Cannabis icon Tommy Chong will be capping off the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference (OMBC) in Eugene on April 24th with a celebrity interview by Steve Bloom, Editor-in-Chief of Freedom Leaf Magazine and publisher of Celeb Stoner. Chong and Bloom brought the house down at the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in San Francisco, leaving attendees entertained, engaged and learning tidbits that have mostly remained out of the public sphere. Tommy shared his thoughts on a range of folks from Cheech Marin (of course) to Bernie Sanders to the Jackson 5 to Donald Trump. Attendees at the OMBC can count on an amazing interview as Bloom and Chong will be looking to outdo themselves with new information and hilarious stories.

I have a ton of respect for the career and activism of Chong and the way he has persevered and thrived over the years. If you are a fan of Cheech and Chong’s work, you will LOVE, the celebrity interview. If you have been living under a rock and have never heard of Tommy Chong, you will still LOVE the interview, because the man has amazing stories to tell about show business, cannabis business, prison, activism and politics.

The OMBC will provide attendees the latest information on Oregon’s marijuana law, both medical and recreational systems, with experts from all areas of the industry and lawyers on hand to answer those pesky questions that need answered. The Oregon Legislature just made changes to the state’s marijuana laws, new rulemaking procedures will start soon that will further change the laws, there will be more changes in the 2017 legislative session and cities and counties are enacting a variety of regulations. You will leave the OMBC with the knowledge that you need, unique networking opportunities and with a one-of-a-kind event experience that includes the stoner legend Tommy Chong.

The OMBC will be held at the downtown Eugene Hilton. Tickets are currently just $149, although you can tag on a VIP event on Saturday night for another $100. These ticket prices end on April 9th, so get your tickets before prices go up or the event sells out! Mixing cannabis business, politics, culture and activism, the OMBC is an Oregon marijuana conference like no other and we here at Marijuana Politics are proud to help the event.

For those that are tired of politics as usual Jessie Sponberg, is a breath of fresh air. The Portland, Oregon, activist is running for mayor against a sitting state treasurer, a county commissioner and twelve other candidates. While Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler is considered the favorite, Sponberg has all of mayoral candidates beat, and maybe every candidate in history, in best hip-hop campaign video.

Sponberg is widely known among Portland activist circles as someone who takes on the establishment, fighting for the rights of the homeless, against police brutality and public ownership of Oregon’s water supply. I met Jessie during the Measure 91 marijuana legalization campaign when he asked me to be on a segment of his “Fight Church” talk show that he broadcasted on the internet. I have found Mr. Sponberg to be a very passionate advocate that cares deeply for the city of Portland. I was inspired by Jessie to donate clothing to one of his many homeless outreach efforts and came away amazed at the amount of work that he does for the less fortunate in this city.

In my opinion, Portland is very fortunate to have an activist Jessie running against a strong candidate like Ted Wheeler. Both Sponberg and Wheeler voted “yes” on Measure 91 and have touted the economic benefits that the cannabis industry can have for the city of Portland. To my dismay, Multnomah County Jules Bailey voted against legalization, believing that Oregon needed to wait longer before ending the failed and harmful policy of cannabis prohibition. Bailey has also rightfully taken heat for waffling on whether police officers that use deadly force get to receive 48 hours notice before answering any questions from internal investigators. Bailey was also on the receiving end of a blistering critique from Sponberg for not adequately addressing the housing crisis faced by local residents.

Whether Jessie Sponberg can pull off one of the greatest political upsets of all time in the Portland mayoral race is to be seen, we’ll know for sure on May 17th (get registered to vote by April 26th, Portlanders). However, if the race is decided by best campaign video, I think that Mr. Sponberg would win in a landslide.

Check out the video, which includes many of Sponberg’s activist causes, including a banner that states, “Pot Grows Jobs”:

First off, happy 4/20 from Marijuana Politics! It is almost hard to remember that 4/20 or 4:20 or 420 was a secret among the cannabis community. Today, with polling numbers over 50% and a multitude of media outlets providing sensible to positive coverage of marijuana, all things cannabis, including our “secret” stoner holiday has gone mainstream.

