V.G.I.P. Update - December 2018 - by Ben Horner

The Vote Green Initiative Project (VGIP) was started as an education program to promote being active in the election process.  In the years past, dozens of meetings were held around the state to educate and advocate for individual cannabis rights including safe access to medical marijuana, as well as local petition drives. Thousands of iconic Vote Green tee shirts were distributed to eager participants to wear as badge of honor.

Many cities around the State used the VGIP platform to assemble petition teams led by the Godfather of cannabis law, Tim Beck of the Safer Michigan Coalition. Several petition styles were drafted, to tackle the nuances of each municipality. Sometimes amending a city’s code to remove penalties was simplest way to produce a victory. Chuck Ream used a different technique in Ypsilanti, called Lowest Law Enforcement Priority (LLEP), which used money spent and annual reports to curb marijuana prosecutions.  Grand Rapids, working independently took a play from Ann Arbor and made possession a small fine, to decriminalize pot to a certain degree.

These small victories in Detroit, Ypsilanti, Flint, Ferndale, Grand Rapids, Port Huron, Saginaw, and several others, demonstrated solid support for legalization. Thus, a statewide campaign was started and has now come to fruition. For many this is a lifetime achievement culminated by years of hard work in the face of reefer madness, but is the fight over?

The new pot law has some serious pitfalls, which anti-marijuana groups and local governments are seeking to take advantage of.  Possession, cultivation and use will be legal December 6th of this year, but law enforcements are gearing up to go after “illegal sales” and “stoned driving”.  “Opting out” is the strategy of many municipalities around the state.

VGIP will seek to restart its petitioning efforts to help citizens of Michigan “OPT In”, using the very same systems that we used to open the door for medical and recreation marijuana law reform. After the first of the year, the Vote Green initiative Project will announce the first of 2019 VGIP Meetings and cities for “OPT In” Petitions. Thank you for voting green Michigan, but the mission is not over!

Michigan News for December 2018 - by Meghan Smith

Congratulations Michigan!

As I am sure you have heard by now, on November 6th, an entire decade after the passing of The Michigan Medical Marihuana Program, Michigan voters made history by not only becoming the 10th state in the U.S. to pass recreational cannabis laws, but also the very first state in the entire midwest. Garnering 55.6 percent of the votes, the proposal will go into effect in early December, once the State Board of Canvassers certifies the election. The Proposal, spearheaded by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol will help to generate a much needed tax revenue for Michigan, that will be used to fund schools, improve roads, and will also help to create jobs.

The proposal will allow Michigan residents 21 and over to grow up to 12 plants per household, in an enclosed and locked area, and not visible to the public, as well as allows for up to 10 ounces in locked containers in their homes. Individuals will be allowed to transport up to 2.5 ounces, or 15 grams of Cannabis concentrates. However, operating a motor vehicle, R.V, aircraft, motor boat, or snowmobile while under the influence, as well as consuming cannabis in public places, will remain illegal. Employers still reserve the right to enforce drug free workplace policies, as well as landlords and leaseholders reserve the right to prohibit the growth and use of Cannabis for tenants.

Local municipalities were given the ability to ban or limit establishments within their boundaries, to which many  have already announced their decision to do so, such as Monroe, Portage, Pinckney, and Troy. Establishments will also be banned from residentially zoned areas, or within 1,000 feet of a public or private school. Currently there is no official word as to when recreational cannabis facility licensing will begin, though facilities are not expected to be opening for public use until some time in 2020. Colleges and Universities will also continue to ban the growth, possession or use of Cannabis on campus, in student housing, and also while attending any off grounds school related functions.

The Medical program will continue to stay in place, with multiple benefits to mmmp cardholders. Patients will still be allowed to grow up to 12 plants per person whereas recreational laws will only allow a total of 12 plants per household. Once retail shops are given the green light to open their doors for recreational sales, there will be a different sales tax bracket as well, for example medical patients will only pay a 6 percent sales tax, whereas recreational customers will spend upwards of 16 percent. Not only will medical patients have a lower tax bracket, but they will also have access to higher potency products as well.

40 Newly Licensed Dispensaries May Have to Close their Doors Until Spring Due to Product Shortage

Currently, there are 40 licensed provisionary centers (licensed Dispensaries) in the state of Michigan, however due to individual municipalities banning commercial marijuana within their boundaries, these facilities are mostly concentrated to the Eastern side of the state, including the Bay City, Flint and Detroit regions, there is currently only 1 licensed provisioning center in the entire Upper Peninsula, which is located in Houghton, as well as only 3 in the South-Western area of the state, concentrated to the Kalamazoo area.

Before obtaining the state mandated licenses, dispensaries were able to purchase products from a vast network of over 40,000 caregivers, however under the new laws, provisioning centers will now only be allowed to purchase product from state licensed cultivators. The newly licensed provisioning centers were allowed a 30 day window after obtaining their licenses to sell out of the products that they purchased from caregivers but at the end of that 30 day period they must destroy any remaining product.

There are approximately 215 unlicensed dispensaries that are operating under emergency rules currently, while they attempt to obtain their licenses, which allows them to continue to purchase their products from caregivers. Originally the state had placed a cut off date of September 14th for dispensaries to obtain licensing, or shut down. These temporary dispensaries sued however, and were able to obtain a court order that placed a new cut off date of October 31st. The temporary dispensaries, again, sued and a judge has overturned that date as well, though the new cut off date has yet to be announced at this time.

Unfortunately, as it stands there are currently only 12 licensed cannabis cultivators in the state of Michigan, which is creating a major shortage of product for the 40 newly licensed dispensaries in the state. Crops take between 4 and 6 months from time of seed plantation until a usable product is produced, and most licenses were not issued until August, which means that these newly licensed dispensaries may be forced to close their doors until spring.

