Apathy will be the end of us…if division doesn’t kill us first; and I am a fuck-up.
Posted by Mickey Martin on March 28th, 2012
As I sit back and watch the events of the great medical cannabis crackdown of 2011-2012 play out, I am truly amazed at the level of apathy in our community.
apathy n. Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.
That is where we are at in our struggle to overcome the boogie man of prohibition. Not everyone is apathetic; those who have been attacked by the failed policies of our government have awoken, and very much paying attention now. But MANY are still on the sidelines, circling their wagons, and praying that the heavy hand of Uncle Sam does not come down on them next. Instead of attacking this issue at its core, there are a lot of people simply scrambling to hold their ground and hoping to fly under the radar. This is not the answer. If we allow the Feds to use letters and sporadic enforcement to cripple some, decimate others, and scare the shit out of everyone else, we lose. There is no other way around that. The divide and conquer strategy seems to be working, and what we see as a result is a very fractured and confused effort to respond to these attacks.
Our left hand does not only not know what the right hand is doing, but seemingly could give a shit at times. Folks in this city are not coordinating with folks in these other cities. Advocacy groups have taken limited and targeted responses to specific situation, but there is little real statewide coordination happening to get everyone on the same page. What is really sad is that with 750,00-1 million patients estimated in CA alone, we cannot get over 2-300 people out to any action (and that is being generous, really). WTF? What is it going to take to get 1,000- 10,000 angry cannabis consumers off the couch and into the streets? Where is the outrage, as our community loses access, resources, and thousands of good paying jobs? It does not make sense to me that there is such a lack of focus and commitment happening. The indifference of it is straight up embarrassing. No wonder the letters keep coming….the US Attorneys saw the paltry response and
decided that the opposition was not enough to cease their bullshit. Because we have not really made a loud enough protest, have not been able to muster the political support needed, and have not created the necessary uncomfortable tension for the opposition, we can be sure that the onslaught will quietly continue to massacre our industry over the coming months.
Maybe we deserve to lose everything and see the industry turned over to the few who want to play the game and let the government continue its lies about the dangers of cannabis and why it needs to be severely limited in our society. I mean, if we cannot get people to come to the table, develop cohesive and sound strategies, and put their money where their outrage is then maybe we deserve to return the the closet and be treated like outcasts and criminals for our cannabis use. It is like everybody believes that somebody else will do the hard work, put up the funding, and make the difference we need to see our cause move forward. Instead we see ourselves rapidly losing ground that we have worked so hard to gain. We see dozens of dispensaries being closed, hundreds of growers being shut down, and thousands of patients left out in the cold….yet many of us choose to ignore the writing on the wall and hope that if we hunker down, quit advertising,
remain silent, and try to not stand out, that somehow we will be spared the wrath. You are fooling yourself.
I have been criticized in the past for my willingness to be critical of some in our community. It seems like maybe, just maybe, I have finally achieved the goal of talking enough shit to get everyone at least a little pissed at me. GOOD! I hope that maybe, in the midst of all that anger and confusion, that there is some real uncomfortable tension being created. I hope that people can look to my criticisms as fuel to make them work harder, do better, and to give more back to the battle we have on our hands. I am more than happy to take the heat for questioning some of the most beloved in this industry, if the end result is a more focused and motivated army fighting for cannabis freedom. Know that I did not create the division or the chaos in this community; but if my writing about these divisions and the characters that make up this movement create that necessary tension that can hopefully result in a better effort to fight these assholes, then good.
People can be upset and question my motives all they want if it makes them get to work on REAL reform and activism.