The amount of mainstream press has been rather mind boggling today, and this list is probably just the tip of the iceberg: Fortune and Forbes ran stories on cannabis today, MSNBC’s Meet the Press had a segment on “National Weed Day,” ABC News covered the formation of the Minority Cannabis Business Association and Congressman Earl Blumenauer is even marking the holiday, asking for $4.20 donation to the “Earl Cannabis Fund” to help support his political efforts to legalize cannabis across the nation. And of course, #Happy420 has been trending on social media. It used to be huge news for the cannabis community when a major media outlet or politician mentioned anything reasonable about marijuana; now, it is hard to keep up with all of the attention. The embrace among mainstream entities isn’t just anecdotal either, as polling backs us up, with yet another landmark survey released on April 20th:

According to a new CBS News poll, 56 percent of Americans support the legalization of the drug, up three points from 53 percent. More Americans admit to have tried marijuana too — with 51 percent saying they have tried the drug — up from 43 percent last year.

The steady growth in support for marijuana legalization implicates a shift in public opinion on the drug over the last three decades. According to the poll, only 27 percent of the population supported legalizing marijuana in 1979. Numbers didn’t begin to tip in the favor of marijuana legalization until after 2010, with favor percentages breaking into the slight majority between 2012 and 2015.

Among demographics, younger Americans are the most supportive, with 71 percent of people under 35 voting in favor of legalization, according to the poll. Only 31 percent of Americans 65 and older supported legal marijuana use.

The business angle of marijuana legalization certainly makes headlines and has helped make inroads with voters and politicians, but the cannabis community has always been about freedom first and foremost and compassion for our patients, so it is imperative that the community holds onto its true values. Unfortunately, too many states and localities, even in those with progressive marijuana laws, are imposing barriers that prevent small home cultivation, for personal or even medical use. Thankfully, many members of our community are organizing and speaking out.

We’ll be covering the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference this weekend, and when you see attendees and listen to speakers at such a conference, it is clear that the cannabis industry has support across many demographics, and isn’t a niche business any longer. What you will also see at the OMBC, and at cannabis events across the nation, are many people who are fighting to keep marijuana business opportunities accessible to mom-and-pops and ensure that patients have safe access to a safe medicine.

The mainstreaming of marijuana is an overall positive, as it will lead to fewer nonviolent people in prison, more patients with safe access and a better prioritization of our law enforcement resources. But mainstream society poses obstacles and problems as well as big-moneyed interests seek to use their money for financial gain, potentially not caring about those that will still end up in handcuffs for violating a relatively minor regulation or the patient that can no longer afford their medicine. However, the cannabis community at large has proven to be compassionate and resourceful, meeting obstacles and finding ways to advance the goals of protecting people from prison and taking care of patients. This 4/20, it is good to celebrate how far we’ve come, but also to think about how we maintain the soul of the cannabis community as move into mainstream society.

 

Dr. Carl Hart is a neuropsychopharamacologist at Columbia University, where he conducts research and serves as a professor for both undergraduate and graduate students in neuroscience, psychology, and pharmacology. The first tenured African-American professor at Columbia University, Dr. Hart has dedicated his life to reducing public health harms. He serves as a board member of the Drug Policy Alliance and is one of the best advocates for ending the failed and harmful policy of prohibition.

As a researcher, Dr. Hart has studied the impact of drugs and has done great work destroying Drug War myths that have stigmatized users and helped implement harmful policies that disproportionately hurt black communities. I was first inspired to become an advocate for cannabis law reform after seeing my black friends treated more harshly for minor marijuana offenses and statistics back up Dr. Hart, so I completely agree with his worldview. I was fortunate enough to speak with Professor Hart for a few minutes less than a week before he delivers the keynote address at the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference (OMBC) on April 24th.

After studying the impact of drugs, he has come to the conclusion that prohibition does more harm than good, “I’m most concerned about people’s health and the most dangerous concern are the adulterants and the only way to address the adulterants is to legalize the market,” Dr. Hart explained to me.

The role of people of color in the cannabis industry is an important subject as the War on Drugs has left many unable to enter the market due to previous drug offenses. When I asked Dr. Hart what are some of the things he would like to see the emerging cannabis industry do to assist communities of color, he stated, “One of the things that we can do is highlight the inconsistencies that legalized states are doing with what is happening with marijuana arrests around the country. Marijuana is still the number one reason for drug arrests. The country is still in the mindset that it is still a dangerous drug. No one is saying that it is innocuous, as driving a car can be dangerous, but it isn’t so dangerous that its prohibition should ruin lives.”