Northern Michigan University introduces Cannabis Cultivation Curriculum 

The cannabis industry is sweeping the United States, 32 states have passed medical marijuana laws, 10 have even passed recreational laws, and more and more states are beginning to follow suit. However, as with any booming industry, there comes a need for highly trained, and skilled workers. In response, several accredited colleges and universities are now offering both credit, and non credit Cannabis courses. The University of Denver offers a course on the Business of Marijuana,
Vanderbilt’s Law School has a Marijuana policy and law course, and the University of California at Davis has an undergraduate course on the physiology of Cannabis. A number of Cannabis specific online schools have begun popping up as well, such as the Cannabis Training University, which facilitates courses online to not only Michigan residents, but also students around the globe.

There has also been an increase in Cannabis based trade schools. For example Michigan-based Med Grow Cannabis College, is a trade school dedicated to the education and training of caregivers, clutivators, retail owners, and even legal education for the medical marijuana industry. GrassRoots University is also another Michigan based school, focused on cultivation and medible baking techniques, and offers both online courses, as well as hands on training.

Northern Michigan University in Marquette however has introduced a new program, Medicinal Plant Chemistry, the first 4 year undergraduate degree program from an accredited University, focused on Marijuana in the U.S. The curriculum is intense, with courses such as organic chemistry, plant physiology, botany, genetics, accounting, physical geography, and financial management. There is also a n advanced analytical course titled chemistry 420, in which students study bioactive compounds, and their plant origins and metabolite chemistry. The program will hold a 50 minute seminar series next semester for students with the major to discuss current events in the cannabis industry including legal issues and financial trends. Each student will be required to choose an article on medicinal plant chemistry and lead a discussion on that topic.

Localities in MI Are Saying 'No' to Recreational Marijuana

Some Michigan communities are already prohibiting adult-use marijuana businesses after voters in the state approved legalization of recreational cannabis.

According to various newspaper reports, Niles City in southwestern Michigan and Pinckney village in the southeastern part of the state have made the decision to opt out, at least at the moment. St. Joseph in southwestern Michigan is expected to make the same decision.

The Detroit Free Press reported that officials at colleges across the state are saying that marijuana won’t be allowed on campuses. Allowing students to smoke cannabis on campus would jeopardize federal funding since marijuana is still illegal federally.

Michigan’s new recreational marijuana law takes effect this month. Municipalities could decide to opt-in later but, if the state’s MMJ industry is an indication, many jurisdictions will choose to prohibit recreational marijuana.

MLive.com recently reported that 108 communities in Michigan have opted out of the state’s medical marijuana program.

Still, despite early holdouts, Marijuana Business Daily projects that Michigan’s recreational marijuana market will reach $1.4 billion-$1.7 billion in annual sales within several years.

National News for December 2018 - by Meghan Smith

Central Coast giving the Emerald Triangle a run for their money

California- An area in Northern California, consisting of Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity counties, known as the Emerald Triangle, has long been known as a cannabis cultivation mecca. Although, it has also had a deep rooted black market cultivation trend spanning decades, resulting in new and upcoming licensed cultivators struggling to break into the cannabis cultivation market in Northern California. These new Cultivators have had to get creative regarding where to expand their crops to, as a result, cannabis has recently been emerging in the lush and beautiful vineyards, and cabbage patches along the Central California coast, stretching from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The area is a prime and fertile farming area where the vineyards and cannabis crops are both thriving. The area has yet to surpass the Emerald Triangle in regards to total Cannabis production, however if trends continue to hold the central coast stands to produce more legal cannabis. Santa Barbara county farmers alone currently hold more marijuana cultivation licenses than any other other county in the state.

Report shows no increase in youth Cannabis usage

Colorado- A recent 5 year study in Colorado showed mostly promising results, not only did it disprove the concerns that legal cannabis would create a significant rise in youth usage, but also that legal cannabis would cause an increase in crime. While the report did not show an increase in youth usage, it did however raise slight concern regarding the easier access to high potency THC, and the damaging effects it can have on a developing brain.

Regarding the mostly positive results of this study, Executive Director of the Marijuana Industry Group, Kelly Kristi said “It really stood out to me how marijuana legalization can have a positive effect on public safety.” The report included data on marijuana related crime, hospitalizations and ER visits, usage rates and more, pulling data from multiple resources such as The Colorado Hospital Association and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

The study did create a few areas of concern, with the most significant concern being the increase of driving while under the influence cases. Under Colorado law, It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. Andrew Freedman, considered Colorado’s first “Marijuana Czar” stated that the report was “the most even-handed report out there.”, he said “I think more than anything we need to combat that perception about driving while high. Just because you’re driving slowly on the highway doesn’t mean it’s safe.”

Conservative Utah passes Medical Marijuana

Utah- Utah has finally joined the growing list of states that have legalized medical cannabis, however, there will be a revision to the medical marijuana laws stating that dispensaries will not be allowed to sell any edibles that may be appealing to children such as cookies or candy due to a compromise made with influential leaders in the Mormon church in order to garner their support. The state of Utah is a largely conservative state, and the passing of the law came after significant opposition from groups such as The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Utah Chiefs of Police Association, and the Utah Medical Association.

The state will begin taking applications for prescription cards beginning in March 2020, and will only accept a limited number of applications for Cannabis growers. The legislature will also strictly regulates security, safety, and inventory controls. The distribution of medical cannabis will go through local health departments, state-central fill pharmacies, and state licensed dispensaries.

Missouri becomes the 32nd state to pass medical Marijuana

Missouri- Missouri finally joined the ranks of U.S states that have passed medical marijuana amendments, becoming the 32nd state in the country. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services stated it will be a number of months before they will begin to accept applications. The new laws will allow medical marijuana patients to grow up to 6 plants, or to purchase up to 4 ounces from licensed dispensaries. There is no list of qualifying medical conditions, Doctors will be able to recommend cannabis treatments for any condition they feel will benefit from the treatment. There will be a 4 percent sales tax on all medical marijuana sales, the revenue from which will be used for Veterans affairs. Deputy director of the Marijuana Policy Project, Matthew Schweich stated "We hope lawmakers will implement the measure efficiently and effectively to ensure qualified patients can gain access to their medicine as soon as possible."

