Current Issue

| Volume 2, June 1,
Summer 2010

Click to read PDF

Archives

| Volume 1, March 15,
Spring 2010

Click to read PDF

| Volume 2, Number 4,
Winter 2010
Press Run 127,000 copies printed Click to read PDF

| Volume 2 Number 3,
Autumn 2009 • 122,000 copies
Three Voter Initiatives Filed fopr California 2010 Ballot

Read as PDF Read as HTML

| Volume 2 No. 2,
Summer 2009 • 115,000 copies
US Supreme Court: State Cannabis Laws Stand

Read as HTML • Read as PDF

| Volume 2 No. 1
Spring 2009 • 85,000 copies
Ending Medi-Marijuana Raids "Now American Policy"
Read as HTML • Read as PDF

| Volume 1 No. 4,
Winter 2009 • 72,500 copies
Election Brings New Hope for Reform in 2009
Read as HTMLRead as PDF

| Volume 1 No. 3,
Autumn 2008 • 65,000copies
Flurry of Court Rulings Boost Medical Rights

Read as HTMLRead as PDF

| Volume 1 No. 2
Summer 2008 • 50,000 copies
California High Court Stands by State Law to Return Medical Marijuana

Read as HTMLRead as PDF (4.7MB)

| Volume 1 Number 1
Spring 2008 • 35,000 copies
San Francisco Adopts Medical Marijuana Sanctuary Ordinance

Read as HTMLRead as PDF (2.9MB)

Trading cards teach about medical strains, effects

By Erik Miller Trading card afficionados now have a new deck to play with, and it’s loaded. Patients Care Collective (PCC), a Berkeley dispen- sary, has introduced the first 10 of its strain- specific cannabis collector cards.

The cards debuted April 17 at the San Francisco Cow Palace Arena’s International Cannabis and Hemp Expo and were shown the next weekend at the THC Expos? at the LA Convention Center. They were a big hit at both events.

The cards feature beautiful photos, taken at PCC, with genetic, flavor, effect, and medicinal use info showcased for each strain and distinctive foil stamping that sets the cards apart as individual works of art. Among the Top 10 featured strains are OG Kush, Jack Herer, Grand Daddy Purple, Afghani Goo, Cheese, Head Band, Strawberry Kush, Blue Dream, Romulan, and Sour Diesel. Cards 11 through 20 are already in the works.

“The trading cards were designed as

Read More: Trading cards teach about medical strains, effects

Jessica Gelay of CannAssist.com

Jessica Gelay of CannAssist.com (a patient and physician referral, software and verification service) helped out at the West Coast Leaf booth at the THC Expose at the Los Angeles Convention Center in April. Thousands of copies of the paper were handed out to expo goers over the weekend and bundles were picked up by collectives, doctors offices, and other businesses to share with their patients and customers after the show. For more information, visit WestCoastLeaf.com. Photo by Jessica Lux.

oaksterdam map

oaksterdam classes

Staff members at Oaksterdam University prepare for a new semester. There are a growing
number of training programs for the cannabis industry. Oaksterdam University has pioneered
the way in terms of curriculum and student services. Photo by Kevin Miyamoto oaksterdam.com

Business Ads Page 14

Editorial Ads Page 32

Editorial Ads Page 31

Mothers determined to rescue kids from Drug War

By Denise Sagun A New PATH

After decades of destruction caused by the failed “war on drugs” a coalition of mothers is boldly leading the charge to end drug prohibition.

On April 28, 2010 A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing) held a rally in front of the San Diego Hall of Justice in honor of the 11th anniversary of its work. PATH’s mission is to reduce the stigma associated with addictive illness through education and compassionate support and to advocate for therapeutic rather than punitive drug policies.

Over 50 mothers, family members, healthcare advocates and people in recovery joined in this event, designed as a protest of punitive and pointless drug policies, a rally to promote restorative recovery systems and services, and a vigil to remember those who have lost their lives or their liberty to the war on drugs. Speakers included moms whose drug-addicted children have been lost in

Read More: Mothers determined to rescue kids from Drug War

California patients benefit from Norcal buyout

Qualified cannabis patients with physician approvals from Norcal Health Care can rest assured that their medical approvals are good, despite the recent legal problems of the medical group’s founder. The health service has been under new management since Nov. 19 to handle renewals and new patients. Doctors Philip Denney and Michael Gitter bought out the Norcal chain — with offices in Oakland, Ukiah, Arcata and Bakersfield CA — with businessman Omar Salah. Denney, 61, is past president of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians and widely respected within the field. Denney will also continue to see patients two days a week in Carmichael at the office he shares with Robert Sullivan, MD. The loss of Dr. Assad’s license created concerns for hundreds of patients who rely on Norcal.

Oregon denies reciprocity defense to out-of-state patients

The Oregon Court of Appeals rejected the use of an out-of-state physician’s recommendation as a defense against cannabis charges in its state courts. Joel Berringer had argued that since he had a letter of approval for medical marijuana that was issued by a California doctor, he should be able to defend his two pounds of medical marijuana he had been arrested carrying while in the Oregon. Qualified patients in Oregon have a safe harbor from prosecution for possession of up to 24 ounces. However, the Court ruled on April 14 that, since there is no specific reciprocity agreement between the two states, the approval should not apply. Montana and New Jersey are the only two states to offer reciprocity for out-of-state qualified patients.

Republicans use marijuana petition to sign-up party voters

Hundreds of California voters in Orange County had their registrations switched to Republican when they believed they were supporting the effort to legalize cannabis in California. After as many as 99 complaints were received, the OC Register newspaper investigated and found another 74 voters that were duped into being registered Republican. All were under 28 years of age and most were approached in parking lots at local college campuses and large box stores, such as Wal-Mart. Some reportedly not only did not know they were registered Republican, they did not even know what a Republican was. In most cases the same type of bait and switch operation was used, luring voters in with subjects they had affinities for, such as animals, schools — and, yes, legal cannabis — and conning them into registering for the Republican party. — Mickey Martin

Canada’s ‘Prince of Pot’ Marc Emery jailed, extradited to US

Canadian Justice Minister Rob Nicholson in May ordered that his country’s most famous legalization advocate be extradited to the US for a five-year federal prison sentence. Cannabis seed entrepreneur and Cannabis Culture magazine publisher Marc Emery turned himself in to authorities and is in custody in Washington State.

Emery and two employees, Michelle Rainey and Greg Williams, were arrested in Vancouver in 2005 by Canadian police acting at the behest of US authorities, who had indicted the trio in Seattle for selling Emery Seed Bank cannabis seeds to US customers over the Internet. After Rainey and Williams were offered plea-bargains allowing them to stay in Canada, Emery pled guilty to one count of distribution in exchange for a five-year sentence. He had faced up to life in prison for his seed sales. — Phil Smith, stopthedrugwar.org