My criticisms of people and their public activities is not personal. There is not a person in this community that I could not work with if everyone dropped the ego-driven need to be recognized, and put their energy and resources into finding common goals and objectives to work on together. We need to overcome our differences by focusing on places where we share common ground. I think most people want cannabis prohibition to end. We may differ on ideas and opinions on how to achieve that goal; but I think if we all agreed to look past the petty bullshit, overcome our animosities and issues with one another, and develop ideas and strategies we CAN agree on, we could likely win this war. We need leaders willing to be open to all cannabis users and the industry, as it is; not necessarily how we want it to be. The division can be overcome with openness and honesty. I am the first to admit my fair share of mistakes in this debacle. I have often allowed my
personal dislike for certain people to inhibit my ability to work together or to be as involved as I should be in certain respects of the industry. I have made my fair share of mistakes in the industry (see Reefer’s Peanut Butter Cups). I have often been overly critical of some, in an effort to shed light on the bigger pictures that our community faces. My intolerance and lack of filter have gotten in the way of progress at times. What I am saying is that I can admit that I am also a fuck-up in an industry of fuck-ups. Maybe it is time we all just admitted we were fuck-ups and not perfect and agree to get past that shit in an effort to advance the cause of cannabis freedom.
So say it out loud in a mirror once or twice to get comfortable…”I am a fuck-up, but I really want weed to be legal.”
That was not so hard, now was it? Now that we have overcome the myth that some of us are better than others and that this cannabis use or business model or reform campaign is better than the others (they are not), maybe we can start new. What they are is different. They are just different ways of living one’s life and going about your business. Lord knows I do not agree with a lot of people in this industry for one reason or another on this issue or that issue, but I respect their right to exist. More so, I certainly do not think they deserve to go to prison for a safe, enjoyable and helpful plant. While many people’s choices are not ones I would make for myself, and may not always be the best for our collective movement IMO, that is just my opinion. I must move past trying to teach old dogs (and hard-headed young bucks) some new tricks. My opinion doesn’t mean shit in the larger picture of cannabis freedom. Most of America could give a shit what
some bat-shit crazy activist weedhead medical patient business consultant thinks anyways. We all must learn to remove ourselves from that set in stone, too big to overcome, can’t get past it mentality, and just let everyone be their own fuck up, as long as they can work hard and help with the major objective of cannabis freedom.
That is what we want. Cannabis Freedom. The right to be a regular part of our society that does not have to worry about going to jail, or having their kids taken, or being fired, or being looked down upon for our choice to use cannabis. We want a world where weed is a boring and natural part of the landscape and where nobody’s life is ruined for this plant. That is not too much to ask. Where a lot of things have gone awry in this movement are where we have seen certain organizations, groups, and individuals lay claim to this territory, or that product, or this rhetoric. It is tired and stale. If we are to grow as a movement we (myself included) need to get over our petty differences, hurt feelings, and the stupid idea that there is one right or wrong way to skin this cat. When we can learn to respect one another’s differences and get past the aspects of their journey we do not care for, we will begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel get
brighter and brighter. Until then we may see an industry overcome by darkness.
We owe it to ourselves to get of of our lazy asses, put our money and resources on the line, and form a powerful singular message that can penetrate the Deathstar that is our government right now and make them realize that we can no longer keep cannabis illegal because it is ruining our society. We must defend medical rights, and promote the rights of individuals to use cannabis for spiritual, intelectual, and even recreational enhancement. Weed makes my life better. That is the bottom line for me. I want weed to be not such a big fucking deal. I want for cops to stop fucking with potheads. I want potheads to quit acting like criminals. I want criminals to find some other shit to do than fuck with weed any more. I want weed to grow everywhere…..
I can visualize that moment, but I do not see it happening soon if we cannot overcome the apathy and claim responsibility for this cause; and when we can put aside what makes us different and focus on what makes us great. Let us work towards that. I am open to suggestions on what I can do to help start that process.
 
Mickey Martin
T-Comp Consulting Director
www.cannabiswarrior.com
www.tcompconsulting.com
s..[email protected]
(phone#-removed)
http://twitter.com/micKEYmarTIN
http://twitter.com/CANNABISconsult
 
 
***The views expressed in this communication are not necessarily the views of T-Comp Consulting, Tainted Compassion, Cannabis Warrior any other group I am affiliated with.***

It appears the Discovery Channel Canceled Weed Wars! When I first saw
the title, I thought Steve had come to his senses and realized how
much damage he/weed wars has done to the entire movement… that is
not the case. Read for yourself:
 
http://www.cannabisnowmagazine.com/dispensary-profiles/no-more-weed-wars
 
To all of our Esteemed Patients,
 
We want to take this opportunity to inform everyone of the Discovery
Channel decision regarding the future of our groundbreaking television
program, “Weed Wars.” But first, we must take a moment to offer our
personal thanks to everyone who played instrumental roles in this
process and to honor the accomplishments of our efforts.
 
To our patients: We feel such honor in our hearts to be able to stand
next to you in this struggle to free cannabis and tell our story in
“Weed Wars.” You all made sacrifices during the filming of this series
by tolerating cameras in your place of wellness. Many of you shared
your personal stories about medical cannabis with the world. The
courage you exhibited with this storytelling cannot be measured by
ratings or expressed with words. You are the true stars of “Weed Wars”
and you lit up the world with hope. You gave people a living example
of change they can believe in. You have planted the seed of truth
about medical cannabis to thousands of Americans. This seed will take
bloom in hundreds of different ways by patient activists who have been
inspired by “Weed Wars.” Our movement will grow stronger as a result
of your stories being told to America. The contribution of “Weed Wars”
to the advancement of safe access to medical cannabis will be felt for
generations.
 
Perhaps the most important acknowledgement we have to offer is to all
of our managers and staff. You let the world know medical cannabis
collectives can be more professionally run than many mainstream
businesses. Many of you also shared very intimate details of your
lives with the world. You put your best foot forward in the way you
represented our company and our brand. And you did all of this without
big money from Hollywood or any other materialistic advantage. You did
this because you wanted to represent our movement and share your
knowledge of this miraculous plant. You are the true heroes of “Weed
Wars.” We could not be more proud of a group of people than we are of
all of you. Your work has been seen by millions of people all over the
world. You have set a glowing example to many future generations of
medical cannabis activists and business people. It is not often that a
group of people can look back in time and say, “We made history,” but
this group can. No one can ever take that away from you.
 
We must also express heartfelt thanks to Braverman Productions for
their outstanding work as filmmakers of “Weed Wars.” Not many of you
will ever know all the battles Chuck and Alex Braverman fought on
behalf of our collective and patients. They brought so much passion,
wisdom and integrity to this process. They have an amazing team of
photographers, editors, sound designers and storytellers. To be able
to work with that kind of talent is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
We will always be grateful for their efforts.
 
For the first time on a major television network, medical cannabis
collectives were shown from the patient point-of-view rather than the
law enforcement point-of-view. Never before had America been exposed
to our side of the story or heard the sound of our voices. “Weed Wars”
has forever changed that as sites like YouTube will continue to show
the world for years to come. In addition, “Weed Wars” received rave
reviews from almost every major media outlet in the country, including
local publications like the San Francisco Chronicle, the East Bay
Express, and the San Jose Mercury News. The program is currently being
aired in Holland and Denmark, and will be seen in most of Europe and
Latin America.
 
All the accomplishments of “Weed Wars” won’t be fully realized for
another generation, as all the people who saw the program move through
the world and activate themselves with the cannabis plant. We are
certain that 10 and 20 years from now people will stop us on the
street and mention how “Weed Wars” changed their lives.
 
Nothing would please us more than to be able to continue with future
episodes of “Weed Wars.” Unfortunately the Discovery Channel has made
a much different decision and will no longer continue with future
episodes. We do not know why, nor do we understand why, they made that
decision.
 
– Stephen DeAngelo, Executive Director & Andrew DeAngelo, General Manager

Jonathan, the shown document (from the national archives) was in reply to
a doctor trying to figure out where he could buy it. In addition, UNDER
the Marihuana Tax Act, all doctors, pharmacies etc., that sold or
prescribed Medical Cannabis — HAD TO REGISTER and pay the tax.
 
We have raw figures that show that Doctors and Drugstores were doing so.
Example, the last drugstore in New Orleans that sold Cannabis medicines
STOPPED doing so in 1962 (again as per national archives documents) etc.
So we can prove that it was being used.
 
— MORE, the 1949 documents (specifically mentioning Abbott Lab's as a
supplier) show that doctors were still making use of it at that time.
 
 
However, in terms of Lloyds Brothers (Cannabis Tincture – 1941 is what can
be proven).
andy
 
 
 
 
—————————————–
Sent via Catholic Online Webmail!
Use Catholic Online Webmail to proclaim your faith to the world.
http://webmail.catholic.org/

Hi,
 
Wasn't Adams the first person to elucidate the structure of CBD?
 
 
 
 
 

Does anyone live in California — Anywhere near a major library.
 
Putting together a website on the Eureka Ca. Axe Murderer, but am having
trouble obtaining an actual copy of an old article.
 
San Francisco Examiner
Nov 7, 1933 pg 4
“Slashed Budgets Halt narcotic enforcement Officers’ Drive on Evil”
Dope Officials Helpless to Curb Marihuana Use.
 
 
If anyone has time time, please do help out (this museum likes to document
everything). We need someone who can physically walk into a library and
make a scan of the article for us.
 
antique andy
 
 
 
—————————————–
Sent via Catholic Online Webmail!
Use Catholic Online Webmail to proclaim your faith to the world.
http://webmail.catholic.org/

—–Original Message—–
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:03 AM
 
* AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS *
 
Dear Don,
 
Do you wish that medical cannabis was already rescheduled and the federal government would back down? Well so do we, and Americans for Safe Access (ASA) wants you on the team to make it happen – the *Legal Support Team*. As the nation's leading medical cannabis patients' advocacy organization, we have been fighting for patients' rights in courtrooms for nearly a decade. And winning!
 
ASAʼs Chief Counsel Joe Elford has victoriously taken on the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, plus cities and counties across the state in cases that have set important precedents on state pre-emption, return of property and other patients' rights issues. He even successfully compelled the federal government to answer a cannabis rescheduling petition that was stalled for nine years.
 
Now we need your help to win two landmark lawsuits in federal court. One will stop federal interference and intimidation in medical cannabis states, and the other will force medical cannabis off of the federal list of drugs with no accepted medical use. Will you join a select group of ASA members, the Legal Support Team, who pledge to donate $100 per month for 18 months to fund this important legal work? [ http://safeaccessnow.org/legalsupportteam ] Legal Support Team members will be invited to quarterly calls with Chief Counsel Elford to get updates on these cases, receive legal briefs the day they are filed, and be listed on ASAʼs website and publications (if you wish) as a member of the legal support team.
 
We need your help right now. The work has already begun. Fighting for medical cannabis in federal court is a long and expensive struggle. ASA needs the support of our constituency to keep moving forward and to finally prevail. The budget for these two cases alone – including briefs, hearings, soliciting, amicus briefs, research, and press – will be well over $300,000. Will you join the Legal Support Team today [ http://safeaccessnow.org/legalsupportteam ]?
 
Please read more [ http://www.americansforsafeaccess.org/legalsupportteam ] about our groundbreaking lawsuits to end federal interference under the Tenth Amendment and to force the rescheduling of medical cannabis under federal law on our web site. As a Legal Support Team member, you will have a front row seat as these two exciting case move forward. And you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are making it possible.
 
Thank you in advance for your generosity,
 
Steph Sherer
Executive Director
 
P.S. – ASA provides free legal support and training to thousands of patients each year. Your contribution of any size [ http://www.americansforsafeaccess.org/donate ] helps us keep that going!
 
———————————————–
 
* Friend on Facebook [ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Americans-for-Safe-Access(phone#-removed)871 ]
* Follow on Twitter [ http://twitter.com/safeaccess ]
* Forward to a friend [ http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/182/p/salsa/web/tellafriend/public/?tell_a_friend_KEY=9659&email_blast_KEY=1242407 ]
 
———————————————–
 
* Take Action [ http://safeaccessnow.org/takeaction ]
* Forum [ http://safeaccessnow.org/asaforum ]
* Store [ http://safeaccessnow.org/store ]
* Blog [ http://safeaccessnow.org/blog ]
* Donate [ http://safeaccessnow.org/donate ]
 
———————————————–
 
* Unsubscribe [ http:s..[email protected]&email_blast_KEY=1242407 ]
* Manage your profile [ http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/182/profile/login.jsp?key=27561090 ]