First recreational cannabis facilities open their doors 

Massachusetts- At 4:20 PM on November 16th the state Cannabis Control Commission issued a press release stating that “commence full operations” notices had been issued to Cultivate, as well as New England Treatment Access (NETA), both of which are Cannabis retailers in Leicester and Northampton. Both retailers had currently been operating as medical dispensaries, and were able to pass extensive background checks, multiple inspections, and had detailed lab test results on all products. Commission chairman Steven J Hofman stated “This signal to open retail marijuana establishments marks a major milestone for voters who approved legal, adult-use cannabis in our state,” Maine and Vermont have also passed recreational cannabis however have not opened any retail facilities as of yet, and other New England states are looking into passing recreational cannabis laws of their own.

Both dispensaries opened their doors for the first recreational cannabis sales in Massachusetts history on Tuesday November 20th at 8 am. “Cultivate is honored that we will be making history Tuesday by selling the first legal recreational cannabis in Massachusetts, New England and east of the Mississippi. We have created dozens of jobs and look forward to creating revenue and contributing positively to [the] state and local region in which we operate.” stated Sam Barber, the company’s founder.

It took lawmakers more than two years since the measure passed to implement, which caused a lot of frustration and criticism. In response to this frustration, Jim Borghesani, former spokesperson for the 2016 campaign, stated, “Despite the vexing delays, the fact remains that Massachusetts is the first state east of the Mississippi to offer legal, tested cannabis to adult consumers in safe retail settings, It’s a historic distinction of which we should be exceptionally proud. I look forward to our state taking the lead in dissipating the clutch of fears compiled over a hundred years of reefer-madness hysteria.”

Recreational marijuana ballot fails

North Dakota- Voters in North Dakota  rejected the recreational marijuana ballot this November, with a disappointing margin of 41 percent for and 59 percent against. The ballot came two years after the passing of the medical marijuana laws, which passed by a surprising landslide of 64 percent for and only 36 percent against. Unlike other recreational laws in the U.S, this ballot measure did not place any restrictions on how much cannabis a person was able to possess or cultivate in their homes.

Additionally, it would have allowed for legal cannabis sales and cultivation with no outlined rules or guidelines. The measure also would have called for an automatic system for expungement of cannabis related offenses. Of the results, Mason Tvert, spokesperson for the Marijuana Policy Project said "This was a very impressive showing given it was a truly grassroots effort and the first time legalization had appeared on the ballot in a very conservative state, The ball is now rolling in North Dakota, and we hope the state’s passionate local activist community will keep that momentum going.”

World News for December 2018 - by Meghan Smith

Cannabis shops unable to open doors due to lack of product

Canada- With cannabis recently becoming legal in Canada, the need for more licensed cultivators is growing. Many retail Cannabis shops are struggling to meet the high demand, some retailers have even had to close their doors due to their lack of stock after only a few short weeks of recreational cannabis being legalized. In only the first day of legal cannabis in Quebec alone, there was upwards of 12,500 in store transactions, as well as over 30,000 online transactions.

Allan Rewack, Executive Director of the Cannabis Council of Canada, which currently represents 85 percent of the licensed cultivation space in Canada, stated “Absolutely, we need more licensed producers, we need Health Canada to approve more production sites, we’re talking to them everyday.”

The commission that sells to private shops, Alberta Gaming Liquor, and Cannabis, recently listed 72 out of their 90 cannabis varieties out of stock in just 1 day, while the total number of varieties had even dropped by 100 from just the previous day. Licensing applications are currently being reviewed, and Health Canada officials have stated that they have hired approximately 300 new staff members to assist in this process. Progress is underway however, within the past 16 months 89 companies have been issued production licenses, 46 were granted sales space, and cultivation space has expanded from two million to thirteen million square footage.

Cannabis shortages could persist for years

Canada- Several Canadian provinces have reported varying degrees of supply shortages, including Nova Scotia, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. Some facilities such as Quebec Cannabis Corporation have been forced to reduce business hours to only 4 days a week, and New Brunswick was even forced to close over half of their shops. CEO of the Toronto-based cannabis company Biome Grow Inc, Khurram Malik said “The rules here are so difficult to grow cannabis — quite frankly more difficult than anywhere else in the world — that if you’re a new licence holder and you’ve never done this before, it’s going to take you a year, year-and-a-half, or two years to get any decent, consistent quality product out the door in any predictable volumes, The good thing with that is, yes, it makes things difficult domestically, but the rest of the world looks at us as outright experts in this. They say if you can grow in Canada, you can grow anywhere.”

In a recent statement, Spokesperson Tammy Jarbeau commented “As with any new industry where there is considerable consumer demand, we expect there may be periods where inventories of some products run low or, in some cases, run out. As the overall supply chain gains experience in the Canadian marketplace, it is expected that such localized and product-specific shortages will become far fewer in number. She stated “Health Canada remains confident that there is sufficient supply of cannabis overall to meet market demand now and into the future.” Health Canada has said that they are working to improve the licensing process, as well as increase the cultivation capacities for growers, and have already increased the allowed production capacity to 1.2 million square metres from 185,000 since May of 2017.

The fight for medical cannabis continues 

United Kingdom- The recent passing of medical cannabis laws in the U.K has received mixed reactions. While the implementation of Specialist Doctors being given authority to prescribe cannabis to patients with severe and debilitating conditions such as epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and cancer patients is a giant step in the right direction, much more reform is still needed for the United Kingdom’s medical marijuana movement.

