-legalize hemp in California," Gieringer said.

Rest in Peace, Jack, Thank you for your incredible effort on behalf of the pro-marijuana movement.

PLEASE NOTE: The following story was based on a false rumor, which was corrected on this blog the following morning when it was determined that Jack Herer was still alive and recovering in a hospital. We apologize (again) for any confusion and meant no disrespect. Jack Herer is a legendary marijuana activist and we cheer him on!

Jack Herer, sometimes called the Emperor of Hemp, is an author and advocate for the hemp and marijuana movements. In 1970 he wrote one of the seminal books on the history of hemp and marijuana prohibition. Herer also founded and served as the director of an organization named HEMP Help End Marijuana Prohibition).

According to Portland Progressive Examiner: Breaking: Jack Herer, Emperor of Hemp, marijuana hero, dead

According to a source close to the family, Jack Herer, much beloved Emperor of Hemp, is dead. The marijuana hero collapsed backstage on Saturday, September 15, at "Hempstalk 2009" in Portland, Oregon. Herer had just given a fiery speech to the crowd on the future of hemp when he suffered a heart attack and a significant loss of oxygen. Herer died today, September 18, at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland.