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4/2/2011 – My friend lives in a co-op building in Brooklyn, where the tenants dictate how the place is run. During a recent board meeting, they discussed a scent-related issue: pot smoke. A couple that lives in one of the downstairs apartments lights up frequently. Tenants and guests are often greeted, when they enter the lobby, with a strong scent of weed. The collective wasn’t sure how to approach this couple.

My friend, a green-friendly gal who knows the couple, volunteered.

“What am I supposed to say to them? I mean, I smoke weed in my apartment,” she asked me.

“And what do you do?”

“I turn on the overhead fan, burn a little incense, open the window. Plus, I smoke weed from a little one hitter…it’s not like giant bong hits or something.”

“Well, that’s what you may want to convey to them. If they plan on smoking weed in a close quarter building, they may want to consider how to manage their smoke better.”

So here’s some “smoke management” pointers for people living in close quarters (that don’t include blowing smoke into toilet paper rolls and dryer sheets because that’s just weird). If you have any other suggestions, please leave a comment:

• Smoke with awareness. If you want to remain off of the radar, reconsider that bong the size of a small child in the middle of your studio apartment. Unfortunately, it’s still an illegal substance and needs to be treated in that manner. In short, don’t be too casual.

• Revisit how you smoke weed – your smoking accoutrement, in other words. Vaporizers obviously generate less scent. One hitters are less smoky. Bongs might be better left in locations where others are not likely to be affected the smoke it creates.

• Circulation and ventilation is key. Blowing out windows isn’t always such a smart idea (you never know who is downwind). Running a fan and opening windows disperses the smoke in a gradual manner.

• Burn a little sage instead of incense. Most incense is cheaply made crap (other than companies like Fred Soll, who produce amazing, truly all-natural sticks.) Sage dissipates into the air quickly, while removing overpowering scents (and bad mojo, according to Native American tradition). Incense can be noxious and perfumey.

• Create a safe space. Out here in the suburbs, many weed-friendly folk have something akin to a clubhouse for weed. It’s usually in the form of a shed or a garage. Neighbors are none the wiser. (And it fosters a secret kid’s club feeling that many of us appreciate at this juncture of our adult lives.)

• Be considerate. Remember, smoke is smoke. Some people don’t like it. Cigarette smoke is highly offensive to many pot smokers. But for others, any kind of smoke or strong scent can be an annoyance.

My friend spoke with the couple downstairs who now use their overhead fan and place a rolled-up towel under their door when partaking (there’s a substantial amount of space between their front door and the floor). These small changes seem to have made the difference. (Though several people, including myself, have complained that they don’t smell pot smoke in the lobby anymore.)

Smoke Rising Photo Source: Guiri R. Reyes

Beth Mann is a popular blogger and writer for Open Salon and Salon. She is also an accomplished actor and director with over 15 years of experience, as well as the president of Hot Buttered Media. She currently resides at the Jersey shore where she can often be seen surfing or singing karaoke at the local dive bar.

Contact: maryjane {at } freedomisgreen.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Notorious Marijuana Smuggler Returning to Philadelphia

WHEN: April 8, 2011 — 7:00PM-10:00PM

WHERE: Bridgett Foy’s — 200 South Street, Philadelphia

EVENT: Welcome Home Dinner for Robert Platshorn “Bobby Tuna”

Robert Platshorn served the longest sentence for any non-violent marijuana offense in US history: Thirty years in federal prison with no parole. It was all for smuggling tons of pot back in the 1970’s when he went by the name Bobby Tuna. On April 9th Magnolia Pictures will bring Bobby to the Philadelphia Cine Fest for a screening of a new documentary called Square Grouper that tells his story. Platshorn grew up right on South St. and this will mark his first trip back to the area since being released from prison.

PhillyNORML and Freedomisgreen.com are holding a homecoming dinner for Bob and his family on Friday April 8th. The event at 200 South Street is open to the public and the media.

Platshorn will have copies of his autobiography Black Tuna Diaries: The Story of America’s Most Notorious Marijuana Smuggle.

Bobby’s real skill was as a salesman and a deal-maker. He cut his teeth as a pitchman on the boardwalk in Atlantic City selling all kinds of wares. When he got into moving huge bails of marijuana he used boats and airplanes, but never any violence.

The equally amazing story is a whole new chapter of Bobby today. He reconnected with his wife and son on a slow but steady path to re-build his life. Platshorn has also invested himself as an advocate for marijuana law reform. He has a regular column in High Times Magazine and currently works with local NORML chapters.

The next step for Bob is starting a Silver Tour to educate seniors about the benefits of cannabis. His approach has already seen some positive impact. After speaking in Florida, state Rep. Jeff Clemens recently introduced a resolution to legalize medical marijuana.

Square Grouper from Rakontur Films and directed by Billy Corben (Cocaine Cowboys) is scheduled for a 4:20PM screening at the Ritz Theater in Philadelphia on Saturday April 9, 2011.

The April 8th dinner at Bridgett Foy’s is pay-as-you-go on separate checks in one of Philly’s fun and friendly South St venues. A $10 donation is suggested, going directly towards changing local marijuana laws.

CONTACT: Chris Goldstein 267 702 3731

chris {at} freedomisgreen.com

WHAT: Press conference and vigil in Trenton – No More Drug War

WHERE: State House steps, Trenton, New Jersey

WHEN: FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2011 —-  12:00PM to 1:00PM

CONTACT: Chris Goldstein 267 702 3731 [email protected]

President Nixon signed an Executive Order on June 17, 1971 declaring a “war on drugs.” Forty years later this failed policy has destroyed our communities and sent millions to prison. Marijuana activism groups in New Jersey are holding a press conference and vigil in Trenton. The event seeks to remember the victims of this tragic war and bring attention to new solutions for drug policy, especially for cannabis.

There are almost 60,000 drug related arrests in New Jersey each year. More than 28,000 of those arrests are for marijuana. Medical marijuana patients are caught in the crossfire all too often, with examples like NJ patients David Barnes and John Wilson.

Chris Goldstein will speak at the event, he serves on the Boards of Directors at several non-profit groups working to change marijuana laws.

“Governor Christie said last night that he is personally holding back legal access to marijuana for seriously ill residents. Coldly ignoring the clear intent of the legislature, our governor won’t even call off the drug war against AIDS and cancer patients. At this point the best way to protect medical cannabis patients is to fully decriminalize marijuana possession for all adults. ”

Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut are among fourteen states that treat marijuana possession as a civil rather than criminal offense. A civil fine is similar to a traffic ticket and does not require an arrest or jail. Assemblyman Reed Gusciora stated yesterday that he plans to introduce marijuana decrim legislation next week.

Goldstein is supportive of that possibility, “Arrests in New Jersey for marijuana violations increase every year, costing the state and municipal authorities millions of dollars. There is no better time to save our money and craft a better policy. It’s pretty simple: Do we want schools and fire departments or do we want to bust people for pot?”

“Ending the drug war is the most important social justice and economic policy change we need to make today. That change will need to start with cannabis. After 40 years of failure it is time to try something new.”

CONTACT: Chris Goldstein 267 702 3731 [email protected]

3/28/13 by Chris Goldstein – Scores of people from around the globe have been denied legal entry into the United States because they admitted to smoking marijuana – but not Britain’s Prince Harry.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie guaranteed that Harry will remain fully clothed during an upcoming Frankenstorm Tour visit. But before he was topless (and bottomless) in Vegas the red-haired Prince was famous for being the only known stoner in such direct succession to the throne.

In 2002 word got back to Daddy (Prince Charles) that young Harry (16 at the time) was smoking cannabis. Harry was never arrested but the family made him spend one day in a gritty London rehab clinic.

Apparently the Prince of Wales hasn’t had any intimacy with MaryJane since.

But authorities, namely the US Border Patrol, have been notoriously denying entry to the United States to anyone who says they smoked marijuana – and we’re not talking about toking on the day they are trying to cross the border … but EVER.

Sometimes those who are questioned at the border checkpoints are asked if they have used illicit drugs at some point in their lifetime. An honest answer about smoking weed (again: just one single toke at a party) can get you banned from America.

This very questionable practice seems to happen most frequently to citizens of the British Commonwealth: Canadians.

A story from Vancouver BC this week highlights what happens to the serfs:

Elevator mechanic James Sward was interrogated about his drug history during a recent trip to Washington State, and decided to admit the truth: he was busted carrying pot as a teenager, though he was never charged.

But the real trouble came when he confessed he had smoked the drug. Sward’s entry was immediately denied and he found himself banned from the country for life. full article

So how does Harry, the guy with Plantagenet in his blood and cannabis in his past, keep getting past the scrutiny of our borders?

Likely for the same reason that more than 80% of the marijuana arrests in Philadelphia are young black men:  Prohibition is not equally enforced.

Laws against pot are used with tremendous discretion especially by authorities at the street level. This is why white women are rarely arrested for weed in Philly and Harry visits when he pleases.

More than seventy years of prohibition has never been an actual deterrent to marijuana use or the underground cannabis market. Instead, these laws have had institutional biases of race and class built into enforcement since the day they were put on the books.

The truth is that recreational consumers smoke cannabis in the pursuit of happiness – exercising a basic and uniquely American civil right.

Until cannabis is completely removed from the federal Controlled Substances Act it will be working-class people of color who will continue to bear the burden of these discriminatory and unjust prohibition laws.

Only when marijuana is fully legalized can we extend the same welcome that Prince Harry enjoys to the rest of the world’s sometime cannabis consumers.

Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions?  chris(at)freedomisgreen.com

6/21/2011 Update 1:45PM ET – The medical marijuana program in Maine is set to become easier to utilize by seriously ill individuals. The Maine legislature passed LD 1296 on June 16th after hearing extensive testimony from patients and advocates. Governor LePage is expected to sign the measure into law. The new procedures could offer the most privacy protections for patients compared to any other US state.

LD 1296 was passed with the intention of shielding Maine residents using medical marijuana from undue interference. The bill is sponsored by Republican Rep. Deborah Sanderson and some of the changes include:

– Making the patient registry voluntary
– Increasing the amount patients my possess to from 2.5 to 10 ounces.*
– Allows physicians to recommend marijuana for any ailment he or she believes will benefit from marijuana therapy
– Stops counties or municipalities from creating local regulations more strict than the state law

National NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano, a medical marijuana policy expert, commented, “At the same time when lawmakers in many other states are enacting impossibly restrictive measures, Maine lawmakers have elected to instead significantly open patients’ access to medical marijuana under the law.”

Maine voters approved the compassionate use law on a ballot measure in 1999. The model followed a plan for small-plot cultivation by patients and caregivers. A decade later voters went to the polls again and expanded the law to include medical cannabis dispensaries.

Jonathan Leavitt who represents medical marijuana interests under the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine trade association spoke with freedomisgreen.com today.

“We are glad that the Maine legislature worked with us to return the law closer to the original initiative’s language,” said Leavitt as he waited for the governor’s signature. “This gets the state out of the business of a patient’s health and puts it back in the hands of those patients and their physicians here in Maine.”

Below is the full executive summary*. The long list includes many details that are outlined in a state law for the first time.

SUMMARY
This bill amends the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act to protect patient privacy. The bill provides for expanded access and optional registration under the Act. The bill does the following:
1. It allows a physician to determine whether a condition requires the use of medical marijuana.
2. It amends the definition of “enclosed, locked facility.”
3. It defines “mature marijuana plant.”
4. It clarifies the definition of “qualifying patient” and removes the requirement of registration for certain authorized conduct of the patient.
5. It creates a definition for “primary caregiver.”
6. It allows patients who cultivate their own marijuana to possess, beyond 6 mature marijuana plants, other marijuana plants in various stages of cultivation or processing.
7. It allows a primary caregiver to possess, beyond 6 mature marijuana plants for each of 5 qualifying patients of the caregiver, other marijuana plants in various stages of cultivation or processing.
8. It requires the use of an enclosed, locked facility only if marijuana is grown for 3 or more qualifying patients.
9. It allows a primary caregiver to sell excess marijuana to a marijuana dispensary and for dispensaries to contract out marijuana cultivation.
10. It removes the requirement that a patient who cultivates marijuana plants keep the plants in an enclosed, locked facility.
11. It removes the registration requirements for a hospice provider or nursing facility named as a patient’s primary caregiver.
12. It removes the registration requirements for visiting qualifying patients.
13. It clarifies that a person may not be subject to arrest or prosecution for engaging in conduct authorized by the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act.
14. It prohibits a law enforcement officer, law enforcement department, state agency or employee of the State from seizing or possessing marijuana in the lawful possession of a qualifying patient, primary caregiver or dispensary.
15. It allows a business owner to prohibit smoking medical marijuana on the business’s premises.
16. It allows a sliding scale registration fee based upon a patient’s status as a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States.
17. It removes the registration requirement that the Commissioner of Health and Human Services approve the registration application.
18. It removes the requirement that registration cards contain an applicant’s address and date of birth.
19. It clarifies that possession of a written certification from a physician prescribing use of medical marijuana cannot be used as evidence of unlawful conduct or be the basis for a search of the patient.
20. It requires that the records of a patient no longer registered as a medical marijuana user be purged and requires that the patient be notified of the purge of information.
21. It removes the requirement of listing the nature of the debilitating conditions of registered patients in the annual report of the registration process by the Department of Health and Human Services to the Legislature.
22. It clarifies that registration is voluntary and failure to register does not affect the authorized conduct for a qualifying patient or primary caregiver.
23. It allows for a civil penalty for a person making a fraudulent representation relating to the possession or medical use of marijuana under the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act.
24. It allows a marijuana dispensary to obtain and possess up to 5 ounces of marijuana for each patient of the dispensary.
25. It removes the registration requirement of listing the name, address and date of birth for each principal officer, board member and employee of a marijuana dispensary or issuing registration cards to those individuals.
26. It provides for immunity for marijuana dispensaries and their principal officers, board members and employees.
27. It prohibits a political subdivision of the State from enacting any law or ordinance concerning use of medical marijuana other than reasonable rules concerning the locations of marijuana dispensaries.
28. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to amend rules to retain at least 8 marijuana dispensaries throughout the State.
29. It requires a written certification by a physician recommending use of medical marijuana to be written on tamper-resistant paper.
30. It allows a primary caregiver to assist a qualifying patient in the preparation of marijuana.
31. It exempts from the definition of “food establishment” a primary caregiver who prepares medical marijuana for use by a qualifying patient who is a family or household member of the primary caregiver.
32. It requires a designation of a primary caregiver from a qualifying patient to be in a written document signed and dated by the qualifying patient.
33. It requires a physician to advise a patient of the risks and benefits of the use of medical marijuana and that the patient may benefit from the use of medical marijuana prior to issuing a certification prescribing the use of medical marijuana.
34. It allows a patient to grow marijuana for personal use and designate a primary caregiver or registered dispensary.
35. It allows a court to permit the use of medical marijuana while imposing conditions of a criminal sentence, bail, probation, continuance or other dispositional order.
36. It includes dispensing in conduct allowed by a registered dispensary.
37. It requires a registered dispensary to display its certificate issued by the Department of Health and Human Services in a publicly visible location in the dispensary.
38. It clarifies that physicians are protected for conduct authorized by the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act.
39. It requires a qualifying patient or primary caregiver to provide, upon request by a law enforcement officer, official proof of identification and the original copy of the physician’s certification or qualifying patient’s designation of primary caregiver.
40. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain a log of requests to view registration information, including the name and agency of the requestor, and allows a person whose information is subject to an information request to copy or receive copies of portions of the log relating to that request.