The recent release of the medical marijuana guidelines has proved disappointing, and restrictive. These guidelines, written by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal Paediatric Neurology Association state that "Very few people in England are likely to get a prescription for medical cannabis.". In response to these guidelines, Political Director of the United Patients Alliance (UPA), Jon Liebing stated “When you read them, you get the feeling they haven't put much thought into this other than to protect themselves from having to take on the entire responsibility and accountability for introducing an entire new classification of medicines.". the good news however, is that these guidelines are being reviewed and changed by The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), and the new guidelines will be issued in or before October of 2019.

The UK's first CBD restaurant opens its doors

United Kingdom- Opening its doors December 1st, Canna Kitchen in Brighton will be the UK’s first Cannabis based restaurant, specialising in a Vegetarian and Vegan menu. Menu items such as, zaa’tar roast cauliflower, hemp heart tabbouleh, smoked aubergine and sesame cavolo nero, will be made with seasonal British ingredients, as well as infused with the healing properties of cannabinoids, otherwise known as CBD. This non-psychoactive cannabis compound has multiple health benefits, and is legal in the United Kingdom.

Head chef Charlotte Kjaer, the mastermind behind this cannabis culinary experience stated “I enjoy cooking with the seasons and in harmony with nature, a diet rich in seasonal plant based food is not only nutritious for the body, but also beneficial for the planet. I aim to create honest, balanced and vibrant food.”

Additionally, upstairs from the restaurant, the Canna Kitchen will be opening a CBD cafe, featuring infused cakes, and beverages, as well as a retail shop called The Hemp Earth Dispensary, featuring an array of organic cannabis items ranging from edibles and cosmetics, to CBD oils and hemp flowers.

Mexico making moves towards legal marijuana 

Mexico- Soon to be interior minister under President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sen. Olga Sanchez Cordero recently submitted a 26 page bill regarding the legalization of recreational cannabis. The newly elected senator stated “The policy of prohibition arises from the false assumption that the problem of drugs should be tackled from a penal focus, The objective can’t be to eradicate the consumption of a substance that’s as prevalent as cannabis is.”

The proposed bill would permit adults, age 18 and older to use cannabis recreationally both in their homes, but also in any public place that allows tobacco use. Selling, giving or otherwise supplying cannabis to minors however, will remain illegal. Growing up to 20 plants in one’s home will also be permitted. This new bill follows the Supreme Court’s decision that cannabis prohibition is unconstitutional. The court stated “The effects provoked by marijuana do not justify an absolute prohibition of its consumption,”

In the past 12 years since Mexico has declared war on the drug cartels, there has been approximately 235,000 deaths, of which cannabis prohibition has had a significant impact. Supporters of the bill say the legalization of cannabis will help reduce this bloodshed, by directly impacting the cartel’s hold over the black market sale of marijuana, and will also free up officers and prosecutors to pursue more serious crimes. The legalization of cannabis would also, in turn help to generate an increase in tourism, in regards to this, Enrique de la Madrid Mexico’s Tourism Secretary, says the legalization should begin in Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur, due to a rise in cannabis related violent crimes.

Colombia Hopes to Become World's Legal MJ Supplier

COLOMBIA- Colombia is looking for corporate backers to help them become the Saudi Arabia of legal pot.

The new industry is budding on the outskirts of Medellin, where Pablo Escobar pushed marijuana in the seventies before becoming the “King of Cocaine.” Fifteen years after his death in cannabis plants are growing in the emerald hills outside of the city, this time with a little government backing.

“You are looking at history,” said Camilo Ospina, the lab-coat-wearing chief innovation officer for PharmaCielo Colombia Holdings. His company is one of many corporations seeking to leverage the “made in Colombia” label in a new age of legalization.

Colombia is still the mecca of illegal drugs. Last year, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency report showed Colombia as the source of 92 percent of cocaine seized in the United States. And after 18 years and $10 billion spent on Plan Colombia, the U.S.-funded effort to counter cartels and coca farmers, cocaine production here is at all-time highs.

Yet when it comes to marijuana, Colombia is taking a new tack: If you can’t beat ’em, regulate ’em.

Free the Weed 94 - by John Sinclair

Congratulations, Dear Readers. We did it! By the time you read this, recreational marijuana use will be legal in the State of Michigan at last, and while that doesn’t insure that everything will be hunky dory for all of us smokers and users, it’s a nice long step down the road from the harassment and persecution we’ve suffered for so long.

To celebrate in an appropriate manner, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the John Sinclair Foundation Café and Coffeeshop will open December 31 at Dr. Bob’s Psychedelic Healing Shack at 18700 Woodward Avenue, corner of Goldengate, Detroit 48203. Telephone: (313) 366-2247.

The Café will be open daily from 2:00 pm until closing, serving coffee, espresso, teas, juices, fresh Dutch Girl donuts and handmade snacks. Hi- speed wi-fi service will be available to all patrons and continuous music will be provided by Radio Free Amsterdam.

The Café will be under the management of Adam Brook for the John Sinclair Foundation and will also present “live” music and poetry events under the supervision of John Sinclair and Matty Lee on a schedule to be announced at the Grand Opening event New Year’s Eve,

I’d like to offer special thanks and appreciation to my old friend Rodriguez, the singer & guitarist sometimes known as “Sugarman,” who’s inspired and encouraged me to undertake this venture in order to provide the people in metropolitan Detroit today with the kind of place like we used to enjoy in the old days with music, poetry, a warm, relaxed atmosphere, coffee and juices, and art, cultural and historic materials displayed on the wall—a place where we can go to be with other people like ourselves in a welcoming environment where we are always made feel at home.

Our first exhibit at the Grand Opening event will be a display of the paintings of Johnny “Bee” Badanjek, drummer with the Detroit Wheels and many subsequent ensembles and a prolific painter in recent years.