 

I believe that my talk with Dr. Hart was the first that I had heard of Ramarley Graham and I cover civil liberties issues for a living. It is so tragic that there are so many unnecessary deaths like Graham’s, Bland’s and Martin’s.

Dr. Hart continued, “The industry should advocate for sensible laws across the nation, help people of color be involved, and call on other industries to do the same thing, to follow our lead. We become morally bankrupt if we don’t stand up for the underdog and say, ‘Not in our country. This shit is wrong. We are respectable people and police shouldn’t be giving carte blanche to perpetuate these brutalities.’ By leading by example the cannabis industry can help improve laws across the country.”

Anyone that spends  a few minutes listening to Dr. Carl Hart will come across impressed as the man knows the science and is passionate about using his knowledge for positive reform. You can learn more about Carl Hart on his website and if you can make it to the Eugene Hilton for the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference on April 24th, you will not be disappointed by him or the informative program lined-up. (Not often you get to kick-off an event with Dr. Carl Hart and close with Tommy Chong!)

Check out Dr. Carl Hart debating cannabis with Bill O’Reilly. Dr. Hart comes on at 3:57.

Bernie Sanders has had a tough road to the Democratic nomination all along, but he has been keeping hope alive by winning 8 out of the last 9 contests. Sanders’s insurgent campaign enters a tough stretch that includes #PrimaryDay today in New York and five other northeastern states in one week. The political revolution that Sanders is leading depends upon independents, first-time voters and young voters calling for change and these upcoming northeastern primaries are mostly closed to independents. New York has the most restrictive primary voting laws as registered voters had to have registered with the party last OCTOBER to vote for a primary on April 19th, leaving many independents disenfranchised. (Personally, I have a problem with closed primaries as candidates are ultimately running to represent everyone and all taxpayers are footing the bill.)

Regardless of what happens today in New York, or really the rest of the nominating process, Bernie Sanders has already accomplished so much more than anyone really thought that he would. More importantly, the movement that Sanders is leading is bigger than any one person and folks across the nation will continue building upon this momentum.

The revolution of young voters, online community and small donors that support Sanders is much greater than the insurgent movement of Howard Dean in 2004, another Vermont politician that railed against the establishment. While he hasn’t built the same coalition as then-Senator Barack Obama did in 2008 when he defeated front-runner Hillary Clinton, Sanders’ army of small donors has surpassed that of the Obama campaign.

This political revolution, that includes ending federal marijuana prohibition and the greater Drug War, will only grow as the millennials overwhelmingly supporting Bernie Sanders move up into the next age bracket over the next years and are replaced by a new wave of young voters. Young voters fuel the fights for civil liberties and equality. Young voters are those that are sent to war abroad and feel the brunt of a war waged upon our own citizens at home, so it makes sense that they lead the anti-war movement as well. So members of this political revolution, vote this #PrimaryDay and in every election. We may not win every election, but we are winning the war.

The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) has been backed by some political and activist heavyweights and it got announced a big endorsement today from California Congressman Ted Lieu, who represents the 33rd congressional district out of Los Angeles County. Representative Lieu isn’t new to cannabis activism, as he has previously led a bipartisan effort to decrease funding for the DEA’s eradication of marijuana plants. The California representative is joining the growing list of bipartisan legislators in Congress working to reform our nation’s marijuana laws for the better.

The AUMA, backed by California political powerhouses like Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, Napster founder Sean Parker and the California Medical Association, is definitely compiling mainstream political support needed to win at the ballot box this November. Throw in Drug Policy Action, the Marijuana Policy Project of California, and NORML and the legalization effort also has the support of major activist organizations as well.

The effort to legalize marijuana across the nation is clearly picking up steam and all eyes will be on California this November, one of the top economies in the world. Adding California to the list of states with legal cannabis will add many more legislators fighting for legalization, or at least states’ rights, in Congress.

Here’s the press release announcing the endorsement of Congressman Lieu by the Let’s Get It Right California campaign:

 

CA’S ADULT USE OF MARIJUANA ACT ENDORSED BY RESPECTED CONGRESSMAN, MILITARY VETERAN TED LIEU

AUMA is “fiscally responsible, smartly builds on what California has already done” & “provides necessary protections for children, workers, local governments, law enforcement and the environment”

TORRANCE, CA—Today, respected congressman and military veteran U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) announced his support for the statewide ballot measure known as the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA).

The son of Taiwanese immigrants, Lieu has won awards as a military prosecutor, an advisor to U.S. Air Force commanders and as a law student and private attorney.

As a congressman, he serves on the House Budget and Oversight Committees.

Last year, he introduced bipartisan legislation to save taxpayer dollars by blocking the Drug Enforcement Administration from financing its Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression Program through civil asset forfeitures.

“I’ve reviewed the Adult Use of Marijuana Act and believe it creates a legal, responsible and regulated framework for adult use of marijuana that is fiscally responsible, smartly builds on what California has already done with medical marijuana and provides necessary protections for children, workers, local governments, law enforcement agencies and the environment,” said Lieu.

“As a policy, marijuana prohibition has wasted taxpayer resources while failing to protect our communities,” he continued.  “The Adult Use of Marijuana Act represents a vastly superior and long overdue new approach.”

Lieu joins California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom and a rapidly-growing and diverse coalition, including physicians, environmental leaders, business owners, small farmers, civil right groups and social justice advocates, in support of California’s consensus ballot measure to regulate adult use of marijuana.

His endorsement comes on the heels of a recent report by the respected Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) which outlined the importance of AUMA’s key provisions, drawing lessons from Washington and Colorado and including maximum regulatory flexibility, strong data collection, reporting and oversight, unprecedented safeguards for children and a restrictive regulatory structure.

The Adult Use of Marijuana Act is a consensus measure based on recognized best practices and recommendations from hundreds of engaged citizens and organizations.  It includes strong safeguards for children, workers, local governments and small businesses and strict anti-monopoly provisions and the toughest warning label and marketing-to-kids laws in the nation.

It also closely adheres to the Lieutenant Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy and the new medical marijuana laws recently passed by a bipartisan majority of the Legislature and signed by Governor Brown (SB 643, AB 266 and AB 243).

AUMA has been endorsed by the California Council of Land Trusts, Drug Policy Alliance, Marijuana Policy Project, California Cannabis Industry Association, California Medical Association and California NAACP, and national NORML, among others.

-# # #-

Jeff Merkley, the first United States Senator to back a marijuana legalization measure announced his endorsement for Bernie Sanders, the only Democratic candidate advocating to end the federal war on the cannabis community. Senator Merkley, one of the most progressive United States senators, has plenty of reasons for backing Senator Sanders, but it is notable that both are two of the most progressive, or rather sensible, senators on marijuana policy.

In his op-ed, “Why I’m Supporting Bernie Sanders” in The New York Times, Sen. Merkley states that “Bernie Sanders is boldly and fiercely addressing the biggest challenges facing our country” and that:

It has been noted that Bernie has an uphill battle ahead of him to win the Democratic nomination. But his leadership on these issues and his willingness to fearlessly stand up to the powers that be have galvanized a grass-roots movement. People know that we don’t just need better policies, we need a wholesale rethinking of how our economy and our politics work, and for whom they work.

The first three words of the Constitution, in bold script, are “We the People.” The American story is a journey of continuous striving to more fully realize our founding principles of hope and opportunity for all.

It is time to recommit ourselves to that vision of a country that measures our nation’s success not at the boardroom table, but at kitchen tables across America. Bernie Sanders stands for that America, and so I stand with Bernie Sanders for president.

Our era of mass incarceration is one of the major issues plaguing our nation, deciminating communities of color and poor people regardless of their color. Middle class families are also feeling the pinch of policies that have catered to the prison-industrial-complex for too long as our states are building more and more prisons, leaving inadequate funding for our schools and other important programs. Bernie Sanders indeed has bold proposals that will best take on the prison-industrial-complex, including ending federal cannabis prohibition and eliminating the use of private, for-profit prisons.

I was honored to have the opportunity to meet Senator Jeff Merkley recently and I thanked him for publicly stating his intention to vote for Measure 91, Oregon’s legalization law, and he thanked me for my activism. Senator Merkley has already been working on sensible cannabis law policies, including banking reform and protecting states’ abilities to craft their own marijuana laws without federal interference. Oregon voters have chosen well in placing Senator Merkley in office and our entire nation is better off with him in the United States Senate.

Both Senator Sanders and Bernie Sanders are right for Oregon and elected officials that are country needs. Please join me in making a donation today that will be split between Bernie Sanders and Jeff Merkley and let’s help two public servants that are doing great work for the American people.

The good folks at the Greener Side have been through it all with the Oregon cannabis industry and have found a way to thrive and do good work. Starting operations at a time when being reimbursed for medical cannabis was a “gray area,” they know what it is like to be targeted by law enforcement. Having charges dismissed, they know what it is like to prevail against persecution. Seeing their work formally legalized, first for medical purposes and then for recreational, they have seen vindication. They have tackled regulatory hurdles and have still maintained a focus on helping patients in need. You can learn and network with the Greener Side at the upcoming Oregon Marijuana Business Conference (OMBC) on April 24th.

Anyone that meets Joe and Chelsea Hopkins knows that they are the very kind of people that you want in the cannabis industry. They have the combination of respecting the foundation of the cannabis movement with the foresight to know that the industry must adapt with the times and prevent potential backlashes due to bad publicity. They also know the importance of helping those desperately in need and always do what they can to assist patients.

Learning earlier than most about the importance of the cannabis industry giving back to the local community, the Greener Side organizes the Oregon Cannabis Classic golf tournament to raise money for the Oregon Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. In addition to the charity golf tournament, the Greener Side has pitched in on local canned food drives and have donated medicine to patients in need. This commitment to their community has helped their own dispensary, but also the cannabis community in general. When the Greener Side participates in local Chamber of Commerce events, they are doing good business for themselves, but also good politics for the cannabis community as a whole.

Chelsea Hopkins will be sharing what she has learned with OMBC attendees as there aren’t many dispensary operators that have been through the ups and downs as the industry as she has. Hopkins will be paired with a lawyer that will allow those managing a dispensary, or thinking of running one, to have their burning questions answered.

The Greener Side is also sponsoring the OMBC after party Sunday night that will feature an appearance by the great Tommy Chong. The OMBC, in addition to providing attendees with quality information, is a tremendous networking opportunity that is sure to be a great time as well. Please join the amazing folks at the Greener Side on April 24th at the Eugene Hilton. Get your tickets now before the event sells out. In the meantime, if you are 21 or older and in the Eugene area, be sure to visit the Greener Side at 1553 Oak Street; you can learn more about this great dispensary at www.keepeugenegreen.org.

California’s cannabis legalization measure garners most of the headlines and Nevada has already qualified for the ballot, but it looks like the conservative-but-with-a-libertarian-streak state of Arizona may have marijuana on the ballot this November as well. Massachusetts and Maine look like good bets to put marijuana legalization measures before voters as well. In addition to the states qualifying full legalization, Florida has placed medical marijuana on the ballot again and Missouri has less than four weeks to collect the valid signatures required to bring medical marijuana to America’s Heartland.

Arizona, which narrowly passed a medical marijuana measure with 50.13% of the vote in 2010, that included licensed dispensaries, would be a big boon for the cannabis law reform movement, demonstrating that legalization can win statewide in Republican-dominated states as well. The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Arizona is aiming to collect 225,000 total signatures by the July 7th deadline to submit the required 150,642 valid signatures.

If the legalization measure does make the ballot, the vote will likely be very close. A poll taken last December found Arizona voters split on marijuana legalization, with 49% supporting and 51% opposed. Positive tax revenue numbers have come in from Colorado, Oregon and Washington, without the sky falling, potentially helping ease some voters’ concerns in the Grand Canyon State.

The press release from the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol:

Petition Drive in Support of Initiative to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Arizona Reaches Another Milestone — 200,000 Signatures

The campaign needs to collect 150,642 valid signatures of Arizona voters to qualify for the November ballot

PHOENIX — The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol announced Tuesday that it has collected more than 200,000 signatures in support of a proposed initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Arizona. The campaign needs to collect 150,642 valid signatures of registered Arizona voters to qualify the initiative for the November ballot.

“Voters want to have their say on whether Arizona should end marijuana prohibition,” said Campaign Chairman J.P. Holyoak. “It’s appearing more and more likely that they are going to have that opportunity. We’re finding that most Arizonans agree marijuana should be regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol.”

The proposed initiative would allow adults 21 and older to possess limited amounts of marijuana, establish a system in which marijuana is regulated similarly to alcohol, and enact a 15 percent tax on retail marijuana sales, from which a majority of the revenue would be directed to Arizona schools and public education programs.

“The level of interest in signing our petition seems to grow as people learn more about marijuana and the specifics of the initiative,” Holyoak said. “The simple truth is that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol, and marijuana prohibition has been just as big of a failure as alcohol prohibition. Arizonans think it’s time for a more sensible approach, and that’s exactly what we’re proposing.”

# # #

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol is supporting a 2016 statewide ballot initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Arizona and replace it with a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol. For more information, visit http://www.RegulateMarijuanaAZ.org.

Prohibitionists, such as Project SAM’s Kevin Sabet, are fond of painting the burgeoning cannabis industry as “Big Marijuana,” an uncaring industry that only cares about making a buck. Sabet and others like to make the false comparison to Big Tobacco, accusing the marijuana business entrepreneurs of wanting to get younger and younger smokers addicted, health consequences be damned. These prohibitionists could not be more wrong, particularly about the vast number of cannabis industry participants. The Oregon cannabis industry ain’t Big Tobacco.

The cannabis industry across the nation, and particularly here in Oregon, is being built upon an existing medical marijuana movement that has been very caring and generous. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, passed in 1998, by a strong majority of voters, has allowed qualified patients to cultivate their own garden or have someone cultivate for them. Growers have been providing free medicine to thousands of patients and until dispensaries were legalized in 2013, no one has been able to legally make any kind of profit.

Now that marijuana has been legalized and more business people are looking to make a profit in the industry, many members of the industry are still cultivating freely for patients and many more are thinking of ways to help patients. Many dispensaries and businesses find unique ways to donate to patients in need. Knowing that supplying medical cannabis to low-income patients is a huge task, many in the cannabis industry support a low-income patient program that uses fees and/or taxes collected from non-patients to assist patients in need.

Herald and News‘ guest writer Debbie Vought erroneously calls Oregon’s cannabis industry the next Big Tobacco as she falsely claims that legal marijuana will lead to more child neglect and traffic accidents, along with fewer qualified workers. There hasn’t been any proof of marijuana legalization causing more child neglect cases, traffic accidents or hurting the economy. To the contrary, Colorado has seen a decrease in traffic fatalities since legalization took effect and the state’s economy is booming.

Imploring Klamath Falls, Oregon, to ban state-regulated marijuana businesses, Ms. Vought also states that legal cannabis will drastically increase social costs upon Oregon’s communities, far exceeding the new tax revenue generated. Ms. Vought’s claim is without merit as cannabis doesn’t have the same societal impacts as alcohol and tobacco.

Unfortunately, Ms. Vought uses the words of Justin Hartfield, the founder of WeedMaps, against the industry as The Wall Street Journal printed that Hartfield aimed to become the “Phillip Morris” of marijuana. Hartfield, it should be noted, earned his money in an ancillary business as WeedMaps, as The Wall Street Journal notes, is the “Yelp” of marijuana. Hartfield didn’t make his money off of the buying and selling of cannabis. Here’s what he told The Wall Street Journal:

“Philip Morris is not going to move in until it’s 100% legal for them to do so,” says Mr. Hartfield. “By that time, they’re going to buy me and then do it. And they’re going to do it right because I’m going to be the one leading the charge.”

While Hartfield was wrong to play into prohibitionists’ hands, he didn’t claim that the cannabis industry was trying to be like the Big Tobacco. The evidence on the ground is that the cannabis industry wants to work with state regulators to implement sensible regulations and keep marijuana out of the hands of kids, exactly the opposite of long-standing practices of Big Tobacco.

When we drafted Measure 91 to legalize and regulate marijuana in Oregon, we had the craft beer and winery models in mind. We purposefully kept barriers to entry low so small businesses to thrive. If you attend an event like the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, you will see mostly mom-and-pop operations, not Big Tobacco-like business executives looking to trick kids. To the contrary, the cannabis community knows that kids getting their hands on marijuana could lead to a backlash against our industry, so we work as diligently as possible to implement good regulations and business practices to prevent such a backlash.

There have been some changes to the law that have gone against the intent of Measure 91, including the ability of localities like Klamath Falls to more easily ban state-regulated marijuana businesses. The notion by Ms Vought and other prohibitionists that they are helping their children and communities by banning state-regulated businesses is faulty because they are merely pushing marijuana into an unregulated system that doesn’t require testing or that anyone check identification. If you truly want to prevent substance abuse and keep marijuana out of the hands of minors, regulating marijuana and using the tax revenue for drug prevention programs and other social services, is a much better policy.

 

 

The Bernie Sanders political revolution rolled through Wyoming, marking 8 victories out of the last 9 contests for Sanders over Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton. Senator Sanders earned 56% of the vote in the closed Wyoming caucu while Clinton won 44%. The all-important New York primary is next, with both candidates claiming ties to the Empire State, Sanders was born and raised in Brooklyn while Hillary Clinton moved to the state, where she represented the state for 8 years as a senator.

The polls show former New York Senator Hillary Clinton leading in her adopted state by double digits, but Sanders has made ground in recent weeks. Sanders’ supporters can point to his overperformance of the polls, particularly in Michigan, as evidence that the Vermont Senator can, once again, shock the political establishment.

Bernie Sanders has often spoke about his political momentum as he reeled off his recent wins, while Hillary Clinton’s campaign has maintained confidence, with the former Secretary stating that she expects to be the nominee. Saturday Night Live had some fun with Hillary

Whether Bernie Sanders pulls off an upset in New York, the anti-establishment candidate has undoubtedly ran a rather amazing campaign that has exceeded expectations. Above and beyond any campaign, the political movement that Sanders has energized, has already won in many ways as the Democratic debate has moved towards more progressive positions.

For cannabis law reformers, a candidate that supports ending federal prohibition is virtually tied nationally with the Democratic front-runner and has won 17 contests thus far, a remarkable development for the marijuana movement.  Regardless of who becomes president, the worst case scenario for the cannabis community, is a chief executive that supports states’ rights to determine their own marijuana laws. Whether or not Bernie Sanders wins the presidency, his political revolution, that includes equality for the cannabis community, will be alive and well.

Former President Bill Clinton shocked a lot of political observers with his response to Black Lives Matter activists protesting his 1994 crime bill and the inflammatory language Hillary Clinton used to promote the bill. Clinton not only defended his bill, but his wife’s statements about “superpredators” that we needed to bring to “heel.”

.@VanJones68 unload on @BillClinton comments about Crime bill: “It was stupid. It was wrong. It was mean spirited”https://t.co/Nz5Y4S97qO

— Salam Morcos (@SalamMorcos) April 9, 2016

The Clintons had both already expressed regret for exacerbating our nation’s mass incarceration crisis and Hillary stated that she wished she wouldn’t have used such words. Instead of acknowledging their mistakes, former President Clinton decided to double down, angering many, including notable figures such as Van Jones, Michelle Alexander and Russell Simmons.

Russell Simmons @UncleRUSH Demands Apology From Bill Clinton for @Blklivesmatter Comments https://t.co/dIRPYYJBq6 pic.twitter.com/KXv1G5k0th

— TheWrap (@TheWrap) April 8, 2016

While the former president walked back a bit, stating, “I almost want to apologize for it,” almost isn’t good enough, Bill Clinton should apologize fully and completely. Black communities are reeling from an era of mass incarceration that Clinton’s crime bill helped perpetuate and young black people are still stigmatized by stereotypes that Hillary Clinton’s language helped inflame.

The political debate around Bill Clinton’s 1994 Crime Bill is rather complicated complicated as Hillary Clinton championed the bill but Bernie Sanders voted for the legislation, so he can’t get a free pass. Sanders does note that he criticized parts of the bill and ultimately voted for the bill because of provisions that he did support, such as the Violence Against Women Act and a ban on assault weapons.

It did seem that both campaigns did agree that the 1994 Crime Bill made mass incarceration worse and that Hillary Clinton’s racially-charged language about “superpredators” and how our nation “needed to bring them to heel” was no longer acceptable. Unfortunately, Bill Clinton disagrees and he was wrong to double down on his bill and racist language used by Hillary Clinton.

Former First Lady Hillary Clinton had a fundraiser interrupted by activist Ashley Williams who requested that Clinton apologize for her inflammatory language of the 1990s. As Williams was being escorted out by Secret Service, Clinton stated,“You know what, nobody’s ever asked me before, you’re the first person that’s ever asked me, and I’m happy to address it.” To her credit, the Democratic front-runner later stated, “Looking back, I shouldn’t have used those words, and I wouldn’t use them today.”

Former President Bill Clinton, when protested by Black Lives Matter activists today, he defended his wife’s racist language, instead of simply  acknowledging that his wife admitted that she shouldn’t have used such damaging words. “I don’t know how you would characterize the gang leaders who got 13-year-old kids hopped up on crack, and sent them out in the streets to murder other African-American children,” the former president stated. “Maybe you thought they were good citizens — she didn’t.”

The “Big Dawg” just peed on the carpet. https://t.co/watXn6jn0i Will @billclinton backing “super predator” term:

— Van Jones (@VanJones68) April 8, 2016

The small drug users who were diseased and locked away deserve it? Bill Clinton u owe the black community and black lives matter an apology

— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) April 8, 2016

 

Oregon marijuana laws are continually changing and more changes are on the horizon. Since the passage of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act in 1998, Oregon’s laws have changed several times and the changes are only coming more rapidly now that cannabis commerce has been legalized. The Oregon Marijuana Business Conference will help advocates, industry participants and those thinking of joining the industry get the latest information and prepare for the future. The next OMBC is April 24th at the Eugene Hilton. Get your early bird tickets by this Friday before prices go up.

The OMBC has certainly been one of the most prominent and informative cannabis conferences in Oregon and we are proud to always involve activism as the foundation of our conference, and the Oregon cannabis law reform movement, is to ensure that people stay out of prison and that patients have safe access to medicine. With successful industry participants across the spectrum sharing their experiences, along with attorneys to answer your burning questions, the OMBC is sure to have you prepared to tackle the industry. For the first time at the OMBC, we will also have a presentation by the OLCC, who can answer your recreational marijuana licensing questions.

Dr. Carl Hart, one of the most brilliant scientific minds today, will kick off the OMBC, providing his important insight. Closing the day will be the hilarious Tommy Chong, who will share his experiences in entertainment and business. In between Dr. Hart and Tommy, attendees will get the latest on federal, state and local marijuana laws. We will also have a fun social events that will give attendees a great networking opportunity. The Oregon marijuana marijuana market has already exceeded expectations and is poised to grow. Join us at the OMBC and maximize the potential for your cannabis business!

Please get your tickets by Friday April 8th as tickets have to go up another $50 on Saturday the 9th. Early bird tickets are currently $149 and can be purchased at www.oregonmbc.com.

 

Merle Haggard had a legendary career and life. Known as a pioneer of  the “outlaw country” movement, Haggard was inducted into the Country Hall of Fame in 1994. A friend of cannabis community icon Willie Nelson, Haggard was once anti-marijuana, but he evolved and became a cannabis connoisseur. Today, the legend passed away at age 79.

Commenting on his evolution from anti-cannabis to pro-cannabis, the outlaw country legend told Men’s Journal that he was once “brainwashed like most of America.” “But if a guy doesn’t learn anything in 50 years, there’s something wrong with him. I’ve learned a lot about it, and America has, too.”

 

https://t.co/U5K6E3CpSe pic.twitter.com/wcvEZbCBFP

— Willie Nelson (@willienelson) April 6, 2016

The evolution from anti-marijuana to cannabis connoisseur can be seen in the evolution in Haggard’s music. When Haggard recorded “Okie from Muskogee” he didn’t use marijuana, but that clearly changed as he grew older (and wiser).

As Rolling Stone noted, many country artists have commemorated the very influential outlaw:

Eric Church recruited the very inspiration behind his “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag” to join him on the song. Today, Church sent an email to his fans, containing simply these poignant lyrics:

Rest In Peace.
One of these days when my time has come
You can take me back to where I’m from
Put me on a westbound train
And ship me off in the pourin’ rain
Don’t cry for me when I’m gone
Just put a quarter in the jukebox and sing me back home and
Tip your hats and raise your glasses of cold cold beer
They say country’s fading
But just keep waving that flag around here
And I know it’ll keep on coming back
As long as people pledge allegiance
Where folks still pledge allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the Hag

Leaving no question that he was done with his anti-marijuana ways, Merle Haggard recorded “It’s all going to pot” with Willie Nelson, which I’ll leave you with. Rest in peace, Mr. Haggard.