Grassroots link: http://mmcmonline.org/

*Our original post linked to an out of date summary – this is the current summary

Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions?  [email protected]

9/26/2012 – Representative Diane Russell (D-Portland), who introduced legislation to fully legalize marijuana in the state of Maine, is running for Speaker of the House.

The Speaker is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the full House through the passage of a House Resolution. In addition to presiding over the body, the Speaker is also the chief leadership position, and controls the flow of legislation and committee assignments.

Russell has been a consistent champion for cannabis reform issues, working to win privacy protections for medical marijuana patients and sponsoring a bill to regulate all uses of cannabis.

Hearings were held in June 2011 on LD1453 “An Act to Legalize and Tax Marijuana” before the Maine House Criminal Justice Committee. Although the committee stopped the bill, Russell already has plans to re-introduce it. Similar laws are going directly before voters in Colorado, Oregon and Washington.  If any of them pass this November it would give significant traction to marijuana reform in states that do not have a direct ballot process.

While only Maine residents can sign on to a letter supporting Russell for Speaker, anyone can donate to assist her run.

An effective political strategy for pro-marijuana citizens is to make a donation to candidates with a strong record on the issues. Getting like-minded politicians elected to office is the first step.  The more state legislators and federal elected officials who include marijuana reform into their agenda and hold power-positions in government bodes well for us all.

Everyone should vote. Yet the local choices are often narrow. Consider punking a few of the SuperPACs by making some individual political donations non-local and pro-pot.

Find out more about Rep. Diane Russell’s House Speaker run here. Make a donation here.

Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions?  [email protected]

7/12/2011 – During an hour-long public radio program Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed said that the Pennsylvania DA’s Association is taking no position on the medical marijuana bill. Freed explained the stance on WITF’s Radio Smart Talk , “I don’t think any prosecutor I know would want to prevent a terminally ill person from alleviating [their] suffering.”

Freedomisgreen Editor Chris Goldstein was the proponent guest representing Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana and PhillyNORML.

Later in the program Freed reinforced the position, “I don’t think that medical marijuana is necessarily a law enforcement issue. I think that advocates like Chris need to go to the Legislature and what happens there …happens.”

SB1003/HB 1653, The Governor Raymond P. Shaffer Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, is waiting for committee votes in both houses. The bill was re-named this year to honor the former Republican governor who asked President Nixon to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act in 1972.

In a rare, comprehensive discussion the Radio Smart Talk program covered medical marijuana, decriminalization and full legalization. Questions from the callers ran the gamut from supporting reform measures to blaming the Greek economic crisis on weed.

Listen to Radio Smart Talk July 8, 2011

Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions?  [email protected]

In a classic case of “you can’t win for losing”, protesters in attempting to aid Barbara Agro’s court case are now being blamed actually doing more harm than good. Their interactions with jury members was seen as tampering.

The 70-year-old woman is a registered medical marijuana patient and caregiver charged with one count of delivery/manufacture of marijuana and may serve up to four years in prison.

This case also exemplifies an increasing trend where the defendant is not able to use the defense of being a patient or a caregiver to support their case.

Jerome Sabbota said jurors in the recent case of Barbara Agro – charged with one count of delivery/manufacture of marijuana, a four-year felony – were approached by the protesters as they walked back into the courthouse.

“The judge then brought each juror in after and said, ‘Are you going to follow the law?’” said Sabbota.

“The court felt (the protest) was jury tampering.  In the end, that hurt Barb.”

Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper said there was an attempt to influence the jury.  Some protesters handed a statement to jurors.

“Were they able to do (influence the jury)? Apparently not,” said Cooper.  “This is a very serious crime and apparently (those tampering ) have been identified on video.”