We’d like to invite all our friends and neighbors to join us at the Foundation Café for a coffee and a smoke. Bring your devices and relax with us in a creative, supportive atmosphere unlike anywhere else.

And, since I’ve fought about 53 years to legalize marijuana in Michigan, I think I deserve the rest of the month off. Happy New Year’s, everybody!

—Detroit

November 26, 2018

© 2018 John Sinclair. All Rights Reserved.

Cannibals of Freedom: Knowing Politicians is Knowing the Future - by Daniel Price

As you all know Michigan joined many states in legalizing marijuana for recreational use.  Merry Christmas!  Light em if ya got em!

But what about the federal law?  Well, in May of this year police, and federal agents raided a marijuana grow in downtown Detroit.  The grower’s attorney insisted it was a legal grow.  Perhaps.  But what matters is that marijuana is still “the Devil’s Weed” under federal law.   Why else do you think the feds were involved?!?!

Relief may be at hand.  I’ll explain.  The single number one thing politicians want is power over people.  However, at least for now, in America to get that power you either have to promise voters to take something from others to give to them, or give some privileges in exchange for their freedom.
So how does this apply?  Our former president, a seemingly pro-marijuana liberal Barack Obama talked a good game, but failed to deliver the weed.  President Donald Trump, with a history of supporting marijuana legalization going back to 1990, replaced Obama.  However, looking to the White House in June of 2015, Trump was against it.  I assert Trump needed the money and support of law enforcement to get the presidency.  This is why he is a “law and order” president.  Yet, later Trump became neutral on the issue in October of 2015.  I believe this appeased law enforcement and  the voters who wanted legalization, since he would not come out against marijuana.

Post the presidential election President Donald Trump appointed an anti-marijuana Attorney General, Jeffery Beauregard Sessions, III.  (Ya just gotta smirk at the name.)  Sessions was and is against marijuana.  Some of his remarks about marijuana include: “Good people don’t smoke marijuana”; and he once said about the Ku Klux Klan, “I thought those guys were okay until I learned they smoked pot.”  Session then began a crackdown on marijuana at the federal level.  Perhaps the appointment was a favor to law enforcement?  Still this began Trumps road to the 2020 election. Wait for it!

The legalization of marijuana is completely political at all levels of government.  It’s all about money and votes to parasites in order to gain power.  Once a person comes to understand these parasites do not give a damn about us, but only about gaining power over us, it’s easy to see the future.  So far as it pertains to marijuana, I explained the following to a couple friends prior to the elections of 2018.  In my eyes Trump showed that he is truly a political master.  In promising to appoint Sessions as Attorney General, Trump whipped up support from law enforcement for the 2016 presidential election.  He knew, as well as anyone, that once in office, he would need more to stay. You see, law enforcement will still support Trump for 2020 previously because he appointed Sessions, now because Trump’s pro-police rhetoric is clear.  Indeed, in October 2018, Trump stated that the Democrats are anti-police at the Police Chiefs Association in Orlando Florida.

At the same time, I explained that Trump would fire Sessions within days of the elections in November.  Wow, I had no idea it would be the next day!!!  I also explained to those friends what would happen next.  You see, the firing of Sessions is reported to be about the Russia investigation. Please!?  It’s political cover widely known as, “the Texas Two Step”.  He knew that historically the Democrats would win the US House of Representatives in 2016.  They did.  Moreover, they, like Republicans, crave power.

Now this is the future of the next two years.  There will be a fight between the Democrats and Trump, both falling over each other to take credit for legalizing marijuana, or at least take it off the Schedule 1 drug list, at the federal level.  I think Trump will win this fight. Trump appointed an interim attorney general that is favorable to legalizing marijuana to further prospects to stay in office beyond 2020.  That’s the real reason the democrats are so angry at this appointment.  It’s my belief that Sessions was a ruse that would serve two purposes: First, to get law enforcement to back him in 2016; and Second, to get more of the people that desire legalization to vote for him in 2020.
Therefore, I predict that within the next 18 months marijuana will be legalized, or taken off the federal schedule 1 drug list.

If I am wrong, then I am wrong.  But I don’t think so.  Mind you, till then, you are still subject to criminal sanctions for growing, selling, and using marijuana, just like those poor bastards in the Detroit raid.  One more thing.  If you have a medical marijuana card, keep it!  Those with these cards are more protected from prosecution than those without them.  I know.  But trust me.

Till next year, as always, keep rolling on.

Disclaimer: This is an informational article only.  It is not to provide individual legal advice. If you need legal services, feel free to contact me, or any attorney of your choosing.

Herbert Huncke’s America - Elsie-John - Edited By Jerome Poynton

Herbert Huncke’s America continues into its 3rd month after last month’s “You Too!” moment.

It seems publishing American history is inflammatory.  

It did get me to thinking about Huncke’s stories, from his childhood – all of them fairly complex – hold an essence of abated fear.  

Elsie-John is about a side-show hermaphrodite Huncke lived with in his early teens. There is nothing inflammatory or sensationalistic about his reportage.

Huncke’s writing is content with honesty.

Google: Elsie-John Leslie Winer

Google: Elsie-John Duke University

Sometimes I remember Chicago and my experiences while growing up and as a youth.  I remember in particular the people I knew and—as frequently happens—I associate whole periods of time as indicative of certain changes within myself.  Mostly I think about the people and I recall one person rather vividly, not only because he was out of the ordinary, but because I recognise now what a truly beautiful creature he was.

He was a giant—well over six and one half feet tall with a large egg-shaped head.  His eyes were enormous and a very deep sea-blue with a hidden expression of sadness and though contemplating the tragedy of his life as irrevocable.  Also, there were times when they appeared gay and sparkling and full of great understanding.  They were alive eye always—and had seen much and were ever questing.  His hair was an exquisite shade of henna-red, which he wore quite long like a woman’s.  He gave it special care and I can see it reflecting the light from an overhead bulb in the center of his room while he sat cross-legged in the center of a big brass bed fondling his three Toy Pekinese who were his constant companions and received greatly from his love.  His body was huge with long arms which ended with thin hands and long tapering fingers whose nails were sometimes silver or green or scarlet.  His mouth was large and held at all times a slightly idiot smile and was always painted bright red.  He shaded his eyelids green or blue and beaded the lashes with mascara until they were a good three quarter of an inch long.  He exhibited himself among freaks in sideshows as the only true hermaphrodite in human life and called himself Elsie John.  When I met him he was in his early thirties.

He came originally from somewhere in Germany and before coming to this country had traveled—travailed if you prefer—much of Europe and could talk for hours of strange experiences he’d had.  He was a user of drugs, and although he liked cocaine best he would shoot up huge amounts of heroin, afterward sitting still like a big brooding idol.

When I first knew him he was living in a little theatrical hotel on North State Street.  It was an old hotel and in all probability is no longer in existence.  Apparently at one time it had been a sort of hangout for vaudeville actors.  It was shabby and run down and the rooms were small and in need of fresh paint.  He lived in one of these rooms with his three dogs and a big wardrobe trunk.  One of the things I remember distinctly was his standing in front of a long thin mirror which hung on the wall opposite his bed—applying makeup—carefully working in the powder bases and various cosmetics creating the mask which he was seldom without.

When I met him he was coming out of a lesbian joint with a couple of friends and upon seeing him for the first time I was sort of struck dumb.  He was so big and strange.  It happened that one of the girls knew him and he invited us all up to his room to smoke pot—tea, it was called in those days.  His voice was rather low and pleasant with a slight accent, which gave everything he said a meaning of its own.  When we were leaving he suggested I come back, and it was not much time until I became a constant visitor and something of a friend.

He liked being called Elsie and later when I introduced him it was always as Elsie.

We began using junk together and sometimes I would lie around his place of two or three days.  A friend of mine called John who was later shot to death by narcotics bulls while making a junk delivery—they grabbed him as he was handing the stuff over and he broke free and ran down the hall and they shot him—joined us we became a sort of threesome.

Elsie was working an arcade show on West Madison Street, and through junk was much cheaper then than now he wasn’t really making enough to support his habit as he wanted to and decided to begin pushing.  As a pusher he wasn’t much of a success.  Everybody soon got wise he wouldn’t let you go sick and per result much more was going out than coming in.  Eventually one of the cats he’d befriended got caught shooting up and when asked where he scored turned in Elsie’s name.  I will never forget the shock and the terror of the moment the door was thrust open and a big red-faced cop kind of shouting “Police” shoved into the room followed by two more—one who sort of gasped upon seeing Elsie and then turned to one of the others saying, “Get a load of this degenerate bastard—we sure hit the jackpot this time.  This is a queer son of a bitch if I ever saw one.  What the hell are these?”—as he became aware of the dogs who had gathered around Elsie and were barking and yipping.  “Goddamned lap dogs—what do they lap on you?” he said as he sort of thrust himself toward Elsie.

Elsie had drawn himself up to his full height and then suddenly began saying, “I’m a hermaphrodite and I’ve got papers to prove it”—and he tried to shove a couple of pamphlets which he used in his sideshow gimmick toward the cop.  Meanwhile one of the others had already found our works and the stash of junk—about half and ounce—and was busy tearing Elsie’s trunk apart, pulling out the drawers and dumping their contents in the center of the bed.  It was when one of the cops stepped on a dog that Elsie began crying.

They took us al down to the city jail on South State Street and since Johnnie and I were minors they let us go the next morning.

The last time I saw Elsie was in the bullpen—sort of cowering in the corner surrounded by a group of young Westside hoods who has been picked up the same night we were—who were exposing themselves to him and yelling all sorts of obscenities.

December 2018 MMR Recipe - by Mary Hasman-Gardner

KETO CANNA-SNICKER DOODLES

Keto is a high fat, high protein, low carb and sugar way of eating, which allows most people to lose weight, lower cholesterol and/or control their insulin if diabetic. Keto for stoners is a recipe segment for those on Keto, or for those who would like healthier food that tastes great.

INGREDIENTS:

2 Cup Super fine Almond Flour 

½ Cup Cannabutter – softened

Pinch of Salt

¾ Cup Stevia

1 Egg

1 Tsp Cinnamon

COATING:

2 Tbsp Stevia

1 Tsp Cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS:

Mix all ingredients together – dough will be stiff. Roll into 16 balls and then flatten balls slightly with bottom of a jar. Place cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Enjoy!     

Cover Story: The Growers' Holiday Wishlist - by Jenny Thornton

Amongst the regular cheer of the Holiday season, Michiganders are also celebrating all of the hard work they did which resulted in the legalization of Recreational Marijuana. This means a lot of big changes for cannabis businesses and consumers alike.

One of the largest changes we can project to see is an influx in home-growers. This is excellent news for garden suppliers all over the State. Getting started may seem daunting; however we have put together a list of supplies that may help you in your beginning stages. For more information on how to obtain materials and information, refer to our directory for a list of trusted sources for all of your growing needs!

Seeds or Clones

While there are debates over which method is better, you get to choose the pros and cons you are working with. Seeds can produce higher yields, but it is a slower process of growing plus the risk of sprouting male plants. Clones are a quicker start and guaranteed female with the caveat of potential disease and pests that may be inherited.

Elev8 Seeds, and Delicious Seeds are excellent sources for seed needs. If you decide to go for clones, check out Great Lakes Clones.

Lights

Obviously, lights are imperative to your operation so your plants can carry out photosynthesis. After you calculate the wattage you need to cover your room or tent it is time to decide which lights are best for you and your growing conditions. Opt for HID Grow lights, LED Grow Lights or T5 Grow lights.