Cooper said “hi-jinks” such as this are not being attempted by “people who are obeying the law.”

Agro was convicted on June 8.  She could receive up to four years in jail, Sabbota said.

Agro, a former Lake Orion police dispatcher, worked as a receptionist at a medical marijuana dispensary in Ferndale called Clinical Relief.  When the facility was raided on Aug.  25, 2010, Agro told deputies that she had marijuana plants growing at her home in Lake Orion.  Deputies searched the house and found 19 marijuana plants and other items.

Agro is a registered medical marijuana patient and caregiver.  In a previous ruling, Oakland Circuit Judge Wendy Potts granted a motion from prosecutors seeking to preclude Agro from referencing the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act during the trial.

“Barb believes the truth did not really come out,” said Sabbota.  “There was no reason the jury couldn’t have been told that (she was a patient and caregiver ).”

Read more.

The traditionally conservative New York Post ran a piece today by Sara Stewart about the emerging trend of NYC-based mothers increasingly using marijuana as their drug of choice, in lieu of alcohol and pills. Considering the tone of the newspaper and the stringent NYC laws surrounding marijuana (which now arrests and jails more people for possessing marijuana than any city in the U.S.), perhaps this article indicates much-needed change to come.

Keep your eye out for mention of our very own marijuana media mogul, Chris Goldstein.

And kudos to pithy Stewart who noted, “Motherhood, a famously competitive sport in this city.” So true, woman.

Erica, a resident of the trendy DUMBO neighborhood, is just like any other busy Brooklyn mom with a small child, juggling play dates, naptime, temper tantrums and PB&Js. The difference: She counters the daily chaos by lighting up a joint.

“I think it’s a pretty common thing,” confesses 33-year-old Erica (not her real name), mother to a 4-year-old daughter. “That’s how some mommies cope with stress.”

Motherhood, a famously competitive sport in this city — especially in the tonier neighborhoods of Brooklyn — seems to be sending increasing numbers of stressed-out women bong-ward. As marijuana grows in acceptance (it was just decriminalized in neighboring Connecticut earlier this month, and is legal for medicinal purposes in 16 states and in Washington, DC), the leafy green drug is becoming a hipper alternative to that old standby, alcohol.

“Some moms are drinking very early in the day, starting around 4,” says Erica, who says she isn’t a fan of getting plastered. “I would rather smoke a bowl, take the edge off and go about my day.”

Whenever the mood strikes when she’s home — “I don’t travel with it,” she says — she’ll take a hit or two and transform into Mellow Mom. “When you’re smoking, you’re on a different level,” she says. “Things don’t frustrate you as much.”

She’s in good company.

Read more.

Barack Obama and his administration seem to be a bundle of contradictions when it comes to regulations surrounding the production of medical marijuana in our country. In turn, states have been stymied (or chosen to stonewall, as in the case of New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie) by the confusion, when attempting to enact their own state laws, fearing possible federal prosecution.

Finally, Obama speaks directly in a recent Rolling Stone interview, clarifying his position:

In the Rolling Stone interview, Obama said his view has not changed. He noted that the raids in California have focused on large-scale commercial operations that fall outside the scope of doctors prescribing medical cannabis.

U.S. President Barack Obama listens to students in a roundtable discussion about the rising costs of student loans while at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, April 25, 2012.”/>

Obama also pointed to presiding over a change in federal sentencing guidelines that shrank the disparity between mandatory penalties for crack and powder cocaine users. Crack users have long been hit with far harsher sentences, disproportionately affecting the minorities who are far more likely to use crack than powder cocaine.

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/

Beth Mann is a popular blogger and writer for Open Salon and Salon. She is also an accomplished artist with over 15 years of experience, as well as the president of Hot Buttered Media. She currently resides at the Jersey shore where she can be found surfing or singing karaoke at a local dive bar.

Contact: maryjane {at } freedomisgreen.com