For great deals and experienced staff go to Clio Cultivation Center or Local Indoor Garden Stores to light your way to a beautiful crop.

Grow Systems

Obtaining good soil or hydroponics will determine your outcome significantly, so be sure to research which is most suitable for your situation. Soil is more ideal for the new grower and is easier to manage; however it takes more time from start to harvest and more difficult to resolve nutrient issues. Hydroponic systems ensure your plants are receiving all the nutrients they require, but this method is prone to over-feeding and root-rot.

Bay City Hydroponics or Smokin' Tomatoes can provide reliable grow mediums, as well as advise and provide nutrients.

Environment Control

To prevent stale air that impairs your plants ability to grow, make sure you have proper ventilation, air extraction and fans on deck. High output exhaust and intake fans are a necessity, as constant and fresh air flow promote strong stems and leaves while preventing mold and mildew growth. Air extractors help regulate heat and CO2 emissions, and using a carbon air filter for outgoing air will provide odor control.

Controlling your temperature and humidity are other key factors to consider. These can be monitored and controlled with thermometers and hydrometers. Mechanical Timers and Smart controllers can help manage and monitor the process. It is very important to be attentive to light, feeding and watering times. On top of these having a Ph and PPM meter should be on your list of supplies to keep plants healthy and stable.

The aforementioned grow shops and garden supplies can get you set up with all of these items. Please see our directory as well for even more resourses.

This list provides a basic scope of necessary components for growing. These are not hard scientific rules for a set up, but simply a guideline for getting started. If you ever have questions or concerns about your operation, please contact a professional service or experienced friend. Write into MM Report, and tell us what your favorite products and places to obtain them are. Happy Holidays and Harvesting!!

Grow Tip - December 2018 - by Ben Horner

Everyone Can Grow, So Why Don’t You?!

Starting now everyone can grow marijuana! You cannot sell, but cultivation and gifting is legal, so get your grow on! For beginners we suggest a small grow to learn the basics and develop your techniques.  A grow tent is a good place to start teaching yourself how to control your environment. Local grow store will have everything you need. Here are some important things to consider.

Seeds Versus Clones

Marijuana plants have male and female sexes. The advantage of starting from clone is that you will have a true female if your source can be trusted. If you pop seeds, then you will have to separate and discard the males, unless you want all your females to become seeded. Clones are often contaminated with bugs or mildew, which is almost impossible to get rid of, so starting from seed is safest.

Lighting

If you are using a grow tent, lower power lighting is preferred. Don’t ever over crowd your plants. Start the budding cycle early, maybe two or three weeks after sprouting or when the plant is approximately 10 inches. LED’s and T5’s are low temp, but they have wild variance on quality and spectrum (Be sure to not skimp and find a good grow store to work with). If you use higher watt convention lighting like medal halide or high pressure sodium (HPS), you will need to air cool the lighting so you don’t overheat your plants.  Remember this: 18 hours of light to veg your plants and 12 hours on for producing buds.

Bells and Whistles

New growers often try to do too much in their first grow. Adding CO2, hydroponics and automatic controller systems are advanced techniques. Sometimes learning to grow without these things is best for a newbie grower.

This is an example of a grow tent set up with all the Bells and Whistles

Grow tents come in various sizes and are a great way to start with a semi sterile environment, like a basement

Do I Still Need My Card? - by Ben Horner

With legalization here should medical marijuana patients continue to renew their MMMP card?

Well for one thing recreational pot shops will not be a thing for at least a year, and the cops are gearing up to go after illegal sales. Stoned driving will also be on the Michigan law enforcement radar. Don’t take it from me, listen to these experts.

Executive director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Robert Stevenson, is preparing to train around the state of how to bust people post the legalization start on December 6th. In an interview with Michigan Public Radio, Stevenson alluded to learning for law enforcement from states like Colorado.

 “We’ve been in touch with Colorado to share experiences and techniques,” says Stevenson, “If I had a secret technique to catch all the people, I wouldn’t tell you for obvious reasons, because we would want to use it to catch people that are selling.” (source: http://www.michiganradio.org/post/michigan-police-departments-preparing-legal-recreational-marijuana)

Super cannabis attorney Allen Peisner explains, “After 12/6, police will no longer have probable cause to search a motor vehicle based upon the green or unburnt smell of cannabis.   The burnt smell will cause the police to think about submitting the driver to field sobriety tests. The smell issue will also cause the retirement of many drug dogs. They cannot be untrained to detect for marijuana and they cannot tell the handler which drug they are detecting.”

“If a person refuses or fails the field sobriety tests, the police might be able to get a warrant to draw blood.   Any amount of active delta-9-THC in their blood can result in a drugged driving charge.   This is where case law, People v Koon, decided in 2013 by the MSC, declares that zero tolerance to THC law invalid as to MM cardholding patients. If a MM cardholding patient is driving with THC, the police must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the person was under the influence of the THC while driving. A bad accident might give them a good reason to take the case to a jury. In theory, a patient without a card could use §8 as a defense to a zero tolerance THC charge, but the courts are resistant to it. I could cite at least one case where the trial court denied a §8 hearing on the zero-tolerance driving charge but allowed it for the possession of MJ charge.”

Party at Vehicle City Social

Illegal sales will also be tested. Some growers are looking to hit the ground running. Social Clubs like Vehicle City allow for grows to rent both space and sell their wares directly to consumers, without having to pay for overhead, as well as local and state taxes and fees. “You can just charge people for the baggie and the weed is free,” explains a caregiver who wishes to remain anonymous. Planned social clubs are preparing to sprout up around the state this month.

The recently passed Campaign Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol isn’t full legalization, and there will continue to be grey areas in the law. Just like with medical marijuana, some prosecutors will test the limits of how to interpret this law. Most likely, green zones will make going after potheads to be a waste of time, where as communities that have too many resources will continue to bust us. Be careful, and keep your card. For now at least.

This Is What Democracy Looks Like - by Tim Beck

By Tim Beck: 
Chairman of the Safer Michigan Coalition

Everyone of the 100+ souls gathered at the Proposal 1 victory party November 6 at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing, handled the moment in different ways. When the results came in, there were tears, cheers, hugs, high fives and a sense of quiet satisfaction. It was the end of a very long journey for some of us.

For myself and my good friend super activist and entrepreneur Ryan Basore, who did time in federal prison for marijuana, there was no Christmas morning moment. It was just a sense of numbness, coupled with the anti climactic. Only until the next day did we felt a sense of relief, quiet joy and simple peace of mind. Maybe we were just too used to the struggle, and the seeming elusiveness of victory, that our emotional make up couldn't just turn on a dime.

Intellectually knew we were going to win. All legitimate polling said so. We had top of the line, nationally experienced ballot initiative experts managing the campaign. The best election law attorney's in the state had drafted the initiative language. If necessary, these lawyers were ready to sue or counter sue at a moments notice. Focus groups, and intensive, almost daily polling, indicated what our messages needed to say. We had all the money needed to outspend and figuratively carpet bomb our opponents. We had a vocal grass roots army fighting on the ground floor.

That said however, in any political campaign, even for the most seasoned veteran, there is always a nagging sense of fear and uncertainty. The recurring nightmare is that something terrible can happen at the last minute, even in the best of circumstances.

Fortunately our side did not have to spend millions. We simply matched our opponents dollar for dollar. We did not need to lie. We let the facts speak for themselves and responded to the hysteria being ginned up in a calm, factual and timely way.

Our focus tested message was clean and simple. One, marijuana prohibition for consenting adults does not work, anymore then the failed attempt to ban alcohol many years ago. Two, police resources need to be re allocated to deal with serious crime. Three, taxation and regulation of marijuana is in the public interest.

Our opposition was a cadre of interest groups, which included top law enforcement brass, the drug rehab industry, the Michigan State Medical Society, the Prosecutors Association of Michigan, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Catholic Conference, Dow Chemical Corporation, DTE Energy executives, Haworth Corporation, Gordon Food Services, the Detroit News, "faith based" evangelical Christians, and a shadowy group called "Project SAM" (Safe Alternatives to Marijuana). Based in Alexandria, Virginia, SAM is led by Baha'i religious devotee Kevin Sabet and former Congressman Patrick Kennedy. Kennedy who is the son of the late Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy and is in recovery for substance abuse.

Project SAM founder Kevin Sabet

Sophistry and fear mongering oozed from their lips, press releases and the TV screens, like toxic diarrhea.

Their strategy was to throw everything they could against the wall and hope that something would stick. Among other things, they predicted a massive spike in teen marijuana use (even though it would still be illegal for underage persons to use marijuana). They said there would be a big increase in addiction, crime, domestic violence, suicide, teen pregnancy, mayhem on the highway and a massive increase in auto insurance rates. They said homeless persons and drug tourists will flock to Michigan from all over the mid west. The state would become a dangerous, isolated, Jurassic island, where cops would be helpless castrati, unable to stop the onslaught of undesirables to come. Business interests declared it would be practically impossible to find anyone able to pass a drug test and a wave of debilitating litigation will result. Religious zealots warned of a decline in moral values, coupled with a new wave of "social permissiveness." The result would be agony for caring, God fearing persons like themselves.

However, as the meter continued running toward election day, the poll numbers never changed. It was indicated over and over that Proposal 1 had a solid 57% majority of likely voters prepared to say YES. The only demographic cohorts which were not in our corner, were persons over age 65 who had never used marijuana and those who identified themselves as "strong Republican."

That is when the opposition, calling itself "Healthy and Productive Michigan" (HPM) became increasingly shrill and desperate. A few days prior to the Tuesday vote, they began running a TV a commercial which was a proven lie. The ad featured three cloying toddlers. One of the children was a happy go lucky, Nordic looking white boy. He was paired with a light skinned black girl, with an Afro hair do and a beatific smile. The other child was a cuddly, doe eyed little white girl with brown hair. As the scene shifted to a playground, a number of kids were having fun. One was a small, dark blond white girl, dressed like a hippie from a by gone era. A stern voiced female narrator, intoned that "legalized marijuana allows ice creams, cookies and candies with unlimited potency, making its way into our schools and playgrounds, putting the lives of our children and grandchildren at stake."

The Bridge Magazine "truth squad" rated the commercial FOUL. The magazine correctly stated that under Proposal 1, "marijuana use would be legalized only for adults 21 and older. The law, if passed, forbids sales of pot edibles designed to appeal to kids or resemble candy that does not contain pot. It requires all marijuana products to have child-resistant packaging...and the state is required to set rules on maximum levels of THC, the main psychoactive component in marijuana."

When pressed with the facts, two media outlets, WWMT TV in Kalamazoo and WPBN TV in Traverse City pulled the commercial from the air. These stations represented about 1/3 of HPM's media buy.

At the end of the day, our "Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol" (CRMLA) won with a decisive 56% of the statewide vote.

As for HPM, the only thing they could do was hold a a press conference the next day in Lansing. It was not a gracious concession speech. HPM leader Scott Greenlee and Project SAM founder Kevin Sabet proclaimed they were not going away. They threatened legal action and declared their main goal now, was to persuade local communities to ban cannabis businesses.

HPM Leader Scott Greenlee

Under Proposal 1, local communities do have the right to prohibit marijuana businesses. However, there is nothing they can do to stop adult possession or use, no matter where one lives or travels. Any adult has the right to grow up to 12 marijuana plants for their own personal use, no matter where they live.

Marijuana prohibition has come to an end in Michigan. That is settled law. Only a major court ruling or a 3/4 super majority of the Legislature can change that reality. The proverbial horse is out of the barn and it will not be rounded up.